Being My Sister's Keeper - Part III

As single women, it can be an easy temptation to become self-absorbed and self-focused. Our problems can seem all encompassing and much bigger than anyone else's. It can be challenging to pull the focus away from ourselves and seek to bare the burdens of those around us. But that is exactly what we are called to do. Romans tells us to bear with others and not just please ourselves. So, what does this look like practically?

* Learn to become a good listener
- Be attentive when a woman in your life, whether married or single, is speaking. Is there despair, anger, weariness, bitterness in her words? Is she overwhelmed with the business of her season or weight of her sin? You'll only find out what's going on in her life by listening.
* Learn to take the log out of your own eye first
- When all we can see is the sin of others, it's will be hard to be gentle with them when bringing our observations. Examining our heart before we go to our friends will produce humility and gentleness. We will be better prepared to come alongside our sisters and help them.
* Learn to breathe grace
- Our words have the power to either tear down, or give life. Speaking truth to one another first begins with reiterating the gospel to them. As Elyse says in her message, "how many times have we torn open the wounds of someone that Christ has bound up?" How convicting!
* Learn to love others because we have first been loved
- Being our sister's keeper is not out of a response of guilt, but instead, it is a response to what Christ has already done for us. Guilt will never motivate us long term to do anything. Only love can do that. How can we not be interested in others, when Christ has been so interested in us?
* Learn to bear one another’s burdens
- Godly love does not seeks it's own, but seeks to serve and bless others. God has given us each other as a means of grace to help us through the day to day. Think of ways you can help carry the burden of someone in your life. 2 Corinthians speaks of God being our comfort and how because of that, we can now comfort those around us.

Without God's help, no one would be able to apply all these things effectively. But God is eager to help us and use us as instruments in His hands. Ask God to give you love for the women in your life and to show you ways to listen to them, breathe grace into their lives, humbly bring correction and carry their burdens. ~ Lana Calabello

Being My Sister's Keeper - Part III

When a sister comes and shares a crushing weight with us what does it look like to be a vessel of mercy? Sometimes we may need to just sit quietly and listen. If she is sharing a burden she has carried alone for some time she may just need the opportunity to voice her concerns and know that a trusted friend will be with her as she works through the details. Other times we may feel the need to offer advice or words of wise counsel. Spurgeon's Morning and Evening are full of entries that I have gone back to time and again for comfort, encouragement and words to pass on to a friend. Here is a portion of an entry that many have quoted and found to be such a jewel.

"If none of God'saints were poor and tried, we should not know half so well the consolations of divine grace. When we find the wanderer who has not where to lay his head, who yet can say 'Still will I trust in the Lord;' when we see the pauper starving on bread and water, who still glories in Jesus; when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction, and yet having faith in Christ, oh! what honor it reflects on the gospel. God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers. Saints bear up under discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring-that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily, or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace."

Every day as your soul feeds on the Word of God and truths expounded in good books, try to keep a list of meaningful words to share with someone in time of need. Our own thoughts may seem inadequate but we can be a vessel of mercy as we channel wise words from others.
~ Brenda Edwards

Being My Sister's Keeper - Part III

This week we will continue in our series Am I My Sister’s Keeper as we look at what it means to Care For One Another As We Bear One Another’s Burden’s. (you can listen to the third message here)

But first may I encourage you to pause for a moment and grab your Bible and read Luke 10:25-37; it is here we find The Parable of the Good Samaritan. This story teaches us so much about our relationships; how we are to love and care for our neighbor in light of what Jesus Christ has already done for us. Ponder for a moment this wondrous love and allow this love to motivate you. Feeling guilty and condemned about your failure to love will never motivate you to love anyone; rather as you remember the glories of Calvary a responsive love will flow out of you to love as Christ loves.

Listed below are a few scriptures that hopefully will encourage you to love and care for your neighbor; husband, children, friend, stranger.

- Bear with other’s weaknesses; don’t just please yourself but follow Christ in this (Romans 15:1-3).
- Your words can help the tottering to stand (Job 4:3-4).
- Strengthen the weak and feeble – act as a brace for their brokenness (Hebrews 12:12-13).
- Turning a sister back from error will cover her sin and save her (James 5:19-20).
- Help other weaker sisters – you’ll be more joyful giving out to others (Acts 20:35).
- You should shepherd your sisters by seeking them out and reclaiming them (Luke 15:4-7).
- Because Christ is strengthening you, you can strengthen your sisters (Luke 22:32).
- Show mercy to those who are struggling with doubt…grab them from the fire (Jude 1:22-23).
- Gently correct those that Satan is manipulating (II Timothy 2:24:26).

“What is the friend, who will be a real blessing to my soul? Is it enough that he loves my person, and would spend his time and energies in my service? This comes far short of my requirement. I am a poor, straying sinner, with a wayward will and a blinded heart; going wrong at every step. The friend for my case is one, who will watch over me with open rebuke…The genuineness of friendship without this mark is more than doubtful; its usefulness utterly paralyzed.

Rebuke, kindly, considerately, and prayerfully administered, cements friendship rather then loosens it.

Many indeed profess their value for a true friend; and yet in the most valuable discharge of friendship, they ‘count him their enemy.’

The mark of true godliness is an anxiety to have our faults pointed out; and a thankfulness to those who undertake the self-denying office. ‘A faithful reprover is a very help in our Christian course. He is to be valued above the greatest treasure.’” Charles Bridges

Oh God, strip us of our self-righteous deeds and allow us to see that they are far worse than our gross sins. Show us that left to our own reasoning we think we are better than we are. Help us to see our need for you and our need for one another. Give us a desire to be yoked together with others for our good and your glory. ~ Rhonda Calabello