In the midst of the pandemic, while we were confined to our homes and unable to socialize with loved ones or attend church services, this blog post was written.
My husband, who is a local pastor of a church in our hometown, has been devoting his efforts to recording messages a couple times of week so he can stay in touch with his sheep and offer some sort of fresh spiritual nourishment.
All of us have appreciated his diligence and have gotten so much from his pertinent messages.
Longing for Something More than Online Sermons
Personally, my spirit is longing for something more than just videos of sermons posted online…
Do not get me wrong, it has been great to stay afresh with messages going forth from the variety of churches in our Fellowship. We have our pick of what message or church service we would like to listen to; Facebook and YouTube have a plethora of posts regarding this on a weekly basis.
I am getting filled repeatedly with preaching of the word of God from these online sermons, and I am most appreciative.
But that is just it – I am getting filled and filled and filled.
Now there is this growing need in me – to give and give and give.
Appreciating the Written Word of God
At some point in my life I picked up a little Gideon Bible. It is most precious to me.
In fact, I keep it in my drawer next to my bed and pull it out from time to time when I grow tired of reading the Bible app on my phone.
Do any of you get this way? Tired of the Bible app? Desiring the Bible in a book format instead?
There is something about this little Gideon Bible of mine and the written word of God.
Earlier this month, finding myself tired of the Bible app, but still wanting to read the word of God, I pulled my Gideon out of the drawer.
Upon opening the little book, I immediately felt a surge of the Holy Spirit.
As I read the verses, my spirit was being nourished, and I was filled with hope and grace.
My spirit was hungry for this anointed, textual written word of God.
Reading the Bible app just is not the same. Even though it is the word of God, it is not the written (textual) word of God.
Reading My Bible Late into the Night
This surge of the Holy Spirit was something that would happen to me often while reading my textual King James Study Bible before all the pages started falling out.
When that happened, I turned to my smart phone Bible app instead of my actual Bible – and that was years ago - boy, have I been missing out.
On this night, I began reading the New Testament, and I could not stop. I read right through 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and into Titus.
Then I turned to the book of Psalms, which was very handy, because it was at the back of the little Gideon Bible, next to Proverbs.
Something had stirred deep within me while reading that night and I did not know what it was until the next morning on my way to work.
The phrase, “rich in good works,” kept coming to me… “rich in good works…”
I recognized this as something the Lord was speaking to me for this time of isolation but was a bit confused.
How can I be rich in good works when I cannot be around people during this pandemic?
A Dream Helps Me Understand How to Be "Rich in Good Works"
Later that day, I was bouncing around thoughts and memories of what I have heard about the phrase “good works” throughout the years, when I remembered a vision I had a long time ago.
There I was, at home, a young busy mom, in the middle of a home remodeling crisis that was lasting eons, and I was having an emotional meltdown.
This meltdown had not come about from the home remodeling crisis but came about because I had upset an important lady in the church.
A few days earlier, this lady had called to ask me a favor, and I told her I was not able to help her this time.
After the phone call, guilt came over me and I wanted to apologize at church the next day.
When I approached her to give my apology, she snapped at me, telling me exactly how I had affected her.
Being caught off guard by her response, I fumbled explaining that her phone call had come at a bad time, and I was not myself.
She brushed my response off before I could give my full apology, and curtly moved away from our conversation.
Deeply hurt and wounded by this interaction, I cried for hours.
My husband could not offer any solace. Poor guy. He was disturbed by the whole incident as well.
After a couple of agonizing days, the Lord woke me one night with a vision.
A door opened to a room that was filled with beautiful gems and jewels of different sizes and colors.
Then a voice told me that these were the good works of that important lady who had hurt me, and they were waiting for her in heaven.
The voice went on and encouraged me to forgive this lady and look past what happened, “for she has done many good works in my name,” the voice explained.
I was amazed that the Lord held these good works in such high esteem.
As the voice spoke, I was filled with divine grace to forgive her and slept peacefully after that. Waking up the next morning refreshed and renewed in spirit and mind.
This important lady was apart of our church for many years and I never held that incident against her --ever.
Instead, honoring her in a new way within my heart.
Unfortunately, this lady never asked me to do a favor for her again.
My quick quip of the tongue hurt her and, in a way, ruined my reputation. Boy, have I learned the lesson of think before you answer the hard way.
But, oh how awesome to know that heaven is keeping track of good works being done on earth! And this lady has a room full of precious jewels waiting for her!
I most certainly want a room filled with precious jewels too!
A Healthy Person Knows How to Give and Receive
Reading my little Gideon Bible sure inspired me.
For several nights after, I read the book of Titus. Drawing grace from these verses:
In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.(Titus 2:7)
To obey, to be ready for every good work. (Titus 3:1)
That those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.(Titus 3:8)
And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14)
I was being infused with grace and strength while reading these verses and a desire was birthed in me to be used in this capacity of good works.
Being isolated for lengths of time can cause someone to become stagnate in their spirit and unfruitful.
You need an ebb and flow to produce life.
Perhaps this is why I was feeling the need for more than the online sermons?
I was being poured into, but nothing was flowing out.
Why is the Dead Sea called the Dead Sea? Because there is only water flowing into it, and nothing flowing out of it.
This sea is useless. Totally unfruitful. It gives us nothing.
There is not one fish or reptile that can survive in this sea, nor is there any human or animal that can drink of its water.
Why is that?
Because it is stagnant water.
There is fresh water flowing into it, but nothing flowing out of it.
Before we were quarantined, we were able to gather with other believers in church, hear the word of the Lord then walk in love towards our brethren in the church. There was that ebb and flow of the spirit going on.
Now, we listen to the messages online and we are only taking in. There is not any giving to others going on afterwards. The ebb and flow of the spirit is missing in that regard.
Before the quarantine, this flow would also happen during our workday, while rubbing shoulders with co-workers, or while grocery shopping. We would exercise walking in love and learning to be gracious with others. Whereas now, we order groceries online and pick them up at the curbside. All the while, making sure to keep our 6 foot distance.
The ebb and flow of giving to others is missing. The smile, the manners, letting others go first, etc.
Now, we are isolated at home, around our family, where unfortunately, sometimes these manners slip. The smiles have faded or are nonexistent anymore and our patience with everyone has grown thin.
The Blessing of Online Sermons
My husband’s sermons and other messages I have heard online have been life giving.
Someone just texted me yesterday and said that my husband’s messages were what was sustaining her during the quarantine.
Wonderful. God’s word is life giving.
If we have been filled with life – now we must give.
Lest we become stagnant and unfruitful!
How Can We Be Rich in Good Works?
Good works come in all different shapes and sizes.
We must be creative in this regard. Especially during a pandemic.
Seek the Lord and look for ways you can give of yourself and be rich in good works.
One way I have expended myself with good works during this pandemic, is by way of meals.
There is a lady in our church who is going through cancer treatment, and I made her a dinner the night of her first radiation treatment.
She graciously invited us in when we dropped the meal off, we stayed our 6 feet apart, and we did not stay long in honor of the quarantine.
She texted me the next day, her and her husband were very blessed and touched by the meal.
Our church welcomed a missionary couple on furlough right before this pandemic broke out and all their plans of visiting with family in several states were thwarted.
They found themselves stuck in the church apartment unable to fulfill any of their plans.
Our hearts have gone out to them.
We have repeatedly had them over for dinner knowing they are far away from the comforts of their home. This is a must in spite of the pandemic.
Offering them meals on a weekly, bi-weekly basis has been a way for us to minister to them and give of ourselves.
Staying connected with family, friends and church members through text messages, phone calls and quick one on one visits has been a sure way to keep the ebb and flow of reaching out to others going.
Of course, we are always called to pray for one another, and this may be a way you could give of yourself and be fruitful.
Doing Good Works at Home
Our time is precious to us, and the Lord knows this, that is why taking the time to pray is an offering of itself. Plus, you are blessing others with your prayers.
On a more personal basis, the Lord has called me to walk in gentleness during this time.
I have become rich in this good work.
My husband is under a lot of stress, my son is feeling the effects of the pandemic, I’m still working, and our whole household is under much pressure.
Through all of this, the Lord has repeatedly whispered the word gentleness to me.
This has been my personal flow of the spirit by way of good works.
The spirit of gentleness has had profound effects upon our home.
It is amazing to see the before and after scenario when gentleness is or is not a part of the equation.
A Little Gentleness Goes a Long Way
The atmosphere in the home is drastically different when I function under the spirit of gentleness.
How is this a good work you may ask?
Well, because I see the fruit of this one inward / outward action.
When I am gentle with my words, I function under grace – bringing peace to a situation.
When I am gentle with my responses, I show love – and it settles my husband.
When I walk in gentleness within my home, my light is shining – thus glorifying my Father which is in heaven.
What matters most to me, is that I am pleasing to my Heavenly Father.
If we walk in love, forgiving one another, looking past one another’s faults, the Lord is pleased.
If we make a meal for a loved one who is sick, or call them to see how they are doing, the Lord is pleased.
If we spend 10 minutes praying for situations, or giving thanks to the Lord, He is pleased.
Good works come in different shapes and sizes, but this one thing we know, we aren't to neglect to do good.
Hebrews 13:16 (KJV)
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Friends – we are his workmanship, created in Him for good works that He has prepared for us, and we should walk in those good works.
Go forth! Be fruitful! Become rich in your good works and build up your heavenly storehouse of precious jewels!
The Lord bless you!
Read more blog posts related to personal growth and spiritual development for every Christian woman at the READ-PRAY-SING Blog!
Let's Pray Together
Heavenly Father,
Your light shines into our hearts when we open Your Holy Word and receive what it says and apply to our lives. Thank You for this life-giving power.
Thank You for drawing my attention to this phrase of "rich in good works" so I could write this blog post for others to read. May we develop an awareness of pouring out ourselves to others by way of good works through gentleness, and may this ability bless many people.
Our heart's desire is to grow and mature into beautiful daughters that represent Your love and character in all we do. Help us, apply this spiritual concept of giving and receiving in our homes, in our workplaces, and in our churches. Pour out grace for us to walk in love and gentleness towards family members who know us best, and towards co-workers who can see the worst of us sometimes.
We love You and enjoy serving You with our lives.
Meet with us now, we pray,
in Your Precious name, Amen.
Many Blessings to you my friends ~
From Angie,
The Founder of
My Sun & Shade Ministries
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