Home Improvement

Ken Weliever and his wife Norma Jean recently took a trip to Jerusalem. They are blessed and Ken’s blog posts are a blessing to many of his readers. Ken’s blogs from Jerusalem brought Jerusalem to me and others who are not so blessed to be able to travel abroad.

Walking on water, travelling across oceans and rivers is extremely difficult for people who are not financially independent or funded by foundations. It is easy for funded people travelling in the boat with Jesus to say…where’s your faith? You Ken do it.

This week Ken Weliever’s blog brought Home Improvement to my attention. https://thepreachersword.com/

Ken and his wife Norma Jean spent the weekend in South River Ontario where Ken presented a sermon series on Home Improvement to a Brethren congregation.

Here are snippets from Ken’s post:

Regarding our homes, it’s very easy to see how our spouse could improve. Or our children. Or our parents. But what about us? American businessman Bo Bennett once quipped, “Spend some time this weekend on home improvement; improve your attitude toward your family.” How can I be more loving? More patient? More responsible? And less irritable? Less demanding? Less self-absorbed?

I often hear people criticize local churches. Every attendee is an expert on how the church can improve. We critique the preacher. The song leader. The announcer. The Bible class teacher. And the men leading prayer and those serving the Lord’s supper. We evaluate the friendliness and hospitality of the brethren and the way visitors are received.

But what about you and me? Are we adding value to the local church? Are we doing our best? Serving? Teaching? Encouraging? Edifying? Using our talents? Extending hospitality? Speaking to others? Fervently worshiping? And joyfully engaging in fellowship?

The areas of improvement are obvious to us when observing the lives of other Christians, but less apparent in our own lives. To modernize the quote of Robert Burns, “Oh, the gift that God could give us, to see ourselves as others see us.” But even more importantly would that we pray the prayer of David, “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart” (Ps 26:2).

In order to improve, we must see ourselves as God sees us. We must believe we can improve. Truly desire to improve. Identify those areas in which we can improve. And then make a conscious choice to set in motion a plan for improvement.

The Bible says, “Examine yourselves” (2 Cor 13:5). Are we growing spiritually? Increasing in knowledge? Developing deeper faith? And demonstrating the fruit of the spirit in our lives? Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. And self-control.

The Bible command “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18) is not optional. And it implies that we can improve.

The Bible says that 12-year-old Jesus when home to Nazareth and was subject to Joseph and Mary and “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Lk 2:52). If the Son of Man in His human state could grow and improve, surely that says you and I can and must follow His example to improve our lives.

After reading Ken’s post, I reached out for the LIKE button and clicked it. Then I thought. How can I add value to what Ken said?

The image of 12-year old Jesus getting lost suddenly occurred to me. To check out the facts, I looked up the passage Ken quoted from Luke 2:52. Just before this passage, Joseph and Mary lost sight of Jesus.

Here’s the comment I added to what Ken said.

The twelve-year old Jesus was subject to Joseph and Mary. And then one day Jesus appeared to be lost. They couldn’t find him. They may have criticized each other…for losing sight of such a precious gift. Scripture says they retraced their steps and found Jesus teaching in Jerusalem.

WOW! Imagine their joy when they discovered the gift given to them to raise up. So, they asked: Why have you done this to us? [Disappear and not tell us where you were going or ask us for permission?]

Jesus simply answered his Mother and his Father with 2 more questions. And they did not understand the statement He was making to them. Then he went down to Nazareth and was subject to them. But [And] Mary treasured up all these things in her heart. Imagine her joy when a friend simply reminded her of the 2 questions Jesus asked his Mother and his Father.

These Two questions Jesus asked bring Wisdom and Stature to Jesus’ body still today. Why are you looking for Me? Did you not know I had to be in my Father’s house?

Think about Jesus’ questions. Who is Jesus’ Father? Why isn’t Jesus’ Father standing behind him or sitting beside him or across the room in Church, in the Temple?

Mothers and wives can improve their relationships at home. Me too. We can start by [inviting and] encouraging our husbands and our Bridegrooms (or special friends) to attend Church with us and God’s children.

Later I thought…well that is a place to start. Discussing the sermons and the issues brought up in Church (even if they do not attend with you) can strengthen and improve one’s self and one’s family ties. Conflicts and disagreements are bound to occur. This is where humility comes in with a big dose of love for the one with whom you disagree. If they are not taking your side and getting behind you. Ask yourself why? Likely, the answer to that question is where the growth and home improvement will happen.

With this post, I am thanking Ken Weliever and his wife Norma Jean for reminding me of what Jesus said to his Mother and his Father when they had lost sight of Him.