Alley Oop!
First Published July 9, 2008
When my daughter Heather helps teach basic horsemanship she assists the beginning riders onto the saddle using a mounting block or giving the boost herself. Her intertwined fingers provide strength to help “alley oop” the student to the much higher seat. As lessons progress some riders are able to mount the saddle unaided. Others can safely use the mounting block, and the rest rely on another to “alley oop” them up.
Most of us Christians came to their faith as spiritual babies, beginners if you will. And, in the course of our life we have had a combinations of helps, or “alley oops” to boost our spiritual growth. We have needed the help of Biblically appointed teachers and leaders with their intertwined fingers of wisdom and experience boosting us up. “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” (Eph 4:11-12)
We have needed and relied upon each other for help via prayer, or sometimes of a practical nature. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.” (Romans 16:2) “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16)
And we all have needed and will continue to need God’s help through his word and his spirit, as we seek to be in his will. “So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the prophets and Moses said was going to take place.” (Acts 26:22)
That covers everyone. Giving. Receiving. Both. Okay, ready? One, two, three, alley oop!
**** ****
Lord, I read in your word that I can receive help from your holy spirit, leaders and teachers, and other believers. I acknowledge and thank you for the hundreds of believers that have boosted me spiritually. Please strengthen and equip me to also be an “ally oop” to others so that all of us can grow and mature.
When my daughter Heather helps teach basic horsemanship she assists the beginning riders onto the saddle using a mounting block or giving the boost herself. Her intertwined fingers provide strength to help “alley oop” the student to the much higher seat. As lessons progress some riders are able to mount the saddle unaided. Others can safely use the mounting block, and the rest rely on another to “alley oop” them up.
Most of us Christians came to their faith as spiritual babies, beginners if you will. And, in the course of our life we have had a combinations of helps, or “alley oops” to boost our spiritual growth. We have needed the help of Biblically appointed teachers and leaders with their intertwined fingers of wisdom and experience boosting us up. “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” (Eph 4:11-12)
We have needed and relied upon each other for help via prayer, or sometimes of a practical nature. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.” (Romans 16:2) “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16)
And we all have needed and will continue to need God’s help through his word and his spirit, as we seek to be in his will. “So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the prophets and Moses said was going to take place.” (Acts 26:22)
That covers everyone. Giving. Receiving. Both. Okay, ready? One, two, three, alley oop!
**** ****
Lord, I read in your word that I can receive help from your holy spirit, leaders and teachers, and other believers. I acknowledge and thank you for the hundreds of believers that have boosted me spiritually. Please strengthen and equip me to also be an “ally oop” to others so that all of us can grow and mature.
posted by Karen Vaughn | 7:02 AM
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