Colossians 3:23-24 7/26/2022*

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

This was my moms’ favorite verse… at least her favorite verse for me.  I had it quoted to me numerous times in various forms…and eventually the truth sunk in that if you’re going to do something … do it right.

As a youngster my goal was often to do things “good enough” …. good enough to pass inspection, or to go unnoticed.  But “good enough” is not God’s standard…and God notices everything. 

The word “whatever”, and the phrase “working for the Lord” removes all loopholes which would allow compromise.  There are no small jobs just small people. You should only do something if it is what God directs you to do…If He does, you must do it correctly…. And the end of the passage explains why.

God is your audience.  He is the only opinion that matters ….There is no need to google the mob’s view … instead search the scripture and move forward. Our downfall is that we seek directions from those who are lost…We are lemmings concerned about what other lemmings think as they plunge off the cliff.  

When I was a coach the phrase “Audience of One” was on our pants, Jerseys, and other equipment as a reminder of who we play for…. 

This made our job clear,  and that was to do whatever we did as if we were doing it for God. We were to play and coach as though there was only one person in the stands who saw every play, heard every word, and could read every thought. If you approach a job in that way – it will change your performance. 

God sees your heart.  He made life a team sport, so go out today and fight for your brothers.  Seek good for others, and don’t worry about what men think. If God said it, that settles it. There’s only one person you need to please. 

That sounds like a clear, simple pre-game speech. One I need to hear this morning before kickoff, so I don't get distracted.

“Work Hard. Do your best. Keep your word. Never get too big for your britches. Trust in God”. — Harry S. Truman

Isaiah 6: 2-3 7/19/2022*

“Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.  And they were calling to one another”

The prophet Isaiah is given a glimpse into the Throne room of Heaven and attempts to describe what he sees. The angels around God are referred to  as “Seraphs”, which translates into “fiery ones”. They are fearsome beings, ablaze with purifying fire.  

Their six wings are used to protect their face from the raging glory of God, cover their feet out of respect for His holiness, and allow them to hover for immediate deployment as the most intimidating special ops forces of all time. 

To say the least - these ain’t your Christmas tree angels. These are the creatures that caused battle tested Roman Soldiers to faint in fear outside the tomb on Easter morning.  Scripture describes them as warriors engaged in combat against evil. These were the forces I imagine pressing at the gates of Heaven during the crucifixion, desiring to annihilate a world of humans who would disrespect their King. 

Terrifying, intense angels, yet even with their power, they must shield their eyes and bow before our magnificent God. 

So why today do we depict God as an elderly grandfather on the auction block for our consideration? Why do we pretend we are judges instead of those to be judged? 

Simply because it feeds our arrogance.  It makes us feel powerful…It is an absurd position to take when even these servant angels are more powerful than we can comprehend

Consider who you worship.  God’s glory should be terrifying and comforting at the same time. If you get just a glimpse of who you pray to, you suddenly understand the power of prayer. If you get a glance at the Holiness of God, it illuminates your sin, and reveals your desperate need of grace. 

We serve an omnipotent, all-powerful God.  He is incomprehensible an unapproachable - except for one thing…He loves you and has paid an incredible price to redeem you as His child. 

That is the most important statement you will ever read. 

“A necessary pre-cursor of any great spiritual awakening is a spirit of deep humiliation growing out of a consciousness of sin, and fresh revelation of the holiness and power and glory of God.”

- John R. Mott

Colossians 3:5 7/12/2022*

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

Read that list again. Isn’t it odd how we treat sin that is inside our “accepted circle”, compared to sin that is not? Some churches have ranked sins and deemed some more excusable than others, and “greed” sometimes falls into the “excusable” category especially if you provide funds for the church. 

But God’s list is pretty clear – It starts with sexual immorality – impurity – lust – evil desires…all of which most would say are not OK… These sins fall outside of the accepted circle and are usually worthy of negative attention. 

But then at the end of this list “greed” is dropped in - which to be honest is not really outside my circle … I mean, if you asked, I would say it is wrong - but it doesn’t cause me to recoil or be concerned about you.

So now you know my opinion - but read on, and you will get God’s.…

God not only doesn’t minimize greed… He equates greed with worshipping another god. He sets greed apart from the other sins, but in the opposite way …It appears, if anything, He makes it worse than the preceding list by deeming it idolatry.

In our culture we struggle with that. We measure so much of ourselves by what we have, compared to others.  At the microphone many thank God for their success, but few seem content or satisfied. 

We teach things that easily morph into greed…Things like drive, ambition, determination…all good things - until they lead to discontentment. Until they become how we define ourselves…Until they become our gods. 

Greediness is Idolatry.  It is as destructive as any depravity. We must see ALL sin for what it is …deadly disease that put Christ on the cross.  There is no “accepted circle” of sin. I need to treat anything that is not of God, like a snake and get away from it.   

If you’re not killing sin, then it is killing you. God doesn’t place degrees on death….there is light and there is darkness….Greed is darkness – it is a noose that slowly tightens around your neck…do not tolerate it, or it will own you. 

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”

― Socrates

PSALM 91:11-12 7/5/2022*

“For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways. On their hands they will lift you up, so that you do not strike your foot against a stone.”

You might want to read that first sentence again.  It says there have been “Orders” given in Heaven concerning you. 

Angels aren’t guarding me just because they like me …God has called them to the throne this morning and said, “Here is what Boyd will need today… protect him”.

God did the same thing for you too. This verse doesn’t imply that God gives vague orders about the church in general. It says He looked a powerful spiritual being in the eye and said your name this morning…. He discussed specifics and gave orders regarding situations you will encounter today.

If that doesn’t amaze you – you’re not listening. 

You have been the topic of conversation in Heaven. God has commanded (not suggested) His angels watch over you. How can that not impact Your confidence today?   

Years ago, when I was coaching a high school football team, I jokingly told the team one day that if anyone talked to my daughter who was a freshman, the whole team would run…. The next day two senior players shadowed her through the halls of school, shooing away anyone who approached her. Not one conversation took place that wasn’t approved by those two players first. 

I picture something similar to that as I go through my day today. There are incredibly powerful beings with a vested interest in protecting me – They have been given orders concerning me specifically…. And they are serious about fulfilling those orders. 

There are nearly Eight billion people in the world, but this verse says there are angels that have orders, from God – about you and me.

So, as the News Anchor tells you the list of things you need to fear today – remember that.  As the internet “prophets” describe why you must be prepared to hide in your house, read this psalm. 

You can choose to live in fear if you want to, but when fear tries to steal my peace today, I will remember that there was a very high-level meeting in Heaven this morning, and I was the only topic on the agenda.

“Safety comes in our nearness to God, not in our distance from our enemies.” ― Dillon Burroughs