1 Corinthians 13:12 8/30/2022*

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”

Some time ago, I had a discussion with a young man about the evidence of God. He finally said, “I have read the bible, and if God is real, I don’t agree with Him.”

Less than twenty years earlier this young man couldn’t change his own diaper, yet now he was confident that he could evaluate God and reject His ability to reign.  

We are not qualified to judge the Judge … You cannot  appraise what you do not comprehend, and you lack the ability to understand the Power that created you. 

We barely glimpse God’s Magnificence. We see it as though through a dark glass…because we wouldn’t survive seeing the entirety of His Glory.  God gives us freedom of choice, but it is ludicrous and dangerous to believe that God is on the auction block while we stroke our chins trying to determine His worth. 

Our arrogance has made us believe that it is His value that is in question – instead of ours.  

We are the accused…He is the all-powerful judge, so we should carefully approach Him and the way He has allowed us to approach is by faith.

When you step on the brakes -your car stops. You may not be able to explain why but every day you risk your life based on the faith that it will.

God exists … but trying to explain His omnipotence with human wisdom is like asking a kindergarten class to evaluate plans for the Space Shuttle. We are woefully inadequate for the task. 

If He reveals Himself to you – fall on your face and worship Him - It is the only logical response. 

There is a God…It is not you and He does not need your approval to reign. In fact, it will take your entire life for you to comprehend even a tiny fraction of His Power…and yet you matter to Him, He loves you.

Be joyful that the God you serve is too big for you to fully understand …if He wasn’t He would not be deserving of your worship. 

“Sooner or later, man has always had to decide whether he worships his own power or the power of God.” - Arnold Toynbee

Genesis 40:6-7 8/23/22*

“When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” 

Joseph was bullied, human trafficked by his brothers, forced into slavery, falsely accused of attempted rape, and wrongly imprisoned.  

He had a trauma filled past, and his present wasn’t much better… yet he cared enough about other people to observe that some prisoners were dejected and ask what was wrong. 

That question launched Josephs ascension from “inmate” -  to “Egyptian royalty” …His unselfishness set into motion a plan that would deliver him from prison - and place him in a position of power. 

Had Joseph been busy with self-pity he may not have noticed or cared that the other men were despondent. Had he been consumed by the unfairness of his situation he would have been unaware of their suffering.

In our culture we are taught to be self-centered. Society enables and encourages us to be hypersensitive to the slightest offense. It has become normal for us to be so self-engrossed that we believe we must be protected from any perceived insult. 

We are bombarded by the mantra that we must love ourselves, express ourselves, be ourselves without reservation….And yet the bible says to die to our self. 

That is quite a contrast…

The contrast is created  by who sits on the throne of your life. If you are on the throne – then all the self-absorbed foolishness makes perfect sense.  But if God is on the throne of your life - you will be so consumed by His glory there will be little time to worry about yourself. 

As a child of God your value has been established. His unimaginable love for you will so solidly define your self-image, that it will be anything but fragile.

The world tells you to be self-focused which is depressing.  But if you choose instead to be God-focused He will bring stability, and contentment to your life.

So, you have two choices…One leads to a shallow, self-centered existence while the other leads to a life full of love and usefulness…

Selfishness seldom makes you content or effective, while selflessness seldom fails to do both….you choose. 

“God creates out of nothing. Therefore, until a man is nothing, God can make nothing out of him.” - Martin Luther

Luke 12:29…31 8/16/2022*

“And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.... But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

When did we decide worrying is helpful? When did fear become our national pastime?

It has become our practice to wake up each morning expecting disaster. We blame the media for our paranoia, but the media is only a mirror. They sell fear because we buy it. 

For some reason purchasing toilet paper and gasoline have been deemed the  proper response to every threat. Logic has been abandoned and we choose anxiety every time. Prepare if you deem it necessary, but don’t  be obsessed and fearful. 

Time after time the manufactured predictions of disaster pass unfulfilled…Yet we continue to irrationally choose fear instead of faith.

And make no mistake, fear is a choice, and it does not come from God (2 Tim. 1:7). Each morning we have options…We can nervously approach the day standing in the quicksand of apprehension….Or we can stand on The Rock of faith and live joyfully. 

Are there dangers out there? …Sure. There always have been. Does worrying about them make them go away? …No, so stop worrying. 

Faith is the only road to peace.  

So, choose…. Do you want to be suspicious and fearful today or do you want to be faithful and have joy?  It is literally your choice… and it should be an easy one. 

Pessimism and fear will not change tomorrow, but they will ruin today.  Faith and Joy will not only improve today – they will also put you in the presence of the God who can change tomorrow.  

Refuse to worry for one day…Don’t allow fear in your mind and actively reject it when it appears …Try it today and see what happens…It will enhance your day with a refreshing calmness – and it will bring light and peace to those around you.

Tomorrow is in bigger hands than yours… and those hands have nail scars on them that prove they love you. God made today …so make the decision to trust Him and rejoice and be glad in it.

You and God can face tomorrow, tomorrow.

“You do not know the gospel, dear friends, if you have not obtained peace through it; peace is the juice, the essence, the soul of the gospel.”
– Charles Spurgeon

Joshua 4:8…9 8/9/2022*

 “Thus the sons of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan” … “and they carried them over with them to the lodging place and put them down there. Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan at the place where the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing....” 

Joshua, the Commander, and chief of Israel, walked back after the people had crossed the Jordan and set up twelve more stones where the priests had stood holding the ark.  

Why?

The water would soon cover them, so they were not to serve as a reminder…There was no order from God to create a second monument,   and it didn’t focus attention on Joshua. 

I think it was an act of admiration for the priest who held the Ark as a million people crossed. I also think it was an act of worship for God stopping the water, and an acknowledgment that it was The Lord who made the crossing a success not Joshua’s ability.

He was preparing to lead Israel into battle, yet the calm, unselfish reflection of Joshua led him to venture back into the river and perform an act honoring his teammates and praising his Lord.

Love of God and Love of people is what creates great leaders. But many today are too busy securing their own power to give honor to others.  Consumed with their own image, they are hesitant to shine a light on their people. It is a self-centered, stressful, and ineffective way to lead.

What about you…do you celebrate the success of others? Do you highlight their accomplishments, or are you threatened by their success? Rooting for others is one of the most important attributes of a leader and a sure way to enjoy and excel at your job.

We are all leaders at some level. You may be a Military General, Manager,  Husband, Parent, Uncle, a Little League Coach, or Friend… but God’s approval must be your goal and your love for others must be your motive.  

So, enjoy the success of those around you and let them know it. Seek good for others and seek approval from God. That is the biblical recipe for leadership.

A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd. - Max Lucado

Mark 10:20-21 8/2/22*

“And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 

Religion is a dangerous thing. In this passage the rich young ruler leans heavily on it, and it fails him. 

This wealthy young man wanted to add eternal life to his portfolio. “Religion” offers that option, God does not… Religion is an “add” transaction – But God only offers “relationship” which is an exchange.  You give all you have in exchange for all He did. You must pursue Christ alone - or not at all… 

Religion lies to you and says YOU can do this on your own…and YOU cannot. It doesn’t matter how many Sunday School classes you teach, Young Life trips you lead, Bible studies you host…you cannot earn salvation 

The cross is not a part of your redemption formula it is the entirety of it. Christ has offered to be your King…not a consultant.

If I find the greatest Olympic swimmer in the world - hand him a 50-pound barbell and drop him in the ocean, he will have a decision to make…drop the barbell – or drowned.  That is the decision Jesus gave the young man and it is the same one He offers us. Drop everything you are doing that you think will save you and follow Him.

Acknowledging God, working for God, talking about God – are all good – but the requirement is “following” God. You must abandon your reliance on prideful “religious” work and obediently pursue Him as your only means of salvation. 

Drop the weight of religion– and with both hands cling to a relationship with God. Your money, your reputation, your intellect, your possessions…are all meaningless when it comes to eternity.  

Cling to the cross.  Obediently follow His scriptures entirely . Don’t try to add God to your life – Give your life to Him to do with as He pleases. Die to yourself and live through Him. He is not offering to fix you – He is offering to make you new.

“Atonement by the blood of Jesus is not an arm of Christian truth; it is the heart of it”. - Charles Spurgeon