Romans 3:3-4 10/28/2025

“What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?  Far from it! Rather, God must prove to be true, though every person be found a liar…”

2000 years ago, Paul refuted today’s self-centered assumptions.  Matt Dillahunty, who once was the President Of the American Atheist society, was asked: “what would it take for you to believe” – his answer “I don’t know what it would take, but God does… if He exist, and since He hasn’t provided it, He must not exist.” Pretty narcissistic world view. Apparently, God’s existence depends on God providing evidence that Matt deems acceptable.

Many today share the same logic, and it goes something like this … “if in my wisdom, objectivity, and sheer intelligence I don’t believe something, then it cannot be true.” Our culture has so whole heartedly bought into this lunacy that it is now acceptable to say “live your own truth” …as though you have influence on, or ownership of truth… which is insanity.  Just examine the “educated” opinions online, and you will see that man is unqualified to determine truth. 

In this passage, Paul directly opposes Matt’s statement.  If every human denies the existence of God, it changes nothing. Throughout history man has been very “sure” of things that aren’t true. Today we are “sure” of things that even a child wouldn’t believe.  We “follow the science” until it makes us uncomfortable… and then we just start making stuff up. We double down on disproven foolishness and are offended if challenged… seemingly unaware that our sensitivity isn’t an ingredient in determining truth.  

Truth belongs to God, and God never changes. He is not moved by our definition of truth, because He IS truth. If my opinion does not line up with God’s word, then my opinion must change… Unfortunately, like Jack Nicholson said, many of us “can’t handle the truth!”…And the truth is that “ALL Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness...”. 

All of creation shouts that God exists, and if we will come down from our tiny thrones and seek Him, we’ll find Him. If you will honestly examine the evidence, it will unequivocally lead you to God. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” - Aldous Huxley

1 John 4:9-13 10/21/2025

“By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 

This passage reminds me of the movie Avatar… where the disabled guy is put into an apparatus that transforms him and gives him incredible strength and speed. This new entity looks enough like him that he is recognizable… but he is changed.

Along those same lines, today’s passage illustrates two important truths.  

First, we are loved by God. We flippantly make that statement too often, but it should drive us to our knees.  The Master Designer and Creator of the Universe not only knows you… He loves you. For that reason, He rescued you from your sin. Not because you loved Him, or were loveable… You were His enemy, living in open rebellion…still He chose you, redeemed you, and paid your debt. Accepting that payment transforms you into His beloved child. 

Is that what you see when you look in the mirror? … Or do you still cling to the lie that you  need to improve before you can be loved? You were created in the image of the perfect God, nothing else in all creation can make that claim.  You are a self-portrait of your Father and He has undeniably proven His love for you.

The second truth is, that like the avatar, we are transformed. It is no longer I living, but Christ lives through me…So my crippled heart can become strong and powerful. We are given the ability to love like Jesus did… We are new creatures with amazing abilities. Have you acknowledged that change, or are you still spiritually crippled?  Do you stubbornly cling to your old disabilities when God has powerfully transformed you?

Those who dwell with God can rest in His shadow… Since you are loved and protected by The Lord, is there anything you should be anxious about? Take the abilities God has given you and rescue others who are still wounded and lost. Embrace the priceless gifts God has bestowed on you and enjoy the powerful abundant life He created you to live. 

“We want to change our circumstances. God wants to change us.”
- Rick Warren

Romans 1:11-12 10/14/2025

“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.” 

Is this your attitude Sunday morning? 

According to Romans, church is not about music or the sermon, it is about sharing the gifts of the Spirit with each other.  And not so we can be entertained or even educated, but that as a church, we can be established in love…  We are to come together to Worship God, learn to obey His Word,  and love each other.

Is that your mindset? When you come to church, are you wanting to be a Quarterback, or an Offensive Lineman?  … One gets more attention; the other is more important to achieving success.  Some have forgotten that the gifts God gives us are intended to glorify Him … not elevate ourselves? 

Sadly, one of the biggest churches in Texas is currently suing itself over ownership … The outcome of the case is irrelevant as neither side owns the church… it is God’s house.

Unfortunately, many other churches have forgotten this as well, and instead of following biblical principles for church government… they have become thinly veiled entertainment corporations… more interested in business than ministry. This has opened the door to “leaders” using the church to advance their own agendas. Jesus was clear that misusing the Temple is a dangerous endeavor.

Paul’s humility in this passage is instructive. His tone of encouragement is coming from a man who was handpicked by Christ to write much of the New Testament. Yet his goal for going to church is to encourage and be encouraged,  lovingly sharing his faith with others. 

Next Sunday morning try going to church to let other sinners like yourself, see how God has redeemed you, and then marvel at how God has redeemed them. You don’t need to grade the sermon or rate the music… you are not a spectator; you are part of the offering. God alone is the audience.  We don’t go to church to be entertained and advance our personal agenda. We go to worship God, and to encourage each other with His extravagant love for us.

“Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” – Jesus (with a whip in His hand) 

1 Samuel 19:11-12 10/7/2025

“Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” So, Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped.”

Saul’s deranged obsession with killing his son-in-law David is a family tragedy.

Saul’s son Jonathon, and daughter Michal, both see their dad’s unhinged resentment of David as indefensible.  Saul’s envy alienates him from his friends David and Samuel, as well as his own children.

It is hard to understand as Saul seems to have much to be thankful for... tall and handsome, a powerful king, wealthy  –Yet he allows jealousy to consume him. Despite his blessings, he chooses to allow envy and insecurity to rule over him, and it produces what those emotions always produce… pain and suffering.

We have similar choices to make. We all have a long list of things we should be grateful for … So, the question becomes will we consciously appreciate our blessings, or will we fixate on the blessings of others?

Envy produces anxiety and depression and is more powerful than most of us realize. Too few of us actively guard our mindset. Which is a shame because your mindset is the canvas on which you paint your life… Every brushstroke will be impacted by it, and allowing self-centered envy to be your canvas will produce a dull, unattractive picture. Saul’s envious attitude led to a full emotional and mental breakdown… and destroyed his life. That should be a cautionary tale for us.

So, what will you do this morning? Will you rejoice and praise God for your blessings, or will you drink the poison of envy?  If you allow the avalanche of jealousy to begin, it will become unstoppable and bury you, while demolishing your relationships. 

Loving others means being overjoyed at their success. If you don’t feel that, you have a heart problem, and getting more trophies, recognition, and “stuff” won’t fix it.

Let your love for God, and thankfulness for His blessings, cause you to deeply desire those same blessings for others. Starting today, determine to become the head cheerleader for your friends and family… you will be amazed at the joy it brings both of you.

“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.”
- William Penn