Galatians 1:10
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Too often in life, we worry about what others think or feel about us more than we should, and it causes us to behave differently than we normally would in a given situation. This happens to every single one of us about the time we enter middle school. Remember those pleasant days? Aren't you glad you don't feel that kind of pressure any more?
But wait. That kind of pressure is still around, but in a kinder and gentler form. Now, as adults, we feel a different kind of pressure. One kind is the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses pressure. Dave Ramsey says don't try to do this because the Joneses are broke, too! In a way, we do try to buy the right kind of clothes, drive the right kind of car, own the right kind of house in the right kind of neighborhood. It's all so..."right kind."
When we stop worrying about status symbol things and start focusing our attention on God, none of that stuff matters anyway.
The next time you feel compelled to buy something, pray about it and make sure you are buying it not to try to gain the approval of others. Seek God's approval in all things, and he will direct you in the right way you should go.
Prayer defeats pressure every time!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Man versus God
Galatians 1:10
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
We all have experienced what Paul has defined so clearly defined for us in Galatians 1:10. Worrying about what others think. Paul knew very clearly whose approval he was seeking, but not so much for the rest of us, if we are being honest.
Paul wrote these words in response to the Galatians' seeking to turn "...to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, there were those among them preaching something different than what they had first accepted: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bowing to smooth words, perhaps, or a slicker take on the truth, the people of Galatia were being conned, and Paul told them THE truth plainly.
He didn't care what they thought of him--he wasn't trying to win their approval!
This week, I'm going to pray these words and seek God's approval, not worrying about what others think or feel, only caring if God is satisfied with my living according to His will, His Gospel of Truth.
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
We all have experienced what Paul has defined so clearly defined for us in Galatians 1:10. Worrying about what others think. Paul knew very clearly whose approval he was seeking, but not so much for the rest of us, if we are being honest.
Paul wrote these words in response to the Galatians' seeking to turn "...to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, there were those among them preaching something different than what they had first accepted: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bowing to smooth words, perhaps, or a slicker take on the truth, the people of Galatia were being conned, and Paul told them THE truth plainly.
He didn't care what they thought of him--he wasn't trying to win their approval!
This week, I'm going to pray these words and seek God's approval, not worrying about what others think or feel, only caring if God is satisfied with my living according to His will, His Gospel of Truth.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Courage is Key
John 16:33
Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Yes, there will be trouble, Jesus says, but he also tells us to take heart, exclamation point! This is the same word from which we get our word COURAGE. When we take heart, it means we have courage. Jesus is literally telling us to be courageous.
Upon what do we base our courage? Him, of course, or rather his actions.
Jesus overcame the world. What this means is that he was and still is victorious over death and, therefore, sin. By trusting in his word, which is truth, we also can overcome the world and anything, ANYTHING that it can throw at us, which it will do.
This is another reminder that that we Christians are all strangers passing through this strangely familiar un-homeland. Since Christ overcame the world, we know where we are going.
In athletics, I tell my boys that it doesn't matter whether they win or lose, Jesus has already secured the final victory. Better than any World Series, Wimbledon, or U.S. Open Championship!! When tough things happen to us, we can "take heart" and know that nothing we encounter is so bad that God won't be there with us, helping have the courage to make it through.
Thank the Lord for the ultimate championship: Victory over the world!!
Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Yes, there will be trouble, Jesus says, but he also tells us to take heart, exclamation point! This is the same word from which we get our word COURAGE. When we take heart, it means we have courage. Jesus is literally telling us to be courageous.
Upon what do we base our courage? Him, of course, or rather his actions.
Jesus overcame the world. What this means is that he was and still is victorious over death and, therefore, sin. By trusting in his word, which is truth, we also can overcome the world and anything, ANYTHING that it can throw at us, which it will do.
This is another reminder that that we Christians are all strangers passing through this strangely familiar un-homeland. Since Christ overcame the world, we know where we are going.
In athletics, I tell my boys that it doesn't matter whether they win or lose, Jesus has already secured the final victory. Better than any World Series, Wimbledon, or U.S. Open Championship!! When tough things happen to us, we can "take heart" and know that nothing we encounter is so bad that God won't be there with us, helping have the courage to make it through.
Thank the Lord for the ultimate championship: Victory over the world!!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Overcome!
John 16:33
Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
This week, I'm studying a verse that I found in God's Words of Life for Dads, a little book of verses that I picked up at a garage sale several years ago. I love this collection because it was put together specifically as a guidebook for those who are challenged with fatherhood, and it is challenging at times, especially when the things you would like to correct in your children are the same things you have been struggling to correct in your own life for years! Thus, the verse for the week!!
This verse may be looked at in three chunks, so I'll look at the first one today.
Like an excellent father, our Lord didn't pull any punches but spoke the truth directly. He said that here, in the world we currently inhabit, we WILL have trouble.
What if He had said, might have trouble or could have trouble or worse, life will be a breeze! All these would be lies, and it's impossible for Jesus to lie.
There is only one author of lies, and that is Satan. It is Satan who whispers in our ear, "Life shouldn't be difficult. You should have it easier. If something bad happens to you, it must mean that God isn't so caring after all."
Seductive. Sinister. Satan.
Jesus tells us that He is the Way, the TRUTH and the Life! Jesus not only speaks the truth, He IS the truth.
When we were in elementary school, we were told to emulate those who told the truth, who were honest. The original George W. cut down the cherry tree but admitted his fault. Honest Abe walked forever to return a penny that was owed him, for to keep it would have been a form of a lie.
So if the truth is something we should covet, it's important to listen when someone speaks it, especially when Jesus, The Truth, speaks.
Interesting to note that Pilate, while washing his hands, literally, of the crucifixion of Jesus, asked, "What is truth?"
There before him Truth stood. Here before us Truth stands as we read His words, "...you will have trouble."
So what do we do with this knowledge? More tomorrow.
Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
This week, I'm studying a verse that I found in God's Words of Life for Dads, a little book of verses that I picked up at a garage sale several years ago. I love this collection because it was put together specifically as a guidebook for those who are challenged with fatherhood, and it is challenging at times, especially when the things you would like to correct in your children are the same things you have been struggling to correct in your own life for years! Thus, the verse for the week!!
This verse may be looked at in three chunks, so I'll look at the first one today.
Like an excellent father, our Lord didn't pull any punches but spoke the truth directly. He said that here, in the world we currently inhabit, we WILL have trouble.
What if He had said, might have trouble or could have trouble or worse, life will be a breeze! All these would be lies, and it's impossible for Jesus to lie.
There is only one author of lies, and that is Satan. It is Satan who whispers in our ear, "Life shouldn't be difficult. You should have it easier. If something bad happens to you, it must mean that God isn't so caring after all."
Seductive. Sinister. Satan.
Jesus tells us that He is the Way, the TRUTH and the Life! Jesus not only speaks the truth, He IS the truth.
When we were in elementary school, we were told to emulate those who told the truth, who were honest. The original George W. cut down the cherry tree but admitted his fault. Honest Abe walked forever to return a penny that was owed him, for to keep it would have been a form of a lie.
So if the truth is something we should covet, it's important to listen when someone speaks it, especially when Jesus, The Truth, speaks.
Interesting to note that Pilate, while washing his hands, literally, of the crucifixion of Jesus, asked, "What is truth?"
There before him Truth stood. Here before us Truth stands as we read His words, "...you will have trouble."
So what do we do with this knowledge? More tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Continuous Metamorphosis
In the second part of this week's verse, Romans 12:2, we are called to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Transformation is one of my favorite words. It connotes to me endless possibilities. No matter what one's present condition, through transformation, all things can begin again. That's what this verse means--a renewing, a revitalization, a rebirth.
Transformed, as used in the original Greek, is the word metamorphousthe, from which we get our word metamorphosis. Literally, this word means to change form. When we are told to be transformed, we are told to change form. How? By the renewing of our minds.
So how does this occur?
The mind as the central processor for our thoughts, feelings, actions and attitudes keeps getting refreshed through some key data being continuously input through prayer, reading God's word, meditation and Christian fellowship. The Holy Spirit is key in all this. In a way, we are continuously being remade in God's image when we do not conform to the way of this world and turn our focus on God.
Lord, give me a mind that is focused on you each and every moment of my life. Help me keep growing more and more in your image as I flee the restraints of the world.
Transformation is one of my favorite words. It connotes to me endless possibilities. No matter what one's present condition, through transformation, all things can begin again. That's what this verse means--a renewing, a revitalization, a rebirth.
Transformed, as used in the original Greek, is the word metamorphousthe, from which we get our word metamorphosis. Literally, this word means to change form. When we are told to be transformed, we are told to change form. How? By the renewing of our minds.
So how does this occur?
The mind as the central processor for our thoughts, feelings, actions and attitudes keeps getting refreshed through some key data being continuously input through prayer, reading God's word, meditation and Christian fellowship. The Holy Spirit is key in all this. In a way, we are continuously being remade in God's image when we do not conform to the way of this world and turn our focus on God.
Lord, give me a mind that is focused on you each and every moment of my life. Help me keep growing more and more in your image as I flee the restraints of the world.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Christians are non-conformists, It's in our DNA!
Verse of the Week: Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
This is a pretty heavy verse and needs to be looked at from several different directions. Key words are conform and transformed, which are put together as opposites or as thou shalt not and thou shalt.
We "shalt not" conform. See, this verse alone tells us that we Christians are non-conformists, and this is certainly not a bad thing! To what we are not supposed to conform is "the pattern of this world." 1 John 2:15 says "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Wow! This seems tough.
John goes on to define the things in the world as "...the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does." That helps. This reminds me that we are supposed to be in the world and not of it, which I constantly have to remember--in not of, in not of.
So how do we accomplish this non-conformism. I hope we do this daily when we first wake, by asking God to reveal to us his plan for the day. Then, throughout the day, we can be mindful of his plan when certain opportunities arise to be IN the world and flee from them. I'm thinking of things like exchanging jokes in poor taste, passing along inappropriate emails, flirting with someone other than your spouse, etc., etc. You fill in the blanks, but the idea is not to engage in things that are OF the world. I ask myself, "Would this glorify God?" If the answer is no, then I don't do it.
Tomorrow, I'll go over the key to not conforming, and that's found in the second half of the verse, where we are called to a supernatural transformation.
On a personal note, some have wanted to view the blog I created while Pam and I were in NYC. You can go to jaypamnewyork.blogspot.com and find out more about what we did. Enjoy.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
This is a pretty heavy verse and needs to be looked at from several different directions. Key words are conform and transformed, which are put together as opposites or as thou shalt not and thou shalt.
We "shalt not" conform. See, this verse alone tells us that we Christians are non-conformists, and this is certainly not a bad thing! To what we are not supposed to conform is "the pattern of this world." 1 John 2:15 says "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Wow! This seems tough.
John goes on to define the things in the world as "...the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does." That helps. This reminds me that we are supposed to be in the world and not of it, which I constantly have to remember--in not of, in not of.
So how do we accomplish this non-conformism. I hope we do this daily when we first wake, by asking God to reveal to us his plan for the day. Then, throughout the day, we can be mindful of his plan when certain opportunities arise to be IN the world and flee from them. I'm thinking of things like exchanging jokes in poor taste, passing along inappropriate emails, flirting with someone other than your spouse, etc., etc. You fill in the blanks, but the idea is not to engage in things that are OF the world. I ask myself, "Would this glorify God?" If the answer is no, then I don't do it.
Tomorrow, I'll go over the key to not conforming, and that's found in the second half of the verse, where we are called to a supernatural transformation.
On a personal note, some have wanted to view the blog I created while Pam and I were in NYC. You can go to jaypamnewyork.blogspot.com and find out more about what we did. Enjoy.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Rock on, Rock of Ages
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble
I was listening to the radio on the way home from work today and Chris Tomlin was singing "Our God," a song we sing in worship at our church. The words of the bridge struck me as particularly poignant in light of the verse for this week.
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
There is nothing on this earth, in heaven above, or in hell below that can match the strength of our God. What CAN stand against us? NOTHING. Comforting to contemplate the condition that we are in as Christians: no matter what happens to us in life, God's mighty hand will be there to protect us. Does this mean that nothing bad will ever happen to us? Absolutely not. What it means is that there will be nothing that can stand in our way since God is by our side.
Do you believe that? It only takes faith the size of a mustard seed to move a mountain. How much faith does it take to believe in God's protection?
In the old standard, Rock of Ages, we are told that God is our
Rock of Ages, Cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
When life's storms come crashing down upon us, all we have to do is remember the comforting words of these two songs and find our protection in the cleft of God's might hands.
Thank you, God, for always being there for us!
I was listening to the radio on the way home from work today and Chris Tomlin was singing "Our God," a song we sing in worship at our church. The words of the bridge struck me as particularly poignant in light of the verse for this week.
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
There is nothing on this earth, in heaven above, or in hell below that can match the strength of our God. What CAN stand against us? NOTHING. Comforting to contemplate the condition that we are in as Christians: no matter what happens to us in life, God's mighty hand will be there to protect us. Does this mean that nothing bad will ever happen to us? Absolutely not. What it means is that there will be nothing that can stand in our way since God is by our side.
Do you believe that? It only takes faith the size of a mustard seed to move a mountain. How much faith does it take to believe in God's protection?
In the old standard, Rock of Ages, we are told that God is our
Rock of Ages, Cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
When life's storms come crashing down upon us, all we have to do is remember the comforting words of these two songs and find our protection in the cleft of God's might hands.
Thank you, God, for always being there for us!
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