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!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Talk about your superhero!!
Wednesday
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
I got the verse for this week from a cross necklace that my son, Jeron, was given several years ago. The necklace broke, but the cross remains, with this verse attached. This is symbolic: even though there was trouble (the necklace broke), the cross (God's power) remains.
I like the way this verse says "OUR." God intends for us to be in corporate bodies, to worship him and to need him together. While He is MY refuge, he is also OUR refuge. I remember when I was a young boy going to the storm shelter during a tornado. I never went alone--there were always others there, which made the experience seem almost fun. It would have been less fun alone. Now that I'm older, I realize God is there during any storm, real or figurative.
My college grammar teacher would say that saying "very" present is redundant and unnecessary--one can't be more present than present. In this case, however, saying God is VERY present intensifies the meaning of the word "present," indicative of the way God is present--not just a little present, but VERY present. I find a great deal of comfort in that.
Trouble--the very essence of our sinful natures always leads to trouble. Whether we find trouble or it finds us, trouble happens. When we are in trouble, we don't need a caped crusader or some other type of super hero. We need God.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
I got the verse for this week from a cross necklace that my son, Jeron, was given several years ago. The necklace broke, but the cross remains, with this verse attached. This is symbolic: even though there was trouble (the necklace broke), the cross (God's power) remains.
I like the way this verse says "OUR." God intends for us to be in corporate bodies, to worship him and to need him together. While He is MY refuge, he is also OUR refuge. I remember when I was a young boy going to the storm shelter during a tornado. I never went alone--there were always others there, which made the experience seem almost fun. It would have been less fun alone. Now that I'm older, I realize God is there during any storm, real or figurative.
My college grammar teacher would say that saying "very" present is redundant and unnecessary--one can't be more present than present. In this case, however, saying God is VERY present intensifies the meaning of the word "present," indicative of the way God is present--not just a little present, but VERY present. I find a great deal of comfort in that.
Trouble--the very essence of our sinful natures always leads to trouble. Whether we find trouble or it finds us, trouble happens. When we are in trouble, we don't need a caped crusader or some other type of super hero. We need God.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Off to NYC this week
Monday
Psalms 118:7-The Lord is with me; He is my helper.
Today, my wife, Pam, and I are traveling to New York City to celebrate our 25th Anniversary on the 31st. As I was getting ready this morning and having my first cup of coffee, I looked in my cup and this week's verse was staring me right in the eyes. In my cup, one I've had for 10 years, a Thomas Kincaid cup, is the above verse. Definitely, traveling to New York, we want God's help and to know that he is with us.
I'll be blogging about our trip on a separate blog specifically for our anniversary, so I may not post anything else this week. Nonetheless, rest assured God will be with me as Pam and I pray for safe passage and a great trip.
Psalms 118:7-The Lord is with me; He is my helper.
Today, my wife, Pam, and I are traveling to New York City to celebrate our 25th Anniversary on the 31st. As I was getting ready this morning and having my first cup of coffee, I looked in my cup and this week's verse was staring me right in the eyes. In my cup, one I've had for 10 years, a Thomas Kincaid cup, is the above verse. Definitely, traveling to New York, we want God's help and to know that he is with us.
I'll be blogging about our trip on a separate blog specifically for our anniversary, so I may not post anything else this week. Nonetheless, rest assured God will be with me as Pam and I pray for safe passage and a great trip.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Proud Heart Humbled
Tuesday
In Chronicles 2, we find the antithesis of Uzziah in the form of King Hezekiah. Both experienced the sin of "proud hearts," but the difference is in their response to exposed sin.
Hezekiah had won a great battle against the Assyrians and their king, Sennacherib. Sennacherib had mocked God and told the Jews that Hezekiah was at fault for tearing down all altars except for those to their God.
32:19 states, "And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they spoke of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands." And you know that's not wise to do. God delivered the Assyrians into Hezekiah's hands, and eventually, it went to his head and into his heart, where his chest swelled with pride.
This reminds me so much of myself!! Sometimes I neglect giving God the glory and begin thinking that I"M special, that I"M the one who accomplishes something, that I"M really something when I"M actually NOTHING! I can only do things through God, who gives me strength. To GOD be the glory, in all things.
Fortunately for Hezekiah, he came to his senses when faced with the impending destruction God was about to deliver to His people, and he "...humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah." (2Chr. 32:26)
Don't we need more leaders like this in our country, in our world? We need to be humble in all things and fill our hearts with love for God and for others. If we did this, we wouldn't have room for love of ourselves, which, boiled down, is the definition of pride.
In Chronicles 2, we find the antithesis of Uzziah in the form of King Hezekiah. Both experienced the sin of "proud hearts," but the difference is in their response to exposed sin.
Hezekiah had won a great battle against the Assyrians and their king, Sennacherib. Sennacherib had mocked God and told the Jews that Hezekiah was at fault for tearing down all altars except for those to their God.
32:19 states, "And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they spoke of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands." And you know that's not wise to do. God delivered the Assyrians into Hezekiah's hands, and eventually, it went to his head and into his heart, where his chest swelled with pride.
This reminds me so much of myself!! Sometimes I neglect giving God the glory and begin thinking that I"M special, that I"M the one who accomplishes something, that I"M really something when I"M actually NOTHING! I can only do things through God, who gives me strength. To GOD be the glory, in all things.
Fortunately for Hezekiah, he came to his senses when faced with the impending destruction God was about to deliver to His people, and he "...humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah." (2Chr. 32:26)
Don't we need more leaders like this in our country, in our world? We need to be humble in all things and fill our hearts with love for God and for others. If we did this, we wouldn't have room for love of ourselves, which, boiled down, is the definition of pride.
I Hate Roller Coasters
I know, for some of you, the title of today's blog is offensive. You LOVE roller coasters. And that's just fine with me. I, on the other hand, can't even handle the log ride at Wonderland Park. Going up to the top of an ascending slope is not bad, though I know what's about to happen. Once at the top, it's SWOOSH! Down into the pit, my stomach somewhere at the top of the ride trying to catch up. For some, this makes you feel alive; for me, death!!
What's this got to do with pride, the content for this week? Pride is like that roller coaster: it takes you to the top, but always brings you down. When I'm feeling pretty confident and self assured, pride tries to drop in, like an unwelcome guest at a family get together. You wish it wouldn't come, but it slips in anyway, and you start feeling pretty good about yourself. Nothing wrong with feeling good, unless that feeling emanates from one's own prideful self and doesn't originate AND return to God.
God gives us all talents and tells us to go for it. What we decide to do with those is up to us. We can bury them and hope for the best or return them to The Master with interest.
The ancient Babylonians thought pretty highly of themselves. In fact, they decided to build a tower, the goal of which was to reach to a level equal with God. How foolish! How prideful! They were on that roller coaster riding to the top, but we know what happened next: the destruction of the tower!
Proverbs 16:18 reveals a truth for us, no matter if we lived 700 years before Christ, now, or sometime in the future. Pride does go before destruction.
Lord, help me stay on an even plane--not too high and not too low, and if I show pride, may it be only in you, for you give me everything I have and nothing is mine alone. I'm a borrower, a custodian of this life, a simple sojourner passing through to my final home with you.
Amen.
What's this got to do with pride, the content for this week? Pride is like that roller coaster: it takes you to the top, but always brings you down. When I'm feeling pretty confident and self assured, pride tries to drop in, like an unwelcome guest at a family get together. You wish it wouldn't come, but it slips in anyway, and you start feeling pretty good about yourself. Nothing wrong with feeling good, unless that feeling emanates from one's own prideful self and doesn't originate AND return to God.
God gives us all talents and tells us to go for it. What we decide to do with those is up to us. We can bury them and hope for the best or return them to The Master with interest.
The ancient Babylonians thought pretty highly of themselves. In fact, they decided to build a tower, the goal of which was to reach to a level equal with God. How foolish! How prideful! They were on that roller coaster riding to the top, but we know what happened next: the destruction of the tower!
Proverbs 16:18 reveals a truth for us, no matter if we lived 700 years before Christ, now, or sometime in the future. Pride does go before destruction.
Lord, help me stay on an even plane--not too high and not too low, and if I show pride, may it be only in you, for you give me everything I have and nothing is mine alone. I'm a borrower, a custodian of this life, a simple sojourner passing through to my final home with you.
Amen.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Pride goeth...well, you know.
Sunday
Verse of the Week: Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction...
This week, I'm examining an oldie but goodie. When I say "oldie," I of course know ALL the verses are old, but the oldies are the ones that have been quoted generationally for years, at least in my family history.
People often say, "Pride goeth before a fall," but the actual verse says "destruction." Either way, pride doesn't lead to a good result. "...and an haughty spirit before a fall" is the rest of the verse, which is a key to understanding the type of pride the first part of the verse is speaking about. Haughty means arrogant pride, pride that looks down upon others and is egotistical.
Enter Uzziah. Uzziah became king of Judah at age 16 and reined some 52 years in Jerusalem. So much for term limits! What this says about him is that he was an excellent leader of Judah. 2 Chronicles 26:5 says, "He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah...and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper."
Those versed in foreshadowing understand what happens next: ultimately, Uzziah stopped seeking the Lord, and he died a leper after he took it upon himself to burn incense in the temple, a big no-no, since this was a Levite's job. 2 Chr.26:16 says, "But when he was strong, he grew PROUD, to his destruction." Uzziah, a rock star in Judah, was stricken with leprosy, cast out of the kingdom, and most sadly, "...was excluded from the house of the Lord."
Pride, putting oneself above God's will, leads down a path to destruction. The option is to follow God and live. Not much of a choice if you ask me!!
Verse of the Week: Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction...
This week, I'm examining an oldie but goodie. When I say "oldie," I of course know ALL the verses are old, but the oldies are the ones that have been quoted generationally for years, at least in my family history.
People often say, "Pride goeth before a fall," but the actual verse says "destruction." Either way, pride doesn't lead to a good result. "...and an haughty spirit before a fall" is the rest of the verse, which is a key to understanding the type of pride the first part of the verse is speaking about. Haughty means arrogant pride, pride that looks down upon others and is egotistical.
Enter Uzziah. Uzziah became king of Judah at age 16 and reined some 52 years in Jerusalem. So much for term limits! What this says about him is that he was an excellent leader of Judah. 2 Chronicles 26:5 says, "He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah...and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper."
Those versed in foreshadowing understand what happens next: ultimately, Uzziah stopped seeking the Lord, and he died a leper after he took it upon himself to burn incense in the temple, a big no-no, since this was a Levite's job. 2 Chr.26:16 says, "But when he was strong, he grew PROUD, to his destruction." Uzziah, a rock star in Judah, was stricken with leprosy, cast out of the kingdom, and most sadly, "...was excluded from the house of the Lord."
Pride, putting oneself above God's will, leads down a path to destruction. The option is to follow God and live. Not much of a choice if you ask me!!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Synergy: The Power of One
Saturday
Galations 6:2 tells us to bear one anothers' burdens, and in doing so, I've learned we become one: one mind, one heart, one strength. What I've witnessed this week in prayerfully going throughout each day with burden-sharing on my heart has been incredible. Thursday was a prime example.
Health Science students at the Amarillo Area Center for Advanced Learning (AACAL) where I'm principal showed me what it means to care. Their service learning projects where a prime example burden-bearing in action. The morning students gave a "house warming" to the Medical Center League House, a non-profit "home-away-from-home" for relatives and friends of adult patients, similar to Ronald McDonald House, except for adults. The house warming consisted of supplying needed items as identified by the staff at the House, as well as serving punch and baked items to those in residence that morning.
Additionally, the kids decided to raise some money for the House, setting a goal of $250. This is where it gets good. On Wednesday, the day before donating the money, the kids had raised just over $200--not bad, but not their goal either. One of the students' dads is an employee at Excel Energy. The father took this project to his work place and his department raised $300! But that's not the end. Excel always matches employee donations, so in reality, they raised $600, bringing the grand total to over $800.
What I like about this is that it is a perfect example of one of my favorite words: SYNERGY. A little here, a little there, everyone working together for a common cause--the power of one, the strength of unity. "We are one in the spirit!!" The kids, the adults, the company, spreading the word about the League House--SYNERGY.
Later that same day, the afternoon students presented some household items to the staff at the High Plains Children's Home, as well as explain about AACAL to the staff. In turn, the kids received a lot of information about the purpose of the home, which is a resident care facility for children who've been removed from their families by judges for a variety of reasons, including abuse and neglect on the part of biological parents.
For the entire day, I saw in the students' eyes a true understanding of what it means to be in need and how thankful they were to be in a position to give back. One of the attributes we instill in students at AACAL is to be AWARE of the world in which we live and work, giving back to the community and helping others in need--bearing one anothers' burdens, if you will.
Great week! I can't wait to see what verse God will have me "DO" next week!!
Galations 6:2 tells us to bear one anothers' burdens, and in doing so, I've learned we become one: one mind, one heart, one strength. What I've witnessed this week in prayerfully going throughout each day with burden-sharing on my heart has been incredible. Thursday was a prime example.
Health Science students at the Amarillo Area Center for Advanced Learning (AACAL) where I'm principal showed me what it means to care. Their service learning projects where a prime example burden-bearing in action. The morning students gave a "house warming" to the Medical Center League House, a non-profit "home-away-from-home" for relatives and friends of adult patients, similar to Ronald McDonald House, except for adults. The house warming consisted of supplying needed items as identified by the staff at the House, as well as serving punch and baked items to those in residence that morning.
Additionally, the kids decided to raise some money for the House, setting a goal of $250. This is where it gets good. On Wednesday, the day before donating the money, the kids had raised just over $200--not bad, but not their goal either. One of the students' dads is an employee at Excel Energy. The father took this project to his work place and his department raised $300! But that's not the end. Excel always matches employee donations, so in reality, they raised $600, bringing the grand total to over $800.
What I like about this is that it is a perfect example of one of my favorite words: SYNERGY. A little here, a little there, everyone working together for a common cause--the power of one, the strength of unity. "We are one in the spirit!!" The kids, the adults, the company, spreading the word about the League House--SYNERGY.
Later that same day, the afternoon students presented some household items to the staff at the High Plains Children's Home, as well as explain about AACAL to the staff. In turn, the kids received a lot of information about the purpose of the home, which is a resident care facility for children who've been removed from their families by judges for a variety of reasons, including abuse and neglect on the part of biological parents.
For the entire day, I saw in the students' eyes a true understanding of what it means to be in need and how thankful they were to be in a position to give back. One of the attributes we instill in students at AACAL is to be AWARE of the world in which we live and work, giving back to the community and helping others in need--bearing one anothers' burdens, if you will.
Great week! I can't wait to see what verse God will have me "DO" next week!!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
"Humble Pie--Served Fresh Daily"
Wednesday/Thursday
I'm finding during my exploration this week of being a burden-bearer that humility is a good companion. We've all, I'm sure, been served heaping helpings of humble pie. And it doesn't at all rest easy on the palate. I don't care what it is, if we are forced to eat something, it never tastes as good as when we choose to eat something. The same is true for humble pie.
As a Christian sojourner, I propose that instead of being force-fed this unsavory dish, we pursue it like we would pursue any epicurean delight, and that we would devour humility spoonful after spoonful until we acquired a taste for it!
The verse following Galations 6:2 says: "For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." This clearly explains the attitude we are to have throughout life. If you are seen as someone who "thinks he is something," you won't have many takers when it comes to throw out the help line. You can't be any help to anyone else if you have an attitude of superiority. If you are haughty, not humble, you cannot be helpful.
I pray today that, in humility, I am allowed to walk alongside someone whose burden I can bear!
I'm finding during my exploration this week of being a burden-bearer that humility is a good companion. We've all, I'm sure, been served heaping helpings of humble pie. And it doesn't at all rest easy on the palate. I don't care what it is, if we are forced to eat something, it never tastes as good as when we choose to eat something. The same is true for humble pie.
As a Christian sojourner, I propose that instead of being force-fed this unsavory dish, we pursue it like we would pursue any epicurean delight, and that we would devour humility spoonful after spoonful until we acquired a taste for it!
The verse following Galations 6:2 says: "For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." This clearly explains the attitude we are to have throughout life. If you are seen as someone who "thinks he is something," you won't have many takers when it comes to throw out the help line. You can't be any help to anyone else if you have an attitude of superiority. If you are haughty, not humble, you cannot be helpful.
I pray today that, in humility, I am allowed to walk alongside someone whose burden I can bear!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
It's a Family Affair
Tuesday
As I woke this morning, the title of this post came to me. Yes, it evokes Buffy, Jody, and Mr. French, and the "Da da da daaa....da da da daaa" Lawrence Welk genre theme song from the 1960's or possibly Sly and the Family Stone's funkier take on the subject. But as I've been thinking about going out and finding others' burdens to bear, I realize that in each family a veritable smorgasbord of burdens is neatly displayed.
I know "family" means many different things. It could be church family, work family, extended family, or any other kind of group with which one associates, but what I want to explore in this post is the immediate family--one's spouse and children, and go ahead and throw in your parents and siblings, just in case there's not enough burden-sharing to be done inside the walls of your own home.
Burden-sharing begins at home. The stronger the support of each other within the family, the more effective the support outside the family. Said another way, if anything is amiss within your family, it's more difficult to be concerned with others--that's when the tables turn and you become the one who needs someone else to bear your burdens, which is the reciprocal aspect of Galations 6:2.It's equally important to allow someone else to help you as it is to help others.
In the family, each member must encourage the other, mainly because it's tough in the world: if we can't encourage each other in the family, how can we expect this to happen outside the family?
Today, I looked for ways to encourage my family. I texted one son that I was proud of him, I told another in person that he was a great kid, and I encouraged another son with a problem he was having. I told my wife how awesome she was before I left for work and again this evening--NOT that she needed twice the encouragement!!! (But hey, every little bit counts. :))
May God bless our families with the richness and fullness of his grace, mercy, and love!! Amen.
As I woke this morning, the title of this post came to me. Yes, it evokes Buffy, Jody, and Mr. French, and the "Da da da daaa....da da da daaa" Lawrence Welk genre theme song from the 1960's or possibly Sly and the Family Stone's funkier take on the subject. But as I've been thinking about going out and finding others' burdens to bear, I realize that in each family a veritable smorgasbord of burdens is neatly displayed.
I know "family" means many different things. It could be church family, work family, extended family, or any other kind of group with which one associates, but what I want to explore in this post is the immediate family--one's spouse and children, and go ahead and throw in your parents and siblings, just in case there's not enough burden-sharing to be done inside the walls of your own home.
Burden-sharing begins at home. The stronger the support of each other within the family, the more effective the support outside the family. Said another way, if anything is amiss within your family, it's more difficult to be concerned with others--that's when the tables turn and you become the one who needs someone else to bear your burdens, which is the reciprocal aspect of Galations 6:2.It's equally important to allow someone else to help you as it is to help others.
In the family, each member must encourage the other, mainly because it's tough in the world: if we can't encourage each other in the family, how can we expect this to happen outside the family?
Today, I looked for ways to encourage my family. I texted one son that I was proud of him, I told another in person that he was a great kid, and I encouraged another son with a problem he was having. I told my wife how awesome she was before I left for work and again this evening--NOT that she needed twice the encouragement!!! (But hey, every little bit counts. :))
May God bless our families with the richness and fullness of his grace, mercy, and love!! Amen.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Fulfilling the Law of Christ
Monday
As I started out this morning praying that the Holy Spirit would guide me to bear others' burdens today, I read Gal. 6:2 again and focused on what "the law of Christ" is. I cross-referenced it on my iPad Bible and found Gal. 5:14, which states: "...the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," which I knew to be one of Christ's greatest commandments, the other being to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
So that's what I started off the day trying to do: live the golden rule.
Let me tell you that the search today has been rewarding if not a bit tiring. I kept thinking about others' burdens all day, and it's like running a long distance race rather than a sprint. I need to find my wind! I prayed for needs of some people I know of today and asked God to put before me someone today whose burden I could share, and that happened.
Before I get to the person whom I think God put before me, I have to say that as I sought to help others, something great happened: I started looking for the positive in others. I don't want you to think I look for the negative, but I probably don't ACTIVELY seek to find the good in others. Know what I mean? Anyway, I felt encouraged when I went about encouraging the good in others by recognizing the positive qualities I found. What a great way to behave!! (It IS tiring, though--again, need to learn to go the distance.)
Right at the end of the day, when I didn't think I would get a chance to bear another's burden today, I got a call from a parent in obvious distress. I won't go into details, for obvious reasons, but I can say that after the parent finished telling me about her several concerns, I assured her I would work to help her find a solution. I didn't do much, but she said, "I appreciate you allowing me to vent. I just needed someone to listen." Wow!
The tool Brother Gil gave in church yesterday worked, and I wasn't even thinking about it until after the parent told me I listened. It was like a Peter moment, when the crow sounded, he remembered what Jesus told him.
Gil's tool is PALS: When someone comes to you with a burden, he says to Pray, Ask, LISTEN, and then be Silent. I did the Listen part and that's all I had to do. Have I forgotten this "burden" I shared today? Absolutely not! Was it a major issue? It was to the parent!! Again, this was not anything I did but it was the Holy Spirit (MY burden-bearer) who guided me through this. All I did was be ready and willing to help.
As I end this day, I pray that I will find even more ways to fulfill this most important Law of Christ!!
As I started out this morning praying that the Holy Spirit would guide me to bear others' burdens today, I read Gal. 6:2 again and focused on what "the law of Christ" is. I cross-referenced it on my iPad Bible and found Gal. 5:14, which states: "...the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," which I knew to be one of Christ's greatest commandments, the other being to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
So that's what I started off the day trying to do: live the golden rule.
Let me tell you that the search today has been rewarding if not a bit tiring. I kept thinking about others' burdens all day, and it's like running a long distance race rather than a sprint. I need to find my wind! I prayed for needs of some people I know of today and asked God to put before me someone today whose burden I could share, and that happened.
Before I get to the person whom I think God put before me, I have to say that as I sought to help others, something great happened: I started looking for the positive in others. I don't want you to think I look for the negative, but I probably don't ACTIVELY seek to find the good in others. Know what I mean? Anyway, I felt encouraged when I went about encouraging the good in others by recognizing the positive qualities I found. What a great way to behave!! (It IS tiring, though--again, need to learn to go the distance.)
Right at the end of the day, when I didn't think I would get a chance to bear another's burden today, I got a call from a parent in obvious distress. I won't go into details, for obvious reasons, but I can say that after the parent finished telling me about her several concerns, I assured her I would work to help her find a solution. I didn't do much, but she said, "I appreciate you allowing me to vent. I just needed someone to listen." Wow!
The tool Brother Gil gave in church yesterday worked, and I wasn't even thinking about it until after the parent told me I listened. It was like a Peter moment, when the crow sounded, he remembered what Jesus told him.
Gil's tool is PALS: When someone comes to you with a burden, he says to Pray, Ask, LISTEN, and then be Silent. I did the Listen part and that's all I had to do. Have I forgotten this "burden" I shared today? Absolutely not! Was it a major issue? It was to the parent!! Again, this was not anything I did but it was the Holy Spirit (MY burden-bearer) who guided me through this. All I did was be ready and willing to help.
As I end this day, I pray that I will find even more ways to fulfill this most important Law of Christ!!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Doer of the Word
Hello! This is the first post in my new blog, "Sojourner Passing Through." I chose this title because it's the way I often feel on this earth--it's not my true home. As a Christian, my true home is the place Jesus has prepared for me in heaven. Earth is not my home, but heaven. If you happen to run across this blog, I pray that you gain some comfort, some understanding, or whatever it is God has in store for you.
Verse of The Week--Galations 6:2
SUNDAY
For the Sunday School lesson I taught today about Ezra, I ran across James 1:22, which says, "...be doers of the word, and not hearers only..." This verse spoke to me and made me think about what I do with God's Word. Do I just read it and then put it aside, not activating the power God gives us through the Holy Spirit?
The lesson was about how Ezra was a man who walked with God on a daily basis, who studied, obeyed, and taught others God's word as a captive in Babylon. Kind of like what I mentioned above, he must have always felt a sense that Babylon was never his true home. When King Artaxerses allowed him to lead a group of the remnant home, it must have been awesome for Ezra to know he was going home.
Anyway, I challenged my class members to take one verse per week and really study it, meditate on it, pray it throughout the week, allowing God's message to come through loud and clear. That's what prompted me to start this blog. I realized the best way for me to keep up with my verses week to week was to write a blog that tells my experience throughout each week LIVING GOD'S WORD!! I'm really excited to begin.
My true verse for this week (other than James 1:22) is Galations 6:2, which Brother Gil Lain, our fabulous minister, used today in his sermon. It says, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." As I think about this verse, I think about the way Christ himself lived this "law" by bearing my burdens of sin upon the cross.
This week, as I wake each morning, I am going to pray that God allows me to be used by bearing someone's burden, that as a fellow sojourner, I can come along side someone in need and bolster them in Christ...ALWAYS in Christ!!
Let the adventure begin!!!!!
Verse of The Week--Galations 6:2
SUNDAY
For the Sunday School lesson I taught today about Ezra, I ran across James 1:22, which says, "...be doers of the word, and not hearers only..." This verse spoke to me and made me think about what I do with God's Word. Do I just read it and then put it aside, not activating the power God gives us through the Holy Spirit?
The lesson was about how Ezra was a man who walked with God on a daily basis, who studied, obeyed, and taught others God's word as a captive in Babylon. Kind of like what I mentioned above, he must have always felt a sense that Babylon was never his true home. When King Artaxerses allowed him to lead a group of the remnant home, it must have been awesome for Ezra to know he was going home.
Anyway, I challenged my class members to take one verse per week and really study it, meditate on it, pray it throughout the week, allowing God's message to come through loud and clear. That's what prompted me to start this blog. I realized the best way for me to keep up with my verses week to week was to write a blog that tells my experience throughout each week LIVING GOD'S WORD!! I'm really excited to begin.
My true verse for this week (other than James 1:22) is Galations 6:2, which Brother Gil Lain, our fabulous minister, used today in his sermon. It says, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." As I think about this verse, I think about the way Christ himself lived this "law" by bearing my burdens of sin upon the cross.
This week, as I wake each morning, I am going to pray that God allows me to be used by bearing someone's burden, that as a fellow sojourner, I can come along side someone in need and bolster them in Christ...ALWAYS in Christ!!
Let the adventure begin!!!!!
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