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"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled" (Hebrews 12:15). The root of bitterness is underground; it is easy to hide and camouflage. Seldom do you find anyone who will admit that they are a bitter person. They will either deny it or disguise it. Have you ever had to deal with bitterness in your own heart. I know I have and the scary thing is just when I think I've conquered it, it rears its ugly head. Bitterness typically takes root when someone has wronged you. I have found myself repeatedly having to deal with bitterness towards an individual whose poor leadership and misguided reasonings negatively effected me.
A response of bitterness, however, is never right when someone has done something wrong to you. As believers we must look beyond the seen to the unseen. God is sovereignly working in all of our circumstances to bring about His purpose for us. This, of course, includes the less than desirable circumstances we may experience.
So, what are we to do? Paul writes, "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Adrian Rogers wrote, "If someone has wronged you, cut it down and forget it. By the grace of God, bury that hurt in the grave of God's forgetfulness." The expectation for believers is that we be thankful and forgive.
But what if that root of bitterness tries to rear its ugly head from time to time. Well, reaffirm your gratitude to God and your forgiveness of the one who wronged you. Then take a lesson from 1 Samuel 15 and the story of Agag--hack that root to pieces; kill it! You will discover that your life is more joyful when you uproot & kill your bitterness.
A response of bitterness, however, is never right when someone has done something wrong to you. As believers we must look beyond the seen to the unseen. God is sovereignly working in all of our circumstances to bring about His purpose for us. This, of course, includes the less than desirable circumstances we may experience.
So, what are we to do? Paul writes, "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Adrian Rogers wrote, "If someone has wronged you, cut it down and forget it. By the grace of God, bury that hurt in the grave of God's forgetfulness." The expectation for believers is that we be thankful and forgive.
But what if that root of bitterness tries to rear its ugly head from time to time. Well, reaffirm your gratitude to God and your forgiveness of the one who wronged you. Then take a lesson from 1 Samuel 15 and the story of Agag--hack that root to pieces; kill it! You will discover that your life is more joyful when you uproot & kill your bitterness.
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“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). No one can possibly fail to see the lawlessness that pervades our society today. On Tuesday, the nation watched as FBI Director James Comey laid out the case against Hillary Clinton for her total disregard for Federal Law and common sense over her handling of classified information. I don’t know about you but I sat in stunned disbelief as he announced there would be no recommendation for an indictment. As one who holds a TOP SECRET National Security Clearance, I am sure I would already be in jail had I been found to have mishandled only a fraction of the classified information Mrs. Clinton and her staff mishandled. One thing is for sure, there is no longer such a thing as the rule of law. Lawlessness is now firmly entrenched in our society and world.
Jesus foretold this lawlessness in Matthew as one of the signs leading up to His return to this world. I do not believe He is referring to lawlessness in a purely civil sense. I am sure He has in mind lawlessness as it relates to God’s law, as well. Consider how far we have come as a society in just a few short years. That which the Bible clearly calls evil society now calls good. Religious freedom, something not necessarily promised to us in Scripture, is now a thing of the past. Anyone who disagrees or takes a stand on purely religious conviction is shunned, ostracized, and destroyed. To me, it is like a giant whirlpool sucking everything and everyone towards the center of the vortex. I witnessed one such whirlpool as I sailed from Alaska to Washington a few years ago. As the outgoing tide increased in velocity it caused the waters of the intercostal waterway to begin to rotate until it looked something like the picture above. I am thankful the ferryboat captain chose to steer clear of this whirling vortex rather than sail through it. Such a picture is an excellent illustration of how lawlessness works. Society moves further and further away from God and morality at a faster and ever tightening pace.
Lawlessness, according to Scripture, will abound in the last days. Lawlessness, properly understood, is a life of disobedience to the law of God—a deliberate trampling upon His law. It is mankind’s contempt for God and his decision to do as he pleases. The Psalmist writes, “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’” (Psalm 2:2-3). Such is the irony of man’s rebellion—devising, conspiring, and scheming against God and His ways. The Bible, however, reveals God’s response to such foolishness. “He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, “But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain” (Psalm 2:4-6).
I can almost hear the Lord saying, “Scorn My law all you want to but there is a payday coming and it is coming very soon for My Son will soon return and establish His Kingdom which He will rule with a rod of iron and destroy all those who do evil.” Perhaps this is why the Psalmist writes a few verses later, “Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” (Psalm 2:12) I do not know about you but as the tide of lawlessness rolls over the world and the rotating vortex of destruction sucks in anything and everything it can, I am taking refuge in Jesus. I would encourage you to do the same. The world is on a collision course to meet the God of the universe face-to-face. It will not be pretty. John writes, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds… And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15). How will you fare when you meet God face-to-face? Will you perish in the way, as the Psalmist writes, or will you join Christ upon Zion—His holy mountain?
Jesus foretold this lawlessness in Matthew as one of the signs leading up to His return to this world. I do not believe He is referring to lawlessness in a purely civil sense. I am sure He has in mind lawlessness as it relates to God’s law, as well. Consider how far we have come as a society in just a few short years. That which the Bible clearly calls evil society now calls good. Religious freedom, something not necessarily promised to us in Scripture, is now a thing of the past. Anyone who disagrees or takes a stand on purely religious conviction is shunned, ostracized, and destroyed. To me, it is like a giant whirlpool sucking everything and everyone towards the center of the vortex. I witnessed one such whirlpool as I sailed from Alaska to Washington a few years ago. As the outgoing tide increased in velocity it caused the waters of the intercostal waterway to begin to rotate until it looked something like the picture above. I am thankful the ferryboat captain chose to steer clear of this whirling vortex rather than sail through it. Such a picture is an excellent illustration of how lawlessness works. Society moves further and further away from God and morality at a faster and ever tightening pace.
Lawlessness, according to Scripture, will abound in the last days. Lawlessness, properly understood, is a life of disobedience to the law of God—a deliberate trampling upon His law. It is mankind’s contempt for God and his decision to do as he pleases. The Psalmist writes, “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’” (Psalm 2:2-3). Such is the irony of man’s rebellion—devising, conspiring, and scheming against God and His ways. The Bible, however, reveals God’s response to such foolishness. “He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, “But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain” (Psalm 2:4-6).
I can almost hear the Lord saying, “Scorn My law all you want to but there is a payday coming and it is coming very soon for My Son will soon return and establish His Kingdom which He will rule with a rod of iron and destroy all those who do evil.” Perhaps this is why the Psalmist writes a few verses later, “Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” (Psalm 2:12) I do not know about you but as the tide of lawlessness rolls over the world and the rotating vortex of destruction sucks in anything and everything it can, I am taking refuge in Jesus. I would encourage you to do the same. The world is on a collision course to meet the God of the universe face-to-face. It will not be pretty. John writes, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds… And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15). How will you fare when you meet God face-to-face? Will you perish in the way, as the Psalmist writes, or will you join Christ upon Zion—His holy mountain?
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Switchbacks along the way... Today's verse is Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Yesterday I wrote that I am ready to see Jesus face to face. That is still true today but unless He calls me home today I know that the pathway to heaven will continue to involve challenges along the way. I call these switchbacks. In hiking terms, a switchback is a trail up a steep hill or mountain that is like a zig-zag pattern instead of a straight trail. Wouldn't it be nice if we could go straight to the Celestial City rather than zig-zag our way there through life's trials and sufferings?
The pathway to heaven, along with its switchbacks (trials and sufferings) is more easily navigated if we "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us." Among those things to be laid aside are fear that shrinks back in the face of suffering, discouragement leading to doubt, and selfishness that seeks immediate gratification. We must also maintain our confidence and endurance as shared yesterday, a confidence in God's future grace that enables us to endure life's hardships to the end, all the while, keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus through worship, daily Bible reading, on-going prayer, and fellowship with the saints.
Treasure Christ.
Live the Word.
Make Disciples.
Finish Well.
Yesterday I wrote that I am ready to see Jesus face to face. That is still true today but unless He calls me home today I know that the pathway to heaven will continue to involve challenges along the way. I call these switchbacks. In hiking terms, a switchback is a trail up a steep hill or mountain that is like a zig-zag pattern instead of a straight trail. Wouldn't it be nice if we could go straight to the Celestial City rather than zig-zag our way there through life's trials and sufferings?
The pathway to heaven, along with its switchbacks (trials and sufferings) is more easily navigated if we "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us." Among those things to be laid aside are fear that shrinks back in the face of suffering, discouragement leading to doubt, and selfishness that seeks immediate gratification. We must also maintain our confidence and endurance as shared yesterday, a confidence in God's future grace that enables us to endure life's hardships to the end, all the while, keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus through worship, daily Bible reading, on-going prayer, and fellowship with the saints.
Treasure Christ.
Live the Word.
Make Disciples.
Finish Well.
- Published on
I am ready to see Jesus face to face! With that in mind, today's verse is Hebrews 10:35-36: "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."
The bottomline here is we must set our minds and hearts on the future grace that is coming and we must follow in the footsteps of Jesus who came to do God's will...in other words, we must do and live out God's will until we see Jesus face to face.
Treasure Christ.
Live the Word.
Make Disciples.
Finish Well.
The bottomline here is we must set our minds and hearts on the future grace that is coming and we must follow in the footsteps of Jesus who came to do God's will...in other words, we must do and live out God's will until we see Jesus face to face.
Treasure Christ.
Live the Word.
Make Disciples.
Finish Well.
- Published on
We've all heard the phrase, "Nobody's perfect!" It is a true statement. Only one person has ever lived who fits the biblical definition of perfection. His name is Jesus--the God-man.
Writing of his all consuming passion for and pursuit of Christ, Paul wrote, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but on thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12-14).
A.T. Robertson, longtime Professor of New Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (he's now with Jesus) discusses Paul's pursuit of perfection in his Word Pictures in the New Testament series. He writes, "Paul pointedly denies that he has reached a spiritual impasse of non-development. Certainly he knew nothing of so-called sudden absolute perfection by any single experience. Paul has made great progress in Christlikeness, but the goal is still before him, not behind him." What about you? Are you gaining in your pursuit of Christlike perfection? Like Paul, we'll never arrive this side of glory but it is a worthy pursuit in the present. The goal remains before you!
Henry Scudder, a devout Westminster Presbyterian Puritan, whose famous work, The Christian's Daily Walk (it's available as a free eBook over at Google Books / warning: it's in Old English), suggests six principles for pursuing Christlikeness. I offer them here for your consideration and as an additional help in your Fight for Joy!
1. Convince the heart that we ought to be perfect in Christlikeness.
2. Understand we are not already perfect.
3. Forget the past. Look only to the future.
4. Mortify sin daily.
5. Be immersed in the Word of God daily.
6. Give all diligence to press forward toward the goal and prize!
Remember, we're not there yet. But we ought to give all diligence as we continue on our journey to glory and ultimate Christlikeness. "We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is" (1 John 3:2).
Keep looking up!
Writing of his all consuming passion for and pursuit of Christ, Paul wrote, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but on thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12-14).
A.T. Robertson, longtime Professor of New Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (he's now with Jesus) discusses Paul's pursuit of perfection in his Word Pictures in the New Testament series. He writes, "Paul pointedly denies that he has reached a spiritual impasse of non-development. Certainly he knew nothing of so-called sudden absolute perfection by any single experience. Paul has made great progress in Christlikeness, but the goal is still before him, not behind him." What about you? Are you gaining in your pursuit of Christlike perfection? Like Paul, we'll never arrive this side of glory but it is a worthy pursuit in the present. The goal remains before you!
Henry Scudder, a devout Westminster Presbyterian Puritan, whose famous work, The Christian's Daily Walk (it's available as a free eBook over at Google Books / warning: it's in Old English), suggests six principles for pursuing Christlikeness. I offer them here for your consideration and as an additional help in your Fight for Joy!
1. Convince the heart that we ought to be perfect in Christlikeness.
2. Understand we are not already perfect.
3. Forget the past. Look only to the future.
4. Mortify sin daily.
5. Be immersed in the Word of God daily.
6. Give all diligence to press forward toward the goal and prize!
Remember, we're not there yet. But we ought to give all diligence as we continue on our journey to glory and ultimate Christlikeness. "We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is" (1 John 3:2).
Keep looking up!
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“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10). When we think about treasure we usually think about something of significant monetary value. The Bible references treasure numerous times. In so doing, the biblical writers almost always refer to something other than earthly treasure. Such is the case in 2 Cor. 4:7.
Paul begins, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.” The treasure mentioned here is the greatness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the glory of God revealed through that gospel. It is “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4). The earthen vessels are the vault in which the treasure of the greatness of the gospel is stored. In this case, we are the vessels.
The word means clay pots and by using this description Paul seeks to capture the fact we are lowly, common, expendable, and replaceable. Yet, it is into such lives God chooses to invest His gospel treasure. Why did God choose such a risky approach? Because perfect vessels are safe but bring glory only to the vessel. By risking the gospel to imperfect earthen vessels God gets profound glory—“so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” The great power of God in the gospel overcomes and transcends the clay pot so that people are drawn to the gospel rather than to the clay pot. Jesus said as much in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
There is an Old Testament story that I believe points forward to “this treasure in earthen vessels.” In the story of Gideon, it was the breaking of clay pots that made the light shine forth and bring victory to God’s people (see Judges 7). In much the same way, God “breaks” His clay pots, “so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be God and not from ourselves.” He does this through what Paul describes as, “momentary, light affliction” (2 Cor. 4:17). In other words, God allows us to be afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. Yet, in all this, He sustains us so that we are not crushed, despairing, forsaken, or destroyed (2 Cor. 4:8-9). To put it another way, our weakness does not cripple us but actually strengthens us with “the surpassing greatness of God’s power.”
Many Christians today try to avoid suffering. They get caught up in the bad theology of the false gospel known as the prosperity gospel and its health, wealth, and prosperity message. It is also known as the word of faith movement and it almost always misinterprets and misapplies key passages dealing with suffering. They fail to realize that when we avoid suffering we actually cheat ourselves. Notice what Paul says, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17).
Three things can be said of the surpassing greatness of momentary suffering. First of all, it is momentary. This means that present suffering will last no longer than a lifetime. Secondly, it is light. The idea here is something that is a weightless trifle when compared to the third thing that can be said of momentary suffering. Such suffering is doing something on our behalf. It is “producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” The Greek word for “weight” means a heavy mass. Paul is saying the future glory Christians will experience with the Lord far outweighs any suffering we might experience in this world—the greater the suffering the greater the glory. Elsewhere Paul writes, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18). So, whether your suffering is physical sickness and disease or persecution for the cause of Christ, do not lose heart! Make it your goal to make much of Christ in your suffering, “so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.”
Paul begins, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.” The treasure mentioned here is the greatness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the glory of God revealed through that gospel. It is “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4). The earthen vessels are the vault in which the treasure of the greatness of the gospel is stored. In this case, we are the vessels.
The word means clay pots and by using this description Paul seeks to capture the fact we are lowly, common, expendable, and replaceable. Yet, it is into such lives God chooses to invest His gospel treasure. Why did God choose such a risky approach? Because perfect vessels are safe but bring glory only to the vessel. By risking the gospel to imperfect earthen vessels God gets profound glory—“so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” The great power of God in the gospel overcomes and transcends the clay pot so that people are drawn to the gospel rather than to the clay pot. Jesus said as much in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
There is an Old Testament story that I believe points forward to “this treasure in earthen vessels.” In the story of Gideon, it was the breaking of clay pots that made the light shine forth and bring victory to God’s people (see Judges 7). In much the same way, God “breaks” His clay pots, “so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be God and not from ourselves.” He does this through what Paul describes as, “momentary, light affliction” (2 Cor. 4:17). In other words, God allows us to be afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. Yet, in all this, He sustains us so that we are not crushed, despairing, forsaken, or destroyed (2 Cor. 4:8-9). To put it another way, our weakness does not cripple us but actually strengthens us with “the surpassing greatness of God’s power.”
Many Christians today try to avoid suffering. They get caught up in the bad theology of the false gospel known as the prosperity gospel and its health, wealth, and prosperity message. It is also known as the word of faith movement and it almost always misinterprets and misapplies key passages dealing with suffering. They fail to realize that when we avoid suffering we actually cheat ourselves. Notice what Paul says, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17).
Three things can be said of the surpassing greatness of momentary suffering. First of all, it is momentary. This means that present suffering will last no longer than a lifetime. Secondly, it is light. The idea here is something that is a weightless trifle when compared to the third thing that can be said of momentary suffering. Such suffering is doing something on our behalf. It is “producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” The Greek word for “weight” means a heavy mass. Paul is saying the future glory Christians will experience with the Lord far outweighs any suffering we might experience in this world—the greater the suffering the greater the glory. Elsewhere Paul writes, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18). So, whether your suffering is physical sickness and disease or persecution for the cause of Christ, do not lose heart! Make it your goal to make much of Christ in your suffering, “so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.”
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“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16). Today is a sad day for America. I must confess, although I fully anticipated today’s ruling by the Supreme Court legalizing so called same gender marriage in all fifty states, I never thought I would actually see something like this in my lifetime.
The response from the left has been predictable. President Obama Tweeted, “Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry just like anyone else.” He included the hashtag, #LoveWins.
On the right, and I do mean the right, Al Mohler predicted, “The threat to religious liberty represented by this decision is clear, present, and inevitable. He enjoins, “We cannot be silent, and we cannot join the moral revolution that stands in direct opposition to what we believe the Creator has designed, given, and intended for us. We cannot be silent, and we cannot fail to contend for marriage as the union of a man and a woman.”
Love has not won. Moral relativism, on the other hand, now rules. We are witnessing a modern day retelling of Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.” The words of the prophet Isaiah, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,” (5:20) are being drowned out. Instead of a big step in our march toward equality, America has taken a big step in her march toward Divine judgment.
The response from the left has been predictable. President Obama Tweeted, “Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry just like anyone else.” He included the hashtag, #LoveWins.
On the right, and I do mean the right, Al Mohler predicted, “The threat to religious liberty represented by this decision is clear, present, and inevitable. He enjoins, “We cannot be silent, and we cannot join the moral revolution that stands in direct opposition to what we believe the Creator has designed, given, and intended for us. We cannot be silent, and we cannot fail to contend for marriage as the union of a man and a woman.”
Love has not won. Moral relativism, on the other hand, now rules. We are witnessing a modern day retelling of Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.” The words of the prophet Isaiah, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,” (5:20) are being drowned out. Instead of a big step in our march toward equality, America has taken a big step in her march toward Divine judgment.
- Published on
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself" (Phil. 3:20-21). When I focus more on the world and less on Jesus, discouragement and disillusionment soon follow. I am reminded of this today as I consider seemingly meaningless suffering and the inequities of the world system.
I still have no answer, so far as cause is concerned, for the fire that rages in my extremeties. The medical professionals call it small fiber neuropathy but they have no idea what is causing it and I am growing quite tired of it. It is easy to become discouraged. But then I am reminded of Paul's words that faithful suffering here equals glory there. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18).
Then there are the inequities of the world's economic system. I don't mean money here but how the world system works. For example, hard work and years of dedicated service do not necessarily lead to recognition and greater responsibility. In fact, some don't necessarily seem to have to put in years of hard work and dedicated service. The whole system can cause one to become disillusioned in short order. But then I am reminded of Paul's words that loss here equals Christ there. "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Phil. 3:7-11).
So, as the song says, you can take this world and give me Jesus. Clearly, this present suffering and loss is God's will for me in Christ Jesus. And both are temporary in light of eternity. By God's grace I'll keep my eyes on Jesus, I'll keep fighting the good fight, knowing that one day soon I'm going to see Him face to face. On that day all the suffering and all the loss will have been worth it all. Think about these things!
I still have no answer, so far as cause is concerned, for the fire that rages in my extremeties. The medical professionals call it small fiber neuropathy but they have no idea what is causing it and I am growing quite tired of it. It is easy to become discouraged. But then I am reminded of Paul's words that faithful suffering here equals glory there. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18).
Then there are the inequities of the world's economic system. I don't mean money here but how the world system works. For example, hard work and years of dedicated service do not necessarily lead to recognition and greater responsibility. In fact, some don't necessarily seem to have to put in years of hard work and dedicated service. The whole system can cause one to become disillusioned in short order. But then I am reminded of Paul's words that loss here equals Christ there. "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Phil. 3:7-11).
So, as the song says, you can take this world and give me Jesus. Clearly, this present suffering and loss is God's will for me in Christ Jesus. And both are temporary in light of eternity. By God's grace I'll keep my eyes on Jesus, I'll keep fighting the good fight, knowing that one day soon I'm going to see Him face to face. On that day all the suffering and all the loss will have been worth it all. Think about these things!
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"Let us run with endurance the race set before us" (Heb. 12:1). The Greek word used here for "endurance" (hypomonē), means the steady determination to keep going, regardless of the temptation to slow down or give up. After years of running the race--and running hard most of the time--I am tempted to slow down and give up. But I am reminded there is a reward waiting at the finish line, and like Paul, I want to finish well. Do you want to finish well? Then commit to running with "endurance" the race God has set before you!
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“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) I must admit, the title of this article reflects the way I felt last Monday. It’s amazing the difference a week can make. Last Monday, I was ready to throw in the proverbial towel. Life was hitting me from all directions—family responsibilities, work responsibilities, trying to rear my boy to love Jesus, and personal health challenges. The “good fight of faith,” aka the “Fight for Joy,” just wasn’t in me. I definitely needed an extra measure of God’s sufficient grace.
We all encounter problems, or what the Bible calls trials or tribulation. Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation.” (John 16:33) In other words, Jesus was testifying to the fact that in this life we will encounter much difficulty.
We all encounter problems, or what the Bible calls trials or tribulation. Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation.” (John 16:33) In other words, Jesus was testifying to the fact that in this life we will encounter much difficulty.