We are on the eve of the baseball playoffs and 8 teams have the opportunity to end the year as World Series champions. For the next month, individuals on these teams will have a single focus...everything else is comes second to winning that title. Have you ever felt that way...whether it was about a friend, girl/boyfriend, family member, or work? If so, you know how your thoughts can be a runaway train and everything else is an afterthought.
We all know that a single focus on another human or a secular event can have adverse consequences. Maybe you've seen the person who plastered himself into a wall just to look at a beautiful lady/gentleman for one more second...or seen the person who got in a car wreck because they were texting on their cell phone while driving.
Now flip the switch...what if our sole focus was on God? We are told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, wisdom, and discipline (Proverbs 1:7). We are also told to meditate on the God's word day and night, that we may be careful to do everything in it (Joshua 1:8). Psalm 84:10 reminds us that one day in God's courts are better than 1,000 days anywhere else. The beautiful thing about this is that serving others is part of our single focus on God. Jesus told us that the most important commandment in the Law is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind...Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the prophets hang on these two commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).
I don't know about you...but if Jesus tells us 2 principles to follow will help us be right in every other area of our lives, it's good enough and you can lock it up and take it to the bank (not only is Jesus better than Tiger and Shaft...He's also better than banks). We love to focus so much on things that will only let us down with time....let's flip the switch and focus on the one who is the great I Am...because at the end of the day if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Building a Legacy
If you haven't heard, tonight marks the final game to be played at historic Yankee Stadium. Which got me to thinking about how I will be remembered when I am no longer around (i.e. moving for a new job, new set of circumstances that don't allow interaction with with as many people, or the end of this life). Will I be remembered as a good pharmacist, teacher, or colleague? Or as the guy who used to host some fun parties and some Bible studies? Or as a good friend? Or as a man who loved God with all his heart? How would you be remembered if you moved to a different city tomorrow?
Roy Hobbs said in the movie The Natural that he wanted folks to remember him as “the greatest hitter there ever was”. We are told to use what God has given us in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). We are also taught that to be the greatest in God's kingdom we must become the least (Mark 10:44-45). Furthermore, we are told that working for God's kingdom will come at a price in this world...”If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to world it would love you as it own...That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). However, one of the greatest legacies possible for a human is for God to say “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Another is how David is described as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). I know that work, friends, and family are all battling for our attention...but when it is time for us to move on, God's legacy is the only one worth leaving.
Roy Hobbs said in the movie The Natural that he wanted folks to remember him as “the greatest hitter there ever was”. We are told to use what God has given us in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). We are also taught that to be the greatest in God's kingdom we must become the least (Mark 10:44-45). Furthermore, we are told that working for God's kingdom will come at a price in this world...”If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to world it would love you as it own...That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). However, one of the greatest legacies possible for a human is for God to say “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Another is how David is described as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). I know that work, friends, and family are all battling for our attention...but when it is time for us to move on, God's legacy is the only one worth leaving.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Hope and Change
We've already heard a lot about hope and change in this presidential race. How one candidate can improve America and our lives better than the other. One candidate talks about how decreasing taxes and government involvement will solve all America's ills. The other talks about how the government needs to increase taxes on businesses and the rich to level the playing field for all Americans. I am not here to tell you which side is closer to the correct answer or who to vote for this November. However, I believe that God is the only one who can offer us the blueprint for the hope and change we so deeply desire.
We are taught to be honest in our dealings or “not have two differing measures in our house” (Deuteronomy 25:13-16). When an Israelite was freeing a servant, the owner was to “supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Give to him as the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy 15:13-15). In short, we are to “maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed” (Psalm 82:3) and be a “refuge for the needy” (Isiah 25:4).
I would hate for us to think that this is just an Old Testament thing, so here are a few example from the New Testament. In Galatians 2:10, we are reminded to remember the poor and to be eager to do so. In Acts 6:1-6 we are told of the selection of the seven to help ensure that widows were not overlooked when food was being distributed. In Matthew 12:31 we are told to “love your neighbor as yourself”...there doesn't seem to be an exception to exclude the poor here.
Regardless of your political affiliation, we can serve as God's agents of hope and change for the poor. Job found that wealth can be given, lost, and given again...wealth does not define our relationship with God and should not define our relationships with people. Jesus warned us that “a man's life does not consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). So, let's treat all people fairly and be the agents of hope and change that God desires us to be.
We are taught to be honest in our dealings or “not have two differing measures in our house” (Deuteronomy 25:13-16). When an Israelite was freeing a servant, the owner was to “supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Give to him as the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy 15:13-15). In short, we are to “maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed” (Psalm 82:3) and be a “refuge for the needy” (Isiah 25:4).
I would hate for us to think that this is just an Old Testament thing, so here are a few example from the New Testament. In Galatians 2:10, we are reminded to remember the poor and to be eager to do so. In Acts 6:1-6 we are told of the selection of the seven to help ensure that widows were not overlooked when food was being distributed. In Matthew 12:31 we are told to “love your neighbor as yourself”...there doesn't seem to be an exception to exclude the poor here.
Regardless of your political affiliation, we can serve as God's agents of hope and change for the poor. Job found that wealth can be given, lost, and given again...wealth does not define our relationship with God and should not define our relationships with people. Jesus warned us that “a man's life does not consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). So, let's treat all people fairly and be the agents of hope and change that God desires us to be.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wish Lists
Do you ever just let your mind wander and let your imagination be a Christmas catalog? Once we start down that road, it is real easy to keep going and going. Instead, we are to be happy with what we have been given. I know that it is easy to get wants and needs mixed up sometimes...a fan may want his team to win by 100, but all the team needs to win is one more point than their opponent. Similarly, a player may want to hit a home run every time he steps up the plate...but sometimes a walk will work just fine.
Don't get me wrong here...I'm not saying that nice things or wish lists are automatically bad. However, we can get our priorities out of line and place our wish lists in front of God's plan for our lives. Before we get self-righteous and say “I deserve this”, remember that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9)”. Jesus told his us God the Father “knows what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8)...and Paul told us that “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)”. Jesus also told the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) where the rich man planned to do everything for his own benefit without consulting God...he wound up losing his life that very night. Let us be thankful for God giving us what we need and be in constant communication with Him to use what He has given for the benefit of His kingdom.
Don't get me wrong here...I'm not saying that nice things or wish lists are automatically bad. However, we can get our priorities out of line and place our wish lists in front of God's plan for our lives. Before we get self-righteous and say “I deserve this”, remember that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9)”. Jesus told his us God the Father “knows what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8)...and Paul told us that “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)”. Jesus also told the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) where the rich man planned to do everything for his own benefit without consulting God...he wound up losing his life that very night. Let us be thankful for God giving us what we need and be in constant communication with Him to use what He has given for the benefit of His kingdom.
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