The Living Cornerstone
We all want stuff. Then we want more stuff. When we get too much stuff, we get a storage unit…..to store our stuff. There is a thing called retail therapy. It is the feeling we get when we initially purchase something that we want to make us happy. The brain releases dopamine, a chemical in the brain linked to pleasure and reward. But it wears off. It doesn’t last.
We all want stuff. Then we want more stuff. When we get too much stuff, we get a storage unit…..to store our stuff. There is a thing called retail therapy. It is the feeling we get when we initially purchase something that we want to make us happy. The brain releases dopamine, a chemical in the brain linked to pleasure and reward. But it wears off. It doesn’t last.
This is the last in the series, Don’t Take the Bait. The first four messages were about how to avoid taking the bait of deception, temptation, impatience, materialism. But we all have probably taken the bait time and time again and have been “caught.” So why is it that we are caught, and what do we do when we are caught? Scriptures give us answers. Why are we caught? Our hearts wander from God. Like so many examples in scripture, we follow other things and put them before God. What do we do when we are caught? Return again and again to God, as many times as you need. God provided a way out of being caught by sin by His son’s death on the cross and resurrection. There is no condemnation and we are set free. But Satan would have us think differently. Scripture leads us pretty clearly to how much God loves us. And we tie this together with an old hymn, Come Thou Fount.
This is the last in the series, Don’t Take the Bait. The first four messages were about how to avoid taking the bait of deception, temptation, impatience, materialism. But we all have probably taken the bait time and time again and have been “caught.” So why is it that we are caught, and what do we do when we are caught? Scriptures give us answers. Why are we caught? Our hearts wander from God. Like so many examples in scripture, we follow other things and put them before God. What do we do when we are caught? Return again and again to God, as many times as you need. God provided a way out of being caught by sin by His son’s death on the cross and resurrection. There is no condemnation and we are set free. But Satan would have us think differently. Scripture leads us pretty clearly to how much God loves us. And we tie this together with an old hymn, Come Thou Fount.
The Bait of Impatience is as easy as the car ahead of you at the traffic signal texting and the light turned green one whole second ago. You know what I mean. If you don’t lay on the horn, you may begin to say inside your own car, some very choice words intended for them. You may even do it on the way to church. I have. Impatience has its roots in selfishness. We want it our way at our time. It is actually natural to be selfish. We are selfish and impatient from birth. Patience, on the other hand, takes time to develop. It is a fruit of the Spirit and fruit takes time to grow and become ripe or mature. Joyce Meyer put it this way, “Patience is not just the ability to wait, it is how we act when we are waiting.”
The Bait of Impatience is as easy as the car ahead of you at the traffic signal texting and the light turned green one whole second ago. You know what I mean. If you don’t lay on the horn, you may begin to say inside your own car, some very choice words intended for them. You may even do it on the way to church. I have. Impatience has its roots in selfishness. We want it our way at our time. It is actually natural to be selfish. We are selfish and impatient from birth. Patience, on the other hand, takes time to develop. It is a fruit of the Spirit and fruit takes time to grow and become ripe or mature. Joyce Meyer put it this way, “Patience is not just the ability to wait, it is how we act when we are waiting.”
Have you ever been in the wrong place at the wrong time? I certainly have. And being in the wrong place at the wrong time can sometimes get you into a mess. This is part 2 of a series on Don’t Take the Bait and this one is about the bait of temptation. Most times the thought of temptation is connected with sexual sin. And it is but not always. We are tempted in many ways and the temptations come at us endlessly at times. Jesus was tempted and prevailed. So He is our model. And being tempted is not a sin but acting on it is. This message looks at David and his encounter with Bathsheba. It gives some examples of other temptations and most importantly, how we can avoid temptation and how God looks at our temptation.
Have you ever been in the wrong place at the wrong time? I certainly have. And being in the wrong place at the wrong time can sometimes get you into a mess. This is part 2 of a series on Don’t Take the Bait and this one is about the bait of temptation. Most times the thought of temptation is connected with sexual sin. And it is but not always. We are tempted in many ways and the temptations come at us endlessly at times. Jesus was tempted and prevailed. So He is our model. And being tempted is not a sin but acting on it is. This message looks at David and his encounter with Bathsheba. It gives some examples of other temptations and most importantly, how we can avoid temptation and how God looks at our temptation.
Have you ever seen something online that when you saw it in real life, it was not the same? Like a vacation rental that looked beautiful, only to find that they didn’t seem to be the same places. How about being asked to click a link only to find out it was malicious? Like clickbait. The basis is to bait you into doing something that might not be good for you. Don’t Take the Bait. This week, the bait of deception is explored and how to avoid it. A story as old as the hills, the first example of deception in the bible. Adam and Eve and Satan are the characters. Satan’s goal is to deceive Eve into doing what God doesn’t want her to do,….eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. The Bait of Deception. Satan says it is ok, it looks ok, but it is a lie. And just like our lives can be sometimes, the story is predictable. What are some things to be cautious about and how to recognize the deception is what this message is about.
Have you ever seen something online that when you saw it in real life, it was not the same? Like a vacation rental that looked beautiful, only to find that they didn’t seem to be the same places. How about being asked to click a link only to find out it was malicious? Like clickbait. The basis is to bait you into doing something that might not be good for you. Don’t Take the Bait. This week, the bait of deception is explored and how to avoid it. A story as old as the hills, the first example of deception in the bible. Adam and Eve and Satan are the characters. Satan’s goal is to deceive Eve into doing what God doesn’t want her to do,….eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. The Bait of Deception. Satan says it is ok, it looks ok, but it is a lie. And just like our lives can be sometimes, the story is predictable. What are some things to be cautious about and how to recognize the deception is what this message is about.
This is the Part 3 of the Series on Focus. The first was Focus on Jesus, the second was Focus on the Mission. This message is to Focus on Eternity. All these messages are meant to give you a hope and a way to live closer to Jesus in your daily lives. Eternity is a long time. One of the oldest stars known is estimated to be about 14 billion years old. Science also believes the universe will last about another 100 trillion years. But no one really knows except for God. He created the heavens and the earth. The scriptures clearly talk about eternity and eternal life. They also tell us how we should live our lives, with our focus on eternity. The scriptures also discuss eternal death. The choice is ours and you can learn about those choices and what to do in this message.
This is the Part 3 of the Series on Focus. The first was Focus on Jesus, the second was Focus on the Mission. This message is to Focus on Eternity. All these messages are meant to give you a hope and a way to live closer to Jesus in your daily lives. Eternity is a long time. One of the oldest stars known is estimated to be about 14 billion years old. Science also believes the universe will last about another 100 trillion years. But no one really knows except for God. He created the heavens and the earth. The scriptures clearly talk about eternity and eternal life. They also tell us how we should live our lives, with our focus on eternity. The scriptures also discuss eternal death. The choice is ours and you can learn about those choices and what to do in this message.
Everything in the Bible is perfectly clear. Right? There’s nothing that is confusing…we all understand it perfectly. Right? I didn’t think so. Today’s scripture can be confusing for some. I know it was for me. In Hebrews 6:1-3, the writer warns us to leave the elementary teaching about Christ and press on to maturity less than one minute after admonishing us for again having to teach us the elementary principles of God in Hebrews 5:12. Then, in Hebrews 6:3, the writer says we will press on to maturity “if God permits.” Why wouldn’t God permit us to press on to maturity. Join me as we explore these scriptures and help to clear up some of the mud.
Everything in the Bible is perfectly clear. Right? There’s nothing that is confusing…we all understand it perfectly. Right? I didn’t think so. Today’s scripture can be confusing for some. I know it was for me. In Hebrews 6:1-3, the writer warns us to leave the elementary teaching about Christ and press on to maturity less than one minute after admonishing us for again having to teach us the elementary principles of God in Hebrews 5:12. Then, in Hebrews 6:3, the writer says we will press on to maturity “if God permits.” Why wouldn’t God permit us to press on to maturity. Join me as we explore these scriptures and help to clear up some of the mud.
I can remember being a young 7th or 8th grader. Our school was in Central Florida and in the 60’s, it did not have air conditioning. There were swing out crank windows from ceiling to almost the floor. They would open out and ventilate the room. I tried really hard to keep my attention on the math lesson, but I could hear the other students out on the playground or something as simple as a dragonfly flying around outside would distract me and before long, I was swinging on the swings or flying around with the dragonfly. It is easy to lose focus on what is important. Jesus was in Bethany, near Jerusalem, and was in the house of Martha, a friend of Jesus. Martha, Mary and Lazarus were sisters and brother and were friends of Jesus. While Jesus was there, Mary was sitting by his feet listening to him teach and Martha was busy with meal preparations. One task was urgent and another important. The urgent task can hijack the important one every time, if we let it. Jesus shares about the two and it is a lesson on what we can do to stay on the mission.
I can remember being a young 7th or 8th grader. Our school was in Central Florida and in the 60’s, it did not have air conditioning. There were swing out crank windows from ceiling to almost the floor. They would open out and ventilate the room. I tried really hard to keep my attention on the math lesson, but I could hear the other students out on the playground or something as simple as a dragonfly flying around outside would distract me and before long, I was swinging on the swings or flying around with the dragonfly. It is easy to lose focus on what is important. Jesus was in Bethany, near Jerusalem, and was in the house of Martha, a friend of Jesus. Martha, Mary and Lazarus were sisters and brother and were friends of Jesus. While Jesus was there, Mary was sitting by his feet listening to him teach and Martha was busy with meal preparations. One task was urgent and another important. The urgent task can hijack the important one every time, if we let it. Jesus shares about the two and it is a lesson on what we can do to stay on the mission.
This is Part 1 of a series on Focus. This message is Focus on Jesus. There is a common story of Jesus walking on the water in the Sea of Galilee, coming to a boat with the disciples inside. They see Jesus but aren’t sure it is Him. Therefore, Peter says to Jesus, “if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus does and Peter gets out of the boat. It isn’t long before Peter realizes he is in over his head. Peter loses focus. It is easy to do, that is to lose focus. Faith requires Focus. Peter re-focuses on Jesus and is saved. Find out how to keep focus and be more successful with your faith. And when you lose focus, re-focus.
This is Part 1 of a series on Focus. This message is Focus on Jesus. There is a common story of Jesus walking on the water in the Sea of Galilee, coming to a boat with the disciples inside. They see Jesus but aren’t sure it is Him. Therefore, Peter says to Jesus, “if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus does and Peter gets out of the boat. It isn’t long before Peter realizes he is in over his head. Peter loses focus. It is easy to do, that is to lose focus. Faith requires Focus. Peter re-focuses on Jesus and is saved. Find out how to keep focus and be more successful with your faith. And when you lose focus, re-focus.
Have you ever gotten so close to something but just couldn’t pull it off, just couldn’t get it done? I would run about 15 miles a week. Varying it like 5 3 mile runs and a time or two, 3 5 mile runs. I would build up to a few longer runs like 5, 8 miles. I wanted to get up to 10 mile runs. When I got to 8.5 miles one day, I knew I was getting close. I worked pretty hard on it but found that I had to make some more changes in my life to get there. Certainly there were some diet issues and further training. It took more time out of my schedule, I had to have more commitment to getting it done. I mean, I was so close, but I never made it. So close.
Have you ever gotten so close to something but just couldn’t pull it off, just couldn’t get it done? I would run about 15 miles a week. Varying it like 5 3 mile runs and a time or two, 3 5 mile runs. I would build up to a few longer runs like 5, 8 miles. I wanted to get up to 10 mile runs. When I got to 8.5 miles one day, I knew I was getting close. I worked pretty hard on it but found that I had to make some more changes in my life to get there. Certainly there were some diet issues and further training. It took more time out of my schedule, I had to have more commitment to getting it done. I mean, I was so close, but I never made it. So close.
We have to MAKE Room……for Jesus to HAVE Room…in our lives.
We have to MAKE Room……for Jesus to HAVE Room…in our lives.
Some people have an extraordinary ability to get things done. They may have special talents, intellect, and abilities to succeed. Think of athletes that stand out, or musicians that are able to perform on different instruments. There are hugely successful people in business, finance, AI or medicine. Our world is full of them. They use their abilities and what they have to make something happen. There are others that maybe are not as famous or maybe not even known at all. They too have abilities. The scriptures have some interesting people that were ordinary people, going about their daily life with the things they had. God used them in very unique ways. These are the stories of their lives and what they had and how they used them, in surprising ways. You might also be surprised at what you have and how it specifically fits into God’s plan.
Some people have an extraordinary ability to get things done. They may have special talents, intellect, and abilities to succeed. Think of athletes that stand out, or musicians that are able to perform on different instruments. There are hugely successful people in business, finance, AI or medicine. Our world is full of them. They use their abilities and what they have to make something happen. There are others that maybe are not as famous or maybe not even known at all. They too have abilities. The scriptures have some interesting people that were ordinary people, going about their daily life with the things they had. God used them in very unique ways. These are the stories of their lives and what they had and how they used them, in surprising ways. You might also be surprised at what you have and how it specifically fits into God’s plan.
Everyone here and everyone watching or listening, at one time or another in their lives, has probably had someone do them wrong, really wrong, bad wrong. Maybe even a few times! Can anyone identify with this? We all can probably. If not, just give life enough time. And what we normally do is get angry. It is a natural reaction. And the anger lingers and settles in and we resent the wrong and can easily begin to hold a grudge against them. Scripture talks about grudges. Is it ok to hold a grudge? What should we do with grudges? If you have ever wondered if God holds grudges, you are in the right place. There is a great example of where Jesus was done wrong by one of his closest followers and then how Jesus handled it with him.
Everyone here and everyone watching or listening, at one time or another in their lives, has probably had someone do them wrong, really wrong, bad wrong. Maybe even a few times! Can anyone identify with this? We all can probably. If not, just give life enough time. And what we normally do is get angry. It is a natural reaction. And the anger lingers and settles in and we resent the wrong and can easily begin to hold a grudge against them. Scripture talks about grudges. Is it ok to hold a grudge? What should we do with grudges? If you have ever wondered if God holds grudges, you are in the right place. There is a great example of where Jesus was done wrong by one of his closest followers and then how Jesus handled it with him.
I am certain that everyone hearing this message has, at one time or another, wanted to just speak their mind and tell others what they think. Free speech right? I am reasonably certain that some hearing this have done it. I am in the group of “have done it.” Since I was 18, I have had basically 2 long term jobs. A person at one of the jobs was basically an “organizational terrorist.” He had a great job with great hours but just talked negatively about the organization and people. I was with him one day and told him to just shut up because he didn’t know what he was talking about and he should be lucky he had such a great job. Well, that is the clean version of what I said. And he complained on me. The speech was free but the results had some costs. James has some really good examples of free speech and what we should think about before we speak. In an age of quick/easy and widespread communication and our face to face encounters, what we say has a huge importance in our Christian walk. This unpacks just a few concepts of how to win the battle with our speech.
I am certain that everyone hearing this message has, at one time or another, wanted to just speak their mind and tell others what they think. Free speech right? I am reasonably certain that some hearing this have done it. I am in the group of “have done it.” Since I was 18, I have had basically 2 long term jobs. A person at one of the jobs was basically an “organizational terrorist.” He had a great job with great hours but just talked negatively about the organization and people. I was with him one day and told him to just shut up because he didn’t know what he was talking about and he should be lucky he had such a great job. Well, that is the clean version of what I said. And he complained on me. The speech was free but the results had some costs. James has some really good examples of free speech and what we should think about before we speak. In an age of quick/easy and widespread communication and our face to face encounters, what we say has a huge importance in our Christian walk. This unpacks just a few concepts of how to win the battle with our speech.
I always wanted a Corvette. As I was a kid growing up, there were a few men I knew that had them. Red, silver, dark blue; low to the ground, sleek, smooth, fast, loud. They were always eye catchers. To me, at the time, they symbolized success and popularity. When I was 20 and had enough money for a down payment on my first house, I almost spent it on a Corvette at a car show. A red one. I took my eye off the house and was distracted by my desire for the car. What a mistake that would have been. Of course, that is easy to see now, but it was not so clear then. Desire never really leaves us. That strong feeling to have something or wishing for something to happen. It is always there, if we are honest. Desires may shift or change over time. One thing is certain, the wrong desire can distract, the right desire can attract…it is really about our desires. This looks at some examples in the bible that demonstrate this point.
I always wanted a Corvette. As I was a kid growing up, there were a few men I knew that had them. Red, silver, dark blue; low to the ground, sleek, smooth, fast, loud. They were always eye catchers. To me, at the time, they symbolized success and popularity. When I was 20 and had enough money for a down payment on my first house, I almost spent it on a Corvette at a car show. A red one. I took my eye off the house and was distracted by my desire for the car. What a mistake that would have been. Of course, that is easy to see now, but it was not so clear then. Desire never really leaves us. That strong feeling to have something or wishing for something to happen. It is always there, if we are honest. Desires may shift or change over time. One thing is certain, the wrong desire can distract, the right desire can attract…it is really about our desires. This looks at some examples in the bible that demonstrate this point.
How does it feel to be criticized? Often it can sting a little or maybe even make us mad. Sometimes it depends on how the criticism was delivered. Delivered alone and in a positive attitude, criticism can be good. But criticism delivered in a harsh way, in front of other people or in a crowd, can be demeaning and maybe even angering, sometimes evoking a reciprocal response. It may want us to give it back to them. Jesus, his disciples and some friends were at a house in Bethany having dinner. It was within days of Jesus being betrayed, arrested and then crucified. A woman, believed to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, was there. She performed an act of pure love and sacrifice to Jesus. She was criticized and rebuked harshly in front of all. What she said after this public open admonishment at a dinner is a lesson for us all.
How does it feel to be criticized? Often it can sting a little or maybe even make us mad. Sometimes it depends on how the criticism was delivered. Delivered alone and in a positive attitude, criticism can be good. But criticism delivered in a harsh way, in front of other people or in a crowd, can be demeaning and maybe even angering, sometimes evoking a reciprocal response. It may want us to give it back to them. Jesus, his disciples and some friends were at a house in Bethany having dinner. It was within days of Jesus being betrayed, arrested and then crucified. A woman, believed to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, was there. She performed an act of pure love and sacrifice to Jesus. She was criticized and rebuked harshly in front of all. What she said after this public open admonishment at a dinner is a lesson for us all.
Alyosha teaches about the purpose of Jerusalem for establishing the Kingdom. God encourages and uses His people to be involved, participate in being co-builders of His Kingdom
Alyosha teaches about the purpose of Jerusalem for establishing the Kingdom. God encourages and uses His people to be involved, participate in being co-builders of His Kingdom
We all have faith in something. We have faith that the sun will come up and go down each day. That our heart will beat another beat, that we will be able to take another breath. It might be a little more difficult to have faith that our jobs will be secure, that we won’t get sick and that nothing bad will happen to us. Sometimes bad things happen. The Bible tells a story of 2 different people, on the same day at the same time that needed something from Jesus. One had a sick daughter that was dying and the other was a woman who had been sick for 12 years. Both were desperate. They both brought what they had in their faith department to Jesus on that one day. The man had faith that if Jesus just touched his daughter that she would live. The woman believed that if she could just touch the garment of Jesus, she would be healed. Both were right. You see, they had their beliefs, or their faith and the amount of faith that they each had…they brought to Jesus. The faith that you have, just bring it to Jesus. He can work with it.
We all have faith in something. We have faith that the sun will come up and go down each day. That our heart will beat another beat, that we will be able to take another breath. It might be a little more difficult to have faith that our jobs will be secure, that we won’t get sick and that nothing bad will happen to us. Sometimes bad things happen. The Bible tells a story of 2 different people, on the same day at the same time that needed something from Jesus. One had a sick daughter that was dying and the other was a woman who had been sick for 12 years. Both were desperate. They both brought what they had in their faith department to Jesus on that one day. The man had faith that if Jesus just touched his daughter that she would live. The woman believed that if she could just touch the garment of Jesus, she would be healed. Both were right. You see, they had their beliefs, or their faith and the amount of faith that they each had…they brought to Jesus. The faith that you have, just bring it to Jesus. He can work with it.
Have you ever had test anxiety? I can still remember as a young boy in school, having test anxiety. I was good at tests, except for math. I would pray, God please let me get through this test. And I did, but I was always anxious. One of my daughters was talking to me about some general life stuff and she said, “Sometimes I wish I could just go back to a child and not have to handle all this stuff. It was easier then.” I have felt the same way myself sometimes. But there is no going back. And God doesn’t want us going back. He wants us to go forward, to grow….to mature, to be complete, and to be perfected. Just a couple of verses in James really focuses on how to not only get through “it”, whatever it is at the time, but how to be successful and to grow.
Have you ever had test anxiety? I can still remember as a young boy in school, having test anxiety. I was good at tests, except for math. I would pray, God please let me get through this test. And I did, but I was always anxious. One of my daughters was talking to me about some general life stuff and she said, “Sometimes I wish I could just go back to a child and not have to handle all this stuff. It was easier then.” I have felt the same way myself sometimes. But there is no going back. And God doesn’t want us going back. He wants us to go forward, to grow….to mature, to be complete, and to be perfected. Just a couple of verses in James really focuses on how to not only get through “it”, whatever it is at the time, but how to be successful and to grow.
It seems like most weddings now have a dinner or social time after the event. And, it is almost impossible to go to a wedding today without having wine at the dinner or social time. I am not against wine. The bible talks about wine in both positive and negative ways. And, just like anything….there can be excesses. But this story is not really about wine. Jesus went to a wedding banquet that served wine. His mother and some of His disciples were there too. We don’t know much about the couple or the guest list. What we do know is that the party ran out of wine. An embarrassment for certain. The lack of wine was brought to Jesus’ attention by His mother, Mary. His actions open up a way for us to see what Jesus wants for our life. Fullness.
It seems like most weddings now have a dinner or social time after the event. And, it is almost impossible to go to a wedding today without having wine at the dinner or social time. I am not against wine. The bible talks about wine in both positive and negative ways. And, just like anything….there can be excesses. But this story is not really about wine. Jesus went to a wedding banquet that served wine. His mother and some of His disciples were there too. We don’t know much about the couple or the guest list. What we do know is that the party ran out of wine. An embarrassment for certain. The lack of wine was brought to Jesus’ attention by His mother, Mary. His actions open up a way for us to see what Jesus wants for our life. Fullness.
Have you ever used a checklist? I like checklists. They can help keep things organized, can help get things finished and can serve as a barometer of how we are doing. Checklists can help us see if we are missing anything. Jesus was a checklist guy. There is a story in the Gospels about a man that ran up to Jesus and asked Jesus what it took to inherit eternal life. Jesus gave him a checklist of things. The man checked them off, but really knew there was another thing that he wanted more than eternal life. He even asked Jesus, “What do I still lack?” The man knew and Jesus knew. So Jesus told him. Jesus brought it out in the open. The man was sad. He went away with a box unchecked. Am I missing something, he said? Yes he was.
Have you ever used a checklist? I like checklists. They can help keep things organized, can help get things finished and can serve as a barometer of how we are doing. Checklists can help us see if we are missing anything. Jesus was a checklist guy. There is a story in the Gospels about a man that ran up to Jesus and asked Jesus what it took to inherit eternal life. Jesus gave him a checklist of things. The man checked them off, but really knew there was another thing that he wanted more than eternal life. He even asked Jesus, “What do I still lack?” The man knew and Jesus knew. So Jesus told him. Jesus brought it out in the open. The man was sad. He went away with a box unchecked. Am I missing something, he said? Yes he was.
Have you ever been around a construction site and gotten sawdust in your eyes? Or maybe at the beach and got some sand in your eyes. I grew up in a town with a saw mill. They cut boards of different sizes and lengths from logs. I got to go there only a couple of times and it was before there was strict adherence to OSHA rules like hard hat, hearing and eye protection. It was a treat. There was sawdust everywhere! As a kid, it only took me a few minutes to have it all over me and my clothes. And, yes, I got some in my eyes. Just like beach sand or the morning eye goo, sawdust in your eyes can make it hard to see, I mean, even a speck. Scripture says Jesus was a carpenter and the son of a carpenter. He knew about sawdust. I suppose he even got some sawdust in His eyes. One day Jesus was teaching the disciples and other people that had gathered around a hill. One of the things he was talking about was something in their eyes, like a speck of wood or straw. Funny Jesus was actually talking about two separate people with two separate things in their eyes. And He was talking about more than sawdust. It is a timely message for us today.
Have you ever been around a construction site and gotten sawdust in your eyes? Or maybe at the beach and got some sand in your eyes. I grew up in a town with a saw mill. They cut boards of different sizes and lengths from logs. I got to go there only a couple of times and it was before there was strict adherence to OSHA rules like hard hat, hearing and eye protection. It was a treat. There was sawdust everywhere! As a kid, it only took me a few minutes to have it all over me and my clothes. And, yes, I got some in my eyes. Just like beach sand or the morning eye goo, sawdust in your eyes can make it hard to see, I mean, even a speck. Scripture says Jesus was a carpenter and the son of a carpenter. He knew about sawdust. I suppose he even got some sawdust in His eyes. One day Jesus was teaching the disciples and other people that had gathered around a hill. One of the things he was talking about was something in their eyes, like a speck of wood or straw. Funny Jesus was actually talking about two separate people with two separate things in their eyes. And He was talking about more than sawdust. It is a timely message for us today.
Have you ever heard the expression, “No Pain, No Gain?” Roots to the saying go back as far as 650 BC, to Socrates, to Benjamin Franklin, to Jane Fonda and the workout video craze. I am not saying it is always true but often in life, obtaining things of value require great effort. Such was the entry of the people of Israel into the Promised Land. The land had great resources but it was full of adversaries. Land flowing with milk and honey had large people in it that had to be overcome. And they were with God’s help. God wants us in the Promised Land, not the actual land, but in the spiritual Promised Land with Him. And to get there, we face obstacles. We have to overcome some giants in our lives and surrender to God’s will for our lives.
Have you ever heard the expression, “No Pain, No Gain?” Roots to the saying go back as far as 650 BC, to Socrates, to Benjamin Franklin, to Jane Fonda and the workout video craze. I am not saying it is always true but often in life, obtaining things of value require great effort. Such was the entry of the people of Israel into the Promised Land. The land had great resources but it was full of adversaries. Land flowing with milk and honey had large people in it that had to be overcome. And they were with God’s help. God wants us in the Promised Land, not the actual land, but in the spiritual Promised Land with Him. And to get there, we face obstacles. We have to overcome some giants in our lives and surrender to God’s will for our lives.
Is God ok with Social Media? Well, it depends. Texting, FB, TickTok, X, Instagram, SnapChat…and more….MySpace if you are old enough, and Six Degrees in 1997 if you are older. The bible does not specifically address these platforms. But it does address what they do, which is communicate thoughts, feelings, words, opinions. So is it ok to just post or text whatever you want? Being OK or legal can be very different than right. Especially if you look at it through a biblical lens. How about this, have you ever texted or posted something you wish you hadn’t or wish you could get it back? Better yet, have you said something you wish you hadn’t or wish you could get it back? We all have.
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