"Even in tragedy, God through His word offers hope for those who seek and believe. It starts with the promise of a better tomorrow, of life everlasting, of eternal peace. It's called faith, and it offers hope where none existed."
Those are not the words of Scripture, which usually inspire and kickoff my Thursday Thought for the Week. Those are the words of Zig Ziglar, business motivator extraordinaire. He inspired many to be their best in the business world and was also a believer. He died this past Wednesday. Those words of his are words of wisdom, and they come right out of the Scriptures. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Faith is the cornerstone of what it means to follow Jesus. No one comes down to the altar to pray and put their 'fact' in Jesus; they come to put their 'faith' in Jesus. Faith fuels the believer because we believe the impossible. We trust in the goodness of God even when circumstances tell us there is no hope. We expect God to move even when it seems He is far away. And we believe that, in the end, good wins and our eternity is secure. Faith drives every move the believer makes. We can't do anything without faith. You and I will no doubt encounter tragedy or circumstances where there is no hope. We will have seasons of life where there is absolutely no evidence that things are going to turn out okay. Everything will point to disaster and despair. Faith does not listen to despair. Faith rises above tragedy, even the deepest tragedies of life. And faith is our part. It is the thing that we do in our relationship with God. It's the move we have to make. We choose faith. We choose to believe against all odds. If we do, faith makes all the difference. You can put your faith in God, friend. He's come through for me time and time again. He'll do the same for you.
First United Methodist Church of Griffin
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
With Confidence
Do you know that feeling when you've got to go before a superior and you know you've done something wrong? I see that look on my boys' faces a lot. I remember that feeling myself. I remember during a particularly rousing game of "Hide and Seek" that I kicked a hole in a storage room door that my brother was hiding in, but he had locked the door. I was upset, so I kicked the door. Big mistake. I had to face my Daddy, and that was not a good feeling. It's a terrible feeling, whether you are facing your boss after screwing up a deal for the company, facing your coach after committing a foul, error, or penalty, or facing your parents after you've kicked a hole in the door.
It's worse with God. It's an awful feeling to face God when we know that we have sinned against him, when we are not worthy, when we are so filthy compared to Him. In fact, it's impossible. In fact, the Bible says that because of our sin, we are unable to face God. He is TOO great. In the Old Testament, no one wanted to see the face of God because we couldn't handle it. We are too dirty -- He is too pure. To be in His presence would knock us dead. His majesty would overwhelm us, literally. Humanity is not worthy to be in the presence of God.
Enter Jesus. You see, if we don't understand this, then Jesus won't be that big of a deal. However, when you wrap your head around the understanding that we are totally unworthy to stand in God's presence because of our sin, then you begin to understand the magnitude of Christ's death. The High Priest used to enter the Holy of Holies once a year to offer a blood sacrifice for the sins of the people. Blood had to be involved, but the blood of animals didn't stick. It didn't last. The blood of Christ covered us once and for all. And now, not only could the High Priest enter into the presence of God -- we all could.
Hebrews 10:19 says it this way: "We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus." Now, God is personal. Now, God calls us friend. Now, we can stand in the presence of God. Now, we do not have to be fearful, ashamed, or feel unworthy to come face to face with the Almighty. Jesus has fixed it. As we get ready for Christmas, that's the story we can't forget. The baby in the manger makes a cute scene on display on our mantle, but the message of Christmas ends at the cross. The blood makes all the difference. Go to God with confidence. You don't have to be ashamed of who you are or what you've done. Embrace the forgiveness -- and start over anew.
It's worse with God. It's an awful feeling to face God when we know that we have sinned against him, when we are not worthy, when we are so filthy compared to Him. In fact, it's impossible. In fact, the Bible says that because of our sin, we are unable to face God. He is TOO great. In the Old Testament, no one wanted to see the face of God because we couldn't handle it. We are too dirty -- He is too pure. To be in His presence would knock us dead. His majesty would overwhelm us, literally. Humanity is not worthy to be in the presence of God.
Enter Jesus. You see, if we don't understand this, then Jesus won't be that big of a deal. However, when you wrap your head around the understanding that we are totally unworthy to stand in God's presence because of our sin, then you begin to understand the magnitude of Christ's death. The High Priest used to enter the Holy of Holies once a year to offer a blood sacrifice for the sins of the people. Blood had to be involved, but the blood of animals didn't stick. It didn't last. The blood of Christ covered us once and for all. And now, not only could the High Priest enter into the presence of God -- we all could.
Hebrews 10:19 says it this way: "We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus." Now, God is personal. Now, God calls us friend. Now, we can stand in the presence of God. Now, we do not have to be fearful, ashamed, or feel unworthy to come face to face with the Almighty. Jesus has fixed it. As we get ready for Christmas, that's the story we can't forget. The baby in the manger makes a cute scene on display on our mantle, but the message of Christmas ends at the cross. The blood makes all the difference. Go to God with confidence. You don't have to be ashamed of who you are or what you've done. Embrace the forgiveness -- and start over anew.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving
Hello Church of the Way,
I hope you're are enjoying the beautiful weather on this Thanksgiving week and preparing for time with loved ones over the holidays. After all the Thanksgiving festivities, I'm looking forward to sharing with you this Sunday as we continue our series "CORE" and look at the value of "Generosity." It seems fitting that we'd think about Generosity over Thanksgiving break.
Just a reminder that One Way won't meet this Sunday afternoon, but we'll have our normal worship at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
"Let us come before him with thanksgiving." Psalm 95:2
Sometimes I marvel at all that God has done for me. I am very blessed, and I'm certain that I often take it for granted. I believe that every good and perfect gift comes from above, and He has certainly given me many. In this season of giving thanks, I'm grateful that God has given me...
-His unbelievable Grace that I have never once deserved.
-His love -- that God wants a relationship with me is still bonkers, but oh, so good.
-My wife. Far better than I deserve.
-My boys. My quiver is full (though they keep emptying my pantry).
-My family. We're blessed with wonderful and supportive sets of parents, siblings, and nephews.
-Health. I have only so much control over it, and I'm so grateful for the good health I've been blessed with in the ways that I can't control.
-Our Church. What an awesome group of people committed to changing the world!
-This community. It's a great place to raise a family.
-Fall Saturdays
-Fried Turkey
-Sweet Potato Souffle
-Mello Yello Zero. You should try that stuff -- it's good.
-Coffee
-Laughter
-Funny Commercials
-Electric Guitars
-Comfortable Shoes
-The internet
-Cheesecake
-Good friends to laugh and cry with
-A warm, dry roof over my head
I'll bet you have a lot to be thankful for to. Be sure and tell Him.
I hope you're are enjoying the beautiful weather on this Thanksgiving week and preparing for time with loved ones over the holidays. After all the Thanksgiving festivities, I'm looking forward to sharing with you this Sunday as we continue our series "CORE" and look at the value of "Generosity." It seems fitting that we'd think about Generosity over Thanksgiving break.
Just a reminder that One Way won't meet this Sunday afternoon, but we'll have our normal worship at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
"Let us come before him with thanksgiving." Psalm 95:2
Sometimes I marvel at all that God has done for me. I am very blessed, and I'm certain that I often take it for granted. I believe that every good and perfect gift comes from above, and He has certainly given me many. In this season of giving thanks, I'm grateful that God has given me...
-His unbelievable Grace that I have never once deserved.
-His love -- that God wants a relationship with me is still bonkers, but oh, so good.
-My wife. Far better than I deserve.
-My boys. My quiver is full (though they keep emptying my pantry).
-My family. We're blessed with wonderful and supportive sets of parents, siblings, and nephews.
-Health. I have only so much control over it, and I'm so grateful for the good health I've been blessed with in the ways that I can't control.
-Our Church. What an awesome group of people committed to changing the world!
-This community. It's a great place to raise a family.
-Fall Saturdays
-Fried Turkey
-Sweet Potato Souffle
-Mello Yello Zero. You should try that stuff -- it's good.
-Coffee
-Laughter
-Funny Commercials
-Electric Guitars
-Comfortable Shoes
-The internet
-Cheesecake
-Good friends to laugh and cry with
-A warm, dry roof over my head
I'll bet you have a lot to be thankful for to. Be sure and tell Him.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Sabbath
"You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord." Leviticus 23:3
My devotional reading took me to Leviticus 23 this morning. Leviticus usually does not really light your fire. It can be tough to muddle through. It's a hard book to read. Lots of repetition and lots of rules. However, it spoke to me. Leviticus 23 is full of ordinances from God about when it is not appropriate to work. It's almost like God is giving His people permission not to work. And that is so poignant for 2012. We live in a world of email, texts, and constant communication. It's hard to take a day off of work, it's hard to get away from work because it's right there on your computer or phone, and it's hard to justify vacation or holidays when there is so much to do. But, we NEED those breaks. We are often sad masses of availability, but we need times when we're not available to anyone but our God and our family.
What is so alarming in our current culture is that we are made to feel guilty for taking Sabbath time. In our over-worked and over-stressed and money-hungry culture, we have bought into the idea that 'time is money.' Time, actually is irreplaceable. Time is fleeting, and you only get a limited amount of it with your family. Moreover, you only get a limited amount of time on earth to truly live out your purpose as a child of Almighty God. With Thanksgiving around the corner, I hope you will take time to unplug from the world to which you are normally available. God tells us in Leviticus 23 that we are hard wired to have times of Sabbath and rest. We need times of worship, solitude and family. One day, each of us will have a 70th birthday party. Our kids and grand kids will be there. Not one of us will say we wished we had worked through more holidays, or answered our phone a few more times over Thanksgiving or responded to a few more emails when we were supposed to be having dinner with our family. Not one of us will say we wished we'd focused more on work than our relationship with God. Not. A. Single. One. Of. Us. No, we will say that the times with family and our spiritual growth were what has been most important. If that's what you will say when you're 70, why not live that out when you're 30, 40, 50 or 60? As you prepare for Thanksgiving next week, take a break and have a moment with God. Focus on your family. And don't feel guilty for it. God made you that way and wants that for you. It pleases Him, and you'll feel better at that 70th birthday party.
My devotional reading took me to Leviticus 23 this morning. Leviticus usually does not really light your fire. It can be tough to muddle through. It's a hard book to read. Lots of repetition and lots of rules. However, it spoke to me. Leviticus 23 is full of ordinances from God about when it is not appropriate to work. It's almost like God is giving His people permission not to work. And that is so poignant for 2012. We live in a world of email, texts, and constant communication. It's hard to take a day off of work, it's hard to get away from work because it's right there on your computer or phone, and it's hard to justify vacation or holidays when there is so much to do. But, we NEED those breaks. We are often sad masses of availability, but we need times when we're not available to anyone but our God and our family.
What is so alarming in our current culture is that we are made to feel guilty for taking Sabbath time. In our over-worked and over-stressed and money-hungry culture, we have bought into the idea that 'time is money.' Time, actually is irreplaceable. Time is fleeting, and you only get a limited amount of it with your family. Moreover, you only get a limited amount of time on earth to truly live out your purpose as a child of Almighty God. With Thanksgiving around the corner, I hope you will take time to unplug from the world to which you are normally available. God tells us in Leviticus 23 that we are hard wired to have times of Sabbath and rest. We need times of worship, solitude and family. One day, each of us will have a 70th birthday party. Our kids and grand kids will be there. Not one of us will say we wished we had worked through more holidays, or answered our phone a few more times over Thanksgiving or responded to a few more emails when we were supposed to be having dinner with our family. Not one of us will say we wished we'd focused more on work than our relationship with God. Not. A. Single. One. Of. Us. No, we will say that the times with family and our spiritual growth were what has been most important. If that's what you will say when you're 70, why not live that out when you're 30, 40, 50 or 60? As you prepare for Thanksgiving next week, take a break and have a moment with God. Focus on your family. And don't feel guilty for it. God made you that way and wants that for you. It pleases Him, and you'll feel better at that 70th birthday party.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Fun
No, this isn't about the the music group FUN., though they are kind of addicting. It's about marriage (and a little bit about music). A few months ago I heard Easton Corbin's latest song, "Loving You is Fun." I was hooked. I'm a bit of a country music junkie. I know, I know, some of you don't like country music. However, I just don't know what's not to like about these lyrics:
Love is supposed to be fun. I certainly see a lot of people out in marriage world that are not having fun. I often say, "Marriage is not that hard." It's not. It doesn't have to be. Love is supposed to be fun. The person you love is supposed to put you in the best mood, not the worst mood. Love is supposed to be natural. Yet, relationships are often filled with drama, heartache, bitterness and anything else but fun. Where did the fun go? I'm convinced that fun is one of major keys to building a healthy marriage and a lifetime of love together. What's sad to me is that I see so many un-fun relationships in the Church. Because of the example of Christ, we're supposed to be the experts at love and marriage. I think God wants marriage to be fun. Here's what I've learned in 12 years of marital fun:
Love don’t have to be a bunch of drama
A bunch of knock-down, drag-outs, crying in the rain
It’s all right to keep it light now mama, don’t you think
We’re having such a good time together and it’s only just begun
My heart’s never smiled so hard
Baby, lovin’ you is fun
Love is supposed to be fun. I certainly see a lot of people out in marriage world that are not having fun. I often say, "Marriage is not that hard." It's not. It doesn't have to be. Love is supposed to be fun. The person you love is supposed to put you in the best mood, not the worst mood. Love is supposed to be natural. Yet, relationships are often filled with drama, heartache, bitterness and anything else but fun. Where did the fun go? I'm convinced that fun is one of major keys to building a healthy marriage and a lifetime of love together. What's sad to me is that I see so many un-fun relationships in the Church. Because of the example of Christ, we're supposed to be the experts at love and marriage. I think God wants marriage to be fun. Here's what I've learned in 12 years of marital fun:
- Single people...if you don't have fun when you date, don't get married. It won't be fun after the wedding either. Fun is really easy to spot -- you smile a lot.
- Keep doing fun things together. They don't have to be expensive, but you have to keep having fun together. When you were falling in love, you made allowances and did things to make your future spouse happy. You have to keep doing that. You let your guard down, and you've got to keep doing that.
- Eat together. The funniest moments in my house often happen around the dinner table. Turn the TV off and eat together. Sit and visit after the meal (that's what us Southern-folk do).
- Be creative. Do different stuff together. Go to different places. Try new experiences. Eat at different restaurants. One of the fun things about dating is that you make sure to schedule these kinds of events. Married people have to keep doing it. PLAN on having fun.
- Be happy and don't be so easily offended. Honestly, I don't understand how and why people get their feelings hurt so much. I believe that if we are honest with each other we will ward off most hard feelings. Our feelings get hurt when we hide things.
- Serve each other. You'll be happy when your spouse is happy and they'll be happy if you serve them. So serve them. Help them out in what they're doing. It'll put a smile on their face and that should put a smile on yours.
- Put the kids to bed early. It's hard to have much, uh...'fun'...when your 7 year-old is staying up till 10 o'clock.
- Be yourself. If you can't really be yourself around your spouse, you're going to have a hard time having a long and happy marriage. *This is really important single people! Your spouse ought to be the one person on the planet you can be stone cold honest with about everything.
- Pray for and with your spouse. It is fun to watch your spouse grow spiritually.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Surrounded by Saints
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1
A week ago today was All Saints Day. It's a day to recognize and remember those saints that have gone before us in the last year. Some churches have an All Saints Service and light candles for those that have finished the race. Since All Saints Day, two saints in my life have passed on. Daisy Gibson was the widow of Douglous Gibson, the Paster Emeritus of First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville, our mother church. Daisy defined class. She always looked put together, always wore a smile, and always carried herself with grace. You were encouraged when you were around Daisy. Kenneth Lad is another saint from my past that died this week. Mr. Lad seemed old when I was 7, so he must've been really old now. Mr. Lad was the only male teacher in my Children's Church growing up. When I think of him, I think of red kool-aid and those little butter cookies you can stick on your finger. I can see him standing in the doorway of our snack room while we ate before going up for our lesson. He was the epitome of a sweet man. He was gentle, loved the Lord and loved working with children.
Saints really are real. I'll bet you've had a few in your life. The passage from Hebrews reminds us that those saints surround us. Their memory and impact envelopes us and encourages us. Their lives prove that it CAN be done. We can run this race for Christ. We can finish the course. It CAN be done right. We CAN carry ourselves with dignity, grace, class and gentleness. People like Kenneth Lad and Daisy Gibson did it, and we can do it, too. We honor those that have poured their lives into ours when we forge ahead amidst struggle. The message is clear from the Apostle Paul. Get rid of all the stuff that is holding you back, the stuff that is hindering your walk with Christ and your purpose in life. Set your compass to true north and run the race you were designed to run it. And when you think you can go no more or you don't have what it takes, remember that there have been saints who believed in you, invested in you, and loved you. They did it. You can to. It's a long race. You don't have to win it today, but run to win the stretch before you this day. Then, do it again tomorrow. You and your future are worth it.
A week ago today was All Saints Day. It's a day to recognize and remember those saints that have gone before us in the last year. Some churches have an All Saints Service and light candles for those that have finished the race. Since All Saints Day, two saints in my life have passed on. Daisy Gibson was the widow of Douglous Gibson, the Paster Emeritus of First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville, our mother church. Daisy defined class. She always looked put together, always wore a smile, and always carried herself with grace. You were encouraged when you were around Daisy. Kenneth Lad is another saint from my past that died this week. Mr. Lad seemed old when I was 7, so he must've been really old now. Mr. Lad was the only male teacher in my Children's Church growing up. When I think of him, I think of red kool-aid and those little butter cookies you can stick on your finger. I can see him standing in the doorway of our snack room while we ate before going up for our lesson. He was the epitome of a sweet man. He was gentle, loved the Lord and loved working with children.
Saints really are real. I'll bet you've had a few in your life. The passage from Hebrews reminds us that those saints surround us. Their memory and impact envelopes us and encourages us. Their lives prove that it CAN be done. We can run this race for Christ. We can finish the course. It CAN be done right. We CAN carry ourselves with dignity, grace, class and gentleness. People like Kenneth Lad and Daisy Gibson did it, and we can do it, too. We honor those that have poured their lives into ours when we forge ahead amidst struggle. The message is clear from the Apostle Paul. Get rid of all the stuff that is holding you back, the stuff that is hindering your walk with Christ and your purpose in life. Set your compass to true north and run the race you were designed to run it. And when you think you can go no more or you don't have what it takes, remember that there have been saints who believed in you, invested in you, and loved you. They did it. You can to. It's a long race. You don't have to win it today, but run to win the stretch before you this day. Then, do it again tomorrow. You and your future are worth it.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Bigger Fish
In the last couple of weeks I've fretted over my wife going for a second mammogram (Praise God, it was all good). I've met with and prayed for a dear friend struggling with a wayward teenager and not knowing what to do, and I can see the pain on his face. I've met with couples and individuals struggling to save their marriage after mistakes or the busy-ness of life catching up with them. I've mourned for a friend who lost a child, an 8-year-old boy. I've prayed for friends in my LIFE Group that have lost jobs. I've planned outreach events to help needy families in our community. I've prayed and prayed over negotiations our church is having with a bank over our property, and I've tried to prepare a few sermons with God's inspiration. I heard there was an election going on, too?
I voted yesterday. Some of the people I voted for won, some didn't ('Cause, you know, there was more than one election going on). I've chuckled a bit today at the hyperbole on the internet. Some people are really, really happy. Some are really, really angry. Some, thankfully, are calling for prayers for all our leaders. I simply feel that I've got bigger fish to fry. It's not that I'm disinterested in politics or who won, it's just that no matter who won I was going to have to heat up the oil and fry the same fish this week and next week.
No matter who is President, I'm still praying on that land. I'm still heartbroken for friends with lost children and lost jobs. I'm still trying to help friends with family issues. I'm still grateful my wife's health is good. I'm still excited about taking my boy to a football game this weekend. I'm way, way more heartbroken for my grieving friends that lost their little boy than over any election that didn't go my way. And I'm way, way more excited about going to a football game with my son than I am about any election that did go my way.
Some people will say I need to take politics more seriously. I say that politics will always come far, far behind my personal faith in Jesus, my family, my friends, and God's ministry in and through me. I care about politics, it's just not the biggest fish in my fryer, and those big fish take up most of my time, effort, and energy. And, friend, I hope you have some bigger fish, for you were not created to be a just a national citizen. You were created to be a citizen of the Kingdom. You were created to be a son, daughter, wife, husband, mother, or father. You were created to be a friend and neighbor. It's okay to be fired up or disappointed with politics, just make sure you're frying those biggest fish first. For me, those bigger fish seem much more important to who God is calling me to be in Christ.
I voted yesterday. Some of the people I voted for won, some didn't ('Cause, you know, there was more than one election going on). I've chuckled a bit today at the hyperbole on the internet. Some people are really, really happy. Some are really, really angry. Some, thankfully, are calling for prayers for all our leaders. I simply feel that I've got bigger fish to fry. It's not that I'm disinterested in politics or who won, it's just that no matter who won I was going to have to heat up the oil and fry the same fish this week and next week.
No matter who is President, I'm still praying on that land. I'm still heartbroken for friends with lost children and lost jobs. I'm still trying to help friends with family issues. I'm still grateful my wife's health is good. I'm still excited about taking my boy to a football game this weekend. I'm way, way more heartbroken for my grieving friends that lost their little boy than over any election that didn't go my way. And I'm way, way more excited about going to a football game with my son than I am about any election that did go my way.
Some people will say I need to take politics more seriously. I say that politics will always come far, far behind my personal faith in Jesus, my family, my friends, and God's ministry in and through me. I care about politics, it's just not the biggest fish in my fryer, and those big fish take up most of my time, effort, and energy. And, friend, I hope you have some bigger fish, for you were not created to be a just a national citizen. You were created to be a citizen of the Kingdom. You were created to be a son, daughter, wife, husband, mother, or father. You were created to be a friend and neighbor. It's okay to be fired up or disappointed with politics, just make sure you're frying those biggest fish first. For me, those bigger fish seem much more important to who God is calling me to be in Christ.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Never Enough
"Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income." Ecclesiastes 5:10
Boy, we live in a culture hungry for more. Our church credit card was the recent victim of credit card fraud. Someone tried to charge a bunch of money to a couple of websites. Luckily, Sam's Club has been very helpful in disputing the charges and we're getting a new card with a new number. I first caught wind of it when I got a phone call from one of the website's customer service center. The address the good were to be shipped to was in Cleveland, Ohio. They even gave me the apartment number. I thought about who must be sitting in that apartment. What leads us to that kind of depravity. The truth is, we've all been down that road a little bit. Oh, you and I have probably not stolen from someone, but we've all been guilty of greed. We've felt like we deserve a bigger paycheck. We've fallen in love with stuff, whether it be clothes, jewelry, cars, houses, furniture, music, collectibles, adventures, hobbies, boats, or any number of things. We've all had our vices. Maybe you still do.
I believe money is the single biggest personal issue each of us face. No matter what you make or have, you always feel like you could use a little more. It is hard to not love money, and the love of it can lead to all kinds of bad things. That's why it is SO important to understand what it means to be satisfied in Christ, to believe that we've been blessed beyond measure through the love of Jesus, and to be thankful for what we have instead of focused on what we don't. When we don't have the right attitude about this, it drives us to all kinds of destructive behaviors. We take another job to have more stuff, stealing precious time from our family. We decide to not give to the church, hurting the local ministry of the Body of Christ. We work longer hours, harming our health and family. The extreme is when we steal a credit card number to get more stuff...because we think the stuff will make us happy. It won't. It can't. Be satisfied with the riches God has given you in Jesus Christ. He has paid the debt that no amount of your overtime can pay.
Boy, we live in a culture hungry for more. Our church credit card was the recent victim of credit card fraud. Someone tried to charge a bunch of money to a couple of websites. Luckily, Sam's Club has been very helpful in disputing the charges and we're getting a new card with a new number. I first caught wind of it when I got a phone call from one of the website's customer service center. The address the good were to be shipped to was in Cleveland, Ohio. They even gave me the apartment number. I thought about who must be sitting in that apartment. What leads us to that kind of depravity. The truth is, we've all been down that road a little bit. Oh, you and I have probably not stolen from someone, but we've all been guilty of greed. We've felt like we deserve a bigger paycheck. We've fallen in love with stuff, whether it be clothes, jewelry, cars, houses, furniture, music, collectibles, adventures, hobbies, boats, or any number of things. We've all had our vices. Maybe you still do.
I believe money is the single biggest personal issue each of us face. No matter what you make or have, you always feel like you could use a little more. It is hard to not love money, and the love of it can lead to all kinds of bad things. That's why it is SO important to understand what it means to be satisfied in Christ, to believe that we've been blessed beyond measure through the love of Jesus, and to be thankful for what we have instead of focused on what we don't. When we don't have the right attitude about this, it drives us to all kinds of destructive behaviors. We take another job to have more stuff, stealing precious time from our family. We decide to not give to the church, hurting the local ministry of the Body of Christ. We work longer hours, harming our health and family. The extreme is when we steal a credit card number to get more stuff...because we think the stuff will make us happy. It won't. It can't. Be satisfied with the riches God has given you in Jesus Christ. He has paid the debt that no amount of your overtime can pay.
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