Fires, political upheaval, extreme conditions, Covid virus concerns… Do you feel like God may be trying to get the attention of the nation or world today? Sure.
It’s not hard to arrive at that conclusion. But what if I were to instead ask, do you feel like God is trying to get your attention today?
This morning, at my computer, I was amazed at the lack of sites that offered the approach of making things from Scripture personal. In fact, some Christian sites even argued against making the Bible too personal. So, my thoughts this week stem from the notion of asking “Why, or Why not?”
Let’s start with some observations:
• It is easy to talk about the problems of our nation and the world.
• It is stimulating to talk about prophecy, and what is going to happen to the world.
• It is gratifying to talk about doctrines and sins that others need to repent of.
• It is comforting to talk about things that are not intended to make us personally feel uncomfortable.
• It is gratifying to talk about doctrines and sins that others need to repent of.
• It is comforting to talk about things that are not intended to make us personally feel uncomfortable.
There seems to be a common theme, so let’s ask this; Does God call us to the comforting task of critiquing others?
• Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2). That sounds like it’s stressing a personal perspective.
• Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2). That sounds like it’s stressing a personal perspective.
Consequently, perhaps we could ask it differently; Is the idea of pointing fingers stronger in the Bible than the idea of making things applicable to you/me personally?
• But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matt. 6:33). It still sounds like more emphasis on personal reflection and application than it does on assessing others (although there is a place for that in spiritual leadership –see Matt. 7:16; 1 Tim. 3:1-7).
• But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matt. 6:33). It still sounds like more emphasis on personal reflection and application than it does on assessing others (although there is a place for that in spiritual leadership –see Matt. 7:16; 1 Tim. 3:1-7).
How about a few other passages:
• Galatians 6:5 says we are each responsible for our own conduct.
• Matthew 16:27 tells us that Jesus Christ will reward each person according to what they have done.
• Galatians 6:5 says we are each responsible for our own conduct.
• Matthew 16:27 tells us that Jesus Christ will reward each person according to what they have done.
Thus, let me ask four questions that should accompany the first four observations:
• What are you personally aware of that are problems in your own life?
• What are you personally changing about your life if Jesus were to return tonight?
• What are you personally doing to see that people are saved from their sins?
• What are you personally willing to attend to in your life that needs transformed?
• What are you personally aware of that are problems in your own life?
• What are you personally changing about your life if Jesus were to return tonight?
• What are you personally doing to see that people are saved from their sins?
• What are you personally willing to attend to in your life that needs transformed?
Pastor Mike
“between Sundays”
“between Sundays”