Seeking praise


If you do the work of God and look for praise you are on very dangerous ground.  The work of God will not receive praise from men in general.  We know this, either because we were told, or because we have experienced the rejection of men for the sake of God.

But it is also not wise to serve the living God and look to him for praise.  I say this knowing there will be a difference of opinion.  God himself knows  the heart of every man, he will give to each according to his great wisdom.  Therefore I am  not stating a categorical.

There is a day of praise we look for rightfully.  “Well done my good and faithful servant.”  It is appropriate to look for that moment.  But we take note, that day is not embraced in flesh.

While we are in flesh we are weakened by the sinful nature’s pride.  And it is usually this weakness that causes us to desire praise from God.

Rather than seeking His praise, for now, we are only to consider our service rendered as expected.  Do not seek praise, instead seek the next task.  If God sees fit to give us praise, that is his choice. 

May it also be mentioned, this applies to men.  If you find yourself serving for the sake of the praise of men, then you stand on a really dangerous ground!  Flattery abounds.  Flattery destroys.

By His Grace

I Set Sail


I stood on the shore.  A boat with sail was there.  Anxiety was upon me and I looked for escape.

Into the boat I lept.  With all my strength and quickness I raised the sail.  With knowledge of direction I headed out.

But I did not go toward Tarshish.  I sailed for three miles out.  Let the sound of crashing waves dim the onslaught.  Let their sound not reach me.  Let no bug or bird see me.  I have had my fill.

I pulled the sail down.  Let the great current pull me.  My knees slammed to the bottom of the boat.  And my soul set sail for God.
_______________
Back on shore I write these things.  Refreshed and strong for battle.  But now perceiving the war is not mine.  The Holy One of Israel is my shield.

In him we live and move and have our being.  What then is assailed at us?   It is he who protects.  It is he whom they hate.  Who am I to stop my ears?

From atop the sea

His wisdom found me.

And all my anxiety

Has proved not but folly.

By His Grace

Progress?


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What is the pride of man?  In his darkened reasoning even he admits that he is once removed from animals.   Yet, because he has learned to chip stone to make tools, he says he is respectable and vitally important.

And if he is once removed from animals, which direction has he removed himself?  Even animals allow one another to thrive.  The spider does not covet all food.  The Lion does not lay claim to what it cannot gain.  Has man been boasting that he is less and worse than animals?  Where is the pride of man?

If man would cast out greed he might equal “animal”.  But to become what man thinks he is requires godly attributes.  But how will that ever happen?  Man’s pride denies his dependence on God.  Truly man without God is merely one step removed from dirt.

The reason for Christmas


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Christmas always gets out of hand.  This is because it has been stolen by people who have absolutely no idea regarding the Majestic reason for it.  I do not say this to blame them.  A sinner corrupts where it can because it is a sinner. 

But I thought it might be helpful to remind us of the reason for Christianity.  Perhaps then the Majesty of our celebration of Christmas can find renewed appreciation.

We are saved because we have no rightful claim to rival against God.  The sin of our enemy is that he thought equality with God was something to grasp.  It is utterly impossible that we should foster such thinking. 

With this in mind we perceive correctly what is our place among God’s eternal kingdom.  Consider the love of a man toward his generous enemy.  Though he deserves to be destroyed with the rest of his countrymen, he is offered a lavish and peaceful life in his enemy’s kingdom.  Such love is presently being tested among all who will respond to the invitation from God.

He will utterly destroy all claims toward His throne.  He alone is vital.  God alone is righteous.  The Living God alone is good.  Nothing will ever secure an accusation against Him.  Thus He has prepared One who will minster between all creation and Himself.  Yet look at the very nature of the One God has chosen.

5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Love = Obedience


Felice da Nicosia

Felice da Nicosia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Do you love me more than these?”

More than sex.  More than Envy.  More than money.  More than fame, profit, ownership,  pride, humility, lawfulness, religion, …

“If you love me you will obey my commands.”  want to stop sinning?  Learn to love the Lord.

His Word is true God cannot lie if we love him we will obey his commands.

The Way of Humility


LAX Hallway

LAX Hallway (Photo credit: jeffk)

Every man thinks he is something when he does not listen to the words of God. Thus a proud man is formed.

 

How is a humble man produced?

 

Let the proud man read the Good words God has written, and humility approaches with steady gait.

 

Let him cease reading what is good and humility will stop his approach.

 

Let him return to prideful ways and humility returns to God.