Who is God?

Attributed 

Skit for Church or Youth Group

with 'Ron/Rhonda Reacher' and 'Don/Donna Doubter' and God's voice from above.  'Narrator' Bible verses can be read by multiple people.  Slides add emphasis.

Narrator:  Ron Reacher can see that his friend Don Doubter is upset.  Don has a lot of questions.

Ron Reacher:  Don, I know you've been going through some tough times lately. I wanted to tell you I'm here for you.

Don Doubter:  Ron, why did this happen?  I just don't get it.

Ron:  I don't know why, but I know God has a plan for you.  He loves you.

Don:  How can I believe in God at a time like this?  Am I supposed to believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing, loving Creator God?

Ron:  Why don't you ask Him?

Don:  Okay, God, if you're even there, why don't you show your 'holy glory' with a sign from heaven?

God (echoing voice from offstage):  I did.  (Slide 1 Fire on Mt Sinai)

Attributed

Narrator: 'There was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast.  Everyone in the camp trembled.  Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.  Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire.  The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.'  (from Exodus 19:16-18)

Ron:  God showed his holy power many times in many different ways.

Don:  I get it, God is powerful.  But, God who are you really?

God:  Look and see.  (Slide 2 Galaxy)

NASA

Narrator:  The heavens proclaim the glory of God.  The skies display his craftsmanship. They speak without a sound, yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. (From Psalms 19)

Ron:  You see Don, the majesty of the heavens, the beauty of the Earth, the details in a butterfly wing, even the information coded in DNA all point to an incredibly ingenious, intelligent Creator.  

Don:  Huh, Guess that makes sense.  But God, how do we know what you want us to do?

God:  I told you.  (Slide 3 Bible)

Attributed

Narrator:  'Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples.' (Exodus 19:5)  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children.' (Deuteronomy 6: 5-7a)

Don:  That all sounds great on paper, but what about real-life?  How can we know what to do?

God:  I will help you.  (Slide 4 Holy Spirit)

Attributed

Narrator:  'Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant...I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. (Jeremiah 31: 31a, 33a) The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.' (John 14:26)

Ron:  When we invite him in, the Holy Spirit will guide us.

Don:  But why me?  Why do bad things happen to me?

God:  My ways are higher than your ways. (from Isaiah 55:9)  (Slide 5 Perseverance)

Attributed

Narrator:  'When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.'  (James 1: 2-3)

Don:  Okay, so God the Father is teaching me something.  But why does it matter if we're just going to die anyway?

God:  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.  (1 Corinthians 13:13) (Slide 6 Resurrection) 

Accredited

Narrator:  'Christ died for our sins...He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said...Our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.  Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory.'  (1 Corinthians 15:3b,4,53,54)

Ron:  When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, he promises us eternal life with him.

Don:  But how can I have hope for the future when things just get worse and worse?

God:  'For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'  (Jeremiah 29:11) (Slide 7 Second Coming)

Attributed

Narrator:  'And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic.  Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.  And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens...And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.'  (Matthew 24: 6,30)

Don:  So,God, if you are so powerful and loving, why don't you do something now about all the pain and suffering in the world?

God:  I did, I created you!

'Do Something' Matthew West

 

 https://coldcasechristianity.com/cold-case-christianity-by-j-warner-wallace/

 

During my Tuesday Bible study meeting, the subject came up of the non-Biblical gospels, other later writings about Jesus.  Coincidentally I had been listening to apologist podcasts about this topic.  I felt compelled to share this information so that people will be careful/skeptical of non-Bible Jesus writings.  Books like Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code' have confused many by giving equal credibility to the so-called Gospels of Thomas as to that of Mark and John.

I am certainly no expert, or scholar, just an interested party.  The renowned apologist J. Warner Wallace, author of 'Cold Case Christianity' doubts the reliability/authenticity of extraneous Jesus writings. Here are the links for the article and interview.

A Thorough Guide to the Non-Canonical Gospels
https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/a-thorough-guide-to-the-non-canonical-gospels/

What Should We Make of the Non-Canonical Gospels? (Podcast)
https://coldcasechristianity.com/podcasts/what-should-we-make-of-the-non-canonical-gospels-podcast/

As I understand it, the other gospels were written too late to be eye-witness reports, and falsely attributed to Jesus' apostles, and that they sometimes twist the truth to meet their own agenda (such as promoting Gnosticism).  Apparently the non-canonical gospels do have some basis in truth -- supporting Jesus existence, ministry, and impact on the world.

So on the other hand, what makes the traditional gospels special so that they were included in the Bible?  How can we say that they are true accounts?  J. Warner Wallace wrote the book 'Cold Case Christianity' that tells the story of how he as an atheist sought to answer these questions.  This article summarizes his views:

Biblical Reliability
Is the Bible True? The Cumulative Case for the Reliability of the Gospels (Downloadable Bible Insert)
https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-the-bible-true-the-cumulative-case-for-the-reliability-of-the-gospels-free-bible-insert/

To find out more, please check out J.Warner Wallace and other apologist such as Lee Strobel and C.S.Lewis.

God Bless!

"Soon and Very Soon.."

 

 

I wanted to do a follow-up to the last blog.  I've continued to reflect on confirming that you are a Christ follower and bound for heaven.  In Jesus' warnings two main points are emphasized.  First, we must be ready for his return.  Don't put off the prompts of the Holy Spirit.  This doesn't mean we withdraw from everyday life and retreat to a mountain.  Instead we should be busy at the Father's work (loving one another) so he finds us thus on that glorious day.  Secondly, we are not to be hypocrites.  Hypocrites put on different acts depending on the circumstances.  They appear to be good but their hearts are selfish.  Instead we must be true to our identity as Christians, living in the light of his grace and acting as Christ commanded.

In Revelation we find out how God will separate non-Christians from Christians: 

Relation 20:12-13, 15 & 21:6-8
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.  The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done...Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire....He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.  Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.  But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

In Dr. Michael Youssef's radio message titled 'The Inner Working of the Heavenly Courts' he concluded his message with this idea:

"If the coming judgement creates a dread in your life; if every time the thought of the coming judgement causes you discomfort in your heart, chances are you have not submitted to the only one who can save you on the day of judgement and you can do that today.  You can submit to him today.  You can invite him into your life today.  You can accept his seeking after you today.  For those of us who love the Lord Jesus, those of us who have surrendered to him, those of us who adore him, his return is not a day of dread for us, it is a great day of rejoicing.  The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is not a day that scares us and frightens us.  It's a day of jubilation.  We can't wait til he comes back.  The day of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is going to be a day of celebration for all who've put their trust in Jesus."

I listen to Dr. Michael Youssef every morning as I drive to work in his podcast for Leading the Way Ministries.  I highly recommend listening to the whole message at Oneplace.com or Ltw.org. 

"The Inner Working of the Heavenly Courts"

Okay, now that we've reviewed the warnings, it's time for the fun part.  We get to bask in all the promises and reassurances of God's love and our salvation!  Remember Jesus told us not to be anxious for anything and God's messages usually started with 'Fear Not.'  God does not want us to be unsure or fearful about eternity.  He gave His followers promises and affirmations throughout the Bible.  Here are some of my favorites:

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 10:27-30
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Romans 8:1-4
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:14-17
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:34-39
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We are going to see the King!

  -Song by Andraé Crouch

 

How Do you know you are Saved?

 

Author's note:  It has been awhile; it's been a challenging year, but I feel called to revisit this topic.  I certainly have touched on it before, but I wanted to focus on Jesus' warnings/admonitions related to being saved and a Christ follower (which are the same thing).  I'll attempt to organize the related topics for clarity and simplicity, praying that this post will bless all who read it.

Saved from what?

Revelations does a great job of explaining what we have to look forward to as punishment for our sin.  In Revelations 20:7-15, John relates from the Holy Spirit that everyone will stand before the throne and the books to be judged based on his life; 'The lake of fire is the second death.  Anyone who's name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.'  The lake of fire is of 'burning sulfur' where there will be endless torment.  

Believe in Jesus

Like I touched on in a previous post, some may think that being 'saved' is like grabbing a ticket to heaven, an eternal insurance policy that you sign up for.  That you don't need to do anything else, just wait to fly to heaven someday.  Is this true?  Yes and no. Paul simply advises to 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.' Acts 16:31.  Digging back into the old testament, 'Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness' Genesis 15:6.  It does appear simple and easy.  Another verse supports this idea, starting at Ephesians 2:8-9..."For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."  By saying that salvation is a gift, Paul means that we cannot earn it, there is nothing we can give in exchange for our salvation.  We just accept it.  

But Paul doesn't stop there... "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" Eph 2:10.  

Christ himself warned, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  Not so easy after all to find the small gate and narrow road.  

Matt 7:13-14  Furthermore: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"  (Matthew 7:21-23)

So clearly there's more to it then just checking the box marked 'Christian' and believing in Jesus. Jesus warns over and over against hypocrisy.  Clearly there should be a life change.  There needs to be a difference in our hearts, minds, and actions.  We'll dig into this more.  But remember, the change comes as a result of Jesus' love, grace, mercy and salvation, not the precursor!  It's only by giving over control to God that we can have hope of living like Jesus.  The Bible gives several good warnings and indications to help us know if we are sheep or goats.

  Gospel Diagram 

 

Don't be a hypocrite

Don't get caught just going through the motions.  Don't let your heart be hardened.  (Starting Isaiah 1:13) God warns 'Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies...I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.'  We need to be truly humble and repentant.  Don't just look like a Christian, but have a changed heart--

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)

Matt 23:27-28 Jesus admonishes, 'Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Matthew 6:1 "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

Clearly a superficial change is not enough, but something deeper.

 

Jesus' Commands

Jesus gives some other very clear warnings.  We are to forgive, love, and tell others about Jesus.

Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Matthew 10:32-33 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."

 

Maturing in Christ

Paul explains how we should grow in Christ following our conversion, see Ephesians 4.  In vs 22-24 "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  

Continuing in vs 31-32 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

 James admonishes--

"You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." James 2:2-24

Remain in the Vine

Let's conclude by meditating on Jesus' commands and promises for his followers.

John 15: 1-17

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  This is my command: Love each other."

 

 

 

 

 

Why are we here?

The past few days we have examined purpose and meaning for life.  We found (from Rick Warren) that life is a test, a trust and a temporary assignment.  We know that God allows both difficulties and blessings in our life to build and reveal character.  We know that our time on earth is brief compared to eternity.  We seek treasure in heaven that will last.  Our goal is to hear 'Well done! Good and faithful servant!  You have used the talents and resources I loaned you well for my glory, so I will entrust you with more!  Come join the party!"

This answers the question of how we should approach our lives.  But why did God make us?  How do we bring him glory?  Let's review some great verses that help us understand our purpose.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1: 16)

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:37)

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  (John 13:34-35)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28: 19)

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me....Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.  (Matthew 25: 34-36, 40)

Jesus Prays for All Believers-- “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.   I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  (John 17:20-23)

Let's return to Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life.  He summarizes how we fulfill our purpose to bring glory to God by--worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. You can explore each topic in his book or at his website: www.purposedriven.com

So we are to love God, find our purpose in bringing him glory, love Christians, help the needy, grow God's kingdom by teaching others of God's love and be unified as the body of Christ. 

Jesus continues his prayer for believers.  Take heart...

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.

Searching for Meaning & Purpose

 

 
link

Last time we asked if God's tests for us are pass/fail or graded tests.  I believe the answer is both.  The first test is definitely pass/fail.  It is the choice of whether or not to believe in and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  There's no halfway option.  But that is just the beginning.  After becoming a Christian and inviting God into our hearts, we will face additional tests and trials, perhaps more than we did before we were believers!  These tests may not be pass/fail, but instead designed to strengthen our faith and endurance through time.

God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13b)

Trusting God in the Good Times

Are God's tests only in the trials and hard times?  Certainly he wants to see if we turn to God then, but what about when things are going well--  could that also be a test from God?  What if we receive that promotion or good doctor's test results.  What if we have a bit extra after the bills are paid and our children are succeeding.  We turned to God in the foxhole, but now that we are home safe, do we still need God?  This is when God's tests are a trust.  He blesses us and watches to see what we will do.  It's easy to become proud and believe we are strong on our own without trusting God.  We must not forget that all blessings are from God and be thankful every day.  We should continue to give God the glory and remember that he is entrusting us as stewards of the wealth and talents we have.  We must use them wisely. 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

A Temporary Assignment

Remember Rick Warren said that life is also a temporary assignment.  It really helps put things in perspective when we know that we were not designed to live in this fallen world, but for eternal glory with God!  We are merely visitors for a short while.  Then we can see how ephemeral worldly things are and strive instead for what really matters, what lasts for eternity--God's approval!  So let us strive for the best grade and share in eternal glory.

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21)

 

 

What's the point of life?

 

https://jeffblock.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/refiners-fire3.jpg

It is reassuring to me that the characters of the Bible were human like us.  They made mistakes, sometimes more than once.  Samson had a temper problem and fell in love with the wrong woman.  Jonah tried to run from God and lacked mercy for Ninevah.  After calling God's fire from heaven, Ezekiel became scared and suicidally depressed.  When we meet Rahab she was a prostitute in an evil city.  Soloman took hundreds of foreign wives who did not believe in God, and was a poor father.  David also took too many wives, seduced Bathsheba and was a horrible father.  Aaron gave in to pressure and made a golden calf.  Moses was cowardly and reluctant when faced with God's plan.  Later he lost his temper and forgot to give God the credit for bringing water from the stone.  Jacob and Rachel were schemers, stealing the father's blessing from Isaac.  Sarah laughed at God's plan to give her a child in her old age.  Abraham was so cowardly he didn't even try to protect his beautiful wife Sarah--lying to say she was his sister.  Noah got drunk and passed out naked.  Adam and Eve let themselves be enticed by the serpent and sought to become like God.  The nation of Israel repeatedly forgot the God who saved them from Egyptian slavery, warring enemies, starvation and dehydration in the desert.

And yet...

And yet...

God still had a plan for them.  He patiently cared for them and had a place for them in his plan.  Nothing took God by surprise.  He used their mistakes to teach them, to help them grow.

They questioned God.  They asked about the purpose of existence and God's plan.  How could God love us and let us suffer?  Where is the justice?  How long will I have to wait for God's blessing?  What is the point?

Looking for answers

When we think about the meaning in life, many look to accumulate wealth, invent something new or make a scientific discovery, be famous and remembered, build something impressive, make something beautiful, or reach for inner peace or enlightenment.  

None of these things can fill the void in our hearts.  All human creations are subject to decay, all knowledge can be forgotten and people disappoint.  Recall the story of Job.  He was on top of the world when he lost it all: his wealth, family, reputation and health.  We need to look to the One who does not fall short for the answer.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21

Jesus expounds in the parable of the rich fool.  He has an amazing harvest and has to build a bigger storehouse to hold it all.  He is happy that he is so rich that he will no longer have to work, but will be able to relax and party instead.  Many of us may be like the man, working hard to save up money.  Saying 'if I make more money, I'll be able to buy the house or car I need...if I work extra overtime now, then I can make up for it with a vacation...if I can just work for five more years, then I can retire and live the life I've always wanted!'  But God knows that we are missing the point of life.  Working for things and making big plans for future success is not what he wants of us.

"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’"  (Luke 12:20)

Also heed the warning the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus the beggar, read Luke 16:19-31.  The rich man has no pity for the beggar and ends up in eternal torment.  Then he finally learns to regret how he lived his life, but it is too late.  The Bible has many such warnings against materialism.  So if getting more things is not the answer, what is?

Life is a test and a trust

In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says that life is a test and a trust and a temporary assignment.  He points to the many tests and trials throughout the Bible that developed and revealed character.  In four different passages God is referred to as the potter and people as the clay.  Picture the potter sitting at the wheel, gently shaping the clay into something beautiful. 

So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:7)

Through life's trials, temptations and hardships we must stand strong.  Remember that those that endure to the end will be saved.  The refining fire burns away those that have a week, superficial faith and the precious metal remains.

He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.  (John 15:2)

Being shaped as the clay doesn't sound so bad, but being put through the fire and pruned sounds painful!  Mold us into righteousness through an arduous battle to overcome addiction, snip off our misplaced trust through a job loss, burn away our false faith through the heart-rending loss of a loved one.  It is our response that builds and reveals our character.  Do we continue to trust in God; that he loves us and this is part of His plan?  Do we give him the glory on the mountain and in the valley?  Say 'help my unbelief' and allow the Holy Spirit to sustain us.

We each experience God's test and refinement in different ways, but the goal is the same-- to become something strong, useful and beautiful for God's glory; holy and blameless before the Father.

So here's a question to ponder: is God's test pass/fail or graded?  Is it just to make the cut or are their gradations of success in God's Kingdom?  

To be continued... 

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