The Top Twenty-Five

Galatians 5:13-26

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A13-26&version=NIV;NLT

 

College football is upon us! We’re approaching the fifth week of the season and, as far as I know, no coaches have been fired yet. Every week the AP Poll and Amway Coaches

Poll comes out ranking the top twenty-five teams. For a coach whose team is ranked, they can feel secure in their job. For a coach whose team isn’t ranked, they might want to step it up.

 

In the world of athletics, success is based on victory. Iconic coach, Vince Lombardi, is quoted as saying, “Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.” But winning all the time is a struggle because, not only is your opponent trying to beat you, but also you have to overcome adversity during the course of the game; and your own self-doubts and weaknesses.

 

Our life is like that too. Sometimes the circumstances of life can be very difficult; or you might face a struggle within yourselves. Sometimes we even face a competitor that wants to bring us down. There’s a constant battle going on. Paul wrote about this struggle to the Galatians.

 

¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.       NLT

 

As a believer, what we have going for us is that our sinful nature has been crucified on the cross, and although we still struggle, and may not win every battle, the war has already been won. So we have been called to live by the Spirit.

 

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. ²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.   NLT

 

A college football coach can easily measure his success by wins and losses and by where his team ranks in the weekly polls. What about you? How do you measure your success as a believer?

 

Even though you struggle; even though you aren’t always victorious; your name will appear in the top 25 as undefeated. You are undefeated because the victory has already been won by Christ.

 

 

 

Marching Orders

1 Peter 4:7-11

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204%3A7-11&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

Back in the day, about 1971, I lived in a house of Christian guys across from the campus of Michigan State University. There were five of us, and each person had their own unique individuality.

 

One of my roommates was kind of an anti-establishment type guy; a bit of a rebel. He had long hair and a bushy beard, but beyond that, he seemed to think of himself as a philosophical and theological thinker.  Someone who thought outside of the box; who marched to the beat of his own drum.

 

He also had a heart for the down and out. As a result, there were a few times when he brought a stranger back to our house to eat a meal, and even to stay overnight. Most of these people were not from the mainstream - if you get my drift.

 

But for him, this was how he reached out to others and shared the Good News of Christ with them. He stretched the faith of all of us in the house, and set an example for us to follow. Maybe not by doing exactly what he did, but to follow the principle of what he did. It’s the same principle that Peter wrote about.

 

⁸ Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. ¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. NLT

 

In reality, my roommate wasn’t marching to the beat of his own drum. He was marching to the beat of his Lord and Savior. That’s the same beat that you and I as followers of Christ need to follow. And when we do, then we will be in line with these words of Peter.

 

… ^11bDo it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.            NLT

 

Do you hear the beat of the drum? Of His drum? Then I guess that means you have your marching orders.

 

 

 

 

A Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:1-10

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A1-10&version=NIV;NLT

 

Many masterpieces have been created over the centuries. Michelangelo’s sculpture of David; Shakespeare’s Hamlet; Handel’s Messiah; Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, just to name a few.

 

An argument could be made that God has created His own masterpieces in nature. The beauty of a sunset; the wonder of the Grand Canyon; the power of Niagara Falls; the gale force of a hurricane; the serenity of a mountain stream. But have you ever considered that you are one of His masterpieces?

 

¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. NLT

 

The NLT introduction to Ephesians states: “Every once in a while, God grants his people a glimpse of their place in the grand scheme of history. There is a brief moment when they can assess who they are, where they have come from and where they are going. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians provides the church with such a vision.”

 

God has a plan to create a masterpiece, and you are an integral part. In addition to the verse above, consider these.

 

⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1 NLT

 

⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.    Philippians 1:6 NLT

 

¹³ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.        Psalm 139 NIV

 

Have you considered whose you are, where you have come from and where you are going? Without even knowing you, I can say with certainty that you have God given gifts that He wants you to use for His work. You are His masterpiece!

 

 

 

 

Cycle of Life

Philippians 2:12-18

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A12-18&version=NIV;NLT

  

When I went away to college, my Dad told me he expected a letter a week from me. I’m not sure if he said this because he was going to miss me, or if this was his way to try to control me… or maybe both.

 

Paul had a very close relationship with the Philippian believers. Like a parent, he had invested himself deeply into their lives. Now he was separated from them so that all he could do was pray for them and write this letter.

 

¹² Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.      NLT

 

Paul had invested himself in the Philippians, and now they were to do the same with others. In a very real way, God’s plan is for you to be involved in this same spiritual cycle. A cycle where God is as much involved as you are.

 

⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.    Philippians 1 NLT

 

¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.             Philippians 2 NLT

 

The “cycle of life” includes preparing your children for the day when they will leave your home with the intent that they will become an independent, mature adult. Then, possibly someday, they will raise a family of their own.

 

God has called us to be involved in the spiritual “cycle of life”. The first person He called to this was Abram.

 

 

 

This cycle of life promise is still valid today for you and me. Whose life are you involved in? Who is God using you to bless?

 

 

 

 

What Does Your Desk Look Like?

2 Chronicles 20:1-30

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+20%3A1-30&version=NIV;NLT

  

You can tell a lot about a person by their desk or work space or living area. For instance, my desk is almost always uncluttered and neat. Everything is in its place. You won’t find papers scattered all over my desk or a half-eaten sandwich stuffed in a drawer. Do you know why? Because it’s an attempt to control a small part of my world.

 

The story in 2 Chronicles 20 that surrounds verse 17 is about the struggle between trust and control. Early in the chapter, King Jehoshaphat learns that there is a “vast army from Edom” that is marching against them. His immediate reaction is to be terrified, but this leads him to “beg the Lord for guidance”.

 

The men of Judah begin praying. They plead for the Lord to rescue them based on the history of God’s work with Israel and on who God is – His promises, faithfulness, love and power. While praying, Jahaziel receives a word from the Lord. That word is “do not be afraid... for the Lord is with you”. Just trust Him.

 

It sounds easy, but it isn’t. Keep in mind, while the men of Judah are praying instead of preparing for battle, the mighty army from Edom is steadily marching towards them. Talk about trust and giving up control.

 

What the Lord said through Jahaziel was counterintuitive. There were no instructions to prepare for battle; no strategizing; no sharpening of swords. In fact, the only action to be taken was, “take your position; then stand still and watch. Watch the Lord’s victory”. Impossible for us as humans who need control.

 

We don’t like to trust others because it involves risk. And risk can result in failure, losing valuable resources, rejection or just plain looking bad. We prefer to keep control ourselves in an attempt to avoid the painful consequences of risk, and to gain power over our circumstances and people.

 

Our lives are like my desk. I try to control my life as much as I can so that everything has its place; everything is orderly. That way I know what to expect. Risk is minimized. But what about trusting the Lord? Where does that fit in with my orderly life? I frequently need to remind myself of Jahaziel’s word: “the Lord is with you” Joe.

 

What does your desk look like? Is it neat and orderly because you have control, or does God have control?

 

 

¹⁷ But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”     NLT