Steady Through The Ages

You may have already concluded this: as we age we become less steady on our feet. Weaker muscles, hips and legs and feet and ankles, changes in balance and coordination - all contribute to a decline in sure-footedness.

 Paul warned Believers in Galatia of "a different gospel" which had thrown some into confusion - a perversion of the Gospel of Christ. He made it clear this "different gospel" was "really no gospel t all" (Galatians 1:7 NIV). Like gradual loss of strength in our limbs can impair balance and coordination, so can we lose sight of the complete and finished work of Jesus to save our lost souls! The message of The Gospel is simple yet profound: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NASB). Belief is key to one's salvation. Yes, believe in Jesus! That "belief," of course, becomes holy and righteous living, however, it is quite simply our belief in The One - sinless and perfect and holy - Who has done all required for our deliverance from sin. Our church sings these lyrics: "There is one Gospel on which I stand for all eternity - It is my story, my Father's plan, the Son has rescued me - Oh, what a Gospel, oh what a peace - My highest joy and my deepest need - Now and forever, He is my light - I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ." (CityAlight Music). Be sure, it is the Gospel of the ages! Our age may bring with it less than steady feet but we stand steady and sure in Christ ... steady through the ages.

Learnable

How teachable are you? Perhaps you've not given it much thought. Upon reflection of this, the real question should be ... how learn-able are you? The psalmist said, "Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth, unite my heart to fear Your Name." (Psalm 86:11). When we hold-onto a know-it-all mindset, the result is an unteachable spirit. Most classroom teachers can easily spot those students who are eager to learn: they are attentive and follow instructions. Those who truly love the Lord and long to learn of Him exhibit the same things - they are attentive to His voice of truth and instructions, and are humbly obedient to Him. Furthermore, those who are attentive and obedient reflect hearts that are united with Christ from genuine respect and reverence for Him. Like all students of any subject matter, there is a cost to learning, and it is a teachable spirit - one that humbly submits to the one teaching. If your prayer is "teach me Your way, O Lord," then you must be ... learnable. 

Rescued!

Quite a few people I know have [what they refer to as] rescue animals. They are typically dogs or cats that found their way to an animal shelter and needed a good home. Yay for those who are rescued! Read what Paul says, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Galatians 1:3-5 NIV). To an his readers, Paul gives a sweet greeting and profound reminder that they have been rescued! He speaks of deliverance from something - an interference, an interruption of man's judgment and eternal separation because of sin. That interference, that interrupter was Jesus - The Rescuer - Who came at the will of The Father. Oh, how easily we forget our hopelessly sinful condition. It really is a kindness to rescue an animal BUT there is no greater rescue than that of The Messiah for me and for you. To God be the glory forever and ever - Amen. Rescued!

Clear Confidence

Few people I know like swimming with jellyfish. Not all jellyfish are dangerous, of course, but the idea of hanging-out with them in the ocean isn't so appealing. In Galatians, Paul introduces himself: "Paul, an apostle - sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, Who raised Him from the dead - and all the brothers and sisters with me, to the church in Galatia." (Galatians 2:1-2 NIV). What a clear and confident introduction Paul gives of himself - as the 1960s cowboy character Will Sonnett used to say: "no brag, just fact." I fear there are many people, even among Believers, who aren't exactly clear nor confident of who they are and what they are to be doing. Paul goes on to write, "For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith." (Galatians 3:26 ESV). The culture in which we live offers many things that promise to add value and worth to who we are - things to relieve pain, bring happiness, extend life, generate success, etc. Note that Paul understands who has called him - not man but Jesus, and that understanding guides him! While jellyfish do have the capacity to propel themselves, they depend largely on the water to move them. Those "in Christ" move with all confidence and direction toward to obey and glorify The Father. There's really no greater joy-peace-contentment than knowing Christ and finding Him to be our ... clear confidence.

Only God Is Great

Please don't act surprised when I say this but ... words are what I do! It's also something my Dad did - that is, putting thoughts-to-words-to-paper. Oh, if I did it just half as well as he did! God [through Job] could not have been more accurate and aspiring about the greatness of God when He said: "It is He Who spreads out the north over emptiness and hangs the earth on nothing ... He wraps the waters in His clouds [which otherwise would spill on earth all at once] and the cloud does not burst under them ... He covers the face of the full moon and spreads His cloud over it ... He stirred up the sea by His power ... By His breath the heavens are cleared" (from Job 26, AMP). Now, don't you agree words really do matter! Oh, yes they do! We casually say this-or-that is great but [in complete honesty] the word "great" is appropriately applied to ... only One. I suggest we pause and seriously consider (Selah) the small view we have of Almighty God. "Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." (Psalm 147:5, ESV). Evelyn Underwood said, "If God were small enough to be understood, He would not be big enough to be worshiped." Great is indeed a wonderful word but ... only God is great!