1 Corinthians 4-5 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 4:1-5:13.

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me” (I Corinthians 4:3-4).

Children constantly seek the approval of their parents. Any critical statement can send a child reeling into feelings of worthlessness and disapproval. So they constantly chase that approval. The problem is we adults often carry that little child with us. Instead of growing to maturity we continue to chase for the approval of parents. Amazingly, that doesn’t just mean our physical parents, but all kinds of people we set up in the parental place. That can be bosses, professors, neighbors, elders, brethren, spouses, even children. If any of these are critical or bring judgment on us we go into depression. But if they approve us, we feel elated.

We don’t have to call any person on earth, “Father,” in this sense. We are adults. We have grown up and put away childish things. While we certainly need to listen to others and hear them out where they disagree, after all we might learn something, we do not have to chase their approval. Their judgment doesn’t mean anything about us as a person.

Amazingly enough, our biggest enemy in this is often ourselves. We are seeking approval from self and every negative thing that doesn’t reach our ideal self causes us fits. In this mode, we either deny the good in us and see ourselves as all bad, leading to despair. Or we deny the bad in us and see ourselves as all good, leading us to stagnation.

Only the Lord is our judge. We do not have to answer to the men around us. We stand before God. Of course, what is great about that, is that “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed” (I Corinthians 5:7). In Him, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). If we are in Christ, God does not judge us, rather He justifies us, sanctifies us, and glorifies us (Romans 8:28-29). God does not deny either our good or our bad. He sees it all and He works in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13). Therefore, we do not have to wallow in self-pity, nor can we bask in self-adulation. Rather, we humbly surrender to Him and reap the fruit of His Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

The #1 sign of maturity is letting God be your Father and no one else.

Today, I’m going to quit obsessing about those around me who do not approve of me. It is a small matter to be judged by them. Rather, I’m simply going to surrender myself to my Lord and let Him work in me for His good.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

1 Corinthians 2-3 (ESV) by Wordle

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 2:1-3:23.

“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (I Corinthians 3:5-7).

It must be providence. We seem to get back to this chapter at just the time I need it most. How easily we preachers can compete. If someone has a different style, we want to prove that ours is better and they are making all kinds of mistakes. Maybe I shouldn’t say “we,” but should just say “I.”

But this isn’t just about preachers. And in my preaching is not the only place I do this. What about on the job? What about in parenting? What about in school? How often are we caught up in competitions to prove we are better. If anyone does anything differently, has a different personality, has a different approach or viewpoint, we immediately try to figure out why they are wrong and their way is bad. (Don’t misunderstand, I’m not trying to say everything in the world is okay.) It is like we are caught up in this competition and the only way we will feel good about ourselves is if we can convince everyone else in the world that we are the best.

Paul had a different foundation. He wasn’t trying to be the best. He wasn’t in competition with Apollos. If Apollos had some success that Paul didn’t, Paul wasn’t deflated. If Apollos had some failure that Paul didn’t, Paul wasn’t elated. Paul understood that the real power in all of this was God. God has the right to use each of us as He sees fit. Praise God if He provides a victory through someone else. Praise God if He provides one through me. Praise God that He shows us our weaknesses so we can grow. Praise God for the opportunities, resources and abilities He has given to each one. We need to look past the various blessings God has given to each one of us as if they are an indication of how great we are and instead simply look to the blessing giver as the great one. We need to be thankful that He has blessed us and let us be part of His plan.

Today, I’m going to quit worrying about competing and proving I’m the best at whatever. Instead, I want to look to God and glorify Him because He is the best.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

PPS. Check out this video by One Time Blind. It took me watching it a few times to actually finally get the point. But I think it is spot on. Enjoy!

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

I Peter 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 1 Peter 3:1-4:19.

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and  a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (I Peter 3:8-9).

How many of my own conflicts could be resolved if I would simply follow this instruction? If I sought harmony rather than vindication, if I tried to grasp what the other was feeling rather than vent my feelings, if I viewed my brethren as friends rather than enemies, if I offered compassion rather than vengeance, if I humbled myself rather than lifting myself up, and if I honored others even when they put me down rather than speaking in kind, then I’m guessing most of the conflicts I have had would just go away. And then I would know peace.

Instead, I often push that responsibility off on others. They are the ones that need to straighten up. Before I seek harmony, strive for sympathy, bestow friendship, offer compassion, and humble myself, I explain my demands. Here is what you must do before I will strive for these things. Guess what happens. The conflict just gets worse.

Here is the sad part. I don’t want conflict. I want peace. I want joy. Why can’t we all just get along? The problem is not that I want conflict. The problem is I want peace on my terms. I want peace on the basis that I come out looking like a rose, never once having to admit any of my own faults or ever trying to understand what the other person has endured from me. So, I keep pressing on trying to get peace by forcing others to be subject to me. But what I’m learning is that just doesn’t work. Maybe I should try God’s way and maybe that would get me a little more peace. What do you think?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Colossians 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle

Today’s reading is Colossians 3:1-4:18.

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

I often go to Ephesians 5:15-16 to talk about making the best use of my time. Somehow, I’ve overlooked this parallel passage. Paul’s point is a little more…well…pointed. In Ephesians, the point is more general. Just be a better time manager. Here, Paul points me to an area in which I need to make better use of my time. How do I walk toward outsiders? That is, how do I walk toward those who are outside of Christ?

I’m humbled by this. I’ve read this book dozens of times and slid right through this passage. So now I have to ask how I’m walking? When I relate to outsiders, am I being wise about it? Or am I essentially ignoring their souls? When I am paying attention to their souls, am I walking in wisdom? Or am I being reckless and careless? Am I acting in ways that will let them know that Jesus is with me? Or am I caustic, harsh, devilish? When I talk to outsiders, is my speech always gracious? Or am I sometimes sarcastic, cynical, mocking? Do I seek to understand them so I can learn from them and help them? Or do I listen only for their intake of breath so I can jump in with my “greater wisdom”?

My aunt once cautioned me not mock others beliefs. I recklessly responded, “But some people believe stupid stuff (chuckle, chuckle, mischievous grin).” Next time I say something stupid like that Mary, smite me with this passage.

Today, I have something to really think about. Am I making the best use of my time when it comes to outsiders? How about you?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Philippians 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Philippians 3:1-4:23.

“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:2-3).

Sadly, even among Christians discord arises. This reminds me that we are being perfected; we aren’t perfect yet. Since Christianity is about growth, some of that old man will rear its ugly head at times and cause discord even among fellow laborers.

But I am really struck by Paul’s final statement in this paragraph: “…whose names are in the book of life.” I wonder if Euodia and Syntyche recognized that about each other. I know when I get into discord with someone, I can criminalize and evilize them. Because they are in discord with me, they must be wicked, evil people who can’t really be a real Christian like me. I know, I know, I’m not perfect. But I tend to judge myself based on intentions and not on actions, while I judge others based on actions and not intentions.

I wonder how many people I’ve had discord with began to think my name must not be written in the book of life? I don’t want that. Which means I need to offer my brothers and sisters the same courtesy. Perhaps if I can remember that their name is also written in the book of life, I will learn to work harder at resolving the discord. After all, we are both in the Lord. We ought to be able to come to some harmony within Him.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 3:1-4:37.

“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and one soul, and no one said that any of the thing that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common” (Acts 4:32).

I’m not alone. I have a fellowship on which I can rely. What are my needs? I can turn to my brethren and lay them out. God will provide through them. Is my need material? We can help each other. Is my need spiritual? We can rely on each other. Is my need emotional? We can rejoice and weep with each other.

Only when I share my neediness and rely on the fellowship of God’s people are my needs met. I need to quit waiting around for someone to read my mind and heart. Instead, I need to partake in the fellowship of God’s family. I need to reach out and let someone know what is going on. Then I find the help that I need.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can give your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Luke 13-14 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Luke 13:1-14:35.

“He said also to the man who had invited him, ‘When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just’” (Luke 14:12-14).

Too often we develop relationships to get something in return. We are willing to serve, but only when we think someone will return the favor. We give gifts in hopes to receive gifts. We offer hospitality in hopes to receive hospitality. We extend friendship in hopes to get something out of the friendship. Jesus suggests a different course.

Certainly this is hyperbole. Jesus is not absolutely opposed to inviting friends over for a get together. After all, we consider the feast that Levi held for a large number of his tax collector friends back in Luke 5:29. But, we must not think the hyperbole here lets us off the hook. To whom do we extend our friendship? Who do we serve? Why do we do these things? Are other people a source of something for us? Or are we offering ourselves in complete service? Are we looking for some immediate and present day reward or recognition?

How much serving do we do for those who can’t possibly repay us? How much volunteering do we do for which we will not ever get paid and never receive notice? We’ve all learned it is more blessed to give than to receive. But Jesus here points out that even more blessed is giving when there is no possible way to receive repayment. Why? Because God will repay us in the resurrection.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can leave your comment by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Luke 11-12 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Luke 11:1-12:59.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before god. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).

Look in the mirror today and say, “I am worth something. I am valuable.”

Isn’t that what we are all searching for? Significance. Value. Worth. Meaning. We want to know that our existence has a point. We want to know that we are more than a waste of space. Sadly, if you are like me, you have searched for it in all the wrong places. Perhaps if you have a great GPA and graduate at the top of your class. Maybe if you follow your parents occupational dreams for you. Maybe if you were the star quarterback. Maybe if you dated and married the right person. Maybe if you accomplished some goal for which man proclaimed your greatness. If you made it on radio or TV, if you became the American Idol, or the Nashville Star, then you would be worthy. If your name became a household word synonymous with greatness, then perhaps you would have value.

Or you codependently strive to make yourself invaluable in someone’s life. Enmeshing yourself in their problems so that at least one person has to learn that they can’t live without you. Then you feel you have value. But, the problem is you aren’t the ones invaluable here, the other one is. If the other person ever learned to live on her own, you would go back to being worthless. And you know it, at least subconsciously.

But for most of us, the dreams are never realized, the codependency never fulfilling, and we squander our existence in anonymity and misery, feeling abandoned by all. We place no value on ourselves and can’t imagine that anyone else does either.

But here is the good news. You are valuable. Not because of your accomplishments. Not because of your grades. Not because of your looks. Not because of your fame. You are valuable because God values you. God, the most powerful being in existence, values you. He values you so much He has numbered the hairs of your head. He values you so much, He sent His Son to die for you so you could be set free from all that enslaves you.

Today, don’t worry what your family thinks of you, don’t worry what your friends think of you, don’t worry what the world thinks of you. Today, take comfort that God notices you. God values you. God said you are worthy. You are valuable because you are God’s creation and God’s love.

Look in the mirror today and say, “I am worth something. I am valuable.” But don’t just say it. Believe it.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is 2 John 1:1-13; 3 John 1:1-15.

“Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God” (3 John 1:11).

I don’t know how Diotrophes weaseled his way into the preeminent spot in that congregation. However, I know how easy it is to become really impressed with someone and then turn a blind eye to any of the wrong they say or do. I also know how easy it is to be prejudiced against someone and therefore interpret everything they say and do as bad. If I’m impressed with a person, I can let them become the standard. If I dislike the person, I can reject anything and everything they do.

John shows a different approach. Right is right. Wrong is wrong. When someone is doing wrong, I should not be impressed with them. If someone is doing right, I should not be prejudiced against them. I don’t need to indiscriminately imitate or reject people based on my feelings about them. I need to imitate the good that anyone does and reject the wrong that anyone does. God’s standard is my standard.

Of course, before I simply accept one someone says, or reject it, I need to examine all the evidence. Sometimes I think a person has done wrong because of a report I’ve received second-hand or because I’m judging what I’ve seen with my own eyes through the filter of someone else’s gossip. I need to take care.

Keep the faith today and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is John 1:1-2:25.

“And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out teh coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, ‘Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade’” (John 2:15-16).

Jesus was talking about the temple under the Old Covenant. Yet, I can’t help but remember that the church is the Father’s house now (I Timothy 3:15). What a great blessing to know that Christ’s church is not about business. When I gather with Christ’s church it is not about impressing folks so they will be my customers. I don’t have to put on a mask so they will buy my products. I can be me.

When I look at my brethren who are gathering in the household of God, they are not my customer-base. They are not folks from which I can take and take. Instead, I am their servant. This is the Lord’s house, not His business. This is about relationships, not bottom lines. When I let my involvement in Christ’s church be a business transaction, I lose the great benefit of the fellowship with other saved sinners who are overcoming the tempter.

Today, I need to remember who I’m looking at in Christ’s church. I’m looking at brothers and sisters; I’m not looking at customers and business partners. I’m looking at other children of my Father. I need to keep this relationship about Him.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?