7-22-2015

Good Morning All!!

           Matthew 16: 24; “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

     It can be one of the most difficult things for a young athlete to learn.  Sometimes you have to give up personal glory for the betterment of the team.  Sometimes in baseball, you have to bunt the pitch so the runners on base can advance to the next base.  At first they don’t get it.  “I can hit the ball; let me!”  You try to explain that by bunting, he is increasing the likelihood that his team will score more runs but it is hard to explain to a kid, who watches ESPN and sees homeruns make the replays and not sacrifice bunts, that giving up the glory for the good of the team might let him play on state title contending teams.

    It can be difficult for us as Christians to see this as well.  It can be hard for us to see that what the world glorifies is not the best route to go.  The Israelites often looked at how their neighbors did things; worshipped idols, had kings, practiced occult arts, etc. and thought that was the way to go.  It got them into trouble every time.  In order to be a Christian, we need to recognize that Christianity is more than just a religion; it is the manner in which you live your life.  We are to live a life which brings glory to God and gives benefit to our neighbor.

    It is hard and it requires faith.  The world will tell you that it is more important that you make a lot of money or have a prestigious job.  We are told this from an early age and it is reinforced in every turn of life.  Then added to this, the world will mock and reject the object of our faith just to add insult to injury.  Yet God has spoken to this very event.  He warned us that we would have to deny our self and follow him.  This is very hard to do but it requires faith in God and his promises.  Because when we have faith in God’s promise and look only to him; something incredible happens.

     God's strength and grace show up when we follow God instead of the culture of the world or our own selfish desires!  When we are turned away from our foolish selfishness and are turned toward God’s grace and mercy; faith increases.  God’s strength and grace become more apparent and obvious.  God’s love for you is revealed in bigger and bigger ways.

    To deny yourself simply means to place your trust in God’s love and not in your own skills or desires and to place the needs of others ahead of yours.  Denying yourself requires faith; for faith alone will allow you to trust that God’s will and way is the best even in the face of the opposition of the world.  Trust in God’s love to provide you with what you need to support this daily life.

Father, in you do we have perfect harmony.  Guide us by your Spirit that we may deny our self and deny the world and cling only to you.  You alone give us hope.  Be with those who are challenged by this world.  Give them the assurance that your will for our life is our best life to live.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret