We're Not Perfect

Good Morning!! So often we spend so much time worrying about what we have done or should have done, that we miss our opportunities for today. We let our failure to be perfect prevent us from growing and becoming more Christlike. But Paul didn't do that. He could lay the past aside, accept where he was in the present, and press on to be and do all God had called him to.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

In today's scripture, the apostle Paul tells us he is working toward becoming more perfect . . . but has not achieved perfection. However, he does not allow his weaknesses and mistakes along the way to distract him from what Christ has called him to do.

Learn from your mistakes and failures. Confess your sins and turn from them. Then let them go! Don't be weighed down today by your baggage of the past. Focus on Jesus.

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Heavenly Father, we know we sometimes let our mistakes and failures distract us from what You want us to do. Please forgive us. Help us learn from our imperfections. And then help us leave them behind,...and move on toward becoming all You have designed us to be. Amen. 

"We must learn to deny ourselves, and our fleshly appetites,...if we are to take up our crosses, and follow Christ."

Made Perfect In Weakness

Good Morning!! Paul had learned he was valuable not because of his many accomplishments, but because of Christ in him. Because God loved him and guided him. He had learned, what we all need to learn, to rely not on your own strength and abilities,...but on the strength and power of of God. And he learned that when he was honest about his own weaknesses, he opened the door for the Lord's strength and power to work in his life. He had learned that Jesus' strength and power would "pitch a tent over and dwell upon" him! What a picture!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.—2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Considering the world's standards, these words of the apostle Paul are astounding. When we base our value on our performance, we are usually reluctant to accept any kind of failure or admit any weakness. They depress us and make us feel bad about ourselves. They often make other people think less of us. And yet Paul said he would gladly boast about his weaknesses!

Admitting our weaknesses and failures to God, to others, and to ourselves, will help us refocus on the real source of power in our lives,...God.

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Father, forgive us for trusting in our own abilities and hard work to make us successful. We should all know the only way we can serve You effectively, and live the abundant life Jesus promised, is to depend on Your strength and power. We thank You that through our weakness, You can be glorified. Thank You for loving us unconditionally. Thank You for the good plan You have for our lives, and the strength and power of Jesus to walk on the paths You set before us. Amen.

"We must learn to deny ourselves, and our fleshly appetites,...if we are to take up our crosses, and follow Christ."

We Need To Value, What God Values

Good Morning!! In today's society, much is said about values. We hear the terms family values, traditional values, values clarification, values education, and more. A value system includes the social principles and standards by which we function in life. Our value system will be anchored by what we believe to be most worthy in our lives. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21)..

"He said to them, 'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.'"—Luke 16:15 (NIV)
In today's scripture, Jesus gives sobering words to the Pharisees,...and us, about values clarification. And His warning rings just as true today. How often do we value what others say more than what God's Word says? And we can be so influenced by television, movies, magazines,....and let's not talk about the Internet. Sometimes almost without realizing what's happening, our values begin to conform more and more to what we are hearing and seeing. Turn us around Father!

Let's get back to the basics,...we need only turn to the Bible, to learn of, or remember those things that God values most.

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Father God, as we think about our value system, we realize that we've slipped into some gray areas,...and even areas that we know are detestable in Your sight. Please forgive us,...and help us get back on track. In Jesus name, Amen.

"We must learn to deny ourselves, and our fleshly appetites,...if we are to take up our crosses, and follow Christ."

Security??

​Good Morning!! We all like to feel safe and secure,...but sometimes that's difficult to do in today's world. Everything is changing. The economy. Politics. Values. We even have to fear, those sworn to protect us. We may try to find financial security through an investment, a retirement fund, a good job. But then the company goes bankrupt or downsizes. The job disappears. We may depend on other people's praise and respect to help us feel good about ourselves,...then we are devastated when their respect and praises aren't there.

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.—Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)

Who are you trusting, to keep you safe and secure? Your career? Other people? Your own abilities? Your reputation? God may work through any of these channels to provide for your security,...but ultimately that security rests in Him. Only God never changes. Only Jesus can provide the peace of knowing we are safe in his love. He has promised he will provide for all our needs.

Trust in Jesus in every area of your life,...you will never be disappointed. "Whoever trusts in the Lord will be safe."

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Lord, forgive us for trusting people and things and even myself for our security. We know we can only be truly safe by trusting in Jesus. Thank You for the security of knowing that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In His name. Amen.

"We must learn to deny ourselves, and our fleshly appetites,...if we are to take up our crosses, and follow Christ."