The world measures success in many different ways. How rich you are, how important you are, how many houses and cars you own. I've often dwelt on these things, and before I came to Christ, I spent my life in pursuit of them. Now God has told me that the weak are strong, the meek are blessed, and the poor will see God. What would the world be like today if people didn't measure success by the size of their bank account? Impossible, right? Recently, everyone tuned in to watch the burial of the recent Pope. No doubt he was a great man, but how many people around the world have brought joy to children, fought for peace, and stood up for God who have never been recognized? Have never been on television? and yet they still continue on.
Jesus tells us that to be rich, is to have knowledge of His saving power. That material wealth is not to be sought, for it is the root of all kinds of evil. Many people think all of their problems would be solved if only they had more money. The rich have many friends, but how many are true friends? (Prov 14:20) Wealth is measured in how much you have, but true wealth is measured in how much you give. Society loves the rich, but do they love the poor also? Is there anything different from a rich man than a poor man? (Prov 22:2)
Jesus tells us that He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Pride will bring a person low, but honor will uphold the humble in spirit. We're told to get anywhere in life we have to be proud, but God tells us to humble ourselves and He will exalt us in due time. Is it better to be looked up to? or to look up to someone else? It is better look for the best in everyone, but find every fault in yourself. The more humble we are, the more ready we are for God to use us. In Jesus' words, a seed must die for it to multiply. We must die to ourselves, for God's love to live in us.
But . . . Jesus tells us that when we are weak, then we are strong. That to admit we're weak is a sign of the strength of our faith. To have alot to say is weak, but to know how and when to speak is strength. To have the right clothes and fit in with the crowd is weak, but to be ordinary and the only one standing up for God is strong. To get back at that person who wronged you, or beat that person up who beat you up is weak, but to turn the other cheek and to bless that person is strong.
Remember the saying "Opposites attract" to show people the love of God and how serious we are about our message, we must have the strength to do the opposite of what the world would do.
In Christ,
Matt
Jesus tells us that to be rich, is to have knowledge of His saving power. That material wealth is not to be sought, for it is the root of all kinds of evil. Many people think all of their problems would be solved if only they had more money. The rich have many friends, but how many are true friends? (Prov 14:20) Wealth is measured in how much you have, but true wealth is measured in how much you give. Society loves the rich, but do they love the poor also? Is there anything different from a rich man than a poor man? (Prov 22:2)
Jesus tells us that He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Pride will bring a person low, but honor will uphold the humble in spirit. We're told to get anywhere in life we have to be proud, but God tells us to humble ourselves and He will exalt us in due time. Is it better to be looked up to? or to look up to someone else? It is better look for the best in everyone, but find every fault in yourself. The more humble we are, the more ready we are for God to use us. In Jesus' words, a seed must die for it to multiply. We must die to ourselves, for God's love to live in us.
But . . . Jesus tells us that when we are weak, then we are strong. That to admit we're weak is a sign of the strength of our faith. To have alot to say is weak, but to know how and when to speak is strength. To have the right clothes and fit in with the crowd is weak, but to be ordinary and the only one standing up for God is strong. To get back at that person who wronged you, or beat that person up who beat you up is weak, but to turn the other cheek and to bless that person is strong.
Remember the saying "Opposites attract" to show people the love of God and how serious we are about our message, we must have the strength to do the opposite of what the world would do.
In Christ,
Matt
