It didn't take long for the commercial to hit the airwaves. Just the day after the SuperBowl we see Aaron Rodgers, SuperBowl winning quarterback, trotting off the playing field with his pointer finger in the air declaring that he was, "going to Disney World". I began to wonder how they got that footage in a commercial so quick? How did they know he was the SuperBowl MVP and did they have a deal cut with him and possibly Big Ben Roethlisberger before the game even started to see who would make that bold exclaimation? At lease Aaron got one thing kind of right, they were number 1 as his pointer finger suggested.
Have you ever seen an athlete win a big game but still be last in the league and walk off the field or court exclaiming that they were number 1? It's exuberance in it's finest. They have an hour, a moment, a flash of brillance and the pointer finger is raised high. No one wants to be number two or three. There is not nearly enough power in holding four fingers in the air exclaiming you are in fourth place!There is a lot of competition in your and my life to be number one or even to fight for the top position in your own personal life.
In Ephesians 4:4-6 Paul says, "the is ONE body, and ONE spirit-just as you were called to ONE hope when you were called-One Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism; ONE God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all". That's a whole lot of pointer finger waving isn't? Apparently the only ONE bold enough to wave that pointer finger is God himself. The great "I AM". We all share the same God and same son in Jesus Christ. We all share in the same redemption and grace but not all of us share in placing God as the number ONE thing in our life.
A man named Willard Tate once told me that he could tell me what was important by looking at my day planner and check book. Ever think about that? Parent's here's what I want you to do this week, go through yours and your Students "day planner" and see where your investment of time is. Look at your financial portfolio and see where God and his kingdom fit. Lots of people want to be spiritual or want to raise spiritual kids. There is a part of you that wants that too or you wouldn't be reading this. The starting point to that is looking at how much you are investing in your relationship with God. Talk with your Students about your time and money. Ask yourself the tough question, is God number ONE in my life?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Why did God make the Fire Ant?
For those of you who are not from Texas you may have no idea what a fire ant really is. Let me quickly educate you. A fire ant is a tiny insect that I am convinced is spawned by Satan himself. First and foremost they are a constant battle in my yard. They destroy things, make life miserable, and HURT!! Their little bites sting and make you just about miserable. I have yet to find a good purpose for them. All they do is inflict turmoil and aggravate me. Have you ever wondered why God would create such a thing?
In my Bible reading this morning I read in Judges 3:4 where God explains why he left several nations alone who were Godless for the expressed purpose of causing trouble for the Israelites. "They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord's commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses". Just like the Fire Ant, these nations were left to test the true devotion of his people. Is it possible that God allows temptations and struggles in your life simply to see how truly willing you are to worship him?
It kind of reminds me of the couple who is fresh in love. They get that butterfly feeling in their stomach whenever they are around each other. They put their best foot forward and make sure their breath does not stink whenever they go out. This is understandable but I always look forward to seeing what they do when they have their first fight or figuring something that is truly annoying with that person the just "love". How will they react when that happens? Is their love strong enough to endure a hardship? Is their devotion strong enough to see through the annoyances? Is their commitment strong enough to face obstacles together?
Trials, persecution, and other struggles might just be there to strengthen your faith and test your true devotion to God. I visited with a friend lately who is going through some serious struggles and turmoil. I asked him about his marriage and how it was holding up to the strain. Amazingly, he told me that these trials have brought he and his Bride together in a more intimate way then they have been ever. Struggle was drawing them closer. When facing something hard or unexplainable one of two things will happen. It will either draw you closer to God or further from God.
Life is not perfect and it never will be. Our kids need to know that, and more importantly they need to see that. Sit down with your Students this week and tell them about a struggle, or a hard time you have gone through. Share with them the hand of God in all of that and how God used that hard time to draw you closer. Our Students need to see a devotion to God and each other when things are hard. It is the stuggle that brings us together and the hardship that tests our commitment to God.
In my Bible reading this morning I read in Judges 3:4 where God explains why he left several nations alone who were Godless for the expressed purpose of causing trouble for the Israelites. "They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord's commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses". Just like the Fire Ant, these nations were left to test the true devotion of his people. Is it possible that God allows temptations and struggles in your life simply to see how truly willing you are to worship him?
It kind of reminds me of the couple who is fresh in love. They get that butterfly feeling in their stomach whenever they are around each other. They put their best foot forward and make sure their breath does not stink whenever they go out. This is understandable but I always look forward to seeing what they do when they have their first fight or figuring something that is truly annoying with that person the just "love". How will they react when that happens? Is their love strong enough to endure a hardship? Is their devotion strong enough to see through the annoyances? Is their commitment strong enough to face obstacles together?
Trials, persecution, and other struggles might just be there to strengthen your faith and test your true devotion to God. I visited with a friend lately who is going through some serious struggles and turmoil. I asked him about his marriage and how it was holding up to the strain. Amazingly, he told me that these trials have brought he and his Bride together in a more intimate way then they have been ever. Struggle was drawing them closer. When facing something hard or unexplainable one of two things will happen. It will either draw you closer to God or further from God.
Life is not perfect and it never will be. Our kids need to know that, and more importantly they need to see that. Sit down with your Students this week and tell them about a struggle, or a hard time you have gone through. Share with them the hand of God in all of that and how God used that hard time to draw you closer. Our Students need to see a devotion to God and each other when things are hard. It is the stuggle that brings us together and the hardship that tests our commitment to God.
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