Perspective for March 16, 2011

GUIDANCE

How much do you know? It’s ok to admit that you know something; everyone does. Some know more than others. Few are considered ‘genius’. Only God knows all things.   The Bible says that “a wise man listens to the counsel of many”.

I once heard a man make a comment that has stuck with me for many years now:

“It’s what you learn after you think you know it all, that offers you the greatest chance for improving your life”.

There are people in my small world that know far more than me in the areas of

• Interpersonal relationships
• Business
• Corporate structure
• Health
• Pastoral care
• Spiritual maturity

It is not uncommon for me, while preparing a sermon or thinking through an upcoming counseling session, to pick up the phone and speak to someone that I consider to be more knowledgeable in an area than myself. Before I make the call and invest my time with them I ask myself four questions;

1. Do I trust this person?
2. Am I willing to listen carefully to this person?
3. Does this person have integrity? (i.e.Does this person’s life measure up to a standard of integrity between word and lifestyle?)
4. Am I willing to follow the counsel they give me?

It is not hard to find someone who will offer guidance. But there is a bit of difference between good and bad guidance. May I back up and remind you that God is omniscient, which means “all knowing”. He made you, loves you, has your best interest in mind ….always, and he left you a book, called the Bible, to guide you. The book of the Bible called “Psalms” says that “the Word of God is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

Are you demonstrating wisdom because of whom you seek, how well you listen and how passionately you follow the counsel that is given to guide you?

Think about it; God may have something for you to know even though you thought you already knew all about that subject of humility, marriage, finance, conflict management….if you follow His counsel you will find a guidance that will not lead you astray! J

This is my perspective; what’s yours?

Brent

Perspective for March 15, 2011

Default Destiny

“How can God say that He is love and condemn someone to Hell just because they don't believe in Jesus?”

Good question... but maybe the assumption is the problem? Does God throw unbelievers into Hell? Or, is He working to pull them out of it?

Do we think our default destiny is heaven... unless we’ve done something REALLY bad? So, how could God, who claims to love us, kick us out just because we don’t believe in Jesus?

But, listen to what Jesus said: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." - John 3:17-18Jesus is saying our default destiny is not heaven... rather we are already destined for condemnation ... unless we believe.

God isn’t like some American Idol judge deciding who stays and who goes... rather, the Bible says, He has been working since the foundation of the world to offer hope and rescue to an already condemned, sin-sick world, through the lifeline of His Son Jesus Christ.

So, the real question for those of us who have already been pulled by God from the waves of condemnation is:

Will you just watch God work to save others while you sit warm and dry in the hope of your salvation? Or, will you help people to see their default destiny in John 3:18, and God’s plan to save them from it?

This is my perspective, what's yours?

Jeff