Embodied Truth – Ravi Zacharias writes, “The battle in our time is posed as one of the intellect, in the assertion that truth is unknowable. But that may be only a veneer for the real battle, that of the heart.”
The Lion Awakes – A new film plans to depict J.R. Tolkien’s and C.S. Lewis’ friendship.
Reconciliation of All Things – In Colossians, Paul writes that God will reconcile all things to Himself. John Piper explains what this does, and does not, mean.
The Real Debate – Randy Alcorn shares a letter from Chuck Colson about the “contraceptive debate” and what it is really about.
The Creator is Still Creating – Mark Altrogge writes “The great Creator is still creating – making his redeemed more and more into his own likeness every day” and shares why this should give Christians hope.
We Are Not Rock Stars – Although written for those who lead the church in worship music, this post is a great reminder for all believers that “we will never be more noticed, loved, cherished, accepted, validated, encouraged, and satisfied than we are in Christ. We will never have a greater identity than the one he has purchased for us on the cross.”
Two tiny words that make us question the things that we are doing.
“If only I hadn’t bought those clothes, I’d have money to make the needed car repair.”
“If only I could grow a little taller, I’d be such a better athlete.”
We use these words to not only bring into question our lives, but how others impact us.
“If only my boss was nicer, my job would be so much easier.”
“If only everyone else could drive better, the freeways would be more pleasant.”
If only.
Sometimes, we apply this same mindset to God.
If only God would change this circumstance, I would trust Him more.
If only He would give me what I want, then I would serve Him.
If only.
The problem with our “if only’s” is that they are usually focused on the here and now, when Scripture demonstrates that our focus should be increasingly on the then and there. In other words, we are concerned with the momentary trials and inconveniences, when we should be concerned with what is at stake for eternity.
Paul had this mindset. His concerned wasn’t that God would save him from all of life’s difficulties, but that he would glorify God within them. As he said in Acts 20:24:
“But do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” [emphasis added.]
His concerned wasn’t with what this life did to him, but how he used this life to do what God had called him to do.
