Glenn Packiam- A few years ago, my doctor gave me a stern talk about my health. I took his words to heart and began going to the gym and adjusting my diet. Over time, both my cholesterol and my weight went down, and my self-esteem went up.
But then something not so good happened: I began noticing other people's dietary choices and judging them. Isn't it funny that often when we find a scoring system that grades us well, we use it to lift ourselves up and put others down. (Google image, Doctor holding chart)
It seems to be an innate human tendency to cling to self-made standards in an attempt to justify ourselves—systems of self-justification and guilt-management.
Paul warned the Philippians about doing such things. Some were putting their confidence in religious performance or cultural conformity, and Paul told them he had more reason to boast of such things: "if someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more" (Phil. 3:4).
Yet Paul knew his pedigree and performance was "garbage" compared to "knowing Christ" (v. 8). Only Jesus loves us as we are, recues us, and gives us the power to become more like him. No earning required; no score-keeping possible.
Boasting is bad in itself, but a boast based on false confidence is tragic. The gospel calls us away from misplaced confidence and into communion with a Savior who loves us and gave Himself for us.
411-415 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
~ The great secret of Scripture memorization is review! What we've attempted to learned needs to be gone over and over, to be permanently fixed in our minds.
HOPE
While death is spreading through the earth,
God is working in ways unseen.
Peace and righteousness will spring forth.
Evil and injustice have no claim.
Like seeds planted in fertile soil,
Nurtured in love and faithfulness,
Light-filled energy will prevail.
I sing with joy and gratefulness.
Join me, my friends, do not despair.
Focus your eyes on Jesus, Give
Him full attention. He is here.
In his power and victory, live.
Inspired from Isaiah 61:11 (NLT)
Jane Ault
12/23/20
Today's guest post-
Macy Johnson
"lick-click, click-click. Nothing.
One morning after Bible study, my car wouldn’t start. Navigating the mega-church halls, I asked a passing school teacher where the nearest phone was. She directed me to the school office. But when I arrived, something told me to turn around and go to the church office at the other end of the complex. Quite a hike . . . "
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Great word
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