What is the one thing people need to know about you? Galatians 6:14

If there was one thing that you wanted people to know about you what would it be?  You can tell by what you boast about.

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14

We tend to boast either intentionally or unintentionally about those things that we think are important. They are the things that we feel others must know about us.  These things make us feel important. When we boast about something it usually is to communicate that this is a thing that we are particularly identified with and that we feel is important for others to know,

MAY

Galatians 6:14 Begins with the word May. Its use can be wishful thinking or resolve.  It can mean to let something happen as if to create the circumstances that allow something to occur, or it can be to intentionally remove the obstacles from the path of this happening. In the context, it appears that the Apostle is speaking in a resolute manner.

NEVER
Here, the word never gives the sense that he is resolved and committed to a course of action.  This is the idea of not giving any opportunity to boasting in the wrong thing.

BOAST

We generally look down on boasting as being a shallow and self-absorbed activity.  If the Apostle is boasting about himself that would be a correct conclusion; however, there is a sense of boasting that is not vain, when it is giving objective and correct information.

CROSS

We in our modern times have romanticized the cross but in the days of the Roman Empire, it was a shameful and torturous death for the worst offenders.  In Paul's day, no one would have worn a cross as a piece of jewelry- it was considered ugly.

CRUCIFIED

The past tense of this is that something has happened. The apostle is declaring that he is dead to the world and the world is dead to him.  Something that is dead has no ability to respond or react to its environment or to stimulation.

THE WORLD HAS BEEN
Another past tense statement, where the Apostle is saying, "It is over," he sees the world, the kingdoms of man, as dead to him.

Since he is dead to the world, there is nothing in the world that has or stimulates the apostle: nothing draws his affections or attention.

His boasting is not about anything he has done but about an event that occurred by the hand of God.  His message is that God has worked a marvel in his life to change him and his values; it was done through the death of Christ on the cross on his behalf.

If you are interested in knowing more about how you can have a new beginning in Christ follow this link to learn more.

(c) Adron 4/26/17

What Is The Work Of A Church Leader?

What is the job of Christian leadership? There may be more than one answer, but the most overlooked one may be the most important.

"We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God' service, in spreading the Gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in the faith." 1 Thessalonians 3:2,  

(To read the entire chapter of 1 Thessalonians 3, click the link for Bible gateway.)

WHO WAS TIMOTHY?
Timothy was a protege of the Apostle Paul and a core leader in the early church. He shared in the Apostle's work Paul often sent Timothy as his personal representative.

To be called a brother was a common title in the early church days, but to be called a co-worker was to receive high praise. The words in this passage are often translated as "God's co-worker."

Timothy's leadership position was more than any of us are likely to ever attain.

WHAT WAS LEADERSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH?
Timothy was being mentored and groomed for great things so you would think that the jobs that the Apostle Paul would assign his lieutenant would be one of organization and establishing the structure for the foundation of the Church.  He was not sent to fight the battle of culture war or set people right but something more essential.

WHAT WAS PAUL'S ASSIGNMENT?
Paul sent him on a mission but not to build a cathedral or defend the faith in a public debate;

• He was sent to encourage and strengthen others. 
• He was to meet people and prop them up.
• He was to lift up and hold up the weak. 
• He was to give courage.

ENCOURAGE AND STRENGTHEN
We should speak words of encouragement. We should help give strength to the weak. We should strive to come alongside struggling people and help lift their load.

AN EXAMPLE FOR US
Paul sent the leader he was carefully nurturing on the mission of strengthening and encouraging others. If we are called to be leaders in the church, we are called to encourage others and be load lifters.

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I hope this post is helpful and an encouragement.  For more like this, see the most popular post on the left sidebar or use the search box above.  

(c) Adron 5/17/14

What Does the Bible Say About Pleasing People?

Sometimes you have to choose who to please. You might please one person and in doing so offend another. Sometimes the bigger question is if we choose to please some people will we offend God?

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10, NIV.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND
There was a time before he received the calling to Christ when the Apostle Paul persecuted the church and in doing so he was pleasing men who highly esteemed his zeal. Upon his conversion Paul turned from the former ways and lived a new life that his society scorned. He even paid the price of martyrdom for his new faith.

APPROVAL
We want approval. It is an honest need. We want others to think well of us, it goes back to childhood where we want our parents to be pleased with us. For a child approval is nice, it makes him feel good and helps him mature. In an adult it is different. We should able to act independently of other's approval. Yet it is a legitimate desire; for to an adult approval is a measure of inclusion, acceptance, community and belonging. These are healthy things.

TRYING TO WIN
Paul was not against man's approval. He just didn't go out of his way for it. He responded to Jesus and if it meant he lost the approval of men it was worth it. If his service to God won the approval of men that was a bonus but the point of his life was something else.

A SERVANT OF CHRIST.
Paul gave up status and lost the favor of his countrymen to follow Christ. For him it was a choice that was no choice because the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus so far outweighed the worth of man's esteem*. Paul gave up ambition to please men and chose to be a servant of Christ.

We can't be both one who seeks to win the favor of men and of God. If we are living to please men we can't be a servant of Christ. We must choose either the fickle favor of people or the eternal esteem of Christ.

* See also Philippians 3:8

To learn more about coming to Christ see my other post, follow this link: Click Here.

(c)Adron Dozat

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Adron

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Why Does God Not Heal Some People? 2 Corinthians 12:9

What does the Bible say about why some people don't get healing? We wonder why some of us have chronic illnesses or conditions, and others have disabilities. Why do we not receive a miracle of healing or a great cure?

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so the power of Christ may rest on me."
2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV*.

This Bible verse is from the writings of Paul the Apostle, where he describes his struggle with his own infirmities. Like many of us, the Apostle sought to be healed of a disease that troubled him. There is no explanation as to which disease, but its extremity is clear by his many prayers for deliverance.

PAUL PRAYED
Being an apostle, we can be assured of his correct prayer. If anyone should have gotten the answer he wanted, it should have been him. He did not get the healing he sought. Instead, he got an explanation.

GRACE
The grace of God is greater than healing. Some explain grace by the acronym, "God's Riches At Christ Expense." It is a nice way of putting it, but here God's grace is more; it is an active manifestation of the power of God in the life of the person suffering. God's grace, or favor toward him, is supporting him, encouraging him, and lifting him above in his sufferings. This grace is more valuable than healing since he would experience God in a greater way than if he was just healed.

PERFECT POWER
God's power is not lacking and does not need to be finished or brought to perfection since it is perfect already. This perfect is like when one is trying to turn a 10 mm nut using a 20 mm wrench it will not work, but when one takes a 10 mm wrench, they have the perfect tool to turn the nut, we didn't remake the tool into a new one we choose the perfect tool.

The "Perfect" here is the action, manifestation, expression, and experience of God's power. Our weakness is the perfect place to experience the power of God; if we were never weak we would not see the power and glory of God in our lives in the same way.

BOAST
Why would Paul boast about his weakness? We boast about things that we feel are exalted or better than inferior things. We boast about achievements because it sets us apart and above others. Paul felt that the power of God he experienced in his weakness was superior to just being healed. In boasting about his weakness, he was boasting about God's power that is his strength.

*To see other translations of this verse, click on this link: Online Parallel Bible.

(c )Adron Dozat 10/22/12

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How to Get Spiritual Direction. Acts 16:9

We all want to do good things with our lives and there are many needs around us, but how do we choose where to serve and where to give our time and resources? The Bible gives a little help in Acts 16:9.

"During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:9. NIV *.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND:
Paul and Silas were on a missionary journey. They wanted to go to one place but were called through a vision to go to another. They followed the vision and went resulting in many good acts.

Compass Illustration, Spiritual Direction.

VISION:
Vision is like the opening of the eyes. God opened their eyes to the direction he wanted them to go. We may not have a vision like the Apostles did since the needs of the times were different than ours, we may simply have our eyes open by a comment from a person who knows a need.

I wonder at the point that the vision came in the night. Could it be that they had some all-night prayer meeting and God spoke to Paul then? We just don't know, but it is quiet at night, it is the still time when business is over and we stop focusing on chores.  We need to be diligent to observe our times of quiet devotion for that maybe the times when God may speak to our hearts.

SPECIFICS OF THE VISION:
The words of the vision were, "Come... help us." Much of what God wants us to do is just that- to help out. God did not call Paul to be a superstar but to be a helper. His words to us are often, "Come, help." Where we see the need for help just maybe our vision.

THE MISSION:
Paul and Silas were already serving and doing the will of God, they were already on a mission trip. They were doing the work at hand and not sitting around longing for direction in their lives. We often fall into the trap of thinking "I'll just sit here and wait for a leading," while the church bulletin is full of requests for nursery workers, ushers, and people to visit the poor and needy. When we do the will of God that is already given that we are given the direction we need.

* To read this verse in other translations click on this link: Online Parallel Bible

(c)Adron Dozat 8/12/12

Why Did Jesus Come? 1 Timothy 1:15

Why did Jesus come? Everybody has their own answers, but the Bible makes it plain.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of which I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:14, NIV.

A Trustworthy Saying
You can trust the teaching of the Bible.  Here is a statement that says, "Of all the statements of the Bible, pay special attention to this one," as if this one saying stands above all the others.

Full Acceptance
The saying is not only trustworthy but must have your full acceptance. If you believe anything in the Bible, you need to believe this one. You must completely accept the nine words; Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. If you accept or believe only some of them, it is not full acceptance.

Who?
Christ is the God One who saves by sacrificing himself on our behalf.

He is the one who came; the quote does not say born but came as if he was somewhere else before. This verse is clear that he existed before his earthly incarnation.

Why?
Jesus did not come simply to teach, establish a new religion, modify an old one, or be a revolutionary- he came to save sinners. We need salvation; we need to be rescued from the bondage of sin in our lives and be delivered from the future judgment of sin. Sin offends God, and being holy, he must judge sin, but being loving, God sent his son Jesus to die in our stead and take the punishment for our sins. God accepts Jesus' death as payment in full for our sins and gives us Jesus' righteousness.

Could The Apostle Have Been A Sinner?
Paul the Apostle was once a Pharisee who observed the strictest sect of Judaism. His teaching and writings were central to the establishment and survival of the church. He penned portions of the New Testament, and his writings give context for the teaching of Jesus. How could he say he was a sinner? In one place, he wrote about his struggles with pride, and in another, he discusses covetousness, and in another, he recounts his former way of life when in the name of God, he persecuted the church, even voting for the death penalty against Christians. Despite his sinfulness, the Apostle found Salvation in Jesus.

(c)Adron Dozat 7/11/12

What is Jesus Worth? Philippinas 3:7,8

What is Jesus worth to you? What price would you pay to know him better? Consider what Paul the Apostle said in Philippians 3:7-8.

"But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ..." Philippians 3:7,8, NIV.

ABOUT PAUL

Paul, The Apostle who wrote these verses, had much to louse for the sake of Christ. He was something in his community; he was a social, political, and religious leader with influence and status. He had a good family, a good heritage, and a place in the inner circle of things. His education was the best one.

Philippians 3:7

Could have gotten under the great teachers of his day. He was a born citizen of Rome; he had the rights and privileges that others wished for. If you spoke his name, people would say, "Yea, he is up there. He has it all."

LOSS

He had all the world could offer, yet he considered it all loss. To consider something is to take stock of something, think it through, carefully weigh it in your mind, and turn it over and over. Having done such ponderous thinking, Paul came to the conclusion that knowing Jesus is worth it all.

GREAT GAIN

He goes on further to say that knowing Jesus is surpassing greatness. He means that knowing Jesus is over, above, and better than all those things put together. He says that knowing Jesus is bigger, better, grander, richer, nobler, more gratifying, rewarding, satisfying, and wonderful than all the things he had.

PAUL ACTED ON HIS WORDS

Paul does not make academic idealistic statements; his experiences back up his words. He lost status in his community, sacrificed his reputation, and was disowned by his countrymen and citizenship. He became poor, destitute, friendless, abandoned, betrayed, shipwrecked, stoned, flogged, left for dead, beaten with rods, and imprisoned. In fact, he wrote the letter to the Philippians from prison, and sometime later, he paid the greatest price, martyrdom, all to know Jesus. Having experienced these things, he speaks as one who has no regrets.

US
What are we willing to give up to know Jesus? What price are we willing to pay to have Jesus in our lives as Lord? Some of us can't make it to worship one hour a week or spend a few minutes for Bible reading. Many of us can't give small change for Jesus, let alone our tithe. May the Apostle Paul be an example to us. May we know Jesus even a fraction as Paul did- it would revolutionize our lives.

To learn about how to have a relationship with Jesus, see my other blog.

(c)Adron Dozat 10/21/11

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Who is God’s Worker? 1 Thessalonians 3:2, NIV

Does the Almighty God of the Universe just go about His wondrous divine work while all I do is earn a paycheck and watch TV? Does he need my help?

"We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith." 1 Thessalonians 3:2, NIV.

WHO WAS TIMOTHY
Timothy was the Apostle Paul's protege and an early church leader. He came to the faith through the teaching of Paul, which was built upon the foundation his grandmother taught. He had problems; in fact, he was encouraged to be less timid and care for his stomach and his many ailments. He was admonished to not allow others to look down on his youth. Timothy could sit in our church today, and you would not think him different than any other worshiper.

BUT HE WAS SOMETHING
Paul calls him "God's fellow worker." Timothy had responsibilities in the first-century church, but we have no less responsibility in our day. We are God's fellow workers too. The work of God on this earth is being done by our hands. God has a purpose, and He calls on us to fulfill that purpose; to continue the work that the Lord began in the first century of building up the church, and make Jesus known to the lost world.

God could have written the Gospel in the clouds, on the sides of mountains, or had angels proclaim it in thunder, but instead, He chose to put it in the hands of redeemed sinners.

FELLOW WORKER
A fellow worker labors beside another. We work side by side with the Almighty, laboring toward the same end. We share the same struggle and bear the same sufferings as those early saints, but we also share in the rewards and the blessings.

God did not ask us to toil alone or unaided but gave us community, gifts, powers, and authority to do the same work He is doing.

US
When we believe the Gospel and come to God through Jesus, we are God's fellow workers; it is not optional. We must not forget that we are not here to build up our own estate but to build up His kingdom.

He doesn't need us; he could do it without us, but He wants us, and that is even better.

If you have not come to God through Jesus and want to know more about salvation, follow this link to my other blog. 

(c) Adron Dozat 12/1/10

A Christianity that is un-American. Philippians 3:7-9

There are a few teachings of the Bible that stand in defiance of modern views.

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ…” Philippians 3:7-9.

Ours is a consumer-driven materialistic generation. We quickly acquire the newest technology, the latest electronics, and the most up to date toys. How different we are from our Lord who was a homeless traveling teacher possessing only the clothes on his torn back the day he was crucified.

THINGS LOSS
Why are we not like the Apostle who considered “everything loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus?” We have to know Christ, seek him, become intimate with his words and teaching. Intimacy with Jesus will keep us from being allured by advertisements that call us from the Lord and enslave us to the idea that possessions give meaning. Jesus has been out-marketed by TV commercials, junk mail, billboards, digital media and all the weapons of advertisers.

GREATNESS
The Apostle Paul considered knowing Jesus to have “surpassing greatness.” The surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus was a fact to him. Knowing Jesus was so much more, above, and ahead of anything else he could do, be, or possess. To Paul all profit gain, possessions, status, wealth, and treasures did not compare to Jesus; Jesus was the greater treasure to Paul.

FOR THE SAKE OF...
How could he consider “all things loss for the sake of Christ?” Did he know something we don’t? Do we not know the same Christ? The Jesus we hear taught about today is a watered-down and sterilized from the dynamic world-changing Jesus whose followers brought down empires. Our Jesus is the helpless baby in a manger, or the misunderstood teacher, or the abandoned martyr on the cross.

GREATER WORTH
Paul had a vision of who Jesus was, and his Jesus was worth all things; status, reputation, finical security, future plans, friendships, wealth, and whatever you name. Let’s find that Jesus. It takes time, time in the Word, prayer, communion, service, and fellowship, but we can do it; when we do we again will turn the world upside down.

MODERN PAULS
If Paul lost all things to know Christ what can we moderns point to and say, "I have counted this as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ?" After all, what is there that really does compare to knowing Jesus? Let’s not spend our time and resources gaining more things- instead, let’s rediscover Jesus.

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I sincerely hope this post is helpful and is an encouragement.  For more like this see the most popular post in the left sidebar, or use the search box above. 

(c)Adron Dozat 11/26/10

The Glorious Weakness of Human Effort. 2 Corinthians 12:9. NIV

There is much in life we can do nothing about. We have scores of personal weaknesses. If only we were some superhero with immense strength and super intelligence. But we are just ordinary people, with problems we can’t fix.

“But he said to me, 'my grace is sufficient to you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. NIV.

If anyone could have expected the Almighty to lift their burden, it should have been Paul the great Apostle. He struggled with an illness he termed the “thorn in the flesh,” (2 Corinthians 12:7). This great man of faith whose service to God is unparalleled sought The Lord in prayer for deliverance on multiple occasions. Instead of healing,g Paul was given the promised blessing that God’s grace will suffice.

Today’s faith community has many definitions of grace. Some say grace is “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Many sing that we are saved by Amazing Grace. Others define grace as synonymous with mercy, favor, or dignity.

This verse tells that grace:

• Comes from God
• Is sufficient
• Is for me
• Has power
• Is perfect in my weakness.

There is the grace that leads to salvation, where Gog comes into our lives; but this is the grace of God being in our lives, it is an experience of God. This grace is intimate and personal to those of us who call out to God.

God’s power was already perfect, but it is in our weaknesses He shows His perfect power. Often we don’t look to Him until we are faced with our own weakness; then we seek Him and our weakness becomes the vehicle that God uses to manifest His power. If I had never known weakness, then I would never value God’s strength and power. Paul, through his weakness, experienced the power of Christ in a way that even the Apostle would never have known otherwise. His weakness became something to celebrate.

We all have some weakness. Like Paul, we who can’t help ourselves must look to Him Who Can. Paul’s prayer for deliverance was answered not with healing but with “promise perspective,” that God's grace would be enough. Our prayers for victory over our struggles may not result in more strength but in more of God in our lives. Cry out to God about your weakness; thankfully ask the Lord for His abundant grace, keep it up until you can celebrate His power in your life.

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(c) Adron 3/4/10

Where is The Proof Of An All Loving God? Romans 5: 7, 8.

Does God love mankind? Where is the proof of an all loving God?

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7, 8. NIV.

NOT BEAUTIFUL
When it comes to love we love the beautiful, noble and worthy. The daily news demonstrates that man is not beautiful, but evil. Man has a problem- a wicked nature, call it “sin,” but being sinners we don’t like the word “sin” so we call it something else, a disorder, or an illness; which implies we can fix or cure it.

Yet generations of medicine and science has failed to expunge the nature of sin and its power in our private lives. If we could fix this problem we will fix war, famine, health care, poverty and all other evils. We try to fix sin with programs, rules, laws and efforts; but they are no better than the flawed humans who devise them.

GOD LOVES THE UGLY
But God loves us even in our ugly, sinful, evil, and wicked ways, and so addresses this sin issue. He begins with our most basic need- forgiveness. This means our sin must be taken away, and the threat of punishment removed.

It is in full view of our wickedness that God makes a way, for it says, "While we were still sinners Christ died for us." Before we were redeemable God redeems us. He does what we can’t do. He sees our need for salvation and forgiveness and since we can’t attain it ourselves God makes the full provision for it. He Himself pays for our sin and erases the threat of judgment forever. God didn't wait for us to become righteous or good and this is great news because we never could be.

LOVED TO DEATH
Only Christ can deliver us from sin. The death of Jesus as our substitute for punishment succeeds. Only Jesus’ death is ratified by God and endorsed via the resurrection. His death is the ultimate expression of love. Whatever our sins are we can be assured of God’s love for us since He already demonstrated it on the Cross.

To learn more about coming to God's love and having eternal life see my other blog.

(c) Adron

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Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I sincerely hope this post is helpful and an encouragement.  For more like this see the most popular post in the left sidebar, or use the search box above.  

Adron

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