Friday, April 15, 2016

Is Work an Idol?

God is Sovereign

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24

Unfortunately, society lures us to get wrapped up in our work, title, the power of our position, the size of our paycheck…. Not only do we let our work define who we are as individuals, but work often becomes the source of satisfaction in our lives.

Giving up an identity defined by work seems counterintuitive to culture, but with Christ as the center of our affections, we are able to see a much grander vision. We end up with balance in our lives and the ability to love our neighbors when we’d otherwise be consumed by work. God does not define us by what we do or what we own, but rather by whose we are. We are God’s children -- the sons and daughters of a King! When we grasp that concept, work should no longer have a stronghold on us. We no longer are a slave to performance, but are free to think differently about the true purpose for our lives.

for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10


Because God is sovereign, through Christ we can find our true identity in Him.

Friday, April 1, 2016

April Fools

God Is Just

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15

We all love a good joke or prank once in a while to break up the stress of the day … maybe this is why April Fool’s Day can be so much fun. But that one day of the year can also serve as a reminder that foolish thinking, pranks and schemes should be the exception and not the rule in our life; that while life should be enjoyed, foolishness and folly have consequences.

The Bible speaks at great length on the topic of foolishness. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live writes in the Book of Proverbs that fools do not seek God’s wisdom and understanding. That they do not follow God, but rather live by their own set of rules. But, it is written that one day God will judge us all and His justice will prevail. And, while our pride may lead us to believe we will have the last laugh, are we truly prepared for Judgment Day? No matter the recklessness or how foolish your past, God’s mercy and grace are still available to you today -- it’s not too late.

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise Proverbs 19:20

Because God is just, with Christ we will face the final judgment in confidence.