Basic Truths | Finding God in Everyday Life

  I don’t watch much TV other than for sports and local or business news. I’ve never warmed up to most of the “reality TV” shows. I think it’s a poor name for them because most of them don’t seem very real at all.   The world tries to convince us what the realities of everyday life are. They often conflict with God’s view of reality. Where they agree, it may be because they’ve been handed down from the Bible.   Jesus faced this same issue during His time on earth. In the Sermon on the Mount, He said several times, “You have heard it said” and then proceeded to give the world’s view, contrasting it with His teaching. As an example, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45).   What would Jesus say today? Let’s look at the world’s “reality”.   “He who dies with the most toys...

  I mentioned in my last post that I enjoyed participating in various sports. I always did better when family or friends were there to cheer me on. I suppose it was the extra adrenaline you get when you know someone is supporting you.   God is for us. That’s a simple phrase, and it’s really a simple thought. The question is – do we take it to heart? Do we start each day with that knowledge at the center of our being? Does it lift us up, does it strengthen and comfort us?   Paul wrote to the Romans, “ If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32). Paul’s conclusion was that, “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).   Hebrews Chapter 11 is sometimes called the “Faith Hall of Fame”. The author lists some of the heroes of the Old Testament and describes how they went forward in faith, trust...

  I’ve played many different sports, usually not very well, although I enjoy playing.   I also watch sports on TV. Participating in a sport requires dedication, discipline, practice, and being willing to listen to your coach or teacher. If you’re in a team sport, you should try to put the team first and your own wants second. In contrast, being a fan just requires a ticket or a TV/streaming service. Actually, you can call yourself a fan and never even go to a game or match.   Christianity isn’t a spectator sport! We’re called to participate in the life of the church. That requires the same dedication, discipline, willingness to learn, and commitment to “your team” that the athlete needs. Unfortunately, too many Christians are just fans today, taking it all in without joining in.   There is a twofold component to our participation in the church. On the one hand, we should be active participants in our local congregation. On the other hand, we should be taking ...

  We went to Key West last weekend for a mini-vacation. I enjoy flying, except when the turbulence is bad. I like looking out the window at the ground below. Everything seems peaceful when you’re looking down from 30,000 feet. I enjoy being able to see mountain ranges, rivers, and other aspects of God’s creation, the scope of which you can’t appreciate from ground level.   We live in difficult times. In addition, we all face challenges and trials of one sort or another on a daily basis. We can get so wrapped up in them that it’s hard to think of anything else. We would be well served to step back and look at our problems from a distance, from a peaceful setting, “30,000 feet up” as it were. When we step back, our problems don’t get smaller but they seem smaller. We may find it easier to see God working in our lives.   Paul suffered greatly for his preaching of the Gospel. Beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and eventually martyred, he had every reason to give up. He was,...

  When we’re getting ready to travel overseas, we use a packing list to remind us of all the things we need to take. The list itself and the items on it aren’t important by themselves. They are only important with respect to the trip we’re going on.   In my last post, I talked about making a to-do list of things we can do as part of our Lenten observance. We should remember that the things we do aren’t that important in and of themselves. Their importance comes more from what we do after Lent is over.   The 40 days of Lent commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert prior to beginning His ministry. Jesus went into the desert for a purpose, to prepare himself for what the Father was calling Him to do. Likewise, whatever we do during this season should be preparing us for what we will be doing next. Many people get caught up in Lenten activities as an end unto themselves instead of looking at them as the beginning of a new way of living. We repeat this process...