A Life Worthy

As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” (1 Corinthians 3:19-20)

Things I’ve seen in the media over the past few weeks…

Demonstrators protesting against angry and hateful rhetoric by burning flags and destroying property…

A woman who preaches tolerance confronting a man because she is offended by his hair style…

Students who claim to promote the First Amendment refusing to let a candidate speak at their school…

A movement that is vehement about protecting a woman’s safety and privacy applauding rules that allow a man to enter a public restroom while a little girl is in there, or a college boy to use a dorm bathroom while women are showering…

The wisdom of Man is derived from and focused on…well…Man.

Man is inherently selfish, unstable, and full of contradictions.

And we wonder why the world is in the shape it’s in?

Beloved, this is not about politics.  It is a reminder of what happens when we substitute our “wisdom” for the wisdom of Almighty God.

Nothing good

Walk in his wisdom today, Beloved.

Happy Monday

If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise (1 Corinthians 3:18).

OK boys and girls, it’s time for a spiritual self-check!

How much do you want to be like Jesus?

No…really

Are you willing for your neighbors, your colleagues–the world–to think you’re a fool?

Are you ready for them to call you a fool?

Because they will, you know…if you really follow.

Do you really want wisdom?

Every once in awhile, we need to stop and count the cost again.

This is one of those awhiles.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him, for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple (1 Corinthians 3:17).

Yep, that would be a warning, right there.

Don’t mess with God’s people.

Remember, this is in the context of “I follow Paul;” “I follow Apollos.”  We are being warned not to do anything that would fracture the body of believers.  Don’t worry, though: this warning only applies to people who actually have the power to create division in the body.

You know, like pastors

and teachers

and leaders of big ministries

and small time wanna-be devotional bloggers

and anyone who has contact with other believers.

Uh oh.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Tread carefully.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).

But, Michael…I thought we didn’t hafta do anything!

Remember Monday?  You said that we were like the dirt, and that God was gonna farm us and raise the crop.  Now you’re saying that we’ve gotta build stuff!  What gives?

Oh, Beloved.  You should know by now that there are always two sides.

Your salvation?  Your position in Christ?  Yep, those are from him alone.  Nothing you need do besides let him in to do his work.

But…

We are always building, Beloved.  We are created in the image of the Creator, so we must create.  It is what we do.  It is who we are.

So the question is not will you build,

but

what will you build?

How do you spend your days, Beloved?  What do you do with your time?  Are you building a life of fluff and nonsense, that will disappear with a flash and a puff when the flames come?

or

Are you building a life of Godly character, marked by charitable deeds and edifying pursuits?

Hear me, Beloved–I know some of you will take this post as an express ticket to Guilt City.  I am not saying for a moment that there should be no rest, no recreation in our lives.  We all need down time–God grants it and expects it.  So, don’t get nutty on me here.  But ask yourself: How much of your last twenty-four hours will survive the fire?

Just one life, ‘twill soon be past.

Only what’s done for God will last.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light (1 Corinthians 3:12-13).

Simple question today, Beloved.

I know what your life is built on,

but

what is your life built of?

Hmm…maybe not so simple after all.

Happy pondering, Beloved.