Category: A Moment with the Master

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Our culture is hyper-focused on self. Terms like “self-care,” “self-love,” and “self-affirmations” are becoming more and more common. There may be aspects of these ideas that are helpful within a specific framework—but there is undoubtedly a grave danger here as well. All the focus on “self” tends to create self-centered and self-reliant people. And the truth is, we cannot rely on ourselves where it matters most. 

Hosea 10:13 warns: “You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way…” We set ourselves up for failure when we turn inward for guidance, strength, and hope. We may be able to satisfy ourselves for a time, but we don’t have the know-how or the power to determine and practice what’s best and most meaningful. For that, we need God. Don’t trust in your own way—that is a path of destruction. Instead, turn to God and trust in Him. 

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In Matthew 14, we read about a time when Jesus taught vast crowds in a wilderness setting. As the day drew to a close, the disciples urged Jesus to send the people away to get food. But Jesus responded with a shocking statement. He said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” The disciples were baffled. How could they possibly feed a crowd of thousands of people? They searched the crowd, and all they could come up with was five loaves and two fish. Hardly enough for everyone! But then Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.” And from that small portion, Jesus fed all the people.

Jesus challenges His followers. He pushes us to do more than we think we can. But He also does what we cannot do. The disciples found the loaves and fish, helped pass out the food, and collected leftovers. But only Jesus could feed thousands from such a small meal. Following Jesus is challenging, but He equips us to do what we can, and He accomplishes what we cannot. 

Have you ever heard great things about a new restaurant but had a disappointing experience when you finally went? Maybe the food was terrible, or the service was lacking. Or have you ever made some big purchase or taken a vacation and ended up disappointed in the results? Disappointment is a frustrating and challenging part of life. For one reason or another, many things in this life leave us unfulfilled and disappointed. But there is something that won’t disappoint—hope. 

Romans 5:5 says, “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”^[1] Many earthly hopes never come to fruition or prove to be less than we expected. But when we place our hope in Christ, we can rest assured that such a hope will never disappoint. On the contrary, eternity will surely prove to be more than we ever imagined or hoped for. 

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^[1] NET

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Is God serious about His commands? Does God want us to obey His Word we find in Scripture, or is the Bible merely a guideline—a book of helpful suggestions to get us going in the general direction? 

Well, let’s consider an Old Testament example. Leviticus chapters eight and nine may seem foreign to us, with their accounts of consecrating Aaron and his sons for the priesthood and offering sacrifices. But at least ten times in those two chapters, we read that Moses, Aaron, and the people did things “as the LORD commanded them.” At the end of chapter nine, God accepts their sacrificial worship.

Then we get to chapter ten, and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, offer “unauthorized fire.” They didn’t make sweeping changes to God’s pattern—they just did something they weren’t commanded to do. And fire from God struck them dead. That lesson is an intense reminder that, yes, God is serious about His commands and expects us to obey them faithfully.  

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Human history has been filled with war. Sadly, many conflicts have raged for years and claimed numerous lives. Sometimes, when nations realize they are heading towards war, there is excitement. However, as the conflict wears on and the true nature of war is seen, everyone longs for peace. Thus, when the war finally concludes, people are thrilled to read the papers or watch the announcement of peace on the news. That’s because peace is goodnews. That’s true in global politics—it’s even more true in the spiritual realm. 

In his well-known list of Christian armor, Paul says, “As shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Gospel simply means “good news.”^[1]Whatever is happening in the world around us, we can always rejoice in the good news that Jesus has made a way for us to have peace with God.

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^[1] Ephesians 6:15

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God loves us and desires to extend grace and mercy to us. This is a comforting truth. However, we must be aware that God is capable of emotions and feelings other than love and warmth. If we persist in sinful rebellion, His feelings toward us can be truly frightening. 

Psalm 106 recounts Israel’s history—particularly their proclivity to forget God and worship false gods and idols instead. Again and again, Israel was faithless. Verse 40 says, “Then the LORD became angry with his people and, though they were his own chosen nation, he loathed them.”^[1] That’s not something you hear every day—God loathed His own chosen people. But that’s how angry God can get when His love and mercy are spurned again and again. 

So, what about us? Are we faithful or faithless? Has God’s grace transformed us, or do we abuse that notion? Don’t be like ancient Israel—don’t waste God’s grace and stoke His anger through stubbornness and disobedience. 

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^[1] REB

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We should be people of substance. And we know this. We understand we shouldn’t judge solely on appearance. We say things like “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.” We say such things, but do we believe them? Are we more concerned with substance than appearance? Is there real character, especially in our spiritual lives, or do we just put on a show?

In 2 Corinthians 5:12, Paul wrote, “…we are rather giving you a chance to show yourselves proud of us; then you will have something to say to those whose pride is all in outward show and not in inward worth.”^[1] Some in Corinth put on a good show—they looked impressive and righteous, but their religion was shallow and powerless. Don’t be content with an outward show. Let God’s Word guide and transform you so that you have genuine, meaningful, inward worth for the Lord.  

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^[1] REB

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What are your hopes and dreams? Could your dreams be too small, or your hope insufficient? Tragically, many people set their hopes on fleeting and temporary things. They hope for more money; better health; a comfortable retirement, and so on. Those are well enough, but they aren’t things that will last. Too often, people place their hopes in things that will be meaningless when life ends. But there is a better hope. There is a hope that lives on even beyond the grave! 

1 Peter 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 

Jesus offers a hope that is more than just some temporary comfort—He offers the hope of resurrection and eternal life. So, what are your hopes and dreams? Do you have an eternal, living hope?

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This week, we’ve considered Biblical subjects described as “living.” Today, let’s consider one that may seem paradoxical at first. In Romans 12:1, the Apostle Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” In the Old Testament, sacrifice usually revolved around death, such as the death of a lamb or other animal. When we talk about Jesus’ sacrifice, we mean His death on the cross. But as we follow Christ, Paul calls us to offer a living sacrifice.

Many Christians have died for their faith. But many more never face martyrdom. Even so, we can offer a great sacrifice to God—the sacrifice of daily faithfulness. Because of Jesus, we can be redeemed and renewed, and our faithful obedience can be an acceptable and pleasing sacrifice to God. How will you live today? Will you be a living sacrifice for God?

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Sometimes, we talk about the memories of an old house or muse on what we could learn if halls had ears and walls had eyes. But we know that buildings are not alive. But there is a house that Scripture says is alive. Or, more specifically, the materials of this house are alive. 

First Peter 2:4-5 reads, “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

The church is a living house. Not the building we assemble at—but the body of believers who make up the church—they are described as the temple of God in the New Covenant—a house made of living stones that shares and glorifies the goodness of God. What a privilege it is to be a living stone in the house of God!

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