Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest.
Psalms 50:2-3

I love how the Psalm speaks to the reader, clear and reliable judgment of God comes from the very nature around us, even the rising or setting sun declares the Gospel message!

Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
1 Timothy 6:20-21

In this final instruction in 1st Timothy there is clear instructions to avoid the thinking of the “rich” in earthly possessions.  One of the discussions I most often have with unChristian friends is one regarding money and wealth.  Where I see my needs as ones relative to the ministry God has called us to, they see things differently.

For a long time I chased the $ and the dream of becoming rich and in my process of  trying to “provide for my family” I found myself destroying the very family relationship I was trying to “sustain.”  Not that it wouldn’t be easier if money wasn’t a constant battle… but when placed in proper perspective the financial needs of this family are being met.  Now it is MY responsibility to make sure the emotional and spiritual needs of this family are being met as well.

I have books on how rich people think, how they act, how they got rich and how they continue to get richer.  Good reading and really good knowledge for the business responsibility in my life.  however, when dealing with the spiritual needs of my family they have little bearing.    My instruction has to be from that which is central to our lives (or should be) the completion of the Holy Spirit’s revelation in the form of the Living Word of God. It is here that we must pursue the knowledge of “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11) and it is  here that we must learn to “father” my children.

Now for the shift of thought, this is intended for the Pastor’s heart and it is an amazing thing to see how my relationship with my family can be reflected in the ministry God has called me to.  To work with people from all aspects of life it is not a matter of rich vs. poor it is a matter of family.  The same correction, the same scripture, the same teaching the same instruction from the same completed Word of God.  This is what we were called to preach/teach/sustain in the Grace that is given to us.  This is where we live, in the present age, looking to a future land and home in heaven.  Grace.

My prayer today is:
Lord, speak your word through me as I deal with the emotional and spiritual needs of those around me.  Help me to see your Glory being made manifest in these your children and the working of You through my frail hands.  Lord that you would be king of my life and help me to share that necessity with those around me through your Word.  That your instruction would not just stop with my head and lips but would permeate my heart and being so that I can be used, giving God all the glory.  Amen.

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

This morning my wife asked me “Why do you post verses every day on facebook?”   My response was “So many people post their own spin of the truth, wouldn’t you rather have the actual truth?”

I follow a select group of bloggers, authors, pastors and musicians.  It saddens me how many of these godly men and women post their own thoughts and not scripture.  I dumped them and decided I would not follow in their footsteps.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love to have quotes and inspirational messages. But what would you rather be known for?  I caught myself last night writing a “twitter sized sound bite” in our Bible Study.  It was a good quote.  But I would rather be know that I spread God’s word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

In a world full of people that are spouting their own knowledge, some good some bad, do we stand out with the Gospel?  Or will we water down the Gospel and  push our own version of a self-help Jesus.

I would contend, “We are what we preach.”

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Psalm 118:22-23

It is the Holy Spirit that guides us as Christians and it is awesome to think of what the Holy Spirit allows us to see.  In Salvation we are allowed to see Grace, in Christ we are able to see Hope.  In our world, we see people in need of a Savior.

I am not picking on 3D TV or movies … but I had a chance to see one the other day with a  friend and we had very different reactions.  I was amazed by the simple difference 3D made in the movie itself, I found myself  taking my glasses off and staring at the screen, amazed by the technology behind the 3D effect, wanting to see more.  My friend put his 3D glasses down in disgust, not only frustrated with the 3D but with the action scenes in the movie seemed blurry in 3D to him, never wanted to see another one.

Two people, looking at the same screen, saw the same movie but not the same reaction.  So are we as Christians as we “SEE” the world.  Because our vision is regenerated by the Holy Spirit we can see the beauty in God’s action in the world all around us while the unregenerated eyes will look and see a lack of God in our world.

So … how do YOU see?

It is a really good thing that God is gracious to this world that constantly rejects him. It is our duty as Disciples of Christ to preach the Gospel with the compassion that was shown to us. That we would be privilaged to be even a small part of God’s display of compassion. This is grace.