Clearing a Path

Hebrews 12:23-29

Today’s message from Hebrews talks about God performing a thorough housecleaning and getting rid of the “junk.”  The God of the Old Testament may come off harsher than the God of the New Testament, but they are one and the same.  I love my children, but sometimes I need to be a disciplinarian.  Just like God loves us at all times, sometimes He needs to lay down the law and “clean house” to make room for what’s essential.

Clearing out what’s not necessary can make our kingdom journey a lot easier.  How wonderful is it that the kingdom is unwavering?!  Like it says in verses 28-29:  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire."

Imagine if God was not a consuming fire, burning what needs to be burned?  Our lives would be utter chaos.  Thank God, He is a fire that gets rid of what we don’t need.  Kids today say, “that’s fire!” which means “that’s awesome” and we do have an awesome God.

Father, during this time of Thanksgiving, we want to praise you for providing what we need and eliminating what we don’t.  Thank you for clearing our paths to the kingdom.  Like we often say during our time of confession on Sundays, Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

The Cross, God's Truth - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Have you ever compared yourself to someone else?  Someone who was popular or extremely intelligent or so attractive you felt insecure?  Have you noticed that even on your best day you couldn't hold a candle to the popular girl in school or the handsome track star?  When you grew older and the same insecurities existed in the business world and the neighborhood you kept trying harder.  The fact is we are all inferior...to God.

On our best day we can't begin to compare with Jesus; we can strive to be perfect but it doesn't happen.  We are righteous only because of Jesus.  Paul writes in 1 Corinthians: "Human strength can't begin to compete with God's weakness." (1 Corinthians 1:25b MSG)

The Jews were expecting a conquering king to defeat their enemies. Instead they discovered Jesus and He died. They saw this as foolishness and were offended.  The Gentiles saw the death of Jesus as defeat.  We, as Christians know the truth and the truth sets us free.  I find it very comforting to recognize that even on my very best day I can't begin to compare with Jesus on His most uneventful day.

I love to sing, "My God is an awesome God, he reigns from Heaven above."

What the world sees as foolishness is God's Truth.

Read this passage today in the Message here.