All men are grass

1 peter 1:24-25

"All men are like grass and all thier glory is like the flowers of the field, the grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of the Lord stands forever."

The words of the Lord stands forever while the glory of men falls and withers like the grass of the field. The Glory of men is fleeting. This has been true throughout all of history. Men's words and glory has died with them. Sure many would claim that great men live on in thier influence but thier glory is unlasting someone newer and fresher comes along with a new different idea. Communism and socialism are two examples of the glory of men fading. Carl Marx for example wrote his communist manifesto which became the "bible" for communism but that has fallen and while some would still argue for it his glory has faded. Even democracy would seem to be fading in its present form. The Glory of men will fallbut the word of the Lord stands forever. You could even use more contemporary examples of movie stars or profesional athletes who are popular today but are easily replaceable.

Peter knew this and warned the early christians not to pursue it, and whats more they had no more need of the perishable glory of this world because " they had been born again not of perishable seed but of imperishable through the living and enduring word of God" (ch1 v 23) This rebirth had freed them and has freed us from the need for the glory of men and allows us to drink on the "pure spiritual milk" (ch2 v 2) so that we may grow into what God has intended for us.

So then do not yearn for the glory of men. You do not need a promotion, an A, a pay raise, an award or any other recognition. These are not the things that should be driving us. Instead we should be be striving to grow in our relationship with God, to do his work, and to be glorified by him in heaven where we will be given an everlasting crown and glory that does not cease.

Prayer For Renewal

God,
I am struggling, I remember the strength, the inspiration, the power you had instilled in me. I remember the inspiration you had blessed me with. But Lord I am falling now, slipping your presence has left me. Why? I am not worthy but I have trusted in your Grace Lord. Was my Trust misplaced? No you work in mysterious ways Lord, in ways I cannot understand you are working in my and those around me. Whatever it is you would have me do Lord I will do it but right now I do not understand what it is I should be doing. So Lord while I wait and struggle to wait renew your presence in my life instill in me the wisdom again and make me new and fervent again. Take the whole of me and renew it. I want to Live solely for your Lord so do what needs to be done in my life so that I can do that. Renew in me a sense of humility, renew in me a sense of awe, renew your wisdom in me Lord that I may teach others your ways and do your will in this world Lord.
Amen

The Kingdom of Heaven

We are a part of a kingdom. Our King is our God. And as a kingdom we have enemies, enemies that will do anything and every thing to destroy our kingdom.

Matthew 11:12

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

We as a kingdom are under an attack and one of our enemies greatest powers is that we deny the very fact that he is attacking us. God is willing to fight for us but it seems as if most of us are not willing to fight for him. The movie "The Kingdom of Heaven" has a great example of Gods willingness to fight for us. In the very first fighting scene of the movie which takes place after Bailian has killed a priest and run to his father ( am I missing another great illustration there?). The scene takes place like this ; The authorities ride up and demand that Balian be turned over to them. Bailian admits again for the second time that what they say is true but his father is unwilling to give him over to them. A bloody battle follows in which Godfrey (Balians father) is injured in a way that eventually leads to his death. While Godfrey is being tended to he calls Bailian to him, and these are the words I think illustrate Our father Gods feelings about us.

Balian: They had the Right to take me...
Godfrey: So did I

Satan has claim to us  doesent he?

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"
Matthe 4: 5 "Then satan led him up to a high place... 'I will give you all thier authority and splendor, for it has been given to me...'"
2cnd Corinthians 4:4 calls satan the "God of this age"

Many more similar references can be found throughout the bible claiming that Satan has a power over this world. But God was not willing to leave us to our fate even  though we deserved it. "While we were still sinners Christ laid down his life for us" ( Romans 5:8) 

And whats more having laid down his life for us he charged us with a task much life Godfrey does with Bailian , here is that task
Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath.

And in the end of the movie this is exactly what Bailian ends up doing he rescues the entire city of Jeruselam from certain death. This is also what we are chraged with doing is it not?

Matthew 28:19-20

19.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20.and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

We are also charged with saving people from a certain death. So go and make disciples of all nations of everyone you know teach them to obey the words of Jesus. Fight satan in his attacks against you and against other people. Surley Jesus is with you wherever you go

Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please God”

With out faith it is impossible to please God.  Faith consists of yes believing thier is a God but it is also more than that. Faith is the power to move mountains, Faith is knowing that there is more out there. Faith is putting your trust in something you have little or no evidence for and living your life in such a way that it is necessary for that faith to be justified.

The last part of that statement is the hard part for people like me and with out a doubt many other people in the world today. We have to live out life in such a way that without our faith being justified by God, with out God stepping in and taking care of the things we left up to him on faith, we would fail. We have to live our life in such a way that without God we would fail miserably.

Now it is true that most people would accept , at least on face value, that every thing we have is from God. But how many of us really believe that. I know I often don't and as a result i take steps to ensure I can succeed on my own. I take smaller risks and protect my self by doing only things I know I can accomplish. this stratagey has actually made me fairly successful in the things I do. I have been elected to leadership roles all my life, I have been praised for the work I do, I am by all measures a successful person. I have not however accomplished anything great, or extraordinary I am a successful but normal person. And it is because I do not live my life based on faith in God instead I live my life based on the Idea that I need to do it on my own and if God shows up then all the better he can give a little boost. That however is not how we are called to live we are called to live in such a way that we need God to do anything. Or to say it another way anything we do should require God inorder for it to work. To do any thing that doesn't require God to be at work is to sell yourself short of the plan God has for you. So take a look at what you are doing with your life, are you living safe? or are you dependent on Godi n everything you do? If you are not take some steps to live you life in that way and when you do you will experience God in a whole new way.

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