The Futility of Bootstrap Pulling
Good times of worship and good times with family today, Father. We were blessed with Your love and protection. All praise to You for Your freely given abundance!
1 Corinthians 2:11-16 (<<click here to read the passage)
I’m sure that most of us are familiar with the idiom “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps”. When it was originally verbalized it referred to something that just didn’t make sense or was preposterous. Over time it came to mean the ability to do it ourselves with no one else’s help.
One author stated that thinking one could do that conveyed the same idea as pushing a wheelbarrow while sitting in the wheelbarrow itself – it’s absurd! Neither action can be accomplished.
It is a physical impossibility but in our walk with God, it is also a spiritual impossibility. We may have done everything we need to seek His forgiveness for our sins and are very likely genuine followers of Christ. But to victoriously follow Him we cannot pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps spiritually or push ourselves in our own wheelbarrow either. We absolutely must depend on the Holy Spirit to achieve ongoing victory!
My Life Application Study Bible states that our great enemy, the devil, his greatest impact on us occurs when he deceives us, we need the Holy Spirit’s help. We will not succeed in trying to go it alone. My study Bible goes on to say,
Spiritual discernment enables us to draw conclusions based on God’s perspective, make wise decisions in difficult circumstances, recognize the activities of God’s Spirit, distinguish the correct and incorrect use of Scripture, and identify and expose false teachers. Ask God to give you his discernment as you serve him. Let that discernment guide you in your daily walk.
I expressed the same idea in today’s sermon. If we try to do it all by ourselves, I can guarantee that we are going to fall flat on our faces. We may think that will not be the case, but we are incapable of any other outcome! We are weak…He is strong.
Here’s what I shared in my sermon (Daniel’s Strength and Conviction):
I don’t believe there is any way that we can tackle the big things if we are letting littler things slide. How can we possibly take on changing the world for Christ if we can’t successfully change ourselves for Christ?
It is a battle! From experience, I know I must be diligent, saying “no” to the fringy things that are just the taste of bigger things that will take me down if I am not exceedingly careful. And the most important thing is realizing and flat-out owning the idea that I cannot do it by myself. We all must call out to God, for only He can help us, only He can deliver us!
Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for your life, then watch and see what God can do in and through you!
Oct 8th, 2023, Sun, 7:47 pm
Benefits of Hard Pruning
One of the more stressful afternoons on my routes, Father. I would ask that You would continue to help me to be firm but loving. Tough love is a challenge, but often necessary.
********
This picture is from one of the main thoroughfares on my bus route. It keeps flitting through my mind, and I finally decided to run and snap a pic after my routes today, hoping to not get drenched in the process. I started thinking about it when all the leaves were still green, so obviously it’s been a while.
It’s pretty cool to see it every day on that trek. It’s composed of three different trees, two deciduous (with leaves that fall in autumn) and one evergreen. From this angle, the pine has its right side lopped off, the taller green one on the right has its left side lopped off, and the one turning orange in the middle has had most of its middle removed.
Also in the picture is the reason why the middle of it all has been cleared – electric power lines. There is still probably some risk that one of the trees may take down the lines but most of the threat has been removed, allowing the much-needed power to course through the lines to customers who depend on its many benefits.
Of course, the Bible speaks of pruning. Looking at this picture it’s easy to see that sometimes the pruning can be pretty severe. For those in close relationship with Him, God will do the same in our lives. If we are open to His work and direction, sometimes there are things that need to go. It may not be easy, but it is necessary.
In my picture, the owners of the trees could not say “no” to the pruning. It’s just the way things are done. But we…we can say “no” to God. It is not in our best interest, but we can hinder God’s power from passing through us to benefit both ourselves and those in close proximity.
For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves,
And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].” Hebrews 12:6 AMP
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. John 15:2, 5 AMP
Allow the Lord to work in and through you, and, oh, the wonders you will see!
Oct 5th, 2023, Thurs, 5:29 pm
The Intrigue of a Mystery!
Father, as we come together this evening, stimulate my mind with Your thoughts and directives. May Your words find their way into my head and through my fingers. Amen.
1 Corinthians 2:6-10 (<<click here to read the passage)
From my youth, I have enjoyed mysteries. I read several of the Hardy Boys books, as well as Nancy Drew. I’ve enjoyed watching several movies and TV series revolving around the character of Sherlock Holmes. Recently I’ve gotten into Netflix’s Enola Holmes movies (Sherlock’s teenage sister) and my niece introduced me to the first book of Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell Mysteries, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice (an apprentice to a retired Sherlock Holmes). There’s just something intriguing about a mystery.
In today’s passage the Apostle Paul, in addressing “mature believers” states,
I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God… vs6b-7a NLT
He then goes on to say at the end of verse 7, that it is a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. NIV
Are you intrigued as to what that mystery of God might be?
My Life Application Study Bible spells it out clearly in reference to the phrase at the end of verse 10,
For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. NLT
“God’s deep secrets” refers to God’s unfathomable nature and his wonderful plan – Jesus’ death and resurrection – and to the promise of salvation, revealed only to those who believe that what God says is true… All who reject God’s message are foolish, no matter how wise the world thinks they are.
I know I’ve shared my favorite verse many times over but…it fits!
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4 NLT
Humanity had no inkling as to what God had planned for us. Even those closest to Him only caught glimpses. But we now know what the plan was…we now know that it is the Good News! The Gospels tell the story. The word Gospel is the derivative of the Greek word for Good News.
Our all-knowing God knew what was going to happen and planned everything to ensure our salvation! He didn’t miss a single thing! The mystery has been revealed! Now that deserves a big ol’, “Praise the Lord!” for where would we be without Him?
Oct 4th, 2023, Wed, 7:27 pm
Not Our Wisdom, but God’s Power
(https://www.deviantart.com/cosmicgrooveart/art/Wise-Man-948242312)
I like this time slot better, Father, may I use our time together wisely and may I clearly hear Your voice. Amen.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (<<click here to read the passage)
Several years ago, we had a new couple visit our one church. They had found the Lord later in life and yet, they were solidly grounded in their relationship with Him. They asked if we could start a Bible Study and we did, meeting one evening a week.
Initially, I asked if anyone interested in participating had any ideas as to what kind of Bible Study they wanted to do – a certain series, any specific author, etc. Well, in the end, they didn’t want anything that formal, they just wanted to come together, sit around a table, read a portion of the Bible, and then talk about it. There was nothing complicated or over-the-top about it at all. We started with John’s Gospel (it took us quite a while to get through it). It was enjoyed by all, and I feel was greatly beneficial as well.
At the end of verse 1 of our text the Apostle Paul, speaking to the church in Corinth, said,
I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [no lofty words of eloquence or of philosophy as a Greek orator might do] AMP
He didn’t want to wow them with his intellect or all the big words he might use (and believe you me, he was more than capable of doing that!). He felt it was his responsibility to communicate not in persuasive words of wisdom but in a demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them], so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God. (emphasis mine) vs4-5 AMP
I strive to be very careful when I preach. Much of what I use is from scholarly sources, and if you’ve read much of that genre, they like using big words – especially big “religiousy” words – theological writings are full of them. For example, how about the word propitiation? It means… “to offer a sacrifice that appeases God’s just judgment and righteous anger against us and our sin.” …Jesus is not simply “the propitiator” but the “propitiation.” He is what satisfies the justice of God.
It is an important word in our faith, but it is a word I would not use on my blog or from the pulpit without explaining it.
If people don’t understand it, what does it accomplish besides someone sounding super intelligent? If it is incomprehensible to some, how does it challenge or help us?
There’s nothing wrong with prepared Bible Studies, many use them, and they can be greatly beneficial, but there’s something to be said for allowing the Holy Spirit to use His Word in speaking to us. May we strive to not just let our faith rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God. Amen.
Oct 3rd, 2023, Tues, 12:34 pm
Credit Where Credit Is Due
I got so absorbed in sermon preparation this afternoon, Father, that I didn’t even think about writing with You. I love that time slot together, but I know You understand and will be with me here and now. Thank You, Father.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (<<click here to read the passage)
A couple of weeks ago, my sermon dealt with David – he was not king…yet, but just a ruddy youth who excelled at tending his family’s flock of sheep. Our learning revolved around the story of Goliath and his interactions with the nation of Israel and their king, Saul, and ultimately his confrontation with the young shepherd boy.
For forty days Goliath taunted Saul and his army. The challenge? To send forth a champion for one one-on-one combat, and the victor would secure the victory for the entire army. So, for forty days the Israelites had cowered in fear, terrified and deeply shaken. 1 Samuel 17:11b NLT
Then David arrived with a care package from home for three of his brothers who served under Saul. Long story short (though it’s well worth the read!), David volunteers before Saul to avenge God’s honor. After a bit of hesitancy, Saul acquiesces to David’s offer, thinking it best to “ready” David for battle with parts of his own armor. David clanked around a bit and exclaimed,
“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. vs39b-40 NIV
As we all know, David succeeded and took out the giant Goliath and won the day! The Bible says Goliath stood over 9 feet tall!
But let’s back up just a bit, David was victorious but to Goliath’s taunts, this was David’s reply,
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. vs45b-46 NIV
God got the credit. Even in David’s conversation with Saul, speaking of what he had been able to accomplish taking on a bear and a lion, God got the credit.
David accomplished what he did because he was united with God…period.
Verse 30-31 of today’s passage from 1 Corinthians, chapter 1 reads (make sure you read all those words in brackets!),
But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin], so then, as it is written [in Scripture], “He who boasts and glories, let him boast and glory in the Lord.” AMP
David, a man about whom God said, “I have found David…a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22 NLT), did just that and we are called to do the same!
Oct 2nd, 2023, Mon, 4:57 pm