Best Activity

Best Activity

2 Corinthians 3: ⁷ The Law was carved in letters on stone tablets, and God's glory appeared when it was given. Even though the brightness on Moses' face was fading, it was so strong that the people of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed on him. If the Law, which brings death when it is in force, came with such glory, ⁸ how much greater is the glory that belongs to the activity of the Spirit! ⁹ The system which brings condemnation was glorious; how much more glorious is the activity which brings salvation! ¹⁰ We may say that because of the far brighter glory now the glory that was so bright in the past is gone. ¹¹ For if there was glory in that which lasted for a while, how much more glory is there in that which lasts forever!

 

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Recess, music and art were my favorite activities in school at the time. I didn’t have to think, I could just “be.” Each was guarded carefully by a teacher to make sure it was a productive activity. For example, we played organized games during recess to keep from fighting one another. But then it came time for me to “learn.”  

 

• I downplayed the importance of certain activities.
• I looked at some activities as drudgery.
• I wanted to do the activities I felt most comfortable doing, but needed more.

 

Paul explains the glorious encounter Moses had with GOD. Moses received the Law carved in stone by GOD. Just by seeing a glimpse of GOD, his face was temporarily brightened to the point where people could not look at him. He brought the Law which created a lot of “concrete” activity people could follow and measure in others. But the real activity was to come later.

 

My Observations

• JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead so HE could send the HOLY SPIRIT to live in me.
• Belief in JESUS grants me salvation that lasts forever.
• The HOLY SPIRIT reminds me of the Law, which brings death, and interceded on my behalf when I break the Law.

 

JESUS is alive! This is the great news. HE did away with the Law and became salvation for all. But the Law was the highest honor at one point. Should I simply throw it away? No! GOD wants me to seek following HIM and provided a way to continue doing so. I do not have to “earn” my salvation through the Law, I can just be saved. It feels great!

 

But it doesn’t stop there. The HOLY SPIRIT leads me to live for HIM. HE leads me to peace when there is chaos. HE guides me to be still when I want to do activity to control the situation. The activity of the HOLY SPIRIT brings salvation. I am glad I can put my trust in JESUS who blessed me with the COMFORTER to guide me along every step.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the Law versus the SPIRIT?
• Do you think they conflict?
• What activity is your mind focused on?
• Will you be led by the SPIRIT and be focused on GOD’s kingdom versus the negativity of the world today?

Part of something bigger

Part of something bigger

John 11: Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. ² It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. ³ Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

⁴ When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

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“Five A.M.?” I questioned. I failed to see the purpose of getting up that early to run, so I did not join the college track team. “Weekly meetings?” I questioned. I wanted a bit more relaxation in my life so I did not join a group to accelerate promotions in the company. I mean, I was already driving over an hour just to get to entry level position.

• Many times I question something that seems painful to me.
• Many times I weigh the pain against the benefits to determine if “this” is useful.
• Many times I use my limited experiences to question what is going on around me.

Lazarus was extremely sick. Mary and Martha sent for JESUS, knowing HE could heal him. Lazarus was a close friend of JESUS so why did he have to become sick in the first place? The entire family “believed” HE was and is GOD, so why the calamity?

• JESUS says to me “You are part of something bigger when you believe in ME.”
• JESUS says to me “These things have to happen so I may be glorified through it.”
• JESUS says to me “Do not grow weary, for your suffering leads to perseverance.”

Questioning GOD’s motive and reason for pain is quite natural. Unfortunately, sometimes I think GOD is a sadistic scientist, using humans as lab rats to see the outcome. BUT GOD forgives my loathsome thinking. HE opens my eyes to HIS love, generosity and mercy towards me.

HE knows HIS fight is not against me, but against the deceiver. HE threw Satan to this earth and cursed the planet, and everything on it, and around it. This was a policy that could not be taken back. HE then died for my sins, just to redeem me. I am now part of the redemption story.

• How do you view GOD?
• Do you feel you cannot trust HIM because you do not see how HE can handle your situation?
• Will you stop looking through human lenses and let GOD handle your situation so HE may be glorified?

Glory

Ezekiel 10: ⁴ Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord.

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Yesterday as I was driving down the highway I noticed the setting sun. This time the sky looked particularly strange as some of the clouds seemed to cast a glow as if they were on fire. I could not see the sun itself because of obstacles like trees and buildings, then I rounded a corner and there it was, bright, glowing and radiant!

• The setting sun is no match for GOD’s glory.
• An erupting volcano is no match to GOD’s power.
• A violent wind is no match to GOD’s infinite presence.

GOD should be pondered on a regular basis. Through rough storms and quiet streams, GOD should appear in my mind as the creator with infinite wisdom. HIS concern over me is included in this incredible artwork called life. HE opens my eyes to a new day and calls out to me to see HIM, hear HIM and be with HIM.

GOD is almighty, GOD is all knowing. GOD is all seeing. GOD is.

• Can you see GOD?
• Have you heard HIM today?
• Will you ask HIM to speak to you today?
• Will you let HIM show you HIS glory?