Above and Beyond

Our thoughts get worked out into behavior.

I am not suggesting we always understand nor intentional in doing so. Sometimes our beliefs are unhelpful but we don’t have the desire to change. I must admit that each year I become more and more aware of my “messed up thinking”. Yet, sometimes, if I am honest, I choose not to do anything about it.

A cross-shaped and gospel-centered life is hard work.

This is why we cannot try to do it on our own. We must continually submit, daily, to our Lord.

James 1:22 MSG

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!

Trusting when God is behind the scenes.

This is grammatical circles is the Divine Passive. It is used in the greek language to indicate God is doing something without explicitly saying God did it. We find this in Philemon 15 and 22.

God works even when He seems silent.

Paul is confident God is doing something behind the scenes and states for Philemon to get ready for a visit. We need the same faith.

Obedience is fuel for leaders and the church.

We just finished Pastor Appreciation Month and I thank you for the notes, words spoken, loving my kids well, and the gifts. But let me tell you what refreshes me more than anything: seeing God’s people obey Him in hard ways, simple ways, and being obedient.

Loving others for and with the Gospel requires sacrifice.

Paul never did things from a distance. He was engaged in the lives of people. Paul mentions being in chains. He mentioned Philemon owed him something. Onesimus had to return. Philemon needed to forgive. What about you and me?

Be cross-shaped and gospel centered!

This is the ultimate God working behind the scenes when it appeared he was silent.