2003-01-21 - "I, I, I"

Just an FYI, as I write this new devotional I have 147 responses to the last  one and you are blowing my mind. (It is not even on the web yet) Thank you,  but frankly I can blow my own mind just by waking up each morning and  wondering at God's grace. God is gracious. So far, the common theme has  been that the favorite place is to be is home. I think that is interesting,  and I am glad to see that.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself

I'm sorry, my friends. I need another rant, please hang in there with me. One of the guards who was supposed to cover me so I could go to church got tickets to the Philadelphia Eagles game this past Sunday. Guess who had to cover (with no notice)? So we worked out a deal and I got to go to an early service and then his limo and all the trappings could be his. But I missed church at my church. I am going to tell you something, and it is hard to say, but this was a learning experience for me. I went to a church in my denomination, but I learned a lot.

The pastor is a faithful man and I trust him without exception. He preached a faithful sermon that lifed up Christ and His glory, called sinners to repentance and presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly. However, I so wished that I was at my church. I knew what I was missing and, yet, I know that I will see these saints in heaven, but there is so much that they are missing. It hurts to say it, but the difference was so painfully obvious. I can't talk about the specifics much, but I can say that the focus was upon "I" "ME" "OURSELF" and I honestly wanted to go out to the car and blow my brains out.

The Christian faith is not about us! It is about the glory of GOD. We can only offer service to Christ, but that is only because of what He has done for us. When we focus on ourselves it is like imploding. How foolish are we? This life is not about us, and if you have fallen into the trap that says that...get out...free yourself, live for Christ.

I don't go the confessional document route that much when I am writing these devotionals, but I like to read them. There are lots of confessions of faith. But the Westminster Confession got it right on at least one point. In the Shorter Catechism they ask the question (First question of 107) "What is the chief end of man?" The answer: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Whatever you say about that church document, I am telling you, my friends, they got that right. We are to glorify God and by so doing, we will enjoy Him forever. This life is not about "I," and never was. It is about the glory of Christ.

Seek the Lord and His mercy and you will have joy in this life but also grace with Christ for eternity.

I have hit too hard this week. Sorry. Next week I will be easy, nah, never happen.

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

tim@cfdevotionals.org
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