WHAT DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?
Simple obedience? The word “obey” is one of the least used and understood words in American culture today. It seems antiquated, irrelevant and
YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU DO
You’ve just been introduced to someone for the first time. There are a couple of niceties exchanged and then without fail, almost
WHY YOU WILL WANT TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT
There are so many challenges you face every day, that if you don’t get in shape and toughen up, you will not
THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF A MAN’S LIFE
There are four areas of Life that every man faces every day. And the way they are handled will bring either joy
LEARN GOD’S TAKE ON MONEY
The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 verses on faith, and more than 2,000 verses about money!In fact, 15
GOD’S POWER TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE
If you are a married man or plan on getting married you will expect to be happily married to the woman you
DEFINING SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF
"Show Me The Money!" That line out of the Tom Cruise movie, Jerry Maguire, pretty much tells the story for most American men.
8 STEPS TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE
Knowing what it takes to consistently love your wife in such a way that it guarantees that you will have a happy
7 STEPS TO CREATING INTIMACY WITH GOD
God made you. God loves you. God has a purpose for your life. The classic definition from the Westminster Catechism sums up our
WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK?
I’m a guy who, probably like you, prefers action movies. My favorites almost always seem to be battles of war based on
HOW TO HANDLE BULLIES!
There isn’t a single human on earth who at some point doesn’t have to deal with a bully. Define bully any way
MAYBE FOLLOWING JESUS ISN’T SUCH A GOOD IDEA?
“They left everything and followed him.” Lk 5:11After meeting Jesus the apostles made a radical decision that would change their lives forever. But
WHY IS THE “GOSPEL” CALLED GOOD NEWS?
Our men’s Bible study was looking to get a better grip on the meaning of the “Gospel. ”So we asked, “What exactly is
TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED?
On occasion I’m able to walk the beach and catch a sunrise. The beauty and magnificence of God’s artwork can take anyone’s
HOW COME YOUR FAITH ISN’T GETTING YOU WHAT YOU WANT?
Okay so maybe you have been standing firm in your faith believing God for something you truly believe is His will. Could be
YOU CAN’T STOP GOD’S BLESSINGS!
Does it ever seem to you that sometimes God’s blessings are unstoppable?Unstoppable for others that is! Why does God do that? You peer
WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE ISN’T FAIR
You get to decide how you respond when life is unfair.
Ever find yourself saying that? Of course, we all have.
We’ve all said it because, at some point, it was true; something happened to us that was not fair. It is usually accompanied by false accusation or judgment.
It just doesn’t add up because you love God and you trust Him. You treat others the way you want them to treat you. You don’t cheat, you’re honest and play by the rules.
And then all of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere … BAM! You’re unfairly treated for no apparent reason.
Or is there?
Maybe there are a few possibilities to consider as to why it seems unfair:
You perceive the treatment to be unfair, because of something you’re not willing to own up to. A bad decision, an unwillingness to look beneath the surface, or an insensitivity to someone or something that had a reaction you didn’t expect and don’t think is fair.
You’re simply caught up in the reality that living in a sinful world can make life unfair.
It’s God’s fault and He pre-arranged the circumstances that caused you to feel things are unfair.
But wait. Isn’t the last one an outright accusation that blames God for your unfair treatment? That almost seems blasphemous if your theology doesn’t allow for it.
So what about Job? He’s the innocent guy in the Bible for whom everything went wrong. Certainly what happened to him was completely unfair. Here was a man whom God said was “blameless.”
Yet God baits Satan into treating Job “unfairly” in Job 1:6-12.
After God asks Satan what he’s been up to as he’s checking things out on earth, the Lord points out his friend Job.
“The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.’” Job 1:8 (NASB)Satan mockingly says it’s all because God spoils him with blessings and if God would let him take it all away, Job would curse God.
So God says go for it and you’ll see that even when Job doesn’t deserve this kind of unfair treatment, he will still remain loyal.
What a setup. What a test. And what an outcome!
Job suffered unfair treatment but was restored beyond what he could have imagined. The lessons he learned about who God is still teaching us today.
But Job’s not alone. What about Jesus?
Can you think of anyone who, as a perfect man, was treated so completely unfairly? All by God’s design? Yes, even a “pre-arranged” plan!
“...this Man (Jesus), delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death..” Acts 2:23 (NASB)I don’t know about you, but even if I don’t like the way that sounds, it is still true. God didn’t just allow this unfair treatment to happen, He arranged for it!
And the outcome? Jesus’ suffering and death gave us salvation, restoration and a way to have an intimate friendship with God Himself.
But that was just for Jesus, right?
You decide.
The next time you’re treated unfairly stop and consider what might be at the root:
Maybe you brought it on yourself from something you did or didn’t do to cause it. If so, own it.
“One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, but one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion.” Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)
Maybe it’s just plain and simply the result of a sin-filled world that we are all subjected to. If so, accept it and make the best of it, trusting God to help you through it.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NASB)
Maybe it is possible that God, in His sovereign wisdom, might have lovingly arranged things in order to accomplish something far greater than what you can understand.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NASB)
If so, go with it and expect an experience of intimacy with the Lord that far surpasses the feelings of being treated unfairly.
He is God after all. He is always trustworthy to prove His love by carrying out His perfect plans and purposes for you.
WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE ISN’T FAIR
You get to decide how you respond when life is unfair.
Ever find yourself saying that? Of course, we all have.
We’ve all said it because, at some point, it was true; something happened to us that was not fair. It is usually accompanied by false accusation or judgment.
It just doesn’t add up because you love God and you trust Him. You treat others the way you want them to treat you. You don’t cheat, you’re honest and play by the rules.
And then all of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere … BAM! You’re unfairly treated for no apparent reason.
Or is there?
Maybe there are a few possibilities to consider as to why it seems unfair:
You perceive the treatment to be unfair, because of something you’re not willing to own up to. A bad decision, an unwillingness to look beneath the surface, or an insensitivity to someone or something that had a reaction you didn’t expect and don’t think is fair.
You’re simply caught up in the reality that living in a sinful world can make life unfair.
It’s God’s fault and He pre-arranged the circumstances that caused you to feel things are unfair.
But wait. Isn’t the last one an outright accusation that blames God for your unfair treatment? That almost seems blasphemous if your theology doesn’t allow for it.
So what about Job? He’s the innocent guy in the Bible for whom everything went wrong. Certainly what happened to him was completely unfair. Here was a man whom God said was “blameless.”
Yet God baits Satan into treating Job “unfairly” in Job 1:6-12.
After God asks Satan what he’s been up to as he’s checking things out on earth, the Lord points out his friend Job.
“The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.’” Job 1:8 (NASB)Satan mockingly says it’s all because God spoils him with blessings and if God would let him take it all away, Job would curse God.
So God says go for it and you’ll see that even when Job doesn’t deserve this kind of unfair treatment, he will still remain loyal.
What a setup. What a test. And what an outcome!
Job suffered unfair treatment but was restored beyond what he could have imagined. The lessons he learned about who God is still teaching us today.
But Job’s not alone. What about Jesus?
Can you think of anyone who, as a perfect man, was treated so completely unfairly? All by God’s design? Yes, even a “pre-arranged” plan!
“...this Man (Jesus), delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death..” Acts 2:23 (NASB)I don’t know about you, but even if I don’t like the way that sounds, it is still true. God didn’t just allow this unfair treatment to happen, He arranged for it!
And the outcome? Jesus’ suffering and death gave us salvation, restoration and a way to have an intimate friendship with God Himself.
But that was just for Jesus, right?
You decide.
The next time you’re treated unfairly stop and consider what might be at the root:
Maybe you brought it on yourself from something you did or didn’t do to cause it. If so, own it.
“One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, but one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion.” Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)
Maybe it’s just plain and simply the result of a sin-filled world that we are all subjected to. If so, accept it and make the best of it, trusting God to help you through it.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NASB)
Maybe it is possible that God, in His sovereign wisdom, might have lovingly arranged things in order to accomplish something far greater than what you can understand.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NASB)
If so, go with it and expect an experience of intimacy with the Lord that far surpasses the feelings of being treated unfairly.
He is God after all. He is always trustworthy to prove His love by carrying out His perfect plans and purposes for you.