Not on My Watch!

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to…” 1 Peter 2:13

Standing in line at Disney World, Joyce’s granddaughter, Katie, was upset that she was being made to stand in line for a ride her younger sister wanted to go on. Angrily, Katie demanded she be allowed to go by herself on a different ride instead. When grandma told her she could not go by herself, Katie threw a tantrum. Grabbing her by the arm, her grandmother told her to stop being so childish and do what she was told. With dozens of people looking on, Katie yanked her arm out of her grandmother’s grasp and screamed that she was being physically abused. Security personnel quickly arrived to try to sort out what was happening. What had started as a day of fun turned into a nightmare.

What is it about authority and submission that is so hard for people to accept? Actually, the answer is rather obvious. It is the nature of our sinful hearts to rebel against authority. It was the same issue Eve faced when the serpent challenged God’s authority and her need to submit to it. Rebellion is the essence of the sin nature. In Peter’s second letter he reminds us that those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature “despise authority.”

Read more: THE GOOD LIFE OF SUBMISSION

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. 1 Peter 2:12

Most Americans use the term ‘good life’ when speaking about a life filled material success, fame or good times with friends and family. A good life from Peter’s perspective is something different altogether. The American version of the ‘good life’ is all about how I feel about my life circumstances. Peter’s version has to do with how I live my life according to what is true and good, not what I get out of life that makes me feel good. That’s a horse of a different color.

Read more: THE GOOD LIFE THAT MATTERS

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Tim. 4:7

I recently found an article on persistence tucked away in my files. I have no idea who the author might be, but I thought I would share some excerpts from the article for you to ponder. I wish I could give proper credit to the author, but I suspect he or she won’t mind if I share it with you . I have inserted my own wording and comments in [brackets].

According to motivational speaker, Jeff Keller, “Persistent action follows commitment—that is, you first must be committed to something before you’ll persist to achieve it. Once you’ve made a commitment to achieve your goal, then you’ll follow through with relentless determination and action until you attain the desired result.”

I recently purchased a copy of William J. Bennett’s book, The Children’s Book of Virtues. I love to read one of its stories to my grandchildren—the fable of the tortoise and hare. You will remember that the persistent effort of the tortoise paid off in attaining the finish line while the much fleeter hare was [sleeping] along the trail.

Read more: FINISH FIRST OR FINISH WELL?

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31

Eric Liddell understood something many of us miss in life. If you’ve seen the movie Chariots of Fire, you may remember his comment about wanting to run. He said, “I believe God made me for a purpose… and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” What do you do in which you feel God’s pleasure when you do it?

We might assume from this comment that Eric Liddell’s calling was to be a runner. Yes and no...

Read more: WIRED TO FEEL HIS PLEASURE