Thought for the day...

March 4, 2020
Verse of the Day
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV

 

Unlikely Lenten preachers: Caiaphas
By Pastor Mark Jeske
It’s a basic principle of any legal justice system that people should not be convicted or suffer penalties for the offenses of others. And yet that’s exactly what God built into the sacrificial worship life of his Old Testament Israelite people. Every Jew should have been well aware of the concept of substitutionary atonement, i.e., that God would accept the death of an animal in place of the guilty people who brought the sacrifice.

The high priest in Jerusalem, Caiaphas, was the ringleader of priestly hostility to Jesus and his ministry. In giving his blessing to what was basically an assassination plot, he unwittingly enunciated the heart and core of Jesus’ entire mission—to be the Lamb who took away the sins of the world. Truth is truth regardless of who says it: “One of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, ‘You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish’” (John 11:49,50).

Although an unlikely Lenten preacher, Caiaphas put his finger on what the Father had worked out as the grand strategy for the redemption of the human race. Here’s how God could have it both ways—both punishing sinners and forgiving sinners. The guilt of the human race was loaded upon Jesus; his holiness was transferred to the sinners.

Those who believe it have it.

 

Very good

 

...I really like the common sense quotes you have. World would be a better place if folks would live by them.

 

Why would God regret his decision to create human beings?
God created a world in which people were free to love him or not love him. By creating human beings in his image and likeness, God gave them a unique quality of relationship with each other and with him. God entrusted them with freedom, which included the possibility that they might turn away from him; unfortunately, that is what they did.

Even though God could foresee what people would do, he created them with the capacity to do as they chose. God condemns no one unjustly. He doesn’t cause anyone to sin. He is the judge of all the earth, and he will do right by everyone. He does not coerce humans into loving him, for that wouldn’t be love. Yet nothing can thwart his glory and grace.

God showed that he is abounding in love and faithfulness (Ex 34:6) by not leaving the human race in its sin. His grief over people’s sin led him to provide a way of redemption: Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the way to eternal life has been opened to all who trust in him for salvation (Jn 14:6).

Taken from NIV Quest Study Bible

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.
Genesis 6:5‭-‬6 NIV

 

March 5, 2020
Verse of the Day
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalms 40:1-2

 

Appreciate your workers
By Pastor Mark Jeske
Company managers will often say things like, “Our employees are our greatest assets,” but the rank and file don’t always feel the love. An annual Employee Appreciation Day can go a long way toward building a culture where the worker bees feel wanted, respected, and fairly compensated. Every company hopes that all employees will give 100 percent all the time and go that extra mile for customers. The truth is, however, that resentful employees are much more likely to do only the minimum. They can provide at best a mediocre customer experience, and their grumbling can poison the workplace atmosphere.

Jesus told a story about a boss and his expectations. He entrusted a significant amount of capital into the hands of key lieutenants and then left it to their own energy, initiative, and hard work to grow that investment. After a time the owner returned, analyzed the business results, and called in his first lieutenant: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21).

Although Jesus’ parable wasn’t intended primarily for business training, his story nevertheless shows good management practice: the boss trusted his workers, didn’t micromanage, let them do things their way, paid attention to their performance, praised them, and promoted them.

Do you manage others? What are you doing that shows that your workers are your greatest asset?

 

March 6, 2020
Verse of the Day
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7 NIV

 

Kintsugi
By Pastor Matt Ewart
In most cultures when you break something, you either hide it or you throw it away. But centuries ago, the Japanese culture decided to do something different. They developed a practice called kintsugi, which is best translated as “golden joinery.” The idea was to take a broken dish or bowl and join the pieces back together. Rather than trying to hide or mask the imperfections, they would highlight them with gold. The result was not only a broken object made whole again but also an object that significantly increased in value.

Ever since the Garden of Eden we have been trying to hide our brokenness. We see our imperfections as things to be ashamed of until we can fix them or hide them well enough. We think real beauty depends on how perfect we are, and we dismiss others or even ourselves when brokenness is revealed.

But look at what Jesus did: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31,32).

He came to collect all the broken pieces of what sin has done to you and to make you whole again. When sinners repent and welcome Jesus to address the brokenness, the result is amazing. People are made whole again, and by virtue of Jesus’ righteousness, their value is infinitely increased.

Keep in mind today that Jesus views brokenness as an opportunity to add beauty and value

 

Verse of the Day
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk 3:17-18

 

March 8, 2020
Verse of the Day
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 NIV

 

March 9, 2020
Verse of the Day
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6

 

March 10, 2020
Verse of the Day
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14 NIV