And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Arguably the most cited bible verse is from what is commonly referred to as the love chapter describing what Paul calls “the most excellent way.”

Love is what makes us human—an expression of a unique set of attributes and behaviors of divine origin which can only be bestowed, not evolved.

Love is sentience with a conscience surpassed by no greater eminence.

Indeed, love is the most excellent way.

That we have been bestowed with a unique capacity so precious is itself evidence of God’s existence.

In its origin and by definition, love is an entirely supernatural phenomenon.

And in the Bible it’s used only in reference to another bestowed with the same ability to love.

Not toward bananas. Not toward a favorite song. Not even toward a day at Disneyland.

A person.

That is, indeed, the most excellent way.

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I’m always bothered when someone from church cites their horoscope to explain their circumstances.

For them, a plea of ignorance won’t be an acceptable excuse on judgement day.

Divided allegiances are on display everywhere, oftentimes even in my own life.

The difference lies in having received the Holy Spirit who keeps such things in check within our consciences to foster learning and spiritual growth along our pathway to salvation.

That’s His job.

Earnestly pray for wisdom and discernment, especially in these times when deception is the cultural name of the game to lead us down paths toward destruction.

“That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Speed bump.

Pilate sent Jesus to Herod as he was under his jurisdiction to try and ultimately to condemn. 

United in their mutual disdain for Jesus, the two rival leaders had found something in common. 

Jesus was the speed bump. 

We read certain passages that give us pause. For me, this was one of them. 

Neither could find a reason to prosecute Jesus but Herod put the matter to a popular vote and wiped the guilt from his hands. 

How ironic that a relationship would be mended at the expense of Jesus’ crucifixion. 

But that’s exactly what Jesus does. 

Everyone who competes in the Olympics goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In Paris, we saw podiums and their medalists and heard of backstories that brought them to that moment in time.

Years of grueling training and many wins and losses along the way were part of the journey that earned them medallions of metal alloys now containing just 2% of what their names promise.

Still, the wins are symbolic of achievements that will all too soon be either forgotten or surpassed by someone else.

The reward for all their efforts is one fleeting moment of triumph.

It doesn’t last forever.

The only win that endures forever is the one resulting from daily commitment to following Christ.

Our reward is an afterlife not of bronze or silver but an eternity on entire streets of 100% pure gold.

Train for the race that wins the prize that holds its value and lasts forever.

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 

Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 

All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What can anyone offer God that he doesn’t already possess?

The answer isn’t any amount of cash or coin. Of what value is your money to the one who created all that is or ever was?

It’s entirely the heart motive behind the gift that God measures valuable in the kingdom of heaven. 

Giving is a manifestation of your faith and the relative placement of your heart among all the available options. 

The power of money captures, imprisons and promotes its own worship in substitution of God. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Matthew 6:21

Nothing is more pleasing to God than faith fueled by a small sacrifice. 

He gave us his only son as a sacrifice to save us from sin and separation. 

When I’m gone, don’t remember me, remember what I’ve left behind.

The most important moments captured in history books are rarely about the person by name but about the changes they made to impact others while they were here and will remain when they are long gone.

Remembering a dead man is uninspiring but remembering residuals of his life work is.

A genuinely meaningful life is never about attribution but all about contribution.

Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 

Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ teaching was captivating. 

It illustrated a God who reaches down to his people. 

No longer was it necessary for us to plead up to the skies to experience heaven. 

God was with them. 

God is with us. 

The freedom from binding laws, freedom to enjoy a personal relationship, freedom from sin not dependent upon our own works, Jesus was refreshing, releasing, and radical. 

What was captivating then is captivating now. 

They hung on his words and in doing so they erected a spiritual block against the naysayers who wanted to kill him over the very words spoken that enraptured his believers. 

All scripture is God-breathed and worthy of getting hung up on. 

The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Take a stand on something and the haters are gonna hate. 

Choose one side over another and be prepared for vigorous arguments from those actually seeking truth and nasty personal insults from those who aren’t. 

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. 

Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. 

By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Be ready for spins and half-truths, put downs and shut downs, and a relentless perseverance of their fight to be right over your path to knowledge and understanding. 

And most of all, take peace in knowing the battle is not with you but with the One who sent you.

Be engaged, but not enraged.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

America has an ego problem.

We see it represented in social media, politics, workplaces and if we’re totally honest, in ourselves.

Overrating our strengths is as inaccurate a self assessment as is underrating them.

To avoid being prideful we engage humility, but in overcorrecting on our pride we’re dishonest with ourselves about our strengths that genuinely can and should build a healthy confidence.

Like most things, the key is striking a balance

Comparison to others serves no legitimate purpose and has no place in development of a healthy ego but conversely, comparison of ourselves to others highlights attributes of our deepest and most heartbreaking insecurities.

God is a fixer both of egos and insecurities and wants us in His kingdom with all our broken parts and all our broken hearts.

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2Cor 12:9

Concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to you, a disobedient and obstinate people.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How Long?—the title of a Chris Rice ballad about the long suffering nature of God:

How long until You defend Your name and set the record right?

How far will You allow the human race to run and hide? 

And how much can You tolerate our weaknesses before You step into our sky blue and say, “That’s quite enough” and our time is up.

I tremble knowing one day sooner than later this collective resistant humanity will run out of arguments and options and hope.

Paul Little first wrote “Truth is still truth regardless who believes it.”

Yet this first amendment nation will argue to death almost anything as truth without convincing evidence or a credible backstory.

Current events suggest our time is almost up. 

The arguments are clearly separating sheep from goats and setting the Armageddon stage. 

Disobedient and obstinate people will discover themselves out of time and arguments sooner than later. 

All history has awaited this day of reckoning and it will not disappoint. 

Time may no longer on our side but the last will be first to hear ‘Good and faithful servant, enter your rest.’

The time for arguments is over and the time for a decision has arrived.

“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬