by Jerry Bangert | Dec 17, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 How does one make such an evaluation and what constitutes sound judgment? Paul reveals his candid evaluation of himself at three different times in his life. He first calls himself “the least of the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9 NASB); then “the very least of all saints” (Ephesians 3:8 NASB); and finally the chief sinner (1 Timothy 1:15 KJV). This is the chronological order in which these letters were written. But how does this help me in my own self-inspection, if none of these descriptors are my own honest judgment? Since Jeremiah says the “heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”, then my own “honest” judgment cannot be trusted. But the Bible’s judgment can be. What else does it say about me? Ecclesiastes 9:3 states, “the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives.” Lamentations 3:39 asks, “Why should in any living mortal or any man offer complaint in view of his sins?” Romans 3:10-18 indicts the entire human race with among other things, “there is none who does good, there is not even one.” And finally Paul says of himself “nothing good dwells in me” (Romans 7:18). If this is true of the man who says he was blameless with respect to the Law...
by Ed Allen | Dec 16, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3). The verses above follow the examples of the “witnesses” of faith given us by those who acted on their faith in preceding chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews. Now we each run our own “race that is set before us.” What do you think? The exhortation here is to follow the examples identified and placing our eyes, i.e. our hope and future on Jesus while setting aside the enticement and distraction of sin. Ought we as Christ followers today, be praying for “endurance” and casting aside “encumbrances” as we pursue our own faith during our own short stay here on earth? If so, why? if not, why not? Read More Articles By This...
by Mitch Hershey | Dec 3, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
Recently I was having a conversation with a friend about some of the challenges he was facing. Whether it’s business, health, financial, or anything else we hold dear, when we face challenges it is easy to ask the question – why is this HAPPENING?! (emphasis on happening, in the way you would hear a 4 year old lament when their juice box spills). As I pondered this more, I was reminded that a proper response would be to ask God – WHY is this happening? (emphasis on why) I crave peace and comfort. My temporal self tells me that the definition of peace is the absence of conflict. When adverse circumstances come into my life, my initial reaction is to try and get rid of them as quickly as possible. The Bible, however, reminds us that trials and tribulations are brought into our lives for our good and for God’s glory. Joseph had a clear understanding of this principle. Even though he had been betrayed by his brothers, even though he had been falsely accused, even though he was forgotten by men, he understood that God was at work in the circumstances of his life, whether they seemed favorable or unfavorable. Instead of focusing on the circumstances themselves, Joseph chose to focus on how God was at work – his mind was on the why. In Genesis 50:20, when his brothers are fearful that vengeance is finally coming their way, Joseph tells them, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Joseph’s heart was set on God’s purposes, not his circumstances. The New...
Recent Comments