SubscribeThe first two questions we discussed talk about God being the first and best of beings and how our greatest purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. But how do we know there is a God? In the book of Romans Paul tells us that our conscience and God’s creation plainly declare that there is a God. Romans 1:19-20, Romans 2:14-16, Psalm 14:1
Greatest Purpose
What is the greatest purpose of man?
Man’s greatest purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. But what does it mean to glorify God? If God is the first and best of beings (and He is) then He doesn’t need us to make him glorious. To glorify God means we reflect God as being glorious. As followers of Jesus we are called to glorify God in everything we do. How can the things you do every day, like eating and drinking, be done to the glory of God? 1 Corinthians 10:31, Psalm 86:12, 1 Peter 2:12
Sunday Mornings
We have returned to our study of the foundational truths of the Bible. As you’re living life this week think about what it means for God to be the first and best of beings. Isaiah 44:6, 1 Samuel 2:2, Psalm 8:1, 96:4, 97:9
Believing the Truth
“When you receive a gift do not insult the gift or the giver.”
That’s not a verse from the Bible, but God used it to speak to me this week. Those words caused me to think about my attitude toward God as a giver and the gifts He has given me.
Honestly, most of the time it is easiest for me to have an ungrateful heart toward God. I can always think of something I want right now that I don’t have. Then I think of good things that God has given me that I don’t want because I want something better.
Thinking this way does (at least) two things. I start to believe God is keeping something good from me, and I start to believe that God doesn’t really know what is good for me because He gave me the “wrong” gifts.
“A lie believed as true will affect our lives as if it were true.”
When I believe those two lies as if they are true then I can’t see God for who He really is. It affects my relationship with God.
I decide in my heart that since God hasn’t given me the things I want or since He has given me things I don’t want then He must not love me like He says He does. Or He isn’t really good like He says He is. Or like Eve I believe that He is keeping something good from me. I believe I have somehow earned these good things from God and He owes me.
These are all lies that I am believing are true. But the best news ever is that I don’t deserve any of it, and He gives it to me anyway! In fact, I deserve death, but He has given me life!
When my thinking starts to turn to lies I need to hear and believe the truth of God. God does not change. His love for me never fails, and he is always good. He has always been and always will be a Father who knows how to give good gifts to his children. And because of Jesus I can know that I am his child.
What lies do you believe about God? Don’t let yourself be decieved with lies. Find the truth that can set you free from those lies. Live in the Word of God.
Letter to TCSC
Farwell Letter to TCSC
(An Adaptation of Acts 20:20-32)
You yourselves know how I have lived among you all from the first day that I began ministering here until now, serving the Lord, I pray, with humility and even with tears at times, and with trials that came to me and us all through the varied issues of life and ministry; and you know how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching at nearly every opportunity I was given, testifying to all of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
And now, I am going to plant a new church in Wentzville, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in His Word that in that city many afflictions and joys await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And I ask you to hold me accountable, encourage me, and pray for me in this.
And now, behold, I know not which of you among whom I have been proclaiming the Word will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that believe I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
Dad and Paul, please give diligent, careful attention to yourselves and to all this flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for this church of God, which He obtained with His own blood. You know that after my departure fierce wolves will continue to try to come in among you, not sparing this flock; and from among this very body will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for at least six years now I, only by the grace of God, did not cease to admonish everyone with all sincerity and passion, seeking to be radically Biblical in all things.
And now I commend you all to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are saved and being saved: I go from here with both sad and sweet tears, in blissful peace, in sincere love, and in solid hope! Yet, I will always be fighting this fight with you, even if it is on a slightly different battle field not too far from here. I will always be thankful of the years of growth and grace while in TCSC. I will always be praying this prayer for you. And one day, I will be with you all (I pray) forever enjoying OUR Savior together with you! I love you all. To God alone be all the glory both here and now and wherever we go from here forever! Amen.
In Sincere Love and Serious Truth,
Jason Myers