When it comes to board games, I have never the mastered the ability to play checkers let alone Othello or chess. I have heard it said of President 45 that his IQ is so high, he can play 12 games of chess simultaneously and win them all. I’ve seen pictures of him training his youngest son, Barron in the same discipline. My biggest hi-light in board games was beating my 2 brothers-in-law in “Know Your USA” AND “Risk”. They were both Navy Officers at the time, one a Navy Pilot and the other a surface warfare officer. However, those games didn’t require the IQ that strategy games demand. I’m much to “right brained” for games like chess. God says this about the wisdom of man compared to the wisdom of God, 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 (ESV)
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
The Lord is not stingy in giving us wisdom as the Letter from James declares, James 1: 5-8 (ESV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
Now to the point of this blog. We have been successful in this culture of become a Christian is about what God does for me. Many of today’s worship songs include songs that are more egocentric and not God centric. Many of today’s mega churches have Bible teaching that relies heavily on pop psychology, motivation platitudes and feel-good directions for building one’s self esteem. There is little said about denial of self the daily picking up of ones cross. It seems to be only about anointing, power, and authority. The idea that we are somehow “little gods” in our identity. This modern ideology is polar opposite to what the Apostle Paul taught.
In contrast, the theology of older hymns taught good solid theology where we gained an understanding of the glory of God and the responsibility of man to worship and serve him.
The problems that have been created by the modern church is that when God doesn’t meet all my needs and expectations, I tend to complain to Him and I bail on God and stop following Him. The post-Covid pandemic church is 40-50% smaller than the pre-covid pandemic church. Why? Perhaps we have created an image of God that is not needed in our culture. In other words, we have been preaching a “false gospel!’
The rich young ruler would have fit right in to our present day church. But he didn’t fit as a follower of Jesus. To be a follower of Jesus, one must forsake all.
The central focus of following Jesus is the cross. In fact, a person can’t follow Him any other way. You must come to a death to self and an embracing of the cross. This “woke” culture is a direct result of the church preaching a false gospel. It has created an entitlement mentality where we expect God to serve me in whatever identity or gender, I choose for myself. A Holy Spirit that only makes me feel good but does not confront my rebellion and self-serving life is not the Holy Spirit. It is a spirit that has come as an angel of light to deceive. John 16:8 (ESV).
“And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment::
God has an intimate plan for all 6 billion people on our planet. He will use every circumstance on my life to crush my flesh and cause me to worship Him. He will move heaven and earth to reach one person. He will use every circumstance in your life to bring you closer to Him. What’s my response? Worship Him with true adoration for who He is and thank Him for even the difficult things that you may be experiencing. Walk through the door of humility and worship Him, 1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV)
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,”
This last year has been one of the most difficult of our entire ministry. Cornerstone has been reduced by 70% and we lost our building. Friday nights continue to be difficult, and we barely make it financially each month. But God is faithful, and I love Him more every day. He is continually crushing me and teaching me to trust Him more fully. I’m learning to live in peace because I know He is sovereign, Philippians 4:11-13.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
As I close, we are looking for more individuals who in addition to the many that support us now, would support us monthly and help us not only get through these difficult days but move toward getting our won place once again to fulfill what the Lord has called us to; to build a place where He can dwell and a place of healing for the broken. God Bless you! God is sovereign and I’m trusting Him but am so grateful for the many who already support Cornerstone. The best is yet to come!! Will you join us on this journey?