“With God are wisdom and might; He has counsel and understanding.” Job 12:13
Dear friends,
Just recently I heard the statement that in our culture followers of Christ are not viewed as intelligent people. Many suggest that believers are not rational and thinking individuals.
Doug Webster in his book the Discipline of Surrender says this, “More often than not the Christian looks silly to the world. Here we are …still believing in the Incarnate One when the world tells us to believe in ourselves; still trusting the Savior when the world trusts in subjective feelings and secular science, still worshiping the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit – while the world worships money, sex and power. Should we be surprised that the way of the cross looks indefensible to the world.” I love the fact that God says in I Corinthians 1:27,28 “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are…”
The fact is we are wise. Paul tells us, “we have the mind of Christ” 1 Corinthians 2:16. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” Proverbs 1:7. We know who our God is, we serve a risen Savior, and we recognize that it’s not all about us. We understand that there is a greater purpose and design to our existence.
We also have the answers to the five greatest questions that an individual can ask.
Origin: Where did I come from?
Identity: Who am I?
Meaning: What is my purpose?
Morality: How shall I live?
Destiny: Where am I going when I die?
What a comfort, what a peace, what a hope – the hope of being with Jesus for eternity. He will set the record straight, He will judge the nations with equity, and He will be exalted over all things.
There is one other thing I would love to highlight. We all live by faith. I can tell you all the facts and reasons that my desk chair will hold me up, but it still takes faith to sit in it. Whatever philosophy, religion, imagination that the mind can muster – it all takes a degree of faith. Our faith is based on historical fact, the changed lives of millions of people over generations, the Lord Himself– His works and teachings, and the undeniable fact of the resurrection. Praise to our holy, sovereign, righteous, gracious and wise God!
We have just finished our first summer series with Mark Gignilliat speaking. He did a masterful job with the topic of “speaking the truth in love” from Ephesians 4. Our next two summer series on July 20 and August 8 are panels of businessmen answering that question practically in their respective occupations. It is a wonderful time of fellowship and instruction on how to walk out our Christian faith.
Thank you for your faithfulness, prayers, and support. We have accomplished so much over the past six months and we’re seeing lives changed as a result. Please continue to pray that I will lead wisely and share God’s truth in love.
To my wise brothers and sisters in Christ,