NRBC Blog

In my devotional reading last week, I came across an interesting translation of 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. The Message has, "But for right now, friends, I'm completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You're acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I'll nurse you since you don't seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything's going your way?"

Is that contemporary or what! "…what makes you feel good… makes you look important… content only when everything's going your way?" When was the last time you saw church members acting like that?

We all have opinions, likes, dislikes, and preferences. Who gets their way? Do you cast lots, take a poll, or have civil war and see who wins? You can always just close and lock the doors and everybody go their separate ways! But, isn’t there something better than everyone trying to have it their way; a higher purpose that brings us all together and puts us all in sync?

Yes, and Paul knew what it was. It is partnering with God to build His church. Notice, it is "His" church! It’s not ours, yours, or mine! It’s His. He is the Architect, and we are builders working for Him.

Now, wouldn’t it be a hoot if a work crew started arguing among themselves because they didn’t like the tools others were using. "You shouldn’t use that new hammer; old ones are better. Put that ‘electric’ saw down! Use a handsaw." Or, suppose some started complaining because the carpenters were not hammering with a certain rhythm and others were not "in uniform!" The work would never get done; and, in most churches, we aren’t doing what we were called to do!

Babies! That’s what he calls them. They’re whining when they ought to be winning; bellyaching when they ought to be building. Paul implies that the church nursery is full but not populated by the children of prospective families. It’s full of church members who ought to be functioning at the university level.

Paul’s call echoes down through the centuries and challenges us to stop choosing sides and start filling seats. We must stop arguing among ourselves and start working together for the greater good; serving the Master and building "His" church!

Michael Phelps did it! I have not heard how many were watching when he broke the Olympic gold medal record, but I imagine it was a lot. I had to Tevo it myself. In fact, I recorded two events, Phelps and the Saddleback interview of Obama and McCain. I have watched Phelps win, but the other… I’ll have to get around to it!

Does that mean that I am not interested in the current political scene? Absolutely not! I care very much about the next presidential election; however, a man representing America who was about to put our nation in the record books… It commanded my attention more. We tend to rally when someone commands national attention.

Now, that prods my imagination. We are a nation in love with “self”, and materialism is the order of the day. Even the election is polarizing many who are looking for “what is best for ‘me’!” But, for one brief week, we had our eyes drawn to China and glued upon a man swimming in eight races. And, why did we want him to win? Because we are Americans, and he represented America.

I wonder, what will it take for us to want what is best for America rather than what is best for “me”? What would God have to do to strip our eyes off ourselves so that we could get back to our original focus of “God, Family, and Country”? Would He have to remove the “things” that are now preoccupying us? Like the “Walton’s”, would we have to endure a Great Depression in order to again see the value of family, family values, and national pride? And, if He did, would it be so bad?

Every year, we are moving further away from those who remember soup kitchens and bread lines. They tell me it was a difficult time but also a time filled with good memories. They didn’t have much, but neither did anyone else! It was enough to have a plate of food, a place to sleep, a change of clothes, to have a family, and to be Americans!

Michael, you did well! Too bad that we will soon forget how great it was to root for you.

Last night, I was teaching from Daniel in my in-home small group. You probably remember the story about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; how he demanded that his counselors first reveal the dream prior to giving their interpretation. When they were unable to comply, the king gave the order to have all the counselors killed. Then, Daniel shows up. He and his three friends had taken their case before God, and He had revealed the dream.

As Daniel met with Nebuchadnezzar, the king must have listened with stark amazement. Someone had actually been able to honor his demands. Prophecy prognosticators love to expound upon the dream and its past and future events, but there is one statement in Daniel’s record that has previously escaped by notice. In verse 37 of chapter two, Daniel tells the king, “You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory.” Notice, “God did this, not you!”

What’s so important about that statement? Well, had Nebuchadnezzar listened to and believed that one statement, he would have been spared seven years of insanity! You see, if you fast forward to chapter four, you read about his second dream. In verse 25, Daniel warns Nebuchadnezzar that “They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

Get the point? In that first dream, Nebuchadnezzar had been given the opportunity to know and place his faith in the One, True and Living God; but, he was so interested in the interpreter that he missed the interpretation!

Are we any different? We are so caught up in our expectations, demands, and preconceived ideas that we often miss the message when God speaks. We attend Sunday morning services with such a desire to “have it our way” that we miss God’s revelation of His way. Yet, whenever God speaks, He holds us accountable. Meeting with Him is serious business! Nebuchadnezzar missed his day of opportunity, and he ended up paying the price.

God is speaking. Are we listening? If not, what is blocking the reception?