Today’s WFTD should be interesting.  My normal 1-2 times a year bout with allergies is in full swing, and my head feels like there’s a ginormous fuzzy cloud in it that’s getting ready to explode.  Why am I sharing this?  Just trying to foster an openness among the children of God, and encourage myself as to why sometimes it’s better to communicate through writing than in person (in between sneezes).  But, where I am weak, God is strong, so I remain hopeful of God’s ministry to you through His Word.

Today I you to think about what you are proud of.  Growing up you were likely encouraged that you could do anything you set your mind to.  You’d hear not-so convincing advertisements by the Army to “be all that you can be”.  Individuals who “pulled themselves up by the bootstraps” are idealized, with the moral being that you can manufacture happiness in your life if only you work hard enough.  Most likely then, you would say you are proud of some accomplishment, the stage of life you are in, or something similar.

Far from this idea then would be the glorification of one’s weaknesses.  No one would say they found joy in their failures.  It makes you wonder then, why someone would pay to go see a football game where the players were no better than they were.  Likewise, no one would visit an art gallery where the paintings were all done by a 2 year old child.  No one looks out into the ocean and marvels at how significant and great they are in themselves.  Why?  Have you ever stopped to think, that if happiness is found within an individual, why would a person put themselves through the torture of seeing how inadequate, small, and weak they were?  Could it be that we were made to find our greatest joy not in ourselves, but in our Creator?

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

There are two types of people in this world.  There are those who believe in themselves, and those who believe in Jesus.  The first is a god unto themselves, proud of their domain, and all they accomplish.  They glory in their shame.  How sad it will be when they stand before God, with all of their good works, and Jesus asks them how they would’ve managed to do those things without the water he created, without the air to breathe He provided, without a body sustained by God.  They will be undone.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 – “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

You bring NOTHING to the table of God.  You are not the host, you are an invited guest.

Galatians 6:14-15 – “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”

God isn’t “impressed” by anything that you do.  Acts 17:24-25 – “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”

If there ever was a time to show the worth of prayer it is here.  We come to God as children, dependent upon Him for all things, working under the power He provides.  We are in need of Him every moment of every day.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 – “Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Do you know Him?  There are two ways to pursue happiness in life – within yourself for temporal joys, or in a dependent relationship with the Lord.  Pursue a joy in knowing Jesus that is everlasting.  Pursue knowing Jesus Christ crucified, and make Him your only boast.  Colossians 1:15-16 – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”   We are all sinners saved by the grace purchased by the blood of the Lamb of God; we are a new creation in Him; we have an eternal possession in Him for our everlasting joy.

Boasting in the Cross,

Adam