OCTOBER 24, 2016

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” 
― John Bunyan

JEREMIAH 11-13

I said, ‘Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. (11:4)

1 TIMOTHY 4

4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

6If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,^a you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

JOURNAL 

Putting hope in God, not man. Why is this so hard? I think just practically we are somewhat wired to do that. I read a book a couple of months ago called TRIBE. One of the fascinating things about this book was all of the evidence of how humanity is wired to live in community. We are pack animals...always have been. We psychologically are healthiest when we are part of a thriving group and feel that we have an important role to play.  We don't have too look very far to see this play out from social media to the experience we have in our own families and lives. 

It is how we are wired and reading scripture it is how God also intended us to live...the 
"Church" being the most obvious example of this. So how then are we supposed to put trust in God and not man? Reality is that they aren't mutually exclusive. Putting trust in God creates a security and strengthens my heart and soul in a way that makes me able to be part of community in a healthy productive way. Seeking to put my trust in man makes me dependent on man which ultimately causes me to be desperate, needy, fearful and a taker rather than a giver...therefore not a very valuable part of a group or tribe. 

17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19