AND THE BID IS. . .

This morning I’m at this auction. It’s been a while since I’ve been to an auction. And this will be my first equipment auction. Since I now have a hobby garden tractor, I’m looking for any other implements I might need. I know, a man and his toys. There will be lots of stuff there; some things that someone doesn’t need anymore; some things that someone bought with the intent of reselling at a profit, and some things–well, they just seem to show up. It’s a macro-system of buying and selling.

It depends on how bad someone wants an item, and how bad someone wants to sell an item. I guess you could say price is determined by want. And that got me to thinking. I know–strange thing to get me thinking. But great minds see things most folks can’t see. I don’t know why I can. But here’s what I found–from the Bible, no less.

³⁶ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? ³⁷ Is anything worth more than your soul?

Mark Chapter 8, Verses 36 and 37

There is an auction going on every moment of every day. The item being auctioned is your heart and mind. And there are only 2 bidders in the action. Each is offering you something in exchange for your heart and mind. One is offering you the world. Well, not exactly ALL of the world–but enough to make his bid seem enticing. If you accept his bid, you will get exactly what he promised you–and a whole lot more. The problem is “the whole lot more” isn’t explained to you–and you can’t see it at that moment. You get something–but you lose a whole lot more. You lose your soul, and miss spending eternity with God.

The other offer doesn’t have the flash and splash of the previous bidder. In fact, He will tell you that sometimes what He gives you costs you something more. He will tell you that sometimes it’s uncomfortable and inconvenient–but only temporarily. His offer also has more than you can see. But what you can’t see–let’s just say it has a lot better outcome–even a perfect outcome. Eternity with Him in perfect joy and love.

The winning bid is selected by YOU. So, what’s your soul worth? One bidder says, “Not very much!” And the other bidder says, “I give up my Son for you!” So, which one wins? You choose, just make sure you choose wisely!

Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to Him!

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Never Too Far!

Seems I remember somewhere about a certain road paved with good intentions; but it leads you to a not so nice place. Well, I’m guilty. I have good excuses, really good excuses; but I don’t have a good reason for failing to share what I’ve discovered as I read with fresh eyes the Book of Acts. So, forgiveness please….and my next “insight” says much, so very much, about grace. It’s Acts 2:39 NLT)–

This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

The struggle in the arena of self-esteem has two extremes. At one end of the spectrum are those whose ego is over-inflated. They see themselves as “God’s Gift” to the world. That somehow, everything would collapse were it not for them. Know anyone like that? I sure do! I’ve even had the occasion (more accurately “burden to bear”) of being their pastor. But today, I’m putting them back up on the shelf. Maybe I’ll write something about them at a later time.

Today I want to focus on those on the other extreme, and those words of Peter in that famous Pentecost Message: “This promise is … to those far away.” I’m talking to those who feel totally, completely, absolutely worthless. I know how you feel. I’ve been there, done that, and got the scars to prove it. When it comes to the personal sense of well-being and worth, it’s a vacuum.

I compare this feeling to road kill. You know, that critter that wasn’t just hit once by a vehicle. It has been run over multiple times…and now is just a flat disk on the pavement. One would have to really focus to make out what it once was. It’s original image is gone.

There is nothing there at all. Well, there is that gnawing feeling of worthlessness. And being created in the image of God, and you are created in His image, this is a burden we were never equipped to carry. God knows this, and so even before The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit said, “LET THERE BE LIGHT!”, the 3 of them sat down and talked. They talked about you….and me.

And what was the subject of their conversation? Our redemption! My redemption! YOUR REDEMPTION! As they were planning this wonderful, beautiful, awe-inspiring creation, they were determined to put God’s image upon it. That image wasn’t placed in trees or any other created matter–it was on the last day they added it–when they created human begins. As they discuss this, the Father looks at the Son and says, “You know Jesus, part of our image is free-will. Unfortunately, they are going to use this precious gift for their own design, and we will be cut off from them, forever. Forever, unless you agree to become one of them, live like them, and also die FOR them a horrible, painful death. But it’s the only way to bring them back to us in this perfect relationship. So, Jesus, what do you say?” And Jesus said, “They are so wonderful and awesome I will do anything to restore them, restore them back to us! Let’s get busy creating!”

Does that conversation sound a bit far-fetched for you who feel so far away from God. Well, try this on for size…it fits you perfectly:

¹⁸ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. ²⁰ God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake. (1 Peter 1:18-20 NLT)

Remember that these words were written by a man who said he would never, never, never deny Jesus. But he did; 3 times to be exact. If anyone ever felt far from God, it would be Peter. Yet on Pentecost, this same man stands up, without a prepared script, to proclaim the truth–this truth–YOUR TRUTH–that God has come looking for you. And you are never too far away for Him to find you.

Right now I’m thinking about another man who must have felt far away from God after Jesus was arrested. That would be Judas. He felt so far away from God that he could not see what was right in front of him. Earlier that night, Jesus took the Cup, gave thanks, and passed it to them, including Judas, and said, “All of you drink from this cup. This cup is my blood poured out for you and for many–for the forgiveness of sin.”

Judas felt remorse for his actions. Peter felt remorse for his actions. The self-esteem of these 2? Flattened Road-Kill. Peter, though, stayed around long enough for the Resurrection and experienced a resurrection of his own. And Judas? He just couldn’t see it. Can you image the impact of the testimony of Judas if he could have just held on to that Sunday? But the world will never hear of that kind of testimony because he gave up, too soon…

For those who feel so far away…..you are NOT too far away. God knows where you are,exactly where you are. He has a testimony for you to share with others living in that land of far, far, away. Remember that whatever led you to this “far away” place–also remember that God has the Promise–of forgiveness, a new beginning, and the indwelling of The Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit will help keep you from going back to that “far away place.”

And should you ignore Holy Spirit and go back again to the far away place, He will find you even there and lead you back home….I know….He did it for me! You are never too far away for God to find you, and lead you home.

Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to Him!