Boasting Only In The Cross

Message Scripture:

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” – Galatians 6:14 (KJV)

Introduction:

Greetings!  This is another message I penned earlier in the year that I am excited to bring to Pastor B’s Blog, and it’s actually once again what appears to be an on-time message with where I am in my walk with God and ministry.  The title of today’s message comes from Galatians 6:14 (KJV), and it’s the sole purpose that Pastor B’s Blog and Christlike Ministries NWA exists.  Many think that I do this for my own popularity, but I can assure you whether I write this for 1 or 1,000…the only glory I seek through this is to make Jesus Christ famous.  I always have an audience of One, and I write each message as though the only One to read it is Jesus.

So, let’s take a look at what God said back in April of 2015 as I wrote about…

Boasting Only In The Cross:

Does anyone other than me start to allow your eyes to roll to the back of your head when you hear someone bragging and boasting about themselves?  I don’t know about you, but boasting is one of those things that immediately turns me off and away from folk.  I mean there’s nothing worse than hearing about how great someone thinks they are and how much better than everyone else they think they are…is there?

The only thing I love to brag on is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because of things like I just wrote.  My daughter had been running a fever since last Thursday (maybe even Wednesday), and there wasn’t any other symptoms.  She wasn’t really interested in eating or drinking much…but most of us when we don’t feel good don’t want to eat or drink either.  So, the only symptom was a low grade fever that some times climbed to nearly 102.  At one point, we finally called the doctor, and had the nurse check her out to find out that it was probably just a viral thing that would pass.  Today, she’s got a perfect temperature, her appetite is returning, and she’s sleeping better too.

That’s my Jesus.  That’s the power of prayer and the healing that flows from the stripes upon Jesus’ back.  I love how Paul says; “the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”.  Can I tell you that the things of the world no longer hold much of an attraction to me at all?  Why?  Because Jesus holds my attraction.  I am attracted to Jesus, and the more I taste and see of His goodness…the more attracted to God I am.

I used to be one of those guys that had to be home at night to watch certain television shows, and (ask my wife) watch football every day of the week…but even that stuff has lost it’s appeal to me.  Sure, there are still shows I like to watch, I still love catching football and baseball and some basketball games when I can…but if I miss them it’s no longer a big deal to me because the most important things to me today (other than my family) don’t belong to the world at all.  The greatest importance to me is serving and studying the Word of God…and spending time in God’s presence.  That’s the way it’s supposed to be, Amen!?!

I am beginning to find that more and more of the world is dead to me…and I to it.  That is the fruit of someone that has had a legitimate encounter with Jesus.  I’m not perfect.  I drink beer, smoke cigars, I swear like a Marine some times, and there are other things I do that aren’t what God would like me to do…but you know what…I know that I am in Christ and He is in me because those things are getting less and less.  He’s taught me so much and changed so much in my heart over the last several years, and even more so since Elisabeth’s been born. I remember God telling me to do three things when she was born.  He said: “Slow down, enjoy life, and adjust your priorities.”, and you know what’s even more awesome then what He told me to do…He helped me to do it.  He’s helped me to slow down, He’s helped me to adjust my priorities, and what I didn’t understand at the time He told me that is that doing those to things would produce the fruit of me being able to enjoy life more.

Yet, in all those things that I’m getting better at there’s one constant…and that’s the fact that I can’t take any credit or glory in it at all because it’s all God’s workmanship.  Every thing you see and read today isn’t about me, and it’s not because I’m some great, godly guy that has it all together and has all the answers.  No…the only thing I can truly glory in is the Cross.  The only thing I can truly boast about is that one day I’m going to see Jesus face to face…and He’s going to say “well done” to me.

Let’s Pray:

Father God, like Paul my only prayer today is that I glory and boast and brag only in the Cross and in what You have done in, with, and through my life. May my lips always give You the praise, glory, and honor that only You deserve.  In Jesus’ name. Amen

Final Word From Pastor B:

There’s a song by Mercy Me that I love with the lyrics that say “this is who I am no more no less” (I’m paraphrasing the lyrics by the way), and that’s kind of the attitude I have today.  What you see and read online is the same thing you would see if you were to see me at Walmart or in my home or out to eat at Outback Steakhouse.  You’ll never find me bragging on anything I’ve done because everything I am today is because of Jesus Christ…and like Paul I find myself praying that I may always keep the Cross before me and never glory in anything other than my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Blessings & Grace;
Pastor B