January 5th, 2023
January 5, 2023
Rev. Craig Groeschel
Life Church
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
-Mark 8:36
When my son Bookie was only a toddler, I saw him jumping and squealing with joy on our front porch. “My fwend! My fwend!” he shouted exuberantly, twisting and turning with delight.
As I looked where he was pointing, I saw what appeared to be a baby toy, maybe a plastic rattle or an action figure left by one of the older kids, on the edge of the porch. However, when I got closer, I noticed his “fwend” started squirming and making noise—it was a baby rattlesnake! I almost knocked Bookie silly getting him out of the way so I could “take care” of his little fwend.
I will never forget that moment, partially because it was both cute and dangerous at the same time. But it also offers a picture of how we often relate to something we think we need, something we’ll love, something we can’t live without. Harmless enough at first, it eventually causes great harm in our lives. We’re searching for something to meet our needs, only to be seduced by our dependence on a counterfeit that can hurt our souls.
Nothing is worth getting between you and your growing passion for loving God. Stay in the fight. Don’t be deceived by your own heart. Focus on God’s instead.
Pray: Lord, I often chase after things that I hope will fulfill me, only to be disappointed when they don’t. Remind me that you are the only one who can fill the longing in my heart.
Rev. Craig Groeschel
Life Church
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
-Mark 8:36
When my son Bookie was only a toddler, I saw him jumping and squealing with joy on our front porch. “My fwend! My fwend!” he shouted exuberantly, twisting and turning with delight.
As I looked where he was pointing, I saw what appeared to be a baby toy, maybe a plastic rattle or an action figure left by one of the older kids, on the edge of the porch. However, when I got closer, I noticed his “fwend” started squirming and making noise—it was a baby rattlesnake! I almost knocked Bookie silly getting him out of the way so I could “take care” of his little fwend.
I will never forget that moment, partially because it was both cute and dangerous at the same time. But it also offers a picture of how we often relate to something we think we need, something we’ll love, something we can’t live without. Harmless enough at first, it eventually causes great harm in our lives. We’re searching for something to meet our needs, only to be seduced by our dependence on a counterfeit that can hurt our souls.
Nothing is worth getting between you and your growing passion for loving God. Stay in the fight. Don’t be deceived by your own heart. Focus on God’s instead.
Pray: Lord, I often chase after things that I hope will fulfill me, only to be disappointed when they don’t. Remind me that you are the only one who can fill the longing in my heart.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
New Year, Fresh StartA Good Plan for the New YearCall on MeHope Has a NameHolidays in Rear ViewHolinessHow to Have our Mind TransformedNew Year, New YouA Pattern of RenewalVictory in JesusFear Knot? Fear Not.Seek the LORDBetterWhere to Place your TrustRadical GraceGenerosity God's WayThe Poor and NeedyThe Open Hand ConceptA Need that Burdens your HeartHow's Your Heart?Who Are You?Testing in the Wilderness
February
CallingDon't HideWhere You AreJust the Two of UsInvesting in the Kingdom of GodThe Golden RuleAgainst the GrainUnexplainable JoyThe Power of God's WordFollow MeThe God of the ImpossibleOut on a LimbWe All Face ItTrue JusticeGatherGood SoilDon't Put God in a BoxBe BraveCulture CheckFeed His Sheep. Love His People.Jesus Revealed
March
Jesus in His GloryNot QuantityHow Much God Loves ChildrenWhere Two or Three are GatheredLike Little ChildrenFocusAmazing GraceBeing Confronted By JesusKingdom FruitWedding AttireCome with a Hungry HeartLive and Lead Like HimTough LoveBe on your GuardKeep WatchTalentsSlow DownBeing Led by the SpiritKingdom WatchThey Are Us. We Are Them.Jesus Gave His All For UsHe is Risen, Indeed
April
The Most Important Question Ever AskedExchanging Death for a Better LifeThe Space BetweenHe's got the KeysI want to know HimJoy of the LordNeverthelessFullness of JoyFavorites"Try it, you'll like it."He Created MeHe Chose to Die for MeGod's Love for UsAn Eternal LoveNothing will SeparateThe Salt ShakerThe Word Brings HopeMeditate on God's Word
Categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments