Competing

The more you think it's up to you, the more you think less of Him.

This is true.

If you regret poor choices, you have not yet understood God's favor. An adulterous man was judged by God before he committed the sinful act.

Have you not seen how in scripture God WANTED to judge Isreal, so HE had David count them? What came first?

Yes, God's decision. David did what God wanted even though it was forbidden. God also judged David for the act by making him deal with the cost of his sin. He watched his people die.

Harsh?

Maybe, if you really don't understand that this life is microscopically short compared to the real reason for this temporary existence.

Teeny Tiny

Of course, you only can "see" it was all you have ever known is the years of your life since you were a child. No, it's not much of a perspective.

You really need to see with a greater perspective. His perspective.

If you are called and chosen, you can. His Spirit within you gives you access to the mind of Christ...the mind of God.

That IS what it says.

YOU have access. You just need to make use of it.

1John 2:27

[27] As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him.

We love competing, sports, arguments, looks, everything. We even compete by betting on competitions. It is just bizarre!

I know part of the reason my words go nowhere is the competition thing. It's just sad!

From within the heart, it is impossible to see my words have any value, because I am not in the same league as the hearer.

"Just ignore him...he will go away."

Yes, that is what it is. Otherwise, the scriptures I point to, which I didn't create, would cut to the heart of everyone who reads or hears them.

You see, I could say Jesus is Lord. The most powerful truth in God's Word. It means a whole lot less than if Franklin Graham says it.

Why? It is the same most powerful three words in the English language.

Competing.

"I can't lose to THAT guy!"

So, where is the loss?

You must realize it is God who saves, not some clever presentation of a man.

Those three words could be spoken by a mentally disabled child, and God could save thousands!

Do you really think when Peter, who so recently denied those words, spoke to them after the second chapter of Acts was all that much better than the child?

Better?

That is competitive thinking.

I like to share what I know. If I was doing it to elevate myself, I would have ceased long ago. It's painful knowing that people stumble over the words because I spoke to them. I would almost even appreciate someone, who others WOULD hear, cut and paste them...except that I too, am really competing.

That is in fact why it bugs me. I see it. I fight with it. I talk it through with Him.

I always come to the same revelation...if God wanted the information out, HE would do it...with me, or without me.

He never needed me.

He never needs anyone.

That hurts. Because I, like all men, struggle with ascending.

The first lie.

As it is written, our real battle isn’t with others in competition. It is with evil spiritual powers but not like we have been told. We don't need to combat pentagrams, spells, demons and evil angels. No, the real competition is their influence within us.

"The Kingdom of God is within you..."

We must grow in faith enough to trust Him, not us. We must fight against our sinful nature to see us as responsible, and in control. We really need to surrender and trust our King.

THAT is how we enter the Kingdom of God.

It is those three most powerful words.

Jesus IS Lord.

Our response is not competition. It is surrender. It is losing. It is submitting to the One who has already won.

You see, against Him, in truth, there is no competition.

It was over before it started.

I need to be happy about my walk of shame, to shake His hand.

I will celebrate my loss.

I will celebrate His win.