Wheels of Glory! Blog

Winners – VOTD.06.30.16

Posted in Verse of the Day | June 30th, 2016 | by

To God, the blessed and only Ruler of all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal, whose home is in inaccessible light, whom no man has seen or is able to see, to him be honor and everlasting power. Amen  1 Timothy 6:5-16

Nobody likes to lose. And we live in a culture that continually threatens to make us losers—or at least feel like losers. A lot of the lure for Christians to live in a fantasy world is that is one place where we can be winners—or at least identify with winners as they fight evil against insurmountable odds and win.

I believe that one of Christianity’s more compelling truths in our time is that in Jesus we are winners. Jesus is rarely presented or seen in this all-surpassing glory. And we share that glory…every single Christian. Jesus embraced losing for us so that He would ultimately win, and we would win with Him.

When we turn to Him we go from ignoring God’s glory to broadcasting it. And Jesus goes from a mythical hero to a living Savior. And we know He’s living because we encounter Him. (more…)

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The ‘Real-Deal’ Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.27.16

Posted in Christian Maturity, Verse of the Day | June 28th, 2016 | by

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.  Philippians 3:15

In today’s verse, Paul is summarizing his previous statements and setting the stage for what he’s about to say…and it’s all about maturity. The entire context is hard to describe in a short meditation. You’ll have to read the chapter for yourself.  But I want to emphasize one thing that keeps reappearing in this passage in various forms: Realness.

Mature Christians are real. They aren’t playing the game. They’re genuinely, 24/7 into their relationship with Jesus.

“Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.” (vv. 19,20)

Many Christians are into fake. They’re far too busy obsessing over fake people, winning fake championships, and conquering fake territory, to be intimate with a very real Jesus and find themselves in Him. Having shunned what is real, their minds are set on earthly things…silly things…irrelevant things. (more…)

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VOTD.06.27.16 The Commonplace Measure: Maturity

Posted in Christian Maturity, Verse of the Day | June 27th, 2016 | by

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Philippians 4:11,12

Most growing Christians do pretty well when things are progressing along—or even when things are falling apart. During the wonderful times we’re overwhelmed with God’s goodness; in the crisis we cry out to Him, expecting His rescue. It’s often the “in-between” that challenges us to keep our eyes on Jesus.

Paul probably knew plenty of Christians who were devoted when he was having meetings in their town. But many of his letters are addressed to these very Christians, urging them to not fall into stagnation after he’d left. Similarly, his writings often consider the trials Christians were facing. (more…)

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The Peace Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.21.16

Posted in Christian Maturity, Verse of the Day | June 21st, 2016 | by

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

Mature Christians are at peace with situations beyond their control. This may be one of the more underrated measures of spiritual maturity. Just Google CNN, BBC or some other news outlet. You probably watched or read stories about terrorists, wars, famine and the downward spiral of political leaders and everything in between.

Are we living in hard times? Undoubtedly. Are the acts reported on the news awful? Often they are beyond awful, they are heinous. But mature Christians’ lives and peace are not derailed by latest buzz on the news. They don’t waste time worrying and coming unglued over situations beyond their control. (more…)

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The Recognition Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.20.16

Posted in Christian Maturity, Verse of the Day | June 20th, 2016 | by

Many even among the leaders believed in him (Jesus). But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God. John 12:42,43

The Bible consistently presents God to us as a Father. And I don’t know any father who doesn’t like seeing his children recognized for their achievements or honored in their triumphs. I suspect God is the same way. But the praise and recognition of others is easily intoxicating. Often (usually?) it is delightful to our ears, because we like being recognized favorably so much that negative opinions others have of us or our opinions irk us—they keep us awake at night. As a result, we often make choices that are driven by the approval of people more than the approval of God (John 12:43).

When talented or popular people look in the mirror, they’re tempted to see someone who has arrived because other people treat them as if they’re someone special. But in the ‘mirror’ of the Bible we see that we all have fallen short of glory—the kind of glory that matters (Rom 3:23). (more…)

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One Day – VOTD.06.16.16

Posted in Verse of the Day | June 16th, 2016 | by

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church.   Ephesians 3:20

On the day of Pentecost, suddenly while the disciples were together in one place praying for the coming of the Spirit, the wind blew–the house was filled with the fire of God. The Holy Spirit came upon the people there. What did they do?

Well, there was one man there who 3-years earlier had been told he’d be a fisher of men—he’d be called an evangelist in our day. He hung in there for 3 years with no record of him winning a single soul to the Lord. Then suddenly one day the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit fell on Peter and he preached a sermon and 3000 people got saved.

In one day when the heavens opened Peter moved out. We really don’t know what happened to anyone else, personally, but we’re told about Peter. Maybe what happened to the other 119 people in the upper room was just spectacular, maybe they were out winning souls, themselves. (more…)

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The Respect Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.14.16

Posted in Christian Maturity, Verse of the Day | June 14th, 2016 | by

Be devoted to one another in love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

Spiritual maturity is not the display of our gift, but the way we love. You don’t have to look hard to find people who are profoundly gifted but lack love; even common curtesy seems to elude them. Maturity isn’t about impressive positions in ministry/ politics/ business or power or influence or any of those things that people look up to.

Respect is simply how we treat the people around us—figuring out what makes them feel valued or cared for and treating them that way. Which brings us to relationships. (more…)

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VOTD.06.13.16 The Stability Measure: Maturity

Posted in Christian Maturity, Verse of the Day | June 13th, 2016 | by

Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.  Genesis 19:14

We’ve been talking about mileposts on the journey of Christian maturity. Milestones like childlike-ness, the highs and lows of life don’t impact the quality of our walk with God, faith, self respect, worship… I need to point out that all these attributes are Christian-character traits. They are things that we as Christians ought to live out. But they aren’t a checklist. They aren’t things that we do to be mature Christians. Just the other way around: they are life-attributes of mature Christians. The difference? One flows out of our efforts, the other flows out of our character. These often take some time to establish. (more…)

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VOTD.06.07.16 The Peace Measure: Maturity

Posted in Christian Maturity, Verse of the Day | June 7th, 2016 | by

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  John 14:27
Come to me all you who are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

Our next milepost on the journey of Christian maturity: Rest. Peace. Simply put, stress is a character trait of this world and its system. God gives peace, instead.

We’ve all been there. Too much on our plates and feeling overwhelmed. Or we face impossible problems, setbacks, disappointments, discouragements… Add to that, we’re exhausted. Jesus calls this “Weary and heavy-laden”.

How does the world respond to stress? Well, there’s always TV (books, surfing the web and other distractions). Then there’s endurance—putting our shoulder to the tasks and bulldozing through (that’s me). Some get into pumping ourselves up with positive self-talk. Others find something in the fridge. And don’t forget pity-parties and complaining. (more…)

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VOTD 06.06.16 The Worship Measure: Maturity

Posted in Christian Maturity, Verse of the Day | June 6th, 2016 | by

I saw the Lord, high and exalted… And I cried, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”  Isaiah 6:1,5

Last time we saw that our faith in Jesus is the measure of our significance and value and respect, because faith means looking away from ourselves to Jesus and embracing Him as the personification of all that is significant, valued and worthy of honor and respect.

And when that happens, we become Jesus-worshipers.

Focusing on Jesus is all it takes to transform you and me into passionate worshipers. (more…)