The Plumbline

Edmund Burke said, "You can never plan the future by the past." The more we count on the past to define us or our life's path, the harder it will be for us to move forward. Why? The past cannot be relived, and the present is ever-changing. Burke also reminds us, "He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper." Our antagonist is our helper. Could that mean that the 'negative stuff' in our past is actually helping us to grow closer to Christ in our present? I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:12-14) Press on to possess. That really sums it all up. We need to 'press on' if...

I wonder how many things / blessings we have been given which we really never take possession of simply because we are "sitting around on our hands"?  Let me just say this as we begin today - we are all a little guilty of "possessing" without really taking "possession".  Israel finds themselves at this crossroad as we look into the scripture today. Then the entire congregation of the People of Israel got together at Shiloh. They put up the Tent of Meeting. The land was under their control but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had yet to receive their inheritance.   Joshua addressed the People of Israel: "How long are you going to sit around on your hands, putting off taking possession of the land that  God , the God of your ancestors, has given you?  (Joshua 18:1-3 The Message) The battles have been fought - enemies are driven out of the land.  Now, all which remains is the dividing up of the land for their possession.  Yet, instead of m...

19  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  20  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (I Corinthians 6:19-20) This is the beginning of the season of the year when everyone succumbs to the buying and selling of goods in some manner.  The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally called "Black Friday" - the beginning of the bargains of that kick off the season of Christmas shopping.  Thousands will wake earlier than usual, down a quick breakfast, then charge head-long into the hoards of holiday shoppers just looking for the next great "buy".  There is one "buy" that has already been accomplished for us - one that we cannot find or purchase on our own - it is our salvation. Our passage today reminds us that we are bought at a price - the price of the cross.  God has provided the greatest gift of all - not so that we can squander it a...