Devotionals from my Bible app: Who Are You Trying To Please? (Galatians 1:10)

 

Note before sharing the devotional: Occasionally, I’ll come across a devotional and react with “thank you!” when I see its message. Long story short, in my life even to this day, I have felt as if I have had to please other people, especially those who think they ought to have some kind of authority in my life. The truth is, in cases where another person is pressuring me to please them and it doesn’t feel right in my spirit, I’ve often fought it and lost, usually due to my speaking up and speaking the truth and getting shot down by other persons with a sort of seniority/superiority complex. The truth is, beyond whatever measure inasmuch as it pleases God, I don’t care to please other people or to just “roll with the punches” as if the other person’s “punches” are the only ones that matter. Thanks to the redemptive work that God has done in my life over the last 10+ years between salvation and recovery, I found my voice and have been learning to use it to speak up for myself. I have my own punches too, and while I generally prefer not to have to throw them, I will if necessary. As Christians, yes, we are called to be salt (Matthew 5:13) and light of the world (Matthew 5:14), but sometimes the moment calls for cayenne pepper. Jesus, after all, didn’t sit idly by while the money-changers were setting up shop in the temple charging resort prices for all manner of wares. Neither did He “ask them nicely” to please move their tables out to the main parts of the city and set up shop there instead. No! If you’re a believer, you know what He did next (Matthew 21:12-13).

I’ve continued to become more aware of how, several people in my new-ish circles as of the last few years have added other requirements to the Gospel. Yes, tithing is a requirement if you are a believer and want God to bless you in this life. But it is not a prerequisite for being saved. I can already hear some of these people responding, “we never said that it was a prerequisite!” My response to that is simply, whether or not they said it with words, they have said it with reactions and emotions to other situations. They’ll take something that is in the Bible but apply it wrongly and defend their action because, after all, it is indeed in the Bible. Tithing is but one example, and ironically one that hasn’t affected me emotionally as much as other things (probably because I am in fact tithing and doing my best to make sure the numbers are correct on that).

The example I think about from past blog posts is homosexuality. Yes, it is a sin, and there is no way God will excuse a person if they continue in it. But instead of addressing the issue with such a person, I would much rather preach the Gospel to them, without compromise, and tell them that although some things in the Bible are hard (even when interpreted and applied correctly) He still loves them. I would much rather encourage such a person to talk directly with the God of the Bible and bring their questions and complaints to Him, and let Him address it with them. After all, I did that once upon a time when I was pro-gay marriage, and God in His kindness and mercy spoke to me, even though His speaking was to correct my thinking. I believe that’s how God wants to operate.

I still remember the day in my yearlong Bible-reading program reading through the first three chapters of Paul’s letter to the Galatians plus the accompanying video recap. That day’s Bible reading and recap were like medicine to my heart. The issue at hand was about circumcision, which is a non-issue in my circles today, but the deeper issue – adding additional requirements and burdens to the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ – is very much still an issue. To experience Paul outright rebuking the Jews in Galatia who were still trying to get the Gentiles to adopt their customs as a requirement for receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior – rebuking in righteous anger and not merely “asking nicely” (cayenne pepper vs salt) – I actually felt like someone was finally in my corner.

My concern with the aforementioned members of my new-ish circle as of the last few years is two-fold: one, that they would let things slide in cases where I am convinced I have a legitimate case, and two, not only so, but that they would instead challenge me also to lay down my case, suck it up, and let myself be afflicted. My answer is no to that. I do understand that there are times when afflictions come and I cannot get out of them. I do need more of Jesus for those. But I also recognize times when there’s an option to sign up for additional affliction or to decline to do so. I’m sorry, but when presented the option, I will decline. I have had many historical afflictions throughout my life that have not been resolved or healed or even partially explained (if not completely). I busted my butt for a decade in therapy to grow up because of the shape I was in when I first started. I worked hard to receive healing and learn how to be a functioning adult in society. I worked hard to get past as much of my past that I could, that I was aware of at the time, just so I could grow as a person and be able to pursue some of the things in adult life: marriage, independent living, financial independence, and so on. Praise God that I have these things! Without Him, none of this happens. But I still have a lot of pain and disappointment and so many things left unresolved (in spite of my repeated choices to forgive and forgive and forgive each one as it comes up) at this point that it makes it essentially impossible for me to want to go for “extra credit” in the personal and spiritual growth category.

I will freely admit that I am a work in progress as much as the next person, and I’m equally aware that if I want grace I need to give grace also. That said, my desire is to live simply and to have faith simply.

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Acts 15:28-29,NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6, NKJV

I do want to have faith. I do want to please the true God of the Bible. But I’m beyond tired of being pressed, in a sense, to please other people by having to suffer their baggage disguised as having faith and pleasing Him.

Who Are You Trying To Please?

Have you ever struggled with people-pleasing? With caring more about what a human being thinks of you than what your Creator thinks of you? With wanting to honor God, but also wanting to be loved and respected by people?

Writing to believers in Galatia, Paul had a message for those deciding if they should trust the stand-alone grace of Jesus, or add rules and regulations to Jesus’ finished work. He said: 

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Galatians 1:10 NIV

Every day and every moment, we have a choice: to seek human approval or God’s approval. 

And if we genuinely desire to please God, how do we do so?

Contrary to many other religions, it’s not by doing enough good works to tip the scales in our favor. But as Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it’s impossible to please God…” The only part we have to play in our salvation is having faith in the One who saves.

Faith is essentially trust, so think about it: Who do you trust? Who are you trying to please? Who are you hoping notices you and accepts you and is proud of you?

If you’re interested in evaluating your own motives—which can sometimes be difficult—you can ask yourself these questions:

- Am I influenced more by cultural trends, societal pressure, and the opinions of others—or by the Word of God?

- Am I trusting that there’s nothing I can add to the finished work of Jesus, or am I believing the lie that Jesus plus something else is required?

- Am I committed to trusting God, even when I might get canceled, blocked, fired—or even killed? 

If popularity is your goal, living for Jesus might be a challenge. But if you’re committed to trusting God, then He calls you to live differently. He invites you to embrace His approval by showing others unconditional kindness, patience, grace, and love. 

At the end of this life, you will stand before an audience of One. So who are you trying to please?

Prayer: God, thank You for loving me even when I get caught up in pleasing others. Sometimes I get so focused on what the world thinks that I forget I am not made for this world. Please refocus my heart and guide me to live for You – even if society tells me otherwise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Note after sharing the devotional: I think I needed to vent earlier in today’s post. This is not something I intend to make a regular habit on this blog, but in recognizing a goal I found myself adding back in 2019 when I rebooted this page I want to use this blog to not only share my faith but also invite the reader into a few layers of my own personal relationship with the God of the Bible, through the Lord Jesus, to hopefully speak to those who might have similar struggles or even stumbling blocks that to date have prevented them from receiving Him. It’s not about me; it’s about the Lord Jesus. At the same time, I hope that the things about me that I do share on here help to remove any walls or potential walls that otherwise might be there not only between us but also between you and Jesus. His salvation, mercy, and grace are available to all who choose to say, “Yes, Lord, I’m in” to Him. Heaven and hell are still real, and God and sin cannot coexist. You and I both must repent of all our sin and choose to trust Jesus for everything in our lives. And we will have to stand before God and answer Him regarding everything we’ve ever done and left undone in our lives once we die. But that doesn’t mean that we won’t still have struggles. Even the vaunted Apostle Paul had this to say in his letter to the Romans:

13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 7:13-25, NKJV

Devotionals from my Bible app: Pursue What Matters Most (Romans 12:1)

Note before sharing the devotional: I deliberately stepped away from the blog in late-July, after having spent the previous year posting on most days, due to needing to focus on other things. As much as this blog is both something to honor God with as well as have a space to process things from as Biblical a perspective as possible, it isn’t the be-all, end-all to my faith or relationship with Jesus or even service to Him. It is a vehicle through which I can spread the Gospel, all while knowing that it is not and cannot be the only method to do so. 

Changes occur slowly, even if some aspects occur quickly. My love (now wife) and I married over the summer, went on our honeymoon, and began moving into our apartment soon thereafter. These are big changes. However, not everything changes all at once. Lately I’ve had some new opportunities begin to knock on my door, one of which I’ve already said yes to (upon prayer and reflection, the sense I got was that it was up to me), and another two which I’m still praying on. Sometimes, though, to say hello to new opportunities means saying goodbye to present ones, and while I’ve not done anything of the sort just yet, a recent incident has affected me enough to make me examine one such opportunity closely enough to consider whether the Lord may be nudging me to move away from it. I don’t know, and I dare not speak one way or another before it is time.

In terms of when I blog and how often I blog, it remains a touch-and-go process. I have several posts lined up to run over the next week, as they will show different things that I believe God has used to speak to me that I wish to share with you as well. All the same, I do not know what will come next once these posts run. Posting will continue to occur on an ad-hoc basis.

For now, though, I do need the Lord and His Word more than ever. I will say that I’ve been struggling in my faith more than ever in certain areas, and many of the messages that I have been hearing have not really been effective at ministering to me. As such, I must find other believers who still preach the same Gospel but approach it in such a way that will help build me up in ways that I’ve not been able to be reached.

I would consider the verse from today’s devotional as one that should be a top-25 verse for all believers, along with the verse that follows after:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1, NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2, NKJV

Similarly, along the lines of praying for a simpler faith, I find devotionals like these with a simple step-by-step process to be very helpful (illustrated in further depth below) for getting me to do what really matters – in this case, putting God first:

1. Give thanks
2. Spend 5 minutes in silence
3. Remember Whose you are
4. Meditate on God’s Word
5. Focus on what is excellent

 

Pursue What Matters Most

In the book of Romans, Paul begs Christians to give their entire lives over to God because God sacrificed everything for them. Jesus gave up His life so that we could experience His unending love and grace. We cheapen His gifts if we refuse to align our lives with the way Jesus lived.  

But we give our lives to God by making Him the one thing we pursue above anything else.

So here are 5 steps you can practice—right now—to help you put God first.

1. Give thanks

“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.” Psalms 75:1 ESV

 

Right now, take a moment to thank God for what He’s already done for you. Reflect on His faithfulness, and recount the stories you have seen and heard of His wonderful power. 

 

2. Spend 5 minutes in silence

“Abide in me, and I in you.” John 15:4 ESV

 

Abiding in Jesus starts with stillness. So right now, pause, take a deep breath, and give anything concerning you over to God. Spend 5 minutes centering your heart on the One who matters most.

 

3. Remember Whose you are

“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

 

God loves you. The price He paid for you cost Him everything. So remind yourself of Whose you are, and reflect on some of the things God says about you. 

 

4. Meditate on God’s Word

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalms 119:97 ESV

 

One of the best ways to find out how Jesus wants you to live is by spending time in Scripture. As you do, ask God to speak to you through His Word about what His will is. 

 

5. Focus on what is excellent

“…If there is any excellence … think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV

 

You have been given the mind of Christ. If you’re not sure what you should think about, try asking yourself: What is praiseworthy? What thoughts and actions would honor God?

Make a list of whatever comes to mind, and pursue those things.

By practicing these steps every day, you can create habits that will help you pursue intimacy with God every day, and put Him first above everything else.

Prayer: God, I surrender my life to You. You can have it all – every thought, behavior, action, and desire. I want You to be glorified through me. So here I am, Lord. I surrender my life to You. Take all that I am, and use it for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Opening philosophy on Halloween

 

 

For years, I considered Halloween as one of the lesser holidays, in that my family never really participated in it, but everyone else around me (at school, at church, etc) did. Growing up, it was a day to dress up in costumes for fun and, depending on the school, have a party. The only things that really separated it from, say, Thanksgiving or Christmas was the spooky element (which again, growing up, it was considered not to be such a bad thing), and that we didn’t get any days off from school for it. As a child and into my young-adult years, the most I ever got into it was from participating in school events or school parties, and I did go trick-or-treating once (interestingly, when I was a sophomore in high school a classmate had found out that I had never participated and set out to change that). But it was never part of my culture or anything.

I suppose the other element related to it that is at all noteworthy is that my churches growing up (as well as my college’s church) had a feast day on November 1^st titled “All Saints’ Day” which, to them, allowed them to put Halloween on the calendar as “All Hallow’s Eve.”

I’m feeling led to blog about this now because, after having had some of my views changed over the last decade about all sorts of things that are and have been embedded in our culture (including no longer truly believing in the Santa / reindeer / “magic” aspects of Christmas), I realize I’ve never written about Halloween. I’ve become much more aware of how there’s been a war on the “Jesus” Christmas to the point that December 1^st through Christmas Eve has been the focus of the Holidays rather than December 24^th, 25^th, and perhaps even the 26^th (Boxing Day / the Feast of St. Stephen, etc). And if you have followed this blog regularly over the last few years, you’ve noticed how I’ve made it a point each June to comment afresh on the evils of “Pride” month (which includes but also goes well beyond the homosexuality issue). October is yet another month where it has been taken over by not just Halloween but the spiritual aspects of it as well, especially over the last 5 to 10 years where I have noticed the whole month being engulfed in it (and not just last few days like it used to be when I was growing up). The point is, there’s been a trend: all of June celebrates homosexuality and tries to force others to, all of December worships Satan Claus and tries to snuff out Jesus’ birth, and all of October worships the devil. (Former) Satanists themselves have commented on how October 31^st is their high holiday of the year, more than any other day. This isn’t just from the mouth of Bible-believing Christians who have been trying to warn people.

To be honest, I’ve rarely enjoyed October, except for only a few select years. I do love the fall foliage colors, but my enjoyment of them quickly gets snuffed out by 1.) the rapidly-shortening days of sunlight, 2.) the fact that fall foliage really only lasts about two weeks (plus a few more weeks where the trees just look like garbage before the last of their leaves finally hit the ground), and 3.) the weather getting colder. This October thankfully has been different, 1.) because I got married this year and therefore this my first Fall season with my new wife, 2.) it’s taken until now for me to finally really feel settled in our apartment (we finally had our first guest the other day and it felt nice to be able to show our place to them), and 3.) after having some real struggles with some different situations around us, things are finally starting to calm down to where we can relax and really begin married life beyond just the survival / setting-up aspects of it.

Charles M. Schulz's sad story - and a reminder of real hope

 

I came across the above strip online the other day, along with a comment that stated this was Peppermint Patty’s last appearance in the Peanuts comic strip, which ran in newspapers on Sunday, January 2, 2000, just a few short weeks before the strip’s creator, Charles M. Schulz, passed away (he had colon cancer). What struck me about the comment was that, unlike previous instances where Peppermint Patty seemed to “miss the boat”, there was no follow-up strip that essentially redeemed Peppermint Patty among the clan. This time, Schulz died before he could do it again for this character.

I wasn’t a “Peanuts” fan growing up, but I came to appreciate it as a young adult, recognizing and respecting its place in American comics history as one of the premier (if not the premier) strips. Schulz drew and wrote every single panel himself for almost 50 years. But I remember in conversations with both my wife and my ex (when we dated) and in each case, their first reaction was to say how depressing the comic strip was. At first, I was confused by each of their reactions considering that, unlike the modern comic strips, this one at least referenced the Bible periodically and was far more conservative than most. Not much more came of the conversation (which was fine with me), but I did bear it in mind, as I myself would note how constantly Charlie Brown struggled with depression (an outlet for and extension of some of Schulz’s own issues, which he admitted occasionally in interviews). But I figured that was the extent of it.

As an aside before returning to the above strip and the revelation I believe was placed in my heart, I still haven’t seen every strip. Far from it, in fact. Most of my knowledge of the strips come from the very beginning (the first few years), almost the entire 1960s (I purchased a few treasuries of strips from roughly 1960 to 1968), and one book that catalogued strips from the year 1997, giving me a glimpse into what the end-stage strips were like. Peppermint Patty first appeared in strips in 1966, but my knowledge of her character largely came from TV specials, whatever strips I did happen to come across in the newspaper, and that one book of strips from 1997. I mostly remember her as a spunky athletic character who was a poor student in school and relied on her friend Marcie to bail her out. But that’s it. I have a gap of knowledge of Peppermint Patty’s character development during the 70s, 80s, and 90s, outside of the few bits of information that I gleaned from the sources that I did read and/or watch.

Considering therefore that because Peppermint Patty is a fictional character, she can only exist in Schulz’s mind and in whatever forms she had appeared in print and on TV. As such, no fate really awaits her. She, along with all the other characters from “Peanuts,” have far outlasted Schulz and will continue to do so until the end of time. But, what really struck me more than anything else about this strip is that I got a sense of her final appearance (as per the above strip) as an eerily accurate picture of how well Schulz prepared for the end of his life and for his eternity. I wouldn't be surprised if, among all the other things that came up in Schulz’s life before he died, part of him wanted to draw a strip, just one more, to redeem Peppermint Patty from her latest faux pas (in this case, foolishly and stubbornly being unaware that the game was over and everyone had already left, and not really being able to cope with it), and not being able to draw that strip. Even though she is but a fictional character, the way this strip leaves us readers is with the realization that this time, she will not be redeemed. Her unredeemed faux pas (what she's left instead with is a diagnosis that she messed up, courtesy of her friend (and conscience) Marcie, and that she’s run out of time to right that wrong).

I suspect Schulz was caught in a similar trap. He did well in this life, successfully earning a living and being able to do so by doing something that he loved. But, I’m not sure that he prepared for his eternity; rather, it seemed as if it sneaked up on him and his response was to scramble. He had made lots of plans in his life and got to see many of them through. After all, he seemed to have acknowledged as such through Peppermint Patty when she asks her friend Marcie, “we had fun, didn’t we?” in the third-to-last panel, and Marcie, acting as her conscience, replies, “yes, sir, we had fun.” But he still had more plans to make and see through, and in a moment, it all was snatched away:

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ Luke 12:20, NKJV

Schulz had 77 years and didn’t prepare for his eternity in any of those years, so of course he was caught off guard. But Jesus warns His followers to not do this, not for the end of their natural lives, and not for His return to earth:

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:42-44, NKJV

He commands us to spend the time that we do have - i.e. NOW - to prepare to meet Him:

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke 12:40, NKJV

And He doesn’t give vague instructions, not at all; rather, He gives us very specific directions as to what we need to do to be ready:

Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Revelation 3:3, NKJV

As a fellow artist-at-heart, this revelation admittedly hurt. I praise God that I’m still young and in good health. But I’ve had some blips in my health (thankfully minor ones) that were enough to get me thinking about my life and eternity. What is my status? Will I go to heaven or to hell? I’m aware that of the above passages, most of them have to do with when Jesus returns (His second coming). But, I’m also aware that, once we each pass away, our lives and our works will indeed be demanded of us by the Lord Himself (as per Luke 12:20). And still, I’m aware also of my own sin regarding all these artistic ambitions and desires of projects. I have periodically wrestled with fear around whether I’ll get a piano sonata completed (I currently have a few incomplete ones), and the proper response as I understand it is that I have to completely let that go. If it is God’s will that certain ambitions and projects are incomplete, then I have to learn to be at peace with it. One could argue that at least Schulz got 77 years to both get things done and get himself right with God. Others, like Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn, Frederic Chopin, and George Gershwin, among countless others, barely got to have at least half that. Regardless, like Schulz, none of them prepared for their end.

Schulz’s sad story is that he made it all about life in this world. He was successful during his life here on earth, and he made art that was and still is beloved by millions. He even quoted Scripture in his art. He did have church in his life at various points, but, even from his Wikipedia article, it appeared as if his faith had waned and dissipated (if not disappeared entirely) by the end of his life. He appeared to display some works of faith, but there didn’t seem to be any evidence of a real, personal relationship with Jesus to back it up.

So, how do I avoid that same mistake? I do love the art that God has allowed me to make. But I cannot love it more than He who gave me the gift of art-making (and He Who has the power to take it away if He chooses). God has to come first, now and always. Lord, help me to make that happen! Help me to hold fast to the Gospel of my King and Savior Jesus Christ and to repent and loose every sin and encumbrance keeping me from You! 

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29, NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9, NKJV

Jerry West's sad story - and a reminder of real hope

Sometimes, I will write a blog post based on a picture. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, it definitely is. In the case of the above picture, I might go as far as to say it is worth a million words. I'll explain shortly.

The above picture is a screenshot off ESPN's NBA page, and you can find the link to the article here. It is quite a read, but primarily a sad one. I generally don't like to write about sad stories, for as believers in the Way (that is, Jesus Christ), our focus needs to be upward and forward, not backward, except to grasp lessons learned or lessons needed to be learned.

Jerry West played in the National Basketball Association (the same league as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, et al) from 1960 until 1974. He was the point guard alongside other greats like Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain. His teams went to the Finals nine times but won only once, and he famously won the Finals MVP award in 1969 in a losing effort. Most notably, the NBA's league logo is a silhouette of West in action on the basketball court.

He went on to be a coach, general manager, and adviser to various different teams, but as the article linked two paragraphs ago references, his heart never left the Los Angeles Lakers, the team he played for and coached once his playing days were done. I wasn't alive when he played or coached, so I mostly know of him as the executive who had a keen eye for pushing decisions (from the advisory role) that his employers needed to make, such as hiring Phil Jackson in 1999 as head coach over incumbent (interim) Kurt Rambis when he was advising the Lakers (cited in the same article two paragraphs ago), or threatening to quit his post in 2016 with the Golden State Warriors if they dared to trade Klay Thompson for another player to fill a position of need, thinking it would take them over the top. (In both cases, his employers listened to him and reaped the benefits professionally.) Further, I always had thought of West as a happy person. He was well-off, had a good playing career and, from what I can tell, an excellent advisory career. I mostly remember seeing (other) photos of him smiling, being a happy person living a happy life. (After all, one of my childhood fantasies was to someday be a successful general manager of a sports team, as I liked the idea of scouting players and trying to see how I could put together a championship squad.)

But Jerry West was not a happy person. (Hence the photo.) The ESPN article listed a key pain point that endured with him for many years without resolution, which would explain quite a bit. But pictures often capture more than we might ever know. West's Wikipedia bio, contains a lot of information about his basketball life, and some of his personal life. But there's no mention of any faith, no mention of Jesus. He died in June, full of years, but also full of emptiness. The Bible makes it clear that there's only one way into heaven, and that is to surrender your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord, King, and Savior. If there are any Jerry West fans out there reading this post, I'm very sorry to have to say this, but he didn't make it into heaven. He never received Jesus Christ into heart or into his life at any point while he was here on earth. He's in hell now, enduring torture far worse than feeling or being abandoned by the Los Angeles Lakers organization he loved, worshiped, and idolized. That was his love, and basketball was his god, not the God of the Bible or His Son Jesus Christ. Ultimately, whether or not he could get reconciliation with the Lakers should never have been what he set his heart on, but rather the God who made him and gave him every opportunity to choose to know Him and love Him instead of basketball.

My last post talked about Dikembe Mutombo who passed away a few weeks ago. Although Mutombo also had a pretty good career playing basketball, it was clear with him that basketball was not the be-all, end-all in his life. Jesus Christ was, and basketball was simply Mutombo's platform. The wealth Mutombo accumulated was, among other things, put into building a hospital in Congo (bearing his mother's name, I might add) to provide medical care to his countrymen and women in a location where proper medical care was scarcely available, if that. Mutombo honored God and his mother. By contrast, West's relentless pursuit of the basketball grind and basketball success ate at him, all the way to the end.

I promised I would remind you of real hope before I closed out today's post. First, that Mutombo is in heaven, having heard those words, "well done, good and faithful servant," from our Lord, King, and Savior Jesus Christ. Secondly, that for those still living, there is still time to repent and turn to Jesus and give your life to Him.

For He says:

“In an acceptable time I have heard you,

And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2, NKJV

and,

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. (Jesus is talking)

John 10:28-29, NKJV

Celebrating the life and eternity of Dikembe Mutombo

 I was very sad to find out a couple days ago about the passing of a well-known NBA player from the 1990s and 2000s. Dikembe Mutombo passed away from brain cancer. He wasn't old (only 58 years of age). But my thoughts then moved toward the question of his salvation status, because once a person has passed away, it's too late. Not just that I and everyone else here on earth will never get a chance to connect with him again but also in terms of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and winning souls for the kingdom of heaven. Mutombo's status is set in stone now.

Thankfully, though, Mutombo was saved. I was able to come across a video on YouTube that showed it - click the link here to watch.

Praise God!

♱