To Be Great

What Are You Striving For?

In today's World, we have Social Media. Facebook, Twitter, Snap Chat, just to name a few. Why are these so popular? Because they tap into one of our most enticing Human Nature Attributes. The desire to be Famous.

Seriously. We post EVERYTHING Online, from our most personal experiences, to what we are eating at any given time. I have never posted a picture of my Dinner. But many do. Why? I have no idea. It is to show others, "Look what I got?" I have no idea. But it is ALL "Look at me."

It has become so bad, that people have to be TOLD, be careful what you post. Do not tell people when you are no going to be home, they may Rob you. Do not post your finical information. Someone may Rob you. Do not post naked pictures of yourself, people will SEE THEM. Do not post things about your kids. Someone may use that to harm them. ETC.

'SO why do we do this? Because we want to be Famous. We want to be known. We want to be honored and respected. Oh I know. I know. Some people just REALLY Love to share. They only accept "friend requests," or "sign up," ACTUAL Friends and Family members to share stuff with them. Please do not misunderstand. I use Facebook all the time. I am NOT attacking Facebook, Twitter, or Snap Chat, or any other Social Media outlets. All I am saying is WHY they are so popular..

Well good thing that "Christians" do not have to worry about that.. Right? Wrong. See, we are talking about something that IS one of our most enticing Human Nature Attributes. The desire to be Famous. To be GREAT.

King Solomon wrote this..

"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips." {Proverbs 27:2}

We all know people that love to toot their own horns. People that try to top any and everything you say.. Whatever you have done, they have done better. Whatever you have been through, they have been through worse. ETC. It should not be this way with us. We are to BE who we are, and let others talk about how good or bad we are.

Jesus said this...

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." {Matthew 5:19}

Notice something here. First, Jesus says "Those who DO." He tells us those that Break, and those that DO, THEN He says "Those that Teach." What is the point? Jesus is saying, Those that are living for and according to God, or those that are not. Then if they teach others to do it, is bad, but doing it or not is worse. Are you following? Jesus is telling us, if we want to be GREAT in the Kingdom, then we are to LIVE for the Kingdom.

Then you have this example Jesus gave us...

"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." {Matthew 18:1-5}

Why? Well, Children believe ANYTHING their Mother and Father tell them. They simply accept it as Reality. Daddy said so. This is the Relationship that God wants to have with us. Whatsoever He may tell us, He wants us to simply accept without question. Why? Our Daddy tells us so.

However, even if you do not have Children, have you ever watched them in a Play Area? They do not care what the other kids look like. They do not care what the other kids may have or not have. What society may or may not say about them. Nope. They love their new friend. Boy, Girl, Black, White, Pink with Purple Polka Dots, Rich, Poor, NONE OF THAT MATTERS A WINK. They simple do not care. They are them, they accept the other Kids for whatever they are. If they look REALLY different, they may even ask why. But then, you know what, they go on playing without a second thought.

Then Jesus puts it this way when a Proud Mama came to Him asking Him to exhort her Children above all other Children

"Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father."

This did not sit well with the others, as you can imagine. Did the two say "Mom.?.? Go away! You are embarrassing us." Well, it doesn't say they said anything. It actually says "Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons," They were right there WITH their Mother.. Did they put her up to it? Did they seek this themselves? Who knows? But it did not make the others happy..

"And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." {Matthew 20:20-28}

A little bit later, Jesus gives us THIS advice...

"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, the Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, the Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." {Matthew 23:8-12}

So wait.. We are not to be called Teachers, Rabbis, Masters, or whatever. So we are not suppose to teach the Word? God Forbid. Of course we are Sowers of the Seed. But it is NOT about us..

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

John put it this way....

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (1 John 2:16)

You see, as with most things, the Lord’s Philosophy is completely opposite from the World. To be Great in the World is to put importance on Self. In the eyes of the World, you are Great based on the Position or Title you have. You may be a Sports Star, Musician, Actor, Lawyer, Engineer, a Doctor, to name a few, and that, makes you Great according to the World’s Standard.

Because of this World’s Value System, which is controlled by??? Yeah. Pride is a must and Worldly Pride demands that you enter into this System before you can be Accepted, Applauded and Respected. This is Satan’s Spirit that controls this World the lust of the Flesh, lust of the Eyes and Pride of life.

God's Value System is much different. Jesus tells us that we should be so very obsessed with God, His Word, and doing His Will, that we should not even be concerned with where our Food is going to come from..

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." {Matthew 6:33}

See the answer is simple. If you chose to be Great. Or you are striving to be Great, first, decide by who's Standards are you striving for Greatness. Then simply act on it. THe World Sense, well, you know the Path. However, if you want to be TRULY Great, meaning Great in the Kingdom of God, then you must first become a Servant. As Jesus came and washed our Feet, we must do the same..

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..