CONSTANT

Written By: Kirk Peterson

God of Mystery

When I first read the scripture, “Many of those who are least now will be first then, and many of those who are first now will be last then”, it was something that was very mysterious to me.  We believe in a God of mystery and the Lord has showed us over and over throughout time that His ways are not man’s ways.

Recently my two young sons’ have been wrestling around quite a bit more and started down the fun path of brotherly infighting, one I know all too well from my childhood with my own brother.  Whether it’s who gets to open the door first, or play with the first toy, their time together has become quite a little competition.  It’s amazing to me that the desire to be first is part of all of us at such a young age?  Even the disciples fought amongst themselves, not only about who is the greatest, but as the time for Jesus’ exodus at the cross was nearing, the mother of James and John even came to ask Jesus if her sons’ could receive a place of honor next to Christ when He comes to establish His kingdom. (Matthew 20:20-28)

God’s Way

Our current system here in the United States, is entirely built on striving to be first.  Our way of life here in America all starts with the innate desire for people to be first and acquire wealth.  However, our Father in Heaven, the Great Authority over all creation tells us that is NOT His way.  The apostle Paul spoke about how God’s way goes against the way of the world using those things that are considered small and unimportant, and Jesus Himself tells us in his prayer of thanksgiving to The Father, His way is good shielding the truth from those that are arrogant and bestowing the truth to those with humble hearts.

God’s Character

As I was studying Matthew 20 this week in bible study, I was blown away by how our God always practices what he preaches.  So many times in the world Christians are told to practice what we preach, and so many times we fall short…We all fall short because we can never live up to the glorious standard of our Creator.  As Christ said, there has only been One who is good.  Our very character as humans can never live up to perfect righteousness & holiness, and God revealed His plan for our redemption through his perfect Son Jesus, laying down His life to die as a ransom in our place.

17Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. (James 1:17, NLT)

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8, NLT)

Isn't it AWESOME that we have a God that always practices what He preaches? His character has been the same, from the beginning to the end--He is CONSTANT. He shows us His very character is that of what He teaches in His holy word & God's love never fails! The Almighty One has forever been a friend to the oppressed and to the least of us, not loving them more, but showing compassion on those in the greatest need. Many of the least of us will be the greatest in the age to come, and many of those that are great now will be the least then. (Matthew 20:1-16)

Teacher

God’s love is perfect.  In fact, the very definition of perfection should start and end with God.  God tells us how to live in His bible and The Holy Spirit revealed to me this week how incredible it is, that God’s very character IS that of what he teaches.  How encouraging it is to me a believer in the One True God, to see that the greatest of all teachers is forever constant in His character. 

So, if God’s character is constant and that of what he teaches us in His bible, maybe we should listen?  I love how my pastor says that we need to talk to God & we need to listen to God.  How do we do that you may ask?  Well, you can talk to God right now by praying to him, and you can listen to God right now by reading his holy word. 

Have you talked to God today?  Have you listened to God today?

Parable of the Vineyard Workers

1“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. 3“At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. 4So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. 5So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing. 6“At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’ 7“They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’ 8“That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. 9When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. 10When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. 11When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, 12‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’ 13“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? 14Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. 15Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ 16“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” (Matthew 20:1-16, NLT)

God's love never fails!  The Almighty One's character is constant and that of His holy word.  May the peace of Christ bring rest to your souls.

See Meredith Andrew’s, “Not for a Moment” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoh26pC2RT8