Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 7:20 “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”

It is complicated to calculate margin of error, at least to those who do not have strong math skills! This concept in statistics expresses the amount of random variation underlying a survey’s results. In principle, the larger the sample is, the smaller the margin of error is. The other important factor is the confidence level, whether 90, 95 or 99%. There are also other sources of error that come into play; bias in the questions, excluding groups that could not be contacted, people refusing to respond, people lying or miscounting.

In today’s verse there is absolutely no margin of error! The sample is the largest it can be: earth’s entire population. Added to this fact is the veracity of God’s Word. Paul affirms this statement when quoting Psalm 14:1-3, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Rom. 3:11) God’s standards of righteousness are well above man’s. God looks down from Heaven on all mankind. (Ps. 53:1-3) And if it were not for the grace He showed when taking on Himself the punishment of our sins on the cross, there would be no hope of forgiveness or of eternal life with Him.

No. There is no error at all in what God declares is true. I have a confidence level of 100% because God said it. There is not a person on this planet (myself included) that can merit eternal life. No one can slide in as part of some forgotten percentage. God does not grade on a curve. His standard is holiness and I am woefully short. Thankfully, He has given me not only abundant grace but also the righteousness of His Son! (Rom. 5:17)

Thank you Lord, that what You say is completely trustworthy.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 3:18 “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

This song was written by George Beverly Shea in 1933. He was encouraged by his mother to put music to a poem she liked by Rhea Miller. It was her hope that in putting together this hymn, her son would find new direction for his talent. And in fact he did, touring the world as a soloist with Billy Graham. I cannot hear it without remembering the joke of a former boyfriend. He said if we ever got married, he would sing this as I came down the aisle!!

Today’s verse made me think of this song that says “I’d rather have Jesus than anything.” To Paul, the surpassing worth of knowing Christ made him willing to consider everything else in his life as a loss. This beautiful and satisfying relationship with Christ has made all his past accomplishments seem as worthless garbage.  But gaining Christ was something that could not happen as long as he valued his accomplishments, past or present, more than the Lord. 

When I care too much about the world’s approbation somehow I forfeit having more of Christ. So often I am confronted with choice. Would I rather have Jesus or am I valuing anything as more important than Him? Can I say that I would “rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today?” My answers make all the difference to the choices I make. His kingdom takes precedent over any other concern. I want to make His will my focus and not my own. Gaining Christ makes any sacrifice worth it!

Lord, I choose You.

Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

The vineyards of Alsace, France are breathtaking in the autumn! Rich golden color covers the hillsides and when the sun shines just right, the leaves look to be on fire! But it will not be long before these leaves turn brown, shrivel and fall to the ground, exposing gnarled bare branches. I miss being surrounded by these vineyards as they mark the passing of time. There was a sense of order and comfort knowing that each season will make its appearance in due time.

Today’s verse reminds us of the passing of time and seasons. The earth is locked into a cycle of time that has no equivalent above the heavens. The seasons are unique to us. Heaven and eternity are not bound or limited by time. And each season that God ordains in our lives has a God-given purpose for His glory. There is a time for birth or death, mourning or dancing, speaking or remaining silent, among many other activities “under heaven.” (verse 2-8) What is always encouraging is that God is the Eternal Rock of Ages, unaffected by time or seasons.

Seasons change. I miss living in the vineyards as now I am in a different season of life. But each season, whether negative or positive, is temporary. And even though I enjoy my current season, the next one may bring some challenging times. But there is coming a “season” that will be eternal and unchanging! In Heaven, I will be forever in His presence where there is joy and eternal pleasures. (Psalm 16:11) There will be no sin to separate and no end to the unimaginable fulfillment of a life with my Creator!

Lord, keep me focused on that time without end!

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

One year our children attended a private school where students were to wear uniforms. I was not too sure how I felt about it. Wouldn’t looking all the same discourage individuality? Would the uniqueness of my “exceptional perfect children” not stand out? I did appreciate the ease of choosing outfits in the morning. But what was interesting was to see how these students still managed to distinguish themselves from their fellow classmates by the shoes, the backpacks or the accessories worn.

Today’s verse talks about unity of the Spirit. Our unity comes from one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father. (verse 4-6) What is wonderful about the unity of the Body of Christ is that it is not “uniformity.” Thankfully, our unity does not come from looking alike. There is no one skin color. Our unity does not come from sharing the same roles and gifts in the Church. And our unity does not come from the same social status or the same political preferences.

It is an effort to do what is not natural. The natural thing for me to do is to be prideful about my positions on any issue. My tendency is not to be teachable and humble. It is easier for me to be harsh with criticism rather than gracious to other believers with different convictions. Yet, I am supposed to be showing love, not just to those who agree with me but to those who do not. When I make the effort to keep our unity, non-believers can see the difference the Spirit makes.

Lord, keep us unified. Make me humble, gentle and loving.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

This juicy seed-filled tropical fruit is becoming more popular with its long list of health benefits. The roundish shape and purple (or yellow skin) encases a nutrient-dense flesh that has a tart/sweet taste. It comes to us from the passion flower that Spanish missionaries to South Americans used to explain truths of Christianity. More than just the flower, passion itself was important to Greek philosophers who would ask just one question when a man died; “Did he have passion?”

Today’s verse reveals the all-encompassing passion of Paul’s life. His life was spent with passionate purpose towards his heavenly calling. He did not want to run or labor for nothing. (Phil. 2:16) Paul was even willing to pour out his life in sacrificial living and dying for the Lord. (Phil. 2:17) That is passion! And the fruit Paul encourages believers to produce is the fruit of the light consisting in all goodness, righteousness and truth. (Eph. 5:9) Paul’s passion gave him focus on his goal. He could “press on” despite the shipwrecks, beatings and imprisonments and stay faithful to the One who called him.

I cannot think of a life better spent than a life of passionate service to the Lord. I do not want to half-hearted like the parable of the one who buried his talent. I want to spend all that He has given me to live for Him. The problem is that I am easily distracted. Rather than seeking His kingdom and righteousness, I get hung up on this earthly kingdom and its preoccupations. He wants to be my focus. He wants to be my passion. And when He is, my life takes on eternal meaning!

Lord, keep me passionate for You.