1: Think Hard About God

Posted on May 28, 2012 by cliffordsuddeth

Last evening (May 27) in our youth meeting I made the challenge – don’t waste your summer. I went on to explain that we should think hard about God this summer, because He is worth our thinking. I’m convinced that when we think hard about God we will be compelled to love God more and serve God with more passion.

In fact, God has commanded His people to love Him with all our minds (Matthew 22:37). Therefore, thinking about God is one way we show our love to God. When Mary and I were dating and engaged, I thought about her all the time. Why? Because I loved her. I still think about her, because I still love her. In fact, I love her more now than I did eight years ago, because I know her more.

The same principle is true in our relationships with God. The more we know God we will not be able to help but love Him more.

Once again, I want to encourage you to think hard about God. That’s theology. John Hammett wrote, “Theology is simply using our minds to know and love God.”  (Hammett, 15) Let’s think hard about God, because there are great things to know, treasure, and love about God.

Psalm 145:1-5 (ESV)

I will extol You, my God, and King, and bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate.

Think Harder

  • Take some time to read Psalm 145 over and over again. As you read, think about all the things David is writing about God.
  • Go outside and just look at things. Think about God as Creator and be amazed. For instance, why is the sky blue or why is there a sky at all?

REFERENCE LIST

Hammett, John. 2005. Biblical foundations for Baptist churches: a contemporary ecclesiology. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

Posted in What I Wish I Had Known | 1 Comment

The Right Treasures

Posted on May 22, 2012 by cliffordsuddeth
Jesus clearly tells us NOT to lay up treasures on earth. What is a treasure? A treasure is any thing or person greatly valued or highly prized. How can you tell what your treasure is? Think about these questions:
  • What do you do with your free time?
  • What do you think about?
  • How do you spend your money?
These questions, while not exhaustive, can give you an idea of what your treasures are in your life. Jesus is saying that to lay up treasures on earth is not only risky it’s just plain dumb. In other words, to highly value the wrong things, or to put too much value on good things, just doesn’t make any sense. BUT Jesus also clearly tells us to lay up treasures in heaven. Treasures are not a bad thing. It’s good to highly value the right person or things. Jesus wants us to go after the right treasures! It’s much wiser – it makes much more sense – to go after the right treasures. Therefore, Jesus is primarily concerned about our hearts. Jesus is not interested in half-hearted commitment from us. He wants all of us. God has always been concerned about our hearts. He has told us that we are to love Him with all our hearts! Why? Because He is the greatest treasure to be had. He is most valuable. He is the best.
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