Today's Focus Verse: Romans 8:18
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Life happens. Whether it's work, school, home, whatever it happens to be; life happens. A few minutes late to work turns into a crisis at work, a sick child at home or two, the car needs repairs, traffic jam on the way home, "quick" trip to the store turns into a 30 minute ordeal, and so on. Things happen that can mess up our day. Compound those things with being attacked almost daily for your faith or opinions from co-workers, neighbors, or friends at school, and now you feel like the world is coming down on your head. Paul says that these things are don't even compare to the glory that is to be revealed to us. These temporary things are not even close to comparison with an eternity in heaven. His speech regarding his life and history in II Corinthians 11:23-28 is pretty horrific. Just when I think I have it bad, I remember this passage and Paul. Then things don't seem as bad. Remember, this is the man who also said,"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If Paul can endure what he did and state that not only can he do all things through Christ, then state that these things are not worthy to be compared with our eternal reward, that's saying something! TTFN, Troy

Today's focus verse is II Peter 1:8
The verses preceding today's focus verse are usually the ones that we hear lessons about, but I'd like to focus on the verse that wraps up vs. 5-7.
If the qualities of moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, etc., are in our lives, hearts, and minds, they render us neither useless or unfruitful in the the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. WAIT! That's not what the verse says! It says if these qualities are yours and ARE INCREASING! We can't just have them, we have to work on them and increase them. Granted, since we are imperfect mortal beings, I don't think we can ever totally possess these qualities, but we can sure try. The point that still remains, though, is that even IF we acquire them, we must INCREASE them! In a way, this sort of helps to debunk the idea of "faith-only," too. Just as we cannot just have faith and be saved, or believe and be saved, we can't simply just acquire these qualities and "call it good." We MUST continue to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." We must continue to run the race, finish the course, and bring our bodies under subjection, lest we ourselves become a castaway. God has NEVER issued an order of "just do this and you're done." Wait, he did make one. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." Matt. 25:21 TTFN, Troy

Today's focus verse is Galatians 5:26:
"Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another."
Often times we can become so wrapped up in our own family, our own world, or own faith, we become unnecessarily proud. We look at ourselves and our situation and have a certain amount of pride. That can translate into a boastful attitude, one that seems to say," I'm sure glad that I'm not having problems or dealing with sin like brother/sister so-and-so. They're really not doing so well." It's one thing to note that a brother or sister is in trouble, and quite another to be willing to jump in and help them.
It just so happens that the Apostle Paul follows up chapter 5, verse 26, with chapter six, verses one and two. Those verses talk about what we're SUPPOSED to do when we see a brother or sister in trouble! Those verses tell us that we are to restore those in trouble and help bear their burdens, not sit back and boast in the fact that we're not in their shoes! A dear Brother in Christ once said that much of the problems that exist are not because SINNERS are SINNING, it's that SAINTS are not SAINTING! A lot of truth in that statement. We need to be about Sainting, instead of, well, NOT Sainting!
TTFN Troy

Where has this year gone? I can't believe it's already late October. I have changed jobs, had a child (#3!), changed churches, and gone through a lot of ups and downs. The car business is a fickle beast, but going well. We attend the Westside Church of Christ in Irving, after spending nearly 7 years at Flower Mound. Brianne and the new baby doing well, and I think the two "older" kids are adjusting well to baby sister. The 2008 election season is already under way, giving a lot of daily fresh fodder for digesting and sometimes turning away from. As I struggle daily with being a parent, a Christian, a son/son-in-law, a provider, a car salesman, a husband, and numerous other "hats," I am reminded of the Apostle Paul. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Just when I think that I'VE got it bad, I remember Paul. That usually brings me back to reality. The sun is setting on another beautiful, sunny day here in North Texas. TTFN Troy