I Think I'll Go Eat Worms - Great Peoplel Give God Glory

                                 I Think I'll Go Eat Worms

“They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man. Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”

Acts 12:23

King Herod primped in front of his favorite mirror while his servants arrayed him in royal silvery garments that glistened in the sun. “Oh, yeah, I’m the king. I’m the man.

And what do these rebellious nations think they can do to me? Sure they want peace… they want my resources. I'll give a  speech... that will bring their surrender."

Properly arrayed, properly situated on his throne, the pompous king strutted toward his podium. I’m good at making speeches. People always marvel. Brilliant, that’s what they say—brilliant!

So King Herod opened his mouth and it happened just as he planned.

The crowd listened with intensity and exclaimed in unison. “This is the voice of a god, not of a man." (Acts 12:23) 

As King Herod soaked in their praise, the angel of the Lord, struck him,down... worms ate his body... and he died! Can you believe that? Well as disgusting as it is...it really happened!

God had gifted this king to speak but the king thought the gift was his own. He didn’t need God. Why would he? He was born with a golden tongue. He was a natural.

No generation remembers King Herod with affection. He was a blustering windpipe enthralled with his position, his power, and his regalia!

Had the Almighty written him off without a chance to change? No, God doesn't operate that way.Herod had killed James the apostle, attempted to kill Peter another apostle of Jesus, and seen the miracles...all without a change of heart. 

In the end, a man, who refused to glorify God, a man thirsty for his own glory...died in shame. 

TheNewDifferent Week 2 - Real truth...real love...real respect...real value!...more than rubies!

The Test - Great People Give God Glory

Week Five - Great People Give God Glory

The Test

Maria winced at her dreadful score on the state board college entrance exam. She didn’t make the mark. Her score was too low. I’m a failure…a

looser…definitely dumb…not smart.

Her only hope was--no one would ever know!

Maria's classmates in the accelerated section were riding high. This select group was quite impressed with their off the chart scores.

Relief hit Maria when the bell sounded for the last period of the day. Soon she could go home and escape prying minds. Soon she could collapse on her own bed and cry, be left alone. Her home was always a refuge.

But it didn’t happen that way. Things took a dovetail when one of the admired and rather smug leaders of the class piped up. “Mr. Clark, can we take a tally of everyone’s scores and see what our average is on the state exam?”

He was full of pride for his own soaring score and to Maria's horror all were in favor and Mr. Clark willingly complied. After all, they were the accelerated group—the elite of the high school graduating class!

Maria's heart filled with terror. What can I do? How do I escape this great embarrassment?

“Mr. Clark, may I be excused to the restroom?”

A nod of his head gave the needed permission. And Maria walked out.

Relief flooded her soul. Now to remain long enough to evade inquiring minds. Maria returned as the students were leaving—heading homeward. Sigh. It's over. I escaped. Almost home!

“Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness:

 but a faithful man who can find ?”

Proverbs 20:6

A young girl was terrorized by her seeming failure. A girl with promise was a target for Satan’s demise. And actions of prideful classmates were contemptible in the sight of their Creator.

Theirs was not a record heaven could applaud. They were young, immature. Hopefully they would learn that self- seeking is the antitheses of greatness.
P. S. Four years later, Maria took hold of God's plan for her life and  graduated from a reputable university. The Lord looked on this humble one and enabled her to reach her dream.  

"For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly; But the proud, he knows from afar."

Psalm 138:6

The Party

                                                         The Party

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death,… for everyone.”

Hebrews 2:9

Fire lit torches blazed the evening sky as marching feet quickly made their way to the guilty party.

Eleven men huddled together as their hearts beat in cold fear. They knew. Jesus had told them. Their Savior—the One who was supposed to destroy the world and set them free from tyranny—was going to die.

They had to stop it. One kissed the Savior’s tear stained cheek in betrayal. One took out his sword and cut off an enemy’s ear.

Ten thousand angels hovered closely, waiting for the command to destroy the enemy.  The command never came.

In the end, when all hope of rescue died—the ones He called friends—fled!   

Jesus Christ was no pathetic, self-pitying Savior. Hear His strength, His power, His confidence as He called His disciples...as He's calling you.

“Don’t you know this is why I came into the world…to lay down my life for the sin of the world? Don’t you know that after three days in the grave, I will rise again? Don’t you know you will live with Me in heaven if you believe…only believe?”

So Jesus Christ died a tortured death on a lonely cross,

for you…for me. With no defense, without so much as a whimper, not even, “But your honor, I didn’t do it. I plead a re-trial.”  

He prayed. He forgave. He cried out. He bled profusely. And then—He died.

Jesus didn’t throw a pity party. But the demons did. Their arch enemy was

dead. The One who slapped the devil in the face in the Garden of Eden was dead, dead, dead!

But on the third day…when Jesus Christ crashed through the gates of hell...what a party!

The Sacrifice

                                    The Sacrifice

The easy way?

“Be the first president? After eight long years this war has taken everything out of me. I long for home… for Patsy. I’ve done enough!”

But that didn’t happen. George Washington kissed Mt Vernon goodbye, packed up his Bible, his family, and headed for Washington. His sacrifice is a legacy never forgotten.

Another way out?

“Why's my husband fighting this war? He’s nearly dead from the heat of the cannon. I’m leaving. Going to get my husband, take my pitcher, and go home. Let these soldiers fight their own war!”

Not so! Molly Pitcher threw down the pitcher, and took command of her

husband’s post as a gunner. Believe it or not, she helped the struggling army win the battle at Monmouth. She is forever remembered for amazing courage in the face of evil.

Justified escape?

“Be a spy? Place myself in imminent danger! I’ll surely

die and bring disgrace upon myself. I’ll return to my simple, quiet life as a teacher. Let someone else play the fool. I’ve got my own life to live…too young to die.”

But Nathan Hale met a cruel death by hanging. He was given no mercy, no Bible and no pastor to comfort him. Despite all, his final words have been immortalized. “I regret I have but one life to lose for my country.” He was twenty-one.

A hero is never born out of self- pity. A hero rises when he lays his life aside and risks following Jesus Christ—no matter what! No matter if peers call him weird…fanatic…out of step. No matter if his teachers confront him and demean him publicly. Because he/she knows there is a dying world that needs God’s love.

Jesus set the precedent with these words and with his life. He is calling YOU to follow...to sacrifice!

 “Greater love has no man than this that a man gives up his life

for his friends.”

John 15:13 (BBE)