“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” 2 Peter 1:3

This short verse contains four powerful and foundational words that describe our God and Father and His marvelous gifts physically and spiritually. These words are: DIVINE POWER, LIFE and GODLINESS.

When we read this well-known passage from Peter as an inspired apostle, we read it [mostly I think] in spiritual terms. Jesus indeed leads us to this conclusion, “ I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. And of course this includes eternal life promised through His death, burial and resurrection.

Sometimes though, I think we inadvertently overlook this amazing planet…earth that was created for mankind as well. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. A place planned, prepared purposed into which He placed us. Isn’t it interesting and beautiful itself that the first place God prepared and placed man was a garden. And he told man to tend it.

Paul reminds us that we are without excuse in denying the existence of God and his unimaginable power because the evidence is everywhere in creation. His “invisible attributes” are clearly seen by what is visible. And this includes us, at least it was intended to be so.

Albert Einstein once said, “The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible" highlights the paradoxical nature of the universe's order and complexity. It suggests that the fact that we can understand and explain much of the universe's workings, despite its vastness and complexity, is itself a profound mystery, perhaps even a "miracle"

One of the astronauts aboard the International Space Station [ISS] reflected on her experience being mesmerized while looking at the earth through the windows in the ISS observation station. She said paraphrasing, “The International Space Station (ISS) relies on several systems to maintain breathable air for astronauts, including oxygen generation and carbon dioxide removal. The station itself protects us from the vacuum of space and its un-survivable temperatures. Looking down at our planet you realize this “miraculous” blue ball provides us everything we need to live, grow and thrive all on its own.

The Psalmist wrote, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.” Psalms 115:16

Looking around at the beauty of spring in Tennessee, the revival and renewal of life, let’s be careful not to take this for granted. Let’s be sure and take time as they say, “To smell the roses” and let us do so with gratitude in our hearts and for the “praise of His glory.”

²³ Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. ²⁴ But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, ²⁵ and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.” John 2:23-25

At twelve Jesus knew He must be about His Father’s business. At thirty, Satan tempted him to accomplish his mission using the ways of men and entrusting himself to the “evil one.” The promise of man’s praise, and the ways of the world.

If there ever was a man driven by vision and mission, it was the son of Joseph. There was always ONE thing on His mind: pleasing the Father and doing His will, the Father’s way.

“The Father has not left me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” John 8:29

Jesus clearly understood the fickleness of men. He knew the hearts and minds; he knew the potential and the weaknesses of all mankind. Those who He, the Father and the Spirit had created. He would never entrust himself or his mission to men in the flesh, the wisdom of men or the ways of the world.

This singleness of mind and purpose was and is imperative for a man on a mission. Perhaps the greatest trial and temptation on such a journey is to take your eye off the goal and place it in the eyes of men and approval from men or to accomplish God’s will, man’s ways.

His warnings are succinct. Whether in charity or in prayer do not seek to be seen – approved by men. In this there is no reward. Never do good to be seen by men. If you receive a reward, it will be short, superficial and paid in full.

Seeking the praise, approval and empowerment by men and from men will only lead to dead ends, temporary pleasures, and futility. Jesus saw firsthand the wild swings in his acceptance, praise, rejection and isolation from the crowds in the three short years of his active ministry.

Suppose for a moment He had taken His eyes off the Father and decided the pleasing and approval of man was necessary either as strategy or motivation. Look at the chaos He received from men: ADORATION, ISOLATION and CONDEMNATION.

In the adoration of man there no reward from God and in seeking approval from man there eventually is isolation or condemnation. In spiritual terms, there is no reward from man. As John Lydgate famously said, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.”

“If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors me…” John 8:54.

In whatever we do, do all [and only] for the glory of God. God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love.

Only God promises what will last.

IN ADORATION

Whatever you do in word or deed – do all for the glory of God. And He who sees in secret will reward you openly. He is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love.

IN ISOLATION:

“I will never leave you or forsake you.”

IN CONDEMNATION

“There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”

If you’re on His mission, never take your eyes off Him who is faithful and sure.

Last week we visited the Winston Churchill “War Rooms” What we saw reminded us to lay aside everything that hinders or distracts us from the battle we are in and our high calling.

Winston didn’t enjoy using his “war rooms” but he delighted in showing it off to visiting generals, politicians and dignitaries. His pride came largely from his insistence on the fast, efficient way decisions were made using his “Action This Day” labels spread around the war room complex.

What struck us most touring the 9100 square foot memorial to the war rooms and the staff of men and women who served there during the roughly six years it was in use, was the remarkable simplicity and spartan nature of everyone’s accommodations. The historians, the reconstruction specialists have done a remarkable job restoring, preserving and illustrating what is was like for the men, women, military and civilian who worked, ate and slept there in pursuit of one singular goal, survival and ultimately victory.

It was clear that the common, shared essentials and necessities was for the mission only. It was by design not because of scarcity. There were no “provisions for the flesh” in such a time of war. The deprivations were shared by all. Each room as the image above illustrates, provided solely for the necessities of life, the work required and a focus entirely on the fact that all were making sacrifices for the common cause: survival and defeating enemy.

At the same time Churchill was not excusing himself from these sacrifices and the minimalistic environment. He carried the nation and the cause with his unrelenting honesty, optimism and courage. His ability to communicate to the people of England, primarily in London seemed “inspired” at least in political and psychological terms. “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” Winston was offering what would be expected and required of all.

His commitment to the fight reflected the dramatic extent to which each citizen, man, woman, soldier, sailor and airman must prepare themselves for, heart, mind, body and soul sounded forth in his address to parliament on June 4^th, 1940 “We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, We shall never surrender'.”

To his old school Churchill gave perhaps his most powerful address on October 29^th, 1941, “You cannot tell from appearances how things will go. Sometimes imagination makes things out [to be] far worse than they are; yet without imagination not much can be done. Those people who are imaginative see many more dangers than perhaps exist, certainly many more than will happen; but then they must also pray to be given that extra courage to carry this far-reaching imagination.

“But for everyone, surely, what we have gone through in this period—I am addressing myself to the School—surely from this period of ten months this is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force: never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

Perhaps only Lincoln and Churchill stand in secular history as peers. Two men that carried, inspired, exemplified and communicated their respective causes to their nations in times of national crises. For Lincoln the Gettysburg address and his second inaugural address epitomized the peak of his ability to speak to the heart of the nation. “"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure,"

All of this, the reflections on Churchill’s War Rooms, the Gettysburg address, remind us that we too are in a great war, a spiritual battle with an enemy that threatens the kingdom to which we belong. Our adversary the devil wants our souls, he seeks to destroy all of God’s goodness, the beauty of His creation, the peace, harmony and order designed for our benefit. He wants not only our lives, but the lives of our children, He wants our worship to be directed to him, He wants to destroy our family, physically and spiritually. He wants us enslaved to sin, evil and the suffering it brings.

Jesus stated emphatically however that He is the rock on which His kingdom is built, and Satan’s gates of hades will never prevail against it. Jesus told us long before Churchill that in this world we will have tribulations, but He says, I have overcome the world. He offered himself first as our example by taking up a cross and expecting us to follow. He assured us that He will never, never leave us.  Nothing, Paul assures us can separate us from His love. On the night Jesus was betrayed, He washed feet and said, “Do you know what I have done TO you?” He gave, he says, “an example that you should follow.” Our call is not to combat but service. This is our battle, denying self and serving others.

Paul likewise is inspirational in his admonishments, encouragements and his examples when he tells us, “¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have ^[d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:12-14

This “one thing I do…” It is a hard learned lesson for us all. Putting aside so many things that distract us, entice us, serve the flesh and its desires. Laying aside things, anything that hinders us individually and collectively from our calling, our fight, and our mission is essential. Like the rich young ruler that wanted so badly to inherit eternal life, he took pride in what he had not done, and which were bad for him anyway, but to lay aside the things which were “good” for him sent him away sorrowful.

The sooner we realize the significance of the battles we fight, the sooner we can “gird up our loins, put on the armor of God, fight the good fight, endure hardships as a faithful soldier, guard our hearts and minds, and learn to be sober minded and watchful.

Paul exhorts Timothy, “Therefore, if anyone cleans himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Timothy 2:21

It is time to act like men and to be strong.