BBD 09.30.04 Frivolous
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
country's flag on the map and leave a message. You can find it on the front
page at http://www.theburningbush.org
The Burning Bush Devotional
(Over 13,000 Subscribers in 75 Countries
09.30.04
Frivolous
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2.
A frequent problem for the criminal justice system is the filing of
frivolous lawsuits by inmates. A recent lawsuit (2001) came from an inmate
in the Michigan corrections system. Chad DeKoven in his lawsuit sought
recognition of himself as “Messiah-God” and wanted the state to provide him
with a full pardon, and full-time personal attendants. DeKoven also demanded
peace in the Middle East. Judge David M. Lawson has dismissed the lawsuit
and called it frivolous.
We can agree that DeKoven’s demands were a little frivolous, ridiculous,
crazy, and even incredible. But what about our demands? We who are living
the Christian life sometimes insist on hanging onto our sins and the
pursuing of the attractions of this world. Sometimes we also insist on
hanging onto our anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, bigotry and so
many other things.
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin
which so easily ensnares us....” These weights and sins are just frivolous
things when compared to “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame....” When we insist on hanging onto our weights and sins that “great
cloud of witnesses” must think it is so frivolous, ridiculous, crazy, and
even incredible that we persist in acting the way we do.
What frivolous things do you need to lay aside so that you can “run with
endurance the race that is set before” you?
Copyright © 2004. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
on a non-profit basis with source credited. On June 8, 1998 the email
version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent.
Because of family illnesses, personal health concerns, and ministry
pressures I have been unable to write as frequently as I would like. For the
immediate future I will be resending devotionals written a few years ago.
Thank you for your prayers, support and understanding!
Although the devotionals and materials from the Burning Bush are free there
are substantial costs involved in reaching people through this ministry. If
you are led to do so you can support the devotional financially through
paypal:
http://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=wrather%40dobsonteleco.com&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD
The Crossmap Christian Search and Portal is a wonderful resource. I would
like to encourage you to visit this great site at http://www.crossmap.com. Crossmap
has recently added the Burning Bush Devotionals to their site. You may visit
Crossmap’s sister website, the online version of the Christian Post at
http://www.christianpost.com.
If you have a Christian website you are invited to add the link to my free
links at the Burning Bush website. The Bravenet free links is near the
bottom of the front page http://www.theburningbush.org.
If you enjoy the devotional please recommend it to your friends. They may
subscribe by sending a blank email to
burningbushdevo-subscribe@welovegod.org
Streaming Videos of our services including my sermons are posted at:
http://www.theburningbush.org/fbcswvideo.html
There is now a webpage available at associate.com where the devotionals are
archived associate.com/groups/burningbushdevo. There is a complete
archive at the Burning Bush website and the address for the archive is
http://www.theburningbush.org/33.html.
You may subscribe to the pure text group by sending a blank email to
burningbushdevo-subscribe@welovegod.org and you can unsubscribe by sending a
blank email to burningbushdevo-unsubscribe@welovegod.org
You may subscribe to the html text group by sending a blank email to
burningbushhtml-subscribe@welovegod.org and you may unsubscribe by sending a
blank email to burningbushhtml-unsubscribe@welovegod.org
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Prayer Group. Send and receive prayer requests
to over 300 members. Send a blank email to: BBPG-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Inspirational Group. Send and receive
inspirational material to over 100 members. Send a blank email to:
bbinspire-subscribe@welovegod.org
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Restoration and Recovery Group for those with
addictions or recovering from addictions. Receive devotionals and
inspirational material directed toward those with addictions. Send and
receive prayer requests. Over 200 members. Send a blank email to:
tbbrr-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe to the Intercede Life Group and pray for and help in practical
ways those who need help. To subscribe send a blank email to
interclife-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. A closely related website is
Peoplefaces which seeks to help those in need
peoplefaces.ohzone.net/index2.htm