Only Jesus

Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself
Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else
Make a name the world remembers
But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams
I got lost in the light when it was up to me
To make a name the world remembers
But Jesus is the only name to remember

And I, I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won
Will crumble into dust when it's said and done
'Cause all that really mattered
Did I live the truth to the ones I love?
Was my life the proof that there is only One
Whose name will last forever?

And I, I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember, oh
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember

And I, I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus

-Casting Crowns

This was the song on my mind this morning as I got up and moving.  This and then reading in Corinthians of Paul's description of himself.  Chapter 15 Verses 9 and 10.

"For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me."

What we will become in this life is entirely and only by the Grace of God.

His mercy towards us, if we could but see it, would crush our spirits to see just how much. 

To see what Jesus sees in us, our potential for good.  To see everything about us that we can't would probably alarm us greatly.

Jesus sees the countless fruit in a seed. He sees which fruit of that seed that will become seeds yet again in the distant future.  He sees every single potential outcome before the synapses of the brain create the thought that would drive it.

We live in a world of the 'live for the moment'. This generation is known as the 'entitlement' generation.  They believe, as they have been taught, that they are entitled to anything and everything.  That the world owes them their dreams and their desires.  Live as they want with no regard to what anyone else believes or thinks.  They demand to be accepted rather than earn the respect they crave.

Think I am speaking of unbelievers don't you?  I am talking about those in the Church.   People considering the Church as more of a place with guidelines like a country club.  They can dress up if they like, shoot a few holes, eat n talk then go home.  Being no different when they leave as when they arrived.  They are there to be served by others.  They are not after being told the truth of sin, the need for repentance.  The need to submit to taking up their cross daily and following Christ.
They don't want to hear about rejection of worldly lies or ideas.  They want everyone to be accepted and used as they are. They don't want to hear about the truth of who will never see Heaven.  The doctrines of demons that are warned about in Thessalonians are never discussed because nobody wants to hear about it.

The truth is Jesus would be alienated there.  He wouldn't be welcome.  He probably has showed up many times but was never let in.

The people there set up strict rules that He never would approve of.  What to wear, what not to wear. What Bible they have to use or to not use one at all.  Whatever manner of worldly thinking is prevalent there. 

Some churches have done far worse than what Jesus accused the Pharisees of.  They have made people twice a son of Hell as themselves. 

People this life isn't about us. It's not about how much we can get, how many dreams we can dream.  Not about constantly taking the blessings we have been given yet not giving in return.

We should not be in churches that will not put Christ as head of it all.

Deception and misdirection are the greatest tools of Satan.  He begins with the exact same words that he used with Adam and Eve. "Did God really say..."

We have been told we live in a loud world.  That we should listen for that still soft voice.   Be careful.  Satan mimics God in as much as he can.  He wasn't yelling at Adam and Eve. He wasn't yelling at Jesus when He was tempted by him.  He wasn't yelling when he entered Judas to betray Christ. 

Someone once wrote some profound wisdom in this: you can change the course of a river with a small stone. 

Go to the beginning of the river and add a stone to deflect the water. The change is minute but it had happened. Add another, then another.  Each one is a "oh this isn't so bad." Moment. Each is a "this isn't going to hurt anyone" moment.  Add a few more.  It adds up. Soon you have a wall blocking the path of the water.  The course of a once beautiful river is forever changed.  Oh, you realize what happened do you?  Try removing a stone at the base of the pile.  Not so easy to take back is it?

When we live for Jesus things are not like that.  It's not to say that we shouldn't enjoy the beauty of God's creation.  But we shouldn't never give Satan an opportunity to deceive. 

One moment of putting off a closer relationship with Jesus is a stone.  The stones pile up and then we wonder where He is when troubles come.  We put up a wall between us and God. 

Think about your life.

Think about your priorities.

What do you spend your time thinking about?  What have you convinced yourself is important in your idea of Church?
Does your Church follow the Bible or does it consult it rather than study it? 

Is It a country club or would Jesus be allowed in?  Is it so open that that the unsaved are serving where Believers should be?  Does anyone there really preach and teach the whole counsel of God?

Do what do you spend your time thinking about?  Does Jesus even cross your mind?

Whose dreams are you pursuing? God's for you or yours?

Jesus is the only name...the only name to remember.