Are you Hardheaded?

First Baptist Church: Are you Hard Headed?

The title of this article may sound lie a strange question. And I am sure that generally speaking we all have known someone who would fit into the category of being hardheaded. However, when it comes to the teachings of the Bible, sometimes we all can be hardheaded. Sometimes, we must hear something over and over before we get it. That is why God sometimes repeats things in the Bible. For example, in Matthew 16:24-26, we find these words, “ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Interestingly, this passage can also be found in the New Testament books of Mark, and Luke. I wonder why God thought it necessary for us to read it over and over. What is He trying to make sure we get? Well, we are all called by Jesus to abandon ourselves in service to Him. It is His cross that marks the true disciple. Jesus teaches us that our hope is not in our material possessions and the things of this world but in eternal life with Him. We need to be mindful of whom we serve. That service, or discipleship, means we serve all God’s people in this world and care for its resources.

Life as a faithful Christian is not always easy. One thing goes wrong in our lives, and we begin to be doubtful. Is God abandoning me? However, as the Luthern pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was a victim of the Holocaust stated in his book The Cost of Discipleship, “He leads the way, keep close to Him.” God allows us to make our own decisions. He allows us to learn from the choices we make — both right and wrong. But the right decision is not about material things; it is about the wonderful calling and opportunity He has given to us.

Every day, we should focus on how we can best allow God to work through us. We can always trust that God’s purpose is wonderful and perfect. What are you still trying to control? Why not give it over to God and let Him control it? We all know He can do a better job than we can.

Please allow me the opportunity to invite you to visit with us at Caruthersville First Baptist Church, 801 Ward Ave. We gather for Bible study time on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and then at 10:30 for worship. We meet at 5:00 on Sunday evenings for worship and a time of Bible study led by our pastor in our fellowship hall. We also have an online Bible study time on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 on our Caruthersville First Baptist Church Facebook page. We would love to have you visit with us!