There’s a huge difference. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, ESV). Have you considered the distinction between achievement and purpose? Achievement concerns measurable results. It tends to focus on receiving praise, promotion, and reward. Often the achievement driven individual is guided by goals, each building on the other to ascend a specified ladder.

A call not to skimp, but to overfill the buckets and load down the truck bed. — But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” — Colossians 1:22 (NIV) There is a huge mound of mulch at the end of the country road that runs past my neighborhood. And I mean, huge. It is an industrial sized, 18-wheel trailer dump.

Spiritual life begins to grow when I take off my fig leaves. — “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43, ESV). There is something about the flesh that desires greatness. It craves praise and recognition. That natural element of my human condition seeks to stand on the high ground, above others morally, economically, academically, socially, intellectually, culturally, etc.

What if the assumed blessing were unmasked as a curse? — Today’s post is below. But first this. 👉 The Ultimate Scapegoat How believers become blameless and beautiful in the Father’s eyes. 👉 What to Do When You’ve Lost Your Joy Ironic, isn’t it, that sin promises deep and lasting satisfaction, only to deliver intense and abiding guilt. 👉 The Power of Pleading the Hyssop What if the blood of Jesus not only covers completely but also covers permanently?

How believers become blameless and beautiful in the Father’s eyes. — “The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.” — Leviticus 16:22 Did you know the concept of placing blame upon a scapegoat comes from the Old Testament? The practice is described in Leviticus 16:20–22. 20 When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. 21…

Ironic, isn’t it, that sin promises deep and lasting satisfaction, only to deliver intense and abiding guilt. — “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” — Psalm 51:12a

What if the blood of Jesus not only covers completely but also covers permanently? — “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” — Psalm 51:7 As I stood with my daughter looking out the window into the woods following a snowfall this past winter, she remarked, “It is so bright and clean.” I suppose you have to know that behind our house is an area that leads down to the creek. Branches from trees fallen…

What it means to be “more than forgiven” — “For I was born a sinner — yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.” — Psalm 51:5–6 (NLT)

An invitation to stand with both feet on solid ground. — “Have mercy on me, O God.” — Psalm 51:1 The foundation necessary for confidence in mercy is constructed with the mortar of the Hebrew word David uses in verse 1 of Psalm 51, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your hesed.” …