Everything in excellence

How the quality of our work tells the world about our God

Obviously this picture is getting a little out of control.  I don't think that's what God is referring to when he tells us in Colossians 3:23 that whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.  The point of the passage is to make us aware for whom we are working.  Whatever our labor is it should be done for the Lord which means it should always be done well.  Not perfectionism but a constant striving for greatness that tells the world we are working for our Master who does all things well.

Philippians 2:14,15 says that we should do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.  We are to be light to the world and when our work and our attitude reflects our King it will shine brightly against the backdrop of a lost generation.  When people ask why, we get to tell them about our King who is most excellent!

Soli Deo Gloria,


Greg Huber

Thinking the best of others

What would you think if you walked by a bar and saw a Christian brother or sister inside?

Many of us would instantly cast judgement upon our brother or sister or maybe just wonder in the back of our mind if they are struggling with a secret issue.  We may even go so far as to let others know about who we saw so they can 'pray' for them.

In our world today it's really easy to get caught up in thinking the worst of others when we don't know the whole story. Why don't we instantly view circumstance in the best light until we know differently?  Maybe it's because we secretly long to see someone else stumble because it makes our own heart swell with pride as it tells us "You're better than them."  Maybe it's because we know our own sinful disposition and wrongly put that on everyone else.  We also hate when someone does that to us.  

John 7:24 tells us to "not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."  Though certainly not exhaustive, I'd like to challenge us on making uninformed judgements on two types of people.

Someone we dislike or disagree with
How hard is this one?  When someone defames a person we like or someone who shares our views we generally rush to defend the accused.  When a disparaging remark is spoken about a person we disagree with or dislike we generally want to agree with the disparagement even though we don't know the facts.  Why?  I think it's simply our wicked hearts showing that we are okay with injustice if we don't like someone.  Justice is a big deal to God because he is just.  

Our fellow Christian 
How many problems in the Church would be avoided if we always assumed the best about our church family?  If you're concerned talk to them in private and ask.  If you don't know them personally but have heard gossip about them assume the best until you definitively know.  They are a fellow heir of grace through Jesus and you will be spending eternity with them in Heaven.  Imagine Jesus' reaction to someone slandering his bride.

May we accurately represent our King with our thoughts about others.

Soli Deo Gloria,




Greg Huber

You are not condemned!

What does this picture say about your Christian life? 

Do you see it?  I'm sure there are other thoughts that could go along with mine but I see the chains that once bound me to my sin and the post that kept me in check to do the bidding of my former master. 

Here's the beauty of the picture.  I'm not there anymore!  By God's grace I've surrendered my life in repentance and faith.  Jesus has rescued me from those chains and God has made me his son!  I'm no longer held captive by the enemy to do his will and though I still sin and grieve over my sin I am no longer defined or condemned by my sin.  

Romans 8:1 tells us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.  Isn't that a really hard thing to grasp?  

I sin multiple time a day.  There is no condemnation if you are in Christ.
I sinned this morning.  There is no condemnation if you are in Christ.
I sin willingly.  There is no condemnation if you are in Christ.

In God's grace he daily reminds me of ways I'm sinning that I may not even have realized a year ago.  Sometimes the weight of it it absolutely overwhelms me but I hold on to what I know is true.  Romans 8:1 has been a great comfort to Christians throughout the ages but it is only a promise to Christians.  Are you in Christ?  If so, celebrate because your sins are forgiven and you have eternal life but please don't make the mistake of only celebrating.  If the celebrating doesn't lead us to a deeper love of God and obedience to Jesus we've missed a major point.  Love for Jesus drives us to a self-sacrificing obedience to God.  Selfishness leads only to self-obedience. 

If you have not turned from your sin and put your faith in Christ please know that in love I must warn you that the wrath of God is resting upon you.  God is angry at your sin but desires for you to acknowledge your sin, turn from it and surrender your life to him where he will truly give you life.  Psalm 7:12 warns us this way.  If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow.  Think about the word picture for the one who does not repent.   God has sharpened his sword and has bent the bow back and is waiting to let the arrow fly.  He's warning us because he gets great glory by saving sinful people like us!  

Please know that all sin must be punished and there are only two ways for this to happen.  Either Jesus will pay for all my sins because I've turned from my them and placed my trust in him or I will pay for my sins for eternity in Hell because I've refused to surrender to Jesus.  Here's a good video explaining this in greater detail.

If you're not sure you are a follower of Jesus take 10 minutes and read 1 John Chapters 1-3.   Reading this made it crystal clear to me that I wasn't really God's kid when I thought I was.  Note what it says about practicing sin and practicing righteousness.

Soli Deo Gloria,


Greg Huber

The Judicial System - Who Knew?

You've probably seen or heard me talk about keeping God relevant in current times.  Some people struggle with reading about the God of the bible from thousands of years ago, but feeling Him in the now of our lives.  Of course to that I always suggest that a ongoing, real relationship with the Creator requires time with Him.  In His word and in prayer.  In actions of obedience and service to others.

Read Exodus chapter 18.  (No, I meant right now.  Stop and read chapter 18).

I'll wait.............

Here Moses is the man who God used to bring Israel out of slavery and bondage.  The man who the people complain to every five minutes about their comfort and well being.  And now the ONLY person the people bring their grievances to.  Verse 13 says this poor guy sits as judge for his people  from morning to evening.  So when Moses's father-in-law, Jethro, comes to visit, he says "What is things thing that you are doing for the people?" (v. 14)

If you read the entire chapter like I suggested, you know that Jethro goes on to suggest that Moses bring on board some help.  "...able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such them to be rules......". (v. 21, partial)  Jethro basically lays out a system that our United States judicial system is based on.  I'm sure many of you knew this already, but what about our younger generation.  I doubt today's schools are teaching the connection.

So for me, another cool example of God being relevant for today.  We still follow a legal structure today for people to bring their grievances to a judge, a third party.  We can read about every part of our lives; how to deal with conflict, how to deal with relationships and struggle.  How to love and serve those around us.  God is relevant.  Just look for Him!

Philip J. 

Stop whining! Have faith and believe!

I love the book of Exodus.  I've always been intrigued by the entire story of Moses, Pharaoh, the massive rescue.  Even the back story of Joseph before that.  I guess that is why one of my favorite animation movies is The Prince of Egypt.

This morning I was reading Exodus chapter 13 where God has finally allowed Pharaoh's heart to be broken by the death of his (Pharaoh's) son and Moses and the people of Israel are on the move.  Think about everything they've seen in the past months.  All the signs and wonders that God performed through Moses and Aaron.  All the calamities that struck the Egyptians and not God's people.  Wouldn't you be in a state of amazement and awe at the power and full time presence of God? 

Their journey begins out of Egypt and God travels with them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21).  Wow, try to imagine the scene.  You aren't sure where you are going, but the God of the universe is leading the way.  What worries or concerns could you possibly have.

But wait... Humans are stubborn creatures and the people of Israel demonstrated that time and time again.  In Chapter 14, Pharaoh changes his mind, again, and begins to pursue them with his best troops and equipment.  What is their reaction?  "Then they said to Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness?  Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we have told you in Egypt, saying Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness". (Exodus 14:11-12)

I wonder if they were looking at the pillar of cloud or fire while saying this?  Of course you know the story.  The next thing they witness is the parting of the Red Sea, the complete destruction of Pharaoh's army, and their ultimate rescue.  "Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had one in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses." (Exodus 14:31)

In my own life, I wonder how many times God speaks to me, directs my steps, guides me in my daily life but I ignore it.  How many times is He working wonders in my own life and I still lack faith.  Do I need to see the entire Red Sea split in half to believe He is doing wonderful things in my life? 

God, please let my faith in You be driven by my knowledge and trust in You and Your Living Word.  Let my heart and mind be in tune with You and not this world I live in.  God, when I begin to worry about earthly circumstances, bring me back to focusing on You.

Philip J.

I hope!

How many times do you hear yourself saying "I hope ......."?  You know you do it more than you think.  "I hope traffic isn't bad today".  "I hope my kid does well on his/her test".  "I hope this new President does a good job".  "I hope I get this promotion".  I know I'm probably busting your chops for something you don't even think about, a statement that is more slang that anything else, but I was really challenged today as I read Proverbs 13:12, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life".  

Why is my longing anything else then Jesus?  What is my hope in?  Man, my kids, my wife, my job? Those things will always fail me on some level.  But a longing, a desire to be connected to the vine, to be one with Jesus is promised to be a tree of life.

So, these words are easy to write in this blog, but harder to live out day by day.  That is why we need to renew our minds every single day through His word and in prayer with Him.  He is our hope.  He is our desire.  HE IS OUR LIFE!

God, please make me a faithful follower who places my hope in YOU, my trust in YOUR plan for my life, my worries and cares at YOUR feet!

Philip J.

We went....there is more to be done!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

When asked by his disciples if Jesus was going to restore the kingdom to Israel, Jesus replied by sending them to be His witnesses, both nearby and to the ends of the earth.  If you've been a part of WVBC lately, you know this has been on the heart and minds of our leadership, placed there by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses.

This weekend we went into El Mirage (our Samaria) and worked on nine different projects for people there who needed not only our physical help, but to see the love of Christ being poured out to strangers.  Why? Because He loves us and commands us to love others.  I was so proud to see how many people came and honored to be a part of a team serving God by serving those who have little.

But wait!  Before I (we) get too proud our ourselves, there is more work to be done.  I hope some of you made some contacts while there that you could go back in the weeks to come and check in.  I also pray that instead of a church organized event, our groups would be going to the ends of the earth and being His witness on a regular basis.  Guided by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate a living and loving God to those who might not know Him.

Good Work Church, but don't stop now!

(Photo is just one of nine projects)

Philip J.