Have you ever been taken for granted? Have you ever taken others for granted? This is a common phrase. Have you pondered what it means? It refers to presumptuous expectations; assuming that you are entitled to some benefit without a basis for it. This leads to several bad outcomes, but always a lack of gratitude. Do you expect that I will provide for you? This is correct. What do you have that you did not receive? The implied answer is nothing. If you understand this then you can take nothing for granted and learn the joy of gratitude for everything you receive.

You have heard of items described as ‘one size fits all’. In your experience how accurate is this statement? In this case are you surprised if it fits anyone very well? Do you take a ‘one size fits all’ approach in your presentation of the gospel? You may come to this conclusion by your regard for eternal truth and the need to present it faithfully. How successful have you been with this? Paul had a high regard for the truth and was an effective evangelist. Yet he would accommodate the needs and present state of his audience. He said he would become all things to all people that he might by any means save some. Paul got it right, and I authorize you to use all the creativity you can bring to bear in evangelism.

Do you believe that revelation is still an ongoing process? What do you think that revelation involves? If you think it means new doctrines then you are correct in being wary of it. But it doesn’t have to mean that. Do you know that I love you as a matter of doctrine that has been handed down to you through the Bible and church instruction? Do you see it as matter of revelation if this becomes a directly experienced encounter for you? I do. This is not a new doctrine but a manifestation of one already established. Is this a revelation that you have received?

Do you divide the world into good guys and bad guys? This simplistic notion is readily apparent in the movies. In some films these two categories are readily identifiable, and the whole point of the story is to kill off the bad guys. Real life is not so simple, but you do see the same dynamic in place with one nation against another, one political party against another, and one church against another. Even if the point is not to kill the bad guys they must still be defeated. The dynamics of my Kingdom are different. Can you recognize that you once were a ‘bad guy’ and are now redeemed? Don’t boast about that, but see that the point of the story is the redemption of all.