Behind The Curtain

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Good morning, LordFather in Heaven, I seek You first-the knowledge of Your limitless love in Christ and endless power. Build my trust and my passion. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse: Ephesians 2:6 “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.

”Verse of the day: Hebrews 12:22 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Daily Reading: Judges 19-21 Luke 7:31-50

The Work Itself-Behind The Curtain

I played ‘refereed’ basketball for over 20 years-that means above and beyond pick-up games and conditioning-I played on teams in organized leagues. After college, I taught school and played ball. After teaching, I worked for a man who gave me a place to live and a job during the day and I played on his team. I left there and went to construction and played ball-from there to the ministry and formed a church league and played some more.But after high school, there was never a crowd to play for again.

So why did I play-and the other players-why did we do it? The joy of victory? Victory was not assured. It was the joy of ‘doing’ it. We loved the game. We loved the competition. We loved the team. Now, I can remember that I did it as well as I could and don’t really remember the hard stuff-the losses, the pain, the injuries. The trophies are in a box somewhere, maybe.

This is to pose the question, “Why do we do what we do?”As we ‘work’ for God, it should not be the finish line we work for-the acclaim or satisfaction for a job well done-but the ‘game’ itself. The power of God flowing through us. The direction of the Holy Spirit as we move in His joy. The joy of seeing lives changed and hearing the praise, not for us, but praise from us and others to God as we live this life of worship.

Colossians 1:4 “...because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints, 5 the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven...”

Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” – Hebrews 6:19

The conscious life of God in Christ Jesus-the Holy Spirit blesses us to know the feelings of His work ‘behind the curtain’-in the presence-consumed by Him and living with real joy-the joy that does not fade.

Seek God with all…

...because He loves us…

Father in Heaven,Your name is real joy behind the curtain of Your kingdom. Give me this day my need for satisfaction in You and You alone. Forgive me yielding to my weaknesses. Lead me away from sinful distractions.

Our God of Joy in work,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen