Change The Default Setting – EP27 (Gal 2:20)
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Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
Hi, Pastor Bob here. Welcome back to the Men of Valor podcast. The verse for today is Galatians chapter 2 verse 20. It states, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
"My default setting was always...me!"Recently, I was trying to adjust something on a computer - which is always a big deal for me - and I noticed it always brings me back to the same page. As I checked it out, I learned it was because there was a default setting taking me back to that page. The definition of a default setting is: A pre-selected option that's adopted when no alternative is specified by the user. Then I asked the Holy Spirit, ‘Show me my default settings before You graced me to see my true life and self.’ I could see very clearly: My default setting was always...me! No matter what subject I was searching for in my head, my thoughts always came back to the same page with a big headline named, “Me.”
Success, number one, achievement - were goals that the world taught most of us. In sports, we learned: If you win, you get a trophy. (You actually had to win in my days to get a trophy.) And along with the trophy, you got recognition!
Man, I can identify with those apostles at the Last Supper arguing, “Who's the best?” We did that all through grade school, high school, college, work, sports, grades, sales bonuses - me, me, me! Without saying it, I always wanted to see if I did better than others. I learned ‘Success and prosper, and people will treat you well. They’ll serve you before they serve others - and you will be highly thought of through life.’ The song in the seventies by Whitney Houston, “The Greatest Love of All,” says, “The greatest love is to love yourself.” That was an easy one for me, and perhaps it is for you?
Just two simple tests for you - if you think you're over that “me” setting: Who do you look for first when you're in a group picture? Or, how many of your sentences start with the words “me” or “I?” They sure often did for me, and I notice they do for many many people.
As the Holy Spirit started to touch me through the Word, and I would read things in Matthew like Jesus saying, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” And He would say, “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.” And again He would say, “Whoever humbles himself as this child - he's the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” And then, after washing the disciples feet instead of them washing the Son of God’s feet, Jesus said, “If I then, the Lord and teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet.” As the Word came alive and continued to grace me, He gradually opened my eyes to the truth! Jesus said, “The greatest love is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself.” I spent most of my life thinking the greatest love I could have was for me!
"The default page of “me”... thankfully started to switch as I cried for God, and He graced me and continues to transform me..."After having my default page of “me” most of my life - and thinking everyone deep down has that same page - I remember being so convicted several years ago in a leadership class. I remember Pastor sharing when she gets her bonuses at her job, her first thought would be, ‘This is really gonna bless the people in the kingdom of God in Honduras.’ Those kind of thoughts were never on my page! My default setting immediately went to, ‘Man, now I can get a new car. Maybe even a new boat, or take another family vacation.’ Such a difference - such a different search engine between someone who’s humble and follows God, and someone who's all about self. The default page of “me” - that was pre-selected before conversion - thankfully started to switch as I cried for God, and He graced me and continues to transform me to the alternative page this user asked Him to change.
I encourage you to read the Word for yourself. See what it says about pleasing the Father God and serving others. If it was all about prosperity, comfort and health for self, the apostle Paul, man he really missed it!
"...ask the Lord today to change your default setting if it is set to “you” - and change it to God and to others."Someone very wise one shared with me: It costs a life to save a life. I pray you ask the Lord today to change your default setting if it is set to “you” - and change it to God and to others.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word. We thank You for showing us just how important love for You, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and love for others is to You. Thank You for demonstrating humility and servanthood during Your days on earth Lord Jesus. We ask that You touch each one of us today - that You’d become our default page for everything, every day in our lives. What an amazing God we serve. God bless.
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