Jordan or LeBron

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God's Word.  It tells you who’s the greatest.  Lately with LeBron passing Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s NBA all-time scoring record.  The debate has re-emerged regarding who is the greatest player of all time.  Some go by rings, MVPs, Finals MVPs, All Star MVPs, Defensive Players of the year, Most points by average, most points in a career…  Everyone has their own criteria.  Someone asked the question, Who would be your all time starting five? Mine was easy.  Lebron at the one, Jordan at the two, Bird at the three, Tim Duncan at the four, Kareem at the five.  But that’s my humble opinion.  Every one can score, pass, defend, they all can shoot, they have length, athleticism, unrivaled competitive spirit, championship DNA, all-time greats they would win, I’m pretty sure.  Others may have a different opinion – they have every right to be wrong…  So you see why these debates will never end.  So lets jump to a closed case.  When it comes to the greatest of all time.  Basketball, Sports, Entertainment, Business, Military, World Leaders do not even enter the equation.  Regarding anyone who has lived on the earth.  The Greatest Of All Time - Jesus of Nazareth, Son of the Living God.   There is no one else even in that conversation.  No one else was sinless, died for you, covered the penalty of your sin, rose from the dead, seated on the throne.  He is the greatest of all time.  And when time ends, He will still be the greatest for eternity without end, sitting on the throne, worshipped forever.  What makes Him the greatest? Divine by birth, eye-witness proven by rising from the dead, to life - eternally.  No one will ever know who really was the greatest basketball player, Jordan or Lebron, or someone else.  But one day everyone will know who the greatest of all time is.  When every knee bows, and every tongue confesses, there will be no doubt, and no more ignorance willful or otherwise.  Everyone will know.  You may never be the greatest basketball player of all time.  (You’re at least 38,000 points short as of right now…)  But when it comes to greatests… There is an interesting list to consider.  That you could be a part of… Some are opinion, several of these God already decided.  But you can receive, choose, apply, and implement some of these greatests’ in your own life.  So what are the greatests?  The Greatest Command.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart, mind, and soul.  You could do that.   The Greatest Commission: Go into all the world and share the good news… teaching them to obey everything Jesus commands them.  You could do that!  So what other greatests are there?  The greatest problem: Sin  - it separates people from God.  The greatest need?  Salvation – so you can be made right with God, forgiven of every sin, so you can live forever with Him, in Heaven.  The greatest danger – Ignorance – what you don’t know will destroy you.  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”  There’s God’s way and man’s way.  It’s good to know the difference.  The greatest quality:  Humility, the greatest hallmark of Jesus…  without it, he would never have come to earth to die in your place, it’s what made him obedient to His Heavenly Father.  Humility plus the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and God will exalt you. The greatest skill:  Anticipation - Those who see danger can take refuge, those who see opportunity can benefit from it, and benefit others.  The greatest possession:  Diligence  - “the precious possession of a man.” The greatest acquisition: Wisdom (God said above all else, get it)  The greatest habit: PiVAT – Get God’s plan for you – it’s what Jesus did on the Mount of Olives every day.  The greatest preservation: Guard your heart – what you put in will overflow out – only speak His Word of truth and life.  The greatest gain – Godliness.  But godliness with contentment - is great gain.  The greatest gift: Love – “For God so loved the world, that He gave”… The greatest love:  to lay down your life, “Greater love hath no man than this…”  The greatest pursuit – His Kingdom.  Seek first His kingdom (where the King has dominion in your life – meaning – He’s the bossa you – time, thought and money decisions)  Seek His will first, and all these things that you need; money, safety, security, success, peace…) all of them will all be added to you (they come with it)  The greatest help: The Holy Spirit.  The greatest loss:  Your soul.  What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his own soul.  Praying that you will prosper as your soul prospers, in truth, in Christ.  Your words fill your heart, His Word will guarantee your success. Praying that you would gain these greatest things.  His Word tells you how, He will save you if you ask (you’ll become a new person), His Holy Spirit will fill you if you ask, and give you power to walk in this new life.  He will give you wisdom if you ask, true wisdom from heaven, not the false wisdom of earth, and His Grace will help you leave your past behind, and walk in victory!  So your future is secure, your hope is sure, your purpose is fulfilled, and your joy is full.   Praying that you will be a part of these greatests, that God wants you to receive, chose and walk in.  Regarding ‘the greatest’ debates… you can leave that to others.
 
Love you all,
dad