I'm glad scripture says in Romans 10:9-10 that we only need to declare/confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead to be saved. If it had involved a relationship like I have with Him now, I'd have been up a creek without a paddle. Many who have been "saved" (in other words, they have decided to believe by faith that Jesus Christ is indeed the very Son of God, and that His death on the cross and resurrection that followed paid the sin debt of death for them) would say that making that decision is the same as having a relationship with Jesus. While it does, in fact, introduce you to Jesus, and open the door for relationship, you don't automatically just "know" your Savior in all His glory. That would be like jumping from being introduced to the person who will be your spouse, to being married with a family a few seconds later. No relationship works like that. Jesus is no different.
Maybe this disagrees with your theology some, but hang with me. I really believe that we will end up in the same place if you will continue with me here. If you're one of those that has tried to have a relationship with Jesus, or you're just wondering what one looks like, read on too.
The absolute first step in having any relationship, as described above, is being introduced to the person with whom you desire relationship. This happens at the point in your life where you make the decision to follow Jesus by confessing that decision with your mouth, and believing in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead. At that decision crossroads, you change your eternal destination to heaven in the presence of God, forever and ever and ever (per Romans 10:9-10 listed above). But what about the relationship that follows? Let's look.
The Bible speaks primarily in the Old Testament of God audibly speaking to mankind. He used judges and prophets to do this most of the time. It normally wasn't to everyone who said they believed in God. Let me bring you some comfort right now and know that in my relationship with Jesus, I have never audibly heard His voice. You do not need to worry that someone will put you on an episode of Dr. Phil because you are hearing voices inside or outside your head. This is not some spiritually induced schizophrenia.
Growing up in the church, as I did, I used to believe that a relationship with Jesus was dedicated on what I did to instigate it, or to keep it going once it started. The things I thought I had to do was, of course, go to church, serve others, worship, read my Bible, etc. My list of things was probably no different than yours in most ways. I heard the scripture quoted many times, which is true, "come near to God and He will come near to you." (James 4:8) The only things that I could think of to draw near to God were the things in my list. I determined to get busy doing what I thought God would be doing or would want me to do, and surely He would then come near to me. I was wrong.
It wasn't until my life fell apart in 2011 and God started putting me back together again in 2012, that I realized what a relationship with Jesus/God really meant. What does it look like? Not much different than any of m other relationships. Let me explain.
I remember being in the altar in early 2012 and I was extremely broken. I was pouring out my heart to God and asking Him what was going to happen to me. I'd made some terrible choices, gotten involved in sin, and was reaping the benefits of my stupidity. Then in an altar in Texas, not audibly, yet clear as day, I heard the voice of God. It was more of a thought than anything. I knew the thought wasn't mine, though, because it wasn't saying anything to myself that I believed to be either true or possible. God only said, "Let me love you." Here I was crying and blubbering and trying to give Him a list of all the reasons why that couldn't happen. After all, because of what I had done, I viewed myself as unloveable. But love me He did and does.
I have an app on my iPhone called the Bible App. It posts a "Verse of the Day" each night at midnight. I have no way to properly explain it, but I chose to read those verses almost every day, and almost every day each one seemed as though God was speaking directly into my heart. Sometimes, it even got almost to the eerie point because the verse would be so on target. Those verses still say something to me most of the time. I have come to believe that it is simply because I make myself available to hear what God has to say. I tune out the noise of my day, and allow God to speak. There's no magical time of day to do it. Actually, I enjoy keeping the conversation going throughout the whole day.
See, here's the thing. All my lists of things that I thought I needed to do to draw near to God were actually things I was supposed to do because I had already drawn near to God. The list was supposed to be a result of my relationship, not the relationship itself. The lists, the details, the commandments, the rituals, were never intended to be my relationship with God. Yet, I had made them such. But what I've found is that God, the Creator of the universe, desires to sit down and talk with me all the time--daily. The biggest change in my prayer life if that I'm still and quiet long enough for God to talk back. Before, my prayers were my lists to God in response to the lists of things I brought to Him through my actions. It was a very warped way to have a conversation. Now, it's not like that at all.
Through reading those verses, I've learned more of the character of God. I've learned to discern His voice among all the other thoughts in my head. On top of that, I've seen the things He's told me revealed in my life. If not for revelation, I might consider contacting my straight jacket tailor and setting up a fitting. Where at first, most of His communication to me was through the Bible, now it's as much in my thoughts as it is reading scripture. Sometimes He even speaks to me through others who are also Christians and I recognize His voice in their words.
There is indeed a relationship to be had. It is God's wish for all mankind. But now do you see the difference I was speaking about in the first couple of paragraphs? Our confession and belief changes the eternal destination, but it's the relationship that changes the journey getting there. Try it. Make yourself available. It may seem awkward at first, but that's ok. The benefits of your perseverance will be absolutely amazing!
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THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Friday, September 5, 2014
My Answer: How involved/uninvolved should grassroots Christians and Christian leaders be in politics?
Opening paragraph is at the beginning of every "My Answer" blog:
Growing up as the son of a preacher, I was never further than a question to my parents, as well as a variety of other Godly influences, from what I thought I was supposed to believe about any spiritual matter. But as time passed, I studied God's word for myself and was challenged by all of them to do so. On some questions, my personal study only reinforced what I'd heard as a child. On others, I found that I differed somewhat from what I'd been taught along the way and that my understanding of scripture lead me to a few different places. (I'm not going to tell you whether my parents and I disagree on any of these questions. If you want to know that, you've TOTALLY missed the reason for the blog series or the challenge to you behind it!) I read 1 Peter 3:15, which says, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." I felt that this directive was calling me farther past just my hope of salvation, but about anything for which I felt a conviction within my faith. So I posted a series of questions on Facebook recently, challenging Christians to not debate issues, but to search for the WHY behind their convictions to these answers. I purposefully never posted my answers till now. This blog is not THE answer. It is MY answer according to my personal Bible study. I challenge you to find yours.
For me, when I posted this question on Facebook, I honestly did not have a WHY for me on any "side" of this question. As an American, I believe in the rights granted to us by the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other governing documents. I am of the opinion that we have gotten some things terribly wrong in our interpretation of those documents.
An example of bed interpretation would be the "Separation of Church and State." Most Americans do not know or realize that this "right" is NEVER MENTIONED in ANY governing document! Here is what the First Amendment actually says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
The phrase "Separation of Church and State" comes from a letter by a man named Jefferson that was cited by the Supreme Court and was originally used and intended to keep Christian principles a part of American government. For more information about this letter and the origin of the phrase, I would strongly encourage you to take a moment and read the article found by clicking here.
One must also remember their history lessons from school. One of the things England did that drove our founding fathers crazy was the imposition of the Church of England! There was only one denomination that was allowed and it was controlled by the English government. So the free exercise of religion was taken away. The founding fathers left and came here to escape this among many other things. So when they sat down to write our first documents, these things were still fresh in the minds of the authors, thus included in the documents. Given this information, I HAVE to come to the conclusion that the original intent of the founding fathers was to keep the government out of the church, not the church out of the government!
I've found, however, that any organization's greatest strength is also it's greatest weakness. Our strength is our freedom. We fight and die for it, and live it out with every passing day. But we see that enemies, including our main adversary the devil, conjures ways to expose and pervert that strength away from its original intent. It's a "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" problem. If Christians have those freedoms, then by using the governing documents alone to define our freedoms, so does every other religion. That can be a problem when it comes to such "religions" as ISIS.
My personal weakness in recent election seasons has been magnified on social media. And I've noticed that I'm not the only one. There is a need in us as Christians to jump on the defensive when we feel that Christ is being threatened. It's natural. The disciple, Peter, felt the same urge when he drew his sword and cut off the ear of the Roman soldier as he was about to arrest Jesus. But just as Peter was admonished for his actions by Jesus, so I think I would be...and you would too if you've spoken out as I have in the past.
In order to arrive at where I believe the truth lies to this question, let's first start with what scripture says in a couple of places regarding our reaction to and role in our government as believers:
"1Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority." Romans 13:1-7 NLT
"1I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." I Timothy 2:1-2 NLT
"Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king." 1 Peter 2:17 NLT
Growing up as the son of a preacher, I was never further than a question to my parents, as well as a variety of other Godly influences, from what I thought I was supposed to believe about any spiritual matter. But as time passed, I studied God's word for myself and was challenged by all of them to do so. On some questions, my personal study only reinforced what I'd heard as a child. On others, I found that I differed somewhat from what I'd been taught along the way and that my understanding of scripture lead me to a few different places. (I'm not going to tell you whether my parents and I disagree on any of these questions. If you want to know that, you've TOTALLY missed the reason for the blog series or the challenge to you behind it!) I read 1 Peter 3:15, which says, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." I felt that this directive was calling me farther past just my hope of salvation, but about anything for which I felt a conviction within my faith. So I posted a series of questions on Facebook recently, challenging Christians to not debate issues, but to search for the WHY behind their convictions to these answers. I purposefully never posted my answers till now. This blog is not THE answer. It is MY answer according to my personal Bible study. I challenge you to find yours.
For me, when I posted this question on Facebook, I honestly did not have a WHY for me on any "side" of this question. As an American, I believe in the rights granted to us by the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other governing documents. I am of the opinion that we have gotten some things terribly wrong in our interpretation of those documents.
An example of bed interpretation would be the "Separation of Church and State." Most Americans do not know or realize that this "right" is NEVER MENTIONED in ANY governing document! Here is what the First Amendment actually says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
The phrase "Separation of Church and State" comes from a letter by a man named Jefferson that was cited by the Supreme Court and was originally used and intended to keep Christian principles a part of American government. For more information about this letter and the origin of the phrase, I would strongly encourage you to take a moment and read the article found by clicking here.
One must also remember their history lessons from school. One of the things England did that drove our founding fathers crazy was the imposition of the Church of England! There was only one denomination that was allowed and it was controlled by the English government. So the free exercise of religion was taken away. The founding fathers left and came here to escape this among many other things. So when they sat down to write our first documents, these things were still fresh in the minds of the authors, thus included in the documents. Given this information, I HAVE to come to the conclusion that the original intent of the founding fathers was to keep the government out of the church, not the church out of the government!
I've found, however, that any organization's greatest strength is also it's greatest weakness. Our strength is our freedom. We fight and die for it, and live it out with every passing day. But we see that enemies, including our main adversary the devil, conjures ways to expose and pervert that strength away from its original intent. It's a "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" problem. If Christians have those freedoms, then by using the governing documents alone to define our freedoms, so does every other religion. That can be a problem when it comes to such "religions" as ISIS.
My personal weakness in recent election seasons has been magnified on social media. And I've noticed that I'm not the only one. There is a need in us as Christians to jump on the defensive when we feel that Christ is being threatened. It's natural. The disciple, Peter, felt the same urge when he drew his sword and cut off the ear of the Roman soldier as he was about to arrest Jesus. But just as Peter was admonished for his actions by Jesus, so I think I would be...and you would too if you've spoken out as I have in the past.
In order to arrive at where I believe the truth lies to this question, let's first start with what scripture says in a couple of places regarding our reaction to and role in our government as believers:
"1Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority." Romans 13:1-7 NLT
The way that I read this passage tells me that whoever is in authority, whoever is President, is instituted by God. Even those who are "men of God?" Yup. Remember Saul? He was Israel's first king. Rebellious to the core, lazy, insecure, attempted to murder David out of jealous anger more times than I can count, was basically not someone would not want to be your mentor in the area of Godliness. Yet he was ordained of God. Even David, the man who was the target of Saul's jealous anger, admonished his men when David returned with a piece of Saul's garment in a very crappy cave. :-)
Our submission to authority does not lie on the person, but in the office. Don't get mad at me! I didn't say it, God did. Let's look further.
God tells us here to pray for those who are in authority. And God threw in that pesky little word, "all." That means that our prayers are not to be slanted one way toward some, and another way toward others, but that we should pray the same for all. He even says to "give thanks." Oh no. Really? That's a hard one, especially in today's economy and leadership. (Just keeping it real here, people.)
And finally...
Notice that Paul did not get instruction from God to add the words "as long as he's a godly king or a Republican. Though someone from the Tea Party might could squeeze by too. Just leave those Democrats alone!" God didn't tell Paul to add that. He just said, "respect the king." You may not agree with what I'm saying to you, I'm just telling you what the Bible says. You can do with that what you will. Just know that what you post on Facebook and other social media is a reflection of what's in your heart. So when I and others read it, we see where your heart is in regard to following the guidelines laid out in scripture. NOT ONE TIME does scripture say we have to AGREE with our king! But it DOES say we have to respect him and pray for him. Why? Look again at 1 Timothy 2, "...so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity."
I've not found one place in scripture where it says anything against Christians taking an active role in political matters. But if we do, the roles should be taken with the guidelines expressed here and not vindictiveness, anger, vengeful hearts, fear, or malice toward anyone. Notice I included "fear." If God is in control, who have we to fear? No one. Not Al Qaeda, ISIS, or anyone else. Government is a God-instituted entity. It is ordained by Him. And we must honor God by respecting that entity and its authority over us.
My opinion is that our country has indeed gone away from God. Do I like it? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! But our role as Christians is ill focused. We rant and we rave about the President and how Godliness is gone from America and its government. We do this blindly thinking that a Godly person in the White House will get us back on the right track. Yet everywhere in scripture, I see God telling us to honor those in authority over us. He knew there would be those in authority over us who would not honor Him. Again, remember Saul? But with all my heart I believe that God Almighty is MUCH more interested with who is God in OUR HOUSE than who is God in the WHITE HOUSE!
If we get OUR HOUSE right, the WHITE HOUSE takes care of itself. That's the way God taught us to handle things in scripture. Get YOUR heart right, YOUR house in order, YOUR priorities straight, and He will take care of the rest. We have a history of thinking we have a better plan than God. But He laid out the plan long ago: "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT. So why do we keep aiming at the government when the fault is our own? We didn't do what God asked to have the result we say we want. It's an obedience issue. A heart issue. Not a President issue.
If we get OUR HOUSE right, the WHITE HOUSE takes care of itself. That's the way God taught us to handle things in scripture. Get YOUR heart right, YOUR house in order, YOUR priorities straight, and He will take care of the rest. We have a history of thinking we have a better plan than God. But He laid out the plan long ago: "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT. So why do we keep aiming at the government when the fault is our own? We didn't do what God asked to have the result we say we want. It's an obedience issue. A heart issue. Not a President issue.
In my book that will be released before too long (hopefully), I talk about the fact that Christians have begun using the Bible as a window more than a mirror. Sure, we are to be fruit inspectors of others, but when we focus on the fruit more than the reflection, we have become judges rather than inspectors. And at that point, we are way out of line!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Enough Isn't Enough
Recently I've been thinking and praying about blessings. I fully believe that Michelle and I are going to be seeing abundant blessings from God in the next few years. I believe that with all my heart! It started with a challenge from a friend/mentor to do a 5-year Plan for my life. I prayed about the plan before I started writing a word because I really didn't know where to start. But a few hours later, when it was done, and especially in the days that followed, I remember feeling guilty. I felt I had over asked what I should. I KNEW I had over asked what I deserved! So where in that plan did I over step the line at "enough?"
"Enough" is a word that we use in both a positive and negative connotation. In the positive, we may say, "I have enough," meaning that there is nothing else I need. in the negative, especially if angry, the use more often than not moves to the past tense, "I have had enough!" We may raise our voices when using the word in this context trying to get the point across that we're not going to take anymore of __________ from someone else. Still a third, actually, is at a point of resignation to pressure from others. "Ok. Enough. I'll do it." The list isn't exhaustive, but I think it's "enough" to get my point across.
To say that I've seen an outpouring of God on our lives since writing that plan on July 30, of last year would be a gross understatement! There's no magic in the outline; no hokus-pokus in even a plan. The fuel that drives the whole thing is an understanding of God's will/plan for my life, a surrender to that will/plan, and a sincere belief to the point of constant expectation that God will complete what He has obviously started! And oh, what a ride it has been already! And I'm only eight months into the plan!
So I began asking God if I was selfish. I'd asked this question before with an unmistakable response to the negative, but I just have a hard time believing what God is up to, so I felt the unnecessary need to ask again. It was in this questioning just last week that Michelle and I (along with another friend) started a 6 week journey of a Bible study by Priscilla Shirer on the life of Gideon in the Old Testament. The first night of "homework" and personal study gripped me and I started to see the answer of God unfold before my very eyes. Don't you LOVE it when God answers the cry of your heart in unmistakable ways?!?
In order to show you what I mean, I must first lead you on a very brief journey of where I've been in scripture. Click on the following scripture reference and read Deuteronomy 7:1-2. In this passage, God's people are on the threshold of the Promised Land! They've been led out of Egypt by Moses. Most recently, they've been led here by Joshua. The words, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" are already in Joshua's thoughts and not far from reaching the ears of God's people. God has said He will deliver these armies who are stronger in number and strength into the hands of His people. All they have to do to win the battle, practically, is SHOW UP!!! Then the land could change in name from "Promised Land" to "Delivered Land."
But what happens instead? To find out, let's skip ahead a little ways and read it as it happened. Click on the following links to verses from Judges 1. I think you'll get the idea.
Judges 1:19, 21
Judges 1:27-28
Judges 1:29-32
Judges 1:33
Are you getting the picture? Can you see the similarity in each one? Epic FAIL!!!
Each one of these failures that Judges chapter 1 outlines cost the people of God DEARLY!!! As a matter of fact, those very people that were not conquered, though God was going to deliver them into the hands of His people, are the ancestors of the people who give Israel a fit even to this very day. It is why we have the tension between Israel and Palestine and battles over the Gaza Strip. The thorn in the flesh has never gone away! All because God promised a blessing, gave it to His people, His people saw iron chariots and higher numbered armies and decided that a little Promised Land was better than no Promised Land. So they settled for about half.
Now in today's logic, half might make sense! After all, we want to be kind to our fellow man. Charity is a good thing! Why take all even if instructed to do so by God, when half seems to be comfortable? Half is good. Stir crap, it stinks, right?!? Let sleeping dogs sleep and go about your own business of enjoying some freedom! But God saw what was to come. He knew the hearts of those whom Israel didn't fully wipe out. This is why in Deuteronomy, He said to "show no mercy." He knew that in time, there would be no mercy shown for His people in return! God is not a God that is bound by common sense or reason. His ways and thoughts are higher than that. He sees all of time at a glance. That's not logical or even imaginable to the human mind! Click on this verse and read it, 1 Corinthians 1:27. See? Sometimes He just likes to use the most unusable person to accomplish the most difficult of tasks.
Our enemy, the devil, fooled the people of God into thinking that "some" was better than "all." Even though God had both promised all and commanded all. What about those questions you wrestle with all the time? You know what I'm talking about! It's the things that you know God is telling you to do; leading you to do, and so you do "enough." Christians today are all about "enough!" What is "enough" service as a volunteer in my church? What is "enough" time with my kids? What is "enough" money spent on my spouse for a birthday gift? What is "enough" to give as a tithe to my church? How much is "enough" forgiveness for that person that hurt me? How many good deeds is "enough" to outweigh the bad ones? Our church building is big "enough." I've done "enough." I've had "enough." Just "ENOUGH!!!"
When did "enough" become "enough" to God when it comes to blessing His people? When He talks about blessing us, He speaks in terms of windows being poured out so that we won't have room to receive it! He talks about cups running over! He mentions an eternal heavenly inheritance! He uses words like "whoever," and "whatever." There is a promise to the seeking, asking, and knocking. And not one time do you ever hear turn into a holy personification of the Seinfeld TV show character, The Soup Nazi, and scream at you, "No blessing for you!" There's not a "Full" on God's gauge! It doesn't even have an "ENOUGH" about halfway up!
What God does, Himself, is the only time we can ever say that enough has been done. His creation was enough. His plan was enough. His Son, Jesus, was/is enough. Heaven will be enough. But then, in all of this, He gave all He had. There was nothing more to give.
What is it that you have walked away from too soon because you saw something that scared you? You saw the iron chariots too and they looked quite daunting! You thought there was no way to complete the task because of the opposition. Or there were ALL THOSE PEOPLE who said you couldn't do it, or that you shouldn't do it, and you gave up because of some form of "reality check" that you got duped into believing. DON'T STOP!!! DON'T QUIT!!! The Promised Land is just that . . . PROMISED!!! If God said it's yours, then HOLD HIM TO HIS WORD and TAKE IT!!!
But Kevin, how do I KNOW that the promise is from God?!? Here's how I check it. If it fails any ONE of these, I know that I'm to walk away and that I'm being deceived by the enemy.
1. Does it go against any part of scripture in any way? If no, you're good here.
2. Does it bring glory to God? If yes, you're golden on this one.
3. Does it have the good of others at heart? If yes, keep going.
4. Does it fall into any area of my weaknesses to sin & temptation? If no, good.
5. Is any part of it born from selfish motivation? If no, go on.
6. Would it put God in a position to show off? If yes, yippee!!!
7. When I tell Jesus about it face to face, will it make Him smile? If yes, it's a keeper!!!
I leave you with this. Part of obedience is in realizing there are no parts to obedience! It's all or nothing. But so is the reward. The fullness of our blessing depends on the completeness of our obedience. Be blessed, my friends, as you claim His promise.
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THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
"Enough" is a word that we use in both a positive and negative connotation. In the positive, we may say, "I have enough," meaning that there is nothing else I need. in the negative, especially if angry, the use more often than not moves to the past tense, "I have had enough!" We may raise our voices when using the word in this context trying to get the point across that we're not going to take anymore of __________ from someone else. Still a third, actually, is at a point of resignation to pressure from others. "Ok. Enough. I'll do it." The list isn't exhaustive, but I think it's "enough" to get my point across.
To say that I've seen an outpouring of God on our lives since writing that plan on July 30, of last year would be a gross understatement! There's no magic in the outline; no hokus-pokus in even a plan. The fuel that drives the whole thing is an understanding of God's will/plan for my life, a surrender to that will/plan, and a sincere belief to the point of constant expectation that God will complete what He has obviously started! And oh, what a ride it has been already! And I'm only eight months into the plan!
So I began asking God if I was selfish. I'd asked this question before with an unmistakable response to the negative, but I just have a hard time believing what God is up to, so I felt the unnecessary need to ask again. It was in this questioning just last week that Michelle and I (along with another friend) started a 6 week journey of a Bible study by Priscilla Shirer on the life of Gideon in the Old Testament. The first night of "homework" and personal study gripped me and I started to see the answer of God unfold before my very eyes. Don't you LOVE it when God answers the cry of your heart in unmistakable ways?!?
In order to show you what I mean, I must first lead you on a very brief journey of where I've been in scripture. Click on the following scripture reference and read Deuteronomy 7:1-2. In this passage, God's people are on the threshold of the Promised Land! They've been led out of Egypt by Moses. Most recently, they've been led here by Joshua. The words, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" are already in Joshua's thoughts and not far from reaching the ears of God's people. God has said He will deliver these armies who are stronger in number and strength into the hands of His people. All they have to do to win the battle, practically, is SHOW UP!!! Then the land could change in name from "Promised Land" to "Delivered Land."
But what happens instead? To find out, let's skip ahead a little ways and read it as it happened. Click on the following links to verses from Judges 1. I think you'll get the idea.
Judges 1:19, 21
Judges 1:27-28
Judges 1:29-32
Judges 1:33
Are you getting the picture? Can you see the similarity in each one? Epic FAIL!!!
Each one of these failures that Judges chapter 1 outlines cost the people of God DEARLY!!! As a matter of fact, those very people that were not conquered, though God was going to deliver them into the hands of His people, are the ancestors of the people who give Israel a fit even to this very day. It is why we have the tension between Israel and Palestine and battles over the Gaza Strip. The thorn in the flesh has never gone away! All because God promised a blessing, gave it to His people, His people saw iron chariots and higher numbered armies and decided that a little Promised Land was better than no Promised Land. So they settled for about half.
Now in today's logic, half might make sense! After all, we want to be kind to our fellow man. Charity is a good thing! Why take all even if instructed to do so by God, when half seems to be comfortable? Half is good. Stir crap, it stinks, right?!? Let sleeping dogs sleep and go about your own business of enjoying some freedom! But God saw what was to come. He knew the hearts of those whom Israel didn't fully wipe out. This is why in Deuteronomy, He said to "show no mercy." He knew that in time, there would be no mercy shown for His people in return! God is not a God that is bound by common sense or reason. His ways and thoughts are higher than that. He sees all of time at a glance. That's not logical or even imaginable to the human mind! Click on this verse and read it, 1 Corinthians 1:27. See? Sometimes He just likes to use the most unusable person to accomplish the most difficult of tasks.
Our enemy, the devil, fooled the people of God into thinking that "some" was better than "all." Even though God had both promised all and commanded all. What about those questions you wrestle with all the time? You know what I'm talking about! It's the things that you know God is telling you to do; leading you to do, and so you do "enough." Christians today are all about "enough!" What is "enough" service as a volunteer in my church? What is "enough" time with my kids? What is "enough" money spent on my spouse for a birthday gift? What is "enough" to give as a tithe to my church? How much is "enough" forgiveness for that person that hurt me? How many good deeds is "enough" to outweigh the bad ones? Our church building is big "enough." I've done "enough." I've had "enough." Just "ENOUGH!!!"
When did "enough" become "enough" to God when it comes to blessing His people? When He talks about blessing us, He speaks in terms of windows being poured out so that we won't have room to receive it! He talks about cups running over! He mentions an eternal heavenly inheritance! He uses words like "whoever," and "whatever." There is a promise to the seeking, asking, and knocking. And not one time do you ever hear turn into a holy personification of the Seinfeld TV show character, The Soup Nazi, and scream at you, "No blessing for you!" There's not a "Full" on God's gauge! It doesn't even have an "ENOUGH" about halfway up!
What God does, Himself, is the only time we can ever say that enough has been done. His creation was enough. His plan was enough. His Son, Jesus, was/is enough. Heaven will be enough. But then, in all of this, He gave all He had. There was nothing more to give.
What is it that you have walked away from too soon because you saw something that scared you? You saw the iron chariots too and they looked quite daunting! You thought there was no way to complete the task because of the opposition. Or there were ALL THOSE PEOPLE who said you couldn't do it, or that you shouldn't do it, and you gave up because of some form of "reality check" that you got duped into believing. DON'T STOP!!! DON'T QUIT!!! The Promised Land is just that . . . PROMISED!!! If God said it's yours, then HOLD HIM TO HIS WORD and TAKE IT!!!
But Kevin, how do I KNOW that the promise is from God?!? Here's how I check it. If it fails any ONE of these, I know that I'm to walk away and that I'm being deceived by the enemy.
1. Does it go against any part of scripture in any way? If no, you're good here.
2. Does it bring glory to God? If yes, you're golden on this one.
3. Does it have the good of others at heart? If yes, keep going.
4. Does it fall into any area of my weaknesses to sin & temptation? If no, good.
5. Is any part of it born from selfish motivation? If no, go on.
6. Would it put God in a position to show off? If yes, yippee!!!
7. When I tell Jesus about it face to face, will it make Him smile? If yes, it's a keeper!!!
I leave you with this. Part of obedience is in realizing there are no parts to obedience! It's all or nothing. But so is the reward. The fullness of our blessing depends on the completeness of our obedience. Be blessed, my friends, as you claim His promise.
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. Most of you should choose the NAME/URL option and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Thursday, January 23, 2014
...and that's the way I WANT IT!!!!
I remember in the late 90's when I was serving a church in Ohio. My Pastor there introduced me to the teachings of Dr. John C. Maxwell. Maxwell has written numerous best-selling books on the subject of leadership, with his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership being one of my favorites to this very day. Back then, Maxwell was Pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, CA, and did a monthly mentoring club via cassette/CD called The Injoy Life Club, appropriately named for his company, Injoy. This club sent leadership lessons to church leaders each month along with lesson notes for you to fill in the blanks.
In one of these lessons, John stated that he had not originally planned on being a pastor, but instead had a degree in counseling. His story goes that he was so excited to be able to help those in need of hope, that he went into his first few counseling sessions with great enthusiasm! But when they would report back to him the next week for the next session and he asked them how things were going, the response was mostly that things were going the same as they had been the week before! Didn't he give good advice? Of course, he did! Sound and Biblical advice. Was there follow-up? Yes. So you what was the issue?!? The same one that exists today. Those people didn't WANT to change! They either loved the drama, or wanted the magic pill that made everything better with one single dose!
You know the people I'm talking about! They're the people who always find themselves in the middle of some kind of situation. They're mad at someone or someone else is mad at them. They've been done wrong by a friend (usually former friend) or someone is causing a crisis type dilemma. One thing is for certain, it is almost NEVER their fault!!! Always quick to point out the faults in others while ignoring their own, they normally have some level of delusion of grandeur that has blinded them to the real truth of the circumstance. I was counted among these people! But thank God, I've been DELIVERED!!! :-) Seriously, about five minutes of conversation and the negativity starts to boil out, IF it takes that long! So you get the picture. Maybe you got a better picture when you looked in the mirror! Just sayin'.
So how do we overcome this?
1. Speak Biblical truth. This is where 99% of us will do EXACTLY...nothing. We will be the ones about whom Dr. Maxwell remembered. We may say that we're going to do it, but then it drops from the priority list quicker than last year's New Year Resolutions! But you have GOT to start speaking OUT LOUD the things you WANT to be, not the things you think you ARE! The Bible tells us who we are in Christ. You've heard me talk about how I say some Biblical truth each day that is taken straight from scripture. They are taped to my bathroom mirror at home so I see them every day to remind me. If you would like a copy, click here and you will be directed to my blog where I listed them. Print them off! Use them!
2. Speak practical truth. My pastor, Danny Chambers, recently spoke of a speaker he heard once who challenged the audience to put the phrase "and that's the way I WANT it!" right after everything they would say about themselves. It teaches you to pay attention to the way you speak!
"I'm sick...and that's the way I want it!"
"I had a bad day at work...and that's the way I want it!"
"I didn't get that contract at work...and that's the way I want it!"
If we start speaking the way God speaks about us and sings over us, we would start to see changes in our lives! I HAVE!!! Ask anyone that knows me and is close to me right now! There is POWER in words!!!!
3. Expect goodness. But when trouble comes, recognize it for what it is. Read by clicking here what scripture says in John 16:33. That's not an option. We should EXPECT goodness, but recognize trouble as just an attack to distract or discourage us. Your biggest breakthroughs are often preceded by your biggest breakdowns. Pastor Danny says, "The size of your challenge is usually an indication of the size of your future!"
4. Worship in your pain. David did. Click here. David had just had to pretend to be insane and Abimilech had sent him away. And he starts exalting the name of Christ. Worship does two things in our pain. First, it takes the focus OFF of our pain and puts it ON Christ. When we focus on other things, we can't focus on present trials. And second, it creates an attitude of hopeful expectation for God to step in and work. These are the ways He responds best!!! Write this down: "What you magnify will mess you up or lift you up!" Are you magnifying Christ, or do your words magnify your problem?
Most people win or lose their battles on the battlefield that's between their ears - their minds. What you entertain there will manifest into speech. What you speak manifests into your life and who you are. BE CAREFUL! BE WISE!!!
I could go on and on here with what God has taught me. But this is enough for now. I have a feeling you may need to start practicing putting "and I want it that way" after everything you say about yourself. Know that I'm praying for you as you get this and read it and hopefully start applying it.
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. If not, simply choose NAME/URL and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
In one of these lessons, John stated that he had not originally planned on being a pastor, but instead had a degree in counseling. His story goes that he was so excited to be able to help those in need of hope, that he went into his first few counseling sessions with great enthusiasm! But when they would report back to him the next week for the next session and he asked them how things were going, the response was mostly that things were going the same as they had been the week before! Didn't he give good advice? Of course, he did! Sound and Biblical advice. Was there follow-up? Yes. So you what was the issue?!? The same one that exists today. Those people didn't WANT to change! They either loved the drama, or wanted the magic pill that made everything better with one single dose!
You know the people I'm talking about! They're the people who always find themselves in the middle of some kind of situation. They're mad at someone or someone else is mad at them. They've been done wrong by a friend (usually former friend) or someone is causing a crisis type dilemma. One thing is for certain, it is almost NEVER their fault!!! Always quick to point out the faults in others while ignoring their own, they normally have some level of delusion of grandeur that has blinded them to the real truth of the circumstance. I was counted among these people! But thank God, I've been DELIVERED!!! :-) Seriously, about five minutes of conversation and the negativity starts to boil out, IF it takes that long! So you get the picture. Maybe you got a better picture when you looked in the mirror! Just sayin'.
So how do we overcome this?
1. Speak Biblical truth. This is where 99% of us will do EXACTLY...nothing. We will be the ones about whom Dr. Maxwell remembered. We may say that we're going to do it, but then it drops from the priority list quicker than last year's New Year Resolutions! But you have GOT to start speaking OUT LOUD the things you WANT to be, not the things you think you ARE! The Bible tells us who we are in Christ. You've heard me talk about how I say some Biblical truth each day that is taken straight from scripture. They are taped to my bathroom mirror at home so I see them every day to remind me. If you would like a copy, click here and you will be directed to my blog where I listed them. Print them off! Use them!
2. Speak practical truth. My pastor, Danny Chambers, recently spoke of a speaker he heard once who challenged the audience to put the phrase "and that's the way I WANT it!" right after everything they would say about themselves. It teaches you to pay attention to the way you speak!
"I'm sick...and that's the way I want it!"
"I had a bad day at work...and that's the way I want it!"
"I didn't get that contract at work...and that's the way I want it!"
If we start speaking the way God speaks about us and sings over us, we would start to see changes in our lives! I HAVE!!! Ask anyone that knows me and is close to me right now! There is POWER in words!!!!
3. Expect goodness. But when trouble comes, recognize it for what it is. Read by clicking here what scripture says in John 16:33. That's not an option. We should EXPECT goodness, but recognize trouble as just an attack to distract or discourage us. Your biggest breakthroughs are often preceded by your biggest breakdowns. Pastor Danny says, "The size of your challenge is usually an indication of the size of your future!"
4. Worship in your pain. David did. Click here. David had just had to pretend to be insane and Abimilech had sent him away. And he starts exalting the name of Christ. Worship does two things in our pain. First, it takes the focus OFF of our pain and puts it ON Christ. When we focus on other things, we can't focus on present trials. And second, it creates an attitude of hopeful expectation for God to step in and work. These are the ways He responds best!!! Write this down: "What you magnify will mess you up or lift you up!" Are you magnifying Christ, or do your words magnify your problem?
Most people win or lose their battles on the battlefield that's between their ears - their minds. What you entertain there will manifest into speech. What you speak manifests into your life and who you are. BE CAREFUL! BE WISE!!!
I could go on and on here with what God has taught me. But this is enough for now. I have a feeling you may need to start practicing putting "and I want it that way" after everything you say about yourself. Know that I'm praying for you as you get this and read it and hopefully start applying it.
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. If not, simply choose NAME/URL and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Sunday, January 12, 2014
An Idea
I've seen a couple of sci-fi movies recently. It got me thinking. What if when we were born, the doctor took us away from our parents and we never saw them again until after we died? It's quite the morbid thought, isn't it? What if during our lives, we got a letter from them once a week, but somebody else had to read it to us? And what if when they would read it, they'd only read it in small little parts, maybe even just single sentences? We would never know much about our parents! We would only hear parts of how they felt about us. They would be little more than figments of our imagination. We would read things about parenting in history books and the idea seemed like a good one, but it would never happen in OUR lives! Any similarity between us and the people who gave life to us would be the sum total of extreme distance and dumb luck. Parents would be nothing more than an IDEA.
Yet I've just painted a picture of the average Christian. How? Just think about it. By the time we make a decision to follow Christ, we are old enough to make decisions. Therefore, there have been learned self dependency patterns in many areas of our lives. It's hard to make the turn from a tangible parent or guardian, to that of an unseen being who has become our "Heavenly Father." Then we hear words describing Him like holy, righteous, supreme, omniscient, judge, and we wonder exactly how close we can get to someone like that!
So we treat our spiritual lives much like that sic-fi picture I painted in my head. We look at a relationship with Jesus as nothing more than an idea. We don't really try to get too close because first, we don't really know how, and second, what if He sees all the ugly parts that aren't cleaned up yet? It's the equivalent of your parents finding your diary already open to the page with your biggest secret! So we keep everything at arm's length. We go to church because we need that in our lives. It's why we made the choice to follow Christ in the first place. Sometimes it fills a curiosity, but mostly it's probably social. The pastor MUST live a much closer life to God than WE ever could, so we'll just go and hear what He has to say and let him "read the letter" from our Father.
See where I'm going with this? How can we expect to KNOW our Father, which is exactly what He desires, if we only let someone else read His letter to us? There's no relational heart to heart intimacy there! And when people ask us about Him, it becomes like telling them about our great, great grandfather. We know he existed. We know we're related to him. But we've only seen few pictures, if any, and might know something about his life. But as far as if we take after him, or apply any of his life lessons to our lives, or know much about his character, we couldn't even begin to speak to those things!
Oh but we have a "relationship" with Jesus, right? No. The majority of us have an IDEA about Jesus. We know who He was/is. We know what He did on the cross and that He came back to life three days later. We know what we were taught in Sunday School or what we've heard the pastor tell us on Sunday mornings, but that's about it. When you hear things about God, do you know His character well enough that you can discern truth from untruth based on your knowledge of who He is and has been to you in your life?
I know that I'm my parents' son. You know how? First, I am a spitting image of my mom, just in male form. I have expressions like my dad. My hands look like his and my index finger is slightly crooked at the first joint right below the nail, just like his. I cough and sound just like my mom. I walk with my palms facing backward instead of inward, just like my mom and her family. I have my paternal grandfather's hair line and big hands. I scrape ice cream from the bottom of a bowl just like my dad, which Michelle points out all the time! I know these things because I've spent time with them. I've seen their actions. And I've emulated them in many ways.
So I ask us ALL this question? Other than knowing you made a decision to follow Christ, how do you know you're a child of God? Have you caught yourself emulating Him in some way? Do you look on others differently than you ever did or thought you would? Do you see yourself smiling at things you know would make Him smile or does your heart break at things you know would break His? When you hear the name, Jesus, does it warm you? Have you ever caught Him smiling at you, saying He's proud of you, or thought that maybe you heard the song He sings over you? Scripture is only where it begins. It is the guideline. Nothing happens outside of the guidelines it sets, but there's so much MORE! There's the part that's meant for you and only you!
My eyes are tearing even as I type this, because I have seen His love, His protection, His grace in my life SO strong in the last two years in spite of who I am, not because of who I am! I still mess up. I'll never be the son that I'd have liked to have been, yet I still hear God say He's proud of me. I've felt him sit beside me as my mom used to do when I was little, and put His hand on my back and console me. I've heard Him warn me when I'm about to step out of line, and I've felt His discipline when I didn't listen. I know how He reacts to others because I know how He has reacted to me! This is how I know I'm a child of His!
Yes, I made a decision when I was 11 years old to follow Christ. But it is the RELATIONSHIP that's made the difference, not so much the choice. The choice was my recognition of the need of a Savior, the relationship is my recognition of the need of a Friend, a Guide, a Counselor, and a Father, among so many other things. The choice was a change in direction, the relationship is a companion along the journey. See the difference?
I'm not speaking to you as someone who has it all figured out! Actually, the deeper you go in the relationship, the more amazed you are at the depth of its potential! In my experience, I've seen that God has so much more for me than what I'd ever imagined!!! I've seen Him work in ways that are completely outside the realm of my own understanding. In my life, it's pretty much been the equivalent of Elijah calling down fire from heaven!
So where do you begin if you want this kind of relationship with the Father? Well, as I said before, scripture is the guideline. The Bible is where it starts. Find a version that is easy for you to read and understand. Then talk to Him. Yes, out loud. Talk as you're driving. Nobody is there to look at you weird. :-) But after you talk, LISTEN. He'll speak in your thoughts, in things you see, in what you hear. He will amaze you! He's only waiting on you to ask Him. He responds to the voice of His children, just like He expects us to respond to His voice.
Today, right now, move past an idea. Get to know your Father. See if one day, you don't feel the warmth of His smile, or the comfort of His still, small voice. See if you don't have someone who follows Christ too recognize in you the "family resemblance." I only wish I could explain the difference it's made in me!!! And I've not even scratched the surface!!!
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. If not, simply choose NAME/URL and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Yet I've just painted a picture of the average Christian. How? Just think about it. By the time we make a decision to follow Christ, we are old enough to make decisions. Therefore, there have been learned self dependency patterns in many areas of our lives. It's hard to make the turn from a tangible parent or guardian, to that of an unseen being who has become our "Heavenly Father." Then we hear words describing Him like holy, righteous, supreme, omniscient, judge, and we wonder exactly how close we can get to someone like that!
So we treat our spiritual lives much like that sic-fi picture I painted in my head. We look at a relationship with Jesus as nothing more than an idea. We don't really try to get too close because first, we don't really know how, and second, what if He sees all the ugly parts that aren't cleaned up yet? It's the equivalent of your parents finding your diary already open to the page with your biggest secret! So we keep everything at arm's length. We go to church because we need that in our lives. It's why we made the choice to follow Christ in the first place. Sometimes it fills a curiosity, but mostly it's probably social. The pastor MUST live a much closer life to God than WE ever could, so we'll just go and hear what He has to say and let him "read the letter" from our Father.
See where I'm going with this? How can we expect to KNOW our Father, which is exactly what He desires, if we only let someone else read His letter to us? There's no relational heart to heart intimacy there! And when people ask us about Him, it becomes like telling them about our great, great grandfather. We know he existed. We know we're related to him. But we've only seen few pictures, if any, and might know something about his life. But as far as if we take after him, or apply any of his life lessons to our lives, or know much about his character, we couldn't even begin to speak to those things!
Oh but we have a "relationship" with Jesus, right? No. The majority of us have an IDEA about Jesus. We know who He was/is. We know what He did on the cross and that He came back to life three days later. We know what we were taught in Sunday School or what we've heard the pastor tell us on Sunday mornings, but that's about it. When you hear things about God, do you know His character well enough that you can discern truth from untruth based on your knowledge of who He is and has been to you in your life?
I know that I'm my parents' son. You know how? First, I am a spitting image of my mom, just in male form. I have expressions like my dad. My hands look like his and my index finger is slightly crooked at the first joint right below the nail, just like his. I cough and sound just like my mom. I walk with my palms facing backward instead of inward, just like my mom and her family. I have my paternal grandfather's hair line and big hands. I scrape ice cream from the bottom of a bowl just like my dad, which Michelle points out all the time! I know these things because I've spent time with them. I've seen their actions. And I've emulated them in many ways.
So I ask us ALL this question? Other than knowing you made a decision to follow Christ, how do you know you're a child of God? Have you caught yourself emulating Him in some way? Do you look on others differently than you ever did or thought you would? Do you see yourself smiling at things you know would make Him smile or does your heart break at things you know would break His? When you hear the name, Jesus, does it warm you? Have you ever caught Him smiling at you, saying He's proud of you, or thought that maybe you heard the song He sings over you? Scripture is only where it begins. It is the guideline. Nothing happens outside of the guidelines it sets, but there's so much MORE! There's the part that's meant for you and only you!
My eyes are tearing even as I type this, because I have seen His love, His protection, His grace in my life SO strong in the last two years in spite of who I am, not because of who I am! I still mess up. I'll never be the son that I'd have liked to have been, yet I still hear God say He's proud of me. I've felt him sit beside me as my mom used to do when I was little, and put His hand on my back and console me. I've heard Him warn me when I'm about to step out of line, and I've felt His discipline when I didn't listen. I know how He reacts to others because I know how He has reacted to me! This is how I know I'm a child of His!
Yes, I made a decision when I was 11 years old to follow Christ. But it is the RELATIONSHIP that's made the difference, not so much the choice. The choice was my recognition of the need of a Savior, the relationship is my recognition of the need of a Friend, a Guide, a Counselor, and a Father, among so many other things. The choice was a change in direction, the relationship is a companion along the journey. See the difference?
I'm not speaking to you as someone who has it all figured out! Actually, the deeper you go in the relationship, the more amazed you are at the depth of its potential! In my experience, I've seen that God has so much more for me than what I'd ever imagined!!! I've seen Him work in ways that are completely outside the realm of my own understanding. In my life, it's pretty much been the equivalent of Elijah calling down fire from heaven!
So where do you begin if you want this kind of relationship with the Father? Well, as I said before, scripture is the guideline. The Bible is where it starts. Find a version that is easy for you to read and understand. Then talk to Him. Yes, out loud. Talk as you're driving. Nobody is there to look at you weird. :-) But after you talk, LISTEN. He'll speak in your thoughts, in things you see, in what you hear. He will amaze you! He's only waiting on you to ask Him. He responds to the voice of His children, just like He expects us to respond to His voice.
Today, right now, move past an idea. Get to know your Father. See if one day, you don't feel the warmth of His smile, or the comfort of His still, small voice. See if you don't have someone who follows Christ too recognize in you the "family resemblance." I only wish I could explain the difference it's made in me!!! And I've not even scratched the surface!!!
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. If not, simply choose NAME/URL and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
4 Lessons I Learned in 2013 That You Need to Learn Too
2013 brought so many things, and almost all of it good!!! I could tell you story after story of the way God showed His mighty awesomeness in our lives over the last 12-18 months! But there are two things wrong with that scenario. First, I'm really wanting to concentrate on the year that is, as I type this, in its fading moments. Second, the LAST thing I want is for this blog to have the tone of a bad Christmas letter!
So instead of reliving moments in my life that have nothing to do with you, my reader, I want to instead leave you with some life lessons that I've learned (or RElearned) that I hope will make a lasting difference in your lives as well. I honestly don't know that I could create an exhaustive list, but I'm going to pray and ask God to remind me of the ones that need to be included here. He knows who will be reading this and what all of you need to hear most.
1. God adores us. My friend, Debby Berry, says this all the time. Two years ago, because of decisions I had made personally, I called Debby. At the time, I would've said it was coincidence. From what I know now, it was a Divine appointment! She was the first person who drilled that into my head. I'd never heard it put that way before. A few months later, I remember laying in the altar of Gateway Church in Texas and God speaking to me so clearly saying, "You just need to let me love on you. Cast every worry on me. Nothing matters except that you let me love you." Since those conversations, I now wake up knowing that my Father in heaven ADORES me!!! Not for what I've done, mind you! That would disappoint even the holders of low standards! But because He made me, died for me, and still sees in me what He made me to be and knows my potential for His kingdom. And the same is true for YOU! Say it with me, "God adores me." Feels good, huh? Thanks, Debby, for that simple, yet life-changing lesson.
2. We don't deserve to be happy. Now before my fan mail starts crashing this server, hear me out. See, I tried that. Here's what I found. Happiness can be achieved only for fleeting moments at a time. It is not a sustainable state. But humanity gives a daily valiant effort at making it such and trying to convince the world that it's possible! Ok. So, I challenge you. Name ONE person that has sustained happiness. Not asking for a top ten list, not even three. Just one. Singular. YOU CAN'T! Because nobody has!!! Most people have for a time, but then it fades away like morning dew. Scripture tells us that we will face trials. Ever known anyone to jump up and scream, "YAY!!! Another TRIAL!!!! I'm so happy life tests me like this. BRING IT!!!" Me either. Not being serious, anyway. God was guaranteeing times of unhappiness. He knew they would come with frequency. He wants two things for us: joy & contentment. The first is from Him through Jesus. That kind of joy is sustainable. The second comes from experiencing the joy of knowing Christ. And when you add them together, you know what results? Happiness. Again, not sustained. But certainly more common and longer lasting than any we would hope to find in our own pursuits. So seek Jesus first. Then rest in the contentment that He brings. There, you will find the happiness you seek.
3. The importance of your spouse choice. Married people, don't cut me off here! I have come to realize full well that I love Michelle, my wife, more than the day I married her. Now there are a LOT of reasons why that this blog has no hope of provision for naming, but that's not the point. Whether you're dating or married, distractions happen. Distractions hinder the decision making process. Focus is key. Keep your eyes where they should be, and everything else will follow suit. Feel me? When distractions come, be strong in your resolve. Have accountability in your life of some sort. There is no wake up call that will hit you as hard as realizing too late that you made a mistake you can't take back. Nobody's perfect. I get that. But you have no idea the power of the devil where this is concerned, and you'd be wise to wise up! Pray over who you date AND who you marry. And NEVER STOP!!!
4. Speak truth into your life out loud daily!!! I grew up Southern Baptist. This is not something we did or that I was ever taught in Sunday School growing up. And I'm not talking about "prosperity gospel," at least what I always heard that phrase meant anyway. I'm not telling you to start claiming a Mercedes Benz and expect it in your driveway! But I am saying that we speak ourselves into the situations in which we find ourselves. My Pastor, Danny Chambers, said, "Who you are is who you've been saying you are for the last two years." I believe that. I've heard believers in Jesus say, "I can't... I won't... God didn't...." They'll talk about being a "realist" about their lives and situations. They've forgotten whose they are! I have a list of statements hanging on my bathroom mirror that Jamie Brandenburg, a buddy of mine here in Nashville, gave me. All of them are based on scripture and are just statements about who we are in Christ. I wrote them in a recent blog for you to be able to have and use. You can see them by clicking here. Go and print then off. Tweak them if you want. Add, subtract, it's your life you're speaking truth into. Make it your own! But you will see HUGE results if you do!!! I'm giving you personal testimony to that fact!!! Life is all about perspective, and saying things like this out loud daily helps keep a right perspective in our lives. Another quote by Pastor Danny says, "The Israelites looked at Goliath and said, 'He's so big we can't KILL him!' David looked at Goliath and said, 'He's so big I can't MISS him!'" It's all in perspective.
As I said early on, this isn't an exhaustive list. I think 4 is doable for anyone in any situation. Most of you will think that this was a nice blog and just close it. No, I'm not going to ask you to do a chain letter! I just want you to experience all God has for you. Just USE what Ive given you! If it doesn't work, I give you permission to call me a liar. But if it does, and I truly believe it will, then you can share it at your discretion. And no, your love of Jesus won't be affected if you don't! :-) I'm greatly annoyed by those emails and posts!
I welcome your comments! PLEASE click on the words "No Comment" or "Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph) and post a comment of your own. You must also choose a profile from the drop down list, or just choose "anonymous" from the list and type your name at the end of your comment in the actual comment box. Clicking the PUBLISH button posts your comment and you're good to go! Use the social media links there to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
So instead of reliving moments in my life that have nothing to do with you, my reader, I want to instead leave you with some life lessons that I've learned (or RElearned) that I hope will make a lasting difference in your lives as well. I honestly don't know that I could create an exhaustive list, but I'm going to pray and ask God to remind me of the ones that need to be included here. He knows who will be reading this and what all of you need to hear most.
1. God adores us. My friend, Debby Berry, says this all the time. Two years ago, because of decisions I had made personally, I called Debby. At the time, I would've said it was coincidence. From what I know now, it was a Divine appointment! She was the first person who drilled that into my head. I'd never heard it put that way before. A few months later, I remember laying in the altar of Gateway Church in Texas and God speaking to me so clearly saying, "You just need to let me love on you. Cast every worry on me. Nothing matters except that you let me love you." Since those conversations, I now wake up knowing that my Father in heaven ADORES me!!! Not for what I've done, mind you! That would disappoint even the holders of low standards! But because He made me, died for me, and still sees in me what He made me to be and knows my potential for His kingdom. And the same is true for YOU! Say it with me, "God adores me." Feels good, huh? Thanks, Debby, for that simple, yet life-changing lesson.
2. We don't deserve to be happy. Now before my fan mail starts crashing this server, hear me out. See, I tried that. Here's what I found. Happiness can be achieved only for fleeting moments at a time. It is not a sustainable state. But humanity gives a daily valiant effort at making it such and trying to convince the world that it's possible! Ok. So, I challenge you. Name ONE person that has sustained happiness. Not asking for a top ten list, not even three. Just one. Singular. YOU CAN'T! Because nobody has!!! Most people have for a time, but then it fades away like morning dew. Scripture tells us that we will face trials. Ever known anyone to jump up and scream, "YAY!!! Another TRIAL!!!! I'm so happy life tests me like this. BRING IT!!!" Me either. Not being serious, anyway. God was guaranteeing times of unhappiness. He knew they would come with frequency. He wants two things for us: joy & contentment. The first is from Him through Jesus. That kind of joy is sustainable. The second comes from experiencing the joy of knowing Christ. And when you add them together, you know what results? Happiness. Again, not sustained. But certainly more common and longer lasting than any we would hope to find in our own pursuits. So seek Jesus first. Then rest in the contentment that He brings. There, you will find the happiness you seek.
3. The importance of your spouse choice. Married people, don't cut me off here! I have come to realize full well that I love Michelle, my wife, more than the day I married her. Now there are a LOT of reasons why that this blog has no hope of provision for naming, but that's not the point. Whether you're dating or married, distractions happen. Distractions hinder the decision making process. Focus is key. Keep your eyes where they should be, and everything else will follow suit. Feel me? When distractions come, be strong in your resolve. Have accountability in your life of some sort. There is no wake up call that will hit you as hard as realizing too late that you made a mistake you can't take back. Nobody's perfect. I get that. But you have no idea the power of the devil where this is concerned, and you'd be wise to wise up! Pray over who you date AND who you marry. And NEVER STOP!!!
4. Speak truth into your life out loud daily!!! I grew up Southern Baptist. This is not something we did or that I was ever taught in Sunday School growing up. And I'm not talking about "prosperity gospel," at least what I always heard that phrase meant anyway. I'm not telling you to start claiming a Mercedes Benz and expect it in your driveway! But I am saying that we speak ourselves into the situations in which we find ourselves. My Pastor, Danny Chambers, said, "Who you are is who you've been saying you are for the last two years." I believe that. I've heard believers in Jesus say, "I can't... I won't... God didn't...." They'll talk about being a "realist" about their lives and situations. They've forgotten whose they are! I have a list of statements hanging on my bathroom mirror that Jamie Brandenburg, a buddy of mine here in Nashville, gave me. All of them are based on scripture and are just statements about who we are in Christ. I wrote them in a recent blog for you to be able to have and use. You can see them by clicking here. Go and print then off. Tweak them if you want. Add, subtract, it's your life you're speaking truth into. Make it your own! But you will see HUGE results if you do!!! I'm giving you personal testimony to that fact!!! Life is all about perspective, and saying things like this out loud daily helps keep a right perspective in our lives. Another quote by Pastor Danny says, "The Israelites looked at Goliath and said, 'He's so big we can't KILL him!' David looked at Goliath and said, 'He's so big I can't MISS him!'" It's all in perspective.
As I said early on, this isn't an exhaustive list. I think 4 is doable for anyone in any situation. Most of you will think that this was a nice blog and just close it. No, I'm not going to ask you to do a chain letter! I just want you to experience all God has for you. Just USE what Ive given you! If it doesn't work, I give you permission to call me a liar. But if it does, and I truly believe it will, then you can share it at your discretion. And no, your love of Jesus won't be affected if you don't! :-) I'm greatly annoyed by those emails and posts!
I welcome your comments! PLEASE click on the words "No Comment" or "Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph) and post a comment of your own. You must also choose a profile from the drop down list, or just choose "anonymous" from the list and type your name at the end of your comment in the actual comment box. Clicking the PUBLISH button posts your comment and you're good to go! Use the social media links there to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Friday, December 20, 2013
Phil Robertson & WWJS
The reason that people have their panties in a wad over this Phil Robertson thing is simply because the majority of humanity can accept the idea of a heaven where good people go who have lived good lives, but also lean toward rejecting the thought of an "eternal torment" place called hell. I happen to believe fully in both because the Bible teaches this truth. But for those who do believe in a hell, the begging question is how to avoid it.
Because of our laws, our views on karma, our reward systems, and every other part of culture, the logical accepted way to get into heaven is to be a "good person." If we've done enough right, and it outweighs our list of wrongs, then we must be going to heaven. Only "bad people" go to hell. But if THAT'S true, then the question begs, "How good is good ENOUGH?" "Good" to one may not be "good" to another. Hitler was someone's son. They may not have viewed him as evil, though the rest of us probably would.
So is it then a majority vote? If so, who casts the ballots? In the eyes of gay & lesbian groups, they have viewed Phil Robertson's quote as a "ballot" cast against them. Many gays & lesbians believe in heaven, God, and a moral code and attend churches weekly. So they are wondering how DARE someone cast that ballot against their ability to get into heaven?!?
But here's the truth that I know...that Phil Robertson knows, I believe. There isn't ONE of us worthy to cast a ballot, nor make a determination on what must be right and wrong, or dub someone "good enough" for heaven. THAT responsibility is God's and His alone! So if we don't determine who is or isn't good, and God does, then how does this standard leave His mouth to reach our ears so that we're not just left guessing? That would be the Bible. But the problem there is that NOBODY is good enough to live up to the standard set by this book! God knew that too. He didn't send a list of right and wrongs that He knew we couldn't uphold to simply laugh at us and scoff because of our failure at righteousness, tho. There was a plan. One that would pay the death sentence that is the ONLY payment for sin and satisfy the law that He, Himself, instituted. And that's why He sent Jesus. What we deserve, hell: eternal death and punishment, because of all the things HE listed as wrong in scripture (yes, homosexuality is one of those things along with lying, cheating, murder, adultery, coveting, putting anyone or anything as a priority in our lives over God, etc., etc.) was trumped by God's love for humanity in the death of Jesus Christ and is granted to ALL through an acceptance of this gift. It goes against everything we trust in in our merit based sociological systems, I know. But that's grace.
Phil didn't just come up with what he said. God did. Robertson may have stated it a little harshly, maybe. But it doesn't negate the truth of it. Nor the grace, love, and mercy God offers those who are caught up in ANY of the "sins" listed in scripture. I've not been a participant in that particular one (homosexuality), but there are certainly others that I have been. And what I deserve is no different whatsoever from anyone else. NONE of us are perfect! We are all sinners saved only by God's grace. We (including Phil) are ALL deserving of hell. None "good enough" to make it into heaven on the merit of our own spiritual report cards. Those of us who are assured that heaven will be our eternal home are only confident of that hope because we have accepted the gift of Jesus' death on the cross. We have no room for pointing fingers. Grace just changed everything.
So, WWJ...um...S: What Would Jesus Say? Let me be very clear, do NOT lump me in the crowd that looks at the Robertson issue with A&E and yells, "Christians need to stand up for what's right!" If we talk double standards, yes, I believe there is one in this nation on free speech when it comes to Christian beliefs and morals. But I don't believe that it is a battle won in the media, Facebook, pulpits, or especially the White House! This may shock some of you, but I don't think that's what's needed here!!! I don't think that would be advised by our Savior either.
I can here the collective, "HUH?!?" What would Jesus say? Well, let's see. I believe He's already said it. Fellow believers, people who choose not to follow Christ will not act as though they are Bible thumping believers and neither should they be EXPECTED to!!! Jesus said it on the cross, remember? "Father, forgive them. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING!" (emphasis mine) (Click here to read it for yourself.) How dare we argue something with the very people to whom we are trying to extend hope?!? That makes NO sense! Phil was asked a question. He answered it. Do I think he's being treated fairly? No. But he is not the first and will not be the last. So do we sit by and do nothing?!? Absolutely not. "Then what do we do?" you ask. I'm so glad you did. But let's start with what NOT to do from the words of scripture, the same source from which Phil drew his deductions shared with GQ.
Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 2 Timothy 2:14 (NLT)
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19 (NLT)
Let's stop acting like spoiled brats and saying we gotta stand up for Jesus! Jesus can handle His own! He's waiting on us to stand up for the broken, the sick, the hurting, the needy, the hungry, the tired, the confused, the addicted, THAT'S who we need to stand up for! THAT'S who Jesus gave His life for!!! You can't make the change you want when you do it top down. Jesus knew that. That's why He never instructed us to "love thy President, Mayor, Governor, Congressman, King, Pastor, Elder or otherwise." He said, "love thy neighbor." Right before Jesus' ascension, He gave the instructions to start with those closest to them geographically and work outward from there! Click on this scripture reference and read Acts 1:8 (NLT). This was God's plan all along! Christians have been acting like we can save God time by forgetting our neighbor and trying for the big fish! That's never worked! So what can we do that WILL make a difference?
“The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 (NLT)
You know that guy standing on the exit ramp begging for a dollar? Stop, get out, and give him $5 and pray for him while you're there. "But he might be running a scam!" Click on the scripture reference and look back at Romans 12:19. That's not your call or your problem. You know the single Mom who checks you out at the grocery store or serves you in your favorite restaurant? Cook her a meal to feed her family because when she gets home, she's probably too tired and would enjoy a night to concentrate on her kids. You know the college students in your town that may be staying over Christmas because they can't afford to go home? Buy one of them a gift and invite them to your home to spend it with your family. Give your sales clerk a friendly smile and understand that they are just as stressed as you and that their day would be better if they could make yours better as well. Pay for the person's coffee behind you at Starbucks just because. Give toys to a family in your community who you know needs them. Act like you're a child of God and that you believe what you claim! Watch your attitude. If you know Jesus, all of the fruit of the Spirit (click the underlined part to read the list) are in you and at your disposal. LIVE IT!!! Be hope. Be grace. Be mercy. Be the Church. Be Jesus. Err on the side of grace. Love the unloveable. Forgive the unforgivable. Don't think you can do that? That's exactly what Jesus did for you! Who do we blame for the mess the world is in? Go look in the mirror! No, you didn't do it alone. Neither did I. At some point the collective Church forgot her mission and her call to obedience. We devised our own plan and thought we could do better. We didn't. We can't. Get back to basics. Love because your are loved. Serve because you have been served. Give because you have been given to. And one by one by one by one, we will see the change we seek in our communities, our nation, and our world.
I welcome your comments! PLEASE click on the words "No Comment" or "Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph) and post a comment of your own. You must also choose a profile from the drop down list, or just choose "anonymous" from the list and type your name at the end of your comment in the actual comment box. Clicking the PUBLISH button posts your comment and you're good to go! Use the social media links there to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Because of our laws, our views on karma, our reward systems, and every other part of culture, the logical accepted way to get into heaven is to be a "good person." If we've done enough right, and it outweighs our list of wrongs, then we must be going to heaven. Only "bad people" go to hell. But if THAT'S true, then the question begs, "How good is good ENOUGH?" "Good" to one may not be "good" to another. Hitler was someone's son. They may not have viewed him as evil, though the rest of us probably would.
So is it then a majority vote? If so, who casts the ballots? In the eyes of gay & lesbian groups, they have viewed Phil Robertson's quote as a "ballot" cast against them. Many gays & lesbians believe in heaven, God, and a moral code and attend churches weekly. So they are wondering how DARE someone cast that ballot against their ability to get into heaven?!?
But here's the truth that I know...that Phil Robertson knows, I believe. There isn't ONE of us worthy to cast a ballot, nor make a determination on what must be right and wrong, or dub someone "good enough" for heaven. THAT responsibility is God's and His alone! So if we don't determine who is or isn't good, and God does, then how does this standard leave His mouth to reach our ears so that we're not just left guessing? That would be the Bible. But the problem there is that NOBODY is good enough to live up to the standard set by this book! God knew that too. He didn't send a list of right and wrongs that He knew we couldn't uphold to simply laugh at us and scoff because of our failure at righteousness, tho. There was a plan. One that would pay the death sentence that is the ONLY payment for sin and satisfy the law that He, Himself, instituted. And that's why He sent Jesus. What we deserve, hell: eternal death and punishment, because of all the things HE listed as wrong in scripture (yes, homosexuality is one of those things along with lying, cheating, murder, adultery, coveting, putting anyone or anything as a priority in our lives over God, etc., etc.) was trumped by God's love for humanity in the death of Jesus Christ and is granted to ALL through an acceptance of this gift. It goes against everything we trust in in our merit based sociological systems, I know. But that's grace.
Phil didn't just come up with what he said. God did. Robertson may have stated it a little harshly, maybe. But it doesn't negate the truth of it. Nor the grace, love, and mercy God offers those who are caught up in ANY of the "sins" listed in scripture. I've not been a participant in that particular one (homosexuality), but there are certainly others that I have been. And what I deserve is no different whatsoever from anyone else. NONE of us are perfect! We are all sinners saved only by God's grace. We (including Phil) are ALL deserving of hell. None "good enough" to make it into heaven on the merit of our own spiritual report cards. Those of us who are assured that heaven will be our eternal home are only confident of that hope because we have accepted the gift of Jesus' death on the cross. We have no room for pointing fingers. Grace just changed everything.
So, WWJ...um...S: What Would Jesus Say? Let me be very clear, do NOT lump me in the crowd that looks at the Robertson issue with A&E and yells, "Christians need to stand up for what's right!" If we talk double standards, yes, I believe there is one in this nation on free speech when it comes to Christian beliefs and morals. But I don't believe that it is a battle won in the media, Facebook, pulpits, or especially the White House! This may shock some of you, but I don't think that's what's needed here!!! I don't think that would be advised by our Savior either.
I can here the collective, "HUH?!?" What would Jesus say? Well, let's see. I believe He's already said it. Fellow believers, people who choose not to follow Christ will not act as though they are Bible thumping believers and neither should they be EXPECTED to!!! Jesus said it on the cross, remember? "Father, forgive them. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING!" (emphasis mine) (Click here to read it for yourself.) How dare we argue something with the very people to whom we are trying to extend hope?!? That makes NO sense! Phil was asked a question. He answered it. Do I think he's being treated fairly? No. But he is not the first and will not be the last. So do we sit by and do nothing?!? Absolutely not. "Then what do we do?" you ask. I'm so glad you did. But let's start with what NOT to do from the words of scripture, the same source from which Phil drew his deductions shared with GQ.
Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 2 Timothy 2:14 (NLT)
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19 (NLT)
Let's stop acting like spoiled brats and saying we gotta stand up for Jesus! Jesus can handle His own! He's waiting on us to stand up for the broken, the sick, the hurting, the needy, the hungry, the tired, the confused, the addicted, THAT'S who we need to stand up for! THAT'S who Jesus gave His life for!!! You can't make the change you want when you do it top down. Jesus knew that. That's why He never instructed us to "love thy President, Mayor, Governor, Congressman, King, Pastor, Elder or otherwise." He said, "love thy neighbor." Right before Jesus' ascension, He gave the instructions to start with those closest to them geographically and work outward from there! Click on this scripture reference and read Acts 1:8 (NLT). This was God's plan all along! Christians have been acting like we can save God time by forgetting our neighbor and trying for the big fish! That's never worked! So what can we do that WILL make a difference?
“The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 (NLT)
You know that guy standing on the exit ramp begging for a dollar? Stop, get out, and give him $5 and pray for him while you're there. "But he might be running a scam!" Click on the scripture reference and look back at Romans 12:19. That's not your call or your problem. You know the single Mom who checks you out at the grocery store or serves you in your favorite restaurant? Cook her a meal to feed her family because when she gets home, she's probably too tired and would enjoy a night to concentrate on her kids. You know the college students in your town that may be staying over Christmas because they can't afford to go home? Buy one of them a gift and invite them to your home to spend it with your family. Give your sales clerk a friendly smile and understand that they are just as stressed as you and that their day would be better if they could make yours better as well. Pay for the person's coffee behind you at Starbucks just because. Give toys to a family in your community who you know needs them. Act like you're a child of God and that you believe what you claim! Watch your attitude. If you know Jesus, all of the fruit of the Spirit (click the underlined part to read the list) are in you and at your disposal. LIVE IT!!! Be hope. Be grace. Be mercy. Be the Church. Be Jesus. Err on the side of grace. Love the unloveable. Forgive the unforgivable. Don't think you can do that? That's exactly what Jesus did for you! Who do we blame for the mess the world is in? Go look in the mirror! No, you didn't do it alone. Neither did I. At some point the collective Church forgot her mission and her call to obedience. We devised our own plan and thought we could do better. We didn't. We can't. Get back to basics. Love because your are loved. Serve because you have been served. Give because you have been given to. And one by one by one by one, we will see the change we seek in our communities, our nation, and our world.
I welcome your comments! PLEASE click on the words "No Comment" or "Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph) and post a comment of your own. You must also choose a profile from the drop down list, or just choose "anonymous" from the list and type your name at the end of your comment in the actual comment box. Clicking the PUBLISH button posts your comment and you're good to go! Use the social media links there to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Monday, December 9, 2013
Overcoming - A Lame Lesson
Click on the scripture reference and read Luke 5:17-26 (NLT).
If you're like me, you've read this passage or heard it used in sermons or Bible lessons many times. If you're new to the story, this is probably a "wow" moment for you to read of how a paralyzed man suddenly got up and walked away! With which ever group you find yourself aligned, the healing power of Jesus was on great display.
Healing is such a needed thing in our world today. People find themselves in need of healing from many varieties of circumstances. While physical healing may be the most common thought, emotions, attitudes, finances, marriages, relationships, anxieties, and worries could also be among the much longer list of life conditions in which healing is sought. There are many lessons that we can take away from this story, but there are only a few that I want to discuss in this particular blog, just simply because these are the things that God has been teaching me in recent days, not because they are the most important.
We could talk about the faith of the friends who brought this young man to Jesus. We could also discuss the fact that the religious leaders were so busy judging the actions of the Son of God, that they became part of the problem of the friends being able to even get him to Jesus. (How I could go expound on this point!!! Religious people block the healing of others because of their pious attitudes all the time and it gives me a pain I can't locate!!! We're so busy gossiping about the Pastor, talking about others, acting un-Christ-like, and ruining our testimonies among people who are seeking hope, that we contaminate the healing power of Christ in the eyes of those who desperately need Him! But I digress.)
I want us first to pay attention to Jesus' first action regarding this young man. Click here and read it again. Jesus is the Son of God. He is God in human form. He knew the minds of the friends who brought this young man to Jesus. He knew their intent. He knew that the whole reason they went to all that trouble was to see their friend healed and their faith made sight. So when the first words Jesus spoke to the young fella was that his sins were forgiven, I can imagine there were questions and feelings of disappointment among those friends. But Jesus knew that the healing of which he was most in need was that of his sin condition, not his physical condition. One way or the other, heaven or hell, his physical condition would be temporary. But the healing of his sin condition would change his eternity.
I won't expound on the fact, but notice how when the religious leaders heard Jesus tell the young man that his sins were forgiven, they muttered among themselves calling Jesus blasphemous. Scripture is clear that Jesus didn't audibly hear them, He "knew what they were thinking" and then addressed them. God knows the heart of us all. Even if we think we are being quiet enough, nonchalant enough, or secretive enough, He knows.
To be an overcomer, Jesus' next three things spoken to the young man become key lessons in our Christian walk. First, Jesus said, "Stand up." Please think his through with me for a moment. Here is a young man who has NEVER used his legs! His brain is not programmed to deliver the proper messages to his muscles to cause a response that would cause movement of any kind, much less, getting up! This young man responded in faith to the command of God! I can imagine that every inner voice within him was telling him "you can't do it," "this is an impossible command," "you'll be embarrassed and made a fool if you fail." Any of those sound familiar? But this is where many of us lose the battle and surrender to the enemy! We are not created to be lame! We are created to be overcomers! Lesson #1: We must respond to the command of God in faith.
Jesus could have just told the young man to get up and go home. For this young paralytic, that would have probably been quite enough. But Jesus put another command in the middle. He told him to, "pick up your mat." See, when Jesus heals, He heals completely. Jesus wanted this man to know that the very thing that used to mark his identity, was no longer even an issue! The young man now carried the mat, not the other way around! Jesus asked him to take it with him simply because Jesus wanted him to remember the place from which he came. The mat became his testimony of a past that had been healed and changed by the power of God! Lesson #2: We must accept that the thing that defined us is subservient to the definition God has given us through the blood of Christ - we are His kids!!!
And lastly, Jesus said to the young man, "go home." Friends, this man not only got up and picked up his mat, he WALKED!!! Do you get the power of this?!? Babies have to learn to walk. Accident victims have to be rehabilitated and once again learn to walk. That is the natural order of things except breathing. But not him!!! Scripture uses the word "immediately" to describe how long it took for him to be able to put one foot in front of the other and get moving. His muscles were probably about the size of a pencil. He had never used them. They had never responded to brain wave activity and command. But they DID respond to the command of the Creator - the Great Physician! Lesson #3: Simple obedience on our part brings about God's power to circumvent the natural so that we walk in the supernatural!
Let me say with authority that I have seen this very power in my life! I could tell you stories that would blow your mind about God's favor and His move in my life! Maybe I will soon. But let's look at one more point, ok? Other than the physical response to the command of Jesus, the young man did one more thing. Read it by clicking here.
He praised. He worshipped. I can almost hear him shouting, "I'm HEALED!!!" "I can walk!!!" "I'm RUNNING!!!" "Praise be to Jesus, He healed me!!!" "All He did was speak the words and it HAPPENED!!!" Lesson #4: Publicly give God the glory for the healing! Oh how pride gets in the way with us nowadays. We want to keep our mats under our cloaks hoping nobody will notice the small undeveloped muscles in our legs. We want others to believe that we are strong with no weakness. That we have the preverbal tiger by the tail - a demon slayer in our own right. But that's just not the case. We are what we are ONLY because of the healing power and forgiving, limitless grace of Christ. How DARE we keep that silent!!! When a world is begging, searching for hope under every rock they can find, when they only need the stone that the builder rejected - the Cornerstone - Jesus. We are as the religious leaders in the house. We become part of the blockade for those searching for Christ. Stand aside. Expose the mat. Show some leg. And then point to Christ. We can overcome by this "lame" lesson.
Please leave comments below! Ask questions! Tell your friends by clicking on the social media links and posting on your Facebook or Twitter or Google + accounts. It helps to know that these are being read and even helping YOU! I never know if they are helping unless you're doing these things and ESPECIALLY leaving comments!!! Thanks for sharing a few moments with me!
If you're like me, you've read this passage or heard it used in sermons or Bible lessons many times. If you're new to the story, this is probably a "wow" moment for you to read of how a paralyzed man suddenly got up and walked away! With which ever group you find yourself aligned, the healing power of Jesus was on great display.
Healing is such a needed thing in our world today. People find themselves in need of healing from many varieties of circumstances. While physical healing may be the most common thought, emotions, attitudes, finances, marriages, relationships, anxieties, and worries could also be among the much longer list of life conditions in which healing is sought. There are many lessons that we can take away from this story, but there are only a few that I want to discuss in this particular blog, just simply because these are the things that God has been teaching me in recent days, not because they are the most important.
We could talk about the faith of the friends who brought this young man to Jesus. We could also discuss the fact that the religious leaders were so busy judging the actions of the Son of God, that they became part of the problem of the friends being able to even get him to Jesus. (How I could go expound on this point!!! Religious people block the healing of others because of their pious attitudes all the time and it gives me a pain I can't locate!!! We're so busy gossiping about the Pastor, talking about others, acting un-Christ-like, and ruining our testimonies among people who are seeking hope, that we contaminate the healing power of Christ in the eyes of those who desperately need Him! But I digress.)
I want us first to pay attention to Jesus' first action regarding this young man. Click here and read it again. Jesus is the Son of God. He is God in human form. He knew the minds of the friends who brought this young man to Jesus. He knew their intent. He knew that the whole reason they went to all that trouble was to see their friend healed and their faith made sight. So when the first words Jesus spoke to the young fella was that his sins were forgiven, I can imagine there were questions and feelings of disappointment among those friends. But Jesus knew that the healing of which he was most in need was that of his sin condition, not his physical condition. One way or the other, heaven or hell, his physical condition would be temporary. But the healing of his sin condition would change his eternity.
I won't expound on the fact, but notice how when the religious leaders heard Jesus tell the young man that his sins were forgiven, they muttered among themselves calling Jesus blasphemous. Scripture is clear that Jesus didn't audibly hear them, He "knew what they were thinking" and then addressed them. God knows the heart of us all. Even if we think we are being quiet enough, nonchalant enough, or secretive enough, He knows.
To be an overcomer, Jesus' next three things spoken to the young man become key lessons in our Christian walk. First, Jesus said, "Stand up." Please think his through with me for a moment. Here is a young man who has NEVER used his legs! His brain is not programmed to deliver the proper messages to his muscles to cause a response that would cause movement of any kind, much less, getting up! This young man responded in faith to the command of God! I can imagine that every inner voice within him was telling him "you can't do it," "this is an impossible command," "you'll be embarrassed and made a fool if you fail." Any of those sound familiar? But this is where many of us lose the battle and surrender to the enemy! We are not created to be lame! We are created to be overcomers! Lesson #1: We must respond to the command of God in faith.
Jesus could have just told the young man to get up and go home. For this young paralytic, that would have probably been quite enough. But Jesus put another command in the middle. He told him to, "pick up your mat." See, when Jesus heals, He heals completely. Jesus wanted this man to know that the very thing that used to mark his identity, was no longer even an issue! The young man now carried the mat, not the other way around! Jesus asked him to take it with him simply because Jesus wanted him to remember the place from which he came. The mat became his testimony of a past that had been healed and changed by the power of God! Lesson #2: We must accept that the thing that defined us is subservient to the definition God has given us through the blood of Christ - we are His kids!!!
And lastly, Jesus said to the young man, "go home." Friends, this man not only got up and picked up his mat, he WALKED!!! Do you get the power of this?!? Babies have to learn to walk. Accident victims have to be rehabilitated and once again learn to walk. That is the natural order of things except breathing. But not him!!! Scripture uses the word "immediately" to describe how long it took for him to be able to put one foot in front of the other and get moving. His muscles were probably about the size of a pencil. He had never used them. They had never responded to brain wave activity and command. But they DID respond to the command of the Creator - the Great Physician! Lesson #3: Simple obedience on our part brings about God's power to circumvent the natural so that we walk in the supernatural!
Let me say with authority that I have seen this very power in my life! I could tell you stories that would blow your mind about God's favor and His move in my life! Maybe I will soon. But let's look at one more point, ok? Other than the physical response to the command of Jesus, the young man did one more thing. Read it by clicking here.
He praised. He worshipped. I can almost hear him shouting, "I'm HEALED!!!" "I can walk!!!" "I'm RUNNING!!!" "Praise be to Jesus, He healed me!!!" "All He did was speak the words and it HAPPENED!!!" Lesson #4: Publicly give God the glory for the healing! Oh how pride gets in the way with us nowadays. We want to keep our mats under our cloaks hoping nobody will notice the small undeveloped muscles in our legs. We want others to believe that we are strong with no weakness. That we have the preverbal tiger by the tail - a demon slayer in our own right. But that's just not the case. We are what we are ONLY because of the healing power and forgiving, limitless grace of Christ. How DARE we keep that silent!!! When a world is begging, searching for hope under every rock they can find, when they only need the stone that the builder rejected - the Cornerstone - Jesus. We are as the religious leaders in the house. We become part of the blockade for those searching for Christ. Stand aside. Expose the mat. Show some leg. And then point to Christ. We can overcome by this "lame" lesson.
Please leave comments below! Ask questions! Tell your friends by clicking on the social media links and posting on your Facebook or Twitter or Google + accounts. It helps to know that these are being read and even helping YOU! I never know if they are helping unless you're doing these things and ESPECIALLY leaving comments!!! Thanks for sharing a few moments with me!
Monday, September 16, 2013
BIBLE: Love Is A Choice
First, read Luke 10:25-37.
As a Worship Pastor, I have sat down with many of the artists I've had the privilege of pastoring, and I've heard them say something like this, "You can't help who you love." Or, "It just happened! I didn't WANT to love that person!" If you're like me, you've probably even said something like that YOURSELF! It's on television, in the movies, printed in books and magazines, and all across social media. We're told that we need to find our own truth. That our purpose depends on what is best for us.
I will agree that each of us are made as individuals. We are made uniquely with diversity in mind. That was always the intent. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" according to Luke 139:13-14. We have a purpose and a calling that we are each supposed to fulfill. BUT! There is a commonality that binds us all. There is a foundation on which our diversity and uniqueness is to be built. Isaiah 64:6 tells us that any purpose, and calling, any "righteousness" is like a filthy rag without Christ. So in order for anything we do, our works, to make any difference at all to God, there must first be the common foundation of a relationship with Christ.
In the scripture I asked you to read, the expert in religious law asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. Look again here at verse 27 as the expert recounts what we now call the Old Testament law. And he was right, according to Jesus! In order for everything to make sense, for all our works to be counted, we must FIRST love God, then love others!!!
But now let's stop right there! How is that possible? If we are to find our own truth, according to the media and what's popular, and if we can't help who we love, then how can we CHOOSE to love God and love others?!? AND, that last part actually says to love neighbors as MYSELF, so I have to love ME too!!!
Michelle and I were watching a Podcast of Bishop TD Jakes tonight on TV. He said something that just HIT me!!! He said, "Love is controllable. God could not be considered to be a just God were He to command us to do something we can not do." Oh WOW!!! Bishop Jakes woke up a whole new thing within me as God used him to speak into my own heart. Do you understand what God is implying here by His command to us to love?!? He is saying that we CHOOSE who we love!!! If we choose to love Him, we choose to love others. We choose who our mates will be. We choose our friends. Love is a CHOICE!!!
And did you see how cool Jesus answers the question in our main scripture passage? When the expert recounted to love God and love our neighbor, the lawyer wanted to know who was classified as our "neighbor?" That's when Jesus delivers the story of the Good Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews didn't talk to each other! Ancestors of the Hatfields and McCoy's, these two nations!!! Yet Jesus showed a CHOICE by the Samaritan to have compassion on this hurt Jew and care for him. This was the kind of choice on whose shoulders could ride the reconciliation of two peoples. Remember at the end of ROCKY IV when Rocky was being interviewed by the Russian announcer after just knocking out Ivan Drago? He said, "If I can change, and you can change, then maybe we ALL can change!" It's a choice.
And the part that I only touched on earlier isn't by any means the lesser of the lessons here. We are to choose to love ourselves. According to this scripture, we can't love others until we love ourselves first! Otherwise, who are we going to love our neighbors AS? Just to get you thinking.
I'm reminded of ol' Joshua in the Old Testament telling his people to choose that day who they would serve, but, he said, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." So who you gonna love today? Choose now. :-)
As a Worship Pastor, I have sat down with many of the artists I've had the privilege of pastoring, and I've heard them say something like this, "You can't help who you love." Or, "It just happened! I didn't WANT to love that person!" If you're like me, you've probably even said something like that YOURSELF! It's on television, in the movies, printed in books and magazines, and all across social media. We're told that we need to find our own truth. That our purpose depends on what is best for us.
I will agree that each of us are made as individuals. We are made uniquely with diversity in mind. That was always the intent. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" according to Luke 139:13-14. We have a purpose and a calling that we are each supposed to fulfill. BUT! There is a commonality that binds us all. There is a foundation on which our diversity and uniqueness is to be built. Isaiah 64:6 tells us that any purpose, and calling, any "righteousness" is like a filthy rag without Christ. So in order for anything we do, our works, to make any difference at all to God, there must first be the common foundation of a relationship with Christ.
In the scripture I asked you to read, the expert in religious law asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. Look again here at verse 27 as the expert recounts what we now call the Old Testament law. And he was right, according to Jesus! In order for everything to make sense, for all our works to be counted, we must FIRST love God, then love others!!!
But now let's stop right there! How is that possible? If we are to find our own truth, according to the media and what's popular, and if we can't help who we love, then how can we CHOOSE to love God and love others?!? AND, that last part actually says to love neighbors as MYSELF, so I have to love ME too!!!
Michelle and I were watching a Podcast of Bishop TD Jakes tonight on TV. He said something that just HIT me!!! He said, "Love is controllable. God could not be considered to be a just God were He to command us to do something we can not do." Oh WOW!!! Bishop Jakes woke up a whole new thing within me as God used him to speak into my own heart. Do you understand what God is implying here by His command to us to love?!? He is saying that we CHOOSE who we love!!! If we choose to love Him, we choose to love others. We choose who our mates will be. We choose our friends. Love is a CHOICE!!!
And did you see how cool Jesus answers the question in our main scripture passage? When the expert recounted to love God and love our neighbor, the lawyer wanted to know who was classified as our "neighbor?" That's when Jesus delivers the story of the Good Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews didn't talk to each other! Ancestors of the Hatfields and McCoy's, these two nations!!! Yet Jesus showed a CHOICE by the Samaritan to have compassion on this hurt Jew and care for him. This was the kind of choice on whose shoulders could ride the reconciliation of two peoples. Remember at the end of ROCKY IV when Rocky was being interviewed by the Russian announcer after just knocking out Ivan Drago? He said, "If I can change, and you can change, then maybe we ALL can change!" It's a choice.
And the part that I only touched on earlier isn't by any means the lesser of the lessons here. We are to choose to love ourselves. According to this scripture, we can't love others until we love ourselves first! Otherwise, who are we going to love our neighbors AS? Just to get you thinking.
I'm reminded of ol' Joshua in the Old Testament telling his people to choose that day who they would serve, but, he said, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." So who you gonna love today? Choose now. :-)
Sunday, September 8, 2013
BIBLE: Confessions - Who I Am in Christ
I posted these a while back on Facebook. I was asked to post them again. I decided to do it here in my blog so that they are archived and can be accessed any time. I encourage you to copy these! Print them out! Put them on your mirror, as I do. I say them EVERY DAY as part of my daily routine. God knows my every thought, but the devil does not! He can place a thought, but the devil can't read your mind! When you say these, say them OUT LOUD! Make it a proclamation!!! Let the devil know that YOU know who you are and WHOSE you are!!! And you know the POWER of He who holds you in the palm of His hand.
CONFESS WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST!
I am strong in the Lord and in His great power! I draw my strength from His boundless wealth of strength. (Ephesians 6:10)
I am strengthened with His glorious power so that I have all the endurance and patience I need. For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Colossians 1:11, Philippians 4:13)
The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives in me and gives life to my mortal body. (Romans 8:11)
My mind is daily being transformed by God's word and is not in bondage to depression, anxiety, worry, and other weapons against my thought processes. On the authority of God's word, I bring my every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:5)
The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
I am complete in Christ and the fullness of God dwells in me. And all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge dwell in me through Christ Jesus. (Colossians 2:3, 9-10)
Wisdom in my heart is like water in a deep well. I am a person of understanding and I draw it out. (Proverbs 20:5)
The stripes Jesus took were for my HEALING! I command every cell of my being, down to its smallest part, to come in line with what Jesus has done for me and rid my body of disease, addiction, sickness, infection, or wound. (Isaiah 53:5)
I have perfect knowledge of every circumstance and situation in life for the Spirit of Truth dwells in me. (John 16:13)
I am delivered from the power of darkness. I know the truth and the truth has set me free. Because Jesus has set me free, I am free completely! (John 8:32, 36)
Jesus said that whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven. I now loose the blessings of God to flow into my life. I expect to be overtaken by goodness. (Matthew 18:18)
The Holy Spirit teaches me all things and brings all things to my memory. I know and remember who I am. I now use my words and my faith to manifest God's highest and best for me! (John 14:6)
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