James 1:2 3/30/2021*

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.”

 We have studied this verse before, but we may have gotten the cart before the horse.

 It obviously focuses on being a “doer” of the Word and indicates that if the Word of God does not change how you act – then you are fooling yourself…. But it also recognizes that we need to listen.

In scripture, Christ’s followers are at times, reprimanded for their lack of attention. In Matthew, after the disciples ask for explanation of a parable. Jesus says, “are you still so dull?” ...basically… have you not been paying attention?

The first Easter an Angel asks followers at the empty tomb why they are looking for the “living among the dead”?…essentially saying, didn’t you hear Him say He would rise?

There is no doubt that James 1:22 is clearly telling us to be men of action – but in our current “misinformation culture” with countless false teachers… it is crucial that we learn to be discerning listeners as well.

So how do we do that?

In Psalms, God says we need to be still.  Physically and emotionally still.

Quietly sitting alone can be difficult in this age of constant stimulation and connection, but it is required. We often read of Jesus going off by himself in the morning to pray. If Christ found that necessary then we certainly need to have intentional time alone in prayer and meditation.

Knowing your bible is the other prerequisite.  Jesus repeatedly says, “it is written” while He is teaching His followers - reinforcing the fact that God’s Word is our compass …and we need directions before moving.

If you examine history you will see the thread that runs through the life of every effective Christian - is that they spent time in prayer…and they accepted God’s word as truth.  I challenge you to find an effective Christian’s biography that does not contain those elements.

So, by all means, be a “Doer of the Word”. But don’t run off “doing” before you spend time “hearing”.  You must know the playbook to run the play.

Commit to prayer – Learn the Word – and then Go.

Removing any of those ingredients will diminish your ministry and make you ineffective as a soldier of the Cross.

“In an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as being still.” — Pico Iver

Esther 4:14 3/23/2021*

 “… Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.”
 
Esther had become the Queen of Persia which gave her opportunity to stop the slaughter of the Jews… It was no accident; it was God’s plan to save His people, but Esther didn’t know that… She did not know if her efforts would succeed until she stepped out in faith and acted.  
 
God always prepares a response when His children are threatened, and that response often comes from His followers.
 
In the 1500’s the church had lost its way, pursuing money instead of holiness. So, God raised up Wycliff, Calvin, Luther, and others to speak scriptural truth which began the “Protestant Reformation”.
 
A few hundred years later secular rationalism influenced church leaders to replace the gospel with entertainment. Avoiding topics like man’s depravity and the need we all have for redemption…Until a man named Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” which spurred what is now known as the “Great Awakening”.
 
Fast forward to the 1960’s when the “sexual revolution” replaced God’s plan for intimacy, with depravity and disorder. So, Bill Bright, and Billy Graham were used to grow the “Jesus Movement” and teach that only holiness brings freedom.
 
Now here we are in the 2020’s and secular humanism is attacking God’s design of the family, twisting masculinity, and creating gender confusion and disfunction.  So, God is inspiring His people to answer.
 
It is time to speak up… stop apologizing for being men, and start living out biblical masculinity. We need to be good fathers, faithful husbands, and strong men willing to fight for the weak. Lies and misinformation have become widespread, and we must speak truth whether it is popular or not.
 
God is going to move, He always does. He will send people to respond…. The question is… will you be one of those people? Will you let God use you to change history?
 
Like Esther, Luther, Edwards, and Graham - you may be the person that God intends to use to initiate change…. Trust Him, and take the first step…. Because who knows, maybe God has placed you where you are, “for such a time as this”?
 
“There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.” -  John F. Kennedy

John 10:10 3/16/2021*

 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.”
 
When is the last time you thought of your life as abundant? 
 
If it has been a while, maybe you are not receiving what Jesus came to give you.
 
We tend to focus on stopping the enemy from stealing, killing, and destroying things that matter to us - But when is the last time you played a little offense? When is the last time you gave the opponent a reason to worry about God’s plan of abundance?
 
If when you hear the word “abundant” …you think of “stuff” then you have missed the point.  God made you for adventure. The life He created for you is one of excitement …He wants to give you abundance in faith, joy, and enthusiasm.  He wants you to be a fisher of men - on a mission of eternal significance…That should fuel your life.
 
Mundane boredom is not mentioned in this passage and has never been a part of God’s program. Attempting to fearfully hold on to what we have accumulated is not the game plan. That is your opponent’s strategy so do not succumb to the temptation.
 
Approach today differently…. Saddle up and go after abundance.  Look for opportunities to engage …Build up your family… Encourage your friends. Constantly look for ways to share Christ with others.
 
Each day is a blank canvass that you can either fill with grey - or splash colors all over and make it unforgettable…the choice is literally in your hands.
 
Jesus intends for you to live adventurously - so go for it.  Look for projects with eternal payoffs…seek out the hurting and encourage them …. Stop looking for material junk and look for infinite impact.
 
Yes, you must make a living, and you should be diligent in that... but more importantly you need to make a life…and Jesus came to make your life remarkable!
 
Stop settling for just existing…stop playing defense…and throw a few deep balls. You serve a Big God, and He wants you to live a Big life.  Go out today and make a difference.
 
“Just as drowning cannot be equated with swimming, mere existence is not the same as abundant life. We have been offered a new way to live – a new way to be human.”
Jon Foreman

Colossians 3:17 3/9/2021*

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father…”
 
If Paul had been writing to some old athletes he might have used the phrase “keep your head in the game”.  Or he might have said, “whatever you do always remember who you play for”.
 
Being a disciple is not a side gig… There are no part-time Christians. Jesus said you are either for Him, or against Him – There is no middle ground. Everything means EVERYTHING. No matter what I am doing – people should see the fingerprint of God on my activities.
 
It is popular to say that life is complicated, but it rarely is... Life can be difficult, but most of our struggles come, not in determining what is right…but in deciding whether or not we are going to do it.
 
However, if we commit to a team…commit to doing everything with the goal of pleasing God, our path becomes obvious.  You seldom have to search for God’s Will, because He seldom hides it. 
 
If you will remove the distractions and determine to do and say everything in the name of Jesus, most decisions will become evident. It is when you entertain other motives that your way becomes murky.
 
The bible is a “light unto your path” and the way to please God and avoid stumbling is to leave the light on so you can see where you are going.
 
Know your playbook, accept it as it is written. Never change the Bible to make it palatable. Reject “Progressive Christianity” …Truth does not change to fit culture…It is our culture that needs change.
 
If you are struggling – be sure you are struggling to follow God - not struggling to rationalize your lack of obedience? Do not strive to do good things so God will love you – Do them because He loves you … Obedience is born of gratitude.
 
Life is easier when you have decided where you are going. Have Faith in the Word of God and do EVERYTHING in the name of Jesus. Eliminate the duplicity in your life so the confusion will disappear, and you will become a decisive man of God who walks in confidence.
 
“Cling to the whole Bible, not a part of it.  A man is not going to do much with a broken sword.”
– D.L. Moody

Proverbs 4:23 3/2/2021*

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”
 
How do your choices of entertainment stack up to this verse? Are you diligent about what goes into your heart and mind?
 
The constant theme in scripture is - what you plant, will grow…so how careful are you about your harvest?
 
A while ago I decided to stop allowing things to dull my senses. There are no neutral influences, so I decided to be more careful about what I allow in my head. I want to challenge you today to do the same thing.
 
The next time you pick up the television remote – instead of mindlessly putting on that series that compromises your values – or the monotonous one-sided news that gives you stress…. try doing something beneficial.
 
Go on Prime, or Netflix, or whatever source you have - and search names like Calvin, Luther, Wesley, Spurgeon, Anne Graham Lotz, Corrie Ten Boom.  Click on documentaries or movies about men and women that God has used to impact eternal souls.
 
Or search for “The Chosen” or other bible-based shows that help you visualize and contemplate scripture. There are more of these types of programs than you might imagine.
 
Once you have viewed one of these shows, most platforms will suggest others of the same kind, and you can begin spending time being both entertained and enriched…  Educating you, encouraging you, and challenging you to do more with your life than watch sitcoms.  Try this for a month…the change in your mindset will astound you.
 
Time is the only thing we cannot get more of - and every hour spent “bingeing” on a fictional series is a wasted hour. And every time I compromise my morals to be entertained - I numb myself to the destructiveness of sin. 
 
Guard your heart for from it springs your life…What I allow in my heart will grow and produce fruit…good or bad – depends on the seed. 
 
Do not be deceived…. saying “there is just a little filth in this show” is like saying there is “only a little dog poop in the cookies” ….it matters what you consume.
 
This verse says that if you improve the input - you will experience better results. If you believe that – then make the change.
 
“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”
-Marcus Aurelius