"Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls."
Do you ever stop and consider your destiny. Do you ever meditate on your pedigree as a Christian?
We are in this world, but we are not of it ...we are aliens... royal ambassadors from another place.
We don't belong here permanently...we are simply on our way home.
Like fish from the ocean placed in a fish bowl, we are restricted, and not in the environment for which we were created.
The problem is if you only focus on your life in the fish bowl, you forget about the ocean. If you only pursue worldly desires, only focus on your daily circles in the bowl, the depression of meaningless, and not belonging, will war against your soul. You will forget the magnificence of the sea, as you are consumed by your preoccupation with plastic plants and painted rocks.
Don't allow yourself to lose your identity. You must remember who you are. Do the things of your homeland. Make church a priority. Faithfully attend a bible study. Sit and read the Word of God, and ponder the truly meaningful things in life. Break the monotony of swimming in circles and remember your destiny.
There are people in this world with empty lives who think this is all there is... They think they were created to swim in circles ... tell them about the vast, magnificent home you are headed for, tell them your Father has prepared a place for them as well ... and then bring them with you.
"Purposes, plans, and achievements of men may all disappear like the cloud upon the mountain's summit; but, like the mountain itself, the things which are of God shall stand fast for ever and ever." - Charles Spurgeon
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Galatians 1:10 2/21/2017 *
"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Paul is defending himself from those accusing him of being, in essence, a salesman. People in Galatia were saying he would preach whatever he needed to get converts.
His enemies were sighting Paul's willingness to do whatever it takes to reach others for Christ. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul said "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."
(1 Corinthians 9:22)
Paul is defending himself from those accusing him of being, in essence, a salesman. People in Galatia were saying he would preach whatever he needed to get converts.
His enemies were sighting Paul's willingness to do whatever it takes to reach others for Christ. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul said "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."
(1 Corinthians 9:22)
Some churches today have done what Paul's enemies accused him of doing. They have watered down the message of God in order to increase membership. Some have explained away things in scripture that might be offensive, and replaced them with feel good platitudes.
But that is not what Paul was doing.
But that is not what Paul was doing.
So what is the difference?...
The difference is found in Paul's statement to the Galatians, and it deals with who you serve. If your goal is popularity?...if the size of your following is your main objective, then you are serving men, and cannot be a servant of Christ.
Our conviction must be, that we will do anything it takes, and become anything we must become, in order to reach others for Christ....but we will not change the message.
As soon as we change the gospel, it is no longer the gospel. If you alter the Truth, it ceases to be the Truth...and it is gutted of it's power. We must speak the pure, unpolluted Truth of God.
Be careful not to let the pendulum swing in either direction....don't water down God's word so it does not offend, and do not demand more than scripture does from those who seek to be children of God.
Your responsibility is to serve Christ only...take His unchanged message to His children, and get it to them any way you can.
"You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say."
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
2 Timothy 4:3 2/14/17*
2 Tim 4: 3 "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
Oxford dictionary named "post-truth" the word of the year in 2016. The recognition that truth doesn't matter anymore is sobering, and indicates that the time this verse was warning us about, has arrived.
Debates today, whether personal or public, no longer deal with facts. They are all about cleverness and emotion. People flock to whoever makes them feel good. Not to who tells them the truth.
We want to feel good without change. We bend the Word of God to fit our lives, instead of bending our lives to fit the Word of God. We no longer want advice on how to correct things, we just want to be affirmed. This is both comfortable and deadly, as we slowly drift away from God's plan until we no longer recognize right and wrong, good and bad, or truth and lies.
We were warned that this time would come, and God is clear about what we must do now that it has arrived. "Be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist's work, fulfill your ministry." (2 Tim 4:5).
We must be lighthouses in the storm. We are called to point to the truth with unyielding commitment. It may be unpopular, but it is the purpose of our ministry.
Speak the truth in love and don't expect applause. In fact you will probably be attacked and vilified ... but in the end you will be their only chance of escape. As though it were in quicksand, the world is sinking deeper into it's own lies, and we are the only lifeline that will hold when the deception is exposed.
Tell the truth whatever the cost ... it is not what they want to hear, but it is the only road to redemption and freedom.
"...you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
- Jesus
John 8:32
Oxford dictionary named "post-truth" the word of the year in 2016. The recognition that truth doesn't matter anymore is sobering, and indicates that the time this verse was warning us about, has arrived.
Debates today, whether personal or public, no longer deal with facts. They are all about cleverness and emotion. People flock to whoever makes them feel good. Not to who tells them the truth.
We want to feel good without change. We bend the Word of God to fit our lives, instead of bending our lives to fit the Word of God. We no longer want advice on how to correct things, we just want to be affirmed. This is both comfortable and deadly, as we slowly drift away from God's plan until we no longer recognize right and wrong, good and bad, or truth and lies.
We were warned that this time would come, and God is clear about what we must do now that it has arrived. "Be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist's work, fulfill your ministry." (2 Tim 4:5).
We must be lighthouses in the storm. We are called to point to the truth with unyielding commitment. It may be unpopular, but it is the purpose of our ministry.
Speak the truth in love and don't expect applause. In fact you will probably be attacked and vilified ... but in the end you will be their only chance of escape. As though it were in quicksand, the world is sinking deeper into it's own lies, and we are the only lifeline that will hold when the deception is exposed.
Tell the truth whatever the cost ... it is not what they want to hear, but it is the only road to redemption and freedom.
"...you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
- Jesus
John 8:32
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Numbers 13:30-32 2/7/2017*
"Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored."
Are you a Caleb, or one of the guys that went with him?
Both saw the same thing, but came back with very different recommendations.
Not only did the men give a negative public report, they also privately campaigned against God's plan to take the land because they were afraid of the challenge. In their fear, they ignored what God commanded, and chose what was safe. They focused on the power of the enemy... Caleb focused on the power of God.
Caleb publicly stood on God's plan. He did not take a position that allowed him to "save face" in case of failure. He boldly put all his eggs in one basket and trusted God to be faithful.
The world needs more "Calebs"...more courageous men of action. We need men not afraid to take God at His word and do something about it. It is not hard to choose inaction, and safety. But inaction and safety never accomplished anything great.
This week let's be recklessly faithful. Let's follow God no matter the cost. No second guessing... no whispering doubts to the crowd...no excuses....just men of action, boldly living out our faith.
Today there are more than enough cowards...we need more "Calebs"
"Those who lack the courage will always find a philosophy to justify it."
Albert Camus
Albert Camus
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Philippians 4:4 1/31/2017*
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice"
We often think of Joy as something we experience when things go well...this verse says that it is something we choose.
Paul is telling the Philippians that attitude matters, and attitude is a choice.
In this world everyone has struggles. Some, more than others, but each morning there is a list of blessings...and a list of things that break your heart...you have to choose the list on which you focus.
This verse ... twice....says to choose joy...and tells you where to find it.
If you set your gaze on Christ, joy happens. If you wake up every morning amazed that God loves you, and redeemed you, joy will be your default emotion. Don't confuse joy with happiness...Joy is deeper, stronger, and does not depend on circumstances. Joy is present even in seasons of sadness.
Rejoicing is important because it is where we, as Christians, get power. "...the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10). It can transform you from a weak tentative christian, into a powerful soldier of Christ...and the transformation begins when you choose to rejoice in the Lord.
Change your focus.
Reject self pity... choose joy...immerse yourself in the love of your Father...let your heart soak in the implications of being a child of God. Take your eyes off the storm, and gaze intently into the eyes of the Creator.
He loves you so much, He gave His Son to save you...and he will not abandon what He paid so high a price to redeem. Stand on that fact, and choose joy.
"Joy is the serious business of Heaven."
- C. S. Lewis
We often think of Joy as something we experience when things go well...this verse says that it is something we choose.
Paul is telling the Philippians that attitude matters, and attitude is a choice.
In this world everyone has struggles. Some, more than others, but each morning there is a list of blessings...and a list of things that break your heart...you have to choose the list on which you focus.
This verse ... twice....says to choose joy...and tells you where to find it.
If you set your gaze on Christ, joy happens. If you wake up every morning amazed that God loves you, and redeemed you, joy will be your default emotion. Don't confuse joy with happiness...Joy is deeper, stronger, and does not depend on circumstances. Joy is present even in seasons of sadness.
Rejoicing is important because it is where we, as Christians, get power. "...the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10). It can transform you from a weak tentative christian, into a powerful soldier of Christ...and the transformation begins when you choose to rejoice in the Lord.
Change your focus.
Reject self pity... choose joy...immerse yourself in the love of your Father...let your heart soak in the implications of being a child of God. Take your eyes off the storm, and gaze intently into the eyes of the Creator.
He loves you so much, He gave His Son to save you...and he will not abandon what He paid so high a price to redeem. Stand on that fact, and choose joy.
"Joy is the serious business of Heaven."
- C. S. Lewis
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
James 1:22-24 1/24/2017*
James 1:22-24 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."
If you go to the gym and talk to your trainer, then go home, ...will there be any improvement in your physical health?... of course not.
The same is true spiritually. You can go to church, or read your bible everyday, but if you think just listening will change you - you are deceiving yourself.
You are like someone who looks in a mirror but doesn't fix anything. You walk away and nothing changes ... you haven't combed your hair or fixed your face - and once you're gone you don't even remember what needs to be done.
The phrase "deceives yourselves" is not a reprimand, it shows pity for the one deceived ... not so much a hypocrite, but someone who mistakenly thinks they're improving.
When you read scripture, look closely. Fix what needs to be fixed. Take action based on what you see. Make changes in your life predicated on what the Word of God says needs to change.
Sometimes we walk a rough road and it feels like we are not progressing ... but our aim has to be growth and improvement. In a world of empty promises, this is the one thing you can count on ... The Word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit can change you ... truly permanently change you.
There are days we will stumble, and there is blood on a cross to cover that ...but it must be our goal to walk in the light of God's Word, let it impact us, and make us a little more like Him each day.
This week read the Word ... but read it slowly ... study it ... create a plan to implement it ... and then do what it says.
“Philosophy without action is the ruin of the soul. One brave deed is worth a hundred books, a thousand theories, a million words"
― Edward Abbey
If you go to the gym and talk to your trainer, then go home, ...will there be any improvement in your physical health?... of course not.
The same is true spiritually. You can go to church, or read your bible everyday, but if you think just listening will change you - you are deceiving yourself.
You are like someone who looks in a mirror but doesn't fix anything. You walk away and nothing changes ... you haven't combed your hair or fixed your face - and once you're gone you don't even remember what needs to be done.
The phrase "deceives yourselves" is not a reprimand, it shows pity for the one deceived ... not so much a hypocrite, but someone who mistakenly thinks they're improving.
When you read scripture, look closely. Fix what needs to be fixed. Take action based on what you see. Make changes in your life predicated on what the Word of God says needs to change.
Sometimes we walk a rough road and it feels like we are not progressing ... but our aim has to be growth and improvement. In a world of empty promises, this is the one thing you can count on ... The Word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit can change you ... truly permanently change you.
There are days we will stumble, and there is blood on a cross to cover that ...but it must be our goal to walk in the light of God's Word, let it impact us, and make us a little more like Him each day.
This week read the Word ... but read it slowly ... study it ... create a plan to implement it ... and then do what it says.
“Philosophy without action is the ruin of the soul. One brave deed is worth a hundred books, a thousand theories, a million words"
― Edward Abbey
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
1 Timothy 4:16 1/17/2017*
"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers"
People don't usually mind talking about Jesus until you start talking about what He said.
The fact that He said He was God. The fact that He called much of what some people think is acceptable, today "Sin". The fact that He said we will perish for eternity without His sacrifice.
..That is where the rub begins, and that is called Doctrine.
This verse says doctrine matters.
Yes, as Christians we will be identified by our love. But love is not always easy. Sometimes you have to love enough to offend.
If you won't speak the truth because it is offensive - you have become a doctor with a life saving injection who refuse to injure the patient with the needle. Those who hear you will be very comforted as they continue down their path of destruction.
Speak the truth in love. But if it's not the truth, it can't be love.
This scripture says that doctrine saves you...and those who hear you. Make sure you get it right...and make sure you live a life that makes your words substantial enough to be heard. Persevere in these two areas. You won't accidentally get them right.
Commit to knowing the Word, and commit to speaking, and walking in it's truth...it will impact your life, and the life of anyone who listens to you.
"Christ's riches are unsearchable, and the doctrine of the gospel is the field this treasure is hidden in." - Thomas Goodwin
People don't usually mind talking about Jesus until you start talking about what He said.
The fact that He said He was God. The fact that He called much of what some people think is acceptable, today "Sin". The fact that He said we will perish for eternity without His sacrifice.
..That is where the rub begins, and that is called Doctrine.
This verse says doctrine matters.
Yes, as Christians we will be identified by our love. But love is not always easy. Sometimes you have to love enough to offend.
If you won't speak the truth because it is offensive - you have become a doctor with a life saving injection who refuse to injure the patient with the needle. Those who hear you will be very comforted as they continue down their path of destruction.
Speak the truth in love. But if it's not the truth, it can't be love.
This scripture says that doctrine saves you...and those who hear you. Make sure you get it right...and make sure you live a life that makes your words substantial enough to be heard. Persevere in these two areas. You won't accidentally get them right.
Commit to knowing the Word, and commit to speaking, and walking in it's truth...it will impact your life, and the life of anyone who listens to you.
"Christ's riches are unsearchable, and the doctrine of the gospel is the field this treasure is hidden in." - Thomas Goodwin
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Matthew 6:9 1/10/2017*
"Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"
When is the last time you began a prayer by focusing on how "hallowed" God's name is?
Hallowed means holy, sacred, blessed, divine, revered.
Jesus says we should approach our Father with those words in mind.
Next we need to realize that God knows what needs to happen in our situation. And our desire must be to want what He wants.
In other words we acknowledge who He is, and trust Him completely
Sometimes our prayers sound like we are talking to a short order cook. We rattle off our list of demands as we run out the door to start the day. We tell Him what we want as though He works for us... and the only time we remember our prayers is, if we think He didn't answer them.
According to Jesus that is not how we are supposed to pray...no wonder our prayer life is anemic...
We are doing it wrong.
This week let's do it right.
Make prayer a priority. Many times the disciples had to go find Jesus because He had slipped away to pray. Find a time and a place to be alone and still before God.
Begin your prayer with the realization that you have the honor of entering the presence of The Almighty. Acknowledge that you need His wisdom and direction... and then like a child who is speaking to his father, make your request known.
Keep in mind that God loves you beyond your ability to understand. And because of that, the middle of His will, is the safest place you can be.
He has told us to pray, and He has said that prayer changes things. So since Jesus took the time to give us a "prayer pattern"...let's follow it, and be amazed at what He does.
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."
Martin Luther
When is the last time you began a prayer by focusing on how "hallowed" God's name is?
Hallowed means holy, sacred, blessed, divine, revered.
Jesus says we should approach our Father with those words in mind.
Next we need to realize that God knows what needs to happen in our situation. And our desire must be to want what He wants.
In other words we acknowledge who He is, and trust Him completely
Sometimes our prayers sound like we are talking to a short order cook. We rattle off our list of demands as we run out the door to start the day. We tell Him what we want as though He works for us... and the only time we remember our prayers is, if we think He didn't answer them.
According to Jesus that is not how we are supposed to pray...no wonder our prayer life is anemic...
We are doing it wrong.
This week let's do it right.
Make prayer a priority. Many times the disciples had to go find Jesus because He had slipped away to pray. Find a time and a place to be alone and still before God.
Begin your prayer with the realization that you have the honor of entering the presence of The Almighty. Acknowledge that you need His wisdom and direction... and then like a child who is speaking to his father, make your request known.
Keep in mind that God loves you beyond your ability to understand. And because of that, the middle of His will, is the safest place you can be.
He has told us to pray, and He has said that prayer changes things. So since Jesus took the time to give us a "prayer pattern"...let's follow it, and be amazed at what He does.
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."
Martin Luther
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Matthew 5:44 1/3/2017*
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven"
Who do you think of when you read the word "enemies"?
Can you imagine the freedom that would come in loving them? Not just forgiving them, not just ceasing to be angry, but actually loving them. Imagine the garbage that would be flushed from your heart if you really prayed for them...Prayer purifies...you can't lie to God... You will feel the sludge of animosity breaking free in your heart if you honestly pray.
This is not a proverb, or a illustration...it is a command straight from the mouth of Christ. Do we take it seriously?
"Love your enemy"...it's not about church attendance, how much you give, the length of your quiet times...."LOVE YOUR ENEMY". That is what we have to do if we want to look like our Dad ... after all that is what He did for us.
So who came to mind as an enemy?....What are you going to do about it?
Decide to obey.
Choose to love them. Get on your knees today and pray for them. Do something nice for them ... call them ... but whatever you have against them - forget it. Do what God did for you and wipe their slate clean and see them through His eyes, as valuable and lovable.
Aren't you tired of carrying the load of anger and bitterness ... Empathize with them. Find a way to care about their story.
Loving them will set you free...set them free...and it will create in you a family resemblance that allows the world to recognize you as a Christian.
.. And that will draw more to Christ than the finest sermon.
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
Abraham Lincoln
Who do you think of when you read the word "enemies"?
Can you imagine the freedom that would come in loving them? Not just forgiving them, not just ceasing to be angry, but actually loving them. Imagine the garbage that would be flushed from your heart if you really prayed for them...Prayer purifies...you can't lie to God... You will feel the sludge of animosity breaking free in your heart if you honestly pray.
This is not a proverb, or a illustration...it is a command straight from the mouth of Christ. Do we take it seriously?
"Love your enemy"...it's not about church attendance, how much you give, the length of your quiet times...."LOVE YOUR ENEMY". That is what we have to do if we want to look like our Dad ... after all that is what He did for us.
So who came to mind as an enemy?....What are you going to do about it?
Decide to obey.
Choose to love them. Get on your knees today and pray for them. Do something nice for them ... call them ... but whatever you have against them - forget it. Do what God did for you and wipe their slate clean and see them through His eyes, as valuable and lovable.
Aren't you tired of carrying the load of anger and bitterness ... Empathize with them. Find a way to care about their story.
Loving them will set you free...set them free...and it will create in you a family resemblance that allows the world to recognize you as a Christian.
.. And that will draw more to Christ than the finest sermon.
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
Abraham Lincoln
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Mark 9: 28-29 James 5:16 12/27/2016
"After Jesus had gone into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”
This is a critical truth to begin a new year... To be powerful, you must learn to pray.
The Disciples had been casting out demons and healing people successfully, until they met this boy. Then they learned that some demons are harder to deal with than others... there are degrees of maliciousness to sin.
They encountered a demon that had been with the boy for a very long time. It controlled him, endangered him, it even tried to kill him .... and those who loved him, could do nothing.
That situation sounds familiar to all of us. We have all had circumstances like this in our lives, and the lives of those we love. Jesus was clear...learn to pray!
But when Jesus says pray, He is not referring to the "now I lay me down to sleep" type prayer, He is referring to the "in the garden of Gethsemane, bleeding because of the intensity" type prayer. He is talking about falling in front of God in faith, and calling out for His help, with no intention of stopping until something happens. It is powerful, exhilarating, and exhausting.
When Christians kneel we are going to DEFCON 1... we are putting in the nuclear codes, and there is no plan for retreat. There is no plan B. When all else fails, even what has worked in the past...when it seems you have no hope for the fight ahead.... remember these words... “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”...so commit to prayer.
When we get to Heaven the names of those who changed the world will not be those we expect.
It will be the grandmothers, and grandfathers...the solitary people with calluses on their knees that swayed the battles here on earth. These are the quiet soldiers whose prayers broke the chains of countless prisoners. Enlist ... become a prayer warrior and help those you love go free.
This year can be different if we learn to pray.
This is a critical truth to begin a new year... To be powerful, you must learn to pray.
The Disciples had been casting out demons and healing people successfully, until they met this boy. Then they learned that some demons are harder to deal with than others... there are degrees of maliciousness to sin.
They encountered a demon that had been with the boy for a very long time. It controlled him, endangered him, it even tried to kill him .... and those who loved him, could do nothing.
That situation sounds familiar to all of us. We have all had circumstances like this in our lives, and the lives of those we love. Jesus was clear...learn to pray!
But when Jesus says pray, He is not referring to the "now I lay me down to sleep" type prayer, He is referring to the "in the garden of Gethsemane, bleeding because of the intensity" type prayer. He is talking about falling in front of God in faith, and calling out for His help, with no intention of stopping until something happens. It is powerful, exhilarating, and exhausting.
When Christians kneel we are going to DEFCON 1... we are putting in the nuclear codes, and there is no plan for retreat. There is no plan B. When all else fails, even what has worked in the past...when it seems you have no hope for the fight ahead.... remember these words... “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”...so commit to prayer.
When we get to Heaven the names of those who changed the world will not be those we expect.
It will be the grandmothers, and grandfathers...the solitary people with calluses on their knees that swayed the battles here on earth. These are the quiet soldiers whose prayers broke the chains of countless prisoners. Enlist ... become a prayer warrior and help those you love go free.
This year can be different if we learn to pray.
"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
- God
James 5:16
- God
James 5:16
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