Genesis 3:5 9/27/2022*

“The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die!  For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.”  

There it is…. The big lie. “You will be like God” 

It is seductive because, like all good lies, it has a little truth in it.  

In football, I was like Jerry Rice… That’s accurate because we played the same position. He was a receiver and so was I.  But that is where the similarities end.

In the same way the serpent’s lie was accurate …Eve did gain the knowledge of good and evil…like God …but that is where the similarities end. 

“The big lie” plays on our arrogance. It leads us to believe what all false religions preach… that we are gods ourselves. 

The enemy uses “spiritual judo” to lead you down the path of self-deification.  In Judo you don’t try to stop your opponent, you use his momentum against him to pull him off balance and take him farther than he wants to go. 

So, if your propensity is to follow rules, satan offers legalism where you attempt to earn your salvation with obedience… If you desire forgiveness without repentance, satan offers cheap grace and makes you the definer of your own truth …which allows you to choose which parts of scripture you follow and which parts you don’t. 

The problem is that both paths focus on YOU …and YOU have no power to provide salvation.

Jesus called deception the devil’s native language so be vigilant. It should be a red flag when you hear what your prideful “itching ears” want to hear, and that should drive you to scripture to find real, unmovable truth. 

Lucifer is the predator, and you are the prey.  His weapons are pride and deception.  There is a God …and no matter what satan says,  it is not you. 

Reject the original sin of pride. Embrace the truth that your only path to salvation is the Cross. 

There is only one God, and you were not created to fill that position. You were created by that one True God to be the child that He adores… be grateful and walk humbly with your Lord. 

“…Pride directly attacks God. It lifts us above and against God, seeking to dethrone Him by enthroning ourselves.”― Joel Beeke

Colossians 1:22 9/20/2022*

“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”

There are a couple of principles in this verse that we should look at today.

First, if you are in Christ, you are spotless. You have been reconciled by His death. The places that sin has gashed your heart have been healed. There are no scars, no blemishes. All remnants of depravity have been deleted. …It is impossible for your sin to be further removed from you. 

Second, your reconciliation is not the result of an abstract, imaginary sacrifice. Your redemption comes through the horrific, brutal destruction of the actual physical body of Jesus Christ. God didn’t ignore your sins…He sent His Son to physically pay for them.  Your transgressions were not painted over or buffed out…they received the violent destruction they deserved, and your debt has been paid in full. 

You don’t have to have a quiet time…give money…feed the poor, etc. in order to achieve salvation….Jesus did it all. It is finished. You do those things because He saved you – not so He will.

And to be sure we understand the completeness of this redemption  – God clarifies that not only are you innocent – you are without accusation.  God will not tolerate even the implication that you have not been made perfect by the payment of your debt.  The Cross has exempted you from all guilt and you stand before God unstained.

You have been granted comprehensive liberation. Jesus’ death and resurrection has destroyed the prison that for so long you have called home. The chains are gone, and the door is open.

Christ’s death and resurrection is a factual, historically documented event that grants you complete and indisputable freedom.  The law was not ignored it was fulfilled.

Your days of captivity are over if you will just walk out of your cell. The choice is yours….You are no longer a slave to sin; your debt has been paid and you are free.  Live in that freedom. Trust God and walk in faith.  His love has given you liberty. Use it to offer freedom to those around you who are still trapped in broken down prison cells which unbeknownst to them lost the power to hold them over 2000 years ago. 

 “…the truth will set you free.” - Jesus

John 4:17 9/13/2022*

“The woman answered and said to Him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’;  for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this which you have said is true.” 

How would you have responded to that statement? 

In my arrogance I might have said “that really isn’t your business” or with self-pity said, “you don’t understand”…and walked away offended. 

In our culture we believe that whatever we do, say, feel, or think must be supported by everyone or we are being bullied.  If we are corrected in any way, we are being marginalized and mistreated and need a safe place to recover. 

Yet here Jesus takes a simple meeting - and because He LOVES her – turns it into a life examination. So again, how would you have responded?

The bible says, “blessed are the poor in spirit” and as Americans we struggle with that….We find it hard to believe being poor in anything is advantageous. But God says to inherit His Kingdom we must be poor in spirit.  

What does that mean?  

“Horizontally” it means we can be corrected without being offended. It means we have a spirit of humility that allows us to consider input from others. 

“Vertically” it means we come to God with the understanding that we have nothing to offer.  Salvation is not a negotiation it is a surrender.  You reject even the slightest implication that you have something of value to bring to the table. You not only accept God’s corrective law, you embrace it so you can live righteously. 

We have lost the ability to have “iron sharpen iron”, because our fragile self-image has caused our “mettle” to become so feeble, we cannot stand a little heat.

Stop pursuing validation from a crowd that is groping around in the dark. Instead, humbly go to the light of the world so you see clearly. Seek transparent conversations with friends you trust to help you grow. 

But most importantly, in brokenness go to God with a desire to learn wisdom and seek His guidance …Approach Him with a poor spirit and empty hands, and He will give you the glorious gifts He has for you. 

“Idolatry is when you become the source of your own joy. Poverty of spirit is a wonderful thing.” -  Paul Washer

Ezekiel 9:4 9/6/22*

“and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.” 

The book of Ezekiel teaches us that weeping and grieving over detestable acts is an indicator that your heart belongs to God. 

That is an interesting statement since some churches today won’t even use the word “sin,” much less grieve over it. Our society not only tolerates detestable things, we normalize and encourage them. 

What has my reaction been to the sins that are so prevalent today? At times I have been disgusted, offended, and even judgmental.  But I am not sure I grieve over them.  

What about you - Do you ridicule those trapped in sin? Do you roll your eyes and have contempt for them? …or do you weep over the souls imprisoned in wickedness?

If you ridicule, it means you have forgotten where you came from… Mocking those stuck in sin indicates you have forgotten being stuck there yourself. 

If you normalize and accept their sin it means you have decided that the endorsement of men is more important than the approval of God. 

People who are trapped in sin should definitely see a reaction from us, but it should not be approval, contempt, or anger …  It should be broken heartedness.

If we love people who are involved in something that is destroying them, we should grieve, and grief should drive us to our knees.  Mocking and arguing will not change a heart – but persistent prayer will… and prayer is the powerful response that God expects of us. 

So, if an angel were to go through our city today and designate those who grieve over sin – would I be marked?... would you? 

Jesus was clear that sin leads to pain, death, and eternal separation from God. It is not something to be discounted, amused by, or ignored. 

Pointing out sin may not be applauded, but not warning others is callous and unloving. We must call sin what it is…and weep over its destructiveness. The world will only know the amazing value of redemption by realizing the obscene filth from which we have been redeemed. 

“The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity.” - George Bernard Shaw

1 Corinthians 13:12 8/30/2022*

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”

Some time ago, I had a discussion with a young man about the evidence of God. He finally said, “I have read the bible, and if God is real, I don’t agree with Him.”

Less than twenty years earlier this young man couldn’t change his own diaper, yet now he was confident that he could evaluate God and reject His ability to reign.  

We are not qualified to judge the Judge … You cannot  appraise what you do not comprehend, and you lack the ability to understand the Power that created you. 

We barely glimpse God’s Magnificence. We see it as though through a dark glass…because we wouldn’t survive seeing the entirety of His Glory.  God gives us freedom of choice, but it is ludicrous and dangerous to believe that God is on the auction block while we stroke our chins trying to determine His worth. 

Our arrogance has made us believe that it is His value that is in question – instead of ours.  

We are the accused…He is the all-powerful judge, so we should carefully approach Him and the way He has allowed us to approach is by faith.

When you step on the brakes -your car stops. You may not be able to explain why but every day you risk your life based on the faith that it will.

God exists … but trying to explain His omnipotence with human wisdom is like asking a kindergarten class to evaluate plans for the Space Shuttle. We are woefully inadequate for the task. 

If He reveals Himself to you – fall on your face and worship Him - It is the only logical response. 

There is a God…It is not you and He does not need your approval to reign. In fact, it will take your entire life for you to comprehend even a tiny fraction of His Power…and yet you matter to Him, He loves you.

Be joyful that the God you serve is too big for you to fully understand …if He wasn’t He would not be deserving of your worship. 

“Sooner or later, man has always had to decide whether he worships his own power or the power of God.” - Arnold Toynbee

Genesis 40:6-7 8/23/22*

“When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” 

Joseph was bullied, human trafficked by his brothers, forced into slavery, falsely accused of attempted rape, and wrongly imprisoned.  

He had a trauma filled past, and his present wasn’t much better… yet he cared enough about other people to observe that some prisoners were dejected and ask what was wrong. 

That question launched Josephs ascension from “inmate” -  to “Egyptian royalty” …His unselfishness set into motion a plan that would deliver him from prison - and place him in a position of power. 

Had Joseph been busy with self-pity he may not have noticed or cared that the other men were despondent. Had he been consumed by the unfairness of his situation he would have been unaware of their suffering.

In our culture we are taught to be self-centered. Society enables and encourages us to be hypersensitive to the slightest offense. It has become normal for us to be so self-engrossed that we believe we must be protected from any perceived insult. 

We are bombarded by the mantra that we must love ourselves, express ourselves, be ourselves without reservation….And yet the bible says to die to our self. 

That is quite a contrast…

The contrast is created  by who sits on the throne of your life. If you are on the throne – then all the self-absorbed foolishness makes perfect sense.  But if God is on the throne of your life - you will be so consumed by His glory there will be little time to worry about yourself. 

As a child of God your value has been established. His unimaginable love for you will so solidly define your self-image, that it will be anything but fragile.

The world tells you to be self-focused which is depressing.  But if you choose instead to be God-focused He will bring stability, and contentment to your life.

So, you have two choices…One leads to a shallow, self-centered existence while the other leads to a life full of love and usefulness…

Selfishness seldom makes you content or effective, while selflessness seldom fails to do both….you choose. 

“God creates out of nothing. Therefore, until a man is nothing, God can make nothing out of him.” - Martin Luther

Luke 12:29…31 8/16/2022*

“And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.... But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

When did we decide worrying is helpful? When did fear become our national pastime?

It has become our practice to wake up each morning expecting disaster. We blame the media for our paranoia, but the media is only a mirror. They sell fear because we buy it. 

For some reason purchasing toilet paper and gasoline have been deemed the  proper response to every threat. Logic has been abandoned and we choose anxiety every time. Prepare if you deem it necessary, but don’t  be obsessed and fearful. 

Time after time the manufactured predictions of disaster pass unfulfilled…Yet we continue to irrationally choose fear instead of faith.

And make no mistake, fear is a choice, and it does not come from God (2 Tim. 1:7). Each morning we have options…We can nervously approach the day standing in the quicksand of apprehension….Or we can stand on The Rock of faith and live joyfully. 

Are there dangers out there? …Sure. There always have been. Does worrying about them make them go away? …No, so stop worrying. 

Faith is the only road to peace.  

So, choose…. Do you want to be suspicious and fearful today or do you want to be faithful and have joy?  It is literally your choice… and it should be an easy one. 

Pessimism and fear will not change tomorrow, but they will ruin today.  Faith and Joy will not only improve today – they will also put you in the presence of the God who can change tomorrow.  

Refuse to worry for one day…Don’t allow fear in your mind and actively reject it when it appears …Try it today and see what happens…It will enhance your day with a refreshing calmness – and it will bring light and peace to those around you.

Tomorrow is in bigger hands than yours… and those hands have nail scars on them that prove they love you. God made today …so make the decision to trust Him and rejoice and be glad in it.

You and God can face tomorrow, tomorrow.

“You do not know the gospel, dear friends, if you have not obtained peace through it; peace is the juice, the essence, the soul of the gospel.”
– Charles Spurgeon

Joshua 4:8…9 8/9/2022*

 “Thus the sons of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan” … “and they carried them over with them to the lodging place and put them down there. Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan at the place where the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing....” 

Joshua, the Commander, and chief of Israel, walked back after the people had crossed the Jordan and set up twelve more stones where the priests had stood holding the ark.  

Why?

The water would soon cover them, so they were not to serve as a reminder…There was no order from God to create a second monument,   and it didn’t focus attention on Joshua. 

I think it was an act of admiration for the priest who held the Ark as a million people crossed. I also think it was an act of worship for God stopping the water, and an acknowledgment that it was The Lord who made the crossing a success not Joshua’s ability.

He was preparing to lead Israel into battle, yet the calm, unselfish reflection of Joshua led him to venture back into the river and perform an act honoring his teammates and praising his Lord.

Love of God and Love of people is what creates great leaders. But many today are too busy securing their own power to give honor to others.  Consumed with their own image, they are hesitant to shine a light on their people. It is a self-centered, stressful, and ineffective way to lead.

What about you…do you celebrate the success of others? Do you highlight their accomplishments, or are you threatened by their success? Rooting for others is one of the most important attributes of a leader and a sure way to enjoy and excel at your job.

We are all leaders at some level. You may be a Military General, Manager,  Husband, Parent, Uncle, a Little League Coach, or Friend… but God’s approval must be your goal and your love for others must be your motive.  

So, enjoy the success of those around you and let them know it. Seek good for others and seek approval from God. That is the biblical recipe for leadership.

A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd. - Max Lucado

Mark 10:20-21 8/2/22*

“And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 

Religion is a dangerous thing. In this passage the rich young ruler leans heavily on it, and it fails him. 

This wealthy young man wanted to add eternal life to his portfolio. “Religion” offers that option, God does not… Religion is an “add” transaction – But God only offers “relationship” which is an exchange.  You give all you have in exchange for all He did. You must pursue Christ alone - or not at all… 

Religion lies to you and says YOU can do this on your own…and YOU cannot. It doesn’t matter how many Sunday School classes you teach, Young Life trips you lead, Bible studies you host…you cannot earn salvation 

The cross is not a part of your redemption formula it is the entirety of it. Christ has offered to be your King…not a consultant.

If I find the greatest Olympic swimmer in the world - hand him a 50-pound barbell and drop him in the ocean, he will have a decision to make…drop the barbell – or drowned.  That is the decision Jesus gave the young man and it is the same one He offers us. Drop everything you are doing that you think will save you and follow Him.

Acknowledging God, working for God, talking about God – are all good – but the requirement is “following” God. You must abandon your reliance on prideful “religious” work and obediently pursue Him as your only means of salvation. 

Drop the weight of religion– and with both hands cling to a relationship with God. Your money, your reputation, your intellect, your possessions…are all meaningless when it comes to eternity.  

Cling to the cross.  Obediently follow His scriptures entirely . Don’t try to add God to your life – Give your life to Him to do with as He pleases. Die to yourself and live through Him. He is not offering to fix you – He is offering to make you new.

“Atonement by the blood of Jesus is not an arm of Christian truth; it is the heart of it”. - Charles Spurgeon

Colossians 3:23-24 7/26/2022*

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

This was my moms’ favorite verse… at least her favorite verse for me.  I had it quoted to me numerous times in various forms…and eventually the truth sunk in that if you’re going to do something … do it right.

As a youngster my goal was often to do things “good enough” …. good enough to pass inspection, or to go unnoticed.  But “good enough” is not God’s standard…and God notices everything. 

The word “whatever”, and the phrase “working for the Lord” removes all loopholes which would allow compromise.  There are no small jobs just small people. You should only do something if it is what God directs you to do…If He does, you must do it correctly…. And the end of the passage explains why.

God is your audience.  He is the only opinion that matters ….There is no need to google the mob’s view … instead search the scripture and move forward. Our downfall is that we seek directions from those who are lost…We are lemmings concerned about what other lemmings think as they plunge off the cliff.  

When I was a coach the phrase “Audience of One” was on our pants, Jerseys, and other equipment as a reminder of who we play for…. 

This made our job clear,  and that was to do whatever we did as if we were doing it for God. We were to play and coach as though there was only one person in the stands who saw every play, heard every word, and could read every thought. If you approach a job in that way – it will change your performance. 

God sees your heart.  He made life a team sport, so go out today and fight for your brothers.  Seek good for others, and don’t worry about what men think. If God said it, that settles it. There’s only one person you need to please. 

That sounds like a clear, simple pre-game speech. One I need to hear this morning before kickoff, so I don't get distracted.

“Work Hard. Do your best. Keep your word. Never get too big for your britches. Trust in God”. — Harry S. Truman