2 Peter 3:17-18 11/12/2019*

^“… you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…”

Are you growing? If you think about last year at this time, are you amazed at how young your faith was and how much you have learned?...Or have you become complacent and switched your faith to auto pilot? 

You can’t stand still in your faith. You either grow closer to God or you drift away.  Peter says that if we aren’t growing in Christ, our life becomes unstable and our wisdom and discernment fade as we become distracted by other things.

Centering on God develops laser focus on things that matter, and this produces righteousness and holiness.  People will say you can’t maintain that in the “real world” …but that is "the big lie". Our walk with God is “the real world” …. “the fake world” is what distracts us with temporary trinkets.

The enemy’s goal is to make you busy - so you will become preoccupied and begin the slow fade…But God not only says you don’t have to fade, but you should improve. This passage forcefully warns us that lack of growth is dangerous.

Think back to when God first opened your eyes….at a camp, a retreat, or alone in your room…wherever it was - the only thing that has changed since then is you.  God is the same…your ability to choose is the same… and God’s desire to provide grace and knowledge is the same.

The difference is that now you are distracted - and you have bought into the lie that you can’t sustain holiness in the “real world”.

Like the father of the prodigal son, God is waiting for you to turn around and “Repent and do the things you did at first” ( Rev 2:5) Get out of the fake world that has disoriented you and pursue the truth again.

Refocus on community… worship… and holiness…. Resist the slow fade and don’t be satisfied to maintain…If you are not closer to God today then you were yesterday…you wasted yesterday.

The question is not are you able to grow… It is, have you decided to? … The choice is yours - but each day you don’t decide – you are deciding.

“Spiritual growth depends on two things: first a willingness to live according to the Word of God; second, a willingness to take whatever consequences emerge as a result. “    

-Sinclair B. Ferguson

Philippians 3:8 11/5/2019*

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD, …”

How much time do you invest in knowing Christ?

I’m not asking how often you go to church… I am asking how often you spend time personally getting to know Jesus?

If you were trying to get to know me …you could talk to my friends … look at my social media… examine how I influence others…But the best way to know me is to spend time with me.

So again, I will ask you…how much time do you spend getting to know Christ?

It matters…Paul says it holds surpassing value and everything else in your life pales in importance to your relationship with Jesus. 

Unfortunately, we sometimes focus more on knowing about Jesus, instead of actually getting to know Him.  It is a subtle difference, but important…God says it like this… “be still and know that I am God”. He invites us to enter into His presences and fellowship with Him.

Is that a habit you cultivate?

If not let me challenge you to start today…In Matthew 6 it says “…when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father…” That means set aside time to stop and be alone with God. Leave your computer and your phone somewhere else. No multi-tasking …simply focus on talking and listening to God.

Start with confession and repentance – move into praise and gratefulness - and then spend some time praying through scripture that you’re trying to apply in your life. Be still and allow your heart to speak to His - and His heart to speak to yours.

Scripture plus prayer equals a conversation with God.

This will be harder than you think…and I believe it is because the enemy desperately doesn’t want it to become a habit. The routine of being alone with God will change you and deepen your knowledge of Him.

How long you spend is up to you…but keep in mind that the only way to know someone is to spend time with them. And everything in your life is insignificant compared to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus”.

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” ― A.W. Tozer

Matthew 19:23 10/29/2019*

“Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

This passage confuses people because our churches have quit preaching God’s requirement of complete commitment.  Many churches today preach a Jesus that would have run after this young man to negotiate…. They often proclaim Christ as Savior but rarely refer to Him as Lord.

We have forgotten that sometimes the bible says hard things, but they are never suggestions. So instead of obedience we have created a biblical buffet where we pick and choose what we like out of the bible and ignore the things that bother us. If we don’t agree with what the bible says about marriage, our role in the church, how we are to respond when mistreated, or any other issue…We explain the verse away and assume God would not require obedience if it doesn’t make us happy.

But that is not the Jesus we see in this passage. What Jesus demanded was hard – And with one look into the eyes of Christ the young man knew there was no need to make a counteroffer… The price of discipleship is everything….  You either follow God - or you don’t… and obeying only what you are comfortable with is not following God - it is following yourself.

Like a loving parent, God has given guidelines for your protection. He has pointed out sin so it will not overtake you. He has written truths that are nonnegotiable. God does not give recommendations He gives commandments. And they are to be obeyed not debated.

Our fatal flaw is believing that what we want, and what we need are always the same thing… so we change His word to fit our lives, instead of changing our lives to fit His word …which insures there is never a need for submission or obedience.

God loves you deeply…. but He did not die on the cross to make you happy…He died to make you Holy. It is what you were created for, and only holiness will fill the void in your life and bring lasting joy and true freedom.

 

“More than once Jesus deliberately addressed certain issues that quickly diminished the number of onlookers. It was commitment that thinned the ranks.”
- Chuck Swindoll

Proverbs 12:16 10/22/2019*

“Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.”

By this definition we are becoming a nation of fools.

It seems we have not only forgotten how to overlook an insult …we are now making up reasons to be offended.  And once upset, we don’t change the channel, or keep scrolling, or vote for someone else ...that would be rational…instead we “shout our annoyance at once” …. we act like fools.

We employ a scorched earth policy offering two choices - complete acceptance of our opinion - or annihilation...there is no middle ground. 

It has become part of who we are, and it is foolish and dangerous.

What about you?  Are you prudent… or are you running with the herd?

If you spend your day having imaginary arguments with people in your head …..you need to let it go.  If you must sarcastically respond to every post that upsets you then you are letting your annoyance rule you.  Carrying frustration around all day because someone is misinformed is a waste of energy.

I am not saying don’t get involved…I am not saying don’t voice your opinion…in fact we are commanded to speak the truth in love.  I am just saying overlook insults and don’t be triggered if someone doesn’t like you.

You were wrong once…You were offensive, and bullheaded, self-centered and arrogant…God’s response to you was to open His arms and die in your place.

There have been times when you have had the audacity to argue with God about what He allows on the earth that He created…His response has been to love you anyway … How can you justify being angered or offended by others?

Take a deep breath and realize that hurt people, hurt people. See through it - and love as you have been loved.

Determine to go the entire day today without being offended.  Stay off the throne of self-importance and instead focus on the value of others and love them even if they hurt your feelings. When you feel annoyed intentionally re-focus your energy on loving that person.

If you can accomplish this I guarantee you when your head hits the pillow tonight you will not miss the anger you chose to overlook today.

"If you are on a continuous search to be offended, you will always find what you are looking for, even when it isn't there." ~ Bill Kellogg

Romans 8:38-39 10/15/2019*

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This world is full of temporary affection. We are great at weddings but weak on marriages. We are big on promises and small on commitment. So, we search in vain for a permanent love that cannot be found in a fickle world of “what have you done for me lately?”

This is our heartbreak. We were created with the knowledge that “love never fails” …. Yet we continue to call things “love” that we know fall short of that definition, so we end up disappointed.  But God is love….so we keep looking because we are made in His image and nothing less will satisfy.

There is an eternal love…there is an anchor that holds…God offers an everlasting love. And to make sure you understand He provides an exhaustive list of all the things that cannot separate you from it. It is unbreakable.

God loves you. He has stated it. He proved it on the cross. And when you put on the righteousness of Christ, nothing can separate you from your Father.

You are cherished…. No longer only as valuable as your last performance, you can now walk in confidence. You can now rest peacefully. This removes the fear from your life, and finally allows you to look outward.

Have you accepted this gift?  Examine where you find your confidence.  Are you still trying to earn what Jesus purchased for you on the cross?

Trade in your sinfulness for His righteousness and it’s yours…it is a pre-paid gift that once accepted can never be lost. …Receive His love…be filled with it…and then give as much of it away as you can.

This love is what identifies us as His… It cannot be found anywhere else, and it changes you in ways that are irreversible.  It makes you more than a conqueror, giving you a solid foundation which, in His shadow, makes you invincible. 

Knowing you have your Father’s heart will allow you to stop searching for love and do what you were created to do…Freely worship your God - and give love spontaneously to others.

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” – C.S. Lewis

Matthew 6:33 10/8/2019*

^“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

This verse is a response to our worry regarding what we will wear, eat, and drink each day.

If a race car drivers primary focus is on pursuing tires, gas, and oil, they will be ineffective.  A race car driver is supposed to focus on the race…these other inputs are needed, but he trusts his pit crew to attend to those needs. In the same way, if I wake up each day and pursue clothes, food and drink - I have missed my purpose.

In this passage Jesus says you are focused on the wrong thing. You are a race car driver pre-occupied with outfitting your vehicle rather than driving it …and that is affecting your ability to succeed. We need to focus on our mission which is to seek His Kingdom and to pursue His righteousness.

Jesus furthers this point by pointing out that the flowers are more beautifully dressed by God than the wealthiest of Kings, and that the birds who do not stress are also provided for…all details are taken care of by God.

Then Jesus says something profound that should be the key to your confidence… Flowers and birds are here today and gone tomorrow. But you were created to fellowship with God for eternity … you are His child, and He takes care of His children.

So, what are you seeking today?... You should live differently because you pursue a heavenly plan and trust God to handle the details. Seek God with reckless abandon, knowing there is nothing reckless about abandoning worry and trusting an omnipotent God. Stop chasing the worthless trinkets of the world and instead “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20)

Live differently today…. Trust God to provide for you and use your energy to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. You will experience a freedom and joy in life that you cannot attain when you are fixated on pit row.

 Gentlemen start your engines… and drive to win.

“Focus your full attention on the goodness and greatness of your Father rather than on the size of your need. Your need is tiny compared to His ability to meet it.  - Bill Patterson

Matthew 5:30 10/1/2019*

“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”

Jesus is not promoting amputation each time we sin; He is endorsing a perspective.

He is moving us away from frivolously viewing sin as a mistake, or an error, or “not God’s best”. These passive descriptions of sin allow us to view it as a casual error. When in fact it is a dangerous evil that carries catastrophic consequences.

Jesus is trying to shock His audience with the truth that it would be better to be physically disabled than spiritually crippled.  The ramifications of losing a limb are inconsequential when compared to separation from God.

How do you view sin?.... are you repulsed by it?...Does it break your heart? Are you driven to your knees in remorse and repentance when you sin?  If not, then Jesus is speaking directly to you. He is saying do not allow your arrogance to make you tolerant toward the one thing that can destroy you…act…be intentional….cut out spiritual cancer when you see it.

If you find a lump on your body you get it looked at immediately because malignancies grow…sin does too. The enemy will attempt to hide it and give it time to progress, but Jesus says you must see it for what it is and eliminate it…..Sin is not a slipup. It is a dangerous growing disease.  Either you are killing it, or it is killing you.

So, what needs to be cut out of your life today?  …. A habit?... a group you hang out with?.... a job?... a hobby? …your phone?  Everything is on the table…Unless it is more valuable than your right-hand Jesus says it is expendable.  

Get out your scalpel and conduct a spiritual exam. Be an aggressive surgeon and if there is something in your life causing you to sin - remove it. The operation may be painful, but the long-term benefits are extraordinary.

Have an eternal perspective. Stop tolerating that one sin you keep making excuses for and do something about it. With Christ nothing is inoperable, but you must choose to have the surgery.

Christian, beware of thinking lightly of sin. Take heed in case you fall little by little. - Charles Spurgeon

  

James 4:17 9/24/2019*

“Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.”

This verse would indicate that God wants us to play both sides of the ball. Of course we must defend against temptation, but we also need to run to the battle and play offense by doing what we know is right.

If you ask most people to define sin they will give you a long list of things you are not supposed to do. But this passage broadens that definition.

There are obviously sins of commission, but what about sins of omission?  Most of us don’t intend to kill and steal today …but do we have a plan to do what God has laid on our heart to do?...If we ignore His prodding James labels it a sin.

So, what is James talking about?   Maybe he is referring to the Spirit’s nudging about the guy you know that eats by himself each day? … or the widow in your neighborhood that God is pushing you to call or visit…  or the family you know in dire financial need?

Our faith is not just restrictive - it must be assertive as well. When we only worry about what we should not do, our faith becomes lifeless.  We need to have vibrant, active, busy faith. Faith that reaches for our wallet to help other people, faith that visits hospitals, faith that interrupts our daily schedule to help strangers. 

Let’s plan to DO something today.  Ask God to give you a “mission”. It won’t take Him long to put a need on your heart… when He does, go meet it.

No doubt it is important that you abstain from even the appearance of evil…but while you are not doing anything wrong today…let’s set out to do some things right.

Call Compassion and support a child, provide funding to a mission that feeds the homeless, pray for those God puts on your heart.

This verse says it’s a sin to ignore God and not do what you know is right. What it doesn’t mention is how exhilarating it is when you do what He says… play a little offense today and you will see what I mean.

“It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.” ― Molière

John 20:21 9/17/2019*

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Are you taking your mission seriously? 

Jesus says, “I am sending you” and it is not to make money and keep yourself comfortable.

God sent Jesus to die on a cross and provide a path to salvation… Now Christ is sending you IN THE SAME WAY to teach the way to salvation that the cross purchased.  

If your life has felt meaningless lately maybe you have allowed it to become that way…. This is your meaning…. your purpose is to love others and lead them to Christ.

“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” is not just a figure of speech. It is a comparison…a directive….it is an explanation as to how we are to view our role in spreading the gospel. We should have an urgency and focus like Jesus did with every person we meet today.

Sharing God’s plan of salvation is not just something on your “to do list” -- it is the reason you get out of bed in the morning…. It is why we are still here…. everything else is incidental.

So, what is your plan? What are you going to DO?

As you go to school, or work, or wherever God takes you today, approach it like a warrior crossing enemy lines.  Be alert… Look for the wounded and take them the life-giving truth of God. A few simple words from you could be a pivot point in their life with eternal impact.

Look for an opening to talk to someone today about what Jesus has done for you.  Put on the whole armor of God and run to the battle looking for any opportunity God provides for you to spread His love and plan.

Believe me the enemy will be intentional so you must be as well. Put together a game plan that puts you in a position to advance the Kingdom today… we have an eternally significant mission … so let’s go!

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.” - Charles Spurgeon

2 Corinthians 4:18 9/10/2019*

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

This chapter recognizes the fact that we live in a fallen world in which we are getting older and wasting away…This verse is at the end of the chapter and while it acknowledges these trials it says we shouldn’t stare at them.

So, the question we must as ourselves is …what are our eyes fixed on?

Financial crisis?  Health issues? Family problems? Employment difficulties? ...This verse says all these things have one thing in common – they are temporary. 

They are used to distract us and take our focus off eternal matters.

In a shell game the trick is to not be distracted by the empty shells. Never look away from the shell that contains the prize. No matter what happens you never let it out of your sight. Life is the same way…you must never let the urgent distract you from the important.

We all have a long list of problems…regardless of our well-crafted on-line image…everyone is struggling with something. We also all have a long list of things for which we should be thankful. 

The tone of your life will be based on which list you focus on.

You must decide what you fix your eyes on realizing that your soul is eternal, and nothing temporary is ever going to satisfy it.   

Constant emphasis on temporary problems, possessions, and experiences will lead to a shallow life that swings wildly between despair and happiness.  But focusing on eternal things will create a solid foundation that leads to a life that radiates joy regardless of circumstances.

The key is understanding that it is a choice…and choices have consequences. 

So, decide today to place your attention on the everlasting.  Only give a passing glance at the temporary and build your foundation on the fact that we are “aliens and strangers” passing through this world on our way to our eternal home.

The first thing you learn in most sports…is the most important thing you will learn in life…. Block out distractions and keep your eye on the ball.

“Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business, is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things.”
― Robert Louis Stevenson