Proverbs 15:28 2/25/2020*

“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”

What is the difference between weighing an answer and letting it gush out of your mouth?....

The difference is control…in one instance you are controlling your mouth, in the other your mouth is controlling you….

Our hearts and our mouths are connected…We have all experienced times when we have talked ourselves into a rage. We get on a roll and the more we talk the angrier we become.

That is an example of our mouth gushing wickedness and sweeping our emotions along in the flow.

This verse says that’s evil…

Instead we should think before we speak… weigh our answers…consider well our responses.

That is a difficult instruction - that for most people will require great change.

First you must listen to understand… not to respond. In order to weigh your answer, you need facts…listening is how you find them.

Second it requires humility…If you are already sure you are right, there is no need to listen… you are simply waiting for your opponent to take a breath so you can correct them.

Finally, it takes a desire to find the truth, and the patience to search for it.  Today we want sound bites and instant responses. But a righteous heart pursues truth and has the patience to seek it out.

As a young adult, I would sometimes ask my father complex questions … He would often respond, “let me think about that and get back to you”

He would weigh his answer …. there was a quality required of a response before he would allow it to pass through his lips…and hence his advice was always solid. As those of you who knew him know, you could always count on wisdom and truthfulness in his answers.

What if we did that…. What if we decided that today we would require a higher standard of our responses? What would change if we insisted on weighing our answers before allowing them to gush out of our mouths?

Try it for 24 hours…. It may seem simple – but scripture indicates it will be a life changing adjustment that brings wisdom and righteousness to your walk.

“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
 – James 3:2

Romans 5:8 2/18/2020*

“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Most of us are familiar with this verse and probably learned it when we were young... But have you considered it as an adult? It is a powerful statement that unfortunately loses impact with familiarity.

Read it again as though you’ve never read it before…It is astonishing.

This world does not contain that kind of love. You and I don’t forgive people who are not sorry for what they’ve done.  We demand remorse and change before we even consider allowing someone who has offended us back into our circle.

However, this verse says God loves you so much that He allowed His Son to be sacrificed for you while you were not only - unapologetic - but still actively sinning against Him.

You weren’t sorry for what you did…and you were still doing it.  Yet, as you broke God’s heart – He gave His Son for your redemption.

Think about that. Think about loving someone so much that while they were attacking you – you were finding a way to save them… That is God’s love for you.

That is why legalism and thinking you have earned His love is so offensive.  He loved you while you were rejecting Him. He doesn’t love us because we obey Him - we obey Him because He loves us.

If you can grasp that concept it changes everything… it is the difference in pulling a string - and pushing one… trying to earn His love produces frustration and bitterness…if you are grateful and secure in His love - it produces spontaneous obedience from a joyful heart… It is life altering.

Understanding that God loved us while we didn’t deserve it - removes anxiety, fear, and depression and produces stability, courage, and discipline.  Grasping this truth produces security that is offered nowhere else.

Accept the unconditional love that God is offering you today.  Understand it is a gift and live in that freedom. Let the truth of His stubborn love fill your heart so full that you can’t help but splash it out on everyone you meet.

“Here's the paradox. We can fully embrace God's love only when we recognize how completely unworthy of it we are.”
― Ann Tatlock

James 4: 13-16 2/11/2020*

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.”

This verse doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make plans, but it deals with the attitude you should have when you make them.  

An impatient and arrogant heart can lead to two fatal flaws.

First – God has you where you are right now for a reason. “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118-24) -. Too often we allow our plans for tomorrow, to cause us to miss our purpose for today.

Be where you are …You have divine appointments today so open your eyes – It is possible to miss the reason you’re here - when you are always headed somewhere else…Seek His Will today - deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.

Secondly – Pride is misleading…. It is absurd for us to think we can predict the future. We don’t control tomorrow, and thinking we do is prideful…  and scripture says that is the emotion that appears right before destruction. (Prov. 16:18)

Proverbs also says, “A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”  - So, make plans…Do everything you can to “prepare your horse for battle”…but in your heart, understand that God is in control.

Great planners have great humility. They understand their limitations and constantly seek the wisdom and direction of the Lord. Adjusting for His Will, not their egos.

If you don’t do this, your “great plans” are just arrogant schemes…Be sure that when you make plans you seek God’s blueprint?…not your desires. This life is a mist, and if your focus is on temporary vanity, your plans will vanish as your life will…Be single minded and make sure that eternity is your focus.

Determine to not waste today planning for tomorrow. And when you do make plans, seek your Father, so you can move forward with certainty based on His all-knowing plan…not your uninformed schemes.

“When your will is God's will, you will have your will.”
- Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 11:1 2/4/2020*

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

Most of us wouldn’t be comfortable making that statement. But it is false humility that causes us to confuse that discomfort with modesty.

It is actually laziness and lack of commitment on our part. Paul is setting the bar for our lives - and if we can’t make this statement we are missing the mark.

There is no arrogance here…He is not saying “I am perfect so you should do everything I do”…He is saying “My heart belongs completely to Christ and that motivates my every step, and it should be the same for you”.

Jesus instructs us to “be perfect as God is perfect” …His sacrifice on the cross occurred because He knew we would fail… but it is not there to make us comfortable with that failure.

The goal is the goal…the bar is set, and we are to be satisfied with nothing less.

If you have accepted Jesus as your savior - but not your Lord -  that should cause you to question …If you are not striving for perfection and you don’t desire to stop heaping sin on His shoulders then you have missed something.

But if your pursuing Jesus why aren’t you comfortable saying “imitate me as I imitate Christ”?...  Are you worried you will stumble?…Don’t be … If you do,  humbly confess – repent and ask for forgiveness …. That is the essence of the gospel, and those who watch you can learn to imitate that as well.

Here is the deal…You might as well get comfortable quoting this verse because it is going to happen anyway…If God puts people in your life for you to mentor they are going to imitate you as you imitate Christ…and that is an awesome responsibility…embrace it.

Don’t lower the bar with your false humility and sluggishness…Run hard after God so that those following you will have to do the same to keep up.

We are called to make disciples, and disciples are made with words that are backed up by actions - so get busy. Christianity is a full-time job. Accept the challenge and like Paul, imitate Christ to the level that you are spreading the gospel with every word you say, and every step you take.

“Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”
- St. Francis of Assisi.

Proverbs 19:3 1/28/2020 *8/26*

“A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the Lord.”

We have become a people that thrive on blaming others.

Refusing to accept responsibility for our own problems, we blame our families, bosses, coaches, teachers, elected officials and ultimately we blame God… Anyone, but the person in the mirror.

On the surface this seems like a way to ease the pain of life, but it is actually the opposite. It creates an environment of helplessness. We can’t fix what we didn’t break…and if we convince ourselves that our anguish is the fault of others then we are powerless to change it.

This has produced a culture of anxiety and despair persuading us that we are victims of things we cannot control….

But humor me for a moment…Let’s pretend that some of your problems are your fault…let’s assume that some of your difficulties are of your own making - and that your foolishness has damaged your life…. What would that mean?

It would mean you can fix it…

It would mean you’re not a victim….You have control…you can pick up the phone and mend a relationship, you can stop being paranoid about what others think, you can love others instead of demanding you be loved first… all of a sudden this assumption gives you power.

And it is more than just an assumption…This verse states that our own folly is what wrecks our lives… our sin creates chaos and bitterness in our world and brings anger, pain and despair.

So, change it.  

Draw a circle around yourself today and take complete responsibility for everything that happens inside of that circle. Don’t worry about what happens outside of it - but make sure you control everything inside - and control your responses to whatever happens outside.

Then instead of blaming God…Put your faith in Him. Let Him fight the enemies outside of that circle, and you battle the one that is inside it.

You will be amazed at the peace and rest that will come when you take back responsibility for your life – and release the resentment you’ve held toward others.

Control what you can control – and rely on God to manage the rest.

“Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.” -  Charles Spurgeon

Mark 2:17 1/21/2020*8/12*

“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”

This was Jesus’ response when the religious leaders asked why he was eating with “tax collectors and sinners”.

His comment “the healthy don’t need a doctor” indicates He realized the Pharisees thought their righteousness eliminated their need for deliverance.

His answer was not implying that some people don’t need Him…He was simply pointing out that some people don’t know it.

The Pharisees thought the sinners were sick - but believed their own good deeds and religion had made them immune …Ironically, that attitude is a symptom of the disease.   

The Pharisee’s religion had blinded them to their chronic sinfulness allowing it to progress untreated. But the sinners were aware of their need for healing and were drawn to Christ for help.

Jesus came to call sinners because that is all there is to call. None of us are righteous…not one. We are all infected and the prognosis is terminal.

The Pharisees ignorance of their own sin shows that pride had produced a blind spot…. and allowed arrogance to infect their hearts with an attitude of superiority.

What about you… Has your religion blinded you? Do you find it hard to value people you disagree with?…Does your piousness and good deeds make you more important than others?  If so, you a have a problem… If you are unable to love and find worth in others, you have a lethal virus called arrogance.

Examine your spiritual health carefully so you will not be fooled as the pharisees were, into believing you are spiritually well enough not to need Christ. 

Jesus came to call sinners…which means all of us.  Sin is a condition we are born with… it is universal and aggressive. There is a cure, but it requires a substantial surgery to remove self-centeredness, and then a prescription of daily doses of Christ to keep us well.

Don’t let your church attendance blind you to your disease…Humbly accept the free gift of healing and stay on the prescribed treatment.

… then spend the rest of your life trying to get that treatment to others.

“None are more unjust in their judgments of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves.” - Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 1:26 1/14/2020*

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.”

The Corinthian church was splitting into factions.  They were choosing sides. In their anger they had stopped discussing issues and started arguing positions.

Does that sound familiar?...

Our culture has adopted the mentality of sports fans when it comes to disagreements…accepting only facts that confirm our beliefs… assassinating the character of those who oppose us…and forming teams of only likeminded people.

Paul say the problem is arrogance…and a truthful look in the mirror should put an end to it.

Realizing what a fool I was without Christ should make it difficult for me to sustain my contempt for other fools.  And an honest assessment of me - should quickly soften my assessment of you.

The problem is our ego…our efforts to defend our position leave little time for self-evaluation… and even when we see our flaws we have become professional blame shifters, unwilling to acknowledge our failings.

But Paul says to own it. Remember the depth from which you have been raised.

When was the last time you felt remorse for something you did? How long has it been since you sincerely apologized to someone…not because you were caught, but because you were sorry? If it’s been a while, that means you’re either perfect, of you struggle with pride.

Paul acknowledges we are called by God… however it is not our perfection but our flaws that serve as credentials…. He says we were foolish enough to shame the wise - and weak enough to shame the strong. It turns out we are “qualified” …. but those qualifications should not cause us to boast, but to marvel at the grace of God.

If I can recapture my amazement at God’s grace for me - it makes it easier to extend that same grace to you.

I need to remember the foolishness for which I have been forgiven – and learn to disagree without dividing. I must embrace humility and allow it to cause me to adore God, and value you enough to listen.

Take a good long look in the mirror today.  “Think of what you were when you were called.” …and let that wipe away the pride that has blocked your vision of redemption and has stopped you from offering it to others.

“A Man Wrapped Up in Himself Makes a Very Small Bundle.”
 - Benjamin Franklin

1 Kings 19:11-12 1/7/2020*

“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

Are you paying attention?

We look for God in the midst of miracles.  The physical healings, the mending of relationships, the job offers that come just in the nick of time. But that is not always where He is…

Make no mistake, there are times He shouts His love to us through ground shaking miracles displaying His power…or glorious wind that rips the mountains in front of us apart, leaving no possible explanation but the power of God.

Yet there are also times, like in the verse above, when He whispers to us.  Times when instead of calming the storm He carries us through it. No perceivable miracles, no physical change of circumstances… just a quiet strength and peace… These are the times that He communicates His love with a whisper.

The problem with a whisper is – you can’t hear it if you’re not listening… If you’re looking for earthquakes, wind, or fire, you may be distracted and miss His voice. 

So, let me ask you again…. are you paying attention?

Have you prayed for a mighty fire to consume your troubles, but God hasn’t responded?... Have you waited for an earthquake to alter your life but God’s not showing up that way?

Maybe you need to be still…perhaps there is a gentle whisper that, in your exhaustion, you’re not hearing.

God is not frightened by your situation and He doesn’t want you to be either.  Fear does not come from God.  Don’t listen to the shouts of the enemy and don’t lean on your own understanding. Stop frantically searching and just listen.

Be still.

Fall to your knees and hear God’s gentle voice telling you that you are not alone…He is in control. He will either change the circumstances or carry you through them. But either way, His love is stronger than your problem.

“When someone speaks in a whisper, you have to get very close to hear. … And that’s what God wants.”  - Mark Batterson

2 Corinthians 4:18 12/31/2019*

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

Let me prepare you for the onslaught of “20/20 vision” references you are about to endure this year. And at the same time try to set your focus for a new decade.

What are your 2020 resolutions? … Are you pursuing the seen or the unseen?... The eternal or the temporary?

The most common resolutions are exercise, weight loss, and getting organized…and those are all good decisions…however they are also all temporary.

You are an eternal being, briefly living in what God calls an earthly tent (2 Cor. 5) so focusing on the short-term comes naturally – but, what are you doing for your soul?

Let me challenge you to make some lasting investments…

Your greatest eternal possessions are your relationship with your Heavenly Father, and your relationship with His children. So, let’s concentrate on those two objectives..

Let me use the list from last week’s blog and again encourage you to make these commitments for 2020:

-      Every day read your bible.

-      Every morning spend time in prayer. 

-      Daily work on scripture memorization.

-      Regularly meet with people who encourage and hold you accountable.

-      Allocate days each month to purposefully serve others.

Scripture, Prayer, Community, Compassion…all of these carry eternal repercussions. Nothing is wasted…Nothing diminishes with time.

This is not a list of fads or untested theories …These practices have always produced unending value. They are God’s clearly defined instructions for growth.

Stop chasing worldly things and short-term fixes. Your soul is eternal and will never be satisfied with temporary playthings. Set your eyes on the unseen… pursue treasures that will gain in value, not deteriorate.

If you are frustrated and disillusioned you don’t have to stay that way…. You are simply a bird walking on the ground…. Spread you wings and do what you were made to do – pursue things with everlasting worth.

God knows what you need…and if you want perfect vision you must fix your eyes on the unseen, only then will you discover the enduring treasures your eternal soul was created to enjoy.

“Heaven wheels above you, displaying to you her eternal glories, and still your eyes are on the ground.” -  Dante Alighieri

1 Corinthians 9:25 12/24/2019*

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

How strict is your spiritual training now, compared to your physical training during your athletic career?  If you had approached athletics with the same consistency you currently have toward spiritual exercise how far would you have gone?

Everybody wants to improve …but “wanting” isn’t enough …you must put in the work in order to achieve results. Every day you must do the mundane, repetitive, difficult things that create progress.

Paul makes the “physical / spiritual” training comparison to the Corinthians and takes it a step further.  Not only should we train as hard spiritually as we do physically…but harder … because one is temporary and the other eternal.

Christmas should motivate us to serve God better, and a new decade gives us a clean slate to begin a training schedule that will produce results.

Expect it to take time. You didn’t begin working out one day and suddenly become an amazing competitor …It took hard work, discipline and consistency …and eventually you became skilled at your craft.  But it never would have happened had you not decided - and started.

So, let’s make the decision and start today…. Resolve to workout spiritually like you did athletically. No excuses:
 

-      Every day get in the Word.

-      Every morning spend time in prayer. 

-      Daily work on scripture memorization.

-      Commit to regular meetings with people who will encourage you and hold you accountable.

-      Allocate days each month that you will intentionally serve others.

These cannot be proposals; they must be commitments to your “spiritual weight room” that are non-negotiable.

Will you instantly become a great man or woman of God?...maybe not, but you will improve. And God says that the seeds you plant will grow. Plant some good seeds today - and tomorrow - and the next day … and soon you will enjoy a great harvest. 

By the power of God, the next decade really can be different…commit to it…start simply, and simply start.

“If we believe that life with God is possible in this world, and if we believe THAT life is the one we've always longed for, then it would be worth whatever it cost us to pursue it.”
― Mike Cosper