Saturday, March 31, 2012

We're not that good of people


We're not that good of people, but Jesus absolutely is. So Teresa and I found ourselves willingly walking four miles around Spencerfield to pick up trash and scatter some prayers. ---Let me clear this up real quick. I could not help to think what people driving by might have thought. a.)What kind of trouble did these people get into to have to pick up trash? b.) Oh look at these nice people picking up trash. (Wait for the later blog when I tell of the top litter substances and what-not.) ---Even as I write this I know that it can sound like a humble-brag, but really we're not that good of people. If not for the onelove movement (see onelovefl.com) challenging followers of Jesus to love the community, we would not have been out there...no way, no how. I know there are some people that are close to that good, but honestly, that ain't me. What I'm saying is this: we're not that good, but Jesus is. When Jesus has complete control over you, you do holy and righteous things that you normal would not do. It's funny, as we began to pick up trash in the name of Jesus, we couldn't even walk by the little-bitty pieces of paper or wrapper. ---Jesus is holy and righteous and I love Him even more today than yesterday. I got to know him a little better on this walk. I realized that He loves us even more than I realized by causing the main event to be canceled today. He had his reason. ->Word: it took over 3 hours to do this four mile trip and the original trek this morning was seven miles. Thank you Jesus. ---The best thing: we're not done yet. Join the movement or get left behind.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

It Ain't Easy

It ain't easy to follow Jesus! He never said it was. In fact, he said that it is anything but easy. One after another men approached Jesus saying they were going to follow him (Lk.9:57-62). To the first man he told real quick that he didn't have a home of his own to lie down. His was not a life of comfort. To the second man he told to come now. He couldn't wait around for his family (father) to die. Perhaps he was waiting on an inheritance that he thought might help him to minister financially better (just a thought). The third man had concern for going back to his family. Jesus told him to not loo back. This could seem cold and harsh, but what it does show is the gravity of following Jesus. It is not a part-time, half-hearted gig. ---Come and follow or don't. No one is begging you. The reason so many believers are meandering today, and have a wimpy faith is they have not counted the cost. Better yet, they have not accepted the cost of true discipleship. You have to die to self. Jesus did. He lived his life with the cross in mind. Jesus headed steadfastly to the cross(Lk.9:51).

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Reflections on the Deep

It's always funny or interesting for me after I've preached a sermon or a series to see the "goodie" I got out of all that studying and listening. The recent "Launch Into the Deep" series was actually a lot of fun and a little different than most of my series in that it was based on people and their experiences with God. I had hoped that it would help guide all of us to take natural next steps in trusting God in our daily lives. At the end of it all, I suppose everyone had their own "nuggets" they took to heart. Hopefully, they were taken to heart for life transformation. The thing that I got after a few days had gone by was this: God does the big stuff...the miracle stuff, and we (whether our name is Moses, Abraham, Paul, Norman, _______your name) simply do little stuff like walking, talking, just simply obeying and serving God right where we are at. Billy Graham preached simple messages. All he did was talk. God blessed that. Missionaries learn languages to talk. They get on boats to go where God wants them. All we do is walk and talk, and God uses our obedience to move mountains. We "walk on water" when we trust Jesus. No one can do what you can do. No one else has the influence or connection with the people you do. So when God calls you to walk, simply walk. When He calls you to talk, simply talk. Let God do what only He can do and don't you worry about the rest.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Going Deeper

People like to associate going deeper with head knowledge, understanding the big words of the Bible that other people don't understand. That's bologna! Going Deeper is kind of a misnomer. Life transformation is the reality of going deeper. If you're lifestyle and love for Christ and others has not been impacted by your studying, then your studying is a waste of time.
At one time or another we have all studied shallow and we’ve studied deep, but there comes a time when we have to get out of the boat. We have to lower the net. If you are not loving Christ by serving Him by loving others, the time is now! You can know the whole Bible by heart, but if you don’t show love, well you’re just a big noise-maker (according to Paul 1Cor.13).
Ask your pastor how you may serve. There are a couple opportunities still out there.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Start Now, Don't Wait

It's just a couple of weeks now until a new movement is initiated in Santa Rosa county, Florida...One Love. One Love is a group of churches which will be adding more and more churches to love on this city (community). It will begin with a Prayer Walk and Litter Pick-up along the main highway that connects Milton and Pace. But why wait? Why not start now? I mean, if we're going to pick up litter along the highway, why don't we pick it up as we go now...when no one is watching? And why don't we start praying now for the city, and not wait until everyone is watching? For more details and to join the movement, go to onelovefl.com.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Christianity for people that don't like Christianity

I was sad to see a site that promotes itself as "christianity for people that don't like christianity." However, I know there a lot of people feeling that way. Christians are partially the blame; NO, partial Christians are to blame. If we were living totally devoted to Christ lives some would still hate us (they hated Jesus, even to the death of the cross), but at least there would not be a discrepancy about what christianity is or is not. So, please give us a chance and don't look at the stupid signs some christians hold up. And certainly don't listen to the media who goes full bore when it comes to talking about the dumb things christians do, but are quiet as "church mice" when the church does the many more good things it does. ---Churches build hospitals, schools, teams of relief workers and all kinds of good stuff. Yeah, churches split all the time too because people are selfish and imperfect. But did you really quit on your favorite store or restaurant for bad service? Jesus Christ is coming back for the church, the bride of Christ. Don't give up on the church and christianity. You want our hospitals, schools, and you sure want our cooking during times of disaster relief. ---So help me understand again, what part of christianity do you not like? There is a movement in our city trying to change the way you think about church and christians. Coming soon to our city: onelovefl.com

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Politically Correct

It is amazing when media people pose questions to christians when they already know (or should) their response. A biblical christian should respond with a biblical answer. We know that politicians are going to say whatever they want to hear. ---Isn't if funny how we know that? The biblical christian should just say what the Bible already says. The Bible is offensive to people that don't believe it. I wish they would only learn that the Bible is there to help them. We condemn ourselves when we go against the grain of the Bible. So Larry King from the past, or Piers from the present don't need to ask the question unless they just want to start some trouble. ---Your problem is not with me or other biblical christians, it is with the Bible and the person whom it is about, Jesus Christ. We do not hate people. God does not hate people. Let's look at His record. Ummm, He sent His one and only Son to die for the sins of the world. Yeah, that's a real hate-monger. And HIs children start hospitals, go dig wells for famine relief, fight poverty, show up first at Disaster Relief...you know, bad stuff like that. We're not trying to get votes. We're living to please a Savior. So, remember, next time you ask one of us a question that the Bible has already dealt with...and your asking the question to crucify us in public opinion...remember, it will be one of us that shows up first at your tornado ravaged city. It will be one of us helping your homeless brother. It will be one of us showing Jesus love in some fashion. Yes, we are narrow-minded enough to believe Jesus' narrow-minded words, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father except by me." And let me save you the trouble, we do believe in a literal Lake of Fire, because if the Bible gets that wrong, it will be a first. (So, we'll go with the odds.) The world needs to get relevant with the Bible. Oh, it's coming. Front to back is already written. Read it. ---And to my christian friend that is afraid to give answer...tell the truth and just blame it on the Bible! Disclaimer: we do not approve of the few idiot hate-mongers who live under the guise of being christians. (So, don't interview those folks as representatives of believers unless you're an idiot. All camps have some dimly lit people.)

Monday, March 5, 2012

Sales, Obedience, Jesus

There is a saying in business, "Sales heals all." The boss is happier and off your back when sales meet quotas or exceed expectations. Anyone in business knows this to be true. Business owners know home life is even better when sales are up. ---However in church it is a little different. As much as I would love to simply say prayer heals all...that's not exactly true. If you are praying a bunch, but living a disobedient lifestyle...forgetaboutit! Obedience heals all! Certainly prayer is huge in the scheme of things, but God is not a Genie that we pray to and live the way we want. Jesus said that you show you love me by your obedience. It's crazy that anyone would believe that God would bless a disobedient lifestyle. Through prayer (two-way communication to God) we learn what God wants us to do. ---Now lets magnify that. When multiple people are praying and obeying the same God, and let's say these same people live in the same location and worship together (church); some amazing things can happen. When people do the little things of walking, talking, listening and reacting in God's way for them (obedience) nothing is impossible. People will do things one could not imagine: they will give generously, serve faithfully and love on the community for Jesus in amazing ways. ---Through this kind of obedience Jesus will become famous in that city! Pray for the city and live obediently. Watch God do what God does. It never gets old. Love ya Jesus.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Devotion: Luke 6:46-49

Here's a little something, something from hanging with Jesus on a Saturday night just for fun.
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I say?"
Great question!
So many claim to be Christians. So many claim to be followers of Jesus.---Yet, very few live a Christ-like life. Very few seem to care about the things of Christ. *We all see the hypocritical lives. Hey, I'm not judging. I've walked that thin line plenty.
Jesus said, (paraphrased) "I will show you what one of my practitioners looks like ( a peson that actually heeds my words). "He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock."---He took it seriously. He put the work in. He did excellent work. He built to last!
"When the flood came it couldn't shake the house because it was built on a solid rock foundation."---*Jesus is that solid rock foundation. If we're truly living in Him, then we too are immovable. Can't touch this!
(para) "But those who do shoddy work don't take the time to build right, when the storm comes; they will be washed away."---You can't fake a life in Chirst. When the junk of life hits, those in Christ stand, all others collapse.
*Don't call Jesus LORD if you're not truly living for Him. IF He is not Boss of your life because you're not willing to submit, don't say HE is. IT confuses people. You and HIM know the truth and danger is coming. True followers of Christ, do what He says!---These were Jesus' words. Don't say it, if it isn't true. ---If you're living contrary to the Scriptures (ie. sinful lifestyle: you know what your sin is, you don't need my help), then you're not living for Christ; which means HE is NOT LORD. Jesus is calling us to repent of our sin, and be a For Real follower of Christ.