Not My Job

It is not my job to judge others. The Bible is very clear on what is right and what is wrong. At the root of man's sin is questioning God. It was in Genesis 3 at the Fall of Man, the first sin, where the serpent (Satan in disguise)planted the most subtle of all temptations by saying, "Did God really say?" Ever since then men and women have questioned God, even though God has not changed his stance on right and wrong. Today men will arrogantly call the writings of God "old"; as if God needs to catch up with the times. So yeah, the temptation is to judge those who say what used to be sin isn't sin any more as they question God. But there is one judge, and that is God. I am not. My job is to pray and intercede for others. My job is to forgive others the way God forgives me. That is no small task. As Jesus said, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will forgiven."---Luke 6:37

Mercy and Grace

Looking at this little baby, you can’t help to stop and think what he’s about to go through. He looks so healthy and content, but the doctors tell us he is not. His heart has not completely formed so he will soon begin a series of surgeries. It doesn’t seem fair. —- We know that God could have completely knit his heart up in the womb. Yet, he didn’t. God says in the Bible, “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and have mercy on whom I will have mercy.” Some seem to have it worse and some seem to have it better according to the perception of men.—- Rather than question (which I don’t) or delve into the Sovereignty of God (which is not my purpose here), I thought about how mercy and grace are doled out in the first place. It is only God who can really offer mercy and grace. He issues mercy daily to a people who do not deserve it. And he gives out grace abundantly to a people who have not earned it.—- Sometimes we say that people are merciful, but they cannot be unless God was already merciful to them. And when it comes to grace, no one can offer grace to another unless it has first been given to them. —- I guess what I am trying to say, as I look at this little one, there is no grace apart from what the God of the Universe grants to us. I am thankful that we are saved by grace through faith. —- It hurts to know that this fresh little baby is about to be cut on. Thankfully, our trust is in the God who knew all about this before it even happened, and he is full of mercy and grace.

Now I Know

The Bible tells us in Genesis 15 that Abram had believed God, and God counted that as righteousness. To put it in today's vernacular, Abram was made right with God (saved) because God had deemed his faith, good enough. Yet God continues to challenge and grow Abram's faith. Faith is not stagnant. In Genesis 17 Abram has a name change to Abraham along with the covenant God made to him that he and Sarai (Sarah) would have the child of promise (the covenant) together. But to show that is not where faith stops...that is, faith is a continuing development...God expects believers to grow, we read the challenge or test God puts to Abraham's faith in Genesis 22. --- God commands Abraham to take the child of promise (Isaac), his own flesh and blood, up on the mount to be sacrificed to God. God asks him to do something that totally doesn't make sense. Scripture makes it clear that this was not God intention, but a test. (God knew he was going to stop him.) Abraham did all the right things. He didn't question God. He got up early and took his son with him. He was willing to die to his own flesh. God stopped him in the act, and said "Now I know that you fear God." He was saying "Now I know that you take me seriously." God already considered him a genuine believer, but his love for God was displayed in this one obedient act for all to see. God knows that we love him when we obey him. Paul said that we are to be living sacrifices. We are to die to self, die to our own flesh and live for God---this is our spiritual act of worship. What do you need to die to? I believe that our pain and suffering is more profoundly realized when we die to self. It is in that moment that God says to us too, "Now I know..." *Reference: Genesis 15:6; 17:5; 22:1-12; Rom.12:1

Lost That Lovin' Feeling

... a year ago (you) started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. (2 Corinthians 8:10–12) Often we are inspired by the Holy Spirit toward love and good deeds. The Spirit invites us to help others (it could be giving time, money or help of some sort), and we say “Yes” but do not follow through. We often mean to do well, but become distracted or get off course some how. In the New Testament a church had begun to help a group of believers that were being boycotted for their new faith. The situation created a great financial need. The church started to help, and we read a year later Paul encouraging them to finish what they started. He did not push them to do something. Rather, he encouraged them to finish what they already told the Holy Spirit they were going to do. --- Did you say “yes” to something God wanted you to do, and you haven’t finished? Hey, if you lost that lovin’ pick back up where you left off. Finish.

Concealed Love

Better is open rebuke, than love that is concealed.---Pro 27:5 Life is short, and often we do not share with others our most prized possession to give...love. The writer of the Proverbs was said to be the wisest man to ever live. In this succinct sentence he says that it is better to openly rebuke someone than to hide one’s love. Is he telling us to go around rebuking people in public? Is he telling us to go around wagging our fingers at people in judgment? Of course not! His point is that we are to openly love one another. Lest we take this verse and misinterpret, use the rest of God’s Word to grasp its meaning. Elsewhere we are told to “speak the truth in love.” The truth can hurt, but if given in a loving manner it can do the work of sanctification it was meant to do. For further understanding of the power of love, read 1 Corinthians 13. There you will find the power of love to conquer all. Indeed, love wins, but not without truth. In a world that needs healing, in a world that needs to be made whole again, in a world that needs to be turned right-side up... do not hide your love. Imagine a world where love was not concealed.

Boycott Boycottin'

Alright. Alright. Alright. I rarely jump in on boycotting anything, because it always ends up biting me in the rear. And if you don’t boycott everything, then how can you boycott anything? It’s a slippery slope. --- So I thought about Jesus, because He knows the way, and of course, He is the way. He should have boycotted the planet, but He didn’t. He loved the world, “as is,” so much that He came and died for it. The world loved Him so much it put Him on the cross. Yet, nothing happened (the cross) that He didn’t let happen. Love caused Him to go willingly. So too, the followers of Jesus are to be “in the world, but not of the world.” As mad as we get that our voice is not heard, we don’t have legitimate grounds in Jesus to boycott anything. The fact of the matter is that we are called to die to self. And the more we actually live like Jesus (I’m not talking acting like a weirdo), that is love on people, we will be hated. We will not be tolerated in this world. --- So shop where you shop. Get amused where you get amused. Get your hair cut where you get your hair cut. And live for the One who died for you and rose again in all these place; and make His name famous by showing what Jesus’ love looks like. --- To bring people to Christ we have to be around them. Don't worry about the favor of the world, “in Christ” you are more than conquerors. The One you follow defeated death!

Sin Diagnosis

Once we are diagnosed with some kind of physical disease we take action. We seek a cure. We seek a remedy. We don’t sit still. —- According to the Bible we all have a diagnosis that leads to death. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The wages of sin are death.” This is bad news for every human. Yet the Bible is the book that gives the diagnosis and the cure. Though we fall short, and have death coming to us; “the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our LORD.” My friend, we are at the end of days, the signs are all around us. Take seriously your diagnosis. Seek Jesus Christ while he may be found. —- Furthermore, Jesus is not like a pill that you take and are cured. Yes He is the Savior with the cure, but He is the Lord to be followed. Head knowledge of Jesus will not save you from your sin. The Bible is clear that demons believe in God. They know who Jesus is, and what he did. What you confess about Jesus with your mouth must be genuinely believed in your heart. Only those who truly repent of their sin and turn to Christ will be saved. It is not an emotional decision. It is a life-changing event. Are you still living like the rest of the world? Paul told believers to check their salvation to make sure they weren’t faking it. Love the LORD God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. If this is your desire, then that is a good check mark. Lastly, those that believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ can be sure that they are saved…they have been cured of sin, and will avoid being eternally separated from God in the Lake of Fire. —- Child of God, live like it, so that others see Jesus in you and are drawn to that. #PrayHard

Tested Love

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.“You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.--Deut.13:1-4 Consistently the Bible teaches that our love for God is exhibited in our outward obedience to Him. The two are insistently tied together according to God. This is consistent throughout the Old and New Testaments. --- In this case God tells the Israelites through Moses to use the head the Good Lord gave them. If some prophet or wannabe prophet compels them to go and follow other gods, then they should no longer listen to that person. In such cases, the LORD God is testing them to see if they will jump to the other side, the dark side by following a false god. If we love the LORD God with all we’ve got, we will spot a fake a mile away. People are only gullible when they are either new to the faith, or have not spent time with God in His Word. Listening to the voice of God, serving God, and clinging to Him are not works unto salvation; they are acts of love. Don’t fall for the dreamer or the sensational, God is right there with you in the daily stuff of life. Have the kind of love that passes the test.

So I Was Reminded

So I am feeling the frustrations of many Americans right now. I am literally going to have to vote for the lesser of two evils when it comes down to the presidency of the United States. It seems like it has been that way for several years now, which begs the question: “In these United States are there no intelligent, upstanding, for-the-people, persons of integrity available to run for the office?”--- Of course that question alone sparks a debate in which sides are quickly chosen, and we are right back where we started. --- But I did pose this question to some men, and suddenly I was reminded of the truth. You know every now and then we just need to be reminded of the truth. You see, God foresaw evil days when He told Israel, that when they found themselves all messed up, and it seemed like wickedness had taken over rule of them...on that day remember this: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.---2 Chr.7:14--- Quit looking for a person to lead this country. Instead, go to the top! Get your heart right in humility as you approach the King of Kings in prayer. Seek the face of God in prayer. Turn from your wicked ways. Stop blaming everyone else, and get your house in order. Only then will God hear from heaven. The good news is He promises to hear you, forgive you and heal the land. And isn’t that what we want anyway? So, here’s a reminder: go to the top. #PrayHard

RESCUED

I saw this one word on a ball cap, and I couldn’t get it off my mind. “Rescued,” it is probably the best word that can describe me (period). Oh, I would like to pick a lot of other words, and even some of them might sound humble. But the truth is God has rescued my “sorry behind” over and over. At times I’ve told people that the thing that has gotten me to where I am is “faith.” Let it be known that I believe God just needs a little dab of faith from us to make big things happen. But when I say that it is my faith that has gotten me this far, that still sounds like I’m taking a little credit. In the words of a famous person that will remain nameless, “to be clear” I’ve got nothing. What I bring to the table is a person that needs more than rehabilitation, I need to be rescued. I’d love to say it was a one-time rescue even as Jesus saved me from my sin at salvation; but truth be told I have to be rescued so often I’d swear He has a leash on me. Thank God! --- Oh, I do understand when Paul says, “What a wretched man I am, who will rescue me from this body of death?” --- So, I’m thanking you publicly Jesus for my rescue. --- Now, it’s time to get the t-shirt.

Our Problem #ItIsUniversal

Our problem is with the truth. We don’t get the truth. We don’t want to hear the truth. We don’t get the whole truth. We don’t believe in absolute truth. We aren’t looking for the truth. When we actually get a dose of the truth, we can’t handle the truth. Most importantly, when the Truth showed up on our doorsteps, we put Him on a cross. --- The truth only hurts when you’re on the wrong side of it.

The Love Challenge #Supernatural

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?—-Mt.5:46 Here’s the challenge: it is easy to love those that treat you nice, affirm, encourage, and forgive you. Anyone can do that. Jesus is calling for his followers to be above that. You see, God loved us first. He loved us while we were yet sinners. He loved those that cursed and persecuted him. That is not a natural love; it is a supernatural love. —- God will reward you for loving those that do not repay your kindness. God will reward you for loving the unlovable. Believe it or not, tax collectors had a worse reputation back in Jesus’ day than today. Many of them took extortion to the next level as they ripped off the population. Jesus said that if you only love those that love you in return, then your love is equal to that of a tax collector. In other words you have not truly expressed the kind of love God wants to see from Jesus’ followers. —- What person or people group are you having a hard time loving right now? Check yourself, because that is what Jesus is talking about. Note how Jesus treated those who arrested him. Re-read his attitude towards others while on the cross. —- This kind of love isn’t popular, yet it is what the Savior calls for.

Love Your Enemies

”You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...”---Mt.5:43,44 So the first time we see “love” in the New Testament is in Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” And of all things, he is telling his followers to love their enemies. In a year’s time or in a decade we all have people that we would consider as enemies at some level relationally. --- If Jesus were here today, and he posted this on Facebook, Twitter or some other social media; how radical would this be? How fitting would it be in today’s time? He reminds them about loving their neighbor. This was something they were supposed to be doing. Pause for a moment. If everyone was loving their neighbor, then we would never be at war. Soak on that one. But we obviously are not, because we don’t always adhere to the teachings of Jesus, and others reject the teachings of Jesus. If we were all indeed devout followers of Jesus Christ, then there would be no skirmishes, no war; instead there would be peace. --- Jesus knew so much, therefore he followed with “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” How would that post from Jesus fly on social media today? Well, his words have been posted into a text that like a “screenshot” cannot be taken back. Are the words of Jesus relevant today? --- I think those who love him and those who reject him, and even those who live for him every now and then can see the truth. Will we, however, ignore the powerful words of Jesus? Will we in 2016 test the power of love by extending love and prayers to those whom we would naturally consider enemies? ---- If you’re like me, then you are frustrated with the unrest in the world today. You also feel like terrorism and such is so global that you can do nothing about it. --- Let’s take Jesus’ word to heart by loving our neighbors. If real change is to take place then it will be from a grassroots effort locally first. Add to that praying for our enemies to be changed by love. Perhaps that sounds unbelievable, but think about--- have we really tried it?

"Whom You Love"

He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”---Gen.22:2 Last year I did devotions from verses that had the word “now” in them using the ESV translation. This year I am doing the same with the word “love” from the NASB. It’s a different type of study that forces me to slow down and focus as well as viewing a different English translation in a year’s time. --- Follow along if you like. The first time we find the word “love” in the Bible is when the LORD God tells Abraham to take his his one and only son, Isaac, and offer him as a sacrifice to the LORD. Now, the text is clear that God was testing Abraham (see the previous verse) and did not intend for him to kill his son. God’s promise to Abraham was tied up in this son, so this was a big deal. God wanted to see if Abraham trusted God to this extreme. —- I believe this little test was more than just for Abraham though. For the doubters, us, thousands of years later would need to see the faith and the promise exercised for us to be able to believe as well. —- More importantly, this was a foreshadowing of what was to come as the Father sent the Son to die on the cross for our sin for our redemption. —- No doubt this was a confusing test for Abraham, but he learned to trust the Promise-Keeper over the promise. He knew that if God said He was going to do something, then God would do it. —- When we are walking in the Spirit, we can trust that God will get us to where He wants us to go even when we cannot figure out how. Just trust and obey.—- It was in his obedience that he learned that not only could God be trusted, but God was able to provide a substitute at just the right time for the sacrifice. --- Trust God with who and what you love for He is worthy!

In the Spring #It'sATrap

We cannot rest on our laurels (we can’t sit on our butts), when things seemed to be going well. We cannot afford to become apathetic or complacent as Christians. We must take our spiritual arms and our spiritual armor daily, because we are in a full-out spiritual war complete with schemes from an enemy that is invisible to us. —- Many look at the great mistake (better yet Great Sin) of King David with Bathsheba, and they blame it on wandering eyes. However, his fall into this horrific chain of events started more subtly. We read: In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. —2Sam.11:1 Spring-time is a wonderful time of year. It is full of hope, and refreshing after a hard winter. It was also the time in Israel to get busy. The text is clear that David was not where he was supposed to be. The kingdom was doing well, so he stayed back. He sat this one out. One could argue that this was okay, except the end results prove it was wrong. David had become “fat and happy.” He lost his edge. He was settling into status quo. By doing so, he set himself up for an enemy attack, except this was far worse. This was a spiritual attack by an invisible enemy taking place in the friendly confines of his own home. —- May we learn lessons as a church from our Scripture reading instead of the School of Hard Knocks. When things seem to be going well, we need to step it up! We need to pray harder. We need to love one another by helping and supporting one another. We need to halt any semblance of gossip. We need to forgive one another liberally. We need to love the unlovely. We need to generally cut people a lot of slack. We need to share Jesus with others, remembering that the only thing God can’t use is our silence. —- So today, if you find yourself settling into your spiritual lazy-boy, and committing more time, talent and treasure to “me” stuff, wake up! Don’t get sucked in. It’s a trap! Don’t be satisfied with where you are. Instead, ask God what big or little thing you can do today for His Kingdom agenda. If your eyes are “seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” then you will not have wandering eyes.

"...now I urge"---Acts 27:22

Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.—-Act 27:22Paul, the prisoner, gave a pep-talk to the sailors, soldiers and fellow-prisoners before they were to be ship-wrecked. He began telling them to be encouraged because there would be no loss of life. He identified his source of this foreknowledge as the God with whom he had a personal relationship. It had been two weeks lost at sea due to a storm. Things looked grim. The men were desperate. No one had eaten in days, and the sailors were plotting to abandon ship. Paul, full of the Spirit of the Lord, took charge by encouraging the men that all would be fine, even though the ship was going to crash. At least it would crash on land. He got the men to eat in order to gain strength for the swim to shore, and he foiled the plot by the sailors to escape. He kept the 276 men together, and they made it safely ashore, although the ship was not so lucky. —- Sometimes things happen to us, because we are hanging around some bad people. However, it would be great if we turned that around, and great things happened to people for hanging around us. You see, God meant for Paul to make it where he was going. Not even a violent storm could stop that! These other folks were spared because God was looking out for Paul. Knowing Paul, God knew this would be an opportunity to bring glory to God as Paul would share the Gospel though all this. —- Not only were the 276 men likely saved spiritually as result of this experience, but God brought the Gospel to this island that was likely forgotten. Listen, God knows how to get the Gospel to faraway places! God cares more than you know.

Why does America protect a destructive religion like Islam?

Someone posed this question, and it made me think. I have often thought about putting these words carefully into context knowing they could sound controversial, yet truthful. First of all, Christianity does not need protection by any government, because truth will stand. Truth will pass the test of time. Those attempting to take truth down, will find themselves on the wrong side of truth on judgment day. Christianity is called a religion in your school books, but it is about a relationship with Jesus, who died for our sin on the cross and was resurrected on the third day. —- If religions like Islam are to have a fighting chance they need to be propped up by governments and other entities. Nevertheless, we have witnessed the attempts by government to destroy Christianity but grant “hall-passes” for religions like Islam who have shown evidence of what they’ll do if they wield the power. On the other hand, there was a once-great nation that was, at a time, heavily influenced by Christianity.They grew strong and looked after the world. We acknowledge that Christians do not always get it right, because we are susceptible to flashbacks to the flesh at times. However, the tenets of the faith direct us to “love one another,” and this attitude has had positive impacts on the world at large (ie. check your hospitals, relief agencies, orphanages, first responders, etc.).—- Here’s my proposal to America and other governments of the world: Don’t protect Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, etc., but rather leave them all alone to stand. However, don’t attack either, because right now it seems like only one of these is under attack. —- On a balanced field, Christianity will stand. Otherwise, you are shooting yourselves in the foot, because Christianity is the only one of these that is prompted to look outwardly in helping others.—-Finally, we continue to pray for the families who lost much during 9/11. And we pray for our “would-be” attackers to come to faith in Christ, because that’s what we do. Jesus is our hope. He has already defeated man's worst enemy, death! Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.—-1John 5:12

Infusion and the One Thing

I know several people are currently having infusions or considering having infusions done for their health. These infusions are to fight things like cancer within the body. Most are to keep the disease at bay. These cannot be done daily, but as frequent as possible to help the body fight back. —- I could not help to see the spiritual correlation as I spent time meditating over an important passage of Scripture that I was committing to memory. Like sheep, christians are easily distracted (we’re human). So it is important to try to focus, and narrow things down to one thing to rein us in. I’m going to paraphrase this passage that Paul felt was very important. He wrote a lot of important words that have been vital to the growth of the believer. In Philippians 3:10-14 (heavily paraphrased) “Listen, let’s narrow this thing down. I want to know Christ. That is what is essential. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. I mean, that is where the power is. It is the power that defeated death. I also want to feel what he went through even becoming like him in his death. He died for sin, but I want to die to sin. I want to feel that. Because, though undeservedly so, I want to somehow attain the resurrection from the dead. Now, hang on! I am not being presumptuous in this. It’s not like I have already obtained this or already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. I am going for it like it depends on me. Listen brothers, I do not think for a second that I have arrived. Do you want to know what makes me tick? Do you want to know what makes me get up in the morning and get after it? There is this one thing I do: I forget what is behind me. I forget my checkered past. I forget where I’ve blown it. I push ahead with all I’ve got . I press on toward the goal to win the prize. I keep putting one foot in front of the other. I’m not falling in line. I’m not following the crowd. I’m running to win the first place trophy for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”—- I need an infusion everyday of this “one thing” to keep the evil within me at bay. Are you hiding God’s Word in your heart? It fights heart decay. And God is after your heart! We are told to guard the heart, because “the heart is the well-spring of life.”(Prov.4:23b)

Revival or Riot

Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.---Acts 19:32Demetrius, a silver smith, was worried about his idol-making business as more and more people put their faith in Christ. His was a big-business in that part of Asia and employed a lot of people. Give him credit for one thing: he knew that those accepting Christ as their Lord God would have no need for a bunch of man-made gods. He understood that their lifestyles would change upon conversion. Consequently, he stirred up a riot, and we see what is comical and common today. People were screaming and hating on christians, and most of them didn’t even know what they were talking about. —- If the world understood the breadth of christianity, then they would understand that we are FOR people. Consider current events: the abortion business is being exposed. Just watch for the demonizing of christians when they stand up for life. Instead of dealing with those behind this evil business (which includes the silent majority of media and politicians keeping their mouths shut), the initial attack is on the people exposing the dirty business for what it is. —- Yet, there will be a lot of noise from people that have no clue of what is going on. There are two responses to truth in crowded assemblies: Revival or Riot. If we accept the wonderful truth of the Gospel, then we experience a Great Awakening. If we reject the truth of the Gospel, then we continue our rebellion against God. Don’t be like those making a lot of noise, and don’t even know what they’re yelling about. At least listen. Check out the Gospel story for yourself.

#1 Fan

At various and sundry times pastors are under attack. However, God has His ways of letting us know that He is there. It was just another Monday and I was going through some things as I received a call. God spoke to me in only a way that He can do. One of the men in our church called to tell me that he led his first person to Christ last week...it was his Dad! All the small groups, all the men's retreats, all the discipling is worth it when you hear one story like that! He was ecstatic that he stepped out of his comfort zone and was on fire. --- God used this to lift me up too... when I needed it. After hanging up with him, I thought "God, what are you telling me here?" I looked up and saw this foam "#1 Fan" thing sitting above me on a cabinet. I took it as God saying, "Hey, I am your #1 Fan, let's go." --- LORD help me today to strive more to be your #1 Fan. Do not let me put anything or anyone above my attention to you. My worship of You and my service to You should be pure. I love you Jesus.