There is an old Indian legend that tells about Indian boys who would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow. I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak. When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride.
Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke. "I am about to die," said the snake. "It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley." "No," said the youth. "I am forewarned. I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me." "Not so," said the snake. "I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you." The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the snake coiled, rattled, and leapt, biting him on the leg. "But you promised..." cried the youth. "You knew what I was when you picked me up." said the snake as it slithered away."
It’s true isn’t it…we’ve all been bitten by that snake before? James 1:14 says, “We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us.” So how can we sharpen our skills at resisting temptation?
Here’s a winning example Jesus’ provides (Mt. 4:1-11 [check it out]) for beating temptation.
[1] Whenever Jesus was tempted, He always used particular scriptures to combat it. Consistent Scripture memory is absolutely necessary. See 1 John 2:14 right now for proof.
[2] Our free time must be guarded. Determine to love God enough to turn and go the other way…and don’t leave a forwarding address.
[3] Select your friends like your mama would. Keep in mind the warning from Scripture that says, “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Do you have ideas or things you have done that have worked for you? Share them as a comment.
www.realitychurch.com
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Where was God on 9/11
On 9/11, America and nearly the entire civilized world was shocked and in disbelief as we witnessed the calamity of the WTC in NY City. Shocked that the most powerful nation on the planet was attacked and dreadfully vulnerable and how it could be that such evil could take place right in our own “back yard.”
Evils working pervade every culture, every society, and every socio-economic stratum. Sin and evil know no bounds. It’s part of every race and nationality. It’s in every country, city, town and neighborhood. Wars, famine, crime, murder, torture, abortion, infanticide, etc.
Could God have stopped all of these evils and kept the terrorists from attacking and ruining the lives of thousands of husbands, wives, children, parents and grandparents? Yes, if He removed their ability to choose their own will instead of His. But to be totally fair, God would have to strip all of us of our freedom to choose as well. Though we are not terrorists (although I know a few kids who are), we sometimes hurt and crush and harm and ruin other people with our own sinful, evil choices.
Somebody said that this was God’s will. No. It was man’s will usurping God’s will. Man made his choice and it brought destruction. Don’t blame it on God! God told us to choose to do things His way, which always brings life and blessing.
Deut. 11:26-28 – (God) “Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse - a blessing, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; but a curse, if you disobey these commands…"
www.realitychurch.com
Evils working pervade every culture, every society, and every socio-economic stratum. Sin and evil know no bounds. It’s part of every race and nationality. It’s in every country, city, town and neighborhood. Wars, famine, crime, murder, torture, abortion, infanticide, etc.
Could God have stopped all of these evils and kept the terrorists from attacking and ruining the lives of thousands of husbands, wives, children, parents and grandparents? Yes, if He removed their ability to choose their own will instead of His. But to be totally fair, God would have to strip all of us of our freedom to choose as well. Though we are not terrorists (although I know a few kids who are), we sometimes hurt and crush and harm and ruin other people with our own sinful, evil choices.
Somebody said that this was God’s will. No. It was man’s will usurping God’s will. Man made his choice and it brought destruction. Don’t blame it on God! God told us to choose to do things His way, which always brings life and blessing.
Deut. 11:26-28 – (God) “Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse - a blessing, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; but a curse, if you disobey these commands…"
www.realitychurch.com
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
You Can Be Successful
Success is something that everyone wants—you, me…everyone. But how is it that success comes? I mean, how do you get whatever this thing we call success is?
There’s a very cool passage of Scripture that says “As long as King Uzziah dedicated his life to serving the Lord, the Lord gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5
The Bible is replete with promises about God bringing success and prospering those who follow Him closely. For example:
2 Chronicles 31:21—States that “Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.” And Joshua 1:8—“Study this Book of Instruction (the Bible) continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Still not convinced that it’s God’s will to prosper you and make you successful? Even Jesus reinforced this biblical promise by stating in Matthew 6:33—“And He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”
Let’s put it all together. As you read over these passages, what’s the common thread? I like to call it “loving obedience.” And the way we get to the place of obeying God out of love is by [1] learning the bible [2] thinking about its application to our lives and [3] putting it into practice.
Yes, you can be a success!
Share your thoughts back with me. The world wants to know what you’re thinking.
www.realitychurch.com
There’s a very cool passage of Scripture that says “As long as King Uzziah dedicated his life to serving the Lord, the Lord gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5
The Bible is replete with promises about God bringing success and prospering those who follow Him closely. For example:
2 Chronicles 31:21—States that “Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.” And Joshua 1:8—“Study this Book of Instruction (the Bible) continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Still not convinced that it’s God’s will to prosper you and make you successful? Even Jesus reinforced this biblical promise by stating in Matthew 6:33—“And He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”
Let’s put it all together. As you read over these passages, what’s the common thread? I like to call it “loving obedience.” And the way we get to the place of obeying God out of love is by [1] learning the bible [2] thinking about its application to our lives and [3] putting it into practice.
Yes, you can be a success!
Share your thoughts back with me. The world wants to know what you’re thinking.
www.realitychurch.com
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
In The Courtroom
Ever been part of a courtroom procedure like Jury Duty, testifying under oath, or being a character witness for someone? The waiting and the possibility you could be called on is suspenseful.
Recently, I was asked to be a character witness for a friend in a court of law. I thought it might be possible that the Judge would call on me to stand before [her] in this case and testify. So what did I do? Before I arrived, I made sure that I put on my best stuff just in case. Shaven? Check! Right shirt & tie? Check! Cologne on? Check! Shoes shined? Check!
Went thru a whole routine to “look good” in front of a human judge. Funny thing was I never came near. The female Judge never saw my nicely trimmed goatee, my shiny shoes and probably didn’t care about my tie or the small of my cologne; yet I did it to “make a statement” if needed.
I began to think about all that I put into this small proceeding and realized that one day I’m going to stand before the Judge of the universe and I had better have “look my best.” But what is the best way for us to “look our best” before God? What is He looking for when we’re standing before His throne?
The answer lies in a story (parable) Jesus told and recorded for us in Matthew 25:21—“His master replied, ‘Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness.'
The two things I notice here are: [1] the master (God) said that the servant was “good and faithful” and [2] because he/she was faithful, God would give this person more responsibility (I will put you in charge of a large amount) and more privilege (Come and share your master's happiness).
When that day comes to stand before The Ultimate Judge, we can be assured that He won’t be looking at how well we’re dressed or how good we look on the outside. He judges everyone properly when He judges us from the inside…the heart. He will judge us on how faithful or trustworthy we have been with the responsibilities He has given to us in this life.
What are those? Well, for starters, how ‘bout being faithful to Him with everything he has entrusted to us! Like what, Steve? Like our talents or giftedness. These are divine abilities God has enabled you with to serve other people. Another aspect of loving faithfulness to God is our time or our calendar. What am I giving to Him out of the 1,440 minutes I have each day? The final facet of our faithfulness to God and possibly the most revealing too is our giving back to God or our treasure.
These days, I’m thinking more and more about that one special day that I stand before the Righteous Judge and either hear Him say, “Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness” or I will hear no praise at all.
I want the former said of me and the privilege that goes with it. How about you? Feel free to respond with your thoughts.
www.realitychurch.com
Recently, I was asked to be a character witness for a friend in a court of law. I thought it might be possible that the Judge would call on me to stand before [her] in this case and testify. So what did I do? Before I arrived, I made sure that I put on my best stuff just in case. Shaven? Check! Right shirt & tie? Check! Cologne on? Check! Shoes shined? Check!
Went thru a whole routine to “look good” in front of a human judge. Funny thing was I never came near. The female Judge never saw my nicely trimmed goatee, my shiny shoes and probably didn’t care about my tie or the small of my cologne; yet I did it to “make a statement” if needed.
I began to think about all that I put into this small proceeding and realized that one day I’m going to stand before the Judge of the universe and I had better have “look my best.” But what is the best way for us to “look our best” before God? What is He looking for when we’re standing before His throne?
The answer lies in a story (parable) Jesus told and recorded for us in Matthew 25:21—“His master replied, ‘Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness.'
The two things I notice here are: [1] the master (God) said that the servant was “good and faithful” and [2] because he/she was faithful, God would give this person more responsibility (I will put you in charge of a large amount) and more privilege (Come and share your master's happiness).
When that day comes to stand before The Ultimate Judge, we can be assured that He won’t be looking at how well we’re dressed or how good we look on the outside. He judges everyone properly when He judges us from the inside…the heart. He will judge us on how faithful or trustworthy we have been with the responsibilities He has given to us in this life.
What are those? Well, for starters, how ‘bout being faithful to Him with everything he has entrusted to us! Like what, Steve? Like our talents or giftedness. These are divine abilities God has enabled you with to serve other people. Another aspect of loving faithfulness to God is our time or our calendar. What am I giving to Him out of the 1,440 minutes I have each day? The final facet of our faithfulness to God and possibly the most revealing too is our giving back to God or our treasure.
These days, I’m thinking more and more about that one special day that I stand before the Righteous Judge and either hear Him say, “Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness” or I will hear no praise at all.
I want the former said of me and the privilege that goes with it. How about you? Feel free to respond with your thoughts.
www.realitychurch.com
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Vacillating, Oscillating, and Other Unhealthy Practices
It’s hard to see people hurting in life. I’d rather give them some sort of magic pill that could help them in their life journey, but that’s not the way it works.
Recently, I’ve had conversations with others I care about and I see the struggle they face. Some of the struggles are self-induced, but some are caused by circumstances and power beyond us. But what pains me the most is the fact that there is an answer to many of our heartaches. An answer? Yes, an answer.
Now, to some, I may be naïve, old-fashioned, or just plain “out of touch” with the real world. Could be, but don’t think so. Many years ago, I’ve found to be true the one thing that will overcome all of my stupid decisions and harmful choices that would otherwise pound me into the pavement. That one stabilizing factor is none other than the life altering, mind renewing, Word of God. Sound like a crock? Check these passages of Scripture and see if you agree that God has already given us all we need from His word to be champions over life’s circumstances
Romans 12:2 — “Stop being conformed to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God…”
We must choose to get our noses into God’s Word so that we can see the total transformation of our lives. This happen by renewing our minds with His Word. This is a must, if we’re going to think the way God wants us to.
Ephesians 4:23 — “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”
Psalm 19:7-11 — The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
This tells us what God’s Word can and will do for us when we know it: According to Scripture, it makes me wise, brings joy to my life, gives me insight for living, and so much more.
Decide today…maybe right now as you read this Post—that you are going to stop vacillating, oscillating, or wavering and instead start marinating your mind with God’s Word. It’ll give you the greatest peace of mind you’ll ever know…in every circumstance.
Write me back and tell me about how God’s Word has made a difference in your life.
www.realitychurch.com
Recently, I’ve had conversations with others I care about and I see the struggle they face. Some of the struggles are self-induced, but some are caused by circumstances and power beyond us. But what pains me the most is the fact that there is an answer to many of our heartaches. An answer? Yes, an answer.
Now, to some, I may be naïve, old-fashioned, or just plain “out of touch” with the real world. Could be, but don’t think so. Many years ago, I’ve found to be true the one thing that will overcome all of my stupid decisions and harmful choices that would otherwise pound me into the pavement. That one stabilizing factor is none other than the life altering, mind renewing, Word of God. Sound like a crock? Check these passages of Scripture and see if you agree that God has already given us all we need from His word to be champions over life’s circumstances
Romans 12:2 — “Stop being conformed to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God…”
We must choose to get our noses into God’s Word so that we can see the total transformation of our lives. This happen by renewing our minds with His Word. This is a must, if we’re going to think the way God wants us to.
Ephesians 4:23 — “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”
Psalm 19:7-11 — The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
This tells us what God’s Word can and will do for us when we know it: According to Scripture, it makes me wise, brings joy to my life, gives me insight for living, and so much more.
Decide today…maybe right now as you read this Post—that you are going to stop vacillating, oscillating, or wavering and instead start marinating your mind with God’s Word. It’ll give you the greatest peace of mind you’ll ever know…in every circumstance.
Write me back and tell me about how God’s Word has made a difference in your life.
www.realitychurch.com
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Why Do You?
It’s not elementary…in fact, it’s downright advanced stuff…at least to most people. It’s a legitimate question that weaves its way through the heads of the multitudes. Preachers even get it wrong; but it should be so easy.Believe it or not, I heard a TV preacher say something in an interview that shocked me. He said something that many of us actually feel but would rather not say; so he said it for you. And it has huge implications. He said, “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully.”
Wow! Really? I serve God because I fear Him…His wrath, His repercussions? Is that sort of talk foreign to you or not? When was the last time you asked yourself the question, “Why Do I Serve Jesus Christ?”
There are plenty of feelings about the pros and cons of this concept; so allow me to simply offer up something that the Bible says that can put this sort of thing to rest for all concerned.
We see this in 2 Corinthians 5:14: “For I am controlled by the love of Christ.” Noticed it didn’t say, “The fear of Christ” or “The wrath of Christ,” but rather, “The love of Christ.” His love for and toward me and my love back to Him is what controls me. The original language, Koine Greek, spells it out even clearer. It actually means that His love drives me, motivates me, and compels me…but it further means that His love steers me, maneuvers me, directs me, and decides for me.
It’s clear then that God’s will is that we serve Him and follow Him out of a sense of reciprocating love, not fear. Finally, to nail this idea of “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully” shut forever in your life, we can turn to scripture again when it says, “Where God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.” 1 John 4:18 (NCV) Hey, there are few things more freeing this.
As followers of an amazing God, we must choose to believe this just like we believe Genesis 1:1 or John 3:16. And when we do; when we learn to serve Jesus out of a response to His deep love for us, our whole outlook on the character of God will change for the better and bring us true freedom.
Agree? Disagree? Mad? Glad? I’d love to read your thoughts!!
www.realitychurch.com
Wow! Really? I serve God because I fear Him…His wrath, His repercussions? Is that sort of talk foreign to you or not? When was the last time you asked yourself the question, “Why Do I Serve Jesus Christ?”
There are plenty of feelings about the pros and cons of this concept; so allow me to simply offer up something that the Bible says that can put this sort of thing to rest for all concerned.
We see this in 2 Corinthians 5:14: “For I am controlled by the love of Christ.” Noticed it didn’t say, “The fear of Christ” or “The wrath of Christ,” but rather, “The love of Christ.” His love for and toward me and my love back to Him is what controls me. The original language, Koine Greek, spells it out even clearer. It actually means that His love drives me, motivates me, and compels me…but it further means that His love steers me, maneuvers me, directs me, and decides for me.
It’s clear then that God’s will is that we serve Him and follow Him out of a sense of reciprocating love, not fear. Finally, to nail this idea of “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully” shut forever in your life, we can turn to scripture again when it says, “Where God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.” 1 John 4:18 (NCV) Hey, there are few things more freeing this.
As followers of an amazing God, we must choose to believe this just like we believe Genesis 1:1 or John 3:16. And when we do; when we learn to serve Jesus out of a response to His deep love for us, our whole outlook on the character of God will change for the better and bring us true freedom.
Agree? Disagree? Mad? Glad? I’d love to read your thoughts!!
www.realitychurch.com
Sunday, July 26, 2009
It Matters
What’s on your mind lately? Politics, money, food, ballgames, church, cars, God…what is it?
I guess blogging is all about weighing in and then shouting out your two-cents. So here’s my shout for the day.
For far too long now in our culture—Christianity as a whole has been looked upon with great suspicion as being illegitimate because of a lot of talk mixed with little walk. For the last three decades many Americans have had enough of “Sunday Christians, plastic Christians, closet Christians, and preachers who pointed their fingers and yelled about hell, fire, and brimstone, but failed to live up to their own words.
The word hypocrisy became commonplace in the vocabulary of many and was used to denounce Christians and the Christian faith. Society basically turned away from community churches because, although we talked a good game, we talked way too much smack but didn’t do jack and therefore lost enormous credibility.
But in the midst of all that, God was still at work, changing lives. He's been grabbing hold of common, everyday kinds of people and pastors and church leaders who really cared about walking the walk. And today, at the end of the first decade of the new millennium, I think we are on the verge of reclaiming—at least some of what was previously lost because of the hypocritical nature of God’s church.
My two-cents is just this: I question if we, Christ followers, really understand that the way we live our daily lives; the journey we tell others we are on with God has more impact on culture than we might ever believe.
So, I wonder about the “get it’ factor, because sometimes I think we’re oblivious or indifferent to the influence we really exert. In the estimation of Jesus Christ, it’s particularly crucial that we choose to represent God well to the world, if we ever have the hope of reaching them with the message of true life. Representing Him well is about taking the new life God put inside of you…and turning it inside-out so others can have the best seats in the house to see what He is all about.
Understanding that it matters to God what those at work think of you is on the money. It matters to God what your family thinks of you. It matters to God what your neighbors or your waitress, or your boss, or employees, or that new Christian thinks of you! Ultimately, it should matter to you what God thinks of you.
And this is exactly the reason why God placed His Spirit inside of you…so you and I can represent Him extremely well on this blue planet we call earth.
Isn't it time for all of us to step up and become in character, the person God has enabled you to be.
www.realitychurch.com
I guess blogging is all about weighing in and then shouting out your two-cents. So here’s my shout for the day.
For far too long now in our culture—Christianity as a whole has been looked upon with great suspicion as being illegitimate because of a lot of talk mixed with little walk. For the last three decades many Americans have had enough of “Sunday Christians, plastic Christians, closet Christians, and preachers who pointed their fingers and yelled about hell, fire, and brimstone, but failed to live up to their own words.
The word hypocrisy became commonplace in the vocabulary of many and was used to denounce Christians and the Christian faith. Society basically turned away from community churches because, although we talked a good game, we talked way too much smack but didn’t do jack and therefore lost enormous credibility.
But in the midst of all that, God was still at work, changing lives. He's been grabbing hold of common, everyday kinds of people and pastors and church leaders who really cared about walking the walk. And today, at the end of the first decade of the new millennium, I think we are on the verge of reclaiming—at least some of what was previously lost because of the hypocritical nature of God’s church.
My two-cents is just this: I question if we, Christ followers, really understand that the way we live our daily lives; the journey we tell others we are on with God has more impact on culture than we might ever believe.
So, I wonder about the “get it’ factor, because sometimes I think we’re oblivious or indifferent to the influence we really exert. In the estimation of Jesus Christ, it’s particularly crucial that we choose to represent God well to the world, if we ever have the hope of reaching them with the message of true life. Representing Him well is about taking the new life God put inside of you…and turning it inside-out so others can have the best seats in the house to see what He is all about.
Understanding that it matters to God what those at work think of you is on the money. It matters to God what your family thinks of you. It matters to God what your neighbors or your waitress, or your boss, or employees, or that new Christian thinks of you! Ultimately, it should matter to you what God thinks of you.
And this is exactly the reason why God placed His Spirit inside of you…so you and I can represent Him extremely well on this blue planet we call earth.
Isn't it time for all of us to step up and become in character, the person God has enabled you to be.
www.realitychurch.com
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