Religious Hot Potato - Pass the Commitment (Church is Boring; Part 3)

Ever played Hot Potato? You pass the potato (or other object) around in a circle very quickly trying not to hang on to it too long and you surely don't want to be caught with it. Sometimes, church commitments and serving in church are treated much like the potato in this game. For some reason, we don't like to serve, we like to pass it along to someone else like it's a hot potato and we are afraid we'll be caught with it.

In part 2, we saw that the reason church is boring is because we don't do anything regardless of the fact that Jesus gave the church the command to "go." In part 1, we saw that what most churches do to attract newcomers is shallow and not long lasting, or, their culturally archaic tradition and structure is just not appealing to people. In part 3, I want to talk about what "going" looks like. Going looks a lot like doing. 

It's not that churches don't do anything, they do a LOT. The issue is that the doing is not spread among the whole church body - but only a few tired volunteers. The second layer to this issue is that the doing is usually and primarily focused on the church, not the community. This is where going and doing meet. It's not just the what, but the where. Take a moment and read through some of these verses. Just scroll your mouse over them and read them a few times through. 

Matthew 5:14-16

Philippians 2:1-4

Acts 20:35

Galatians 5:13-14

1 Peter 4:10-11

We see in James 1:22-25 that we deceive ourselves by simply listening to the word and not doing what it says. It says we are like a man who, after seeing himself in the mirror, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. A "Christian" who sits in church and hears the word deceives himself when he leaves and does not do. He only looks like a christian while sitting in church, but when he leaves he "at once forgets what he was like." 

I have two final points that I'll make brief, and hopefully they'll sum up this series. First, going and doing do NOT make the Christian. We are saved by grace through faith, a free gift of God, so that we cannot boast. In fact, if we boast, we are to boast in 1. the Lord (2 Corinthians 10:17) and 2. our weakness (2 Corinthians 11:30). Going and doing do NOT make the Christian, however, the true Christian will habitually and practically be both a goer and a doer. If the joy of our salvation does not prompt within us a desire to go and do for the sake of Christ, we must ask ourselves why. God says, "I will accomplish my purpose" (Isaiah 46:10). And he "works in man both to will and to do good works" (Philippians 2:13). He will surely use us for his purpose, and our salvation - our complete submission to our savior - will find satisfaction in doing the work of the father, as Christ did the work of the father. This is the product of our love for Jesus (John 14:15). 

Second (and last), going is not done in a church building. Serving in the nursery, greeting, children's ministry, worship team, choir, etc, etc, etc, are all great things that serve the body. They are needed. They are good. But they don't scratch the surface of the Christian duty. We are not called to primarily serve the body - but the least. We are called to live the gospel in our community, letting our "light shine among men" so that they can see our "good works." Serving our neighbors and community, building relationships with those around us, administering the truth of the gospel at every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16), sacrificing our time and money for the good of those around us rather than protecting our comfort - these are ways we go and do. Give. In every way possible, give. Give time during the week. Give energy to help those around you. Give money and resources to the ministry of the local church, to missions, to regional ministries. Give resources for the advancement of the gospel. "Love your neighbor as your self" (Mark 12:31) - do you want to be hungry, thirsty, homeless, desperate, hopeless, broken, abandoned, rejected, outcasted, lost? Going and doing is loving others as you love your self - even considering them above yourself. Why is church boring? That's easy. What we call the church is boring because it isn't being the church. "My sheep hear my voice...and they will follow me" (John 10:27). 

Check out this promo video from Katie Davis, founder of Amazima Ministries, about her book. She is a missionary in Africa, serving the least and foster mom to 14 girls. She is only in her early 20s. But as you watch and listen to her story - consider the fact that what she does in Africa can be done in your community too - to serve the least. We can go and do at home or across the seas. Seek first his kingdom, love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as your self. Grace and peace to you as you live to HIS glory! 

Why did the Christian cross the road? (Church is Boring; Part 2)

Jesus gave his apostles this command: Go (Matt. 8:18-20). The apostles were responsible for establishing the church throughout the nations. The apostles, then, under the charge of Christ and through their example (being a first fruit of the church), issued the same command to us. Paul told us that the church was to be a sending agency of the gospel of Christ by sending proclaimers (Rom. 10:15). Concerning social ministry (service to our neighbor), Jesus told us to shine a light so that people could see our good deeds (Matt. 5:16). You see the mission and purpose of the Church is to: 1. Go and 2. Do. The question that needs answering is: 1. Where? and 2. What? Let's address the "where" in this post.

Now before anyone says, "Well, we can't all be missionaries," let me say this, "Yes, you can." The question you have to answer is the "where." Jesus and his appointed spokesmen didn't say, "some of you go and most of you stay, but the ones who stay just have fun and live peaceably..." The over arching theme of the Church's role and purpose in the New Testament was to establish the kingdom of God in the hearts of men. How can you establish a kingdom without conquest?

Do we have to travel to Africa and die of malaria to do this? For most of us, no. But what we have to understand is that when people say we are just supposed to "live at peace," most of them don't consider that the second part of that sentence in Hebrews 12:14 says that "without holiness no one will see the Lord." Is this a "works righteousness" spill? No, it's far from it. Jesus said that IF we love him, we would obey his commands (John 14:15). His command was to love one another. Now some may say, what does love have to do with holiness? Well, everything.

Christ is our hope of salvation. To place our faith in Jesus is to place a tangible hope in what he did (Heb. 11:1). Our hope in Jesus produces within us purity (1 John 3:3). We do not work to achieve any type of righteousness of our own because it would be only filthy rags (Is. 64:6). But we do, however, in a response to the grace we have been given (Rom. 1:14), labor with joy for Christ's name to be known and exalted.

James tells us that serving the outcasts keeps us from being stained by the world (James 1:27). [The last "and" in that verse wasn't there in the original language, see here for my blog "small word, BIG IMPACT."] Isn't this the example Jesus gave to us during his life on earth? He became poor (2 Cor. 8:9) and took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7) so that we might know him and place our hope in him. We have two anchors of responsibility as Christians: 1. To place our hope in Christ, and 2. To share this hope with others. Sharing hope doesn't have to take place overseas, but can happen next-door or across the street, or downtown. We answer this call as Christians, not because it is the law, but because it is the response of love to the grace we have received from God.

One reason church may be boring is we don't go anywhere...

To be continued... "Religious Hot Potato - Pass the Commitment" (Church is Boring; Part 3)

Church is Boring - Part 1

Church is Boring

If you haven't thought this before, you are lying. This thought, as difficult to admit as it is, has become a driving force for the church in America and it is killing our influence. Let's face it, most churches are boring. They are stuffy. They are even cocky about it. On the other hand, there are many churches that are booming because of their "non-boring" services. They watch movies, have big events, plan controversial sermons.. They have coffee shops, book stores, and gyms... They provide a mecca of "clean entertainment" and "safe fun". Statistically, the number of people coming into our churches is roughly equal to the number of those exiting churches. Why is this? It is because our traditions and institutions are boring and combating this with exciting new ways to attract people is un-biblical. I used to be of the persuasion, "whatever it takes to get them in the door so they can hear the gospel". But, I've since changed my tune. Taking a step back, observing, listening, watching has altered my understanding. And, I am so thankful that God brought down this road of understanding before I ended up repeating the cycle.

Now, don't misunderstand. I didn't say that those "exciting new ways to attract people" are sin. I said they were unbiblical. And, the reason I say this is because of the motive in which they are done. No one has searched high and low throughout scripture to come up with a biblical theology of societal church "offerings". We don't offer them because the Word has commanded it, we offer it because we want to boost our numbers. Even if my motive is so that "more people will come in and be exposed to the gospel" I am still admitting that it is done for numbers. The sin, the unbiblical aspect, of this attempt to combat the "boring" in our churches is because our motive is not scripturally based. Can a church offer these things and still be a biblically sound, effective church? Yes, absolutely. However, I think there are bigger fish to fry.

I heard someone say once, "if Jesus isn't the reason they came, He won't be the reason they stay." We have this idea (which has sadly become our mentality) that people can only be saved in a church building during a church service after some type of presentation. Where is that in scripture? Salvation is by grace through faith alone. It is not by grace through faith in service at church with a prayer card and a friend. Jesus, before ascending into the heavens, gave this mandate: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." How is bringing people to a building the same as "going to all the nations"? The scary (and possibly offensive) truth is that it isn't. How many people do you know were convicted of their sin, received grace and faith, and only then committed to a body of believers? Most of us were either brought up in church, or "saved" in church. I use the word "saved" loosely because we don't really have a litmus test any more for this in America. Paul encouraged the churches to dis-invite unrepentant people from participation in church. When have we ever kicked someone out in the recent years in America because their lives weren't exemplary of a true son of God? We don't do this anymore because we think numbers equate success, which completely opposes the idea in scripture that success is measured simply (and only) by our obedience. Yet, we have not been obedient to this last and great command: Go.

To be continued... "Why did the Christian cross the road?" (Church is Boring, Part 2)

And... "Religious Hot Potato - Pass the Commitment (Church is Boring, Part 3)

**Disclaimer: I don't watch the Simpsons, but found the photo fitting for this blog post.**

small word, BIG IMPACT...

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." - James 1:27

Here is this verse in interlinear so that you can see the original text and it's translation:

**Source: BibleHub

Notice that the word "and" in the Greek is "kaî". "Religion that is pure AND undefiled before God AND the Father is this: to visit orphans AND widows in their tribulation, [there is no "and" here] to keep oneself unstained from the world" is the literal translation. The syntax (word order) is adjusted for English, inverting the object pronoun and verb (ex. "this is" is changed to "is this").

Growing up, I've heard people use this scripture to commend people who have adopted or assisted in nursing homes, or visited the poor, etc. But, many are quick to point out the "other side" of the verse (keeping yourself pure) as if it is differentiated from service to the poor. I agree with the pursuit of holiness - "be holy for I am holy." Conforming to the image of Christ is the inevitable destiny of a true believer, for we were "predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ." My issue is not with the pursuit of purity, but the road we take to get there. There is no other road than Christ.

"For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to the Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, [they seek] Christ the power of God and wisdom of God." 1 Cor. 1:22-24

We see that Christ, "though he was rich, became poor" taking on the "form of a servant." Jesus, by example and in word, commissioned us to serve and love the least. A friend of mine, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, has this to say on this verse. I believe it is very insightful and adds a much larger context of James 2 (the following chapter).

**Source: Michael Lund, Vertical Life Missions

I love his view on how our expression and participation in godly agapao love is manifest in our serving the least. This keeps us unstained from the world, by helping us to daily crucify our flesh with its desires of self, and to be led by the spirit. It is this reason that John says in 1 John 3, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" The goodness of our salvation produces in our lives a commitment to serve, letting our "light shine among men so they may see our good deeds."

We do NOT serve or do to earn our salvation, it is a "free gift of God so that none shall boast." However, if we have truly receive such a gift, our gratitude will manifest itself in joyful obedience. It is not with begrudging service that we labor, but with joyful participation in the suffering of Christ. We labor with gladness because we count everything else as loss, in order to lay hold of "the surpassing joy of knowing Christ." "Examine yourselves to see that you are in the faith."

Off my chest...

The Lord rules the nations. Let your anguish and prayers and laboring be in obedience to Jesus, crucifying the flesh with its desires. Let your focus be on the things that are unseen and eternal (souls) rather than the seen and temporal (governments and ills of this world). Though nations fall and crumble, HE reigns on high. Do not be troubled by this world, HE has "overcome this world" and does ALL things "in conformity to the purpose of His will." We have sadly resigned from the responsibility of obedience, caring for the needy, proclaiming the gospel and making disciples and turn this task to the state of our American culture. We see post after post on how the nation should humble itself and pray and how we need to get the nation back on track and return to God. Yet the hearts of this nation do not belong to God. They are sinful and cannot perform such a task. And we, in our laziness, apply the "don't work, don't eat" rule to the lost. We have adopted the "save yourself" mentality and think we accomplished something because we are "good people." Obedience is not "being good." Obedience is pursuing the master's will each second of every day, asking "Lord, how will you have me walk today, what steps shall I take and in what direction shall I go?" Do you take every opportunity to make known the goodness of our Lord? Do you "study (your word) to show yourself approved, a workman who needs not be ashamed"? Do you show your love by obeying what the Lord has commanded, a task we can perform with gratitude for being though worthy? Do you take your allegiance to Christ further than Facebook posts and Sunday mornings?

"...for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”"
(Daniel 4:34-35, ESV)

"For kingship belongs to the Lord,
    and he rules over the nations."
(Psalm 22:28, ESV)

"The king’s heart is a stream of water
in the hand of the LORD; he turns
it wherever he will."
(Psalm 21:1, ESV)

"He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge
to those who have understanding;"
(Daniel 2:21, ESV)

Are you a Michal or a Hannah?

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

-Ephesians 5:22-33, ESV

Is the church today a submitted bride, or is she the proverbial quarrelsome wife beyond restraint? In today's culture, we have forgotten the gravity of the husband's role as the covering of his bride and the head of his house. We have also perverted the role of wife in an effort of equality. The value is not in one position or the other, but in the unity. The goal is one flesh. The hand cannot be the head and similarly, the head cannot be the hand. As we, the church and bride of Christ, are instructed to be submitted to and respect (recognize one's abilities and qualities) the bridegroom, so are wives instructed to submit to and respect their husbands. And, as the husband is instructed to love as Christ loves and encourage and affirm his wife in the word so that she is washed and cleansed, Christ has promised to do this for us. This is nothing to do with equality, but order. We have two options in responding to this truth. We can be doers of the word or simply be deceived hearers.

Much of the American church today reminds me of David's wife, Michal. Michal was a gift (meant as an obstacle) from Saul to David. Michal fell in love with David's looks. She lied to her father to protect him and even delivered him from Saul's plot to kill him. But Michal's pride and love of prestige caused her to despise David when he didn't act like she expected royalty should act. She lost respect for her husband and spoke to him from a heart that was no longer submitted. Her inappropriate reproach of David costed her the role of queen. "She had no children until the day of her death." God chose to give David children through other wives.

How often do we seek prestige from God, blessings and abundance for all to see? Does it begin with genuine love? Yes, but what do we love? Michal loved David's appearance and then his position. How many in the church are in love with the idea of salvation and are enthralled with God's title and prestige, but are not passionately in love with his character? How ironic considering that Michal means "who is like God." Paul Washer said once, "Everyone wants to go to heaven, they just don't want God to be there when they get there." Michals in the church despise God when their prestige is attacked and they are asked to "suffer shame for the name of Christ." Michals want the title of bride, but not the obligation of submission.

There are other believers I had the privilege to meet who remind me of Hannah, whose name means "gracious" or "favor." Hannah was Elkanah's favorite wife and the mother of the prophet Samuel. She is widely regarded in Jewish history as one of the most noble Hebrews to have ever lived. Hannah was Elkanah's first wife and most likely encouraged him to take on Pininnah as a second wife to provide him sons for heirs. Her love and devotion to Elkanah is seen in her longing to provide him a son. Hannah was often heard crying in prayer to the Lord for a son. In the midst of her sorrow and suffering, Hannah did not lose her devotion to Elkanah or her commitment to the Lord. And though Pininnah (another Michal) was cruel to her, she was steadfast.

Oh, to be a Hannah for the Lord! Devoted to Christ in all circumstances and a life full of prayer and supplication to the Lord. To endure difficulty for the sake of God's glory. To suffer shame so that the name of Christ might be exalted, whether we see reward in this life or the one to come. Will you join with me and vow to submit in all circumstances to Christ? Commit with me to daily acknowledge the abilities and qualities of Christ with a mindset to respect his position as the head of the body. May God grant us the strength to persevere under persecution and to mortify the flesh with it's prideful desires. May we be led by the spirit, clothed and covered in Christ. And, let our marriages in the church be an example of this profound and awesome mystery. Let love be our aim in all things.

What Ifs in the Land of Plenty

"What if you get to Bolivia and get sick?" "What happens if you need surgery that you can't get there?" "What if you get there and run out of money?" "What if people don't like you because you are white?" "What if you need to call each other?" "What if there is an emergency while one of you is out with the car?" "What if you need that later?"

     Those are some of the questions we are asked concerning our preparation for the big move to Bolivia. Most were expected, some not as much. Just to recap, so that this all makes sense, when God called us to missions, he began to change the way we see the "stuff" in this life. We cared less for things, and more for beings. God has been working in us, and continues to do so, a focus on the the eternal and not the temporal. We began getting rid of our things and this really confused people. 

     I think people just assumed we were getting a storage unit for our stuff, since we were "surely coming back one day." The more liberated we felt lessening the gravity of our things, the more confused our circle of relationships became regarding our downsizing. At first, it was just a little strange to get rid of those pretty things we "may need one day." But when the bigger things began to go, the questions in our family and friend's heads became more vocal. Suddenly, things... 'got real.' 

     When we cut down to one cell phone (between the two of us), a friend of mine irritatedly said, "Dude, I'm going to get you a track phone just for me so I can get in touch with you." Some concerned family asked if we'd considered the fact that one of us may need to reach the other in case of an emergency. Another 'what if.' And just when it was thought we could go no further, we dropped down to just one vehicle. The old one. "What if Ashley needs to get the kids to the doctor while you are at work?" 

     This journey of preparation has been a road full of "what ifs." The questions I had, as first, asked God myself. But, as only God can do, my heart began to change. The Lord began to question me, and I ask you this too. "Do you trust the Lord?" Do you trust that he is sovereign as his word proclaims? Do you trust that he is good as Christ has said? Do you trust that he is capable and mighty, as attested by his creation? Often we asked these question of "what if" in an effort to be wise, yet this is not heavenly wisdom. It is worldly wisdom. 

     Worldly wisdom asks "what if" and "how do I prepare." Godly wisdom says, "Lord, ask of me what you will and I will do it. If I am to prepare, I will do it with all my might as unto your glory. If I am not to prepare, I will wait with earnest expectation of your demonstration of providence." Godly wisdom is centered plainly on two pillars: obedience without question and delight in his statutes (his word). There must be a manner in which we think with sober consideration about what is wise in this world, but all things must be taken before the throne before we staple it to the agenda. There is nothing wrong with planning for the 'what ifs,' but you must be sure to listen to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. Elijah was fed by ravens in the wilderness. The Israelites were fed by manna from Heaven. The 5000 were fed by a little bread and fish. Do not underestimate the power of God's providence and the supremacy of his sovereignty. 

 I assume the wealthy ruler in the account below was as concerned with the 'what ifs' as with his wealth. Our plenty in this land often gives us a false sense of security, a self-made providence. We have become comfortable and dependent on the culture of 'what ifs.' This is why insurance is booming, and can be purchased for everything. Our plenty has blinded us to the real gravity of our need of God's grace and provision. 

"And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth." And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."

Mark 10:17-22, ESV

     Jesus did not ask him to sell all he had until after he loved him. The love of God towards us and our love toward God, is most felt in the midst of his providence. Our dependency on him and his provision for us is a mystery of the divine romance. Paul related Christ and the church to a husband and bride, and labeled it a profound mystery. So, rather than what ifs, let's just ask 'what.' Lord, what step do you want me to take today? What do you want me to do for you today, right now, in this moment? Trust that, in his great love, he will handle the what ifs. You are simply to do, in total reliance on him. "Whatever does not proceed from faith, is sin." Let every step you take be rooted in your faith in a sovereign and good God. 

"Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God."

Proverbs 30:7-9, ESV

The Sanctity of Life is the Pursuit of the Gospel

This morning, I was notified that a former student committed suicide. She leaves behind a grieving mother, two sisters, and a 2 year old child. My first reaction was shock. Then, sorrow found its way into my emotions. Now, however, indignation reigns in my heart. Now, I ask for the church to act.

I am indignant because this should not happen in a place that is so dominated by a "church" culture. This student made this choice herself, but my question is what drove her to such an act? Many will be quick to blame Satan for making her believe the lies that she had no hope, or that this will make people sorry, or whatever thought was circulating the track of her thoughts. My question is if the lies we believe bring us into bondage, where is our freedom?

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”"

(John 8:31-32 ESV)

If our freedom is found in truth, why does the church continue to refuse to proclaim it? Why are we so vocal about the "issues" but not about the savior? The message of the early church, the Gospel of Christ, was "repent and believe." We have generations of people in this "great country" of ours dying daily only to face an eternity in hell because we couldn't think up the right type of church program to draw them in. This may be an odd point for a Reformed thinker to make, yet I proceed.

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"

(Romans 10:14 ESV)

The purpose of the church is to proclaim the Gospel. Yet, we have become so caught up in the lie that "God just wants us to be happy," that we fail to do the job we were meant to do. You wonder why our nation is on the path its on despite the numerous "Christian" organization who are active politically and socially, despite the number of mega-churches that flood our major cities. It is because we no longer proclaim the Gospel. Revealing man's sin and providing him the opportunity to cling with all of himself to the cross of Christ is no longer a priority. We are too busy trying to be politically correct and to get people to make a profession of faith, but we are so lazy and socially rooted that we don't dare ask them to bear fruit.

"“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."

(Matthew 7:15-20 ESV)

We spend so much time, energy, and money on programs and events, yet where is the harvest? Church growth numbers? Please! Statistics show just as high a number leaving the church as there are coming into the church. You want a reason for this? It is simply because if Jesus didn't get them through the door, Jesus won't keep them there. You have many who may claim that it worked for them, but where is their fruit. Take away the fun services, the get-togethers, the lights and the music, and will they still stay? Are they bent in anguish for the cause of Christ or caught up in the american church culture and what God can do for them instead of the other way around? We are no longer acting like the church, but we have made post-modern moralistic humanism our religion, where self and community service is our god.

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."

(2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV)

I don't know how anyone could read the passage above without thinking our "America," let alone the world in which we live. We are a proud and arrogant people. We seek self-satisfaction above all else. Our youth are disrespectful, people are ungrateful, and we are such a slanderous people. Notice the last part of this passage: "having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power." What do you think this means? That people want to deny the power of God? No! That would be foolish.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”"

(Romans 1:16-17 ESV)

Denying the power of God is to deny the Gospel. We build churches in the name of Christ. We start programs and small groups and Christian living bible studies all in the name of Christ. Yet, how many of us have every proclaimed the Gospel to the sinners with which we come into contact daily? We are so worried about driving them away. Worried about offending them. Worried about their heart, their self-esteem, their friendship. If our hearts are truly bent on pursuing Christ and fulfilling his commission, we have no choice but to act. Not by our weekly attendance, but our daily proclamation. "Oh you need to speak the truth in love." "Tell them about God's love."

My issue with the first statement above is that people are spending too much time "loving" and far too little time speaking the truth. If the vessel of someone's freedom is not released by our mouths, we are not loving them. My issue with the second one is that it isn't biblical. We are quick to quote that God so loved the world, but rare to never quote that He hates all who do wrong (John 3:16, Psalm 5:5). God is just, we are not, therefore He hates us in our sin-nature. Yet out of His love for His creation, He provided the precious blood of Christ to cloth us in righteousness so that we are then acceptable to God. Not of our own merit, but ONLY through the precious blood of Christ. To this redemptive work should we cling! Not to our programs and our culturally relevant services!

"But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."

(Galatians 2:17-21 ESV)

We do not live to our satisfaction, but to the glory of God! This lie that "God just wants us to be happy" is nothing more than a guise by Satan to place the focus of man inward on self rather than outward on the beauty of Christ. Yes, God wants us to be happy, but He wants to be our happy. Not the things of this world, Him and Him alone! Are you satisfied in Christ? Are you so satisfied that if your were stripped of everything in this life as Job was, that you would be fully content in Christ? This is the aim of the Christian. This is the ultimate goal.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

(1 John 2:15-17 ESV)

"If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

(John 15:6-11 ESV)

We are to abide in Christ, which is the word of life. This word is the Gospel. We are to "hide it in [our] heart so that [we] might not sin against God." We are to, in the example of Christ, live this word. We were not meant to be hearers only, deceiving ourselves in our knowledge, but doers of the word (James 1:22). We are called to examine ourselves to see that we are in the faith, lest we fail the test (2 Corinthians 13:5). We are to hold one another accountable so that God is glorified in our lives (Proverbs 27:17), but we are so afraid to be labeled zealot, self-righteous, or judgmental."You will know them by their fruit." We are to judge the fruit of our brothers to ensure that the church is bearing it. We hold each other up in grace and in patience, but most of all in truth.

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

"If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

(Galatians 5:16-26 ESV)

My petition to you is that of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV). Other translations say "study to show yourself approved." We must be Bible Christians. We must study the word of truth and do our best to show ourselves approved. You are not saved, nor justified, by your works or your will. It is only through the blessed blood of Christ. But we are to remember that "faith without works is dead." Wake up church, and spur your brothers and sisters to action. It is time for revival, it is time to live the truth we seem to have forgotten how to proclaim.

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

(James 2:14-17 ESV)

Too earthly minded for any heavenly good...

“A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.”

– C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

I have heard, with increasing occurrence, people in the body of Christ make reference to "bringing Heaven to Earth." I don't know exactly where this idea came from; however, I can assure you that it is, most certainly, not biblical. I can make some assumptions as to what possible passages from scripture might allude one to think in such a way, but this line of thinking is contrary to the whole truth of scripture. When examining the context of scripture and measuring these passages against the Bible as a whole, one would see that this teaching is not simply wrong, but heresy.

The main idea of this doctrine is that Christians have access to supernatural power through the work of Christ on the cross. It teaches that Christ's blood, not only paid for our atonement, but also paid for our divine healing. That "true believers" shouldn't be succumbed to illness or decay because our healing was paid for on the cross, that no believer should die of sickness, etc. The secondary teaching of this doctrine is that the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost served a purpose to embolden and empower Christians to walk in authority over sickness, disease, and all manners of evil. The wrapping that holds this doctrine together is that since we are made in the image of God, we possess power and authority given to us through Christ. Here is a link to a pastor preaching this heresy. If you choose to listen it, please listen with care and measure what is said with the word. Below I will detail my response to much of what he is teaching in this video.

First, I'll start with the use of the part of the "Lord's Prayer." At the beginning of the video, we see a quote from this prayer. I would rather people not use my words out of context, I would assume that God feels much the same. So, let's look at the prayer as a whole to determine what is meant by the line "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)

Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, 
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."

Directly preceding this prayer, Jesus says, "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." This statement is a allusion to God's sovereignty. The prayer is a prayer of praise and faith in God as our sovereign king. Then, after the prayer, Jesus says, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." This was a reminded of the second half of the prayer regarding forgiveness and its importance.

We have to first understand that Christ's mission was to bring salvation. In this prayer he points to the two most important factors in our salvation: God's sovereignty in regeneration of our souls through the Holy Spirit and Justification of our sins through our forgiveness demonstrated on the cross. As we have been given forgiveness, so also should we extend it to those to wrong us. This is the Christian life. A life of love. Christ was demonstrating this principle in his prayer, not charging us to "bring heaven to earth."

"Our Father in Heaven" shows us how to direct our prayer to the authority of God who resides in the heavenly realm wrapped in his almighty glory. "Hallowed be your name" points to the power of his name, his authority. A king's power was known by his name, his name carried authority with any directive sent from his chambers. The name is the vessel of the King's power. "Your kingdom come" is reference to the imminent return of Christ in kingdom glory. This is a real event with real power. Until that day, "give us this day our daily bread" to keep us dependent on your provision. Give us today's bread only, so that we will not become prideful and self-indulgent in our excess nor bask in despair at our lack. But fully satisfied in you. "Forgive us our debts" and remove our sin. We choose to do the same with our neighbors as we "forgive our debtors." "Lead us not into temptation" is to confirm that the Holy Spirit will be our strength. The "spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Help us to "watch and pray" that we may not fall into temptation but "deliver us from evil" so that we may be free from our sin and bondage, made free in Christ with an eternal reward in heaven.

Jesus said, "my kingdom is not of this world" but elsewhere referenced that the "kingdom of God was in [our] midst." A kingdom is the realm of the king's authority and is inclusive of his subjects. Jesus said in John 10, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” The kingdom of God is in our midst because we are called to his kingdom as sons and daughters who hear his voice.

At the end of Matthew, Jesus says "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" followed by a charge to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." Though Jesus is fully God, he is not the God-head, which is God the Father. Jesus operated from eternity in power and authority, yet here makes reference, not to authority being handed back or an authority to be shared with men, but to a new authority as the judge of mankind on the day of judgement. He specifies "heaven AND on earth" in order that the disciple know that his following words were empowered by an authority which transcends heaven and earth. His next words are "go THEREFORE and make disciples.." Notice the word "therefore," meaning "because of this" or "and so." Jesus did not say, "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to US." He said "ME." How dare we draw a conclusion from this passage that we have any right or claim to such authority. We are imperfect beings who will not see glorification until we meet God face to face in heaven.

Our commission, our job, our assignment is to make disciples and see souls claim Christ's blood as their salvation. "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." We are sent to make disciples by proclaiming the Gospel. Paul said, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Our charge is to seek Christ, who is our goal, who calls us heavenward. What we have to understand, is that power is God's to wield. We pray, we obey, but we do not command a sovereign God to operate the way we determine he should operate. God is sovereign over his will, his eternal plan, and even in our salvation, especially in our salvation. We have too many 'christians' seeking signs and wonders rather than the Christ. So many are seeking these "off the map" teachings and they do not know what the Bible says. "The Gospel is the power of God for salvation." This is our goal. This is our aim. Christ, him crucified, his resurrection, his atoning blood, his power for salvation. We seek HIS glory and not our own. How disgusting!

The word says, "an EVIL and ADULTEROUS generation seeks a sign." We see in the epistles, "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Whether sick or well, do you trust God who is sovereign even over your suffering? "Consider your trials joy..." When healing glorifies God, we see healing. However, when our satisfaction in Christ glorifies God more than our healing, that is our commission. To hold Christ as our highest treasure, this should be our ultimate aim. This is the will of our heavenly Father.

Health and Wealth: The American Idols

What is Blessing? What is Increase? What is Provision? We seem to have taken the promises of scripture and twisted them to suit the "American Dream." I believe God wants to bless his people. I know that God uses the wealth and resources of those in the body of Chris for the advancement of his kingdom. However, I refuse to accept the 'prosperity gospel' that is circulating so prevalently in the American church. We have confused the favor of God with material wealth. This is a "different gospel" and it undermines the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.

Know this, I do NOT see wealth as a sin. I do NOT deny that God materially blesses people for the purpose his kingdom and to bring himself glory. HOWEVER, I would suggest to you that wealth and material provision is more often a curse than it is a blessing for the believer.

I recently listened to a sermon by a mega-church pastor entitled, "Abiding in the Word." I was amazed that there was only one reference to scripture during the first 27 minutes of a 45 minute message. I heard several prayers casually interjected into the message. I heard a great deal of 'prophetic' speech. But the over-arching theme that I gleaned from this message on "abiding in the word" was classic prosperity gospel speech mixed with a super-spiritual understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit.

First, I'll quickly address the prosperity gospel. Jesus said, "it is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven." We are also told that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. My question is that if wealth makes eternal life so much more difficult and Jesus has come so that our burden's are light, why would God's will for our lives be to make it that much more difficult to follow Christ? The apostle Paul said that he discovered that the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need, is that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. The secret is contentment in Christ. God's plan is not abundant material provision for all believers, but to be the all satisfying savior of their lives. That they would be content through him in both seasons of plenty and seasons of lack.

The greater our dependency on Him, the more we can walk in tune with his spirit. When we have plenty, our focus tends to gravitate inwardly and on self. We look to meeting our own needs and managing our own wealth, rather than to steward all things according to God's will for the purpose of his kingdom. Indeed, there is purpose in our lack. We should not scorn it. We should be grateful in ALL circumstances. When we isolate a few scriptures on God's provision, we forget the overarching theme of the word of God which is that He is all satisfying. We are to seek first His kingdom, not our abundance.

Though I could spend hours upon hours writing on my distaste for this prosperity gospel, I want to move my attention to a statement this pastor made about two thirds into his message. Here is the statement.

"Its hard to have the same fruit as the early church when you value a book they didn't have more than you do the Holy Spirit they did have."

I take great offense to this statement. I hold the Bible as the infallible, final authority over the governance of believers and our conduct according to our faith in Christ. I do NOT deny the power of the Holy Spirit or the importance of this person of the Holy Trinity. I believe the three persons of the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) are the same in substance and equal in power and glory. God the Father is God, the Holy Spirit is God, and Jesus Christ is God. They are the same God, yet made up of three persons. This is imperative to understand.

The passage of scripture the pastor used to defend this statement was John 5:39, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me..." The pastor reminds us that Jesus is saying that eternal life is in himself. I agree, but understand this verse to point to the Mosaic law, since the term Scriptures here cannot possibly refer to the Bible, as the cannon was not yet closed and the New Testament was not yet written. He goes on to say that "this book is not a box that contains God, it reveals God." Based on what I heard him saying, I feel I can safely assume that he see the word of God as separate from the Holy Trinity. He references a 'false idea' that he has heard often in churches that notes "the Father, the Son, and the Holy Bible." He further corrects this assertion by exchanging Holy Bible with Holy Spirit. Though he has correctly completed the names of the Trinity, he has missed the point and thus, unknowingly or otherwise, taught a principle that is contrary to the truth of Holy Scripture.

Let me explain by using a passage from the book out of which he was teaching.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

"The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known."

(John 1:1-18 ESV) 

Jesus Christ was the embodiment of the word of God, both old and new testament. It matters not that the New Testament cannon wasn't written or completed until long after the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. If we believe the Bible to be the infallible, divinely inspired word of God, then when we look to the Holy Scriptures and see this passage from John, we can rest assured that Christ was the embodiment of this word which was begotten of God from the beginning. The Bible is not meant to replace the Holy Spirit person of the Godhead, but represent a material manifestation of Jesus Christ. To "abide in the word" is to abide in Christ. The Psalmist said, "I hide your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you." To abide in Jesus as we are commanded by our savior, is to read, meditate on, and ultimately savor the truth in scripture above all else. The Bible is truth. Our freedom is found in this truth. Our salvation come through our faith, which is established by the word of this truth. Our conduct should be measured by this truth. Our revelation and insight should be consistent with this truth. We are to compare everything to this word and to seek the fellowship of the Holy Spirit as our counselor, the source of our conviction, and the guide for our steps.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

(2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

(2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV)

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

(Ephesians 5:18-21 ESV)

Thoughts on Excess in the American Church

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" (1 John 3:17 ESV)

The average middle class home in the US contributes, on average, 6% to charity (includes church tithing and offering). The percentage drops to an average of 4% for people who make over $100k per year. The average american spends 95% of his income on himself, while wanting more and more. A bigger house, newer car, granite counters, big tv, cable package, etc. Our want for abundance has become the norm, and all we can see are the wants we've yet to acquire, yet all the while over 13% of the world's population is starving for food and 11 million children will die this year alone due to malnutrition.

It is not wrong to have nice things, their is no sin in possession. However, can you justify your aim to satisfy your wants when so many are in such need? I am so personally convicted today thinking on this. Our waste is vast and yet we have the audacity to refer to our "good stewardship" in our investments, savings, etc.

"Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” " (Luke 12:13-21 ESV)

The question I ask myself today is, "Where can I cut out abundance and live more simply, so that I can be a greater blessing?" "How can I be an example to my kids of loving others more than I love myself?" The Bible says, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I need to be sure that I am investing my money where my heart should be. Our treasure leads, our heart follows. What does the word say my heart should love and pursue? That is where my money and resources should be directed, not myself lest my heart should succumb to selfish ambition.

Make War - John Piper and some rapper...

I came across this video and wanted to share. It is pretty powerful in that it exposes that the greatest tool of the enemy is our flesh and our sin. When I live to protect 'self' I am no longer living to make God known in all the earth. When we come to Christ, self no longer has a right to our motives, our desires or our loyalty. As Paul said, "It is no longer I who lives, but Christ in me." Lord, may your people see the truth of sacrifice you have called us to in this life. "I know what it is like to be hungry and to have plenty...I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." For my blog on our endurance as believers, click here.

This is a transition from Part 1 and Part 2 of the Desire Series. 

To watch on YouTube, click here.

Man Bashing - Perversion of Masculine Role

At a conference, years ago, author Richard Exley said that "the most insidious form of deception is when we use the truth to deceive." I've always remembered that quote because it was so powerful. To think of using partial truth to communicate a whole lie. Like when my daughter says, "she hit me!" and then withholds the fact that she hit her sister first. The idea of using truth, which God ordained to bring freedom, to imprison one's self to falsehood; such is a great perversion of God's will and God's character. Our society has begun to propagate partial truths that are deceptive, causing many to obtain beliefs and understandings that are contrary to God's word. One such perversion of truth has become the role and responsibilities of manhood.

We see that women are capable of everything that men are; a truth. Women's rights movements push to destroy the 'glass ceiling' and feminist push for the abandonment of societal 'gender roles.' Women are taking positions of public office, positions of authority, and involving themselves in professions and activities once solely inhabited by men. Likewise, we see a migration by many men toward jobs and activities previously dominated by females. We are seeing increases of female CEOs and male nurses. More and more women taking on the position of 'head of household' either wantingly or otherwise. A woman's ability to take on these responsibilities is not in question. That ability is a truth; they are capable.

I heard someone say once, that just because something is true doesn't make it right. Truth is, I can fill out a ticket as good as any police officer. However, unless I have been granted that authority and commissioned to take on that responsibility, I have no right to pull someone over and write them a ticket. God created man and woman with established roles. Not because one was greater than the other, but because this role was to exemplify the relationship between himself and the church. God ordained man for authority, and with any amount of authority comes responsibility.

God has been dealing with me lately; not solely on my responsibilities as a husband and a father, but also the role God ordained for man. God set man as head of the land, head of his family and home. God gave man the responsibility that comes with this position; to govern, to lead, to train. Man was commissioned to represent Christ's love, to teach his family the ways of the Lord, to affirm and encourage his wife, to teach and disciple his children. This position has been compromised due to, not only the evident truth of a woman's abilities to perform these tasks, but also the gap between instruction and discipleship of boys. Men are refusing to take up this call and thereby allowing the role God designed for men to be perverted, weakened, and belittled.

We constantly hear comments about the 'failings' of men. They are evident in tv, movies, and other media. This 'fall of man' is perpetuated by every aspect of society, including by the men who accept this defeat. We are inundated with comments like these:

"Can you imagine a world without men? No crime and lots of happy fat women."

"Women speak because they wish to speak, whereas a man speaks only when driven to speech by something outside himself - like, for instance, he can't find any clean socks."

"It takes a woman twenty years to make a man of her son, and another woman twenty minutes to make a fool of him."

"Men are a luxury, not a necessity."

These quotes, some subtle (and very g-rated compared to many I've heard), communicate this idea that men are simply a joke of evolution and not the creation of God's likeness. Man was made for relationship with God. Woman was made as a gift for man so that he "would not be alone." The problem is that men stopped appreciating this gift and forgot the purpose for which they were created. In their absence of responsibility, woman rose to the occasion to fulfill those duties of leadership.

This change has become so concrete in modern society that men are even taught, especially in our western culture, that women are to be treated as equals. We are taught, inadvertently, that it is okay (or even recommended) that men are 'equal' with their wives. My complaint is not that woman are given unjust liberties or that they should be subservient to man. My complaint is that men need to take up the responsibility that God gave them. Men need to be more responsible with regard to their children, with regard to their wives.

My job is to lead, encourage, and affirm my wife. To love her as Christ loved the church. To sacrifice myself to present her as pure and holy. If my actions, my words, and my intentions don't lead to her sanctification, then I'm failing in my responsibility as a man. If my days are not spent teaching and disciplining my children about the Lord, I'm failing. If my life lacks integrity and I lack self-control, ambition, and empathy, I am not the example I'm supposed to be.

My prayer is that God would raise up an army of men that walk with confidence, integrity, and valor. Men who submit themselves to God and live above the tide of accusation. My prayer is that men would take back their role as the head. I tire of hearing jokes, emails, etc about men not measuring up. What legacy are we leaving our sons? What purpose and value will they inherit because of the lives we live?

Deception - A growing trend in the American church

Matthew 24:4-13
New International Version

"Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

In light of the recent vote against amendment 26 in our state, I feel prompted to post my thoughts on the issue (sadly, too much after the fact). Not that I consider my opinion to carry more weight than that of anyone else, I simply feel that so many believers missed the mark on this proposition. First, let me clarify the amendment. It was only a few sentences and involved no fine print. It sought only to define the word "person" as written in our state constitution to identify the beginning of life at conception. It was intentionally left vague for the very reason that additional fluff would only provide a greater outlet for division, there would be no viable line to draw that would please everyone. It was kept basic, simply because it is a simple idea. Life starts the moment that cell begins to grow into a body.

This idea is backed by scientific rule and logic. For any scientist to say that life does not begin here, would be to say that simple and single cell organisms are not alive. Further this cell has already determined everything about the person it is to become. The hair color, the eye color, even many food preferences. To say this 'seed' is anything less would be ignorant, both scientifically and logically. I say this with intentional disregard to the idea that the heartbeat has anything to do with it (if the heartbeat was the key factor - then those in hospitals with hearts that can't beat on their own aren't really "people").

Second, this idea is based in scripture. "Before you were formed in your mother's womb, I foreknew you." "For we are fearfully and wonderfully made in our mother's womb." Despite man's intellect, achievement, and power, life is a gift given solely from the creator. Who are we to question what God does? How he does it? I've heard many people complaining that there is no "rape or incest" clause. So, are we supposed to believe that the method of conception can devalue the creation? Are we to punish the children for the sins of the father? I've heard complaints about repercussions, many totally founded. Complaints that this would affect some types of birth control, IVF, etc. The problem, though, is that no matter how founded these complaints are, no matter the repercussions, no matter the uncomfortable ill effects, our position as believers is to operate under the covering of the word of God. We are told to "measure EVERYTHING against the word of God."

I was amazed at the number of Christians speaking out against this bill. I am both frightened and saddened by the level of deception that runs rampant in the "kingdom" here in the US, specifically in the south. We make decisions based on "overall opinions" and the "voice of the majority." Those who stand behind this system and idea, please explain to me where the line will be drawn. Who gets final say on what 'morality' really is? Why do we assume one thing is wrong, but something else is not? Who determines this? The majority? What is to happen when the majority chooses to allow murder, abuse, etc? A great quote I use often is this: "Satan is not opposed to morality. He is opposed to the authority behind morality, which is the name of Jesus Christ. When you separate the name of Jesus from morality, it becomes something ever molded and shaped by man's own opinion."

I hear people arguing that our country was founded under the principle of separation of church and state. True. Does it matter? No. As believers, the only history we are to concern ourselves with is the history of the believer. The law we submit ourselves to is the word of God. Given the opportunity to make the two work together, why not take it? You cannot serve two masters. My allegiance is to Christ. My God tells me to obey the laws of the land, EXCEPT when they are in contradiction to the word of God. We have to be alert. We have to walk with the constant realization that we are in battle. "Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

We can't let deception divide God's people. "A house divided will not stand." Believers, we need to come together and stand by the word of God. To read his word and hide it in our hearts. To burn it on our lips. Paul tells us in the new testament that we are "not to merely listen to the word and so deceive ourselves," but to "do what it says." We can't keep walking in deception, we have to walk in the spirit. "For the spirit of the life of Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death."

I hope this doesn't offend, but if it does, I don't apologize. My intent is to speak what is on my heart and hopefully you can see that I am doing so in love. The word of God is a two edged sword, piercing to the marrow. It is everything to a believer. There is no other power, no other standard, no other comparable by which we are to live our lives.

Philippians 1

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."

Scared - The unjust anthem of the modern believer

This weekend, I attended a men's conference that taught about 'legacy.' It was a great word on what I would consider modern manhood from a Godly perspective. It was such an edification to my spirit and a motivation to my walk with the Lord. The speaker gave a moving and truthful presentation on obedience to God and His call on our lives. He talked about loving God and how obedience is the method for communicating love to the Father. He spoke about humility and vision; perseverance and endurance. But what brought great thought to my spirit was his commentary on courage and confidence. You know, the 'manly' stuff.

He quoted Hebrews 10:35, supplementing the word saying that, "resiliency is built through endurance." (Did you know that the more wind a palm tree must endure during the growing seasons, the stronger the palm tree becomes and the deeper its roots plant themselves into the ground?) He propones that confidence is the result of your history, your experiences, your memories. Because of what you have seen and now know, you are confident in your understanding. He taught from Deuteronomy 8 to show how God reminded the Israelites of His provision and His presence before leading them into the Promise Land. Our memories are the foundation to our confidence, as we remember how God led us through our own wilderness; how God tested us for our own benefit, to realize of our strengths and talents in Him; how God provided for us in times of need; how God disciplined us and softened our hearts because of His love of us. These memories and experiences provide basis for our confidence in Christ.

I believe word confidence is a reference to our faith or, I would even dare to suggest, our faithfulness. The suffix "ence" is the "act of" or "attribute." The prefix "con" mean to be "with." And the root of the word comes from the latin word, "fe," or "faith." The term literally means to act with faith, or to have the attribute of faith. Faith, as the word describes, is the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen." Faith is a 'knowing' without the need for material proof. Confidence is victory over fear and doubt, and I believe that fear is the ultimate oppositional force to God's will for our lives. Within this force, I feel are two types of fear. Fear as a result of doubt, and fear as a result of ignorance. Both will hinder what God is doing in your life, unless you conquer them with the power of God's word and submission to the Holy Spirit.

The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy; and his greatest tool is fear, used to bring doubt in your mind and heart regarding the truth of our creator, His holy word. Confidence or the attribute of Faith is the manner in which you conquer fear that is rooted in doubt. Your memories of God's hand on your life and your focus on His word is how you grow in confidence. Doubt is the basic struggle to operating in and realizing our salvation. The Bible tells us that if we believe in our heart and confess with our mouths, we shall be saved. Doubt is the disease that attacks our salvation, because if we lose our faith, we lose our hope. Colossians 1:27 refers to Christ in us, as the 'hope of glory.' To lose hope, is to lose our connection with Christ. This is not to say that if you doubt, you are not saved. No, we all face doubt because we are human. But, in the face of doubt we must choose to remember God's will and focus our hearts, mind, and meditation on his provision and his promise. This is how we battle our doubt and hold on to the promise of salvation.

The question remains, though, is salvation alone our goal? Don't get me wrong. Salvation is an amazing miracle and should never be under-valued. However, is it enough to simply believe. Your belief, your love, and your passion for and in Jesus Christ should be the motivational force behind every accomplishment, goal, and ambition in your life. Are you acting or sediment? God has a plan and a purpose for each of us. "For I knew you before I formed you in your mother's belly," Jeremiah 5:1 and then he further defines our purpose in 29:11, "for I know the plans I have for you..." Combating this purpose is the second line of attack in which the enemy uses fear to destroy God's will for our lives. This is where courage comes in.

Courage was the main topic of the final session at this conference. The context came from Joshua 1:1-x. God spoke to Joshua after Moses had died and encouraged him in this new role God had appointed him to as Moses's successor. God affirmed the promise of presence, telling Joshua, "just as I was WITH Moses, I will be With you." When we contemplate the will of God in our lives and the call He has spoken to our hearts, it is easy to become consumed with fear. Not necessarily the fear rooted in doubt, but that which is rooted in ignorance, the unknown. The way be battle this fear is through God-given courage. To take strength in the understanding that in our weakness, God is powerful enough to fill the gap.

I heard a quote in a very manly, action packed movie called, "The Princess Diaries," that really struck me. The young princess finds a letter from her Dad written to encourage her in her new role of Princess of Genovia. She was full of fear, not knowing if she could adequately handle the responsibilities and difficulties of this "call," if you will. (see, I told you it was manly.. ok, maybe not, but it is very relevant) He told her that "courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all." When it comes to the God ordained call or purpose of our lives, it is important to understand that fear of the unknown (all the how's involved, the inexperience, the mystery of what lies ahead) is normal and human. But you must make the decision that God's kingdom is more important than those fears. To take the steps of faith, spurred by your confidence in God's might, to accomplish his will for your life.

This idea of walking confidently and courageously as a believer, is what I was most challenged with at this conference. God provided much revelation, and has strengthened my desire for more of his word. I have made a game plan for myself to grow in these principles. To live life in such a way to positively affect those around me. To see God's plan for my life revealed and to walk in obedience to His call. Because if we choose not to do or be what God has spoken to our hearts, we are operating in disobedience. I will leave you with this quote from the speaker, as a challenge to you. "The more you procrastinate obedience, the more you become complacent in your disobedience... It is better to die surging ahead [toward God], than to drown in apathy and complacency."

Are we growing cold?

I'm not sure why, but I think God is still teaching me about love. I just can't seem to meditate on anything else right now. I have been watching and thinking and praying about it, and God continues to reveal things to me that I still don't fully understand. I hope that by writing it down here, God will help me grasp all that he is teaching me.

My last post was about love, but this one will be a little different. I want to talk a little about a scripture God has been bringing me back to, "because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold," - Matthew 24:12. A friend, a few months ago, mentioned the an important word in the text of this verse, "most." What a scary thought, to think that the love of MOST will grow cold. Not a few, but most. Such a change, surely can only occur subtly. I mean, who wants to be cold-hearted? We aren't exactly lining up to get that trait. No, this type of societal heart change will slither its way into our attitudes and mindsets as slowly and slyly as possible. The question is, "how can we tell if our love is growing cold?" The answer, by knowing what love is and what it looks like.

Two additional scriptures, God has been puting on my heart, carry so much weight when it comes to what love looks like. The first, "[love] is not rude, [love] is not self-seeking, [love] is not easily angered, [love] keeps no record of wrongs." - 1 Corinthians 13:5. The part I feel God most wants us to comprehend is that true love doesn't keep a tally of wrongs. If you really love someone, why remember their faults. Aren't we so thankful that God chooses not to remember ours? This is such a great measure of our love for people. Ask yourself, "do I often choose to remember or often bring up someone's wrongs?" Are we loving people or condemning them when we bring up times in the past when they have fallen short or made the wrong choice? The real question to ask ourselves is, "am I focusing/exposing someone else's wrongs to hide or minimize my own?" True love doesn't compare charts, it doesn't put down, it doesn't brag -- remind you of another scripture about love? This chapter in 1 Corinthians is more than just a passage that should be read at a wedding, and means more than just the love shared in a marriage. Jesus told us the most important commandment was to love. This scripture applies to our attitude toward everyone we come into contact with, including family, friends, coworkers, classmates, etc. Our love is the testimony of our faith.

The other scripture is, "there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." - 1 John 4:18. I heard a sermon once about faith. The man who was delivering it made the comment that many people think that doubt is the opposite (the side that is against) of faith. He went on to say that the real opposite was fear. He said the faith is securely trusting God's word, doubt is the absence of trust, but that fear was trusting or believing the opposite of God's truth. If we love people the way God loves people, then our desire for their life is to be blessed in accordance with God's will. If we love them, our utmost desire should be to save them from Hell, and see them live and abundant God-filled life. The only way to do this is through perfect love. If we learn to love people by showing them love the God had in mind, then that love casts out fear. It casts out the mistrust in our hearts towards God's amazing plan for our lives. Love will not condemn your brother, but will bring healing and strength to him.

God's desire for us is to love. We were created in his image with the wonderful capacity to love one another. God is love, and as he is in us, so are we in him. If we dwell in love, we dwell in righteousness. May our words, deeds, and intentions always be in alignment with the will of God.

For additional commentary on Love, please check out my 2 part series on Desire.