Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Deuteronomy 28:1-4 - If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. (2) All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: (3) You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. (4) The fruit of your womb will be blessed.
Psalm 127:3-5 - Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. (4) Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. (5) Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
I had extra energy during my workout today. I was fueled by the goodness and blessing of God. Cindy and I found out today that we are having our third boy. She remains the Queen of the Hill, or maybe the locker room would be a better description. Imagine the world without Moms. It would be a smelly mess. I was glowing with joy all day after seeing my boy on the sonogram. We covet your prayers for a continued safe and healthy pregnancy, and we also ask that you would pray daily for a healthy and safe delivery. Cindy has been doing great. We love you and appreciate you so much. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow. 2006 is a year of birthing and blessing. God Bless and Happy New Year.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Jesus: God's Indescribable Gift! (Part 3)
Just like most human beings, I love to receive gifts. I appreciate all gifts and the expression of kindness that is associated with giving. Have you ever done a Chinese Christmas or White Elephant gift exchange? The purpose is to give a random or "gag" gift that goes into a pile. Each person draws a number to determine the order of gift selection. You have two options. You can either choose from the pile or take someone else's previously opened gift. Obviously, the advantage goes to the last one to draw. Although fun, I do not get too excited about the gifts involved in these events. White Elephant gifts are not as special to me because I usually have no need for them. I remember one year drawing an ugly mailbox cover that no one in their right mind would ever use to decorate their mailbox. I drew that gift early, and much to my chagrin, no one took it from me.
However, there a certain gifts that I treasure. What makes a gift valuable to me is the fact that I have a need for it. Jesus died on the cross to meet a need for me I could have never met for myself. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9not by works, so that no one can boast.” This gift is so valuable because it is the one I need most. Every gift I have received for Christmas will eventually perish, but the gift of eternal life lasts forever. Thank you, Jesus.
What an immense grace God is giving me! But how did I come to deserve it after so many sins? Truly our God is a God of mercy! He loads you with gifts at the very time you're giving Him no thought, or worse, betraying him. (Carlo Caretto) Romans 5:6-8 says, "6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The story of Alaskan Mushers delivering a serum is a great example of a life-saving mission to meet a need. Long before the legendary Iditarod Dog Sled Race was first run in 1973, a more important race took place in Alaska. On January 21, 1925, the lives of countless children in Nome were at stake. An epidemic of diphtheria had broken out, and the gold rush city did not have a sufficient amount of antitoxin. Dr. Curtis Welch telegraphed Fairbanks, Anchorage, Seward, and Juneau, asking for help. There were 300,000 units of the serum at a hospital in Anchorage, and it was the only serum in the entire state.
The problem was to get it to Nome in the shortest time possible. With the Bering Sea frozen and no railroad or roads extending to Nome's remote location, dog teams were the only solution. The hospital packed the 300,000 units were packed in an insulated container and transported them to Nenana on an overnight train.
Once the serum arrived, a 674-mile relay race by dog teams awaited. Mushers who delivered the mail normally covered that distance in a month. The first musher took the insulated cylinder of serum 52 miles, where he passed the lifesaving baton to the second musher, who traveled 31 miles. From musher to musher the relay continued until a total of 20 dog-sled drivers had cooperated to get the needed medicine to Nome by February 2nd. The life-saving serum arrived in only 127 ½ hours due to the cooperative effort of individuals willing to brave the austere Alaskan wilderness, sub-zero temperatures, and blinding blizzards.
This life-saving mission is a picture of how God works through many people over time to bring salvation to those who need it. These heroes of the faith include godly grandparents, Sunday school teachers, faithful friends, spiritual mentors.Jesus is truly our greatest gift. Because of the gift of Jesus, we are now destined to win. Nothing is worth more than eternal life. No investment has ever done more for mankind. And our greatest need was met in the indescribable gift of Jesus. Merry Christmas!
However, there a certain gifts that I treasure. What makes a gift valuable to me is the fact that I have a need for it. Jesus died on the cross to meet a need for me I could have never met for myself. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9not by works, so that no one can boast.” This gift is so valuable because it is the one I need most. Every gift I have received for Christmas will eventually perish, but the gift of eternal life lasts forever. Thank you, Jesus.
What an immense grace God is giving me! But how did I come to deserve it after so many sins? Truly our God is a God of mercy! He loads you with gifts at the very time you're giving Him no thought, or worse, betraying him. (Carlo Caretto) Romans 5:6-8 says, "6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The story of Alaskan Mushers delivering a serum is a great example of a life-saving mission to meet a need. Long before the legendary Iditarod Dog Sled Race was first run in 1973, a more important race took place in Alaska. On January 21, 1925, the lives of countless children in Nome were at stake. An epidemic of diphtheria had broken out, and the gold rush city did not have a sufficient amount of antitoxin. Dr. Curtis Welch telegraphed Fairbanks, Anchorage, Seward, and Juneau, asking for help. There were 300,000 units of the serum at a hospital in Anchorage, and it was the only serum in the entire state.
The problem was to get it to Nome in the shortest time possible. With the Bering Sea frozen and no railroad or roads extending to Nome's remote location, dog teams were the only solution. The hospital packed the 300,000 units were packed in an insulated container and transported them to Nenana on an overnight train.
Once the serum arrived, a 674-mile relay race by dog teams awaited. Mushers who delivered the mail normally covered that distance in a month. The first musher took the insulated cylinder of serum 52 miles, where he passed the lifesaving baton to the second musher, who traveled 31 miles. From musher to musher the relay continued until a total of 20 dog-sled drivers had cooperated to get the needed medicine to Nome by February 2nd. The life-saving serum arrived in only 127 ½ hours due to the cooperative effort of individuals willing to brave the austere Alaskan wilderness, sub-zero temperatures, and blinding blizzards.
This life-saving mission is a picture of how God works through many people over time to bring salvation to those who need it. These heroes of the faith include godly grandparents, Sunday school teachers, faithful friends, spiritual mentors.Jesus is truly our greatest gift. Because of the gift of Jesus, we are now destined to win. Nothing is worth more than eternal life. No investment has ever done more for mankind. And our greatest need was met in the indescribable gift of Jesus. Merry Christmas!
Jesus: God's Indescribable Gift! (Part 2)
There is one Christmas that stands out to me during my childhood. When you are a kid, Christmas is a much anticipated event and usually needs no hype to get one excited. However, this particular Christmas for me possessed an even greater sense of expectation. My Dad had been telling me for several weeks that he had a special gift for me. I couldn’t wait for Christmas day to come. In typical Christmas tradition at the Miller home, we opened first all the gifts under the tree. The special gifts were always hidden somewhere safe from curious young boys. As soon as we got done opening the gifts under the tree, my Dad told me to close my eyes as he escorted me outside. As we were standing in our driveway, he told me to open my eyes to see this gift I had been anxiously waiting for. To my utter disappointment it was a basketball goal. I remember saying to my Dad, “Why did you get me a basketball goal? I will never use it.”
To make a long story short, I attended Florida State University on a basketball scholarship. Countless hours of my life were spent on that basketball goal perfecting my shot. I’m sure the sound of a bouncing basketball drove my neighbors crazy. Just as I do now preparing for sermons, I spent most of my practice time shooting at night. As my Father, my Dad made a personal investment in my life that paid huge dividends. He saw a talent in me that I had not yet discovered. His $125.00 gift paid for a degree in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration. It also paid for room and board during my college years. His investment did two things. First, it launched me into part of my destiny. And secondly, it gained a huge return.
God’s investment into our lives should produce the same two things. It should launch us into our destiny and it should produce a great return. Apostle Paul was a benefactor of the investment God made into his life through Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” Notice how God changed his life and how he became an example for others to follow. It’s hard to comprehend the amount of people that were impacted by Apostle Paul. What a return on an investment!
Here is a great Christmas story about a couple who demonstrates the gratitude they have for the investment Christ made in them. Richard and Donna Hamann found a way to make their entire town happy. Anthon, Iowa, a community of 650 people, received an unexpected Christmas present from this retired farming couple.
The Hamanns paid the electric bill for every home and business in the town of Anthon. The bills, all due on Christmas day, totaled $25,000. Everyone appreciated the surprising and generous gift, and they expressed it with a stack of thank-you cards and letters.The only question anyone had was: Why?
Richard answered it this way: "The Lord has been very good to us, and so have the people of this community, so I always thought we ought to be doing something in return if we could."
Christmas reminds us that Jesus Christ has done so much for us. Let's make the most of this investment by living to bring glory to God. Merry Christmas!
To make a long story short, I attended Florida State University on a basketball scholarship. Countless hours of my life were spent on that basketball goal perfecting my shot. I’m sure the sound of a bouncing basketball drove my neighbors crazy. Just as I do now preparing for sermons, I spent most of my practice time shooting at night. As my Father, my Dad made a personal investment in my life that paid huge dividends. He saw a talent in me that I had not yet discovered. His $125.00 gift paid for a degree in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration. It also paid for room and board during my college years. His investment did two things. First, it launched me into part of my destiny. And secondly, it gained a huge return.
God’s investment into our lives should produce the same two things. It should launch us into our destiny and it should produce a great return. Apostle Paul was a benefactor of the investment God made into his life through Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” Notice how God changed his life and how he became an example for others to follow. It’s hard to comprehend the amount of people that were impacted by Apostle Paul. What a return on an investment!
Here is a great Christmas story about a couple who demonstrates the gratitude they have for the investment Christ made in them. Richard and Donna Hamann found a way to make their entire town happy. Anthon, Iowa, a community of 650 people, received an unexpected Christmas present from this retired farming couple.
The Hamanns paid the electric bill for every home and business in the town of Anthon. The bills, all due on Christmas day, totaled $25,000. Everyone appreciated the surprising and generous gift, and they expressed it with a stack of thank-you cards and letters.The only question anyone had was: Why?
Richard answered it this way: "The Lord has been very good to us, and so have the people of this community, so I always thought we ought to be doing something in return if we could."
Christmas reminds us that Jesus Christ has done so much for us. Let's make the most of this investment by living to bring glory to God. Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Jesus: God's Indescribable Gift! (Part 1)
I have noticed that gifts usually have three characteristics that identify them as out of the ordinary. First, they are worth something. Second, there was an intentional investment made in giving it to me. And third, I had a particular need for the gift. Worth, investment, and need are the keys to giving good gifts. I want to explore further what it means to have victory in Jesus using the acronym W-I-N.
The gift of Jesus Christ is worth more to mankind than anything else on the planet. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Think about it, according to God, the consequence of our sin is death. How many times do you have to lie to be a liar? How many times do you have to steal to be a thief? How many times do you have to commit sexual acts outside of marriage to be sexual immoral? How many times do you have to get drunk to be a drunkard? How many times do you have to use profanity to be impure? Guess what, the answer to all these questions is the same. ONE!!! Your one sin is worthy of eternal death according to God's righteous standard. Only when you understand this point can you appreciate what Jesus did for you. Sin is so serious to God, it required the ultimate sacrifice, the life of His son, to pay the penalty of it and remove it from our lives.
Remember, without Jesus we are sinners, unrighteous and found guilty of breaking His law. One of the principles that the Old Testament teaches us is that a blood sacrifice is required for the forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 says, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Our prison for breaking the law is hell. Would you go down to prison and offer the life of your Mom, Dad, child or best friend for the release of a criminal? Of course not! Nothing is more valuable to me than my sons. What if one of my sons had to die for the release of a prisoner? Sorry, that prisoner is going to die. However, by sending Jesus to the cross, God did the opposite for you and me. Hebrews 9:15 says, “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
When it comes to your salvation, I hope you are not like this person who failed to cash in on a sure winner. January 31, 2005, was the last chance for someone to cash in their Illinois lottery ticket entitling the lucky number holder to $14 million. No one came forward.
A gas station mini-mart in Frankfort, Illinois, verified the ticket had been sold at their location 12 months earlier, but the winner failed to claim the windfall. Despite an aggressive local and national television campaign to find the person with the winning numbers, it was all for naught. "It's really unfortunate because when our players play the game, we really want them to take advantage of the winnings," Illinois Lottery Supt. Carolyn Adams said.
As state law dictates, the money will be given to the State Common School Fund, which supports public education programs.
In much the same way, millions fail to cash in on the priceless gift of eternal salvation offered freely in Christ's death on the cross. Stay tuned for part two.
The gift of Jesus Christ is worth more to mankind than anything else on the planet. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Think about it, according to God, the consequence of our sin is death. How many times do you have to lie to be a liar? How many times do you have to steal to be a thief? How many times do you have to commit sexual acts outside of marriage to be sexual immoral? How many times do you have to get drunk to be a drunkard? How many times do you have to use profanity to be impure? Guess what, the answer to all these questions is the same. ONE!!! Your one sin is worthy of eternal death according to God's righteous standard. Only when you understand this point can you appreciate what Jesus did for you. Sin is so serious to God, it required the ultimate sacrifice, the life of His son, to pay the penalty of it and remove it from our lives.
Remember, without Jesus we are sinners, unrighteous and found guilty of breaking His law. One of the principles that the Old Testament teaches us is that a blood sacrifice is required for the forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 says, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Our prison for breaking the law is hell. Would you go down to prison and offer the life of your Mom, Dad, child or best friend for the release of a criminal? Of course not! Nothing is more valuable to me than my sons. What if one of my sons had to die for the release of a prisoner? Sorry, that prisoner is going to die. However, by sending Jesus to the cross, God did the opposite for you and me. Hebrews 9:15 says, “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
When it comes to your salvation, I hope you are not like this person who failed to cash in on a sure winner. January 31, 2005, was the last chance for someone to cash in their Illinois lottery ticket entitling the lucky number holder to $14 million. No one came forward.
A gas station mini-mart in Frankfort, Illinois, verified the ticket had been sold at their location 12 months earlier, but the winner failed to claim the windfall. Despite an aggressive local and national television campaign to find the person with the winning numbers, it was all for naught. "It's really unfortunate because when our players play the game, we really want them to take advantage of the winnings," Illinois Lottery Supt. Carolyn Adams said.
As state law dictates, the money will be given to the State Common School Fund, which supports public education programs.
In much the same way, millions fail to cash in on the priceless gift of eternal salvation offered freely in Christ's death on the cross. Stay tuned for part two.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
My Favorite Part of the Christmas Story
Once a month, I do a segment on talk radio called “Audio Adrenaline” on a local AM station. The purpose of “Audio Adrenaline” is to discuss spiritual matters. I enjoy doing this segment because it reaches so many listeners in my city. On my last interview, I was asked the question by the host, “What is your favorite part in the Christmas story?” Without hesitation I said, “It is Matthew 1:21”. It says, “She (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” I can’t imagine where I would be today without the gift of God given to us in Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:14-16 says, "14Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. 15But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification." In Adam we are destined to sin and in Jesus we are destined to win. Just as the the “s” is removed and replaced by a “w” to produce a new word, Jesus' death on the cross removed the curse of sin and death and replaced it with righteousness and a new life. Jesus Christ, God's gift to mankind, purchased a victory for us we could never purchase ourselves.
I will conclude with an ad that reminds us salvation is given and never earned. One ad for the U.S. Marines pictures a sword, and beneath it the words: "Earned, never given." If you want to become a Marine, be prepared to earn that name through sacrifice, hardship, and training. If you get it, you deserve it.
But if you want to become a Christian, you must have the exact opposite attitude, for the message of the gospel is: "Given, never earned."
You cannot save your own soul, and God will not save anyone who tries to earn salvation, but only those who will humbly receive it as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ. If you get it, you absolutely did not deserve it.
Romans 5:14-16 says, "14Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. 15But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification." In Adam we are destined to sin and in Jesus we are destined to win. Just as the the “s” is removed and replaced by a “w” to produce a new word, Jesus' death on the cross removed the curse of sin and death and replaced it with righteousness and a new life. Jesus Christ, God's gift to mankind, purchased a victory for us we could never purchase ourselves.
I will conclude with an ad that reminds us salvation is given and never earned. One ad for the U.S. Marines pictures a sword, and beneath it the words: "Earned, never given." If you want to become a Marine, be prepared to earn that name through sacrifice, hardship, and training. If you get it, you deserve it.
But if you want to become a Christian, you must have the exact opposite attitude, for the message of the gospel is: "Given, never earned."
You cannot save your own soul, and God will not save anyone who tries to earn salvation, but only those who will humbly receive it as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ. If you get it, you absolutely did not deserve it.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
The Pleasant Pain of Discipline (Part 4)
As I mentioned in part one of "The Pleasant Pain of Discipline", people quit working out and quit on God for the same reason-- they are not disciplined. Because of the absence of discipline, many people lack the attitude to finish strong. They get discouraged in their attempt to lose weight because they do not see immediate results. It takes hard work, discipline and time to lose weight. This is contrary to sensationalized television commercials that guarantee you will see desired results by training only five minutes a day. If you believe these commercials, discouragement will quickly set in when you realize it takes longer and harder workouts to accomplish your goal. This leads me to my fourth benefit of discipline--perspective.
In similiar fashion, many people get discouraged in their attempt to be like Jesus. James Kouzes says, "problems that are conceived of too broadly overwhelm people, because they defeat our capacity to even think about what might be done, let alone begin doing something about them." I will admit, Christlikeness can be quite an overwhelming thought. It is difficult to overcome and conquer a lifetime of bad habits. We can tend to look at our current condition and think it is impossible to ever change in such a way to act like Jesus. Also, it is so easy to compromise in a world full of distractions and temptations.
To justify our complacent state before God, we tend to compare ourselves to other people. As soon as we do this we lack wisdom and perspective. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." Think about it, you wouldn't go to the gym and look for someone equal to or less than you in physical conditioning to help you lose weight. If this is true, then why should we look to anyone besides Jesus to help us be more godly? So many times, we rely on our physical abilities to achieve our desired results. However, I have found that perspective, the mental veiw of the relative importance of things, is key to accomplishing the goal.
Hebrews 12:3-6 says, "3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." For what son is not disciplined by his father?" Our key to becoming more Christlike is to stay focused on Jesus. As we look to Him, we have a perfect model for godliness to imitate.
I will conclude with a great story on how the right perspective helped a man overcome tremendous obstacles to fulfill a lifelong dream. On July 15, 1982, Donald H. Bennett, a Seattle businessperson, realized one of his lifelong dreams of standing on the summit of Mount Rainier. Bennet climbed to the top of Mount Rainier on one leg, becoming the first amputee to scale that 14,410-foot mountain. In fact, he had to make that climb twice. The year before, a howling windstorm had nearly blown Bennett and his climbing team off the mountain. They had to give up 410 feet from the summit. But Bennett was not discouraged. For another full year, he worked out vigorously. On the second attempt, after five days of rigorous climbing, Bennett made it to the top.
When asked how he did it, he explained, "One hop at a time. I imagined myself on top of that mountain one thousand times a day in my mind. But when I started to climb it, I just said to myself, 'Anybody can hop from here to there. And I would.' And when the going got roughest, and I was really exhausted, that's when I would look down at the path ahead and say to myself, "You just have to take one more step, and anybody can do that.' And I would." (The Leadership Challenge)
Just like Bennett, we can attain the right perspective and accomplish our goal "one hop at a time". Whether its losing weight or becoming more Christlike, it is done one good decision one day at a time. The perspective acquired from the discipline of God will help us make the right decisions.
In similiar fashion, many people get discouraged in their attempt to be like Jesus. James Kouzes says, "problems that are conceived of too broadly overwhelm people, because they defeat our capacity to even think about what might be done, let alone begin doing something about them." I will admit, Christlikeness can be quite an overwhelming thought. It is difficult to overcome and conquer a lifetime of bad habits. We can tend to look at our current condition and think it is impossible to ever change in such a way to act like Jesus. Also, it is so easy to compromise in a world full of distractions and temptations.
To justify our complacent state before God, we tend to compare ourselves to other people. As soon as we do this we lack wisdom and perspective. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." Think about it, you wouldn't go to the gym and look for someone equal to or less than you in physical conditioning to help you lose weight. If this is true, then why should we look to anyone besides Jesus to help us be more godly? So many times, we rely on our physical abilities to achieve our desired results. However, I have found that perspective, the mental veiw of the relative importance of things, is key to accomplishing the goal.
Hebrews 12:3-6 says, "3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." For what son is not disciplined by his father?" Our key to becoming more Christlike is to stay focused on Jesus. As we look to Him, we have a perfect model for godliness to imitate.
I will conclude with a great story on how the right perspective helped a man overcome tremendous obstacles to fulfill a lifelong dream. On July 15, 1982, Donald H. Bennett, a Seattle businessperson, realized one of his lifelong dreams of standing on the summit of Mount Rainier. Bennet climbed to the top of Mount Rainier on one leg, becoming the first amputee to scale that 14,410-foot mountain. In fact, he had to make that climb twice. The year before, a howling windstorm had nearly blown Bennett and his climbing team off the mountain. They had to give up 410 feet from the summit. But Bennett was not discouraged. For another full year, he worked out vigorously. On the second attempt, after five days of rigorous climbing, Bennett made it to the top.
When asked how he did it, he explained, "One hop at a time. I imagined myself on top of that mountain one thousand times a day in my mind. But when I started to climb it, I just said to myself, 'Anybody can hop from here to there. And I would.' And when the going got roughest, and I was really exhausted, that's when I would look down at the path ahead and say to myself, "You just have to take one more step, and anybody can do that.' And I would." (The Leadership Challenge)
Just like Bennett, we can attain the right perspective and accomplish our goal "one hop at a time". Whether its losing weight or becoming more Christlike, it is done one good decision one day at a time. The perspective acquired from the discipline of God will help us make the right decisions.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
The Pleasant Pain of Discipline (Part 3)
After 21 straight years of working out six days a week, I can honestly say that I feel better about myself after a good workout. For me, training in the gym is a great way to reduce stress. I was talking to a friend the other day who had recently visited the doctors office. This person used to be fitness trainer and was in terrific shape. From his external appearance he still looked like he was in top form. However, he told me that he was diagnosed with a stress conditon. Due to family and job responsiblities, he found it quite difficult to get to the gym. As we talked, he reflected on how much better he felt when he was working out. He exhorted me to continue to make my physical conditioning a priority.
I must admit that working out is not always a pleasant activity for me. Sometimes it is painful and sometimes it is mundane. However, because I have been working out consisitently for 21 years, I have disciplined myself to go to the gym even when I don't feel like it. Without exception, even when I don't want to go, I always have a great feeling of peace when I finish my workout. I have noticed the same is true in my walk with God. I don't always feel like reading my Bible, praying or doing the right thing. However, after 12 straight years of being disciplined by God, I have learned to respond to feelings, temptations and trials based on truth. As a result, I have a peace that rests in my soul as his child. Hebrews 12:11 says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace by those who have been trained by it.
This leads my to my third benefit of God's discipline--peace. The Hebrew word for peace is Eirene. It means the absence or end of strife. Such a state of peace is the object of divine and saving promise and is brought about by God's mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin. Peace as a Messianic blessing is a state brought about by the grace and loving mind of God wherein the derangement and distress of life caused by sin are removed. Hence, the message of salvation is called the gospel of peace. It can be the result only of accomplished reconciliation, referring to the new relationship between man and God brought about by the atonement.
We can only have true peace when we recieve Jesus as Lord and Savior and allow Him to remove sin from our lives. As you become a child of God, God disciplines you and punishes you because he loves you. He is after the development of His character inside of you. Just because you believe in Him doesn't mean you are now acting like Him. His discipline works Christlikeness in you. Here is how it works. You pray, "Lord I want to be like you." God answers that prayer by beginning to discipline you through hardship. And for some reason, we forget our prayer and lose sight of how God answers. . Hebrews 12: 5-6 says, "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, (6) because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
After God disciplines you, he draws you back close to Himself. He does not want us to stay distant, disconneted or condemned. I have personally experienced the wisdom of discipline as I have applied it to my children for disobedience or bad attitudes. Proverbs 13:24 says, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. As I discipline them with the rod, my sons are learning at an early age the truth that disobedience leads to pain. A thrity second sting on the behind is much better than a lifetime of living with a broken, bruised, or hardened heart due to sinful behavior. It also teaches them how to humble themselves and admit when they have behaved wrongly. How different would our society be if we would just admit when we are wrong? Next, it teaches them to ask their father for forgiveness. And without exception, they always get forgiveness and an abundance of mercy and grace. After a time of prayer, I speak words of destiny, instruction and affirmation over them. As I wrap my arms around them and hug them, I tell them with full assurance how much I love them. As they leave the room, they are smiling, laughing, secure and at peace. As Proverbs 6:23 says, "the corrections of discipline are the way of life."
As we become the children of God and receive his discipline, peace is produced in our lives. Another indicator that we are the chidren of God is the ability to make peace. The Hebrew word for peacemaker is Eirenopoios. It means the one who makes peace in others having first received the peace of God in his own heart; not simply one who makes peace between two parties. Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.
Of course, Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. Only Jesus can remove sin from our lives and give us peace. Its amazing that Jesus would use the cross, a instrument of torture, suffering and death, to bring peace to the world. I will conclude with a powerful story of a monk impacted by the cross of Christ, and as a result, spread the peace of God.
In the fourth century, a monk named Telemachus wanted to live his life in pursuit of God, so he lived alone in the desert praying, fasting, and meditating. One day as he prayed, he realized his life was based on a selfish love of God, not selfless. If he were to serve God, he must serve men. He decided to return to the city where there was sin and need.
Telemachus headed for Rome. He arrived at a time when the Roman general, Stillcho, had won a great victory over the Goths. Since Rome was officially Christian, triumph brought people pouring into the churches.
But one pagan practice still lingered in Christian Rome—the gladiator games. While Christians were not thrown to the lions, prisoners of war were cast into the arena to fight and kill each other. Spectators roared with blood lust as the gladiators battled.
Telemachus arrived on the day of the games. Following the noise, he made his way to the arena where 80,000 people had gathered to celebrate. The fights began and Telemachus stood aghast. Men for whom Christ had died were about to kill each other to amuse a supposedly Christian populace.
Telemachus jumped the wall and in a moment stood between two gladiators. For an instant they stopped, but the crowd screamed, “Let the games go on.” So they pushed the old man in monk’s robes aside. Again he came between the gladiators.The crowd hurled stones at him; they urged the gladiators to kill him and get him out of the way. The commander of the games gave the order—a sword flashed and Telemachus lay dead.
Suddenly the crowd hushed silent, shocked that a holy man had been killed. The games ended abruptly that day—and were never resumed. Telemachus, by dying, had ended them. As historian Edward Gibbon observed, “His death was more useful to mankind than his life.” (From an article by Nancy Hardin in "On Target", a publication of Denver Seminary)
May our lives glorify God and spread His peace. Stay tuned for benefit number four.
I must admit that working out is not always a pleasant activity for me. Sometimes it is painful and sometimes it is mundane. However, because I have been working out consisitently for 21 years, I have disciplined myself to go to the gym even when I don't feel like it. Without exception, even when I don't want to go, I always have a great feeling of peace when I finish my workout. I have noticed the same is true in my walk with God. I don't always feel like reading my Bible, praying or doing the right thing. However, after 12 straight years of being disciplined by God, I have learned to respond to feelings, temptations and trials based on truth. As a result, I have a peace that rests in my soul as his child. Hebrews 12:11 says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace by those who have been trained by it.
This leads my to my third benefit of God's discipline--peace. The Hebrew word for peace is Eirene. It means the absence or end of strife. Such a state of peace is the object of divine and saving promise and is brought about by God's mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin. Peace as a Messianic blessing is a state brought about by the grace and loving mind of God wherein the derangement and distress of life caused by sin are removed. Hence, the message of salvation is called the gospel of peace. It can be the result only of accomplished reconciliation, referring to the new relationship between man and God brought about by the atonement.
We can only have true peace when we recieve Jesus as Lord and Savior and allow Him to remove sin from our lives. As you become a child of God, God disciplines you and punishes you because he loves you. He is after the development of His character inside of you. Just because you believe in Him doesn't mean you are now acting like Him. His discipline works Christlikeness in you. Here is how it works. You pray, "Lord I want to be like you." God answers that prayer by beginning to discipline you through hardship. And for some reason, we forget our prayer and lose sight of how God answers. . Hebrews 12: 5-6 says, "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, (6) because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
After God disciplines you, he draws you back close to Himself. He does not want us to stay distant, disconneted or condemned. I have personally experienced the wisdom of discipline as I have applied it to my children for disobedience or bad attitudes. Proverbs 13:24 says, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. As I discipline them with the rod, my sons are learning at an early age the truth that disobedience leads to pain. A thrity second sting on the behind is much better than a lifetime of living with a broken, bruised, or hardened heart due to sinful behavior. It also teaches them how to humble themselves and admit when they have behaved wrongly. How different would our society be if we would just admit when we are wrong? Next, it teaches them to ask their father for forgiveness. And without exception, they always get forgiveness and an abundance of mercy and grace. After a time of prayer, I speak words of destiny, instruction and affirmation over them. As I wrap my arms around them and hug them, I tell them with full assurance how much I love them. As they leave the room, they are smiling, laughing, secure and at peace. As Proverbs 6:23 says, "the corrections of discipline are the way of life."
As we become the children of God and receive his discipline, peace is produced in our lives. Another indicator that we are the chidren of God is the ability to make peace. The Hebrew word for peacemaker is Eirenopoios. It means the one who makes peace in others having first received the peace of God in his own heart; not simply one who makes peace between two parties. Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.
Of course, Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. Only Jesus can remove sin from our lives and give us peace. Its amazing that Jesus would use the cross, a instrument of torture, suffering and death, to bring peace to the world. I will conclude with a powerful story of a monk impacted by the cross of Christ, and as a result, spread the peace of God.
In the fourth century, a monk named Telemachus wanted to live his life in pursuit of God, so he lived alone in the desert praying, fasting, and meditating. One day as he prayed, he realized his life was based on a selfish love of God, not selfless. If he were to serve God, he must serve men. He decided to return to the city where there was sin and need.
Telemachus headed for Rome. He arrived at a time when the Roman general, Stillcho, had won a great victory over the Goths. Since Rome was officially Christian, triumph brought people pouring into the churches.
But one pagan practice still lingered in Christian Rome—the gladiator games. While Christians were not thrown to the lions, prisoners of war were cast into the arena to fight and kill each other. Spectators roared with blood lust as the gladiators battled.
Telemachus arrived on the day of the games. Following the noise, he made his way to the arena where 80,000 people had gathered to celebrate. The fights began and Telemachus stood aghast. Men for whom Christ had died were about to kill each other to amuse a supposedly Christian populace.
Telemachus jumped the wall and in a moment stood between two gladiators. For an instant they stopped, but the crowd screamed, “Let the games go on.” So they pushed the old man in monk’s robes aside. Again he came between the gladiators.The crowd hurled stones at him; they urged the gladiators to kill him and get him out of the way. The commander of the games gave the order—a sword flashed and Telemachus lay dead.
Suddenly the crowd hushed silent, shocked that a holy man had been killed. The games ended abruptly that day—and were never resumed. Telemachus, by dying, had ended them. As historian Edward Gibbon observed, “His death was more useful to mankind than his life.” (From an article by Nancy Hardin in "On Target", a publication of Denver Seminary)
May our lives glorify God and spread His peace. Stay tuned for benefit number four.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
The Pleasant Pain of Discipline (Part 2)
When working out, there are certain signs that imply someone is serious about getting in shape. Here are a few signals that indicate to me someone is commited in the gym: hiring a personal trainer, consistency of attendance, intensity of effort (more working than talking), and new workout attire. According to the Bible, there are many indicators that prove we love God and are His children. Some of them include: His Spirit living in us and obedience to His commands (1 John 3:24), loving one another (1 John 4:12), acknowledging Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 4:15), and the fruit we bear (Matthew 7:16-23, John 15:1-8). Another powerful criterion of sonship with God is discipline. Hebrews 12:8 says, "If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Receiving discipline from God, as much as anything else, marks us as true children. It makes sense. There are only two people I discipline on a daily basis. Their names are Josiah and Ethan. And guess what, they are my sons. Hebrews 12:9-10 says, "Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it (not true anymore in the 21st century). How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! (10) Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." There are two main reasons I discipline my sons--love and Christlikeness. This leads to the second benefit of discipline--perfection.
Hebrews 12:2 says, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Not only is Jesus the author of our faith, He is also the perfecter of it. I am going to go ahead and say it. I can't take it anymore! I have to get it off my chest! God's goal for us is perfection!!! He expects us to be just like Jesus. 1 John 1:5-6 says, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we live in him: (6) Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. When we believe this truth, 1 John 3:2-3 tells us how we should respond as the children of God. It says, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (3) Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. I will say it again--God expects us to be like Jesus. Go ahead, pick up your stone. I know this sounds blasphemous to much of the body of Christ. But before you throw, let's define perfection and look at some more scriptures.
By perfection, I mean to be complete and mature, to accomplish the goal or purpose. The Greek word for perfect in Colossians 1:28 is teleios. The teleios is one who has attained his moral end, the goal for which he was intended, namely, to be a person obedient in Christ. When used in a moral sense, referring to God's expectation of us, completely blameless. In James 1:4, "that you may be perfect" means that you may not be morally lacking. In Hebrews 12:2 the word for perfecter is teleiotes meaning what achieves its goal. A completer, perfecter, one who brings something through to the goal so as to win and receive the prize. What an awesome truth that the devil does not want us to understand. This truth is Jesus!!! The perfect sacrifice for our sins. The perfect person to give us his spirit and a new nature. And Jesus is the perfecter of our faith here on earth. Because he lives in us, should we be anything less than perfect? Hold on, don't throw yet, I still have more scripture.
1 John 3:7,9 says, "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. (9) No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. Do we have to sin? Is Christ's redemption and reconciliation for man on the cross final? Don't we have a new nature when we are born again? Apostle Paul had a certain desire for the saints of God at both Colosse and Corinth. In Colossians 1:28 he wrote, "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 13:11, as part of his final greetings, he exhorts the church to aim for perfection. Why would Apostle Paul have such a high expectation if it were not possible? Perfection is possible in and through Jesus. I trust you have put down your stone and not shut off your computer.
Here is a great illustration on how perfection and righteous behavior is a normal expectation of life. Author Max Lucado writes: All of us occasionally do what is right. A few predominately do what is right. But do any of us always do what is right? According to Paul we don't. "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10, NKJV).Some may beg to differ. "I'm not perfect, Max, but I'm better than most folks. I've led a good life. I don't break the rules. I don't break hearts. I help people. I like people. Compared to others, I think I could say I'm a righteous person." I used to try that on my mother. She'd tell me that my room wasn't clean, and I'd ask her to go with me to my brother's room. His was always messier than mine. "See, my room is clean; just look at his."
It never worked. She'd walk me down the hall to her room. When it came to tidy rooms, my mom was righteous. Her closet was just right. Her bed was just right. Her bathroom was just right. Compared to hers, my room was, well, just wrong. She would show me her room and say, "This is what I mean by clean." God does the same. He points to himself and says, "This is what I mean by righteousness." May we continue to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and in doing so become just like Him. Stay tuned for part three on the discipline of God.
Receiving discipline from God, as much as anything else, marks us as true children. It makes sense. There are only two people I discipline on a daily basis. Their names are Josiah and Ethan. And guess what, they are my sons. Hebrews 12:9-10 says, "Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it (not true anymore in the 21st century). How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! (10) Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." There are two main reasons I discipline my sons--love and Christlikeness. This leads to the second benefit of discipline--perfection.
Hebrews 12:2 says, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Not only is Jesus the author of our faith, He is also the perfecter of it. I am going to go ahead and say it. I can't take it anymore! I have to get it off my chest! God's goal for us is perfection!!! He expects us to be just like Jesus. 1 John 1:5-6 says, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we live in him: (6) Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. When we believe this truth, 1 John 3:2-3 tells us how we should respond as the children of God. It says, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (3) Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. I will say it again--God expects us to be like Jesus. Go ahead, pick up your stone. I know this sounds blasphemous to much of the body of Christ. But before you throw, let's define perfection and look at some more scriptures.
By perfection, I mean to be complete and mature, to accomplish the goal or purpose. The Greek word for perfect in Colossians 1:28 is teleios. The teleios is one who has attained his moral end, the goal for which he was intended, namely, to be a person obedient in Christ. When used in a moral sense, referring to God's expectation of us, completely blameless. In James 1:4, "that you may be perfect" means that you may not be morally lacking. In Hebrews 12:2 the word for perfecter is teleiotes meaning what achieves its goal. A completer, perfecter, one who brings something through to the goal so as to win and receive the prize. What an awesome truth that the devil does not want us to understand. This truth is Jesus!!! The perfect sacrifice for our sins. The perfect person to give us his spirit and a new nature. And Jesus is the perfecter of our faith here on earth. Because he lives in us, should we be anything less than perfect? Hold on, don't throw yet, I still have more scripture.
1 John 3:7,9 says, "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. (9) No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. Do we have to sin? Is Christ's redemption and reconciliation for man on the cross final? Don't we have a new nature when we are born again? Apostle Paul had a certain desire for the saints of God at both Colosse and Corinth. In Colossians 1:28 he wrote, "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 13:11, as part of his final greetings, he exhorts the church to aim for perfection. Why would Apostle Paul have such a high expectation if it were not possible? Perfection is possible in and through Jesus. I trust you have put down your stone and not shut off your computer.
Here is a great illustration on how perfection and righteous behavior is a normal expectation of life. Author Max Lucado writes: All of us occasionally do what is right. A few predominately do what is right. But do any of us always do what is right? According to Paul we don't. "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10, NKJV).Some may beg to differ. "I'm not perfect, Max, but I'm better than most folks. I've led a good life. I don't break the rules. I don't break hearts. I help people. I like people. Compared to others, I think I could say I'm a righteous person." I used to try that on my mother. She'd tell me that my room wasn't clean, and I'd ask her to go with me to my brother's room. His was always messier than mine. "See, my room is clean; just look at his."
It never worked. She'd walk me down the hall to her room. When it came to tidy rooms, my mom was righteous. Her closet was just right. Her bed was just right. Her bathroom was just right. Compared to hers, my room was, well, just wrong. She would show me her room and say, "This is what I mean by clean." God does the same. He points to himself and says, "This is what I mean by righteousness." May we continue to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and in doing so become just like Him. Stay tuned for part three on the discipline of God.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
The Pleasant Pain of Discipline (Part 1)
While rushing through my circuit workout on Wednesday, another gentlemen lifting weights in a hurry, commented on how he enjoyed working out during the times when the gym contained less people. As we looked around, there was no more than ten people working out in the 10,000 sqare foot weightroom of a facility that has over 7,000 members. It could be argued that it was just a slow time of the day for gym activity, however, I think there is another reason.
After five years of working out at this particular facility, I have noticed a certain trend. Near the end of the year, the attendance in the gym begins to decrease. In the first three months of the year, the gym is constantly crowded. In January, I remember one of the sales personnel commenting on the number of people who join the gym as a "New Year's Resolution". At the beginning of the year they seem so dedicated, but by the end of the year they are no where to be found. I believe I know what the reason is--it is a lack of discipline.
As I thought about the lack of consistency and commitment to follow through on a New Year's Resolution, it reminded me of how many people act the same way in regards to their faith. Many people respond to an altar call or go to confession with the intent to dedicate their lives to God's will. Unfortunately, as in the case of so many who join a gym, these people do not follow through on their commitment.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." This passage of scripture reveals to us that the life a faith is much like running a race. And this race is not a sprint, it is more like an Iron Man contest. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Apostle Paul exhorts us to run this race (of faith) in such a way to win the prize. This is no stroll in the park! To be successful, it takes an all-out effort. Why do people quit working out in the gym? Why do people quit on God? For the same reason--they lack discipline!
Many people lack discipline because they were never received proper discipline. Its interesting to note that Hebrews 12 follows the great chapter of faith. The arrangement of chapters in the Book of Hebrews are reminding us of something so important. If you are going to live a life of faith, you must be a disciplined person. Referencing Hebrews 12:1-11, I would like to point out four benefits of receiving discipline.
The first benefit of discipline is perseverance. Hebrews 10:36 says, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." An article in World Magazine titled, "Uphill all the way", Joel Belz reminds us of what kind of race we have entered. He says, "If you know in advance that the whole course of the marathon is uphill, it's a lot less discouraging when you round the next curve and find right there in front of you--another hill! What really saps you is to hope for a gentle downhill grade and then discover the opposite. Christians are people who know that by definition it's uphill all the way. If God grants a respite now and then, that's a bonus. But it isn't what we should expect." "In the world you will have tribulation," Jesus taught his disciples. "Jesus Himself never had it any better. He never had guaranteed seasons of relaxation where things tended to go His way. Why should we?"
Belz goes on to say, "But no one should equate this outlook with mere pessismism, or just posturing yourself to expect the worst. It isn't even something so meager as realism. This is, to the contrary, genuine optimism. Rooted in the confidence of knowing the terrain is a worldview altogether ready for the grueling grade. It remembers a whole string of promises as it sizes up the steep mountain road." "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "You shall walk and not be weary; you shall run and not be faint." "In the world you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world." "And then it renews the uphill assault."
What a great article to remind us that this life of faith is a fight to advance the Kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Apostle Paul describes his disciplined training by saying, "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. (27) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." We are in a battle with an enemy who seeks the bring total destruction and death to our society. Until Christ comes back, we are engaged in an "uphill" assault to see the prisoners freed from the devil's bondage. The question is how well will we fight? Will we die on the climb or will we advance in victory? At the end of his life Apostle Paul says will full assurance in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Like Apostle Paul, as we receive God's discipline, we too can have the confidence of knowing that we can persevere in the race and fight the good fight of faith. Stay tuned for benefit number two.
After five years of working out at this particular facility, I have noticed a certain trend. Near the end of the year, the attendance in the gym begins to decrease. In the first three months of the year, the gym is constantly crowded. In January, I remember one of the sales personnel commenting on the number of people who join the gym as a "New Year's Resolution". At the beginning of the year they seem so dedicated, but by the end of the year they are no where to be found. I believe I know what the reason is--it is a lack of discipline.
As I thought about the lack of consistency and commitment to follow through on a New Year's Resolution, it reminded me of how many people act the same way in regards to their faith. Many people respond to an altar call or go to confession with the intent to dedicate their lives to God's will. Unfortunately, as in the case of so many who join a gym, these people do not follow through on their commitment.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." This passage of scripture reveals to us that the life a faith is much like running a race. And this race is not a sprint, it is more like an Iron Man contest. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Apostle Paul exhorts us to run this race (of faith) in such a way to win the prize. This is no stroll in the park! To be successful, it takes an all-out effort. Why do people quit working out in the gym? Why do people quit on God? For the same reason--they lack discipline!
Many people lack discipline because they were never received proper discipline. Its interesting to note that Hebrews 12 follows the great chapter of faith. The arrangement of chapters in the Book of Hebrews are reminding us of something so important. If you are going to live a life of faith, you must be a disciplined person. Referencing Hebrews 12:1-11, I would like to point out four benefits of receiving discipline.
The first benefit of discipline is perseverance. Hebrews 10:36 says, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." An article in World Magazine titled, "Uphill all the way", Joel Belz reminds us of what kind of race we have entered. He says, "If you know in advance that the whole course of the marathon is uphill, it's a lot less discouraging when you round the next curve and find right there in front of you--another hill! What really saps you is to hope for a gentle downhill grade and then discover the opposite. Christians are people who know that by definition it's uphill all the way. If God grants a respite now and then, that's a bonus. But it isn't what we should expect." "In the world you will have tribulation," Jesus taught his disciples. "Jesus Himself never had it any better. He never had guaranteed seasons of relaxation where things tended to go His way. Why should we?"
Belz goes on to say, "But no one should equate this outlook with mere pessismism, or just posturing yourself to expect the worst. It isn't even something so meager as realism. This is, to the contrary, genuine optimism. Rooted in the confidence of knowing the terrain is a worldview altogether ready for the grueling grade. It remembers a whole string of promises as it sizes up the steep mountain road." "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "You shall walk and not be weary; you shall run and not be faint." "In the world you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world." "And then it renews the uphill assault."
What a great article to remind us that this life of faith is a fight to advance the Kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Apostle Paul describes his disciplined training by saying, "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. (27) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." We are in a battle with an enemy who seeks the bring total destruction and death to our society. Until Christ comes back, we are engaged in an "uphill" assault to see the prisoners freed from the devil's bondage. The question is how well will we fight? Will we die on the climb or will we advance in victory? At the end of his life Apostle Paul says will full assurance in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Like Apostle Paul, as we receive God's discipline, we too can have the confidence of knowing that we can persevere in the race and fight the good fight of faith. Stay tuned for benefit number two.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Fatherless America: Rediscovering Our Greatest Revelation
Our greatest revelation of God is discovered in Jesus. Hebrews 1:3 says, "The Son (Jesus) is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being." Jesus as the Son of God came into this world to reveal to us that God is our Father (John 17:5-6). The meaning of our life stems from our relationship with God and with Jesus. Because God is a Father, this means He is relational. A father cannot be defined alone. To be a father is to be a father of someone. Our activities in life should be an extension of our relationship with God as our Father.
After riding the bike in the gym one day last week, I entered into a conversation with a gentlemen who was getting ready to start running on the track. I had just recently discovered that he was going through a divorce. As you can imagine, many things were discussed during this moment as he reflected back on his life and marriage experience. One point I took note of in our conversation was the fact that his father had died when he was five years old. Because of his wanton and drunken behavior, his father lost many years of his life. Sadly as he talked, he mentioned the only thing he learned from his father was not to be like him. As we ended our conversation, I headed to the locker room pondering this thought-- if this gentlemen had been properly fathered, would his marriage ended in divorce?
It is frightening to think about the devastating effects fatherlessness has had on America. Malachi 4:6 tells us that when the hearts of the fathers are turned away from their children, and as a result the hearts of the children are turned away from the fathers, our land will be cursed. The absence of paternal transmission contributes to a decline of character and competence in our children. Without fathers, boys become less masculine and girls less feminine. When fathers are absent, boys are more prone to violence and girls are more susceptible to sexual promiscuity. The primary result is boys with more guns and girls with more illegitimate babies.
In the November 7th issue of ESPN magazine, Sheryl Swoopes of the Houston Comets is featured in an article titled, "Outside the Arc." The article talks about how this recent Most Valuable Player of the Womens National Basketball Association has discovered that she is a lesbian. On page 120, she makes an interesting and revealing comment about her relationship with her father. She describes her relationship with her father as non-existent saying, "My father was never around--I never met him." Many studies confirm that girls who grow up without fathers are at a much greater risk for early sexual activity, adolescent childbearing, divorce and lack of sexual identity. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul teaches that the final downfall of a society is when natural relations are exchanged for unnatural ones. God help us.
In Fatherless America, David Blankenhorn addresses our most pressing social problem. He says, "The most urgent domestic challenge facing the United States at the close of the 21st century is the re-creation of fatherhood as a vital social role for men. At state is nothing less than the success of the American experiment. For unless we reverse the trend of fatherlessness, no other set of accomplishments--not economic growth or prison construction or welfare reform or better schools--will succeed in arresting the decline of child well-being and the spread of male violence. To tolerate the trend of fatherlessness is to accept the inevitability of continued societal recession."
Because of the importance of the father to the benefit of society, it is the position most attacked by the devil. The devil knows that if he can destroy the father, he can eradicate the greatest revelation of God. Unfortunately, a majority of men have been captured in his destructive plan by participating in immorality, greed and impurity. As a result, they have abandoned their children. In 1990, more than 36 percent of all children in the nation were living apart from their fathers--more than double the rate in 1960. The trend shows no sign of slowing down. Indeed, it seems quite probable that, as of 1994, fully 40 percent of all children in the nation did not live with their fathers. Scholars estimate that, before they reach age eighteen, more than half of all children in the nation will live apart from their fathers for at least a significant portion of their childhoods (Fatherless America)
Our greatest revelation of God as a father is profound. The essence of fatherhood is simple. A father for every child born. But in our society, few ideas could be more radical. Embracing the fatherhood idea would require a fundamental shift in cultural values and in parental behavior. No other change in American family life could produce such dramatic improvement in child and societal well being. I pray the hearts of the fathers will return to their children. If so, once again America will live as a nation blessed by God.
After riding the bike in the gym one day last week, I entered into a conversation with a gentlemen who was getting ready to start running on the track. I had just recently discovered that he was going through a divorce. As you can imagine, many things were discussed during this moment as he reflected back on his life and marriage experience. One point I took note of in our conversation was the fact that his father had died when he was five years old. Because of his wanton and drunken behavior, his father lost many years of his life. Sadly as he talked, he mentioned the only thing he learned from his father was not to be like him. As we ended our conversation, I headed to the locker room pondering this thought-- if this gentlemen had been properly fathered, would his marriage ended in divorce?
It is frightening to think about the devastating effects fatherlessness has had on America. Malachi 4:6 tells us that when the hearts of the fathers are turned away from their children, and as a result the hearts of the children are turned away from the fathers, our land will be cursed. The absence of paternal transmission contributes to a decline of character and competence in our children. Without fathers, boys become less masculine and girls less feminine. When fathers are absent, boys are more prone to violence and girls are more susceptible to sexual promiscuity. The primary result is boys with more guns and girls with more illegitimate babies.
In the November 7th issue of ESPN magazine, Sheryl Swoopes of the Houston Comets is featured in an article titled, "Outside the Arc." The article talks about how this recent Most Valuable Player of the Womens National Basketball Association has discovered that she is a lesbian. On page 120, she makes an interesting and revealing comment about her relationship with her father. She describes her relationship with her father as non-existent saying, "My father was never around--I never met him." Many studies confirm that girls who grow up without fathers are at a much greater risk for early sexual activity, adolescent childbearing, divorce and lack of sexual identity. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul teaches that the final downfall of a society is when natural relations are exchanged for unnatural ones. God help us.
In Fatherless America, David Blankenhorn addresses our most pressing social problem. He says, "The most urgent domestic challenge facing the United States at the close of the 21st century is the re-creation of fatherhood as a vital social role for men. At state is nothing less than the success of the American experiment. For unless we reverse the trend of fatherlessness, no other set of accomplishments--not economic growth or prison construction or welfare reform or better schools--will succeed in arresting the decline of child well-being and the spread of male violence. To tolerate the trend of fatherlessness is to accept the inevitability of continued societal recession."
Because of the importance of the father to the benefit of society, it is the position most attacked by the devil. The devil knows that if he can destroy the father, he can eradicate the greatest revelation of God. Unfortunately, a majority of men have been captured in his destructive plan by participating in immorality, greed and impurity. As a result, they have abandoned their children. In 1990, more than 36 percent of all children in the nation were living apart from their fathers--more than double the rate in 1960. The trend shows no sign of slowing down. Indeed, it seems quite probable that, as of 1994, fully 40 percent of all children in the nation did not live with their fathers. Scholars estimate that, before they reach age eighteen, more than half of all children in the nation will live apart from their fathers for at least a significant portion of their childhoods (Fatherless America)
Our greatest revelation of God as a father is profound. The essence of fatherhood is simple. A father for every child born. But in our society, few ideas could be more radical. Embracing the fatherhood idea would require a fundamental shift in cultural values and in parental behavior. No other change in American family life could produce such dramatic improvement in child and societal well being. I pray the hearts of the fathers will return to their children. If so, once again America will live as a nation blessed by God.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
There Has Always Been Two Pools and ONE GOD!!
In the gym, one of my favorite places to stretch is on the second floor by the window overlooking the aerobic and lap swimming pools. I particularly like this spot because no one is there and the sun shines in to create a warm spot. This shining sun helps keep my body warm while I stretch to loosen up for my weight workout down below on the first floor. I wish I could stay in this place of comfort for my entire workout. However, I know that unless I do the work, my love handles will only increase.
While stretching, a couple getting a tour of the facility stood next to me by the window. Their tour guide, a sales employee, was explaining how the two pools are used in different ways to exercise . The gentlemen, in reference to a previous visit to the gym, spoke up to the salesman and asked, "When did they build the second pool?" The salesman, a recent employee to the gym said, "I think there has always been two pools." The gentlemen responded quickly and with full assurance, "No, I swear, there was only one pool."
What neither gentlemen knew was that I used to be the associate director of the gym. In 2001, I was hired three months prior to the opening date of the gym. My responsiblities included staffing the facility and assisting in getting it operational. I am normally a man who prefers to "mind his own business", but more importantly I am a man who loves truth. I could not let this moment pass by without letting the gentlemen know the facts about the pool situation. Twisted like a pretzel, in a strained and polite voice, I said to the gentlemen, "There has always been two pools." Both of them looked at me, nodded in belief and continued on their tour.
As I went to work out, I kept pondering how often we think we are so right when in reality we are so wrong. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." I have met so many people over the years who have insisted their system of belief or their way of living is the correct one. Many of their belief systems did not include God and the truth found in His word. According to Newsweek/Beliefnet Poll, eight in 10 Americans--including 68 percent of evangelicals--believe that more than one faith can be the path to salvation, which is most likely not what they were taught in Sunday school. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that the time would come when men would no longer put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Welcome to the America of the 21st century.
Truth is more than a correct way of thinking, a reality or fact, it is actually a person. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." All correct thinking, reality and fact--all truth begins with knowing Jesus. How does God's word differ from what 8 of 10 Americans believe about the path of salvation? Acts 4:12 says, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Whether it is radical Muslims in the name of Allah who believe they can crash planes into buildings and receive virgins in paradise for their faith, or Mormons who believe through obedience and good works they will become gods who rule and populate other planets, or Kabbalists who believe God's power depends on humanity's actions and that is why He needs our worship, or secularists who believe man is the measure of all things, or homosexuals who attempt to find happiness through immoral behavior, or abortionists who promote rights without responsibility and endorse the murdering of innocent babies -- all deceptive thinking starts with the denial of Jesus as God and the trust in self. James 1:16 says very simply and concisely, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers."
Instead of believing Jesus, (the path of salvation) we have trusted in ourselves (the path of destruction). Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths (to salvation) straight". In contrast to Proverbs 3:5-6, the path to destruction goes like this: (1) self-deception, then (2) self-deification, and then (3) self-destruction. In other words, when we trust ourselves more than God we become deceived. Then, out of this state of deception, we make ourselves out to be gods or we become self-righteous. In fact, Apostle Paul told Timothy that the number one characteristic of a society in terrible times is that they are lovers of themselves (2 Timothy 3:2). And finally, when we trust in our self-rightness, we destroy ourselves through greed, immorality and impurity.
As disciples of Jesus, we can no longer stay in our place of comfort where no one will bother us. We need to "focus on things above", but we also need to focus on our work here on earth. Like Jesus in John 17:4, we can bring God glory on earth by completing the work he gave us to do. Its time to leave our warm spot on the second floor and engage this fight of faith on the first floor. As lovers of the truth, we need to stop "minding our own business" and do the work of an evangelist wherever God has placed us in our calling. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus commanded us to, "Go and make disciples of all nations, and teach them to obey everything I commanded you." God promises his power will manifest in and through us and we go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15-18). Let's not let another moment pass us by. We have a great message to tell because we know "The Truth"--"There has always been two pools and ONE GOD!!"
While stretching, a couple getting a tour of the facility stood next to me by the window. Their tour guide, a sales employee, was explaining how the two pools are used in different ways to exercise . The gentlemen, in reference to a previous visit to the gym, spoke up to the salesman and asked, "When did they build the second pool?" The salesman, a recent employee to the gym said, "I think there has always been two pools." The gentlemen responded quickly and with full assurance, "No, I swear, there was only one pool."
What neither gentlemen knew was that I used to be the associate director of the gym. In 2001, I was hired three months prior to the opening date of the gym. My responsiblities included staffing the facility and assisting in getting it operational. I am normally a man who prefers to "mind his own business", but more importantly I am a man who loves truth. I could not let this moment pass by without letting the gentlemen know the facts about the pool situation. Twisted like a pretzel, in a strained and polite voice, I said to the gentlemen, "There has always been two pools." Both of them looked at me, nodded in belief and continued on their tour.
As I went to work out, I kept pondering how often we think we are so right when in reality we are so wrong. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." I have met so many people over the years who have insisted their system of belief or their way of living is the correct one. Many of their belief systems did not include God and the truth found in His word. According to Newsweek/Beliefnet Poll, eight in 10 Americans--including 68 percent of evangelicals--believe that more than one faith can be the path to salvation, which is most likely not what they were taught in Sunday school. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that the time would come when men would no longer put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Welcome to the America of the 21st century.
Truth is more than a correct way of thinking, a reality or fact, it is actually a person. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." All correct thinking, reality and fact--all truth begins with knowing Jesus. How does God's word differ from what 8 of 10 Americans believe about the path of salvation? Acts 4:12 says, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Whether it is radical Muslims in the name of Allah who believe they can crash planes into buildings and receive virgins in paradise for their faith, or Mormons who believe through obedience and good works they will become gods who rule and populate other planets, or Kabbalists who believe God's power depends on humanity's actions and that is why He needs our worship, or secularists who believe man is the measure of all things, or homosexuals who attempt to find happiness through immoral behavior, or abortionists who promote rights without responsibility and endorse the murdering of innocent babies -- all deceptive thinking starts with the denial of Jesus as God and the trust in self. James 1:16 says very simply and concisely, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers."
Instead of believing Jesus, (the path of salvation) we have trusted in ourselves (the path of destruction). Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths (to salvation) straight". In contrast to Proverbs 3:5-6, the path to destruction goes like this: (1) self-deception, then (2) self-deification, and then (3) self-destruction. In other words, when we trust ourselves more than God we become deceived. Then, out of this state of deception, we make ourselves out to be gods or we become self-righteous. In fact, Apostle Paul told Timothy that the number one characteristic of a society in terrible times is that they are lovers of themselves (2 Timothy 3:2). And finally, when we trust in our self-rightness, we destroy ourselves through greed, immorality and impurity.
As disciples of Jesus, we can no longer stay in our place of comfort where no one will bother us. We need to "focus on things above", but we also need to focus on our work here on earth. Like Jesus in John 17:4, we can bring God glory on earth by completing the work he gave us to do. Its time to leave our warm spot on the second floor and engage this fight of faith on the first floor. As lovers of the truth, we need to stop "minding our own business" and do the work of an evangelist wherever God has placed us in our calling. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus commanded us to, "Go and make disciples of all nations, and teach them to obey everything I commanded you." God promises his power will manifest in and through us and we go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15-18). Let's not let another moment pass us by. We have a great message to tell because we know "The Truth"--"There has always been two pools and ONE GOD!!"
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