In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said, “You (referring to Christ-followers) are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
According to this passage of scripture, there are two important facts to remember if salt is going to be effective as a preservative. First, the salt has to be potent in order to be effective. This means that Christ followers should be full of God’s word, and must be willing to share it with others. Second, in order for salt to be effective, it has to have close proximity. In other words, it must be touching the substance it is preserving to make its impact. Christ followers should be close to those who need to hear God’s word and His truth.
When Christ followers fail to be “salt” in our society, truth is lost and morality is ambiguous. The outrage concerning Michael Vick and his dog fighting practices is a recent example of this fact.
Don’t get me wrong, dog fighting is a heinous form of entertainment. For this crime, Vick has been sentenced to federal prison. However, do you know that in America today, Vick could get one hundred girls pregnant, counsel them to get abortions, and still be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.
I wonder how many abortions have been performed due to the sexual habits of many people in our society. Where is the outrage for all these murders? Are dogs more valuable and important than human babies? If Michael Vick should go to prison for killing dogs, shouldn’t people go to prison for killing babies? Proverbs 6:16 says, “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him.” One of the things it mentions that the Lord hates is the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17b). Nothing is more innocent than the blood of a baby.
In the days of Isaiah the prophet, the people of his time had also lost their sense of truth and righteousness. Isaiah 59:14- says, “Justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. (15) Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.”
The people had stopped following God’s way and began to do what was right in their own eyes. Read how God responded to this dilemma. Isaiah 59: 15b-16 says, “The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. (16) He saw that there was no one, He was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so His arm worked salvation for Him.” Wow! There was no one to be “salt” and speak truth during this time in history. Therefore, God had to eventually send His Son Jesus in person to remind us of His truth and die for our sins.
Unlike the days of Isaiah, I pray God would find Christ followers being “salt” in our society today by living and speaking his truth. If Christ followers will do their part, truth will be rediscovered in America and something way more precious than dogs will be saved from death.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Dog Fighting the Truth
My seven year old son Josiah loves dog fights. He is an expert on their fighting tactics and very knowledgeable about the participants in battle.
During a fishing trip over the summer, Josiah asked a good friend of mine if he liked dog fighting. My friend answered him with a resounding “no”. My son, confused and saddened by his answer, said, “Dog fighting is so cool, I can’t believe you don’t like it.” All of a sudden my friend began to wonder what kind a child I was raising.
After about five minutes of dialogue, my friend finally realized that my son was talking about the show “Dog Fights”. It recreates historic jet fighter air battles from previous wars. It really is a cool show if you have never seen it on television.
As my friend was telling me the story about his conversation with my son, we both were laughing at his misunderstanding about the type of dog fighting Josiah was chatting about. After talking with him, I started thinking about how we determine truth, justice and righteousness in America today. Just like my friend during his discourse with my son, our nation is confused and, therefore, hypocritical in regards to our ethics.
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said, “You (referring to Christ-followers) are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
What did Jesus mean by referring to Christ-followers as salt? Throughout history, salt has been used as a preservative. Jesus was reminding His people that they are to preserve truth and morality in our society.
Stay tuned for part 2 on "Dog Fighting the Truth".
During a fishing trip over the summer, Josiah asked a good friend of mine if he liked dog fighting. My friend answered him with a resounding “no”. My son, confused and saddened by his answer, said, “Dog fighting is so cool, I can’t believe you don’t like it.” All of a sudden my friend began to wonder what kind a child I was raising.
After about five minutes of dialogue, my friend finally realized that my son was talking about the show “Dog Fights”. It recreates historic jet fighter air battles from previous wars. It really is a cool show if you have never seen it on television.
As my friend was telling me the story about his conversation with my son, we both were laughing at his misunderstanding about the type of dog fighting Josiah was chatting about. After talking with him, I started thinking about how we determine truth, justice and righteousness in America today. Just like my friend during his discourse with my son, our nation is confused and, therefore, hypocritical in regards to our ethics.
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said, “You (referring to Christ-followers) are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
What did Jesus mean by referring to Christ-followers as salt? Throughout history, salt has been used as a preservative. Jesus was reminding His people that they are to preserve truth and morality in our society.
Stay tuned for part 2 on "Dog Fighting the Truth".
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Possession Obsession (Part 2)
Jesus taught that people should not store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. Instead, he instructed them to store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:19-20). The surest way to store up treasures in heaven is to give to God’s mission here on earth. That is why it is so important to be connected to a strong local church committed to fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus to make disciples of all nations.
It is very sad to observe so many Americans who store up treasures on earth that will one day rot or be burned in the eternal fire of judgment. Remember, we can take nothing and I mean nothing with us. After losing children, servants and personal possessions during enemy raids and violent storms, the righteous man Job said in Job 1:21, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” Job knew he could take nothing with him to the grave.
Selfishness and greed cause us to store up treasures on earth and not in heaven. When we live like this, our wealth brings more trouble than blessing to our lives. Recently, more Americans declared bankruptcy than graduated from college. In 90 percent of divorce cases, arguments about money play a prominent role. (Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle)
“Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” Michael Vick is our most recent example of a wealthy man who has fallen into trouble because his financial priorities were out of order. According to Fox Sports writer Jeff Gordon, Vick may have flushed $100 million down the drain by a backing dog-fighting operation. His 10 year, $130 million contract will evaporate, and Falcons owner Arthur Blank could demand repayment of a least some of Vick’s $22 million signing bonus. Rather than earn $20 million a year in salary and endorsement fees for the next several years. Vick will spend millions to clean up his various legal and public relations crises.
Let’s continue to pray for people like Michael, and remember from Javos and Job that we should live our lives on earth storing up treasures in heaven. We can’t take it with us, but we can send it on ahead to heaven.
“I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” John D. Rockefellar
It is very sad to observe so many Americans who store up treasures on earth that will one day rot or be burned in the eternal fire of judgment. Remember, we can take nothing and I mean nothing with us. After losing children, servants and personal possessions during enemy raids and violent storms, the righteous man Job said in Job 1:21, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” Job knew he could take nothing with him to the grave.
Selfishness and greed cause us to store up treasures on earth and not in heaven. When we live like this, our wealth brings more trouble than blessing to our lives. Recently, more Americans declared bankruptcy than graduated from college. In 90 percent of divorce cases, arguments about money play a prominent role. (Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle)
“Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” Michael Vick is our most recent example of a wealthy man who has fallen into trouble because his financial priorities were out of order. According to Fox Sports writer Jeff Gordon, Vick may have flushed $100 million down the drain by a backing dog-fighting operation. His 10 year, $130 million contract will evaporate, and Falcons owner Arthur Blank could demand repayment of a least some of Vick’s $22 million signing bonus. Rather than earn $20 million a year in salary and endorsement fees for the next several years. Vick will spend millions to clean up his various legal and public relations crises.
Let’s continue to pray for people like Michael, and remember from Javos and Job that we should live our lives on earth storing up treasures in heaven. We can’t take it with us, but we can send it on ahead to heaven.
“I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” John D. Rockefellar
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Possession Obsession
Six years ago, while working as the Associate Director of Premier Health and Fitness Center, I had a very sobering experience that changed my life forever. A good friend of mine named Javos was getting ready to teach our after work step aerobics class. Javos, a devout Christian, was one of the first people I hired to help oversee our fitness program. Javos, who at 42 looked like he was in his mid- twenties, was probably the best conditioned individual in the whole facility. Due to the convenient time and popularity of Javos as an instructor, it was one of the highest attended classes we offered at the fitness center. Five minutes before the class, Javos and I were in the break room talking about how wonderful it will be when we see Jesus face to face in heaven.
About fifteen minutes into teaching the class, Javos fell violently to the floor landing face first on the ground. Immediately, doctors and nurses who were working out in the gym began to administer CPR to Javos. In a state of panic, several people from the aerobic class came rushing into my office to inform me about their fallen instructor. As I walked into the aerobics room, the paramedics had arrived and were trying to revive Javos. In just a few minutes, I went from doing office work to riding in the front seat of the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
The wait at the hospital seemed like an eternity as we grew impatient hoping to hear some news about our friend. About an hour later, a doctor came into our room with a distraught and confused look on his face. He told us that they had spent forty-five minutes trying to resuscitate Javos, and could not get his heart to beat again. Our paragon of fitness and virtue was dead.
I had the responsibility of calling his mother and other family members to tell them the news. Javos had no relatives that lived in Tallahassee. Therefore, I also had to go to the employee parking lot and clean out all of Javos’ belongings from his car. As I was collecting his cross that hung from this rear view mirror, the reality that we can take nothing with us when we die struck my mind like lightning.
1 Timothy 6:7 says, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. “ I sat in his car and stared at a possession that was very personal to Javos and no longer with him. He left everything he owned behind. Even the most recognized symbol of Christianity, a cross, did not go into eternity with Javos.
Stay tuned for part 2 of Possession Obsession.
About fifteen minutes into teaching the class, Javos fell violently to the floor landing face first on the ground. Immediately, doctors and nurses who were working out in the gym began to administer CPR to Javos. In a state of panic, several people from the aerobic class came rushing into my office to inform me about their fallen instructor. As I walked into the aerobics room, the paramedics had arrived and were trying to revive Javos. In just a few minutes, I went from doing office work to riding in the front seat of the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
The wait at the hospital seemed like an eternity as we grew impatient hoping to hear some news about our friend. About an hour later, a doctor came into our room with a distraught and confused look on his face. He told us that they had spent forty-five minutes trying to resuscitate Javos, and could not get his heart to beat again. Our paragon of fitness and virtue was dead.
I had the responsibility of calling his mother and other family members to tell them the news. Javos had no relatives that lived in Tallahassee. Therefore, I also had to go to the employee parking lot and clean out all of Javos’ belongings from his car. As I was collecting his cross that hung from this rear view mirror, the reality that we can take nothing with us when we die struck my mind like lightning.
1 Timothy 6:7 says, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. “ I sat in his car and stared at a possession that was very personal to Javos and no longer with him. He left everything he owned behind. Even the most recognized symbol of Christianity, a cross, did not go into eternity with Javos.
Stay tuned for part 2 of Possession Obsession.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Addiction Affliction (Part 2)
New research is revealing why Americans become addicted. In Time Magazine, Michael D. Lemonick reports, “Armed with an array of increasing sophisticated technology, including fMRIS and Pet Scans, investigators have begun to figure out exactly what goes wrong in the brain of an addict—which neurotransmitting chemicals are out of balance and what regions of the brain are affected. They are developing a more detailed understanding of how deeply and completely addiction can affect the brain, by hijacking memory-making processes and by exploiting emotions. Using that knowledge, they’ve begun to design new drugs that are showing promise in cutting off the craving that drives an addict irresistibly toward relapse—the greatest risk facing even the most dedicated abstainer.”
Well, we can try drugs to cure us of our addictions, or we can try God’s remedy. Obviously, our thought life determines our behavior. Jesus taught that our bad behavior comes from the sin that is in our hearts. In Matthew 15:19 He says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
I submit to you, my faithful readers, that there is a better way to renew our mind. And that better way is feeding on God’s words contained in the Bible. Addiction results from our desire to seek and feel joy or pleasure. Jeremiah, one of God’s prophets, knew the secret to true joy and delight. In Jeremiah 15:16 he says, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear you name, O Lord God Almighty.”
The article also reports on one important discovery. Evidence is building to support the 90-day rehabilitation model, which was stumbled upon by AA (new members are advised to attend a meeting a day for the first 90 days) and is the duration of a typical stint in a drug treatment program. It turns out that this is just about how long it takes for the brain to reset itself and shake off the immediate influence of a drug. Researchers at Yale University have documented what they call the sleeper effect—a gradual re-engaging of proper decision making and analytical functions in the brain’s prefrontal cortex—after an addict has abstained for at least 90 days.
If you are struggling with addictive behaviors or just trying to discover God’s will for your life, take the next 90 days and change your behavior.
I recommend the following:
(1) Read chapter of the Bible, starting in the Book of John, and one Psalm (start with Psalm 1 and finish with Psalm 90) and one Proverb (There are 31 proverbs, so you should be able to read the book of Proverbs 3 times in 90 days). Then, meditate on and pray about what you just read. Be sure to ask God in your prayer time to give you wisdom to know Jesus and His will for your life.
(2 Make notes about what you are learning and hearing from God in the Bible.
(3) Find a committed follower of Jesus and talk to them about what you are learning.
(4) Think and act differently. Apply what you are reading and learning.
(5) Attend a Bible believing church for the next 90 days. If you don’t have a church, try Every Nation Tallahassee and tell me about the changes you are making in your life.
As jars of clay, we are filled with joy when we live to please God. The only addictive behavior we should engage in is the worship of our great God. As we offer our lives to him as living sacrifices, he will transform us by renewing our minds to enjoy the only One that satisfies our souls.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (2) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
Ultimately, God’s words and His way is the best solution to break destructive habits and give us the joy and pleasure we all long for deep in our hearts.
Well, we can try drugs to cure us of our addictions, or we can try God’s remedy. Obviously, our thought life determines our behavior. Jesus taught that our bad behavior comes from the sin that is in our hearts. In Matthew 15:19 He says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
I submit to you, my faithful readers, that there is a better way to renew our mind. And that better way is feeding on God’s words contained in the Bible. Addiction results from our desire to seek and feel joy or pleasure. Jeremiah, one of God’s prophets, knew the secret to true joy and delight. In Jeremiah 15:16 he says, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear you name, O Lord God Almighty.”
The article also reports on one important discovery. Evidence is building to support the 90-day rehabilitation model, which was stumbled upon by AA (new members are advised to attend a meeting a day for the first 90 days) and is the duration of a typical stint in a drug treatment program. It turns out that this is just about how long it takes for the brain to reset itself and shake off the immediate influence of a drug. Researchers at Yale University have documented what they call the sleeper effect—a gradual re-engaging of proper decision making and analytical functions in the brain’s prefrontal cortex—after an addict has abstained for at least 90 days.
If you are struggling with addictive behaviors or just trying to discover God’s will for your life, take the next 90 days and change your behavior.
I recommend the following:
(1) Read chapter of the Bible, starting in the Book of John, and one Psalm (start with Psalm 1 and finish with Psalm 90) and one Proverb (There are 31 proverbs, so you should be able to read the book of Proverbs 3 times in 90 days). Then, meditate on and pray about what you just read. Be sure to ask God in your prayer time to give you wisdom to know Jesus and His will for your life.
(2 Make notes about what you are learning and hearing from God in the Bible.
(3) Find a committed follower of Jesus and talk to them about what you are learning.
(4) Think and act differently. Apply what you are reading and learning.
(5) Attend a Bible believing church for the next 90 days. If you don’t have a church, try Every Nation Tallahassee and tell me about the changes you are making in your life.
As jars of clay, we are filled with joy when we live to please God. The only addictive behavior we should engage in is the worship of our great God. As we offer our lives to him as living sacrifices, he will transform us by renewing our minds to enjoy the only One that satisfies our souls.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (2) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
Ultimately, God’s words and His way is the best solution to break destructive habits and give us the joy and pleasure we all long for deep in our hearts.
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