Leaving Behind the Decade of Hell

I simply can’t believe that we are at the end of 2009. Each year seems to be flying by faster and faster. It is even more astounding to me that we are about to enter into a new decade. Ten years have already come and gone in the new millennium—wow!

Entering 2010, and a new decade, has caused me to seek the Lord in prayer to a greater degree than usual. I just finished reading the cover article, “The Decade From Hell”, in the December issue of Time magazine. The article listed neglect, greed, self-interest and deferral of responsibility as the causes for some of the most troubling developments of the decade. In fact, the writer says, “In large part, we have ourselves to blame.”

Listed below is a summation of the events that transpired over the last decade:

• Threat of the Y2K computer meltdown to start the 21st century.
• 2000: Torrential rains and flooding leave more than a million homeless in Africa.
• U.S. presidential election ends in chaos and is resolved by the Supreme Court.
• 2001: Nineteen Islamic terrorists fly hijacked jets into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000.
• Enron files for Chapter 11, the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history to date.
• 2002: Beltway snipers strike, killing at least 10 people in the D.C. area.
• Congress authorizes U.S. military action against Iraq.
• 2003: Power failure blacks out millions in U.S. and Canada.
• President Bush declares “Mission Accomplished” as insurgency grows in Iraq.
• Earthquake in Iran kills more than 26,000.
• 2004: Tsunami kills more than 200,000 people in about a dozen countries in Southeast Asia and Africa.
• 2005: Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans; levees break; more than 1,500 are killed.
• Earthquake in Kashmir kills some 80,000.
• 2006: Charles Carl Roberts IV kills five girls at a Pennsylvania Amish school, then himself, in one of three school shootings in a week.
• Gas tops $3.00 a gallon.
• 2007: Student at Virginia Tech guns down 32, then himself.
• Senator Larry Craig pleads guilty to disorderly conduct after airport-bathroom gay sex sting.
• 2008: Oil hits record $147 a barrel.
• Dow drops nearly 34% for the year, the worst decline since 1931; S&P is down 38.5%, its worst year since 1937.
• 2009: Chrysler and General Motors declare bankruptcy; government becomes part owner.
• Bernie Madoff pleads guilty to fraud worth an estimated $65 billion.
• World Health Organization says H1N1 flu is global pandemic.
• Unemployment rate hits 10.2%.

I concur. Many, not all, of the problems we have experienced in our nation over the last ten years have been self-inflicted. If it is true that we have just gone through the decade of hell, I want to pose this question:

Have we just experienced the decade of hell because America has continued to turn away from God?

When the people of a nation rebel against and forsake God, they do so to their own demise. For example, after the building of the temple was complete, the Lord warned Solomon about the consequences of Israel’s disobedience. 2 Chronicles 7:19-22 says, "But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 21 And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?' 22 People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.' "

I am sure many Americans are ready to leave behind the “Decade of Hell”. However, before we do, let’s learn some valuable lessons from the last ten years. If neglect, greed, self-interest and deferral of responsibility continue to be the character traits of American citizens, then we should not expect the negative symptoms to diminish.

I pray the events of the last decade will cause us to humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways, seek the Lord and pray. If so, maybe the next ten years can be the decade from heaven. I sure hope so.

Happy New Year!

The Reason it is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Every year during the holiday season I spend extra time thinking about what makes Jesus Christ the most unique and magnificent figure in human history. As I drive through town, I see church signs declaring: Jesus is the reason for the season. Amazing songs admired for generations such as Joy to the World, Silent Night, and my favorite, O Holy Night, can be heard on just about every radio station. Andy Williams could not have sung it more perfectly. The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. I am a firm believer that Jesus is what makes this portion of the year so special.

In this blog, I want to list five reasons the birth of Christ distinguishes him from any human, prophet, religious figure, or person who claimed to be the messiah that has ever lived.

My top five reasons for believing Jesus is the Son of God are:

1. His Divine Birth

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:30-35

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, they forever tainted humanity with their sin. Every human born after Adam and Eve’s rebellious act would now be born into sin. God had to create a new lineage of humanity by starting with a human that was not born of sin. God accomplished this through the immaculate conception of his son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one born with a divine nature because the Holy Spirit conceived him.

2. His Divine Love

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Very rarely will someone die for a good person, but Christ died to save sinners. His love is revolutionary because it changes the human heart to live a life of righteousness. More than creeds to follow, Jesus offers a transformational personal love relationship with every person who will open their heart to him.

3. His Divine Mission

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The wages of sin is death and eternal separation from God in hell. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and sinned; therefore, we all are destined to suffer the horrific consequences of our actions. I don’t blame God. I wouldn’t allow sinners into the perfect place of heaven either. However, Jesus’ main mission on earth was to redeem mankind, and save them from eternal damnation.

4. His Divine Power

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38

If someone is going to claim to be the Son of God, they better have the evidence to back it up. Jesus proved he was the Messiah by performing many documented signs, wonders and miracles. His whole life on earth was about helping and healing people. What a great legacy to leave behind for others to emulate.

5. His Divine Book

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21

To make sure we would never forget the greatest event in human history, the birth of Jesus Christ, God made sure his holy servants recorded the Scriptures. The Holy Bible is God’s special revelation to us revealing the character, nature and purpose of God. It also gives us answers to the most important questions in life such as: Where did we come from and why are we here?

There you have it, my top five reasons I believe Jesus is the Son of God.

The holiday season reminds me that it is not because of a lack of evidence that people deny Jesus. They do so because they choose to suppress the truth of God’s Son. Not me, this Christmas I will be joyfully celebrating and worshiping the greatest man who ever lived during the most wonderful time of the year. I invite you all to join me. There is nothing quite like it!

I pray that every Christmas light would remind you that Jesus is the light of the world. I pray that every gift under the tree would remind you that God sent Jesus Christ as the most significant gift to humanity. I pray that every hug from a beloved family member would remind you that Jesus loved you enough to die for your sins. I pray that every smile on a child’s face after opening their gift would remind you that in Jesus we have life everlasting.

Merry Christmas!

The Right People at the Right Place at the Right Time

How would you like to be one of the first people to gaze upon the face of God’s son? Imagine being invited by a heavenly host and an angel to a manger to witness the birth of Jesus Christ. That is exactly what happened to the shepherds in the Christmas story.

It seems the shepherds were the right people at the right place at the right time.

Luke 2:8-14 says, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

What happens when the right people are at the right place at the right time? Just like the shepherds, they get to experience a miracle. I can remember two times in my life when I was the right person at the right place at the right time.

The first time was in Tully Gym at Florida State University (FSU) playing pick-up basketball in the summer of 1988. The previous spring I had just left Mercer University, and forfeited a full basketball scholarship to attend FSU in the hopes of earning a spot on the men’s basketball team. For most of my teenage years, I had worked on being the right person by practicing my basketball skills with intense dedication. Then, in a moment, I found myself making six three point shots during our game as head coach Pat Kennedy watched from the bleachers. Out of nowhere, the next week I received a full scholarship in the mail.

The second time was when I met my wife, Cindy. I had just finished playing squash in the Leach Center at FSU, and was stretching when I saw this pretty girl getting a drink at the water fountain. I had spent the last four years working on being the right man by not dating, and learning how to love God with all my heart. Now, in a moment, I was talking to a girl about to graduate who would become my future wife. I went to the Leach Center to work out and met my soul mate.

In both of these scenarios, I was blessed to be the right person at the right place at the right time. Attending FSU on a full basketball scholarship, and marrying the greatest woman in the world are two miracles that have happened in my life.

As I reflect on the shepherds in the Christmas story, and think about these two incidents in my life, it is a great reminder that God is faithful. If you continue to obey the Lord, remain patient and trust in His provision for your life, then you can be the right person at the right place at the right time.

Humility or Humiliation

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14

I will never forget a lesson one of my spiritual mentors taught me a long time ago. It was an instruction on how I should conduct myself as I serve the Lord. It was a reminder to act like the tax collector in this parable and not the Pharisee. He said, “You can either humble yourself before the Lord or be humiliated by your sinful behavior.” I have found these words to be some of the wisest I have ever received.

A sport icon, Tiger Woods, is going through the most humiliating week of his life. In a statement released on his website Woods states, “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family.”

As a man who desperately needs the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ, I am not here to throw stones at Tiger Woods. However, I do believe that his transgressions can be a teachable moment.

One of my friends posted a comment on their Facebook page concerning Tiger Woods and his infidelity. It read: “I knew Tiger was arrogant, but I did not know he was stupid.”

Is Tiger arrogant? I must admit that most of the elite athletes I have met in my lifetime of being involved with sports are very prideful. You have to be confident to excel in your sport. The question is: Do you have to be arrogant?

I have never met Tiger personally, so I do not know firsthand whether or not he is arrogant. I can only draw conclusions from my observations of him on television and what I read about him in the press.

I believe anyone who does not recognize his or her need for redemption from the Lord Jesus Christ is an arrogant person. James 4:6, 10 says, “6God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Refusing to receive the grace of Jesus Christ by repenting for your sins and putting faith in Him to change your sinful nature is the ultimate act of pride. Our pride always leads to our destruction. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

I can’t help but think how life today would be different for Tiger, and so many others, if they would just humble themselves and admit they need the blood of Jesus to cleanse them from their sins. If Tiger would have done this, he could have avoided hurting the ones he claims to love more than anything else.

Tiger’s transgressions are a reminder that, even with the best of intentions, we cannot manage our sinful nature. Sooner or later we will succumb to temptation. We need to humble ourselves, and submit our lives to the only One who can redeem us by washing away our sins. His name is the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can either humble yourself before the Lord or be humiliated by your own sinful behavior. If Tiger would have chosen the former, he could have avoided the most embarrassing and painful moment of his life. My prayer for Tiger is that he would humble himself and become a recipient of God’s grace.

Have you humbled yourself before the Lord by recognizing your need for redemption?

Giving our Best on the Wrong Day

This past weekend was rivalry weekend in college football, and the majority of the games were quite exciting. Unfortunately, the most disappointing game was the Florida State vs. Florida match-up. The undefeated and first ranked Gators clobbered my poor Seminoles. Well, there is always next year. It seems like I have been saying that for many years now.

Anyhow, while watching the games during rivalry weekend, I couldn’t help but notice the pageantry of school colors, and the passion each fan possessed while cheering on their team. Each stadium was filled with students and alumni who were clapping, shouting, screaming, dancing and raising hands as they applauded their teams to victory. I even saw some of the most dedicated fans bowing down to their favorite performers after a big play. Other fans were crying as their teams ran onto the field. It was evident that there was no other place these people would rather be on a Saturday afternoon or evening.

Shouting, clapping, bowing down, dancing and raising hands are all external forms of praise and worship. Human beings were designed by God to participate in these activities. Therefore, we are inevitably going to find something to praise and worship.

Check out the following Scriptures:

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Psalm 47:1

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalm 95:6

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. Psalm 134:2

Let them praise him (the Lord) with dancing. Psalm 149:3a

As a sports fan, I really enjoy the game of college football. In fact, it is one of my favorite athletic contests to watch. I think it is great that people support and cheer for their favorite team. As a former college athlete, I know firsthand how much it meant to my teammates and me when our stands were full of enthusiastic fans.

I just wish people would show the same enthusiasm, support and passion on Sunday in church as they do on Saturday in college football stadiums. I feel compelled to remind us that Jesus is the one who conquered sin and defeated the grave for all of eternity. He is the one who is worthy of our best praise and worship.

I propose we move our tailgate parties to Sunday mornings as we anticipate praising this great champion.

See you in the church parking lot on Sunday!

Thankfulness: The Position of Power

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Thankfulness is so much more than good manners or good etiquette. It is a position of power that is rich in benefits. Psalm 69:30 says, “Magnify Him with thanksgiving.” This underscores the magnifying properties of thankfulness. To magnify something is to bring it closer, to see it with clarity and in detail. When we are thankful, it takes us from seeing God generally at a distance to seeing Him up close and personal.

When Jesus was faced with one of His greatest challenges, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the first words from His mouth were, “Father I thank You”. Then, he commanded the risen Lazarus to step out of the tomb. When we are unthankful the problem is magnified and solutions become hard to find.

On the other hand, being thankful allows us to see how big God is and places the problem in a redemptive light. When the Lord is magnified through thankfulness the problem does not dictate our response, God does.

While fishing with my boys the other day, my oldest son Josiah jerked his fishing pole to set his hook and hit me in the face with the rod. The rod scratched my expensive polarized sunglasses and cut my face. Needless to say, I was very angry.

Instead of acting upon my anger and yelling at my son, I chose to keep an attitude of gratitude during this unfortunate and painful incident. I began to thank God that I had my sunglasses on and didn’t get my eyed poked out. Thinking about the ramifications of getting my eye poked out changed my whole perspective.

As I continued to fish, I wondered how I would have responded if my eye did get poked out. Then, I realized I could still be thankful because I have two eyes and still the ability to see. I then began to carry on this thought to its ultimate conclusion. What if both my eyes got poked out? Then, I could still be thankful that I have life. What if the jerk of the fishing pole had cut off my head and killed me? Then, I could still be thankful because I am going to heaven.

The power of thankfulness is that it keeps positioning us into something bigger and better than the problem. When we lack gratitude we are employing a very narrow radar screen. In other words, we have very limited visibility. I am often amazed at how easily people can doubt God over a simple cold, flu or some minor crisis; “O God where are you in my suffering?” My question to that is, “what about the gazillion others sicknesses, diseases and catastrophes He does keep away from us?” Giving thanks keeps our moments in divine perspective.

Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Pain of Unfaithfulness

Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble. Proverbs 25:19

In Proverbs 25:19, reliance on the unfaithful is compared to the pain that manifests in the human body when parts of it are not functioning properly. Solomon wants his readers to understand the devastating consequences of unfaithfulness. Some injuries hurt more than others. A sprained ankle is very painful.

Sometimes, the pain can be delayed, at other times it is instant. The level of pain is not always a measurement of the extent of the damage. Some people hear a 'pop' in their ankle. This could suggest a torn ligament. Swelling of the injured area follows the twist.

Rapid swelling usually indicates severe damage has taken place. The bleeding of damaged tissue causes the swelling, and the discoloration is a result of gravity pulling the blood downwards. The swelling is often situated a small distance away from the actual damaged site.

Just like the pain that comes from a damaged foot, people who act unfaithful cause tremendous pain to others. Infidelity in a marriage covenant hurts the one whose trust was betrayed. Children are emotionally damaged when parents abdicate their responsibilities. Churches can split over one member’s dissension. Companies and their clients suffer when an employee is dishonest. Unfaithfulness always hurts other people.

Have you or somebody you know ever been hurt by someone who acted unfaithful? What did you learn from that experience?

Get An Increase By Making An Investment

So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' Luke 19:13 (Parable of the Ten Minas)

God expects increase from His investment in people. The Parable of the Ten Minas teaches us about this truth. In this parable, the master gives his servants a certain amount of money with the expectation that they steward it wisely by putting the money to work.

This parable reminds us that there is a spiritual law called the law of investment. By use you possess and increase, and by disuse you decline and lose. The key to increase is investment. This applies to everything in life. Money will not earn interest unless it is invested. A muscle that goes unused will eventually atrophy. Parents can build a Godly legacy for generations when they chooses to invest in their children.

Jonathan Edwards is one of the greatest scholars America has ever produced. Before he was president of Princeton, he served as a pastor of a church. He was known to spend 12 hours a day in his study, plus pastor a church, plus father 11 children. When he had those children, he was praying and decided he wanted all of his children to know God and the purpose for which they were created. The Lord pressed upon him to spend one hour a day with his children.

His descendants include:

300 Pastors, 120 became professors at universities, 110 of his ancestors became attorneys, 60 were prominent authors, 30 were judges, 14 served as presidents at universities and colleges, 3 served in congress and 1 became vice president of the U.S.

How did it happen? It happened because Jonathan Edwards made an investment into his children.

How are you investing what God has given to you? Are you getting increase from your investment?

God Owns It All

Our role as a steward on planet earth involves faithfully managing what God has entrusted to us. The key to good stewardship is remembering that God owns it all. All the resources and abilities we possess are within our control only temporarily.

As the Bible says, And [Job] said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21).

This is one rule with no exceptions. Your hearse will not be pulling a U-Haul. Someone asked John D. Rockefeller's accountant if he knew exactly how much Mr. Rockefeller had left when he died. The accountant replied, "Certainly, to the penny. He left everything."

God has a general purpose for all believers, such as bringing glory to Him and sharing the good news of God's salvation through Jesus Christ. Each believer also has specific purposes for life unique to his gifts, talents, contacts, and opportunities. As we prayerfully discern our gifts and opportunities, God begins to reveal to us where to spend our efforts, time, emotional energy, and money on those areas. Then, of course, we must choose to obey what He has revealed to us.

Are you faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to you?

Faithfulness: A Key to Living in God's Favor

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

There are two people in the Bible who possess good names for all of eternity, and lived in God’s favor while serving Him on earth. God did many signs, miracles and wonders through both of these men. Their names are Moses and Jesus, and faithfulness was a cornerstone of their character and ministry according to Hebrews 3:1-2. It says, “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house.”

Scripture is loaded with benefits promised to those who remain faithful to the Lord. The Lord preserves faithful people (Psalm 31:23). The Lord will not forsake His faithful ones (Psalm 37:28). The Lord guards the lives of his faithful ones, and delivers them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 97:10). Finally, those who faithfully abide in Jesus, live in His love and serve Him well, are brought into a greater intimate friendship with our Lord (John 15:14-15).

Can you identify a time when you were a recipient of God’s favor?

Faithfulness: A Requirement for Godly Service

Apostle Paul is a man who became a powerful disciple of Jesus Christ. As a disciple of Jesus, Apostle Paul was faithful. 1 Timothy 1:12 Apostle Paul writes, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.”

Apostle Paul also understood the importance of obeying the Lord’s command to make disciples, and invested his life into his spiritual son Timothy. Why did he choose Timothy to carry on his mission of spreading the gospel of Christ after his death? We find the answer in Philippians 2:19-21. It says, “19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ."

In the last letter of his life, facing certain death in prison, Apostle Paul reminds Timothy of the importance of making disciples. He instructed Timothy to find men who possessed a certain character trait. Can you guess which one Apostle Paul emphasized in 2 Timothy 2:2? It says, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable (faithful) men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Faithfulness is a requirement for Godly service!

Would you consider yourself someone who has walked faithfully with the Lord as a Christ-follower?

Do The Right Thing!

My senior year in college, while playing basketball at Florida State University, I got into an interesting and insightful conversation with one of my teammates Byron Wells while sitting on the bench during our game against the North Carolina Tarheels. At the time of the conversation, we were winning by about twenty points over the Tarheels. I initiated the conversation by commenting on how we were going to blow out our opponent. Byron, quickly rebuked me, and then declared that the Tarheels would narrow the score.

Since we were dominating the game, I told him there was no way they would make a comeback. I then asked him what made him so confident about his prediction. He communicated to me that his certainty was based upon the Tarheels ability to consistently execute their offensive system no matter what the scoreboard indicated. Even though the Tarheels were not achieving their desired results on offense, they kept executing and doing the right things.

Byron Wells was a prophet that night. North Carolina did make a major comeback and almost ended up winning the game. Even when their shots were not going in the basket, the well-coached Tarheels continued to do the right things on the basketball court, ensuring that they would always be in the game.

Galatians 6:9-10 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Christ-followers should be the most consistent and stable people on the planet. We should always do the right things no matter what circumstances we face. A key to positioning yourself for victory is proper execution. In other words, we should do the right thing every time. As we continue to do what is right, we are guaranteed to gain the victory over our adversary. We will reap a harvest if we keep doing good deeds and don’t give up.

Are you doing the right thing?

Focus

During Pop Warner football practice, while talking to our players at our first water break, I noticed that very few of them were paying attention. Some were watching the cheerleaders practice. Some were looking at the birds in the trees. And, some were just staring off into outer space. Consequently, when it came time to perform their conditioning drills, most of the players did not execute them properly.

Frustrated by their effort, I made a commitment to rebuke them if they did not pay attention to the coaches during their second water break. Once again, as the coach began to speak to the team while they guzzled water, most of the players began to daze off. This time I quickly stepped in and reminded them of the importance of listening to and focusing on the coach while he speaks. Their next session of conditioning drills went much better because this time they focused on the coach while he was giving instructions.

During his presidential campaign, Governor Mike Huckabee told a story to illustrate a point on the importance of staying focused on the right responsibilities. The story was about his assistant who worked for him while he was governor of Arkansas. He described how people would frequently assume that his assistant had a difficult job working for a governor. She would quickly correct them by telling them her job was quite easy. Shocked by her response, most people would then ask, “How so?” Then, she would tell them her job was easy because all she had to do was please one person—the governor.

Hebrews 12:2-3 says, “2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

One of the keys to positioning yourself for victory is staying focused on the right things. An athlete must focus on the coach’s instruction, an assistant must focus on the agenda of her boss, and a Christ-follower must stay focused on Jesus.

Are you focused on the right things?

Are You Prepared?

Be prepared in season and out of season. 2 Timothy 4:2

Ever since I was a little boy, I had a dream of playing basketball for the Florida State Seminoles. I was fortunate to realize that dream when I signed a basketball scholarship with the Seminoles in 1989. In high school, I signed early with the Mercer Bears and transferred to FSU after my freshmen year. Since I transferred, I had to sit out for a year before playing as a sophomore.

My first opportunity to make a significant contribution came against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Leon County Civic Center. Jacksonville, featuring their star guard Dee Brown who would later sign with the Boston Celtics and win the NBA dunk contest, was beating us by eight points with two minutes left in the game. Coach Kennedy put me in the game hoping I would make some 3-point shots, and prevent us from experiencing what appeared to be a certain defeat.

Making the most of my opportunity, I scored the only points that would be registered in the last two minutes. It just happened to be eight points, and my offensive contribution put us into overtime. We ended up winning the game by one point in overtime.

After the game, my locker was crowded with reporters. One of them asked me if I was surprised by my performance. Emphasizing that I was not trying to be prideful or arrogant, I answered the reporter with an emphatic no. Then, I told them that I had been preparing for this moment since I was a little boy, and that I had shot those 3-pointers thousands of times before this game. I was prepared to make the most of my opportunity.

Have you ever felt unprepared for an event or opportunity?

What happens when you don’t prepare? Things you hoped won’t happen do happen—and they occur with greater frequency than the things you hoped would happen. The reason is simple: being unprepared sets you up for failure. Ask negotiators what happens at the bargaining table when they are not prepared. Ask athletes what happens on the field of competition when they are unprepared. Preparation is often the separation between winning and losing.

Remember, spectacular achievement comes from unspectacular preparation.

Breasts and Protests

Near the end of The O’Reilly Factor, Bill O’Reilly has a portion of his show that he calls: “Pinheads and Patriots”. People who engage in unscrupulous behavior are labeled “pinheads”, while those who participate in conscientious principled activity earn the title “patriot” from the host. I usually agree with the decisions that are made on “The Factor” during this segment.

However, last week, Bill O’Reilly gave consideration to topless protestors for the “patriot” honor. Even though I value every American’s right to protest and speak their mind, I do believe people should conduct themselves with dignity when expressing their views. People do not always have to agree, but they should demonstrate respect for others while communicating their worldviews, thoughts and opinions.

Proverbs 5:1-2 says, “My son/daughter, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, (2) that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.”

A female who exposes her breasts while protesting is not practicing discretion.

I took the liberty to exercise my freedom of speech concerning this topic by sending The O’Reilly Factor Show a poem via email. Whether you agree or disagree with my sentiments, I hope you will enjoy and appreciate my rare moment of inspired creative poetic dictation. I tried to keep it pithy.

Hey Bill,

Since I love your show
I felt compelled to let you know

I respect a woman’s breast
And value our right to protest

But giving people a peek
While exercising your freedom to speak

Is not acting very discreet
During a rally on a public street

In the “no spin zone” it should be said
That such behavior will label you a “pinhead”

The Factor can find “Patriots” who are more true
In the land of the red, white and blue

Bill, I hope you understand my view
And know I’m just looking out for you

Are You a Builder?

Have you ever played legos with a young child? If so, I am confident you quickly observed that they are much better at tearing down the legos than building them into something constructive. While playing legos with my boys a few years back, I had a profound revelation.

As I would take the individual pieces and build them into a skyscraper, plane or car, they would grab my work of art and smash it into pieces. I received more joy out of building the legos into some type of object, while they found pleasure in destroying my creation. Sitting on the floor watching my boys reap havoc on the legos, I realized mature people build while immature people tear down.

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Apostle Paul addressed the saints as mere infants in Christ. Why did he call them infants? The saints at Corinth were allowing their issues, selfish agendas and jealousy to cause quarrels, division and strife. Apostle Paul knew they were immature because they were tearing down one another instead of building each other up.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 Apostle Paul writes, “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?”

Mature people build others up while immature people tear others down.

Apostle Paul knew this firsthand. Before his conversion, Apostle Paul was known as Saul who persecuted Christians and lived to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, Saul was an immature man who lived to tear others down. After he received Jesus as His Lord and Savior, Apostle Paul grew in the grace and knowledge of his Lord. The new Apostle Paul was now a mature builder of Christ’s church.

In 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 he writes, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Mature people build while immature people tear down. Are you a builder?

God the Builder!

Do you know that anything in life that is great takes a long time to build?

Great marriages are not built overnight. If you want to raise Godly children, it takes at least eighteen years of parental investment to make this happen. Successful businesses, according to Jim Collins in the book “Good to Great”, are built after many years of hard work. A house well built takes longer to finish than one that is built poorly.

As you walk close with God, you discover that He is a builder. In fact, I am convinced that if God had another name it would be Bob. Why? I believe this because, like Bob, our God is a builder.

What is God ultimately building?

God is building His Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven through the institution of the church. In the gospel of Matthew, he informs us that God’s plan to build His church was revealed to Peter in a conversation with Jesus.

Matthew 16:13-18 says, “13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,[b] the Son of the living God." 17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter,[c] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[d] will not overcome it.”

As a builder, it is God’s intention to conquer evil in the world through constructing a strong and vibrant church that delivers His message and fulfills His will on earth. This is the reason why it is so important for every Christ-follower to be a member of a local church. As each Christ-follower serves in their local church, a full representation of Jesus is manifested on earth. Every believer in Jesus has a role and responsibility to participate in the building plan of God.

Can God fix the evil in the world, yes He can!

Are you joining God in advancing His Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven by serving faithfully in a local church?

Expect a Greater Reward

At the end of his life while facing certain death in prison, Apostle Paul had a confident expectation that he would receive a great reward for his apostolic work. Living life to please God, with an eternal perspective that there is a reward for faithfulness, is imperative for all who want to persevere well.

While working as a strength coach at Florida State University, the men's basketball coaching staff added mat drills to our pre-season training regimen. The main goal we wanted to accomplish during mat drills was to develop mental toughness in our players.

After a morning session of mat drills, I had an interesting conversation with one of our players in the weight room. The player, who absolutely loved the game of basketball, communicated to me that he would quit if we did mat drills every day. I encouraged him that his hard work would pay off at game time. Our dialogue that mat drills were better preparing him to play with excellence in his games was the only thought that gave him hope.

We will continue to endure hardship when we know there is a future reward for our labor. Apostle Paul reminded Timothy that the expectation of receiving an eternal reward made all the suffering in ministry well worth the hardships.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 says, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Are you expecting to receive a crown of righteousness in heaven?

Endure Hardship

Why would Apostle Paul have to encourage Timothy to endure hardship?

The reason is he knew firsthand people would oppose the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that Apostle Paul referred to the times when he was writing to Timothy as the last days. Unfortunately, godlessness would be prevalent in those days.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 says, "3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

It seems not much has changed in over 2,000 years. Just tune in to the evening news and it is obvious that America is suffering from a lack of moral clarity. Relativism in our postmodern culture is the worldview of popular opinion. The only thing many people are convinced of is that there is no absolute truth.

If you want to participate in activity that is evil or immoral according to the Holy Scriptures, it is not hard to find somebody who will tell you such behavior is okay. Even professing believers in Jesus bounce from church to church in search of a situation that will make them the most comfortable. High moral standards, faithfulness and service are lost virtues in a society that lives for individual comfort and pleasure.

How do you respond to a culture that rejects truth, and people who live to please their own selfish desires?

You endure hardship and remain patient while speaking the truth in love. You continue to pour out your life while delivering the message of Jesus to people. Remaining faithful to the mission is not an easy task. It is so difficult that many co-laborers had deserted Apostle Paul over the years.

2 Timothy 4:9-10, 14-15 says, "9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. 14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message."

Are you a patient and persevering person, or do you tend to give up quickly?

Possessing a Proper Perspective of Suffering

8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 2 Timothy 1:8-12

It is easy to lose heart when we feel we are suffering unjustly. However, when we live with a sense of purpose we can persevere through any trial. In fact, when we possess a proper perspective of suffering, it helps us realize that our suffering is producing in us a character that reflects Christ.

The crown of glory is attained on the road of suffering. Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without a tremendous sacrifice. Apostle Paul embraced suffering as a badge of honor because spreading the gospel of Jesus is the most significant purpose on earth. His imprisonment produced an internal fortitude and validated the fact that he was called to be an apostle. What an honor it was for him to suffer in the same way as his Lord.

Can you think of a time in your life when suffering made you a stronger person?

The Fight for Freedom and Faith

What would you draft if you were writing a document founding a new nation?

In the Declaration of Independence we find answers to this question. I hope everyone had a great July 4th weekend with family and friends commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, officially asserting independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Our founders knew they were embarking on an unprecedented campaign as they drafted the Declaration of Independence. The lessons they learned from experience and history influenced their view on effective governing systems. They also understood that the framework of government they were instituting would impact future generations of Americans. I am thankful they were faithful to endure suffering and persecution to help found our great nation. They fought for freedom and we are recipients of their sacrifice.

What would you communicate if you were writing the last letter of your life?

In the letter of Second Timothy we find answers to this question. Second Timothy is a bold, clear call for perseverance in the gospel in spite of suffering. Paul calls on his young coworker to continue the fight of faith, even as Paul approaches the end of his own life. The letter pictures Paul in prison in Rome, awaiting death. Most likely, then, this letter was written during Paul’s second Roman imprisonment.

Second Timothy is very personal, as would be expected in a final letter to a close friend and coworker. Paul exhorts Timothy to continue in faithfulness and points to his own life as an example for Timothy to follow. What he calls on Timothy to do, he himself has already done.

Whether you are drafting a declaration of independence or writing the last letter of your life, it is important to recognize you are part of history and should live to leave a Godly legacy.

2 Timothy 1:3-4 says, “I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”

Apostle Paul begins his letter by thanking God while recalling the faithful service of his forefathers, and reminding Timothy that he was constantly in his prayers. In the midst of persecution and prison, Apostle Paul found encouragement that led to endurance from two sources.

First, he reminded himself of the faith of his forefathers. Paul recognized that his ministry was part of a historic mission that others had served with great sacrifice and devotion. He knew it was an honor to be chosen by God to carry on this mission. As Paul ran his race, he found inner strength by remembering those who had already ran their lap well.

Second, he kept his spiritual son Timothy on the forefront of is mind. Paul knew it was important to leave a legacy worthy of emulation. While suffering, Paul never gave up because he had a hope that Timothy would serve God faithfully. The thought of Timothy standing strong for the Lord was a source of joy for Paul.

Our founders and Apostle Paul had two things in common. The recognized they were a part of history and they lived to leave a Godly legacy. I hope and pray we will continue to value the words they penned, and pass them on to future generations.

Do you recognize you are part of history and are you living to leave a Godly legacy?

We Are All Witnesses!

Since Nike is so assured about the dominance of Lebron James on the basketball court, they boldly declare that all spectators are witnesses.

God is greater than Lebron James! Elijah was a man who knew God is Almighty.

22 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God." 1 Kings 18:22-24

36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." 1 Kings 18:36-37

When we know God is God it keeps us from wavering between two opinions. As a result, our faith is strong because we are secure in our identity in Christ, and sure about our knowledge of God.

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Elijah was convinced that the God he served was the LORD. His was so confident that he challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest to see whose God was Lord. He had no doubt that his God was the Almighty One.

Our confidence in God should produce in us a bold witness.

Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Jesus has saved his people, and sent them into the world to be light for those who live in darkness (Ephesians 5:8-11). Christians are never supposed to flee from problems, or shrink back from those who deny the truth of Christ. God commands us to stand strong and courageous as we go forth in all the earth making disciples of Jesus.

Are you a bold witness?

God is God!

The redemptive names of God revealed as Jehovah (or Yahweh) are God’s own personal and distinct names. The name Jehovah appears over 6,000 times in the Bible and is generally translated as LORD. The Hebrews referred to this name as the unpronounceable or incommunicable name of God.

Jehovah is the I AM THAT I AM. It signifies “to be”, or “I will be all that I will be”. It tells us that God is the Eternal, the Unchanged and Unchanging One, and He will be all that He is ever needed to be. This is more particularly seen in the compound redemptive names of the Lord. These compound names are always linked with some need of man, and it is here that Jehovah will be all that His people ever need Him to be. He says of Himself, “The LORD is My name…this is My memorial unto all generations.” (Exodus 3:14-15, 15:3; Isaiah 42:8; Jeremiah 16:21; 33:2; Amos 5:8; 9:6).

Elijah, whose personal name means, “my God is Yah”, was a prophet from the ninth century B.C. Elijah experienced the wonderful deeds of the Lord, and he confidently proclaimed that there is no god like the true God.

There are many intriguing stories in the Bible that remind us of the fact that God is God. The story of Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is a great example of what can happen when God’s people know for certain that their Lord is God. Over the next couple of weeks I want to focus on what is produced in us when we know God is God.

First, when we know God is God, it keeps us from wavering between two opinions.

1 Kings 18:20-21 says “20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."

Belief in God is the key to living a bold life of faith. In other words, certainty must precede action if we are going to do mighty exploits for God. We usually act upon that which we believe to be true. Unbelief is the key to living a life of doubt. Doubt produces passivity in people. Passivity leads to our destruction when we fail to act on God’s commands.

All throughout history God has always been faithful to reveal Himself to His people. God expects us to know His will and obey it wholeheartedly. He does not like when we waver in our faith. In fact, Scripture reveals to us that the double-minded person will not receive anything from the Lord (James 1:5-8).

Elijah was a powerful man for God because he did not waver between two opinions and obeyed when God gave him instructions.

Conscience over Creed

Many saw evil.
They dared to stop it.

Last week I finally had the opportunity to watch the movie Valkyrie. With three young boys, my wife Cindy and I do not get a chance to watch movies often. I highly recommend that you view this movie.

Valkyrie is a 2008 historical thriller film set in Nazi Germany during World War II. The film depicts the July 20, 1944 plot by German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to use the Operation Valkyrie national emergency plan to take control of the country. These brave German soldiers could no longer violate their conscience while serving their country.

The film opens with an oath that the adherents to Nazism took while practicing their wicked behavior. In order to accomplish his agenda, Adolf Hitler denied God’s ways and set himself up as the new Lord of Germany. The oath contained the following words:

I swear by God this sacred oath:

That I shall render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler
Fuhrer of the German Reich and people,
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,

And that I shall at all times be ready, as a brave soldier,
to give my life for this oath…

God has given us a conscience as a guide to witness to what is right and what is wrong. In fact, God writes His laws on our hearts. We should never follow a creed that denies what God teaches in His Holy Scriptures as righteous and just conduct.

Psalm 14:1a says, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

The root of all deceptive, evil and immoral action is the belief that there is no God. This presupposition causes people to live life without the thought of suffering eternal consequences for bad behavior. There is no absolute standard for what is right or wrong if there is no God.

History has proven two things. First, people consistently deny the reality of God and don’t approach life with a reverence for His commands. Second, God will accomplish His purpose whether we obey Him or not.

The film ends with words on the screen from the German resistance memorial in Berlin. The words on the memorial say:

You did not bear the shame
You resisted
Sacrificing your life
For freedom, justice and honor

Valkyrie is a great reminder that, although people can rebel against the commands of God, there is nothing they can do to ultimately prevent His will from being done on earth. Today, Hitler’s name is remembered in shame and his soul rots in hell forever. Those who resisted this evil tyrant are remembered with honor and dignity for all of eternity.

God is God! Only the fool says differently.

Love * Sacrifice * Service

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the brave and noble men and women who have faithfully served the United States of America. I would also like to give my condolences to every family who has lost loved ones during their duty. I can’t even describe in words how much I admire every person who serves in our military.

I think every weekend should be a memorial weekend. It is so important that we remember the love, sacrifice and service of others who have selflessly given their lives to make ours better. Actually, Sunday morning Christian church services are a memorial time when we honor the greatest life-giving act of all time. This act was Jesus Christ sacrificing his life on a cross for our sins.

Those three words: love, sacrifice and service are very powerful. When a person possesses these qualities, they can do amazing deeds of courage. Whether it was Christ on a cross, or the multitude of men and women who have died for our country, you can be assured that they all imbibed these attributes.

Love: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:3

Sacrifice: “By one sacrifice he (Jesus) has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14

Service: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

All of these Scriptures refer to the sacrifice of Christ. He is the one we should follow because He is the one who shed His blood for us.

When we desire comfort, convenience and personal pleasure over love, sacrifice and service, we set ourselves up for destruction. If the citizens of America will once again make these qualities the ambition of their lives, our nation can regain its greatness. As we honor our veterans on this Memorial Day who sacrificed their lives for our country, I hope we remember and treasure the example they set for all of us to follow.

Please pray for our military personnel all this week, and ask God to help you live a life of love, sacrifice and service.

Born to be Born Again

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Can you imagine getting a chance to live your life over again? What would you do different? I am quite confident that every person on the planet would do things differently if they received a do-over in life.

Experience and maturation teaches all of us that we make many mistakes in life. In fact, every single person on the planet sins and falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Take a moment and think about the heartache and pain your sin has brought to your life. Do you wish you made different choices while growing up? I know I sure do.

When people do not want to admit they need to change, they justify their sinful behavior by proclaiming this is the way they were born. In their attempt to make an argument that would allow them to continue participating in immoral behavior without condemnation, they actually state very clearly what they Bible teaches in regards to human nature.

Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.”

It is true that we are born to sin. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, sin entered the human race. The consequence for their disobedience is that every person born after them would now possess a sinful nature from birth. Galatians 5:19-21 says, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Our actions reveal our nature.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit (John 3:1-5).

Even though Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of this Jewish party that saw the way to God as being through obedience to the law, he knew he needed more than just “good deeds” to be in right standing with God. Nicodemus, like all of us, still had to deal with his sins. He needed to be born again.

The reason we need to be born again through God’s Spirit is because the wages of our sins is death (Romans 6:23). We have all sinned, and therefore, we are all dead in our trespasses.

So the next time someone tells you they were born that way when they try to justify their sinful behavior, don’t argue with them. Tell them they are absolutely 100% correct. Then, speak the truth in love by telling them their conduct is sin according to God’s Holy Scriptures. After that, tell them they need to repent of their sins, and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, so they can become born again with a new Christ-like nature.

Remember…our actions reveal our nature. Are you born again?

Possessing a Proper Perspective

Has anyone ever demanded your attention when it was inconvenient to respond to him or her? My three young boys seem to have a knack for possessing this attribute. The latest incident involved my six-year old son Ethan while I was shaving.

I have been shaving since the seventh grade, so it is safe to say that I have a few whiskers. For those of you who shave regularly, you know how important it is to shave when your skin is properly prepared for the razor. For me, shaving right after my shower while my facial hair is soft is the key to preventing my own version of the chainsaw massacre.

Last Thursday I was shaving and in a hurry to get to a Dave Ramsey event we were hosting at the church when suddenly the bathroom door almost came flying off its hinges. Ethan had stubbed his toe and it was bleeding. Since Ethan has an older brother, he has learned for the sake of his own personal survival how to be tough. However, mighty Ethan has never warmed up to the sight of blood, especially his own.

As he was screaming and in a panic like death was certain, I glanced down to see if his toe was still attached to his foot. When I looked at his toe, I observed that it was just a little scrape. It was the sight of blood that had him all freaked out.

I was relieved to know that his toe was fine and I would not have to interrupt my shaving routine. While I finished shaving, I kept reminding him that he was going to be just fine. Despite my most convincing plea, I could not get him to believe me.

After I finished shaving, I grabbed a cotton ball out of the cabinet, put some first-aid antiseptic on it and magically rubbed off the remaining blood. As soon as Ethan saw that the blood was gone, he was off to the races. One cotton ball soaked in antiseptic proved that it was not the end of the world, as we know it.

Years of experience in dealing with my own bumps and bruises, and three sons who daily acquire new scrapes and scratches, has produced in me a perspective that my son Ethan does not possess. One glance and I knew Ethan’s toe was going to be fine.

This incident reminded me of how important it is to have a wiser person help process the circumstances of life. In times of uncertainty like we are living in today we must gain a proper and eternal perspective. The best way we can do this is by looking to the omniscient God.

Jesus taught his followers to not worry. In Matthew 6:31-34 says, “31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

In times of war, economic crisis and potential pandemic, we can have peace because we are focused on the one who possesses a greater perspective. We can trust in God’s goodness and His love for those who faithfully follow Him.

Do you possess a proper perspective by trusting in God?

Sometimes Losing is Better Than Winning

Really? As a very competitive former athlete and coach, I never imagined that I would allow the thought of losing being better than winning cross my mind.

Miss Massachusetts Alison Cronin told FOXNews.com she was "shocked" when Carrie Prejean, 21, told Miss USA judge and celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton that she believes marriage should be "between a man and a woman."

Hilton's question — “Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?” — was considered appropriate for the telecast. Prejean, a student at San Diego Christian College, replied that she personally opposes gay marriage — a response that some, including Hilton, said cost her the Miss USA title.

When is losing better than winning?

It is better when you do not compromise your convictions, suppress the truth or lose your integrity to gain the victory.

No matter how Prejean answered the question, she was going to experience disdain and persecution for her answer. What I admire most about her answer is the fact that she held to her beliefs based upon her Christian faith. Whether you agree or disagree with her answer, you have to admire the fact that she did not all of a sudden become “politically correct” to win a contest. Authenticity and sincerity is much more attractive than physical beauty. It seems that Miss California is fortunate to possess both.

2 Corinthians 6:9-10 is one of the many Scriptures in the Bible that defines homosexuality as wicked and immoral. It says, “9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Perez Hilton called Carrie Prejean a b---- for answering the question based upon her faith convictions. If you are a Christian and believe homosexuality and lesbianism is immoral, and if you believe the institution of marriage should only be reserved for a man and woman in covenant, then that does not mean you are a bigot. It means you believe what the Holy Bible teaches about marriage and proper sexual conduct.

If you don’t like Miss California’s answer you should not get mad at her. Your beef is with God. Maybe you should ask the question, “Why would the Holy Bible define homosexuality as wicked and immoral?” I think an honest pursuit to answer that question would lead to truth and freedom. I would love to help you answer that question if you are struggling with homosexuality or lesbianism. My motive is to speak the truth in love and offer compassion and help.

Carrie Prejean may not have won the crown of Miss USA, but she did win a crown that will last for all of eternity. It is the crown of life given to those who pass the test of faith. James 1:12 says, “12Blessed is the man or woman who perseveres under trial, because when he or she has stood the test, he or she will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Well done Carrie!

Jesus: Agent of Change

The evidence for Jesus' resurrection is so strong that nobody would question it except for two things: First, it is a very unusual event. And second, if you believe it happened, you have to change the way you live. —Wolfhart Pannenberg, German theologian (1928—)

Only an encounter with the living God, Jesus, can change your life.

“Everyone should be abstinent,” Bristol Palin said during a February 16th Fox news interview, just two months after the 18 year-old daughter of Alaska’s Republican governor gave birth to a 7-lb. 7 oz. baby boy. But abstinence is “not realistic at all,” she added.

Unfortunately, federal studies have shown that abstinence-only education has done little to curb teen-pregnancy rates, despite the nearly $1 billion in federal funding that such programs have received since 2000. More than a third of all births in the U.S. are to single women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is a sad reality that many Americans know that they should reserve sex for marriage, but do not have the self-control to make this a practice in their lives. Even an effort to provide more educational effort to the importance of abstinence has not helped much. Why? Because, information and knowledge do not transform the human heart. Only Jesus Christ can change a person to live like Him.

Would God give us holy standards for living, such as abstinence, with the expectation to obey them, and not provide a way to do it? That would be quite cruel. Instead, God did provide a way for us to change. We change by receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Jesus transforms our hearts by filling us with His Holy Spirit and renewing our minds with the truth of His Holy Scriptures.

Jesus is the agent of change.

The Greatest Champion

54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"[h] 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:54-58

On Easter, Christ-followers celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the greatest champion because He is the only one to conquer sin, death and the devil.

In America we love to praise and celebrate those who we consider to be champions. Tournament attendance and television ratings increase substantially when golfing champion Tiger Woods is teeing off. Companies pay a million dollars for a thirty second commercial on Super Bowl Sunday. Why? They know the whole world is watching to see who will be crowned football champion.

We praise those who have attained champion status because we know how difficult it is to achieve this title. It takes individual skill, hard work, perseverance, quality teammates, top-notch coaching, “luck” and so much more to win a championship.

One of the facts that make someone a champion is their ability to defeat and conquer a formidable adversary. Would the Celtics and Lakers rivalry in the 80’s have been the same without Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird? Would John McEnroe’s victories at Wimbledon be as admired today without Bjorn Borg? Would we call the United States hockey team victory a “miracle” without the dominant Soviet Union team? The obvious answer to all these questions is an emphatic no.

So, who is the greatest champion of all time? Is it Jack Nickalaus in golf? How about Bill Russell in basketball? What about the great coach of the UCLA Bruins, John Wooden? Don’t forget the Pittsburgh Steelers in professional football. Why would we even consider these people or teams as the greatest champion or champions? Because, they were victorious more than any who played their sport.

However, none of their accomplishments even compare to what Jesus Christ did during his death, burial and resurrection. Jesus, by dying on a wooden cross and shedding his blood, once and for all conquered sin, death and the devil. Sin, death and the devil are the greatest three adversaries of all time. Nothing has reaped more havoc on humanity than these three foes. Until Christ, they were the victors over the human race.

But, one man on a cross turned the tide of human history forever. When Jesus died on the cross, and rose from the grave three days later, He won the greatest victory of all time. Jesus is the greatest champion because He is the only One who ever has and ever will conquer sin, death and the devil. This makes him worthy of all our praise and adoration.

Happy Easter!

The Triumphant Entry

During Jesus’ last week leading to his crucifixion on Calvary, forty-eight events are recorded in Scripture. The first event to occur was Christ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

A Prophecy was about to be fulfilled as the multitudes gathered in the Holy City in preparation for the Passover. Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

In tribute to the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, I want to draw attention to the fact that Jesus rode into the Holy City on a colt, the foal of a donkey. In the Old Testament, a colt was a noble animal, it was used for service and to carry the burdens of men; perhaps more importantly, it was used by Kings. When they entered a city in peace, they rode a colt to symbolize their peaceful intentions. When a King entered a city as a conqueror, he rode a stallion.

Jesus did not enter Jerusalem on a white stallion but on a humble colt coming with peace, not to destroy governments but to save men. Today, most people want power and authority, seldom do we find people that are humble and full of peace. It is amazing that the omnipotent Christ would choose to humble Himself and ride in peace. Jesus’ humility would further be demonstrated a week later when He would offer Himself as the perfect Lamb of God to be sacrificed for the sins of the whole world.

I believe humility is the key to living a triumphant life. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (James 4:6b, 10).”

In the nineties, I remember reading a Tallahassee Democrat article in the sports section about the invincibility of the Florida State football team. The journalist was reporting on the possibility of the Seminoles never losing an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) football game. I recall thinking that the article was quite audacious at the time. Even comments by some of the players on the FSU team seemed to indicate that they thought it was impossible for any ACC opponent to beat them.

Immediately Proverbs 16:18 began to resonate in my mind. It says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” The Seminoles next ACC contest was an away game against the Virginia Cavaliers. Florida State would end up losing the game and suffering their first Atlantic Coast Conference loss. Did the content and comments in the article have anything to do with the loss or was it just coincidence?

The triumphant entry of Jesus was just the very beginning of His last ministry in Jerusalem during the Holy week. Let us learn from this day and remember that Jesus our true Messiah humbly entered Jerusalem to save all men.

How Do You Deal With Your Sin?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

The Bible teaches that every person is born with a sinful nature. Just observe young children in a room full of toys with no supervision and this truth becomes quite evident. Our sinful nature causes us to think, feel and act contrary to God’s standard for appropriate conduct. Living in sin is in direct opposition to living by God’s Spirit which produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Have you ever asked the question, “Why is there so much evil in the world?” The answer is simple—human beings possess a sinful nature.

Even though the news stations validate this fact every evening, people still want to deny this reality. When humans don’t believe God’s diagnosis about the human condition, they develop in vain their own remedies to try to control behavior.

I have discovered that there are three ways to deal with sinful behavior.

(1) We can try to manage our sinful behavior.

Many support groups and psychotherapists operate with this philosophy. People are taught to identify their problem, and then they are instructed to follow some program or system to manage their behavior. These programs might deter bad behavior, but they never eliminate it. They are like putting a band-aid on a wound. A band-aid covers the wound, but it does not heal it. Similar to a dormant volcano that will eventually become active and erupt, it only takes the right circumstance or person to cause the sinful behavior in the person to manifest.

(2) We can try to medicate our sinful behavior.

All sinful behavior is detrimental to our health. More Americans report being depressed. We have had a revolution in the United States in identifying and treating depression, searching for its genetic causes and developing new families of antidepressant drugs. Yet we see no reduction in depression.

The nation's scales are going up...up...up...and it's clear that we have an obesity health crisis on our hands.

Mental disorders are common in the United States. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. More than 22 million Americans age 12 and older are addicted to drugs and alcohol.

The cover story of the December 1st, 2008 Time magazine issue was on the sorry state of American health. Despite advances in medicine, Americans are less healthy than we used to be, and the next generation may be even worse. It seems our solutions aren’t working.

(3) We can murder (crucify) our sinful nature.

The Bible not only teaches that humans are born with a sinful nature, but there is nothing we can do to remedy this condition. That is why we need a Savior! Jesus saves us from our sins. He does for us what is impossible to do for ourselves.

Galatians 5:24 says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” We murder or crucify our sinful nature by receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior, repenting of our sins, getting baptized in water and living life filled with God’s Spirit.

We can try our ways or God’s way to antidote sin. History has taught us that only one has proven to transform human beings for the better.

Guess which one it is.

Holy Bible: The Book of Martyrs

Martyr: (1) a person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her religion. (2) a person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause.

The Holy Bible is the best selling book of all time. What makes this book so appealing and so intriguing? There are probably thousands of answers to this question. It is a book in which God reveals Himself to the world. It is a detailed book of history. It is a book that contains the most compelling love story of all time. It is a book of wars. I could go on and on with answers to why the Holy Bible is so amazing.

The Holy Bible is a book of martyrs. It is the greatest book because it was given to us through the greatest sacrifice. People shed their blood and lost their lives so we could read the truth of the Scriptures.

Some atheists have suggested that the disciples, during the decades following His death, simply invented their accounts of Jesus. Any fair-minded reader should consider the historical evidence. The apostles were continually threatened and pressured to deny their Lord during their ministry; especially as they faced torture and martyrdom. However, none of these men who spent time with Jesus chose to save their lives by denying their faith in Him.

History reveals that not one of these men, who knew Jesus personally, ever denied their testimony about Him despite the threat and reality of imminent death. Each of the apostles were called upon to pay the ultimate price to prove their faith in Jesus, affirming with their life's blood that Jesus was the true Messiah, the Son of God, and the only hope of salvation for a sinful humanity.

Matthew suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound.

Mark died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.

Luke was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost.

John faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos.

Peter was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross, according to church tradition because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

James the Just, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.

James the Greater, a son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem.

Bartholomew, also know as Nathanael, was a missionary to Asia and was martyred for his preaching in Armenia when he was flayed to death by a whip.

Andrew was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece.

The apostle Thomas was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the subcontinent.

Jude, the brother of Jesus, was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

Matthias, the apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.

Barnabas, one of the group of seventy disciples, wrote the Epistle of Barnabas. He preached throughout Italy and Cyprus. Barnabas was stoned to death at Salonica.

The apostle Paul was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67.

I think we should pay attention to a book that cost so much to be delivered to us.

What do you think?