In order to keep a proper perspective in our season of change, we must first know and stand on the promise of God. Joseph was an amazing man of God. Joseph never wavered in his faith towards God even though he had many reasons to doubt God’s goodness.
Joseph was sold as a slave to the Egyptian Potiphar because his brothers were jealous of him, he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and put in prison, and he was forgotten about after helping the chief cup bearer of Pharaoh in prison when he told Joseph he would remember to mention him to Pharaoh when he got out. In these times of trial and testing, he never was disloyal to God.
God gave Joseph a special gift of interpreting dreams. This gift gave him an opportunity to minister to Pharaoh when he was being tormented by dreams. God gave Joseph favor with Pharaoh when he interpreted his dreams, and Pharaoh promoted him to the second most influential place of leadership in Egypt.
Through sovereign circumstances, Joseph would end up living and dying in Egypt. However, because of his close relationship with God, he had special insight into the destiny of his people, the Israelites. He spoke of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt several centuries before it happened. Hebrews 11:22 says, “By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.”
Joseph knew God was going to one day deliver his people out of Egypt and bring them to a promised land. He was so convinced of this, that he gave instructions for his bones to be carried out of Egypt and buried in God’s place of promise. What a great example of a man who had a generational perspective on the promise and purpose of God.
What allowed Joseph to maintain his loyalty to God through times of testing and trial? The answer has to do with his ability to stay focused on the promise of God instead of worrying about his problems. In order to keep the right perspective in times of change, we must look beyond the stress of the temporary to the glory of the eternal.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
Travel Light
Since the days of my youth I have been thinking about my purpose on planet earth. I can remember in middle school lying in my parent’s driveway looking up to the stars and wondering what am I supposed to do with my life.
Like a runner in a race trying to cross the finish line in such a way to win the prize, I knew my existence was to be more than just wandering aimlessly through life. Deep down in my soul I longed to reach this destination that was tugging at my heart and stirring in my head. Like Morpheus said to Neo in the Matrix, the thought about my destiny was a “splinter in my mind.”
As I grew older, I came to the conclusion that my destiny was to play basketball in college. So, I put as much time and effort as I could into trying to become the best hoopster possible. My hard work paid off and landed me a scholarship at Florida State University.
There was just one problem. While on scholarship, I still felt the “splinter in my mind” and longing in my soul for something more. My success as a Seminole would not satisfy the yearning to know my purpose. Having fulfilled a childhood dream, it was quite frustrating to realize my purpose on earth was something beyond shooting three pointers and wearing cool Nike shoes.
It wasn’t until I was a junior in college that I discovered my reason for existence. After attending a campus ministry meeting and hearing a message about Jesus, I realized that I was created by God to know him, love him and serve him. Since that moment, I have been passionately pursuing his purpose for my life.
After seventeen years of serving the Lord, I have developed a catchword as I run the race God has marked out for me. As I advance forward in life one of my mottos is to “travel light.” This is a reminder to let nothing weigh me down and thwart me from achieving the goal God has set for me.
Jogging is an activity that I do frequently. Spring and fall in Tallahassee are such wonderful times to jog outside. At 230 lbs, I do not have the most “jogger friendly” body.
As a former basketball player, I began jogging in my long and heavy shorts, a cotton T-shirt and high top shoes I used to wear during practice or games. In graduate school, I will never forget my first jog with two triathletes. We ran from Tully Gym to Tallahassee Community College and back which is over six miles. Being a competitive athlete, I wanted to run at their pace.
On my way back to Tully, I had to stop and walk. As I stared at the backs of my fellow runners, I noticed that they were not wearing shirts and there shorts were just that…short. Also, I couldn’t even tell if they had socks on and their shoes were lightweight running shoes.
On this hot summer day, my long basketball shorts, T-shirt and high top shoes had gotten soaked in my sweat and began to be quite a heavy load to carry. I quickly ascertained that if I was going to run efficiently, I would have to travel light.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance this race marked out for us.” While running this race God has marked out for us, I have erudite that there are five major things that hinder our ability to run well and fulfill our destiny. I will list them below.
1. Disobedience or Willful Sins: “Any act, attitude or action in direct disobedience to the Word of God.
2. Inner Vows: “An inner vow is a determination set with deep emotion by the mind and heart into all a person’s being in early life in response to a person, experience or desire.” It is a vow to oneself (not to God or another person). These vows are made out of hurts and are based on judgments that we make about another person (usually someone close to us like a parent). An inner vow is a vow made to yourself to be carried out by your own efforts and your own power. A classic inner vow is: “I will never be an alcoholic like my dad (mom)!”
3. Curses: “The opposite of blessing; the calling down of evil on someone or something; to afflict; a judgment.” A curse can be passed down from previous generations and can be compounded by things we ourselves have done. Other curses are solely a result of our choices.
4. Emotional Trauma: “A wound especially caused by an emotional shock or painful event or a sudden physical injury that causes lasting damage to the psychological, spiritual or emotional development of a person.”
5. Unforgiveness: “The refusal to let go or to excuse the debt owed by another or to lift it away; to hold on to an offense.”
In order to finish the race that is marked out for you in 2007, it is essential that you throw off everything that might prevent you from running well. Take my advice from years of experience and remember to travel light.
Like a runner in a race trying to cross the finish line in such a way to win the prize, I knew my existence was to be more than just wandering aimlessly through life. Deep down in my soul I longed to reach this destination that was tugging at my heart and stirring in my head. Like Morpheus said to Neo in the Matrix, the thought about my destiny was a “splinter in my mind.”
As I grew older, I came to the conclusion that my destiny was to play basketball in college. So, I put as much time and effort as I could into trying to become the best hoopster possible. My hard work paid off and landed me a scholarship at Florida State University.
There was just one problem. While on scholarship, I still felt the “splinter in my mind” and longing in my soul for something more. My success as a Seminole would not satisfy the yearning to know my purpose. Having fulfilled a childhood dream, it was quite frustrating to realize my purpose on earth was something beyond shooting three pointers and wearing cool Nike shoes.
It wasn’t until I was a junior in college that I discovered my reason for existence. After attending a campus ministry meeting and hearing a message about Jesus, I realized that I was created by God to know him, love him and serve him. Since that moment, I have been passionately pursuing his purpose for my life.
After seventeen years of serving the Lord, I have developed a catchword as I run the race God has marked out for me. As I advance forward in life one of my mottos is to “travel light.” This is a reminder to let nothing weigh me down and thwart me from achieving the goal God has set for me.
Jogging is an activity that I do frequently. Spring and fall in Tallahassee are such wonderful times to jog outside. At 230 lbs, I do not have the most “jogger friendly” body.
As a former basketball player, I began jogging in my long and heavy shorts, a cotton T-shirt and high top shoes I used to wear during practice or games. In graduate school, I will never forget my first jog with two triathletes. We ran from Tully Gym to Tallahassee Community College and back which is over six miles. Being a competitive athlete, I wanted to run at their pace.
On my way back to Tully, I had to stop and walk. As I stared at the backs of my fellow runners, I noticed that they were not wearing shirts and there shorts were just that…short. Also, I couldn’t even tell if they had socks on and their shoes were lightweight running shoes.
On this hot summer day, my long basketball shorts, T-shirt and high top shoes had gotten soaked in my sweat and began to be quite a heavy load to carry. I quickly ascertained that if I was going to run efficiently, I would have to travel light.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance this race marked out for us.” While running this race God has marked out for us, I have erudite that there are five major things that hinder our ability to run well and fulfill our destiny. I will list them below.
1. Disobedience or Willful Sins: “Any act, attitude or action in direct disobedience to the Word of God.
2. Inner Vows: “An inner vow is a determination set with deep emotion by the mind and heart into all a person’s being in early life in response to a person, experience or desire.” It is a vow to oneself (not to God or another person). These vows are made out of hurts and are based on judgments that we make about another person (usually someone close to us like a parent). An inner vow is a vow made to yourself to be carried out by your own efforts and your own power. A classic inner vow is: “I will never be an alcoholic like my dad (mom)!”
3. Curses: “The opposite of blessing; the calling down of evil on someone or something; to afflict; a judgment.” A curse can be passed down from previous generations and can be compounded by things we ourselves have done. Other curses are solely a result of our choices.
4. Emotional Trauma: “A wound especially caused by an emotional shock or painful event or a sudden physical injury that causes lasting damage to the psychological, spiritual or emotional development of a person.”
5. Unforgiveness: “The refusal to let go or to excuse the debt owed by another or to lift it away; to hold on to an offense.”
In order to finish the race that is marked out for you in 2007, it is essential that you throw off everything that might prevent you from running well. Take my advice from years of experience and remember to travel light.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
I Have a Serious Case of the Orange and Blues
The Florida Gators beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 41-14 to win the 2007 Tostitos National Championship Game of college football. What is the world coming to?
For the first time in NCAA history, one university holds the football and basketball national championship at the same time, and it is the University of Florida. It must be the end of the world as we know it. As a former Florida State University (FSU) basketball player, graduate and strength coach, this is a hard pill to swallow. I am convinced we are under judgment as a nation.
All joking aside, I would like to congratulate my arch rival, the University of Florida, for a job well done.
As I went about my business the day after the game in Tallahassee, a city that usually reins supreme in the garnet and gold of FSU, I saw people wearing orange and blue everywhere. After finishing one of my sets on the bench press at the gym, I observed yet another gentleman entering the weight room area in a Florida sweatshirt. As I read FLORIDA across his chest, I began to think about the power of being victorious.
There is a certain boldness and confidence that comes with victory. Tallahassee is not the most orange and blue friendly city in the world. However, this did not hinder the Gators from wearing their colors. They were coming out of the woodwork. The innumerable amount of people wearing orange and blue paraphernalia declared one simple truth that even I could not deny—the Gators are champions.
There is one characteristic that makes a team champions. This is the fact that they have defeated a great competitor. In other words, a champion is known for what it conquers. The Gators beat a Buckeyes team that was the only undefeated team of the regular season, and also possessed the Heisman Trophy winner in Troy Smith. Because of these two accomplishments, Ohio State was predicted to win the game.
1 Corinthians 15:55-58 says, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (56) "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, 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."
It is one thing to beat an undefeated football team, but it is a much greater accomplishment to conquer sin and death. That is why Jesus is the greatest champion of all time.
Since Jesus is the greatest champion of all time, Christians should courageously display his message to the world. His victory over sin on the cross, and death by rising from the grave, should give us a boldness and confidence to stand firm and give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
If the Gators can display their championship colors in Tallahassee, certainly we as Christians can proclaim the truth of Jesus to people bound by sin and fearful of death.
Psalm 44:6-8 says, “(6) I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; (7) but you (Jesus) give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. (8) In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.”
As victorious Christians let’s make our boast all day long about the greatest champion who defeated our most formidable foes—sin and death.
Are you victorious in Jesus? If so, it should be obvious for all to see.
For the first time in NCAA history, one university holds the football and basketball national championship at the same time, and it is the University of Florida. It must be the end of the world as we know it. As a former Florida State University (FSU) basketball player, graduate and strength coach, this is a hard pill to swallow. I am convinced we are under judgment as a nation.
All joking aside, I would like to congratulate my arch rival, the University of Florida, for a job well done.
As I went about my business the day after the game in Tallahassee, a city that usually reins supreme in the garnet and gold of FSU, I saw people wearing orange and blue everywhere. After finishing one of my sets on the bench press at the gym, I observed yet another gentleman entering the weight room area in a Florida sweatshirt. As I read FLORIDA across his chest, I began to think about the power of being victorious.
There is a certain boldness and confidence that comes with victory. Tallahassee is not the most orange and blue friendly city in the world. However, this did not hinder the Gators from wearing their colors. They were coming out of the woodwork. The innumerable amount of people wearing orange and blue paraphernalia declared one simple truth that even I could not deny—the Gators are champions.
There is one characteristic that makes a team champions. This is the fact that they have defeated a great competitor. In other words, a champion is known for what it conquers. The Gators beat a Buckeyes team that was the only undefeated team of the regular season, and also possessed the Heisman Trophy winner in Troy Smith. Because of these two accomplishments, Ohio State was predicted to win the game.
1 Corinthians 15:55-58 says, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (56) "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, 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."
It is one thing to beat an undefeated football team, but it is a much greater accomplishment to conquer sin and death. That is why Jesus is the greatest champion of all time.
Since Jesus is the greatest champion of all time, Christians should courageously display his message to the world. His victory over sin on the cross, and death by rising from the grave, should give us a boldness and confidence to stand firm and give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
If the Gators can display their championship colors in Tallahassee, certainly we as Christians can proclaim the truth of Jesus to people bound by sin and fearful of death.
Psalm 44:6-8 says, “(6) I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; (7) but you (Jesus) give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. (8) In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.”
As victorious Christians let’s make our boast all day long about the greatest champion who defeated our most formidable foes—sin and death.
Are you victorious in Jesus? If so, it should be obvious for all to see.
Monday, January 08, 2007
People Matter to God!
People matter to God! John 3:16, the most recognized scripture in the Bible, says, “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.” Displeased with mankind’s sinful behavior, God could have chosen to wipe us off the face of the planet forever. Instead, he chose to extend grace and mercy by offering his one and only son as a sacrifice for our sins. Why? Because people matter to God!
We learn from science that people matter to God. The anthropic principle points out that the universe is designed in such a way to support and nourish human life. For example, raise or lower the universe’s rate of expansion by even one part in a million, and it would have ruled out the possibility of life. And, if the ratio of carbon to oxygen had been slightly different than it is, none of us would have been here to breathe the air.
Suppose the earth had been a bit closer or further from the sun, or just a little larger or smaller, or if it rotated at a speed any different from the one we’re spinning at right now. Given any of these changes, the resulting temperature variations would be completely fatal.
So the lesson we can draw from the Anthropic Principle is this: Someone must have gone to a lot of effort to make things just right so that you and I could be here to enjoy life. In short, modern science points to the fact that people must really matter to God.
We learn from cutting-edge management experts in business that people matter to God. For example, in Thriving On Chaos, Tom Peters refers to this transformation as a “customer revolution.” Also, Ken Blanchard, author of the enormously successful book, The One-Minute Manager, toured the country talking about what he calls “the upside-down pyramid.”
What is the change that they feel is so critical for all of corporate America to hear? Businesses, if they’re going to be successful for the long haul, must pull their attention off of themselves and refocus their energies on their only reason for existence—to serve their customers.
Because people matter to God, they should also matter to us. One of the greatest ways we can show our love for God is by being fruitful in our outreach to those who do not know Jesus. John 15:8-10 says, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (9) As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (10) If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
One of the main reasons it is so important to reach people who are at enmity with God is because they will perish for all eternity in hell. An atheist was told by some Christian friends that those who do not receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior will go to hell. Then, they began to describe the horrific conditions of this eternal state to the atheist. After the conversation, the atheist began to observe the lives of people who claimed to be Christians. Like all people, he wanted to see if their mission in life truly reflected their message.
What he observed was the fact that Christians in America do not live much different from the rest of the people in society. The atheist came to two conclusions after monitoring the lives of these so called Christians.
First, he concluded that they must be hypocrites and not really believe hell is the final destination for all who do not receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Second, he inferred from his observations that Christians must be the most selfish people on the planet. Looking at his Christian friends, the atheist said, “If I believed what you believed, I would spend every breathing moment trying to convince everyone I meet what you proclaim. The fact that you don’t do this proves to me you really don’t believe your message.”
Charles Spurgeon said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies, and if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions and let not one go there unwarned and not prayed for.”
2 Peter 3:8-9 says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (9) The Lord is not slow in keeping with his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
In 2007, my prayer for every Christian is every time we wake up in the morning we would remember that living the mission and delivering the message of Christ is our duty.
May we never forget or become desensitized to the fact: People Matter to God!
We learn from science that people matter to God. The anthropic principle points out that the universe is designed in such a way to support and nourish human life. For example, raise or lower the universe’s rate of expansion by even one part in a million, and it would have ruled out the possibility of life. And, if the ratio of carbon to oxygen had been slightly different than it is, none of us would have been here to breathe the air.
Suppose the earth had been a bit closer or further from the sun, or just a little larger or smaller, or if it rotated at a speed any different from the one we’re spinning at right now. Given any of these changes, the resulting temperature variations would be completely fatal.
So the lesson we can draw from the Anthropic Principle is this: Someone must have gone to a lot of effort to make things just right so that you and I could be here to enjoy life. In short, modern science points to the fact that people must really matter to God.
We learn from cutting-edge management experts in business that people matter to God. For example, in Thriving On Chaos, Tom Peters refers to this transformation as a “customer revolution.” Also, Ken Blanchard, author of the enormously successful book, The One-Minute Manager, toured the country talking about what he calls “the upside-down pyramid.”
What is the change that they feel is so critical for all of corporate America to hear? Businesses, if they’re going to be successful for the long haul, must pull their attention off of themselves and refocus their energies on their only reason for existence—to serve their customers.
Because people matter to God, they should also matter to us. One of the greatest ways we can show our love for God is by being fruitful in our outreach to those who do not know Jesus. John 15:8-10 says, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (9) As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (10) If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
One of the main reasons it is so important to reach people who are at enmity with God is because they will perish for all eternity in hell. An atheist was told by some Christian friends that those who do not receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior will go to hell. Then, they began to describe the horrific conditions of this eternal state to the atheist. After the conversation, the atheist began to observe the lives of people who claimed to be Christians. Like all people, he wanted to see if their mission in life truly reflected their message.
What he observed was the fact that Christians in America do not live much different from the rest of the people in society. The atheist came to two conclusions after monitoring the lives of these so called Christians.
First, he concluded that they must be hypocrites and not really believe hell is the final destination for all who do not receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Second, he inferred from his observations that Christians must be the most selfish people on the planet. Looking at his Christian friends, the atheist said, “If I believed what you believed, I would spend every breathing moment trying to convince everyone I meet what you proclaim. The fact that you don’t do this proves to me you really don’t believe your message.”
Charles Spurgeon said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies, and if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions and let not one go there unwarned and not prayed for.”
2 Peter 3:8-9 says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (9) The Lord is not slow in keeping with his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
In 2007, my prayer for every Christian is every time we wake up in the morning we would remember that living the mission and delivering the message of Christ is our duty.
May we never forget or become desensitized to the fact: People Matter to God!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Leaving the Old to Walk in the New in 2007
The coming of a New Year stirs up so many thoughts and emotions inside of me. First, I am always amazed at how another year has gone by so quickly. Next, I think about the fact that I am getting older and closer to forty (I wander if I will have all my teeth when I turn forty). Then, I get a little sad because I really don’t want to grow up. Being young was just too much fun.
After I stare in the bathroom mirror for a while and grieve over the extra weight around my mid-section and the extra nose hairs protruding from my nostrils, I begin to get motivated at the thought of a new year.
It is in this moment that the thought of a new year brings great expectation. The 2007 slate is clean and it is a great time to dream. There is a tremendous hope in my soul that some long petitioned prayers will be answered in the New Year. The old has gone and the new is coming. I have not made any mistakes, I have not offended anybody, no one has offended me, I have not gained any weight and my nose hairs have not increased. So far, in regards to 2007, everything has gone right.
Being an idealist and an eternal optimist, there is always the thought that everything will go just as I plan and dream for 2007. However, history and experience has taught me that this is a very deceptive thought. Thank God I married a realist who keeps my head out of the clouds.
I have learned that there are three things you should do as you enter into a new year; evaluate, adjust and goal set. First, you should evaluate and examine the previous year. This is important because you want to learn from your experiences while they are still fresh on your mind. What did you do well? What could you have done better? Did you accomplish your goals? Next, you should make the necessary adjustments so you don’t repeat the same mistakes. Lastly, you should set attainable goals for the New Year and celebrate as you accomplish them.
As I am preparing for 2007 there is an extra sense of excitement in my soul. I have not been this inspired about a new year since Cindy and I first took over the pastoral duties of Every Nation Tallahassee.
I am so determined to walk in the new things that God has for me in 2007 that I did something radical. What I am about to tell you is a momentous incident in my life. I actually performed a miracle by throwing away my old work out clothes. Some of my shirts I have worn for the last thirteen years.
Cindy got me some new work out shirts and shorts and was appealing/demanding I throw the old ones away. I asked her if I could conduct a “work out clothes retirement ceremony” by inviting my closest friends and getting my old clothes framed and mounted on the wall for all to smell and appreciate. I did not get an answer so I took that gesture as a firm no.
Throwing away my old clothes and putting on my new ones is an external sign of three things in my life. First, I am leaving the old things of 2006 behind. Second, I am committing to receive the new things that God has for me in 2007. Third, I am dressed and ready for battle.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” One of the wonderful benefits of being in Christ is the fact that we get to experience the new things God has for us.
My prayer for you is that you would leave the old of 2006 behind and receive God’s best for you in 2007.
Happy New Year!
After I stare in the bathroom mirror for a while and grieve over the extra weight around my mid-section and the extra nose hairs protruding from my nostrils, I begin to get motivated at the thought of a new year.
It is in this moment that the thought of a new year brings great expectation. The 2007 slate is clean and it is a great time to dream. There is a tremendous hope in my soul that some long petitioned prayers will be answered in the New Year. The old has gone and the new is coming. I have not made any mistakes, I have not offended anybody, no one has offended me, I have not gained any weight and my nose hairs have not increased. So far, in regards to 2007, everything has gone right.
Being an idealist and an eternal optimist, there is always the thought that everything will go just as I plan and dream for 2007. However, history and experience has taught me that this is a very deceptive thought. Thank God I married a realist who keeps my head out of the clouds.
I have learned that there are three things you should do as you enter into a new year; evaluate, adjust and goal set. First, you should evaluate and examine the previous year. This is important because you want to learn from your experiences while they are still fresh on your mind. What did you do well? What could you have done better? Did you accomplish your goals? Next, you should make the necessary adjustments so you don’t repeat the same mistakes. Lastly, you should set attainable goals for the New Year and celebrate as you accomplish them.
As I am preparing for 2007 there is an extra sense of excitement in my soul. I have not been this inspired about a new year since Cindy and I first took over the pastoral duties of Every Nation Tallahassee.
I am so determined to walk in the new things that God has for me in 2007 that I did something radical. What I am about to tell you is a momentous incident in my life. I actually performed a miracle by throwing away my old work out clothes. Some of my shirts I have worn for the last thirteen years.
Cindy got me some new work out shirts and shorts and was appealing/demanding I throw the old ones away. I asked her if I could conduct a “work out clothes retirement ceremony” by inviting my closest friends and getting my old clothes framed and mounted on the wall for all to smell and appreciate. I did not get an answer so I took that gesture as a firm no.
Throwing away my old clothes and putting on my new ones is an external sign of three things in my life. First, I am leaving the old things of 2006 behind. Second, I am committing to receive the new things that God has for me in 2007. Third, I am dressed and ready for battle.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” One of the wonderful benefits of being in Christ is the fact that we get to experience the new things God has for us.
My prayer for you is that you would leave the old of 2006 behind and receive God’s best for you in 2007.
Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Hark the Herald Angels Sing—Glory to the Newborn King!
With the commercialization of Christmas and the busyness of travel and shopping during the Holiday Season, it can be easy to forget what Christmas is all about. Christmas should not be a holiday reduced down to the activities of hanging lights on our houses and in our yards, buying and receiving gifts, visiting family, and enjoying a few extra days off from work. Christmas is about remembering and celebrating the ultimate gift given to us by God. It is all about Jesus—He is the Reason for the Season.
Stuart Briscoe in Meet Him at the Manger sums it up best as he writes, “The spirit of Christmas needs to be superseded by the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christmas is annual; the Spirit of Christ is eternal. The spirit of Christmas is sentimental; the Spirit of Christ is supernatural. The spirit of Christmas is a human product; the Spirit of Christ is a divine person. That makes all the difference in the world.”
In Matthew 1:22-23 it says, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: (23) “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.”
What an amazing thought that the Almighty God is with us. 1 Timothy 3:16 says, “16Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
Jesus, as a baby in manger, for the first time since all of creation was seen by angels. Angels are beings who minister to the Lord and for the Lord. The Bible reveals to us some of their physical features. One of them is that they have six wings. This is significant because as they minister before the Lord they use two wings to fly, two wings to cover their feet and two wings to cover their eyes. Throughout the Old Testament no one in creation was allowed to look at the Holy God face to face and live.
Can you imagine how the angels must have longed to behold the beauty of God? Since the beginning of time, I bet the temptation to take a peak at God must have been inconceivable. With the birth of Jesus, now for the first time ever they could look into the face of God.
Cindy and I, as proud parents of three young boys, and pastors of a church that is birthing a ton of new babies, have personally experienced the excitement of gazing upon many new born babies. With the birth of each of our sons, there was a renewed excited to discover what they looked like. They got their gender from me and their good looks from Cindy—praise God! We also get excited to see the babies of all of our friends in the church for the first time. As we receive the news about the new births, we always ask, “Who does he/she look like?” Everybody gets excited to see a new born baby for the first time.
The Apostle John was also amazed at the thought of how he had the privilege of beholding this Jesus, the Son of God and the Word of Life. In 1 John 1:1-2 he writes, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched.—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. (2) The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” It was so astounding; he would spend the rest of his life proclaiming his experience with Jesus to the world.
Have you seen Jesus? If so, I trust you are celebrating and worshipping Him with all of creation this Christmas. If not, my prayer for you is that you would receive the greatest gift ever given to mankind--Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas!
Stuart Briscoe in Meet Him at the Manger sums it up best as he writes, “The spirit of Christmas needs to be superseded by the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christmas is annual; the Spirit of Christ is eternal. The spirit of Christmas is sentimental; the Spirit of Christ is supernatural. The spirit of Christmas is a human product; the Spirit of Christ is a divine person. That makes all the difference in the world.”
In Matthew 1:22-23 it says, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: (23) “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.”
What an amazing thought that the Almighty God is with us. 1 Timothy 3:16 says, “16Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
Jesus, as a baby in manger, for the first time since all of creation was seen by angels. Angels are beings who minister to the Lord and for the Lord. The Bible reveals to us some of their physical features. One of them is that they have six wings. This is significant because as they minister before the Lord they use two wings to fly, two wings to cover their feet and two wings to cover their eyes. Throughout the Old Testament no one in creation was allowed to look at the Holy God face to face and live.
Can you imagine how the angels must have longed to behold the beauty of God? Since the beginning of time, I bet the temptation to take a peak at God must have been inconceivable. With the birth of Jesus, now for the first time ever they could look into the face of God.
Cindy and I, as proud parents of three young boys, and pastors of a church that is birthing a ton of new babies, have personally experienced the excitement of gazing upon many new born babies. With the birth of each of our sons, there was a renewed excited to discover what they looked like. They got their gender from me and their good looks from Cindy—praise God! We also get excited to see the babies of all of our friends in the church for the first time. As we receive the news about the new births, we always ask, “Who does he/she look like?” Everybody gets excited to see a new born baby for the first time.
The Apostle John was also amazed at the thought of how he had the privilege of beholding this Jesus, the Son of God and the Word of Life. In 1 John 1:1-2 he writes, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched.—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. (2) The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” It was so astounding; he would spend the rest of his life proclaiming his experience with Jesus to the world.
Have you seen Jesus? If so, I trust you are celebrating and worshipping Him with all of creation this Christmas. If not, my prayer for you is that you would receive the greatest gift ever given to mankind--Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Embracing Your Season of Change: The Process of Change (Part 4)
The fourth and final component in the process of change is obedience. Obedience is the proof that we really love God and trust him. Since times of transition bring us into a place where we have never been before and reveals our own limitations and motives, obedience is essential if we are going to follow God’s will in our season of change.
Remember, Abraham obeyed and went to the place God was leading him, even though he did not know where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). Moses, though reluctant at first, obeyed God and became a great leader who God would use to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt.
In times of change, as apprehension or uncertainty begins to well up in our hearts, obedience to God’s commands is what should determine our decision making and direction. It is when we obey God that we discover the delight of doing his will. Psalm 119:34-35 says, “Give me understanding, and I will keep you law and obey it with all my heart. (35) Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.”
Obedience brings us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. It takes us from the place of service to the place of friendship. In John 15:14-16 Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command. (15) I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made know to you. (16) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (17) This is my command: Love each other.”
I have met many people who are servants of Christ and do good works for him. This is very nice and a crucial part of the Christian faith. Sometimes our good works are a disguise for the fact that we don’t really know God intimately. The good works become activity that keeps us busy, but not fruitful.
However, friendship with God is the key to bearing fruit—fruit that will last. Abraham, as a friend of God, combined his faith and actions and offered his son Isaac on the altar when God tested him during his season of change (James 2:21-22). It was in this moment that God provided another sacrifice, a ram caught by its horns in a thicket.
Abraham’s friendship with God that manifested in obedience was a key factor to his discovery that God is our provider. Abraham’s offspring, his son Isaac, would be the instrument that God would use to bless all nations, because of his obedience (Genesis 22:15-18).
Because of Moses’ obedience, we are told in Exodus that he had a special relationship with God. Exodus 33:11 says, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” Moses’ friendship with God allowed him to enter into unique conversations with God, and gave him tremendous favor with him.
In Exodus 33, God is ready to take Moses into the promised land, but he wants to destroy the Israelites because they were disobedient. God tells Moses that he would bring him to the land he promised, but his presence would not go with him. Moses appeals to God and asks him to change his mind by allowing his presence to go with them. The Lord says, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” (Exodus 33:17)
It was his close relationship with God that sustained Moses in difficult times during his season of change.
Remember, Abraham obeyed and went to the place God was leading him, even though he did not know where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). Moses, though reluctant at first, obeyed God and became a great leader who God would use to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt.
In times of change, as apprehension or uncertainty begins to well up in our hearts, obedience to God’s commands is what should determine our decision making and direction. It is when we obey God that we discover the delight of doing his will. Psalm 119:34-35 says, “Give me understanding, and I will keep you law and obey it with all my heart. (35) Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.”
Obedience brings us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. It takes us from the place of service to the place of friendship. In John 15:14-16 Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command. (15) I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made know to you. (16) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (17) This is my command: Love each other.”
I have met many people who are servants of Christ and do good works for him. This is very nice and a crucial part of the Christian faith. Sometimes our good works are a disguise for the fact that we don’t really know God intimately. The good works become activity that keeps us busy, but not fruitful.
However, friendship with God is the key to bearing fruit—fruit that will last. Abraham, as a friend of God, combined his faith and actions and offered his son Isaac on the altar when God tested him during his season of change (James 2:21-22). It was in this moment that God provided another sacrifice, a ram caught by its horns in a thicket.
Abraham’s friendship with God that manifested in obedience was a key factor to his discovery that God is our provider. Abraham’s offspring, his son Isaac, would be the instrument that God would use to bless all nations, because of his obedience (Genesis 22:15-18).
Because of Moses’ obedience, we are told in Exodus that he had a special relationship with God. Exodus 33:11 says, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” Moses’ friendship with God allowed him to enter into unique conversations with God, and gave him tremendous favor with him.
In Exodus 33, God is ready to take Moses into the promised land, but he wants to destroy the Israelites because they were disobedient. God tells Moses that he would bring him to the land he promised, but his presence would not go with him. Moses appeals to God and asks him to change his mind by allowing his presence to go with them. The Lord says, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” (Exodus 33:17)
It was his close relationship with God that sustained Moses in difficult times during his season of change.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Emracing Your Season of Change: The Process of Change (Part 3)
The third component in the process of change is the obstacles we face. My favorite example in the Bible of a man who had to face obstacles in his season of change in order to receive the promise of God is Abraham.
There are three main obstacles Abraham had to face during his season of change. The first obstacle was leaving everything that was comfortable and familiar to him. The Lord commanded Abraham to leave his country, his family and his people and go the land that he would show him. The difficult part of this journey is that Abraham did not know where he was going. Few things are more frustrating than traveling to a destination without proper directions.
Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Abraham made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country (Hebrews 11:9).
Quite often, when we begin our journey into our new season, we don’t really know where we are going. This makes sense, because we are going to a place where we have never been before. We have no frame of reference or experience to guide us into this part of our destiny. It is an awkward and uncomfortable time. We feel like strangers in a foreign land. Nothing stirs up our insecurities like the feeling of being a stranger in a new place.
The second obstacle Abraham had to face was the reality of his own physical limitations. The Lord appears to Abraham late in his life, around seventy-five, and promises him that he and his wife Sarah are going to conceive their first child. Abraham and his wife Sarah were well past the age of childbearing. In fact, Hebrews 11:12 says, “And from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” Like Abraham, we must face the facts that we are limited in our own ability to accomplish the purpose of God in our own lives.
The third obstacle Abraham had to face was the sacrifice of his son Isaac, the very promise of God. God used this obstacle to test Abraham to see if he really trusted in God. God will use the process of change to test our heart motives. Abraham believed God and obeyed, and got new revelation into the power and purpose of God.
Hebrews 11:17-19 says, “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, (18) even though God had said to him, “It is through your Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. (19) Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from the dead.”
Why do we face obstacles in our seasons of change? Because God wants to use them to build our faith. Abraham was the first person on the planet to realize that God could raise the dead. As the patriarch of God’s purpose and the father of our faith, Abraham became a pattern for all who would trust in the Lord. His pattern taught us that the righteous shall live by faith in God. I often wonder if God gave Abraham, his friend, a sneak preview of his redemptive plan for mankind…the death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ.
There are three main obstacles Abraham had to face during his season of change. The first obstacle was leaving everything that was comfortable and familiar to him. The Lord commanded Abraham to leave his country, his family and his people and go the land that he would show him. The difficult part of this journey is that Abraham did not know where he was going. Few things are more frustrating than traveling to a destination without proper directions.
Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Abraham made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country (Hebrews 11:9).
Quite often, when we begin our journey into our new season, we don’t really know where we are going. This makes sense, because we are going to a place where we have never been before. We have no frame of reference or experience to guide us into this part of our destiny. It is an awkward and uncomfortable time. We feel like strangers in a foreign land. Nothing stirs up our insecurities like the feeling of being a stranger in a new place.
The second obstacle Abraham had to face was the reality of his own physical limitations. The Lord appears to Abraham late in his life, around seventy-five, and promises him that he and his wife Sarah are going to conceive their first child. Abraham and his wife Sarah were well past the age of childbearing. In fact, Hebrews 11:12 says, “And from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” Like Abraham, we must face the facts that we are limited in our own ability to accomplish the purpose of God in our own lives.
The third obstacle Abraham had to face was the sacrifice of his son Isaac, the very promise of God. God used this obstacle to test Abraham to see if he really trusted in God. God will use the process of change to test our heart motives. Abraham believed God and obeyed, and got new revelation into the power and purpose of God.
Hebrews 11:17-19 says, “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, (18) even though God had said to him, “It is through your Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. (19) Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from the dead.”
Why do we face obstacles in our seasons of change? Because God wants to use them to build our faith. Abraham was the first person on the planet to realize that God could raise the dead. As the patriarch of God’s purpose and the father of our faith, Abraham became a pattern for all who would trust in the Lord. His pattern taught us that the righteous shall live by faith in God. I often wonder if God gave Abraham, his friend, a sneak preview of his redemptive plan for mankind…the death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Embracing Your Season of Change: The Process of Change (Part 2)
The second component in the process of change is dealing with opposition. Since the purpose of change is to cause us to idolize God, form us into his image, bring us into his inheritance and to increase his ministry through our lives, Satan tries to stop this from happening.
Now let me clarify my theological beliefs before I continue. I believe in Christ’s total victory over Satan through his death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. The devil is defeated…no if, ands, or buts. I do not believe at all that there is a power struggle between God and the devil. The only power the devil has is that which we give him through our disobedience and sin.
Having clarified this issue, I do believe the devil knows his time on earth is short and he tries to bring as much destruction to the human race as possible. He exists to kill, steal and destroy our lives (John 10:10). Being a strategic adversary, one of the main ways he tries to destroy us is by opposing our seasons of change. Some of the ways he does this is through deception, temptation, accusation and opposition.
Apostle Paul faced opposition from the adversary as he labored to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 Paul says, “But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. (18) For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us.” Also, in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 he writes, “But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, (9) because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”
Apostle Paul understood the victory a believer possesses in Christ probably better than any Christian who has ever lived. However, this did not prevent the fact that he still had to fight the good fight of faith.
Moses is another leader in the Bible who faced evil opposition in his season of change. God gave Moses the command to go deliver his people, the Israelites, out of slavery and suffering from Egypt. Moses goes with a promise from God that he will be with him during his mission.
At first, all seems to be going well for Moses. Moses and Aaron bring together the elders of the Israelites, Aaron tells them everything the Lord said to Moses, and Moses performs the signs before the people. And when the elders heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped (Exodus 4:29-31).
After this, Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and tell him what the Lord commanded concerning the exodus of the Israelites and this is how Pharaoh responds. Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” (Exodus 4:2)
Upset at this request, Pharaoh orders his slave drivers and foremen in charge to require the same amount of bricks from the Israelites while taking away their supply of straw. Pharaoh’s plan was to keep the Israelites busy through harder work so they would pay no attention to the will of the Lord. Not only were they forced to work harder with impossible demands, but they were beaten for their lack of production.
As the Israelite foreman appealed to Pharaoh about his impossible work demands, they realized they were in trouble because Pharaoh would not change his mind. After their meeting, they run into Moses and Aaron and say, “May the Lord judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” Moses returns to the Lord and asks him, “Why have you brought this trouble on your people? Ever since I went to speak in your name, trouble has come upon this people, and you have not rescued them at all (Exodus 5:22-23).”
The Lord tells Moses to go back to the Israelites and tell them that he will bring them out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. Moses reports this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.
What a first day on the job. Moses faces opposition from his enemy and discouragement from his people in his new season as God’s chosen leader. Why does the Lord allow us to face opposition in our seasons of change? It is because he is developing his character, perspective and nature inside of us through this process.
Now let me clarify my theological beliefs before I continue. I believe in Christ’s total victory over Satan through his death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. The devil is defeated…no if, ands, or buts. I do not believe at all that there is a power struggle between God and the devil. The only power the devil has is that which we give him through our disobedience and sin.
Having clarified this issue, I do believe the devil knows his time on earth is short and he tries to bring as much destruction to the human race as possible. He exists to kill, steal and destroy our lives (John 10:10). Being a strategic adversary, one of the main ways he tries to destroy us is by opposing our seasons of change. Some of the ways he does this is through deception, temptation, accusation and opposition.
Apostle Paul faced opposition from the adversary as he labored to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 Paul says, “But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. (18) For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us.” Also, in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 he writes, “But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, (9) because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”
Apostle Paul understood the victory a believer possesses in Christ probably better than any Christian who has ever lived. However, this did not prevent the fact that he still had to fight the good fight of faith.
Moses is another leader in the Bible who faced evil opposition in his season of change. God gave Moses the command to go deliver his people, the Israelites, out of slavery and suffering from Egypt. Moses goes with a promise from God that he will be with him during his mission.
At first, all seems to be going well for Moses. Moses and Aaron bring together the elders of the Israelites, Aaron tells them everything the Lord said to Moses, and Moses performs the signs before the people. And when the elders heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped (Exodus 4:29-31).
After this, Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and tell him what the Lord commanded concerning the exodus of the Israelites and this is how Pharaoh responds. Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” (Exodus 4:2)
Upset at this request, Pharaoh orders his slave drivers and foremen in charge to require the same amount of bricks from the Israelites while taking away their supply of straw. Pharaoh’s plan was to keep the Israelites busy through harder work so they would pay no attention to the will of the Lord. Not only were they forced to work harder with impossible demands, but they were beaten for their lack of production.
As the Israelite foreman appealed to Pharaoh about his impossible work demands, they realized they were in trouble because Pharaoh would not change his mind. After their meeting, they run into Moses and Aaron and say, “May the Lord judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” Moses returns to the Lord and asks him, “Why have you brought this trouble on your people? Ever since I went to speak in your name, trouble has come upon this people, and you have not rescued them at all (Exodus 5:22-23).”
The Lord tells Moses to go back to the Israelites and tell them that he will bring them out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. Moses reports this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.
What a first day on the job. Moses faces opposition from his enemy and discouragement from his people in his new season as God’s chosen leader. Why does the Lord allow us to face opposition in our seasons of change? It is because he is developing his character, perspective and nature inside of us through this process.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Embracing Your Season of Change: The Process of Change
Now that we have learned about the purpose of change, I would like to examine the process of change. Process is defined as the course of action or proceeding, especially as a series of stages.
The first component in change is processing its overwhelming nature. When God calls us to his work, inevitably we have to make major adjustments in our lives in order to answer his call. It is the process of making these adjustments that can be overwhelming.
Quite often, I hear people say God will never give you more than you can handle. I know the saying sounds good, but practically I have found it to be false when it comes to answering the call of God. Don’t get me wrong, I know Jesus’ yoke is easy and his burden is light, and I have found that to be true as I have submitted to his will and labored in his work. However, the yoke and burden is something we can never carry by ourselves. That is why we have to come to Jesus to find our strength and our rest. Reflecting back on my life in times of significant change, God has always given me more than I can handle.
This season of change has been no different. Currently, I am adjusting to having a new baby, my third boy under the age of six. That is enough to keep me busy for awhile. On top of that, in August, I accepted the position of Vice President of Champions for Christ to oversee the college athletic ministry of Every Nation, and bring the national office and its staff to Tallahassee. Two months ago we started a church renovation project. And I spent last year going through a staff transition. In the midst of everything else going on, I am spending extra time helping my new staff members get acclimated to their roles and responsibilities. Also, I am doing a four week series on the topic of change. This requires about 10-15 hours of preparation of week.
You get my point? God has always given me more than I can handle. Why? When I find myself in these situations, it causes me to call out to God and seek him more diligently. I realize in these moments that I can not do it all in my strength. I must be supernaturally empowered by the Spirit of God.
Moses is a Biblical example of a man who felt the overwhelming nature of the call of God on his life. Let me prove it to you. In Acts 7:22 Luke says this about Moses, “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.” Now let’s look in Exodus how this educated powerful man in speech and action responded to the call of God.
God gets Moses attention through the angel of the Lord appearing to him through flames of fire within a bush. God reveals to Moses that he is his chosen instrument to deliver the Israelites out of their slavery and suffering in Egypt. Not only does God promise to be with Moses on his journey, but he gives him some miraculous signs of proof. Some of these signs include turning a staff into a snake, and making Moses’ hand leprous and then healing it.
So how does Moses respond after seeing the burning bush and God’s miraculous signs? Exodus 4:10 says, “Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord says to Moses, “Go, I will help you speak and teach you what to say.” In Exodus 4:13 Moses says, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Remember, Moses was an educated man and powerful in speech and action. What changed? I believe Moses felt the overwhelming nature of the call of God.
I believe that the overwhelming aspect of God’s calling is for one major reason. It produces humility in our lives. Humility is a great indicator of submission to God. It is also a key component to having close relationship with God. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Moses learned humility as he embraced the process of change. He went from a man who trusted in his own strength, to a man who trusted in the power of God to work through him. Numbers 12:3 says, “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” Because of his humility and faithfulness, God spoke to Moses face to face, clearly and not in riddles, and he had the special privilege of seeing the form of the Lord (Numbers 12:7-8).
The first component in change is processing its overwhelming nature. When God calls us to his work, inevitably we have to make major adjustments in our lives in order to answer his call. It is the process of making these adjustments that can be overwhelming.
Quite often, I hear people say God will never give you more than you can handle. I know the saying sounds good, but practically I have found it to be false when it comes to answering the call of God. Don’t get me wrong, I know Jesus’ yoke is easy and his burden is light, and I have found that to be true as I have submitted to his will and labored in his work. However, the yoke and burden is something we can never carry by ourselves. That is why we have to come to Jesus to find our strength and our rest. Reflecting back on my life in times of significant change, God has always given me more than I can handle.
This season of change has been no different. Currently, I am adjusting to having a new baby, my third boy under the age of six. That is enough to keep me busy for awhile. On top of that, in August, I accepted the position of Vice President of Champions for Christ to oversee the college athletic ministry of Every Nation, and bring the national office and its staff to Tallahassee. Two months ago we started a church renovation project. And I spent last year going through a staff transition. In the midst of everything else going on, I am spending extra time helping my new staff members get acclimated to their roles and responsibilities. Also, I am doing a four week series on the topic of change. This requires about 10-15 hours of preparation of week.
You get my point? God has always given me more than I can handle. Why? When I find myself in these situations, it causes me to call out to God and seek him more diligently. I realize in these moments that I can not do it all in my strength. I must be supernaturally empowered by the Spirit of God.
Moses is a Biblical example of a man who felt the overwhelming nature of the call of God on his life. Let me prove it to you. In Acts 7:22 Luke says this about Moses, “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.” Now let’s look in Exodus how this educated powerful man in speech and action responded to the call of God.
God gets Moses attention through the angel of the Lord appearing to him through flames of fire within a bush. God reveals to Moses that he is his chosen instrument to deliver the Israelites out of their slavery and suffering in Egypt. Not only does God promise to be with Moses on his journey, but he gives him some miraculous signs of proof. Some of these signs include turning a staff into a snake, and making Moses’ hand leprous and then healing it.
So how does Moses respond after seeing the burning bush and God’s miraculous signs? Exodus 4:10 says, “Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord says to Moses, “Go, I will help you speak and teach you what to say.” In Exodus 4:13 Moses says, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Remember, Moses was an educated man and powerful in speech and action. What changed? I believe Moses felt the overwhelming nature of the call of God.
I believe that the overwhelming aspect of God’s calling is for one major reason. It produces humility in our lives. Humility is a great indicator of submission to God. It is also a key component to having close relationship with God. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Moses learned humility as he embraced the process of change. He went from a man who trusted in his own strength, to a man who trusted in the power of God to work through him. Numbers 12:3 says, “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” Because of his humility and faithfulness, God spoke to Moses face to face, clearly and not in riddles, and he had the special privilege of seeing the form of the Lord (Numbers 12:7-8).
Friday, November 24, 2006
Thankfulness: Maintaining the Attitude of Gratitude
During rival week against the Florida Gators, you are guaranteed to hear many conversations in the gym concerning Saturday’s game. While working out on the shoulder press, I overheard a gentleman complaining about the current football staff at FSU. It's amazing to me how quickly people get negative as soon as we have a couple average seasons. "We need a new coach" or "Coach Bowden is too old" was the topic of the conversation.
I remember last year when people were saying the same thing about Penn State coach Joe Paterno. This year, Paterno coached Penn State to a 10-1 record and an invitation to play in the Orange Bowl. And guess who Penn State is playing? You guessed it--FSU. Only eight teams get to play in a BCS bowl game.
Not bad for coaches, who according to the arm chair quarterbacks, are too old. I just wish people would be thankful that we have a living legend coaching for the Seminoles. And do I need to remind all the complainers that he has more wins than any coach in college football history.
This leads me to my second point concerning thankfulness. Thankfulness protects us from a negative attitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Notice that this passage of scripture says we are to be thankful in all circumstances, not for all circumstances. Seminole fans don't have to be thankful for losing a game. However, we can be thankful in the lost. We can be thankful no one got hurt, we can be thankful our guys played hard, we can be thankful that our coach has more wins than any other coach.
What are you talking about Pastor Ron? I'm glad you asked. I will explain it to you. As I said earlier, when we stop being thankful we become negative and critical. How can we demand a new coach when the one we have has won more games than anyone else? That is insanity. A thankful attitude will act as a protection against the dark forces of anger, criticism, unforgiveness, negativity, anxiety and fear.
Pastor Bill Bennot says, “Thankfulness creates a no stick surface in our souls, which prevents the negative fallout from corrupting our mind, will and emotions.” In this example, being unthankful for having the coach with the all-time most wins in college football produces in us a bad attitude. Would a new coach do better? Maybe he would or maybe he would not. But our current one has already done better than anyone in history. Hello!
John Henry Jowett, a British preacher of an earlier generation, said this about gratitude: "Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic." What did he mean? He meant that gratitude, like a vaccine, can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled, discouraged spirit. Like an antitoxin, gratitude can prevent the affects of the poisons of cynicism, criticalness, and grumbling. Like an antiseptic, a spirit of gratitude can soothe and heal the most troubled spirit.”
Happy Thanksgiving and Go Noles!
I remember last year when people were saying the same thing about Penn State coach Joe Paterno. This year, Paterno coached Penn State to a 10-1 record and an invitation to play in the Orange Bowl. And guess who Penn State is playing? You guessed it--FSU. Only eight teams get to play in a BCS bowl game.
Not bad for coaches, who according to the arm chair quarterbacks, are too old. I just wish people would be thankful that we have a living legend coaching for the Seminoles. And do I need to remind all the complainers that he has more wins than any coach in college football history.
This leads me to my second point concerning thankfulness. Thankfulness protects us from a negative attitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Notice that this passage of scripture says we are to be thankful in all circumstances, not for all circumstances. Seminole fans don't have to be thankful for losing a game. However, we can be thankful in the lost. We can be thankful no one got hurt, we can be thankful our guys played hard, we can be thankful that our coach has more wins than any other coach.
What are you talking about Pastor Ron? I'm glad you asked. I will explain it to you. As I said earlier, when we stop being thankful we become negative and critical. How can we demand a new coach when the one we have has won more games than anyone else? That is insanity. A thankful attitude will act as a protection against the dark forces of anger, criticism, unforgiveness, negativity, anxiety and fear.
Pastor Bill Bennot says, “Thankfulness creates a no stick surface in our souls, which prevents the negative fallout from corrupting our mind, will and emotions.” In this example, being unthankful for having the coach with the all-time most wins in college football produces in us a bad attitude. Would a new coach do better? Maybe he would or maybe he would not. But our current one has already done better than anyone in history. Hello!
John Henry Jowett, a British preacher of an earlier generation, said this about gratitude: "Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic." What did he mean? He meant that gratitude, like a vaccine, can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled, discouraged spirit. Like an antitoxin, gratitude can prevent the affects of the poisons of cynicism, criticalness, and grumbling. Like an antiseptic, a spirit of gratitude can soothe and heal the most troubled spirit.”
Happy Thanksgiving and Go Noles!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
The Power of Words
Michael Richards, who played the actor Kramer on Seinfeld, went on a public tirade during one of his comedy routines by calling African-Americans in the crowd the “n” word and shouting many other obscenities.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” Remember that catchy little phrase growing up as a young person. At first, this saying seemed to be so true. How could something you can’t see or physically touch hurt you?
You can inflict pain by throwing a stone at a person or beating them with a stick. This makes sense. Surely air with sound in the form of language can’t be harmful. Life has taught us this is not true.
Proverbs 18:21a says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Once again the Bible’s wisdom is proven superior to human wisdom. Although words will never hurt a person externally, they always have the power to impact our souls with the power of life or death.
If words will never harm a person, why did so many African-Americans get upset over Michael Richard’s behavior? If words will never harm a person, why did the place where Richards was performing ban him from ever returning? If words are harmless, why would many people leave a comedy routine after paying money to be entertained? If words have no power and are harmless, why did Richards apologize to a national crowd during the Letterman Show for his inappropriate behavior?
The repercussions of Richards’ behavior remind us that our words carry tremendous power to impact people’s lives.
During his apology Richards, baffled by his outburst, tried futilely to explain his behavior. Dazed and confused he said, “I’m not a racist…that’s what is so crazy about this…it’s said…it comes through me…it fires out of me.” In other words, he was trying to convince everyone watching that he is a “good guy” despite what his words and actions were displaying for all to observe. His confused state of mind is called deception. I pray for God to touch Kramer and reveal Himself to him.
The Bible gives a clear picture of people who have not received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Romans 3:10, 23 says, “(10) There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” How many lies does it take to be a liar? You guessed it...one!
We all have sinned with our tongue by speaking words to people that are inappropriate and hurtful. James 3:2 says, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”
Our tongue should be used to praise God and say kind things to people. Instead, we so often use it as a weapon to inflict harm on people. James 3:9-12 says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. (10) Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (11) Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? (12) My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
Just as two forms of water cannot flow from one spring, and a fig tree can not bear a different kind of fruit, a person cannot be evil and good at the same time. By not repenting of our sins and receiving the cleansing that Jesus offers us through His sacrifice on the cross, we remain evil and our words confirm this fact by reflecting the condition of our heart.
In Matthew 12:34 Jesus says, “How can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. (35) The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (36) But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (37) For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The reason we say evil things to people is because we have evil in our hearts. Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior and allowed him to change the evil condition of your heart? If not, it is obvious by the words you speak.
Like toothpaste that oozes out its flavor of fluoride as pressure is applied to the tube, the trials of life will uncover the good or evil that dwells within our hearts. Let’s learn from Kramer’s diatribe and allow God to remove in us that which does not belong.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” Remember that catchy little phrase growing up as a young person. At first, this saying seemed to be so true. How could something you can’t see or physically touch hurt you?
You can inflict pain by throwing a stone at a person or beating them with a stick. This makes sense. Surely air with sound in the form of language can’t be harmful. Life has taught us this is not true.
Proverbs 18:21a says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Once again the Bible’s wisdom is proven superior to human wisdom. Although words will never hurt a person externally, they always have the power to impact our souls with the power of life or death.
If words will never harm a person, why did so many African-Americans get upset over Michael Richard’s behavior? If words will never harm a person, why did the place where Richards was performing ban him from ever returning? If words are harmless, why would many people leave a comedy routine after paying money to be entertained? If words have no power and are harmless, why did Richards apologize to a national crowd during the Letterman Show for his inappropriate behavior?
The repercussions of Richards’ behavior remind us that our words carry tremendous power to impact people’s lives.
During his apology Richards, baffled by his outburst, tried futilely to explain his behavior. Dazed and confused he said, “I’m not a racist…that’s what is so crazy about this…it’s said…it comes through me…it fires out of me.” In other words, he was trying to convince everyone watching that he is a “good guy” despite what his words and actions were displaying for all to observe. His confused state of mind is called deception. I pray for God to touch Kramer and reveal Himself to him.
The Bible gives a clear picture of people who have not received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Romans 3:10, 23 says, “(10) There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” How many lies does it take to be a liar? You guessed it...one!
We all have sinned with our tongue by speaking words to people that are inappropriate and hurtful. James 3:2 says, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”
Our tongue should be used to praise God and say kind things to people. Instead, we so often use it as a weapon to inflict harm on people. James 3:9-12 says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. (10) Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (11) Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? (12) My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
Just as two forms of water cannot flow from one spring, and a fig tree can not bear a different kind of fruit, a person cannot be evil and good at the same time. By not repenting of our sins and receiving the cleansing that Jesus offers us through His sacrifice on the cross, we remain evil and our words confirm this fact by reflecting the condition of our heart.
In Matthew 12:34 Jesus says, “How can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. (35) The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (36) But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (37) For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The reason we say evil things to people is because we have evil in our hearts. Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior and allowed him to change the evil condition of your heart? If not, it is obvious by the words you speak.
Like toothpaste that oozes out its flavor of fluoride as pressure is applied to the tube, the trials of life will uncover the good or evil that dwells within our hearts. Let’s learn from Kramer’s diatribe and allow God to remove in us that which does not belong.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Embracing Your Season of Change: The Purpose of Change (Part 4)
The fourth and final reason we go through seasons of change is because God wants the ministry of Christ to increase in our lives. Jesus said in John 15:8, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
The fruit I believe Jesus is talking about in this scripture is not only the fruit of the Spirit, but also the fruit of being a witness for God. There are two reasons God wants us to bear much fruit. First, it brings glory to our Father in heaven. Nothing demonstrates the reality of God’s love and power like a person who has been converted to Him.
Second, fruit is evidence that someone is a disciple of Jesus. People filled with God’s Spirit model a different behavior than people who are not. God’s Spirit manifests love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in those who follow Him (Galatians 5:22-23). Also, the Spirit of God empowers people to witness for him (Acts 1:8). A proof that God is empowering someone is the fact that people are coming to know Jesus through their witness.
Since God desires that we bear much fruit, we are either being cut off or pruned to bear even more fruit. Jesus said in John 15:1-2, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. (2) He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
On a vine, a useless branch is cut off by the vine dresser so the other branches can bear more fruit. I have observed this phenomenon in church life also. Quite often, it is seasons of change that spark this pruning process in a local church. In times of change, people who have not been fruitful usually end up leaving, while those who have been fruitful get promoted to new levels of leadership. Bearing good fruit is always a qualifier for promotion in God’s work.
It is important to note the difference between pruning and splitting in a local church. Prune means cutting away that which is dead and not being fruitful. Split means to remove by breaking, separating, or dividing, especially through discord, strife or quarreling.
Pruning is a work done by God that helps the church become healthier for effective work and growth. Splitting is a work done by people and it always causes the church to be less effective and shrink in size. We must not confuse the work of the Spirit with the work of the flesh, and we should never use Biblical terminology to justify our dissension.
The fruit I believe Jesus is talking about in this scripture is not only the fruit of the Spirit, but also the fruit of being a witness for God. There are two reasons God wants us to bear much fruit. First, it brings glory to our Father in heaven. Nothing demonstrates the reality of God’s love and power like a person who has been converted to Him.
Second, fruit is evidence that someone is a disciple of Jesus. People filled with God’s Spirit model a different behavior than people who are not. God’s Spirit manifests love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in those who follow Him (Galatians 5:22-23). Also, the Spirit of God empowers people to witness for him (Acts 1:8). A proof that God is empowering someone is the fact that people are coming to know Jesus through their witness.
Since God desires that we bear much fruit, we are either being cut off or pruned to bear even more fruit. Jesus said in John 15:1-2, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. (2) He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
On a vine, a useless branch is cut off by the vine dresser so the other branches can bear more fruit. I have observed this phenomenon in church life also. Quite often, it is seasons of change that spark this pruning process in a local church. In times of change, people who have not been fruitful usually end up leaving, while those who have been fruitful get promoted to new levels of leadership. Bearing good fruit is always a qualifier for promotion in God’s work.
It is important to note the difference between pruning and splitting in a local church. Prune means cutting away that which is dead and not being fruitful. Split means to remove by breaking, separating, or dividing, especially through discord, strife or quarreling.
Pruning is a work done by God that helps the church become healthier for effective work and growth. Splitting is a work done by people and it always causes the church to be less effective and shrink in size. We must not confuse the work of the Spirit with the work of the flesh, and we should never use Biblical terminology to justify our dissension.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Lessons from Leadership Letdown
The Rev. Ted Haggard agreed Saturday to resign as leader of the megachurch he started in his basement more than 20 years ago after its independent investigative board said he was guilty of "sexually immoral conduct."
Also, Haggard resigned as president of the influential National Association of Evangelicals, an umbrella group representing more than 45,000 churches with 30 million members.
It is never pleasant to discover a leader is living a life of hypocrisy, especially when it is a pastor. As a fellow clergyman, it breaks my heart to find out one of my brothers in Christ has stumbled. I hurt for Ted, his family, his church and all who have followed his leadership as a minister. I pray for all involved in this incident.
This is not the first time a spiritual leader has “fallen from grace” and I am sure it will not be the last. Unfortunately, I have experienced similar disappointments in leaders I have trusted in over the years. Instead of causing me to question my faith, these moments have actually strengthened my trust in God.
There are four lessons I am reminded of when leaders let me down.
First, I am reminded that nothing can be hidden from God. Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” God will expose and humiliate everyone who lives in hypocrisy, especially those who preach and teach his word. If there is anything thing we can trust in, it is God’s ability to divulge that which is false.
Second, I am reminded that not everyone is a hypocrite. When leaders fall it is not an excuse to deny Jesus and his teachings. He is the world’s greatest example of a man who lived a life free from pretense and deceit. Hebrews 5:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin.” Because Jesus lived a sinless life, we all are without excuse when it comes to following him as Lord.
Also, men like Joshua and Apostle Paul were true to their faith. Israel, under Joshua’s leadership served the Lord throughout his tenure (Joshua 24:31), and Apostle Paul expected a great award in heaven because he had faithfully served his Lord. In 2 Timothy 4:7, his final letter before death, he says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Third, I am reminded that I am susceptible to sin. Therefore, it is my responsibility to feed my soul and make sure I am not getting complacent in my spiritual life. Because we have the potential to fall, Peter exhorts believers in Christ to daily add divine qualities to their faith. 2 Peter 1:10-11 says, “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, (11) and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Finally, I am reminded of the fact that what we build with our gifts will be destroyed by our lack of character. God expects us to steward well the gifts and abilities he has given us. All gifts are from God and therefore should be used for his honor (James 1:17). Building our character is the greatest way to steward our gifts, and make sure we honor God with what he has entrusted to us.
In the instant messaging culture of America, we have grown accustomed to wanting things to happen quickly. Character is built over a lifetime. Faithfulness to God takes your whole life to prove and only a moment to lose. Jesus waited thirty years to prepare for three years of productive ministry. If Jesus waited that long, how long should we wait?
Remember: Give more time to preparation (character) than production (gifting).
Also, Haggard resigned as president of the influential National Association of Evangelicals, an umbrella group representing more than 45,000 churches with 30 million members.
It is never pleasant to discover a leader is living a life of hypocrisy, especially when it is a pastor. As a fellow clergyman, it breaks my heart to find out one of my brothers in Christ has stumbled. I hurt for Ted, his family, his church and all who have followed his leadership as a minister. I pray for all involved in this incident.
This is not the first time a spiritual leader has “fallen from grace” and I am sure it will not be the last. Unfortunately, I have experienced similar disappointments in leaders I have trusted in over the years. Instead of causing me to question my faith, these moments have actually strengthened my trust in God.
There are four lessons I am reminded of when leaders let me down.
First, I am reminded that nothing can be hidden from God. Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” God will expose and humiliate everyone who lives in hypocrisy, especially those who preach and teach his word. If there is anything thing we can trust in, it is God’s ability to divulge that which is false.
Second, I am reminded that not everyone is a hypocrite. When leaders fall it is not an excuse to deny Jesus and his teachings. He is the world’s greatest example of a man who lived a life free from pretense and deceit. Hebrews 5:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin.” Because Jesus lived a sinless life, we all are without excuse when it comes to following him as Lord.
Also, men like Joshua and Apostle Paul were true to their faith. Israel, under Joshua’s leadership served the Lord throughout his tenure (Joshua 24:31), and Apostle Paul expected a great award in heaven because he had faithfully served his Lord. In 2 Timothy 4:7, his final letter before death, he says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Third, I am reminded that I am susceptible to sin. Therefore, it is my responsibility to feed my soul and make sure I am not getting complacent in my spiritual life. Because we have the potential to fall, Peter exhorts believers in Christ to daily add divine qualities to their faith. 2 Peter 1:10-11 says, “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, (11) and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Finally, I am reminded of the fact that what we build with our gifts will be destroyed by our lack of character. God expects us to steward well the gifts and abilities he has given us. All gifts are from God and therefore should be used for his honor (James 1:17). Building our character is the greatest way to steward our gifts, and make sure we honor God with what he has entrusted to us.
In the instant messaging culture of America, we have grown accustomed to wanting things to happen quickly. Character is built over a lifetime. Faithfulness to God takes your whole life to prove and only a moment to lose. Jesus waited thirty years to prepare for three years of productive ministry. If Jesus waited that long, how long should we wait?
Remember: Give more time to preparation (character) than production (gifting).
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Embracing Your Season of Change: The Purpose of Change (Part 3)
The third reason we go through seasons of change is because God wants to bring us into his blessing and inheritance. Abram is our greatest example of this in scripture.
The Lord would command a move to initiate change in Abram’s life. Genesis 12:1-3 says, “The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. (2) “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
For Abram to receive his blessing, he had to be willing to leave everything that had been familiar to him. Not only would he have to leave his natural family and his closest relationships, but he would also have to leave his country. Abraham’s faith, his ability to be sure of what he hoped for and certain of what he did not yet see, allowed him to make such a move.
In Hebrews 11: we get incredible insight into what Abraham was thinking as he left all that was familiar and comfortable to him. It says, “(8) By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went , even though he did not know where he was going. (9) By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. (10) For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
God changed Abram to bring him into a relationship with him, establish a people he could bring his blessing to and through, and give Abram a great inheritance of land and people. One of the prayers Apostle Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus is that the eyes of their heart would be enlightened so they would know the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18). God’s ultimate blessing and inheritance for our lives is the relationships we develop in him.
What is amazing about this story is that Abram, which means father is exalted, was childless and well past the age of childbearing at the time God visited him. God told him that if he would obey him, not only would he give him a son, but he would give Abram descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore (Hebrews 11:12).
As proof of his promise to Abram, God gave him two external signs of the covenant he made with him. One sign was circumcision, and the other was a name change. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “father of many nations.” Abraham embraced his season of change and became the patriarch of God’s purpose, and the father of our faith.
The Lord would command a move to initiate change in Abram’s life. Genesis 12:1-3 says, “The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. (2) “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
For Abram to receive his blessing, he had to be willing to leave everything that had been familiar to him. Not only would he have to leave his natural family and his closest relationships, but he would also have to leave his country. Abraham’s faith, his ability to be sure of what he hoped for and certain of what he did not yet see, allowed him to make such a move.
In Hebrews 11: we get incredible insight into what Abraham was thinking as he left all that was familiar and comfortable to him. It says, “(8) By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went , even though he did not know where he was going. (9) By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. (10) For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
God changed Abram to bring him into a relationship with him, establish a people he could bring his blessing to and through, and give Abram a great inheritance of land and people. One of the prayers Apostle Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus is that the eyes of their heart would be enlightened so they would know the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18). God’s ultimate blessing and inheritance for our lives is the relationships we develop in him.
What is amazing about this story is that Abram, which means father is exalted, was childless and well past the age of childbearing at the time God visited him. God told him that if he would obey him, not only would he give him a son, but he would give Abram descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore (Hebrews 11:12).
As proof of his promise to Abram, God gave him two external signs of the covenant he made with him. One sign was circumcision, and the other was a name change. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “father of many nations.” Abraham embraced his season of change and became the patriarch of God’s purpose, and the father of our faith.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Embracing Your Season of Change: The Purpose of Change (Part 2)
The second reason we go through seasons of change is to transform us into the image of God’s Son Jesus Christ. One of the greatest examples of a transforming change in the Bible is the conversion of Saul of Tarsus to Apostle Paul. His “blinded by the light” experience was the catalyst to launch him into a new season of his life.
Growing up in a Jewish family meant that Paul was well trained in the Jewish scriptures and tradition. At an early age he entered the synagogue day school. Paul eventually went to Jerusalem to study under the best Jewish rabbi, the famous Gamaliel.
As a Pharisee, Paul became very zealous for the traditions and teachings of his people.This zealous commitment to the study of the Old Testament laws and traditions is the background of Paul’s persecution of his Jewish brothers who believed Jesus was the Messiah.
While traveling to Damascus to arrest Jewish people who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah, a startling light forced him to the ground. Then a voice asked, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me”, and identified the speaker as Jesus. Paul was struck blind and was led into the city. Ananias met Paul and told him that he had been chosen by God as a messenger for the Gentiles. After Paul received his sight, like other believers before him, he was baptized (Acts 9:1-19).
In this conversion experience, Paul accepted the claims of Jesus and the church, the very thing he was seeking to destroy. Both his conversion and call are reflected in Paul’s letters. In 2 Corinthians 3:18 he writes, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
His conversion brought a complete change in the inner controlling power of his life. It was like dying and receiving new life (Galatians 2:20) or being created anew (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). This experience of radical change and call to the Gentiles provided the motivation to travel throughout the Roman world preaching the gospel of Christ. Apostle Paul embraced his season of change and went from chief church persecutor to chief church planter.
Growing up in a Jewish family meant that Paul was well trained in the Jewish scriptures and tradition. At an early age he entered the synagogue day school. Paul eventually went to Jerusalem to study under the best Jewish rabbi, the famous Gamaliel.
As a Pharisee, Paul became very zealous for the traditions and teachings of his people.This zealous commitment to the study of the Old Testament laws and traditions is the background of Paul’s persecution of his Jewish brothers who believed Jesus was the Messiah.
While traveling to Damascus to arrest Jewish people who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah, a startling light forced him to the ground. Then a voice asked, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me”, and identified the speaker as Jesus. Paul was struck blind and was led into the city. Ananias met Paul and told him that he had been chosen by God as a messenger for the Gentiles. After Paul received his sight, like other believers before him, he was baptized (Acts 9:1-19).
In this conversion experience, Paul accepted the claims of Jesus and the church, the very thing he was seeking to destroy. Both his conversion and call are reflected in Paul’s letters. In 2 Corinthians 3:18 he writes, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
His conversion brought a complete change in the inner controlling power of his life. It was like dying and receiving new life (Galatians 2:20) or being created anew (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). This experience of radical change and call to the Gentiles provided the motivation to travel throughout the Roman world preaching the gospel of Christ. Apostle Paul embraced his season of change and went from chief church persecutor to chief church planter.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Embracing Your Season of Change: The Purpose of Change
One of the greatest examples of going through a season of change is the story of the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt. The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in flames of fire from within a bush. The Lord revealed many things to Moses in that conversation including the reason he ultimately wanted to bring the Israelites out of slavery. In Exodus 3:12, God says, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
The first reason God brings us through seasons of change is to bring us to a greater place of worship. We should idolize (worship, venerate, love excessively) God.
As I was having lunch the other day with a very successful businessman, he made a very interesting comment to me while I ate my order of onion rings. This gentleman, before retiring, had worked thirty one years with the same company. In today’s marketplace, not many people work that long for one company. He commented on how his longevity with his company gave him a unique ability to look back on his life and identify his seasons of significant change. He then told me that one of the keys to success is being able to recognize your seasons of change and make the right decisions as you evaluate what is taking place in your life. He also commented on how so many people ignore these seasons of change, and how it later comes back to hurt them in some major way.
Many times, a certain event in our lives can springboard us into a major season of change. Events of change can include marriages, births, deaths, job or career changes, church changes, graduations, salvations, divorces, moves and new relationships. I call these events “God moments” because I believe God uses them to get our attention.
God used the incident of death to get the attention of Moses. When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. During his visit, he saw one of the Israelites being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and killed the Egyptian. Moses thought that this event would cause the Israelites to recognize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The following day, Moses came upon two Israelites fighting and tried to reconcile them. But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you plan to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?” When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. (Acts 7:23-29).
Forty years went by before Moses had his burning bush experience in the desert near Mount Sinai. Wow, what a season of change! In a moment, God uses an event of death to trigger Moses’ refining process. While in the desert, Moses learned that God would not use the strength of man to deliver his people. As a wanderer, he learned humility. As the adopted son of privilege of pharaoh’s daughter, he became a foreigner so he could find a new sense of identity from God. While in the desert, he had two sons to learn how to lead the Israelites as a loving father.
As the angel of the Lord spoke to Moses in the burning bush, he was afraid to look and trembled with fear. Then the angel of the Lord told Moses to take off his sandals because the place he was standing, which was in God’s presence, was holy ground. Trembling with fear and taking off sandals are two signs of worship. It was the beginning of a relationship where Moses would learn to speak with God face to face as if talking to a close friend. As God initiated change in Moses’ life, it all began with teaching him how to worship. God would only use a man of worship to lead his people to the place of worship.
The first reason God brings us through seasons of change is to bring us to a greater place of worship. We should idolize (worship, venerate, love excessively) God.
As I was having lunch the other day with a very successful businessman, he made a very interesting comment to me while I ate my order of onion rings. This gentleman, before retiring, had worked thirty one years with the same company. In today’s marketplace, not many people work that long for one company. He commented on how his longevity with his company gave him a unique ability to look back on his life and identify his seasons of significant change. He then told me that one of the keys to success is being able to recognize your seasons of change and make the right decisions as you evaluate what is taking place in your life. He also commented on how so many people ignore these seasons of change, and how it later comes back to hurt them in some major way.
Many times, a certain event in our lives can springboard us into a major season of change. Events of change can include marriages, births, deaths, job or career changes, church changes, graduations, salvations, divorces, moves and new relationships. I call these events “God moments” because I believe God uses them to get our attention.
God used the incident of death to get the attention of Moses. When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. During his visit, he saw one of the Israelites being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and killed the Egyptian. Moses thought that this event would cause the Israelites to recognize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The following day, Moses came upon two Israelites fighting and tried to reconcile them. But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you plan to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?” When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. (Acts 7:23-29).
Forty years went by before Moses had his burning bush experience in the desert near Mount Sinai. Wow, what a season of change! In a moment, God uses an event of death to trigger Moses’ refining process. While in the desert, Moses learned that God would not use the strength of man to deliver his people. As a wanderer, he learned humility. As the adopted son of privilege of pharaoh’s daughter, he became a foreigner so he could find a new sense of identity from God. While in the desert, he had two sons to learn how to lead the Israelites as a loving father.
As the angel of the Lord spoke to Moses in the burning bush, he was afraid to look and trembled with fear. Then the angel of the Lord told Moses to take off his sandals because the place he was standing, which was in God’s presence, was holy ground. Trembling with fear and taking off sandals are two signs of worship. It was the beginning of a relationship where Moses would learn to speak with God face to face as if talking to a close friend. As God initiated change in Moses’ life, it all began with teaching him how to worship. God would only use a man of worship to lead his people to the place of worship.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Embracing Your Season of Change
We are always in the process of change. It’s been said the only constant in life is change. God uses transitions to take us out of one situation, and bring us into a new and better one. Walking efficiently into our new season is the key to knowing God better and serving him more effectively.
Scripture Reference:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forevermore. Hebrews 13:8
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
Point: God doesn’t change, so we must in order to become more like him.
Two types of change:
1. The change we initiate due to our unbelief, impatience, lack of perspective or bad attitudes. This turns into nothing more than aimless wandering.
2. The change that God initiates to bring us into a closer relationship with him, and out of that, a greater ability to accomplish his will for our lives.
Psalm 1:1-3 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Point: The way we embrace our seasons of change today, will determine our fruitfulness/effectiveness in the future.
Living on planet earth, there are two things I have learned about God as our Creator by observing His creation. God is a God of order and change. Genesis 8:22 says, "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."
Think about it, you probably have an appointment scheduled tomorrow at a specific time in the day. You are able to set an appointment to accomplish a specific purpose based upon the fact that our days have order. The sun will come up the same tomorrow as it did today.
However, in the midst of all this order, there is constant change. No two days are exactly the same. God gave us climatic change, such as summer and winter, as an example of the constant change of seasons we experience as humans. Jesus is immutable, but his seasons of change for our lives never cease until we see him face to face.
Over the next few months, I want to focus on embracing our seasons of change properly. We will look at the purpose of change, the process of change, possessing the proper perspective in change, and the product of change. Stay tuned for the purpose of change.
Scripture Reference:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forevermore. Hebrews 13:8
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
Point: God doesn’t change, so we must in order to become more like him.
Two types of change:
1. The change we initiate due to our unbelief, impatience, lack of perspective or bad attitudes. This turns into nothing more than aimless wandering.
2. The change that God initiates to bring us into a closer relationship with him, and out of that, a greater ability to accomplish his will for our lives.
Psalm 1:1-3 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Point: The way we embrace our seasons of change today, will determine our fruitfulness/effectiveness in the future.
Living on planet earth, there are two things I have learned about God as our Creator by observing His creation. God is a God of order and change. Genesis 8:22 says, "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."
Think about it, you probably have an appointment scheduled tomorrow at a specific time in the day. You are able to set an appointment to accomplish a specific purpose based upon the fact that our days have order. The sun will come up the same tomorrow as it did today.
However, in the midst of all this order, there is constant change. No two days are exactly the same. God gave us climatic change, such as summer and winter, as an example of the constant change of seasons we experience as humans. Jesus is immutable, but his seasons of change for our lives never cease until we see him face to face.
Over the next few months, I want to focus on embracing our seasons of change properly. We will look at the purpose of change, the process of change, possessing the proper perspective in change, and the product of change. Stay tuned for the purpose of change.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Lessons from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Part Two)
According to World Magazine, “Authorities say Roberts left a handwritten note to his wife of nine years, saying he was “angry at God” over the death of their infant daughter in 1997.” This desperate note couldn’t explain Roberts’ depraved actions to the Amish community. Thank God the Bible can as it correctly identifies the sinful condition of man. 2 Timothy 3:1 says, “But mark this; “There will be terrible times in the last days.” This passage of scripture goes on to describe the actions of men in these terrible times as brutal.
2 Timothy 2:20 says, “ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some for noble purposes and some for ignoble. (21) If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument (vessel) for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master (God) and prepared to do any good work.” Human beings are instruments (vessels) that will be used for good or evil. Just as God does his good work through people, the devil (Satan) also does his evil work through humanity. For this reason, it is so important we fill ourselves with God’s spirit. What is filling your vessel?
World Magazine reported, “The Amish community abhors violence and zealously attempts to isolate itself from the world’s spiritual and physical dangers. Their peaceful schoolhouse seemed the last place on earth this brutal shooting would occur. But the hard truth is settling over Lancaster County, Pa., that rings true for the rest of the world: Ignoring evil won’t keep it at bay.”
“It just goes to show you there’s no safe place….There’s really no such thing,” Bob Allen, a bookstore clerk in a neighboring town, told the Associated Press. Sam Smucker, pastor of The Worship Center in Lancaster, has a particularly strong connection to the Amish community. He told Word Magazine, “It’s really an indescribable jolt,” and then said he doubted most Amish, “ever thought they’d need security.”
In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The second lesson is one of mission. Apostle Paul faced the corrupted state of man in the “terrible times” he was living in, and gave a charge to Timothy concerning what his proper response should be. He said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: (2) Preach the Word.”
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are supposed to be proactive in spreading our Lord’s message and conquering evil. The Amish school shooting is a reminder to all that there is no neutral ground. No people group, no matter what type of culture they try to create, can escape the evil that is in the world today. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for people to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Six little Amish girls were his latest victims.
Jesus has given us salvation and a message to overcome evil with good: It is our duty, and therefore, our responsibility to aggressively preach God’s word. The Parable of the Talents teaches us that doing nothing with what God has given us is just as erroneous as doing wrong (Matthew 25:14-30). Instead of withdrawing from society, we are commanded and commissioned to engage culture with the good news of Jesus, and make disciples of all people (Matthew 28:18-20).
Who knows, as we actively share God’s word, He might use the power of our witness to transform a heart, and prevent the next person from killing his neighbor.
2 Timothy 2:20 says, “ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some for noble purposes and some for ignoble. (21) If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument (vessel) for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master (God) and prepared to do any good work.” Human beings are instruments (vessels) that will be used for good or evil. Just as God does his good work through people, the devil (Satan) also does his evil work through humanity. For this reason, it is so important we fill ourselves with God’s spirit. What is filling your vessel?
World Magazine reported, “The Amish community abhors violence and zealously attempts to isolate itself from the world’s spiritual and physical dangers. Their peaceful schoolhouse seemed the last place on earth this brutal shooting would occur. But the hard truth is settling over Lancaster County, Pa., that rings true for the rest of the world: Ignoring evil won’t keep it at bay.”
“It just goes to show you there’s no safe place….There’s really no such thing,” Bob Allen, a bookstore clerk in a neighboring town, told the Associated Press. Sam Smucker, pastor of The Worship Center in Lancaster, has a particularly strong connection to the Amish community. He told Word Magazine, “It’s really an indescribable jolt,” and then said he doubted most Amish, “ever thought they’d need security.”
In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The second lesson is one of mission. Apostle Paul faced the corrupted state of man in the “terrible times” he was living in, and gave a charge to Timothy concerning what his proper response should be. He said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: (2) Preach the Word.”
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are supposed to be proactive in spreading our Lord’s message and conquering evil. The Amish school shooting is a reminder to all that there is no neutral ground. No people group, no matter what type of culture they try to create, can escape the evil that is in the world today. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for people to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Six little Amish girls were his latest victims.
Jesus has given us salvation and a message to overcome evil with good: It is our duty, and therefore, our responsibility to aggressively preach God’s word. The Parable of the Talents teaches us that doing nothing with what God has given us is just as erroneous as doing wrong (Matthew 25:14-30). Instead of withdrawing from society, we are commanded and commissioned to engage culture with the good news of Jesus, and make disciples of all people (Matthew 28:18-20).
Who knows, as we actively share God’s word, He might use the power of our witness to transform a heart, and prevent the next person from killing his neighbor.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Is Radical Christianity Threatening?
Rosie O’Donnell, the new host of "The View," made an interesting comment comparing Christianity and Islam. On the September 12 edition, in response to fellow co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s comment that militant Islam is a grave threat, O’Donnell stated that "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America."
Is radical Christianity just as threatening as radical Islam? I do agree that when both religions are practiced by their devoted followers, they have a threatening component to them.
Islam is threatening because its devoted followers live by the instructions of their prophet Muhammad to advance their religious beliefs by the sword. Anyone who would oppose or disagree with Islam is a target for death, whether by sword, bombs, or flying airplanes into buildings. Radical Islam is threatening to Rosie because a bomb might blow up the very building where she is employed.
Christianity is threatening because it holds up a standard of righteousness. For example, it clearly defines that immorality, impurity and greed are wrong. It also teaches that those who practice these behaviors will go to hell when they die. The thought of going to hell for sinful behavior is very threatening. Radical Christianity is threatening to Rosie because her immoral lifestyle leads to the eternal consequence of hell.
So, I do agree with Rosie’s comment that both religions are threatening. However, I totally disagree with her attempt to make the nature of their threats equal. Please allow me to explain.
It is true that Islam and Christianity both promote death. The instrument of death promoted by Islam is the sword. The instrument of death promoted by Christianity is the cross. Radical followers of Islam and Christianity both are willing to die for their beliefs. One teaches its disciples to “take up the sword”, and the other teaches its disciples to “take up the cross”.
Radical Islam teaches its followers to kill others in the name of Allah. Islamists use the “sword of man” to advance their agenda. For example, the world witnessed radical Islam on September 11, 2001 as planes crashed into the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. The radical application of Islam leads to the death of many people.
Radical Christianity teaches that love is dying for another person so they can be saved and free. For God so loved the world he gave Jesus to die on a cross, so that whoever would believe in him would not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). Christians advance God’s kingdom by the sword of their message or words. They preach the Bible even to the point of death. They don’t kill people for not believing, but are often killed by those who disagree with them. The radical application of Christianity leads to the salvation and freedom of many people.
One final thought, prior to Christian influence in the world, a woman’s life was very cheap. Find me one nation where Islam is practiced, and women in that society have equal status to men. History has proven that only nations influenced by Christianity have liberated women.
In ancient Rome and Greece, the opinion of women was not very favorable. Plato taught that if a man lived a cowardly life, he would be reincarnated as a woman. Aristotle said that a woman was somewhere between a free man and a slave.
Take India as another example. Prior to Christian influences in India, widows were voluntarily or involuntarily burned on their husbands funeral pyres—a grisly practice known as suttee (which means “good woman”). Hindus believed it was a good woman who followed her husband into death.
In the Middle East, women have been observed laboring in fields yoked with animals to a plow. It was the teachings of Christianity that elevated women to an equal status with men. Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
How ironic that women like Rosie O’Donnell do not give credit to Christ or Christianity; in fact, they say it has oppressed women. In reality, it took people with a radical commitment to Christianity, to elevate the value of women enormously. Without Christianity’s influence in the world, Rosie O’Donnell would never have the freedom, or the setting, to criticize the very belief system that helped liberate her status, as a woman, in society. Without Jesus, instead of talking freely on television to millions of people, she would probably be bound by silence to her thoughts, while living under a veil today.
Is radical Christianity just as threatening as radical Islam? I do agree that when both religions are practiced by their devoted followers, they have a threatening component to them.
Islam is threatening because its devoted followers live by the instructions of their prophet Muhammad to advance their religious beliefs by the sword. Anyone who would oppose or disagree with Islam is a target for death, whether by sword, bombs, or flying airplanes into buildings. Radical Islam is threatening to Rosie because a bomb might blow up the very building where she is employed.
Christianity is threatening because it holds up a standard of righteousness. For example, it clearly defines that immorality, impurity and greed are wrong. It also teaches that those who practice these behaviors will go to hell when they die. The thought of going to hell for sinful behavior is very threatening. Radical Christianity is threatening to Rosie because her immoral lifestyle leads to the eternal consequence of hell.
So, I do agree with Rosie’s comment that both religions are threatening. However, I totally disagree with her attempt to make the nature of their threats equal. Please allow me to explain.
It is true that Islam and Christianity both promote death. The instrument of death promoted by Islam is the sword. The instrument of death promoted by Christianity is the cross. Radical followers of Islam and Christianity both are willing to die for their beliefs. One teaches its disciples to “take up the sword”, and the other teaches its disciples to “take up the cross”.
Radical Islam teaches its followers to kill others in the name of Allah. Islamists use the “sword of man” to advance their agenda. For example, the world witnessed radical Islam on September 11, 2001 as planes crashed into the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. The radical application of Islam leads to the death of many people.
Radical Christianity teaches that love is dying for another person so they can be saved and free. For God so loved the world he gave Jesus to die on a cross, so that whoever would believe in him would not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). Christians advance God’s kingdom by the sword of their message or words. They preach the Bible even to the point of death. They don’t kill people for not believing, but are often killed by those who disagree with them. The radical application of Christianity leads to the salvation and freedom of many people.
One final thought, prior to Christian influence in the world, a woman’s life was very cheap. Find me one nation where Islam is practiced, and women in that society have equal status to men. History has proven that only nations influenced by Christianity have liberated women.
In ancient Rome and Greece, the opinion of women was not very favorable. Plato taught that if a man lived a cowardly life, he would be reincarnated as a woman. Aristotle said that a woman was somewhere between a free man and a slave.
Take India as another example. Prior to Christian influences in India, widows were voluntarily or involuntarily burned on their husbands funeral pyres—a grisly practice known as suttee (which means “good woman”). Hindus believed it was a good woman who followed her husband into death.
In the Middle East, women have been observed laboring in fields yoked with animals to a plow. It was the teachings of Christianity that elevated women to an equal status with men. Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
How ironic that women like Rosie O’Donnell do not give credit to Christ or Christianity; in fact, they say it has oppressed women. In reality, it took people with a radical commitment to Christianity, to elevate the value of women enormously. Without Christianity’s influence in the world, Rosie O’Donnell would never have the freedom, or the setting, to criticize the very belief system that helped liberate her status, as a woman, in society. Without Jesus, instead of talking freely on television to millions of people, she would probably be bound by silence to her thoughts, while living under a veil today.
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