Have you ever heard the radio commercial about the cracks in the basement? A humorous little conversation takes place between a father and son which personify a large crack in the wall of a basement and a small crack.
The father (large crack) tells the son (small crack) that small cracks are generally not very threatening to the basement wall. However, the father explains that over time the small crack can grow larger and larger becoming a big and expensive project to fix.
The moral of the story is for the consumer to be wise in taking care of the small cracks while they are non-threatening and manageable. Otherwise, if he ignores the problem, the crack will eventually become a threat to the structure of the house and cost him a bundle to repair.
Likewise, in life, we will come across small problems that are relatively non-threatening. But if we ignore these small issues, eventually they will become bigger problems which can cost us dearly. We must train ourselves from the costly experiences of our lives to deal with the problems while they are small. If we do, we can save ourselves a lot of hardship in the days ahead.
Something to think about.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Being the LIGHT
Last week, we completed the final chapter of a vision series we have been working on for our church in McKeesport. The series was called, "Be the LIGHT" based on Matthew 5:14 when Jesus said, "You are the light of the world, a town on a hill cannot be hidden..." The word LIGHT is an acronym which represents the light of: Love, Invitation, Giving, Hope & Teaching as God's directive for His people. The motivation behind this series is to help God's people strive toward living out kingdom principles which should in-turn help draw people from darkness into the light of Christ (John 8:12).
So how is this "vision" supposed to work from a practical point of view? A brief walk-through of the series helps to frame the context. But first I'd like to make something very clear:
Humanity is helplessly drawn to darkness (John 3:19); that is, it is the inherent nature of man to hide from God because of his sinful (corrupted) nature. This darkness (or moral evil) of man has no remedy from within his own depraved will (Gen 8:21). In other words, there is no way man can save himself from the consequences of his own self-destructive sinful nature (Rom 3:10). Therefore, if there is any hope for humanity, it must come by way of God's necessary intervention.
John 1:1-5 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (Jesus) was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (understood) it.
Jesus is the LIGHT for mankind; a way to see beyond the darkness and have hope in spite of man's helpless bent to sin (darkness). God has progressively revealed truth to mankind through the Holy Scriptures (i.e. the Bible). But His perfect revelation came in the form of Himself as a man, the Messiah (The Anointed One). By his life, his teachings, and his demonstration of perfect love, Jesus (God's only begotten son) revealed the LIGHT of God to mankind. Without Christ, we are lost in the darkness with no way out.
Mankind, left to himself outside of God's revelation, is filled with hatred, rejection, selfishness, hopelessness and ignorance. God's LIGHT, however, reveals to us His Love, Invitation, Giving, Hope, and Teaching; a profound and otherworldly nature which stands in perfect contrast to our helplessly depraved state! Jesus not only came to reveal to us this LIGHT, but offered the assurance of full payment for our sins, so we might be redeemed from the darkness. In addition to this, He sent to us the promised Holy Spirit; the third member of the Triune Godhead, to guide us into all truth of Christ's teachings (John 16:12-15). The Holy Spirit grants to depraved man, the regenerative power of life, purchased by the blood spent by Christ. This power revitalizes man to live a holy life, free from the darkness!
As an army bread for the purpose of Salvation, we are committed to shine the LIGHT of God's salvation into the hearts of sinful man. By the carrying out of this mission, we will see the LIGHT of God rescue people from the darkness which seeks to destroy them. This is the vision for the McKeesport Corps; a calling to be the LIGHT to a city on a hill:
Love: is the proper standard for all human relationships. It is built upon the very center of God's character (1 John 4:8). When we live a life of love (in Christ), we have a firm foundation to build upon. God's people must love as Christ loved us all, even while we were yet sinners (Rom 5:8).
Invitation: is the mission of the gospel given to all of God's children (Matt 28:19). It is God's will to draw people to Him, in order that they might have life in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. We mustn't hesitate to invite people to the cross; no matter who they are or what they've done.
Giving: to give is better than to receive (Acts 20:35). Life is meant to be lived out in service to God and to our fellow man. We must support one another as well as Christ's mission to the world (the Church)
Hope: life on earth is not without its share of trouble. However, Jesus, as the author and finisher of our faith, has overcome the world (Heb 12:2; John 16:33). We must hold onto hope no matter what obstacles we may face. All things are possible with God (Mark 19:26).
Teaching: the word of God is His illumination of truth for life (Psalm 119:11). We must be guided by the Scriptures if we are to learn and lead others to Him (2 Tim 3:16). How will they know if someone does not tell them (Rom 10:14)?
It is my prayer and hope that the people of the McKeesport Corps will be united by this vision to Love, Invite, Give, Hope and Teach others the principles of God's Kingdom. The LIGHT of God is here in McKeesport and it is beckoning those lost in darkness to draw near so they might be set free from darkness and see what God has made available to them in the LIGHT. Please pray for us as we shine the LIGHT of Christ into the heart of this city!
So how is this "vision" supposed to work from a practical point of view? A brief walk-through of the series helps to frame the context. But first I'd like to make something very clear:
Humanity is helplessly drawn to darkness (John 3:19); that is, it is the inherent nature of man to hide from God because of his sinful (corrupted) nature. This darkness (or moral evil) of man has no remedy from within his own depraved will (Gen 8:21). In other words, there is no way man can save himself from the consequences of his own self-destructive sinful nature (Rom 3:10). Therefore, if there is any hope for humanity, it must come by way of God's necessary intervention.
John 1:1-5 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (Jesus) was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (understood) it.
Jesus is the LIGHT for mankind; a way to see beyond the darkness and have hope in spite of man's helpless bent to sin (darkness). God has progressively revealed truth to mankind through the Holy Scriptures (i.e. the Bible). But His perfect revelation came in the form of Himself as a man, the Messiah (The Anointed One). By his life, his teachings, and his demonstration of perfect love, Jesus (God's only begotten son) revealed the LIGHT of God to mankind. Without Christ, we are lost in the darkness with no way out.
Mankind, left to himself outside of God's revelation, is filled with hatred, rejection, selfishness, hopelessness and ignorance. God's LIGHT, however, reveals to us His Love, Invitation, Giving, Hope, and Teaching; a profound and otherworldly nature which stands in perfect contrast to our helplessly depraved state! Jesus not only came to reveal to us this LIGHT, but offered the assurance of full payment for our sins, so we might be redeemed from the darkness. In addition to this, He sent to us the promised Holy Spirit; the third member of the Triune Godhead, to guide us into all truth of Christ's teachings (John 16:12-15). The Holy Spirit grants to depraved man, the regenerative power of life, purchased by the blood spent by Christ. This power revitalizes man to live a holy life, free from the darkness!
As an army bread for the purpose of Salvation, we are committed to shine the LIGHT of God's salvation into the hearts of sinful man. By the carrying out of this mission, we will see the LIGHT of God rescue people from the darkness which seeks to destroy them. This is the vision for the McKeesport Corps; a calling to be the LIGHT to a city on a hill:
Love: is the proper standard for all human relationships. It is built upon the very center of God's character (1 John 4:8). When we live a life of love (in Christ), we have a firm foundation to build upon. God's people must love as Christ loved us all, even while we were yet sinners (Rom 5:8).
Invitation: is the mission of the gospel given to all of God's children (Matt 28:19). It is God's will to draw people to Him, in order that they might have life in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. We mustn't hesitate to invite people to the cross; no matter who they are or what they've done.
Giving: to give is better than to receive (Acts 20:35). Life is meant to be lived out in service to God and to our fellow man. We must support one another as well as Christ's mission to the world (the Church)
Hope: life on earth is not without its share of trouble. However, Jesus, as the author and finisher of our faith, has overcome the world (Heb 12:2; John 16:33). We must hold onto hope no matter what obstacles we may face. All things are possible with God (Mark 19:26).
Teaching: the word of God is His illumination of truth for life (Psalm 119:11). We must be guided by the Scriptures if we are to learn and lead others to Him (2 Tim 3:16). How will they know if someone does not tell them (Rom 10:14)?
It is my prayer and hope that the people of the McKeesport Corps will be united by this vision to Love, Invite, Give, Hope and Teach others the principles of God's Kingdom. The LIGHT of God is here in McKeesport and it is beckoning those lost in darkness to draw near so they might be set free from darkness and see what God has made available to them in the LIGHT. Please pray for us as we shine the LIGHT of Christ into the heart of this city!
Monday, September 22, 2014
The Dead Teaching the Living
Today I was inspired by a precious saint in the upper ranks of the Salvation Army. Commissioner Nancy Moretz shared much about her own life and relationship with her husband in the great years of their life spent together. Commissioner Larry R. Moretz, a hero of the faith, laid down his sword and was promoted to glory on May 16th, 2013.
According to his wife's testimony, the Commissioner was a reputable writer driven to encourage and inspire soldiers, officers and salvationists across the Eastern Territory, to live their lives in holy surrender to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His large collection of survived writings and sermons, remain an inspirational collection of teaching and comfort to Commissioner Nancy as she lives out the remainder of her days in service to her Commander in Chief, Christ our King.
This got me to thinking about my own writings and the value they may have for others during my life and those who may come long after me. After all, much of what I have come to know of the world has been handed down to me through the treasuries of well written literature. Indeed much of my own inspiration and framing of the Bible has been cast by the saints who have long been gone since the days they penned their wisdom upon the pages of their surviving works.
It is my hope to develop a discipline in my own writings so I might leave behind something of value for the benefit of others when the time comes for me to lay down my own sword for the promotion to glory. Whether these writings are regarded by some, if any, now or never, it is a risk I believe I should be willing to take in the hope that some might be led to Christ and find salvation for their souls.
With this, I will end with a recent captivating verse of Scripture that has helped me to understand my own place in the book of life. Paul writes to the believers in Corinth, "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
May our lives be seen as such; living letters so that others may read our witness and put their hope in the source of our everlasting hope, Jesus Christ our Lord!
According to his wife's testimony, the Commissioner was a reputable writer driven to encourage and inspire soldiers, officers and salvationists across the Eastern Territory, to live their lives in holy surrender to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His large collection of survived writings and sermons, remain an inspirational collection of teaching and comfort to Commissioner Nancy as she lives out the remainder of her days in service to her Commander in Chief, Christ our King.
This got me to thinking about my own writings and the value they may have for others during my life and those who may come long after me. After all, much of what I have come to know of the world has been handed down to me through the treasuries of well written literature. Indeed much of my own inspiration and framing of the Bible has been cast by the saints who have long been gone since the days they penned their wisdom upon the pages of their surviving works.
It is my hope to develop a discipline in my own writings so I might leave behind something of value for the benefit of others when the time comes for me to lay down my own sword for the promotion to glory. Whether these writings are regarded by some, if any, now or never, it is a risk I believe I should be willing to take in the hope that some might be led to Christ and find salvation for their souls.
With this, I will end with a recent captivating verse of Scripture that has helped me to understand my own place in the book of life. Paul writes to the believers in Corinth, "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
May our lives be seen as such; living letters so that others may read our witness and put their hope in the source of our everlasting hope, Jesus Christ our Lord!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Pure Water and Holy Living
Do you have a favorite brand of purified water? Aquafina, Deer Park, or Dasani? The other day it occurred to me, as my wife and I were walking down the isles of the grocery store, how many different brands of bottled water there are available on the shelves. Everything from name brand distilled and purified, to spring water and H2O2 filtered! Its amazing how much attention is given to the care and treatment of the most necessary element of the human body!
As I took the time to read some of the careful treatment processes of these brands, I learned it is no simple task to ensure a quality product for the valued consumer. Some processes include a 5 to 10 cycle filtration system; ensuring the removal of any and all chlorides, salts, and other substances which may effect the water's taste. In other words, it becomes the mission of the company to ensure the bottled product is an undeniably guranteed pure and true form!
After some time spent reading the labels and even later visiting the websites of some of these brands, it got me to thinking of the subject of holiness. I thought, "what if the child of God were to take the principles of water filtration and apply it to the discipline of holiness for the product of life they have been given by God?" A thoroughly devoted process of removing any and all substances which might effect the state of our heart, mind and soul in the presence of God.
I am reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:48, when he says, "be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Perfect? How is this even remotely possible given the helplessly depraved state of mankind? What does this mean? The Greek term Jesus uses here for "perfect" denotes a sense of lacking nothing necessary to completeness, finished. In other words, God wants us to be holy, pure, "perfect."
But how many "Christians" walk in such a determined process toward "perfection"? How many leave gaping holes in their spiritual filters allowing the world's contamination to bleed through the cycles of their lives - leaving little if any change in the spiritual content of their soul? How many neglect to remove the sinful influences and content from their homes, devices, and fellowship in an effort to consecrate themselves for the sake of purity for their Lord and Savior? How many take time to monitor and screen the activities and education of their children to lead them in the way of holiness before God?
Some will say, "well isn't that what God's grace is for? Jesus paid the price for my sin, so why should I have to worry so much about what I do?" To this objection I will appeal to the Apostle Paul who had this to say: "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin" (Rom 6:1-7)
Accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior means we have identified ourselves with his death - a death to sin. In other words, we have identified ourselves with the ultimate cause for purification; a determined process to remove sin and its influences from our lives. Jesus is our final filter for sin. He is the guarantee that any and all substances we have failed to remove in our commitment to be holy have been completely removed! That being said, commitment to personal holiness will never save us - it will never be thorough enough for God's approval. However, what holiness does do is prove to God that we have recognized Jesus' word and work as our authority for purity as well as our necessary filter of completion.
I believe God wants His Church to take holiness seriously. I believe He is tired of failed filtration efforts on our parts to remove sin from our lives. When God's children appeal to the grace of Christ to cover their failures without making any effort to live a holy life separate from the world - I believe they tell Him they do not take His work seriously. They just might be surprised to find that His final filter is not applied to them and their final product will be undeniably rejected by God when they stand before Him at the Great Throne of Judgment.
As I took the time to read some of the careful treatment processes of these brands, I learned it is no simple task to ensure a quality product for the valued consumer. Some processes include a 5 to 10 cycle filtration system; ensuring the removal of any and all chlorides, salts, and other substances which may effect the water's taste. In other words, it becomes the mission of the company to ensure the bottled product is an undeniably guranteed pure and true form!
After some time spent reading the labels and even later visiting the websites of some of these brands, it got me to thinking of the subject of holiness. I thought, "what if the child of God were to take the principles of water filtration and apply it to the discipline of holiness for the product of life they have been given by God?" A thoroughly devoted process of removing any and all substances which might effect the state of our heart, mind and soul in the presence of God.
I am reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:48, when he says, "be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Perfect? How is this even remotely possible given the helplessly depraved state of mankind? What does this mean? The Greek term Jesus uses here for "perfect" denotes a sense of lacking nothing necessary to completeness, finished. In other words, God wants us to be holy, pure, "perfect."
But how many "Christians" walk in such a determined process toward "perfection"? How many leave gaping holes in their spiritual filters allowing the world's contamination to bleed through the cycles of their lives - leaving little if any change in the spiritual content of their soul? How many neglect to remove the sinful influences and content from their homes, devices, and fellowship in an effort to consecrate themselves for the sake of purity for their Lord and Savior? How many take time to monitor and screen the activities and education of their children to lead them in the way of holiness before God?
Some will say, "well isn't that what God's grace is for? Jesus paid the price for my sin, so why should I have to worry so much about what I do?" To this objection I will appeal to the Apostle Paul who had this to say: "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin" (Rom 6:1-7)
Accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior means we have identified ourselves with his death - a death to sin. In other words, we have identified ourselves with the ultimate cause for purification; a determined process to remove sin and its influences from our lives. Jesus is our final filter for sin. He is the guarantee that any and all substances we have failed to remove in our commitment to be holy have been completely removed! That being said, commitment to personal holiness will never save us - it will never be thorough enough for God's approval. However, what holiness does do is prove to God that we have recognized Jesus' word and work as our authority for purity as well as our necessary filter of completion.
I believe God wants His Church to take holiness seriously. I believe He is tired of failed filtration efforts on our parts to remove sin from our lives. When God's children appeal to the grace of Christ to cover their failures without making any effort to live a holy life separate from the world - I believe they tell Him they do not take His work seriously. They just might be surprised to find that His final filter is not applied to them and their final product will be undeniably rejected by God when they stand before Him at the Great Throne of Judgment.
Friday, April 18, 2014
This is Me
Have you ever felt misunderstood as a person? That people have the real you confused with somebody else entirely? For years I've chosen to simply deny this kind of mentality in an effort to subdue the trend of depression I battled years ago in my young adulthood... but recently? Recently I've been somewhat perplexed by this idea that it just might be possible that people often misunderstand me.
I'm not entirely sure why, but I felt motivated to share some things about myself with the blog-sphere in hopes that it might help you, and others, see me for who I believe I truly am. You may like what you read. You may not. It may confirm your suspicions or it just might dismiss them. Whatever the case - I feel compelled to share my heart.
I grew up in a Christian home. My parents loved me deeply and offered me all they could afford in hopes that I might grow up to be a man of God. When I was a teenager I fell in love with a girl I had hoped would become my future wife. It would seem my plans were heading the right direction. But God soon showed me He had other plans.
To keep it short and sweet, my attempts to rule my own life brought a roller-coaster ride of terrible depression, drugs, alcohol and reckless consequences into my young and sinfully arrogant life. I had a crushing wake up call which nearly cost me my life and freedom. I had no where to go but to turn back to God for answers which led me to the Teen Challenge program. I spent a year in the program which stripped me of most of my freedom; offering me sobriety and an appreciation for little things like clean clothes, food, and toilet paper. God was my strength to get me through.
While I was in the program God changed me. As I began to read the Bible, I quickly came to realize I was not at the center of the universe - but merely a dust-sized particle of severely limited value to serve in willful submission to the Almighty Living God. As I began to live for Him, I found life made a whole lot more sense. This gift of liberty would soon become my passion for others.
After Teen Challenge I went onto Bible College where I received my BA in pastoral ministry. There, I met and fell in love with with my darling wife Kate who has graced me with an absolute treasure of a daughter. The Lord has been so gracious to me in spite of my seemingly endless list of flaws and weaknesses. Truly I am undeserving of all the blessings I have in Him today.
It was through my wife I was introduced to The Salvation Army - this would be the calling that God would place on my life for full-time ministry. The idea of sharing the love of Jesus Christ through practical acts of service became the heartbeat of my life's mission. I see no greater cause in this whole world but to win people into the loving arms of Jesus so they might spend eternity with Him.
As I grow in my love and service to God, so does my love for His word each passing day. I know the Truth of God's Word reveals the path of salvation for all mankind (John 3:16-17). I know that He is loving, patient, faithful and true; not wanting anyone to die but to turn away from sin (2 Pet 3:9). He is also holy, righteous and just - and will judge everyone for what they have done whether good or evil in this life (2 Cor 5:10).
So... eternity is no trivial matter to me; it is a matter of life and death forever. When eternity is on the line - the few short years spent in this world are far too short to play games with the grace of God. For those who live in rebellion against His will, I am compelled by God's great love to call you to repent from sin and turn to Jesus Christ as your loving Savior. He offers you a life of hope and holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit to guide you.
For those of you who do call on Jesus as your Lord, I am driven to remind you to live according to God's holy commands as we will all have to give an account for every thought, word and deed in this fleeting life. We must be careful to be holy as our Heavenly Father is holy (1 Pet 1:15) and not serve as a stumbling block to others, causing them to sin (Rom 14:13).
The world and the devil want you to believe that life is all there is and that eternity is just a fantasy. They want you to believe that God's grace has you covered so you can live in sin without any concern of judgment to come in the life after. They want you to believe God's word isn't trustworthy; that its full of flaws and inconsistencies so you might resort to your own code of morality. They want you to believe anything but the Truth of God's Holy Word so you might suffer the fate of eternity alongside the wicked in Hell. But I love you too much to ignore you. You can count on me, whether you like it or not, to speak the Truth of God's Word as He has offered it for mankind - because it has personally set me free from a path leading to sure destruction.
When I warn you of sin, it is only because I love you enough to make you aware of very real danger. Its because God has no concern about your feeling comfortable while wandering about in the cross-hairs of His wrath set on sin. Its not about trying to stroke my own ego or parade around in some kind of self-righteous robe with God-ordained privileges; I am neither perfect nor will ever claim to be. Its about God's desire to see you live life as He intended for you - free from the bondage and misery of sin. Don't be angry... this is me - I am just a messenger.
I'm not entirely sure why, but I felt motivated to share some things about myself with the blog-sphere in hopes that it might help you, and others, see me for who I believe I truly am. You may like what you read. You may not. It may confirm your suspicions or it just might dismiss them. Whatever the case - I feel compelled to share my heart.
I grew up in a Christian home. My parents loved me deeply and offered me all they could afford in hopes that I might grow up to be a man of God. When I was a teenager I fell in love with a girl I had hoped would become my future wife. It would seem my plans were heading the right direction. But God soon showed me He had other plans.
To keep it short and sweet, my attempts to rule my own life brought a roller-coaster ride of terrible depression, drugs, alcohol and reckless consequences into my young and sinfully arrogant life. I had a crushing wake up call which nearly cost me my life and freedom. I had no where to go but to turn back to God for answers which led me to the Teen Challenge program. I spent a year in the program which stripped me of most of my freedom; offering me sobriety and an appreciation for little things like clean clothes, food, and toilet paper. God was my strength to get me through.
While I was in the program God changed me. As I began to read the Bible, I quickly came to realize I was not at the center of the universe - but merely a dust-sized particle of severely limited value to serve in willful submission to the Almighty Living God. As I began to live for Him, I found life made a whole lot more sense. This gift of liberty would soon become my passion for others.
After Teen Challenge I went onto Bible College where I received my BA in pastoral ministry. There, I met and fell in love with with my darling wife Kate who has graced me with an absolute treasure of a daughter. The Lord has been so gracious to me in spite of my seemingly endless list of flaws and weaknesses. Truly I am undeserving of all the blessings I have in Him today.
It was through my wife I was introduced to The Salvation Army - this would be the calling that God would place on my life for full-time ministry. The idea of sharing the love of Jesus Christ through practical acts of service became the heartbeat of my life's mission. I see no greater cause in this whole world but to win people into the loving arms of Jesus so they might spend eternity with Him.
As I grow in my love and service to God, so does my love for His word each passing day. I know the Truth of God's Word reveals the path of salvation for all mankind (John 3:16-17). I know that He is loving, patient, faithful and true; not wanting anyone to die but to turn away from sin (2 Pet 3:9). He is also holy, righteous and just - and will judge everyone for what they have done whether good or evil in this life (2 Cor 5:10).
So... eternity is no trivial matter to me; it is a matter of life and death forever. When eternity is on the line - the few short years spent in this world are far too short to play games with the grace of God. For those who live in rebellion against His will, I am compelled by God's great love to call you to repent from sin and turn to Jesus Christ as your loving Savior. He offers you a life of hope and holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit to guide you.
For those of you who do call on Jesus as your Lord, I am driven to remind you to live according to God's holy commands as we will all have to give an account for every thought, word and deed in this fleeting life. We must be careful to be holy as our Heavenly Father is holy (1 Pet 1:15) and not serve as a stumbling block to others, causing them to sin (Rom 14:13).
The world and the devil want you to believe that life is all there is and that eternity is just a fantasy. They want you to believe that God's grace has you covered so you can live in sin without any concern of judgment to come in the life after. They want you to believe God's word isn't trustworthy; that its full of flaws and inconsistencies so you might resort to your own code of morality. They want you to believe anything but the Truth of God's Holy Word so you might suffer the fate of eternity alongside the wicked in Hell. But I love you too much to ignore you. You can count on me, whether you like it or not, to speak the Truth of God's Word as He has offered it for mankind - because it has personally set me free from a path leading to sure destruction.
When I warn you of sin, it is only because I love you enough to make you aware of very real danger. Its because God has no concern about your feeling comfortable while wandering about in the cross-hairs of His wrath set on sin. Its not about trying to stroke my own ego or parade around in some kind of self-righteous robe with God-ordained privileges; I am neither perfect nor will ever claim to be. Its about God's desire to see you live life as He intended for you - free from the bondage and misery of sin. Don't be angry... this is me - I am just a messenger.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Treating the Sickness
Have you ever been offered a remedy that sounded rediculous or inconvenient in order to cure an ailment? Something which was altogether different, unconventional or even insulting in order to bring about the healing you needed?
I recall a time when such a remedy was prescribed for me in order to heal a skin deformity on my foot. I went to the doctor expecting some kind of shot or surgical operation in order to remove it. Instead, what he gave me was a prescription for a pill and an interesting diet. I wanted a quick fix and to forget about it, but the doctor had me commit to a steady discipline of work and treatment in order to receive the help I needed.
In the book of 2 Kings chapter five, a soldier by the name of Naaman was suffering with leprosy, a skin disease which often effected the nervous and immune systems, often fatal over time. He soon came to the prophet Elisha searching for help and healing from his disease. Elisha told Naaman to go and wash himself in the Jordan river seven times to be cleansed of his leprosy. When he heard these instructions, he became insulted because the Jordan was not his idea of a clean river for washing, much less healing. Nevertheless, he did so and found himself cleansed from the terrible and degenerative disease!
Sin is such a disease, 'though in a spiritual sense. We seek the Lord for help and healing from it. Yet, when He instructs us to act upon our faith in Him, to give up the things we love or surrender our expectations of healing, we often feel insulted and humiliated by the reactions we receive from our friends and family.
Sometimes The Lord will ask us to do something small and repetitively over time. Other times he may ask us to make a decision to give up something big or important to us in exchange for full restoration. Whatever the case may be, whatever instructions the Lord may have for us, we should consider His wisdom greater than our own and embrace them with joy. Because in the end, we will find healing as long as we are willing to obey His commands.
Do you seek healing from sin? Has The Lord given you instructions to treat the effects of your disease? Are you insulted by them or are you willing to follow his prescription for holiness? In the end, the choice for healing is yours.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Going the Way of the World
Why does the Bible so often contrast holiness with worldliness? What is implied by suggesting the ways of the world are contrary to godliness?
The reign of Jeroboam became known as a reference point of corruption in the history of Israel's leadership. In fact, when kings retained the practice of pagan ideals and compromised the holy standards for God's chosen nation of Israel, they were compared with Jeroboam, son of Nebat (1-2 Kings).
It is said that Jeroboam, as well as the kings who followed his ways, led Israel to worship golden calves (as false images of Yaweh), and offer sacrifices to the pagan goddess Asherah and the god of Baal.
Asherah was a fertility goddess who was worshipped as the wife of El (or the great God of Creation); she is regarded as the mother of all living or the queen of heaven (Holman Bible Dictionary). Today she may be regarded by her more popular name, "Mother Nature."
Baal, also connected with fertility, was the Canaaninte god who served as, "lord" or "master" over mankind; his title was Prince, or Lord of the Earth. In the book of Ephesians, Baal is merely another term for Satan (Eph 2:2); the prince of the power of the air (the god of this world/age).
In 2 Kings 17, God's chosen people begin to see the consequences of their corruption and sacrilege manifesed in the form of banishment and bondage. Fashioned once again by the chains of slavery and suffering because they choose to abandon the ways of God, who is their salvation, for the pagan practices and philosophies of the world.
There is much we can learn from the needless suffering Israel faced as a result of their corruption and compromises. When we refuse to tear down the various forms of idolatry and sensuality in our lives, we only misrepresent God to the world as though we are worshipping golden calves. When we play the game that Mother Nature is our common maternal caregiver with the world, we assume The Lord is not the one True Sovereign over all things. When we are mastered by the fruitless deeds of darkness in this world, we are giving ourselves over to the Baals; the devil and demons of the spiritual realm whose chief aim is to "steal, kill and destroy" us from having and living in the knowledge of Truth.
Is this what we have become in our nation today? Compromising holiness for sensuality and materialism? Are we inviting bondage and brokenness back into our heritage as a nation, Or are we willing to seek the Lord's will and tear down the strongholds of corrupt influences in our lives that may serve as a stumbling block to us and our children in the future? What will we do with the freedom afforded us by our Sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ?
May we be wise in these final days and abandon the ways of Jeroboam, the ways of the world. By shining as the Way to the Father, through continued obedient faith in Christ, we will influence the world for hope instead of the world influencing the church with destruction.
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