The Allure of Honor (Esther 5:9-6:14)

This past Sunday, I preached a sermon on the allure of honor taken from the passage of Esther 5:9-6:14. The message must be weighed against the backdrop of the series titled, "Divine Providence: the story of how God saved His people from total annihilation." When we consider the role of God behind the unfolding of historical events, it becomes clear that He is intimately involved when it comes to the preservation of His people.

Honor has an intriguing quality about it. It may refer to one's position as well as one's character. Those who hold positions of honor, however, do not always possess honorable character. Likewise, those who have honor may not possess a position of honor. What can we learn from the narrative of the book of Esther that can teach us about honor?

1. There are those who covet honor: Haman was one who pursued honor above everything else. But when he was denied honor, it is evident that honor became an idolatrous affair for him. Even after recounting the glory of his riches, the number of his sons, and every instance where the king had magnified him and promoted him above others (Est 5:11), he remained dissatisfied at the sight of one man who deprived him of it. Like Simon the Sorcerer in Acts chapter 8, Haman coveted the praise of men and it drove him to perversion, cruelty and it reduced him to a tyrant in the pages of history.

2. There are those who confer honor: Isn't it interesting that the king was so disturbed the night after Esther's banquet that he came upon the record of Mordecai's honorable deed in exposing a murderous conspiracy against the king? And on the morning of Haman's plot to hang Mordecai, the king confers with him to honor Mordecai according to Haman's recommendations. Honor is more than a mere position of power - it is the quality of one's character. A man cannot honor himself - it must be recognized by those who have honor. Had the king forgotten Mordecai? Perhaps. But one might consider the possibility that God was simply waiting for the right timing to reveal it to the king.

3. There are those who collect honor: Imagine the horror of Haman at the order of the king to carry out the glorification of Mordecai! Here was a man not seeking honor, but to simply be about his responsibility, protecting the king and the kingdom and he is escorted by the very man who sought that honor for himself. Those who collect honor may even find their enemies offering gifts of praise to them (cf. Psalm 110:1). Consider the widow at the temple treasury in Luke 21 and how Jesus calls attention to her humble offering in contrast to the gifts of the wealthy. Those who do not seek honor will find it before those who would give anything to have it.

Honor has an alluring quality about it. Haman obsessed over honor, and although he held a position of honor in the court of the king, he was clearly not worthy of it. On the contrary, Mordecai did not hold a seat of honor in the king's court; neither did he care to pursue such a position. Yet the king sought to honor him because he was an honorable man. Ironically, God used the man who sought honor to honor a man who did not.

Do you ever covet honor? Have you found yourself miserable at the sight of others receiving praise or failing to recognize your gifts or accomplishments? Let it go. It was the pharisees who chased after such things and they were despised in the eyes of our Lord. Rather, live your life in such a way that God alone should be the one you aim to please. Perhaps one day, at the right time, you will be lifted up before your enemies and given the honor of princes in the eyes of the King.

Fasting from Facebook

I have recently taken leave of the social media platform called Facebook. I felt the Holy Spirit applying pressure on me weeks before Ash Wednesday, February 10th this year. When I took the time to pray and reflect on things that I seem to take the most pleasure in, it seemed to be the most obvious decision.

With my time of abstinence from this platform, I've managed to discover a great many wonderful things that I seem to have lost along the way. Each day appearing to bring a new wave of fresh air as I used the time to focus on other things. Some of the things I've managed to bring back into focus is a renewed commitment to spend time in prayer and fasting. This is not to say I have not participated in these spiritual disciplines, but since I have shifted my focus from social media to private prayer, it has had a profound impact on my approach toward ministry.

Another perk that has come to the surface as a result of this Lenten observation is a greater sense of time and appreciation for my family. When we go out to eat, I am not consumed with the endless thread of comments and posted articles in my news-feed. Rather, I am better able to give my wife and daughter the attention they deserve, having deeper conversation with them about life and faith.

Facebook has been a readily accessible pocket-sized companion that would often distract me from my focus on more important matters throughout the day. I've since gained a better handle on managing the affairs of office responsibility and given greater attention to my master's studies as a student of Asbury Theological Seminary. Although it may have some part in the fact that I no longer have notifications constantly going off on my phone of some new post or comment on the discussion groups I have been a part of, it also has much to do with the simple fact that I have no Facebook to check - even with the notifications disabled.

Perhaps one of the greatest things I noticed in this sacrifice is the peace I have gained knowing I am not bound to a device that seemed to have so much control over my life. My time in prayer and service has been liberated to spend with the Lord and with the people He has called me to serve instead of checking my Facebook every five minutes to see if I missed something. The irony is that I was missing so much more when I was bound like a slave to this tiny machine in my hands.

Richard Foster once said, "More than any other Discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This is a wonderful benefit to the true disciple who longs to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ" (Foster, Celebrations of Discipline, p.55). The time I've spent removed from social media has truly revealed it to me as something that was controlling me. I am truly grateful for the Spirit's leading me to consider suspending my use of it for the experience of something far more fulfilling.

I have been exposed to the deeper significance of something the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians when he said, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Corinthians 6:12). Although many might think this is a rather absurd thing to say, but Facebook had a great deal of control over my life. In all honesty, I felt that I had become a slave to it. Surely, there is plenty of reason one can argue for the good purposes of Facebook, but what I have gained by the exercise of suspending it from my life has brought me a great deal of joy and freedom. I do not want to be mastered by anything other than my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It is my prayer that others might be willing to consider taking a temporary leave of Facebook in order to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal something far greater than the cultural norms we often justify in our lives. You may just find a sense of peace you have been missing; a greater sense of connection to the Lord than ever before.

Children's Programming

As I sit and prepare mentally for our evening children's program, I think about how much I've learned from the Lord and His kingdom since I was a young child attending an after school church program. 

How much more now do I appreciate the hard work put forward in preparing and teaching children the values of kingdom principles! As I run through the checklist I think about all the things required to make it all work: the Bible lesson and illustration materials; the music, memory verses, activities, games and recreation equipment; the staff, the pickups and transportation arrangements; the permission slips and emergency contact information; the  snacks/food and transition times to ensure we keep things moving forward. I think about the progress of some children and the concerns I have for others; the excuses some parents have given for why their children aren't attending, and the mystery of why some have just stopped coming altogether. I think about the hardships some of the children experience in life outside our little program and wonder what their war stories are with the world we live in today.

But in light of all the challenges we experience in this important ministry, I must believe that the seed of the gospel must continue to be scattered upon the soil of their hearts in hopes that the Lord will help them grow in the light of His mercy and grace. We mustn't let discouragement stand in the way of opportunity. You never know what might become of just one precious soul you took the time to serve in a Christian after school program. 

Truth & Grace

Is it wrong to call someone out in sin? After all, if Christ gives grace to us, shouldn't we give grace to others? If we have all fallen short, then who are we to judge?

These are good questions! Everyone who desires to know the truth should ask such questions in their grasp to understand what God has revealed in His Word. Sadly, we live in a world today where truth seems to be an elusive concept; that God's Word is merely a matter of one's own interpretation. But if this is the case, then how can God's children learn to agree upon anything? Is not Christ our standard to which we should conform? His light has come into the world in order to lead us out of darkness. Therefore, we must approach the Scriptures as God's special revelation of truth; seeking unity as the Holy Spirit enables us with understanding and wisdom.

Let us first consider the nature of sin as it is found in the Bible. In a word, sin is a cause of error. But error according to what or whom? Generally, the concept is widely used in reference to God as a violation of His established authority and prescribed commands. Those who sin are in violation of God's holy standards.

The Scriptures reveal the consequences of sin are nothing to be taken lightly. The apostle Paul in the New Testament, an established teacher of the written law, says in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death... In fact, it was for this very reason that Jesus Christ came into the world - in order to pay the debt for the sins of mankind. Paul also explains that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory [standards] of God. In other words, sin has so greatly affected humanity that only God Himself was qualified to properly deal with it.

What does the Bible consider to be sin? A short list of categories can be found in Paul's letter to the Galatians: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

So how does this all relate to the question, "is it wrong to call someone out in sin?" Well, let me answer a question with another question: Is it wrong to ignore someone committing error if it leads them toward death? Jesus' half-brother James tells us, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." It appears James is saying that ignoring those who are living in sin - is a sin in itself! Why would we not want to help others turn away from behavior that injures our relationship with God and others?

But what about grace? Didn't Christ forgive our sins? and doesn't He command us to forgive others the same way? Well, who does God forgive? Throughout the Scriptures, those who are forgiven from sin have one thing in common. Repentance. Consider what the scribe Ezra wrote in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Why should a just and holy God give grace to anyone who has openly violated His will if they do not recognize their faults before Him and bear the sense of guilt from having acted against Him?

Jesus gave a parable to help us understand the nature of God's grace and justice. In Matthew 18:21-35 he tells of a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant owed 10,000 bags of gold and since he was unable to pay, he was ordered to be sold into slavery until the debt was repaid. The servant pleaded with the king that he would repay everything. So the king forgave his entire debt (grace). However, upon his release, he found a fellow servant who owed him a mere 100 silver coins and demanded to be repaid. But rather than showing mercy as he was shown, he ordered the man be thrown into prison until the debt could be repaid. When the king learned of the servant's wicked behavior, he scolded him and had him thrown into prison to be tortured until his original debt of 10,000 bags of gold could be repaid.

Both men showed signs of humility. But the unmerciful servant did not walk with the attitude of grace he had received from the king. Jesus indeed offers us mercy and grace, but the will of God is for us to walk in humble obedience and recognize the enormity of our offense toward him with regard to our sins. If someone has sinned against us, or against God, we must approach them in light of the reality that we too are indebted to God for our own sins. We mustn't condemn them, but rather call their attention to the Word of God and what He has directed all of us to live by.

1 John 1:6-7 explains, "If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

It is possible to live by the standard of truth while cherishing the beauty of His amazing grace. This we must do with sincere humility and a divine passion to uphold the standards of God's will, in hopes that He may use us as instruments of righteousness to lead others from darkness into His glorious light. May God bless you in your journey of faith.

Aggressive Christianity

There are many beloved characters of the Salvation Army's historical narrative, renown for their bold witness and deeply rooted convictions. But among those who have most captivated me is the one whom they call "the Army Mother," Catherine Booth. She was a prolific writer and a compelling voice for the cause for women's rights and the condemnation of alcohol. Her fiery spirit revealed the depravity of men's souls and their desperate need for salvation through faith and obedience to Christ.

One of Catherine's most treasured works among the Salvation Army's collection of inspiring writings was titled, "Aggressive Christianity"; a composite of writings which confronted the pathetic nature of our human depravity, the notorious scheming of the devil and his fallen angels, as well as the unspeakable joy of deliverance that comes through the light of our salvation, Jesus Christ!

But I am afraid the Salvation Army has lost much of its understanding in what kind of holy fire it once possessed in tearing down the gates of hell stationed upon the earth in its day. In a certain light it has tragically become something of a passive remnant of its former glory under the guise of a materialistic charity. But I should like to share some of the words of the Army Mother as a hopeful reminder of our glorious beginnings in the march to make war against hell in the mission to rescue the perishing from eternal damnation.

This is what she said:

"Satan knew what was the secret of the great success of those early disciples. It was their whole-hearted devotion, their absorbing love to Christ, their utter abnegation of the world. It was their entire absorption in the salvation of their fellow men and the glory of their God. It was an enthusiastic religion that swallowed them up, and made them willing to become wanderers and vagabonds on the face of the earth--for His sake to dwell in dens and caves, to be torn asunder, and to be persecuted in every form.

It was this degree of devotion, before which Satan saw he had no chance. Such people as these, he knew, must ultimately subdue the world. It is not in human nature to stand before that kind of spirit, that amount of love and zeal, and if Christians had only gone on as they began long since, the glorious prophecy would have been fulfilled, "The kingdoms of this world" would have "become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ."

Therefore, the arch-enemy said, `What must I do? I shall be defeated after all. I shall lose my supremacy as the god of this world. What shall I do?' No use to bring in a gigantic system of error, which everybody will see to be error. Oh, dear no! That has never been Satan's way; but his plan has been to get hold of a good man here and there, who shall creep in, as the Apostle said, unawares, and preach another doctrine, and who shall deceive, if it were possible, the very elect. And he did it. He accomplished his design. He gradually lowered the standard of Christian life and character, and though, in every revival, God has raised it again to a certain extent, we have never got back thoroughly to the simplicity, purity, and devotion set before us in these Acts of the Apostles and in the Epistles. And just in the degree that it has approximated thereto, in every age, Satan has got somebody to oppose and to show that this was too high a standard for human nature, altogether beyond us, and that, therefore, Christians must sit down and just be content to be "Oh wretched man that I am" people to the end of their days. He has got the Church into a condition that makes one, sometimes, positively ashamed to hear professing Christians talk, and ashamed also, that the world should hear them talk. I do not wonder at thoughtful, intelligent men being driven from such Christianity as this. It would have driven me off, if I had not known the power of godliness. I believe
this kind of Christianity has made more infidels than all the infidel books ever written."

Satan has found the formula that works in driving men mad and sick with rebellion. With each generation that has managed to survive, he has tweaked his strategy and brought about the installation of a massive and powerful delivery system of godlessness through the modern convenience of our computer technology. Endless waves of evil are deposited through the convenient access of social media and entertainment across the globe. If ever there was a time mankind has been enslaved, he has become a slave today in his own lusts for pleasure and comfort.

But let us not lose hope. God is faithful and has called His children out from darkness. In these last days, God is raising up His messengers once again to sound the trumpet in Zion! He has called them to lay down their lives and put on His armor fitted with fearless resolve to charge into the battlefield with the Sword of the Spirit blazing with holy fire! The Word of the LORD is flawless and it cannot be ignored for long before His rebuke is found on the lips of His messengers - warning those who defy Him of His imminent wrath. God's children have been called out as the Light of the World to expose the deeds of darkness wherever they lie.

These are the days of great trial; both for the faithful and for the wicked. Those who ignore His Word will be given over to a hardened heart so they might do what ought not to be done, lest they turn and be forgiven. They have come to put their faith in a false gospel that will lead them to their damnation. They have become coals for the fires of hell that burn with a vengeance from the Eternal God.

Likewise, those who hold firm to the Word of the Lord will be tested by the wicked and their deceptive arts; lashing out in hatred, discord and jealousy because they will not put up with sound doctrine. The irons from the fire will test the hearts of God's children with firebrands of chastisement, hardship, lawsuits, seizures, slander, imprisonment, brutality, and even slaughter. Today is not a day for comfortable Christianity, for what era of human history was there ever a time for such nonsense? No - today is a day for Aggressive Christianity for we have no other option available for our survival! A spirit of revival that tears after the souls of men who wander down the path of destruction, compelling them to turn from sin and learn of the peace God offers only to the penitent heart. These are the days where the faithful will be equally tried by the fire of the Holy Spirit. The passivity of complacent Christianity has only added to the fires that should try the hearts of God's people. But to those who overcome, they will be given the crown of life. Make no mistake!

Loving Sinners with the Truth

There are times when conversations of debate are really more like two people speaking two different languages while neither of them understand what the other is saying. The ongoing debate of homosexuality and how the Church should address this matter is one such example of this kind of conversation.

With respect to the Church, those in support of same-sex marriage often accuse those who are against it as bigots, haters, intolerant and exclusive. While those who oppose same-sex marriage will accuse those in favor of it as false teachers, divisive and worldly. The firing of accusations back and forth reminds me of combat tactics of opposing forces standing in formation on opposite ends of an open field. The guns and cannons would be locked and loaded then raised and fired at the command of the officer. Each side would seemingly take turns exchanging fire while those in the front-lines of battle would fall to their death. I can't help but wonder how many wounded souls have come about from this battlefield of redefining marriage in our culture today.

While I cannot speak on behalf of the side in favor of gay-marriage, I am more than willing to present my view in hopes to squelch the accusations that many, who are opposed to gay-marriage in the Church, are guilty of bigotry, hatred, intolerance and exclusivity as their accusers insist.

First let me start by saying, I believe God indeed "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). I believe "God is love" as the beloved apostle describes in 1 John 4:8 and that "those who do not love do not know God." Therefore it is the duty of all who belong to God to love others, regardless of their color, their race or creed. We are called by Christ to love not just those who love us, but even our enemies. Jesus lead by example in this great virtue - to the effect that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). Our greatest mark of belonging to God is found in the witness of our love.

But what is love? What does it look like? Is love an emotion? Is it an action? Does it give without limits? Does it accept all things? To answer these questions I think its fair for us to consider what Paul had to say about love in his letter to the Corinthians:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Cor 13:4-8a)

Indeed, love is an incredible gift that breathes life into the souls of others! Love is an emotion, but the kind of love that comes from God isn't fickle and fleeting in the face of trouble. It isn't disrespectful or arrogant, and it does not dishonor others. It is a virtue which aspires to the good of all things because God is love and God is good.

But notice what Paul says in verse 6 - "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." Love has terms - it has limits on what it is willing to accept because love cannot aspire to the good of all things if not all things are good. A woman who loves her man, according to God's definition of it, will continue to show him support and encouragement even if he has developed an addictive problem with alcohol. Her love for him does not mean she loves what he does. Rather, her love for him is demonstrated by her opposition to the substance and behavior that is trying to destroy him. She watches over him, she sets boundaries for him, she gathers resources and accountability for him; she's willing to sacrifice her time, money, energy and in some cases her own reputation for the sake of saving her man from an intruder that is trying to divide and destroy them.

This is the mindset of those who oppose the open practice of homosexuality in the Church today - or any sin for that matter. The love that is given as a command to God's children is demonstrated by their opposition of the practice of what the Bible defines as sin. Why? Because such behavior is destructive to the soul, to the Church and to the cause of Christ (the Gospel). The same beloved apostle who told us that "anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love," is the same apostle who also wrote (in the same letter) that anyone who is born of God does not maintain a lifestyle of sin (1 John 5:8).

Just as the man who struggles with his addiction to alcohol needs to find sobriety in order for his relationship with his wife to be restored, so do those who struggle with a behavior that God considers sin according to His Word. God loves us. And God's children are called to love others just as He demonstrated for us. Love does not advocate for behavior that destroys, rather it stands resolute against it with arms wide open, inviting sinners to find freedom from their sins through repentance.

Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23). Peter tells us, "It is not God's will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). Sin is a terrible thing. It has separated us from God ever since that fateful day in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3). And it was because of sin that our world was cursed with tragedy and a desperate need for salvation.

In the final moments before His ascension, Jesus told His disciples, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:46-49). Repentance is an essential part of the work of salvation, without it there can be no forgiveness of sins; God's children were told to proclaim this to the world.

In conclusion, the many who believe they are right in accusing those who oppose the practice of homosexuality in the Church, are not justified in their accusation of being bigoted and haters, intolerant and exclusive. According to the terms I've just highlighted in the Scriptures, I believe those who oppose homosexuality are only demonstrating love as it is rightly defined by the Word of God; loving sinners with the truth that might set them free. It is my sincere hope that those who are quick to judge those who oppose homosexuality in the Church as bigots and haters, would consider the reasons that this is simply not true. God's children have all been called to repentance from sin, and to put their faith in the Word and Will of God as He prescribed. Loving sinners with the truth is the only kind of love that brings about true liberty, lasting peace and the unity of the Spirit.

Kate's Birthday - A Very Special Day

Today is my wife's birthday. It is a day of precious significance to me. As I look back over the years I've spent with her in contrast with the years before we met, there is an incredible difference between these two hemispheres of my life.

Before meeting my wife, I always felt like something was missing; that somehow things were not able to move forward in the direction I desired things to go. Before meeting my wife, I felt a void in my life that could not be filled by any other person. She has brought me sanity, structure, stability and strength which were not there before. She has brought me a sense of peace and potential that in all my years prior I failed to find on my own.

It brings to mind the story of Adam in the garden in Genesis 2 when God noted that it was not good for man to be alone. Surely, the Lord knew it was not good for me to be alone either. This is why I celebrate July 31st every year with a deep sense of joy - because it was on this day that God brought my most precious comrade into this world; my love - Kate Lynn.

Although our stories are rather very different, somehow the Lord directed us to the place of finding one another at Valley Forge. When I first laid eyes on her I was captivated by her heavenly smile and sparkling eyes. In the days to come, we found our love for each other and I found the missing pieces of my life all in one person. Every day I learn a little more about her; things that make her smile, things that inspire her to sing, things that bring her joy and laughter.

To think that somehow I might bless her is a humbling thought. Its as if a meager stable boy were to make a princess laugh. What a privilege it is to know you in the ways that I do Kate. So much more could be said - but it would take a lifetime to describe the fondness my heart has of you. I am so blessed... as if the presence of heaven is your train of glory. You are far more than beautiful in appearance for it is in the wisdom of your words and the tenderness of your love that your power shines so vividly into my life.

So on this, your birthday, may all the wishes and hopes and prayers of life be yours for the taking! Whatever I can do to serve you this day is a privilege and a passion to no end. I love you my darling! May our Lord bless you in every moment of the life we share together in His love. Happy Birthday!

Promoted to the Rank of Lieutenant

As I look back over the past 2 1/2 years I see a period of God's testing and faithfulness. My life was shaken to its core by the events which started this chapter; challenging my outlook on the value of family, the fragile nature of ministry and the role of those in positions of authority over me.

I'd like to think perhaps I've learned a thing or two during this journey. That is why I've decided to share them so that others might benefit from my personal experience. 

1. Keep Relationships in Proper Order: Keep God first in all things - God will not be mocked. Regard your family as a life-long ministry and protect your spouse. A man will not be an effective minister of the gospel if he cares little for the members of his own household. And serve others before serving yourself. When we invert this order we will only give cause to turning our lives upside down. 

2. God Will Provide: No matter how difficult things may get, "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Prov 3:5,6). There will be days when it looks as though all has been lost, but so long as you put your trust in Him, God will get you through it. 

3. Keep Pressing Forward: At times trying circumstances may tempt you with discouragement and you may question whether or not the journey is worth the struggle. These are merely part of the testing you are going through. Remain driven to the cause no matter how much resistance, waiting, or delay may set out against you. The enemy loves to convince people it's okay to give up; its one of his most effective strategies. 

4. Ask For Help: Despite popular opinion, no one can survive in their own strength. Trying to prove one's self-sufficiency is a losing strategy; exhausting and frustrating. God's children must recognize they are all part of the body of Christ and no part can say to another, "I don't need you." Our strength is found in Christ and it is dispensed through the service of His people. Ask the Lord to reveal your weaknesses and be prepared to share those weaknesses with a trusted friend.

5. Submit to Authority: Last, but not least, it is important to recognize God's authority at work through His deligated authority (Rom 13:1). At times we may be tempted to question those in authority over us, but again this is a testing of our will to submit to God. If you ever find yourself caught between the pillars of rebellion and obedience, bring the matter before the Lord and He will give you the wisdom to act accordingly. 

Today, Kate and I have been restored to the rank of Lieutenant as officers in the Salvation Army. It has been a long road but we have gained a great deal from this chapter of our lives. Our hope is that God might use what we have learned during this time on the road ahead. May the name of Jesus Christ be exalted in everything we do - to Him be all glory and all power and all honor and all praise!

My Short List of Values

Who am I in a nutshell?

First and foremost I am a Bible-believing born-again Christian called by God into service of the Salvation Army. I have strong conservative values; believing that if one expects to live a satisfying life he should expect to work hard and contribute to the welfare of society so long as he is able. 

I believe human life is a gift of God and should be protected at all costs. I believe abortion is the murder of an innocent human life. I believe a woman's rights end where another person's begin, no matter how small and helpless they may be.

I believe in human dignity; that there are universal principles and standards of attitude and conduct to which all should aim to live by. I have little sympathy for quitters except the prayer that they might get up and try again. 

I believe God created marriage as it is designed and defined as the life-long monogamous relationship between one man and one woman in holy matrimony. Human sexuality is reserved exclusively for this union. This serves as the governing head of the family; parents provided for the care and discipline of their children through all chapters of their life (infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood). Any other sexual deviation outside of this paradigm is an abomination because it is an assault on both God and the living order of mankind.

I believe in free speech and the sanity that humanity should not lose its head every time someone may say or do something offensive. Political correctness is a device that only breeds never-ending laws of control, consequently robbing mankind of any and all liberties. 

I believe in limited government because power corrupts naturally and absolute power corrupts absolutely. How many chapters of human history have told the story of man endowed with so much power that it forces humanity into suffering? Government must be limited lest it destroy the lives of those it is intended to govern.

I believe every person has a right to protect themselves and those they love. The world is ripe with evil and has been since the dawn of creation. Again this comes from the conviction that human life is precious and must be protected at all costs. A man must be able to defend the lives of those precious to him in the event those lives become threatened. 

I believe in justice, law and order. Although it would appear there is little evidence of it left in this world, I believe that humanity is not beyond the hope of doing what is right when it comes to punishing criminal behavior and securing safety for the community.

I am a man of Faith, Family, and Civility. None of these passions were borne out of ease, but rather out of much heartache, hardship and humility. It has taken me a great deal of learning and surrender to virtues far above me. Nevertheless these are now what I hold dearest to my heart, mind, body and soul. Many may agree with me. Perhaps many more will disagree and even hate me for these values. Whatever the case may be, I believe they are well worth sharing.

Life Lessons Through Commercials

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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?

Throughout the history of ancient Israel there is a recurring theme that teaches the church of the dangers of pagan (worldly) influences: "they did evil in the eyes of The Lord and followed the ways of Jeroboam, who caused Israel to sin." 

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. 

Conditioning for Eternity

This year I was inspired to get working on  conditioning my body (temple) so I might be better fit for service in the kingdom of God. Thanks to my wife, as my accountability, I have managed to maintain a 3-4 day/week exercise routine for the past two months and the results are already starting to show! I genuinely feel better about myself and have developed a greater sense of awareness of things which may hurt the conditioning process of my body.

This week I came across the verse in 1 Timothy that says, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Tim 4:8). 

Godliness is the most beneficial element for living, and just as the health benefits for the body come through endurance and strength conditioning, so do the benefits for the entire human being (body, mind and soul) through spiritual conditioning (i.e. godliness). 

Just as it takes work to reap the benefits of a healthy body, so the same principle applies to spiritual, mental and emotional health. We must seize the opportunity of our brief existence and bring our body, mind and soul under the conditioning of godliness. According to Paul the Apostle's counsel to Timothy - it will benefit this life as well as the life to come!

As we breathe, and move and have our being here in this life, may we not squander our precious time with things that do not play a conditioning role to the health of our mind, body and spirit. May godliness be our daily exercise while we have the time available to on this side of Heaven. 

Searching for the Lost Key

Today started out like a dream. I got to sleep in and share breakfast with my wife, and I had time to exercise before I had to head to work around noon. That is until... I couldn't find the key to the car. I retraced every step I could possibly remember where I'd been last night before bed and I could not come up with the missing keys. I searched through laundry, under the bed covers, all the usual spots we leave our pocket items and still nothing!

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, asking the Lord to help me find them without losing my head. Suddenly I had the thought, "the chair!" Things fall out of our pockets in the recliner all the time, maybe the keys fell through the cracks. I flipped the recliner over to search the cracks and there on the floor was the lost key! My peace was restored and my sanity remained in tact as I let my wife know after 30 minutes of searching that I'd found the lost key.

Immediately after I found the key, I was reminded of the the woman in Jesus' parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10). She swept her house, and searched carefully until she found what she was looking for. Jesus said, "In the same way, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." The rejoicing in light of the labor involved to find what once was lost is an eruption of sheer joy in heaven; that upon the moment of confession and conversion, a sinner reborn into a saint brings God the same joy as I had when I found the lost key. Why would I not want play my part in the search for the lost - that God might have such joy in the sinner who repents?

Thank you Lord for this insightful illustration today. I pray for those who bring you joy in their repentance today - being found in your grace!

Thanks be to God

Is it any surprise that 2013 has already come barreling down the pike toward the finish line of the holidays? Christmas decorations have been up now in stores since as early as the day after Halloween and in some occasions even weeks earlier! Thanksgiving is upon us and it would appear that our mixed bag of emotions has hardly taken the time to process the occasion for which we draw together to give thanks for.

I propose, everyone falls into one of 3 major categories concerning the subject of Thanksgiving:

1. Those who readily are able to express their thanks for all they have and even offer praise to God as the source for which all things come.
2. Those who have experienced so much turmoil over the years that it is hardly possible to collect a single thought of thanksgiving at all.
3. Those who tend to keep a scorecard of things worth thanksgiving and things not worth thanksgiving; often resulting in more negative results than positive.

Whichever category we happen to fall into, I should like to think there are certain things that all of us can agree on to some extent that are worthy of expressing thanks; all of which trace their roots back to God Himself.

Let us begin by declaring, "Thanks be to God" for the following priceless gifts:

• For Life: God is our Heavenly Creator and these aspects reveal its value to us as something we should give our thanks to God. 
• Pleasure: God made us for His pleasure and it is in Him that we find our greatest pleasure (Gen 3; Matt 16:15; Col 1:16). 
• Purpose:  God gave man ability and responsibility (Gen 2:15; Jer 29:11; Eccl 12:13.
• Privilege: God gave man the greatest privilege in the order of Creation (to bear His image) (Gen 1:26; Ps 8:4-6).

• The French philosopher, Rene Descartes, said "I think, therefore I am"... meaning that even if all we can do is doubt our worth - the fact that we can "think" at all proves we have more value than nothing. God wants us to discover life in its fullest as He intended.

•  For Truth: God is our Divine Teacher and these aspects reveal its value to us as something we should give our thanks to God.
• Logic: God has given man the unique ability to reason and rule (Rom 1:20). To arrive at conclusions means we are capable of discerning what is true from what is false.
• Law: God has given mankind His holy standards (Psalm 119; Rom 7:7; 1 John 2:4), in order that he might live right before Him.
• Love: God has demonstrated truth in the life of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6; 15:10; Rom 5:8); the Way, the Truth and the Life.

• Like driving on a highway without a single source of light is nothing short of suicide, so is life without truth. It is the substance which reveals the way to God and it is written clearly in the pages of God's Holy Word, the Bible.

 

• For Hope: God is our Gracious Redeemer and these aspects reveal its value to us as something we should give our thanks to God.
• Redemption: Jesus paid the price for our sin (Rom 3:24-26; Eph 1:7; Col 1:20); in his death, the wrath of God upon sin is fully satisfied.
• Resurrection: Jesus offers new life by his authority and victory over death (John 11:25; Rom 6:4); taking our sin and shame to the grave then triumphing over it!
• Reward: Jesus is preparing a place for God's people (John 14:1-6; 2 Cor 4:18); an eternal abode where we can bask in His presence for eternity.

• The cross was once an object of hellish terror; a Roman instrument of oppressive domination. But the work of Christ transformed it into the ultimate symbol of hope; a reminder of the amazing grace of God.

As we approach the holiday of giving thanks, may we think about such precious gifts our Heavenly Father has given to us. Life is so much more than the trivial things and circumstances we find ourselves caught up in day after day. When we pause this Thanksgiving to express our thanks - may we be reminded of the treasures God has given us in Life, Truth and Hope; that we may live in the fullness of peace that He offers us through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord!

God bless you and have a most Happy Thanksgiving in Jesus' name!

Addressing the Subtlety of Sin

The hard truth about the nature of sin becomes clear when one humbly takes time to reflect deeply on the Holy nature of God. When one sincerely explores the reality of how perfectly pure our LORD is, he becomes tragically aware of how short he falls in comparison to God's Holiness. 

Although the doctrine of grace is an essential tenate in Protestant Christian Orthodoxy, it is rather pathetic how quick believers are to dismiss their shortcomings under the convenient blanket of His grace while making little to no effort to deal sufficiently with the course of their rebellious nature and it's destructive influence on others. With such attitudes, we mock His grace and trample over the character of God we are commanded to emulate before the world. Is it any wonder why the world is lost in darkness when His holiness is not visible among His own people? Although the grace of God covers all sins, past, present and future, many mistakenly fall into the line of thinking the Apostle Paul addressed in Romans 6:1-14, that we can somehow continue to live in sin so that grace may increase. This is fraudulent application of the grace of God! How long will we resist His command to "go and sin no more" (John 8:11)? How long will we be wise in our own eyes and ignore the blessed assurance of His precious gift of salvation? Is it not for this reason that Christ died? To save us from sin?

We say things like, "your convictions are not my convictions, so don't judge me." Is Christ divided? Is truth relative? Is God's character so vague that His own sheep are unable to recognize His voice among other shepherds of worldly wisdom (John 10:27)? Friends - Brothers and Sisters, The Lord our God is One! Therefore let us strive to become more like Him. He is our standard and in Him we find the common bond of holiness and resist the enemies tactics to enslave us in sin. How can we show others the way if we ourselves do not walk in it?

The subtlety of sin is a colorless, odorless disease which remains undetected without the presence of the Holy Spirit. Rather than remain spiritually immature our whole lives and forfeit the purpose of God's grace to bring us further along in holiness, why don't we get busy with the surrender of ourselves? To quit making excuses for sin and get marching in the disciplined ranks with consecrated members of the body of Christ. The Spirit is grieved by seeing members of the Church contented in ignorance, assuming the grace of God excuses them from responsible, sacrificial, obedient holy living. These are the reasons why the world looks on and sees nothing but hypocrisy and confusion within the Church. 

We must get over ourselves and recognize the Spirit's call to abandon our foolish self-serving ways. If every man's interpretation of truth is right, then sin, evil and darkness are no different than holiness, good and light. There is but one Truth, one way to live and one path of righteous living - and it is found only in the leading of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. 

May we no longer misspend the precious blood of Christ as we ignore His holy standards for our lives! It's time to "deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him" (Matt 16:24).