"And in all your getting . . ."

The destructive miracle of Jesus

2011-05-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

“‘Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.’ And His disciples heard it.” Mark 11:14

Jesus curses a fig tree in the gospel of Mark, causing it to wither and die. It is the only miracle throughout His ministry that is destructive. The fig tree gave all appearances that it had fruit beneath its big green leaves on its broad, sturdy branches. Yet this passage of scripture also tells us that “it was not the season for figs.” Why was Jesus so quick to destroy what He created? Throughout scripture the fig tree is a reference to the nation Israel.

In Mark 11, Jesus had just entered Jerusalem to the cheers of “Hosanna!” by the multitudes that saw Him as their new ruling authority. However, instead of coming in on a fiery stallion like a real king, He shows up on a baby donkey. The religious leaders, in all of their churchy splendor, did not like this image of their king. Luke 19:41 says that Jesus wept over Jerusalem as He made this paradoxical “triumphal” entry. By all appearances the multitudes were ready for Jesus entry but within a week He knew, just like the fig tree, they would prove “it was not the season.”

Jesus’ first stop in the city was the temple for inspection. The religious leaders had one job: to make God accessible to believers. Not liking what He saw, Jesus tossed the tables and drove them out. In the interim, Jesus encountered the fig tree with leaves a-splendor and not one piece of fruit to be found. The tree had one job: to produce figs.

The church leaders of that time were painting a picture of God that was not only inaccurate, but destructive to anyone desiring to seek Him. I believe Jesus wept as He looked upon Jerusalem for at least two reasons. First, He realized most Jews would reject Him prior to His death and resurrection. Secondly, He realized that the entire nation of Israel, because of their rejection of Him, would for the next many hundreds of years be the target of many nations intent on their destruction.

The fig tree Jesus cursed was dead the next day, never to bear fruit again. On that fateful day as Jesus wept over the city of David, the nation Israel, in a manner of speaking, was cursed as well. Displaced as a nation for over two thousand years, to this day they continue to struggle to maintain their heritage while an angry, anti-Jewish world surrounds them and calls for their destruction.

This real-life analogy was for the benefit of Jesus’ disciples (which includes you and me). Faithful believer in Christ, you have one job: love God. How? Fear Him. Diligently seek Him. Know His word. What happens to those who don’t produce fruit? I cannot bear the thought.

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Pursuing the heart of God

2011-05-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1Sam 16:7b

We know from David’s story that he was not without sin, however his heart was always open toward God. David meditated on God and all His ways. The depth of his devotion to God is on display in so many of the Psalms. Besides the Psalms he authored, much of the Old Testament has David’s story in it. The apostle Paul tells us that it is through David’s example we get see what a man after God’s heart looks like. How does a Christian today dare to pursue the heart of God? Let us look at aspects of David’s life as a human example:

-Be humble
David’s humble beginnings as the youngest of his family and lowly shepherd boy is intentionally well documented. God consistently uses the least of this world to confound those who are looking at outward appearances. When it came to acknowledging God as his Lord, David shined. In Psalm 8, he says “what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” When he was anointed as the future king he remained a humble servant of the current king, Saul. He never assumed the throne until it was time, even when so many people in his life were telling him to hurry the process along. David humbly deferred to God’s leading.

-Be fearful
David recognized God’s sovereignty. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it, for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” (Psalm 24:1) Although David sometimes made sinful choices, he always expressed sincere repentance when God exposed them. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and it was through David’s bad choices, his wisdom grew, thus his fear of God grew. We will make sinful choices; God expects us to make them. He loves it when we don’t repeat them.

-Be fearless
This is the kind of king, warrior and leader God wanted; the kind that would go after Goliath with just a sling and five smooth stones. Hebrews 11:6 tells us “without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” How can a believer today express such fearlessness? It begins with seeking God diligently—desiring to know Him as much is humanly possible. Being fearless requires complete faith that God is who Scripture says He is. Without that faith you cannot please Him.

-Be obedient
From childhood, David was obedient; even when it went against conventional wisdom. David obediently carried out his runt-of-the-family job of shepherd. In a Cinderella-esque scene, David was not even invited to the family meeting when Samuel came to anoint the new king! Samuel anointed David as king. But young David remained obedient to his tasks: his shepherding, his harp playing. Even as Saul, the current king, descended into mental depravity, David remained an obedient, faithful servant, not just to man, but to the one true God.

Regardless of your task and regardless of its outcome, can you remain obedient to God? It is not obedience to man that should drive our desire to excel. If your efforts to get along in this world result in frustration and discouragement, you might consider the possibility that your obedience is misdirected. God is not impressed with what’s on the outside; He is searching the intent of men’s hearts.

By the end of David’s life, his heart was so aligned with God’s that he had no enemies. As a result, during his son Solomon’s entire 40-year reign as king there was continuous peace. The last recorded prayer of David is recorded in 1 Chronicles 29:10-15. It is perfect example of a man’s heart that is pursuing God’s, not put on for the show, but with honest sincerity. Let us humbly and fearfully pursue God with our whole hearts--fearless and unashamed.

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"Bibles? We Don't Need No Steenkin' Bibles!"

2011-04-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

". . . that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this." 1 Thessalonians 3:3

Scripture has made it very clear that the single greatest evangelistic tool of all-time is persecution (See the entire book of Acts).

Americans have it easy, don't we? I recently was asked to drop off a friend's child at an elementary-aged Sunday school program. There were indoor slides, jungle gyms, wall-sized flat screens with video games going. There were basketball hoops, life-sized animal/dinosaur sculptures crawling out of walls and doorways. I asked the child I was with if he had his bible with him. He said they don't need bibles; they put the words on the big screen.

Polls about American Christians say that less than 16% read their bible every day (Gallup). . . Yes, I did say Christians. 22% of Christians in America do not read it at all. Another 30% read it once or twice a week (Barna) . . . must be self-proclaimed Christians. Gee, you think this might have something to do with the bible illiteracy that has come to be expected in our churches? (We don't need no steenkin' bible; they put the words up on the big screen).

American church congregations have come to think of our pastors as nothing more than another paid profession. If you need a doctor, you go to his office and pay for his services. If you need a mechanic, you go to his shop and pay for his services. If you need a pastor, you go to his building and pay for his services. And, by golly, if none of these professionals deliver the service you expect, you'll take your business elsewhere! The discouraging thing is that the pastors are buying into it.

It's no wonder why we have packs of pastors huddling together in leadership conferences trying to apply the correct business model to their "body of Christ!" It's no wonder our Sunday schools are filled with Disney theme-parks. People are paying good money for their children to have the most extreme youth group. It's no wonder that we have major, mega-churches tidily packaging up and marketing their multi-step approach to making your church just like theirs. It's no wonder that so many children's Sunday schools purchase pre-fabricated curricula (of course, every year in late Spring the three or four nationally marketed Vacation Bible School-themed banners decorate the front lawns of churches across the coutry like holy azaleas).

American church leaders will continue to be led around by economic-sustainability strategies, leadership-formation formulas and "seeker-sensitive" programming because we are soft. We are so soft that our aim is to grow our churches bigger in order to make our auditorium seat cushions even more comfortable (how else could we draw "seekers" in?). You see, we consider it persecution when some idiot puts a crucifix upside-down in a jar of urine and labels it art. Yet, early church leaders considered it a humble honor to be crucified upside down while preaching that Jesus Christ is Savior. We think it's persecution when they tell us we can't pray in school. Try walking outdoors in any communist or Muslim ruled country carrying a bible.

In China, to claim faith in Christ could get a person beaten to death. Crowds of faithful believers pack themselves into one-room underground churches in order to be together in fellowship. The risk they take just to own a bible could mean the death of them or their entire family. In China, and other countries where being a Christian is not tolerated, a believer's faith probably looks a bit more like a first century follower of Christ. Having the right amount of foam on their cappuccino is the least of their worries.

These faithful, sincere followers of Jesus Christ literally cling to their bibles because they understand what faith is: "The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." As they cling to their bibles, they also cling to their heavenly hope, much like our early Christian leaders who, "all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Hebrews 11:13

I wonder how it will all shake out if this country ever experiences true persecution. As the authorities are dragging us out of church, will we cling to our cushioned seat while looking up at the big screen for the scripture reference? There are many who would be insulted by my writing this, but I sincerely fear for many people who are of the mind that playing evangelical church makes one a Christian. Well, how about this: if you are insulted by this, then you might want to start bringing your bible to church and reading it daily; in the meantime, surrender your life to Jesus Christ.

Paul wrote to the early church about being "appointed" to the persecution they were experiencing. By the faith the early church displayed through their persecution, we can have even greater confidence in the truths written within His word. Do you think Jesus expects the same of the Christians sitting in our congregations today? Oh, He knows His faithful followers. He knows those who would be "shaken by these afflictions." The question then falls to you (and me). If God "appointed" you to first-century-style persecution for your faith in Jesus Christ, would that faith "be shaken?"

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The Loneliness of "Posing"

2011-03-18T15:53:00.001-07:00

"Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night." John 13:30

Oh, how dark that night must have been for Judas. Jesus honored Judas by serving him the sopped bread, even as Judas honored Satan by plotting Jesus' betrayal. And as he went out of that historical supper (alone) and into the night, it must have loomed especially dark, because from that point on, the darkness never left him.

I don't know all the details of the potential NFL strike. Football is a game grown men play, and have played since they were children. They have been blessed with skills and talents that set them apart from about 99.99 percent of the population. And because they are set apart, they are also given financial reward beyond imagination. So, I don't get the debate; call me simple minded.

This football example was not to make any political point. It's just that while reading Matthew's gospel, I was reminded of the God-given abilities Judas possessed: "And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve are these: first, Simon . . . and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him." (Matt. 10:1-4)

Judas was one who had the power to heal, and cast out demons. He was set apart from 99.99 percent of the world's population to be selected for this inner circle of all history. An apostle's legacy was to last through eternity! In Judas' case, it would be a notorious one. Judas spoke four times in the gospels. Twice to selfishly lobby for money. Once to feign ignorance ("Is it I?"). And his last words recorded were accompanied with a kiss of betrayal: a betrayal of "convenience (See Mark 14:11). "

This betrayal was convenient because it was done in secret. It's what the chief priests wanted, for fear of the multitudes. An ironic tangle of human wisdom was on display as the chief priests were in such fear of man that fear of the LORD did not exist while they plotted the murder of His Son.

We strive for what to do. We strive to determine our purpose. We strive for direction, or riches, or power, or love. Hey, fellow saints, we are set apart. We have the opportunity to be in awe of this standing we have in Christ. There is no striving in Christ, just rest. By receiving Christ and following Him we have access to that historical supper, just like the apostles. What a contrast between Judas and John at this first "communion." John, so in love with His Savior, was reclined with his head on Jesus' bosom--at rest. Judas . . . plotting; striving . . . "What you do, do quickly," said Jesus. We all get to choose what we do with our seat at Christ's table.

Many follow the path of Judas because a convenient betrayal is . . . well . . . too convenient. The multitudes are watching. Joining is easy. Just show up at church, play the part, talk the talk, even feign loyalty ("Is it I?"). Church people all buy the act; they're sheep. But the emptiness remains, doesn't it? They go out quietly (alone) from that fellowship--from that historical supper, and it's a dark night. It could be high noon; but it is still night. Left to plotting and striving in this life, working hard at fooling others at the table, the darkness may come and never leave.

It doesn't have to be that way. In the church body today there are many at the table. Some are at rest in Jesus' bosom; others are plotting and striving, confused about this "rest." They are standing ever so close to the exit door, which leads to a dark night. In Revelation, Jesus says to a "wretched" church body that He stands at the door knocking. And if "anyone" would hear His voice and open the door, He would come in and dine with him. Even now, He is sopping bread of honor and offering it to those who hear His voice and open the door. For Judas it was too late. And it was night.

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The Triumphal (Weeping) Entry

2011-03-08T10:03:00.000-08:00

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Matthew 23:37

Jesus knew by the end of the week He'd be put to death. He also knew that many of God's children would not only reject Him, but arrange for His execution. Yet His response was pity--sorrowful compassion. Jesus, speaking as God, lamented their rejection not of Him as a man, but their rejection of Him as their Savior.

Jesus spent three years in public ministry preparing the hearts of those who would choose to accept Him as the Son of God. You see, His entire ministry was the revelation of hundreds of Old Testament prophecies. Jesus spent His days living out the life of the prophesied Messiah. Now, as time was running out, this Messiah was weeping not for Himself, but for those who had not seen; those who had not heard (Oh, they had seen and heard, but chose to close their eyes and ears, while running their mouths). Jesus' blatant effort to make it obvious by procuring the colt of a donkey as He entered the city should have driven the point home for all the Jewish leaders. This exact day was prophesied hundreds of years ago!

The remnant scent of costly spikenard still on His feet (wonderful Mary); He receives the crowd's praise, but He is a Man of sorrows. He emptied Himself when He left His heavenly throne room to become the vessel for the sins of all mankind. Seated on the donkey as He descended upon Jerusalem, with the multitude chanting "Hosanna!," He realized most of this crowd will have their minds changed by men much "wiser" than they. He is a Man of sorrows, knowing most will choose eternal darkness. The chanting will soon become, "Crucify Him!" With all the prophecy; with all the signs; with the Old Testament books, how could they miss it? They ignored it all and rejected Him.

Today, we have the Old Testament, the New Testament, prophecies regarding the nation Israel falling into place . . . but wait. This nation--this world--has rejected the Old and New Testaments, prophecies, signs of the times. Most of this world will not know a prophecy if fireballs dropped out of the sky (and they will), because this world has rejected not only God, but the word of God.

The Old Testament was given to point Israel to the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. And Israel missed it. The New Testament was given to point the way to salvation for all through the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Today, we have both Old and New Testaments, and the Holy Spirit, to boot! Most will still miss it. They will deny, reject or explain away the return of Jesus Christ.

But He will descend again; this time not on the backside of a donkey, but on the clouds. And He will take with Him the remnant scent of faithful believers. If we know anything about the heart of Christ, He will be weeping still for those who have heard but will not understand; those who have seen but will not perceive. The opportunities to accept Him as Messiah were given then, as they continue to be given today. We cannot know those opportunities without knowing Him. We cannot please Him without coming to Him and believe that He is. (Hebrews 11:6)

I am not God, nor His Son, yet my heart weeps, too. In spite of the anger and hatred directed toward followers of Christ today, I cannot comprehend (and I thank God for that) an eternity separated from God. Even today, many still wave their palm branches in fickle worship of Him, but how many come to Him and believe that He is . . . Savior, Messiah, God.

Mary got it. And in getting it, she sat at His feet and poured out all she had to anoint Her Savior. How did she understand before so many other disciples? Look it up; this Mary was always depicted at the feet of Jesus. Are you not getting it? I know I cannot say this without sounding trite, but position yourself at the feet of the Savior; know Him; diligently seek Him. Waving a palm frond with thousands of others takes no effort but to just show up. But to know Jesus with the intimacy Mary experienced requires complete surrender to the belief that He IS.

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'Blind' Men Still Seek Him

2011-02-22T18:55:00.000-08:00

"And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
So Jesus answered . . ." Mark 10:50

The single parent agonizes in frustration with the child who has a drug addiction or eating disorder. The wife whose "Christian" husband struggles with surfing porn sites can't figure out how she can recover her marriage. The alcoholic who recognizes that his chronic struggle is crushing his family can't make the demanding meetings. The self-centered wife; the angry husband; the pouty teen, and on. Is it a trend? Is it an epidemic? Pastors and church counselors are busy these days, because these are churched people, and for some reason they can't seem to get a grip on living a life of victory in Jesus Christ!

These secular strongholds, which should be expected in the world of non-believers, have become a cloak of heaviness upon the shoulders of many in the church body. What is a pastor/counselor to say to the regular attender who is crippled by fear, oppression, addiction, pressure and stress?

Blind Bartimaeus (at the end of Mark 10) desperately needed help. I'd say he was ready to be done with his burden of blindness, trapping him into a life of roadside panhandling. Might his blindness have been a result of sin? A disease he may have brought upon himself? Quite possibly, because his plea to Jesus as He walked by was, "Have mercy on me." Also, those in the crowd who knew Bartimaeus told him to keep quiet, as if he had no business asking for mercy from the Man they believed could do just that.

When they told him to keep quiet, Bartimaeus yelled even louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!," acknowledging Jesus' line of royalty and believing in His power to grant mercy. Jesus Christ, the Son of God and creator of all things, "stood still" and called the man to Himself. How many in this crowd did Jesus pass without healing? I know he often said to people, "Do you want to be made well?", refering to the condition of their hearts rather than their physical condition.

Jesus is that personal. He hears your reqeusts. And I wonder if it's not the request for healing that stops Him in His tracks, but more Jesus' recognition of a sincere desire to change one's heart. Many of us are burdened by something that keeps us roadside; and though we keep it private, we wear that cloak about us to remind ourselves of its grip upon our lives. A label. A category. A statistic.

I want to believe when blind Bartimaeus "threw aside his garment . . . and came to Jesus", he was tossing aside the identity of a beggar. He was leaving behind the cloak of darkness. He was coming to Jesus. I want to believe Bartimaeus knew at that moment that he was a follower of Christ--eyesight or not. (Jesus, of course, iced the cake when he asked Bartimaeus what he wanted Jesus to do for him). When Jesus said to him, "Go your way" and healed him, Bartimaeus' "way" was to follow Jesus. I want to believe Bartimaeus' "way" was to follow Jesus when he decided to remove the garment that branded him, to himself and others, a misfit-- unworthy of mercy.

Maybe your problems seem debilitating--even making you "blind" to how to make them better. As much as you try to keep it confined to yourself, or within the walls of your home, you are always aware of that garment that labels you as a misfit--unworthy of mercy. Like the roadside crowd, the experts will keep you quiet from calling out to Christ . . . Oh, your problem can be tended to, treated, worked on. And maybe with more meetings, more books, more accountability, you can remain as you are, hoping for relief.

But could there be a point in your dreadful life when you sincerely listen for Jesus of Nazareth and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me"? You can't just hope He stumbles by your spot on the road. Your diligently seeking Him must be sincere (Hebrews 11:6); not for your mental or physical healing, but simply because you desire to come to Him and know Him. The eyesight comes after we surrender, you'll see. Call out to Jesus in humility. He "stands still" waiting for us to throw aside our garment and come to Him.

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Google Faith or Childlike Faith

2011-01-27T16:11:00.000-08:00

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Luke 18:17

I was shown a video the other day. Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwwpwY4lyOo

A precious little girl is more excited about Jesus than if someone told her she was going to Disney World. That kind of exuberance for God is certainly not of this world. She is too young to understand the subtleties of "putting on" or performing the sheer joy she feels by being touched by the Healer of the faithful, Jesus Christ. This kind of childlike "happy with joy" (in her words) makes me envious. It makes me yearn for the total release of my adult fears and hesitation in surrendering completely to my God. Our grown-up churches, and the grown-ups who populate them, have grown comfortable in a stifled approach to God as well. Our boards, our business models, our programs, our attempts at being cool, hip or trendy pale in comparison to the jump-around joy this little girl expressed.

I have observed in the church a growing trend of what I call "Google faith." You see, today, if you need any information, you can acquire it almost instantaneously. I was recently talking to someone about the Academy Awards, and within seconds I knew every nominee. Likewise, the way Christians treat their relationship with God is not unlike accessing the Best Supporting Actress nominees. We are more apt to search for information as we need it, rather than search for wisdom as Solomon recommends: "If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God."

I fear that many Christians rely heavily upon their local pastor for their access to things spiritual. I wonder if this kind of "faith" is what produces the church-search phenomenon that happens every Sunday. Seekers everywhere are on a weekly "google" search of places of worship; like a nationwide American Idol episode with desperate pastors as the contestants. Because of this, biblical literacy is waning across the congregational landscape. According to researchers, as the age of the average church-goer becomes increasingly younger there will be a dramatic decline in theological literacy. Not only that, but those who attend church are more interested in "pragmatic solutions for life rather than spiritual principals." (Barna Group Dec 13, 2010)

Search engines like Google are places where we can find immediate information for the sake of having an immediate answer: Oscar nominations, spark plug settings and where the experts believe the ark of the covenant is hidden.

I am not a Google-phobe, by any means. Writing this post is possible because of technology. The video above is possible because of technology. I believe the two slain witnesses during the tribulation will be seen by " . . . those from the peoples, tribes, toungues, and nations . . . ." because of technology. Technology is not the enemy. It is clever a distraction.

Maybe it's the idea of touching the physical pages of the bible; like touching the hem of His garment. Though the multitudes throng and press in, she faithfully approaches Him in order to physically touch His garment, and the result is physical healing but, even more, an intimate encounter with the Savior of the world. Likewise, today though the multitudes throng and press (tens of millions electronically) while we open multiple Google- or Bing-search tabs for biblical or spiritual information, let us desire to interact with our Savior by opening our bible. There you can turn pages, you can write as His Spirit leads, you can cross-reference to other books as He directs, and you don't need a wi-fi hot spot!

Technology is a great tool (incidentally, let us not forget that the web, electricity, computers, etc. are created by man, and can be turned off whether you like it or not). Let us not let tech-stuff replace that intimacy which comes from private prayer and reading the physical pages of the bible. I don't know if I am right; maybe just old. But it is in my private time with God that I am able to (at least in my heart) run in circles saying, "Halle-Yoo-La!"

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Middle of the Road Spirituality

2011-01-11T11:06:00.000-08:00

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit . . . those who are in the flesh cannot please God." -- Romans 8:5 & 7

A comment I hear consistently about Christians is that they are nerdy or that they come across as weak. If questioned any further, the impression I get is that since Christians feel they are saved by grace, they don't necessarily feel they have to excel in everyday life, never aspiring to peak performance in all things. This also translates to an attitude that they don't have to excel in their responsibility toward their relationship with God. A pastor told me just a few days ago that he has been preaching out of the book of Galatians for the past four months. He suggests the congregation bring their bible, but if they don't he directs them to the correct page in their "pew bible." However, he said he recently discovered that many of them still do not know where in the bible Galatians is!

This trend of biblical negligence has caused many churched people to think it's okay to struggle with all kinds of sin. The term "accountability partner" has become the church's euphemism for enabler or co-dependent. How long do we "struggle" with addictions, abuses and so many other sins that persist in our lives before we call it what it is: "setting our minds on the things of the flesh," and so doing we "cannot please God," as described in our verse above? Insensitive or not, it is imperative that we all check our faith in this commitment we call Christianity. Bible-believing Christians should know that there is nothing hidden from God. Our thoughts and actions are splayed wide open, in clear view of our ultimate "accountability partner," Jesus Christ. Instead we burden ourselves and others with the sins we choose to expose to each other, while accountability partners across the country enjoy the role of repositories for the church gossip mongers.

The burden of prolonged temptation to the same sin should be a concern for the proclaimed disciple of Jesus Christ. Peter, the impetuous apostle, often acted impulsively before thinking things through, yet his desire to please God is legendary. Paul continually expressed his falling short of perfection, yet he felt confident enough to tell his congregations to emulate him and the words he wrote. This is a difficult post to write because I know it gives the impression that I have perfected my walk with God. Certainly not; like Paul, I have not attained it yet. However, the burden I have to write this is because I know I will continue to "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ," and my exhortation is that you do the same.

Very much like the secular trends of society, churches have taken up the nanny role of gently coddling its congregations and tiptoeing around the elephant in the middle of the room. I am very sorry you have a porn addiction. Maybe one of the church's twelve-step programs could help you. In the meantime, would you be interested in helping with our music ministry? Struggling with homosexual thoughts? You know, we have a specially designed program that puts anyone who has similar thoughts in the same room to deal with those struggles. In the meantime, would you like to help us collect our morning offering ?

I know we are not all perfect. We all fall short of righteousness. Our act of worship to God is not perfection, but to come as close as we possibly can. Our spiritual obligation is not to show God that we are less of a sinner than someone else. That is mediocrity. Imagine a body of believers bogged down by this thinking. Maybe we don't have to imagine what it looks like: over 85% of the country feel comfortable calling themselves Christian, 66% of that 85% George Barna calls "Casual Christians;" those who "feel religious without having to prioritize their faith." He continues, "Casual Christians can be all the things that they esteem . . . and never have to defend or represent difficult moral or social positions or even lose much sleep over their private chioces as long as they mean well." (Casual Christians and the Future of America; The Barna Group, May, 2009)

I know, if we defend or represent moral or social positions today, we are labeled as haters. Well, it's really okay to hate sin (you'd be in good Company). It's especially okay to hate sin that sits in the midst of our congregations week after week. God and His word calls us to a life of spiritual excellence. Live it out, and encourage those in your body to do likewise. Spiritual mediocrity has no place in the pew; it presents itself to those outside the faith exactly what they have come to expect, nerds and weaklings.

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Upside-Down Ministry

2010-12-30T09:32:00.000-08:00

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
Phillipians 2:5-8

I have been invited to a Christian camping conference. I've been invited because I am a Christian camp director. I get to attend conferences about camp so I can learn how to improve the camp where I work. For this camping conference I have been asked to read a book that details a number of ways to make an organization outstanding. Rats! I have required reading for my upcoming conference. I enjoy books, so that part doesn't bother me. What I cannot understand is that it is a Christian camping conference, yet we are being asked to read a secular book about making our corporation more profitable (ka-ching).

If this was an isolated incident I would ignore it. However, it is even more prevalent in our churches. I used to work for a church that gave its staff a number of secular books aimed at building a better organization. It seems business "experts" have become the darlings of church leaders across the country. Churches have made them very wealthy men by holding nationwide leadership conferences inside our houses of worship by way of live streaming video (ka-ching).

Pastors are forming their own learning communities (book clubs) in which they assign a book of the month, then gather to discuss the books. For the most part they are using secular books about building their businesses, er, uh, churches (ka-ching).

Using today's business standards, Jesus Christ was probably the worst businessman in history. If Jesus were to apply for any job today, the outcome would be hilarious. He had no interest in being a businessman, but if He did, I'm not sure how long it would last. My point is that Christian ministry is not big business. The religious leaders in Jesus' time were excellent businessmen. They were making sound business decisions for the temple which were filling the treasury with cash. Jesus hated the fact that they were operating the temple as a business. He hated it so much He threw them out of His Father's house.

The model of Christian leadership is the complete opposite of the popular business model. It is actually exemplified for us in the verse above: Humility . . . being comfortable with one's position enough to consider everyone else first. Jesus, as God, wrapped Himself in the skin of a man, limiting Himself to just what a man can do. He set aside what he was capable of and humbled himself to the point of taking blows, to the point of being spit upon, to the point of whips, cords and thorns, to the point of nails and spear, to the point of death. Today, such a model of leadership is a sign of weakness. Today's church-goers do not want to follow such weak leadership. We want a leader who will hold tightly the reins of our faith and make it comfortable. We want to come to church and be led and fed. We want to come to church and be inspired. We want a Chicken-Soup-for-the-Churched-Soul experience: short little vignettes, packaged very tidily with no obligation to read past the preface.

Because of this current propensity toward having our salvation "worked out" by a person on stage, we have become a nation of Christians who haven't even cut their baby teeth. We are unable to chew on the meat of the Word. We have been Christians for so many years, yet we can only drink the milk of the Word because we have not made our salvation our own. We rely on great contemporary praise music peppered with inspiring Sunday sermons.

I mentioned this in my last post, and I find myself being asked to include it this one as well: Your church attendance is not a time for you to be fed. If you are a born-again Christian, your presence in church should be about ministry and fellowship. It is a time to give of your gifts and talents to others. Your relationship with God is a minute by minute, every day journey, nurtured by frequent conversation and prayer. At least, that's the goal. Your daily intimacy with the Father is how you prepare yourself for Sunday morning.

We trust our pastors for spiritual leadership. We trust our pastors for biblical wisdom as they are led by the Holy Spirit. A pastor's ability to micro-manage a multi-layered business model in order to market a church to religious consumers makes him the impetus of a church's success, not Jesus. "Rock star" pastors, appealing to the masses by offering Sunday self-help seminars, are one reason why we have a church body still suckling on Christian nominalism. Jesus drew followers to Himself not to draw a crowd, but to make disciples who would go and do likewise. He really didn't have much use for those who gathered around Him for the "show."

The required reading for my camping conference is a secular book on improving my business. I am halfway through it, and now I'm thinking of starting up a successful business. As for my ministry to young people, I will continue to use the best textbook on ministry leadership; the author: Jesus Christ.

sal

Don't Be a ChINO: "Christian In Name Only"

2010-12-06T15:13:00.000-08:00

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3, 4

I have been frustrated. I have been disenchanted. I have been embarassed. Churches across the country have become populated by congregations of "ChINO's." I go to churches across the country and see them in the pews, in the auditoriums, in the caf-a-gym-a-tori-aries -- or whatever hip, new, urban, trendy name they've given to the latest church gathering place. Sunday services everywhere have become rock concerts. How dark can we make the room? Will it be dark enough to elicit the right mood? Will it provoke enough emotion to draw tears? Will this experience knock the socks off those "seekers" who have decided to darken our doorway? Will we appear "sensitive" to that visitor by giving them what they want to see or hear? Adjust the temperature. Dim the lights. Turn up the bass. Don't forget to bite your lower lip when telling about how you came up with the inspiration for your latest lyric.

Even before I was a Christian rock concerts never were able to whip me into a frenzy to the point of swaying with the lighter high in the air. "Contrived crowd control" is what I call it. It's when those on the stage do all they can to elicit an emotional response from the audience. It never really worked with me; "Are you ready to rock and roll? . . . Are you ready to rock and roll? . . . ARE YOU READY TO ROCK AND ROLL?" Uh, could you start playing the music I payed money to hear, please?

We have been assaulted by many churches who have taken the rock concert formula into houses of worship. We have watched as modern churches have created a nation of what I have called ChINO's: "Christians In Name Only." Seeker-sensitive churches everywhere have adopted this method of drawing in converts by scratching those itching ears described in 2 Timothy 4. These holy rock concerts have child care, too! They have videos, video games, carnival games and any other kind of entertainment to cater to every ADHD pre-adolescent desire. In the meantime, small churches everywhere cannot keep up. But they try. They purchase the packaged "this is how we do it at our mega-church" formula and miserably fail. In the process many people who want to fellowship with other Christians church-hop their way around their home towns, bailing out when they are not entertained enough.

It is a vicous cylce which keeps many would-be disciples from truly developing a relationship with the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we have ChINO's: those who attend church so they can call themselves Christians, yet have never in their young "Christian" lives been challenged or discipled into an authentic relationship with their Creator. They have every "Praise and Worship" CD downloaded on their iPod, Blackberry or iTouch. They have the "metrosexual" look and lingo down. Skinny tie? Check. Designer glass frames? Check. Layered and unbuttoned, untucked shirts? Check. No need to bring a bible; they display the verses on the Jumbo-tron (though, I do own a "green" bible and only drink shade-grown, organic coffee from 100% recycled paper cups).

This type of faux Christianity is not only discouraging, it is frightening. As the end times draw ever closer, more people will be deceived; even many of those who call themselves Christians. I believe it will be more and more difficult to distinguish so-called Christians from any other faith. Sincere Christians will become more glaringly out of place. They will be labeled as "radical" and "intolerant". Meanwhile, the ChINO's will continue to conform to this world in order to be sensitive or tolerant, hoping to win others into their trendy church building with faux-painted concrete flooring (it's makes for easy clean-up of spilled, shade-grown coffee).

I know this posting will not win any friends. It will certainly cause many to call me radical and intolerant. But if it causes any ChINO out there to consider true Christianity, then mission accomplished. Go to church, my friend. Go to church not to live out the latest experience, but go prepared to serve others and to serve your heavenly Father. The local church does not exist to entertain you, or even grow your relationship with God. I cannot change what kind of fads and trends the hip, new churches are feeding us. But I can speak to you, the church-goer. So, here is my unsolicited advice: Church is not for your sake. Church is your opportunity to minister others, and thus to God. In doing so, you become filled with the fullness of spiritual fellowship. Your spiritual health and well-being is your responsibility, not your local church's. Do your growing at home, in your quiet, personal prayer and study closet. That is where your relationship with God flourishes. What you gather in that closet is what you bring to church for your fellow believers. Oh, and do bring that bible of yours. You never know when you'll need it.

sal

What Does God Want From You?

2010-08-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you,
But to do justly, to love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

I often see young children deliberately disobey and defy their parents. I have also seen young children actually smack their parents when they were told they could not do something or could not have something. Children will disobey, defy and smack as long as they do not experience negative consequences. It is my opinion that this country is experiencing the fallout of the spared rod. We have a nation of children being parents who had absentee parents. This next generation of children do not just have absentee parents, but non-responsive parents. My question is, "How will they ever know the love of the ultimate parent; God?"

In Micah chapter 6, God pleads with the nation of Israel as a Father desiring to call them back to obedience. God's prophet, Micah, is addressing an Israel which has been steeped in idolatry as they have taken on the worship of other nations' gods. "Please don't do that," He has been saying. "Remember, I am your Father, and I am telling you there will be consequences if you do not obey me." (I often wonder how to answer those who ask the question,"If He is such a loving God, why is there so much pain and misery in the world?")

Practicing sin will never find favor with God. In fact, if a person continues in sin the bible tells us he "will not inherit the kingdom of God." God has told us what is good and what He requires of us. Today, very much like the Israelites in the time of Micah, most people have no idea what the word of God says. Most people get their sense of morality by word of mouth or by comparing their actions to anyone they can find who they deem as being "worse" than them.

If you watch any television show for any length of time, you will quickly find someone you can compare yourself to and think, "I'm not that bad." Folks, please understand, as a Christian the only standard to which you can measure yourself is that of Jesus Christ. Really, if you can stand your life up next to the life that Jesus exemplified and still say, "I'm not that bad," you are a liar.

Three things He requires of us: Do justly, love mercy and walk humbly. Do justly by "working out your own salvation" without regard for how others are handling theirs; that is, live righteously and quit comparing yourself to others. Love mercy by forgiving others when they don't live up to your expectations. It will happen, maybe even every day. Give them the same mercy God offers to them. And walk humbly by acknowledging that whatever it is you have or hope to have only comes to you from your Father in heaven, and not by anything you've done.

How Sure is Your Faith?

2010-03-10T15:56:00.000-08:00

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen . . . By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

If you are a public school student today, you will learn that this world was formed by millions and millions of years of evolution. If you go to Yellowstone National Park, they will tell you that all of the fascinating geological anomalies were created by natural phenomena through the course of billions of years of earthquakes, tremors and glacial erosion. If you were to watch a television special on dinosaurs or the history of the earth, you'd be told many millions of years separate various ages and eras of our world.

The bible tells us "by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God." I find it fascinating that the word of God is so unapologetic in its approach. The bible tells us many times throughout scripture that the world was formed by God. It also tells us that Jesus Christ, our Savior, is the one who actually holds all things together. He keeps the universe from twirling out of control into a chaotic mess from which unbelievers would like us to think we came. He holds the miracle of life, which we call our bodies, together. It is only through unbelief in the creator of all things that this world will continue to follow (and pursue) such false teaching. The more the world follows such teaching, the more many will be "given over" to what they believe, making it impossible for them to come to a saving knowledge of their Savior, Jesus Christ. As the time for Christ's return draws closer, the enemy will endeavor more desperately to draw people away from the truth of God's teaching.

How sincere is your faith in the Creator? Do you believe the bible without question? Satan's oldest tactic in his attempt to draw believers away from their faith is to cast doubt into their minds. It succeeded with Eve, and it continues today.

In Proverbs, Solomon tells us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Not many of us today truly fear God. At best, most of us think of Him as a buddy. Many of us think of Him as a last resort. ("I've tried everything else; God help me!") But do we truly fear Him? Do we understand that as we come to Him in prayer and in reading His word, HE IS THE CREATOR OF LIFE? He gives and takes away. He is sovereign in all things. He decides the who, what when, where and how. The "why" doesn't really matter because it's all up to Him. Do I fear God? You bet I do. Do I believe His word? Without question.

While it is imperative that our society be mindful of these truths, it is so very obvious that our society is heading down a corrupt path toward continued disobedience and unrepentance, which will bring dire, irreversible consequences. Read your school books and do your assignments as directed; only read them with the knowledge that true wisdom comes from the knowledge of the holy One, the Creator of everything, as you read the scriptures for the best history lesson.

Sincere Faith = Salvation

2010-02-22T16:34:00.000-08:00

"Joshua" was the name Moses gave him. His original name was Hoshea ("salvation"). Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Moses gave him the name Joshua ("Jehovah saves"). A big difference, isn't it? Joshua, was a just-born first-born son of Nun when the angel of Death passed over the land of Egypt. I imagine that is why his parents named him "salvation". His newly given name of "Jehovah saves" was representative of the significant role he was to play in leading the Israelites in to the Promised Land. Joshua is an Old Testament picture of Jesus.

What was Moses' role? Moses, through God, introduced the Law. But we know that the Law cannot save us, therefore unable to bring us into the "Promised Land" (heaven). It is only by grace through faith in Christ which anyone can be saved. Enter Joshua; our picture of Jesus. Joshua introduces to us a picture of a life lived in the Spirit of the living God. Our old life of living in the Law-with all the condemnation attached-is left behind on one side of the Jordan River. It is only through our faith in Jesus (Joshua) that we can be filled with the Spirit and have access to the heaven that awaits us on the other side of faith!

Joshua was just a picture of what Jesus was to come and do after He was baptized in the Jordan. He faithfully obeyed and served His Father. The first chapter of Joshua and the third verse gives us the key to everlasting life which is faith in our Savior: "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses." It is a statement that requires absolutely nothing but sincere faith in what God declares. God says " . . . I HAVE given you. . ." Not I WILL give you. It's done! As Paul says in his wonderful letter to the Romans, "There is therefore NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."! When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, it's done! Our salvation is secure through Jehovah who saves!

Whatever it is that pursues you: persecution, trials, famine, poverty, death, hatred, you name it; there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ. But remember, us receiving Christ is not something He needs from you or me. He certainly doesn't need you or me. When we speak of Jesus to unbelievers, our tendency is to approach it as if we have to sell something; almost as if God needs to fill heaven with more people to join his pyramid scheme. This a a gift He offers us. It is a take it or leave it offer--no hard sell. There are no tangible benefits for Him if we accept His offer. He just loves us and, like a true parent, wants what is best for us; even more, He wants to protect us from the alternative if we do not choose Him. But He just desires that it be our choice-not coerced. I love this God that I can not fathom. That's all He desires is our excellence through sincere faith in His Son . . . nothing more.

On Being the Fragrance of Christ

2010-01-08T07:05:00.000-08:00

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of his knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." 2 Cor. 2: 14-16

Have you ever had a big whiff of rotting flesh? Not very pleasant, is it? In fact, in certain circumstances my gag reflexes take over and I am bent over on the verge of losing my lunch. This past camping season, as I was preparing the camp for guests, I kept getting that strong, familiar scent of rotting flesh. Because of how pungent the smell was, I could never get a handle on from where it was coming. I did have my sister's dog, Madison, with me for the day. It took Madison only a few moments to locate, and proudly bring to me, the rotted shin and hoof of a deer. It was without a doubt the source of the fragrant "aroma of death." To me the fragrance was the aroma of death and rotting flesh. To Madison, in terms of her natural base instincts, I would say it the wonderful fragrance of life. For Madison's ancestors, it meant survival.

In most of today's social settings, if you and I are vocal about our faith in Christ, we are considered annoying, offensive, maybe even insensitive. Why? Well, the world would say it's because people who believe that salvation is through faith in Christ alone is myopic and intolerant, leaving no room for the beliefs of others. That is what they would say, but deep down, in the innermost part of their being, everyone-having been created in God's image-has the knowledge of the living God. This of course creates an uncomfortable existence. Therefore, through sincere believers, the love of God is "diffused" to anyone they meet. As we walk around this world, believers are the fragrance of Christ. To other believers it tanslates to a wonderful aroma of life in which we can experience the joyous, spiritual intimacy which comes from the knowledge that we will share an eternity in Paradise.

However, to those who are not believers, that same fragrance of Christ which we emit has that uncomfortable, unpleasant aroma of death. They have been told by the world (the reality shows, MTV, VH1, magazines, talk show hosts and politicians) that the aroma of death they are smelling is coming from the Christian next to them. However, the most disturbing reality is that the aroma of death they smell is the unconcious knowledge of barrenness of a heaven-bound life in eternity within themselves.

This is not a popular subject, even within our milque-toast churches today. But it is what the apostle Paul is communicating to us in our passage today. Believer, I urge you to continue to be that fragrance of Christ, in so doing you may draw others to the "aroma of life leading to life"!

More Than Conquerors!

2009-10-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Rom. 8:1
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom 8:38-39

The first verse and the last verses of Romans chapter 8 kind of say the same thing: Once you become a child of God/an heir with Jesus Christ/a member of His family, you are His son or daughter. Your DNA becomes linked with Jesus' DNA. When we enter into a relationship with Jesus and maintain that relationship, just as you would a family member, then we should fear none of those things that frighten those in the world or who walk in the ways of the world.

Are you living out your life "in Christ?" Then there is "no condemnation." That is a significant promise! I think I forget that sometimes. I often condemn myself for lacking certain skills or gifts. There are times I really get down on myself for doing something I shouldn't have done or for not doing something I should have done. Since I know I am in constant spiritual warfare, I get to a point where I realize Satan must be thrilled to have one of God's children swirling the drain in discouragement. Here's a hint, the more I hang out with Jesus (in my mind and every day life) the less likely I will be condeming myself. When I am "in Christ" there is no condemnation. I love it!

Conversely, the scripture goes on to say that "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh . . " and that this kind of mind is "enmity (hatred) against God." That kind of mind has to continually connive, contrive and stress and work so hard at living in this world. Because as you continue to walk in the flesh the more flesh Satan takes from you. This world, as it is presently, belongs to Satan. It goes without saying that being a friend of this world is being a friend of Satan.

The only way to walk confidently without a care of this world is to walk "according to the Spirit . . . the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." In doing so, you can become "more than a conqueror," as it tells us toward the end of Romans chapter 8. Why does Paul call us "more than conquerors?" Because the battle is done. Imagine going into a fight knowing before it even begins that you have won it. That's what life in Christ is like. This world is nothing compared life in Jesus Christ. When you follow the ways of the flesh (this world), the end of the road is an eternity in misery. Not only that, but every day is a dog-eat-dog battle in this world. In this world, there are no rules for trust, integrity, compassion, mercy or grace.

Every good and perfect thing is of God. The end of the road in a life devoted to Jesus Christ is not just good; it is beyond anything wonderful you can imagine. Think of the best thing ever, then go way past that. You can't!

Live your life as a conqueror. Live your life as the best friend of Jesus Christ.

Sal

Getting Comfortable on This Side of Heaven

2009-07-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world." Romans 1:8

There is a story in the Old Testament about a king of Judah. His name was Jesoshaphat (that's P-H-A-T). For the most part, Jehoshaphat did his best to follow God. At one point in his reign over Judah, a huge army from three different factions came to make war against Judah. It way outnumbered and out-weaponed Judah. There was no humanly possible way of defeating this army.

As this army was assembling to attack, Jehoshaphat and the entire nation of Judah came together and complained about why this could be happening to them . . . No, they "came together to seek help from the Lord." (2 Chron. 20:4) Jehoshaphat, in front of this united body of believers, prayed to God. It wasn't a flowery, pretty prayer; just a prayer from the heart of him and the people who were faithful to God for help in time of trouble.

The Spirit of God spoke through one of the people, saying, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." (2 Chron. 20:15)

Can we ever acheive this kind of faith? As a country? Don't bet on it. As a church body? It is imperative. In John, chapter 16:33, Jesus tells His disciples, "I have told you thise things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." The emphasis on "in me" is important because it is only in Jesus Christ and faith in His overcoming power over sin and death that we can experience true peace . . . even in the face of unparalleled "trouble," which is bound to come. It certainly came to the disciples, yet they had complete peace.

In this world we do have trouble. So many of us have experienced "trouble" because we are in this world. And in the midst of it, it is very difficult to feel that peace that Jesus was talking about. And it's not "trouble" like breaking a high heel or a rained out softball game kind of trouble. Jesus is talking about traumatic, life-altering, faith-shaking trouble: the unexpected death of a family member or close friend, a divorce or unfaithful spouse, bankruptcy, the discovery of a terminal illness kind of trouble.

Yes, even as followers of Jesus Christ, we will expereince troubles just like other people in this world. Being a Christian does not guarantee immunity from the troubles of this world (in some cases, your faith may bring on troubles). The significant difference we have over those who are not "in Christ" is that peace that comes from knowing the creator of the world; the one who holds it all together. The only way we can be comfortable on this side of heaven is to make Jesus Christ our best friend, personal advisor and all around rock on which we stand. Only He can offer us the peace this world is looking for.

Sal

To What Do You Give Your "First"?

2009-05-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

"And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." Colossians 1:17

As I watch and listen to the news commentators, I reach a point of saturation when I think to myself, I can't listen to this anymore. Conservative and Liberal pundits and opinionated "experts" go nose to nose in an effort to have those who are watching or listening to hear their point. It seems anymore just about anything can be politicized which creates a great division of people.

We cannot even have a beauty pageant without politics becoming the headliner rather than the winner of the event. As far as Miss America, 2009 goes I will always remember Miss California; don't even ask me which young lady won the contest. Everyone from both sides of the political spectrum are in a frenzy about all sorts of topics. And they are extremely important to each person.

In itself, these politcally and socially heated battles have only been white noise in the background for me. However, as I observe followers of Christ jumping into these arguments and becoming part of the melee, I get discouraged. I get a sense that the prince of this world, Satan, derives a certain sense of pleasure from how distracted God's children have become through this latest mass of confusion.

Colossians1 reminds us where we as Christians should land on all issues of this world. In the end, it really is vanity (meaningless) to expend our energy on such things. Colossians tells us that Jesus Christ is first in everything: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him . . . that in all things He may have preeminence." Col. 1:15-18 (emphasis mine)

When Christians get into heavy debates over the direction we think our country is going, it is all right to have an opinion; Jesus always had an opinion. (His opinions were always in light of the joy which awaited Him in heaven). But quite often we hold so tightly to our opinion that the resulting argument becomes a liability to the cause of Jesus Christ. We only need to remember that no matter how vehemently we espouse our wisdom, Christ "is before all things, and in Him all things consist." Nothing happens in the world without His knowledge. Jesus had many opportunities to change the events on the day of His crucifixion. But God's will is perfect and it happened as God directed. Likewise, Paul is saying that we not only trust that God is in control, but that in everything we are to understand that He is to be first in every aspect of our lives. None of us live that way, but can you acknowledge that you try to make Him preeminent (first)?

Sal Ippolito

2009-04-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; . . . so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:12,13 & 20b, 21

Have you ever watched how someone handles an extremely stressful situation? I think one of the best ways to know a person's character and personality comes from watching them handle a situation completely out of their control.

As a police officer, I often had the opportunity to see many police officers in out-of-control situations. These situations would immediately strip away any "tough guy" pretenses. It exposed them for who and what they were beneath their facades. Some officers remained completey composed and, though visibly stressed, handled themselves well. Many officers, though, lost control. This would be displayed by yelling, being rude, challenging and sometimes through physical force (not to imply that physical force never necessary. It often was necessary). The point is that the officers displayed the kind of mental and physical preparation they had for such situations. Likewise, how we behave in stressful situations exposes us for what is in our hearts; how we have prepared mentally and spiritually during our non-stressful moments.

Where is your heart and mind? What do you look like in such a situation? What do you look like when you find out your boyfriend (or girlfriend) is stepping out on you? How about when the deadline is 30 minutes away and you have 3 more hours of work to do? What is your response to someone who attacks your pride? your work? your decisions? your beliefs?

The apostle Paul wrote the passage above from a Roman prison. He was chained to a Roman guard. His future was very uncertain and he was staring a death sentence in the face. Christians were not popular, especially outspoken ones; and Paul was especially outspoken! Paul's circumstances were out of his control. This was indeed a stressful situation; yet the Holy Spirit leads Paul to write this epistle to this church in Philippi. In this first chapter of Philippians, Paul makes it clear that he is praying for his beloved brothers and sisters in Christ and, as this passage states, he is also preaching and converting the guards to whom he is chained! Paul responds to stress and personal attacks not by lashing out, stressing out or bailing out; but by never changing what he claims his character to be. His character is not a facade or a pretense; and more importantly, it is not his own! It belongs to Jesus Christ. His character is secured in his eternity with Jesus Christ, and whether he lives or dies, his approach to life and others will not change. Paul prepared for this. He worked at his relationship with Christ much like an athlete would prepare for the contest of his life (1Cor. 9:27).

Are you so confident in your eternity that you do not sweat the small stuff? How about the big stuff? You see, God wants you to treat this world, and the things of this world, as what they are; opportunities to bring glory to God. And that kind of behavior will not come out at crunch time when you need it, unless it is something you practice daily. Living for Christ is a daily discipline, because we live in this fallen world where 99% of everything is trying to steer you away from righteous living.

So, whether in good circumstances or bad (even really bad) circumstances, our calling is to magnify Christ. Do you want to know your life's purpose? That's it! Magnify Christ in everything. Then we, like Paul, can also say with complete sincerity, "For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain!"

Sal Ippolito