Leveling Your Expectations

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." -  1 Corinthians 2:14

As the world drifts farther and farther away from Biblical truth, the contrast between what Christians believe to be right and what the world embraces as right and proper becomes more apparent to Believers. Both sides, the lost and the saved, can live out what they believe to be truth and right. The lost are not tempted to live according to what God has declared to be right as they are enslaved to their sin nature. But Christians, who have been made alive toward the things of the Spirit of God, can be and are also tempted to live according to what the world has declared to be right. 

As Christians we have the capacity to understand spiritual truth - the things of the Spirit of God. The world does not. In fact, they see it as foolishness. Why would they want to do what is clearly contrary to their natural inclinations? Is it possible for the unsaved to be kind - yes. To be friendly - yes. To be a "good" person? Yes. But not good enough. Even the best good of man falls short of the goodness of God.

"So He [Jesus] said to him [the rich young ruler], “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God [the Father]" - Matthew 19:17

Those who have been born again cannot be good enough to enter the kingdom of God on our own. It is only by God's grace, mercy and faith in Jesus.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." - John 14:6

We are going to heaven - not because of the good things we have done or the evil things we refuse to do but because of what Jesus has done in our stead. Nicodemus came to Jesus asking what the "secret" to having eternal life was. What did he need to do or be to "make it through the gate"?

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:14-17

Listen - the world is not going to get better on its own. Sad but true! Man's laws and declarations cannot change hearts - only faith in Jesus can do that.  That is not to say that there may not be a spiritual awakening or a revival at some point.  I know that many saints are praying for revival - the difference between a spiritual awakening, when God sovereignly pours out his Spirit and impacts a culture, and a revival, when the church comes back to life and restores its original condition. Whichever one happens there will never be heaven on earth - well not until Jesus comes back - but that is another story.

What to do in the meantime. Be the light that some might see and believe.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Practicing Religion Or Living By Faith

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." -  James 1:27

I recently heard a preacher describe religion like this - "Religion is the stuff that I do to make God like me." That would be "impure" and "defiled" religion from God's perspective, lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). Trying to be good on my own to make God happy and approving. But according to James what God wants is for us to serve others and have an undivided heart for God. 

Serving others. Jesus said, "No greater love has one man [person] than this, but to lay down his life for his friends [others]." - John 15:13 

An undivided heart. Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 22:37- 40 

Paul wrote about right religion before God, "I beseech [urge] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1-2

John wrote about being unspotted by the world, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." -  1 John 2:15-16

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Semper Fidelis - A Discipline of the Heart

"If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." - 2 Timothy 2:12-13

Even when we are unfaithful - God is faithful to His promises. 

Mankind denies God so He sent His Son and we then deny Jesus. When we deny Jesus is the Christ then Jesus will deny us to the Father and the Father will deny us. And so, many people - might I say - most people are hell bound.

"But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 10:33

As Christians our challenge is to "walk away" from our old nature and the constant temptation to embrace it in favor of submitting to God and His constant call to faithfulness.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself [his old nature], and take up his cross [as a living sacrifice], and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24

The U.S. Marine Corps slogan is "Semper Fidelis" or Semper Fi (the abbreviated version) - Always Faithful. If you say Semper Fi to any Marine - active duty or veteran and you will get a look of acknowledgement. It stirs something in their heart. Reminds them not of who they were but of who they are. It defines their character. Once a Marine always a Marine.  Faithfulness is a discipline of the heart.  For Christians, it is once saved - always saved! Once a Christian, always a Christian. Our faith defines our character. 

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." - Romans 8:29

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Avoiding Spiritual Apathy, Atrophy, and Impotence

…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… —Ephesians 6:18

“As we continue on in our intercession for others, we may find that our obedience to God in interceding is going to cost those for whom we intercede more than we ever thought. It is impossible for us to have living and vital intercession unless we are perfectly and completely sure of God. Identification with God is the key to intercession… God gives us discernment in the lives of others to call us to intercession for them, never so that we may find fault with them.” - My Utmost For His Highest

Do you see someone who has faults? I am not referring to the one you see when you look in a mirror. Sure you do. It is inescapable.  (Romans 3:23) “All have sinned” (Romans 3:10) “There are none righteous” That pretty much covers everyone.  So you are going to see the works of the flesh every day.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” - Galatians 5:19-21

That list just about covers it. Those things you see in others that upset you, make you to not want to be around them, to be angry about what they have done or are doing.  Perhaps what you should do is pray for them.  Most of us don’t for at least three reasons, I can think of.  One, we think they should be punished for their behavior and should not be allowed to get away with it, and maybe they seem to be. Two, we don’t think they are deserving of God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness (ours too), and, in fact, they are not but then again neither are we.  Three, we have a pretty much non-existent prayer life and don’t pray for ourselves, unless we are in trouble, let alone people who are doing things we don’t like. 

But God did not say pray if you feel like. No, we are to pray because it is our responsibility and critical to the health and growth of our personal spiritual life.  For most of us we treat prayer as an option.  Sunday morning and perhaps at dinner time.  That’s it.  Prayer is not a spiritual gift that some are given, and others are not.  It is a responsibility for all Christians.  If becoming a Christian is the most significant thing that has happened in your life, and it should be, then communicating with the Father should be important to you as a child of God.  If it’s not, well “Houston we have a problem!”  Prayerlessness is a symptom of spiritual apathy and spiritual apathy always lead to spiritual atrophy which always leads to spiritual impotence.  You need to pray .. you can’t afford not to!

Here is a simple way … a friend, Michael, shared this with me years ago.  First make certain that your heart is clean - clear up any unconfessed sins with God. (1 John 1:9) Use your fingers and thumb as a guide.  Start with your thumb, it represents your family, index finger those who point you to Jesus  - Spiritual leaders. Middle finger, those in authority over you – government, work, etc. Ring finger, others – those you care about or maybe don’t care about.  Pinky finger – yourself – last and least.  Try it.  Why not make it a habit?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Living By Faith - The World Thinks You Are Crazy

…Peter…walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid… —Matthew 14:29-30

 “The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “…why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.” - My Utmost For His Highest 

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14

Faith can lead you to do crazy things, at least as far as the world is concerned. I know that all too well. God has challenged us to “walk on the water” on a number of occasions.

The first was when He told me to leave the Army with over 17 years of very successful service.  A good friend told me “the Army will not let you out” since I was a career officer with an obligation and a bright future.  I told him – “If God wants me out, I’ll be out” and 90 days later, I was on the street having exchanged my flight suit for a business suit. 

After God had called us to the mission field I happened to see an old boss – I told him what I was doing – he asked if I had retired from working as a civilian with the Air Force – I said no, I had left to serve God on the mission field – he looked at me in disbelief – I had abandoned everything that he held dear … money - security - possessions - comfort.

When we were leaving disaster relief work in Mississippi to open another chapter in our missional journey, as friend asked me what we were going to do – I replied – “We are going to Haiti” -  He drew up close to me, looked me square in the eyes and asked, “Are you crazy?” to which I replied – “It’s not my idea, it’s God’s!” 

On a more recent occasion, we realized that God was calling out of the boat once again to go on mission. I had been working with the Air Force once again as an IT Systems Engineer.  God called us to Texas.  A good friend of mine asked me to meet for coffee.  He told me that now was not the time to “get out of the boat”.  There were considerations that I was apparently ignoring.  Like the disciples could have told Peter … wait for the waves to calm if you are going to do it!  But when God says “GO!” you must go.  That is part of trusting God.  It’s as if people think – “If God called you – He must not have thought about all of the issues going on”. It is a telling of what they trust in.  Many Christians have a qualified trust in God.  If Peter had, he never would have climbed out of the boat.  If Martie and I had we never would have left worldly success to obey God’s call. 

Please ... do not think that I am boasting about our great faith .. I say our because Martie has been in agreement and has been willing on every turn in the course of our lives.  

 “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  - 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Perhaps it’s time for you to get your feet wet.  If it is – look to Jesus for the strength to do what He is asking you to do. then join Him on the water!

“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” - Zechariah 4:6

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Knowing Who God Is

"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." - Ephesians 1:15-21

Are you familiar with the term "doesn't have a clue"? Sure you are. In fact, you may have said it about someone in the past. The people are oblivious to an important truth. That can be said of every human being that has not been saved by faith. There are two camps really. Those who deny that God exists and don't really care about what people say He said. When you are dead - that's it. The other camp are those that think there is some sort of being and hope that everyone has a free pass into whatever the "next" life is like after death. 

The reason both camps think that way is that they lack spiritual understanding. Thinking about it, there is a third camp - those who admit there is a God but deny Jesus. 

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." - John 14:6

Jesus called himself a stumbling block. The religious did not understand that Jesus was and is the way. Mere religion is not, and will never be, enough.

"[Nicodemus] came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ... Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.” - John 3:2-3, 5-7

It is only then - when we are born again do we understand who God is and who we are - and in light of that truth we are convicted of our sin, confess and repent. Born again into the family of God and sons and daughters of the Creator God. Don't expect the world to rejoice when you share the Good News. In their sin they will not want to hear it - even hate you for it. Unless the Spirit of God is at work in the heart of the hearer - then there will be rejoicing - in heaven and in the life of the one is born by the Spirit. Another child was lost but now they are found. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

The World Is Not Falling Apart

"Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:5-7

There is a verse in the song, "Just Be Held" by Casting Crowns that says, "The World Is Not Falling Apart, it's falling into place." 

"So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you'll find Me
And where you are, I'll hold your heart
I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won't let go" 

I have been writing a good bit about the spiritual context of political and cultural tension in this county and around the world for that matter. About the moral decline that is so prevalent today. Blatant, even. What an opportunity for the Body of Christ to be a shining light. To not promote a message of hate but of love and hope that can only be found in Jesus. Elon Musk was accused by the governor of California of "bending his knee" with respect to Musk's decision to move his corporate headquarters from California to Texas. That suggestion is actually rooted in 1 Kings 19

"And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” .... Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed (bended) to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” - 1 Kings 19:14,19

Elijah had given up hope - his enemies seemed to be too strong. He felt like he was alone in the battle against evil. Impossible odds. Yet God told him that there were 7,000 that Elijah did not know about who had not bent their knees to Baal - the god of this world. The world is not falling apart although it may seem that way. It is falling into place. God is still, and will always be, on the Throne. Our God reigns. 

"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." - Psalm 42:11

Don't be downcast - put your hope in God! 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Should We Apologize?

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians 5:19-23

I have been watching, with some interest and dismay, the struggle by all political parties as they vie for primacy in the coming presidential election. It has been no holds barred as they wrestle for the favor of the American voters. Then the assassination attempt. Suddenly things got "real". Questions are being asked - have we gone too far with our vitriol - cruel and bitter criticism? Then a question on one of the news programs - "Do you think we should apologize?". There was not an immediate response. Apologize when I believe I am justified?

It was then that I was reminded of Galatians chapter 5. We live in a culture where the end justifies the means. Truth is relative not absolute. I am hoping that the people and politicians will rise to a higher standard of doing. But the works of the flesh are evident. I am expecting behavior that is out of reach for anyone that has not yielded their hearts to faith in Jesus so the fruit of the Spirit might be revealed.

Why should I be surprised at the depths that people will go to satisfy their desires? There are many who claim devotion to God as Christians and yet are deeply committed to the political means and methods I see on the news every day.

"How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." - Matthew 12:34-37

I am not promoting any party or candidate. I am merely suggesting that we need to "open the eyes of our hearts". To see the world with a spiritual perspective. To let the world see Jesus through your lives and perhaps marvel at the grace and mercy of God and the transformation of sinners into saints. I was refueling our truck when another truck pulled up on the other side of the pump. The truck had a "dummy" .50 caliber round in place of an antenna and a cross hanging on the rear view mirror. Do you see an inconsistency there?

Should we apologize? If we have sinned, we should first confess our sins (1 John 1:9) seeking forgiveness and then repent from them. Choosing a better way. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

To Hear God, You Must Be Ready And Willing To Listen

Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. —Matthew 10:27

 “Sometimes God puts us through the experience and discipline of darkness to teach us to hear and obey Him. Are you in the dark right now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? If so, then remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will speak while in the wrong mood— darkness is the time to listen. Don’t talk to other people about it; don’t read books to find out the reason for the darkness; just listen and obey. If you talk to other people, you cannot hear what God is saying. ... once you hear Him, He gives you the gift of humiliation, which brings a softness of heart— a gift that will always cause you to listen to God now.” - My Utmost For His Highest

It is a difficult thing at times ... hearing God speak.  As I get older, I have noticed that I don’t hear as well when there are competing noises around me.  I used to be able to single out a voice or sound amidst the din with no problem, not so much anymore.  That is the way it is with hearing God.  A lot of competing sounds and life events demanding our attention.  You can read about Jesus getting away to spend time, alone, with His Father.  I don’t know if I will ever appreciate that privilege to the depth it deserves while I walk this earth.  Just imagine being able to communicate with the creator of the universe.  Can you imagine having the private cell phone number of the president or some other significant world figure?  Why would they give you the time of day.  Why would they care to talk with you at all?  What could you have to say that would matter to them? And yet, Jesus has torn the veil and given us access to our Father in heaven.  God, the Father, loves us.  Loves us enough to send Jesus for us. And we can talk to Him anytime, anywhere.  

 “Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for us.”  - 1 Peter 5:7

The really cool thing is that God does not just want to listen, He wants to, and does, speak to us. The question is, are you ready and willing to hear Him?  Sometimes He whispers and sometimes He shouts. But on every occasion, He loves and wants the eternal best for your life.  In the study, Experiencing God, Dr. Blackaby says that God speaks by the Spirit through His Word, Prayer, Circumstances, and other Believers. As I type, a song came to mind … “In The Garden” 

“I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses. … He speaks, and the sound of His voice, Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me, Within my heart is ringing. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.”  

I wonder what was going on in Charles Miles’ life when he penned the words to this song. He said, "It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire". He wrote at least 398 songs, and the music to at least 8 more.

Jesus asked the question (Luke 6:46) “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, but don’t do what I say?”  Take time to listen to God and then … obey what He tells you to do.  And in that way, you will discover the way you can be of the most use to the Master.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Sin Is The Same In All Generations - So Is The Solution

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am ….I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master… —John 13:13, 16

“To have a master and teacher is not the same thing as being mastered and taught. Our Lord never takes measures to make me do what He wants. Sometimes I wish God would master and control me to make me do what He wants, but He will not. And at other times I wish He would leave me alone, and He does not. “You call Me Teacher and Lord…”— but is He? Teacher, Master, and Lord have little place in our vocabulary. We prefer the words Savior, Sanctifier, and Healer. The only word that truly describes the experience of being mastered is love, and we know little about love as God reveals it in His Word. Our Lord was not simply God’s servant— He was His Son. “…though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience…” (Hebrews 5:8). He [Jesus]wants us in a relationship where He is so easily our Master and Teacher that we have no conscious awareness of it— a relationship where all we know is that we are His to obey.” - My Utmost For His Highest

“When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”  There are probably not too many Millennials who would know that hymn.  John Stammis, the author, wrote over 100 hymns. I often wonder what the song writer had experienced that was the inspiration for the words he penned.  But then, the nature of man does not change from generation to generation, even if we want to believe that it has.  If you consider people in the context of their flesh, the cultural and generational accoutrements may morph over the years .. I am typing this on my computer not writing with a quill and ink.  As many as 100 people, virtually around the world, will have read these words by the end of the day using computers, laptops, tablets, and even phones … incredible.  But the spiritual nature of man has not changed from those who never heard of a computer or the internet and it won’t change in future generations.  In every generation, until Jesus returns, there will be sheep and goats.  Those who belong to the Creator God and those who belong to the god of this world.  And for us sheep, our challenge across the generations is to trust and obey.

[Jesus asked] “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” - Luke 6:46- 49

Our children would sing a song alluding to those verses.  “Don’t build your house on the sandy land”.  I used to think it had to do with salvation, but it actually has to do with obedience.  Think about it. The goats do not call Jesus Lord.  I once heard someone say, “If Jesus is not Lord OF all, then He is not Lord AT all.”  God demands everything if we want to follow Jesus.  No other gods, our whole heart, a living sacrifice, picking up our cross and going where He leads, living by faith, walking with the Spirit.  That has not changed since Jesus spoke the words during His ministry and will not change, ever.  We spend a lot of effort trying to figure out how to reach each generation ... how to attract them to the Light.  God has already implemented a “trans-generational” solution.  

“when I [Jesus] am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” - John 12:32 

Having trouble with obedience?  We all do to some extent.  Walk with the Lord in the light of His word ... what a glory He sheds on our way! I have a friend from California, George, who served with us in Mississippi. As we worked together, I would often say, "So, what do you think George?" His response was always the same. "Jesus saves!" You think I would have learned - but I never tired of hearing it!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Jesus - Lord of Our Lips

"But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus, no spring yields both salt water and fresh." - James 3:8-12

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." - Luke 6:45

I have known many people, men in particular, who identify with being a Christian but speak and behave as if they are not. In James and Luke, as well as other places in the Bible, the point is that what comes out of a person is a reflection of the source of who they are - lost or saved - carnal or spiritual. If you say Jesus is Lord and yet it is salt water that comes from your spring and not fresh, then the conclusion is that the well does not hold fresh water. There are some men and women today that say they identify as being a different gender. The thing is, in spite of surgeries they might undergo, their DNA - their chromosomes that they had when they were formed in their mother's wombs cannot be altered. They can say what they want. Behave as they like. Be affirmed by the culture. Protected by the laws of the land. But biologically it changes nothing.  And so, it is with many who identify as Christians. They can say what they want, but spiritually it changes nothing. If you immediately want to go to the idea that maybe they are Christians but are carnal - why would being carnal be, OK?

The product of salvation is repentance and faith. The proof of repentance is a changed life. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ" - 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

When I would preach in churches in Haiti, I would often use the example of Mango trees. Mango trees grow everywhere along the roads. The fruit is free for the taking. There are also many sour orange trees in Haiti which are used to tenderize meat. I would say to the congregation, "If you tell me you are a mango tree and I come to you to pick a mango from your branches but only find sour oranges, I realize that you are not a mango tree at all - otherwise you would bear mangos. You are a sour orange tree" The same goes for spiritual fruit and carnal fruit. Read Galatians chapter 5.

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "The Change" that speaks to this question. 

"Well, I got myself this T-shirt that says what I believe. I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my ID 

I got the necklace and the keychain and almost everything a good Christian needs 

I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door and a welcome mat to greet you before you walk across my floor

I got a Jesus bumper sticker and the outline of a fish stuck on my car 

And even though this stuff's all well and good I cannot help but ask myself

What about the change? What about the difference? What about the grace? What about forgiveness? What about a life that's showing I'm undergoing the change" End of Song .....

Well - what about it Christian? The bottom line is that if Jesus is not Lord of our lips, then He is not Lord of our hearts. If He is not Lord of our hearts, then He is not Lord at all.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

So - You Don't Believe We're On The Eve Of Destruction?

"Make your ambition to a lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, so you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need" - 1 Thessalonians 4:11

"So far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men." - Romans 12:18

Every day I see so much strife in people's lives - people living in the power of their flesh and in their struggle for self-preservation.  They live in constant fear, and rather than loving God and loving others, their love for themselves dominates them and everything they do or aspire to do.  If people don't meet their expectations or don't dance to their tune, they are considered to be the enemy.  They seek consolation and relief from their fears and insecurities by accommodating their flesh and what it desires.  Turning to things that promise peace and consolation, but, in the end, only bring pain and destruction.

Our culture seems to be imploding.  Consuming itself.  Looking for answers to the problems that dominate us but unwilling to acknowledge the true source of those problems.  We criticize aberrant - wrong - hurtful behavior and encourage it at the same time.  We condemn men for making sexual advances to women and exploit women in the media and add sexual connotation even in television commercials about everyday products.  We wonder why there is a problem with violence in our country and the majority of the most popular television shows and movies are dominated with stark violence and death.  As I watch this going on I feel helpless to change it.  But that is because the source of the problem spiritual ... and most often misdiagnosed as a natural - relational problem. And being a spiritual problem, it can only be solved with a spiritual solution.  My wanting my children's behavior, for example, to be different will not make it so!  Only God can do that - He is in the "business" of changing hearts.  And their hearts can be changed, but only if they will submit to His call and yield their lives in faith to the Lord.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” - 1 Corinthians 1:18

The solution is so simple, but the truth is, the majority of the world will reject the Truth. 

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator .. " - Romans 1:25

I am not making this up.  God has revealed the Truth to us through the Word of God, by His Spirit and through His Son and His sacrifice.  The world, our culture, rejects the idea that the problem has spiritual roots and a spiritual solution.  

“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”  - 1 Corinthians 2:14

What a dilemma.  What to do? The answer is simple.  Don’t expect the world to get better … it is running pell-mell into darkness … headed for destruction …

There was a song written in the mid-60’s, a protest song, but I think it was prophetic.  It was written by PF Sloan, during the Vietnam war, and sung by Barry McGuire who later became a Christian. It speaks to the calamity that rages in this world but stops short of a solution.  Barry McGuire found the solution … you know the answer. My encouragement to you …. Be a light in this dark world … if people seem to be looking for answers ... point them to Jesus ... most will ignore you ... but that is between them and God.  Your obligation is to tell the world.  The Spirit will do the rest.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone