No Shortcut

Jesus says that if we take God’s Word and apply it to our lives we are like the man who built his house on a rock. When we build our house on a rock that house is secure. When we apply the Word of God to our lives we have a solid foundation to help us get through the most difficult of storms. Have you ever really thought about that? It’s hard to build anything on rock. It’s laborious and time consuming. It takes sweat and results in sore muscles. Building anything on rock is not easy. It’s much easier to build on sand. It’s not nearly as secure a foundation but the process of building is certainly much easier.

We like to find shortcuts in everything we do. Whether we’re going on vacation or placing a new icon on our computer desktop we’ve come to search for and depend on shortcuts. There are no shortcuts to the Christian life. There is no easy way to build on rock. We just have to roll up our sleeves and be prepared to hurt a little and sweat a lot.

When we seek to apply the Word of God to our lives we quickly find that it isn’t a quick and painless process. It takes time, it takes sweat and it takes blood. In the beginning it may seem easy but the deeper we allow God’s Word to penetrate us the more it hurts – and the harder the rock gets.

To grow into the disciple that Jesus intended us to become takes dedication. We must be dedicated to allowing God’s Word to penetrate and change our lives. We must be dedicated to drilling through layer after layer of hard rock in order to secure our foundation. We must be willing to endure a little discomfort. Reaching spiritual maturity takes time – our time devoted to becoming more like Christ, it takes commitment – our commitment to living a life that glorifies Jesus, it takes submission – our submission to Christ, it takes sweat - our sweat as we endure the hardships of this world in the name of Jesus, and it takes blood – the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for us.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (Matthew 7:24-25)

What would you die for?

What would you die for? That's a good question isn't it? I heard that question asked earlier today. It was a 'man-on-the-street' kind of thing - the man with the mic was wandering around asking people of all races, nationalities, sexes and ages the question, "What would you die for?" There were lots of different answers - things like family, my country, a friend, to save someone else's life and some even said 'nothing'.

So the question remains, what would you die for? I'd certainly die for my wife or kids. But what about my faith – would I die for what I believe? Jesus died for me, how about me for him? We often hear stories of those who have died for their faith. We hear of those who’ve been persecuted and refused to give in or even bend, dying instead. They were given the choice to deny Jesus and live or cling to Christ and die – many of them chose death. I’ve heard stories of missionaries in the most remote parts of the world who have given, not just their own life, but the life of family members as well in the name of Jesus Christ. We hear those stories and we hope we are never faced with that situation – I certainly hope I’m never faced with that decision. Or maybe we assume it will never come to that in our own life – not here – not in the United States – it can’t happen to us.

Some of the greatest growth that Christianity has ever seen has come in the midst of brutal persecution. It is during those difficult and trying times that those with a ‘less-than-genuine-faith’ are culled from the flock and only the ‘true sheep’ remain. It’s sad, and more than a little scary, to think that it takes the threat of violence, the loss of life and the oppression of religious freedom in order to make that kind of difference. It’s one thing to sport a Christian t-shirt in the heart of the Bible belt but with a gun to your head, your life on the line and your belief in question, would you choose life or would you choose Jesus?

This whole blog makes me a little uneasy – just thinking about this makes me feel a touch uncomfortable. This isn’t a dissertation or a charge to the masses – it’s just a question for each of us to ponder – what would you die for? How about Jesus?

A Matter of First Importance...

When you see a good movie do you want to tell someone about it? When you read a good book do you look for opportunities to recommend it to others? Have you ever eaten at an incredible restaurant, one you’ve just discovered, and then shared it with your co-workers as a matter of ‘first importance’ the next morning? Why is it when we find pleasure or success we want to share it with those around us?

My wife and I discovered a new restaurant recently. The food is absolutely first-class. Since my first visit to that restaurant I’ve recommended it to more people than I can remember and I’ve recounted, to those same people, the enjoyment I’d found there.

This morning I stopped and I thought. Have I been as diligent about sharing Christ as I have about singing the praises of a quality eatery? Have I shared, with others, the life changing power of God’s love and grace thorough Jesus Christ as often as I have the message of good home-cooked food and handmade deserts at this newly discovered restaurant? The sad truth is, probably not.

Why does it often appear that the newest box office smash is more exciting to us than the promise of eternal life? Why will we talk about a slick video clip used in the morning service, yet have trouble remembering the sermon text past Sunday lunch? How is it that we are more likely to share, with others, a newfound culinary establishment rather than invite our non-Christian neighbor to church with us? Why can’t we see past the ‘here and now’ of this world and see things more clearly from an eternal perspective?

If I asked you which is more important, our fleshly existence or our eternal spiritual condition you would, most likely, without fail, tell me the spiritual always takes precedent over the fleshly. Yet it’s obvious we treasure the things of this world. Have we taken God and his promises for granted? Have we allowed ourselves to take on an ‘every-man-for –himself’ mentality when it comes to Christianity? Once we accepted and received God’s free gift of salvation did we simply become too complacent to share our excitement with others?

In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” A better translation of the beginning of that scripture would be “As you go...” Jesus never questioned whether or not we would go. He knew we would go every day. He knew we would go to work, go to school, go to the mall and go home. In Jesus’ mind ‘going’ wasn’t the issue – the issue was what would we do as we were going?

We make announcements of new movies, restaurants and vacation spots a matter of ‘first importance’. The Apostle Paul said, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

I like to share with others. I don’t like to keep good news to myself. There is no better news than that of Christ’s sacrifice for us, over 2000 years ago, even while we continued to sin. In my life, I need to make the message of Jesus Christ a matter of first importance.

A Short Sermon

It's hot! It's really hot. I can't speak for the whole country but, in Atlanta, it's HOT!!!
I could make a sermon out of this heat - and it would be a short sermon. All I'd need to say is, "Hell - you just think it's hot here!"
I haven't had a lot of time to 'blog' today but I wanted to post something, so here it is - this dog must be from Atlanta and he (or she) has the right idea for 'beating the heat'.
Sorry this is so short but I've got to go climb in the refrigerator.
Keep your eyes on Jesus! I'll be back tomorrow!
P/S - The light DOES go out when you shut the refrigerator door. Cool, huh?

We need more than the facts...

I’m a huge Sean Connery fan. I love Sean Connery movies. In my opinion there has only been one ‘James Bond’. It wasn’t George Lazenby (I bet most people don’t even know who he is), it wasn’t Roger Moore, it wasn’t Timothy Dalton and no, it wasn’t Pierce Brosnon. Sean Connery, in my mind, was, and remains, the only real James Bond.

I know a lot about Sean Connery. Sean Connery was born in 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Sean Connery never finished school. He left school early in his life and went to work full-time. At the age of sixteen, Connery enlisted in the Royal Navy. A stomach ulcer shortened Connery’s naval career and, after only three years of naval service, Connery returned to Edinburgh where he worked as a bricklayer, lifeguard and a coffin polisher (I bet that’s never been your career aspiration). Connery also took a shot at body building and in 1950 he finished third in the Mr. Universe competition. After that Connery spent time modeling, was cast in small theatrical roles and took part in various chorus appearances. In 1958 he was cast, opposite Lana Turner, in Another Time, Another Place. Four years later Connery uttered, for the first time, those now famous words, “The name is Bond, James Bond.” After staring in several Bond movies Sean broadened his horizons and went on to realize over thirty-five big screen appearances. Also, in 1989, Sean Connery was voted People Magazine’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’. I could go on. I could give you even more facts related to the man, Sean Connery.

I’ve never met Sean Connery. If I ran into him on the street I’m certain I’d have no problem recognizing him but, I’m also sure he would have no idea who I was. I’ve seen Sean Connery in a lot of movies and I’ve read a lot of facts about him but I’ve never had the opportunity to form a relationship with Mr. Connery.

There is a large percentage of the world’s population that knows facts about Jesus Christ – lots of facts. In most countries and cultures you will find that they recognize the name Jesus and can give you, at least, the most basic of facts regarding the Jesus of history. Most would even say that they ‘believe’ that a man named Jesus walked the earth thousands of years ago.

I hear lot’s of Christians, today, say, “I believe in Jesus.” Today, in the church, we may know lots of facts about Jesus – we may be well versed in the history of the man we call Jesus the Christ, but do we REALLY KNOW Jesus? Do we have a relationship with Him? When we come before Him on that last day, we will surely recognize Him, but will He know who we are? Have we spent all of our time ‘learning about Him’ instead of ‘getting to know Him’?

I am a lifetime student. I love to read. I love to study. I love to learn. But I, for one, know that I need to spend more time talking and listening to Jesus than I do reading about, writing about and talking about Him. There is nothing wrong with reading about, writing about, talking about and learning about Jesus. That is certainly a great way to spend time. But, all I’m saying is, I need to spend more time developing, cultivating and growing my relationship with my Savior. It’s one thing to believe in and know facts about Jesus, but do we trust in, have faith in and have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

When I stand before Him I have no doubt I will recognize Him – I want to be sure He knows me.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:19)

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (John 17:20-26)

Jesus Goggles

I love myself. I know that sounds a bit egotistical and self-centered, but I don’t mean it that way. I simply mean I care about me. So do you – you care about yourself and you should. Each of us possess a love and sense-of-care for ‘US”. That’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with that. One day the religious zealots of the day set out to trick Jesus with their question, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus promptly and confidently responded, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” See, there it is. Straight from the mouth of Jesus, “'Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus knew we loved ourselves. He didn’t say there was anything wrong with it. What he did say however, was that we were to not only love ourselves, but to LOVE OTHERS just as much.
Okay, it’s one thing to love myself – I mean that’s easy – I’m very loveable. But now you want me to love others too? Do you know ‘others’? I mean come on; some of them definitely aren’t like me. A lot of them don’t look like me. Many of them don’t think like me. A lot of them don’t like to do the same things I do. Many of them are different colors. Some of them are from other countries. A whole bunch of them don’t sound like me and many of them don’t even speak the same language I do. Jesus probably didn’t understand that, right? I mean He probably thought everyone would be just like me – same shape, size, color, nationality, language, value system, gift mix, personality, and I’m sure he had no doubt that everyone would, of course, be a University of Georgia football fan.
We all know that’s not true. Of course Jesus didn’t think we’d all be alike. And no, I’m sure he didn’t simply assume that everyone would be as ‘naturally’ loveable as me or you. Jesus knew there would be great diversity among his children. He knew that some would be easy to love and that some would just be, well, just plain hard-to-get-along-with. There was no disclaimer on Jesus’ statement. There was no footnote that gave us permission to ignore those who didn’t conform to our way of thinking. Jesus simply said that we were to, first and foremost, love God with everything that we have – all of our brain-power, all of our muscle-power and all of our heart-power. Then, he went on to remind us that we were to love others, just as much as we love ourselves – no exceptions stated.
So how do we do it? How do we love others as much as we love ourselves? I’m not talking about those that are like us; they’re easy to love. No, my question is, how do we love those that are hard to love – those that grate on our very last nerve – those that always say the wrong things, wear the wrong clothes and call us right in the middle of dinner – how do we love those that aren’t exactly like us ? I’d like to answer that question as simply as possible – in one word – JESUS.
Okay, I know – I just made it sound easy – like I know how to do it and I always do it right. Well, allow me to go ahead and bust that bubble. Let me share with you, up front, that I fail everyday when it comes to loving those who are difficult to embrace. I mean I want to love them. I try to love them. Then they go and cut me off in traffic, break in line at the movie theater or wear their pants just a little too low. Maybe they’re too loud or not loud enough – maybe their hair is not a natural color or they have earrings in places other than their ears. Maybe their car is sporting a door that is, interestingly, a different color than the rest of the vehicle. Or maybe their way of life and thinking doesn't match up exactly with mine.
There are lots of things that can trigger negative responses in our brains. When an experience takes us out of our ‘comfort-zone’ we will typically go on the defensive very quickly, and when that happens, loving others becomes quite a challenge. When those negative responses are triggered – when the fortress walls of our ‘comfort-zone’ are breached, it is then that we must turn to Jesus.
We must make a conscience effort to adjust our vision so we can see through His eyes – so we can see the value in everyone. We must be intentional about asking ourselves, “How does that person see me?” “How would I expect them to treat me?”
It’s remarkable what we see when we look at things from our own perspective. It’s even more incredible when we take the time to look through the eyes of our Lord. When we look at others as Jesus does, we don’t see different colored skin, we don’t see ridiculous clothes, we don’t hear languages that we don’t understand, we don’t see tattoos or too many body piercings, we don’t see rich or poor, we don’t see old or young, we don’t hear different tastes in music and our focus is not the geographic location of homes. What we will observe, when we see as Jesus sees, is that each person, everyone we come in contact with, is a loved and cherished creation of God – a person created in His own image.
Loving others isn’t always easy. Jesus never said it was. In order to love others as Jesus loves each of us we must be intentional about seeing them through His eyes, not our own. That takes work, that takes time and that takes intentionality.
Jesus ended his response to the religious leaders that day by saying, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Jesus knew that when we love God with every ounce of who we are and when we can love others with the passion and zeal with which we love ourselves, then everything else will fall into place. Following Jesus and living a God-honoring life is easy when we know and exercise that kind of love in all that we do. No it’s not easy to achieve. It is a process. No we’ll never get it 100% right as long as we live in this fallen world. But it is a worthy goal. It is something that we should all, as followers of Jesus, aspire to. It should be more than a goal. It is a commandment from our Lord. It is a commandment that we cannot ignore. It is a mandate passed down from Jesus Himself and it must not be disregarded.
I don’t know about you but I think I'll put on my ‘Jesus-colored-lenses’ - my 'Jesus Goggles' and take a look at the world around me. It’s amazing what I can see – people more like me because we’re all made like God!

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Friend or Foe?

Fear is an emotion. Fear is not something we can touch but, rather something we can feel. Fear can be a good thing. Fear can keep children away from a roaring fire, a busy street or strangers in crowded places. Sometimes fear causes us to make decisions that, ultimately put us in a safer situation. Fear can be a good thing. But fear can also be a bad thing. Fear can paralyze us. Fear can cause us to become irrational and abandon all sense of reason and logic. Fear can cause us to do stupid things and make unwise decisions. Fear can cause our brains, for all practical purposes, to go into ‘full-lock-down’ mode. Yes, fear can be a bad thing.
Fear comes in all shapes and sizes. Children fear thunder storms, the dark, and the ‘boogie’ man. Teenagers fear pimples, pop-quizzes and first dates. When we become adults our fears change drastically. As adults we begin to fear things like rejection, loneliness, failure and embarrassment. Fear is no respecter of persons. Fear is an equal opportunity emotion. Some people do a better job of dealing with the fears of daily life but, at the end of the day, we must all deal with our own share of fear.
Fear can be our best friend or our worst enemy. King Solomon understood the value of healthy fear when he said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10 & 111:10. The word used in these passages for fear is the Hebrew word “yir’ah”. It can mean respect or reverence. To have a fear of God doesn’t mean we have an unhealthy, paralyzing fear or sense of terror toward God, it simply means that we respect God and we show to him, out of our respect, a sense of reverence. King Solomon also knew a little about unhealthy fear – “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25) Here, I really like the paraphrase used in The Message – “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in GOD protects you from that.” Here the Hebrew word used for fear is “Haradah” – this literally means panic, fear, terror or horror.
Fear of God is respect for the one who created all things, including each of us. Fear of God means praising God for His greatness and majesty. Fear of God means thanking God for the incredible blessings he bestows on us – those blessings which are seen and those which are unseen – those blessings of the past, of the present and of the future. Fear of God means recognizing, respecting, thanking, praising and standing in awe of one far greater than ourselves – one who gave His son as a sacrifice for us. Fear of God means trusting Him, no matter what, in every situation. Fear of man means we have a chink in our ‘Trust of God’ armor. Fear of man means that we’ve decided to try to correct or solve a particular dilemma or trial on our own; without God’s help. Fear of man means we’re not sure if God can handle this situation. Fear of man means that we think we have a better chance of correcting the problem at hand than God does. Fear of man means trusting in ourselves. Fear of God is healthy. Fear of man is unhealthy. Fear of God is good. Fear of man is bad.
Fear can be one of our greatest friends or it can be one of our most formidable foes. My desire is to experience a far greater fear of God and to eliminate my fear of man. I’ll keep working on that. Pray for me!

Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. (Ecclesiastes 8:12-13)