Deceptive Times

We are all at risk of being deceived from following Jesus.  Even more so if we are prideful.  This is nothing new.  God promises that the world is going to get worse.  

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanders, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.  And from such people turn away!"  -2 Timothy 3:1-5

The last times that Paul is talking about are any days after Jesus.  So, we are in the last times right now.  What is amazing, yet expected, is how many of these things are alive in the Church right now.  Unbelievably, Paul cautions Timothy (a young pastor) to avoid people like this.  Let me clarify, we aren't cautioned to avoid people like this in the world that we are to influence, but, instead, we are cautioned to avoid people in the Church like this. 

If you read on, Paul mentions that people will be "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7).  This seems so evident in our culture.  We have access to a ton of knowledge, but it doesn't seem to affect the way that we live.  

"And Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Take heed that no man deceives you'" (Matthew 24:4).  

Measure everything against God's Word and be careful that no one decieves you...

You probably aren't going to enjoy this one...

There is a fear that I struggle with that consumes me constantly. It keeps me up at night. It bothers me to my core. That fear is, how much time left do "lukewarm" Christians have?

"Lukewarm" Christians (which is an oxymoron if you think about it) attend church fairly regularly, give money (as long as it's safe and it doesn't impinge on their standard of living), choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict (they desire to fit in both at church and outside of church), care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives, don't really want to be saved from their sin (they just want to be saved from the penalty of their sin), are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ (yet they do not act), rarely do they share their faith with others out of fear of being rejected or making others uncomfortable, compare themselves to others instead of Scripture, say they love Jesus and He is a part of their lives (but He isn't allowed to control their lives), they love God (but not with all their heart, soul, and strength), they love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves, will serve God and others within limits, think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven, are thankful for their luxuries and comforts (yet rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor), do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty, are continually concerned with playing it safe, feel secure because they attend church, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican, or live in America, they do not live by faith, probably drink and curse less than average (but besides that, really aren't much different from an unbeliever)...THE TRUTH IS, THEIR LIVES WOULDN'T LOOK MUCH DIFFERENT IF THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED BELIEVING IN GOD.

It appears that most of the American Church is made up of "lukewarm" Christians. Unfortunately, "lukewarm" Christians will not be going to heaven.

I have really been wrestling with this: "'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,' and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked...'" (Rev. 3:15-17)

Sounds familiar doesn't it? You may immediately think, "Wait. I'm not rich." The answer is yes. We almost all are rich in America. That doesn't mean that people do not go through financial turmoil, but, as far as I know, we all earn more than $2 a day (which is what 53 percent of the world earns). The Bible was written to the world, not just America.

We feel like we're really doing something great for God by going to church for one hour a week and giving reluctantly once in a while. Then, we go through a week without spending much time thinking about Him. Instead, we devote more thought to money, work, bills, people, reading, exercise, etc. How can we not think about the God who created this huge universe more than these other things? What's wrong with us?

Let me first say, I don't mean for this to cause true believers to question their salvation. Understand this, WE CAN'T EARN OUR SALVATION. Only Jesus could do that. Otherwise, no one would be able to follow Jesus. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10). But, Scripture does say that our actions prove if we are true believers or not. "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (James 2:17). Do your works prove faith?

I know this is hard to hear. Be honest with yourself. And if you see that something needs to change, ask God. He is willing. He is waiting. He loves you so much. Confess and listen to Him. If you seek Him with your whole heart, I promise that you will find Him. I know that this may produce fear or guilt, and that is not the purpose of this message. Let your unfailing love for Jesus motivate you to pursue Him with your whole heart.

Overwhelmed...and happy about it?

I keep forgetting that God is as big as He is. He's more powerful than I ever knew.

God created the earth, sun, planets, stars, moons, and galaxies. Our earth is pretty big, but in comparison to the sun, it's small. The sun is pretty big, but in comparison to the milky way galaxy, it's small. The milky way galaxy is pretty big, but in comparison to the size of the universe composed of all the other galaxies, it's small.

If you doubt that God created this, what other explanation do you believe? Do you believe that the universe just exploded out of nowhere? To me, it takes a lot more faith to believe in that theory than in God. Who made the earth start spinning? Did you know that without the moon being perfectly in its spot, we would have serious issues with the ice caps, and therefore, earth would not be able to sustain life. How do you explain the vastness of our universe? How about the complexity? What about the details? On our earth alone, the attention to detail is incredible. Did you know that a caterpillar has 228 separate and distinct muscles in its head? That's an insane amount for a bug! What about the fact that the average elm tree has approximately 6 million leaves on it? I have met some pretty creative people, but I'm having trouble finding someone who can create a universe. That would definitely jump out on a resume though.

I'm overwhelmed with a relentless love for this God. God is amazing, and He loves you...just wanted you to remember that today.

Desperately Desperate

I’ve never been more desperate then now. I've seen so much in so few years. The more time progresses, the more my desperation increases. I seek to do more and more and more to make things happen, but I’m not satisfied. I’ve never been more desperate to introduce people to Jesus.

You and I can debate God's existence until we are blue in the face, but no one can tell me that the healings, miracles, and breath-taking events that I’ve witnessed personally aren’t real. I’m not talking about miracles like God’s creation, breath in my lungs, or anything like that (even though I do agree that those are miracles). I’m talking about unusual, strange, and unexplainable events.

For example, a few months ago I was at work helping a client and felt compelled to give my undivided attention to her. As I listened, she was telling me about some health problems and other life situations that were going on, and as she was mentioning some things from her past, I could feel God speaking to me. I don’t know how else to explain this other than this way. I saw the word David in my mind. I honestly didn’t know what to say or do. I wasn’t even sure that it was from God. So, I prayed, “God, was that from you?” I felt my heart start beating rapidly like I just drank 3 Red Bulls. Every time I feel this feeling, something interesting happens. I decided to give the name a shot. I said, “Does the name David mean anything to you?” Expecting a funny look, I glanced at her and she gave me a deer in the headlights look. Then, she said, “That is my ex-husband’s name. There’s no way you could have known that. His name isn’t on any of my information. There’s no way you could have known that. How did you know his name?” Then, she started crying hysterically and expressing to me how he abused her, treated her terribly, and how it has affected her life. I felt God nudge me to tell her how he was ready to heal her emotionally so she didn’t have to keep living in the way she was. She said that must have come from God, because there was absolutely no way that I could have known that. She left with an extreme peace.

I have more stories like this (some involving people getting healed physically). How can this be debated? Or explained?

The relevance of Scripture to everyday life amazes me. Check this out, there was a man that was born blind and Jesus healed him. Afterwards, people didn’t believe that the former blind man had been healed, even though he could see! They questioned the man and still did not have faith. So they said, “We know that this man is a sinner.” The blind man who had been healed said, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25)

It breaks my heart that no matter how many miracles Jesus performs people still refuse to believe him. Reality is, I’m going to look pretty foolish on this earth. But, when we all die I’m definitely not going to look foolish. I’m going to say, “I’m with Jesus!” This is why I’m desperate. I want others to experience this with me and not the alternative.

Arms High and Heart Abandoned

It's so easy to be focused on myself. It's so natural. It's so easy to get busy trying to bring God into my activity that I don't even notice Him at work around me. He seeks to redirect my attention, but it's so easy to fall into the trap of evaluating everything by how it affects me. This is the epitome of selfishness.

I'm much less selfish than I used to be, but I'm nowhere near how selfless I want to be.

"But wait a minute, you're a follower of Jesus. You shouldn't be selfish." I know, I know. I'm not perfect, and I'll be the first to tell you. I've never claimed to be. I preach Jesus, not myself.

"Okay, that is hypocritical." I disagree. I never claimed to be perfect. In fact, I admitted that I wasn't. If anything, this increases my passion for Jesus. I know that everyone else is just like me. Human. Everyone else struggles with imperfection too. This is one of the reasons I worship Jesus with arms high and my heart abandoned. Come join me...

SAFETY LAST: Why do you live?

Why do you live? A person? Money? Something else that you own?

Where do you find safety?

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

SAFETY LAST: How do you use money?

If your money could talk, what would it say.

If it could tell how you spend it or save it, what would it say?

SPENDERS AND SAVERS
We often struggle with extremes. Some of us struggle with spending, and others of us struggle with saving. You're probably thinking, "Okay, I understand the spending thing, but struggle with saving? Yes, some people are in bondage to the security that money gives. In other words, some people struggle with storing up money without a purpose out of fear. Money gives the security that is needed instead of God.

THE STRUGGLE FOR SAFETY
This is definitely a motivation issue coupled with a wisdom issue. God doesn't want you to just store up money for no reason, and He also doesn't want you to feel guilty for spending (if it is in balance). If you are wondering where I got this check out Luke 12:16-20. Now, money isn't bad in and of itself. Money is a neutral tool. It can be used for good or evil. God doesn't want us to be in bondage to material y or to the security that money gives.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24).

Money comes and goes, but God remains stable. We are safe in God, not money.

SAFETY LAST: Why do you worry?

Have you ever worried about something? I've worried about my health, finances, economy, diseases, terrorism, jobs, relationships, clothes, car, school, intellect, and probably much more. Worrying is exhausting.

If we decrease our need to feel safe in this world and increase our faith in Jesus, our worrying miraculously diminishes.

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25). Seek first God's kingdom and release the worry up to God. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34).

SAFETY LAST: Where do you live?

Safety first. The concept permeates us. Before we make a decision, we often think "safety first."

For example, we get in our car, "safety first" - we put on our seat belts, drive the speed limit (sometimes), utilize defensive driving, and keep our car in good shape. We lift weights, "safety first" - we get a spotter, wear a belt, put clamps on the bar, and lift with proper form. We get injured, "safety first" - we get first aid, call a doctor, take medicine, and prevent it from happening again. With most of the activities that we do, we think "safety first."

For the most part this is a pretty good mindset, but, unfortunately, we adopt this mindset to our spiritual lives. I submit that we should reverse this thought to "safety last, Jesus first."

As Christians, most of us live life in hopes of arriving at death safely. I'm not suggesting that you become reckless, but instead prioritize on Jesus above safety.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
When I was in middle school, I once arrived home from a friend's house with just enough time to change clothes and make a trip to basketball practice. I casually walked up my driveway only to find out that I forgot my key. Where was it? Inside of my house! I thought...and thought...and thought...and eventually got really angry that I was two feet from my house, but could not get inside of it. I was so close and so far at the same time.

It says in the Bible, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

The "treasure" that I needed for basketball practice was inside of my home, but I could not get it. Our treasure is in heaven. Except, Jesus has given us the key. Still, many of us live like it is on earth. We overemphasize things, places, people, you name it. We try to play it so safe to protect our lives when we are going to die anyway. The odds of dying are pretty stunning - 1 in 1. Once again, this isn't a license to become reckless, but a reminder to become sold out.

If our treasure is in heaven, our lives will reflect it. Lets live like it.

Once Forever

A large portion of our life consists of cleaning. If you're blessed (like my girlfriend Jenn), then you really enjoy it. If not (you're like me), and you really enjoy the fact that it is over!

Think about it. On a daily basis we take a shower, clean our dishes, clean our room (some of us), and clean our car (not all of us). On a weekly basis we typically clean our clothes, clean our house, mow our yard, clean our garden, and wash our car.

We should be pretty well educated about cleaning (Unfortunately). Can you imagine taking one shower that would last the rest of your life? Or, how about doing the laundry one time that would last the rest of your life (PARTAY!!)? It would be nice.

When Jesus came to substitute Himself for us, He paid a price that was so significant it will last forever. He offers the opportunity to come to Him and be cleaned...ONCE FOREVER.

---> Check back tomorrow - we'll be starting a series of blogs discussing how we live life so we can arrive at death safely. You don't want to miss it.

Always

God is ALWAYS there.

God ALWAYS deserves our best effort.

Always.

People will disappoint us, betray us, neglect us, and mistreat us. Some will keep asking for more and offer nothing in return. From our perspective, they don't deserve our love. They don't deserve to be served. They don't deserve to be appreciated. They don't deserve anything.

Question: Do you and I deserve anything?

I'll help you with the easy ones, the answer is no. Both you and I make tons of mistakes and we are disqualified from deserving anything. Somehow and someway, God still loves us. He is still there. He is still present.

I have a tendency to live like God is waiting for me to fail. He's not. Recently, I have felt like He would want to give up on me, because it seems like I make the same mistakes over and over. I questioned Him, "I feel like you are going to give up on me. What if I make another mistake?" I honestly heard Him respond (not audibly, but it might as well have been), "I'll still be here." That changed everything. He ALWAYS deserves our best, even if no one else does.

God is ALWAYS there.

Unstoppable

Philippians 1:19
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

What can stop someone with this attitude? Nothing. Absolutely nothing can stop someone who maintains this attitude daily. No matter what happens to you, continue to rejoice.

We All Need Easter

We all need Jesus, and not the Easter bunny. We all need salvation, and not Easter eggs. I'm not saying that participating in these events is sinful, just keep your perspective about what the holiday signifies.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”- Romans 3:23-24

Sustained

Never give up. There is hope NO MATTER WHAT.

Psalm 3:5
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

God sustains us. He renews us. He revives us. He energizes us. He motivates us. Sometimes life can feel monotonous. Wake up. Work. Sleep. Wake up. Work. Sleep. God will sustain you and give you passion. Seek the Source.

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10

As our trust in God increases, so does our frequency of experiencing Him. Simply put, God rewards those who are faithful. Your faith and experiencing God are directly linked.

How are you doing right now? Don't think about the past, and don't think about the future. How are you managing what God has given you right now? If you have more than you can handle on your plate, maybe you are crowding your schedule with activities that are great candidates for a "to-don't" list. In other words, maybe you're doing some things God hasn't planned for you.

This has always been a difficult part of life for me. I love God, I love people, I love business, I love reading, I love writing, I love drawing, I love doing so many things. Unfortunately, sometimes I overestimate the amount of time that I have. Remember, God has provided just the right amount of time to get done what He has planned for you.

Joy of Salvation

Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Joy of Salvation

Psalm 95:1
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Joy of Salvation

Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Out with the old, In with the new

Romans 7:1-6 (New International Version)

An Illustration From Marriage

¹Do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to men who know the law—that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? ²For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. ³So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man.

⁴So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. ⁵For when we were controlled by the sinful nature," the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. ⁶But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Eager

Wait eagerly.

Galatians 5:5
"But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope."

Philippians 3:20
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ"

How? Wait eagerly:
1) by faith
2) through the Holy Spirit

Waiting eagerly fills us with hope. We experience a sense of expectation and desire for Jesus to come back. This keeps us from both extremes; it keeps us from being: too attached to this world to leave it and too disconnected from this world to reach it.