Say What?

I find it interesting that a TV station broadcasting a ball game will not show a fan running on to a baseball field because it may encourage others to do the same, but during the broadcast they will show people enjoying vodka, beer, casual sex, etc. Apparently those thing are ok and should be encouraged, just don’t violate the shrine of our idol, Sports. What’s wrong with this picture.

The whole world was upset over the verdict of Casey Anthony. (not guilty?) Casey, a young mom who allegedly killed her 2 year old daughter so she could party and pursue her reckless lifestyle. Yet millions of babies have been aborted,( murdered) in the womb for much the same reason. The child will be or is a detriment to the lifestyle I want to live. Where is the justice for that child?

These two things and many others seem to imply we live in a culture with a double standard. We live in a culture that loves to hurl the hypocrisy label at those in the church, but our culture is permeated with such double mindedness.
Is this a commentary on our culture? IF so, our culture is in a sorry state. Lost, without hope. The only hope for the world is Jesus Christ, the one who bore the iniquities of us all, and now offers forgiveness to any who will come to Him in faith alone. No matter who we are or what we have done, there is hope at the foot of the cross. Jesus is our only hope.

Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good”.

Something to think about.


"Your Call is Important to Us!"

They call it a help line, I need help, I think I’ll give them a call. So I call to find help in my time of need, only to be met by those reassuring words, “your call is important to us!” I know it’s a recording but I want to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they really do care. As I sit waiting, listening to some annoying background music, every 3 or 4 minutes a voice breaks through to remind me “your call is very important to us”. After about an hour of this I’m beginning to reconsider the benefit of the doubt I gave them earlier. Twenty times over the last hour I’ve heard “your call is very important to us”. I’ve had it, I’m irritated, annoyed, and I think “us” is out to lunch, or “us” really doesn’t care, or maybe “us” and his buddies are sitting around laughing, taking bets on how long I’ll stay on the line before I hang up. I think if there was truth in advertising this would be engraved on those electronic gadgets we love to buy, "if it doesn’t work, find a quarter and call someone who cares."

Life is filled with disappointment and one of the greatest disappointments is to have a problem and can’t find someone who cares enough to listen. We live in a world packed with knowledge but very little wisdom. We live in a world filled with takers but few givers. We live in a crowded but lonely world. When we reach out for help we get blank stairs, or opinions but little truth. We live in a very individualistic society where every one is lost in their facebook, ipods, twitter, Skype, cell phones and video games. Surrounded by people but they are all somewhere else. We have questions, we need help, but no one has any answers and the people who do keep saying our call is important to them but I need more than that, PICK UP THE PHONE. So we hang up go to our room wondering does anyone care, does anyone have time to listen, does anyone have the answers I need.

There is a wonderful verse in Proverbs that every Christian should rejoice in. It is a simple verse, sets forth a principle we all know but can easily forget.

Proverbs 15:29 “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

God hears the prayers of his saints. God hears the prayers of his saints immediately, no need to wait, no need to wonder, no need to worry. When believers go tho the throne of grace to find help in their time of need God hears their prayer. That is His promise to his children. God has answers, God has power, God has wisdom, and God wants to give it to us. WE are never truly alone.

In the office facing that tough decision God is there and he hears the prayer of the righteous, have you asked Him for wisdom. In that relationship that is struggling and we don’t know how much longer we can go on, God hears the prayer of the righteous have you asked him for strength to carry on? Books have been written on prayer, so I don't’ need to go on. But just a reminder for us today.

Our God cares about us and He always has time for us and we have a direct line to the Father through his son Jesus Christ who opened up the way through the blood of his cross. The LORD hears the prayer of the righteous.

So talk with him. Thank him. Yes we can go to God in our time of need, but sometimes we just need to go and talk to Him because we can, because we love Him, we don't need anything or want anything, we just want to be with Him. What a friend we have in Jesus, our prayers are always important to Him.

I'll Do it This Way.

It is amazing how many principles in the book of Proverbs are stated more than once. If God takes the time to say something twice we really need to snap to attention and take heed because there is something here God does not want us to miss. One such example is Proverbs 14:12 and 16:24 where we read these words


“There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.”

God has a warning here for us. For me. It is a warning about the kind of person I am by nature.
You see there is a way that seems right and I know what that way is he’s talking about. It is the best way, it is the logical way, it is the way everyone else does it, it’s the popular way, but to boil it down to two words - the way that seems right is “MY WAY”. I love my way, I think my way is best. The way I drive the car is the right way to drive it, the way I choose to raise my children is the right way to raise children, the way I choose to do church is the right way, how I choose to educate my children is the right way, how I choose to live morally is the right way. How I choose to “do religion” is the right way. But here is the key point - It’s the right way because it is “MY WAY”. And I’ll get very upset if someone tries to convince me otherwise. But maybe that’s just me!

That’s how we think is it not? No one deliberately tries to raise their children the wrong way. No one deliberately chooses to believe a false gospel, etc. We make choices because we believe they are right, and often our reasoning is as simple as this - we deem our action right because if it wasn’t I wouldn’t have done it that way.

That's the reasoning of a deluded heart and mind blinded to truth, a person wandering around in the dark making choices about things not truly understood. Yet man, blinded by his pride, chooses to stake his life, his children, his eternity on the fact that if it seems right to me then it’s right.

We don’t like to be wrong. We don’t like to stand corrected. There is a way that seems right to a man and we take it every time. “MY WAY”.

That ‘s how fallen man reasons in his heart. That’s how the children of Israel lived in Judges where it says “that every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

If you had a world filled with people who all thought like this imagine the horror, the violence, the wars and lawlessness, the immorality, the false religion, it would be like living, well it would be like living in our world today. Imagine how the newspapers would read in such a world. If your wondering pick up today's paper and read it. The end of such thinking leads to destruction, heartache, despair, loneliness, death, and ultimately hell.

The writer of Proverbs says and all of scripture affirms, that those who sing “I did it my way” will face death, not just the grave but eternal condemnation if they die without saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ said I am the way, the truth and the Life no one comes to the father but by me. John 14;6
Jesus says follow me, follow my way and you will find life. It is not something earned it is a gift of grace purchased for us on the cross of Jesus Christ where he died for our sins, our “MY WAY” anti God, life style and all the baggage (sins) that goes with that.
The way that seems right ’MY WAY” is wrong, the way that seems wrong “GOD’S WAY” is right. Which way will you choose?

Age Limits

I think everyone would agree that the people we choose to hang out with have a great impact on our lives. Certainly the book of Proverbs has several verses that drive this point home. One such verse in Probers 13:20

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Walking with the wise helps us become wise. This happens as we listen to the words of the wise, as we learn how they make decisions, witness their thought process. When you walk with a person you learn to walk at their pace, you witness their priorities, you see the places they frequent, people they choose to hang with. You see the principles they live by in their lives, marriage, parenting and in their walk with the Lord. All very important lessons for people to learn. But I’m afraid this is a dynamic few seem to be experiencing.

We live in a very segregated society. We are a society segregated by age. Sadly this attitude has even worked its way into the Church. Adolescents hang around adolescents, teens hang out with teens, young adults hang with young adults seniors hang with seniors. The Church keeps these groups separated from each other. Our socials, teaching, even our worship sometimes is aimed at these age groups separately instead of seeing how we can integrate them for the benefit of all. When this happens the whole dynamic of what Proverbs sets forth in this verse is lost.

I think one of the great needs today is integration not segregation. Discipleship or mentoring happens when those with experience, (wisdom) teach those who are younger and less experienced. If 10 adolescents get together to discuss life and what is important, or just hang out, there is not going to be a whole lot of useful information shared that is going to increase the wisdom of those in the group. Wisdom implies experience, maturity, spiritual understanding, knowledge of the Word of God etc. But take the same group and add a few mature saints into the mix, and if these kids are willing to listen they can learn a great deal about life.

Proverbs says foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child. Filling a room with children does not alter that principle. If foolishness = 0 wisdom, it doesn't matter what you multiply that number by, 2 or 200, the total = 0. For example, A football team of 40 men who have each played football for one year does not add up to a football team with 40 years of experience. 20 couples meeting together who have been married for 1 year does not add up to 40 years of marital experience and wisdom. 10 Parents with a one year old child getting together to talk about parenting are not bringing 10 years of parenting to the table. One couple married for 40 years will have more wisdom than 20 couples married for one year.

Lack of experience x lack of experience does not equal experience. But sadly in our churches we seem to think it does. These kinds of segregated groups often translate into nothing more than the pooling of ignorance not wisdom. I understand that it is nice to be with people who are in the same stage of life, there is nothing wrong with that. But add some couples with grown children, to the mix or add a couple who’ve been married for 40 or 50 years to the mix and now you have something that is going to lead to wise parenting, some good marriage counsel. You have the receipt for wisdom being passed down to the next generation.

I’ll admit it is more enjoyable to hang with people your own age. There are times when that is advisable and perfectly understandable. But listen to what The Psalmist says in Psalm 71:18
“So even to old age and gray hairs,O God, do not forsake me,until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

Who does this old, gray haired saint want to proclaim God’s might to? Other old, gray haired saints? No, but to another generation, a younger generation who needs to learn what experience and walking with God for years have taught this wise old saint.

Churches should be a place where ages are integrated. Wisdom is passed on from generation to generation. Segregating by age may be culturally acceptable, easier and less threatening, but it destroys a very important spiritual dynamic that needs to take place in all of our lives. The need to learn wisdom. The need to walk with the wise. A young couple with young kids would do well to befriend an older couple who have raised their own children well. Spend time with them, listen to them, ask them questions . Older couples need to befriend young couples to help and encourage them.
Something to think about.

"Under the Circumstances?"

Something you will no doubt hear said this thanksgiving is "I would be thankful but under the circumstances it's too hard." It’s easy to give thanks for the fun things, the things that make our lives trouble free, the things that we enjoy. That list is a very long list. But as believers there is something far more important going on in our lives than the superficial fun stuff that the world celebrates. The Christian has learned or is learning that the most important thing going on in their life is on the inside not outside. God is working to conform me into the image of his Son Jesus Christ. Wow. When we understand this we begin to look at circumstances differently. We begin to recognize that our God is working all things for good. However, that good is not financial prosperity or good health or a life with no setbacks or problems. The good that God is working in us is Christlikeness, there is no higher good.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28-29 ESV)

When we begin to wrap our minds around this glorious principle we begin to give thanks not just for the good “stuff” but also for the things that cause us pain because we realize that they come from a loving Father’ s hand and are sent not to condemn us but to conform us into Christlikeness. Learning this lesson allows me to say with David, Paul and others...


It is good for me that I was afflicted,that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71 ESV

For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:10-11 ESV)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV)

Boasting in our weakness, being able to say it is good that I was afflicted, understanding God disciplines us for our good means that on thanksgiving I can truly give thanks in everything. My life is not in the hands of random fate, chance, or some disease but rather my life is in the hands of a loving God and nothing touches me unless it passes through Him first. Anything that drives me to my knees, weakens my flesh and helps me understand God’s Word is a good thing. So give thanks with a grateful heart. Why?

“I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

Don't forget to say "Thank you"

Tomorrow is thanksgiving, but as I write that it makes me wonder what today was. Was not today supposed to be filled with thanksgiving as well? The obvious answer the biblical answer is yes. And it was to some degree, just as tomorrow will be to some degree. At least i recall saying thank you a couple times yesterday and even today. I think the great battle in our lives as believers is being honest enough to admit how much there is in this life we just take for granted. Things like family, friends, food to eat, nice homes to live in, children, grandchildren. We enjoy relatively good health, live in a free country, are able to read our bibles, worship, and witness without fear of imprisonment or worse. These are all good things, and there are many more to numerous to mention. James tells us “that every good thing comes down from the Father of lights in whom there is no shadow of turning.” So all these good things are from God. My taking them for granted robs God of the praise and thanksgiving He so rightly deserves. So why do we do it? Why do we take all these good things for granted, why do we fail to give God the Thanksgiving for all these things. The answer is as sad as it is simple. The answer - We think we deserve all the good things we get. We fail to see ourselves as who we truly are and in light of what we truly deserve. We don’t thank our boss for giving us our paycheck. We deserve it. He owes it to us. And If I am to be honest with myself that is the attitude I carry around with me far to often when it comes to the good things God has brought into my life. I really believe I deserve them. They are not gifts of grace they are wages I think I deserve. But how deluded we can be. If you want to test yourself to see if this is true in you - take note of how you react when things don’t go like you think they should , or one of these good things is taken out of your life. If your like me you are tempted to react like we would if our boss said he was not going to pay us this week. We would be angry and upset, WE DESERVE TO BE PAID, YOU OWE IT TO ME. The reality is, we deserve nothing from God but judgement, but instead he gave us His Son to die in our place because he loves us. Then he blesses us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, adopts us into his family, give us His Spirit to indwell us and empower us, and blesses us daily in ways to numerous to mention. And it is all because of HIS amazing grace not my merit. Thanksgiving should make us sit and reflect about all the good things in our life. They are all from God. They begin at the cross and flow outward from that. Without the cross we are lost, hell bound sinners. People who do no good, do not seek God but only the things God gives. People who are self-centered, self serving, self-legislating, self-deceived into believing we are something when in reality we are nothing. Paul said he would boast in nothing save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such a life understands what it means to give thanks. This thanksgiving don't’ just go through the motions of being thankful. May our thanksgiving flow from a heart touched by God’s love, changed by God’s grace and resting in his finished work on the cross, amazed at what God has done and continues to do in our lives. Give thanks …”for the Lord is Good, and HIs steadfast love endures forever.”

"Playing with Fire"

There is nothing like the crackle of a nice warm fire on a cold winters night. There is nothing like the hot glowing embers of charcoal as they turn red indicating they are ready to cook that nice thick T-Bone. Fire is good in the fireplace, red hot charcoal is good in the barbecue. That’s where they belong. I got out my owners manual the other day and was reading it over and I noticed a glaring omission. No where in it does it tell me that I should not take those red hot coals and put them on the ground and walk on them in my bare feet. Shouldn’t there be such a warning? The obvious answer is no. People understand that to walk on hot coals or to take a burning log out of the fireplace and embrace it is to ask for a world of hurt. It would inflict excruciating pain and scars that would last a lifetime. Some truths are indeed self-evident. When it comes to the spiritual realm we find things not quite so cut and dried or self-evident. That is by design, not God’s design but Satan’s. God’s truth is not hard to understand, so Satan has to make us believe either God really doesn’t say what he means or else he didn’t say it in the first place. Remember the Garden of Eden, Satan’s little dig to Eve “Did God really say that?” The attack continues today against the Word of God. The attacks against the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture. The twisting of scripture to make it say what we want it to. Sadly today even in the church few people seem to know what scripture says and of those that do many don’t take it seriously. It gets brushed off with the simple little phrase, “that’s your opinion!” So the Word of God is relegated to the back seat and man takes the wheel and is driving himself to Heartbreak Hotel. Nowhere is this more evident than in the whole matter of morality. Specifically extramarital and premarital sex. Proverbs says can man take fire into his bosom and not be burned, the obvious answer is no. The context is the affair, fornication. Can man violate God’s moral laws and not get burned? NO. We see this in the teen world everywhere. The slogans on and the lifestyles of teens on tv could be summed up like this “say no to drugs and yes to sex”. Satan is destroying our youth not with drugs but with sex. I believe the rampant drug and alcohol abuse we seen in so many teens today and the suicide rates give evidence that the drugs and alcohol are being used to deaden the pain of a guilty conscience. Trying to wipe away the pain of being used and tossed aside like a dirty rag. When man violates God’s laws regarding morality he sins against his own body and something happens inside a person when that happens. Read Proverbs 5-7 and you will see it clearly described. Satan is very clever and he is convincing us the problem is drugs when really drugs is a symptom of the problem. You cannot take fire into your bosom and not be burned. There are a lot of hurting kids out there who have been deceived. But Christ offers forgiveness to those who will come to him. He will wash us and make us clean he will forgive us and set us free. Christ bore our sin , our guilt and our shame on His cross and he says come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. God means what he says in His word. If we ignore it or twist it we are the ones who will pay the price. Satan always takes the wonderful gifts God has given us (sex for example) and tries to get us to believe his ways are better for us than God’s ways. But he is a liar. All those who believe his lies pay a heavy price in this life and unless they repent and turn to Christ they will pay and even greater price when they stand before God one day in judgement. The moral state of the church today not just in youth but across the board is tragic. Divorce, families breaking up, marriages struggling to survive, children confused about morality - why? We have embraced a lie. We have trusted the devil instead of God. We have become wise in or own eyes. I realize books have been written on this and this is a small little paragraph in an ocean of opinions and words. But we need to get back to God’s word and believe it, but even more so we need to obey it. If we know these things happy are we if we do them. Fire is good where it belongs and serves a wonderful purpose but if miss used can bring hurt and pain that can last a lifetime. The same is true of morality. God says sex is for those who are married and in that context it is very good. Misuse it and the hurt can last a lifetime. Examples to support this are to numerous to mention. Take the high road, God’s road, the narrow road when it comes to morality and you will be blessed by God. Yes, the world will mock but they do not know why they stumble, they are the blind leading the blind. So trust and obey and you will know God’s blessing because he always says what he means, and means what he says. This truth needs to once again become self-evident in the church of Jesus Christ.