Category: faith

inside the fire

Posted in faithLeave a comment

inside the fire logoOur theme for FUEL Student Ministries in 2009-2010 is inside the fire. You are aware that there are times of trial or testing for even just standing up for your faith at school or wherever. In Daniel 3:28 when king Nebuchadnezzar says, “praised be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago… who were willing to give up even their own lives rather than worship anyone but Him”

These dudes were lights in their world and it is our choice to shine (or stand inside the fire) in such a way that others around us will say “praised be the God of [insert name] who will do anything for their God.” Thus our vision and passion this year is to challenge one another to be bold to stand out and stand in the fire for our God.

FUEL Student Ministries kicks off again on September 2nd @ 6:30pm. We are looking forward to an exciting Fall and hope many will join us in the action.

this is it: MJ version

Posted in faith, gospelTagged , , , 1 Comment

The title of my blog is, “we got IT good.”

So what is IT anyway?

Being a child of the 80’s of course I was a fan on Michael Jackson. I would hum his tunes, practice the moonwalk (but couldn’t figure out that anti-gravity move), and was enamored by his story. Most agree he was a music and dance genius. There was a fascinating mystery surrounding his life. From a five-year-old boy he was a star. He had record-breaking fame, wealth that is unfathomable, but tainted by private scandalous and outrageous debt. His private life was a mystery, but his following very public. He was idolized icon.

this is it

In March, MJ announced that he was launching a final tour, THIS IS IT. I wonder if THIS IS IT is more of a question than a statement? Rather than this is it! Could the king of pop think, “This is it?”

This is IT: the GOSPEL.

What is the gospel?

Put simply, the gospel means “good news”- which IT is! The gospel is good news because IT is God-centered not people-centered. Salvation is a gift from God that is freely received purely by faith. If our eternal life was achieved by good works or obeying the Ten Commandments, it wouldn’t be good news at all! Why? Because that’s like someone offering a gift, then asking you to pay for it. Also, if we tried to get into heaven by our own good deeds, we all would fall short. The gospel is the message of freedom and salvation.

The basis of the gospel.

The basis of the gospel is the cross of Jesus Christ. Without His death there would be no good news! God the Father poured out His wrath for all of mankind’s sin on His own Son. When Jesus died, the penalty of death for your sin and mine was paid completely. He died in our place. This fact is the foundation of Christianity. Because He died we will never die! Because He rose from the dead we will live forever! The only requirement for receiving this eternal life is complete faith in Christ.

Do you believe Jesus is IT?

real question: miracle?

Posted in faith, questionsTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

question-door1Ned Anzers: I would certainly believe God is real if He would show me a sign. Why doesn’t God just give me a miracle?

We all love magic tricks. We know that they are just illusions, but they still fascinate us into believing they are real. Jesus was no magician. No doubt He was the real deal. The miracles He did were seen and experienced by many. Some of His miracles include: Calming a storm, feeding 5,000 people with 5 pieces of bread and 2 fish, walking on water, turning water into wine, healing the sick, paralyzed and blind, and raising a person from the dead.

Why did Jesus do miracles? Certainly it wasn’t to show how cool He was, but to help others believe He was God. Miracles did catch the attention of those watching. So why doesn’t God do similar miracles today as He did through Jesus? If He did certainly everyone would believe in God, right?

To answer this question I will to zero in on one of Jesus miracles. It was the last, but the greatest miracle of Jesus’ public ministry. Lazarus was a friend of Jesus and sister to Mary (the prostitute). There is nothing fishy about this miracle. Jesus simply says in three words, “Lazarus, come out!” and a man wrapped in grave clothes comes out of his tomb, not as a mummy but back from the dead. Jesus doesn’t do this I secret, but a crowd of people saw the miracle (John 11:1-44).

There are some general principles to be wrought from this miracle of Jesus.

First, Jesus purposed for Lazarus to die.

He delayed in coming (v.6). He could have prevented Lazarus’ death as Mary and Martha believed (vs.21, 32), but He chose to let Lazarus die. God purposes things to happen in your life to see how much you trust Him.

Second, Jesus Loved Lazarus (vs.3, 5).

He loved them because He knew them very well. Throughout the text Jesus was outwardly affectionate toward his friend, “deeply moved in the spirit”, “troubled”, “wept” (vs.33-38). Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, he felt sorrow for Lazarus’ loved ones and those who still did not believe. God loves you too because He knows you very well.

Third, Jesus delay and the death of Lazarus was for the Glory of God (v.4).

God is glorified by the demonstration of His power (v.25-26 “I AM the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”) And God is glorified by the demonstration of your faith (vs.14-15 “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” / v.40 “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” / v.45 “therefore many…put their faith in Him.”). Jesus purposes things to happen in your life to show His glory.

So why doesn’t God do a similar miracle today so that people would believe in Him? Well look are verse 12:37, “Jesus did all these miracles in their presence they still would not believe in Him.” It is true, after Jesus many recorded miracles people still didn’t believe that He was God.

Jesus miracles were not done to amaze us, but to show how amazing God is. The miracle is not so much what Jesus did, but who He is. Miracles illustrate a deeper truth about Jesus. After Jesus feed the 5,000 people with a little boys lunch He says, “I Am the Bread of life.” To this the disciples replied, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” It is not that they did not get what Jesus was saying or doing, since they could still taste the miracle on their very tongues, rather they did not like the implications of His miracles on their lives.

Some might say, ‘Sure Jesus did miracles, but I don’t have to believe He is God.’ You’re right. However, the greatest miracle He wants to do in you is one that He did in me, rescue you from death and bring you into new-life.  Will you trust that Jesus is the “Resurrection and the Life”? (John 11:25-26)

real questions: faith?

Posted in faith, questionsTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

question-mark1Ned Anzers: Isn’t faith a psychological crutch?

To answer this question we must answer a series of questions:

What is faith?

Faith is the believing in the unknown. Heb.11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We all show faith each day in things that are unknowable. You have put faith in your car that it will get you from point A to B. You have faith that George Washington was really the first President of the USA. You put faith in the fact that the very chair you are sitting in will hold you up.

What is our basis of faith?

The Bible was written that we might have faith. John 20:30-31 says, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Faith has a source, which is His Word: the Bible. The Bible never encourages us to have faith in someone or something we can know nothing about. Rather it does the opposite, it asks us to have faith in One we can know. The Bible helps us know and examine the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

crutch-crossWhy do I need faith?

Faith fills what is lacking in my life. Jesus says inMatt. 9:12, “But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” I am spiritually sick and faith is for the weak. When you look at the world can you honestly say everything is alright. A person that believes that is more blind that a person who has faith in God.

Since I am sick I need spiritual help. In Matt. 11:28-29 Jesus meets this need by saying, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

So isn’t faith for the weak?

Faith calls you to die to yourself. Now Jesus gives a unique challenge in Luke 9:23-24: “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” God calls a person of faith to a radical life. He doesn’t promise that faith in Him is an easy-cheesy life, rather it will be difficult. Imagine what the image of the cross brought to mind of a person in Jesus day. It would be like a noose or electric chair to us today. Yikes. [Note: The example of Paul (2 Cor.11:24-27), no he is not insane (Acts 26:24-29).]

Faith in Christianity is not blind faith at all. In fact, it is faith in the knowable and personable Jesus Christ that was a real historical figure, really written about and really is who He says He is. Faith is not a psychological crutch. Faith is for the weak and the doubter, the skeptics and the atheist.

taco bell theology

Posted in faith, God, joy, sin, theologyTagged , , , Leave a comment

Earlier today I was craving a chili cheese burrito. So I decided to head over to Taco Bell for lunch. Why does TB always sound so good, but you hate yourself for days afterwards?

It got me thinking. Taco Bell is a lot like sin. Okay, weird, I know. Just trust me on this.

Sin is fun. In the moment, sin sounds like a good idea. Just like my idea of Taco Bell: I could not resist the hankering for an ooey-gooey chili cheesy burrito (by the way, is that real meat in there?). It tasted so good going down. Mmm, yummy. However, it wasnt but a few minutes later that I already started feeling yucky and questioning why I had made such an idiotic decision. So it is with sin. The after taste of sin is disgusting, unsatisfying and leaving you with an empty gut of guilt. You see, sin is worse than silly Taco Bell. The Bible says, sin separates us from God and that sin is a slap in His face to the satisfying joy He desires us to have (Rom.3:23; 6:23).

I might be thinking outside the bun on this, but God is so more satisfying than Taco Bell. There is no comparison. Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” When we do not satisfy our hungers with God it is like eating 10 bean burritos at one sitting and expecting to run a marathon immediately afterwards. It ain’t happening.

I am incredibly thankful that God forgives us of our sin, cleans us from all unrighteousness and is more satisfying to the soul than anything on this planet. I am also thankful for the guy at the bank who gave me a breath mint!?

real questions: God?

Posted in faith, God, opinion, questionsTagged , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

We as human beings have questions. Big questions. Significant questions. Questions about life, God, and the future. As a pastor, I often get questions from people inside and outside our church. These questions are real and expect real answers. I will begin a series of blog-entries that show some of these questions and seek to provide them with biblical answers.

Ned Anzers: I think that the largest reason I believe in God is because I was taught to. If I were born in an Islamic, Jewish, or atheistic family I think it is safe to say I would be what I was taught. Surely this is not what God wants my faith in him to be founded. In the past I have asked myself why I believe in God and have found ‘answers’ but after deliberating on them I no longer feel they  hold any weight. My question is this: Why do you believe in God?

This is a very good question. Can I ask you a question in return?

How is your belief in God different than your relationship with God?

To answer your question, I will give you both a short and a long answer.

Why do I believe in God? In short, I choose to believe in God. That’s my snapshot answer. If it is not satisfying I will try to give you a clearer panoramic picture of why I choose God. Actually, it is more like He chose me…

The long story:

I grew up in a home that believed and taught about God. We were Catholic (by title and church attendance). My priest baptized me as a baby, yet I don’t remember a thing because I wasn’t even old enough to eat smashed carrots. I went to Catholic mass every week because my grandparents took (and sometimes dragged) me there. I went to Catholic Sunday School (called Catechism), and had my first communion. We called ourselves Christians, but I had no understanding what that meant. I believed in God too.

As I grew older church became less satisfying. God was still real, but less desirable. There was this disconnect between God and me. God was like some cosmic grandfather that I never talked to or understood. He was like some story my family told me, but almost like He was an ancestral fairytale. Little did I know this was a very small and insignificant view of a very big God.

I was a troubled kid. I had an appetite for attention. I didn’t “feel” like I received it at home, so I was sort of a class clown around school. I was well liked by my peers. I was a friend to all kinds of people. I truly treasured the attention I received from my peers. When the attention would wear off, I would do something wild and crazy to get attention. It would draw a crowd and satisfy my tastes buds for a bit, but more often I would get into trouble.

My quest for attention led me to friends that were bad influences and not law abiding. I found myself doing things I never intended or desired to do just to be around people that I thought cared. These friends introduced and diverted my attention to girls, pornography and vandalism. Note: I was still involved in church and considered a rather good kid. Overall, inside and out, I was left feeling empty, lost, confused, full of questions, needing hope, and handicapped by my guilt. I was to the point of thinking suicidal thoughts. God seemed even more distant.

My parents took me to see a local psychologist. This ended up being a waste of money. The school enrolled me in special classes. The only thing this meant was getting picked up early for school by the short-bus. I was both embarrassed and frustrated with my life.

In junior high, my mom and step-dad moved. I lived further away from my dad, which really broke my heart. Life seemed like it couldn’t get any worse.

We started going to a different kind of church because my mom and step-dad were dissatisfied with the churches of their youth. I did what most kids do: went to church because I had to. There was something about this Wausau Bible Church that was different than St. Al’s. First, most everybody had a Bible. Second, most everybody was friendly. Third, most everybody talked about God or with God as if He was a close companion. This all seemed very strange to me. On the other hand, I was quite curious. We continued to go. We bought Bibles, even though I could not understand it. I got plugged into the youth group and learned new things about God that I never knew before.

I remember clearly some of the lessons from my junior high boys Sunday School class. Here are 3 that I challenged my thinking and ripened my heart:

Judges 3:1-15

Not only a weird story about a fat king, but a lesson on Idolatry. The people are testing God. God is ready to hear their cries and deliver, but there is a need for a deeper deliverance than they desire. They desire deliverance from their situation, when God desires they to have a spiritual Deliverer. This passage gave me a radical view of Gods purposes. I need Him. I need a Deliverer. I have idols in my life that have taken His place.

Psalm 27

This song of David is a BIG picture view of life, not just reactive living. David is incredibly honest with God. He is living in a world of trouble [enemies, rejection, fear, etc]. Yet among all the trouble he is God centeredness [v.4, 14]. That is incredibly weird. I had to ask myself the question: when trouble comes where does my heart go? Not to God, but my attention in stuff or silliness that did not satisfy.

Colossians 2:1-15 

This passage hit me square between the eyes and stuck my heart with the present active benefits of God here and now. It showed me how a life without God is foolishness [vs.1-5]. I am victimized by my own foolishness. It showed me the power I have over sin in Christ [v.9]. The indwelling presence of God is given to do what He has called me to do. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me…and gave Himself for me. It shows me the freedom of having a relationship with Christ [v.13-14]. I do not have to hide, live in shame, worry about exposure, because Christ forgives all my sin, weakness and guilt. No more fatalism.

I was left with God, I thought “I really didn’t know Him,” but ached in my heart to have a relationship with Him.  I did not treasure Him, but knew only He could satisfy my loneliness and desire for attention. Instead of seeking His attention, I sought to put my attention on Him. It was then I fully understood I needed a Redeemer/Deliverer/Savior. I was lost, but now He found me. Thus, in July 1992, I humbled my view of self and my view of God. No longer did I believe in Him, but I began a relationship with Him.

Well, that’s the long version of His Story with me. Like you, I wonder what if I was born into a Hindu, Muslim, or Jewish family. Would I believe the Truth? Would God in His grace rescue me from a bogus view of God? Then I wonder, why did He choose me? All I can answer is, “Alleluia!!” I thank God that He did! I pray that I would be used to help others see God is real and that He desires a relationship with them.

I would encourage you to take ownership of your belief in God [Acts 16:31]. Take your parents teaching on God and make it your own.

too busy

Posted in Bible, faith, God, Jesus, opinionTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment
“We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services, but few conversions; much machinery, but few results.” -R.A. Torrey, How to Obtain Fullness of Power  
 
Busyness or fruitfulness-that is the question… Is your life full of meaningful activities or just busy activities? 
 
It’s easy to be involved in many different efforts and good causes, but the truth is, busyness does not guarantee fruitfulness. It also does not authenticate the fact that I am in God’s will. It is the quality of what our lives produce that determines whether or not we are truly fruitful. 
 
One good way to help determine if you are being fruitful or just busy is by asking yourself some questions like: 
 
Am I spending my time doing what helps fulfill God’s purposes for life?
Am I doing what I really desire to do?
Am I using my God-given gifts and talents?
Am I being controlled and pressured by circumstances and expectations of others?
Do I see concrete results-good fruit-from my busyness? 
 
Being fruitful begins with putting God first. John 15:5 says, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much fruit. However, apart from Me you can do nothing. 
 
In Luke 10:38-42, we read the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was very busy serving, even serving Jesus. She got angry because her sister sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him talk instead of being busy helping her serve. Jesus’ response to Martha was that Mary had chosen the best thing to do at that time-sit and listen to Him.  
 
I can be a lot like Martha. I have to constantly be busy doing something, even busy serving God. It does take long to figure out that this busyness can have bad effect on your relationship with God and others. While being busy I didn’t want to sit and listen to God, and it made me very angry when others did. Why? They aren’t busy accomplishing “things” like you.  
 
You can never do everything you want. And certainly you cannot do anything on your own strength very long before needing to rely upon the everlasting reserves of Jesus Christ. 
 
Busyness often has its roots in pride. It says, “Look at me, look at all that I can do, and see how busy I am.” If you pride yourself on your busy schedule or ability to juggle a packed day timer, you have a problem with busyness. Make time for God. Be still and wait upon Him. This may be the hardest thing for you to do, but in the midst of busyness it is the most fruitful thing. 
 

The Gift of Worship

Posted in cross, faith, God, Jesus, music, quotes, worshipTagged , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment
Worship
Worship s a huge thing.
We look forward to worship every week.
When the music includes one of our favorites, we say, “The worship was great!”
When the music stinks, we yawn and wonder why the worship wasn’t very good.
We leave churches because of the “worship style”.
Worship s a huge thing. 
 
Have you ever wondered if we’re more concerned with what worship does FOR us
And less concerned with the Object of our worship?
It seems like it’s more about what we GET not what we GIVE.
It would be like taking a gift to a friend’s birthday party, but keeping it for ourselves.
 
Worship is all about GIVING our lives (again) to God. 
Worship is not about the feeling we receive when we sing.
Worship is not about convincing God to bless us.
Worship is not about whether or not the guitar is too loud.
Worship is not about what’s happening on the stage.
Worship is not about entertainment, lighting or sound.
 
Worship is not about us at all.
IT’S NOT ABOUT US.
It’s about Him.
And we enter through the gateway of the cross.
At the cross, we surrender, love, cry, dream, give up, shut up, kneel, confess.
We look to God, and place Him about all else
Because He is worth it! 
 
Live gets crazy and painful.
No one can deny that.
Job stress, divorce, death, addictions, parenting, loneliness.
No one is asking you to pretend that those things aren’t affecting you.
DON’T PRETEND.
You’re just being invited to bring that stuff to the cross, and to simply gaze at Jesus.
And as you look at Him, allow your response to be
Worship 
 
-unknown
 
 

quit church

Posted in church, faithTagged , , , , , , , 2 Comments
Why do so many young adults quit church? 
 
Three out four young adults walk away from the church. Their is a laundry list of reasons why they walk away from the church: they want a break (27%), church is too judgmental (26%), they move away to college (25%), busy with work (23%). And I would add to this list that churches today lack a ministry that reaches out to young adults. So no wonder they wander off to find something else that will cater to their “needs”.
 
On the positive side, the 30 percent who kept attending church cited solid spiritual reasons, including: “it’s vital to my relationship with God” (65%) and church “helps guide my everyday decisions” (58%)
 
Quiting church during your college and early career years can cause a lot of problems in ones future life. The years between 18 and 25 young adults are making some of the biggest decisions of their lives: living on your own, college, marriage, family, etc. If God is not in these decisions, it is a recipe for hardship. Not to mention, the future of the church is weakened without the involvement of today’s young adults. When you remove the Solid Rock foundation it is difficult to lean on anything else.
 
I want to make a plea to all young adults: don’t be a quiter. I want to take liberty in quoting a popular rapper from the 1980’s: Church, it’s  “too legit, too legit to quit”-M.C. Hammer
 
Stats taken from USA Today newspaper August 6, 2007 

the slump

Posted in faith, friends, sportsTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment
It is really embarrassing to strike out in slow pitch softball. The ball comes in nice and SLOW, not to mention a softball is twice as big as a baseball.
The night was going great. I had a double and an in the park homerun. Our team was winning. All was about to change, for me. I suppose it all went to my head, I thought I could crush every ball to the fence. The only thing that got crushed was my pride. Whiff! The next 5 at-bats I struck out. Sure I could make the excuse that it was one-pitch league, that I was tired, or that the pitcher was good (throwing them low and short, which really gets me drooling). I was so frustrated with myself. I wanted to throw the bat, curse like a sailor, and sit on the bench in a pout. But the team wouldn’t let me…
The other players on my church softball team came along side me and saught to encourage me. Rollie, the coach, gave me some back-to-the-basics pointers like, “Keep your eye on the ball…follow through with your swing…step-up in the box…forget about your last up-to-bat” He really encouraged me.
I was having what baseball calls a slump. I was determined to shake this slump with the encouragement of my teammates. My next at-bat I step up to the plate, took my stance in the front of the batters box, picked up my elbows, looked to the sky for strength from my God, and then watch the pitch slowly reach the plate. I swung. Crack! The ball made contact with the bat and rifled over the shortstops head. Base hit. You would have thought I won the game. I almost cried. My teammates were cheering, and I was relieved because the strikeout slump was over.
Slumps happen in others places than softball or baseball. They can happen in life. Have you ever been in a spiritual slump? I know, I have. How do you get out of a spiritual slump? The same way you get out of a sporting slump…by getting back to the basics, by surround yourself with teammates that will cheer you on and encourage you to get back to the plate and hit that ball. Nothing is more satisfying that sticking to the game through the slump, stepping up the the plate, and keeping your eye on the Prize–JesusChrist.

less is more

Posted in faith, GodTagged , , , 1 Comment
less is more: less of me, more of God
 
“God, I want to step it up in my faith!” This was my cry as I came across these familiar, yet refreshing verses of Scripture…
 
Mark 10:42-45. An apostle makes a strange, but striking comment about Jesus’ purpose, which reveals His true character. He says, “He [Jesus] came not to be served, but to serve.” What? How could the God of the universe or the King of all kings not come to earth to be served? Jesus took the form of a waiter and even a slave to show that life is all about giving of oneself not receiving.
 
Luke 9:46-48. Jesus breaks up an argument among His disciples who were trying to prove who was the greatest man among their posy. Before they started to really duke it out, Jesus steps in and says, “Whoever is least among you will be the greatest.” In other words, make less of yourselves and more of Me.
 
We live in a culture today that’s national anthem is “Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, mmmeeeee!!!” However, we never read in the Bible that this is to be our theme. On the contrary our motto is to be “God first”, “You rule”, or simply “You God!”
 
Remember what John said, “He must increase and I must decrease.” [John 3:30]
 
In fact, the Scripture explains a lot about who I am. Paul’s says it best when he says he is the “scum of the earth.” I am a sinner. I do not deserve for a minute the position that I have before God. I didn’t earn it. I didn’t buy it. And I sure wasn’t good enough for it. Yet, Jesus Christ has allowed me to have a right standing before Him all because of what He has done for me.
 
After four years of ministry at Battle Ground Bible Church I am starting to get comfortable. I know the church, and they know me. Comfort is not always a good thing. I don’t want to get to comfortable. I believe God always want us out of our comforts zone and step in up in our faith. So out of this comfort a new vision for my walk with Christ and our youth ministry was born.
 
LESS IS MORE. < = >
 
Less of me. My identity is Christ. There is nothing about myself to be proud of or to boast in. If anything my pride and boasting is in Christ.
 
More of God. His purpose is making Himself known. So my purpose must be in sync with His. I am to make God famous. When people look at me, they are to see less of me, and more of God.
 
So are you with me in this great cause to make more of God and less of us?
 
 
photo-3.jpg

follow the LEADER

Posted in faith, GodTagged , , , Leave a comment

Remember the game you use play in elementary school Follow the Leader? It was the activity where you would follow or mimic another student in class and doing whatever they would do no matter how strange or crazy it got..

Leaders are everywhere! They are at school, church, work, TV, sports. But are they all worth following?

A leader is “One who provides guidance and direction for others.”

You follow someone or something. Who or what would that be? How would you describe their leadership? How does their leadership help you? Does their leadership hurt or hinder you? There are many leaders around us. They lead us in many different ways. Some good and some bad.

As Christians, do we need a leader to follow? Yes. As we will look at in a moment God always leads His people through the Holy Spirit. As a Christian I need Some-ONE to LEAD me.

The disciples sure felt their need for a leader when Jesus told them He would be leaving them (Jn.16:5-6). Jesus told the disciples that the Father would send them “another Comforter” that would be with them forever (Jn.14:16) and would “guide” or lead them (Jn.16:13). Isn’t it good that Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to lead us and not let us wander around aimlessly?

God has always be concerned about leading His people down through history…

How did God lead? (Ps.136:16; Ex.13:17,21) He led His people.

How long did God lead His people? (Ps.48:14) To the end, until death.

Where did God lead His people? (Ps.5:8, 25:9) He led them in truth and righteousness.

What is the character of one who follows the Lord’s Leadership? (Ps.25:9) Meek & humble, willing to follow.

The Holy Spirit is the main leader in the church and the Christina life today. since, this is the case, shouldn’t we find out more about His leadership in my life? Let’s look at some principles of the Holy Spirits LEADING…

Principle One: The Holy Spirit will always be consistent with the teachings of Christ (Jn.14:26) – The H.S. will never do anything contrary to what Jesus taught.

Example: To say you have not been led to share your faith with a friend is to contradict Christ’s words to Go and Preach the Gospel (Mk.16:15)

Principle Two: The Holy Spirit’s leading will be in agreement with the whole of God’s Word. – If it were not so we could not trust Him since He is the author of the Word (1 Pt.1:21).

Example: To say that you have been led to date a non-believer to evangelize him/her contradicts the message of 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Don’t be yoked to an unbeliever”. The H.S. would not lead in this way.

Principle Three: The Holy Spirit’s leading is known in a way He exalts Christ (Jn.16:14). –Whatever we do under the leading of the Spirit should point others to Christ (Jn.15:26).

Example: A preacher on TV says you can get rich if you pray or denies the deity of Christ cannot be led of the Spirit because his message exalts man, not Christ.

Principle Four: The Holy Spirit’s leading will be in opposition to the World and all that is worldly. – He would never led you into sin because it is His plan to keep you from it (1 Cor.2:12; Rom.8:3-4).

Example: To claim the Holy Spirit led you to a drinking party or to have intercourse with your date is not the leading of the H.S. (1 Thess.5:22)

In conclusion, there are many leaders you can follow. Some good, some bad. But none better than the Holy Spirit. Who will you seek to follow? Who will you not follow? What will that cause you to do or not do?

Good questions to ask yourself:

How will this decision/activity be consistent with the teachings of Christ?

How will this decision/activity be in agreement with the whole of God’s Word?

Will this decision/activity exalt Christ?

Will this decision/activity lead me into worldly activities?

sold out

Posted in faith, GodTagged , , , Leave a comment

Just the other day I was shopping at Wal-Mart specifically looking for some IBC Root Beer. I love that stuff! Right out of the bottle…it’s the greatest! I hope to believe there will be IBC in heaven someday (the Inspired Beverage of Christians)! Anyway… they were sold out. Can you believe that? My day went straight down the toilet bowl.

 

Why does something sell-out? First, something tends to sells-out because it is a popular item. I have to have the “in” toy at Christmas (Tickle Me Elmo) because “everyone has one”. It is popular and I will be popular for having it. Second, it is a great deal. Girls fall for this one all the time. Buy 3 shirts get a free lip balm. I have a grandma who is obsessed with QVC because they have such great deals. Third, it is needed. I am sure if we were experiencing the black plague we would need the medicine that would cure. Fourth, it is over advertised. One night a few weeks back I got really sick and could not sleep so I put the TV on. Within 30 minutes I was ready to call and order my Chia Pet, Hand-Clapper and Total Gym. I was sold-out to the good advertisements.

 

How else does someone or something sell out? Well, for many of the same reasons above. I am a Christian therefore I am sold-out to Christ. Being sold-out to Christ has its costs, commitment and control over my life. That’s what it means to be sold out to someone or something. We will look at each of these statements below by looking at the Scriptural example.

 

SELLING OUT FOR CHRIST HAS A COST

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

“Which ones?” the man inquired.

Jesus replied, ” `Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and `love your neighbor as yourself.’ “

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mt.19:16-22 (the Rich Young Ruler who had everything)

 

SELLING OUT FOR CHRIST TAKES A COMMITMENT

When Jesus saw the crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to Him and said, “Teacher, I will follow Youwherever You go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Jesus was a mover, looking for the movers)

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Mt.8:18-23

 

SELLING OUT FOR CHRIST PUTS CHRIST IN CONTROL

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father andfollowed Him. Mt.4:18-22

 

Why should someone Sell-Out to Christ? First, He is a popular item, His disciples followed Him to His death and beyond. Second, He is a great deal, those who believe in Him have Eternal Life. Third, you need Him. Like Medicine heals physical sickness, Christ wants to heal your spiritual sickness. Finally, He is over advertised. Christians have sacrificed their lives for Him, to get His message out so others would hear and believe. Are you sold out?

 

The Last Christian

Posted in faith, movies, servingTagged , , 2 Comments

the-last-samurai

Tonight, I bought and watched “The Last Samurai”. I didn’t catch this when I saw it in the theatre, but Samurai means “servant”.

A samurai was a warrior, protector and servant to the emperor of the Japanese kingdom. They spent 1200 years perfecting their art. Today, the samurai is no more. They are have become extinct. The modern world with its fine industrialization, Western protestylization and new warfare tactics all killed the samurai.

Samurai were thought to be savages by their enemies. In fact, they were more dignified than most of their enemies. Their entire lives they trained perfecting their warfare skills. They purposed to keep their warfare as honorable as possible by extending forgiveness and respect to their enemies.
Christians have a lot in common with the Samurai. We are engaged in warfare everyday with a savage enemy. We are to seek to perfect the art of serving my King. In the mist of spiritual battle we are trained to stand strong, respect our enemies and extend forgiveness to those that wrong us.
What if you were the last Christian? What would the world say about you? Would the legacy, dignity and reputation of the Christian live on long after you were gone? Would they say that you were marked by your service for the King of kings?
I am the protector of the Truth. I am a warrior for God. I am a servant to the King.

the wobbly table

Posted in Bible, faithTagged , , Leave a comment
the table storyIsn’t annoying to sit down at a table that has a wobble? I am sitting at a table that has the kind of wobble that teeters back and forth when you lean on it. Err. There should really be a law against these tables.

I suppose the only solution to the problem of a wobbly table is to saw the other 3 legs shorter to match the short one. Stink, I don’t have a saw! All considering the table is owned by a restaurant sawing the legs would be a bad idea. I wouldn’t want to cause a scene anyways. I’m not going to move either because that would just pass the problem onto another innocent bystander.

Sometimes I feel like a wobbly table. Teetering back and forth between my desires and God desires. When I cave into my desires it causes weaknesses and unbalance in my life that God never meant there to be if only I would obey Him. So how do I stop the wobbling? Answer: God’s Word, it is the de-wobble-izer. God’s Word is like a napkin under the short leg that gives strength and balance to the table.

Before I left I put a napkin under the short leg. It fixed the problem. I wish I would have done this earlier.

recharged

Posted in faithTagged , , Leave a comment

jumper cable start fire up3Today, after basketball practice, I stopped at Wal-Mart to do a little shopping. It was just another normal day out and about. So I got what I needed, paid, and thanked the tired lady who checked me out. I unloaded the bags into the car and turned the key…nothing.

“Stupid head!” I yelled, “I left the LIGHTS on!”

I don’t know why I drive with the lights on during the day. A habit, I guess. Well, I waited and waited for someone to help me. With jumper cables in my hands every passing person just gazed at the sorry fellow, thankful they were not having the kind of moment I was.

With my pride defeated I made the embarrassing call to ask someone for help. Now, just the week before I locked my keys in the car…I swear, I am going nuts…no comments, please. Thanks to a godly family my car received a recharge.

Yeah, it’s a normal day in my life, but it reminded me of a valuable lesson: SOMETIMES WE ALL NEED HELP WITH RECHARGING.

On Sundays we come to worship the Lord together. Some come for the fellowship with friends and family they love, some come for the music or the message, but most come to be recharged.

It is difficult to shine our lights for Christ all week. In fact, it can be draining. When we are stranded out in the parking lots of our lives there are not many to help. Yet as we gather together on “day one”, our Sabbath, we can be refreshed, refueled and recharged by His great grace.

Thanks God for the good lesson in an everyday event. I am recharged.