Wednesday Morning Devotional

“…Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”  — Hebrews 12:1,2

I believe the absolute worst thing about the American version of Christianity is that we want to keep our sin along with our salvation.  We love money, so we call it “prosperity, or being “blessed by God.”  We like our immorality, so we go ahead and call sinful behavior “issues” that we are “born with” and therefore can’t do anything about.  We like our entertainment, so it doesn’t matter to us if the movie or the concert has f-bombs or takes the Lord’s Name in vain. 

But, here is the thing:  If you choose salvation through Christ Jesus, our main verse says you are to lay aside sin.  In the context of the verse, it is so heavy that you can’t carry it and run the race of following Jesus.  Sin keeps you from ever leaving the starting gate.  The first move of salvation is to repent.  One who does not know Jesus must pray to Him and ask for the forgiveness of his or her sins.  I remember doing this as a teenager.  I also remember being clean for about three days; I very quickly and very easily picked my sin right back up and carried it with me.  I do remember it being a conscious decision.  I knew what was right, but I chose to do wrong.

I didn’t realize it then, but it kept me from running the race.  I went to church, so everyone, including myself, figured that I was running.  I would be in college before I would have a serious awakening.  I was talking with one of my friends about religions.  His attitude was that they were basically all BC (That’s the Christian version of BS).  I told him about Christianity and why I believed it.  He proceeded to tell me how it obviously made no difference in my life because I behaved no differently than he did.  That completely shut me down because I had no defense.

I was still carrying my sin.  I hadn’t covered any of the ground that I thought I had covered.  I was still at the starting line.  I might have thought I was running, but the lost people around me knew better.  I was completely ineffective to the lost people who really knew me.  They were supposed to see my life as a contrast to their own.  Instead, it was pretty much the same.

 In a similar way, I believe that is where the American church is today.  We say we believe in Jesus Christ.  Most Christians have probably asked for the forgiveness of their sins.  Yet, the majority of them found out quickly that laying sin down and leaving it there is a lot harder than it sounds.  Therefore, we pick it right back up and become ineffective for the kingdom.  The world sees us being angry because love, joy, and peace is a fruit of the Spirit and can only be developed while running the race.  The world sees us being very demanding and controlling because patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are fruits of the Spirit that can only be developed while running the race.  The best part of it though, is that if you will really and truly lay your sin down, and I mean the known sins that you are very much aware of, the fruits of the Spirit you have will be authentic.  Love, joy and peace will not be these temporary things that the world will see only when our circumstances are perfect.  When things don’t go our way, it will not be possible for them to rightfully call us hypocrites.

The only way to win our country back for God is for the Americans who call themselves Christians to really lay down their sin.  No more name-calling, no more judging of people who make no claim of believing as we believe.  No more arrogance and looking down upon anyone . . . but for the grace of God, we would be exactly the same.

Ask yourself, “Is there is any known sin that I am willfully carrying around?”  If the answer is “yes,” set it down and start running the race for real.  Until you do, you haven’t even started.

Later

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Adam

If you love me, you will obey my commands. – John 14:15

So, I am competing for the first time at the National Scrabble Championship in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I was actually doing pretty well, until today. I am currently 13.5-14.5. The .5’s mean that I tied a game. Here is the thing about the national tournament; the more you win, the more you play people with similar records as you. The cream rises to the top so to speak. Here is what I have found out; some (like me) like playing the game, others love it.

The difference is not subtle. The game is all they talk about. I saw the 2^nd edition Scrabble dictionary of the nation’s top player. Absolutely every word on every single page has a note or some mnemonic device written next to it. He is constantly looking in that book. So far, in this tournament, he is averaging 445 points against the best players in the world. I, on the other hand, am averaging 352 against the not best players in the world. He averages almost a hundred points more than me per game! I really like the game, but he loves it. He puts in hours a day, while I only put in minutes. He is the number one ranked player in North America.   I am ranked 996th.

So, what is the point?

When it comes to Christianity, some people like Jesus, others love Him. The difference is not so subtle.

People that like Jesus will go to church, sometimes. They will read the Bible, occasionally. They will throw a $20 in the offering plate, every once in a while. They will even pray, if some need has arisen in their lives that they can’t do anything about. They may acknowledge that they are Christians, but their hearts are not fully committed to being His disciple. “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matthew 15:8)

Now, to be fair, even Jesus Himself said being His disciple is hard: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Nobody wants to deny themselves the pleasures and comforts of this world, and absolutely nobody wants the image of carrying a bloody cross to their deaths in their minds. However, for the few that choose to go all in, they find that it is in this laying down of their lives that they truly find real life.

Something in me wants to put the kind of time it takes into being National Scrabble Champion someday. But, a much bigger part of me knows that it would radically dig in to my time with the Lord. The only reason I can preach Sunday after Sunday is because I do study the Bible, I do make a daily attempt to live it out, I do listen to countless numbers of sermons, and I do read tons and tons of old books about serving God; books written by people that I believe really did love Him. I know that I can’t serve both Him and Scrabble, not completely, and I’m more than ok with that. I write this not for you to feel sorry for me, but as a very small picture of what self-denial looks like. It isn’t a sad thing, but it does vehemently fly in the face of “The American Way.” You see, I told Jesus 20 years ago that He could have my life, like really have it. When it comes down to it, I would much rather hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” than to be recognized as the champion of a board game.

So, do you like Him? Or, do you love Him? Do you at least know the difference?

Here are a few notes to help you answer the question honestly:

We live in a hyper-sexualized society where absolutely every ounce of media says, “if it feels good, do it.” In fact, I just watched “Ghost” in my hotel room. The two “evil” guys laundering money and doing whatever it took to cover it up were dragged straight to Hell by demons immediately upon death. Yet, Good ole Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) floated right off to Heaven despite being sexually immoral. Surely, Christians at least know that the standard has been set by God and the standard is clear; if you are in a sexual relationship with absolutely anybody you are not married to, you might like God, or at least the idea of Him, but you cannot say that you love Him because you don’t obey His command to flee sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 3:18)

Then, there is this whole idea that some particular group’s lives matter the most. If you claim to be a Christian, Jesus has set our standard and made it clear; If there is a group of people, or even a single person that you wish harm upon, you might say you like Jesus, but you aren’t even close to actually being like Jesus because you reject His command to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. “Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer, and ye know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15)

If you never spend alone time with Him, and I mean just you and Him, you have to at least question your relationship with Him. Who or what are you really living for?

I am not saying that because someone sins that they are not Christian; of course I realize that we all fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) However, if there is any God given command that you do not want to obey, that should concern you greatly. Pray fervently; pray consistently; and pray relentlessly for God to change your heart and mind and conform you to His image. I don’t want to do anything for God because I have to . . .

I want to because I love Him.

Later

Adam

My friend, Scott, wrote today’s devotional.

I love hot dogs. I know what you’re thinking, major spiritual insight there Scott. But, it’s true, I do, and just this past week we had a hot dog sale fundraiser where I work. It only helped fuel an idea that was already starting to take shape in my head, and that, I hope and pray, will be a spiritual lesson for you today. So, to repeat my initial statement, I love hot dogs. They are probably a top 5 food item for me. I’ve had very few hot dogs in my life that I’d say were bad. Most have been somewhere between good and very good. But in 42 years, when talking about hot dogs I could purchase consistently and not just homemade or something like that, two hot dogs have always stood out to my palette as the best.

One is the Dairy Queen’s. For as long as I can remember, I have loved the hot dogs from the Dairy Queen. The best part was, it didn’t matter which Dairy Queen, the hot dogs always tasted the same. But despite that, it was pretty heartbreaking when the one in Walhalla closed down. Still, any chance I get to stop when I see a Dairy Queen on the road, I do, and the hot dogs are still as delicious as ever.

The other was a more unique place. Growing up in Salem, SC, we didn’t have too many things we could brag about to the rest of the county. We didn’t have many stores, we didn’t have any traffic lights, and even now, we still don’t. But one thing we could always brag on was we had a McDonald’s. No, not the franchise chain with the golden arches and Ronald the clown. Ours was a local mom-and-pop diner owned and operated by George and Bertha McDonald. I don’t remember ever getting anything that wasn’t good. The hamburgers were fantastic, the milkshakes delicious, and in my mind, the hot dogs were as good as they got. The chili was spicy but not hot and where the wiener met the bun it was just soft and moist and tasted so good.

When McDonald’s closed back around the late 80’s/early 90’s, that hot dog that I loved seemed forever lost. Over the years I’ve tried them from all sorts of places, searching for something like that taste from my youth, but never finding anything that was even close, in my opinion. That is, until a couple of years ago when a friend and I had been hiking up around Jones Gap State Park and on our way back home decided to stop at the F Mart in Cleveland, SC to see if we could find something to devour.

Despite going by the place countless times over the years on my way to sporting events, I had never been inside the old family owned store. To our surprise when we walked in, we realized it was also a little diner. They had already shut down about everything, but they did have some hot dogs left. It was music to my ears, so I ordered a couple to go, no onions!! Once we were back out on Highway 11 headed back toward Walhalla, I took my first bite of an F mart hot dog, and for the first time in probably 20+ years, I tasted a hot dog that was as close to the ones from McDonald’s as I ever had. It was like Christmas had come early for me!!

Since then, I try to stop every time I’m in that area, but occasionally I can’t stand the craving any longer, and I hop in my car and take a drive north on Highway 11 for 43 miles and I go get me a bag of hot dogs, usually at least 4, sometimes 6. And you know what? It’s worth every mile. Sometimes I’ll find something along the way to stop and see, but other times I just enjoy the drive, the views, maybe the music on the radio, but especially the taste of those hot dogs and the memories they conjure up.

Which now brings me to the spiritual lesson God showed me in all this. To have one of my favorite hot dogs, when I want it bad enough, I’m willing to drive 43 miles one way to go get one. What God asked me, and what I’m asking you, is how far would you be willing to go for Him?

How far would you go to explain His word to someone and tell them about Jesus? In Acts 8:26-39, we read about an angel of the Lord telling Philip to go out to a place where he would encounter an Ethiopian eunuch. He would end up explaining to the man the scripture that he was reading, telling him that the scripture was about Jesus, then baptizing him. Philip traveled about 30 miles.

How far would you go to see Jesus be born into someone’s heart and life? In Luke 2:1-7, we read about a decree going out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken. Mary and Joseph travelled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea and there Jesus was born. They traveled about 90 miles.

How far would you go to see your destiny fulfilled, even if it didn’t all makes sense and you would have to endure the betrayal of not only friends but family as well? In the book of Genesis, chapter 37 and chapters 39-50, we read about the life of Joseph. God revealed to Joseph at a young age, through dreams, that he was going to one day be in a prominent position in society. But anger and jealousy led his brothers to sell him into slavery, his owner would eventually have him thrown into jail because of lies, and the people he helped while in jail then forgot about him for a long time. But, it all eventually took Joseph from Canaan to Egypt where, in time, he would rise to that promised position and help save a nation of people. Despite all of his struggles, Joseph was ultimately able to tell his brothers “you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”(Genesis 50:20) Joseph’s journey took him about 200 miles to his place of destiny. How far would you go?

How far would you go to see Jesus? In Matthew 2:1, scripture says that Magi, or wise men, came from the east to Jerusalem to see Jesus. One writer estimates that these men may very well have traveled for 1500 miles or more, spanning more than a year, just to get to see Jesus. How far would you be willing to go? In Matthew 7:14, Jesus said “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

To live for Jesus is not easy. People will mock you and laugh at you and eventually leave you. Despite the fact that what we’re all searching for is found in Him, most will turn to every other option under the sun before they will ever turn to Him. As Jesus said Himself, only a few find it. So my question to you is simple: how far are you willing to go? Are you willing to walk through life alone, if that’s what it takes to get to heaven and see Him? Are you willing to walk away from your plans and dreams in order to find His will and purpose for your life? And if you already have decided to follow Jesus, then how far are you willing to go to share the Good News with others? I hope the answer is as far as it takes. That’s what may be required. But like my hot dogs, it’s worth going as far as you have to. Just make sure you leave off the onions.

God bless, Scott

Defying God

Then God blessed Noah and his sons, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.”  — Genesis 9:1

When Adam and Eve were in charge of the earth, they had one rule: Don’t eat of the fruit of this one tree.  They failed.  When Noah’s family came off the ark, God gave them a command as well, which happens to be my main WMD verse for the week.

So, How did they do?

Well, pretty good . . . for several generations.  Everyone likes to think this verse still applies today and means to have tons and tons of babies, which was definitely part of the deal considering there were only 8 people on the planet.  However, by the time Jesus came, the command was no longer “fill the earth with people,” it was “fill the people with God.” “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)

Anyway, it only took two chapters for the people to adamantly defy the last part of God’s command.  Here is exactly where it happens:

“Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky.  This will make us famous and KEEP US FROM BEING SCATTERED ALL OVER THE WORLD.”  (Genesis 11:4 emphasis mine)

God wanted them to scatter.  The people came to a point where they simply said, “No, God.  We don’t want to scatter.”

I believe we are in a very similar position today.  People who claim to be God’s people have very plain and simple orders from the Word of God, and simply choose to either ignore them, or flat our defy them.  Here are a few:

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)  Yet, Christians seem to get caught up in all of these stupid, unwinnable debates on whose lives matter the most.  Or, perhaps worse, we will condemn non-believers to Hell for acting like, well, non-believers.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”  (Matthew 6:33)  “Nope” we say, “My family and my kingdom first.  But I will do what I think is right along the way and show up to church sometimes . . . if it is convenient.  I know I don’t read my Bible or pray that much, but I’m really busy.”

“Flee sexual immorality.”  (1 Corinthians 6:18)  The majority of those who say they are Christians say with their actions, “Forget that God.  Everybody is doing it now.  Your antiquated book needs to get with the times.  In fact, we will have a business meeting and vote this part of your word out of our denomination and let everyone know that you are now cool with our behavior.”

I could go on and on with these examples.  I only feel led to write this because many people who claim to be Christians are baffling me.  The arguments they will enter.  The sin they will endorse.  The attitudes they will display.  I ask, “Do they even read the Bible?  Do they not know that the only people Jesus really thrashed were the Pharisees who behaved just as they are behaving now?”

If you are a fairly young Christian, of course there is grace and mercy.  I was beyond pathetic for my first 5 years.  However, 20 years later, I’m not still pathetic.  I don’t claim a great understanding, but I have read the Word several times and I plan on reading it a lot more.  I do ask God consistently for wisdom and understanding and He has never failed to help me learn more and more every year.  I have stepped out on faith and obeyed according to my new understanding more and more. And no, I’m not talking perfect obedience lest you call my name Jesus, but I am talking about growing more and more in righteousness.  I am talking about refusing to go against what, “thus saith the Lord.”

Are you there?  Do you want to be?

Is there some sin in your life that you know God wants you to stop?

Is there some discipline, such as praying, or regularly reading God’s Word that God wants you to start?

As a result of your salvation, do you behave any different than the non-believers who want nothing to do with your God, your Bible, or your church?

For the person serious about seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, these questions are great places to start.

Later

Adam

Calling Sin, Sin

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” – 2 Samuel 12:13

David stayed home one time in the spring when kings go off to war (2 Samuel 11:1). During this time, he lusted after another mans’ wife, who was taking a bath on her rooftop (2 Samuel 11:2-3). King David used his power to have sex with her, and got her pregnant (2 Samuel 11:4-5). To cover it all up, he had her husband killed (2 Samuel 11:14-17).

A preacher named Nathan cleverly confronted David. You can read about it in 2 Samuel 12. But, here is the thing that stands out this morning as I read this again. David, when he was flat out busted, said six words: “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Had this been anyone today, more than likely we would have only heard four words: “I made a mistake.” Others, if they liked him or her, would say, “They are only human.” Or maybe, “Nobody is perfect.”

Is there a difference? You bet there is.

A mistake is an accident. If I add 17 and 14 and get 21 instead of 31, I obviously made the mistake of not carrying the 1. I did not mean to get the wrong answer. Sin is a choice. When you become aware of God’s laws, you are responsible for obeying them. When you and I break them, we do not make a mistake . . . we sin. It is very important that you call sin by its proper name.

I believe David had 3 verses to be in the “mistake” category. As soon as he found himself lusting after Bathsheba in verse 3, he could have said, “This was a mistake! I should not have stayed home from battle. I am having thoughts I should not be having. I should be leading my men. Get my armor and take me to the fight.” Unfortunately, verse 4 says, “Then David sent messengers to get her, and he slept with her.” The line clearly gets crossed and David no longer gets to use the word “mistake.”

Somehow as the church, we have got to start calling sin, sin. I was guest preaching one time and I called sex outside of marriage exactly what it was, sexual immorality, which is sin. Well, it turns out that a single person had recently had a child outside of marriage. The family was offended with my words. They made sure that I knew that their little baby was obviously a “blessing from God” and He was obviously cool with what had happened. Sure, “mistakes” were made, but “nobody is perfect.” I just listened in disbelief. There was a refusal to admit sin.

Do not get me wrong here. I am judging nobody but myself. I never had the earthly consequence of having a child outside of marriage, but I used to be sexually immoral. I was stupid enough to actually pray to God that my girlfriend not be pregnant. I would basically ask God to bless my sinful behavior and remove the consequences of my choice that clearly violated commandment number 7. How repulsive I must have been to a Holy God. I’m glad I went to a church where the preacher called my behavior, sin. It made me eventually go to the altar and say, “God, I have sinned against you! I’m sorry! Help me!” I do believe based on a lot of what I hear today, if I prayed at all, I would have said, “Well God, I did it again. I made a mistake. I guess us guys will just be guys. After all, I’m only human. I’m glad you are still going to let me into Heaven because I did say that prayer and told you everything the preacher told me to tell you.”

All Satan has to do is get us to make sin a light thing. As soon as Eve saw the fruit as beneficial as well as “pleasing to the eyes,” he had her right where he wanted her. She no longer saw eating the fruit as sin. Adam saw that everyone else was eating it, so he ate too. When confronted, did he say, “I have sinned against the Lord?”

No. He said, “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” (Genesis 3:11) In other words, “It’s her fault. I’m innocent here. I just made a mistake. If you really think about it God, you made the mistake by putting her here.”

I really want you to go to Heaven. Saying that you are a Christian is not good enough. Without true repentance and true conversion, you aren’t going. Evaluate your life today. What sin are you allowing in your own life? Are you using words that make it okay? Are you justifying it? Do you use words like, “everyone else does it,” “I can handle it,” “It’s not a big deal,” or “at least it isn’t hurting anybody?”

Talk to David’s little baby about how nobody gets hurt. (2 Samuel 12:18)

Tell Adam and Eve as they see their murdered son, Abel, how “Just one bite” isn’t that big of a deal. (Genesis 4:8)

Tell Jesus as He hangs on the cross receiving the sins of the world not to worry, because sin “doesn’t hurt anybody.”

Doesn’t work, does it?

The wages of sin is death. (Romans 3:23)

It still is.

Later

Adam

Silence

And Joshua had commanded the people saying; ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you to shout; then you shall shout. – Joshua 6:10

So the Israelites are about to take the Promised Land. This is their second shot at it. The first time, under the leadership of Moses, they chickened out. They could not take their focus off of the enemy and place their focus on God. “We cannot attack those people, for they are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:31) How insulted God must have been, especially after all they had seen Him do. No wonder they were denied entrance.

Moses endured a lot of complaining. “We were better off back in Egypt,” he heard God’s chosen people say repeatedly. “You only brought us out here to die,” they would say. He would listen to it, pray about it, God would miraculously answer, they’d be happy for a day or two, and then they would complain again. I think if this were today, there would be a couple of things added to these Biblical conversations. When someone said, “Hey, stop complaining and don’t be so negative,” then the other person would say, “Don’t judge me . . . only God can judge me!” Then, someone else would say, “Hey, we all make mistakes . . . nobody is perfect.”

I feel like we are in a Moses type era where all voices are being heard, the positive ones and the negative ones. The Internet, mainly social media, has given people an outlet to complain and grumble about absolutely everything. Just as most of the Israelites grumbled constantly against Moses, Americans today grumble against the White House. Church people constantly grumble against church leaders. Bigger churches belittle small churches, and small churches badmouth big ones. If they don’t do it directly, they do it indirectly through some trite video or meme that takes some cheap shot at the way “they” do ministry.

So what should we who call ourselves followers of Jesus do? How should we be?

Well, read the main verse for today again. When the Israelites got their second shot, Joshua wanted everyone silent. He didn’t want to hear how their feet hurt from all that walking. He didn’t want them asking how much longer it would be before they could shout. He didn’t want them asking, “What is walking around a stupid wall going to do?” He didn’t even want to hear anyone defend him and talk about what a great job he was doing as a leader.

He wanted silence.

He had learned that giving everyone a voice and allowing complaints didn’t work the first time around, so there is no way he was going to allow it this time. We all now have a voice on social media and in the comment section of nearly every news article.

How is that working out for us? Is it unifying us? Or, is it dividing us?

Suppose we really are in the last days before the return of our Lord. Are we better prepared because we can get on Facebook and know exactly what is on everyone’s mind? We can’t see the person’s heart, so even what seems good could really be bad. I mean, you have no idea if I am posting “judge not” because I like my sinful behavior and plan on keeping it, or if I’m posting “please pray” to show off my piety and elevate myself above the Godless heathen who go to “that” church and are still wallowing in the pigpen because nobody really gets saved there. Or, maybe I go to “that church,” and I’m going to turn around and “pray for you” because you are obviously stuck in a religious mindset in your little backwoods traditional church.

But here is always the thing: God knows the heart behind absolutely everything I say. And when I get really, really honest with Him . . . I know. Jesus actually says this in Matthew 12:36: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” That scares me. Does it you?

Lord, help me stick to being silent when it comes to pointless, one-sided arguments where the majority have clearly drawn a line in the sand and taken sides. Most right or wrong arguments will make absolutely no difference in eternity. Keep me focused on the one thing that really matters in this life . . . knowing you and having your presence on my life. Help me continue to walk with you and open my mouth only when necessary. Lead me. Guide me. Help me walk around those huge walls of sin and darkness that absolutely will not come down by short, pious comments on Facebook. Bring them down your way, and in your time.

Just let me know when it is time to shout.

Amen

Adam

A New Heaven

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. – Isaiah 65:17

There are two questions that non-believers (and some believers) ask to me that are kind of tough to answer. Well, they aren’t that tough to answer, I just know it will be hard for the answer to be received. Nevertheless, I must answer as I feel God would have me answer.

Question 1: If God is so good, why doesn’t He just put a stop to all the evil in the world?

Question 2: How could anyone be happy in Heaven knowing that they have friends and loved ones in Hell?

Question 1 probably deserves its own WMD. Before reading on, formulate your own answer. I have asked this question before. Here is the thing about it; there is a presupposition that the asker is “good.” The Bible says, “There is no one good. “ (Mark 10:18) Most people believe they are good. Jesus says they are the opposite. Here is a great counter question: “How good are you? Give a percentage from 1 to 100.” I have never heard someone say they are 100% good. Even if someone gave himself or herself a 95% good, just how bad is the 5%? Here is the deal: There is evil in the world, and you and I are the problem . . . not the solution!

Let’s put it this way; if my heart and mind from the last month could be turned into a YouTube video for all to watch, I would be humiliated and embarrassed at what you guys would see has passed through my mind. Every single day, I need the Word of God, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. I die daily and choose to live for Him. What would it look like if everyone on the planet chose to do the same?   A lot different than it looks now.

Question 2 is extremely difficult to comprehend while we continue our sojourn here on Earth. We memorialize our loved ones the best we can. We try to never forget. We remember anniversaries, visit gravesites, and honor our lost loved ones. However, one day God will create new heavens. This means entire solar systems and the entire universe will get a makeover. We will have eternity to explore all of God’s new creations. “Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, it hasn’t even entered into the hearts of man the things that the Father has prepared for those that love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) There will even be a brand new Earth. Isaiah says that the former one, the one we live on right now, will not even be remembered.   It won’t even enter our minds…including our lost loved ones who lived on it.

So, you see, if I have loved ones that don’t make it to Heaven, I will not remember them…ever. Oh for a moment I will cry. In Revelation 20:15 it says, “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Just four verses later in the next chapter He is wiping away tears from every eye. Why? I believe we witness their death sentence. Of course we will cry. But then we will hear Him say, “No more death! No more of the way things used to be! I am making all things new!” (Revelation 21:4-5)

If you are reading this and you haven’t received the forgiveness that God offers through His Son, Jesus Christ, please pray to Him today. Ask Him to change your heart and mind so that you can be a part of the New Heaven and the New Earth. Then, read the Bible a little bit every day. Allow the words to sink into your heart and change you over the course of the rest of your life. You must be changed to go to Heaven! If He let you in without repentance, you would quickly make Heaven as Earth is now.

Heaven is a prepared place, for a prepared people.

Are you ready to stand before Him?

Later

Adam

I got a little slack this week in writing a WMD.  I read through a bunch of them and this one really stuck with me this morning.  I updated a bit and am publishing it again today.

Preparing for the Bridegroom

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.” Matthew 25:10

I remember the days when I would go to church, maybe one of those old school Churches of God, and feel like God was going to come back before the end of the service. I remember how much panic it created within my heart because I knew I wasn’t ready. So, I would do all the “quick fixes” I knew to do. I would go down to the altar and start afresh. I always left feeling better, but usually the feeling would only last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Deep down, I was always hoping He wouldn’t come, because I knew I was foolish. I wanted the world AND I wanted to be right with God, and even then I knew that you couldn’t serve two masters.

I realize now that God usually doesn’t do anything quickly. Lest we forget, He has been “coming quickly” for about 1,946 years (if Revelation was written in the year 70). Every generation has had believers who thought He would come in their own lifetime. I am no exception.  I believe He will come in mine. A relationship with Him is a slow, on-going process. This life that I have is all about becoming more and more like Him until the day that I either draw my last breath here on Earth, or He comes back for me, just as He promises.

Now, I really believe I have a message today for believers who have called themselves Christians for a long time. I have called myself a Christian for 25 years now. I have come so far on my Christian journey, but I realize that I have a lot further to go. I have been married to my wife for 14 years. I was watching our wedding video just the other day and I could not help but notice the absolute beauty of my bride. I’m not talking about just physical beauty, though she certainly had that going on. I’m talking about spiritual beauty. It was like I could see into her heart and as we went through our ceremony. She was soaking in not just our wedding, but God. She was experiencing Him on a different level than I was. I was still immature spiritually, though I didn‘t know it at the time. One day, we will renew our vows and I will get to experience what she did because I will be properly prepared.

So, what is the point of all this? My bride was absolutely prepared for me. The church is the bride of Christ. If you actually take the time to read these WMDs, you are more than likely a part of the bride. More than likely, you have had that moment when you asked the Lord into your heart, received His forgiveness for your sin and began to walk with Him. But, here is the question of all questions: If Christ was to return at this very moment…are you ready? I don’t just mean, “Have you said the prayer?“ A bride doesn’t just go into a wedding with her hair fixed just any old way, or wearing just any old clothes, she goes in gloriously prepared. In the same way, you and I need to be “dolled up” spiritually. I want to be as clean as I possibly can when my Lord comes to take me as His bride. Let’s you and I clothe ourselves in the righteousness that can only be given by Christ Himself. Let’s be faithful in filling our lamps with oil by studying the Word, hanging out with other believers, and honoring Him with our everyday lives so that non-believers may see and believe. May our hearts be on fire for Him on that glorious day when He appears. May we be found beautiful.

When He arrives, let’s be ready!

Later

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Adam

Then He said to them all:  “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  — Luke 9:23

I like to read books about martyrs for Christ.  Believe me, its not that I enjoy reading about the torture that many, many Christians have endured.  But, it is a constant reminder that real Christianity is costly.  It is also a reminder that if I am unwilling to give up any earthly possession, then I do not see Christ, salvation, and Eternal life properly.  God is the pearl of great price.  He is the treasure in the field.  When men see Him for who He really is, they will gladly give everything for Him.

I regularly read “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs,” “Jesus Freaks,” and “Tortured for Christ.”  I like reading them because you can read one of their stories in just a few minutes (except “Tortured for Christ,” the whole book is one man’s story).  In that few minutes, it just somehow awakens my spirit to follow Jesus . . . like REALLY follow Him. 

My wife knows I read books like this, so for Father’s Day, she bought me a new one called, “I am n.”  It contains stories of individuals giving everything:  money, possessions, homes, even their own lives for the sake of following Christ.  I have only read the first story.  Fortunately, the guy is still alive (at least at the time of the writing of the book), but the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria took nearly everything from him.  They are constantly seeking out all “infidels” who refuse allegiance to Allah.

To mark these people, they spray paint the Arabic letter “nun” on the houses of people they have marked as Christians.  “Nun” is basically the equivalent of our “n”, and stands for Nazarene.  Houses marked with an “n” contain followers of Jesus the Nazarene. 

Here is the thing:  The guy in the story, Abu Fadi, could have kept every single one of his possessions.  All he had to do was say that he was not a follower of Jesus, and then pledge his allegiance to Islam. 

He refused.  He just quietly, and humbly said, “No, I will not become Muslim.  I do not denounce Jesus.” 

I heard a preacher say that one of two things must happen in America:  Either our preachers must change the way they preach, or a great wave of persecution must befall the American church.  I believe him.  The reason being that one of these events would separate the true followers of Jesus from those who give lip service only. 

Somehow, in America, we have become church consumers.  “What’s in it for me?” is our favorite question.  We “shop” for churches.  Does it have a great children’s program?  If yes, it may be worthy of my children’s attendance.  Is the service over by 11:45?  That will allow me to make it to the restaurant before the line gets long from the rest of the churches who get out at noon.  Is the band good?  Do I like the preacher?  If it isn’t at least a little bit entertaining, then I don’t really want to go.

I use those examples because I’ve either said this dumb stuff, or at least thought it.

When I became the pastor of a church two years ago, I never prayed that God would give us good programs, good music, or that my sermons would be great.  I prayed for one thing, and one thing only that remains my prayer today:  “God, please allow your Presence to abide at Lifeline Community Church.  I pray that every person who comes in the doors will experience you.  May they desire above all else to keep that feeling of your mighty presence with them every day for the rest of their lives.  Help us to want you above all else.”

If God’s Presence isn’t being made manifest, what does it matter if your kids like the youth group?  If the Holy Spirit isn’t all over the worship service, what does it matter if the band plays every note perfectly?  I don’t care if the pastor is the greatest public speaker on the planet; if he isn’t teaching you that you can have your own real deal one-one-one relationship with God and that you can have the Holy Spirit residing in you . . . he is useless.

If you ever really grab a hold of Him . . .

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Would they spray paint your house with an “n”?

Later

Adam

My friend, Scott McGaha, wrote today’s WMD

Be honest, when you take a good look at America, do you only think warm, happy thoughts? Or do you see things you’d desperately like to change? Areas that need helping? Sin you’d like to stop? I don’t care if you’re talking to the most self righteous, hellfire and brimstone preacher or a diehard atheist, or someone somewhere in between, everyone sees areas they’d change. Societal injustices that should be righted, homeless that should be sheltered and fed, crime that should be punished and hurt that needs healing. There’s literally something for everyone.

My parents raised me in church so it’s just always been a part of who I am, even when I haven’t necessarily been a part of it. There have been times when I could spot faults and failures with the best of them. My microscopic vision could see the tiniest speck of sawdust in my brother’s eye, while an entire forest was growing out of mine. And oh the sermons I’ve heard, and repeated. One theme came to mind this week.

2 Chronicles 7:14 is one of the church’s favorites when talking about the world or our society. “Oh, if people would only humble themselves and turn from their sinful ways” I’ve heard on many occasions. But until the other day, I’d always missed the directions.
I had a teacher back in high school who talked about the importance of reading directions. She told us about a college course she took once, whose professor had harped on reading directions. He handed out the exam, a very lengthy amount of pages, and students quickly started working on the many questions. She remembered his admonition, so she read the directions. It began with please read the directions entirely before you begin, something most of her classmates clearly weren’t doing. The next sentence said, put down your pen or pencil, remain silent until the exam is over. That was all. That was the entire test, did you read the directions. Only she and a few others did. They got an A. The rest all failed.

Which brings me back to my original point, I think we have failed to read the directions as Christians. We shout from our soapbox about all that is wrong with the world, how the United States is nothing more than a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah, and how much we hope The Rapture is coming soon. And all this time, we have been failing our test, just like the majority of my teacher’s classmates. God plainly said “If My people…called by My name…,” not lost people who don’t know Him. Who is He talking to? He’s talking to me. And if you consider yourself to be a Christian, He’s talking to you. Every single one of us. How do I know that? Go back to my original question. Now ask yourself, in light of all you see wrong in this country, can you honestly say God has healed our land? There was work for us to do first:

1. Humble ourselves – get off our soapbox and down on our knees, which goes perfectly with

2. Pray and seek His face – if we do that, it should happen almost naturally that we would

3. Turn from our wicked ways – He plainly says, His people and their wicked ways, not if His people would just get sinners to turn from their wicked ways, then

4. He will heal our land.

Have I done all these things? No, I honestly haven’t. I’ve been too caught up watching others. This week reminded me to read the directions. I encourage you to do the same. If we do, there’s no telling what we might see happen, though I doubt you’ll get any college credit hours

Scott