This Sunday, through your actions during our "Don't Go to Church, be the Church Day," you will preach the message on Jesus' 5th beatitude: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
Jesus explains what is meant by this beatitude in the story he shares found in Matthew 18:21-35:
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Those who do not show mercy have either never asked for forgiveness and so have not experienced mercy or they have forgotten all the times God and others have shown them mercy and so in their forgetfulness they do not extend mercy to others.
Mercy is not giving one what they deserve. That is called justice. Mercy is about being offered forgiveness and love even though you do not deserve it.
My wife, my kids, my friends and above all else my God have shown me mercy of which I have no right to claim, but for which I am eternally grateful. In view of the mercy I have been shown, how can I not offer mercy to others?
Sunday morning you will be participants in mercy. Whether what you give is appreciated or in your opinion deserved, give out of a heart of love. As you work along one another perhaps someone will say or do something that rubs you the wrong way, instead of taking offense make a choice to show him or her mercy.
As you choose to act out of a heart of mercy, this Sunday will turn into one of the most meaningful worship experiences you have ever experienced and you will understand why Jesus said "Blessed are the merciful..."
Thank you for being the church!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
"One Slow Bagel"
On Tuesday, I had a breakfast meeting at Tim Horton's. I meet at this particular Tim Horton's regularly and have come to know the owner on a first name basis. I always compliment him on how smoothly his team handles the crowds that pull through the restaurant in the morning. However, this Tuesday I just kept my comments to my self because there was nothing smooth happening.
I was there when the problem occurred. Right after my order a new trainee started working the bagel station. Apparently, the newbie got the order wrong. Then in trying to figure out was wrong and make the order right, he fell several orders behind. Then in trying to catch up he messed up more orders causing him to fall farther behind. I felt for him.
Actually, I can do more than feel for him, I can relate. It is very easy in life to mess up, fall behind and before you know what has happened stuff has piled up higher than you feel like you can dig your way out. Do I need to make up examples or can you insert your own? I know i can insert my own. Whether it is in relationships, finances, health, spiritual vitality...all it takes is a little mess up and the next thing you know stuff starts piling up fast.
The look of panic on the poor guys face made me want to climb over the counter and try to help. Fortunately, the owner stepped up. He did not yell or criticize, he simply started helping the new guy out. Did the new guy say, "No, I got this" and refuse the help? No way! With a look of great relief, he let the owner help him.
Will we humble ourselves and let God help us through others? Isn't that what James 5:16 is all about. I have mentioned Scripture enough that by now, you probably know what it is. If not, I encourage you to revisit it. Come on...what are you waiting on...stuff is piling up this minute and help is available in James 5:16.
I was there when the problem occurred. Right after my order a new trainee started working the bagel station. Apparently, the newbie got the order wrong. Then in trying to figure out was wrong and make the order right, he fell several orders behind. Then in trying to catch up he messed up more orders causing him to fall farther behind. I felt for him.
Actually, I can do more than feel for him, I can relate. It is very easy in life to mess up, fall behind and before you know what has happened stuff has piled up higher than you feel like you can dig your way out. Do I need to make up examples or can you insert your own? I know i can insert my own. Whether it is in relationships, finances, health, spiritual vitality...all it takes is a little mess up and the next thing you know stuff starts piling up fast.
The look of panic on the poor guys face made me want to climb over the counter and try to help. Fortunately, the owner stepped up. He did not yell or criticize, he simply started helping the new guy out. Did the new guy say, "No, I got this" and refuse the help? No way! With a look of great relief, he let the owner help him.
Will we humble ourselves and let God help us through others? Isn't that what James 5:16 is all about. I have mentioned Scripture enough that by now, you probably know what it is. If not, I encourage you to revisit it. Come on...what are you waiting on...stuff is piling up this minute and help is available in James 5:16.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
"Spinning"
Our kids love rides that spin. We climb in, sit in the circle shaped capsule and then it is, "Faster, Daddy, spin us faster!" With all my strength, I spin us round and round as Anna and Seth scream and giggle in enjoyment.
There is only one problem...these rides make me sick. Seeing the world spinning faster than my eyes can keep up with makes my stomach feel like I have chugged a gallon of sour milk and my head feels like someone is hitting it with a hammer. However, since this is my kids favorite ride I had to figure out a way to enjoy the ride with them while not becoming sick for the rest of the day.
Of course, the solution was simple: I can ride this ride, spin as fast as possible and not get sick, by simply keeping my eyes fixed on what is inside the ride and avoiding, at all costs, even peeking at what is spinning outside.
I found the same to be true on this ride we call life. I don't know about you, but most of the time I feel like life is spinning faster and faster than with which I can keep up.
When you look outside and see life spinning faster than you can focus on it is easy to become overwhelmed, discouraged and just ...well... get sick. I am convinced the fast speed spin of our daily lives is why so many of us experience the consequences of spiritual, emotional and physical illness. We have spun ourselves into a whirlwind that is impossible to keep up with and it literally makes us sick in one way or the other.
So, what do we do? Some decide to simply get off the ride. These folks shut down spiritually, emotionally or physically. They can't keep up, so they figure the only way to survive its to get off the ride. However, this option back fires. Instead of saving us, when we shut down, it actually kills us.
How many relationships have been killed because one or both people have gotten off the ride and simply shut down? How many people have fallen into complete financial ruin simply because it was less overwhelming to do nothing with their failing finances than to try to do something? How many people have invited otherwise preventable health problems simply because they decided to stop taking care of their bodies and let whatever happens happens? How many people have gotten distracted by the things of this world that won't matter past tomorrow and have run after them while leaving behind their faith in Christ? Yes, getting off the ride...shutting down...is an option, but instead of giving us relief from a life that is spinning out of control it actually makes chaos spin faster and the symptoms of its related sickness turn fatal. However, there is another option.
When the world is spinning faster than you can keep up with, the best thing to do is take your eyes off what is spinning and focus on the One that is the same today, yesterday and forever. The writer of the book of Hebrews in the Bible understood this and wrote the letter with an urgent plea to the church to not get off the ride called faith in the face of persecution. Many in the church at that time had had their property confiscated, been imprisoned, beaten and even killed all because of their faith in Christ. Persecution was spinning around them, some had jumped ship and many more were considering that as their only option. But, the writer to Hebrews reminds them that they and we have another option.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for
the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition
from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" Hebrews
12:2-3.
When we try to focus on what is spinning, we will get sick. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we do not grow weary and lose heart. To those who would say, "If only it were that simple", I would push back and say, "Why do we make it more complicated than that?" If the ride called life is spinning faster than you can keep up with, then the worst place to try to focus on is what is spinning and the best place to focus on is what is constant. Not only will such focus keep us from puking our guts out, it will even let us enjoy the ride.
Can I share something from my heart with you as my brothers and sisters in Christ? That is why we do the "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church" day each year. It is a way of both reminding us of where our focus as a church needs to be and measuring whether or not our focus as a church is actually where it needs to be.
Are we a church of people who go to church on Sunday or are we a church of people who go from church services on Sunday to be the Church every day? Right now, we have 110 people signed up for "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church Day" (Thank you to you who have led the way!). In the next two weeks, we are asking at least 200 more of you to help us get our focus where it needs to be on Jesus who said all that matters hinges on loving God by loving others.
Each year, this "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church day" becomes more and more important as it is a litmus test of where our focus lies. If we as a church have our focus on what is spinning we will fight over things that do not matter, we will become self-righteous and judgmental and we will be more interested in being fed than feeding others. But if we will get our eyes off what is spinning, and that includes ourselves, and on to what is constant, and that is Jesus who lived, died and rose again to show us what it means to love God and others,then we will never grow weary and lose heart...who knows you may even find yourself screaming and giggling, "Faster, Daddy, faster!"
It will be great to be back with you this Sunday!
There is only one problem...these rides make me sick. Seeing the world spinning faster than my eyes can keep up with makes my stomach feel like I have chugged a gallon of sour milk and my head feels like someone is hitting it with a hammer. However, since this is my kids favorite ride I had to figure out a way to enjoy the ride with them while not becoming sick for the rest of the day.
Of course, the solution was simple: I can ride this ride, spin as fast as possible and not get sick, by simply keeping my eyes fixed on what is inside the ride and avoiding, at all costs, even peeking at what is spinning outside.
I found the same to be true on this ride we call life. I don't know about you, but most of the time I feel like life is spinning faster and faster than with which I can keep up.
When you look outside and see life spinning faster than you can focus on it is easy to become overwhelmed, discouraged and just ...well... get sick. I am convinced the fast speed spin of our daily lives is why so many of us experience the consequences of spiritual, emotional and physical illness. We have spun ourselves into a whirlwind that is impossible to keep up with and it literally makes us sick in one way or the other.
So, what do we do? Some decide to simply get off the ride. These folks shut down spiritually, emotionally or physically. They can't keep up, so they figure the only way to survive its to get off the ride. However, this option back fires. Instead of saving us, when we shut down, it actually kills us.
How many relationships have been killed because one or both people have gotten off the ride and simply shut down? How many people have fallen into complete financial ruin simply because it was less overwhelming to do nothing with their failing finances than to try to do something? How many people have invited otherwise preventable health problems simply because they decided to stop taking care of their bodies and let whatever happens happens? How many people have gotten distracted by the things of this world that won't matter past tomorrow and have run after them while leaving behind their faith in Christ? Yes, getting off the ride...shutting down...is an option, but instead of giving us relief from a life that is spinning out of control it actually makes chaos spin faster and the symptoms of its related sickness turn fatal. However, there is another option.
When the world is spinning faster than you can keep up with, the best thing to do is take your eyes off what is spinning and focus on the One that is the same today, yesterday and forever. The writer of the book of Hebrews in the Bible understood this and wrote the letter with an urgent plea to the church to not get off the ride called faith in the face of persecution. Many in the church at that time had had their property confiscated, been imprisoned, beaten and even killed all because of their faith in Christ. Persecution was spinning around them, some had jumped ship and many more were considering that as their only option. But, the writer to Hebrews reminds them that they and we have another option.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for
the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition
from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" Hebrews
12:2-3.
When we try to focus on what is spinning, we will get sick. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we do not grow weary and lose heart. To those who would say, "If only it were that simple", I would push back and say, "Why do we make it more complicated than that?" If the ride called life is spinning faster than you can keep up with, then the worst place to try to focus on is what is spinning and the best place to focus on is what is constant. Not only will such focus keep us from puking our guts out, it will even let us enjoy the ride.
Can I share something from my heart with you as my brothers and sisters in Christ? That is why we do the "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church" day each year. It is a way of both reminding us of where our focus as a church needs to be and measuring whether or not our focus as a church is actually where it needs to be.
Are we a church of people who go to church on Sunday or are we a church of people who go from church services on Sunday to be the Church every day? Right now, we have 110 people signed up for "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church Day" (Thank you to you who have led the way!). In the next two weeks, we are asking at least 200 more of you to help us get our focus where it needs to be on Jesus who said all that matters hinges on loving God by loving others.
Each year, this "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church day" becomes more and more important as it is a litmus test of where our focus lies. If we as a church have our focus on what is spinning we will fight over things that do not matter, we will become self-righteous and judgmental and we will be more interested in being fed than feeding others. But if we will get our eyes off what is spinning, and that includes ourselves, and on to what is constant, and that is Jesus who lived, died and rose again to show us what it means to love God and others,then we will never grow weary and lose heart...who knows you may even find yourself screaming and giggling, "Faster, Daddy, faster!"
It will be great to be back with you this Sunday!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
"Cowards Wanted"
Recently, I was reading the story of Gideon in the Bible in Judges 6-7. I encourage you to take some time to read this account. Gideon was...well..there is no kind way to say it...he was a coward. Yellow-bellied, no spine, mouse of a man...pick your metaphor, Gideon, was the poster child for cowards.
In his cowardliness, even when he heard God speak, he needed confirmation after confirmation, to even have the courage to believe he heard God in the first place. And it was this coward named Gideon, that God called to be a warrior. Isn't that great! When God goes looking for a warrior, he finds a coward. Why? For one thing a real, warrior would have been more convinced of his strength than God's. God did not need someone who believed in themselves but someone who believed in him. By the way, that principle still remains. The self-help call to "just believe in yourself and you can do anything" may give warm fuzzies, but it is a complete lie.
Gideon was just a coward enough to know that without God's strength he would never stand a chance on the battlefield. So, with confidence in God, Gideon raises up an army of 32,000. But God says, "That's too many. If you win, the army will brag on itself." So, God grew the army down to 10,000, but He said that is still too many. Long story short, Gideon ended up with only 300 soldiers. Here is another valuable principle to keep in mind: What does not add up to us, makes perfect sense in God's mathematical equation.
That night they came upon the enemies camp. The enemy had thousands in his army. Gideon divided the army into three companies, gave each trumpets and empty jars and torches. At the signal, three companies from the distance blew trumpets, shouted, broke the jars and waved the torches. The enemy awoke in panic and began killing one another in confusion thinking the enemy was numerous and among them. Guess who would try a tactic like that? Yes...a coward. A brave man would have went in with an army of 32,000 fighting as any good warrior would. But the coward, Gideon, didn't enter the battlefield and won the day.
That's what God can do with cowards. He can take their lack of confidence in themselves and turn it into a huge confidence in Him that can defeat an army. Got any enemies threatening you? Got any armies camped just over the hill? That is the perfect opportunity for you and me to find out what God can do with cowards.
"Father, let me be the first to admit that often I have more fear than courage. I have more doubt than faith. I have more questions than answers. You give me a sign and look for two more. God I am weak. I am a coward. So, with no confidence in myself and all confidence in you, I pray be my strength...be my courage...let your power fill me so I can see how your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Through you the battle is already one. Amen."
In his cowardliness, even when he heard God speak, he needed confirmation after confirmation, to even have the courage to believe he heard God in the first place. And it was this coward named Gideon, that God called to be a warrior. Isn't that great! When God goes looking for a warrior, he finds a coward. Why? For one thing a real, warrior would have been more convinced of his strength than God's. God did not need someone who believed in themselves but someone who believed in him. By the way, that principle still remains. The self-help call to "just believe in yourself and you can do anything" may give warm fuzzies, but it is a complete lie.
Gideon was just a coward enough to know that without God's strength he would never stand a chance on the battlefield. So, with confidence in God, Gideon raises up an army of 32,000. But God says, "That's too many. If you win, the army will brag on itself." So, God grew the army down to 10,000, but He said that is still too many. Long story short, Gideon ended up with only 300 soldiers. Here is another valuable principle to keep in mind: What does not add up to us, makes perfect sense in God's mathematical equation.
That night they came upon the enemies camp. The enemy had thousands in his army. Gideon divided the army into three companies, gave each trumpets and empty jars and torches. At the signal, three companies from the distance blew trumpets, shouted, broke the jars and waved the torches. The enemy awoke in panic and began killing one another in confusion thinking the enemy was numerous and among them. Guess who would try a tactic like that? Yes...a coward. A brave man would have went in with an army of 32,000 fighting as any good warrior would. But the coward, Gideon, didn't enter the battlefield and won the day.
That's what God can do with cowards. He can take their lack of confidence in themselves and turn it into a huge confidence in Him that can defeat an army. Got any enemies threatening you? Got any armies camped just over the hill? That is the perfect opportunity for you and me to find out what God can do with cowards.
"Father, let me be the first to admit that often I have more fear than courage. I have more doubt than faith. I have more questions than answers. You give me a sign and look for two more. God I am weak. I am a coward. So, with no confidence in myself and all confidence in you, I pray be my strength...be my courage...let your power fill me so I can see how your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Through you the battle is already one. Amen."
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
"Saving Worms"
We watch a lot of PBS cartoons in our house. One of my kid's favorite shows is the Kratz brothers--Two guys that now have an animation to help kids learn all about animals. In a recent episode, the brothers talked about worms and the important role they play on earth. They then showed them talking to real kids as they showed worms coming to the surface after a big rain. They showed 100's of worms stranded on the sidewalk in the sun. The brothers said,"Somebody has got to save these worms. Hurry...rescue the worms by picking them up and setting them on the grass so they can dig back into the ground before they dry out and die." I thought to myself, "My kids are afraid of worms. They would just let the poor things die." However, a few weeks later, we were outside after a rain. Sure enough the worms worked their way to the surface and many were stranded on the sidewalk. I remembered the show and jokingly shouted, "Somebody save the worms!" To my surprise, my kids overcome their fears through compassion and started rescuing the worms. "Come on, Daddy," they shouted. The next thing I knew I was saving worms too.
I suppose there is a lot of fear and prejudice when it comes to human trafficking. I have heard some say they just don't believe that it is a problem in Ohio even though government and independent studies all agree that 1800 American-born and immigrant children are enslaved in Ohio each year. I have heard some say that prostitutes make a choice for this lifestyle so they have to live what they choose. Of course, I doubt that most people know that the average entry age to prostitution in the US is age 13. In light of that, how many prostitutes really had a choice in the matter? I have heard Christians say, "Why are we talking about this? It is not like we can change it?" This is most bothersome, considering Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Others say I do not want to get involved so I can protect my kids. Even though we know that it is our suburban kids who are in as much danger for this modern day slavery as anyone and to do nothing puts our kids in more danger, not less.
I have had thoughts such as those run through my mind in the years leading up to this series. But Jesus has come to exchange my/your/our fears and prejudices for compassion.
Romans 5:8 says, "God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners (might we say, worms?), Christ died for us." He was not afraid of being dirtied or offended by our sin. He took it on. He let it pierce him because he knew "by his wounds we would be healed". He did not hold our choice to sin over us. He came to forgive us and to set us free. He came down from heaven, picked me up, even a worm like me and Jesus saved me. Jesus is saving me!
The writer of the hymn, Amazing Grace, was a former Slave Ship Captain before he was found by God. He then became a preacher. At the end of his life, he began to loose his memory, but he would say, "One thing I always remember: I am a great sinner, but Christ is a greater Savior."
Living Hope Church...let fear and prejudice be turned to compassion not for worms on a sidewalk, but for boys and girls, men and women---27 million of them-- who are dying in modern day slavery today. Register today for the Human Trafficking Awareness Event on August 27 at www.elivinghope.com. Tell some body else about the event. And the next thing you know, you will look around and see people every where saving something of much greater value than worms.
I suppose there is a lot of fear and prejudice when it comes to human trafficking. I have heard some say they just don't believe that it is a problem in Ohio even though government and independent studies all agree that 1800 American-born and immigrant children are enslaved in Ohio each year. I have heard some say that prostitutes make a choice for this lifestyle so they have to live what they choose. Of course, I doubt that most people know that the average entry age to prostitution in the US is age 13. In light of that, how many prostitutes really had a choice in the matter? I have heard Christians say, "Why are we talking about this? It is not like we can change it?" This is most bothersome, considering Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Others say I do not want to get involved so I can protect my kids. Even though we know that it is our suburban kids who are in as much danger for this modern day slavery as anyone and to do nothing puts our kids in more danger, not less.
I have had thoughts such as those run through my mind in the years leading up to this series. But Jesus has come to exchange my/your/our fears and prejudices for compassion.
Romans 5:8 says, "God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners (might we say, worms?), Christ died for us." He was not afraid of being dirtied or offended by our sin. He took it on. He let it pierce him because he knew "by his wounds we would be healed". He did not hold our choice to sin over us. He came to forgive us and to set us free. He came down from heaven, picked me up, even a worm like me and Jesus saved me. Jesus is saving me!
The writer of the hymn, Amazing Grace, was a former Slave Ship Captain before he was found by God. He then became a preacher. At the end of his life, he began to loose his memory, but he would say, "One thing I always remember: I am a great sinner, but Christ is a greater Savior."
Living Hope Church...let fear and prejudice be turned to compassion not for worms on a sidewalk, but for boys and girls, men and women---27 million of them-- who are dying in modern day slavery today. Register today for the Human Trafficking Awareness Event on August 27 at www.elivinghope.com. Tell some body else about the event. And the next thing you know, you will look around and see people every where saving something of much greater value than worms.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
"No Fear"
My kids are often confused about what to and not to fear. For instance, both of my kids use to be terrified of flies. I would tell them, "A fly will not hurt you. It may bug the heck out of you, but it cannot devour you." But still they were afraid. On the other hand, they are not afraid of cars in a parking lot. In the past, both of them have taken their turn darting off with no fear of being hit by a car. They now stay close by, but I am convinced they do not really think there is anything to fear in the parking lot.
The truth is we adults also struggle with fearing the wrong things and not fearing the right things. For example, evil is very good at deceiving us into fearing the truth. Why are we so afraid of the truth? Its true...people are terrified of the truth.
This week I was told that "there are people in our church" who are uncomfortable with having me, their pastor, openly talk about my past sin of pornography. Of course, I do not know who "these people in our church" are or I would be happy to address this with them. But I do not get address this directly because these folks (for all I know it may only be one person) are afraid of the truth. Being afraid to speak the truth is being afraid of the truth.
Guess what? Hell wants us to be afraid of the truth. Because if we are afraid to hear and speak the truth to one another then we will not be real before God and others. And if Hell can keep us afraid of being real before God and each other then Hell knows it will keep us enslaved. The number one way Hell keeps us imprisoned in past hurts, present addictions, pet sins, destructive habits, lies about ourselves, God and the world is by convincing us to fear the truth.
However, God tells us the truth about truth and that is you never have to be afraid of the truth. The truth may not always be fun or easy, but it never need be feared. Here are just a few truths about truth from God's Word:
"Confess your sins one to another and you will be healed" James 5:16. I openly share my past sin of pornography and present issues God reveals to me about myself because confession leads to healing and it invites others to have permission to confess their sins so they can be free.
"Jesus said,'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32. This is why we need not fear truth...the truth always sets us free...where we receive and speak truth we discover freedom!
"Your truth always protects me." Psalm 40:11. We think we are protecting ourselves and others when we lie. Jesus says Satan is the Father of Lies. So when we lie we are working with Satan. And Jesus said Satan's self-imposed purpose in this world is to "Steal, kill and destroy." Therefore, when we use a lie to protect ourselves or others we are actually joining with Satan to kill, steal and destroy. The truth is what protects us, not lies.
I encourage you Living Hope Church family never be afraid of the truth because the Bible says where there is truth there is healing, freedom and protection! After all, it was Jesus who said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."
The truth is we adults also struggle with fearing the wrong things and not fearing the right things. For example, evil is very good at deceiving us into fearing the truth. Why are we so afraid of the truth? Its true...people are terrified of the truth.
This week I was told that "there are people in our church" who are uncomfortable with having me, their pastor, openly talk about my past sin of pornography. Of course, I do not know who "these people in our church" are or I would be happy to address this with them. But I do not get address this directly because these folks (for all I know it may only be one person) are afraid of the truth. Being afraid to speak the truth is being afraid of the truth.
Guess what? Hell wants us to be afraid of the truth. Because if we are afraid to hear and speak the truth to one another then we will not be real before God and others. And if Hell can keep us afraid of being real before God and each other then Hell knows it will keep us enslaved. The number one way Hell keeps us imprisoned in past hurts, present addictions, pet sins, destructive habits, lies about ourselves, God and the world is by convincing us to fear the truth.
However, God tells us the truth about truth and that is you never have to be afraid of the truth. The truth may not always be fun or easy, but it never need be feared. Here are just a few truths about truth from God's Word:
"Confess your sins one to another and you will be healed" James 5:16. I openly share my past sin of pornography and present issues God reveals to me about myself because confession leads to healing and it invites others to have permission to confess their sins so they can be free.
"Jesus said,'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32. This is why we need not fear truth...the truth always sets us free...where we receive and speak truth we discover freedom!
"Your truth always protects me." Psalm 40:11. We think we are protecting ourselves and others when we lie. Jesus says Satan is the Father of Lies. So when we lie we are working with Satan. And Jesus said Satan's self-imposed purpose in this world is to "Steal, kill and destroy." Therefore, when we use a lie to protect ourselves or others we are actually joining with Satan to kill, steal and destroy. The truth is what protects us, not lies.
I encourage you Living Hope Church family never be afraid of the truth because the Bible says where there is truth there is healing, freedom and protection! After all, it was Jesus who said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
"The Race"
My wife Kimberly is one among many here who are are training for races in the fall. I will admit that I do not understand the appeal of running. I take a brisk walk every evening and greatly enjoy it, but I tell our kids the only way I run is if something is chasing me that could kill me. As Whether you value running or not, the Bible uses the race as a metaphor for our faith in Christ.
At the end of his life, as he sit imprisoned awaiting his martyrdom, the Apostle Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day--and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Whenever I am feeling weary in my faith, when I am tempted to run off to my own ways and whims, when I feel like I would rather just indulge in what the world says isimportant rather than what God says is important, this passage of Scripture comes to mind. I actually think of the words of one of my seminary professors, Dr. Weigelt. He was genius of a man who some time in mid-life had a major mental breakdown. He openly shared his past mental collapse and his ongoing recovery. The man I knew was far from unstable. In fact, he was an example of one who had come to find complete peace with himself and his God. Perhaps it was his example in this way that made his words stand out all the more. One day in class he said, "The reward of our faith is not for those who start the race. Many start running this race, but somewhere along the way become weary or distracted. They sit down. They give up. They walk off in a different direction. The reward of faith is not for those who start the race, but for those who finish the race. The reward is not for those who run the fastest or for those who run and never stumble. The reward of our faith is for those how finish the race--be it fast or slow. The reward of our faith is for those who finish the race no matter how many the obstacle nor how many times they stumble and must get back up to their feet again. The reward of our faith is what makes the race worth it. But that reward is only for those who finish the race."
Probably the hardest things for me as Follower of Christ is to watch brothers and sisters in Christ who had once started the race, to quit running. Its funny...as much as we all like to say going to church does not make us a Christian (which is very true), but we forget that staying in our faith has very much to do with being the church and you can't be the church alone on the couch at home. I've yet to see a follower of Christ start missing coming together with the Body for worship and transformation to ever finish the race alone. Most likely, the folks to whom I am referring will never read this post. If by chance you are reading, please know that your church family is not here to kick you while you are down, but to help you on your feet again so you can finish the race.
There is a much greater chance that someone is reading today and you feel like giving up...temptation is pounding on your door or the mountains seem too big for you to overcome...I know...I've been there...it feels like it would be easier to give up than to finish the race. The truth is, it would be easier. It is always easier to give up. But before you give up, I urge you to remember that it is better to run while it is hard now and get the reward forever, than to give up because it is easier now and miss the reward forever. I urge you, I beg you, brothers and sisters...finish the race!
At the end of his life, as he sit imprisoned awaiting his martyrdom, the Apostle Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day--and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Whenever I am feeling weary in my faith, when I am tempted to run off to my own ways and whims, when I feel like I would rather just indulge in what the world says isimportant rather than what God says is important, this passage of Scripture comes to mind. I actually think of the words of one of my seminary professors, Dr. Weigelt. He was genius of a man who some time in mid-life had a major mental breakdown. He openly shared his past mental collapse and his ongoing recovery. The man I knew was far from unstable. In fact, he was an example of one who had come to find complete peace with himself and his God. Perhaps it was his example in this way that made his words stand out all the more. One day in class he said, "The reward of our faith is not for those who start the race. Many start running this race, but somewhere along the way become weary or distracted. They sit down. They give up. They walk off in a different direction. The reward of faith is not for those who start the race, but for those who finish the race. The reward is not for those who run the fastest or for those who run and never stumble. The reward of our faith is for those how finish the race--be it fast or slow. The reward of our faith is for those who finish the race no matter how many the obstacle nor how many times they stumble and must get back up to their feet again. The reward of our faith is what makes the race worth it. But that reward is only for those who finish the race."
Probably the hardest things for me as Follower of Christ is to watch brothers and sisters in Christ who had once started the race, to quit running. Its funny...as much as we all like to say going to church does not make us a Christian (which is very true), but we forget that staying in our faith has very much to do with being the church and you can't be the church alone on the couch at home. I've yet to see a follower of Christ start missing coming together with the Body for worship and transformation to ever finish the race alone. Most likely, the folks to whom I am referring will never read this post. If by chance you are reading, please know that your church family is not here to kick you while you are down, but to help you on your feet again so you can finish the race.
There is a much greater chance that someone is reading today and you feel like giving up...temptation is pounding on your door or the mountains seem too big for you to overcome...I know...I've been there...it feels like it would be easier to give up than to finish the race. The truth is, it would be easier. It is always easier to give up. But before you give up, I urge you to remember that it is better to run while it is hard now and get the reward forever, than to give up because it is easier now and miss the reward forever. I urge you, I beg you, brothers and sisters...finish the race!
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