And they praised God because of me?

It has been a long summer dealing with health problems in my mother in law and preparing for a wedding for our son two weeks from today.  This past week I took my 3rd of 4 D.Min modules where I go to Atlanta for an entire week.  What a way to spend a vacation.  But I'm within 470 days from graduation.  But who is counting?

This morning in my devotions I was reading in Galatians 1.  Paul is giving a defense of his apostleship.  He said something in the last verse that hit me.

And they praised God because of me.

I wonder how many people praise God because of me?  We all want to be liked.  But being liked doesn't always lead to people praising God for you.  Sometimes I need to be told the ugly truth.  Some of the best bosses I had were very truthful.  It hurt but I knew they loved me.  I've had other bosses who could care less about me. They just want to get the job done.  I want to be known as one who cares and makes people better.  My favorite Bible character besides Jesus is Barnabas.  Why?  Because his name was changed to "Encourager."  That is what I want to be known for.  Kevin was an encourager and for that I praise God.  

Unless someone explains?

This week has been a crazy one.  My mother in law just got out of the hospital rehab yesterday so my writing has been limited.  Today I was studying in Acts 8.  Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel with an Ethiopian Eunuch.  I noticed a few things.  First, Philip allowed the Spirit to lead him.  Second, the Eunuch was reading from the Old Testament and had just come from worship.  This leads me to believe the Eunuch was seeking.  We need to always look for what God is doing in the lives of others.  What really struck me was when Philip asked the Eunuch what did the passage that he was reading mean?  In Acts 8:31 (NIV) it says, 

How can I, he said, unless someone explains it to me?

How many people are out there for us to explain what the Bible has to say?

Resolutely

I've watched the movie National Treasure over a dozen times.  I love the passion that Nicolas Cage had about everything to do with the US.  One scene I remember was when they were trying to figure out one of the clues about the Charlotte.  Cage said that what was written was "resolute" which meant it was firm, absolute and unwavering.

As I was reading in Luke 9 this morning a verse stood out to me.  Of course Luke 9:23 is one I quote often about taking up my cross daily.  But this morning Luke 9:51 hit a chord.  It says:

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

Think about this.  Jesus knew He was going to Jerusalem for one reason and one reason only--to die.  Yet Jesus didn't waver.  He "RESOLUTELY" went to His death for me.  Powerful.

Could not find a way

I was studying Luke 5 this morning and there was a paralyzed man who had his friends bring him to Jesus.  They "couldn't find a way" to get to Jesus so they went on top of the roof and cut a hole in the roof and lowered the man in.  How passionate am I to see people come to Christ that I will find a way to get them to Jesus?

Assigned task?

I was studying in Mark 13 today and it was about when Jesus comes back to earth.  There is so much of this I don't understand.  But there were two parts that I get.  First, Jesus said to watch and then keep watch.  My job as a Christian is to always be ready for Jesus to come again.  The second part that I found interesting was that Jesus said I need to be busy doing my assigned task. In Mark 13:34 Jesus said just like a man who puts his servants in charge with their assigned task.  I felt God was telling me I just need to do what He has asked and assigned me to do.  It is not my job to worry about other Christians and make suggestions (or complaints) about what they are doing or not doing.  I need to watch and do what God has assigned to me.

Doubt vs belief?

Jesus told the disciples that if they believed they would receive whatever they asked for in prayer.  (Mark 11:24 NIV).  The key is to not doubt & believe.  Some have misinterpreted this as a name it claim it theology.  That isn't what Jesus is talking about here.  When we pray we must pray for God's will to be done through this.  There have been several things that God has shown me in prayer that would happen.  In fact, my wife told me one over 3 1/2 years ago.  None of it has happened--yet.  It would be easy to become discouraged and I have.  But I have to remind myself that I just have to have a little faith.  One man said I believe, help my unbelief.  That is what I need.  God, I believe, help my unbelief.

Don't you remember?

How many times has Jesus bailed me out of situations?   I could tell so many stories.  Yet, when I get in a jam and don't think I can't get out what do I do?  Just like most of us, I worry.  Years ago, I started writing down the God moments or spiritual markers that Henry Blackaby describes.  Why?  Because I need to remind myself that God has always been there and he always will be. 

In Mark 8 Jesus wants to feed 4000 people because they had been with him for 3 days.  The disciples acted like most of us would and said where are we going to find enough food to feed that many people?  4000 only included the men so likely there were 12,000 people.  But don't they remember when Jesus fed the 5000 men (likely 15,000 people)?  Jesus got frustrated with the disciples and asked them in Mark 8:18 (NIV)  "don't you remember?"

I wonder how many times Jesus thinks that of me?  He takes care of me so often and I still worry the next time an insurmountable obstacle comes my way.  People often say that God doesn't give us more than we can handle.  I think that is a lie from the devil.  I think God gives us things we can't handle so we will depend on Him.  The devil wants us to rely on ourselves.  God wants us to rely on Him!

Tap on the shoulder

This morning I did not have to be anywhere before 9 so I didn't set my alarm.  I woke up about 6:30 and decided to go back to sleep.  I was awakened at 6:40 with someone tapping on my shoulder.   I looked next to me and my wife was sound asleep.  I have been hearing a lot from God so I took this as a sign to get up right then.  Still not sure why this happened yet.  But maybe God wanted me to leave earlier and miss a bad accident or something.  I did read in Mark 6 about Jesus walking on the water.  It says he was about to pass them by.  I always thought that was for us to not let Jesus walk by us...in other words, always bee looking around.  But I discovered that term was used to mean that God was about to show His glory.  Pretty cool.

Just believe

My favorite secular band is Journey.  They wrote a song 40 years ago that is still popular today and played in many sporting venues called "Don't stop believing."  There are times when it is hard to believe.  A loved one is sick, dying or already has died.  Finances are so messed up it is impossible to see any hope.  In Mark 5 a Synagogue leader named Jairus came to Jesus and asked him to help.  Things had to be pretty bad for a Hebrew religious leader to come to Jesus.  He wanted Jesus to heal his daughter.  Jesus told him just to believe.  How often is the answer to my problem my own faith?   I don't think God gives us enough to handle.  I think He gives us more so we will depend on Him.  If we could handle things, why would we need God?  So I wonder how my own faith determines what God does?

Faith

We hear about faith a lot.  But do we really know what faith is?  Do I really have faith?  I say I do but sometimes I wonder.  I was studying Mark 2 today and Jesus was speaking to some people and there were so many people that they couldn't get in the house or even outside.  I guess that was the first church with overflow.  I do notice that where ever Jesus went there were crowds.  So, those who think Megachurches are evil might want to read the Bible.

But what struck me today was how four men did whatever they could to get to Jesus.  Not for them, but for their friend who couldn't walk.  They wouldn't be stopped.  They couldn't get through the crowd so they went on top of the house and dug a hole in the roof.  I wonder what the homeowner thought?  How would you explain that to your insurance agent?  Jesus saw their faith and forgave the man of his sins.  Not his faith, their faith!  He then healed the man to show his authority.  So, I wonder how often my faith changes the lives of others? 

Authority

I was doing my Bible Study in Mark 1 this morning.  I noticed that as Jesus began His ministry that people were drawn to His preaching because He had authority.  Some people think they have authority because of a position.  But the reality is that our authority comes from God.  There is nothing special about me.  Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit, I have authority.  Jesus healed people, cast out demons and did miracles.   If I have that same Holy Spirit, why am I not expecting the same?  Convicting. 

He gave no answer

I have a pretty quick mind and unfortunately mouth.  I can't tell you how many times I've stuck my foot in my mouth and said things I regretted.   I've gotten better as I have gotten older but because my mind thinks of witty things to say it comes out.  I have worked to have better self-control.   When I was reading in Matthew 27 as false accusations, insults and physical harm came to Jesus, He remained silent.  That is rather convicting in a social media world where everyone thinks they have been persecuted.  We don't know persecution in the US.  I pray that I will learn just to let things go and not always feel the need to defend myself or those whom I care about.

Deny myself

Reading in Matthew 16 this morning and Jesus said that if we want to be His disciple we must deny ourselves and take up our cross.  Well to the first-century person, taking up a cross meant death.  Living in the US, I wonder how often I really deny myself.  We live in a selfish culture.  I'm as guilty as anyone.  When I drive on Hwy 280 I expect everyone to get off the road for me.  I want lines to be smaller.  I want what I order to be there yesterday.  Do I really deny myself?  Do I really die to myself? 

Listening to God's voice again

I've been reading/listening to Henry and Richard Blackaby's book Hearing God's Voice.  I listen to a lot of books and podcasts because I drive a lot on my rounds.  Today, they were talking about something in their lives.  It sort of depressed me because I wasn't experiencing the same victory.  I then prayed and asked God why my situation was the way it was.  As I was praying, the person whom I was concerned about texted me and asked for what I was praying for all along.  I can't make this up.  I can't go into specifics because I don't want to embarrass the other person involved.  But just what they texted me about was an answer to prayer. 

According to my faith

I was reading in Matthew 9 today when I saw that Jesus healed according to other's faith.  Jesus healed a paralyzed man in Matthew 9:2 according to the faith of the men who brought him.  Jesus told a bleeding woman that her faith healed her in Matthew 9:22.  In Matthew 9:29 Jesus healed two blind men according to their faith.  I wonder how many miracles and answered prayers I've missed out on because I didn't trust God enough?

Seeking

Seeking is a word that has been going through my head a lot over the last year.  I was taking the time to write down thoughts that I felt the Holy Spirit was giving me.  I was hit and miss on doing it though.  Then after reading Atomic Habits, I started scheduling 5 minutes to listen to God.  That may not seem like a long time but I've become consistent.  Anyway, I keep hearing in my time listening to seek.  Then in my Bible Study in Matthew 6 today, Jesus said that we are to seek first God's Kingdom and everything else will come.  This seems to be counter-culture.  We are taught to go after what we want.  Things only come to those who get it.  God is not telling us to be lazy.   In fact, I think God wants us to work hard.  But we work hard for him and He gives us all we need.  That makes no sense from a worldly point of view.  It is easy to worry.  I wish I could say I have it together but I don't.   But I have been seeking God more and more every day.  My prayer is as I seek, I will hear his voice more. 

He did

We don't read much about Joseph the father of Jesus.  Apparently, he died before Jesus was crucified.  A lot has been said about the faith of Mary and rightly so.  I can't imagine how scary it was for her to become pregnant and to still be a virgin.  I can't imagine the jeers and the whispers she heard.  Then if that is not enough, she had to watch her innocent son be killed.

But Joseph's life isn't mentioned very much.  In Matthew1:19 it says that Joseph was faithful to the law.  When he found out Mary was pregnant, I can't imagine what was in his head.  Rather than get back at her, he was going to dissolve their engagement quietly.  If this happened today in the social media climate, I would imagine some of his friends would have had him post some tough stuff.

Yet, Joseph wanted to protect her.  He cared about her.  Then when he had a dream that explained how Mary got pregnant it all made sense.  However, only he knew that.  It wasn't like he could tell everyone on social media or the evening news that Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit.  When Joseph had the dream it says that when he woke up HE DID what the angel commanded him.  Joseph had a choice.  He chose to obey God. 

In Matthew 2 Joseph had another dream to take Mary and Jesus in the middle of the night and go to Eygpt.  In vs 14, it says "HE GOT UP."  In vs 21, he had another dream and was told to take his family back to Galilee.  The scripture says, "HE GOT UP."

Not much is written about Joseph.  But if all that was written about me is "HE DID" and "HE GOT UP" I'm good with that.  Obedience is why Joseph heard from God.  It is why God chose to place his son in the hands of Joseph.

What Bible are they reading from?

I read a story about how the Rock Band Switchfoot was protested by a "Christian Church." Read it here. Now to be fair, I love Switchfoot.  Also, they have never claimed to be a "Christian" band.  They are a band who happens to have Christians in the band.  Their music is obviously influenced by their faith.

When you watch the video by the church it is obvious that they didn't come in love but came for a fight.  Jon Foreman the lead singer of Switchfoot (and devout Christian) went out to talk with the church in love.  It appears he had a case of bottled water that he brought for them too.  Foreman even thanked them for what they were doing.  The church just wanted to argue and condemn Switchfoot and anyone who listens to them.  Later in the concert, Foreman encourages people to treat the church group with love. Wow, what a concept?

Years ago I had the opportunity to interview Shirley Phelps-Roper of Westboro Baptist Church (or God Hates Fags).  John Stickley and I went there with the goal of trying to understand them.  You can watch the interview here.  I was amazed at how unloving Phelps and all of the protesters were.

When I look at I Corinthians 13:13 Paul says, "And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love"(NIV)  I wonder what Bible some people are reading from?  What good does shouting insults and displaying love do?  Jesus even said that God Loved The World!  When he confronted sins of those who needed it he expressed love for them.  If it is good enough for Jesus and Paul, it ought to be good enough for us.

Is it really Good News?

"Our nation is going downhill"
"We've lost our way"
"Lord help us"
"America is in crisis" 

Insert your own favorite line.  I'm not going to pretend that I haven't had those thoughts.  But how does saying derogatory things about our nation or world in public help us in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ?  Just because we don't agree with something, doesn't mean we have to shout it from the Mountain Tops!  Publicly blasting our someone who isn't a follower of Jesus comes across as mean spirited.  Claiming that we are being persecuted is going to fall on deaf ears. Why do some Christians continually look for the next opportunity to be offended?

This is why I love the Apostle Paul.  He was shipwrecked, left for dead and put in jail but he was constantly giving thanks to God.  He was trashed by people outside of the Christian faith and from fellow believers.  Yet, Paul always looked at things from a positive perspective.  Whenever I read Paul's letters I get a heavy dose of conviction.  What right do I have to be offended by someone who doesn't claim to have a relationship with Jesus?  Why should we expect people outside the church to have the same convictions that we have?

Do circumstances and events in the world point to things getting worse? Yes.  But what time in History didn't?  When I read or talk to people who were around during World War II, that was a time of uncertainty.  I remember how scary things were during the Cold War.  If we believe that complaining or voting certain ways are going to change our world we are greatly mistaken.  The only thing that will change our society at any time in History is to turn to God. But putting "Turn or Burn" signs or anything like that on our church billboards will only turn people away.

I know that when things are rough for me I enjoy hearing good news.  I think the same is true for people who are struggling in their lives.  If things are going well, people don't think they need God.  But when things are tense or their world is falling apart, people want to hear good news.  What better news can we share than the truth that Jesus died for their sins? So is the "NEWS" we are spreading "GOOD" or are we turning people away?

Church Police?

There aren't many things that cause me to boil over, but hypocrisy is probably at the top of the list. Full disclosure that I struggle with it myself so maybe that is why it bothers me so much. Former smokers are often are more anti smoking that those of us who never have smoked.

One thing I've never understood among fellow believers in Christ is why there are a few that think it is their gift or responsibility to monitor or "Police" pastors & other ministry leaders.  There are radio programs & websites devoted to "protect" the church from heretics (at least what they consider heretics).

Billy Graham has probably been the most scrutinized minister in my lifetime. Rick Warren has been the whipping boy of the last 20 years. Then it was Andy Stanley & Craig Groeschel-- both who are my favorite speakers outside of my own pastor. Now we have a new crop: Perry Noble & Steven Furtick. Full disclosure, I've heard both speak in person & like both of them.  I like anyone who is leading people to Christ. Do they have blind spots & weaknesses? I'm sure they do, but I have enough to work on with my own failings than to spend hours writing blogs & designing websites.

Recently I began reading some recent "news" reports about both Noble & Furtick. I was in Charlotte this week & have a friend who knows them both personally so I asked him what all this was about? He had a lot of wisdom and I realized that these reporters/bloggers have way too much time on their hands.

So what makes someone think they are God's Police Officer? When we planted a church 13 years ago, we never heard complaints from those outside the church. But we received plenty of scrutiny & criticism from church people who would never visit our church & were not our target audience. Stuart my associate & I affectionately referred to them as the "Church Police."

When I had my previous blog, there was one man who actually printed out everything I had ever said on the internet & was convinced I was a heretic. He never abided by Matthew 18:15 which clearly said the man should have met with me in person. Maybe I had some things that I needed to repent of. But to blast someone in public is not what Jesus taught.

Back to the criticism of these mega church pastors. Why haven't the reporters/theologians/bloggers confronted these pastors in person? They are sinning by not responding to a brother in Christ in a manner Jesus commanded!

The Apostle Paul taught in Philippians 1 that there were people who did preach out of wrong motives. I don't think any of the above pastors do! However, even if they did, Paul says no matter the motives as long as Christ is preached he rejoiced.  Why can't the "Church Police" do the same?