Praise is not a natural emotion, at least once the sinful nature entered life’s equation. When one rule was overlooked to indulge curiosity, the world forever changed. At one point following Israel’s exodus out of Egypt, God’s anger continued for a generation, 40 years to be exact, Psalm 95:10. Spoiled, spineless and spiritually lukewarm, many Jews forgot how to praise their God.
A few thousand years later, a misguided man was brought to the forefront. Blinded by the presence of Jesus, a prideful leader was humbled by the Almighty God, Acts 9:1-19. Although his transformation was immediate, not every cheered, especially the victims of his persecution. Nonetheless, Saul from Tarsus tarried on with his relationship with God, unlike what most Christians will ever experience. Pushed to the brink of death several times, a heart of worship grew within the apostle Paul.
Instead of pouting, “why me God,” Acts 16:16-36 takes a look inside a heart of praise. Punished for doing the right thing, Paul used negative circumstances as a stepping stone to present prisoners with the good news of Jesus Christ. The rest of this account is a testament to God’s blessings and faithfulness during the storms and trials in life. If today’s generation of Christians can apply one lesson from the life of Paul, its simple. Stop pouting and start praising, whether life is good, bad or indifferent, Philippians 4:4-9.
Feelings of excitement and mystery go hand and hand with romance. Deep inside the human heart, passion is ignited by a spark, triggering previously unknown emotions. Curiosity, flirting and love set the scene for a romantic interlude.
After this experience fades, a void is left behind. Within the DNA of mankind, there is a relational component often neglected by individuals. Subsequently, human beings attempt to recreate interludes of the past, usually without success. One of the side effects of romance are rash decisions, like that of Sarah in Genesis 16:1-5, putting any chance for romance on thin ice.
Just as men and women long for one another, God yearns for intimacy with his children. While teaching his disciples, Jesus refers to pursuing the Lord with the same level of commitment as a romantic interlude, Matthew 16:24-26. Sometimes in life you have to take a chance, risking humility to pursue the desires of your heart. May the hope of John 3:16-17 inspire you to drawn near to God, James 4:8, like a romantic interlude.
These are words a coach, parent or teacher may express to someone they care about. The basis for this expression, “use it or lose it,” serves as a warning to anyone who fails to practice a newly acquired ability. The longer individuals wait before they apply information, the greater the probability someone will forget this skill. Fearful leaders encourage their pupils to seize the moment or risk losing their lesson until next week, month or year.
One of the first students, Adam, was given a few simple commands from the Lord in Genesis 2:15-17. First, Adam was promoted to become the caretaker of Eden’s Garden. Secondly, Adam was given clear boundaries defined by God, “you can eat from every tree except for one,” this is off limits. In other words, God told Adam, use it or lose it. After a long day of work, Adam was tired, not having the strength to contain his wife’s curiosity in Genesis 3:6. By not using his God given authority, the first family loses it all, kicked out of their home, Genesis 3:23.
Today, father’s are suppose to be the head of their family, 1 Peter 3:1-7. Unfortunately, children born out of wedlock, divorce and absentee dad’s are signs of wasted authority. If these trends continue, fathers will suffer the same fate of Adam, a man without a place to call home. I can hear the following words being shouted from heaven to dad’s on the verge of disaster, “use your God given authority or lose it!” Like the movie Courageous, may today’s blog inspire parents to leave a legacy of integrity for their children to follow. Or else you may lose your children to a similar fate.
Legendary coach Hank Stram roamed the sidelines for nearly 2 decades in the American Football League, most notably for the Kansas City Chiefs. Thanks to Steve Sabol of NFL Films, Stram was regularly microphoned, giving the public access to Hank’s commentary on the game he coached. Subsequently, archives exist of in game reactions to his teams play on the gridiron. One of Stram’s famous sayings was “what the hell is going on out there?”
After this past week of events in the world, perhaps you are like me thinking, “what the hell is going on?” Tension on the Gaza strip, terrorists shooting down a passenger airline and countries falling apart at the seams. Like a perfect storm brewing in the tropics, hurricane force winds are starting to impact society. Have these signs always been there or has the world lost touch with their Creator?
Unfortunately, the only person you can control is yourself. Despite this truth, failure is inevitable, Romans 3:23. Thus, you have a world full of imperfect people, tempted by evil, power and selfish desires. These elements create conditions where hell meets earth. To answer the question what the hell is going on out there is simple using biblical terms. Innocent children, Luke 15:11-13, are swayed by curiosity, seeking to find pleasure in life. Void of meaning, prodigals wander around longing for a father’s love and forgiveness. This vicious cycle continues til someone displays the love of Jesus. Until the lost experience agape love, hell on earth will linger. May God’s grace and mercy come quickly.
To blight, contaminate or destroy highlight terms to describe the word tainted. This suggests prior to someone or something being tarnished, innocence and purity existed. Like the days before Adam’s failure to lead and Eve’s misguided curiosity, perfection was in reach.
Unfortunately, individuals have now been infected with an undetectable virus. This blemish has marred human DNA, corrupted by a nature designed to be at war with God, Galatians 5:16-18. Defiled by sin, Romans 3:9-12, attempts to be disciplined, do right and stay out of trouble is no longer a given, Romans 7:14-20. This stain on human beings has left a path of destruction throughout history.
While ruin daily visits once regarded saints, the promises of James 5:16 provides hope for the hapless. Although stigmatized by the world, wounded souls seek refuge at the altar of God. When the burdens of life become too heavy to handle on your own, come to Jesus for He will give you rest, Matthew 11:28. Like an infomercial for dirty laundry, shout out your sins to the Lord and He will transform your life from tainted to become as pure as snow, Isaiah 1:18.
How many times in life do you seek an emotional high? One that never ends; giving you a sensation like a drug, 24 hours a day. Many go through their entire lives searching, but never find the real thing.
Do you recall your first day of school? As formal education begins, innocence gives way to curiosity and terror. Fears over finding friends and earning acceptance by your peers takes precedence. However, the thought of being away from your parents provides a sense of freedom temporarily. This freedom entices you to try new things, experimenting with fruit, forbidden by parents and teachers.
By the time junior high arrives, eyes start to wander… BABES, STUDS, ALCOHOL and DRUGS! Perhaps you might not be as distracted as some, yet juicy stories spread fast through the grape vine peeking your interest. The closer you look, the mind takes on an alter ego, longing for items on the other side of the fence. Fleshly desires, peer pressure and the unknown leads you to the verge of sin thinking, “Oh baby this sure does feel good.”
A junior high experiment often leads to a senior high life style. Marijuana, pranks and sex are just a few of the choice behaviors one indulges in to obtain the real thing. Sure, there are risks, even consequences; but what will my friends think if I go straight? “Everybody is doing it, why can’t I,” says the follower. As high school drifts by, the next hurdle to jump is college. Hobbies you once did for a buzz no longer provide satisfaction. Call it what you may: a habit, obsession, way of life or obliterating time, something inside can’t let go. This quest for real life has turned into an addiction.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why you do what you do? Has it occurred to you that you’ve missed something along the way? Is there something else out there beside living for the weekend? I don’t believe you and I were placed on this earth by accident. Growing up, working for a living 9 to 5, have fun for a while then repeat this cycle over and over again til you die? This doesn’t make sense! There must be a greater purpose or meaning in life, but what is it?
Jesus Christ, the son of God the Father is your answer. God sent His one and only son, Jesus, down to earth, to die for blemishes on earth, John 3:16-17. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father according to the Apostle’s Creed. Jesus didn’t just die on a cross and rise from the dead for His own glory, Romans 5:8. Rather, Jesus became sin for us: for you, me and everyone ever born on planet earth. Jesus did all of this so that all of us might be seen as righteousness before God, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
This may sound crazy, yet there is no other HIGH greater than entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ, Romans 10:9-10. Nothing else compares to dedicating your life to God in your living years, John 10:10. Thus, peace is found in no other place, Galatians 5:22-23. This isn’t about High’s and Low’s. This is about life and death, living and dying, Deuteronomy 30:11-16. The only way to Jesus is through denying yourself, Matthew 16:25. You may think I’m odd, strange or simply old-fashion, yet God has placed the words of this blog on my heart.
If you have tried most everything else, don’t waste your precious time any longer; embrace the Real Thing, Jesus Christ!
If you were raised in a military family, questioning a person of authority isn’t an option. Colonel Jessup played by Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men illustrates this truth during direct examination by Tom Cruise in a military court, “if marines don’t follow orders in Cuba, people die!” Once any individual earns the respect of their fellow civilians, peers or platoon, most will do whatever he or she tells you to do.
In the case of Mary, mother of Jesus, she knew her son was special by age 12, Luke 2:51-52. Eighteen years later, her opinion had not changed, believing her son had divine powers, John 2:3. Thus, when a friend was about to face public humiliation, running out of wine at a wedding ceremony, Mary relies on Jesus to come to the rescue. However, there was a problem, Jesus had only called 6 of his 12 disciples, John 1:35-51, with 6 more remaining to complete his ministry team. Initially, he refuses to act, explaining God’s timing to commence his 3 year ministry had not yet arrived, John 2:4. Nonetheless, Jesus keeps the vow he made following his bar-mitz-vah to honor his father and mother, Exodus 20:12.
As soon as this conflict was settled, Mary moves into action, ordering the servants at the reception to “do whatever Jesus tells you,” John 2:5. Led by the Holy Spirit, Matthew 4:1 and angels, Matthew 4:11, Jesus examines the situation, develops a plan and gives orders to the servants, John 2:6-8. With their jobs and reputations on the line, these workers carefully follow Jesus’ instructions. Likely scratching their heads, hoping for the best, these servants wait in fearful anticipation of the master’s first impression, John 2:9. Not sure if they will be embarrassed, curiosity holds their attention until each receives good news, John 2:10. If this first miracle of Jesus teaches us anything, do whatever He tell you and good things are bound to follow.
If you’ve experienced or seen any modern day miracles, feel free to share in the comment section below.
The events of today can only be explained as a God instance, leading me to center of God’s will for a moment in time. Stir crazy from not being cleared to go back to work yet, I spent 2 hours spring cleaning, purging my lame wardrobe. After running an errand, I felt compelled to find a quiet restaurant to read and write for a while. What followed next is best described as a Happy Meal at McDonald’s.
After enjoying a small treat from the dollar menu, I began reading a few chapters of the Bible, jotting down interesting details. Before I started my prayer journal, a stranger approached with a few questions. Noticing my Bible, his curiosity led to an hour long conversation. Fifteen minutes later, a bystander joined the fray, adding to what I had begun. To my surprise, this passionate woman was the mother of one of my former students. When she departed, our discussion continued, reflecting on the temptations in life.
Although the conclusion wasn’t earth shattering, a seed was planted in a heart whose soul has been influenced by the hypocrisy of Christian leaders. In life, God doesn’t force anyone to believe. Rather, the apostle Paul suggests individuals are surrounded by visible and invisible qualities of a higher power, Romans 1:18-20. Thus, anyone who is longing for a deeper meaning to life should start by soaking in the words of Christ, Romans 10:17, so that one day their minds will be renewed. If you’re thinking about driving through or ordering take out, you might miss an encounter of a lifetime. Therefore, slow down, kneel and ask the Holy Spirit for the words to share as you dine out.
Prior to the 1970’s, rivers and streams in the United States were treated like garbage disposals, passing on your trash to someone else down stream. After the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio caught on fire for the 5th time, the modern environmental movement was born. These pioneers inspired the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
From a societal point of view, individuals have been crashing and burning for centuries. As a result, daily doses of anger, frustration and lashing out have gone airborne, leading to a different type of pollution. Commencing with curiosity and temptation in the Garden of Eden, sin has entered this world. Signs of this toxic behavior have corrupted children, scarred adults and wounded innocent bystanders.
If a government can establishment an agency to nurture God’s creation, why can’t the church develop a solution to cure polluted souls? At this moment in time, planet earth is in dire need of ambassadors, representing Christ in a dark and desolate culture. One of the first steps is to recognize the source of soul pollution, Romans 3:23. The next logical process requires a check up visit to see the Doctor of Life, receiving the antidote for this disease, John 3:16-17. Finally, the best solution for eliminating soul pollution is to embrace our own weaknesses, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, trusting that Christ will incinerate our lusts, inappropriate passions and self-seeking desires. Join me in this battle of flesh and blood, Ephesians 6:10-12.
ExpressYourself4Him 