Whenever you hear someone talking about a heart or lips, the context often refers to a physical relationship. While ease-dropping, you might discover that a friend is in love. Or an obnoxious and rude customer boasts loudly about hooking up with a woman last night. When love is in the air, even quiet and shy individuals open up to express the good news of a significant other.
But what does it say? The Word (God’s message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach, Romans 10:8.
In a letter to the church of Rome, the apostle Paul uses heart and lips in a spiritual context. Possibly referencing the words of King Solomon in Proverbs 4:23, the heart is the well spring of human bodies. Meanwhile, lips are the gateway to your mouth. When hearts and lips work hand in hand, beautiful expressions such as confession, encouragement and honesty flow.
Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved Romans 10:9.
Although different personalities exist, baptism is symbolic of a public expression for an inner faith. Remaining silent about a personal relationship with God is not an option. Thus, Paul compels believers to come out of your shell by verbalizing what is in your heart. Faith provides the opportunity for what is close to your heart and near to your lips. May this blog inspire you to find an avenue to express your faith daily.
When I was younger, I wasn’t much of a student. Easily bored while sitting in class, I relied on gym class and sports to get me through each day. When I became old enough for youth group, I applied a similar strategy. The thought of hanging out with people my own age each Sunday night enabled me to endure an hour long church service. To me youth group was like a rite of passage, a weekly event that I never wanted to miss.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me, Revelation 3:20.
After becoming a youth director at a Methodist church in the country following my graduation from college, I made the assumption that teenagers would just show up like I did. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case as I struggled to get a half dozen teens to come out each week. About a month into my tenure, I realized that something was missing. Students were being forced to get up early by their parents to attend Sunday School prior to the worship service. Thus, many youths developed the mindset, “well, I went to Sunday School, that should suffice.”
Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation, Romans 10:9-10.
Whenever you are forced to do something, there is a degree of resentment that may enter your soul. If you just attend church or youth group as a favor to friends or parents, faith becomes nothing more than a religious exercise. What is missing in the lives of many church goers is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Whenever someone takes ownership of their faith, you turn the corner spiritually. Instead of dreading church, awakened souls take ownership of their faith when the void in human hearts is replaced by Christ.
There is a tendency to wait for someone’s death until you honor individuals for what they have accomplished on earth. At the end of his talk radio show on Monday afternoon, Rush Limbaugh shocked listeners with his diagnosis of stage four lung cancer. Perhaps, this explains President Donald Trump’s slight pause in his State of the Union speech to honor Rush with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest civilian award that an United States citizen can receive. Since introducing the Stand Up for Betsy Ross clothing line, Limbaugh has donated more than five million dollars to the Tunnel for Towers Foundation. This organization pays off the mortgages of families who have lost a fallen hero, dying in the line of duty.
And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will, Romans 8:27.
One of the details that Rush Limbaugh revealed following his cancer disclosure was a personal relationship with God. Rush confessed that this spiritual relationship has been concealed, not wanting to use his EIB network, Excellence in Broadcasting, to proselytize. Since Limbaugh’s show is based upon satire, using current events to illustrate the difference between conservatism and liberalism, Rush’s decision to keep his faith private makes sense. This has been his philosophy since The Rush Limbaugh Show became nationally syndicated on August 1st, 1988 airing from New York City via ABC Radio. Prior to this, Limbaugh began his broadcasting career on the radio in Sacramento, California.
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose, Romans 8:28.
My brother in law Bob first introduced me to Rush in 1989 as a non-political college student. At this time in history, Rush was explaining that the national government should never create and establish laws based upon common sense. Rush was referring to proposals of a national seat belt law. This discussion won me over and made me a fan for life. However, just as I cringe when I hear certain comments and tweets by president Trump, I have had a similar reaction to some of Limbaugh’s statements throughout the years. Nonetheless, about a year ago, Rush had a caller on Open Line Friday who spoke about putting what he has learned from Rush into action. When I heard this conversation, I immediately received a rhema, a word from the Holy Spirit, “this is what I want you to do with your blog.” Thus, I have to thank Rush Limbaugh for helping me remember the words of Jesus, Matthew 7:24, “put my words into practice.”
During Bill Clinton’s eight years as president of the United States, the phrase “Symbolism over Substance” was made popular by Rush Limbaugh. Using his weekly radio talk show as a forum, Limbaugh daily illustrated that the political and economic world are driven much more by image than by content. In a 2006 article written by Craig Smith, the Swiss America CEO uses a past public relations campaign to prove his point. Symbolism over substance was behind the mass medias attempt to convince America that a rally on Wall Street is right around the corner.
You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes], James 2:24.
In the past few years, a new form of symbolism over substance is taking center stage, the Woke Movement. “Woke” indicates a healthy paranoia, especially about issues of racial and political justice. The leaders of this movement use current events as a form of ambulance chasing to score political points in the media. Several democratic candidates running for president went on apology tours to confess past political decisions to convey their degree of woke-ness. Hollywood actors and actresses have joined in, serving vegan meals at this year’s Oscars to illustrate their concern about climate change.
For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also dead, James 2:26.
Def Leppard released their song Action Not Words in 1983. While the album title Pyromania and lyrics send the wrong message about action, most human beings prefer action, not empty words. This mentality leads to an inner desire, “don’t tell me, show me.” In the passage above, Jesus’ earthly brother writes about faith’s role in fulfilling what you believe. According to James, when you fail to live out faith via works of obedience, faith is dead. Thus, symbolic acts like going to church serve as a façade to hide a lack of spiritual substance. May this blog inspire you to become more than just woke. May the power of the Holy Spirit awaken your soul so that your faith becomes alive.
From a biblical perspective, an oracle refers to a priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from God. Whenever a forefather, judge or king was about to make an important decision in the Old Testament, prophets and seers were requested. Depending upon the oracle received, these leaders would base their ultimate decision upon these words of wisdom.
Then what advantage remains to the Jew? [How is he favored?] Or what is the value or benefit of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, to the Jews were entrusted the oracles (the brief communications, the intentions, the utterances) of God, Romans 3:1-2.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul uses logic and reason to justify the Jewish practice of circumcision. As individuals follow the Torah, Old Testament laws relayed to Israel from Moses, spiritual insight is gained. However, this process is exercised by talking steps of faith, not by sight. As the faithful follow their spiritual convictions, brief communication, intentions and utterances from God are received.
And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice, 1 Kings 19:11-12.
It’s not uncommon to feel like the prophet Elijah in the passage above. There are moments, periods and time when God is silent and believers feel all alone, desperate for comfort and direction. During this ordeal, Elijah withdrew to a cave to contemplate his next step, In the minutes that followed, a series of weather related events got Elijah’s attention. Despite the wonder and awe of these natural disasters, God was not behind these events. As Elijah’s spirit grew impatient, an oracle of God appeared in the form of a whisper. May this story encourage you to be ready for the next oracle to be spoken via the power of the Holy Spirit.
At the end of every year, television networks reflect upon what happened, news worthy events of the year which form a best of list. When a year falls at the end of a decade, this only adds to programming as shows analyze current events of the past year and decade. If you did this for President Trump’s comments or tweets, there aren’t enough days in the year to follow the good, the bad and the ugly. One recent comment got my attention.
Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. 14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it, Matthew 7:13-14.
During a Trump Rally in December, the president went off script. After being impeached by the House, President Trump told a story about a phone call from the widow of John Dingell, a former congressman from New York. Following this story, Trump couldn’t resist the opportunity to poke fun of a former adversary, suggesting that John Dingell might be looking up from hell instead of down from heaven. This particular comment created a fire storm in the media, making headlines on every cable channel and newspaper. Yet, few members of the media reported the full context, that one of Dingell’s last text before dying wished that President Trump would to go to hell. This doesn’t make Trump’s comment right, but it reveals the full context.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell, Matthew 10:28.
Most funerals assume that the loved one who died went to heaven. While this is a natural desire, hope and wish, the Bible paints a different picture. Jesus uses the analogy of two paths, a spacious one which many follow and a narrow trail which few find. Thus, if this is true, there are far more souls looking up from hell rather than looking down from heaven. Since you only get one chance, one life on earth, devote 2020 and beyond to following the Way so that your eternal destination will be secured before you die, 1 John 5:13.
Until high school, I was a struggling student, caring more about fitting in than getting good grades. This immaturity caused me to surround myself with individuals with questionable character. By the time I reached junior high school, I was somewhere between amoral and naïve, going through the motions. This spiritual condition led me to miss Christ’s role in Christmas as presents distracted me from the true meaning of Christmas.
Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us, Romans 5:7-8.
Perhaps, I was hindered by Catholicism, going from point A to point B. After celebrating my first communion, my parents enrolled me in CCD, the Catholic version of Sunday School. Unfortunately, adult Sunday School classes were fun, CCD was more like going to school, but more boring. Instead of simplifying this process, the pursuits of sacraments, theology and traditions staggered my faith.
For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [[g]endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness], 2 Corinthians 5:21.
The most important aspect of CCD is preparing 8th graders for Confirmation. While I still didn’t grasp Jesus’ role in the mass of Christ, I was exposed to God’s free gift of salvation, Romans 6:23. Looking back, going through the Confirmation process laid a foundation for my current faith. As you unwrap your gifts this Christmas, don’t miss the spiritual truth of a Savior born to save mankind from sinful desires that wage war against human souls.
Alex Proyas directed the 2004 science fiction thriller I-Robot. This film was inspired by Isaac Asimov’s nine-story anthology I-Robot. Will Smith plays Detective Spooner, a bionic man assigned the apparent suicide of Dr. Alfred Lanning. James Conwell’s cameo’s of this character appears in the form of pre-recorded holograms. Set in the city of Chicago circa 2035, Spooner relies on these holograms during his investigation. The better his questions, the closer Will Smith gets to solving this case, a hidden revolution.
But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized), 1 Timothy 4:1-2.
In the first century, the apostle Paul writes two letters to a teenager pastor. Based upon the passage above and below, Timothy began seeing things that were unreal. This young man was struggling to comprehend what was going on culturally. In response, Paul refers to a time in the future where Christians will turn away from their faith. A second letter eludes to how gossip, lies and rumors influence what people end up believing. Once preconceived notions are set, ears will ignore facts as minds will only accept and embrace what their own worldview believes.
For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions, 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
What you see here today in America is the fulfillment of the apostle Paul’s words. Whether you are a democrat, independent, libertarian or republican, the last three years have become a tug of war for political power. Instead of having the mainstream media and cable news networks cover these events in a bi-partisan way, most of the print and television media has taking one side. During the initial impeachment inquiry, news conferences took place after the democrats finished asking witnesses questions to announce victory and set the news cycle for the rest of the day. The only problem is the republicans had not yet asked a single question. This past week CNN only showed the democrats in Congress, switching to regular programming as soon as republicans offered their rebuttal. This happened all day long.
So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God], Romans 8:8-9.
Timothy wasn’t the only first century Christian to notice self-absorbed individuals. The apostle Paul blames this condition on a sinful mind, fueled by a carnal nature. This internal desire caters to earthly appetites and impulses which entice minds to taste what was once considered forbidden fruits. Whenever business people, CEO’s, directors or entrepreneurs act upon these inclinations, a specific worldview is promoted. When political talking points replace truth, the atmosphere is set for itching ears to hear and believe what you want. Unless this spiritual condition is addressed, a new revolution will commence as society drifts further and further away from a biblical worldview. What you see here in the form of current events should convict souls to come to your senses by drawing near to God.
Compression coil springs are designed to push back on a surface when it comes into contact with another source. Perhaps, this is the imagery the apostle Paul is referring to in the passage below. Except push back comes in three forms: internal, spiritual and worldly influences. The purpose of faith is to bounce back from adversary, hardship or trials by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit which serves as a spiritual spring.
For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith, Romans 1:17.
The more individuals read, study and meditate on the Gospel of Righteousness, the Bible, the more bounce; spring you will have in your faith. Despite being an ancient book, comprised by a collection of writers, an Old Testament prophet writes about a special quality hidden within, Isaiah 40:8. A first century author claims that the Bible’s words are living and active, Hebrews 4:12. Meanwhile, Jesus suggests that this spiritual book will endure forever, Matthew 5:18.
For God’s [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative, Romans 1:18.
According to the apostle Paul, there are individuals devoted to suppressing the truth about the Bible. When truth is hidden, the spring in a Christian’s step diminishes. When spiritual disciplines such as prayer, study and worship are not exercised, faith decays. Thus, if you want to regain your spiritual momentum, make sure you don’t stray far from God’s Word. Instead, pick up the sword of the Spirit, the Bible, on a daily basis to sharpener your faith and spring back to life.
I am one of those individuals who is always in a hurry, eager to find the most efficient and quickest route to where I need to go. I don’t do slow well, especially when I’m stuck in rush hour traffic. Rather, I follow the motto from Top Gun, “I feel the need; the need for speed!” While I don’t promote reckless driving, I hate wasting time, especially when it comes to making the most of each day.
And you shall eat it thus: [as fully prepared for a journey] your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment [proving their helplessness]. I am the Lord., Exodus 12:11-12.
When God revealed his plan for Israel’s exodus out of Egypt to Moses, the Lord uses the term haste. Haste refers to excessive speed, urgency of movement or action. Basically, God is telling Israel to hurry up, “it’s time to go into the land that I promised you.” Although Israel did flee Egypt, this sense of urgency didn’t last long. A trip that should have taken 35 days, just over one month, ended up lasting for forty years.
Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1.
Immediately following the chapter known as the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11, the author warns individuals about getting tripped up. While God desires to pour out blessings upon your life each month, backsliding, detours and getting lost often results in years without producing spiritual fruit. Before you can reach your full speed and potential in life, you have to get untangled from any web of sin currently slowing you down. As you break free, may you begin to see that God is not slow, you’re just holding Him up.
