EDC Christian

Seasons of Change

Seasons of Change

The leaves are falling. Soon the snow will be flying. Before long, the grass will shove through the earth and the flowers will blossom. The heat of summer will emerge, and the fall will be here before we know it. Seasons make the year interesting. Just as with the seasons and natural progression of hot and cold that God established, the Christian life and God’s church also goes through changes.

Change is something that human nature is resistant to. We get comfortable. We become accustomed. What is “Normal” is what we have known to this specific point in our lives. We can arrive at “new normal” when we willingly adjust our expectations.

Change in the Bible is good. If you are a Christian, the specific moment you trusted Jesus for salvation, a big change took place. You passed from “death unto life!” In John 5:24 Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Change for the Christian is good. For example: we are to be “transformed” (Changed from the inside out) by the renewing of our minds in Romans 12:1-2.

The Christian is to be continually changing to look more like Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul teaches, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Change is good. Individual Christians are changing to look more like Jesus. Churches also go through changes. One preacher aptly stated: “Churches are always in transition.” Very true.

A local church cannot remain stagnant. A church must strive to be vibrant, meeting the edification needs for its members and the evangelism needs of its community.

Here are three areas a church can benefit from change:

A renewed spirit of unity. We are to strive together to fulfill the Great Commission. We are unified by Christ around the Gospel. Philippians 1:27, commands, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

Perhaps this humorous story will help: “Intending to raise cattle, a family from New York bought a ranch out West. When their friends visited and inquired about the ranch’s name, the would be rancher replied: “I wanted to name it the Bar-J. My wife favored Suzy-Q, one of our sons wanted the Flying-W, and the other liked the Lazy-Y. So we’re calling it the BAr-J-Suzy-Q-Flying-W-Lazy-Y.”

“But where are all your cattle?” the friends asked.

“None survived the branding.””

There are casualties in a church when the members are not united around the main thing. Don’t be distracted in your service to the Lord! Preferences, nuances, “That’s the way we’ve always done it.” And personality issues should not divert your attention. Keep serving Jesus. Stay united to the cause of Christ and do not allow side issues to get your eyes off Jesus.

A restored community of trust. Paul’s ministry even encountered seasons of disunity and discouragement. When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, some of the believers were divided. Read 1 Corinthians 1 for more details. Some liked Paul’s preaching, others preferred Apollos (A great orator), and others enjoyed the passion of Peter. The division was causing problems in the church.

Paul makes a hasty trip to Corinth in between these letters to try to resolve their issues.

Later, in 2 Corinthians, we find Paul sending another letter, not to elevate himself, but to elevate Jesus and help the people start to trust God again.

2 Corinthians 3:1-5 says, “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles (letters) of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.”

The church belongs to Jesus. He purchased her with His own blood. We can trust the church to God. Jesus can overcome any doctrinal, personal, or preferential problems a church may face. Paul knew that he was not sufficient to solve the division, but Jesus was (and is) sufficient. Paul was not boasting in his ability, but in the fact that these Christians had started to yield their sin, personalities, and problems to the Lord and God healed their church. Jesus said: “I will build my church.” We can trust Him!

A revived attitude of respect. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 instructs, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”

Pastors are not dictators. If pastors were dictators, then no church member would ever miss a service, and no one would ever not bring their tithe to church, and members would bring Snickers candy bars to every church function. Lol… if you like. The role of pastor is that of “Servant – Leader.” It is an accurate and healthy description.

Pastors are to be gentle shepherds leading and feeding the flock. Sometimes that includes protecting the sheep from wolves (in sheep’s clothing), false doctrine (bad spiritual food to eat), and dangerous pasture fields (emergent church models).

There should be a mutual respect among the members of a congregation for one another. Church members should be trusting the deacons. Church members and deacons should have an attitude of trust with the pastoral staff as well.

One service I was preaching through this passage in 1 Thessalonians 5, and suggested that it helps the pastor of the church when the church members are not fighting or bickering and that when a church was at peace, the true work of the ministry can thrive. It is a true thought.

A thoughtful man, a genuine student of the Bible, suggested to me that the peace among the members was also connected to their respect or lack of respect for the pastor. Read that verse again please.

“Esteem” means to “deem, consider, or count.” A faithful church member must be able to count the pastor as respectful and worthy or he will not be able to learn, grow, or develop in that church. A result of disrespect is that the pastor is not able to lead as effectively as he should. Why can he not lead effectively? Because of the lack of peace. A pastor constantly putting out fires cannot commit the time called for – for the actual work of the ministry. It could look like this old saying: “Too many chiefs – not enough Indians.” Let the pastor be the “Servant – Leader” overseeing the overall work of the church.

These are 3 examples where change is good! If these areas are lacking – Change! Change to the glory of God.

Are you united with your church family in the purpose of the Gospel?
Do you have an attitude of trust for the other members, deacons, and pastoral staff?
Is there a mutual respect that you have for the church leadership that creates a peaceful environment?

Change is good. Christians as well as churches go through “Seasons of change.” Transitions and changes are sometimes difficult and even turbulent because human nature does not like change; but when we see Jesus – it will be worth it all. When we make the needed adjustments as individuals and as a church, the Lord is glorified.

And. His. Work. Will. Continue.

Time And Growth

Time And Growth

Recently I read about an incident that occurred back in 2004. A fight broke out among the residents of a nursing home in their dining hall. One man was playing with the lettuce in the serving line with his bare hands. From that a fight ensued. A 62-year-old and an 86-year-old started to trade “punches.” Then a 79-year-old was bitten in the arm. The mother of the 62-year-old man was cut in the arm and a 92-year-old man was shoved to the floor as other residents ran away from the dining hall.

The point of sharing this story is that time and age does not ensure a person grows “out of” anger issues. We cannot hope that one day the wrath of a person is appeased because he or she becomes a certain age. The only way to grow out of any sin – is to grow more like Jesus. What we do in and with our time, is more important than how much time has expired.

Ephesians 4 clearly teaches how to replace the sin with righteousness and goodness. God can help you grow in these areas!

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Please observe the first sin listed: Bitterness. Wrath, anger, clamour (outcry of grief), evil speaking (vile and blaspheme), and malice (badness) are all a result of the first sin: Bitterness.

Bitterness leads to faulty vision, angry thinking, and heated words. Time does not heal bitterness. Jesus alone can heal bitterness.

A life submitted to God will bring the hurts, pains, resentments, and seeds of bitterness to God and let God take care of them. When we hold onto our “rights,” our pride, and our bitter spirit, the bitterness sprouts up into a garden of deceit, pain, and turmoil that chokes out all the positive things God is doing in our lives. Nurturing bitterness ensures a garden of sin and grief is cultivated in a person’s life.

Replace the bitterness with forgiveness. Replace the anger and wrath with kindness. Replace the harsh words with tenderheartedness.

While some people seem to “mellow out” over time, it is not just because of the passing of days. Time alone is not enough to grow out of sin and to find healing from the control of sin. Growing in Jesus and learning to follow his example of love, compassion, and forgiveness is the only way to see victory over the sin of bitterness and anger. What we do with the time God gives to grow closer to Him is what really counts.

Making the Teacher Happy

Making the Teacher Happy

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:52

It makes sense to me. Want good grades? Want to not earn demerits? Want to not be punished by your parents for wrong doing while at school? Then make it a goal to “make the teacher happy.”

Don’t get this wrong. Just about every week, the news tells us about impropriety and immorality between a teacher and student. That is not how to make the teacher happy. Making the teacher happy in the sense of gaining their favor in the classroom is something that should be expected. Earning the esteem and admiration of the teacher should be like “second nature” to a student.

Here are some ideas to gain the favor of the teacher, earn good grades, and to become a more complete boy or girl for Jesus. Parents, these are expectations you should have for your son/daughter.

Work on your attitude. A student with a good attitude can do anything and become anyone that God wants him to be. A student with a rotten attitude will not be able to achieve all God wants – because of the bad attitude. As a parent, this is the most important area to work on. If an attitude is demanding, selfish, reluctant, pushy, sarcastic, or manipulative, then the student is heading for a disastrous life unless there is an intervention. Parents, work together with the teacher to remedy the attitude. Rules do not make a bad attitude – a rebellious heart makes a bad attitude. Attitude is a choice of the heart – not the circumstances. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” And Jesus said in Matthew 15:18, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” The attitude, good or bad, is a reflection of the heart.
Know the score. Each student should know what is expected in each class. Jr High and Sr High school students rotate between classes and teachers and there will be variations of expectations in each class. The student should learn each nuance and expectation and adjust accordingly. If the student does not know what is expected, he should ask for clarification. For example: One teacher may want the student to sit more straight in the chair, while another teacher looks for the students name to be printed on the top right (instead of to the left) of an assignment.
Think before you speak. The classroom interaction should remain positive and encouraging. When a teacher corrects a child, it is not the same thing as disciplining a child. For example: a student is disrupting the class and talking out of turn. When the teacher says: “Stop talking” – she has offered correction – not punishment. The embarrassment of being called out may impact the student, but no discipline has happened. If the student talks back by giving an excuse for disobeying the rules, then he should be punished for acting and speaking the rebellion in his heart. Demerits and detention are examples of punishment. When correction is noted and told the parent and when actually discipline talks place in school, I believe it is best that the parents follows up with their own personal discipline and punishment at home. Students misbehaving at school are a reflection of the parenting, or lack of parenting in the home. Parents are advised to train their children to “think before they speak.”
Respect everyone. A student does not have to understand a rule, just agree to live by it. Institutional rules are not intended to be morally right or wrong, but to give order and structure to the organization. Disobeying a rule is morally wrong, even when the rule has no moral bearing. A majority of rules in a school have to do with respecting other people. In this era of education, most people are focused on individual rights. Surprisingly, some Christians have also adopted this humanistic philosophy. The Bible and traditional education is more focused on the rights of others. For example, an clothing outfit that is distracting to others is ruled against in order to not interfere with the learning of the other students. Another example – talking and disrupting class with sarcastic remarks is not allowed so that other students are able to focus on their studies. Teach your student to be considerate of others when he comes to the classroom.
Expect more. Many parents allow their child to talk back, complain until the parent changes his mind, and even manipulate the decisions of the parents with emotional instability, constant nagging, and a persistent bad attitude. I encourage you to expect more and demand less. Expect more of a submissive attitude and demand less negative talking. When complaining starts – stop it. When a sour expression glosses over the face – stop it. Expect more. When teachers and others in authority inform there is a problem – get to the root of the problem – the heart. Defending a student, making up excuses, or taking sides will not help develop the heart of the student for the Lord. Dross is never removed from the gold until the heat is applied. Just like gold, a student will not be worth much in life if all the dross and impurities of a bad attitude and selfish life are removed. It is ultimately the student’s choice, but a parent, like the goldsmith, can make a big difference.
Honor God. Each student wanting to honor the Lord willingly submits to the authority and the education the Lord has called him to. While a student may not have a “paying” job, the Lord has called each student to the “full time job” of learning. It is hard work to focus, pay attention to detail, write papers, and study for tests. Being a student is a “Calling” with lifelong implications and dividends. If a student does not develop good study habits, personal disciplining relationships with authority and peers, and make decisions that honor God while in his youth – it is much harder to learn it later in life. Thank the Lord for many who have been saved, or saved people who have been restored to fellowship later in life. But think of the years wasted, the relationships ruined, and the witness for Christ diminished during that time. Help your student to honor God today.

By the Way: The Jewish boys would become a “son of the commandment” at age 13. In the years before age 13, the parents would do all they could to help the boy mature and develop into a respectable and responsible young man. That is the context of Jesus “increasing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” Mary and Joseph taught their boys before age 13 to put God first in their lives. Parents, you do not have much time to help your student learn to “Be” and to “Do” right.

Learn to make your teacher happy. It will cause your educational years to be both enjoyable and productive.

As Dumb As A Cow

As Dumb as a Cow

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

Proverbs 12:1

No one wants to be known as being dumb. Foolish. Or especially stupid. However, some of us are living as if we really are dumb. The following are unpleasant statements: “You are as dumb as a donkey!” or “You are as stupid as a dog.”

What about being as dumb as a cow? That is what this proverb is speaking about. While loving instruction and knowledge will bring about the wisdom of God for daily living; he that hates reproof is as dumb as a cow.

The Hebrew term for “brutish” is a term associated with “cattle brutishness; stupid: brutish, foolish.” “Brutish” according to Merriam Webster is “Resembling, befitting, or typical of a brute or beast.”

Our extended family have farms and I frequented my grandparents farm while growing up. The cows down on the farm are good at several things: They can walk. They can lay down. They can find water in the creek or pond. They can identify grass. They can eat grass. They can follow the hay wagon with the dried grass in it. They can sleep standing up. They can even make “cow patties.” It is cool how a cow can swat at flies with its tail! They can do these things every day for their entire life. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I mostly like it when the cow becomes a cheeseburger, but that is something they are not capable of by themselves!

The point is – an animal – a cow is not that smart. They are creatures of habit with limited ability. God made them that way and that is OK. They have simple minds that focus on the most basic things of life. They are fulfilling their role in the pattern of life that God established.

The problem is that when human beings act like cows, we are demeaning our humanity, defacing our image of the Lord, and dishonoring the God Who made us. We act as dumb as cows when we refuse instruction. God expects so much more from the pinnacle of His creation – you and I.

The word “reproof” is used here. Reproof is a form of chastisement or correction. For example, when we correct our children of wrong thinking or wrong actions, we are helping them develop thinking and actions that reflect godliness, instead of reflecting cows!

Ask yourself several questions:

Have I learned all that God wants me to learn?
Do I have room to grow?
Do I get angry when someone points out how I can do or be better?
How will I grow and develop in Bible wisdom?

Just saying “I want to grow” is good, but you need more specifics in your path to growing. Reading 3-5 chapters of the Bible, setting aside time to pray, determining to not only attend, but participate in the services of your church. (We have 4 growth opportunities each week: Sunday School, Sunday Morning Worship, Sunday Evening Praise, and Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study.)

When people talk to you about things to “do better” or challenge you to “Grow” in an area, do not take offense to that – learn, embrace, and become more like Jesus. Don’t be a cow.

The Window to the Heart

The Window to the Heart

Starvation. Hunger. Disease. Devastation. Death. Jeremiah’s heart was broke. As he was looking around at the war-ravaged city of Jerusalem he saw pain, sorrow and suffering. His eyes perceived the damage the Babylonian siege had caused. His heart was impacted by what he saw visually with his eyes. It is against this background we have this verse: Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city. (Lamentations 3:51)

In the middle of Jeremiah’s lamentation, he shares a universal truth that can be applied to every area of life. IF you are blessed with eyesight, the application of this verse can change your life.

What we look at impacts our heart. What we gaze upon influences our brain. What we stare at informs our decisions. The human eye can be the window of the heart. Here are several examples:

If I constantly “window shop” my heart will grow discontent with what I do not have – yet.
If I continually scroll through Amazon, my heart will desires things I may never truly need.
If a look at a beautiful person is nurtured and cuddled in my mind, it could become lust in my heart. Longing for someone that does not “belong” to us is sin – according to Jesus.
If I watch lots of TV or are constantly online, my eyes will see thousands of commercials that are designed to “pull at my heart strings” to cause me to buy their product. I tend to chuckle when I see doctor commercials: “Get sick so you can see me.” Or funeral home ads: “If you die, we can help!”
Media studies suggest that Americans see between 4,000 and 10,000 ads each day. (redcrowmarketing.com) “Mine eye affected mine heart” is a truth believed by advertising agencies. They have believed it for years.
Have you ever become hungry after seeing a commercial for a restaurant, soda, or chocolate? It could be be after all your meals for the day, but the impact of the eye affects your heart – and your stomach.

What are you looking at? Who are you looking to? Where you keep your eyes focused is eventually where your heart will lead you. That is why it is paramount to keep your eyes on Jesus. As Hebrews 12:2 says, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Keep you focus on Jesus.

Do you find yourself unsatisfied in life? Look to Jesus.
Do you find yourself “wanting more” things this world offers? Get your eyes off the stuff and look to Jesus.
Do you find yourself without direction and purpose? Stop looking at the wrong things and get your eyes on Jesus.

Let what you look at impact your heart to cause a better view of Jesus. Clean up the windowsill of your heart. Guard your eyes. Be disciplined with the TV. Direct the eyes of your kids. Set Jesus in the window of your life (your eyes) and let your heart follow Him.

Find contentment in Jesus.

The “Value Equation”

The “VALUE EQUATION”

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10

More money and more stuff that money can buy will not satisfy the deepest needs of your heart. Because we tend to overvalue money and stuff, we can get caught into bad spending habits. Today, please consider the God given stewardship He has entrusted to you.

How much is money worth to you? How much are the items you buy worth to you? What value do you place on the new TV, Phone, Car, etc.???

We can work the math to determine our money and materialistic values. The “Value Equation” takes into account how much money you make per hour and then divides the total cost of the item you hope to purchase to then tell you how many hours you need to work to buy that item. For example:

Suppose you make $15 per hour and work 40 hours per week.

Let’s say a new TV will cost $640. You make: $15 an hour. (Divide cost of item by hourly wage.)

How many hours does it take you to buy the TV? 42.6 hours of work or nearly a full week of work. That is how you determine value. Is the TV worth it? Should you save up a little longer? Should you wait for the TV to go on sale or consider a different model? Are discount codes and coupons worth looking for and using this purchase?

Have you ever said “It is only $5?” That is about 20 minutes of work (at $15/hour). Looking at money and value this way will help you make better fiscal decisions.

A new iPhone is $800. 800/15 = 53.3. It will take a person 53.3 hours of work to be able to buy an iPhone. Factor in all the other real needs you have and the iPhone may not be worth 6 long days of work to.

Remodeling a room in your house? Let’s say a new remodel is $3000. That is 200 hours of work or 5 weeks of work (at $15/hour and 40 hours per week). Again, the power, gas, and water bill must be paid and you still must eat each day and feed your family. Consider the insurance bill comes every 6 months and the house payment is a big portion of your budget. It may be a good idea to save up a little longer to do the remodel.

IF Christians understood the value of money, while learning not to love money, we would become better stewards of the money God has entrusted to us. “How much is it?” is not the best question to ask. “How much do I value it?” is better. Greater still, “Is this what God would have me to purchase?” Ask the Lord to help you become better disciplined with His finances.

The Bodies Were Still Warm

The Bodies Were Still Warm

Blame. Who is to blame? 500+ people shot, nearly 60 dead. The worst shooting scene in American history. The dead bodies of the concert goers were still warm when people began to play the “blame game.”

Politicians began to politicize. The Media began its narrating and spinning. Conspiracy theorist started to make their guesses.

Some blamed Isis. Others blamed the US Constitution and the Second Amendment. Still others even went so far as to blame Christians. Other ideas from “white males” to the President, drugs, and even money were brought up.

What was the shooters motive? Was there only one shooter? Is there more to the story? How long did it take to plan for this? Early news reports are just that – early.

Some commenting on this event are so violent (in their mind) that they even suggested that “white colored, country music fans” deserved to be killed because they were most likely Republican!

Vilifying one another, casting blame, and trying to legislate morality does not actually address the deeper issue here.

Why do bad things like this happen?

Sin is the cause of all heartache, pain, loss, suffering, and death. Sinful thinking leads to sinful deeds. Theologians call this “Origional Sin.” That is the problem. All. Problems. Stem. From. Sin.

Proverbs 23:7 teaches: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” What is in the heart of man is what eventual comes out.

Adam and Even introduced sin into this world. Mankind is to blame for our own sin. God is not the originator of sin. He allows mankind to make choices. Adam chose rebellion and disobedience. He chose sin. We have had to live with the consequences since then.

While you may never take another persons’ physical life, Jesus taught that hating people is the same as murdering them. Read the “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew chapters 5-7. Try, with God’s help, to live that way.

How did we get here? How is it that new records of evil and atrocities are being recorded in our lifetimes? Where we live? How?

Romans 1:21 tells us: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Instead of valuing God, we value money. Instead of valuing truth, we value what is convenient. Instead of loving our neighbor, we are loving ourselves… to death.

Examine your heart. Are you living in spiritual darkness? Those who commit such acts have been living in darkness for some time. Come to the light today. Believe in Jesus. Become a Christian and then enjoy a daily relationship with Him. God is love! He wants us to love one another.

No matter if we ever find the motivation, or if accomplices are ever uncovered, we can know that our fallen sinful nature is blame.

As a whole, these United States are no longer submitting and yielding to Jesus, the author of love and peace. As a result, we are divided. People are being unkind to one another. And sadly, more tragedies will unfold.

Pray. Ask the Lord to help us to turn back to Jesus. Turn to your neighbor with love and kindness. And look for ways to show kindness to your fellow man.

If you have not yet believed in the Gospel, please go to the “How to go to Heaven” section on this site to learn how to be forgiven of your sins and be saved.

The Politics Do Not Matter

The Politics Do Not Matter

Kneeling during the Anthem, drinking Gatorade in the locker room during the unfurling of the flag, and protesting on team time is a growing trend among many American athletes today.

When it comes to the interaction of the citizen and the government leaders of a country, respect must be the underlying principle. As our country becomes increasingly sinful, some have suggested that the Constitution is out of date or is no longer useful. Quite the contrary; the Constitution is not broken, the people are. Our nation, like every other nation in history is following a path to destruction because we have, as a whole, denied the truth. Human nature is full of sin, rebellion, and selfishness. The main reason things are the way they are is because we are… people. Whenever a group of people no longer fear God, read the Bible, or have respect for Biblical values, there will be an increase in troubles.

Back to the flag, kneeling, and protesting on team (company) time. The Bible says that Christians are to respect the government and governmental leaders. Subjection, while unnatural to a man full of pride, should be the goal of the Christian filled with the Spirit of God.

Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman Christians about their relationships towards their government:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Romans 13:1-4

It is apparent that the Lord wants to save the lost leaders from their sin just as much as He saved the Christian from his sins. The Lord can even use the believers response and attitude of respect to challenge, encourage, and convict a leader of his need for Jesus.

Our respecting of leaders is demanded and has nothing to do with policy. Our submission has nothing to do with policies or political party. Our attitude towards leaders is not to be impacted by the leader’s personality, brashness, or decisions.

Do you know the cultural and societal insanities that were being projected upon the people when Paul wrote to the Roman Christians?

Criminals were many times tortured to death in the coliseum.
Christians were fed to the lions.
Some Christians were burned alive for their faith.
The shedding of blood was a popular sport that people would flock to see in the coliseum.
Some Roman Emperors even demanded people to worship them as a deity.

No matter how bad some suggest living in America is – we are still living in the most just, least prejudiced, and most advantageous (to personal success) country in the world. We still have a very relaxed legal system compared to most other countries today. It is even harder for an American to enter and try to live in other countries of the world. Proof of work and a verification that you are not taking jobs away from another countries citizen is a general requirement. Things are relatively easy in America.

Those who complain about poverty are probably more-wealthy than most people in many places of the world.

Work ethic, respect for others, personal discipline, and a peaceful existence lends itself to a more productive life than protesting, walking around streets late at night, inciting riots, and sitting around complaining on the internet.

I encourage you to pray for our leaders. Respect those the Lord has placed over us. Participate in government with a good attitude. Work at loving your neighbor.

The political party nor the particular person does not diminish the Lord’s command to be subject to and show honor to our leaders.

Are You Being Remade?

Are You Being Remade?

We used to live in a place in the great state of Tennessee that had beautiful red clay. All the dirt around our house was clay. We could barely dig a hole in that clay! It was some tough dirt.

The Lord likens our lives to clay. Clay that a potter uses is moldable, pliable, and shapeable. The hard clay that is dry, hard, and un-moldable is not useful to the potter.

The Lord speaks of Jeremiah’s people, Israel, in Jeremiah 18. The Lord wanted to do more than just repair them; He wanted to remake them.

Jeremiah 18:1-10 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Recently, we were looking at a wall in a room in our house. The wall needed some construction attention. Drywall and drywall mud is kind of like clay. We had hoped to repair the drywall, but there was so much damage, we needed to start over with the wall. We tore the whole wall out and put new sheet-rock up in its place. Instead of repairing the wall, we remade the wall.

Repairs to walls or pottery will generally leave a mark. A cracked vessel will reveal the repair when light is shined on it. A section of wall that has been repaired will be evident as it does not match up exactly.

Starting over and remaking a clay pot will make the old broken vessel new, useful, and valuable. Repairs to vessels, such as a pot, do not always hold water the right way. They may not fulfill their intended function. Remaking it -makes it over again – the way it was intended to be in the first place.

As Christians, we do not want to merely repair ourselves. We want to be remade by the Lord. We do not want to be remade into a “better image of ourselves.” We want to be remade into the image of Jesus.

When dealing with other people, please know that if they have a submissive heart to the Lord, then He is remaking them into His image. Be patient with other people. Be thankful for the Master Potter Who is shaping the lives of those Christians around you.

Take one turn on the potter’s wheel to apply this truth to yourself. Be pliable clay and let the Lord shape and mold you. Do not grow dry and unuseful. Be moldable into the image of Jesus. Be thankful that the Master Potter is still working on you to make you the new person that God wants you to be – more like Jesus.

Pray each day to have a heart and life that is submissive to the will of the Master Potter. Are you being Remade?

The Sour Life

The Sour Life

A little sour goes a long way with me. A little lemon is good, not a lot. Do you like rhubarb/strawberry pie? Grandma Harness used to make that a lot. I also enjoy rhubarb crisp. Each year we harvest our own rhubarb and are sure to put a lot of real sugar in the crisp because of how sour the rhubarb is! I even like some of the “Sweet and Sour” candies made today. Sour foods taste bitter, acidic, and tart. My palate can handle only so much. I like sweet much better.

When it comes to relationships, sour, is not something that you want your life to be described as. Christians do not want their outlook to be “sour.” Our relationships should not taste sour and our emotional/spiritual perspective should not be bitter.

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled…” Hebrews 12:15

One funny story goes like this: “Two writers who were bitter rivals were both attending the same party. One had recently had a book published, and the other commented to him, “I read your new book and liked it. Who wrote it for you?”

The other replied, “I’m glad you liked the book, who read it to you?”” (6,000 Plus)

Two simple observations of the devastating effects of bitterness include:

Bitterness troubles the one who is bitter. This includes a guilty conscience, irrational reasoning, with confused anger and responses to others.
Bitterness affects the people around the one who is bitter. A husband affects his wife. A wife affects her husband. Parents will impact their kids. While some believe a self-propagated lie that “my bitterness only affects me” – the truth is “many be defiled” by one person’s bitterness.

Some people are bitter about their childhood and upbringing. Some are still angry with their parents for schooling, sports, discipline, and other areas. Some people are bitter towards childhood acquaintances from school, church, or teams they played on. Others develop hatred in college, towards their “first romance” or even in the first real job. Some are in relationships with people right now and are allowing unresolved issues, anger, selfishness, pride, or misunderstandings sour their outlook on life.

A basic practice of Bible Christianity is “self-examination.” Considering the Word of God, are you harboring any level of bitterness towards someone? Here are several identifiable characteristics of bitterness that can help you in your self-assessment:

Obsessive thoughts of revenge
Sarcasm
Critical or unkind comments
Self-righteousness
Conflicts with others
Aggressiveness in relationships
Controlling behavior

Bitterness will wreak havoc on a person and their family. Being bitter will bloom into many other areas of sin; neglect, hostility, and wrong thinking. The fruit produced by bitterness will be a life of regret, an outlook of despair, and a heart of hatred.

If any of the characteristics of bitterness are found in you, do everything you can, with God’s help, to get it pulled out of your life. What should a bitter person do?

Confess the bitterness as sin.
Identify the source: jealousy, anger, rage, fear, pride.
Ask other people to pray for you. This demonstration of humility makes it clear that you mean business.
Ask for another Christian to hold you accountable when you exhibit any of the characteristics of bitterness.
Ask forgiveness of those you have impacted directly with bitterness.
Ask forgiveness of those who were indirectly impacted because of your bitterness.
Restore your relationship with God. The vertical relationship with Jesus is directly impacted by your horizontal relationship with other human beings. Getting relationships right with others is one way to get your relationship right with God.
Be happy in Jesus! Don’t live “the sour life!”

(“Characteristics of Bitterness” – Guide to Biblical Counseling. Clinton and Hawkins.)