Paul: A Model for Cross Discipleship Living
The great Apostle Paul struggled mightily with his sins, recognizing that, while dedicated to righteousness as set forth in the law of God and in his own heart, he failed to keep the law through the propensity to sin inherent in his humanity (Rom. 7:19-8:2). Sin has a grip on him he could not completely break! You can hear his anguish in these words, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" He follows this plea with a peon of praise, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! … For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Regardless of the theologians who say Romans 7 is pre-Christian and Romans 8 is for Christians, I still see both chapters at work in my life after 57 plus years of knowing the Lord Jesus as Savior. Though I will never be totally free of sin in this life I can increasingly be freer if I seek and choose the growth path of cross resurrection creativity!
Paul invested his life in spreading this message of freedom in Christ. Eventually, he was imprisoned by the Roman government. As he waited for the final disposition of his case, he wrote to his dearly loved church in Philippi. Commenting on the work of both friends and enemies who preached the Gospel of Christ for varied motives, including those helping and harming him, he rejoiced that Chris was proclaimed. Paul was convinced that Christ would be exalted both in his life and his death. He expressed this certainty thus, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." If he lives, he will be able to continue his "fruitful labor" for the sakes of his dear friends in Philippi and elsewhere. But death entices him for he desires, "… to depart to be with Christ, for that is very much better…." Paul’s heart is torn between, first, his work for Christ in the world and the love he holds for the people he has ministered to and, second, being in the presence of the Lord in whose pleasure and service he has poured out his life (Phil. 1:15-26).
We, like Paul, finally become aware that the only reason life matters is that we can experience more of Christ Jesus, do more for the Savior, draw closer to our Lord and share Him with others in Messiah Love. Conversely, we learn that the only reason we can face death … not only without fear but with excitement … is that we are convinced that seeing Him is the most precious, exalted, invigorating and phenomenal experience imaginable! Our hearts race knowing we are approaching that full and final revelation of our Divine Lord, Lover and Deliverer! It is this kind of expectation that makes the Cross Disciple an overcomer.
To him who overcomes I will give … (all things)! Revelation chapters 2 and 3
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Bullet of Godly Goals, Part 3: Happiness
Amidst all of life’s activity one should stop and ask, “Am I really happy?” "Have I found true joy?” “Do I know where I’m going?” Activity is NOT synonymous with happiness.
There is real barrenness in the cluttered life. The greatest Christian who ever lived … Paul … said he did one thing: pursued the knowledge of God! If your pursuits haven’t yet taken you to life’s greatest adventure, maybe you’d better re-examine your direction. Don’t clutter you life with second rater priorities!
After all, it’s not how many years you pack into life BUT how much life you pack into your years that determines real success.
This is what Jesus meant in Mark 8:36, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”
Amidst all of life’s activity one should stop and ask, “Am I really happy?” "Have I found true joy?” “Do I know where I’m going?” Activity is NOT synonymous with happiness.
There is real barrenness in the cluttered life. The greatest Christian who ever lived … Paul … said he did one thing: pursued the knowledge of God! If your pursuits haven’t yet taken you to life’s greatest adventure, maybe you’d better re-examine your direction. Don’t clutter you life with second rater priorities!
After all, it’s not how many years you pack into life BUT how much life you pack into your years that determines real success.
This is what Jesus meant in Mark 8:36, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Bullet of Godly Goals, Part 2: True Success
The kind of person one is can always be measured by one’s goals. The highest goal of life is to live first in relationship to God then in relationship to man.
The man who thinks all people will call him blessed if he succeeds is deceived. Your success makes little difference to your true friends! They will love you anyway. Your enemies will be jealous of your attainments and hate you more. The vast majority of folks don’t even know who you are and couldn’t care less whether you succeed or fail!
Those who do attain the top positions find life rather lonely. In fact, leadership can be defined as “having responsibility for situations over which you have no control!”
Goals are essential if one is to get the most out of life. If you’re seeking nothing in particular, that’s what you’ll find … nothing in particular. One who fails to plan, plans to fail.
The kind of person one is can always be measured by one’s goals. The highest goal of life is to live first in relationship to God then in relationship to man.
The man who thinks all people will call him blessed if he succeeds is deceived. Your success makes little difference to your true friends! They will love you anyway. Your enemies will be jealous of your attainments and hate you more. The vast majority of folks don’t even know who you are and couldn’t care less whether you succeed or fail!
Those who do attain the top positions find life rather lonely. In fact, leadership can be defined as “having responsibility for situations over which you have no control!”
Goals are essential if one is to get the most out of life. If you’re seeking nothing in particular, that’s what you’ll find … nothing in particular. One who fails to plan, plans to fail.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Bullet of Godly Goals, Part 1: Choices
The drive to success, status, attention and prominence is one of life’s most insidious traps. Many try to live out their own frustrations and failures through their children. The little ones are pushed beyond good sense to satisfy the status needs of the parents!
Goals are only as great as the value and greatness of the thing we pursue. One man’s goal is to drive an expensive car. Another man desires wealth so he can give to the needy. One man desires to live for himself, another to live for others. One man gives his life in service to his company (employer). Another man gives his life in service to God. Whose goals are greater? Is it greater to shoot 70 in golf or be a great leader to one’s wife and children? (You could do both but only one is necessary!)
The drive to success, status, attention and prominence is one of life’s most insidious traps. Many try to live out their own frustrations and failures through their children. The little ones are pushed beyond good sense to satisfy the status needs of the parents!
Goals are only as great as the value and greatness of the thing we pursue. One man’s goal is to drive an expensive car. Another man desires wealth so he can give to the needy. One man desires to live for himself, another to live for others. One man gives his life in service to his company (employer). Another man gives his life in service to God. Whose goals are greater? Is it greater to shoot 70 in golf or be a great leader to one’s wife and children? (You could do both but only one is necessary!)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Bullet of Success: Modeling Maturity
To “look like Jesus” requires that I answer the question: “What does a mature man or woman look like?” You might find it interesting to consider the following list compiled by the social scientists as criteria for mental health:
Jesus had these. But He had more. I always thrill to read His High Priestly prayer in John 17 which concludes with the words: “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You …” (v.25).
Jesus Christ knew the Father and that was the reason, the source, the contact for His magnificent life. People are goal-less, misdirected and drifting from one escape to another because they don’t really know God.
Almeron has said, “The best and noblest lives are those which are set toward high ideals. And the highest and noblest ideal that any man can have is Jesus of Nazareth!”
Or to put in more simply, aim your goals at Jesus Christ and you will hit everything worth hitting in life. “For in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
If you can’t honestly say your goal is better than Jesus Christ, then I lovingly suggest you change directions!
To “look like Jesus” requires that I answer the question: “What does a mature man or woman look like?” You might find it interesting to consider the following list compiled by the social scientists as criteria for mental health:
- The warm association of at least one person who accepts you.
- Coming to terms with life instead of fighting circumstances, having achieved a sense of self-identity.
- Not suffering from an overwhelming inner conflict (guilt, fear, anger) so as to contribute to others instead of protecting self.
- The establishment of clear goals. Possessing a calm confidence that they can be reached.
- A feeling of belonging to a valued group.
Jesus had these. But He had more. I always thrill to read His High Priestly prayer in John 17 which concludes with the words: “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You …” (v.25).
Jesus Christ knew the Father and that was the reason, the source, the contact for His magnificent life. People are goal-less, misdirected and drifting from one escape to another because they don’t really know God.
Almeron has said, “The best and noblest lives are those which are set toward high ideals. And the highest and noblest ideal that any man can have is Jesus of Nazareth!”
Or to put in more simply, aim your goals at Jesus Christ and you will hit everything worth hitting in life. “For in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
If you can’t honestly say your goal is better than Jesus Christ, then I lovingly suggest you change directions!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Bullet of Success: Setting the Goal
Without a goal we drift aimlessly and arrive nowhere! The Apostle Paul was clean in his mind about the goal of the Christian life: “This one thing I do, forgetting the past … I press toward the mark of the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:13-14).
In Romans 8:28, Paul defines this goal by saying every Christian has been called to “conform to the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.” God intends, says Paul, to so work in us that when He is through, we will look like Jesus!
To affect this transformation means we must take all the teachings of Christ seriously and in detail. No man or woman reaches a goal unless they have a clear cut idea of what that goal is and how they can reach it.
Without a goal we drift aimlessly and arrive nowhere! The Apostle Paul was clean in his mind about the goal of the Christian life: “This one thing I do, forgetting the past … I press toward the mark of the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:13-14).
In Romans 8:28, Paul defines this goal by saying every Christian has been called to “conform to the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.” God intends, says Paul, to so work in us that when He is through, we will look like Jesus!
To affect this transformation means we must take all the teachings of Christ seriously and in detail. No man or woman reaches a goal unless they have a clear cut idea of what that goal is and how they can reach it.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Bullet of the Forgiveness: The More Difficult but Better Way
So few of your sins can be paid for. Seldom does the victim possess the power or the advantage to demand payment. In most cases, “making things right” is beyond possibility. This is why so many of us turn to revenge. But revenge is worthless. It ruins the avenger and convinces the victim he was right all along. If repayment is impossible and revenge useless, what’s left? Forgiveness! In other words, act like God!
The price of forgiving is high. There are no cheap reductions. No bargain pardons. Just saying, “I’m sorry,” won’t hack it. We must bear the cost of forgiving just as Christ has done for each of us. Real forgiveness is rare, hard, costly. It demands that the forgiver pays a price. If true forgiveness wasn’t hard, it would be a farce.
God paid the immeasurable cost of our forgiveness in His death on the cross. How can we hesitate to pay the infinitely smaller cost of forgiving our brother – or our “enemy”? I thank God for His forgiveness and patience with me. How about you? As never before, the poet’s words are with me:
He drew a circle that shut me out,
Hectic, rebel, a thing to flout,
But love and I had the wit to win,
We drew a circle that took him in.*
The cost of forgiving is high, but the value of forgiveness is so much higher!
*"Outwitted" by Edwin Markham
So few of your sins can be paid for. Seldom does the victim possess the power or the advantage to demand payment. In most cases, “making things right” is beyond possibility. This is why so many of us turn to revenge. But revenge is worthless. It ruins the avenger and convinces the victim he was right all along. If repayment is impossible and revenge useless, what’s left? Forgiveness! In other words, act like God!
The price of forgiving is high. There are no cheap reductions. No bargain pardons. Just saying, “I’m sorry,” won’t hack it. We must bear the cost of forgiving just as Christ has done for each of us. Real forgiveness is rare, hard, costly. It demands that the forgiver pays a price. If true forgiveness wasn’t hard, it would be a farce.
God paid the immeasurable cost of our forgiveness in His death on the cross. How can we hesitate to pay the infinitely smaller cost of forgiving our brother – or our “enemy”? I thank God for His forgiveness and patience with me. How about you? As never before, the poet’s words are with me:
He drew a circle that shut me out,
Hectic, rebel, a thing to flout,
But love and I had the wit to win,
We drew a circle that took him in.*
The cost of forgiving is high, but the value of forgiveness is so much higher!
*"Outwitted" by Edwin Markham
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
The Bullet of Forgiveness: The New Start
We at Ventures hope you enjoyed your holidays and are ready to launch into a New Year. Let’s begin 2008 with some thoughts on forgiveness.
I heard an old proverb once that says, “Too quick we get old and too late we get smart.” That goes for all of us. No one fully escapes the heartbreaking blunders of their ignorance and immaturity. Sometimes, I feel like a turtle racing at the “Indianapolis 500” when it comes to mature living. I’ve done so many stupid things; uttered many words I wish I could take back; ignored folks I should have loved; not taken time to be a good neighbor; showed too little patience in understanding other people, etc., etc.
In so many ways, I wish I could start all over again and strive to be more like Christ. But I can’t. None of us can. There is only one good answer to all our mistakes and sins of the past. Forgiveness!! A lot of folks in town have hurt and disappointed me just as I have them. But playing the game of “who hurt who most” and “whose fault is it” always results in a dead end. Jesus Christ says there is only one way to begin again and that’s to forgive. In fact, He told His followers to forgive and freely as God has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32) and to “love others as I have loved you” (John 15:12). That’s a heap of love and forgiveness!
We at Ventures hope you enjoyed your holidays and are ready to launch into a New Year. Let’s begin 2008 with some thoughts on forgiveness.
I heard an old proverb once that says, “Too quick we get old and too late we get smart.” That goes for all of us. No one fully escapes the heartbreaking blunders of their ignorance and immaturity. Sometimes, I feel like a turtle racing at the “Indianapolis 500” when it comes to mature living. I’ve done so many stupid things; uttered many words I wish I could take back; ignored folks I should have loved; not taken time to be a good neighbor; showed too little patience in understanding other people, etc., etc.
In so many ways, I wish I could start all over again and strive to be more like Christ. But I can’t. None of us can. There is only one good answer to all our mistakes and sins of the past. Forgiveness!! A lot of folks in town have hurt and disappointed me just as I have them. But playing the game of “who hurt who most” and “whose fault is it” always results in a dead end. Jesus Christ says there is only one way to begin again and that’s to forgive. In fact, He told His followers to forgive and freely as God has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32) and to “love others as I have loved you” (John 15:12). That’s a heap of love and forgiveness!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Praise Gives Meaning to Christmas
"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy …” (Luke 6:23)
In the first part of this Christmas meditation I listed some of the sensations that make up our celebration of Christmas. You will be able to add many more that are meaningful to you to the list. Each of these can be an anchor, reminder or invitation to take part in the fullness of celebrating the birth of the Messiah. Let us consider a few expressions we might choose.
We find true meaning in the season when we praise God for His greatest Gift, Jesus. “In the fullness of time… God sent His son to redeem … and adopt … us” (Gal. 4:4-5). Meditating through the day on verses like these will focus you in praise.
Christmas joy increases when we join others in worship. One great family tradition is to attend a midnight service on Christmas Eve. The praise of the worshipers will truly make an impact on your mind, heart and emotions as you, your family and the congregation rejoice together at the incredible Good News of the Savior’s birth.
Another wonderful family tradition is to sit down together, read the Christmas story out of a new Bible translation and then ask each person to share one thing that impressed them from this old but ever new story. You can conclude with singing two or three Christmas carols and a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.
Finally, you can find some place to be alone, read Scripture and a devotional thought or two about the Incarnation and ask the Lord to make His first coming fresh and real to your heart. Ask Him for a new thought … perhaps this, “nothing could be stranger than God in a manger!” Halleluiah!
There are many opportunities to praise God in our Christmas celebrations. The only real limit is our imagination and our willingness to join the heavenly choir “…praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14).
We at Ventures wish you a praise filled Christmas and a blessed New Year. Bullets for the Battle will take a break until early January. We look forward to being part of your devotional reading in 2008!
"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy …” (Luke 6:23)
In the first part of this Christmas meditation I listed some of the sensations that make up our celebration of Christmas. You will be able to add many more that are meaningful to you to the list. Each of these can be an anchor, reminder or invitation to take part in the fullness of celebrating the birth of the Messiah. Let us consider a few expressions we might choose.
We find true meaning in the season when we praise God for His greatest Gift, Jesus. “In the fullness of time… God sent His son to redeem … and adopt … us” (Gal. 4:4-5). Meditating through the day on verses like these will focus you in praise.
Christmas joy increases when we join others in worship. One great family tradition is to attend a midnight service on Christmas Eve. The praise of the worshipers will truly make an impact on your mind, heart and emotions as you, your family and the congregation rejoice together at the incredible Good News of the Savior’s birth.
Another wonderful family tradition is to sit down together, read the Christmas story out of a new Bible translation and then ask each person to share one thing that impressed them from this old but ever new story. You can conclude with singing two or three Christmas carols and a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.
Finally, you can find some place to be alone, read Scripture and a devotional thought or two about the Incarnation and ask the Lord to make His first coming fresh and real to your heart. Ask Him for a new thought … perhaps this, “nothing could be stranger than God in a manger!” Halleluiah!
There are many opportunities to praise God in our Christmas celebrations. The only real limit is our imagination and our willingness to join the heavenly choir “…praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14).
We at Ventures wish you a praise filled Christmas and a blessed New Year. Bullets for the Battle will take a break until early January. We look forward to being part of your devotional reading in 2008!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Sensations of Christmas
“… It is I myself! Touch me and see…” (Luke 24:39)
Christmas comes to us through all our senses:
- Sight: Christmas trees sparkle with tinsel and ornaments; lights strung on buildings glow in the dark of a winter night; candles flicker in churches and homes as a promise of the Light.
- Sound: carols are played everywhere; choirs, great and small, perform seasonal works; bell ringers’ bells remind us that the greatest rewards are found in giving.
- Smell: gingerbread baking in the kitchen; evergreen scents from tree, wreath and garland; fruit and spices add a rich note in stores and homes.
- Touch: the softness of a special, seasonal sweater; smooth yet spiky holly leaves, all the textures of the costumes the children will wear for the “Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
We move through, participate in, and observe all the joys of the season. There is so much to do, plans to make, presents to buy, so many people we want to visit and so little time to accomplish all we have on our schedules. Yet we long for more, for meaning as well as all the sensations of the season.
If we are wise “in Christ” we will find meaning only when we put a premium on praise as the most joyful expression of Christmas.
Praise is not only the greatest meaning of Christmas it is the greatest meaning of life! The person who knows much or the person who knows little are equal if their hearts are filled with praise for Messiah. The one who knows everything or the one who knows nothing please the Father equally when they are on their knees in praise for Emmanuel!
Praise is truly the “Hand of the Spirit” that touches the wonder of Jesus in the manger! “I will praise you, Oh God, with all my heart …” (Psalm 138:1)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The Bullet of Removing the Dross: Part 3
What, then, is the cure for the “soul wastes” of life? It is to know the forgiveness of God and to love and forgive all others! God’s love alone is the only way to eliminate the waste of an ungodly spirit. Purity of thought and action alone will bring freedom, peace and excitement to life.
King David gave us the answer to the waste of the soul in Psalm 119:9 and 11. “How shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed to Thy Word. … Thy Word have I hidden in my heart (memorize and meditate) that I might not sin against Thee.”
Sinning against God is as futile as trying to hold your breath against the air! It won’t work and it can’t last! Jesus came to rid the world of waste and recycle man for maximum meaning. I’ve let Him start on me … and it’s exhilarating! How about letting Him start working on you?
What, then, is the cure for the “soul wastes” of life? It is to know the forgiveness of God and to love and forgive all others! God’s love alone is the only way to eliminate the waste of an ungodly spirit. Purity of thought and action alone will bring freedom, peace and excitement to life.
King David gave us the answer to the waste of the soul in Psalm 119:9 and 11. “How shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed to Thy Word. … Thy Word have I hidden in my heart (memorize and meditate) that I might not sin against Thee.”
Sinning against God is as futile as trying to hold your breath against the air! It won’t work and it can’t last! Jesus came to rid the world of waste and recycle man for maximum meaning. I’ve let Him start on me … and it’s exhilarating! How about letting Him start working on you?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Bullet of Removing the Dross: Part 2
Hatred, bitterness, revenge, self-centeredness, lust, critical spirit, false values, greed, resentment, unforgiving spirit, hypocrisy, idolatry (fame, success, things) and low goals and values can all be categorized as the “wastes of life.”
Take hatred and an unforgiving spirit as an example. Hidden hatred can turn a likable lady into a suspicious carper. It can turn a warm, understanding man into a caustic cynic.
David Augsburger, the brilliant Mennonite author, has added, “Hatred corrodes a disposition, elevates blood pressure, upsets digestive works, ulcerates a stomach, brings on nervous breakdowns, and how about a coronary? Boiling inside is a form of slow suicide.”
The cost to incubate the waste of hatred will ruin a man’s health, lose his friends and make him powerless to lead his family. So it is with all the “soul wastes” of life.
Hatred, bitterness, revenge, self-centeredness, lust, critical spirit, false values, greed, resentment, unforgiving spirit, hypocrisy, idolatry (fame, success, things) and low goals and values can all be categorized as the “wastes of life.”
Take hatred and an unforgiving spirit as an example. Hidden hatred can turn a likable lady into a suspicious carper. It can turn a warm, understanding man into a caustic cynic.
David Augsburger, the brilliant Mennonite author, has added, “Hatred corrodes a disposition, elevates blood pressure, upsets digestive works, ulcerates a stomach, brings on nervous breakdowns, and how about a coronary? Boiling inside is a form of slow suicide.”
The cost to incubate the waste of hatred will ruin a man’s health, lose his friends and make him powerless to lead his family. So it is with all the “soul wastes” of life.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
The Bullet of Removing the Dross: Part 1
All of us take for granted the amazing waste disposal system God has placed in our bodies. I certainly don’t mean to be uncouth, but the failure to eliminate liquid and solid wastes from the human body results in pain quickly and death ultimately.
I have been in on those serious family medical conferences when a blocked intestine has been discovered and must be dealt with immediately. Not being able to rid oneself of waste leads to disease and demise!
Equally as important as the elimination of body waste, is the critical issue of dealing with soul and spiritual waste. Just as the Father has designed systems to remove waste products from the body, so He has equipped humanity to throw off the waste products of the soul and to sustain spiritual health if we will listen.
The person of wisdom and triumphant living can adjust to everything that “comes at him” in life. That individual will take, learn and draw strength form what is of value and then dismiss that which is useless and dead.
All of us take for granted the amazing waste disposal system God has placed in our bodies. I certainly don’t mean to be uncouth, but the failure to eliminate liquid and solid wastes from the human body results in pain quickly and death ultimately.
I have been in on those serious family medical conferences when a blocked intestine has been discovered and must be dealt with immediately. Not being able to rid oneself of waste leads to disease and demise!
Equally as important as the elimination of body waste, is the critical issue of dealing with soul and spiritual waste. Just as the Father has designed systems to remove waste products from the body, so He has equipped humanity to throw off the waste products of the soul and to sustain spiritual health if we will listen.
The person of wisdom and triumphant living can adjust to everything that “comes at him” in life. That individual will take, learn and draw strength form what is of value and then dismiss that which is useless and dead.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
The Bullet of Human Nature: Victory!
If any of us are to know peace, joy and fulfillment we must stake our lives on the “only One” who truly understands us as we are, Jesus Christ. He loves us, knows our problems, died for us, was resurrected for us and offers us power to be overcomers.
The person who puts his confidence, worth, security and hopes in other people is doomed to despair. Other people … victims of the same disease that cripples us (sin) … either can’t understand or won’t understand. Even those who try to understand can offer only comfort and not power.
How do you handle it when people misunderstand your motives, criticize your actions, enjoy being your enemy, poison the minds of those who listen against you and refuse to forgive your mistakes? Only Christ has the answer.
First, admit to any and all that you need their forgiveness and that you make mistakes. Be honest. Second, constantly work at purifying your motives and actions with Christ as your teacher. Third, forgive others even if they attack you and won’t forgive you. Fourth, by His power, love everyone and leave the results to God! That’s the way our Lord told us to handle it. What fantastic truth!!
These things I have spoken to you in order that in Me you will have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
If any of us are to know peace, joy and fulfillment we must stake our lives on the “only One” who truly understands us as we are, Jesus Christ. He loves us, knows our problems, died for us, was resurrected for us and offers us power to be overcomers.
The person who puts his confidence, worth, security and hopes in other people is doomed to despair. Other people … victims of the same disease that cripples us (sin) … either can’t understand or won’t understand. Even those who try to understand can offer only comfort and not power.
How do you handle it when people misunderstand your motives, criticize your actions, enjoy being your enemy, poison the minds of those who listen against you and refuse to forgive your mistakes? Only Christ has the answer.
First, admit to any and all that you need their forgiveness and that you make mistakes. Be honest. Second, constantly work at purifying your motives and actions with Christ as your teacher. Third, forgive others even if they attack you and won’t forgive you. Fourth, by His power, love everyone and leave the results to God! That’s the way our Lord told us to handle it. What fantastic truth!!
These things I have spoken to you in order that in Me you will have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The Bullet of Human Nature: Evil Tendencies
Will it ever end? Don’t bet on it until Christ comes again and gives us His perfect Kingdom! I’m talking about “misunderstanding” and all the attached frustrations and bitterness that accompanies the same.
Everyone talks about love, forgiveness, patience and understanding, but relatively few folks show any passion to do anything about it. Even when we want to “forgive and forget” we seem powerless to pull it off. We forgive who we want and resent who we want! The result is enemies, insult, verbal abuse and bitterness.
All of this comes about because man in general doesn’t understand the human situation. We keep laboring under that false and erroneous notion that man is “basically good.” In no uncertain terms the Bible teaches that “man is basically bad although he wants to be good.” Paul, Christianity’s most outstanding saint, confirms this when he says in Romans 7:19 … “the good I wish I do not, but I practice the very evil I do not wish.” This is my own experience and that of everyone I have ever known.
This ignorance of man’s basic “evil tendency” is the bed rock of all of our disappointments, delusions and unfulfilled expectations. Even Jesus didn’t put His confidence in men because He knew the basic evil of their hearts (John 2:24).
Will it ever end? Don’t bet on it until Christ comes again and gives us His perfect Kingdom! I’m talking about “misunderstanding” and all the attached frustrations and bitterness that accompanies the same.
Everyone talks about love, forgiveness, patience and understanding, but relatively few folks show any passion to do anything about it. Even when we want to “forgive and forget” we seem powerless to pull it off. We forgive who we want and resent who we want! The result is enemies, insult, verbal abuse and bitterness.
All of this comes about because man in general doesn’t understand the human situation. We keep laboring under that false and erroneous notion that man is “basically good.” In no uncertain terms the Bible teaches that “man is basically bad although he wants to be good.” Paul, Christianity’s most outstanding saint, confirms this when he says in Romans 7:19 … “the good I wish I do not, but I practice the very evil I do not wish.” This is my own experience and that of everyone I have ever known.
This ignorance of man’s basic “evil tendency” is the bed rock of all of our disappointments, delusions and unfulfilled expectations. Even Jesus didn’t put His confidence in men because He knew the basic evil of their hearts (John 2:24).
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A Thanksgiving Reminder
By Ruth Ann Stites
My local public library is a community asset. On any normal weekday, to walk through the door is to see the diversity of people in my growing town, to undertake a treasure hunt through its well stocked shelves, or to be captivated by the effortless movements of a golden eyed, bright yellow tropical fish who lives in the children’s area aquarium. A century of service is represented in this institution, giving continuity to the learning, entertainment, and inspiration found here. The library is a material benefit with a lot of power to affect people – body, mind, and spirit.
This library is familiar, sometimes exasperating when I fail to find what I want, almost always busy. Some days I hurry in, grab a title, and race away. Other times I have the leisure to browse or sit and relax. I usually take my city library for granted; it’s just one of the places I go regularly in my busy schedule.
This Thanksgiving has reminded me to appreciate my library. It has also pointed out a truth about the holiday: We need to be reminded to focus our attention on the good things in our lives for which we are thankful.
This truth applies to spiritual as well as material benefits. We have so many good things in our lives because of Christ. We need to be continually reminded to stop and be thankful for Him at Thanksgiving and on every other day of the year!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving from all of us at Ventures for Christ.
By Ruth Ann Stites
My local public library is a community asset. On any normal weekday, to walk through the door is to see the diversity of people in my growing town, to undertake a treasure hunt through its well stocked shelves, or to be captivated by the effortless movements of a golden eyed, bright yellow tropical fish who lives in the children’s area aquarium. A century of service is represented in this institution, giving continuity to the learning, entertainment, and inspiration found here. The library is a material benefit with a lot of power to affect people – body, mind, and spirit.
This library is familiar, sometimes exasperating when I fail to find what I want, almost always busy. Some days I hurry in, grab a title, and race away. Other times I have the leisure to browse or sit and relax. I usually take my city library for granted; it’s just one of the places I go regularly in my busy schedule.
This Thanksgiving has reminded me to appreciate my library. It has also pointed out a truth about the holiday: We need to be reminded to focus our attention on the good things in our lives for which we are thankful.
This truth applies to spiritual as well as material benefits. We have so many good things in our lives because of Christ. We need to be continually reminded to stop and be thankful for Him at Thanksgiving and on every other day of the year!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving from all of us at Ventures for Christ.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
The Bullet of Faithfulness: Measuring Faithfulness
All of us seem to be filled with self-righteous irritation when people or things we depend on are unfaithful to us. Let me ask you a few questions and please answer honestly:
All of us seem to be filled with self-righteous irritation when people or things we depend on are unfaithful to us. Let me ask you a few questions and please answer honestly:
- If your car starts one out of three times, do you consider it dependable or faithful?
- If your paper boy regularly skips leaving two editions a week would you call him faithful?
- If you failed to go to work three or four days a month, would your employer consider you dependable or faithful?
- If your refrigerator quits for a day now and then, do you excuse it and say, “Oh, well, I can depend on it most of the time?”
- If your water heater greets you with cold water instead of hot, one out of two mornings, would it be dependable or faithful?
- If you miss a couple of mortgage payments each year would your mortgage holder say, “That’s okay, ten out of twelve isn’t too bad?”
Faithfulness means just that. Dependability which is consistent and without excuse! How does the Father view your faithfulness toward His gifts with which you have been trusted … your time, your church, your money, your responsibilities and your opportunities to give?
“In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” (I Corinthians 4:2)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Bullet of Faithfulness: Giving is Natural and Right
Everything we possess has been given to us by God to keep in circulation. We don’t really “own” anything! It is all ours only on a trustee or stewardship basis. Man is God’s “agent” to distribute His wealth.
Everything God made continually gives. The sun gives. The waters give. The air gives. The earth gives. God’s beauty in the skies and the mountains proclaim that the Father’s basic desire is to give!
But man, in his state of rebellion against the God who made him, is different. Man wants to keep. Man’s desire is to get, get, get. Man’s three main words are me, myself and mine!
None of us will ever begin to live until we are faithful to the purpose for which we were created. God has made of us stewards of His wealth. The more you and I keep His gifts to us in circulation the more He will trust us to manage.
In Luke 16:10 our Lord said, “He who is faithful in little is faithful in much.”
Everything we possess has been given to us by God to keep in circulation. We don’t really “own” anything! It is all ours only on a trustee or stewardship basis. Man is God’s “agent” to distribute His wealth.
Everything God made continually gives. The sun gives. The waters give. The air gives. The earth gives. God’s beauty in the skies and the mountains proclaim that the Father’s basic desire is to give!
But man, in his state of rebellion against the God who made him, is different. Man wants to keep. Man’s desire is to get, get, get. Man’s three main words are me, myself and mine!
None of us will ever begin to live until we are faithful to the purpose for which we were created. God has made of us stewards of His wealth. The more you and I keep His gifts to us in circulation the more He will trust us to manage.
In Luke 16:10 our Lord said, “He who is faithful in little is faithful in much.”
Thursday, November 08, 2007
The Bullet of Faith: The Great Leap
A great Presbyterian preacher, Louis Evans, tells of a little boy who heard his daddy working in a dark cellar at their northern home. It was pitch black but the boy could hear his father moving around the cellar. The father looked up and could see the form of his son framed in the doorway. To have fun with the boy he said, “Jump son, Daddy will catch you.” Now the little boy believed his daddy was down there because he heard him moving around. He heard him speak and trusted his daddy’s invitation that he would catch him because his daddy loved him. However, the only way to prove that he really believed and really trusted was to jump … to act!! The reason that church life and Christianity is so stale to thousands of people who claim to be following Jesus Christ is that they have never really jumped.
How about you? Only when you “bet your life” on what you say you believe and trust does faith really come alive! That’s why Jesus said, “Be it unto you, according to your faith.”
A great Presbyterian preacher, Louis Evans, tells of a little boy who heard his daddy working in a dark cellar at their northern home. It was pitch black but the boy could hear his father moving around the cellar. The father looked up and could see the form of his son framed in the doorway. To have fun with the boy he said, “Jump son, Daddy will catch you.” Now the little boy believed his daddy was down there because he heard him moving around. He heard him speak and trusted his daddy’s invitation that he would catch him because his daddy loved him. However, the only way to prove that he really believed and really trusted was to jump … to act!! The reason that church life and Christianity is so stale to thousands of people who claim to be following Jesus Christ is that they have never really jumped.
How about you? Only when you “bet your life” on what you say you believe and trust does faith really come alive! That’s why Jesus said, “Be it unto you, according to your faith.”
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The Bullet of Faith: Adding One Upon Another
Many people today believe in God with their heads. They believe He is there; they’re not agnostics or atheists. They believe the world is held together pretty much by what He allows and doesn’t allow. Many folks go on to have a trust in their hearts for God. They aren’t against Him; they are for Him. But this is not enough to have real faith … the kind of faith that changes a man, the kind of faith that brings excitement, the kind of faith that makes life an intoxicating adventure. No, these things come only when the third aspect of faith is realized and acted upon. There must be a commitment of the will to what we say we believer and trust or else there is no real faith. Remember the words of Jesus, “Happy is the man who hears and does what I say.”
For years I believed that water skiing would really be fun. I trusted that the skis and the water would hold me up, but it wasn’t until I committed myself to a ski, a lake and an end of rope tied to the end of a motor boat that I began to experience the thrills and joys of water skiing. Authentic Christian faith is just like that – action must be added to belief and trust before it is experienced.
Many people today believe in God with their heads. They believe He is there; they’re not agnostics or atheists. They believe the world is held together pretty much by what He allows and doesn’t allow. Many folks go on to have a trust in their hearts for God. They aren’t against Him; they are for Him. But this is not enough to have real faith … the kind of faith that changes a man, the kind of faith that brings excitement, the kind of faith that makes life an intoxicating adventure. No, these things come only when the third aspect of faith is realized and acted upon. There must be a commitment of the will to what we say we believer and trust or else there is no real faith. Remember the words of Jesus, “Happy is the man who hears and does what I say.”
For years I believed that water skiing would really be fun. I trusted that the skis and the water would hold me up, but it wasn’t until I committed myself to a ski, a lake and an end of rope tied to the end of a motor boat that I began to experience the thrills and joys of water skiing. Authentic Christian faith is just like that – action must be added to belief and trust before it is experienced.
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