June 24, 2015

“Love is patient, love is kind. Love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up.” I Corinthians 13:4

Our challenge this Summer will be to get our human minds around the idea of a supernatural love.

No pressure!

You get the idea you may be in trouble when you learn that the first characteristic of this “agape” love is patience. We learned that patience means having a “long fuse”. It is the ability to take abuse from another without being overcome by anger. If you can do that you have love but if not, you don’t!

Yikes!

Love is also kind. Paired with patience, kindness means that a loving “long fused” person absorbs unkindness and returns kindness. If you can do that you have love. If you cannot you don’t have it.

One of the barriers to patience and kindness is envy. You can’t be patient or kind if envy is in your heart. The word used for envy means to “boil over” with zeal for what someone else is or for what someone else has. You cannot love a person and be envious toward them. You won’t find it in you to be patient or kind, either.

Is there someone you envy?

Think about your attitude toward him.

Are you happy when that person succeeds?

Can you congratulate him and really mean it?

Probably not!

It was envy that motivated Cain to kill Abel. You would think a brother would love his brother, but because of envy he couldn’t.

What caused Joseph’s brothers to toss him into a pit to kill him and then deciding to sell him as a slave? It was envy!

Envy drove King Saul to pursue David with the intention of killing him.

Love does not envy.

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

This is going to be hard, isn’t it?

June 23, 2015

^"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  II Corinthians 5:17

There are a lot of things I would have liked to change about myself.

Growing up in Indiana where high school basketball is SO important, I wanted to be taller than I was. But I wasn't.

I wish I could have changed the amount of athleticism I possessed so I could have been quicker and faster and jumped higher. But I couldn't.

If I could have been more talented in music I would have made that change. But I couldn't.

God knew that we are capable of changing ourselves. That is precisely why He sent Jesus to change things for us!

One of the major change points in your life will be the day you understand how little you can actually change.

But change you must! I must change. Here's why:

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"  Romans 3:

"The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

You and I are born as sinners. As sinners we have separated ourselves from a holy God. That was the reason Jesus came. He came to take our sins upon Himself and die as a sacrificial offering for our sins. We deserved death because we are sinful. He deserved the best of life since He was holy.

Jesus changed His address by coming to earth. He changed form by coming as a man. And He changed from holy to sinful as He took our sins upon Himself on the cross. And the only reason He made all those changes was so He could change us.

If you will change your mind and trust Him for your salvation rather than trying to earn it yourself, everything will change! You will become a new creation in Christ! Your relationship with God will change. You will have a change of heart. Your mind will be transformed. Your eternal destination will change. Your desires and motivations will change.

One small change from you is all it takes for Him to make big changes in you!

June 22, 2015

“…..love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up.” I Corinthians 13:4b

As an avid golfer I look forward every year to the U. S. Open Golf Tournament which determines the champion golfer of the year. This great sporting event is always played on the week leading up to Father’s Day so the final round is contested on Father’s Day.

Because the U. S. Open is always played by the world’s greatest golfers on one of the Nation’s most difficult courses that is set up to play as hard as it can possibly play, the Tournament usually features a dramatic ending.

The 2015 edition was not an exception, coming down to the last putt from the final player to determine the winner. Dustin Johnson hit two fantastic shots under immense pressure to put himself in position to have a twelve foot putt to win the Championship. As he stood over the tricky downhill putt, Dustin had two chances to win. If he knocked the ball into the hole he would be the outright champion but even with two putts he could have tied for the lead and earned his way into an eighteen hole playoff today. But, he struck the putt a little too firmly and ran it four feet past the hole. No problem! Now all he had to do was run in this straight uphill four-footer and he would tie for the lead. Sadly though, he pulled the putt and missed it to the left.

Dustin Johnson’s three putt gave the Championship to Jordan Spieth. So you could say that Jordan won or you can also say that Dustin lost. Knowing how golfers think, I am sure Jordan would have preferred to win the tournament rather than have Dustin lose it. I am equally sure it will take Dustin a long time to get over how he squandered this rare opportunity.

I share this because it illustrates the spirit of our Scripture text and gives instruction on how Christ followers should respond in these difficult moments of life.

First, if you are Dustin Johnson, how should you respond in a way consistent with Godly love?

According to the Apostle Paul, Godly love would cause Dustin to be sincerely happy for Jordan Spieth’s victory. Not only that, but he would be as happy over Jordan’s win and he would have been if he had won!

Along with to his genuine joy for Jordan, if Dustin were to demonstrate this great love he would not make any excuses about his loss that would diminish Jordan’s win in the least.

You may be thinking, “Wow, Brad, that’s really hard!” Or, you may even be thinking, “Brad, that’s not possible!”

In terms of human ego, you are correct! It is not in you, nor is it in me.  That is why this love is supernatural! Only God can give you this sort of love.

Second, if you are Jordan Spieth, how should you behave in this time of historic triumph?

According to this verse, he should show deep humility for the win and sincere compassion for the loser. Jordan’s concern for Dustin’s feeling of failure and loss should be stronger that his celebration of his fortune.

So, how do you handle it when someone succeeds where you have failed?

Are you able to be as happy for the success of another as you are for your own success?

If you can sincerely answer yes, you have I Corinthians 13 love!

June 21, 2015

"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." Genesis 6:8

If it were easy being a good dad, everyone would be doing it.

Noah qualifies as a good dad. I think you could put him in the great dad category.

That begs the question, "What defines a great dad?"

Here's my answer based on what I know of the Bible and from what I see of Noah:

1) He pleased God.

That's what it means to find "favor" with God. He was a great earthly father because he pleased his Heavenly Father. How? By being "righteous, blameless and walked with God".

2) He prayed

Where does it say that? How did he know about building the ark? God gave Noah a detailed description on how to build something he had never seen before - a boat!

3) He persevered

For over 100 years he worked on constructing the ark. Every day for more than a century he got up and went to work on this ship of salvation.

4) He protected his family

Obviously, he delivered his family from the flood waters, but more importantly, he protected them spiritually from the moral corruption of that day.

5) He provided for his family.

As a responsible bread-winner, Noah made sure his wife and children had what they needed.

Noah is in the Hall of Faith listed in Hebrews 11. Rightly so! But he also ranks high on the Hall of Fathers. He became a great father by pleasing His Heavenly Father!

How about you? Have you found favor with God?

Are you pleasing your Heavenly father by being righteous, by being blameless, and by walking with Him?

June 20, 2015

“……love never fails….” I Corinthians 13:8

One thing common to everyone who has taken on the role of a parent, and that is the occasional feeling that you are failing as a parent.

Perhaps that is how you are feeling at this moment.

There is no parenting scoreboard or instrument for measuring how you are doing as a parent at any given moment. It is a moment by moment process and every child is a work in progress and sometimes it just feels like you are losing!

You don’t like losing at anything! Neither do I. It is especially hard to feel like you are losing in the job of parenting because (1) you don’t want to lose your child; and (2) you don’t want to be thought of as a poor parent.

For every parent who has ever felt this way (and that would be every parent) there two Scriptures have encouraging news for you! LOVE NEVER FAILS!

Some things work every time they are tried. Obedience always works! Every time you obey God it allows Him to work in and through your life! There has never been a time that a Child of God obeyed Him and it didn’t work out for that one who obeyed.

Prayer works every time it is tried. While you may not receive exactly what you prayed for you know that every prayer is heard every prayer is heard in Heaven has an impact on earth. When you pray in Jesus’ Name, every prayer is heard in Heaven and every prayer causes something to happen on earth. Sometimes something will happen in the heart of your child or something will happen in your heart. To every prayer God answers, “Yes”, “no” or “later”. Your job is to pray, then believe, then watch for the evidence that God is at work in answer to your prayer.

Love works every time it is tried!

But that is only true if the love is question is the love of God because God’s love never fails. God’s love always triumphs over any fear, over any doubt, over any hatred, or any feelings of failure as a parent. Love never fails!

Your love may fail toward your child but God’s love working in you and through you will never fail because “Love never fails”! You can only fail with your child (ren) if you fail to love your child with the supernatural “agape” love of God!

So, disregard any feelings of failure as a parent. It isn’t about you or your failures anyway! It isn’t about you at all! If you want to receive the power of God you must crucify your selfish, self-loving nature and receive His love through the Holy Spirit!

Once you receive His Holy Spirit and the fruit of His Spirit, His love will fill your heart and it will cover for any failures you might make as a parent. His love is stronger than your failures!

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8

June 19, 2015

"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him." Proverbs 23:24 

Fathers are just as essential to healthy child development as mothers. Psychology Today explained, "Fatherhood turns out to be a complex and unique phenomenon with huge consequences for the emotional and intellectual growth of children."

Erik Erikson, a pioneer in the world of child psychology, asserts that a father's love and a mother's love are qualitatively different. Fathers "love more dangerously" because their love is more "expectant, more instrumental" than a mother's love. A father brings unique contributions to the job of parenting a child that no one else can replicate. Following are some of the most compelling ways that a father’s involvement makes a positive difference in a child's life.

•  Fathers parent differently

Fathering expert Dr. Kyle Pruett explains that fathers have a distinct style of communication and interaction with children. By eight weeks of age, infants can tell the difference between their mother’s and father’s interaction with them.

This diversity, in itself, provides children with a broader, richer experience of contrasting relational interactions. Whether they realize it or not, children are learning, by sheer experience, that men and women are different and have different ways of dealing with life, other adults and children. This understanding is critical for their development.

• Fathers play differently.

Fathers tickle more, they wrestle, and they throw their children in the air (while mother says . . . "Not so high!"). Fathers chase their children, sometimes as playful, scary "monsters."

Fathering expert John Snarey explains that children who roughhouse with their fathers learn that biting, kicking and other forms of physical violence are not acceptable. They learn self-control by being told when "enough is enough" and when to settle down. Girls and boys both learn a healthy balance between timidity and aggression.

• Fathers build confidence.

Go to any playground and listen to the parents. Who is encouraging kids to swing or climb just a little higher, ride their bike just a little faster, throw just a little harder? Who is encouraging kids to be careful? Mothers protect and dads encourage kids to push the limits.

Either of these parenting styles by themselves can be unhealthy. One can tend toward encouraging risk without consideration of consequences. The other tends to avoid risk, which can fail to build independence and confidence. Together, they help children remain safe while expanding their experiences and increasing their confidence.

•  Fathers communicate differently.

A major study showed that when speaking to children, mothers and fathers are different. Mothers will simplify their words and speak on the child's level. Men are not as inclined to modify their language for the child. The mother's way facilitates immediate communication; the father's way challenges the child to expand her vocabulary and linguistic skills — an important building block of academic success.

•  Fathers discipline differently.

Educational psychologist Carol Gilligan tells us that fathers stress justice, fairness and duty (based on rules), while mothers stress sympathy, care and help (based on relationships). Fathers tend to observe and enforce rules systematically and sternly, teaching children the consequences of right and wrong. Mothers tend toward grace and sympathy, providing a sense of hopefulness. Again, either of these disciplinary approaches by themselves is not good, but together, they create a healthy, proper balance.

•  Fathers prepare children for the real world.

Involved dads help children see that attitudes and behaviors have consequences. For instance, fathers are more likely than mothers to tell their children that if they are not nice to others, kids will not want to play with them. Or, if they don't do well in school, they will not get into a good college or secure a desirable job. Fathers help children prepare for the reality and harshness of the world.

• Fathers provide a look at the world of men.

Men and women are different. They eat differently. They dress differently. They cope with life differently. Girls and boys who grow up with a father are more familiar and secure with the curious world of men.

Girls with involved, married fathers are more likely to have healthier relationships with the opposite sex because they learn from their fathers how proper men act toward women. They know which behaviors are inappropriate.

They also have a healthy familiarity with the world of men — they don't wonder how a man's facial stubble feels or what it's like to be hugged by strong arms. This knowledge builds emotional security and safety from the exploitation of predatory males.

Boys who grow up with dads are less likely to be violent. They have their masculinity affirmed and learn from their fathers how to channel their masculinity and strength in positive ways. Fathers help sons understand proper male sexuality, hygiene and behavior in age-appropriate ways. As noted sociologist David Popenoe explains, "Fathers are far more than just 'second adults' in the home. Involved fathers — especially biological fathers — bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring."

Dad done well is a key foundation of a healthy and happy family. You make a world of difference for your wife and your children, Dad! Don't miss it for the world!

June 18, 2015

In 1993, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D., NY) coined the phrase "defining deviancy down". Moynihan's thesis was that, as a society, America has been "re-defining deviancy" so as to exempt conduct previously stigmatized, and quietly raising the "normal" level for behavior that was abnormal by previous standards.

It's not often I agree with someone from the Democratic Party, but in this case I am in full agreement with the Senator! It has been over 20 years since he made this perceptive commentary on American culture and the past two decades have added credibility to his statement.

Nowadays we are told the degradation of our culture is the "new normal" and we'd better adjust to it!

I have no intention of adjusting to it. I refuse to participate in the further deconstruction of our culture. I will not adjust to the "new normal". I have dedicated the rest of my life to restoring the "old normal". That is one reason I have chosen to spend the Summer preaching a series on I Corinthians 13:4-8. Like the Apostle Paul, I want this to be the norm for our culture beginning with the people of God:

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures. Love never ends."

Paul also described "old normal" like this in another letter:

^“But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their own sinful selves. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit. We must not be proud or make trouble with each other or be jealous of each other.”

This “old normal” is what God calls us to when we commit to becoming fully devoted followers of Christ. It is the normal result of dying to your selfish will and receiving the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit and walking in the Spirit is the prescribed normal for His people. It is our only hope for confronting and defeating the “new normal”.

I call you to join me in “defining decency up” and “reconstructing” our culture. I challenge you to be Spirit-filled and walk in the Holy Spirit.

If you refuse to be part of the solution you will remain part of the problem.