January 29, 2013

A recent Reader's Digest has an article entitled "How Letting Go of Grudges Can Improve Your Health." It states that forgiveness is indeed divine, but not necessarily easy. It's also very beneficial to physical and mental health states the article. It quotes Frederic Luskin, Ph.D, author of Forgive for Good (HarperCollins, 2002) as saying "People who forgive show less depression, anger and stress and [show] more hopefulness."

That is one reason that Romans 12:14 admonishes: "Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them."

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) " Police say a 30-year grudge boiled over when a former elementary school teacher littered the driveways of former co-workers and bosses with roofing nails and splattered paint on their garage doors. Thomas R. Haberbush, 72, pleaded guilty last Tuesday to one count each of stalking, criminal mischief and criminal tampering, all misdemeanors. Police said that three former school board members, a retired principal and a retired assistant principal at Caroline Street Elementary School were among the nine victims Haberbush targeted over the past two years. Their car tires were damaged by roofing nails that Haberbush threw in the driveways, police said. "It’s very bizarre to carry around a grudge for nearly 30 years," said Saratoga Springs police investigator John Catone. "At least now there can be closure for all those people he terrorized." Police said Haberbush had been angered after receiving poor work reviews. Saratoga County assistant district attorney David Harper requested that Haberbush undergo a mental health evaluation as part of the plea agreement. He also will be barred from contacting the victims in the future.
 

-It’s like the old saying, “holding grudges is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

-Jesus says, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Will you be a grace-giver or a grudge-holder? That is the decision each of us must make. But for those who are followers of Christ, the choice is clear. There is no room in the heart of a Christian or within the fellowship of a church for holding grudges. The healthy thing to do AND the holy thing to do is to be a grace-giver.

Is there someone you need to forgive?

January 28, 2013

Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them." Romans 12:14

During the Korean war a certain military unit had hired a local boy to cook and clean for them. Being a bunch of jokesters, these guys soon took advantage of the boy’s seeming naiveté’.
 

· They'd put little water buckets over the door so he’d get soaked when he opened the door

· They’d smear Vaseline on the stove handles so that when he’d turn the stove on in the morning he’d get grease all over his fingers.

· They’d  even nail his shoes to the floor during the night.
 

Day after day the young Korean took the brunt of their practical jokes without saying anything. There was no blame, no self-pity, no temper tantrums.
 

Finally the men felt guilty about what they were doing, so they sat down with the boy and said, “Look, we know these pranks aren’t funny for you, and we’re sorry. We’re never going to take advantage of you again.” It seemed too good to be true to the houseboy.
 

“No more sticky on stove?” he asked.
 

“Nope.”


“No more water on door.”


“No.”


“No more nail shoes to floor?”


“Nope, never again.”


“Okay” the boy said with a smile, “no more spit in soup.”

We chuckle at this story but let me ask you a serious question, "When you get even with someone, do you actually get even? And does it make you feel better?"

I think you know the answer to that question.

In the Bible, who do you think felt better, Peter who cut off a young man's ear in a valiant but vain effort to protect Jesus. But which one of them felt better in the end, Peter or Jesus, Who touched the young Roman and reattached his severed ear?

If your purpose is to overcome evil with good, how can you justify hurting someone just because they have hurt you? When you respond to evil with more evil, you are overcome with the evil. That disobeys God's command.

What if the next time you are hurt by someone you overcome that pain by showing grace rather than getting even? What if you do what Jesus did - you take the pain and give them the gain? How would that change your relationships? How would that shape your world? What would that do for your heart? More importantly, you would show the love of God in a powerful way! You would be acting on faith not feelings.

Is it time for you to stop spitting in the soup?

January 27, 2013

“A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” Proverbs 29:11

 

Modern technology with social media on the world-wide internet provides a vast scope of accessibility to spread God’s love and His plan of salvation to the entire world. But it also has potential to cause great harm to the Faith and the Church.

 

Let me illustrate:

 

Monday, during the inauguration for President Obama's second and final term, Pastor Mark Driscoll tweeted a controversial statement that launched a very heated reply and retweet conversation.

 

In the hot-button tweet, Driscoll says, "Praying for our President, who today will be placing his hand on a Bible he does not believe to take an oath to a God he likely does not know."

 

In response, church leaders like Scott Hodge, Eugene Cho, Jason Boyett and Carlos Whittaker shared their strong disdain for Driscoll's tweet and perceived it as judgmental, ultra-critical and unhelpful. Actress Alyssa Milano also responded to Driscoll's tweet saying, "Your last tweet is not very Christian of you. Shouldn't you be inspiring people to love and have compassion and respect?"

 

However, in the midst of the heated discussion surrounding the inauguration tweet, it has received more than 2,100 retweets from like-minded leaders. So, we'd like to pose the question to you.

 

Do you think Driscoll's tweet is way off-base, right on or somewhere in between?

 

The response to this question about the propriety of Mark Driscoll’s tweet brought 238 comments from every possible side of the issue. How about you? Would you tweet a statement like this or post it on Facebook? Should you?

 

Here’s what I am going to do, I am going to approach this topic of the benefits and dangers of social media for Christians by first, putting it in the context of some Scriptures and the offering some counsel from the Scriptures.

 

SOME CONTEXT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Consider some Scriptures regarding this issue to put it in context.

 

“The Bible has something to say about social media,” You ask?

 

Well, the Bible says a lot about how to speak and communicate and that is what social media is, right?

 

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”  Proverbs 10:19

 

^“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” James 3:2-6

 

“The tongue is a fire” “it is set on fire by hell” – Pretty strong statements!

 

What happens if a fire touches something valuable?

 

What happens if a fire sends out burning embers into the wind?

 

When you combine the truths of those two Scriptures together it comes out like this – THE TONGUE IS HARD TO CONTROL AND CONTAMINATED BY SIN SO MORE WORDS = MORE CHANCES TO SIN. FEWER WORDS = FEWER CHANCES TO SIN.

 

Does that shed any light on Mark Driscoll’s tweet?

 

^“For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.  But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. James 3:7-12

 

^“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

 

“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these comes from evil.” Matthew 5:37 (Jesus speaking from Sermon on Mount)

 

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  Luke 6:45

 

Again, combine the truths of these key verses and it puts it in this context – UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF YOUR TONGUE AND THE HARM IT CAN CAUSE, BE VERY CAREFUL AND COMTEMPLATIVE BEFORE YOU POST OR TWEET. MAKE SURE YOUR HEART IS RIGHT BEFORE YOU TYPE OR HIT “SEND”.

 

Does this shed light on Mark Driscoll’s tweet?

 

View Facebook, Twitter or other social media platforms for what they are – VAST PUBLIC FORUMS – with massive opportunities to spread the Gospel as well as massive potential to discredit it. View social media as a power tool with great power to create or damage. Use carefully and wear goggles!

 

SOME COUNSEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Three Big Issues:

 

1) TIME

 

^‘See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’  Ephesians 5:16

 

What does it mean to “redeem the time?” The word “redeeming” in the Greek can mean “to buy up, ransom, or rescue from loss.” We need to rescue from loss the time that remains in our life. We can only redeem today and plan to redeem tomorrow, for yesterday is gone! We alone are responsible for using what God has given to each of us—time—to prepare for our spiritual calling.

 

Am I using this time to glorify or edify?

 

Am I spending more time one Facebook than in God’s Book?

 

Am I making good use of this person’s time?

 

2) TESTIMONY – “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back”

 

“And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.” Colossian 3:17

 

Will this glorify or edify?

 

If I were an non-believer would this make me more or less likely to believe?

 

Will I feel good about having 10,000 people reading this?

 

3) TEMPTATION

 

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

 

Three areas of temptation:

 

A) Strife – Mark Driscoll’s Post – - - Do we need to know everything about us?

 

B) Straying – Am I flirting or becoming emotionally involved?

 

C) Sexual Sin – Am I involved in pornography on the internet?

 

HOW AM I USING SOCIAL MEDIA? 

 

IS THERE SOMETHING I NEED TO REPENT OF?

 

AM I SPENDING MORE TIME IN SOCIAL MEDIA THAT IN BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER?

 

DO MY POSTS AND TWEETS HONOR GOD AND OR ARE THEY ABOUT GETTING  ATTENTION FOR MYSELF?

 

AM I LOOKING AT IMPROPER AND IMPURE THINGS ON THE INTERNET?

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 26, 2013

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13

For the most part, much of America is really struggling to be passionate about life!

4 out of 5 Americans feel that they lack passion in their lives. - Harris Poll, 2007

That means only 20% of Americans woke up today saying, “Come on, let’s go for it!”

Why is passion so hard to come by? What is it?

Passion is - “A strong feeling, a great devotion and intense conviction which fuels or motivates us toward compelling action.”

How do I know if I have a godly passion?

Look at your kids. Generally, your kids will catch your passion. At least, up to a certain age your kids will reflect your passion. They will tend to embrace what matters to you and reject what you dislike.

Look at your checkbook. Where you spend your money betrays your passion. Are you spending it on yourself and your wants and wishes? The register at the back of your checkbook does not lie. It may be revealing to look at it once and awhile.

 

Look at your date book. Where you spend your time shows your passion. How much of your leisure time is devoted to faith, family or friends? How much is dedicated to your favorite stuff? Your Day-Timer doesn't lie. Your record will reveal your passions.

 

Joy, according to this verse, is an indication of the source of your passion. Do you find joy in serving God and His people?

Faithfulness in serving, praying and sharing is a third evidence that your passion is genuine and godly.

A church that has passion is a church where "Discouraged folks cheer up, dishonest folks fess up, sour folks sweeten up, closed folk, open up, gossipers shut up, conflicted folks make up, sleeping folks wake up, lukewarm folk, fire up, dry bones shake up, and pew potatoes stand up! But most of all, Christ the Savior of the entire world is lifted up."

Passion has positive power!

How do I know I have passion? I have joy as I serve!

Do I recognize joy in my life?

How do I know I have passion? I can serve patiently!

Do I recognize patience in my life?

How do I know I have passion? I can pray faithfully!

Do I recognize patience in my life?

Do I demonstrate faithfulness?

January 25, 2013

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Passion begins with a connection. Passion can be catching, you can get it from someone else who has it. No one is more passionate about life and love than Jesus!

Secondly, passion grows with conviction. Passion takes root in a belief and strengthens as you become more convinced about what you believe. Belief typically grows through experience. Experience is when your belief moves from your head to your heart. When something that you believe in your mind actually gets put to the test in life and you discover it works! From then on you believe it more!

When reality challenges your beliefs and you cling to that belief and act on it and find it passes the test, you have a stronger belief and a new view of reality. When what you hoped in proved to be worthy of your hope - your hope grows! You move from hoping to real hope! Not only does your belief get stronger but so does your passion!

It is sort like when you first walked out on the ice covering a pond or a like. You have watched it freeze and seen the ice cover more of the surface until it covers all the water. You wait while it thickens and then when you think it be thick enough you take that first tentative step. To your joy and relief your find it does support your weight. With each step your confidence grows. Soon you are skating and having a wonderful time! You have moved from hoping you were right to knowing it and enjoying it!

Conviction is discovering that you can hope in what you hoped you could believe! Then you hope more and believe stronger. Each time your belief stands the tests of life and validates your hopes you grow more passionate about what you believe. That allows you to be more patient in the face of difficulties.

Stronger hope and greater patience helps you pray with more faith! Prayer strengthen both your connection WITH Jesus and your conviction of what be believe ABOUT Him. Prayer becomes less of a job and more of a joy. It changes prayer from a last resort to a first response.

Passion originates with a connection and deepens with a conviction. When you believe what you say you believe you will find more hope, patience and prayerfulness.

January 24, 2013

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11

The word "zeal" has practically disappeared from common use. You can still find it in a dictionary and it makes a good word in Scrabble, but think about the last time you heard it in a conversation? Paul here couples "zeal" with the synonym "fervor".

In the rare instances it is used it appears in the word "zealot" which usually has a negative connotation.

The concept of "zeal" is expressed in the word "passion" these days. So let's talk about passion since this verse demands that you and I are responsible for fueling the spiritual passion for God. It is expected to be a constant in our lives.

If we were to be honest we would admit the place we most often see passion is in regard to sports teams. I confess to being passionate about the Chicago Bears and the Virginia Tech Hokies.

That begs two questions, "what does passion look like" and "why does it express itself in this form"?

My passion for these two football teams shows in the fact that I think about them most every day. Their websites are on my favorites tab and I always look for the latest news on them. My passion is shown in how I order my priorities around the during Satudays and Sundays in the Fall. When the games are on I am mentally and emotionally engaged in them. I get excited by a big play and aggravated by the bad plays. I care what happens to my teams from the opening kickoff until the final play! For those three hours that game is the center of my universe. A win by either  team lifts my week-end. If they both win it is real uplifting! When one or both lose it casts a pall over the next few days.

That's passion!

So, why is it so easy to maintain my passion for football and so difficult to "keep my spiritual fervor"?

Here's a thought from one of my mentors, Rush Limbaugh. El Rushbo says that we are passionate about sports teams because we can become totally engaged with our favorite team and gain a sense of significance, satisfaction, belonging, entertainment and pleasant diversion without it costing us anything. Granted, if you buy a ticket and pay for parking and food to the event or set aside a day to attend the event, that can be costly. But in terms of commitment, the cost is minimal! Passion over sports teams has a high cost to benefit factor.

On the other hand, commitment to Christ costs you much (everything, in fact) and the biggest rewards are delayed. You can switch on the TV or click on their website and see the Bears or Hokies, but you open the Bible and you see words - lots of words. It takes much more commitment to get passionate and stay passionate about an invisible concept than a tangible team.

Would you like to be as passionate about your faith as you are about your football? If not, you can check out here. But if you do, you are closer than you think.

Surrender to the "team Spirit".

Become as committed to faith as you are to football.

Devote the same amount of time as you do to God as to your team - reading, watching, and thinking about them.

Follow Christ as enthusiastically, consistently and regularly as you do your team.

Talk about your faith as much as you do your football team.

Invest at least as much time and energy on your faith as you do on your football. Make it a time priority as your football games. Hang out with faith "fans" like you hang out football fans.

If you know how to fuel your passion for the Bears, Redskins, Ravens, Hokies or 'Hoos, you have a foundation for becoming a passionate follower of Christ. It may just cost you more - but the benefits are out of this world!

January 23, 2013

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11

 

Perhaps you buy into the notion that passion is a spontatneous and intense emotional response to some great spiritual experience or a move of God.

 

Maybe you understand passion to be something that springs up within randomly or capriciously and then disappears just a unpredictably.

 

Verse 11 presents a different idea of passion.

 

Passion happens intentionally, "Never be lacking in zeal", v. 11 a

 

Like most other things in life, passion happens because someone wants it to happen and does what it takes to make it happen. What needs to happen is zeal. Zeal is a form of passion or even a synonym for it. An intentional decision must be made to be zealous toward the Lord, His Church and the people that make up your local church. You decide that you will maintain the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual commitment necessary to stay zealous for the Lord. You devote body, mind and, spirit to knowing and serving the Lord. You aggressively pursue it or preserve it.

 

Second, passion happens internally.

 

Passion is something that stirs within you once you decide to pursue it and possess it. Zeal comes to your mind and spirit as a result of committing them to God's Spirit. It comes from His Word as you hide it in your heart and meditate on it in your mind. Once you intentionally commit to pleasing God, His pleasure fills you from the inside out.

 

Passion happens in service to God.

 

Zeal increases as it is expressed by self-sacrificing service. Passion is something you can put your hands around. Zeal cannot be contained. What obedience and surrender allow the Spirit to stir within in you will have to express itself by serving others. Passion that seeks God must also service God.

 

Passion is a decision. Zeal is a determination to know God, to experience God, and to show God in your piety, your personal relationship to him and your personal investment ministering to the needs of others.

Are you zealous for the Lord?

Are you passionate for Him?