July 10, 2015

What if you could change your world in a powerfully positive way just by being courteous and well-mannered?

Why would you not do that?

If you are a Christ-follower God is calling you to use your influence to draw people toward Him.

"It (love) is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." I Corinthians 13:5

"You are the salt of the earth......You are the light of the world...." Matthew 5:13 & 14

The way you live your life is to influence others like salt which adds flavor, purifies and preserves when it is sprinkled on something. Do you have that sort of impact on your world?

Is your community a better place because of your involvement in it?

It should be! That's what God expects from you!

Your daily walk should shed the light of Biblical truth to guide others toward God. 

Are you living in a way that pushes back the darkness and shines His light?

You should be! God calls you to live that way!

The call of God upon His people is the call to love Him with your whole life so He can love others to life through you!

But that can't happen if you behave rudely.

If you post crude and hurtful things on the internet, that rude behavior reflects a lack of love.

If you treat store clerks or restaurant servers rudely you are not being salt or light. You are being a insult to His light!

If you snub or ignore people who visit your church service, you are not salt or light. You are an insult to His love.

If you can have an evangelistic impact just by courteous and well mannered why wouldn't you do that?

According to Paul in verse 5, you are rude because by nature you are self-seeking, you are short-tempered, and you are vindictive. Those are the attitudes and character flaws that cause you behave rudely toward others.

Before you can love others, you need to encounter the love of God! You must submit your unloving nature, your self-loving nature to His transforming love and grace.

Surrender the self-seeking part of your nature to the Spirit of God.

Confess your irritability to God and allow His love to transform your nature.

Choose to forget what you have forgiven and release past hurts so you can experience future blessing!

There is a world to win and once we begin to BEHAVE in a way consistent with our BELIEFS God's light and love will translate into salt and light!

July 9, 2015

Watch this brief video clip: 

  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nationnow/2015/06/29/pastor-joel-osteen-heckled-       lakewood-church/29469585/

These guys were really rude!

When I first heard this story last week I thought : "Oh, no! Was this terrorism?"

My attitude changed from concern to disgust when I learned that those who had done the heckling were FROM ANOTHER CHURCH! I have concerns and questions about Joel Osteen's ministry but I cannot imagine going to his church to heckle him!

God help us!

This is an example of the sort of behavior Paul had in mind when he wrote to the Christians at Corinth: "It (love) does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs." I Corinthians 13:5

The whole point of I Corinthians 13:4-8 is the necessity of love within the Church of Jesus Christ. Implied in this teaching is that everything that Christians do in the Church or in the name of the Church MUST be done in love and love is NOT rude, nor is it SELF-SEEKING, nor is it IRRITABLE, nor does it hold a GRUDGE.

So, let's examine the behavior of these six hecklers who claim to be fellow Christians.

Was this heckling action during a Christian worship service rude?

Was this heckling action designed to call attention to themselves?

Did this heckling appear to be inspired by anger?

Could these actions have been motivated a grudge against Pastor Osteen?

If the answer to any of these questions is, "Yes!", then their actions are not motivated by love and are under the rebuke of St. Paul!

Someone once opined, "Christians are the only army that shoots their own wounded."

This is a case in point.

God help us!

"Love behaves like it believes."

July 8, 2015

"It (love) does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs." I Corinthians 13:5

When I look at this verse I wonder why Paul even bothered to include it in his description of Godly love. Isn't it just common sense that love would be courteous and polite?

Shouldn't you expect to be treated politely by Christians when you attend a church?

You would think so, but apparently not. I Chapter 11 Paul reprimands the Corinthians for their rude behavior during their church dinners. When they had church dinners some families were bringing meals and eating in front of people who had no food. That's rude!

In Chapter 12 the Apostle rebuked these church members for being rude and divisive with the exercise of their spiritual gifts.

I'm saddened to say that I have seen Christians behaving badly in some of the churches I have served. It is heartbreaking to see people who should know better behave no better than unconverted people.

I've seen otherwise good guys embarrass themselves (and the church) on the softball field shouting at an umpire. I've seen similar shameful outbursts during church league basketball games.

I once had a Treasurer who disagreed with my servant leadership standard for the Leadership Team members. So rather than sit down and talk it out with me, he began "cooking the books" to make it look like the church was struggling financially when in fact it wasn't. He was trying to undermine confidence in my leadership.

There was a small group of people in one church I served that was upset with me over several issues, but rather than discuss it with me they would stand up and walk out just as I came to the platform to preach. 

I have seen Christians chase people out of parking spots and pews. (usually it was visitors they picked on)

Worst of all, I can painfully recall a time or two that I acted rudely.

God only knows the extent of the damage done to the reputation of The Church and to the cause of Christ by Christians behaving badly. That is why I grieve over these examples I shared. Their behavior did not represent them well nor was it typical of our church.

We know better. We are taught to be polite and mannerly before we go off to Kindergarten. Our parents punished us for rude behavior. So why do we still act rudely at times?

The rest of verse five gives some insight into our rude behavior. 

Love is not "self-seeking", not "easily angered" and "keeps no record of wrong".

There is no doubt that the times I was rude it was because I was caught in a moment of selfishness. I think that would account for the rudeness exhibited in the other scenarios I shared earlier.

Being easily angered often results in someone acting rudely as in the examples of the shameful behavior toward umpires and referees.

Keeping a grudge can be a third cause of rude behavior. Keeping a record of wrongs usually leads to the desire to get even.

"Love behaves like it believes" and rude, selfish, angry, vindictive behavior is not what we believe in!

Will you ask God to keep you from acting rudely today?

July 7, 2015

"It (love) does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs." I Corinthians 13:5

Perhaps you have heard the old story of the young man who professed his love for his beau with this passionate pledge, "My Love, I would climb the highest mountain to be with you! I would swim the deepest ocean to be by your side! A pack of wild beasts could not keep me from you! And, my Dear, I'll be over tonight if it doesn't rain."

In I Corinthians 13 it is clear that Paul understood love is not best expressed in large dramatic acts like giving your body to be burned or giving all your possessions to the poor. If love isn't expressed through your daily behavior, your love will not ring true.

So far in our study we have learned about patience and kindness. If you have the "agape" love of God active in your life you will demonstrate patience and kindness in your daily living. Our tag line for this loving virtue is "Love takes grief and gives grace". 

If you aren't patient and kind with people in your daily living you don't have God's love active in your life. 

We also learns that "Love completes, it doesn't compete". When God is active in your life you will not be envious, boastful or arrogant.

Today's third truth about "agape" love is this "Love behaves like it believes".

What a difference it would make for the Gospel if God's people would just be well-mannered and polite in every day life!

When a Christ-follower acts rudely toward a store clerk or a server at a restaurant it makes a bad impression for the cause of Christ. When a Christian with a Christian bumper sticker and a "Follow Me to FredWes" car magnet rudely cuts people off in traffic he is not behaving like someone who possesses of love of Christ. 

Love is not rude. Were you rude to someone today?

Love is not self-seeking. Was your rudeness a result of your self-centeredness?

Love is not easily angered. Were you rude because you lost your temper?

Love forgives quickly. Were you rude because someone was toward you?

Love behaves like it believes!

Will you surrender to God's love today to keep you from behaving rudely?

July 6, 2015

"1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect,  refreshing the soul. 8The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  9The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.  ¹⁰ They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. ¹¹ By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. ¹² But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. ¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.  Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19 

What causes you to praise?

That's a pretty good question to consider, isn't it?

Do you know how to answer it?

Let me offer a suggestion how you should answer it. This answer is not original to me, I am taking it from the Psalmist. Who knew how to praise better than he did?

What should inspire you to praise? Here's what caused King David to praise:

The first six verses make it clear that he was thrilled by the creation he saw around him.

Dozens of times during a typical day you are confronted by the amazing beauty of nature. Whether it is a dazzling sunrise, a clear blue sky, the songs of birds serenading you in the morning, the power of a thunderstorm, or a huge harvest moon at night, God's handiwork is hard to ignore.

Will you vow to take notice of how inspiring nature is from now on? Will you begin with your waking moments tomorrow and then consciously enjoy His interacting with your world through out they rest of the day? See how that affects your spirit.

That is reason for praise!

In the next verses, 7 through 11, the Psalmist was thrilled by what God was creating in him.

Unlike many who seem to thing the Bible is restrictive and negative in its tone, the Psalmist felt exactly the opposite. Look at the sense of excitement he expresses for the Word of God. Consider these phrases:

"Life for the soul", wisdom for the simple", "joy for the heart", "giving light to the eyes", "pure", "more precious than gold", and "sweeter than honey".

The stories, the truths, the wisdom, and the practical teachings of the Word of God give deeper insights into the heart and mind of God. Though His Word you can get to know Him intimately and not just from a distance. It is good to know nature but it is far better to get to know His nature!

That is reason for praise!

Finally, verses 12-14 give one more reason to praise, he was thrilled not only by what God had created and what God was creating in him through His Word, but he was also praising God for what He was creating through him. II Corinthians 5:17 declares he is a "new creation".

The Word of God is pure and powerful and active in the life of one who receives it gladly with obedience. As it recreates the person from the inside out, that person begins to have a positive impact on the world around him.

That is reason for praise!

Why do you praise?

You praise Him for what He has created! 

You praise Him for what He is creating in you! 

You praise Him for what He is creating through you!

July 5, 2015

“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,”  Ephesians 2:12-14

This week-end as we celebrate the blessings of freedom for the 239th time, we are soberly and humbly grateful for those who have shed their life-blood on battlefields world-wise to earn and protect our freedom. Since the Revolutionary War, 1.2 millions of our finest young men and women have been lost in wars. Freedom is one of the few things worth dying for because it adds so much to living. The Bible says, “The life is in the blood” and certainly, our lives are blessed because they bled away their life’s blood for us. Be mindful of that at your picnics and fireworks and other festivities.

For those of us who are believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we are doubly blessed! We have benefited from the blood of brave patriots but even more so from the blood of Jesus! His torturous death on the cross won us spiritual freedom. We are free to enjoy the good life and the better life while looking forward to eternal life!

All because of the blood that was shed! Be very mindful of that today as you celebrate. In the words of the great Andre Crouch song:

The blood that Jesus shed for me,

way back on Calvary;

the blood that gives me strength

from day to day,

it will never lose its power.

It reaches to the highest mountain,

it flows to the lowest valley;

the blood that gives me strength

from day to day,

It will never lose its power.

It soothes my doubts and calms my fears,

and it dries all my tears;

the blood that gives me strength

from day to day,

it will never lose its power.

Freedom isn’t free.

July 4, 2015

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

You may have wondered recently, “How did things get so bad so quickly in America?”

You may be afraid to ask, “Will they ever get better?”

The answer to the first question may hold the key to the second.

While, in fact, our culture has been declining steadily for decades here’s one more question that could answer the first two, “Did things get so bad because sinners were behaving like sinners or did they get so bad because Christians weren’t behaving like Christ?”

If you read what Solomon has to say in the verse above and it will give you a hint. Several hints, in fact! Let’s see:

1) “if my people….

2) “...who are called by my name…”

3) “…will humble themselves…”

4) “…and pray…”

5) “…and seek my face…”

6) “…and turn from their wicked ways…”

Would sinners be referred to as “my people”?

Are sinners called by His name?

Who would most need to humble themselves?

Who is most likely to be commanded to pray?

Would sinners be seeking God’s face?

Is it becoming clearer?

Things got worse because God’s people weren’t what they were called to be. He promises they will get better when His people get better.

He’s ready!

When will you be ready?