What's the Big Deal?

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Judah had been in captivity for 70 years. The same God who put them into captivity was now allowing them to go back to land that they and their parents loved. The first task at hand was to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, this task was not easy at any step. Enemies from without, laziness and neglect from within, would create a need for encouragement, and maybe even rebuke.

Enter Ezra, a priest ready for the job of motivating the people of God. But, who is going to motivate the motivater? Erza learned sometime in his life the source of motivation and growth does not come from inside himself. Human effort or motivation is short lived at best. The true motivation comrs from God himself.

I am sure that most of us would believe this. However, we may read our bibles, study bible reference material, and maybe even pray a little. What separated Ezra was taking time to prepare his heart and attitude before actually coming contact with God's Word. He realized that the source for strength was not from inside himself, but he did know that the inside needed to be prepared. Maybe confession of sin, overcoming of fear and/or anger, and always praise, worship, and thanksgiving.

At work when everyone else is down, we have to be up. When at home family members are discourage, we must be encouraging. When at church others are negative, we must be positive. When we need to read our bible, not to fulfill a time schedule but prepare our hearts to read in God pleasing manner.

Indecisive Issues

Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

I must confess I admire the Saints of the bible and human history. How they behaved and lived with such clearity and assurity. I even have deluded myself into thinking that I too have that characteristic. But I have an issue that has me so perplexed I can not stand it.

Now as I reveal it, it's foundation is unargueable fro a biblical standpoint. When I say worshipping God, nobody would who is a christian would debate me ast to its importance, and need for revival and freshness. Worshipping God for a christian is as necessary as breathing to any living creature. God loves and expects us to worship Him because of His greatness, holiness, and love among an inexhaustible amount of other reasons. God is good, and loving, and holy. Praising Him is and should be as much a joy to us as a command.

However, I have mentioned in many of the previous entries of the blog that worship is expressed in every area of christians life, from finances to pleasure, to performing ones vocation. But none of these areas stir up as much controvesy as how God is worshipped. And there is problem.

Before I came to Christ in September of 1979, I loved and enjoyed rock music (especially of a disco beat). Even unsaved I recognized a level of evil in the music as well as the words to the songs. When I got saved I set aside my affection for this music, affection that still exits today. Now I am being told to reexamine these standards against the bible. Now I am on a journey to challenge my worship to new heights while taking on the debate of Contempary Christian Music vs. Traditional Christian Music.

Much More To Come!!!!!!

What Does Your Vocation Look Like?

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…

Anyone who gets saved and takes the decision seriously, will soon find out that change will be dominate feature and benefit that they will face. The Apostle Paul phrased “…old things pass away, behold all things become new.”

When I got save I noticed the first change in lifestyle was in outward action of language, habit, and appearance. I stopped swearing, the weekend partying, and shoulder length hair to just above the ears. These changes got a lot of praise from others, but was in of itself superficial. After I exhausted the outward, it became obvious that issues of the heart were unaddressed.

The blessed man of Psalm 1 faces and takes on major issues of the heart that really will lead to lasting change. First the Christian will need to learn to be wise about what sources of counsel are biblical or unbiblical. There are a lot of decisions that one needs to make, but not all will seem spiritual. What church, what service to do in the church, how much to give to the church. But what about what vocation, how to spend money, who to marry, what school, how to rear children. The world has it’s philosophy that answer these questions. The Bible in most if not all cases will have different answers. The big difference is the Bible ones will please God.

But now I want to shift gears. I want to seek out people and sources that are Godly, but, am I a Godly source for Christians to come to me? You might say to me “Well Bob you are an assistant pastor and a man with theology degrees, of course you want and should be a Godly source.” That is true but not the whole picture.

What I mean, is not just as an assistant pastor, but as a sales associate for a major electronics retailer. When people come in to our store most need our advice on how to hook up that stereo, wire for a new phone line, get the blinking 12 off their vcr. Again you ask how does being or not being a Christian matter in your store? Let me ask you, if Jesus was a sales associate at my store, would He do things the same or different?

When I have a plumbing problem at my house (I know more about nuclear science than plumbing) I would rather I were dealing a plumber who genuinely wanted to be Christlike (including the taking plumbing seriously). Jesus would not cheat me, do a lousy job, or overcharge.
No matter what you vocation someone depends on your advice. Are you a trustworthy Godly source. Would others be blessed because they came to you. Not only pastors, lawyers, and doctors, but waitress, gardener, or factory worker your can be Godly counselor.

Facing the Future Biblically

Psalms 119:19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

Am I the only one clueless about the future? Now if I had just asked any of my friends or family that question, they would have had alot of fun with that the answer. But I believe the psalmist was saying the same thing as I in this verse. The future is an unknown quanitity to all of us. Even the most organized, and all together among us is at the mercy of the unpredictable events ahead of us. Many of us pray for God to reveal the future. Many a pastor is asked for counsel about finding God's will for their lives. Still others are trying to interpret any possible signs that might clue them as to what the future decisions to be made.

It is to be noted here that the psalmist here also clueless, does not ask God to reveal the future so that he can be prepared for it. Instead in his clueless state he asks God help him improve his behavior not his circumstance. The Everyday Christian may not (contrary to popular secular teaching) have control of their future, but they should be more concerned about their behavior.

No one can predict, or stop bad things from happening, but how we behave when they happen is more important. We may work and work and even pray for that big successful event to happen at work only to find out that another coworker gets the brass ring instead. Jealousy, and frustration are so easy to be felt and expressed, but God says true success is to be more concerned on how you hand that situation than whether you were the benefactor.

How about it? Quit trying to read the tealeaves, and getting the inside scoup on the future instead desire Godly character and obedience. And just be clueless.

The Power of a Day

Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

I once heard a man bragging about his religion, saying that God has never promised anyone their next breathe. I am in agreement to that belief. However, I prefer a more sanguen approach to viewing a day. I like to ask myself and others this question: How can you best assure that you will be serving God in His will 10, 20, and maybe even 50 years from today? (Barring the Jesus' rapture of His church)

Would it not be great to know with a certain amount of confidence that you could be doing that very thing. Just think in a era where many Christians are falling out of God's will every day, and you are heading in a direction of "well done thou good and faithful servant". Can that be true?

Yes it can. But how you ask? Just remember this simple answer: Be in the will of God TODAY! That is the great power of today, it always leads into the next today. If I live for God today, today will turn into next week, next month, next year, and next decade. Tomorrow may never come, but there is always today.

Have We Thought of That?

Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

I am so glad that God created a secret place that others can not interfere or invaded. It is a wonderful thing the brain and the ability to have a thought life. It is sort of like a blog that only the author goes to. One can express thoughts ideas and opinions without fear of offending others, or embarassing one's self. It is certain that because of this no one person can completely know another person. This can be comfort to one person and extreme lonliness to another.

But no one can escape this truth. God is listening to the thoughts and intents ofthe heart of every person alive. When David penned the verse above he knew that God who is in charge of all creation is paying close attension to his thoughts and desires as well. God is so amazing that He is able to sustain all of creation and yet listen to my every care.

How many times in the mist of work have we been angry, envious, or jealous of events or coworkers. Did our thoughts go to mercy or grace for that person? Did we remember what grace and mercy was extended to us. Are we endeavoring throught power of the Holy Spirit to not only to behave in an acceptable (well pleasing) manner to God, but also in our thought life.

No Penalty At Any Cost?

Psalm 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

King David knew what being broken was like. Whether being on the run from a jealous violent King Saul, or a spoiled out of control son. He knew how to live in the wilderness of Israel cold and wet. In these and other situations it is clear that God is working in David's life. The difference though was in earlier occasions God put David into peril for the sake of being better servant. The later events were God chastening David for acts of disobedience.

In the case of Psalm 51 God is chastening David. David of all people guilty of adultry, murder and coverup. David in some sense was fortunate that God did not strike him dead when Nathan the prophet confronted him about the sin. The people would have been justified in overthrowing this murderous king. But God in His Sovereign Wisdom chose this route instead. Yet David still is heart broken. Most men would be happy that they got off the hook with just a preacher yelling at them. But not David. Why the guilt trip? Was he manic depressant? Did he have low self-esteem? What was the big deal?

To David, his relationship with God was more important than just getting off the hook with an unwanted penalty. David wanted more than anything else being right with God. How about you? Do you care more about being free for penalty or chastisement from human authority than being right with God?

It is Never Really Worth It

Genesis 39:8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

My grandfather once told me in a warning tone that many a man has given up wealth, power, and more importantly respect of others just for the "thrill" of having sex with a woman. It is incredible to think that such a physical act can have such sway and power over what would appear to be the strongest of men. I do not believe I have ever heard of anyone making such a decision as this and later saying the consequences were all worth it.

Much has been written about Joseph of the Old Testament, but the incident with Potipher's wife is the one event that should stand out more than all the rest. A young man with power, good looks, and God's blessing. What more could a man ask for even above his freedom. Yet he was at a point if choice in his life. I guess from the short sighted view he did not seem to win with either choice. But even though he ended up in jail anyway, he still was able to stand before God innocent. God blessed him from the jailhouse to the palace. And even if he did not end up the number 2 man in Egypt he still pleased God with his decision.

In our lives we will face decision with bad consequences but God has entrusted us with so much. We could just in a moment of pleasure seeking loss it all. Or we could please God and let Him direct us. How can we commit such evil when He has given us so much to be steward over?

Never Too Old

Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

The world lost a precious saint yesterday. This man has been a clown, a business owner, a veteran, a husband, and father. He only just within the last 3 years received Christ as his personal savior. At the young age of 68, he made the decision to change what most his age would be set in their ways about. He was in bad health for years before his conversion, but I dare say no one who knew him would have predicted this detour this late in life.

Before he was saved all would say he was a loveable guy. He loved life but, he would have told that he was empty in his purpose before Jesus. When he would have to be admitted for his failing health, there was always fear and maybe even some anger at the condition with which he had no control over.

After he got saved he became very involved with the church he attended. He quickly became part of the family, and knew no strangers. The members also were drawn to him. He and his pastor had a close relationship through prayer. He would tell you that he was enjoying the last two years of life more than any of the previous 68.

But soon his heart was catching up with him. The admissions into the hospital were more and more frequent. He would go into the hospital with congestive heart failure and would always come home feeling much better. Eventually though he had to be put on permanent oxygen. You could hear the clicking of his tank in the church services that he faithfully attended. His smile would never dim. His charm would never cease.

A couple of Sunday nights ago from this writting, after an unusually harsh stay at the hospital. He made an unexpected attendence. He was visibily weak. He got up to give a word of testamony as his custom was. This time however everybody in the congregation (including himself) knew this was probably the last time he would do this. He expressed his disapointment at not being able to bounce back from this one as he did in the past. But, he never, never doubted the love of his Savior.

He died on Monday April 3 at 3am. We will miss him. But two exciting thoughts just bubble to the top: 1) God can transform anyones life at any age into something beautiful and memorable; 2) The memorable moments and people may end here on earth, but through Jesus the Christ both will last for eternity.

By the way, this man was saved through a co-worker of his wife's.

Blessed to do Hard Work

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

I watched a new reality show tonight. The premise of this one 7 spoiled young people who have never worked in their lives have been paired with 7 in debt blue collar young people. The details of this series are up to you is you want to watch the show, my only observation was how parents (with misguided intensions) can leave their kids so unprepared for life as to not teach them how to work hard.

What is worse than not being experienced in hard dirty work, is have an attitude that examplifies abhorance for those who do work hard for daily living. God has blessed each of us with a talent and gift combination that is as unique to us as our finger prints. When a person is gifted to serve humanity as a waiter or a garbage man, that is just as blessed as one who is gifted to be a banker, lawyer, or ceo.

God never intended for any of us to just party through life. I am so glad that how I live out my talents and gifts with all my might will be an act of Holy Worship to God Himself.

A Changed Value System

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

When a person gets saved there are changes of habits and attitudes. The language may change drastically, habits like smoking and drinking may have to be eliminated. Emotions such as jealousy, anger, greed, and especially pride have to be dealt with biblically. Some of these changes will come easy some hard. Some may even take a lifetime before they are conquered. Change and growth in these areas are often preached and taught on by many a good pastor and bible teacher.

However, there is one change that has to happen to all and that is what is valuable. According to unsaved man, material wealth and comfort are very valuable. To others being popular or influencial is the top of the list. But to the saved person the cost of a God created soul is the most valuable currency on earth.

When one discovers how God values the soul it will make the Christian Life a constant state of growth. The value of the soul will always out weigh the pleasure of sin for a season. The value of the soul will always be the motivation to win a lost person for Christ. The value of the soul will always remind a true servant the imporantance of doing their labor with all their might.

How much is your soul worth? Jesus paid His blood and life for it. How much is your neighbor and co-workers soul worth? Jesus left Heaven for it. Jesus did not die for schedules and paychecks. Nor for IRA's or stock portfolias. But He did come to buy your soul.

Great God in Great Trouble

Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD‘S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

One of the most beloved hymns that the church sings today came from a phrase that was written in one of the most darkest times of Bible history. Jeremiah the prophet sits in the ashes of the greatest city devistated by God's Judgment through the Babylonians. The book called Lametations is compulation of five laments. Just as Hallelujah, is the highest vocal expression of joy, lament is flip of the coin opposite expression of grief.

Yet, in the midst of all of this Jeremiah still proclaims the mercies, compassions and faithfulness of God. Who would figure that times as those could possibly expose those attributes of God. The Christian can be confident that even in the most desparate of times and situations God is there with His mercies, compassions and faithfulness.

So when co-workers are cruel, the boss is demanding, and the paycheck is wanting, Great is God's faithfulness. When family is hurting, church seems unfulfilling, Great is God's faithfulness. Great is God's faithfulness in the great tumalt