The Slippery Slope

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth" (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

It's been equally frightening and fascinating, to watch the ever-quickening downward spiral of our culture.

What was morally unacceptable to most Americans just a few years ago, is now applauded by the Liberal masses. What was illegal last year, is now legal in some states.

Political correctness is killing our nation.

One thing I have observed over the last twenty or so years, is that as immorality has increased, and has become more culturally acceptable, many people who profess to be "Christian" have begun to approve of, or excuse immoral behaviors (sin) which are explicitly forbidden in the Bible.

And a common denominator among these culturally/politically correct "Christians" is that they have stopped reading and heeding their Bibles. They have turned from God's doctrine, and have replaced it with fluffy, worldly doctrines; "The gospel according to Oprah."

This is the slippery slope—getting away from the Word of God, and slowly incorporating the philosophy of a corrupt, worldly culture into your mindset and way of life. And once you start down that deceitful path, it becomes more and more difficult to return to the truth of God's Word.

God's command of repentance—turning from one's sin and turning to God—is largely missing in the message of modern Christianity.

Don't disgrace Grace.

Under the guise of "love" and "grace" many so-called Christians are playing fast and loose with the Word of God, and are leading unsaved people directly into eternal condemnation. Because they are so afraid of offending people, they refuse to tell them the truth; that God has appointed a day on which He will judge sinners who refuse to repent of their sin.

"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)

To Repent literally means to "change one's own mind, and to think differently afterwards." Change one's mind about what?  That all human beings are sinners. That each of us have sinned against God. None of us are "good" people. God will judge people according to His own standard of perfection, not according to what we think is good or righteous. 

A common objection to this is people who say, "I'm a good person! I don't murder people or rob banks!"

But in God's perspective, hating someone in your heart is the same as murder. Lusting after someone who is not your spouse is the same as if you had physically committed adultery with that person.

The slippery slope of excusing and approving of people's sin; all so you don't "offend" them, is leading people to Hell. This is not "loving" people. This is not "pointing people to Jesus."

God commands all people to repent of their sin. He doesn't say, "Oh, that's okay" (wink, wink).

Jesus said; "If a man loves Me he will keep My commandments."

I remember the first time I read Acts 17 where "God now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world." 

All men everywhere. 

That's plenty plain. All men everywhere means that all men everywhere are sinners, and have sinned against God. All men everywhere need saving. And all men everywhere who need saving, need a Savior.  

Saved from what?

Saved from Hell.  

I know, Hell is not a popular subject with most people. But that's why Jesus came down here, became a man, and died on the Cross for the sins of the world; because all men are sinners, and we all need saving. Because in God's perspective, we all deserve to go to Hell because we all have sinned against Him.

So when you point someone to Jesus, you are pointing them to the only One who can save them from the eternal Hell they deserve for sinning against God. 

If someone has pointed you to Jesus, you must acknowledge and confess that you are a sinner. That you have sinned against God. That you do deserve Hell. And that God has commanded you to repent, to turn away from your sin, and to turn to Him.

And that is a command from God (not a suggestion). And His command is made in love, because God is Love.

God is going to judge sinful humanity by Jesus Christ, who took your place on the Cross. He died for your sins. He paid the penalty for your crimes against God. He went into hell so you won't have to... but only if you repent and turn to Him.

You can't refuse to repent of your sin and expect God to forgive you. 

If you are a married person who is committing adultery, you are not saved just because you say you, "believe in Jesus" when you refuse to repent of your adultery. If you are a homosexual, you aren't saved simply because you say you "believe in Jesus" but you refuse to repent of your homosexuality. Same applies if you are a thief, if you are a habitual liar, if you cheat on your taxes, if you worship money, if you idolize material things, if you surf the Internet every night looking at pornography, if you are a drug dealer, or if you are sleeping with your girlfriend when you are not married.

A person who has repented of their sin and has turned to God, does not still live a life of sin the way they did before they came to God. You must repent. 

God is Love. But the loving God will also judge sinners.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." (Romans 1:18-32)

God doesn't hate homosexuals.

And He doesn't single out their sin as the worst sin, as some people today seem to think. God loves all people everywhere. 

But God also commands all people everywhere to repent of their sin, and to turn to Him. 

If you read the long list in Romans chapter 1 of the things that God includes as being unrighteousness; homosexuality is no more a sin than being disobedient to one's parents is a sin. All sin is sin. And according to Romans 1, approving of someones sin, is just as bad as committing the sin itself. If you are afraid to offend someone who practices homosexuality (or any other unrighteousness), that you excuse their sin, you are actually approving of it. And you're just as guilty as they are, as we see above in Romans 1. 

All unrighteousness is unrighteousness. And all unrepented sin and unrighteousness will be judged by God.

No repentance means no salvation.

When you share John 3:16 with someone, share Romans 1 with them too. 

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

This Is Love

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:8-14)

God came down.

The Almighty leaves the glory of His throne in Heaven, comes down to earth, and becomes a Man; born as a baby in a cold manger in the tiny city of Bethlehem, roughly 2,000 years ago.

This is Love.

Because we can't work our way up to God, He came down to us, in  love. Because man's religions can never make us righteous in God's eyes, He came down to us.

This is Love.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"Greater love has no man than this; than to lay down His life for his friends."

This is Love.

Make this the Christmas that you open your heart to the One who came down from Heaven in the ultimate demonstration of selfless love. He came down for you. 

He stands at the door of your heart and gently knocks, waiting to be invited in...

Merry Christmas.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Does God Still Answer Prayer? Part 2

"Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered." (1 Peter 3:7)

What are some hindrances to God hearing and answering our prayers?

We learned in part 1 of this series that God will hear and answer our prayers—but only if we pray according to His will:

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15)

That could not be any clearer. 

I mean, if you're asking God to get rid of your spouse so you can marry your adulterous boyfriend or girlfriend with whom you've been having an affair, He will not hear that prayer. As a matter of fact, if you are living a lifestyle of sin, you will soon began to reap the consequences of what you have sown. (See Galatians 6:7).

And if that verse from 1 John chapter 5 was not clear enough, the following passage should crystallize it:

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12)

If you are doing evil, say, surfing porn on the Internet every night, don't expect God to hear, much less answer your prayers for that raise at work. When you do evil, His face is against you—definitely not a good place to be.

This passage really convicted me:

"These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren."
(Proverbs 6:16-19)

If we have committed any of the seven evils in this Proverb, the face of the Lord is against us, and He will not hear our prayers. So, right there, just in these first few passages of Scripture alone, I think we can already see why a large percentage of our prayers are not being answered by God.

And can you blame Him?

What are some other reasons?

How about our opening scripture verse to husbands:

"Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered." (1 Peter 3:7)

Do you honor your wife? Do you live with her with sensitivity and understanding?

If you dishonor your wife in any way, you are hindering your prayers from being heard. If you are rude and insensitive to your wife, God is not going to answer your prayers. 

Paul said in Ephesians 5, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her." (Verse 25)

If you dishonor your wife by being critical of her to your friends, that is not loving your wife as Christ loved the church. You've dishonored God's own daughter and He is not going to hear and answer your prayers. 

This would apply to you ladies as well. If you tell your girlfriends that your husband is a stupid moron, don't expect God to hear and answer your prayers either.

In a very thorough look at hindrances to prayer, author John Maxwell lines out Ten Personal Prayer Killers, with appropriate scripture verses:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Prayer Killer # 1 – Unconfessed Sin. Psalm 66:18, Jeremiah 31:34, I John 1:9

Psalm 66:18, “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear” 

God is perfect and can’t abide sin in us. If we knowingly tolerate sin in our lives, it pushes God away from us. As a result, it makes our prayers powerless.

Jeremiah 31:34, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sin no more.”

At that point our relationship is restored, and our prayers regain their power. Our past actions may still have consequences, but the sin itself is forgiven.

God’s forgiveness is complete. First John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” Don’t let Satan accuse you when Christ has set you free.

Unforgiven sin also has other consequences. We could turn around the Scripture from Psalms to say, “If I regard wickedness in my heart, I will not hear God,” and it would also be true. Sin dulls our senses and isolates us from God.

Besides making us want to run from God, sin also makes us want to isolate ourselves from other believers.

Prayer Killer # 2 - Lack of Faith. James 1:5-8

Lack of faith has an incredibly negative impact on a Christian’s life. Without faith, prayer has no power. Even Jesus was powerless to perform any miracles in Nazareth because of the people’s lack of faith (Mark 6:1-6).

Jesus’ brother James gives some insight into the effect that faithlessness has on prayer.

The word double-minded speaks of a condition where a person is emotionally divided, almost as if he had two souls. That condition makes a person unstable and incapable of hearing from God or receiving His gifts.

Prayer Killer # 3 - Disobedience. I John 3:21-23

1 John 3:21-23, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:21-23)

I realized that we receive from God because we obey Him. That’s a condition that we must meet in order to approach Him in prayer.

If we are to grow in our relationship with God and become strong people of prayer, we must learn to obey. Keeping free from sin is not enough. Neither is faith. If our mouth says we believe, but our actions don’t back up that belief with obedience, it shows the weakness of our belief. Obedience should be a natural outgrowth of faith in God. He that obeys God, trusts Him; he that trusts Him, obeys Him. [read James 2:1-14.]

God cannot ignore our disobedience even when we try to distract Him. Only our obedience restores our relationship with Him and gives our prayers power.

Prayer Killer # 4 - Lack of Transparency with God and Others. James 5:16

James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” 

James is sharing a truth about God: When we confess our sins to one another, which requires us to be absolutely transparent, God is able to heal and cleanse us. We experience a spiritual, physical, and emotional restoration. In addition, our transparency helps others, because it shows them that they are not alone in their difficulties.

Transparency is a difficult thing for a lot of people. But openness with others can have a profound effect on you. Transparency with God when you pray puts you on His agenda instead of your own. And it also releases other believers to pray for you strategically and specifically.

Prayer Killer # 5 - Unforgiveness. Matthew 18:21, 22. Matthew 6:14, 15

Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness. He asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matt. 18:21). Jesus’ answer: “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matt. 18:22).

Jesus was trying to teach Peter that forgiveness is not a matter of mathematics. Nor is it a choice of words. It is an attitude of the heart, and it is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to forgive.

Why is forgiveness so important? Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Forgiving and being forgiven are inseparable twins. When a person refuses to forgive another, he is hurting himself, because his lack of forgiveness can take hold of him and make him bitter. And a person cannot enter prayer with bitterness and come out with blessings. Forgiveness allows your heart to be made not only right, but light.

Prayer Killer # 6 - Wrong Motives. James 4:3

God makes no mistakes about our motives. When they’re not right, our prayers have no power. James 4:3 says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.”

Sometimes even knowing our own motives can be difficult. When we pray, God speaks to us and shows us our motives. If we are acting out of pride, fear, possessiveness, self-satisfaction, convenience, etc., God will show it to us, if only we are willing to listen. And if we are willing, He will change those motives.

Prayer Killer # 7 - Idols in our Lives. Ezekiel 14:3

Ezekiel 14:3, “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?” 

The distaste that God has for idols should be clear from this passage. He doesn’t even want an idol worshipper to talk to Him. On the other hand, when we remove idols from our lives, we become ripe for a personal revival.

Is there anything that you’re putting ahead of God? Sometimes it’s hard to tell. One of the ways to know that something in your life is an idol is to ask yourself, “Would I be willing to give this thing up if God asked me to?” Look honestly at your attitude toward your career, possessions, and family. If there are things you wouldn’t release to God, then they’re blocking your access to Him.

Prayer Killer # 8 – Disregard for Others. Psalm 33:13; John 13:34

Psalm 33:13, “From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind.” 

God’s perspective is expansive. He loves everyone, and His desire is that we care for others in the same way. When we disregard others, it grieves Him.

John 13:34, Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

1 Peter 2:13, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men.”

Prayer helps you learn to love others. It’s impossible for a person to hate or criticize someone they’re praying for. Prayer breeds compassion, not competition.

Prayer Killer # 9 - Disregard for God’s Sovereignty. Jeremiah 1:5

I know that God knows me completely and knows what’s best for me.

Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”

Matthew 6:9-10, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” 

It establishes our relationship to Him: that of a child under the authority of his Father. Any time we disregard the divine order of things, we’re out-of-bounds, and we hinder our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Prayer Killer # 10 - Unsurrendered Will. Psalm 139:23-24, I Peter 3:12

The ultimate purpose of prayer is not to get what we want, but to learn to want what God gives.

A person whose will is surrendered to God has a relationship with Him similar to the one described in the parable of the vine and the branches. It says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (John 15:7). The branch depends on the vine and lives in one accord with it. In return, the vine provides it with everything it needs, and the result is great fruitfulness.

There are great benefits to surrendering your will to God.

1. God promises to answer your prayers and grant your requests.

2. We get to receive the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Developing an effective prayer life depends on keeping your relationship with God strong and uncluttered by sin and disobedience. 

1 Peter 3:12, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

If we strive for righteousness and confess our errors, we can remain close to God. But maintaining our relationship with Him is an ongoing process. A Christian can’t simply pray once through a list like these ten prayer killers and expect to be done with it. Every day we need to go to God and ask Him to reveal anything that may be hindering our progress."

Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The truth's lined out here are more than enough material for several weeks of study and contemplation. 

I know that after I have studied this, and repented, and have had many good conversations with the Lord about it, I am confident that I will begin to see more of my prayers answered. 

And I believe that you will too.

Draw near to the Lord, and He will draw near to you.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Unconditional Love

"Love suffers long and is kind." (1 Corinthians 13:4)

"Beloved."

That was the single word my Mom had inscribed on my Dad's memorial stone, just below his name, and the year of his birth and death.

She spoke of the unconditional love one has for her beloved; 

"A love given, not sought." 

That's a challenging concept for most of us.

Our self-absorbed world is flooded with self-help books, with self-focused tiles such as, "Getting The Love That You Want." And so it's foreign to most, to hear someone speak of true unconditional love.

Let's face it, for most of us, our love is conditional. 

"I'll love you as long as you meet all my needs and give me what I want."

"Me, Me, Me!" It's all about me.

The following verses from the Love Chapter; 1 Corinthians 13, help to define unconditional love:

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (Verses 4-7)

For me, some of the stand outs on unconditional love in these verses are:

• Love suffers long and is kind.
• Love does not seek its own.
• Love thinks no evil.
• Love endures all things.

Love suffers long and is kind. If you truly love someone, you are long-suffering and kind to them, even when it's not reciprocated. Unconditional love is rarely convenient. Love suffers through times of stress, strife, and those empty seasons when you feel your beloved is distant. But you may not know all that he or she is going through. Have grace for them, because you have not walked in their shoes. You don't know exactly what they are feeling. Show God's mercy and compassion for them always.

Love is not self-seeking. Your desire should be to give more than to receive. Your heart wants to do all you can to meet your beloved's needs, instead of always looking to have your own needs met. Having strict and lofty expectations of your beloved is not love. Love does not create a mould of unrealistic expectations and then try to force your spouse to fit into it. Love esteems the needs of your beloved above your own needs. A self-seeking person always feels dissatisfied and disappointed because your mate can never live up to your selfish list of impossible expectations. It's all about "you" and that's not unconditional love.

Love thinks no evil. When your beloved is angry, and shouting, it's not because they are a bad person. They may just be going through a difficult time and they're on emotional overload. When they stumble and backslide, it's not because they are "evil." The flesh is weak. We all stumble and make mistakes. The truth is, we all have a dual nature: we live in fleshly, fallen bodies, and our old sinful flesh is ever-present. Where do you think all of your own bad thoughts, lust, and hatred for people comes from? Our spirit has been born again, and made new. But nothing good resides in our flesh. What did the Apostle Paul, great man of faith, say about himself?

"For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:15-25)

Paul also said, "Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh." (2 Corinthians 5:16)

When your beloved stumbles and sins, pray for them. Love them. Encourage them. Be patient with them. We're all struggling with the flesh. It's a constant battle. Don't accuse them of being an evil person. We are all under constant attack from an unseen Enemy, who only comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10). We need to show constant grace to one another.

But also consider, are there ways that you are contributing to your spouse's angst, and you need to repent of these? It is said that the countenance of a man's wife, is a direct reflection of how well he is loving her, (or not).

Remember guys: without love, a woman reacts without respect. And ladies: without respect, a man reacts without love. For more on this, please read, "Love and Respect" by Emerson Eggerichs.

Loves endures all things. You may have areas of your life, marriage, or relationships, that have never lived to up to all that you had hoped they might one day become. I think most people could probably testify to this. But think about why God placed you here, in this life. Why He brought you together with the husband or wife that you now have. When we get out of the "It's all about Me" mindset, and look at the bigger picture, I think we will begin to see that God placed us here for His purposes, and to fulfill His will. When we begin to get an eternal perspective, it becomes less about "How is my spouse treating me? and it becomes more about, "How can I bless and serve God's own daughter or son."

In eternity, my wife is going to be my sister in Christ. Once we leave this earth we are no longer husband and wife. She does not belong to me. She belongs to God. And He has given me this amazing privilege and calling of serving His own precious daughter. Once this was revealed to me, it changed my whole perspective on marriage.

When I stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ, as a son of God, I will give an account to Jesus, of how well I loved and served His daughter while I was on the earth. How did I treat her? Did I do right by her, by obeying what His Word says about how I am to treat her as my wife?

The Bible says I am to esteem her needs above my own, and to prefer her and honor her. To love her as Christ loved the Church. To protect, provide for, and serve her. To pray for her, listen to her, and dwell with her with understanding. To be patient. To not be bitter towards her. To forgive. To show mercy.

And to not regard her according to the flesh any longer. We are to regard one another according to the finished person that God made each of us to ultimately be. Not according to the imperfect, struggling person, who is currently weak in the flesh, and who sometimes stumbles and falls. But to do this, we must be long-suffering, kind, and endure all things.

We will disappoint each other in this life. None of us can ever live up to peoples impossible human expectations. We will make mistakes. We will stumble. We will fall. But love endures all things.

Jesus said:

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Jesus calls us friends and He laid down His very life for us.

And He said, "Love one another as I have loved you."

Sacrificial love.

This is unconditional love.

—God is love and Love Never Fails.

Running On Empty

“This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” and, “This is the refreshing”—yet they would not hear." (Isaiah 28:12)

I used to have a personal policy to never let the gas gauge in my car get below half full. That way, I would never risk running out of gas.

Sounds pretty smart, right?

So why do I sometimes wait and let my spiritual gas gauge get all the way down to "E", until the yellow "empty tank" indicator comes on? 

Do you ever do that too? Let yourself get so run down—so spiritually, emotionally, and physically depleted—that you're frazzled, weary, not sleeping well, stressed out to the max, ineffective, grumpy, and snapping at the people around you?

This is not a recipe for a spiritually vibrant, joyful, and productive life.

The Promise of Rest

“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest…”

“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works, as God did from His.” (Hebrews chapter 4)

God calls us to stop doing things in our own strength—to cease from our own works, and to rest in the finished work Jesus Christ already performed on the Cross. It's called Grace. By bridging the sin-gap between God and man, Jesus removed all barriers between God and us. We, as children of God, now have full access to God as our Father, 24/7. 

And yet, it seems most of us will only cry out to God and drop to our knees in prayer when everything in our life hits the fan—when we reach a point of desperation from working ourselves to exhaustion and frustration. We drive till we're empty. 

We let our tank go dry. 

Instead, wouldn't it be better to choose to draw near to God on a daily basis, spending time with Him, topping off our spiritual tank to the point of overflowing?, therefore, never reaching the point of emptiness?

A favorite verse of mine, and that of a dear friend, is John 7:37-38. Jesus said:

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

The key is... whoever is thirsty—let him willingly choose to come to Jesus and drink.

Drawing near to Jesus is a choice.

It's your choice.

Jesus is the Fountain of Living Waters. (See Jeremiah 2:13)

If you had been wandering in a scorching hot desert for weeks, parched and dying of thirst, and you came upon a fountain of cool, fresh, spring water, what would you do? Would you sit by and wait until someone asked you if you were thirsty? Or would you immediately dive into the fountain and drink till you had fully satisfied your thirst?

I would dive right in with reckless abandon.

That's what Jesus is calling you to do today, thirsty friend.

Jesus said: "Let him come to Me..."

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8).

It's an invitation, but you have to freely accept the invitation and then draw near to Him.

Jesus said:

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me—but you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40)

This is why many people run dry. They are not willing to come to Jesus that they may have the abundant life He promises.

Who knows for what reasons people choose not to draw near. 

Maybe they are too busy? Maybe things seems to be going so well and they don't really see their need to draw near to God today?  

But either way, you're making a choice. You make the choice to draw near to God. Or you make the choice to not draw near to Him.

God said this to His people through the Prophet Isaiah:

“This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” and, “This is the refreshing”—yet they would not hear."

God was offering His people rest and times of refreshing, and yet they would not listen and enter in.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) 

Today you can choose to freely enter into God's presence by coming to Jesus and praising Him for who He is, and thanking Him for what He's done for you. By thanking Him for the love and sacrifice of the Cross. Spend some time in a quiet place, with no distractions, talking to Him, listening for His still, small voice in your heart. Read a portion of the Bible and ask Him for understanding of what you've read, and quietly meditate on the wonderful truths of the revelation of scripture. And then ask Him for the needs you have, and for the needs of others. Times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.

Think of how different your life would be, if you spent time every day drawing near to God as I've described here.

Your spiritual tank would constantly be full—to the point of overflowing—with rivers of living water flowing out of your heart.

And if rivers of God's living water were constantly flowing out of your heart, think of how it would bless all those around you?

Your life, and their lives, would never be the same.

—God is Love and Love never Fails.

Have It Yahweh

"Thus says the LORD: "I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved Me and followed Me through the wilderness..." (Jeremiah 2:1-2)

The Prophet Jeremiah, was a heartbroken prophet, with a heartbreaking message.

Israel was called the "wife of Jehovah", and had once loved the Lord in her youth. But she had played the harlot and had forsaken her Husband and had gone after other gods; making lifeless idols for herself. She had become an idolater. She had forsaken her Lord.

God said of His adulterous wife: 

“For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water." (Jeremiah 2:13)

The honeymoon stage of a marriage is pretty rapturous and amazing. You spend every waking moment trying to please your spouse. You want to be with them every second of the day.

But as the years go by, many people begin to take their mate for granted. The once blissful honeymoon period is over, and you start to focus more on your own selfish needs and interests, and forsake those of your husband or wife. Some even betray their spouse by looking to other lovers to fulfill their selfish wants. This is exactly what Israel did to God, her Husband.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God kept calling His bride to turn back. But she would not. 

But, The Lord, rich in mercy, kept calling His adulterous wife to return to Him:

“Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:14)

At the last chapter of the book of Jeremiah, is a tragic ending, for a stiff-necked people, who would not repent and turn back to the Lord. Israel was taken captive to Babylon, spiritually which, symbolizes the fallen world system in the New Testament. (See Revelation chapters 14 and 18).

God's people had fallen away from Him, and had been taken captive, giving themselves over to idolatry, loving the things of this world system, more than loving God.

And isn't that exactly what's happening today? 

Folks today go to church with a consumer mindset-Burger King mentality: "Have it your way."

They get upset if the worship songs played don't appeal to them. They don't like the way the pastor preached a message. They write an anonymous complaint on a suggestion slip because they don't like the way the worship leader sings. The sermon was too long. Etc.

And people don't want to live according to God's Word. As the Apostle Paul warned, they won't endure sound doctrine:

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Society today is predominantly self-focused and self-absorbed. And so much of that mindset has crept into the church. People want to be catered to, pampered, and have everything their way. 

In Jeremiah's day, God's people turned their hearts away from Him, and from His commandment to live according to His Word. Instead, they substituted man-made things to take the place of God in their lives. They refused to do things God's way, and wanted to have everything their way. They were self-absorbed and self-focused.

Sound familiar?

God's kingdom is not like Burger King. 

It's not about you. It's about Him. You can't have it your way.

Have it His way.

—Have it Yahweh.

Jesus—the Fountain of Living Waters—said:

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment." (Mark 12:30)

God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Malcontent In The Middle

“For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful…” (2 Timothy 3:2)

Do you know anyone who is always unhappy, always complaining, moaning and groaning about this, or that?

They are a drag to be around for sure.

We'll name this complainer, "Malcontent in the Middle."

Malcontent is always blaming others for his problems. It's the government's fault. It's his boss's fault. It's his wife's fault. It's his parent's fault. It's always someone else's fault.

Malcontent is never thankful for anything. His life would be better if he had a better job or better working conditions. He would be happier if he had more money. Happier if he could finally get the recognition at work that he deserves. Happier if his kids were better behaved. Happier if he had more friends. Happier if his wife treated him better.

Never happy, never thankful, never content with anything.

Sound like anyone you know?

If you are a Mr, Miss, or Mrs. Malcontent, the only thing that stands between your peace, joy, and a closer relationship with God, is you... Malcontent in the Middle.

“Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His word, but complained in their tents, and did not heed the voice of the Lord.” (Psalm 106:24-25)

Malcontent only focuses on what he or she does not have, instead of what they do have. Looking at what's wrong in their life, instead of what is good and pleasant. Always negative, always complaining, not believing the Lord, or heeding His voice.

Unthankful.

Malcontent says "I'm unhappy and complaining all the time because my life sucks!"  Not realizing that his or her life sucks because he or she is unhappy and complaining all the time.

Here is what the apostles who greatly suffered in trials said:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3)

God has a purpose is allowing you to go through difficult times. He is testing your faith, to produce patience and endurance in you.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)

When you endure trials patiently, and you rejoice and thank God for your fiery trials, it will be to your honor when Jesus comes in His glory to receive you to Himself. But most of all, your trusting in Jesus Christ, will be to the praise of His glory. 

Paul the apostle said:

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

Paul learned that the secret to being content, no matter what his circumstances were, was to be thankful to God for all things, and to look to Him, trusting Him for his strength and to meet his needs.

The bottom line is, I have to choose to trust God to manage my life—no matter what. And then be thankful and content in whatever circumstances I am in. 

God is sovereign over all things. And absolutely nothing happens unless He either directly causes it to happen, or He allows it to happen.

So, you can choose to learn Paul's secret to being content, by trusting in God no matter what comes; and be thankful to Him for everything.

Or, you can continue as that unthankful complainer. But by doing so, you will continue to be that person who stands between you and a life of contentment with God...

You know that person; "Malcontent in the Middle."

It's your choice.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.