Why I Believe in Jesus Christ

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Awhile back I heard that a relative of mine slighted me, saying I was "too religious." By definition the word means "relating to or believing in a religion."

Why do I believe in Christianity? More importantly, why do I believe in Jesus Christ?

Because Jesus Christ changed my heart and has given me an inner joy and peace that is unshakable, despite whatever circumstances or difficulties I may experience in life. Because I saw a steadfast love, joy and peace in my Mom's life due to her personal relationship with Jesus Christ that was unmistakable and could not be dismissed. Because my life before I knew Christ was unsatisfying, devoid of lasting happiness, peace or joy. Because God gave me hope when I was hopeless. Because try as we might, my wife and I could not fix our broken marriage and we went through multiple separations and two divorce proceedings because of our bitter and selfish hearts. Because for the last 18 years our marriage has been healed and joyous because Jesus Christ healed our hearts and gave us an unconditional love for each other that was not possible before. Because I looked at the sin, failures and consequences of my broken life and knew that I needed a Savior. Because my Savior Jesus revealed His great love for me and my great need for Him. Because I have seen so many other people's lives healed and set free by the grace of God. Because I once was lost but now am found. Because I once was blind but now I see. Because I have experienced God's love and forgiveness in many, many beautiful and personal ways over the last two decades. Because He has set me free from myself, my failures, my shame, and from sin and death.

These are just a few of the reasons that I am "too religious."

How then can I be silent about what God has done in my life?

“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)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

America Must Turn To God

"If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.” (Jeremiah 18:7-10)

Throughout history, God has warned entire nations, through His prophets and through His Word, to repent of their evil ways and turn to Him, or He would destroy that nation, inflict disaster upon it, or scatter its people. The nation of Israel is one example. Babylon, Assyria and Rome are also examples of kingdoms who refused to repent and were destroyed or scattered and rendered powerless.

Certain cities were also destroyed for their wickedness and sexual immorality. Sodom and Gomorrah are two stark biblical examples.

Sometimes nations are given hundreds of years and multiple chances to repent before God ultimately does away with, or inflicts disaster upon them.

Knowing this, where do you suppose the United States of America stands with God today? 

"Well, we're a godly Christian nation, founded on biblical values and principles" you might say. And while that may have once been true, look how very far we've fallen as a nation since then. 

Sexual immorality, corruption at all levels, kicking God out of almost all public life, satanic worship, false religion, disobedience, idolatry, covetousness, theft, murder, drug abuse, human trafficking, pornography, needless abortion, prideful arrogance against God, and every other kind of sin run rampant in America today.

Do you believe God will judge the nations? And do you believe you will personally have to stand before God and give an account of your life; for every word, thought, action and choice? If you answered yes, you would be right on both counts.

It is reported that an unborn baby is killed every twenty seconds in America. Abortion is the most frequently performed surgery in this country. 95% of abortions are done as birth control, 1% are done because of rape/incest, 1% because of fetal abnormalities, and 3% due to the mother's health problems. 

An estimated 58,000,000 babies have been killed/terminated in the U S. since 1973. Today the population of the U. S. is approximately 324,000,000. The total number of babies killed since the Roe-v-Wade Decision is the equivalent of nearly one sixth of the population of America today. 

Let that sink in.

Do you think God considers an unborn child to merely be a fetus—just a meaningless blob of flesh?

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." (Jeremiah 1:5)

God is the One who forms babies in the womb. And before He creates a life, before we were ever conceived, He already knows each and every one of us. But the Liberal administration and majority of the American people today seem to think that abortion as a matter of birth control or convenience is somehow okay. After all, it's a "woman's right to choose" they say. How do you think God feels about that?  He formed that life in the womb, but it's now a woman's right to choose to end it?

Look again at verse 10 from Jeremiah 18:

"And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.”

The nation of America has been blessed and favored since its inception. But this nation has steadily declined since its beginning. And today the majority of America is in full rebellion against God. He spoke through the prophet Jeremiah that He will reconsider the good He intended to do for a nation who does evil in His sight and who disobeys Him.

America has been warned—through God's timeless Word and through generations of preachers of righteousness, to repent and turn from its sin and turn to God. 

We've had over 200 years to repent. We've used up our account...

“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 (Christ Jesus) whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)

This nation cannot be saved by any political government or administration. It can only be changed from the inside out, as the nation of individuals humbles itself and turns to God to be saved.

“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)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Be Not Deceived

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

A picture is worth a thousand words.

The photo above illustrates most of our society today, including the majority of Christians. "If we just pretend there is no problem, it will go away."

People are apparently still under the false assumption that if we can just get the "right person" in the Oval Office, all of America's problems will be solved. Do you think either of the current two presidential choices are capable of that?

Lord help us.

“Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge; their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.” (Isaiah 5:13)

Most people today are either unaware, or unwilling to admit, just where we are at as a society and as a nation. People don't seem to see, or care, where we are in relation to biblical prophecy and the last days of earth as we know it. And all these predictions about our economy imploding? "Nah, they're just doomsayers and fanatics!"

I heard someone recently say of America... "We've used up our account."

Immediately following the terrorist attacks on 9/11, millions of Americans flocked to churches and cried out to God for safety, looking for answers, and for hope. But that soon died down and everything returned to business as usual. 

Now terrorist attacks, racism, murdering of police officers, and school shootings are so common place, our society has become desensitized to it. And everything continues to go on, business as usual. People go on chasing and living the "American dream." Look out for Number One.

The Selfie Generation.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Throughout history every society who banished God out of all public life, denying the truth of His Word, sexual immorality run rampant, killing and lying without restraint, was eventually brought down by God. 

“There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all restraint, with bloodshed upon bloodshed. Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away.” (Hosea 4:2-3)

We've used up our account.

But for some strange reason, most Christians in America are under the assumption that God will not do to this nation, what He eventually did to every other nation who rejected and disobeyed Him. As if this nation is somehow immune...

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

Time for a wake up call.  The hour is later than we think.

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:11-14)

The days of "business as usual" are over. Let us be about our Father's business.

This nation has a spiritual problem, and can only be changed from the inside out by Jesus—by the Love, Grace and Spirit of God.

God help us.

“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)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

From Isolation Comes Revelation

“I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 1:9)

Isolation can be a very lonely place.

You look for deeper purpose and meaning for your life. Sometimes wondering, is this all there is?

How must the Apostle John have felt? who, in his nineties, was banished forever to the tiny Greek island of Patmos, far from civilization in the Aegean sea, charged as an enemy of the State of Rome, for spreading the Gospel and Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

I can imagine the weary, aged Apostle sitting on the rocky shore of this barren desert island, trying to catch a small fish or two, just to survive. How lonely it must have been for him, banished and exiled, miles away from his flock of fellow Christians—his "little children" as he was fond of calling them.  

John must have felt his life was over. His purpose and usefulness seemingly gone now. I would imagine he probably felt abandoned by the Lord. He was likely just counting down his days until death forever released him from exile.

But one day, out of the blue, John heard a loud, startling sound...

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia” (Revelation 1:10-11)

John was visited by the Lord.

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7-18)

The Almighty God of the universe, visits His close friend John, and when John falls on his face in deathly fear, Jesus lays His hand on him to comfort him, and reassures him to not be afraid. 

Can you imagine how John must have felt in this moment. Just when life must have seemed like it was over for him, his God and Savior Jesus comes to him to comfort him, and to utilize him once more. 

Do you feel like John sometimes? Isolated, even exiled from family or friends? Perhaps you were once utilized by the Lord, but that season has seemingly ended, and you wonder what your purpose is now? Where is God in this season of my life?

David wrote some of the most amazing Psalms while he was isolated, fleeing from murderous King Saul, hiding out in caves, surviving like an animal. Moses met with God and received the Ten Commandments while he was exiled in the barren Sinai wilderness. Jeremiah wrote some of the most powerful prophecies in Scripture when he was at his lowest point, totally alone and ostracized by his own people. Paul received some amazing revelations from the Lord when he was isolated and wandering the desert of Arabia, being taught by the Lord.

I believe from all these biblical examples, that God also leads us out into our barren wilderness experiences—times of isolation—to reveal Himself to each of us; to know Him more, and to show us His purpose for our lives.

So while isolation can be incredibly painful and lonely, I am learning to embrace these times, knowing that God is drawing me closer to Himself, that I may decrease and He may increase. That I may know Him more. That I will be refined in the fires of life's tribulations by the Refiner. That I will be meet for the Master's use. That He will be glorified.

We don't know exactly how long John was in exile on Patmos before Jesus visited and gave him the Revelation. But I believe the lesson and encouragement here to each of us is to trust completely in the Lord in our times of isolation or exile, knowing He promised to never leave us or forsake us. He has a purpose for allowing us to go through our desert seasons. From isolation comes revelation. 

But He will come to us. He will take us to be with Him. He promised:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-6)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

No Greater Love

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Recently I was poring over hundreds of my fishing photos from the last decade, and I couldn't help but be convicted of how many hours, how much time, energy, money, resources and thought I've selfishly spent on pursuing big trout in my home rivers here in the West. Thousands of dollars. Hundreds of hours. The greater portion of my spare time.

But for what?  

A friend of mine recently wrote:

“We have one short life to live! It is easy to become very "I"-centric in our society and culture. Let's use our lives, resources, and talents to make a difference for others. It truly is better to give than receive.”

His comments confirmed in my heart something that has been stirring for the last couple of years.

Who am I living for?  For others?  Or for myself?

And I've had to come to grips with the fact that for most of my life I have been so self-focused that I haven't done nearly enough to really help others in need. Oh sure, I've done some. But it was always from my surplus...from what I could spare. But it didn't really cost me much.

My friend also wrote:

"What defines our character is how we treat those who can do nothing for us."

As I approach the 60 year milestone in my journey, I have a great desire to spend my remaining time here living to help others, in whatever ways God opens the door for me to do so, and primarily to point them to Jesus Christ, Who is the only One who can saves a man's soul.

One door that has been opened to me this week is an organization called Send Hope.  www.sendhopenow.org

These folks feed, clothe, house and care for hundreds of orphaned or abandoned children in India, many of them H.I.V. infected. We have been sponsors of three young boys beginning in 2004. I personally know the people who founded this organization and can attest that 100% of the sponsor funds go to help these children. 

The most recent need is for Nutrition Kits to feed people infected with AIDS living in the slums of India. These Community Nutrition Kits provide healthy food and supplies for children and families suffering with HIV/AIDS. Just $15 per month is life-changing! Besides feeding, housing and caring for these people, they show them the love of Jesus Christ, and teach them to know the living God before they step into eternity. There is no greater love than this.

When I recently read of this urgent need, I couldn't turn away. How could I not be moved?

We here in the West are incredibly rich compared to most of the rest of the world, particularly the Third World countries. We take for granted how blessed we are to have food, clean water, and a roof over our heads. Please prayerfully consider helping those who have no way to help themselves.

When my mom was still alive she said to me:

"I thought that when I became a Christian that I would have to give up all the things in my life that I enjoyed. But God has shown me that He has actually set me free from these things."

There's nothing wrong with spending an occasional day on the river with a friend if it's about true friendship and fellowship. But for me the days of being overly focused on the fishing are gone forever.  I mean, what are we here for in this life? To please ourselves?  I tried that for fifty years. And it doesn't bring any lasting peace or joy. There is no divine purpose involved in being self-serving.

Helping people who are most in need is a directive in the bible, and we should truly want to do so. But people's greatest need is for Jesus. The spiritual condition of the world is very dark overall. Don't just feed someone for a day, week, or year, without providing what is truly needed for their eternity: the living God, Jesus Christ.

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

Jesus was not a fisherman... He is the Fisher of Men.... of men's souls.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Mega Church?

“Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.” 

(1 Corinthians 16:19)

In China today it is illegal to hold any kind of Christian gathering in a private residence, or anywhere outside of the state approved churches, which are closely monitored and controlled by the communist government. And yet, the collective Chinese Church of believers in Jesus Christ has been experiencing rapid growth for years. Christian underground, or "house" churches are everywhere, though the danger of persecution and imprisonment, or worse, is ever-present.

It was much the same way in the Middle East in the first century, after Christ's ascension. Followers of Jesus, if caught having Christian meetings in each other's houses, were imprisoned, tortured, and even crucified. They were not free to build large, comfortable church buildings where they could openly meet whenever they wanted as we are free to do today, never having to worry about persecution. It was life or death for them. Being a passionate follower of Jesus cost them something—often their very lives.

Consider the average American "Mega Church" of 5,000 to 10,000 people. If 1,000 congregants from such a church each (conservatively) tithed $200 a month, that's $200,000 monthly. And $2.4 million per year. And it takes a good chunk of that money to pay for the huge building debt, lavish expansion projects, staff salaries, maintenance, cleaning, community outreach programs, missions, ministry schools, sound equipment, graphics and advertising, radio and television programs, overhead, and so on. Large churches do, or have the opportunity to do, a lot of good, in their communities, and abroad.

It struck me today... hypothetically, what if such a Mega Church were to sell all its property and holdings, paying off all its debt, and instead establish at least one hundred house churches throughout the entire community? After all, the Church of Jesus is not a building—it's a living organism. Church means, "The called out ones." The Church of Jesus is His people—the Family of God.  Instead of building a Mega Church building and organization, praying they will come to us, why not take the Church family to the individual neighborhoods of the entire city? The whole valley?

Having a church building and organization is not the purpose. It cannot exist just so we Christians can have a luxurious place to gather together in comfort for an hour once a week. That was never God's intention or purpose for calling us out.

Many non-Christian people are either intimidated to walk into a mega church building, or they think all the church wants is their money. It's a bad stereotype. But sometimes it's the sad reality.

If the U.S. economy implodes in the near future, as some people predict, the mega churches of today will cease to exist. They will become extinct dinosaurs, empty shells, too expensive to maintain.

If the persecuted house churches in China are thriving, and the house churches in the first century, empowered by the Holy Spirit, collectively turned the world upside down for Christ, we the called out ones of Jesus can reach our lost and dying world with the same power and purpose. But are we willing to count the cost?

This post will no doubt ruffle some feathers, and challenge man's comfortable traditions. Many will say it can't work the way I'm suggesting in this modern day. But God often goes to great lengths to push us out of our comfort zones and accomplish His purposes. And the direction this world is rapidly heading, we may not have a choice.

Jesus said:

“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?  Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27-33)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Preach The Gospel

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

—Jesus

An acquaintance once said to me, "Don't answer questions that people don't ask."

At first it sounded smart and thought provoking. But now, though it might fit in some post modern book or blog, it falls flat to the floor. Empty words.

What did Jesus command His disciples to do just before He ascended up to Heaven?

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." (Mark 16:15).

He didn't send them out telling them to not answer questions that people don't ask. He didn't tell them to go into all the world and wow the people through scientific debate or philosophy. He didn't command them to persuade the world with intellectual arguments of worldly, humanistic wisdom.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

If you read the bible and study what Jesus did and taught, He spoke the good news of salvation in Him, to the hearts and spirits of people. Broken, lost, hurting people—even if they didn't think they were lost, hurting and broken. He never tried to wow people with the statistical probability of Him fulfilling even just eight messianic prophecies concerning Himself. 

To many today, the words, "Preach the gospel" sound outdated and old fashioned. It makes some people who call themselves Christians squirm. They think what worked in the past will no longer work with this modern generation. They think people today need to be swayed by hip music and philosophical reasoning. And we wonder why so many people seem unresponsive to the message that many churches are sending out.

Do you know what the "Gospel" is?  The Apostle Paul writes;

“I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

This is the Gospel in a nutshell. However, for a very detailed overview of this all important topic, check out this excellent article at Christianity Today called, "What is The Gospel?"

http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2015/june/what-is-gospel.html

We must get back to the Bible. If you don't know the Scriptures concerning Jesus, you can't effectively speak the Truth in love to the people who need it most. I recently heard someone say, "Jesus is just really a cool Guy to hang with."  And while that may be true, that won't save anyone's soul. 

People need to know who Jesus Christ really is—God Himself.

People need to know why Jesus came to earth—to save them from their sins.

People need to know why He had to die on the Cross—to pay the penalty for their sins.

People need to know why Jesus rose from the grave—to prove that He defeated death.

Do you really want to help people? 

Preach the Gospel.

“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)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails

More Than a Feeling

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy.” (2 Peter 1:19)

So many times over the years, I've heard people share how they made a major decision in their life, and said; "I prayed a lot and I have a peace about it."

A few years ago I made a life-changing decision to enroll in a local college and get an associate degree in family counseling. I prayed a lot about it, and consulted with my most trusted friends and even three of my mentors. I seemed to be getting nothing but green lights, so I declared I was going to do it because "I had peace about it."

After only a week into my classes, one of my advisors asked to meet with me. He said that I would have a very difficult, if not impossible time trying to find a paying job anywhere, with only a two year associate degree in this field.

I was crushed. I prayed..."But God, You gave me peace about this! And so many good people confirmed this was the right move to make. I even had scripture to back up my decision."

After much soul searching and prayer, I decided to leave the college and annul my enrollment. I still had time to cancel my student loan, get my deposit back, and return most of my books.

My wife was not happy. She said, "But you were so sure that this was what you believed God had called you to do!"

It seemed that everyone was unhappy with me. But I felt an enormous sense of relief. I truly believed (and still do) that God gave my college advisor a word of wisdom that saved me two years of my life, and over $20,000 in student loan debt, which I probably would not have been able to repay.

So what's the point?

Walking with God is immensely practical. Or should be.

So many people, including me, make crucial decisions based on what amounts to not much more than "a feeling." An inner "peace."

But I can tell you from many years of frustration and disappointment; feelings can be mighty fickle. We're very good at justifying something to ourselves if we really want it.

The Bible states:

"This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic." (James 3:15)

The world teaches you to "Follow your heart."  But God's Word teaches you to let your regenerated mind lead your heart. Big difference. The heart wants what the heart wants. But the mind that has wisdom will throw up objections and question whatever path the heart desires to take.

There is an endless amount of Godly wisdom in the Bible—"a more sure word of prophecy."

Here the writer of Proverbs speaks of the perils of adultery:

"My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
Lend your ear to my understanding,
That you may preserve discretion,
And your lips may keep knowledge.
For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey,
And her mouth is smoother than oil;
But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death,
Her steps lay hold of hell.
Lest you ponder her path of life—
Her ways are unstable;
You do not know them.”

(Proverbs 5:1-6)

Oh....that we would heed the Word of the Lord and not trust just in our "feelings." We would be spared years of pain, heartache and destruction.

What happens so often, is we make a decision based on how we feel, and then we ask God to go along with it. We want His stamp of approval on something that He never actually authorized.

Or we make a rash decision because we have only two options, neither of which are great choices. Then we ask God to change our new situation into something more workable. But in truth, we should never have made the rash decision to begin with. We're just too darn impatient. You can't give God what's behind Door #1 and Door #2 and then tell Him to choose.

It doesn't work that way.

God is not obligated to honor our poor choices or bless our rash decisions.

The Bible primarily teaches us to get wisdom, not seek a peaceful "feeling."

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

I Can Do All Things...

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”—Jesus 

Over the years I've heard people use the expression; "If it's meant to be, it's up to me"—which, all semantics aside, is simply another way of saying, 'If I am going to succeed, it's all up to me.'

Or, another very common saying is, "You can do anything you set your mind to."

But if you've lived for at least twenty or thirty years, you know in truth that this is simply not accurate. We've all failed, many times, in things that we set our minds to. We believed, we told ourselves; "you can do this!" But we fell short, and more times than not, if we're being honest.

Some think that through the power of positive thinking they can accomplish anything. And the proof in that pudding? Survey says; No, you can't.

A former client of mine once boasted; "I can heal my own body with my mind." But she had some form of cancer which did not heal. She simply wasn't living in reality.

I've heard a lot of people quote the bible verse that says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) They put the emphasis on 'I CAN DO ALL THINGS...' and de-emphasize "Through Christ who strengthens me." A more accurate rendering of this verse would be, "I can do whatever Christ strengthens me to do."

The emphasis is always on Christ, not I CAN DO ALL THINGS.

And the verse at the beginning of this post—Jesus' own word's—proves this. He said:

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

That's pretty simple. Without Jesus we can do nothing.

We can't bear any good fruit, do any great works, or build anything lasting without His empowerment, wisdom and provision.

And mankind's many failures and blunders are the clear evidence of that.

Here's further proof that we are totally reliant on Him:

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

Today, June 12, is the five year anniversary of my brain seizure I had while on a business trip. I literally thought I was dying. I didn't know if I was having a stroke or an aneurysm. I didn't know if I would survive it. After multiple tests, an MRI, and a couple of hours in the Pocatello emergency room, I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, fondly referred to as the "sucicide disease." (Google it). To say that it has changed my life is an understatement. At it's worst, it was completely debilitating. I didn't think I would ever be able to work again. But only through Jesus Christ who strengthened me—have I been able to work and function again. All praise and glory to Him forever!

Yes, we have to be responsible and work and put effort into doing whatever has been set before us to yield good results. Anything less would be lazy and irresponsible. But we are not the captain of our own salvation. If it's meant to be it's not up to me. You can believe the mantras of the world and think that you can do anything that you set your mind to. Or you can believe Jesus who said without Him you can do nothing.

I choose to believe Jesus every time. 

I have failed many, many times in my life and will fail again. But God has never failed me whenever I take Him at His word. And He has proven Himself faithful time, after time, after time.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Don't Judge Me

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.” 

(2 Timothy 4:1)

"Don't Judge me!"

Have you ever heard that angry comment thrown at you as a Christian?

Or maybe its, "We're not supposed to judge."

First let's clear a few things up; the biblical word for "judge" means to condemn, as in eternally. It implies a person is beyond saving, and is totally worthless. And yes, we are never to say that. That's not our place. Only God is the Judge who can eternally condemn someone.

Now, saying you don't agree with something or someone is a different story. You can even say that the Bible says it is wrong. And that is not condemning (judging) someone. 

For example, if you point out to someone that the speed limit on the street is 30 miles per hour, are you condemning or judging that person simply by saying so? Of course not. If someone is caught speeding in a thirty mile per hour zone, the police officer writes them a ticket. Then they go to court and upon being found guilty, the Judge passes sentence, or levies a fine. He or she alone sits on the Judges seat. And he or she judges that person according to the law.

So, if for instance you choose to marry someone outside of what the Bible says is allowable by God, you are not ruining my own marriage, but you will bring God's judgment upon yourself. If you kill an innocent unborn child through abortion simply as a matter of your convenience, you will bring God's judgment upon you. I'm not judging or condemning you by saying that... I'm simply communicating to you what God's Word says you will bring upon yourself.

God is the Judge who eternally condemns, not me.

And here's something more to consider; throughout history in the Bible, God judged entire nations who refused to repent and turn from their wicked ways and turn to Him. He gave some nations such as the Assyrians over 400 years to repent of their wickedness, and gave them chance after chance. Ultimately, He wiped out that nation because they never repented. Look at the once mighty Roman empire; it ceased to exist altogether. The immoral city of Sodom was also wiped from the face of the earth by God for its wickedness and sexual immorality.

Look at the nation of America today. What was originally founded upon godly principles, the Bible and prayer, has now declined into perhaps the most immoral and corrupt nation on earth. Do you think America is immune to God's judgment if it does not repent and turn to God?  How can it be.

Closely examine this biblical command and promise:

“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 (Jesus) whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)

Jesus Christ, the righteous Judge, will judge the entire world in the upcoming future. He gives the following warning to anyone who refuses to hear and receive His message from His people whom He has commanded to share it:

“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” (Matthew 10:14-15)

Are you right with God? 

If not, you need to repent—turn to Him, today. Don't put it off. Don't wait. Jesus said He is coming to judge the world at an hour that you do not expect. 

The only way to get right with God, is to turn to Jesus and confess that you are a sinner, incapable of saving yourself or making yourself right with Him. That's why He came to die on a Cross—to pay with His life for the penalty of your sins and my sins. It's a free gift, but you have to choose to receive it—to receive Him.

Jesus said:

“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)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

The Fear of the Lord

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

When many people today hear the phrase, "The fear of the Lord" they think of the Old Testament Law, or legalism, or as something that doesn't apply to Christians now, since we are under grace.

But Paul, the apostle of grace, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote these New Testament words to the Corinthian Christians.

Jesus Himself said, 

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

The writer of Proverbs wrote:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

For the Christian—child of God—"the fear of the Lord" does not mean a cowering fear, afraid that God will strike you down at any minute, like you would a pesky insect. But rather, it means a reverential awe and respect for the Almighty God; the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He is God; the Righteous Judge, who will judge the living and the dead (see 2 Timothy 4:1).

And it should strike a reverential fear, awe and respect in the heart of every Christian when we acknowledge the fact that we all will one day stand at the feet of Jesus, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Doesn't that make you tremble inside just a little bit? If it doesn't, you don't have a healthy fear of the Almighty.

It was prophesied that in the Last Days (i.e. now), that there will be a great Apostasy; a falling away and defection from the Truth of God's Word. And we are smack dab in the middle of that great falling away as we speak. If you can't see that, you're blind as a bat. 

It seems to be the norm today for many people who profess to be "christian" to be living in all kinds of various sin and disobedience. And people go to great lengths to write off or twist God's Word, in order to justify their sin as normal and acceptable in today's culture, and they dismiss God's Word to be archaic and outdated. This demonstrates a total lack of a reverential fear of the Lord. 

Do we not think there will be consequences for our disobedience and rebellion?

Read the next sentence of that passage from 2 Corinthians chapter 5:

"Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men..."

Doesn't the phrase, "The terror of the Lord" strongly express that God is very serious about this?

A lot of folks today seem to have the attitude that God is like some laid back surfer dude, who lets everything slide, and is just here to be your benevolent genie in a bottle, to give you your every wish, but doesn't require anything from you.

Read Revelation chapters two and three. Here Jesus is recognizing what good things the churches did well. But He also admonishes them in the areas they need to repent, as He does here to the church that was in Ephesus:

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

Consider the admonition and the command, "I have this against you", and "Unless you repent."

The are some very strong warnings and impending judgments upon the churches (Christians) who refuse to heed God's warnings here. 

There will indeed be consequences. The most daunting being this sobering warning from Jesus:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:21-23)

For those who call themselves "Christian" but who choose to transgress God's commands and live according to the corrupt culture and your own twisted sense of right and wrong; unless you repent and turn your heart and lives back to God, obeying Him according to His Word, the ultimate consequence of a lifestyle of lawlessness will be eternal banishment from God's presence, to a place of eternal torment. Jesus will say to you, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"

I don't know of anything that will instill a healthy fear of God in a person's heart, more than this dire warning from Jesus.

Ultimately, it's about love.

Jesus said, 

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” (John 14:21)

The question is, do you love Jesus as much as you say you do?

...Then prove it.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

  

Unconditional

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to your wife.” 

(1 Peter 3:7)

It's the day before Valentines Day and I felt compelled to write about knowing my wife more deeply, and loving her unconditionally.

If any of you guys are struggling in your relationship with your wife, I pray this might offer you some helpful insights into this marvelous and paradoxical mystery—the heart of a woman.

Not that I am The Expert on marriage and women. Lord knows I've made more than my share of mistakes and blunders in the 29 years I've been married to my wonderful wife. But in those 29 years, I've learned a few things, as the Lord has taught me, when I stopped trying to change my wife's heart, and move out of the way and allow Him to be her Lord.

First, and most difficult—the word unconditional.

When was the last time you did something for your wife that was absolutely without condition? No strings attached? No hidden, selfish agenda? No quid pro quo (you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours). Something simply to bless her, not even to make you feel good for doing it? Think of the last time you offered to rub her back... You get the picture.

Early in our marriage, I did a lot of nice things for my wife. But almost always there was some hidden agenda attached for my doing so. If I do this for her, maybe she won't nag me when I want to go fishing next weekend... If I do that for her, maybe she'll let me buy that new rifle I've been wanting. If I rub her back maybe she'll... Guys, you know what I'm saying. It was all conditional. It was never really just to bless her. Sometimes it was just so I would feel like a great guy for doing it, and I could tell my friends just how great a husband I was. But it was never really unconditional.

True, unconditional love is absolutely unselfish and without condition. And trust me, she can always see through you and spot your hidden agendas...

So try blessing your wife simply because you love her, and because she deserves it; as she is your better half, your soul mate, and your best friend. And, if you are a true Christian—a follower of Jesus Christ—do it because you have been given the amazing privilege of loving and serving one of God's own daughters! Understanding that incredible truth forever changed how I look at my role as a husband.

Next, the Word says, Husbands, dwell with your wife with understanding.

If you are having issues communicating with and understanding your wife, start by getting on your knees and ask the Lord to help you know and understand your wife better as a woman, as a person, and as an individual. Ask Him to help you understand her heart—what she needs, and how you can nurture what He is doing in her heart. If you haven't yet figured this out, I'll let you in on a little secret—men and women are vastly different. I know, it sounds simplistically idiotic for me to say that. But you'd be surprised. Many guys are clueless as to how God made their wives emotionally—how He wired them, and how they think. I've been studying my wife for over thirty years, getting to know and understand her, and I'm just now really beginning to figure her out.

Part of dwelling with your wife with understanding, is to know her Love Language.

If you've never heard this term, here are the five Love Languages:

1. Words of affirmation
2. Acts of service
3. Receiving gifts
4. Quality time
5. Physical touch

My wife for instance absolutely loves it when I do acts of service for her. The other day I cleaned out the garage and assembled some baker racks and neatly put the plastic storage tubs of her Sunday School supplies on them. You would think I gave her ten dozen red roses! She thanked me with tears in her eyes. This is her number one Love Language. A dozen roses or bouquet of flowers doesn't really do much for her. But if I go out and weed the flower beds and then clean the kitchen, different story! 

Now my daughter says her love language is getting pretty flowers. Some ladies prefer spending quality time above all else. Others love daily words of affirmation the most. Every woman is different, and that is why you need to know your wife more deeply and seek to understand her better as a woman, as a person: as an individual.  You may be buying her flowers and chocolates, while what she really needs and desires from you is altogether different.

Every woman really wants and needs all five of the things on this list. But understanding your wife individually and personally, knowing the order of importance each item holds in her heart is the secret—and one that you will absolutely need God's help to unlock and truly understand.

A man's list would probably be totally different than his wife's. Most guys would undoubtedly place physical touch at the top of the list. Next would probably be quality time. Third might be receiving gifts. Next, words of affirmation. Acts of service would be at the bottom of my list, but it's at the top of my wife's. Men and women are different, and guys—aren't you glad that we are!

So this Valentine's Day (and every day after)... love your wife unconditionally, and bless her by knowing, understanding, and speaking her love language—not yours. 

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

The Beginning of All Things

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 

(The Revelation ch 21)

There is a fascination and huge focus today on the Apocalypse—The End of the World. The End Times. The End of Days.

And while there yet remains the end times or "Last Days" period known as the Tribulation, which is a seven year period that culminates the end of days, which shall be a time of great trouble and suffering such as the world has never experienced, nor will ever experience again, the end of the world will not be a time of doom and gloom for the true, faithful, believer and follower of Jesus Christ—only for the people who have rejected Him.

Many people today are looking for, or speculating on, who the Satanically empowered "Antichrist" figure is, or will be. Folks are nervous and even frightened about the imploding economy and culture all around us. Brother is ready to go to war against brother over gun owners rights, among others. America has never been more morally and ethically divided as it is today. One wonders, "How could it get any worse?"

Countless books have been written about the Rapture of the Church, the End Times, the Last Days, or the Apocalypse. Movies and even television series on the subject are morbidly popular today. For many people, the whole topic is just a big joke.

However, for the children of God—the true followers of Jesus Christ—the end of the world is actually the beginning of all things; not the end.

Read Revelation chapter 21 carefully. God promises a time when He will forever be with us personally, face-to-face, as our God and Father. This will be a time when the former earth and heavens, corrupted by sin and Satan, will be burned up, even the very elements will be melted with a fervent heat (See 2 Peter 3:10). And God will make a new, incorruptible, heavens and earth, for us to enjoy forever. And for all of eternity, we will never again experience a single moment of death, sorrow, sadness, or pain, Can you even imagine it!

To the Christian, Christ told us to watch for His coming—not for the appearance of the Antichrist. 

 So don't get bogged down in the bad news on TV every night. This is not our future. Heaven is! Invite others to come along, and be saved, and to know Jesus personally. There is no better life!

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:14-17)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.