January 29, 2010

Man's Quest

 By Charles Swindoll

Greece said . . . Be wise, know yourself. 
Rome said . . . Be strong, discipline yourself. 
Judaism says . . . Be holy, conform yourself. 
Epicureanism says . . . Be sensuous, enjoy yourself. 
Education says . . . Be resourceful, expend yourself. 
Psychology says . . . Be confident, fulfill yourself. 
Materialism says . . . Be acquisitive, please yourself. 
Pride says . . . Be superior, promote yourself. 
Asceticism says . . . Be inferior, suppress yourself. 
Diplomacy says . . . Be reasonable, control yourself. 
Communism says . . . Be collective, secure yourself. 
Humanism says . . . Be capable, trust yourself. 
Philanthropy says . . . Be unselfish, give yourself.

And on and on and on goes the quest of man. No wonder people are confused! Pick any thought-dish from this smorgasbord of human philosophy, then digest it completely . . . and you will find yourself suffering from the worst case of indigestion imaginable.  It may smell good and even satisfy your rhetorical palate during the time you are consuming it . . . but it will leave you hungry, uneasy, and searching for something else to satisfy.........

Look across your office desk tomorrow and chances are you'll be observing a living example of someone still searching, still running to find inner satisfaction. Step out in front of your apartment or home tomorrow morning and look both ways . . . listen to the roar of automobiles . . . study the dwellings surrounding you. Those sights and sounds represent people who have, like Little Bo-Peep's sheep, "lost their way," and, tragedy upon tragedy—they don't know where to find it. Many of them have tried hard to "be religious" or "live by the golden rule" or "tie a knot and hang on" or "be sincere," but they're still running blind and bored and baffled.

They are attempting to fill the inner vacuum with everything but the only thing. You name it, it's being tried. As Henry Thoreau declared:

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.........

Pontius Pilate, Judea's notorious governor, stood eyeball to eyeball with Jesus of Nazareth. In the judicial process of interrogation, he heard Christ refer to "everyone who is of the truth," to which Pilate replied, "What is truth?" That question hangs heavily on the thin wire of reason in many a mind this very hour. Pilate never waited for an answer. He whirled away in confused disgust. He should have stopped running and waited for the answer. Jesus could have told him that He alone had satisfying words of life . . . for He alone is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

Christianity is not a system of human philosophy nor a religious ritual nor a code of moral ethics—it is the impartation of divine life through Christ. Apart from the Way there is no going . . . apart from the Truth there is no knowing . . . apart from the Life there is no living.

God says . . . Be in Christ, rest yourself. 

January 23, 2010

Tragedy in Haiti

article by Hank Hanegraaff
http://www.equip.org/hank_speaks_outs/tragedy-in-haiti
January 13, 2010

The tragedy in Haiti is all over the news, and it is a stark reminder that life is paper-tissue thin. Last week I participated in the funeral of a friend, and each day the obituary column is replete with new fresh faces—some very young—and a reminder that the tragedy of life is not to die young, but to live a long robust life, and never use it in the service of the master. The worst thing that can happen in life is not to die. The worst thing that can happen is to spend an eternity separated from the love and grace of Jesus Christ. And that is precisely why we do what we do on the Bible Answer Man broadcast and at the Christian Research Institute. There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who will spend an eternity separated from the love, grace, and goodness of God, and those who will forever fellowship with the One who knit them together in their mother's wombs.

 

I'm also reminded of the fact that whenever these kinds of tragedies strike, it seems that the Christian world once again receives a black eye. and often times this is a self-inflicted wound. I was absolutely chagrined when I walked into the studio just a few moments ago and saw the words of Pat Robertson. He is talking on his Christian Broadcasting Network 700 Club about something that happened a long time ago in Haiti, and he says: "People might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French…you know Napoleon the 3rd…and they got together and swore a pact to the Devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French.' " And then says Pat Robertson, "True story. And so the Devil said, 'Okay, it's a deal'…But ever since they have been cursed by…one thing after another, desperately poor."

 

Of course, that's the Word of Faith mantra that if you suffer poverty, you're under a curse. And Pat Robertson then goes on to talk about the Dominican Republic, which is prosperous. He contrasts between the part of the island of Hispaniola that is the Dominican Republic, which is the prosperous side, and Haiti, which is in desperate poverty, and reiterates it is the "same island." The conclusion being that because the Dominican Republic didn't make this pact with the Devil and Haiti did—allegedly at least according to legend—you have Haiti today suffering for the sins of their forefathers, who made a pact with the devil. Again this is a self-inflicted black eye on Christianity, because here is a prominent Christian leader communicating legendary information, and I might add, this is the same guy who said Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for dividing God's land, and Yitzhak Rabin's murder was God's retribution for signing the Oslo Peace Accords.

 

I can't help it when I hear these Christian leaders pontificate in startling fashion of the words of Jesus Christ, who had a completely different take on things. For example, when speaking about those who perished when the tower of Siloam crashed down on them, Jesus said, "Do you think that they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you no." I would much rather heed the words of Jesus Christ than the words of Pat Robertson. And this is a warning to all Christians. Don't simply believe what the leaders are telling you. Test what they say in light of Scripture, and hold fast to that which is good.

 

We have no warrant whatsoever to suggest that the Haitians today dying in an earthquake are dying because of a pact that their forefathers made with the devil. This is not only absurd, it is deflective to the Gospel! It is much better that we get on our knees and pray for the Haitians and recognize that our lives are temporary. We live in a cursed creation, a fallen world, that one day will give way to the best of all worlds, a new Heaven and a new Earth, wherein dwells righteousness.

 

So those listening to the sound of my voice, should be into the Word and the Word into them, equipped to always be ready to give an answer, a reason for the hope that lies in you with gentleness and respect. Not like those who puff up their chest and say, "The reason I'm prosperous and the reason I'm not suffering is I didn't make a pact with the devil." The gospel is each one of us giving a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus Christ.

January 22, 2010

Want Victory?

The key to victory in the Christian life is wrapped up in an eternal perspective. The more we realize the reality of our eternal existence beyond this life, the more we are able to get our minds off of ourselves and serve others through the love of Jesus Christ. Is your life wrapped up in the fear of getting old, dying and not making a name for yourself? Or have you realized that if you've turned from your sin in repentance and have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that this life is simply preparation for the next. Love God. Love people.
 
My wife was listening to a version of this song this morning. If you cannot view or listen to the link below, read the lyrics to this beautiful song by Julie Miller.
 
 
All My Tears
 
Words and music by Julie Miller

When I go, don't cry for me
In my Father's arms I'll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I'll be whole.
Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus' face
And I will not be ashamed
For my Savior knows my name.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,
All my tears be washed away.

Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven's store,
Come and drink, and thirst no more

It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

So, weep not for me my friends,
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to Him
Who will raise the dead again.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,


--
Scott A. Hescht

Life Spring Church  <)))><
(832) 217-9278
http://www.lifespringfamily.org

Psalm 22 Ministries
GOD has not forsaken you
http://www.psalm22.net

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - Jesus

January 13, 2010

Learning to Live


by David Stone

I recently heard a Christian radio broadcast that used the tag line, "Where the learning is for the living." I don't remember tha name of the broadcast or anything else about it, but those words stuck in my mind--that thought has long been in my heart. That's the way it should be. We are to be "doers of the word and not hearers only"(James 1:22). If we aren't living what we're learning what's the sense in knowing?

Every week millions of people go off to church to be taught God's Word. Every week teachers stand before their classes dispensing information from the Bible, but very little of the learning ever translates into living. I guess you could call that academics without action or discipleship without duty. To be brutally honest you could call it sin. The bottom line is that too many students never become servants.

One of the main reasons for this is that most teachers don't put any emphasis on it. They are content with just dispensing the information. If they can get a few kids to memorize a few verses they feel they've done an outstanding job. Really?

It seems strange that churches have all kinds of activities for kids and teens and yet never teach them to serve. Then they wonder why they don't get involved when they are older. Fun and games are fine to an extent, but our young people need to be taught to serve--to put their lesson into shoe leather--to take what they've learned and do something of practical value with it. There's a ton of things young people could do that would be of great help if only they were guided in the right direction. Our nursing homes are filled with people who would be delighted to have someone visit them. They especially enjoy young folks.

But this problem goes way beyond children and teens, it's a problem with all age groups. Many adults never see the need to do something that is needed. At least they don't see the need of them doing it! They come, sit, listen,and leave without ever getting involved. Why is it that classes meet every week for the sake of doing nothing more than learning? Why is it that they are given no opportunity or challenge to get involved? Why doesn't every class have some sort of ministry or project? Why are teachers content with their people being content? Why do we spend so much time and money on social activities and none on service related things?

It's a sad thing to see a class of church members sitting in church week after week with a Bible in their hand and a head full of knowledge, and no desire to minister to others. It's all the more sickening to hear them say,"I can't wait until I retire so I can do the things I enjoy", without any intent of ever serving God. It all gets back to where we started--"learning is for living". Why in the world do we need to know any more than we know if we don't put it to use in Christian service? Sometimes I think we would be better off to cancel the class and take to the streets, passing out tracts, visiting the sick in the hospitals and the elderly in the nursing homes, etc. What's the learning for if it's not for the living? THINK ABOUT IT!

 

 

 


 

 




--
Scott A. Hescht

Life Spring Church  <)))><
(832) 217-9278
http://www.lifespringfamily.org

Psalm 22 Ministries
GOD has not forsaken you
http://www.psalm22.net

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - Jesus

January 11, 2010

What Does the Bible Say About... Humility?


 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT...HUMILITY?

From Alfred Ells' Counselor's Corner


"…And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8


Perhaps you have heard the story of the parishioner who received recognition for being the humblest man in the church? They gave him a pin to wear. The following Sunday he wore it and they took it away from him for being proud. One wonders sometimes if humility is like this. As soon as we think we are humble, we are not.


In the last issue of Counselor's Corner the focus was on unmasking the hidden pride we all have. To truly repent, or put off pride also requires that we embrace, or put on humility. As James 4:10 states, "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you.." The following is a list of twelve suggestions I have gleaned from others on how to humble yourself. As you will see, most of them are basics of our Christian faith.


TWELVE WAYS TO HUMBLE YOURSELF

1. Routinely confess your sin to God. (Luke 18:9-14) All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. However, too few of us have a routine practice of rigorous self-honesty examination. Weekly, even daily, review of our heart and behavior, coupled with confession to God, is an essential practice of humility.

2. Acknowledge your sin to others. (James 3:2, James 5:16) Humility before God is not complete unless there is also humility before man. A true test of our willingness to humble ourselves is being willing to share with others the weaknesses we confess to God. Wisdom, however, dictates that we do so with others that we trust.

3. Take wrong patiently. (1 Peter 3:8-17) This has been a difficult one for me. When something is unjust I want to react and rectify it. However, patiently responding to the unjust accusations and actions of others demonstrates our strength of godly character and provides an opportunity to put on humility.

4. Actively submit to authority…the good and the bad! (1 Peter 2:18) Our culture does not value submission; rather it promotes individualism. How purposely and actively do you work on submission to those whom God has placed as authorities in your life? Doing so is a good way to humble yourself.

5. Receive correction and feedback from others graciously. (Proverbs 10:17, 12:1) In the Phoenix area, a local East valley pastor was noted for graciously receiving any negative feedback or correction offered. He would simply say "thank you for caring enough to share that with me, I will pray about it and get back to you." Look for the kernel of truth in what people offer you, even if it comes from a dubious source. Always pray, "Lord, what are you trying to show me through this?"

6. Accept a lowly place. (Proverbs 25:6,7) If you find yourself wanting to sit at the head table, wanting others to recognize your contribution or become offended when others are honored or chosen, then pride is present. Purpose to support others being recognized, rather than you. Accept and look for the lowly place; it is the place of humility.

7. Purposely associate with people of lower state than you. (Luke 7:36-39) Jesus was derided by the Pharisees for socializing with the poor and those of lowly state. Our culture is very status conscious and people naturally want to socialize upward. Resist the temptation of being partial to those with status or wealth.

8. Choose to serve others. (Philippians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 23:11) When we serve others, we are serving God's purposes in their lives. Doing so reduces our focus on ourselves and builds the Kingdom of God instead of the Kingdom of self. When serving another costs us nothing, we should question whether or not it is really servanthood.

9. Be quick to forgive. (Matthew 18: 21-35) Forgiveness is possibly one of the greatest acts of humility we can do. To forgive is to acknowledge a wrong that has been done us and also to further release our right of repayment for the wrong. Forgiveness is denial of self. Forgiveness is not insisting on our way and our justice.

10. Cultivate a grateful heart. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) The more we develop an attitude of gratitude for the gift of salvation and life He has given us, the more true our perspective of self. A grateful heart is a humble heart.

11. Purpose to speak well of others. (Ephesians 4:31-32) Saying negative things about others puts them "one down" and us "one up"…a form of pride. Speaking well of others edifies them and builds them up instead of us. Make sure, however, that what you say is not intended as flattery.

12. Treat pride as a condition that always necessitates embracing the cross. (Luke 9:23) It is our nature to be proud and it is God's nature in us that brings humility. Committing to a lifestyle of daily dying to self and living through Him is the foundation for true humility.

January 05, 2010

Unmasking Hidden Pride


Unmasking Hidden Pride

By Alfred H. Ells

Because pride can be very subtle in its manifestations, many do not know the telltale signs of pride. Consider the following characteristics of hidden pride and see if God reveals any indications of pride in your life. Be brave. Ask those who know you well if they see any of these characteristics in your life.

SIGNS OF PRIDE

1. Insecurity. Research reveals clergy as one of the most insecure of all professional groups. Insecurity is the root of many unhealthy and ungodly behaviors. It provokes us to want the lavish praise and attention of others too much. Much of pride is motivated out of one's unmet need for self-worth. Finding one's identity and security in Christ is a must to avoid pride.

2. The need to be right. Ever encounter someone who has a hard time being wrong? This is a symptom of pride. The need to be right prevents one from appropriately evaluating issues as well as themselves ( Galatians 6:3). A person who needs to be right has an exalted investment in himself or herself and thinks that he/she knows better than others. In religious circles, the need to be right is frequently manifested through always saying 'God told me' or 'God showed me'.

3. Being argumentative. Individuals, who argue their point of view, especially to those in authority over them, are allowing pride to get the best of them. At the root of their argument is a belief that they are right and the other is wrong and that their will should prevail. It is appropriate to advocate for a point of view or position but not to do so in such a manner that you are more invested in your opinion than in arriving at a mutual understanding.

4. More invested in being heard than in hearing. When someone develops a pattern of needing others to listen to them rather than first hearing others, pride is motivating the need. The need to be heard is common among clergy who are insecure. Oftentimes, the individual does not feel loved or valued unless people "hear them out." In truth, this is often just an expression of insecurity and pride.

5. Anger. Anger is a self-justifying emotion. This means that the nature of anger is to prompt us to justify our position and blame another for the wrongdoing. Justification of self leads to denial of our own complicity or wrongdoing. The scripture warns that the "anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God." (James 1:20). An individual who is angry a lot is suffering from pride.

6. Irritability and impatience. Even though I am a counselor, it was only recently that I learned that the root of impatience in my life is anger and therefore pride. When we are unable to be patient with another and are irritated, it demonstrates a haughty view of self. We feel that our views, time or needs are more important than the other persons. This again is more an indication of our pride than someone else's slow movement or imperfection.

7. Lack of submissive attitude. Submission is the voluntary placement of oneself under the influence, control or authority of another. When an individual pledges their submission to you or another, yet is critical or argumentative of that authority, then pride is the hidden issue. The test of humility and submission is being able to say 'yes', maintain a positive attitude and trust God, especially when the decision of your authority goes against your grain or better judgment.

8. Not easily corrected. Ever work or live with someone who won't receive any negative or corrective feedback? This too is pride. Before he died, a pastor in the East Valley was noted for being easily entreated and able to receive corrective feedback from others. He would thank the person for the negative feedback and commit to pray about it, seek counsel and get back to the person with what conclusions he came to. He was a role model for many of us.

9. Receiving correction but not changing. I worked with a man who often would receive my correction and say thank you for the feedback, but would never change. This too is a form of pride. The individual was placating me and people-pleasing me, telling me what I wanted to hear but not really taking the feedback to heart. His insecurity and fear prevented him from truly changing.

10. Needing others to take your advice. Counselors, such as myself, easily fall into the trap of having to have others take their advice. Advice should always be offered without strings attached. If you find yourself resenting the fact that your advice is not followed, look deeper at the motivating issues in your life.

11. Needing to proclaim your title or degrees. A good friend of mine requires everyone to call him 'pastor', saying that he has deservedly earned the title. Demanding that others call you 'doctor' or 'pastor' or 'bishop' is usually a way of making you 'one up' and them 'one down'. Once again, pride is fueling the requirement.

12. Being stubborn. Webster's dictionary defines stubbornness as " unduly determined to exert one's own will, not easily persuaded and difficult to handle or work, resistant." The root issue of stubbornness is willfulness, which is 'I want what I want when I want it'. Another name for pride.

13. Comparisons and competition. 2 Corinthians 10:12 makes it clear that comparing oneself with others is unwise. Comparison is a form of competition. It is often overt. For example, emphasizing the size of one's church, the number of converts, etc. However, it can also be the subtle sin of heart that inwardly grieves when another is more successful or rejoices when another pastor's ministry enters hard times. The motive of heart is pride.

This article was taken from the Counselor's Corner, Volume II, Issue 11, published by Counselor's Corner.

January 01, 2010

God's Favorite Pie

“Suppose you were to spend your entire life trying to make the best apple pie to give to God (only to find that) God does not like apple pie.” – Peter Lord



Matthew 9:13 (Jesus speaking)
“Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."



When you think of a fruit bearing Christian, what comes to mind? Maybe there is a mental picture of a person who loves God and as a result they read the Bible daily, go to church regularly, don’t use vulgar language, aren’t caught up in pornography, the lust of money, or anything else worldly. If life were a pie, this person would be filling it with choicest apples in the fruit of his or her salvation.
But what if God preferred coconut? (I choose coconut because people either love it or hate it). Unlike Peter Lord, in this scenario I’m not suggesting that God hates apple pie, but just that He prefers coconut. Wouldn’t it be disappointing to find out when you or I got to heaven that we had never used God’s favorite ingredient while baking this pie called life?

Several times God is quoted in the Bible as saying, “I prefer mercy. Not sacrifice.”
The Christian life isn’t all about us. It isn’t just a bunch of dos and don’ts. In fact, if it were than we are no better than the religious people Jesus condemned in His day. They had no love for others.

Now some of us would consider ourselves others focused because we share the Gospel (and for that I applaud), but is that all that Jesus meant when He said to love others? What about that zealous Christian who is willing to share boldly the Gospel message to the homosexual, but is not willing to have dinner in the homosexual’s home? What about the one who loves enough to proclaim the Kingdom of God, but does not love enough to drive 10 minutes and pick a neighbor up for church. What about the zealous evangelist who is willing to make a convert but has not the love enough to follow through and make them a disciple of Christ. After all, that is the great commission right; for every Christian to make disciples and not just converts. Making disciples may take more time than some are willing to give. It requires real relationships. It requires us to have mercy and overlook the flaws of an individual in order to love them and point them to God’s mercy and Grace.

Love isn’t just a gentleness of speech in sharing the Gospel. People can see right through a sales pitch. Now, I understand that we can’t build a long term relationship with everybody we share with, but it only takes a few minutes for a person to tell whether or not the Christian is genuine in his or her love.

If we are to be true lights of Christ, it must be with our love, life and lips. Love is listed first for a reason.
Question: If Jesus were here today, who would he be condemning? Would it be those that we are attempting to reach or would it be those who claim to be the church?