Big Bang Experts

"For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.
"But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"
(John 5:46)

Surveys have shown that, currently, only 9% of people who identify themselves as Christians have a Biblical worldview. This means over 90% are not able to put Biblical teachings into practice because they don’t sincerely believe much of what the Bible teaches. In fact, many of these people put little value in even finding out what the Bible actually says because they don’t consider it believable. The result is that many churches are little more than social clubs to help each other feel better.

By these words in John 5, Jesus, the Son of God, makes it clear that the roots of the New Testament are in the Old Testament. Jesus, as King of Kings, puts His stamp of approval on the writings of Moses and tells us that we should believe what Moses wrote. Moses wrote of the beginnings of Mankind, destruction by the Flood, and the selection of Abraham to be the father of His Chosen people. Jesus is the climax of the story begun in Genesis and that concludes in Revelation.

Our schools, culture, and judges have relegated Genesis to the land of fairy tales. Who will we believe? If we don’t believe in the beginning revealed in the Old Testament, how much can we depend on the “rest of the story” revealed in the New Testament? Our culture has also made the story of Jesus into a fairy tale. At least our culture is consistent. We should also be consistent. We must choose. Jesus was certified as the Son of the Creator by His Resurrection from the dead. Our earthly teachers are certified by a piece of paper on the wall. Will our faith be founded on the words of the Son of God or the “something from nothing” teachings of "Big Bang" experts?

Project:
- Let’s finally decide who we will follow and listen to.
- Let’s commit to seeing and responding to our world through the truth of the Bible.
- Find answers for the "experts". Click here to get the other side of the story: "Answers In Genesis".

Crucibles and Jigsaw Puzzles

I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. (John 17:23)

When I first make friends with a person, it is frequently because there is something about that person that I find encouraging or pleasing. As time goes by, that person may begin to bump against some of the sharp points of my personality or habits. I wish these sharp points were more rare. If I respond by resenting that person for irritating, criticizing or even cursing me, then I will tend to isolate myself from that person. Others may respond by trying to make the other person change. "This is me. You'll just have to get used to it!" Resentment, aggression or withdrawal is a natural response when our relationships are Self-centered.

The natural man tends to make and maintain relationships for selfish reasons. If the relationship begins to put pressure on him to change, then a choice must be made. Will he refuse to die to Self and thus turn away from becoming a better person? Will he (or she) demand his own way? In any relationship, genuine unity will require change and movement toward perfection.

We each have many relationships where we can choose to die to self and become more like Christ. Many of those relationships are easy to back away from. But, marriage is the most intense crucible for personal refinement because of the commitment to intimately share all aspects of life through “better or worse”. The good news is that as we each deny ourselves and take up our cross (admitting personal shortcomings and accepting personal change) then the relationship will begin to be like a jigsaw puzzle fitting together. Our relationship with God is one of these relationships. We can choose to grow closer and more intimate with God or to withdraw and be an isolated Self. A marriage growing in genuine intimacy between two souls combined with a deepening relationship with God will display an increasing manifestation of genuine love. The jigsaw puzzle of such a marriage will gradually reveal an image of God’s own heart.

Project:
Thank God when you feel irritated, criticized or cursed.
Ask God how you need to change or respond.
Ask for and expect God to give you grace to respond as Christ would.

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matt 5:44)

Heavenly Fruit

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6)

As we look at the needs around us, we are tempted to try to figure out how to distribute our short supply of loaves and fishes to the masses. The reasonable, organized and common sense approaches are totally inadequate to the need. Nevertheless, our tendency is to constantly look to flesh based, humanly analytical answers.

Lord Jesus, I’ve wasted too many hours, days and years walking in the flesh. Too much has been wasted trying to satisfy my fleshy desires. Too many of my projects have been born out of “good ideas” that were not your idea. Being “reasonable” has led to limiting your power and the range of your love. Fear has frequently kept me from stepping out into your guidance, provision and protection. Preserve us from the false and poisonous fruit of the flesh.

It is impossible for us to overcome our fears, to genuinely help anyone, let alone feed so many needy, except by your power and provision. Preserve us from the math of Philip who said, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them,..” Today, may we offer you our bodies, time, words, and thoughts as fish and loaves for your blessing to be broken and given to the hungry multitudes. Help us to see the neediest as the greatest opportunity for Your incredible love and power. Draw us close to you to hear your guidance, to share in your marvelous work and to experience heavenly fruit.

Tomorrow Seeds

"Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." (John 2:16)

I wanted to find salvation when I was eleven years old and was baptized. But, my thought life continued in paths of worldliness. The books I read, the television I watched, and the friends I had all encouraged me in a focus on this world with its interests and treasures. So, for over ten more years, I sought the ways of the world and gave lip service to the King of Kings.

"Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." When Jesus spoke these words, His Father’s house was the temple in Jerusalem. But now, where is the temple of God’s Spirit? If we are followers of Jesus as Lord, then our body has become the temple for God’s Spirit. It should be a place of prayer, worship and rejoicing. But, the world constantly tempts us to make it a place of business or, worse, a den of robbers.

King David also dedicated these to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued: (2 Samuel 8:11)

This verse about King David reveals that, though surrounded by wealth and power, his focus was the same as when he was a poor shepherd alone in the wilderness. It was this focus in David’s thoughts that originally led to God choosing David to lead His people. The focus of our thoughts determines the direction of our steps and defines who we are. It is absolutely vital that we put God’s Word into our thoughts, hear his truth, and relate to His people. Today, what we put into or allow into our mind and the friends we relate to determine the direction of our thoughts and life. Our thoughts today are the seeds of tomorrow’s harvest.

Project
- Commit to daily focus on God’s Word at the beginning and end of each day.
- Ask God to help you cast the moneychangers out of His Temple.

Listening to See

but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND {which} HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." For to us God revealed {them} through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. (1 Cor 2)

Have you and your spouse ever had a prayer meeting together just to listen to God? This is something that my bride and I have found incredibly helpful. We get our Bibles and the two of us find a place alone to listen to God. We start with a prayer where we offer ourselves to God and ask God to speak to us. Then we expect that He will bring to mind Scriptures, testimonies, word pictures or hymns to share. As we share, we also try to listen and take notes about the meaning of the Scriptures, songs and sharings.

We have often used this approach as we faced major decisions. Sometimes we have come away from that time with sense of what direction we are to go. Other times we have been brought to a new closeness to God but without reaching a sense of direction. Frequently our attitudes, values and priorities have been challenged as we listened. It has occasionally been necessary for us to have multiple of these little prayer meetings as we continued to seek peace for a particular direction or decision.

As we face the fog of the future, it is common for us to wonder what to do at any fork in the road of our life. Sometimes, we can know the right direction from obvious principles of Scripture. Other times the best decision or direction is not so clear. And, to complicate the situation, there is the temptation we each face to depend solely on our natural talents, knowledge or desires. God has wonderful things in mind for us; but, how often do we rise to His level of vision for our lives, family or church? The truth for me and many of us is that God wants to speak to us more than we want to listen. Yet, if we listen, we will begin to see the wonderful.

Project:
Have a "listening" prayer meeting with your spouse or family.

The earth: how old does it look?

If a car is 50 years old, it is old. A man with a hundred and ten years under his belt is old. A building is of ripe old age after three centuries. When is a planet old? [to learn more click here]

Established or Ruined

“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37).

When Ouida and I visited China, we found that we were often like helpless babes totally dependent on some stranger. Several times, we were taken advantage of. These losses were the cost of our education. But, there were also many times when we received more help than we expected.

Jason, the bellboy at one hotel, could speak a little English. When we arrived, he offered his help whenever we needed it. It was Jason that helped us make connections with the family of Li QuanLi, our friend from church. Jason also helped us with directions when we decided to walk a few blocks to a restaurant. But, Jason kept refusing my attempts to give him tips.

In contrast, there was the rickshaw driver who could speak a little English. He convinced us that he could get us back to our hotel. But, once he had us in his control, he took us on a journey of his own choosing. Finally, his English deserted him and he indicated in sign language that he was too tired and it was too far to the hotel. Yet, he made it clear that he should be paid. So, we ended up paying him to get loose from him.

Many people are dependent on us. Our employers, children, parents, and friends depend on each of us to keep our word and to uphold our responsibility. We make agreements with our company, vows in our marriage, and casual promises to those around us. Our good name is established or ruined by our dependability in keeping our word.

Project:

* Let's consider what we sing to God and say in our Cards (Mother's Day, Birthday, ..)
* Let’s ask, “Am I keeping my word to love for better or worse, to lay down my life for those dependent on me, and to give my best effort to earn every dollar,?”
* Let’s pray that we will do what we promise whether it is explicitly stated or just implied.

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Who is the God of Our Anger, Fears and Tears?

"If You are the Christ, tell us."
But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe;
And if I ask a question, you will not answer. (Luke 22:67,68)

Jesus was right about the Jewish religious leaders. He told them and they did not believe Him. These leaders had values that, at root, were earth based. They put on external trappings of belief while setting their hearts on worldly treasures. Even though we may point a finger at them and judge them for their unbelief, our lives may reveal the same unbelief in some areas.

Project: Let’s ask God, “What makes me sad or angry?”

What is it that causes me excitement, worry, happiness or depression? Too often my feelings are defined by worldly desires and values. Why do I sometimes worry about finances? Do I not believe Matthew 6? Or, is it because I do not wholehearted seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness? What causes us to feel depressed? Is it disappointment in some earthly treasure or worldly “god”. Is our car, house, career, or child actually more important to us than knowing God and building His Kingdom? Perhaps some favorite activity, TV show or sport defines whether we will be happy or frustrated. Some relationship or expectations of relationship may form a shadowy idol in our soul. These idols may determine whether we spend today in peace, fear, joy or tears. The Pharisees would not have answered this question, “What god is behind your anger, fears and tears?”

Project: Let’s repent of any earthy treasures or idols that control our priorities or feelings.

Let us turn again to the Lover of our soul and the captain of our salvation. May His goals be our goals and His loves our loves. Because He loves us, He will shake and destroy our idols. When they are shaken or destroyed, our true beliefs will be manifest in our soul’s reaction. May we turn away from the shadowy idols of the Pharisees and the Sadducees and embrace the One True God who gave Himself for us. Jesus is the Son of God, who died and rose from the dead because of His love for you and for me. This wonderful fact should define, guide and energize each of our lives.

Project: Let’s ask God for increased grace to make Jesus the only anchor and engine of our soul and life.

Hazardous Package

If you're pregnant, watch what you drink out of. Drink packaging could be hazardous to your unborn boy. [click here for more info].

“I have no need”

And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing. (Luke 22:23)

Judas wanted to walk with Jesus but he also secretly sought things of the flesh. The food that Jesus offered for his spirit was lost because of the secret feeding of the flesh. What if Judas had admitted his weakness to Jesus? Wouldn’t he have found love, forgiveness and freedom? Did Judas gain anything by trying to keep it secret? Jesus certainly knew. And the other disciples at least suspected. Only Judas was fooled and ended life as the ultimate fool. Are we fooling ourselves?

Parents soon learn that they can not change their children’s wrong desires. They can teach, hinder or even bribe and still the desire will go on. This can show up in something as simple as finger sucking, as serious as habitual lying or as dangerous as stubborn rebellion. But, if the child will admit his problem then genuine change will begin to occur. It is absolutely wonderful when a child demonstrates maturity by admitting a problem or weakness.

Jesus does not overwhelm our will but waits for us to yield it to Him by sincerely admitting our weakness and need. Sometimes this means that we need to admit our weakness to someone else, to our family or even publicly. But, if we start by seeking God’s forgiveness and grace, He will give us courage to go wherever He leads us with our message of need, weakness and grace. In the end, it is our personal choice whether we will be needy seekers of grace or self-deceived, “I have no need”, betrayers.

Project:

* Let’s ask ourselves, “What’s my biggest struggle?”
* Let’s sincerely admit it to Jesus.
* Let’s ask Him who to admit it to as a need or a testimony.