Anger and Incense

"However, You are just in all that has come upon us; For You have dealt faithfully, but we have acted wickedly. (Nehemiah 9:33)

Many of us visited extended family during the holidays and many us saw or experienced the continuing effects of anger: broken and strained relationships. Each of us has experienced times when anger has caused a blow up or a sudden withdrawal into silent isolation. Anger can be an explosion or it can be cold determination to maintain a wall that can not be penetrated.

I have too often drunk of the exhilarating but deceptive power of anger. Anger tends to create a reaction of anger. We may be able to “stay cool” in the face of red-hot anger which burns and is gone, but our reaction may be an icy-cold anger that goes on and on. Either way we would share in the same sin and worship the same false god: Self. When we get angry, let’s remember what god we are worshiping and repent. Anger is incense that we offer on the altar of the blood-thirsty, lusting, gluttonous god of Self.

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. … But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary…” -- The Lord Jesus Christ

Phony Phantoms

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)

If something is unpleasant, difficult or unknown, I have a sad tendency of putting it off until tomorrow. This is a form of boasting, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Tomorrow, I can work on my college degree. Tomorrow, I will begin to eat right and exercise. Tomorrow, I will start a daily time of prayer and Bible reading. Tomorrow, I will be reconciled to Dick and Jane. Tomorrow is full to overflowing with our boasts. But, the Scripture in James 4:17 warns us that if we fail to do the right thing then it is sin. This warning is about Today because that is the only day in which we have any control and can truly act. It has been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Actions, no matter how small, are solid and real and are the stuff of Today. Intentions are the empty boasts, disappointed dreams and phony phantoms of Tomorrow.

Project:
• Let’s ask God to show us some small step we can take today.
• Let’s ask God for grace to take that small step and let's DO IT.
• Let’s ask God for grace to be doers rather than boasters.

Lovers Caught Up In A Romance

Abide n Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (John 15:4)

Recently, my bride and I participated in a Christmas marriage conference. I looked forward to the conference as a time to get away and to focus on God’s Word in to our lives. But, I didn’t think much would change about our relationship because I felt like we were in pretty good shape as a couple. Once more, however, we came away from the conference with a deeper understanding of and love for each other. We’ve been to many marriage encounters, retreats and seminars. Without exception, each one has helped us to grow closer, more transparent and more in love with each other. We came way as lovers living a romance.

It is terribly easy to fool ourselves about relationships. Just being in each other’s company does not necessarily deepen a relationship. It is often helpful to step out of the daily routine, the ruts of our life, and take a fresh look at our lives. We may discover that we have built up invisible walls to prevent ourselves from getting hurt. Or, we might find that we have become good roommates or friendly co-workers rather than romantic lovers.

Our relationship with Jesus can also become a dead habit, a cold routine or a stale regurgitation of clichés. This can occur without us realizing what is happening because of our natural tendency to take the way of ease while turning the eyes of our thoughts away from uncomfortable truths. Knowing about and talking about a good habit such as daily exercise, prayer or Bible reading does not give us any of its benefit. The benefit is ours only when we first change our minds to admit we have a need and then change our lives to embrace a new way of thinking, living and relating. Our relationship with Jesus can all too easily turn into superstitious habit, legalism or a just a label rather than the glowing joy of lovers caught up in a romance.

You have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (Revelation 2:4)

Project:
• Pray for God’s grace to become a romantic lover of your spouse and of Jesus.
• Seek out a retreat, seminar or conference to get a new perspective.
• Let’s be zealous to change our minds, lives and relationships.

Lost At Sea

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, (2 Peter 3:3)

We have all have heard of or probably personally know preachers, elders or fathers who have brought great harm to the Church by moral failure. These men started out to build God's Kingdom but ended by attacking, hurting and driving away the sheep under their care. They got caught in the snare of lust.

Lust warps spiritual sight and eventually leads to mocking the truth. The pornography in our society is like an acid eating away at spiritual foundations. It has been called “every man’s battle”. Lust is a temptation that is common to all men. Giving in to this temptation has caused preachers to change their teaching, leading eventually to public disgrace and the mocking of Christ. Lust and pornography have destroyed countless marriages and families. Sipping at the cup of pornography is not a little, harmless, private sin. Rather, giving into the temptation of pornography is like playing in a mine field.

The lure and hooks of pornography are everywhere in our culture. Once our thoughts get caught on one of those hooks then we are like a beast that can be led around by the ring in its nose. We become mockers following after a brutal taskmaster: our own lusts.

The first step in avoiding or getting free from the lure and snare of pornography is a change in our thoughts. Personally, I found that I had to humble myself and seek help from God and others. As long as we accept lust as normal or view it as a minor problem, we are sliding into the attitude and thinking of a mocker or a scoffer. This is dangerous to every good thing in our life because our thinking determines how we feel, how we relate and what we do.

Our thinking, and therefore our life, is either moving toward the Truth or toward Error. The longer we accept the lie of pornography the more it will warp our thinking toward accepting lies, deceit and moral failure and the less we will recognize, accept and manifest truth. A man who has embraced wrong thinking in one area of his life eventually becomes like Pilate who, even as he stood face to face with Jesus, asked, “What is truth?” We lose our power of discernment and are blown toward destruction by our emotions and desires. Pornography and lust will eventually destroy the compass of our life and leave us like ships lost on the open sea; ships at the mercy of the next storm.

Project:
Ask God for a change in thinking about pornography
Seek help from someone you trust: your spouse, friend, elder, or minister.
Avoid major decisions until you are freed from the power of Lust.


The Spirit also helps us in our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

ALERT Academy

Worldly Wimp or Goliath Killer

"..discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (2 Timothy 4:7,8)

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. (2 Timothy 4:12)

Two of our sons have felt led to be involved in ALERT training. Nathan really dug in showed the sort of man he is by his success in going through their basic training and embracing the challenges he faced there and in the phase two training. And, we feel that Daniel's 3+ years on the ALERT staff and going through the curriculum were very beneficial in preparing him to be the man, the husband and the leader he is today. He came away from the program with greatly increased confidence that he could do anything through Christ. Daniel developed new levels of initiative, faith, and leadership.

If you have a son or sons who desire to challenge themselves to reach new levels both physically and spiritually, I recommend a look at the ALERT Academy located in Tyler, Texas. This post high school program challenges young men to discover God's power to push beyond their own self imposed limitations. The focus of the program is on spiritual growth, developing a service attitude and training to be of service in a crisis.

Other parents with adult sons who hear about the program and about Daniel's and Nathan's involvement have commented about how they wished that their sons could have been involved. There are many ways for young men to grow in spiritual maturity and to become Godly leaders. Our other sons have successfully grown and matured in alternative paths. But, ALERT is one of the best programs for any young man to mature physically, mentally and spiritually in a brotherhood of other young men seeking the same goals. This program is fully successful only if the young man invests himself into and embraces the challenges and training. In rare cases, a young man may change a rebellious attitude but, in general, this program works best for young men who sincerely desire to challenge themselves to new strength of body and character with an emphasis on spiritual growth. This program is not for boys who want to embrace the values of worldly wimps but for young men who want to be prepared to be Goliath killers.

From the ALERT website
The Air Land Emergency Resource Team (ALERT) is a unique training and service organization for young men who desire to achieve maturity and fruitfulness in service as Christian men. The training young men receive at ALERT equips them with the discipline, character, and skills necessary to meet the needs of people in crisis. These ALERT Responders will then be deployed to disaster-stricken areas such as those effected by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and mud slides. To learn more about who we are, what we do, and how you can be a part, please follow the Training and Service links below. [Click here to see the ALERT Website]

Living Below Sea Level

We are all very aware of the truth that it does not matter nearly so much what we tell our children as it does what we demonstrate to them by our actions, attitudes and priorities. They tend to copy our actual attitudes and values rather than implementing what we say. The same principle applies to all leaders and Church leaders are no exception. Church leaders may see a need for a change of direction in the local church, but a new teaching emphasis will be almost meaningless unless the leaders are modeling that direction in their lives. One example of this is to have a seminar on a Biblical view of finances while the church remains in debt and makes little effort to change the situation. It's true that most congregations need to experience a seminar on the Biblical view of finances because many of us are living in fragile economic situations.

When the storm of the Depression hit, my grandparents found themselves living in the middle of the dust bowl. But, they were able to weather that economic storm without losing their ranch while many of their neighbors lost everything. The primary reason was that my grandparents actually owned their home and land rather than embracing the pseudo-ownership of debt. In contrast, most of their neighbors could no longer sustain their debt. Carrying a large debt is like living below sea level while surrounded with dikes to keep back the waves.

An economic storm would be devastating. But, it would especially overwhelm those who are already living below sea level. Yet, we live in a world where such a storm is not only possible but even likely. Carrying a large debt in such a situation could easily turn into a disaster. If the church leadership actually chooses to treat debt as a problem then a seminar on finances could have tremendous effect. But if the leaders of a church continue to have the church carry a large debt without a priority on eliminating it, a much stronger message is communicated than a seminar would speak. When church leaders manifest a public, repentant attitude toward personal and church debt, it sends a powerful message by example and prepares the way for God’s work in the heart of each family.

Romans 13:8 – Various translations –
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another..
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another;
Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another;
Owe no one anything, except to love each other,

A church in debt speaks something about its god. Do we have a God who lacks resources when they are needed for the work He commands?

Doing What We Ought

In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy. (KJV Galatians 6)

For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (NAS)

It seems so natural, comfortable and “faith” building – to trust in keeping a set of rules. After all, if we follow the rules don’t we then feel more secure in our salvation? Most of us have certain rules we have been encouraged to embrace to be Christians in good standing. Here are some I’ve heard advocated: “Pray and read your Bible every day”, “Don’t raise your hands to worship God in public”, “Raise your hands to praise God”, “You must use special wording for a baptism to be valid”, “You must be baptized by a priest or someone authorized by the church”, “You must not speak in tongues.”, “If you are truly saved, you will speak in tongues.”, “Take communion from a single cup”, “Have an individual cup for each person”, “A woman must keep silent during Bible Class”, “Pray before every meal”, “Don’t pray in public”, “Don’t pray before a meal” and on into an infinity of rules. But, wait a minute. God through Jesus has nailed the rule book to the cross.

Anytime we begin to depend on our ability to keep rules as a sign of righteous living, correct worship, or genuine salvation, we are forgetting that we are to go beyond learning rules or new tricks. Just as it impossible to teach a dog enough tricks and rules for him to be mistaken for a child, so it impossible for us to be a child of God by trying to look like or act like one. The only way for us to be a child of God is to be a new creation quickened and led by the indwelling Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:1-16).

We should examine the foundation of our faith. Is our foundation resting on rules and regulations? This is like building on sand and our faith will not stand a big storm. Jesus said we must hear and do what He taught. But, there’s a catch here. The catch is that it is impossible to do what He taught unless we have His nature, His Spirit and His power. In other words, we must be a son of God just as He is. The only way to be a son of God is to acknowledge that we are sinners, accept that Jesus has paid the price for our Sin, and be baptized with the Holy Spirit. No supposed baptism is real unless the Old Man is really buried and a New Man (a son of God) is raised to new life in Jesus. So, having received Jesus’ Spirit into our inner man, let’s leave behind the worries and burdens of rules and regulations and walk in the joy and freedom of God’s Spirit. By His Spirit, we are freed and empowered to love fully and thus do what we ought.

May God, our Father, grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
• to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;
• so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith;
• and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
• may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,
• that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God. (Ephesians)

Loving Heart, Listening Ear

Please, Share any verse or thoughts you feel God is perhaps speaking to you. There is power in sharing what we feel God might be speaking to us.

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Ouida
Hebrews 5:8 - Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered

Help me to learn to obey better.

Josh
Proverbs 25:28 - Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Lack of self-control makes an easy opening for the Devil.

Solomon
Proverbs 24:14 - Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

If you find wisdom, your hope for the future grows.

Joel
Psalms 99:5 - Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.

Speak of how God has blessed you

Gerry
Acts 9:11 - And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,

God is listening. He does actually hear our prayers and act on our pleas. We can not do any of the above in our own strength. What would you plead for God to do for you? -- God's loving heart and ear is turned to listen.

To -

* Obey cheerfully, completely and immediately
* Have self-control
* Find wisdom
* Exalt God

We desperately need God's grace, power and guidance.

Leaning on a Broken Stick

Please, share the Scriptures that are on your heart and related thoughts. Click on the comments link for this article and add your Scripture reference and thoughts.
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Josh – "Forsake foolishness – find understanding."


Proverbs 9:6 Forsake your folly and live,
And proceed in the way of understanding.

Solomon – "Don’t trust yourself."

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.

Ouida– "Lay aside worries."

Hebrews 12 lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,


Gerry – When in darkness of loss or loneliness, trust in God’s love. He has good and wonderful things planned.


Jeremiah 31 "The people who survived the sword
Found grace in the wilderness--
Israel, when it went to find its rest."
The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying,
"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.
Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt,


Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your _____________.

The Same Old Stuff

In the latter days you will understand this. (Jeremiah 30:24)

“I wish you had just forced me learn to play a musical instrument.” This is something we’ve heard from some of our adult sons. And, many of us have probably thought the same thing about something that we wished we had learned in our youth. As parents, we often find that we must cause our children some form of discomfort for their future good. They very seldom appreciate it at the time. Sometimes, children who are more mature can have more faith and trust in the idea that their parents are on the same team with them. Children who can embrace discipline for their future good and goals can achieve incredible progress.

There was a boy in my class in eighth grade who seemed to be the dunce of the class. The teacher had promised a party when everyone in the class achieved a perfect score on the spelling test in the same day. This poor fellow was the only one to miss words several weeks in a row. He became the target of much verbal abuse by his classmates. On the last day of class, someone meet him outside with a pie in the face. Yet, in his freshman year in high school, Mark seemed to be a new person. He embraced discipline and developed a personal schedule of study each day. He graduated from high school as first in his class and went on to CalTech on a full scholarship.

God seems to be speaking to Israel as a parent to a child. “Someday you will understand why this is necessary now.” He also is calling us to have faith and trust in Him even as we go through challenges, difficulties and pain. Not only is he calling us to faith and trust but He is calling us to embrace discipline. By His grace we can change and develop daily spiritual disciplines that will transform our lives and our families. Instead of whining and complaining, let’s look at the challenges in each of our lives as opportunities to grow. Let’s stop doing the same old stuff that hasn’t been working and develop new habits to grow mighty in spirit.

Project:
Choose a new discipline to build in your life.
Post your ideas and plans by adding a comment to this article.

Act while it's Today. Tomorrow never gets here.

Some ideas:
Daily Bible reading and meditation on God’s Word.
A Daily time of praise to God even in the midst of suffering.
Daily personal prayer and journaling.
Daily prayer with your spouse.
A Daily prayer walk.
A weekly fast.
Running combined with Scripture memorization.
Post your ideas and plans by adding a comment to this article.
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