God is Good

          When the world says: "Impossible."

          God says: "All things are possible."

          Luke 18:27

         

          When the world says: "I'm tired."

          God says: "I will give you rest."

          Matthew 11:28-30

         

          When the world says: "Nobody loves me."

          God says: "I love you."

          Psalm 86:15, John 3:16, 1 Peter 5:7

         

          When the world says: "I can't go on."

          God says: "I will strengthen you."

          Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:13

                  

          When the world says: "I'm confused."

          God says: "I'll show you the way."

          Proverbs 3:5-6

               

          When the world says: "I'm not able"

          God says: "I'm able. I'm enough."

          2 Corinthians 9:8

         

          When the world says: "It's not worth it"

          God says: "Yes it is."

          Genesis 50:20, James 1:4

         

          When the world says: "I'm not worthy of forgiveness."

          God says: "Yes you are.  I forgive you."

          Romans 8:1, 1John 1:9

         

          When the world says: "I need..."

          God says: "I know what you need before you ask."

          Matthew 6:8

         

          When the world says: "I'm afraid."

          God says: "I will protect you."

          Psalm 91:10-12

         

          You say: "I'm worried."

          God says: "Cast all your cares on ME."

          Matthew 6:25, 1Peter 5:7

         

          You say: "I'm not smart."

          God says: "I will give you wisdom."

          James 1:5

         

          You say: "I'm alone"

          God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you."

          Psalm 37:25, Hebrews 13:5

Scripture Check 1

Proverbs 16:6    Proverbs 27:2     Psalm 1:1-3      Psalm 18:1-3

Psalm 19:7-8     Psalm 56:16       Psalm 86:7-8     Psalm 91:9-16

Matthew 7:7-8     Romans 12:11     James 4:1-3

Mark chapter 2

14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth.  “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him.  So Levi got up and followed him. 

15 Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.  (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.)

16 But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.  I have come to call not those who think they’re righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

This passage stopped me today.  I have read it many times and know the scripture well.  Until today, I never gave it much thought especially compared to the time I give to Psalm 1, Psalm 27, or Psalm 91.  Add Proverbs 2, 3, and 4, Genesis, and James 1 to the list as well as Matthew 5-7 and many more. 

This morning, I’m curious why Christ Followers don’t do this well… “This” being defined as reaching out to sinners.  I know Christians who are more concerned with remodeling their bathroom and kitchen than reaching out to sinners.   

Things that make me go hmmm?  

1. How well does the Church/do Christians actually go and make disciples as the Bible commands?  
2. Have Christians developed a model today based on 'if you build it they will come'?  
3. Does the Christian community focus on developing disciples as much as they focus on getting people in the pews?  
4. Is the Church effective at developing disciples?  
5. What about developing young people and students as disciples?  

Have a good and godly day.

Psalm 91

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

   will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the LORD:

   He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

   he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap

   and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers.

   He will shelter you with his wings.

   His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

   nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

   nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side,

   though ten thousand are dying around you,

   these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes,

   and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the LORD your refuge,

   if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you;

    no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels

    to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands

    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;

    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me.

    I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer;

    I will be with them in trouble.

    I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life

    and give them my salvation.”

A Psalm of David

Psalm 27 is a favorite.  Below are just a few lines.   

3 Trust in the LORD and do good. 

              Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4 Take delight in the LORD, 

              and He will give you your heart’s desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. 

              Trust him, and He will help you.

7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, 

              and wait patiently for him to act. 

  Don’t worry about evil people who prosper 

              or fret about their wicked schemes. 

16 It is better to be godly and have little 

              than to be evil and rich.

18 Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, 

              and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.

19 They will not be disgraced in hard times; 

              even in famine they will have more than enough.

23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. 
              He delights in every detail of their lives.

24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, 

              for the LORD holds them by the hand.

25 Once I was young, and now I am old.  

              Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned  

              or their children begging for bread 

Have a good and godly day.   Comments 

Monet

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.  2 Corinthians 2:11

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour.  1 Peter 5:8

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in (or leads to) death.  Proverbs 14:12

Claude Monet founded French impressionist art and in May 2008, one of his paintings sold for a record $41,481,000 at auction.  Seven weeks later, June 24, a new record was set when Water Lily Pond went for $80,400,000.  

I mention Monet because, the thing I notice is Monet paintings looked great from a distance but are a mess up close.  The Monet label began slowly, applied to just a few subjects.  It's a Monet or That's a Monet quickly became a regular opinion.  Monet was mi amigo.  I used it to describe everything I didn't like or didn't meet my expectations.  Anything and everything could be a Monet... cars, food, movies.  

I don't enjoy the Superbowl because it's almost always a Monet.  High expectation, enormous hype, the halftime extravaganza, and yet the game almost always disappoints.  Movies get the Monet tag frequently.  The trailers get people to pony up $10-$13, but too many end up just average or worse.  Monet "stuff" makes you believe something great, something fun, or something extraordinary is on the way until the personal experience begins.  What does this have to do with God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or Satan?  Good question.

I ask, how many Christians stop to realize that Satan is real, that he is part of this world, that he is involved in the church, and that he will engage Christians in a personal and aggressive manner?  The Holy Spirit equips us to live for Jesus Christ and the devil Satan is God’s ultimate opponent… His adversary.  God is light… Satan is darkness;  God is truth… Satan in the father of lies; God is love… Satan is evil.

Satan is a reality.  Satan isn’t preoccupied.  You won't find him parked in front of a TV on a snow day.  He isn’t tapping combinations of X + R1 mesmerized by Assassin’s Creed or Call of Duty for hours that consume your time and energy.  Satan doesn’t send 4000 text messages a month.  He isn't consumed with learning everything about the next great entertainer.  The devil is committed to confusing you, distracting you, and derailing your relationship with Christ. If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, his sole purpose is to destroy your testimony

As God is for you, Satan is against you.  Satan is your ultimate enemy too.  The Bible never underestimates his power and clearly outlines his intentions.  The curious thing about Satan is... he is good at what he does, exceptionally good.  The father of lies has a knack for promoting sin and evil as benign and good (pleasure versus joy again).  Sin, evil, and his vices look good, sometimes indescribably good, at a distance but they’re actually a mess once you get close.  Two common examples, cliches, that get mentioned often in student ministries: alcohol and promiscuity.   

Satan promotes alcohol as fun and games.  Look at the commercial, just look at everyone smiling, laughing, connecting... who wouldn't want that experience?  It makes everything better.  In fact, alcohol makes you better, more likeable.  Alcohol is harmless, especially in moderation.  Hey, Jesus turned water into wine (John 2).  BUT... Satan conveniently leaves out the person lying in their own vomit after having one too many.  Waking up with no memory of the previous night isn't included.  He fails to mention it is habit forming, so if you drink enough of it you more likely than not need it to function... you become addicted.  You cannot stop the very act that is destroying your life.  His line... it's all good, it's all fun and games.  He is "the father of lies" for a reason. 

Promiscuity, causal sex?  Same strategy.  He says it’s no big deal.  It's all good too, it's blissful, wonderful, and intimate because that's what is portrayed on the cinema screen, on the cable show, and in books.  Take a look at the romance novel section next time you visit a bookstore.  The cover is always a very beautiful thing. why wait for marriage when you are in love now and committed.   Sex strengthens relationships.  No harm, no foul.  But, Satan will not explain sex changes you.  He will never reveal the emotional carnage of guilt, rejection, loneliness, regret, and so much more when the girl realizes he lied ans things suddenly aren't eorking out.  He will never highlight the excruciating wait after peeing on a pregnancy test.  The devil will not let you know it’s actually a huge deal, HUGE. 

If nothing else, remember this one thing... the Bible does not depict Satan as a hideous monster with fangs.  He doesn't have cute little horns or a pitchfork.  That would be far too easy to reject him; too easy to turn around and run from him.  Who would look at a hideous monster and think I want to hang with him?  The Bible says Satan was the most beautiful being God created.  Are you aware Satan and his demons have the power to cloak themselves as “ministers of righteousness”?  

He and his demons are far more likely to coax you into thinking God doesn't see me or God is mad at me or God hates me.  Then, they will change into whoever you need them to be.  They will offer you what you feel you want.  Satan wants you to join his team.  He is the master deceiver of the universe.  He is the Monet of the Bible.

Have a good and godly day.

Good Men

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." 
Edmund Burke

I have waited to comment about the Penn State football program.  If you are not aware of what has been revealed, type "Penn State scandal" in any search engine.  There have been numerous thoughts, opinions, and editorials written on the men that knowingly allowed their friend and colleague to commit crimes against children for years. The most maddening part of the whole story are sports reporters who continue to think this is a football scandal first.  And then there are those who attempt to rationalize the behavior of those who facilitated, condoned, and covered up the criminal behavior. One coach testified, under oath, he witnessed a sexual assault in progress, walked away and called his father. No call to law enforcement. No call to child protection services. No call to the district attorney’s office or even to the sheriff. That was nine, almost ten years ago.

Many news and sport personalities as well as bloggers have quoted Edmund Burke to explain what happened at Penn State. I do believe very good people, godly people, can make very poor decisions. I began to wonder if good men remain good if they do nothing. Do good men do nothing?  Do good men just stand idly by and allow evil to prosper? Is good merely defined as the absence of doing that which is wrong? 

What does God say?  God has plenty to say on this topic.  God expects His followers to actively oppose evil.  He expects us not to only do what is best for us, but do what is best for others.  God says to put the interests of others above our own... to consider others better than ourselves.  He expects His followers to do good.  To be a good man, one must do good.  He expects us to protect those who cannot protect themselves.  He expects us to help those who cannot help themselves.  The truth is, when good men do nothing, nothing good gets done.  He says so much more that a separate post is probably warranted.

Jay Bilas commented on the horrible situation, “It was a conspiracy of cowards to protect their jobs and the university.” That is the most honest explanation thus far.  Men did nothing because they did not elevate the victims' interests above their own interests. A decision was made (by someone) that their friends, their careers, and their university were more valuable than exposing a known pedophile. Some may define that as selfish ambition.     

 "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” James 3:16

Do good men really do nothing?  If good men do nothing, do they forfeit their right to be called good men?

Have a good and godly day. 

Satan looks like?

I have been thinking about this question for a while.  I have been told Christians should never think too much about Satan.  We should only acknowledge Satan exists and move on... anything beyond that is blasphemous.  The theory is (as I have been told), if we spend too much time on Satan then by default we aren't spending time with God.  If we aren't spending time with God then how do we become godly.  I understand their fear of focusing on Satan. 

Why do we not study Satan?  

Generals study their adversary.

Coaches study their opponent.

Why treat Satan any differently?

The reality is most people wouldn’t recognize Satan if they shook hands with him.  They know not his appearance; they know not his doctrines; they know not his character; they know not his plan; they know not his influence; they know not his deception.  Satan is the most powerful of the fallen angels. 

Ezekiel describes Satan like this... "You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.  You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you.  You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you.  You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings." Ezekiel 28:11-18

Ezekiel uses the King of Tyre to describe Satan before the fall of man in Genesis3 and we learn:

1. He was full of wisdom and beauty 
2. He was perfect. 
3. He was in the Garden of Eden before the fall. 
4. He was the anointed covering cherub. 
5. His heart was lifted up (pride) because of his beauty. 

In Jude 1:9 we read Satan is so powerful that Michael the Archangel left battling Satan to the Lord.  "... [Michael] did not dare bring slanderous accusation against him but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

Satan's mission is to oppose God.  Satan is to lie to us.  Satan is to deceive us.  Satan is to distract us... to create so much clutter and noise that we are incapable of knowing what is true.  He will promote false doctrine in the name of God. You and I are the spoils of Satan's work and effort.  The Bible says he will search for us and devour us.  We are the dust that Satan is to eat.  The following scriptures show Satan's character and purpose. 

“One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.  The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.” Job 1:7

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…" 1Peter 5:8-9

"Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life."" Genesis 3:14

"By the sweat of your [Adam’s] brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:19