Obedience

“There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them. And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy. But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my decrees there in the wilderness. They wouldn’t obey my regulations even though obedience would have given them life.” (Ezekiel 20:11-13)
“But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life.” (Ezekiel 20:21)

Each of us are faced each day with doing life our own way, the world's way, or God's way. So many insist on doing life thier own way believing that they will find life by following thier own desires. Little do they know by following thier selfish desires they are actually being robbed of life. The only way we will find true life is by doing life God's way. We know what "God's way" is because God has given us His word.

God had given Israel decrees, regulations, and Sabbath days he expected them to follow. But instead, stubborn Israel wanted to "be like the nations around them."

How about you and I? Do we want to fit in to this world and this culture so much that we would forsake God's word in order to do so? This world promises "life" but it is as empty. Only the life God promises and gives can be recieved by faith and in obedience to His word.

Doing the "little things" right

"Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom."

(Song of Solomon 2:15)

I come from a long family line of athletics and coaching. As far back as you can find, my family has been involved in athletics and coaching athletics. Before my father became a successful insurance agent, he was a successful football coach. From Farmerville, to Winnfield, to West Monroe High School; wherever he went, he won. He never had an interview—always offers of hiring him on the spot. His focus wasn’t just having a winning record, but winning with his players. What I believe was a part of his success wasn’t just that he cared so deeply about his players, but that he believed so strongly in doing “the little things right.” Even after entering the insurance industry he continued to get calls and offers from programs from within our state and abroad. When a principal would call to ask my father to come look at their school he would always detour to the bathrooms. Why would he do that you might ask? Simple, he would go see how the bathrooms were kept up. If they didn’t have enough pride to take care of their bathrooms then they didn’t have enough pride in their school—they didn’t know how to win. He would call the principal and decline their meeting. I’ve also been coached by some other legendary coaches. One in particular was big on “doing the little things right”. When we would conclude with football practice, we were expected to have everything picked up from our equipment, to showers turned off, to stools put up, and so on. One day I remember coming in from practice and somebody had left out one stool from the previous day. Guess what? The whole team ran until we couldn’t run anymore! Guess what else? Nobody ever left there stool out again.

The point in all of this? My dad and these other coaches were trying to teach discipline, winning, and thinking “team” concepts. If you couldn’t learn to pick up your stuff after practice, then what if you missed that “key block” in a tight game? What if you “slacked up” the last few minutes of the fourth quarter? We were being taught that there was no “I” in team. We were being taught that for every little thing we missed, forgot, or wanted to do our “own way” would affect the team as a whole. Think this is ridiculous? Go look at their records and also the people they coached. They weren’t only teaching athletic concepts but “life concepts”.
This parallels so much in the Kingdom of God. There are certainly small things we shouldn’t sweat, but far too many times we as Christians miss the “small things”. We need to realize that we are responsible not only for our lives, but for others as well. We make up a “body”. Our choices and decisions affect the body as a whole. Every decision we make affects our spouses and our children. It’s the “small things” that go so far.

One of the reasons Chic Fil A is "set apart" from other fast food restaurants is they excel in doing "the small things" not just right, but GREAT!

When I was in the insurance business, I set several appointments everyday for sometime in the future. Obviously, a huge part of my market were churches and believers. I remember not being able to get returned phone calls from some of the smallest churches. Yet, there was one mega church in particular that every single staff member I called on, not only returned my call, but did so within 24 hours. When I had the opportunity to "brag on" this church and staff, they told me they are all given 24 hours to return calls. They obviously were big on "doing the little things right".

Doing the "little things right" goes so far! It’s picking up the small piece of litter in the parking lot that others have walked past. It’s picking up the ticket at lunch instead of “splitting it”. It's that sweet note you leave for your wife before you head off to work. It's returning phone calls promptly, returning emails, and being thorough. Not doing the "small things" can work in the reverse affect as well. It’s leaving the T.V. show on “a bit longer” when we know we should have cut it off. It’s allowing that “small piece of anger” in our hearts that turns into forgiveness over time. It’s the “small things” that aren’t dealt with in our marriage that turn into “large” things over time. It's allowing the "small attitude" squeeze by in our children instead of discipling them. Over time the "small attitude" turns into a "big problem".

You see, the small things really can matter in our lives. What are some of the "little things" you could do today that would make a "big difference"?

Hope for the discouraged

“Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way…” (James 1:2)

James states it clearly that in life, trouble WILL come our way. (James 1:2) As believers we will be opposed by the enemy, by the world, and just “life” itself can be very, very difficult. It is easy to fall prey to doubt, fear, and unbelief. If not careful, we can begin to complain, whine, and blame others for our troubles. If we look at our “troubles” through the proper lens they can become an “opportunity” not just a “trouble with no end”.

James goes on to say, “Consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2) Joy is something that comes from the inside out, not from our outer circumstances. Our circumstances will change constantly but joy can remain whether life is good or difficult. The enemy is after your joy. If he can snatch your joy he can zap your strength.

We all can become discouraged in life.

Look at several examples taken from the word of God where people of God became discouraged.

Rachel was discouraged because she could have no children. “Give me children, or else I die!” she said.

Elijah came to a point in his life where he wanted to die.

Job said, “My soul is weary of my life.” (Job 10:1, 3)

The last example I will give is maybe my favorite. David was about to be stoned by his own people and he was also constantly chased by his enemies. David was at a very low point. I’m so glad when you are surrounded by church friends, family, and others God sends your way to encourage you. But there are times when nothing anyone can say can help. There are times when encouragement doesn’t come from the mouth of others. There are times when no one will come close to understanding all that you are going through. The Bible said that “David encouraged himself in the Lord.” (I. Samuel 30:6) There must be that absolute point of desperation that comes over you where you run to your prayer closet, fall on your face before God, and cry out to him for help! You must pray, you must fast, you must completely give yourself to His word. You must trust. You must believe. You must be at a place where you know that God sees all, knows all, and is sovereign. You must know that he loves you, cares for you, and will provide for you.

Have you been at a place of discouragement? Take heart, others in God’s word have been where you are. Today, “encourage yourself in the Lord.” He is God Almighty and He loves you.

The Way of the Cross

The Way of the Cross—Part I

“There is a way that seems right to a person but in the end leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12

“You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)
“For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.” (I. Cor. 1:17)

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But to we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (I. Cor. 1:18)

I am the father of three children. From the earliest days of infancy of each of those children, it didn’t take long to recognize something. Yes, they were cute and cuddly (except in the wee hours of the morning) but they also possess something that each and every man must conquer—a sin nature. That sin nature becomes evident in every little baby and child as they fight with everything within them, their self-will, to carry out that will. If this sin nature is never dealt with, never crucified, never “died too”, then my young children will never be able to serve the living God. For one to serve God, that self-will, that sin nature must be crucified to the cross of Christ and must be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ each and every day of their lives. This can only be accomplished by them coming to and through the cross. They then must take up their cross and follow Jesus Christ daily.

There is something in each and every one of us that wants to do our own thing. There is something in each and every one of us that does not want to go the way of the cross—why? The cross is painful, grueling, hard, and is in complete opposition to our own self wills. When we come to the cross we must humble ourselves in obedience to God. Even Jesus before he went to the cross, knowing he must go to the cross, cried out, “Lord, if it is possible take this cup from me, nevertheless, not I will but your will!” He then speaks up and states that if anyone wants to be his followers, they must turn from thier selfish ways, take up thier cross, and follow me! If you try to hang on to your life you will lose it!

We live in a world that tells us, “If it feels good, just do it”. We live in a world that tells us to do whatever it takes to be “great” and “successful”. Don’t give things away but “he who has the most toys when he dies, wins.” It teaches nothing of humility, servant hood, or giving. The way of the cross isn’t easy—it’s hard. That’s why Paul said, “I must die daily.” This flesh will rise up each and everyday of your life so it must be put to death “daily.”

So many times we have indirectly told people to “come to Jesus and your life will be great!” You will be successful, happy, and “prosperous”. When the first wave of “hard times” or “trials” come they think, “What is this???”
Jesus says some rather straight forward things in John 15:18 when he said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” Wow! Those are some pretty strong words! “The world will hate you!” You see the reason the world will hate you because when you go the way of the cross there is nothing in this world that appeals to you and nothing in you that appeals to this world!

Galatians 6:14 says, “Because of that cross, my interest in the world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.”

I recently had a young teenage girl along with her mother who had given her life to Christ come into my office for counseling. She said since she had given her life to Christ the things she was once interested in was now fading away. More than that, those she use to be “friends” with were losing their interest in her and she in them. I told her, “That’s the way of the cross!”

Jesus goes on to say in John 16:1, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God…Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. J

esus gives us a “heads up” when he says, “don’t be surprised when the world hates you. You will face rejection, persecution, etc. but I have warned you ahead of time “Don’t be surprised”. You won’t abandon your faith when you realize the way of the cross is one that isn’t accepted by the world. When these things come you have been expecting them, not surprised by them.

If we want to truly understand and embrace the way of the cross, then we must renew our minds to understand the attitude and values of the kingdom and renounce the attitudes and values of our worldly, fleshly, carnal system.
In Mark 8, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and he would be killed. Peter then took him aside to reprimand Jesus for saying such things.

Jesus then addressed the root of Peter’s messed up values as well as the root of our messed up values—Satan. “Get away from me Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from Gods!”
For us to understand the cross, we must embrace God’s view and not that of human, carnal nature.

The sinful nature says to “be angry and sin.” The cross says, “Be angry and sin not.” The sinful nature says, “don’t forgive”. The cross says, “You must forgive”. The sinful nature says, “I want to be served”. The cross says, “Give up your rights and serve others.” The sinful nature says, “I want to be popular and accepted by the world.” The cross says, “If you follow after Christ, you will be hated by the world.”

Philippians 3:10-11 says, “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”

Most of us have no problem stating that we want to “know Christ”. Most of us have no problem stating that we want to “experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.” Where we all struggle is when Paul says, “I want to suffer with him…”
In order for us to truly be Disciples of Christ, we must be willing to carry our cross and endure whatever may come.

Family Vision

As I sit at my desk this morning I’m really doing a lot of meditating on vision. You hear a lot of talk about vision these days. Organizations and business’ have visions. Private and Public schools have visions. Churches and ministries have visions. But this morning, I wasn’t thinking about the vision of a successful business, organization, or even church vision—I was thinking about the vision of my own family. As a young man I certainly don't come close to "having all the answers"(nor will I ever), but I am giving my life to seeing God's realities come to pass in my family. I have searched the scriptues about family, seen some of the best examples in the world lived out in front of me, and convinced God has given me the same opportunity as any other believer to see family lived out biblically. I actually have spent some of the morning writing out a "vision" for my nuclear family unit.

When you talk about vision, you are talking about an unfolding future possibility. Have you ever thought about the future possibilities or realities for your own family? What it could become? What your marriage could be like? What your children could become? What your home could be to the community it was placed in?
We have strategies and plans to meet our monthly quotas in business. We have our strategies and plans to give young people the best education possible. We have strategies and plans to give excellent service and quality food at restaurants but have you ever considered what your strategy and plan is for your own family becoming a biblically functioning family? A family that is striving to be the family the word of God says it can be? The type of family that dares to carry out the God given, God ordained, and God mandated roles and responsibilities the Bible gives it? The family that looks so absolutely different then the families that make up “the world” and our culture around us? This doesn’t just “happen” anymore than a business man with no business plan thinking he can just “wing it” and believe he can reach his personal or companies goals. It must be purposeful, intentional, and focused.
We live in a world, even in the church world, where marriages are crumbling by the minute. Marriages that don’t necessarily even end up in divorce but marriages that are a far cry from the type of marriage the Bible says believers are to have. Many of “Christian” marriages still look so much like the world. Passive husbands/fathers not taking the spiritual role of leadership that God Almighty commands and demands of them. Wives/Mothers who are fighting to “prove themselves” that they are just as capable as “making it in the world” as their spouse. Spouses who nag, fight, and belittle one another. Children/Teenagers who “run the house” and show more respect and honor to a stranger than to their own parents. Young adults who are leaving the faith by the droves after high school. Is this what Christ died for? Is this the life Christ died to give us? Is this the reality of a biblically functioning home?
An athletic team would never go on the playing field without a game plan. An army would never go to battle without a battle plan. This is much more important than a football game. We are talking about a game plan that would combat the devices of the enemy of the family of God and an offense to see God’s possibilities for our lives and families become a reality for our lives and families.

The bible is our “road map”. The Bible is our “instruction manual”. The Bible is God’s way for God’s family to live the life of God in our homes. It shows us who we are, who we can become. It shows us how our families are to live and what our families can become.

Is there such a thing as perfect unity in a marriage? Is there such a thing as a husband that loves, leads, and models a godly example to his wife and kids? Is there such a thing as a wife that helps her husband fulfill the work and destiny of her husband? Is there such a thing as a wife that respects and submits to her husband? Is there such a thing as children who actually obey and honor their parents? Is there such a thing of multi-generational faithfulness? Can these things become a reality or is it just wishful thinking? Not only can these things become a reality they must become a reality. Not only can they happen, they must happen!

Family is the heartbeat of God. It is the basic unit of relationships. It is the foundation on which churches and communities thrive. And it is the very thing that the enemy has targeted and attempted to destroy in order to hinder the church, discipleship, evangelism, and multi-generational faithfulness. It is the very thing we must “get back” in order to save our dying world.
I encourage you to sit down, search the scriptures, and write out what God says about a true biblical family. You will find it weaved throughout the entire word of God.

“Without vision the people perish”. (Proverbs 29:18)

Without true biblical vision our families will perish.