Friends... even though the links have been cleared, I am going to stick with my new site location for future studies. I would ask that you who have faithfully followed me thus far continue to do so at the new address.
We will be continuing our path of study through many differently themed topics, and the same style of study will be maintained. However, I believe that a change of venue will be a good thing for the site, and a more secure location is never a bad thing.
One addendum to the new location you should all be aware of, though, is that no comment will ever be allowed to be anonymous. The new site I signed with doesn't allow it, even if I wanted it to be allowed, and that is why I removed the "4th Wall ministries" from the site address... I figure, if you can't be anonymous, why should I? With that said, if you intend to comment (which I always encourage at the highest level), please know that "anonymous" is not an option, and you'll have to list your name.
If that discourages you, I apologize... I pray that you'll copntinue to comment and share your thoughts as you have done in the past, because we all know that iron sharpens iron.
As it is, this will be the final post on this site, unless I decide to reactivate it in the future. Should you have any questions about this, you are welcome to email me directly at 4thwallministries@gmail.com.
And, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours, my Christian siblings!
God bless you all!!!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Warning
Friends, somehow there have been links coded into some portions of text in my postings... please do not follow the links, and please know that I did NOT add them.
I will most likely be migrating to Wordpress soon, and will maintain the domain name if I can. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Grace
I will most likely be migrating to Wordpress soon, and will maintain the domain name if I can. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Grace
Monday, November 19, 2012
The 7th of 7... part 5...
It's time to come to a close with this portion... and time that we look to a very pointed and descriptive verse from the letter to the Colossians. It is as powerful an admonishment then as it is today, and it must be heard and adhered to. It must be.
It's an interesting thought, right? "Put them away" has such a vivid connotation to me, because I'm always asking that my kids put their toys away, and put their clothes away, and put their dishes away. Of course, each one has a different meaning for "away," but it is an interesting point of discussion, I think, to put one's wrath and anger away.
I think of it like the toys and the clothes, because when they're strewn about the house, someone is bound to step on something, or break something, or dirty something, or rip something, or lose something... but if only those things were put in the place they belonged, that wouldn't happen. Now picture those little action figurines on the floor of your living room, and imagine that they were labeled with the words "anger, wrath, malice, slander, hatred, aggravation, agitation, temper," and so on. Husband, would you want your wife to trip over one of those? Wife, would you want your husband to do the same? Mom and Dad, how about for your kids? And kiddos, do you need your parents stubbing toes on these toys?
I call them "toys," because of the truth that we DO coddle and nurture our anger at times. We all do it, for one thing or another, and there's always some ridiculous and selfish reason to which we cling that we explain as our own personal justification for our anger. The reasons are different for everyone, and they spread wider than can be imagined in the list of possible answers, but everyone has at least one. And when we're feeling down, or someone steps on our pride a little too hard (or sometimes just looks in our direction in such a way that we can convince ourselves that there was a menacing glance directed at us specifically), we pull our toys out to play.
In Ephesians 4:26 (ESV), Paul teaches to "Be angry, and do not sin," which I would tie to this directly as saying that you can pull your toys out WHEN AND IF THERE IS REAL JUSTIFICATION, but they must be put away before you hurt someone with them. And now, without even realizing it, you're imagining telling me your excellent reason for being justified in your particular anger. Allow me to just say this... there was the Guy named Jesus, and He was arrested wrongfully; beaten beyond recognition publicly; tortured with no cause; put on trial wrongfully; accused wrongfully; convicted wrongfully; forced to carry His own device of crucifixion up to Calvary; hung on that cross with nails driven through His hands and feet, in the most humiliating way possible, with mockery on the ground among the guards, from one of the fellow recipients of the same punishment that day, and on a sign above His head; MURDERED through this awful means of execution called crucifixion; and mocked the entire time, with no remorse from anyone jeering, while a crown of long and sharp thorns was forced onto His brow and scarlet robes were paraded about Him. Yet, He said nothing except, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do" in Luke 23:34.
He. Is. Justified. And given what He endured, since He is the model, and His responses are the example, and we are charged to live as Christ lived, I will have to ask if I am justified. I would also ask that you ask yourself if you are justified.
Pick up your toys, folks. Be responsible with those things you do possess, and make certain they aren't left about to hurt other people. After all, it won't be the random passersby that you inflict pain upon... it will be those you hold most dear, because they are the ones walking around barefoot in your presence, while all of you are at home. It will be the ones that are closest to you, the ones you never in a million years would want to harm. It will be the very people you are intent upon protecting... trust me, because I know from personal experience.
God bless you all!!!
"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth"
Colossians 3:8, ESV
It's an interesting thought, right? "Put them away" has such a vivid connotation to me, because I'm always asking that my kids put their toys away, and put their clothes away, and put their dishes away. Of course, each one has a different meaning for "away," but it is an interesting point of discussion, I think, to put one's wrath and anger away.
I think of it like the toys and the clothes, because when they're strewn about the house, someone is bound to step on something, or break something, or dirty something, or rip something, or lose something... but if only those things were put in the place they belonged, that wouldn't happen. Now picture those little action figurines on the floor of your living room, and imagine that they were labeled with the words "anger, wrath, malice, slander, hatred, aggravation, agitation, temper," and so on. Husband, would you want your wife to trip over one of those? Wife, would you want your husband to do the same? Mom and Dad, how about for your kids? And kiddos, do you need your parents stubbing toes on these toys?
I call them "toys," because of the truth that we DO coddle and nurture our anger at times. We all do it, for one thing or another, and there's always some ridiculous and selfish reason to which we cling that we explain as our own personal justification for our anger. The reasons are different for everyone, and they spread wider than can be imagined in the list of possible answers, but everyone has at least one. And when we're feeling down, or someone steps on our pride a little too hard (or sometimes just looks in our direction in such a way that we can convince ourselves that there was a menacing glance directed at us specifically), we pull our toys out to play.
In Ephesians 4:26 (ESV), Paul teaches to "Be angry, and do not sin," which I would tie to this directly as saying that you can pull your toys out WHEN AND IF THERE IS REAL JUSTIFICATION, but they must be put away before you hurt someone with them. And now, without even realizing it, you're imagining telling me your excellent reason for being justified in your particular anger. Allow me to just say this... there was the Guy named Jesus, and He was arrested wrongfully; beaten beyond recognition publicly; tortured with no cause; put on trial wrongfully; accused wrongfully; convicted wrongfully; forced to carry His own device of crucifixion up to Calvary; hung on that cross with nails driven through His hands and feet, in the most humiliating way possible, with mockery on the ground among the guards, from one of the fellow recipients of the same punishment that day, and on a sign above His head; MURDERED through this awful means of execution called crucifixion; and mocked the entire time, with no remorse from anyone jeering, while a crown of long and sharp thorns was forced onto His brow and scarlet robes were paraded about Him. Yet, He said nothing except, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do" in Luke 23:34.
He. Is. Justified. And given what He endured, since He is the model, and His responses are the example, and we are charged to live as Christ lived, I will have to ask if I am justified. I would also ask that you ask yourself if you are justified.
Pick up your toys, folks. Be responsible with those things you do possess, and make certain they aren't left about to hurt other people. After all, it won't be the random passersby that you inflict pain upon... it will be those you hold most dear, because they are the ones walking around barefoot in your presence, while all of you are at home. It will be the ones that are closest to you, the ones you never in a million years would want to harm. It will be the very people you are intent upon protecting... trust me, because I know from personal experience.
God bless you all!!!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
I Am Second... volunteer night...
So, I had the blessed privilege last night to go to the God's Not Dead Tour concert at the Reliant Arena, serving with the volunteer team from I Am Second. I walked in, got my t-shirt, got the run down on what we were doing, and then we were off and running! Some amazing things happened last night... and God moved, right in front of us at the sign-up table! He definitely increased.
I'll get the easy stuff out of the way first. I got to meet a favorite DJ (Kent Matthews from KSBJ and NGEN Radio), and snap a picture with him. I met a young man named Sam Hancock, lead singer of Luminate (sign up to follow their page on facebook), and had the privilege to speak with him for a few moments. He is quite a powerful young man, and filled with the Spirit as he proclaims the Word!
I bumped into Building 429 after the show, and discovered that they are some great people, too! And the top of this first portion came when I was able to stand in front of Michael Tait from the Newsboys, snap a photo with him, and tell him how impactful his music has been since the days of DC Talk. I was certainly blessed in all this!
However, these things (although quite exciting) were not the highlight of the night. No, friends... the highlight of my night was watching a PACKED Reliant Arena in Houston raise their hands to our Father in Heaven in worship and praise. I saw thousands of hands, thousands of closed eyes, thousands of mouths moving with words of praise and worship flowing off their lips. I watched as those same faces lit up with pure joy, regardless of which band was performing.
With Luminate, we all proclaimed that we will raise our Banner of Love... and the crowd praised God, and was blessed!
With Building 429, we all proclaimed that you can Take This World, and Give Me Jesus... and the crowd praised God, and was blessed!
With the Newsboys, we all proclaimed to be Jesus Freaks, openly acknowledging before anyone who has questions that our God is NOT dead, but is SURELY alive... and the crowd praised God, and was blessed!
And with the I Am Second organization, I watched and spoke to hundreds of people about what it means to me to put God first, and to put others first, making myself second. I told them of the difficulties I have had, and how placing the Trinity in the first position has helped me to realize that my role is to follow Christ and His example. I explained that I have the opportunity to blog through some of the new book coming out, and people were quite excited to hear about the devotional covering 365 days of the year. I spoke about the Expeditions that IA2 is going on, and the opportunities to get on board and join the team, and people were showing massive inerest, not only in going on the trip alone... they wanted to bring their children (young children), to educate them on the need to serve, all over the world.
I watched hundreds of people sign up for the IA2 organization's emails and information, and I witnessed God's hand moving in the lives of the people before us through this global movement. I am grateful to have been so blessed by this opportunity, and I will certainly go and serve again!
God bless you all!
Follow Kent Matthews on twitter and instagram: @KentMatthews
Follow Luminate on facebook: Luminate
Follow Building 429 on twitter: @Building429
Follow Newsboys on twitter: @newsboys, @michaeltait7, @duncanphillips
Follow I Am Second on facebook and twitter: I Am Second, I Am Second Volunteers, @iamsecond
And hashtag them ALL, as often as you can, to help spread the Word..... GOD'S NOT DEAD tour, 2012!
"He must become greater; I must become less."
John 3:30, NIV84
I'll get the easy stuff out of the way first. I got to meet a favorite DJ (Kent Matthews from KSBJ and NGEN Radio), and snap a picture with him. I met a young man named Sam Hancock, lead singer of Luminate (sign up to follow their page on facebook), and had the privilege to speak with him for a few moments. He is quite a powerful young man, and filled with the Spirit as he proclaims the Word!
I bumped into Building 429 after the show, and discovered that they are some great people, too! And the top of this first portion came when I was able to stand in front of Michael Tait from the Newsboys, snap a photo with him, and tell him how impactful his music has been since the days of DC Talk. I was certainly blessed in all this!
However, these things (although quite exciting) were not the highlight of the night. No, friends... the highlight of my night was watching a PACKED Reliant Arena in Houston raise their hands to our Father in Heaven in worship and praise. I saw thousands of hands, thousands of closed eyes, thousands of mouths moving with words of praise and worship flowing off their lips. I watched as those same faces lit up with pure joy, regardless of which band was performing.
With Luminate, we all proclaimed that we will raise our Banner of Love... and the crowd praised God, and was blessed!
With Building 429, we all proclaimed that you can Take This World, and Give Me Jesus... and the crowd praised God, and was blessed!
With the Newsboys, we all proclaimed to be Jesus Freaks, openly acknowledging before anyone who has questions that our God is NOT dead, but is SURELY alive... and the crowd praised God, and was blessed!
And with the I Am Second organization, I watched and spoke to hundreds of people about what it means to me to put God first, and to put others first, making myself second. I told them of the difficulties I have had, and how placing the Trinity in the first position has helped me to realize that my role is to follow Christ and His example. I explained that I have the opportunity to blog through some of the new book coming out, and people were quite excited to hear about the devotional covering 365 days of the year. I spoke about the Expeditions that IA2 is going on, and the opportunities to get on board and join the team, and people were showing massive inerest, not only in going on the trip alone... they wanted to bring their children (young children), to educate them on the need to serve, all over the world.
I watched hundreds of people sign up for the IA2 organization's emails and information, and I witnessed God's hand moving in the lives of the people before us through this global movement. I am grateful to have been so blessed by this opportunity, and I will certainly go and serve again!
God bless you all!
Follow Kent Matthews on twitter and instagram: @KentMatthews
Follow Luminate on facebook: Luminate
Follow Building 429 on twitter: @Building429
Follow Newsboys on twitter: @newsboys, @michaeltait7, @duncanphillips
Follow I Am Second on facebook and twitter: I Am Second, I Am Second Volunteers, @iamsecond
And hashtag them ALL, as often as you can, to help spread the Word..... GOD'S NOT DEAD tour, 2012!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The 7th of 7... part 4...
Remember a little ways back when I suggested that to embody anger is to embody the enemy? Do you remember that I mentioned that this was bad, and that we should always go to the Lord in prayer, rather than allow the enemy to take hold of any situation? Well...
Bam!
Anger, when allowed to grow, turns into a sin. Please understand, though, that we are not to avoid anger altogether. We were given emotions to feel them, and as stated before, guttural feelings cannot be ignored. What we do with them, however, is a different story.
Notice here, Paul tells the readers in the church at Ephesus to "Be angry and do not sin." It's like he's telling them to have their anger, because there's nothing really wrong with that... but don't get crazy (Bon Qui Qui voice). Once you've gotten to the point of sin, there's no stopping it. It has become a monster, and it will run its course, even if that course has no end. Naturally, as we've seen many times from 1 Corinthians 10:13, there will be means of escape provided to you, but we have to choose to take them. And the first of them is to turn immediately away from your anger, and give it to the Father to handle.
Also, we should resolve each issue with each day. Our model in life is Jesus Christ, who is One with the Father, and His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Ours should be, as well! Holding onto anger, coddling it like we would a child, allowing it to grow and flourish into a behemoth that ruins the relationships we have, is not the answer.
Again, I'll have to admit that I'm not great at taking this advice, but I'm trying not to let the enemy interact with my family anymore since starting this portion. And, to be honest, that's the thing that really set it off in my head. If I give full vent to my anger (Proverbs 29:11), then I am embodying the enemy. In that moment, I am allowing satan to speak into my family. Worse yet, I am sometimes CHOOSING that path, because I am allowing the full vent to just run free. I cannot tell you how hard it is to write that down, and I cannot tell you how much my heart hurts to know that I would do such a thing to the ones I love the most.
But you see, letting anger fester gives the opportunity to the devil. It says it right above this in the verse chosen for this passage! We freely give that chance to the prince of lies and deceit, and we allow him to interact with our family, our friends, and ourselves, and we excuse by saying that we were "venting." We allow it, because we "had the right to be THAT angry." We make the choice to invite the filthiest being in the universe into our heart and into our home, and we hide behind personality or circumstance or some other ridiculous thing that most certainly DID NOT keep us from turning upward instead of inward.
Don't be that guy any more. Don't be that gal any more. Choose to look up, and seek Him in your moment of anger... I promise, it will change your responses for the better!
God bless you all!!!
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."
Ephesians 4:26-27, ESV
Bam!
Anger, when allowed to grow, turns into a sin. Please understand, though, that we are not to avoid anger altogether. We were given emotions to feel them, and as stated before, guttural feelings cannot be ignored. What we do with them, however, is a different story.
Notice here, Paul tells the readers in the church at Ephesus to "Be angry and do not sin." It's like he's telling them to have their anger, because there's nothing really wrong with that... but don't get crazy (Bon Qui Qui voice). Once you've gotten to the point of sin, there's no stopping it. It has become a monster, and it will run its course, even if that course has no end. Naturally, as we've seen many times from 1 Corinthians 10:13, there will be means of escape provided to you, but we have to choose to take them. And the first of them is to turn immediately away from your anger, and give it to the Father to handle.
Also, we should resolve each issue with each day. Our model in life is Jesus Christ, who is One with the Father, and His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Ours should be, as well! Holding onto anger, coddling it like we would a child, allowing it to grow and flourish into a behemoth that ruins the relationships we have, is not the answer.
Again, I'll have to admit that I'm not great at taking this advice, but I'm trying not to let the enemy interact with my family anymore since starting this portion. And, to be honest, that's the thing that really set it off in my head. If I give full vent to my anger (Proverbs 29:11), then I am embodying the enemy. In that moment, I am allowing satan to speak into my family. Worse yet, I am sometimes CHOOSING that path, because I am allowing the full vent to just run free. I cannot tell you how hard it is to write that down, and I cannot tell you how much my heart hurts to know that I would do such a thing to the ones I love the most.
But you see, letting anger fester gives the opportunity to the devil. It says it right above this in the verse chosen for this passage! We freely give that chance to the prince of lies and deceit, and we allow him to interact with our family, our friends, and ourselves, and we excuse by saying that we were "venting." We allow it, because we "had the right to be THAT angry." We make the choice to invite the filthiest being in the universe into our heart and into our home, and we hide behind personality or circumstance or some other ridiculous thing that most certainly DID NOT keep us from turning upward instead of inward.
Don't be that guy any more. Don't be that gal any more. Choose to look up, and seek Him in your moment of anger... I promise, it will change your responses for the better!
God bless you all!!!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Monthly Mission Trip Update!!!
Blessed friends… I am so moved by the donations I have received already, covering almost $600 for my trip to South Africa. Thank you so much, each one of you, for giving to this mission! Your generosity truly humbles me beyond belief.
As for the preparation for the trip itself, I have been working through the storying cloth that I mentioned in my last message about this trip. I am using my small children as a test audience, and it has become a regular thing in the house to gather around the space where the cloth is hung and test daddy on the pictures (we missed a few days, but we’re getting back in the swing after a SUPER busy weekend). I have also been practicing with the Evange-Cube, and have become quite capable at sharing salvation through this small and simple device. This one has been shown to my small group a couple of times, and they said I was “pretty sick with it,” which in high school senior-ese probably means I did well.
Some have asked me if it is too late to give to the trip, and I’m excited to tell you that it is certainly not too late. The deadline is in February, and I only need 17 more people to give $100, or 34 people to give $50, and I know that God will provide those people. I’m so blessed to have a group this large to reach out to, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to go and share the Gospel with people in South Africa!
Should you have any questions you’d like to ask of me, about the trip or anything else, please feel free to contact me directly at 4thwallministries@gmail.com. I’d be happy to talk with any one of you, any time.
And, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours!
As for the preparation for the trip itself, I have been working through the storying cloth that I mentioned in my last message about this trip. I am using my small children as a test audience, and it has become a regular thing in the house to gather around the space where the cloth is hung and test daddy on the pictures (we missed a few days, but we’re getting back in the swing after a SUPER busy weekend). I have also been practicing with the Evange-Cube, and have become quite capable at sharing salvation through this small and simple device. This one has been shown to my small group a couple of times, and they said I was “pretty sick with it,” which in high school senior-ese probably means I did well.
Some have asked me if it is too late to give to the trip, and I’m excited to tell you that it is certainly not too late. The deadline is in February, and I only need 17 more people to give $100, or 34 people to give $50, and I know that God will provide those people. I’m so blessed to have a group this large to reach out to, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to go and share the Gospel with people in South Africa!
Should you have any questions you’d like to ask of me, about the trip or anything else, please feel free to contact me directly at 4thwallministries@gmail.com. I’d be happy to talk with any one of you, any time.
And, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours!
The 7th of 7... part 3...
So now that we've looked into what wrath produces in us, and how disgusting that really is, we need to look at what it does not produce. We need to look at what is not accomplished. We need to look at what we (if we're being honest) wish we could deliver, but are INCAPABLE of ever delivering.
You see, our anger produces a lot of things. We can grow it into hatred or wrath, we can physically emote our anger and break things, we can verbally show it and hurt people. However, the one thing that will never, ever, ever be produced by any angry person on this planet is God's righteousness.
Yeah, friend, I'm talking to you and me and everyone else... we're not capable of that.
And you say, "Wait, if I'm angry about the right and righteous thing, then surely that would bring forth God's righteousness, right?" No. If we were able to bring about God's righteousness, then we would be able to affect change from His throne. We don't have that ability. It states in Genesis that "By the seventh day, God completed His work that He had done (Genesis 2:2a)." He is done with His work, including al the decisions that need to be made. Remember, He sees all of time, all at once, and He knows what choices we have made already, all the way to the end of days. We cannot change His will, His plans, His anything. Also remember that He wants us... but He certainly doesn't need us.
Our anger is often flared in many circumstances, and our wrath and rage come up in different ways at times, but the one thing I'll ask that we think about right now is the reaction in the gut. I'm certain you assumed I would refer to the heart, but the gut is where I want to start with this, because there's a feeling we all get sometimes when we know we're wrong. That feeling is guttural, and it is noticeable, and it is not something that can be ignored. Anger is the same way, except it causes the adrenaline to flow. Muscles begin to expand and contract, and the heartbeat quickens. These are effects that are FELT by any person, and the rise in blood pressure that can redden a face (like mine) is not only felt by additional heat in the face of the angry person, but it is SEEN by the people around that person! Visible and tangible reactions, all of which are not capable of being ignored in the moment your anger flares.
Why do I point this out? This is where I get to the heart of the matter being a matter of the heart. If we become angry in a heated moment, I would say that it is probably something almost involuntary. After all, we know right from wrong, and as Christians we are bound to stand up for what is right, and against what is wrong. However, how we handle that anger is up to us. Our first and best response, as with anything, is to take it to the Lord in prayer. However, that is not always what happens, is it?
No - we tend to find ways to justify the anger, then enhance it just a smidge. We classify it as being on the "right side" of the argument, and then we have laid summary judgment on anyone opposed to us, without even saying so. We find fuel for the fire, kindle it a little bit, and justify it all as being "right" or "righteous" in our own limited view. And would you like to know what the opposition is doing? The exact same thing. Yeah, that's the beauty of the system where everyone has an opinion, and everyone's voice matters. We all get to decide that our "side" is the right one, and that God is on our "side," and not on the other.
But did it ever occur to anyone that God might be on His very own side? It should... because His decision, His next move, His choice about what will happen next, whether we agree or like it or accept it or not... that IS the RIGHT and RIGHTEOUS one. Period.
We don't accomplish His righteousness through our anger, friends. We get to be a part of it through prayer.
God bless you all!!!
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
James 1:19-20, ESV
You see, our anger produces a lot of things. We can grow it into hatred or wrath, we can physically emote our anger and break things, we can verbally show it and hurt people. However, the one thing that will never, ever, ever be produced by any angry person on this planet is God's righteousness.
Yeah, friend, I'm talking to you and me and everyone else... we're not capable of that.
And you say, "Wait, if I'm angry about the right and righteous thing, then surely that would bring forth God's righteousness, right?" No. If we were able to bring about God's righteousness, then we would be able to affect change from His throne. We don't have that ability. It states in Genesis that "By the seventh day, God completed His work that He had done (Genesis 2:2a)." He is done with His work, including al the decisions that need to be made. Remember, He sees all of time, all at once, and He knows what choices we have made already, all the way to the end of days. We cannot change His will, His plans, His anything. Also remember that He wants us... but He certainly doesn't need us.
Our anger is often flared in many circumstances, and our wrath and rage come up in different ways at times, but the one thing I'll ask that we think about right now is the reaction in the gut. I'm certain you assumed I would refer to the heart, but the gut is where I want to start with this, because there's a feeling we all get sometimes when we know we're wrong. That feeling is guttural, and it is noticeable, and it is not something that can be ignored. Anger is the same way, except it causes the adrenaline to flow. Muscles begin to expand and contract, and the heartbeat quickens. These are effects that are FELT by any person, and the rise in blood pressure that can redden a face (like mine) is not only felt by additional heat in the face of the angry person, but it is SEEN by the people around that person! Visible and tangible reactions, all of which are not capable of being ignored in the moment your anger flares.
Why do I point this out? This is where I get to the heart of the matter being a matter of the heart. If we become angry in a heated moment, I would say that it is probably something almost involuntary. After all, we know right from wrong, and as Christians we are bound to stand up for what is right, and against what is wrong. However, how we handle that anger is up to us. Our first and best response, as with anything, is to take it to the Lord in prayer. However, that is not always what happens, is it?
No - we tend to find ways to justify the anger, then enhance it just a smidge. We classify it as being on the "right side" of the argument, and then we have laid summary judgment on anyone opposed to us, without even saying so. We find fuel for the fire, kindle it a little bit, and justify it all as being "right" or "righteous" in our own limited view. And would you like to know what the opposition is doing? The exact same thing. Yeah, that's the beauty of the system where everyone has an opinion, and everyone's voice matters. We all get to decide that our "side" is the right one, and that God is on our "side," and not on the other.
But did it ever occur to anyone that God might be on His very own side? It should... because His decision, His next move, His choice about what will happen next, whether we agree or like it or accept it or not... that IS the RIGHT and RIGHTEOUS one. Period.
We don't accomplish His righteousness through our anger, friends. We get to be a part of it through prayer.
God bless you all!!!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The 7th of 7... part 2...
This one will be pointed, and I hope you will be as affected by it as I already am. We'll start with our Scripture... it will become clear shortly why it is so powerful that we understand this point.
See, there was this being at one time in Heaven, and his name was lucifer. I know that he is not and was not a man, but the principle is still sound as an application, because he grew greedy, prideful, and thought he could take a place above the Father. The enemy was not satisfied with his proper place, but rather than shine for the Father in that place, lucifer grew hot-tempered over the issue, and tried to overthrow the Throne. How did that work out? Oh, right... he was cast into the pit of hell, never to escape, and all those who joined him went, as well.
Even though we are not supposed to hate anyone (people), I would bet that if I asked people if they hated satan, they would probably say that they do. Again, not a man and I know that, but the principle is applicable just the same. And really, if there was one being that you really reserved your hatred for, wouldn't satan be the best choice? I mean, he clearly is of evil devices, and he certainly acts foolishly. In reality, actually, I think that hatred of satan is a good thing, because we are supposed to hate unrighteousness, and he kinda embodies that, right?
So I promised that there would be an eye-opener in this section, and I'm going to make good on that promise right now. When you and I allow the other six sins we've discussed, whether one by itself or any combination of them, regardless of their individual manifestation and specific circumstances, something happens. As Christians, in those moments, we realize that we are doing wrong, and we grow angry, as I mentioned before. That anger then manifests into wrath, and that is when we, if we allow it to continue, embody the enemy. Yeah, I said that.
You see, the demonic name assigned to wrath is satan, and if we are embodying wrath, we are embodying satan. Does that sting? It certainly should. We are charged, all of us, to show the character of Christ by allowing His love and grace and peace to shine through us. Acceptance of His salvation is an amazing freedom, but the responsibility to live like Christ is also present in that, and this is shown in the commands to love others (John 13:34-35), forgive others (Mark 11:25), turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), and show others the care that you would want shown to you (Luke 6:31). If we're not doing that, then we're harboring anger, we're holding onto resentment, we're protecting our other cheek, and we're asking other to do for us what we're unwilling to do for them. Does that sound like someone you have heard of before? A certain serpentine being from a little moment in the Bible known as "Original Sin" (reference Genesis 3)?
Every day we have a choice in how we respond to everything that happens in our lives. As Christians, we are supposed to respond in love and grace and peace to all things, to show the love of Christ and make it evident that we are different and set apart. Any time we do the opposite, we are showing the world within us, and I have to tell you, friends, that there is truth in another Scripture we can memorize and use to maintain our demeanor...
A friend and pastor pointed out to me that anyone living in perpetual sin is being demonized. Before I have all of you upset with me for calling you demons, please know that I am just as guilty in this as anyone else. It is difficult to always maintain an outward breath of grace onto any situation. I do not do well in this... like, at all... but I think that having thought about it in this way for the first time, realizing that my anger and wrath are the embodiment of the demon satan himself, I will be more aware of my responses and my temper. This is why I think that this portion will create and allow for a major turning point in all of our lives, with respect to wrath specifically.
Also, know that there is a weapon against wrath and against satan: prayer. Another pastor I follow on facebook and twitter asked in his book 30 Words: A Devotional For The Rest Of Us that the reader write down five things to be thankful for, and three to pray for Heaven's provision, and then pray over those eight things every day for 30 days. I have taken up that challenge, and I am enjoying the freedom and blessing of it all, battling my sins directly with prayers for the provision of the Creator to come right into my life. I would ask that you also take up that challenge, whether this is one of them or not, and write down the five thankfuls and the three provision-neededs, and pray over them constantly for 30 days. It will feel great, I promise.
We don't need to have any demons in our lives, friends. However, demons are real, and spiritual warfare is real, and it is fought in the battleground of the heart of each and every human being on earth. And while I am using the names ascribed to them for specific purposes in this study, please know that the knowledge of their names is unnecessary... because we know the only Name that grants salvation, the Name that is above all other names, and that is the Name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for us to be freed from the complete control of any demon in the universe, because no power can surmount Him! Give thanks for that today, and expel your wrath as we move forward.
"A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated."
Proverbs 14:17, ESV
See, there was this being at one time in Heaven, and his name was lucifer. I know that he is not and was not a man, but the principle is still sound as an application, because he grew greedy, prideful, and thought he could take a place above the Father. The enemy was not satisfied with his proper place, but rather than shine for the Father in that place, lucifer grew hot-tempered over the issue, and tried to overthrow the Throne. How did that work out? Oh, right... he was cast into the pit of hell, never to escape, and all those who joined him went, as well.
Even though we are not supposed to hate anyone (people), I would bet that if I asked people if they hated satan, they would probably say that they do. Again, not a man and I know that, but the principle is applicable just the same. And really, if there was one being that you really reserved your hatred for, wouldn't satan be the best choice? I mean, he clearly is of evil devices, and he certainly acts foolishly. In reality, actually, I think that hatred of satan is a good thing, because we are supposed to hate unrighteousness, and he kinda embodies that, right?
So I promised that there would be an eye-opener in this section, and I'm going to make good on that promise right now. When you and I allow the other six sins we've discussed, whether one by itself or any combination of them, regardless of their individual manifestation and specific circumstances, something happens. As Christians, in those moments, we realize that we are doing wrong, and we grow angry, as I mentioned before. That anger then manifests into wrath, and that is when we, if we allow it to continue, embody the enemy. Yeah, I said that.
You see, the demonic name assigned to wrath is satan, and if we are embodying wrath, we are embodying satan. Does that sting? It certainly should. We are charged, all of us, to show the character of Christ by allowing His love and grace and peace to shine through us. Acceptance of His salvation is an amazing freedom, but the responsibility to live like Christ is also present in that, and this is shown in the commands to love others (John 13:34-35), forgive others (Mark 11:25), turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), and show others the care that you would want shown to you (Luke 6:31). If we're not doing that, then we're harboring anger, we're holding onto resentment, we're protecting our other cheek, and we're asking other to do for us what we're unwilling to do for them. Does that sound like someone you have heard of before? A certain serpentine being from a little moment in the Bible known as "Original Sin" (reference Genesis 3)?
Every day we have a choice in how we respond to everything that happens in our lives. As Christians, we are supposed to respond in love and grace and peace to all things, to show the love of Christ and make it evident that we are different and set apart. Any time we do the opposite, we are showing the world within us, and I have to tell you, friends, that there is truth in another Scripture we can memorize and use to maintain our demeanor...
"Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."
1 John 4:4, KJV
A friend and pastor pointed out to me that anyone living in perpetual sin is being demonized. Before I have all of you upset with me for calling you demons, please know that I am just as guilty in this as anyone else. It is difficult to always maintain an outward breath of grace onto any situation. I do not do well in this... like, at all... but I think that having thought about it in this way for the first time, realizing that my anger and wrath are the embodiment of the demon satan himself, I will be more aware of my responses and my temper. This is why I think that this portion will create and allow for a major turning point in all of our lives, with respect to wrath specifically.
Also, know that there is a weapon against wrath and against satan: prayer. Another pastor I follow on facebook and twitter asked in his book 30 Words: A Devotional For The Rest Of Us that the reader write down five things to be thankful for, and three to pray for Heaven's provision, and then pray over those eight things every day for 30 days. I have taken up that challenge, and I am enjoying the freedom and blessing of it all, battling my sins directly with prayers for the provision of the Creator to come right into my life. I would ask that you also take up that challenge, whether this is one of them or not, and write down the five thankfuls and the three provision-neededs, and pray over them constantly for 30 days. It will feel great, I promise.
We don't need to have any demons in our lives, friends. However, demons are real, and spiritual warfare is real, and it is fought in the battleground of the heart of each and every human being on earth. And while I am using the names ascribed to them for specific purposes in this study, please know that the knowledge of their names is unnecessary... because we know the only Name that grants salvation, the Name that is above all other names, and that is the Name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for us to be freed from the complete control of any demon in the universe, because no power can surmount Him! Give thanks for that today, and expel your wrath as we move forward.
God bless you all!!!
(Go visit www.30wordsbook.com to download your copy of @JarridWilson new book, and sign up to follow him on facebook, twitter, instagram, and YouTube. Grace and peace! #30WordsBook)
Saturday, November 3, 2012
The 7th of 7... part 1...
We've been through the prior six, and we've extrapolated both the dangers and the points of advice to avoid each one. We've looked into what each one does, and what it produces. However, there is one thing that is produced by the whole of them put together, and it cannot be avoided. It has many names, honestly, but we will simply refer to it by one, because it is the 7th of our group, and it is the end result of the culmination of any and/or all of the previous six... this, blessed Christian siblings, is wrath.
The words of Paul above are no different than the words of any Christian who sins after receiving salvation. Guess what, folks... that's all of us. And if you're not having the above reaction every time you sin, then a whole separate conversation needs to be held. We should realize that we are saved, yes. We should realize that we are covered in the grace and peace of Christ, through His atonement, sure. However, if we fail to recognize that we are STILL sinners, even though we are redeemed ones, then we have missed the point entirely.
Speaking personally, I will admit that I still sin (shocker, right), and that it always produces the same effect. I get mad. I mean really mad. Then, as the anger swells in me like the beginnings of a tumultuous storm, something else will happen in the immediate space around me, regardless of how small, and my anger finds its vent. It becomes emesis on the floor of whatever just happened, and in that moment, wrath has taken hold of me. It's not pretty, and I always end up apologizing later... but I'm not sure that does any good, because I end up doing it again.
Anger is an emotion, and we are given that emotion to experience it. However, we are supposed to turn to the Father with all things (that whole "cast all your cares on Me" thing is for real, you know), and not turn inward. Yet if there were a "pet sin" that I had to admit I harbor, this would be it.
(These next few sentences will be difficult for me, but they must be included.) I like being angry. I like to be mad, because I spent a large part of my life mad about something. I spent that portion of my life mad, because I messed something up somewhere along the way, and then the consequences came and bit me in the behind, and I failed to blame myself... but I was really good at blaming someone else. Honestly, I still am quite the virtuoso on the violin of blame. I can blame anyone for anything, and most of the time it doesn't even make sense to me! However, you should also know that my loquacious nature and oratory skill come with the ability to manipulate and twist words, phrases, and whole conversations into what I wish they had been. And I am smart enough to convince myself of something. Or, perhaps, I am stupid enough to fall for my own nonsense. Either way, once I have convinced myself that someone else is to blame, my anger begins. And like the thought that starts small in any sin, it then grows, finds more space, grows more, and becomes a full-blown monster.
That monster, once let loose, tends to convince my face that I am mad, and therefore I have a permanent line on my forehead. I'm always asked if I am upset, and I always answer that I'm not, but the line in my head from my years of useless scowling is not going away any time soon. The monster then goes to devour anything it can find, much like the little white lie in a Christian children's program, and this always starts with my family. My wife and kids, the people I'm supposed to always show only the best of what I have to offer, are the ones who see the very, very worst. They see me lose my cool over spilled water, shoes not in place, clothing not in a hamper... all ridiculous things. Then it stems out to my parents, where it also should not go. I have no reason to be upset with people who do nothing but love me and my family. None at all.
The hardest part is coming now, so bear with me... I know that's nonsense, because no matter how slowly I type, you read a completed segment, and have no concept of the time involved, or how many times I go back and change something... but trust me, this is not easy.
I'm mad at myself, because of the mistakes I have made along the way. I'm mad at myself, because of the trust that I have earned and then burned. I'm mad at myself, because I know good and well that if I had only turned right at Albuquerque (trying to lighten the mood a little), I might have found this destination sooner. I'm mad at myself, and not at all mad at them, but my pride keeps me from admitting it; my greed and lust to be right keeps me from admitting it; my gluttony for more reasons to be mad, and more things to be right about keeps me from admitting it; my envy of them for actually being right keeps me from admitting it; and then my anger takes over, full force, and spews out, becoming wrath.
I'll apologize each and every time, and things always go back to "normal," but it's never really the same. Each explosion chips away at things, and my anger becomes an architect of destruction. And, as painful as this is for me to admit, the reality is that it is a pervasive issue in the entire human race. How we handle it is what separates us.
We're going to spend a lot of time in this one, folks, but I believe that it will be a great learning experience for us all. I pray that you will join me in remaining free from the simple steps into a pattern of anger. Honestly, even though it isn't a religious film, per se, I'm still compelled to point out that anger is the path the the Dark Side, and this is a fact.
Next we'll look at something truly terrifying about wrath, and I think that will be our collective turning point. Until then, please pray with me for the grace and peace of Christ to reign in all of us, and that we would always portray the fruit of the Spirit, no matter what is going on.
God bless you all!!!
"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?"
Romans 7:24, NIV
The words of Paul above are no different than the words of any Christian who sins after receiving salvation. Guess what, folks... that's all of us. And if you're not having the above reaction every time you sin, then a whole separate conversation needs to be held. We should realize that we are saved, yes. We should realize that we are covered in the grace and peace of Christ, through His atonement, sure. However, if we fail to recognize that we are STILL sinners, even though we are redeemed ones, then we have missed the point entirely.
Speaking personally, I will admit that I still sin (shocker, right), and that it always produces the same effect. I get mad. I mean really mad. Then, as the anger swells in me like the beginnings of a tumultuous storm, something else will happen in the immediate space around me, regardless of how small, and my anger finds its vent. It becomes emesis on the floor of whatever just happened, and in that moment, wrath has taken hold of me. It's not pretty, and I always end up apologizing later... but I'm not sure that does any good, because I end up doing it again.
Anger is an emotion, and we are given that emotion to experience it. However, we are supposed to turn to the Father with all things (that whole "cast all your cares on Me" thing is for real, you know), and not turn inward. Yet if there were a "pet sin" that I had to admit I harbor, this would be it.
(These next few sentences will be difficult for me, but they must be included.) I like being angry. I like to be mad, because I spent a large part of my life mad about something. I spent that portion of my life mad, because I messed something up somewhere along the way, and then the consequences came and bit me in the behind, and I failed to blame myself... but I was really good at blaming someone else. Honestly, I still am quite the virtuoso on the violin of blame. I can blame anyone for anything, and most of the time it doesn't even make sense to me! However, you should also know that my loquacious nature and oratory skill come with the ability to manipulate and twist words, phrases, and whole conversations into what I wish they had been. And I am smart enough to convince myself of something. Or, perhaps, I am stupid enough to fall for my own nonsense. Either way, once I have convinced myself that someone else is to blame, my anger begins. And like the thought that starts small in any sin, it then grows, finds more space, grows more, and becomes a full-blown monster.
That monster, once let loose, tends to convince my face that I am mad, and therefore I have a permanent line on my forehead. I'm always asked if I am upset, and I always answer that I'm not, but the line in my head from my years of useless scowling is not going away any time soon. The monster then goes to devour anything it can find, much like the little white lie in a Christian children's program, and this always starts with my family. My wife and kids, the people I'm supposed to always show only the best of what I have to offer, are the ones who see the very, very worst. They see me lose my cool over spilled water, shoes not in place, clothing not in a hamper... all ridiculous things. Then it stems out to my parents, where it also should not go. I have no reason to be upset with people who do nothing but love me and my family. None at all.
The hardest part is coming now, so bear with me... I know that's nonsense, because no matter how slowly I type, you read a completed segment, and have no concept of the time involved, or how many times I go back and change something... but trust me, this is not easy.
I'm mad at myself, because of the mistakes I have made along the way. I'm mad at myself, because of the trust that I have earned and then burned. I'm mad at myself, because I know good and well that if I had only turned right at Albuquerque (trying to lighten the mood a little), I might have found this destination sooner. I'm mad at myself, and not at all mad at them, but my pride keeps me from admitting it; my greed and lust to be right keeps me from admitting it; my gluttony for more reasons to be mad, and more things to be right about keeps me from admitting it; my envy of them for actually being right keeps me from admitting it; and then my anger takes over, full force, and spews out, becoming wrath.
I'll apologize each and every time, and things always go back to "normal," but it's never really the same. Each explosion chips away at things, and my anger becomes an architect of destruction. And, as painful as this is for me to admit, the reality is that it is a pervasive issue in the entire human race. How we handle it is what separates us.
We're going to spend a lot of time in this one, folks, but I believe that it will be a great learning experience for us all. I pray that you will join me in remaining free from the simple steps into a pattern of anger. Honestly, even though it isn't a religious film, per se, I'm still compelled to point out that anger is the path the the Dark Side, and this is a fact.
Next we'll look at something truly terrifying about wrath, and I think that will be our collective turning point. Until then, please pray with me for the grace and peace of Christ to reign in all of us, and that we would always portray the fruit of the Spirit, no matter what is going on.
God bless you all!!!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
The 6th of 7... part 4...
To close out our thoughts on sloth, we'll return to Scripture and look to a very well-known passage. I use this today as an encouragement, which I hope this whole section has been, to stand firmly against laziness, especially in the spiritual realm. Sometimes we feel like we just can't do it, or we just can't measure up, but...
In reality, I could stop there and leave this thought at just that piece of information. I mean, when you think about it, there really isn't anything else to discuss beyond that, is there? Jesus can literally do all that we can think of, and all that we cannot think of, and it is He who strengthens us as Christians. It is through His sacrifice in silence, His atonement and blood, that we are able to stand taller than we ever could have before in the face of the enemy... because I've read this story, folks, and I know how it ends.
As an aside to that, a friend asked a teacher I know to do a study on the Book of Revelation. The teacher, a very well-educated man and well-respected in the field of Theology, answered my friend very simply. He said, "Two words: God wins." I don't know about you, but I sat up a little straighter just hearing the encouragement in those two words. We already know the ending of all this, and we're able to withstand... but it is not through our power.
It is ONLY by the power of the Lamb that we are able, and by no other means.
If there were an overall point, it would be that Christ is the only source of real ability and strength, folks. Through His power, His grace, His ability, we are able to get up and go do whatever it is that we need to do. We are able to serve His people, and be the hands and feet of His body. We are able, and the only thing stopping us is our own sheer laziness, and lack of belief in our Savior's abilities.
Once again I'll point out that there is a difference between believing IN Him, and just BELIEVING HIM! Believe that He can do through you what He has done through so many people throughout history... the amazing!
God bless you all!!!
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13, ESV
In reality, I could stop there and leave this thought at just that piece of information. I mean, when you think about it, there really isn't anything else to discuss beyond that, is there? Jesus can literally do all that we can think of, and all that we cannot think of, and it is He who strengthens us as Christians. It is through His sacrifice in silence, His atonement and blood, that we are able to stand taller than we ever could have before in the face of the enemy... because I've read this story, folks, and I know how it ends.
As an aside to that, a friend asked a teacher I know to do a study on the Book of Revelation. The teacher, a very well-educated man and well-respected in the field of Theology, answered my friend very simply. He said, "Two words: God wins." I don't know about you, but I sat up a little straighter just hearing the encouragement in those two words. We already know the ending of all this, and we're able to withstand... but it is not through our power.
It is ONLY by the power of the Lamb that we are able, and by no other means.
If there were an overall point, it would be that Christ is the only source of real ability and strength, folks. Through His power, His grace, His ability, we are able to get up and go do whatever it is that we need to do. We are able to serve His people, and be the hands and feet of His body. We are able, and the only thing stopping us is our own sheer laziness, and lack of belief in our Savior's abilities.
Once again I'll point out that there is a difference between believing IN Him, and just BELIEVING HIM! Believe that He can do through you what He has done through so many people throughout history... the amazing!
God bless you all!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)