Have you ever heard someone (maybe even yourself) talk about generally being a good person…not committing any of the "big" sins. The person makes it sound like their sins are misdemeanors and that the "big" sins are felonies that God cannot redeem. This just sounds plain silly to me (although I've been guilty of this thinking before myself). Have you ever seen a pitcher pitch a perfect game that just gave up a walk or an error instead of a game-losing home run? Anything less than perfection is not a perfect game and anything less than a life without sin is less than perfection.
Fortunately for us, God is able to forgive all sins…little ones, big ones, even seemingly unforgivable ones (John 3:16-18). The only sin that God will not cover is a person who never admits his sin and never accepts Christ as Lord to receive His gifts of salvation and eternal life. When people were ready to stone an adulteress, Christ said that he who has no sin should cast the first stone…and suddenly everyone accusing the woman was gone…Christ then told her to go and sin no more (John 8:3-11). Let's learn from this example in two ways: 1) being thankful for Christ's sacrifice, love, and mercy and 2) let us offer that mercy to others that has so freely been given to us.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Mental Toughness
Did you hear about Tiger Woods winning the US Open this weekend while fighting through knee pain? If so, you may have seen the new ad featuring Tiger's father talking about him. In the ad he says, "Tiger, I promise you that you'll never meet another person as mentally tough as you in your entire life. And he hasn't; and he never will." Maybe in his admiration for his son Earl Woods forgot about Jesus, who exhibited greatest mental toughness of all time, or made an obvious exception in his head.
I am sure hitting a golf ball through distractions, the pressure to win the US Open, and knee pain is quite challenging. However, I doubt that Tiger will ever have to play golf after having a spear stuck in his side or being nailed to a cross. Don't get me wrong, I respect the heck out of what Tiger did this past weekend (even more so now knowing that he will need season ending knee surgery)…but it wasn't nearly the punishment that Christ went through for us and it didn't save my soul. So, not only is God better than Shaft…he's also better than Tiger.
We should be overfilled with joy that Christ our Lord has the greatest mental toughness of all time. How wonderful is it for us to be able to rely on the great I Am who does not change in spite of difficult circumstances (Numbers 23:19)? When we trust in God and His resolve, He is able to accomplish great things for His kingdom regardless of how the situation looks at the time. The accounts of David slaying Goliath (1 Samuel 17), the account of the fiery furnace (Shadrach, Meschach, and Abendnego in Daniel 3), Paul on his missionary journeys, and the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60) all show us how we can reflect God's mental toughness when we remain in Him.
I am sure hitting a golf ball through distractions, the pressure to win the US Open, and knee pain is quite challenging. However, I doubt that Tiger will ever have to play golf after having a spear stuck in his side or being nailed to a cross. Don't get me wrong, I respect the heck out of what Tiger did this past weekend (even more so now knowing that he will need season ending knee surgery)…but it wasn't nearly the punishment that Christ went through for us and it didn't save my soul. So, not only is God better than Shaft…he's also better than Tiger.
We should be overfilled with joy that Christ our Lord has the greatest mental toughness of all time. How wonderful is it for us to be able to rely on the great I Am who does not change in spite of difficult circumstances (Numbers 23:19)? When we trust in God and His resolve, He is able to accomplish great things for His kingdom regardless of how the situation looks at the time. The accounts of David slaying Goliath (1 Samuel 17), the account of the fiery furnace (Shadrach, Meschach, and Abendnego in Daniel 3), Paul on his missionary journeys, and the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60) all show us how we can reflect God's mental toughness when we remain in Him.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Casey at Bat (alternate version)
Casey is up to bat in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs and the bases loaded. His team is down by one run. Casey swings wildly at the first pitch, which is in the dirt. The second pitch arrives with the same result. Surely, mighty Casey won't strike out on 3 pitches the fans said…but alas Casey swung at the third pitch which bounced 5 feet in front of the plate.
How often do we want to come up with the big hit so desperately that we swing at the first thing that comes along? We think, "I've been put in this position to come up with the big hit"…right? Do you know what happens when we are focused and patient? The count of balls and strikes will turn in our favor. The pitcher is then faced with a choice. Either the pitcher walks in a run or gives us a better pitch to hit. Abraham tried to use a maidservant as a shortcut to God's promise of being made into a great nation (Genesis 17:17-22). Solomon could have trusted that God would provide His people with peace. Instead He married and Egyptian princess to barter a deal for peace (1 Kings 3:1) that ultimately would not last (1 Kings 11:11-13). It doesn't pay to be impatient.
What about us? Are we willing to trust God and follow His direction? Are we willing to take unconventional timetables or steps that may not follow our logic? It has been said that if we get ahead of God that He may not follow. Instead He tells us to remain in Him (John 15:4) and to take His yoke because it is easy (Matthew 11:30). Let's focus on following almighty God who always knows when it is time to swing and when it is time to take a pitch.
How often do we want to come up with the big hit so desperately that we swing at the first thing that comes along? We think, "I've been put in this position to come up with the big hit"…right? Do you know what happens when we are focused and patient? The count of balls and strikes will turn in our favor. The pitcher is then faced with a choice. Either the pitcher walks in a run or gives us a better pitch to hit. Abraham tried to use a maidservant as a shortcut to God's promise of being made into a great nation (Genesis 17:17-22). Solomon could have trusted that God would provide His people with peace. Instead He married and Egyptian princess to barter a deal for peace (1 Kings 3:1) that ultimately would not last (1 Kings 11:11-13). It doesn't pay to be impatient.
What about us? Are we willing to trust God and follow His direction? Are we willing to take unconventional timetables or steps that may not follow our logic? It has been said that if we get ahead of God that He may not follow. Instead He tells us to remain in Him (John 15:4) and to take His yoke because it is easy (Matthew 11:30). Let's focus on following almighty God who always knows when it is time to swing and when it is time to take a pitch.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Conversation with a Russian Cab Driver
I'll probably never forget my first cab ride to Beverly Hills. I landed at LAX for a professional meeting. I had no idea that I was about to be in for a terrific conversation when my driver picked me up. While we were going through a Jewish community, we started talking about how if someone saved our lives from being shot with a bullet (run over by a vehicle, stabbed, etc.) how thankful we would be. We would be telling all of our friends, our family, and people we didn't even know. It wouldn't matter if it was in a church, board meeting, airport, or bar. And every time we saw something that reminded us of that person it would remind us of how lucky we are to be alive.
At that point, the switch was flipped. How often do we tell people about Jesus and what He has done for us? Do other people see the joy in our lives from the Holy Spirit living inside of us? Wouldn't we want to do everything we could to show Jesus how thankful we are for His sacrifice? Someone saving me from a bullet saves me temporarily from physical death…Jesus saves our souls permanently and offers us eternal life.
One way we can show our appreciation for what Jesus has done for us is to obey God's commands. Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). We are also told to pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17), and to exhibit the "be" attitudes (Matthew 5:3-10). And when Jesus was asked the greatest commandment in the Law, He stated that we should "Love the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul and with all your mind…Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). In other words, We have a lot to be thankful for…let's act like it.
At that point, the switch was flipped. How often do we tell people about Jesus and what He has done for us? Do other people see the joy in our lives from the Holy Spirit living inside of us? Wouldn't we want to do everything we could to show Jesus how thankful we are for His sacrifice? Someone saving me from a bullet saves me temporarily from physical death…Jesus saves our souls permanently and offers us eternal life.
One way we can show our appreciation for what Jesus has done for us is to obey God's commands. Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). We are also told to pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17), and to exhibit the "be" attitudes (Matthew 5:3-10). And when Jesus was asked the greatest commandment in the Law, He stated that we should "Love the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul and with all your mind…Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). In other words, We have a lot to be thankful for…let's act like it.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Fluff and Stuff
Have you ever invited friends over and then realized that you weren't prepared for their arrival. If so, this is typically when the "fluff and stuff" tactic is implemented to impress guests. It's not that the host is actually cleaning up the disorganization, but instead is focused on avoiding potential embarrassment from guests seeing the house in disarray.
The "fluff and stuff" approach is similar to the rapper Jay-Z telling us to "Get that dirt off your shoulder". God isn't satisfied with us only looking good to other people, because He wants us to allow Him to create in us a pure heart. He doesn't want us putting on appearances of living perfect lives to the community around us, when we are really just hiding our sins in private (1 Samuel 15:13-23, 2 Samuel 12:1-10). The Pharisees are a great example of this type of behavior and show us the utter disgust that God has for such hypocrisy (Matthew 12:1-8, 9-14). Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice", on more than one occasion to the Pharisees. Let's be more concerned with being used under God's direction than looking good for others.
The "fluff and stuff" approach is similar to the rapper Jay-Z telling us to "Get that dirt off your shoulder". God isn't satisfied with us only looking good to other people, because He wants us to allow Him to create in us a pure heart. He doesn't want us putting on appearances of living perfect lives to the community around us, when we are really just hiding our sins in private (1 Samuel 15:13-23, 2 Samuel 12:1-10). The Pharisees are a great example of this type of behavior and show us the utter disgust that God has for such hypocrisy (Matthew 12:1-8, 9-14). Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice", on more than one occasion to the Pharisees. Let's be more concerned with being used under God's direction than looking good for others.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Airline Miles
We like to earn things and be appreciated. The success of frequent flyer programs highlight this. Sometimes we can carry this consumer first analogy over to our relationship with God. We start listing off all the “great” things we have done for God and expect Him to come through with our “rewards”.
Do we really think God needs our help? Do we really think that we would be able to do anything significant without using the gifts that He has so freely given us? It’s kind of like a kid who gets an allowance from his/her parents and is so proud of what he/she “bought” for them.
So, serving God is not about racking up the airline miles. It’s not getting the gold star on the refrigerator for the day. It’s about loving our Lord and Savior because He first loved us even when we were still dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-5). We deserve nothing and He has already given us everything we need (1st Corinthians 1:4-9). There’s no need for an airline miles program with God because He has already poured out His bountiful blessings on us. Let’s get out of the rat race of what we want so we serve God out of love and respect.
Do we really think God needs our help? Do we really think that we would be able to do anything significant without using the gifts that He has so freely given us? It’s kind of like a kid who gets an allowance from his/her parents and is so proud of what he/she “bought” for them.
So, serving God is not about racking up the airline miles. It’s not getting the gold star on the refrigerator for the day. It’s about loving our Lord and Savior because He first loved us even when we were still dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-5). We deserve nothing and He has already given us everything we need (1st Corinthians 1:4-9). There’s no need for an airline miles program with God because He has already poured out His bountiful blessings on us. Let’s get out of the rat race of what we want so we serve God out of love and respect.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Performance Enhancement
The words "performance enhancement" probably don't sit well with most folks these day. Those words likely bring to mind the steroid and human growth hormone scandals in professional sports…possibly even tarnishing baseball's greatest record. Others used these substances to get a chance to play in professional sports that they might not have had otherwise.
Christians need to be in favor of performance enhancement. I don't mean taking steroids or human growth hormone, but instead enhancing their relationship with almighty God. We go to great lengths to succeed in our careers, family life, and social circles…but how much effort do we place into having a closer fellowship with God. Trust me, the problem isn't on God's end…as my grandpa often told me, "We walk away from God, He doesn't walk away from us".
So, what can we do to enhance our performance? Well, we could just do the things that point toward success (reading the Bible, praying, attending to church) and look like we should be doing ok…but this doesn't guarantee success. Someone can go the batting cages or the weight room every day and not improve for at least three reasons: 1) they aren't trying to start with…they are just there to be seen; 2) they are satisfied with their current performance; or 3) they don't have goals set for themselves. Before you accuse me of being a Pharisee, I am not saying to read 6 chapters a day and pray 7 times each day come hell or high water just to do it. What I am saying is that success usually doesn't come without some type of a plan and the perseverance to follow through with it. The actual number of verses we read or how much time we spend on the "prayer clock" isn't what God wants…He wants us to allow Him to rule our lives. That's sounds really scary…because we like to be in control…but wouldn't you rather have almighty God, the greatest guide ever, to direct your steps?
Christians need to be in favor of performance enhancement. I don't mean taking steroids or human growth hormone, but instead enhancing their relationship with almighty God. We go to great lengths to succeed in our careers, family life, and social circles…but how much effort do we place into having a closer fellowship with God. Trust me, the problem isn't on God's end…as my grandpa often told me, "We walk away from God, He doesn't walk away from us".
So, what can we do to enhance our performance? Well, we could just do the things that point toward success (reading the Bible, praying, attending to church) and look like we should be doing ok…but this doesn't guarantee success. Someone can go the batting cages or the weight room every day and not improve for at least three reasons: 1) they aren't trying to start with…they are just there to be seen; 2) they are satisfied with their current performance; or 3) they don't have goals set for themselves. Before you accuse me of being a Pharisee, I am not saying to read 6 chapters a day and pray 7 times each day come hell or high water just to do it. What I am saying is that success usually doesn't come without some type of a plan and the perseverance to follow through with it. The actual number of verses we read or how much time we spend on the "prayer clock" isn't what God wants…He wants us to allow Him to rule our lives. That's sounds really scary…because we like to be in control…but wouldn't you rather have almighty God, the greatest guide ever, to direct your steps?
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