Tag: truth

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We have met the enemy, and he is us.

“We have met the enemy, and he is us.” Walt Kelly popularized this statement in the comic strip Pogo in 1971. Walt Kelly used the modified version of Commodore Perry’s comment, suggesting that humanity itself is responsible for many of the problems it faces.

The quote is a play on the famous line from the War of 1812: the United States Navy defeated the British Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie. Master Commandant Oliver Perry wrote to Major General William Henry Harrison, “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.”

We are our own worst enemies. We allow negative thoughts to enter our minds and forget that we are sons and daughters of the Most High, who created us perfectly for the plan He has in store for us.

Humility

Surprisingly enough, this is about humility. Being humble is extremely hard. A line of thinking in psychology claims that all human actions are ultimately self-interested, even when they appear altruistic. According to this view, people help others because it makes them feel good, brings social approval, or avoids guilt. Most who believe that humans can be altruistic focus on the lack of need for worldly gains from their efforts. Then, there is the thought that merely intentionally trying to be humble is an act of pride. I’m getting a headache; let’s return to the original thought.

God commands us to be humble.

1 Pete 5:5b, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Humility is giving God and others the stage.  – Cortney Defoe, “In This House, We Will Giggle.”

Going Too Far

What happens when we take humility too far? What happens if we start to believe that we are somewhat inferior to others and, therefore, are not being humble but truthful? In his sermon about humility, Mike Browne suggested that self-incrimination is a form of pride that manifests in false and exaggerated humility. Much of our negative self-talk is about focusing on our weaknesses with an expectation that we should be better than we perceive.

“You cannot practice humility by just being humble. You must practice humility by finding safety and security in God that anchors the weaknesses that God actually wants us to display.” – Jackie Hill Perry.

We all have weaknesses. That is part of the story God wrote about you at your inception. You are unique and perfectly made for God’s purpose, including your weaknesses. Your weaknesses are part of your testimony.

God created you perfectly. God does not make junk. This exaggerated form of humility starts with the perception that we do not measure up. We set a standard for ourselves based on the performance of others. Somehow, we conclude that God gets this perverse joy in watching us compete with each other. That is a lie progressed by social media and human pride.

We are Unique

“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man, he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody.

Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him.

If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

You can not be someone else, and no one can be you. God planned it that way. Be confident that God will support you in all your efforts if He is first. God will turn your weakness into a strength. Don’t ask God to take it away; ask Him how He wants you to use it. We have met the enemy, and he is us.

Don’t think less of yourself; think of yourself less. – Ken Blanchard

Philippians 2:2-4, “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

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The Scene of the Crime is in Your Mind

Mind in BondageThe scene of the crime is in your mind. What misdeed we discuss doesn’t matter; human behavior starts with a thought. Given the fertilizer of attention, that thought grows into a preoccupation, which in turn bears fruit.

Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

“By the Grace of God, we are highly favored. His Grace is bigger than what our minds can ever comprehend.” – Gift Gugu Mona, Daily Quotes about God: 365 Days of Heavenly Inspiration

Behavior

Behavior is an intricate reflection of the mind’s inner workings; every action we take, whether consciously or unconsciously, originates in the vast landscape of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs that reside within us. In this sense, the “scene of the crime”—whether noble or destructive—occurs in the mind long before it manifests outwardly.

Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Our thoughts act as the architects of behavior. A single thought, however fleeting, can lead to a cascade of actions that ripple through our lives. When negativity takes root, it can distort our perceptions, fostering actions we may later regret.

Romans 12:16, “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”

But the mind is also the birthplace of acts of kindness, empathy, and courage, beginning with recognizing that God first loved us. When we choose to foster thoughts of compassion, we align our actions with values first demonstrated by Christ.

The mind is the battlefield where good and evil forces wage war. To change our behavior, we must first build a fortress of sound theology. Upon this foundation, we can build on the hope and joy God has promised us.

The Mind Battle

The human mind is a complex and mysterious place where the forces of good and evil clash daily. This internal struggle is universal, transcending culture, time, and place. It is the essence of what it means to be human, and it often defines the choices we make and the paths we walk in life.

Philippians 2:2, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

Good and evil are forces that are not external agents acting upon us but internal impulses that we navigate within ourselves. They are the by-product of a fallen world. Every thought, emotion, and decision is part of this ongoing battle. On one side, spiritual qualities such as kindness, empathy, compassion, and honesty are the fruits of goodness. It is that which we do to glorify Christ.

Conversely, evil manifests as selfishness, anger, greed, and deceit. It is an action opposed to Christ. It tempts us to act in ways that harm others or serve only our immediate desires.

This battle is not always clear-cut. The mind is a place of nuance, and good and evil often intermingle in complex ways. Satan is the master of the half-truth. Positive behavior centered around selfishness is more harmful than painful actions done with compassion.

Mind Over Matter

At the heart of this battle is the concept of choice. We are powerless in and of ourselves to conquer evil. It is only Christ that can give us this power. Our thoughts and actions shape our daily choices—whether to react with patience or anger, help someone in need, or turn away. This constant decision-making must be grounded in scripture.

Romans 15:6, “So that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ultimately, the struggle between good and evil is not about achieving perfection but striving to be more like Jesus. It reminds us that we are responsible for our actions; despite the challenges, we have the power, through Christ, to choose the light over the darkness.

Thus, the saying holds: crime and redemption begin in the mind.

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

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Watch One, Do One, Teach One

Do what is right

Watch one, Do One, Teach One. One of the things I have learned in life is that original ideas come about once every one hundred years. Almost every new and innovative idea is a remake of a previous idea. Ányos Jedlik invented the electric car in 1928. We take something other people have already thought of, add our spin, and call it new. The idea behind watch one, do one, teach one is not new. It is biblical in that Jesus used this process to mature His disciples.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin.

Watch One

Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Jesus was the consummate teacher. Reading, listening, and praying are the signs of a lifelong Christian learner. Jesus spent much time teaching the disciples the wisdom He wanted them to use when He sent them into the world. It was not learning for the sake of learning. He did not want them to be great Tanakh scholars; He wanted them equipped for the work ahead of them.

Do One

Matthew 10:5-8, “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

Then Jesus asked them to do. He sent them out into the world to mimic what they had learned. They returned to Him to get instruction and advice. Jesus wanted them fully prepared to advance His Kingdom once He was gone.

Teach One

Matthew 28:18-20: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”

Then Jesus commanded them to teach others what they had learned. Jesus watched His teaching go viral through His disciples. The best and fastest way to expand your message is to engage others in spreading that message.

What About Us

“I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand.” – Confucius

As of 2024, there are approximately 2.6 billion Christians worldwide. That is quite a multiplier; twelve have grown into 2.6 billion. I don’t think I am going to have that impact. But I believe I will have an impact if I follow Jesus’ formula. It doesn’t make a difference what plan God has for your life; this formula applies. Wherever your passion, gifting, resources, or experience leads you, be a constant learner, do what you have learned, and then teach others.

James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

The idea behind Watch One, Do One, Teach One is pragmatic. Requiring the learner to do before they are allowed to teach means that the learner must have experienced life lessons from the learning before passing the knowledge to others. Do not skip over this phase. Doing infuses credibility into the audience when teaching. The teaching goes from theoretical to real life. Many spend their lives learning and trying to pass it on as teaching when we have never lived it. That is the definition of a hypocrite. To have an impact, you must live what you teach.

Romans 2:20-24, “An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

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Are we Seeking The Truth or Validation

Another part of my life that needs evaluation this coming year is my perception of seeking the truth or validation.  In the last half-century, I have seen the normalization of division.  This division is now evolving into anger and sometimes violence toward others.  It started with the benign postmodern concept that you have your truth, and I have mine.  This concept started as a peaceful way of avoiding conflict.  We did not have to agree; you believe what you want, and I will believe what I want.

Ephesians 4:2, "Always be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love."

God’s truth always agrees with itself. – Richard Sibbes

Validation

The “unexpected consequence” of this type of thinking is a division of thought.  Groups of people started drifting away from each other.  We gravitate toward those who think like we do, engaging in group intelligence, crowd wisdom, groupthink, and deindividuation.  We stop looking for truth and start looking for validation,  instead pursuing anything that makes us feel better about our opinions and avoiding anything that conflicts with them.  It is called confirmation bias and is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one’s prior beliefs or values.

We exasperate this by passing on our opinions about politics, war, global warming, social justice, and religion, to name a few,  as truths because it is all we know.    In this, we become intolerant of those who think differently wanting to educate them on our truth.  But are we seeking the truth or validation?  Interestingly, God warned us about this thousands of years ago.

Matthew 12:36, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak."

It is natural to have an opinion.  It is virtuous to have that opinion grounded in scripture.  Sometimes, finding a scriptural foundation for a worldly issue is challenging.  In those cases, it is important to tread lightly.  The issue is not so much the validity of your opinion, although that is important, as it is spreading that opinion.  We treat ordinary conversation as just that, while many conversations are just gossip.  We attempt to convince someone that our opinion is more than our opinion, but the truth.  Having them accept our “truth” validates our opinion.  And in that, we feel validated.

James 1:26, "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."

Truth

This year, I am trying to avoid careless talk, this includes careless self-talk.  The more I entertain a careless thought, the more I am convinced it is true.  One of the activities I need to engage more is understanding the other side.  I don’t like this because I don’t like what they say, I don’t like their logic, and more importantly, I’m afraid they will make sense. Sometimes, your friends will lie to you, and sometimes, your enemies will tell the truth.  I need to find common ground and then evaluate the differences.  To accomplish this, I must be willing to open up with those who do not share my beliefs and values.  If I can understand why they don’t, I may better understand how to present my view more positively.  I must accept that sometimes we don’t have enough information to know the truth.  In those situations, I need to keep my opinion to myself.

Ephesians 4:29-32, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

We are Christians created in the image of God.  It is a demanding standard to live up to, but it is what we were created to do.  We are the peacemakers.  It is not about abandoning our principles or values but finding a positive approach to speaking the truth.

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

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The Greatest Name in History (Repost from 02/201/22)

The Greatest Name in History was originally posted in February 2022. But as we close out the Christmas season, I thought it was important to revisit it. Here it is.

Who is the greatest name in history? In the western world, you acknowledge Christ’s influence on your life any time you write a date on something. Crazy, isn’t it, how one man 2,000 years ago could still influence everyday life for almost everyone.

According to statistics from Wycliffe International, Gideons International, and the International Bible Society, the number of new Bibles sold, given away, or otherwise distributed in the United States is about 168,000 per day. In addition, the research conducted by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 2021 suggests that there are between 5 and 7 billion copies of the Bible distributed in the last 1,500 years.

The History Collection, a website dedicated to teaching history to the masses, created its list of the 40 most influential people in history; Jesus was number one, beating out names like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, and Aristotle.

Steve Skiena and Charles Ward, in their book “Who’s Bigger,” created a complex combination of measures to establish their “significance” ranking; they assessed more than 800,000 names throughout history. Number one on their list was Jesus. Judging strictly on longevity and influence, Jesus was determined to be the biggest name in human history ever.

Jesus has two billion people following His teachings over 2,000 years after His death; that’s pretty influential.

Why Jesus?

Isaiah 53:4, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”

Jesus never penned a best seller or sang a top 100 song. He didn’t invent a game-changing product or create a Fortune 100 company. Jesus had no Twitter account or Facebook page; Jesus was not an influencer on TikTok. He had no title or education and no political affiliation. Rather, he was a homeless, itinerate, unemployed preacher. His ministry was only three years.

Whether you believe Jesus is the son of God or not, you can not get away from His influence on your life. Several years ago, a book was published entitled “A Case for Christ,”; written by Lee Strobel in 1998. Strobel painstakingly applies forensic anthropology to validate the historical events in the Bible. It is almost 300 pages of detailed analysis and interrogation into the authenticity of the writings about Jesus. He concludes that everything written in the Bible about Jesus is historically accurate: miracles, quotations, and resurrection included.

If Jesus walked the face of this earth, and the historic chronology about Him is accurate, why do we struggle so much with believing He is the Son of God? Better yet, why do we battle to believe what He says?

Time magazine in the June 21st, 1971 edition, quoted the journalist William Emerson Jr. “that in different centuries and cultures, people have always concocted ‘the sort of Jesus they could live with.’”

Non-believers will say that believers must have this make-believe miracle worker in their lives to overcome their insecurities and give them hope. To them, following Jesus is a cop-out to facing the realities of the world. We have to have a bigger-than-life superhero to make it through the day. Unfortunately, for some Christians, that is true; their faith does not know the truth; it wishes it were true.

2 Peter 2:20, “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.”

The reality of Christianity isn’t that it makes life easier; it makes us more accountable. But unfortunately, this accountability causes most of us to be uncomfortable. The Bible never said that we would not see pain and suffering; it said it would only last a little while. Eternity is a very long time.

The number one hurdle for most non-believers is not finding hope in greater power; it is being held accountable for their actions. Postmodernism allows everyone to be responsible for their version of the truth. They can be a good person based on their perception of good. On the other hand, Christians are accountable to one great truth: there is no sliding scale.

John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus is the author of that great truth. That is why Jesus. Because Jesus is the light in the darkness, he is the horizon point that we use to guide our decisions. He is the most powerful and influential force in the history of humankind.

John 14:6, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Even before you feel the transformational impact of forgiveness, you have to acknowledge the importance of who Christ is and what He has done. Once you accept He is who He said He is, then you will start to experience the grace, compassion, and love inherent in His nature.

“Jesus didn’t come to tell us the answers to the questions of life; he came to be the answer.” Timothy Keller

Who is the greatest name in history? Knowing Christ and knowing about Christ are two different things. The world knows about Christ. Therefore, you must come to know Christ.

1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
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The Truth about the Silent Lie

The silent lie is the most dangerous lie of all. It allows us to pretend we did nothing wrong while deceiving another. The silent lie is passive; it takes no effort. In many cases, we congratulate ourselves for holding our tongue. There are around fifty-four verses in the Bible that directly address lying.

Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”

We know when we have intentionally told a lie. It is called the black lie; we hate that term. We prefer to call it a little white lie. A little white lie sounds so much more acceptable. We know our words are not the truth the second they leave our lips. As we speak, we often wish there was another way to shed our guilt by telling the truth and still achieve our desired result. Lying is about achieving selfish results. At night, in the dark solitude of our bed, we pray for forgiveness.

“A lie that is half-truth is the darkest of all lies.” ― Alfred Tennyson

Lying by Omission

What about lying by omission, the silent lie? There are two broad categories of lying by omission. The first is when you say nothing when the other party draws a faulty conclusion in your favor. You watch them as they misinterpret your words, leading them to a conclusion. Maybe you intentionally crafted your words to mislead, feeling that their lack of comprehension is their problem. You spoke the truth in the exactness of your phrasing while knowing it would mislead. Lying by omissions can lead people to remember the true parts they heard while erasing the parts omitted or misrepresented.

Psalm 120:2, “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue.”

Politicians have popularized another silent lie; it is deflection. They answer a direct question with an irrelevant fact. The implication is that the “fact” somehow answers the question. A politician is asked if they think their employment policies are effective considering the current 8% unemployment. They respond that there were 800,000 new jobs created in the last quarter. The implication is that they think their policy works without going on record as saying it does. The deflection gives plausible deniability later if needed.

Psalm 12:2, “They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.”

Constant lying can take a toll on the person lying, affecting their mental and emotional well-being. Keeping up with lies can be stressful and may lead to feelings of guilt or anxiety. It can ruin reputations and minimize future potential. There is a whole list of adverse effects of lying, both physical and emotional.

The Biggest Silent Lie

“When truth is replaced by silence, the silence is a lie.” ― Yevgeny Yevtushenko.

The biggest silent lie is when a Christian sees a person on the path of destruction and keeps quiet. Somehow, it is not their problem that the other person is destroying their future. Saying nothing does not betray Christ; it just avoids telling the truth. The silent lie is not telling the truth when the truth matters. Deliver the truth with compassion and love, but deliver it you must. Not speaking up is lying by omission, the silent lie. Watering down the truth to save face or avoid ridicule is a silent lie.

Proverbs 26:28, “A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

We speak the truth if we genuinely care about those we say we love. We do not allow the lost to believe a faultshood.

Proverbs 14:5, “A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.”

There are many studies about the number of times a person lies daily. The majority conclusion is that everyone lies at least once or twice a day. That is right, everyone. We live in a broken world. The sixty-four-thousand-dollar question has two components. Do you lie to yourself by omission, refusing to allow yourself to believe the truth about yourself, and, by extension, lie to God about who you are? Does the silent lie hide aspects of your life that need open and honest communication with Christ? Trust is often the first casualty of lying. God already knows; you might as well come clean.

Psalm 101:7, “He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me.”
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Who is “You”?

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible because it gives me hope. I think of it often whenever things are not going well. I quote it often to friends who are struggling. You see it on coffee mugs, posters, and t-shirts. But am I using it out of context? Sometimes we get so used to thinking one way that it never dawns on us that our thinking may be skewed.

Does the Bible say God has a plan for you as an individual or for His people? Does God’s plan for His people include a plan for each individual? Is each of us gifted in a certain way to help achieve His plan for all of His people? If God has a plan for everyone, then it would seem that everyone has to either opt in or out of that plan.

CONTEXT

What is the context of this passage? God was talking to the nation of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah. During a time when the Israelites were living in captivity in Babylon. They were slaves. That’s the critical thing to note; this passage addresses slaves living in enemy territory. Jeremiah had just dropped the bomb on the Israelites that their liberation would be 70 years off. I would guess that most Israelites were depressed by this news. Most of them would be dead before liberation. Jeremiah then encourages them with this passage.

It is addressed to a group of people, not individuals. It promises that God is still in control even when things are bleak. It’s a promise that even though things might not make sense to them now, God’s plan is still good.

Psalm 33:11, “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”

I believe that God has a plan and purpose not only for the human race but for my individual life. –  Anne Graham Lotz

APPLICATION

So, am I wrong in using this verse to provide hope for myself? Yes and No. This verse does not assure me of future prosperity and a life without strife. It does remind me that I am part of something bigger—God has designated me as part of His plan for His people. We have to take any passage in the Bible and wrap it with the totality of God’s teaching. God’s plan is still good, and I am part of His plan.

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We are each gifted with specific attributes that God will use to forward His Kingdom here on earth. Although this gifting may not seem equal from a human point of view, it is in God’s eyes because we are created perfectly for the mission he has for us. If we are gifted to leadership and business, it is because business people need to hear the Gospel. If we are gifted as craftsmen or teachers, they also need to hear the good news. Whatever country we were raised in, whatever economic circumstances we find ourselves in, and whatever vocation we gravitate toward was specified by God to expand His kingdom.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Does that mean that we should accept our circumstances? That depends on what the Holy Spirit is telling you. Part of the training I am involved with centers around this concept; Are you called to do this? Has God put it on your heart to pursue this life change? Are you doing it because you want it, or is this part of God’s gifting for you?

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Throughout our lives, God moves us through seasons. He is constantly teaching and directing us. Your purpose never changes, but your plan may. You might need experience in another skill or another country before you are ready to progress. What you perceive as your destination may only be the next mile marker.

Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Along the way, wherever you find yourself, you are where God wants you to be. He wants you to experience the joy of working with Him for His people at every point in your life.  God will not set you aside. Even in quiet times, there will be opportunities to work with God.  

Proverbs 16:3-4, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.”

God has plans to give you hope and a future; you are the one who has to opt in or out.

Philippians 1:6, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”

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Truth

2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. “

“What a heartbreak it would be to live an “almost” Christian life, then “almost” get into heaven.”

Remember in Middle School when we were given word problems in math? Kind of like this: With two sheep flying, one yellow and the other headed right, how much does a pound of asphalt cost, given that a cow is ten years old? There was always extraneous information in the word problem that had nothing to do with the solution; it just confused the issue. Part of solving the problem was figuring out what was relevant and what wasn’t. Life is a lot like that.  Our world problems have information that doesn’t apply to the solution. How do we sort out what is essential?

1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) states that approximately 2.2 million books are published annually worldwide. That number is split relatively evenly between fiction and non-fiction. That is a tremendous amount of new information. It does not come close to the Social Media information published every year. We are drowning in information and starving for truth.

What are the barriers to understanding the truth of God’s word? Even with the best intentions, where do we falter? What is this implication when we consider our impact on God’s Kingdom?

Matthew 7:21-23. “’ Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Wow, that is a heavy price. Bending the Gospel so that we feel better about our choices could have an enormous downside.

Isaiah 29:13, “And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but artificial rules learned by rote.”

Bible study is not an intellectual exercise.

Knowing the truth of God’s word takes work. It is not about memorizing Bible verses without knowing their context and meaning. It is not about reading the Bible without knowing its historical and literary context. Knowing who wrote the verse, to whom it is written, when it was written, and what came before and after it helps frame its meaning.

“Anything worth having is worth working for.” ― Brian Rathbone, Call of the Herald.

The second most common mistake in understanding God’s word is not doing your research. It is important to study with others to hear more than one point of view, but don’t leave it at that. Consult commentaries from biblical scholars. You notice I used the plural. There were over 20,000 religious books printed last year in the United States alone; think of how many were written in the rest of the world. That is a lot of educated opinions; not everyone can be right. Ferret out the commonalities and differences. Use Critical thinking to understand why.

Matthew 24:24, “For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

It is also important to think through the application of knowledge. How does ancient text apply to your worldview? How do you connect the dots? Finding application requires taking your current study and wrapping around it the entirety of the Bible. Once you know what the author was trying to tell the people he was writing to, why did God include this text? How does it fit into the overall narrative God is weaving throughout the Bible?

What you do not do is look for confirmation of a position (Confirmation Bias). You should not use the Bible as a Christian encyclopedia for whatever shiny object has gotten your attention. It is tempting to read the Bible selectively, trying to prove an idea we already believe to be true. If we come to the Scriptures with a predetermined point of view, we can force God’s word to appear to say whatever we want.

Proverbs 11:9, “With his mouth, the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge, the righteous are delivered.”

Without this knowledge, it is easy to be misled concerning God’s word. Some will try to convince you that God echoes their point of view when the quoted text may not have anything to do with the topic.  It often happens that church leaders and churchgoers mislead Christians to advance their personal agenda. Truth is your shield.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So, it is no surprise that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

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The Fixer

Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I’m in my home town visiting my family. I spent my “formative” years here. Although I have been away for the better part of half a century, I still call this home. The kids I went to high school with are still kids to me. The images of them hanging out is still fresh in my mind.

THE PAST

One of my schoolmates just passed away. When she was in high school with me, she was a sweet, fun-loving girl with her whole life in front of her. Over time, disappointment and drugs took that away from her. I’m a guy, and being a guy; I want to fix things. I’m also an engineer, so double that. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn in life is that there are certain things that I can’t fix. No amount of trying and praying and working was going to improve it. Some things are the exclusive purview of God.

Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

I love the striving. I love overcoming. I love the against-all-odds victories. I relish the emotional high of seeing someone rise above their circumstances to achieve the improbable. But it doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes we make choices that are hard to undo. We go in directions that are hard to reverse. We pick a life that doesn’t end well. I hate that. I hate that terrible endings are even possible.  

The truth is that God gave us free will. That free will allowed us to demonstrate our love for Him by freely choosing Him. It also means that we are free not to choose Him. We can not make that decision for anyone but ourselves. The guy side of me has a problem with that concept. Even though I make bad decisions for myself, I still want to help others make good decisions. It is most apparent when it’s too late. It is with regret and remorse that I look back.

John 6:40, “For this is the will of my Father that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

THE PRESENT

We all have people in our lives that we want to see for eternity. We want them to share the beauty and majesty of eternity with our Maker. But we believe there is time. There is time to share the gospel. There is time to have that difficult conversation. There is time to save a life for eternity. One day we find out there isn’t any more time.

Psalms 27:4, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

Don’t get me wrong; you can’t fix it any more than I can. We each have to choose. But do we choose with full knowledge? It is easy to feel responsible somehow. You knew them. You knew a little about what they were going through, but you’re a thousand miles away. Your orbits crossed sometimes but never synched up. What could you have done? Nothing in some cases. But there are a lot of cases you could do something. Would you? You know people who need to hear full disclosure concerning their decisions.

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Their soul gets pushed down into the mire of their lives and suffocates. They live the only life that they know. Unconditional love and redemption are not topics they believe in. Mostly these are not bad people; they do good for others and are positive examples to those around them. Their focus is worldly. Their actions are self-supporting. They believe when life is over, it is over; there is nothing else. I am sometimes surprised at how many activists don’t have an eternal view. These are people who fight against evil but don’t believe in it.

1 Peter 2:15, “For this is the will of God that by doing good, you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”

THE FUTURE

Where most great intentions fail is in the implementation. It is in the execution that we trip and fall. No, we can’t fix certain things, but we can create an environment that attracts curiosity. We can build relationships that expose full knowledge. We can take a minute to step into the lives of those around us to draw them in. In the end, it is they that must accept or reject Christ. It is up to us to lay the groundwork for that decision. That groundwork is not just words but actions; the way we live our lives. Then we let God take over.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

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Are You Valued the Right Way?

1 Samuel 16:7, “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'”

I was told this story by someone who didn’t know who originated it; if you do, let me know, and I will amend this post. It’s a perfect parable for defining personal value.

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A father said to his daughter, “You have graduated with honors; here is a car I bought many years ago.

It is a bit older now, but before I give it to you, take it to the used car lot downtown and tell them you want to sell it and see how much they offer you.

The daughter went to the used car lot, returned to her father, and said, “They offered me $1,000 because they said it looks pretty worn out.”

Now, the father said, “Take it to the pawnshop.” So the daughter went to the pawnshop, returned to her father, and said, “The pawnshop offered only $100 because it is an old car.”

The father asked his daughter to go to a car club and show them the car. The daughter then took the car to the club, returned, and told her father,” Some people in the club offered $100,000 because it’s a Holden Torana and an iconic car and sought by many collectors.”

The father said this to his daughter, “The right place values you the right way,” If you are not valued, do not be angry, it means you are in the wrong place. Those who know your value are those who appreciate you. So never stay in a place where no one sees your value.

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Are you in the right place; are you valued the right way?

When I received my first promotion at work, I thought it was because I was the guy with all the answers. Luckily, I had a boss that corrected me on that. I was a command-and-control manager. It was my way or the highway. John McAlister was my boss; he was an old man of forty-five or fifty with many miles on his tires. He taught me that people needed to learn how to do things within their skill set and personality traits. They couldn’t be me anymore than I could be them. John taught me a lot for an old guy. Fifty years later, I still think of him.

When we are born, the two challenges God gives us are finding out who we are and finding where we fit. We are all God’s Holden Torana’s looking for a home. The world will put a value on you, but if you end up at a used car dealership or a pawn shop, you will never know the actual value of who you are.

Psalm 139:13-15, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. So I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.”

Never underestimate your value to God. You are more precious than gold. If others do not see that in you, do not question yourself; question where in life you are; you are in the wrong place. One of the hardest things we do is abandon what we know for what we do not know, even when what we know isn’t good for us. Spiritual maturity is learning to walk away from people and situations that threaten your peace of mind, Godly self-respect, Christian values, or self-worth. Walking away has nothing to do with weakness and everything to do with strength. You walk away not because you want others to realize your value but because you finally realize your value.

Peter 1:18-19, “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

My Dad once told me that if I was the smartest guy in the room, I was in the wrong room. Everyone brings something unique to the table. We don’t have all the right answers; we don’t even know all the right questions. We must remind ourselves that sometimes our friends will lie to us, and sometimes our enemies will tell us the truth. Please don’t buy into the lie because it makes life more comfortable; always seek the truth. Those we travel with must see the unique value created within us by Christ. When you recognize your value, you will find it harder to be around people who don’t.

John C. Maxwell says, “Your core value is the deeply held beliefs that authentically describe your soul.” When you doubt your value go to scripture; God will reinforce your value to Him.  Always remember that you are God’s ambassador to the world.

1 Peter 3:4, “But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

Never settle for a life that is less than the one God created for you.

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