The Wrong Kind of Fear

2 Kings 17:33-34 They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods—according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away. 34 To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances, or the law and commandment which the Lord had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel, 

"These two verses caught me. The people here are those brought in from Assyria after the captivity of Israel. The Lord sent lions among them and they feared The Lord because of it yet served their own gods. How foolish! They even sent a priest to teach the people how to serve The Lord and they still made their high places, carved images and their own way of worship. That is why they feared the Lord, being afraid of him sending lions, in verse 33 but did not fear the Lord in verse 34. How many are come into the church that want to dwell as a Christian in title and by proximity? When the devil, that roaring lion, comes seeking whom he may devour they fear the Lord, they listen to the teaching, and yet still serve their own gods, money, sex, self, and do not fear the Lord"

These thoughts speak of our present day condition don't they? I am reminded that in the New Testament it says that people have a form of godliness and yet deny it's power. We know who Jesus is and yet don't serve Him and operate in the power that we should. 

It comes down to having the right kind of fear. 

The wrong fear is being afraid without knowledge. It is a fear that will drive you away from God. Without knowing the loving and powerful nature of God you will see the pressures of life as cruelty and end up distanced from God. 

The right kind of fear is one that is based on the knowledge of who God is. When you know His power and love you will be in awe of Him to a place of respect. You still won't mess with God but you will not be driven from Him. Instead His power and love will draw you to Him. 

Spend time with God in prayer, worship and in His word. As you do you will get the knowledge and will fear no evil. It will produce in you the right kind of fear that is expressed in your service to Him. 

What are your thoughts? Feel free to leave some comments below. 

Day 237 - That is How People Get Killed

"It was a stupid move."

A year ago today we were sailing on a large boat and a guy in a Hobie cat cut right in front of us. He was under sail so technically he would have the right of way. The problem is that when you cut in front of a large vessel that is in motion you run the risk of getting run over. 

One of my good friends from the south says there is a saying there that you can't fix stupid. Aside from the humor of that statement I see it in how the events unfolded that day we were sailing. 

After the guy got around us he started to yell at us in anger that he was under sail and we should have gotten out of the way for him. So now we are the bad guys because you're being stupid?! That works in a textbook but in the water might is right. If the boat I was on was under sail and had the right of way but a large oil tanker came along and wanted me to move out of the way, you better believe I would be doing what I could to get out of the way. 

We are encouraged in the Bible many times and in many ways to look out for others and put their needs ahead of our own. When we look out for number one we fall into pride and the snare of the devil which will eventually bring us down. If we don't want him to steal kill and destroy then we need to yield our rights and let others be first. 

What are some ways we can put others ahead of ourselves? What scriptures talk about this? 

Day 227 - The Cost of Friendship

"Friendships are complicated and the circle is small. Trust comes hard and respect is kept at the cost of familiarity and relaxation."

Maybe you don't have this problem. It could be my position as a pastor. Friendships, real friendships, are hard to come by. When I was younger I thought my large circle of friends would be around forever. Many have moved to other parts of the nation and contact is infrequent. 

I thank God that my wife is my best friend. That is how it should be. I am thankful though because I have a covenant partner who is with me all the time. It would be really lonely without her. 

As I get older I find that there are many people who would say that they are friends. I think my definition of a friend is different. I have tons of acquaintances. My church family is huge and I love every one of them! That is not the issue. A friend is someone I can relate with and talk to. I can open up with and be vulnerable. 

I know a true friend when it costs me and it costs them to be in the relationship. If they won't put any skin in the game then I know they are a surface level friend. I also know that if they will be committed it will require me to be a friend. The Bible says in order to have a friend you have to be a friend. It will cost you as well. 

When you find a real friend hold on to them. Their friendship is worth the fight to keep. Call them up and let them know you appreciate their friendship. Pray for them and encourage them how they have encouraged you. 

How do you keep real friendships going? How do you know who is a real friend or just an acquaintance? 

Day 187 - What's On the Menu?

Last year I went to a birthday party for some friends. The guy had me laughing, as he always does. He told me he doesn't go to a birthday party until he knows what's on the menu. It was his party! 

I thought about it and there is some wisdom there. I am a guy who has a hard time saying no and managing my time well.  I get easily distracted and end up wasting time and being unproductive. Since I know that about myself I have had to make some changes in order to be a better Christian, husband, father and boss. 

When I realized I couldn't continue to waste time I identified some things that were time wasters or time takers. Time wasters included some social media, e-mails, and other distractions that I could manage. Time takers were often people or situations that I knew of. In order to manage my time properly I had to make sure I knew what was on the menu before I got to the party (see what I did there?). 

If I know that there is a time waster on the menu I will pass. If I know that there is a time taker I will either delegate or put that situation to rest quickly by calling it out. Most of the time when it comes to people I try to be sensitive and not just shine them on until I can get away. I genuinely care for them and want to help them. That being said if I know someone isn't being sensitive to my time when there are important things that need to take place I will kindly let them know what is going on and dismiss myself (rather than dismiss them). Most of the time when I do this people respond postively or if they really do have an issue I am able to schedule a good time to talk and give them the attention they deserve (even time takers are people with needs). 

How do you manage your time? What time wasters or takers can you identify? (No names please!)

Day 139 - Loving the Lost

"He was funny. His attitude and mild use of profanity was a catalyst for me to try and win the guy to Christ."

You gotta love humanity. As rough and rugged as people can be they are people. They have love and care, humor, anger passions and drive for the future. 

Sometimes at crowded places like the mall or an amusement park I people watch. If you don't know what people watching is it is where you sit on a bench and watch people. Not much there but fun nonetheless. 

I find people interesting. How did God come up with so many faces? What are their lives like? Where are they going? What are they doing? 

The unifying factor for all of us is that we all need Jesus. Some of us are more aware of the fact than others so we make it our aim to tell as many people as we can. I didn't end up winning that guy to the Lord last year but there is still hope for the future. He would be a great Christian if he wasn't so sure he was doing fine without Jesus. 

A greater unifying factor is that we are all loved by God. Even people who think they don't need God will admit they want want love. So we offer them a God they need by showing His love. Love never fails. 

Do you people watch? What do you enjoy about humanity? How can we reach people with God's love? 

Day 16- What really matters

"I am busy but I am determined to be busy with what is important; people."

Today's thought from last year reminds me that I have to connect everything I do to people. My work is a service to the people. My home life is a service to my family and friends. My witness is to people who are lost in the world. I exist for God and others. 

Many times when I interact with people at church, even sometimes when they have made an appointment and meet me in the office, they say "I know you're busy so I'll be quick". My response is always the same, "I am here for you, this I what I do". Really without people there is no church. The building is just a building. People are the church. 

It is easy to get distracted from this simple concept. Self can easily step in and say the people are here for you. In reality it is the other way around. The devil would love us to buy the lie that what we do won't hurt anyone but ourselves. Not true! Sin hurts people beyond ourselves. Society would tell us to live our lives and that the times are such that business and finance, marketing and branding are more important than real connections and genuine interaction. Wrong again, loving God and loving people is the command. Loving one another as Jesus loved us is the new command. That is a sacrificial love for others who don't even deserve it. 

There is the motivation for the determination. There is the example of how. Now let's do it! 

How high are people on your priority scale? How can we do better at serving, loving, and investing in others?