What the World Needs Now

"I was thinking about how we need to operate in agape love. Love covers!"

People are hurting. Times are not just tough, they are tumultuous. There is fear on every side. Terrors on the outside with divisions on the inside. If you have been following the news or the social media stream you know exactly what I am talking about.

People all over the world read this blog from every walk of life. You are concerned and feel the pain of what is going on firsthand. In our nation we are experiencing things we never would have dreamed of. Some of you are mourning the loss of a friend or the loss of an ideal you have lived by because of the actions of others.

I titled this post "What the World Needs Now" with the old song in mind. We need love. But not just any love. We need agape love. If you aren't familiar with what agape love is let me tell you about it.

Agape is a Greek word for love. It is different than our English word from love in the sense that agape is a very specific type of love. In fact the Greeks had several words they used to describe love. We in our language would say "I love my friends," "I love my spouse," "I love my dog," and "I love nachos" all in the same day. Obviously we do not love nachos the way we love our spouse. Nor do we love our friends like we love our dog. (For some they love their dog more than their friends!)

In the Greek language they had separate words for the different kinds of love. They would use phileo for the friendship type of love. Eros was used for the sensual and romantic type of love. But agape is different. We find that it is entirely a word that was used mostly by the Bible and was used for the love that we as Christians are supposed to have. It is a unique type of love that flows from God the Father.

It was the agape love of the Father that motivated Him to send Jesus to live and die for our sin and salvation. It is the agape love that Jesus lived in that caused Him to touch the unclean and heal them, to stop with a half breed outcast woman by a well and save her soul, and to weep at the death of His friend and raise him from the dead. Jesus is love incarnate because 1 John tells us that "God is love."

God is agape love. It defines Who He is and how He operates. It is this agape love that we are to operate in. It is this agape love from the Father, working through His children, that the world needs. Without it the same problems will keep going on. Division and separation, prejudice and murder will continue without agape love.

When we, God's children, the church of Jesus Christ, come together in love and spread the love of the Father it will tear down the walls of separation. The love of God will show the world that we are His disciples. Our love will be shown in our obedience to the commandments of God and people will see the difference in our lives. This love will compel us to reach out with the Word and power of God. This love will motivate and fuel our prayers for the world and cause us to pray for our enemies and bless those that spitefully use and persecute us.

Agape love is what the world needs now. Love never fails.

A Foolish Thought

"I laid it out for them and brought it to three main points; don't make any provision for the flesh, neither give place to the devil and don't even give the appearance of evil."

There are a lot of people who call themselves Christians that are living no different than the world. It is for this reason that our witness is not as strong as it should be as a whole. I would imagine the confusion in some one's mind who is not a Christian when someone tells them they should get saved but their lifestyle doesn't show any contrast to the rest of the world. Why get saved if you are no different in lifestyle or priorities or anything else for that matter?

Some have tried to justify this. "I am a Christian but I...[insert vice here]". What a foolish thought. Excusing the action won't justify it by any means. It just shows that there is no repentance from dead works. 

It seems to me that Jesus died so we could be made alive. We are raised up with Him. So that means we no longer act like a dead man with dead works. Our lives should reflect the life of Christ. The Bible calls us a peculiar people. We should be weird to the world. We are also told in the word that when we don't jump in to the flood of dissipation with the people of this world that they will wonder at us. 

In my quote from last year's journal it outlines how we do this. Make no provision for the flesh, give no place to the devil and don't even give the appearance of evil. 

To make no provision for the flesh means if you know something will cause you to stumble stay away from it. If social media turns into a gossip fest every time you are on it you should delete your account. It sounds so harsh but Jesus said if your eye causes you to sin pluck it out. Imagine doing that for a second. Pretty tough to think about right. But if you had the choice of pulling out your eye with your own hands or deleting an account I think I know what you would choose. 

Giving no place to the devil takes being on guard. We should have our armor on, swords up and shields out. When the thoughts start to come we speak the word and let our faith extinguish the flaming arrows the devil is shooting at us. The Bible says to submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. You have the authority of Jesus to cast the devil out. Don't give him an inch because he will take a mile. 

Finally we are not to give even the appearance of evil. One translation of the verse I got this from says don't give any hint of evil. I know it is counter culture and I will be criticized for being legalistic or religious but I don't care. There are things that we, speaking of Christians as a whole in America and maybe in some other places in the world, that hint at evil. We need to wake up and realize that there are places that are known for being centers of evil things taking place. Not only that but our freedom in Christ could cause someone to turn away from the gospel, How would we feel if we knew someone went to hell because we wouldn't give up a non-essential thing in our life? 

I know this post may seem like an Internet rant if you don't know me but really it is a passionate cry for all of us Christians to be who we say we are. I love the Body of Christ and it is my passion and purpose to equip believers for life and service. If you look over your life and there are some areas that you are defending while reading this post you may want to take a fresh look at them. Ask someone you can trust to shoot straight with you how they view what it is you are thinking about. Ask a believer and then ask a non-believer. You may be surprised what you hear. 

When we get this down I believe we will have a greater and more effective witness for Jesus. It is so important that much of what is written to the church in the Bible centers around topics like this. You will find that in doing these things you will experience a greater blessing from God as well. The reason I know that is because God blesses obedience. You can't go wrong following the will of God. It isn't always easy but it is good!

What other scriptures help us in these areas? Have you experiences a greater witness or blessing when you decided to break from the world and live according to what God says? 

Day 333 - Christmas Lights

"At the end of the night the kids watched a Charlie Brown Christmas and then we drove home and looked at some Christmas lights on the way before getting the kids in bed."

Every year looking at Christmas lights with the kids has been a tradition that has kept our family close. I enjoy hearing the kids ooh's and ah's and seeing their faces light up with the large displays. 

There is a street in a neighborhood close to our house we have gone to a couple of years in a row that everyone on the street puts up a huge display. It is actually all linked together and they have their own radio transmitter so you can listen and watch from your car as everything moves and switches on and off in time. 

During this season we need to remember the words of Jesus that we are the light of the world. We have something to shine this season. Don't hide your light under a basket but put it on a stand for everyone to see. 

Take it a step further to our illustration link up with other believers this season and show the unity of the body of Christ. Let the world see how with one mind and one mouth we declare the praises of God together. They will tune in and want to be a part of that light. 

We have the greatest story to tell and the most opportune time to tell it. Put the Light of the world on display. He is after all the reason for the season!

Do you enjoy looking at Christmas lights? How can we shine the light of Jesus this season? 

Day 326 - Lord of the Harvest

"All nice people. I hope to see them all in the future and pray their lives are blessed and that they are saved. Lord please send laborers across their paths to water the seeds and reap where we have sown."

Jesus saw people and his heart ached for them. He wept over Jerusalem and often the Bible says He was moved with compassion for them. Now we carry His Spirit within our hearts and we are becoming more like Him every day. That means that the heart He had we now have in us. That heart is for people.

It can be overwhelming when you see the needs all around. Statistics and news reports paint a bleak picture of the current conditions. But if we are going to actually be productive with the burden we carry for others we have to look past ourselves and past the natural. We have to look to the Lord of the Harvest. 

When Jesus saw the people coming out to meet him he saw them as harvest fields that were ready to be reaped. He then turned to His disciples and told them there was a problem. The harvest is ripe but the laborers are few. A problem indeed! What are we to do with that? He gives us the answer in His next instructions to His disciples when He says to them to pray the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers. 

We all have a part in helping someone on the journey. We all would love to be the one reaping. At least I know I like that part. You seal the deal and feel good about what was done. You know someone is now headed for Heaven and eternity with Jesus because of your efforts or words. 

But what if we are called in someones journey to plant a seed. It is tougher to do. Many times sowing seed is met with opposition. There are periods of silence. You don't see what is going on beneath the surface. Sometimes our job is to water. You may see signs of growth but there is still skepticism. These jobs are tough. 

The Lord know where people are at and there will come a time when the harvest is ready. If you keep reading the story what happened after Jesus told His disciples to pray for laborers you will find he sends them out to do ministry right afterward. Think of it this way, they became the answer to their prayers. When you have a heart for people and pray that God moves and sends an answer you very well could be that answer He is sending. What an awesome thought!

Have you ever been the answer to your own prayers? How do you identify where people are at on their journey? 

Day 322 - Waiting for the Answer

"I asked why and just listened. "

When witnessing to someone about Jesus we often think of it as talking. As in we are talking. Maybe the training we have had has conditioned us to prepare the perfect two minute testimony along with a Romans road of scripture. Throw in the four spiritual laws and lead them in a prayer. (All those tools are great by the way. I use every last one when I can.)

But even Jesus when telling people about himself had a dialogue and not a monologue. The woman at the well shows us this truth fully. She had questions and he had answers. He stated things that intrigued her as well as engaged her and even shocked her. I would imagine a discussion with Jesus would be all of the above.

People aren't stupid. They know when we are waiting for them to stop talking so we can say what we were planning to say. Discussion is one thing but ignoring what they are saying so you can drop a script or debate is quite another.

Love listens as well as speaks. If we truly love people then we will listen to their hearts and their questions. We will honestly answer even if the answer is "I don't know." We will hurt and cry with them. We will share a laugh and a smile. Our words won't be scripted but will come from the heart and be led of the Spirit.

As we follow the ways of Jesus we will see the results he had too. Some will mock and scoff, some will follow and then fall away, and some will truly get it and will become disciples of Jesus. The world is waiting for the Answer. We have Him.

How can we be better equipped to listen and share the love of Jesus? How do you feel when people listen to you?

Day 319 - Too Early For Christmas?

"We went to Costco and got Christmas lights. I put them up today so this marks the earliest we have ever put them up."

First off let me say that I love Costco. (With respect to the the Sam's Club lovers of coarse. I worked at Sam's for two years so I have much love for them as well.) Now that we have that out of the way lets get to the point. 

Christmas lights. My wife loves Christmas. Much like my love for Costco only she gets one time a year whereas I get multiple opportunities every month to express my love. Because my wife loves Christmas so much she has me moving bins of decorations, setting up trees and putting up lights. 

Last year I invested in LED lights. I would agree with everyone who just thought that LED lights do not look as good as the old incandescents. But they are more efficient with energy, cost less and burn out less frequently. Convenience over aesthetics any day. In our neighborhood we had an unspoken race with our neighbors that only we knew about (so we thought) for who could get our lights up earliest. Last year we won and then this year we moved securing our crown as earliest house in the neighborhood to have their lights up forever. 

Some would scoff and say it is too early for Christmas. But just like I said in my Thanksgiving post earlier this month that it should not be the only time we say thanks is on Thanksgiving we also should celebrate Christmas more than on December 25th. 

How can you limit the wonder of God becoming a baby to a single day? That is a light that should shine in our hearts all year long. People should wonder at the joy we carry because that same Christ now lives in us. We have the most wonderful story to tell of the most wonderful time of the year. 

Don't hold back, shine the light of the season early and often. 

What do you enjoy about Christmas? How does that shine the light of Jesus to others?

Day 279 - The Story of Your Life

"On our way out we encountered and older couple who both happened to be tour guides for the mission. He asked us what we learned and I responded that we were big babies. He then asked about if we knew when the cross became the official symbol of Christianity and proceeded to tell us the story of Constantine in 330 A.D. and the visions he had of the cross in his dreams. The guys life was interesting. We probably talked with him for a half an hour. He was Catholic and grew up in Rome right near the Vatican. He remembers sitting on the base of the statue Michelangelo had carved of Mary and Jesus before they placed it behind the bullet proof glass. Also he told of a story about the Monks who all their life were making beautiful copies of the Bible and in their lifetime they would hand copy a Bible. It went off in my spirit that it was a picture of every believer that we are writing the story of God with our lives and at the end it will be the beautiful picture of God's grace and a living letter read by all men. He also spoke of a time he was in Jerusalem after the six day war when a bomb went off by him and a priest he was with. If they would have been 20 seconds longer they would've been dead. Jess felt like she was with family and he reminded her of her grandpa Rudy. He was refreshingly blunt but definitely a Christian."

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians and told them that they were living letters. The Holy Spirit is writing the story of your life. You are known and read by everyone who comes in contact with you. God has written His Divine law of love on our hearts and in it He has a love letter to the world. 

The couple we met last year left a lasting impact on us. They were genuine. They couldn't be someone else if they tried. They were also unapologetic. There are many people who would have walked away from a conversation with them offended. There was nothing politically correct about them. Their lives were open and bold. 

We should be no less as Christians. Engaging, bold, open, honest and loving. When people leave our presence it should leave a lasting impact on them. They should feel as if value was added to their life from being with us. Not because we are so cool or wonderful. Not because we have interesting backgrounds. But because we genuinely love God and love people. That is a story worth telling and people will read it! 

What does it mean to be genuine? How can we guard against insincere interaction with others? 

Day 245 - Every Opportunity

"Hopefully we can share the gospel with the team as relationships form."

I made this statement in relation to my son's soccer team. We did in fact get to share the gospel and even invited the whole team to come to church. None came but they all heard. 

We should in all things, in every way we can, use every opportunity to share the gospel. Our life should be one big sermon lived out in front of the world. At home in front of your neighbors your lawn and your cars parked in the front (or in the garage) should speak of the truth of God's Word. When you go to work and give your best it should be a testimony of the grace of God. In good and bad your external attitude should share the internal reality of the transformed life you live. 

It takes an awareness of three things; God, others and myself (in that order). 

When I know that God is always with me I will live in the light of His Word and work with His strength. His life will be lived through me when I live in a way that realizes He is living in me. 

If I can be aware of others, looking to serve rather than be served, it will affect my decisions. Just the other day my mother-in-law was on the phone with someone who works as a telemarketer. I personally don't like getting these calls at home and often abruptly get off of the phone when I realize it is a sales call. She however had the presence of mind to think of this man on the other end of the phone and she said to him "I know that your job must be really hard and even though I don't have need of what you are selling I hope you make a lot of sales today". He was blown away. We can share God's goodness with others by being sensitive to their needs and looking for opportunities to serve. 

Finally we need to be aware of ourselves. When I am unaware of what I am doing I tend to make mistakes. I can go into auto-pilot from time to time. Like driving on the freeway. I take the route to church so much that sometimes I end up driving like I am going there when I intend to go somewhere else. The same can happen with bad behaviors. We may have a scowl on our face or we might ignore others. People are always watching. I know because I am always watching other people. In fact, that is one of my favorite pass times at amusement parks. It is called people watching. Who is watching you? If they watch you long enough will they see Christ in you? These are good questions to ask ourselves. 

When we are aware of God, others and ourselves it will open the door for every opportunity to be used to the fullest to preach the gospel. 

Which of these three are you most aware of and why? Which of these three are you least aware of and why?

Day 175 - Spending and being spent

"Sometimes you just have to spend more and go the extra mile to make sure you don't lose the heart of a person."

It is sad to hear of Christians who are not financially responsible. I personally have had people who call themselves Christians skip out on paying money they have owed me. Not only because I am a pastor but also because I will stand before God and give an account of my life I have strived to live with integrity. 

I love how Paul tells the Corinthians how much he worked, spent, and how he went the extra mile to not be a burden to them. It shows me the example he was setting for leadership and the heart behind the message he was speaking and living before them. 

I gladly give large tips, spend more time with people than I probably should and smile and say hello to everyone (that last one is bigger than we think). It may cost more than I like but it is worth every cent if someone knows a Christian isn't cheap and backs up what they preach. 

What do you think? Are there more ways to express this heart to others?

Day 150 - The Orphan

"Tonight when I got home we had dinner as a family and then watched America's Got Talent. There were two acts that stood out. The first was one where the guys were so in character that you didn't know they were putting you on until well into the act. It was really funny. Then there was a guy who was in the foster care system and was adopted but expressed how as a child he felt like luggage and if anyone even smiled at him he asked if they would adopt him. Our hearts went out to him."

I can still see the guys face there on my television set. I wanted to put my arms through the screen and hug him. How sad that a person would feel like luggage going from house to house. I had good parents that stuck it out through hard times and loved us. To this day our families on both sides are strong. 

My only consolation for this guy was that there was a family who adopted him and loved him. He went far in the competition. People will only go as far as you encourage them. I could tell his parents were loving and encouraged him to follow his dreams. 

There are people everywhere around us who don't have family, who don't know the love of a father and mother. There are people who will never know what family dinner or Christmas morning are like in a healthy environment. 

We need to pray for those in our city, state, nation and world who are without a family. There is a Father in heaven waiting to adopt. His loving arms are wide open and He is smiling, hoping, that they will ask the question; "Will you adopt me?" Without hesitation His answer is "Yes". 

How can we reach out to those who are in need of a family? What scriptures speak about the orphan? 

Day 93 - Keeping Up Appearances

"From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional: “Let the dignity of your nature, and the brightness of your prospects, O believers in Christ, constrain you to cleave unto holiness, and to avoid the very appearance of evil.” A good exhortation to believers! Cleave to holiness and avoid the very appearance of evil. I like how the Bible puts it in 1 Thessalonians 5 saying to avoid even the appearance or hint of evil. We would have a much holier life and a better witness if we did (Myself included)."

The world is waiting for uncompromised Christians to stand up for their beliefs. People respect someone who will hold to their standards. If anyone should have a standard it should be a Christian. Our law is love and the Word of God. 

If we hint at worldliness we won't be a witness nor will we steer clear of the traps of sin. I heard and old saying that if you play near the mud hole you will eventually fall in. It is true. Many people try to live life as close to the edge as they can. 

Please don't get me wrong. I am not talking about extreme legalism. We still live here on earth. I own a television, watch movies and listen to music. That is not the issue. What I am talking about is our choices. We can choose what we watch and hear. We can choose to give an appearance of evil or of holiness. 

In our day and age social media has amplified this concept. Never before have our lives been more transparent or scrutinized. Think about it for a moment. I can go online right now and find out what my friends and family wore today, ate for lunch and what they did with their free time. With that kind of publicity it is no wonder people don't see us as any different than the world. We are watching the same shows and movies, listening to the same music and even having the same attitudes as the rest of the world. To be holy means that our lives are exclusive to God. That means there should be a marked difference in our activity. 

Maybe it is time to take inventory and do some heart searching. Ask a coworker how they view you or read your own social media posts from the perspective of someone who doesn't know you and isn't saved. What appearances are you giving? If it isn't one of holiness then it is time to make some changes. 

How can we be holy without alienating others? Is there a balance or mature way to handle standards of being a Christian in the world? 

Day 40 - Our Testimony

"There is a lot that could be said of today. The Word of God was rich. Souls were saved. I met new people to the church and was impacted by who we reach. One lady got out of jail recently and was getting her life right with God. I was impressed meeting her because we showed a testimony about how a lady in our church had been in prison 8 years and was blessed to get two jobs in two weeks. Her son who was a self professed atheist was saved and now raises his hands to The Lord in church. God is good."

There is often shame associated with our past. The devil would love to remind us of who we were and lie to us that we aren't changed and that we aren't forgiven. If you have been born again then where you have been just tells of how great God really is. If God can take the outcast, the murderer, the pimps and the prostitutes and make them preachers, witnesses and power packed Christians then He truly is great! 

I love our church. We often say that we are the church of the ex-es. We are all ex-somethings. Ex-drug addicts, ex-perverts, ex-cons, ex-you fill in the blank. Oh sure we have doctors and lawyers and business professionals and even politicians in our church. But even they were once something that now they have been redeemed from. 

When we tell our testimony it does something. Is releases the power of God and breaks the power of the enemy. In Revelation it says that the saints overcame the devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony not loving their lives even unto death. We need to tell of the great and mighty deeds of the Lord. We need to shout Hiss goodness to a lost and dying world! 

What is your story? What has God been up to lately in your life?