This blog is a daily devotional. It is intended to help people with each day of their lives. I try to add a new entry every day. I appreciate all comments but will not permit those which I do not believe honor the Lord to be published. I wrote over 700 blogs at www.prentis-createdtogivegodglory.blogspot.com.
Can Christians Make a Casual Commitment to Christ?
I didn't come to Christ because of eternal life or for forgiveness of sins. O, I believe those things exist for those who give their lives to Christ but they just weren't the driving reasons for my commitment to Christ. I was only eighteen at the time and I didn't think I would ever die. I wasn't bothered by my sins either. I should have been but the regret for my sins would come later.
No, I heard that Jesus had a plan for my life. That plan was that my life would have purpose and meaning. Somehow I knew this was true and that my commitment to Him would bring me into His purpose. This is why I find it strange when Christians act as people who don't know Christ. Why aren't their lives centered around giving God glory? How can they continue to treat their commitment to Christ as a leisure activity?
The Apostle Paul thought that his purpose was eliminating Christianity from the planet. He was actively crusading against the continuation of this aberration from Judaism. He met Jesus on the Damascus Road and his purpose changed. His commitment to Christ changed his whole reason for living.
Fear Is the Root for the Lack of Trust
Why is it that people have a lack of trust? They lack trust in those whom they love. They lack trust in God whom they say they love. The paradox is that they want to trust these people and God but they can't make themselves trust.
So, I am thinking about this as I rode my bicycle to work this morning and I really believe I got a word from God. I remembered the story of the Israelites coming out of Egypt. They had been slaves. They had been taught fear rather than trust. They wouldn't have been slaves if they were not afraid of their masters. They were afraid of what their masters, who controlled their lives, would do to them daily. Their work and existence depended upon their reaction to that fear. They could not trust a benevolent God or human leader because their fears overruled that trust.
Therefore, God continues to teach them to trust Him. Trust is an essential element of faith. He shows them His power over the Egyptians with the ten plagues. He shows them His judgment over the Egyptians with the splitting of the Sea. He shows them His care for them with the provision of water, manna and meat.
Redefining Liberal Theology
Liberal theology is often defined: "That which I don't believe." It seems that everyone is liberal who doesn't believe exactly as I do.
My church has women deacons (as well as men deacons) and many people, even within my own denomination, would call us liberal. They see that deacons should be men and only men. The churches who believe this also differ in defining who these men should be. Some think that it should only be married men (the husband of one wife), some think that it must be men who have never been divorced and some believe that it must be men who have never remarried even if their first wives passed away.
There is obviously a difference between a literal following of the scripture and trying to see what the scripture was really addressing. I find it amusing that those who wish to take a very literal understanding (a man, never divorced and never remarried) often do not balk at the scripture which tells women to avoid braiding their hair, wearing jewelry and wearing fine clothes. They seem to understand what the scriptural teaching is in that verse and forget what it is trying to point out in the one about deacons.
Suicide Is Never the Answer
I was just reading the story of Judas' death. He felt such remorse for his part in Jesus' condemnation that he couldn't live with himself. Giving the money back to those who paid him for his betrayal wasn't enough. He could just couldn't see beyond what he had done.
Just think what waiting four days would have done for Judas. In four days Jesus would be resurrected. He could seek forgiveness and know that, while what he had done was certainly evil, it was also necessary in the fulfillment of salvation for mankind. He could have had the greatest comeback of all time if he had merely waited four days.
Each person I know who has been successful in their suicide attempt applied the problems they were feeling today to forever. They could not see beyond the problems of today. They, therefore, had a permanent solution for a temporary problem.
Isn't it amazing that nearly all problems appear permanent when we know that they will be temporary. We see the failure of a class as a inescapable condemnation which will last forever. We think we will never escape it. The truth is that it is temporary and need not haunt us all of our lives.
How Could a Loving God Send People to Hell?
This seems to be a hot topic at the moment. People somehow think that God is unjust if people go to hell. I believe that it is not His unjust judgment but His holiness that place people in hell.
There are laws in the universe. Many of these laws preclude other possibilities. For example, we know that under one atmosphere that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. It means that you will always find water boiling at this same temperature under this same atmosphere. It is a known fact.
God's holiness is also a known fact. However, it is a bit mysterious for those, like me, who are unholy. I truly can't imagine being holy all the time. My holiness comes in such short spurts that I hardly notice it. Yet, God is always holy and perfectly so. There is nothing that cam make Him unholy and we should be very glad that for this fact.
God's whole character would have to change before He could be made unholy. What would He be like if He were not the immutable God we know Him to be. He would be untrustworthy. We could not count on what He has said or what He will do. He might be act in love on one day and with a "to hell with you" attitude on the next. We would never know how to please Him. We would not know that He would act in our best interests in our prayers. We might expect that He only answered the prayers of the ones who sacrificed the most to Him. We might expect Him to be just like us.
Changed by God to Change the World
I could go on and on about the dismal state of Christianity in America but I don't think it will do anyone any good. I really don't want to tell the stories of those Christians whose families are falling apart because they showed their children that sports were more important than church. I don't want recite the heartaches of people whose spouses have had affairs even though they appeared to be Christians. I really don't want to relay how many Christians have no Christian world view. They see the world as the non-believers. They relate to everything like non-believers. Their lives are empty and they have no positive reason for any other person becoming a Christian. So, I am not going to tell these stories; at least, not in detail.
I have been in the ministry in one way or another since 1976. I have learned that no one ever was changed by what I said. I have found that God is the One who changes people if they are changed. I have seen Him use my words and actions but I fully realize godly change isn't because of what I have done or said.
Love Is the Only Reason for Forgiveness
So, you have been hurt deeply. The person who wronged you may or may not beg for your forgiveness. Should you forgive him?
The answer is a resounding "Yes!" Maybe that's not the question you are asking. Maybe you are asking why should I forgive. Love is the only reason that will satisfy the question of why you should forgive
First, you should love yourself enough to forgive the other person. Unforgiveness imprisons you. It is the slave who runs the household with such an iron fist that the owners are captured in their own house. Unforgiveness is unrelenting. It must be guarded or forgiveness will break through. It must be protected or it will be stolen from you. It has to employ revenge to keep it alive. The revenge is often the way the person must be treated in order to remain unforgiven. Unforgiveness comes out in other relationships. It become bitterness. It poisons the individual who holds onto his unforgiveness. You would forgive if you really loved yourself.
Second, the love for the other person should empower you to forgive. Forgiveness is sometimes scary. Forgiveness means you will open yourself to the same pain you felt when you were betrayed the first time. The person just might betray you again. But your love for the other person demands that you forgive. I guess that's why mothers are so quick to give forgiveness. They love their children so much that they simply can't refuse to forgive.
The Church Could Learn a Lot from Las Vegas
I spent three days in Las Vegas this past week. My wife had a conference to attend. I jogged early in the early mornings, walked around and read in the late afternoons. The first night I was too tired to do anything, the second my wife and I walked the strip and the last we went to a show. Through my observations I learned that Las Vegas is doing some things that the church has forgotten or never thought it had to do. The church could learn a lot.
Las Vegas seemed very safe. The number of people and the presence of hotel security and police was evident wherever you went. This should not be surprising. Who would come to Las Vegas or any other place if they believed that it was dangerous? Only dangerous people will purposely come into dangerous places. Las Vegas would be vacant if it was unsafe.
The concern for safety extended beyond physical safety. The dealers at the tables seemed to be friendly and willing to teach anyone how to play a game. Their smiles were inviting. They didn't look down on those who didn't know what they were doing. (I say this from observation rather than participation.)
Why Did You Doubt?
It happens more than enough times. I seem to have enough faith for everyone else but myself. I can tell others that they should trust in God during a crisis but I have trouble with my own crises. I doubt when I should be trusting.
This is the story of Simon Peter getting out of the boat to walk on the water to Jesus. He just couldn't keep his eyes on Jesus. He had to look at the problem right in front of him. The pulled the problem so close to his eyes that he couldn't see anything but the problem. His mind was consumed with it. All he could think about was drowning. He began to sink until Jesus grabbed him.
I was on a church staff that had not received a raise for several years. My family was young and we were barely able to exist on what I was making. God moved me to a new church in another state. That church had given raises to its staff consistently for over twenty years. The pastor of this church had served there from its establishment. So, I accepted a home loan whose monthly payments would increase in each year for two years.
Fewer People Are Singing in Church
I have noticed that fewer people sing in church and that it has nothing to do with music styles.
Our church has two services which represent two different music styles. One service has hymns. It is supported instrumentally with a piano and pipe organ. Frequently a flute, trumpet and clarinet add to the singing of the hymns. The other service has the music played on the local Christian radio stations. The instruments are lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drums, violins, keyboard and mandolin. The styles are not the problem. Many people have just stopped singing.
Is this a reflection of our society or our faith? After all, we no longer sing the National Anthem at sporting events. No, we get a rock star to ruin the words! (The only song we regularly sing is "Take Me Out to the Ballgame.") Are we developing a audience mentality in just about everything we do?
Many people no longer mow their own grass, clean their own houses, change the oil in their cars or even wash their own cars anymore. People are hired to do all of this. They simply pass over their credit cards.
Do You Sometimes Feel Like God Has Turned His Back on You?
It seems like some people get all the breaks. Their lives are full of successes. They get to do exactly what they like when they like. Their businesses flourish. Their lives are full of joy.
You, on the other hand, work harder than they do. You pour your heart out to God. And what do you get as a reward? More and more defeat. It seems like you shall never have a victory. It seems like your lot in life is despair.
Do you sometimes think God has turned His back on you? Do you think that He has either forgotten you or has turned against you? Maybe you don't need to have a victory every day but you would certainly like to have one every once in a while.
Have you ever thought that instead of this being your fate or that God had turned His back on you that He is really doing more in your life than those who seem to have the amazing victories? You have produced some fruit and God is pruning you so that you will bear even more.
God has not chosen us to be famous or gather large crowds of admirers. He has chosen us to be disciples and to make disciples. Being a disciple requires that we become like our Master. Our character should match the character of Jesus.
Where Is Truth?
I have asked people that question. Where is truth? Most don't have a clue what I have asked.
I want to know how anyone can know what the truth is. We must have a place that allows us to know truth or our world will constantly change with right and wrong. We will be confused and stay confused. We will always wonder if we are doing what we should.
This is why children need structure in their lives in order to feel secure. They need to know what is right and wrong. That right and wrong must come consistently from both parents. The child is secure in knowing that he can play in the yard but will be punished if he wanders into the street. The consistency of right and wrong allows the child to play freely in the yard without fear of being punished. The child has learned that truth comes from his parents. Inconsistency from parents results in the child being confused. He doesn't know what is right if he plays in the street with no punishment. He is insecure in his understanding of truth.
Truth cannot be that which is accepted in society. Society changes constantly. It will say that big cars are the desire of everyone in one decade and denigrate those that own them in the next. Society says that sheer numbers of people who support and idea, lifestyle or morality determine what is right and wrong. This creates a very insecure people. They have to read the latest poll before they can determine what they will support or deny. Eventually they will have no personal convictions. In fact, society itself will have no convictions.
There Is Time to Do Everything You Need to Do
I find myself rushing more than I ever did when I was younger. I rush to the hospitals to visit the sick. I rush to committee meetings, luncheons and appointments. I write articles as quickly as possible. I spend almost every waking moment working. I am getting less done than I ever have.
Maybe I am giving the same emphasis to everything I do. Maybe I am trying to do more than I should. Of one thing I am sure: God does not want me living my life this way. He has given me twenty-four hours in every day to do what He wishes. Sometimes He wishes me to sit and listen without doing anything else. Sometimes He just wants me to relax. He always wants me doing the right thing at the right time.
This is one of the reasons I must have a time alone with Him every day. I need to know what I am supposed to do without rushing everywhere trying to do everything as if everything had the same importance. Some things I will not get to do because I was never supposed to do them. Some of the things I must do.
The Church Must Change
People do not always resist change. They hardly ever resist something they want. They generally don’t resist raises or promotions. They generally don’t resist gifts or special dinners.
However, people just as generally cast a wary eye on changes that they feel that are thrust upon them. Many people resisted getting telephones, answering machines, microwave ovens, flat screen tv’s, computers and cell phones. Some people are still resisting some of these things. Maybe they didn’t notice but the world did not stop until they caught up.
The days of a church building being a large room with a pot bellied stove for heat and lanterns for light have long passed. It would be hard to have a growing church today which had no electricity, no air conditioning and no telephones. It is increasingly hard to have a growing church without a top notch website, social media and messages streaming on the internet.
I never dreamed I would write a blog, produce videos that can be seen around the world and communicate personally with people whom I will never meet when I entered the ministry. However, this is an increasing part of ministry today.
Do You Say, "Good Morning, God" or, "Good God, Its Morning?"
Some people live for the weekends. That means that most of their lives are spent in drudgery. They work five days that are hardly appreciated for two days which are totally appreciated. That makes for a dismal life.
Maybe part of the reason they work for the weekends is because they have no time to do what they want during the week. They take their kids to school, work and run their kids from activity to activity. The weekend allows for some time to be spent doing just what they want to do.
Do they not like what they do during the week? Did they choose a job rather than a career? Do they have a calling or are they simply working for money? Herein my lie the trouble. Money is never enough to satisfy. It will only cry, "More, more!"
I personally love Sundays more than any other day of the week. It is the day I get to preach the word of God to the church. I spend a good portion of the week preparing this message. I love to prepare and to deliver these messages. Each day the Lord uses His Word to change me. I am amazed at what He is doing in my life.
The Root Cause of Dying Churches
The root problem in dying churches is not in growth methods. It isn't in the fact that they get fat and happy and can't remember when it was like to be lean and hungry. It isn't in their lack of young people nor their trying to use 1950's methods to reach a twenty-first century world. It isn't the age of their pastors nor the look of their websites. Each of these things may play a part but they are not the real root issue. The real root issue is a lack of humility.
I have tried to help churches that are giving every indication they are dying. I have called and asked what I can do. I never receive a return call. Maybe they don't think I can help. They might be right. But I sense they are too proud to ask for help. I sense they are unwilling to give up their own ways in order to grow.
I see the lack of humility in the way they criticize the ways of other churches. They laugh at the "seven-eleven" songs of these churches. They claim that these other churches sing seven words eleven times. They claim their method of singing hymns is superior to this childish worship. They fail to remember that each of the gospel hymns has a chorus which is typically sung between each verse. They fail to remember that the Southern Gospel songs typically repeat the same words over and over again.
They Don't Call Them Hard Decisions for Nothing
It seems that everyone who doesn't have to make hard decisions can make them easily. People who don't worry about their political careers recommend a cut to social security and medicare. People who have nothing to lose will say that education or health care must be cut. Hard decisions are much easier when you don't have to pay for them.
I often sit with families who have to make hard decisions. They come to me for advice. I try to remember that I can flippantly say things which I will never pay for. I try to put myself in their place. These decisions are things like: "Do we continue the life of our loved one artificially or do we withdraw life support and allow him or her to die?" and "How long should I put up with a husband who has had multiple affairs?" and "Should we try to adopt or accept a childless marriage as our fate?" Each of these are hard decisions in which no answer is clearly right or wrong. Each decision has tremendous consequences.
The people are struggling. I do my best to struggle with them. I decide to get in the boat they are sailing. I decide to become part of the process. I decide to support their decisions no matter what it is. There is no clear biblical answer to their decisions.
Are You Pretending You Are Doing the Right Thing?
Have you ever been doing something that you know is wrong but act like you don’t? You ignore the consequences, the immorality and the estrangement that it has brought between you and God. You pretend that what you are doing is good. Pretending soothes your conscience but down deep you know it isn’t good. You know the difference between right and wrong.
Let’s see if I can describe your actions when you are pretending something is right when it is wrong.
You avoid people (people with godly spiritual character) who will tell you that what you are doing is wrong. I have seen so many people drop out of church when they began doing something wrong. The girl moves in with her boyfriend and stops going to church. The guy starts drinking heavily with a group of others and drops out of church. A woman is having an affair and drops out of church. A man leaves his wife and family (either figuratively or physically) and drops out of church. Each of these people knows it is wrong and leaves church because he or she is afraid someone will point it out. Reality will not do when you are pretending.
Why I Don't Condemn People
I don't condemn people. I don't think I have the right. This is the reason that convicted criminals don't sit on juries. The guilty have no right to judge others. I am guilty of sin. I have no right to judge others.
This doesn't mean that I don't know what is right or wrong. It also doesn't mean that I can't tell people what is right or wrong. I can even tell them the consequences of their wrong actions. This is not the same as condemning people. Condemnation requires a sentence being pronounced upon that person. I have no right to determine to act as judge. That is reserved for God.
The Bible is clear in my judgment. I am not to judge others. I am to get the sins in my life cleared up before I tell others that there is sin in their lives. I may be required to be a part of the consequences for their sins. I should do this in love with the hope that they will return to the fellowship of the body of Christ.
I realize that some people interpret my being a part of the consequences of their sin as condemnation. It really isn't. Any judgment is based on what the Bible says. This is God's Word. It is what He has said. It isn't my right to change what God has said. I am merely His servant who obeys Him.
Knowing When to Stand Up
I get lots of email making strong political statements. They are full of innuendo and outright accusations against one of the political parties. The party in question is essentially accused of being un-American, anti-God and demonic. Many of these emails end with a statement that essentially says the reader must forward these emails or the reader is un-American, anti-God and demonic. I always delete these messages.
Don't misunderstand. I don't agree with everything the party who is being castigated. I just don't see this as my call.
My call is to defend the gospel. I do not believe I am supposed to become political. I do not believe that I am to campaign for candidates of any party. I am not called to do this because I do not believe that Jesus came for one party. I don't think He is owned by one party and I don't think He obeys any party. I believe He came to save all parties. Political statements made by me will undoubtedly close off opportunities to spread the gospel.
This doesn't mean that I shy away from preaching moral issues which may have political ramifications. I don't preach these messages because of politics. I preach them because they represent right and wrong. I do not want to alienate people through these messages but I must stand up for what is right. Therefore, I strongly support marriage between a man and a woman and I stand up for the rights of the unborn.
