"Who's your daddy?"
A term of derision. One that denotes absolute domination of one individual over another.
"Slam. Dunk. Game! Who's your daddy?" I own you.
Funny how Paul chose his words in Romans 8:15:
"For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!"
"Abba" is the "daddy" of Paul's time.
It's not a derisive term, but one of endearment.
In contrast with the world, it exclaims the joy of being released from the bondage of sin into the freedom of being adopted by our heavenly Father.
Once we were enslaved, now we are free! Thank you Abba Father! Thank you Daddy!
Yes, we can express those types of endearing emotions to our Father.
I love seeing the closeness lived out between God and His children. It warms my heart.
Conversely my heart grows sad, and a type of spiritual nausea (if that makes sense) overtakes me when I see the chasm grow between many people and God.
I call it the great rejection. The great division. The Chasm. Separation.
I understand ignorantly skipping through life without any affiliation with God.
I don't understand knowing that there is One Who longs and waits for the Prodigal to return, only to suffer disappointment at seeing the object of His affection continuously reject His offerings at reconciliation.
I don't understand knowingly choosing another god over Abba Father.
I say I don't understand, but it's just a coping mechanism.
I really do understand. And that just compounds the sadness.
I do understand but I really wish I didn't sometimes.
It's tough to watch. I see it played out in the eyes of their loved ones who long for them to make the right choice.
Their sadness becomes my sadness.
Is this what Paul meant when he said, "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
I also am able to comprehend Jesus as being the "Rock of Offense" a bit better as well.
I have found that people are either going to lean on the Rock, or trip over Him and skin their nose.
I really would like to get in some people's faces and cry out "C'mon, really now, who's your Daddy? You know you know better, so why the runaround?"
But then I become a small stone of offense, and I would rather have Jesus do His work than me do my botched impression. Even it it means watching some unpleasant bloodletting.
So, the best I can do today, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, is to simply ask you to answer this in your soul and spirit:
Who is your Daddy today?
Can you lift your eyes up to Him at this moment and say "Abba! Father!? Daddy!" Can you sense the warmth, the love that just flows from Him to you?
Do you know that you know that you know that you know?
If so I say YAY! In my strongest display of Spirit filled emotion I say YAAAAY!!!! for you!
And for those who have chosen another, far lesser god, I say there is a great hope for you (if your reading this). I want you to know that in my imperfect and flawed self, I will not abandon hope for you.
How much more will Abba Father continue to wait patiently for you to return?
I love each and every one of you today!
Run it all past Jesus first!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
"Stay Salty"
Stay edge.
Be cool.
Retain the saltiness.
Matt. 6:13 - "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltiness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men."
Salty Christians.
The world rank and file use the term "salt of the earth" without realizing who said it, to whom, and how He applied it.
Only true and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ can rightfully receive the compliment of being the element that provides the flavoring of all that is good in the world.
Sorry if you're reading this and are offended by that.
Take it up with Jesus. He coined the phrase.
There may be other flavorings in the world population who might be musicians, artists, poets, or statesmen, but unless they are disciples, they are not "the" salt.
Salt is reserved for His followers.
This is why Jesus has charged us with protecting our saltiness.
When we lose it, or go "bland", there is a lot at stake.
The entire world loses.
The worst however, is that God's glory is reduced in the eyes of man.
We become useless and ridiculed, and in the eyes of the mocker, so does God.
Our testimony is more precious than we sometimes think.
How we speak, how we act, where we find our pleasures, are all under scrutiny, and every time we tarnish His image by our indiscretions or sin, we lose a little saltiness.
It's no accident that Jesus used salt metaphorically.
During His time wars were being fought over salt. People died over salt.
It was the most important commodity to be traded and fought over on earth.
It was coveted to make the simple pleasure of eating more palatable. It was coveted for it's healing components. It prospered entire communities. It made life more tolerable.
Jesus has done that for us. He is like salt for this drab, angry, sinful planet.
He has brightened our lives. He has healed our wounds. He has prospered us.
He wants us, as His followers, to continue to do that as His Body until He returns.
Being the salt is an honorable task. It keeps alive the Promise.
Run it all past Jesus today!
Stay salty!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Be cool.
Retain the saltiness.
Matt. 6:13 - "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltiness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men."
Salty Christians.
The world rank and file use the term "salt of the earth" without realizing who said it, to whom, and how He applied it.
Only true and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ can rightfully receive the compliment of being the element that provides the flavoring of all that is good in the world.
Sorry if you're reading this and are offended by that.
Take it up with Jesus. He coined the phrase.
There may be other flavorings in the world population who might be musicians, artists, poets, or statesmen, but unless they are disciples, they are not "the" salt.
Salt is reserved for His followers.
This is why Jesus has charged us with protecting our saltiness.
When we lose it, or go "bland", there is a lot at stake.
The entire world loses.
The worst however, is that God's glory is reduced in the eyes of man.
We become useless and ridiculed, and in the eyes of the mocker, so does God.
Our testimony is more precious than we sometimes think.
How we speak, how we act, where we find our pleasures, are all under scrutiny, and every time we tarnish His image by our indiscretions or sin, we lose a little saltiness.
It's no accident that Jesus used salt metaphorically.
During His time wars were being fought over salt. People died over salt.
It was the most important commodity to be traded and fought over on earth.
It was coveted to make the simple pleasure of eating more palatable. It was coveted for it's healing components. It prospered entire communities. It made life more tolerable.
Jesus has done that for us. He is like salt for this drab, angry, sinful planet.
He has brightened our lives. He has healed our wounds. He has prospered us.
He wants us, as His followers, to continue to do that as His Body until He returns.
Being the salt is an honorable task. It keeps alive the Promise.
Run it all past Jesus today!
Stay salty!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Friday, August 5, 2011
"Accept No Substitute!"
I made a joke once during one of my live messages about a particular butter substitute that defies me to tell the difference between it and real butter.
I said I can believe it's NOT butter.
Why? Because IT'S NOT BUTTER! Sheesh.
I have used enough butter in my life so that I can tell by the taste, consistency, and color, the difference between the two.
Those of us who accept that it tastes like butter do so probably because we have simply accepted it due to a lack of comparison.
In other words, we haven't had real butter for so long that we have forgotten what it looks and tastes like.
We have accepted less. We have accepted a substitute.
It's as if our taste buds have become "dumbed down"!
It never works when we accept less of what we are accustomed to.
Remember the 1994 Major League Baseball strike?
Remember how pathetic it was watching a game with "replacement" players?
It's just not the same.
It's not the same when we are less than we need to be to others.
It's not the same when we are less than what God has created.
He designed us to be His handiwork.
We in turn end up as a cheap knockoff.
Often the world looks at the precious gift of His Son Jesus Christ and replaces Him with a false idol.
Even some factions of the church transform Him from a mighty Savior of the world, into a cheap pimp for their own interests.
I think that we have been bombarded so thoroughly in every facet of our lives with cheap imitations, from politics, to sports, to religion, that we struggle with what is real.
This is why it is important for us who follow Christ to make sure we do not get our noses turned upwind at the first whiff of a better "savior".
The person who coined the phrase "build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door" knew what he was talking about.
We are a fickle and conniving people, and left to our own carnal desires, we will run after what even remotely resembles a better deal.
People will trade their very soul for a leg up on the next guy.
Even Jesus is for sale or trade on the open market.
This is why it is important to stay connected.
Staying connected to the church, the hearing and reading of the Word of God, spending time in prayer and fellowship with other believers, discussing the events of the world with each other through a Christ-like perspective.
Remember. Religion says to be a follower of Christ you HAVE to go to church, read your bible, pray, and act right.
That's the watered down substitute.
Jesus says you will do those things BECAUSE you are His followers.
John says:
2 John 1:9 - "Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son."
There's the danger. Are you running ahead of God today?
Are you not abiding?
Are you living IN the doctrine of Christ?
You don't get this by acting religiously.
You get it by being His disciple.
Disciples want to be around Jesus and other disciples as often as they can.
The hunger and thirsting for righteousness becomes insatiable.
Accept no substitute today!
Run it all past Jesus first.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
I said I can believe it's NOT butter.
Why? Because IT'S NOT BUTTER! Sheesh.
I have used enough butter in my life so that I can tell by the taste, consistency, and color, the difference between the two.
Those of us who accept that it tastes like butter do so probably because we have simply accepted it due to a lack of comparison.
In other words, we haven't had real butter for so long that we have forgotten what it looks and tastes like.
We have accepted less. We have accepted a substitute.
It's as if our taste buds have become "dumbed down"!
It never works when we accept less of what we are accustomed to.
Remember the 1994 Major League Baseball strike?
Remember how pathetic it was watching a game with "replacement" players?
It's just not the same.
It's not the same when we are less than we need to be to others.
It's not the same when we are less than what God has created.
He designed us to be His handiwork.
We in turn end up as a cheap knockoff.
Often the world looks at the precious gift of His Son Jesus Christ and replaces Him with a false idol.
Even some factions of the church transform Him from a mighty Savior of the world, into a cheap pimp for their own interests.
I think that we have been bombarded so thoroughly in every facet of our lives with cheap imitations, from politics, to sports, to religion, that we struggle with what is real.
This is why it is important for us who follow Christ to make sure we do not get our noses turned upwind at the first whiff of a better "savior".
The person who coined the phrase "build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door" knew what he was talking about.
We are a fickle and conniving people, and left to our own carnal desires, we will run after what even remotely resembles a better deal.
People will trade their very soul for a leg up on the next guy.
Even Jesus is for sale or trade on the open market.
This is why it is important to stay connected.
Staying connected to the church, the hearing and reading of the Word of God, spending time in prayer and fellowship with other believers, discussing the events of the world with each other through a Christ-like perspective.
Remember. Religion says to be a follower of Christ you HAVE to go to church, read your bible, pray, and act right.
That's the watered down substitute.
Jesus says you will do those things BECAUSE you are His followers.
John says:
2 John 1:9 - "Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son."
There's the danger. Are you running ahead of God today?
Are you not abiding?
Are you living IN the doctrine of Christ?
You don't get this by acting religiously.
You get it by being His disciple.
Disciples want to be around Jesus and other disciples as often as they can.
The hunger and thirsting for righteousness becomes insatiable.
Accept no substitute today!
Run it all past Jesus first.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Thursday, August 4, 2011
"Crash"
What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word?
I think of a car wreck.
Seldom is there a good association with anything.
The best I can think of is the fact that my drum kit has two "crash" cymbals.
Some folks may not think that's such a great thing either.
Yesterday I thought of the day the twin towers collapsed.
Crash.
Not good.
How about when people's lives crash?
Happens everyday. Exponentially.
Sometimes it is so profound that I can hear it.
I can hear it in the sobbing of their loved ones.
Crash.
Jesus has instructed us in the gospels to heed His advice and be wise as we build our lives.
He likens our life construction as the very wise builder who built his home on bedrock, and not on sand.
He said that when the great storms come that house on bedrock would be able to withstand the rains and winds and remain standing. (Matt.7:24-25)
He also warned us of the contrary.
If we are to be a careless or ignorant builder and build that home on sand, when the storms come the sand would shift underneath and the house would...
Crash. (Matt.7:26-27)
One common thread that runs through both scenarios.
The storms will come.
It's during those moments that we start to assess our life decisions and the errors and mistakes come rushing to the forefront.
"Everything is crashing down around me because I made a poor life decision and I am weakened because of it and I cannot withstand."
Crash.
Jesus has a simple solution.
Yes, I said simple.
Jesus said in the beginning of verse 24, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man... ."
Hear His words. Put them into practice.
There's my prayer. Hear His words. Put them into practice. Avoid the crash.
Save your life. Save your marriage. Save your health. Save your finances.
Save your life.
Run it all past Jesus first today!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Join my blog: http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
I think of a car wreck.
Seldom is there a good association with anything.
The best I can think of is the fact that my drum kit has two "crash" cymbals.
Some folks may not think that's such a great thing either.
Yesterday I thought of the day the twin towers collapsed.
Crash.
Not good.
How about when people's lives crash?
Happens everyday. Exponentially.
Sometimes it is so profound that I can hear it.
I can hear it in the sobbing of their loved ones.
Crash.
Jesus has instructed us in the gospels to heed His advice and be wise as we build our lives.
He likens our life construction as the very wise builder who built his home on bedrock, and not on sand.
He said that when the great storms come that house on bedrock would be able to withstand the rains and winds and remain standing. (Matt.7:24-25)
He also warned us of the contrary.
If we are to be a careless or ignorant builder and build that home on sand, when the storms come the sand would shift underneath and the house would...
Crash. (Matt.7:26-27)
One common thread that runs through both scenarios.
The storms will come.
It's during those moments that we start to assess our life decisions and the errors and mistakes come rushing to the forefront.
"Everything is crashing down around me because I made a poor life decision and I am weakened because of it and I cannot withstand."
Crash.
Jesus has a simple solution.
Yes, I said simple.
Jesus said in the beginning of verse 24, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man... ."
Hear His words. Put them into practice.
There's my prayer. Hear His words. Put them into practice. Avoid the crash.
Save your life. Save your marriage. Save your health. Save your finances.
Save your life.
Run it all past Jesus first today!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Join my blog: http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
"I Don't Have A Bucket List"
No, I don't have a "bucket" list, or things I want to do before I "kick the bucket".
I've thought about this to some extent.
I think from someone else's perspective this might come off as being dull or unexciting.
I've never felt the desire to jump out of an airplane.
I don't even like getting into an airplane.
I've never wanted to run with the bulls in Spain.
I wouldn't run to the corner for a paper.
I've never wanted to climb Mt. Everest.
You can't get me on a ladder to change a light bulb.
I'm just pretty content with my unassuming quietly led life.
Yes, content. Contented.
How many can say that this morning?
I am content.
I didn't say everything is perfect.
I said content.
Content, in my opinion, means that one does not have to search far and wide for the joy in their life.
They already have it. And they know that they have it.
Having it and knowing you have it.
Content.
No need or desire to look any further.
You have the right spouse. The right family. The right job. The right church.
Whatever you have...it's just...right.
Content with the content. Ah...that confusing English language.
Matt. 6:31, 33 - (31) "Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?"
(33) But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."
I believe (and you can feel free to disagree with me if you want) that I have found contentment because I have Jesus Christ in my life.
I didn't read the above passage BEFORE I came to know Jesus.
I discovered it afterword and was amazed at how true it was for myself.
I found my entire life, fully, holistically if you will, in Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
I am a better person physically, mentally, spiritually, because of Him.
No question about it in my understanding.
I sought first the Kingdom of God, and everything I had been lacking my entire life was given to me and then some.
I didn't become rich by the world's standard. My teeth didn't straighten or receive gold fillings.
I did however, become delivered from my drug and cigarette habit, which in my opinion saved my physical life.
The signs of aging are upon me.
Yet, I cannot think of a single solitary thing that I lack which would make my life more fulfilled.
I am content. And it's because of Jesus Christ.
If you are discontented, He may just be the answer you have been hoping for.
I do know this much. Sitting around wallowing in discontent is the fast track to an early grave. Or at the least a very unhappy looooong life.
If you were to trust me on anything, trust me on this. Jesus has answers for you.
I pray today that those in the season of discontent would first seek the Kingdom of God so that Jesus could add all the things you need to be content in your life. If you have a bucket list today, let Jesus be the first thing on it.
Run it all past Jesus first!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Join my blog at: http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
I've thought about this to some extent.
I think from someone else's perspective this might come off as being dull or unexciting.
I've never felt the desire to jump out of an airplane.
I don't even like getting into an airplane.
I've never wanted to run with the bulls in Spain.
I wouldn't run to the corner for a paper.
I've never wanted to climb Mt. Everest.
You can't get me on a ladder to change a light bulb.
I'm just pretty content with my unassuming quietly led life.
Yes, content. Contented.
How many can say that this morning?
I am content.
I didn't say everything is perfect.
I said content.
Content, in my opinion, means that one does not have to search far and wide for the joy in their life.
They already have it. And they know that they have it.
Having it and knowing you have it.
Content.
No need or desire to look any further.
You have the right spouse. The right family. The right job. The right church.
Whatever you have...it's just...right.
Content with the content. Ah...that confusing English language.
Matt. 6:31, 33 - (31) "Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?"
(33) But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."
I believe (and you can feel free to disagree with me if you want) that I have found contentment because I have Jesus Christ in my life.
I didn't read the above passage BEFORE I came to know Jesus.
I discovered it afterword and was amazed at how true it was for myself.
I found my entire life, fully, holistically if you will, in Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
I am a better person physically, mentally, spiritually, because of Him.
No question about it in my understanding.
I sought first the Kingdom of God, and everything I had been lacking my entire life was given to me and then some.
I didn't become rich by the world's standard. My teeth didn't straighten or receive gold fillings.
I did however, become delivered from my drug and cigarette habit, which in my opinion saved my physical life.
The signs of aging are upon me.
Yet, I cannot think of a single solitary thing that I lack which would make my life more fulfilled.
I am content. And it's because of Jesus Christ.
If you are discontented, He may just be the answer you have been hoping for.
I do know this much. Sitting around wallowing in discontent is the fast track to an early grave. Or at the least a very unhappy looooong life.
If you were to trust me on anything, trust me on this. Jesus has answers for you.
I pray today that those in the season of discontent would first seek the Kingdom of God so that Jesus could add all the things you need to be content in your life. If you have a bucket list today, let Jesus be the first thing on it.
Run it all past Jesus first!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Join my blog at: http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
"There's No Credit Check In Heaven"
We are private people. I think more by design than by choice, though many cherish and protect their privacy.
I wonder why that all goes out the window at church?
We pass the basket so that everyone can see who is giving and who is not (although it really does not tell the whole story).
I even know for a fact that some churches require that a prospective member submit their W-2 forms so that the pastor can review that they are "tithing" according to their income. This is of course so that the pastor can gauge the spiritual health of his flock (ahh...no...I 'm too speechless to comment on that).
Some churches are even performing credit checks.
I'm glad Jesus doesn't perform any of that. I wouldn't have made it.
Neither would you.
We were bankrupt and Jesus "paid it forward".
In fact, some of the "stuff" we do at church, appears at least on the surface, to actually conflict with what Jesus requires (as I scratch my head).
For example:
Matt. 6:3-4
"(3) But when you give to charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) So that your deeds of charity may be in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly."
Jesus says that we are to be so private in our giving (for one thing) that even even our left hand wouldn't know what our right hand is doing. That's pretty private.
Of course that can't really happen, but He is trying to show us that we are to keep some things intimately between us and God.
But why? What's the big deal? Wouldn't it be better if others know who the high rollers and the skinflints are?
Not in God's methodology.
He knows that if we set our eyes on what people give or don't give, the truth of who's doling out the rewards would be at the least shaded.
He wants us to know that He is the Giver. Of everything.
In fact, any other process is called hypocrisy by Jesus in the first two verses of this same chapter.
He says that if we do contrary to how God has designed it, we will get NO reward!
Hmmm...wouldn't it be funny if all the church's woes hinged on that simple oversight?
He wants it His way so that regardless of how much we give or how often, people would see the results rather than the actions.
He doesn't want us to focus on the flesh. Just the supernatural reward.
That way people know and witness the power of God free from any distracting interference of the possibility of "good works" being involved.
All Him. None of us.
I think we have a long way to go on that one. Humanity loves it's slaps on the back.
We'll hide our shame, but we'll flaunt our pomposity.
God will have none of it.
So, be a giver in what you have decided in your heart to give (2 Cor. 9:7). And God will not forsake you.
In fact He will reward you in such a fashion that others will know, but they will know that God has done it, and He will get all the glory!
That's really evangelism without all the hokey programs.
All people need to see is God blessing His people, and they will want to "get some a dat"!
My prayer today is that we will give as our heart directs, and that our purpose will be to edify Him, not ourselves. Put this principle into effect and watch how God rewards!
Run it all past Jesus first today! Strive to be second!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Check out my blog at: http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
I wonder why that all goes out the window at church?
We pass the basket so that everyone can see who is giving and who is not (although it really does not tell the whole story).
I even know for a fact that some churches require that a prospective member submit their W-2 forms so that the pastor can review that they are "tithing" according to their income. This is of course so that the pastor can gauge the spiritual health of his flock (ahh...no...I 'm too speechless to comment on that).
Some churches are even performing credit checks.
I'm glad Jesus doesn't perform any of that. I wouldn't have made it.
Neither would you.
We were bankrupt and Jesus "paid it forward".
In fact, some of the "stuff" we do at church, appears at least on the surface, to actually conflict with what Jesus requires (as I scratch my head).
For example:
Matt. 6:3-4
"(3) But when you give to charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) So that your deeds of charity may be in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly."
Jesus says that we are to be so private in our giving (for one thing) that even even our left hand wouldn't know what our right hand is doing. That's pretty private.
Of course that can't really happen, but He is trying to show us that we are to keep some things intimately between us and God.
But why? What's the big deal? Wouldn't it be better if others know who the high rollers and the skinflints are?
Not in God's methodology.
He knows that if we set our eyes on what people give or don't give, the truth of who's doling out the rewards would be at the least shaded.
He wants us to know that He is the Giver. Of everything.
In fact, any other process is called hypocrisy by Jesus in the first two verses of this same chapter.
He says that if we do contrary to how God has designed it, we will get NO reward!
Hmmm...wouldn't it be funny if all the church's woes hinged on that simple oversight?
He wants it His way so that regardless of how much we give or how often, people would see the results rather than the actions.
He doesn't want us to focus on the flesh. Just the supernatural reward.
That way people know and witness the power of God free from any distracting interference of the possibility of "good works" being involved.
All Him. None of us.
I think we have a long way to go on that one. Humanity loves it's slaps on the back.
We'll hide our shame, but we'll flaunt our pomposity.
God will have none of it.
So, be a giver in what you have decided in your heart to give (2 Cor. 9:7). And God will not forsake you.
In fact He will reward you in such a fashion that others will know, but they will know that God has done it, and He will get all the glory!
That's really evangelism without all the hokey programs.
All people need to see is God blessing His people, and they will want to "get some a dat"!
My prayer today is that we will give as our heart directs, and that our purpose will be to edify Him, not ourselves. Put this principle into effect and watch how God rewards!
Run it all past Jesus first today! Strive to be second!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Check out my blog at: http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 1, 2011
How Well Is Well Enough?"
Jesus says He knows.
He knows your heart.
He knows your dedication, your depth of love for Him, your appreciation.
He knows your failures, your inabilities, your good intentions gone awry.
He knows you better than you know yourself.
This would include any pathetic attempt to pacify Him with your feeble excuses.
Trust me. They are paper thin. They do not even fool the mortal.
Jesus knows. He always knows. He always has known.
He knows when your love starts to grow cold.
Check it out: (all verses from Revelation, Chapter 2)
"I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance."
See. Nothing gets by Him.
"I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name's sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary."
See. He knows. He acknowledges.
"BUT I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]."
There it is. You have abandoned Him. You have deserted Him.
You have failed Him.
Wow.
I bet you're thinking, "I was doing so well."
Depends on "how well is well enough".
The church at Ephesus probably never saw it coming. Little by little other "stuff" crept in.
They were industrious. Probably had good programs. They were patient and steadfast in doing "stuff". They just ignored Jesus, that's all.
I love when people tell me how great they are doing with Jesus, as if I can't see right through it. They are looking me right in the eye and telling me how good everything is and all I see is a flame being extinguished.
Is well enough popping into church a couple of times a month, without ever really becoming a part of the community of Christ?
Is well enough blowing off basically every opportunity to study His Word and spend time in prayer?
Is well enough invoking His presence during a crisis only?
Is well enough obstinately or carelessly refusing to support the work of His hands?
None of this is without consequence.
We tend to think of God sometimes as being so loving that He's squishy soft and cuddly.
Not so. The Risen Christ is still the Christ who bristles at the injustice of His people neglecting Him!
Read on:
"Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God's will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent."
"I will visit you and remove your lampstand."
The lampstand is the local church. Remove it and a light goes out.
Kind of like writing the word "Ichabod" (the glory of God has departed from this place) over the front door.
They say Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Christians have the tendency to "fiddle" with other things while the flame in the lamp dims until it is nothing more than a dying ember. They fiddle while their sandy foundations shift until they collapse.
I'm sick to death of hearing how the struggling church is simply a result of a struggling economy and government.
What's the word I'm looking for here? Oh yeah...BALONEY!
It's not the struggling economy, it's the individual struggling with believing that their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is capable of doing all that He says!
Good Lord! We need a rescue today, and it ain't from petty problems and difficulties.
We need a rescue from a heart that's growing cold.
My prayer is that our hearts would be warmed and the flame of our lamp would grow stronger! That we would not forsake our first love, and that we would conform our inner self to the will of God.
Are you really running it all past Jesus first? No...really...are you?
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin
Visit my blog at: http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
He knows your heart.
He knows your dedication, your depth of love for Him, your appreciation.
He knows your failures, your inabilities, your good intentions gone awry.
He knows you better than you know yourself.
This would include any pathetic attempt to pacify Him with your feeble excuses.
Trust me. They are paper thin. They do not even fool the mortal.
Jesus knows. He always knows. He always has known.
He knows when your love starts to grow cold.
Check it out: (all verses from Revelation, Chapter 2)
"I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance."
See. Nothing gets by Him.
"I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name's sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary."
See. He knows. He acknowledges.
"BUT I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]."
There it is. You have abandoned Him. You have deserted Him.
You have failed Him.
Wow.
I bet you're thinking, "I was doing so well."
Depends on "how well is well enough".
The church at Ephesus probably never saw it coming. Little by little other "stuff" crept in.
They were industrious. Probably had good programs. They were patient and steadfast in doing "stuff". They just ignored Jesus, that's all.
I love when people tell me how great they are doing with Jesus, as if I can't see right through it. They are looking me right in the eye and telling me how good everything is and all I see is a flame being extinguished.
Is well enough popping into church a couple of times a month, without ever really becoming a part of the community of Christ?
Is well enough blowing off basically every opportunity to study His Word and spend time in prayer?
Is well enough invoking His presence during a crisis only?
Is well enough obstinately or carelessly refusing to support the work of His hands?
None of this is without consequence.
We tend to think of God sometimes as being so loving that He's squishy soft and cuddly.
Not so. The Risen Christ is still the Christ who bristles at the injustice of His people neglecting Him!
Read on:
"Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God's will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent."
"I will visit you and remove your lampstand."
The lampstand is the local church. Remove it and a light goes out.
Kind of like writing the word "Ichabod" (the glory of God has departed from this place) over the front door.
They say Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Christians have the tendency to "fiddle" with other things while the flame in the lamp dims until it is nothing more than a dying ember. They fiddle while their sandy foundations shift until they collapse.
I'm sick to death of hearing how the struggling church is simply a result of a struggling economy and government.
What's the word I'm looking for here? Oh yeah...BALONEY!
It's not the struggling economy, it's the individual struggling with believing that their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is capable of doing all that He says!
Good Lord! We need a rescue today, and it ain't from petty problems and difficulties.
We need a rescue from a heart that's growing cold.
My prayer is that our hearts would be warmed and the flame of our lamp would grow stronger! That we would not forsake our first love, and that we would conform our inner self to the will of God.
Are you really running it all past Jesus first? No...really...are you?
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin
Visit my blog at: http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
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