CLARITY CONFUSION!

Today is a great day! Today I have a plan for what I am going to do. I don’t always have that. Today I have a plan. How many times have I said that and gotten smacked in the face with another agenda.

For example, I went to Kerrville to speak on Wednesday evening, planning to go to the Fort and see my little wife for a couple of days and return here to get some work done that needs doing. Thursday morning I got a death notice so I prepared for a funeral and had a lay over until Sunday. I am glad of that since I got to talk with one of my best friends about an important issue on Sunday.

How quickly things can change! We should know not to take anything for granted. We have received abundant warning (Jas. 4:13). If one calculates all that correctly one will conclude the changes in life only provide more opportunities. I wouldn’t have missed the latter two things I mentioned; even though it took 5 days to unfold all the events.

Clarity! Boy, do we need that. We need clarity in our faith. The answer to that is study and application (Rom. 10:17 & (Eph. 1:15ff). Enlightenment from God’s Word helps us to know the Lord and his will. Faith gives us all that.

We need clarity in our life’s goals. Why am I here and where am I going? If I don’t have concrete answers for these questions I am in trouble. I really believe this clarity issue is at the heart of living successfully day-to-day.

The problem our world today is clarity confusion. We know God is not the one who is trying to confuse us in any way (I Cor. 14:33); so, who is it that creates the confusion in our minds and upsets our clarity of faith, goals, and purpose? You know who it is: Satan.

Satan is the author of ourconfusion! He bogs us down in day-to-day garbage and causes us to miss abundant living (Jno 10:10). I guess we could sit back and use that as an excuse. Lot’s of folks do. Satan is so strong! Satan is so powerful against godly living! There’s no way I could win a head-to-head war with Satan like Jesus did (Matt. 4:1ff.). If you buy into the last paragraph you’ve bought into what amounts to another of Satan’s lies. Do you need proof? Check it out at: II Corinthians 4:1ff.; Ephesians 4:13ff.; &, I Peter 5:6-11. He can be resisted! That’s great news. We can overcome this clarity confusion simply by listening to God and resisting Satan. Now, that really is Good News!

BUMPER STICKER

How bad does it have to get before the end comes? People have been predicting the end based on the latest biblical facts that are absolute predictions of the exact minute the world will come to an end for so long now, folks have forgotten just how long it has been.

Few people ever really pay too much attention to Jesus. They are too busy reading Tim LaHaye today. I went to Huntsville with a couple of gals a few years back. One of them couldn’t wait to get there to get the new book in the Left Behind series.

What saddens me so much is to see people pay so much for so little. I spent several years of my life believing that stuff and then one day I heard Jesus: Mt 24:36 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

I also discovered Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom. The word that translates suffering is the Greek word thlipsis which is translated tribulation in the AV (KJV). John was already sharing the two really big things with his readers in the first century that people await today with such eagerness.

These two facts finally tipped me off. 12 kazillion people have predicted the end since 1000 a.d. How many have been wrong? You know. I don’t have to tell you. It’s not difficult to figure out. This is the money-makingest religious scam in the history of religion.

I like this bumper sticker: WE ARE THE PEOPLE OUR PARENTS WARNED US ABOUT! The really interesting thing is that our parents really knew something about human nature: people never change. They never really ever learn. They just keep on believing the same old things and making the same old mistakes.

What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing the same way over, and over, and over again, expecting different results.

There has to be a better way.

SHARING OUR PASSION FOR PEOPLE #4

As you read the Gospel account you are drawn to the conclusion that each one of us is responsible to win souls to Jesus. I know there are those that appeal to Ephesians 4 to believe there is a certain group that is gifted to do such a work. Such people have missed the message of the Gospel. Everyone is called on to win souls.

We will not win many souls living like the world and treating people the way the world does. I will tell you what: It is exercise time again:
Do you like to be met by others that snub you?
Do you like to be ignored?
Do you enjoy being around grumpy people?
Do you like to be pushed into a corner by a pushy person?
Absolutely not!!!!!!! Passion for people makes me see them (each one) from another perspective. There is just a right way to people.

If you have missed all that somewhere you need to read and study Galatians 5:22-23. I think we are PICKERS ‘N CHOOSERS. That’s right. We choose who we want to treat right. You know the drill: She’s so unfriendly! He drinks! She’s immoral! He’s a lowlife!

All these folks are somehow shoved aside. They are of no value. Right? THAT IS WRONG AND YOU KNOW IT!

I have several BIG DEALS IN MY LIFE: BA & MA in Biblical Studies and Languages from Abilene Christian University and M.Ed. from Sul Ross University. You know what got me on down the road better. I got my 5 year pin form Safeway. The customer is always right! You know they are. They will spit on you and say all kinds of nasty things about you. The Lord had me there for a purpose. It was God’s proving Ground. And, I got a more practical education there than I did at either university.

Well, we need to draw this to a close. Let me ask you:
1) Can you really see people from God’s point of view?
2) Can I approach everyone with the passion of Christ?
3) Just keep asking yourself: How much is a person worth?
4) Don’t give up on that husband, wife, son, daughter, friend, or enemy.

Let me ask you: Do you have a II Corinthians 5 perspective? A Paradigm Shift in spiritual thinking? Do you have God’s point of view? Do you have Christ’s perspective?

You do know one thing for sure. Nothing is too difficult for the God who raises the dead.

What do you need to do next? Why don’t you adopt one of my favorite verses.? So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31).

Just think about it: the bounds of that verse are limitless. Do the right things with respect to God and people and God will reward efforts by opening doors because we are living to His glory.

SHARING OUR PASSION FOR PEOPLE (3)

It seems to me if we are to really develop a passion for people, we must try to catch the passion of Christ for our own lives. Have you figured it all out yet? The real issue just has to be: How much are people worth? Conclusion: Nothing on this planet is as important as people.

We never tire of looking as such verses as John 3:16 and II Peter 3:9. Why? Because, these verses are the ones that show us the infinite love God has for us. We think about it and we surely are glad God feels for us the way he does. Sometimes we never stop to think or perhaps it has just never occurred to us that God feels the same way for absolutely every other living soul on the planet.

Wow! Think about that one. That’s revolutionary. All we can see are marital problems, family problems, boundary issues, physical illness, mental & emotional illness, global problems, racial problems, religious problems, personal problems and the problems go so deep we never look past the nose on the end of our face to see what God sees. When God looks he sees people. God sees us all the same way. We are all needy. Everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23). Everyone we know has turned to his own way (Isa. 53:6).

Now! Somehow we must get the rubber on the road and make this as real and practical as possible. How are we going to see everyone else we meet with the eyes of God or with the perspective of Christ—that is the new perspective we have been talking about? Is it too late for us? Have we become so set in our ways we can never change?

It can never be too late as long as it is day (metaphorically). As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work (Jno. 9:4). Change is possible only if we are willing to change. The Bible calls it repentance, and that’s not just for the hardened sinner or the drunk in the gutter. Yes, common folk like you and me need to repent. Yes, we can change—if we want to badly enough.

I will tell you a good rule of thumb biblical principle that will help you and next week we will get even more personal. Are you ready? Here it comes: I don’t care who you are and who the other person might be/where it is/when it is/how it falls into place: Treat everyone you meet like you would like to be treated. Does that remind you of a certain Rule (Golden)?

Let me close with one of my favorites that will work for you just like it works for me—when I work it, that is. I believe it works because God said it would and because he stands behind it. Here it is: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31). I believe that covers everything you and I do. We had better be doing the right things right now and always, now hadn’t we? How will we be most like God (Lu. 6:35)? Who makes it possible (Phil. 2:13 & Eph. 3:20-21)? See you next time.

SHARING OUR PASSION FOR PEOPLE (2)

There are but two things that made Jesus leave heaven, come to walk in this life, suffer, and die—he had a passion for doing His Father’s will and a passion for people. Nothing caused the Father to send the Son except for his love for us.

II Corinthians 5:14-17 gives us a brand new view of people. It is revolutionary. It is God’s way of looking at people. At no time could people be in a position to view others in such a marvelous light if they could not catch God's perspective on the value of people.

This passage presents a brand new perspective on living—especially the value of life. Paradigm shift might best describe what we see here. By definition, a paradigm shift is a fundamental change in approach or assumption or acceptance by a majority of a changed belief, attitude, or way of doing things.

Because Christ died for us and was raised, things can never be the same again. Let’s go a bit further with this: because we are in Christ and share his life we can never see things (or people) from the same perspective we saw them before.

Let’s be realistic. Because Jesus died and was raised we can never see people the same way again. There should be a change to a new passion for the welfare of people.

Here’s the reality. Because of Jesus every person is a brand new possibility for Jesus. The good news of the Gospel is that every person you know can participate in the new birth. That’s good news (Rom. 1:16).

This is a very personal message. Let me ask you, have you caught that perspective of Jesus and people? Because we are in Chrsit, our view of people should be transformed and made new by our being in Christ.

Think about it: If we see people wrongly, there will be very little possibility of ever treating them in the right manner. If we really catch the passion of Christ, the real issue will be: how much is a person worth. How much am I worth? How should I treat others?

TAKE BACK YOUR VACATION!

I really like that little slogan I have heard in connection with a theme park. Everyone needs a little time to themselves. Take the family or the grand kids or go with a group or by yourselves or even by yourself. It doesn’t really matter how you go, just go.

God sent Jonah on a mission to Ninevah to cry out against that great city because of its inhabitant’s wickedness. Now, Jonah is a really different sort of guy and this wasn’t exactly a vacation. He has nearly everything in life figured out completely. He is a typical Jew who doesn’t particularly like Gentiles and before the book closes we know he just knew God would forgive them and not destroy the city. That made him immensely angry. What a twisted mind.

But, he is God’s man, don’t forget that. Are you? Are you God’s woman?

The first trick he pulled was to hop a ship going in the other direction and off he went to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. I didn’t know you could do that–but then hindsight’s 20-20. I know the end of the story and you probably do too. You can get into a peck of trouble when you try to run away from God.

You know, I love catfish. There’s just not anything much better–especially when they are cleaned properly. That involves cleaning off or taking off the grey matter from the interior lining of the fish. Pew-we that stuff makes it taste like it has been prowling around on the bottom of the river eating all kinds of nasty stuff which it probably has been doing. Did you know that really sounds gross? Furthermore, did you also know that most fish have that stuff in them?

How would you like to hang out in a fish for three days and three nights? That would smell pretty bad. What’s more, you would smell fairly rank when you emerged from the fish. But I don’t think the smell had anything to do with the repentance of Ninevah.

I really meant to write about taking your commitment with you on your vacation. Are you on a diet–take that commitment too. It might not be as important as your commitment to the Lord but it is a commitment, somewhat like your commitment to your husband, your wife, your family, your friends, and everything else in life that is important.

Some folks leave their commitment at home. Don’t do it? What’s all that got to do with Jonah, Ninevah, Tarshish, hindsight, catfish, fish (innards) grey matter, and smell? Probably nothing-just remember: God is everywhere. He loves you wherever you are. h
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LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT--WITH HIS HELP!

Life? Boy, that is a big subject. How do you ever begin to tackle such a humongous task? That’s exactly what we will try to do today. We ain’t scared of nothin’–right? Four sentences so far and four questions. Reckon I am the man for the job? Well, there’s another question.

To be a nobody-but-myself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make me everybody else-means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting. e. e. cummings

Isn’t that the way it really is? J. B. Phillips has a memorable translation (paraphrase) of Romans 12:2 Don’t let this world press you into its mold. Wake up! That’s what is happening every day. e. e. was right, wasn’t he? It’s a tough battle to try to be what God wants you to be in a world organized against Him. Humanism is much more popular than Christianity and humanism is the world organized against God.

How will I be unique in such circumstances? There is but one way that I have found. It is a daily struggle but one that is worthwhile. It leads to fulfillment every time. It’s not the easy road but it is the road that fulfills goals for living.

Did you ever wonder: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Thought provoking, huh? You bet it is! Sometimes when I am running 75 (?) on the freeway, I just think–man, it seems I am heading for eternity at whatever speed. I have thought, It could happen to me right out here in the boonies. I would become nothing, nada, zilch. There would be nothing left but a memory. Morbid?

Let’s get serious. He has a better way. Romans 8 tells us God’s purpose for our lives: to be conformed to the likeness of his Son (v, 29). Now, that’s to be different in this world we live in right now. The neatest thing about all this is that God has provided everything we need to do that very thing (II Pet. 1:3-4). You can’t beat a deal like that, now can you?

That fulfills e. e.’s goal in one respect. That’s the highest goal for self. But is is God's not e. e.'s. To achieve uniqueness in this life is to surrender control to Jesus as Lord (Rom. 13:14). Life takes on a new meaning. And we have Someone more powerful than ourselves to help us with the battles (Eph. 3:20-21).

Can you handle all that? I like it. If only I was totally conformed to the image of his Son. Today is a new day. I have hope!