Hey, It’s Not My Fault!

October 28, 2009 — Leave a comment

“So they gave it to me and I threw it into the fire and out came this calf.”   Exodus 32:24:b

It’s one of the funniest exclusions of individual guilt found in the Scripture.  Moses had just come down from the mountain of God where he had received the commandments of the Lord.  Joshua, his young assistant, heard all the commotion in the camp and thought it was the sound of war.  Moses’ discerning ear proved to be right.  The people of Israel were throwing a wild party in honor of their new god – golden calf that had been designed by Aaron, Moses’ brother at the cost of the people’s gold jewelry given.

Moses questioned Aaron and says how could you do such a thing?  What did the people do to you that you would bring such a great sin upon them?  After sharing that the people had brought their gold jewelry, the scripture above is Aaron’s explanation for what happened.  I threw the gold into the fire and “out came this calf.”  “It just happened!  I had nothing to do with it!”

Things that require design don’t just happen.  Gold had to be forged and shaped into a golden calf.  Idols don’t just leap out of fire.  Personal responsibility is a critical element in maturity.  We can’t grow until we break denial and acknowledge our own part in where we are.  We didn’t just get here by chance.  Choices were made.  Decisions produced actions that always bring consequences.  Shirking personal responsibility is as old as human history.  It began in the garden when God approached Adam and Eve after they had disobeyed the commandment of God.  Those circumstances set the blame game in play.  Adam blamed Eve. . . Eve blamed the serpent.

We’ll continue to be defeated by our own patterns until we choose to break them.  We all must “man up” and acknowledge – “I am where I am today because of choices I have made and actions I have taken.  That’s the first step to lasting change; the turn toward success; the move toward maturity.  None of us can break out of our own sinful patterns without making the most important choice – Jesus, be Lord of my life!  Right now!  Right here!  Forever!

In Personal Responsibility
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God’s Phone Number

October 17, 2009 — Leave a comment

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Jeremiah 33:3

I remember it like it was yesterday.  The visiting evangelist said that was God’s phone number – Jeremiah 33:3 that is.  Hey, I was probably 12 years old and it was funny then.

As a young Pentecostal, I grew up singing choruses like, “Jesus on the main line, tell him what you want!”  The second verse said, “Call him up, call him up!”  Wait there’s more!  Third verse said, “That line is never busy!”   Today, we would probably label that as trite – but it still drove home a message – God is ACCESSIBLE!  I can reach him and He will listen.  Nothing is more important to any of us than to realize that the One who made us is interested in our lives and is actively working in our hearts to draw us to Himself.  No matter where you are; what you’re going through or even what you have done – you are never too far away to CALL out to Him and He will hear you every time.  Peter quoted the Psalmist (Psalms 34:12-16) when he said, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.” (1 Peter 3:12 – NIV)  If you don’t know Him as Savior and Lord, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)  CALL HIM UP!

In Accessibility of God
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Can He Stop Talking about Change?

October 17, 2009 — 1 Comment
As new believers in Christ, our lives begin in change.  Actually that’s the definition of “repentance” – CHANGE your mind.

2 Corinthians 5: 17 says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone; the new has come.

Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that only happens with change.  Changed minds, changed hearts, changed natures.  All of that is made NEW in Christ.  Jesus first message was about change – “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!  The Jewish mindset was just that – it was set.  Jesus came to say guys and gals – a whole lot of change is coming.  Can you receive it?

Isaiah 43:18 speaks of the one to come saying, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a NEW THING!  Now it springs up do you not perceive it!”  (emphasis mine)  My prayer for us and for the body of Christ at large – “Father, don’t let us be so consumed with the way things have been done, that we miss what you are currently doing!  In Jesus name, Amen!”

I just want to say, thanks for hearing the 3-part series called “Mission Possible.”  (If you weren’t at Victory to hear them, CDs are available).  God wants us to be a missional (SENT) church that effectively reaps the harvest of the Delta. His Word is TIMELESS; our work is always TIMELY.  The message is unchanging; our methods are changing.

The Kingdom of God is built and established on TRUST.  If you call me your pastor, I have to assume that you trust me.  I will never make changes just for changes’ sake alone – it’s always with a view to help us to be better servants of God’s mission to this area to which we have been sent.  I have to believe that even if there are some things you’re not crazy about, that by now, you at least understand why and can extend me some leadership credit to iron out some of the kinks that always arise during transitional times.  Change is inevitable – it’s part of life.

I read a quote yesterday that sums this up.  “If you don’t like change, you really won’t like irrelevance.”  Everything needs an update once in a while – the operating system on your computer, a person’s wardrobe, haircut, the color on your living room walls.  The list could go on and on.  Bottom line is – we labor to be true to God’s word never compromising it any way.  We also labor to be current and relevant to the lost culture around us so that we are alive celebrating the goodness of God in the present and not merely a museum of a past move of God.

Quick question.  How is your soul today?  Your personal walk with God?  Has it had an update lately?  Are you running on the strength of manna you gathered this morning (Exodus 16) for today, or are you trying to eat some old stuff that has worms in it?  Think about it.  Download the latest Godcast – call on Him!
In Change
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What are you doing with Today?

September 11, 2009 — Leave a comment

“Yesterday is published. Tomorrow is already pre-produced. THIS is the day the Lord has made, so make the most.” ~ Stephen Furtick (from Psalms 118:24)

Focusing on the past and the future both have their benefits. A nostalgic look backward will either make us thankful or regretful, probably some of both. Obvious lessons from history desperately need to be learned. But, too much longing for the “good ole days” will cripple you in the present. Future gazing has its effects as well – both positive and negative. Depending on my perspective, I can see it through eyes of faith or fear – which are actually two sides of the same coin. They both do the same thing. They both have the power to pull the future into the present – the invisible into the visible realm. Faith and fear are actually the same engine that will drive you into your future – you choose whether you will live it negatively in overwhelmingly world-destroying fear or live it positively in overwhelmingly world-changing faith! The choice is up to you.

Past and future are both important, but none as critical as the present. You can waste today regretting yesterday or fearing tomorrow. Or you can stand up in mountain-moving faith, knowing that the God of creation made you and has redeemed your past by the blood of His own Son and He holds your future in His hands. (See Phil. 1:6; Jeremiah 29:11; Psa. 138:8) A dreamy eye toward the future that doesn’t call us to action is a waste of time as well. Daniel 11:32 (ESV) says, “. . . but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” What are you doing with your TODAY? Get up! Take ACTION!

In New Beginnings
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The First Day

September 2, 2009 — Leave a comment

I know – who needs another blog? The internet is the launch pad for multiplied thousands of these each year – most of which get very little attention in the way of readership. Who knows? That may end up being the case with this one as well. I honestly hope not, because I believe I have some insightful things to say to my generation.

It’s an amazing and yet crazy day to be alive. The world seems to be getting smaller and drowning in the tsumani of activities in which we are all involved. I know I’m just another swimmer trying to stay afloat in all of it – but I want to get somewhere and not just tread water.

I’m a lover of God and a student of history; a decent musician and a wannabe athlete; a devoted husband and a loving father. I want to connect with others in meaningful relationships and I certainly want to live my life in such a way that it counts for something – leave my mark. Hopefully, change the world in some way for the better. I invite your comments readers! Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and tell me what you think.

In New Beginnings
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