Are You Out Of Your Mind?

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:5

If you have been a Christ-follower any length of time, you are aware that the way you see life is often the opposite of those around you. The reason is they have a different mindset or perspective. For the Christ-follower; we have the "mind of Christ." We view everything through a Biblical lens; while non-believers see things from a non-Biblical viewpoint. Our lifestyle is confusing to some because they don't understand our motivation.

But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 2 Corinthians 2:14 i.e. If you attend church more than once a week; people might say you are "out of your mind." That is true; not in the sense we are insane, but we are out of our 'natural' mind and rather have the mind of Christ.

Sometimes we get frustrated with non-believers but we must remember that they do not understand the truth as we do. Not that we are superior, we are traveling a different road.

Jesus the Magnet

 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him... Matthew 8:1

We read throughout the New Testament that everywhere Jesus went He drew a crowd but He never intentionally drew people to Himself. In John 6 we have the account of Jesus attracting a crowd of over 5,000. I have been thinking a lot about why people are not drawn to me [or churches] like they were Jesus. Why are churches closing by the hundreds even though they are using a host of venues to attract people? What was Jesus 'secret' in drawing people?

• Jesus loved unbelievers People called Him the "Friend of Sinners."The command to love is the most repeated command in the Bible. We need to love people where they are.
• Jesus attracted people by meeting their needs. Jesus frequently asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" Many churches are more interested in meeting their own needs rather than meeting the needs of others. They need to know that they will be loved and accepted.
• Jesus' teachings were relevant. Jesus usually taught in response to a question or problem from someone in the crowd. Jesus' goal when teaching was to transform lives. We do not have to make the Bible relevant - it already is. When people understand how the Bible can affect and change their lives; they will be drawn to that church.

Some churches become like the world. Some isolate themselves from it. A third option is better - infiltrating the world! Jesus walked among people, in their world.

 

Ripples

Have you ever thrown a stone into a lake and watched the ripple effect? No matter the size of the stone, they all make a ripple. So it is with our witnessing for Christ. Just a simple word will cause a ripple effect in people's lives.

Early one Sunday, a young man dragged himself home from a night of partying. He collapsed into bed, setting his radio alarm for mid-afternoon. When the radio came on, he was jealous awake by the preaching of Donald Barnhouse, who was asking: " Suppose you were to die today and stand before God and he asked you, what right do you have to enter into my heaven - what would you say?"

That's the moment the Holy Spirit touch James Kennedy, one of America's eminent pastors, who is now with the lord. At the time, however, no one knew the results of that broadcast. It was unknown to Dr. Barnhouse, to the producers of the show. To the supporters who had given their gifts to put it on the air, or to the workers in the studio. Only heaven can tabulate the result of that Sunday afternoon broadcast.

Do not ever underestimate the handful of stones you're throwing into the pond whenever you say a word for Christ.

I Will Bow My Knee

 

I am sure that most of us are familiar with athletes kneeling during the playing of our national anthem. This act has been debated on both sides of the issue. Those who support these athletes say it is part of a silent protest against racial inequality and injustice. The other side says it is alright to protest against these issues but kneeling when everyone else is standing shows disrespect for our nation.

No matter what side of this act you support; there is a day coming when everyone will knee. No matter what you believe about Jesus Christ; the Bible says He is coming back to this world to judge all mankind. And He returns every person, living and dead, will acknowledge His Deity and Lordship.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

It is not a matter of choice. Believers and non-believers alike will knee and confess Him as Lord.

Pridefully humble

 

If you’ve spent any time on social media, you see all types of posts. Some that make you laugh, some that make your eyes roll, and some that make you wonder how people get through life without killing themselves due to the craziness they post. But the one that stands out to me more than the rest is what I call the “Pridefully Humble.” This is the person that while he tries to give glory to God, just can’t help but put the focus on them. It looks a little something like this.

“Praise God for all He has done for me as He has helped me break the addiction I had to cigarettes. I’ve been smoking for over 20 years. But it's only taken me two weeks to break the habit. I asked the nurse, and it's the quickest she's ever seen.

We as humans have a hard time taking ourselves out of the picture. Matthew 6:3 tells us, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

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You don’t see Jesus announcing from the street corner, “I’m going to the cross today. Look at me! I’m going to be beaten and whipped and pierced for your iniquities.” He didn’t tell people how many thorns there were, and you didn’t know how far he walked with the cross. The scripture said, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

If you are going to humble yourself to God and serve Him, then do just that. Stop bragging about all the things you’ve done. many he had handed out.

Christian, go to your cross and do it humbly.

The Three D's Of Destruction

 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy... John 10:10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy... John 10:10

Most people have their own view of what being a Christian is. Their view is usually centered on their comfort. They live like Christianity is a playground; while the Bible says it's a battlefield. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

The idea of a real devil is not popular today but the Bible confirms his reality and his plan to destroy us. There is no peaceful coexistence! 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us "This is so that we won’t be taken advantage of by Satan, because we are well aware of his schemes." His scheme entails three major attacks:

Division Satan wants to divide us as a nation, socially, and spiritually. He gets us to focus on our differences rather than the things we can agree on. Most churches do not split over theological differences but rather over personal conflicts and power struggles. Satan knows if the church ever becomes unified; we would be unstoppable.

Distraction ... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10.10b Satan wants to distract us from our mission; the salvation of people. Not to build a bigger church or be successful!

Discredit Satan know the world is watching our Christian walk. If he can get us to sin; it will discredit our witness and thereby lose our effectiveness in reaching the world for Christ. 

Though Satan is powerful; we can defeat him through God's power. "for he [Christ] who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy... John 10:10

Most people have their own view of what being a Christian is. Their view is usually centered on their comfort. They live like Christianity is a playground; while the Bible says it's a battlefield. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

The idea of a real devil is not popular today but the Bible confirms his reality and his plan to destroy us. There is no peaceful coexistence! 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us "This is so that we won’t be taken advantage of by Satan, because we are well aware of his schemes." His scheme entails three major attacks:

Division Satan wants to divide us as a nation, socially, and spiritually. He gets us to focus on our differences rather than the things we can agree on. Most churches do not split over theological differences but rather over personal conflicts and power struggles. Satan knows if the church ever becomes unified; we would be unstoppable.

Distraction ... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10.10b Satan wants to distract us from our mission; the salvation of people. Not to build a bigger church or be successful!

Discredit Satan know the world is watching our Christian walk. If he can get us to sin; it will discredit our witness and thereby lose our effectiveness in reaching the world for Christ. 

Though Satan is powerful; we can defeat him through God's power. "for he [Christ] who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

#Bi

He's Got The Power

 

Having power at your fingertips is a thrilling experience. Whether it's a powerful car, a new power tool, or an awesome powerboat. If there's one thing men love its power. Unfortunately, sooner or later, we all experience a power failure.

Maybe your child gets cancer. Maybe you lose your job. Maybe you lose your spouse. No matter what the circumstance; losing power is a nightmare! My car has broken down on the interstate on several occasions. I felt totally helpless! But it's when you feel the weakest that God's power can be most visible.

What do we do when we can't fix the problem? God doesn't guarantee that every tragedy will have a happy ending. But He does promise to pour out His power into our lives. And that is the paradox of the Gospel. Even in the midst of suffering and pain, you can experience His power and have peace! We may not fully understand the loss, pain, betrayal that caused the 'power outage' but the unending strength of our Savior will help us through,

The Apostle Paul struggled with a special weakness that drove him to his knees. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 His reliance on God's strength is what really empowers us. Once we apply that truth, we'll survive every power failure we will ever have to face.

What Do You Need?

 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

The above verse has been a comfort to many Christ-followers. I personally have experienced God's miraculous provision. But as I was ready the Scriptures today, I had a thought occur to me that I had forgotten. It was concerning the 40-year exodus of the nation of Israel from Egyptian slavery. It was beyond amazing how God took care of them. Nehemiah 9:21tells us, "You took good care of them, and for forty years they never lacked a thing. Their shoes didn’t wear out, and their feet were never swollen."

Biblical scholars tell us that the nation of Israel numbered around 2,5 million during their wilderness wandering. How much provision did it take to care for these people? According to answers.com:

After forty years, the numbers were much the same, but all the Israelites had been born during the journey. So, there must have been somewhat more than 2.5 million births during this period. To feed 2.5 million people just two pounds of food and four pints of water per day would require around 2250 tons of food, excluding bones and scraps, plus around 1.25 million gallons of water. This excludes fodder and water for their livestock. Over the forty years that the Exodus was said to have taken, it would have required at least 33 million tons of food and 18,000 million gallons of water just to sustain the people. [Emphasis added]

Let me ask you: Do you think God would have a problem providing for you?

Delays Are Not Denials

 Many times children have a negative response when parents tell them "Not yet" to their request. But how do we adults respond when God does not answer our prayer when we think He should?

When we pray, usually a gap exists between our request and the answer. We must remember that God’s delays are not necessarily God’s denials. T Timing is very important to God. A request may be in God's timing but not in His timing.

When we pray, usually a gap exists between our request and the answer. We must remember that God’s delays are not necessarily God’s denials. Timing is very important to God. A request may be in God’s will but not in his timing.

God has reasons for not answering our prayers at the moment. Sometimes the best answer we can receive is, “Not yet.”

Need A New Heart?

 

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26

Science has produced many amazing medical advances. The most spectacular is the ability to transplant human body parts. A few decades ago, transplants were rare but these days everyone seems to know someone with a new hip, knee, kidney, liver, or heart.

When the prophet Ezekiel wrote the above verse he had no knowledge of organ replacements but he carefully recorded the message of a heart transplant. The "heart" in this passage doesn't refer to the physical, blood-pumping muscle in your chest. He was referring to the core of a person's being: Your mind, will, and emotions.

Ezekiel was addressing the nation of Israel who wanted nothing to do with worshipping the true God. They had rejected God for so long their hearts had become 'hardened.' (Sounds like America.) Hearts become hardened through repeated sin and living only for self.

The fact is we all need a new heart but we all have sinned against God. Romans 3:23 The Good News is no matter how hard your heart is; God can successfully give you a new heart. Ask God to perform spiritual heart surgery.

What Is Your Nickname?

 

Most High schools often have a nickname and mascots. Red Foxes; Wolves, Lions, Eagles, etc. Students often have nicknames. Often they are given nicknames due to their physical appearance: Shorty, Blondy, Slim. I knew of an elderly minister that was affectionally called "Speedy" due to his slow gait.

Sometimes nicknames are given as an insult. But in the Bible, the giving of names held significance: Jesus Matthew 1:21 David - means beloved. Abraham- father of many. And then there is Nimrod. You may have never heard of him but he was a positive Bible character. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord. Genesis 10:9 Notice the phrase "before the Lord" indicating that Nimrod used his gifts for a godly purpose.

What a great way to remembered when we are gone! What line or phrase could summarize your life? "All-American?" "Nice guy?" "Good neighbor?" "Wonderful employee?"

Those would all be fine. But here are better ones: "Committed follower of Jesus Christ." "Man (or woman) of God." Maybe no one on earth will remember us -- but God will and He is the one really counts.