The Men We Need to Be

Purity,Men

The “MAN” We Need to Be

“[Men]…live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor…so that your prayers may not be hindered.” (I Peter 3.7, ESV)

Intro-

        It needs to be understood that both of these characteristics are a result of prolonged adolescence; an epidemic that is sweeping across the foundation of what it now means to be a man.  This is not at excuse, but a glaring problem, it must be fixed!

 

• Cowardly Child
• “Mommy” Complex
• Complete losers
• Aren’t looking for a wife, but rather another mom
• Usually a pretty nice guy, but not a respectable man
• A cute “little guy”
• Can’t think for himself
• Cumbersome Chauvinist
• Disgusting
• Misreads the bible and doesn’t know what he’s doing
• “Rules” over women as a dictator not as a Leader
• Christian Cowboy (Ruth 2-4: Boaz)
• Not to be mistaken with a “Cowboy who is a Christian”
• Fine line
• Christian is always the forefront
• Pursues a woman because of her character not her look (Ruth 2. 11)
• Ask about her (Ruth 2. 5)
• Approaches her (Ruth 2. 8-9,11-12)
• Chivalry
• Provider (Ruth 2.9-10)
• Protector
• Protects her physically (Ruth 2.8, 22)
• Protects her purity (Ruth 3.8-13)
• Protects her Reputation (Ruth 3.14)
• Works for what he wants (Ruth 4.1-6)
• Leaves a Legacy (Ruth 4.17)

Being a Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31

The Godly Woman

                  This blog was a by-product of the purity series that is going on with our college and high school students at our church.  It was an idea that was heavy on my heart and we decided needed to be addressed.  Purity is not something that is readily accepted or practiced in our culture today.  Therefore, it is imperative that we teach that holiness/purity is of utmost importance for a Christian’s life.  So while studying for the week we discussed purity for girls, Proverbs 31 stayed the forefront of my mind.  If we are to discuss how to be a godly, pure, holy woman in today’s culture, then we should draw our example from the woman who is praised in Proverbs. 

                  There are ten characteristics that while looking through these verses which define a godly woman.  It needs to be established that these are not a destination for which to be arrived at, they are characteristics to be pursued, daily.  The writer starts off the section by explaining how difficult it really is to find such a woman; he writes, “an excellent wife (woman) who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.”  Knowing that they are difficult to find, it is important, gentlemen, that when you find her, you treat her that way!  Ladies, if you strive to be this woman, do not waste your time with little, childish boys that do not know how to treat you, you are too precious for that!

                  The Godly woman is:

• Of Moral Character- “…Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come…” (v.25). Before anything else, this woman is moral.  The idea of a virtuous woman naturally carries with it the idea of purity, holiness, and morality.  She is not shady, promiscuous, or loose.  This woman respects herself, and is not identified by who she dates/marries or the circumstance of life, but her identity is found in the life she has been given through Jesus Christ.
• Trustworthy- “…the heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain…” (v.11). In an age of adultery, a trustworthy woman is to be praised.  With all of the pressures of life, if a man does not have to worry about his wife, it a good thing.  This means that you are not a flirt, no “best” guy friends, nothing that could lead to scarring the trust between you and your boyfriend/husband. 
• Supportive- “…She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life…her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land…” (v. 12 &23).  A man needs support!  If your husband/boyfriend has the loving, caring support of a great woman, he will feel like a superhero that could take on the world.  This needs to not be understated; support is a huge part of all female to male relationships. 
• Hard working- “…she seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.  She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.  She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens…She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.  Her lamp does not go out at night…” (v. 13-15, 18).  Lazy people (guy or girl) benefit no one.  A good work ethic is admirable for anyone and everyone.  How’s your work ethic? Check this.
• Smart Financially- “…She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard…she makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant” (v. 14, 24).  Nothing is worse than a man who is fulfilling his God-given responsibility to provide for his wife and kids, with nothing to show for it because his wife cannot say “no” to her shopping habits.  Do you have a budget if you are married?  Do you stick to it?  Are you the master of your finances or are your finances mastering you?  Gentlemen, if you find a good woman, who is good with numbers and is good with money, JACKPOT!!  Be responsible, spend responsibly. 
• Healthy- “…she dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong…” (v.17).  Now, first and foremost let it be clear this is not about conforming to the “look” of the models on the front of the magazine.  But there is a sense of health, working out and exercising that is a matter of worshipping God.  Our bodies Paul writes in I Corinthians are the temple of God, and it is our act of worship to keep care of that temple.  The Godly woman does this.
• Caring- “…she opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy…” (v.20).  If the first commandment is to love God with all you have and second is like unto to it, to love your neighbor as yourself, then the Godly, virtuous woman, cares for people!  She is not self-centered, self-motivated, or selfish; she rather has a broken heart for hurting and broken people, sacrificing herself to help and love them like Jesus would.
• Is or will be a good mom- “…she is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet…she looks well to the way of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness…her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her…” (v.21, 27 &28).  Obviously if you’re not married this isn’t you.  But even if you’re not married you can be practicing qualities that are exemplified by good mothers.  Find a good woman in the church, one who has raised kids and be mentored by her.  A good woman (or man for that matter!) is one that is humbly able to submit and learn.
• Self-controlled- “…she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue…” (v.26). If she opens her mouth with wisdom, she doesn’t open her mouth in foolishness.  THIS TAKES SELF-CONTROL.  Galatians 5.22 lists the fruit of the Spirit and one part of that is self control.  A godly woman knows how to control herself in all situations. 
• Unique- “…Many woman have done excellently, but you surpass them all.  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (v.29-30 emphasis added).  There is nothing that sets the Godly woman apart like her love for Jesus.  A godly, virtuous, moral, caring, wonderful woman is unlike anyone else.  She is her own person, her identity is found inside of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This sets her apart, and if found she is a treasure to be kept!

This has been a brief discussion on the virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31.  These are characteristics that as stated above, are not a destination.  These qualities are a battle, like holiness, that must be fought daily.  Our culture is longing for girls to step up, and live this life!  I’m praying for all of you.

Purity week 2

Purity: Nothing to Hide

“Girl Talk”

6.20.10

      -Feminism

• Too high a view of self
• Pride/abusive
• Believes the lie of Genesis 3
• Stands over men to try and rule over them
• Needs Grace
• Brings humility
• Offered from the cross
• Passivism
• Too low a view of self
• Despair/ abused
• Don’t believe the truth of Genesis 1.26
• Allows men to rule over her (very much a people pleaser)
• Needs confidence
• Not in herself but in the cross of Christ (Heb 4.16)
• What grace divine what selflessness 
  That Christ would bear the weight 
  Our proof is scarred on hands that bled 
  That we were worth every nail
• Value is placed in what you would pay for something, and look at how valuable you are.
• “Ruth”ism (Ruth 1)
•  Confident (where you go I will go); Grace filled (your God shall be my God…)
• Finds a godly man, and humbly walks beside him as a helper.
• Proverbs 31.30; Ruth 1

Nothing To Hide: Holiness

Purity; Nothing to Hide

“Nothing to Hide”

6.13.10

 

Purity first must be understood as interchangeable with Holiness

• Our Responsibility
• Asking the Right question
• Not “how far is too far?’
• “how holy can I be”
• What holiness is not
• Self-Righteousness
• Religion/Pride
• Despair
• Self-Attained (II Cor. 5.21)
• “The Great exchange”
• This is the key to understanding holiness
• Self-Contained
• What Holiness is
• Purity
• Hagiós/Hagnós
• “sacred (physically pure morally blameless) innocent; modest, perfect—chaste, clean, pure”
• You do not have purity aside from holiness, nor do you  have holiness aside from purity
• Separation
• Consecrated- “set apart, fenced in, holy, devoted and/or dedicated.”
• In the world, not of the world
• “…not as complete detachment, but as a subtle attitude on particular points.”
• It is all about the standard you hold yourself to
• Areas of life to be consecrated
• Mind (Rom 12.1-2; Prov 23.7)
• Body (I Cor 6.15-20)
• Relationships
• Technology
• The Source
• The Cross
• It was here that Jesus paid for our sin and the opportunity to be pure
• “The Great Exchange” (II Cor 5.21)
• Day of Atonement (See below)
• The Gospel
• Makes new (II Cor 5.17)
• Old Passed away-Dead and gone
• All is new
• Thoughts
• Actions
• Words
• Gives new identity
• No longer identified by sin
• Stuff done by us         
• Commission-things we should not do
• Omission-things we fail to do
• Now identified in Christ
• Day of Atonement
• Propitiation- removal of wrath
• Expiation- removal of sin
• Now identified by his life, death, burial, and resurrection

Revelation Study

Revelation Study,Explaination

Just wanted to leave a little explanation.  I don't want to put something up here that is not of excellent quality.  So I WILL NOT be posting the Revelation Study any longer UNTIL it has been revised, edited, and corrected.  Please excuse and forgive the tardiness!

A Question I was asked about Demons

Youth Group,Angels,Demons

The following is a question that I received from a member of my youth group on Thursday night.  I will post the question and then the response that I gave to them.  Hope that this might find someone that needs it and they draw some answers from it. This was shared with permission. It has been edited to protect those involved. 

My friend  has been telling me some really stange things and I was wondering if you knew anything about it. They say they can see angels and demons and the God talks to them. They went to some church and they said that they were a "see er". her friend is supposed to have 'healing hands' and they and 3 other people were told that they has special gifts and would go around the world and help people. They said that God talks to them all the time. and so do demons. They say they saw 1 at our school by their locker and it was yelling at them. They said "flee from me satan" and it disappeared. I guess this has been going on for a while. Since like 5th grade...  I don't know but it doesn't sound right. It sounds like some kind of cult. I don't know what to say to them, but its kind of creeping me out. I asked a few of my Christian friends and they didn't know either. I really don't have any information on all this so I don't know what to say or react to this. I was hoping you could help me out.

 

This is the response I gave:                                                    

Demons, Angel, Seers, and People with Healing Hands

 

It is important to understand when dealing with this area of “the spiritual” realm to remember the reality of angels and demons.  They are real.  We believe that God created angels, and therefore if demons are fallen angels (II Peter 2.4), they were created too.  Billy Graham and his book, Angels, states that there are over 300 references to angels in the bible.  We have to begin from this understanding to further answer the question.

                  The idea of demons or angels being visible is highly debated.  However, the fact that they claim to be seen by people is not entirely false.  Today, people will label people who “see” spiritual things as having hallucinations, or some sort of mental illness.  With this view, I personally feel, we add fuel to the fire of their work.  C.S. Lewis said in his introduction to the Screwtape Letters that “there are two equal and opposite errors into which our race [humans] can fall about the devils.  One is to disbelieve in their existence.  The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”  So to make too big of a deal about them is just as bad as not believing in them at all. 

                  When it comes to a demons interaction with people, we have to assume that they work in the same exact way they did in the scriptures.  In the scripture we see them possessing people (actually taking over their bodies) and oppressing them (bringing oppression in their life; illness, harm, etc.).  The truth is that if you are in Christ, bought and paid for by His blood, YOU CANNOT be possessed by a demon. Jesus is your Christus Victor which gives you the victory over sin, death, Satan his servant their works and effects.  Conversely, anyone that is outside the protection of God’s grace and salvation, is open to any works of demonic activity.  

                  The advice given by the “church” about your friend being a seer, is completely and utterly false.  There is not a spiritual gift of seer (for a full description of spiritual gifts see I Corinthians 12).  There are cultic and black magic gifts of seer, but none of these have anything to do with Jesus and His work.  There is a gift of discernment, which allows one to distinguish between holy and evil spirits and works thereof, but the gift of “seer” is predominately a Mormon doctrine, with Joseph Smith, their blasphemous founder, holding the office of seer. 

                  With the gift of “healing hands” the only references to this that I found were in magical, almost like you established, cultic references.  Let me be forward to say that I fully believe that God is in the healing business.  But I believe that it is God, and not man.  I believe no longer, nor can it be proven scripturally, that people are still able to heal others.  These are gifts that were given to the 12 apostles, and vanished with the death of the last apostle.

                  These issues are very difficult, and very strange, but very real.  Demons, angels, and cultic sin are very real. Is your friend seeing angels and demons? Quite possibly.  Does she have the gift of seer and another friend with the gift of healing hands? No, not if they claim to be Christians.  One question to ask is if they have ever been involved in Wicca, or witchcraft magic of any kind.  If so, it is highly possible this is a manifestation of that sin.  I would personally advise that you be careful with the amount of time you spend with these people, because it could be a very dangerous thing, the spiritual realm of angels and demons is real and not something that humans should really be caught in, if given the choice.  I will be praying for you and will be praying for your friend, hopefully she can meet Jesus and be given the victory over this seemingly distracting oppression. 

I John 2.12-17: The Battle Fought 'Round the World

 

I John 2.12-17:

“The Battle Fought ‘Round the World”

                  Every day we’re in a battle.  No matter who you are, no matter where you stand with God, you are fighting a battle.  Inside all of us is a sense of something bigger, something shall we say, divine?   And this longing for the divine, even if we deny it, puts us in a battle.  Some have given into that calling, some fight it still, but John writes in his first epistle that we are in a fight.  He addresses those that are fight on the right side, that have given into that longing for something bigger, and he encourages them to keep fighting.   He writes:

                  “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.  I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.  I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one.  I write unto you, little children, because you have known the Father.  I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.  I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. “(I John 2.12-17)

                  To start we have to almost work backwards through the passage.  What is the battle?  Who are the players in the battle?  The battle is between worldliness and godliness.  One cannot be both, worldly and godly.  Just as darkness has no fellowship with light, the love of the world cannot be consume the same heart that has a love for God.  Now, to preface the world we are talking of here is the fallen, sinful, perverted ways of the world.  Not the people that make up the world, but the sinful nature of the world.  It is important to make this distinction.  We are to love everyone, yet not love disgusting sin. 

                  There are three categories in which sin usually falls; lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life (v.16).  We see all the way back in the Garden of Eden these sins being prevalent.  Within the story of the tempting of Even and the first sin, we see these three characteristics of sin.  Eve saw (lust of eyes) that the fruit was good for eating (lust of flesh) and that it would make her like God (pride of life).  These three areas of sin needed to be guarded against, and are the battle in which we fight.  John goes on to encourage and remind believers , no matter what their spiritual standing, they are in a battle and to fight well.

                  Three categories of Christians are given in this passage; children, young men, and fathers.  Some will say this is in reference to the age of the believers, but it is not.  John here is referring to a type of age, but not age as we think of it, rather spiritual age.  Children refer to the spiritual babies, or newly saved.  These are the babes or little children in Christ.  The next are the fathers, they are the other end of the spectrum. These are defined by the spiritually mature, those that have a deep and intimate understanding of spiritual things.  The last group John discusses is the young men, who are strong.  These are those that are on their journey that are more mature in Christ than the babes, but aren’t as mature as the fathers.  These guys are still going thru the fire, if you will. 

                  There is a battle we fight every day.  How do we fight it?  Well no matter where we’re at on our journey (child, father, or young man) we draw encouragement from each other, and from the Word of God.  Paul wrote in Ephesians about our battle and that we need to put on the whole armor of God.  This being said we also have to keep our way pure by the very Word of God (Psalm 119.9).  We do this all by the grace of God, and hopefully at the end of our life, we have fought the good fight!

 

 

Book Review: The Air I Breathe

                  This has been the best book that I have read this year.  It was hands down, absolutely incredible.  Louie Giglio has written one of the greatest, straight to the point works on worship.  The subtitle to the books explains it all, “worship as a way of life”.  He discusses throughout the book how worship is built within us, and that we worship just like we breathe air.  He ends the book with his final definition on worship: “Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God—for who He is! And what He’s done!  Expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live.” 

                  This book should be bought and read by every person that claims to be a Christian!

Disciplines of a Godly Man

Book Review For:

 

Disciplines of a Godly Man

                  I would recommend this book to any guy.  This is a book specifically written to men, and is a calling out of our recent failures.  R. Kent Hughes does a masterful job of writing in a very understandable, yet to the point way.  He does not shoot the bull, but gives a great discussion on frank issues on discipline.  He discusses four areas of our lives that need discipline, inside these four areas there are sub-area.  This was a wonderful book and should be read by all Christian men.  Mr. Hughes to start the discussion tells us that he is writing as if he were sitting across the table, drinking coffee with his son. 

 First he discusses Relationships.  Inside of relationships he discusses the disciplines of purity, marriage, Fatherhood, and friendship.  What a great discussion these were very frank and very enlightening!  These talks were very fatherly, and very sound.  In our world today the discussion on purity was very practical.  Secondly, he talked about our souls.  These are the disciplines that we need in order to grow in our relationship with Christ.  Inside this area he discusses the disciplines of mind, devotion, prayer, and worship.  These were very practical ideas to cultivate a deeper understanding and relationship with Christ.  Thirdly, he discussed the discipline of Character encompassing the discipline of integrity, tongue, work, and perseverance.  This was an eye opening talking for a culture that is not too concerned with character.  And lastly, he discussed the discipline of ministry.  Inside of this discipline  was the disciplines of church, leadership, giving, witness, and ministry. 

This book should be read by all men, and if studied intently could change your life, and the course mankind has set over the last couple of decades.  Men now have no backbone, and are a joke. This was a call for real men to step up grab the reins of life and live a God-honoring, selfless, life.  This is an unusual thing in our culture, yet something that needs to be desired! Pick up this book and I promise you won’t be disappointed.    

 

Conqueror’s Prayer Requests 1.20.10

Jennie Reilly- Boyfriends mom has lump in her throat

Micah Burgess- Neighbor passed away & friends boyfriend is going to be leaving for Haiti

Pat Barger- Unspoken & 3 girls he goes to school with are pregnant

Kari Haase- Friends uncle passed away & a girl she knows is having tests done

Jillian Jenkins- Very close family friend

Ellen Schaaf- Praise, her mom got called back to work

Daniel Morales- Friends moms surgery & friend died & all the people in Haiti

Jared McCord- Christy Wright

Stephanie - Grandma

Sarah Hunter- Praise, she got accepted to U of M

Lisa Bolton- For her moms tests

Sam Hopper- For her friend who just left for an internship in Florida & her cousin is going to be leaving for Haiti

Alicia Clark- Friend who is pregnant is having pregnancy complications

Kaitlyn Sears- Trying to get her friend to come to Church

Zach Lezotte- Failing Geometry

Alyssa Barker- Her mom's uncle broke his ankle & her and her friends school grades

Kori Spigoda- Family situation

I John 2.3-11: You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

In a culture where everyone seems to at some level say: “yeah, I’m a Christian”, how do you know who to believe? It seems like every athlete, even some rock stars, and celebrities quickly will “thank God” yet turn around and use some four letter swear word, stumble around trashed off their butt, or talk about the girls they spent the night with the night before. In an increasingly spiritualized culture, how can we take people at their word, when they claim the name of Jesus Christ? To begin let me say that I am not judging any of the afore mentioned people, I love them and hope that their testimony of Christ is true, but if we name the name of Christ we have to do it in deed as well as the words we say.

John the apostle, the beloved disciple, faced these same issues. It’s exactly what He addresses in the second chapter of his first epistle to the early church. In verse 3-11 we will see the genuine marks of a true Christian. The premise John and we’ll work off of is what James talked about in Chapter four of the book named after him. He wrote:

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, ‘Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled’; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone. Yea, a man may say ‘Thou hast faith, and I have works’: shew me thy faith without they works, and will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God’. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2.14-26)

James is not advocating a salvation by works, which many false teachers will teach. The basic truth is there is NOTHING we can do to be accepted by God. There is nothing good enough that we can bring to the table, to have him accept us into his family. The only thing we have going for us is the death, burial, and glorious resurrection of Jesus. Without that we are completely , and utterly hopeless! What James is talking about is a salvation, unto good works! We are saved so that we can now do good. This manifests itself directly into what John is talking about here in his letter to the early church. This is what John writes:

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, ‘I know him’ and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have head from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hatheth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth in darkness, and knoweth not wither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” (I John 2.3-11)

It is high time that we started to put our money where out mouths are. John here gives us three ways in which we can measure our Christianity. He says essentially, “if you say you’re a Christian, than this is what your life will look like. This is what it will be characterized by.” 1.) You obey God (v.3-5); 2.) You imitate Christ (v.6); 3.) You love others (v.7-11). The use of the word commandments is prevalent in these verse, as these characteristics flow from the greatest commands; Love God; Love people. This is the basic summary of the ten commands given to Moses.

John tells us in verses 3 thru 5 that we know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. He goes on to say that if we say that we know him, but don’t keep his commands, we are liars. But, we’re told, if we keep the commands, “the love of God is perfected in us” (v.5). In verse six we‘re told to imitate Christ. We are to walk as he walked, and love as he loved. This is evidence all thru the gospels and we see Jesus fulfilling this “love God, love people” command. He is constantly talking about glorifying God, constantly looking for way to bring glory to God, and always putting others above himself.
The talk of a new commandment/old commandment can be very confusing. But what John is saying is that there is not new commandment, but that loving God and loving people has been the deal since creation. However, the context in which they are to carry this out is new. The church was now facing life without Jesus. So now they had to worship under the definition of faith-the things hoped for, evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11.1). They also were going to be facing, or were already facing major persecution, which would make it difficult to love others. However, if they imitated Jesus, they would love their enemies.

John’s teaching here reiterates the Ten Commandments given to Moses. All ten can be summed up into the previous paraphrase: Love God, love people. Dealing with the first four, these all focus on loving God. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me…Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (idols)…Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain…Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy” (Exodus 3.3-8). These first four commands deal solely with worshipping and honoring God. And if these commands be understood and practiced, especially the first two, then the rest fall into place.

Secondly we are to love people. This is the second commandment, the second half--if you will-- of the Ten Commandments. “Honor thy father and mother…Thou shalt not kill…Thou shalt not commit adultery…Thou shalt not steal…thou shalt not bear false witness (lie)…Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 3.12-17).

How are we doing on these two commands : Love God, love people? These are the marks of a genuine faith in Christ. You can’t have one without the other. Are you just talking the talk, or can you actually walk the walk?

Start Your Mornings Right

I've been reading a book by C.J. Mahaney called, Humility, and it is a wonderful book. He talks of how everyone deals with a pride problem. And because of this pride, God actually opposes us. James 4.6 talks about how "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." So how do we deal with this pride issue? Mahaney says that sin never sleeps, therefore in the morning it doesn't have to wake up, but is ready for the battle tho we may still be a little inhibited from our recent awaking. Our job then is to not play defense on pride, rather mount an offensive strike.

C.J. shares certain morning habits that he has tried to practice, I have made it a goal this week to do the same. I will share them here, with a few verses that I've found. Starting our mornings off the right way, whether a morning person or not, sets the correct tone for the rest of the day. So if interested I challenge you to take the offensive this week and try these practices it, write them down, place it somewhere as a reminder!

Practice #1: Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for Him. (Psalm 121):

"I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth. He will not let your foot be moved; Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on you right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from the time forth and forevermore."

To go on the offensive we have to depend on God. When we start to try and do things on our own, we fail, we become prideful, we sin. We want grace from God, so we have humble ourselves and acknowledge our dependence upon him.

Practice #2: Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God.(Psalm 4.7-8):

"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

Gratefulness allows us to put into perspective our life. Without God we have nothing. We should be grateful for the life he is allowing us to live!

Practice #3: Practice the spiritual disciplines:

-Prayer (Psalm 5.3): "O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice..."
-Reading (Psalm 1.1-2): "Blessed is the man...[whose] delight is in the law
of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and
night"
-Worship (Psalm 7.17): "I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his
righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name
of the Lord, the Most High"

Practice #4: Cast your cares upon him (Psalm 18.6):

"In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice and my cry to him reached his ears"

If we cast our cares upon him, even as Peter wrote about (I Peter 5.6-7), we can live free of the bondage that pride has on our life. When we delve into the despair of our worries, all we're concerned with is ourselves. Shed those chains and cast your cares on the One who cares for you!

If we take these practices into our lives, we can see a transformation happen! Jesus want all of us, but we can't give that to him if we're engulfed in our own lives. Come to the end of yourself and live a life that is pleasing and worshipful of Jesus. He loves you and gave his life for you, will you give it back to him?

Matthew 5.5

Matthew 5.5:
Meekness is not for the Faith of Heart

The idea of meekness in our time is grossly misunderstood. Most people when talking of meekness think that it carries with it a sense of weakness. The common error with our understanding of meekness has been practiced within churches for too long. Our false idea has allowed Christians to take a back seat to people too often. We (most of us) will get walked on, “out of love”, and call it being meek. When Jesus told his disciples “[b]lessed are the meek…” he was not referring to a lifestyle which just lies down at the feet of opposition in the name of love. Rather, he had something much different in mind. None of Jesus’ commands were for the faint in heart, they were for warriors. Only the strong can live a life Jesus is describing in these nine verses, especially verse 5. Only warriors can be meek.

To start we have to re-define the word meek. Webster even defined meek in a soft, “please walk all over me” way. He defined meekness as, “too submissive, spiritless.” It would carry with it the idea of someone with no backbone, someone who just submits to everyone without looking out even for themselves. Now, this does not mean that we should only be looking out for numero uno, but we should not allow for everyone and their brother to walk all over us. To redefine meek we have to look at the life of Jesus, and we will draw most of our material from Philippians 2.5-9. Just remember, meekness IS NOT weakness.

Philippians 2.5-9:
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of a God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which his above every name”

Jesus reflected the true idea of meekness. He possessed all the strength in the world, because he created it. By him all things were made, and there was nothing made that was not made by him (John 1. 3). Yet, humbly he came and lived among us. He defined meekness. And what is that definition? Strength under control. Though Jesus could have came and ruled here on Earth, he chose to come as a baby, live as a peasant and be murdered at the hands of religious people. While being spat upon, hit in the face, having a crown of thorns shoved into his head, Jesus did not react. Isaiah 53.7 prophesied that Jesus would react this way: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53.7).

We are shown meekness in Philippians, through Jesus, and Paul encourages us to have this same attitude (Phil 2.5). Though Jesus was God, he humbled himself and became a servant. He was meek. He had every right to demand worship, to rule and reign over this world, because he made it! Yet, he stooped down on his last night with the disciples and WASHED THEIR FEET (John 13)! Meekness is a humble attitude, not allowing others to walk on us, but not promoting ourselves over them either. We read throughout scripture that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4.6). In our passage in Philippians we find that through Christ’s meekness, God exalted him to a name above every name. When we are meek, we are strong, but under control, like a father wrestling with his child. We are to live humbly or meek, and allow God to exalt us, so that he and he alone gets the glory!

I John 1.5-2.2: A Fellowship Based Upon Death

A Fellowship Based Upon Death
I John 1.5-2.2

As we dive into our second lesson in the book of I John, and review of the prologue is in store. John began by establishing his authority as an eyewitness to the Word of Life, the gospel of Jesus Christ. John’s purpose for writing was so that his readers might partake in the fellowship he enjoyed with fellow believers, and also with Christ. He wrote so that their joy may be complete. The language he uses is that of an older father to his kids, and with the authority of a lawyer in a courtroom. The scene of a courtroom is very prevalent especially in these first couple of paragraphs (eyewitness, advocate, etc). He talks of three walks the believer will take and these are all different phases of our journey. Walking in the light (where we’re going), walking in sin (where we are), walking with the advocate (how we get to the end result).

The first journey he takes us on is found in verse 5-7. He discusses believers walking in the light. What John is discussing is fellowship with God. He talks of light having no fellowship with darkness. The theme of darkness in connection with sin is readily apparent throughout the whole Bible. Jesus said in the gospel of John, that he is the light of the world. Light is used in reference to Jesus and God, and the life they bring. He compares the two opposing sides. John’s language here indicates that in the eternal state, the life to come. In this life, light will never have fellowship with darkness, on Earth or in Heaven. If there is a perpetual state of darkness, we may need to re-examine our salvation experience.

John in his writings is addressing heresies that were taking over the teaching of church. Many were probably teaching that you could have fellowship with God and live however you please. This however is a false teaching that John quickly refutes. See Jesus died for those sins, and it was those very sins that sent him to the cross to die. If it were not for this death, we would have no hope. The Liberty Bible Commentary makes this statement concerning this verse, “if it were not for the atoning (atonement: reconciliation of mankind to God) death of Jesus Christ, fellowship with God would be impossible.”

Secondly, John talks about us that are walking in sin. This is the state we continually live in. Romans 3.23 discusses that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” All of us are sinners and are in need of a savior. Because of this sin, we live in darkness, and are in need of light. John doesn’t end there, but goes on to say “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins”. This is a direct comment on dealing with sin. No one wants to deal with sin, but we NEED TOO! To confess our sin is to acknowledge our sin, and allow God to cleanse us. God is faithful in two aspects: 1) He is faithful to deal with our sin, and accept the sacrifice; 2) He is faithful to acknowledge the sacrifice that was made by Jesus.

The third way in which John describes our journey, is to explain how we get from where we are (sinners v.8-10) to where we’re going (fellowship with God v.5-7). He talks here of walking with the Advocate. He starts by saying “My Little children”. He is not speaking of literal children, but it is rather a term of endearment to the church in which he is writing. He tells us he’s writing so that we won’t sin, but if we do sin, we have an advocate. The courtroom vocabulary takes over and John starts discussing how we have an advocate, who is Jesus, with the father (Judge). See when we sin we incur the wrath of God upon us; we are GUILTY. Our sentence, Romans 6.23, “the wages of sin is death…” Because we sin, we deserve to die. However v.2 tells us that He (Jesus) was our propitiation or our payment for the “fine” we accrued against God. This completes the verse in Romans, “for the wages of sin is death…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Matthew 5.4: “It’s ok to mourn, and maybe even cry”

Matthew 5.4: “It’s ok to mourn, and maybe even cry”
“He that sins is human; he that grieves over sin is a saint; he that boast of sin is of the devil; and He that forgives sin is God.” - Old Proverb

As if starting his teaching on “kingdom attitudes” didn’t start on a high note (blessed are the poor in spirit...) Jesus continues in the next verse to talk of mourning. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (KJV). The terms blessed and mourn, don’t seem to coincide. Rather they seem silly. Blessed are they that mourn. In our culture today, especially “the Christian bubble”, mourning seems to be looked down upon. We are told, “put on a happy face, you’ve got Jesus!” Which, seems all good and all, but sometimes life just simply stinks. Then you get those that say, “It’s not that bad...” but it really is. Everyone always has a solution, everyone always has the answer and yet, most of the time they fail too. Some of us go through some things that are just plain hard, and it isn’t easy to fake a smile with life sometimes. And here Jesus is addressing that. There are two things we can and most likely should mourn over; 1) Trials in life and 2) Sin.

To mourn is defined as “to feel or express sorrow for (something that is regrettable). In both instances of mourning (trial and/or sin) the regrettable aspect of mourning takes full effect. Who has ever been through a trial and hasn’t thought “I regret having to go through this”, or a feeling of regret toward the situation. Then when it comes to sin, if we grieve over it, we do regret it happening, because of the pain that it causes Jesus.

The first thing we are free to mourn over is trials that come into our lives. The saying “life’s hard get a helmet” is a very true saying. Life sometimes just plainly, well, sucks! Sometimes it may feel like you’re climbing a mountain with a slippery slope, or as one pastor, C.H. Spurgeon said, “its like fighting the mist”. Trials usually are unexpected and lead to some of the most difficult times of life. Now trials can be a direct effect of the life we’re living, but sometimes we have no control over what we are going through. So what do we do when we are in this season of life?

I Peter 1.3-8 gives the believer hope for the trials they are going through:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tired with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory...”

What Peter writes here is so comforting for those that mourn over trial in this life. What he says basically is, “yes, its hard. Yes, its tough, but continue on for your reward is not for this life, but in the life to come. It may never get better down here in this life. But there is a day that its going to get better!” He reminds us to rejoice in the fact that we have Jesus, and an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled, that will NEVER fade away! This is the hope believers have for the trials of life, when they come.

The second thing we should mourn over is sin. When Jesus says “blessed are those that mourn” he is talking mainly of repenting of sin. In our culture today, sin is a subject that is not dealt with, sometimes even in churches! Sadly enough, people believe in a bobble headed Jesus that bobs his head up and down to answer any question they may have. But sin is a serious matter. Sin is the reason Jesus had to step down out of the splendor of Heaven and be beaten brutally and then crucified upon the cross. As a believer when we sin, we should grive. To grieve is an ache that goes down to the bone. We should grieve because it was that sin that sent Jesus, our great God and Savior to the cross.

When we sin, we make little of the cross. Everytime we sin should think about what we’ve done. It was our sin that put him there. I heard an illustration used once where the speaker said, “everytime you sin, imagine that you are walking up to Jesus while he’s hanging bloodied on the cross, and you look him in the eye, and then spit into his face”. That is the magnitude of our sin. We spit in the face of him who died for us, everytime we sin. Think its not serious anymore? So Jesus says, mourn over your sin.

The great hope through this as believers is that our mourning will never go unnoticed. Christ promised that when he left, he would send us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit (Jn 14.16, 26; 15.26; 16.7). When we grieve over sin, or mourn over the trials of our life, as believers we have the Holy Spirit who if we repent, will forgive, or if we are “fighting the mist” we will be comforted. To end there are two quotes I’d like to leave you with. One is from pastor, Erwim McManus. He said, “there is a beautiful life to be found in the midst of sorrow.” There is an idea of depending on God with this life. To repent or be comforted means you have come once again to the end of your self, with the end result of joy. To this effect Matthew Henry comments on this verse (Matt. 5.4) saying, “the ultimate goal is the mountain of God, the mountain of joy, but you will have to go through a vale of tears to get there.”

I John 1.1-4: The testimony of John to the reality of Jesus Christ and His gospel.

I John 1.1-4:

The testimony of John to the reality of Jesus Christ and His gospel.

The book of I John is a wonderful book. Written somewhere between AD 90-98, we have a letter written to a church, giving full apostolic proof to the reality of the life of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. John writes with boldness, power, authority, and the reality that he was there when Christ lived. John was among the first disciples called, and lived his life within the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples. He was a highly respected man, and the last living apostle.

John writes as a defense attorney would. He sets the stage as if the reader was in a courtroom. His language is that of a lawyer defending and giving evidence for a couple of different things throughout the book. The epistle much like his gospel, operates in this fashion.

There is no traditional introduction to the letter, not statement of authorship, nor audience. However, tradition accepts that it was the beloved apostle, John. Within the first verse John talks of that which was from the beginning. In looking at other writings of John, he is not stating that there was an origination of the Word of life but that since the beginning (and before) the Word of Life was (John 1.1). There is an idea of an "always has been", not of a starting point. He goes on to give four verifiable senses in which he experienced the Christ and therefore proves His existence. 1) We have heard. John heard Jesus’ voice many times throughout his three year ministry with Christ. He would have heard him teach different sermons, tell different parables, and even speak kind words of forgiveness from the cross while he was atoning for the sins of the world. John takes it a step farther proclaiming that 2) we have seen with our eyes. This is important, because someone could be heard and not seen. Having the physical proof that Jesus was there was a case John present against the heresies facing this church at the time.

The third thing John addresses dealing with his sense, is an addition to number two. He says that they not only saw Jesus but 3) looked upon Him. This is significant because this word for looked means to gaze upon intently, but not a stalker way. They payed attention and gazed upon Jesus, not merely just caught a glance of Him. Then to put the cherry on top of the cake, John tells us that he 4) handled or touched Jesus. To seal the deal John tells his readers that the testimony of Jesus and the things they heard about him could be true, because He truly existed, to the point that John touched Jesus.

John was writing to clear up the false teachings of the Docetist, which wrongly taught that Jesus only seemed to be who He was not actual. A mere mirage. And John takes their argument right out from under them by giving the physical experience he had with the Savior. Proving that Jesus existed and that he was the one from the beginning who was the Word of life.

Verse two is parenthetical meaning that it breaks the flow from the first verse to the third verses. What John discusses in this verse is important because it tells us that Jesus not only existed, because He always has, but that He actually manifested that life to us. He came and showed us what eternal life looked like in the flesh. Without the initiation of Jesus coming to Earth to manifest this life, we would still all be lost, without knowing what the Word of Life is.

In verse three we see the purpose of this combined, long sentence (v.1-4). John is writing so that he can proclaim or declare this message of the manifestation of the Gospel of Jesus, and he is declaring this so that those who believe could have fellowship with those that already believed. John goes on to explain that the fellowship they would have is with God the Father, and Jesus His Son. This denotes a participation in the Grace of God, from the Father, through Jesus by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The entire trinity is involved in fellowship. Fellowship is the evidence of Christianity. And the two are indistinguishable from the other, fellowship with God and other believers.

This leads right into the last thing that John discusses with here in the prologue of his opening letter. He is telling all of this so that our joy may be complete. Joy and fellowship go hand in hand. How we respond to Jesus determines our joy. Bible teacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book Life in Christ says this, “Joy...is the response and the reaction of the soul to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” (30). True fellowship combines social and spiritual interaction and is made possible by Jesus Christ.

Mary: Such an Example for Us All!

Mary
Luke 1.26-38

Mary is the most significant and important woman who have ever lived. The problem with Mary is that people don’t know how to respond to her, although she is one of the greatest examples for us as believers. Some make Mary out to be not the mother of the Savior, but the savior herself. They pray to her, and deify her. This is faulty. Others in reaction to these faulty beliefs make too little of her, not talking about the great example she has set for all of us.
To begin we have to understand the story inside of context. Luke is the author of the book. Luke was a highly respected physician as noted by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 4.14 calling him the “beloved physician.” Commissioned by the wealthy Theophilus to research and investigate the story of the Carpenter from Galilee he had heard about, Luke set out to do such work. He spent years of his life researching, investigating, interviewing, anything that had to do with the story of this man from Nazareth, the one who 30 years prior had been brutally killed, supposedly for the sins of the world.
During his investigation Luke would have most likely found Mary, and talked with her. Since the book was written somewhere between 63-68 AD, Mary would have not been “Virgin” Mary any longer, but probably older, a more mature, grandmother Mary. Now, the part about Mary not being a virgin, sounds disrespectful, but its true. Jesus had half brothers, two of which wrote books of the New Testament (James, and Jude) and one (James) who we know was a pastor in the early church of Jerusalem. So the fact that Mary is prayed to and worshipped today as “ever-virgin” is false. Remember, she is not Savior, but instrument used of God to bring the Savior into the world and set a wonderful example to us all.
To begin, we have to fill in the story. Luke made his acknowledgements to Theophilus, saying essentially, “this is what I found” (Luke 1. 4). He records the story of the Angel Gabriel coming to Elizabeth and Zacharias and told them they were going to have a son (Luke 1.5-25). Luke records that Elizabeth was barren, and that both of them were stricken in years, simply put, they were beyond the years of having kids. This would be the first of two miracle births that would occur in a 15 month period.
Starting in verse 26 the angel Gabriel made a second visit, to Mary, during the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. At this point Mary did not know that Elizabeth, her cousin, was pregnant. The angel was sent to Mary in the town of Nazareth, in the region of Galilee. This was a nothing city, the type of city one pastor says is like the “town you drive through to stop for a corn dog, to go to the bathroom, and get the heck out thanking God you don’t live there”. Most people, especially young teenage girls like Mary at this time, would have been illiterate. Not able to read or write. And yet, God still chose to send the angel to her, to fulfill His ultimate purpose.
In verse 27 we see who ultimately the angel was coming to visit, as the previous verse did not divulge. This verse says that the angel came to a virgin (never had sex), who was espoused to a man (engaged, only broken by legal divorce [Matt. 1]) and that her name was Mary. There are many people who will debate the term virgin, saying that it merely meant a fair maiden, or young girl, but the bible says what it says, she was sexually pure, and a virgin! However, this as some might suggest didn’t last her who life, she did have intimacy with her husband Joseph, and had kids. The virgin birth brings with it several implications: 1) To fulfill OT Prophecy (Gen. 3.15; Is. 7.14); 2)To avoid the curse of Jeconiah (Jer. 22.23-30)This did not allow Jeconiah’s descendants to rule the throne of David. Joseph was a descendant of Jeconiah through the line of Solomon, however Mary was not a descendant of Jeconiah but still a descendant of David through the line of Nathan; 3)To avoid the inheritance of a sin nature; 4)To avoid receiving a human father; 5)To avoid creating a new person; Jesus was incarnate (Jn 1.1).
Verse 28 helps us to understand Mary a little bit better, and deal correctly with those that sometimes make maybe a little too much of her. In this verse the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she is “highly favored” (KJV) and later in verse 30 he tells her that she is favored of God. This favor is grace given. She is the recipient of grace, not the giver of grace. Grace is something none of us deserve, but something we rather receive. Grace defined= unmerited favor; something that we don’t understand, or deserve, but something that we all need. This is was gave Mary, a nobody from a nowhere town, the ability to mother the Christ child, grace. Nothing greater, nothing less, simply grace, God’s greatest Christmas present.
In the next section of verses, 29-33, Mary is told by the angel that this is the king that would fulfill the covenant God made with her father David, years prior. In II Samuel 7.12-17 we see God talking to David through the prophet Nathan and making a
covenant with him that his descendants would reign forever. The promise is referred to by theologians as the “Davidic Covenant”. This would be fulfilled through Jesus.
Being a virgin, it would make sense that Mary might have a few questions as to how this birth might take place. This is the purpose of verse 34, Mary asks the question. She did not ask in disbelief like Zacharias did but more in submission. She was willing to be used of God, but there were certain circumstances (not having sex) that presented a roadblock for her. Then the angel responds and gives the incredible answer to her inquiry.
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” This is where Mary finds out that her older, barren cousin was also having a kid. These verses 35-37 provide the plan God is intending to use to to bring salvation to the world! He planned on using two miracle births, to two people who didn’t have impressive credentials to do His work. Amazing how we may discredit ourselves, because we think that we’re not good enough, when God is just looking for someone to be willing like a Mary.
Verse 38 is the attitude in which we should all have. Her willing spirit to be subject to God, is the example she wonderfully set for all of us. She planned on marrying Joseph, she planned on being a wife, and a mother, and then this angel shows up and re-writes the script. How would you respond? If the angel told you, “here’s a new script to read” how would you respond? Willingly? She responds so awesome, “behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word...” (v.38). What an awesome response. Whatever you say God, I’m down!! Can you say that? Are you there? Let Mary be your example!

The Giving of Thanks

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving. Every year we gather around a table with our families and sometimes friends for a time of food, football, and fellowship. We term the holiday Thanksgiving, but what are we really thankful for? At the table each year we have a huge turkey, tons and tons of different nick nacks in the form of sweet potato pie, dressing, and all the other mouth watering delicacies. My family always takes a run around the table, discussing one thing that we are thankful for, and mockingly we give my mother a hard time about it. It has annoyed me, I will be honest, but why? Don't I have so much to be thankful for? So this one's for everyone I need to thank. There may be mundane things, but sometimes they may mean the most.

First off, all thanks has to be given to Jesus. Let's get real here for a quick second, without Him there would be nothing to be thankful for. Every day I take advantage of His grace and love, and every new day He's there with arms open wide welcoming me home to be loved even more! There's a word for that: AMAZING! I know we all come to this point but lately I've really been in awe of Jesus. Trust me, I have failed lately at my relationship. But every time I think of Jesus, all I can think of is love, sacrifice, and an overwhelming sense of peace.

Next goes out to my friends. There are times I'm an awful friend. Period. I can be selfish, abrasive, and idiotic. But no matter how I act, I have some of the greatest friends in the world. Ryan Black, Jake Omey, Brad Green, Jordan Reilly, Andy Adams, Caleb Moore, just to name a few. Always there, always keeping me on my feet and in line, always looking out, and always keeping it light! Thank you guys for being such great friends!

Next and last I have to thank my family. I have the greatest family in the world. You can argue, but you will lose! My dad is the greatest guy that I know. He works harder than anyone I've witnessed, and never gives up. Always there to give advice, and show that he cares, he is a source of great encouragement to me. I get to serve with him at church starting in two weeks, and I cannot wait, very humble and thankful! My mom is next, and she is sweet. Goofy at times, but who isn't? She works super hard and has the biggest heart of anyone I know! They have raised us as best they could, and I cannot express how thankful I am for them!

One of the biggest things I'm so thankful for are the little things in life. My brother Jordan said at a testimony time Wednesday night that we are blessed with so much. He went on a missions trip to the Dominican and told a story of a girl who was thankful for a piece of paper to write the alphabet on. At this point in time, we are making list for gifts, which is fine, but are we thankful?
This is a quick little thank you from life. Look around and see the little moments, the little insignificant things around and just smile saying THANKS!!

Real Men, Please stand up?

So you think you’re a man?

The tone of this will be harsh, because men need to be dealt with harshly. This is something that I desire to see change the most. We need good, sharp, God-fearing men, something that is a rarity. I speak from a heart of concern, a heart of love, a heart that longs to see lives transformed and men stand up for what’s right. My prayer is that God will work on the lives of those that read this. I speak harshly because I know no other way to say this, but it is from a heart of compassion and love.

Today’s “man” is a joke. That term is used loosely by the way. It seems that more often guys are becoming bigger and bigger idiots. We have fallen down a slippery slope, and unless things change we’re in for some big problems. In Genesis 1 and 2 we see the story of creation. After six days of creation, God made His most intimate creation, man. He did not create the woman first, but the man, giving the example that men are to be LEADERS. A concept lost on most “men” today because we have sinned and are fallen (Genesis 3). To redeem manhood and to love and lead women we should keep in mind what has been said numerous times in wedding ceremonies:

“the woman was not taken from the head of the man, so that she could rule over him; nor was she taken from his foot, so that he could walk all over her, but she was taken from his side, next to his heart, so she could be loved and cared for by him.”

There are three types of guys in today’s world. Two of them are complete losers and one is truly a man. There is no assumption that this is completely dogmatic, just merely characteristics. One could be a combination of the first two, but there are dominate characteristics that will define every male as a coward, child, or cowboy.

The coward is the biggest wimp of all. He usually is a pretty nice guy, can be caring, but will not speak up, will shy away from confrontation and doesn’t know how to lead a woman in a loving God-honoring relationship. And, thus fails in his God-given responsibility. Usually he’s the one wearing the skirt, she wears the pants. This is the guy that can’t or doesn’t talk to girls. If he does become interested, he wouldn’t know how to approach a women and instead will go through a friend. Coward! At the core of this guys problems is insecurity. His insecurity surfaces in one of two ways; a complete disconnect or abusive chauvinism.

The complete disconnect pins this guy down in his room, or strictly to his guy friends. There is no social life, or if there is one its completely awkward. He knows more about computers and the current t.v. shows than women. Put in a room full of good women he’d have a mental breakdown and severe panic attack. This culmination of insecurity is really crippling and will not allow one to live a full and abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10.10). If this is you there is hope, just keep reading!

The next aspect of the coward, the complete opposite of the shut in is the abusive chauvinist. These guys are disgusting. They intimidate, scold, hit, and abuse women, because they aren’t man enough to deal with their own insecurities. In a fight a woman doesn’t stand a chance, but these men pick on them, because its the only battle they’re “man” enough to fight. Hitting and/or intimidating a woman, what a coward! These men dishonor, break down, disrespect and disregard God’s daughters, just so they can feel better about themselves. If this is you, there’s hope, and you need help, keep reading.

The next dude is the biggest loser of all. This is the child, little boy or any other synonym you would like to insert. These guys are the biggest joke and sorry excuse for what they think is a man. These little boys can be anywhere from 20 to 60+ years old and still be in the adolescent phase of life. There’s no excuse for these type of guys, and they sicken me. They are a good time, but a joke of a life. They have a belt loop notched a mile long, but don’t have any clue as to what a true man is. Their idea of a “manly man” is someone who has slept with everything that moves, who can drink the most beer, and has reached the highest level on Call of Duty. These little boys think that marriage will make them a man, but to quote a respected preacher, Mark Driscoll, “they marry to be men, but what happens is they end up ruining good women.”

These guys are complete idiots. They have a mommy complex and end up with women that will care for them, not women that want to be led by them. That’s on the girl as much as the guy, but Paul wrote this this to Timothy, “but if anyone does not provide for his relatives, especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (I Timothy 5.8). These guys are a complete joke, a complete disgrace and a waste of time for any girl. If you’re this guy, its time to put on your big boy pants and grow up, there’s still hope. Keep reading.

Lastly we come to the actual men, the cowboys. When you think of a cowboy you think of a John Wayne type man. I’m not talking bad boy, black hatted cowboy, I’m talking about the good guy, the white hat, knight in shinning armor cowboy. These guys don’t waste their time with “little boy things”, they are men. They don’t live with their parents, they have a job, a bible, and know how to treat a woman. It is all about respect with these guys. Nothing is about them, they live to serve, live to love, and live like Jesus. When it comes time to fight for what’s right, they man the front line, without backing down. When a girl he cares about needs him, he’s there for her, not with his friends, she matters because he loves her and is not afraid of that. His shoulder is there if she needs it, his hands are there to protect, and his goal is her purity. He doesn’t need to sleep with her, he doesn’t need to disrespect her, he loves her cares for her, and worries about her best interest over his selfish gratification.

This is a real man. He provides, protects, and purposes in his heart to maintain her purity. This guy takes the reins and leads a loving God-honoring relationship, drawing her and him closer to Christ. This is the type of guy you want you sons to grow up like, and daughters to marry. We need more men like this.

So where do we go from here? You are one of these three guys. The first two, cannot live fulfilled. They are empty shells of a life. Sure the child seems to have a good time, but what do you have to show for a good time? Nothing. The goal is to leave a good legacy, not just have a good time, and neither of the first two can do that. Only real men strive to impact generations to come, not just have a good time for what feels good now. True men cannot live for themselves, there’s no selfishness, but this is how the child and coward live, completely selfish, its all about them.

So is all hope lost if you’re a coward or child? NO!! The hope always has been and always will be Jesus. Jesus died to forgive you of those sins, and allow you to live a life after his example, as a real man! You’re actions as a coward or child are sinful, and Jesus humbly gave up his life to forgive you of that sin. What it takes is for you to man up, repent, and live for Jesus. Live to love, live to serve, live to protect, live for a legacy. Because this life is meaningless if its all about you. When you have Jesus there’s something to live for. It’s time little boys and cowards stepped up to the plate of manhood, and swing for the fences.

Humility: made possible by death

I've been reading a book Humility by C.J. Mahaney (definitely recommend to anyone). And as I was finishing up a chapter just now he ended the chapter with this paragraph:

"What a powerful death! The cross ransoms, the cross liberates, the cross transforms! So make it your aim and lifelong habit, when you see someone who's serving, to be reminded of the sacrifice of the Savior, for apart from His sacrifice there is no serving. True greatness is attained only by emulating the Savior's example-and made possible only by the saviors sacrifice."

He was talking about John and James and how in Mark 10 they were self promoting and vying for "the greatest" credential to add to the resume. In John 13 we see Jesus Christ take a wash basin and towel, and get down and wash these two arrogant men's feet, also he washed the feet of Judas his betrayer. Jesus served!! Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ washed feet. Here's the question: how's your service? Mine hasn't been too good. I am working on it. Mahaney reminds us that we can be transformed, literally changed by the death of Jesus Christ, to live a new life and serve each other with love and humility. What a good example to follow.

Humility comes through sacrifice. Jesus said if we are to follow him, we have to deny ourselves, literally die to self. What we want isn't as important as what He wants. Period. If Jesus is the center of our lives, and our aim is to glorify Him, then we do not matter. Humility is possible by death, first and foremost the death of Christ, and then the death of our selfish motives in order that we may serve others and serve Christ with every ounce of who we are.