What Can’t Be Undone

“The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18

According to a 19th century Jewish folktale, a villager developed a grudge against his rabbi and spread slanderous tales about him all over town. Days later, the gossiper came to his senses and was overcome with remorse. He begged forgiveness from the rabbi and offered to do any penance necessary.

The Rabbi surprised him by instructing him to take a feather pillow into the woods, rip it open, and let the wind take the feathers. The man did as instructed and returned to tell the rabbi.

“Now, gather up all the feathers,” said the rabbi.
“But the wind has scattered them, it’s impossible.”

“It is. And though your wish to make amends may be sincere, you can’t call back your hasty words any more than you can recover the feathers scattered by the wind.”

Remember, words are very powerful and you can never recover what has been said, edify don’t crucify! Be a person who encourages, not one who discourages. Remember, Thumper the rabbit, “If you can’t say something nice – don’t say anything at all!”

Because of Him,

Chris

World’s Greatest Church Tells Secret

In a surprising news release, the leaders of what many are saying is the most effective church in the history of Christianity, gave incredible insight into the success of the church. The report was actually written by a physician who was closely linked to the key leaders.

The church, comprised of nearly 4000 active attenders, was actually quite new at the time of the report. Somehow the leaders, most of them young and none of them seminary-trained, learned early in their ministry the keys to effective church growth. Surprisingly, their methods do not include what many would consider necessary for building a successful church. And the leaders themselves do not fit the model of what most of us would say are leadership essentials.

The report stated that the leaders determined that three very clear priorities would be established from the inception of the new church.

First, they would insure that the congregation would take of pressing physical and spiritual needs in a spirit of love – even designating a group of laypeople to see that this would take place.

Second, the leadership themselves decided to place an unusual amount of importance on the study of Scriptures so that they might be able to teach effectively.

Third, the leaders devoted themselves to large amounts of prayer.

Apparently, this three-fold focus has produced overwhelming results, with thousands coming to faith and being baptized.  The congregation itself sees to it that the message of the church just keeps spreading from person to person and from neighborhood to neighborhood.

This simple, but powerful formula has been overlooked by the many thousands of churches that aspire to see the kind of results that these leaders have experienced.

The church really doesn’t have a marketable name – they are simply called the church in their particular geographical location – Jerusalem.

The physician is Luke.

The report is found in Acts 6:1-7.

Because of Him,

Chris

Vacation

I will be away from my computer for a week. We will be leaving Monday morning for vacation. We will return next Sunday night. Please pray for our safety as we travel. Stay Faithful!!

Because of Him,

Chris

Feeding Your Soul

WE EAT TO LIVE, and healthy living requires a healthy diet. Without proper nutrition our bodies weaken and tire. Many illnesses and premature deaths can be traced to poor eating habits. The same holds true in our spiritual lives. Our souls need constant nourishment, and God has provided the perfect diet.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4)

God’s Word is food for the soul. Reading is to our spiritual lives what eating is to our physical bodies. If you want to grow as God’s child, if you want to mature in your faith, then follow this simple command: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2; see Jeremiah 15:16)

Scheduling three square meals a day is easy, but taking the time for daily spiritual nourishment is much more important and much more profitable.

How can an ancient book feed your soul? Well, the Bible is unlike any other book known to man. In it God speaks directly to us. We call it God’s Word because He is the author.

The Apostle Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) wrote these words to his friend and pupil Timothy, a young man pursuing maturity in Christ: “…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:15-16)

This passage shows us not only the Bible’s source and authority; it also reveals why it was given to us. The Bible, God’s gift to His children, fulfills four purposes.

(1) “All Scripture is given by God…for DOCTRINE…”for teaching” ” The word “doctrine” means teaching. The Bible is our tutor, or teacher. It teaches us what we need to know and believe about God. The Bible gives us an inspired belief system. It teaches us how to have a personal relationship with Him. And it teaches us how to please Him in our daily lives.

(2) “All Scripture is given by God for… REPROOF…” Like a good parent, God reprimands his children when they disobey. The Bible was given to show us when we are wrong. It lays out God’s standard for right living and proper conduct.

When we make a habit of measuring ourselves against this standard, it becomes very clear when we are “missing the mark,” or sinning. The feeling of guilt that follows is called “conviction.”

When we agree with God’s Word and admit that we have done wrong (this is called “confession”), He promises to forgive and cleanse us of that sin (1 John 1:9) . We need the Bible to reveal our shortcomings and show us what we need to confess.

(3) “All Scripture is given by God… for CORRECTION…” The Bible not only shows us where we fall short; it also shows us how to correct and prevent such spiritual failings. This is the positive aspect of God’s standard. By teaching us the right way to live and act, God provides us with corrective measures and real solutions. In other words, the Bible helps us change our ways.

(4) “All Scripture is given by God…for TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS…” This last purpose encompasses the other three, and it brings to light the ultimate goal of doctrine, reproof, and correction.

God wants us to be like Christ, completely righteous and without sin. The Bible, centering on this goal, gives us direction and guidance in all areas of life.

If we seek to live by its principles and instructions, we will grow and mature into righteousness of God.

Because Of Him,

Chris

Stick Out Your Tongue

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good,when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.’’ Matt 12:33-34

Do you remember the days when the nurse would ask you to stick out your tongue in order to insert a thermometer? The process was to detect your physical temperature. Your tongue is also an indicator of your spiritual temperature. The words you speak reflect what’s in your heart. Jesus affirmed that the mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart.

Biting your tongue is not sufficient. It’s really not about your tongue. It’s about your heart. Whatever is in your heart will be displayed by your speech. The way you speak to others will exhibit what’s in your heart. Just as a good tree will bear good fruit and a bad tree produces bad fruit, your words will bear fruit based on the spiritual condition of your heart.

Open your mouth and stick out your tongue. What has your tongue revealed about your heart this week? Examine the words you have spoken. Have you been gracious and kind in your conversations? Have your interactions revealed a heart aligned with God’s heart?

Because of Him,

Chris

The Art Of living Well

The purpose of living well is to glorify God

God has one overriding purpose in this world: to bring glory to His name. God desires that all of His creation-men, women, children, angels, and demons-understand that He alone is worthy of worship.

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).

What does this magnificent theological statement have to do with living well? It means the ultimate aim of living well is not to satisfy ourselves, but to glorify God.

Think for a moment about the Israelites, to whom God promised a more satisfying life as a result of their obedience. Notice God’s ultimate purpose in rewarding the Israelites:

“See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon Him? (Deuteronomy 4:5-7).

God was saying to Israel, “If you follow My wisdom for living, I will prosper you. But My reason for blessing you will be so that other nations will see the result of your obedience and say, ‘What a great God they serve!’ “

In the same way, God wants your life to be a demonstration of the benefits of living well.

A few years ago, on April Fool’s Day, Gary Hamlin, a Missouri physician, decided that he would become a self-professed “Fool for Christ.” He began to do seemingly foolish things.

He invested his time and capital in founding a center for troubled teenagers, he gave his services free of charge to a clinic for battered women and children, and he decided to become more involved in missions projects, planning to eventually close his practice and go to Haiti full time as a medical missionary.

Since making that resolve, Hamlin said, “Materialism has lost its value. God was weaning me from the world’s attractions. He was showing me His vision for my life. To be a fool for Him every day, but realize how rich I am.”

Gary Hamlin knows all about living well.

God wants us to master the art of living well so we can be free to experience and accomplish all that He has planned for our lives.

Because of Him,

Chris

The Rebelution

ALEX AND BRETT HARRIS (r-l) founded TheRebelution.com in August 2005 and today, at age 19, are among the most widely read teen writers on the Web.

These two young men are the real deal. If you are the parent of a teenager, please encourage your teen to read this blog daily. You will not regret it!

www.therebelution.com

I will have a link from my blog.

What is The Rebelution?

The official definition of the ‘rebelution’ is “a teenage rebellion against low expectations.” When you look around today, our culture does not expect much of us young people. We are not only expected to do very little that is wise or good, but we’re expected to do the opposite. Our media-saturated youth culture is constantly reinforcing lower and lower standards and expectations.

The word ‘rebelution’ is a combination of the words “rebellion” and “revolution.” So it carries a sense of an uprising against social norms. But in this case, it’s not a rebellion against God-established authority, but against the low expectations of our society. It’s a refusal to be defined by our ungodly, rebellious, and apathetic culture. Actually, we like to think of it as rebelling against rebellion.

And it’s exciting, because the Rebelution has become a type of counter-cultural youth movement among young people from around the world, who are not only rejecting the lies of popular youth culture, but they’re returning to biblical and historical levels of character and competence.

In 1 Timothy 4:12, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” In other words, as young people we are called to be exemplary in all areas of life. Our generation is falling incredibly short of that calling. Instead of serving as the launching pad of life, the teen years are seen as a vacation from responsibility. We call it the “myth of adolescence.” And the Rebelution is all about busting that myth.

Our battle cry is just three words, but it’s an explosive concept: Do Hard Things. That’s it. And “do hard things” is a mentality. It’s a mentality that flies right in the face of low expectations. The world says, “You’re young, have fun!” It tells us to “obey your thirst” and “just do it.” Or it tells us, “You’re great! You don’t need to exert yourself.” But those kinds of mindsets sabotage character and competence.

Do Hard Things is just the opposite. It’s how we build character and competence. It won’t drop to meet the low expectations, it won’t just do what comes easily, and it won’t become complacent. It applies no matter who you are or what level you’re on, because there’s always something harder to do, something that will take you outside your comfort zone and cause you to grow.

The Rebelution is made up of three fundamental parts. We’ve talked about character and competence. The third is collaboration. It’s not enough for us to be individual exceptions. We have to create a counterculture. We do that is by networking and encouraging one another in our common cause. That’s what the Rebelution has become. When you have a community of young people committed to doing hard things for the glory of God and the good of others, that’s an incredibly powerful thing.

For more of the history and message of the Rebelution, grab the book or check out the blog.

Because of Him,

Chris

The Misery Of Halfway Christianity

I read this quote from Ray Ortlund Sr. that is a much needed message in our day of Mediocre Christianity:

“There is only one way to live: all-out, go-for-broke, risk-taking, pedal-to-the-metal, ferociously joyful and grateful enthusiasm for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Halfway Christianity is the most miserable existence of all. Halfway Christians know enough to feel guilty about themselves but haven’t gone far enough to get happy in Christ. Wholehearted Christianity is very happy.” Ray Ortlund, Sr.

Because Of Him,

Chris

Under His Wings

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.” Psalm 91:4

A little something to put things in perspective… An article in National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture of God’s wings.

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage.

One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesque on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings.

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.

She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze arrived, and the heat scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.

Being loved this much should make a difference in your life.

Remember the One who loves you, and then be different because of it. Remember today, you are under His wings, you are in Christ and there is safety.

Because of Him,

Chris

Your Value

“Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26

A middle school student wrote the following…
“If you want to know the value of a month: Ask a teenager who’s been grounded.
If you want to know the value of a week: Ask a student with a science project due.
If you want to know the value of a day: Ask a substitute teacher.
If you want to know the value of an hour: Ask a women in labor.
If you want to know the value of a minute: Ask a guy getting bombarded with questions by the parents of the girl who is still upstairs getting ready for their date.
If you want to know the value of a second: Ask a basketball player, down by 1, in possession of the ball.
If you want to know the value of a millisecond: Ask a sprinter.
If you want to know the value of a yard: Ask an NFL running back.
If you want to know the value of a foot: Ask an architect.
If you want to know the value of an inch: Ask a bungee jumper.
If you want to know the value of a gallon: Ask a truck driver.
If you want to know the value of a pint: Ask someone who needs blood.
If you want to know the value of a teaspoon: Ask a sick child.
If you want to know the value of a phone call: Ask the person who just put in a job application.
If you want to know the value of forgiveness: Ask a person on death row.
If you want to know the value of a child: Ask the couple that can’t have one.”

And I say, If you want to know the value of a soul: Look to the cross, and realize that Jesus left heaven’s glory to come, live, and die for you.

Because of Him,

Chris