365 Days

One year. 365 days. Seems like a long time, doesn’t it? I’m still trying to figure out what happened to 2012. Many plans accomplished, some still in progress, some never begun. In the next few days, many of us will pull out our new calendars to fill them in. Others will make resolutions in many different areas, particularly health and fitness goals. I would like to challenge you to consider making some spiritual goals.

One of the questions that has stuck with me the most over the years is: are you closer to the Lord now than you were a year ago? It is a convicting question. Regardless of where we are in our Christian journey, there is room for improvement.

Below are suggestions to consider as spiritual goals. Remember, it takes 3 to 4 weeks for a habit to be established. Choose one or more, but, instead of trying to accomplish multiple goals at the same time, spread them out over months. When one goal becomes a habit, add the next. Don’t be discouraged if you slip up, Satan likes to use that to defeat you. Just pick up where you left off. Most of all, ask the Lord to help you accomplish the goal for Him.

Daily devotional reading. If you are just beginning, don’t try to do too much at first. You will become discouraged. Read a Proverbs a day to get you going. Choose a verse to dwell on for the day. (Often the verse “chooses” you.) If you are experienced in this area, change up your devotional routine; do something different. Try a word study. Choose a passage of Scripture to go through word by word. Thoroughly study a Bible principle or doctrine.

Read through the Bible. This goal is great for establishing discipline in our lives as well as familiarizing us with God’s Word. However, if you are like me, you may find yourself struggling once you reach the genealogies. There are numerous plans available for reading the Bible. Most Bible reading plans are for a year, but there are those set up for as long as 3 years to as little as 90 days. Some plans provide variety by reading a little from the Old Testament and New Testament each day. One plan in particular that I find helpful, especially for beginners or those project oriented, is the Read through the Bible Plan for Shirkers and Slackers. Although not calendar based, it does have specific sections of the Bible to read each day.

Shake up your prayer life. Our prayer life is very important. Prayer is our way of communicating with our Lord and Savior. There are several aspects and areas you may want to consider improving through the year.

• Conversational prayer. The Bible says to pray without ceasing. To do this we in essence have a running conversation with the Lord all day. As you are cleaning, driving, or working simple talk to the Lord about what you are doing. If someone comes to mind, pray for them. Believe it or not, you do not need to know details of a person's situation to effectively pray for them. The Lord already knows; ask Him to help and encourage them even though you don't know the reason.
• Corporate prayer. Are you terrified of being called on to pray in a social setting? Ask the Lord to help you step out of your comfort zone this year to pray when asked in a group.
• Closet prayer. This type of prayer is specific time set aside to pray for others as well as needs. Establish an organized way in which to pray for requests whether a journal, note cards, or prayer list. Date entries when added and when answered. This tool will encourage you when you are discouraged.
• Prayer and fasting. Many people are afraid of this area of prayer. Typically, fasting does mean going without food for a period of time with the mindset of setting that time aside to get hold of God for a specific need. It requires sacrifice on our part. Fasting does not necessarily mean you need to go a day or more without sustenance. You may choose to go without one meal each day for a few days or longer setting aside the time you would have had for the meal for prayer. Some choose to go without a specific type of food for a period of time and also set aside a specific amount of time dedicated to pray for the request. If you have a health concern that may prevent you from a food fast, you could choose to fast from television, the internet, or other activity using that time instead to pray.

Commit to do. Each year thousands upon thousands of people commit to beginning a physical fitness goal. This can also be done with a spiritual goal. Commit to serve faithfully in a specific area for the Lord in your local church. If your church already has pre-scheduled weekly areas of service available to the church body such as church visitation, a letter writing ministry to missionaries or shut-ins, or any number of other ministries, start by becoming a faithful servant in one of these areas. If you are already faithful in one or more of these areas go to your pastor, explain your goal for the year, and ask if there is anything additional you can do at your church.

Change of diet. This is a case of the “garbage in, garbage out” rule. Re-evaluate your entertainment choices. Examine your relationships. What are your feeding your mind and soul? What goes in will eventually come out. In our physical diet, we are healthiest when we fill our bodies with good food; many diet gurus will also tell us to be careful of our relationships as some people tend to sabotage our diet and fitness goals. The same is true for our spiritual diet. We often wonder why we struggle with worry, anger, jealousy, among other things. A change in diet will do wonders.

Change your thinking. This is a bit more than a change of diet. This challenge will cause you to dig deep for what you truly believe. It will reveal worldly philosophies that have crept into your thinking and belief system polluting the absolute truth of God’s Word you thought you knew. To change your thinking you will need to start asking two new questions and remove one.

• Remove the question: what is wrong with that? All too often, when this question is asked it is with a rebellious attitude, however subtle it may be. (I should know, I’ve said it many times myself.) However, even if asked with an attitude of truly wanting the truth, the question leaves open the ability to rationalize the answer instead of providing absolute truth.
• Add the question: what is right with that? By changing your mindset to finding what is right with a situation you begin to train your heart, mind, and soul to accept only absolute truth as the answer. In other words, the Bible will become the final authority for each situation you face.
• Add the question: why? This question works in tandem with “what is right with that?” in that you must determine a few things. Every aspect of your life needs to have an answer to the question “why?” Why do you do what you do? Do you have a verse for your actions? Do you have a Bible principle that you stand on? Does your principle or action violate any other principle in the Bible? Why do you believe what you believe?  

These are only a few goals you may want to consider. But don't think you need to wait for January 1st. Choose any day: a birthday, anniversary or any random day. The day you begin doesn't really matter. What does matter is the answer a year later to this question: are you closer to the Lord now than you were a year ago?

Feel free to share spiritual goals you have done in the past or ones you may be considering now to encourage others. For a list of Bible reading plans, online devotionals, and other Bible study resources go to churchhelps.org Bible study page.

"All we can do is pray..."?

"All we can do is pray."

I've seen or heard that statement more times than I care to think about since the election results were announced. And it concerns me greatly. You see, that is not all we can do. It is not all we should be doing. I am hoping that the results of November 6th will sound as a wake up call to Christians... not denominations, churches, etc. Christians. Individuals. Christians who believe Jesus is the only answer. Christians who believe that Jesus did not come here to "solve our problems", political or otherwise, but that He came here to "seek and to save that which was lost" so that we can live eternally with God.

We've been told what to do in order to "heal our land." Yes, prayer is part of it. But there is so much more involved. God cannot hear us until we follow HIS plan. And that is something that we, Christian, are failing to do... over and over again.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall HUMBLE themselves, and PRAY, and SEEK my face, and TURN from their wicked ways; THEN will I HEAR from heaven, and will FORGIVE their sin, and will HEAL their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

Humble ourselves. Not an easy thing. Humble defined is not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive; reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission. This certainly doesn't describe the world. Unfortunately, it does not describe the church. It doesn't describe many Christians either. This is evidenced by the actions of individuals in the church. It is evidenced by behaviors within the family. It is evidenced by Christian workers in the work place. We see authority usurped at every turn. We are not willing to be submissive. The word in this passage is a verb, an action verb. We must bring ourselves into subjection to the authorities that God has placed over us: the Bible as the foundation of all we do, husbands and fathers in the home (Eph. 5:24. 25; 6:1), pastors in the church (Heb. 13:17), bosses in the work place (Col. 3:22), and, yes, even government leaders (Romans 13). 

Pray. Yes, we can pray. But, we must HUMBLE ourselves AND PRAY. They are not separate here. They go together. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (Proverbs 28:9) The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. (Proverbs 15:29) 

Seek. Again, another action verb. The definition of "seek" is to resort to, go to; to go in search of, look for, to try to discover; to ask for, request; to try to acquire or gain. Are we really seeking after God? How much time in a day do we spend in prayer and Bible study? Contrast that with other activities. Our nation isn't divided. We are divided within our own spirit. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (James 4:8)

My face. Strong's Concordance also provides the words countenance, presence, and person for the word "face". Whose face are we to seek? The LORD's. The caps aren't an effort at emphasis. In the King James Bible when the word "LORD" is capitalized it stands for "Jehovah," the most special name of God. It is the LORD Who is speaking in 2 Chronicles 7:14. It is His face, His presence, His person who we are to seek.

Turn. The GPS has spoiled us. Now, if we are going the wrong way, that annoying voice simply says, "Recalculating," providing us with an alternate route. In the days before the GPS, we stopped and turned around. That is what we need to do today. We must stop "recalculating" trying to find an alternate path to what the LORD would have us do. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:13-15) Turning also means to repent. Repenting isn't just saying, "I'm sorry." It is the act of not repeating the offense.

From our wicked ways. We think of wickedness as something that is morally very bad. Murder is a "big" one. "I haven't committed murder." Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15) Adultery is another one where we may think we are okay. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)  Paul tells the church of Colosse that they need to continue moving away from fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Colossians 3:5) but that now they also need to put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. (Colossians 3:8-9) God doesn't classify sins as "big" and "little". Sin is sin. Until we turn from what God considers wicked He will not hear us.

Just a little background on 2 Chronicles 7:14. Solomon had completed the temple, God's house, that his father, David, had desired to build. Solomon, the priests and Levites, and all the children of Israel spent days dedicating the temple. (2 Chronicles 5-7) In 2 Chronicles 6:14, Solomon begins praying, asking the LORD to come dwell in the house built for Him. (Today we would call this the church.) Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. (2 Chronicles 7:1) After the week of feasting ends, Solomon sends everyone home, happy and joyful that the work was done. The LORD comes to Solomon and tells him how to heal the land if judgment comes. He also warns Solomon, (2 Chronicles 7:19-22)

But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and unto this house?

And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

We need to get our houses in order.

First, our own lives. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Second, our homes. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Ephesians 5:24-25) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1)

Finally, our churches. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:7, 17)

All we can do is pray? No, there is more, so much more.

Did It Make You or Break You?

This morning I filled out an alumni information form for the Christian school where I graduated. They will be celebrating 40 years in a few weeks - a great accomplishment! Of course, these things tend to cause a great deal of retrospection and introspection. And, as I thought about those days, I was reminded of many who grew up during the same decades and what has taken place since.

If you ask many who attended Christian schools in the 70's, 80's, and early 90's you may hear a consensus of anger and, in some cases, that has turned to bitterness regarding their time in school. At the very least, there are tinges of derision, resentment, or scoffing. This also can be said of IFB churches during that same time. How do I know this? I see it on FaceBook and message boards. I hear it in conversations. Why?

The argument will be "that church" or "that school" did X.Y.Z. to me. Who did/do they think they were/are telling us how to dress, live, conduct ourselves? They let this group get away with ____ but when we did it they lowered the boom. (Yes, it did happen. No, you didn't imagine it. Inconsistency is possible by anyone... just ask your own kids.) Some will say that they (authority) did not follow God's Word; they twisted God's Word to make us do what they wanted.

I graduated from high school... well, ahem... in 1985. I graduated from a Christian college in 1989. I grew up in an IFB church and in the years since I have remained in and served in IFB churches. I have been accused over the years of "drinking the Kool-Aid." However, if those accusers would have spent a little time talking to me instead of accusing me they would have seen that I poured out the "Kool-Aid" long ago.

In our ministry, we see the worst of the worst in people... monthly, weekly, sometimes daily... often when things are at their darkest. We have dealt with pastors and their families who were utterly devastated by "their people", usually deacons, sometimes other staff, occasionally a group of disgruntled members. We've heard what these "godly" people have said to the pastor's kids and wives. We've seen how these men and, yes, sometimes those "sweet Christian" women, have gossiped, gone house to house and business to business as talebearers, and out right lied about pastors, their wives, and their kids. We have counseled with PK's (and their parents) who have said, "The CHURCH hurt me. I don't want anything else to do with it." Hmm....

We've also dealt with those who feel they have been bound and chained by the do's and don'ts of a "dictatorial pastor", a "tyrannical administrator", etc. We've heard every story under the sun of "all the financial problems a pastor has caused a church"; how these pastors have "hog-tied them and won't let them serve." We've heard these people say that they need to get rid of the pastor (authority) because they are hurting me. We've heard these people say that they will be in control; the "next" pastor just needs to "preach". Or, we've seen some simply leave (quietly or not) to go to churches where there are no rules, no standards, no responsibility, no confrontation of sin, or where "we just don't see interpret those passages the same way as you". Hmmm...

I have had a LONG time to think about this, to examine it, to pray and seek God's face on the matter. The "church" or the "school" didn't hurt you. Those are simply institutions... made up of people... made up with you included. The problem wasn't the schools; it wasn't the churches. It was people, individuals, the imperfect. And doesn't that describe ALL of us. Imperfect.

Here are a few things I've learned over the years that have helped me when others have hurt me or when I think I disagree with leadership. Maybe they will help you too.

• GOD'S WORD is the final authority to anything and everything that I do. It is my ABSOLUTE. Many say that they see certain scriptures differently than someone else does. Know this: that thinking is called "relativism" (a philosophy that conceptions of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them). Relativism in the church has mixed God's Word with our opinions or thoughts in an attempt to compromise so that everyone can "get along" in "Christian love and fellowship." It is a worldly philosophy that slithered into Christian thinking; it is destroying churches, families, and individuals. 2 Peter 1:19-21, We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

• PEOPLE are imperfect which means they may do something that will hurt me at some point. Sometimes those who teach and guide us will hurt us. Sometimes a co-laborer, a fellow Christian may hurt us. Many times they are unaware of what they have done. Psalm 55:12-14, For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

• FORGIVENESS is essential. We may never confront those that have hurt us, but we must forgive them. In the parable of the king and servant in Matthew 18, the servant owed a debt that the king expected paid right away. The king granted leniency. The servant then went to those who owed him and showed no leniency. The king was appalled when he heard and delivered the servant to the "tormenters" until the debt was paid. When we continue to live in bondage, anger, and bitterness for those things done and said to us, we trample on the blood of Christ Who forgave us. Matthew 18:33-35, Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

• FORGIVENESS is not a one time thing. Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother when he sinned against him. Seven times? Matthew 18:22, Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

• FORGETTING isn't easy, but it is necessary to move on. The saying "forgive and forget" is nice, but the two do not come hand in hand. It has been said that forgiveness requires remembering graciously. In other words, remember the hurt without added anger and bitterness. Learn the lesson, use the lesson to help others, but don't dwell. Don't allow Satan to use past hurts as a tool to halt your walk with the Lord. Philippians 3:13-14, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

• AUTHORITY isn't always right, but submitting to that authority is protection in God's plan. 

1. As a parent, I have not always made the best decisions, but when it came to my son, I expected him to obey whether I was right or wrong; it was his God-given protection. Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2. As a wife, I have not always agreed with my husband, but regardless of that, I am protected through obedience to my husband. He is the one who will answer to God for what happens with our family. My responsibility is to submit graciously whether I understand the decisions he makes or not. My submission is an example as to how we as Christians are to submit to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
3. As an employee, I don't always agree with the policies of the boss or company. But, they are the authority. If I'm going to keep my job, I will follow those policies and do what I am asked to do. Why? Because I am serving my Lord not man, and am a witness for Him. Ephesians 6:5-8, Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.   
4. As a church member, I may not always agree with how things are handled in the church - finances, policies, standards, etc. At these times, I ask myself if it is something from which to separate. If so, then I leave, move on - quietly. If not, then I keep my mouth shut and happily serve my Lord. I also pray for either understanding on my part or a change in the heart and actions of the pastor. How can I do that? I know that I am not going to be the one to stand before the Lord for the happenings of the church. The pastor is. Hebrews 13:7, 17 (7)Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. (17)Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you

The cause of Christ has suffered enough at our own divisiveness. We have much to do in these last days and it cannot be done when brother fights against brother, when hurts are harbored, when accusations and judgments are flung. The testimony of the church as a whole has been harmed. We no longer are salt and light to this world. It is time to forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before, by pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The fault for much of what took place during those "extreme" days was lack of teaching of one generation to the next, and it has persisted ever since. As we say in our ministry, the lack of teaching "the WHY." Yes, there were many do's and don'ts. They were the practical ways to deal with the Biblical principles. Could there have been different "practicals"? Sure. Each of us probably could come up with a number of different "practicals" that would have honored the principles.

But there were and are Biblical reasons for the "practicals" whether we understood them or not then or now. Whether they were taught to us or not, the "WHY" has always been there. There are Biblical principles for every aspect of life. 

"But, what are the chapter and verses?"

That would be so much easier, wouldn't it? But that isn't the case. One thing I've found over the years is that wisdom sought out for myself tends to "stick" better than when someone simply "tells me".

I am including a link to a PDF entitled "What To Do When There Isn't a Chapter and Verse." It includes seven basic Bible principles with verses that will help you discern what is right and wrong for any situation. 

In every aspect of life, first seek out what the whole counsel of God has to say about it. There is clear teaching for some areas. Be willing to change should the Lord convict you that your thoughts are wrong on the matter. Giving up long held traditions, thoughts, opinions, and, yes, assumptions is not easy. I've been there myself. For those "grey" areas, where there isn't a "chapter and verse" apply the seven Biblical principles to help discern what would be the BEST decision to make on the matter. Paul addressed just these things in Romans 14: 

³ Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

⁴ Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

⁵ One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

¹⁰ But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

¹² So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

¹³ Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Some will be persuaded toward higher standards, others will not. We must not judge either as "right" or as "wrong". We must, as brothers and sisters in Christ, stop spouting our own "liberty" to do what we want and start considering if we are a stumbling block to another Christian. It isn't hard for me to submit myself to a higher (aka: stricter) standard that I personally do not hold when I keep in mind that I am trying to be a blessing instead of a stumbling block. How about you?

Now back to the original question. Did it make you or break you? Do you still live in bondage to past hurts?

"Well, no, I gave up all those 'standards' years ago."

Then, why do you still hold a grudge? It broke you.

"I won't go back to that place. They hurt me. I can't stand to see those people. They didn't care about me when I was there. I hope they fail."

Why are you unloving and unkind toward them? It broke you.

"I think that they should change their rules. Don't they know they are hurting others?"

Why are you critical because they do not change? It broke you.

"You know, it really doesn't matter what happened back then. All of it was a part of molding me to what I am today. Yes, people hurt me. I've forgiven them.... frankly, it wasn't easy, but with God's help... No, I didn't understand some of the rules, but now I see what they were trying to do. They were human; they did the best that they knew how at the time. If anything, I learned to dig into the Word for myself to see what the Lord would have me to do."

Those extreme days didn't define me... they helped make me.