Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday, November 14, 2008
Follow God's Boundaries
If you want to have a great life, you must stay within God's boundaries. Many people want freedom in their lives - the freedom to do anything. The freedom to go against nature, the freedom to hurt themselves and hurt others, the freedom to define truth as they see fit. But to have a great life, we must submit ourselves to a Higher Authority, our Creator and King, God.
People who want "total freedom," becomed enslaved to their own flesh. Total freedom produces narcissism and hedonism. We become focused on ourselves and our pleasures, rather than on serving others, which gives lasting fulfillment. When we live within God's laws, we gain true happiness as we know the security and boundaries His commandments and principles bring into our lives. Take a look at Paul's teaching in Romans 1:18 - 32 to see this principle of people turning from God and following after their own lusts.
This morning I read from Proverbs 29:18 which states, "Where there is no vision the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law." "Vision" in the text does not refer to some kind of "dream for the future," but refers to revelation given to us by God. Today we know this "vision" as the Bible. The parallel second phrase, "happy is he who keeps the law" defines the term for us (along with other usages in the Old Testament). The more we read the Scriptures, and seek to live according to God's revealed commandments and principles, the happier we will be in life. If we seek to be "unrestrained," or have total freedom, we will follow the way of destruction, bitterness, and selfishness.
God does not give us His law to limit us, but to protect us. He is not trying to rob us of joy, but help us know true fulfillment and meaning in life through a relationship with Him and serving others. If you want to live a great life, enjoy the freedom of staying within God's boundaries for living.
People who want "total freedom," becomed enslaved to their own flesh. Total freedom produces narcissism and hedonism. We become focused on ourselves and our pleasures, rather than on serving others, which gives lasting fulfillment. When we live within God's laws, we gain true happiness as we know the security and boundaries His commandments and principles bring into our lives. Take a look at Paul's teaching in Romans 1:18 - 32 to see this principle of people turning from God and following after their own lusts.
This morning I read from Proverbs 29:18 which states, "Where there is no vision the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law." "Vision" in the text does not refer to some kind of "dream for the future," but refers to revelation given to us by God. Today we know this "vision" as the Bible. The parallel second phrase, "happy is he who keeps the law" defines the term for us (along with other usages in the Old Testament). The more we read the Scriptures, and seek to live according to God's revealed commandments and principles, the happier we will be in life. If we seek to be "unrestrained," or have total freedom, we will follow the way of destruction, bitterness, and selfishness.
God does not give us His law to limit us, but to protect us. He is not trying to rob us of joy, but help us know true fulfillment and meaning in life through a relationship with Him and serving others. If you want to live a great life, enjoy the freedom of staying within God's boundaries for living.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Become a co-worker with God
To really enjoy the good life you must give your life to a purpose beyond yourself. We cannot trust our lives to "chance" and just go to with the flow of life. We must prayerfully consider our "calling" and commit ourselves to invest our lives in that quest as we serve the Eternal.
Whether the pro-life movement, issues of poverty or peace, unity in the church, growing God's kingdom, the salvation of others, raising godly children, and other worthy causes, it takes hard work. Writing from the Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. pens these words,
"Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation."
Today, as much or more than ever before in this generation, people will be looking for answers and direction in life. We have a significant opportunity to show them real life answers by living out our faith in whatever specific form God leads to make a difference in our community and world. Don't be passive and submit to the schemes of evil. Become a winsome co-worker with God and live a great life.
Whether the pro-life movement, issues of poverty or peace, unity in the church, growing God's kingdom, the salvation of others, raising godly children, and other worthy causes, it takes hard work. Writing from the Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. pens these words,
"Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation."
Today, as much or more than ever before in this generation, people will be looking for answers and direction in life. We have a significant opportunity to show them real life answers by living out our faith in whatever specific form God leads to make a difference in our community and world. Don't be passive and submit to the schemes of evil. Become a winsome co-worker with God and live a great life.
Friday, October 3, 2008
How to Enjoy a Recession
So many people, and rightfully so, are now worried about the financial disaster that has started in our country. Whenever the government passes a "rescue" bill, and whatever the bill becomes, the pain of our current financial predicament will not be over soon. Here are a few ideas to help you in this unsettling time.
1. Trust God - God is still on the throne. He still knows the hairs on your head. His eye is still on the sparrow. (Matthew 6) Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
2. Work at relationships - Continue to spend time with like minded people who encourage you and make you laugh. No matter how much money you have, these are the kinds of people who make life meaningful.
3. Making sure your financial dreams and goals are realistic. Part of the problem we are experiencing is that people (for whatever reason) bought into the idea that home ownership brings happiness, whatever it costs. On a personal and governmental level, we must all make sure we are not living beyond our means.
4. Give to others - Those of us who still have some extra should look for ways we can encourage and minister to those who are struggling at this time. We should not encourage continued waste and mismanagement, but help those who are seeking to make good and godly decisions.
5. Don't try to guess what the Stock Market will do - If you are struggling with worrying about the Stock Market, then slowly begin taking out some money and put it in some form of cash. The younger you are, and the longer you plan to have your money in the stock market, the more risk you can take. In many ways, you should never have money in the stock market (especially specific stocks) which you cannot afford to lose. It could take ten years for our economy to turn around. Unless we are really leading to "the" Armageddon, the market will recover somewhat, but the closer you are to retirement and beyond, the less money you should have in the market. If you are currently retired, you should probably not have no more than 50% in the Market. Be sure to talk to a financial planner if you have any questions.
These are just a few ideas of how to live a good life in the midst of finacial difficulties.
1. Trust God - God is still on the throne. He still knows the hairs on your head. His eye is still on the sparrow. (Matthew 6) Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
2. Work at relationships - Continue to spend time with like minded people who encourage you and make you laugh. No matter how much money you have, these are the kinds of people who make life meaningful.
3. Making sure your financial dreams and goals are realistic. Part of the problem we are experiencing is that people (for whatever reason) bought into the idea that home ownership brings happiness, whatever it costs. On a personal and governmental level, we must all make sure we are not living beyond our means.
4. Give to others - Those of us who still have some extra should look for ways we can encourage and minister to those who are struggling at this time. We should not encourage continued waste and mismanagement, but help those who are seeking to make good and godly decisions.
5. Don't try to guess what the Stock Market will do - If you are struggling with worrying about the Stock Market, then slowly begin taking out some money and put it in some form of cash. The younger you are, and the longer you plan to have your money in the stock market, the more risk you can take. In many ways, you should never have money in the stock market (especially specific stocks) which you cannot afford to lose. It could take ten years for our economy to turn around. Unless we are really leading to "the" Armageddon, the market will recover somewhat, but the closer you are to retirement and beyond, the less money you should have in the market. If you are currently retired, you should probably not have no more than 50% in the Market. Be sure to talk to a financial planner if you have any questions.
These are just a few ideas of how to live a good life in the midst of finacial difficulties.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Think about it
The real tragedy in life is not dying, it is dying without ever having lived.
If Christ came into my temple would He come to pray or to pick up His whip?
If Christ came into my temple would He come to pray or to pick up His whip?
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Be Willing to Charge
If you want to have a great life, you must be willing to take risk, even die, for a worthy cause. This idea is beautifully captured in the Charge of the Light Brigade, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, which memorializes events in the Battle of Balaclava, on October 25, 1854.
I became familiar with "The Charge of the Light Brigade" not through Tennyson's famous poem, but through the old movie starring Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHavilland. Though the movie is a bit old-fashioned with its romantic plot, the depiction of the charge is full of furry and drama, with the words of Tennyson's poem, scrolling over Flynn and his brigade charging toward his enemies.
The end of the poem exclaims,
For what are you willing to take great risk, even give your life? For your country, your family, your faith? It is only when we find a worthy cause for which we are willing to die, that we will find purpose and meaning in life.
I became familiar with "The Charge of the Light Brigade" not through Tennyson's famous poem, but through the old movie starring Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHavilland. Though the movie is a bit old-fashioned with its romantic plot, the depiction of the charge is full of furry and drama, with the words of Tennyson's poem, scrolling over Flynn and his brigade charging toward his enemies.
The end of the poem exclaims,
Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them, Volley'd and tunder'd' Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well, Came thro' the jaws of Death, Back fromt he mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wonder'd. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!
For what are you willing to take great risk, even give your life? For your country, your family, your faith? It is only when we find a worthy cause for which we are willing to die, that we will find purpose and meaning in life.
For a full account of the battle with a copy of Tennyson's poem visit, http://www.britishbattles.com/crimean-war/balaclava.htm
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Have a Solid Ideology
If you want to have success in life, you must have a solid ideology. Our decisions and choices in life are based upon the grid through which we analyze life. This ideology is critical to our success and joy. Recently in a message I discussed this concerning the stem cell research debate. On what grounds are we basing our decisions? Here's what I said:
"I want to give you an example of what I believe is worldly wisdom verses wisdom from above. I want to read to you a couple of quotes of persons in the public spotlight, one of which is currently running for president.
Hillary Clinton stated recently concerning Stem Cell research,
'Later today, the president will veto a bill passed by Congress to support stem cell research. I co-chair the Alzheimer's Caucus in the Senate. I've worked on helping to boost funding for research to look for cures and a way to prevent so many devastating diseases. And we know that stem cell research holds the key to our understanding more about what we can do. When I am president, I will lift the ban on stem cell research. This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science.'
(Source: Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 20, 2007 )
We must always put ideology before science. It is our Christian ideology which declares that Hitler was not right to experiment on human beings and seek to wipe out a race. It is our Christian ideology which declares every human being has the right to freedom, unless they yield those rights by their actions. It is our Christian ideology which declares that we should not kill others without a just cause. It is our Christian ideology which says we should not euthanize those who cannot care for themselves.
In the days ahead, science and medicine will continue to draw us into ethical dilemmas which test our reason and resolve. It is our Christian ideology, built upon the Scriptures, which builds a foundation for our culture and boundaries for our ethics. Without this, the doctrine of the survival of the fittest will lead us down an Orwellian path to the destruction of Mankind. We must put ideology before science. Without this, we base our decision upon worldly wisdom rather than wisdom from above. If according to the Scripture, Man was created in the image of God, and God knows us in our mother’s womb, we must put the rights of the unborn on par with the rights of the born.
I agree with presidential candidate Alan Keyes when he states,
'No medical advance, and certainly no material profit, justifies denying the claim to humanity of the embryonic human person. Those who try to justify it are driven from one tortured rationalization to another, none addressing the real issue. Being undeveloped, unconscious, unattractive, small, or unwanted--these are not reasons that we accept in any other context for failing to respect the wholeness of moral worth that every human being has from his Creator. Why, therefore, should we accept it in regard to embryonic research? No--we do not have the right to take human life merely because it is unconscious, or because it is undeveloped or damaged, or for any other reason that tempts us to deny the equal dignity of all human persons. We ourselves don't want to be used as the basis for experiments without regard for our humanity--and neither should they.'
(Source: Campaign website, www.alankeyes.com, "Issues" Oct 1, 2007 )
I believe this position is based on biblical wisdom, not on natural wisdom. If you disagree with me that’s okay, but I challenge you to argue your point on Biblical reasoning and logic, not worldly reasoning and logic. "
Do you have a solid ideology upon which you make decisions? Without this a person will tossed around by the currents of the culture. To life a great life, we need a solid foundation upon which to make decisions.
"I want to give you an example of what I believe is worldly wisdom verses wisdom from above. I want to read to you a couple of quotes of persons in the public spotlight, one of which is currently running for president.
Hillary Clinton stated recently concerning Stem Cell research,
'Later today, the president will veto a bill passed by Congress to support stem cell research. I co-chair the Alzheimer's Caucus in the Senate. I've worked on helping to boost funding for research to look for cures and a way to prevent so many devastating diseases. And we know that stem cell research holds the key to our understanding more about what we can do. When I am president, I will lift the ban on stem cell research. This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science.'
(Source: Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 20, 2007 )
We must always put ideology before science. It is our Christian ideology which declares that Hitler was not right to experiment on human beings and seek to wipe out a race. It is our Christian ideology which declares every human being has the right to freedom, unless they yield those rights by their actions. It is our Christian ideology which declares that we should not kill others without a just cause. It is our Christian ideology which says we should not euthanize those who cannot care for themselves.
In the days ahead, science and medicine will continue to draw us into ethical dilemmas which test our reason and resolve. It is our Christian ideology, built upon the Scriptures, which builds a foundation for our culture and boundaries for our ethics. Without this, the doctrine of the survival of the fittest will lead us down an Orwellian path to the destruction of Mankind. We must put ideology before science. Without this, we base our decision upon worldly wisdom rather than wisdom from above. If according to the Scripture, Man was created in the image of God, and God knows us in our mother’s womb, we must put the rights of the unborn on par with the rights of the born.
I agree with presidential candidate Alan Keyes when he states,
'No medical advance, and certainly no material profit, justifies denying the claim to humanity of the embryonic human person. Those who try to justify it are driven from one tortured rationalization to another, none addressing the real issue. Being undeveloped, unconscious, unattractive, small, or unwanted--these are not reasons that we accept in any other context for failing to respect the wholeness of moral worth that every human being has from his Creator. Why, therefore, should we accept it in regard to embryonic research? No--we do not have the right to take human life merely because it is unconscious, or because it is undeveloped or damaged, or for any other reason that tempts us to deny the equal dignity of all human persons. We ourselves don't want to be used as the basis for experiments without regard for our humanity--and neither should they.'
(Source: Campaign website, www.alankeyes.com, "Issues" Oct 1, 2007 )
I believe this position is based on biblical wisdom, not on natural wisdom. If you disagree with me that’s okay, but I challenge you to argue your point on Biblical reasoning and logic, not worldly reasoning and logic. "
Do you have a solid ideology upon which you make decisions? Without this a person will tossed around by the currents of the culture. To life a great life, we need a solid foundation upon which to make decisions.
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