Thoughts on Romans - Day 5

                                               Romans 2:12-24
¹² All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. ¹⁴ (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) ¹⁶ This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
¹⁷ Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; ¹⁸ if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; ¹⁹ if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— ²¹ you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? ²² You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ²⁴ As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

              The 4th commandment is "Don't take the Lord's name in vain". Most of us would say that means don't cuss and I was even taught that saying Gosh, Jeez, Gee-whiz, Golly were euphemisms and should not be said either. Not to take away from that but also look at the end of this passage -"God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” In other words if I identify myself as a follower of Christ, and I don't live like a follower of Christ, I am defaming or making a mockery of His name. I am  dragging His name through the mud. How am I in danger of doing that?

    Number one - stealing. How do my employees view me? Do they think I'm generous or do they think I'm stealing from them- that I am making myself rich off them? This is tough because our human nature is to never be satisfied so more than likely my workers will always feel underpaid. The question is do they feel like I am stealing from them and I hope and pray not because they will then say "if that's a Christian, I don't want it". We can't take advantage of getting free stuff, we must tell people when we are undercharged, declaring income, lying to insurance companies, saying our kids are a younger age for discounts... money is nothing compared to keeping people from God by any questionable monetary move we make.

     Number 2 - adultery. There is no quicker more definitive way to lose your ministry than to cheat on your spouse. You become that salt that Jesus says is thrown out to be trampled on because it has lost it's saltiness. That isn't to say that we as the church should treat people that way but we do need to treat them then with a certain modesty that Paul talks about in 1Cor. 12. God isn't done with you but you have just become another reason to reject Christ. And what about your internet history? If someone were to confiscate your computer, what would they find? What about your phone? Have you been inappropriately texting someone?

    Number 3 - idolatry. What have I put above Christ? If I have put something ahead of Him, the world will see that God isn't sufficient. Do I miss Church for vacations, sporting events, sales, family visits, etc. Our kids will see that God is ranked below #1 and His glory will be lessened in their eyes. Our neighbors who we are witnessing to will see that God doesn't mind sharing His glory and see a false Christianity and be led astray.

        Jesus says that if you cause someone to reject the gospel because of you it would be better to have a millstone tied around your neck and thrown into the sea. Do I take my representation of Christ to a lost world that seriously? I hope so

         Lord, I live in a small town where everyone sees everything I do. Help me to stay above reproach for the glory of Your name and in order to lead people into Your kingdom. Amen





                  

Thoughts on Romans - Day 4

                                                 Romans 2:1-11
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. ² Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. ³ So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? ⁴ Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
⁵ But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. ⁶ God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” ⁷ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. ⁸ But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. ⁹ There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; ¹⁰ but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ¹¹ For God does not show favoritism.


        OK, it's true- I have been accused of being judgmental, not showing grace, self righteous, etc. It's not something I'm proud of but well earned and hopefully improving over the years. When you grow up in a Christian family in a Fundamental Bible teaching church, you can usually avoid all those sins mentioned in Romans 1. The problem is that we tend to look with disdain on those Romans 1 people and judge our spirituality not by what we do but by what we don't do. Romans 2 evens the playing field.

        Romans 2 says that it is not my actions only that makes me righteous or unrighteous but what is going on in my mind. If I am condemning someone for a behavior, first of all I am putting myself in the place of God. Just call me Lucifer. Secondly, chances are I am guilty of the same sin and deserve my own judgement. For example, if someone is having an affair Jesus would say if I looked at someone lustfully then I am committing adultery in my own heart. Look at that person with that expensive boat - shouldn't they give their money to the poor, yet I am coveting their lifestyle. I am always reminded of this when I see packages sticking out of people's mailboxes and being jealous that they are getting something I'm not! Weird, huh? As I start to realize what is in my heart and how nasty it is, I can start showing Romans 1 people grace and being less judgmental when people mess up. Tim Keller says that the same seeds of people's heinous behavior and sins are in your heart, too - they just haven't been watered.

        One of the passages in the Gospels that speaks to me more and more the older I get is when Simon (a different Simon) invites Jesus to his house and is appalled that a prostitute is washing Jesus' feet. Jesus, knowing his thoughts (Romans 2) tells him a parable about 2 people whose debts are forgiven - one a huge sum and one a small sum. Jesus asks Simon which would love the forgiver more. Simon correctly answers the one with the larger sum. Jesus then proceeds to bust Simon's chops because he has shown no love for Jesus at his house really because Simon hasn't been a Romans 1 person. So not only are we Romans 2 people judgmental (usurping God's place), self righteous and proud, alienated from a ministry to "those" people, but we are in danger of having a low level of Love for God. No wonder I can go a day without thinking about God. Well enough about me - what about you...?
       Lord, You attracted those Romans 1 people and I repel them. Help me to continue to see the depths of my sinful heart and the extent of your grace poured out on me. Amen

Thoughts on Romans - Day 3

                                 ROMANS 1:16-31

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ²⁵ They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
²⁶ Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. ²⁷ In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
²⁸ Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. ³² Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

         Paul is my hero! There are no close seconds. Yes, my dad was an awesome Christian, Billy Graham is/was a legend. I've admired Christian sports figures like Tebow, Warner, Wilson, Bobby Richardson, etc. but they usually let me down. But Paul!!... So far in Romans I have seen that he made himself a servant of God. God would tell him to jump and he would say" how high?" In fact he was desiring to go to Rome for years but God wouldn't let him. Finally God lets him. In fact He sends him there free of charge... in shackles, ship wrecked, disdained, snake bit and under house arrest, etc and what does Paul do - he tells about the grace and goodness of God to his captive audiences. Next I saw that Paul was focused. He didn't get distracted by the things of this Earth that we get distracted by. I'm not talking about bad things, I'm talking about things that God has given us to enjoy. What would I rather do on a weekday night - hang out with my wife and sit by the fire and watch our favorite TV show or go out and advance the Kingdom of God with fellow believers. For Paul it wasn't even a reasonable question. Wow!

         Today I see that Paul was unashamed. Well, at least I have this one licked. Ha! Don't we want to fit in? Nobody wants to be the one being laughed at by the crowd. Why wasn't Paul ashamed - because he was convinced that there was and is a God over the universe. I mean , to me that's obvious and Paul is convinced that deep down everyone knows this when they look at the beauty and order of creation, the wonder of life and childbirth, etc. But then when you start thinking about it that means He created the universe, you and me, and that means that He must have had a purpose for doing it and that leads to the slippery slope ending in we are all under His authority - and like we saw in day 1, none of us likes that. Therefore, anyone that wants to be a free agent (which is impossible because we are all slaves to something) will mock you, ostracize you, belittle you, laugh at you if you present that God is righteous and you aren't and will be eternally separated from Him unless you by faith receive His righteousness in you through the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross and resurrection from the dead.

         This couldn't have been easy for Paul. Everywhere he went people hated him. Even believers tried to get him to chill. In Galatians we see Peter and Barnabas, out of fear of the circumcision group backing down. We see travelling partners like John Mark and Demas deserting him because they couldn't take it. And then he presents it to the most powerful enlightened person of his time, King Agrippa and the king thinks he is insane. I don't want enlightened people to think I'm insane - do you?

     Lord, help me today not to worry about what so called enlightened people think about me because they despite knowing the truth have stuck their heads in the sand and make fun of everyone who hasn't. Help me to be bold and stand uncompromisingly for the truth of the gospel. Convince my heart of it's truth today through your Holy Spirit inside me and through the encouragement of fellow believers of like mind.

Thoughts on Romans - Day 2

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. ⁹ God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you ¹⁰ in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
¹¹ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.


             <sup>How do you view fellowship? We get a glimpse into Paul's view of it in this passage. He is constantly praying for a group of believers who he has never met, who he didn't lead to the Lord. He spends time thanking God for them (how much of my prayer time is devoted to just thanking the Lord?), and praying that he can see them. Why? So they can mutually be encouraged that this path of faith we are on is not only true but worth all the death to self that we talked about yesterday.

        Do we see fellowship this way? I'm afraid not. A.W.Tozer wrote an essay on This World: A Playground or a Battlefield, where he states that we view life through the wrong lens. Paul says to Timothy, "A good soldier does not get involved in civilian affairs". Do you think our soldiers in the middle east are using their weekly pay to buy land over there so when their tour of duty is up they can live over there? No way! They are sending their money home to ensure a better life when they get back to their real home. A preacher friend of mine once said, "We have been called to be fishers of men but we have taken our boat and gone water skiing." Why do we do this? Here in America there is very little persecution of Christians. We can be wealthy and be a Christian. We can run for president and be an outspoken Christian (winning is another matter). Why would we need to meet together to encourage one another in the faith? Our encouragement tends to be along the lines of ,"Oh, I'm so sorry your child got runner up".

     We need to meet with fellow believers more often and not just to watch sporting events, though there is nothing wrong with that, but when we meet we need to remind each other that we are harvesters with a limited window of time. We need to pray for each other, hold each other accountable, and ask how can I help you accomplish the unique ministry with the unique gifting that God has supplied you with? And if there has been any persecution, ridiculing, ostracizing because of their faith - patch them up and send them back in the battlefield.

       I know this sounds harsh. I know this sounds like obligation and duty rather than freedom and grace and joy. What about where Paul also says to Timothy, "He has given us all things for our enjoyment"? That doesn't sound like a battlefield. That sounds like water skiing. I guess it is just in our mindset. Are we living with eternity in our mind so we hold loosely to the things of this earth or are we living like this earth is our home? We tend to live more like the latter so a harsh reminder is often needed. Actually, that is the point of fellowship, to refocus our eyes on our true citizenship and say, "Yes He is the Truth, Yes He is the Way, and Yes He is the Life"

 Lord, help me encourage fellow Christians today that this world is not their home and Jesus will be coming back soon. Help me to boldly proclaim the gospel today and encourage others to do the same. And please, let me see a harvest. Bring about revival</sup>

Thoughts on Romans - Day 1

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— ² the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Rom. 1:1-7

 

       " FREEDOM!!", yelled William Wallace as he was about to be martyred in Braveheart. "God Bless America" we sing in the 7th inning on Sundays and on the 4th of July and we are warmed inside as we think about the freedom we attained from the evil Brits. As a British Comedian said on our cruise last year, "Congratulations on being free from our taxation ... how is that working out for you?" The fact is, we can never be free. The Bible says that we are either slaves to Satan (who is just as happy if we are slaves to ourselves) or slaves to God. Look at the wording in this passage. Paul is a servant who by someone else's plan was set apart for a job he didn't pick. He now belongs to that Master and must be obedient to that Lord. Not only that but there is nothing special about him, he is just one of many who are identified as "His holy people".

 

        What is freedom? We tend to think of it as autonomy - no rules - no one telling us what to do. Freedom actually is not the absence of rules but rather living under the right set of rules. What would a pick up basketball game be without rules? Chaos and no fun! What would Black Friday look like without rules? Dangerous!! A fish is free in the lake but if he leaves the water to live on the land, free from his restrictions, he dies.

 

      I can't rule out freedom to choose here. There is freedom to make a choice. On one hand, you can continue to be a slave to your own desires or you can be slaves to Christ - it is your choice. Paul, in some versions refers to himself as a "bond-servant". The OT talks about this as a slave who was given his freedom but instead chooses to remain with his master for life. Why would anyone do this? Probably because they had a good master who was kind, took care of their needs, kept them safe and warm, allowed them to have a family, in fact everything except gradually working their way into the job of master.

 

         You see, this is your problem... this is my problem. On one hand I want to be a bond servant of Christ. I know He is Good. I know He is loving. I know He will meet all my needs. I know He has put me in with a bunch of wonderful fellow servants.  YET.. I want to call my own shots. I don't want to be told what to do. I want to stand out. I want the ability to say "No, Lord". And this is my sin nature I fight with daily. Just think what a difference you and I could make for God's kingdom if we would finally totally surrender to His Lordship...

 

 Lord, help me today to realize that submitting to You is so much better than following my own way. Help me die to myself and my pride. Thank you for how much you love me and that You have my best interests in mind and know what is best for me better than I do!

My Top 33 CCM Songs of 2015

                  My Top 33 CCM Songs of 2015

   It's always interesting how 2 people can listen to the same album and come up with a completely different favorite song. I would think everyone would prefer my song because it is obviously the best. Anyway, that is the way music is. Here are my favorite CCM songs, all of which I feel are distinctly "Christian". Most of them weren't played on the radio (a few exceptions) and I included a fair number of worship songs.

33. Nothing Better   by Jon Guerra  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZCQgA94XDQ
32. Come Alive   by Populis   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlxD9EPiBso
31. The Good News   by All Things New  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH-Wmqpj8Dk
30. The Cross Stands  by Tim Hughes  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhpuXSBz5nk
29. Into Your Arms  by Capital Kings  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_0B7POXzSQ
28. Bring the Dead to Life  by Disciple  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At02zrZ9SXU
27. House Divided by Josh Wilson  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8AGNS_zfHk
26. Bring it On by Kutless   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXsaZQFjzkA
25. Born For This by Matthew West  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlKiyYJtGS4
24. Only the Brave by Tim Hughes  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq8SBBxt3jo
23. The River  by Jordan Feliz  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maT4phfTXR4
22. What if We  by 3 for 3  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ym5p1oeL-M
21. Standing on It by Tree 63  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfobGiuYo1Q
20. Move  by TobyMac  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX1G71WK-FA
19. Los Angeles  by Mat Kearney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB7o1ZHVNn4
18. Your Freedom  by New Hope Oahu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVgcOSq3ZIU
17. Love Feels Like by TobyMac  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reWLIs51e2Y
16. He is Jesus by Seth Condrey  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2rhJJCvQ0Q
15. Speed of Love by Jeremy Rosado https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKEqTN8pU6U
14. One way to Heaven by Brandon Heath  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akf4PnOKcNU
13. Billion  by Mat Kearney  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rOVVakVqx4
12. Found in You by Gateway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCDnvuY5vS4
11. Can't Hold Me Down by All Things New https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l6GZNlZqVs
10. Different Drum by Blanca https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cTRSDSXaBc
9. Love Broke Through by TobyMac https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD7Cu-qYAyI
8. This is not a Test by TobyMac  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy1vjNWnDlM
7. Bright Lights by Jeremy Rosado  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEY9i7ljYtY
6. For Real  by Jeremy Rosado  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mxotUvU9rE
5. Just One Touch by Planetshakers  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDQRgncjcvw
4. Alone by Hollyn  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpk9PfOVFQk
3. Until My Voice is Gone by Travis Ryan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAl-bvztGMg
2. Trust it All by Brett Stanfill  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMVcJIrcWlk
1. Lean on Me  by Consumed by Fire  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD99sEFtqXo