THE GOSPEL OF GREED - Part IV

THE GOSPEL OF GREED – Part IV

The key question for today is “What is the litmus test for determining whether (or not) we are utilizing church or personal funds appropriately?”  According to the Time Magazine article, “Does God Want You To Be Rich?” the Christian church is largely ‘split’ on the issue of prosperity teaching because (from the authors’ perspective) the scriptures are vague or inconclusive regarding money matters.  Co-authors, David Van Biema and Jeff Chu, state the following:

“Scripture is not definitive when it comes to faith and income.  Deuteronomy commands believers to “remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,” and the rest of the Old Testament is dotted with celebrations of God’s bestowal of the good life.  On at least one occasion—in the parable of the talents---Jesus holds up savvy business practice (investing rather than saving) as a metaphor for spiritual practice. Yet he spent far more time among the poor than the rich, and a majority of scholars quote two of his most direct comments on wealth: the passage in the Sermon on the Mount in which he warns, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth ... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” and his encounter with the “rich young ruler” who could not bring himself to part with his money, after which Jesus famously comments, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Both statements can be read as more nuanced than they at first might seem. In each case it is not wealth itself that disqualifies but the inability to understand its relative worthlessness in contrast with the riches of Heaven.  The same thing applies to Paul’s famous line (as most people erroneously quote it), i.e. “Money is the root of all evil,” in his first letter to Timothy.  The actual quote is, “The LOVE of money is the root of all evil.”

So, the Bible leaves plenty of room for an honest discussion on the role (positive or negative) that money should play in the lives of believers.  However, it’s not a discussion that many pastors are willing to have. “Jesus’ words about money don’t make us very comfortable, and people don’t want to hear [them]” notes Collin Hansen, an editor at Christianity Today.” [This concludes the Time article quote].

From my perspective, the message of scripture is never muddled or unclear.

All the teachings of Jesus emphasize advancing the Kingdom of God.  John the Baptist, the cousin and forerunner of Jesus, declared prior to Christ’s public ministry, “Repent…for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) It is no accident that Jesus echoed these same sentiments (for they are originally His): “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) Fact is, most Jesus’ parables focus on establishing the Kingdom of God in the earth. (Matthew, chapter 13) Even The Lord’s Prayer (The Disciples’ Prayer) emphasizes this concept.  “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” was the model prayer of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 6:10)

At this precise point, the so-called ‘prosperity preachers’ skid off the tracks and collide with eternal truth.  Their emphasis on ‘the here and now’ directly contradicts the Pauline prescription for true Biblical prosperity: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2) For in the words of Jesus Christ, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

While some Church leaders busily tout and display material success via burgeoning bank accounts, palatial mansions, private jets, helicopters, etc., there is a veritable host of hurting and dying people that we fail to serve!  I am not a ‘hater’—not at all—as some readers could conclude from my commentary.  However, sometimes I scratch my head and wonder aloud: ‘How much is too much?  Do we really need to line our pockets and live in the lap of luxury to affirm our worldly status or to confirm divine blessings?  Are we more about ego gratification than about serving fallen humanity and ushering lost souls into the Kingdom of God?’

A few decades ago, I was the Minister of Outreach at a large urban church in a southern state.  One day, an elderly and infirmed lady called the church and asked for help.  Her caretaker (an adult daughter) was traveling on business and had forgotten to buy groceries.  The caller needed someone to assist her by driving her to the bank and supermarket to pick up necessary food items. I responded affirmatively and was on the way out the door when the senior pastor called out: “Where are you headed?”  I explained the elderly lady’s dilemma and my intended mission to help. The pastor’s response totally shocked me.  “We don’t do things like that,” he remarked rather casually.  So, I returned to my office and decided that my wife and I would respond to this woman’s urgent need (on our own dime and time) at the end of the workday.  John, the apostle of love, stated it more eloquently that I ever could: “Whoever has this world’s good(s), and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?” (I John 3:17)

I must pose two serious questions to the leaders and laity of The Church:

1)        What is the biblical reason for our existence…Kingdom-building or personal empire-building?

2)       If our greedy quest for wealth sacrifices the salvation of even one soul…what will CHRIST say to us?

This is entirely a matter of motives and priorities, i.e. what we decide to “seek first.” (Matthew 6:33) Christ indeed promised to add overflowing blessings to His people, whenever and wherever we seek the good and growth of His Kingdom.  Nevertheless, at the beginning of this devotional, I posed a strategic question: “What is the litmus test for determining whether (or not) we are utilizing church or personal funds appropriately?”  The Answer: If whatever we are doing with our blessings builds God’s Kingdom (not ours), we are most assuredly on the right track. 

If there is indeed to be an end-times redistribution of wealth, as many prophets and prosperity preachers emphatically decree, what will the church DO with it?  Bottom-line: We are divinely blessed…to BE a blessing!

Why not let Jesus Christ have the last word? 

Matthew 6:19-20

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust do corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

As God honors and favors your life with GENUINE PROSPERITY (inclusive of spiritual, material, physical, emotional and financial components), PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE YOUR BLESSINGS TO BUILD THE KINGDOM OF GOD.  In the process, you will be demonstrably and doubly blessed.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE GOSPEL OF GREED - Part III

THE GOSPEL OF GREED – Part III

Christ commands us to exercise sound scriptural stewardship.  (Luke 16:1-2 – I Corinthians 4:1-2) In fact, He commissions, commends and ultimately confers compensatory crowns upon all believers who do so. (Matthew 25:14-40) To wit, the scriptures suggest a strong causal connection between funds garnered through tithes and offerings and tangible opportunities to harvest lost souls for the Kingdom of God.  That being the case, the following question is begged: ‘Since there is a direct connection between funds the church receives and the ability to finance its soul-winning mission, is it reasonable or right to spend even the smallest sum on self-gratifying or frivolous endeavors?’  Indeed, this is the mission-critical question that we must ask ourselves as we systematically raise and appropriate funds within the institutional church.

Time Magazine published a relevant article on Sunday, 10 September 2006, which implicitly highlights the foregoing question.  That article – entitled Does God Want You To Be Rich? – was authored by David Van Biema and Jeff Chu.  Key excerpts of the article are/will be reprinted here (today and tomorrow) for your prayerful consideration:

“In three of the Gospels, Jesus warns that each of his disciples may have to “deny himself” and even “take up his Cross.” In support of this alarming prediction, he forcefully contrasts the fleeting pleasures of today with the promise of eternity: “For what profit is it to a man,” he asks, “if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” It is one of the New Testament's most challenging teachings, yet generations of churchgoers have understood that being Christian, on some level, means being ready to sacrifice---money, autonomy or even their lives.

But for a growing number of Christians, the question is better restated, “Why not gain the whole world plus my soul?” For several decades, a philosophy has been percolating…that seems to turn the Gospels’ message on its head.  It suggests that Christians should keep one eye on Heaven. But the ‘new’ good news is that God doesn’t want us to wait. Known (or vilified) under a variety of names--Word of Faith, Health and Wealth, Name It and Claim It, Prosperity Theology--its emphasis is on God’s promised generosity in this life and the ability of believers to claim it for themselves, here and now.  In a nutshell, it suggests that a God who loves you does not want you to be broke. Its signature verse could be John 10: 10: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” In a TIME poll, 17% of Christians surveyed said they considered themselves part of such a movement, while a full 61% believed that God wants people to be prosperous. And 31% agreed that if you give your money to God, God will bless you with more money.

“Prosperity” first blazed to public attention as the driveshaft in the moneymaking machine that was 1980s televangelism. Now, after some key modifications (which have inspired some to redub it ‘Prosperity-Lite’), it is booming. Of the four biggest mega-churches in [the USA], three of them--Joel Osteen’s Lakewood in Houston; T.D. Jakes’ Potter’s House in Dallas; and Creflo Dollar’s World Changers near Atlanta--are Prosperity or Prosperity-Lite pulpits (although Jakes’ ministry has many more facets). While they don’t exclusively teach that God’s riches should be in believers’ wallets, it is a key part of their doctrine. And propelled by Osteen’s 4 million--selling book, “Your Best Life Now,” this belief has swept beyond its Pentecostal base into more buttoned-down evangelical churches, and even into congregations in the more liberal mainline denominations.

The movement’s renaissance has infuriated a number of prominent pastors, theologians and commentators. Fellow mega-pastor Rick Warren, whose book “The Purpose Driven Life” has outsold Osteen’s by a ratio of 7 to 1, finds the very basis of ‘Prosperity’ laughable. “This idea that God wants everybody to be wealthy…there is a word for that: baloney. It’s creating a false idol. You don’t measure your self-worth by your net worth. I can show you millions of faithful followers of Christ who live in poverty. Why then isn’t everyone in the church a millionaire?”

Advocates note Prosperity's racial diversity--a welcome exception to the American norm--and point out that some Prosperity churches engage in significant charity. And they see in it a happy corrective for Christians who are more used to being chastened for their sins than celebrated as God’s children. “Who would want to embrace something where you’re miserable, poor, broke and ugly and you just have to muddle through until you get to heaven?” asks Joyce Meyer, a popular television preacher and author often lumped in the Prosperity-Lite camp. “I believe God wants to give us nice things.” If nothing else, Meyer and other new-breed preachers broach a neglected topic that should really be a staple of Sunday messages: Does God want you to be rich?” [This concludes today’s excerpt from the Time article: “Does God Want You To Be Rich?”]

In closing, there is a serious question that we must ‘chew on’ while considering the will of God regarding the fiscal affairs of churches and individuals.  That is, “WHAT IS THE LITMUS TEST FOR DETERMINING WHETHER (OR NOT) WE ARE UTILIZING CHURCH OR PERSONAL FUNDS APPROPRIATELY?”  We will engage this key question in tomorrow’s devotional.  But here are four ‘teasers’ for your critical thinking and prayerful reflection: 1) Are our financial decisions Kingdom-driven or ego driven? 2) Do our financial decisions serve US or THE MISSION OF SOUL-WINNING? 3) Since our primary focus is on eternity, how much money or material goods do we need (personally) in this present world? 4) If even one soul is lost because the gospel is not fully extended due to misuse or misappropriation of funds for self-serving ends, what will GOD have to say about that situation when we stand before Him in judgment?

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE GOSPEL OF GREED – Part II

THE GOSPEL OF GREED – Part II

We began this devotional series with the following question: “How have we, the leaders and adherents of Christianity, allowed the central teachings of our faith to become infiltrated and diluted by an overarching emphasis on material gain and prosperity?”  We opted to utilize five referential or experiential resources to effectively address this rather controversial issue: 1) an article recently reprinted on Facebook by a pastor in South Africa, “Was Jesus Rich/Wealthy?” 2) a Time Magazine article entitled, “Does God Want You to Be Rich?” published September 10, 2006, 3) the teachings of selected Christian leaders, 4) my personal observations and insights, and most importantly, 5) the teachings of scripture, i.e. pertinent Kingdom Principles that describe the Christian’s rightful attitude and actions regarding possessions and prosperity.

Kingdom Principle Number One: PROSPERITY IS A THREE-DIMENSIONAL WORD.  All too often, the term “prosperity” is understood in a one-dimensional manner.  In a word, many equate prosperity (solely) to material or financial gain.  Scripturally speaking, prosperity pertains to all three dimensions of our being: body, soul and spirit.  The Apostle John’s prayer reveals this biblical truth.  “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” (III John 1:2) 

Inclusive in the biblical concept of the soul are one’s mind, will, intellect, imagination and emotions. Therefore, when we conceive prosperity (solely) as the accumulation of property or currency, we fail to perceive abundant life from Heaven’s point of view.  In the words of Jesus, “a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) Jesus admonishes us in that same scripture to “take heed, and beware of covetousness.”  Dictionary.com defines “covetousness” as being “inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; or greedy.”  Unhappily, the spirit of greed has captivated the souls of many leaders and laity alike, and in turn, it has wrought terrible violence against the Kingdom of God.  The world’s typical reaction is criticism and cynicism.

Kingdom Principle Number Two: KINGDOM PEOPLE MUST NEVER EMPHASIZE MATERIAL PROSPERITY TO THE EXTENT OF DEVALUING OR EXCLUDING THE PEOPLE THAT GOD LOVES.  Consider Jesus’ admonition to his disciples regarding all things material: “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what you shall eat; neither for the body, what you shall put on.  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are you better than the fowls?” (Luke 12:22-24) Let’s make sure that we are “rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15) Exactly what was Christ’s intention underlying such a powerful statement? Apparently, it was His concern that we would set proper priorities.  Of course, He did not mean that we should have little or no concern about our financial conditions and circumstances.  Bottom-line: Jesus was teaching us that material matters should never be OUR PRIMARY FOCUS, or a cause for anxiety and worry.  This is of critical importance.  For whenever the institutional church gives the world the impression that money matters are main matters, we do grave disservice to the Kingdom of God.  The resultant cynicism causes the gospel, for all practical intents and purposes, to be “hidden to them that are lost.” (II Corinthians 4:3) The world becomes so ‘turned-off’ by our actions, that Jesus is virtually ‘tuned-out’ of their attitudes!  Kingdom people must always be about the “Father’s business” which, unequivocally, is soul business!  (Luke 2:49 – Matthew 28:19-20 – Acts 1:8) In fact, the church really has no business other than soul business!  

It goes without saying that the mission of the Kingdom must be advanced…AND FINANCED…since we live within the confines of a material world system.  However, God prescribes specific methods to accomplish this end. (Malachi 3:8-10) But nowhere do the scriptures suggest that we enjoy sumptuous lifestyles in pristine palaces while others languish in the throes of abysmal poverty. Shame on many of us for misinterpreting the message of Christ and misappropriating the funds that are sown (generously and sacrificially) into HIS KINGDOM!  Jesus knew this would be the state-of-affairs within the end-times institutional church.  That’s one reason why Jesus declared (whether we like it or not, or accept it or not), “Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24-25) 

Considering this, the Apostle Paul advised his young protégé, Timothy, “having food and raiment let us be therewith CONTENT.  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (I Timothy 6:8-10)

Christian leaders and laity, whenever we live like LORDS-OF-THE-CASTLE and passively ignore the legitimate needs of our fellowman, we have inadvertently excluded “the least of these” from direct access to the visible and tangible love of God, and we will certainly be held accountable in the judgment. (Matthew 25:45) “But whosoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?” (I John 3:17)

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE GOSPEL OF GREED - Part I

THE GOSPEL OF GREED – Part I

During the coming days, I feel compelled to address a monumental and burgeoning problem within the institutional church.  In truth, it is a rather contentious issue that many have wrestled with for years.  That is, how have we, the leaders and adherents of Christianity, allowed the central teachings of our faith to become infiltrated and diluted by an overarching emphasis on material gain and prosperity?  Five referential or experiential resources will be utilized to address this key contemporary issue: 1) an article reprinted on Facebook by Pastor-Servant Tumi Nkoane of Durban, South Africa, “Was Jesus Rich/Wealthy?” 2) a Time Magazine feature article published September 10, 2006, entitled, “Does God Want You to Be Rich?” 3) the teachings of selected leaders in Christendom, 4) my personal observations, insights and revelation on this matter, and most importantly, 5) the teachings of scripture, i.e. Kingdom Principles that specifically address this controversial subject.

Before we begin, allow me to be perfectly clear.  If this series is interpreted by any as the vain ramblings of a ‘hater’ of prosperous people or prosperity itself, such readers will not have carefully tuned in to my own heart or the tone, timbre and text of the scriptures.  Unquestionably and unequivocally, The Holy Writ reveals that GOD is desirous of our total prosperity, which includes spiritual, emotional, physical and financial considerations.  Biblical evidence?

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

III John 1:2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Nevertheless, our current ecclesiastical dilemma begs the following questions: ‘Have we now gone too far?’  ‘Have we replaced the divine will with our own will and our passion to accumulate more and more?’  ‘Have we become self-serving or greedy?’  ‘Is our actual focus on Kingdom-building, or on empire-building?’  With these mission-critical questions as a backdrop, let us begin. 

The insightful article referenced above, “Was Jesus Rich/Wealthy?” is reprinted below for your prayerful consideration:

As the second person of the Trinity, Jesus is as rich as God is rich.  Indeed, our Lord owns everything and possesses all power, authority, sovereignty, glory, honor, and majesty (Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; John 1:1, 8:58, 10:30, 17:5; Colossians 1:15-18, 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:3).  Yet during the time Jesus was here on earth, He willingly relinquished His eternal riches and most of the privileges of His deity.  Becoming poor indeed, our Lord took on the nature of a lowly and humble servant (Zechariah 9:9; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:6-8).  And by the time our Savior endured the tortures of the cross for us, His earthly possessions amounted to no more than the clothes on His back which were seized and divided by the soldiers who crucified Him.

Sadly, however, there are many prosperity preachers today who would like you to believe that Jesus was rich while here on earth and that God wants nothing more than to lavish His children with an abundance of material blessings.  After all, a rich Jesus would certainly make it easier for them to persuade their flocks that God wants them to be rich too.  However, a materially rich Jesus Christ is utterly incompatible with biblical truth.  Even a cursory examination of the Bible should dispel any notion of our Savior being wealthy in any earthly sense.  During His public ministry, Christ and His disciples depended on the hospitality of others as they ministered from town to town (Matthew 10:9-10).  As Jesus told a would-be follower “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head” (Luke 9:58).

It is unfortunate, then, that this false teaching about Christ’s wealth and its concomitant “gospel of greed” has gained a foothold in churches today.  As Solomon aptly taught, however, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9), for we can see that Paul addressed similar matters in his own churches: “Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.  Keep away from them.  For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.  By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.” (Romans 16:17-18)

Paul’s terse commentary in his first letter to Timothy regarding those who see godliness as a means to financial gain captures the essence of Christ’s numerous teachings on the dangers that accompany a heart that is bent on the accumulation of earthly treasures: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” (I Timothy 6:9-10)

Indeed, the New Testament is filled with lessons where Jesus chides the rich and praises the poor.  He taught us to “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15) He taught us to avoid storing up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But, instead, to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-21) Our Lord, who knows the hearts of men, is aware of the deceitfulness of riches and what a considerable stumbling block wealth can be.  The sentiment of Proverb 30:9 which declares “I may have too much and disown you and say who is the LORD” reverberates through the entirety of God’s Word.  Thus, it would be a strange paradox indeed—and one that would certainly dilute the gospel message—if Jesus Christ was a member of the rich class of people who, as He declared, would find it so difficult “to enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 19:23) [The article, “Was Jesus Rich/Wealthy?” is now concluded].

In closing, I am totally cognizant of the fact that this devotional series may not ‘sit well’ with some persons who are likely sincere in their faith, but  have been slowly and systematically deluded into thinking that their positions and teachings on this issue are in alignment with the Word and will of God.  Despite our best efforts to color our current state-of-affairs in a different light, I am firmly convinced that this distorted and erroneous teaching (Prosperity Preaching) constitutes a satanic strategy to undermine the very heart of the gospel message, and to thereby nullify the evangelical mission of the church.  This false doctrine is a clear and present danger to believers, and by extension to those souls whom Christ would have us win in these end-times.  We are being craftily challenged; so, what will be our courageous response?  Prophetic voices must rise up with spiritual authority to echo the eternal truths of God’s Word.

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

GET OVER YOURSELF!

GET OVER YOURSELF!

The most efficient and effective way to escape from feelings of rejection, pain, doubt, despair, or depression is to get up (right now), get moving (right now) and resolve (today and every day) to focus on the needs of others.  Whether you know it or not, GOD wants to use YOU!  So why are you sitting there, passively waiting for some random event to occur?  

Whenever you move in the power of GOD...YOU become His proactive, productive and powerful agent for miracles!  Indeed, YOU are a POWER-TOOL in the Master’s hand.  May I be bold enough to invite you to dismount from your storage shelf and become the productive ‘Kingdom Kid’ that GOD has designed?

My sister, my brother, please cancel your pity party!  Haven’t you noticed by now that no one shows up for it but you?  Be faithful and fruitful in the KINGDOM OF GOD and (as a direct result) be eternally blessed.  Amen? 

Amen!  Amen!  Amen!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part II)

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part II)

Yesterday’s tale of the innocent baby who demonstrated unconditional acceptance of the homeless man challenges both the quantity and quality of our love.  Jesus Christ expressed it best, “Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) It is far easier to say ‘I love you’ than to truly exemplify the highest of Christian virtues.  Many people proclaim (with apparent ease), “I love everybody!”  But saying and doing are decidedly different; there must be evidence.

During my elementary school years, our science class explored what is commonly called the ‘Litmus Test.’  This simple test determines whether a substance is acid or alkaline.  If the pH (potential of hydrogen in the substance) is acid, the litmus paper turns red in color when exposed to that substance.  If the pH is alkaline, the litmus paper turns blue.  Acids taste sour.  For example, lemon juice is an acidic substance. Alkaline substances taste bitter.  For example, ammonia is an alkaline substance.

Today, we will take the ‘Spiritual Litmus Test’ to determine if our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, strangers, or enemies are too extreme (sour or bitter) in one direction are another.

Spiritual Litmus Test #1

Do I look for (and expect) the worst in others?

Signs of this type of behavior include…

1.         A tendency to keep a mental record of what others do that ‘get on our nerves.’

2.        A tendency to speak more negatively, than positively.

3.        A tendency to think or say “I told you she would do that!  I told you so!”

4.       A tendency to believe others are always being deceptive or lying.

Biblical Solutions: 

I Corinthians 13:5b says love “thinks no evil.”  Verse 6 says love “rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.”

Spiritual Litmus Test #2

Do I have a low tolerance for other people who exhibit attitudes or behaviors that are different from mine?

Signs of this type of behavior include…

1.         A tendency to prejudge people by appearance, color, culture, or socio-economic standing, i.e. to become  prejudiced against others because they are different or unfamiliar.

2.        A tendency to be strongly opinionated or have a know-it-all attitude about most things.

3.        A tendency to feel that only ‘me and mine’ know how to get things done ‘the right way.’

Biblical Solutions:

I Corinthians 13:4b says love “vaunts not itself, is not puffed up.”  Verse 5 says love “does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own.”

Spiritual Litmus Test #3

Am I able to forgive, or do i tend to hold on to troublesome issues for long periods?

Signs of this type of behavior include…

1.         A tendency to hold grudges, i.e. to keep issues alive and active until they change the way I communicate or interact with others.

2.        A tendency to have a negative attitude that eventually results in critical comments and/or harsh treatment of others.

3.        A tendency to display childish behaviors, i.e. verbal outbursts or temper tantrums.

Biblical Solutions:

I Corinthians 13:4a says love “suffers long, and is kind.”  Verse 5b says love “is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.”  Verse 7 says love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

The negative behavioral signs (outlined above) identify those sour and bitter personality traits that will not pass the Spiritual Litmus Test.  FYI, there will be no sour or bitter people in Heaven!  Should you find that these characteristics mirror your own attitudes or actions, here are some divine prescriptions from The Master, Love Personified, JESUS CHRIST:  1] The Golden Rule. (Luke 6:31); 2] “Judge not…condemn not.” (Luke 6:37); 3] “Love one another.” (John 13:34-35); 4] “Forgive men their trespasses [and] your heavenly father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14); 5] “Forgive…I say not unto thee, not until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21) In other words, forgiveness is virtually unlimited!

Let us strive steadfastly to walk in UNCONDITIONAL LOVE…because GOD IS LOVE, and He must be fully alive within so He can be dynamically reflected everywhere and to all. (I John 4:7-8)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part I)

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part I)

Allow me to share a story that I read some time ago.  It is a compelling tale told by a young wife and mother, and it involves something completely extraordinary, incomprehensible and priceless: the unconditional love of a young baby.  It will challenge both the quantity and quality of our love!

We were the only family with children in the restaurant.  I sat Eric in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking.  Suddenly, Eric squealed with glee and shouted, “HI!”  He pounded his fat baby hands on the highchair tray.  His eyes were wide open with excitement and his mouth displayed a huge toothless grin.  He wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and was surprised to see the source of Eric’s joy.  It was an old man whose pants were baggy…with his zipper at half-mast…and his toes poking out of would-be shoes.  His shirt was filthy and his hair was unwashed and uncombed.  His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose had so many varicose veins that it looked like a road map.  We were too far from him to catch a whiff…but I was totally sure that he smelled very bad!  He was just sitting there, hands waving and flapping like Jell-O, completely holding the attention of my beautiful baby!

“Hey there baby…hi there big boy!  I see ya’ buster,” the man called out gently to Eric.  My husband and I exchanged looks and whispered, “What should we do?”  Our adorable baby boy, Eric, continued to laugh and answer this disheveled man, “Hi!  Hi!  Hi!”  We were completely flabbergasted.  Everyone in the restaurant seemed to notice and they glanced over at us sympathetically…and then they looked with disgust at ‘that man.’  Their eyes seemed to say, ‘That old geezer has some nerve, creating a public nuisance with such a handsome baby!’  As our meal came, the man kept calling to Eric across the room, “Do you know patty cake?  Do you know peek-a-boo?  Look at that smart boy…he knows peek-a-boo!”

Nobody thought any of this was cute.  He was obviously drunk and dirty.  My husband and I felt absolutely embarrassed.  We ate in silence, except for Eric, who was now running through his repertoire of things-he-could-do to gain more admiration and attention from this skid-row bum, who in turn reciprocated with his annoying comments.  We hurried through our meal so we could head for the door.  My husband went to pay the check and asked me to meet him in the parking lot.

The old ragged man sat positioned between me and the door.  “Lord,” I thought, “if you can just let me get out of here before he speaks to Eric or me.”  As I drew closer to the door…closer to the man…I turned my back, trying to side-step him and by all means to avoid any body odor or air he might be exhaling.  As I did this, Eric suddenly leaped over my arm, reaching out with both arms in a baby’s ‘pick-me-up’ position.  Before I could stop him, Eric had propelled himself from my arms, right into the man’s arms.

Immediately, this very old smelly man and my young beautiful baby consummated their growing love relationship.  In an act of total trust, love and submission, Eric laid his tiny head upon the man’s shoulders.  That old homeless man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears rolling down his face.  His aged hands, that looked to be full of grime and pain, gently (so gently) cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked my baby’s back.

Watching this union, I felt sure that no two human beings had every loved so deeply in such a short period of time.  I stood there…paralyzed and awestruck.  The old man rocked and cradled Eric in his arms for a moment, and then his eyes opened and set squarely on mine.  He said in a firm, sober and commanding voice, “You take care of this baby.”  Somehow I managed to squeeze “I will” from my constricted throat, which at the moment seemed full of stones.  He pried Eric from his chest, unwillingly, longingly, as though he was in actual pain.

I happily received my baby as the man whispered, “God bless you, Ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift.”  I said nothing more and raced toward the car, holding Eric close to me.  My husband wondered why I was holding on to Eric so tightly, crying and mumbling, “My God, my God, forgive me.”  For I had just witnessed Christ’s love, shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin and made no judgments…a child who saw a living and loving soul…and a mother who had only seen raggedy and dirty clothes.  I was a Christian who was blind, holding a baby who was not blind.  And I felt as if God, Himself, was asking – “Are you willing to share your son for a moment?” – although HE had shared HIS SON for all time and eternity.  That homeless old man and my son reminded me, unwittingly, that “To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children.”

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH...WOMAN ENOUGH...TO APOLOGIZE?

ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH…WOMAN ENOUGH…TO APOLOGIZE?

During a recent church service, I witnessed something that was absolutely inspirational.  A husband asked his wife to stand while he addressed her in full view of the congregation.  He was incredibly open, transparent and tearful as he owned up to his self-perceived shortcomings as a husband and father, and he humbly asked his wife and family for forgiveness.  It was an entirely wondrous and magnificent moment.  It was simply beautiful.  Rather than deflating opinion about this gentleman, my respect for him grew – immediately and exponentially.  This experience caused me to think of a previous devotional I had posted on the subject of forgiveness.

Forgiveness can be rather illusive where there is an unwillingness to freely admit to a perceived injury. Indeed, many people find it extremely difficult to offer heartfelt, straight-forward, sincere apologies.  Why?  Because genuine apologies involve both emotional awareness and the verbal recognition that we have somehow wronged, damaged, or caused harm to another.

What is our typical response to someone else’s cry of “Ouch!”?  All too often, we immediately seek to minimize their pain, that is, we tend to classify their feelings as unwarranted, childish, or even over-the-top.  We either say aloud or think to ourselves, “Did it really hurt that bad?” Unfortunately, our failure to recognize and own up to their feelings, the result of their perception of injury, only exasperates the emotions and exacerbates the pain.

Vicki Muller wrote a story that exemplifies the attitude that many people have regarding the need to apologize whenever there is any perception of personal offense.  In Vicki’s words…:

This morning I accidentally struck my three-year-old with my handbag as I was coming through the door.

She cried out loudly, “Mommy you hit me!”

I responded with, “But darling I didn’t mean it, so why are you upset with me?”

“But you did hit me Mommy…and it hurts!”

“But I didn’t mean it sweetie...OK?”

Then I had an emotional epiphany; I realized that actually it’s not OK.  Whether an injury is intentional or not, it needs to be recognized as real and legitimate pain.  It really does.  My daughter had a tiny red mark on her forehead and it was in fact my doing, whether I meant to do it or not.

So I put the groceries down, leaned forward and asked her to show me the mark.  I then gave her a loving kiss, said “I am really sorry,” and followed up with a warm cuddle.  No more was spoken about my offense.

It was an easy thing to do – much easier than arguing and insisting “It’s not my fault because I didn’t mean it!”  Yes, a lot of things are unintentional, but they still need to be recognized as actual pain.

Really…how hard is it to simply face someone, embrace them and apologize?

Ms. Muller’s story is absolutely on point.  It has been said that perception is nine-tenths of reality.  So, if someone feels hurt, in fact, they are hurt.  Bottom-line: If someone feels they have been hurt, what is the upside in insisting that they are not?  All too often, we blame the victims of our errors via casual or insensitive responses to their pain, and we say things like this: “You must have misunderstood me.” [or] “You’re making a mountain out of a mole hill.” [or] “That’s just me…it’s how I am…and you just have to accept me being me!”  Nevertheless, we could radically diminish the time needed for healing and forgiveness, if would just offer an unconditional apology for any perceived offense.  Think about it.  Wars could be avoided; marriages could be saved; relationships could be salvaged – if we would only discipline ourselves enough (and love enough) to do the right thing. (Proverbs 16:18)  

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part IV)

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part IV)

To briefly recap yesterday’s devotional, my original reading of Zechariah 4:1-4 led me to believe that ZECHARIAH’S VISION WAS INCOMPLETE!  This was Zechariah’s situation: God had shown him a DIVINE LAMP that was designed to produce LIGHT and FIRE, but noticeably ABSENT FROM THE VISION WAS ONE ESSENTIAL THING, FUEL.  Not one drop of OIL was mentioned in the vision, not one!  However, MY FAILURE TO ‘SEE’ OIL is in no way a reflection on GOD’S ABILITY TO ‘PROVIDE’ OIL.  The reason why Zechariah’s vision SEEMED SO INCOMPLETE TO ME is solely due to my failure to discern WHAT GOD WAS UP TO BEHIND THE SCENES! 

The reason why the vision seemed so INCOMPLETE is the mere fact that my sensory perceptions were dominating my understanding.  OUR GOD is never confined to what we can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch.  In fact, GOD is never limited by our PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.  The truth of the matter is this: GOD IS A FUTURE SPECIALIST!  It seems that, like Lot’s wife, you and I are always fixated and focused on THE REARVIEW MIRROR. (Genesis 19:26 and Luke 17:32) To wit, we typically operate as TODAY SPECIALISTS, but our GOD is a FUTURE SPECIALIST!

Allow me to repeat for emphasis: THE OMNISCIENT ONE, who knows the ending from the beginning, is a FUTURE SPECIALIST.  He has KNOWN US and CHOSEN US, long before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4 and Jeremiah 1:5) Indeed, HE has already walked out our LIFE’S STEPS.  For “the STEPS of a good man are ORDERED BY THE LORD.” (Psalm 37:23) 

QUESTION: What does God DO in order to bring us into ALIGNMENT WITH HIS PERFECT WILL, i.e. to actualize HIS “hope and future” for us? (Jeremiah 29:11) ANSWER: GOD imparts to us a VISION of our future. Much like Zechariah (and much like me), all of us can only “see through a mirror, DIMLY.” We only “KNOW IN PART.” (I Corinthians 13:12) So, when we look at GOD’S VISION, we are limited by OUR KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IS and by OUR THOUGHTS OF WHAT LOGICALLY SHOULD BE. GOD imparts VISION, the genuine hope for all of our tomorrows, but we somehow only SEE an EMPTY BOWL, WITHOUT OIL. We see only EMPTY LAMPS, WITH NO OIL. And our frail human spirits will usually motivate us to ask GOD, “WHERE is the OIL?”

As a FUTURE SPECIALIST, our GOD gives us a VISION about our FUTURE. That is, He backs up the FUTURE into our PRESENT...and dares us to trust Him!

Let’s take a closer look at the VISION that GOD imparted to Zechariah. I love this part! Along with the LAMPSTAND made of solid gold, along with the BOWL, along with the SEVEN PIPES and the SEVEN LAMPS, OUR GOD had included something else, something vital, something mission critical to the MANIFESTATION of divine blessing. Alongside everything else in Zechariah’s vision, GOD HAD DIVINELY PLACED TWO OLIVE TREES! These twin olive trees had been DIVINELY POSITIONED, one on either side of THE BOWL that only SEEMED to have NO OIL…only APPARENTLY had NO OIL.

Now hear this!  MAJESTIC TREES DON’T JUST SHOW UP OR SPRING UP OVERNIGHT!  TREES MUST BE PLANTED!  Bottom-line: LONG BEFORE this PROPHETIC VISION was imparted, OUR ALL WISE AND SOVEREIGN GOD had ALREADY PLANTED AND ALREADY POSITIONED OLIVE TREES which would become THE SOURCE OF THE OIL that would flow through the pipes and fill the bowl and go into the lamp that would SHINE THE LIGHT!  WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!  My friend, GOD IS MUCH BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!

APPLICATION: Immediately cease all your doubting, fretting, worrying and complaining about your present circumstances.  Although your PRESENT MIGHT ‘APPEAR’ TO BE EMPTY…GOD HAS ALREADY SUPPLIED YOUR LIFE’S OIL!  He has already destined FAVOR and designed BLESSING – in, over, around and throughout YOUR LIFE!  I don’t care what it LOOKS LIKE!  WINNER-BELIVER, YOU are the head, not the tail.  YOU are a lender, not a borrower.  YOU are above, and not beneath.  YOU are blessed in the city.  YOU are blessed in the field.  YOU are blessed when you go out.  YOU are blessed when you come in.  Your body is blessed.  Your basket is blessed.  Your storehouse is blessed.  And GOD says, “I WILL COMMAND THE BLESSING ON YOU!” (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

One of my favorite hymns advises this: “TAKE YOUR BURDEN TO THE LORD, AND LEAVE IT THERE!”  My favorite line from that hymn is, “IF YOU TRUST AND NEVER DOUBT, HE WILL SURELY BRING YOU OUT!”  Children of the King, GOD’S GOT YOU!  he is large and in charge of your sitUation.  DON’T WORRY…because oUR GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!