EVERYONE IS A CHRISTIAN?

Didn’t you know "everyone is a Christian" these days, at least as long as it is convenient for them. The thought goes something like this, "I have some religious beliefs and I live in America, therefore, my religion is Christianity." I laugh at their foolishness and weep for their soul. There was time I thought I was Christian, but then I learned what the God actually says in His Holy book and found out I was only fooling myself. (For my testimony please see my first post.) So, what is Christianity? Well, let’s let God tells us, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom 10:9-10). I find a lot of false confession with the mouth about a lot of things that are not Biblical nor of Christ. Why is that? They have not believed, received Jesus Christ into their heart. John 1:12 reaffirms this truth, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Half saved is still incomplete. How can one be partly redeemed (saved)? Either one is redeemed from their sin, saved, or not. It is not a very difficult concept.

Yet, one thing is true, the heart is changed and one’s desires are changed as well. Changed to what? Changed to wanting to know Christ and to be like Him. This is why one claims to be a Christian. The word Christian means “Christ-like.” Why would you claim something that you don’t want to be like? Many people will claim to be a Christian for the benefits they think they will receive. A true Christian will claim it, regardless of the benefits at the moment. And of course one who claims to be a Christian will also be one who spends time in the Scripture, because they have a desire to be like-Christ, as well as know Him in a greater personal way. Do you honestly know what being a true Christian is like? Do you desire to know Christ greater? Do you desire to spend time in the Scriptures?

The truth is God knows who the true Christians are. And one day they will hear these words, “… Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Mt 25:21). All the others will hear “… I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth…” (Luke 13:27-28). What will you hear?

Little or Much

I was mowing the church lawn when the engine started knocking. It was a horrible banging sound. I only made a few swipes around the yard and the noise was growing worse. I turned off the mower and sat for few moments praying. “Lord, I really don’t need this right now with all that needs to be done. It’s your yard. If you don’t want the lawn looking nice that up to you. You know Lord I do not have the ability to fix the mower.” I got off the mower, opened the hood and looked around, but didn’t see anything wrong. I decided to go in and eat lunch, and I would look at it after lunch. After lunch I started up the mower and the noise seemed worse. I turned it off immediately. I went inside and call a friend who knows a little about engines. He said he'd come by after he had lunch. Then I went to work on my studies. My friend come over, started up the mower, and within a few minutes he had diagnosed the problem. An important screw had come loose and fell off something which cause the loud the banging noise. He did tell me the engine could have easily burned up in prolonged mowing. I’m thanking the Lord for such a simple fix. All I needed was a screw to put it back together. I thought I would just have to make a 50 minute trip to the store and it would be done. When my friend looked up at me, he said, “Where did the mower start making the noise.” I replied, “It was louder on the hill section, Why?” He answered, “That’s where we should start looking for the screw.” At that moment I looked into his eyes to see if he was serious. He was very serious. I didn’t say it at that moment, but I thought, "We have over 3 acres of lawn and it will be worse than looking for a needle in a hay stack." Then my thoughts turned to the Lord. “Lord it is impossible to find screw on three acres of lawn. Only you can find it.” We walked across the lawn following the mower path. After about 10 steps my friend leaned down and picked up the screw. We stood their looking at that screw in awe. We found it! Or I should say, God led us directly to it. I was reminded at that moment of a Bible verse which I have often recited, Luke 16:10, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much…” I was rebuked for lacking in faith for such a little matter. Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Gen. 18:14). God is interested in every facet of our lives. He created us. He allowed His Son to die to redeem us from our sin. God cares about every fact of your life, seek Him in all things, and enjoy His blessing in good times and bad.

GET A BIGGER HAMMER?

Over the years I have learned not to force things, for in the process of forcing things, something always breaks. It is not always a physical object that breaks. Quite often it is someone’s feelings or even a friendship. It only takes a small crack for the seed of bitterness to settle in, divide, and conquer. So how does one deal with stupidity which seems to befall one on all sides? Well, there is a wonderful verse in Philippians 2:1, which provides us with an answer and four incentives to reach out and grasp the answer for conquering life in victorious living.

The answer is found in the word Humility. Those who will humble themselves in Jesus Christ will conquer life victoriously. First, notice humility provides powerful guidance: Phil 2:1,“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ . . .” Consolation is the idea of exhortation with earnest pleas of comforting guidance. Christ not only died to pay for your sin, but is also there to cheer you on to greatness. Second, humility provides the passion of giving: Phil. 1:1b ". . . If any comfort of love. . .” Love is action word which gives and keeps on giving. Love is sacrificial selflessness given out as Christ sacrificially left heaven, dwelt on this earth, and then died to redeem you. It takes great humility to die for those who use you and spit upon you. Yet, it takes humility to receive blessings from humility. Third, there is partnership in gentleness: “. . . if any fellowship of the Spirit. . .” Fellowship is a sacrificial commitment to reach a shared vision. Christ shares your vision of becoming all you were created to be, thereby He died for you, rose again for you, and will partner in life with you. Quality fellowship demands humility. Finally, there is a perception of grief in humility: “. . . if any bowels and mercies . . .” Humility can feel and relate to the pains and trials of others, just as Christ feels your pain, and places every tear drop in bottle. It takes great strength to live humbly, and in this humility you will conquer life. Are you conquering life or simply reacting to it?

Coffee Shop Day

How is your day today! I pray that when things go wrong, all is right. How’s my day you ask? Well I’m sitting in a coffee shop, watching people, doing the internet, writing lessons, and this blog. I normally do not get the privilege to sit in a coffee shop. Where I live there are no coffee shops except for my own kitchen, and yes, you are invited over for coffee, that is if you can find the middle of no place and you don’t freeze getting here. I’ll leave the lights on for you. Anyway I had to go to the big town in order to get new tires for my monster truck (Ford Excursion limited edition diesel). I’m told it will be a little over an hour. That’s nearly as long as the drive. So I thought I'd enjoy coffee at the coffee shop. While I’m there, the infamous phone call comes from the tire company. Other repairs are needed. Now I have to suffer and sit another 3 plus hours (I'd better not buy another Latté so I can pay for the repairs. Maybe I should go wash some dishes).

Later I arrive at the shop and the vehicle is not ready. The shop closes in five minutes. My wife needs the Ford early in the morning to run a bunch of children to VBS. What am I going to do? The shop foreman steps out and I took a moment to pray. This is when God reminds me in Jeremiah 10:23, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” It sure wasn’t my plan to be here all day, have to wait till tomorrow afternoon to get my Ford, not able to complete the day's work, kids would miss VBS, and I would spend well over two weeks paycheck and get home late for supper, yet God is still Good. The shop foreman stepped back in and said, he and another mechanic would volunteer their time and stay late to finish the work. The work was finished with no extra charge. So I had a cold supper (not really, that’s what microwaves are for) and an empty wallet.

The realization came to me a few days later. The waiting on the unexpected vehicle repairs allowed me to get some needed rest away, which I was unaware that I would need. The Ford runs great with increased mileage and the steering is safe for my wife and family. The kids made it to VBS. I checked with my local mechanic in the church and he told they did a great job at a better than reasonable cost. I made a new two new friends. (I owe them a box of Dunkin Donuts). Need I say more? Trust God! He will guide you well.