Distractions, Distractions...

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV Surely I'm not the only one who feels like they run in circles all the time? There's always something to do related to family, church, work, social circles, etc. Not that any of those things are necessarily bad, they just overwhelm us at times with the magnitude of what we need to accomplish in one short 24 hour period. I constantly have to remind myself that all good things are not necessarily GOD things. It is possible to take on more than needed & to spread oneself so thin that we become ineffective in all respects. It's not for lack of trying, it's just that we try to juggle so much that it becomes impossible to do. Stress walks into our lives followed by insomnia & we can't rest for thinking of all we need to do & we can't do all we need to do because we're completely fatigued from the busyness of it all, compounded by the stress & lack of sleep. It's a vicious cycle that Satan loves to get us caught up in. He's a sneaky old cuss--yes, he is! Truth is that once we surrender our lives to GOD, the devil has lost us. He doesn't like that, but it's done and as long as we remain focused on our relationship with the Lord, there's little he can do about it. However, he can inject things into our lives under the guise of "doing good" and distract us from what GOD has called us to do and be. It is up to us to make certain that we go to GOD with any new undertakings & determine--with His guidance & direction--if it is part of His Plan for us. Don't be fooled into thinking that just because it's charity, it can't be meant to derail us from the track GOD intends for us. I'm not saying we shouldn't try to go about doing good & serving others. What I'm saying is make sure what we do is of GOD. We need to be so in tune with GOD that the devil can't give us any trouble. The battle begins in our minds. Personally, I'm a very logic-minded person. If it makes logical sense, I can get on board with it. But, all the logic & reason in the world is completely invaluable if GOD isn't in what we're doing. Old Lucifer's plan is to give us trouble, cause us to stumble, an trip us up any way he can. We just have to trust GOD & let Him lead us, so we don't fall in to the devil's traps. Maybe it is time to pare down our list of activities & projects so we can reconnect with GOD & family. After all, those are the things that are most important. Just my thoughts.... Blessings to you all! Tony

The Church of Great Compromise

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV Many times through the years I have made the statement, "The world is having far more of an impact on the church than the church is on the world." Now, I know many will not appreciate my views, and that's OK. Just as I am entitled to my opinion, you are as well. Sometimes, we just have to agree to disagree & continue doing life. Nevertheless, I still feel that in our efforts to become more "seeker friendly", many churches have allowed the world to creep into the sanctuary and in doing so, have more or less evicted GOD and His Holy Spirit in the process. We've adopted the customs & culture of the world in all respects. Evidently, good Christian people desire to look & act more like the world around them than like Christ followers. Our homes, our cars, our clothing, our personal tastes, our speech, our music...our very goals & desires, look just like those of the unchurched, the athiest, the agnostic & those of other faiths. And, not only that, but, we've also become so accepting of everything & everybody that we basically attend church services with the devil himself. Before I go further, allow me to say that I know the church is supposed to reach out to the lost and to love people in spite of their sin. However, when someone comes to Christ, there should be changes reflected in that individual. They should no longer want to live a lifestyle of sin. Their life should now be one lived for Christ and, to as large a degree as possible, to live by His commands & statutes set forth in God's Holy Word--The BIBLE! We should not, however, encourage a professing Christian to live in a way that is contrary to Christ and we should be careful not to allow ourselves to become so accepting of SIN that we open doors in our own lives that should remain closed to the life of one living for GOD. Sin needs to be exposed & dealt with by biblical standards. Otherwise, Sin becomes overlooked & accepted and Christians become complacent in their lives & beliefs. Church should be a place where GOD's Word is taught, sin is addressed, and lives are changed for the good. Sadly, many churches are much like nightclubs or country clubs, rather than being temples of GOD. May pastors fear addressing any topic that might be perceived as "too heavy" or "offensive" in any way for fear of losing their following and the associated monies that are part of that following. Remember this? "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV Candy-coated preaching is not really preaching at all. Light & darkness cannot dwell together. As preachers & teachers, we will be held to a higher standard & judged more harshly because of the gift & calling bestowed upon us. GOD's people deserve more than a mediocre, warmed over, rehashed message borrowed from others. They need to know that we are spending time with GOD, that we are seeking His Face, that we are pouring our heart out in prayer to obtain His guidance & direction for our own lives so we can properly teach & lead them. We must find a balance in reaching out to & loving sinners without welcoming open sin into our midst. I seem to recall a story about sin in the camp & its effects on the group as a whole. Maybe church leaders need to revisit that...? Now, the verse that follows the text listed above reads, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV Yes, we need to remember that we were once lost sinners in need of GOD's grace and mercy. But, we need to help new Christians grow in their faith & leave the old, sinful lifestyle behind or risk it becoming a cancer in the church body. This is where discipleship comes in and sadly most churches are failing miserably at this. The good news is that there is hope! We, as church leaders and as Christians, need to repent ourselves & recommit to making GOD a priority in our churches. It's not to late to get back up, dust ourselves off, seek GOD's forgiveness and continue on in the battle. But, we must be willing to take the first step. When we do, GOD will take the lead & show us where areas of error might be. So, fellow Christians, put your armor on & get back in the battle! Just my thoughts, but maybe it's something others should take time to ponder... Blessings! Tony

New Things...

Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB We all awoke this morning to a brand new year, a fresh start, somewhat of a reboot in life--if you will. We can now put to bed the things of the past & begin anew...or can we? How well do we do that? How much do we trust GOD? When we read His Word & it tells us that if we confess our sin, He is faithful & just to forgive us (1 John 1:9), do we really believe it? Do we "lay it all down" and trust GOD to handle it for us? In my observation, through my counseling experiences, and in my own life--I find that most of us have difficulty letting go, releasing, taking our hands off, & dropping the baggage of the past. Like Scrooge's old business partner, Jacob Marley, we allow ourselves to be chained to and burdened by the things of our yesterdays. In holding on to those things, we struggle to move forward into the future that GOD has for us without great pain and effort. I've heard it said that the rearview mirror is smaller than the windshield because what's ahead (our future) is far bigger than what's behind us (our past). It's time we hand those old suitcases full of garbage--the shortcomings, failures, hurts, etc., of the past off to GOD and leave them there so we can be free of them and move into the plan and purpose He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11). We need to get back to the basics of GOD, family & country. We've filled our lives with so much stuff, so many activities, so many commitments--that it has all become an interference with our relationship with GOD. Simply put, it's time to simplify life. Dust off your Bible, get on your knees, fellowship with GOD. Then, love those around you--family, friends and strangers alike. GOD put you in their lives for a reason...just like He put them in your life for a reason. Little things really do make a difference--a hug, a handshake, a smile, a prayer. Celebrate your heritage and wave the American flag. I guess, in the end, the old ways & old things are the new things we need to re-introduce into our lives. I'm gonna give "new things" a try. I pray you will too... Blessings! Tony

CHRISTmas Ponderings...

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 Last night, I got to hold a new baby--a little girl, only 2 weeks old. It made me think, especially at this time of year. I wondered what this child's future might be, what her childhood would be like, what she might become when she grows up, if she'll have a family of her own, how life will treat her as she ages...? There's so much possibility, yet so much unpredictability. I know that my own life has certainly encountered many twists & turns I didn't anticipate & could never have planned. Some were self-inflicted, the result of my own choices--both good and bad. Some were thrust on me by the choices & decisions of others. Some were mere circumstance. However, I've come to realize that God has used all the events of my life--whether good, bad or ugly--to make me into the man I am. "All things" truly do work together for good--God uses them to shape & mold us (Romans 8:28, the verse I've adopted as my life verse). I wonder, as Mary held Baby Jesus, did she realize that He would change the world? Did she realize that this child of promise, the Messiah, the incarnate Son of God that she had carried within her womb, would be the Savior of the world? Could she anticipate the miracles He would perform, the lives He would touch during His short, earthly life? Could she imagine the ministry He would have & the following that would result? Did she know the pain & heartache that awaited her when she would watch Him being nailed to a cruel Roman cross? What about the miracle of His resurrection & His ascension into the Heavenlies to take His place at the right hand of The Father? Regardless as to what the world says, CHRISTmas is about CHRIST. God sent His Son as the perfect gift to and atoning sacrifice for mankind. As you celebrate this season with your family & loved ones, take time to read Luke 2--the real story of CHRISTmas. It should be a time of love, a time of giving, a time for family, a time of reconcilation, a time to ponder new beginnings. Most of all, it should be a time to celebrate God's greatest gift--the gift of His Son, Jesus (John 3:16). Let CHRIST be part of your CHRISTmas this & every year. More importantly, don't just be a seasonal Christian, make Jesus part of your daily life & enjoy The Gift now & forevermore... Blessings! Tony

Warfare...

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV I've come to the realization that the devil doesn't often attack us when we are on a spiritual mountain. He waits until we drop our guard, until we are fatigued, discouraged or distracted by a battle we are facing. He pounces when we are in the valley of life, when we are facing something that seems insurmountable to us. When the struggles of life work to overtake us--when financial crisis hits, when relationships are strained, when a tragedy occurs, when health is threatened by a major disease--that's when we take our focus off of God and His ability, and try to handle things on our own. The devil and his minions are lurking, waiting, licking their lips in anticipation of a victory over us, while they wait for us to stumble. Have you ever watched one of those National Geographic documentaries where predators are after prey? They lay in wait, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to separate one lone animal, often a young or weak one, from the herd. Once the predator is able to accomplish that, he's got a meal. The devil operates much the same way, and we fall into his trap often and repeatedly. Then, we beat ourselves up over the fact we allowed it to happen--again & again--and Satan laughs at us and shakes his bony finger in the Face of God. Remember the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17, I think...)? Goliath, who is described as a giant of a man, has the whole Israelite Army shaking in their boots--or sandals, as was most probably the case. He comes out daily, hurling threats, slandering God and his people, and he laughs at the Israelite's inability to act because they are all frozen in fear. No single man has the faith in God, let alone himself, to take on this giant. So, for days on end, the scene is repeated. Even King Saul himself is terrified. Here he is, a man appointed by God and anointed by God's prophet to lead the nation but without any solution to the problem. Why? Because they were all looking within themselves, rather than looking to God. David appears on the scene, there simply to deliver food to his brothers who are part of the army. He had no idea when he left home that he would be facing a giant & determining the fate of a nation by his actions. But, because he had an intimate relationship with God and knew that God was with him, when he heard the words of the giant insulting his God, a righteous anger rose up in him & he acted--not in his own strength, but tapping into the mind and strength of God Himself. By being a man of action, a man who trusted that God would take care of him regardless of the situation, a man who wouldn't allow his God to be insulted, young David saved the day, defeated the giant and won the favor of the nation of Israel. Like David, we must remain both focused and faithful. Even though it sometimes appears that a person is the source of our problem, we have to remember that "...we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesian 6:12 NKJV Satan is real! He knows he will lose in the end, but his desire is still to pull as many as he can into the pits of Hell with him. Nothing gives him more satisfaction than to be able to laugh in the face of God because we, the children of God, fall into sin or encounter major moral failures in our lives that damage our witness for the Lord. I, for one, want to live a victorious life. However, I am human and have my share of weaknesses. I know that i fail God more often than I care to count. But my goal, my hope, is to stand tall in the face of whatever giant Satan puts in my path and that I will remain faithful and obedient to my God, Who has redeemed me because of His great love...for me! I pray the same will be true of you. Blessings! Tony

Going After GOD?

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24 I often hear people say they are "going after God." That sounds good, but what does it really mean? Since God relentlessly pursues us, we shouldn't have to "go after" Him, we should just be living a life that reflects His Character and focusing on being more like Him. Our spirit man (or woman) should be in tune with The Holy Spirit. We should be alert to what The Spirit is saying to us & what He desires to do in and through us. We must allow God to strip away anything in us that is not of Him, anything that is contrary to His Nature. Conversely, we must allow Him to grow, cultivate & mature those things that are representative of Him. True worship pleases GOD--worship that is pure, that comes from a grateful and true heart. However, sometimes we worship the experience of worship, rather than truly worshipping Him. We get caught up in the moment--the noise, the lights the spectacle of it all--and miss worshipping GOD as our Creator, or Savior, our Source of Life and Love. Instead, we should simply worship Him and allow ourselves to be lost in Him. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; Psalm 96:4 What, then, is our motive for worship? Are we just going through the motions? Is it out of a sense of obligation, habit or routine? Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; Joshua 24:14 What does it mean to fear the Lord? Truly we have reason to fear or be afraid of Him if we aren't living as we should be, but the fear of the Lord is more of a reverential awe of Him & Who He is. If our concept of God is one of Him sitting & waiting for us to mess up so He can punish us, our view of Him is incorrect. Yes, God is a God of judgement for those living in sin--but, He is a God of love, mercy & grace for those who love & live for Him. We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 Our character should reflect His. If we are living in accordance with His Will & His Plan for us, we have no reason to "go after" Him, we should simply bask in Who He is and seek to share Him with those who are wandering from the truth. That's my thoughts--the late-night thoughts of an insomniac, but I sense an urgency to share them. Because--in some strange way, and for some odd reason--these ramblings of mine reflect what I feel have been given to me through The Spirit of God, Who desires our worship to be in spirit and truth... Blessings! Tony

Pollution...

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25 NKJV The Church in America is dying a slow and painful death at the hands of the very people who are supposed to be loving and caring for her. Christians, much like non-Christians, have sold out to the idols of money & materialism. It is hard to tell one from the other these days. I've often stated the fact that the world is having far more of an effect on the church than the church is on the world. In our quest to be more "seeker-friendly", we (the church) have become very carnal in nature. We've compromised our values & traditional morals and beliefs by accepting too much of the current culture as the norm, rather than standing on what GOD says to be the norm for Christian behavior. I'm reminded of the story of Jesus turning over the money changers' tables in the temple & essentially beating them out of the temple with a whip. See Matthew 21, Mark 11, & John 2. He wasn't amused that they were using the church for personal business purposes to solicit gain for themselves. The world is a dark place. but darkness is simply the absence of light and we are called to be the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-16) and represent Jesus by the way we live. Part of that process is that we join together in fellowship with like-minded believers. that we consider one another instead of being so "me-oriented" and easily offended by everything, that we stir one another to action in showing love in word and deed to those who are hurting and in need. The church doesn't need more programs and pizzazz, it doesn't need to tolerate sin. It needs a fresh infusion of the Power and Presence of GOD's Holy Spirit and to love the sinner without condoning sin itself. It needs to get back to the basics, to teach the Gospel, to preach of Heaven and hell as real places that await us all, to speak against sin while loving unconditionally--like Jesus. After all, He is The One we are supposed to imitate... Blessings!