There is one poison that ought to be ingested.

A poison to swallow...

Pride is the only poison of which I know that is healthy to swallow.

What does pride keep us from? Somewhere I read (probably in "Mere Christianity"), C.S. Lewis asserted that pride keeps us from seeing God because we are so bent on looking down on others that we never look up to God. And it was Sophocles who said pride is the only crime that cannot be forgiven. My grandma would say to me, "Your temper gets you into trouble, and your pride keeps you there." See? A man who admits some wrong, that man can be forgiven and change.

What does pride keep us from? Where is it holding us back in our relationship with someone?

What place does pride keep you from? Has it been a long time since you've visited a friend or relative? Has pride kept you from attending church? Does pride keep us from confession before God?

Every once in a while, I pull out this list of Scriptures and spend some time considering pride and humility. It helps me. Maybe you will find some comfort or challenge in these Scriptures as well.

For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. (Psalm 138:6 ESV)

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (Proverbs 6:16-17 ESV) “haughty eyes” = proud look

The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. (Proverbs 8:13 ESV)

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 16:5 ESV)

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18 ESV) “haughty spirit” = “proud spirit”

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5 ESV)

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:1-4 ESV)

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14 ESV)

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:6-10 ESV)

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15 ESV)

For that which we need most, we have no capacity to meet the need in and of ourselves.

We have the power for neither...

In Matthew 9:1-8, Christ's opponents wrongly assumed that Jesus did not have the authority to forgive sins. They rightly understood that only God can forgive sins, but wrongly assumed Christ was not God.

Jesus posed a question: "For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?" (Matthew 9:5 ESV)

As Messiah, and, more importantly, as very God, Jesus had spoken with authority over religion and theology in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). In Matthew 8:1-17, Jesus touched leper, spoke healing over a centurion's servant, simply thought a fever of out of Peter's mother-in-law, and healed many other things in ways too numerous to spell out. In Matthew 8:23-27, He spoke with authority over creation, calming a storm and wowing His disciples. In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus cast demons out of two men.

Now, here in Matthew 9:2, Jesus exercises His authority by forgiving sin. Jesus proclaims, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." (KJV)

This offends some religious because they rightly know only God can forgive, but they wrongly assume Jesus is not God. Jesus's question in Matthew 9:5 is piercing; He basically asks, "Which can you do? Can you heal? Do you have the power to absolve sin?" Of course, we know the answer. They could do neither!

And neither can we do either!

Thank God for Jesus. HE IS THE MESSIAH! HE has the authority to forgive sins, the power to grant life, the willingness to pay for sins, and the desire to grant us Himself.

I can neither raise the dead or grant forgiveness to those at odds with God, but I am thankful I know the Lord Jesus Christ, because He can!

Ever seen a worm on a sidewalk?

The difference is God...

We often talk about people in the Bible as heroes of the faith. Make your own list; mine would include Titus, Paul, Peter, Jeremiah, Ehud and more. It's common to hear all of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 as the "Hall of Faith."

I submit to you, dear friend, there is only one Hero of the faith; that Hero is God. In every story, including those recorded through Scripture, those recorded in history or those completely unknown by any (save God), people are not the heroes; God is.

God is the hero. It is God who brings victory. Even when it comes through human hands, it is God that is the difference. It is God who gives strength to the weak, wisdom to the ignorant; it is God who works wonders, manages miracles, proves prophecies, lifts losers, crowns kings, saves sinners, pardons people, grants grace --- and more and more and more! HE IS THE HERO!

Consider the difference in God's plans for Israel during a time of national weakness, as recorded in the words of Isaiah: "Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff; you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in the LORD; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory." (Isaiah 41:14-16 ESV)

See that? God says He will make "...worm Jacob..." into a "...threshing sledge, new, sharp and having teeth..." WOW! Israel is not strong. Israel is not brave. Israel is not holy. Israel, according to God, is a "...worm..." Israel is weak. Israel is insignificant.

But God...

God is the difference!

His promise to Israel, through the prophet, is to lift them; change them; empower them; embolden them; use them; bless them. God, indeed and in deed, is the difference!

From worm to warrior, God is the difference!
From purposeless to powerful, God is the difference!
From hellish to heavenly, God is the difference!
From separated to saint, God is the difference!
From dead in sin to alive in Christ, God is the difference!
From servant of Satan to son with the Savior, God is the difference!

In Kingdom life, we are not heroes.
God is the hero.
If there is a difference worth experiencing, God will be the power behind it.
God is the difference!

Call on the Lord.

A result for which one is not prepared...

Consider this word from the Prophet Ezekiel: "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin." (Ezekiel 18:30 ESV)

We live in a broken world. 

We live in a broken culture. 

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Let us not think that because we live among so much corporate brokenness that we are not responsible for our personal sins. Even if we find ourselves the only one convicted of sin, and even if not one other person shares such conviction, we are not released from personal responsibility.

Disregard for the warnings God issues will lead to personal disaster.

Likewise, when entire societies, cultures, and nations disregard God's warnings, national disaster will result.

God, call us to repentance, and grant us such personal and national conviction that we turn from our iniquity and experience showers of blessings.

We MAY THINK we are ready for any consequence or result, but that is a sad underestimation of God's justice and righteous wrath.

Spiritual people.

The problem of being "...merely human..."

The fact is the natural man cannot receive spiritual things.

It is no wonder so much spiritual proclamation and activity goes forth without subsequent spiritual growth and result, for so many hearers are not receivers. There are no spiritual receivers in carnal women and men.

So, what happens? People follow cultural religion, led by people that people follow over or against other people, rather than living in dynamic, spiritual relationship with God and other spiritual people whereby God is glorified and people are cared for. Thus, we get caught up in and disappointed by fleshly issues, being careful to watch out for self above others and regularly breaking relationships.

Paul said as much to the believers in Corinth: "But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not being merely human?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-4 ESV)

What hope, then, is there for people of the flesh?

First, one must be brought to the place of realization and confession that we are utterly hopeless to receive or achieve spiritual life in and of our own volition.

Secondly, we must become convinced that spiritual life is possible.

Thirdly, we must give up carnal life, die to self and release anything --and I do many anything-- that would prevent or hinder the reception of spiritual life. Many come to the realization of helplessness and possibility, but balk at yielding self, putting off the old man, repenting of the flesh and unbelief, and releasing any self-built realities or ideas of life.

Fourthly, and chiefly, receive by faith the Lord Jesus and continue in faith marked by obedience to The Way prescribed by the Master. When one gives up this world, one must take up something in its place; more so, Someone in its place.

Is it any wonder so many religious places are just that? God's promise is life -- the Life -- the promise is the reality of Jesus. Is it any wonder we hear marvelous truth and ignore it, forget it, forsake it...lose it before the engines start or the whistles blow minutes after the sermon closes?

Let us consider these things; weigh them. May God give us grace to see it, understand it and receive it.

Words hurt.

Sticks and stones do break bones, and words do worse, and the heart, well, that thing will get us into more trouble than we can handle...

We sometimes think about our actions. These days, in our country, it seems we don't think about our actions very much. When we do, it seems it's only in the sense that we don't want others to know about what we do, or that we don't want people to judge what we do, not that we think of morals or that God knows what we do.

Jesus addressed this. He said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'" (Matthew 5:21 ESV)

It's true. But, there's a deeper reality at work; if it gets to our fingers --if it turns to action-- there was already intent. In other words, if we did it, it was already in our hearts.

That's why Jesus continued, saying, "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire." (Matthew 5:22 ESV)

What Jesus reveals to all of us is that our deepest problem, and our biggest trouble is our corrupt heart. If it gets out onto our fingers or out onto our tongue, it reveals what's in our hearts. However, EVEN IF we never DO what's in our hearts OR SAY what's in our hearts, that it's in our hearts tells us something about ourselves! IF it's in our heart, we are "...liable to judgment..."

Here's the thing; we often worry about judgment from people who can SEE our actions and HEAR our words and GUESS our motives, but we really need to be concerned about the judgment of God who KNOWS our hearts.

Through the Prophet Jeremiah, God says, "But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards..." (Jeremiah 17:10 NLT)

Sticks and stones are one thing...
Words are another...
Our hearts, though, God help us; God heal us; God forgive us; God transform us. As for me, I confess, I need Him.

Treasure Jesus.

It might well be said the offer is better than the offering...

In repenting before the Lord, King David realized God was more interested in a man who was humbled and offered himself than He was interested in the offering itself (ref. Psalm 51:16-17). Or perhaps what God spoke to Hosea is even more to the point: "I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6 NLT)

Here's the deal; a gift given without a heart surrendered means nothing. A life surrendered means much. A gift given from a life surrendered ... an act of worship from a worshiper ... a testimony of trust from a friend ... well, now, that's something to behold. God does not want a disconnected man of duty; God wants a love driven disciple.

The engaged heart isn't simply going through the motions. The engaged heart is responding to God. The Apostle Paul said, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV)

Jesus seems to indicate that giving is an act of joyful faith. It's joyful in its emotional output. It's trusting in God's future provision. (In other words, we can let go now because we believe God will provide then.) Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 ESV)

The bottom line is that God wants to have lordship over our hearts, and He does not want stuff to be our idols or our lord. Jesus said, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:33-34 ESV) See that? Your heart follows your treasure. Whatever you treasure will have your heart.

Treasure Jesus. When we offer self, offerings follow.

What is your generation known for?

Your generation...

We love to find generational identifiers. I was a teenager in the eighties, so I'm often drawn to reminisce by things like big band hair, passing notes, cassette tapes, Member's Only jackets, Cabbage Patch Kids (which in my case really caused me to be interested in Garbage Pail Kids stickers), "The Breakfast Club", scratch and sniff stickers, the always-wanted-but-never-had Trapper Keeper, Air Jordan or Reeboks pumps, Mustangs and Camaros, and a host of other too-typical things to pass up.

Do you ever think of your generation in terms of their spiritual bent? Can your generation be generally thought of as receptive to God or unreceptive?

In the Apostle Peter's Pentecost sermon, he said, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." (Acts 2:40b ESV) Instead of "crooked", the King James Version uses the word "untoward". The New American Standard Bible chooses to translate that word as "perverse". The Holman Christian Standard Bible uses the word "corrupt".

All those words are fair. That generation was crooked because they were not on the path to God through Jesus. That generation was untoward because they were not moving toward God through Jesus. That generation was perverse because they were seeking a way to God NOT through Jesus. Because that generation was refusing to come to God through Jesus, they were corrupt in their religion.

When that crowd heard Peter preach the exclusivity and necessity of Jesus, some cried out "What must we do to be saved?" (see verse 37).

Peter's answer: "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." (Acts 2:38-39 ESV)

It is my humble opinion that my generation can be characterized as generally refusing Jesus. My generation is not toward Him. It is my general observation that the generation before mine, if not the two, and every generation since, and most before have been, by that standard, corrupt, untoward, crooked and perverse.

I would humbly say to each and EVERY generation, seek Jesus; save yourselves from your crooked generation. Repent, and believe the gospel in the name of Jesus Christ and be forgiven of our sins.

Go the straight way.
Go the pure way.
Go the direct way.
Go the right way.
Run to God through Jesus, the Christ.

Whatever fond memories of our generation we may hold, if those fond memories are not primarily connected to Jesus, we haven't been toward Him. Friends, let us save ourselves from these untoward generations and turn to Jesus.

Are sports an idol in your life?

NOTE: I wrote this several years ago originally, and was going to post it on 3/09/2020, but held off as sports began to grind to a halt. I decided to let the burn fade, but it's a great discussion.

A believer CAN be a sports fanatic, but caution; caution, I say, CAUTION!

A lot of folks claim a lot of things do not interfere with their spiritual transformation, but, IF we are honest with ourselves, those things might be true hindrances. Many times, we claim those hindrances are part of our freedom in the Lord. Many times, we will claim our license as freedom from the Law. We'll say, "I'm not under the Law!" While that's true, we are not bound by the law and we are to be led of the Spirit, it cannot be an excuse for license!

Apparently, the people in Corinth were doing whatever they wanted to do and using the whole "All things are lawful for me because I'm not under the law" argument. The Apostle Paul addressed it: "'All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be enslaved by anything." (1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV) The greater wisdom recognizes not everything is helpful and some things are enslaving!

Whether it's watching a professional team, your favorite college or your own child's school or recreation league team, we can be too caught up in sports. We can hurt our testimony. We can be enslaved by habits, attitudes and allegiances to sports.

Now, believers --and, note, I'm talking to people who are concerned about embodying the life of Christ and living out the gospel-- how can we know we are going too far? NOTE: if you don't care a bit about walking with Jesus, sharing the gospel and raising up disciples, (a) don't read any further and (b) remove the label "believer" from your life. NOTE #2: the questions that follow may be painful.

Have you ever HAD to watch or play a sport that made you miss serving God or gathering with the people of God? Does that happen regularly?

Have you ever screamed rudely at other players, the TV, another team's child (eek!) or parent, cursed or acted in a way that might diminish your testimony because of sports?

Have you ever let sports rule your schedule?

Have you ever let a win or a loss own your emotions for an inordinate amount time?

Have you ever gotten in a real, heated argument about your team or a play or a call?

Do you give more money to chasing sports than you do to supporting ministry and missions?

Do you regularly talk more about your favorite teams than you do your redeeming Savior?

Does the way you yell from the stands / recliner mirror the way you worship the Lord from the pew?

Would you rather be seen wearing your team's logo or be seen bearing the cross of Jesus?

Would you drive as far and spend as much to share Jesus with someone as you do to see a game or take your child to a game?

Does sports help us rest, grow, become more like Jesus? Is it a pleasant distraction? Does it tenderize and humble us toward God and others?

I am NOT advocating we become nervous ninnies, fretting over every little thing. What I am saying is that we be willing to take fearless inventories about various areas of our lives and make sure we are not embracing something in such a fashion that it has become a hindrance to our personal transformation or to our witness. All things ought to come under the spiritual purview of our walk with Jesus.

I draw much instruction and challenge from these verses:
"Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!" (Lamentation 3:40 ESV)
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV)
"When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;" (Psalm 119:59 ESV)
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)
"Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults." (Psalm 19:12 ESV)

I remember that my flesh fails, but God is always able to restore me! Whenever I take a fearless moral inventory, or allow God to examine me, and WHEN I find areas not currently yielded to God or things that I clearly need help with, I am tempted to despair, but I remember, God is good, God is just, God is full of grace and mercy and God intends to shape me into the image of His Son. I remember Psalm 40:12-13 quite often: "For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!" (ESV)

I can't wait till the isms are wasms.

The schisms of isms...

I engage with the bondages and issues of racism and classism on a very often basis, and in the most practical and daily ways. The former being more familiar in our public discourse, but the latter being the most pervasive ill, meaning, quite simply, it affects more people.

Since I've said the isms are schisms, let me clearly state the definition of schism: "a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief."

There are MANY more isms I could put beneath the prism of our view, but racism and classism are enough isms to create the allomerism to crystallize our views. (I ought to throw in some thoughts on cronyism, but too many isms will make your willingness to read a wasm.)

Let me say it plainly... IN THE BODY OF CHRIST, classism and racism should not exist(ism). Two kinds of people in the world, and Christians are commanded to love both kinds. There are those under the blood and those not under the blood. Those are the only designations that matter!

Consider these fine verses: “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, ... There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ... For God shows no partiality. ... Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. ... So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.’ ... For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ... A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (Acts 17:26, Galatians 3:28. Romans 2:11, John 7:24, Acts 10:34-35, Romans 10:12, & John 13:34 ESV)

Now, let me say four quick things about these two isms, and I'll leave my beloved readers to wrestle with the Holy Spirit over these things.

Racism / classism ignores the dignity of individual.
Racism / classism offends the imago dei of the person.
Racism / classism undermines our unity in Christ.
Racism / classism impedes the mission of the Church.

A million words could be written...
... what we need the powerful effect of one...
REVIVAL!