F4S: January 2009

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

What Are You Doing, Wishing For, Or Thinking about?

Thank you for sending us/updating your status for us every now and then (see video below). We appreciate it gobs! Yes, I would like to sincerely thank all of you who have prayed and kept in touch with us over the years! So many of you have really added value to our lives or enriched my family in many different ways and it is kinda hard to describe sometimes but we feel very grateful to you and to the Lord! A hundred thanks to you for your ears, advice, love, faithfulness and for all the straightforward words of encouragement!

What a blessing to have so many great friends and memories of our times together in different settings ..both challenging and easy to handle. Liney and I work hard, but feel very rich to know you. Yes we praise God for each one of you and we also want to spur you on towards greater things in the future—towards closeness with the Lord and towards kind acts of charity that are practical in nature!

Kurt would also simply like to know more of what his valued Christian and non-Christian friends or family members (yes, you know who you are ..who hardly ever email, snail-mail, call, or post any status updates through some form of social network etc).. are doing, struggling with, wishing for, thinking about, planning towards, or are praying about (..if it is not raunchy or too graphic).

Now what would you like to hear from me (you can use the disqus comment field below if you need tons of space to rebuke me or something)? I hope I haven't been too busy for you and I do apologize to you if I have been.. or if there is something else you would like to say. I hope and pray I never let you down in any way ...due to kurt-blindness, "alleged"-ADHD-quirkiness, or just by general lameness.

Believe me, I can totally understand "certain people" who do not want to join me in Facebook at all...Eddie (but click here if you now do, because all your other friends have now signed up), because really.. I too put this type of web-behavior off for a long time—I just hate SN adds hounding me about things I don't need and care less about buying. And besides …where will we all find the time to e-relate and learn about each other anyways (even though we all forward and send emails around and wear out our cell phones every year).

Idea: Let's continue to use every means possible to get the Good News out. Let's continue to build each other up in love online and offline.

I like how Paul described it saying, "So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the Gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us" (1 Thess. 2:8).

FYI: I am not employed by these companies and never want you to get addicted to them. But here's a less time-intensive option if you are one who can easily get e-addicted to things like MySpace or FB... yes, maybe you would prefer to join me in Twitter or at Utterli (if you're more into posting some photos, vids or audio bites). We've all become so busy , but we would still love to hear from you. Need a little explanation on those? Maybe you are wondering what you would even do with either of those puter thangs. See below. Listen, overtaxed social networkers can use things like "Ping" to post a few lines of communication to multiple sites that you joined.

Hey, can I say it again? Thank you for being there, friends. —kurt



Friday, January 23, 2009

Why Not Just Keep It Simple Church?

News flash! Did you know that when people go to church today they actually expect to hear the Bible taught in a simple, non-boring, easy to understand, culturally relevant and applicable way? Yes, from a joyous Christian who daily lives out his faith and enthusiastically points people to Jesus Christ! Who needs empty religiosity?

The Word of God is living and powerful. —Hebrews 4:12

One truth from the Bible is worth more than all the wisdom of man.

—Anonymous

May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph only through His power. —Wilkinson

People don't primarily go to church to be wow-ed by technology, by banners flapping during worship, by drama, by light shows with fog, by fiery bright pyro-stuff shooting up in the air, by SWEET singing (..though worshiping Christ in Spirit and truth is our ultimate calling). With so many churches and "uber-intelligent pastors" emerging on the scene today.. who are quickly abandoning sound Bible teaching just to gain numbers, it's so imperative that we remember that Jesus in His ministry believed all the Scriptures. He kept it simple and to the point regardless of what his religious affiliates thought of Him. We must remember that sharing what the Lord has done in our lives to save and restore us can be passed along to others in an uncluttered winsome manner. We can do this like Jesus did it—considerate, tactful and accurately using Bible verses that hit the target!

Biblical illiteracy abounds in our nation and in the Western world. What are we doing about it? People are tired of hurting and losing jobs while they are desperately looking for viable answers. They've been fed so many wrong answers for too long. Guru Opra with her New Age thoughts hasn't fixed matters. Its sad many churches aren't giving people real answers from the Word (that are indeed practical) any more, but are busy primarily sharing politics, psychology, self-improvement jive, high-brow religious opinions about "being good." Man, my personal opinions are worthless and many of my jokes are worse ..so sub-lame that it hurts. They're so diculous at times they're rediculous! And why force those upon others when they really want to experience God's power firsthand?

Wise church leaders understand how gobs of programs and much "activity" doesn't always equate to people getting saved or to them growing up into spiritual maturity. Mere busyness simply won't convert into real fruitfulness no matter how your sharp committee tries to force it to be that way. Think about Mary and her sister Martha. Biblical disciple-making takes prayer, time-investment, genuine agape love, truth-speaking and authenticity. I can be a witness and even share some of my struggles with unbelievers at times. You can too. I don't have to be perfect to start, in fact those who play as if they are already perfect come off as weird. Those who try to come off as cool also come off as weird. Be yourself abiding in the Lord and don't ever strive in the flesh!

But if you haven't noticed, there is a fast-growing chasm between attitudes regarding Christianity and the church today. Go talk with the irreligious and listen to them. For the most part, I find very few unbelievers out there who have a problem with Jesus Christ, but for one reason or another many do have a big problem with Christ's church ..or with "organized ministries." So why are we so quick to brag on ministries, churches, mega-church pastors, singers ..and call that witnessing? When they venture to darken the doorway of our churches on say Easter or Christmas, why are they hearing everything but the Word of God there? They want Christ, don't know that is Who they are really looking for, but are getting turned off by carnal, worldly, half-committed and religious Christians and all the junk they like to talk about.

So many are still intrigued with the Person, the deeds and the pure character of Jesus! So why are we so afraid to talk about Him publically. Yes, among unchurched non-Christians: 64% still think real Christianity is relevant for today… but 86% of them say that church is not the place where they could actually connect with real Christianity.

Christ and His cross are certainly relevant today, so why don't we just learn to put all the extra stain-glass baggage aside and be that way too?

Last week I was talking with Billy (that's not his real name..) an African American janitor friend of mine who claims to be a Christian. He was very worried and upset about his live-in girlfriend who was out partying the night away at some Dallas clubs ...while he had to be away from her at work. Man, he wanted to be off so bad so he could join in on the fun. He earlier used to date another lost lady who is into voO00odoo that I've known, who had brazenly informed me that she was out to sleep with Billy. But after that witchy-woman, Billy had this new main squeeze and explained to me how he has been trying to help this new girlfriend and their relationship by inviting her to church often. But it somehow just didn't seem to be working for them ..and where was God in all of this, he asked? Why was it so painful? He explained to me how he had gone to his church for years ..even earlier with his first wife and friends (I thought what kind of church is Billy going to)?

I told him how I wished that I could help him, but that my ideas weren't as important as what God had to say to him. Mine were only as good as the next guy's maybe (perhaps only a dime in value). I asked him if he would mind me reading a few verses about this problem he was having and he was only too glad to hear the verses too (sometimes I unfortunately forget to go right to the Bible or to explain them and then I admittedly fail to add any value to anyone ..for it's the Word that is authoritative and can change lives. There is no spiritual growth apart from the Word of God PERIOD).

It was interesting to me that Billy had no idea what the Bible had to say about Christians being hooked up together with wild wicked women. Man, I am far from perfect or from being some "expert evangelist" here but someone had to help Billy. I have a lot to learn, and sure didn't want to talk down to anyone (I'm indeed better off than many people, but not better..). I didn't want to condemn anyone or make them feel bad, but Billy didn't know that the word "fornication" (which means having sexual relations before you're married) was even in the Bible and that God really desired to help him by addressing this serious topic in a very straightforward way. Please join me in praying for Billy! There are so many like him out there that can raise their hands and say praise the Lord on Sundays, but haven't really boarded the spiritual clue bus yet.

But you remember how God used the Apostle Paul, who firmly warned some loose-living Corinthians who were clueless too saying, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God" (2 Cor. 6:14-16). We too can be warned from God by those exact words. What a blessing to hear that!

Paul also said, "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" (1Cr 6:9-10, nkjv). Why did he say that? It's because God doesn't want anything getting in the way of you living together with him forever! He hates to see people He loves get judged or persist in going to Hell. He won't have anyone in Heaven who really doesn't want to be there. He alone can make you righteous and holy ..and holy is happy (blessed)! We each must decide. He deeply.. Strongly... INTENSELY wants you to experience life during life minus divine judgment ..right now! And the ball is in your court.

"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints" (Eph. 5:3).

"…fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4).

I really need to check back on my friend Billy this week to see how he is doing. You know, I personally get so busy these days and I try hard to be available for my friends (I sure don't feel I've been a good friend to many of them..), but let me ask you this. Are you willing to become available for people, to hear them intently, to pray with, or to share Scriptures with your friends in need? Are you willing to cross the line and tell them about Jesus and the Gospel message? No one becomes a real Jesus freak who won't. Are you willing to ask them to turn and trust Christ right there.. where they are? God will accept them if they will only repent and believe. No charge--no good works will get you in the door! Are you willing to be made willing by Him?

Then talk with God about your situation.. about your friends and ask Him to use you in their miserable lives ..or maybe in their blessed prosperous lives ..however they are situated in the their lostness ..when the time is right. My conversation with Billy also soon led me into another conversation with one of his so called Christian coworkers named, Neil, a little later on ..who said he too was "in love with" an unbeliever. He explained how he had fallen madly in love with a beautiful young girl from Mexico. In fact Neil had already given her a diamond ring too, was planning on marrying this person ..and then planned on winning her to Christ later on after the vows were said. "Hey Neil, bad Idea", I said! Missionary dating.. missionary marrying.. both don't work because the Christian has an old nature inside (along with his new nature from their second birth..) and when you couple all that together with the raw and raging hormones of youth, the believer is going to be pulled down spiritually. He laughed and couldn't believe I said that, but I feel I can relate to him. I was his age before. We talked about the will of God some, about a verse here and there, and guess what? Like Billy, Neil trusts me more than ever now 'cause he knows that I care about his future, when I only wanted him to trust the Lord more. He had some good questions and I simply knew where to find the answers to them.

But God does want us all to casually witness to open sinners in a caring non-spooky way. How will we ever want to though if we are lukewarm? Hey, if you can't invite them to Christ right there on the spot as I like to do... I say go ahead and invite them to your Bible teaching church or to your home Bible study! I invited Neil and Billy and they said that they want to go with me. In fact I'd say go pick em up and take them with you if they will go.

We must remember that there is indeed a huge attraction towards biblical depth and spiritual clarity today. If your message totally true, simple and clear? Who do you brag on the most publically? If there is a mist in the pulpit, there will be a fog in the pew! Did you know that about 90% of what a false teacher teaches is true? As we passionately speak with teenagers about Jesus.. as we talk with and listen to college kids in different places too, we are discovering that the younger generation is still attracted to Christ ..and to churches that avoid a major emphasis given to giving-money-sermonettes and "hyper-denominational-speak." Yes, most of them rather, wouldn't at all mind visiting a church with greater biblical depth in what they're exporting from God's Book in a simple way. They wouldn't mind a church that speaks their language and answers questions that are really being asked, rather than ones that are no longer being asked. God blesses zealous churches that exalt and worship Christ, that aim for quality (Bible ministry) over quantity (numbers of tithers), for simplicity over flash. Did you know that 70% of 18 to 22 year olds are dropping out of churches? We must live in such a way to see migration out the door stop! Many of them are crying inside for deeper biblical teaching and preaching (teaching is for the saved, and preaching is wise Bible ministry to the lost). Yup, and this kind of thing will become more and more pervasive in our culture and with "Generation We" (the kids born between 1977 and 1994, who approximately number over 72 million). But if we will spend some time alone with Christ each day with a heart to listen and obey.. and have some planned neglect regarding non-necessary churchy things.. if we will pray the price for love's sake, we can effectively enter their culture in a fruitful way. What about you? Are you in God's Kingdom today or out of it? Is He your Lord in all decision making or are you not yet sure if you will be allowed into His glorious city of light and rejoicing? Have you been granted the gift of readiness?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Abe Lincoln Was A Bibliophile Who Loved And Spoke Of Christ!

Of all the Presidents that this great country has ever had.. who is/was your absolute favorite of them all?

Man, I'd have a real tough time with that question. That's hard to say huh. I do hope the one we now have will change to become great like Lincoln was (great is as great thinks, says, and does right and he just started)... will indeed bring good changes to our land, and will live 100% for Jesus in such a great way that he becomes my very favorite one of them all. I'm sure he's not too worried about how Kurt will view him. But that's my prayer! We've heard so much about history-making and well-wishing for his success, but I want him to succeed God's way according to the Bible and not in a worldly push for socialism. How about you?

I liked Reagan a lot (I remember as a Bible student here in Dallas, delivering flowers to his family in the Reagan Suite at a downtown hotel for one of his political friends during the Republic National Convention. He spoke in Atrium one there. Was I star-struck? I don't know. But man,you should have seen his limo with the Brinks-thick-windows—that motor car was like a tank! I even had the privilege of getting the front door for his VP, George Bush senior back in the day when they arrived in Dallas. Very gracious people. Reagan's car pulled in the back of the Hotel though and he entered by way of a basement tunnel to a private elevator to go to his room on floor 25. His suite window were also bullet proof). It was an exciting time for an ordinary dude like me!

I guess that was my brush with greatness back then. But what an honor! I've also personally admired Abe Lincoln a lot. Yup, he was one of my all time favorite leaders and I'd still like to be like him. Gentle, kind, just and honest was Abe. He reflected the character of who he served. Who doesn't love what he did for the slaves and this country?

We've heard so much about FDR, JFK, and Lincoln lately! Americans want to return to Camelot again. It's interesting how our new President, Barack Obama, seems to really esteem Lincoln as well. And who wouldn't? it's old news how President Obama used Lincoln's Bible as he was sworn in yesterday. Now, if he believed all of it as Lincoln and Reagan did, he'd sure be out to protect the lives of the unborn just like he says he will do for other Americans who are weak (but soon I hear that abortion on demand will be put back in place by him. Man, what a step backwards when we need to be advancing).

You know that the Bible doesn't ever use the term "abortion." But God clearly lets people know that every life is very valuable and precious to Him..even pre-birth. God's Word clearly says… "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Ps. 139:13-16 ..check out the whole chapter in context). It is also clearly stated, "This is what the Lord says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you..." (Isa. 44:2).

It's hard to deny the fact that Lincoln stood up for his Lord in public ..consistently. Did you know that Abe Lincoln was a bold witness for Jesus Christ, both with his godly lifestyle and with the words he spoke? He was a humble man, dependant upon the Holy Spirit; one who loved to enjoy fellowship with the Father and with Jesus Christ. Like me, you've probably read some of his quotes down through the years.

"And having thus chosen our course, without guile, and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear, and with manly hearts." —Abe, July 4, 1861 Message to Congress

"Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere." September 11, 1858 Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois

Abe Lincoln was a bibliophile too. When Lincoln spent some time with his friend Joshua Speed during the summer of 1841, while in Kentucky, it was Speed's mom who gave Lincoln an Oxford Bible to read. And after Lincoln returned to the judicial circuit in the fall, he penned this to Speed's sister in Kentucky: "Tell your mother that I have not got her 'present' with me; but that I intend to read it regularly when I return home. I doubt not that it is really, as she says, the best cure for the 'Blues' could one but take it according to the truth." He longed for the Word knowing what a comfort God's Scriptures would be for a Christian, for Lincoln battled feeling the blues especially during that January after breaking an engagement with Mary Todd Lincoln.

Are you a real Christian who loves the Bible? You can be! Lincoln also said, "All the good the Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it."

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Got Any Family Traditions At The Start Of A New Year?

Do you have a family tradition at the start of each new year ..or maybe at the end of each year?

As a little kid, my family would always go down to Mexico at the tail end of each year on what we called “The Desert Trip” ...with some five van-loads of off-the-chain-kids and of course, with my big German shepherd named, Blitzen.
You see my dad owned a camp business that his dad (Bill) had started early in the last century and my two brothers, Kevin, Kyle and my little sister Kathy and I always had a lot of fun jumping off rocky gorges into sand, eating raw eggs, exploring small bat caves (man, no insurance company today would ever cover the stuff we did back then..).
But we camped out by the Salt Sea and in the huge sand dunes of SoCal and in Mexico each year and would have a great time throwing fireworks with our Mexican friends. Then we would enjoy being with my parents (among all the young campers) as my parents would celebrate their wedding anniversary on December 29th. Our family didn’t have a pile of money you see and there were only certain days that all of us kids and all our Tom Sawyer Camp friends would get free from school to go on such a trip.
Us guys would always enjoy proving to the world that we were real men too (even though we were really just snotty nose little boys who were simply out for some adventure), and we would do this by jumping off bridges, going swimming in the frigged Colorado river, and by catching diamond back and sidewinder rattlers or tarantulas or fat scorpions in the sand. We’d even bring these creatures home to take to school for show and tell and my parents would let us too, except for the snakes that we had to leave at home in an empty fish aquarium so they wouldn’t bite and kill any classmates.
We had some wild and crazy family traditions at year’s end, but none of us in my family knew our Maker in a personal way back then. It wasn’t until the late ’70s that all that changed. Maybe you to have had some traditions that were quite cool as well.
You know, one of the greatest things that you and I could do at the beginning of each new year is to start over again in our relationship with God, making sure that all our sins of omission and commission are under the blood of Jesus (and sure we should be quick to confess and repent all through the year as we need to, but I’m talking about a full recommitment at the start or end of each year here). We could also start over with the Bible as well. I hope that you’ve firmly committed yourself to daily Bible study for 2009. Maybe you have and move through it at a slower pace. I enjoy doing that, so keep going. We need all those chapters!
Check it out, the Bible won’t bite you like my snakes or my skunk (Thumper) would want to do, but it will help you become a real man ...young boys..as you wisely live it out. It will indeed help you grow up right and become mature women ..young girls..just like you deep down really want to become.
Perhaps you would like some practical daily fishin' for people ideas that you can read along with pouring over the Scriptures (which is more IMPORTANT of course..) just to help you out in this area. I encourage people to read one of mine each week just to be encouraged. I also really like the devos from Skip Heitzig a lot (you can even hear him daily if you would like..) and the Blue Letter Bible reading plan.
How else will you stay strong in the Lord or walk pure in such a filthy world, if you are negligent or spiritually malnourished Christian? We are either going forwards or backwards spiritually—we choose daily! The Bibles asks, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation” (Heb. 2:3, nkjv)? The Bible promises us, “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Ps. 119:165).
Listen, if you have no supernatural peace inside of you, you are not loving God’s law enough. Simple as that! His Book will keep you from sin, but sin will keep you from His Book! You might even think you are a real Christian because you were raised in a church where the Bible was taught, but God’s peace is to rule in your heart every day and if you lack such peace …something is seriously wrong with your ultimate connection! Are you in the darkness right now (I’m not talking about suffering in the middle of some trail or testing time here)? He can help you out. God’s “words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Ps. 119:130). You can know for sure that you are right with God today! Now is good for addressin' that. Now is better than later, cuz not to decide..is to decide. today! Take a moment to read a bit more. Facebook.com/shareJesus

Friday, January 16, 2009

Got A Moment For A Survey?

Serving neighbors and lovingly getting to know them has always been so important. Man, this interests me today, but I have a lot to learn in this area. I wanna get better.


Now I’ve only got a few minutes to post something here today, but I do have a few questions for you. I hope you don't mind. In an effort to make real friends, do you email a lot, use Twitter (if so, feel free to join me), have a blog, or maintain a website? For many people the www stands for: world wide wasteoftime, but it doesn’t have to be that way for you.


Perhaps you use Plaxo or Linkedin for business and then wonder why you are even in there clicking on links. I’ve messed around some in each these social networks. Why? Well, because I’m a High-I-socializer—a full-blown Sanguine and I enjoy interacting with people. But I certainly don’t feel I’m very techno-savvy or good at this stuff. There seems to be a lot of unwritten rules with each of these companies that urks a Noobie like me.


Perhaps you are using MySpaceID, Google Friend Connect or Facebook Connect to generate more two way conversations, some more interactive traffic to your cause or sites ..or simply to let your friends know more about your interests as these OpenId* services leave a tracks in your SN-feed. I’ve been using them a tiny bit.

Anyways, I’ve got a moment for a short survey and you can respond if you like using disqus or the comment field at the bottom here? I’m just curious that's all…

Q: What is your favorite social network today (if you use one..) and what are you primarily using it for ..or aiming to do with it?

A. To get or to stay close to friends or family members.

B. To meet new friends and avoid growing bored at home all alone.


C. To market one or more products or services or charitable causes.


D. To Develop a label or identity for your business.


E. To get your particular “message” (of valid warning out, or maybe some kind of positive proclamation) out.. as far and wide ...and as efficiently as you can. 


F. Other (please explain in a sentence or two).

It’s about proper communication with your neighbor! Lately, I have been vicariously enjoying other people’s conversations and fellowship (that they themselves have made public to me in their social networks..) and I am learning too. How cool it that?

In fact I enjoy listening (reading) more than I enjoy putting out my own blah, blah (typing—I can’t learn very much when my gums are flappin’ in the wind). Communicating digitally can be fun. Did you know that eRol interestingly enough, did a study recently and found that two thirds of students check email once a day. And 55 percent of them check their email inboxes three or more times per day?


Here are the preferred means of communication for college kids today:

Text messaging (37%)

Email on a computer (26%)

Social networking IM (15%)

Instant messaging (11%)

Social networking email (11%)

Email on a mobile device (12%)

Did you know that 85% of students who visit social network sites use them to see what their friends are up to and 70% participate in SN-based message boards to communicate with friends. On average, 18-24 year old students are hanging out on these sites for 6.5 hours a week. Students claim to have an average of 111 friends across many profiles online, changing the definition of today’s peer group and the way in which young people connect with each other. And 61 percent of students on social networking sites say they are interacting with people they have never even met in person** (please do be careful to protect yourself against identity theft, my not posting any critical personal info for the world to see).

Did you know that more than 80 percent of college students send and receive text messages, averaging 115 messages per month? It’s even reported that 80 percent of responses to offers delivered via cell phones to students occur within the first hour after they receive any kind of marketing.


I know in my family, that all three of my sons would much rather send text messages to us as well..or simply call us on their cell phones, than use any other tools (hey, do I sound like I’m from another era here?).


Yes, teens today, 13 to 17 years old, on average send and receive about 1,742 text messages per a month. Teens also talk on the phone mega-gobs but at a much lower rate (perhaps you’ve been paying for their minutes).. only making and receiving about 231 calls per month. One report even suggests that tweens ..or kids under the age of 12 are also heavy text users, averaging about 428 messages per month.


Of course there will be times for each of us to appropriately sever destructive friendships—you know, DELETE—but man, doesn’t it seem like there has been a whole lot of digital-relationship-building going on this decade? So many wise people I know are really good at it too—they’ve actually added value to my life and family. Hey, I’m grateful! Thanks (and you know who you are out there).


God certainly doesn't need you or I... nor our money to accomplish His goals, but I would still challenge you to consider using your profile (in your particular social network etc.) for the Lord and His eternal purposes. It's a privilege and there is nothing to be nervious about! Tactful e-saturation-evangelism is happening already! If you happen to be a secret agent saint online or off, I challenge you to be brave and come out of your MySpace closet so to speak (or better yet, come out of your prayer closet to go tell). What are you afraid of? Sure, some of us might catch some flack from mockers here and there, and people are indeed watching you, but there are people to win! Be like Paul who said, "I am not ashamed for the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16). Puters and web-use don’t have to be a time-waste at all! All this can become related to the last part of Christ’s command regarding your neighbors, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself'" (Lk. 10:27). But perhaps you’d personally like to address the more important, first part of His command as well. Go for it today before you do anything else! Hey ..you'll never be lonely or empty again!


*OpenID eliminates the need for multiple usernames across different websites, simplifying your online experience.

**Info on this, click here.

Fish4Souls.org

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Benefits From Knowing Absolute Truth

Liney and I had a great day today. Guess what.. I was so blessed to meet, Prof Howard G. Hendricks, from Dallas Theological Seminary--a real under-hero of mine. This man can teach. I've read some of his stuff. Be in a HURRY to buy his books before you buy shoes even! Anyways, I was asking him to give up some funny but true stories on one of his old students from back in the day.. Chuck Swindoll. He laughed and just said, Well we had a lot of fun together. Man, these guys are men of grace and of the Word (There doesn't seem to be too many Bible expositors like them left). They are indeed not perfect and would be the first to tell you that, but these men are not known for trafficking in trendy half-truths or fashionable lies. They want to help you (they're committed to this end).. and they know that the real battle is for you mind and where you'll spend your future permanently. What about you? Have you made reservations in advance. Please say you have (make this duty number one)! But what exactly do you traffic in? Is your truth like.. as valid and valuable as my truth ..even if they are totally opposite from each other?


Is there such a thing as error today, that when believed in, can lead a person to hell?


Are Christians supposed to be more known for all the things they vehemently oppose and loath than for what they are avidly for and love? What is the Church really to all about negativity, non-stop "possitiiiiv-ity" or what’s real from God's point of view?


I say it’s to be about its Father’s business, with others in mind. We are to be realists who care about people literally bound by lies.


Did you recognize the last time when you were duped? How about the person who deceived you, did he or she know that they were deceived themselves? Maybe they did are were totally evil. When a thief slips into your house to rip you off, do they do it during high traffic times in your living room and kitchen areas? Don’t they kinda want to get in and out quietly.. quickly, silently.. without you noticing them or that flat screen under their arm like a surfboard? That’s how the minions of the pit work—they like to kill, steal and destroy.. slow, quick.. any way they can. They even mix in half truths with lies, wrong applications, and parts of Bible verses twisted and quoted out of context. I see them give out sharp looking DVDs with pictures of an angel (i.e., Moroni), harps, choirs, and beautiful stained-glass windows on the packaging.


“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 Jn. 1:7, nkjv).


How are you practically dealing with it in advance.. when your kids are being taught misinformation at school that will not only not help them in the future, but will actually hinder them in life? Are you simply countering that by telling them sweet fairy tales when they go to bed? Are you just allowing the TV or computer games to baby-sit your children for hours, so they can get a firm grip on Hollywood’s perverse values as you get a much needed break with a friend?


Lord, grant to me a fiery zeal that blazes bright within my heart--'cause I never wanna depart! In your might, give me more light.. a burning holy passion like Yours for truth, my peeps, and all that’s right!


In a deceptive culture, a discerning, prayerful Christian’s very presence is convicting! No one in the world can ever short-circuit clean life in Jesus! An equipped Christian parent leaning on the Lord is like a strong umbrella of protection.


In a confusing age of shifting moral standards and whims, a confident Christian is like a magnate. It’s ’cause of the never changing Person living BIG on the inside!


In an angry, dark world, a joy filled Christian who loves the truth is a BRIGHT LIGHT ..so that others will be able to clearly see the Way!


“Can’t happen! Man, Christians are not supposed to be that way.. exuberant, awake, epervesant, fresh-thinking” ...say many people. Some exclaim, “They’re supposed to be morbid, sullen, harsh, lethargic, morose, depressed, light-years behind the times, intensely serious, gloomy, and hyper-pious looking down their noses at people.”


Did you know that cults, sowing the subtle seeds of real heresy, feed off complacent ho-hum churches and grow numerically from an influx of downer Christians?


Secular progressive worldlings might also expect Christians to be the inner-conviction-police ..of others, motivated to monitor “their behaviors” to help them by controlling em and manipulating via pressure and forced-guilt.


I say a real Christian must have contagious, infectious faith ..or they might not be. What do they talk about with genuine excitement? Don't tell me it's the Dallas Cowboys or Nascar? You can tell that I live in the south huh.


I know that it can be challenging to stick with the truth sometimes. But the fall-out if we don’t—the consequences of unchecked deception—man, they are beyond lethal! Make the right choice: Stick with the truth. It won’t change!


“You have exalted above all things your name and your word” (Ps. 138:2, nkv).


Some Benefits From Knowing Absolute Truth


1. It gives stability to our faith (for Christians). Minus knowing the truth ..we’ve got fickle emotions to build and go on. They go up and then down again and again, like a rollercoaster all over the place. But obeying the truth of the Word is like constructing a house on a very solid foundation. Jesus talked about such a life.. “it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Matt. 7:25-26).


2. It strengthens you through times of testing and trial. For this reason, Peter declared, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice..” (1 Pet. 4:12-13 Please do read these verses in context to get the full-orbed picture).


3. It enables you to properly handle the Bible, so you can rightly divide the Word (see 2 Tim. 2:15).


4. It enables you to detect and confront error head-on with tact and wisdom ..in a world that is full of it. Find “out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:10-11).


5. It allows the Christian to minister with confidence. The Bible says, “..it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to His promise with confidence” (Heb. 6:18).


6. It releases us from negative fears, confusion, chaos, weird myths and superstitions. We don’t fight for victory as much as we fight from victory (it happened on the cross), “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” (2 Cor. 10:4-5, nkjv).


“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Eph. 4:25).


Q&A:

* Got areas of deception in your private or public life? How about in your valuable marriage? How about in your school or work life? How about in your off duty social life or other relationships?

* What do you really need to, “put off falsehood and speak truthfully to [your] neighbor” today?

* If your existence has taken a downwards turn into a pattern of deception, idol-worship, compromise and lies, can you start the process of turning around to Him with confession, repentance, restitution and full-returning to the truth with one small step after another? You’re only an honest prayer away from God. Are you willing to contact the person you have lied to and then confess the facts as they are—the truth? Think about it.. the earthly consequences you might face here are far less serious than the long-term eternal consequences of allowing deception to go on unchecked!


Wondering about things pertaining to salvation? Got some more questions?


Wondering about other topics, cults or aberrant Christian groups that deny the basic tenants of our faith?

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