No Really, It's Better Than Twilight.

Mind if I ask you where your Bible is?

Assuming you found it,  now let me ask you if you can make pictures on its cover with your finger due to the thick layer of dust that has formed on it over the years..

Please don't answer that.

Before you start justifying yourself, you may as well stop. I've said all those things before, too.

Something I have noticed among Christians today is a startling amount of Bible illiteracy.

I myself am guilty as charged. Disciplining yourself to read God's word can be a challenge at times. But this isn't just your average library book we're neglecting here. This is God's Word. The Life Manual of all Life Manuals. God's Love Letter to His people!

I think part of the problem is that we:

A. Underestimate the redemptive, instructive, prophetic, and healing power of the Word.

B. Just don't take the time to read anymore. We have the attention span of fish. (I blame YOU, Bill Gates!)

But really, it's mostly the former. Because Bill Gates helped make this post happen. I'm sorry I took my anger out on you, Bill. May I call you Billy?

For the sake of prioritizing what is most important and eliminating a whiney rant about the youth of the 21st century that we've all heard ad nauseam, I am going to focus the majority of this post on "A."

When Jesus was led into the desert at the start of His ministry, the devil tempted Him after He had been fasting for forty days and forty nights.

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” [Matthew 4:3-4]

We'd totally freak out if we couldn't eat for an entire day, wouldn't we?
Or if we forgot to take our medicine when we were incredibly ill?


So why don't we freak out if we don't read the Bible for a day? A week? MONTHS? 


2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

When we choose not to expose ourselves to God's living and operative Word, we are numbing ourselves from hearing His voice, stunting our spiritual growth, and (more tragic than anything else) denying ourselves the irreplaceable experience of getting to know Him better.

Just like eating ensures that we receive the necessary nutrition we need to function, reading the Word on a regular basis ensures that we receive necessary spiritual nourishment for our souls.

In Psalm 119, King David passionately talks to God about the preciousness of His Word, which is great incentive for us as well:

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
   By living according to your word. 
I seek you with all my heart;
   do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you. 

[Psalm 119:9-11]

Listen, the Bible is a big book. Digging into God's Word every day doesn't mean you have to take it in large chunks. There are no rules, so long as you Nikeify yourself and 

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't do it alone! There are dozens of helpful Bible-reading programs to help you best understand and organize your daily time with God.

Like me! Click me!

Take it in little increments if that's what works best for you. Just be sure to take time to ruminate over God's "living and active" Word (Hebrews 4:12). I will if you will! After all, when someone writes you a love letter, the least you can do is read it.

Besides, God's passionate love for us is so much more thrilling than whatever the heck is going on between Bella and Lusty McWerewolf. Save them for another time. 

Or not.

A Wholly Christian

We hear the word all the time.

• "Look at the way he walks around. Totally holier than thou."
• "Holy mackerel!"* 

*Psst! Over here! Because you know you've always wanted to know..

Definition of Mackerel: a migratory surface-dwelling predatory fish, commercially important as a food fish. 

And according to elderly people who use this phrase often, a very sacred fish. 

• The Holy Bible

You get the idea. But what exactly do we mean when we say the word "holy"?

The dictionary definition is as follows.

ho·ly

adjective /ˈhōlē/ holier, comparative; holiest, superlative Dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred - the Holy Bible - the holy month of Ramadan (of a person) Devoted to the service of God - saints and holy men Morally and spiritually excellent - I do not lead a holy life Used as an intensifier - having a holy good time Used in exclamations of surprise or dismay - holy smoke!

That seems about right. But did you know that the Hebrew word for holy, qadosh, actually means "to be set apart for a special purpose"?

Things suddenly just got infinitely more interesting. Admit it. It's easy for a lot of us to glaze over in boredom when we hear someone refer to something as "holy". Many of my non-Christian friends would agree that it conjures up images of a "prude", the convent, and high-waisted, pleated pants and pearl necklaces.


For many, they may hear the word "holy", but in their minds it's something more like...


NO! RESTRICTIONS! I'M BORED! MOTHER THERESA! MAKE IT STOP!


Hey, I get it. Over the years, ritualistic, organized religion has distorted the way others perceive spirituality, especially the Christian life. Most don't think of it as a personal relationship with God, and a way of life, but just one seemingly-endless set of rules.


But what if we looked at the word "holy" the way C.S. Lewis did?

"How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing...it is irresistible. If even 10 percent of the world’s population had it, would not the whole world be converted and happy before the year’s end?"

Quite a different outlook, isn't it? As Christians, we are called to be wholly holy. In Leviticus 19:2, God flat out tells us "Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy." But what does that mean? What does that require of me? Isn't going to church on Christmas and Easter good enough?


To examine this, let's go back to the Hebrew definition of the word: to be set apart for a special purpose.


In the above quote, C.S. Lewis says that real holiness is irresistible, which implies that there is then a "fake" counterpart. The Hebrew definition of holy that is used in the Bible mentions two key things that will determine what authentic holiness in the life of someone looks like.


1. The individual is set apart.


2. The individual has a special purpose.

The first part of the definition is perhaps the hardest to address. When you become a Christian, Jesus said: 

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." -Luke 9:23

 This is not to be taken lightly. Literally. Those Roman crosses were heavy. The crushing weight Jesus must have felt on his shoulders and his entire body, especially after just having been flogged with a flesh-tearing whip with glass and other sharp pieces at the end of it (not even taking into account his incredible amount of blood loss, deep wounds, and dehydration), must have been incredible. And THIS is the analogy Jesus uses to describe our Christian walk?


Yes.


But as the title of this blog will tell you, we are "more than conquerers through him who loved us". And that's a promise.


Taking up our cross and following Him comes in many different forms.


-Trials of various kinds
-Persecution
-Illness
-Adversity


Et cetera et cetera. The Christian life is hard to stick to, friends. It isn't a fluffy, delusional, fairy tale existence. It demands radical discipleship. Yes, the demands are high. But "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The apostle Peter gives us a less abstract, more applicable way of looking at what it means to have the "stuff" it takes to persevere in the faith and maintain holiness that is pleasing to God:

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love." (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Sorry. I didn't say it would be easier.


The reason why I initially said that being set apart would be the hardest to address is because lets just be real here...


NO ONE wants to be convicted.


Just take a gander at that list Peter dishes out for us. Among the other necessary attributes of the believer is also the word self-control. This very word and what it means in our lives today was my very inspiration for writing this post, mostly because it is so difficult to exercise. Americans like to indulge all of their appetites, and often. We crave immediacy. We develop obsessions. All of this self-sacrifice stuff that Jesus preaches just doesn't fit into all of that. But this is what He is calling us to; no exceptions. This is where being set apart really comes in. Either you're committed to Christ and are willing to be separate from that which causes you to stumble in repeated sin, or you're in the world and living for yourself.


You know how nasty lukewarm yogurt is when it's been sitting out for a while? No one wants to eat it. The consistency is nauseating. Might as well just toss it when it gets to that point, because it will only go bad in a short period of time.


Well, that's kind of like how we are when we try to dabble a little bit in the heavenly world and a little bit in this one. We are of no use to His kingdom, because we are not really committed to Him to begin with. You can't serve two masters.


Sorry, gross analogy. But true.


Pastor Greg Laurie cut right to the truth in one of his messages when he said that the reason more people don't convert to Christianity isn't for lack of evidence, but a lack of desire to change their way of living. Holiness cannot come without God's help to override these dangerously powerful strongholds in our hearts. If we do not call on Him to help us, any hopes of achieving long-lasting self-control are useless.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." -1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The second element of holiness is being aware of your "special purpose". So now, not only is it important to be "set apart" from worldly temptations, but to be separated from them in order to do what God called us to do.


 Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus told his disciples, 

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." -Matthew 29:19-20


This is everyone's call, and it is serious stuff. After reading the Great Commission, it becomes easy to see why trying to balance living for the world and living for Christ doesn't work. Jesus' call is all-encompassing, and frankly, there is nothing more important than serving the Creator of the Universe. But that's just my opinion.


But what is so beautiful is that there are so many ways in which we can obey Jesus' call using our own individual talents, gifts, and interests. Within His Great Commission is a more specific will for your life that is unique to you and your circumstances, relationships, and environment. But only when you begin a relationship with Him and devote yourself to prayer and reading the Word regularly will you be able to discover what exactly that is.


What you can be certain of? God has a plan for you. Right where you're at. Right now.


And these aren't little errands I'm talking about, either. Shame on us if we ever make our God that small! God wants to use you in major ways for His Kingdom. It seems like a huge responsibility, I know. But we just happen to serve a huge God. Not only is He vast, but He is also omnipotent. And not only is He omnipotent, but He has perfect timing. Even more mind-blowing? He loves us passionately and wants to see us succeed as we glorify Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Who would've ever thought that one little Hebrew word yielded so much responsibility?

Christianese.

Have you ever heard use that term before? I hadn't until last night. But here's the definition (taken from the Urban Dictionary website):

Christianese

Christianese is the language spoken by Christians. It makes no sense to anyone unfamiliar with biblical texts, but earns you major points in the eyes of other Christians, because it means your words are hella holy. Common examples include: old man/new man, unblemished lamb, fruit of the spirit, washed in the blood, and let's not forget the ever popular born again. Christian: Brother, I felt like I was really backsliding, so I crucified my old man and put on my new man, and now the fruit of the spirit is evident in my life! Non-Christian: What did you just say? You speakin' Christianese?

Okay so, it's kind of funny. Kind of. But looking at the different definitions of the word on the website and how others described Christianity in association with it made me feel incredibly sad. There was so much mockery, underlying cynicism and scorn. I can't say that I'm surprised by this; Christianity can oftentimes appear to be a difficult and strange concept to understand. Brilliant theologian Charles Spurgeon addresses it this way:

"The world loves not the non-conformity of nonconformity, or the dissidence of dissent; it would have us be more charitable and not carry matters with too severe a hand. Death to the world, and burial with Christ, are experiences which carnal minds treat with ridicule, and hence the ordinance which sets them forth is almost universally neglected, and even condemned."

And though this is true and frustrates me deeply, this is not what bothers me in this particular case.

I am troubled about why there is a need for the term to begin with. What does the term's existence say about how we communicate with others as Christian people? About our ministry and evangelism?

Guys, this needs to be taken seriously. What good is it to speak in ways that others who don't know God cannot understand? How will they ever be able to hear the Good News that forever changes lives if they can't decipher what it is we're talking about  to begin with, and are instead being put off by Jesus entirely because of it?

The Gospel is for everyone, and should be presented as such. The Good News about Christ is not specific to a particular gender, race, or status. Let us not forget what Paul wrote to the Galatians,

"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." -Galatians 3:28

I am not by any means saying that we should stifle what the Holy Spirit has molded our hearts and therefore our mouths to say. What a gift it is that God's done such a work in your heart to make such heavenly speech seem second nature to you!  Let's just make sure that we are reaching others in a way that they will understand.



To put it simply...


 More of this:

      

Less of THIS:

The apostle Paul tells us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), so where better to begin this new journey of effective communication than with the Grand Communicator Himself? Join me?

(Taken from the Heartlight daily devotional that can be viewed in its entirety here)

O Father, I pray for the Holy Spirit to move

 among your people in a mighty way to break 

down barriers that divide us and give us a

 sense of our common bond  through your Holy Spirit. 

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Do You Know God?

The Devil We Know...

You know the phrase, "The devil you know is better than the devil you don't"? 
In a way, I kind of agree with that. Let's think about it.


In one sense, it is good to know the Devil so that you can identify him and therefore, avoid him like the plague. The greatest mistake we can make is believing that he doesn't exist--for that is exactly what he wants.


How can this be?


Well, if you deny his existence entirely, he can then continue to trick you and lead you into snare after lie after defeat without you even acknowledging it was he who is to blame. The cycle perpetuates, and since you are refusing to accept the source of the problem, you will not be able to stop it. So naturally, you will continue in this same miserable pattern.


You may also look at it from another perspective. Those of us who believe fully what the Bible says, that the Devil is in fact...

• The tempter (Mark 1:13, Matthew 4:3, 1 Thess 3:5, 1 Cor 7:5)
• The ruler of this earthly world (John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11)
• The adversary (1 Peter 5:8)
• The enemy (Matthew 13:25,28,39; Luke 10:19,  Acts 13:10)
• The accuser (Zech 3:1, Revelation 12:10)
• The destroyer (1 Corinthians 10:10)

...and so much more than that, will be more equipped to withstand his blows. Because there is, in fact a war going on, my friends. And it needs to be taken seriously.


 Ephesians 6:12 puts it this way: 


"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."


Sounds absolutely terrifying. Except that it isn't.


Why not?


Now here is where I get absolutely giddy with excitement. No beating around the bush here folks, because what I am about to tell you is the most important thing you could EVER understand. Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection, has already won the war against the devil.


Thaaaat's right!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -John 16:33


Those words, spoken by Jesus, provide so much truth and hope not only for you and me, but for all people for all eternity.


Friends, if you don't know a lick about Jesus, please listen. Man is sinful. Do you really need me to explain this to you? Look around, and tell me what you see. Hearts broken, standards lowered, lies believed, wounds unhealed, bitterness, violence, hatred. Apart from God, who is all that is holy and perfect, we propagate these things.


Aren't you tired of feeling the emptiness, the filth?


Parties end. The high wears off. 


The next day always comes.


But let me share with you something beautiful. Jesus knows how short we fall of his level of perfection, and loves us anyway. He loved us so much that He became a man to bridge the distance we feel from God. To experience what we experience here on earth so that we know He understands. And most important of all?


To make us clean.


No effort of our own could manage this. Contrary to what many popular religions claim, works do not get you into heaven. How could they? How could we ever be perfect enough for the one who is Perfection itself?


Jesus Christ offered himself up as a sacrifice on our behalf. That was meant to be us up there on that cross, in excruciating pain. There was no way out of our bondage until He came and took our place. He died, then rose from the dead, in the greatest event in all of history.


Because He lives, we live.


I urge you, if the Devil is placed on the throne of your heart, if he is wearing you down with his blows, his lies, and his accusations, turn to Jesus. Go to His pierced feet and ask Him to forgive you, and He will cleanse you of all impurity. He is not looking for your religion. What he wants is your heart. A relationship with you.


And I don't mean a genie-master relationship. I mean an intimate, forgiving and rejuvenating relationship with the Creator of the Universe. There is nothing else that can fill the hole in your heart meant for Him.


"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." -Revelations 3:20