Walk the Talk

 

Let’s be honest with ourselves. Sometimes we talk a good talk, but we don’t “walk the talk.” In other words, we don’t “practice what we preach.” We put on a pious show for those around us, when it serves our own interests to do so, but within our hearts we are different people altogether. Jesus told the religious pretenders of His day that they were “white-washed tombs” – pretty on the outside, but full of corruption and uncleanliness within (Matthew 23:27-28). How much do we really believe in what we “talk?”

In a small community in the Midwest, construction began on a new bar and dance hall. A great many in the little town were quite upset. They didn’t want this establishment in their area. The local church began a campaign against the facility, praying fervently that God would intervene and stop the opening of the bar. Shortly before the bar was to open, it was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. The members of the church were thrilled – that is, until the owner of the bar sued the church on the grounds that they were responsible for the destruction of his bar because they had prayed for it to fail in some way. The church members vehemently denied any responsibility for what happened, and stated they had no connection to the destruction of the bar in any way whatsoever. When the two parties appeared in court, the judge, after reviewing the evidence and the statements from both sides, commented, “I’m not sure at this point just how I’m going to decide this case, but I can say this: It appears from your respective claims that we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that does not!”

[James 5:16] Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Have you ever prayed fervently for something, and then acted surprised when you receive it? A congregation prayed and prayed that one of their members would be healed from a terrible disease. When the person was, it was overheard one of the members saying, “I wonder how that happened?” I’ve heard disciples attribute blessings to “good luck,” “chance,” and “pure coincidence.” Is it just possible that these blessings from above could have come about as a result of prayer?! Just how strong is our faith? Do you and I pray believing, or do we pray out of habit? Are we genuinely a people of abiding faith? Let’s “walk the talk.”  

[ Peter 4:12-13] …do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. When asked about their welfare, most folks will always respond, “I’m doing great!” Sometimes when they are obviously in pain they will still say, “I’m doing great!” I had one particular person explain their response to me by saying, “It makes my friends glad and my enemies mad.” There’s a lot of wisdom in that thought. Whenever I’m around a Christian who has fairly mastered the display of a joyful composure in all circumstances, I’m truly inspired. I want to be that way! I want to make the choice of a life that laughs in the face of adversity and smiles in the presence of pain. I want unending contentment and boundless tranquility in Christ. I want a bounce in my step when my load is heavy. I want my head held high when the cares of the world are threatening to pull it down. I want my suffering for Christ to be seen only by my Father while the world doesn’t have a clue. I want my countenance to make my friends glad and my enemies mad. I want to walk through life with a smile and not a frown. I want to inspire others to a greater mastery of their own problems. Prayer for the ungodly, pray for the persecuted, pray for God’s intervention.

God Has Warned Us!

 

I today am totally at odds with the foolishness of the electric mandates being shuffled into the lives of everyday people throughout the world when the cost, and reliability, and infrastructure technology is being orchestrated by people who couldn’t run a lemonade stand. Most of the “scientists” pushing this environmental calamity cannot substantiate their reason for doing what they are attempting to do short of job security. What these fools are attempting to do is impossible at this time in history. And don’t get me started on the fools organizing a one world government. Coming to a neighborhood near you is a world-wide famine due to their negligence. They are out to depopulate the world by three-quarters of its people by 2030. I have to question - who is going to feed and take care of these elite who think they are better than everyone else? If they fulfill their agenda all that will exist on this planet will be artificial intelligence, which they hope to integrate with and live forever. What a joke! They want to become as gods! There was once a team of scientists who challenged God. The said they could make a man in their own image just like He could. God said, “Well, you’ve misinterpreted that for sure, but let’s see what you got.” One scientist bent down to the ground and scooped up some dirt and God shouted, “Whoa! Wait a minute! To make this fair you’ll have to start with your own dirt!”

I beg you to pray for our country that God does not turn the whole thing over to the prince of this world. Do not give up! I pray you are prepared for the giant challenges coming our way and that your faithfulness in the Word of God does not wain.

[Romans 1:18-32] “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” God has warned us what will happen to those who refuse to obey His commands. If we don’t turn back to God, we will lose our country and our life - physical and spiritual.

Live In Humility

 

Millions of people in the United States look forward to September because of the beginning of the football season. An interesting footnote to the start of this year’s season is that the Pro Football Hall of Fame was founded sixty years ago, September 7, 1963, in Canton, Ohio. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to honor some of the National Football League’s outstanding players of the past. But recently, football players of the present have taken to honoring themselves, especially after scoring touchdowns. Some have developed elaborate touchdown celebrations in the end zone with dances, back flips, and even leaping into the stands. Some of these celebrations have become so bizarre and excessive that the NFL has adopted rules and penalties for “going too far.” These celebrating players may have problems with humility; Ya think? Their job is to score touchdowns. Are these celebrations necessary? Do these players feel their performance is not sufficiently honored or applauded? Why do they need to show off? Why do winning racecar drivers have to do burnouts? Frankly, I don’t know. I do know, however, that most of us appreciate being recognized for the work we do. We are grateful when someone acknowledges something good, we did. So, don’t feel bad if there is a time you feel overlooked, or snubbed, when your good deed goes unnoticed. Truth is, your kindness probably is not unnoticed, and further, your kindness is certainly noticed by the One whose attention really counts: GOD! Some day your name will be called, and you’ll be inducted into God’s “Hall of Fame.”

[Psalm 118:24] "This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Is that your approach to each day? Do you rejoice in whatever the day brings, or do you obsess over matters that really aren't important in the big picture? Do you allow the minutia of your life and a focus upon tomorrow to ruin the joy each day should bring? A fussy traveler was having trouble placing her belongings in the railroad coach. She put bundles first on the seat, then on the floor. She opened and closed windows, adjusted shades and fidgeted like a nervous hen. When her husband finally protested, she said, "I want to get everything fixed just right so I can enjoy the scenery in comfort." He shook his head and said, "Honey, we're not going very far, and by the time you get everything fixed the way you want it, the scenery will all be over." Many people go through life trying to get everything fixed "just right" so they can enjoy "the scenery in comfort." The sad reality is that life passes many folks by while they are fumbling around. Pity the person who is too busy getting ready for his earthly future and never sees the beauty and wonder of today. A senior citizen wrote down some powerful words along this same theme. Consider: “First, I was dying to reach my teens. And then, I was dying to get my license to drive. Then, I was dying to finish high school and start college. Then, I was dying to finish college and start working. Then, I was dying to marry and have children. Then, I was dying for my children to grow up and move out on their own. Then, I was dying to retire. Now I am dying... and suddenly I realized... I forgot to live.”

There is nothing wrong with planning for the future, though we are forbidden from worrying about it (Matthew 6:25-34). But, if our focus is always on tomorrow or next year or the next stage in life, we'll likely miss out on the beauty God has placed in today! Think about it and live now, for the Lord, rejoicing in His will and walking in the good works He has prepared for us today (Ephesians 2:10). It's good to long for heaven, but while we are in the flesh, let us focus on today (Philippians 1:21-26). “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less” – C.S. Lewis.

I Still Believe!!

 

Reno, Nevada is located farther west than San Diego, California. Look it up! While you are wondering why you have never noticed that before, you might want to grab a world map and note that Rome, Italy is located farther north than New York City. Since San Diego is on the Pacific Coast, we assume that no cities outside California could be farther west than San Diego. We picture New York City as a cold city, with long winters and heavy snowfalls, whereas Rome is considered to be warm and arid. Even though we know a little about San Diego and New York City, we should not assume that we know everything about those two places, particularly as they relate to other cities.

There was a man from Alexandria, Egypt named Apollos who was very intelligent. The Bible states that he was “…an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures” (Acts 18:24). In a day when most of the population was illiterate, one would think that Apollos had everything figured out. But that was not the case. Apollos was only aware of the baptism of John, a baptism that became obsolete once the church was established. A husband and wife, Aquila and Priscilla heard Apollos speak. They were undoubtably impressed with his speaking abilities and his interest in the things of God. But there were still things Apollos needed to know. His knowledge was abundant but not complete. So Aquilla and Priscilla “…took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).

Someone once said, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Why? Because it produces stereotypes, half-truths, misconceptions, misunderstandings, and downright lies. The church has been a victim of “a little knowledge” for centuries. Someone hears that women are not allowed to preach during worship assemblies. The perception, therefore, is that women are mistreated, second-class members. The reality, however, is that there are typically more female teachers in a church than male teachers. Since churches of Christ do not use instruments in worship, the perception is that they either do not understand music or that they just want to be different. The reality is that if one were to read the New Testament without any prior knowledge of 21^st Century worship practices, he would never have the first idea to use an instrument to worship. Acapella worship is practiced in an effort to do Bible things in Bible ways. Before you think you know everything about every subject, investigate the facts again. Francis Bacon said, “A prudent question is one half wisdom.”

[Romans 1:16] In response to a question concerning a sermon heard about Jesus never dying, only going into a coma, and being revived by the cool air in the tomb, a magazine editor replied: “In this modern age of “user friendly” theology I make no apology that I still believe in the fundamentals of the Word of God!! I believe the miracles of the Bible are true. I believe, “In the beginning, God…” I believe God created the heavens and the earth in six literal 24-hour days; that Jesus was born of a virgin; that He literally, bodily, walked the shores of Galilee; that He healed the lame, raised the dead, and caused the blind to see. I believe He went to a hill called Golgotha and willingly laid down His life for the sins of man, and yes, I believe He died on that Roman cross. I believe that in three days He literally, bodily, came forth from the tomb victorious over death, hell, and the grave. I believe He ascended back to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father, and that the same blood shed nearly 2000 years ago is still the only atoning payment for man’s sin today. And I believe that one day soon He will return for the blood-washed throng of believers, the church, to take them home to their Creator as His Bride. Scoffers and doubters may turn up their noses in disgust at old time religion, but I STILL BELIEVE!!”

Qualifications of Leadership

 

It was the reprinting in nearly every newspaper in nearly every city in America of Cato’s Letters that provided our Founding Fathers with the intellectual fuel that fed the fires of armed resistance to tyranny. John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon, the authors of Cato’s Letters, taught our ancestors as young men that kings are not above the law, and that when kings, legislators, or any other political officeholder (“magistrate” in the language of the time) forgets that he is the servant of the people and not their master, then the people are justified in reminding him of his role, peacefully, if possible, by force if necessary. On July 15, 1721, Letter No. 37 was published in London. In it, Gordon gave his readers several tests which when applied to magistrates would distinguish the “good” from the “evil” ones. The source of the standard by which the character of any magistrate could be measured was Algernon Sidney’s Discourses Concerning Government printed 1698. Gordon credits quoting Sidney to the letters being “an excellent writer” and to his Discourses Concerning Government being “eternally true.” Although it’s nearly unknown today, our Founding Fathers were of like mind when it came to Sidney and his book. In fact, Thomas Jefferson described Discourses Concerning Government as “the best elementary book of the principles of government, as founded in natural right which has ever been published in any language.”

Paraphrased and modernized in language to make it easier to understand and apply to our own time, first, here is Sidney’s list of what makes a man a good political officeholder: 1) Seeks the good of the people he represents; 2) Tries to be just and virtuous in his personal and public life; 3) Strives to be worthy of the faith and trust of his constituents; 4) Takes it upon himself to be a role model to young people by living a life devoted to truth and virtue; 5) Takes every opportunity to teach young people to love truth and virtue and to reject lies and wickedness, hoping to strengthen them before they reach the age at which temptations to lead a sinful and shameful life are strongest; 6) Does all of this, even if it might harm his career or negatively affect his popularity; 7) Always does what’s best for the people, regardless of whether it helps him or not; and, 8) Leads people to virtue.  

Now for the traits of an “evil” politician: 1) Believes that he is more important than the people he represents; 2) Does whatever it takes to stay in office, regardless of how it affects the people; 3) Sees government as a way to enrich himself; 4) Always decides how to vote on a measure by how it will affect his chances to get reelected, his public persona, or his personal wealth; 5) Never tries to find out how the people feel about the issues, as he believes himself superior to those who vote for him; 6) Tries to keep the people divided against each other and to stir up hatred among the people; 7) Knows that by keeping the people fighting each other they won’t ever realize that he is their common enemy; 8) Uses his influence to convince the people that the other party is filled with people who want to destroy them and how they are justified in avenging the wrongs done to them by the other party; 9) Calls it “sedition” or “rebellion” any time the people try to fight back and preserve their lives, liberty, and property; 10) Goes to any lengths, including lying, to hide his lack of integrity and criminal acts; 11) Teaches the youth that there is nothing wrong with lewdness or sexual immorality; and, 12) Uses all means at his disposal to keep the people ignorant, lazy, or afraid to stand up for their rights. Again, that was in the year 1721!

Not surprisingly, Gods qualifying characteristics for church leadership look like a blueprint for good political leadership – 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4. God has given us rights for life that we may be individuals to love and help one another. Government is to protect those rights.