This week I received mail from a credit card company that touts their product is as easy to use as “tap, pay, & go”.

Similarly, when it comes to Discipleship, all that is required is TAP, PAY, & GO.

• Many years ago, someone TAPPED me on the shoulder and asked me if I would lead a closing prayer. And the more I said yes, the more responsibility came my way.
• But eventually, I had to PAY. This happened when I was asked to teach someone the Gospel. I was not prepared for that. I had to study a few scriptures.
• After a week of studying 16 scriptures, I was ready to GO.

It takes a lot of TAPPING, PAYING, and GOING for us to be a healthy church. Healthy churches:

• TAP: Give out assignments (Acts 13:2).
• PAY: Equip their Saints (Eph.4:11-16).
• GO: Send missionaries (Acts 1:8; 8:1).

Many years ago, it was Isaiah’s shoulder that was being TAPPED. Isaiah 6:8 (ESV) — 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Friend, the next time your “shoulder is tapped”, if it is at all possible, will you answer: Here I am! Send me?

 

 

According to a study from Duke University, roughly 40% of a person’s actions don’t happen because we make a conscious decision.  This 40% of our actions are determined by habit.  Wendy Wood, in her session at the American Psychological Association’s 122nd annual convention, discussed habits. She explains, “Habits allow us to focus on other things…Willpower is a limited resource, and when it runs out you fall back on habits.”

When our willpower is low, habits kick in.  This can be very comforting if our habits are positive and constructive.  Remember that Daniel had a habit of praying three times every day.  But if our habits are destructive or negative it can be terrifying and usually damaging to our lives and relationships.  Don’t be fooled though, we create our habits.  Negative or positive they are the product of our choices.

What kind of habits have we chosen to create?  Do we need to change our habits? Are we willing to change them?  Start taking action.  Make a conscious decision to act differently and it will eventually become a habit.  With the right effort and direction it’ll be a good habit, and good habits die hard too.

 

1 Samuel 4, 5, and 6 tell us of the mighty power of God…

Israel went out to war with the Philistines.  Israel lost 4,000 men.  When the soldiers got back into camp they asked the elder’s of Israel, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today against the Philistines?”  They said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant to our camp.” So Eli’s two sons Hophni and Phinehas came with the Ark.  Israel had not followed God’s word and Eli’s two sons did evil things and they had no regard for the Lord.

When the Ark of the Lord came into camp, all Israel raised a great shout, so much the ground shook.  Hearing the uproar the Philistines knew God had come into the Israelite camp.  They said “we are doomed! “ This is the same God, who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues.

But, the slaughter was great, Israel lost 30,000 foot soldiers and they captured the Ark of the Covenant and Eli’s two sons were killed.  The Philistines put the Ark of God into the temple of their god Dagon.  The next morning Dagon had fallen on his face on the ground before the Ark (Imagine That), so they stood him back up and left.  The next morning his hands and his feet had been broken off and Dagon was fallen on his face again to the Ark of God.  The Lord’s hand was heavy on the Philistines and brought devastation and tumors on the people until they returned the Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites.

Brothers and Sisters, we see here an example of the Power of Our God.  We find many lessons in these 3 Chapters.   Israel thought they didn’t need God so they went into battle without him and got slaughtered.  We cannot go into this world and fight our everyday battles of temptation, evil, and trials without God and His guidance through the Bible.  When we have God on our side we have to obey him and reach out for Him all the time.  Our last lesson is our God is the only God.  I think it is funny that Dagon, their man-made god, was bowing down to the Ark of God.  We see how powerful our God is.  Read Psalm 104 and you will see another example of the Power of God.  He is great, clothed with honor and majesty.  Our God will never leave us or forsake us.

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, Deuteronomy 7:9.

 

This is a current offer, for your viewing pleasure: “A Netflix Film: EXTREMELY WICKED; SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE.”

In our day it is popular to call evil either good, a disease, or a reason to be proud. Recently I was quickly “corrected” for calling drunkenness evil – instead of a disease. But lest you feel I am the first person to be so confronted, consider the Prophet Isaiah. Israel, God’s choicest, self-planted, vine was producing bad fruit (Isaiah 5:1-7). So, God lists their six sins and judgments: Greed; drunkenness; deceit; twisting truth; arrogant; & no justice (Isa.5:8-24). Specifically, in twisting the truth God says through Isaiah: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (5:20 -ESV)!

Isn’t it crazy how we can be so vocally involved in determining the right or wrong of a Horse Race but then are silent against the prevailing evil of our day? Are we perhaps failing to “interpret the signs of the times” (Mt. 16:3)?

Friend, why would Netflix ever think anyone would want to watch a movie that is “extremely wicked, shockingly evil, and vile”?

Our Father in Heaven – protect your born-again children from the evil one. Help us to always be your positive bright shining beacons of hope. Through Jesus Christ we pray … and the church said … AMEN!

 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7

May is mental health awareness month.  One in five people struggle with mental health issues. In a congregation of about 200 people, that’s 40 of us. Personally, I have a brother-in-law and two nephews who have struggled with depression, that I know of and maybe more.

The mental and physical health impacts of workplace burnout and stress are estimated to cost as much as $190 billion per year in healthcare spending in the US.  Poor work-life balance increases your risk for health conditions like sleep problems, digestive disorders, and mental health problems.

In 2018, Cincinnati Children’s Emergency Department treated 8,500 people for mental health issues.  Suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of death in ages 10-24.

It’s time to “Stop the Stigma and Start the conversation.”  Lauri Taylor, author of “The Accidental Truth”, who spent years privately investigating her mother’s murder only to learn that she had died by suicide says “mental health is the killer.  Stigma is the accomplice.”

If you struggle with any type of mental health issue:

First and foremost, get professional help.  Talk to Neville.  He is a trained counselor and an excellent resource.  If he is unable to help you, he can probably refer you to someone who can help. Know that suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problem.

Know that God loves you.  He wants a relationship with you.  In Genesis 2, God walked through the garden in the cool of the day with Adam and Eve.  God sent his son, Jesus, to reconcile us to Him in one body through the cross (Eph 2:16).

Know that God’s family loves you.  Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house…or mother or father…for my sake…who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time…and in the age to come eternal life.”  You have a family that loves you and cares for you right here, in the family of God.

 

Over the years Dr. John Gottman developed four predictors that showed the breakdown in relationships.

He called the greatest of these destructive behavior patterns, “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” Specifically, they are (http://www.gottman.com/research/research-faqs/ retrieved from the web 10/03/13):

CRITICISM: stating one’s complaints as a defect in one’s partner’s personality, i.e., giving the partner negative trait attributions. Example: “You always talk about yourself. You are so selfish.”

CONTEMPT: statements that come from a relative position of superiority. Contempt is the greatest predictor of divorce and must be eliminated. Example: “You’re an idiot.”

DEFENSIVENESS: self-protection in the form of righteous indignation or innocent victim-hood. Defensiveness wards off a perceived attack. Example: “It’s not my fault that we’re always late; it’s your fault.”

STONEWALLING: emotional withdrawal from interaction. Example: The listener does not give the speaker the usual nonverbal signals that the listener is “tracking” the speaker.

So, what are the antidotes for these relational slayers?

CRITICISM: I can see the conquering White horse of Revelation 6:2 running roughshod over a gentle family with a relentless barrage of criticism. There is a big difference in stating something critically versus a complaint that seeks resolution. The antidote is a complaint that begins with a gentle appeal for help. For instance: I need your help (Gentle). When there are dirty dishes in the sink I react poorly (specific action or behavior that “I” react badly to). I’d like to keep the kitchen sink clean (desired change in behavior). What are you willing to do to help have a cleaner sink and a less cranky me (solicit input to the desired outcome)?

CONTEMPT: Next, the Black horse, with its judging scales rides in. It is so superior as it contemptuously enforces its superiority. The antidote is to rather notice something “praiseworthy” and to verbalize it (Phil.2:3-4).

DEFENSIVENESS: Then the Red horse comes in “slaying one another”. The antidote is to find some way to take some responsibility.

STONEWALLING: Finally, the Pale horse of death comes in. The antidote is to stay in the conversation. When the emotions become overwhelming, take a break. But then come back and find a resolution (Eph.5:26).

Friend, you would do well to recognize the signs of the onset of these “Four Horsemen” to prevent conflict (cause and reaction). Try your best to never break another down. Learn instead to compromise.

 

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)” ²³Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ²⁴Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”

 

We have significant privileges associated with our life in Christ, but we have to overcome doubts and questions to grow our faith. We cannot have improper motives or half-heartedly participate in church, but we must come with a pure heart and be sincere in our worship.

 

We will face many spiritual struggles and personal difficulties as we live in this world, but we must motivate one another and worship together. We worship together to share our faith and to strengthen one another in Christ.

 

As we face struggles and difficulties, we should challenge ourselves to grow in faith and to live in obedience to God each day because He who promised is faithful!

 

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

The life of a Christian should be the envy of the whole world.  There is no other way of living that offers such purpose, security, peace, and wholeness as we have in Christ.  In the Sunday morning adult class, we spent the past 3 weeks looking at the evidence for the Bible being the authentic Word of God.  The truth is, we could have skipped all that study if we just grasped one truth.  That is the Word of God transforms us and enables us to live life abundantly, just like Jesus said.  The real proof is the fruit.

If you have been a Christian for a while, it is easy to get used to all the blessings that we have in Christ and to stop noticing how wonderful life is.  It is healthy to take inventory of life to see how much abundance is growing inside of you.  I don’t mean to calculate your net worth or to compare your lawn to your neighbors.  Instead take stock of the fruits of the Spirit that are growing in you.  How is your crop of love?  Do you have some extra joy that you can share with someone who is discouraged?  Does your peace cause your coworkers to wonder how you stay so calm amid the chaos of the office?

The limited space of this article prevents me from asking about all nine of the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  But, take a minute to reflect on how abundantly they are growing inside of you.  If you find abundance, thank God and share it.  If you find the crop to be lacking, check your connection with Jesus.  Our Good Shepherd came so that we can have life and have it abundantly.  There is nothing more beautiful than a Christian life!

 

There comes a time when it becomes obvious that something must be done. For me, it was this week. My embarrassment peaked when I had to pull over (on highway 27) to fill up the air on my left front bald tire. One of our fellow Sunday worshipers even spotted me and offered to help. So, the next person I spoke to was Tire Discounters. However, for my safety, he insisted on changing out both front tires. Why did I put up with a balding tire so long?

Friend, what should we do about the spiritual balding areas in our lives?

Speaking through the prophet Joel, God says:Joel 2:12–13 (ESV) — 12 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

God does not want us to buy those cheap old tires next to the road. Nor does He want us to get the retread tires. Instead, He tells us exactly what to do to make ourselves new:

• “Yet even now” – make no mistake, this is a time sensitive matter. In Joel’s day, it was referred to as the “day of the Lord” (1:15; 2:1,11, 31; 3:14). The 1st application was God’s current fierce anger towards His enemies. The 2nd was the day Jesus came into the world – during the time of Herod. For us, those two events have passed. There is very little time left.
  • “Return to me” – not to a toxic friend or situation.
  • “With all your heart” – your whole being in complete loyalty. God will not share you. It is all or nothing!
  • This will require:
  o Fasting (what you put into your body must cease).
  o Crying (what must come out of your body is tears).
  o Mourning (a deep form of internal regretful grief).
  • In other words, “rend your hearts and not your garments”. You must change from the inside. A facade will just not do!

At this point, Joel begs the people to “return to the LORD your God”. As with my tires, you might be procrastinating – making up excuses as to why you should not ACT NOW!

• It will cost too much – But Joel says YAHWEH is “gracious”.
  • I am too far gone – but YAHWEH is “merciful”.
  • He will be angry – YAHWEH is “slow to anger”.
  • He will be harsh – YAHWEH is “abounding in steadfast love”.
  • He could not possibly overlook this – “and he relents over disaster”.

Friend, those balding tires are starting to look bad! Your life is unraveling before your very eyes. So, what is keeping you from rending your heart, right now, so that Jesus, (who is seated on the throne) – can make “all things new” (Rev.21:5)?

Lord, today I return to you with all my heart. I pledge to starve my passions, see my tears, Lord, hear my mourning. Dear, Father in heaven, restore my soul – make me new. Through Your Son and My Savior, I pray. Amen.