All That Thrills My Soul

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Luke 10:27

The words above were spoken to Jesus Christ by a lawyer, seeking to justify himself. The occasion was not a rare one. Many times, throughout the text of the gospels, we find religious leaders and highly religious individuals tempt Jesus and try to trip Him up into acknowledging their righteousness. This attempt, like all of the others was centered around his works and a hope to show that they were sufficient to prove him a righteous man.

Jesus asked the man how he interpreted the law, since that was the foundation upon which he was trying to build his self-righteousness and he gave a concise, yet accurate answer, and Jesus recognized it as such. Then, in an attempt to show all around him how wonderful he was, the man asked Jesus who his neighbor was. Jesus then told the parable of the good Samaritan, and proved once and for all that no one can live up to the concept of "love thy neighbor as thyself."

I find it interesting though, that the man didn't try to tempt Jesus on the concept of loving God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind. I also think it's pretty obvious why he didn't: he knew that he'd fall flat on his face if he tried to go that route. It's easy to recognize that he, in his arrogance and pride, didn't come anywhere close to passing the first part of that test. In truth though, every one of us falls far short of passing.

Yesterday, there were countless individuals and even entire churches that proved that when they gave the Super Bowl priority over the worship of God. That said, let's not start preparing a pile of stones to throw. No, I didn't do that, and my church didn't do that, and it grieves me to think that so many did, but I can't plead complete innocence. Maybe you didn't skip church for the Super Bowl, and maybe your church didn't throw a Super Bowl party in place of a true church service, but you can't plead complete innocence either.

Have you ever allowed something to come between you and your time in prayer or in God's word? I have to admit that I have. Have you ever allowed your mind to wander while your pastor stood in the pulpit preaching? I have. It stings to admit that, but honesty demands that I must in this case. I'll even go so far as to say that I'd have a great deal of difficulty believing anyone that tries to claim that they've never done those things. This is a point that my pastor has brought out a couple of times recently, and it has been working on me last night and today.

I've dealt with this sort of thing in a couple of posts in the past. I've posted about why Jesus is Precious to the true believer and how we must be careful about Practical Idolatry when we allow other things to come in front of the Lord. Still, this is a little different. This time, it's not a generality. It's more than Jesus simply being of the greatest value, and being in first place in our lives. This time, it's about Him being our all in all at all times.

As long as we're in the flesh, we're never going to get there, and if we want to be all that we can be, we're going to have to face that. When we get to the point that we think we've arrived, no more growth can take place. Instead, this is a call to dedicate ourselves to the Lord every day. Every day, we should strive to do our duty toward God. Taking it one day at a time, we should strive to be fully His.

Does Jesus thrill your soul? If you want to love Him with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, He'll have to. If not, if you're a Christian, it's a sign that you've left your first love and need to return to Him. If not and you're not a Christian, you need to confess your sin, call upon Him, and trust in Him to be your personal Saviour. The life of the individual whose soul is thrilled by Jesus isn't a perfect life, but it is one that's dedicated to Him.

Plenty of Time

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1

"I'm going to live to be 100!" Many people have made that or similar brash statements when asked about their futures. Everyone knows that life can be cut short, but most seem to assume that it can't happen to them. The truth is far different. There are plenty of people in cemeteries all around the world that thought that same thing. Everyone thinks that they have plenty of time, but time has a way of slipping away from us.

Anyone who has ever procrastinated on a project or assignment at work or school can testify to that last sentence. What begins as seemingly more than enough time slowly, but surely, ticks down until the deadline seems to be breathing down one's neck. The decision to wait because there was "plenty of time" has been a thorn in the flesh of countless people.

When it comes to life, there's an added level of uncertainty. When dealing with an assignment at work or school, we deal with known deadlines. Life doesn't work that way. Not only do we not always know when things will happen, but often, we have no idea as to what will happen. Even when we have plans to do a certain thing at a certain time, the unexpected has a way of creeping in and forcing a change to those plans.

Sometimes the things that change on us don't have a big impact in the long run. It could be a simple visit to a friend or family member or a lunch meeting that has to be cancelled or rescheduled. In a case like that, the consequences are probably no more than a bit of disappointment. But, what if the plans in question are of a more serious nature? What if they deal with eternity?

Every day, people gamble with their souls. I'm not even talking about people who deny God and the Bible. I'm talking about people who do believe in God and believe that the Bible is true, but delay salvation because they want to "live life to the fullest." They want to have their fun while they have the opportunity, and plan to accept Jesus Christ later in life. But what if later never comes? They say, "I'll do it tomorrow," but what if there's no tomorrow?

Laying aside the fact that a life without Christ is not life to its fullest, there's an even bigger problem with that idea. People who wish to live out their lives and accept salvation on their deathbed fail to recognize the fact that they might not have a death bed. Death for many people comes entirely unexpectedly. I have a feeling that everyone reading this can think of someone he has known that has passed away without warning.

What about you? Are you waiting to make the "deathbed confession?" If so, what if an accident snuffs out your life before you reach that point? Some teach that there will be opportunities for repentance after death, but you won't find that idea in the word of God. It is true that eternity will give you plenty of time, but it won't be plenty of time to get saved; it will be plenty of time to wonder why you never did.

The Unbeatable Foe

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

It's considered one of the biggest upsets in sports history, and one of the greatest moments in American sports history. It was a huge shot in the arm to a nation mired in a period of malaise. Even with the long, illustrious career Al Michaels has, 36 years later this event is still his signature moment. By now, you've probably figured out that I'm talking about the "Miracle on Ice" when the U.S. hockey team defeated the "Big Red Machine" of the Soviet Union.

That a bunch of college kids could beat the Soviet team of amateurs in name only was unthinkable. The Soviets had won five of the last six Olympic golds, and they dominated the world championships of the era. They had taken some of Canada's top professional players to the brink in the 1972 Summit Series and then beaten them handily in the 1974 rematch. Many of them were teammates on the club level with CSKA Moscow, as well, so they were a true team.

There really wasn't need for any proof that the Soviet team would likely destroy the American team, but we were given some in the run up to the Olympics. The Soviets went 5-3-1 in exhibition games against NHL teams and won the Challenge Cup by defeating the NHL all-stars 6-0. Plus, the American and Soviet teams squared off in a pre-Olympic exhibition match, and unsurprisingly, the USSR won 10-3. Since a stunning loss to the Americans in 1960, the Soviets had been on a tear in the Olympics, going 27-1-1, and they showed no signs of letting up.

There was no reason to believe that February 22, 1980 would be anything other than just another day at the office for the Soviets. There was no surprise when the Soviets struck first, but the the Americans answered. The Soviets scored again, and the Americans tied it again in the last second of the first period. The lone goal of the second period was scored by the Soviets, and going into the third, it appeared that the inevitable would happen, even if not by the margin expected.

Then, something amazing happened. The Americans tied the game on a power play. Then, halfway through the period, Mike Eruzione scored from the slot to give the Americans their first lead of the game, a 4-3 lead that they would hold on to.

The call is now familiar: "Do you believe in miracles?! YES!" As far as hockey was concerned, it was a miracle. The sports world couldn't possibly give more of a David over Goliath than that game did. It seemed impossible, but it wasn't; it happened.

In the Christian life, we will face tasks that seem impossible, and if we try to tackle them in our own strength, they are. If we tried to battle all of our trials ourselves, we'll find that we face steeper odds than the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. The truth is, however, that they are not impossible. We have a source of strength that will allow us to win every battle if we will tap into it.

In Matthew chapter four, Jesus was tempted by Satan, and He easily overcame it by quoting scripture. We as Christians have that same resource. We have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, meaning that God Himself is with us at all times, and is there to help us. He has promised us a way to escape temptation. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

In a one-on-one battle with Satan, you're a huge underdog, and so am I. In fact, we're guaranteed losers. But, thanks be to God, through His strength, we have the chance to win every battle. That's more cause for celebration than the "Miracle on Ice." It's part of the miracle of salvation.

Hand in Hand with Jesus

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

Once from my poor sin-sick soul
Christ did every burden roll.
Now I walk redeemed and whole,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way.
Walking thus I cannot stray.
Hand in hand with Jesus.

It's not at all uncommon to hear people talk about how much they trust in God, but all too often, when we watch the way they live, it's clear that it's not really true. Before any of us cast stones, however, can we all admit that we've been guilty of that same thing at some point or another? That said, no matter what we say or how we live the truth is, we're heavily dependent on God. In fact, we're fully dependent on Him. If not for His hand on our lives, we'd have nothing.

First, we need the hand of God to reach down to us in salvation. If it weren't for that, you, I, and everyone else would be bound for Hell, and quite honestly, that's what we all deserve. Our sin guarantees that, and it guarantees that there's nothing that we can do to climb out of the pit that we all naturally find ourselves in. One of my favorite songs is Squire Parsons' song "He Came to Me," because it tells that story exactly how it happened. When we couldn't get to God, He came to us and rescued us.

Even after we're saved, however, we're still dependent on God. Unfortunately, we still have to live in the flesh, and its desires don't change. If we give in to its wishes, it will continue to dominate us, and we will know nothing but defeat in our spiritual lives. To live in victory, we have to continue to walk hand in hand with Jesus Christ.

I chose the photo above for a reason. We are much like a small child, who while taking in everything around him overlooks potential stumbling blocks in his path. If not for his father holding his hand, he would likely fall and get hurt. From time to time he sees something that really catches his attention. If not for his father holding his hand, he would run to it, once again oblivious to any potential danger. As much as we don't like to admit it, that's just how sin is after we're saved. Sin has a way of appealing to the worst in us, and can draw us away if we're not close to our Father. He sees all of the stumbling blocks and the dangers, and if we'll hold on to his hand, He'll catch us when we stumble.

That's not to say that we'll never trip. We will. We're all human, and that humanity is certain to mess up at times. But as long as we're walking with Him, and we'll allow Him to guide us, we can find ourselves quickly back on track. Our Father wants to do nothing more than to restore us when we trip. He always wants what's best for us.

Are you walking hand in hand with Jesus today? If not, I'd suggest that you take a hold of His hand today and let Him take that role in your life. He wants to guide you down the rough path of life. He wants to help you back up when you trip. If you'll let Him help you and you'll depend on Him, you'll know just what it's like for Him to uphold you with His righteous hand.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

Tonight, I watched the movie Woodlawn for the first time. It occurred to me that despite the fact that I was born years after the events, that I've never lived in Alabama, and that I never played high school football, I have a closer connection to the story than the vast majority of people who have seen the movie probably have. You see, my parents attended Woodlawn High School at that time. I heard plenty of stories about Tony Nathan as a kid, and I've been a lifelong Alabama fan. Because of the opportunities I've had to work the sidelines of local high school football games, I understand the football side of it much better than most with my background. I think that makes me appreciate the story more than I otherwise would or could.

This post is not going to be a review of the movie, nor will it be any kind of a social commentary. There's something far more important that I want to try to do here. I want to look at the impact of one character who appeared early in the movie and the ripple effect that he created by doing one thing: he chose to be a peacemaker.

If you've seen the movie, you likely know that I'm talking about Hank. Hank acted as a peacemaker between two groups of people that hated one another. Eventually, his impact also struck Woodlawn's biggest rival, Banks, creating a level of friendship between two teams who were arguably the most bitter rivals in the State of Alabama at that time.

How did he do it? As he told Woodlawn head coach Tandy Gerelds at their first meeting, he wanted to tell the team about Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." That's what Hank did. He lifted up Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ drew the young men on that team to Him. Jesus Christ brought peace into the hearts of those young men, and the change they experienced demonstrated how to have peace to those around them.

Jesus Christ, and He alone, is the source of true peace. Everyone has a desire for peace, but there are many who fail to find it. The reason is that they search everywhere but the right place. The things that the world tells them give peace only lead to destruction. The world's route to "peace" often leads to hatred and violence. It doesn't take a genius to look around at our world and see that.

The children of God are to be peacemakers. We know something by experience that many of the people around us are completely unfamiliar with. We know the secret to true peace. The thing is, it's our job to make sure that the secret gets out. We as Christians know something that can change the world. Not only that, but we have been commanded to share that knowledge.

Are you a peacemaker? As unbelievable as it might seem, to be one is a simple thing. All you have to do is share Jesus. Tell people that He's the answer to the longing in their souls. Tell them that He is the source of the peace they've searched for. As shown near the end of Woodlawn, there is One Way. That way is Jesus Christ.

What Kind of Church Would You Make?

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Revelation 2:19

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Revelation 2:4

I watched the video of the song above on YouTube yesterday and started thinking about the idea of this post then. I decided once and for all to do it after the service at my church last night, in which my pastor spoke about the importance of having a zeal for the Lord. Our level of zeal affects other people, and I'd like to use this post as an examination for us all to see if we could pass the test.

If you're saved, you know what it's like to be on fire for the Lord. If at no other time, a Christian experiences that when he is first saved. There's an excitement at that point, knowing what Jesus Christ has done, and the newborn believer just can't wait to tell everyone about it. While that individual still needs to grow, if we lay the lack of spiritual maturity at that moment aside, that new Christian is living his life exactly how he should.

Sadly, if we're all going to be honest, we'd have to admit that there are times that we our lives don't even come close to reflecting that type of zeal. We're all imperfect, and we're going to have times that we aren't as zealous as others, but as soon as we realize it has happened, we need to get that right, and turn back to the Lord. In this post, I don't want to focus on the fluctuations, but rather, I want you to consider which of the above verses is the norm in your life. To make that question seem a bit more applicable to your every day life, I want to ask you a question: if every member of your church were like you, what would your church be like?

When I ask that, I'm not asking what your church would be like if everyone had the same talents and gifts as you do. A church needs many different types of people in that respect. But, what if everyone at your church was just as sold out to God -- no more, no less than you? Would your church be able to function like that? If you were (or are) a pastor, would you want to see a church full of you sitting in the pews?

How much of a giving attitude do you have? If everyone gave in the same spirit as you, would the church be able to keep the lights on? If everyone had the same burden for souls, would anyone get saved? If everyone had the same heart for their fellow Christians, would any edification take place? If everyone had the same desire to serve, would all positions in the church be filled? If everyone had the same desire for a strong mission program as you, would there be any missionaries sent out?

Even in what we would call the strongest churches, I can guarantee you that there are plenty of "bench warmers." These are the people who come (or maybe not, if it's not convenient that day), but do nothing once they're there. I'm not talking about people who are unable to do things right now, but those who simply refuse. If we had a church full of nothing but that kind of people, nothing would get done, and the doors would likely be shut sooner rather than later.

So, what kind of church would you make? Would a building full of you make up a church that was vibrant, active, and on fire for the Lord, or would you do just as well to sit home on Sunday and watch football if the entire membership were like you? If you're not satisfied with the answers to those questions, you can change that. Return to your first love, and put Jesus back at the center of your life. If you turn to go back to Him, He'll run to meet you and receive you with open arms.

How Much Is Your Pride Worth?

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

Today I saw a very interesting post on Facebook. It was shared by one of my favorite current quartets and was originally posted by one of their members. This member of the group had some big news to share: he got saved yesterday!

Before any rocks are thrown, allow me to remind everyone that this is something to be celebrated, and it's not the time to criticize anyone for "living a lie." Regardless of how or when an individual comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, the most important thing is that it happens. That said, I can understand why someone would ask how a person could be involved in singing gospel music and not know the Saviour personally. Well, he had an explanation for that.

He told that when he was 12 years old he "prayed a prayer," and talked about all of the things that he had been involved with since then. He said that he knew the word of God and that on the outside, he appeared to be a great Christian. The problem with that is, it's not the outside that matters; it's the inside. You and I might not be able to see through the front that someone puts up, but God can, and He looks directly at the heart.

The thing I want to focus on today, however, is the thing that he said held him back from making things right for so long: pride. You see, it requires swallowing a lot of pride to be saved, since we have to recognize our total dependence on God. But I think that someone who has long been identified as a Christian by others has to swallow even more. Human nature would much rather justify itself that admit to wrong. The flesh will be concerned with "what others think." It's easy to dismiss that by pointing out that spiritual people will rejoice over the salvation and tell someone not to worry about what a few might say, but that's not an easy thing for someone who doesn't have the new nature to do.

Fortunately, this young man didn't allow his pride to control him until it was too late. For so many, however, that is not the case. Many people take that pride to the grave, being much more interested in preserving their temporary reputations than their eternal souls. That's a very high price to pay, and in doing so, they're saying that their pride is more valuable to them than anything. I'm happy to say that I've seen people that I know quite well swallow that pride and accept Jesus. I don't say that in a gloating manner, but I say it in that I'm happy that they realized that their salvation was more important than anything else.

Pride doesn't get in the way of salvation only. Sometimes it can get in the way of our relationships with others, or our relationship with God. Sometimes, it allows hurt feelings to prosper which drain us emotionally, physically. and spiritually. Pride does a lot of damage. Sometimes it hurts only the one harboring it, but other times, it hurts others as well.

How much is your pride worth to you? If you aren't saved, are you willing to let it doom your soul to Hell? If you are saved, are you willing to sacrifice your relationships with others and your Saviour? Are you willing to allow your pride to tear you apart while you continue to self-justify yourself? If you've done any of those things in your life, I plead with you to sacrifice your pride for the good of your soul. Trust me, it's not worth the loss you'll suffer if you say no.