...Anybody but Jesus!

It takes just about no time at all to see how opposed America is against itself currently in the realm of politics. The woeful reality of particularly polarizing catch phrases have become the battle cry of each camp. For the Democrats, they may not be as enthused with their candidate as they would like...but it then comes down to....Anybody but Trump!
By the same token, more than a few Republicans are in obvious disagreement with their candidate but in like response.....anybody but Hillary!

It got me to thinking about how we "live" as religious people. I know some may already take issue with that description but I stand by it. We say that Christianity is a relationship, not a religion. Yet all too often, our manner of 'servitude' is indistinguishable from our other relationships. I think we take issue with what it means to give up control and live with Christ as Lord. We don't want to seem blatantly "heathenistic" so then of course, it's good to have a god but then in that, I think we end up trying to create a hybrid deity; one who's okay with us doing what we want, but still that we'd be beneficiaries to all He wants to give us. I hate to be the one to burst bubbles but Truth needs to stand; that hybrid "god" sounds like anybody but Jesus.

I can't think of a single human relationship where, given enough time and circumstance, people will not end up deserving to lose your allegiance. They'll eventually end up on the business end of your discontentment. In getting to know people, it doesn't take long to come to the painful realization that it's proper to walk away from some people just as it's appropriate to harshly correct, or even brutishly depose some people on occasion. This "realness" becomes the fundamental psychology of relationships. In that, it’s understood as a natural and inescapable fact that people aren't perfect and will sometimes let you down. This fact is also the key to your independence - it liberates you. It makes you right to hold back from putting your trust in anyone fully. On top of that it gives you the green light to respond in kind, or run, or sulk or to laugh uncomfortably or uncontrollably. Ultimately, it's YOUR say: You decide how far it will go and when it will end. You sit on the throne of judgment in regards to your relationships.

However, a relationship with the True and Living God doesn't allow for any of that. Nope, not at all. A relationship with The Sovereign Lord keeps YOU in dependence, since it's only you who brings uncertainty, difficulty and discontentment to the relationship. You know that old break up line "It's not you, it's me."? ...this is the only relationship where Yep! it's always you. God never deserves our silent treatment, our side eye, our mean mug, our underbreath comments or our disapproving sighs.

I don't want to sound like a spoil sport but much of the news these days is heart breaking. And even more sad is the idea that we somehow have a God that we can pray to in these moments of despair - to comfort the hearts of those lives wrecked by evil, yet, once we're back to normal, we assume the genie goes back into the lamp. God’s word makes it clear (1 Peter 3:7) to husbands as to how we are to love and live with our wives with the expressed repercussion of “hindered prayers” – It’s the epitome of audacity to think that we can live so contrary to The Scriptures but then expect God to hear our prayers. 2 Timothy 3 runs down a pretty condemning list, ending with “Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” I don’t doubt that these are real people who experience real tragedy and pain, but I don’t see their prayers moving God the way they would like.

So if we really believe we have a relationship over a religion; embrace the relationship. Let God REALLY have your heart, unguarded and ready to trust, fully. Strive to differentiate the relationship: We may not be as harsh vocally or quick to express heated temperament, but what about disobedient stagnation and fear? Again, this is a hard look, but its for your commendation, not your condemnation. God is not elected like a President: He is the ONLY rightful, righteous ruler. Make sure to check the THRONE of your heart. See who's there and make sure it's not anybody but Jesus.

Here's The Word;

2 Corinthians 6:14(b) - 16 for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.


In Him,
Cros

This Means War!

I recently had a sit-down talk with my son about War. Not the War on Terror or the political war currently being waged here in the media as we prepare for the fast-approaching, Presidential election.

First, here's a brief bit of backstory; Years ago, I'd asked my son about his favorite Bible verse and he'd replied with Proverbs 3:5 - 6 which states "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Of course, it was a proud father moment for me but I couldn't help but wonder: how much does he understand what it means or does it simply sound good and wise to him? I responded encouragingly and allowed time to deliver opportunities to grow and take things deeper.

So as time progressed, my now teenaged bundle of joy has taken to hours upon hours of 'online time' and very little else. Telling him to handle chores or simply 'be involved' with something other than the computer have never been met with a fight or even the expected grumbling or complaining. However, the level of effort left something to be desired. Again, I know the general nature of teenagers and I still find it very easy to encourage and enjoy my son; he's a good kid. I just knew it was time to have a good talk.

So there we were; at a non-confrontational engagement. I asked him to look at 1 Corinthians 9:27 and had him explain to me what he thought about the word "subjection". A common theme for him and me, during Biblical discussions, is noting the presuppositions: It goes like this - Proverbs 3:5 says '...lean not to your own understanding". Why does it say that? What is being assumed? Answer: It says it because it's VERY easy to lean to your own understanding and you need to be TOLD not to do it.

In the same way, the idea of keeping your body in subjection comes from the assumption that your body already has ideas of what it "wants" and will spend time and effort trying to attain. This is why it needs to be kept....but WHO keeps it? Ahhh! Good question.

Here's The Word:

Romans 7:21 - 23 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

This was our first discussion of war. I told him that he needs to see his body as something to be questioned and validated when it comes to its ideas, its motivations....its desires. Do the things that my body desire advance ME or do they advance Christ? Do they find me in obedience or not? Do they have any good, lasting effect or are they empty calories? (which is a part of normal, everyday life but you don't want them to be your whole life)

I don't assume that this discussion fixed his extended computer time situation. I suspect this is the first of many conversations - but fixing him wasn't my goal in the first place. To me this is as much about ME bringing my own body into subjection because there are times when I could think of a hundred other things I would like to do other than confront my teenager. The Bible commands me to bring my child up in the fear and admonition of The Lord (Ephesians 6:4), so we lead by example...and we teach what this war means.

In Him,
Cros

Gettin' Fixed!

Sometimes it's hard to not sound 'tin-foil hat' crazy when pointing out the obvious upside-down thinking that gets embedded into the societal psyche. Just think about it: We call the procedure by which we purposely remove the God given functionality of 'be fruitful and multiply', "getting fixed". Sounds more like "getting broked [sic]" :)

If we looked through the lens of Biblical Truth, we would see that we all need to get fixed. Not just repaired or restored but just as importantly, reset and refocused. It's been proven that we as people are really only able to focus on one particular thing at a time. Even when we're multi-tasking, we're really just giving individual slices of focus time in rapid succession to get several things done seemingly simultaneously. Looks like the Bible understands this and already has suggestions on a priority for our focus time.

Here's The Word;

Deuteronomy 11:18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Psalm 108:1 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

Psalm 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Hebrews 3:1 [ Jesus Greater Than Moses ] Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

Hebrews 12:2(a) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.


I imagine that many people can't see how this can play out practically. However, I don't assume that keeping a primary focus on Christ would compromise any of the other responsibilities that comprise the logistics of our waking day. On the contrary, I think this occupation with Christ would guide our days into the fullness of joy that can only come from "a closer walk with Thee".

I hope that you're encouraged to 'get fixed': Firstly, by receiving Christ and His gift of salvation, removing your rightfully deserved indebtedness to the penalty of sin (which is death - eternal separation from a Holy God). Secondly, humbling yourself before Christ as LORD where the power of The Holy Spirit leads you and helps you put your self-directed desires behind that of knowing Christ and having Him renew you, use you and fix you - that you would be fruitful and multiply.


In Him,
Cros

Why?

Why can’t we simply set ourselves on a course,
With zero regrets and no more remorse,
Peace in our day and no word for stranger,
All needs given freely and no fear of danger?

With all of our advancements in science and health,
Why can’t we rid ourselves of sickness and death,
And live to promote lives of ease, free of pain?
We’re all well accustomed with struggle and strain.

Though we all have ideas of how things can be right,
Why do our efforts fail to bring this to light?
Clean water and air, healthy food and much more
We can’t seem to produce the things we long for.

As we deeply consider – there’s many to blame.
In our list of root causes, we can’t see our own name.
Of course it’s not me, I’m nothing like them.
Yet sadly it IS us, for we’re nothing like HIM.

Left to ourselves, our good is but shale.
Fragile and brittle, pathetically pale.
In the grace of ourselves, our reflection is kind.
Yet far from the real, we don’t see how blind.

Now don’t be downtrodden and do not despair.
My goal isn’t depression, I really do care.
The first thing is to realize how feeble and weak.
And in that humility, present the One we should seek.

Your Creator and Sustainer; Only He can show the way.
Only He can answer the whys? All we need do: Obey.
To rest from all our labors as the futile things they are.
Endeavoring more to seek His face, a better choice by far.

We see God in His power and we just want to help.
Not realizing HE needed to take it ALL on Himself.
There is absolutely nothing we could possibly add.
Only worship Him in gratitude, “for He hath made us glad.”


Here's The Word:

Jeremiah 10:23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

Psalm 40:16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”


In Him,
Cros