All The Stupid Stuff

Recently I was reminiscing about a really nice man I befriended on Facebook years ago. Unfortunately, he suddenly and prematurely passed away to the shock of myself and many others. During the course of several conversations, he told me he had been brought up in church and was given a basic religious foundation, although he did make it clear, "I'm not a believer like you are." I felt led to introduced him to my Sunday blogs which generated many discussions regarding world religions, various belief systems, and especially my faith in Jesus Christ. Although he was very curious about my faith and asked for several explanations of Bible passages he struggled desperately to understand true Christianity. He admitted to having one roadblock that would always leave him doubting any Biblical principle I shared. That roadblock was LOGIC! He admitted, "Certain things just don't add up for me. It's all the stupid stuff you're told to do as a Christian, like baptism. I don't understand it. It's not logical. If a person is baptized as a baby, why re-do it as an adult? Does it not take the first time?" As I was scanning my memory of things he asked me over the course of our online friendship, I thought to myself, maybe there are readers out there with friends or family members with this same question, "Why do I have to get baptized again if I was baptized as a baby? Or why get baptized at all?" In reality, those are great questions. How would you answer someone who asked that of you? Would you know what to say? I want to talk about the act of baptism in hopes of clarifying any confusion or doubt about why it is significant. Even Jesus Himself was baptized!

If someone ever asks why they should be baptized or even re-baptized, remember this little explanation. It might help.
In South Africa as a baby or even a young child, you are not entitled to a passport of your own to fly to another country as we are here in America. A baby born here in the U.S.A CAN get its own passport once a form DS11 is filled out. But in South Africa, you have to be added as a dependant on your mother or father's passport. Doing so then entitles that baby to go where their parents are going. However, when that baby reaches a certain age, they have to apply for their own passport. They now would have the freedom to go where they please by producing their own passport when they wanted to travel to other countries. The border staff or employees at the airport would no longer accept that they travel on their parent's passport.

Consider at my example from a spiritual perspective. When you were a baby, if your parents initiated you into their religion you became a part of their "redemption" because you were not in a position to make such a decision yourself. The Bible never offers suggestions and regarding this subject, it clearly states, "repent and be baptized" in Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." As a baby, you cannot repent as commanded by the Bible because you have no knowledge of God's will and cannot make choices or conscience decisions between right and wrong. Baptism has to be a conscience, free-will based decision to commit your life to Christ which an infant cannot make by their own free will. Therefore, if anyone is baptized as an infant or even a child without knowing true commitment, the baptism cannot be honored. Personally, my parents had me baptized into Catholicism when I was just a few months old. I had no way of knowing what was being done. I was incapable of commitment and I certainly wasn't exercising my free will. Yet, because of the personal beliefs of my parents, I was considered "baptized." I WAS NOT! I was riding on my parent's spiritual passport.

The truth is, at some stage in your life, you are or either will be confronted with various truths about a relationship with Christ just as my friend was. It may present itself in different ways but nonetheless, it reaches out to every heart. The Word of God is everywhere today: on TV, radio, cassette tapes (still around), through missionaries, through Internet applications, on gadgets like The Wonder Bible, smartphone applications, etc. In fact, the entire Bible can be download to your smartphone! At this point, you have to make a decision because you can no longer ride 'piggyback' on your parents' decision for you. Figuratively speaking, you must have your own passport. By making a decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, repenting of the sins you've committed and then being baptized, you have made the conscious decision to use your passport. No longer can you lay claim to your baptism as a child, you must now take the step of commitment yourself - your parents cannot sign for your passport, you have to do it yourself. "We may never be martyrs as in the days of old, but we must commit to die to self, to sin, to the ways of the world. This is the significance of baptism. Symbolically we die with Christ and raise to new life." In short, Christian baptism is the means by which a person makes a public profession of his faith and discipleship. It is in the waters of baptism we declare without words yet in action, "I confess my faith in Christ, Jesus has cleansed my soul from sin, and I now have a new life of sanctification." Baptism is not "stupid stuff." Symbolically, as the sinner confesses the Lord Jesus, he dies to sin (Romans 6:11) and is raised to a brand-new life (Colossians 2:12) that represents the cleansed, holy life -- the new start that follows salvation. Romans 6:4 puts it this way: "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death IN ORDER THAT, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (emphasis mine). Very simply, baptism is an outward testimony of the inward change in a believer's life. I hope something here will help you or someone you know understand the things we sometimes interpret as "all the stupid stuff."

Until next time.
-Pat-

Uncertainty and the COVID-19

Human beings like certainty. We are hard-wired to want to know what is happening when and to notice things that feel threatening to us. When things feel uncertain or when we don’t generally feel safe, it’s normal to feel stressed. This very reaction, while there to protect us, can cause all sorts of havoc when there is a sense of uncertainty and conflicting information around us. Because of the recent Coronavirus pandemic, this is a time of uncertainty. Nations across the globe have imposed travel restrictions. We are only allowed to shop for necessities as infrequently as possible. We are instructed to use delivery services instead of venturing out. A large majority of our population has been advised to work from home and even home-school our children. People cannot meet with family or loved ones who do not live with them. Churches are closed. Weddings have been canceled, baptisms canceled, sporting events virtually shut down. But in the midst of all this unpredictability, we do not have to be afraid because we can know for certain nothing will harm us. As believers in Jesus Christ, as members of HIS family, we have His promise of protection against this virus.

This blog will remind the followers of Christ of just that!

Remember in the Old Testament, Exodus 12:23 specifically, when the angel of death was to be released to strike down the Egyptians but that there was protection only to God's people that would cause the angel of death to pass over them and them only? What was it? Let's refer to scripture: Exodus 12:21-23 "Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssops, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and He will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down." What spared some and not others? It was THE BLOOD of the Passover Lamb sprinkled on the top and sides of the doorframes of the believers that spared their lives when death came into their "neighborhood." I want you to see the connection between then, and the angel of death, destruction, and interruption now known as COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

In Exodus 12, the symbol used against death and destruction was the blood from a "Passover lamb." In the New Testament, Jesus is called the PASSOVER LAMB in 1 Corinthians 5:7. Jesus was and is the sacrificial LAMB, who was slain, and whose blood saves us from death (John 1:29). Now, it's interesting to note that the Bible tells us "life is in the blood" Leviticus 17:11 "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul." In the Old Testament, lambs were sacrificed and their blood used as atonement for sin. Today, it is Jesus' LIFE Blood needed to save you. HE IS YOUR PROTECTOR AND SHIELD. Jesus said, "Drink my Blood," did He not? HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY DO THAT? How can we drink Jesus' blood?? John 6:53, "Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." His blood = LIFE! Follow me now! Jesus also said, The words that I speak are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63). JESUS WORDS ARE LIFE! His spoken words are protection if you dwell in Him, but you must dwell in Him. His words must live in you. His words are powerful. His spoken words can literally move a mountain IF you'll only believe (Matthew 21:21). Those who dwell in Him (and He in them) have the power of His spoken word over death, destruction, illness, and anything meant to harm us, including the Coronavirus! He promised these things in Psalm 91. It's a beautiful promise to the believer. Let's go over it. Every practicing, obedient believer should believe and recite this prayer daily and the Coronavirus will not come near you!

1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (you must live in Him, dwell in His Word and you will find rest/peace.)

2. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust him. (He is your only refuge. Your only place to be safe.)

3. He will rescue me from every trap and protect me from deadly disease. He will cover me with his feathers. He will shelter me with His wings. His faithful promises are my armor and protection. (Like a mother hen that outstretches her wings to protect her young, so too will the Lord cover you. What He has promised the believer through His Word you can bank on! His words are your armor; your protection. USE THEM!)

4. I will not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at my side and ten thousand die all around me, these evils will not touch me. (The Coronavirus cannot touch you if you dwell in Him, follow Him, and believe what He just told you. No matter how many are dying around you, that evil WILL NOT TOUCH YOU!)

5. If I open my eyes, I will see how the wicked are punished. (Just as the Egyptians doorposts were not covered by the Passover protective blood and they were punished, so too will those that created this horrific virus receive their due reward.)

6. If I make the LORD my refuge, if I make the Most High my shelter, no evil will conquer me; and no plague will come near my home. For He will order His angels to protect me wherever I go." (IF ... and I say "if" you are a follower of Jesus Christ, read and dwell in His words of promise, this prayer applies to you in every sense of the word. No evil can conquer you, no plague or pandemic can even come near your home!! Why? Because He has promised to order His heavenly angels to protect you wherever you go.

YOU HAVE HIS PROMISE OF PROTECTION FROM THE CORONAVIRUS! Now, find rest (peace) in His promises that you are safe under the shadow of His wings!

Until next time,
-Pat-

What's With You And The Cross?

I was taken aback this past week when someone made an unusual comment after I changed my Face book profile picture (which I often do.) The picture I'm referencing is the one above. The comment was, "About this new picture, with the cross. Are you trying for sainthood?" Two days after that comment I was sent another impolite question by the same person but this time it came through a private instant message which read, " What's with you and the cross?? Have you joined some New Wave religious group?" Needless to say, I cannot think what would incite a person to ask such a question because of the above picture when that person has known me for 31 years and I've never been shy about my faith. The negative context and logic used lack spiritual incite. I know many Christians experience unprovoked attacks both verbally and physically on a daily basis. Some are severe and brutal. It comes with the territory, "If the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18). So in this blog today I will attempt to help clarify WHO I am, WHO WE ARE as believers in Christ Jesus and as members of the Body of Christ; His Church Body. In no way do we "try" for sainthood.

The Church is not made up of people who believe they are better than others, but rather it is made up of those who realize that they should be better than they are and must continually strive to do better (Philippians 3:12-16).

The Church is not made up of perfect people, but people who realize they are following a perfect Lord and therefore must do the very best they can (1 Peter 2:18-22; 1 Peter 1:13-16).

The Church is not made up of people who never make mistakes, but those who often acknowledge their mistakes and then forsake them (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13).

The Church is not trying to withdraw from everyone, but rather to draw everyone into its fellowship and love and encourage them to walk in the light where God the Father and Christ the Son are found (1 John 1:3-7).

The Church is not trying to set up arbitrary rules to hinder anyone, but rather to show the rule of Christ which helps everyone (Gal. 6:14-16; Philippians 3:7-16).

The Church is not trying to take the joy out of your life; it is trying to put real joy into every life it touches (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; 1 Peter 4:13).

The Church is not trying to separate you from your money; it is trying to keep your money from separating you from God (1 Timothy 6:6-10; Proverbs 10:22).

The Church is not trying to become the master of your life, but is trying to get you to master yourself (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

The Church is not trying to rob your life of priorities but is trying to allow you to put real priorities in your life (Matthew 6:33).

The Church is not discouraged simply because you miss service regularly but is fearful that you will miss heaven completely (Hebrews 10:23-31).

True Christians know they cannot earn, gain, obtain, or work for sainthood so that they might enter eternal rest in heaven. There is absolutely nothing we could ever do to acquire sainthood or earn eternal life. Nobody can! We are simply not good enough, "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, NOT a result of works, so that no one may boast" Ephesians 2:8-9. Paul said in Romans 5:16 “… For Adam's sin led to condemnation, but God's free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins." Sainthood (if you want to use that term) IS A FREE GIFT made possible by Jesus Christ and available to anyone who believes it, accepts it and is baptized into the faith based on biblical principals.

It is truly disheartening to think that posting any kind of a picture expressing faith in God would incite the response it did. My wish is that Christians and non-Christians alike will carefully examine the list above. As a follower of Christ I do not take the points I made above lightly.

Until next time,
-Pat-

In The Midst Of Coronavirus

Millions of people are working from home. Schools and businesses have closed. Grocery shelves are eerily empty and toilet paper has become the number one commodity. The culprit? COVID-19; Coronavirus. Normal people are anxious in the midst of this global pandemic and I can only imagine it will become much worse before it gets better. Fear and uncertainty are the hallmark response to things that people don’t understand and that they feel threatens their safety and the safety of their loved ones. Where can we turn to in these troubled times when we're not even allowed to interact with one another? I think we can learn a lesson from the psalmist David.

David was one guy that often described himself in a state of great adversity. His pleas for help are unmeasured. As an example, David once cried out to God, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until these calamities be overpast. My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword” (Psalm 57:1, 4). Do any of you feel like that right now? Do you feel you are encompassed by calamities IE: Your employer has told you to go home indefinitely. The government has told you to "shelter in place" and not to leave your home except to buy groceries or medication. Your local store shelves are stripped and you cannot find needed items for your pantry or medicine cabinet. You're afraid you won't be able to feed your family, pay your rent or mortgage, or keep your utilities on. Your parent's health is compromised and they are in the age group where the virus is killing the most people, etc. ?? What do you do at the height of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty?

How did David cope with all his adversity? The occasion that prompted him to write this psalm was the desire of King Saul to kill David. Saul was jealous of David and wanted him terminated. David spent much of his early life fleeing from the wrath of Saul. Was it through complaining, feeling sorry for himself, or having the “woe is me” syndrome? No! Amazingly, David overcame adversity by putting his trust in God, and by “Praising God!” David proclaims, “They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down: They have dug a pit before me; They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves” (Psalm 57:5-6). Who in the world feels like thanking God, praising God, or singing to God in the midst of adversity, distress, anxiety, tribulation, or catastrophe? NO ONE! Yet, this is the answer to remaining calm. Why? For one, "GOD INHABITS THE PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE" (Psalm 22:3). When you praise Him, He draws near and is in your midst. Psalm 34:17-18 "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Now is the time to draw near to God, not to complain or panic. What was David’s reaction to all of his troubles? Was it a voice of complaint? No! He praised God! “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let thy glory be above all the earth. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing, yea, I will sing praise. I will give thanks unto thee, O, Lord, among the peoples: I will sing praises unto thee among the nations” (Psa. 57:5, 7, 9).

There is a valuable lesson to be learned from David’s reaction to misfortune. In the time of trouble, we should praise God! Do you remember what Paul said, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through the comfort of the scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). We all too often, when trouble comes our way, stoop to complaining, feeling sorry for ourselves, or lose our minds with worry. But this is not the way that God would have us to react to difficulty. When Peter and the other apostles were confronted with hardship – what was their reaction? “They, therefore, departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name” (Acts 5:41). When Paul and Silas were thrown into prison, did they complain and feel sorry for themselves? No! The Scriptures say they prayed and sang praises to God (Acts 16:25)! Are you feeling sorry for yourself? Have you become fearful, anxious, and unglued? Have you forgotten what God has given you? I'll remind you, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind" (1 Timothy 1:7). If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, if you believe His Word and obey His Word, He will take care of you and make a way where there seems to be no way. In the toughest of situations, this seems to be God’s specialty. He’s working on our behalf even when we can’t see it all. He has a plan and purpose in whatever we walk through. He can cut a clear pathway through anything. He can carry us through any storm. He’s the God of miracles. He never changes. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and He fights for you today! Aren’t you thankful?
I sure am.

Until next time,
-Pat-

What Does It Mean To Be In The World Not Of The World?

I was asked an interesting question the other day by a fellow Christian I would like to share. It was, "How can we honestly live in this world and not be a part of it as we are instructed in 1 John 2:15-17?" It is written in scripture like this, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Then she went on, "Isn't that unrealistic? I mean, the world is all around me. How can I not be a part of it?" It's a legitimate question!
First of all, we must understand the context in which Jesus used the word 'world.' Of course, there is our physical earth: the physical globe, the physical universe (Hebrews 1:2; John 13:1). We can see these as concrete objects. However, most of the time when the Bible speaks about the world it is referring to the humanistic, corrupt value system that is at odds with God (Matthew 18:7; John 15:19; John 4:5). Confusion may arise for some when they read GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD. That sounds like a contradiction if we're asked NOT to love the world but God does? To the worldly or unlearned, it is a contradiction! But in reality, it is not. We have to keep things in context.

The Bible also informs us, "Satan is the god of this world." Satan is the god of everything that's wrong, everything that's evil, not concrete things in and of themselves. Satan's value system is contrary to God's (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 2:16). When the Bible says God so loved the world, it is referring to the human beings who live here (1 John 4:9). The scripture which says, "Satan is the god of this world" is something entirely different. It is the corrupt moral system of the world we are not to love because Satan's world promotes: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life: 1 John 2:16, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." Every sin imaginable can be summed up in those three evils. As examples: envy, adultery, pride, lying, selfishness, etc. These are not concrete things. These deal with the spirit /heart/mind of man, not his physicality. So we can see then, Jesus is asking us not to love the things which will destroy our soul and they most certainly will if we remain in them. He is not telling us it is a sin to play golf, enjoy wholesome music, be successful, or enjoy a glass of wine. God is concerned with the inner man. For if the inner man is rotten, the entire body is spoiled.

Think about this as an example. I love the outdoors. Many years ago I owned a tough-skinned, 10-foot inflatable raft that had a wooden floor and was propelled by a boat motor. Every Saturday I would Bungee cord it to the roof of my Jeep and take it out to the lake. My raft was designed to float and to protect me from the water - not sink. And though I was surrounded on all sides by water, water was not to infiltrate my raft, otherwise, great harm such as death from drowning could occur. The key was, the raft was only as safe as the inside was dry ... as long as no water could leak in despite the fact I was surrounded on all sides with great danger. In the same sense this example can be applied spiritually. We are in the world (raft) but we are not to be of it (the lake water). As soon as we let the things of the world enter us (like a boat filling with water) we will drown in our sin. Your only hope after your boat fills with water and begins to sink is a life jacket. Your only hope when you're drowning in sin is JESUS, your life preserver.

Our goal as followers of Christ is to actively engage our culture with the Gospel, by living the Gospel, without allowing the culture's ungodly morals, values, attitudes, and behaviors to infiltrate our lives. So, how can we live in a way that impacts the world for Christ without allowing the world to impact us? Admittedly, being out in the world but not like it can be brutally difficult-much like paddling upstream. Which I've done! But some days it may be more like trying to go up Niagara Falls. Well, to help us live in this world, we can refer to these words of Jesus for comfort. He was praying to the Father for us and said this: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them, I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:15-21)

Jesus did not ask the Father to take His followers out of the world. In fact, Jesus commissioned them to go into the world as His ambassadors. Instead, He asked the Father to protect them from Satan and his schemes, to guard them against temptation, and to make them holy through the truth of His word. Did you notice that Jesus’ prayer was not just for that handful of disciples? Jesus included you and me in that prayer! He said, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one those who will believe in me through their message.” The truth principles also apply to us. We must guard our own hearts and lives against temptation. Take an inventory of your life. Where are you weak? In what areas are you most tempted? Ask God to help you identify those weaknesses and then take steps to protect them. Take precautionary measures. Find an accountability partner. Take things out of your life that constantly cause temptation. Patch the holes in your boat! And so importantly, immerse yourself in God’s Word. Know the truth inside and out so you can recognize lies when you hear them. Obey what God shows you in His Word so your life will be holy and above reproach. Then get your boat in the water! There are some drowning souls in need of rescue.
Until next time,
-Pat-

First Love

When I first became a Christian, I was very excited about being saved. In my zeal, I wanted to go out and teach the Word to the whole world despite the fact my family thought I had lost my senses. So much so, my parents offered to pay for psychiatric therapy. I simply loved the Lord and wanted to share Him with everyone (Acts 9:17-22) even though being new to Christianity I knew nothing. Being a "babe in Christ" I was unlearned in His Word and didn't know any discretionary principals when approaching people. As I look back today, it is no wonder my parents thought I was crazy! My enthusiasm was all over the place. The simple fact was, Jesus had become my first love.

Is your zeal the same today as it was the day you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? When a believer does not depend on God daily, his love for God can grow cold. Jesus addressed this issue when He spoke to the church of Ephesus. Jesus said: “I have somewhat against you because you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.” (Revelation 2:4–5). If you find yourself lacking the zeal you once had or if walking with Jesus isn't appealing any longer, you can ask God to look upon you with understanding to rekindle your love for Him.

If the fire has gone but you feel you want it back, be encouraged that the desire to get back to where you were, is a gift in and of itself. That desire is the planted Word (seed) waiting to spring forth once again. The seed of God's Word is still there and has rooted itself in your heart. After a dormant winter when spring arrives, a plant pushes itself up through the soil once again. Though it seemingly died and disappeared for a season, the roots never did and that plant regenerates again. It's the same with every soul who has the Word living in them. I went through many rough years where it seemed the world around me was crumbling away. I faced broken relationships, depression, bitterness and resentment, lost friends, and my faith suffered. I was on the edge of walking away, but I always knew I wanted to be back where I was, where I loved Jesus and felt secure in His love. I knew I wanted to have a zeal for God again. He took that little spark and kept working away until I came out of my winter season. I’m richer now for having gone through it. And I can see now how my faith is deeper than my circumstances, it’s woven through the core of my innermost being.

We must learn that we serve the Lord by “abiding” in His teaching: “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed” (John 8:31). This needs to become a daily habit. If you have never struggled with a loss of passion, you will. There will be a day when you experience the cold of "winter." (Maybe you're there now!) You'll lack enthusiasm. Reading the Bible will seem like an extra chore. Staying faithful may lose its appeal. Reaching out to God in prayer may feel like it requires more energy than you have. The bad news is, that day will come. The good news is, it will pass. When it does, you’ll be richer, stronger and more satisfied. Stay in His Word. Don't give up! You’ll have a greater understanding of what it means to live for Christ, a greater appreciation of all He’s done, and a rekindled flame to be about His business.

There's no doubt our walk with Christ can be filled with struggles and victories but it's what do you do when the struggles come. How do you handle those days where you’re not as hot for Jesus as you use to be? How do you maneuver through bad days, draining thoughts, and emotions and feelings that don’t serve you? How do you shift gears and start driving again when you just don’t feel like it? What do you do when you see that you’re going in the wrong direction? How do you get back on track when you see that you're drifting away or after you have fallen? Stay close to God by crucifying your flesh daily, mortifying its deeds, getting power over it. What exactly do I mean? That the deeds of the body are put to death (forsaken) one by one as they come to light. In other words: I stop doing things when God's Word reveals them to be wrong (Romans 8:13; 1 John 1:6-8). Pray without ceasing. Make the Bible a part of your daily and/or nightly routine, and dedicate a specific time to God and keep that appointment. Remember you are a work in progress, so continue making adjustments. And if you fall, bounce back quickly, and realign yourself with Christ. But remember, without consistency, you'll be prone to wander off again.
Until next time,
-Pat-

"You People Are Weird Freaks!"

"You people are weird freaks. Freak!" That may seem like an odd title for a blog, but in reality, these have been actual words directed at me. Not once, but several times throughout my life. And what for? In one recent case, I defended my Christian view on abortion against the beliefs of a liberal who vehemently held that a woman has the right to abort her baby even up to the ninth month if she so desires. Today isn't about abortion. It's about being "weird." First, let's define the word 'weird' from the Merriam Webster dictionary. WEIRD: of strange or extraordinary character. Adjectives of the word weird are: abnormal, freak, odd, different, or peculiar. Contrary to popular opinion, I like being called weird, odd, or peculiar! Why? Because it is proof my thinking, beliefs, and opinions are in line with God's! In the King James Version of the Bible, Deuteronomy 14:2 reads as follows: "For you are a holy people unto the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."

We read in the scriptures that God has always demanded of his people that they be different. In Deuteronomy 14:2, Moses tells the children of Israel that they are different. From the scripture above God is telling us we are not only peculiar (by the world's definition and or standard) but that we are also "holy people!" The word “holy” means to be set apart, different. God wanted the children of Israel to be a “peculiar people.” The new English Standard Version translates this phrase “treasured possession.” Certainly, something that is a treasured possession is different from everything else one has and is set apart. That's the Church, CHRISTIANS, Jesus' Body of Believers.

In the New Testament as well, Peter quotes from this passage in Deuteronomy and applies it toward “Spiritual Israel” – also Christians. Peter writes, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). God wants us, as Christians, to be different! Paul writes to Titus these words regarding Jesus, “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” Titus 2:14). Jesus died so that we could be different; set apart. We read in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing; and I will receive you. I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” In order to be God’s children, The Church must be separate, distinct, unique, different, and that is what seems weird in the eyes of the world.

So, are we different? Yes, we are, and I am glad that we are. Today we live in a time when denominations around us are conforming to the world. We hear of denominations who condone abortion, homosexuality, fornication, and adultery. The church of Christ does not condone such activities because God’s word condemns these things. We follow God's Word, not what the world approves. Instead of conforming to the way that the world would have the church, the church ought to be demanding of individuals that their lives be transformed through repentance and renewal of the mind. Romans 12:2 tells us, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Are we different? Yes, we are. We are different because we have been transformed by Christ to be a people who are holy, the children of God, separate from that which is sinful; different from the way the world would mold religion in its own image today. It is our differences from everyone else that defines who we are as Christians! We should never be embarrassed about that! And though people outside of Christ call us weird, they also despise and hate us. Jesus warned us in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you." And so I wear the badge "weird" with pride. The world and the denominations may think us “strange” (1 Peter 4:4) but I wouldn’t have it any other way. One day, Jesus will return and all will bow (Revelation 5:13) and God will be glorified, not because of our similarities with the world, but because of our differences (Matthew 25:34).

Until next time,

-Pat-

Strength

Often I hear this scripture spoken by Christians at all levels of understanding, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It's a quote by the apostle Paul and it's found in the book of Philippians chapter 4, verse 13. We like to say the words "I can do all things through Christ." And why wouldn't we? But oftentimes we don't give much thought to the latter part of that statement "WHO STRENGTHENS ME." I think we need to because of how we obtain this strength. There is a method of obtaining and accessing this strength.

The strength Paul spoke about was an inner power that sustained him even while undergoing the most serious physical circumstances (2 Corinthians 11:23-30; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10). Many present-day Christians have neither Paul’s confidence nor the strength of which he spoke. Perhaps it is because we do not know the answer to the question, “How does Christ strengthen us?” Actually there are three biblical sources from which we receive strength from the Lord:
1) The Word of God — Paul tells us that the gospel is not only God’s power to save but that we must continue in that gospel in order to be strengthened by it. To continue in it we must READ IT then ACCEPT AND OBEY what we've read (Romans 1:16; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 3; Colossians 1:1-11; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 John 1:9).
2) Prayer — It is through the medium of prayer that Christians receive wisdom from above (James 1:5-6; Proverbs 2:1-6), and from that wisdom, receive strength to overcome trials and temptations (Proverbs 2:10-20). Note that we must ask for wisdom “in faith” — the source of that faith is the Scriptures (Romans 10:17).
3) Fellow Christians — Our fellowship with other Christians of like faith provides us the benefit of bearing one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2; Romans 15:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14), and receiving strength from one another (Hebrews 10:24-25; James 5:16; Numbers 11:1-2).

How does Christ strengthen us? By studying and making application of God’s word, engaging in daily prayer to God, and by giving one another strength and encouragement, we build up a bond between us that will survive even the fiercest of Satan’s assaults (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV; Hebrews 5:12-14; Philippians 1:3-6; Colossians 1:3-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3; Romans 16:1-20; 2 Timothy 1:16-18). It's actually that easy. Not only does strength come from reading God's Word, so does faith for "faith comes in hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Do you lack faith? Then don't put your Bible down because you doubt it's worth, pick it up. Do you lack the strength needed to conquer a vice, turn from temptation, or walk away from sin? Then pick up your Bible and read. The words contained on those pages will begin to clothe you in spiritual armor needed to do battle. Always include daily prayer and fellowship with other Christians who are struggling and learning like you.

If you do these things, then nothing will be too difficult or too hard to overcome. You will be strengthened in His Spirit and might. My closing prayer for you comes from Ephesians 3:16, That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man."
Until next time,
-Pat-