Sanctified, Not Sancti-faked

Think about the five best Christians that you know. List them, 1-5, for how ‘good’ they appear to be.
Now let me tell you about your list. Each one is a failure, has failed both God and themselves many times over.
In baseball, the best hitters fail 2/3rds of the time. In major league baseball, they get paid millions of dollars, not for that 2/3rds failure, but that golden 1/3 success rate.
As a Christian, you won’t hear me proudly proclaiming my success/failure rate. I would be ashamed to speak of how often I have failed God and myself.
But here’s the great part. It’s not my righteousness that makes me right before God-Jesus Christ and His righteousness do. And Jesus is batting 1.000, meaning He never fails. It’s because of His righteousness that we can proclaim with Paul: “1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4
So why do we Christians continue to struggle with sin? The struggle is good, as it is evidence of our belonging to Christ-those who do not belong to Him revel in their sins, are still carrying ‘condemnation’ within them.
A baseball player will work on raising his batting average, cutting down on his failures. So too we Christians need to work on cutting down on our sinning, by allowing God to hold sway over our lives, be our Lord, without a lot of backtalk and complaining. This is progressive sanctification, and the longer we’ve belonged to Christ, the more time we spend in prayer and study of His word, fellowshipping with other believers, the better we do. We will never bat 1.000, but we can improve our average. And eventually we become “All Stars”. (In Heaven!)
Watch out for Sancti-fakers, though. There are wolves among the sheep, and some of them look mighty sharp, appear to be Christians when they are, in fact, anti-Christians.
Both Peter and John in their letters warn us against Sancti-fakers. One ‘tell’ or sign:
“2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” 1 John 4:2,3
Batter up!

More Than A Breakfast Cereal

Here it is, Friday the 13th, and I haven’t died yet. Cool!
Actually, the significance of this particular “Friday the 13th” is that we get paid two days early, which is fine. I am not a ‘superstitious’ person, as I recognize that God is in charge, and has every event in my life planned out. Okay, honesty time: I have, on occasion, while watching an important baseball game, worn a ‘rally cap’-hat inside out or folded in half, perched on my head like a toupee. But I didn’t honestly think that my wearing of a hat would change the outcome of the game. It’s a fan thing.
But I have known quite a few superstitious people, and some of their beliefs make my rally hat almost cool by comparison.
One time while on a trip I was staying the night with a family whose son, Clay, tried to educate me as to the awesomeness of the Zodiac/Horoscopes. Clay was 18, 6 ft tall, so this wasn’t some kid pestering grownups with fanciful tales. All in good humor, I asked Clay a few questions.
“So, the year, day, hour, moment of birth dictate patterns of behavior, influence how a person lives?”
“Absolutely, man. I’m a Cancer, and we’re cool!”
“Okay Cancer, think about this: the entire world’s population is born each day of the year. You share your birthday with 1/365th of the world’s population. Not counting the Leap babies, who are just weird. On your birthday, 1/24th of that population was born the same hour you were. Are you still with me?”
“Go man, we’re cool. 1/24th of 1/365. Got it.”
“Okay. You were born here in Kansas?”
“Yup. Three in the morning.”
“Which was three in the afternoon for another baby born at the exact same moment half a world away.
A baby born just a dozen miles away in Missouri ? Two in the morning. What month were you born?
“July 18th. Like I said-I’m a Cancer.”
“That’s after Daylight Savings Time kicks in for the year. Before that artificial re-arrangement was incorporated into our culture, there was no time shifting for seasons. Which means that by a natural reckoning, you were actually born at two in the morning.
“What?”
“Clay, you’re planning on going to college, right?”
“Yup. KU.”
“Did you take any science classes in school?”
“I did all right. I’m not a wiz or anything.”
“That’s fine. Can you tell me if the Earth is at the center of the universe?”
“Nope-we’re up in a spiral arm pretty far away from the center.”
“But Clay, the ancient astrologers who came up with the Zodiac based all of their ideas on the belief that we are indeed the center of the universe, that everything revolves around Earth.”
“But that’s stupid!”
At this point Clay’s mom, Sky (as she likes to be called) thanked me for “Destroying his faith in the Zodiac.”
“He didn’t, Mom. I’m still a Cancer, and it’s cool!”

One more short one. Talking with a friend who takes Astrology seriously.
“So, the Zodiac influences how a person turns out?”
“Yup. When’s your birthday?”
“March 8th.”
“Hey! That’s the same as my Dad-you’re Pisces.”
“Okay-am I anything like your Dad?”
Her eyes got big.
“Nope!”

Perspectives-one per customer

But that's a good thing. Because if we all had the same perspective and were wrong about something, we would be 100% wrong. God has the best Perspective, and really the only one that means anything. That's one facet of why Christians can trust God and not lean on our own understanding or perspective: He Knows what we only guess at, and He sees and does what is best for His children. Mighty cool.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

This verse is filled with meaning. I’m thinking of the different false representations of Jesus Christ that
I’ve seen lately:
“Jesus as the God of Love wouldn’t send anyone to Hell.”
“Jesus was gay.”
“Jesus was a Palestinian terrorist trying to rid Israel of Roman rule!”
“Jesus was actually Michael the Arch-Angel.”
“Jesus never claimed to be God.”
“Jesus had a wife and child; we could prove it if the evidence wasn’t hidden by the Church.”
“We have the ossuary of Jesus! We are scholars-trust us!”
And so on ‘ad ignoratum'.
False teachings about Christ were circulating just as soon as the Gospel began to be preached.
John warned the early church:
“2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 4You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:2-4
And also:
“7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.” 2 John 1:7-11

So, it’s really simple. Jesus is the same always-He never changes one iota of who He is.
If you hear someone talking about Jesus, even an alleged born again Christian, who contradicts what the Bible says about Jesus Christ, that person is a liar. Or woefully, possibly willfully ignorant. Of course, to find out what the Bible says about Jesus, you have to read it, asking God to show you the truth. Which He will, if you ask in faith.

On television, the History Channel and the Discovery Channel present many fine programs-I love to learn about ancient civilizations, see how things were back in the day. However, when it comes to Jesus Christ, the CDS (Christ Derangement Syndrome) kicks in. A rough estimate is that about 40% of all their programming has to do with Jesus. And the ’experts’ they showcase generally are about 95% doubters, scorners, as John calls them, ‘deceivers’ who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.
I’ve heard so much about why the Bible can’t be trusted that I can’t help but laugh.
Here’s a little quiz if you are curious about whether someone claiming to be a Christian is on the level:
Ask them if Jesus is indeed God made flesh, Who died for us, was resurrected, and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. If they answer yes to all of this, for 20 bonus points ask them if they expect Him to return and set up His Kingdom on Earth.
I think you know how I would answer. I mentioned it in church yesterday during the time when we share praise/prayer requests-that the prayer on all of our hearts is, "Even so,come Lord Jesus!"

The Night

It was the worst day of my life, or so I thought. All of my hopes, all that I had trusted was gone, dead and hopeless. And I had to go to work. I couldn’t beg off or find someone to work for me; no one wanted to trade, nor cared how I felt.
My Captain, Achelus, smiled as I entered the guard station.
“Tadas. Come here.” I didn’t like the look in his eyes, as his smile became a grin.
“Are you all right? Are you able to work today, Tadas? Perhaps you would like a rag to wipe your eyes?”
“I can work, Achelus, I’m fine. What’s my assignment?” He laughed, but nothing was funny.
“Tadas, I have a very special duty for you; if the General himself had asked, “Achelus, who should do this job?” I would have said, “Tadas, sir. Tadas is the just the man to stay all night in a graveyard.”
I could feel the blood leaving my face. “Achelus, please...” He cut me off.
“Tadas, I would not give a plum assignment like this to just anyone. You have earned it! For the next few weeks, no more than a month, I would guess, we will be standing a guard in a graveyard, and you will have the honor of the midnight shift. No need to thank me so quickly, Tadas.”
In an instant his jovial manner was gone.
“He is dead, Tadas, and you will guard his grave until I say differently. Dead, and an end to your foolishness.”

* * * *

In the graveyard the rest of the squad was quiet. There was a chill in us; even those closest to the fire would shiver at times. We were set up near the tomb; I sat so that the great stone was behind me, so I wouldn’t have to see it, and think about who was lying within. I couldn’t sit still, and decided to patrol along the paths-no one else was at all interested in leaving the fire.
It was a clear night, and very quiet, until I was hailed out of the dark.
“Soldier!” A man approached me-older, gray, but still a strong man-he had a military bearing, like a general, so much so that I almost saluted.
“Who are you, sir?”
“I am David, and I have a question. Are you here to guard his tomb?”
I was shocked to hear him speak.
“Sir, you speak as if you were from my own village! Are you from Vilnars also?”
He smiled, and said, “No, not from Vilnars, Tadas. I know that is your name; do not be afraid of anything you will see tonight. God is good, and He bestows blessings on whom He will. You are assigned to guard his grave, Tadas?”
I nodded, and he seemed pleased.
“Good! Guard it well; an honor guard, though not intended as such. But an honor guard, indeed.”
“There is a concern that some of His followers may come, take His body and claim resurrection-that is why we are posted here. If I may ask, Sir...”
He shook his head.

“Tadas, that will not happen. A group of us have been brought together by God to mourn for His Son; we are gathered a little further ahead, and I stopped you so that I could explain, but please, come; there is someone who wants to see you.”
I had no idea who he could mean, but as we walked on I could see a group, women and men sitting in a circle, without fire for heat or light. Some were crying.
One man got up and approached us, and it was good that David had an arm on my shoulder to keep me from running, as I was seeing a ghost!
John smiled, and said, “Tadas, do not be afraid-I am all right.”
“But I saw you dead! I held the door for your disciples as they carried your body away!”
“Praise be to God, I am fine now, and there is nothing to be afraid of, ever.”
“John, this is unbelievable!”
He smiled.
“David,” He said, “ I remember the day I was preaching and baptizing, and our young friend Tadas came to hear me. I could see that God was convicting him, and when he came up to be baptized-Tadas, do you remember what you said?”
“I said...please sir, can I be saved if I am not a Jew?”
“And I said, ‘God calls, and we answer.’ It hasn’t been easy for you since that day, has it, Tadas?”
“Not easy, no. But until today...” I found it hard to put into words, how I felt. But they understood.
“Yes, until today it all made sense, but then our Lord Jesus was killed. Please trust us that it still makes sense.”
David said, “Tadas, return to your fire, and guard well His tomb; we must continue our mourning. But meet us here tomorrow night before dawn, and I promise that you will be blessed.”
“I feel blessed right now, and I praise God that you, John, have been raised from the dead!”
“Tomorrow night, Tadas, you will see a greater miracle. Until then, Praise God!”
As I lay on my cot in the morning, too excited to sleep, I marveled at what I had seen. John alive, and hope not dead.

* * * *

That night I stayed close to the fire with the others. They were fearful, half-jumping at shadows, and if I had told them of meeting a dead man the night before, they would have believed me. But John was no longer dead, and just a bit before Dawn I left to meet him and David and the others.
They were standing together, about a dozen men and a few women, and the mood was no longer one of mourning, but expectation-something was about to happen.
They all welcomed me, and David shook my hand, but there was a feeling that we shouldn’t talk.
We had a clear view of the tomb, being up a little higher on a hill. It was still dark, but dawn would be here soon.
Suddenly, a man appeared next to the tomb, dressed in white. He was looking at the stone, and just as I was thinking, “What can one man do?” he took hold of it and moved it as easily as I would roll an egg across a table. The ground shook from the weight of its moving, and there was instantly from the tomb a light, shining so brightly that we were blinded.
Suddenly I was lying face down, and as my sight returned John helped me up- the others were also getting to their feet, even the one who had moved the stone -when he arose he hopped up and sat atop it.
We all were cheering, hugging each other, Praising God. Tears were streaming down my face, and I felt joy in my heart which is still there to this day.
David shouted, “He is Risen! Our Lord Jesus has risen from the grave, and won our Salvation!” and we all cheered with joy!
“Tadas, all of Creation has looked for this day, and it pleased God to bring us together, witnesses of His Glory! Praise be to God!”
“Praise God!” I somehow now understood that God had planned for
Jesus to pay for our sins with His death, and now He lived again!
David pointed down to our fire. “Oh, look, Tadas- your fellow soldiers have abandoned their post; come with us into town.”
And so we walked together, singing and praising God. Some went off to the Temple, others left to look around the city; David, John and I walked together to its very heart, near the Palace.
John said, “Tadas, Praise God for all that He has done! Do not fear when your time comes to die-our Lord has a place ready for you in His Kingdom, and we shall all be together, Praising God. David and I will be leaving soon, after we stop in and see my good friend Herod Antipas.” David laughed.
“Tell everyone what you have seen, and of the Goodness of God!”
With that word they disappeared, but in a few seconds I heard a fearful howl from within the Palace, and I decided I had better get back to the guard station.
Money was paid for our silence; I left my portion on the barracks table, not caring whose pocket it ended up in.
So the worst night of my life was quickly followed by the best. Praise God!



Matthew 27:50-53:
“50And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

Coalition of the Chillin'

Just some great talk

The dems really seem to desire to lose the Iraq War. At the very least, they have no desire to win it. I like what this guy has to say. I hope you take the time to listen to the whole thing.

le

A Very Convenient and Wonderful Truth

“1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
John 1:1-4

“3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
Hebrews 11:3

“1God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.”
Hebrews 1:1-3a

“15And He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Colossians 1:15-17

Upholds all things by the word of His power. In Him all things hold together.
Former Vice President Al Gore (and the rest of us) need not worry about global warming/cooling or meteors striking the Earth or aliens attacking in cool spaceships or even man blowing himself up in a nuclear holocaust.
“Al, buddy. Chill. Don’t let global warming get you hot under the collar. Jesus, whether you believe in Him or not, has all of Creation under control, including what happens on this little planet. Relax.
Where’s your faith, man? What? In mankind being able to solve any problems that he creates? Wow.
And they call us Christians fanatics. Tell you what, take Tipper out for a nice meal, (personal note-all kidding aside, I’ve always liked Tipper. I’ve never seen her being less than gracious, and I think she’s a fine lady. Okay, back to the) a nice meal, and maybe stop by a church next Sunday morning, and hear a sermon about the Sovereignty of God.”

Laughter is

P. I.

Christians in this world must ‘render unto Caesar’ but never surrender unto anyone. Please hear me out.
Noah was politically incorrect. He alone found Grace in the sight of the Lord, meaning that the entire world was wrong headed. Rather than going along with everyone else, Noah did what was right. In a sense, he was a rebel against the world system in place, but actually he was the only faithful-to-God person in a rebellious world.
When we Christians in our age face being termed “Politically Incorrect” because we come up against a world system which is in rebellion against God, all we can do is follow Noah’s example: Do what God tells us to do.
We pay our taxes, support representatives who share our views, obey the laws of our land, whichever land it is where God plants us.
I’m thankful that I live in a country where I have freedom of expression, but I also recognize that many of my Christian brothers and sisters around the world are not free to express themselves without being put to death. When they speak out about Christ, they may be running afoul of the local government, but they are also following Noah’s example: doing what God has told them to do.
And I am certain that God appreciates and will reward their faith.
Once again, at the top of this post is a link to Voice of the Martyrs, which ministers to the persecuted church around the world. I encourage you to look through their site and materials. I have their “The Cross in China” about the Chinese persecuted church, and it is wonderful to hear the stories of the faithful, but also chilling to hear of their persecution. I know that God is working in the hearts of every one of us who are called by His name. May God continue to bless and strengthen you.

Gravitas and Gravitaser

Have you ever noticed that newspapers, etc., love to use pictures of President Bush that just make him look bad? I had to laugh when I saw this one today of Murtha and Pelosi. Have a great weekend!

le

03-10-07 Doug, how about John Adams? or Madison? Love the neck thingies.

International Women's Day

Following is a letter written to the editor of the Arizona Republic, Arizona's largest local paper, which, naturally, the Republic chose not to print. So I take the opportunity to publish this letter written by Matthew du Mée, Legal and Policy Aide for The Center for Arizona Policy, which points out the cockeyed position of an extreme lefty cartoonist. You can see the cartoon by clicking here and searching the archives for February 25.

Dear Editor,
Sunday’s Benson cartoon pictured John McCain gleefully tossing a woman off a rowboat entitled “Roe v. Wade.” The cartoon implicitly equates wanting to overturn Roe with wanting to somehow hurt women. The truth is exactly the opposite. Defenders of abortion on demand have shown time and time again that they are willing to sacrifice the health of women to protect the “right” of abortion. Just look at the evidence. The evidence from numerous studies shows abortion hurts women.
When a law was proposed requiring women to be fully informed about the risks of an abortion, who stood up for women? When funding was proposed for crisis pregnancy centers that give women alternatives to abortion, who stood up for women? When a law was proposed requiring young girls to get parental consent before undergoing an abortion, who stood up for women? In each instance, it was those like John McCain who would like to see Roe v. Wade overturned. And in each instance, defenders of abortion on demand threw women overboard, all in the name of “reproductive rights.”

The left is for leftist causes. Don't be confused.

le

Just a Smidgeon

There's a tendency in the world to think that being just a little dishonest is okay. Fudging a little, omitting a little information, flirting a bit, ignoring a legal obligation with no teeth, not keeping a promise to your child...you know, things that really don't seem to hurt anyone. Just a reminder that the Word says this:

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10.9

I had to laugh when I heard that Mr. Obama "had no idea he had outstanding charges." A few weeks before he announced his presidential candidacy, he finally paid the parking tickets he received from Oct. 5, 1988 to Jan. 12, 1990.

Does anyone really believe that he didn't think he could just be a little dishonest back in 1990? Ignore the tickets and get away with it? Wouldn't it be better just to admit he walked a crooked path in 1990 and apologize, instead of pretending he didn't remember 17 parking tickets? Why would anyone feel the need to be dishonest about that?

Just as a matter of full disclosure, I've had a parking ticket. It was two years ago and I remember getting it. I paid it. I also got a speeding ticket. I fought the law on that one, and I won. I remember it quite distinctly, even though it was twenty years ago.

le

The Opposite of Insult is Outsult

“16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.
18For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
24Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 1:16-25

Recently I was once more called “Arrogant”, which is like so much water off a goose’s back. But it did set me to thinking about why we Christians seem arrogant to others. We are called to humility, not arrogance. What’s going on?
What is going on is the difference being indwelt of the Holy Spirit makes in a person. To the world, the best ‘Christians’ are those who don’t get in their way, won’t make an issue of sin; one who doesn’t trust that the Bible is God’s Word, or, if pressed, admit that there is a God at all.
That is the sort of ‘Christian’ who is accepted by the world.
I’ll give you a hint, kids: Those ‘Christians’ are so easy for you to accept because they do not have God’s Holy Spirit within them.
A true Christian, indwelt by His Spirit, will humble himself before God. He does this not only because he is required to do so, but because in his spirit he recognizes that God is real, is truly there, and is fully deserving of our worship.
The world believes that we are fools, prostrating ourselves before an empty altar.
Unsure of anything, they consider it the height of arrogance to believe that God is there.
“20From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.”
Our friend Jake recently said something to the effect: “They (Christians) are right because they think they are right. And they think they are right because they are right.” And Jake is close to correct. It’s better stated: “They (Christians) are right because they think God is right. And God is right.”
Who is arrogant?