Category: Faith

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Finding Happiness- Part 1

happiness1As we discussed in “Diagnosing Unhappiness,” people are more unhappy and unfulfilled than ever, despite all of the supposed reasons why that should not be the case. For students of the Word of God, this is not at all surprising.

Over and over again in the Bible we see what I like to call, the law of opposite actions. For example, Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) He also said, “…whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25) Jesus also tells us to, bless those who curse us and to pray for those who spitefully use us. (Matthew 5:44)

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The Non Sequitur Logic of Cheap Grace

cheapgraceIs modern religious teaching correct? Should we simply give up on the idea of holiness and pursue happiness without concern for consequences?

There is a message coming out of churches today that God’s Grace is all that matters. There are a lot of reasons for this message, but none are scriptural. In fact, for all the buzz about new revelation and understanding of the Bible, the truth is, it is not even new. Paul confronted this idea in his letters. He warned them that claiming salvation was not enough. They needed to live right. (Gal 5:18-21, Eph 4:17-19, 1 Co 9:27, 2 Co 12:21)

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Has God Changed?

GodChangedFrom pulpits to news shows they cry, “God has changed!” Okay, they don’t say it quite that way, but that is the bottom-line. Most people simply accept this at face value and move on, but is it true? Are the pundits on-track? Has God really changed?

The premise typically goes something like this, “God was a God of Judgment in the Old Testament and a God of Grace in the New Testament.” Though often repeated, it is simply not true. God is neither capricious nor single-minded. We were created in His image and we clearly understand that judgment and mercy are not antithetical concepts. There are times when justice demands judgment, and other times when mercy is right and proper.

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Is Repentance Passe’?

repentanceI recently read a well-worded article written by a pastor about why he didn’t preach repentance. He pontificated eloquently about how such sermons place our focus in the wrong place and how thoughts concerning our failures diminish God’s marvelous work of grace.

I don’t know if this particular reasoning is the consensus of everyone in the modern grace camp, but there certainly appears to be a large number of Pastors and teachers who are avoiding the topic of repentance. I understand how appealing it can be to take our eyes off our short-comings and focus instead on the wonderful mercy and grace of God. Indeed, we should all spend more time reflecting and demonstrating our thankfulness for what the old song calls, “grace that is greater than all our sins.”

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The Appalling New Threat

prayerIn the wake of the recent tragic deaths and injuries in Paris, Colorado, California and other locations, there appears to be a consensus building within a significant segment of the population. Public figures, news articles and blogs outline the outrageous behavior and call for a variety of solutions ranging from simply recognizing the activity as meaningless, to calling for an all-out cease and desist. So what is this alarming behavior that is of such great concern in these critical times? – Prayer! Continue reading “The Appalling New Threat”

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Diagnosing Unhappiness

happinessWith iPhones, iPads, 4K TV’s, Entertainment on Demand, Air Conditioning, International Cuisine and so much more, one might reasonably think that we would be the happiest generation ever. We work less, have easier lives and are exposed to more self-help resources than anyone could have imagined just a few short years ago.

My friends in Kenya – you know the land of hakuna matata (”No Worries”) – have a very hard time contemplating why ANY American would ever feel sad or depressed. The truth, however, is far different. Our generation has possibly more cases of depression, suicide and stress than any before.

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Another Reason To Be Grateful

GratefulI know it feels good sometime to throw ourselves a little pity party. The biggest problem for me is hardly anyone shows up, and the ones that do, don’t usually stay long.

As prone as we may be at times to focus on the negatives, it really is bad for us all the way around. Gratitude on the other hand, not only helps us to win friends and influence people it also helps us in every other area of life. Studies have shown that people who thought about, and wrote down, what they were grateful for benefited in numerous ways including:

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How Ya Doin?

doingIf anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. (Gal 6:3-4)

Isn’t it easy to point the finger at imperfection in others? “Can you believe they … (I’m sure you can fill in the blank)?” This seems especially true when the flaw is an area that we do not struggle with in our own life. Our own weaknesses are, well, just that a weakness – a very tiny one (or so we think). We have a tendency to judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions. If we are not careful, we may even find ourselves evaluating our godliness based on our perception of others. “I’m better than a lot of people”.

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Foundational Faith

foundational“Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you’ll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won’t get by with a thing. If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn’t, your part of the building will be torn out and started over.” (1 Cor 3:10-14 MSG)

Everywhere we turn, people are talking about faith. “You have to have faith,” or “Just have a little faith.” Self-help books, seminars, emails, television shows and websites all encourage us to believe for the impossible – as if believing is enough. The truth is a little more sophisticated. All the positive thinking in the world is not going to make a 4 foot 90 year-old woman the next NBA draft pick. Like currency, faith is only as good as the credibility of the authority that backs it up.

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Practicing Our Posture

posture1“My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. (Psa 55:4-6 NIV)

Fear can cause us to respond to our environment in ways that are not positive. If we are not careful, it can derail our lives and hinder progress toward our destiny. There are three ways that people naturally respond when afraid: Fight, Flight or Freeze. Depending on the situation each response may be good or bad.

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