You shall be called… the restorer of paths to live in. – Isaiah 58:12
There’s an old story that speaks to the heart of tradition and one of the challenges inherent with it.
One day a young girl was spending time with her mother learning how to cook. Wondering why her Mother cut the roast in half and cooked it in two pans, she inquired. The Mother thought for a moment and said, “I’m not really sure, that is the way my Mom taught me, so I have always done it that way as well. Let’s give Grandma a call and ask her.” Continue reading “The Foundation of Your Faith”
What would it take for you to push someone off a building to their death? Can small, seemingly insignificant compromises lead to horrible actions which you would have considered unthinkable a few choices before? Are there social pressures and psychological techniques that can lead you to abandon your most sacred moral values? These are some of the questions raised in Derren Brown’s Netflix special, The Push. Continue reading “Are You a Killer?”
Many people inside and outside the church feel a great sense of loss with the passing of, perhaps, the greatest Evangelist since the Apostle Paul. Even at the age of 99 – and long past his active ministry days – his loss is still deeply felt by millions around the world.
I believe it is only appropriate to take a break from our series to briefly honor this man who has impacted so many. Though days could be spent reminiscing all that he was and all that he accomplished, I have narrowed the list down to seven things that all of us would do well to imitate. Continue reading “A Few Lessons From Billy Graham”
After our brief excursion into Love Land last week in preparation for Valentine’s day, we continue our discipleship training in the area of “overcoming evil with good.”[1] (aka Jesus Judo). So far, we have studied four of the seven virtues and deadly sins recognized by the Church for over a millennium and a half. We have considered Chastity & Lust, Temperance & Gluttony, Charity & Greed, and Diligence & Sloth. Today is all about Patience and Wrath. Continue reading “Fast Forward 2018 – Jesus Judo Part 5: Patience & Wrath”
Today, we are continuing our efforts to use a little “Jesus Judo” on the enemy of our souls by turning his attacks back against him. This is accomplished when we do the right thing God wants us to do rather than the wrong things that our adversary desires. We have been looking at the Seven Virtues and the corresponding Seven Deadly Sins. Our goal is to always finish on the virtue side. So far we have covered: Chastity & Lust, Temperance & Gluttony, and Charity & Greed. This time we are going to take a brief look at Diligence & Sloth. Continue reading “Fast Forward 2018 – Jesus Judo Part 4: Diligence& Sloth”
In the introduction to Fast Forward 2018, we looked at how “Jesus Judo” can be used to turn the devil’s attacks against him. In part one, we discussed the seven Christian Virtues and seven Deadly Sins. We began with the first virtue – Chastity – and its opposing sin – Lust. Part two examined the second set in the virtues/sins list; Temperance and Gluttony. Today in part three, we will delve into Charity and Greed. Continue reading “Fast Forward 2018 – Jesus Judo Part 3: Charity & Greed”
In our series Fast Forward 2018, we are looking at how the law of opposite actions a.k.a. “Jesus Judo” can be used to turn the devil’s attacks against him.
Between the 4th and 6th century, a list of seven Christian virtues and a list of seven deadly sins were compiled and widely adopted into the Christian faith. If you want to overcome sin you must act on the opposite virtue.
In part 1, we began with the first virtue – Chastity – and its opposing sin – Lust.
In part 2, we discussed the second virtue – Temperance – and its opposing sin – Gluttony.
Take time this week to review part 1 and part 2. Next week we will continue looking at specific teachings on how to overcome evil with good – in your personal life and in the culture.
Please make sure you are subscribed to my free email list so you don’t miss a single principle that will help you prosper spiritually and naturally in this new year.
Resources:
Email Newsletter: https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/newsletter/
https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/jesus-judo-biblical-blessings/
https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/christmas-wars/
https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/worthy-of-a-king/
https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/protesting-leviathan/
http://www.destinyoutreach.cc/
May this be your best year yet as you grow closer to God and His creation.
May you have a Joyous and Prosperous New Year!
Selah! (Think on these things)
One the most challenging aspects of Christianity – both to understand and to live out – is what I call, “The Law of Opposite Actions.” It’s one of those topics that, even though I have taught, preached and wrote on it numerous times, never diminishes in importance or urgency. In one of my older blogs, I called it Jesus Judo for Biblical Blessings. While some things are for a season, this message is life-long. I believe it is also one that God has chosen to emphasize in 2018.
You can get more details in the links below, but the basics work like this. Jesus said, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also… Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High.” (Luke 6:27-29, 35-36)
I am encouraging everyone connected to me, to place a special emphasis on Jesus Judo for the next 40 days. In addition to traditional prayer and fasting for God’s presence, protection and guidance for ourselves, our families, our churches, our communities, our nations and our world, I am also encouraging you to train your mind to think Kingdom rather than culture.
So, when you are talking around the coffee pot in the breakroom, on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or other social media, at school, the grocery store, on the phone or anywhere your life takes you, pray this simple prayer,
“Lord Jesus, what do You want to do in these people’s lives, and how may I assist you in your work?”
Then just listen and do what God says. The answer may come in the form of a scripture memory or an inner knowing of the right thing to do. God may use another person to give you important information. In reality, there are no limits on how God can reveal something to you. As long as it lines up with scripture, you’re good to go. The devil would probably never tell you to show godly love to someone. You will be amazed at how quickly your ears will become open to hear the voice of the Lord and how much your own life will be enhanced when you are in full-service to God and People.
Next, resist negativity and judgment. We know that God sent His only son so that EVERYONE would have the opportunity to be saved. (John 3:16) When we act as ambassadors of the Kingdom, our role is not to judge who can be a part of God’s Kingdom and who can’t – God already invited everyone. Our role is simply to help him spread the word – extend the invitation. He has employed us to help lead people out of darkness into His glorious light. So, for the next 40 days, God is asking you to forgo cynicism and judgment, set aside earthly politics and culture, lay down your negative world-view glasses and instead see God’s ability to redeem and restore everyone and everything. Imagine how different people and situations will be when God finishes His great work.
In the days ahead, I will be releasing specific teachings on how to overcome evil with good – in your personal life and in the culture. Please make sure you are subscribed to my free email list so you don’t miss a single principle that will help you prosper spiritually and naturally in this new year.
May this be your best year yet as you grow closer to God and His creation.
May you have a Joyous and Prosperous New Year!
God Bless!
Resources:
Email Newsletter: https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/newsletter/
https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/jesus-judo-biblical-blessings/
https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/christmas-wars/
https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/worthy-of-a-king/
https://restorethepaths-com.qgx.vdt.mybluehost.me/protesting-leviathan/
Who is this man Jesus? Love him or hate him, he cannot simply be ignored. Napoleon wrote of him,
I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His Empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him. – Napoleon
Continue reading “Often Overlooked Ways Jesus Changed the World – Part 2”
As we reflect on the spiritual significance of Christmas, it is appropriate and natural for us to consider the wonderful gifts of salvation, justification by faith, and Redemption from death unto life. But if we are not diligent, it is easy to overlook some of the more earthly and natural outcomes of the little Baby in the manger. While the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ yields far too many benefits to comprehensively list here, let’s take a look at just a few: Continue reading “Often Overlooked Ways Jesus Changed the World – Part 1”