Living in the Fast Lane

I am running late!  I’m behind!  Gotta get there fast!  Gotta keep moving!  Slowpoke driver, get out of my way!

Honk!  Honk!

Where did you get your license, out of a Cracker Jack box?  I’m late!  Gotta get there fast!  Gotta keep moving!

For some Christians, life is a constant drive through rush-hour traffic.  There are deadlines to meet at work, work to do around the house; appointments to keep and people to meet, problems to solve and money to stretch.  On top of all this, there are the Christian responsibilities:  Being a committed disciple, teaching a Bible class or serving on a ministry team.  Who has time to exit the highway?  I’m running late!  I’m behind!  Gotta get there fast!  Gotta keep moving!

Has your life felt like a rush-hour drive lately?  Zooming from one responsibility to the next?  Have you been changing lanes so fast that you’re flying by people without noticing them?

Take a look in the mirror.  Do you see a grim, determined, let’s get it done no matter what you have to do?  Are you driven by success no matter the cost?  What about your spiritual life, has it taken a hit due to living in the fast lane?  Are you tired of driving fast everywhere you go? 

Pull over at the next rest area!

Jesus said, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:29 & 30) The Message Bible

For less life stress, allow Jesus to guide your life and keep you from being so beat up with endless “to do lists,” deadlines to meet or activities to attend.   

Remember, Be God Controlled,

Brian

Love Stops Hate

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

A gun does not hate as much as a knife does not hate. Only people hate.  A gun does not pull its own trigger; rather hatred behind the trigger pulls it to harm the one who is hated.  A gun is not bias, it has no feelings, it does not seek one out to shoot and it cannot be blamed for any wrongs that are suffered due to the hatred of the one using it.  The same is true for a driver who is drunk, gets into a car and begins to drive.  The car cannot be responsible for the impairment of the one driving and gets into a collision and hurts other drivers. It is the irresponsibility of the driver who is at fault.  The same is true for anything used to hurt others.

The only control that will ultimately work in our society is “self” control.  No one can legislate to anyone who is out of control with anger, hate or animosity toward others.  It will not matter if there are bans on any weapons, if one is hateful and angry enough, he/she will find a way to use any means possible to carry out their attacks. 

It now seems to be a new normal that we hear of mass shootings in our nation.  It appears that our nation is reeking with hate, anger and revenge.  No longer is it “if” there will be another shooting, but “when” will there be another casualty to ones hateful, uncontrolled life.  No longer are these heinous crimes in far away countries or on the battlefields of war, rather, they have come to America in full force and with a vengeance. 

It is vital for believers in Jesus to be realist and ensure that we do not keep our heads in the sand and pretend that everything is ok.  It is not.  It is not ok for Jesus followers to draw a line in the sand and fight over who is right and wrong.  It is not ok for Jesus believers to be segregated by color, ethnicity, denominations or hatred for others.   

It is time for all of God’s people to rally together as one to help change the culture of our nation.  The Psalmist said, “How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!” Psalm 133:1 (The Message) Jesus prayed, “I’m praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me.  The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us.  Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.” John 17:20-21 (The Message) Jesus was not praying the unification of Baptist, Church of Christ, Methodist, Catholics, Assembly of God or anything church group, rather that all believers will be unified so that the world would know Jesus was sent by the Father to give all of us the opportunity for a life love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. 

The way violence is diminished is by Jesus followers to love God and love our neighbors.  The way hate-crimes stop is by the unity of Christians in a society and the reduction of segregated churches because of color and ethnicity.  The way self-control becomes an attribute in a society is by allowing the Spirit to fully take up residence in the lives of the believers.  The way mass murders stop is by loving God with all of our hearts, soul, strength and mind and loving our neighbors as ourselves. 

You see, when a community is being led by godly, Spirit-filled, unifying, loving, merciful, grace-oriented Jesus followers, it only stands to reason that love will lead, not hate.  Grace prevails, not hate.  Mercy demonstrates, not hate.  Forgiveness is plentiful, not hate. 

It is not up to the government to legislate a self-controlled, unifying, loving, merciful, grace-oriented communities across the United States of America, rather it is up to all believers in Jesus to weave ourselves within the communities we live in and teach by living the “Golden Rule”  and love unconditionally. 

Today, it begins with those of us who say we love God.  Jesus said, “They will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”  We must not allow Dr. King's powerful words to be spoken in vain:  “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

What are you willing to drive out?

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Color Matters

Shots fired.  Protest.  Anger.  Retaliation.  Bitterness.  Hatred.  Racism.  Riots.  Burning buildings.  Looting.  Baltimore.  St. Louis.  Dallas.  Baton Rouge.  Minnesota.  

Hate has a grip on our nation by a few who are bent on causing chaos and destruction We are experiencing the viciousness of evil and the power that the Evil one (Satan) has whenever he is given an opportunity to turn love into hatred.

It has become so easy to point fingers and play the blame game as to why there is so much hatred and unrest in a nation that is predominately a “Christian” nation. As I watch the news or read post on Facebook or have conversations about the hateful unrest in our nation, it is perplexing to me that believers in Jesus are so bent on making the issue about “color of skin” rather than about the real issue…Evil.  Satan.  The Prince of Darkness. 

Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy….” John 10:10a One of the ways that Satan steals is by stealing our commitment to living the Jesus life honorably.  The way we live the Jesus life honorably is by following the two most important commands of God.  Love God and Love People. Matthew 22:37-40.

All people matter. All colors of people matter.   God’s colors are his way of making each of us specifically designed, unique and special.    Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created human beings in his own image….” (NLT).  God is the designer of each one of us.  He crafted us.  Shaped us.  Colored us.  And, gifted us.  Who are we to be critical of the artist that brought each of us into this world for his purposes and plans?

Our responsibility to one another is to accept each other whether we are rich, poor, or different shades of brown, black, white, yellow or red.    James 2:9a declares, “But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin….”  James also makes a strong statement by saying,“There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.” James 2:13

An ungodly society will be content with color profiling, but believers in Jesus must live by a different standard.  It must be the same standard and prayer of Jesus:  “I am praying…for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:20-21

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his speech to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Washington D.C on August 28^th 1963, declared his dreams for a nation stricken by color profiling.  He said:

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”  

“I have a dream… one day…little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”

Color mattered in 1963 as much as it does in 2016.  Coloring profiling has not diminished in its importance in 53 years.  Until believers in Jesus of all colors come together and unite as one, there is absolutely no chance that a nation will change either.  When believers allow God to lead and no longer allow Satan any opportunity to steal, kill and destroy, it will only be then we will help a nation heal for the dreadful disease of hatred. 

NOW is the time to rally our nation toward God.

NOW is the time to stop being so comfortable in our church houses and hit the streets to DECLARE One Nation Under God and demonstrate that ones color of skin is not a barrier to a friendship.

Now is the time that all churches ensure that the doors of their houses are open to all colors.

NOW is the time to be diversely strong and be united in Jesus for the betterment of our nation.

When God is the center piece of our lives, as society changes
When the Word of God is read and lived out, lives change
When prayer is a continual part of ones life, lives change
When love God and love others is our theology, lives change
When mercy is our reaction towards haters, lives change
When forgiveness is limitless, lives change
When living the Jesus life, lives change
When sharing the Jesus story, lives change

When Satan no longer has opportunity to steal, kill and destroy, life change

For there to be less hatred and color profiling, God must lead, Jesus must live in our hearts as Lord and the Spirit must be alive and active within us. 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Community

Community!

I have thought a lot about the word “community” over the last several months. 

I asked myself…

-What does it really mean to be a part of a community?

-How does one fit into a community that is already established?

-Will anyone be accepted into the community no matter how one looks, the shade of skin color or their economic status?

Community! 

This word is so simple, yet so complicated.  There are billions of people in the world, yet many feel alone, disconnected and unwanted.  There are “religious” groups of all kinds, yet it is hard to break through and be accepted.  Hundreds can be shopping in the same store, yet most are only interested in their own world.

  

When I first moved away from the city life of St. Louis to attend college in a much smaller town in Alabama, one of the things I noticed right away was the “index finger wave” that most drivers would do as they met you on a two-lane road.  My first encounter of the “index finger wave” was one of confusion.  I wondered why a total stranger would wave at someone they had never met. 

It was in that small town in Alabama that I finally understood that for some, community wasn’t confined to their family, church or neighborhood; rather, it was everyone and everywhere.  For the driver with the “index finger wave,” “community” was being kind to a fellow driver.  No hidden motive, just a simple way to show a caring attitude toward a fellow community member.   Anthony J. D'Angelo said it best, “Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.”

Our nation shows its community spirit when a tragedy rocks our nation. The most recent is the mass murders at a bar in Orlando, Florida.  It was a senseless act and one that will scar our entire community forever. 

Community!

-How does a community recover from the loss of life and the hatred from one community towards another? 

-How does one community respond to another community who is bent on destroying them?

The questions are tough to answer.  It will take time to feel safe and to trust others.  The community that was once safe has now become a target for those who hate. 

If there ever is a community that must demonstrate a caring, loving, kind, safe and trusting place to live among is the church community.  It is sad when I hear others says that they do not feel accepted, loved or noticed in their church community.  I heard one person say that if she never attended another church gathering, no one would notice or miss her.  How sad, but, she isn’t alone in her feelings.  The church community must be a place where everyone is important and feels welcomed, needed and appreciated. 

The church community must not be a place just for the high society, a club for the economically successful or a group who wants to keep out certain skin colors.  Rather, it must be a community of the rich, poor, educated, non-educated, doctors, teachers, mail carriers, plumbers, electricians, janitors, poets, carpenters, and whatever God has gifted one to be. 

The community of believers must not be the one who picks and chooses who belongs, rather they live the “open door” philosophy that everyone is important and is welcome.  The church community lives out Ephesians 4:32, “…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (NLT)

Jesus set out to teach that a Samaritan woman who had gone through five husbands and was now living with a guy could become a part of a community that offered hope and eternal rewards.  If Jesus could open the door to such a person, who are we to deny anyone into the church community?  We cannot!

Community is…

Hebrews 13:1-2 “Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!” (The Message)

John 13:34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (The Message)

Romans 12:10 “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (NLT)

May Jesus’ church community be filled with welcoming, loving, tenderhearted, grace-filled people. 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

The Jesus Story (Part One)

A few years ago, I wrote this article in preparation of Easter.  This year, Easter will be Sunday, 27 March.  Over the next several weeks, I will be writing about the events leading up to the resurrection.  Always give your attention to unrelenting, unwavering Man of God we call Jesus.  His love was limitless and his compassion for others was genuine.  He never flinched at Satan’s schemes and He always lived his life with honor. 

Betrayal.   Denial.   Money.

Judas sells loyalty for nearly $10,000 dollars. Peter curses and swore that he didn’t know Jesus.

U - n – b – e – l – i – e – v – a- b – l - e!

Does friendship have more value than money? Does cowering trump courage?

How about the so-called, “religious” leaders? They were, Abusers. Liars. And, haters.
Spitting and punching Jesus in the face were acts of disrespect. Their hatred toward Jesus was a driving force behind persuading Governor Pilate to trade a prisoner in exchange for Jesus. The trade was guilty for innocence.

Jesus receives the death penalty by Crucifixion.

Jesus’ death sentence was a crushing blow to his mother and all those who loved him. The death penalty Jesus faced was cruel and unusual punishment by our standards today. The entire death scene was a circus show. Hate filled the air. Anger overshadowed sanity. People swarming to the scene to get a good look at the one they called: The King of the Jews! Followers in shock to see the man called Jesus being nailed to planks of wood while a mob is gambling for his clothes.

Finally it happened. The crowd silenced. The insults stopped.

He is dead!   Dead? Yes, DEAD!

The mood is somber around the death scene. Shame and regret filled the emotions of those who were his friends. Disappointment. Sadness. Loss.

He’s gone.

On Friday, the body was laid to rest and the entrance to Jesus’ gravesite was securely locked into place. The family and friends left the gravesite in tremendous sorrow.

I imagine the weekend conversations went something like this: “Hey, remember when Jesus walked on the water?” “Yeah, I remember, I tried to walk on water, too.” “How about the time Jesus fed thousands with a little bit of fish and bread.” “Anyone remember the time Jesus washed our feet?” “Oh, yes! He was a great teacher, friend, and servant.” I got one, “remember our last meal together?” “He tried to tell us about his imminent death, but we were too busy denying everything he was telling us. If only we could go back in time.” “Then there was prayer time in Gethsemane. All he wanted was for us to stay awake and keep watch for him.” Why didn’t we listen? If only we had a little more time with him!

It's Sunday and most are still in a state of shock. A couple of ladies decided that they were going to visit Jesus’ gravesite. As they arrived, nothing prepared them for what they were about to encounter. Fear ran up and down their spine. Speechless.

What comes next will blow your mind!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Trust

Throughout Scripture, God has promised to meet our needs.  Whether the needs are:  Emotional.  Financial.  Physical.  Spiritual.  Relational.  Or, just everyday needs of your life.  In fact, one of the Hebrew names for God is Jehovah Jireh, which means, “I am the God who provides for you.”  Philippians 4:19 “My God will supply all that you need from His glorious resources in Christ Jesus.” 

Trusting God is key!  If you are like me, this one is really tough at times!  Right?  I truly believe that the more we trust God, the calmer life is and the more we can see clearly God providing exactly what we ultimately need.  The psalmist said, Psalm 13:5, "But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me."  Also, Psalm 50:15 “I want you to trust Me in your times of trouble so I can rescue you and you can give Me glory.” 

God is in the business of ensuring we have what we need, when we need it.  Trusting his timing can be one of the most difficult parts.  I have said and I have heard others say,

“God, do you hear me?” 

“God, are you there?”  

“God, can you see my hurting heart?” 

“God?”

It is in our trusting God that will relax and calm us.  Through Jeremiah, God reminded Israel that he would restore them, but they must trust his timing and his reasoning behind his decision of when that will be.  Jeremiah encourages the people that God is aware and that there is hope for the future: “I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (Jeremiah 29:11 – MSG)

There are all kinds of situations in life in which trusting God is the only avenue we have to get through the difficult place we find ourselves.  God is on the scene and providing what is necessary to get us through the dark periods of life. 

God lies next to the one with inoperable cancer where each breath is a struggle to take. 

God holds the hand of the hurting wife whose husband’s body is buried at the family cemetery. 

God provides resources for a broken marriage.

God opens up opportunities for those whose finances are in trouble.  

God is never distant! 

God is present.  Available.  Listening. 

Trust!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

A Covenant Meal

For most couples that get married, rings are exchanged during the wedding ceremony. The rings are a reminder that you are now in a lifetime covenant relationship with a partner whom each has chosen.

When an individual gives their life to Christ and is resurrected into the spiritual life through baptism, he/she enters into a lifetime covenant relationship with Christ.

For the baptized believer, the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:17-30) is taken as a reminder of Christ’s unwavering commitment, unquenchable love, limitless grace, enduring sacrifice, and forgiveness.

Christ’s endurance through a horrific beating at the hands of a hateful and cruel people is a demonstration that He did not give in, or up when suffering was harsh, extreme, and painful. (Matthew 27:27-44)

Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

The bread and the wine is a reminder of the lifetime covenant relationship believers have with God because of Christ. Any believer who keeps Christ as the centerpiece of their daily life will endure all the extreme and painful sufferings they face.

For those who chose to remember Christ sacrifice through the taking of the Lord’s Supper will be strengthen and renewed. As the wedding band is a reminder of a covenant relationship with a spouse, the Lord’s Supper in a reminder of the covenant relationship we have with God because of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 says, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian