Posted in Bible Journaling, Church attendance, Church Unity, Evangelism, Faith, Fear, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Whose Influence are we under

I wasn’t sure where my thoughts were going this morning when I began to read the scripture. I’m still not, but I know where my mind has been lately; and if I’m right, God’s word will align. If I’m wrong He’ll line me out. That’s how God’s word works. I’ve been lined out on more than one occasion. 

I have this question for myself, as well as my readers this morning. What’s your influence, both that of the influence you make and the influence that is made upon you? Luke, who had been under the influence of Christ Himself wrote about it in the book of Acts 19. There were two very strong influences in the community, one of evil and one of good. And both had made an impact in the area and both had a following of friends. But it was about to come to a head as it often still does in the world we live in when right has the audacity to step into wrong’s territory. 

Acts 19:24-30 KJVS

[24] For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; [25] Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

There’s Big Money in Evil 

Demetrius was a man of skill, and he used that talent to craft items of worship to the gods of the day making great wealth from it. You know… like Apple products, boats, cars, etc. Things that keep folks out of church. And he was none too happy when Paul and his disciples came into town and started getting peoples mind off of the world and onto the matters of the Spirit of God. So he called a town wide meeting of the merchants and reminded them of where their bread and butter came from and who was making toast. And that my friend is what continues to happen today. Evil is big business. From the drug industry (both prescription and illegal), social media, social standing, and our selfie society that is all about taking care of my four and no more with everything materialistic and no focus whatsoever on their standing with God. The god’s and marketing strategies may have changed but not the dollar made.  

There’s a High Price for Morality

But it doesn’t have a thing to do with money. 

Demetrius continues his conversation:

 [26] Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: [27] So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. [28] And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.P

Long, long before social media, Paul’s influence was vast. And it still is. And all for the sake of Christ. The world has tried multitudes of manners to destroy Christianity, to no avail. They’ve tried persecution, that made it grow. They left it alone, which worked for some who became “religious” to the point of no affect, (but then a new generation stirred the fires again). But their latest “divide and conquer and by all means stir fear” tactic has been surprisingly successful. 

I love online ministry and the part it plays in filling the void where people can’t get to church; but I’m telling you right now, that’s not God’s intention for the church. As one preacher used to say, “when someone in your family dies, see if your internet preacher will come and do the funeral.” God never intended the local church to be global. But Satan did. Because he knows if people aren’t talking, they’re just listening and usually to multiple things… they’re not physically feeling loved and a part of a body of believers,  they’ll have time to listen to him too. “Stay home… don’t fellowship… nobody cares… 

So what does that have to do with morality? There’s no accountability to an online church. If your people are all over the world, they know nothing about your behavior, but if you live in a community where people you go to church with see you on a regular basis, you’re held to a higher accountability. Not to the man, but to God. It’s true! I love my church people, I want to encourage them and live my life in a manner that makes them say, “Yes! Shari is apart of our church.” But if my church is 3000 miles away, I can live my life how ever I want and the Pastor will be none the wiser. I’m not saying that internet church doesn’t do a great work. It’s taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. That’s awesome. But when people use it as an excuse not to fellowship with their local church, Houston we have a big problem.

Morality matters. And Satan knows it. The high price for morality isn’t the dollar. It’s the life you live.

There’s Massive Confusion in the Whole Matter

 [29] And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. [30] And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

Gaius and Aristarchus are attacked by the powers that be in the community that were “filled with confusion.” This describes that state of the world. Satan has them continually stirred and confused. The world today is on information overload. Likely the people of Paul’s day were coerced by the evil powers that be in the spiritual realm, the same as they are today. Brother Paul was going in to take care of the situation but some of his homies persuaded him not to. Why did they stop him? Likely because they feared for his safety and they knew his value in the ministry. Not that God values anyone above the other, but if leadership is gone, you run the risk of the body of believers falling apart. I’ve seen it in the best of churches. Praise God, when we were Pastor-less for a year while searching for a new Pastor, God sent strong leadership in to keep us going, and we as a body knit closer together for fear of falling apart. We knew what we had and we didn’t want to lose it. Not every church knows what they have. And some, unfortunately never had it.  I don’t say that viciously or facetiously, I say it in all seriousness and concern. I’ve seen churches treated like nothing more than a social hall for good deeds and a few encouraging words. That ain’t it! Paul and his friends were willing, and many did, to die for the cause of Christ. 

God’s not asking us in America to die for the cause, He’s asking us to live for the cause. Which still might be dangerous. So, I go back to the original question: what’s the impact we’re making in our community. What is our sphere of influence. Are we willing to rush into the “Theatre” to rescue those in danger? How about into a house or local business where you know there’s someone in need of Christ? How about in your own family? Are you satisfied with a cyber church? I love my cyber peeps, but that’s not where God called me to be… I need my locals!

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

The Devil on Facebook


fb logo good and evilIt seems that one of Satan’s ploys in the world today is take the Name of God and make it look as though it is no greater name than any other. Social media makes me nauseous on a great many days when I see Christian friends that I know to be good people, posts without regard video and images that take the Lord’s name in vain, mock Christianity or walk the line of what is a good representation of the Lord’s people. The Name of the Lord Jesus is taken far too lightly and because of that those who need to see that the Lord is Holy, Just and Powerful don’t. And then we wonder why invitations to church carry about as much desire as a trip to the dentist. Friends this ought not be.

There’s a story in the book of Acts that tells of some men who took lightly the name of the Lord and got a trip to the wood shed like they’d never have imagined!

In the book of Acts 19:13-20

13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

These men were not just any men in the community, they were sons of the priests. They’d been brought up better. As Matthew Henry put it “One would think the temple would find both employment and encouragement enough for the sons of a chief priest, if they had been twice as many. But probably it was a vain, rambling, rakish humour that led them to turn mountebanks, and wander all the world over to cure mad folks.

Sound like anyone you know? For starters, Christians are the children of the High Priest, (Hebrews 9:11) and yet for the sake of comedy we’ll make light of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, not in an illuminating way but in indignant way. I highly doubt the Lord is laughing at a post that has profanity or other godless images and chatter.  Though we generally are not mocking to the degree that the men in this story were, we’re no less accountable and I’d hate to be on the receiving line of being made an example for the community as these men were.

The good news is that example set some people on the straight and narrow.

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Not the way that the Lord would like to see the gospel prevailing but effective none the less! My word for you today. Post on Christian children… but glorify God. Don’t share a post that takes the precious name of our Lord in vane or brings shame upon your faith.

If Christ my Lord had a Facebook Account
Or tweeted a tweet or two
Would He “like” the posts and comments
Made by me and you?
Would He smile at the video clip?
And understand that OMG
Didn’t really mean His name
For goodness sake, you see
After all He knows your heart
He knows you’d never use His name in vain
And though He did, the lost did not
When they viewed that “light” profane.
So when you later told that friend
How awesome your Lord was
He looked at you with eye brows raised,
I think we know the cause…
Posted in Life Inspiration

The One Thing

It’s human nature that we continually search for that “one thing.” That one thing that will make us happy, that one thing that will complete us, be it materialist or an accomplishment we’re no doubt searching for something. Just as I think I’m past it, the flesh rises in me again and I determine there is something else, one more thing that I need. As it turns out, God thought that there was a few “one things” that I needed in life as well. The following is a very brief study of the “one thing’s” we should have an understanding of.

One thing is Confusing

Religion.

Acts 19:32

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Some cried one thing and some another. The crowd had come together against Paul, and yet they weren’t in agreement with each other. They all had different beliefs and passions, and would be led first one direction then another, but for the cause of Christ, they were all against it. They didn’t know what they believed, they just knew they didn’t believe Paul. How true is that of the world today that Satan has so many convoluted ideas out there as to what is right and wrong. He loves religion, because religion is man’s works, not their relationship with the Creator. Be very wary of people who argue religion, they’re apt to cause confusion and attract an audience of demonic whisperings.

One thing is Consistent

God’s Plan.

While even friends and family let us down, and more often than they, we ourselves let us down; there is one consistency in the life of a Christian and that is God has never let you down. Things may not go as planned but He did not fail us.

Joshua 23:14

And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

Israel took a long trip through the wilderness, but the plan that God began was finished. The struggles in our lives that seem as though they may consume us at times will beyond a shadow of doubt find us at our intended destination. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: There is a consistency in the life of a child of God! Hallelujah!

One thing is Certain

Death.

It’s not something we enjoy discussing, we enjoy even less the facing of it, but it is certain. And yet so many people live each day as if they are promised another one.

Ecclesiastes 3:19

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

Solomon said it was vanity. Self-centeredness in the worst way not to understand that life is but a vapor, a fleeting moment. What are you doing with it that will have an eternal impact? There was renowned college professor once who was ask why he chose to teach, rather than preach before the thousands who would come to listen. His reply was “I can have a greater impact for eternity teaching preachers who will each reach thousands than I ever will alone.” Wise man. Don’t take time for granted.

One thing is Critical

Commitment.

Mark 10:21

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

If you want to make the most out of your relationship with God, no “one thing” can come between you and He. You’ve got to be willing to give it all up, trusting that what ever is needed God will provide.

One thing is Chosen

Worship.

Luke 10:42

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

In the story of Mary and Martha, Mary was found at the feet of Jesus worshiping while Martha worried in the kitchen. She was concerned about the formalities of the event rather than the fact the Father of all Creation was sitting in her living room. There’s a time to work, and a time to worship and we have to choose. It’s important to understand priorities.

One thing is Converting

Salvation.

To an unsaved person there are many things that seem to matter, it’s the confusion spoken of earlier. But to a child of God who’s been converted from a sinner to a saint by the blood of Jesus it’s as if someone turned the light on in their lives and what once made no sense at all, is now as clear as day.

John 9:25

He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

One thing is Continual

Time.

2 Peter 3:8

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

This is certainly not an exhaustive study, although if you read all 1038 words in this blog you may be exhausted. But how awesome it is to know that in all of life’s ebbs and flows there is One Thing that is assured for the child of God and that is an eternity without sorrow.

Life’s not perfect. But Hallelujah we serve the One True God Who is perfect in every way. He is the One Thing you need. Do you know Him? If not, get in touch with me, I’d love to introduce you.