Posers

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."

— Matthew 7:21

 

Did you know it is possible to pray, be baptized, keep the Ten Commandments, go to church, and not necessarily be a Christian? A Christian should do those things, but doing them in and of themselves does not mean you are a Christian.

Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

There are posers in the church. They sit next to us. They sing the same songs. They pray the same prayers. They know the Christian lingo. They come off like they are Christians, but they really are not.

Whenever something good comes along, you can be certain there will be imitations. And the devil is an imitator. Jesus told a story known as the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares about a farmer who planted a crop of wheat. During the night, his enemy came along and planted tares, or weeds, among the wheat. But it was not until the plants broke ground that it became apparent there were weeds among the wheat. Worse yet, the weeds actually uprooted the wheat.

Jesus said that is how it will be leading up to the time of His return. There will be the genuine next to the imitation. There will be the real next to the fake. A fake Christian is not a struggling Christian, because every Christian struggles. Every Christian has times when they fall short. A fake Christian is a poser, a pretender. It is someone who is putting on a performance. They conduct themselves one way sitting in church, but another way altogether in their day-to-day living.

If you are a real Christian, it will be demonstrated in the way that you live.

When to Stay Silent

"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."

— Matthew 7:6

 

Years ago, we went snorkeling in Hawaii with one of the local guys who knew the water really well. We were cruising along when we came to a net, and inside the net was a shark. The shark wasn't moving, so we all got really close to get a better look at it. Then our guide proceeded to pull out his knife and start cutting the net to let the shark out. All of a sudden, the shark came back to life. If people could have walked on water-better yet, run on water-we would have done it right there. The animal was turning on the very one who was saving him.

That is how some people are. You try to help them, and they turn on you. It the whole idea Jesus was speaking of when He said, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces" (Matthew 7:6).

For He Is Good

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

— Hebrews 13:15

 

We can praise God in good times and we can praise God in bad times. And I don't know that we will fully understand what is good or bad for us on this side of heaven. When we are younger, we think certain things are good, such as success, while other things are bad, such as hardship.

But as we go through life, after awhile we look back and realize that success actually can be bad for some, while hardship actually can be good for others. So we begin to look at things differently. And sometimes the things we thought were really good things turn out to be bad things. On the other hand, the things we thought were bad things actually turn out to be really good things.

Be Narrow-Minded

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

— Matthew 7:13–14

 

If you are worried about fitting in and being cool and being culturally acceptable, you will have a hard time being a follower of Christ, because it means taking a narrow road. Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

There are two gates and two ways we can take in life: the narrow or the broad. And when we read, "Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life," it means we are to be-in a strict sense-narrow-minded.

Wear Your Helmet!

Paul tells us we are to take "the helmet of salvation" (Ephesians 6:17).

The two most sought-after and vulnerable targets on the ancient battlefield were the heart and the head. With our heart and other vital organs ably protected by the breastplate of righteousness, the enemy will try to strike the head. One well-placed blow to the head and the battle is over.

What does it mean to wear the helmet of salvation?

It would seem to me that the apostle is telling us to watch our thoughts in general. Most temptation comes through the gateway of the mind and imagination.

This is why Paul tells us, "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3 NIV).

When those "flaming arrows" of ungodly thoughts come, we need to have our guard up.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5–6:

Sacrificial Praise

Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name

— Psalm 63:3–4

 

A hospital chaplain kept a record of 2,000 patients who were apparently in a dying condition and showed signs of repentance. But he noted that of those who were restored to health, only two showed a marked change in their spiritual lives after their recovery. In other words, when people thought they were dying, they remembered God, but when they recovered, they forgot about Him.

Maybe you have had a crisis recently, and it got your attention. Remember to call upon God. Remember to put your trust in Him. Far too often we ask God for help, but we don't give Him anything in return. What would you think of a person who was always asking for resources and favors, but never took time to thank you?

It is one thing to give thanks when things are going well. But we can also give thanks when things are not going well. Psalm 63, one of my favorite psalms, was written at a time when David was in exile in the wilderness, running from his son, Absalom, who wanted to take over his throne. David was an elderly man at this point. Yet in the midst of his anguish and personal pain, he wrote, "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name" (verses 3–4).

Remember to Thank Him

So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"

— Luke 17:17–18

 

Luke 17 tells the story of some men who had a lot to give thanks for. Prior to being miraculously touched by Jesus, they were complete outcasts—the very scourge of society. These ten men had the worst disease of the time, leprosy, for which there was no cure. They couldn't get any lower in that particular time in history with this incurable disease.

Those found to have leprosy could have no contact with others. They had to leave their house and their friends and live apart from them. These men were living an isolated, miserable life. Their clothing would have been ripped from perpetual mourning. Their skeletal heads would have been uncovered. They had to cry out, "Unclean! Unclean!" wherever they went, in keeping with the Law of Moses. But they had heard about Jesus. And seeing Him in the distance, they cried out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" (Luke 17:12–13).

Reasons to Be Thankful

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

— Psalm 107:1

It seems as though merchants really don't know what to do with Thanksgiving. They market Halloween and Christmas and make a lot of money off these holidays. But they don't really know what to do with Thanksgiving, which is really very spiritual in its origins. It was designated by President George Washington in 1789 as a national day for giving thanks to God.

In the midst of all our feasting, it is very easy to forget about the one we are celebrating. Sometimes we even forget to give thanks altogether. You might be thinking, Well, I don't have a lot to give thanks for. Maybe you are having financial troubles or health problems. Maybe there is conflict in your family. But we need to put things into perspective. As someone wrote,

Lead on…

Lead on…

Casting a vision and leading people are not easy to do.  Here are a few pointers when it comes to creating vision in the local church.

Don’t micromanage.  Create a program or system for management then simply allow others to do their job.  You may consider employing another person to do the managing.  This would be someone who is close to you and knows how to follow your orders.  Let them do the follow up, you cast the vision.

Admit mistakes.  Being the leader does not mean you are going to be right 100% of the time.  There are going to be times you make mistakes.  Admit them quickly and cast a new vision.  Allowing yourself to make mistakes will show your congregation that you are human and will enable them to feel that you are approachable. 

Lead without fear.  Fear will cripple your potential.  “We have not the spirit of fear.”  Seek your churches direction from the Lord.  While it is good to get other people’s opinion and counsel regarding the direction the church should be moving, God alone can give you Divine direction.  Seek God’s face for His will.  Once he gives you direction, move forward into it without fear of defeat or what others may think.

How to Build a Team of Leaders

How to Build a Team of Leaders

"In these days he went out to the mountain to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God.  And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles;"  (Luke 6:12-13)

Whether the church you pastor is a big, thriving church or it is a growing church with twenty members it is very important to have a great team of leaders.  You may only have one other person on your team or maybe you have a hundred.  However many you may have, it's important to make sure you have the right people on board and that you are all going in the same direction.  Here are a few ways to choose the right people for your leadership team.  Remember when you start out to build your leadership team to build a team that is based on Biblical principles and characteristics.

Note:  The night before Jesus chose His twelve disciples, he continued in prayer all night.  When is the last time you prayed all night before you made a decision?

Choosing the right leadership team members.
You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who gets the credit.                                             -Harry S. Truman
Begin choosing your team members by making a list of Character Traits from the Scriptures.

       1. Use the traits Paul gives for the office of Elders and Deacons. (1 Timothy 3, Titus 2)
      

       2. Use the list given in Galatians 5:22-23 as to the fruit of the Spirit.
               

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:"

Leadership: To Train Or Not To Train

Leadership: To Train Or Not To Train

Have you ever wondered why some churches achieve their goals and objectives much faster than others despite having less talent? Talent is important, but typically those who succeed have a plan for success. That plan always includes training and developing leaders.

A popular saying states, "A church that fails to plan is a church that plans to fail." I would like to rephrase that, "A church that fails to train its leaders is a church that trains its leaders to fail."

Since the pastor cannot do it all alone, training leaders is a must. It is imperative that every church have a plan to train existing and future leaders. Leaders are not born, they are developed through mentoring, training and hands on experience.

Leaders must have a clear mental and spiritual picture of their goals. The Bible calls this vision.
Prov 29:18
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Without vision, people have no direction or focus and are easily confused and distracted. Without vision, ministries will fail and people will become discouraged and move on. Your leaders must know the vision, see the vision, understand the vision and believe in the vision. They must be trained in how to accomplish the vision. Then they must be consistently encouraged to fulfill the vision.

Restoration Is the Goal

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

— Galatians 6:1

 

Our desire should always be to restore, not condemn a person who is in sin. Galatians 6:1 says it perfectly: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."

The phrase, "overtaken in any trespass," implies it was not premeditated. This is not a picture of someone who went out intentionally to commit a sin. It is speaking of someone who went out and stumbled. They slipped. They fell. It wasn't intentional. They do have a responsibility, however. They did get trapped in the sin. We should take no delight in this, but should want to help and restore them.

First we need to help them come to their senses, because we can't restore someone who doesn't want restoration. We have to first help them see they have a sin, and then we want to help them set it straight. In fact, the word used for "restore" carries the meaning of setting a broken bone or putting a dislocated limb back in place. We do that very gently, lest we do more harm.

Check the Mirror

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

— Matthew 7:3

 

Commentator Kent Hughes said, "We find it so easy to turn a microscope on another person's sin, but we look at ours through the wrong end of a telescope. We easily spot a speck of phoniness in another, because we have a logjam of it in our own lives. Wrath toward the speck in someone else's life may come from the suppressed guilt over the same massive sin in our own lives."

Jesus was using a little humor when He said, "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3–4). The word "plank" speaks of a very large piece of wood, while the word "speck" speaks of a very small bit of wood, even as small as a little bit of sawdust. So to loosely paraphrase, "How can you get the sawdust out of your brother's eye if you have a telephone pole in yours?"

Is It Ever Okay to Judge?

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

— 1 Corinthians 6:2

 

Is there a place for judging? Are we to judge one another, and if so, on what basis? Jesus said, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you" (Matthew 7:1–2). The Greek word Jesus used for "judge" means, "to separate, choose, select, or determine." In context, we see that Jesus is dealing primarily with motives. You cannot judge my motives, nor can I judge yours. We may have an evaluation of someone, but we can't see his or her heart.

The better translation of this statement would be, "Condemn not, that you be not condemned." I am to make judgments and evaluations, but I am not to condemn. Some people are hypercritical. They are just looking for people to slip up. They are quick to jump to conclusions. As one of my favorite preachers, the late J. Vernon McGee, said, "The only exercise some Christians get is jumping to conclusions and running down others."

Sometimes we are quick to jump to conclusions and quick to believe the worst instead of the best about someone. Jesus is saying we should not do that. So if someone says to you, "Well, doesn't the Bible say, 'Judge not, that you be not judged'?" your response should be, "Yes, but I don't think you understand the meaning of that statement." The reality is that Christians are to make judgments. A judgment is an evaluation, and we make them every day.

We are not in a position to see a person's heart, and we are not in a position to bring final judgment on someone. Our objective is to never to condemn and put down; it is to help and restore.

Discerning, Not Condemning

“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

— Ephesians 4:15

 

It seems as though every nonbeliever knows Matthew 7:1: "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged." Generally, it goes something like this: The Christian approaches a compromising Christian or a nonbeliever and talks about his or her need for Christ. At some point, the Christian will say that a certain thing is a sin. The other person will respond, "Who are you to judge me? Doesn't the Bible itself say, 'Judge not, lest you be judged'? "

So what does this verse mean? Is Jesus suggesting that we are never to speak truthfully to someone, even if what he or she is doing is wrong? Is that indeed judgmental? Does this mean that Christians are never to be critical or make an evaluation? What did Jesus mean when He said, "Judge not, that you be not judged"?

No Other Options

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

— John 6:66–69

 

"Where else can we go?" Peter says. He had come to realize that no one else could save him from his sin. He understood what Jesus was saying. "We get it, Lord. We know what you are saying. You alone are the Savior. There are no other options."

For many it is repulsive, offensive, to think they are sinners in need of a Savior. They can live with religion. They can even live with the idea of having Jesus as an example to follow in life. But He is more than that. He died on the cross because you have sinned and you need to cry out to Him. Some might say, "I don't need to do that." Oh, yes, you do.

You don't realize how perilous your situation is. You don't realize how much you need a Savior. You might think you are a good person. But the fact of the matter is we have all sinned. We have all fallen short; we do not measure up to God's standard, which is perfection.

You're in need of Jesus Christ. He offers His forgiveness to you. What are you going to do? Come to Him.

The Best Antidote for Worry

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

— Philippians 4:6

It is not an issue of whether hardship will come into our lives; it is an issue of what we will do when it actually does. Our natural inclination is to freak out, to stress out, and to worry. But that doesn't help—it actually makes it worse. So what should we do instead? We need to pray.

We all have what could be described as a natural reflex. A natural reflex is just what we do. We don't have to teach a child a reflex. If a child touches something hot, he will recoil. He doesn't leave his hand there, but will pull it back. That is a natural reflex.

But then there is a conditioned reflex, and we learn this through time. We learn how to do certain things. When you learn to drive, for instance, it is not easy at first. You are conscious of everything you are doing. But after awhile, it gets easier. And before you know it, your driving has become a series of conditioned reflexes.

In the same way, we need to develop a conditioned reflex when it comes to hardship in our lives. In times of trouble, some turn to other people. There is a place for that, but ultimately, people cannot meet all our needs. No one will be able to do that for us. Others turn to alcohol. But that only creates new problems. Others tune out and pretend that bad things aren't really happening.

Guided Missiles

As we fight the spiritual battle, we need spiritual weaponry.

Let's consider our shield. The apostle Paul writes, "above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16).

The words above all mean that faith is of paramount importance. The other armor won't function apart from faith.

The shields that Roman soldiers would use were made of wood and then covered with cloth and leather. They were large, rectangular objects about four feet high and two feet wide. By crouching behind it, the soldier could completely hide himself.

The term fiery darts that Paul uses refers to one of the most commonly-used enemy tactics of his day. Prior to a face-to-face engagement with the enemy, a warrior would often encounter a barrage of flaming arrows coming from all directions. Their sole purpose was to demoralize and confuse him.

Our modern equivalent might be guided missiles or rockets.

The Roman soldier had to hold up his shield to protect himself from those fiery arrows. Sometimes, he would dip his shield in water so the fire-tipped arrows would be extinguished when they struck the shield.

Satan has his "flaming arrows," or "guided missiles," which he shoots our way. They are swift and silent and we receive no advance warning of their arrival. You can wake up in the morning, and the enemy will hit you with a flaming arrow before your feet even hit the floor.

It might be an impure thought or a thought of complete despair. You may be gripped with intense fear and terror. "What if this happens, or if that happens?"

It might be a thought of hatred toward someone. It might even be a blasphemous thought or a thought of doubt.

When do these "flaming arrows" come? At strategic times—like when you decide to read the Bible.

Isn't it amazing that you can open the newspaper and maintain your full ability to concentrate with no distractions? You can get through the whole thing—the want ads, the comics, and all the advertisements—with no disruption whatsoever.

Or you may watch some mindless TV program and you'll get through it with no phone calls, no distractions, and no problems.

When We Put God First

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

— Matthew 6:33

 

When Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, ascended to the throne after his father died, he was overwhelmed by the task at hand. So he prayed, and God appeared to him in a dream and told him, "Ask! What shall I give you?" (1 Kings 3:5).

If God appeared to you tonight and told you to ask for whatever you wanted, what would you pray for? Fortunately, Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God's people: "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:9).

Because he had not asked for a long life, riches, or even the death of his enemies, God told Solomon He would give him just what he requested and more: "And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days" (1 Kings 3:13).

Solomon had his priorities in order. He sought God's kingdom first, and all of those things were added to him.

And when we put God and His kingdom first, our lives will find the proper balance as well. When Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you," what things was He speaking of? In context, these "things" are what you will wear, what you will drink, and what you will eat. But let me take it a step further. It is also where you will work, where you will live, and even whom you will marry.

The basic issues of life will be taken care of by God when we put Him first.

First Things First

"Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven."

— Matthew 6:10

 

A verse every Christian should commit to memory is Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God? God's kingdom is the rule and reign of Christ in our lives. Jesus taught us to pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This is praying for a day when God will bring heaven to earth and will bring His rule on this planet. God still has a plan for planet Earth. He will rule and reign here, and as believers, we will rule and reign with Him. So that is in the future.

But when we pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven," we are also praying for the rule and reign of the kingdom of God in our lives. This is when Jesus is in charge. On one occasion Jesus said, "For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21), where He was speaking of himself. When you are under His lordship, and when He is in control of your life, that is the kingdom of God. It is not rules and regulations, but "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

Mastered by Your Circumstances?

"Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

— Matthew 6:30

 

Martin Lloyd Jones said, "To be of little faith means we are mastered by our circumstances instead of mastering them." Worry is an indication of a lack of faith.

Jesus said, "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:30). Jesus was not saying, "You have no faith." Rather, He was asking, "Why do you have so little faith?"

There are people today who believe that God will save their soul, but they have a hard time believing that God will provide for their needs or resolve their problems or answer their prayers. They believe in Jesus for salvation, but they have a hard time believing Him for other things. When a challenge or a test comes their way, they are bowled over by it.

Live Carefully and Prayerfully

“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”

— Matthew 6:27

 

Worry will not make your life longer; it will just make it more miserable. In fact, worry can shorten your life—or at least make it harder. In addition to being obsessed with the outward appearance, our culture is obsessed with trying to lengthen life. We exercise regularly. We eat the right foods. We supplement our diets with vitamins and minerals. We get our physical check-ups in the hope of extending our lives for a few more years.

I am not making light of this; I think it is really a good thing to take care of your body, because you want to live as long as you can, and be as healthy as you can. But Jesus said, 'Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (Matthew 6:27). The Greek word used here for 'stature" means 'length or duration of life." Effectively Jesus was saying, 'How many of you, through worry and anxiety, can extend the length of your life?" The answer is no one.

There is a place for taking care of ourselves physically. We don't want to neglect that. But you can put too much emphasis on the physical, neglecting the spiritual. You can also put so much emphasis on the spiritual that you completely neglect the physical. God has put your soul in a human body. So take care of it.

Even so, understand that you will live as long as God wants you to live. Not less or more. You don't determine your date of birth, and you don't determine the date of your death. You do, however, have a lot to say about that time in the middle. That is why Psalm 90:12 says, 'So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Live your life carefully and prayerfully, and recognize that anxiety and worry will not lengthen your life.

Focus on What Lasts

"And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are."

— Matthew 6:28–29

We live in a culture that is obsessed with appearance. We will be so concerned about what we are going to wear. Is this in style? Does this look good? Do I look fat in this? And we have taken this obsession to the point of changing our bodies with plastic surgery, spending billions of dollars on it each year.

Yet Jesus said, 'And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. . . . These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (Matthew 6:28–29, 32).

Flowers don't worry. Why should you? Even Solomon in his royal robes, surrounded by his lavish furniture encrusted in gold, was not as beautiful as a simple flower. The Bible is not saying we should not be attractive. But it is saying we should not be obsessed with our looks. Frankly, some people ought to think a little bit more about their looks. There is a place for that too. We can go too far either way.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to look good. But if that becomes more important to you than your spiritual life, if you spend all of your time on the outward and completely neglect the inward, then your life is out of balance.

One day, this body will be gone, but the soul will live forever. As Erma Bombeck once pointed out, 'Sooner or later, dust wins." Our souls—the real you and the real me—will live on forever. So if this greater thing is in God's control, then we can leave the lesser things to Him as well.

What Do You Have To Say?

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet.  He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help."  There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words.

He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up.  A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.  The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning?  What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."

Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind.

Learn to:  Be thankful for what you have.  Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively. When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.

Face your past without regret.  Handle your present with confidence.  Prepare for the future without fear.  Keep the faith and drop the fear.

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling…  And it is even more beautiful to know that you are the reason behind it!!!

Focus on What Lasts

"And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are."

— Matthew 6:28–29

 

We live in a culture that is obsessed with appearance. We will be so concerned about what we are going to wear. Is this in style? Does this look good? Do I look fat in this? And we have taken this obsession to the point of changing our bodies with plastic surgery, spending billions of dollars on it each year.

Yet Jesus said, 'And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. . . . These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (Matthew 6:28–29, 32).

Flowers don't worry. Why should you? Even Solomon in his royal robes, surrounded by his lavish furniture encrusted in gold, was not as beautiful as a simple flower. The Bible is not saying we should not be attractive. But it is saying we should not be obsessed with our looks. Frankly, some people ought to think a little bit more about their looks. There is a place for that too. We can go too far either way.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to look good. But if that becomes more important to you than your spiritual life, if you spend all of your time on the outward and completely neglect the inward, then your life is out of balance.

Get Your Gospel Shoes On!

It is essential in the Christian life that we not only hold, but also gain ground. This is done with proper footwear, which was as important to a Roman soldier's armor as the shield and breastplate.

After telling us about the utility belt and breastplate, Paul says that you should have 'your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15 KJV).

When we go look at shoes, we might put style at the top of the list. Hands down, my favorite shoe is the Converse Chuck Taylor. I pretty much live in them, despite the fact that they have little to no arch support.

But the shoes of the Roman soldier had to be functional. They would have three qualities:

• They had to have good grip, giving traction and solid footing.
• They also had to be tough to protect the foot from spikes or sharp rocks.
• Finally, they needed to be light, giving the soldier the mobility to cross 100 yards of open field in a minute.

But what exactly is this referring to, in the spiritual battle?

Look at the Birds

Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?

— Matthew 6:26

 

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave some illustrations as to why we should not worry, and one of the examples He chose to use was that of birds. Speaking outdoors near the Sea of Galilee, maybe Jesus even gestured toward a few birds flying by: 'Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?" (Matthew 6:26).

Birds don't have the promises that we have. Birds aren't promised eternal life. Birds are not created in the image of God. Yet do birds ever look worried to you? Every morning, like clockwork, they are up at the break of dawn, singing away. Jesus was saying, 'You see, the birds are fine. You can be fine. If God takes care of birds, won't He take care of you?"

That doesn't mean the birds don't go out and get their food. Some eat vegetation. Others eat seeds. Some eat fish. The rest hang out at McDonalds and wait for you to drop your fries. Then there are those thieving birds, the sea gulls, which hang out at the beaches and wait for you to go into the water so they can fly off with your lunch. Birds take care of business, but they don't worry about it. As one poet wrote,

Said the robin to the sparrow, 'I would really like to know
why those anxious human beings rush around and worry so."
Said the sparrow to the robin, 'Friend, I think that it must be
that they have no Heavenly Father such as cares for you and me."

If God takes care of the birds, will He not take care of you as well?

Trusting God's Providence

It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

— Psalm 127:2

 

Daniel was a man of integrity with no weak spots, no scandals, and no sins that his enemies could identify. And when King Darius came into power during Israel's 70-year captivity, he relied on Daniel's wise, insightful counsel. Yet there were others who didn't like this Hebrew prophet.

Because Daniel had a habit of praying openly every day, his enemies convinced King Darius to foolishly sign a law that would prohibit prayer to anyone except the king. The penalty for breaking this law was being thrown into a den of lions. Sure enough, Daniel prayed as he always had, and it was reported to Darius. The frustration for the king was that as powerful as he was, he couldn't change a law that he himself had set into motion. So Daniel was sent to die in a den of lions. Yet the Bible tells us that Daniel slept while the king was up all night. I find it interesting that the child of God in the den of lions slept peacefully, while the faithless man in the palace with all its luxuries was up and worried and stressed out. As Solomon wrote, "For God gives rest to his loved ones" (Psalm 127:2).

And so it is for the person who puts his or her trust in God. When we are worrying, we are really saying that God isn't in control, that God is not paying attention. When we worry, we are not trusting in the providence of God.

And what is the providence of God? It is the belief that God is in control of the universe. And specifically as Christians, it means we believe there are no accidents in our lives. Nothing touches us that has not first passed through His hands. So trust in the providence of God.

Hurried, Worried, Buried

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

— Matthew 6:34

 

The epitaph could be written on countless American gravestones: "Hurried, worried, buried." We spend our lives full of anxiety and frustration and worry.

Martha is a classic example of someone who was overly anxious. Jesus often visited the home of Martha, her sister Mary, and her brother Lazarus in Bethany. On one such occasion, Martha was slaving away in the kitchen when Mary decided it was a great opportunity to sit at the Lord's feet. Martha got frustrated because she thought Mary was being idle and lazy. So she said to Jesus, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me" (Luke 10:40).

Jesus told her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41–42). In other words, there is a time for work and there is a time for worship.

No Worries!

"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs."

— Matthew 6:31–32

 

A poll was taken in which Americans were asked what they worry about the most. The number-one response was, "My appearance." They may lose their house. They may lose their life savings. They may get wiped off the earth in a nuclear blast. But the real concern is, "How do I look in this outfit?" Things don't change much. Two thousand years ago, Jesus said, "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (Matthew 6:31–32). Fast-forward to today, and the number-one concern is the outward.

What do you worry about the most? What causes you the greatest stress? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us why we should not worry, and what we should do instead. Then He concludes with this statement: "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:33).

God's Signature

And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).

— John 1:42

 

When Andrew brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus, He looked at him and gave him a new name. Jesus didn't do that with other people. He didn't give out names right off the bat. But Jesus looked at Simon Peter and gave him a new name, Rock (see John 1:42).

I wonder if the others thought, Rock? Is this a joke? What does He mean, "Rock?" When you think of the word "rock," you think of something that is solid and dependable and trustworthy. Peter was hotheaded and impulsive and too quick to speak.

Yet when the Bible tells us Jesus looked at Peter, it could be translated to read that Jesus looked right through him. Jesus knew what He was getting with Simon. He knew that Peter would one day let Him down. He knew that Peter would one day deny Him. But He also knew that one day Peter would grow into that new name. He knew that one day Peter would preach the gospel on the Day of Pentecost, and 3,000 people would believe.

Spiritual Body Language

We are engaged in a spiritual battle. There is no escaping it. The question is: do we want to win or lose on the battlefield of life?

Let's consider the breastplate of righteousness. If this piece of our spiritual body armor is missing, we will be cut down quickly in the spiritual war.

Paul speaks of the breastplate of righteousness in Ephesians 6:14: "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness" (NKJV).

For the Roman soldier, the breastplate was essential. It was basically a tough piece of leather with animal horn or hoof pieces sewn into it.

The piece went from the neck to the abdomen, and it protected the vital organs, including the heart. One well-placed blow here or to the head and it's done—party's over—and you just became a casualty.

Our modern equivalent would be body armor or the bulletproof vest.

To wear the breastplate of righteousness is simply recognizing we have Christ's righteousness in our life. The Bible says, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous" (Romans 5:19 NKJV).

Come and See

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).

— John 1:40–41

 

You would think the endorsement of Jesus by John the Baptist would be enough. But not for Andrew. Andrew was the cautious type. He didn't do something just because someone else did it. He had to know for himself.

I can almost see a comical situation when Andrew began following Jesus—literally. Maybe he was following a little too closely. Have you ever had someone walk so closely behind you they were almost breathing down your neck? There was Jesus, walking along with Andrew right behind him, along with another disciple of John's. Finally Jesus stopped, turned, and said to them, "What do you seek?" (John 1:38). Andrew didn't know what to say, so he asked Jesus where He lived. Jesus invited them to come and see.

Andrew went and saw, and from that time on, he never stopped following Jesus. The thing about Andrew is that once he knew something was true, he wanted to tell others. So he went and told his brother, Simon Peter.

We all will meet people like Andrew. You tell them about Jesus, and they will say, "I don't know."

So we will say, "Well, you need to know. You need to decide." But be patient with people. Don't try to rush the conversion process. The Bible says, "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient" (2 Timothy 2:24). Sometimes we want to put the pressure on. We want to get a result. But if a person can be pressured into a decision, they can be pressured out. If they can be argued in, they can be argued out. Let God convert them. Let's just live the life and be the example. They will follow Jesus when it is time for them to follow.