It is That Simple
with Larry Kutzler
The Simple Ideas of Profound Truths
Open Our Eyes
The story in 2 Kings 6, is about opening our eyes to the reality of what is around us. The Prophet Elisha said to his young companion, “Don’t be afraid, for there are more on our side than on their side.” The young man’s eyes were opened, and he saw the armies of Heaven. In Hebrews 12, we are told that we are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith … which is for our encouragement, noting that we are not alone. Blindness is a problem for people of faith. Spiritual eyes must see the reality of God like the Prophet Elisha and his young companion. Without seeing, we will never shut the mouths of lions, or have our weakness turned to strength. “Lord, help us to see that your Kingdom is on the horizon, and open our eyes!” It is That Simple.
Influence That Lasts
Influence is defined as the power to change or affect how people act, think, or feel without using direct force or orders. Every day we are influenced by commercials, movies, social media, politics, and a host of other ways. Oswald Chambers said, “God’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.” So, we must ask, how does the influence of the world’s purpose affect our lives, rather than the influence of God? We should ask, “What kind of influence do we leave behind, as we move through life? At a recent funeral I conducted, a woman I did not know approached me and told me she accepted the Lord following a sermon I preached 30 years ago. She said it changed the protectory of her life. So, influence is often silent but when done for God, it has a lasting impact. It is That Simple.
God is in the Good Days and the Bad Days
The other day, I heard Dennis Prager on a podcast, talk about the fear of suffering. He talked about the discomfort of life that most of us avoid at all costs. We don’t want to think about suffering, and we never prepare by realizing that each day is a gift. Today we are fine, but tomorrow it may all change. Prager talked about God in the reality of suffering. In November of 2023, the author and talk show host, had a fall and was paralyzed as a result. One day, he was on top of the world, and the next he was on his back for the rest of his life. Prager said tomorrow may not be as good as today, so prepare by knowing God is in both the good days and the bad days in our lives. It is That Simple.
Loneliness and God
It is reported that loneliness is experienced by 1 in 3 Americans. When asked what’s causing this, technology topped the list (73%), followed by families not spending enough time together (66%), and people being too busy or exhausted (62%). Aging and retirement contribute to isolation with older adult’s cocooning from society. Social changes such as divorce, death of close friends, and health issues all contribute to the loneliness in our lives. However, God is the answer for a heart that feels empty and lonely. The Apostle Paul wrote Four Epistles while he was locked up in a Roman prison around AD 60–62. The Four Epistles are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. The Apostle Paul was not alone in this prison …. God was with Him. The Mamertine Prison in Rome was where prisoners were housed until their execution. In the worse conditions … God is there. It is That Simple.
The Great Pursuit
The Psalmist speaks about pressing hard after God, which today we would say, “We pursue God with all we have.” I sense that we have lost that Great Pursuit. Perhaps, in some cases, we never had it … we serve Christ as a convenience. The burning passion for God goes beyond the weekly Bible studies, the daily devotionals, and worship services on Sunday. Casual Christianity will not cut it in a world that is changing. The influences today are against anyone who is determined to stand for Christ. Pursuing God has never been a casual activity … it takes determination to make your life count for God. As I read the stories of those who made a difference for Christ in this life, they were not casual about their pursuit of God. They were all in, no nonsense … just pursuit. It is That Simple.
Conclusions That Matter
When I was coming up in the Church, the emphasis was on End Time Prophecy, pleading the Blood of the Lamb, for deliverance from evil, and Divine healing. It was the era of 'The Late Great Planet Earth’ written by Hal Lindsey … altar calls were used for deliverance from evil, and it was a place where prayer tackled the issues of healing. It was an era that reflected the ministry of Jesus and what is read in the Book of Acts. The altar call was a natural conclusion to a Gospel Message, and it was the conclusion to what had been preached. My question is, “Do we shortchange the effectiveness of offering prayer for people who need to meet God?” Jesus preached, and then did miracles … it was His version of the altar call, a conclusion with power. It is That Simple.
The Bully of Fear
I have heard it said that fear is a bully, and bullies get their way when we become afraid of them. Fear keeps us from acting, believing, and moving forward. Too often, our fears are not founded upon truth … they are emotional in nature or based upon misinformation. Depending on the translation, fear not, is mentioned 73-103 times in the Bible, so God is aware of our weakness toward the bullying of fear. The antidote to fear is trust, and once we trust God and know He is in the process of helping us overcome fear, we will no longer be bullied by fear. Like the Apostle Peter, we jump to conclusions quickly, “I can walk on this water,” only to allow fear to sink us. Fear is in every day, but so is trust … it’s a choice. It is That Simple.
Two Masters
The Prophet Amos said that God hated Israel’s religious festivals, and called their worship noise. Israel, throughout their history worshipped the gods of the culture around them, and at the same time practiced their worship with Jehovah God. Jesus addressed this same concern when He said, “You can’t serve two masters.” The age-old problem with religion is that it gives you information, but it doesn’t have the capacity for a meaningful relationship with God. Relationship with God requires a surrender to God, a dependance on God, and an unquenchable desire to pursue Him. To align with God on Sunday and then be controlled by the culture on Monday … is serving two masters. Remember, God said that He hated Israel’s festivals because of this same practice. A relationship with God is exclusive … He will not tolerate any other gods before Him. It is That Simple.
Determination Not to Quit
The Prophet Samuel told Israel that it would be sin against the Lord if he did not continue to pray for them. It was his commitment to God that he would continue to teach them what is good and right. I know that prayer for some is not easy … our minds wonder, we get distracted, and other things set the priority in our lives. Yet Samuel’s commitment to the people was so strong, that he considered a lack of prayer for them sinful to God. How’s that for determination? In recent months, I have felt the urge to strengthen my commitment to God … not only to pray with more determination, but to be convicted of where I lack in the practice of prayer. Our world needs prayer … will we answer the call? It is That Simple.
God's Presence is His Trademark
Here is something you don’t hear very much. “I will be the glory inside the struggles of your life.” Now, that is a paraphrase of Zechariah 2:5 where God says, “For I, says the Lord, will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.” God always brings hope, and that hope is Himself. During any emotional, physical, or spiritual assaults, His glory will be inside those struggles with you. The one distinction of the Judeo-Christian God is … His presence. His presence is His trademark, for God is never absent but always present among His people. One of the hallmarks of Jesus was His presence among the people. He didn’t teach or perform miracles at a distance, He was present … God’s glory among the struggles. God never leaves us. It is That Simple.