It is That Simple
with Larry Kutzler
The Simple Ideas of Profound Truths
The 666 World
Yesterday, I was living in the 666 World that the Bible speaks about in the Last Days. I live in Las Vegas, and the temperature reached 104 which caused an Internet outage to my house. It was a fried cable under the street with my name on it. Everything I do is tied into the Internet. My phone uses the Internet, I do podcast recording online, I shop online, pay my bills online, and lastly, I text and do emails online. However, when the Internet goes down it is hard to get help. Why? Because there is no Internet. Well, I was able to get it fixed, but the experience of helplessness was caused by me allowing the Internet to run my life. The 666 World is more real than we think. It is That Simple.
React or Reflect
We live in a world of noise. So much of the noise is designed to invoke a reaction. It seems we have lost the ability to think through the noise, to reflect on our own thoughts and prayers. Critical thinking is also becoming a lost art … we have replaced it with AI, Google, and other tech … all promoting a reaction to information. The Devil encourages us to react too. It has been said that the Internet is 60% misinformation, a perfect space for lies, yet, we use it religiously as if it were truth personified. We react rather than reflect. Culture wants us to react; God wants us to reflect … there is a difference. In reaction, there is emotion and often anger. In reflection, there is a response to God, that leans in His direction. It is That Simple.
The Blame Game
Blame is such a nasty habit. Blame is as damaging to the human spirit as anything. We blame others, ourselves, and even the Devil for circumstances in our lives. But you know what? Blame is a default reaction that denies God’s healing. Here is the truth … you have no right to blame anyone. God has created you with the capacity to know Christ, and in Him nothing is impossible. You can forgive all circumstances, and replace the blame game with Jesus. You may be hurt, discouraged, and you might have resentments … all of which can never be bigger or more powerful than Jesus. You have a choice … blame and feel justified, or blame no one, including yourself, and live in the provision of His mercy and be free. My freedom blames no one. It is That Simple.
God's Cross Examination
The Psalmist asks God to put him on trial. He asks God to cross examine him, to test his motives, and to test his heart. I think most of us would be quite afraid to sit on the witness stand and be cross-examined by God. I would think God’s cross examination would probe the things you have never told anyone about yourself. How uncomfortable and awkward. Right? For me, He could ask a lot of things about my thought life, or the pain of rejection, or the hurt of never measuring up. I think He would cross-examine me about all the inadequacies I am guilty of maintaining, and ask me, Why do they still exist?” The Psalmist concludes his cross-examination by remembering God’s mercy. I like that … so I will rest my case on that too. It is That Simple.
Being Asleep
At the end of the Book of Ephesian, there is a Verse that says, “Stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the Saints.” The phrase ‘stay alert’ is mentioned over 20 times in the New Testament, always calling our attention to resist apathy and indifference. The Bible uses other Words to remind us to be alert. Words such as, be sober-minded, always stay awake, be on guard, stay dressed for action, and be watchful. These Words are warnings to not fall asleep and be unprepared like the Unwise Virgins in the Parable Jesus told. They failed to prepare … a direct result of their not remaining alert. The prophetic lyrics of the late Keith Green’s song ‘Asleep in the Light’ says, “The world is sleeping in the dark, that the Church just can't fight 'cause, it's asleep in the light. Stay alert. It is That Simple.
Pulpits That Coddle or Throttle
Shepherds are stupid. These are not my words, they were said by the Prophet Jeremiah. Why did he say that? The shepherds were not seeking the Lord. Today, we often hear about revival in the Church, and it usually refers to the people. In other words, let’s get the people all fired up for God. Yet, I think we should pray for our pulpits to get fired up too, since they influence the Church. I would say that if the pulpits were on fire, the pews would soon follow. The Holy Spirit isn’t afraid of setting fires, in fact, He deals with conviction … a known fire starter. Without conviction, there is no fire, no change, and no revival. Pulpits without conviction are Churches without a flame. Pulpits were not meant to coddle; they were designed to throttle … the truth. It is That Simple.
We Are More Than an Argument
Once, I heard a preacher say, “We are more than an argument.” It made me think about all the arguments I have had in my lifetime. Do you know what? The only winner of an argument is … time. Time will prove an argument right or wrong, or it will bury it in forgetfulness, so it’s lost forever. They say that some arguments are worth winning, but I think even if you win an argument, does it change anything? I have lost a lot of arguments, but I also have won some. You know what? It didn’t matter in the end … the argument only proved there are two sides to disagreement. My wife taught me not to argue, she says it doesn’t change anyone’s opinion. She is right, and so we’ve getting along much better these days. It is That Simple.
Being Interviewed by Jesus
I learn by asking questions. In fact, as an interviewer, my questions are focused on getting answers when I do a podcast with a guest. Recently, I asked, “If Jesus interviewed me, what questions would He ask?” Now, that is intimidating. Think about it. If Jesus were to interview you, what do you think He would ask you? My wife said that He would ask her, “Why can’t you remember what I told you?” In my case, I think He would ask me, “Why don’t you listen to Me, rather than just talk about Me? Why are you so seduced by the things you like?” The intriguing part of Jesus interviewing us means we must be honest. No fudging the truth on anything. He is the only interviewer that knows the truth before He even asks. It is That Simple.
The Two Sides of Faith
The Bible tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith, so it’s important to get it right. There are two sides to faith. The practical side of faith, as the Apostle James states, “Faith without works is dead.” This practical side is where people see the works of God performed by believers. The second side of faith is unseen and spiritual … it is the side of faith that is the reality of what is hoped for, and the proof of what is not seen. Faith then is both practical by deeds seen, and is the belief in God for things that are unseen but are real. C.S Lewis once said, “I know now Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself, the answer.” God is the answer both in the practical and in the unseen. It is That Simple.
Being Interviewed by Jesus
I learn by asking questions. In fact, as an interviewer, my questions are focused on getting answers when I do a podcast with a guest. Recently, I asked, “If Jesus interviewed me, what questions would He ask?” Now, that is intimidating. Think about it. If Jesus were to interview you, what do you think He would ask you? My wife said that He would ask her, “Why can’t you remember what I told you?” In my case, I think He would ask me, “Why don’t you listen to Me, rather than just talk about Me? Why are you so seduced by the things you like?” The intriguing part of Jesus interviewing us means we must be honest. No fudging the truth on anything. He is the only interviewer that knows the truth before He even asks. It is That Simple.