It is That Simple
with Larry Kutzler
The Simple Ideas of Profound Truths
Being All In For Christ
James O’Keefe is credited for saying, “What is your price for silence? If it isn’t with your life, you are for sale.” Many Christian pastors have quoted this since O’Keefe said it, because it primarily fits the narrative of being all in, as a disciple. Another way we have heard discipleship defined is, ‘a fully devoted follower of Christ.’ Jesus said it this way, “Deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Me.” All three are saying the same thing … being a follower of Christ isn’t a decision card, or a trip to the altar, or a regular Church attender. It is living in such a way that life can only be lived through a relationship with Jesus. God’s grace is so amazing, once experienced, you’d never sell yourself to anything else. It is That Simple.
Lying is a Tyrant
The lie rules this world. Jesus told us that the lie robs, steals, and destroys … perpetrated by the father of lies. The lie is not bound, it is found in every institution, from education to the family, to the Church, and nowhere is there an exemption from its influence. It is easy to define a lie, but much harder to discern a lie. Lies come packaged as exaggerations, misinformation, doctrines, lifestyles, advertisements, government coverups, political campaigns, and is prevalent in the marketplace. The most devastating lies are those we tell ourselves, because they are hard to identify. The Bible tells us the human heart is beyond cure without God, and the biggest lie is the fool that says there is no God. The lie is a tyrant and is overcome by the truth. It is That Simple.
Everyone Changes
My pastor said that everyone changes, but not always for the good. That got me thinking. What changes are happening in you? I live in Las Vegas, the city of entertainment. You can come to this city, eat the best food in the world, get the best entertainment on the planet, and no changes will be made in you that are lasting and formative, because the world only captures … it does not set you free. Only Jesus has the power to transform you from what you were yesterday to something He wants you to be today … and forever. My prayer list grows daily for people who have a worldly heart but have no interest in Heaven. However, those prayers for others must first start with me. Lord, help me to care about those who need you. It is That Simple.
Life is a Risk
Life is a risk. No matter who you are, there is no guarantee of happiness, success, health, or even living a long life. A risk means you are exposed to a lifetime of both good and evil. Every decision you make is a risk … sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. What I’m saying is everything in life is a risk and the only thing that is not, is God. He never changes, and He never gambles with your life. He takes risks on you and me, but He, is not a risk. Faith in God is not a risk … it is the assurance that God is who He says He is, and He will do what He says He will do. Decisions in Life are a risk, but a decision for God is never a risk. It is That Simple.
God's Presence
There is a danger when God removes His presence. 2 Kings 17 says, “Because the Lord was very angry with Israel, He swept them away from His presence.” God never failed His people … His people failed Him. In this Chapter, you see God sending the Prophets to warn Israel to turn from their evil ways and obey His decrees and laws. Again, in Isaiah Chapter 57, God tells Israel that your sins have separated you from Him. One of the distinctives of the God of the Scriptures, is that His presence was with His people, so to remove it was a declaration of judgment. The reality of sin was separation … until Jesus. Only Jesus can forgive and remove sin … there is no other recourse for sin other than the Cross. Sin no longer separates us from God. It is That Simple.
Loving What God Loves
The older son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son is a stable, faithful, obedient, and reverent son whose opinion of himself, compared to his younger brother, was obscured by his faithfulness to his father. We often lay claim to how faithful we are to God, not realizing that our faithfulness must love what God loves. Faithfulness isn’t about our performance, which is how the elder son saw himself. Faithfulness to God is about dedicating ourselves to what God cares about, and if we say we love God, then we love what God loves. He loves people where they are at, and when someone comes to repentance and to faith, that means Heaven rejoices. Nothing is more important to God than to see people return to Him. God targets sinners ... because He loves them. It is That Simple.
Counting the Cost
Jesus by far was the most radical person who ever lived. He said things that were not only bizarre, but sometimes He sounded mean. Here is an example. “If you want to be My disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else, including yourself.” Now, that does not sound like Jesus, does it? Of course, He didn’t mean for us to hate people, He was referencing the priority of the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” God wants to be the first love in our life, and, at times, human love can prevent Him from having priority. Jesus used the contrast of hate and love to make His disciples count the cost of following Him. Following Jesus will always involve a cross to carry and sacrifices made, to be His disciple. It is That Simple.
Deception is Great Salesmanship
There is nothing like a great salesman, who knows how to get to you through common interests, and touches you emotionally, so that you believe in what he is saying and selling. Satan is bound for 1000 years, and freed for a short time to deceive people into thinking God is unfair. He is a dictator, and a manipulator of the universe, and people will believe it. Deception is great salesmanship. That is the problem … we believe what is not true because we get convinced by a lie. Jesus warned us that throughout the last days of earth, that this would happen. The father of lies is great at what he does, and presents lies as if they were truth. Here is my point … without Christ, you are inevitably deceived. Period. It is That Simple.
The Small Voice of Jesus
The Bible teaches that God is not found in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire … God is found in the still small voice. In like manner, Jesus will never be found in the complexity of theology. He resides in His whisper to your heart. Recently, I told a group that most of my theology has been replaced by a simple understanding of Jesus. Jesus said, “You would never enter the Kingdom unless you come as a child.” This does not mean immaturity but refers to a childlike trust in God. When you study the life of Christ, His theology was based upon knowing and doing God’s will. Remember, the best theology is always simple, and it listens for God to speak in a whisper. That whisper will always remind you that He loves you. It is That Simple.
Little Foxes
God’s best or my desire … it’s a choice. Scripture talks about little foxes. It has been used primarily to identify compromises. If a little fox in your hedge is allowed to stay, it will destroy the hedge. In other words, little foxes are those secrets that really don’t matter, and no one is hurt by them. A little pornography, a little lie, a little secret, a little flirt, a little unforgiveness, a little jealousy … all small enough not to hurt anyone. Yet, little foxes will, in time, destroy the vine and deny you of God’s best. A little fox is never noticed, they are hidden and not seen by anyone … except God. God’s best is living without little foxes, being free from the subtle impact of small compromises. It is That Simple.
God Looks at the Heart
The story of Lydia in the Book of Acts Chapter 16, is an example of what God does with small beginnings. The Apostle Paul shared Christ with her, and from the riverbank conversion and subsequent baptism, her home became the beginning of the Philippian Church. History tells us it was from this region that the Gospel went into Europe for the first time. As the Church grew, they supported the Apostle Paul more than any other Church at that time. So, what do we conclude from this? The Gospel message is open to all people, and God will use whoever is willing to accept it, no exceptions, and be used to spread it among others. God is no respecter of persons … He doesn’t look at gender, influence, or position … He looks for hearts that are willing to know Him. Amen. It is That Simple.
The Holy Spirit and Miracles
I have never considered myself an eccentric person. I don’t look for the bizarre or the fringe edge of anything, however, I do want to know truth and pursue it with passion wherever it leads. Recently, I have rediscovered the importance of a personal Holy Spirit, not in a crazed emotional way, but in a way that fills me with the possibility of experiencing miracles in my life. As a pastor, I sought to know the Scriptures but failed to experience the Holy Spirit as He appears in the Book of Acts. People will respond to God if they see Him working miracles, and the Bible reflects stories of miracles. The pattern Jesus followed was that He preached and performed miracles, repeatedly. Discovering the Holy Spirit as a fresh new experience has made a world of difference. It is That Simple.
Asking for the Holy Spirit
Jesus was making a comparison how evil people will give good gifts to their children, and He said this … “How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” Asking for the Holy Spirit? That gave me a different perspective on what to ask for in my prayers. God wants to give us better gifts than the world gives, and the best gift He gives is the Holy Spirit. At least, that is how Jesus concluded that comparison. I believe what we are seeing in young people today is their hunger for truth, and it is the Holy Spirit who is drawing them. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of revival, and He is behind this pursuit of God by this generation. Let’s continue to ask for Him. It is That Simple.
The Priority is to Surrender
Being a follower of Jesus means surrender. In the Book of Luke Chapter 9, Jesus responded to three misconceptions about surrender. The first response was to someone who thought it would be easy to say yes, and Jesus said there will be sacrifice. In fact, He didn’t even have a place to lay his head. A second misconception about surrender was about obligation. My life has priorities and my obligations are first. God’s priority is surrender which is to preach the Kingdom of God. The last misconception about surrender was the importance of the past. Like Lot’s wife who looked back at her life in Sodom and what she left behind. Putting your hand to the plow but desiring something else is a conflict of interest. Our priority is about surrender … not what is easy or what is left behind. It is That Simple.
Parents Be Parents
One of the observations I have made about parents with adult children, is the influence those children have on their parents. We all want to be liked by our kids, but the limits we normally wouldn’t extend for other people, we will with our adult kids to get their approval. Fitting into the younger generation is a tough balance. First, parents don’t think like their adult kids, and secondly, our standards will rarely be the same. Attempting to shift into their generation, will only cause embarrassment. Parents were never meant to go backwards in conforming to a younger generation for approval’s sake. However, new generations must learn wisdom from the previous generation. Parents must model wisdom … not just fit in, even when it may seem old-fashioned by the standards of a new generation. It is That Simple.
Don't Waste Your Time
The Bible says, “We are merely moving shadows and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.” Earlier in this Psalm, it says, “We are but a breath.” God reminds us perpetually throughout Scripture that our lives are but a vapor. So, why do we waste so much time pursuing things that mean nothing in the end. The Bible goes on to say, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) That heart of wisdom acknowledges that most pursuits in life aren’t worth the effort, so don’t waste your time … you haven’t much of it to waste. In a 70-year-old person, the heart beats 2.5 billion times, or 35 million per year, or 100,000 beats per day. The moral of the story? Don’t waste a beat. It is That Simple.
The Gospel is Understood by Actions
Demonstrating the Gospel means we preach with words and clarify by action. Recently, I was in Mexico with an organization that builds houses for the poor. Poor families who live under tarps are awarded houses to live in. Stories of how this simple act of love makes a huge impact on the family, that years later many of the children in these homes become YWAM Missionaries (Youth With a Mission). The Gospel was made clear by a simple demonstration of building a house. It was St. Francis of Assisi who said, “Preach the Gospel every day and only if you have to, use words.” Even Jesus said, “If you don’t believe Me, believe in the works that I do.” Actions do speak louder than words, so make the Gospel come alive by your actions. It is That Simple.
Facing the Giants of Change
There were 12 spies Moses sent to go spy in the land they were about to possess as a nation. All 12 returned, but only 2 gave a positive report. Ten were not convinced this land acquisition was a good idea. Pastor Alister Begg calls this the ‘10/2’ vote. He says this ratio can reflect the people fighting change in the Church. Yet without the risk that comes with change, you will never move forward. However, it is reasonable to rethink any proposition with a 10/2 ratio of no. These people did rethink this idea and said, “Let’s choose a new leader and head back to Egypt.” However, the 2 made the difference when the majority wanted to quit. Faith does confront giants, and the outcome is always in God’s favor. It is That Simple.
Influencing Culture
A pastor recently said, “We will never influence anyone for Christ by offending them.” His theme was simple … the Gospel never changes, but the methods of communication do. Every generation has its own culture, music, lifestyle, clothing trends, and worldview … they are all different from all previous generations. Connecting with each generation requires building a bridge from the Church to that generation. This is not a compromise to the Gospel … it is wise communication to influence people. This is what Charlie Kirk taught the Church … to engage in conversation with people and meet them in their culture. Don’t offend with hell fire and brimstone, that will not influence anyone. There may be a new sensitivity in our land to Jesus, let’s take advantage of it. Talk to people, let’s see what they have to say. It is That Simple.
Revival is About the Change
There has been a lot of talk about revival since the Charlie Kirk memorial service. Revival isn’t just the mention of Jesus, as good as that is, revival is about a change. Revival is a change of direction, where things will not stay the same. Recently, I heard that the definition of being lukewarm is … I still believe in God, but I am not that excited about Him. Revival is a heart change, by giving God priority in all things. Revival is about being all in, 100%, you’re not missing in action when it comes to prayer, seeking God, and being His witness in a hurting world. Revival is a battle cry for more. More of me to surrender, and more of Him to be in me. Revival is more than words … it’s about the change. It is That Simple.
Broken People
God uses broken people. Why you ask? There are no perfect people. This is a powerful theological thought. When I hear Christian pundits criticize other Christians, I think about our brokenness. It reminds me of an image of two beggars searching for food in a garbage can and upon finding some food, one asks the other before eating, “Did you wash your hands?” God can’t use perfect people because they don’t exist. Bottom line? He is stuck with us, broken, crabby, argumentative, and self-righteous. We all need the same Grace of God to be right with God, so why do we think we are better than anyone else? The Church is not better than anyone else … we only have more help from God to deal with our brokenness. Grace is the great equalizer. It is That Simple.
The Charlie Kirk Funeral
One of the great moments of the Gospel witness happened yesterday at the funeral of Charlie Kirk. I have never witnessed dignitaries speak about sin, repentance, the Holy Spirit, martyrdom, and the second coming of Jesus … all were spoken at this memorial service. Vice President JD Vance signaled that a revival may be underway when he spoke of his hesitancy about talking about Jesus as his Savior. However, since Charlie’s death, he has found a new freedom to do so. Erika Kirk received a standing ovation, when she forgave her husband’s assassin. Her forgiveness was the crowning moment for me. All the other speakers gave testimonies of Charlie, but Erika, by her forgiveness, demonstrated the power of Jesus. Forgiveness is the message of Christ, regardless of circumstances, we are all called to forgive. It is That Simple.
You Will Serve Something
In 1979, Bob Dylan released the song, ‘You Gotta Serve Someone.’ One of the lyrics says, “Well, it may be the Devil, or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody.” In other words, we are all followers of something. Some follow a religious routine that dots all the i’s and crosses all the t’s with precision. Some follow the dictates of their own heart by following dreams and fulfilling expectations. Still others follow meaningless things only to conclude that life is like chasing the wind. Regardless of your pursuits, you will end up serving something. The Bible calls a person who follows and serves the notion there is no God … a fool. This is an example of serving something that ends up meaning nothing. Be careful what you serve. It is That Simple.
Raising the Bar
I love words, especially words that drive home a point. My new word is ‘intensity’ … my challenge from the result of Charlie Kirk’s death. Intensity replaces the nature of complacency. Our cities are complacent about crime, our Churches are complacent about the work of the Holy Spirit, and people in general are complacent about their eternal destination. Remember, only 7% of Christians have a Biblical worldview … this determines there is a lack of intensity. So, how am I living out intensity? Prayer … I am making God aware of everything. Becoming a stronger witness … people need Jesus more than they need a political viewpoint. Study … I am against the grinding wheel, sharpening my application of His Word. Participation … Not letting idleness and apathy keep me on the sidelines. Intensity is raising the bar in living for Christ. It is That Simple.
Unpredictable World
Considering the assassination of Charlie Kirk, nothing today should surprise us. It is a reminder that we live in a world that is unpredictable. I am reminded of three of my faith heroes who died unexpectantly in accidents. Song writer Rich Mullins and pastor David Wilkerson both died in fatal car crashes, and Keith Green died in a plane crash. All three deaths took me by surprise because they weren’t supposed to go that way … according to my thinking. Now I can add a fourth to that list, Charle Kirk. I am also reminded that God doesn’t look at death the same way we do. He said, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Death is different to God … it brings His people home to Him, regardless of circumstance. It is That Simple.
Being Defined
My personal goal is to never allow this world to define me. We are defined by race, age, and being conservative or liberal. We can’t do much about how people label us, but we can relabel ourselves. I decided that fear will not rule me, disappointment will not take root in me, and unforgiveness will not drive me. Experiences shape how we live. God tells us, “Do not fear, I am with you.” More than 300 times God tells us this because we are prone to fear. Disappointment is an expectation that does not come true. Life is a series of victories and defeats, but neither should take root. One will lead to negativity … the other to self-interest. Unforgiveness will curse your life with bitterness. God’s reminder is, “I am with you always.” It is That Simple.
Truth Will Never Be Silenced
Charlie Kirk died, and some things will never be figured out as to the why. We put the unknown why into His hands and know He listens to our pain. Without God to temper the unknown with His presence and promises, we will become fearful, hateful, and even resent the life God has given to us to live. Our resolve will never be in legislation … evil doesn’t obey laws. Our resolve, as Americans, will be found in a heart change led by the Grace and Truth of Jesus Christ. It is a day of mourning for America, and it should drive us deeper into knowing the truth about ourselves and the importance of living a life of meaning. Our prayers need to address a change in the heart of America. It is That Simple.
Shooting Free Speech
The Psalmist says that God hates those who love violence. As Americans, we tolerate violence … God says He hates it. Chicago has over 800 murders every year, so do you think God is pleased with Chicago’s tolerance? Yesterday, the freedom of speech was tarnished by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Never in the history of this republic have we had such an assault on our right to speak our minds. The comments that disturbed me the most were made by political analysts who disagreed with Kirk. He was called a controversial figure, as if to say, “This was to be expected because of what he said.” So, translated it means … if you have an opinion, you are controversial, and subject to assassination. How insane. Evil always goes after the prophets who speak truth. It is That Simple.
The Patient Spirit
I am so intrigued with the work of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts is called the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ but it is the work the Holy Spirit. One distinctive fact for the early believers is that they were told to remain in Jerusalem until this Gift of the Holy Spirit would come. Too often, our reference to Him is in word only … we teach about Him, but we may not experience Him. God is meant to be experienced … not just a concept we believe in. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, so He must be felt as an experience. I often think of Him as a gentle patient Spirit just waiting to be activated in our lives. My point is … Jesus told His disciples to stay put until He comes. Good advice for us today. It is That Simple.
Not Seeing Jesus
I saw this sentence in an article about a well-known Christian leader. “I still love Jesus, but Church is hard for me.” If you were to read the whole story on this woman, you would understand the comment. Suffice it to say, she experienced infidelity by her pastor husband, divorced, and experienced burn out by the demands of the Christian machinery of writing and speaking. She is in much demand, yet, she has a hard time with the Church. I would suppose she would say, “I have seen and experienced too much of what is not Jesus.” That may be true with all of us, however, the Church is still His Bride, so let’s remember, we represent Jesus, and we forgive the Church. People give up on the Church because they don’t see Jesus. It is That Simple.
Who Are You Before God?
You do not face God with what you’ve done for a living, or what you have accomplished. You do not face God with what you think of yourself. You face God with what He thinks of you. Are you genuine in your faith, do you forgive others, do you live a life of service? Does your life support pride or humility? Do you chase this world, or do you chase Jesus? My pastor said, “If your mind is satisfied with yourself, your heart will never change.” You can define yourself anyway you want, but the real definition comes from God. When the noise of the crowd subsides and no one is cheering from your corner, what will you do? Jesus is always in your corner, and He never stops cheering for you. It is That Simple.
The Ministry of Jesus
Ministry today and the Ministry of Jesus are completely different. Today, we educate our ministers, earning PhD’s, and becoming professors of New and Old Testaments, teaching us the cultural, historical, and refined theology. Today the difference in ministry style is that we educate ministers, but Jesus gave His disciples authority over demons and diseases. (Matthew 10:1) In fact, if you read Matthew 10, you see Jesus telling His disciples to heal the sick, raise the dead, cure leprosy, and cast out demons. We don’t train to do ministry like Jesus … we are more subdued and professional in our approach. I mean, who wants to be known for casting out demons, raising the dead, and healing diseases? I think we all fear stuff like that, and it doesn’t make a good impression on Sunday morning. It is That Simple.
Pharisees Never Retire
One of my hobbies is to study Jesus. One of His distinctions following a teaching, was to engage the crowd with deliverance, healing, or rebuke. We all understand the first two, but the rebuke wasn’t for the crowd … it was for the religious leaders who stood in judgment of Him. They always wanted to find something wrong with what He said or did, so they could accuse Him. I have a friend who is an Evangelist. He puts up a big tent on a main highway going through his town and holds Gospel meetings. Following his message, he does what Jesus did by inviting people to receive deliverance and healing. Some pastors were angry because he invited people to have prayer for healing and deliverance … gee … just like Jesus. Pharisees never retire. It is That Simple.
The Process
Process: “a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end.” I love this word, because everything in life follows a process. Falling in love, getting married and raising a family is all a process, nothing gets completed without a process. The coming of the Lord was a process of salvation, fulfilling all the prophecies of the Old Testament. He is coming again, but He has a patient process so that the Gospel will be heard by all, and then He will return. The secret to succeeding at knowing God is, never short circuit the process. The process teaches us that God is faithful. Even if the process is hard and trying, it is there for a reason … it keeps us moving forward, step by step, being prepared to know God. It is That Simple.
Five Observations
I have five personal observations that have changed my life. The first being that the Bible is a Jewish Book written by Jews. He chose them to reveal Himself; He blesses those who bless them. The second is the importance of the Holy Spirit, He is the game changer in knowing and growing in God. The third is God hates religion, because religion kills the relationship He wants with us. The fourth is a lifestyle of prayer, it is not an activity we do, it is an interaction with God. Lastly, the Church is not the end game … Jesus is. The Church is the process that helps us to do the work that Jesus has called us to do. Simple, isn’t it? Yet, they are deeply rooted in the theology of the Scriptures. It is That Simple.
Prayer is Worthless in Tragedy
The Minneapolis tragedy at the Catholic school has had a lot of response from various viewpoints. The reactions varied from it’s time to stop praying and create an action plan to protect children, to let’s get these guns banned. Evil will never be tamed by mere words or laws. We have laws against murder, but murder still happens. Guns will always be available to evil, so stop the rhetoric, evil is designed to inflict pain, gun laws will not stop it. The Bible says Satan has come to earth with a vengeance because his time is short. So, how do we deal with Satan? Jesus told us to pray, “Deliver us from evil.” Prayer will not eradiate evil, but it does ask God to get involved. That’s worth the lives saved to do it. It is That Simple.
The Holy Spirit and the Church
What do we think about when we think Church? Does the Holy Spirit pop up as important? He should! Think about this … He is the Author of the Scriptures, He distributes the fruits of character, gives leadership gifts, He enables us to have gifts to do ministry, He convicts us of sin, convicts of the righteousness of Christ, and the judgment to come. He guides us in truth, He is our prophetic voice, He interprets Scripture, He draws people to Christ, and He is the Spirit of Community in the Church. So, when we think Church, we should automatically think Holy Spirit. He enables the Church to do what we do. When the Holy Spirit is active among us, the Church is never just the Church, it is the Church alive with God. It is That Simple.
Demons in Society
There was a shooting in Minneapolis at the Annunciation Catholic Church ... 17 shot 2 died. It happened at a Church, and most of the victims were children. The Governor and the Mayor responded with the usual, “There is no place for hate like this in our community.” However, people don’t shoot unsuspecting people unless there is evil driving them. How do you shoot children? Demon possession will shoot children … it happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Ever since the shooting at Columbine we have seen children, high schoolers, mall-shoppers, Church attenders … all killed by people with no motive or explanation. Shooting children is evil, and it must be demon possession. Evil will always go after the vulnerable because evil loves the pain it causes those left behind. Jesus is our only solution against such evil. It is That Simple.
Jesus Judges Two Groups
The Bible says there comes a day when Jesus Judges two groups of people. One group is called the Great White Throne Group. This Group rejected God and the Grace Jesus offers to everyone. This Judgment determines the eternal separation from God. It will be a day of great heartache for God because He wants none to perish. The second Group are those who made Christ their Savior and Lord. This Group’s Judgment is a performance review on what they did with the Grace of God given to them. They are known as the Good and Faithful Servants Group and God is pleased to reward them. Two Groups, two different Judgments. One Group separated for eternity, the other rewarded for eternity … you get to belong to the Group of your choice. Choose wisely. It is That Simple.
The Second Death
The Book of Revelation speaks of a Second Death. In other words, some people will die twice. Once when the physical body dies, and the Second Death is when we die spiritually. The Second Death is the consequence of the judgment pronounced at the Great White Throne. Jesus will be the Judge and His sentence for all those who lived their lives apart from Him, will be eternally separated from God. This will not be, ‘go sit in the corner for a time out.’ It is a punishment the Bible calls the Lake of Fire, or it is commonly known as Hell. A life lived without God has consequences worse than anything known to our world. Death is imminent for all human beings, and the consequences of rejecting Jesus will make death something to fear. It is That Simple.
Death is a Big Deal
Death is a big deal. No matter who you are, death is immanent and many never prepare for it. King Solomon said, “The day of your death is greater than the day of your birth.” Many say, “Nothing in the Bible has any relevance for me.” However, you may want to reconsider what the Bible says, especially about what happens after death. Following your death, God’s Records about your life are reviewed. Two Record Books are opened, one Book is history, what did I do with my life, and the second Book is about the future. This is the Book Jesus uses to verify He is your Savior. If your name appears, you get Heaven. If it doesn’t you get the second death … which is separation forever from God. Death is a big deal. It is That Simple.
Work on Relationships
The admonition to the Ephesian Church by the Apostle Paul, is about truth, the multiplicity of leadership, and how God fits the body together to grow healthy in Him. About 30 years later, Jesus is telling this same Church how good it was to basically follow Paul’s advice, and was impressed that they suffered together without quitting. He was happy about all the things they had accomplished, even the suffering, but wasn’t happy that they stopped loving Him and each other. Great work, but poor performance on relationships all around. This is very common today too. Recently, I watched a pastor promoting the impressive list of ministers he had coming to speak at the Church. However, it would have been better if he added, and most importantly, Jesus will be here too. It is That Simple.
Focus on Jesus
The Apostle Paul talks about the Unity of Christianity in Ephesians 4. One body, one spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, and one Father. I have colleagues who like to argue that the divisions in doctrine, and tensions between denominations, are healthy for the Body of Christ. Differences are the checks and balances that keep us challenged. In my experience, doctrine divides people, and denominations want control. In both cases, we forget Christ is the Head of the Church (singular) and not our beliefs, and not the practices in our denominations. When Jesus prayed for Believers in John 17, He prayed that the Church be one and not divided. So, I ask you, do divisions really make us stronger? A house divided can never be stronger. Keep your faith in Jesus … don’t get side-tracked. It is That Simple.
Without Truth All is Distorted
Someone has said, “Lead with grace, and follow with truth.” That quote is like what the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:15, “To speak the truth in love.” The idea is to never compromise the truth. Grace and love without a connection to the truth will be distorted. Grace becomes a license to sin, and love is an excuse to live immorally. The Bible teaches that in the Last Days people will lose their way. They call good evil, and evil good, and nothing is as it appears. In a day when confusion is everywhere, many Christian voices promote a spirit of righteousness, but deny the power to bring about change. Truth is where we meet God, and our lives are forever different. Grace and love were designed to lead us to the truth of His Word. It is That Simple.
Intense Prayer
I was listening to a motivational speaker, and he said, 80% of success is just showing up. So, I guess showing up is important in the world of success, but it is also important to show up when it comes to prayer. Jesus said that there are certain things that cannot be done except by prayer and fasting. Prayer then cannot be considered only a bedtime activity. The Apostle Paul said we should always pray, being alert and persistent in our prayers. So, let me ask, with what intensity do you pray? That may sound funny at first, but this is what Paul meant when he said, “Always pray, be alert and persistent in praying.” This does not sound like casual prayer. Prayer is participating with God, for all things and at all times. It is That Simple.
Loving the Messy
I have been praying, “Jesus help me to love You more.” Simple prayer, but the answer He gave me was not simple. He said, “If you want to love Me more, start by first loving people.” I found out in a hurry … a simple prayer could have more meaning than I thought. I wanted to by-pass people and just have Jesus as my object of love. I said, “But Lord, people are messy, and I don’t like messy.” Then He said, “Loving messy is what will help you to love Me more, what you do to the least, you do to me. Love messy more, you will love Me more.” Sometimes we want shortcuts with God, give me Jesus, and He says, “I will give you Me, but bring the messy with you.” It is That Simple.
Hidden Issues
Recently, I was in Big Bear, California, helping a friend replace a water damaged floor. The floor didn’t look too bad when we started, but when taking off the first layer, we discovered beneath all the flooring was … mold. So, we spent the day removing the subfloor before we started replacing the flooring. There are things like that in our lives too, where we are clueless about our hidden issues. For example, a while back I wrote about the seven things the Holy Spirit revealed to me about my unawareness. Here are the seven. My quick reactions, the lack of mercy, resistance in letting things go, impatience, no prayer with discernment, unawareness of seduction, and my resistance to surrender. Like the floor, before getting to the finished product, I must take care of the mold. It is That Simple.
Wisdom is Acting in Love
I love definitions. Take wisdom for example. Wisdom is often thought of as a concept of good judgment, but the Apostle James tells us it is about character. “It is pure, peace loving, always gentle, yields to others, it is merciful, has the fruit of good deeds, shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” I suppose this shows good judgment in living, but I love the way it comes across as the practical application of love. James says that if we lack wisdom, we should ask for it. So, look again at the definition. If you ask for wisdom, those attributes defined as wisdom from above, will be refined in your life. So, wisdom is not just wise people pontificating insight … wisdom from God is behavior. Are you ready for a change? Ask for wisdom. It is That Simple.
Marriage is Love and Respect
Someone asked me once, “Why is marriage so hard?” My answer, “It’s because of the two people involved.” Selfish people develop selfish marriages, and selfish marriages are hard. The Apostle Peter tells us that there are two components essential in keeping two people from selfish relationships. Love and respect. Just as it takes a man and a woman to create life, it takes a man and a women living in love and respect to create a marriage. However, maintaining respect and love will come with a price. In both, you prefer the other over yourself. Respect means you give attention to your husband at the expense of demanding it for yourself. Love means you prefer your wife over your selfish demands or expectations. Bottom line … you are responsible to God for how you do marriage. It is That Simple.
Questions
I love questions … it’ s the way that I learn. Jesus asked 307 questions … 183 were direct, 124 He answer with questions making the total of 307. Questions push the limits of what is known, what is said, or what is portrayed. Questions are the quickest way to get to the truth … that is why I believe Jesus used them so effectively. Questions define what people believe about life. There is nothing like the questions, “What do you think is beyond this life? What do you think about God? Who is He to you?” Sometimes, questions can identify what might be wrong and then explore what is right. I have even asked why do I write a daily post? It is because of the simplicity of God’s love and forgiveness. I can’t help myself. It is That Simple.
Knowing God Changes Everything
I am reminded of the Prophet Hosea’s words, “My people are destroyed because they do not know Me.” This is probably the most common reason in Scripture that contributes to being separated from God. Recently, I was told that a well-known preacher was worth 300 million dollars. Knowing God and having a bank account of over 300 million dollars seems odd to me. Receiving contributions from people are to be used to reach people for Christ, not build up a treasure on earth. Rick Warren, on the other hand, donates 90% of his income to charity, including his royalites from his book, The Purpose Drive Life. Knowing God brings a new perspective on what is important in life. The challenge for us today is asking the question, “Do our lives reflect that we know God?” It is That Simple.
The Sin of Lust
Here is a statistic you don’t see every day. “Porn sites get more visitors each month than Netflix, Amazon, and Twitter combined.” Globally, porn is a 97-billion-dollar industry, and it is growing every year. The addiction to pornography is so powerful, that it doesn’t matter how religious a person may be, you can click on the wrong website and become a porn user. Christians viewing porn often don’t feel they are sinning because no real people are involved. However, images are just as powerful as a real experience. Pornographic images can get ingrained in your memory and affect you for years. Pornography is a sin of lust, and once digested, its appetite continues to increase. The Bible teaches to run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Porn is no different than any addictive drug. It is That Simple.
God Has the Last Say
In the Book of Revelation, Babylon is a picture of our world. Our society has become a home for demons and unclean spirits, with all nations drinking the wine of the immorality consumed by wealth. Powerful people flaunt their adultery, and the merchants of the world grow wealthy from their desires for extravagant luxury. The Book of Revelation is a poignant read where the world ends in one day. Yes, one day … and it’s all gone. God is not to be mocked with how wicked this world has become; He deals with it. I realize this is yet in our future, but that future may not be far off. For now, remember the Book of Revelation as we see this world getting away with wicked immoral schemes, human trafficking, and outlandish prosperity. God does respond and He has the last say. It is That Simple.
What is Left Out?
What you leave out is just as important as what you put in. There are those who say, “God is love, and there is no judgment in love.” However, the Psalmist says, “He takes no pleasure in wickedness, and He does not tolerate the sins of the wicked.” To be fair, God wants none to perish and wants all to come to repentance. Yet, love and judgment represent the God of the Bible. So, what part of God is unimportant to mention when we describe Him? Jesus didn’t leave anything out when He described how the Holy Spirit will work among us. He will convict of sin, righteousness and judgment. Yes, all sin, all need the righteousness of God, (Christ) and all will be held accountable, judgment. Nothing is left out. It is That Simple.
The Pursuit of God
Associations matter, according to the Psalmist. Who you minister to and who you hang out with are different associations and shouldn’t be confused. We are to minister to those without Christ, but it’s our personal relationships that matter in our pursuit of God. Here is what I have learned. We get experience, we get educated, we get recognized, we get knowledge, and we get favor … all good things, but do they slow down the pursuit of God? Are we as hungry and thirsty for righteousness as we were before all the achievements? Do we delight in pursuing God as we once did? The Psalmist says the pursuit of God means we meditate on Him day and night. Your associations are critical with people who pursue God … it will help your own pursuit. It is That Simple.
Three Essential Things … Daily
Modern life can be too complex. Yet, there are three things that by doing them daily can help. First, do something for the Lord. Second, do something for others, and third, do something for yourself. So, what do you do for the Lord? Ask Him to teach you how to love Him. Second, what do you do for others? One kind act each day for someone. Be kind, be helpful, be assisting and be in the now with people. Surprise is always fun to do in unmerited favor, doing something not expected. Third, do something for yourself. Okay, this will vary quite a bit, but do something you really enjoy doing just for yourself. Life is so short, don’t waste time always doing things that don’t bring you joy. Simple and yet complete. It is That Simple.
Pulpits Belong to the Holy Spirit
The Bible teaches a time will come, when people will not listen to sound teaching. They will chase after myths and prophetic predictions not revealed in the Word. I have said in the past that a percentage of what is preached does not come from the Lord, but from the doctrinal library of the preacher. Sometimes personal vendettas against other Christians who have a different viewpoint are subjects of sermons. The pulpit is not a place to hammer home personal theological biases like the timing of His return. The ministry of preaching is under the authority of the Holy Spirit; He is the one whose ministry we follow and preach, not our theology. What is His ministry? Conviction of sin, the Righteousness of God (Christ) and the judgment of God. It is That Simple.
The False Church
The late David Wilkerson said that in the Last Days there will be no distinction between good and evil. I remember Pastor Wilkerson preaching about the False Church that will arise as we close out human history. He said it will be a Church that will be inspirational, do kind things, have a popular reputation, but they will not confront sin. The False Church comes into existence because when we remove the tension between good and evil, and without any distinction, there is no need to address sin. You might say, “So what?” Sin is negative, it is judgmental, it is uncomfortable, so good riddance. Yet, it may be all those negative descriptors, but more than anything it separates us from God. Separation from God? That’s a big deal. It is That Simple.
You Become What You Think
Recently, I have been praying that the Holy Spirit would consume my thinking. The Scriptures tell us that we are not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. What you think about is what you desire, meaning you become what you think. If you change your thinking your actions will follow. Recently, I have been changing my thinking about aging. It’s not that we won’t age, but it’s how we age. How we age is about how we think. Faith is like that too. Faith is about how we think. If God is not the center of our thoughts, how can faith be real in our life? Renewing your mind is a process where the Holy Spirit takes every thought captive to think like Christ. It is That Simple.
The Tension
Tension seems to be everywhere today. Tension in families, tension at work … it seems we live in a world of tension. There is one area of tension I have noticed that has intensified, and is found in almost everyone’s life. It is the tension between good and evil. That tension has always been there since Adam and Eve fell, but we are now facing a day that evil is called good, and good is considered evil. This kind of thinking convinces people that there is no difference in people, in morals, in ideas, there is no evil or good, it all comes out the same. However, there is a difference between good and evil, with evil never ever being good. I see this tension disappearing, and that is when we should begin to worry. It is that Simple.
The Power of the Servant
Jesus said that kings and great men will lord over others in this world. Sometimes this is known as ‘leadership.’ Yet, Jesus endorsed a different idea of leadership, where the greatest among you will take the lowest position, and the leadership example will be the example of a servant. Jesus reverses the paradigm of power and influence. We all know and have experienced the corruption of power from the top down … it happens in government, business, and yes, even the Church. When power is corruptible it has the most devastating results. Remember, Satan was corrupted by power. Jesus gave us a new paradigm where a person chooses to serve rather than acquiring the power to be served. Powerful people do not have status in the Kingdom of God … belongs to the servants. It is That Simple.
Grooming
Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be dulled by drunkenness or worries of this life. He went on to say, “Don’t let the day catch you unaware, like a trap.” His solution? Keep alert and pray for strength. The trap is the unawareness of the Biblical conclusion of this world. Grooming is a word that evil uses to slowly prepare us to become less unaware of the Biblical narrative of the End Times. That grooming is the drunkenness and worries of this life. End Times has certain dynamics that anaesthetizes you from the reality of the hour. That is why Jesus said, “Keep alert, don’t be sleeping, and pray for strength.” He is warning us to be aware of how easy it is to be caught up in the worries of life and become unaware. It is That Simple.
Standing Firm
So often, when we talk about the End Times, it seems we frame it as if all will be lost. However, Jesus said, “By standing firm you will save your souls.” So, what does this mean to stand firm? Fear is often what we face that breaks us down and we give up. Fear is the enemy of faith, but as Paul said, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” Standing firm means we will not allow fear to have access to our life. Fear will weaken our trust in God and question our faith. Standing firm means we resist the lust of flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Standing firm never compromises … it will save your soul. It is That Simple.
Clueless
Recently, Missionary/Evangelist Paul Washer circulated a video on You Tube claiming most Christians are not aware of the dangers that lie ahead. He claims much of the Church is not prepared and unaware, not realizing what the future holds. He claims we do not fear God, and we are more conformed to the world than we are to Christ. To some, this may seem like religious paranoia. Yet, the Bible is clear … people in Noah’s day were unaware until it started to rain. Jesus said that when He returns, people will mirror those in Noah’s day. Those in Noah’s day never realized they had become a culture in opposition to God. Then the flood came … there was no clue. This time, it will be His return, and again no clue. It’s time to get a clue. It is That Simple.
Results are Stronger than Words
When Jesus was asked if He was the Messiah, He responded with results. The blind sees, the lame walk, leprosy is cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the Good News is preached to the poor. In other words, results are proof. I believe words are important to communicate a message, but it’s the results that prove the point. So, what is it about my faith in God that has results? I realize that faith is the hope of things unseen, but Jesus didn’t answer by quoting a faith verse … He responded by telling the results of what His faith and trust in His Father had done. James picks up this theme in saying faith without works is dead. Could we interpret that as faith without results is also dead? It is That Simple.
Mercy Over Religion
Jesus prefers mercy over any religious activity. The Pharisees had called sinners scum and wondered why Jesus was with them. However, Jesus made it clear … God is first merciful before judgement. Too often, we are quick to make an assessment about people without knowing their story. There is a time for judgement, and God will bring it when all mercy is rejected. God has two sides … mercy and judgment. He prefers mercy. How do I know this? The Cross is the ultimate definition of mercy … God so loved the world; He gave His only Son. God wants none to perish. Jesus represented mercy as He hung on the Cross for our sins, but that same Jesus will be our Judge if we reject His mercy. As Jesus proclaimed, “Show mercy over religious practice.” It is That Simple.
Never Give In
I was alone, feeling bad about some issues facing our family, and I heard this, “God doesn’t work, you are a fool, God has nothing for you, look at the mess facing you today.” It was the same ploy that Job faced, “Curse God and die.” I don’t know about you, but there has been an increasing pressure to compromise, quit, and forsake the truth as we know it. The Devil used the same tactic on Jesus in the wilderness. “Worship me, and I will give you the kingdoms of the world.” We will always be tempted, but to escape the temptation, you must resist. The Scriptures teach us, “Resist the Devil and he will flee.” Resisting for me is submitting to God, and as Winston Churchill said, “We shall never, never, never, give in.” It is That Simple.
The Second Wind
Recently, a friend and I were talking about a second wind. The second wind is primarily for those who have been around awhile in the Church. It’s the idea of rekindling renewal, reviving a passion, and reengaging in a commitment to serve the Lord. As I wrote previously on aging, it’s not about getting to simply retire, it’s about perfecting what God has developed in our life. As we age, we discover what is important, so focus on that, and rid ourself of the time wastes in our life that keep us stagnant. My friend told me, “If there was a word for the Church today, it’s to seek a second wind.” I’m reminded that God’s power never changes, it’s us who change. Perfect your experience with God … seek that second wind. It is That Simple.
Aged Out Attitudes
We cannot change our aging. When I see a person I know on Facebook, my first reaction is, “Haven’t seen them in a while, and boy are they getting old.” We all age differently, but my attitude about aging has changed. I no longer think that my meaningful life is behind me … no, it’s in front of me. Think about this for a moment. You and I have lived long enough to know what life is about, wisdom has replaced foolishness, and experience has taught us lifelong lessons. Stats say from age 15 to 80 if we go to Church, we have heard 3,400 sermons. So, all of this put together is a life well equipped to change the world. So why don’t we? Simple … our attitude has aged out, time for change. It is That Simple.
Caring by Calling
Jesus told us that when we care for others, we are caring for Him. I must admit, my preoccupation with my career has made me lonely at times. They tell us that one in four of us feel lonely. You can even be married and feel lonely, so it’s not the proximity to people that matters, but it’s the intimacy of knowing that people do care about you. One of the ways I deal with my loneliness is by making phone calls to people I haven’t spoken to in a while. Personally, it makes me feel better, it makes the person I’m calling knows I care, and in the end, I am doing it for Jesus. One new person a day … this helps me to care while keeping connected. It is That Simple.
Grooming with AI
Grooming … this is my new word lately. This is the definition that has my attention. ‘A manipulative process where a relationship of trust is developed with an emotional connection for exploitation.’ Guess what? We are all being groomed. AI is grooming us to accept and trust in its benefits. AI is the greatest shift in human history, and nothing compares to its influence. Nothing in our society will be without AI, and we are being groomed to accept it, and without it we will be lost. You might say, “But look at the benefits.” However, when everything is controlled by a computer, and you will not be able to buy or sell without giving total allegiance to it, there is a problem. I believe AI plays a part of the number 666. Revelation Chapter 13. It is That Simple.
The Decision About Hell
A friend sent me a sobering video about Hell. The video was designed to stir an emotion in me … and it did. I also know that I will forget the message and, in its place, will be my normal life. However, the reality of Hell should never be chased away by the immediate. Jesus said that Hell is a journey made by our choices … accepting everything and denying nothing. Hell is a paved by our choices … it is not a destiny. What happens after death is based upon the decisions we make in life, as well as the one decision that we failed to make. Jesus died so we would never see Hell. He is the one decision that overrides all other decisions and removes Hell from our final destination. It is That Simple.
Ask, Seek, Knock
There are many mysteries about prayer. Prayer can be answered instantly, yet at other times Heaven is silent. When there is silence, does God have a different plan? Silence might be to challenge us to be the kind of people who ask, seek, and knock to find the answers. To quit asking, you will lose the discovery of an answer. If you quit seeking, you will lose the heart of knowledge. If you stop knocking, nothing will be opened to you. The secret to prayer is all three … all three work together with God to get you the answers you are pursuing. So, the next time when Heaven is silent pursue the asking, the seeking, and the knocking … you might be surprised at how it turns out and what is discovered. It is That Simple.
Deeds Reflect Belief
Jesus talked about what you do reflects what you believe. I have a friend who occasionally builds houses for families in South American countries. His good deeds reflect the passion that he has for God, and his desire to demonstrate how practical God is by his labor of love. We tell the story of Jesus and then we demonstrate His story by good deeds. I believe both are necessary to present a case for the reality of an ever-present God. Jesus told us that our good deeds will be a shout out as a praise to our heavenly Father. There are approximately 165,000 Christian non-profits in the United States, all making a difference in people’s lives. All these organizations are doing deeds that point to the reason they exist. All to the glory of God. It is That Simple.
No Religion Required
Jesus was very direct about religious people. He said that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, the teachers of the Law, you will never see Heaven. So, in other words, you would need to keep the Law perfectly, to go beyond the religious leaders, in order to get into the Kingdom of God. Again, the Kingdom of God is impossible for us to enter on our own merit, no matter what religious people may believe or teach, we are doomed on our own. This is why religion is dangerous, and God hates it. Religion has a tendency set up its own domain with rules and precepts that act righteous and holy but deny the power that makes it real. What makes your relationship with God real is Jesus. Period. No religion required. It is That Simple.
A Nation Designed for the People
I love this country. Yes, we have our issues … anytime there are people, there are issues. I think Independence Day pushes us beyond our issues to the reality we are Americans. We are rich, poor, old and young, and we have every known race on earth among us. They call this diversity the melting pot, and we are one of few countries that is designed for all the people. Isn’t that what makes us so unique? We were designed for people, no matter where you come from, we have a place for you at the table. That is the heart of the Independence Day celebration … the table is set for everyone. The Bible says that heaven was created for people too, and like America, they come from every tongue and nation. It is That Simple.
Superstars and the Church
Recently, Christian news outlets have been buzzing about fallen Christian leaders and musicians. Two things are often forgotten when we discuss fallen Christian leaders. First, we must protect the rights of the victims. Too often the focus is on the perpetrator and the victim is somewhere in the story. Second, we must stop making superstars out of our leaders. It’s contrary to the whole Gospel message to crown the power of celebrity on a leader. In many cases of moral failure, the people closest to the fallen leader usually knew about the indiscretions, but did nothing because of the power of celebrity. As Christians, our job is to promote the Gospel, follow one leader named Jesus, and to push back against evil. Leadership is from the bottom up … not from the top down. It is That Simple.
Worship is Not a Method
God says some outrageous things. I have always thought I should write a book about it and title it, “God is Outrageous.” How so you say? Well, God tells Israel that He hates their festivals and says He detests all their offerings. Yet, it was God who set up the festivals to honor Him, with the offerings of sacrifice to cover their sins. It was God who established all these methods of worship for His People, but now they are meaningless to Him. God has never been in the method … He lives in the praises of His People and not in the mode of worship. His methods were designed to help us live in the spirit of worship, not become the worship. Worship is an outrageous love for God, and not a method. It is That Simple.
Does God Reject Some Prayers?
Sometimes we assume things about God that are not true. For example, we think God always hears our prayers, yet Isaiah records God as saying, “I will not listen to your prayers.” So, what makes God turn away from our prayers? Jeremiah was told not to pray for God’s People because of their idolatry. I don’t think it is sin that God refuses to hear about … it is our resistance to repent and change. Repentance isn’t just about being sorry for sinful behavior … it is a commitment to turn away and never return to old behavior. Prayer honors God because it acknowledges we need Him. It signifies not only our need for Him, but it also makes us aware there is something greater than us and this world. Prayer does changes things … prayer changes us. It is That Simple.
The Cost of Forgiveness
I have spent time with folks who have a hard time forgiving others. Yet, as Christians, they know what Jesus taught about forgiveness and they know we are to forgive, just like God, with no strings attached. Jesus clarifies the qualifications for our personal forgiveness from God, which will only happen if we forgive others. So, when you think about those you can’t or won’t forgive, that is the price you are placing for your own forgiveness from God. Forgiveness was so important to God, that He was willing to spare His Son on a Cross to demonstrate that forgiveness comes with a price. The price for our forgiveness comes as we are forgiving others. The price not to forgive is paid in resentment, bitterness, and even hate. Forgiveness is a better deal. It is That Simple.
No Judgement … Ever
Did you know that the Bible teaches that there is no judgement against anyone who believes in Jesus? None! The only judgment that comes to anyone is because they do not believe in Jesus. There are so many people that feel condemned by what is preached to them about holiness. I know I did. Here is how it goes down. Jesus saves us, that means no judgement ever. Holiness is wanting to get closer to God, getting rid of stuff that smells bad to God. Holiness is not a rating system for anything … it is a desire to be a better human being and be pleasing to God. Holiness is an attribute of being a disciple of Jesus and discipleship is the onboarding into the Kingdom of God. Lastly, the Holy Spirit makes it all work. It is That Simple.
The Seriousness of Compromise
I love what Oswald Chambers says about sin. “If sin rules in me, the life of God in me will be killed.” The characteristics of the Last Days will silence sin and confuse the truth. The late David Wilkerson once said, “In the Last Days, you will not be able to distinguish good from evil, it will all blend together.” David Wilkerson’s ministry focused on exposing compromise, but today we don’t hear too much about the dangers of compromise. I can tell you that once you compromise an area in your life that you know is wrong, it will only be a matter of time until you lose interest in the things of God. Satan doesn’t need you to renounce your faith … just compromise it. Compromise will deteriorate your relationship with God. It is That Simple.
Time is Running Out
Is it ever too late for repentance? Most of us think it is never too late to repent. Yet, the Bible says that Esau sought be reconciled, but the Scripture says, “It’s too late to repent.” So, there is a possibility that repentance may not always be available, as we thought. The Five Foolish Virgins in Jesus’ Parable illustrate it. They thought they had lots of time to get more oil … but time ran out. Even after getting the oil for their lamps, the door the Five Wise Virgins entered was locked … it was too late. Simplify put, people think they have all the time in the world to get right with God. However, timing is unpredictable and time gets away from us. Get right with God today before it’s too late. It is That Simple.
Box People
In society there are two kinds of thinkers. In the box, and outside the box. Most of us use the education we were taught from the box. It is safe, it is known, it is acceptable. But what about those outside the box? There are no rules, no measurements, or predictions. They rely on the language of the gut and intuition. Most of us like the box, because we know what to expect. Those outside box face the unknown, they are the visionaries. The box people love the sound of church bells, but the out of the box people like the challenge of the mission, yards from the gates of Hell. Jesus instructs us to get out of the box and “go into all the world.”
Excuses
There is a story Jesus told about a banquet where people were invited to attend, and all the invitees gave excuses not to attend. Some had business dealings, others were investing, chasing their dream, while others were getting married. However, at the end of the day, all made excuses as to why they could not attend. Jesus used this story to illustrate that many have been invited into His Kingdom, but few choose to come. God is still inviting people and He is still getting excuses from His invites. All of us make excuses for ourselves, but there is one excuse that could cost you eternity. No matter what your life is doing, when the invitation is given, by all means, do not make an excuse.
Saltiness
Jesus said, “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” If we, the church is like salt, what happens when we lose or change our message? Jesus said, “if you lose your saltiness, you get thrown away.” I recently read about some Christians representing a group called “Progressive Christianity.” Here in part is what they believe. “They value compassion, justice, mercy, and tolerance, often through political activism. Often Progressive Christians will refer to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as horrific or unnecessary.” I believe we face two kinds of churches, one a true salty church, and one worthy to be discarded. The gospel is salty, it was designed to stay that way.
Circumstances
“Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.” (Eccles 7:14) Now that is something that is not in our theology thinking today. This is one of those insightful wisdom verses that tells the prosperity gospel people that God cannot be manipulated to only prosper you. King Solomon goes on to say, “remember that nothing is certain in this life.” So, in short, God teaches us lessons in both prosperity and in the hard times, because God has created them both. Paul says, “I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” It’s not the circumstances, it is the Christ in those circumstances that matters.
Theology
Theology is important, I get that, however, some theology has become so important to people, that it has become an idol. It reminds me of how people treated the Sabbath in Jesus day: “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath” (Mark 2:27) Sabbath was important, but it became so important it became an object of worship. Some theology is critically important, Soteriology, Pneumatology, and Eschatology, all have a place in the believer’s playbook of belief, but there is other theology that I would question. Calvinism, Supercessionism, Cessationism, Prosperity and Dominion theologies are all Biblically questionable and they have become more important than even the Lord Himself. In my latter years, the Bible is all I need, theology can get confusing.
Kindness
Annie Johnson was 101 years old when I first met her. She was physically weak, but her mind was strong. She lived through some of the most astounding events in history. World wars, inventions of the automobile, telephone, radio, tv, internet. So, I asked her what she had concluded about life in living so long. I thought I would get an answer like, “I was amazed at how advanced we had become.” Instead, what she said to me I will never forget. “I am amazed at how unkind and mean we have become to each other.” Wise words that echo’s God’s Word. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Kindness never goes out of style.
Closets
We have seen a rash of high-profile clergy resign recently over moral failure. It is a good reminder that no one is beyond sin. One of the lessons we learn early in following Jesus is that everything is a temptation. Just because you are a successful pastor does not mean you’re beyond temptation. Given the right circumstances, and the wrong frame of mind, anyone can be seduced into sin. How about the skeletons in your closet? Everyone has a past and I am convinced all closets have skeletons. However, there is mercy for the sinner, repentance for the contrite, and the grace of God for those willing to face their closet. Remember, confession is always forgiven, and it is the best way to clean a closet.