It is That Simple with Larry Kutzler | The Simple Ideas of Profound Truths

Life is Lived Between the Risks

Everything is a risk. Author Dennis Prager says, “If you marry, it is a risk. If you have children, they are a risk. If you drive your car, you are at risk. When you sleep at night you may not get out of the house if it catches fire.” In the last several generations, it’s all about safety … eliminate all risk. Can this world ever be safe? Now, there is a consolation for you … you will only be safe when you die. Sometimes, even Churches stay away from Biblical themes because they scare people, and are not considered safe for a Sunday audience. If we are honest, life is lived between the risks. Jesus said that in this world you will have tribulation (risk) but be joyful, for I have overcome this world (of risk.) It is That Simple.

Famine of God’s Word

Every Sunday in Churches around the world, people gather to hear a sermon. What is said is as important as what is heard. If people do not hear the Word of God being preached, how will they ever know the importance of knowing God? The Prophet Amos said that there will be a day when God will send a famine of God’s Word. When will that be? Are we in that famine today? Famines are usually associated with food shortages, but God says that there will be a famine of His Word. I have noticed that much of what we hear from many pulpits today is speculation … with stories that mean nothing. When God’s Word is presented without editorial or creative license, it infuses into an audience of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we experience the famine. It is That Simple.

Failure and God

The story of two men who failed, are well known and in the Bible. Peter, who failed by denying Christ three times, and John Mark, who deserted Paul while on a missionary trip. Yet, they came together … one as a denier and the other a deserter, to collaborate on writing the gospel of Mark. So many of the Bibles great stories about people were those who failed. David and Moses were murderers, Solomon turned away from God, and Paul persecuted the Church. When Jesus was arrested, His disciples ran away, hoping not to be arrested with Him. In time, they all made a difference in turning their world upside down, by proclaiming Jesus as the Savior of the world. Failure does teach us to look to God and trust Him for greater things to come. It is That Simple.

Compromise is Replacing Conviction

One of my favorite themes is conviction. Without conviction, we lose the motivation to stand for God. The result is a replacement called compromise. In recent years, compromise has infected the Body of Christ. Jesus told us that false prophets would arise and deceive many with a different gospel. False prophets preach compromise, and they flourish within the Church and ignore the message of the Cross. Compromise is when we minimized the power of the Cross that results in a Christianity with a different ending. The greatest statement that was ever made about God was made by Jesus hanging on the Cross. It is that image that needs no explanation. The power of the Cross is what forms our convictions resulting in changed lives. Compromise sees no image of the Cross, so its conclusion is quite different. It is That Simple.

The Test

The Prophet Jeremiah asks the question, “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?” The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” and the Apostle James says, “When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” All testing in our lives has a purpose … it brings us to a point of deciding, either quit or find purpose in what is faced. Finding purpose in what we face will never make sense unless we make God our purpose. In Him, whatever we face, has His grace, and grace governs the unknown. Testing also develops endurance to complete any race. Your test will come … they always do, but how you face it will matter if you face it with God. It is That Simple.

Moral Code

Someone once said to me, “If we don’t change the culture, the culture will change us.” Most people, if they are honest, know our culture is not healthy. One of the reasons our culture is unhealthy is because we have no moral code. For example, take the 10 Commandments … if we applied just the last 7 Commandments to culture, we would have a healthier society. However, we can’t do the last 7 Commandments without doing the first 3 Commandments. That is the problem. A moral code of any sort needs God. This is why the first 3 Commandments have to do with putting God first … He is the foundation of everything that follows. Human life must be respected and honored … a moral code is essential for that to happen. It is That Simple.

Self-Control

My pastor is in a series of self-leadership … learning to govern yourself through self-control. His theme is based on King Solomon, who had all the wisdom and all the talent to govern, but in the end, he failed to govern himself. The Book of Kings talks about his lack of self-control, which turned his heart away from the Lord. My pastor said that good men are brought down because they have no restrictions … even if they are wise, they don’t apply it. Living with no restrictions, or no self-control is like a sailboat with lots of wind, but no rudder. Restrictions protect you against ruin, like road signs that warn about slippery or dangerous road conditions ahead. Self-control is a gift that governs us from crossing the lines of behavior that will bring us to ruin. It is That Simple.

Self-Control

Speculation vs Truth

Some ideas preached in the Church today are not God’s truth … these ideas are speculation. God never changes, but we like to assist Him by adding to His Words. God is always at work drawing people to Himself. He draws us, but He does not choose for us. Our choice to be a believer is dependent on His mercy. He owes us nothing but has given us everything in Christ. However, no speculation is fact … it simply takes a stab at what we think is in God’s mind, and we conclude we have it right. In other words, we fill in the spaces God left blank. Those blank spaces are not to be filled with our speculation, but filled with our faith and trust in Him. It must be clearly stated in Scripture, and if not, it isn’t supposed to be there. It is That Simple.

Afflicted to Know God

It’s never good to be afflicted, right? Who likes it? One would have to be a masochist to enjoy affliction. However, the Psalmist has a different take, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes.” In 2017, I was afflicted with open heart surgery, my four main arteries were blocked 90-95%. My lifestyle was in order, so how could this happen? The Cardiologist said it was in my DNA … I had inherited it. My affliction made me evaluate my mortality for the first time. Death was never a focus for me … until then. However, this affliction made me realize that time is limited and we all have an appointment with death. It changed me … I was afflicted to know my vulnerability and to rethink God. It is That Simple.

Legalism vs Holiness

Legalism and holiness … They are different. They both stand against sinful behavior and call for holy living. However, legalism are rules without relationship, emphasizing standards more than the Savior and laws more than love. It is a system based on fear and characterized by joyless judgmentalism. On the other hand, Oswald Chambers defined holiness as, “Holiness, not happiness, is the chief end of man.” Jerry Bridges defined holiness as, “Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God.” It is easy to become legalistic if you forget how God has forgiven you. One of the best illustrations of holiness is the humility of Teen Challenge graduates. They know forgiveness … it defines them. The Bible states, “Whoever has been forgiven of little, loves little.” I would say, holiness is a passion for God. It is That Simple.

Married to the Backslider

The Prophet Jeremiah tells us that God is married to the backslider. In other words, God doesn’t discard us because we make wrong decisions that don’t include Him. Jeremiah was writing to Israel, but this principle is based upon the character of God. Israel is a great study on how a nation that God birthed and protected, could easily turn from Him. Even in a wayward state, God maintained He was not giving up on backslidden Israel. Even in Israel’s unfaithfulness, God remained faithful to Israel … as He does today. This picture of unfailing love for His people was the same love that held Jesus on the Cross. God never gives up on us … His love for us will never diminish, regardless of our acknowledging it. God never forgets us because He wants none to perish. It is That Simple.

Retrain the Weakness

Those who read my posts know that I’m on a journey of studying the patterns of Jesus, and developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Both are important to me. My latest challenge is to list my spiritual shortcomings, and then work on strengthening those areas. A colleague of mine says, “Study to learn, and learn to do.” So, in learning to do, I’m asking, “What is needed in my understanding?” One area is how to deal with demonic influence. So, I have ordered a book by Dr. Karl Payne entitled ‘Spiritual Warfare.’ My point? I want to press into areas that I have avoided because of the fear of incompetence. You may say that’s not for me, but the pattern of Jesus is to deal with evil … period. It is That Simple.

Where is the Demonstration?

Here is a question. Did the teaching of Jesus make him popular among the people, or did His demonstrations of healing, miracles, and casting out of evil that He performed? I would suggest His demonstration of a supernatural God was the catalyst for His popularity. This is not to say what Jesus taught was not inspiring, but His pattern was to teach and then to demonstrate. This may be an area we are missing today. We teach … but have no demonstrations. Now, I’m not talking about an emotional frenzy as is often the case among some Christian circles. Jesus taught and demonstrated … period. In our world, people have heard the words, they hear and then hear even more, but what they need is the demonstration. This was the pattern of Jesus. It is That Simple.

Prophecy and Headlines

In the Book of Timothy, the Apostle Paul prophesied about the last days, which ironically reads like today’s headlines. He said that humankind would slowly implode with self-serving behavior that would destroy the fabric of society. He used words that were chaotic, such as, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, no self-control, brutal, and conceited. Recently, I heard a pastor say that chaos is the direct result of rejecting God. Without a God consciousness, we are left to make our own rules, defining life with no moral base, and, as the Apostle Paul said, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God. History tells us the Roman Empire fell because of the same kind of instability. A society that continues to be immorally corrupt, will grow weak and eventually implode. Prophecy always has a warning. It is That Simple.

What Really Matters

Slavery is big business again in the world. According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year. The average age of a teen entering the sex trade in America is 12 to 14 years of age. Tom Homan, White House Border Czar, was quoted as saying that ICE has returned 125,000 children who were trafficked. There were nearly 4 million slaves in America prior to the Civil War, and slavery worldwide today it is between 20 to 30 million. Then there has been 50,000 Christians killed in Nigeria in the past decade, so why isn’t there more concern, especially among the Church? Perhaps we need a new kind of reformation … one that accents on caring by walking out the truth in love. It is That Simple.

What is Missing?

One of my signature questions that I ask myself is, “What is missing?” I have used this question to approach almost everything. It may seem negative at first, but this helps me to focus on discovering more of what I don’t know, or what I have overlooked. Often, we accept things the way they are because we don’t pursue any change. Many times, we overlook the missing piece of God’s will, His test of trials, His foreknowledge of circumstances, and our unwillingness to trust Him. I found a missing piece in me around an obsession and fear of failure. That fear prompted me to ask, “What is missing?” What I discovered was my trust in God had been replaced by fear. “What is missing” is a question to discover, a tool to find answers. It is That Simple.

Toxic Leadership

Christians are only the messengers of the content God has given to them in the Bible. However, spiritual narcissism in Church leadership can be toxic, because it changes the dynamic of the message from God to a person. Spiritual narcissism is about achievements, control, manipulations … it refuses to admit mistakes, it rarely listens, and it leads by intimidation, not example. Too often, this kind of narcissism finds a pulpit and is often dynamic, bold, and charismatic in nature. They also are people who get things done … that is why few people challenge this kind of toxic behavior. Many leaders who are visionaries can also be narcissistic, depending on who the vision belongs to … the visionary or God. Remember, narcissism uses God effectively throughout their leadership, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the leader. It is That Simple.

Simple and Honest

I have learned to live by being simple and honest. It’s easier that way, and it saves on the wear and tear of the hardware … which is me. I have also learned that Christianity is also simple and honest. It begins with Jesus and it ends with Jesus. Religion over complicates things, theologians over think things, and traditions keep us stuck. Someone once said, “No matter where you cut into the Bible, it will bleed.” It’s all about the redemption plan of God. Sin is our problem, a Savior is needed to free us, and Jesus came. We build big buildings and work on filling those buildings with people. Jesus didn’t talk buildings, He talked about the heart, and His desire to fill it with Himself. It is quite simple and honest. It is That Simple.

Playing It Safe

Here is a reality check when we start a spiritual life with Jesus. Isaiah said, “Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked.” This reminds us that charting a course with God will have its moments of challenge. I believe this is often what silences the Church on issues controlled by evil. Who wants to be a target just for standing up for what is right? However, Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” This may be why the western Church has so little influence in the culture. Many don’t speak against evil, and we play it safe by staying in our lane within the walls of our worship sanctuaries. It is That Simple.

What Drives a Church?

I have an opportunity to join other believers in my community to plant a new Church. It does not have a name, nor a location at this point, but there is a lot of interest in planting a new Church in our area. As we talk about the felt needs in our community, we listed out about 12 areas we thought were genuine concerns. However, no matter what the felt needs are in our community, the people of this new Church must feel the conviction for being ministers of the Gospel. Usually, the personality of the pastor drives the Church … that is not enough. The personality of the Church must be driven by the heart of the people, coupled with the Holy Spirit … this is what drives the Church to reach a community for Jesus. It is That Simple.

Preparing People to be Fearless

A man’s enemies will be members of his own household (Matthew 10:36). This can only happen if we stop paying attention to God. I am convinced that people today are hearing less from God because our behavior reflects eyes that cannot see and ears that do not hear. At the same time, there is a remnant who wants to go deeper into the message of Christ. The confusion all around us is getting darker and more deceptive, so the Church must be proactive in preparing people to be discerning and determined to stand for God. There are many who need healing, and the Church must develop an uncompromising message of Jesus. Our goal? Fearless witnesses for Jesus Christ. It is That Simple.

Barabbas and Jesus

The name Barabbas was known among the people during the trial of Jesus, mainly because he was a Zealot who rebelled against Roman occupation. Being in opposition to Roman rule could have made him the better choice among the people for Pilot to release, rather than Jesus of Nazareth. Barabbas and Jesus were both revolutionaries fighting for freedom. One fought for freedom from government tyranny, while the other fought for the freedom from the tyranny of sin. Barabbas was the choice of the people. Not much is said of Barabbas following that day, but Jesus had a legacy that changed the world. Barabbas saw government as the problem, while Jesus saw sin as the problem. Not much has changed … government is still a problem, no one fixes it, but Jesus did fix the problem with sin. Amen. It is That Simple.

Crowns of Merit

Jesus said, “Deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Me.” Does this mean we lose our rights, opinions, and privileges? Can I only deny myself in areas where it doesn’t matter, or does it mean in everything? Does my sacrifice in picking up my cross apply only when it’s convenient? What if I want to hold on to my right to be me, why would God want me to give that up? Following Jesus goes beyond attending Church and reading a daily devotional. No matter if you agree with me or not, in the end, every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord. Jesus will give crowns to those who merit it … merit is based upon the willingness to deny yourself, live sacrificially, and follow Christ without wavering. Are you crown material? It is That Simple.

The Rest of the Story

Sodom was known for sexual sin. Yet, the Prophet Ezekiel tells us there was more to the story. Sodom was arrogant, prideful, overindulgent, and neglected the poor. There is always more to the story. Ezekiel goes on to compare Sodom to Jerusalem, and he concluded that Sodom seemed righteous compared to Jerusalem. There is always more to the story. Jerusalem appeared to be righteousness, yet was worse than Sodom. Jesus said people would do ministry in dynamic ways, using His name doing miracles, casting out demons, and speaking prophecy, but the rest of that story was, “He never knew them.” The Bible says that God’s judgement begins with His own house, and He will deal with all the stories that have an appearance of righteousness. God knows our stories, and He is not fooled by appearances. It is That Simple.

Appearance or Fruit?

One may wonder why Jesus would curse a fig tree and immediately enter the Temple to clear the deck of people misaligning the Temple. It is a symbolic statement about how religion can look so good on the outside but be empty, having nothing to offer. Israel was identified in Scripture as a fig tree, and the Temple identified God’s presence. The tree had leaves, looked good, and the Temple had teaching, but both had not produced the expected fruit. At first glance, one would only see the event, but Jesus was saying something different. Without the fruit for which it was designed, was the reason for His condemnation. Appearances mislead people to think one thing, but the truth is in the reality of fruitlessness. Today, is it appearance or fruit? It is That Simple.

Blindness

Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus, “What would you want me to do for you?” It was obvious what Bartimaeus wanted … he was blind and he wanted to see. So, I thought if Jesus asked me that same question, how would I answer Him? Sight is not only being able to see with the natural eye… it is also how you see yourself before God. For example, Jesus told the Laodicean Church they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. The Church never saw themselves that way … they saw themselves as rich and in need of nothing. They had eyes to see but could not see what God saw. The Laodicean Church was as blind as Bartimaeus, but Bartimaeus knew his need for Jesus. We may have eyes to see but still may remain blind. It is That Simple.

What Keeps You From God?

It is better to lose in this life, rather than to win and be in Hell. Jesus talked about this concept when He talked about cutting off a hand if it offended you. Cutting off a hand is as serious as what you believe. What keeps you from God? Your unbelief, your skepticism, your hatred for religion, your politics … is it as important as your hand? Jesus wasn’t serious about cutting off body parts. His illustration made the case that what we believe is as important as a body part, and nothing in this life is worth keeping … if it brings us closer to living in Hell. Jesus said, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" There is nothing that can compare to its value … not even cutting off a hand. It is That Simple.

The Best of the Best

I love my coach, the Holy Spirit. He allows me to choose my decisions. Will it be my best or His best? So, when I am about to make a bad decision, He gives me advice, then backs away. He never forces me, only advises me. If you haven’t discovered Him in this capacity, you are missing one of the luxuries of God. The Holy Spirit exemplifies the premium of premiums … there is no coupon clipper in Him. He gives us the best of the best. Recently, my sons visited me in Las Vegas, and took me to the best restaurants in town, I mean first class plus (love sons who do this). It reminded me of how the Holy Spirit works with us … He brings us the best God has to offer. It is That Simple.

Encouragement … The Gift

Encouragement is the most important gift we can give to another human being. Encouragement is the act of giving someone support, confidence, and hope. There are all kinds of ways to encourage people … you flatter them with words of admiration, give someone a gift that was not expected, and tell someone you love them. There are probably hundreds of ways to encourage someone. However, we often don’t encourage the people who are closest to us … those we take for granted. God encourages us by His promises, His mercy, and His forgiveness. One encouragement God rejoices over that we give back to Him is repentance. That’s odd you say, but no, remember there is great joy in Heaven, over one sinner who comes to repentance and turns back to God. Encouragement is a great gift. It is That Simple.

The Patterns of Jesus

I love the patterns of Jesus. When He sent out the disciples, three things He generally told them. Preach repentance (the Kingdom of God has come), deliver people from evil (cast out demons), and heal the sick. Simple, not complex, but effective in reaching people. Back then, it was the power and authority of Jesus. Today, it’s the teaching of doctrine, it’s determining when Jesus is coming back, and endless teaching on how to become a better disciple. Is there is any difference between then and now? You bet there is. Today, we don’t even acknowledge demons, let alone know how to cast them out. Repentance? Who me repent? From what? Let’s get back to the patterns of Jesus, He makes more sense. It is That Simple.

Assumptions

Have you ever assumed something and it turned out you were wrong? We all have. I want to share with you three assumptions from the Bible that were dead wrong. The first was Israel’s assumption that the Ark of the Covenant was a lucky rabbit’s foot against enemies, until it was captured. (1 Samuel 4) The second assumption was the Temple was God’s security that protected against all enemies, then Jeremiah 7 debunks that assumption. Lastly, in John 5:39, Jesus corrected the assumption of the leaders who thought eternal life was found in the Scriptures, Jesus said, “All Scriptures point to Him.” Busted. My point is simple … we assume many things about God and much of it is incorrect. Assumptions and speculations are common in theology, but everything needs to be tested by Scripture to avoid any misunderstanding of assumptions. It is That Simple.

Discernment

For years, discernment has been in decline. The Bible tells us in latter times, there will be division and false narratives. Discernment is the ability to know God’s Word which will expose how the Devil divides us over issues like immigration. Discernments says that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and the powers of darkness. The Prophet Jeremiah says that if we are wearied by running, how will we do against horses? We run now, but there will come a time when we run against horses. In other words, the Bible speaks of a great falling away to take place, discernment will be dead, and the horses of division will rule. Discernment reminds us, “Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” The flesh divides, but the Spirit unites. It is That Simple.

God's Residence

Scripture indicates that we have a God-shaped hole in us. The big change between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the place where God resides. In the Old Testament, it was the Temple, but in the New Testament God lives in our hearts … we become His Temple. The Apostle Paul says, “We are the Temple of God and His Spirit dwells in us” … all because God created us for relationship. If God is a resident inside of us, what does He do? Well, for one thing, He encourages us to pursue God and place His Kingdom first. His day-to-day ministry as a resident is to reveal how priorities affect our lives. Priorities are indicators of what we really love. This Holy Spirit resident fulfills the God-shaped hole, complete with conviction, instruction, and encouragement. It is That Simple.

God's Will

Have you thought about God’s will? Here is God’s will defined in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I have started to pray, “Lord make me surrender to your will in my life, so I will be joyful, never stop praying, and be thankful for everything.” This prayer is giving Him permission to help me to surrender, something most humans hate to do. One version of Psalm 25:4 translates “show me your ways,” to “make me know your ways.” So even the Psalmist gave permission for God to redirect independence to submission. God never overrides your will for His, except when we give Him permission. God make your will happen in me. It is That Simple.

It's the Journey

Professional courtesy is something we lack in many of our organizations. Here is what I mean. The people you work with are as important as the project itself. Yet, most of us feel like the goal or the project is everything, and people are the means that keep it moving. It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” That is a great concept, but it’s not reality in most of our lives. People are not as important as the work, the ministry, and the goal of the project that matters. Make the goal or the destination as supreme, and you will always treat people as replaceable nuisances. The goal for Jesus was the Cross, no question, but look at how important ministering to people was to Him in the journey. It is That Simple.

What Do You Support?

There was an interesting sign being carried by an ICE protester recently, it read, “Abolish ICE, prisons, and down with Capitalism.” Defiantly, there are two Americas, and the ideology behind these two Americas couldn’t be farther apart. For instance, the BLM movement was exposed to be more than just about ‘Black Lives Matter’ … they were often linked to Marxist ideology. To me, this says that some movements have unseen agendas. This sign had nothing to do with ICE arresting illegal immigrants … it was a statement hating America … period. It is one thing to protest, but it is another to destroy the very system that gives everyone the freedom to do so. We are not perfect in America, but wanting a Marxist socialist government is insane. That system has never worked because freedom and liberty are dead. It is That Simple.

Cheap Grace

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the Cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” He was referring to how we change the Gospel into something the Bible does not recognize. Recently, I read a quote of an author who said, “There is not enough Jesus in the Church,” and it stuck. I then asked myself, “Is there enough Jesus in me?” A friend told me as a divorced person, that he lost friendships over his status … no wonder Jesus is seen less in the Church. Cheap grace is representing religious standards that aren’t merciful … is it any wonder Jesus is missing in some Churches? The Book of Romans Chapter 8, identifies those in Christ as people who have no condemnation regardless of status … that is how we see more of Jesus in the Church. It is That Simple.

Risk Management

We try to live in risk-free safety zone in these modern times. Nothing wrong with that, yet as much as we try to protect ourselves, trying to ensure that risk is at a minimum, we find ourselves often facing great risks. Life is a risk because there are no guarantees that all will be well. Aging is a risk that can be full of surprises, some we never would have imagined that we would ever have to face. Life will force us to face risk, and that’s when our risk management team takes over. Yes, believers have a risk management team … Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They’re a wonderful asset to anyone’s life because they know how to face the risk with you. One nice thing too, they don’t use AI when you call. Yeah! It is That Simple.

Are We Asleep?

CS Lewis said, “We don’t need to be taught new ideas so much as to be reminded of old truths.” I believe we are at the beginning of a world change. We have AI that will assist in controlling people under the Anti-Christ, and AI will control whether you are able to buy or sell. We have tensions so unresolvable, civil war could be on the horizon for America. Church life has been reduced to a ministry of encouragement, and accents on comfort. Yet we fail to prepare people for what Jesus outlined in Matthew 24. Listen, here is a straight up fact out of the Bible … it gets darker not lighter, and like the people on the Titanic, life is good baby! Its great until the iceberg hits. Are we asleep at the helm? It is That Simple.

Your Choices Will Judge You

The Prophet Jeremiah said, “Your own evil will discipline you and your own apostasies will reprimand you.” So, we are responsible for how we live our lives. Recently, I discussed free will with a colleague. Free will came as standard equipment when we were born. God doesn’t want to control who we are or what we do … He gives us the freedom of choice. There are those who say, “Well, why does God allow such evil in the world.” It is because we have free will to choose evil. However, God encourages us to use free will for good and to choose to do what is right, but He never forces us to do it His way. Jeremiah reminds us that the freedom of our choices will become our judge. My choices … my judge. It is That Simple.

Remembering Sermons

Recently, I wrote a pastor about sermons, here is what I said, “I am convinced that people don't listen to grow, but listen to be encouraged and inspired. These two forms of listening are different. One is to feel hope and be encouraged, nothing wrong with that, but listening to grow means you get down into the dirt and plant yourself.” The context … we remember 5% of what is said to us, so sermons without additional aids may be a less effective way to communicate for spiritual growth. If you only remember 5%, how do you expect to grow? Here is a suggestion … take notes and review them three times and make notes on notes. For pastors, preach so the audience will remember. Keep it simple and clear, preach so people will remember. It is That Simple.

Satan Speaks

The Scriptures record that Satan speaks only three times. The first time was in the Garden when Satan challenged Eve to question God’s Word. The second time was when Satan accused God of pandering Job, and challenged Him to remove His provision, and Job would curse Him. Lastly, Satan spoke to Jesus in conversation in the wilderness as he tempted Him. All three times Satan questioned the authority of God. However, Satan’s main playbook was used on Jesus. Satan always exploits the need to be satisfied, suggesting Jesus make the rocks into food. Satan loves to parade the splendor of power, making authority the highest form of control. And from the height of the temple, Satan uses the temptation to insinuate God fails more than He succeeds. Satan spoke only three times, but he is always behind a lie. It is That Simple.

What's in Your Heart?

Most of us know about the issues happening in Minneapolis. I posted something about praying for the city on another website I oversee, and there was push back. You may not live in Minneapolis, or even care what is happening there, but there is something to consider. God does test our hearts … He allows the testing to give a clear picture of who we are, and what we care about. I don’t care if you are on the right or the left, God loves you and wants you to understand your own heart. How does He do that? He allows events to happen so you will react, and in your reaction, you will know what is in your heart. Hate ICE, or hate the protesters … your reaction reveals what is in your heart. It is That Simple.

A Decision Without a Surrender

So many Christian parents suffer because their children have not picked up the torch of following Jesus. My wife thinks we are not making Jesus contagious enough at home and at Church. Being contagious is an attitude that is both kind and firm … it listens with understanding; it forgives in mercy yet instructs with wisdom. Perhaps we assume that a decision for Christ is all that is needed, like fire insurance, it protects against a total loss. Barna research says, only 28% of Christians are fully engaged in discipleship, and Pew research discovered that each generation becomes less religious as it aged. Yet, for me, when I surrendered to God, I encountered the Holy Spirit, and He made Christianity real. Find out who the Holy Spirit is, and you will understand contagious Christianity. It is That Simple.

God's Conviction is His Mercy

Jesus said that people hated Him because He accused them of evil. Later, He mentions that people would not speak publicly about Him for fear of what the other Jews would say. Not much has changed. We are afraid of publicly acknowledging Him because of what other people will say too. Proclaiming Jesus is not popular in some circles, and it is for the same reason Jesus said about Himself … that He convicts people of the evil in their lives. God never stops loving anyone, that is in His character. However, His character also demands truth. He never convicts people with condemnation … He always convicts people to prioritize truth over lies. God is always for us … not against us. His conviction is His mercy in revealing the truth, so we aren’t captive of lies. It is That Simple..

Did God Say It?

Jesus told the religious leaders of His day that they didn’t know God. Can you imagine if that was said today to our religious leaders? Yet, it was not without merit. The religious leaders then, and some now, just don’t understand that you can’t make up your own theology, or regurgitate what is handed down from previous centuries. The religious leaders in His day, were full of theology, but did not know God. Jesus said that anyone who speaks to glorify themselves or their theology, does not speak for God. So, when denominations, Churches, and theologians speak, do they speak for God? Or, do they honor themselves? Jesus was clear … you can’t speak for God if you don’t know Him. Theology is the study of God, but test all things. Is God in it? Did He say it? It is That Simple.

Great Turmoil

The Middle East, Ukraine, Venezuela, Gaza, Nigeria, Pakistan, Yemen, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar … all have significant conflicts. Scripture tells us that “on the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.” The sea usually represents people in Scripture, so the people on the earth will be in great turmoil. This distress will create an anxiety that Jesus warned about, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” How then should we live? Do we add to the turmoil by our anxious opinions? Jesus never complained about the Roman Empire; He talked about His Father. His opinions elevated God to where peace is found. Ding, ding, ding! It is That Simple.

Beggars Finding Bread

I lost a good friend on New Year’s Eve. We often talked about our ministry projects and our dreams of impacting the inner core of the city. He was the type of guy who never lost the desire to bring others into the Kingdom. I may be bias, but I don’t find that kind of passion in many people today. The old guard who came to Christ during the 60’s and 70’s, are now dying and leaving large shoes to fill. Perhaps many who came to Christ during that era we call ‘The Jesus Revolution,’ were infused with a spirit of being a witness for Christ. There was no arguing theology … they loved people into the Kingdom. They were the beggars who found bread, then went out to find others who were hungry. That was the friend I lost. It is That Simple.

The One Word

I love simple. There is a book called, “One Word That Will Change Your Life” by Jon Gordon. He suggests you choose a word that you use to filter your life for one year. For example, let’s take the word subtraction. Use that word to get rid of clutter, shed some pounds, simplify your life by getting rid of things you don’t need (including friends who are a pain). My word for this new year is connection. I want to connect with old friends and even connect with some goals I pushed aside last year. It is a simple way to think differently about how to bring change in your life. Last year, prayer was my word … this helped me connect to a discipline of practicing daily prayer. It has changed my life. It is That Simple.

Hope is Seeing Differently

We are on the eve of a new year, and my question is always the same, “How will I be different?” No matter who you are, or the stage of life you are experiencing, everyone needs the hope that things can change. My prayer is to have a perspective that is not tethered to seeing a perspective of circumstance, but to see with eyes that look to the hills from which our salvation comes. In 2 Kings 6, Elisha prayed, and he saw God’s army on the hills around him … that is the perspective I want for the new year. Hope that goes beyond my circumstances and is based upon God’s provision, is how I want to change in the new year. “Lord, give me eyes and ears to see and hear You!” It is That Simple.

A Reminder of Importance

Just think … all your accumulated knowledge, wealth, prominence, and influence will one day mean nothing. Isn’t that a shame? You will be forgotten in time, and if you had wealth, it will be enjoyed by others. Most people think their contributions in life will matter, but the reality is, generations to come will not relate to you and not care. That was basically King Solomon’s conclusion to life … all is chasing the wind. I think this is how it was designed; our importance shouldn’t be drawing attention to ourselves. In fact, the Book of Revelation speaks about those with earned crowns of reward will cast them to Him who sits on the throne. The Scripture is not saying you aren’t important … it is saying don’t fixate on yourself. King Solomon’s conclusion? Fear God and keep His commandments. It is That Simple.

Crumb Droppings

My wife says that if you educate the mind, but not the heart, not much will change. (She was referring to my eating and dropping crumbs) Aside from crumbs, this applies to most of life. Recently, I saw a ministry promoting education on social justice issues. To me, this comes back to crumb droppings. Just pursuing education without changing the heart, is simply dropping crumbs. Only God changes the heart, which is why Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness,” and things will fall into place. His Kingdom is not about social justice; His Kingdom is about Himself and His righteousness … period. Educate yourself in His Kingdom, and social justice issues will change. A changed heart will stop the crumb droppings. Just ask my wife … she is still hopeful a heart change is coming. It is That Simple.

Stagnation

The Apostle John tells us that “The Word become human and made His home among us.” This is an incredible statement when you heard it for the first time. But, many of us have heard it so often that it may have lost its impact. Too much familiarity with anything can make us lethargic. I do believe people can get so saturated with the same ideas about God, that they become stagnate. Spiritual stagnation means nothing moves in you … you have heard it all before, it’s like singing one of those over sung Christmas Carols. This is why I started to pray for an awakening in me to catch a fresh new understanding of Him. I want to make this next year a time to rediscover this God of unfailing love and to reconnect with the Living Water. It is That Simple.

God Came and Never Left

Christmas is a time when we find people are kinder and more generous than usual. In an edition of the American Magazine in 1889, they gave a unique meaning of Christmas. "To give up one's very self, to think only of others in how to bring the greatest happiness to others.” The word Christmas means Christ’s Mass, and was first recorded in 1038, so it has used to describe the holiday for almost 1000 years. Regardless of how it’s described, or how long we have used the word, the real meaning of Christmas must be defined as, “Emmanuel, God is with us.” The distinguishing trait that sets Jesus in a class of His own, is that He came to us and never left. Jesus is never at a distance … He is right here with us … always. It is That Simple. Merry Christmas.

Silencing Christmas

Darkness wants to silence Christmas. King Herod tried to silence Christmas by killing all the babies, reaching upwards to two years of age, in Bethlehem and surrounding area. Tradition say that thousands of children were killed, but scholars say that number was probably about 20, due to the size of the population in Bethlehem. Herod wanted no other king in his jurisdiction; he was all that was needed. Herod is a symbol of how darkness always tries to silence the Christmas story. Many municipalities have banned the manger scene from public land, and Merry Christmas has turned into happy holidays, indicating the spirit of Herod continues today. However, as Luke 1:37 says, “For the word of God will never fail,” so the story of Christmas will never be replaced regards of how many Herod’s try. It is That Simple.

Mistakes

I heard of a man who made a list of the all the mistakes he had made in his life. At first, I thought this would be a depressing exercise. Then, as I thought about all my mistakes, I realized how God helped me to turn those mistakes around to bring about good in teaching me great lessons. Another old carpenter once told me that mistakes are those things that teach us what doesn’t work. I suppose, in that way mistakes, can be valuable. One of my mistakes made me realize how depleted my life was and I needed help. It was then I looked to God for that help. It was my mistakes that made me search for meaning, and I found it in Christ. Mistakes can have a happy ending. It is That Simple

Busyness

The 4th Commandment says, “"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” I believe this Commandment addresses the sin of busyness. Today, we are so busy thinking that keeping busy is the secret of a successful full life. Just the opposite is true. Keeping busy is not sin, but if busyness consumes our lives from morning to night, it could be the reason our satisfaction is impaired. Sabbath is the design of margin. Margin is the time we reflect on meaningful activity, Godly purpose, and productivity that brings joy. Some keep busy to avoid being bored. However, this may be an excuse to use activity to replace meaning. Sabbath was instituted by God to bring meaning back into busy lives. It’s designed is to honor God by replacing 6 days of busyness with Him. It is That Simple.

Blame vs Forgiveness

One of the signs of great turmoil in society will be the deterioration of relationships. Matthew 10 says, "The enemies of a man will come from his own household.” I hear stories from many families where adult children will isolate from parents and blame them for issues derived from childhood. Forgiveness and grace are the two words that Jesus applies to all wounds … regardless of their source. Jesus said that in this world we will suffer, but know that He has overcome all of it. When we think we escape our pain by blaming others, we only entrench that pain deeper into our own wounds. My childhood was not great, but Jesus taught me not to blame, but to forgive. His life was first about forgiveness, and then about His grace to heal our wounds. It is That Simple.

Vultures and the Dead

Vultures will circle when there is a carcass nearby. This is how Jesus illustrated His return … a carcass and vultures. Jesus said His return will be like the days of Noah, when people will be consumed with their own lives and they were dead to God. Jesus made it clear … prior to His return, people will be preoccupied with a life without God. Vultures are birds of prey indicating there is something dead nearby. Jesus used language like this to symbolize the conditions of the day when He returns … people living without God are spiritually dead. Jesus said that people will live out their lives like dead people, knowing nothing about God. Like Noah’s day, people were already dead before it started to rain. Don’t let the symbolism of vultures represent you. Believe in Jesus and live. It is That Simple.

God is Supernatural

Today, there is a tendency to make God practical, which can dismiss the supernatural. This is a big mistake because it leads people to relate to God only in ways of behavior, principles, and values, which are all important, but often the supernatural gets lost. There are Christians who do not believe God operates in the supernatural today by miracles and healings, they even dismiss some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit oversees the supernatural in our world, and He does so to remind us that Jesus is as supernatural as He is practical in making disciples. Remember the pattern of Jesus … He taught the practical application of God’s Word and then demonstrated the supernatural by miracles, healings, and casting out evil. The making of a disciple is both behavioral and supernatural. It is That Simple.

Hardness of Heart

I have noticed something about divorce … in most cases, it hardens the heart. I realize that divorce is the tearing apart of two souls that were once as one. Furthermore, the aftermath has some negative consequences … namely the hardening of the heart. I have worked with people whose lives changed drastically following a divorce, including a rebound relationship that can quickly turn into incompatibility. Divorce rates for second marriages are 60-70% and third time divorces is 70-74% … so compatibility doesn’t get better, it gets worse. The hardness of heart is a fatal condition that can impact how you know God. The Prophet Ezekiel tells us that God can take a hard heart and make it soft and tender again. This new heart is responsive … not only to the Lord, but in forgiving an ex-spouse. It is That Simple.

The Einstein Wisdom

The famous saying attributed to Albert Einstein says, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” He also said, “‘The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.” Often, I ask myself about my effectiveness of faith and practice … do they harmonize to make a better world? Scripture teaches that just talking about faith and not proving it has little value. Faith should always be the catalyst for the work we do, and I have learned not to speak things I am not willing to stand behind to execute. Einstein, you were right … nothing changes, unless our faith and work make a difference, otherwise everything remains the same. That’s insane. It is That Simple.

The Real Miracle of Christmas

When Jesus came, there was no fanfare, just a hay trough that was used as His crib. He was raised in a working-class family that probably taught him a trade. His mother was a young teenager, whose pregnancy was not expected … this placed her in an awkward position in her society. I can’t even imagine what Joseph told his friends and relatives about Mary. The only audience he had were the animals and shepherds, who came to see what the Angels said had happened. Everything about this narrative was wrong and beneath the coming of the Messiah. Yet, this story is not about the conditions, or the culture in which He was born … it was about the miracle that God came to us. Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given. It is That Simple.

The Story of Bethlehem

This is the season of traditions, and I love the traditions of Christmas. However, some traditions keep us from knowing the truth about the real meaning of Christmas. I grew up in a home of traditions and every year we would talk about the baby Jesus, but I never understood why He came. This past Sunday, my pastor gave the reason. The Bible says sin is our problem, and sin can only be removed by blood, thus the temporary sacrificial system of the Old Testament. Yet, God wanted to remove sin permanently, but He had a problem because as a Spirit, He had no blood to offer. Jesus came to do what the Spirit of God could not, shed blood for the permanent removal of sin. This explains the story of Bethlehem. It is That Simple.

Jesus … Both Savior and Judge

We forget that without Jesus, we will face the judgment of God. We either forget, or neglect, to understand it. God’s judgment is quite simple. It starts with the symbolism of Four Horsemen. The white horse is the conquest of a false messiah called the Antichrist. He is a deceiver with success and power. The red horse is the symbol of war, with bloodshed on steroids. The black horse represents famine and shortages that are essential for human survival. The last horse is the pale-green horse. This represents death and the grave that kills ¼ of the world’s population by famine and disease. Remember, Jesus who died for the sins of humanity, is the same Jesus described as the wrath of the Lamb who brings judgment on earth. We will face Jesus … either as Savior or Judge. It is That Simple.

Evil Hunts

Recently, I was reminded that evil is never passive … it is active, it hunts. Like a hunter who prepares the deer stand, or stalks the prey, it never stops hunting. Often a hunter uses decoys to trap unsuspecting prey, even going so far as using cameras to chart the patterns of prey. They tell me that hunting is an art form … evil has it down pat. I raise this issue to remind you that you are like that prey … you are hunted. Evil never rests, it waits for the moment in time when you are weak, vulnerable, sad, disappointed, fearful, and depleted … then it strikes quickly. The Apostle James tells us to first submit to God, and keep surrendered to Him, then you will be ready to resist the hunt of the evil one. Stay focused! It is That Simple.

God's Love is Never Lost

The Scriptures teach that nothing separates us from God’s love. It’s like a mother’s love that never forgets her child. Like a parent, our love for a wayward child never stops, regardless of their behavior. Even in judgment, God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked … He wants none to perish. God even loves those who reject Him and end up in hell … He never forgets them. Nothing separates us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Nothing we have done or will do, can ever put us in jeopardy of losing God’s love. The most powerful force in the universe is God’s love because it can never be lost or diminished. Soak in this today. It is That Simple.

Ask for Impact

Recently, a good friend and I were talking about impact. We concluded that we should ask, “How has God impacted my day?” The word impact is defined as being affected by something or someone. Many of us live without expecting God to impact us, so nothing changes. At other times, we just don’t pay attention to how God is working in our world. We even have stopped expecting Him to work in our lives, so He doesn’t show up like He once did. The Bible says if you search for God with all your heart, you will find Him. So, if you ask God with that same intensity to impact you, will He show up? In the Bible, people saw God’s impact when they encountered the Holy Spirit, and that changed everything. Don’t be afraid to ask. It is That Simple.

The System of Wealth Will be Judged

God will judge the system of wealth on earth. He will do it quickly, and people will be shocked. The judgement is because wealth has been misused. Wealth has power, much like sorcery, it casts a spell on people who go crazy to get more of it. Wealth, as we all know, has influence over people, over nations … its seduction is hard to resist. God is not against those with wealth … He is against the system of wealth that is used to promote evil. Evil dwells in the love of money, and it has become the god of this world. The Book of Revelation Chapter 18 tells the story of how wealth deceived all nations through the passionate desire for its benefits. Does it surprise anyone that the love of money is the root of all evil? It is That Simple.

Discernment and Compromise

There are two words that describe the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. The first word is discernment. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and it distinguishes between what is God and what is not. Discernment is a critical gift because it zeroes in on truth. It was only 60 years after the Ascension that Jesus identified false faith, false teaching, and false direction among the Churches. What was Jesus trying to correct? The error of compromise, the second word. Jesus said to one of the Churches that there will come a test to determine compromise, and it will reveal if you belong to this world, or to God. The Holy Spirit is discernment, and He is the test of compromise. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. It is That Simple.

Time

I was thinking about time and how it is the most valuable aspect of living. The Bible is clear about time … it tells us to number our days, that is time. Time is the same for all … it is limited, it has a beginning, and it has an ending. What we do with time is up to us. We can use it to accomplish things, or we can waste it by not paying attention to how we use it. Paying attention to time means … we use time to earn a living, to spend time with loved ones, we use time to help others, and we place a priority on time to be in relationship with God. One of the greatest uses of time is to allow God to make changes in us. Use time wisely. It is That Simple.

Right Under Our Noses

This line in the movie ‘Nuremberg’ impacted me, “This happened right under our noses, and we did nothing.” I see two warnings for America. (1) We are under judgment as a nation. (2) We have lost our discernment to know it. I realize this might surprise you, but there are things happening right under our noses too. If you analyze our divisions, our immorality, and our ignorance of God … all are signs of judgement. God allows a nation to have their sinful desires to show them the destructive results of the ignorance of sin, and rejection of God. Most discernment is lost, so we can’t see the destruction that is happening right under our noses. Noah’s Day had no discernment, until it started to rain, yet the ark was built right under their noses. It is That Simple.

God's Values are Preserved by Family

Family is God’s building block for His Creation. A man left his birth family and joined himself to a woman, and they became one flesh. It meant more than just the ability to procreate; they became the foundation of safeguarding the values of relationship. Through the family, God safeguarded a chosen people to be His messengers who revealed Him to the nations, and through this family, a Savior was given. When the family became the building block of society, it immediately became a target for evil to destroy. This is why the family must be preserved at all costs … as God designed it. Thanksgiving is a reminder of the importance of family because God’s plan was always for the family to preserve the values He has entrusted to us. Happy Thanksgiving. It is That Simple.

Gratitude for Family

The root word of gratitude is derived from the Latin root gratia, meaning grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. Gratitude can be defined as the thankfulness in your heart for people, places, and things in your life. It is easy to simply take things for granted. Recently, my wife and I were reflecting on all the family members we have lost over the years and missing all of them. We are grateful for all the contributions they made to our lives, but now they are gone. Today, we are thankful for all the memories, and we walked away with a new sense of being grateful for family. This Thanksgiving, thank God for your family because it was God’s idea to give them to you. I hope your Thanksgiving will make a memory because you are with family. It is That Simple.

God Sees Things Differently

What we see and what God sees can be two different things. For example, the Church of Sardis, their reputation was an alive Church, that’s what people saw, but God saw that they were dead. We admire Churches for doing good, but God said, “I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God.” Not everything we see has the right assessment of what is really happening. God saw beyond the reputation, to see that this Church was not alive but close to death. What brought this Church close to death? Their deeds were like a fast start in a race, but they lacked the stamina to finish first. Their incomplete performance was due to complicating the direction. Do what you heard at first and believed. Then simply hold it firmly. It is That Simple.

Resistance Against Evil

Eric Metaxas, author, itinerate preacher, has a message the Church needs to hear. He quotes Dietrich Bonhoeffer often in his presentations. Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor who resisted Hitler during WWII. Bonhoeffer said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.” The greatest sin of the modern Church is the ignorance of resistance due to the lack of discernment. Silence is killing the effectiveness of the Church. Remaining silent on issues that matter softens the truth, and allows evil to remain unchallenged as it grows stronger in society. The Bible is full of resistance. Esther and Moses are two examples of not allowing evil to win. As the Holy Spirit resists evil, and He resides in the heart of believers, what do you think He is encouraging believers to do? Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit. It is That Simple.

Evil Repeats Itself

The philosopher, R.G. Collingwood, said, "The only clue to what man can do is what man has done." This reminds us that we are not naturally righteous people, but have the potential of evil in our hearts toward others. Without a change of heart, nothing in the human experience will ever change. Even though the cry from the Holocaust Genocide is, “Never again,” yet, it has happened repeatedly since then from the Rwandan Genocide to the Persecution of the Uyghurs in China … all were massacres of millions of people. Sin is evil and it will produce exactly what was done in past generations. In the 20th century, over 25 million Christians died at the hands of anti-religious people. What are people capable of doing? Look at the past and you will find your answer. God can change hearts. It is That Simple.

To Know God, You Must Obey Him

A longtime friend and I were walking together when I said, “If you don’t obey God’s Word, you cannot be a Christian.” My friend said, “Well, where does grace play a part in forgiveness and restoration?” Grace, however, is never an excuse to live as you please and claim to know God. Disobedience is a sign of not knowing God as 1 John 2:4 points out, “If someone claims, I know God, but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.” Jesus referred to Satan as the father of lies, a deceiver, so when John uses this term ‘a liar’ it is a serious charge. You can say you love God, but you hate your brother, that too is deception. In both cases, they do not know God. It is That Simple.

Stand

Probably the most influential word that has impacted my life in recent days, has been the word ‘Stand.’ The word defined means ‘to have a determined effort to resist or fight for something, to remain unaltered.’ Resistance is never easy, but it is essential in standing for what is right. James 4:7 illustrates this idea of taking a stand against the pressure to conform to anything contrary to knowing and obeying God. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” This message to ‘Stand’ is for today, for the night is coming when no one will care about anything you call truth. The courage to ‘Stand’ comes from a hunger and a thirst after righteousness … it is the antidote to conforming to this world. The Bible tells us to be steadfast and immovable, and to say “No” to compromise. It is That Simple.

You Can’t, But I Can

I was listening to the incredible preacher Tommy Barnett, and I thought how can an 88-year-old still have the fire. Then I heard the Holy Spirit say to me, “You can’t, but I can.” At that moment, I knew God had spoken a word of encouragement into my soul. Nothing is as important as God encouraging you with the possibility of change, healing, restoration, and hope. Think about all the impossible circumstances in your life and apply it to that word, encouragement. Recently, I was so discouraged, so many changes, so many obstacles, and a big fat zero in the win column. I prayed, asking God to restore my beat-down-self. He answered me with this assurance, “You can’t, but I can.” I love God because He says, “I can.” It is That Simple.

The Shout to God

Recently, I heard Tommy Barnett say, “Don’t stop believing for big things.” He continued, “Delay is not denial.” Pastor Barnett is the founder of the Dream Center in Los Angeles, which ministers to 80,000 people each month, and nearly 1 million people each year. He said he waited 40 years to see the Dream Center come into existence. Perhaps that is how revival works. It takes the right time for God to prepare a generation to be open to the preaching of the Gospel. So, we don’t need to silence our prayers because they are not answered … we should continue to pray even more loudly. We all know God is not deaf, but when we shout for our team to win, it is much like the shout to God for His answer. Go God! It is That Simple.

Holiness is Honoring God

Here is a touchy subject. Holiness is often seen as irrelevant as the Old Testament. This is nonsense … the New Testament confirms the values and teachings of the Old Testament, and God has not changed His mind about holiness. In fact, at the Church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul gave advice on how to throw the immoral out of the Church. Sounds a bit Old Testament, doesn’t it? I wonder how that would go over in today’s Church. The point is, sin is like yeast … it has influence and even a small infraction will grow into a major problem, if left unchecked. My question is, “Why do we avoid addressing holiness? Does our conscience condemn us?” Yet there is no condemnation to those who believe in Christ Jesus, and holiness is simply living a life that honors God. Amen! It is That Simple.

The Holy Spirit Makes Us Better

God never changes. God never forces His hand in your life. As Oswald Chambers says, the optimum word is “if” you believe, “if” you obey, “if” anyone desires, God allows our choice to be His first response. What this means is God honors you to make choices … good or bad. If you make wrong choices, that is on you, not Him. Remember, Jesus told His disciples in John 16:8 that the Holy Spirit will convict this world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Conviction is not crossing the line to decide for you … it is a warning to help you rethink your decision. Conviction is the work of the Coach (Holy Spirit) to draw you away from what is bad, and toward what is good. The Coach loves to make us better … that’s His expertise. Thanks Coach! It is That Simple.

Focus on Listening

I got into my car to run some errands, as I usually do, and I immediately turned on the radio. I like to listen to worship music and short Bible challenges as I drive. However, in recent months I have been pushing to know my Coach (Holy Spirit) in a more personal way, and He spoke this challenge to me. As the radio come on, I heard Him say, “Would you rather listen to the radio, or would you like to hear from Me? Well, aren’t they both good? Yes, but one is primary and the other is secondary. He went on to say, “People do a lot of talking, but few listen to Me.” My conclusion that day? I needed to listen to the Coach. Sometimes, you must choose between two good things. It is That Simple.

Complaining and Excuses

My new rule in my life, “No complaining (that’s judgment) and no excuses (that’s irresponsible).” Neither one honors God. We are called, as believers, to serve, be joyful, and allow God to direct our lives, therefore, no need for the complaining and the excuses. Do I violate my new rule? Yes, all the time. I really want to live by this new rule, but my habits of living life by complaining and making excuses is making it hard. I had an incident with a neighbor that left me not only complaining but justifying retaliation. It was my old normal self, trying to take over again. My Coach, the Holy Spirit, immediately stepped in … with a reminder. God’s grace is sufficient in covering my violation of my new rule. Whew … because I like my new rule. It is That Simple.

Gifts That Guide the Church

The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the Church. Apostles … those sent, Prophets … those who warn, Teachers … those who instruct, Miracles … the supernatural, Healing … those who restore, Helping … through mercy, Leadership … those who lead others, and Unknown Languages … praying in the Spirit. No where does it suggest these gifts were replaced or removed. God does not change; therefore, the same gifts given to the Church that the Apostle Paul wrote about are the same gifts for us today. Nothing has changed. However, the only change is our resistance to allowing the Holy Spirit to operate these gifts in the Church. One example is the shift of support for Israel by Christians. If the gifts of the Holy Spirit were operating, this could not happen. God says the Jews are His People forever, and Christians who abandon Israel are abandoning God. It is That Simple.

Flat Surfaces of Retention

For years, my daughter has told me that I have ADHD. I will admit that I have one symptom of this diagnosis … I need to put everything on a flat surface, or I will not remember that I have it or need it. Put it away in a drawer, it’s lost forever. However, when everything is exposed in the open, (flat surface) I have perfect memory. Recently, I realized why I like to underline and put notes alongside Verses … it is my flat surface. I see it clearly and I know where to look for it when I need it. I also take notes on sermons, again it’s my flat surface. We’re told we retain 10% of what we read, and lose 95% of what we hear … all because we ignore the flat surface. Flat surfaces are useful. It is That Simple.

Telling or Selling?

I am one who does not like advertisements pushed on me when I did not ask for them. So, the thought occurred to me “Do we sell the Gospel, or do we tell the Gospel.” I believe there is a difference. Some ministries love to sell you on their new idea, a new book, or the latest conference, and the salesmanship is relentless. I don’t like it. I know a pastor who takes 20-minute offerings, selling the idea that giving is a good idea. Another ministry leader sells the pre-tribulation rapture as God’s plan. Telling or selling? Selling to me has an agenda, telling is free and it invokes a discussion on what is told. Selling is different, you either buy or you don’t, no discussion. Telling or selling … which is it? It is That Simple.

God Sets the Stage

Here is truth … ‘God has the last say in all things.’ You have heard it said that elections have consequences, which is true, but God allows the outcome of elections because His will is at stake. We complained because Obama got elected, we complained because Trump got elected, and we complained because Biden got in, but it was God who allowed it all. It is never about who is in office, it is always about God who sits on the throne … it is His will that rules. Remember that Christianity started under Roman rule, and it was not politically ideal, but it changed the world. God’s plan is narrow; it’s about the return of Jesus Christ and that will not happen under ideal conditions. Remember, God always sets the stage according to His narrative, not ours. It is That Simple.

Complaining

Every morning, I pray, “Lord, help me to see my day through Your eyes.” However, I got to thinking, “Does God see the day through eyes of mercy and compassion, or does He see the day through the lens of judgment. I also realized that all my complaining was seeing the world through eyes of judgment. Nothing is ever right or how I want it to be. So, I appealed to God to help me see through my judgment of complaining to see as He sees, through the lens of mercy and compassion. In Deuteronomy the people were continually complaining and it made God angry. Think about it, after been set free from slavery, but all the people did was complain. This makes me think of the Cross, it gives me perspective on my complaining. It is That Simple.

Holy Spirit Worldview

I heard a good friend preach on Sunday, and I came away with a new insight on worldviews. Everyone has a worldview … it is the way we interpret the world. My friend said, “We should have a worldview like the Holy Spirit.” That got me thinking. How does the Holy Spirit see the world? He sees it through the lens of Scripture. Afterall, He wrote the Scriptures. Researcher George Barna says that only 9% of Christians have a worldview like the Holy Spirit, or like the Bible. How can we say we follow Christ and not have a Biblical worldview? It’s not just the words of the Bible that are important … it is also the Spirit behind them. My challenge has been to ask the Holy Spirit to show me what He sees … starting with myself. It is That Simple.

God Calls Me His Names

Recently, I was introduced to an author who said, “You aren't defined by what you've done or what others think … you're defined by what God says about you.” She has written a book on how God calls us by names we don’t often hear about ourselves. He calls me friend, He calls me chosen, He calls me His masterpiece, He calls me fashioned for good things, He calls my body His Temple, He calls me His messenger to the world, He calls me His child, He calls me greatly loved, He calls me free, and He calls me brand new. This authors name is Hosanna Wong, look her up online, you will be fascinated by her rendition of, “I Have a New Name.” To be reminded of God’s Words about you will make your day. It is That Simple.

You Live What You Believe

It has been said, “You live out what you believe.” In recent years, much of my theology I have dismissed. My criteria for dismissal came from my study of what Jesus believed. His theology was simple … He pleased God by doing His will. Pleasing God was a main emphasis with Jesus, and He didn’t get into the theological weeds, He left that up to the Pharisees. God started with 10 simple Commandments, and yet the priests invented a total of 613 laws as standards for God’s Commandments. God wants us to know Him, yet we always define knowing Him as knowledge about Him. As Mark Twain said, "In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are, in almost every case, gotten at second-hand and without examination." God hates religion for this reason … put Him first. It is That Simple.

Keeping It Honest

Everything to King Solomon was meaningless … like chasing the wind. Pleasure along with wealth … all fleeting. There is no justice … evil rules the courtroom. All flesh goes back to dust … no advantage for either animals or humans. We all will be forgotten by the next generation, and the benefits of our hard work will be enjoyed by others. Sorrow is better than laughter, and in the end, you will give an account to God for everything. And I can hear King Solomon say, “And have a nice day.” Solomon lived life at the highest possible human privilege, yet in his own words, everything is ‘chasing the wind.’ Ecclesiastes is honest … a perspective not too popular today. Yet Solomon’s conclusion is worth it all … to fear and obey God. However, chasing the wind … meaningless. It is That Simple.

Pursuing Excellence

Excellence defined is the quality of being outstanding. I am an observer. That’s what I do. I watch, I listen, I engage … all the while looking for excellence. When you encounter excellence, you know it. Some people in the marketplace do the minimum. It’s also true for those developing a career in ministry. We do what we were trained to do, but we go no further. Training gets you in the door, but excellence is what you do once you cross that threshold. To execute excellence means you do what is outstanding, and the excellence you pursue is always to please God. The Bible says that whatever you do, do it with all your heart. Pursuing excellence in knowing God is a choice that makes you to be outstanding. Don’t settle for mediocracy. It is That Simple.

Excusing Crime

Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket said, “Just because someone has committed a crime, does not make them a criminal.” Meanwhile, Hennepin County Prosecutor Mary Moriety said that she would not prosecute any male under 25, because their brains have not fully developed. It’s funny because we can discipline a 3-year-old so they know right from wrong, but you can’t prosecute any male under 25, so they too will know the difference. I have heard it said, “These are victims of circumstance; therefore, they should not be held accountable.” What a lie! King Solomon said “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.” (Ecclesiastes 8:11) The world is filled with nonsense, and God allows it to be to prove what happens when we ignore Him. It is That Simple.

The Habits We Form

Our world is mostly about complaining. If you watch the news or listen to the conversations you have during the day, you don’t feel more courageous by any of it, in fact, you probably feel more defeated and depressed. I think about this verse a lot lately, “You will always harvest what you plant.” (Galatians 6:7 NLT). If you put nothing in, you get nothing out. Cultivating a lifestyle of encouragement takes practice and if we are to do it proficiently, we must create a habit to make it work. They tell us it takes 59 to 70 days to form a lasting habit, so it will take time. However, as long as it may take, the result is great for you and for those you pour courage into … everyone walks away a winner. It is That Simple.

Encouragement

Have you ever thought about putting courage into someone? That is what you do when you practice encouragement. In fact, the Greek word ‘paraklesis’ means to come alongside to put into them … courage. The Holy Spirit is credited for doing just that as it says in Romans 12:8, it is His gift to us. In my understanding, encouragement is both a gift and a choice. The choice is one we make on behalf of God to bring a new perspective into play in someone’s life. Living with a spirit of grace toward others is another form of encouragement, because grace is what God gives to all of us. If there was one quality our Churches should emulate, it is encouragement. Pouring courage into others is how we should be known. It is That Simple.

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 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.

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.

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.