It is That Simple
with Larry Kutzler
The Simple Ideas of Profound Truths
God is Gentle at Heart
In 1 Kings 19, there was a wind, there was an earthquake, and then a fire, but God was not in any of them. There is a lesson to learn from all three of these powerful forces … God was not found in them. God was found in a quiet whisper, or as some versions say, ‘a still small voice.’ The Prophet Isaiah said, “A bruised reed He will not break, nor will He snuff out a smoldering wick.” Jesus said, “Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart.” All these references refer to a God who is not harsh, who does not use violent methods to be known, and He communicates in a gentle manner that is not threatening. God chooses the quiet, gentle approach. He is no threat; He is not frightening … but welcoming. It is That Simple.
Your Privilege Will be Judged
When the wealthy take advantage of those under the power of finance, and they do harm to the poor … beware. That is what the Prophet Amos says. In fact, Amos says that God will reward ‘evil for evil, and you won’t be able to pull your neck out of the noose.’ It may seem that the rich have an advantage now, but it will not be that way forever. The richest billionaire will not have an advantage over a poor person in death. In fact, those who have laid treasures in Heaven may be poor, and if so, they will then have privilege. It is not a sin to be rich, but it is a sin if you use your wealth to take advantage of the poor. Listen carefully … “God will judge how you use your privilege.” It is That Simple.
Thank You
I want to thank all of you who have befriended me on this Facebook feed. I want to give you a simple history how these short one-minute thoughts originated. Several years ago, I asked God how to communicate the truth of Scripture, without being complicated. In this quest, I discovered a new dimension the Holy Spirit played in my life … He became my Coach, and I learned how valuable His advice was about my relationship with the Scriptures. Out of that context, He dictated and I wrote. I learned He is precise, clear, and to the point … so simple, so kind, and so true. Lastly, if you think what is said is valuable, please re-post on your wall, this could enlarge the footprint of these simple truths about God. Thank you for joining me here. It is That Simple.
Lying to Yourself
Here is a request we often don’t acknowledge … Keep me from lying to myself (Psalm 119:29 NLT). There are no specific statistics on how often we lie to ourselves, but psychologists suggest that we lie to ourselves many times a day. Self-deception is primarily to protect our ego, maintain a positive reputation, and manage stress. Yet, self-deception is the result of having no self-awareness. Firstly, self-awareness begins by discovering you are not good simply by being human. God says all have sinned … so, you are not good. Secondly, how does anyone overcome not being good? You must find the forgiveness that can override your condition of not being good. Thirdly, forgiveness does exchange your condition of not being good to being good. That forgiveness is Jesus. Lying to yourself is thinking you’re good … without Jesus. It is That Simple.
Focus
The word focus means to concentrate on clarity. They tell us that 23 out of the 27 Books in the New Testament, or about 318 references, mention the Second Coming of Jesus. It is a clear reminder to focus on His inevitable return to earth. His return will change everything … for everybody. Jesus said His return would resemble Noah’s Day, when people were totally without focus … until it rained. The best way to define the character of Jesus when He returns is found in the allegory written by CS Lewis, when he described Aslan the Lion as, ‘He is not safe, but He is good.’ The goodness of Jesus is the Cross, but His return will not be safe for anyone who rejected His grace. It will be clear Who has come, so focus on Him now. It is That Simple.
What Do I Expect?
Yesterday, I was convicted of not having an expectation of God working every day in my life. So, I began to ask myself, “What do I expect?” I can expect that He is an unchanging presence with me, both in the good and the bad times. I can expect forgiveness upon my confession when I have sinned. I can expect the Holy Spirit in me will teach me to know God’s ways. I can expect God has an assignment for me, and by my obedience I will find it. I can expect that my life will end up in Heaven because I have made Jesus my Savior. Yes, I can live in the expectation that God is in control of my life, and His desire for me is to open my eyes to see Him. It is That Simple.
Called Out Ones
In Greek, the Church is defined as ‘Ekklesia,’ or ‘Called Out Ones.’ I like the idea of being called out to be different. We are called out to be a voice for a message that is different than what we hear and see in the world around us. We are called out to reject and stand against evil, unrighteous, and the abuse of human beings. We are called out to be free from the bondage of sin, addiction, and the worship of cultural idols. We are called out from pride, arrogance, greed, and narcissistic behavior. We are called out from anger, hatred, racism, and sectarianism. We are called out from the lies perpetrated through the political ideology of socialism and capitalism. We are called out to be different as representatives of His Kingdom … period. You are different … you are called out. It is That Simple.
Promises and Warnings
The Bible is a Book of promises and warnings. Deuteronomy 28 is a Chapter that illustrates this. Out of 68 Verses, there are 14 Verses of blessings or promises, and 54 curses or warnings. The promises are important to encourage us, to give us a hope for what God said He would do if we lived in obedience to Him. However, it is the warnings that will keep us from the danger we face when we live according to our own ways. There are almost four times the warnings than there are blessings. One reason may be that the warnings are protection against the danger and harm that will come when ignored. Jesus too warned about the dangers of unbelief, materialism, and hatred for others. We live in the promises but must not ignore the warnings. It is That Simple.
Growth and Decline
Professor/Author, Arthur Brooks, says most of us start declining in cognitive ability in our thirties, the age which is most productive for learning, creating, and being innovative. Our decline continues in the wrong direction in our forties and fifties. Furthermore, Dr Brooks says that older adults need to find a second wave as they get into their 60s … that second wave is the retirement of one life, and the reinventing of another. Finding meaning through the wisdom years will sustain a happier life, and often it is because you find what gives you great pleasure. I like the idea of reinventing yourself. The younger generation is productive, but they often lack the wisdom that comes from age and experience. The generations need each other … one is productive, the other offers wisdom. A good partnership. It is That Simple.
If It's Nuts ... It's Normal
A good friend of mine from Minneapolis, gave me the best slogan I’ve heard all year, “If it’s nuts … it’s normal.” Two former NBA stars, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, want to be in the draft next year to play in the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association). Is this for real? Why would we want this for professional sports? Why are men manipulating women’s rights to have their own place in sports? I don’t believe that women have the same desire to play in men’s sports … so, why is it okay for cowardly men to invade theirs? One question my wife keeps asking, “Where are the feminists, they have always fought for women’s rights.” The feminists are missing, and the science we revered is ignored. Claiming you’re the opposite sex is a lie. You were born with chromosomes … they don’t lie. It is That Simple.