It is That Simple
with Larry Kutzler
The Simple Ideas of Profound Truths
When God Removes the Hedge
This past Sunday, I watched two online Church services. The services were from well-known Churches in our area, and their messages were about caution, safety, and comfort. The thoughts were based upon the protection God has over Godly people. Yet, my thoughts went beyond this select group to a nation. The Prophet Isaiah teaches that God removes His safety when a nation decides to go rogue from Him. The Prophet said that God removes His hedge of protection when a nation produces evil standards. When God’s protection is missing from a nation, all the people suffer … not only the evil ones. We thought we were safe as Americans for decades, but as this nation strays further from God, our problems increase with the intensity of the bizarre. How could this happen in America? Well, ignoring God has its consequences. It is That Simple.
People Love the Darkness
God is always clear, unfortunately, we don’t pay attention. God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. People prefer darkness over God, primarily because you can hide who you are, and what you do from everyone. Darkness hides motives, creates the lies, and gives cover for sin. No wonder people love darkness … there is no accountability. Darkness never acknowledges wrongdoing and has no intention of ever changing. Evil never retreats, nor is it neutral … it’s always aggressive. Darkness hides, but light exposes. The Bible says resist evil and it will flee. However, evil is cyclical, it never leaves for good. As people of faith, we are to expose it for what it is … hatred for God. Resist it, reject it, and run from it. It is That Simple.
Finding a Church
Pew Research found that people find a Church based upon the quality of the sermon (83%), followed by worship (75%), and then geographic location (70%). I hate to admit it, but I fall into the geographic location category. I like content, and my wife likes good worship, so we fit the survey’s demographics. However, nothing was said in the Pew Survey about vision, mission, or Church Outreach, which I think plays a big part in defining a Church. Nothing was said about the quality of the Church leadership, as described in 1 Timothy 3, where leaders are to be full of character with Christlike attributes. Of course, surveys are only data indicators, but they give us reason to pause long enough to process our satisfaction about our Church on what is important to God. Selah! It is That Simple.
God's Leaders are Different
Every year, over 1,000 leadership books are written. So, I ask, “How many ways can leadership be defined?” There is a difference in how the leadership model is defined today, and how God defines His leadership model. In Ezekiel 34, God says that His leaders are about the weak, the sick, the injured, and they search for the lost and strayed. Some may argue this model is fine for the non-profit world, but business needs leaders who can run businesses. Yet, how we lead is as important as who we lead. Leadership in all arenas should be concerned about people … not just the bottom line. This bottom-line thinking has made a new generation think kindlier toward socialism over capitalism. God was not wrong when He choose His kind of leadership … putting people first. It is That Simple.
God Gives Life and Choice
Life is simple from God’s perspective. He gives us two things that outweigh everything else around us in this life. The first is life. We cannot get life anywhere else except from God … no one has the patent on it like God, and even AI cannot create life. Note that for future reference. Secondly, God gives us choice. That choice is the most important attribute given to us after we are given life. We get to choose meaning, purpose, who we will marry, what career path to follow, and how many kids we want. Choice is a big deal. With choice comes wise responsibility, because God, the giver of life and choice, will ask us someday what we did with both. Always remember Who gave us these two … give Him credit and love Him. It is That Simple.
The Watchman
Ezekiel 33 speaks of God appointing a watchman over God’s people, to warn them of impending danger from their enemies. In the Old Testament, it was the Prophets who warned, and in the New Testament, any warning falls upon the pastor/leadership of the Church. Regardless whose responsibility it becomes, it is necessary for the watchman to warn. Watchmen are people of discernment … they see the fine print, the stuff most of us avoid. The Prophet was always the discerning figure among the people to sound the alarm when the leaders ignored God. Many of these Prophets were killed or imprisoned for simply hearing from God, and warning people to redirect. Today, we need the watchman more than ever. I am convinced our day requires more watchmen who are not afraid to warn. I hope they all haven’t retired. It is That Simple.
The Warning of Unpreparedness
There are examples in the Bible where people were not prepared for what God was about to do. The very first generation on earth was destroyed because of their wickedness. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for the same reason. Jesus, referring to towns that rejected Him said, “I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off on judgment day.” So, are we ready for what God will do next as outlined in Matthew 24? The reason Jesus foretold these things was not to scare us, but to prepare us for the future, and to avoid the mistakes of history where people were not prepared for what was to come. The greatest mistakes in history are surrounded by the unwillingness to prepare by ignoring God’s warnings. Preparation starts by knowing Jesus. It is That Simple.
The Soft Church
A colleague wrote to me recently, “A good prophetic message can sometimes be hard to hear when our ears and our hearts have become acclimated to softer presentations, this happens, especially if we are not challenged by the Church.” I believe a good home Church is critical for the development of faith, yet some Churches are too soft when it comes to Bible Prophecy or the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. This can result in fearing the End Times, compromising with evil agendas, and the Holy Spirit is ignored. As the world spins out of control, with evil coming out on top, the Church cannot be soft. The Church must find its Prophetic Voice declaring the Kingdom of God is coming, and Jesus is returning on a white horse to take over. This is not soft. It is That Simple.
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.