Joyful People (Part 1)

How do ordinary people become joyful people in a world like we live in today?

They pray, meditate, and study God's Word. They love to talk about the spiritual side of living and fulfilling God's calling in life. They have achieved earthly success, raised their children, and fulfilled most of their goals in life. Yet, as they grow joyfully in God's Spirit they take time to reevaluate their contribution to a lost and dying world. By examining the past, refocusing their natural talents, and listening to their heart's true desire, they find joy in what God has for them next.

It's through that discovery in Christ they find wisdom and inner peace. Each time they face a new challenge, they learn, grow, and they deepen their understanding of God's purpose and plan for their lives. They are not without bumps, bruises, scars, and discouraging moments. In fact, they are not above asking the question "Why me?" I suppose all of us have been in that position.

Yet, despite momentary frustrations and regardless of unpleasant past experiences they take responsibility for their own happiness. Sometimes they do this gracefully, and sometimes they do this by kicking up a little dust. Either way, their desire to fulfill God's purpose can enable us all to prosper in a world that challenges, but has the potential to bring tremendous joy.

Joyful people know the value of living in the now. They take time to appreciate the simple things like a good conversation or a well prepared meal. They make their relationship with themselves and others a priority. Their future is secure in Christ so living today is not filled with worry about tomorrow.

That I believe is the first step to joyful living.

"If I’m happy with my life, why do I need Jesus?"

I hear that from a lot of folks who have been burned by the church. They say to me, “I just don’t feel the need for Christ or getting involved in a church.” Christianity is not something that we package and sell at Wal-Mart, Belks, or Bi-Lo. It's not some commodity that’s going to add just a sparkle of happiness to our lives. It's developing a relationship with the Creator of the Universe that can last for all of eternity. The church is just a facilitator of this message to a world that is looking desperately for answers. It is and always has been filled with people that are there changed by the grace of God. As with anything that men are involved with it's not perfect, but that should never reflect on the need for every individual to have a personal relationship with Christ.

If the only reason a human being ever needed Jesus was to be happy with their life and a person is already happy without Jesus, then they certainly don’t need Jesus. The Bible indicates, however, that there’s a reason you need Jesus. There is a God who is altogether holy, who is perfectly just, and who declares that he is going to judge the world and hold every human being accountable for their life. As a perfectly holy and just God, he requires from each one of us a life of perfect obedience and of perfect justness. If there is such a God and if you have lived a life of perfect justness and obedience then you certainly don’t need Jesus. You don’t need a Savior because only unjust people have a problem.

If God is just and requires perfection from me and I come short of that perfection and he is going to deal with me according to justice, then I am looking at a future punishment at the hands of a holy God. If the only way I can escape that punishment is through a Savior and if I want to escape that, then I need a Savior. Some people will say that we’re just trying to preach Jesus as a ticket out of hell, as a way to escape eternal punishment. That’s not the only reason I would commend Jesus to people, but that is one of the reasons.

I think that many people in today’s culture don’t really believe that God is going to hold them accountable for their lives and that God really does not require righteousness. When we take that view, we don’t feel the weight of the threat of judgment. If you’re not afraid to deal with God’s punishment, then be happy the way you are. However, I would be living in terrible fear and trembling at the prospect of falling into the hands of a holy God without knowing my sins had been covered by His blood.

You Know You Love Dogs When . . . .

1. You have a kiddie wading pool in the yard, but no small children.
   
   
2. You have baby gates permanently installed at strategic places around the house, but no babies.
   
   
3. The trash basket is more or less permanently installed in the kitchen sink, to keep the dog out of it while you're at work.
   
   
4. You can't see out the passenger side of the windshield because there are nose-prints all over the inside.
   
   
5. Poop has become a source of conversation for you and your significant other.
   
   
6. You refer to yourselves as Mommy and Daddy.
   
   
7. Your dog sleeps with you.
   
   
8. You have 32 different names for your dog. Most make no sense, but she understands.
   
   
9. Your dog eats cat poop, but you still let her kiss you (but not immediately afterward, of course).
   
   
10. You like people who like your dog. You despise people who don't.
    
    
11. You carry dog biscuits in your purse or pocket at all times.
    
    
12. You talk about your dog the way other people talk about their kid
    
    
13. You sign and send birthday/anniversary/Christmas cards from your dog.
    
    
14. You put an extra blanket on the bed so your dog can be comfortable.
    
    
15. You'd rather stay home on Saturday night and cuddle your dog than go to the movies with your sweetie.
    
    
16. You go to the pet supply store every Saturday because it's one of the very few places that lets you bring your dog inside, and your dog loves to go with you.
    
    
17. You open your purse, and that big bunch of baggies you use for pick-ups pops out.
    
    
18. You get an extra-long hose on your shower-massage just so you can use it to wash your dog in the tub, without making the dog sit hip-deep in water.
    
    
19. You don't think it's the least bit strange to stand in the back yard yelling, "Emily, pee!" over and over again, while Emily tends to play and forget what she's out there for (but what your neighbors think of your behavior is yet another story).
    
    
20. You and the dog come down with something like flu on the same day. Your dog sees the vet while you settle for an over-the-counter remedy from the drugstore.
    
    
21. Your dog is getting old and arthritic, so you go buy lumber and build her a small staircase so she can climb onto the bed by herself.
    
    
22. Your license plate or license plate frame mentions your dog.

The Power of Forgiveness (Part 2)

-Forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you might always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, positive parts of your life.

-Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.

-Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.

Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace.

-Forgiveness is a commitment to a process of change. 
a. Consider the value of forgiveness and its importance in your life at a given time
b. Reflect on the facts of the situation, how you've reacted, and how this combination has affected your life, health and well-being.
c. When you're ready, actively choose to forgive the person who's offended you
d. Move away from your role as victim and release the control and power the offending person and situation have had in your life

As you let go of grudges, you'll no longer define your life by how you've been hurt. You might even find compassion and understanding.

Holding A Grudge (Part 1)

I've heard it said that, “Holding a grudge against someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” The only person you hurt is yourself. When you react to negativity, you are disturbing your inner space and mentally creating pain within your life.

When people initiate negativity, it is a reflection of their inner self expressed externally and you just happen to be in front of that expression. It’s not personal, so why do you take it personally? In short: Because your ego likes problems and conflict. People are often so bored and unhappy with their own lives that they want to take others down with them.

When you respond impulsively, it is a natural and honest response. However, is it the smart thing to do? What can be resolved by doing so? The answer: Nothing but feeding your ego’s need for conflict.

Have you noticed that when you fight back, it feels really satisfying in our heads? But it doesn’t feel very good in your soul? Your stomach becomes tight, and you start having violent thoughts?
When you do respond irrationally, it turns the conversation from a one-sided negative expression into a battle of two egos. It becomes an unnecessary and unproductive battle about who is right and who is wrong?

Rarely can any good come out of reacting against someone who is in a negative state. It will only trigger anger and an additional reactive response from that person. If you do respond impulsively, you’ll have invested energy in the defending of yourself and you’ll feel more psychologically compelled to defend yourself going forward.

However please remember this-the angrier your thoughts become, the angrier you become. It’s a negative downward spiral.

But I Still Feel Guilty!

What does it mean to confess sins and repent?

-Confession means to agree with God. He already knows you’ve sinned, so you might as well be honest!

-Confession means freely admitting our sin and accepting God’s attitude about our sin.

-Confession does not mean begging God for forgiveness.

Jesus already paid the penalty for all of our sins, and God’s forgiveness is available to all when we confess them. The reason God can make this forgiveness available to you instantly is because of Christ’s death on the cross. When you confess your sin(s) His blood covers them and they are forgiven and forgotten.

Repentance means to change your actions concerning your sin. It involves agreeing with God that you were wrong and that you do not want to continue to commit that sin.

However, there will be times when you still feel guilty even after you’ve confessed your sin. It somehow seems spiritual to demean ourselves for committing such an awful sin, and some think that if they lower themselves in their own eyes, God will be pleased with their humility.

But that’s not the way God sees us. Part of confession is praising God that all of our sins have been paid for by Christ. On that basis God says in Hebrews 8:12, “I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” By faith you respond to what God’s Word says about His mercy you instead of worrying about the sins of your past. To berate yourself focuses on your sin rather than on Christ, His mercy, and His forgiveness.

Sometimes we do mistake temptation for sin, but keep in mind that everyone is tempted. Even Jesus was tempted, but He didn’t give in to His temptations and He didn’t sin. If you are being tempted, don’t chastise yourself. You can choose not to dwell on tempting thoughts and you can ask God for the strength to avoid the sin. Don’t feel guilty about being tempted. 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a great verse to bring to mind when you battle temptation.

Remember again, God has completely forgiven you of all the things you have done. Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He doesn’t look back now on your sins or your failures with condemnation, and neither should you. Again God says in Hebrews 10:17, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Accept God’s complete forgiveness and realize the cloud of guilt is gone!

Paul said in Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Your Christian life is a life of freedom. It is freedom from guilt and freedom to live as God intends, which is ultimately the most satisfying life. It is a process of growth, of becoming like Christ, and reflecting Christ-and it takes time to grow!

So stop holding on to your past. If God has forgiven you, then forgive yourself and move on. Don't let guilt hide what the Son (of God) has done within you.

Why People Don't Like Church Anymore (Part 3)

At one time the church was a thriving part of most America communities. It has now been relegated to something seen as outside of normal society, or something that offers no living, vital fellowship to people. In the past, when people were in need they would look to local churches for assistance. In reality they looked to the church for ways to help them cope and live every day life. The simple fact is that this is no longer true. The church has lost its value to people who still seek for reality and truth. One recent study found that about two thirds of Americans do not value the church for any direction in their life, or feel that the Church could possibly offer them any value in directing their personal decisions or life goals.

Many people have a positive attitude about Jesus, but for them church is another matter. As American demographics shift and move neighborhoods are changing and reforming. At the same time it seems the Church has lost touch with those in the most accessible area–their backyard. Entertainment venues and anti-Christian religions are buying up old church properties and replacing moral and spiritual values with other alternatives in those buildings that once were filled with people changed by the Word of God.

The church has become for many just another organization competing for people’s sense of community. Other community organizations can and do integrate people into their fold allowing people to truly feel like they belong. Once accepted into that fellowship, it becomes even more difficult for the church to reach these folks. In fact, the number of young adults leaving their childhood spiritual roots is now nearly 90 per cent. Their number one reason is that their spiritual needs are not being met by the churches of today.

Most of our churches are seen as judgmental and exclusive by those outside our walls. Yes, it is true that we should discipline those inside the church as the Bible commands, but we forgot that our front door policy should be as large and inclusive as possible. We have to change the perception that the local church is just a special club for the religious elite. The lost, prodigals, and backsliders already think we are all hypocrites based upon what they are told by the media and see with their own eyes every day from the lifestyle of so-called believers. We have to change that perception by being real with ourselves and real with Christ in our every day lives.

I do believe we can alter this growing perception about the church if we begin to live out the love of God rooted in the commission of Christ-"Go into all the world and preach the gospel".  Our mission must include an invitation to all people in our community regardless of their present sin, lifestyle, or their past. God always intended for the church to be a hospital for sinners, never just a haven for saints. The problem is that many have forgotten this fact and our local church leaders are not doing a lot to help the their congregations regain this sense of our calling to reach the world.

J. Lee Grady said in a recent article in Charisma magazine that he still believed in the church. I do as well, and pray daily that God will help me to show others we can still be a vibrant part of our community. I'm sure that I'm not the only pastor that feels this way. So let's all do our part to help those folks that don't like church anymore to realize there's somebody that cares and wants to help them.