The Big Diehl

I got a blender for free a couple weeks ago. By “for free” I mean I got it as a “reward” for my credit card. So I guess its sort of free. lol.

I was about to sit down and read my Bible and I got this wicked awesome idea to make a smoothie. I was so overjoyed with the fact that I could actually make a smoothie that I had to just make a blog post to tell everyone about my first homemade smoothie experience. I will leave a comment and let you know how it came out.

But I’m not forgetting about my Bible either. Man, its so easy to get distracted.

Most young Children are proud of their Dads. They’ll engage in “My dad is bigger than your dad” arguments. When pulled over for drunk driving, Paris Hilton even had the presence of mind to argue with the officer, “Do you know who my dad is?”

Consider this idea with the passage in Romans 8, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

We are God’s children! Why are we so ashamed of Him? We should be boldly declaring “My Dad is bigger than your dad” to the world around us, starting with our lives! We are here to represent God, let’s be proud of our Dad!

When I was little I wanted to be Batman - a hero to rescue Gotham City. My best friend wanted to be Superman - he wanted to save the world!

Have you ever met a little boy who wanted to BE rescued when he grew up?Nah - boys want to be rescuers when they grow up. They want to save the world!

That’s why I love being a Christian. Oh my gosh, I get so excited when I think about what I’m a part of. I try to put myself in the audience of Jesus when he said in Acts 1:8, “But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.”

Jesus gave Christians the task of telling everyone in the world about Jesus - which can save them! Now its Jesus that does the saving — but Jesus chooses to work through us to spread that message. And since Jesus works through us, we have a part in saving the world! That’s so exciting - let’s do it!

If I was Satan, and I had a country full of people who hated me, I would have to be strategic in my deceit.

If I was Satan, I would aim to convince Christians to keep their Christianity to themselves.

If I was Satan, I would  aim to deceive Christians into living with little effort for Christ.

If I was Satan, I would ignore Christians that aren’t a threat, and I would attack those who are. (If we are not being spiritually attacked, it may be a sign that we aren’t doing anything significant for God’s Kingdom).

If I was Satan, I would encourage the “On-Fire Christians” to serve God more and more and spend all their time in the church building — to the extent that they don’t have any time to meet with God themselves.

If I was Satan, I would slowly desensitize Christians to sin so that they would be apathetic to things like pornography.

If I was Satan, I might be pretty happy about my progress.

If I was Satan, would I be scared of you?

Why do we settle for mediocrity in anything? And more than that - why do we settle for mediocrity with our relationship with God?!

The only thing worse than not having a relationship with God is having a mediocre relationship with God. In so many ways - that’s exactly what the American Church has settled for. I’ve asked Christians, “How’s your relationship with God?” and I’m surprised how often I get a response similar to, “Eh, it’s going alright I guess.” That’s a perfect description of a mediocre relationship - and they’re fine with it!

When we settle for a mediocre relationship with God, he can’t stand it and he wants to spit us out! Most American Christians are living with mediocre Christianity. In Revelation 3 God spoke, “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.”

If you can’t live passionately for Christ, why do you even bother? Just stop! This sounds harsh, but I’m serious — and its biblical. If you won’t give your best for God, just quit - you’re wasting your time. It would be better for you to either be hot or cold - the worst is mediocre.

LORD HELP ME TO LIVE MORE LOUDLY FOR YOU!

DON’T LET ME BE MEDIOCRE IN MY PURSUIT OF YOU!

MAKE ME DISCONTENT WITHOUT YOUR CONSTANT PRESENCE!