Category: Devotional Blog

Profound thoughts, often challenging the Christian.

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Knowing God.

There are two kinds of “know.” There’s a common “know” — like how I know the mailman or how I know some friends. But there are a few people that I really know. I know what makes them tick. I know if they’re having a bad day before they even tell me so. I know their dreams, their passions, and their deepest struggles. I really know a few people.

Consider this verse in Matthew 7:21 where Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”

Can I please see a show of hands from anyone who has driven out demons? Even to some of those that have, Jesus will say, “I never knew you — Away from me.”

Whoa.
I think too often we say we “know” God . . . but we know God like we know our mailman or even as common friends. “Am I a Christian? Yea. I know God.” But do you really know him, or do you know him like you know the mailman? — you acknowledge that he’s there everyday and gladly welcome and accept whatever he brings, but that’s it.

“I never knew you.” Those are some strong words, and Jesus will say those to some who think they’re living a Christian life. Let’s know God. Really know him. Know his heart – know his desires – know his passions. This starts with the Bible.

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A Quote About The Bible.

“We’re living in the Laodicean [Apostate] Church. Christians pass over scripture like its nutritional information on a bag of Doritos: ‘That information helps me be healthy, but I really don’t care.'”

For you, has scripture lost its potency? If you say, “No” then let me ask you another, perhaps more revealing question:

How is scripture transforming your life?

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Evangelism for Your Generation.

The missing link for evangelism in your generation is transparency/authenticity/genuineness, whatever you want to call it. THAT is what your generation wants. I’m speaking confidently about “your” generation because I really think this idea is the “missing link” for all generations. Let me talk about what I think it means to be authentic.

John 4:36-38 says “The Harvester isn’t waiting. He’s taking his pay, gathering in this grain that’s ripe for eternal life. Now the Sower [the planter] is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant. That’s the truth of the saying, ‘This one sows, that one harvests.’ I sent you to harvest a field you never worked. Without lifting a finger, you have walked in on a field worked long and hard by others.” (TheMessage)

Which deserves more credit- the harvester or the sower? They’re equal.

Don’t beat yourself up because your personality isn’t outgoing enough, or you “ain’t no good word-smith”, or whatever. Now, we should all be stretched outside of what’s comfortable for us — but what about the people who fervently stand in the gap and pray for the lost? What about the people who live boldly for Christ in their actions? What about those who actually pray with the lost to receive Christ? Which part is most valuable? They’re equal.

God cares about the lost. The more we know God, the more we’ll care about what He cares about. I guess what I’m trying to say is that Evangelism must start with knowing God. If we’re not close with God, we’re going to do very little for the Kingdom of God.

When God’s passion becomes your passion – you can’t help but evangelize. Maybe you’ll be the person who prays for the lost. Maybe you’ll plant a seed by living a holy life in a dark place. Maybe you’ll be the person who presents God’s plan of salvation to those around them. etc. etc. etc.

When God’s passion is in your core – evangelism will be a lot like sweat.

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Abnormal.

I was in a hurry at the supermarket and I grabbed the first toothbrush I saw. I got home to find out that the head of the toothbrush was bendy so that when I pushed against my teeth it actually would bend away. I found it so annoying. That was two days ago.

Tonight I was brushing my teeth and I realized that I wasn’t bothered by it anymore. Then it hit me – what if what we think is “normal” isn’t “normal” at all?

Check out this scripture in Acts 2:47, “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

DAILY.

uh . . . daily?

It was normal for people to accept Christ every single day. What’s going on in your neighborhood, in your circle of influence? If you’re like most American Christians — not much.

If we are not striving to see people come to Christ, we are living an abnormal Christianity. But most of us settle for “abnormal” because it seems normal. We’re stuck in the twilight zone.

Not anymore. I want to live a normal Christian life –passionate, evangelistic, and difficult. Anything else is abnormal.

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Distractions – and a Smoothie.

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.

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My Dad is Bigger Than Your Dad.

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!

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I’m Gonna Save the World!

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!

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If I Was Satan . . .

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?

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Nauseating, Appalling, and Revolting.

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!