LOVE the Truth

I have met quite a few people through the years who respond to Truth by saying something like, "Thanks, you've given me a lot to think about." Ultimately, over time, the culture that these people surround themselves with and immerse themselves into prevails. In the end, they do not submit to the Truth that they are shown. Instead they "chew on it" and "like it" but refuse to treasure it, live for it, and die for it. They therefore never truly rise above the nominal Christianity they were born into. They may reach a state of "better than average" but they fall FAR, FAR SHORT of SUPERNATURAL.
The same can happen to US (ie, ANYONE) if we treat "Truth" as something to be evaluated and studied and "remembered." Truth is to be TREASURED and THEREFORE we remember it. Where your TREASURE is, there shall your heart be. We remember the truth and live the truth because we TREASURE the truth. We LOVE the truth and so are saved (2 Thess 2:10-12). Otherwise, anything short of loving and treasuring and being changed by the truth will cause us to be overcome by a strong delusion. We will be deluded. Maybe we will think we are fine. Maybe we will think we know the truth because we've heard it and even "liked it" and "thanked" the one who brought it to us. But in the end if we are not CHANGED because we have treasured and honored and submitted to the Word of God we will be deluded and believe the lie. It must infuriate God so much that He Himself sends the strong delusion to people. He will not have a bunch if counterfeits! Let's treasure what He treasures.

Christianity is Not a Religion, Nor a Holy Day Meeting

The following was a quote that was emailed to me this morning:
"Suppose Christianity is not a religion but a way of life, a falling in love with God, and, through Him, a falling in love with our fellows. Of course, such a way is hard and costly, but it is also joyous and rewarding even in the here-and-now. People who follow that Way know beyond all possible argument that they are in harmony with the purpose of God, that Christ is with them and in them as they set about His work in our disordered world. If anyone thinks this is perilous and revolutionary teaching, so much the better. That is exactly what they thought of the teaching of Jesus Christ. The light He brought to bear upon human affairs is almost unbearably brilliant: but it is the light of Truth, and in that light human problems can be solved."

-J. B. Phillips (1906-1982), When God Was Man [1954]

A Good Parent

The following was written by some friends:
What is the definition of a “good” mother or a “good” father? It’s not about simply providing the children with food, clothing, and shelter, or taking them to the zoo, golfing, flying kites, riding bicycles, “family dinners and devotionals,” growing gardens, passing or dribbling a ball with them, painting pictures, and educating them. A “good” mother or father is one who leads the children to the REAL Jesus, in intimacy, and zeal, and love, and total abandonment—and demonstrates all of that daily, amongst the Saints themselves. Anything less is subtly but surely DESTROYING our children (as nice and warm and fuzzy as it may seem), by teaching them a value system that will lead them towards dullness, deception, and death. Let’s do it Right, in Him and through Him, for His Glory!

www.JesusLifeTogether.com

The Euro, Apple, Stocks, Occupy Wall St. and Greed

I read something interesting in the news today. Apple, Inc.'s profit rose 54% compared to last year. They made 54% more money in the last quarter than they did last year! Their profits were over $28 billion in the quarter. That's good news for Apple, right? Their investors must be so happy, right?

Nope.

Apple shares fell by over 7% Tuesday night in after hours trading. Why?

Well, months ago it was "forecasted" by the "experts" that Apple should make even more money than they did. Based on these forecasts, everyone "invested" (gambled by purchasing shares of stock) ahead of time in the company and paid certain sums of money for what the stock was supposedly going to be "worth." The "worth" of the stock was based on what profits "experts" said Apple should make.

And the result?

Apple made more money than last year--lots more! But it wasn't good enough--wasn't as high as the forecasted amount--and the stock value dropped and people lost money on their bets.

Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture? Apple makes more money and yet loses?!?! I don't care about how much money Apple makes, but I'm trying to make a point...

How about the debt crises in Europe? How about this headline: "World Stocks and Euro Advance on EU Rescue Hopes"? A few words from governments about a POSSIBLE bailout coming in the future sends stocks rising because people are betting that the "worth" of companies will increase in the future. The next day, a word or two from some high government official can cause people to sell their stocks and prices dip down, causing people to lose money.

I'm not an economist, but it doesn't take an economist to see that greed is motivating people to do crazy things. People will invest tons of money based on what sounds like a few hopeful words from forecasters. A few dismal words from Ben Bernanke will send people scrambling to stay ahead of everyone else--they will sell their stocks and investments, etc.

Proverbs 29:4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

Ezekiel 33:31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.

Ephesians 5:5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

I'm not going to go and "occupy Wall St." any time soon because the answer lies in the heart and repentance. People need to realize that their lives are temporary and ONLY what is done for Jesus will matter in the end....

You Can't Change Reality

It's been a long time since my last post... We'll see if I have much to blog about in upcoming days... :-)

Here's a C.S. Lewis quote that I liked. It provoked a thought in me that many people refuse to worship God but that doesn't change the REALITY that He is!

“Man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.”