A City Without A Wall

“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”  Proverbs 25:28

In Biblical times, the wall of a city was of utmost importance.  It was a sign to the surrounding nations of a peoples’ strength, wealth, and defense.  When the wall was destroyed, so was the nation.  We see this in the history of the nation of Judah.  When Babylon took the nation into captivity, they not only destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the Temple of God, but they also destroyed the wall around the city.  Why?  It was a strong statement of Babylonian power and conquest to the Jews and other nations surrounding Jerusalem.

1. Interestingly, the Proverbs equates the man who lacks self-control to a city with a broken down wall.  Why?  I would suggest several reasons: 
2. A city without a wall is a laughing stock to its neighbors.  It not only spoke volumes about the weakness of the people but also the apparent weakness of their God.  Is God’s name blasphemed among non believers because of us?
3. A city without a wall is vulnerable to attack by the enemy.  Certainly, there could be no possible sense of security in a city without defense.  In the same way, when we lack self control, we open ourselves up to the attack of our enemy, the Devil.  Without self control, we are weak and helpless in the face of temptation.
4. A city without a wall is devalued.  Would anyone want to invest money in a city whose wall was broken down?  In the same way, the man of noble character will rarely gravitate to the fool.  The person without self control is attractive to the fools of the world who live life with no restraint.  If we want to be a stand out, we must practice self control.  Then, the godly man/woman will be drawn to invest time into our lives.
5. A city without a wall is disrespected.  Would the mayor of a city whose wall was broken down be taken seriously if he were to give a talk on “How to build an unbreakable wall”?  I would say not.  With no control over our anger, passions, and other emotions, we are shown no respect because we have earned no respect.

What form does a lack of self control take?  You know as well as I do, right?  Sexual immorality including masterbation and pornography, uncontrolled speech, impulse shopping, overeating, fits of rage/anger, pride, alcohol/drug abuse, and the list goes on.  We must live self controlled lives through the practice of…drum roll… self control.  While it is a fruit of the Spirit, it must be practiced in order to be perfected.  Easy…uh,no.  But nothing worthwhile is.

American Idol

Is it just me, or this a disturbing image.  We have taught our children the very thing that we learned from our parents.  Our God is entertainment and the idol that represents him is TV.  You may say, “Now you’ve just gone too far.”  Not yet.  I haven’t  gone quite far enough.

According to AC Nielson ratings, the average American watches more than 4 hours of television per day.  66% of Americans watch television while eating dinner.  Compare that with the thought that Americans spend on average 3.5 minutes in meaningful conversation with their children per day.

We daily fill our minds with images and information that we would never dare talk about in public.  We watch programs and commercials that God hates all the while lusting for more.  Our minds are darkened and our hearts hardened to the truth that God is very angry with our willful sin.  What do we do?  In Romans 12:2, we read, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  How can we renew our minds?  Romans 8:6 states, “the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”  Also, Hebrews 12:2 reminds, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus”.  We must fill our minds with Jesus and filter everything through His Spirit.  We must ask ourselves, “Is what I am reading, watching, playing, offensive to God?”  “Am I enjoying or being entertained by something that Jesus died to redeem me from?”

What should we do?  In 2 Corinthians 6:17, God says “Therefore come out from them and be seperate”.  We must be radically extreme in the renewal of our minds.  Let’s seperate ourselves from the sin of this world while simultaneously ministering to a world so desperately in need of a savior.  And, an additional benefit is found in Proverbs 22:6 which says “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  In other words, when they are older, they will thank you for it.

God aint Sanny Clauz

Here is the big question.  Who is God?  How do you see Him?  Is He like your Grandpa who sees your sin and chuckles saying, “Boys will be boys!”?  Is He like Santa who gives good gifts to naughty and nice alike?  Did you ever have a Christmas when Santa didn’t come through because of your bad behavior?  Probably not.  In his book, Crazy Love, Francis Chan suggests that the problem in the church, that’s you and me, is an innacurate view of God.  We believe God to be like Grandpa or Santa.  He tells us to be good, but He doesn’t really expect us to be.  After all, kids are kids, right?  Wrong.

  In Leviticus 11:44, God says, “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy.”  How does God really feel about sin/sinners?  Lets see…Psalm 5:5, “You hate all who do wrong.”  Hate?  God hates something?  Yes.  Check it out:  God hates the wicked, haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a liar, a man who stirs up dissension, pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse speech.  Is that enough for you?  How much does God hate sin?  He hates it so much that Jesus was hung on a tree after being tortured almost to the point of death.  He then endured the wrath of God against the sin of the world, and died the death that should have been mine.  “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”, 2 Corinthians 5:21.

God hates sin so much, that for those who are not found in Christ, His wrath will be poured out upon them in the fires of Hell for all eternity.  How dare we believe that God understands when we sin.  How dare we sin and say to ourselves, “I’m only human!”  God has called us to holiness.  He expects it.  Let’s stop living our lives in the lie that God is OK with our sin.  Jesus died to redeem us.  Are you enjoying anything that Jesus died to redeem you from?

Out of the Ashes

As I read the Word, I repeatedly see the destructive nature of God’s holiness.  He does not tolerate the unholiness of His people.  In response to our unholiness, He sends destruction.  Why?  As I see it, often when He destroys, He rebuilds.  In the OT, we see the destruction of the nation of Judah with the promise of restoration(Jeremiah 46:28).  In the NT, we see the destruction of the disciple Peter, with the promise of restoration(Luke 22:31).  In my own life, I have felt the pain of God’s punishing devastation, with the gentle work of restoration.

We must first face God, in our sin and depravity, and beg Him to destroy us and then to restore us in His image and likeness,  loving and hating all that He loves and hates.  This is beautifully illustrated in the story of Isaiah’s commission in Isaiah 6.  Isaiah has a vision of the Lord in the temple.  At the sight of God and His majesty, Isaiah cries out, “I am ruined!“  The angel takes a hot coal out of the ashes to touch Isaiah, cleanse Him of his sin, and allow for the work of restoration.  Then Isaiah is ready for service to God.

Let’s pray for God’s devastating work to occur in our own lives.  May we see His holiness, our depravity, and cry out, “I am ruined!”  Then God will begin to rebuild what He has destroyed.  In the words of Paul Washer, “What has been your encounter with the magnitude of God?”  In my words, “Have you been completely devastated by the holiness of God?”  In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” Isaiah 30:15.

Sheepoats and Other Freakish Spectacles

Did you ever go to the fair or the circus and see the tent that held the snake-man, or goat-boy, or bearded lady, ect…  I actually went into one of those tents one time to see the smallest horse in the world.  It was totally bogus.  I don’t remember the details, but it was very forgettable.

As I think about this, I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 in which He describes the day of judgement.  It will be on that day that He seperates the sheep from the goats.  The sheep, of course, are the righteous…those who know and love Christ.  The goats are the unrighteous, or those who have rejected Him.  Interestingly, those are the only two categories of people.  Why then do we often live as though we are a cross breed between the sheep and the goat…a sheepoat…a goatshep…you get it.  When we are regenerated to repentance and faith by the Holy Spirit and converted to a new life, we lose our nature as goats.  We have been born again.  As Ephesians 4:24 reminds, we are “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  We are no longer goats with the nature of the goat.  We are sheep.  We have new natures, new desires, new treasures.  There are no half-breeds in the kingdom.  We are made in His image, in His likeness, children of the Most High God.  Let’s live like sheep and quit trying to live like the goat that we once were.  Get it?  Me neither.  But, I’m trying.

You’re One Fart Smeller!

Is it just me?  Sometimes I feel just like this poor chap…dumb as a stump.  It’s like I just never learn.  I’ve lived so much of my 37 years in wayward stupidity followed by blinding guilt.  You know what?  It doesn’t have to be this way!  God doesn’t want us living a life that is characterized by fumbling, stumbling, bumbling stupidity!  We can make choices that are pleasing to Him.  We can make choices that bring Him honor, glory, and fame!  That’s what I want.  I want to be done with my childish ways.  2 Timothy 2:22 reminds, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  In short, we can be wise.

How do we gain wisdom?  Psalm 111:10 tells me that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  Well the obvious question is, “What does it mean to fear the Lord”.  When I asked myself that question this week, I was reminded of Deuteronomy 8:6, “Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and revering Him“.  In addition, Proverbs 2 and 3 hold great insight into the steps to gaining wisdom.  Let me share what I have gleaned from those passages.

STEPS TO GAINING WISDOM

• Accept God’s Word.  It is truth.  Believe it.
• Store up God’s commands in your heart.  Memorize God’s Word.
• Listen to God’s Word.  Don’t sleep through sermons.  Listen to those who are wise in His ways.
• Devote yourself to seeking wisdom.  This isn’t a game or a hobbie.  This journey is for big boys and girls.
• Ask God for insight and understanding.  He gives generously to all without finding fault.
• Look for wisdom.  It is a treasure of greater worth than the most precious jewel.  It’s worth your time, money, sacrifice, and devotion.

BENEFITS OF FINDING WISDOM

• You will be safe from falling into the ways of wicked men.
• You will be kept safe from adultery.
• You will walk in the ways of righteousness.
• Long life, riches, honor, and peace.
• Sweet sleep-give me some o’ that!

What is wisdom?  It is to know God, to walk in His ways, to understand what is right, and just, and fair.  We’re not talking about smarts here.  This goes way beyond academics.  Remember, 1Corinthians 1:20, “Where is the wise man?  Where is the scholar?  Where is the philosopher of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”  It’s time to grow up.  Care to join us in this journey?

Chick-fil-a, Diet Coke, and Christianity

 

Have you tried the new Chick-fil-a chicken tenders?  MMM…good!  They are awesome!  So, anyway, Jill and I were in Chick-fil-a recently, with the kids, when I had a spiritual epiphany.  I had stepped up to the counter for a refill on my Coke Zero when the nice teenage girl behind the register asked me a very strange question.  “Why do your kids drink Diet Coke?”  Our kids are typically not allowed sugared sodas or any other sugary drinks…usually…mostly…whatever.  Needless to say, I was taken back!  So, I gave her the smartest, grown-up answer that I could think of about nutrition, blah-blah, womp-womp…she said “thanks”…I went to my seat.

It’s not over yet.  As I contemplated this strange question, I slowly began to realize that she had an agenda that she was trying to push on me!  Am I a bad parent for depriving my children of the sugary goodness that comes with regular Coke?  Am I exposing my children to the life altering effects of pesticides found in DC?  Will their teeth rot out?  What is she trying to say?  So, I asked her.  Indeed, she did have an agenda.  She was not a proponent of giving children soda.  She gave me polite reasons, I thanked her, went home, and googled diet soda and children.  A world of diet soda haters emerged before my eyes!  While I will not stop giving the kids diet soda just yet, I will probably do a little research.  Why?  Because this nice teenager, behind the register, at Chick-fil-a asked me the right question.

She asked me a question that left me wondering and wanting to know more.  Here is the spiritual epiphany.  We never ask the right question in regards to a relationship with Christ.  The question should not be “Are you a Christian”, but rather, “How has Jesus Christ changed your life”  One question requires a simple yes/no with little thought on anyones part.  A vast majority of the world would answer yes to this simple question.  However, the second question begs for great thought and soul searching on the part of the one receiving the question.  It is impossible to answer this question with a simple yes/no.  It requires life examination and honesty with oneself.

So, I ask you…”How has Jesus Christ changed your life?”  Are you the same person you were before you came to know Him?  Or, have you been radically changed as one who has been brought from death to life.  Do you live like the rest of the world…depraved…unholy…God hating…apathetic toward Christ…uninterested in the things of God…with little to no love for your brother?  Or, is Jesus Christ your greatest treasure?  Do you desire to please Him more than yourself?  Is He becoming the focus of your life as you “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”-Phillipians 2:12?  These are questions that Jill and I must ask ourselves.

This will be much of the focus of this blog.  Jill and I desire to live lives that reveal the glory and majesty of God (though we fail so often).  We want our lives to be living sacrifices for His glory and honor.  As we seek Him, He reveals the parts of our lives that dishonor Him.  It has been a painful, shameful process. However, we will continue to pursue holiness because He demands it.  Leviticus 11:44 “I am the Lord your God;  consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”

Below, you will find a challenging sermon by evangelist/missionary Paul Washer.  It is approximately 1 hour long.  Please watch it in a quiet, undisturbed location.  It will lead you deep within your own heart.  Once there ask yourself some good questions.  Not, “Am I a Christian”, or “Didn’t I pray a prayer and receive Christ”, but rather, “How has my life been changed by the Creator of this universe”.

In the Beginning

Hello 21st century!  My name is Adam, and my wife is Jill.  We are the proud parents of this new blog.  Within these pages, we hope to keep a written and visual journal of our lives in Christ.  As we daily pursue Him, He continually satisfies us, yet leaves us with a longing for more of Him.  We hope that our pursuit of our loving creator, as detailed in this blog and in reality, will encourage you to move deeper in relationship with Him.  C.S. Lewis so beautifully illustrates the truth about a pursuit of God in The Last Battle;  “The further up and the further in you go, the bigger everything gets.”  Jill and I have certainly found this to be true of  our lives in Christ.  The deeper we go in our understanding of Him, the bigger He becomes.

Won’t you join us in this passionate pursuit of God?  It is the highest goal to which we have all been called.  Remember the words of the Apostle Paul in Phillipians 3:10, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  As we pursue our precious Savior, He will be glorified and we will be satisfied.

Below, please find a shocking and riveting you tube video set to the words of evangelist and missionary Paul Washer.  It shook Jill and I as his words pierced our hearts.  We will post more Washer videos as this blog grows.  Hope you find his words as painfully rejuvinating as we did.  May God continue to sanctify His saints as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling.