Why We Shouldn't Get Intimidated by the Moral Unbeliever

Even in high school I had unbelieving friends who probably had better morals than I did.  They were more mature and could handle situations with more peace than I could ever dream of.  My conclusion, as a Christian, was that these people definitely did not need belief in the righteous and justice loving God because they had mastered a lot of good qualities that God had to teach me.  Besides, they were not evil as far as I could tell.

This issue comes up where we see the most well meaning, best behaved non believers and we think that they don't need to have faith because some other righteous lightning bolt has hit them.   Doesn't Jesus say that the work of his followers will show when they bear fruit?  Where is their fruit coming from?

But I think we are missing the elephant in the room!

The problem:  It is so much easier to share our faith with someone when we know they are hurting, lost or broken.  Brokenness comes from the inability to live in this life and feel fulfilled.  When someone who hasn't professed to Christ's global salvation plan has the appearance of healthiness, fulfillment and good habits we think they have no reason to consider salvation.  In fact, telling them that the soul is dirty and sinful is laughable.  Like trying to tell someone in a pool that they are on fire.  

Still, I think we are missing the largest piece of the puzzle.  In jigsaw terminology this is like the edge pieces.  

Imagine a child who ran away from home.  He rejected his parents and decided to live in an alley.  The bad news is that he is estranged from his true parents.  The good news is that he has some of the best manners in the alley.  He is hopeful that the alley life will be fulfilling, he is kind to the other homeless people and he keeps himself busy with some side jobs.  At times his parents will send their son to convince him to go back to the house.  He will politely turn down the offer (learning politeness from his parents) and explain that he has everything where he is.  Meanwhile the son will go back to the house and explain to mom and dad that the child still does not believe that he is part of the family.  Or worse, he thinks he is home and that nothing else is better.

Christianity's greatest foundation is based on what God calls us.  

1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
Eph 1:4-5 Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ.

Good habits, a loving demeanor and a strong moral compass is nice to have.  It doesn't disprove our need for Jesus it only serves to tell us that God's reign can be caught by anyone.  The ice cream of this theology sundae is that God transfers a life of absence from his presence with a solution that brings us back into his family.  Through this saving act alone on the part of Christ, God can develop relationships with moralists and immature sinners alike.  

As C.S. Lewis explains, Christianity does not make the horse run faster and jump higher.  Christianity teaches the horse to fly.

Here's some questions to consider:

1. Is it really fruitless to share your faith with people who have no need for Christ's offer? Are they whole and complete or is that just what it seems on the outside?


2. How important is it to you that people hear who their real father is and what he did to restore us?

Psalm 37 (Good Guy's Finish Best)

Psalm 37:1-10

Don't get stressed out over scum bags, do not wish you were a heathen
Their time is coming and their reign is limited
Instead, have faith in God's plan, love what your LORD is doing right now, continue pressing on
in good deeds and stick close to God like you will never leave him
Celebrate the good things you have in God and those things will fulfill
your deepest life goals.
Say right now that you will follow God through thick and thin
Bet your life on his ways
and he will not disappoint with the way he solves the problem
He will highlight the truth and fairness of your life as if it was clear as day

Quiet yourself in His presence and wait patiently.
The guy who parties like a pleasure seeker and tears down other people
should not be stressed over.
Don't burst your bubble over those people...it just tires you out and
makes them look good.
Time is against them and the plan has always been that those guys cannot stay
on the Earth.
Those who placed their lives in the Lord get the land (the riches of God)
The monsters of sin will be obliterated.  There will be no sign they even
bothered you.

Colossians 3:1-14

Context:  There are a lot of religious rules and tricks to become a better person, but Paul wants none of that for the Colossal church.  These ideas are a bad influence for the church and they are fake.  Paul instead wants the church to dwell on the spiritual matters, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Chapter 3:

Since than you have triumphed the grave with Christ, tune your hearts to higher and deeper ideas.  These are ideas that put Christ at the center seated with God on his right side.  Commit to the ideas of higher aspirations and not on the false worldly stuff. You are dead to these things; Christ has you tucked away.  When Christ comes back in full glory, you will tag along with him because he is your life.

Now, obliterate your relationship with the following bad character habits: porn, adultery, fornication, ungodly relationships and any desire that makes you want to steal or get rich deceptively.  These shortcuts in life are allegiances to false gods.  Because they exist God is going to have to remove them with prejudice.  I understand these things were a big part of your life, but you are new now.  Also remove from your presence any temper issues, unfair tantrums, ill patient acting or nasty words that would make your mother weep.  Do not spread lies to each other because you removed that bad habit and now you are replacing that filthy life with a knowledge of your creator.  In this life there is no political, ethnic or religious, economical or societal barriers, but Christ is everything and in everyone.

Alternatively, as you are children of the God who loves immensely, try on your new outfits of patience, mindful words, selfless actions, soft spoken natures and humble reflections.  Put up with your brothers and sisters, carrying their burdens and ready to forgive their sins in a moment's notice.  The Lord forgives therefore you should be ready to.  All in all, every action, thought and deed should be wrapped up in a desire to love others.  Love is the glue that makes us stick together.

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Context:  Where does our energy, power and completeness come from?  It does not come from human tradition, religious rules or new age movements.  It comes from Christ alone.  Paul wanted the church of Colossae not to be deceived by the growing movements around them that were teaching new stuff, but to fully trust in Christ.

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Let it be known that I am proud that I get to suffer for you my brothers and sisters.  There is a lot of tragedy on this Earth for following Christ and I am taking my share the same way Christ took his.  His body is the church and I am bound to serve it till death because that is what God has put as my purpose in life.  My main mission: to share with you the Word of God in all its bulk.  It was dormant and subtle in the past, but now it is a gift ready for the taking.  God desires the Word to be your discovery and fortune...which is Jesus Christ living inside of you and the anticipation that he reigns over all.

We share his greatness, keeping our church educated and wise so that the end result is sophisticated Christians who lack nothing in Christ's gifts.  I will sweat, bleed and toil with every energy Christ gives me to accomplish this goal.

And I am fighting hard for you and for those at Laodicea.  Though none of you have actually seen me, my aim is to lift up your down trodden spirits to the very core, while bringing us together over a foundation of love.  This will give you the full reward which is understanding this new revelation in life--the revelation of Christ.  In him is all the information and understanding you will ever need to be the person you were ever meant to be.  So don't be fooled by the smooth talk of professors teaching different philosophies.  Even though I am not here to fight every battle I am with you in a spiritual sense.  I cannot wait to see how your training in Christ makes you stronger believers.

1 John 1

1 John 1:1-10

Dear Church,

Let me take you back to the beginning.  This is when I heard with my own ears, saw with my own eyes and my hands touched the one who gives life with His words.  I have seen this and now I want to share it passionately and declare my commitment to this never ending life.  It came from Father God and given to us.  Now I am giving it to you so you can be part of our society of God's redeemed children.  We are redeemed children of our father God and our brother Jesus, His son.  We share these truths with passion to include you in the ecstatic joy of knowing.

Here is the big bullet point:  God is completely perfect and flawless, not a single defect on him.  If we pretend that we are buddy buddy with him, but acting like a hot mess of sin than your loyalty is built on a lie.  But, you can still walk in the flawless and clean lifestyle through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  It is His offering that removes your constant imperfections.

You can screw this up and live a delusion by saying that you are "good enough" and "satisfactory" towards God or you confess to a Father who is ready and willing to forgive, has the power to wipe out sins and give us a clean slate.  Give up trying to prove and proclaim that you are squeaky clean in front of God.  That is like calling him a liar.

Psalm 138

With 100% of my life I will sing your praises
Before all lesser beings I will raise up your fame
I will bow down toward your house
Your name will be held in high esteem
Because you never fail to love me
And you have never left my side
Your word is held in honor
Your popularity sky rockets
I say your name and you are there
I am a stronger person by how you treat me
When every authority on this Earth
Hears what you have done they will also
Be speechless.
They will sing your praises. "He is so stunning and majestic."
He is high above us all, but he looks upon the little guy
He keeps his distance from the arrogant.
As I navigate these troubling days
you keep me alive and well.
You block my enemies' attempts
at being wrathful.
Your powerful hand makes me safe.
The Lord will hold me up and protect me
Because his love never runs dry.
Don't leave me hanging Lord

Hating Your Family The Way Jesus Would (Luke 14:25-26)

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25-26)

Did the title get your attention? It is quite deceiving because this article does not deal with the problem of hate. This article deals with the challenge of Jesus' context and how it relates with modern day discipleship.

Jesus addresses his followers and tells them that they must hate their family, spouse, children and themselves in order to be a true follower of Christ. That seems kind of harsh and modern day Bible teachers will interpret that as saying we need to put those relationships as second priority to a relationship with Jesus. This brings up the second challenge...how do we make this relevant to the American cross bearer?

Back in New Testament times family was the influence of your life, the direction of your destiny and the way your thoughts were impacted. Mom, dad, brother and sister were the main deciding factors of how you lived. Today...family reliance and impact is much lesser. Because of the way culture is positioned today's youth have family impact on a much lesser scale. We have internet, tv, teachers, friends, school and role models to worry about. In fact, some teens might be willing to take Jesus on his offer to hate their parents. But the purpose of Jesus' "hate thy family" qualifier was meant to prepare, rattle and convict his would-be followers into taking the next step. How can it still have that impact if so many growing young adults find it mandatory to leave their family and declare freedom from them?

Perhaps we are looking at the wrong "brother," "sister," and "mother." When Jesus told his followers that they must hate their families in order to follow him he was literally saying, "remove your culture's grip on your decision making process in order to follow me." The follower would have to deeply consider not following the family business, choosing to marry or living close to the family as custom dictated.  That's why it was so difficult.

We have similar pressures that tell us what to do and how to live in culture. The "brother" I believe we need to hate is the voice that tells us to tolerate everyone no matter what the consequence, fit in with others, don't speak out to be more liked, follow your dream as an end goal, keep God to yourself to not make waves, leave people alone, treat all lifestyles as equally good, accept yourself. This is the "family" that shapes our lives and gets in the way of following Christ.

If Jesus had to speak to today's culture would he really have to tell us to move out of our parent's house and not get attached to our siblings to spend life with him? Or would he tell us to hate the culture, customs, suburban pressures, cheap love slogans, false expectations, priorities on money that are shaping our destiny and the politics of being a first world citizen. Discipleship does not stop till we love like Jesus and if we are honest with ourselves our world cringes at that.

So I ask you, what is interfering with Jesus controlling your future? How can you hate it?

John 3:22-35

John Officially Retires Leadership

Context: John's whole ministry was to present Jesus as the almighty light. The mission was completed when the people started going to Jesus for their needs. John is ready to retire his leadership for Jesus' to takeover.

John 3:22-35

Jesus and his band of loyal followers took a daytrip to the serene areas of the Judean countryside. They set up camp and started baptizing.

John was also doing his rounds at Aenon, near Salim where the water was plentiful for baptizing. He was not put in jail yet. Duh.

Suddenly two members of John's entourage began to share heated words about baptism and you-know-who.
They immediately invaded John's space, "Teacher, that man on the other side of the Jordan. You know the one you devoted your life to; he is baptizing and taking lots of your clients."

John was not fazed, "A man can get only what Heaven wants to give him. As I said before, I am not the chosen one, but I am his faithful messenger."

John told a story to help solidify the point, The blushing bride belongs with the groom.  The good friend of the groom gets to attend the wedding, but his true source of giddiness is waiting and watching for the groom to scoop up his lawful bride. That is my purpose in the story, to wait for the one and be excited about his reign. The story is upon us. Now is the time that I fade into the background and he step out into the limelight.

The chosen one will come from Heaven and be ruler of everything. The flesh bound human is just an earth dwelling human and cannot be much more than that. Therefore the heavenly one is above the others.

The chosen one is going to say it like it is. He has the credentials. Unfortunately people are going to give him the cold shoulder. The few that do accept it are acknowledging that God is telling the truth. This one that God sent speaks for God. The Spirit is endlessly bountiful in this area.

They are Father and son and God loves the son. He gave him access to everything. If you believe in this son you will get to live forever, but if you throw away God's son and deem him unimportant you will be on God's bad side.

John 5:19-38

Jesus justifies his testimony and purpose on this Earth. Using logic that he is mimicking his father, Jesus paints a picture of his ministry and purpose. But even if the Pharisees and lawmakers did not believe him Jesus does not need their approval.







John 15: 19-38
Jesus stated this response to his persecutors,  "I am telling you that the son is not acting on his own, but doing exactly as he sees his Father doing. My Father loves me and shares everything. He is prepared to show even greater works that will drop your jaw. My Father can even make dead people fully alive. The son can also raise the dead in anyone he chooses.  The father has judgement power, but he is tagging in the son to exercise this authority. This is so that you guys can show the same respect to the son as you show the father. Moreover, if you are giving sass to the son you are hating on the father who employed him.

If you are picking up what I am putting down and truly holding onto the one whom God sent you will live for eternity. He will not be called eternally dead by God, but will be marked as an eternal being. The major event has come, the dead are listening to my golden words and choosing life. My Father is full of life and has given the son the powers of life. Because I am the Son of Man, I have authority to give life and take it away.

Don't look so astonished. The grave is opening to hear my voice and they are choosing to live again. Those who have lived rightly will rise like a Phoenix,  those who veer off this good path will only rise up to be put back into eternal prison. I can do nothing for myself. I call these plays as I see them being done. My final verdict is fair because I am not in this for my own gain, but to give props to him who employed me.

If I am telling stories about myself then I could be making stuff up just to mess with you. But there is another who shares all my stories and his stories are telling the truth.

John made his business to spread my fame all over this land and you heard him. I don't need a human to spread my fame to know myself, but mainly for your rescue. Just remember that John spoke with a fiery passion for me and you guys were basking in that warmth.

My other testimony holds much more street cred than John's story. My mission of salvation and my works to save speak volumes of my purpose here on this Earth. And even the Father has given me the thumbs up and spoken approval of my being here. The problem is that you guys never heard it and the words of God fall apart inside you like cheap knock off toys. All because you won't take my word as true.

John 3:1-18

Context: Jesus talks to Nicodemus in the night. Nicodemus only wanted to be buddy-buddy with Jesus, but Jesus lays out the new revolutionary life for believers. It confuses poor Nick, but later in the gospel we see a new strength from Nicodemus that suggests a new spirit.

John 3:1-18
Nicodemus, a rule maker for council of the Jews, got a chance to meet up with Jesus in the night time.  He approached the famous rabbi and stated,

"Teacher, we know you are a legit teacher who has  God's stamp of approval. You would not be able to perform such great wonders if you weren't."

Jesus flat out replied, "Listen up, this is important. No one can be part of God's ultimate take over of the world unless they are reborn (in Heaven)."

Nicodemus was thrown off a little only focusing on the reborn part, "That is a bit tricky seeing as that I am old, should I take a trip back in my mother's womb?"

Jesus explained further, "The ultimate takeover by God is closed to others unless they are cleaned spiritually by the work of the Holy Spirit. God will wash you and it will make you new. Humanity and falleness leads to more humanity, but the spirit brings up the spiritual life. This is a no brainer that I am telling you that the spirit brings new birth to people. In fact, this Spirit goes wherever it wants, comes and goes as it pleases. Like the wind, you don't know if it is coming or going. Same idea with those who had their life remade."

"I am so confused," Nicodemus confessed.

"You practically majored in this, Nicky, and you still don't have a clue what I am saying. I swear, you people talk big about knowing God and teach like its your job, but you are missing my point entirely. I toned down the explanation so you would understand and you are still playing stubborn. How do you suppose you will get an understanding if I start speaking deep theology about Heaven? No one has any idea what Heaven is truly about except me who just came from there.

It was just like when Moses raised a snake on a pole for the people to see, so must Jesus be raised up for the world to see. For God has a deep heart for this world and gifted his only son to it for the sake of him dying. He would give his eternal life to the people of the world. When the son of God gets lifted up, others can believe and have eternal life. God is not hunting for people to go to Hell even though some will reject the son and be out in the cold.

Finally, this is light coming into the world. Unfortunately God's children are addicted to darkness. In fact those people hate the light because it shows something they do not want to see.

John 12:24-37

Synopsis: Jesus is drawing near to his crucifixion and his time is spoken for. He tells the crowd about how committing to an unselfish life and abandoning your own agenda is a marriage with eternal life. Till death does its part.



John 12:24-36
What really matters
"Unless money is thrown at investments, pushed as far it can go, it just sits in a rainy day jar and has no value. When its value is exhausted and buried in investment it springs up and grows. The interest far outweighs the seed money. If you hold onto your life and keep it under a mattress for a rainy day then that is a life wasted. But if you sell out to my service you will invest in eternity.

You want to know that life? Follow me. Be present in constant ministry where I am. My Father will respect you for such noble service.

I am going through some life sized hurricanes. Am I going to hit the ejection button and go to Heaven? Nope! This is my moment to show how good my father's reputation and honor is.

A voice presented from the Heavens, "I have lifted up that name and it will rise again."

At this moment the people were confused and thought it was thundering out, while some people speculated an angel was talking.

Jesus spoke again, "that voice was not for my sake, but for yours. Our world is not in good shape. Satan is the true king of this ball of dirt, but his dominion is going to end abruptly. I am going to be lifted up from the Earth and that is going to be the pivotal moment in history that brings all the people to me."
Jesus had just described the details of his death.

Some of the people answered, "wait a second. I learned in Bible school that the chosen savior was immortal and his throne will last forever. Who is this savior, this son of God, who is going to die?"

Jesus replied, "Right now you are walking with the lights on and the dark cannot touch you on account of me. If you walk toward the darkness, away from me, confusion and lostness will ensue. Take advantage of this personal light. Believe in its power and goodness. You will notice that this light is inside you, Christ has made his base in you and now you are a child of that light.

Colossians 3

Context: We often see the verses in this chapter that talk about how much God hates sexual immorality, lying and anger. If that is the only message you get from Colossians 3 then you are missing the greater truth. This new life in Christ makes us holy and beloved. This is a title that gives purpose and a plan to our existence. We might have to commit to making sure the sinful life stays dead, but look at the new life that Christ has for us.





Colossians 3
The Life Defined

Since you just crossed over from the dead life to Jesus' brand new life, let's make sure your thoughts are thinking on a Godly level, where Jesus is master. Make a conscious decision to think the thoughts of Heaven and not the thoughts of popular culture. You died, bro, your life is now firmly secure in Jesus the master, waiting like a ninja to strike when the fateful day comes. When Christ makes his glorious comeback, we will be right there enjoying it with Him.

Slay your problematic sins and leave them. I am talking about the loose sex morals, the dirty thoughts, the inappropriate relationships, the whining about not having enough toys. This is bowing to a straw god. God has a vendetta against this life and he will be bringing the axe down. Take them out with prejudice. I am talking about the outbursts, wall punching anger, the jokes you make that would make a sailor blush. That life is a lie and it deceives others when you live it.

Here's the alternative. You are a spitting image of your creator, the God who made you. Start acting like that life matters. Slip on the new life God has for you. In this life it does not matter where you live, what your gender is, your political leanings nor if you follow a religious denomination.  All that matters is we are free in Christ.

The new task is trying out the new life in Christ, the life that sets you apart to be clean and deeply loved. Try out caring for others in a way that breaks your heart, waiting for others, serving others, being nice to others intentionally, servant like attitude and soft spoken behavior. Be prepared to forgive and communicate with those who are horribly imperfect to you. Christ treats you that way. To cap it all off, everything should be covered in love, the deep chocolaty shell that makes up this blessing sundae. Love sets the world right.

2 Cor 1:1-7

Context: Paul is one of the founding members of the Corinthian church. He spent a whole letter rebuking the once led church for sexual sins, splits over leadership and bad use of gifts. Now, he writes a second letter with a softer tone. He is explaining how his hardship with the church is for their wisdom and comfort.





2 cor 1:1-7

From: Paul, a fellow adminastrator of Jesus Christ, recruited by God
And Timothy, the brother in Christ

To: The Corinth Church of God and all people in the surrounding area of Achaia

May God grant you grace and peace as He is the Father of Jesus Christ.

Let's take a moment and give a shout to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, the father of helping out those in need and the caretaker for those who need to be cheered up. He sends a soothing and healing word when we are totally bumming out over life. Then we can be inspired to send soothing and healing words to others, like you.  This Christian life is not just about receiving hard knocks and reality checks like Christ did on the cross, we also need to accept the words of comfort that Jesus supplied so freely.

If my ministry is bugging out I want you to know it is for your ministries betterment and ease. My stress serves to teach you. On the same note, if God shares with us a relaxing and joyful moment we want you to get that as well.  My pain is your pain and my comfort is your comfort. All this for the sake of teaching you guys how to keep on keeping on in hard times.

Do not misunderstand our mission in the church, brothers and sisters. This ministry has been no cake walk. Working in Asia Ministries is hard work. We got the Roman gestapo knocking on our door, endless deadlines and the constant feeling I might not see tomorrow. The feeling of doom has been very familiar in this walk.  But we learned that we can't trust our own decisions and leadership power, but give it up to God instead. (Similar how my words stressed you out so you could rely on God). God has reached out His hand and saved us from some bad spills. We are confident he will do it in the future. We thank you for asking God for help on our behalf and we know that your prayers will lead others to see how awesome God truly is.

2 Corinthians 5:1-15

2 Cor 5:1-15
New Lease on Life

My life is like a broken and shoddy car. It is a knock off of a knock off. If that old car were to break for good I would not worry. God replaces that life with a quality, premium and choice select vehicle that has an endless warranty. This shiny new car was not ruined by 3rd rate human developers, but made by the owner of eternal life. Deep inside I desire the new quality life instead of this old one that won't work properly. The new car smell is driving me crazy. I wish just to reach out and grab it. Honestly, I would rather be found in the brand new ride instead of the broken one.  This new life is always on my mind and I know God put it there to give me a glimpse of hope. It is his spirit's lifetime guarantee.

So we are brave and tough it out even though greater things lay on the other side of this half-priced life. This is our end goal and we see it in our hopes and beliefs...not our eyeballs. We choose the new car over the old one 10 out of 10 times. But whether we are leasing this old junker or partaking in the luxury ride one thing is still top priority: God's pleasure is our aim. We will all have to kneel before Jesus as he takes command from his seat of judgement. From there we will be reviewed by how we lived this life and how we spent our time. Whether good or bad review, we will recieve it.

Therefore, since we do not take God lightly, we use our time and effort to persuade others. God sees us work at it all the time. Our work to his glorious throne is always before him. But this is not bragging and name dropping to impress you, this is to show you a community of believers that care about people like you and about what is inside your heart. We have an extreme range of emotions for our affections. If we are crazy it was for God. If we were calm and collected it was for your sake. It is Jesus' deep affections and encouragements that drive us to do good things. That love died for us and we along with it. But our death is to the old life.

1 Peter 4:1-11

DON'T CRY FOR ME OLD LIFE
Listen up, church. I got news for you. Christ Jesus suffered way worse than we ever did. His body was drained from stem to stern. So we can take a cue from his playbook. Maybe it is not such a shocker when we receive lesser maltreatment from neighbors. We should have the same outlook on life. Those who suffer internally with the stresses of this world are slowly letting the poison of selfishness drain from them.  If you feel the discomfort from this world it means you are on the right track to leave sin.

Because you are putting an axe to the bad habits of your pagan neighbors, you are choosing God's personal management over your life. Very smart move. By now you have punched your card enough times at your old job: the nasty sins of alcholism, addiction, meaningless sex, obsession with things and fight starting. Your neighbors are starting to talk and they wonder why you aren't living in the fast lane of fast cars and faster woman. They call you softie behind your back for chickening out.  Don't listen to them. Those who live in the fast lane can't see the wall at the end. That wall is God and he will make them pay the bill for their extravagant life. Dead or alive, He will get you.

But that is the difference that the good news of Jesus makes. It is a battery that brings power to those who are even already dead. Even though their body hit the bucket, their spirit is doing just fine in this new life.

God is closing the book on this dark chapter. Focus! Concentrate on God's agenda so you can have a steady flow of communication with Him. You lose focus and your prayers become muddy. And what do we focus on? Where should our braincells be firing? Love! Give someone the deepest and most wide spread love your frame can handle. Love erases the screw up, pardons the messy and spends time with the broken. Open up your house to everyone and let them use your luxuries. You have that special skill, that God given power that makes others blessed. God is investing in your skills. If your skill is speaking then fill the air with the speeches of God. If you like helping people in need than let God be your driving force to accomplish things. In this way God gets a good return on his investment in the form of praise and worship in Jesus. Jesus is glorious, powerful and eternal. Amen

1 Cor 6: 1-11

1 Cor 6:1-11
Don't Let The World Fix This







So two people in your church are having a tiff. Sometimes arguments arise. But the fact of the matter is that you let the ungodly courts settle the case. They are really not in the position to handle our mediations. We are the ones who will be casting a verdict on them. If we are going to judge the imperfect things of this world than I think we can settle our own tiffs without bringing legal action into it. We will be judging angels for goodness sake! I don't believe the secular courts need to tell us how to behave with one another. They have bigger problems. You should feel like you are missing the point here. Not one of you can play peace keeper and settle the matter? But instead two godly people who read the word of god are trying to play Judge Judy in front of the world of unbelievers. These are unbelievers who don't give a crap about what God believes.

It gets worse. The fact that two believers are trying to sue each other and bring legal action is a huge epic loss. It would actually be better to be wronged, violated, insulted and sinned against than to follow this action. What are you trying to prove by gambling in the court system? You are dealing with the wrong people. Those people have only their crimes as their hope and the gates of God will not be opening for them. You know the people I am talking about. The pervs, the sexual deviants, the lust monsters, guys who break their marriage, the people that bow to everything but God and those who forsake natural relationships between man and woman. Don't get me started on the con artists, the money slaves, the corrupt business owners and the the kleptos. These people are not passing on their good merits. You were once like them. All you knew was the bad life. But the Lord Jesus cleaned that off you for good. He put you on the right side of his favor for eternity.

Daniel 1:1-21

Danny's New Job





In the 3rd fiscal year under the management of Israel Inc. CEO Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar, rival CEO of Babylon, came to the Jerusalem HQ and bought it out. The Lord had fired Jehoiakim from his management position and all the sacred assets of the company got taken over. Nebu now controlled both businesses including the sacred assets that were now under Nebu's business plan.

Nebu then tasked Ashpenaz, HR of Babylon, to take inventory of the employees of Israel Inc. He was to find their top value workers and train them up for management positions. These employees would be quick on their feet, business saavy and real charmers on the sales floor. Ash was to teach the Babylonian business model to these top employees.  On top of that, the CEO would allow these men to sit in on the management meetings that were held in an exotic gentleman's club. These meetings are where management was trained to be future leaders of the business.

Israel Inc's top men were Danny, Hana, Mish and Aza. The first day of work they got new name tags that tested better in Babylon. Danny become Belter, Hana became Shady, Mish became Meshack and Aza became Abe.

But the one thing Danny was not going to stand for was the monthly management meetings at the exotic club of defilement. He marched to HR and explained that he and his crew would not be partaking in these events. HR carefully explained that these events were crucial to climbing the corporate ladder. Those who failed to rise were fired. But God was not about to lose his most faithful employees to defilement so he put HR on Danny's side. Danny compromised with HR and said, "Me and my work mates can sit in the office and read the business manuals while this is going on." HR tried to reason with Danny that the manuals were boring and dry, but Danny seemed confident that this would work.

Danny, Hana, Aza and Mish went to their Sales Supervisor and explained that they would be missing ten meetings at the exotic night club. They would instead be reading manuals in the office. He explained it like this to the supervisor, "If we don't have equal or better sales metrics on the floor than we will gladly join you at the meetings. Just let us have ten meetings in the office." The Supervisor gave the green light and Danny tried his new tactic.

By the end of the fiscal year, Danny and his sales team were in the top five. They had the highest conversion rates and customer satisfaction. Their methods were so inspiring that the Supervisor put the rest of the Sales team under Danny's method.

Danny and his fellow co-workers continued to be promoted by God. They had amazing work ethic, understanding of customer needs and the winning spirit for sales. God even gave Danny the gift of interpreting the business world. He could see the future of Babylon Inc.

When it came time to evaluate the employees, the Supervisor had no problem presenting Danny and his team. Their numbers and work ethic were beyond every sales team in the company. Nebu found them to be way more qualified than all the middle management, analysts and accountants he had working for him.

Danny remained in the company even after Nebu passed CEO to his understudy, Cyrus.

1 Peter 1:13-25

Context: Peter has to explain to his followers that persecution and hardship isn't the end of the world. In fact it can actually strengthen the faith. He assures them that God gave them this faith as an inheritance and now God is using hard times to shape it. Now Peter tells the church that they need to be on the offensive with their faith.


1st Peter 1:13-25
Wake up and smell the holy wars, my friends. You are on the frontline in the war for your mind. Set your artillery toward the rising dawn, which is Christ and his never ending grace upon his return.  Keep fighting back that shadowy tentacle of evil that grips loyal children like yourselves. You were friends with this evil tentacle back when you were mindless peons. You two were tight. But you have been upgraded to the Holy Army. A Sacred knight of God's throne must act as such. Just as the scripture says, "Be holy because I am Holy."

Time is money and God owns the bank and the stopwatch. Make the most of your stay on this Earth, but keep in mind this is just a pitstop. You are not living for cheap tricks and trinkets that dissolve like cotton candy. This is an old family tradition that needs to be buried. But now you've struck it rich in Christ's blood, a sacrfice that is perfect and flawlessly executed. Christ gives nothing cheap. This present was set and gift wrapped before the world was on the blueprints (though God let us take a little peek at the gift). You believe that this gift gave up His life for our sake, but God gave Him life and a crown of royalty. Now this extraordinary event in history is our lifeline.

To sum it all up...since you have bowed to these facts about Christ and his gift leading to a love for others that is legit...LOVE OTHERS LIKE YOU ARE LEGIT. Love them like you mean it. You are not a cheap plastic toy that breaks. You are a finely crafted, time tested soul, powered by God's word. Unbreakable!

As the good book says,
"Humans are like carnival goldfish.
Our accomplisments are like carnival prizes.
The fish die too easily and the prizes get thrown out
But God's truth lasts through all time."

And this is the truth I am giving you.

Philippians 4:4-13

Context: Paul, an imprisoned messenger of Jesus, is giving hope to the church of Philippi who are facing persecution of their own. He ends his letter with hopeful instructions.





Phil 4:4-13
How to Keep Your Sanity in Dark Times!

1. Celebrate God! I don't care what the occasion, just put God in a good light.  God is coming to make His debut in our lives and we need to show the people we love and support one another.

2. Don't let any problem in this life keep you up at night. I forbid any pacing, hand wringing or unnecessary insomnia over the hurdles of life. It is a God problem and all God problems deserve to be voiced toward God. Not only just to have God hear you cry out, but to also be thankful that he is capable of handling it. This is the lifestyle where God's beautiful peace and confidence overpowers your endless badgering of the situation and your brain  gets refuge behind the wall of Christ. It is a reality.

3. How are you going to spend your day, siblings of the Lord? How about you start dwelling on honesty, absolute truth, professionalism and courtesy in relationships, every day acts of heroism, habits of restraint and clean thinking, respect toward creation, awe of God's splendor, integrity in the work place, attitudes of victory and acts of selflessness that bring out the good in God's people. These thoughts should be the consumption of your day.

4. These nuggets of wisdom that I am speaking should be put into practice. Don't just read this and walk away. Do this and God's clarity and alacrity will be with you.

Finally guys, I am touched that you were deeply concerned about my well being. You wanted so bad to help me in my imprisoned state. But...I don't really have any dire needs right now. I know...right, I am in prison and I seem to taking it quite alright. Even if my life isn't all peaches and gravy I am still keeping a cool head. There's a secret to being okay with this unstable life. You see, I have been on both ends of the spectrum: feast and famine. I have swam through riches, fame and plenty, but I have also been poorer than a peasant. There's one tip that has made this liveable, one reminder that keeps me from going crazy.  Are you ready? The secret: Christ keeps me stable and strong. I can get through this because of Jesus. Amen.

Proverbs 5

Proverbs 5






Office Email: Watch out for Mrs. Low Self Esteem

Attention fellow employees. We all need to keep a look out for this. We have one opportunity to listen to this warning and I think we should. This PSA is really going to make you better judges of character and you will sound way smarter because of it.

There's this girl around the office. A real sweet person. A smooth talker. She has a very playful way with words.  Stay away from her. She is trouble and those sweet nothings will end up as cavities in your mouth. Mrs. LSE is being a huge distraction on the work force. She is apparently dropping some hints that she is lonely. She is married and has the potential to ruin your life and hers. It will be death for you. In her defense she is kind of aloof to this situation, but we will leave that to HR to handle.

Keep your distance from her. Don't be over friendly with her near the cubicle. Don't start any late night projects with her. One slip and you will become the joke of the office. A bad joke with an infamous punchline. She's not worth the loss of face. Her husband is also an NRA member.

She may be very cute and friendly, but how long do you think that will last? When you are ready to retire and collect your 401k you will also be collecting your infamy from the night of stupidity you had with her. You will kick yourself because you did not say no to her. Let this email guide you and warn you. You don't want to be the office loser.

Go home. Kiss your wonderful wife and be thankful you have such a wonderful blessing in your life. Enjoy her to the fullest and make sure she knows that she is special to you. You are young and in love and that is something to celebrate. Make sure you are the only one celebrating it with your wife.

In fact, use your vacation time to take your misses on a romantic get away. You two can spend some serious "we" time together.  The censor board is screening emails so I will use discretion. Have lots of fun, that is all I am saying.

Don't get caught up with Mrs. LSE. She is looking for bad attention. On top of that her husband is a blackbelt in Jujitsu.

We in upper management know what is going on. The Boss sees everything. We are just looking out for you and we dont want any stupid harm coming your way. Be smart. Make good choices. Train yourself in these choices and don't be a clod.

Sincerely,
Your Supervisor