Beloved of God

I’m not that much older than the juveniles so the issues that they now have to deal with are still fresh in my memory from my school days. I wasn’t troublesome, but I had my share of troubles. I don’t believe a person has to make bad choices in order to learn or teach valuable lessons.

I want to work for this cause for so many reasons. I’ve always had this dormant desire to counsel. In everyday life folk aren’t too keen on you giving them unsolicited advice. At least this way they’ll be more inclined to listen. A lot of people don’t want the responsibility of being a role model - I do. I’m not perfect, but I’m willing to change for the better.

I’ve started looking into some volunteer opportunities in my area with the Department of Juvenile Justice. After learning about a few of the programs that they offer, I find myself being compelled to participate in some of the very things that scare me to death - speaking publicly being one of them.

A particular project that the director gave me to look over dealt with issues such as peer pressure and self-esteem which would be discussed at length with middle school students. Some other programs involve group sessions with families. For the fear that was and is in me, I don’t understand how a part of me believes I was made to do this. It’s like I’m beginning to find puzzle pieces to my purpose. Even while I was scanning the instructor’s manual for the program, I was answering questions that were yet to be asked. 

It’s getting late, and I’m sleepy. I’ll have to elaborate later.

Speaking lies in hypocrisy (II Timothy 4:2a)

-lies (pseudologos) mendacious, i.e. promulgating erroneous doctrine

-mendacious - prone to or marked by lying or deceit; untruthful

-promulgating - to make known or put into effect by public declaration

-erroneous - containing an error; mistaken

-hypocrisy (hupokrisis) acting under a feigned part, i.e. deceit

Hypocrites practice good deeds but have wrong motives.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward (Matthew 6:2)

Hypocrites decide for themselves what is doctrinal truth and what is not.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone (Matthew 23:23)

Hypocrites teach good deeds but live a life that doesn’t reflect their own teaching.

The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not (Matthew 23:2, 3)

[Ref. Matt. 6:1-6, 16-18; 23:1-31]

Though a blblical teaching, I don’t believe this only applies to Christians. There are times parents scold their children for doing things that they themselves practice. Such behavior may cause a child to rebel against and/or resent their parent. While watching television, I would sometimes say, “You dummy!” to whomever may have made a comment or decision that was, in my opinion, unintelligent. Well, my two year-old nephew wasted no time picking up the phrase. While dummy isn’t a vulgar word, it didn’t take me long to realize that it was something I didn’t want him saying so I had to stop saying it. As difficult as it may be, before we set standards for someone else, we should be living by or at least making an effort to live by that standard as well.

Christians are not hypocrites as I have heard some say. There are just a lot of hypocrites pretending to be Christians. But an actor can only stay in character for so long, and it is when they get out of character that gives Christians a bad rep. I must admit that I, an imperfect Christian, display behaviors similar to those of a hypocrite. Does this make me a hypocrite? No, it just makes me human.

So if the Christian and the Christian-playing hypocrite both possess hypocritical behaviors, what’s the difference between the two? The difference is, unlike a hypocrite, a genuine Christian recognizes his error, has a willingness to change, and eventually does so. A genuine hypocrite refuses to recognize his error, has no intention of changing, and never does.

Next study: II timothy 4:2b, The Seared Conscience

*Note: Standard English definition was taken from Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary (Houghton Mufflin Company, 1996)

Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot 

I experienced a bit of a breakthrough after reading  this book. I received an e-mail from someone advising me that I shouldn’t give up on my art career. I wasn’t going to say anything until I remembered that I was tired of being quiet about it. Such a tremendous weight lifted off me afterwards! Here it is. (Yes, I saved that bugger!)

(Their comment)

Do not take your talent and your ability for granted, it is the very thing that will bring you wealth in so many ways and on so many levels… What would the world being missing if you never drew again..your art is one of the many ways that you express yourself…Your work can change the lives of many people, but you must be convinced and settled about who you are.  

(My reply)

…I couldn’t agree more. A talent or gift shouldn’t be taken for granted but used, developed, and appreciated. And that is exactly what I intend to do. Only, I don’t believe it was intended to be drawing. So I think a more appropriate question to ask would be, What would the world (and I) be missing if I pursued drawing? After all, anyone can practice something until they’re good at it, but that doesn’t necessarily make it their purpose in life. I’m not saying I will never draw again, but I am saying it’s not my thing. I don’t want you to think that I’m giving up some major part of me by not pursuing this because drawing never was that much a part of me. That became even more evident to me when reading your e-mail. (This may get a bit long, but bear with me.)

When I was in high school, I applied for Governor’s School of Art (twice). I didn’t get accepted and I was angry. I wasn’t angry because I had this deep passion to create and was denied the opportunity to be in an environment where I could better develop my skills. In fact, I applied because my instructor wanted me to. I applied because that’s what people expect of other people who have the ability to draw. I was angry because I knew I had the talent! That, however, was not enough. What I lacked wasn’t something I could obtain or practice. It had to be wired in me, but it wasn’t. Though, on several occasions I attempted to make it be in me and failed.

There was something different about me and those that were accepted to that school: they had a connection with their work. The texture, line, and color they used were chosen, perhaps, because of the mood they were in. I simply copied what I saw before me. I would be lying if I said there wasn’t excitement when I did a piece with precision, but, for lack of a better term, it was empty. I had no inspiration. I didn’t carry a sketchbook around for the sheer joy of drawing. If and when I carried it, it was for a project of some kind. My work and the work of those accepted to that school had beauty of some form, but theirs had meaning. I see now I was angry without cause because I can now see God’s hand in it all. He knew what it was that I needed to admit: I didn’t belong there. So you see, the person you describe, the one that expresses their self through works of art isn’t me. I don’t believe it ever was. The lessons I learned when drawing, however, will not go to waste. Endurance and discipline are helpful in any area of life.

So, to answer your question, the world won’t be missing anything but will gaining the real me – the me that God called before the beginning of time. If I never drew again, I believe He will show me my rightful assignment in life, and in this I am convinced and settled. Most assuredly, it will be that assignment which will bring ultimate wealth and fulfillment to me and the lives of others.

[Christ] said no to good things so he could say yes to the right thing  -Max Lucado 

The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meets  - Frederick Buechner 

The person that sent me the e-mail meant well, I’m sure. I just felt it was time to say something. I’m glad I was given the opportunity.

Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life (W Publishing Group, 2005)106

Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot

There is a portion of the book that encourages you to, in a sense, go on a trip down memory lane. You’re basically using childhood aspirations as tool for learning what your career may be as an adult. This would have been a lot easier for me, if I was more open about my aspirations as a child. Instead I blocked them out and pursued what others saw as my reason for being - drawing.

I picked up the hobby from my brother; I liked the attention he got as a result of the gift (as if being the baby didn’t give me more than enough attention). So I continued to mimic him, not knowing that practice has a tendency of making you better at things. Go figure. As the years passed and my skills improved, I became known as “the one who can draw”. It’s what people knew. It’s what people expected. It’s what I lived up to. I did this for most of my life until I got tired of it.

Reading Cure for the Common Life is like detoxification for me - breaking down insecurities and instilling a sense of purpose. It’s helping me to be honest with myself and others who still only see me as the one. There is and always has been more to me than some sketch on a paper.

See your desires as gifts to heed rather than longings to suppress.  - Max Lucado

Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life (W Publishing Group, 2005)29

Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot

Max Lucado is my favorite author. Most of the books that I read I end up picking through it because only a few portions really resonate with me. With Max’s books, I can take  something away from every page. Cure for the Common Life is somewhat of a guide to help you hone in on you occupational niche. In it you’re challenged to “accept God’s permission to be whom he made you to be”. I’ve already read the book in its entirety, but I continue to read it on a regular basis. I only scratched the surface the first time I read it.

*Max Lucado, The Cure for the Common Life (W Publishing Group, 2005)38

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (I Timothy 4:1) 

NOW THE SPIRIT SPEAKETH EXPRESSLY…SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH:

-expressly (rhetos) out-spokenly, i.e. distinctly

-depart (aphistemi) to remove; draw (fall) away; withdraw self

-faith (pistis) firm persuasion; a conviction based upon hearing; belief 

“The faith” is referring to firm persuasion in Jesus Christ. This faith is Christ-centered. The departure speaks of a withdrawal from the nature and will of Christ. This doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a decrease in church attendance. In fact, it may be quite the opposite. There may be an increase in church attendance worldwide, but it will be just that – attending church. 

Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof…(II TImothy 3:5) 

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me (Matthew 15:8) 

GIVING HEED TO SEDUCING SPIRITS, AND DOCTRINES OF DEVILS:

-heed (prosecho) to hold the mind toward; to pay attention to

-seducing (pianos) wandering; deceiving-doctrines (didaskalia) teachings 

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (II Timothy 3:13) 

…there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies…(II Peter 2:1) 

The purpose of a seducing spirit is to…seduce – to turn you aside from your walk with Christ. Seduction is not an obvious occurrence; it’s a subtle and gradual process. Satan has an attribute than many Christians don’t – patience. He is more than willing to take all the time he needs to charm us out of the purposes of God and into an ungodly lifestyle. “Doctrines of devils” are simply teachings that oppose the word of God. These teachings appeal to our natural selves but will ultimately bring us physical or spiritual harm. 

We should be mindful that seductive spirits don’t only come by other people but through personal thoughts as well. Too often we recognize and resist deceit in the lives of others but fail to confront our own deceptive thoughts.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me : then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer (Psalms 19:12-13)

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (Romans 8:17)

Suffering, or rather enduring it, for the cause of Christ is proof of genuine Christianity. Suffering alone is not proof because all of mankind suffers. Enduring suffering is not proof because there are a lot of non-Christians who endure suffering. Enduring suffering for the cause of Christ shows you are unashamed to acknowledge your belief in/relationship with Him.

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 10:32-33)

For those who may believe that God doesn’t care about, sympathize with, or understand our suffering, hear this: God does care.

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard (Psalms 22:24)

Someone cannot sympathize or understand a life they haven’t lived themselves but…

[Christ] who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:6, 7-WEB)

Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:17, 18-WEB)

Christ denied himself his spiritual body that he might be able to renew our relationship to God through his death and resurrection. Christ denied himself his spiritual body to take on ours that he might be able to sympathize with and understand us.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15)

Everything I go through - the good, the bad, and the ugly - is for God’s glory. I secretly (yeah, right) thought God was stuck on Himself, but He has every right to be because He’s God. I think I heard Dr. Tony Evans say that when you buy a toaster you expect it to perform the way it was designed to and toast your bread. It was created to serve your purpose. I know it’s a bit off-the-wall being compared to a toaster but that’s as good as it’s gonna get. I was created to serve God…for His glory, for His purpose.

*World English Bible (WEB)

This year’s election has ignited an excitement in the hearts of the American people that I’ve never witnessed before. In addition to this excitement, it has also brought out the ugly in some of the unlikeliest of people – Christians. As if that’s not bad enough, it’s the pastors inciting the behavior.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock (I Peter 5:2, 3)

At least they’ve been getting the feeding part right - force feeding, in fact. I wish church leaders would stop trying to manipulate their congregations’ political views; that’s the media’s job. Whether they’re in favor of my choice for president or not, I do not want my pastor preaching on who I should vote for. 

It worries me that someone would vote a certain way simply because their pastor said so, and it angers me that so many “leaders” are using the bible as a goad to get them to do it. If we were to really use the Bible as a measuring stick in order to determine who is more spiritually fit to be commander and chief, BOTH candidates would get the short end of the stick. There is none righteous – no, not one [Romans 3:10].

I’m a supporter of Dr. Charles F. Stanley’s In Touch Ministries in Atlanta Georgia. I receive monthly mailings which contain letters on various spiritual topics. This month’s topic was, of course, pertaining to the upcoming election. My initial thought: Say it ain’t so! Not you too Dr. Stanley!  I was tempted to just discard the letter; I didn’t want to add to my frustrations. In spite of the letter’s theme, I continued to read.

To my surprise and delight, Dr. Stanley put a better spin on the election. He said that no matter what happens we should remember that God has the final say in who is elected, and as Christians it is our responsibility to pray for and intercede on the behalf of our leader(s) whoever it may be.

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding (Daniel 2:21) 

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour (I Timothy 2:1-3)

What a wonderful example Dr. Stanley is! He’s got my vote! I’m ChristianBell and I approve this message.

Greetings to you from Bell! Welcome to my humble abode.

The main purpose of this blog is to share matters of everyday life from a Christian perspective - my perspective. (I can see some people moving on to the next blog - ha!) Though written by a Christian, this blog isn’t for Christians only. It’s for anyone wanting an inside peek at the thoughts and frustrations of a growing believer.

I don’t want this blog to be a one-way conversation; talk with me. Comments let know someone is listening. Questions give me more to talk about, and answers enlighten you. Criticism - constructive criticism - can only make me better. So with that said, ALL comments, questions, and even criticisms are welcome. Just keep it clean…or else my “Father” will get you *wink* I look forward to hearing from you!

Note:

-All Bible references will be taken from the King James Version (KJV) unless stated otherwise; Word origins and definitions will be taken from The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance unless stated otherwise.

-There may be random, off topic posts; I’ll try to keep them to a minimum.