The Way of the Master ministry is very well-known for its evangelizing techniques. One of the main things they start off with is asking people whether or not they think they're a good person. Then they ask this: "Do you think you're good enough to go to Heaven?"
Now, I am not downplaying what The Way of the Master does. If it wasn't for them, I probably wouldn't even know where to start with witnessing to others about Christ. However can it be possible to focus too much on Heaven and not on the God behind Heaven?
The Bible is totally all about being close and intimate with God. He is holy and sovereign and good. He is also relational, as it is even shown in the three separate persons whom He is composed of. They are all individuals, but all work and commune harmoniously together.
God desires a relationship with us. And it is not because God needs a relationship with us. He doesn't need us, especially after we have sinned and screwed up so many times against Him. However God wants to be with us. That is why He sent His Son to die for us. Nahum 1:2 says, "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God" This does not mean that God is an obsessive, abusive control freak. This is especially the case when you look at the context of this verse. What this verse is saying is that God is jealous for our affection and will do absolutely anything to obtain it. This is almost like a man seeking the affection for another woman as his bride. He will do absolutely anything he can to win her affection: buy her dinner, get her flowers, buy a $3,000 engagement ring, etc. The same goes with God. His jealousy also went as far as sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to provide that way to Him. He did so by His death. He died and bore the wrath of God. He took that vengaence that God should rightly have against us. He took it and through Him we are set free from our sins.
There is more to Christ's selfless sacrifice than just our sins being wiped away. We are now free to seek God no matter where we are. We could be in a church service lifting our hands, or we could be at home eating breakfast in a bathrobe with morning breath and a bedhead. God meets us where we are at. He hangs out with us, He encourages us, He just plain shows affection to us.
Have you ever felt the warm embrace of God? I have. There was one time a few weeks ago when I woke up in the middle of the night really distressed. I was worried about a lot of things concerning money and these next few months. I knew it was wrong and confessed it to God in tears. As I was weeping, I felt God's warm embrace and His peace all around me. I felt warmth like no blanket or heating system has ever given me before. All my muscles relaxed and I felt peace. This was God's peace. I believe He was holding me and hugging me.
So will Heaven be nice? Absolutely. But Heaven won't be nice because of tricked out streets of gold, seeing old friends long gone and not having to deal with the burdens of this sinful world. Heaven will be nice because of Jesus Christ! I'll be able to see Him face to face! I'll be able to walk with Him, talk with Him, ask Him questions, and did I mention WORSHIP HIM?! I'll be seeing that beautiful throne like what John describes in Revelation as Jesus sits upon it. Not only that but I can freely approach that throne without fear of rejection or anything like that because Jesus Christ has redeemed me.
So going to Heaven is not just about comfort. It is about Jesus Christ. If you think Jesus Christ is not in Heaven, then you are not thinking about Heaven.
"Whom have I in Heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
-Psalm 73:25-26
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wise Quotes from a Wise Man
The other day I found my first journal I started writing in after becoming a Christian. For those of you who don't journal, you should. I'm not talking about blogging, but journaling. Buy a compositional notebook or something, study the Bible, and write out your thoughts about what you read on there. You can just write out your thoughts too during times when you're not reading the Bible and can even write prayers to God. Journals are a very simple and effective way to get your thoughts organized.
But anyway, while I was looking through my first journal, I stumbled across the sermon notes from my first Winter Navigators' Conference in 2006. The man who spoke there was a wise man by the name of Skip Gray. It is amazing because every time when I read these notes over, I can still hear his voice. He spoke in a very slow and methodical way, and did not go on many tangents like I do. My dream in life when I get old and gray is to not sit in a nursing home watching daytime TV all day, but to be a man like him. I encourage you to just stop and think over these quotes and see what they mean to you. I know things are busy, but just take a minute and reflect. Check out some of what he says:
"The opposite of love is not hate. It's indifference."
"Slow down and become involved in other people's heartaches and problems."
"Dead Sea Believer--a saved Christian not involved in the lives of other people." (this one is a paraphrase, not a direct quote)
"All of life is sacred."
"Everything in life is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master."
"You need the team more than the team needs you." (talking about fellowship and accountability)
"You cannot live right, but believe wrong."
"We're all amateurs. We're all a work in progress."
"Truth is not to be kept, it is to be shared."
"Unless you let people [come] close enough to handle you, you'll never bring them closer to Christ.''
"Your short term goals depend on your long term goals."
"Faith is only as valid as its object."
"Patience has to do with your view of God. Is God in control of your life?"
"People learn more about the grace of God by watching you and me handle heartache rather than watching us embark in success."
"Have you ever had an argument with someone who wasn't there? You always win, don't you?"
"Do your own thing."
"No, do His thing."
So there it is. I thank God for Skip Gray. I remember one time after the last session people were socializing in the lobby and Skip and one student were sitting and talking by the fireplace. I came back into that room an hour later after doing something and Skip and that student were still sitting there, but about 30 or so students had joined them and were sitting all around him listening to what he had to say. By God's grace and power, I hope I can be like that one day.
Here are some proverbs from the wisest man who ever lived, next to Jesus. I encourage you not to just glaze over them, but to take a minute and just think about each one as you read it.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." -Proverbs 9:10
"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." -Proverbs 12:14
"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." -Proverbs 16:31
"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." -Proverbs 19:11
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." -Proverbs 24:3-4
"Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." -Proverbs 24:14
"Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear."
-Proverbs 25:12
"A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth." -Proverbs 29:3
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
-Proverbs 31:30
I talk a lot on these blogs, but sometimes it's best to let God's Word speak for itself.
God bless,
Steve
But anyway, while I was looking through my first journal, I stumbled across the sermon notes from my first Winter Navigators' Conference in 2006. The man who spoke there was a wise man by the name of Skip Gray. It is amazing because every time when I read these notes over, I can still hear his voice. He spoke in a very slow and methodical way, and did not go on many tangents like I do. My dream in life when I get old and gray is to not sit in a nursing home watching daytime TV all day, but to be a man like him. I encourage you to just stop and think over these quotes and see what they mean to you. I know things are busy, but just take a minute and reflect. Check out some of what he says:
"The opposite of love is not hate. It's indifference."
"Slow down and become involved in other people's heartaches and problems."
"Dead Sea Believer--a saved Christian not involved in the lives of other people." (this one is a paraphrase, not a direct quote)
"All of life is sacred."
"Everything in life is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master."
"You need the team more than the team needs you." (talking about fellowship and accountability)
"You cannot live right, but believe wrong."
"We're all amateurs. We're all a work in progress."
"Truth is not to be kept, it is to be shared."
"Unless you let people [come] close enough to handle you, you'll never bring them closer to Christ.''
"Your short term goals depend on your long term goals."
"Faith is only as valid as its object."
"Patience has to do with your view of God. Is God in control of your life?"
"People learn more about the grace of God by watching you and me handle heartache rather than watching us embark in success."
"Have you ever had an argument with someone who wasn't there? You always win, don't you?"
"Do your own thing."
"No, do His thing."
So there it is. I thank God for Skip Gray. I remember one time after the last session people were socializing in the lobby and Skip and one student were sitting and talking by the fireplace. I came back into that room an hour later after doing something and Skip and that student were still sitting there, but about 30 or so students had joined them and were sitting all around him listening to what he had to say. By God's grace and power, I hope I can be like that one day.
Here are some proverbs from the wisest man who ever lived, next to Jesus. I encourage you not to just glaze over them, but to take a minute and just think about each one as you read it.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." -Proverbs 9:10
"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." -Proverbs 12:14
"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." -Proverbs 16:31
"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." -Proverbs 19:11
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." -Proverbs 24:3-4
"Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." -Proverbs 24:14
"Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear."
-Proverbs 25:12
"A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth." -Proverbs 29:3
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
-Proverbs 31:30
I talk a lot on these blogs, but sometimes it's best to let God's Word speak for itself.
God bless,
Steve
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