What Did You Talk About?

As he walks into the coffee shop, he notices two guys sitting at a small table to the side of the room. They’re engaged in a deep conversation, so he waits for just the right opportunity. After ordering a Pumpkin-Spice Latte, he sits down at a table next to the two men. He just can’t wait to talk to some one.

He holds off until there seems to be a break in the discussion. Quickly moving to his feet he introduces himself and starts his story. As it turns out, the two guys are both ordained ministers. Imagine his surprise. What was he so anxious to tell?

There are many topics you may choose to discuss with co-workers, friends, family and even strangers. No doubt many of you have talked to a few strangers about the Steelers and Packers over the last week or so. It’s pretty easy to talk about football, your children, the news and work. Difficult or easy is not really the issue though. Impact. Does your conversation have impact? Do you talk about the things that truly move your life and those around you?

What did you talk about most this week?

As believers, there are many questions we can ask ourselves about the validity and depth of the Christian walk. We may talk of love and deeds of service. We can tell of our conversion experiences and baptism. These are all great topics. I challenge you to focus on core Christian disciplines with the following four questions …

1) What are you currently studying in the Bible?
2) How fulfilling is your prayer life?
3) How are you serving in His church?
4) Who have you lead to the Lord lately?

These questions are bathed in the waters of Christian Discipleship. Pastor Grant Edwards poses these questions in his book “Swimming Lessons”. These questions address your time in the word, the vibrancy of your prayer life, your relationship with the bride of Christ, and our call to evangelize. These are Christian disciplines from the Bible and Christ himself, and they are fundementals taught in the First Steps Discipleship Ministry developed by Pastor Grant.

As a believer I challenge you to teach others and share with others the blessing of what God is doing in your life. When you’re standing around the proverbial water-cooler, build relationships with a lasting impact as you share your walk with Christ and teach others to walk in the blessing of Christian Discipleship.

Oh, I almost forgot to finish the story. The man in the coffee shop was anxiously waiting to tell others about Jesus. He didn’t know he was about to share Jesus with two men who also share Jesus. Nonetheless the conversation was a blessing to all three as they exchanged the great works of God in their lives. God changes our lives by His word, through prayer, through His church, and through the sharing of the Gospel.

He alone is worthy of praise,
for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we may be saved.

A Breath of Fresh Air

I went to Starbucks this evening to finish up some homework, and to watch some movies. I sat in one of the two lounge chairs just to the left of the main door. After sitting there about 45 minutes, this guy walked in and sat down in the chair next to me. I could tell he was a fellow LeTourneau student, because he had a stack of books, a laptop, a worksheet he was working on, and a Venti coffee to keep him awake. He and I never said a word to each other: no “hi”, “hello”, or “how are you doin’?”; just a brief moment of eye contact. We each sat there working away at our own tasks for about a half hour, not speaking a word to each other.

Then in comes this older couple. They walk up to the counter, order their coffee and sit down at the table directly in front of us. Not two minutes after they had sat down, the older gentlemen looked at me and said, "Nothin’ runs like a dear, eh son?" I looked back at him somewhat confused, not remembering I was wearing my John Deere hat. Realizing my confusion he repeated his statement. I respectfully replied, "No sir, nothin’ runs like a Deere." That simple question sparked an hour long conversation that covered life experiences from seventy four years ago to today.

The guy next to me joined in the conversation after soon realizing that we’re from towns no more than 20 minutes apart. He is from Round Rock, the older couple from Austin, and me from Hutto. So we talked and talked about where they had lived, where they went to school, what it was like growing up, and how school was going for us students.

I really enjoyed talking to them, it was like taking a breath of fresh air; just good Texas folk talkin’ to each other.

After about an hour, I made my exit, having shook Mr. and Mrs. Cadds hands. As soon as I got in my car I began to think, “What will this next generation be like?” The other college student and I didn't say a word to each other, didn't even acknowledge each other, but this older couple began talking to us immediately.

Have we moved so far away from traditional values that we don't even talk to one another? People are important. That is an important value, and we should all be willing to care about others enough to start a conversation with just about anyone. I hope that when my generation is old that we aren't buried in our laptops and gizmos, so much that we don't take the time to talk to others, share stories and experiences with the generation to come after us, and to genuinely care about others.

That's my life lesson for the day. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Cadds

Know the Blessing,

Michael R. Bullock

THE EVIDENCE of the Holy Spirit

How often do you get caught up in the details and over complicate matters? It happens to me regularly. I get bogged down in the details of my life and sometimes miss the big lessons that God has clearly set forth in His Word. I spend much time analyzing the details of certain passages and neglect the main point. This has happened with the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Pneumatology.

Some approach the Holy Spirit with a cessationist perspective, denying contemporary special gifting of believers. They deny modern day miraculous signs and wonders, such as healing or speaking in tongues. Others herald speaking in tongues as the evidence of the Holy Spirit. Neither of these positions deals with the main point.

The evidence of the Holy Spirit is very basic. It is fundamental to the Christian faith. It is an obvious fruit that is overlooked in many senses, and associated with legalism in some circles. I am speaking of conviction, specifically the conviction of sin, righteousness, and the judgement to come.

This is not rocket science. When a person comes to faith in Christ, the sign of the Holy Spirit is manifest in these three matters. Man is sinful, The Lord is our Righteousness, and all men will face judgment. These workings of the Holy Spirit are central to true belief.

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. - John 16:7-11 (ESV)

What about you? Are you convicted or just cruising along? Are you waiting in expectation of judgment on all evil deeds? Is sin your enemy or just an unpleasant thought? Is the righteousness of God your longing and desire?

Know the Blessing

Eradicating My Enemies

The Old Testament boggles the mind of many unbelievers, atheists, and liberal Christians. The plagues, wars, blood, death and destruction are too much for them to digest. Massive death and destruction cause them to doubt that character and nature of God, as well as the credentials of the Old Testament. Liberal Christians reject and dismiss the value of Old Testament to their own detriment.

The matter is really quite simple. God has made a promise that He keeps. We have seen this promise at work through the course of history. We will see its grand conclusion, and we will stand, and cheer, and shout for joy, while we raise our voices praising His Holy Name for all eternity.

You share in God’s passion for this cause. It is the destruction of the enemies of man and the enemies of God. Let me ask you a question. Will heaven be heaven if it contains liars? Will heaven be heaven if it contains the sexual immorality? Will heaven be heaven if it contains material idolatry? Of course not! Heaven will only be heaven if all of the enemies of God and man are absent.

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

In the Old Testament, God was eradicating wickedness. He was making a Holy People for Himself and for humanity. We often forget how beguiling evil can be. We are surrounded in this world with evil, and sometimes it lures us into it fold. God is in the process of destroying evil. If we desire to join in His cause, we must embrace the ways of God. His ways are above our ways. His ways are the best ways to love others. His ways are the only ways that endure the test of eternity.

Even death itself is an enemy of man that God will destroy. He has already proven himself powerful over death, and it is the final enemy to be destroyed.

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26

He has given you a promise, and you can begin embracing it today. He will destroy all of your enemies, and you can enjoy a bit of heaven today by embracing his commands through faith in His perfect son, the Lord Jesus Christ.


Know the Blessing

Photo: Dr. Squintum Exaltation or the Reformation - Great Awakening Revivalist George Whitefield

Note: Read Psalm 37 for futher encouragment

Except Ye Be Converted

The King James Version and the Old English language threw me for several loops when I was a child. I could not understand; it just didn't make sense. The New International Version has played a major role in helping me to know God and His ways. Today, I have a little love for the old English language. In certain cases, it really brings light on the hard realities of this life. Consider these words of Christ as translated from Greek into the Old English ...

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 18:3-4 (KJV)

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. The ESV says it this way, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." I'll say it this way, "Unless you turn from your pride, you are not heaven bound."

These are strong words. Jesus was very direct in many cases. In this passage, focus first on the words "converted", "change", or "turn". The passage deals first with repentance. It tells us we must do a one-eighty. We must reverse our path. We need to change.

Next we must ask, "How should I change?". What is it about the child that Jesus is emphasizing? The second verse tells us, "humble yourself". Reading between the lines, please allow me to advise you. Humble yourself, before someone else does it for you.

Combing the two passages, we find the essence of God's instruction to man. Turn from your path of pride, self-righteousness, hypocrisy and arrogance to the path of humility, righteousness that comes from God, acknowledgment of sin, and our dependence upon God. We need Him desperately. Without Him we never existed. Without His sustaining presence we perish. Without His ways in our life we destroy ourselves and those we love.

Not so with a child. A child believes and trusts; that is true faith. A child has no pretentiousness. The child has not even learned to compare himself to others, or even consider providing for himself. The child is totally dependant upon others for sustenance.

I tell you the truth, unless you change and be like little children. You will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3 NIV

Through the Gospel of Christ we can embrace this command. By the example of the Suffering Servant, the blood of His brow, we know He desires us as His children despite our past arrogance and pride. Through his faithfulness we can from our adultery with the world. Now that we are adults polluted by the world let us embrace the ways of a child created of God.

Know the Blessing

Call 2 Fall

REPENT! REPENT! Can you hear the voice of one calling in the dessert?

"Make straight the path of the Lord!"

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Yes, I know. You can do without the yelling. Might I suggest that you have not done well without the yelling? Might I suggest our nation is far from God, and far from repentance? It is time to fall; time to fall on our knees and humble ourselves. Time to turn from our wicked ways that He might heal our land.

"What a wretched man am I! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ!"

Those are the words of Paul from Romans 7:24. Seven days a week; twenty-four hours a day. What a wretched man am I. Who will rescue me from this body of death? Repentance, humility, turning from the ways of man to the ways of God: these should be daily acts of a nation that knows The Almighty. This character should be ingrained into the Christian way of life, but we have lived without it, emphasizing His Grace over His Righteousness, and His mercy over our need to change.

Now is the time. Join with me this coming Sunday, July 5th, 2009. It's the Call 2 Fall: visit http://www.call2fall.com/ for more information. Listen to the Political Hope Radio Show life on FM Radio or via internet as we help lead America to repentance. http://www.politicalhope.com/

REPENT! Turn from your sin you double minded!

Life for Death

Many folks claim the Bible is full of contradictions. Typically hung up in details, they fail to comprehend the great worth found in paradoxial statements flowing from the mouth of God. Some spend their lifetime arguing variances in numerical accounting, all the while missing the one reality that will change their eterinal destiny.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? - Matthew 16:24-26 (ESV)

David Norman wrote recently an article titled, "Putting the American Dream to Death". It's about the church's pre-occupation with the American Dream. A friend of mine refers to the problem as the "suburban church". This all reminds me of the beginning of my disenchantment with the American material Dream, which in turn reminds me of Dennis McDaniel's book, Lost in the American Dream. Read Norman's post by clicking here >>

As much as I despise it, I still get lured into the trappings of the world and its material pursuits. Consumption with relaxation, indulgence, luxury and entertainment could easily eat up most of my time. Certainly, I have it easy compared to many in the world. I also recognize that I have given up much of my worldly ways for Christ' sake. The problem is, that's not what the text says.

Christ didn't call me to give up part of my life for His. He did not give just an arm or a finger for me. He gave it all. He lived a perfect life without ever owning a home. He lived in my place with no place to rest his head. I get cranky, when I'm a little sleep deprived.

The words of Christ ring loud in my mind, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?". "Whoever wants to gain his life, must lose it for my sake."

Has the American Dream sucked the life out of you too?


Know the Blessing: Surrender it all to Jesus!