Every Saturday and Sunday millions of people tune in to watch their favorite football team. It is amazing while watching these games how many games are lost by a mere few points. This made me realize something, every position on the football team is of utmost importance for a win. This reveals a great spiritual lesson that we should all pay attention to.
Realize that there are 11 players on offense and 11 players on defense. Out of these 22 players, there are different positions (Offense: QB can throw, RB can juke, WR amazing catches, OL in the trenches - Defense: DL fight in the trenches, LB spy and blitz, DBs cover - Special Teams: Kicker, Punter, Long Snapper). Have you ever see a game with no Offensive Linemen or Defensive Backs? What about no QB or D Line? That would make for an easy game for the opponent. Even the Kicker and Punter have pivotal roles because games are won and lost by less than 3 points, and field position is a key to winning a game. And another unknown position is the Long Snapper, who is typically a different person than the Center; this individual must ensure a good snap to the place kicker or punter otherwise there's a turnover. Just as there as different positions, there are different skill sets. You can't expect a Lineman to cover a WR. A slim WR has difficulty tackling a Lineman during a fumble. Each position is vital, just as each skill set is vital to the team. But over the team is the Head Coach, the guy that calls the plays. You've seen many times a WR running a wrong route...interception. Or a Lineman missing his block...sack. Or a QB not relaying the play in the huddle correctly...safety. It is vital that the players on the team do what the Head Coach called if they want a chance to win the game. And you've seen games where players like Randy Moss do so little for the team, actually hurting the team, and the Head Coach has no choice but to pull him out for the sake of the team and game. Just as this football team competing in the game, God has gifted every believer with a gift enabled by the Holy Spirit. We all have different gifts, but not one gift is "better" than the other for they all have their role to play in the church, for God's purposes and glory. Some have a QB or RB gift, some are the Lineman or LB, and some are the Long Snapper, Punter, or Kicker. But if you disregard any other those gifts (or positions), the game typically will be lost. We must also remember that it is not the QB or RB team, nor the LB or DB team; and certainly not the Punter's team...but it is the Head Coach's team...Jesus Christ. He calls the plays, puts us in the positions, and sometimes subs us out for others to continue the game. Should we listen and obey, and keep the pride issue in check, our games should come out victorious and He is calling the plays.
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I have heard some say that the Bible is not necessary, even within Christianity. This is alarming for numerous reasons, but one of the main reasons is that unlike the first century Christians, we are about 1,987 years removed from the crucifixion and resurrection. We put our faith and trust in the written revelation that God gave us through a select group of men. It is with this focus I wish to reveal how Geocaching and the Bible plays a role in finding the God of our salvation.
In Prattville, Alabama, on Cobbs Ford Rd there is a geocache and many people walk by it without even knowing. Geocaching is a GPS-based scavenger hunt for adults. Someone takes an item, buries it somewhere, lists the coordinates on a geocache website along with some navigation aids to identify the location. Should someone want to find the treasure inside a buried cache, they need to know some things. To begin with, they need to know there is a cache located somewhere with treasure inside. Second, they need to have a desire to obtain the treasure inside the buried cache, Then they need to know how to find the location, or coordinates. Lastly, they need to apply what they know about the cache (location, reason, desire, etc) and dig it up. Salvation, or more properly receiving everlasting life, is very similar. There is a geocache in the world with the treasure of everlasting life inside. This geocache is so close to everyone of us yet many people do not realize it is out there (like the cache on Cobbs Ford Rd). Some people know there is a cache buried, but they do not have the coordinates to find the treasure and therefore are applying their own opinions on where it is locating, never actually finding the cache. The Bible is our geocache database that lists the exact location on where the treasure of eternal life is found. The exact coordinates are identified by the letters J-E-S-U-S. But it is not enough to know the cache exists. Nor is it enough to know where the cache is located. You must want the cache, know where it is located, and then you have to apply what you found so as to be able to uncover this treasure. The Bible's coordinates point to Jesus and he is the only way to everlasting life. We must acknowledge who he is, who we are, why we need his penal substitionary death for us, and freely accept the gift he is offering. Only by admitting our need for him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and accepting his sacrifice for our life, will we ever find the great cache in the entire universe. I pray you find this cache that you may have walked by many times without realizing. Famed evangelist D.L. Moody is quoted as saying "out of 100 people, 1 person will read the Bible and 99 people will read the Christian." If this is accurate, we would do well to be active in reflecting the light of Christ in our lives. This would be through simply showing people we care, actively getting involved in service or ministry opportunities. Why are so few people drawn to Christ? Is it possible that it is because us Christians are doing a poor job in showing the world what Christ looks like? Realize, there will be times when our reflection of love is misunderstood or misinterpreted...do not allow Satan to use this to keep you down; keep loving and trust God for the outcome.
When I came across the below poem, it was very influential. This goes to show that we all have people in our realm of influence that watch us, and that we can influence people by not even saying anything, but rather them simply watching our actions. This form of passive influence is very strong for by it people can determine the motivation of action...when one is being true to themselves and believes no one is looking. It is an unfortunate truth that many people have left the church, faith, and God, because we have sometimes failed at this. I pray God uses this poem in your life today to show how we are able to influence people around us passively. "WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING: When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite e cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life. When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up. When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking." - Author Anonymous The below was given to me by our Youth Pastor's wife. It is a powerful testimony of the self-reflection of surrendering. If we do not examine ourselves as Paul admonishes, then we will not see the need for growth. I know God will use this family's personal trials for another's benefit!
"Three simple words. Three simple words that have changed the way I think drastically. Three simple words. “I. Surrender. All.” We sing “I surrender all” just like every good Christian should. We even say that we mean it- and maybe we think we do. But the fact is. Do we? Do we really surrender all? Most of us would answer this with a resounding yes- as would I have done just a few days earlier. I’ll surrender my life, Lord. I’ll do what you want me to do. And you know what? That is an admirable thing to do. But that’s not surrendering all. Lord? I’ll surrender these finances. Again, a wonderful thing that can be done, but that’s still not surrendering all. Lord? I surrender my time. I’ll go to church, I’ll serve extra where You need me to. And yet again, a wonderful and needed thing, but this is still not surrendering all. I myself came face to face with this fact in a startling reality. Do I, Erika Harned, really surrender my all? Sure. There may be many things I am willing to surrender but there are some things that I had yet to give fully to the Lord- things that will continue to be a struggle for me to lay down and give to Him. And yet, I am daily called to surrender my will and my wants to Him. And daily, I have to rely on his strength and help to do so- because I absolutely cannot do it myself. You see, it is much harder for me to surrender my family than it is to surrender myself. I could surrender myself all day long but God wants my family? No thank you! I was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It may seem as if this diagnosis is not a big deal, however when you have been told that this could ultimately result in the death of your unborn son, it becomes a big deal. I found myself almost angry with God. I found myself asking, “God, how could You? You can’t take him. You already have Luke. You can’t have Nathan too.” And the fact is, He hasn’t called Nathan home and has never given the indication that He necessarily will. But these thoughts of mine began to help me realize that I truly had not surrendered my all. I had not surrendered my family. As I began struggling with thinking on things that were true and of good report, my mind was constantly brought back to my baby Luke. And the guilt that came with Luke’s death would wash over me again and again. I didn’t kill Luke. For some reason God chose to take him home. I don’t know why He did, but He did. But yet, the guilt of Luke’s death falls heavily on me. Maybe I wasn’t eating the right foods or maybe I was too active. Or sometimes, maybe my body wasn't good enough. My body just couldn’t handle it. And even though I know it is not my fault, I still have guilt over the death my son. And hearing that my body could be the cause of the death of Nathan began to eat at me. And I’ve prayed and prayed that God will not let me be the cause of death for Nathan too. Then the signs of another disease that could potentially take my son's life came. And with it, came the fear and anguish. I could not lose my son. I just couldn't. I was faced again with the challenge, “Do I surrender all?” My first instinct is to scream out, “NO! I don't.” But I've had to stop and think. God the Father surrendered His Son for me. He gave up His only Son for me. For sinful, wretched me. How could I not trust Him with my son's life? This week I've really had to come face to face with the question of surrendering my all. The fact is, I haven't. This is why I daily, moment by moment, must rely on Jesus to give me the strength to surrender all. Because in my own strength, I simply cannot. *** Update: This was written the day before I was induced with my baby after finding out that my baby was at risk of being stillborn. Thankfully, Nathan is doing great and is almost 4 months old! We are so thankful for God's protection on our child. I am also very thankful for the lesson that God chose to teach me through this trying time. I still have much to learn and still struggle with daily surrendering my all. My prayer for you is that this will help you to truly surrender all." I've researched, what I believe are 6 of the best known baseball players ever to play the game and found their best single season batting average (ratio of safe, on-base hits against their outs).
Cal Ripken Jr, 1999, .340 (.276) Willie Mays, 1954, .345 (.302) Hank Aaron, 1959, .355 (.305) Alex Rodriguez, 1996, .358 (.299) Barry Bonds, 2002, .370 (.312) George Herman Ruth (Babe Ruth), 1923, .393 (.262) The best batting average ever recorded in a single season was in 1894 by Hugh Duffy, of the Boston Beaneaters, hitting a .440. These are amazing batting averages right? Well, let's get these 6 best player's single-best batting averages into perspective through percentages. Cal Ripken Jr, 1999, 34% (28%) Willie Mays, 1954, .35% (30%) Hank Aaron, 1959, 36% (30%) Alex Rodriguez, 1996, 36% (30%) Barry Bonds, 2002, 37% (31%) George Herman Ruth (Babe Ruth), 1923, 39% (26%) These single season bests are all below 40%, meaning more than half the time they either miss the ball completely or get out by a hitting the ball poorly. And when you look at their career averages, they are no more than 31%...less than a third of the time they actually get on base. What makes them great at what they do? In baseball, they don't give up! Regardless of how infrequently they may get on base, the keep fighting and their team knows that they will never quit, never stop training, and eventually get on base, probably even as a clutch player! We can take a lesson from these baseball players. For we will not have a necessarily easy life as a Christian. We will have trials, tribulations, failures, and persecutions. The question is not, and cannot be, are you going to give up? The question that must be answered is, are you going to persevere? You see, each of the aforementioned baseball players are notable players and I believe almost all of them made it in the Hall of Fame, simply because they never gave up and kept at it. Let's strive to make it into God's Hall of Fame, not for eternal life, but for gratitude to our Savrior, by persevering through our tough times! There are many people in the world today who believe they have no value, worth, or purpose in life. In fact, the CDC reports that suicide rates went up more than 30% in half the states in the past 20 years, with relationship issues being the most prominent contributing factor (42%) to suicide. (https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/suicide/index.html) How do we combat the growing rise of suicide rates across the nation? I believe worldviews have a role to play.
A little known belief that everyone holds to be true, whether they believe it or not, is a worldview. Simply put, a worldview simply allows one to determine how they view-the-world, and determines certain choices they make. While not many people other than philosophers, psychologists, and theologians actually use the term "worldview," it is a basic thought that everyone has intrinsically. The thing about worldviews is that they can differ, and they can differ substantially, but they each seek to answer at least four questions, enabling one to determine how they to view the world and make decisions about life. 1) Where did we come from? 2) Where are we going after here? 3) Where does morality come from? 4) What is our purpose? These are the four fundamental questions that, depending on how one answers them, shape their worldview. When considering all worldviews available, there are really only two that are substantial within American culture: Theistic (or Christian) and Secular. I want to look at these two and promote the one that provides the most value and worth to an individual. Secular Worldview: 1) Where did we come from? Answer: We came from the stars; we are here based upon random chance; our creation was accidental 2) Where are we going after here? Answer: We go back to the stars; we turn to dirt as the circle of life; nothing, we just cease to exist 3) Where does morality come from? Answer: There is no objective morality; morality is what we decide to benefit society or the community 4) What is our purpose? Answer: Our purpose is what we make it; there is no purpose, we eat, drink, and die Theistic (Christian) Worldview: 1) Where did we come from? Answer: God created the heavens and earth; God created us in the womb; God had a plan for us prior to creation 2) Where are we going after here? Answer: God has prepared a place to live with Him for all those who desire; there is a heaven to gain and hell to shun 3) Where does morality come from? Answer: God, who created everything determines morality; there is an objective right and wrong 4) What is our purpose? Answer: To know the God who created us; to make known the God who created us; to worship God Simply viewing these competing worldviews, one sees a sharp distinction as to how an individual will view the world, and their own life. From a Theistic worldview, life is purposeful, there is a God who created us for a specific purpose and thereby dictates value on each life. We were created, not accidentally but purposefully. From a Secular worldview, we see that one's existence is merely based upon happenstance. That our cosmos is due to a cosmic burp that accidentally provided the materials to garner life. There is no reason why you and I are here, but through chance. Taking it further, we see there is a major difference as to eternal worth in these worldviews. In a Theistic worldview, there is an eternity to gain while in a Secular worldview there are competing views within its own framework, all which amount to cessation and devoid of any eternal significance. I believe that the growing rise of suicide rates can be somewhat attributed to the acceptance and promotion of the Secular worldview that many espouse today. Believing that one is just a great cosmic accident, devoid of any value or purpose, gives a greater propensity for ending life prematurely, while seeing a purposeful creation with value inhibits that suicidal ideation. While I will not say that adopting a Theistic worldview will rid the world of all suicides, but at the very least it should provide a last minute questioning of one's motives to end their own life. If we continue to tell people that there is no purpose for their being here, nor any value or eternal significance, we should not be surprised when they decide to act on an impulsive behavior due to people relaying a poor message to them. A similar problem exists with the promotion of evolution. If we teach our kids that they share a common ancestor with a chimpanzee, why do we get upset with them when they act like animals? After all, are they not doing what is common to them with the shared genetics of a chimp? I pray that no matter where you are today, that you consider your worldview and see its significance that it holds into your decision-making process in life. And if you have rejected a Theistic worldview, I challenge you, seek out its credibility and give it a try for a few weeks, making decisions in your life based solely on the above answers to those four questions, and it will change your life for good! We all question suffering and its purpose in our lives, and the lives of others. Vince Vitale, from Razi Zacharias International Ministry, had an amazing insight into our perspective on suffering and its possible benefits within our lives.
------------------------------------------------------- Imagine aliens who somehow managed to tap into a video feed from earth, but all they could see was the hospital delivery room when I was being born. They watched as doctors forcefully told my mom to do things that made her scream in pain. And then, when she could take no more, the doctors got out a knife and cut right underneath her belly. They took me out, and even though my mom was reaching out for me, the doctors immediately rushed me away from her. What would the aliens think of the doctors? If the aliens saw the first few moments of my life, they might think that the doctors were utterly evil. Only from a fuller perspective would they be able to see that the doctors actually cared for my mother extremely well, and in fact saved my life. On the Christian understanding of reality, what we currently see is only the first few moments of life - literally just the birthing process of human history! You and I will always come up short if we attempt to find the full examination for suffering in this life alone. This life is only the smallest fraction of our lives, for we are going to live forever. And even though right now you and I live in a harsh, broken world, Jesus promises that one day "everyone who call on [Him]" will live in a world that will be good to us (see e.g. Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32). Brother or sister, take heart in the fact that we have the greatest Doctor in the Universe! Our great Physician knows our every ailment, and what you and I need to develop and become more like our Savior. We were never told that it would be easy, but our Father did say that we need to live by faith, else we risk succumbing to the adversaries schemes. Stay prayerfully strong my friend! Portions of this was taken from Vince Vitale's article "Why Suffering?" http://rzim.org/just-thinking/if-god-why-suffering/ Have you been trying to serve God, and be a witness for God and yet no matter what you do, it seems as though others prosper while you, seeking service to God through faith and obedience, seem to not be getting any traction? You are not alone!
I have recently been battling discouragement myself and while I have often offered advice to others through discouragement, I seem to be unable to apply my counseling to my own situation. Have you ever fought with that also? You believe you give great advice to another, but yet when you go through your own battle, you seem to completely ignore that same advice you recently gave? I need to constantly remind myself to find solace in the fact that God's written word reveals that in the latter days, people will begin to ignore the truth's of His word, and forsake it for their own teachings and desires. This is clearly what Paul tells Pastor Timothy in Ephesus, in his second epistle (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Knowing this, I remember that this is purposed to happen, and believe the greater the following, the possibility for the straying from biblical teaching. That is not always the case, but a basic rule as we get closer to the return of Messiah. You and I must continue to battle through our serving God, regardless of our circumstances, or how it seems others doing the same thing appear to be prospering much more than we. Remember, we are told that the just must live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4); not trusting in the success or popularity to be a gauge as to the success of our ministry or service, but rather by trusting that our Savior is pleased with our service, sacrifice, and active obedience to what we believe he has for us in our life. Keep battling, keep serving, keep trusting that what you and I are doing is pleasing to our Savior! The other day, my wife and I were walking around the neighborhood and a couple LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's) member's (i.e. Mormon's) came up to us and wanted to share a word about Jesus to us. Little did they know they were in for a treat ;) We discussed the wide gulf that separated Christianity and the LDS church, and due to time and weather (it was really cold) I invited them to come to our house on the weekend and I'd show them all fallacy of the LDS religion...little did I know they would actually show up!
So, Saturday, my wife and I spent a couple hours sitting in my driveway with a couple LDS kids...they couldn't have been older than 24 years old. We began by discussing our upbringing and supposed testimonies. One grew up LDS and had generation after generation in the LDS church...the other came from a "Christian" home and his mother wasn't happy when she heard about his conversion to LDS; although she finally accepted it. It was then that I realized, these are really nice people (we made jokes and laughed at stuff...like when they jokingly offered us a Book of Mormon, to which they already knew my answer to that...they had a good sense of humor), they've just been lied to for many years. Although I get frustrated, because they bother me on a weekend, (and REALLY mad) that they are telling people about a false god, a false Jesus, and a false gospel, leading people to a false salvation, I realize many of them haven't looked into the lies they're being told. Is it an excuse for them? No. But someone needs to tell them! During these two hours with them, I continued stating my intentions, to bring accusations to their religion and show the contradictions and errors of Joseph Smith; this was not unknown to them. So, from numerous false prophecies of the LDS writings such as a temple that was never built in Missouri, the civil war causing a world wide conflict, and Jesus being born in Jerusalem (not Bethelem supposedly; and they had an interesting, yet funny, reason why it said Jerusalem...explaining away the error). These false prophecies, along with bad leadership of the supposed prophet Joseph Smith, with LDS historian documenting that Joseph Smith told 14 year old, Helen Mar Kimbal, that if she married him, she would be eternally saved, and many other errors and concerns, they left with some things to research and think about, while letting me know they'd be back. I was pleased because a couple things the Lord allowed me to bring up made them go "Huh, I never thought of that" or "I'm going to have to look into that." Maybe this talk would forever change their lives, and the lies of the LDS church would be exposed to them. The afternoon ended with them accepting Gospel tracts from our local church, and they said they would attend a church service before their "mission trip" was over, and then I closed in prayer, that God would expose the truth of Christianity to them. At this point, I am still waiting to hear back from them to have a follow-up discussion. I pray for them continually, hoping their blinders are removed and that they can break away from the false religion which is LDS. You see, when we look at these LDS people, or any other cult member knocking on our door, we automatically see the heresy they are spreading and it SHOULD infuriate us; rightfully so. But also, we should see that they are people that our Lord Jesus died for on the cross and we should be used to possibly snatch them out of the fire (Jude 1:23) and tell them the true Gospel because they are being deceived and lied to, in such a grave way that their souls are in danger. So the next time you get that unexpected, frustrating knock on your door, who knows...that may be the only time someone has the gall to tell them their in a false religion and preach to them the Gospel. We are not called to save people, rather we are called to tell people. So I encourage you to tell them. God Bless! |
Daniel WeierbachA graduate from Liberty University, with a MA in Theological Studies, Daniel and his wife Rebecca has been married for over 17 years, and together they have two children. He has authored Investigating Lordship Salvation. Archives |