Walk This Way

I just finished reading Andy Stanley’s book, “How Good is Good Enough?” In the book Andy challenges the thought that only good people go to heaven. Andy clearly points out several flaws with this thought.
From having no real gauge to tell us just how good we have to be, to the fact that God Himself gives us no clear indication of how many good deeds we must do.
Many say that Christianity, and the thought that Jesus is the Only way to Heaven is unfair. Our world lives on the basis that people get what they deserve. If you want something bad enough, you simply work or try harder. That’s just the way it is. And for a loving God to work on a different scale is just not right. It simply isn’t fair.
On page 77 Andy writes, “Christianity is the fairest possible system in a world that is irreversibly unfair.” He continues on page 80 with the promise of the Gospel by writing, “The initial appeal (of Christianity) is not fairness, but forgiveness. Christianity is based on the premise that God laid aside fairness and opted for mercy and grace instead.”
I’m glad that God doesn’t give me what I deserve. In fact, I’m forever grateful that He doesn’t. I’m also glad that I read “How Good is Good Enough.” Because even though you may know the truth about scripture, it is often helpful to be reminded of God’s grace & mercy.

Deron

I picked up “SoulPrint” not because I knew of the author. I had actually never heard of Mark Batterson before. I honestly chose the book because the title, or should I say sub-title, caught my attention. The sub-title to the book is “Discovering your Divine Destiny.” I have to admit, I’m a sucker for books that encourage and challenge me to be the person God saved me to be. What I found within the pages of “Soulprint” was not only challenging, they were inspirational. Mark beautifully retells the story of King David. How all the situations that God brought him through as a young man to prepare him for his divine destiny. David, as we all know, wasn’t perfect. However, he was still a man after God’s own heart. God uniquely brought David through some difficult circumstances to prepare him for his final destiny. the place where he was to leave his legacy.
Mark uses six scenes from David’s life as an outline for the reader to review and apply.
The first chapter “Holy Confidence” is a chapter that has specific meaning to me. I have always struggled with confidence. I know that my confidence is not and should not be placed in things I can do. True confidence can only come in what God can do and will do through me. However, I need to be reminded of this truth often. Mark points out that the power and strength of God is revealed most in our weaknesses. Then he writes a statement that caused me to lay the book down and examine myself.
“When was the last time you praised God for your perceived disadvantages or thanked God for the challenges in your life?” (p20) I have to be honest, I know that God works in all things for His glory. And that He has a purpose for everything. I even know that I will not always understand His ways. But I’m ashamed to say that I have never thanked God for the challenges that I face. Or the things that He calls me to do that are out of my comfort zone or ability level.
Mark is clear to point out that this is no self-help book. He boldly writes that we cannot be all we were meant to be without God’s help.
As I wrote earlier, this is my first book to read by Mark Batterson. However, because of the way that I have been moved by “Soulprint”, it will not be my last.

Deron Henry

Are you someone who loves their sleep?  My wife is.  It is not uncommon for her to sleep 9-10 hours a night.  Plus taking naps if the opportunity arrives.  It’s ok…dhe doesn’t read my blog… 

Do you know that sleeping too much can be hazardous to your health?  Bet you didn’t.  Neither did I.  We all know about the dangers of not getting enough sleep.  Many illnesses are linked to lack of sleep.  However, some recent studies are revealing that too much sleep may not be good either.  Diabetes, obesity, headaches, back pain, depression, heart disease, and death (yes even death) have been linked to too much sleep.  One study revealed that those that sleep over 9 hours a night have a higher death rate than those that sleep only 7-8 hours a night.  This makes me glad that I am a night owl and usually get only 6-7 hours of sleep a night.

Just as there are dangers to our physical health because of too much sleep, there are also dangers to our spiritual health directly relating to sleep.  Jesus tells the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6 that they have fallen asleep and need to wake up.  Let me explain…

Sardis was located on top of a steep mountain.  Which was good…in some ways.  There was only one way in to the city.  The south side of the mountain provided the only access to the city.  This meant that Sardis was very secure and should therefore have been safe.  Problem was that along with the feeling of safety came complacency.  They felt so safe that they became arrogant.  They believed that  no one could reach them..especially not their enemies. 

Unfortunately history tells us that was not the case.  At least 2 times Sardis was raided and seized.  The Medians in 549 BC & the Cretans in 218 BC.  The people of Sardis had fallen asleep.  They took their physical safety for granted.  And soon to follow was their spiritual condition.

As Christians we must look at the Church in Sardis and realize the implications for us.  The Greek word Jesus used here is “Gregoreo” which means to keep watch or be on guard.  We must keep watch because like the church in Sardis, we have an enemy.  Our enemy will attack at any moment.  We don’t know when, he usually doesn’t give us warning.  So we must be ready at every moment for him to attack.  1 Peter 5:8 says the enemy ”prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  He doesn’t take a break so we can’t either.  We must wake up and be prepared.

We also must wake up because Jesus will return one day.  Again, we don’t have a time & date.  We have not been given that information.  We’re just told to expect it.  Jesus says in Matthew 24:42, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”  That’s pretty clear to me.  We don’t know.  And since we don’t know we must always be prepared.

Have you fallen asleep?  When the enemy attacks, will you be ready?  If Christ came back today, are you prepared?  Be careful…be watchful…and whatever you do…Wake Up!

Deron

No, this is not about the 1972 song performed by the band Stealers Wheel.  Although, if you are familiar with the song it will now be stuck in your mind while you read this post.

When you use the phrase ”stuck in the middle” or even the phrase “between a rock and a hard place” you are basically saying that you are currently in a dilemma.  You are in a difficult situation and not quite sure what to do.

The 3rd church that Jesus references in the book of Revelation was in a dilemma.  The church in Pergamum was basically a good church, or at least they started out that way.  But they were stuck in the middle of a very worldly and even satanic culture.  Like 5 of the 7 churches Jesus refers to in this book, He has a praise and a reprimand for Pergamum.  He praises them for “holding fast” to their faith in Him in the midst of being surrounded by a city filled with idol and satanic worship.  Like all the other churches, Jesus assures them that He knows where they are.  He knows they are in a tough spot.  He knows their struggles.  Just like He knows those things about us.  And He has compassion for them.  And He has compassion for us too.

But somewhere along the way, the church in Pergamum began to be affected by the culture around them.  Instead of influencing the culture, they were allowing the culture to influence them.  Sounds a little too close to home doesn’t it?  

The charge that Jesus has against them is that they began to believe and in some cases practice the false teaching around them.  They were still coming to church, and many were holding fast to their faith, but still many were mixing the words of Jesus with the words of the world. 

Even those that didn’t necessarily practice or believe the false teaching, He also condemned them for simply allowing the teaching to come into the church.  Some in the church evidently became very tolerant of the false teachings and practices.  They weren’t practicing it but they were allowing it to go on without saying a word. 

As I studied the church in Pergamum and the issues they faced, it became very clear to me that many of us modern-day followers of Christ look very similar to the church Jesus wrote to.  How many messages of the world have we allowed to infiltrate and even affect what we believe and practice?  Have we mixed things we like to hear with the truths of God’s word simply because it sounds better that way?  Have we become so tolerant of the world that sinful activity that used to appall us, now barely gets us upset?  While we may not practice in the activity, we are also not burdened when we see others that are involved in it.  Have we become so calloused that the “little” sins of the world have no affect on us at all? 

I’m not sure that picketing events and sharing messages like “turn or burn” are the best way to stand up for God’s word and what we believe in.  But I’m positive that to sit back and do nothing is wrong.  We have to stop doing church and begin to be the church in a lost and dying world.  After all, that’s what Jesus commanded us to do.

Deron

I’ve said the phrase “Suffering for Jesus” in jest many times.  Usually referring to someone, or myself, on a mission trip and the living conditions are similar if not better than the living conditions in my home.  “Boy, you were really suffering for Jesus,” is how it is used. 

I am currently teaching a series on the 7 churches in Revelation.  Because I am extremely creative, I came up with the perfect title for the series: 7!  We came to the 2nd church this past week.  If you are not familiar with the churches, (or at least the order) number 2 is the church in Smyrna.  Five of the 7 churches had 2 things in common with each other. Jesus had a word of commendation (praise) for them.  As well as a condemnation (judgment).  However, Smyrna was not one of these churches.  Jesus had no word of condemnation or judgment for them.  He had only words of praise for the believers there.  Here’s why…

Smyrna was a large, important city in Asia.  Like other cities its size, Smyrna had its share of idol worship.  One major form was emperor worship.  The people who lived in the city were required to worship the emperor.  From reports I have read, the citizens were required once a year to burn incense and state, “Caesar is Lord.”  That was it!  After that, they could worship whomever and however they chose.  Sounds simple to me.  But most of the believers in Smyrna were unwilling to give anyone other that God the name Lord.  They were so committed to their Lord that they would not perform this simple act of idol worship.  Because of this many of them lost their lives.  One such person was Polycarp.  Polycarp was the early church leader and lost his life at the age of 86 because he took courage in God and would not deny his faith.  Facing martyrdom Polycarp said these words, “For eighty-six years “I’ve served Jesus; how dare I now revile my King.”

Polycarp, and many other believers from the church, knew they could trust God with whatever the outcome.  Jesus knew their situation.  He saw their “tribulation and poverty.” (2:9) No matter the circumstance, they would stand firm and take courage in their Savior.  So Jesus praised them.  He also encouraged them. 

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer.  Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

When we, as believers, feel like we are suffering because of our faith, we also can take comfort in these words of Jesus. 

1.  We do not need to fear because Jesus knows are trials.  He has not forgotten us and will continue to walk through the difficulty with us.

2. We must realize that the suffering is usually a test.  God sometimes allows Satan to test us, but it is always for our good.  It rarely ever feels good.  But when does discipline and learning feel good?  1 Peter 1:6-7 states that the suffering we go through refines us like fire…so that we may be proved genuine…so our faith will be strengthened.    Tests are never easy and seldom enjoyable.  But they are essential.

3. Lastly, we must continue to be faithful to the One that has always been faithful to us.  It’s amazing to me to think of those like Polycarp, and many, many others, that have given their lives because of their faith.  They remained faithful…even to the very end. 

When I read about the persecuted saints, I wonder how would I respond if ever in a similar circumstance.  Would I choose to worship even if it meant jail time?  Would I pray if there was the risk of real persecution?  The believers in the church of Smyrna did.  And many still do today.  My trials pale in comparison to what brothers and sisters in Christ face every moment in other parts of our world. 

Maybe I should think twice about using the phase, “suffering for Jesus” again.  At least I should think of those that have and continue to suffer for Him.

Deron

I was reading in Jonah yesterday from Jonah chapter 1.  You know the story…God calls Jonah (a Hebrew prophet) to go to Nineveh.  Nineveh at that time was a great city.  It was a great big city, but is was also a great wicked city.  Obviously, Jonah didn’t like his orders.  So he tries to run from God.  I know that sounds crazy.  Even as I type it sounds absurd.  Run from God! How can we run from God? We can’t get away from Him.  We know that.  Yet, how often do we attempt to do the very same thing? 

When you see people in need, what is the first thing you do?  Do you reach out or do you turn, hoping they didn’t see you look? Have you taken a different path or turned around because you saw someone you didn’t want to see…coming your way?  Have you been reluctant to serve in some area simply because you are scared?  I use these examples simply because I could say yes to all of the above.   I’ve turned my head, turned around and said yes to fear & no to God many times in my life.  In fact, I still do more times than I like to admit. 

The call from God will not be easy.  It’s not meant to be.  If it were easy, we wouldn’t need God.  We could do it on our own.  God calls us to tasks that will reveal His glory to the world.  For that to happen, it cannot be a task we can easily do. 

God rang and Jonah ran.  It didn’t work out too well for Jonah.  At least not at first.  And it won’t work well for us either.  Not that a fish will swallow us…but the world might.  We’ll miss out on great moments to see God.  We’ll miss out on blessings that He has reserved just for us.  We’ll miss out…simply because of fear.

What has God called you to do that frightens you? How long have you been running from God’s calling?  It’s time to stop running & start relying on the power and the promises of God.  Then maybe this could be said when you do… “Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord…” (Jonah 1:16)

As I write this post, myself as well as other adults and students are preparing for our mission trip to Brazil.  Mission trips have always extremely meaningful and fruitful experiences in my life.  I”ve seen students have their faith stretched as well as my own.  However, even though each trip has been special and each trip has had specific events that will forever be logded in my mind, no trip has been easy.  In fact, mission trips (especially those abroad) are generally the mose difficult weeks(s) of the year for me.  I am not an adventure seeker.  By nature I am a cautious person…many times too cautious.  So these trips really push the envelope for me. 

But, even through the difficulty of Spiritual attacks throughout the trip, I would not trade anything for what God has allowed me to see.   

Our passage for this week is Colossians 3:23-24 which states, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

This is our prayer for the week as we encounter those that the Lord places in our path.  

Your prayers would be much appreciated.

Blessings,

Deron

Several weeks ago my wife and I had the opportunity to see a private screening of the new movie “courageous.”  This is the 4th movie that I have seen from the group from Sherwood Baptist.  In my opinion it is their best work so far.  Not because of the acting or special effects.  Each new movie has been more successful than the movie before it and they obviously have bigger budgets.  However, while I’m sure the budget for “Courageous” was their biggest thus far, the storyline was the convincing part for me.  The message from each movie has been presented well, but the message from “Courageous” was not just presented well.  It was presented in a bold, unashamidely manner.  Never before have they attacked a topic so fierce yet so Biblical and timely.

In the movie, 4 dads write covenants and sign them together.  The object is to hold each other accountable in the efforts to be the men, husbands and fathers that God had created them to be.  Issues arise along the way and difficulties are dealt with.  I won’t go into that and spoil the movie for any that may be reading this post.  But I was so convicted that I came home that night and wrote out my own covenant.  I am not sure if any of the contents of my covenant are identical to those used in the movie.  It’s been a month since I saw the movie and hand wrote my list.   I am also not assuming to be finished with this project.  My “Covenant” will adjust, additions will be made, and edits will take place I am sure.  But for now, here is my “Covenant.”

A Godly Man

I will seek to be a godly man.  I will strive to be a man after God’s own heart.  I will go where He sends me.  I will do what He calls me to do.  I will be the man He has created me to be.

I will love my wife the way that Christ loved the church.  I will treat her with respect.  I will honor her, protect her, and provide for her.

I will train my boys to be godly men.  I will teach them how to treat women.  I will demonstrate to them how to love the women that will one day be their wives.

I will fight for and protect my family. 

I will trust God with the future He has planned for us.  I will continue to place my faith in His hands.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

I will seek to be a godly man.

Friday, May 27, 2011

I’m reading the book “The Pursuit of God” by A. W. Tozier.  In the third chapter Tozier writes about “removing the veil.”   The “veil” he is referring to is sin…particularly the sin of self.

In the Old Testament, only the High Preist could enter inot the Most Holy Place.  And he could only do that once a year & never without blood to be used as a sacrifice for his sins and the sins of the people. 

We however, have the invitation to be with God in the Most Holy Place daily.  We don’t have to wait once a year.  We don’t have to bring a sacrifice…Jesus took care of that once & for all.  But, tragically, most of us are content with staying on the outer courts with God.  Never entering into the Most Holy Place. 

We were created to enjoy a relationship with our Creator.  He offers everything to us.  Why do we choose to settle for less?  What keeps us from experiencing all that God has to offer?  Obviously the answer is sin.  But even still, why do we let sin rule us and keep us from Him?  Because, it is never fun to die.

The Bible informs us that we are to die daily.  Thats difficult because dying is difficult and usually painful.  Its hard and painful to tear down the veil of self that keeps us from seeing God clearly.  The “sins of self are not something that we do, they are something we are.” (p159)

As I read those 6 words that I used for the title of this blog, I became extremely convicted.  How many “things” in my life have I not put to death?  How many “veils” are keeping me from clearly seeing God and all that He has in store for me?  The more ”stuff”…the cloudier my vision will be.  The more “junk”, the less I will hear Him.  The only reason I have not died to them is because of the pain that always comes with death.

Put to death all that is in you that is worldly.  It won’t be fun.  Dying isn’t meant to be fun.  But being able to see and hear Him clearly will be more than worth it.  Why else would Paul write, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21)

So I’ve been listening to Andy Stanley podcasts, as I do often.  His current series is entitled “Go Fish.”  In the series Andy asks and answers the questions about sharing our faith with others.  Questions like, why should we?  How do we?  Why don’t we?…those types of things.  In the very first message, he challenged his congregation to write a letter to the person that led them to Christ.  So, my letter will be to my mom who prayed with me & walked me through praying & receiving Christ as my Lord & Savior.  It seems very fitting since yesterday (December 15) was my mom’s birthday.  Mom went to be with Jesus in June 1998.  

Mom.  I want to thank you for sharing with me how much Jesus loved me as a child.  You patiently listened to me as I asked question after question.  You didn’t have all the answers, but that was ok.  As a 10 year old boy, I didn’t fully understand what it meant to invite Jesus into my heart anyways.   But you never gave up. 

I don’t remember walking down the aisle.  I do remember you kneeling with me at the altar at Trinity Baptist Church.  You told me the reason I was shaking was because Jesus was knocking on my heart and wanted to come in.  That made perfect sense to my 10 year old mind.   

 I didn’t always make the right choices and for a season during my teenage years I turned away from God & the church.  But the life I live now is a direct result of your influence and prayers.  My prayer now is that I will have the same influence on my children and pass on the same message you passed on to me. 

You’ve gone to be with Jesus now.  And while I would give anything to see you again and share this letter with you in person, I would never want you to leave Heaven and miss a minute of worshipping  your Savior that you love and served so faithfully. 

Thank you mom for taking the time & effort to tell me and more importantly show me what a true Christ follower is to look like.  The impact and the legacy you have left with me is more than you ever could have imagined.

Thank you mom.  I love you!

Deron