Ahhhh, the old saying, "Do what makes you happy, and don't worry about what others say." Is this a good and biblical philosophy? Here are the three points of "happiness theology": 1) Whatever makes me happy must be right; 2) Some things can't be God's will; 3) Happiness leads to worshipping the things of happiness. The world thinks that we all deserve to be happy. "Everyone deserves to be happy", this is the typical argument I've heard from non-Christians and Christians alike about many situations and topics. That is a very poor argument, because that would mean that pedophiles should be able to do what they do; thieves should be able to be happy with stealing; obese people should be able to eat whatever they want without the government stepping in; my son would be happy if he had sweet tea for every meal and right before he went to bed. Happiness does not determine how we live our life. Here is a little video of a "Christian" woman who says a lot of wrong things. David did exactly what Mrs. Osteen is talking about. He went and made himself happy with Bathsheba. Was God happy? Let's see. 2 Samuel 11:26-27, "When Uriah's wife (Bathsheba) heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord." God does not exist to serve us; we exist to serve him. We, as humans, don't really know what we need to make us happy. Was Jesus happy when his time was near to die on the cross? Did Jesus focus on making himself happy? So, does God want us to be happy? I would answer, "YES" and "NO", but let me explain what I mean by this by looking at scripture.
Psalm 68:3 says, "But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful." This says he wants us to be happy. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 says, "12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil--this is the gift of God." So, what is good? Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 says, "18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them--for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil--this is a gift of God." Hmmm, we have seen the word "toil" a few times now. Would we imagine that we would toil while being happy? Is this the kind of happiness that we know about? So, from what I'm reading God wants us to be happy. Maybe not the kind of happiness we think of, but he wants us to be happy. (Don't condemn me yet, just keep reading)
So how can we be happy? If you look deeper into the scripture, they all have one thing in common...God is involved. I've got news for those who think that as long as we do what makes us happy, we will be fine. If God is not the center of your happiness, you are wrong. Did you know the word "joy" shows up in the NIV bible 214 times and the word "happy" shows up only 30? Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit, happiness is not. AND, did you know the word happy is never used in the same sentence as Jesus? Luke 10:21, "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do." Jesus was full of joy because God did what pleased himself. God does NOT want you happy when: 1) it causes you to do something wrong or unwise; 2) it is only based on things of the world. 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, "15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" It sounds like to me that God wants us to be holy. If happiness leads you away from holiness, he does not want you to be happy. 1 John 2:15-17 says, "15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." The world rejects God, so why are we trying to compromise our beliefs to fit in with them? God doesn't want us happy, he wants us to be blessed. Psalm 37:4 says, "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." The greek word for delight is "Makarios"; this means "supremely blessed, more than happy." Blessedness is based on God's goodness.
Maybe we are looking at this the wrong way. I think the question we should be asking is this, "Does what I do make God happy?" Lord, God of all creation, I want to praise you for giving us your Holy Spirit to dwell among us. I praise you for everything you have given me thus far: love, joy, heartache, pain, trials, and so much more. I pray that we, as Christians, will look to your Word for guidance in everything that we do and that we will have faith that your Word is perfect. More importantly, I pray that we talk with you, listen to and know your voice, and rely solely on you. May everything that we do make YOU happy; help us to deny ourselves. I thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins and raising him from the grave so we can have eternal salvation; that we can know you, our creator. I pray for those who are lost and choose to deny you, that their hearts will be softened to your truth; that they will repent and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Amen.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
To Judge or Not to Judge. What did Jesus really say?
If I ever told my son, "Do not laugh", I think I would get backlash from the world because laughing is a great thing to do. Now, what if I said, "Do not laugh during prayer", and someone told my family and friends that I told my son not to laugh? Then I would get backlash and what that person said would be a lie. Every Christian and non-Christian quote this scripture, Matthew 7:1, and write it in their hearts as a complete truth. Here is what Jesus says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Does Jesus actually say do not judge? hmmmmmm.
There are roughly 31,000 verses in the bible and we pick 1 verse to live our lives by? I think there is a problem here. Let's take a look at the verse in the context of what Jesus is talking about. In order to do this we must read a little further; yes, 4 more verses. I know this is a lot, but we can do it, right? Matthew 7:1-5, "1. Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4. How can you say to your brother, 'let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5. You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
Now, what Jesus is trying to tell us is this: As long as we have ongoing sin in our lives, we are incapable of judging (helping, rebuking) others righteously. And if we judge others with this sin in our lives, then we are judging others blindly and out of self-righteousness instead of by the righteousness of God. If we judge others by this way, then we, too, will be judged this way. This is a warning, not a commandment. He IS commanding us to take the plank out of our eye, so we can help those with their own problems. Therefore, we must take care of the ongoing sin in our lives before we can try to lead others out of their own sin. And, this is not judgemental, this is OBEDIENCE.
Do not let anyone who is not a Christian tell you what the Bible says, they are lead by sin and will twist scripture to confuse you and fit their lifestyle. So what if they say they have read the Bible from cover to cover, even numerous times? If they are reading it without the Holy Spirit, they will never begin to understand what God is saying. What if another Christian tries to tell you something the Bible says and you know that it is wrong? JUDGE THEM! If you are living in the Word, JUDGE THEM. My sunday school teacher said it this way, "Love forbids me to size you up and write you off, but love also forbids me to size you up and walk away."
I'll use one more scripture. John 8:3-11. The Pharisees and teachers of the law brought a woman in that was caught in the act of adultery. They told Jesus, "5. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" Ah, another case of the scriptures being twisted. Here is the law they are trying to use. Leviticus 20:10, "If a MAN commits adultery with another man's wife---with the wife of his neighbor---BOTH the ADULTERER and the ADULTERESS are to be put to death." Jesus knows the scripture and he knows the hearts of these men. All he says is, "7. ...Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Everyone ended up walking away. They could not judge her, because they each had sin in their own lives. However, Jesus, without sin, "judged" her, He did not condemn her. "10. Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' 11. 'No one, sir', she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared." Let me stop here before I finish the scripture. Notice Jesus is not finished here. The scripture keeps going on this topic. This is very important, because this is exactly what people do with Matthew 7:1. Jesus is showing us what to do. After Jesus says, "Then neither do I condemn you", he says this, "11b. 'Go now and LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN'." He told her she sinned and to leave it behind.
We must take care of the sin in our own lives; This way we can righteously and lovingly correct others for their sinful ways. God, our father in heaven, how great is your name! You are the Alpha and Omega. Your ways are perfect. Please forgive us of our sin and help us to see clearly, so we can help our fellow brothers, sisters, and neighbors with their problems. I pray that we will have a heart like David, one who sought your guidance in almost everything he did. David was not perfect, but he knew when he did wrong and was willing to admit his sins. I pray we will try to be like your son Jesus, who WAS perfect and did everything you commanded him. I ask that you bless us with wisdom and understanding of your Word and with Christian friends and family that study your word so we can have earthly companions and support. I love you, God. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us and then raising him from the grave so he lives eternally with you. Amen.
There are roughly 31,000 verses in the bible and we pick 1 verse to live our lives by? I think there is a problem here. Let's take a look at the verse in the context of what Jesus is talking about. In order to do this we must read a little further; yes, 4 more verses. I know this is a lot, but we can do it, right? Matthew 7:1-5, "1. Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4. How can you say to your brother, 'let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5. You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
Now, what Jesus is trying to tell us is this: As long as we have ongoing sin in our lives, we are incapable of judging (helping, rebuking) others righteously. And if we judge others with this sin in our lives, then we are judging others blindly and out of self-righteousness instead of by the righteousness of God. If we judge others by this way, then we, too, will be judged this way. This is a warning, not a commandment. He IS commanding us to take the plank out of our eye, so we can help those with their own problems. Therefore, we must take care of the ongoing sin in our lives before we can try to lead others out of their own sin. And, this is not judgemental, this is OBEDIENCE.
Do not let anyone who is not a Christian tell you what the Bible says, they are lead by sin and will twist scripture to confuse you and fit their lifestyle. So what if they say they have read the Bible from cover to cover, even numerous times? If they are reading it without the Holy Spirit, they will never begin to understand what God is saying. What if another Christian tries to tell you something the Bible says and you know that it is wrong? JUDGE THEM! If you are living in the Word, JUDGE THEM. My sunday school teacher said it this way, "Love forbids me to size you up and write you off, but love also forbids me to size you up and walk away."
I'll use one more scripture. John 8:3-11. The Pharisees and teachers of the law brought a woman in that was caught in the act of adultery. They told Jesus, "5. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" Ah, another case of the scriptures being twisted. Here is the law they are trying to use. Leviticus 20:10, "If a MAN commits adultery with another man's wife---with the wife of his neighbor---BOTH the ADULTERER and the ADULTERESS are to be put to death." Jesus knows the scripture and he knows the hearts of these men. All he says is, "7. ...Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Everyone ended up walking away. They could not judge her, because they each had sin in their own lives. However, Jesus, without sin, "judged" her, He did not condemn her. "10. Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' 11. 'No one, sir', she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared." Let me stop here before I finish the scripture. Notice Jesus is not finished here. The scripture keeps going on this topic. This is very important, because this is exactly what people do with Matthew 7:1. Jesus is showing us what to do. After Jesus says, "Then neither do I condemn you", he says this, "11b. 'Go now and LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN'." He told her she sinned and to leave it behind.
We must take care of the sin in our own lives; This way we can righteously and lovingly correct others for their sinful ways. God, our father in heaven, how great is your name! You are the Alpha and Omega. Your ways are perfect. Please forgive us of our sin and help us to see clearly, so we can help our fellow brothers, sisters, and neighbors with their problems. I pray that we will have a heart like David, one who sought your guidance in almost everything he did. David was not perfect, but he knew when he did wrong and was willing to admit his sins. I pray we will try to be like your son Jesus, who WAS perfect and did everything you commanded him. I ask that you bless us with wisdom and understanding of your Word and with Christian friends and family that study your word so we can have earthly companions and support. I love you, God. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us and then raising him from the grave so he lives eternally with you. Amen.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Christians can talk.
Most of the things I see on the news, tv shows, movies, social media sites, and hear in person are people making Christianity out to be an enemy or a lie. They make us think that we are selfish, wrong for disagreeing with their beliefs, bigots, intolerant, not empathetic, closed-minded, and so many other things. Yet, I'm also seeing Christians cave under the pressure and changing their beliefs to fit what "sounds good" to the world. I will be providing scripture and, hopefully, guidance to fellow Christians so we can all gain our voice back in our nation, then the world.
God of creation, my Father, I ask that you will give me wisdom in this new endeavor. Please give me the courage and knowledge to speak the truth even when it seems hard and I am getting backlash. I pray that everything I say and do on this blog will glorify you. Let everyone who reads this blog gain a voice in the world and not be afraid to share your gospel. I thank you so much for sending your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that man could have a personal relationship with you again and live eternally in your presence. Thank you for being the foundation of my family. Amen.
God of creation, my Father, I ask that you will give me wisdom in this new endeavor. Please give me the courage and knowledge to speak the truth even when it seems hard and I am getting backlash. I pray that everything I say and do on this blog will glorify you. Let everyone who reads this blog gain a voice in the world and not be afraid to share your gospel. I thank you so much for sending your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that man could have a personal relationship with you again and live eternally in your presence. Thank you for being the foundation of my family. Amen.
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