Discipleship

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A Real Champions’ Breakfast!

We have probably all heard of numerous reports and studies designed to prove that a good breakfast is critical to the well-being of people, particularly students.  A well known cereal purports itself to be “the breakfast of champions”.  Their idea is that if you want to be a champion, this is what you will eat.  I don’t exactly agree with them, so I’ve found my own championship breakfast.  Those who have spent much time around me know that I always refer to my Dr. Pepper as the breakfast of champions.  I’ve often had fun with this, even while pointing out the obvious – that soft drinks of any kind do not make a good breakfast.

I do believe, however, that I have identified the true “champions’ breakfast”.  It cannot be found with a simple one course meal.  It requires a balanced diet, therefore several courses are necessary.  I believe that by beginning each day with a three course meal of prayer, God’s Word, and worship, we begin to prepare ourselves to be true champions.

As we study the lives of “champions” in the Bible, we find that these three elements are consistently present.  Bible characters became champions by staying connected to God.  They did this with regular time spent in prayer.  They knew the scriptures.  They would meditate on it day and night.  They worshipped God with their lives.  I’ve read a quote from someone that says, “If you’re too busy to pray, you’re too busy!”  This would be true of this entire “champions’ breakfast”.

When we begin each day with time spent in prayer, it helps put our entire day into perspective.  When we start the day with Bible reading, it helps us to meditate on God’s Word throughout the day so that we would choose to do right.  When we greet the day in worship of God, it shapes our attitude and responses as we interact with others.

As we feast on this “champions’ breakfast”, may God change our lives so that we are true champions in His kingdom.

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Allegiance

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”  Matthew 15:8-9

(This is a reprint of an article I originally wrote in July of 2002.  It still seems quite applicable to today.  – Tom)

A lot of attention has been given recently to the wording of the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag.  The two little words, “under God”, have caused an uproar across our nation.  As news of this ruling became known, I couldn’t help but think of the scene just a few short months ago.  You remember it, right?  The scene of our nation’s congressmen standing on the steps of the capitol building singing “God Bless America” following the attacks of September 11, 2001.  Once again, political leaders of all party affiliations have spoken out.  This time with nearly one voice objecting to a judge’s ruling that threatens to remove the phrase “under God” from the pledge.

Both times, I had a similar reaction.  What hypocrisy!  As we watch the direction the nation continues to take, it appears to me that God is thought of very little as decisions are made.  Yet, when disaster strikes, we want God’s blessing.  Or when the public cries out against a change in tradition, we become uneasy.

In the verses above, Jesus addressed a question regarding his disciples not keeping the traditions of the elders.  He quotes from Isaiah and accuses the religious leaders of being hypocrites.  Their talk is designed to appear to honor God, but their actions and motives are far from God.  As Christians, are we more concerned about the tradition of a pledge using the words “under God”, or about living a life that honors God?  Is our allegiance to a flag and country more important than our allegiance to God?  I guess it bothers me when so many cry out against a change in the wording of the pledge when so few cry out against the injustice and evil that continues to grow in our nation.

I pray that our honor of God would be from our hearts and not just from our lips.

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What Are You Planting?

Liberty Park Gardens

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”   1 Corinthians 3:6

Gardening can be an enjoyable hobby.  In faith, you plant a seed in the ground with the expectation that it will produce the plant that it is supposed to.  After the seed does what it is designed by God to do, produce a plant, we often spend much time in cultivating the soil around our plants and making sure they have the proper amounts of water and nutrients.  We do this because we have a goal of seeing the plant  mature and produce the flower we desire to bring beauty to our garden.  Or perhaps we are waiting for that fresh tomato off the vine, or the fresh picked sweet corn or other vegetable that just isn’t the same from the store.  We don’t mind the work because we are able to anticipate the results we enjoy so much.

The question I want to ask is, “In God’s kingdom, what are you planting?”  Are you involved in sowing the seed of the gospel?  Do you plant the seeds of the good news of Jesus in the lives of those around you?  Do you do this in faith, expecting the seed to produce that which it was designed for?  How about once the seed germinates and sprouts into growth?  Do you care for the soul that has been reborn through the seed which was planted?  You see, a person’s immersion into Jesus Christ is a sprouting of the seed that has been planted.  This new growth must be taken care of.  I always tell people that I work with that when they are baptized, it is only the beginning of their life in Christ.  The best, and hardest, is yet to come.  They need to grow!

I would encourage you to spend time planting the gospel in the lives of others.  Also, spend time nurturing the faith of those who are young in Christ that they would mature and produce fruit.

As we do our part, may we always remember it is God who brings the increase.

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Power to Save the World

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:  first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”  Romans 1:16

This year was the thirtieth anniversary of the original Star Wars movie and true Star War fans were out in force this year celebrating.  As this series has made its way to DVD, audiences continue to eagerly view each installment of this drama.  Many go to enjoy the technical aspects of the film.  Yet, I believe that many more are fascinated by the ongoing battle of good versus evil.  People are intrigued with this “force” that is so powerful it can change the way people think and act.  People cheer when the “force” is able to guide individuals to accomplish great things for the good of entire nations and civilizations – even entire galaxies! 🙂

How quickly we forget that we have access to something much more powerful and lasting than any “force” a movie writer could ever come up with.  As Christians, we have available to us a power that can save all of mankind from the ultimate evil.  This power is not as mystical as the “force” and not as flashy as a light sabre.  This power is the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. 

Paul tells us something remarkable about this gospel.  He is not ashamed of it.  Paul understood clearly that he had nothing to be ashamed of.  By taking hold of the gospel of Jesus Christ, he had a power that exeeded anything he had known before.  It was something to be proud of.  There was no shame in sharing this glorious gospel with others.  It was because he recognized the gospel was the only power  that could save mankind from thier sin that he would boldly proclaim this gospel at every opportunity that he had.

Have you tapped into this power?  If so, do you live like you know the power to save the world?  May your life share the gospel of Jesus to a world that desperately needs salvation. 

May we not be ashamed.

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Work That Really Pays!

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58

Does your work make a difference?  Do you ever end the day feeling that all of your efforts were a waste of time?  How often do you wonder what you are really accomplishing in life?

The Bible gives a simply stated solution to living a life that counts.  We find it in many places, including the verse above.  The problem, as in many Biblical truths, comes in the application.  It is easy enough to read a command, “always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord”, but it is a completely different thing to actually live it out each and every day.  We read along in our Bibles and see the word “always” and assume that this must only apply to those who work in full time professional ministry.  However, the context of this verse indicates it is meant for all believers who have the hope and assurance of a ressurection of the dead.  That is the “therefore” part of the verse.  Since death has been defeated and we have the assurance of life eternal with Jesus, we know our work is never in vain when it is the work of the Lord being done.

Teaching, serving, giving, sharing, cleaning, etc., are all things that are very necessary to the work of the Lord continuing within the local church.  The work of the Lord is also done wherever you are when you take seriously the Lord’s command to make disciples.  When you devote your life to making disciples, you truly “lay up for yourself treasure in heaven”.  As you live a life committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus, you will have found work that really pays. 

May God bless your work for Him.

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Dead or Alive?

The Great Salt Lake 

“Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38

I was out on Antelope Island last night in the midst of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.  The trip out was interesting because you have to cross a lengthy causeway where the air is filled with a horrific stench.  The combination of the salt, sulfur, and decaying matter causes a smell that makes most other smells seem tolerable.

The island itself was beautiful!  There are 40 freshwater springs on the island that provide fresh water for an abundance of wildlife and plant life on the island.  It is amazing to see all of this life that is surrounded by a lake that is dead.  The springs provide living water in the midst of despair and decay. 

Today, we were in Provo and were able to see Utah Lake.  This lake is entirely different in nature as it contains freshwater and much life.  The interesting thing is that the two lakes are connected by a river.

So, what’s the difference?  The Great Salt Lake is a taker only and not a giver.  Fresh water flows into it, but there are no streams of water flowing out.  The minerals and salinity simply build up within the lake so that it reaches the point that life cannot survive.  Utah Lake, on the other hand, not only takes in fresh water, but it has an outlet that passes it along.  The flow of water into, and out of, the lake allows it to maintain a freshness that makes life possible.

Our spiritual lifes are similiar.  We have a choice to make.  Will we be takers only, or givers as well.  A taker is willing to benefit from the love and giving of others but is unwilling to pass any of that along.  Soon life becomes stagnant and the soul becomes a “dead sea” within us.  We were created to both give and receive.  To maintain a healthy spiritual life, we must be constantly giving that which has been given to us.  Jesus points this truth out throughout His life and in the verse above, we see that we cannot outgive God.  Nothing we give can ever empty, or deplete, the love God has for us.  In fact, our giving of God’s love to others serve to increase it in us – not decrease it.

May you be found giving so that life flourishes in and around you.

 

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What Is This Thing Called Love?

“A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  John 13:34

How’s your love life?

Our society paints a picture of love that is all about romance and emotion.  There are times that you may look at your relationships from that view and feel a great need for  help in the “love life” department.  Yet, how often do you measure your love against the true standard?

The great news is that real love can be obtained and practiced by all!  Did you notice the wording in the verse above?  Command.  Must.  These words  would indicate that this type of love Jesus is talking about is not an option for His disciples, but a requirement.  He could have said He had a suggestion to make.  He could have said this is something to think about or have a discussion group decide if it would work.  But He didn’t.  He said, “. . . command I give you. . . . You must . . . “.  One of the great things about this type of wording is knowing the faithfulness of God.  If He gives the command and states something we must do, then we can be certain that He will give us the wisdom, strength, courage, and power to accomplish it.

So, how about you?  Do you love people as Christ has loved you?  Do you sacrifice yourself for the things others need?  As you consider your love for others, I pray that you will look at your attitudes from God’s standard and seek to share His love with others.  For, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

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Thermometer or Thermostat?

Thermostat“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2

I would like for you to think about two items you have in your home.  These two items usually are not given a lot of thought until you become uncomfortable.  The first is the thermometer.  By design, it tells us the temperature of our surroundings.  Nothing more, nothing less.  If it is hot, it will reflect a hot temperature.  If it is cold, it will reflect a cold temperature.  You see, the thermometer makes no direct difference in its surroundings.

The other item we often look at when we are uncomfortable in our homes is the thermostat.  This also shows the temperature.  However, it is vastly different than the thermometer.  By design, it causes your furnace or air conditioning unit to adjust the room temperature to match the thermostat setting.  If you want to feel a difference in your room temperature, you change the thermostat setting.  The thermostat causes its surroundings to reflect what it is set at.

You may be thinking that this is pretty basic information and wonder what it is doing in this [blog].  You see, we each have a choice to make.  Are you willing to simply reflect the culture around you?  Do you want to live like a thermometer, reflecting your surroundings regardless of what is right?  God would call this conforming.  His instruction to you would be to no longer conform to the world but to be transformed.

As we allow God to renew our mind, we can become thermostats; individuals who stand out and influence their surroundings by their stand for what is right.  I pray that as God transforms you, that you will be a thermostat in the world and not simply a thermometer.