Are you rolling, moving, setting, positioned and engaged WITH GOD?  Or are you just getting by, hanging in there, waiting to see what happens or going with the flow?  This is a SERIOUS consideration.  God HATES ‘chillaxing!’  EVEN if it’s with HIM!  Sometimes His inactivity is there to get YOU moving!  And I have discovered, the longer you sit at the oasis sipping tea, the worse the situation can actually become.  Warriors war!

The High Cost Of Letting Down – A daily devotion for June 4th – From your friends at RayStedman.org

As soon as Abram is back in the land, there is the tent and the altar again. There is no tent or altar in Egypt. That is, there is no pilgrim character, no place of worship or cleansing, and no fellowship in Egypt. But even back in the land, Abram must return to the place where he made an altar at the first, and there Abram calls upon the name of the Lord. In other words, time spent in Egypt is wasted time! There was no growth in grace in that land. He had to come right back to where he was when he went down to Egypt. He had material gain to show for the time in Egypt, but nothing but barrenness and weakness spiritually.

Have you discovered how true this is? When you forsake the pathway of faith, when you refuse to walk in fellowship with God, when you depend upon the resources of the world to satisfy the empty hunger of the heart, these are wasted years! They may literally be years. I know of those who have lived almost all their Christian lives in Egypt, and all they have to show for it is a barren, wasted, empty, boring existence.

When Abram at last returned, what did he find? There is no mention of famine when he returns, but I think the famine is still going on. Remember, Abram was driven out of Egypt. He was not yet ready to leave it of his own choice, and this would indicate the famine was still raging in Canaan. Also, the quarrel that soon developed with Lot’s herdsmen over the pastureland suggests there was still a severe shortage of feed. But though the famine still continues, Abram is no longer troubled about it. Why not? Because, when he reached the land, the first thing he did was to call on the name of the Lord! This is what he should and could have done when the famine first struck.

The name of the Lord stands for all the resources of God. When we cash a check, we are calling on the name of the person who signed the check. When Abram calls on the name of the Lord, he is discovering the resources of God. He discovers that God is able to meet his needs despite the famine, the trial, or the circumstances. Just as Paul proclaims, My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). May I, like Abram, learn that in Egypt there is nothing but heartache and sorrow and danger for me and my loved ones, but in You is all I need to meet my deepest cry.

Life Application – In times of testing and trial it can be difficult to hang onto God. Have we discovered that calling on Him is far better than paying the high cost of other kinds of relief?

“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Mark 13:33

Well it’s official. We are now, ‘on watch!’ My daughter is the one who put us there, so I guess this is pretty serious stuff. With no turning back now!! Pregnant and due at the end of this month, she called to ask if we would keep our phones handy and be prepared to move immediately. When the call comes, Katie and I will watch our 2 grandsons during the delivery. But to clarify… we are on WATCH… NOT ‘On Duty!’

With 4 of our own children, this will be the 14^th time to be actively engaged in the miracle birth of family! We are SOOOO excited! This will be interesting and slightly different because my daughter Calah will be delivering a baby girl. They even named her…’Cypress.’ So with all things moving toward HER ’special delivery,’ we ARE alert and watchful. Because we WANT to be!

There is a difference, you know! A difference between being ‘on watch’ and being ‘on duty!’ Being ‘on watch’ is hopeful, expectant, ready and eager. It presumes preparation and activity based upon love and desire. ‘Duty,’ on the other hand, even SOUNDS forced. It is something you do because you HAVE to. Failure to ‘do one’s duty’ implies unwelcome penalties, which only adds fear to the motivation behind it.

The description of ‘Love,’ as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13, ends with a bold statement of fact…‘Love never fails!’ Of all the emotions that cause us to action or reaction, love is the one that is supreme. And like my baby granddaughter growing in the womb of my daughter, love only GROWS with time and care. Which makes me BOLDLY proclaim that I am MADLY in LOVE with the AUTHOR of LOVE! And I know WHY!

I find it interesting that Jesus didn’t tell His listeners HOW to watch. Just that they are required to! Some may watch out of fear or duty…but their motivation has the potential to fail as time drags on or resources run low. Not so with a ‘love’ watcher. Anticipation is it’s own fuel and end. Watching in love is reliable and expectant. And no cost is too high.

As the birth pains of the world grow more violent, vicious and loud, anticipation of SOMETHING is in the air. For most folks, fear is the accompanying emotion. But for folks like me, who are invested in love toward the expected arrival of our Savior, we don’t NEED to be TOLD to keep watch! It just comes naturally! AND with a smile.

What are YOU looking for?

“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” Romans 14:22

Our Church has the honorable opportunity and duty of standing on the corner of a MAJOR street corner and holding signs proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We do this twice a week, for an hour each time, and have done so for almost a year. This last time I came VERY close to my own zapacution!

Because we have been there so often, and because MUCH of the traffic is the same with folks commuting to or from work, they KNOW WHO we are and WHY we are there. Standing there last Friday, a big plastic bag came slowly blowing by me. For an inanimate object it appeared casual and unassuming! It was doing a good job of it too, because I almost didn’t notice that it was just plain old trash! That is until that ‘still small voice’ called to me from the inside! “Pick it up!”

Had I been a drug dealer or a prostitute plying my trade on the corner, my actions and personal presence would have loudly stated to passers-by that I ‘personally’ APPROVED both behaviors. My actions would have advertised the condition of my heart. Because there are laws against those things, I could have been condemned by a Judge for breaking those laws! Ignoring sauntering trash bags is NOT a crime! Or is it?

I am not my own. I have been bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20)! Because of that fact, my Master has the right to ask anything of me that matters to HIM. Within a few nanoseconds, and as only the Holy Spirit can do, the complete courtroom transcript was opened before my heart and I understood my guilt… before I had even caused an infraction! I reached down and grabbed the guilty evidence and put it in it’s place!

There would have been NO excuse. Everyone watching ‘the Christian’ on the corner as he watched trash roll by could have made a somewhat legitimate claim that Christians are hypocrites! And even though we are, our Master prefers we not blatantly advertise it! ESPECIALLY since He is working hard at eradicating all SORTS of trash from MY life.

The older I get the more easily I can see the tiny stuff. Today’s Bible verse opens another whole area of condemnation that, before Jesus, I didn’t even KNOW about. When I ‘let go’ or ‘ignore’ evidence that typically labels an infraction, my personal APPROVAL condemns me and ZAPS me ‘as if’ I actually DID the thing! And here’s the WORST part! It labels my MASTER as a co-conspirator! Now THAT is some NASTY TRASH!

What is God trying to clean up in YOUR life? 

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24

It was a long Holiday weekend and Katie and I found ourselves WITH ourselves. It had been a while since we had ridden our Tandem Bicycle and, since the weather was beautiful, we decided, together, to go for a long ride to somewhere we had not ridden before. Taking our usual positions, with me in the front and her in the back, we headed off on our little adventure. Which, for one of us, proved to be more than expected!

We mostly stuck to the bike trail and followed the rules, “stay to the right” and “holler out before passing on the left.” With my cautious wing-woman behind me, we never ONCE needed to follow the 2^nd rule! Apparently my more adventurous spirit stood out because she made the comment, “I notice you look AROUND more than you look FORWARD!” I guess slow and easy gives one more time to enjoy the scenery! Until!!!

Winding down the trip we needed to cross the main 6 lane highway. Since we had, what had been, a full head of steam…AND since, in my opinion, approaching cars were far enough away, I headed for the center of the road! This proved too much danger for Katie and she let out a scream, ”AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” This did not bother me because, while she was voicing her concern, she at least kept peddling! Even more vociferously!

I HAVE to admit that the story is more funny to ME than it is to HER! Having not gotten anywhere NEAR the point where the cars needed to apply brakes, I knew we were safe! Katie? Not so much! She got off the bike and walked by herself for a while! Which, I have to admit, is often MY go-to move when it comes to walking with Jesus!

Jesus pointed out that in our travels together as Savior and ‘the saved,’ we WOULD be encountering dangers, trouble, persecutions and peril! He even, in this verse today, gave me the opportunity to voice my travel requests along the way! But, because we are in the middle of an adventure, I have noted that He has never ONCE offered to TRADE ME PLACES!

Like my wing-woman, I want certainty spelled out and precautions taken. I want road signs that tell me, and everyone else, EXACTLY where to go AND with a 100% guarantee of safety upon arrival. In other words, I don’t want ANY ”AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” moments! Which is NOT His style!

Apparently Jesus knows something I don’t! And He wants to share the fact that my JOY will TRULY be complete after I go THROUGH the journey WITH all the perils and dangers overcome! After spending enough time riding behind Him, I can certify that Jesus ABSOLUTELY knows HOW to make my eyes widen, the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up and my voice to quake. But admittedly… I like it!

Are YOU BOLDLY committed to following the Master?   

This week I have been in more of a learning mode than a teaching one and have been devouring devotionals.  That said, I am sharing a good teaching that really opened my eyes and spirit.  This hit home. –

Whatever Christ Commands He Gives

Article by Matt Bradner Regional Director, Campus Outreach

“Matt, would you grab the rest of the groceries from the trunk of the car?”

The familiar words fell on me with greater irritation than normal because I was immersed in my favorite childhood hobby, sorting through my collection of sports cards. What I initially interpreted as a demand (and interruption!), however, was actually an expression of my father’s love for me, because his request was an invitation in disguise.

After delaying for far too long, I finally dropped the cards and made my way to the trunk, expecting to find eggs, lettuce, and cereal. When I finally fulfilled my duty, I realized that I had been duped — in the best way possible. Sitting in the trunk was an unopened box of 1986 Fleer Basketball cards. This may not seem significant to you, but my adolescent brain instantly knew that I was moments away from adding a Michael Jordan rookie card to my collection. I grabbed the box of cards and ran inside the house to find my father eagerly waiting to join in my joy. I will never forget the sweetness of those moments with him.

As the years have passed, I have come to believe that Jesus would have appreciated my father’s approach. While Jesus extends many invitations through plain and explicit language, the Gospel narratives also include invitations that begin in disguise. The pathways Jesus chooses to give us more of himself often begin with Jesus asking something from us.

‘Give Me a Drink’

Jesus, wearied by his journey, sits down beside a well in Samaria. Moments later, a woman comes to draw water, and she hears these words from Jesus: “Give me a drink” (John 4:7).

At face value, this may appear to be a reasonable petition from a thirsty man. In reality, though, these words will open a bottomless fountain for a thirsty woman. His demand is an invitation in disguise.

“The pathways Jesus chooses to give us more of himself often begin with Jesus asking something from us.”

She is surprised that Jesus would ask her for a drink. Her cause for pause is undoubtedly focused on the cultural, ethnic, and religious barriers that Jesus crossed by engaging with a Samaritan woman. As real as those barriers were, Jesus points her to the true reason she should marvel: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10).

Do you see the invitation in his request? What starts as an appeal to get something FROM her becomes an amazing offer to be something FOR her.  What Jesus demands from her, he desires to give to her, if she would just ask and receive.  It doesn’t take long before the woman asks Jesus to give her this living water. She then leaves to tell her village about Jesus, believing that she has met the promised Messiah. Strikingly, she leaves her water jar behind, suggesting that Jesus has given to her the very thing he asked from her.

‘You Feed Them’

After a day of Jesus teaching the crowds about the kingdom of God in a desolate place, his disciples ask him to send the people away to find lodging and food. Jesus looks at his disciples and says, “You give them something to eat.”  Luke 9:13

Not sensing the invitation in his words, the disciples immediately feel overwhelmed by his demand. So, knowing they could never afford to buy dinner for this many people, they gather up the little food they have (a few fish and some bread) and put it into Jesus’s hands. Placing what they had in his hands allows them to participate in something greater than they could have imagined. They are about to experience, loaf after loaf and fish after fish, the marvelous reality that what Jesus demands from them, he desires to be for them, if they would just ask and receive from him.

Jesus has the masses sit down in groups, and after giving thanks, he begins to give food to the disciples to serve the people. The food continues to multiply until all eat to their satisfaction, and twelve baskets are left, each full of food. What a scene this must have been. When Jesus said, “You give them something to eat,” they barely had enough food for themselves. Now, when everyone had eaten, each disciple was left holding his own basket, powerfully demonstrating that Jesus had done for them the very thing he asked from them.

He Will Be All He Asks

One cannot read the Scriptures without noticing the many demands that Jesus places on his followers. He gives commands like, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” Mathew 5:48

What are we to do under the weight of such demands? Do we engage in the futile attempt of trying to fulfill them on our own? Or do we recognize that these demands are invitations from Jesus in disguise? Jesus desires to be for us whatever he demands from us, if we will ask and receive.

We are meant to hear demands like (Matthew 5:48) and place them back in Jesus’s hands, confessing, “I can’t meet your demands without you,” and asking, “Will you be for me what you have asked from me?” This exercise of faith is not only the foundation and hope of our standing before God, but also the grace we need for every circumstance we face along the path to glory.

“What life demands from me, Jesus desires to be for me, if I will just ask and receive.”

The Christian life is full of demands. I face demands to be a sacrificial spouse, a present father to five children, a loving neighbor, and a faithful employee. I have a choice every morning: I can rush into the day attempting to meet the demands of Christ on my own, or I can call to mind that his invitations often begin in disguise. What life demands from me, Jesus desires to be for me, if I will ask and receive.

So, like the disciples with their few fish and bread, I start each day acknowledging that I don’t have what it takes to meet all the demands, but I believe that Jesus can be for me everything the world needs from me. This is the heart of what it means to live empowered by the Spirit of God. As Paul tells us, “We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12). The Holy Spirit is ready to remind us of all that Jesus desires to be for us. Your daily needs are, in reality, divine invitations to experience more of Him.

What is Jesus asking FROM you that He wants to GIVE you?

I have not found an article as detailed and precise on the subject of Gossip like this one.  I thank the Lord that we do not have this problem in our Church.  It is good to define and know exactly what gossip is though, for future consideration and to keep ourselves in His Grace. I love you ALL! K.C.

What Is Gossip?  Exposing a Common and Dangerous Sin

You don’t want to be a gossip. There is no upside to being one. Gossips hurt neighbors, divide friends, and damage reputations and relationships. The Bible labels gossips as untrustworthy and meddlesome (Proverbs 11:13; 20:19; 26:20; 1 Timothy 5:13) — and even as worthy of death (Romans 1:29, 32). At your best in Christ, you don’t want to be one.

All too often, however, you and I do want to gossip. Gossiping can be fun and addictive and provide a short burst of guilty pleasure. The book of Proverbs likens the words of a gossip to “delicious morsels,” a tasty treat that promises delight to those who indulge (Proverbs 18:8; 26:22). We get bored and want to entertain ourselves by snacking on the shameful stories of other people’s lives. Or we get proud that we know something that someone else doesn’t and want to show off our inside scoop. Or we get mad and crave the satisfaction of character assassination from afar, sniping at our enemies when they don’t even know they’re in danger. Gossip can be hard to resist.

But gossip isn’t just hard to resist; it’s hard to define. We don’t always know when we’re being a gossip. It slips into our conversations, and its definition slips by us. So, what exactly makes gossip gossip? We need some handholds.

What Is Gossip?

The Scriptures do not provide a definition of gossip in one location. Instead, they describe gossip in action and intimately tie it to the character of the people participating in this tantalizing sin. The Bible often uses the word gossip to describe a kind of person more than just a pattern of communication.

My way of summarizing the Bible’s teaching on this topic is to say that the sin of gossip is bearing bad news behind someone’s back out of a bad heart. This functional definition considers the action itself, the content of the corrupt communication, the situation in which it occurs, and perhaps most importantly, the motivations of the people involved.

Bearing Bad News

Gossip is the opposite of the gospel. In the mouth and the ear of a gossip is a morsel of bad news, not the good news. This bad news — a story of someone else’s sin or shame — can be bad in at least two ways.

Bad information. The story may be false, and if you know that beforehand, then spreading it is not just gossip but slander (Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 15:3; Proverbs 19:5). Or you might only think the story is true (perhaps without good reason), but it turns out to be wrong — hearsay, a rumor, a half-truth (Proverbs 18:13, 17).

“The sin of gossip is bearing bad news behind someone’s back out of a bad heart.”

Bad news about someone. You might have been taught that “if it’s true, it’s not gossip.” But needlessly sharing shameful truth about someone else can be gossip. One biblical phrase for this kind of speech is “a bad report,” such as what Joseph brought against his brothers (Genesis 37:2). Just because someone actually did something wrong does not mean that we need to, or get to, talk about it with others.

Other times, we might spread a wicked story of what might soon happen to someone else. One time when King David was sick, his enemies acted concerned when they visited him but then secretly celebrated his projected downfall and spread the story that he was about to die (Psalm 41:5–8). That was gossip too.

So, in the back of your mind, when any conversation begins to steer toward the topic of other people, you can ask yourself, “Is this story true? How do I know?” “Is this story mine to tell? Is it his to tell me?” “Is this story bad news?”

Behind Someone’s Back

A gossip bears this bad news behind his victim’s back. By definition, gossip occurs only when the subject of the story is not present. It is much easier and more interesting to discuss others when they are not around.

Gossip is clandestine, hidden, furtive, stealthy, sly (Proverbs 25:23; Psalm 101:4–5). The English Standard Version often names a gossip as “a whisperer,” which emphasizes the secretive nature of this sin (Proverbs 16:28; 18:8; 26:20, 22). Sometimes, you can catch yourself gossiping when you suddenly lower your voice, look around to see who might be listening, and step closer to your friend before speaking.

We might ask ourselves in such moments, “Would I be telling this story if he were here? Why or why not?” Am I hiding this conversation from anyone? Am I ashamed of it?” “Would I want someone else to talk this way about me if I were not in this room?”

Certainly there are times when we can, and even must, speak about people who are not present. You are not being a gossip when you call the police about a crime you witness, when you earnestly seek counsel on how to relate to someone in your life, or when you carefully warn someone else about a dangerous person (2 Timothy 4:14–15; Romans 16:17; Philippians 3:2). The presence of gossip depends in large measure on how you talk about people who are not present and why you talk about them. Which brings us to the heart of gossip.

Out of a Bad Heart

Gossip arises when something has gone wrong with us at the worshiping core of our beings.

The Lord Jesus taught us that all of the words we speak, good and bad, flow up and out from the abundance of good or evil stored in our hearts (Matthew 12:33–37). The same is true for why we want to listen to gossip. Like calls to like. We are attracted to evil because of evil already inside of us (Proverbs 17:4, Matthew 15:18–19).

Therefore, the most important queries to have running in the back of your mind when you’re talking about anybody who isn’t present are the key questions of motivation and intent: “Why am I saying this?” “Are these words loving toward the person I’m talking to?” “Are these words loving toward the person we’re talking about?”

Our heart motivations are not always obvious and, on this side of glory, will always be mixed (Proverbs 20:5). You might not be able to discern your own motives in the heat of the moment. Sometimes you will need to prayerfully go back over them, or even ask a wise friend to help you conduct a post-game analysis of a previous conversation.

“We will give an account for every careless word we have spoken, not just for the malicious ones.”

Some bad motivations are more wicked than others. Backstabbing gossip bent on revenge is birthed in malice and threatens to sink whole fellowships (2 Corinthians 12:19–13:2; 3 John 9–10). That kind of gossip is worse than being a busybody who is too interested in other peoples’ business (2 Thessalonians 3:11; 1 Peter 4:15). Yet Jesus said that we will give an account for every careless word we have spoken (Matthew 12:36), not just for the malicious ones.

Thankfully, our motivations also can be good and loving. Not all conversation about others, even about their sins, comes from a bad heart. It is possible for us to talk truthfully about other people’s bad news with a desire for their good and a hope for justice to be done. Jesus did so without ever slipping into gossip, and he will enable us to do it too. Christ also empowers us to speak edifying words that give grace to listeners and to redirect conversations that turn toward gossip (Ephesians 4:29–5:17). We can bear good news, be up-front with others, and speak and listen out of a changed heart that loves God and loves people who are made in his image.

Better News

The good news is that you don’t have to be a gossip. Not only can you be forgiven for having indulged in your past, but by faith, you also can be found in Christ, standing in his gossip-free righteousness (Philippians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus himself bore all of our gossip “in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). He died the death our gossip deserved.

And what’s more, the feast of his gospel provides us with greater and more precious promises than anything the poisonous fare of gossip has to offer (2 Peter 1:3–4). The gospel furnishes all of the resources you need to regularly resist gossip in real time (1 Corinthians 10:13).

With every temptation to gossip, God provides a way of escape through the promises of the gospel. The temptations may not go away easily — the delectable morsel on offer may continue to make your mouth water — but as you trust in God’s grace, you do not have to give in.

Matt Mitchell is the author of Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue. He has served as the pastor of Lanse Evangelical Free Church in central Pennsylvania since 1998.

“put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-23

It has been so dry here in Florida that any plant we desire needs to be watered. Though we DON’T water our lawn! Therefore, I was shocked when a neighbor crossed the road to ask, “what do you put on your lawn to keep it so green?” I didn’t have any answer that could help him because, the truth of the matter is, all I’ve REALLY got…is WEEDS!

When I couldn’t give him an answer, Paul then asked me what KIND of grass I had…Bahia? Augustine? All I could tell him is that I USED to have Augustine, but it had died off years ago. I presumed that what we were looking at was it’s green and thriving murderer! He said I was more lucky than HIM. MY weeds had grown uniformly and taken over the entire yard. I realized, being complimented for something I didn’t even know I had made me feel appreciative…sorta!

It IS true that weeds just seem to grow greener and more prolific than grass. There are lawn service businesses that will come and spray chemicals to remove the weeds. When I called one, the guy shook his head and said, “no can do! If I spray your yard, you’ll have no yard. It’s ALL weeds!” So we decided to just let the weeds be!

I looked up the definition for weeds and grass, and discovered that, “taxonomically, the term weed has no botanical significance.” Yeah?? Well they sure SEEM significant to ME! The best description I found stated that ‘a weed is a plant that is considered undesirable in a particular situation.’ Kind of like what the Bible calls ‘deceitful desires.’

If God could have been advised on His plan, I am SURE humans would have asked to have those sinful desires REMOVED when they got saved. Leaving such a dangerous and unpredictable creeper like ‘the flesh’ to continue on beside ‘The Spirit’ seems so much a waste of space. But God didn’t ASK for advice. Apparently battling weeds is just a necessary part of the process of a Godly life. So suggests today’s verse!

‘Put off’ and ‘put on’ are not suggestive terms, but come as commands. They presume that a ‘corrupted self’ should WANT to be rid of ‘deceitful desires.’ But alas, I have to admit that I have grown partial to some of my weeds. To which the Master of my Heart rings my doorbell and reminds me, “Um…that lawn is no longer yours…it’s MINE! Let’s get to work! And He carries more weight than my neighbor!

What are YOUR weeds?

“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when He comes. Truly I tell you, He will dress Himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.” Luke 12:37

It had been a busy and hectic week! And for Katie, Saturday was not going to slow down. As she headed out for an all day event, I began to think about what we might do for dinner. It had been a while since we had stayed at home and eaten a pile of ‘peel and eat’ shrimp. So when she got home, I floated the idea past her and she liked it. When I told her I WASN’T getting the Old Bay seasoning on it because ‘I’ didn’t really like it, she quietly said, ‘oh…ok!’ Immediately, my mental Husband meter screamed out an alarm!

When we first met I took her out for dinner and persuaded her to try Oysters on the Half Shell. That means ‘RAW! She feigned pleasing discovery for a while, but after we were married, finally admitted she really didn’t care for them. Having, for YEARS, eaten Old Bay flavor cooked shrimp because SHE likes it…I finally admitted that I didn’t. Then THIS Bible verse hit me in my conviction bone.

What to DO?? I CERTAINLY didn’t want to be selfish and NOT get my wife what she likes. But it was not ‘in me’ that night to pretend to like something I really didn’t. It was then that a crazy idea hit me…so simple, and yet so profound! Why not please BOTH of us? Since shrimp was on sale, I ordered 2 pounds of the stuff…with 1 pound cooked in Old Bay seasoning! She was happy…and so was I!

The scene of the Bible verse today is The Return of Christ for His Bride at the end of the age. HE IS RULER AND KING! The One to be worshiped and adored. And yet it says that HE will ‘dress Himself to SERVE!’ And the one He SERVES will be His Bride! THAT’S YOU AND ME…The Church! It only stands to reason that in His position, and being All powerful, He can and ‘WILL DO WHAT HE PLEASES,’ (Psalm 115:3). It is OBVIOUS to ME that serving His Bride PLEASES HIM!

I know it SOOO well! And yet my fleshy ‘man brain’ seems SO quick to forget, far too often. Pleasing my wife…pleases ME! It is a sense that cannot be described or recreated in human arenas. But it IS a FACT! When my wife is honored and pleased with me, I feel like I have hit my destiny! And NO explanation is needed!

Jesus WILL SERVE ME! It is a thought that is so embarrassing that I can hardly wrap my heart around it. I want to scream, “NO NO Lord!!! It is I who should be serving YOU!” It is ALSO a thought that could EASILY be construed as prideful humility! But then I heard Him respond in His silent, but still small voice, “If you WANT to serve me, then serve me by loving YOUR Wife!” Now how can I pass up an opportunity like THAT? ‘Old Bay Honey?’

Who is Jesus calling YOU to serve? If you’ve a significant other…you already know!

I saw this today and wanted to share.  The FACTS are on God’s side.  Are YOU?

JOHN STONESTREET WITH SHANE MORRIS

Three Scientific Discoveries that Call for a God Hypothesis   In the book River Out of Eden, Oxford biologist and atheist superstar Richard Dawkins famously wrote: “The universe that we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.”

Dawkins and other “new atheists” have long insisted that science has excluded the possibility of a creator or has, at least, rendered it unnecessary. Turns out this belief may be scientifically out of date. According to a new book, the biggest discoveries of the last century challenge a materialistic worldview and call science back to its theistic roots. Cambridge-educated philosopher of science Stephen Meyer wrote two books, Signature in the Cell and Darwin’s Doubt, that both argue against materialist accounts of biology. His latest book, The Return of the God Hypothesis, makes an even more ambitious claim. Three key twentieth century discoveries, argues Meyer, challenge materialist assumptions and point, not just to an intelligent designer, but to a transcendent God. He recently joined my colleague Shane Morris on the Upstream podcast to talk about the book. Not only were most of the founders of modern science devout Christians, the scientific method itself emerged from assumptions found only in a Christian worldview, such as the intelligibility of nature and the need to constantly test our fallen intuitions against the facts. Tracing science from its theistic beginnings, Meyer shows how it gradually lost its way and became tethered to materialism. Famed scientists like Laplace, Hume, and Darwin came to believe that the “God hypothesis” was no longer necessary to explain the natural world, that the universe required no cause beyond itself. Given the opportunity and enough time, living things could arise and evolve on their own. Since the conditions for life were simple and the universe had existed from eternity, here we are.

These assumptions went largely unchallenged until the twentieth century. However, breakthroughs in astronomy, physics, and biology began to undermine materialism.  For example, telescopes began to challenge the proponents (Einstein being one) of a steady-state universe. More and more evidence mounted that the universe was, in fact, not eternal, as many scientists had long assumed. If instead the universe came into being at some point in time, it must have had a cause outside of itself, To be clear, there must be a cause outside of space, time, matter, and energy. Another discovery was how finely tuned the universe is. The very laws that govern the cosmos, such as gravity, electromagnetism, nuclear forces, and the cosmological constant, are precisely calibrated in such a way that makes life possible. There’s not a compelling way to explain this “Goldilocks universe,” one “just right” that could have been otherwise, within a naturalistic worldview. As English astronomer and former atheist Fred Hoyle put it, “A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a super-intellect has monkeyed with physics…” And then, there’s the discovery Meyer has already devoted two other books to exploring: Materialists long thought that Darwin’s theory was a silver bullet against design arguments. Darwin, however, knew nothing about DNA, the inner structure of the cell, or the crucial role information plays in the existence and propagation of life. The more we learn about them, the more outdated this “God is no longer necessary” hypothesis seems to be. Simply put, Dawkins got it wrong. The universe we live in has properties one would expect if it were, in fact, designed by a God who had us in mind when He made the place. As Myer’s book shows, this assumption was an original conviction of many who launched and drove the scientific revolution. It’s the conviction of a growing number of scientists today who are willing to challenge the powers that be and admit the design they see in the heavens, the laws of nature, and under the microscope. As Meyer puts it, “The evidence is crying out for a God hypothesis.”