“For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

                -Hebrews 12:3

We’ve all heard people say that what happens in your thought life is unimportant. Unfortunately, even some Christians have been tricked into believing the lie that sin is okay so long as you don’t let it go further than the confines of your imagination. It’s as if we’ve created an imaginary barrier between what we think and what we do, not realizing that our thoughts directly affect our actions and vice-versa. The truth of Scripture reveals to us, not that our hands and heart are at a disconnect, but that what we fill our mind with will ultimately affect every other aspect of our life when simply given the time (Prov. 23:7).

Imagine with me for a moment what it would look like if every thought you entertained throughout the course of a day was recorded in a book and put on display. Would you hold a book signing and give away free copies to all your friends? Probably not. Yet despite the embarrassment it would likely bring if our innermost thoughts were shared with the world, remember that the very God Who created us hears our thoughts just as clearly as He is able to hear our words (Matt 9:4). Every selfish ambition and secret lust resonates loudly in His ears, even if we’re blissfully unaware of how serious these transgressions truly are.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

                -Philippians 4:8

Truth, honesty, justice, purity, and loveliness are the things Paul said should saturate our mind on a daily basis. What fills our head will also fill our heart, and so purifying your thought life is the first and most important step toward purity of the soul. Have you ever tried to break old, sinful habits without first praying for a clean heart and a right spirit (Ps. 51:10)? If so, then you know from firsthand experience that this is a futile attempt. To yield our mind to the enemy of our soul is to grant him the greatest foothold he could ever seek to gain, and is an advantage he will absolutely take advantage of (1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 4:27).

Despite the overemphasis often placed on “positive thinking” by the world, the mind is the most crucial battleground any person will ever tread. If we subject ourselves to the discouragement of “being wearied and fainting in our minds”, then we have little hope of being the conqueror God has called each of us to be (Rom. 8:37). Win this battle and you’ll be well-equipped to win the war.

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

               -Romans 8:31

The moment you choose to follow Jesus is the moment you choose to head down a path of persecution and worldly opposition (2 Tim. 3:12). Of all the promises afforded us by the Scriptures, none guarantee our life will be easy or comfortable but instead assure of just the opposite: “If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you,” was the warning of Christ to His disciples, yet they counted the sufferings of this present time unworthy to be compared with what they knew their Lord could offer (John 15:20; Rom. 8:18). We are told from the beginning exactly what we’re getting ourselves into by becoming a Christian and it should be anything but surprising when trouble comes our way.

It’s helpful when we understand that, just as no man can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24), it is impossible for a person to feed their soul while indulging their flesh. How many of us actually faced persecution when our soul was being starved of truth? In most cases it’s not until a person embraces things of eternal importance that they begin to encounter opposition, and so rather than despairing when rejected for your faith, learn to “rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt 5:12)

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

               -1 Peter 4:16

Not only should we expect persecution, but should follow the example of the apostles by learning to rejoice in them (Acts 5:41). Certainly the trial itself gives us no reason whatsoever to be joyful, but the knowledge that we are living in obedience to the Scriptures and their Author in a noticeable way is reason enough to leap for joy (Luke 6:23). For each hardship, consider both the physical and mental sufferings of Christ which far surpassed what any of us are able to experience or imagine. Did He agonize and weep? Of course! That’s never the problem, as long as we can pray the same prayer He did in the garden of Gethsemane: “Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42) Nobody ever having prayed these words from their heart was given a heavier load than they were able to bare (1 Cor. 10:13).

In “Dug Down Deep: Building Your Life on Truths that Last”, Joshua Harris covers the basics of his Christian faith in 231 easy-to-read pages. Unlike many theological books written for the average believer, Josh is obviously gifted when it comes to getting a complex idea across without dumbing down its message or using so many unfamiliar terms that you don’t understand it. He reminds me somewhat of Max Lucado in his writing style, unafraid to use plain English and even throwing in a fragment or two on occasion.

Orthodoxy, a term introduced early on by Harris, seems to be his goal throughout the book. He introduces his reader to the “established, proven, cherished truths of the faith”¹, but little more than that. Topics like justification, redemption, and the Trinity are covered, while controversial issues such as predestination are largely avoided. Honestly, this is probably a good thing since I found myself disagreeing with him on many of the deeper issues he covered. For example:

“These days I find myself less interested in the labels of charismatic and non-charismatic, less interested in arguing about whether there is a distinct “baptism of the Spirit” or only ongoing fillings of the Spirit throughout the Christian’s life, less interested in whether gifts like tongues and prophecy still function today.”

“Personally, I do speak in tongues. And I’ve been encouraged by it…”²

It should go without saying that, if somebody regularly speaks in tongues, they should be very interested in whether or not it is even a gift available to them. Unfortunately chapter nine, entirely about the Holy Spirit, seemed wishy-washy to me and called very few things certain other than that there is indeed a Holy Spirit and raised more questions than it answered. Whether or not this reflects the beliefs of the author or simply his unwillingness to step on any toes I don’t know, but I was certainly disappointed in the lack of certainty he presented on this crucial topic.

Overall, even though this book is one I may someday read again, it’s not something I would recommend to a Christian seeking to establish their beliefs but rather to those already “dug down deep” and able to exercise discernment. If at this point you’re still willing to give it a try, my advice is to head to the library before you head to the bookstore.

My Rating: 3/5 Stars.

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¹ Page 14.

² Page 184.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
                                                           -James 4:14

As much as I appreciate the blessing of tomorrow, I’ve also come to see it as a blessing too often abused. Though most people will readily admit their life could be snuffed out at any time, for some reason we continue to live as if there is always another page to be turned, another chapter to be written. Like the rich man in Luke 12 who fell into the lap of luxury only to “fall into the hands of the living God” when he least expected it (Heb. 10:31), many times we embrace unnecessary responsibilities today while postponing what God says is truly important until tomorrow.

What do I mean by unnecessary responsibilities? Well, let’s start with the obvious. Hunting trips, shopping ventures, and web surfing are all nonessentials. We could live without them if it became necessary. More subtle distractions such as extra-biblical literature and blogging may at times seem indispensible, but even these should be a distant second to our God and our family. We as Christians are called to demonstrate faithfulness, not just in the “big” things, but in the countless smaller responsibilities that shape our character and mold our relationships (Matt 25:23).

Of course that’s not to say whatever is unnecessary can also be categorized as sin. Solomon himself believed “there is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor.” (Eccl. 2:24) Our lives are a gift from God and should be enjoyed in holiness (Heb. 12:14), but putting your family on hold to accommodate a self-induced busy schedule is a sacrifice no one can afford to make.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

               -Matthew 23:23

Just like the Pharisees, how often have we allowed our zeal for God to tear us down rather than build us up? Peter cutting off Malchus’ ear when His Savior’s life was threatened revealed an inner passion worth emulating, but in the end he earned only a rebuke from the One he was attempting to defend (John 18:10-11). Is it any different when a Christian passionate about truth spends more time reading Bible commentary than the Word of God itself, or can quote their favorite theologian more fluently than their risen Lord? We procrastinate making the changes we know are needed but somehow always make room for the lesser things we could do without. Isn’t it true that “procrastination is the thief of time”¹ God calls us to redeem (Eph. 5:16)?

God has a special blessing in store for those who make Him, not religion or good works, the focus of their heart and the love of their life. We “shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” someday to answer for the decisions we’ve made (Rom. 14:10), and this reality should encourage God’s church in the pursuit of holiness and “faith unfeigned.” (1 Tim. 1:5) There’s no need to wait until the 1^st of January to enact these commitments. Act now! Determine what you must do, put your hand to the plow, and don’t look back (Luke 9:62). It’s this kind of dedication we need to break the chains “tomorrow” can so easily ensnare us with.

¹ Edward Young

Two years ago today, A Look at Life from a Deerstand was born. It would be four long months before I received a comment from anyone besides family, and over a year until I reached 100 followers. I poured my heart into this blog every day, and yet at first the rewards of this effort were delayed.

Since that time, I’ve been astounded at how many visitors have discovered this little piece of cyberspace (3,581 unique visitors and counting!), and even more amazed at how often my efforts to encourage others have turned into a direct blessing to my own soul. Every time I see a new word of encouragement posted at the end of my most recent devotional, or receive an e-mail from a new follower, I’m encouraged with the thought that this work has truly been worth however much time it’s required.

None of this would possible without God and His miraculous grace, or worth it without my amazing readers from all over the world. This simple blog has been displayed in all 50 states and over 60 countries including Tanzania, Indonesia, Thailand, Morocco, Egypt and Spain. Only the Lord can be credited for taking the restricted message of Christianity into the home of someone in Cairo who may never read another Scripture in his life! The only thing that could make this better is to know it pleased God to make room for this simple website in His grand plan of spreading the Gospel.

I know that I’ve been unable to post as frequently as I did 12 months ago, but I still rejoice in the blessing of my readers and take every word I type seriously. I can’t say what the next year will hold, but can only hope it will be as great as the last two have been and that you’ll be along for the ride!

In “Ascent from Darkness”, once-practicing Satanist Michael Leehan shares the story of his life and conversion to Christianity in a book unlike any you’ve ever read. The details of his involvement with the dark side are documented in such a way that opens your eyes to the reality of the spiritual realm, while also demonstrating God’s superiority over Satan and the carnal weapons of his warfare.

Yet despite this book’s ability to hold my attention throughout its entirety, I closed it mostly dissatisfied.

Like the cover art itself, this book seemed to be primarily about darkness with a ray of light shining through only at the very end. Of the 226 pages authored by Leehan, it wasn’t until page 212 that I read of his actual repentance and professed salvation, and so finished reading without much of the encouragement the title caused me to anticipate. I’m not at all questioning the sincerity of Michael’s testimony or the authenticity of his experience, but would caution any would-be readers to take up this book with much prayer and careful consideration as I also found myself questioning his interpretation of many spiritual experiences and was disappointed in the lack of a Gospel presentation.

This is definitely not a book to sit down and read as a family, but at the same time could probably benefit the right person should it fall into their hands. To that end I give it three out of five stars and am interested in seeing what else may be published by this new author.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

               -Hebrews 13:5</

In these difficult economic times, many have turned to the lottery as a source of hope in overcoming debt and poverty. Unfortunately, the average consumer will spend far more playing the lottery than they will ever actually win. That’s why lotto companies are able to give a large share of their revenue to educational programs and yet still have millions to give away to that truly lucky individual who manages to win something.

What many fail to understand as they hand over their hard-earned cash in exchange for that microscopic chance of winning more, is that the lottery is a virtual tax on the poor. The possibility of being struck by a car and killed on your way to cash in is even greater than the chances of you winning in the first place! Nonetheless, these companies continue to rake in untold millions from the poor while awarding grants and scholarships to the rich and middle class as justification for their actions.

In addition to the foolishness of betting money on something that will never, ever happen, research has shown that the lucky winner is not always better off after winning. Many become drug-addicts, divorcees, and filers of bankruptcy. Billie Bob Harrell, winner of the $31 million Texas jackpot, admitted that winning the lottery was the worst thing that ever happened to him shortly before he committed suicide to end his miserable earthly life.

Certainly a statistically unsound investment, there are many ways to grow the money you would otherwise waste in hopes of winning the jackpot. Consider, for example, depositing the money you spend on that daily lotto ticket into a bank account or retirement fund. Even a low interest rate will eventually net you more than you’ll ever win playing the lottery – and that’s a guarantee, not a one in 18,000,000 chance!

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.”

               -Genesis 32:10

Let me know if I’m off the mark here, but it seems like Christians today have become increasingly consumed with self-confidence. Maybe it’s because the world would have us believe we are all worthless, but many who disagree with this have taken things to the opposite extreme by suggesting God couldn’t live without us and wants nothing more than for us to “ask Him into our heart” so we can fill a man-shaped hole in His. If you don’t know what I mean, simply tune in to your local Christian music station or visit the inspirational section of any bookstore. It probably won’t be long before you find yourself squarely confronted with the idea that God actually needs us as much as we need Him. “We were worth dying for,” is the message.

What I have a hard time with, however, is beholding the bruised and bleeding Son of God and thinking for any length of time that I was worth that. Certainly we must have held some value in God’s eyes if He sacrificed His very life to gain us, but God’s love is not the result of our own goodness. Did adulterous Gomer deserve for Hosea to take her back? No, and we didn’t deserve for Jesus Christ to be killed on our behalf. Since when are we the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46)?

In “Dug Down Deep”, Joshua Harris puts it this way: “I had always heard [the cross] explained in terms of my great worth. I am so valuable that God would send Jesus to die. The question [John] Piper closed his message with deeply challenged me. “Do you love the cross because it makes much of you” he asked. “Or do you love it because it enables you to enjoy an eternity of making much of God?"  Turning the cross into a monument of humanity’s worth is to rob our Redeemer of the glory for the greatest thing He ever accomplished.

Again, I believe it’s important to combat the lie that humanity is worthless. Each of us has been created in the Divine image of our Creator, but to think that we were worth even a drop of Christ’s innocent blood turns His sacrifice into a mere transaction. Only when we recognize just how unworthy we truly are can we fully experience the joy of being God’s child.

A couple years ago I attended a two-day homeschool expo with my family. The last workshop I attended was unplanned until nearly the last minute when I decided to check out a class focusing on the importance of memorizing Scripture, which was  something I had recently become very interested in.

While there I met Jim Woychuck, director of Scripture Memory Fellowship, and Phil Walker who is also very involved with the increasingly-popular Bible Bee, memverse.com, and his own international Scripture ministry located in Indonesia. In particular, Memverse and Scripture Memory Fellowship completely revolutionized the way I memorize and strengthened my commitment to continue doing so throughout the rest of my life.

SMF’s primary goal is to encourage people to systematically memorize Scripture in the most effective ways possible, while the main purpose of meverse is to make this process easier and less time-consuming. Though they aren’t technically affiliated, this dynamic duo of Scripture memory tools makes memorizing the Word of God easier than it’s ever been and leaves us without excuse before our heavenly Father.

Whether or not you are currently memorizing Scripture, I highly recommend taking advantage of these two tools. My decision to become involved with these ministries has truly transformed my walk with God by filling me with both a greater love for and knowledge of Scripture and I am confident they can do the same for you.

Have you ever found yourself eager to be used by God, yet totally unprepared when the opportunity to take a step of faith and obey His leading presents itself? This upcoming book by Bruce Wilkinson provides practical advice for those willing to open their hearts and wallets to the needy and presents the reader with what I would consider a radical and potentially life-changing concept: what if we are merely managers of God’s resources and not actually the owners? As the subtitle states, when we recognize God as the giver of every good and perfect gift, “suddenly, everything changes.”

My first impression when receiving this book was that it would be a general guide to handling money in a Christian way. Instead, what I had really found is the path to a truly unique method of generosity that relies entirely on God’s leading and provision. You probably won’t see this on any best seller lists or read it more than once or twice yourself, but within these pages lies a concept with the ability to completely transform the way you look at money. Not only is it God’s provision for you, but is in some cases His intended provision for others.

To those who enjoy a quick read with a powerful message, consider purchasing this book. Though I often find myself bored with authors intent on filling 300+ pages with a relatively simple idea, this particular volume took little time to complete and left me excited about what I’d just read. It doesn’t release until October 11, so don’t head to your local bookstore just yet; but do be sure to check it out as soon as you can get your hands  on a copy. It’s worth it.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

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Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

               -Galatians 3:3

One of the greatest struggles for any Christian is finding the delicate balance between discipline and legalism. In my own experience there have been occasions when everything seemed to be going so well that I actually took mental notes on what I was doing at the time and determined to keep doing those things indefinitely. If spending 2-3 hours a day in my prayer closet seemed to do the trick, I would make that my standard and feel ashamed anytime I fell short.

Of course praying for hours in a day is excellent, but, as I soon learned, is not always possible. It’s certainly possible much more often than we’d like to think so, but the truth of the Gospel is that God gave us His very best and asks in return that we give Him ours. If our best gift to Christ is consistently offered we can rest assured in the truth He will be pleased with our service, just as He was pleased with the widow who offered her entire substance of only two mites at the temple’s treasury (Mark 12:42).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

               -Ephesians 2:8

The key to true spiritual discipline is not always found in devotional books or Bible reading plans. These are indeed powerful tools, but, like all tools, are only constructive when used properly. I’m obviously not encouraging you to forsake routines which have proven helpful in the past, but simply to ensure these things are treated as stepping stones in your journey to heaven rather than an end in themselves. As the Apostle reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:19, if Christianity offered hope only in this life we would be “of all men most miserable.”

Good days and happy prayers are too small a thing to live for. If the yardstick whereby we measure our spiritual progress is nothing more than the minute hand on a clock, then we need to seriously examine ourselves in the light of Scripture and pray with David, “search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

This is one of the most powerful new songs I’ve heard in a long time. When you hear the story behind it, it seems to make the entire message that much more powerful and so I encourage you to check that out as well. Forgetfulness has always plagued God’s people and this song serves as a compelling reminder of who we are in Christ. Take a listen!

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

               -2 Corinthians 9:7

Unlike tithing, spontaneous giving is not usually planned far in advance. Whereas we might take tithes right off the top of our paycheck, immediately setting it aside for God, this kind of giving follows no definite pattern or system of rules; we give willingly when the need arises, remembering that the greedy are doomed to poverty and the generous promised a blessing (Proverbs 11:24).

Now to those of you already paying tithes, please don’t fool yourself into believing you’ve already done your share by giving 10%. Just because you do what many others fail to doesn’t earn you extra credit with God. Is a child considered prodigious when she obeys her father? She may indeed be above-average, but when sin is the average we can’t settle for that. God will use us if we let Him, but we can’t limit how much we’re willing to sacrifice.*

“I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

               -Acts 20:35

Obviously I don’t recommend donating to every charity that shows up in your mailbox or reaching for your wallet every time you see a homeless person. I find it particularly frustrating when a Christmastime donation to feed the hungry turns into a year’s worth of solicitations which often cost more than you ever gave in the first place. We should always exercise discernment, while being careful never too become so cautious that we don’t give at all.

The need is out there, and we hardly demonstrate the love of Christ by withholding good from them to whom it is due (Proverbs 3:27). Let us instead learn to give just as our Lord did: not out of necessity, but from a heart overflowing with love and compassion. In a world where nearly every need has a ministry dedicated to its resolve, all we must do is realize which of these God has called us to support. Whether it’s a periodical sacrifice to bless the persecuted church overseas, or something ongoing such as child sponsorship, let me encourage you to discover through prayer which facet of ministry God is calling you to participate in. Few things bring greater joy than knowing you have made an eternal investment with otherwise temporary resources.

*I once met a man who had made it his goal to live on 10%.

“Through every generation, God has breathed His invitation to joyful embrace, the very essence of true pleasure. In His arms, every pleasure is safe but thrilling, the dissolution of death and the very fulfillment of life.” This excerpt from page 183 of Greg Paul’s newest book summarizes in only a few words the intended message of “Close Enough to Hear God Breathe” – a book with a compelling title but, regrettably, little more.

Even though we’ve all been told not to judge a book by its cover, the fact is that we all do to at least some extent. When I pick up a book with a title and description conveying the idea of Divine intimacy, I naturally anticipate the underlying pages to contain a similar theme. Perhaps I missed something, but during what times I was actually able to decipher the author’s countless stories and fairly unorganized writing style I often disagreed with him anyway. In chapter 14, for example, he portrays the Song of Solomon as little more than a lust-filled romance novel rather than a beautiful portrayal of the mutual love between Christ and His bride as it is in truth.

Intimacy with our Creator, however farfetched it may seem, is indeed possible. If you are as intrigued as I am at the idea of being “close enough to hear God breathe”, then my personal recommendation is to seek out the many Scriptures which teach us how this can be done (Hebrews 12:14 comes to mind). Unfortunately, this book offered me little more than the motivation to seek out a better resource on the subject and is not one I would recommend.

My Rating: 1/5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.”

               -Malachi 3:8

To tithe is to be blessed. Many people today claim it is no longer necessary under the New Covenant to give 10% of one’s income back to the Lord, but it seems to me both illogical and unscriptural to think God would suddenly stop providing for His ministry in this way. If the Old Testament expressly forbade the muzzling of oxen as they “tread out the corn” (Deut. 25:4), why then would Christians be encouraged to lay an even greater burden on their pastor by failing to provide him with financial support?

In the Old Testament tithing was instituted, not only to remind the giver of God’s right to their resources, but as the means whereby Levites (i.e. the priests) would sustain themselves and support their families. The Levites, in turn, would then pay tithes on their “inheritance” by presenting a tenth of this to Aaron the priest (Num. 18:25-28). If you think God’s asking too much of you by requiring a mere 10%, consider this: when all tithes stipulated by the OT Law had been paid, each Jew had contributed approximately 23% of their finances to the Lord. Surely things have changed somewhat since then, but wouldn’t you agree that acknowledging our subordination to God is more important than enjoying the unnecessary luxuries of American life?

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

               -2 Corinthians 9:6

Naturally, the most common excuse this generation creates is that paying tithes simply cannot be afforded. Maybe you don’t waste a penny on frivolous spending and yet are certain you couldn’t make room for tithes your budget. If so, let me encourage you to give anyway! Did not David say he had been both young and old, having never seen “the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread?” (Psalm 37:25) “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,” says God in Malachi 3:10, “that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

In God’s perfect will, those who preach the Gospel also live of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14). Certainly He has power enough to meet the needs of all humanity apart from our help, but as “laborers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:9) we are called to join Him in the privilege of doing so. Let us never selfishly judge His commandments to be grievous, but instead embrace each one with joy as cheerful givers of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 5:3; 2 Cor. 9:7).

One of the most common things I see people writing about today is how to manage one’s finances. From Dave Ramsey to Oprah Winfrey, it seems that anyone making more than the average fry cook has something to say on the subject. Of course this isn’t necessarily a bad thing since we obviously need financial advice as a nation, but whenever someone starts telling me how to retire as a multi-millionaire I can’t help but feel a little bit uneasy. Didn’t Solomon exhort us in Proverbs 23:4, “Labor not to be rich”?

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

               -I Timothy 6:10

You may or may not agree with me on this one, but I truly believe America’s lust for money and desire to be rich is precisely why our economy has been a roller-coaster ride over the past several years and why so many families nationwide are losing their homes due to foreclosure and filing bankruptcy. Of course that’s not to say everyone who loses their home has been greedy or selfish with their money, but if our resolve to live a financially sound life stems from the very same desire to be rich that created our problems in the first place then how can we expect to be successful?

Of course none of us would say outright, “I want to be filthy rich.” Most of us even humor ourselves with the thought that we’re actually a content person. Really, we don’t want to be wealthy at all; we just want to drive what wealthy people drive and wear what wealthy people they wear. “If we had more resources,” we tell ourselves, “just think of how effective our ministry would be.” Apparently we’ve misread I Corinthians 1:26-29 and somehow think that, in order to be used by God, we have to have something to offer Him first.

“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

               -I Timothy 6:8

Many times throughout my life I’ve asked the Lord never to make me rich; instead, my prayer has been like that of Agur’s in Proverbs 30:8-9 when he said, “give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” It’s not that I think it’s wrong to have a big bank account. But I’ve seen a camel before and am pretty sure it wouldn’t through the eye of a needle (Mark 10:25). In fact, I doubt a $1 bill would either.

*Photo by Rein Nomm on Photo.net.

I’ve been tossing around ideas for a new blog series all day. I’m usually able to fit all of my thoughts on a subject nicely into three or four paragraphs, but I’m afraid I would be doing the topic God has placed on my heart a great injustice by trying to condense it all into one post this time. Understanding what God has to say about money and finances is crucial, not only to pleasing God and receiving His full blessing on our lives, but is fully necessary if we wish to have true financial success as Christians. With that said, starting tomorrow I will begin a series of posts which will cover the following topics:

• The Love of Money
• Tithing
• Spontaneous Giving

Obviously, I’m no financial expert. I’m not claiming to have any wisdom of my own in this area, but I do nevertheless feel a burden to share with you the Scriptures God has placed on my heart in this area. I’m open to suggestions for additional posts you think should be incorporated into this series, and hope you’ll check back tomorrow afternoon for the first post of what I trust will be an enlightening series for all of us. God bless!

In “Enemies of the Heart”, Andy Stanley examines in depth what he considers to be the four most destructive emotions in the human experience: guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy. “Practically every conflict and relational wound you’ve experienced,” says Stanley, “can be traced back to one of these four.” (p. 48) Of course such a general analysis of sin leaves room for the occasional exception, but overall this rule stands up to the scrutiny of common sense: get rid of these things and your heart will undoubtedly be a much cleaner place.

For me, this book was both timely and very convicting. I was forced to look beneath the surface of my actions and figure out exactly what motivates my everyday behavior, and also given very specific advice for overcoming traces of these four “enemies of the heart” in my own life. Specifically, Andy names confession, forgiveness, generosity, and celebration as the most effective means whereby one can conquer sins which would otherwise conquer them.

The unfortunate truth we must all come to grips with is that, in this life, nobody gets their way in everything. Learning to handle conflicts and disappointments without contracting spiritual heart disease is fundamental to every Christian’s spiritual growth, and so I recommend this book to you as a wholly valuable resource in helping you do just that. As always, keep a Bible nearby and be prepared to compare each chapter with the truth of Scripture (perhaps reading Hebrews 10:26-29 before you begin chapter 11). If you can do this, then you’re all set to dive into a book that contains a message much bigger than its physical size: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

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Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

                -Jeremiah 29:11

As do all young people, I spent a good part of my earlier youth looking forward to the privileges that come along with being an adult. I wanted to drive my own car, work at my own job, and fill those numerous credit card slots which lined the inside of my wallet. Ordering something off of TV would be the next step, of course, though I can’t really think of anything I’m just dying to have four of at the moment. (Am I the only one who’s noticed you can never buy just one of anything anymore?)

Even if you never shared those exact ambitions, I’m sure you can remember what it was like having your own list of things to do on that day when you finally grew up. For most of us that day came much sooner than we ever dreamed and we suddenly found ourselves faced with a handful of privileges and a truckload full of new responsibilities. In my own experience, those boring typing lessons from 6th grade suddenly became a valuable asset to take with me as I looked for my first job, while getting  credit card has been officially been marked off of my to-do list. Simply put, preparing for future responsibilities has proven far more important than buying that dream car or owning a checkbook.

Now, for all of you nodding in agreement, consider this:

What aspect of your current future do you most look forward to? Owning a home? Getting married? Taking your son to Little League practice? For every privilege you hope to one day lay claim to there’s at least a dozen more responsibilities which will come along with it. You say you can’t wait to be a mother, but are you really strong enough to bear the unique responsibility of parenthood?

With all the uncertainties inherent to planning one’s future, one thing is absolutely certain: just as suddenly as you found yourself driving that new car or casting your first ballot, so, too, will you find yourself a spouse, a grandparent, or retiree. Waiting until tomorrow before preparing for it leaves a person with very little time to get ready and is a mistake none of us can afford to make. Are you prepared?

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

               -II Timothy 1:7

This Thursday I and my family are going to see Courageous, the new Christian movie by Provident Films. Of course I can’t endorse a movie I’ve not yet seen, but the title and accompanying theme song by Casting Crowns certainly have a punch to them that’s had me thinking lately: God’s people are called to be men and women of courage, overcoming evil rather than being overcome with evil (Romans 12:21).

By courage, of course, I’m not speaking of a total absence of fear; although I think God’s people struggle with this far more often than is really acceptable, courage has been accurately defined “not [as] the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”* Put another way, even the most courageous of saints are not exempt from being afraid at times. Instead of acting on their fear, however, they act in spite of it and do what they know is right while leaving the results up to God.

“Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;”

               -Joshua 23:6

When king Nebuchadnezzar began to heat his fiery furnace in which to destroy the three Hebrew children (Daniel 3), we can be sure that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were at least a little bit uneasy at what they saw. They had determined in their hearts to follow God no matter the cost, but that didn’t mean they were thrilled with the idea of becoming martyrs. They may have been afraid to some degree, but their courage and not their fear is what controlled their actions on that day. May we all learn to follow in their footsteps, soldiers of the cross and servants of the King.

*Ambrose Redmoon

According to James in the eighth verse of his epistle , “a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” I know most of the time we apply this verse to those overtly living a double life, but when you contrast this verse with the ones with which it shares context, it seems apparent to me that the group being targeted here is not exclusively those who go around committing gross and obvious sins; the fact is that even those who pray without a complete faith in God are guilty of a divided heart (v. 6-7).

I know this sounds a bit harsh, but we can’t at all underestimate the danger of combining something as precious as faith with the vileness of doubt. If  somebody you know claimed to take you at your word and yet couldn’t stand on the least of your promises without using words like “if” and “maybe”, wouldn’t you feel offended? In much the same way, Christians do a great disservice to both themselves and the Gospel when they attach strings of doubt and uncertainty to promises which come from the One Who cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). Not only are they missing out on the incomparable peace available to those who fully trust in Jesus, but they suggest to the world that God is not a reliable foundation on which to place their lives.

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

               -James 1:6

Simply put, a divided kingdom cannot stand (Mark 3:25). If you make room in your heart for the sin of doubt then you’ll soon discover that, just as “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump”, so, too, a little doubt renders any accompanying faith of none effect  (Galatians 5:9; Matthew 21:21). Decide this day to do away with double-mindedness and lay hold on the promises of God, remembering the psalm of David as you do: “Happy is that people that is in such a case; yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 144:15)

In his newest book, “Has God Spoken?”, host of the nationally syndicated “Bible Answer Man” radio show Hank Hanegraaff does what I would consider to be a very good job of demonstrating the truth of God’s Word. Perhaps even more importantly, he urges the reader not only to acknowledge this irrefutable truth, but to furthermore discover for himself exactly what has been revealed to us through the sacred text of Scripture. After all, simply knowing God has spoken is of little worth; we must know what has been said!

As somebody who naturally enjoys apologetics, I suspected from the beginning that this volume would be one I enjoy. I was not at all disappointed and at times found myself completely absorbed in the thought-provoking points Hank presents throughout. To be fair, though, many of these points were needlessly repeated in such a way that, when mixed with his extensive vocabulary, made certain portions of the book rather dry and boring. Since so much of what he repeats is in fact very good material, however, it didn’t bother me too much overall.

Whether you are a seeker, a skeptic, or a believer, I consider this book a highly valuable resource for anybody willing to accept the truth without prejudice. Sure, you won’t agree with everything that’s said. I myself disagree with Hank on more than one issue. But since none of these appeared to compromise any key element of the Faith, I count “Has God Spoken?” a very welcome addition to my bookshelf and one I hope you’ll check out.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

In the U.S. if you destroy an Eagle's egg – that's an embryo –  it is a federal crime punishable by more than 10 years jail time and a $250,000 fine. Destroy a human embryo and it’s federally funded.

If someone shows no respect for the life of an infant should it come as any surprise when they don’t respect you? Vote pro-life.

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”

               -Numbers 32:23

There’s no such thing as secret sin. I remember being told many times as a child that no matter how earnestly I might try to keep something hidden from my parents, they would eventually find out and I would be punished for my actions. Perhaps this was said in part just to convince me that my mom had eyes on the back of her head as she often claimed, but, as someone who put this rule to the test enough times to know, I can certainly attest to the truth of this Scripture: sin will always be brought to light, no matter how well you think you’ve hidden it.

According to the Scriptures as recorded in 1 Corinthians 4:5, even if you’re sly enough to successfully deceive your spouse or your parents, the Day is coming when the Lord shall return, “Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” His eyes “are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3) Try as you might to get away with wrongdoing, your best efforts to conceal it are like that of a little child covering his eyes in the corner: he thinks he’s out of sight and can do what he wants, but in reality he’s the only one being fooled.

“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.”

               -Genesis 3:8

Even as members of a fallen race, most humans recognize sin as a shameful thing. The problem isn’t that we don’t see it, but that we often spend our time trying to cover it up rather than obtaining the forgiveness which is freely offered through Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24). If the Holy Ghost has used these words to lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4), then don’t hide any longer in the bushes as Adam and Eve did; confess to Him – and to those you’ve misled – your need for forgiveness, cast off the cloak of lies you’ve so long been clinging to, and be washed in His blood and covered with His grace. Only then will you “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

“And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.”

               -I Corinthians 7:35

Parasites are deadly. According to the World Health Organization malaria kills approximately 781,000 people every year, making it one of the most lethal diseases on our planet and one we’ve fought hard to eradicate for years. It all starts when a mosquito, no more than a centimeter or so in length, decides to tap into your bloodstream and feast on stolen nutrients while you occupy yourself with other things. “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5)

Spiritually speaking, the obvious comparison is that Christians also struggle with “parasites” which attempt to steal our thoughts and affections, though they’re usually much more difficult to identify than the buzzing of a mosquito or the crawling of a tick. Things inherently sinful such as ungodly movies or mp3’s are naturally among the first things we list as harmful to the Christian, but more often than not the things which hinder us most are actually self-made idols – those daily, and yet perhaps somewhat unnecessary, routines that require so much and yet promise so little.

“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

               -Psalm 112:7

Unfortunately, the hardest part of removing any hindrance from our lives usually isn’t just recognizing what it’s doing to us; for many, taking action after this realization is just as difficult – especially when such action requires sacrifice. It’s like that mosquito bite you just can’t stop scratching: even though you know you’re only making things worse for yourself, to stop means you’ll have to endure the discomfort of it itching again.

That’s where the words of Christ is Luke 14:27 come in: “And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.” Does that sound like a cakewalk to you? It certainly doesn’t to me, but rather serves as a humbling reminder that we must give our God all or nothing. To hold back is to be lukewarm, and to be lukewarm is to place ourselves in jeopardy of being rejected by the Lord as one who refused to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Revelation 3:16; Luke 10:27). “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24)

Don’t allow parasites to rob you of your affections. Instead, determine this day to “set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2) Accommodating these distractions might seem satisfying for the time being, but they’ll soon rob you of far more than you anticipated.

In the words of its author, Kay Arthur, As Silver Refined is “a book about God – about His sovereignty and His trustworthiness. It’s also…a book about battle and for battle – not an entertainment or a diversionary escape from reality but a soldier’s manual for everyday life as it really is.” (p. 262)

The overall goal of this book, I think, is to help the reader better handle life’s inevitable disappointments. When you lose your job, fail in your relationships, or struggle financially the easiest thing is to lose hope and begin spiraling down what Kay refers to as the “5 Deadly D’s” of disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair and, finally, demoralization.

Rather than becoming discouraged, however, Scripture encourages us to recognize every disappointment as God’s Divine appointment, whereby we have the opportunity to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 3:18)

Unfortunately, while I’m certainly a fan of the main point this book emphasizes, I found myself disagreeing with the author on so many of her other teachings that I find it very difficult to recommend this book. On multiple occasions she undermines the seriousness of divorce and the consequences of suicide, which is not a good idea when you’re writing primarily to people who are depressed or at least discouraged. In any religious book I know disagreements like this have to be expected, but when they seem to show up in every chapter it makes the book very difficult to enjoy.

As Silver Refined is 356 pages long, 80 of which consist of a study guide inserted at the end of the volume. I give it 2.5 stars out of a possible 5.

Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are uncensored and uninfluenced by them.

We all know the story of when Jesus called Peter and Andrew to leave their nets, follow Him, and become “fisher’s of men.” (Matthew 4) I find it very interesting that Christ appealed to them, not only using terminology they could understand, but also by demonstrating that to follow Him didn’t necessarily mean giving up all they held dear. They were fishers, and the kingdom of God certainly needed a handful of devout fisherman in its service.

Likewise, I believe it’s important for us to remember that God has endowed each one of us with specific spiritual gifts for us to use in His service (I Corinthians 12). Some of us are passionate about education or the ministry (I Corinthians 12:8; Romans 12:7), while others find their joy in volunteering their time and money to those in need (Romans 12:8). Whatever gets you excited, serving God doesn’t always mean giving that up; 95% of the time there’s a way for you to glorify God right where you are, doing what He created you to enjoy.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

               -I Corinthians 10:31

It probably won’t take you long after reading this to think of at least a couple things you’re passionate about. If it’s sports, then perhaps you should consider running in a marathon for charity; if it’s web design, then make a website pointing people to Christ; if it’s nature, then create an outdoors-themed blog and write short devotionals once or twice a week . There’s certainly going to be times as a Christian when we’ve got to make sacrifices for the Lord, but God never intended fulfilling our life’s calling to be a burden.

Just to satisfy your curiosity before you go any further into this post, the above photo was taken by Voyager 1 from more than 3.7 billion miles outside our atmosphere. Can you see the very small, blue speck about two-thirds of the way down in the orange ray of light? That’s us. Planet earth, as big as it may seem to you and me, is really nothing more than a speck of dust in the infinite realm of outer space. Now hold that thought as you read this Scripture.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

               -Philippians 2:5-8

You and I are temporary residents on a temporary planet. We drive temporary cars, live in temporary houses and are ourselves often consumed with temporary pursuits. Yet the Lord of all Creation – the very One Who spoke and created our galaxy and the hundreds of billions of stars it contains –  took on flesh and died a horrible death on our behalf. We may be nothing more than a blue speck in a photograph from NASA, but we are greatly valued in the eyes of God for reasons beyond human comprehension.

Whatever you’re facing today, be reminded of God’s amazing love for you. Your life is worth something to Him, not because any of us are technically significant, but because we are created in His image and for His glory. He so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Believe on Him today.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

               -Matthew 6:33

In these tough economic times, I know I’m not the only one who’s realized the need to create a weekly budget to help keep me on track financially. Without a definite course charted out I often find it difficult to stay motivated and am very liable to spend a little bit more money than is appropriate on unnecessary things, such as eating out and texting.

In the same way, it’s often necessary for a Christian to budget their time in order to maintain a close relationship with God. If you are regularly missing out on prayer, Bible study and church due to a supposed lack of time, then consider putting your facebook account on hold for a while and reprioritizing your schedule. Put God first and make everything else revolve around His place in your heart.

“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.”

               -Mark 9:43

For some of you, finding time to spend with God might mean setting your alarm 20 minutes early next week and trying to remember where you last had your Bible. For others, you may have to do nothing more than close your web browser after reading this post and go implement what you’ve just read. Whatever sacrifice you find necessary, just remember that it is no sacrifice to have a relationship with the living God. “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

               -Galatians 3:24

At least in America, it seems that many people have stopped responding to the Christian message. We know from what Christ taught us that iniquity will abound everywhere in the last days and that the love of many will wax cold (Matt. 24:12); but I also believe most Christians are not shining as the light of the world and thus contribute to the problem as well (Matt 5:14).

What we must do to remedy this is simply to quit sugar-coating sin and show the world their desperate need for redemption. As A.B. Earle once said, “[The world] must see themselves lost before they will cry for mercy. They will not escape from danger until they see it.”  The law is what leads us to Christ (Gal. 3:24), and yet many times we have attempted to replace our historically faithful schoolmaster with bribes of joy, peace, and happiness to anyone who will merely recite the sinner’s prayer.

“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

               -Romans 7:7

If we want to again see people saved by the thousands and experience the revival we’ve all been anticipating, then it’s essential we get back to God’s version of the gospel and preach His rightly divided Word “in season and out of season.” (II Tim. 4:2, 2:15) We may not tickle as many ears or become a mega-church, but those who do respond will be far more likely to persevere in their faith than those who were never accurately shown their need for a Savior.

If you’re reading this post, then kudos to you for even clicking on something you knew would be about hell. Most people prefer to spend their free time doing something other than reading about eternal punishment on the Internet, but you really have to admit that it pays to be prepared if there’s even a slight chance this terrible place exists.

In his book “Hell, Rob Bell, and What Happens When People Die” Bobby Conway does a great job of clearing up the recent confusion in regard to hell, while also making an effort to show us the one and only way to heaven: Jesus Christ. While there were a few things I think should’ve been included in chapter 9 on how to be saved (a few more words on repentance and perseverance, perhaps?), I still feel comfortable recommending this book to you as a great resource on the concepts of eternity, heaven, hell, and as Rob Bell put it, “the fate of every person who ever lived.”

In addition to this volume’s convenient length of only 77 pages and price of only $3.99 on CBD, I also noted a significant reliance on God’s Word as the backbone for Conway’s arguments – a huge plus, to say the least. Rather than inserting a passage of Scripture here and there merely to give his work a level of credibility among Christians, he seems to be more concerned with the Bible’s credibility than his own and thus points his readers to an infallible source of truth rather than his own potentially fallible interpretation of it. Just to give you an idea of what I’m talking about, here’s an excerpt taken from page 35:

“Remember, our first response always should be “What does the Bible say?” not “What do I want it to say?” We don’t have the right to change it to fit our comfort level. Ultimately, we aren’t in charge of history, hell, or anything for that matter. God’s in charge, and He decides what’s just and what isn’t. If we are wise, we will adjust our ideas about heaven and hell to align with His.”

Basically, this book explains the reality of hell, the eternality of hell, the reason for hell, and the escape from hell.  If you are at all curious about these issues, or perhaps just looking for a more efficient way of explaining them to others, then I highly recommend this book and give it 4 out of 5 stars.

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Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are uncensored and uninfluenced by them.

Perhaps no story has been of more comfort to those enduring hardship than that of Job. He faced trials beyond most of our imaginations, and yet continued to serve the Lord despite his nearly crippling circumstances. What this story teaches us, though, is not just how to persevere when everybody else insists on giving up; it also provides us with a wonderful depiction of one who  truly “held fast their profession of faith.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Prior to his affliction, Scripture reveals that God had actually protected Job from much of what others faced (1:10). He didn’t struggle to make ends meet; he didn’t have problems at home; and all that which he put his hand to was obviously made prosperous by God. Satan, on the other hand, interjected with the idea that Job would “curse the Lord to his face” (1:11) the moment things began to fall apart and so obtained permission to put this idea to the test – and he made no little use of it, as we all know.

In the course of a single day, Job lost nearly everything. His children, servants, and much of his livestock were all killed with the news of these events coming all at once. His wife discouraged him (2:9); his friends betrayed him (chapter 4); and from the way things looked, his God had forsaken him. Talk about having a bad day!

What amazes me so much about this story? The fact that Job still loved the Lord. While he certainly made some mistakes along the way, I’m confident he handled himself in a much godlier manner than I would would have been able to and am sure we can all learn from his example. He taught us that in life you can, and possibly will, lose everything you hold dear but that the most important thing of all (i.e. your faith) can never be stolen. Hold it fast.

The Lord calls His people to be holy. And since holiness and worldliness have always been great foes, it makes sense that God commands us to avoid conforming to the ways of our fallen society. As Titus 2:14 reveals, God desires us to be a “peculiar people, zealous of good works”, and there is nothing at all peculiar about someone who looks and acts the same as everybody else.

Of course being different for the sake of being different isn’t the key either. Though Paul often spoke of our minds being “renewed” (Ephesians 4:23; II Corinthians 4:16), it was only in Titus 3:5 that we were told exactly how this renewing should take place: that is, “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” This means that the work God desires to perform in your life cannot be accomplished by mere self-will or personal motivation; it takes an inward submission to the Holy Ghost which will then lead to outward holiness and, thus, a very noticeable difference between you and the world.

“For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren”

            -Romans 8:29

If you are saved, be reminded today that as a child of the living God (Romans 9:26), conformity to the image of Christ should be your top priority. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” (I John 2:15) When you really think about it, why would we want to “fit in” with the world anyway when they have done all to ensure that God will never fit in with them?

“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

               -Luke 17:6

For many months now I’ve been struggling with the modern definition of  mustard seed-like faith. Most of the time verses like this are interpreted to mean that just a little faith in God is sufficient, but the fact is that we find just as many Scriptures in which Christ actually rebuked His followers for having only a little faith in Him (examples).

After thinking about this extensively, though, I think I’ve finally come to understand what our Lord truly meant when He said to have faith “as a grain of mustard seed.” The answer, as always, can be found in Scripture:

“The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”

               -Matthew 13:31-32

Notice that in these verses the mustard seed is not only characterized by its size, but by its eventual growth into something large. It may start out small, but it certainly doesn’t stay that way and soon becomes something quite noticeable to all who pass by.

In the same way, our faith in God often starts out small. It might be just enough to bring you to an altar of repentance, but that’s okay. The moment that seed of faith is planted within you, if watered properly, should begin to grow and flourish in such a way that it soon breaks through the surface and makes itself known to the world (II Thessalonians 1:3).

The problem too many of us face, however, is that our faith never breaks through the hard and rocky soil of our pride. Far from being a tree which gives shelter to others when their own is lacking, we hide it away in the dark corners of our life and foolishly expect it to grow when it can barely even live. This certainly isn’t having faith like a mustard seed, and I suspect that most of us would greatly benefit from having our faith watered a bit. But just remember that a seed needs more than water to grow; it needs light, too.