Do You Have An Exit Strategy?

We hear a lot about exit strategies. When the war starting going long in Iraq, President Bush was accused of not having an exit strategy. I received an email the other day from a company wanting to invest in my business. Their email asked, "Do you have an exit strategy?" I suppose they would like to develop one for me and get me out of the business.

Exit Strategies Are Important. They are important in war because without one, a nation becomes bogged down in a conflict that has no end. The expense of war is high and a nation soon tires of increasing body counts. In one's career, an exit strategy means knowing when it is the right time to move on, either to a nice retirement, or to start another venture that hopefully will be as profitable as the last.

In either case, having an exit strategy means that one's eye is set on an achievable goal and a plan is in place that will reasonably assure success.

How About You? Do you have an exit strategy? I mean, do you have an exit strategy from this life - your physical life? What plans are you making for eternal life? Are you "even more diligent to make your call and election sure?" (2 Peter 1:10).

Without an exit strategy that looks toward eternal life, we become bogged down in this life. We begin to chase wealth, bigger houses, a huge retirement and more toys. Rather than adding to our physical possessions, we need to follow the advice of the Apostle Peter.

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:10). You see, focusing on the spiritual virtues in our life prepares us for an entrance into the everlasting kingdom.

Is Your Exit Strategy Developed? Are you actively working toward it or has your life been diverted by less important matters? Perhaps you would like to study the Scriptures with me and begin work on your exit strategy. I'd be happy to help. Please contact me.

What's In Your Wallet?

Capital One has these somewhat funny commercials that always end with, "What's in your wallet?" They hope that the Capital One Rewards card is in your wallet and, if not, the commercials extolling their rewards program are an attempt to entice you to apply.

As I thought about the Viking guy asking "What's in your wallet?", it occurred to me that many preachers are basically saying the same thing. Only they want what's in your wallet and entice you to send it to them by offering various earthly rewards.

Earthly Rewards? They speak of sowing "faith seeds" that will sprout into a rich harvest for the sower. They tell stories of how they once were in the depths of poverty but they kept on planting their faith seeds (giving money to a preacher) and now they wear a Rollex and drive "holy beemers," as one preacher referred to all the BMWs in the studio parking lot. They remind me of the guy who sells the DVD that tells you how to make millions on eBay. Of course, he is making his millions selling DVDs on TV. These preachers are paying for their BMWs and mansions by convincing simple people that they should sow "seeds" of money to their ministry.

God's Warning. God warns us about such people. Peter wrote about the false teachers who "speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage." (2 Peter 2:18,19). Earlier in the chapter Peter said of those false prophets, "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." (2 Peter 2:3). The NKJV reads "...they exploit you..."

These preachers want to know, "What's in your wallet?" They'll pray on TV and say that "Someone watching is having financial trouble; it is even causing problems in their marriage. God wants you to sow your seed of faith and be free of those financial problems and fix your marriage." When did Jesus use such tactics? Do you recall Jesus ever taking any money from his followers? Did He ever promise personal enrichment in trade for financial contributions to His ministry?

The apostle Paul, while trying to solicit funds to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem, did refer to sowing and reaping. He said to the Corinthians, "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

Notice the difference in Paul's appeal and the appeal of modern day preachers. Paul was soliciting funds for others, not himself (cfm. 2 Corinthians 9:1). The giver would "reap" but the result of the reaping was not to purchase a BMW but to "have an abundance for every good work." Paul didn't even touch the money. Each church was to select a member to bear the gift to Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:3) so that there would be no question about the handling of the money (2 Corinthians 8:18-21). Paul was not about enriching himself or enriching those who gave. His effort was to bring glory to God. (2 Corinthians 9:12-15).

What's in your wallet? There are preachers who want to know and they want to have it. According to Peter, their continual interest in your wallet and their rich lifestyle is proof that they are not from God. You'll do well to avoid them and search out those who are more concerned about your spiritual well-being than those who give you empty promises of health and wealth in swap for what money you have.

If you would like to learn about God's solutions for your life, I would love to help. I have no ministry for you to give to and do not want any money. Your honest heart, open to the word of God, is what I want. Contact me when you are ready.

Election 2010

Across the United States citizens went to the polls on Tuesday to cast their vote. We are blessed to live in a land where we can freely modify our government. The purpose of this blog is not to discuss the election results but to make a spiritual application of the election process.

People vote on candidates for several reasons.

Name Recognition. I doubt too many people walk into the voting booth and select a name they have never heard of. The reason candidates put out so many signs and bumper stickers is so you will recognize their name when you go vote. The candidates want you to know their names.

Similarity on Issues. We expect candidates to tell us where they stand on certain issues. We listen to their positions to see what they believe is important. We hear what they say they will do to resolve issues that concern us. Over time we decide on a particular candidate based upon the similarity we feel with him or her on matters important to us.

Character. Americans want to elect good people. A man of questionable character, even if he stands toe to toe with us on issues, isn’t likely to win our vote. That is why opponents try to dig up dirt on each other. If character issues are too great, a candidate generally will not be elected.
The candidates work hard to convince us that they are the ones who meet our criteria.

•  Candidates spend months, if not years, campaigning to be elected.
• They give up good-paying jobs for the chance to be elected.
• They spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, in an effort to win the race.
• They willingly suffer close examination and scrutiny. Sometimes they endure lies, harsh words, and unfair treatment by the media, and consider it worth the effort in order to win.

When the big day comes, Election Day, they learn how effective their effort has been.

The Spiritual Election

There is a spiritual election, or selection, taking place. “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11

We don’t cast a vote in this election – God is the one making the choice. It is a selection process much like our elections. If we are elected, it will be for similar reasons candidates are elected today.

Name Recognition. In James 2:7, James, in reference to the oppression of Christians by the rich, says, “Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?” That would be the name Christian. If we are elected by God it will be because of our name recognition, not because we call ourselves Christians but because we are truly wearing the name of Christ.

Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” We have name recognition with God if our name is written in the Book of Life. It is only written there if we overcome sin.

Similarity on Issues. 2 Peter 1:2-4 says, “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Think about this. God gives us “all things” pertaining to life and godliness (in His word) so that we can be “partakers of the divine nature.” He elects people who are like Him and even provides us with everything we need so we can be like Him.

Character. Reading on, 2 Peter 1:5-8 lists for us the character traits that we must “add to faith” in order to be elected – such things as virtue, knowledge, self-control, godliness, and love. After saying all these things Peter tells us of this great election being made by God and instructs us to be “diligent to make [our] call and election sure.” Does that suggest that we may not be elected? That is certainly the case if we are not diligent and do not add these things to our faith.

So are you trying to “win” your election?

• Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to be elected by God? 
• Are you willing to give up anything, maybe a job, a pleasure, a habit, in order to be elected?
• Are you willing to suffer as a Christian in order to be elected? 1 Peter 4:1-4.
• Are you willing to grow and develop as necessary to wear the name of Jesus, to be like Him by partaking of the divine nature, to develop the character He wants in those He elects?

Elections are tough. To win them requires diligence.

In our national elections only one candidate can win the race. In God’s election all who qualify will win. See 1 Peter 1:3-5, 22-23. Those who are “begotten” or “born again” by the mercy of God and “purify [their] hearts in obeying the truth” are those who will be elected.

Do you qualify? Do you need to start the race? Not sure of where you stand? Our election by God is extremely important since eternity is at stake. Contact us to study these matters in more detail.

Prophecy: A Foundation for Faith

About 750 years before Jesus was born, God chides the nation of Israel for their lack of faith in Him. They had turned their hearts to idols and served them as their gods.

As proof of His greatness compared to idols, God said the following in Isaiah 46:9, 10. "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure.'" The proof He wanted them to see is that He is capable of telling the end from the beginning - that is, He tells us of future events and they happen as He said. The idols Israel served can't even speak and were made by man's hands. God states that fulfilled prophecy is a proof, or convincing reason, why Israel should place their faith and trust in Him.

What Prophecy?

What events does God have reference to in this message to Israel by the mouth of Isaiah? He refers to their history, the "former things of old." Let's look at a few of the events He may have reference to.

The Flood

Those Jews knew about and believed in the flood. Before the flood came, God appeared to Noah. Hebrews 11:7 says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house." God warned Noah about the flood and instructed him about how to save himself and his family from the coming destruction. He foretold the future event of the flood.

Their Land & Nation

Hundreds of years before the nation of Israel came into existence, God said they would exist. Speaking to Abraham God said in Genesis 12:1,2, "Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing." God promised Abram a land and the formation of a great nation. Israel was living proof that God can "declare the end from the beginning." Both the land of Israel and their Jewish nation fulfilled those promises to Abram.

The Captivity in Egypt and Their Deliverance

Every Jew knew the history of their captivity in Egypt. God told Abraham that it would happen and how many years it would be before they were to be delivered. In Genesis 15: 13-16 God said, "Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."

This fascinating prophecy tells of the captivity in Egypt ("strangers in a land" and "serve them") that lasted 400 years ("afflicted" 400 years) and of their deliverance (remember Moses?). So 400 years before the events happen, God reveals them to Abram.

Those Jews in Isaiah's day who were serving false gods had turned their backs on the God who kept His promise, made them a great nation, gave them the land of inheritance, and delivered them from the affliction in Egypt. Isaiah is trying to call them back; to wake them up to the fact that abandoning God would cause Him to keep another promise - loss of that land and a return to captivity at the hands of another nation if they remained unfaithful. Read 1 Kings 9:6-9.

Prophecies of Jesus

I want to list here just a few of the prophecies made concerning Jesus, the Old Testament passage in which they were made, and the New Testament passages that shows their fulfillment.

Jesus Born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 Luke 2:4-7
Jesus to be a Priest in the order of Melchizedek Ps 110:1,4 Hebrews 5:5-6
Entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey Zechariah 9:9 Mark 11:7-11
Judas paid 30 pieces of silver to betray Him Zechariah 11:12 Matt 26:14-15
30 pieces of silver used to buy a potter's field Zechariah 11:13 Matt 27:5-7
Feet and hands pierced Ps 22:15-16 John 20:25-57
Buried in the tomb of the rich Isaiah 53:8,9 Matt 27:57-60
Jesus would be resurrected Psalm 16:10-11 Mark 16:5,6; Acts 2:30

A Foundation for Faith

Many today are amazed at Leonardo Di Vinci and wonder at the writings of Nostradamus. Neither of these men predicted with the accuracy of fulfilled Bible prophecy. We recognize that if they did see the future, something was revealed to them from outside of this world. If those men fascinate you, consider the fulfilled prophecy found in the Scriptures. This blog barely touches the hem of the garment when it comes to fulfilled prophecy.

The prophets of the Old Testament did not claim any special ability apart from God. They gave credit to God as the source of all their words. It is God who should impress us, not His spokesmen. When He can tell us the "end from the beginning" then do we not believe that He is in control of "the end from the beginning?" Such ability is beyond man. It is a divine ability. As such, this should build our faith in God and cause us to submit to His will. He promises us an eternal reward that is beyond our wildest expectation.

Won't you let fulfilled prophecy be a foundation of faith for you? If you want to study this or other subjects in more depth, please contact me. We can arrange a time to consider the things of God. You can email me or click over the the Facebook page and post a request. Thanks for reading.

Fairy Tales and Myths or Facts?

Reading the book of Luke reveals some very interesting things about the Bible. We'll use Luke chapter 1 as the basis for several key points.

Fairy Tales or Myths?

When you read your child a fairy tale, how does it begin? Something like, "Once upon a time in a land far away..." Notice how Luke's story of Jesus begins. Luke 1:5 reads "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth." Once upon a time is replaced by "in the days of Herod, the king of Judea" Herod was from a well-known, historical ruling family. The story didn't take place in a far away land. It was Judea, a place we can locate on our maps today. Zacharias was no made up character. He was a priest of the division of Abijah and his wife a descendant of Aaron.

Just the Facts

Luke, the writer, opens himself up for severe scrutiny by giving so much factual information. To witness just how vulnerable Luke is willing to be, read Luke 2:1,2 and Luke 3:1. These were no fairy tales. What we have from Luke is a factual account that takes place at a specific point in time. A point in time that can be verified for accuracy. Luke does not fear this scrutiny, else he would not have made himself vulnerable.

Credible Testimony

Luke was not a blogger. He was an investigator, a physician by trade. He carefully gathered information and assembled an orderly narrative of this story about Jesus. Luke 1:2,3 "...just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account..." Luke took testimony from eyewitnesses. The word "perfect" means complete. His account was not written until he had all the facts together.

The result of Luke's very serious effort is "that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed" Luke 1:4. His writing was not simply to tell a story. Its design is to instill confidence in the reader -- a certainty that the things written are so.

Real Humans

Luke depicts real people who have real life struggles just as you and I. An angel appears to Zacharias. Is he excited about seeing this angel? Luke 1:12 "And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him." Unlike many today who claim to see angels, Zacharias was afraid, like so many others in the Scriptures who experience these heavenly beings. Mary, the mother of Jesus, had a similar reaction when Gabriel appeared to her. Luke 1:30, "Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."

Because Zacharias didn't believe the angel, he became mute until his promised son was born. Reacting just as humans do, when the child was born the people were trying to communicate with him about the child's name. Luke 1:60 says, "So they made signs to his father--what he would have him called." Zacharias was not deaf, he was mute! Yet the people, in typical human fashion, made signs to him, probably speaking very loudly, asking for the name of the child.

Will You Read With Us?

So the story that continues beyond chapter 1 is designed "to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:77-79.

Will you read the book of Luke with us? Will you let Luke tell this story of Jesus to you? We offer to read this story with others and discuss what Luke says. We let him teach us and our conclusions come from his testimony, one who lived in the time of Jesus and so ably wrote a narrative to help us come to faith. Send us an email or comment telling us of your desire to read together.

The Great Chilean Rescue

People all across the globe were riveted to their TVs Tuesday night waiting for the first of 33 miners to emerge from the rescue capsule. For many the rescue of the first man was quite an emotional experience.

A huge crowd gathered around the small opening that served as the life line and escape route for the miners. In the crowd were their rescuers, family and friends, employees of the mining company, the president of Chile, his wife and several others from the government. Surrounding that crowd were many from the media and through their cameras, the rest of the world looked on.

As the first miner emerged the huge crowd erupted into applause and cheers accompanied with tears of joy. Those reporting even gave in to their emotions just a bit as they chronicled the events of the evening. Those of us watching were silently cheering as well. I enjoyed the chants of the crowd as they expressed their national pride shouting, "Chi Chi Chi, le le le, Chile!" Everyone was overjoyed by the deliverance of the miners.

A Similar Picture From Scripture

"Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10. Imagine a man trapped in sin. He is separated from God by his sin. Without a rescue he will perish in a Devil's hell. Some around him realize his desperate condition and tell Him about a Man who came to rescue him. They teach him of the love of God who sent His Son to pay the price for his sin so that he can avoid the destruction awaiting him.

As he learns more he develops his faith in Jesus. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6. He understands the need for repentance, a permanent change that must take place in his life so that his life will become like Jesus' life. "[God] commands all men everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30. He confesses His faith in Jesus. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9. He responds in obedience by being baptized so that Jesus washes away his sins. "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Acts 2:38

Looking on are God and Jesus Christ. With them are the angels in heaven, a huge crowd of heavenly host who want this man to be rescued and saved. When he responds, heaven erupts in joy over this sinner who has repented.

Conclusion

We are so glad that the men in Chile have been rescued and thank God for their safety. We need to realize how many of our friends are trapped in sin, perishing as we live next door to them, work with them, and interact with them socially. Will we help to bring joy to the huge crowd in heaven by opening our mouths and telling these lost ones about the saving grace of Jesus Christ? Let's busy ourselves with an even greater rescue mission that results in even greater joy.