DOMINOES

Have you ever heard that old saying, “What a tangled web we weave when once we practice to deceive?” It’s kind of like playing dominoes, at least my understanding of dominoes. You know, where you stand them all on end about a half inch from each other and then you tip the one over, which in turn causes all of them to fall down in a regulated rhythmical motion.

When people choose to ignore God and His plan for their life, it’s kind of like playing dominoes. A series of “crashes” will occur. Paul talks about people that choose this path in his letter to the church in Rome:

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. ²⁵They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. Romans 1:24 - 25 (NLT)

One of the problems with this lifestyle is that it affects other people as well, much like dominoes, end on end, affect each other when tipped over.

³²They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:32 (NLT)

Don’t trade the TRUTH of God for the lies and personal gratification that world system would have you follow.

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CHOOSE

We are faced with choices everyday, choices that will have an impact on those around us as well as ourselves. It could be something as simple as choosing to return the extra $5 that a cashier gave you as change. By choosing to keep it, you cause that cashier to have to come up with $5 to make the drawer balance or at least have their competency questioned by their superiors. On the other hand, it you chose to return the extra money, you may cause the cashier to wonder why and have the opportunity to share your beliefs.

Some choices are much more serious than others are. Paul writes to the church in Rome about such a choice…

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. ²²Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. ²³And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:21 - 23 (NLT)

To know that God exists because of the evidence in His Creation (people, mountains, trees, animals, ocean tides, rotation of planets, et al) and choose not to acknowledge Him as God has some serious consequences. Here Paul points out a few:

• Becoming fools
• Mind that is dark and confused
• Worshiping the creation rather than the Creator

We see evidence of this everyday and yet, we are called to pray for all men (& women) with the hope that someday they will see the error of their ways, acknowledge the One True God and embrace His plan of redemption for humanity through His Son Jesus Christ.

The choice is before you today…choose wisely.

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EXAMPLE

I’ve always thought it was fantastic that the prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of Jesus some 700 years before it happened. Chapter eleven of the book of Isaiah predicts, “Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.”

Equally as fascinating, is that the prophet also predicts the personality of the One to be born. It also provides for those of us that call ourselves “Christians” or followers of Christ, a wonderful example by which to live.

³ He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. ⁴ He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. ⁵ He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment. Isaiah 11:3 - 5 (NLT)

• Obey God
• Don’t judge by appearances
• Don’t make a decision based on gossip
• Pursue justice for the poor and exploited
• Understand the power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit
• Live a righteous life based on truth as it is put forward in God’s Word.

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EXCUSELESS

Some things are obvious. Take an everyday item like an oven, turn the dial to 500 degrees and in a few minutes it will be very hot. If you reach in and grab the metal rack to pull it out with your bare hand, you will be burned.

Listen to these words these words from Paul to the church in Rome…

²⁰For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 (NASB)

God, who created all that is, has shown us His eternal nature through the vastness of the sky, the ocean and even the universe. He gives us pictures of eternity in the evergreen trees whose leaves are always colorful and remain on the branches.

His power can clearly be seen through the shapes, size and enormity of the mountains that surround us and the planets and stars that He has placed in the heavens.

His divine nature can be witnessed by realizing that we cannot make a sky or an ocean or a mountain. We look around us and see that sin is the prevalent force in our society, but when we accept the love of God, through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, we clearly see His goodness, His mercy and His grace at work in our lives.

We have no excuse to discount God and His Word. We must bow to the Almighty God in humble reverence and submission to His will or suffer the consequences.

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CONSEQUENCES

In most instances, people know when they are doing something that is wrong or unacceptable. When the choice is made to proceed, there are consequences of that action. There are always consequences.

¹⁸For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. Romans 1:18 - 19 (NASB)

What excuses are left? While not everybody accepts God or His rules and regulations for His Creation, God is the One in front of whom we will all have to stand to give account of our lives and actions. Only those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior will be hidden in Christ, covered by His atoning blood and concealed in Christ’s righteousness.

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TREASURE

I love movies with treasure maps in the plot; National Treasure, King Solomon’s Mine and others like them. It’s just fun and probably, each of us would secretly love to discover a map that led to a great pile of treasure!

Paul tells the church in Rome where they can find the greatest treasure of all…

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 (NASB)

What is the “it” he talks about? He is referring back to verse 16 and the subject is the “gospel.” The word “gospel” simply means good news or good message, but notice he says that the good news he is talking about results in salvation or deliverance. That’s powerful stuff.

The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ. We can all read about that in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the four “gospels” in the New Testament of the Bible.

It’s an easy map to follow and the treasure at the end is the greatest treasure of all. Now go look at the map and start the journey!

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UNASHAMED

Have you noticed the body language of a person who is ashamed? Often their head is lowered, they won’t look you in the eyes and their shoulders may droop. It’s not a confident look and it isn’t a comfortable feeling.

When someone is ashamed, it is because they believe they have done something wrong or are embarrassed about something. So why, do we often appear to be ashamed when it comes to talking about our faith in Jesus Christ?

Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38 (NLT)

There is nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to acknowledging that the God who created you is your Savior and you trust Him completely! Paul put it like this….

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. ¹⁷This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” (or, “the righteous will live by faith.”) Romans 1:16 - 17 (NLT)

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OBLIGATION

If someone does something incredibly nice for you, do you feel obligated to return the favor? It’s not as if you’ll die if you don’t, but you really want to do something for them so they will feel as good as you do.

Read this excerpt from Paul’s letter to the church in Rome to see how Paul felt obligated…

I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ¹⁵So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. Romans 1:13 - 15 (NASB)

The dictionary (Encarta – online) defines obligation as “Something owed:

something such as assistance or a debt that somebody owes in return for something given.”

So what was it that the church in Rome had given Paul? The answer is nothing. He hadn’t even been there. The obligation that Paul felt was to Jesus Christ. What had Jesus given Paul? Eternal life is the first thing that comes to mind, freedom from being a slave to the law and to sin. The list could go on indefinitely.

Paul felt obligated because of the incredible free gift that Jesus had imparted to him. He wanted to share the good news of Jesus and that free gift with everyone (Greeks, barbarians, wise and foolish, etc.).

Perhaps if we take some time to think about what Jesus has saved us from and the hope that we have to look forward to (i.e.; eternal life with Christ in heaven) we will fulfill our “obligation” to tell others about Him as well.

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MUTUAL

Obviously, the best kind of a relationship to have with someone would be one that is mutually beneficial to you both. If you have a girlfriend or boyfriend, you are always doing something nice for them, and they treat you like an annoyance, it’s not too pleasant. You probably should look elsewhere for a more mutually satisfying companion.

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul speaks of reciprocation:

that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. Romans 1:12 (NASB)

As believers in Christ, we are to encourage one another; it is to be a mutual relationship. However, if we are not being encouraged by other Christians we cannot simply walk away from them (unless of course they aren’t acting at all like Christ or teaching something different from God’s Word), we can only love them and keep our half of the bargain…to encourage them.

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - 15 (NASB)

Just as Christ did, we are to set the example for others, even, and perhaps especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we’re going to approve of competition as our society does, perhaps the best competition would be to try to be the most Christ-like. Of course, that includes humility, self-sacrifice and loving people even when they’re trying to kill you!

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PRAY

Do you know someone who is a true friend, a person who will stick by his or her convictions no matter what? Do you tell other people about them? Do you sometimes boast about being their friend?

Hear Paul’s word to the church in Rome:

For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, Romans 1:9 (NASB)

Obviously that doesn’t mean that they were perfect, but it does mean that Paul loved and cared for these people in the church so much that he constantly brought them before God’s throne.

We are to bring our brothers and sisters in Christ before the Lord in prayer just as Paul did. Pray for each other in the Spirit of the Lord.

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OBVIOUS

Can you spot a phony a “mile away?” Can people tell who you really are at first glance or after talking with you for a while? Have you ever heard of someone having a “good reputation” and yet never met him or her in person?

That’s what Paul is saying about the church in Rome…

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Romans 1:8 (NASB)

Can you imagine having such a good reputation that people in other parts of the world would have heard about you? That’s something to strive for anyway, to be respected by others.

Even more important is that they would hear of our faith in Jesus Christ. After all, the way we act isn’t always going to be perfect, but trusting in God for the big and the little things and letting people know that’s what we are doing, will go a long way toward furthering the Kingdom of God. Be obvious about your faith.

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SUCCINCT

Getting to the point in a conversation or a letter is an art. Often we try to skirt the main issue or work into it slowly, but when it is really important we just get right to it.

When Paul wrote to the Romans about the gospel he was called to preach about, he got right to the point…

²which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, ³concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, ⁴who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, ⁶among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; Romans 1:2 - 6 (NASB)

Jesus Christ our Lord

• Descendant of King David
• Raised from the dead
• Giver of grace
• Called us to be His own

Prophecies fulfilled, power displayed and an invitation for us to accept the grace that He offers to us. Praise the Lord for His wonderful plan.

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PURPOSE

What is your purpose in this life? Is it simply to go to work, make money to buy food, eat and sleep? Or is there a purpose that goes beyond the immediate, as in the life of Paul…

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, Romans 1:1 (NASB)

Paul had a “regular” job as a tentmaker. However, you don’t find him speaking about it very much because it was a means to an end. It provided money to live on so he could continue to fulfill the purpose to which God called him, that of preaching the gospel. His mission in life was to tell others about Jesus Christ the Son of God.

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STRENGTH

Last night was the opening of the new student center, The SPRING. It was an exciting five and ½ hours as students played various games, used the computers, played music and interacted.

However, I must admit that I was tired. During these last five months there were many times I didn’t think I could keep going, I was so physically exhausted. But God is faithful to His Word and gives us strength to do that which honors and pleases Him.

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might He increases power.

³⁰ Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

³¹ Yet those who wait for the LORD

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:29 - 31 (NASB)

I am even more excited about the new body that we will receive one day from the Lord; the one that doesn’t get tired at all. Meantime, He gives us the strength to do what we need to do.

The SPRING is open because the Lord gave us strength, materials, help when we needed it and so much more. It will succeed in its task of keeping kids safe and introducing them to Christ only through His power and as we, the staff, stay surrendered to Him.

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AMAZED

Five months ago we started to work on a building that was built in 1946. Our goal was to honor God by making a place that teens in our town could go to in safety to have fun, do homework, be tutored, play music and hear the story of Jesus Christ.

God has put this whole thing together; He assembled the workers, the finances and the building. Praise the Lord.

He has given me a new song to sing,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see what he has done and be amazed.

They will put their trust in the LORD.

Psalms 40:3 (NLT)

I am amazed at what He has accomplished here, but I know that for Him it was a snap. Pray that we will continue to give Him honor and that we will be able to transmit that feeling of amazement and awe for our Lord to the teens of our town. We open the center to students this very afternoon!

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DIFFERENTLY

Last night 37 people attended a pre-opening gathering of those who were instrumental in working on the SPRING, a student center for kids 12 to 19 years of age. It was a night to celebrate and a night to reflect on the seriousness of the task that lies ahead.

One of the passages that the name for the SPRING comes from is John 4:14

But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (NLT)

Jesus was talking to a woman from Samaria…

⁷Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” ⁹The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. John 4:7, 9 (NLT)

We will have “Samaritan’s” or non-Christians coming to the youth center and we want to offer them a “drink;” a drink of the SPRING of LIFE, Jesus Christ. In order to do that we will have to not only read the Word of God aloud but BE Christ to them. We will have to be different and act differently; as the Samaritans were different from the Jews, we will need to be different and act differently from the world, those who do not count Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master.

Pray for us. Thanks.

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DIFFERENT

Some people act differently than others. I think we can all agree on that. Some, when insults are hurled at them, would retaliate with a barrage of their own. Others might get angry and strike out at the offending party.

Those of us that follow Christ are called to follow a different path. Listen to these words of Jesus recorded in Luke 6:27 - 28 (NLT):

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. ²⁸Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

These words that are recorded in God’s Word are available for all to see, believers and non-believers alike. So, when we do not adopt the ways of Christ and a knowledgeable non-believer sees us, we are adding to their convictions and dishonoring the name of Christ.

No, it’s not easy, but it is necessary if we are going to win a dying world for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must look different from them. We must strive every day to look more like Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

¹²Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. ¹³But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. ¹⁴For we have become companions of the Messiah if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. Hebrews 3:12 - 14 (HCSB)

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ADVERSITY

Some people are led to believe that when they become Christians all of their problems will disappear. They think that life will be easy for them now that they believe in Jesus Christ. Is that really what the Bible teaches?

What got me to thinking about that was a question yesterday about Paul’s statement in the following verse:

But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, ¹¹persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! ¹²Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:10 - 12 (NASB)

The truth of the matter is, it is not easy to be a true follower of Christ. Oh yes, He will provide for all of our needs. Not necessarily for all of our “wants” as some would lead us to believe. And the rewards are incredible; eternal life, seeing others walk in the footsteps of Jesus, just to name a couple.

But there are also costs; giving up self and self-focused ideas, having others think you are crazy, intolerant or a failure (regarding the world’s view). I once heard it said that if you are not experiencing any adversity or persecution in your life as a follower of Christ, maybe you look a little too much like those who are “of the world.”

Hear the Word of the Lord on the subject:

“Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. ²³“Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. Luke 6:22 - 23 (NASB)

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. ¹⁹“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. ²⁰“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:18 - 20 (NASB)

The message from Jesus to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 is consistent. He who overcomes adversity and remains faithful to the end will be rewarded...but there will be adversity until Jesus Christ calls us home.

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HOLY

While we were on vacation in Oceanside, California, we went to church at Calvary Chapel Living Hope. During announcements, it was mentioned that most of the men were still at their annual men’s retreat. The guy making the announcement said that the topic had been “God is more concerned with our holiness than our happiness.” I like that statement.

Twenty times in the book of Leviticus, God tells us to be holy…

‘For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. Leviticus 11:44a (NASB)

Guess how many times God tells us to “be happy.” Instead, He tells us…

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NASB)

What does it mean to “be holy”?

The Hebrew word is qâdôsh, which means sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart. It is from the root qâdash, meaning to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate.
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions, Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1999, Parsons Technology, Inc.

We are to set aside for the purposes of God. We are to separate ourselves from the desires and ways of the world. We belong to the Lord for He created us and purchased us from the power of sin with the blood of Jesus Christ.

Does that mean that God doesn’t want us to be happy? No, but it does mean, “God is more concerned with our holiness than our happiness.” The New Testament writer, Peter, echoes the thought in Leviticus…

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. ¹⁶For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15 - 16 (NLT)

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COMMANDED

You may have heard me mention The SPRING Student Center that we have been working on in the little town in which we live. It has filled my personal schedule and has involved many, many people since March 5 of this year.

Did we do this simply to help kids in our town? Partially, we wanted them to have a safe place to go after school and on weekends. We also wanted them to have the opportunity to meet and get to know our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I just wanted to share the real reason, the compelling force behind all of our work:

…And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel… Ezra 6:14 (NKJV)

When God tells you to do something, it would be best if you complied. We passed our final building inspection yesterday and will now receive our certificate of occupancy according to the commandment of the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. May His name be praised!

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