Is the Bible true?

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! (Psalms 119:1-8 NLT)

Is the word of God, his holy scripture inerrant? 

I have to say unequivocally yes it is God breathed and completely infallible. But, what that doesn't say is, I don't get it all the time. Let's be clear......... I said I believe the Bible is unfalible. That doesn't mean I'm in fallible in my application of those truths. There is a big difference.

I believe the bible is the word of God and is meant as a message to help us rule our lives and deal with the issues of our day. I have seen the truths of the Bible through my own life. I have seen the hand of God and how it directs my daily life. Every day I see how real and true it is, not because somebody told me to believe it, but because I see it being true to ME. So I believe God is real, Jesus came to cleanse us, he's coming back, I have an eternal home in heaven and I believe the words of the Bible are absolutely true. 

I've read this wondeful book completely several times and I study it nearly every day. I can not pick and choose what to believe. I can't follow what I like and disregard the rest. I won't do it! I will not doubt it's truth, but I strongly admit I don't always understand it and I don't always apply it the way God intended. Nonetheless I will follow it as God places each issue in my heart. I won't claim to be perfect but I do claim the spirit of the Lord will steer me through the unknowns. I will follow my heart because I have turned it over to Jesus. I'm not saying my own sinfullness doesn't lead to some poor decisions., because I know it does. Praise God for his word.  

Dear Lord, thank you for the truths in your holy word. I ask you to help me apply those truths in my life and dealing with the people I meet everyday. Help those truths to be seen in me as I write this blog, travel, minister with CMA, work with students, and live with my family. I only want to do your will. Defeat my sinfullness so that you can shine through me. I praise you and love you. Amen.

Compromise

They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. (Psalms 119:3 NLT)

We have lost the art of compromise. When I say we I also include Christians in that group. Our unwavering attitudes, mine included, are symbolized by this Psalm. It seems to give us the right to be stubborn and unwavering. Because Jesus is the way, THE TRUTH, and the life, we believe we have a corner on what's right and what's wrong. I agree there is only one way to life eternal and that is through Jesus. We should be unwavering in what we believe and the word of the Lord. I believe Jesus died for my sins, rose from the grave to defeat death, and is coming again. But sometimes the truths I know give be a boldness that borders on arrogance. Knowing the ultimate truth is used to set ourselves apart from nonbelievers. It's not a productive attitude. We tend to forget we are all sinners and no one sin is greater or lesser than another.

Why not live this verse:

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:13-15 NLT)

When we compromise we do not have to compromise our faith. When we disagree with the world, how we handle that attitude is critical. A Major League, openly Christian,  baseball player was asked how he would react to a gay teammate. He took the opportunity to say how misrepresented Christianity is about this issue. He said, 

“Maybe, as a Christian, that we haven’t been as articulate enough in describing what our actual stance is on homosexuality. We love the people. We disagree the lifestyle. That’s the way I would describe it for me,” Murphy told the Star-Ledger.

He continued: “It’s the same way that there are aspects of my life that I’m trying to surrender to Christ in my own life. There’s a great deal of many things, like my pride. I just think that as a believer trying to articulate it in a way that says just because I disagree with the lifestyle doesn’t mean I’m just never going to speak to Billy Bean every time he walks through the door. That’s not love. That’s not love at all."

“I don’t think the fact that someone is a homosexual should completely shut the door on investing in them in a relational aspect. Getting to know him. That, I would say, you can still accept them but I do disagree with the lifestyle, 100 percent,” he said.

These statements are out of love. Can't we agree to disagree and compromise to the point we don't treat each other as evil! Can't we live together or play on the same team together without hating or even ignoring each other. I don't wish evil on gays and lesbians. I don't want to ignore them. I want to show them the exact same love that Jesus shows me, even though I am a sinner. I am strongly against abortion, yet, I long to show love and compassion for those who have gone through it. They deserve our care. I don't hate democrats and refuse to spew hate about them and our president. We disagree on politics. I think we can all agree that we need to love and care for our fellow man.

Compromise doesn't mean abandoning principle. It means going beyond the disagreements to show love to everyone we meet.

Dear Lord, direct my life in a way that is pleasing to you. Help me to love everyone and to show compassion to those who I disagree with. It's about loving them and I know you want me to show that love to everyone, especially those not like me. May I be able to compromise without going against your plans for me. I praise you for your wonderful love and grace. Amen!

Second chance

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. (Acts of the Apostles 15:36-41 NLT)

Have you ever gotten into such an argument that it drove a permanent wedge between you and the person on the other side? Such is the argument between Paul and Barnabus. After this argument, we believe they never saw each other again. It's sad. I've seen families, friendships, businesses, and marriages split forever due to "sharp" arguments. In these situations, there is little you can do to restore a relationship split by arguments.

I think it curious that Paul would not give John Mark a second chance. It's even more curious when you remember the major second chance given to Paul after he so cruelly persecuted Christians. God has set the standard. He has and does give each of us second chances. He usually gives even more than that. I am thankful he does. 

Dear Lord, I am so grateful you are a God of second chances. You love us so much that you will never give up on us. Help me take that principle and apply it to my relationship with others. We all deserve a second chance. Remove our hardened hearts and give us soul filled with compassion. Praise God we can count on you for the wisdom and strengthen to make it happen! You are an amazing and loving God and I worship you with all my heart! Amen!

Gotcha!

"........ His name was Shimei son of Gera. As he followed along he shouted insults and threw rocks right and left at David and his company, servants and soldiers alike. To the accompaniment of curses he shouted, “Get lost, get lost, you butcher, you hellhound! GOD has paid you back for all your dirty work in the family of Saul and for stealing his kingdom. GOD has given the kingdom to your son Absalom. Look at you now—ruined! And good riddance, you pathetic old man!” (2 Samuel 16:5-8 MSG)

We live in a time where people really enjoy catching someone making a mistake. In the same instance we also live in a time when people hate to admit errors. That is a tenuous combination. These circumstances lead to bitter division amongst people. I think it's fair to say, our planet has never been more divided in all of history. People are filled with such hate that they are blinded by it so much they lose all capacity for compassion. 

How can we deal with such a time as this?

We can do as David did? David is just like us. He messed up. He couldn't admit he was wrong and it led him to dig himself a very deep hole that he never recovered. He realized his sin after it was too late. So he suffered this attack and barrage of insults. What did he do? Nothing! He didn't retaliate. He didn't use his power to silence the critic. He just kept marching forward. 

I wish we could react in the same way. 

We need to learn to handle insult. We need to learn to ignore the attacks. We need to lighten up and realize we can overcome without vengeance. We need to leave the judgment and the "get even" mentality with the Lord. He will deal with it in his own time. Our duties do not include payback. We are just to love one another and that's it! We, as far as we can, are to destroy hate, love our enemies and share Jesus with all of them. That is our great commission. We are not in the gotcha business!

Dear Lord, give us the strength to love and not judge. Help us to leave judgement and vengeance to you. You are our protector, your timing is perfect and you do not need our help! Help me to be a more loving and compassionate person . Help me to model that compassion and grace after the one who sacrificed everything for me. Thank you Lord! Praise God for your perfect love! Amen!

Looking over your shoulder!

Do you see how many people Have it in for me? How viciously they hate me? Keep watch over me and keep me out of trouble; Don’t let me down when I run to you. Use all your skill to put me together; I wait to see your finished product. GOD, give your people a break From this run of bad luck. (Psalm 25:19-22 MSG)

I've continued to study a Chuck Swindoll series called "What if......." It continues to be a fascinating study. My life, right now, is a true blessing from God. Trust me when I tell you, I don't deserve my life. I am a sinner and have not been righteous in any sense of the word. But I have found favor with the Lord and my life is truly a display of Gods amazing grace.

So, when I listened to the message today, I had to look back in my life to relate to David. Yes, I have enemies. You can't live for 55 years without upsetting someone or enduring some hate. I also have had phases in my life where my haters were quite numerous. A former principal of mine said, "Your list of enemies or people that hate you, never gets smaller." I have truly found this to be true. I'm not sure I've ever heard someone tell me,or someone else, they used to hate me and now they love me! It just doesn't happen. But, if my detractors are near me, I'm unaware of their hatred. I praise God for his love and protection. He alone is the reason the haters in my life don't impact my day. So, let me give you advice from someone who has endured some hateful people. It may be an overly simplified approach, but I have found the greatest defense from you haters is just to turn them over to the Lord.  If I could tell you how to live, I would say, do not spend your life in fear. Do not spend your days looking over your shoulder. Eliminate distrustful thoughts, shut out those who do not lift you up and only wish to tear you down. Love your enemy. Trust in the Lord to protect you from evil and hate. 

We, which means you and I, can overcome our haters. Yes, we can ignore the life of a hater if we can just radically and unwaveringly follow Jesus. Praise God for his wondeful love and amazing grace. Thank you Lord for isolating me from the hatred surrounding me. I am honored to follow you and renew my commitment to serving you. Amen!