Are You a Thermometer or a Thermostat?

As a young boy living in Iowa our house did not have air conditioning, not even a window unit. As a result some summer nights could be warm, to put it mildly. Living in a two-bedroom house, I shared a small bedroom with my brother. In addition to any breeze from the open bedroom window my parents placed a small fan at the foot of our beds, to help circulate the night air where we slept. Although the fan didn't change the room temperature, it did help move the air some. Without an air conditioner, every little bit helps.

An outside thermometer would show the actual temperature in that location. In the absence of home air conditioning there was, of course, no inside thermostat available to initiate any changes in temperature. I hope whoever invented air conditioning did well.

A thermometer reflects actual temperature whereas a thermostat initiates changes in air temperature of a room or house, depending on what change in temperature is selected. A thermometer tells you what is.  A thermostat offers change, usually one that makes rooms cooler in summer, warmer in the winter.

As people of God, we choose to be a reflection of society as a whole (thermometer) or a reflection of what God is doing in the earth at any given point in time, including now (thermostat). It takes no real effort to be a thermometer, to be a part of what is. Being a thermostat, on the other hard, requires being changed to make a noticeable difference  to your world, starting with those around you.

Are you a thermometer or a thermostat? Are you a part of the status quo, flowing with those around you, or are you allowing God to bring change to your surroundings, to those within your sphere of influence? If a thermostat, how is God using your gifts and talents to bring help, healing, and life to a lost and dying world where you live, work, and play? If, at this moment, a thermometer, what event(s) would need to happen to influence you to want to become a thermostat?

Is tolerance acceptance?

Some things remain the same: the sun rises in the east, setting in the west. Roosters crow, babies cry, and too many potholes remain to be fixed. On the other hand, some things have changed in meaning. For instance, the word awful. Upon gazing at the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame, the king of France reportedly exclaimed, "My God, it's awful." When the Cathedral was completed in the 13th century the word awful meant full-of-awe, just as the word beautiful means full-of-beauty. Over the years the word awful has come to mean something bad; terrible-a far cry from full-of-awe. Unfortunately, the same is true concerning tolerance and acceptance. Once upon a time tolerance meant putting up with, without agreement, without acceptance of what's being tolerated. Not so now. Society, as a whole,  has shifted to holding tolerance and acceptance as synonymous terms. In other words, to tolerate means to accept; to be intolerant is to not accept. But, is this really true? Is tolerance acceptance?

According to the Bible we are to love the sinner, while hating the sin. Jesus did. He told the woman caught in the very act of adultery to go and sin no more (John 8:3-11). Jesus wasn't accepting what the woman did as alright-He called it sin. What Jesus did was not condemn the woman (verse 11)-and neither should we-when confronting sin. Like Jesus we tolerate the person, not the sin. We shouldn't tolerate sin in our own lives, either.

The world's view of tolerance is accept everything which they think is OK. If you don't, you're being intolerant. At the same time, those "preaching" tolerance are the most  intolerant of them all, for they are intolerant of Christians, those standing for Biblical principles of absolute truth. More and more, the world is growing increasingly intolerant and unaccepting of anyone who opposes what they believe.

Is tolerance acceptance? Not according to the Bible no, in reality, according to what the world shows towards those with differing views. Without agreeing,  I practice tolerance towards those with viewpoints contrary to the Bible. I don't agree with them, but I don't force my viewpoint on them. My manner of life speaks louder than my words. Does yours?

How about you? Is tolerance acceptance, in your life? How do you practice tolerance, without acceptance of that with which you disagree?

Where's your identification?

I flew on a few business trips last year. Each time I checked in I was required to present valid identification.  As I went through security I also had to show my ticket-proof that I was a passenger that day. Had I not already had my proof of identification out, ready to be shown, a valid question to me would have been, "Where's your identification?". Without it I wouldn't have flown. Identification. It's proof of who we are. Whether it's a driver's license, passport, student ID card, or other valid form, we live in a time where much emphasis is put on who we are. Things like opening up a bank account, obtaining a passport, or buying a house-in each case proof of identification is required. Renting a car? You'll be asked to show proof of identification.

Identification is even more important where spiritual things are concerned. As Christians we've been placed into Christ-into the family of God. We've been given new identification papers, so to speak. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 the Bible says that if any (person) be in Christ he is a new creature. Literally, this means that a new species of being has been created in you. If you're a Christan, there's a new "you" in you that wasn't there before. Your identification is now with Christ, not the devil and his crowd. You're under God's dominion, not Satan's.

Spiritually speaking we've been given new identities. We have new identification papers, so to speak, within the pages of the New Testament-specifically the Epistles, letters written to Christians. Examples are the books of Ephesians and Colossians. Each book paints a vivid picture of the believer's new identification with Christ, focusing on that person's  rights and privileges, in Christ.

It was some years after I became a Christan before I learned of my real identity, as a follower of Jesus Christ. I struggles to know who I was in life, my purpose, and my destiny. Having found my true identity I know who I really am. I move about in total security, without fear of detection. When the devil tries to bring up something from my life before Christ I show him my identification papers-God's Word-proving my identity in Christ. That's my true position-in Christ. Knowing my true identity affects my thinking, believing, words, and actions, on a daily basis.

Where's your identification? Is it in the natural things of this world, or in Christ? How important is it to be secure in who you really are, where your true identity lies?

Carrying the message

In 1965 a single record, entitled Eve of Destruction, began playing on radio stations. Sung by Barry McGuire, the song quickly rose in popularity. Composer P.F. Sloan's now famous line "You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin" led to passage of the 26th amendment, lowering the minimum voting age from 21 to 18.

Nearly 50 years later this remains a prime example of music carrying the message. What do I mean by this? How can music carry any message? God created music as a means for us to worship Him. While you can certainly worship God without music, there's something helpful about music that can usher us into God's Presence. Someone not given to remembering words by themselves will benefit through hearing those words, delivered through a musical messenger-a song the hearer sings and/or listens to.

My senior year of high school I was part of the school choir. Although not a Christian at the time, I've never forgotten two songs we sang in that public high school. One was based on Psalm 145:15,16; the other was "Alleluia", written by Randall Thompson. The first consists of two verses; the second has, until the ending "Amen", the singular word "Alleluia" Both songs carry messages: the former of God's provision; the latter of praise. Decades later, both messages remain with me due, in no small part, to the musical vehicle of each.

Music alone or music carrying a message, there's something almost undefinable about music that causes us to hear more than notes. Whether for worship, entertainment, or simply influence, music is certainly more than notes and sounds. Whether we disagree about what kind of music is appropriate for us, one thing is certain: Music, more often than not, is carrying the message.

What are we listening to? More importantly, what is the message-and are we hearing it?

Is Your Angel Busy or Bored?

Angels are real. Jesus Himself said that children have their own angels, which children don't lose when they grow up. Hollywood has its own theology, portraying angels as earning wings (It's A Wonderful Life), being on probation (Highway to Heaven), or being nearly human (Touched By An Angel). Our knowledge of angels should be based on God's Word. What are angels? According to Hebrews 1:14 angels are ministering spirits sent to minister for those who are Christians those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Some want to know what angels look like, or how they get from one place to another. I'm more interested in what they say and do, aren't you?

Angels bring answers to prayer. In Daniel 10:12 an angel brought answers to Daniel's prayers concerning the children of Israel's future.  Psalm 103:20 says that angels hearken to the voice of God's Word. What does this mean? It means that when God's Word is voiced angels obey what those spoken words are and bring them to pass. It doesn't matter who's doing the saying-a preacher, child, teenager, or God Himself-angels are focused on bringing what they hear to pass without regard to age, gender, education, or any other external factor. A three-year old speaking God's Word in faith concerning healing or finances, will have a busier angel than an adult doubting the promises of God.

A doubting Christan's angel would like to stay busy bringing God's Word to pass, but angels don't respond to doubt (the devil and his cohorts do). Picture someone's angel sitting around bored , with nothing to do. Why? Because that someone is either ignorant of or refuses to speak God's Word. On the other hand, a person with just a little bit of faith can keep his or her angel busy, continually obeying God's Word that's coming out that person's mouth.

Is your angel busy or bored? Is your angel continually, occasionally, or never obeying God's Word concerning you and your life? How often are you declaring what God says about you: spiritually, physically, financially, and materially? If you want to keep your angel busy, keep voicing God's Word's concerning His promises and provision to and for you, and your family.

How's your angel doing? If bored, get it-and keep it-busy. If busy keep it that way. You can't wear an angel out. If necessary angels will get reinforcements, as was done for Daniel.

Is your angel busy or bored? What answers are you expecting from God, through the ministering spirits sent by God to minister for you?

It's Your Move!

As a kid growing up, our family time often consisted of playing games. Card games, board games-there were a lot to choose from. One board game was checkers. I learned to play checkers at an early age from my dad, who then proceeded to beat me regularly (at checkers that is). There were times when I failed to notice when my dad would move. When this happened Dad would wait a moment before saying something like "It's your move". He said this to remind me that he had already moved; now it was my turn. There were times I hadn't realized when-or where-he had moved, unless he let me know. Later, with some opponents,  I had to figure out where that person had moved. It pays to pay attention to what the other person is doing in a game.

The same is true in life. Often, when believing God for direction in our lives, we think it's His move, so to speak when He's already moved. In essence, He's saying to us,"It's your move". This means that God's waiting for us to take the next step before He can do anything else. Remember, God is a gentleman; He waits His turn. In matters of believing God, as in checkers, God doesn't move twice without the other person taking his/her turn.

What is it that you're trusting God for? Is it finances, physical healing, restoration of a broken relationship, a new or better job? In every situation there is a God-ward part and a man-ward part. God can't do your part and you can't do God's-though we've all tried to do His at some point.

Unlike checkers, life is not a game, yet both God and we have moves to make. If we're not careful God's move can be overlooked, resulting in us waiting on Him to do something about our situation when, in reality, it's our move. If this describes you, ask God to show you where you need to move so it can be His turn.

Perhaps your move is to remove any hindrance that is keeping God's move from working in your life, beginning with unforgiveness. As Jesus mentioned in Mark 11:25,26, forgiveness is the first place to look. The blessings of God, answers to prayer, are hindered in an atmosphere of strife and unforgiveness.

Whether it's getting rid of unforgiveness, doubt, fear, impatience, or being willing to do something you haven't done before , find out from God where your next move is.

Like Dad would say, "It's your move".

Is it your move? If so, what is it that you need to do, little, small, or insignificant that it may seems to be for you to continue in life?

Failure Is Not Defeat

One fine summer afternoon in late July, 1968, two baseball teams competed for the right to play in the city finals. The game was close; one pitcher pitched a no-hitter, allowing no hits in the entire game. The other pitcher did likewise, through most of the game. Neither side was hitting, much less scoring any runs. Near the end of the game one batter managed to hit a short fly ball between second base and center field. The second baseman failed to catch the ball, allowing it to fall for a hit. A few walks and an error later, the runner scored the only run of the game. The final score was 1-0, ending the season for the losing team. Their second baseman was in anguish, knowing that the ball that fell could have been caught.  Failure on his part to catch a ball led to the only run of the game, and subsequent defeat.

I was that second baseman.  Although no one blamed me for the loss, I viewed my failure as causing our team's defeat.

Fortunately, God doesn't see failure as defeat. Even those who became successful failed, sometimes quite often. The Bible paints pictures of success stories with sordid details of many who failed, yet were not defeated:

Moses: murdered an Egyptian/had problems with anger management

David: combination adulterer/murderer/poor father

Peter: severe case of foot-in-mouth disease/lied to Jesus about never leaving Him/denied Jesus three times

Each of these men failed, yet succeeded. Moses led over a million people to the edge of the promised land. David had a heart after God; wrote most of the book of Psalms. Peter wrote two books of the New Testament. boldly serving the Lord until he died a martyr's death.

You may be a failure in the eyes of others-even your own-but not in God's. Why not begin to see yourself as God does-successfully carrying out His will for your life? You are who God says you are, you can do what God says you can do, and you have what God says you have, according to the New Testament.

Failure is not defeat for you, unless you choose to have it that way. What past failure(s) do you need to let go of today to enjoy life?

Faith to Fear to Faith

Of all those mentioned in the New Testament I admire Paul more than anyone other than Jesus, but I identify more with Peter. Why Peter? Because here's a man with a severe case of "foot-in-mouth" disease who God made into someone mightily used for the Gospel. In a moment of revelation, Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Later, in the crisis of the moment, this same brash fisherman turned fisher of men denies even knowing Jesus at all.  How quickly faith can move to fear in times of crisis, when the storms of life come crashing down. In Matthew 14:22-33 we see the account of Jesus coming to the disciples by night, walking on the water. Peter, in a display of faith, said, "Lord, if that's You walking on the water, have me come join you (my paraphrase)". Jesus responded with an answer that both convinced and challenged Peter: "Come." On that basis Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water. Yes, Peter got his eyes on the wind, became afraid, and began to sink; however before there's any criticism of Peter, when's the last time anyone you know walked on water?

In an instant Peter went from faith to fear. To Peter's credit he got back into faith, with a helping hand from Jesus. The two then walked back to the boat. Jesus didn't carry him; Peter walked. Like a lot of folks, Peter needed a helping hand to get from fear back to faith, where he eventually spent the last years of his life-living a life of faith.

Maybe you've stepped out in faith, for healing, finances, restoration of a broken relationship, or finding your place in life. When the "winds" of adversity came, did you get your eyes off of what God said and, in fear, start to "sink"? Who did God send to reach out a helping hand to get you back in faith? I've had a lot of helping hands in my life to help me in my faith walk. Now, I have the privilege of helping others to get rooted, built up, and established in their faith, in Christ. I've been blessed to be a blessing.

How about you? Are you comfortable walking on "water", always in faith, or have there been times where looking at the "winds" distracted you from your walk? Disciplining ourselves to stay focused on God's Word will help us walk by faith, as Peter eventually did. Remember, the winds didn't stop Peter; it was fear. Returning to the boat in faith was accomplished despite the winds.

What part of this post can you relate to? Are you currently on the receiving or giving end of the helping hand of faith?