It's Time to Change

I was almost a teenager when the so-called British invasion of music groups came and changed the face of music in America, forever. Beginning with the Beatles, British bands made their way across the pond to America's shores, into the hearts and minds of millions. In doing so a whole new genre of music was introduced to music fans, from sea to shining sea. John, Paul, George, and Ringo were viewed as messiahs in music and, more importantly to some, message. The times, they were a changing.

Fast forward to today, and a different kind of change is happening, moving faster in this century. This change is bigger than music, transcends radio and television waves, and is changing our lives, whether we like it or not. It's called technology. The climate of change being produced through it is here to stay.

God gives people of all ages the ability to create, invent-to improve the world around us. Some choose to use what God gave them for evil, but the original ability-the gifting if you will-comes from God. Why am I saying all of this? Because, like it or not, we live in a world where change is almost constant. I know, some of it isn't what we'd like but why, as some do, resist change just because it's change? And Christians are the worst at this.

Why is it that, generally speaking, churches, ministries, and so-called Christian companies are painfully slow-even resistant-to embracing what is now viewed as ancient technology? I'm not talking about being on board with the 21st century; being current with the 20th would be progress. Example: a particular insurance provider spent years talking about promising but, then, delaying the option of online payments. When online payments were finally accepted a few years ago this company touted how great this "new feature" was. Really? When others were doing this in the last century, what were their decision makers doing while change passed them by?

Churches wasting money on non-LED signs, Christian-owned companies ordering merchandise by hand, and ministries's idea of social media is phone calls and emails, are just three examples of Christians stuck in the past. While this happens the world not only embraces change, but is in the driver's seat when it comes to identifying, creating, and launching new products. I believe Christians can and should do better-much better.

In my book, The Five-A Team: Character Traits For Success In Life (you can get it through our website's link) I talk about adaptation, or change, as being a key to individual success in the workplace, and life. It would behoove organizations to so the same: change (adapt) or face a future where they are the ones being left behind,  technologically speaking. Where failure to change breaks companies-even Christian ones.

Maybe you're a part of a church, company, or other ministry where frustration, team morale, and success are being stifled by short-sighted decision makers, stuck in the previous century of antiquated processes. If so, my condolences, as well as my prayer that God will, somehow, intervene in those situations to bring fruit to visions stagnated by weeds of fear, uncertainty, and/or ignorance. Yes, the times they are a changing, but we're running out of time, as we know it, to change the world and those around us.

What do you think? Is your church/business/organization up with the times, technologically? What are you doing-what can you do-to effect change for the better? I'd like to know, then share your thoughts with others.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

When Change Can Be Good For You

Change has been around for thousands of years, including the Garden of Eden. As long as Adam and Eve obeyed God things went well. Then something  happened: Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered into a perfect world, and Adam and Eve encountered change in their lives. Man and woman were evicted, if you will, from having it all to living off of the land, by the sweat of Adam's brow. Not a good change. Becoming a Christian is certainly a change. Going from spiritual death to eternal life, from darkness to light, is change, the best change of all. A change associated with becoming a Christian-being born again-is renewing ones mind to think in line with God's Word. This produces change in the way one thinks, which eventually affects ones words and actions. Renewing ones mind is definitely a good change. A very good change.

Recognizing change around you and being willing to use what's changing (i.e. technology) to impart the unchanging Word of God to the world around you, including your next-door neighbors, is part of good change. Those under the age of 25 are better at this kind of change than those of us over 50.

Why are people against change, especially when it comes to technology? Why do so many who are 60 and over dig in their heels to resist change when they were those who saw (some demanded) so much change in the '60s and '70s? To use a restaurant analogy, spiritual appetites were changing in the '60s but most menus (churches) weren't.

One church that did change was Calvary Chapel, in Costa Mesa, California. Pastored then by Chuck Smith, this church became a leader in what came to be known as the Jesus Movement. Pastor Chuck allowed change to come into the sanctuary. New music, new people, new attitudes. And it was for good. The Movement spread across the country to the East Coast. Catering to young people drew thousands to churches willing to change or risk being left behind, culturally speaking.

Fast forward to today. As Christians we have the greatest message of all time, the message of the Gospel. Let's not change that; let's keep the pureness and simplicity of the Bible. After all, how much simpler can John 3:16 get? At the same time, each generation learns differently than those before it. Take potatoes, for instance. You can boil, fry, bake, boil, stew, and mash potatoes.  I've had potatoes each of these ways over the years. It's called variety.

A lot of churches-thus Christians-are like potatoes. They "preach" potatoes but serve them up only boiled, for instance. As much as I like potatoes, I'd get tired of them being just boiled. After a while. I'd be looking for change. The same is true in reaching younger generations: they're hungry for the potato (message), but want it some other way than boiled. Those refusing to change may lose a whole generation of "eaters." Isn’t that worth changing?

Using technology to present the timeless truths of Jesus Christ is one great example of when change can be good for you. Let's not lose another moment in being willing to change methods in how the message is "served." It's change the Church cannot afford to not make.

What are some changes you would like to see happen in the church you attend? What are you doing to try to bring about good change where you live?

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

Advantage: You

Tennis is scored by a series of points: love (0), 15, 30, 40, and game point. Six games make a set. Whoever wins a majority of sets wins the match. When both players have 40, a tie breaker system is used to determine the winner. Players take turns serving to their opponent, in the hopes of breaking the tie. When one player wins a point, the referee calls out "advantage"-and adds the person's last name. This continues until one player gains a two-point advantage, thus winning the game. In life God always holds the advantage over the devil. Through Christ, God has made provision for us to be like Him on the earth (I John 4:17): always holding an advantage over the devil in our own lives. When we use our God-given authority to resist the devil's ploys, God's advantage becomes ours. In every situation, in every area of life. This is good news for every Christian.

Life isn't a mere tennis match; it's far more real. To paraphrase what the world says, "stuff happens." Things happen for which there's just no apparent reason. That's why it's always good to know that we're not paupers or invalids; we're not helpless in this life. We're not orphans without purpose, provision, or protection. What God did through Jesus Christ is to our advantage. In the eyes of God we've already won. He see us as always victorious.

The advantage is always ours.

Do you know that God has given you the advantage in life? Do you know that God has tilted the playing field of life, so to speak, in your favor? Do you know what God has already provide for you, in Christ, as His child, to cause you to win in life? He's given you a new nature, delivered you from the devil's hold on your life, made you His very own child, given you His Word to grow in your walk with God, and put His love in you so you could love others, as well as yourself. Whatever "stuff" you've been through, God has made it possible for you to rise above it and enjoy life as a child of God, your Father.

In tennis terms this means game, set, and match are yours. In life this means winning over poverty, sickness and disease. That's to your advantage.

Advantage you.

Elsewhere on our website (hubertgardner.org) you'll find our LifeChange videos. These are basis truths to help you build and live an overcoming life, based on what God's Word says about who you are and what you have, in Christ, and what you can do, through Christ. It's about learning about the advantages of being God's child and living victoriously for Him, on this earth. Advantage God is now advantage you.

What is it like, knowing God's given you an advantage in life? What are some of the advantages God has given you over that person without Christ? Who do you know who needs to experience what you know? What are some ways you know to go about helping this to happen?

Guard Your Roots

Trees, plants, fruits, and vegetables have roots. Weeds do too, but I'll focus on the positive. Whatever seed is planted will produce roots. Those roots provide the grounding and stability needed for that tree, for instance, to survive, grow, flourish, and fulfill its destiny. The same is true with Christians. Every Christian has been planted, if you will, into Christ by the Holy Spirit, according to 1 Corinthians 12:13. We've been placed into what the Bible calls the Body of Christ. Jesus is the Head; we are the Body. As with any new life in the natural, we must begin to grow roots. Those roots lengthen and strengthen as we hear God's Word, believe it, and act like it's so in us.

Without a strong root system trees stop growing. Sometimes they die. Why? In part because the roots weren't protected; they weren't watered, kept weed-free, and allowed, in the case of an apple tree, to bear fruit. The same is true in our lives. Without a strong root system of God's Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and service, spiritual growth is stunted, even ended.

Neither God nor I want that to happen. Our root system depends on us to guard it, to see that it has every opportunity to reach its potential, in Christ. Our root system-our foundation if you will-needs our constant vigilance. It's up to us to, as Proverbs 4:23 points out, to keep (guard, protect) our hearts with all diligence. Why? Because the devil is a meanie; he'll try everything to keep your roots from even getting started, much less growing. If he can't do that, he'll try to isolate you, to keep you from influencing others to grow in Christ.

Guard your roots. Make the time and effort to check your roots, your foundation, to ensure that they are being fed what they need, to grow as they ought. Make sure your roots are both lengthening and strengthening. Someone out there needs to see your life as a living example of what the Christian life looks like in everyday life. Without your roots in place, branches and fruit won't be much to look at.

How well are you guarding your roots? What are you doing to ensure your roots are growing on a consistent basis?

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2015-2024

God's Busy

God's a busy Person. Just think about it: He's created a universe that He's keeping in order. He created Earth, the crown jewel of our universe. He created a wonderful Plan of Redemption for all Mankind, then sent His only Son to consummate it through His death, burial, and resurrection. On top of all that, God is continually watching over His every Word to make sure they all come to pass. Okay, so God's busy. After all He's, well, God. But is He too busy watching over the universe and His Word to have an eternal interest in you, in what you're doing?  Is God too busy to want-and be able-to help you get from where you are to where you want to be?

I don't think so. In fact, I know so. How can I be so sure? Because the Living God, Who is upholding the universe He created,  loves me with an everlasting love. He loves you with the same love that He loves Jesus with (John 17:23). It's so, so believe and accept it. God has an intimate interest in you. To take this one step further, He is now the Heavenly Father of all those who have believed on and confessed Jesus, God's Son, as Lord of their lives. Is God your Heavenly Father? If so, great. If not, He can be.

A father cares about his children. Although busy, good fathers make the time for their children. Good fathers are vitally interested in their children for who they are-not just what they can do for Daddy. God's that-and more.  God wants to be a part of every moment of your individual life, helping you to become and be the person He created you to be. He's made available the resources of Heaven to make it so.

Yes, God's busy. After all, there are so many things to do when you're God. Just remember though, that, because He's God, He can do so many different things at once, including taking care of you, hearing and answering your prayers, spending time with you whenever you want (hopefully often), and letting you get as close to Him as you want to be. As busy as God is, you can't get too close to Him; you can't know Him too well. Quite a Father, now isn't He?

God's busy-busy desiring your love, trust, fellowship, and needing you to help Him carry out His Plan of redemption in the Earth today.

It's time to get busy knowing the Living God Who's always busy, yet has all the time in eternity, so to speak, to live in and through you.

If you have not yet received Jesus as your Savior, click here to do so now.

So, What Are You Saying?

Overall, Christians-even some non Christians-believe that God's words are important; what God says matters. After all, God is, well, God. But what about your words? How important are your words? What difference does it make what you say? In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, chapter 1, verse 12, God says through Jeremiah that He (God) watches over His word to perform it (make it good). That means God cares an awful lot about what comes out His mouth. God really cares about His words.

Why is this? One good reason is that God recognizes and understands the importance of words, what comes out of His mouth. God understands how creative words are, how that words have the ability to create what's seen, out of the unseen (naturally speaking).

What about you? How important are your words? As a Christian, a child of God, how important is it to watch over what comes out of your mouth? Realizing that, like God, your words are creative, are your words creating good or bad, encouragement or discouragement?  According to Proverbs 18:21, are you speaking words of death, or life?  Yes, this verse is actually in the Bible.

What am I saying in all this? I'm saying that words matter, that your words matter just as much as God's. God spoke the worlds into existence. God, according to Hebrew 1:3 is holding up all things by the word of His power. Imitating our Father, our words are creating an environment-a world-around us. Like Father, like son or daughter. Your words do make a difference in your life, and in the lives of those around you. If wars can start with words, so reconciliation, restoration, and renewal can start with the right words.

So, what are you saying? How important is it to say good things, to the point of saying what God says about the situation?

It's Better Than Religion

My last post dealt with the evils of religion. You can check it out here. In criticizing religion in general there is no mention of any one particular religion. My purpose was-and is-to point out the evils of religion, without forcing anyone to change. God is a gentleman-He won't force anyone to believe what he/she doesn't want to believe. In contrast to religion Christianity is about a relationship-a relationship experienced with the Living God, Who hears and answers prayers. Christianity is about accepting the life, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's Son, Who lived and walked on this earth, 2,000 years ago. It's coming to God on the basis of what Jesus did for you, not what you can do for yourself. It's coming to Him as you are, not what you can offer God. It's for anyone regardless of age, gender, pedigree, or ethnic background. All because God loves you as you are, right now. Yes, you, the person reading this post. God loves you.

Through studying God's written Word, the Bible, we learn more about who God is, why Jesus came to this earth (historical fact), and what God has provided for us to freely enjoy, on the basis of Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection. It's an offer you're free to accept or reject, as an act of your own will. It's Life for those who accept this free gift; no burnings or beheadings for those who don't.

At the same time, Hell is real. Originally made for the devil, it now, sadly, also includes those who have willfully chosen to reject Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. Not for breaking any or all of the Ten Commandments. For the singular sin of saying "No" to the Life God offers, through His Son, Jesus Christ. I surely don't want anyone to wind up in Hell, with the devil.

Eternity's a long time.

Yes, Hell is real. The most religious place in the universe is Hell. It's full of religious folks, with no relationship with the Living God. They're separated from God for eternity. That's Hell. Fortunately no one is forced to go there. If you've never made Jesus the Lord of your life, pray this simple prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus, Your Son. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord; I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead for me. Therefore, according to your Word (Romans 10:9,10) I'm saved. I'm now Your child."

If you prayed this prayer from your heart you're now a Christian, a child of God. That's worth telling other Christians.

Please write and let us know of your decision. Simply go to the Contact page of our website, and let us know.

To Hell With Religion

To Hell with religion. There, I said it. No apologies made, for religion is the worst thing that's ever happened to Mankind, outside of the Garden of Eden. Why is this? What's so bad about religion? Religion is bad for several reasons. Here are a few of them:

1.  Religion bases belief on experience. Every religion is based upon someone's personal experience that he/she came to embrace as truth. Enough convinced seekers later and, voila, a new religion is born.

2. Religion has no relationship. In religion, people pray, at best, to some mystical, far-off deity who no one knows on a personal basis. No conversation, no personal interaction, no intimate knowledge of a Living God because, in religion, none exists.  Fables, fabrication, and fairy tales, yet millions around the globe give their possessions, time-even lives-to follow what someone else told them is truth.

Spiritual blind leading other like-blinded.

3. Religion maintains its status quo through fear, intimidation-even death. With no relationship to draw from, religion  resorts to fear to keep its members. Fear of being isolated from those you're leaving. Fear of failure to merit approval of those in the know. Fear of forfeiture of reward in the afterlife. Intimidation-even death-is another tool religion uses to prevent once ardent followers from revealing insider secrets of the truth about its plans, purposes, and pursuits.

Do you have religion, or a relationship? Does your god love you as you are, or is unconditional love still on your bucket list of things yet to accomplish?

Check out my next post, as I talk about the opposite of religion, and what it means for you.