Archive
The Freedom Paradox
Freedom has been defined as “exemption: immunity from an obligation or duty.” But real freedom, the kind that is truly liberating, always involves submission, not exemption.
Monday, Memorial Day, we’ll honor men and women who died in military service for our country. They willingly submitted themselves to the authority of a higher power for the purpose of securing freedom, and so it is with our spiritual lives.
In fact, Paul uses an interesting word picture to describe this freedom paradox. However it is we decide to live, we obligate ourselves to that particular way of life. If we ever expect to experience true freedom in Jesus Christ, we have to submit ourselves to the authority of his Word and follow the commands and principles outlined in Scripture.
In order to experience true freedom, we have to embrace submission, not exemption.
T. J.
The Significance of a Mentee
You’ve probably heard of how important it is for you to have a mentor, someone you can look up to for wisdom and advice, preferably someone who has already done what you aspire to do. I would absolutely agree, and I am truly thankful for the handful of people I consider my mentors.
But don’t underestimate the importance of having a mentee. A mentee is simply someone who has a mentor, and since you should have a mentee, that would make you a mentor.
There comes a time in your personal growth process where you have to become a mentor and pour into others all of the wisdom and advice that you have received. Not only will it benefit your mentee, but it will double as valuable leadership development for you.
If you don’t have a mentor, I suggest you find one. If you don’t have a mentee, I suggest you find one. Both relationships will serve to help you reach your full leadership potential.
T. J.
Hitting the Wall
At some point in our lives, we all slam head first into a wall that stops us dead in our tracks. It’s the point at which we realize there’s got to be something more to this life than living and dying, something much bigger than our own personal story.
Two options exist when this epiphany occurs:
- We can put our blinders back on, push through the tension, and remain focused on the starring role we’ve become accustomed to playing in our own little story, or
- We can analyze that reoccurring question, “What is my true purpose in life?” and recognize the significance of playing a supporting role in a much bigger story, the story of God.
Option number one offers temporary satisfaction, and with each self-centered pursuit, the satisfaction level gradually decreases, until it disappears altogether.
Option number two offers lasting fulfillment that can only be experienced by submitting to, and investing in, a story that will outlive our own.
T. J.
Not “If” but “When”
In the gospel of Matthew, when Jesus refers to fasting, he says, “…when you fast…” It’s interesting to me that he says, “when” and not “if.”
Until a year and a half ago, I had never gone without food for an extended period of time. I enjoy eating way too much to do that. But when I first sensed God calling me to plant a church, I wanted to seek his plan for me more intensely, so I began the spiritual discipline of fasting.
When fasting is done with the proper motives, it can help us go to a different level in our relationship with God. In fact, Jesus said that prayer and fasting are required if we want to experience the faith necessary to accomplish certain things for him.
If you feel like you’ve hit a wall spiritually, and you desire a breakthrough, commit to fasting. Ask God to show you what type of fast to undergo and for how long, and then watch what he does as you rely on him.
T. J.
For more information on spiritual fasting, check out the links below:
Your Choices Choose for You
You have the freedom to make choices, but you cannot choose the consequences of your choices. Your choices choose for you.
It’s referred to as the principle of sowing and reaping, and it works both positively and negatively. Every choice you make has a consequence that is determined by the type of choice you make. It sounds complicated, but it’s really quite simple.
Make good choices, and you will benefit from those choices in the long run. Make poor choices, and they will eventually catch up with you.
T. J.
Ask God to Cross-Examine You
One way to make sure your motives are pure is to ask God to put you on trial and cross-examine you.
In law, cross-examining a witness involves a line of questioning by the witness’ opponent, resulting in a hostile interrogation meant to do harm to the testimony of the witness. But with God, the purpose, and results, for cross-examination are the exact opposite.
When we ask God to put us on trial and cross-examine us, he will test our motives and our hearts against his, for the purpose of keeping us from harm, so that we can testify of his grace and mercy in our lives.
T. J.
It’s God’s Responsibility
My wife, Wendy, shared a quote with me awhile back that goes like this, “God can handle the consequences of our obedience.” I like it, but I think we can go a step further.
Not only can God handle the consequences of our obedience, but God is willing to take responsibility for the consequences of our obedience. When God gives us a clear command in his Word, he is responsible for what happens when we obey it.
Some people struggle with sharing the gospel because they feel like a failure if the person they’re talking to doesn’t become a follower Jesus. Whether or not a person enters into a relationship with God isn’t up to us, but we are commanded to tell people how they can experience new life in Jesus Christ!
Maybe you know God wants you to take a step of faith, but you’re afraid the end result might not be favorable for you. Let him take responsibility for your obedience. If what you’re doing lines up with a command, or a principle, found in Scripture, he has promised to protect you and provide for your needs.
Just simply obey, and let God be God.
T. J.
Make God’s Promises Practical
Most of us are clueless when it comes to applying the promises of Scripture to our lives. It’s not because the promises themselves are vague. God is clear regarding his promises, but we neglect to take them at face value and make them a practical part of our lives.
This isn’t anything new though. If you look through the Gospels, you’ll find that even Jesus’ disciples were surprised when he applied Old Testament prophesies to himself.
How would our lives be different if we asked God to show us through his Spirit the full meaning of the promises found in his Word? What would happen if we began to take note of those promises and declare them over the issues in our lives?
T. J.
You Have to Believe Before You Receive
Jesus said, in Mark 11:24, that you can pray for anything, and it will be yours. The reason most people aren’t quick to claim this verse is because there is a condition attached to the promise.
You have to believe that you have already received what you are praying for, and most people aren’t willing to believe until they see. But belief taps God’s power to accomplish what is humanly impossible.
Faith that gets God’s attention requires us to function as though the answer has been given before we’ve received the actual confirmation. You have to believe before you receive.
I’m not referring to a “name it and claim it” approach to prayer, unless what you’re claiming lines up with God’s revealed will in Scripture. Then you can name and claim it all you want, but you still have to believe before you receive.
T. J.
Should We Use Popular Culture to Communicate the Truth of God’s Word?
This is a question that is heavily debated, and even openly discussed, from church platforms such as this one. In order to answer the question, it’s important to see how Scripture approaches issues like this.
In Acts 17, Paul presents his case for Christ in front of the Areopagus, the high council of Athens, which contained the most intellectual minds of that time.
During his speech to them, he referred to their love for religion, even though it was false religion, and made a point to mention that he looked carefully at their objects of worship, specifically an altar with the inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. He even quoted some of their poets.
But why would Paul mention false gods and use Athenian poetry as a part of his explanation of who Jesus was and what he had done? Because he was leveraging the popular culture and philosophies of that time to gain the attention of his listeners, so that he could share with them the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The result? People believed and became followers of Christ.
Sometimes, in order to reach people with the gospel, we have to take Paul’s approach. We have to be relevant in our methodology without being relative in our theology. The message shouldn’t change, but the way we present the message must be innovative.
Using popular culture responsibly to communicate truth from Scripture can be one of the most effective ways to “…help people far from God experience new life in Jesus Christ!”
T. J.
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