The Snake's Reasoning: Happiness or Holiness?

I've been reading Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot, and I found a simple yet deep truth very clearly written out in one of the chapters. This truth is illustrated throughout Scripture and in our every day lives.

Consider Jacob and Esau. Both were hoping and praying for their father's blessing, but only Jacob received it. Did they both serve a sovereign, loving God? Think about those two Christian men you know who are unemployed and were recently interviewed for a position at that well-known company. They, and many of the people they know, were praying for God to provide for their families through them getting the job. However, just one was offered the position. Does God still care about both of them?

Elisabeth writes about a conversation she once had with a friend in the middle of the night. Her friend had just come in from a date, was troubled, and wanted to talk.  She explained her eagerness to marry a handsome and wealthy man, however, she had just been out with a Christian man who was very nice, interesting, and handsome, but...not wealthy.

My Sincerest Thanks

Years ago, I was kidding and being a bit silly when I told a group of teens that I had three goals in life.
     1. Write a song
     2. Become the vice-president of something
     3. Write a book

I recently added a fourth. My father-in-law, who I loved dearly, passed away in August. Okay, now I’m typing through tears. He was a great guy who taught me many things. Well, I got his cool, garage stuff: including two plastic cabinets with 105 clear plastic drawers. There are thousands of little items: nuts, bolts, screws, fuses, etc. I’m not even sure what some of the items are. The fourth goal – maybe you guessed it – use all that stuff before I join him. Crazy, I know, but why not? Well, there you go - busy guy with four extra things to accomplish.

I’m happy to report that the first two goals are in the books. When my oldest son (Michael) was about 4, I composed (made-up) a song called the Goodnight Michael Song. “There once was a boy named Michael who laid upon his bed . . .” Of course, as the other two boys got older it became the Goodnight Michael, Jeffrey, and Timmy Song. So, check off goal #1. I also secretly formed the “Pastor Max Fan Club” and became the vice-president. I couldn’t find a president or members, so the fan club quickly disbanded. Check off goal #2.

Now to goal #3. It was about a month ago that I started considering writing a blog. Why a blog? Truthfully? Goofy as it may sound - I’d like to put together a 365-day devotional book, and I thought it be a good way to get something on paper. Well, maybe it’s not actually on paper, but you get the point.

I knew little about how blogs worked or how to start one, but with help and encouragement from a grad student (JM) and a high school senior (GE), I finally got started. The theme of the blog is encouragement – with a focus on the three E’s of ministry: exaltation, edification, evangelism. Love God – exaltation. Love your neighbor as yourself – edification, evangelism.

Sustainability is the biggest challenge. The average post takes 3-4 hours. I’m a slow thinker, a slower writer, and an even slower typist. No one who knows me is surprised by any of that. I just like to share what God is doing. He’s an awesome God, and He’s always doing great things.

When I first started, I was hoping that someone would read the blog. 50 views in the first two weeks would have been a thrill. Tomorrow will be the end of the second week. As of this moment there have been 656 views. I am thankful and very humbled by the number of views and all the kind comments (by way of facebook). Please accept my heartfelt thanks. Goodnight. Have a great Lord’s Day.   Pastor Max

I'm against sin. 

I'll kick it as long as I've got a foot, 

and I'll fight it as long as I've got a fist. 

I'll butt it as long as I've got a head. 

I'll bite it as long as I've got a tooth. 

And when I'm old and fistless and footless and toothless, 

I'll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition!

Billy Sunday (1862-1935)
American evangelist

   

10 out of 10 - You Can Know

A man can slip into hell with his hand on the doorknob of heaven.

Billy Sunday (1862-1935)
American Evangelist

A few years ago Ray Comfort was one of the keynote speakers at a convention that I was required to attend in California. The keynote speakers in previous years were not good, so I immediately crossed my arms in resistance when he stepped up to speak. I’m not exactly sure when my arms uncrossed, but I do know that from the very beginning he had my attention. What he said made too much sense not to listen. Afterward, I bought his tapes to learn more.

About a month later, a young visitor named Cleo came forward in our small church. The pastor asked me to deal with him. Cleo just wanted to go to heaven. He had been to mass twice in his life and knew nothing about the scriptures. For the first time in my life I gave the Gospel with confidence and without hesitation: going from the natural to the spiritual. I’ll spare you many of the details, but I started by reading Psalm 19:7a. “The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul.” We chatted about the purpose of human law/rules and the punishments for breaking those rules. “What if God had law?” I asked. He had never thought about it or had even heard of the Ten Commandments.

Bits and Pieces of our conversation

Me    “Ever told a lie?

Cleo    “Of course.”

Me    “What does that make you?”

Cleo    “A liar.”

The Loneliest Phone Booth

A few years ago I was involved with a ministry where (for a time) I saw little in the way of lasting fruit. It was very discouraging. At times I would ask God, "Is this it. Is this all there is? Have I done something to displease you?" Everyone who serves God gets a little discouraged from time to time. But it's not about what we desire, or think, or feel, or perceive, or even experience. It's never about us and our timing. It's always about God and His timing. 

We find a great lesson about this in the book of Exodus. Moses spent the first 40 years of his life being trained and educated in Pharaoh's court. He became a somebody. Then he spent the next 40 years in the desert being humbled. He became a nobody. After being trained and humbled, he spent the last 40 years leading the Israelites. He had become God's somebody.

It's like the story of the loneliest phone booth. 

A PacBell phone booth was place in the middle of the Mojave desert for use by miners in the 60's. It was 8 miles from the nearest paved road and was most likely put there for emergency uses.

Honest Abe Takes a Hit

I laugh every time I see that commercial. 

It's a fake Honest Abe giving an honest answer and getting into honest trouble.

At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some Trans-Atlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined could not, by force, take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we be author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.                  

The above speech was given on January 27, 1838 by the real  Abraham Lincoln (28 years old)- more than 20 years before the start of the Civil War. Even in his early years, Lincoln understood that the destruction of our country could only come from within. What is the key to the downfall of a nation such as ours? When will we lose our strength, our privilege, and our freedom? We will lose these things when we forget our Christian heritage and forsake the Christian principles upon which this nation was founded.

10 Mattresses, a Car, a Rope & a Prayer

The video was taken this afternoon in Chandler, AZ around 4pm on the 202 during rush hour traffic. The vehicle was doing 55-60 mph with eight layers of mattresses roped to the top. There were 4 twins and 6 larger mattresses. It was a very unbalanced load that was constantly shifting. Most of the other drivers were laughing just like us. Mrs. Max recorded the event as I drove. Many of the drivers (and I did say drivers) were recording the event with their cell phones. I’m sure this will be on YouTube soon. I hope they made it safely. Foolish? Well, of course. Read on.

Often when I counsel struggling teens, they admit to not praying and not reading God's Word. Because of a lack of surrender, they do everything in their own wisdom and with their plan. They miss out on the direction and power that God would otherwise supply (Psalm 1). Internally they are bored and empty. Externally they appear bored and directionless. When in conflict they typically respond fearfully, angrily, or bitterly.  


When asked if they want to do right, the answer is usually YES. When asked if they are willing to do right, the answer is NO. When asked if they are willing to be made willing to do right, the answer is a resounding NO. This is hypocrisy: hypocrisy that is often hidden behind churchy faces, churchy words, churchy apparel, and churchy actions. They know how to play the Game of Church.

Purpose and Peace

We live in a violent, vulgar time.

- a time when people have little purpose

- a time when many desire personal peace 

- a time when one must turn to God for purpose and peace.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Colossians 3:17


Let's break it down

1. "And whatsoever you do in word or deed" 

     - If I'm not doing it, then I'm probably saying it.
  
Thought Question:

Since actions and words are generated by thoughts, then how important are my thoughts?


What do my thoughts reveal about me?  (Proverbs 23:7)


So what things should I think about?  (Philippians 4:8)  

Hint: There are 6.


What is the result of proper thoughts and actions?  (Philippians 4:9)  

Hint: P______ of G_____

2. "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" 

    - Everything I do should be done with Jesus in mind.


With whose name should I be willing to have my actions (words and deeds) associated?


Thought Question:
To whom do my actions actually bring glory (attention or praise)?

What do we call something that brings honor to self and dishonor to Christ?
Hint:  S __ __


3. "giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
    - I should be able to thank God for my words and actions.

If I can't thank God for them (my words and actions), then what must be the reason?
It's simple; it's sin.
    

Conclusion: All my words and deeds should be done in such a way 
that I can thank God for them.  

PM

Eye Beam

Think of a time when you got a speck of something in your eye!  It might have been tiny, but do remember the irritation and the pain? Ouch! Until it was removed you were distracted, blurred, and somewhat helpless.  Ever seen someone else with the same sort of problem?  What was your response to that person's need?

Read Matthew 7:1-5

 1) Judge not, that ye be not judged.  2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  3) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  4) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  5) Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

This passage is about

    1. marred vision and hindered blessings

    2. restoring vision and blessing

So which is the mote and which is a beam?

_______________ - a great length of timber, a log, a rafter

_______________ - a tiny speck (like sawdust), a splinter

                 Hint: alphabetical order

Two Ways

Psalm 1


 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
         Nor stand in the path of sinners,
         Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 

 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates day and night. 

 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
         Which yields its fruit in its season
         And its leaf does not wither;
         And in whatever he does, he prospers. 



 The wicked are not so,
         But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 

 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
         Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 

 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
         But the way of the wicked will perish.

We Get One Shot

A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity…The same may be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever.…Each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our everlasting destiny.…How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness…? It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to send the day into eternity in such a garb as we shall wish to wear it forever. And at night let us reflect that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked.          Adoniram Judson

James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life? 

 It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

    

Voice Recognition

Call to me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty things,

which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:3

I am writing this piece using a voice recognition program.  I will not be editing anything on it, so what you see is what you get.  Voice recognition programs need training. It takes a while four the program to recognize the voice, and even then, there kin be errors, as you have probably already seen.  Isn't it a good thing that prayer isn't like a voice recognition program.  There is no learning on God’s bee half.  He understands not only what I’m saying, but he knows who is saying it, and he answers accordingly.  Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing.  God hears, God recognizes, God understands, and God answers. 
PM

My Will vs God's Will

I found the March 4th My Utmost for His Highest devotional to be particularly challenging and inspiring. The title is “Could This Be True of Me?” The verse is Acts 20:24. "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself."

Chambers gives the following explanation. “It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.”