(HFJ) Hop For Jesus! (Just A Thought #24)

Did you hear the story about the Christians who had a prayer meeting? It appears that they had this meeting and the next thing you know brother Joe started talking about this vision he had and how everyone in the vision was hopping on one foot and whooping for Jesus.

Well at first the people thought this was crazy but then Brother Joe sited an obscure Scripture in Leviticus 11, which talked about hopping. (Yes, it’s in the American Standard Version, but it refers to which insects you can eat.) No one bothered to check and see if this verse was in the Bible, or even if the Scripture was taken in context or not. Seems another sister confirmed this vision when she said she hopped on one foot and was healed. Two weeks later the whole church had a foot hopping service. Then stories started rolling in of how people were being blessed by hopping. One guy got a promotion. Another guy found $20. A few weeks later a lady started writing hopping music. The Christian media picked up on it and before long the bookstores began selling hopping music. (Hip Hopping Hallelujah and Hopping Hymns were 2 bestsellers) Then Brother Joe, who introduced the joy of hopping, wrote a book which spent 22 weeks on the best sellers list. The Purpose of Hopping was followed by Holy Hopping and Secrets to a Hopping Life. Then the fist coffee cup in the shape of a foot was sold, followed by bracelets with HFJ (Hop For Jesus) was made. All the youth groups had to have them. The journals and pens got lost in the shuffle, but the Hopping Bible was a big seller. Eventually, as the movement wound down, someone had a vision of a man yodeling… .

Philippians 1:9-11 “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Why do Christians follow fads and trends? Good question. We are called to be in the world but not of it. Yet it appears that whatever marketing or business trend is happening in the world is eventually duplicated in the church. Not to mention the extra-biblical themes being introduced into the body of Christ without as much as an eyebrow being raised. The specific trends aren’t important right now and I am not saying God can’t use these things, but I notice many people start talking about the emotional extras more than they talk about God. It seems our focus has shifted from Him to us! How are we feeling? What are we enjoying? This is how I was blessed. You should do such and such and you’ll prosper. I, Me, You! Self-Centered Christianity is not what God has called us to. He has called us to an uncompromising faith in Him. Our soul can truly only prosper when we delight in Him and His law. (Psalms 1:3, Prov. 16:20)

I believe God is calling His church back to the Himself. Uncompromised! Focused! Refreshed in Him; not relying on man-made extras to make things exciting. We need to get away from “emotional” Christianity and back to LIFE in Jesus Christ! There is Joy in Him. We don’t need the window dressing. We need Him! We don’t need an emotional high to have relationship with Him. We just need Him. It’s not about feelings it’s about fact. Jesus Christ crucified, risen, victorious. Galatians 6:14 says, “But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Jesus Only Jesus!

Raising the Standard

I found myself thinking about the 10 commandments today. Now understand this is not something I think about regularly. I don't have them posted on my screen saver and don't whip them out of my wallet every time I meet someone .

No, it just seems that the world is going down hill fast. Today while sitting in a meeting my mind drifted. Happens sometimes. Today I was thinking about those laws Moses brought down from the mountain top.

God set a standard. Not just with the commandments, but the whole Bible is filled with God's standard for us. Yet today it seems society is trying desperately to lower God's standard. The sad part is the "church" seems to be leading the way!

To many denominations are winking at sins God said were wrong. Things are being ordained from the pulpit that God clearly said were off limits. Why? Why is the "church" compromising?

Instead of lowering God's standards should we not be raising our own? Should we not try to live our lives reflecting God? If God said don't touch why are we out fondling those exact same things? Now is the time to repent! Now is the time to raise up our standards and to turn our lives completely over to the King of Kings.

God's Word is not a book of suggestions. It is filled with standards that if we live by them will produce an abundant and fruitful life.

It's time for the church to hit its knees and repent of the sin of compromise!

Just A Thought #16

Reflections of the way my life should be

I was reading Psalm 91 today. I love those first 2 verses. Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Verse 2, "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I will trust."

Recently I have found myself reflecting on the Lord more and more. Unfortunately when I reflect on Him I see where my life should be and where I usually am not. I should be sheltering in the Lord. I should be resting in His shadows and secured in His fortress. Lately it seems I am not. There have been many times in my life....too many times....when I have let the cares of this world take up more of my focus. It's easy when bills are on your table, someone is sick, your job is not working out as you'd planned, etc. to let these things consume you. I know, I've been there. However I sense the Lord calling me to renew my focus solely on Him. As I write this I have a longing to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. I find my desire increasing again. My heart being restored.

I desire something more, something deeper. More of God. I want to dwell with Him, to rest in His shelter, to be inside the fortress, protected from the outside world. As I look around me I see so many hurting people and I long to share with them the answer to their hurts. The healing balm the Lord can apply. However I have been nursing my own wounds and not sharing this medical breakthrough with others. I have seen some self-centeredness creeping back into my life like a fungus. I know what I should be doing. That's the problem.

Now I am working on the solution. I am making an effort to go further with God. For me it means I need to cut out some distractions in my life. I will have to put down the other books, turn off the DVDs and computers and just get away with God. I can't escape from the world but I think I understand more and more what the Father meant when He said we should be in the world but not of it. It takes effort to tune out the world and tune into God. I know I will need to find that quiet place each day to sit and hear Him, to talk with Him. It is my desire. Is it yours? This was hard to write today. I have felt dry of late and realize I need His refreshing. How many of you also need the cool refreshing only God can give? How many will covet with me to seek the Lord today. If you also have felt this tug let me know and we can pray for one another.

God is a victorious God and I am excited to see what will happen next.

Just A Thought #15

Standing Ground

I am a history buff. In particular I like to read about military history. I have been reading about the American Civil War lately. One thing that strikes me is when faced with hard pressing attacks from the enemy, numerous times soldiers have been credited with holding their ground. In the accounts I have read, they would not fall back, but continued to fight against overwhelming odds.

I wish we as Christians would do the same. This may strike some as pushy or forward, but we give too much ground to the enemy today. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2 that we should not be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds. There are numerous Scriptures telling us not to give in to worldliness. I have seen too many Christians embracing Harry Potter and similar books and movies, when God clearly condemns sorcery and witchcraft and tells us to have nothing to do with them. Too many people endorsing films which clearly violate God's standard. The recent Evan Almighty is a clear example. No matter how hard we try to draw parallels to Christianity, or point to the redemptive qualities of the plot, the fact is that we are allowing subtle suggestions to affect our view of God, family, morals and more. I have heard friends recommend movies with dozens of expletives and crass jokes, saying things like "I loved that movie. It portrayed good and evil so clearly." So? Even Satan himself knows the scripture. But he can't quote it without twisting it. Just as he tried to deceive Jesus in the wilderness, so he wishes to deceive us through many types of media.

Now I am not prudish and I watch films, TV, etc. The point though is we should filter what we watch through His lenses. Would God approve of what we are partaking in? What would he say about the way Christians are portrayed? About how Jesus is portrayed? About how his goodness is displayed or dismissed?

Why do we embrace what the world offers? Are we not called to be different...peculiar? Should the World not look at us and see Christ? I am tired of compromising Christianity. I want to see Jesus lifted high. Are we salt to the world or have we lost our flavor? It is time to stand up for righteousness...standing our ground as the enemy presses in. No retreat. No surrender. Giving all for Jesus no Matter the cost!

Just A Thought #6

No Compromise

I have found myself thinking of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel Ch. 3) recently. Three guys known for their encounter with God in the fiery furnace. Looking over the story again I find it amazing. Here were 3 men who worked for the King, refusing to compromise to get ahead or to literally save their own skin.

I also found myself thinking about my own walk with the Lord. How have I compromised with the world over the years? I am sad to say that God's standards and mine have not always seemed to match. This is something I have been working through over a season.

I believe fully that we are all ministers of the Gospel. It does not matter if we are pastors or plumbers, deacons or diesel mechanics. We are all called to be light to the world around us. The hands and feet of the Gospel.

I believe we need a spiritual balance in order to be in the world but not of it. We don't have to be in a job that is labeled "full time ministry" to minister. We can and should be lights to the world around us. Not compromising God's standards to fit in but not being sticks in the mud either. Remember people were attracted to Christ but He always spoke truth in love. He never compromised.

The challenge to us as believers is to stand for truth. Sometimes this means doing so in the secular world, sometimes it is with other believers. This may be with an individual or if we see something within our church community that can be addressed in love. When we are certain that it is God's timing and God's direction, then we can speak, trusting Him to give us courage, and not be intimidated. If the words are not received, we can continue in prayer for the people, but rest in knowing we have been obedient and the rest is up to God.

We need balance. We are to be in the world but not of it and not so heavenly minded we are no earthly good. Not to be cliche but that is the balance we need. Focused on Christ but aware of those in need around us. Focused on the King but people unbelievers are drawn to.

Ask yourself that question I mentioned earlier. Have you compromised?