Why Can't Jesus Be Our Hobby? - Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203:1&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eccl%202:11&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010:37-38&version=NIV1984

Yesterday I made the observation that most people have a hobby or two that they devote a lot of time and energy to.  Unfortunately, Jesus isn’t one of them.  Why is this a problem?

First of all, let me state for the record that Jesus is not just supposed to be our ‘hobby’.  Something (Someone) we pursue in our ‘spare’ time.  He is supposed to be our life.  By this it is meant that Jesus is supposed to be a part of our work.  Our home life.  Our relationships.  Our hobbies.  He is to impact the way that we think, talk, act and live.  As Savior and Lord, Jesus has a say in every aspect of our lives.  Secondly, anything that comes before Jesus (hobbies included) is an idol.  I think we would all agree that is not very good.

Having said that, why can’t Jesus be our hobby?  I mean, why can’t we spend a good portion of our spare time on stuff related to Him?  Reading the Bible?  Or praying?  Teaching a Sunday School class?  Or helping with the children’s ministry?  Serving others?  Why can’t we spend money on Christian books, DVD’s, seminars or training that will help us grow in our relationship with Jesus?

Better yet, what about taking some time off of work for Jesus?  To attend that special event, seminar or retreat?  We do it for our other hobbies.  We take time off or rearrange our schedules for them.  Why not for Jesus?  I remember years ago when I was working at a paper mill that our church was having a special speaker on a weeknight.  Unfortunately I was scheduled to work that night.  I desperately wanted to hear this speaker.  So I took the night off from work.  I didn’t lie.  I didn’t say that I was sick.  I simply told them that I wasn’t coming in.  That was one of 4 days that I have missed (2 others I was sick, 1 I went hunting) in 40 years!  Of course, taking that day off meant that I lost 8 hours of pay.  But that was small in comparison with the spiritual nourishment that I received. 

Another example of this was the couple who went on the short-term missions trip I was on to the Copper Canyon in Mexico in October 2006.  The missions trip was 2 weeks long.  In order to go, this couple used up their 2 weeks of vacation.  For the entire year.  What this basically meant was that they had no vacation for 2 years.  You could say that Jesus was their hobby.

Most of the time, Christians do the exact opposite!  How many people miss church so that they can pursue their hobby is anyone’s guess.  As a pastor I hear it all the time.  People tell me that they won’t be in church Sunday because NASCAR’s on TV.  Or their favorite NFL team is playing.  Or they are planning a hike in the park.  Or a day on the lake.  Or there’s a bridal show.  Or a gun show.  Or a clown show.  (Just kidding!)  The point is that a lot of Christians take time away from Jesus so that they can pursue their hobby.  So what am I to assume about the place that Jesus occupies in their life?

Finally, what about showing some passion for Jesus?  I’ve heard it 1000 times before.  “I can’t wait until this weekend!  We are going (fill in the blank...)  Hiking.  Fishing.  Camping.  Taking that big trip.  Playing in a softball tournament.  Taking in the car show, etc.”  I can tell that they are very excited.  I just wish that they were that excited about Jesus.  What would it be like if all week long we couldn’t wait for Sunday?  If we woke up early Sunday morning excited to go to church?  If we ran around the house getting ourselves and our children ready so that we could worship Jesus?  If nothing stood in the way of attending our small group?  If we couldn’t wait to attend the work day at church?  If we couldn’t wait to read our Bibles?  Or pray?  Or minister to others?  Wow.  Would that be neat or what?  Imagine how that might transform our lives?  Our churches?  Our world?  

Let's ponder that for a while.  Some final thoughts on tomorrow's post.

Lord, part of being made in Your image is that You have created each of us with different likes, passions and abilities.  And part of this is demonstrated by our hobbies.  While having hobbies and pursuing them are not wrong, help me never to put them before Jesus.  In His name, Amen.

Why Can't Jesus Be Our Hobby? - Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2016:26&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:12&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+2:15&version=NIV1984

Hobbies.  It seems we all have them.  These are secondary things that we like to pursue in our spare time.  Besides work or school.  (Of course, for a few rare people, work or school is their hobby!)  Now the hobbies that people have are about as varied as the people who pursue them.  Guns.  Hiking.  Knitting.  Scrapbooking.  Listening to music.  Watching TV.  Shopping.  Fishing.  Remodeling.  Cooking.  Drawing.  Writing.  Hunting.  Photography.  Astronomy.  Restoring old vehicles.  Skateboarding.  Facebook.  Sports.  Relationships.  Gardening.  Woodworking.  Playing video games.  Racing.  Travel.  Boating.  Weightlifting.  Rock climbing.  Swimming.  Skiing.  Sewing.  Reading.  Cleaning.  Playing an instrument.  Baking.  Collecting things - from books to coins to licence plates - you name it.  I have purposely tried to list as many hobbies as I could in the hope that you have at least several of them.  I know that I do.

I suppose that the main attraction of hobbies is that it gives us an opportunity to pursue an interest or passion.  We might not have enough time, skill or education to pursue these activities as a vocation so we resort to pursuing them as an avocation.  As such, they bring us a great deal of joy and satisfaction.  They allow us to use some of our gifts and talents that we might not get to use elsewhere.  And having a hobby also can be a great way to relax and reduce stress.  Is there anything better than sitting down for an hour to read a great book?  Or cook a favorite dish?  Or run a couple miles?  No.  This is precisely why we pursue hobbies.  Because they bring us so much fulfillment and satisfaction.  And if we can pursue these hobbies with others, family and friends, it makes it even better.

One of the things that I have observed over the years is that people spend a lot of time and money on their hobbies.  In most hobbies there is equipment to purchase, which is usually expensive.  A sewing machine.  A pair of skis.  A boat.  A gun.  An instrument.  Various tools.  Then there is the amount of time that is devoted to the hobby.  This can go from an hour once a month to several hours every day.  The fact is that some people put so much time and energy into their hobbies that it’s almost like another life.  They seem to live just so that they can pursue their hobby.  And they pursue it with passion.  They devote entire evenings to their hobby.  Or weekends.  They take time off of work for them.  And they travel to distant locations.  No expense of time, money or commitment is too great.

Now, as I happen to be a person of many interests and hobbies myself, I understand their importance.  Yet, at the same time, I sit back and I wonder.  With so much spare time being devoted to hobbies, where does Jesus fit into all of this?  The answer is that, for a lot of people, including many Christians, He doesn’t.  It’s a simple as that.  Jesus isn’t our hobby.  And that is sad.  Because He should be.  More on this subject in tomorrow’s post.

Jesus, it is with great sadness that You must look down and see how much time, energy and money we put into all kinds of hobbies at Your expense.  In my own life I need to be careful that my hobbies don’t crowd out time for You.  Help me to keep You #1 in my life.  That You are first and foremost in everything that I do.  That You are my hobby.  In Your name, Amen.

Good Bye, Aunt Eleanor

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%209:27&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204:13-14&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+90:12&version=NIV1984

Beth called me this afternoon at the office.  She had received a long-distance phone a few minutes earlier.  My aunt Eleanor had passed away this morning.  She was less than a month from her 87th birthday.  Her passing was expected and yet unexpected.  When a person is almost 87 you know that they aren’t going to be around too much longer.  So in that way it was expected.  On the other hand, it wasn’t like my aunt had been ill.  In that way it was unexpected.  As she got into her 80's my aunt's legs didn’t function properly.  So she had to give up driving and use a walker.  This was very difficult for her.  Back in the day, my aunt drove a car at a time when most women didn’t.  And she also worked at a time when most women didn’t.  Then the past couple years her hands became crippled with arthritis to the point where she could barely write.  Or use her walker.  After living in an apartment for many years she moved into an assisted-living place a little over a year ago.

Quite unexpectedly, my aunt’s passing brought an unexpected wave of grief to me.  I  suppose part of this is due to the fact that, except for my mom, she was the last person who knew me as a child.  She has been around ever since I can remember.  Now she's gone.  This is the harsh reality of getting older.  Things change.  And you can never go back again.  Another aspect that made her passing difficult for me is the timing.  Recently I had printed some pictures of our grandchildren and had them sitting on my desk at home.  Earlier today I brought them with me and was making some notes on the back of them.  So that she would know who was who.  I was going to mail them to her.  Today.  Right in the middle of making those notes I received the call that she had died.  Wow.  I guess I was a little late with the pictures.  I know she would have loved seeing them.  I was also going to send her some CD’s of my sermons.  I’d sent her some a year or two ago and she really enjoyed listening to them.  So the news of her passing put a sudden halt to my plans.  Too late.  That is what makes me sad.

On the positive side, my aunt was ready to go.  Her husband had passed away 30 years ago.  Her parents were both gone.  And her only sibling, my dad, had passed away 5 years ago.  At this stage of her life, outside of my dad’s children, there just weren’t many people left in her life.  As a result, she wanted to die.  We talked about this quite frequently whenever she would call.  She couldn’t understand why God hadn’t taken her yet.  I tried to explain that God wasn’t finished with her yet.  That there was still some purpose for her life.  She struggled to accept this.  The good news is that I believe that she was prepared to meet God.  Several times in the past we talked about Jesus and salvation.  She had put her faith in Jesus as her Savior but she seemed to lack assurance.  Right up to the end she was ‘hoping’ that she’d make it.  Well, now she knows that she’s secure.

What are the things that I take away from this?  First of all, I am reminded that life is short.  Very short.  This is why it is so important for people to put their faith in Jesus as their Savior.  Because to die without having done this is to perish.  To spend eternity in Hell.  Secondly,  because life is so short, it is critical that we make the most of the days that God has given us.  To be salt and light to people around us.  Thirdly, we need to pay more attention to our  relationships.  The reality is that we all have a tendency to take family & friends for granted.  We assume that they are always going to be around.  But they won’t.  So we need to make sure that they know how much we love and appreciate them.  We need to hug them.  And encourage them.  And stay in touch with them.  Both verbally and in written form.  This way we won’t have any regrets when they pass from this life.

So, good-bye aunt Eleanor.  I’m glad that you’ve made it safely home.  Thank you for all that you’ve done for me over the years.  And thank you for allowing me to give back a little bit to you.

Lord, thank you for the family and friends that You have placed in my life.  They are a source of blessing, strength and encouragement to me.  May I love and appreciate them and not take them for granted.  May I be a source of blessing, strength and encouragement to them as well.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lie - Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3:17-19&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Cor%2013:4-7&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV1984

In yesterday’s post I put forth the idea that Satan’s biggest lie (and his original one) was that God doesn’t love us.  It really is a sinister one.  It strikes right at the heart of who God is (love) and what we desperately need.  Of course, the whole idea that God doesn’t love us is absurd.  The reason why we were created was love.  The reason why God gave us laws and rules to live by was love.  The reason why Jesus came to earth and died on the cross was love.  The reason why God hasn’t ended time, as we know it, is love.  I mean how can we even remotely entertain the idea that God doesn’t love us?  The fact is that even when we ignore Him, even when we rebel, even when we sin against Him, He still loves us.  Unconditionally. 

Unfortunately it is not just unbelievers who believe the lie that God doesn’t love them.  Many Christians believe this as well.  Oh I know that we’ve been taught differently.  And we even say that we know that God loves us.  But do we really believe this?  Or are we just giving it lip service?  How can we say that we truly believe that God loves us when we often keep our distance from Him?  When we put other things before Him?  When we are afraid to confess our sins?  When we doubt Him?  When we think that we have to be ‘perfect’?  When we think that God’s love for us is tied into going to church.  And having devotions.  And giving our tithe.  All of these things point to the fact that we really don’t believe that God loves us.  We have fallen for the lie of Satan.

Of course, we also struggle with Satan’s second lie as well.  The fact that since God loves us we can do anything that we want.  It won’t matter.  Really?  Isn’t love all about having respect for others?  About being kind?  Thoughtful?  About treating others the way that we want to be treated?  That’s what Paul says in I Corinthians 13:4-7.  The truth is that love is not synonymous with unilateral freedom.  Yes, love is the freedom to do whatever we want.  But it is also tempered by our desire not to hurt or take advantage of others.  It is a voluntary restricting of our freedom to the point where we refuse to hurt others.  And seek the best for them.  That is love. 

Unfortunately so many people in our world believe the fact that since God loves them that they can do anything they want.  But that is not love.  It is license.  And license takes advantage of people.  And it is easy to take advantage of people we don’t love.  So, in the end, these 2 lies of Satan are connected.  God doesn’t love us.  So He won’t mind if we take advantage of Him.  Wow.  How twisted is this!  It’s a wonder that God doesn’t cry a river every day as He sees how pervasive these lies of Satan are in our world!

So, just exactly where are we in regard to God’s love?  Do we believe that God loves us or not?  What are the evidences that we can point to that prove that we understand God’s love for us?  Has our behavior changed or in any way been altered?  Are we drawing closer to God in intimate fellowship?  Do we find ourselves thinking about Him more and more?  Do we have a desire to do whatever He wants?  To please Him in all that we do?  The answers to these questions will ultimately determine whether we believe that God loves us.  Or whether we believe the lie.

Take a moment right now and search your heart.  Where are you on this?  God loves you with a deep, intimate, eternal, unconditional love.  Ask Him to help you to understand this.  To experience it.  To live it.  Today and every day!

Lord, I thank you for the greatest example of Your love for me - Jesus on the cross.  How can I ever doubt Your love?  Help me to not only know that You love me but to experience it.  To live in it each day.  And may it flow out to others around me.  In Jesus' name, Amen. 

The Lie - Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%203:1-7&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8:44&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20:7-9&version=NIV1984

A lie.  The opposite of the truth.  If truth is good, then lies are not good.  Truth sets us free.  Lies enslave.  Truth helps us to see things as they really are.  Lies gives us a false or distorted impression of the way things really are.  Truth helps people.  Lies destroy them. 

I was thinking about the world’s first lie.  It is found in Genesis 2.  As we know, it came from Satan.  The father of lies.  The lie is found in verse 1.  “Has God said....?”  Clearly Satan already knew what God had said.  And so did Adam & Eve.  So I am left wondering why Satan asked the question in the first place?  The answer is to create doubt.  Doubt about what God had said concerning the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil.  That Adam & Eve could eat of any other tree in the Garden except this one.  That the moment they ate the fruit they would die.  But the real lie, in my estimation, goes much deeper than the Tree.  And it is very sinister.  The lie was that God didn’t love Adam & Eve.

You say, where do you come up with that one?  Think about it for a moment.  Satan went on to imply that God was ‘holding out’ on Adam & Eve.  That if they ate the fruit from the Tree that they would be just like Him.  Knowing good from evil.  In other words, Satan was implying God didn’t have their best interests at heart.  He was holding them back.  Placing limits on their growth and development.  He wanted to keep them as creatures.  And not let them take the step into becoming God themselves.  Now stop and think about that.  Does that sound like love?  Of course not!  What Satan was ultimately doing was planting seeds of doubt in Adam & Eve’s mind that God loved them. 

But before we run with that, there was a second lie that Satan told that day.  That lie was that Adam & Eve could disobey God (or sin) and not suffer any consequences.  God had said that if they ate from the fruit of the Tree that they would die.  Satan said that they wouldn’t.  Who to believe?  Unfortunately, Adam & Eve chose to believe Satan.  And they found out the hard way that, yes, they did end up knowing good from evil.  But that wasn’t a good thing.  And, no, they didn’t become like God.  They were still just creatures.  Only fallen, sinful, creatures.  Who were now in need of redemption.  And, yes, they did die.  Died spiritually.  Immediately.  And eventually died physically as well.  So let’s take these 2 lies and see what they mean for us.

My view is that one of the biggest lies that people struggle with today is that God doesn't loves them. ‘Really?’ you say.  ‘I think a lot of people believe that God loves them’.  I beg to differ.  For many people the fact that God loves them is simply theory, not reality.  And theory just won’t cut it.  Because theory isn’t real.  It’s theory.  What might or possibly could be.  Look at the sad state of our world.  Why are so many people throwing themselves headlong into sin - be it substance abuse, immoral relationships, the pursuit of money and fame, and so many other fruitless activities?  Because ultimately they are searching for love.  Why?  Because with love comes acceptance.  Significance.  Fulfillment.  We are created to love and to be loved.  And until we come to that place we will continue searching and searching.  Even to the point of destroying ourselves.  And others around us.  More on this thought tomorrow.

Lord, I confess that many times I believe the lie of Satan.  Deep down I really don’t believe that You love me.  I am unlovable.  Unworthy of anyone truly loving me.  Especially You.  Help me to believe the truth.  The truth from Your Word.  That You have loved me.  Do love me.  And will always love me.  May this truth set me free.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

October Baby

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139:13-16&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+1:5&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20127:3&version=NIV1984

I have been telling everyone I can lately about the high quality of Christian media.  For example, on the Hallmark Channel you can catch the Janette Oak series, Love Comes Softly.  The movies are clean, well-written, high quality and based upon Christian principles.  Then there are some great DVD’s and vignettes from Answers in Genesis.  These are also well done and high quality.  Last weekend at the Men’s Advance we saw a Father’s In The Field video that was both excellent and moving.  Of course, in the past few years there is Provident Films http://www.providentfilms.org/.  Among the movies they have produced in recent years are Courageous, Fireproof, Facing The Giants & 7 Days In Utopia.  Now they have another movie that is coming out.

The movie is entitled October Baby.  It is about a young woman and her journey into discovering who she is.  It deals with the subject of abortion and how it affects the lives of others.  I don't want to say too much more about it because I don't want to spoil the impact of the movie for you.  I will say that Beth and I were able to see a private screening of it on February 3rd and it is very good.  A great storyline that is one you don't expect.  It is coming here to Kalispell on Friday, March 23rd, 3 weeks from today.  I can’t say enough good about the movie and hope that you will go and see it.  When quality Christian films like this come along we need to support them.

Lord, I thank you for the great Christian media that is present in our culture these days.  High quality, Scripture-based resources which promote Christian principles.  May You continue to use these resources to impact people's lives for Your kingdom and may You continue to inspire the people who produce them.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Name

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ACts%204:12&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%202:9-11&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+19:17&version=NIV1984

Names.  We all have them.  First names.  Middle names.  Last names.  Nick names.  Some people even have more than 3 names.  Like my father and grandfather.  And most Spanish-speaking people I know!  Since there are so many people in the world, most of us need all 3 of our names in order to properly distinguish us from others.  There are a few people, however, whose first name is so popular (and admittedly, distinct) that they are known by it.  Elvis.  Oprah.  Cher.  Madonna.  Shaq.  Kobe.  Bono.

Of course, our names are important to us.  Because they identify us.  They define us.  So others had better get them right.  I remember years ago a younger couple started coming to our church from another church.  One of the reasons why was that their pastor couldn’t get her name right.  And it bothered her.  Names are also important in that they can come to symbolize either good or bad.  Billy Graham.  Mother Teresa.  Adolph Hitler.  Jezebel.  Judas.  Immediately when we hear these names a mental image, either good or bad, comes to mind.

Companies also have names.  Some of their names are easy to pronounce and remember.  Others are more difficult.  Just the same, their name is important to them.  As a result many companies spend billions of dollars each year in advertising.  Not just to advertise their products but to also keep their name in the public consciousness.  Companies like Coke.  Pepsi.  IBM.  Apple.  Ford.  Chevy.  Honda.  Companies also spend money on advertising in order to portray their name in a good light.  One such company is CNN.  Their slogan is = CNN, the most trusted name in news.  Other companies seek to portray their name as being synonymous with excellence.  Or care.  Or being friendly to the environment.

In the Bible, we find that names are also important.  Many times the name of an individual described either their character or their destiny.  In Genesis we find that God changed the names of Abram, Sarai & Jacob because their relationship to Him had changed.  And, of course, when speaking of names, what can we say about the name of God?  In Hebrew, there are several different names that He goes by.  And the 3rd of the 10 Commandments is that God’s name is holy and should not be used in vain.  In fact, God said that He would punish the person who abuses His name.

But there is one name that stands out above all others in the Bible.  And it is the name Jesus.  It was the name that the angel Gabriel gave to Mary for God’s Son before she had even conceived.  Basically it is the Greek equivalent of Joshua and means “the Lord saves”.  It is a symbolic name, given to describe Jesus’ future ministry, i.e., to save others.  So we see in the New Testament that it is in the name of Jesus that people are saved.  It is by the name of Jesus that people are healed.  And it is the name of Jesus that is exalted above every other name.

So let’s appreciate the name of Jesus.  Let’s use it more.  In our prayers.  In our conversations.  It is the name we can call upon.  Anytime.  Day or night.  It is the sweetest, most wonderful, powerful name in the universe.  It is a name in which we can put our trust.

Lord, I thank you for the name of Jesus.  I am saved by this name.  I have power in this name.  I have eternal life as a result of this name.  May I grow in my love and appreciation of this name.  May it be on my lips for all eternity.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.