It’s Not My Job

Some time back as I was leaving a meeting, I saw a stray shopping cart rolling rapidly down hill towards cars parked below. There were 4 or 5 people within a few feet of it. I started to run to catch it but stopped and said to myself, “that’s ok, they’re closer; surely one of them will get it.”

To my amazement, they all stood there and watched as it crashed into 2 new cars doing lots of damage. It was almost as though I had an epiphany.

📌 Never assume someone else will do what you are capable of doing, but fail to do because it requires too much effort!

Even if they are “closer,” seem better equipped, or more capable…you can’t ever assume an important task will be done by someone else.

Just because a person is ABLE, doesn’t mean they’re WILLING! And even if they are willing, they may not have the vision to see what needs to be done or the discipline to do it.

Too often in life we have the “It’s not my job,” or “someone else will do it” attitude! The reality is, not everyone has the same vision or capacity to see, and not everyone has the willingness to respond to the things they do see. Too often the things we assume others will do, go undone.

📌 Could it be that God allows you to SEE WHAT OTHERS DON’T, because He trusts you to DO what others WON’T? 🤔🤔🤔

We each have to be responsible enough to “take care of business,” when given opportunity and never assume someone else will do it!

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever you are capable of doing, do with all your might because there’s no work, thought, knowledge, or wisdom in the grave, which is where you are headed.”

It’s Not My Problem!

One of the greatest examples of spiritual apathy in the Bible is found in 2 Kings 20. It involved a king who was considered godly. His name was Hezekiah.

Hezekiah, feeling secure in his success and prosperity, decided to entertain the wicked, political leaders of Babylon. In the process, openly and with pride of heart, he showed them all of his possessions and the treasures of the House of God. As soon as they left, he was confronted by the prophet Isaiah with a scathing rebuke and pronouncement of judgement for his pride and arrogance.

Hezekiah’s response to this rebuke and prophetic warning is one of the most glaring examples of indifference and spiritual apathy in the entire Bible.

Look at (2 Kings 20:19) “The word of the LORD you have spoken is good (or better translated as ‘accurate and acceptable with me’),” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”

📌 When I read that I thought…Wait! What? Are you kidding me? 🤷‍♂️

The prophet just told you that your enemies are going to come back, conqueror the nation of Judah, pillage the city of Jerusalem, destroy the House of God, and take the people into captivity…your own sons will either be killed or castrated and made eunuchs and slaves…and all you have to say is, “Well, God promised ME 15 additional years and since it won’t happen during MY lifetime — I’m not going to worry about it. At least I’ll enjoy peace and security as long as I’m alive.”

Really? Are you serious right now? That’s how you’re going to respond? 😲

I can’t help but wonder how many Christians respond the same way today! The foundations of our liberties and the sacred beliefs of our faith are slowly deteriorating…lukewarmness, compromise, and appeasement are trends of the day.

A spirit of performance has invaded the church until we can barely distinguish between the anointing and talent. Sermons are now speeches and worship is entrainment. What used to be the sacred desk where the voice of heaven was echoed on earth has now become a platform to build networks and financial empires. Immorality and wickedness are common place…holiness is mocked and ridiculed. Violence is pervasive and the blood of the innocent flows in our streets.

Yet because it doesn’t affect us PERSONALLY…we can still feel goose bumps, clap to the music, leave motivated, and enjoy the entertainment…our kids are safe and secure…our mortgage is paid…sure the nation and the church is in crisis, but because WE’RE OKAY…we react with indifference, passivity, and apathy!

I believe the Lord is saying enough…I want a church who is sold out…all in…holding nothing back! A people anointed with the supernatural power of God who will be the difference makers in the earth…men and woman who hear His voice and carry out His mandate until the knowledge of the glory of the Lord covers the earth like the waters cover the sea.

I wan’t to challenge you to shake off apathy and…

📌 Seek – Seek God for revival and repentance in our nation. Prayer works. The promise remains that if HIS people humble themselves and pray, and turn from wickedness, He will heal our land. Let’s seek Him until we find Him in a new and more glorious manner than we’ve ever known.

📌 Stand – Take a stand! Choose righteousness for yourself! Don’t go along with the crowd…stand out! Be the change you want to see in others!

📌 Speak – Speak up! Refuse to be silenced or canceled! You are God’s voice in the earth…cry aloud and spare not!

Remember the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do (or say) nothing. Speak up!

📌 Share – Share your faith without fear or intimidation. Don’t hide your light. Your greatest tool to reach others is the story of God’s faithfulness in your life. Share it.

📌 Serve – Serve your generation according to the will of God and let’s pass blessing rather than pain on to the next generation!

Just say no to apathy!

Happy New Year!

Looking back, these past 2 years have been a blur. Few things went the way they were planned…we went from the usual pattern of assess, adjust, and adapt, to SURVIVE!

There were some fierce battles, bitter disappointments, surprising betrayals, serious losses, and deep hurts. But, there were also some amazing victories, huge surprises, brilliant acts of courage, and exciting adventures. People I thought I could count on let me down, and people I never would have suspected stepped up and blew my mind with their performance.

We said goodbye to some precious friends and hello to some new and wonderful people.

I’ve not just grown a year older, I’ve grown much wiser. I’ve learned more about God, other people, life, and myself this year than any in recent history. It really was an interesting year!

📌 I tell this story everywhere I go because it radically shifted my entire outlook on life.

During the most desperate and difficult time I’ve ever experienced, I called Dr. Henry Jones, (who has gone to be with the Lord) at 4:30 am on a Sunday morning. I told him my situation and he shared something that changed my perspective forever.

He said, “Tim, life is an amazing enigma. It seems as though there are always good things and bad things happening simultaneously and you have to decide which you will focus on. If you focus on the negative it can overwhelm you and make you feel hopeless; but if you focus on the positive it seems you can find just enough strength to overcome…but only you can decide.”

📌 He went on to tell me that rather than grieving over those who have left, celebrate those who stayed. “Instead of crying over your losses, gather up your leftovers, give them to God, and let Him do a miracle of multiplication.”

“Remember the woman who had just enough oil and meal to make 1 small cake?” he said, “That’s all that was left; but that’s all God needed to sustain her and her son through the famine. God can do a lot with a little if we’ll just give it to Him!”

I want to encourage you to find the good and determine to focus on it…what’s left…tomorrow’s potential…the limitless possibilities.

Let’s celebrate the leftovers and watch God make 2023 the greatest year of our lives!

Happy New Year everyone!

Depression

I’ll never forget the day my head elder, and best friend walked into my office, right before the beginning of my second Sunday service and handed me his letter of resignation. He said, “Pastor I’m so sorry but I’ve been a Judas and can’t cover it up anymore.” He then proceeded to tell me how he had betrayed my trust in the most painful way.

The shock, anger, and pain from the sting of betrayal from the 2 people I trusted more than anyone else in the world were overwhelming.

I was numb…thoughts flooded my mind. “Are you serious? How could this be? What did I do wrong? How am I going to go out and preach to a church that is packed to capacity? How is this going to affect my children? What will other people think?”

It was the most devastating moment of my life. I felt as though everything I had trusted had failed me.

Over the next few months, I found myself sinking deeper and deeper into depression. It was a deep, dark time where I was paralyzed by fear and bitterness to the point that I despaired of life and prayed to die. Every day was a struggle that I just couldn’t seem to break out of. Thankfully, I never really entertained the idea of suicide because I didn’t want to inflict my pain on my children and I was afraid of being lost eternally…I wanted God to “take me.” I realize it sounds “unspiritual” and “weak,” but unless a person has walked this road they just don’t understand. I was hurting…angry…bitter. I took it out on everyone around me. The more people separated themselves from me, the more angry and bitter I became and the worse the depression became.

You see, depression is not something most people can just “shake off” or “resist.” Usually,  it is a process that takes time. (I’m actually writing a book on it right now called, I Dare You!)

There were five things that helped me push back and break free…

📌 (1.) Having a few trusted friends to talk to that I knew wouldn’t tell anyone else, and wouldn’t use my struggles against me down the road.

📌 (2.) Spending time in the word and in worship-allowing the Holy Spirit to heal my brokenness and re-energize my spirit.

📌 (3.) Rest – the one thing pastors do the least is rest. Working out was my release valve. Long runs or walks helped me clear my mind and heart.

📌 (4.) Embracing a new challenge. I had to re-embrace the passion I had lost and allow God to renew my vision. Something happens when you shift the focus off of your need and concentrate on the needs of others.

📌 (5.) Learning to forgive…others and myself.

Each person has different triggers that set off these feelings of hopelessness and despair. For me, it was rejection…something I had faced from my birth. Every time someone I had poured my life into left the church without a call or text message…it was rejection. When I failed at a challenge in life or ministry…it was rejection. When my wife wanted a divorce…it was rejection. Rejection, rejection, rejection. That was the demon I fought and projected into every adverse situation. In my mind, there had to be something wrong with me…otherwise, this wouldn’t be happening. I became bitter and captivated by fear. It had devastating effects on my health, my church, and my family.

This was when the enemy began to bring self-loathing. I drug myself to the pulpit and preached hope and faith to others and then went home and beat myself up with condemnation from knowing what I SHOULD be doing and yet not being able to do it. The guilt, shame, and frustration were the greatest battle I had to fight.

My heart goes out to anyone battling depression; especially my brothers and sisters in ministry. That’s why I pray for you daily and every Sunday send text messages to several of you to encourage you to be all God has called you to be.

One final note…I’ve only shared this in public twice and only in the presence of people in ministry. Seems that we all love the IDEA of transparency just not actual transparency. The last time I shared it someone came to me afterward and said during that time I was unqualified to be in the pulpit and should have stepped down or taken a sabbatical. For some, that might be the answer; but in my case, knowing I had to go to the pulpit and preach to my congregation was the inspiration that kept me in the word and in prayer and ultimately helped me press through. There is no cookie-cutter cure, but you can overcome it if you won’t quit. 1 John 5:4 reminds us that “…everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

Keep believing and never, never, never quit!

Love you guys

Good Lord!

This morning in my prayer time I was meditating on the 100th Psalm. We are told to enter His presence with thanksgiving and praise motivated by the fact that “…the Lord is good; His love is unfailing, and His faithfulness and truth continues to all generations.”

📌 Pastor Bill Johnson said, “The best kept secret in the Body of Christ is that God is good.”

I totally agree and want you to consider…

The Hebrew word translated “good” essentially means, “friendly, pleasant, wealthy, prosperous, generous – sharing liberally, becoming (revealing Himself as) better.”

The idea is that God is easily approached, quick to forgive, kind and loving, full of resources and willing to extend them to those who are in His favor. He is absent of anything vile, malicious, evil, or unpleasant. His motives, intentions, and acts are ALWAYS just and right.

📌 He’s not “in a good mood,” because that infers that His mood could change and He could be in a bad mood. He’s not the angry maniac religion has created. He is in fact just the opposite. He is full of grace and truth. Meaning He never compromises truth but is full of grace, abundant in tender mercies, and overflowing in loving-kindness.

Yes, God hates sin. In fact, the Psalmist says that God feels indignation and righteous judgment “every day” (Psalm 7:11). But Romans 1:18 makes it clear that God’s wrath is reserved for sin itself…“against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” He detests sin, but He loves the sinner.

Lamentations 3:22 reminds us that it is “…because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”

📌 Secondly, He doesn’t just DO good, because that infers He could do evil as well. James 1:7 reveals, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

So “good” is not His current state of mind nor the record of His momentary behavior…it is His character and nature. It’s not just what He does, it’s who He is and He cannot change!

Even when WE are “bad,” or when the events of life seem “bad,” never forget that because HE IS GOOD, we are never without hope.

I dare you to just take a moment and thank Him for being good today! Have a blessed Wednesday everybody!

A Reed or A Rock?

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18)

“Tim,” she said, “I like you. You’re a good kid! The problem is, no one has ever taken the time to work with you. If you’re willing, I will work with you and by the end of the year I promise you’ll be reading and writing with the rest of your class!”

Those words will live on forever in my mind! I was 11 years old, in 4th grade, 2 years behind the rest of my class. I couldn’t read, write, or even recite the full alphabet. Not only could I not read, but I could barely count. I had become a complete recluse and introvert.

The “experts,” said I had severe learning disabilities and would never be able to keep pace with my age group. Previous teachers had called me dumb, stupid, and even retarded. I had been mocked, ridiculed, and bullied by classmates. I had accepted the idea that I was a troubled kid, unable to learn, and eventually stopped even trying.

But, the moment she spoke those words, hope came alive in the heart of a child and an exciting journey of discovery and exploration began. When I was unable to believe in myself, this amazing woman challenged me to believe in HER ability to teach. In reality, she taught me how to believe in MYSELF, and my capacity to learn! I worked hard, missing recess and giving up my summer to spend endless hours working with her.

As a result skipped 2 grades and graduated on time with my class, even winning several learning achievement awards.

She wasn’t paid a single extra dime for the countless hours she spent painstakingly teaching me, but her investment changed my life!

I have been blessed to spend the past 39 years taking the Gospel into 48 states and 17 countries, leading thousands of people to Jesus, and helping others who stopped believing, believe again…all because one woman believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. She helped me see that my true capacity was much greater than I had ever imagined. The rejection and trauma that I had experienced as a child had blinded me to the potential created within me by God. I believed I couldn’t so I stopped trying. But, when my perception changed, my expectation and effort changed too. The entire trajectory of my life was re-directed because my way of thinking was transformed.

In much the same way, God calls us what we are not, so that we can become what He has declared us to be.

In Matthew chapter 16, leaving the multitudes, Jesus and His disciples have withdrawn from the mainly Jewish region of Galilee and come to Caesarea Philippi, which lies about 25 miles north-east of the Sea of Galilee, so that He could teach His disciples principles of the Kingdom.

Caesarea Philippi was an area with numerous idols and rival deities. It was said to be the birthplace of the great god Pan, the god of nature. There was also a magnificent white marble temple built to the godhead of Caesar. It is as though Jesus deliberately choses this setting to reveal Himself as “Christ, the Son of the Living God…” and to establish His infinitely superiority to every other religion.
It’s also the setting He chooses to) reveal the identity of a disciple named Simon.

In verse 13, Jesus asked, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

The disciples replied, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (vs. 14)

Simon however declares, ““You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (vs. 16)

Jesus answered, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Simon had always been a REED shaken by every wind that blew. His name even meant, “hearer” and “a wavering reed,” speaking of being wishy washy depending on what he was listening to. It can also mean to be “sand-like.”

That had pretty much been the story of his life. His identity had been shaped by what he had heard, probably since he was a small child. He had been called unstable, unreliable, and inconsistent…and that’s what he became…a reed influenced by external circumstances, the opinions of others, and his own impulses.

But, when Jesus saw him, He spoke to his potential rather than his past, renaming him “Peter,” a ROCK; one capable of being stable and sure.

From that point on his identity went back and forth between Simon and Peter. Sometimes he was even called, “Simon Peter” indicating that an element of both were present fighting for control.

Eventually, after the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, Peter emerges and becomes the head over the church in Jerusalem and one of the most visible leaders of the First Century Church. He became the rock of which Jesus spoke many years before.

Each of us have a Simon and a Peter within us…the one who emerges is the one we speak to and cultivate! It the one nurtured by what we hear and how we learn to think.

Romans 12:2 (NLT) says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

The word “transform” (Greek – metamorphu) means to “completely change into another form or species.” It implies a process of development where the hidden design is ultimately revealed. It latterly means to allow what God has written within, into our spiritual DNA, to work its way through to the outside, until we living out the full potential that we were created with.

Philippians 2:12-13 adds, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

As we train our ears to hear what our Creator says about us, and allow His word to reshape our perspective and belied system, our lives begin to transform into what He has declared us to be.
What has God said about YOU that you’ve talked yourself out of believing?

 Read it (James 1:21-25) read, hear & study the Bible. Get connected to a good Bible teaching church and connect to a small group.

 Reflect upon it (Psalm 1:2-3) meditate in it day and night.

 Repeat it (Proverbs 10:11) confess it with your mouth. This is a good place to build a support system. Surround yourself with friends who will encourage you and help you stand during the storms of life that are sure to come.

 Respond to it (John 13:17) by actin upon it.
Do what you CAN DO while you’re building the strength and courage to do what you WANT to do. Get started…go back to school, take some courses, join a gym, get some counseling, stop spending and start saving, begin a devotional time…do what you can.

Focus upon your promise rather than your past and watch your potential begin to emerge!

The Cost Of Discipleship

Luke 14:33 says, “…In the same way, those of you who are not willing to give up everything cannot be my disciples.”

As I read this passage today, my mind went back to the testimony of my dad’s conversion. As a 17 year old, he and his friend snunk into a little storefront church, (his parents had forbidden him to attend), because they liked the music. He was so convicted by the message, he accepted Christ as his Savior. Two nights later he was baptized in the Holy Spirit and called in to ministry. When he shared it with his dad, he was beaten severely and kicked out of the house. Thankfully, his grandmother took him in. She paid his way through Seminary at Central Bible College (Now Evangel Theological Seminary). He would later lead his dad to the Lord, end the cycle of alcoholism and abuse, lead thousands to Jesus, and establish a spiritual heritage in his children.

The stories he told of the horrific beatings, abuse, and rejection were traumatic and gut wrenching to listen to, but he was determined to follow Jesus no matter what it cost him.

I thought about the early believers whose bodies were impaled, lit on fire, and used as torches for the Roman roads…those who were thrown to lions or slaughtered by gladiators before cheering crowds. I thought about recent events where Christians in Africa and the Middle East were tortured, drowned, and beheaded simply because they refused to renounce their faith in Jesus. I couldn’t but help but think about pastors in Canada who were arrested and put in prison for simply having Bible studies in their homes.

As I observe a culture that wants success without struggle, salvation without sacrifice, and “Jesus on their terms,” I’m reminded of the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer…

“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.”

The old hymn says,

“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I’d rather be His than have riches untold
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

I’d rather have Jesus than worldly applause
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame
Yes, I’d rather be true to His holy name.”

📌 The real questions each of us must ask are;

What are WE willing to give up in order to follow Him?

Do we love Jesus enough to forsake ALL if necessary?

Are we willing to do whatever it takes to be His disciple?

Something to think about! 🤔

Help! I’m Lonely!

Loneliness is real and can play a number on you mentally and emotionally. There are lots of situations that can create those emotions…

It can be the death of a spouse, parent, or family member, divorce or separation, family conflict, the death of a pet, the holidays, moving to a new area, beginning a new job/career, children moving away or going off to school, and many, many others can place you in the position of being alone. Sometimes it’s even possible to FEEL ALONE when you’re surrounded by people.

It’s one of the most difficult emotions to define and work through. It’s legitimate and real.

But, I’m convinced that its’s not necessarily the loneliness that hurts the most. It’s often not being able to come to terms with the conditions or situations that created the loneliness. Those unresolved issues can create fear, anxiety, uncertainty, depression, and worthlessness and make life seem overwhelming.

Commonly, people will stay in, or return to abusive, dysfunctional, or otherwise unhealthy relationships rather than deal with the pain of being alone. However, that never solves the problem and only suppresses the emotions.

I’m learning that until you are comfortable with yourself, no one else can ever fill that void. While we were created for relationships and certainly need each other, there are some things that you only find in Jesus. In HIM and through His grace you find healing, wholeness, acceptance, and value. You learn to appreciate who He created you to be and discover that it’s in Him you live and have your being.

For those of you dealing with loneliness, let me make a few suggestions:

📌 It’s ok to walk thru the process of closure. Take the time to look at pictures, even cry, and recall the good times of the past. It’s alright to remember the memories that last a lifetime; just don’t live there! You have to keep moving forward. Visit, but don’t stay.

📌 Get out of the house and socialize with other people; i.e. a church group, a community support group, or even extended family. Go to the mall, a restaurant, a coffee house or bookstore. You need the comfort, encouragement and support. You also just need to be around other people; even if they are strangers.

📌 Do something nice for someone else who may be having a difficult time. Help feed the homeless or hungry, volunteer at a charity, church or community group. Sometimes just praying for others helps you shift the focus off yourself and on to them.

📌 Rescue a pet. Animals can be a huge source of love and companionship. Giving them love can make you feel that warm, fuzzy feeling all over again!

📌 Begin building NEW MEMORIES. There is always something you can do to begin building new memories and traditions. Try something new, or do something old in a new way.

📌 Stop worrying about what other people think. They don’t know your situation, they can’t read your mind, and you don’t owe them an explanation.

Remember you may FEEL alone but you are NOT alone. Jesus has promised to be with you always.

Open your heart and respond to His invitation…”Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29 NLT). Talk to Him…He’s always listening!

📌 Finally, feel free to message me and I will be sure to keep you in prayer.

Any additional suggestions from those who have learned to “survive” the difficult seasons of life would be appreciated.

I love you all!

P. Tim

Jesus Was A “Friend of Sinners?”

This is long and controversial, but important…

Today, justifying his choice of a Presidential candidate, a local pastor made this comment to a group of Church leaders. He said, “Jesus was a friend of whores, drunks, and sinners. He was more interested in loving people than He was in judging them! I don’t care who a person sleeps with; I only care about their policies.”

This statement that Jesus was “a friend of sinners,” when made alone, is a half-truth which can be easily be stretched until it become a dangerous heresy that ignores or even promotes things forbidden by the Scriptures.

Allow me to explain. Yes, Jesus was called a “glutton and a friend of sinners” as an insult from the religious hierarchy who sat in ivory towers judging others while living sinful lives themselves. But, context is always essential when creating a Biblical narrative so we don’t misinterpret the heart of Jesus and the mission He was sent to fulfill.

There were 5 or 6 (depending on how you interpret them) situations in the NT where Jesus was in the company of, or accused of being with sinners. In each case He extends His love and grace while also addressing the sin issue in one way or another.

The perfect example is that of Matthew the tax collector, whom Jesus called to follow Him. Unlike the religious leaders of the time, He didnt reject sinners, or scorn them because of their sin. He took time to eat with them and engage them in conversation. He showed them love BEFORE He showed them their need to be saved. He was on a mission…”not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).

Another example is the woman taken in adultery. He told her to “go and sin no more.”

The prostitute who anointed His feet in Luke 7 is another prime example. Jesus places value on her and forgives her sin. He then says, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50).

My favorite chapter in the NT is Luke 15, devoted to 3 parables designed to demonstrate the matchless love of the Father, the value He places on those who are lost, and the joy it brings Him when they return or are found. In each one, He contrasts the heart of God from the self-rightous attitude of the religious crowd.

But, the idea that Jesus was this “go along to get along” hippie, who loved a good party, didn’t care how people behaved, always hung out with drunks, sinners and strippers, like some Weekend at Bernie’s groupie is a mockery to His Lordship and mission, and a massive misrepresentation of the Gospels.

Jesus was a friend of sinners in the sense that He loved and mingled with those He had come to rescue. Rather than requiring that they “get their act together” and come to Him, He went to them, “seeking and saving the lost.” He never excused, or endorsed their sin or ignored their need for a Savior, but in the context of loving relationship and dialogue, He reached out to them, showing them the depth of the Father’s love and calling them to repent.

He provided the prime example on how to bring people far from Jesus, home to God.

When I was a young preacher in my 20’s, my dad told me something I’ve never forgotten. He said, “A man’s morality will dictate his theology.” Using the grace and love of Jesus to excuse a sinful lifestyle is not just poor theology, it speaks volumes about the person twisting Scripture and their walk with God.

Something to consider…

Just Fooling Around

Truth sounds like hate to those who hate truth. But to those who love it, it is a fountain of life.

Proverbs 12:15 says, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.”

📌 One of the main differences between a wise man/woman and a fool is the value they place on truth.

We all have ideas that feel right, and look right on the surface. And, it’s amazing how easily we can talk ourselves into believing “it’s right for us.”

A fool surrounds himself with “me too people” who go along with whatever he thinks or says. He disregards the advice of those who disagree and refuses to accept correction.

A wise man has quality people in his life who love him enough to risk offending him to speak the truth, in hopes of sparing him the pain of poor choices. He is also willing to listen and apply what he has heard.

Every relationship is either nurturing a weakness or a strength. Love yourself enough to get around people who challenge you and push you to elevate.

📌 So here’s the question…Which one are YOU?