Lost A Christian You Love?

How did it happen that they went away?

Costly in the sight of the Lord… —Psalm 16:15

Christian, have you ever lost a loved one, a friend who is a believer, a close family member …or maybe more than one? Please know that our gracious heavenly Father shares in your sorrow. I feel so sorry for people in pain.

Billy Graham once said: "Our confidence in the future is based firmly on the fact of what God has done for us in Christ. Because Christ is alive we need never despair, no matter what our situation may be; ‘Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him... For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord' (See Romans 6:8, 23)."

From Him, who loves me and my brothers so well, what power our souls can long sever? Shall life or death, or earth or hell? No—we are His and in Him forever.

We who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord. —1 Thessalonians 4:17

Do you feel like talking about your particular type of grieving? Maybe it wasn’t something bad at all, but someone you know got a job promotion or a transfer and moved away. Then again, perhaps you’ve lost a Christian friend …that’s still living. Did someone close to you backslide or just wander off?

Man, I hate that about life on this planet. How painful, but prodigals can still return. I have seen em and I have been one.

Yup, I've experienced loss before in different ways …sometimes more than once. You see, my wife, Liney and I have had the privilege of raising teenage boys—rascals, who have each respectively, had their plan. Some felt they should be "the head of our household" on occasion. You say, No, that could never happen. Oh yes, and they wouldn't mind me telling you this! One of them, who didn't get what he wanted, ran away from home two times before he reached adulthood and a new life as a soldier in Iraq. He ran from a little hammer so to speak, to a bigger hammer. Looking back, he can now chuckle about it. And in the military, they don't always give him what he wants either, but he's growing up.

I also remember wanting to be in charge at that age ..and sometimes earlier—"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11).

Maybe you've experienced something like that before even with your grown-up kids. Whatever, God knows what that's all about. And what flawed Christian parent doesn't experience such trials at one point or another? Sometimes decent pastors and employers experience something akin to that… as well as loss.

I believe that parents must believe right, live right, love right, remain in agreement, try to understand and win in all domestic power struggles …and I'm not talking about power struggles with God or each other. Because of course, we are called to represent and properly submit to God's authority …and to each other in the Lord. And the husband has most of the responsibility in the home. He must humbly lead with God's strength, and first he must listen and follow …Christ! Christian parent, to firmly hold on to what you know is biblical, loving and right …might cost you. It might introduce you to a pain you've never experienced before. But it's worth it to stay uncompromisingly focused on Jesus! He can help you through the valley of the shadow of death and every other valley.

I have a few friends that have lost loved ones through death lately and now, as you can well imagine, they find themselves in a very painful grieving process that they never invited …and my heart really goes out to them. God's heart does even more! I don't know their exact pain; I don't understand why it happened, but I wish I had the right words with which to comfort them. God does—fitting passages in the Bible. He understands far more than we can. Christ wants us to, "Comfort one another with these words" (1 Thess. 4:18).

The psalmist told God, "Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles" (Ps.119:50), "Great peace have those who love Your law" (Ps. 119:165)…"You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side" (Ps. 71:21). At times it's so understandable for the bereaved to feel angry at the circumstances, at the evil, at…

Hey, please don't be mad at the One who is hurting with you, the One whose fault it is not… the One who deeply cares and stands ready to help you most.

The Bible says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Ps. 16:15).

Read More (and some comforting verses at the end)…

www.Fish4Souls.org

Denn Er Wird Dein Schicksal

What do you put in your mind on a regular basis? What do you sow to?

Paul said, "…whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7). Herr Rainer Osterloh from Celle, Germany sent us this a couple days ago and I thought I'd pass it along to you so you could be blessed as well (Danke Rainer):

Achte auf Deine Gedanken,
denn sie werden Deine Worte.
Achte auf Deine Worte,
denn sie werden Deine Handlungen.
Achte auf Deine Handlungen,
denn sie werden Deine Gewohnheiten.
Achte auf Deine Gewohnheiten,
Denn sie werden Dein Charakter.
Achte auf Deinen Charakter,
denn er wird Dein Schicksal.

Like me, maybe you've heard that before in English…

Sow a thought, reap a word. Sow a word, reap a deed. Sow a deed, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny. —Anon.

…but I really like how he put it in his mother tongue which goes: "Pay attention to your… for they will become your…" It seems like a stronger command that way. This is so important, for the battle is for the mind today. It's imperative that we take control of the thoughts that go into our minds, for we need no destructive habits forming.

Pete said, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind…" (1 Pet. 1:13). Paul exclaimed, "..we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16).

Paul put it this way to Christians, "Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good…" (Gal. 6:7-10, nlt).

We can only take others as far as we ourselves have come. We can only export what we've first imported …for it is written, "The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops" (2 Tim. 2:6). We could be too passive if we choose, but why be like that when there are so many people around us who are really hungry spiritually? So many people are drinking from the wrong well and they will indeed thirst again. The Bible encourages us not to be lax or inert saying, "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap" (Eccl. 11:4). Sowing the seed of God's Word is important (first in ourselves and then into other's lives) …for more than mere decisions inside some church building. We can sow His seed everywhere we go--that's never out of season!

Toiling through the changing seasons in the sunshine and the rain,

Zealous sowing with compassion yields a wealth of golden grain. —Anon.

When it comes to tellin' unbelievers the Good News, I myself could also act like some uber-cautious tentative farmer who tends to keep his eye on the weather conditions... you know, looking for the perfect day to plant crops. Yes, as a Christian, I could become lazy in sowing to the Spirit instead of obeying His voice. That's so wrong... there's no time for in trepidation or excuses.

On a farm, the season of harvesting could quickly pass right by and there's the farmer who has sown nothing...empty handed—how sad! That opportunity is gone, and the harvest can be lost (see Eccl. 11:4). I could choose to remain fearful of the potential listener's response and then wonder, "Is this person even ready to listen to the Gospel? Is this the time to tell them?" Hey, who can tell what's going on in their mind or heart unless we try to talk with them? Some people might be feeling depressed and lonely..dwelling in darkness yet longing for someone to come along and lead them into the light.

We must recognize that there's limited time for all of us ...to sow and reap. Remember the Ethiopian eunuch sitting in his royal limo of sorts. He could have passed right by if Phil was twiteling his thumbs too long. That guy in his luxury chariot seemed to have it all together like a lot of up-and-outers that I know (see Acts 8:27) but he was ready. This eunuch enjoyed much prestige, power and esteem I'm sure, yet inwardly he felt empty and he was out searching for the truth. He became ready because the Holy Spirit (in a "para experience") made him totally ready. He was multitasking; traveling and reading Isaiah's clear promise of the suffering Savior. He was trying to come to understand those words. But then Philip suddenly showed up and took the opportunity to explain to this man the Message about Jesus (v.35) and God's salvation plan. Phil obeyed the Spirit and went to him. Ask God to use you this week like that ...as you sow to the truth in love and keep your eyes open watching for people who are open and willing.

Americans Really Love To Win Right

Been watching the Olympics in China and this political race lately? Competition doesn’t always have to be a bad thing, OH NO IT DOESN’T! It can be real good! Man, I feel like fighting the good fight today; like doing my P.H.D. homework (Pray Hard Daily) in advance before the election. Yup, I woke up feeling patriotic. As I watch Obama and McCain, it makes me want to talk with their Maker. I think none of us should ever underestimate how much we Americans love to win ...as one of the candidates seems to be in the habit of doing. Can you imagine running for high office in this Land and totally miss-assessing what the people are really like that you hope to lead?

Of course none of us here are perfect by any means, but winning is indeed in our blood. Americans are can-do, hardworking, generous people ..and hopefully Americans will always be that way as long as we are a nation on this planet. And Americans like to W-I-N right! We must never forget that we win most when we pray to the Father fervently.. in Christ ..according to the will of God ..with expectant faith! That address with our p-mail if very important (many miss that).

Man, I love our great nation, our heritage of sacrifice, and the people here! I want to do my part; my duty. God loves Americans too …just as much as He loves those of other nations that He wants us to serve and reach with the Gospel by His power. And God is the ultimate optimistic-Winner too ...that we all would do well to emulate as we return to the Bible for the purpose of wisely applying it. He will win even if it costs Him a whole lot. I've noticed that about Him.

Don't believe me? Just look at the cross and read to the end of His Book. You know, I love being on His winning team, even if the team unfortunately stubs its toes from time to time. What team are you on? Did you know that you can join this team as well, through repentance and faith in the Bible Jesus? There's no other way. Why not join Him now? God always wins and the devil is a major loser who will soon be trashed into the lake that cooks. Why be on his team?—yes, why not get off the devil's team today by getting on the only Other team?

I think Paul felt like I do today. He declared, "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life" (2 Cor. 2:16). He was also grateful saying, "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57).

My soldier son, Nathan, in Iraq just called yesterday. He gives us good and fascinating reports and I feel so grateful for the successful surge he and all his comrades have brought about over there. They are doing a good job to protect us here at home. It was a hard-earned victory in Iraq that of course is not over yet. I'm also grateful for General David Howell Petraeus, the current Commanding General over there and for all the soldiers who have paid the price in both invasions. Man's sin is why wars happen. Personally, I hate the killing kind of wars, but I do want to do spiritual warfare and win …over and over and over again. Don't you?

Yes, whether we're talking about the Olympics in China, or football here at home… or about the military, or the economy… we Americans simply like winning and love proper leading that helps us to win. That's why we need to keep praying for this nation—that's why we need to live exemplary lives in Christ seven days a week! And that's why we want a president who doesn't give into pessimism, smooth-lying or wimpy-ness! We need to go with those who are closest to God's heart (as revealed in the Bible) in the issues, in character and in lifestyle. Their words matter.

It's interesting watching how things are going spiritually, economically and politically right now. While one candidate touts the successes of the victory regarding the surge in Iraq, the other one downplays it big time. I don't get it, but I do know this… Americans like to get on board with a humble leader who serves a greater cause, other than that of his own self interests. America loves a leader who is an incessant winner; who has a firm relentless determination in their gut; one who speaks with clarity and interminable conviction inside about protecting our people and doing what is right domestically ...and even internationally.

Of course you and I are to be more concerned about who will be in God's house ...than who will end up in the White House, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use what little influence we have. Jesus is the ultimate Answer for Dems and Repubs. He rolls up His sleeves and reaches across the isle, if you will. Saved Dems and Repubs are really beautiful people that gain a unity that’s enviable. That's why together, we want to pray believing for authentic biblical awakening ..seeking relentlessly, to see God's will done in America!

This great experiment—this nation—is too young to crumble. It was founded on the principles of Jesus and He is the One to flee to from the coming wrath. We must start with what is and work from there to see this Land be a place that is conducive for innovative evangelism minus compromise, that is conducive for proper law making, and for missionary sending endeavors. You know, even if every worker in the White House ended up being a red hot “balanced” Christian after November, it really wouldn't be near enough to turn back the tide of wickedness. It’s too late for that now, but it’s not too late to win; to vote wisely, to live godly, and to jump down on to our knees daily to fight like men with a purpose ...until we simply see the results! America needs wise voting plus...

Read More And Pray For America…

Stoner Saints?

"For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry" —1 Peter 4:3, niv

Are you a Christian who likes to do illegal or legal drugs for the effect, but you are trying to control this habit to a degree so that you won't suffer any loss of reputation or something even more dear to you? Did you know that an estimated 12.8 million Americans; about 6 percent of the household population aged twelve and older, use illegal drugs on a regular basis (meaning within the past thirty days)?

And too many so called Christians are also caught up in this experimenting with drugs today. Christians have the Answer for this broken world, but too many are too busy getting loaded to even care. It ain't about you here…or about me, It's about knowing and serving Jesus Christ unencumbered. God designed you to serve a Cause that's bigger …other than that of your own self-interests. This drug thing with so called Christians deeply pains God as He watches people damage or destroy their destiny. He loves you and wants His best for you. It's severely crippling of His great fishing endeavor too—world evangelism—which every addict could be involved in, if they would first get right with Him. It destroys their testimony, their effectiveness, their brain cells and their bodies fast. Their decent non-selfish ambition and pure motivation inside just evaporates away.

I'm thankful for skilled doctors and how they've helped me in the past, but the number of Americans treated for abuse of legal painkillers has surged 321 percent from 1995 to 2005 and federal statistics show a trend here. According to federal data, nearly 7 million Americans abused prescription drugs in 2007—more than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, ecstasy and inhalants such as marijuana combined. That figure is up 80 percent since 2000.

Did you know that the number of TV drug ads have increased forty-fold from 1994 to 2000? Don't you just hate listening to all their gross verbal disclaimers too—all that fine print read at lightening speed. Did you know that since 1999, the average American sees at least nine prescription drug advertisements on television every day? According to statistics from AARP the average American over the age of 75 has more than 11 drugs prescribed yearly.

Ruth Sanchez-Way, the director of the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention says many older people are ashamed to admit that they have a drug problem today. Her agency estimates that 17% of Americans age 60 and older abuse prescription drugs or alcohol now. She also says that prescription drug abuse often goes hand in hand with a drinking problem.(1)

Although I'm grateful to God that people are getting prescriptions that really help them like never before in history, and that most patients use their medications properly as directed, abuse of, and addiction to prescription drugs are becoming more and more a public health problem for Americans and so called Christians.

Let me ask you… do you unnecessarily have a drug of choice (or more than one) from the doctor(s) or some druggie-friend like: oxiconton, cannabis, hashish, crack cocaine, paint fumes, meth, or H (heroin)? Do you have a mind altering substance someone you really trusted turned you on to? Have you dropped acid before? Are you one who enjoys wrongly using prescription drugs so that you can at least appear somewhat upright in the community and keep your job?

James warned, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (Jam. 1:14-15).

A drug of course, is any substance that produces physical, mental, or psychological changes in the body of the user. History is replete with people who have both experimented with drugs to find ways to help other hurting people needing attention medicinally, but also with those trying to escape from problems and the harsh realities of life through the misuse of a drug.

Hundreds of millions of young and old people around the globe today are doing drugs regularly; drugs which range all the way from the gateway type like weed, to drugs that are deeply addictive such as heroin and cocaine. I unfortunately used to use some of these myself to party with along with my friends. But listen, the pleasures of sin are only fun for a short season. They're not worth it, because the wages of sin is flatlining—death. I've never met a happy addict, or one who didn't wish he or she never started with their friends in the first place. As a lost teenager, I'm certainly not proud to say that I used to imbibe in this hideous chalice for pleasure's sake ...that is until I got real sick of it and called out for help… I did until Jesus Christ came in and rescued me out of that sticking pit. And check it out... what He did for me He can do for you (..or for your "baked" Christian buds ..or for your unbelieving pothead friends).

Read More…

Character Matters for Leaders and Followers

I got home kind of early last night and together with Liney, heard Warren (who I haven't always agreed with, but he does adhere to the Essentials and is strongly pro-life) ..in a follow-up interview after the McCain and Obama deal say something very profound (to Hannity and McComb on 8-18-08) that's worth sharing and it went kind of like: 

The important political issues change with time; they come and go, but the character of the man is much more important to me. And the character of a man incidentally is not made in a crisis-trial, it is merely revealed in one ..during those very stressy hard times. For President Bush, 9-11 only revealed his true character that was already there in him; it wasn't developed in him while he was in New York or in Washington during 9-11.

How true! The Apostle Paul who endured some painful trials, said of Christians, "…we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Rom. 5:3-5).

When you think about it, there are really only two kinds of people… //1. Lost and //2. saved. Christian, you are either //1. Going forwards spiritually or //2. Going backwards spiritually. There are only three kinds of people… //1. The natural man (he's lost—spiritual dead inside) and, //2. The carnal man (He's saved and miserable, with one eye on Christ to meet his needs, and one eye on the world to meet his needs) and, //3. the spiritual man (they are saved and thriving; good soil open to the working of the Holy Spirit—see the parable of the sower). When you think about it, there are really only two kinds of Christians: //1. Soul-winners, and //2. Those who need to aggressively grow and advance in order to become better worshippers of Christ who win souls.

You are either: //1. A fishing-missionary or //2. A mission-field that needs the former. When you think about it, there are really only three kinds of people. //1. Those who don't succeed, //2. Those who achieve success temporarily, and //3. Those who become and remain truly successful. The later are thriving in Christ! Having good character and obeying Christ—that's the only way to basically sustain real success. Yes, having an authentic and close relationship with God through Christ is the only way to sustain real fruitfulness—He is the One who sustains it in your life as you abide in Him. No matter how talented, charismatic, educated, rich, famous or attractive people become, they will not be able to outrun their own character. We make or choices and then our choices make us. Individuals of inferior character tend to blame their bad choices on others or on circumstances around them. But ethical people of character make consistently good choices regardless of the circumstances or people they encounter. And if they make enough good choices, those choices will begin to create better conditions for themselves and those around them.

Talking about character and the need for prayer… my little brother, Kyle, informed me yesterday about: 36 Americans who have been accused of spousal abuse… 7 who have been arrested for fraud… 19 who have been accused of writing bad checks… 117 who have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses… 3 who have done time for assault… 71, repeat… 71 who cannot get a credit card due to bad credit… 14 who have been arrested on drug-related charges… 8 who have been arrested for shoplifting… 21 who currently are defendants in lawsuits and 84 who have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year.

Guess which organization all that is referring to? Now, I checked this report out at Snopes and shockingly it's the 435 members (our leaders) of the United States Congress… the same group that cranks out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.

Of course I don't always want to come off as some sermonic-blog-maniac, but where are you at? I feel it's time for each of us to be praying more... discerning better, avidly in the Word and controlled by the Spirit as twenty-four-seven-three-sixty-five evangelistic Christians. It's time for godly character to be in you, in me, and in all those who we will allow to lead us in the future! Let's get up off our blessed assurance and do something about this!