The Kingdom of God is Like...The Shoelaces of a Child

GodThoughtsWired!          Wednesday, February 1, 2012

An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

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the kingdom of god is like...

the shoelaces of a child.

The kingdom of God is like the shoelaces of a child.  Once a child has learned to tie their own shoes, it is their responsibility to keep them tied (see Colossians 2:6).  If they refuse that responsibility and trip over their own laces, then they are reaping the consequences of what they have sown (see James 4:17).

It's ver intersting though isn't it, watching a child and their shoelaces?  There seems to be a two-fold process.  The first is learning to tie the shoes.  The second is learning how to keep them tied.  Learning to tie them is not enough, is it? (see Philippians 3:12-14).  Some children learn more quickly than others.  Some children have to experience some significant falls before they embrace the importance of keeping those laces tied (see Jeremiah 2:5).

How long will a good paren take to teach their child how to tie their shoes?  Right...as long as it takes.  Some learn sooner.  Some learn later.  What's most important is that they learn.  Walking is at best awkward in untied shoes.  Running and climbing are virtually impossible.

Such is the kingdom of God.

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The Tale of Two Ski Days

GodThoughtsWired!               Tuesday, January 31, 2012

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the tale of two ski days*

I went snow skiing the other day.  It was beautiful.  Sunny, clear, and lots of fresh powder...I had a great time.  It brought to mind, however, a ski day I once had that wasn't so great.  It was at a resort called "Heavenly Valley" in magnificent South Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada.  The run was called, "Motts Canyon," a double black diamond.  To get there you must proceed past a sign with a skull and crossbones that says, "Dangerous, experts only."

Well, on this particular day I felt pretty good.  I nonchalantly skied past the sign without hesitation.  there are six runs to the front side of the canyon...and one roped off area.  Again, with little hesitation, I skied under the ropes and to the edge of the cornice (a cornice is a CLIFF, for all you non-skiers).  I stopped, took a deep breath, then leaped off, dropped about ten feet to the slope, and began my descent.

Actually, let me clarify...I BEGAN MY FALL!  It seems this area had been roped off for good reason...IT WAS SOLID ICE!  I never had a chance.  My edges wouldn't hold.  I immediately fell...HARD!  I finally stopped more than 5 HUNDRED YARDS down the hill. 

I had a sprained ankle (very hard to do in a ski boot), several bruised ribs, torn cartilage in my right shoulder, a fat lip, a bloody nose, and a very wounded ego.  It took me more than an hour just to recover my equipment!  Needless to say, I was done for the day.  As I reflect back on this "memorable" event, I have some GodThoughts:

1.  The signs that God gives us are intended to be "paid attention" to (see Proverbs 16:25).

2.  The boundary ropes that God puts in our lives are "there for a good reason" (did you look up Proverbs 16:25 yet?).

3.  The exhilaration of the first ten feet wasn't worth the pain and injury of the last 500 yards (have I mentioned Proverbs 16:25?).

Yeah, I went skiing the other day.  I had a great time!  Oh, by the way, I paid attention to all the signs...and stayed within all of the boundaries (see Psalm 37:4; 84:11-12; Hebrews 11:25).

*Originally Published in GodThoughs Volume 1. 2004. I will send a FREE COPY of GodThoughts, Volume 1 (paperback), to the first 10 orders of the GT Parter Perspectus (see above for details).

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Take the Fruit...And Spit Out the Seeds!

GodThoughtsWired!                    Friday, January 27, 2012

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take the fruit...
& spit out the seeds!*

Several years ago I was privileged to work under a senior pastor who used a phrase that I have benefited from time and time again.  In reference to various books, tapes, cd's, authors and speakers he would say, "Take the fruit...and spit out the seeds."

He was expressing the opinion that we could benefit from a variety of writers and speakers as long as we carefully evaluated their teachings in light of the scripture.

This philosophy has freed me to read and listen to individuals from all walks of life, including, but not limited to Christians, knowing that I will ultimately examine their teaching, and determine its validity, through the grid of biblical truth.

The fruit of this practice has been very significant to me.  It has enabled me to glean some great stuff from people who are not Christians.  At the same time I have been guarded on numerous occasions from "Christian" authors who have gotten off track.

As it turns out, the practice of "Taking the fruit...and spitting out the seeds," didn't really originate with my former pastor...IT WAS ORIGINATED BY GOD:

"They received the word with great
eagerness, examining the scriptures
daily, to see whether these things were so."
-Acts 17:11, bold mine

**Originally Published in GodThoughs Volume 1. 2004. I will send a FREE COPY of GodThoughts, Volume 1 (paperback), to the first 10 orders of the GT Parter Perspectus (see above for details).

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5 Ingredients for Failure...GUARANTEED!

GodThoughtsWired!             Wednesday, January 25, 2012

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5 Ingredients for failure...
guaranteed!!*

1.  PROCRASTINATE!  Put off  'till tomorrow whatever you could have done today.  DO IT LATER!

2.  Always blame somebody else!  Never take responsibility...for anything!  Whenever possible respond...IT'S NOT MY FAULT! 

3.  Always have an EXCUSE!  We live in a VICTIM society anyway so let's take full advantage of it! 

4.  Refuse to change!  Motto:  Keep doing what you've always done so that you'll keep getting what you've always got!

5.  DO NOT PRAY!  Never, EVER!, access the one source of power, love, mercy and forgiveness that could turn your entire life around. 

That's it!  5 ingredients for failure... GUARANTEED!

Now that I think of it, there's a sixth one...

FORGET YOU EVER READ THIS!

*Originally Published in GodThoughs Volume 1. 2004.  I will send a FREE COPY of GodThoughts, Volume 1 (paperback), to the first 10 orders of the GT Parter Perspectus (see above for details).

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Hatred, Persecutions, Fights & Struggles

GodThoughtsWired!                  Monday, January 24, 2012

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hatred, persecutions,
fights & struggles

The Bible tells us that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood" but against demonic forces (see Ephesians 6:10-12).  How would you describe your current struggle with the enemy?
The Bible further admonishes us to "fight the good fight of faith" and "take hold of the eternal life to which you were called" (see 1 Timothy 6:12).  How would you describe your current "fight of faith?"
 In addition, God's word warns us that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (see 2 Timothy 3:12).  When was the last time you were "persecuted" because of your relationship with Jesus Christ? 
Finally, Jesus warned that a bi-product of representing Him would be hatred by the world (see John 15:18-20).  Who would you currently identify as "hating" you because of Christ's lordship in your life? 

Hatred, persecution, fights and struggles.  This is how the Bible describes the typical Christian life.  And, yet, Joel Osteen, described by his wife as "America's Preacher" and "the World's Pastor," tells us that we can have "Your Best Life Now!" 

May I suggest to you that the only people who have the potential to experience their "Best Life Now!" are those that will be headed to Hell for the rest of eternity?

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Hollywood and a Holy God Conclusion

GodThoughtsWired!               Friday, January 20, 2012

Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

hollywood and a holy god

conclusion

"Evil flourishes because people
who are in a position to do
something about it...DON'T!"
-pastor Brad

And who are some of the people in positions to challenge the evil that is rampant in the world today?  Pastors.

God has given the responsibility to be "the light of the world" to the Church, and the Church takes its cues from its leaders.  The world is so dark because the Church has become dark.  And the Church has become dark because of its leaders.

When pastors care more about Hollywood than holiness (click here for an example)...

When pastors care more about prosperity than purity (click here for an example)...

When pastors care more about their glory than God's glory (click here for an example)...

Woe to the shepherds...

For their judgement will be great!

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Hollywood and a Holy God 2

GodThoughtsWired!          Thursday, January 19, 2012

Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

hollywood and a Holy god

part 2

"Evil flourishes because people
who are in a position to do
something about it...DON'T!"
-pastor Brad

And who are some of the people in positions to challenge the evil that is rampant in the world today?  Pastors.  Church leaders.  Any and all followers of Jesus.

"The seven stars are the angels (angelos) of the seven churches, and the seven
lampstands are the seven churches."-Revelation 1:20, bold mine

Angelos:  "messenger, angel, envoy." 

The Bible refers to churches as "lampstands."  Why?  Because the Church is where the people of God, the followers of Christ are supposed to be found.  And Jesus said of the Church:

“You are the light of the world...
Let your light shine before men
in such a way that they may see
your good works, and glorify
your Father who is in heaven."-see Matthew 5;14-16

Indeed, the Church is the only hope for the world!  God has no other plan!  The world lies in  darkness because it is under the control of the Prince of Darkness, Satan (see 1 John 5:19).  And God has called as many as are willing to receive Him (see John 1:11-12), out of the darkness and into the light to become a light in the darkness.

But here's the problem:

"Light has come into the world,
and men loved the darkness
rather than the Light,
for their deeds were evil."-John 3:19

more tomorrow.

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