JUST BEING REAL

In a discussion with a millennial, a few years ago, the statement was made, “We just want you to be real.”  My response was, “Without the filter of the Holy Spirit, you would not want to see the REAL me.”

Now, it seems, every blog and article I read has been overtaken by people “just being real.”  We want everyone to know, understand and most of all ACCEPT all of our faults, failures, sins and personality quirks and if they are laced with a little well-placed profanity, well that’s “just being real.”

 We take selfies, post updates of our every move and tweet philosophies all in the name of “just being real.”  Hollywood stars stumble over themselves to be the first to support any ungodly cause that appears on the scene.  Why? Why do we need everyone to know all the ugliness that only God can cover?  Why do we champion those causes that hurt the heart of God and in the end only bring destruction?

Steve’s conclusion in regards to Hollywood’s activism is, “If I affirm every evil, profane, ungodly behavior, then my personal sins won’t seem quite so bad.”  Could that be the real motivation behind the “Tolerance; Let’s Just Be Real” Movement? 

We want forgiveness and acceptance but we really don’t want to be delivered and changed.

Before anyone points out the obvious, I will declare, “I AM OLD-FASHIONED.”  Yes, I was raised in a time when sins were embarrassing not celebrated; when those we sat on the pedestal were men and women of highest character; when our heroes were those who actually did heroic acts instead of emerging from a dark closet, and the only time your personal sins were talked about was in a testimony of God’s delivering power.  I am still of that mind-set and truthfully, NO ONE is very appealing in their REAL state…We need the Power of the Holy Ghost to change us.

If you want me to be REAL, then here goes…. Your selfish actions are hurting those that love you and want God’s best in your life.  The lifestyle you are pursing will only bring you heartache and pain and ultimately lead to destruction.  Surrounding yourself with people who will NOT BE REAL with you, but affirm your every thought and utterance will lead you even further from truth.  People who really care about you see past all the bravado and laughter to a lonely, searching heart.  And although, you try to push us away, we will always be here waiting and praying for the day when you come back home.

WALLS AND BYPASSES

We live in a country that has developed an awesome system of interstate highways and intrastate roads.  We are able to travel between major cities and states on relatively smooth, paved roadways, some with 2 lanes, some with 4 lanes and some are as wide as 6 or 8 lanes.  If a person could stay awake long enough and had no need to make a pit stop, now and then, one could drive down I 75, beginning in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and ending 1786.47 miles later in Miami.  BUT IT HASN’T ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.

Twenty three years ago my Dad and Mom moved to the little town of Doniphan, MO.  Except for orange construction barrels, our trip consisted of uneventful 4 lane interstates, until we came to Poplar Bluff.  At that point we switched to a 2 lane highway that went right through the city, stopping at every stoplight on our way to Highway 160.  At Highway 160 there was a museum of local nature named “CALL OF THE WILD.” When we would turn at that landmark, the excitement would build because we were almost at our destination.  BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED!

Now there is a BYPASS and the museum has become an Adult Entertainment Club, which still bears the name “Call of the Wild.”  As we approached 160 on the bypass, Steve mentioned, “That club probably wasn’t too happy when the bypass was built.”  BUT NO!!!  The parking lot was full of cars; the bypass hasn’t seemed to affect the club at all.

In his sermon last week, a pastor was preaching on the importance of WALLS in our life.  He stated that walls were put up for our protection and as the “Watchman” for that congregation, when he perceived that something may be dangerous, it was his responsibility to build the wall just a little higher to protect everyone.  But just like the BYPASS, it seemed the WALL had really not made a difference in the lives of so many.  WHY???  Did the BYPASS not go far enough out of the way?  Was the WALL weak or too low? 

BACK TO LIFE!!!  When we receive salvation and begin to follow Jesus, the road we travel down becomes a BYPASS.  It takes us around the pitfalls and stumbling blocks that sin puts in our path BUT it does not do away with temptation.  I could still view the “Call of the Wild” from the bypass but now, I would have to veer off the highway to get there.  As you continue on your journey, you will come to “EXITS” and “CROSSROADS” with luring signs, promising enticing adventures, it is up to you to make the choice; STAY ON THE BYPASS.

WALLS!!!  Is it the responsibility of the “Watchman” to build the wall?  Perhaps that is the problem…we have allowed others to build the “WALLS OF PROTECTION” around our life that WE and the HOLY GHOST should have been working together to build.  The Watchmen is called to WARN not BUILD WALLS!!!  When you allow the HOLY GHOST to build the wall around your life, you can be assured that the weakest spots will be strong enough to withstand a barrage of attacks from the enemy.  When you allow the HOLY GHOST to build your wall, a breach can occur only if you remove a brick. The bricks will not break and the mortar will not crumble. 

If you are struggling along the journey, if you always find yourself taking a detour to follow the flashing, alluring signs, it is time to reset your GPS and stay on the BYPASS!  Perform a thorough inspection of your WALLS; become intimately acquainted with every brick.  Refuse to protect your relationship with God by using a wall built by someone else.  Get on your knees!!! Start reading the instructions!!!  Even if you have to start building your WALL from the ground up, let the Holy Ghost lay the foundation and build it with strong bricks joined with the “MORTAR OF THE WORD.”  Satan cannot breach a WALL built by God unless you remove a brick and following God on the BYPASS will not lead to the “Call of the Wild’s” driveway.

APPLE, GLOBAL WARMING & SALVATION

Recently, I saw a news article on the Apple brand and another on Global Warming.  The first article extolled the features of Apple, its product’s ease of use and how much Apple’s fans love their I-phones, I-pads and Macs.  Some will even line up days in advance of a release to be the first to own the newest Apple Product.  No matter the weather, no matter the cost, APPLE FANS wait with excitement and anticipation for the fulfillment of Apple’s promises.

The second article bemoaned the dire results of Global Warning which is now known as Climate Change.  States are making laws and regulations, trying to SHAME people into following usage guidelines which are all based on computer models rather than fact.  For years we have been warned that California will fall off into the ocean, greenhouse gases will make this an uninhabitable planet, the polar ice cap will melt and the polar bears will float off into warmer waters until they get below the equator where the ocean temps will grow colder.  Even the threat of death doesn’t seem to draw the lines of people with hands reaching for instructions on how to turn the tide and save the earth.

I am embarrassed to say that for too long, we Christians have followed the method of the Environmentalist instead of Apple.  We subject those who are in desperate need for what we have to offer to “Sanctimonious Sermons,” warning of the dire consequence of rejecting our message rather than telling them of God’s Love, Grace and Mercy; how they can be delivered from sin and put their trust in the One who will never leave them or forsake them.  When the stark picture of dire consequence doesn’t sway them, we always have SHAME!  Shame them with their SELFISHNESS; Shame them with their SINFULNESS; Shame them with our SUPERIOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.  And THEN, if we finally CONDEMN and SHAME them into accepting God’s Grace, we make laws and regulations to KEEP them on the right road.

Let’s visit the line at the APPLE STORE, one more time.  Apple has done a great job of focusing on the increased quality of life their product will bring to those who will commit. Every person is well aware of the cost of their I-Phone or new MacBook Pro.  They know that there are cheaper spinoffs that can “get them by,” but they are willing to sacrifice to do more than just “get by.”  No matter the cost, they want the BEST!

I wonder what would happen if we were convinced that our salvation was as awesome as our Apple I-Phone!!!  Would the line start forming, if we focused on the FEATURES AND BENEFITS of following Jesus Christ instead of what must be sacrificed to PAY THE PRICE?  Would they wait with excitement and anticipation, no matter the cost if we shared the Gospel with LOVE and JOY?  I absolutely believe there is a COST to following Christ and no one should make the decision lightly; it is a SERIOUS COMMITMENT!  But you will never win a soul by SHAMING or PASSING LAWS….If you are not convinced and in love with THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, you will NEVER MAKE A SALE.

REFUSE TO BE OFFENDED

Matthew 24:10 “And then many will be offended, will betray one another and will hate one another.”

We live in an OFFENDED world.  It is much easier to offend someone, then not and much easier to find an offended person than one whom is just living life. If you have never offended or met an offended person, you obviously have never been out of your own yard or met your neighbor.  People are not just easily offended, some like it so much they actually seek for offenses.  There was a news report today of people actually trolling business, seeking to be offended…GET A LIFE; REFUSE TO BE OFFENDED!!!

In Matthew 15 we read about a woman who had a daughter that was demon-possessed.  She came to Jesus seeking help and when she cried “Have mercy,” Jesus didn’t even answer.  Refusing to be OFFENDED because she was ignored, she worshiped and said, “Lord help me.”  This time Jesus answered, but not as she expected.  He said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”  Now I have to confess, that WOULD have offended me and I would have probably left, wounded with an unmet need.  Desperately, she continued, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.”  Her refusal to be offended, could not go unanswered and in verse 28, Jesus gave her what she asked; “O Woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.”  A daughter was healed because a mother REFUSED TO BE OFFENDED.

We read of another event in Luke 18.  Jesus was walking along the road to Jericho, when he came upon a blind man begging.  When he heard that Jesus was approaching, the blind man began to cry, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”  It was obviously quiet embarrassing to those around him and they warned him to BE QUIET!  But the man had a NEED that was greater than the OFFENSE and he cried louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”  Once again, the REFUSAL TO BE OFFENDED caught the attention of Jesus and demanded an answer.  In verse 42, Jesus said, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Verse 43 states that not only did the blind man receive his sight but it brought GLORY TO GOD…All because one man REFUSED TO BE OFFENDED.

If you want or need to be offended just find an “Offended Anonymous” group to join.  They are everywhere and espouse every belief; I’m sure you can find one that fits you.  Democrats are offended by Republicans and Republicans are offended by Independents; Gays are offended by Straights and Straights are offended by Trans; Muslims are offended by Christians and Christians are offended by Atheists; Baptists are offended by Pentecostals and Pentecostals are offended by Catholics; Black People are offended by White People and White People are offended by Brown People; Women are offended by Men and Men are offended by the Dog.   And the list continues, turn it around and read it backwards, it doesn’t matter; PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO BE OFFENDED!

In first grade, there was a girl that I desperately wanted to be my friend.  She already had a friend and didn’t want to include me; I WAS OFFENDED and went crying to my Mom.  After drying my tears and giving me a hug, my Mom gave me some advice that stuck with me for the next 50 years; “Susan, forget her and get you another friend.”  In other words, REFUSE TO BE OFFENDED!

Refuse to be offended every time someone looks “cross eyed” at you, they may not be thinking of you at all.  That person that did not return your greeting and looked right past you, perhaps he has a hearing or seeing problem or just a lot on his mind.  Or maybe there are just “JERKS” in the world and some of them may even display the title Christian, Muslim, Atheist, Democrat, Republican, Independent, Gay, Straight, Pentecostal, Baptist or Catholic.  They may be Men, Women, Black, White or Brown, so just accept it and don’t let the JERKS OFFEND YOU!   Do you want to be cheated out of your greatest blessing because of a JERK?  REFUSE TO BE OFFENDED.