Hammer on Anvil '

I met an older man recently.   I would guess him in his late 60's or early 70's.  I met him because he was having computer issues.  When I asked him what was going on with his computer, he said "I have been on some dirty sites I probably shouldn't be on and got a virus."

As I dwelt on this reality, it brought home some real truth... If I don't make better choices and break some bad habits now, I could end up an old man who is struggling with the same sin that I have struggled with since I was a kid.

Sin is so enticing.  It draws us in, it also holds us there.  Sin always takes us farther than we want to go and keeps us longer than we want to stay.  Sin is hard to break.  BUT - the truth is ... that it will never be easier than TODAY to break the sin or the bad habit that holds you down. 

What is the sin that you need to break today?
What do you need to give up for the glory of God? 

One of the characteristics of the Christian life is the ability to turn away from certain appetites that do not glorify God and that are not beneficial for the soul.
That is beautiful truth.  The reality is:  What have you turned away from recently?

Drop it like it's hot... it will never be easier than today!

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Social media is an ingrained part of today's culture. Although the innovation appeared some years after my generation reached adulthood, it has transcended many of the hallmarks that once separated my grandparents, parents, and children. We are shocked when faced with a person (even someone elderly) who says, "What's Facebook?" I read an article yesterday chronicling the story of three U.S. colleges who say they've invented a "Facebook score" that employers can, in theory, use to screen potential employees. Check out the article here. Which brings me to my message today.

Followers of Christ are taught that our outward demeanor will tell people much about us. The above verse from Ephesians is one such instruction. The message is clear: use your tongue to build up, not tear down. There is another which is like it: Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.-Colossians 4:5 Having taught not only students, but also adults in Sunday school, I can recall lesson upon lesson that attempts to drill this concept into the minds of God's children.

There seems to be a great disconnect between social media and God's command to speak kindly to one another. So many of the posts I come across are slams against someone. Arguments between friends are becoming public knowledge. Hatred toward a political party (or candidate) or a celebrity is expressed freely, and without remorse. Friends and enemies alike use social media as an opportunity to publicly humiliate each other.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am not trying to say that Facebook is evil. This problem is manifested in other arenas as well. Customer service reps are regularly badgered, badmouthed, and cussed out over the phone by customers who are dissatisfied with their company's service. (Regardless of whether that particular rep is personally responsible for the issue). I myself have suffered such wrath from people who, in their rage at something they feel slighted by, fail to recognize that I am a person with feelings just like them.

The heart of the problem is just that: our hearts. We feel angry toward someone or something, and we lash out. And the fact that we don't have to look our victim in the eye while we're doing so makes it all SO much easier. We can pretend that the person on the other end of the line is just a recording. That the person we are posting nasty things about either won't see the post or won't know it's about them. We can pretend that our very public sin against them won't actually hurt them.

Paul reminds us of Jesus' teachings on this subject. Be angry, and yet do not sin; don't let the sun go down on your anger."-Ephesians 4:26 Jesus got angry. And how! He turned over the tables of the merchants selling in the temple! How's that for a public display? The difference is that Jesus' anger was righteous, and His actions were backed up by words that did not aim to hurt or humiliate. His words were meant to call others out on THEIR sin and to bring them to a point of repentance.

We need to step up and recognize the sin we are committing when we post hurtful things on Facebook. At the very least, remember that those words are out on the web FOREVER. Even if you can mend the broken relationship caused by them, you can NEVER take them back. And the ripples of those short moments when you have allowed the devil a foothold will follow you throughout your life. If you continue in this type of behavior, don't be surprised if it comes back around during a job interview.

I've been poring over some verses in Jeremiah this week, wondering how God wants me to respond to them. As I read Mike Johns' blog 'drifting', I was once again blessed at being witness to the way He works in our lives. So, without any foreknowledge of what Mike was planning to write; I'd like to submit a follow-up to his words.

Jeremiah 3:12-14a
"Go and shout this message to my people in the countries in the north. Tell them, 'Come back to me, wayward Israel,' says the Lord. 'I will not continue to look on you with displeasure. For I am merciful,' says the Lord. 'I will not be angry with you forever. However, you must confess that you have done wrong, and that you have rebelled against the Lord your God. You must confess that you have given yourself to foreign gods under every green tree, and have not obeyed my commands,' says the Lord. "Come back to me, my wayward sons," says the Lord, "for I am your true master."

I love the tone of these words. There is so much love in this message from God to Israel. It doesn't matter to Him how far they've drifted, or for how long. He only wants them back, in His arms. The message is one of pleading: "I won't even be mad. Just don't stay away!"

It's the same with us today. We drift away from time to time. We allow ourselves to get distracted, and we slide into sin without even realizing it. Despite this tendency, God loves us. He knows we're going to wander off and get lost. That's why He pursues us. He shouts our names, calling us back to Him, and all He asks in return is that we confess that we've let ourselves get off track. That we acknowledge we have hurt Him, and ask for Him to forgive us.

God is the parent of a billion prodigal sons. "All of us like sheep have gone astray, seeking our own way. We've left the shepherd's care again." Like the father in Jesus' story in Luke, our Father shows His delight when we return to Him. "Paddle back, my beloved son."

Today, I want to share with you a song that has been really powerful in my life. The song is a new one from Mat Kearney on the Young Love album.

Interesting side note on Mat - his name has one "t" because of an error on his birth certificate. His mom accidently spelled it Mathew. Then in red ink added the other "t" some time later. He saw it as a kid and embraced the single "t."

Random? Yes, but interesting! :)

OK - this song is basically the testimony of his father. In the link I have embeded, he tells the story a bit.



Pretty powerful stuff if you ask me...
the power of the gospel and how it changes your life.
the power of Jesus and how he redeems what is lost.
the power of Jesus and his love for the lost.
the power of a person who is determined to break out of their frame.
the power of starting over and making much of God.
the power of change in your life.
the power of grace and mercy.
the power of being stubborn and not letting circumstances determine your life outcome.
the power of a success story in one life and how it can encourage us.

Each of us must make choices every single day that determine whether we will live life to the fullest for God or choices that compromise who we really are in Him.

Choose today - to make the most of every situation and to glorify God in all that you do.