Category Archives: General

Never Have Imagined

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Most reading this will have lived long enough to encounter a person whose life is a disaster. Given a chance to dialogue, this is what they say, “I never thought I would come to this.” In expressing it, they are objective enough to realize they are not in a good place. How does this happen? It begins with one compromise, then another, next is a bad decision, and then others follow. The smaller the compromise and decision, the more likely it will go unnoticed. 

David, a man after God’s heart, took another man’s wife and then had her husband killed. (2 Samuel 11:1-12:23). Could it have been the first time he watched Bathsheba from his roof at night? Frankly, I doubt it. That night he was particularly vulnerable and bad choices followed. 

What about you? Are you making good decisions or possibly on a path of compromising? Consider these questions for starters: 

What are you looking at? 

When you got up this morning, was it a consistent time based on a set bedtime for how much sleep you need? 

Is your bedtime and wake up time such that you WILL have a special time with your Lord in His Word and prayer daily? 

It is SO easy to make and justify a poor decision. How much better to follow what Proverbs 3:5-7 tells us. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”

Wise decisions don’t earn us special merit with the Lord. We make them because we desire the good fruit they produce. Certainly, one excellent fruit from wise decisions is the great example that is for our children. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

His or Mine

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I observe some believers often mention Satan doing this or doing that. You might have noticed that Seriously primarily focuses on the all-powerful, sovereign source of all good, King of the universe, compared to the the wicked, evil foe of our Lord and His children. However, one area worth consideration is Satan as the deceiver.  “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9).

There is one area of deception that Satan has been highly successful in. That is believers’ attitudes about ownership— how they value and use their time. This subject could even be offensive to most. To imply that something a person thinks he owns is actually not his after all could be troubling. However, truth is often disturbing to those of a contrary opinion. 

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). We (including our time), are totally owned by God. Is God getting a good return on His payment of Christ’s blood to purchase us? He purchased us to use for His glory. He did NOT do it so that we have our best, most fun and pleasurable life now. 

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5). We give God a good return on His ownership of our time when we walk in wisdom. 

Paul said, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1).

Excitement of the Hunt 

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Most official hunting seasons are over and fishing season hasn’t begun. This is, to the sadness of many guys since it means no more excitement for a bit. I know a couple men who appear to “live” for hunting and fishing. It is their joy and passion. Of course there are a few who need the meat to supplement feeding the family, but for most, it is simply the excitement/passion of the hunt. Hunting and fishing can be expensive and time consuming, but the gleam in their eyes and the smile on their face when they talk about it, shows it is worth it. Soon however, the thrill of the trophy animal hunt (or fishing) fades unless there is something dead, stuffed and mounted, hanging above the fireplace. So they are out, after it, again.

Consider for a moment channeling that passion, investment, and skill into hunting/fishing for men. These men would quickly find the earthly excitement of the “kill” pales compared to a heavenly joy that is beyond understanding of seeing new life in Christ. Oh brothers, if they could see their longed-for physical hunting trip is nothing compared to seeing a new believer experiencing the joy of the Lord.

Here is a personal example from a few minutes ago. We had to run to Walmart to pick up a few things. While walking in, I cast a couple of lures, but no bites. Then I saw two cult missionaries walking toward me. I greeted them, and we began talking. They were incredibly nice young men, committed to their cause. I am sure we each had a goal in mind for our conversation. They listened politely as I pleaded with them to get into God’s Word and seek Who Jesus is and what He says about salvation. My only goal/hope was to simply put a rock in their shoe of something they might give further consideration to. That is the my joy and passion. Why not give it a try?

My brothers, hunting-and-fishing-for-the-souls-of-men season is open year round. “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). On top of that, your involvement pleases your Lord and Savior.

It’s a Keeper

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An expression Grandad would use of something he valued was, “It’s a Keeper.”  In this day of everything being considered disposable, to have something that is valued enough to keep is rare. Even though “a Keeper” was normally something material, relationships would fall under this topic as well. Relationships are also considered disposable these days and in particular marriage. What a heartbreak when a marriage is torn apart. People think it will be so much easier with someone else. 

If you are struggling, brother, fix it in a way God would honor. 

“Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously” (Malachi 2:14-16).

Did you catch that? GOD HATES DIVORCE! If nothing else, let fear of God be the motivator to fix it. A good marriage is to be treasured because it is of a gift of God. 

Make it a Keeper!

“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself” (Ephesians 5:28).

Biggest Hindrance 

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When engaging people about their souls if they profess to be heaven bound, I ask why they are confident of that. Next, I ask where they worship each week. I have found that answer a good indicator of if they are truly seeking to follow the Lord and Scripture (Heb. 10:25) and if they name a church, possibly an idea of their beliefs. Sometimes their “faith” sounds like a mere belief in the fact that Jesus existed. The devils strongly believe in Jesus too. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble”(James 2:19).Often they share something like, “I don’t go to church because I can’t stand all the hypocrites there.” They are, of course, referring to all the people who say they believe in Jesus but don’t seem to follow Him. 

Hypocrisy is a real issue. It was the first sin exposed in the church when Ananias and Sapphira pretended to donate all the price of the land they sold, when in fact, they only gave a portion. It continues to be a problem. 

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:5).

Spurgeon strongly tied hypocrisy to Christians who don’t share Christ. He wrote, “Every Christian here is either a missionary or an impostor.” (Charles Spurgeon, A Sermon and a Reminiscence, printed in The Sword and the Trowel, March 1863.)

May we not be hypocrites but follow hard after our Lord Jesus. His mission: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

What Value

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Deep down in your heart of hearts, what is your salvation truly worth to you? It is one thing to have a verbal answer for someone, but that is why I said “deep down.” We can easily lie to ourselves and give someone the “right answer.” 

Maybe the only real way to answer that question is to look at the real fruit of your life. Are you spiritually hungry? Do you love the Word and wouldn’t miss a morning in it because that time is precious? Do you love your time of worship because of your relationship with the God of the universe Who is worthy of your praise and adoration? Do you have a deep passion to disciple your children in the Lord? Are you determined to have family Bible time daily as you seek to inspire a love for your Savior in your children? 

If you are not engaged with this series and have little desire to reach the lost around you, please evaluate how deeply you value a relationship with Christ. The more of a heart for Christ we have, the more passionate we will be for the things our Lord is passionate about. 

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).  Not only was that His mission, He was willing to suffer the wrath of God and die a cruel death to purchase us. Are we motivated?

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A Recent Example

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Just last week I spent the morning with three guys as they dug a ten-foot-deep hole in our front yard to fix the sewer. After they finished, I asked the foreman, who had spent 30 years working for the company, when he would retire. Then I asked, “What then? When you die, are you going to Heaven or hell?” The foreman said he didn’t know and didn’t care. I asked him why he didn’t care. He said he wasn’t willing to change the way he is living. His two workers quickly agreed. His honesty really struck and saddened me.

Yet, how many professing Christians don’t have that same level of honesty? Perhaps instead of ‘honesty,’ the word should be ‘commitment’? The man was committed to his way of life. We are to be committed to our Savior’s way of life: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus was totally devoted to living to please the Father and reach the lost.

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Next Little Step

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I hope you now have the love and concern for others as to where they are going to spend eternity – heaven or hell, or if not, are praying daily for it. Have you begun practicing catching men’s eyes and smiling and giving a friendly nod? Please, please begin this simple, non-threatening step. If this isn’t now normal for you keep at it until it is. 

Next, begin a habit of looking for something about him that catches your eye, something you could compliment him for or comment on. At this point you need not say anything, just be more observant. I find it quite easy. It could be he has a cute or well-behaved child with him, there is something interesting printed on his shirt, he’s quite tall, he says something in a deep voice, he has a well groomed or full beard, he is loading his pickup with project-related materials, he’s walking with crutches or wearing a cast…. There are endless hints about a person that give a slight view into their life that might lead to a conversation. 

“thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18b).

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Number One

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We all have two kinds of priorities – ones we say and the actual ones we live by. No doubt some men are better at making all their priorities real. We often have two types of reasons, too, for doing and not doing some things. We have the reasons we tell others, and then there are the actual reasons in our heart why we do or don’t do things. 

In 1 Samuel 15, God commanded Saul through Samuel to totally destroy the Amalekites and all their livestock because they laid in wait to ambush Israel when they came out of Egypt. Then Saul gathered the men and attacked them, but spared Agag the king and the best of all the livestock. When Samuel approached Saul, Saul said, “Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD” (1 Samuel 15:13). When Samuel confronted Saul about the livestock Saul blamed the people (under his command) and lied, attributing righteous motives for it. “They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed” (1 Samuel 15:15).

Sadly, like Saul, we can skillfully give good sounding reasons to justify sinful choices. May we be men who wholeheartedly love and serve the Lord Jesus. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37).

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Running From or To

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Recently at the lumber store I saw a man who broke my heart. Perhaps age 55 to 60 and likely a combat injured veteran, he shuffled along, leaning on his walker. He had one prosthetic leg, and his other leg was barely functional. He appeared to be on oxygen. To top it off, his face and arms looked like he was in a paintball fight and the opponent was using brown paintballs. I wished I could have engaged him. To be out in public despite his obvious limitations and not hiding from view said a lot about his character. What a tough guy!

Do you have problems? How do you respond to them? Do you run from them, or do they they run your life? Are they what you always think about? Are you anxious about them? Do you lose sleep over them? 

Children take their problems to their father and so must we. Look at them as opportunities for the Lord to show His love and Himself strong, for Him to be glorified as we rest and trust Him. The Israelites questioned God’s goodness when complaining in the desert, and we can indirectly too regarding our problems. Oh my brothers, God is good, always, and gives us good things. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Could your problems be results of bad choices? Might they be natural consequences? Also never rule out possible chastening from the Lord. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6). 

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