After finishing this post and reading it, I went back to add this clause. This is a longer post… just warning you ahead of time. But I pray it might be a blessing and encouragement to you!

So it’s a new year, and as usual many of us have committed to making changes in various areas of life. Some of those resolutions will stick while others will fall by the wayside. This year was no exception for me. Though I try to stay away from “resolutions” I can’t keep, I usually find a couple areas where I try to regain focus and resolve. This year I committed to reading my Bible again in one year, and to become a better organizer of my schedule in order to be more effective both in ministry and at home. As if that wasn’t enough for my feeble will, I unexpectedly found myself embracing another commitment… one that I didn’t foresee or realize the scope of until after I made it!

For many years now I’ve struggled with an auto-immune disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis. Without getting into all the details, it basically causes inflammation in your joints and causes constant and chronic fatigue. The pain, though sometimes annoying, is something I’ve learned to manage and deal with, but as a pastor, the fatigue was killing me. A pastor’s schedule can sometimes be demanding. Proper rest and sufficient energy is crucial to being able to accomplish the amount of tasks that sometimes arise. Like Paul, I had to realize that God’s grace is sufficient for me, and His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Having said that, I have also been challenged as of late to seek out new ways to get more rest, sustain more energy (apart from all of the caffeinated methods) and become a better steward of this body God has given me. Well, be careful what you ask for.
 

It happened over dinner

You know, God has a funny way of putting things together sometimes. Circumstances and people align in His will in unexpected ways. My family was enjoying an evening with some new found friends and family in Christ. During the course of our conversation, I brought up some of my physical struggles and how the Lord had been challenging me to be a better steward of my body. Well, little did I know that this precious couple had gifts that I was unaware of. Before I knew it, I was back in the “office” with an entirely new game plan on lifestyle and diet. It amazed me as I listened to the discernment, wisdom, and compassion of this precious sister in Christ. She too had struggled with physical ailments throughout the years, and in that process God had revealed to her the connections between diet, lifestyle and health. As she shared with me, I began to see hope for my situation. Not that I expected a complete healing, but it resonated with the convictions I had been sensing regarding changes I needed to make. After all, even Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body…”

So all of that to say… I started a new diet! My first thought was, “I’m not overweight, do I really need this?” What I didn’t realize is that God had much greater reasons for enlisting me in this diet that had very little to do with health at all. In fact, If I never feel an ounce of difference in my health or energy level, this experience would have been worth all of the spiritual truths I am learning about God, myself and others. With that said, I would like to continue by sharing over the next week some important spiritual lessons I’ve learned from my diet (I know it sounds exciting, but stick with me here).

Spiritual Diet Lesson #1: Everything is easy until you decide to say no!

We often skip through the fruits of the Spirit without taking time to analyze how each one of them looks in our lives. The one that I have regularly underestimated and often skipped over (as I believe many of us do) is the fruit of “Self control.” The KJV translates the word as “temperance.” In the Greek it literally means, “The virtue of one who masters his desires, passions and sensual appetites.” You see, before Christ, we were all slaves to our own selfish, sinful, fleshly passions and desires. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life drive our existence. After we come to Christ, we read things like:
 

• We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• We are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6-18)
• That we will not be brought under the power of anything or anyone other than the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:12)
• We now have the supernatural strength in Christ to overcome our sensual passions and desires (1 Corinthians 9:27, Colossians 3:8-10, Ephesians 2:1-6)

So where does the problem typically lie? In the fact that you never really know what is seeking to control you until you try to say “NO” to it. Sure we can see the obvious benefit in saying NO to all the really bad stuff (and even then we tend to falter every now and again). But what about the small stuff? The stuff we take for granted from day to day? For the first time in my life, I started saying no to the foods that were most common and comfortable to me. For two weeks (which can seem like an eternity) no more soda, no more bread, no fruit, no sugar and no fast food. My daily intake consists of three 8 ounce protein shakes, 4 cups of vegetables, 6 ounces of meat, and a lot of water. Talk about a change! At first I thought, “2 weeks, no problem…” Now I’m thinking, “4 days down, an eternity to go.”
 

But, in the midst of being forced to say no to my stomach, it has opened my eyes to the very real cravings of my flesh. It made me realize how easily I say yes to what my flesh demands without even giving it a second thought. It also made me realize the connection between my stomach and my other fleshly appetites. I can now see so much more clearly other things that I normally would write off. Things like (but not limited to):
 

• How I entertain myself
• How I spend my time
• How I spend my money

Wow! as I begin to look through each area of my life through a new lens, I am discovering how often I immediately say yes to the first inclinations of my flesh without ever asking myself the questions:
 

• How does this glorify God?
• How does this edify others?
• How does this contribute to my spiritual growth?
• What does God think about this?

For many of us, these are questions we fail to ask in the majority of our decisions simply because we have become so accustomed to obey every longing of our mind and body. But this is something that must change! How can we glorify God in our bodies, how can we overcome sin, how can we mature in Christ if we never take the time to realize the powerful sway of our own sinful flesh? This is one of the benefits of fasting. It teaches us the often unseen truth about our nature… that we are sinful and we like to be in control. And yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to higher living. We are called to be overcomes. We are called to control our flesh as we allow the Holy Spirit to control us. As Paul put it, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…”

I encourage you today, brother or sister in Christ, make a bold move in your life by saying no to your flesh. Watch as it kicks and screams and pulls at you. Watch as you become horrified at how hard it is for you to tell that flesh of yours NO. And then become amazed at the grace that meets you and provides you the strength and resolve to rise above your flesh and walk in the Spirit!

1Cr 9:26-27 – Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Tune in for next week’s diet lessons:

Diet Lesson #2: Consistency is essential

Diet Lesson #3: The hardest part comes after the decision is made

Psalm 135:13 – Your name, O LORD, endures forever, Your fame, O LORD, throughout all generations.

“You are the Lord, the famous One, Famous One…” We sing it in our churches and proclaim it in our mission statements. We want to make the name of Jesus famous (although sometimes I wonder if the Almighty Creator of everything really needs my help to make Him famous). When I think of fame, I think of those who are known and admired by those who are outside of their immediate circles. The dictionary defines fame as, “The condition of being known or talked about by many people, especially on account of notable achievements.”

“Is it alright for someone to make themselves famous in the pursuit of making God famous?” This is a question that constantly pervades my thoughts. Let’s face it; the author of the song “Famous One” suffers no lack of fame. It use to really bother me when I saw people seemingly accept all the credit that belonged to God or seemingly be involved in endless self promotion in the name of Jesus… Then I started to study fame in the Bible and I felt like I came to a new understanding of the issue. Now, this topic might not be of any interest to anyone accept me, but if you are still reading, here are a couple thoughts on the issue.

Fame can either be given or sought:

Throughout history there have been many who, without seeking it, have been shoved into the spotlight because of the nature of their accomplishments. There have been others who, though undeserving of such fame, have pushed themselves into the spotlight through much effort and selfish ambition. The apostle Paul specifically warned us that nothing should be done with “Selfish ambition” (Philippians 2:3), and that there are people out there who preach the gospel strictly out of Selfish Ambition (Philippians 1:16). Selfish ambition is simply that: To be ambitious about something out of self-interest or self-promotion. The Bible is clear… all such action is sinful. But it’s important to realize that selfish ambition is an issue of the heart and can’t always be judged by the outward appearance.

To me the heart makes all the difference. Am I using the gospel as a platform to spread my name, or am I using my platform to spread the gospel? Am I seeking fame and recognition for myself, or is the Lord promoting me and giving me more influence so I can glorify Him? These questions make all the difference. Consider the following scriptures:

Joshua 6:27 – So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country.

• Joshua was famous, but it was because the Lord was with Him. He did not send an envoy with proclamations to the surrounding nations declaring that “Joshua the great” was arriving.

1Chronicles 14:17 – Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

• King David was a famous man, but again notice the correlating factor: “The Lord brought”… Again, it was the Lord who made David famous.

1Kings 10:1 – Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.

• Solomon was perhaps one of the most famous men that ever lived! And yet his fame spread because it was concerning, “The Name of the Lord.”

Esther 9:4 – For Mordecai was great in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent.

• In the story of Esther, Mordecai never struck me as a man who was ambitious for any recognition, but only to do that which was right in the site of God to protect God’s people. As a result the Lord honored him with popularity and influence.

The list can continue, but one thing becomes evidently clear: God lifts up or tears down. As the Psalmist put it, “Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck. For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” Humility and contentment are the keys. God’s Word tells us that if we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt us in due time. The Bible also communicates that godliness with contentment is great gain. If I can humbly serve God where He has me with contentment, than fame is not needed because God can use me for His purposes whether anyone ever knows my name or not.

My conclusions… for the Christian, fame should not be sought from men, but it can be received if given by God. Many who are great on earth will be least in the kingdom, and many who are least on earth will be the greatest in the kingdom. I would rather live my life to be known in heaven than to be recognized on earth while my eternal rewards burn in the fire. May the fame of Jesus be sufficient for me! Let us all check our hearts and motives and serve our Jesus humbly and contently wherever he has us.

The Obvious Error:

It all started with one particular quote:

“In 1782, the United States Congress declared, ‘The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.’”(1)

This particular quote is scattered throughout many Christian heritage websites in support of the statement that our early founding fathers and national leaders were motivated by a strong and Biblical faith in God. Though I believe that statement is valid and true, you could imagine my disappointment when someone pointed out to me that this quote is not found in any congressional records. So I engaged in some research, and, sure enough, I could not find the quote. It appears that this particular quote is actually based on a separate event that took place in Congress on September 12, 1782.(2)

Some have suggested that part of the problem with this quote is that there was no Congress in 1782. That is not entirely true. While it is true that the United States Congress did not govern until 1789, the Congress of the Confederation governed the United States from 1781 to 1789. (3). It would be foolish to not acknowledge the governing body of the United States that drafted the Articles of Confederation as a legitimate government. (4)

A man by the name of Robert Aitkin brought a petition before the Congress of the Confederation in order to gain permission to print “a neat Edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of schools.” (3) This was not an uncommon request since under English law, you could not reprint the Bible unless first authorized by the government.

To make a really long story a little less long, the Congress appointed congressional chaplains to study the work. Upon their approval, the Congress passed a resolution in which they stated that they:

“Recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States…”(3)

Wow! I bet the ACLU had a fit! Oh wait… there was no ACLU back then. That I can say with confidence. Though obviously not a recommendation to use the Bible in schools, I find it amazing that the Congress would recommend a Bible “to the inhabitants of the United States.” So why didn’t they have a problem with this? When the government referred to the printing the Bibles as a “pious and laudable undertaking,”3 why was there no public outcry or political debate? I would assume that it was due to the religious convictions of the majority of those who served in our national leadership at the time. As cited from the government’s own biographical sketches of the signers of the constitution, we read,

“In terms of religious affiliation, the men mirrored the overwhelmingly Protestant character of American religious life at the time and were members of various denominations. Only two, Carroll and Fitzsimons, were Roman Catholics.”4

It is a known fact from early congressional records that, out of the 39 delegates that signed the Constitution, the vast majority of them were committed followers of Christ whose faith played a role in their core beliefs of justice and liberty for all. I could go on to quote our founding fathers on the issue of faith and politics, but it will not take you long to find reliable sources with those quotes online, so I will leave it to you. (image below: the first congress in prayer)

Thoughts on the first amendment:

“Separation of church and state!” the protester so adamantly yells. How dare anyone in our government declare or practice their faith in the public arena? The Constitution forbids that… right? Well, all the fuss stems from the First Amendment of the Constitution. The words “separation of church and state” are not found in the Constitution, but they do reflect the principle of the First Amendment. Unfortunately, today that principle has been misconstrued. The First Amendment states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

All you have to do is look at the historical context when this amendment was ratified to understand its intended implications. The realities of the Church of England still inspired disdain within early American society. Americans at that time had experienced firsthand the corruption and hypocrisy that came with a government having the power to control the church’s beliefs and operations. (5)

Imagine it in modern day terms… the Church of the USA. All permissible doctrine would come straight from the US government. The people who cannot even figure out our nation’s financial woes would be dictating to pastors what they could or could not preach. Pastors and church leaders would be employees of the state. Oh, the thought is horrid. Just the proposition would inspire any Christian to write a law that says the government can never legally establish a church or religion… Oh wait, that already happened. It is called the First Amendment.

The First Amendment was not written to protect the government and the people from the church, but to protect the church and the freedom of worship from the government. I am so grateful for that amendment, but so disappointed to see how it has been painted by today’s American society. Nowhere in the Constitution, or in any early political document that I have found, is there any clause that forbids a government leader from expressing his or her faith in the public arena. Interestingly enough, we find evidence to the contrary reaching even into the 20th century. In 1950, the Florida Supreme Court declared:

“A people unschooled about the sovereignty of God, the Ten Commandments, and the ethics of Jesus, could never have evolved the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. There is not one solitary fundamental principle of our democratic policy that did not stem directly from the basis moral concepts as embodied in the Decalogue.” (6)

The government has the right, yes, even the obligation, to uphold truth and support moral standards, even if it comes in the form of citing the Ten Commandments or the Bible. As long as the government does not step into the realm of “establishing” a religion, they are working within the bounds of their constitutional obligations.

There is so much more that can be covered, and maybe at a later date I will tackle some of it. I find this issue so fascinating and still so relevant to our culture today. Do I believe that EVERY early founding father was a Christian? No. Do I believe that there were not typical politicians like there are today back when our nation began? No. But history paints a clear and vivid picture of an early America that understood and acknowledged the work of divine providence and the need for Biblical and moral values as the building blocks for a great nation.

Bringing these facts to light will not change the fact that we are no longer a nation guided by those same principles, but it might awaken people to the fact that we have slowly drifted from the core values that established our freedoms. So what should we do with our history? Embrace; don’t erase. We do not need to get rid of our current understanding of history; we simply need to tell the full story so that our understanding is enhanced. There needs to be a concession to the fact that some of the key players in the founding of our nation were driven and motivated by their deep love of God. They carried the belief that a nation founded on His truth would be full of freedom. Let me close with the words of John Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the second president of the United States.

“It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.”(7) –John Adams

Sources:
1. http://wwwfaithofourfathers.net
2. Journals of Congress pages 572-574, http://www.memory.loc.gov
3. Kramnick, Isaac (ed); Thomas Paine (1982). Common Sense. Penguin Classics. pp. 21.
4. http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/constitution/bio.htm
5. http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h29-fr.htm
6. Florida v. City of Tampa, 48 So. 2d 78 (Fla. 1950); see also Commissioners of Johnson County v. Lacy, 93 S.E. 482, 487 (N.C. 1917) (“Our laws are founded upon the Decalogue).
7. John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, 1854), Vol. IX, p. 401, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776

Maybe a perspective change is needed. We look at things like the universe and nature and are amazed. We marvel because all these things are greater than what we can comprehend. We see greatness and majesty all around us, then we look at ourselves and feel like we don’t quite match up. What we must understand is that God does not see it that way. He is not impressed with his own handiwork. As an artist might look at all of his work and choose one painting that is dearest to his heart, so God has chosen us to be the apple of His eye, His treasure, His most valued work of art. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus. Remember, it was only after God created man that He looked at creation and said it was, “Very good.”

Jesus taught us that sometimes, the most seemingly worthless things are the most worthwhile things. He found it worthwhile to leave heaven, become a servant to evil mankind, and then be innocently crucified by them… and for them. He felt it worthwhile to bestow upon us, in abundance, the treasures and blessings of heaven, forgiveness, acceptance, enlightenment and so much more. Why? Because of love? Because it pleased Him? Because of relationship? Oh that we could grasp and understand “What is the width, length, depth and height… to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge that we may be filled with the fullness of God.”

Take the time today to lavish your love and praise upon your Savior who stopped at no cost to bring you close to Him. He holds you near His heart as His most valued treasure.

Pastor Josh

There are times when you know God is with you because of your inability to express the joy that you are experiencing. Let’s face it, being joyful in all things is something extremely difficult, actually impossible, to accomplish on your own. As I was doing the dishes tonight (yes, sometimes I do that), I started thinking about the unexplainable love of God that would cause Him to enter humanity from heaven, bear my burdens, and take the punishment for my sin. Before I knew it I was singing, “Thank You Lord for saving my soul, thank You Lord for making me whole, thank You Lord for giving to Me Thy great salvation so rich and free!” I couldn’t contain myself, it was truly a “Joy, inexpressible and full of glory.”

It’s my prayer that this Christmas season you are filled with wonder at what God has accomplished, and the inexpressible joy that comes from walking with Jesus. During Christmas there will be attempts to deceive you into believing that joy comes in packages under a tree. Just remember that true, lasting joy is not found in things, it’s only found in Jesus. Bring the Joy of Christ to this Christmas and let it sustain and amaze you throughout the entire new year!

In Christ,
Pastor Josh

David answers his own question in verses Psalm 116:13-19. He states 4 ways in which he will say thanks to God. For the sake of time, we will just breifly touch on them:

1. To Take – David states that he will, “Take the cup of salvation.” Saying thanks by taking something? At first this might seem like a selfish way to say thank you, yet this is what God desires! To enjoy his salvation and blessings to the fullest is our way of acknowledging that our salvation comes from God alone.
2. To Call on His name- If I was to give you a million dollars (don’t get your hopes up), I assume you would be grateful. I also assume you might ask me how you could show your gratitude. How awesome would it be if I told you that the greatest way you could thank me is by making sure you ask for my help next time you need it? This is what Christ has done. He’s given us everything and all that he desires is that we call upon Him when we need help. Is Jesus your last resort or your first retreat?
3. To Pay - David wants to pay his vows (offer sacrifices) to God publicly and openly before all the people. In other words, he wants to go public with his praise. He wants the world to see that he is serious about his commitment to the Lord. It’s been said, “Whisper your prayers, but shout your praise.” I couldn’t agree more! Say thanks to God by letting the world know that you love and serve Him.
4. To Offer – David speaks of offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Back then that might have been a lamb, today we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him (Romans 12:1-2). The New Testament also speaks of another sacrifice we can give to God as an act of thanksgiving. Hebrews 13:15 tell us to continually offer to God the fruit of our lips, the sacrifice of praise, giving thanks to His name. Our songs and praises are also offerings that let God know that we are thankful.

It’s been said, “If you pause to think, you will find cause to thank.” I love that because it’s so true. If we would just take the time to stop complaining and start considering, I think our perspective would drastically change on life. This Thanksgiving consider all that God has done for you and practice an attitude of gratitude.

In Christ,
Pastor Josh

I learned a valuable lesson about what it means to worship that day. I was challenged and convicted when I compared my reaction to this band with my reaction to God. How often do I come to worship Jesus and really stand amazed at how awesome and wonderful He is? The glory of a human band is not even comparable to the glory of the true God!

I believe that we frequently miss God in worship because we do not come to Him with expectation, excitement, and amazement. Worship is more than singing a song; it is something that is reflected in one’s life. The Hebrew word “Shachah” is the key word that is translated into our English word “worship” throughout the Old Testament. This word is usually translated along with other verbs that describe to us different aspects of worship. For example, along with worship we encounter bowing, the bringing of sacrifices, godly fear, singing, service, and many more. All these things basically tell us that worship encompasses much more then the words that we sing, it entails our attitudes, our actions, and even how we view God.

I will close with the words of Napoleon Bonaparte who said, “If Socrates would enter the room we should rise and give him respect. But if Jesus Christ came into the room we should fall down on our knees and worship Him.” Is Jesus getting your respect, or your worship?

In Christ,
Pastor Josh