Daily Rock!

The Book of Eli is a powerful movie that takes place in a future that has suffered through a nuclear war.  Eli is a loner who is carrying the world's last Bible around, and is being hunted by a man who wants the Word of God so he can twist it and control people.

Through all the fighting and the action, his enemy finally gets his hand on Eli's Bible because Eli gives it up to save another person.

Solara: "I didn't think you'd ever give up the book, I thought it was too important to you"

Eli: " It was, I was carrying and reading it everyday, got so caught up in protecting it, I forgot to live by what I'd learnt from it"

Solara: "And what's that?"

Eli: "To do more for others than you do for yourself"

Eli's discovery sums up a situation we can find ourselves in, we can get jaded  like that.  With all that is going on, we can get so on the defensive that we forget Jesus simply commanded us to love people.

Is our first response to love our enemies? 

What did Jesus say?

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)

It is easy to be angry and hate, but love is the way of the disciples of Christ.

Daily Rock!

When was the last time you were surrounded by silence?

From the time we wake up in the morning to the time we go to sleep we are surrounded by sound.  Much of that sound comes with messages.  TV, internet, talk on the radio and music.  Or simply by people talking to us, a text, a phone call.  Someone or something is always filling our life with sound.

That is something I love about riding a motorcycle.  I'm not knocking those who want music or a bluetooth phone, but for me being on a bike is a way of shutting out those interruptions.  Sound is reduced mostly to the engine and the wind.

I love riding country roads, stopping someplace beautiful just to take in God's creation.  Riding, void of technology with its interruptions...  Many times I have heard from the Lord that way.

I don't think we do that enough.

Reading 1 Kings today

"The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave." 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

All that drama and noise, it must have been an amazing display.  But when it suddenly stopped, how quiet it must have been for Elijah.

And then, in that silence, he heard the voice of the Lord.

Notice what Jesus did when his earthy ministry was beginning to grow.

"Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:15-16 (NIV)

When was the last time you were surrounded by silence?  When was the last time you took the time to carve out this kind of time for yourself, to listen for the voice of the Lord?  How often do we shut out the world to find the one who

"...satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:5 (NIV)

Preacher Mike Beasley
Freedom Biker Church
919-550-FREE

Daily Rock!

Don't eat that now, you'll spoil your appetite!"

I think we have all heard that before, especially around the holidays.

Cookies and candies are all around us, while some amazing meal is being prepared all day long.  Our stomach growls and we want to eat something, now.

If we don't heed the warning, we will eat whatever we can get our hands on.  Ever notice that?  Something that doesn't look very appetizing when you are full is irresistible  when you are hungry.

Gas stations and convenience stores count on this.  That's why they can charge almost two dollars for a single candy bar.

The problem is, when we give into the hunger and do not wait for the meal, we do indeed spoil our appetite.

The same can be said for our hunger for the presence of God.

We are suddenly aware that something is missing, we are restless and distracted.  Because we are accustomed to feeding that inner hunger with anything we can get our hands on, we don't stay in the hunger for very long.  We look to be satisfied with whatever is easy and convenient.  Sometimes it is something as "harmless" as binge-watching a TV show.  Sometimes it's food.  Sometimes it is something we'd rather not admit to.

But what would happen if, at those moments, we stayed in the hunger?  If we looked to the Lord and asked him to fill that inner desire? What if we chose to stay hungry rather than satisfy our desire with anything but the Lord?

David used to exhort himself.  He would tell his soul what to do at times like these.  Listen to what he says to his soul in Psalm 103.

"Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV, emphasis mine)

The hunger will come, and it is a hunger for the Lord.  Nothing else can satisfy that desire within.  Any cheap substitute can dull the hunger, but it will not nourish our soul.

As the psalmist said, 

"Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever." Psalm 73:25-26

Going Down!

Most of us who ride are aquatinted with going down.  Anything from dropping the bike on gravel to an all out wreck.  It doesn't matter what end of that spectrum we have found ourselves at, the experience is always unnerving and after it happens we are presented with the same choice.

We can choose to ride again, or to give up.

If we choose to ride, those first few miles on the bike are not easy ones.  I remember after I locked breaks and went down to avoid a deer,  I expected to see them everywhere, especially riding in early morning or dusk.

Hopefully we learned something from the experience, but the best thing to do is to put it out of our mind and ride again.

Reading Philippians 3 today,

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:13-14 (NIV)

Satan is very good at the one-two punch.  First he will entice us to sin and then when we have given in, he will do all he can to make us feel guilty about it.

Conviction is from God, it leads to repentance, forgiveness and freedom.  Guilt is from the enemy, it leads to bondage and hopelessness.

In our walk with the Lord we may stumble, fall, or even wreck.  But if we do, there is forgiveness waiting for us.  That is grace.

Once we repent, it's time to go full throttle down the road.  We need to forget what is behind us, for the Lord truly has.

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:8-12 (NIV)

Daily Rock!

Ever have this happen?

You are with a group of people, perhaps several who do not know you personally.  Then the subject of motorcycles comes up, and you mention that you ride.

Somebody in the group gets all wide-eyed, and begins to tell you how dangerous it is.  Often this warning comes along with a story of their brother's friend's cousin who wrecked. 

I sometimes have to resist the urge to say, "What?  There are dangers?  No one told me that before.  I will never ride again!"

The simple truth of the matter is this; riding a motorcycle is dangerous.  You can be the best rider out there, do everything right, and still go down due to someone else's stupidity.  It happens all the time, the risk is real.

But so is the joy of riding.

We who ride have accepted that risk.  We have counted the cost and considered it worth it for the joy of riding.  Others may see that choice as crazy, but they don't know it like we do.

Reading Luke 14 today.

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:  "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?  For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.' Luke 14:25-30 (NIV)

Salvation is free, we cannot earn it.  But being a disciple of Jesus Christ does cost us.  Our love for others must pale in comparison with our love for him.  Taking up our own cross can be painful, making a stand for him when everyone else is against him is not easy. 

But those of us who have chosen to follow Christ feel it is worth it. 

We have accepted that risk.  We have counted the cost and considered it worth it for the joy knowing Jesus Christ, and being known as his disciples.  Others may see that choice as crazy, but they don't know him like we do.

As Paul said, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." Phil 3:7-11 (NIV)

Have you counted the cost? 

Daily Rock!

Why did Jesus speak to people in parables?

I have heard it taught that he did this to create memorable stories that contained lessons or to help illustrate a point better.  That makes sense to me, it sounds logical.

However when the disciples asked Jesus why, his answer was very different.

Reading Matthew 13 today.

"The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.  Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.  This is why I speak to them in parables:

"Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand." Matthew 13:10-13 (NIV)

The truth of God is made clear to anyone who seeks his face.  However, to those who do not, it is hidden in plain sight.

Jesus continued to say,

"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." Matthew 13:16-17 (NIV)

When we pick up a Bible, read it and understand, or when we attend a service on Sunday and comprehend the teaching; do we understand how blessed we are?  We are understanding something that is hidden to the wisest people in the world.  That is why the world will never get us, without this revelation it foolishness to them.

"but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. " 1 Cor 1:23-24(NIV)

To understand more of the secrets of the Kingdom of God, we must seek them.  That takes effort on our part, perhaps turning off the TV and picking up our Bibles instead, oe shutting off our phones and computers and spending some time in prayer.

Some will be content with understanding enough for salvation.  But to grow, to live a victorious life we need more, much more.

And it is there, waiting to be reveled to those who will seek it.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

Ask, seek, knock, these are all actions on our part.

I had an old teacher who used to tell us, "Chase after God".

He has so much more to reveal to us, but if we do no respond to his call we will not enjoy those treasures.

Daily Rock!

Have you ever read something in the Bible and thought, "that's not me!" and moved on?

Reading Matthew 19 today.

"Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

 "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments."

"Which ones?" he inquired.

Jesus replied, "'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,  honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth."    Matthew 19:16- -22 (NIV)

I'm not rich, so it's easy to dismiss this one. 

For years I have read this and thought, "well,  since I don't have an abundance of cash lying around I can move on to the next thing Jesus has to say, this one doesn't apply to me."

But something stood out to me this morning.  It was the question the man asks Jesus, "What do I still lack?"

He was living as he should, but he knew there was something missing.  He had a nagging question inside of him that needed answering.  So when he saw Jesus, he asked the question.

"What do I still lack?"

Are we willing to ask this question of the Lord? 

What will we do with the answer?

This account is not in the Gospel simply as a warning to rich people.  It is a warning to us all.  If we ask that question of the Lord, what will we do with his answer?

This is not about money and following God.  It is about our response to God when he puts his finger on something in our life that needs to change.

Will we trust and obey him?  Or will we walk away sad, realizing we cannot give up whatever it is he is asking us to?

What do I still lack?

Daily Rock!

Have you ever heard something so loud that it continued to just ring in your ears afterward?  Like an explosion or the ringing of a loud bell?  Those times the sound just seems to reverberate through your head, still very present long after you originally heard it. 

That is how Refuel was for me last night.  Preacher Mike exhorted us to "kiss" God.  Basically to come to Him, not to ask for anything, just to worship him.

Worship him.  When was the last time I simply worshiped him?

I keep hearing this, over and over.  It was in my mind last night and it greeted me this morning as I woke up.

As you are reading this, he is present with you.  Take a few moments between yourself and him.  Do not ask for anything, just speak simple words telling the Lord how you feel about him, thanking him for the blessings you see in your life.  Having a hard time seeing those blessings?  We all have days like that...  Then start with thanking him for sending his son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross for you. That is something we cannot thank him enough for.

Sometimes it helps to change our posture even.  To actually bow down and worship him.  Tell him we love him, tell him we are his. 

We don't have to wait until Sunday to do this, in fact if we only do this on Sunday, I wonder if we are worshipers at all.

There is an old hymn that reflects this heart of worship.

Lord, You are more precious than silver;

Lord, You are more costly than gold;

Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds;

And nothing I desire compares with You. -Lord You are

Here is a youtube link if you'd like to sing along

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKmlrlzTHXY

Take that moment today, ask for nothing, simply offer your worship to  him.

Daily Rock!

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

How do you think the world see you, how does it judge your value?

Do you agree with that?

Reading 1 Samuel 16 this morning where the Lord sent Samuel to Jesse, telling him that one of his sons would be the one who would be anointed Israel's next king. 

All of these good looking and tall men were shown to Samuel, and Samuel himself was impressed by their stature, 

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:7 (NIV)

People judge by outward appearance. 

Can there be anything more true of today? 

That there is a need for Freedom Biker Church shows that the church itself has carried over the habit of judging by appearance.  One of the reasons we exist is because many of us would not feel comfortable or accepted in a mainstream church solely based on appearance. 

Ever watch a televised church service?  Ever notice the people they show  you in the audience?  

Ever notice that in all the movies, Jesus is always portrayed as being physically attractive?  It may be surprising to learn that Jesus was at best plain looking. 

Isaiah describes him this way.

" He grew up before him like a tender shoot,

    and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." - Isaiah 53:2 (NIV)

The world's emphasis will always be on what we look like. 

Have you bought into that as well?  Do you judge yourself by the world's standard? 

When we buy into that, seeing our value in our appearance alone, we have bought into a lie.

Far better to focus on what is on the inside.  Agreeing with the Holy Spirit  as he transforms us into the image of Christ.  Our heart is all that matters to the Lord, and he is transforming us on the inside to bear the image of His son.

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Cor 3:18 (NIV)

Daily Rock!

When my son was about nine or ten years old, he explained to me that he planned to be a millionaire when he grew up.

"How are you going to get your hands on that kind of money?" I asked him.

"Oh, I'm going to inherit it."

Truly he has the wrong father!

Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget that this existence is not all we have to look forward to - and thank God it isn't!  Most of us have not inherited a large some of money (and if we did, would it really make that big a difference in our fulfillment?) and life is not easy. 

It can more often than not, feel like a trial.

Reading 1 Peter this morning,

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,  who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."Peter 1:37 (NIV)

Do the trials feel real?  Does the testing of your faith feel very real?

If the trials and testing are real, then so is that inheritance that is waiting for us.

This world is not our home.

"All I know is I'm not home yet

This is not where I belong

Take this world and give me Jesus

This is not where I belong" -"Where I Belong" by Building 429

Daily Rock!

So I'm riding to church one Sunday morning.  I'm wearing leather boots, Kevlar jeans, a mesh jacket, 3/4 helmet and full gloves.

A wasp, or something with a stinger, hit me in the neck at 55 mph and stung me.

Needless to say, it was not pleasant. 

All that gear on, and the wasp hits me in the one place it could do damage.  I would guess I was 95% covered, but those 5% that were not covered were enough for me to get stung.

If we are not careful, our life can be like that morning's ride.

For years I "mostly" followed the Lord.  I was involved in many areas of  church ministry and read my bible regularly.  But I had compromising areas, things  I allowed,  that gave the enemy a foothold into my life.

That opening became his special target, and he has very good aim.  It almost destroyed me completely.

Reading Ephesians chapter 6,

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph. 6:10-12 (NIV)

Notice Paul says put on the full armor of God.  All of it.  When we allow ourselves to live "mostly for the Lord" we leave a part of ourselves exposed.

There is no such thing as a small compromise when it comes to obeying our Lord.

Daily Rock!

So much is going on in the news these days.  It's easy to get discouraged and wonder where the Lord is in all of this.

Reading Matthew 14 today.

"Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

 "Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matt 14:25-31 (NIV)

Peter heard the call of the Lord to come, and he began to do the impossible.  He walked on water. 

The same thing that caused Peter to sink is what can cause us to be discouraged in these times.  He saw the wind, he focused on the danger and perhaps the impossibility of what he was doing. 

We cannot focus on both Jesus and his Word and all the negativity that surrounds us today.  If you feel yourself sinking ask yourself this simple question, where is my focus?

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil 4:4-8(NIV)

Where is Jesus in all this?  Near, as he always is.  It is our focus that has changed, that is all. 

Rising above all that is going on in the world can feel as impossible as walking on water.  But with Jesus Christ in our life, and as our focus, we can do the impossible. 

Daily Rock!

How do you act toward others when you are having a rough day?

I have to admit, when I'm under stress I tend to become antisocial.  The greater the stress, the more inward I go.  At work I'll put on earphones, listen to music, try my best to ignore the people around me.

Are you like that?

The problem with this is, it is impossible to see the needs of others when we are focused only on what is troubling us.  We are self-focused, not  "others" focused.

Reading in Luke 23 this morning, the crucifixion of our Lord.

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)

Jesus had been beaten, whipped and now nailed to a cross.  The physical stress on his body would lead to his death.  Not to mention the ones who put him there were not a faceless mob to him, as they are to us in all the movies.  He knew and loved each one of them.  He was rejected by those he loved.

Yet, in all of this, as he hung there in pain, dying, he was still aware of someone else's needs.  He offers words of comfort to a criminal, a promise of paradise. 

There are times when I look at the life of Jesus, and I realize...  just how long I have to go.

Daily Rock!

Are you the third seed?

In Matthew 13, Jesus taught this parable.

"A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear." Matthew 13:1-9 (NIV)

When Jesus explained what this parable meant, I find so many today live in the place of that third seed, the seed that fell among the thorns.

"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." Matthew 13:22 (NIV)

Worries of life, and deceitfulness of wealth.

Worries.  All those things that keep us up at night.  How will I accomplish this, what will I do about that, if only I could...  and on and on it goes.  I find it interesting that Jesus connects this not to wealth, but the deceitfulness of wealth.

What is that?

Jesus is saying that when wealth becomes the answer to your worries that is a lie.  Now, I'm not saying we don't need to work, have money to pay our bills.  But the answer to life's worries is never more money.

A hugely popular show was "Who wants to be a Millionaire?"  It was made popular because it tapped into this lie.  All that tension created because you wanted to see if that person would solve all their problems by running the gauntlet of questions to the ultimate prize.

How many people play the lottery for the same reason?

Jesus said that this line of reasoning, worry and looking to wealth as the answer, will choke the Word of God in our lives.

So what is the answer?  What do we do with these legitimate concerns?

The answer is always Jesus.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Daily Rock!

Without a doubt one of the best known brands of motorcycles is Harley Davidson.  People will even put Harley parts onto another brand of motorcycle to create some kind of "knockoff" just to loo
k like one.

To the non-rider all cruisers look like Harleys, they even (gasp) sound like Harleys.

But to those of us who ride one, we can tell, usually spot the differences.  And someone who works on them day in and day out, or builds them in the factory, is never fooled.

Looking like a Harley, even sounding like a Harley doesn't make a motorcycle a Harley.

Sometimes Jesus said things that cut right through all our posing and pretense.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?'  Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)

What is the difference between doing God's will and doing things in his name?

When we do the will of God, we see what he is doing and join him in it.  He leads, we follow and we are in a love relationship with him. Father and child, servant and Lord.  He says, we do. Just like Jesus.

"Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.  For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. " John 5:19-20 (NIV)

When we do things in Jesus' name only, we slap a bunch of Christian labels on our agenda and proclaim it to be the work of Christ. Jesus calls people like that, "evildoers" and he wants nothing to do with them.

Just like that knockoff HD, it may fool some, but it will never get past the the creator.

He can tell the difference, every time.

Daily Rock!

What kind of foundation do you build your life on?

On the TV show Cafe Racer they often feature different bike builders creating something unique and then sometimes they have one of the famous Bostrom brothers come out and test ride.  The Bostrom brothers are world famous motorcycle racers.

On one episode Ben Bostrom crashed on a Honda 919 "Cafe Fighter" bike.  The front wheel locked up and he went down.  As he hobbled away, the builder blamed the bearings.

Ben is a professional racer.  He has all the skills needed to take a bike safely on an open road.  However, any bike is only as good as its wheels.  Blow a tire, or as in this case, have bad bearings and you are going down.  Let the tread get too worn and ride in the rain, just watch how that works out for you.

The wheels are the contact point between you and the ground.  They are the foundation.

You have to be able to trust the bike that's under you.  Novice or pro, if there is something wrong with that foundation you will crash.

Today there is a lot of information out there telling us how to live our lives.  Some of it even claims to be based on the Word of God.

Some people have talent, drive, and money.  They have what appears to be all that is needed for a successful life.  But it's a faulty foundation.  At some point any life that is not build on Jesus Christ's words will come crashing down.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

Do you know his word?  Are you basing your beliefs on what you see, hear and learn from the world?  Or are you building your life on what Jesus Christ tells you is true?

The storm will come, make no mistake.  We stand or crash based on our foundation.

Preacher Mike Beasley
Freedom Biker Church
919-550-FREE

Choices!

I recently purchased a new motorcycle after having ridden the same bike for over five years.

What I found interesting was, the new motorcycle easily goes into the twisties.  As I lean into a turn, it simply follows my lean.  It is effortless.

Before getting this bike, I had no idea how much my other one fought me in this process.  What I had experienced was primarily the difference in the rake of the two bikes.

For those of you who don't know, this has to do with the front forks of the bike.  A bike with more rake is like a chopper, long etc.  The longer the rake, the more the front tire wants to go straight.

So what does this have to do with the Lord?

Before coming to the Lord, we are used to going our own way.  We may see what we should do, but we didn't have the capacity to do it. Like that first bike, where the physics are not built for turning, our nature will fight against doing what is right.

"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)

When I go out to the garage, I have a choice between two motorcycles.  One will fight me as I ride along those curvy roads, the other will not.  The choice is made when I throw a leg over the bike and head on down the road.
However, if I have trouble in the twisties, it is because of the bike I chose to ride that day.

Every day we have a choice on which nature to follow.  The old habits and sin nature, or the new one given to us in Christ.  We make that choice in our mind. 

"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)

It really does come down to choice.

Overwhelmed?!

Have you ever felt overwhelmed?  Have you ever been in a position where there was nothing you could do but rely on God?

Once when my wife and I were still dating I was driving her from Boston to the Newark airport, through New York City.  It was a Saturday, right around lunch time and we had a few hours before her flight back home to France (it was a very long-distance relationship!).

Now before this trip I had all the maintenance done on my car, knowing I would need it in top shape to drive to Boston from North Carolina to meet with my family there.  I did my part, I was responsible.

Yet as we approached New York City, coming from Boston, the universal belt broke (might I add, this was just replaced).  I lost power steering and the car quickly began to overheat.

We exited the highway right into an unfamiliar part of town.  I remember popping the hood and looking at that broken belt.  My first thought was, "I cannot fix this."

We were alone in New York City, on a Saturday, at lunch hour with about three hours to her flight back to France.  There was nothing we could do but stop and pray.  If God wanted her on this flight, he would have to make it happen.

Within 45 minutes we were back on the road with a new universal belt and new ball bearings (the cause of the problem).  God had arranged strangers perfectly placed to each do their part and help us.  Needless to say, she made the flight, and I made it home to North Carolina.  Oh, and the honest mechanic that helped us charged less than the reasonable price initially announced.

Those of you who understand waiting for car parts, getting a mechanic, and the fact that it was a Saturday at lunch time in New York City know this was a true miracle.

Had the stressful event of that belt breaking not occurred, we would not have this very vivid reminder of the power God has to do the impossible in our lives.

As Paul tell us in 2 Corinthians.

"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." 2 Cor 1:8-9

Our self-reliance is an illusion.  We need God for everything.  And it is at times like these we have to learn how much we need him and that he is trustworthy, he does come through.

As Jesus pointed out.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NIV)

What do you need to trust God with today?

Preacher Mike Beasley
Freedom Biker Church
919-550-FREE

Daily Rock!

Yesterday I shared about fellowship.   In  1 Corinthians 12 Paul talks about us being a body, interdependent on one another.  How all of us are needed in order to have a functioning healthy body.

The very next chapter is the famous "love chapter" that gets read a lot at weddings.  Now I'm not saying this isn't applicable in marriage, it certainly is.  However I do find it rather convicting that it is brought up after Paul talks about the body of Christ.  I never noticed this before.

After explaining how love is more important than special talents or abilities, even more important than giving up all we posses, he explains what love looks like.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

Let's try this today.  Prayerfully read through these verses and reflect on how we relate to one another as the body of Christ. 

Although I feel Freedom is a very loving church, it is healthy to examine ourselves in light of Scripture.

Preacher Mike Beasley
Freedom Biker Church
919-550-FREE

Muscles & Tendons!

Muscles and tendons are interesting things, especially when you get older!

The other night I was at Taekwondo class.  Our instructor introduced the side kick.

To do a proper side kick, you have to start with your supporting foot, toes facing forward.  Then, as you bring your kicking leg up, those toes end up facing backwards as you kick your leg out.

When my time to do this came, my foot did not turn all the way as it should.  The rest of my body tried to fall in line with what  my mind told it to do.  But my foot had other plans, it moved only half the way and then decided to stop.

This resulted in a slight twist in my achilles tendon.

I must admit, I have not given my achilles tendon much thought over the years.   It's been there, a part of my body. But since I've been taking TKD it aches from being stretched after each session.  The day after class I walk with a slight limp. It's a small part of my body, but it is crucial for walking.  Just because I have not been aware of it, doesn't mean it wasn't important.

This time, the day after practice I had more than a slight limp and trust me, I thought about it.  It's getting better, but still, this week, I think about it!  Thinking about one of the "lesser" of my body parts led me to think about what Paul has to say about our body and the importance of all its parts.

Reading 1 Corinthians 12 this morning.

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many." 1 Cor 12:12-14 (NIV)

Fellowship, relationship with each other.  That is what Paul is talking about here.  When we disregard fellowship, what we are really saying is, "I don't need you."  When we do this, we have a negative impact on the whole body of Christ. 

Let's read on.

"The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,  and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unrepresentable are treated with special modesty,  while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,  so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1 Cor 12:21-26 (NIV)

I have found there are two reasons why Christians don't fellowship.  They either feel they don't need the others, or they feel they are not needed.  Both are lies.

Do we value one another today?  Do we understand our own value to the Body of Christ?

We are all part of something so much bigger than our own lives.  In this country we just celebrated "independence", however when it comes to the body of Christ, we are interdependent with each other. 

The body of Christ cannot function properly unless we are all healthy and doing our part.

Shine!

Do you shine in the lives of those around you?

Ask a non-Christian what they think a Christian is.  Very often they would answer something like, "Oh, those are people who don't _______ ."  Fill in the blank.

The reason why the world defines us by the things that we don't do, is because they are used to us telling them what they are doing wrong.  Telling them what they should not be doing.  Our "don'ts" shout louder than anything else.

The world understands clearly what we as Christians are against.  But do they really understand what we are for?  Do they see Jesus Christ in us?

Is this method working to gain disciples for Christ?

How about you?  When you came to Christ?  Was it because you saw a group of people who had a list of things they were against that you decided to join them?  Or was is something else that drew you to the Lord?

Jesus called us the "light of the world".

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Notice how we are to be that light.  We shine not by trying to convict the world of sin, but by showing our good deeds.  The Holy Spirit is the only one who can convict the world of sin.

Speaking of the Holy Spirit Jesus said, "When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment." John 16:8 (NIV)

Our job, our mission is to be the light of the world.  To be a signpost pointing to Jesus Christ, the only way of salvation.

So much has changed in our country.  We see the changes and it puts us on the defensive.  But who are we to decide who gets to hear the gospel and who does not?

When the world sees us loving each other, and loving others, they will see Jesus.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Love God, love people, do something about it.

Preacher Mike Beasley
Freedom Biker Church
919-550-FREE

Daily Rock!

Yeas ago I read a book that was simply titled "Joshua - A Parable for today".  

It was a story about Jesus appearing in a small town in upstate New York sometime in the 1980s.  He is a simple wood carver who lives among the people, most not knowing who he really was.

Although in the novel he did do some miracles, one of his more ordinary actions stood out to me then, and still sticks in my memory today. 

There was a poor family down the road from where he lived.  One day he went to the grocery store, bought several bags of food, even a few toys, and then just left them on their doorstep.  I remember thinking, wouldn't Jesus do something more miraculous than that?  It was such a simple thing, anyone can do that!

And that was when the point struck me. Yes anyone could, but do we?

Preacher Mike is preaching on 1 John.  This verse stands out to me today.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?  Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)

Has the Lord laid anyone on your heart to bless today?  Is it time to move beyond words?

Daily Rock!

This past weekend I was shopping at Walmart on the 4th of July.

The woman  ahead of me in line had cases of soda, hot dog rolls and a few pies among several other items.  She had a USA T-shirt and her toenails were painted like little flags.

The young cashier who rang her up said to her in a cheerful voice, "So you are getting ready for a 4th of July party tonight!"

I was next, she rang me up, smiled and said, "So you are getting ready for a 4th of July party tonight?"

I was buying underwear.  And no, my toes were not painted.

I'm not sure about this new generation, but I don't think buying boxer briefs says "time to party!" to anyone.  If it does, I weep for them!

What had happened was that the cashier had been seeing customer after customer buying last minute items for 4th of July parties.  She had started seeing all customers as being there for the same reason.  She no longer paid attention to what they were buying.  She had the same pat line for each of us, regardless of what she was ringing up.

Jesus healed a lot of people, did he always say the same thing?

Let's take a look at three different accounts of Jesus healing a blind man.  Each of these men had the same problem, they were blind. They were looking for the same solution, to see.

Example 1

"Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God." Luke 18:42-43 (NIV)

Example 2

"After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes.  "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means "Sent"). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing." John 9:6-7 (NIV)

Example 3

"He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"

He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Mark 8:23-25 (NIV)

To one the Lord simply speaks, to another he makes mud out of spit and dirt.  To yet another he actually spat in the man's eyes and the first time wasn't a complete healing.  He then put his hands on the eyes to help him see more clearly.

Why?  Jesus was a busy man, why not just speak the same thing to everyone?  Wouldn't that be easier and more efficient?

Because Jesus sees each person as an individual.  Although the need for sight was the same for each, he healed them in drastically different ways.

We need to be careful about having pat answers and formulas when talking to each other.  Something we said that may have touched the heart of one brother or sister may not do the same for another.  Sometimes when someone is sharing what is going on in their life, we are tempted to stop really listening and just focus on our pat answer.  At best we wait until their lips stop moving to deliver the line.

Sometimes that helps, more often it does not.

So what is the answer?

Jesus was aware of what his Father was doing in the life of each person he encountered.  He only said what he heard his father saying, and only did what he saw his father doing.

While someone is sharing, simply pray and ask the Lord what to say.  You'd be surprised at what you find coming out of your mouth.

Daily Rock!

How do you look today?

Some of my favorite movies to watch are the ones that involve Wolverine.  Hugh Jackman first played Wolverine in the movie X-men in the year 2000.  He has been playing this character now for 15 years.  A character who is not supposed to age like normal men do.

And he still pulls it off.

It amazed me when I read the amount of work and self-discipline he has to go through to still look the part.  Wolverine is cut, and the older Hugh gets, the harder he has to work to keep that appearance.  He pulls it off, but then he gets paid to look that good.

Today's culture is all about looks.  There was a time when only women were given an unrealistic model of what their body should look like.  Today the same is true for men.  A six pack isn't enough, now there is an eight pack that must be achieved.

But underneath all of this is the question, where do we place our value?

What makes us worth something to someone else?

Jesus said,

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" Matthew 6:25 (NIV)

I thought about this for a moment.  I'm sure he is talking to a crowd that is dressed.  Most people wear clothes of some kind.  Even a homeless person has clothing.  What "worry" is Jesus addressing here?

A few verses down he continues the thought.

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" Matthew 6-28-30 (NIV)

What kind of clothing is Jesus talking about here?

Let's jump to Isaiah 61

"I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
    For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
    and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding
    or a bride with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)

God sees through clothing, make-up or whether or not we can pull off the eight pack. God is looking for us to receive his salvation that he may clothe us in his righteousness.

We don't all have the genetics or the resources to look like a movie star.  But to God that is a non-issue. He wants us to be able to stand in his presence.  And to do that we need to be clothed in righteousness.

This is why Jesus concludes with.

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

Daily Rock!

Sometimes the word of God can make us uncomfortable.  This is one of those times.

Reading the first few chapters of Romans.

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,  since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:18-21 (NIV)

After this Paul goes on in detail to describe things that could be taken right out of today's headlines.  Take a moment and read the rest if you like. 

But then the focus of his letter takes for us a rather painful turn. 

It's important, before reading this next part, to remember that Paul wrote this book to Christians.  "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people" Romans 1:7 (NIV)

Because right after the vivid description of the world we live in, Paul does not exhort us to go out and tell the rest of the world how bad they are - he turns the focus right on us.

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.  Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?  Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" Romans 2:1-4 (NIV)

Notice the words "you" or "yourself"  is used nine times.  He is not saying this to the world he just described, Paul is saying this to believers.  He is speaking to you and I.

Like I said, the word of God can make us very uncomfortable.

Paul continues a few verses down.

 "if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,  an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—  you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." Romans 2:21-24 (NIV)

And in case we feel off the hook, because we never did the things listed, keep in mind the words of Jesus.

 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment." Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV)

And

 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. " Matthew 5:27 (NIV)

To a holy God, lust is as adultery, anger is as murder. 

Hmmm, how do we measure up now?

The word of God is clear, is not our job to convict the world of sin.  That task belongs to the Holy Spirit.

I cannot stop thinking about what Bobby shared on the holiness of God this past week at Refuel.  We are the people of that holy God.  As long as we keep our focus on what goes on outside of the church, we will never deal with what is going on inside of ourselves. 

A dying world cannot grasp a pointing finger to be lifted out of the pit, it needs an open hand. 

"Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives,  but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them.  As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

"Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?"

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.  They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?"

"No, Lord," she said.

And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more." John 8:1-11 (NLT)

Daily Rock!

Last night our brother Bobby shared about the holiness of God.  He mentioned the time when God was speaking to Moses, how the mountain itself became holy because of God's presence there.  God shows up, a whole mountain is untouchable for humans.

A whole mountain, he told us, as only Bobby can.

On the ride home I got thinking about that.  To me what is amazing is not that the mountain itself was made holy and untouchable by the presence of the living God, but that it was confined to just a single mountain! 

God contained himself to just one mountain, and that was a mercy.  Out of love for his people he contained the full measure of his holiness, knowing that mankind could not survive any one on one encounter with him.

Reading the gospel of John today, 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." 1 John 1-4 (NIV)

 

And jumping down to verse 14, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Jesus Christ, the living God, took on flesh. 

Paul tells us,

 "Who, being in very nature God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

    by taking the very nature of a servant,

    being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

    he humbled himself

    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:6-8(NIV)

Think about that for a moment. The God who is Holy.  The God who created everything.  So beautiful he created mountains to express an aspect of that beauty.  So powerful he created crashing waves that can roar like a lion, or lightning that lights up the sky expressing his unpredictability and dangerous nature.

As David expressed, 

"When I consider your heavens,

    the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

    which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

    human beings that you care for them?" Psalm 8:3-4(NIV)

Truly, who are we?  In light of this amazing and awesome God, who are we? 

We are to him not what we deserve to be, but what he desires us to be.

Here is a final thought from the book of Romans.

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:15-17 (NIV)

Daily Rock!

Here is a trivia question I'm sure many of you can answer right off.

When a motorcycle accident involves a car, what is the most common thing the person in the car says?

"I didn't see the motorcycle!"

Why is that?  Why is it that those of us who ride can see another bike across two lanes of oncoming traffic, often identifying the kind of bike it is and waving when it passes?

Yet a person who doesn't ride can't see a motorcycle clearly in front of them as they make that often fatal left turn cutting them off?

It's all in what we are looking for.  Those of us who ride, look at bikes all the time, are conscious of motorcycles and we see them.  Others can be looking at the same thing, from the same vantage point and be completely blind.

Jesus clearly stated.

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.'If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." John 15:18-20 (NIV)

The world will not see our arguments.  The world will not see our point of view.  Like that person driving the car, they are not seeing what is crystal clear to us.  They will never obey our teaching because they do not know Jesus.

The world acts the way that it does because it is blind and does not follow Christ.  No matter how much we shout, yell and protest on social media we cannot make them see His teaching and agree with it.  It will never make sense to them and be accepted.  Because Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with Jesus Christ.  When we preach morality, we preach religion.  When we preach Jesus Christ we invite people to a relationship.

Far more important than changing laws is changing hearts.  Jesus, Paul, Peter, and the rest of the early church were not trying to change the laws of the land, but preach the Gospel.

Where will the church place its efforts today?  Last time I checked, the great commission has not changed.  Discipleship comes before teaching.  Attempting this process in reverse does not work.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18(NIV)

I wonder, if the church put half the effort it does in other agendas into obeying this commission, how different would things look today?