Following Jesus - Phil Robertson

John 15:18-20 (NKJV)

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Jesus comments to His followers that those who hate Him will also hate those who follow Him and hold to His beliefs. If they speak up on behalf of the world, the world will accept them, but if they speak up on behalf of Christ there will be conflict.

Yesterday A&E network suspended Phil Robertson from the show Duck Dynasty after Phil, who is 67, gave his opinion on sin. Quoting Phil from his interview, ““Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong. Sin becomes fine," he later added. “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men. Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers -- they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.””

Everything Phil said is in line with Christian belief. Part of what he quotes comes straight out of The Bible. Homosexuality is considered a sin, but there are also many more sins that can be named and each one is just as offensive to God.  I affirm there are many other sins such as laziness, pride, hatred, malice, gossip, name calling, murder, adultery, theft and the list goes on that fall under the category of sin. We are all sinners in this world and no one who is exempt.

It is bad enough on TV shows that Christians are not always allowed to end a prayer with, “IN JESUS NAME, AMEN”. As Jesus said they hate me so they will hate you and even today that stands true.

I will say this about a Christian who understands Jesus. Jesus always pointed out the sins of a person and then told them to go and sin no more. Jesus never condemned the person, but instead showed love, mercy and grace. Most Christians understand this about Jesus and while they point out sin they are also ready to love the person who is dealing with sin.

Phil Robertson was just standing up for what he believed. He didn’t attack anyone directly. We all should be able to have freedom of speak to discuss our beliefs even when they conflict with others. And Phil didn’t use Duck Dynasty to promote his beliefs as many commentators do today. He was talking in an interview and gave an opinion.

The corruptness that pushes away justice

Psalm 53:1-3 (NASB)

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. 2 God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men

To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. 3 Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.

This psalm speaks of the corruptness and wickedness of mankind. They have become corrupt in their ways and are incapable of justice. There are few who can be found that does good.

There has been real-life stories presented and discussed on the TV show Dr. Drew On Call recently that shows just how corrupt our nature in America is. Last week there was the story of a six year old who kissed a girl on the hand at school. That action landed him a two-day suspension from school and an entry of sexual harassment in his school files, which was later revised due to protest. What has happened to people that they can’t evaluate a situation and make a rational judgment call? Why is it we have to treat children with injustice because a reasonable solution cannot be found? Come on, how many six year olds really understand the meaning of sexual harassment?

Last night Dr. Drew and his panel discussed a story from Duluth, Georgia. It dealt with Sam McNair, a 17 year-old high school senior who thought he was giving a teacher an innocent hug.  "You never know what someone's going through," McNair told CNN affiliate WGCL in Atlanta. "A hug might help." It didn't in this case because after McNair hugged a teacher, he ended up with a year-long suspension from Duluth High School, putting his college plans in jeopardy. Sam can’t even attend the SAT testing held on school grounds because he could be arrested for trespassing. We have kids who are violent, but yet when they are trying to show a caring gesture they are penalized.  Surely there is a different way to handle a case like Sam’s.

My own daughter was in first grade when a boy in her class came to school with his head shaved. Most likely he had lice and this was the parent’s way of correcting the problem. The boy was embarrassed and the principle told the class they were not to make fun of the boy. My daughter being who she is yelled out to the boy on the playground, “Hey baldly, want to come and play with us?” She wasn’t trying to be hateful, she just didn’t think about her words. After all she was in the first grade. The teacher who overheard her later sent her to the office asking that she be suspended for 3 days for harassment. My daughter’s response was, “We are good friends. I told him I was sorry and he said it was ok. What else do you want me to do?”

It seems adults can’t think for themselves to resolve a situation in a reasonable manner. It appears the world is so corrupt the only thing we know to do is follow a single rule and apply it to everyone. Let us pray that people will find it within themselves to do what is right and just. Hopefully we can show the youth of this country how to live so they won’t become embittered for being penalized for insignificant actions.

Christmas is about Jesus

Matthew 1:18-21 (NKJV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

As Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy he wondered what he was to do, since they were not yet wed. An angel appeared to him to comfort his thoughts and explain that Mary was the bearer of God’s child. This child would grow up to save His people from their sins.

Eleanor looked thoughtful; her aunt laid down her knitting, and said, in a tone of gentle seriousness, "Whose birth does Christmas commemorate, Ella?"

"Our Savior's, certainly, aunt."

"Yes," said her aunt. "And when and how was he born? In a stable! laid in a manger; thus born, that in all ages he might be known as the brother and friend of the poor. And surely, it seems but appropriate to commemorate his birthday by an especial remembrance of the lowly, the poor, the outcast, and distressed; and if Christ should come back to our city on a Christmas day, where should we think it most appropriate to his character to find him? Would he be carrying splendid gifts to splendid dwellings, or would he be gliding about in the cheerless haunts of the desolate, the poor, the forsaken, and the sorrowful?" [Excerpt from Harriet Beecher Stowe's short story: Christmas; Or, The Good Fairy]

In this short story Harriet Beecher Stowe reminds the reader that Christ was born under conditions that most of us could not comprehend. He was born in an unsanitary manger, no crib, and no doctor. Christ was born for all, including the lowly, the poor, the outcast and the distressed. Giving at Christmas is a good gesture, but it has become overly commercialized and we have tended to forget about those in need. In some cases we have even forgotten what Christmas is about, which is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Take time this Christmas to do something good for someone in need, however you may do that. Remember that Christmas commemorates the birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ. Take time to give The Lord praise for His grace and mercy. Christmas is the season during which Christians everywhere give thanks to God the Father for the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. Don’t let any fool you into thinking that Christmas is anything less.

The Lord examines our motives

Proverbs 16:2 (NLT)

2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

When it comes to examining our own actions we are often partial to ourselves. We go to lengths to prove we are right and others are wrong. The judgment of The Lord concerning us is according to truth.

Rebecca Pippert relates a story about a famous physicist who confided in her and said:

I'm a scientist, you know, a rational person. I've never seen much need for God. All my life I've felt in charge and in control. I've been extremely successful and made it to the top. If there's a problem at work, I call a meeting or write a note to my secretary, and it is quickly resolved.

Yet nothing is simple or easily resolved at home. My children don't relate to me easily …. They accuse me of trying to control their lives. When I walk into the same room as my son, he starts to stammer. What hurts is that they can't seem to appreciate how much I care and that I'm doing all of this for them.

But I'll tell you one lesson I've learned. I always said that since I had my children's best interests at heart, they'd be glad for my direction …. My children have taught me the hardest lesson of my life—that I'm not in control over what matters to me most. It's funny, but it's now when I see I'm not God that I see I need some help. The question of whether there is a God has finally started to matter. [Rebecca Pippert, Hope Has Its Reasons (InterVarsity Press, 2001), pp. 52-53]

There is an age old problem; we all want to be God. Satan wanted to be God and fell from God’s grace. When man entered into sin it was because he was told he could be like God knowing good from evil. Yet we are not God and we don’t see the things the way God does. God’s motives are pure and just, while man’s motives are often selfish and prideful. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives; and yet The Lord is willing to guide us on the right path if we will just listen.

The Wise Men

Matthew 2:4-6 (NLT)

4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

In their search, wise men from the east stopped to ask Kind Herod where the newborn king of the Jews was located. They assumed a king would know the location of another king. This worried Herod that there would be mention of another king so he called together religious leaders to inquire where the child would be.  

Not much is known about the wise men that came to visit Jesus. While many manger scenes depict three wise men standing near Jesus at the manger, even the number of wise men is not accounted for. Some have assumed there were three, because there were three gifts. However we don’t know the true number. Also, the wise men did not visit the manger. The only ones present after the birth of Jesus in the manger were Joseph and Mary, local shepherds and the animals that were present.  The wise men went to the home of Mary and Joseph where Jesus was a toddler. The wise men worshiped Jesus there and presented the gifts they carried.

What is important is that kings came to visit The King of Kings and they brought gifts that recognized who He was. Gold was traditionally offered to a king as a gift. Frankincense was used as a specialize incense at the temple and therefore recognized the deity of Jesus. Myrrh was another fragrance and was used for burials, so this foreshowed the coming death of Jesus. Some even believe the myrrh used on the body of Jesus came from this gift.

As we celebrate Christmas, put aside for a while all the commercialism. Remember we are celebrating the birth of Jesus who came to free us from sin. Remember that even as a child he was born to die for our sins. Give thanks and praise for the birth of the Son of God this holiday season.

Without Christ there would be no Christmas

Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV)

4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

God gave the world His Son so He could live out a life free from sin; something mankind was unable to do. God did this in His time, in His way, for His purpose that we would become adopted heirs of heaven by placing our faith in Christ.

The genius of Christianity takes the words of Paul "who gave himself for our sins" as true and efficacious. We are not to look upon our sins as insignificant trifles. On the other hand, we are not to regard them as so terrible that we must despair. Learn to believe that Christ was given, not for picayune and imaginary transgressions, but for mountainous sins; not for one or two, but for all; not for sins that can be discarded, but for sins that are stubbornly ingrained.

Practice this knowledge and fortify yourself against despair, particularly in the last hour, when the memory of past sins assails the conscience. Say with confidence:

Christ, the Son of God, was given not for the righteous, but for sinners. If I had no sin I should not need Christ. No, Satan, you cannot delude me into thinking I am holy. The truth is, I am all sin.

 My sins are not imaginary transgressions, but sins against the first table, unbelief, doubt, despair, contempt, hatred, ignorance of God, ingratitude towards Him, misuse of His name, neglect of His Word, etc.; and sins against the second table, dishonor of parents, disobedience of government, coveting of another's possessions, etc. Granted that I have not committed murder, adultery, theft, and similar sins in deed, nevertheless I have committed them in the heart, and therefore I am a transgressor of all the commandments of God.

 Because my transgressions are multiplied and my own efforts at self-justification rather a hindrance than a furtherance, therefore Christ the Son of God gave Himself into death for my sins.

To believe this is to have eternal life. [Martin Luther, A Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians]

Christmas is the time of year we remember the birth of Christ who died for our sins. Without Christ there would be no Christmas. Without Christ there would be no freedom from sin.

A wise person wins friends

Proverbs 11:30 (NLT)

30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.

This shows what great blessings good men are, especially those that are eminently wise, to the places where they live, and therefore how much to be valued. [Matthew Henry]

When you think wisely it becomes easier to win over friends. I read a story about a woman waiting in a long fast food line. Another woman blew her horn indicating she wanted in the line. The first woman graciously allowed her to get in front of her although it was obvious who was there first. The woman she let into the line made some rude gestures towards her and appeared upset.

Now at this point many of us might have let our anger start getting the better of us. Not only did this woman force her way into the line, she was totally unappreciative about it.  However, the lady who graciously let her in line thought differently.

She thought, “You know, maybe she is just having a bad morning.” So when she pulled up to the speaker she told the fast food employee that she would pay for the car in front of her. She said the lady may decline, but tell her I insist and I hope she has a good day – this one is on me. When the woman in front got her food the woman behind her could see her talking to the employee. Then surprisingly the woman who had been so rude turned and gave an appreciative wave. When the other lady pulled up the employee said, “The previous lady told me to thank you and said she was sorry for her behavior. She was running late for an appointment and the long line had just irritated her.”  

The wisdom this woman showed of being gracious, kind, compassionate and generous won over a friend that day. Instead of driving off bitter the other woman had left with a friendly wave and a smile. 

God's Way

Deuteronomy 18:18 (NLT)

18 I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him.

God, having raised up his Son Christ Jesus, sent him to bless us. That he should be like unto Moses, only as much above him as the other prophets came short of him. Moses was such a prophet as was a law-giver to Israel and their deliverer out of Egypt, and so was Christ: he not only teaches, but rules and saves. Moses was the founder of a new dispensation by signs and wonders and mighty deeds, and so was Christ, by which he proved himself a teacher come from God. Was Moses faithful? So was Christ; Moses as a servant, but Christ as a Son. [Matthew Henry]

Matt Woodley writes in The Gospel of Matthew: God With Us, (Intervarsity Press, 2001) - A number of years ago, when I was playing in a friendly men's softball game, the umpire made a call that incensed our coach. My coach didn't agree with the ump's interpretation of a specific league rule. The game stopped, and a heated discussion ensued. Finally, the ump sighed as he pulled a rulebook from his back pocket and proceeded to read page 27, paragraph 3b, section 1.

"As you can clearly see," he concluded, "this rule means that my call must stand." Unconvinced, my coach yelled, "But you're not interpreting that rule correctly." To which the ump replied, "Uh, excuse me, I think I should know: I wrote the rulebook." After an awkward silence, my coach walked back to the bench, shaking his head and pointing to the ref as he told us, "Get ahold of that guy. He wrote the rulebook!"

Throughout his ministry, Jesus didn't just affirm and endorse the words of Scripture; he talked and acted like he had authored the Scriptures. He lived with the authority of the One who wrote the "rulebook."

It is alright that there are times in life that we are just frustrated and want to take up our issue with God. We may not agree, we may want a different result, but in the end we must remember that our creator wrote The Book. I remember my wife commenting on a life changing event for a friend of hers, “I just don’t understand why God would allow that.” There are times we won’t understand for The Lord’s ways are not our ways. We must trust The Lord. Romans 11:33 tells us, “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!”

Present with The Lord

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NKJV)

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

This is a reminder from the apostle that while we remain in our human bodies we walk with faith knowing the Lord is near us though we cannot see. We do God’s will here on earth knowing there is hope waiting for us. When we die and receive our eternal, heavenly bodies then we will be able to see The Lord and worship Him with praise.

Tomorrow I plan to have coffee with a good friend from high school/pharmacist at the hospital.  We were close in high school, but became even closer from seeing each other at the hospital so often.  At night, I will be having dinner with some of my great girlfriends.  We’ll be making dinner, watching movies, and probably giggling of some sort.  I am so thankful for laughter nowadays.  Laughter really is an important kind of medicine.   I cannot wait to be with my family this week!!  We all have a lot to be thankful for this year… I cannot wait to thank God for his praises with my family.  :-)

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones.  I love all of you so much and I’m thankful for you to the moon and back!

1 Thessalonians 5:18  <>< Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Just keep swimmin’ friends,

Michelle

The above was the closing of Michelle’s blog on November 23^rd, 2013. The 28-year-old teacher was voted teacher of the year at her school in February. She was diagnosed with uterine sarcoma cancer in June. She fought the battle against cancer until she passed away on December 6, 2013 surrounded by her loving family.

She was an encourager to many. She was loved by many. She loved to laugh. She always showed concern for others because she felt she they were too concerned about her. She loved The Lord and I am confident now that she is absent from her body that she is with The Lord in heaven. Michelle will be missed by many.

We never know when death may occur, but we can know Jesus Christ so when we are absent from this human body we will be able to see Jesus face to face with our eternal heavenly bodies. Michelle said above she could not wait to thank God for his praises and I am sure she is doing that very thing.

Please keep the family in your prayers as they deal with the loss of this beautiful young woman.

Judgment versus reproof

Matthew 7:1-2 (NJKV)

1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

The verses above are a reminder that we should always first consider our own actions in life and do what is right and just.  The comments were directed at the scribes and Pharisees who were harsh in condemning all around them. They judged the actions of people and placed harsh punishments upon them as judgment for their actions. It is not that we should hold back reproof, but we must have our own lives in order. For reproof is given to benefit another in order to help them see the faults in their life. The difference between judgment and reproof is that with reproof you are explaining how to make right what is wrong, while judgment passes condemnation on the actions.

I used the verses above this morning after seeing a picture posted on Facebook of a sign that read Cabaret Lunch Topless and then underneath was posted “You quote Job 31:1, we reply Matthew 7:1”. As someone commented, “Even Satan knows the word of God and will twist it around to continue to enslave others.

Job 31:1 says, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.” This was one of many statements Job made trying to present a case that he was a good man; for his friends judged that his pain and suffering were results of sinful actions he might have committed. It brings to mind the phrase, “With friends like this, who needs enemies?” These friends were wrong in their assumptions and their judgment was incorrect. Job had done no wrong, but instead God was testing the strength of Job’s faith.

If Job had made the comment to the owner of the establishment he would have been right to do so for Job was commenting on himself. There is no wrong in holding onto and abiding by the moral principles of God in one’s life. Now it would be a different story making that comment and then saying “You are going to hell because you aren’t doing the same.” In that statement you would be condemning by judgment without authority to do so.  

Avoid judging others, but know it is okay to state God’s word and to remind others of what God has said. Reproof is a form of encouragement to do what is right. Judgment is a form of condemnation for the acts done. Remember we are to love one another and also encourage one another. If our reproof is correct the person will understand our love for them.

Trust in The Lord and find peace in your life

Psalm 23 (NKJV)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Having been a shepherd himself, David understands the care given to the sheep and he finds peace and comfort in knowing that The Lord is his Shepherd.

In his book Thoughts in Solitude, Thomas Merton wrote the words below that have become known as "the Merton Prayer":

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. [Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1999), p. 79]

Just as David, Thomas Merton faced the shadow of death and also like David he did not fear; for Thomas knew the promises of The Lord never to leave him to face his perils alone. Faith in The Lord is our stronghold from which we can find peace, comfort and security. Trust in The Lord with all your heart and soul and find the peace that passes all understanding.

Staying in the light

John 8:12 (NKJV)

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

This verse follows the event in which a crowd asked Jesus whether they should stone a woman caught in adultery. Jesus had responded, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” As the crowd heard these words they began to depart leaving the woman along with Jesus. Jesus reminded the disciples among Him that those who follow Him will be walking in the light of life and not darkness.

One weekend, author Paul Tripp gave his teenage son permission to spend the weekend at a friend's house. But during the weekend Paul received a call from the friend's mother, informing him that Paul's son was not at her home. (Her son had felt guilty about covering for Paul's son and confessed to his mom.) After Paul told his wife about their son's deception, Paul said, "Luella could feel my anger, and she said, 'I think you need to pray.' I said, 'I don't think I can pray for him right now.' She said, 'I didn't mean for you to pray for him; I think you need to pray for you.'"

Paul writes:

I went to my bedroom to pray for God's help, and it hit me that, because of his love, God had already begun a work of rescue in my son's life. God was the one who pressed in on the conscience of my son's friend, causing him to confess to his mom. God was the one who gave her the courage to make that difficult call to me. And God was the one giving me time to get a hold of myself before my son came home. Now, rather than wanting to rip into my son, I wanted to be part of what this God of grace was doing in this moment of rebellion, deception, hurt, and disappointment.

After giving his son a couple of hours to relax upon his return, Paul asked him if they could talk.

"Do you ever think about how much God loves you?" Paul asked his son.

"Sometimes," he answered.

"Do you ever think how much God's grace operates in your life every day?"

His son looked up but didn't speak.

"Do you know how much God's grace was working in your life even this weekend?"

"Who told you?" his son asked.

Paul said:

"You have lived your life in the light. You've made good choices. You've been an easy son to parent, but this weekend you took a step toward the darkness. You can live in the darkness if you want. You can learn to lie and deceive. You can use your friends as your cover … You can step over God's boundaries. Or you can determine to live in God's light. I'm pleading with you: don't live in the darkness; live in the light."

"As I turned to walk away," Paul wrote, "I heard his voice from behind me saying, 'Dad, don't go.' As I turned around, with tears in his eyes, he said, 'Dad, I want to live in the light, but it's so hard. Will you help me?'" [Paul David Tripp, Forever: Why You Can't Live Without It (Zondervan, 2011), pp. 151-153]