He Knows & Sees

"I know your works..." - Revelation 2:2, 2:9, 2:13, 2:19, 3:1, 3:8, 3:15

In writing to the seven churches there in Asia minor (modern day Turkey), Jesus begins each letter to them by giving a characteristic of Himself that would specifically speak to the church He was addressing and then telling them, "I know your works" and going on to describe just what those works were.

Those four words should make us stop and ponder: Jesus knows and sees all that you do and more specifically, He knows and sees all the work and labor that you do for Him (or perhaps for yourself).

If you are simply playing the game, fooling everyone into thinking you are super-spiritual but in reality you aren't, Jesus knows. If you are doing works to build a kingdom for yourself, that you may get recognized and for people to know your name, Jesus knows. If your works involve pornography and other filth (which shockingly statistics show that 50% of Christian men are addicted to the stuff), Jesus knows.

Even more importantly (and encouraging) for others: all the works you do for Jesus, He knows. Sadly, within the American church, it seems Christians strive to do all sorts of things to promote themselves. Or they put on pedestals only those who are in the spotlight due to huge numbers or celebrity. However, Jesus sees when you pick up that small piece of trash off the church floor that everyone else ignored. He sees when you are sharing your faith with someone else even though you'll never be asked to get in front of an audience and tell how you shared your faith. He knows when you are faithfully teaching and serving in the children's ministry even though you're not boasting about yourself doing it on Twitter or Facebook! He knows!

He knows about Antipas (Revelation 2:13) even though none of us have a clue what this guy did (besides be a martyr). Jesus doesn't care if the world knows your name or not because we don't serve Him for our name - we serve Him for His name.

So if you are simply doing things for your name's sake, He knows. But if you are ministering unto Him and no one in the world or church knows or cares, He knows and He cares!

Be encouraged by this! For further study compare with: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11

Theology Test

"...Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." - 1 Corinthians 8:1

If you were to be asked, how is your theology what would be your response? If then asked, how well does your theology serve you, what would you answer? I'm going to assume if you are reading this you might be wanting to prove, through some sort of test, that the answer to #1 is sound and solid and therefore I commend you. I won't argue that you don't have an immense knowledge of the Word of God.

However, this test is to see how well you fare for question #2 and hopefully this "test" shouldn't take you too long to do (especially since this blog was advertised to be a short test). Without much hesitation, onward to our test.

#1: Do you consistantly find yourself debating with fellow believers your theological viewpoints and/or feel as if you have to defend your theological viewpoints on a regular basis? How is that going for you? Is everyone involved with those discussions (perhaps, even debates or dare I say arguments?) being unified or is there a spirit of animosity and division?

If, upon talking theology, there is division that takes place, it seems your theology is not serving you very well.

#2: Do you feel offended when someone disagrees with your theological viewpoint (not in an unorthodox sort of way or anti-biblical, but simply non-essentials to the faith there is disagreement)? Does your pride kick in when discussing your theological views?

If you answered yes to either or both of those questions in #2, again, your theology is not serving you very well.

#3: Do you feel comfortable around other believers who hold different viewpoints than yours, even majorly different viewpoints? Can you actively fellowship with them? Do you have other friends who have different viewpoints?

If you answered no to any or all of those questions, once again your theology is not serving you very well.

If through this quick test you find that your theology is not serving you well, what should you do? Should you change your theology? Am I saying your theology is incorrect? Should "we all just get along" and forget about biblical truths? Not in the slightest. Rather change your point of view.

"Knowledge puffs up" we read from the apostle Paul. So many have knowledge and yet their knowledge makes them prideful. They feel somehow superior to another fellow Christian because of their educational background or vast array of knowledge. It doesn't mean we don't look to gain knowledge, but rather understand that simply gaining knowledge can lead to pride.

Instead, "love builds up" and therefore what we do should be in love and service. We don't use our knowledge to convict people or try to show them the "error of their ways" (as we may think since they don't hold to our certain theological point of view), but rather we want to edify them and build them up. That's one thing love does...it edifies.

If you are finding theological talks to be divisive (and again we are talking theology talks among believers, not those who are in a cult or what not), then you are simply allowing your "knowledge" to puff you up. Perhaps you could be wrong...do those words make your blood boil? If so, you are holding your theological views too personal. Honestly, who cares if someone thinks you are wrong or disagrees with you, should that really cause a lack of unity?

If you find your pride kicking in when talking theology, your "knowledge" has puffed you up. Instead, look to change the discussion into something that will build the other person up and edify them. The sovereignty of God vs. the free will of man debate shouldn't result in a thing of pride. Either way, the Lord loves you and that should bring humility not pride (and side note: no one has ever satisfied that debate and YOU won't be the one to do so. And besides that, it's both and both are taught in Scripture!).

If you find you can only relate to and actively fellowship with those who hold the same viewpoints as you do (in other words, being around Pentacostals or reformed Baptists or non-denom people or whoever makes you feel uncomfortable), you are missing out on the beauty of the body of Christ.

The key in discussing theology is to learn to agree to disagree yet without holding a superiority complex or looking down on the person(s). Your knowledge and intellect aren't going to change the world, but your love and sharing of the gospel will (and that still is only through the power provided by the Holy Spirit so you still can't get the glory).

If your theology isn't serving you well, don't necessarily change it but change the way you hold onto it. If it isn't changing you to change the world, there is indeed a change that needs to be made!

Called to Serve...Nothing More, Nothing Less

Author's Note: Yes I know it has been too long since my last post...busyness and laziness plus lack of inspiration have attributed to this fact (case in point - I've been interrupted 2 times just trying to get this part typed). I appreciate all you who read this and desire never to simply blog for the sake of blogging but write those things that will hold value. I would hate for the few minutes it takes to read this to have been wasted. This blog was spurred out of a teaching our pastor did on this very verse. I hope you are blessed. And again, I enjoy the feedback...

"Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." - 1 Corinthians 4:1

The word "servants" there comes not from the typical Greek word of "doulos" (which simply means "slave" or "servant") but rather "hyperetes" which literally means "underrower". An underrower was one of the men in the bottom of the ship who had to row to a beat of a drum (for illustration purposes click here) and were often chained to the oar. If the ship went down, they went down with the ship. The underrower never received any attention - as one watched a ship move past it would be doubtful that you would ever hear "wow, aren't those rowers amazing. Look at how they get that boat to move in the sea. How I wish I could be an underrower some day." No, those conversations just didn't take place because an underrower was a servant that did all the work but didn't get any of the glory.

So too are we! We are called to be underrowers - those who serve Christ because He is our Savior & Master whose whole desire is to give Him all the glory.

It is easy for people to say they are servants for Christ and yet a whole other thing to really mean it, especially if there isn't glory or attention being passed down that way. Would you really be doing what you are doing right now for Christ if you never received acclamation for the job you are doing? Are you really okay if you never receive a title or position with ministry? A "no" to any of these questions means you have failed to understand your position in Christ as a servant, but thankfully God is gracious and will change your heart as you pray through this.

Anytime a person states, "that's not my ministry" my mind wanders if they understand we are mere servants of Christ. Granted, not every person can fill every need or try to fill every need or is even called to every need. But one must look at their own heart to see if they are not doing something because it doesn't carry any title, position, or acclamation from the onlookers. As a college pastor I don't necessarily have the time to teach the children's ministry full time, but if I was asked to switch would I be willing to? Or would I think children's ministry is somehow less important than the ministry I'm doing (which by the way, if you are in a church that thinks children's ministry is somehow less important than any other ministry, you may not want to have your kids attend it)?

My job is not to have my name known here on earth or establish some sort of kingdom for me. My job is to have Jesus' name known here on earth...it has nothing to do with me! The same is true with you so say that with me, "it has nothing to do with me!"

When we understand we are merely underrowers for Christ, we will take more pleasure in simply serving. Oh, if seminaries and other institutions would simply teach that degrees and education is simply for education - not for making our names great - how much more good could we do!

Next time you start worrying about yourself when it comes to serving, focus on the One who you should be serving!

Repost: My Hour (And 3 Minutes) of Life as a Salvation Army Bell Ringer

This was a post I originally wrote, on November 14, 2008, as part of a facebook note that I decided to repost today since I will once again be given the opportunity to serve by ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

So today I had the unique opportunity to serve outside the Lynchburg Walmart as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, you know, those people who wear the red aprons that stand near the red buckets that you give money to or that you avoid eye contact with in everyway possible. Yeah I was one of them today! Not that I willingly volunteered, but my buddy and old colleague, Darren Wu, came around asking us to take part and, because our office was having to do it anyways, I "volunteered" for the 2 - 3 PM time slot. Originally my pal and fellow coworker Dave Guthrie and I were going to do it together but due to some errors or what not, I was placed alone at the time slot. Alone for an hour, ringing a bell, and no one to talk to while busy shoppers walk by me - would I survive? Could I gain anything from this time? The answer to both was a resounding yes which is why I felt compelled to write an editorial about my experience.

I was first confronted, by that still small voice of the Lord, to make sure I am obeying what I just taught the Edge (the college/career ministry of Calvary Chapel Lynchburg) which was "and whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24). You see it could be quite easy for me to have a poor attitude towards this seeing how I am not the type who enjoys being looked at and watched unless I'm teaching or purposely doing something to gain attention, and this was part of my job at work for the day. Thankfully though the Lord brought this great Scripture to mind as soon as I started, before I would even have a chance to possibly grumble or complain, and I'm thankful for that because instead it gave me a joyous heart in serving in this manner. So much so that I'm likely to do it again next year if asked (or maybe if not asked I'll seek it out as a ministry opportunity). I was also impressed when "Linda", an employee at Walmart, took time during her 15 minute break to come stand beside me and ring. She rang very fast and very loud and put me to shame in my bell ringing ability (though I was trying to keep pace for the long haul) and she did this on her break without anyone asking her! Thanks Linda, whoever you are, for the company for those 10 or so minutes.

The Lord also used this opportunity to reveal a matter of the heart on my own lack of generosity. I found there were five types of people I encounted during my 63 minutes outside Walmart: (1) the generous, joyful giver, (2) the joyous giver who gives a little because they can, (3) the giver who gives out of a sense of guilt due to the fact that he was within range of both my tintinnabulation and eyesight and others may be watching if he/she gives or not, (4) the person who doesn't give either because they don't have any money/change or they don't want to but makes eye contact and says hello, and (5) the person who avoids you like a disease or pretends you don't even exist. The Lord showed me that often times I am either 3 or 4, sometimes 2, but never 1. Now there is nothing wrong with #2 as there is no requirement to give to the Salvation Army a very generous gift, but the point is would I if the Lord put it on my heart to do so and the answer to that is a sad no. I tend to justify this by saying "well I don't know how much of my money actually is used for a good cause" which led me to look it up when I got back to the office (87 cents out of every $1 goes directly to the homeless, mentally ill, physically challenged, victims of drug and alcohol abuse, and others under our care) or by reminding myself of the fact of how I give to my church so there is not that need to give to something else generously. Again, it's not the matter of how much one gives but the willingness of the heart to give if felt compelled. I pray that I'd remember that the Lord provides and He will provide for me even if I give what I think I can't afford to someone or something else! I've never had wealth so it's always a step of faith to give more and it's a faith I need to start stepping out on more.

Lastly, I saw examples that I hope to pass on to my kids that was passed on to me by my mom of giving. Many parents would give their children the money to put into the kettle which my mom would also do for us. Sure, as kids you don't fully comprehend what you are doing when your parents give you that money, you just enjoy dropping something shiny into the pot, but it builds an example in teaching children to give. I was most impressed when a lady took out a five dollar bill and gave it to her child (I thought she was giving the child the $5 to hold onto while she searched for a $1 in her pocketbook) and then had the child place the $5 into the contained I had been standing beside this whole time ringing my little bell. The child had no idea the difference between a $1 and a $5 but I did and that's when the Lord spoke to me of my selfishness. I saw that $5 as a pizza or foot long sub meal for my wife and I (believe me that's almost gourmet for us since we don't get to eat out often) and was shocked that anyone would put "that much" in. But in all reality, "that much" is not much when you are trusting in the Lord and being led by Him in giving, whether or not $5 is simply spare change for you (and whether it was for this lady or not, I wasn't sure, but I do know people don't give $5 as a #2 or #3 type person). I need to be more "open handed" with my finances instead of "close fisted" allowing the Lord to break my heart to give. I may give to my church and those on mission trips but am I willing to give to strangers standing outside a store next to a bucket of sorts? I want to set the example to my son Caleb, future son Noah [editors note: no longer "future" son], and whatever other children the Lord blesses me with, to give generously and joyously, but to do that, I must become a #1 person myself.Amazing the heart lessons you can learn when you simply pray to the Lord to speak to you while you think you are simply doing the mundane.

Our Infinite God

"...Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name." - Isaiah 63:16

"Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting." - Psalm 93:2

"Great is our God, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite." - Psalm 147:5

A few Sundays ago, my pastor, Troy Warner, was sharing on the attributes of God and one attribute struck an incredible chord with me: that God is infinite.

Now I knew that God is infinite but have you ever took time to allow that truth to hit your heart? For with our God who is infinite, He never runs out of anything! In Him is infinite mercy, infinite wisdom, infinite grace, infinite love, infinite power. He'll never be too tired to do something for you or too weak to help you out. You'll never come to Him in repentance for messing up yet again today and find that His mercy has run out for you. You don't have to treat prayer like a bartering system, wondering whether you should ask for this small request because you may need His help for a much bigger project/healing/help later and would hate to use up your "account" with Him. He. Is. Infinite!

Along those lines of thinking too, we must remember that He is far past our understanding. Any theology or thinking about Him that tries to contain Him in a box that makes Him easy to understand is one that doesn't do Him justice. Our finite minds just can't comprehend His fullness. We understand the attributes of God and His nature through Jesus, but we can never fully comprehend the way He works. Am I glad I can't fully pin Him down? Yes, because anything less makes Him nothing more than a god I created on my own.

So next time you begin to wonder if He is through with you, remember He is infinite. Next time you start to wonder if you should even pray, remember He is infinite. Next time you are in despair and depression, remember He is infinite.

Dwell on His infiniteness and let yourself be utterly amazed at His awesomeness drawing you into a time of worship and thanksgiving!

For more on this, do a search through your Bible on the words "everlasting" or "infinite" and dwell on them.

Sticky Notes From Heaven

Lamentations 3:22-23 "[Through] the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning; Great [is] Your faithfulness."

Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet [you] with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."


The other week as I awoke from sleep and started to get ready for work, I was in our computer room area and noticed a pad of sticky notes on the desk. Deciding I wanted to surprise my wife and bless her morning when she got up, I decided to write/draw "I love you" in different ways on multiple sticky notes. I then went about placing them in the house on areas that she would see but would still surprise her (bathroom mirror, computer monitor, Brita water container in the fridge, etc.). Now I am not the most romantic guy nor the greatest husband out there, but I wanted to once again let her know that I love her, this time through the creative use of sticky notes.

Upon driving to work, the Lord started to remind me of the "sticky notes" He often sets up for me to see and be reminded how much He loves me. These range from beautiful sunrises that promise a new day of blessings to the rainbow that promises no further global floods to cool breezes that remind me of the Spirit's work in my life, and ultimately the cross that displays His sacrificial love for me. Everywhere I look, if I will only take the time to look, I can easily find these "sticky notes from Heaven".

We can get so caught up in life and our stresses and problems that we tend to forget the great love God has for us. The very same love He showed by sending His Son to the cross for us and that great love displayed in while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Instead of focusing on the "mountains" of worries around you, take time to pause and look for the sticky notes Jesus has placed around you to say "I love you". They won't be hard to find and they won't disappear.

My wife continues to keep my sticky notes up just so she'll be reminded of my love everyday as she walks around the house as well.

Does the Lord do "Better Works"?

Ever hear how one church is exploding at the scenes and hear how the Lord must be doing a "better work" or "greater work" over at that church? Or maybe a ministry is seeing great fruit and you hear that same phrase used? Or someone leaves the church to go some place where God wants to do a "better work"?

Can God do a "better work" than what He is doing somewhere else? Can God be better than what He is? Can God be "greater" than He already is?

Well for the latter questions, no, God cannot be better or greater than what He is right now because He is the best and greatest that He can possibly be which is far more than we could even comprehend.

So if He is perfectly complete, could He do something better/greater elsewhere than He is currently doing? Again the answer is no. He is either working or He isn't working. If He is working, then what He is doing is great. If man is doing all the work and trying to get all the credit, then God probably isn't working which is why there can be burnout and stress. If He's not working, examine why (sin, not seeking Him, carnal means of work, etc.?) then pray for Him to do the work and let Him do the work.

Now one may argue John 14:12 about "greater works" but one must remember that Jesus, incarnate in the flesh, could only be one place at one time, but with the Holy Spirit now "greater" works can be done because He empowers believers to do works everywhere.

We also must remember that we compare things based on man's interpretation of greatness. For instance, we may say a megachurch ministry is a greater ministry than a congregation of 50 people because we see the numbers. Yet, if God is at work in the lives of that small congregation, then great things are equally going on. We must not judge success by numbers but by fruit. A huge congregation with shallow lives isn't a "great" thing at all.

So if you are doing ministry and not seeing the numbers but are seeing lives changed & fruit grown, even if it is in just a handful of people, God is doing great things in your midst. Do not be discouraged but praise the Lord for the good He is doing. If you are doing ministry where you may not see the fruit right away (such as children's ministry) and you are dependent on the Lord, seeking Him in all you do there, then have faith that God is doing a great work. Don't look for numbers to determine greatness - for the most part, people can bring numbers into the doors by silly promotions or stunts - for large numbers don't equal large fruit.

The work God has given you right now - be it full time ministry, a normal job (but where you strive to be a light to the world in that job), "simple" (as people may call it) service in the church (cleaning, parking lot attendant, etc.), a great father/mother to your kids, etc. - is the great work He wishes to do through you.

He does not work "greater" elsewhere if He is working right now. Don't give into comparisons because God doesn't judge based on man's assessment of situations. You serve the Lord and let Him do the work. If you are letting God use you, then He is using you in a "greater" way than you can even imagine!