He's Coming Back Soon...?

Many Christians are declaring that with the shape our world is in Jesus surely is coming soon.  We talk about the crazy weather, the wars, and the multitude of natural disasters as we shake our heads at the wonder of it all.

BUT

There is no frantic study of the Bible or turning off of the television. 

There is no change of life, no lengthening of our time in prayer, no reaching out to the lost or running after those who have turned from the faith.

We go on as before living our lives as if we did not just say...

He must be coming back soon.

The fact that we know this makes the lack of dramatic change in our lives all the more tragic.

Yes, Jesus is coming soon and we need to take a biblical assessment of our lives and repent. 

He will not overlook our willful ignorance, nor our blatant sin, nor our apathy in the face of His coming.

But He is good to have told us in advance the signs of His coming and even now His Spirit is urging us to make ready.

It is His will that we all be saved.


"People get ready Jesus is coming soon we'll be going home!" Crystal Lewis

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  Matt 24:37-39

Results or Obedience

If you're a results driven person you may find that life can be very frustrating when your labor doesn't bring the desired results.  When you have done all you can do yet you have not met your goals most likely the word

FAILURE

is bouncing around your head.

Let me set you free.

God is not looking for results of your work He is looking for your obedience.

Often times obedience to God does not bring what we would call success.

Let's take Jeremiah for instance.

Called at a young age to be God's prophet he had to call an entire nation to repentance.

While others were speaking positive words of victory and peace Jeremiah was speaking death and enslavement.  The judgement of God.

So yeah, he wasn't too popular.

As a matter of fact Jeremiah was persecuted and hated for speaking what God gave him to say.  Not exactly the results he was probably hoping for.

If it was me I would have thought that as I preached the anointing would be so strong that the everyone within the sound of my voice would begin to wail, rend there clothing, and throw dirt on their heads as they fell upon their knees in repentance.

Perhaps Jeremiah felt the same.  But, instead of repenting, Israel turned a deaf ear.

The end result was that Israel was overthrown by their enemies and taken into captivity to Babylon.  Those who refused to be enslaved were killed.

Our obedience to God does not always have a happy ending but it does facilitate the will of God.  It does bring a reward.

Jeremiah and his scribe were blessed with their freedom while Israel was being taken to Babylon as slaves.  Yet I imagine even this was bitter sweet as God's servants surveyed the burnt ruin all around them.  Jerusalem was destroyed....desolate.

If we look for the results in our obedience to God we will be disappointed.

BUT

If we, like Jesus, just seek to obey the will of the Father we will have peace knowing we simply did

what we were commanded to do. 

...you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces,For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.  Jer 1:7-8

Goodbye Hollywood By Chris Chapman

If you have been wrestling with the idea of limiting the movies you and your family watch I believe this blog will bless you.  Chris Chapman is a missionary in Jakarta, Indonesia.  He is married to his wife Esther and together they have three of the cutest kids.  Even missionaries have to go to lengths to protect their families from the effects of the world.



Goodbye Hollywood

January 23, 2013

Those of you that are familiar with this blog have probably noticed that when I write on a topic I try to be thorough (nice way of saying long-winded;). I never feel comfortable writing on a topic unless I have come to a strong conviction that my perspective is at least on the right track. I have opinions on many topics, but certainty on few. This really limits the topics I can write confidently about. But since my opinions are seemingly endless, I figure that, statistically speaking, some of them must be useful to people out there. Even if their use is just to show what ridiculous opinions people can come up with when they are living and ministering in a foreign country. In light of this profound and dizzying logic I have decided to make another category of posts called “Thinking Out Loud.” People can feel free to quote anything I say in this section of my blog, but don’t be surprised if I turn around and deny I would ever say something so ridiculous. You can show me the post where I said it if you wish, and yet I will unblushingly deny it;) Having laid out the fine print, I can now speak freely!
Why We Gave Hollywood the Right Boot of Fellowship

I have recently been dealing with what kind of entertainment I allow in my life and the life of my family. I will share some of the reasons below why we have kicked Hollywood out of our home. I hope these thoughts help some people who are wrestling over this issue.
I grew up watching hours of television a day. My childhood was a blur of Cartoons like Transformers and G.I. Joe; sit-coms like Three’s Company and Cheers; and of course the awesome action of The Dukes of Hazard and Miami Vice. Nickelodeon, MTV and HBO were all part of my regular diet of entertainment over the years. Not to mention the time I spent at the movie theater watching hundreds of movies; everything from A Nightmare on Elm’s Street to Beverly Hills Cop.
Maybe you are saying, “That is awful that your parents let you watch such things!” In their defense they were not serving God at the time, and I’m sure much of what I watched was without their permission. Or maybe you are saying, “So, what’s your point? There is nothing really awful on that list.” Whichever attitude best describes your response to my childhood entertainment habits, I can say that growing up watching these things is one of the great regrets of my life.
After coming to Christ when I was in high school I became more selective in my choice of movies and TV programs, but not too much more selective. My standard for choosing what and what not to watch was simply “Does it tempt me to sin or not?” Cuss words bothered me a bit, so if the cussing was incessant I would usually choose not to watch. But as long as it was not over the top, I didn’t feel tempted by a cuss word here and there. I forbid myself any movies with sex scenes or nudity, but even then I would sometimes rationalize watching a movie if there were only one or two things that I could fast forward though. Violence, as long as it wasn’t gory didn’t bother me much; after all, I wasn’t about to go out and shoot anyone. Besides if you want to understand the life of a police detective (which is an extremely important thing for every disciple of Christ to understand;) you are going to have to see a few people get shot, that is part of the learning process.
Choosing not to watch anything that directly tempts to sin is a pretty good place to start as a standard for video entertainment, but I always felt I was called to something higher. It is practical for keeping out of obvious transgression, but that is all. The Christian life is not a life of practical convictions, but of holy convictions. Holiness should be my standard. Holiness is not just a negative, but a positive. It is not just keeping away from sin, but also an active and perpetual growth in Christ-likeness. Holiness is not just the absence of sin, but the abundant presence of godliness.
I have recently realized that even though something doesn’t tempt me, doesn’t mean it is holy. In fact, all wickedness and worldliness has a diabolical affect even when it can’t be immediately seen. We live in this world. All around us is darkness, evil and unbelief. We can’t escape it, nor are we called to. Instead we are called to go into the heart of darkness to rescue souls who are lost and dying. In the last few months our church has seen several transvestite prostitutes come to Christ, be baptized and be added to the church. I can tell you, that I have learned things that I wish I didn’t know. There is no getting around it though, if these guys are going to be truly sanctified, my mind is going to have to be dragged through the gutter. That is the messy business of discipleship. There is no avoiding it.
Even in the normal course of life we are faced with this corrupting influence of the world. The immoral jokes we hear at the office, the back stabbing gossip we see our relatives engaged in and the greed we see on Wall Street as well as on Main Street. We can’t help being affected by this. We might not be as greedy as our neighbor, but his greed certainly makes ours look a little less evil, which in turn gives us an excuse to avoid changing. We might not laugh at the jokes around the water cooler, but the punch line sticks with us throughout the day nonetheless. And though we don’t slander others, the slander we hear affects our opinions.
The world is dark, and we have to face it. We can’t stick our heads in the sand if we hope to be a light to the world. But there is a big difference between over hearing immoral jokes and dedicating a half hour to a sit-com that is loaded with them. In fact, the reason we understand the jokes at the water cooler is because they are based on the latest episode of our favorite sit-com. Anyway, I will stop with the examples. If this issue is challenging to you, then you can come up with your own, and if it is offensive to you than I am just going to get myself in more and more trouble.
But what I have finally come to accept is that cuss words and blasphemy have no place in my entertainment, not because I am tempted to cuss and blaspheme, but because my ears are part of God’s holy temple. How dare I subject the Holy Spirit which dwells within me to hear such things through the ears Jesus redeemed with his blood just so I can feel the momentary excitement of a chase scene through London or Dubai? How can I watch immoral behavior as entertainment that I would be dismayed to find in the members in my own church? How can I enjoy watching someone created in the image of Almighty God stabbed in the gut or shot through the head?! The answer is, I can’t.
I have always been very picky about what my kids watch on TV. The Disney channel with its Camp Rock and High School Musical were generally off limits. My 9 year old had no business learning that in high school finding a girlfriend is a top priority. But I have recently become ashamed of the worldly things I did let my kids watch. It is not that the characters in their programs were “bad,” it was just that all of the characters lived like God doesn’t exist. The majority of programs they watched reinforced the idea that people can live without God. I would be upset if the teachers at my children’s school taught them that God didn’t exist, so then how can I let them be entertained by shows that teach the same thing by example.
Some of my favorite shows the last few years have been the Mentalist, Monk and a detective show called Numbers. All of these are “clean” as far as prime time TV shows go. But since there were some adult themes I would pause what I was watching when my kids came into the room. They were aware that when daddy is watching TV, it is things we kids aren’t supposed to see. I hope you see the danger in such a practice. They could only imagine what daddy is watching. So we recently made some changes!
We only allowed the kids to watch 3-4 channels on the TV in the past including the Discovery channel, Animal planet, Disney Junior and sometimes Disney. But now we have decided that none of these met the standard God calls our family to. I hope everyone noticed the phrase in the last sentence, “the standard GOD CALLS OUR FAMILY TO.” As I write I am wondering if I am going to get labeled a legalist. Well, I have not only been labeled worse things, I have also been worse things;) So I will brave it. We got rid of the TV cable completely, because Daddy’s CNN & TNT didn’t make the cut either. We also went through all of daddy’s DVDs as well as the kids DVDs and chucked everything that wasn’t God’s will for our family.
I will wrap this up by sharing the guidelines we use for deciding what entertainment we allow in our home.
1. It must acknowledge Christ. If the characters live as though God doesn’t exist, we choose to ignore their existence as well. This doesn’t mean a program has to talk incessantly about our King, but the characters must live in light of his presence in this world.
2. It must encourage righteous behavior. If it doesn’t challenge us to obey God, why watch it?!
3. It must glorify God. We decided on this one after we watched a “Christian” movie with the kids. The one minute long kiss between the unmarried couple was not acceptable to our kids, or to my wife and I;)
We now watch a lot of Little House on the Prairie, Hermie Wormy and Friends, as well as other movies and cartoons we believe meet our standards. In the time we have been practicing these standards in our home, the atmosphere of fellowship around the TV has become more blessed and uplifting. Whenever the TV is on, everyone is welcome into the room. No more age discrimination;) And it is not just that we are watching better things, but everything in our home is reinforcing what we believe. This strengthens us for when we are each away from home engaging the darkness that rules the world. As a family, we need a place of refuge, we call that place home.
Ephesians 4:11-12
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
If you feel I am being legalistic in regards to entertainment, no need to post a comment, your concerns are noted. If you feel personally attacked by this post, please don’t, I truly had no idea you were going to read it;)
Gbu,
Chris


http://christopherchapmanblog.wordpress.com/
 

Time To Unwind

It's been a long day at work.

Whether you labor at a desk or you're on your feet all day work is, well...work.  And by the end of the day so many of us are exhausted but not done.

There are errands to run, bills to pay, cars to fix, lawns to mow, meals to cook, ministry, and of course children who need much more from us.

When we finally have time to sit down and

breathe

all we want to do is unplug from the world, shut our brains down, and do nothing.

Some of us turn on the television or pop in a video game.  Others like a good book or their favorite snack (in large quantities).

Ahhhh.  Finally it's time to unwind.

But have you noticed that after unwinding you really don't feel refreshed?  And after doing that day in and day out you actually feel like your life is going nowhere.

Can you say gerbil on a wheel?

The problem is we're trying to find rest and refreshing in everything and everywhere but at His feet.

God longs for us to come in after a long day, grab our Bibles and curl up in His arms.  He wants us to tell Him all about the boss that was unfair,  all our failures and successes, and spill our tears of frustration on His chest.

As we do that He will strengthen us, speak to us and yes, refresh us.

In God alone is peace, rest, and strength.

It may seem like you don't have energy to pick up your Bible and read.  Okay then just start by picking it up and telling God how much you need Him.  He will begin to lead you.

As you do more and more this you will find yourself looking forward to time with Him.  Life won't seem so dreary.  You will no longer feel like you're running endlessly to nothing because now you're running to Him.

Suddenly, you may find strength to get up and do what He has called you to do.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Ps 16:11

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Matt 11:28

He's coming soon.

Fake Fruit

When I was small my brothers and I would visit my grandma on the weekends.

On her dining room table was a glass bowl that held apples and grapes.  For a long time I would reach out to grab a grape only to find it was fake....

PLASTIC.

Every time I would be disappointed and walk away in search of something tasty and

REAL.

One day I stopped reaching out because I had finally let it sink in that there was nothing but plastic fruit in that bowl. I had no expectation anymore of biting into a juicy, sweet grape.  Rather my little brothers and I pulled off those fake grapes one by one until my grandmothers display was ruined. But that's another story.

Unfortunately there are people hungry for something real in the kingdom of God who are going through the same thing.  They are reaching out for truth and power and walking away dejected.

Oh there are people who look like Christians, sound like Christians, and act like Christians but the fruit is

FAKE.

Let me explain.

There are those (with or without titles) who are in ministry or serving in some capacity in the church.  By their works and with their words they are assuring people that they know the way.  But when others come closer for wisdom, comfort, or help they bite into the fruit of the lives of these people and find it's just not real.

There are Christians who harbor unforgiveness, bitterness, or secret sins.  They can be angry, unapproachable, touchy, prideful. They call good evil and evil good. They do the work but their thoughts or deeds in private are ungodly

WICKED.

They tell others to serve, forgive, be truthful, love....be holy.  But they're private mantra is do as I say not as I do.

These are those that cause others who really love God to wonder are there any real Christians.

I think the question we all need to ask is...

IS THIS ME?

Am I preaching a gospel I really don't believe?

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal 5:22-23

You Believe It But What Are You Doing About It?

This one is short and sweet. Okay, depending on your mindset maybe not so sweet.

Jesus is coming back soon.

Ya ya ya..I already know that.

No, Jesus is coming back really soon!

Right I got it. What about it?

Are you ready?

Sure I...

STOP!  

Before you answer that question can you just take a moment to quiet yourself, breathe, and think.

Are you ready?

I mean think about it.  Are there areas in your life that just aren't lining up and you've been coasting on the fact that you said a prayer Lord only knows how long ago?

BUT...

...you have yet to stop telling lies (there only little white lies), you serve in the church but your motive has everything to do with yourself and very little to do with God, you rush through prayer like you're doing the dishes, you have a dirty magazine hidden somewhere you think God can't see, when you're angry you cuss like a sailor (only in my mind so that doesn't count), making money is more important than time with God, you're ashamed to share your faith in Jesus,  you're checking out the opposite sex and still have yet to admit it's called lust,...

...need I go on?

Jesus is coming back family and we need to wake up and deal with our hearts.  We need to stop lying to ourselves.  We need to stop lying to God.

How many times have you heard someone ask this question?

If You knew Jesus was coming back what would you do or stop doing?

I believe most of us shrugged off that question and never really took the time to answer it because we don't want to face the fact that the Holy Spirit is dealing with us and we really don't like what He is saying.

I'm at a stage in my walk where I am seriously irritated with Christian challenges.  Such as I challenge you to read your Bible more....I challenge you to tell someone about Jesus today...I challenge...

I'm not going to issue a challenge.

I'm telling you.  Stop and deal with your heart.  One day you and I will be facing Judgement.  If we judge ourselves on this earth we will not be judged for sin in the next life.

Get a pen and paper, set aside some time from your busy schedule, turn off your phone, get quiet, and ask God this question....

Lord, is there anything in my life that will keep me from going to heaven?

Write down whatever He puts on your heart and deal with it quickly.

Make yourself ready.  He's coming soon.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17

Are You Not Entertained?

To T.V. or not to T.V. that is the question!

Or is it?

Entertainment in all it's forms is central to the American modern culture.  While theater, concerts, shopping expeditions used to be only for the rich and idle these things are now for everyone. Even those considered poor are able to find ready cash to entertain themselves.

This country loves those things once considered frivolous.

The church, or at least most of us in the American church, loves them too.

It is time the church takes a good look at itself and puts down the remote, walks past the Red Box, and breaks it's Facebook addiction.  However we need to know why.

Turning off the T.V. without dealing with the why will only create a people puffed up with it's works.

If we unplug the one eyed monster without dealing with the why we will simply turn to some other religious means of distraction which will be as equally displeasing to God and we will be all the worse for our new laws.  Our way of getting to God.

The problem lies in our lovelessness.  Our lack of passion towards God.

If we loved Him, were captivated, entranced, and hungry for Him our time would be spent searching Him out instead of watching the latest movie.

When will we turn and be entertained by God?

Yes...

... ENTERTAINED BY GOD.

The word entertain means to provide amusement but it also means to give attention or consideration to.

WHY do we give so much attention to sports, games, videos and so little to the one who died for us?

If we can answer this question and repent of our lovelessness then we would desire to discipline ourselves to turn away from amusement and give all of our attention, our thoughts, and our desires to God.

It's time we search our hearts,

He's coming soon.