Life is a Highway
Written on 9 July 2008 by ChadI love this song and the movie that goes with it. I’ve been challenging you for the past several weeks to consider your plan for life development. There are lots of ways the church can help you have the life God intends for you, but the truth of the matter is, there is nothing the church can do to guarantee your spiritual development. It’s up to you to take advantage of the all the great information and opportunity available to you at church. It’s up to you to open the Bible and read it. It’s up to you to pray. The church can facilitate, educate and motivate but the church falls short when it comes to transforming you into a self feeder – that’s between you and God. Like the song says, ‘Life is a highway…” I wonder where your journey will take you.
We’ve established there are three things you need to know in order to have the life God wants for you. You need to know:
- Where you’re going.
- Where you are.
- How you will get there.
We’ve said that our goal is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. That’s our destination. It’s where we’re going.
Colossians 1:28 says it like this, “[Jesus] we preach, warning every man and teaching every man, in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
That verse says it all. It defines where you’re going. Your destination is full devotion to Jesus Christ. And so we preach. We preach Jesus. Why? In order to warn you, that any path you choose without the influence of Jesus always leads to destruction. We teach you. We teach the Bible. We teach the right path. We show you the way, the right way, that’s wisdom. We surround you with other Believers whose destination is also full devotion to Christ. All this we do so that one day you will stand before the heavenly Father and hear Him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into your rest.”
I wonder about your chosen destination. I wonder if you’re taking in the fuel you need to move down the road. Like the song says, “Life is highway!” Where will your journey take you?
Love y’all, God Bless,
Chad
Declaration of Independence
Written on 2 July 2008 by Chad
I sometimes run into people who ask hard questions about God, life & the Bible. They doubt the existence of God. They deny the authority of the Bible. They believe that what works for one person may not work for another and they think it’s best for people to just live their lives however they want and leave one another alone. Our knee jerk reaction may sound like, “How dare you!?” or “You’ve got to be kidding me!” But the reality is these are the questions on the hearts of people today. They are not questions rooted in rebellion, rather they are founded in a sincere, if not misguided, quest for spiritual truth.
I’ve always found it interesting that the writers of the Declaration of Independence saw fit to include life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness together as one’s unalienable rights. Life and liberty make sense to me, but the pursuit of happiness seems terribly foolish. I’m hungry right now. I’m not sure which pursuit would make me happier, to eat a cheeseburger or a chicken sandwich. Perhaps I should skip the main course all together and go straight to dessert. What makes me happy today will not likely please me tomorrow. And so, with daily uncertainty and a life long apprehension I pursue the fleeting and fickle reward that is genuine happiness.
I think this example cuts to the core of these questions about whether or not God, Jesus and the Bible are relevant to everyone. What is the primary goal of life? What is the chief end of man? If happiness is the goal then many roads will take you there and just as quickly slip out from under your feet. If happiness is the goal then certainly what works for you will not work for me. You’re a little bit country. I’m a little bit rock and roll. So if happiness is the goal your music is not relevant to me. And besides I’ve already changed my mind…today I’d rather listen to some cool jazz. If I can’t tell you from moment to moment what will make me happy then how can any system of belief change my life? How could any prayer possibly work? I don’t know what to ask for. I don’t know who to ask. Inside my own head I can’t really decide what’s important. I’ve chosen the cheeseburger so I know that right now I’m content, but I’m only a few bites away from needing a milkshake. I don’t have one of those. So now I’m not happy. This whole cheeseburger theology must not really work. I should have picked the chicken sandwich instead.
The issue of relevance and relativism has a lot more to do with DESTINATION and PURPOSE than PRINCIPLES and PRECEPTS.
Without a clear understanding of the purpose and destination of life it makes complete sense to believe that what works for one person may not work for another. Without clear direction it is reasonable to assume that all religions help people equally because all religions provide some sense of purpose. So how does one determine their destination or discover their purpose? How do you know what’s relevant and what’s not?
First, the answer must come from outside of ME. We’ve already established that when it comes to happiness I’m a manic depressive, schizophrenic! I wouldn’t know what ‘worked’ if I hand picked it myself. Real purpose comes from living beyond myself.
Second, the answer must be universal. What good is an answer that only works for me? Think about math for a minute. The only reason we have any miracles of modern technology is because 2 + 2 always equals 4! Out from this simple math grows complex equations that allow engineers more brilliant than I to produce the amazing gadgets we use everyday. Math is a universal language that provides answers that work universally. The same is true spiritually. Too many people feel like their lives just don’t add up. It’s because they don’t understand the math. There is a right purpose, a right plan and a right path. There is a right way. We know there must be because everyone is pursuing it. If there weren’t we wouldn’t even be asking the question.
Finally, I’ve found the answer. My story reflects a life changed by belief. I am living proof that what I believe helps with my pain and leads to lasting joy rather than temporary happiness. It will work for you because it’s worked for others and because you were designed to work this way. Jesus is the critical element because, just like the math above, He is the formula that makes the equation of your life work. You know that not all religions work. You know because you’ve seen them fall apart all around you. Technically, no religion has ever worked. We weren’t designed to be religious. We were designed to have a relationship with God himself! Live life God’s way and discover a life that works.
In so many ways our forefathers got it right when they signed, sealed and delivered the Declaration of Independence. But when it comes to the pursuit of happiness, there’s only one way. It’s the way to real freedom.
THANKS, for reading!
God Bless,
Chad
The Tootsie Pop Chronicles - Pt. Funf
Written on 25 June 2008 by Chad
I’ll explain this picture in a bit.
So we’ve been unpacking Romans 12:1 – 2. We’ve said these verses represent the sweet spot God has in mind for you. Refresh your memory…
“Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies to God a living and holy sacrifice which is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1 – 2
- You’re living in your sweet spot when you live your life as a LIVING SACRIFICE.
- You’re living in your sweet spot when yours is a LIFE TRANSFORMED.
- And today we’ll see that when you live in your sweet spot you become the LIVING PROOF of God at work in the word.
The end of that verse says, “…that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
As a Believer in Jesus Christ living in your sweet spot you become the EVIDENCE of God at work in the world today. You can demonstrate the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. You can be an answer to Jesus’ prayer to, “Let Your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
I have three kids. If I took you to my house when my kids weren’t home you would see it. There’s evidence of my children everywhere! On some days you’ll find toys neatly stacked in the shelves in the ‘play’ room [some people would call it a dining room, but we play there :)]. On other, less disciplined days, you’ll find toys spread out all over the house. You’ll find hand drawn pictures on the refrigerator. You’ll see little step stools at the end of cabinets. My kids use them to get tall enough to reach the cookies or the chocolate or the tooth brush. If you came to my house you’ll see it. There’s evidence of children here.
It goes beyond that, though. If you looked on my fireplace mantle you’d see pictures of my kids. The poor ugly things look just their Dad. If you looked in my refrigerator you’d find a bottle of chocolate milk. It’s one of my son’s favorite drinks, mine too. You’d find tootsie rolls on the cabinet, my other son’s favorite candy, mine too. You’ll find stories of knights and princesses recorded on my TV, my daughter’s great interest, mine too.
If you come to my home you’ll see. The evidence is clear. There are children here and these children are mine.
You are a child of God. As His child you are the evidence of God at work in the world today. The Bible says that when you live for Him you, “…prove what the will of God is.”
What kind of proof do you offer the world? When people look at your life are they more convinced of the reality of God or do they have trouble seeing it? Maybe you look at your own life and have trouble seeing it.
Take a look at the picture above. If your eyes follow the movement of the rotating pink dot, the dots will remain only one color, pink. However, if you stare at the black cross in the center of the picture the dots turn green. Next, concentrate on the black cross in the center of the picture. After a short time all the pink dots will slowly disappear, and you will only see a single, green, rotating dot.
Weird, huh!? The evidence of God is all around us. The question is whether or not we’re looking. As a Believer in Jesus Christ the evidence of God should permeate our lives. Over time, as we grow closer to God, people shouldn’t have to look too hard to see it. Most people gaze at their problems and only glance at their Savior. Concentrate on the cross at the center of your life. Do you see how the evidence in your life changes when you gaze at the Savior and only glance at your problems.
The song says, “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.” That’s the story of someone who has found their sweet spot. It’s the story of someone who has become the living proof of God in the world today.
Love y’all, God Bless,
Chad
The Tootsie Pop Chronicles - Pt. Quatro
Written on 18 June 2008 by ChadRomans 12:1 – 2 represent the sweet spot God has in mind for you. Take a look…
“Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies to God a living and holy sacrifice which is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1 – 2
You’re living in your sweet spot when yours is a LIFE TRANSFORMED. The verse says, “Do not be conformed, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The word CONFORMED there in the original Greek is ‘suschematizo’ – it’s where we get the English Word SCHEMATICS. When a builder builds a house he has to follow the architect’s schematics. If he doesn’t then the house gets built all wrong. Did you catch that?
Build the house according to plan or the house gets built all wrong.
The same is true for your life and mine. God has a plan for you. He’s given you a set of schematics in His Word. Build your life according to His plan or your life will be built all wrong. This verse says something else I think we forget.
It says, “Do not be conformed to this world.” Not only does God have a plan for your life, but Satan does too. I wonder whose plan you’ll follow. We try to trick ourselves into thinking we can make our own plan, but that’s really just vanity. If we’re not following God’s plan for our lives we’re following Satan’s. It’s that simple. We can call it our plan, we can think it came from us, but it’s really just rebellion against God. And that fits right in with the plan Satan has for you and me.
So here’s your truth for today. God’s plan is easy to find. It’s written in His Word. Know God’s Word you’ll know God’s thoughts. Know His thought’s you’ll begin to develop His attitudes. Develop his attitude in your life and it won’t be long till you’re living His actions. You’ll be following His plans! That’s what it means to have a life transformed, to follow the plan of the Father. Whose plan do you follow today?
God Bless,
Chad
The Tootsie Pop Chronicles - Pt. Tres
Written on 13 June 2008 by Chad
Great pick, huh? It’s a road sign I found on the way to the Sweet Spot. I’ve been calling these posts the Tootsie Roll Chronicles because if you can get past the hard outer shell of life deep inside you’ll find all the sweet chocolaty goodness God has designed for you. That’s your sweet spot.
Last week we said that in order to find your sweet spot you have to:
- Know where you’re going.
- Know where you are.
- Decide how you’re going to get there.
We said Romans 12:1 – 2 is a picture of the sweet spot God has in mind for you. It’s your destination. Before we go on, read those verses again.
“Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies to God a living and holy sacrifice which is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will that God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1 – 2
You can know you you’re living in your sweet spot when you become a living sacrifice.
Being a living sacrifice is hard for us to relate to. Thankfully, we don’t sacrifice live animals in our worship anymore. We don’t have to because Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for us. But in the Old Testament and in Jesus’ time the idea of what a sacrifice really looked like was easy to see. Leviticus chapter 1 describes it. You ought to read it sometime.
Want to see a real sheep sacrifice!? Visit YouTube and search for SHEEP SACRIFICE. You’ll see a Muslim religious ceremony that involves the slaughter of a live sheep. It’s not exactly the same, but you’ll get a glimpse of the bloody mess worship in the Old Testament really was. This is not for the squeamish, so be warned, it’s not the pretty buildings and pleasant music we’re used to in our worship, but it is a picture of what worship at the Temple in the Old Testament must have been like.
Worship in the Old Testament was active. It was a bloody mess. You and the Priest would take your offering, ritualistically dissect it, then place the mutilated flesh onto the altar and burn it. It stained your clothes. The smell saturated your skin. Worship had a look, feel, and sound and when you left, the evidence of worship was all over you.
That’s what it means to be a living sacrifice; to give more than you think you can afford and trust God to provide, to have the evidence of worship all over you.
When was the last time someone even noticed that you are a God Worshipper? As a living sacrifice the evidence will be all over you.
This week I hope your worship of God is evident to all. I hope you will be a living sacrifice; that you will give more than you think you can afford, that you’ll give your all, really – and trust God to provide. When you do, the evidence of worship will be all over you and you’ll be well on your way to finding your sweet spot.
God Bless,
Chad
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