THE "U" TURN

You turned the corner and to your surprise, there he lay, bloody, unconscious and with nothing to offer you. You have a choice to make. Nobody is looking ( or are they ). You can stay at a distance and walk on by. You could lean in to make a kind gesture and then continue on your way. You can call for help, or you can pick him up, examine his injury, take him to the doctor, pay for his care and promise to return and cover any bills that may result from his recovery. The choice is yours. Either way its extremely costly. On one hand, it may cost you your hard earned money, your reputation, your cleanliness, your time, your schedule, your plans, and your comfort. On the other hand it could cost him his life!

What will you do?

John 15:13 says….Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

In Luke chapter 10, Jesus, when questioned on what must be done to inherit eternal life states, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’^[a] and ‘your neighbor as yourself.

When asked who is your neighbor, Jesus tells the story of the good Samaritan, which I liberally made personal at the beginning of this devotion. The answer is counter culture, its alien-esque. The one who shows mercy on those who are helpless, hopeless, dirty, unworthy, gross, homeless, broken, dieing, bruised, repulsive, offensive, stinky, broke, obnoxious, unkind, prideful, lustful, cheats, thieves, pompous, slanderous, unmerciful etc. The one who has mercy on those who qualify in the description above, they are those who are loving their neighbor as themselves.

Have we forgotten the following passages?

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

John 17:19

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Romans 5:7

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die.

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

I John 3:16

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

It was us laying there beside the road. It was us who were helpless, dieing, dead even. We had nothing to offer. We stunk. We were broken. We were forgotten. We were cast out. We were the enemy of the only one who could rescue us and none of that could deter him from picking us up, paying our price, leaving us in good hands and promising to return.  He has called us His own and now that we are reborn into his likeness, we should be transformed into a person capable of loving the unlovely, serving the arrogant, touching the unclean and sacrificing our comforts to potentially see another family member come alive.

One late night a few Decembers back, my wife and I were driving about 70 mph down the interstate and we both spotted a woman running frantically alongside the road. We passed her and immediately we both knew she needed help and God was urging us to be the help. She was dirty, running and crying. It was a bit scary because we didn’t know why she was running or who she was running from or to. I told Callie that I was turning around and she agreed. We chose to get uncomfortable to help someone who was clearly lost. We made the U turn and by the time we caught up with her, she was so far off of the road that we had an easy out if we wanted to take it. Compelled by love, we stopped and yelled to her, “we are here to help”. She ran towards us at this point. I was a bit uneasy until she got close enough to say, “ Thank You, I’m scared to death.” We got her in the car and she begin to tell of how she was working 3 jobs to make ends meet for her 3 children. On the way home, her car broke down and she was running because she was so scared. She prayed, God send me help and right when she said amen, we pulled over. She asked if we were angels….I said yes we are ( just kidding ) we said no, but we are representatives of Jesus. We let her call her mom from Cal’s phone, took her home, prayed with her and then we went home. It was so fulfilling to know we were hearing God say “go love her” right as she screamed out to Him, “help”.

We were later able retrieve her number from Callie’s phone, call her mom, get her children’s wish list for Christmas and secretly provide her and her family an extravagant Christmas. It was amazing! We felt like Jesus. Laying our lives down for the broken.

This quickening from the Father has impacted our family to this day. We now “adopt” a family each Christmas and bless them. It’s the most Christ-like thing we can do as a family, collectively sacrifice for a hurting family in hopes that they will see Jesus in us and become healthy members of the body of Christ.

So what about you?

Today at some point you will turn the corner and there they will be. Maybe not covered in blood, but covered in sin. Maybe they wont be physically dyeing, but spiritually dead. You have a choice. Will you be a “Christian” aka ( Christ like ) and follow Jesus by being their lifeline?

Or will you find a way around the situation?

See Matthew 16:24

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

NOTE:If you choose to love your neighbor and to lay down your life, you will live the “real”life that Jesus said is for those who love the unlovely!

Jesus puts it like this in Matthew 10:28

And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

Chips and Guatemala

I just got back from a week in Guatemala with 30 teenagers. We set off on a journey to see what God wanted to do in these students. It wasnt 30 minutes into the trip when I realized that God had a funny joke to play on me. He was going to prove Himself to me in a brand new way and He was going to use the teenagers that I oversee to do it! I have struggled with Father issues a bit. Its not that my dad was a bad father. In fact, he was really good at it. He provided and protected us. He set up an environment that was safe and pure. He encouraged us to know God and always took us to church. My issue is that he and I have a really tough time speaking the same language. I am soft and long for depth and connection. He is more rough and loud. I have felt in the past that I am not prepared to be a dad, because he and I have never discussed anything about how to do that successfully. We just dont talk about important things. A few months ago, I really began to worry about my ability to Father my kids and my enormous youth group. There are thousands passing through my services and I began to grow insecure! I have been struggling.
On the first night of this trip, I challenged the students to tell God what they wanted from Him this week and to tell Him what they needed from Him in order to advance spiritually. Mine were simple. I wanted to know that He was proud of me as a father, and I wanted Him to confirm that I am actually doing a good job of fathering this generation.
The week was packed with adventure and miracles. On the 5th night, we had "family time" and the students were encouraging one another. One of them called my name and began to tell me how he wanted to be just like me. He said Im the greatest father he has ever seen. I was taken aback. Then about 6 others proceeded to tell me the ways that I father them and the ways that they admire how I father my children. I sat there in tears as I thanked God for hearing and responding to my desire. He was extremely great on this trip to me and every member of our team. God is faithful and ready and willing to let you know how much he loves you. All you have to do is ask!

Thanks man....but no thanks!

I had a friend in high school who was constantly getting me in to awkward predicaments. He would always promise me that he had a great idea that would benefit me and him and when I would go along, it always ended up benefiting him and leaving me in some embarrassing or uncomfortable situation. You may have a friend like this. By the way, it usually has to do with him or her wanting to see or spend time with a member of the opposite sex. You guys have friends like this too. Nothing makes a person more selfish in high school than a boyfriend or a girlfriend.
Anyway, I will give you an example. One night we were chilling and having a good time when the phone rang. My buddy answered the phone and talked for a while. He then said to me that he had great news. He had set me up with this beautiful girl and she happened to be over at another girls house who he liked. I was not really interested, because of his past, but I had nothing else to do but go. We got in his car and he steadily told me about how he was looking out for me and was excited about the possibilities of me hanging out with this girl who was supposedly gorgeous. Along the way, I actually did get a bit excited and anticipated meeting this hottie. When we got to the house, I of course checked myself in the mirror and we walked to the door. His girl met us at the door and told him she had a surprise for him. She told me that the girl I was to meet was waiting in the living room and they ran off to I do not know where. I walked around looking for the living room and when I found what I was certain was the living room, I was very confused. There was a living room set. There was a fireplace. There was a TV. There was a family photo. There was a girl, but she didn’t fit the description. I asked are you Rhonda’s friend? And she said yep! Needless to say, this girl was not only not gorgeous, she was not human!
I couldn’t wait to choke my friend for once again pretending to be out for my good while all along really wanting to promote himself with no concern for me! I’m still mad about it, but Im meeting with Pastor Bob Hamp for freedom ministry.
This acts example doesn’t end with Josephs brief praise, it goes on to show us how God views the self-centered who promote themselves at the expense of others. The odd thing about this example is that the people guilty, actually did do a good work, they just did it for the wrong reason. They were motivated by their selfishness that was at the center of their heart.
Lets look at the very next paragraph after Josephs:
Acts 5:1-10
But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”
“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”
And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”
Instantly, she fell to the floor and died.

Look at this example. Two people, members of the church, looked like everyone else. They attended. They sold their land and even brought some money and gave it to the church to use for the needy. From the external, they looked like they were progressing right alongside the others. The problem is the internal or the center. Ananias and Sapphira sold the land and brought the money so that they would look good in front of others. They did not do it to help people or to glorify God.
God responded by setting an example for us. God is not interested in your deeds that are done with ill-motives. God is interested in the heart.
Looking at your life from the outside in, are you someone who is answering the call, Love God love people or are you in this for your self promotion?

My Bro N Law...... WWMBILD.....what would he do?

My brother in law is one of the most Godly people I know. He loves God and it is obvious, because he radiates self sacrifice for the good of others. We were talking Sunday and he told me that he had been regularly picking up hitchhikers for several reasons. One, so they wouldn’t have to walk in the heat and two, so that perhaps he could share Jesus with them. Don’t you guys go pick up hitchhikers and tell your parents I said to do this. A while back, Myles saw a guy walking with his thumb up and so he pulled over and picked him up. He was in Memphis and this guy was heading to some tiny town in Arkansas. He drove him for a while and they talked about all kinds of things. This guy told him horrifying stories of the people in his home town. He said that they were going to take matters in to their own hands after the election this year…. Scary huh! Anyway, what impacted me the most is that Myles was willing to go several hours out of his way to take this guy home, when Myles himself was driving 13 hours home from Chicago. Myles is selfless and interested in the comfort of the less fortunate. He also told me that he accidentally picked up a drug dealer without knowing it and dropped him off at a house where two huge guys came out to the car with sawed off shotguns, so its not a good idea for you guys to do this, Im simply stating a point. When you are God Centered you inevitably become concerned with other people’s welfare without consideration for your own comfort.
Its interesting that Jesus summed all of the commandments up into two things in Mark 12:30-31
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.”
When you fall in love with Jesus and He is at the center of your life, you follow in his footsteps and lay down your life for others.

Braden Braden Braden

On my vacation many strange things happened as they usually do when you are in a totally different environment than you are used to. I was sick almost the whole time, which made for a eventless but restful trip. I saw a man bare hand a jelly fish that was several feet long. He looked at it, grabbed it and threw it up on the beach. I had never seen that before. I actually boarded an ice cream truck. I’ve never done that before. I saw an airplane dip down and fly about 5 feet above the water right in front of me. I had never seen that. But there was one thing that happened that was more strange to me than anything else. My family and I walked in to a local seafood and burger joint where I immediately spotted an old acquaintance that I hadn’t seen in at least 8 years. It was one of those times where you know that you know the person, but you want to make sure they recognize you before you approach. He looked up and motioned to me to come see him so I walked to his table and said hello. I couldn’t remember his last name, but I chatted with him and met his wife and 2 and ½ year old son, Braden. Nothing weird yet, just small talk. Shortly after, I joined my family at our table and ordered a burger. As dinner took place, Braden kept running over to our table and latching on to me and pulling my arm. It was no big deal to me, because I am used to kids, but it was very out of the ordinary. As dinner went on , Braden continued, but this is when everything changed. I could tell that Braden’s eyes were fixed on my hamburger. He kept running over and staring at it. I thought he was just hungry, so I paid no attention. After several annoying episodes with Braden, I began to wonder when his parents would intervene. They didn’t! Suddenly as I talked to my family I saw a small hand reach up and grab the top bun off of my hamburger. Before I could react, Braden proceeded to shred my bun and crush it in his tiny grip as he let out a proud squeal. I was more amazed at his boldness and the lack of his parents concern than I was with his annihilation of my beach burger. Braden was so proud.
That’s the annoying thing about little kids. They are only concerned with what they want and haven’t yet learned that you have to consider others. Braden only wanted to squish my bread through his annoying fingers without concern for the fact that I was paying,hungry and that I needed that top bun to hold the rest of the burger together.
You see all of us are born self-centered, mainly concerned with the promotion, and satisfaction of ourselves and not so much concerned for the advancement and success of others. Just stay at your table and leave other peoples food alone!

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

Hurricane Gustov

I was watching closely today as my home state of Louisiana was pounded by hurricane winds and rain. As I switched from channel to channel for updates I began to get the feeling that the media was hoping that a levee would break or that flood waters would rise so that the negative "story" could continue and the people safely inside studios would have something dramatic to discuss. I listened as one woman reported that there was a potential crack in a levee. Her voice had a hint of glee. Another excitedly stated that another hurricane was developing offshore and headed for the east coast. She then got the report that the Republican VP candidates daughter was five months pregnant and that this would be a big story. It felt to me like some of the reporters didn't care about the people affected by tragedy, but that they longed for more tragedy in order to have an emotional story to attract viewers.
Have you ever thought about what gossip really is. I so often hear someone broadcasting another HUMAN beings tragedy, pretending to care, while really wanting to bring a drama that will divert the attention off of their own flaws. They show a false concern hiding a secret motive to self promote. It is rather disgusting to listen to. The truth is that their are millions of people today in Louisiana hoping that they will return to a stable house. They are hoping that they can somehow salvage their life that tragedy is attempting to steal. The unknown can easily turn in to hopelessness. The same is true with the every day tragedies of the people in our lives.
What would a world look like if people ran to assist the hurting whether the camera was rolling or not instead of running to the camera to record the pain. Hurricane Gustov, teen pregnancy, scandal and all embarrassing sin is a vicious attempt to steal the hope of our race. Lets not revel in the pain of others, lets run to their aid.

Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” (NIV)

Thats the thing about Weeds

What is it about weeds in my yard that ticks me off? Today I went (weed pullin') and the deeper I got in to the task, the more and more aggravated it made me. There was this one type of weed that would prick my fingers when I would grab it. This same weed would break off before I could get the root out letting me know that it was not gone for good, but lingering underground only to return in several days. I really want a green beautiful yard that isnt choked out by weeds, but it is just so difficult to dig them up. I usually get a few out and then give up until its obvious again.
It reminds me of some sins in my life. I take a stab at trying to overcome them, but end up just putting them aside briefly, only for them to return days later. In order to get weeds out of the yard, you have to completely remove them roots and all. The same goes with sin. It isnt feasible to assume that you can just ignore or make a passive attempt at overcoming sin. It takes drastic measures sometimes. You have to get to the root! What is trying to steal the beauty from your life by resisting your removal? Its time to take drastic measures! You can do it... but you have to dig deep!