Watered Down Tea and Christianity Leave a Bad Taste

I love my instant tea. But for it to be just right, there has to be just the right amount of tea and sugar combined, with just the right amount of water for the size pitcher being used.

If I fail to put the required number of tablespoons of tea in it, I end up with a weak, watered-down version of what tea is supposed to taste like. I'd rather have plain water than have to endure a distasteful glass of colored water with a hint of tea.

Could this be one of the reasons many are leaving the church and the Christian faith? Has Christianity, as a whole, become so watered down that it has become distasteful, impotent, and useless?

What do I mean watered down? A good honest look at the church and Christians, in general, reveals a Christianity that is a pale version of Biblical Christianity. The Christianity of old was a committal kind punctuated by obedience, sacrifice, and selflessness. Jesus was the center of it and the lives of believers were centered around Him and committed to Him. He was at the top of the believers' to-do list, not just on Sundays, but every day of their lives. In contrast, the form of Christianity we now see is clothed with convenience and filled with unending options. Church members attend services whenever it's convenient. If the weather's good, the fishing is bad, my sports team is not televised, there's no birthday party to go to, no family visiting, no yard to mow, no crops to get in, no car to repair, no clothes to wash, and I wasn't out too late last night, then I'll slip into the church, but don't expect me to be on time or put anything in the offering plate, because I have a busy schedule, my bills need to be paid, and, besides, it's my life, my money, and I worked hard earning it.

Those searching for more than what the world offers them, will not be impressed by a church full of Christians who think and act like the world. But not only can tea be ruined by too much water or too little tea, it can also be rendered undrinkable because there's too much tea in it. We must also guard against allowing our Christian faith to become pharisaical. Christ gives us grace. We are saved by grace. Passing judgment on others and criticizing them for the clothes they wear, the Sunday's they miss, and the lack of offerings they give is a polluted form of Christianity. We need to share the truth in love, and not serve the truth on a platter of legalism and self-righteousness. Sometimes we are put into a bind because we can't control the factors that require our attendance or our services when Sunday morning rolls around. Growing in the faith involves becoming aware of our spiritual shortcomings and gradually turning our ship (lives) in the direction that reflects true biblical Christianity. Growing in the faith involves learning how to guard our Sundays and lives from the things that separate us from our Lord, our church, and our devotion to both.

In the end, it doesn't really matter whether my tea is too weak or too strong, either way, I'm not going to drink it. It will never get in me and therefore it will never affect me. Sadly, this is true of so many within the realm of Christianity. Does it really matter what the obstacle is that prevents others from embracing Christianity and receiving Jesus as one's personal Savior and Lord? Consequently, the important thing is to remove any obstacle that stands in their way. And if one of the obstacles happens to be you, acknowledge it, and seek to correct it. Because the future of our churches depends on it, and this includes the eternal future of the next guest God directs to our church.

When it comes to tea, getting the right combination of tea, sugar, and water for a good-tasting glass of tea is not that difficult, unfortunately, this is not the case when referring to churches. The Christian church is in crisis. Our modern-day, watered-down version of Christianity, plays a major factor in why churches are dying, immorality is exploding, and God is growing impatient. But if we could put ourselves in the shoes of those, who by the grace of God may choose to visit our churches, we would see a need to change our lives and our churches.

For instance, when "God-seekers," those whom God has awakened spiritually to the need of a relationship with Him, do show up in our churches, what do you think they will see. In many cases, thankfully not all, they are confronted with a watered-down, distasteful, worldly familiar, form of Christianity. One that includes all the worldly ingredients you might find in the dark alleys of big cities or the polluted halls of Congress. Instead of peace, there is tension, instead of humility, there's arrogance, instead of love and acceptance, there's fake friendliness and suspicious questions, instead of seeking God's will, there's rebellion and self-rule.

I fear that many leave church services all over the country, feeling more like they've been bumped around by a political caucus, instead of having just worshipped within the walls of the house of God.

If Jesus is the head of the church, and He must be if it's a biblically genuine church, the Word of God, not the desires of men and women, nor the preferences of the loud and prominent, must be what sets the tone, the direction, and the priorities of the church.

I pray that the church once again becomes the church with Jesus and the cross at the center of it. Although we may not be able to change the masses or even our neighbor in the pew or chair beside us, we can, with God's help, change personally and privately. We can help our church become one candlelight brighter for the glory of God and the benefit of others.

Our Environment Makes All the Difference

 

1 Corinthians 15:50-55 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:  “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 

This geranium was received by my wife last year from one of her students. When winter approached she asked if we could keep it alive throughout the winter. Unfortunately, geraniums are annual plants. They can't survive freezing temps. Therefore we had to keep it in an environment that it was created for, so it became a house plant throughout the winter. However, it is now back outside and has already begun to bloom. 

Our bodies are created for the environment of our planet. If we travel to other worlds like Mars, we will have to provide a localized environment in which to live. It only makes sense that if heaven exists, and I believe it does, it will consist of a different environment than that of our present-day earth. Therefore, we will need bodies designed for the environment of heaven. 

By way of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 15. Followers of Christ will have their bodies transformed into ones that will be suitable for our new home and new environment.  

My wife's geranium will live as long as we keep it in the environment it is designed for and we provide the needed necessities like water, sunlight, nourishment, and protection from pests. The Bible promises that we will live forever in an environment designed to last forever and with bodies designed to exist in our new environment. 

The law of conservation of mass states that mass can change forms, but through any of these changes, matter is conserved. The same amount of matter exists before and after the change--none is created or destroyed. Our transformed bodies will take on a new form, but nothing will be lost or added, just reconstituted in a new and better form for our new environment.

The Inclusiveness of God

 (Acts 10:34-41)  Below is a section of a Bible lesson I recently wrote that will be published in the Fall by Stinson Press. In it, we see that God is very inclusive, for the doorway to Him is always open to any who would enter. However, the doorway is Jesus Christ.

God provided the Jewish people with a multitude of guidelines, and prohibitions to maintain their uniqueness and purity of bloodline. However, this was to enable them to be a light to the world and avenue through which His Son would enter the world. Their role was to be a people unspotted by the world but heavily involved in the world. They were to bridge the gap between God and the world. Instead, they separated themselves from the world in every way possible. They looked down on those who were not a part of their Jewish world.

Consequently, God had to do something extraordinary to convince the Jewish converts to take the gospel to the Gentiles. He chose Peter to build the first bridge to the Gentile world.

In the first part of this chapter, God sends an angel by way of a vision to Cornelius, a centurion at Caesarea. He is a proselyte, one who has converted to Judaism. We know this because verse 2 says he was “A devout man and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people and prayed to God always.” In the vision, he is told to send men to Joppa to a specific house and bring a man by the name of Peter back with them.

Just before the men arrive at the house where Peter is staying God gives Peter a vision. In it, a large sheet is lowered down before him with various unclean animals on it. He then hears a voice that tells him to kill and eat. Peter refuses and says he has never eaten anything common or unclean. Peter thought it was a test from God, when in fact, God was conveying a new truth to Peter. After Peter’s refusal, the voice said, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15 KJV). While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Bible says, “the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise, therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them” (vv.19-20).

After the men explained what they wanted he was able to understand what the vision was about. When he arrived at Cornelius’s home, he acknowledged that God is not a respecter of people. He then points this out to Cornelius and his household by saying. “But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with him” (v.35).

Peter then shares the gospel with the Cornelius’ household. He points out that Jesus is Lord of all and then proceeds to back up his claim by reminding Cornelius of the things that he and all of Israel had heard about Jesus. The baptizing of Jesus by John, the miracles by Jesus, and His death, burial, and resurrection, all of which provide the proof that warrants believing and putting one’s faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Furthermore, Peter points out that the resurrected Jesus did appear to His many followers.

Stay Fit. You might have a chance to do something great late in life.

If we stay fit physically, we can add years to our lives. This is a blessing to those who love us. They want us around as long as possible. Furthermore, the healthier we are, the more we can enjoy life and the less burden we will be on our families. Another big plus is that the longer we live, the more opportunities we will experience.

History is filled with stories of men and women who have accomplished great things late in life. Ronald Reagan didn't enter politics until age 55. Colonel Sanders took his first Social Security check of $99 and began his Kentucky Fried Chicken chain at the age of 65. Noah Webster completed the English Dictionary at age 66. Benjamin Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence at age 70. Peter Roget invented the Thesaurus at age 73. Grandma Moses started painting after arthritis in her hands made it impossible to crochet at age 76. Three years later her work was hanging in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City,

The Bible tells us that God called Moses to led the Israelite people out of Egyptian bondage at age 80. And Noah built the Ark at age 600.

Staying fit physically means exercising, eating right, staying away from harmful drugs, habits, and not taking part in unnecessary risks, just for the thrill of it.

In addition to physical fitness, we also need to stay morally fit. We read almost daily about individuals losing their jobs, their careers, their social standing, and sometimes freedom (imprisonment), because of bad decisions that led to bad actions, or inappropriate words.

The Bible stresses the importance of staying fit in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV, "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

The Greek word that is translated "of some value" in verse 8 can be translated "for a short time." Physical exercise can help us to stay healthy in this life, but we must remeber that if we live to be 90 years of age, it is short compared to eternity. We need to be fit both physically and morally. We need to make the most of this life and get prepared for the next life. Exercise helps with this life, but godly living helps with being fit for the next life.

Three Amazing Words

Three of the most amazing words one will ever read are "Come To Me." They've been spoken by parents, siblings, friends, and no doubt, foes. Their importance can vary according to circumstances and timing. But what makes these words so amazing is that they were spoken by Jesus Christ. To have the God of the universe invite us to come to Him is absolutely amazing.

Although I've written about these words before, once again they confront me, once again they draw me, once again they mesmerize me. I find them not only amazing because Jesus spoke them, but because He put no qualifying conditions on them. I don't have to have a certain social standing, a defined economic status, a desired skin color, or a specific ethnic background. The invitation is universal and all inclusive. It issues from the heart of God and it targets the hearts of men and women in every corner of the globe.

Although I have previously heeded this invitation, I often forget its standing significance. These three words, which are found in Matthew 11:28 of the Bible, are often viewed solely as an invitation to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. The complete passage reads, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV).

But they are much more than salvation invitation words. They form a paradise in a sea of anxiety and turbulence. We live in a time-crunched, stress-filled society. Our nerves are often on edge and our energy levels on empty. We funnel down energy drinks and fill our stomachs with nerve numbing pills. But so often we forget, ignore, or don't realize that these amazing words can fill us with the peace we need and provide the rest we long for.

So why don't we readily heed them? Why don't we embrace their truth and flee to Jesus when we need rest, security, and deliverance? Is there something holding us back? Is there something about us that repels us from the One who invites us?

In a recent reading of Oswald Chambers devotional, My Utmost For His Highest, Mr. Chambers writes, “'Come unto Me.' When you hear those words you will know that something must happen in you before you can come. The Holy Spirit will show you what you have to do, anything at all that will put the axe at the root of the thing which is preventing you from getting through. You will never get further until you are willing to do that one thing. The Holy Spirit will locate the one impregnable thing in you, but He cannot budge it unless you are willing to let Him" (Coming To Jesus, October 8).

As I think about his words, I find them painfully true. There have been times I've not gone to Jesus because I was uncomfortable doing so. Sin makes us uncomfortable in the presence of the One who is sinless.

I'm reminded of a scene that would often take place in my home when I was still living with my parents. Whenever our family returned home from an outing, we would be met by our house dog, a French poodle named Pierre. Occasionally, Pierre would show reluctance to come to us when we entered the house. Despite my invitation to "come," he would sometimes tuck his stub of a tail between his legs and avoid me. We soon discovered that his reluctance was a sign that he had wet the floor somewhere in the house. His sense of having done wrong, created a barrier between him and us. The same is true of us and God.

Our barrier, however, can be easily torn down. 1 John 1:9 ESV states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Jesus says to come to Him. Don't let sin hinder you. Confess it. Repent of it. Then come--for in Him we find rest to both our souls and every aspect of our being.

Conquering Our Fears

Christmas now resides only in our rear view mirror. Although Christmas day is long passed, I'm still playing Christmas music in our bathroom as I prepare for the day. Although our decorations are put up (most of them), and most people have stopped playing Christmas music, there is one truth of Christmas that should always be with us. In fact, the most important thing about Christmas is not the presents under the tree or those that can be bought at a store. It's not the decorations or the Christmas music. The most important thing about Christmas is that God's presence is with us. There is nothing more important than the truth conveyed in the name given Jesus in Matthew 1:23. "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Jesus is Emmanuel. He is God with us.

I discovered several years ago the importance of His presence. It happened when I was employed at a Fossil Fueled Power Plant. While there I was sent down into a large oil tank serving a huge water pump. My job was to clean out the oily sludge in it. When I reached the bottom of the tank I began having difficulty breathing. I looked up at the opening I came through and the walls around me. Fear gripped me as the impossible began happening. The opening began to shrink and the walls began moving, closing in on me. I realized that in a matter of minutes I would be crushed. I closed my eyes and rehearsed in my mind, “This isn’t happening--solid steel walls cannot move and steel openings cannot shrink." But when I reopened my eyes the impossible continued. The walls were moving closer and the door would soon be too small for an escape. If I didn’t act quickly, this dark slimy tank would be my steel cold coffin.

Although things were not very clear to me at the time, I distinctly remember three things occurring almost simultaneously. I had reached the point where I was about to pass out (due to my hyperventilating). I was about to lose it emotionally and mentally with uncontrolled cries and screams for help. But thankfully, a third thing occurred. A thought, or rather a verse, from the Scriptures popped into my head, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). At the time I didn’t know its reference, but I knew its truth. They were the words of Jesus. They were the words I needed. They were my life-line to sanity. My fear had distracted me from God, but that verse had reminded me of God. Not one millisecond too soon I closed my eyes and began praying.

As I prayed, God’s presence became real to me, my breathing began to slow, and my fears faded. When I finished praying, I forced myself to take a peep. To my delight, the tank had returned to normal. As I cleaned the tank, I rejoiced. I had discovered what so many have searched for. I had found the power to control an uncontrollable fear. This power doesn’t come from within or from some self-help book. It doesn't come from a belief in some vague higher power or by tapping into our spiritual energies (whatever that means). Jesus was the answer. His peace can conquer our fears. He promises us His presence. We can trust His promise and draw near to Him in prayer. Drawing near to Him is essential. Why? Because it is His presence that provides us with a peace that passes understanding, regardless of the storm we are experiencing.

He has said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV). Notice He said "in me", not in my words. We need His presence. Being in His Word helps to bring His presence into our lives, but its His presence that brings peace into our fearful hearts.

Red Sea Rule #1

Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea (Exodus 14:1-2 ESV).

It's not ironic, a coincidence, bad timing, Murphy's law, or just happenstance that we are, where we are, when the enemy shows up, the earth opens up, the storm blows in, or the disease flares up. Instead, we are where we need to be when we find ourselves at a place we don't want to be.

This became so clear to me in Bro. Robert J. Morgan's book The Red Sea Rules. In his first of ten Red Sea rules, we learn as did the Israelites that when we find ourselves trapped with the Rea Sea in front of us, mountain ranges on both sides of us, and Pharaoh and his army behind us, we are where we are meant to be. God doesn't make mistakes. The all-knowing God of the Universe is in control.

Knowing this truth, as well as, the truth of God's love and mercy, provides us with great comfort and encouragement in those very difficult times. As Bro. Morgan, puts it in his first chapter, "God allows our faith to be tried, and He permits troubles to crowd into our lives. Sometimes they seem more than we can bear, but Christ can bear them."

Even when our own actions brings us to the edge of the cliff or plants us in a pool of quicksand, God's permissive will allows it for a good purpose. Our best interest is His great concern. God knows how to get our attention. Just as the Israelites looked to God when facing the Red Sea, God wants us to look to Him when facing our Red Sea, lions' den, or fiery furnace.

God is most concerned about our relationship with Him, not our ease and comfort down here. So when you find yourselves being swallowed up by tragedy, heartache, or insurmountable problems, do as Bro. Morgan recommends, "take a deep breath and recall this deeper secret of the Christian life: when you are in a difficult place, realize that the Lord either placed you there or allowed you to be there, for reasons perhaps known for now only to Himself.