Are You a Long Way from Home?

My computer just established a restore point before it would install the Microsoft updates. I suppose these will allow me to return my computer to its previous state if the updates really mess it up. I get these updates regularly. I wonder if that means that there were so many errrors in the original that they haven't found all the bugs or if there are others hacking into their system with such regularity that Microsoft has to keep up with them. I suspect its a lot of both.

I was thinking: Wouldn't it be great if we had a restore point in our lives?

We would be able to return to a previous state no matter how far we get away from the Lord. We would be able to restore the relationships we really damaged. We would be able to completely undo those things that were harmful to ourselves and others. We could go back to when things were fine.

Of course, this really doesn't exist. As they say, "You can't unring a bell."

While instant restoration is impossible, eventual restoration is. However, it is not easy.

Restoration is a realization that there is a problem. I recently visited someone who is incarcerated. That person has realized that there is a problem and is taking necessary steps to eliminate that problem. I hope these steps stick when back on the street.

No problem can be fixed if it is not recognized as a problem. The alcholic must realize that he or she is an alcoholic. The person in tremendous debt must realize that they can't keep spending. The person who is far away from the Lord must realize how far they have gone. Each requires a turn-around but no one turns around without realizing that he is going the wrong direction.

You must know you are a long way from home.

There has to be a desire to go the right direction. Some people know their addictions but have decided that they don't want to live another way. As the adulterous song of old said, "If loving you is wrong; I don't want to be right." Somehow the desire for something sinful made sin less sinful that not getting what is wanted. Of course, wrong things have consequences. Why don't we have songs which tell of the families that are destroyed because people knew what they were doing was sinful and did it anyway?

You must want to go home.

The person wanting to restore what he once had needs help. He first needs the help of the Lord. It will take a commitment and strength beyond his own to restore things. The sinful nature is not eliminated. The reason he got so far away from home is still there. The sinful nature is not overcome on an intellectual or natural level alone. A spiritual element must employed if coming home and staying home is restored.

You must pray to go and stay home.

King David realized how far he had gotten from his Lord after his sin with Bathsheba. He had violated who he was at his core. He had allowed his sinful nature to rule. It resulted in a man's death and his own pretention that nothing was wrong. The prophet Nathan confronted him and he knew what he had done. He wanted to go back. He prayed that God would restore him.

I regularly talk with people who want to come home to their faith. They want to restore things to where they once were. They can come home but it isn't all that easy. It means more than walking down the aisle in church to make a recommitment to Christ. It  takes more than crying a bucket of tears in remorse. It takes true repentance. It takes humility. It takes commitment. It takes a daily walk with the Lord.

But you can come home no matter how far you have gone. Will you?

Psalm 51:9-12 (ESV) ⁹ Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
¹¹ Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

There's Spam in My Faith

I just opened my email. There were around 120. Not one of them was a personal message for me except for those sent because someone comments on my blog. (You may not know it but your comments come to me as email before I post them. That means that the spam people try to insert as comments never make it to the comment page.) There is so much spam that I may miss a genuine email sometimes. I delete the whole lot without looking too hard. No spam blocker is going to tell me what I really need to read. I wish I had something which only gave me the really important messages.

I was thinking of this when I remembered that someone came to Jesus and asked Him what was the most important commandment.


Matthew 22:34-40 (ESV)
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” 


They were testing Him. Did He know what was the most important? Did they?

Jesus knew exactly what was important. He knew the "string theory" of our faith. All the law and the prophets hung on these two commandments.

It hit me that all of my faith can be tied into those two commandments. These two commandments will interpret the rest of Scripture. They will allow me to focus my life each day so that I can filter through the spam the world throws at me.

These two commandments give me two things I must ask myself at the beginning and the end of each day: Will I love God with all that I am today? Will I love others as I love myself? And at the end of the day I must ask: Did I love God with all that I am today? Did I love others as myself?

Of course, this sounds oversimplified but it isn't simple at all. If it was, I would do it everyday and filter through the spam. I wouldn't allow the challenges of this world to distract me from the two most important commandments.

So, the question is: Will I act today like these are the two most important commandments on which my whole faith depends?

One Heart and Soul

The store is being robbed. Vandals remove one item after another right under the owners noses. One thief takes takes large appliances while another takes small appliances. Some take jewelry and others take perishable goods. Eventually the store will be empty. Emtpy, that is, except for the owners.

You see, the owners are too busy arguing on the color of the walls, the temperature in the room and the music that should be played over the store sound system to notice that they are being robbed blind. Oh, they'll eventually notice but it will be way too late. Literally everything will be gone.

This is the scene in many churches. The church bickers over these exact things. They argue over the music, the temperature, the color of the walls and let the world invade. Many care little whether the Bible is preached, if souls are being saved or if conflicts are being resolved. Each person wants to have his or her own way. The church continues to diminish while the bickering continues.

I recently went to a meeting with several preachers. I heard many of them tell of the conflict in their churches. A few of them were looking for new churches to pastor. One even told of a petition to remove him which was being passed around in his congregation. How does this happen?

Jesus didn't save us so that we would fight with each other and be in harmony with the devil. He saved us to fight with the devil and be in harmony with each other. He didn't save us to have our own way or to obtain positions of power. He saved us to bring the love of God to the world. How will the world know the love of God if the people of God fail to love one another?

We, the church, need one heart and soul. We need to love on each other so much that we lovingly correct those who need to be corrected, forgive those who need to be forgiven, feed those who are hungry, pray for those in distress, worship with each other even when we don't like all the music and teach what it really means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

The early church didn't have a building to worry about. They didn't complain about the color of the walls or the temperature. They didn't argue over the music nor did they castigate their pastors for preaching too long. They were so glad to hear the word of God and fellowship with each other that these things didn't matter. The Holy Spirit was an honored guest when they met. They acted because He was in them and they cooperated with Him in how they treated each other.

The early church was of one heart and soul. Isn't that what we need today?

Acts 4:32 (NASB) ³² And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

Did You Love?

I have seen viciousness for the sake of theology. I have heard people say that they can't become a staff member of my church because we don't have the right theology. They have been warned that coming here will hinder their ability to go to a larger church someday. Evidently church-hopping is not as egregious as our poor "theology."

I used to think that having the "proper" theology was most important. I even thought there were certain Bible translations which labeled the reader as uncommitted to the Lord. I thought it was all about who I associated with and what we were doing to keep the Bible pure. I didn't realize that the Bible really didn't need my help. I also didn't realize that even though theology is important it will not be the crucial question given to me on the day I stand before my Lord's judgement.

Many Christians fail to remember that we shall stand before the judgement  seat of Christ. This will not concern salvation. Our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life if we have trusted Jesus as Savior. That's like a light switch. It is either on or off. No, this judgement concerns how we have lived with others. The question isn't whether or not we are forgiven but whether or not we have been obedient. This is why it is necesary for believers to confess their sins even though they are forgiven for salvation's sake. Our own unfaithfulness in living the Christian life needs correction. Thus, He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 9)

The question that I will be asked before the judgement seat of Christ will not be whether or not I had the proper theology. It won't be which Bible translation I used. It won't be who I associated with nor how big my church was. No, the question will be, "Did you love?"

Do I love the Lord God (who includes the Son and Holy Spirit) with all of my heart, soul and mind? Did I love Him so that I put all other things aside because of that love? Did I love others so that I brought them to this love of God? Did I care for them to the point of laying down my life?

Someday, if Jesus doesn't return first, I will take my last breath. My heart will stop beating. I will enter eternity. I will have no other opportunity to improve my obedience to my Lord. I will stand before His judgement seat. My life will be known. Then, I will really know the impact of the words, "Did you love?"

I want to be faithful to those words now.

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV) ³⁷ Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Living with Life

I am sitting in a hospital cafeteria as I write this blog. Today was my day to drive my wife to Williamsburg so she could conduct an infection control meeting. The hospital cafeteria is open and bright with lots of outside light. There are only a few people sitting around me. A monitor is playing a promo piece for the hospital. Most people watch it as they come and go in the cafeteria. This beautiful hospital is proud of their reputation for caring for people. They are proud of saving lives and giving people a better quality of life. They should be proud of their record. It is admirable.

Of course, they never say that the people who were helped will some day die regardless of the hospital's best efforts. All their doctors, nurses and technicians will not be able to extend life for anyone forever. And, of course, the hospital does not address whether the people are living lives which are full. Many people have their lives extended by this hospital but they do not really understand what it is to live. Anyone can live without out having life. Giving real life cannot be done by a hospital.

Many people who are looking forward to having life never really have it. They think that they will find life in graduation, marriage, a career, children, weekends, parties, vacations, a new house, retirement, etc. They work very hard to accomplish, afford and reach these things. They may even find that these things provide a respite from the boredom but they do not truly find life. Sometimes they wonder if there is more. Is there something more than going to school, getting a job, getting married, having and raising children, retirement and death? Is there more to living than fogging a mirror when you breathe?

I think is is strange that Jesus came to give life but people think that living a Christian life will stifle life. They think that going to church is boring. They cannot imagine reading their Bibles each day. They only understand prayer as an act of desperation. They are okay with tipping their hats toward God but they really don't want to have anything to do with pursuing Him. Their natural minds tell them that this will keep them away from really living.

Years ago I went into a neighborhood to invite people to revival services we were having at our church the upcoming week. I found a lady working in her flowerbeds. As I approached I said, "Hi, my name is Prentis. I am the pastor (of the church I was serving then). I just wanted to invite you to our church."

She looked up for a moment and then down at her flowers. She said, "I tried church once and I found I didn't like it."

Before I thought I said, "And I'll bet you're not going to like hell, either." Fortunately, she didn't hear me. She didn't know the life that Jesus gives because she thought that people were saying that life comes from going to church. She had tried it once and found that life wasn't there. You know something: she is right! Church doesn't give us life; Jesus does.

We don't' attend church until we like it. We attend church because of the life that Jesus has given us makes this mean something to us. Truthfully, those walking outside of Jesus generally find church boring.

Funny, but I really can't explain the life that Jesus gives us. He fills what can't be filled with events or possessions. He makes life worth living. He gives forgiveness and purpose. He gives direction in what will make our lives full. He fills our hearts.

My job and the job of everyone who knows Jesus is to bring Him to others. We can't give the life we have but we can tell others of the one who can.

Extending life for some people is just giving more of the same life that they have had. Jesus does more than that. He gives them a new life.


John 10:10 (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

Setbacks Are Inevitable; Defeat Is Not

Just about everyone who has set out to do something has setbacks. Moses certainly did. So did Joshua, David, Joshua, Peter and the rest of the disciples. Each of these people were doing what God wanted. They were fulfilling their purpose when something happened which could have made them stop.

These setbacks could have defeated them if they had quit. They were merely setbacks rather than defeat because these men of God did not stop. They were not only convinced they were fulfilling God's will, they were also committed to seeing it through. They were knocked down but not knocked out.

Many of these servants of God questioned God when they suffered setbacks. Moses often went to the Lord for a confirmation of what he was doing. Elijah asked God to take his life. David wrote psalms which reveal his questions to God. Peter went out and wept bitterly. They all did so because setbacks look like defeats.

Setbacks are defeats when the person suffering the setback quits. The person needing to lose a lot of weight will often gain weight at some time during their diet and exercise schedule. It can be very discouraging but this is not the time to accept defeat. These momentary setbacks must be seen for what they really are: bumps in the road. They may be detours but they are not the end of the journey.

Thus the recovering alcoholic who falls off the wagon gets back on again. The former smoker who takes a few puffs throws away the rest of the pack. The worker who is fired redoes his or her resume and keeps  looking for work. The preacher who is lambasted by a member after a sermon prepares next week's sermon right away.

Think about it for a moment. Wouldn't the devil want to discourage you if you are doing something right? Wouldn't he also want to get you to stop doing what is right? What better way to do that than to tempt you to quit through setbacks?

You keep going through the strength you receive from the Lord. You keep going with the resolve to follow after Him. You keep going because He who began to work in you will complete what He says.

Satan asked permission to torment Job because he believed Job would quit praising God when he was no longer blessed. Satan asked permission to tempt Peter because he believed Peter would not be the leader he was intended to be. Satan may be asking permission to give you a setback too. On the other hand, he may have already obtained permission.

I urge you to turn to the Lord for your strength and reject the defeat that sits waiting to devour you. What you are going through is a setback, not a defeat.


1 Samuel 30:6 (ESV)
6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Recognizing Sin

I have virus protection on this computer. It checks to see if anything I download or open will consume the hard drive or make the computer act in an abnormal way. I, personally, wouldn't know how to recognize a virus. I have had them on other computers. I need this virus protection program which regularly updates virus recognition software to keep me from getting another virus.

People generally invite viruses onto their computers. They open emails are agree to a download or receive it from someone else's thumbdrive. Sometimes they even ignore the warnings or their own virus protection software. It isn't long before the virus makes them realize that what they have will radically affect the performance of their computers.

Sin is like this. It is either invited in or it comes attached with other things. For example, it may come because a man spends time talking of his marital problems with his secretary. It was attached to something that seemed benign.

Sometimes people invite sin. They simply ignore the things they know in order to do what they think will be best for the moment. Sin will always consume a person't spiritual life.

The virus protection software that we must update daily is found in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit speaks God's word to us so that we can walk in righteousness. The Spirit speaks through the words of the Bible and other spiritual people.

We will not recognize sin as sin on our own. We may think what we are doing is "not the best" but we will not call it sin apart from the Holy Spirit. Sin is falling short of God's glory.

Trying to recognize sin by reasoning is like trying to recognize a computer virus by the way it looks. You might actually be right once in a while but the danger of being wrong when virus protection is available doesn't make the "guess" worth it.

We have come into a world which wants to define sin by what appears as normal. Thus, we change the definition of sin and allow it to consume the spiritual lives of people. We fail to recognize gossip, hatred, gluttony and all other manners of sins. We act indignant when what we call the greater sins are made righteous. We cry out against homosexuality, abortion and euthanazia. We are quite cleaver in pointing out sins we don't have.

We fail to recognize sin because we are not walking with the Lord. We are not receiving regular updates to our spiritual software. We are inviting sin into our lives and/or receiving it as it is attached to other things.

The most important thing you can do is update your contact with the Holy Spirit today. Take out your Bible and ask Him to read it to you. Ask Him to reveal any unknown sin. See what happens.

We don't recognize sin on our own. Even King David, a man after God's own heart, had trouble with this.

John 16:7-14 (NIV) ⁷ But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹ in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; ¹⁰ in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; ¹¹ and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. ¹² "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴ He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.