There's Purpose in Your Storm

Today I preached on the following passage: 

Matthew 8:23-27, Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” NLT 

One of the many things we can take from this passage is this: There is purpose in your storm. Matthew 8:18 reveals that it was Jesus himself who gave the orders to cross the lake. He led the disciples into this seemingly perilous storm intentionally and purposefully. So what was the purpose? It was two-fold...

1. To teach them 

Every storm teaches us something. Through this storm the disciples learned to trust. In the Old Testament, a fellow named Jonah experienced a storm of his own that taught him to obey. Also in the Old Testament was a man named Job who went through a non-aquatic storm. He lost his health and wealth (not to mention his kids). Through this storm he learned that we will not always have an answer to the question "Why?" on this side of eternity. I could keep going, but I think you get the point. Whether God brings about the storm himself or simply allows the storm to occur, there is purpose in the storm and every storm teaches us something. 

2. To test them 

The storms we experience not only teach us something, they also test our faith. I believe Jesus stayed asleep during the storm so he could test the disciples faith. This was an opportunity to respond fear-full or faith-filled. And unfortunately, the disciples failed this test miserably. They cried out to Jesus in fear, saying "We're going to drown!" Did you know that Jesus measures our spiritual maturity in part by how we respond when we're in a storm? When we respond in fear we show our lack of faith. When we respond in faith, we show God that we trust him, which pleases God very much (Hebrews 11:6). 

Have you ever felt like Jesus was asleep during your storm? It might seem that way, but nothing could be further from the truth. He is trying to teach you something and he is testing your faith. 

Grace: A Higher Standard Than Law

Living in the New Testament era of grace isn’t an excuse to ignore or drop below the standard of the tithe set in the Old Testament era of law. You see, when Jesus taught on the Old Testament law he always took the baseline standard the law set and raised it. He never lowered it. Here’s just two quick examples. In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus said: Never mind murder! Don’t even be angry with someone! And in Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus said: Forget adultery! I’m telling you don’t even lust! In both these instances Jesus took the base line standard set by the law and raised the bar. So According to Jesus, God set the foundation of the law for us to build on, not shrink back from. We’re to move forward in our giving, not backwards. We’re to look at the example set in the law of the tithe and raise the bar, not lower it.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - Do those of us who live in the New Testament era of grace have to give exactly 10%. NO!!! We are free to give MORE! You can give 12%, 15%, 20% or more if you want. I know some pastors who give 90% and live off only 10%. Living in the era of grace is an invitation to live at an even higher standard than the law, not a lower one. That’s why Kristin and I give 15% of our income to the Lord’s work. We give our tithe, which is 10%, then we give another 5% as an offering, above and beyond the tithe. Like Jesus taught, we’ve taken the baseline standard of the law (the tithe) and built on it. 

A Tithe vs An Offering

There was at least three differences between a tithe and an offering for an Old Testament Israelite...

1. The tithe was 10%. The offering was any amount given above and beyond the tithe. Here’s an example...In the book of Ezra, when the Temple needed to be rebuilt (because it had been destroyed by Israel’s enemies) the Israelites were asked to give freewill offerings (Ezra 1:4,6; 3:5; 7:16; 8:28). These offerings were to be given above and beyond their tithe. 

Application: Returning the tithe is where we start. Once we have the tithe down, we are free to give an offering above and beyond the tithe. If we aren't tithing, we have no business giving an offering. The tithe comes first, then the offering as we're able.

2. The tithe was mandatory, an offering was not (unless God prompted them to give one). When it came to offerings the Israelites could give or not give as they felt led by God, but not so with the tithe. The tithe was required whether they felt like returning it or not. 

Application: We don't have to feel led to return the tithe. We should return it whether we feel like it or not. We give offerings as we feel led, but not so with the tithe.

3. The Israelites could not designate their tithe (i.e. I would like my tithe to go towards missions, or the building fund, or kids church, etc.) The tithe belonged to God so only he could designate its use, and he said the tithe was earmarked for funding the local church. But an offering was different. The offering didn't come out of the 10% that belonged to God, but out of the 90% God let them steward. That belonged to God too, but God allowed some freedom in how it was used. They were free to designate an offering, but not the tithe. 

Application: We're to return the tithe, undesignated, to our local church. God has already designated the tithe to meet the basic needs of the local church (i.e. The tithe funds the various programs of the local church, and provides for the pastors who lead the church spiritually and minister to the needs of the people).

Note: They Israelites were never to take their tithe and use it as an offering. For example, when the Israelites were asked in the book of Ezra to give free will offerings to help rebuild the Temple, that was not an invitation to start using their tithes to do it. They were to tithe first, then give a free will offering, as they felt led, above and beyond the tithe. 

Application: We want you to give to our missions fund, our building fund, our New Day Ministry Endowment Fund and our annual Special Christmas Offering. But not if you can't do so above and beyond the tithe. You tithe first, then give an offering above and beyond the tithe as you're able to do so. 

5 Objections to Tithing & 5 Biblical Responses

Even though the Old Testament gives us the pattern and example of tithing and even though Jesus affirms the practice of tithing in the New Testament, The average American Christian gives away only 2.5% of their income. 30-50% give nothing at all, but for those who do the average is 2.5%. Why do so few tithe? Here’s four common objections and four biblical responses. 

Objection #1: Tithing is legalistic!
Biblical response: Legalism is trying to earn your salvation by keeping the law. Legalism is NOT following the clear example set in the Old Testament that 1 Corinthians 10:11 says we should follow. Therefore, tithing is obedience, not legalism.

Objection #2: We don't have to give exactly 10%!
Biblical response: When the Bible talks about a tithe, in every single case it means “a tenth part” or 10%. And in regards to that tenth part God says in Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe...” The fact that the average American Christian gives away only 2.5% of their income shows the problem is not that we're being too rigid about the tithe, rather too flexible.

Note: While we aren’t free to give less than 10%, we are free to give more. You see, when Jesus taught on the Old Testament law he always took the baseline standard the law set and raised it. He never lowered it. Here’s just two quick examples. In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus said: Never mind murder! Don’t even be angry with someone! And in Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus said: Forget adultery! I’m telling you don’t even lust! In both these instances Jesus took the base line standard set by the law and raised the bar. So According to Jesus, God set the foundation of the law for us to build on, not shrink back from. We’re to move forward in our giving, not backwards. We’re to look at the example set in the law of the tithe and raise the bar, not lower it. That’s why Kristin and I give 15% of our income to the Lord’s work. We give our tithe, which is 10%, then we give another 5% as an offering to missions. Like Jesus taught, we’ve taken the baseline standard of the law (the tithe) and built on it (by giving offerings above and beyond the tithe). 

Objection #3: I will start tithing when I make more!
Biblical response: According to Jesus in Luke 16:10 only those who have been faithful with little will be faithful with much. As John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest men in history once said "I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week.”

Objection #4: The Old Testament teaches to sacrifice animals and not to eat shrimp. Why should we follow the Old Testament teaching on tithing but not the ceremonial laws on sacrifice or the dietary laws about not eating shrimp?!
Biblical response: There are certain laws in the Old Testament that are repealed in the New Testament. They still have teaching value, but we don't have to practice them because they've been repealed. Other laws in the Old Testament have been repeated. The laws that have been specifically repealed are no longer binding, but the ones repeated are. The system of animal sacrifice was repealed according to Hebrews chapter 8, as were the dietary laws according to Acts chapter 15. The tithe on the other hand wasn't repealed, it was repeated (Matthew 23:23) and therefore is still binding.

Objection #5: We live in the era of grace, not law! 

Biblical response: Living in the era of grace isn’t an excuse to ignore or drop below the standard of the tithe set in the Old Testament. You see, when Jesus taught on the Old Testament law he always took the baseline standard the law set and raised it. He never lowered it. Here’s just two quick examples. In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus said: Never mind murder! Don’t even be angry with someone! And in Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus said: Forget adultery! I’m telling you don’t even lust! In both these instances Jesus took the base line standard set by the law and raised the bar. So According to Jesus, God set the foundation of the law for us to build on, not shrink back from. We’re to move forward in our giving, not backwards. We’re to look at the example set in the law of the tithe and raise the bar, not lower it.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - Do we have to give exactly 10%. NO!!! We are free to give MORE! You can give 12%, 15%, 20% or more if you want. I know some pastors who give 90% and live off only 10%. Living in the era of grace is an invitation to live at an even higher standard than the law, not a lower one. That’s why Kristin and I give 15% of our income to the Lord’s work. We give our tithe, which is 10%, then we give another 5% as an offering to missions. Like Jesus taught, we’ve taken the baseline standard of the law (the tithe) and built on it.

I'd like to encourage you today to stop objecting to the tithe and starting observing it. God promises to bless us when we do! (Malachi 3:10)

7 Laws of Financial Fitness, Part 2

Today we kicked off a new teaching series at New Day called FINANCIAL FITNESS by studying Matthew 25:13-30, The Parable of the Talents. In this story we find a wealthy business owner entrusting his wealth to three of his servants. He then goes away for a long time. When he finally returns he calls his servants together and says "Ok. What'd you do with my money while I was gone?" Two of the servants give a good report while one gave a bad report. Jesus then draws some spiritual truths from the story for us to apply to our lives. It's from this story we learn the seven laws of financial fitness. In this post I'll share laws 4-7. To read laws 1-3 click here.

4. The law of Utilization says: I must wisely use God's money (vv.26-27). The master clearly gave his servants the money to use, not to do nothing with. The money was a means to an end. The end was getting a return. In the same way God gives us money as a tool to be used for a purpose. We're not to do nothing with it. The money God entrusts to us is a means to an end. God's desire is that people come to know his Son Jesus (2 Peter 3:9). As people give of their tithes and offerings to their local church, the work of God is funded. In these verses the master calls the servant who did nothing with what he had "wicked and lazy". Most of us, when we think of wicked people think of murderers, rapists, pedofiles, those who participate in sex trafficking or forced slavery, not those who mismanage their money. But God is using strong language to make a point. It's a serious thing to do nothing for God's kindgom with what God has blessed you with. God says it's wicked to mismanage  misuse or abuse that which he's entrusted to you care.

5. The law of Motivation says: I must move against my fears (v.25). Why did the servant who was given only one talent do nothing with what he was given? Verse 25 tells us because he was afraid. And that's the same reason some people today don't give today. They are afraid that if they give some of what they have to God's work they won't have enough left for themselves. But it's not just fear, it's actually a lack of faith. God has told us in Malachi 3:8-11 that 90% blessed is more than 100% cursed. Yet we're afraid God won't make good on that promise, so we don't give. But if we're to become good stewards we have to make an intentional decision to move against our fears. We have to trust God by stepping out in faith.

6. The law of Application says: If I don't use it I lose it (vv.28-29). The servant who did nothing with what he was given had the little he was given taken away. Who got it? The one who did a good job with what he was given. The Bible teaches that those who do well with what they are given will be given even more. But to those who do nothing with what they have, even the little they have will be taken away. If we don't use what God has give us for God's purposes...If we mistakenly think all we've been given is for our selfish consumption...then God has the right to take away anything that we don't use to invest for him. Why? Because of law one - it all belongs to God!

7. The law of Compensation says: God will reward me for good money management (vv.21,23). If I don't use it, I lose it. But if I do use it and use it for the right purpose, God will reward me by giving me even more. There are three rewards described in these verses. First is the reward of affirmation (well done good and faithful servant). Second is the reward of promotion (you have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things). Third is the reward of celebration (come and share your master’s happiness).

If you want the good rewards, the good roles and the good responsibilities in God's kingdom, it begins with learning and applying the seven laws of financial fitness.

1. The law of Possession: Everything I have belongs to God 
2. The law of Allocation: God has loaned me money 
3. The law of Accountability: One day God will audit me 
4. The law of Utilization: I must wisely use God’s money 
5. The law of Motivation: I must move against my fears 
6. The law of Application: If I don’t use it, I lose it
7. The law of Compensation: God will reward me for good money management 

7 Laws of Financial Fitness, Part 1

Today we kicked off a new teaching series at New Day called FINANCIAL FITNESS by studying Matthew 25:13-30, The Parable of the Talents. In this story we find a wealthy business owner entrusting his wealth to three of his servants. He then goes away for a long time. When he finally returns he calls his servants together and says "Ok. What'd you do with my money while I was gone?" Two of the servants give a good report while one gave a bad report. Jesus then draws some spiritual truths from the story for us to apply to our lives. It's from this story we learn the seven laws of financial fitness. In this post I'll share laws 1-3.

1. The law of Possession says: everything I have belongs to God (v.14). In this story the master represents God and the servants represent us. This means we are stewards, not owners of all God has given to us. What we think we own is actually on loan. If we're going to become healthy in the area of personal finances, it begins with viewing ourselves with the right perspective (as stewards, not owners). We can't make the mistake of thinking that because it's been on loan for a while that it now belongs to us. It doesn't. Everything I have belongs to God. And he expects me to invest some of what I have in his kingdom to see the return of a harvest of souls.

2. The law of Allocation says: God has loaned me money (v.25:15). Each servant was entrusted with a different amount of money. One got a lot. One got a little. One got somewhere in between. But here's the point: Everybody got something! And the same is true with us. Some have a little. Some have a lot. Some have somewhere in between. But God has given each of us something. We aren't responsible for what we don't have, only for what we do. And though we have no say in what we get or how much we get (God determines that), we do have a say in how we use what we're given. Both the guy with two talents and the guy with five talents invested the money and in time doubled it (vv.16-17). But the guy with one talent buried his money in the ground - nothing ventured, nothing gained (v.18). Likewise, we have a choice regarding what we do with that which we've been entrusted with. We can spend it, waste it, invest it, hoard it, give it away, use is wisely, use it foolishly, use it for good, or use it for evil. We can spend it all on ourselves or return some of it to God by investing it in His kingdom. The choice is ours, but we must remember, one day we'll have to explain why we did what we did. This leads us to our next law.

3. The law of Accountability says: One day God will audit me (v.19). On day, each of us will experience a life audit - not by the I-R-S but by the G-O-D. Each servant got to choose how he spent the money, but then each servant had to give an account for what he did with it. This is how it will work with us too. As Romans 14:12 says "Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." To the two servants who gave a good report the master said "Well done good and faithful servant" (vv.20-23). The master called the one servant who didn't do anything with what he had been given a "wicked and lazy servant" (vv.24-25). Similarly, those who invest some of what they have in God's kingdom will hear "Well done good and faithful servant". Those who foolishly spend all they have on themselves while neglecting the needs of God's kingdom will hear "You wicked and lazy servant."

To learn laws 4-7 click here. 

Learning to Trust God

One of the challenges of the Christian life is learning to trust God. And nothing teaches us better to put our trust and faith in God than being between a rock and a hard place. 

Last November I found myself in just such a spot. From November 2011 to November 2012 New Day grew by almost 200 people and though I needed to hire more full-time staff we didn't have the finances to do so. Imagine a restaurant owner increasing his customer base by 200 people a week but not having the money to hire more cooks and wait staff. That's something like the situation I was in. During that time, I wrote a blog called “Fertile Soil for a Miracle”, because as I’ve followed God and read my Bible I’ve learned that He specializes in impossible situations. In that post I wrote “...I'd be overwhelmed and stressed out if I thought New Day was my church, but I'm under no such disillusion. Our church belongs to Jesus and this is his problem to solve. And I'm so excited to see how He's going to do it...Circumstances such as these are fertile soil for a miracle!!!” 

Since there was no provision to my left or my right, in front of me or behind me I looked UP and put my trust in God. At about the same time I wrote the blog God led me to begin considering the question "What would I do with $100,000?" That is, if someone blessed New Day with $100,000 what would I do with it? I wrote the question down in the notes section of my iPhone. Well wouldn't you know that only three weeks after writing the blog, someone who knew nothing of our staffing needs walked into my office and handed me a check for nearly $150,000!!! I've learned that it's between a rock and hard that we learn to trust in God. Now, it might not always be fun to wait on God's provision, but it sure is fun once he provides!!! 

In Exodus 14 we find Moses and the Israelites between their own rock and hard place. Let me paint the picture...God has just used ten plagues to convince Pharaoh to let his people go so the Israelites are heading out of Egypt toward the Promised Land. As they approach the Red Sea Pharaoh changes his mind and sends the whole Egyptian army after them. The Israelites find themselves trapped. On their right and left are impossible to climb mountains, in front of them is an impossible to cross Red Sea and behind them is an impossible to defeat Egyptian army. Talk about being between a rock and hard place! 

Since there was no provision to the right or left, in front or behind, the Israelites looked UP and cried out to God. But as the Egyptian army drew nearer they stopped trusting in God and started yelling at Moses. The Bible tells us in Exodus 14:13 that "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” And that's exactly what happened. As a result the Bible records in Exodus 14:31, "...when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him..." It was between a rock and hard place Moses and the Israelites learned to trust in God. And the same is true for us! 

Maybe you find yourself today between a rock and a hard place in your finances, or at work, or in your marriage, or with your kids...Though the circumstances may vary from person to person, they all serve the same purpose: to teach us to put our trust in God. So the next time you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, remember this: It's not to ruin you, but to refine you. Not to punish you, but to prepare you for the glorious future he has for you!! 

Sin Destroys Destinies

Here is no doubt one of the more confusing passages of Scripture:

Exodus 4:24-26, At a lodging place on the way [to Egypt from Midian], the Lord met [or confronted] Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah [Moses' wife] took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)

Don't worry if you were uncomfortable reading that! I was uncomfortable writing it! It's so bizarre! But while this passage may initially strike us as peculiar, it becomes profound as we unveil the meaning behind it. 

In this passage God confronts Moses over a private area of sin Moses hadn't yet dealt with. This secret sin threatened to destroy his destiny and his very life (for sin always leads to death, Romans 6:23). You see, in Genesis 17:14 God instructed the descendants of Abraham, “Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” Circumcision was that external symbol that the Israelites were set apart for God's purposes, and though failure to obey was punishable by death, Moses disobeyed God in this area of his life. So God steps in and confronts Moses. It's as if God said to Moses, "Moses, you won't advance any further in My will until you deal with this. Get right or get left. Turn from your sin or miss out on My destiny for your life." 

Now look what happens when Moses finally obeys...when through Zipporah he fulfills the Abrahamic covenant requirement of circumcision. The Bible records "So the Lord let him alone." You see, when Zipporah touched Moses' feet with her son's foreskin, God counted it as a symbolic act of substitution, in which obedience was seen as replacing disobedience. As a result, God stepped off the path that prevented Moses from traveling any further in God's will. God hit the pause button on Moses' destiny but when Moses righted his wrong, God hit play once again. 

Do you feel like God has pressed the pause button on his plans for your life? Is there anything in your life that God calls sinful that you're trying to hide, ignore or justify? God doesn't want us to do any of those things. God wants us to deal with our sin, as Moses did, replacing disobedience with obedience. 

When we do, we invite God to un-pause his plans for our lives! 

Overcoming Insecurity

From the life of Moses we learn that: When God calls us into his service, our insecurities rise to the surface. His insecurities almost prevented him from stepping into his God-given destiny (to deliver the nation of Israel from their slavery in Egypt). Here's a sampling of insecurities that rose to the surface when God called Moses into his service...

Insecurity #1: I'm afraid (Exodus 3:4-6).

Insecurity #2: I can't do that (Exodus 3:7-10).

Insecurity #3: I'm nobody (Exodus 3:11).

Insecurity #4: I don't have all the answers (Exodus 3:13)

Insecurity #5: I lack the ability (Exodus 3:18, Exodus 4:1)

I can sympathize with Moses! When God called me to start New Day my insecurities rose to the surface. When God called Kristin to home educate our children, her insecurities did the same. You see: When God calls us into his service, our insecurities rise to the surface. And if we're not careful our insecurities can prevent us from stepping into God's plans for our lives.

So how did Moses overcome his insecurities? God told Moses in Exodus 3:12, “...I will be with you...” and in Exodus 4:12, “...I will help you...” Once Moses took to heart these two truths, he was willing to step into his God-given destiny. And how Moses overcame his insecurities is exactly how you and I overcome ours. When we realize that God is with us and that God will help us, we'll find the courage to say "yes" to God's plans for our lives.

We don't have to let fear stop us. We don't have to be somebody to be used by God. God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. We don't have to have all the answers to begin. As we move in the direction God is leading, further revelation will be given as needed. We don't need to worry about lacking the abilities needed to get the job done. God equips the called; He doesn't call the equipped. All we need to overcome our insecurities and step into God's plans for our lives is to remember that God is with us and God will help us! 

Called or Invited?

I think a very important question worth taking some time to answer is: As Christians, are we called by God to serve or invited? Let me explain...

If God invites us to serve then "yes" or "no" are equally acceptable answers. But if God calls us to serve, if it's more a command than an invitation, then a "yes" equals obedience and "no" disobedience. Since so many Christians show by their actions they believe we're invited and not called, I think it's worth the time to answer this question biblically.

Let's first look at the passage I was originally reading that made me ask the question we're now trying to answer. In Exodus 3:10 God says to Moses, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." Notice the command "...go." This is not a suggestion. There's only one answer here that is pleasing to God. A "yes" or "no" are not equally acceptable responses. God called Moses to serve. He didn't invite him.

As I thought about this Old Testament example and it's implications ("no" equals disobedience) I wondered what I might find in a New Testament example, and who better to look to than Jesus. In John 13:14-15 he said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Notice again the command. This is not a suggestion. There's only one answer here that is pleasing to God. A "yes" or "no" are not equally acceptable responses. Jesus calls us to serve, making how we respond a matter of obedience or disobedience. A "yes" is not the same as a "no".

I read just this morning, "George Gallup once took a survey and discovered that only ten percent of American church members are active in any kind of personal ministry. He also discovered that 50 percent of all church members have no interest in serving in any ministry. No matter how much a church promotes involvement in lay ministry, half of its members will remain spectators." Clearly there is great confusion in the body of Christ over whether serving is a command or a suggestion!

Listen up New Day...I'm your pastor and I love you so I need to tell you the truth...The Bible teaches if you're not serving, you're sinning. To not serve is to ignore the example set for us in Scripture and disobey a direct command of Jesus. To summarize: Saints serve, sinners don't.

We are in the midst of our bi-annual ministry fair where we've been showcasing the various ministries of our church, the needs we have and how you can get involved. Let me ask you...Have you responded as if Jesus invites us to serve, or have you responded as if Jesus calls us to serve? 

If you'd like to sign up to serve online, just click here. 

Our Highest Authority

Romans 13:1-2 says "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

As Christians we're to submit to the governing authorities. The only exception is when the governing authorities command something God forbids. This is the clear teaching of both the Old and New Testaments.

For an Old Testament example we look to Exodus 1:15-17 where "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, "When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live." And because the midwives feared God more than Pharaoh the Bible records "...God was kind to the midwives..." (Exodus 1:20). God didn't condemn the midwives for disobeying. In this instance, God blessed them for recognizing Him as their Highest Authority.

We see the same thing in the New Testament. The book of Acts makes clear the fact that Scripture must be our highest authority. When Peter was ordered by the rulers of his nation to stop preaching the gospel, he responded: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). As a result God blessed the church and "the word of God spread" (Acts 6:7).

Again, as Christians we're to submit to the governing authorities. The only exception is when the governing authorities command something God forbids. Here's a couple more examples...

• The Bible teaches children to obey the authority of their parents. The only exception is when the parents command something God forbids. 
• The Bible teaches employees to obey the authority of their employer. The only exception is when the employer commands something God forbids. 
• The Bible teaches wives to obey the authority of their husband. The only exception is when the husband commands something God forbids. 

How do I apply this principle practically in my own life? Here's two examples...

• I might not like that since I own less than five acres of land I'm not allowed to have chickens or honey bees on my property (which I personally think would be pretty awesome). But since this town ordinance doesn't require me to break any of the Christian teachings in the Bible, I'm required to submit to it. And I have. As much as I want to, I haven't (and won't) buy any chickens because the Bible says I'm to submit to the governing authorities. 
• I might not like that speed limits are posted that regulate how fast I drive. But since this law doesn't require me to break any of teachings of Scripture, I'm required to submit to it. 

As long as we aren't required to disobey God, we're required biblically to obey the government (and all authorities God has placed over our lives). With that said, if the day comes (and I believe it's on its way) where legislation mandates I disobey a teaching in Scripture, I will have every right to disobey with a clear conscience. As Christians, our highest authority is not the government, but God (and His will as revealed in His Word).

Should a Christian date a non-Christian?

Should a Christian date a non-Christian? This is a question I've received a number of times from people in our church and here is how I answer when asked: 

Let's look to the Bible, because God primarily reveals his will through his word. And as we read the Bible, we discover the best possible way to live our lives. As it relates to a Christian dating someone who isn't a Christian...2 Corinthians 6:14-15 says, "Donʼt team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?" To best understand this New Testament verse, we need to look at an Old Testament one. Deuteronomy 22:10 forbade yoking a donkey and an ox as a work team on the farm. 

In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Paul is borrowing the image from Deuteronomy 22:10 to teach the Corinthians that a Christian and a non-Christians are forbidden to be yoked together, in the same way a donkey and an ox are. Why? Because Christian values and pagan values are not compatible. He doesn't teach that Christians are to avoid all contact with the unsaved (1 Corinthians 5:9-10), but are to avoid close partnerships which involve compromise of Christian standards, practices or goals. 

So to answer the question "Should a Christian date someone who isn't a Christian?" I'd have to answer no, based on what God's word says about it. But I want to encourage you to think beyond right and wrong. I want you think in terms of God's best plan for your life vs some secondary plan not nearly as good. The lifestyle God sets forth in the Bible is the best possible way for you to live your life. It's the "abundant" life Jesus died to give you. So my question is, why would you want to settle for anything less than God's best plan?

Agents of Salvation

I was reading today in Psalm 132:9, "Your priests will be agents of salvation..." That got me thinking about what an agent does. As I thought about it I realized an agent 1) works for someone and 2) offers certain services. For example...

An insurance agent works for an insurance company selling and servicing policies. A real estate agent works for the real estate company assisting a buyer or seller in a real estate transaction. A sports agent works for an agency and helps athletes with contract negotations, finances and public relations issues. 

This begs the question: "Well, what does an agent of salvation do?" Here's my own definition: An agent of salvation works for a non-profit called The Kingdom of God and assists mankind in making his peace with God through the forgiveness of sins Jesus alone can offer. 

Said another way: As Christians, we work for God and the service we provide is helping others make peace with God through Jesus. We use our lives, our influence, our talents and our resources to point others to Jesus. That is, we are agents of salvation! I know Psalm 132:9 says that priests are agents of salvation but 1 Peter 2:9 teaches that every believer is a priest of God! 

If you're a Christian, you know who you work for...

If you're a Christian, you know what services you're supposed to be offering others...

If you haven't been the best agent of salvation as of late, put that behind you. You can't change the past, but you can decide that today you're going to get back on track. Why not say a prayer right now that God would help you to use your life TODAY to point someone to Jesus? Eager to get started? Why not send a friend or family member one of our e-vites (just click here)? 

The Evidence of our Faith

A few weeks ago Andrew and I attended Minister's Retreat in Cape Cod, and one of guest speakers, Mark Batterson (founder and lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC), shared the story of how he was trusting God to provide a drummer when his church first started, some sixteen years ago now. After praying about God providing a drummer, Mark sensed God pointing out to him that the church didn't even own a drum set. Mark reasoned "God, I'll buy a drum set as soon as You provide a drummer." But Mark felt God challenging him, "Mark, you buy a drum set and I'll provide a drummer." Long story short, Mark stepped out in faith and bought a drum set without any ideas regarding who might play them. The first Sunday they had the set, a drummer showed up and inquired about playing the drums. Turns out, he was in a military band and had played for the President of the United States. Mark joked that any drummer that has played for the President automatically qualifies to play for his church!

Shortly after the retreat where Mark spoke, I was told that of all the people that signed up during our recent ministry fair, no one signed up to serve in our audio/visual/lighting department. After hearing Mark's story, my first thought was "Of course no one signed up. We don't even have a chair for them to sit in!" So during staff meeting last week I told my team that if we were believing God to provide people to join our audio/visual/lighting department, we needed to show our faith by purchasing a chair, much like Mark showed his faith by purchasing drums. So Andrew bought an extra stool to put behind the computer table (for the new person we were believing God for). The chair was assembled and put out during set up, even though we had no one to sit in it yet.

No joke - This past Sunday someone walked up to me and said "I have a degree in sound and lighting and would like to start volunteering." I was absolutely blown away! And just today during a meeting I had someone else share with me that her husband is very good with computers and was looking for somewhere in the church to get involved!

What's my point in sharing all this? God responds to faith! Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is being sure of what we hope and certain of what we do not see." If we are believing God for something, there needs to be evidence of our faith. When my wife was believing God to provide a way to go to Valley Forge Christian College, even though this appeared to be a financial impossibility, she went out and bought towels (a small token of her faith that God would provide a way). God did provide a way, and within weeks she was enrolled and living on campus!

Is there anything in your life you are currently trusting God for? Is God witnessing any evidence of your faith? And if not, what does faith look like in your situation? How can you step out and show your faith in God? I believe with all my heart that if you're believing for something that honors God, and you'll step out in faith, you'll see the miraculous provision of God in your life!

When Will the Rapture Take Place?

The short answer to the question "When will the Rapture take place?" is: Before the Great Tribulation. 

How do we know the Rapture of the Church takes place prior to the start of the Great Tribulation - that period in history Revelation 6-19 speaks of where God pours out his wrath against sinful man? Let me give you three reasons: 

1. The church is in heaven singing God’s praises before the Great Tribulation begins. 

The Great Tribulation begins with the breaking of the first seal in Revelation 6, yet in Revelation chapter 5 we see the church singing God's praises before the first seal is broken. 

Look at Revelation 5 with me, starting in v.9

Revelation 5:9-10, And they (this is a group of people - not angelic beings) sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth." NKJV 

Look at that song. Look at the lyrics of that song (you have redeemed us to God by Your blood). Who can sing this to Jesus? Only the church can sing that song. 

• The nation of Israel can’t sing that song - they’re not redeemed from all the nations. 
• The angels can’t sing that song - they aren’t redeemed (Jesus redeemed humans, not angels). 
• This song is sung by the church, in heaven, before the first seal, which initiates the Great Tribulation period upon the earth, is even opened (that happens in Revelation chapter 6)
• The Bible teaches the church will not go through the Tribulation. 

The second reason we know the church won’t go through the Great Tribulation is...

2. The events of Revelation chapter five take place after the church age is over. 

The church has completed its ministry on the earth by Revelation chapter three. When Revelation 4:1 begins with "After these things..." that means that everything from Revelation 4:1 onward are future events. They haven't happened as of 9/9/12. 

Jesus told the apostle John in Revelation 1:19, Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. NIV This verse is the key to properly understanding the book of Revelation. It’s the table of contents of the book. Jesus tells John to write down...

“what you have seen” which refers to the vision John had of Jesus in Revelation 1 

“what is now” which refers to the church age in Revelation 2-3 

“what will take place later” which refers to events that will transpire after the church has finished its mission on the earth and has been removed. 

Again - Revelation chapter four begins with the phrase “after these things” to which we need to ask “After what things?” After the things of the church are completed. Beginning with Revelation 4:1 we are dealing with things that are future - things which have not yet taken place but will take place after the church’s work is finished on the earth. 

The third reason we believe the church will be spared from the Great Tribulation is...

3. The Bible clearly teaches that God’s children will be spared from the Great Tribulation. 

In Revelation 3:10 Jesus says to us who live in the church age, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. NIV The trial that is going to come on the whole world is a reference to the Great Tribulation, and Jesus here says “I will...keep you from the hour of trial” that’s coming. 

All this to say - we who believe in Jesus will be raptured (or snatched away) prior to God pouring out his wrath against sinful man on the earth in the seven year period known as the Great Tribulation. Followers of Christ who are raptured will be spared the trauma of death and the coming disasters that will occur when the Tribulation breaks out on the earth. As the Scriptures state...

I Thessalonians 5:9, For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV 

Romans 5:9, Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 

• In Exodus 10 God’s wrath was poured out on the Egyptians, but not the Israelites 
• In Genesis 6-7 God’s wrath was poured out on sinful man (those who rejected God), not Noah and his family 
• In Genesis 18-19 Lot was taken away before God’s wrath was poured out on Sodom and Gomorrah

In the same way - during the Great Tribulation God will pour out his wrath on the world (who is in rebellion against him), not on the church (we’ll have been taken up to heaven by then). Yes, as Christians we will have “light and momentary troubles” (2 Corinthians 4:17) but we don’t experience God’s wrath against sin. Jesus already experienced that for us - thank you Jesus! 

Christians are told repeatedly in the New Testament to be watchful for the Lord’s appearing (for the rapture). Never are they taught to watch for the Great Tribulation or the appearance of Antichrist. Believers are told to wait “for his Son from heaven,” not the Great Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 1:10). When the signs of the end of the age are evident, we are to look up and lift up our heads in expectation of our redemption, not the Great Tribulation (Luke 21:28). Why? Because we won’t be here! (thank God!) 

Is the Word "Rapture" in the Bible?

Some object to the idea of the Rapture because they argue “the word Rapture is not even in the Bible” but that’s not necessarily true. It just depends on what translation you are reading. 

The New Testament was written in Greek and the word Rapture comes from the Greek word harpazo found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The word harpazo in Latin is translated “Rapture”. The word harpazo in English is translated “caught up”. But both words mean the same thing. The bottom line is: whatever you call the event, it’s biblical! 

If that's not clear, maybe this keynote slide will help. 

The Distraction Technique

Today I want to pass along something I learned from pastor and author Joe Dallas on resisting temptation. The distraction technique helps you resist the many visual triggers we all experience every day.

For an alcoholic, this might be a Budweiser commercial on TV, or a billboard advertisement on the highway. For a shopoholic this might be storefront windows at the mall or the QVC channel. Or for someone struggling with a sexual addiction, visual triggers are everywhere.

Regardless of what your specific addiction is, suffice it to say there are endless supply of visual triggers that are designed to entice you (to tempt you), but implementing the distraction technique can help. It’s a simple three-part exercise: shift, breathe, recite (and it will help you build some resisting muscle so you can be strong against temptation).

1. Shift

Our goal is to reduce the triggers in the environments we have control over. But there will be times where we don’t have control over the environment and where we’ll experience triggers, even if we aren’t looking for them. These are opportunities to exercise and workout our resisting muscles. And we do that when we choose to shift our attention and focus quickly on to something other than what is tempting us.

Some of you might push back - what’s the big deal about looking? I thought the rule was “look but don’t touch”? I would reply that looking leads to touching! The Bible calls a second look “entertainment” and teaches that it leads to “indulgence”. Take King David of the Old Testament for example.

2 Samuel 11:1-5, In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army...But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba...the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her... 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” (NIV)

Enticement - David saw a beautiful woman bathing

Entertainment - David sent someone to find out about her

Indulgence - David slept with her

Now, according to Scripture at what stage did David lose the battle? The entertainment stage, right? It’s not a sin to be enticed. And as much as we may try to minimize our enticements, we can never fully avoid them. But the line was crossed when he took that second look, when he began entertaining sleeping with her even though she was not his wife. That had to be an idea in his head before it became a reality in his life. The Bible teaches that entertainment leads to indulgence.

SO THE KEY is to stop temptation at the enticement stage by SHIFTING our attention quickly to something else before we begin to entertain the enticement.

So when you’re hit with a visual trigger, you have to shift visual gears, by refocusing your eyes immediately to something safe. When you do this you are mentally changing the channel. If you’re watching TV and your kids are in the room and something scary comes on, you change the channel quickly, right? Why? Because you want to quickly divert their attention to something else before what they see begins to negatively affect them. Similarly, when we encounter a visual trigger, we want to quickly divert our attention to something else, before the trigger begins to negatively effect us (and before we’re so enticed we begin to entertain). Temptation acts like one of those blood pressure cuffs the nurse uses to check your blood pressure. With every squeeze the grip tightens, right? Similarly, every second you continue looking at whatever is tempting you, temptation's grip tightens. As you know from getting your blood pressure taken, it doesn’t take long for the grip to get real tight.

Jesus alluded to the power of our eyes in Luke 11:34 when he said, “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.” The principle here is that: what you focus on has more impact than you’ve probably realized. This is especially true regarding temptation. You have to look away quickly before you’re unable to break free from temptations grip.

And that’s what “shifting” is all about.

2. Breathe

Isn’t it true that breathing can actually help us regain control? If your kid is crying and can’t be consoled, what do you tell them? Take a deep breath, right? If you’re so angry you're ready to punch someone in the face, a good friend might try to calm you down saying “hey, take a couple deep breaths”. If you've been in a car accident and are frantic and the paramedics arrive, they will instruct you to sit down and take a couple deep breaths. God designed our bodies in a way where breathing can help us regain control. And we should take advantage of this fact when battling our addictions.

3. Recite

The best way to battle temptation is to do it the same way Jesus did. When tempted Jesus fought temptation with Scripture.

While there are a number of verses that could be specifically applied to your specific temptation, let me share a good general verse you could recite when tempted, regardless of what the temptation may be. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Recite this verse to remind yourself that your temptation doesn’t have to take you because God will always show you a way out.

I want to encourage you to start practicing this technique the next time anything in your environment tempts you. Shift your focus, take a couple deep breaths to regain control and recite some appropriate Scriptures. Every time you do, you are exercising your resisting muscles and strengthening your ability to say no to sin, and yes to God.

Where the Battle is Won

Sin is cyclical (it happens in cycles, in predictable patterns).
First comes enticement - you’re tempted by something that’s appealing to you, and you decide whether or not to entertain the temptation (i.e. you struggle with a food addiction and suddenly and unexpectedly out of nowhere a chocolate glazed donut appears in the break room at work. You immediately begin salivating. You also immediately remember that you are now trying to resist foods like this. Will you resist or indulge? This is the enticement stage). And this is what the apostle James was writing about when he said in James 1:14 “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed...”

Second comes entertainment - you entertain the temptation (i.e. you take a second look at the donut, you smell it, you imagine what it would be like to eat it, you flirt with it by sitting next to it at staff meeting all the while telling yourself you’re not going to actually eat it) The apostle James also spoke of this stage when he said in James 1:15 “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin...”

Finally comes the indulgence stage - you give in by acting on the temptation (i.e. you grab that donut and stuff the whole thing in your mouth all at once. then go in search for more.) The apostle James speaks of this stage too in the second part of James 1:15 saying “and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

The battle against temptation is won at the enticement stage. It is not a sin to be enticed (to be tempted), but the Bible is clear: entertainment leads to indulgence (when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin). Knowing exactly where the battle is won or lost helps us know where to concentrate our efforts.

For tips on how to win at the enticement stage, check out my post The Distraction Technique.

Feast When You Fast

What do you do when fasting? The short answer is: you feast on God. When feeding you feast on food and when fasting you feast on God.

Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, "People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." 

Jesus taught there is both physical and spiritual nutrition, and his followers must have both. As humans we need food, and when we eat some it provides us with physical nourishment. As Christians we need fellowship with God, through Bible reading and prayer, and when we have some it provides us with spiritual nourishment. 

Jesus didn't say "If you fast" rather "WHEN you fast" (Matthew 6:16). It's assumed. If fasting isn't a spiritual discipline you are currently practicing, why not start incorporating fasting into your weekly routine? Start with one meal and work your way up from there. 

To Be With Jesus

I recently read a book called In Search of Timothy: Discovering and Developing Greatness in Church Staff and Volunteers by Tony Cooke. I want to share an excerpt from chapter four.

Many times people get so heavily involved in church work that they forget that the pre-eminent issue in life is having a personal relationship with Jesus. After commending the Ephesian church for certain positive traits, Jesus told them, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev 2:4). But ministry work is not a substitute for a vibrant relationship with the Lord.

Mark 3:14-15 says, “He [Jesus] appointed twelve [the 12 apostles] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”

This verse shows us that Jesus’ initial and top priority for the disciples was not for them to preach, but “that they might be with Him.” Jesus was not interested merely in the disciples' ministry productivity; He was deeply interested in their personal development and transformation of character. Furthermore, it was the disciples' character (formed and fashioned through their interaction with Jesus) that enabled them to truly be productive in ministry. How can we accurately represent Jesus if we don't know Him?

Some people, in the process of becoming great church leaders, become lousy Christians.

Let's never let this be true of our staff and volunteers at New Day. Let's never let the work of the Lord, get in the way of the relationship between us and the Lord we are working for.