The Powerful Habit Every Christian Needs

 

“We can’t starve ourselves spiritually and still expect to grow in the likeness of Christ. All the facets of Scripture – all its rich benefits and blessings – are not available to those who fail or refuse to open it and study.” John MacArthur

 
Los Angeles Dodgers manager, Tommy Lasorda, once described his battle with bad habits: “I took a pack of cigarettes from my pocket, stared at it and said, ‘Who's stronger, you or me?’ The answer was me. I stopped smoking. Then I took a vodka martini and said to it, ‘Who's stronger, you or me?’ Again, the answer was me. I quit drinking. Then I went on a diet. I looked at a big plate of linguine with clam sauce and said, ‘Who's stronger, you or me?’ And a little clam looked up at me and answered, ‘I am.’ I can't beat linguine.”
  Any new routine takes time to develop a habit and to find a rhythm that works for you. Reading and studying the Bible is the same. Like starting an exercise routine, changing your diet, or spending more quality time with your spouse or family, you must plan. Without a plan it’s just a dream. Here are some questions that you’ll need to work through:
  When will I read the Bible? Look at your schedule and determine when a practical time is each day to meet with the Lord. Don’t be surprised if it varies a bit each day, too. Make it a daily appointment. Very few of us would miss it if we had a breakfast appointment with a best friend, so make your time with the Lord Jesus like that…a daily appointment.
  It doesn’t matter if it’s after work, before bed, in the morning, or on a lunch break. What’s vital is that you have a set time. None of this, “Oh I’ll do it in the morning, but if I’m too tired, I’ll do it before bed.” That’s not how you change habits. You can’t create backup a plan. You need to hold yourself to a planned time, and do it every day, over and over again.
  Where will I have my quiet time? Will you sit at your kitchen table or in that big comfy chair that you love to meet with God? Knowing this helps me gather my supplies and have my quiet time materials ready the night before. I have mine on the couch in our living room and have a prayer list and gratitude journal there along with my Bible. Having it in the same place each day cuts down on distractions. I’m not as easily distracted with a new place because having it at the same place has made all familiar.
  How long should I read the Bible and pray? Reading the Bible is like starting an exercise program. You start small and are successful, and then increase from there. So, a half chapter in one of the Gospels is better than attempting to read an entire book of the Bible in one sitting. Like exercise, it’s daily consistency that makes the difference. Exercising for several hours one day a week won’t help you get in shape. If you’re a parent with children at home, you’ll probably want to meet with the Lord before the rest of the family is up and moving around.
  Unless they’re very young, it can be an opportunity to teach your children a life skill they’ll need the rest of their lives – boundaries. Everyone needs privacy and for others to respect it. Ask them not to disturb you when you’re having your time with the Lord. You might encourage them to have their own quiet time while you’re having yours. 10 or 15 minutes is a great start. If you’re not a reader, then listen to God’s Word using a Bible app.
  I need to make a plan. Have you ever woken up, grabbed your Bible, then just flipped to a random book and started reading? A few weeks later you come back and do the same thing again. By now you’ve read the first chapter of about 5 epistles, random stuff from the book of Judges, a few of Jesus’ parables, and been through the 23rd Psalm 18 times.
  The Bible and its books have a story line. During the month of November, I read the Gospel of John at the pace of two chapters a day, so I was able to read John’s Gospel twice. In December I’m reading the book of Isaiah. Because it has 66 chapters, I’ll try to read four chapters each day so I can go through the whole book twice. I chose to read Isaiah because it has so much prophetic material about the coming Messiah and helps prepare my heart for Christmas. That’s my current plan yet I periodically change it up.
  December might be a great month for you to read one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John). With the exception of Mark, each one has the account of Christ’s first coming and His Incarnation.
  It doesn’t matter how much. Consistency is the key. The One Year Bible is a great start, yet might be too much for you, so take two or three years to read it through. It’s difficult to develop consistency without a plan. If each time you read your Bible, you must think about what you’re going to read, it’s easier to procrastinate. It also keeps you from seeing the context.
  I must prepare my heart. Before I open my Bible, I ask the Lord to open my eyes and reveal Himself to me through His Word and to guide my study time. I ask Him to give me wisdom as I seek Him. I usually begin by thanking Him for loving me, for giving Jesus for all my sins and always being with me. If there’s sin that the Spirit makes me aware of, I claim the promise of 1 John 1:9 and confess it. Or, if I see a truth that He reveals to me in my reading where I need to grow (and there are lots of them), I pray and ask Him to help me make those truths from His Word part of my life.
  Where do I start? Many who want to start reading the Bible begin with Genesis. A benefit for reading the Bible all the way through is that you get a full picture of the depravity of mankind and how desperate each one of us is for a Savior. Yet, a drawback to reading the Bible from start to finish is that the Old Testament can be intimidating with its long list of genealogies. Many find themselves confused and give it all up before Moses parts the Red Sea in Exodus!
  Beginning in the books of the New Testament are a great way to explore Jesus’ life, His sacrifice, and what His free gift of grace means to all mankind. Maybe start with one of the Gospels: Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John, which outline and describe the life of Jesus. It’s a powerful way to walk in Jesus’ shoes and grasp the full picture of His sacrifice.
  Maybe you’re naturally a nice person…I’m not. Some years ago, Christian author, Patsy Clairmont, wrote a book entitled, Sportin' a 'Tude. Without my time with the Lord Jesus each day, I’m easily “sportin’ a tude.” I need Him every moment to change my heart. For me it begins with a spiritual appointment with my Heavenly Father before I start my day!

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

Love Letters

 

“A real love letter is made of insight, understanding, and compassion. Otherwise it's not a love letter. A true love letter can produce a transformation in the other person, and therefore in the world. But before it produces a transformation in the other person, it has to produce a transformation within us.” Thich Nhat Hanh 

Have you ever read the love letters of famous people? Some of them are wonderful. Mark Twain wrote this letter to his future wife, Olivia Langdon: 

  Out of the depths of my happy heart wells a great tide of love and prayer for this priceless treasure that is confined to my life-long keeping. You cannot see its intangible waves as they flow towards you, darling, but in these lines you will hear, as it were, the distant beating of the surf.”

   Johnny Cash wrote this very honest love letter to his wife, June Carter Cash: “Happy Birthday Princess, We get old and get used to each other. We think alike. We read each others minds. We know what the other wants without asking. Sometimes we irritate each other a little bit. Maybe sometimes take each other for granted. But once in awhile, like today, I meditate on it and realize how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met. You still fascinate and inspire me. You influence me for the better. You're the object of my desire, the #1 Earthly reason for my existence. I love you very much. Happy Birthday Princess. John”

  This past Christmas season Jane and I watched a movie, Christmas Oranges. In it the father and his daughter were estranged. She wanted to rebuild the relationship but feared her Dad might not read her letters, so she mailed them to his brother to give to her Dad at a time when he felt that they’d be accepted. For some reason the brother just kept them, never sharing them. But when the letters were finally shared, the transformation in the relationship was miraculous.   

  The Bible is God’s love letter to us. Yet, it’s shocking how many Christians rarely or never read it. It’s like having a love letter locked away in a box. A love letter that’s never been read is heartbreaking.

  Maybe you started out the new year committed to faithfully reading your Bible every day but you’ve quit. Today is a new day. Every great habit has to simply start. Here are some suggestions to help you make reading God’s love letter a part of your daily life.

  Choose a Bible version that’s understandable and easy to read. There are very few people who regularly read Shakespeare. The language is archaic and difficult to understand. For most, it’s too much effort.

  The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. We’re blessed today that we have a variety of accurate versions to choose from. Find a version that works for you. If you have difficulty reading, consider the New Living Translation (NLT), or a study Bible in the English Standard Version (ESV) or the New International Version (NIV). The NLT version of the Bible is the most readable while still being literal in its translation; Study Bibles contain footnotes that explain difficult passages of Scripture. 

  Start small yet be consistent. We all know individuals who were determined to get in shape and start by working out for several hours. They may have done it for a couple of days but soon quit. Starting to read the Bible is like that. It’s better to read for a short period of time consistently, like 5 or 10 minutes, than it is to go on a reading marathon and quit after a few days. Determine to read a chapter or at least half a chapter if possible. Then, pick up the next day where you stopped.

  Chose a time and place convenient for you. It’s best to read in the same place every day. As you do that, you’ll discover there are less distractions.

  Many read their Bible first thing in the morning, choosing to spend time with God before daily distractions get in the way. I’ve found that works best for me. It’s too easy to rationalize that I’ll read my Bible later, but I usually never do. Yet, if mornings aren’t your thing, don’t sweat it. Reading the Bible is more important than the time you read God’s Word.

  It’s best to not start at the beginning. The focus of the Bible is Jesus. It’s truly His-story. If you’re new to Scripture, the best place to start is one of the Gospels, like Mark or John. The Gospels are biographies of Jesus. Once you know Jesus, the rest of the Bible begins to make sense.

  Whatever you do, pick one book of the Bible and then stick with it. Otherwise, you’ll waste time thumbing through the Bible, never quite landing. You’ll also lose the context of a passage. That’s why it’s best to choose one book and read a little each day, one chapter perhaps.  As you work your way through that book, it’s easier to follow the thread of thought and increase your understanding of what God is saying.  

  Pray and ask God for wisdom before you begin reading. God wants us to know Him and He’s promised to give wisdom to those who ask for it (James 1:5). So pause before you open your Bible and ask God to open your spiritual eyes and speak to you. Ask God to use His Word to teach you, to direct you and even to re-direct you, when necessary. Ask Him to use His Word to help you know Him and love Him. Be intentional about getting God’s Word into your thoughts and you’ll soon see your relationship with God thrive and your life change. That’s the purpose of  reading the Bible!

  God’s Word was never meant to just inform us. God wants His Word to transform us. The Bible is God’s love letter written to His people, which includes you. Do you want to know how much God loves you? Read His Word! Start today!

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

How are your 2023 investments?

“That only is worth my having which I can have forever. 

That only is worth my grasping which death cannot tear out of my hand.”  Charles Spurgeon

 It wasn’t until I was in my teen years that I met someone who drank Pepsi. Atlanta has been the home of Coca-Cola since the late 1800s. For a mere $2300.00, Asa Candler bought the recipe for the carbonated soft drink from John Pemberton in 1888. Today Coca-Cola is worth nearly $100 billion. 

  As 2023 rolls around, all of us are looking for good investments. Some will invest in getting more healthy by losing weight, exercising more, and a healthier diet. Others will invest in positive change by pursuing a new career, spending more time with their spouse or family, spending less time on social media or even quitting smoking. While all of those are worthy goals, they only make a difference in this short life. As believers, we want to be wise and invest in eternity. We’re going to live forever, so let’s make investments in the real world. If you’re not already, determine to…

  Read your Bible daily. Can you imagine going on a trip where you have never gone without consulting your GPS? Each day you and I start a new journey into life that we’ve never experienced. We have no idea what to expect, what we will face, or what interruptions or emergencies await us.

  It’s estimated that a little over 30% of Christians read their Bible daily. Is it any wonder many Christians flounder through life and live essentially like unbelievers? We’ll go the wrong way if we’re not checking the map.

  When you use GPS, you use it turn by turn. That’s the way that we need to read the Bible. It’s better to read a little and truly contemplate it, than to do a reading marathon and blow by the details. God gave us His Word for it to transform us to be more like Jesus. It’s not so that we have the “right answers.” We read it so that we become the right kind of people.

  Pray daily. For most believers, prayer is like a spare tire. It’s something you only use when you face an emergency. Yet, prayer is meant to be an ongoing conversation with our best Friend. Most of us have those that we talk to every day, whether our spouse or a good friend. The Bible tells us the Lord Jesus is a friend that’s “closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

  In the early chapters of Genesis God met with our first parents every day. God’s desire from the beginning hasn’t changed. He wants us to meet with Him. He wants us to share our joys and burdens with Him.

  One reason so many Christians struggle with emotional problems and lack peace is that they’ve not learned the habit of prayer. Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

  Attend church regularly. Avid sports fans will nearly stop heaven and earth to watch their team play. If their team wins, they’re elated. If their team plays poorly, they’re frustrated and even angry. If their team loses, they’re disappointed. Many believers are more devoted to their favorite team than they are to the God who gave His Son for them.

  The shutdowns of Covid gave us a false message – that watching worship is the same as being in worship. It’s not. While it’s true that there are times because of work or health, we need to miss worshiping with our church family. Yet, most of us need to be honest about our priorities. We wouldn’t miss work or let the kids miss school for the reasons that we rationalize missing attending church.

  The first thing that God said was not good was for human beings to be alone (Genesis 2:18). God designed us for community. While we can watch church online, we miss personal interaction. While we may receive a blessing, we miss the opportunity to be one.

  We grow spiritually by giving of ourselves not just getting for ourselves. God designed us for each other. We need each other. Faithfully attending the weekly worship gathering helps grow and become more like Jesus.

  Share your faith. Jane and I will have been married 40 years this coming July. There’s no question that she’s the love of my life and my best friend.

  Wouldn’t it be weird if I had friends or neighbors that never knew I was married because I never talked about Jane? It would be hard for others to believe Jane was important to me if I never acknowledged her to others.

  We talk with others about what’s important to us. If you spend half an hour with most people, you’ll know what they value. Our values and priorities quickly bubble to the surface.

  If we really love Jesus, don’t we want to share Him with others? If we really care about others, don’t we want to share the One who can make a difference in their lives, both in this world and the next?

  Think about how easily we talk with complete strangers about the weather, politics, our favorite sports team, and a hundred other trivial subjects. Yet, somehow we can’t seem to get around to talking about the One who changes lives and destinies, and who can change this world.

  The best place to start with sharing your faith with a friend or neighbor is to begin praying for that friend or neighbor. As you pray for them and their spiritual condition, you’ll be amazed at the opportunities that the Lord will give you to share your faith.

  2023 is a new opportunity to invest in what really matters. Let’s commit to investing well this year. Then, when the curtain falls on 2023, we can look back with a sense of fulfillment that we were wise and invested well.  

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

How to Stop Sportin' a 'Tude!

 “When I watch the news, my heart gets all spun out of control. It’s hard work guarding your heart with all diligence. How do you do this?” Sarah Deen 

  Sportin’ a ‘Tude. That’s the name of a book by Christian author, Patsy Clairmont. While I’ve never read the book, I’ve always loved the title – because that’s often me. More than I want to admit it, I’m Sportin’ a ‘Tude, and it’s usually not a good one. It’s certainly not a Christ-honoring one.
  Our attitudes direct our actions. If I don’t get my attitude under the Spirit’s control, it’s going to be a bad day. It might not really be a bad day but because my outlook stinks, even if it is a fantastic day, it’s still going to be a bad day…from my perspective. Before I know it I’m a victim of what Zig Ziglar used to call “Stinkin’ Thinkin’.”
  There’s only one cure for Stinkin’ Thinkin.’ I have to tell it to Jesus. I must spend time with my Heavenly Father. I wonder if the psalmist was struggling with “Stinkin’ Thinkin’” when he wrote: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2).
  There are those unique individuals who wake up in the morning with a smile on their face, ready to greet the world. I’m not one of them. I need a heavenly perspective. Maybe like you my heart is contaminated by…
  The bad news in the world. Before it went under, every morning I’d listen to a Chicago news radio station, WMAQ. Their slogan was “Give us 60 seconds and we’ll give you the world.” Most days that’s just about all of the world I want. Filling my mind with murders, crime, political gamesmanship, etc. can affect my outlook. I begin focusing on what the world is coming to. Spending time in the Word with my Father changes my outlook to an up look and I can focus on Who is coming to the world.
  The hurts of my past. For over forty years Mother’s Day has been a hard holiday for me. It’s hard to believe that my Mom was killed in a car wreck in 1970. If I let it, it can weigh on me that Mom never met my wife or my children. But to add to that, God left me to be raised by a wealthy prescription drug addict. And I hated him! As a kid, I was so angry with God. How could He give me such a rotten deal? It was God’s Word that freed me and continues to free me. Specifically, it was Ephesians 4:32 that unlocked the dungeon of my own bitterness: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
  When I realized how much God had already forgiven me, it was easy to have a spirit of forgiveness toward my Dad, even though he’d abused my Mom and treated me so horribly. Joseph’s words have been the theme of my life, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Being in God’s Word changed my perspective to see His loving hand directing even through dark paths.
  The turmoil of my own heart. God gave me a melancholic bent. A melancholic bent can deep dive into depression. There have been periods of my life when facing another day seemed impossible. I can relate to Spurgeon who said, “I find myself frequently depressed – perhaps more so than any other person here. And I find no better cure for that depression than to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and seek to realize afresh the power of the peace-speaking blood of Jesus, and His infinite love in dying upon the cross to put away all my transgressions.” Amen, Charles! Amen!
  Before my feet hit the floor in the morning, I open an app on my phone that has psalms matching the day of the month. My first thoughts begin in God’s Word and I begin to pray about my day. It’s a game-changer!
  The frustrations of my job. I know. I’m a pastor and only work half a day a week. I love Steve Brown who pastored Key Biscayne Presbyterian. He’s so candid. He shared that one time he was praying and sharing his heart, “Lord, the ministry would be great, if it weren’t for people.” And Steve said, “It was as if the Lord said, ‘Steve, the ministry is people.”
  If I let it, it can weigh on my heart when I see people who refuse to surrender to the Lord, who are determined to live in sin even though their lives are trainwrecks or continue in soul-killing habits. Couples who if they would only surrender their self-wills could have a phenomenal marriage.
  Every pastor struggles with apathy within their congregation. Pastors continually wrestle with matters of the eternal. We know that this life is temporary, yet so many that we love, pray for and preach to are focused and putting their roots down deep into a dying world. It can drain us.
  Add to that, the last few years have been a perfect storm for those in ministry. According to Barna 38% are considering quitting the ministry with only 35% fall into a “healthy category.” Between Covid, social injustice division, a belligerent election, shut-downs, mask and vaccine mandates – and having folk in their congregations on extreme and polar opposite positions with no seeming middle ground, it was exhausting. I’m so thankful our church has been spared most of that, but there have been some very taxing times.
  Add to that, pastors frequently interact with folk at the darkest periods of their lives. While there are the weddings and births that we celebrate, there are also the deaths, accident scenes, bad medical prognoses, troubled children, marriages and job losses. No one has ever called me in the middle of the night to let me know they won the lottery (please be the first, lol).  
  Every job has its stress, pain, hassles and burdens. My point is that the ministry though is not some safe spiritual cocoon. Pastoral ministry apart from the Lord is a temptation to sport’ a ‘tude. Sadly, I know many pastors and pastors’ wives who do. But what gets me through, what gives me joy, peace and fulfillment is the same thing that can give every believer joy, peace, and fulfillment – time in the Word, time with my Father.
  If you’re a believer and fail to consistently spend time with the Lord, you’ll be miserable and miserable to be around. Joy and peace aren’t environmental. They’re gifts from a loving Father that come from spending time with Him. So, what must change is not around you, it’s in you.
  God wants you to have the abundant life now, from the inside out (Rom. 12:1-2). He wants to spend time with you.  So start the habit. Don’t make it a spiritual marathon. Just commit to spending time daily with your Father. Maybe download a Bible app on your phone or listen to the Word on your commute. Just do it! Start today!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Close Your Window!

 

“The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.” D.L. Moody

 

  Earlier this month a Massachusetts man left the sunroof on his family’s minivan open in 63-degree weather only to return to the vehicle two days later to find it filled with about nine inches of snow. Steve Maguire of Scituate said he and his family took a ride in his wife’s minivan on a Saturday with the windows down to enjoy the record-high temperatures in New England. 

  “Saturday was so beautiful I'm like, ‘I’ve got to get some of the kids out of the house,” he told a local TV station. “It was 63 degrees here.” But Maguire said he didn’t realize until returning to the vehicle that he’d left the sunroof open, allowing about nine inches of snow to accumulate inside.

  “When I opened the van, I’m thinking it's Valentine's Day. It’s my wife’s car. This is not going to end well. I came in and said, ‘I hope you're in a good mood because there are about nine inches of snow in the van.’”

  Maguire said the situation could have been much worse. “This could only happen in New England. I’m grateful it wasn’t rain, and it was super easy to clean up because it was so light and fluffy.”

  Here’s the kicker! Maguire admitted he should have known better. “I’m a high school teacher and one of the electives I teach is meteorology. So if anyone knows the weather, I should know the weather.”

  That’s my problem. It’s probably your problem too – I know better than I do. I know that I shouldn’t say what I say, but the words are out of my mouth faster than a bass spitting out a hook. I know that I shouldn’t get irritated at that person talking on their phone at the next table in the restaurant but the heat is up in my heart faster than a microwave. I know I shouldn’t look down on that homeless person asking for handouts but “King Scott” who has it all together is ascending the throne of my soul.

  I’m so grateful that my Heavenly Father is gracious, as I come to Him again and again because even though I knew better, I didn’t do better. I’m a “spiritual loser,” yet He still loved me and gave His Son to pay for my sin…and He always forgives me (1 John 1:9).

  This is a reality of all of life in a sin-contaminated world. Knowing something, knowing the truth too often doesn’t break down into transformed behavior. As James warns us, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

  But you must know the truth before you can apply the truth. The Bible is the source of truth. It’s the absolute standard. Maguire knew the truth of meteorology, yet failed to live up to what he knew. We do the same thing.

  There are two spiritual disciplines that are vital for a healthy, growing Christian life – reading God’s Word and prayer. When I open my Bible, God speaks to me. When I pray, I speak to God. Yet, there is no excuse for a Christian in America to not regularly spend time in the Word. We will never do the right things as believers if we’re not letting God’s Word soak through our souls.

  Please understand, I’m not suggesting some kind of spiritual Olympics. Five or ten minutes consistently in the Word is a great place to start. Start with one of the four Gospels or the Epistles. It’s much better to read some Scripture consistently than to read none and stay spiritually ignorant.

  Truth without application is foolish. James continues with, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:23-25). The purpose of looking at yourself in a mirror is to make change as necessary. That’s true of God’s Word, too.

  The purpose of reading God’s Word is not for education or information. It’s for life-change, spiritual transformation. The same is true of listening to a sermon or participating in a small group. As John Stott said, “We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.”

  Reading my Bible is a waste of time if it’s not being applied to my life if I’m not becoming more and more like Jesus. It’s spiritual work. The Holy Spirit must empower me and work in my life to bring about that change. Yet, if I don’t know God’s truth, He doesn’t have material to work with.

  In America, it’s polite to say “good sermon” to the preacher as we exit. BUT it’s not a good sermon if it’s not applied to our lives. It was just a nice talk. The purpose of God’s truth whether read or listened to is to make you and me more like the Savior (Romans 12:2).

  Faithful application begins on the inside. James 1:19, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” James’s initial focus isn’t external, it’s internal. God is much more concerned about my heart and character than He is about my behavior. The fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, peace, patience, self-control, etc.) begins in my soul and will then be evidenced in my life.

  Too many Christians erroneously believe Christianity is evidenced by externalism, i.e., the way you dress, the things you do or don’t do. It’s not! That was the focus of the men who crucified Jesus, the Pharisees. It’s why a lost world is often repulsed by professing Christians.

  It’s increasingly common today to see online or in our churches “Christians” claiming to defend the gospel who fail to demonstrate attitudes and character in line with that same gospel. They’re arrogant, mean, and sometimes even hateful.

  The most wonderful thing that can be said of us was said of those early disciples, “And they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). That happens as we spend time in God’s Word and sit under Bible teaching – and apply it to our lives. To know the truth but fail to apply it is as foolish as leaving your sunroof window open in the middle of January. 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Black Thursday?

 “How many never in their lives read through all the Scriptures? 

These have a sword but only to hang on the wall.” William Gouge

  So how did your Black Friday go? Did you know that long before there was a “Black Friday,” there was a “Black Thursday?” But it had nothing to do with Christmas shopping. Black Thursday was a riot back in 1901 over a new translation of the Gospel of Matthew. 
  Greece is largely considered the birthplace of democracy. Who would have thought that a new translation of the Gospel of Matthew would cause a major riot, but that’s what happened on November 8th, 1901. Translating Matthew into the common Greek vernacular led to bloody clashes in Athens. A newspaper called Akropolis published it in demotic Greek, the modern version of Greek. Greek has evolved from its ancient roots to the point that modern and ancient Greek sounded almost nothing alike. 

  The differences resulted in a “holy war.” On one side, ancient Greek proponents—particularly in the Greek Orthodox Church—believed that if they watered down their language, they might lose claim to their Byzantine landholdings. On the other end, demotic or common language Greek proponents said language isn’t as important as investments in artillery. So when the newspaper published Matthew in the common language—alongside a political editorial—violence broke out. Eight demonstrators died. Ultimately, proponents of the ancient language failed in their efforts to make it the preferred form of communication. Modern Greeks speak and write in the demotic form, but the Greek Orthodox Church continues to use ancient Greek as the liturgical language in its worship services.

  While in Greece they fought over versions, in modern-day China, the government is making access to the Bible more difficult. Though most Bibles are printed in China as they are the only ones with the special printing presses needed to print the thin paper, Chinese citizens with iPhones can no longer download the Olive Tree Bible app after Apple removed it from their app store at the request of the communist authorities. 

  The Bible software maker in the US was told it’d have to file special permits to comply with rules regarding “book or magazine content,” which censor religious literature. Those who have already downloaded the programs can continue to use them but can’t get updates. According to the human rights group, Amnesty International, Apple has consistently submitted to China’s censorship demands. But China is not alone in its censorship of Scripture. According to The Voice of the Martyrs, in over fifty countries it’s illegal to own a Bible.

  We’re so blessed in America! Yet, what’s tragic is not that we don’t have access to a Bible, but that so many Christians rarely read it.

  Would you please make this the year that you determine to habitually read the Bible? Many Christians when asked about their Bible reading say: “I’ve been really busy.” Many others who are extremely busy still read their Bibles. Those who claim busyness are up to date on the news, watch movies and sports, use social media, exercise, and a host of other things. Let’s be honest, none of us are truly too busy to read the Bible. So, why read the Bible?

  The Bible is God’s love letter to you. When Jane and I were dating, I was thrilled to receive a letter from her. I’d read, re-read, and re-read again those letters. I never could get enough of Jane! God’s Word is His love letter to you. Do you treasure it? How’s your relationship with God growing or stagnant? Reading our Bibles helps keep our relationship with our Heavenly Father fresh and growing.

  The Bible is the best resource for positive behavior modification. At the most basic level, we read the Bible so we know how to live. It guides us on how to behave as the people of God in a sin-contaminated world. But not as a rule book or as a list of things to do if we want to stay on God’s good side. As the people of God with His Spirit living in us to guide us, we’re motivated to live rightly. The Bible shows us what it means to live in a way that pleases the Lord. Sometimes it’s by direct commandments, but mostly it’s by principles and examples, leaving us to apply them and work out how to live it out in our own lives.

  If you’ve been a Christian very long, when it comes to what’s right and wrong, you probably know what God wants you to do 99% of the time. The difficult part is actually doing it or remembering to do it. God’s Word is a reminder for us on how we should live in a way that’s right.

  The Bible is the best resource for wise life investment. We read our Bibles to know what goals to set and to help determine what to pursue in life. Reading Scripture challenges us to not fritter away our lives. We need purpose, we need goals. Out of all the things I can do, what will I choose to do more of? It will be different for each of us because God has designed us uniquely and called us to different tasks.

  The Bible challenges us to ask life-directing questions: How will I spend my time? How will I spend my money? Which people group or subculture will I reach out to? The big story of the Bible is about investing in the real world, eternity. We must set life goals that make sense against that story.

  The Bible is the best tool to view this world. We read God’s Word to inform our worldview and see life the way that God sees it. Once you see the world as God sees it, the other things follow – how we behave, who we are, and where we’re heading. It’s why Paul prays "having the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe” (Eph 1:18-19). The Bible tells us how God sees life and that we’re part of His story. It tells us how God sees us and His perspective of our world.

  Consistently reading the Bible helps us grow to be more like Jesus. Do you want true life change? Commit to reading and studying God’s Word consistently. It will revolutionize your life!  

 Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Are You Reading the William Shatner Bible?

 

“Bible reading enables us…to enjoy communion with God as He speaks to us from His Word, encouraging us, instructing us, and revealing Himself to us.”   Jerry Bridges

  I love The Babylon Bee. If you’re not familiar with the Bee, it’s satire, tongue in cheek, a kind of Christian version of The Onion. A recent Bee had “8 Handy Bible Reading Tips” (remember it’s satire). Here they are:

 ·         Consider getting a hip translation with cool words like “yeet” and “sheeesh.” How can you experience the eternal Word of God if it's not cool and hip? 

·         Get an audio Bible read by William Shatner. In... the beginning... God... created... the heavens... and... the earth... 

·         Make sure to set aside at least seven seconds a day to read the Bible. It’s important to dedicate a few short seconds to the Lord before you spend the rest of the day on social media. 

·         Spend most of your devotional time trying to get a good picture of your Bible next to a cup of coffee for your Insta. Now that you’ve got a few seconds with the Lord, spend the entire time live-tweeting your devos and getting that perfect Instagram shot. 

·         Look for creative ways to rip verses out of context and make them all about you. Get creative! Read a verse about ancient Israel or Jews in the first century and think, “How can I make this all about me?” 

·         When your kids try to interrupt you, shout “NOT TODAY, SATAN!” Pair this maneuver with a cross formation using your fingers for maximum impact. 

·         Underline the entire book so no verses feel left out. The more underlining, the more spiritual you are. 

·         Whenever you read a really convicting verse, make sure to apply it to everyone else instead of yourself. This is an important one. If you read a verse that convicts you, just think how much Becky from Bible study needs to change her life instead of you. It's better this way.  

  Aren’t those hilarious? Yet, a reality that’s not funny is how few Christians consistently read their Bibles or are in the habit of reading them on a daily basis. A recent study sponsored by LifeWay shares some unfortunate yet unsurprising results: “A third of Americans who attend a Protestant church regularly (32%) say they read the Bible personally every day. Around a quarter (27%) say they read it a few times a week.” In other words, though our churches are to be based on the Bible, the facts are clear – many good, Christian, Bible-believing folk are not spending time in the Word every day or even every week…and it shows. 

  While our church is theologically conservative, if the numbers are accurate, many in our church are biblically illiterate. It’d be tempting to believe that in a church like ours the majority of people would be in the Word just as much throughout the week as they wish to be on the Lord’s Day. Sadly, that’s simply not the case. Even in a church like ours, many people struggle to simply do what they believe they ought to do. 

  Most who attend Grace know they should be reading the Bible throughout the week and probably feel guilty that they’re not. The issue isn’t ignorance or naivete but habit and commitment. People simply do not do what they know that they ought to do and, on one level, actually want to do. It’s not a habit simply because it’s not a priority. But it should be. No other daily habit is so life-changing and so affects our church. 

  For example, if you don’t shower, brush your teeth or wear deodorant, you’ll smell and others will socially distance from you. But if you don’t consistently read your Bible, others may not socially distance from you but they’ll probably wish they could. While you may not physically stink, your attitude and behavior will. You won’t be any different from those who don’t know the Lord. When we’re in the Word and applying it to our lives, we become more like Jesus. We’re gracious, attracting others instead of repelling them. Reading the Bible changes us, our priorities, and our worldview. 

  Others may not know why they know what they know, but they know when a Christian is consistently in God’s Word. Being in God’s Word makes us kinder, less selfish, more patient, more grateful, and joyful. 

  You are what you eat. That’s true physically and spiritually. What you mentally digest impacts you. Think about how you feel when you read your newsfeed or watch the news. Reading the Bible consistently has several benefits. It helps you see the world from God’s perspective. Instead of seeing a world out of control, you see a world that even in its moral deterioration is accomplishing His purposes. It reminds us that this world and life are temporary and to instead live for the real world and eternity. 

  2 Timothy 3:16, when discussing the topic of Scripture, says that it’s “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” Verse 17 goes on to say that this leads to the completeness and equipping “for every good work.” God’s Word is life-changing. Regularly reading Scripture reorients our thinking so that we grow up spiritually. You’re not equipped to handle life if you’re a spiritual toddler. 

  You’ll never meet a mature Christian who doesn’t regularly read the Bible. Why? God’s Word has power. It’s life-changing. There is no other book that can so change your life and eternal destiny, but the Bible can. 

  Gaylord Kambarami was the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Zimbabwe. Once when he offered a man a New Testament, the man responded, “If you give me that Bible, I will roll the pages and use them to make cigarettes!” Gaylord replied, “At least promise me that you will read the page before you smoke it.” The man agreed, so he gave him the New Testament and went his way. Fifteen years later, Gaylord was attending a convention when the speaker on the platform suddenly spotted him, pointed him out to the audience, and said, “This man doesn’t remember me, but 15 years ago he tried to sell me a New Testament. When I refused to buy it, he gave it to me, even though I told him I would use the pages to roll cigarettes. He made me promise to read the pages before I smoked them. Well, I smoked Matthew and I smoked Mark and I smoked Luke. But when I got to John 3:16, I couldn’t smoke any more. My life was changed from that moment.” He had become a full-time evangelist, pointing others to the powerful message of God’s Word. 

  God’s Word is spiritual dynamite. It can revolutionize your life but only if you read it. I dare you to read your Bible every day for the next month. Try it and get back to me on how God’s Word changed your life.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.  

Your Bible is not a Museum Piece

“How many never in their lives read through all the Scriptures?
These have a sword but only to hang on the wall.” William Gouge 

When I was growing up, I never understood why we had a formal dining room. It included a large china cabinet with a set of fine china. There was a matching chest of drawers with silverware that had to be periodically polished. It even included a coffee and tea set. Yet, we never ate in the dining room. None of that beautiful china or silver or furniture was ever used. It was like a museum display or perhaps wishful thinking of some future formal meal that never happened.

For far too many Christians, their Bible is like that. They have one. Most own several. They probably have a Bible app on their phone. But the Bible was never intended to be a museum piece, set off for display. The Bible is to be a work truck. It’s not how it looks on the outside. It’s the “tools,” the content of what’s between the leather cover that makes the Bible valuable. As Christian author, David McKenna, wisely points out: “Unless we read the Word of God, we cannot be instructed by the Spirit, and unless we are instructed by the Spirit, we cannot become godly and effective servants. To put it another way, loving the Word, learning from the Word, and living out the Word are interlocked in God’s plan for our spiritual growth.”

Are you reading the Bible? Is it important to read it daily? Yes. Let me suggest a few reasons why you want to make Bible reading a daily habit.

Daily Bible reading can bring peace into our lives. Each day we roll out of bed and, as C. S. Lewis put it in Mere Christianity, “all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals.” One reason to read the Bible is so that we don’t live out our day in a state of frenzy with little or no purpose. It helps us focus and remember the brevity of life, the eternality of heaven, and the abundance of gospel hope from which no sin or failure is excluded. The promises of Scripture are like an inhaler for an asthmatic. God’s Word helps us to slow down and take a deep breath.

Daily Bible reading is like beginning the day with a good breakfast. The president of the Bible college that I attended shared that his life phrase was, “No Bible, No Breakfast.” For some, it might be, “No Bible, No Coffee.” Reading Scripture is like eating a nutritious meal. We have to do it regularly, it tastes good to taste buds that are alive and nourishes us for the day. Bible reading is stored energy, stockpiled emotional and psychological capital. We stay energized and afloat throughout the day by making moment-by-moment withdrawals from that vast reservoir.

Daily Bible reading gives us wisdom for the day. How many dumb things do you do each day? How many dumb things do you say each day? None of us do wise, godly things naturally. Doing the right things comes from being plugged into God’s Word and empowered by His Spirit. We won’t act heavenly without being plugged into Heaven’s message to us. The Bible is the world’s great self-corrective. If we read God’s Word faithfully, it tweaks our lives and prompts fresh mid-course corrections.

Daily Bible reading deepens our minds about what truly matters. Have you ever thought about how much trivial data we store in our minds? I left home in 1975 but I still remember my home phone number. Play a few musical bars from a popular commercial from a few decades ago and most of us can immediately hum the rest. Remembering who played in Super Bowl XXIV may impress sports fanatics, but it’s not going to help you live. Though Tom Hanks is one of our most popular actors, knowing about his last movie won’t help you be kinder or more patient. One reason we read the Bible is to deepen our perspective of what ultimately matters. It helps us know God and live a life that pleases Him. It helps us think more accurately about life, eternity, and all that matters most.

Daily Bible reading helps us wisely invest our time. Are there times when you have so much to do, so much that you could do that you’re not sure where to start? The Bible is your best daily planner. It gives us direction to take action in concrete ways. Sometimes the passage commands action very directly. Other times it doesn’t, but at the least, indirectly, a text will mess with us, change us a little bit, alter our outlook, and impel us forward in some new step of practical obedience externally because we have been changed a tiny bit internally.

Daily Bible reading guides us in how to pray. Reading the Bible gives us an instruction manual on the right way to pray. In Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord shares with His followers what’s known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” His example illustrates a prayer filled with praise, submission to the will of God, reliance upon Him for our daily needs, and requests for forgiveness. Jesus’ prayer focuses more on honoring God than listing needs to be met. Too often we pray “Happy Meal” prayers while our Heavenly Father wants to give us steak and lobster. It’s only as we’re in the Bible that we even know what’s on the “menu” to ask for. Biblically informed prayer reminds us that we don’t have all of the answers. As we go through our day full of responsibilities, pressures and struggles, we recognize our need for God moment by moment and turn to Him in prayer. Being faithfully in the Word guides us in what to pray about.

We’re nearing the beginning of a New Year. A great way to start in 2021 is to plan and prepare now for being in God’s Word each day. A great tool to help you is the One Year Bible. Even if you split into two years, you’re headed in the right direction.

They’re only $12.99. The deadline for ordering them is Sunday, December 6^th.  Most of the items on our Christmas list will be old and out of style before summer. God’s Word is eternal and can direct you into a life of true significance. If regularly reading God’s Word hasn’t been part of your daily life, please make it part of your life in the coming year.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

Change your diet. Change your life!

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

Charles Spurgeon

  Our national obsession with cooking shows, famous chefs and new cookbooks continues to grow. It’s estimated that we spend more than five hours a week consuming “food media,” yet only four hours actually cooking. That means the average adult spends more time watching, scrolling and reading about food than actually cooking. More than half of the 2,000 surveyed admitted that they’d rather watch a meal being cooked, or look at photos online than actually cook with many saying they’re too short of time, or the dishes look far too complicated to manage.

  Doesn’t that sound like a lot of Christians? Studies reveal that the typical Christian is biblically illiterate. The outcome of that is why many believers are both miserable and miserable to be around…just like those who don’t know Jesus.

  The solution isn’t overly complicated. It’s simply that you’ll never be a healthy, growing Christian or have all the blessings and the life that God desires you to have – if you do not habitually read your Bible, His instruction manual. To put it another way, you won’t have peace unless you have a regular connection with the Prince of Peace.

  Yet, there are all types of excuses for not reading our Bibles. They’re just that though, excuses! Here are some common ones. Are any yours?

  I don't have time. We always find time if something is a priority. What’s important to you? How do you find time for that?

  I’m not a reader. Then, be a listener. Most of us have smartphones and a blue tooth. Download a free Bible app and listen as you drive. You can even listen when you exercise or do tasks around the house.

  Reading makes me sleepy. Switch times and locations. Get a cup of coffee or hot tea. Stand up and read if you need to.

  I never get anything out of it. Ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes before you begin reading (James 1:5), so that you understand His Word.

  The Bible is too confusing to me. It can be. Start with what’s clear like the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John). If you want something practical, read a New Testament letter like Ephesians, Philippians or one of the Thessalonians, or even the book of Proverbs. The Books of Revelation or Ezekiel are not the best places to start.

  How do you start reading the Bible?

  Pick a regular daily time. Make it an appointment like breakfast or lunch. Most of us keep our appointments. Choose a good time that works for you. Most find that starting the day works best. Some like to end their day reading their Bible. The time is unimportant; the consistency is. Pick a period of time when you’re not rushed. We all know a steady diet of fast food isn’t healthy. Short, rushed Bible reading isn’t spiritually healthy. You’ll need at least 15 to 30 minutes (most of us waste far more than that each day on social media). Plan a time when you’re alert so that you can be focused and give your full attention.

  Pick a Bible you can understand. There are many good translations available from the ESV (English Standard Version) to NASV (New American Standard Version) or the NLT (New Living Translation). It’s important that your Bible is easy to read with large enough print, durable enough to use and inexpensive enough that you don’t feel bad writing or marking in it. Your Bible is meant to be used. It’s not a museum piece.

  Read God’s Word not someone’s interpretation of God’s Word. There’s a place for devotionals like Our Daily Bread or Today in the Word, but they’re not a substitute for the real thing. They’re someone else’s interpretation of what the Bible says. Usually, they’re snacks, not meals.

  Have a plan. I enjoy reading the Bible all the way through each year. I haven’t always done that, but I appreciate a holistic approach. God’s Word isn’t a novel, designed to be read from Genesis straight through to Revelation. If you do that, you’re likely to drop out somewhere in Leviticus. What I enjoy about a Bible reading plan is that most have a daily section from the Old Testament, the New Testament along with Psalms and Proverbs. It helps balance out things. For example, when I’m drilling through some of the tougher portions of Job, my soul is also being fed from where I’m reading at the same time in the New Testament.

  If you’re going to read a book of the Bible over a period of days or weeks, read the whole book through first at one sitting. For example, if you want to read Romans set aside a time to read the whole book at one time. It will give you an overview and make your later sectional reading more profitable. This probably won’t work with a large book like Isaiah. Even there though you can read it in a couple of days to get the big picture.  

  God gave us His Word so that His Word would mold us to be more like Jesus. God wants us to understand the Bible, but it doesn’t stop there. We’re to apply His Word to our lives. It helps then to ask some key questions as you read the Bible…

  What is God trying to teach me? At salvation, every believer is given the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), yet we’re still tempted to think the way we did before salvation. Lasting transformation begins with the renewal of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2). Reflect on wrong thinking that the passage exposes.

  What does God want me to believe? It’s easy to understand truth at an intellectual level without allowing it to change how we live. God doesn’t want Christians to just know their Bibles. He wants Christians who think differently because they know their Bibles. Scripture must change our outlook on life and our worldview.

  What does God want me to do? When Scripture changes how we think, it produces tangible applications in how we live. Sometimes a passage gives us a direct command. Think about what sinful actions the passage exposes in your life and what godly actions you must pursue (James 1:22-27).

  No other book will so radically change you as the Bible both for this life and eternity. It’s silly to own a Bible and rarely read it. As we enter 2020, make this the year when regular Bible reading is a part of your daily life.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.