From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Nov 1 22:33:56 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 22:33:56 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Don't Be Fooled Message-ID: I am fascinated by the very intricate details of the Jewish faith. They start with the books of Moses (the Torah) and have built an entire library upon it based on commentary and insight of rabbis over thousands of years. Much like scientific research, rabbis may spend decades answering a specific question and remembered for decades to come because of it. I was listening to one speak about the danger of removing pieces of the foundation. He pointed out that one rabbi decided that he had deduced the essence and true meaning behind the Ten Commandments. And, his argument was that now that we knew the true meaning, we could focus on that and set the Ten Commandments aside. That's very dangerous because, in Judaism, those Ten Commandments are a critical support to their faith. I was reminded of Paul writing in the New Testament and not only writing about the dangers of this, but pointing out that those who claim to know better will multiply in the last days. "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." 1 Timothy 4:1-2 I seem to hear about a new one every month. I read about a pastor in New York who has been kicked out of the denomination that ordained him because he has begun to preach that Hell is not a real place. He's saying that everything we think we know about sin and Hell isn't true and that life is more touchy-feely than that. There's a guy in Miami claiming to be Christ. He has based his ministry on the idea that he's better than Christ, so his words are supreme. He claims there is no Heaven or Hell and that there's no such thing as sin. He even claims that he cannot be killed. He has thousands of followers. Then, of course, there are waves and waves of very intelligent people all ready to convince you that God is mass hoax. We are told that the need for a God is a by-product of evolution or that God is just what we call the "good energy" in the universe that we can all tap into. There are those who want to be called Christian and live any way they want. These are tempting offers from those on the fence or those weak in their faith. Knowing Scripture will put you in a position to refute falsehoods and to be convinced of the truth. Put all of your faith in Jesus Christ. There is no other way to God. There is no other source of truth. There is no one greater. No one. Many have fallen victim to those who are teaching people what they want to hear. Many more will be convinced before it's over. Don't be one of them. Wyatt From WYATT at CLANWEBB.COM Sat Nov 3 00:37:57 2007 From: WYATT at CLANWEBB.COM (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2007 00:37:57 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] In, Not Of Message-ID: <8E88A6DD-6C79-4D82-8117-9A9CA263552C@CLANWEBB.COM> I made a fundamental discovery about how one person can influence groups of people while running for student government offices in high school. I had a good friend who was very anti-establishment and thought that being in student government meant that you had caved in and didn't want change. I realized that because he had chosen to stay outside of the norm and try to make the establishment change simply by protesting it and shaking his fist, he had made himself ineffective. On the other hand, I knew that if I wanted a change in policies on campus, then I would need to be in a position to suggest the change and fight for it. That meant running for office alongside folks that I disagreed with for the right to make alternative suggestions to those who could actually make a change. I had to play by the rules to have an effect on the institution. Carried to the extremes, this holds true for how we spread the gospel. If we choose to separate ourselves from society, then we will probably be able to worship, pray, and study the Word as much as we want. Unfortunately, it also means that nobody else is hearing about Jesus or seeing our lives as examples of what they are missing. The crazy man on the street corner doesn't win many converts. The one who looks like you and me and calmly explains the salvation of Jesus Christ will win many more. We can't stand outside of the world and point fingers. We need to go love those who need it. Jesus has told us that we are to stay in the world, just don't become part of the world. "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." John 17:14-15 "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." John 15:19 The Great Commission itself implies that we can't just hole up somewhere and wait for the Second Coming. We have a job to do and it involves mingling with the world. Don't flee it, but do be careful not to get stuck in its temptations. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Nov 3 23:57:12 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2007 23:57:12 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Mocking Evil Message-ID: <08AC1C44-B683-412B-9536-53C0DA675530@clanwebb.com> We were home on Halloween night this year, and so we did our American duty and handed out candy to the kids who rang the doorbell. As with every year we do this, I am struck by how many young children dress up as scary or grotesque characters. It's a little worrisome to see a ten year-old wearing the costume of the bad guy from an R-rated slasher movie. To some, the argument is that if we mock evil and show it to be empty and powerless, then we have gained a victory over it. I disagree. The minute you think that you can gain a victory over evil by yourself, you've already lost. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 Real evil is alive and well and dangerous. Making fun of it and pretending it isn't there doesn't lessen it's power. And, in any case, you cannot overcome evil alone. Only God can do that. "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:11-12 God knows what's out there. He knows the best defense. He's taught us how to use it. Learn it well and train hard. So, I won't get into a theological argument about participating in Halloween festivities. However, I will say that whether it's October 31 or any other day of the year, if you choose to mock evil and make fun with dark things, it is no different than teasing an uncaged lion. Be aware of reality and deal with it as the Word teaches. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Nov 4 22:03:45 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 22:03:45 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Mocking God Message-ID: <24478CFA-FE52-4084-AE4B-661495D94C44@clanwebb.com> The deeper I get into the Word, the more in focus the world becomes in contrast to the Word. One aspect has become more prevalent recently and that is the mocking of God. There have been cases of homosexuals entering a church and openly mocking the taking of communion. There's the representation of Jesus in a degrading manner being called art. There are those marching in the streets with signs that declare unspeakable attitudes towards Christ and Christians. Scripture is very clear about mocking God. "but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy." 2 Chronicles 36:16 The phrase "until there was no remedy" is ominous. In today's language it means "no hope under the current circumstances." God changed the circumstances and let His people be taken into captivity. "But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit." Jude 1:17-19 God will not be mocked. He will change the circumstances. I know that every generation has said that it was the end times and yet that generation passed. I don't know if this generation is in the end times, but I do tell you that it is getting bad out there. At the very least, God is going to change some circumstances. Be mindful. "Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:6-8 Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Nov 5 23:43:50 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2007 23:43:50 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Don't Blame Bad Luck Message-ID: Have you ever noticed how people will force bad circumstances? Then, when disaster strikes, someone always says, "Well, he was pushing his luck and it ran out." Outside observance always seems to have a perspective that the sinner refuses to accept. "He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against the Egyptians." " Exodus 14:25 Now, if your wheels began to wobble and the guy driving the chariot wants to stop, it ought to be a clue that things are not going to get better. So, the question arises, "Do I stop and tighten the lug nuts or do I push my luck?" "For the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea on them, but the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea." Exodus 15:19 All of the sudden, the loose lug nuts are the least of your worries. Remembering your boot camp training on how to swim in your armor becomes a lot more important than who you were chasing. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Nov 7 00:09:46 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 00:09:46 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Bad Company Message-ID: <7A819F4D-37D1-4B62-802F-1351A9A5A902@clanwebb.com> By all accounts, I think my parents would consider me to have been a pretty good kid. I didn't cause trouble. I didn't do drugs. I did well in school. All of those things led to them trusting me quite a bit. I had freedom to spend time with friends and stay out pretty late because they trusted me and my choices. Still, I was a teenager and I was susceptible to peer pressure. I still remember one night when I was about 17 sitting on the steps of a little viewpoint over the city and drinking wine coolers with one friend and a few acquaintances. There was no way I would have ended up in that position on my own. It was a series of little decisions that led to that point, but each decision had been influenced by the group. At that moment, I was embarrassed to be there and just wanted to go home. Since I had not driven, however, I had to sit through the torture of watching these other guys act like jerks for an hour before we finally headed back. I couldn't believe what I had gotten myself into. That wasn't the first or the last time I made bad decisions because of the people I surrounded myself with. I should have been witnessing to them, not rolling in the mud with them. "Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God ? I say this to your shame." 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 It took me several years, but I have slowly come back to my senses. I have stopped surrounding myself with those who would nudge me off the straight and narrow and begun to hang out with those who help me back on to the path when I drift away. Now, the last part of that verse is unclear to me. Paul may be pointing out that there are those who don't even know God and you're wasting time joining them rather than saving them. Or, he may be making a more subtle dig and suggesting that those who allow themselves to get caught up with bad company are allowing themselves to be ignorant of God. That's a devastating charge in that God has chosen to reveal Himself to you, and you continue to act as if you don't know any better. Whatever Paul's intent, both are true. So, it's time to take an inventory of who you spend your time with. Are these folks helping you stay on the path? Or, are they encouraging you to leave it? Even very nice, very funny, and lovable people can be bad company. No matter how good you are otherwise, bad company will drag you down. Don't be ignorant of the situation and, most of all, don't choose to be ignorant of God. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Nov 7 22:47:40 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 22:47:40 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Amazing Accuracy Message-ID: <7EB1E2BC-72F3-4B50-ACDE-7029A4FBCF95@clanwebb.com> There is a silly argument among non-believers and some professed believers that the Bible was copied and re-copied so many times that the original text has been changed to a point that the accuracy of the modern day Bible cannot be trusted. They cite a children's game of passing a simple message around in a circle and how it will always produce a different message than the one that started. Newspapers, writers, and TV reporters always edit and slant a story to produce the desired impact on a particular audience. These arguments are laughable when compared to the inspired Word of God. Consider the Dead Sea Scrolls which were uncovered in 1947. "The well-preserved Isaiah scroll from Cave 1 illustrates the tender care with which these sacred texts were copied. Since about 1700 years separated Isaiah in the MT (Masoretic Text, dated about AD 980) from its original source, textual critics assumed that centuries of copying and recopying this book must have introduced scribal errors into the document and obscured the original message of the author. The Isaiah scrolls found at Qumran closed that gap to within 500 years of the original manuscript. Interestingly, when scholars compared the MT of Isaiah to the Isaiah scroll of Qumran, the correspondence was astounding. The texts from Qumran proved to be word-for-word identical to our standard Hebrew bible in more than 95 percent of the text. The 5 percent variation consisted primarily of obvious slips of the pen and spelling alterations." from The Dead Sea Scrolls and Biblical Integrity by Garry K. Brantley, M.A., M. Div. "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." Deuteronomy 4:2 What does God have to do with children's games and men who profess to be honest in the world? When He intervened to protect His Word, it was done. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Nov 8 22:21:20 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2007 22:21:20 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] You Stink Good Message-ID: Driving home from church the other night, we noticed the distinctive odor of the demise of a skunk nearby. As we got closer to our own driveway, it got stronger. I feared that it may have croaked right on my porch, but it hadn't. Nonetheless, it clearly met its demise within about a 100 yard radius of our house. Despite the fact that the windows were rolled up and the vents were closed, we were all covering our noses as we pulled in. Every time we go to the mall, we choose to park outside one of the anchor stores. That means walking through the store to get into the mall proper. Well, like most of these stores the cosmetics section is near the mall entrance and is populated by young women whose purpose in life is to make sure you are spritzed with their new perfume or cologne. We take a wide berth, but the scents are distinctive. You know where that section is and could walk to it with your eyes closed. This is all to point out that a strong fragrance is known by everyone around. You don't have to make eye contact or shake hands to know where it's coming from. Paul used this as an analogy of our responsibility in the world: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?" 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 So, if you're living right, you are a fragrance to the people around you. To those who are saved, you smell great and they are drawn to you. To those who are not saved, you stink! They are repelled because your life reminds them of what they don't have. They flee from anything that points out that their path leads to death. Just obeying Christ and living the life He has planned for you creates a permeating spiritual scent to those around you. You have become the next best thing to seeing Christ in person. They will pick up on your faith and either be attracted or repelled by it. Either way, you'll get a reaction. If, however, you don't live right, you have no fragrance and everyone just walks on by. The saved don't know that you are and pass by. The unsaved don't know you are and don't care. So, despite what your mother told you, your goal in life is to smell to high heaven. Do the people around you notice your fragrance? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Nov 10 00:11:05 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:11:05 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] There's Nothing Under the Bed Message-ID: <0E1C1761-203D-46F1-8C58-5312A6601794@clanwebb.com> "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 This scripture has sent many people off on a tangent. I believe that some folks have taken this scripture to mean that we need to go through some sort of ritual to rid things, homes, cars, and stuff, of a residual or indwelling effect of Satan. It seems to me that the battlefield is not a closet in a house, but a much bigger battlefield that we cannot see on an earthly plane. That is to say it's in heavenly places, not earthly places. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Our personal foxhole is not earthly. It is in our minds. We win or lose our spiritual battle there by whether we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. There is no boogieman under your bed. Satan is a pathetic creature too delusional to understand that it's over and the script is just being played out. His best shot is deceit and deceit is mental and that is where you fight your fight. "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Nov 10 22:01:41 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:01:41 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] It's Not What You Know... Message-ID: <0C07CD92-5669-479D-BBA6-70F304E215AC@clanwebb.com> Have you ever been afraid to venture an answer to a question? I'm speaking about those times in public, like a classroom or some other public forum. I know there have been times that I didn't raise my hand only to think, "I knew that!" when the answer is revealed. Of course, there are those times when I thought, "When will you ever learn to keep your mouth shut?" after I was fooled badly like a hitter looking for a fastball only to get an outside slider. We should always be ready to speak up, but also to know when and how much. It is vital to understand that we don't gain any authority by our book knowledge of God, but rather by our relationship with Him. As long as we speak the Word, we speak with authority through our relationship. We should have no confidence in our ability to carry out God's work. It is false work and has no value to God if we do not have the indwelling of Christ. One can always be impressive with a good presentation, but the presentation does not speak to the qualification of understanding and authority. "And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on wisdom of men, but on the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 The meekest person that has been justified and sanctified stating, "Jesus Christ is Lord," speaks with more authority and is doing more of God's work than all the people who pontificate about Jesus on the History Channel. Not that it ever entered the minds of those self- proclaimed experts to do anything for God. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Nov 11 21:17:25 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:17:25 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Ambushed Message-ID: Several years ago my wife reconnected with a friend from her childhood. After discussing how both of them had married and had children, he asked if we would be interested in a business opportunity. My wife explained the kind of work I do and asked if this opportunity would correspond to my area of expertise. Her friend assured her that it was a good fit. A few nights later, this fellow is sitting in our living room giving me his pitch for a multi-level marketing business. It had almost nothing to do with my expertise. In fact, it would have required me to do quite a few things that I don't enjoy at all! I was annoyed with how he had been intentionally vague and deceptive just to give me the pitch. I was equally annoyed at the idea that if I had signed up, I'm sure he would have continued to assure me that I was cut out for this. The fact was that adding me to his part of the tree would have helped him regardless and it was the headcount he was really after. And then, I'm sure there would have been appeals to my sense of commitment and integrity to stick to what I had signed up for. Leading someone to Christ does not work that way. You can't trick them to get saved. There isn't a special room where, if you can just get them to walk to the right spot, you can spring the trap door and, boom, they're going to Heaven. Because salvation is a decision of the heart, it can only be made by that person. You can't trick the heart and you can't deceive God. "Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 4:2 The irony is that any slick marketing or bait-and-switch tactics are just getting in the way. The most powerful sales pitch is the truth of the gospel of Christ. God wouldn't have it any other way and we will have to answer for our actions later. Be humble enough to get out of the way and let God work. So, by all means, invite your unsaved friends to church or to a Bible study or to a men's church gathering. Just be clear about what's going to happen. You aren't going to have a willing listener if the first thing you tell him is, "I know you weren't expecting this, but I have a great opportunity for you!" Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Nov 13 00:03:50 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:03:50 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Do Good Message-ID: It's easy pickings. Choose any Christian in the world and you can find a time when you could correctly describe him as a hypocrite. The trick is to pick the proper window of time so as to not also reveal the repentance and humility that often comes later. There is no defense for such an argument. Those who make it won't be convinced by explaining the rest of the story to them. They want to believe it's a hypocritical lifestyle, so they can choose to ignore it. That's certainly easier than dealing with it. How do we respond? We can't respond with words. If there's an opportunity to truly make your case with someone verbally, take it. However, that's not usually the case. Usually, someone has seen or read about an actual hypocritical act and he will use that to defend his own sin by saying, "At least I'm not hypocritical about it!". Words are poor defense against action. But, that does suggest a better defense and it's one Peter suggested himself. "For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." 1 Peter 2:15 Do you really want to quiet the critical voices that scream "Hypocrisy!" to the world? Don't scream back. Just do good. It is God's will for you to do good and He will use it to silence the foolish. Actions speak louder than words and actions for God speak loudest of all. God always has the coolest plans. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Nov 14 00:08:46 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:08:46 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] God Wants You To Smile Message-ID: There is a particular commercial on TV that is infectious. It shows a baby, probably about a year old, and his dad. Dad is just tearing a little bit of newspaper and this kid thinks it is the funniest thing he has ever seen. This baby boy laughs uncontrollably with pure joy at this simple thing. Dad waits until the boy has reverted to just a smile of anticipation and then tears another piece of paper and the waves of laughter start all over. The commercial tag line is about how you can add years to your life with laughter. "Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." " Psalm 126:2 A balanced life includes time for laughter. We need not peruse it by way of coarse language, by making fun of someone's situation in life, or by toying through power you hold over them. There is no spiritual nutrition in laughter at the expense of someone that cannot absorb the attention in good humor. "A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man's hands will return to him." Proverbs 12:14 Did you hear the one about... Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Nov 14 22:25:19 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:25:19 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Accountable Words Message-ID: <51F3D258-D94D-46D5-A448-A397119882D3@clanwebb.com> I remember hearing a comedian defending the use of foul language. He justified it's use by saying, "They're just words!" He went on to say that we should not be afraid of words. After all, don't we value free speech? The point he missed is that there is a responsibility with freedom. It should be used to elevate society, not denigrate it. The introduction of foul language as everyday speech can only become a weight that will drag down a people. Offensive speech says something about the speaker and his ideas and character. One definition of low comedy describes it thusly: "Low comedy lacks subtlety and is of low intellectual value." Speech is a gift from God and he expects us to honor his gifts. "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment." Matthew 12:36 Words do have meanings and power. They also have accountability. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Nov 15 22:29:25 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:29:25 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Sow More Message-ID: "There's no such thing as a free lunch." - Milton Friedman Fundamentally, this quote gets at the difference between those who think people should earn their way and those who should live on an allowance from the government. It makes the point that for everything to be gained, someone worked for it. In a free market, you get to keep the gains you earned. In a socialist system, those gains are shared regardless of effort. There's no shortcut to success that involves doing nothing and gaining much. Furthermore, when someone offers a handout for "free", Dr. Friedman is pointing out that it's not free. It's just that the recipient didn't have to pay for it. When the government gives handouts, it's coming from the hard work of someone else. Now, consider what society is saying to you today. It encourages you to find the free lunch. Get rich quick schemes, gambling, the lottery, and even crime are all sold as methods to get a bigger return on your investment than working hard at a real job. Paul put it pretty succinctly and it's not difficult to understand: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6 First, notice that the equation is pretty simple. Do a little and get back a little. Do a lot and get back a lot. Any attempt to circumvent that equation will bring more trouble down on you than you know. It may feel like a shortcut today, but you'll be paying for it later. Now, note that you will probably not reap in the same form as you sowed. You may sow riches and reap blessings. You may sow time and effort and reap relationships. Don't be looking for immediate returns in kind. Be looking for better returns in the form that God chooses. The bottom line here is that if you are waiting for the free lunch or looking for the elevator to the top of the mountain, you'll be disappointed. Either you'll never find it or, worse, you'll be fooled by deceptive offer and find yourself back at the bottom and a little bit older. You want to reap generously? You want to start getting in on the blessings God has for you? Sow generously. Get to work. Right now. I mean it! Right now! Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Nov 16 22:06:21 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:06:21 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Don't Be Natural Message-ID: The human brain works like a defense attorney for us during every minute of our life. Whatever the urge or desire, the brain is happy to dredge up past experiences, bits of remembered news and history, and the logic of some talking head from fifteen years ago to help support the plan forming in your mind. If you're feeling annoyed at someone, your brain will bring up all the terrible things that person did to you to help you justify your current state of mind. If you're feeling lustful for someone, your brain will try to justify the "look, but don't touch" attitude or dig up some interview you once saw that talked about how porn wasn't really that damaging. It's like that bad friend in high school that was happy to help you do all the things you shouldn't. Being saved means fighting those natural inclinations, though. The psalmist writes about what to do when you feel that God has abandoned you. The natural response is to get angry at God and shake your fist. You may want to stew about how He's failed you and dwell on how much He's messed up your life. The response of the righteous is something else: "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?" Psalm 77:7-13 When you feel He's forgotten you and left you to rot, don't fall for the natural reaction. Refocus on what He has done for you and how great He has been in your life already. Chances are, that's precisely what He's waiting for you to do, anyway. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Nov 17 21:53:21 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:53:21 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Two Words Message-ID: <724D7233-8121-4DBD-95E7-1B0543508B7E@clanwebb.com> We are somewhat blind to our own failings. We can usually come up with some extenuating circumstances that will partially excuse our behavior and performance. That is why we are terrible judges of ourselves. We tend to inflate our successes and minimize our failings. My university required that I declare a concentration along with my major. It's not quite a minor, but it was a focused series of classes, nonetheless. Being that my school was primarily a science and engineering school, the concentration was required to be one of several humanities. I chose history. During four years, I wrote dozens of papers for those history classes. Exactly one was good enough to earn an A. Now, I worked hard on each of those papers. I did extra research. I used the most creative prose I've ever constructed. Each of those papers was head and shoulders above the work I'd done in high school. Still, I couldn't seem to do better than a B. Now, had I been judging them, I would have felt that the time, effort, and content of each of them had been good enough for a top grade. Clearly, my professors didn't agree. But, of course, they knew the subject matter much better than I did. They were comparing the papers of not only my current classmates, but of the students from years past. They were also objective. They were in a significantly better position to judge fairly on the quality of my papers. And they felt that only one of them qualified as a top paper. I mentioned that I would have been much easier on myself had I the opportunity to grade those papers. But, of course, that would have also lessened the value of the grade. If the bar is lowered, the achievement means less. If the objective is to simply appear better than your peer, then you want the bar lowered. If the objective is to achieve something meaningful, then you want the bar to be high. This all leads me to pointing out that my goals now are driven by meeting the highest bar of all. I want to please God and be rewarded by Him. "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." 2 Corinthians 10:18 I can pat myself on the back. I can seek human achievements and rewards. But, those are low bars compared to the reward Christ promises. I want to do the work Christ has appointed me. I want to earn two words from Him. I want to hear: "Well done." Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Nov 18 21:17:43 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 21:17:43 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Half and Half Message-ID: Are you a half-full or half-empty kind of person? I admit to primarily falling in the half-full crowd. I can whip up a half-empty day when things are going well, but that's not my normal attitude. I like to think that God is a half-full guy. His Word overflows with His attitude of second chances and forgiveness. He has done all the work and all we need to do is accept it. There is good reason for Him to be optimistic. We, on the other hand, can easily get into a half-empty attitude because of our human nature. When we trip and fall, we focus on the failure. We get angry at being embarrassed or start to blame others for our predicament. That approach will send you into a downward spiral. For example, what do you focus on when you read this? "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1-2 For the first part, I start to count the items off that I think I'm doing well on. Do I listen to the wicked? No. Do I stand with sinners? No. Do mock others? No. Of course, each time I say, "No", what I really mean is "not very often". Then the last part stops me cold. Do I meditate on His law day and night? Well, I think about it for a little in the mornings and on Sundays and Wednesdays. Is that enough? Now, the half-empty guy would see this description as impossible to attain. He throws his hands up and walks the other way. The half-full guy knows it is impossible to meet this description perfectly every day. But, he sees the attempt as the best possible way to live life. Which one are you? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Nov 20 00:34:35 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:34:35 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Chickens and Pigs Message-ID: The style of project management we use in my office has a fundamental concept of defining everyone in a meeting based on how much responsibility he has for the success of the project. Each person is either a pig or chicken. That terminology comes from a joke: A chicken and pig were talking in the barnyard one day and came up with the idea of starting a restaurant. The pig asked the chicken, "What should we call it?". The chicken answered, "I know. Let's call it: Ham 'n Eggs!" The pig replied, "No thanks. You'd just be involved, I'd have to be committed." So, those who are completely committed to the success of the project are called pigs and those who are just involved are chickens. The real-life difference is that the pigs get to contribute during meetings and make decisions. The chickens are there to listen only. The idea being that those who are most committed to the success are likely to have the best motivation to do well. Let them do the planning. It occurred to me the other day that Christians can act like pigs and chickens, too. We can go to church, read the Bible once in a while, and pray before dinner. But, if we then base the rest of our life on what we want and the pleasures we desire, we aren't really committed to Christ. We are dabbling in it. We are just tasting it. In fact, when we live this way, Christianity kind of feels like it gets in the way. "No one can serve to masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24 When we just sample Christ once in a while, we are attempting to serve two masters. It will never work. You can't just be involved with Christ. You have to be committed. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Paul is reminding us that following Christ is not a "dip your toe in the water" kind of experience. This is a "dive deep and swim hard" kind of deal. You have to be totally committed or it just won't work. So, be a pig for Christ and don't chicken out. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Nov 20 23:05:21 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:05:21 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Unclean Message-ID: In the Old Testament, when someone had leprosy, they were required by law to cry out, "unclean!" when another human being came close. What if God ordained that anyone who was in sin had to do the same thing? After all, our sin can infect others just like a communicable disease. Disease, by its nature, is always seeking another host to infect. It would be a pretty noisy world with people crying out, "Unclean idolatry!", "Unclean adultery!", or "Unclean money lover!". You get the picture. Worse, it might turn into, do you want to buy the picture? I suspect that in the world's fallen nature, it would become a contest. "Unclean? You call that unclean? Look over there," where you'd see someone calling out, "Unclean drug dealer!" or "Unclean murderer!" Fox News would be all over it. Geraldo would speculate, CNN would pontificate, and it would never occur to anybody that if it's unclean, perhaps it should be avoided. Instead, they'd be fighting over how much to pay for the exclusive. Ratings would soar. Congress would argue that we can't use those outcries against them nor can we ask if they are here legally. They'd pass laws to educate everyone about their rights and prevent them from being discriminated against. It would go on and on. "Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways;" Proverbs 2:11-15 This behavior is the essence of the slippery slope. Not drawing a line between Good and Evil or between Sin and Righteousness. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Nov 22 00:18:54 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:18:54 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Wisdom of the Goat Message-ID: <779D994A-AB5B-46A4-B76B-0F2488608301@clanwebb.com> "Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?" Ecclesiastes 7:16 This scripture seems to be a contradiction. How can righteousness and wisdom ruin someone? One answer is in the two words "excessively" and "overly". Can one have too much of either of these? I think it speaks of pursuance and implementation. Too much curiosity and lack of prudence at the wrong time can produce the wrong results. Even if the motives are harmless, the results can be disastrous. It reminds me of a story about three young men that come upon a large hole in the ground. Idle curiosity leads them to speculate on how deep it might be. One of the young men decides to throw a rock into the hole to see if they can gauge its depth. The rock doesn't produce a sound, so their curiosity grows. The second young man decides to drop a rock that he can barely lift into the hole, but still no sound is heard. Again, they become even more curious. The third young man, with the help of the other two, pushes a large log into the hole. As they are bending over to listen for any sound, a large goat zips past them and leaps into the hole. Still no sound is produced and now they are confused, but committed to figure out this enigma. Not only was there no sound, but now there's a suicidal goat added to the mix. Finally, a man appears out of the bushes and says, "Hi guys, what's going on?" One of the young men replies, "We are trying to determine the depth of this hole." The newcomer replies, "I see. Well, I'm looking for my goat. Have you seen him?" The second young man says, "As a matter of fact, while we were standing here a goat ran past us and jumped into this hole. I'm not sure if it was yours or not." The man replies, "Nah, it couldn't have been mine. I had him tied to a big log." The pursuit of knowledge or righteousness, as well as their implementation, should be done with some concern for the consequences. Overzealousness can be hard on relationships and livestock. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Nov 23 01:01:15 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:01:15 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Thanks For Reading Message-ID: <169BEFE1-4C92-42C1-B571-B35A3FF9D0A9@clanwebb.com> The holidays are time of year when we are continually reminded to be thankful for what we have. Two of our pastors just returned from a trip to Zimbabwe where they visited several orphanages and met pastors from all around the area. The pictures they bring back do tend to remind me that the things I just couldn't live without would be unimaginable luxuries for most people in that part of the world. So, yes, we should feel thankful. While teaching on this the other night, our pastor brought up a subtle concept in Scripture that has profound meaning. "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 At first glance, this appears to be an affirmation of the idea of being thankful for everything. But, if you read it carefully, that's not what this verse is saying. Paul is exhorting us to be thankful in all situations. So, when the roof starts to leak or your job is circling the drain, you don't have to be thankful for the unpleasant events, but you should have an attitude of thankfulness as you deal with them. You don't need to cry out, "Thank you, God, for a lousy boss!", but you should cry out, "Thank you, God, for a job!" and "Thank you, God, for my family!" Paul is telling us to approach every situation in life with an attitude of thankfulness. So, be thankful for what you have and be thankful all the time. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Nov 23 22:39:58 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:39:58 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Forward or Backward Message-ID: Have you ever known someone who would choose to stay in his current misery rather than make an attempt to leave it? It's usually because that attempt means something new or requires some extra effort that he does not want to make. That's either a crippling fear of the unknown or terminal laziness. Yet, it is not uncommon. Now, what about those who have made a change and experienced the alternative, but still go back? Sometimes, that's due to a false promise of pleasure or gain. Sometimes, it's that familiarity again. The truth is that we are all that guy. When you see how Paul phrases it, you'll know what I mean: "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" Galatians 4:8-9 Now, Paul was specifically speaking about those new Gentile Christians who were being convinced that they had to obey Mosaic law to be saved. However, the principle is the same. Your previous slavery has been overcome. Jesus has rescued you out of it. Why do you go back to your old masters and subject yourself to them again? This is like a spiritual drug addiction and some of us need an intervention. You need to face up to the fact that you keep fading back to old habits, old sins, and old masters. That is slavery. That path leads only to pain. You don't need to go to rehab, but you do need to make a decision right now. Decide to stop letting yourself fall back. Don't kid yourself into thinking you can't help it. You choose to do it. Don't. Confess to a brother. Ask for accountability. Pray. Read the Word. This is not easy work, but nothing worth doing ever is. The reward, though, is life overflowing: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10 NASB Do you choose to go forward or backward? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Nov 24 22:35:43 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2007 22:35:43 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Deep Breaths Message-ID: <594AB144-E69C-4021-84D8-4E2334EFAE83@clanwebb.com> "Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." Genesis 2:7 God's breath. What a mysterious thing to contemplate. I am sure that Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, or Gene Roddenberry could give us a representation on film or in a story. Perhaps Leonardo da Vinci could have created a Renaissance painting showing God's breath flowing into the nostrils of Adam. The fact still remains that God's breath is the great mystery of creation. I mean, we argue about the physical results and the timelines, but in the end, if we could agree on these things, we still would not understand God's breath, for in it is life. We will never know the science of God's breath because the creation will never outpace the creator. One thing we do know about God's breath is that it is the great parentheses of everything. Everything stands between Genesis 2:7 and the final battle when God, once again, breaths life into man for two purposes: to revive the saints and to bring back the rest for judgment. "But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them." Revelation 11:11 The inhaling and exhaling of God deserves prayerful consideration. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Nov 25 22:08:52 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:08:52 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Rock the Boat Message-ID: <00ACB5BC-A829-47E1-BE9C-92450CFA7527@clanwebb.com> Most of the fishing I've done in my life has been standing on a riverbank or in a boat on a river or lake. Most of those boats would hold three or four guys and we'd either drift down a river or attach an outboard to cruise around a lake. If you spend any time in a boat that small, you learn how quickly the boat reacts to sudden weight shifts. Move enough weight to one side fast enough and you'll all be going for a swim and watching the cooler with your lunch float away. The phrase "don't rock the boat" has immediate and tangible meaning. Whether or not you rock the boat will have consequences for you and for everyone travelling with you. Chances are they don't want you to rock the boat either, because they're happy where they are. Apply this analogy to our walk with Christ and it's not what you think. We become so afraid of rocking the boat that we ignore or modify Christ to keep the boat sailing smoothly. We don't want those riding with us to be annoyed. The result is that we all tend to fall into the trap of "just keep everything the same." Of course, the whole reason Christ would want you to rock the boat is because the boat is headed the wrong direction. A smooth ride down the wrong river is still a bad day. Paul called Peter on this early on. "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself form the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged ot the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray." Galatians 2:11-13 Peter didn't want to rock the boat. Christ was allowing a situation to arise that should have been resolved so that Jew and Gentile were in agreement about the need to follow Mosaic law. Instead, Peter just became a wallflower and stopped hanging out with Gentiles. He didn't want to be confronted with the hard questions. He didn't want to upset the smooth ride. What happened instead? He had a confrontation with Paul. Paul called him out and Peter had to repent. I bet that was a lovely and comfortable conversation. The point here is to not forget who you serve. Your purpose in life is to serve Christ, not to make sure everyone has a smooth ride. If He asks that you help keep your boat smooth and even, then sit tight and make it happen. If He asks that you lean hard to one side and scare the daylights out of your boat-mates, then you'd better do it. If you don't, He'll send someone else to do it and He'll ask you to account for yourself later. "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." John 15:20 Just because they won't like you for it doesn't mean it didn't need to be done. Christ is revolutionary. There were bound to be some boats to rock. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Nov 27 00:21:12 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:21:12 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Find Yourself Message-ID: <6243D126-A2E7-432C-BF7A-47628BBB3BAF@clanwebb.com> As I sat in church, I scanned the people around me and realized how many of their stories I knew. I am inspired by those that wear their faith on their sleeves and whose lives reflect their faith. Then there are those that are just sitting there for the effect. My eyes came to settle on an attractive, young woman and her three children. I know her story. Not so many weeks ago, her husband sat beside her. But now, he is off with another woman and they sit alone. If he really had understood who he was and what he was supposed to be, then he would have still been there beside his family. There comes a time in any endeavor when, as my dad would say, "You have to fish or cut bait." If you are the type of Christian that just sits in the boat with his line in the water waiting for God to produce, you ought to reel up and see if you are presenting anything He can work with. "I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able." 1 Corinthians 3:2 You must make a conscious decision about fishing the deep water. Get into the Word. Desire to learn the whos, whats, whens, and wheres of the Bible. Find out who you are and what you are supposed to be in this life. It reminds me of a little story: Deep within a forest, a little turtle began to climb a tree. After hours of effort, he reached the top, jumped into the air waving his front legs, and crashed to the ground. After recovering, he slowly climbed the tree again, jumped again, and fell to the ground again. The turtle tried again and again while a couple of birds sitting on a branch watched his sad efforts. Finally, the female bird turned to her mate. "Dear," she chirped, "I think it's time to tell him he's adopted." There comes a time to find out who you are! Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Nov 28 00:30:06 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:30:06 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Share the Wealth Message-ID: I would hazard that we could all point to one or two people that were crucial at important moments in our lives. This is not to discount my parents, who constructed the foundation from which I learned to fly on my own, but there were others who injected just the right encouragement, discipline, or support at just the right moment. Two stick out in my mind during my high school years. I had a history teacher who didn't care that I'd been at the top of my class. He simply assessed my ability and expected me to live up to it. I wasn't allowed to slide because I beat my classmates, he expected me to push my limits. I learned just enough there to know how to tackle my college courses a couple of years later. I had a computer science teacher who challenged me. I was tinkering and toying around, but not really learning anything deep. She basically asked if I wanted to play games the rest of my life or learn how to build software. That got me off the line and set me on the path that I've followed professionally to this day. I have to give credit to both of those folks for providing valuable, long lasting instruction that has resulted in many good things in my life. I am happy to share my success with them. I can't claim to have made those leaps all on my own. We all need to take that same approach to the Holy Spirit. "Anyone who received instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor." Galatians 6:6 I believe you can read this two ways and both are sound. You can read interpret this as saying that if another person teaches you Scripture, then you have to share the rewards of learning that Scripture with him. Maybe that means telling him how your life has changed due to the change you made after reading a given passage. Maybe it means thanking him after using the lesson he taught you to uplift someone else. He was part of that process and the good things that came from it should be shared with him. You can also read this as your instructor being the Holy Spirit. If you've received instruction from Scripture and followed it, then you have to share the rewards with Him. He facilitated the steps that eventually brought you blessings from God. Just like with me and my teachers, you can't take the credit yourselves. You need to share those blessings and successes with those who brought you there. Most of all you need to share it with your Father, your Savior, and your Teacher. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Nov 28 22:47:51 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:47:51 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Lack Nothing Message-ID: <4402C425-423A-4B01-8E38-EA669972BE73@clanwebb.com> The Bible is full of promises for followers of God. God has promised many things to those who obey Him. Note two important things about all of these promises, though. You did not earn them. They are gifts. And, you have to start the process. It's like priming a water pump. It won't work at all until you fill the pump with water. Then it will pump water forever. You have to take the first step and obey God. You can't wait for the blessing to get started. This is most obvious when it comes to money. I certainly spent a few years saying that I would start donating more money as soon as God made it possible. I had it backwards. "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27 It doesn't say, "He who lacks nothing will give to the poor," but that's what many of us are waiting for. We want to be flush before we start to give. No, the proverb says that if you give, then you will lack nothing. You have to step out on the faith that God will follow through on this promise. By the way, it doesn't count if you claim that your giving is happening via tax revenues that the government is giving away generously. That's involuntary. Real giving is when you give money to someone else that you could have used for yourself. And, real sacrificial giving is when it hurts. If it doesn't hurt, it doesn't matter. But, that's exactly the kind of giving that will set you up to "lack nothing." "A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him." Proverbs 28:22 It's the economic law of God. Give your riches away and you will lack nothing. Try to gather riches or hold on to riches, and they will fly away. I know you think you don't have any spare money to give. Good, then anything you give will be a sacrifice. It'll be the best habit you've ever started. So, which will it be: "lack nothing" or "many curses"? Your choice. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Nov 30 01:26:43 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:26:43 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Rocks and Mirrors Message-ID: <9E63AB79-D5E6-4538-BC17-65025ACC8E20@clanwebb.com> Sometimes in the face of all the flak that is thrown at Christians, our vision becomes blurred. We want to pick up the rock and hurl it back at the world. Worse, there are times when we want to find a rock and throw it through the window of unbelief. This verse places the Christian on alert that our behavior toward the unbeliever will be a mirror to them that reflects the glory of God. "Keep you behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2:12 Holding the line and loving everyone, including your enemies, is a paradox that sets the Christian apart. Remember that it doesn't matter what we see, but what Christ sees. "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 The truth is that Christ was, and is, patient with us, so we should be the same way with the world. The Word of God is written on their hearts, otherwise there would be no reason for them to react to accountability. I know it would be easier to just hit 'em over the head, but some of them are kinda big. Allen