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You’ve done it. I’ve done it. It’s human nature. We’ve all played the game where we try to be more clever than our own brain. We figure if we can come up with a plausible, innocent explanation for what we’re about to do, then it’s okay. After a while, it’s not even a matter of believing in that explanation, just that it’s a possible reason.

We outsmart ourselves doubly, though. First, we convince ourselves that it really isn’t the sin of our heart that’s leading the way. Then, we somehow trick ourselves into thinking that the key is just having a reasonable story as if we will have to convince some human judge some day.

The truth is that we can get so wound up that we can actually start believing our own faulty reasoning. The truth is both good news and bad news. God can help us keep from getting lost in our own deception. But, He can also see right through it.

“All a man’s ways seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.” Proverbs 16:2

“He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.’ ” Luke 16:15

Don’t bother spinning in circles trying to justify that step you know is wrong. Abandon that pursuit and follow Him. If you’ve already taken the step, repent now. Quit kidding yourself and get back to walking the walk.

Around this time of year, all of the semi-educational cable channels dig all of their Bible-related shows out of the vaults and fill the hours with them. There’s all kinds of shows that claim to research the validity of Jesus, the Resurrection, the stories of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the rest. I’m always amazed at how clueless the supposed historians and researchers are about my faith. They speak in broad generalities about Christianity and are often wrong. Sometimes they state the traditions and beliefs of the Catholic church as the standard for all of Christianity. It bugs me. It lowers the following of Christ to being nothing different than the following of Allah or Buddha. Of course, that’s probably the point.

Tonight, I saw one about the history of Jerusalem and the different holy sites there. The experts they interviewed kept saying over and over how Jerusalem was where people of three major religions came to get closer to God. They referred to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount as places where you could connect with God and Heaven. One rabbi even joked that praying at the Western Wall was a local call to God.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to be anywhere in particular to talk to my Savior.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

When I see people praying while touching particular rocks, buildings, or artifacts, I see idolatry. Are you asking God to answer your prayer or not? Do you think that there’s some kind of express pass to the front of the line based on where you are or what you’re holding when you pray?

No. You can only speak to the Father through Jesus Christ and He is with you right now.

“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:14

Save the airfare. Speak to God right where you are. It’s always a local call.

We’re experiencing an impressive cold snap as I write this. They say it will be the coldest sustained temperatures in our area in almost twenty years. Given a choice, I prefer to battle cold rather than heat, but it’s still darn cold outside. Considering weather extremes reminds me of two things:

First, I’m reminded that the temperature range in which humans can live is amazingly narrow. We think of a swing of one hundred degrees as a vast change. However, matter can be chilled to over 250 degrees below zero before the atoms stop moving. Furthermore, the surface of the sun is estimated to be almost 10,000 degrees. How is it that the majority of land on this planet keeps it’s temperatures between zero and 120 degrees almost all the time? It’s almost as if the planet were designed that way. If this kind of thing fascinates you, read “The Privileged Planet” or rent the DVD.

Secondly, I’m reminded of the control God has over His creation. I’m reminded that, despite the critic’s accusations of a silent God, He is actually a very dramatic God. For example:

“A day of the Lord is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.

I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.

Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime—a day known to the Lord. When evening comes, there will be light.” Zechariah 14:1-7

That’s more dramatic that a twenty degree shift in average temperature. That will be something to see. That will be our Lord coming back.

A few years ago, I sat across the table from one of my co-workers when he said to me, “I just can’t believe that the Bible can be accurate today after so many years.” He felt that believing the Bible is both true and still the same words written in the first century took a leap of faith that ignored evidence.

The truth is that the evidence points towards the Bible’s accuracy and stability. The truth is that you must believe things even more fantastic, bizarre, and unlikely to argue that the New Testament is fake, deception, or exaggeration. Spend some time reading books like “The Case for Christ” or “The Case for the Real Jesus” or “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist”. Learn about the strong evidence for your faith so you can share it to the non-believer.

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:18-20

There’s no reason to “hide” behind your faith. There is enough evidence that any fair assessment will show the Truth. You can argue for the Truth with what God has made plain. Don’t be afraid to do just that.

The Truth is out there.

Ah, the cold wind is in the air, the lights are in the trees, and the ornaments are hung with care. It’s that time of year again. It’s that time when it seems that everyone’s tempers get very short. I realize that there’s stress involved with Christmas shopping, driving, parking, and whatnot, but it always seems ironic that this is when I see people at their grumpiest.

I watch people yell at the salesperson in the department store. I observe cheerful folks cut in front of others while they pretend they didn’t see anyone waiting. I see people exhibit really amazing rudeness to the cashiers in the food court. I always feel for those who have to take that abuse with a smile.

“A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16

This one hit me while thinking of these situations, today. I make an effort to be patient and polite to the people helping me. It’s not just for the person you interact with, though, it’s also for those watching you. You’ll be a much happier person if you let those things go. It’s not worth working up your temper.

Besides, you are a representative of Christ every day in every place. People will associate your behavior with Him.

What kind of impression are you making this Christmas?

I’ve been watching more basketball this winter than I normally do. That’s mostly because my favorite team is playing much better this year. They are a young team with a good coach that has quite a bit of potential. However, from time to time, they fall victim to their youth and lack of experience. They can get down on themselves when things go wrong. They let themselves get scattered when the pressure cranks up. Even so, it’s fun to watch them mature.

Of course, I see parallels to the maturing of this team and my own walk with Jesus. There are times I feel like I come through when called. I feel like I did the job asked of me. Other times, I feel swamped and overwhelmed. I start to feel like I’m out of my depth and wonder how useful I can be.

The biggest similarity I saw the other night, though, was one of being careful to do things the right way. I watched my team start to drift out of the game plan. Pretty soon they weren’t setting good screens. They weren’t moving the ball well. They started taking long jump shots instead of working to the basket. In short, they started cutting corners and taking shortcuts. It showed. A turnover here an offensive foul there and pretty soon they’re down by ten late in the fourth quarter.

That corner-cutting will catch up to you. If you start to cheat a little bit on following God’s will, it seems like little stuff, but it’ll add up. Leaving work a little early here, a peek at some inappropriate websites there, and pretty soon you’re way off the path and wondering how you fell so far behind.

The three thrown into the furnace didn’t cut corners when it came to obeying God.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.’” Daniel 3:16-17

Daniel didn’t cut corners when it came to obeying God even when there was a law against it:

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:10

Others who did cut corners (King Saul, Jonah, Ananias & Sapphira) didn’t fare so well. So, grow up in the Lord. Be deliberate about following Him. Don’t cut corners.

Have you ever had to deal with someone who is very interested in talking to you when you aren’t terribly interested in talking to him? It’s often a case of insecurity or overbearing friendliness. When in one of those situations, I find myself doing everything I can to make the conversation end. I try not to say anything that may open another line of discussion. I try not to ask questions that will lead into another discourse. Unfortunately, I find myself sort of blindly agreeing with statements, too, just to make the subject move more quickly.

This can get me into trouble, though, when the conversation turns to other people that we both know. The conversation can become a game of calling out foibles and personal failings of those folks. This is usually followed by discussing what that person should do to fix it. By this point, I’m mentally tired and just want it to be done, but I have to stay alert. This is gossip. The act of hearing it and agreeing with it allows it to continue. It’s something I should stop.

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.” Proverbs 20:19

It’s a time to gently say, “I’d rather not talk about that,” or find a polite excuse to leave the conversation. I’ve found that when someone starts down this road, even if I don’t respond, the gossiper will exaggerate the story with each telling. This only makes it worse. Don’t abide it and don’t participate in it.

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:9-10

It’s much easier to just nod your head and let it wash over you. Don’t. If you can, stop it. If you can’t stop it, avoid it. It will damage everyone involved.

The in-between time is strange. It’s always odd for a new president-elect to be working to get ready for office when the previous president hasn’t yet left office. Since the election is over, it’s very tempting for the new guy to simply act like he’s already in control. But, that’s not how it works. He’s not president until he’s sworn in and the previous man’s term has ended. Just because he’s been anointed the future ruler doesn’t mean that he can jump in early.

This was something that David understood clearly, especially when the anointing came from God. From a young age he knew he would be king. And, even when the current king tries to kill him, he refuses to step in before his time.

“Abishai said to David, ‘Today God has delivered your enemy [King Saul] into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won’t strike him twice.’

But David said to Abishai, ‘Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the Lord lives,’ he said, ‘the Lord himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battles and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. [...]‘ ” 1 Samuel 26:8-11

David knew that even though God had chosen him, the timing still belonged to God.

How many times do we stumble after feeling a call from God by simply starting too fast or in the wrong direction? He calls you, but He only calls you for certain purposes. He doesn’t call you to freelance or change the plans as you go. A call from God is not a free pass to do more than He asked.

Be ready for the call. Be thankful for the calling. Just don’t try to change the job description.

It’s funny how fast one can jump to a conclusion because it happens to means avoiding any responsibility. Consider the government that manages a failing program and comes to the conclusion that more money would fix the problem. Consider the student that fails a test and comes to the conclusion that better teaching and a better testing environment would fix the problem. Consider the worker that underperforms and comes to the conclusion that better equipment or better products to sell would fix the problem.

When troubles come upon us, we can consider one of three enemies a believer faces.

We do find trouble from the enemy:

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

We can also find trouble from the fallen world:

“For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16

Finally, we can find our troubles coming from ourselves:

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Romans 6:11-14

But when things go wrong, where do we point the finger? Usually we point at the world or Satan because it’s easier to be the victim than to admit culpability. The truth is that our own sinful nature is the glowing ember and the world and Satan simply blow on it to make it flare up. If we’d simply put it out, there’d be nothing for them to inflame.

Sometimes, it really is the world making it worse. Sometimes, Satan really is working you over. But, the vast majority of the time, you simply have allowed sin to exist and smolder in your heart.

Don’t point fingers. Smother the ember.

I’m both a fan and a creator of video games. While I like the fast-paced, twitchy games, I’m better at the ones that require some strategy and thinking. And, of course, in any game where there’s a score, the first thing I want to do is compare that score to others. If I’m particularly good at a game, I start comparing my score to other players around the country and around the world. After all, that’s how you measure your ability and value as a player of that game, right?

Out of the blue, today, I was struck by how human nature is in a constant search for how it rates. We’ll even shrink the pool of competitors so we can feel better about our accomplishment. It’s great to be a state champion football team, but I get pretty excited about winning my office ping-pong tournament, too. Heck, my son and I can even go back and forth trying to be the best out of the two of us at any particular game.

God certainly knows this about us. He knows that we want to rate ourselves. He knows that if we have an opportunity, we’ll brag about our accomplishments. Through Paul, God clearly warns us off of that plan:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

In fact, God gave us the Law specifically to show us that we can’t rate ourselves because we are all miserable failures. He compares us to the highest standard of all. We can’t shrink the pool or choose a lower bar. We simply can’t attain that score. It’s admitting that we can’t score high enough to get in that drives us to Jesus. Accept Christ so you don’t have to try to earn points to get into Heaven. And, if you already know Christ, stop comparing scores already!

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