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When You Feel Like A Failure...

9/27/2010

9 Comments

 
This article was picked up by The Pagosa Daily Post, Pagosa Springs, Colorado!
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This probably won't apply to you, but you might know someone who gets emotionally leveled with feelings of worthlessness. A goal is missed (again), someone makes a comment about weight, another less than expected paycheck or a sale falls through, a certain sin has crept back in or a mistake from the past is brought back up, and what might have been a great day ends up in the toilet.

I won't be singing, “Just Put On A Happy Face” here.   I'm punching the keyboard under a wet blanket of my own disappointments. But I'm writing this to remind myself and that friend of yours of a few important things.

1.  These feelings will pass. Valleys don't go on for ever. Even the Grand Canyon comes to an end and gives way to level ground. Psalms 30:5 says, For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Tomorrow really is a new day, and a good night's sleep may be exactly what's needed to bring on a new perspective.

2. Instead of dwelling on the problem, focus on solutions.  There are usually many ways out of a bad situation. But we won't see them if we aren't open and looking. If we know what needs to be done – do it. If we don't know what needs to be done, let's humble ourselves, and ask someone who does. Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Negative feelings serve a purpose in our lives.  I believe they're connected to the conscience to get us to make corrections.  If we can see it like that, we'll be better off. But If we've made corrections and the feelings still throw us into a tailspin mentally, it's time to tell our feelings to take a hike!  One way to do this is by declaring the scriptures to ourself, the enemy, and the air around us.  Psalm 34 is a favorite of mine.  Open up your KJV Bible and speak this out loud when you're getting beat up.

3. Be content with or even celebrate small victories. I didn't get into some of the messes I've found myself in overnight. It was a decision here, a choice there over a period of weeks, months or years. Unfortunately, I probably won't be getting out of those situations in twenty-four hours either. It will probably take weeks, months or years to fix. 

The hook is that if we have unrealistic expectations of progress, we might trigger feelings of failure again. Instead, let's rejoice over every little step in the right direction. Many small victories make a big win! 
Failure is part of life. How we handle it is what's most important. The American auto maker and pioneer of the assembly-line production method, Henry Ford said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”  What a great perspective.

The emotional side of failure is sometimes tricky to get through. But, no matter how bad things may look or how we feel right now remember this: 

                                               
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Well, don't say we didn't warn you!

Things 

Could Always 
Be Worse!


Again, the anger, bad mood, depression will pass. It's probably not the best time to make any important decisions. Rather, let's take all the feelings, mood swings, and tears and put them and ourselves on the altar, 
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  (1 Peter 5:7)


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Stand Alone Faith

9/20/2010

4 Comments

 
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I'm currently writing a novel about an ambitious young man's pursuit of God in a popular church organization. He's headed for denominational stardom, when God steps in. Suddenly, he must choose between truth or personal glory. It's a choice only he can make, and he'll make it alone. What happens next? Lord willing you'll get to find out just in time for Christmas! I'll keep you posted.

When everything is said and done, who's responsible for our walk with God? Are you responsible for my walk with God? Am I responsible for yours? Does the buck stop with Pastor Jones? Or are each one of us responsible for our own relationship with Jesus Christ?

We probably don't think about it very often in terms of responsibility. We go through our daily and weekly routines and generally aim to be a Christian. We go to church on Sundays where we listen to someone preach to us. We've been taught to look to a pastor to keep us on track.

But there's an amazing verse in the book of Acts that really captured my attention some years ago. Allow me to set this up: Imagine persecution had come to your town. Christianity is outlawed. Some have been thrown into prison for their faith. What happens now? What will you do? Here's what happened to believers in Jerusalem:

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.  (Acts 8:4)

Wait a minute. They didn't fold like a cheap picnic chair and quit serving God? They didn't run to get counseling? They didn't abandon the name of Jesus? No. They went everywhere preaching the word. Wow!

What does this tell us about those early Christians? Here's what I get from this:

a) they were strong enough in their own faith to withstand persecution;
b) they knew the word;
c) they understood their own spiritual responsibilities;
c) they'd been taught how to teach and preach.

In other words, they weren't spectators of their faith. They were active in their walk with God. They viewed themselves as missionaries wherever they went.

Is that our perspective about our own faith? Do we view ourselves as carriers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, able, willing and desirous to point souls to that narrow way that leads to life? Or are we more like passive members of a weekly social club who's primary duty is to hold down a pew and pass the offering plate?

This might sound funny, but some people are more attached to an attractive building then they are to God.  If something were to happen to that building, they'd be shaken. Others are dedicated to Pastor Jones.   But if the good pastor ever fell into sin, oh my, they might not make it through to glory either. And of course, who can worship without Sister Jenny leading us on the baby grand piano? No Jenny?  No worship.  Sorry Jesus.

Is this us? Are we that frail?

What kind of a church did Christ come to build? Matthew 16:18 tells us that his church is built on the rock (Christ) and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. It's a church that will endure storms, persecutions, threats, feast, famine and even the perils of prosperity. It won't just barely get by, it will prevail! It will advance! Jesus said, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)

So here's a question for us all: are we strong enough in our faith, that we can stand alone if we had to? By stand alone, I'm not suggesting that the goal is to separate ourselves from godly fellowship. Rather, that even if we are alone, we are true to Christ and stand for him. We don't revert back to our old ways or just blend in with our surroundings. Some of us are surrounded by sinners, must travel for work, or are stationed far away in the military. Whatever the case are we faithful to him? Are we witnesses unto him and to those around us?

I remember many times of being out on my own. I was tested and challenged. Sometimes I was victorious. Then there was the other ninety percent of the time. Much of that changed when someone taught me a Bible study then pushed me to go teach others. I did and my life changed. I had a deeper relationship with Christ and his Word and had tools to share the Word with others. 

Hey!  That's exactly what the early church did!

...Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.


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Where Are We Getting Our Doctrines?

9/16/2010

5 Comments

 
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First let me express my gratitude to everyone out there who reads and comments on these blog posts. I've watched the visitor count on this website grow tremendously and I'm humbled that anyone would take the time to stop by, read, comment and pass things along to their friends. That means a great deal to me, and I hope you've been blessed in some way!

What is doctrine? And as important, where do we get our doctrines from? The short answer is that a doctrine is a teaching. Doctrine can be good or bad. Much of it's benefit or detriment is where it comes from. Compare these two verses..

Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

John 7:16  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

In the previous post, Which Bible, I emphasized a command from God and key doctrine about God's word:  Never add to it. Never take away from it.  If you haven't already, please check out the Free Bible Studies about the Word of God for more about this.

What prompted this post today is some email that I received recently. Within the encouraging lines were hints at some doctrines I'd been taught years ago. Not only was I taught them, I taught them to others. Then one day I realized that what I'd been taught - from a man I highly respected and loved – wasn't in the Bible. Many of us have experienced this haven't we? Believing something that isn't scriptural? I'll share highlights of this doctrine because it's important to the purpose of this website.

Most American Christians view pastors as the church leader. That is not what the Bible says, however. In fact “pastors” is mentioned only once in the New Testament and not as a “leader” but listed along with teachers, evangelists, prophets, etc. I believe the overemphasis of this role has led to church becoming more of a CEO led corporation than a family led by elders.

Ephesians 4:11-12 says, And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

There are five gifts listed in this verse. Some people have taken this one verse and created the doctrine of the Five Fold Ministry. When I first heard this new doctrine, it was refreshing!  God's church is his body with many members.  Each member is gifted to edify the others.  Just as we want all of our members to function, so God  wants to use all of the members of that body not just one or a few.

After some years of experience with this doctrine, I noticed something one day. “Five Fold Ministry” is not in the Bible. And if I'm not supposed to add to or take away from the Word... 

uh.... 
mmmm.......

If the Bible doesn't say, “Five Fold Ministry,” then what does it say? I discovered we're talking about “gifts of the spirit” or “spiritual gifts.” And if that's that case, then there are a lot more than five when you cross reference that verse with these other chapters: 1 Cor. 12-14 and Romans 12.  This is what "rightly dividing the word of truth" in 2 Tim. 2:15 is all about.

The Five Fold Ministry doctrine was a step in the right direction, but it was only a step. We saw that there was more to ministry than the role of a pastor. But there is also more than five ministries. Many man-made doctrines usually start with a good verse but stop short or go too far.  We should be comfortable enough with our faith and the scriptures to ask ourselves why we say, do and believe some of the things we do.

I was challenged recently by a friend who asked me about a common phrase we Christians, myself included, use a lot. The more I thought about it the more I realized that phrase isn't in the Bible either. So what will I do about it? I'm going back into the Word to find out what it does say about that, and I'll adjust accordingly.  I may share my findings down the road.

I've heard from pilots that, though the plane will usually make it's intended destination, it's off course 90% of the time while in the air. Constant corrections must be made to keep headed in the right direction. That's a good way to look at our walk with God.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
(Philippians 3:13-14) 


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Which Bible?

9/13/2010

15 Comments

 
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 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God
which I command you.
Deuteronomy 4:2    

The headlines today are alive with talk about people burning the Koran. Interesting that burning Bibles, removing Bibles, and forbidding Bibles has been going on for quite some time and for some reason it's not news. Apparently it's not a big deal that the foundation of our faith is regularly assaulted. Well, it's not just news; it's a battle. The longest running war on earth has been between the Word of God and Satan.

Remember the scene in the Garden of Eden? The serpent came to Eve in all of his subtlety and got her to question the Word of God. Then he lied to her and told her that she wouldn't die if she ate of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden. The father of lies, lied. Imagine that! She ate, so did Adam, which introduced sin into the world and death that follows sin.

Is there anything Satan won't do to get us to disobey God? I doubt it. I believe he'll do all he's allowed to do. In these last days I believe he's working overtime because the coming of the Lord is near and his time is short.

I've found a repeated command in the scriptures that is pertinent to today. It's a theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. You can find several scriptures on this in the Bible studies here on the site. Here's one of them:

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6)

Throughout the scriptures, God commands us to not add to or take away from the scriptures. His word is pure. It is truth. If we change it, it is no longer perfect. If we compromise it, it is no longer God's word.

I grew up with King James Version. After reading the Bible through one year, I decided to go through it using a different version. I noticed slight differences here and there but didn't think much about it. After about three weeks into the new reading, I honestly felt like I was going through the motions of eating without getting fed spiritually. That's the only way I can describe it. I went back to the KJV and got fed again.

The usual claim I hear about different versions is that the newer ones are easier to read. They really say the same thing without the archaic “thees” and “thous.”

I bought that idea until I had Bible studies with people who used different versions. They were not necessarily easier to read and there were clear changes. Disturbing changes. Let me give you one example. Do you know what will happen to those who's names are not found in the Book of Life? It's a little different than a $5.00 fine. Here's the answer...

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15).  That's the KJV. Is that difficult to understand?

Now see this for yourself. Compare Rev. 22:19 in the KJV and in the NIV.

Is there a difference?  Is it a "little" difference?

I wrote earlier that I felt a difference using the King James Version. Some would argue back to me that I shouldn't use “feelings” to validate the KJV. Fair enough. Let me ask this: Has God made a real difference in your life? How have you explained that change to your friends?  Did you use a scientific instrument to verify that change or was there an unmistakable change in your heart and mind that became evident in your actions? 

I went back to the King James Version because of how I felt, and what I saw comparing versions. I've also sought God over and over about this. He's answered me time and again. Later, someone showed me a video about a college professor's six-year study into different versions. What Gail Riplinger has uncovered is at least interesting.  For me it was hair raising. I've included portions of interviews she's given to a Christian TV show below. They're short and worth a few minutes of your time.

If you're like me, you'll probably do some more online research about Gail Riplinger. Keep in mind that the internet is a great tool. But since anyone can write anything and post it, it can be as accurate as a bathroom wall. Gail has been highly praised and viciously persecuted. I don't agree with everything she presents, but I believe she does make a strong case. She didn't change my mind on using the KJV. Rather, she validated what God had already showed me. You'll obviously draw your own conclusions.

Have you Asked God about his Word? Do you think he has an opinion on the subject? Take the Bible studies and compare verses. Do you see additions and subtractions? According to the scriptures, how does God feel about that? Ask him. He'll answer!

Enjoy these older, but thought provoking videos...

See More of Gail Riplinger's Work Here

See More of Gail Riplinger's Work Here

Here are more videos on this series

Here is the playlist of the 27 episodes Gail Rippliger appeared:

See More of Gail Riplinger's Work Here
Dr. Frank Logsdon, member of the translation committee for the New American Standard Version (NASB), has denounced his work on that Bible and urged all Christians to return to the Authorized Version, commonly known as the King James Bible. Says, "‘I'm In Trouble With The Lord."  Read More Here...

Please share your thoughts and pass this along to others!  Thanks!
15 Comments

Religion And Politics

9/8/2010

1 Comment

 
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Now aren't these great topics 
to bring up at 
a wedding rehearsal dinner?

Probably not, but let's talk about them here for a moment shall we? I'm going tell on myself. I tend to be quick to criticize and slow to pray for our leaders. It's frustratingly difficult to watch how some of our elected officials conduct our nation's business, isn't it? Every day I feel smarter.  But I should still be quick to pray.

This won't be a hit piece on a candidate, but rather a reminder that we don't live under a monarchy like Israel and Judah did in the Bible. We have a part to play in the decision of who will be elected. And if we don't take advantage of the opportunities to vote, we have no one to blame but ourselves if the least qualified, least deserving people are at the helm of the country.  

Let's start with the most powerful thing we can do. Pray. Prayer can go anywhere God can go. And often times, God will not act unless we call out to him. James 4:2 tells us that, “ye have not because ye ask not.”   But if we call out to him in sincerity and with a clean heart we can expect great things...

...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:16-18)

I regularly pray for the rise of righteous and wise leaders, and for the demise of unrighteous leaders. And that's not party specific.

Secondly, we need to be informed about the issues. How do we know one candidate is better than another if we don't do our own investigating? Don't rely on the media. They have their own agenda and will do their best to skew our perception of the truth so that they will get their candidate elected. If you're not sure about that check out the voting statistics of the media here.

Another great resource on issues is The Heritage Foundation.
 
Thirdly, register to vote, then do it.  I found a couple of things on the web you might like.  If you're a Chuck Norris fan, check out TriggerTheVote.org.  If you like something edgier, have a look at Ted Nugent's video.  

Fourth, keep up to date about what's going on and take a moment to make a phone call, send a fax, write a letter or an email to the official in your district.  Here's a link to phone numbers and emails.  If they're off track, tell them! If they've done well, tell them! If they don't hear from us, they'll do whatever is best for them – not us. If they hear from more of us Christians who hold godly values and dear, they'll make wiser decisions.

Finally, let's keep praying for them after they're elected. I pray they lead our nation to a more stable and peaceful position in the world.  I pray they will respect our freedoms and liberties as provided for in the Constitution.  I pray for their souls and that they will turn to Jesus Christ the only hope of mankind. But I also pray that if they won't repent and if they won't make wise decisions for the citizens they're supposed to represent, that they will be removed and replaced by better leaders. The details of that transition I'll leave to the Lord.

The mid-term elections are fast approaching. Many of our leaders don't deserve to be re-elected in my opinion and I plan to let them know in November. How about you? Will you take an active role in the direction of our country?

Proverbs 22:3 says, A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Then if you're still not sure how to vote, here's a clue from the Bible...

A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. (Ecclesiastes 10:2)


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    Patrick Sipperly

    Patrick Sipperly

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