Jesus warned us to be careful of becoming legalistic because nobody wins.

Legalism is dangerous because it attempts to lower others in the attempt to elevate oneself, ignoring the very issues of impurity within one's own life.  A careful study of the Pharisees demonstrates that they were not all bad people.  In fact, in many ways, the Pharisees were actually trying to increase the people's sensitivity to God by constructing rules that would keep God more visible.  The fatal flaw in their thinking was that they believed holiness could be brought about or achieved through outward cosmetics.  So they started writing laws that would prohibit people from "eating" this or that, or associating with "this" person or "that" person.  Again, it was all done in the hopes that these rules or regulations would somehow bring about a form of holiness.  Did they succeed?  Well, not exactly.  It got so bad that many of the Pharisees could not follow their own rules and regulations, which turned them into real phonies, distancing them from God.  Jesus pointed out that the aftermath of such rules only led to the Pharisees cleaning the outside of the cup (the exterior) while neglecting the interior (the heart) - which was most important.  And worst of all, their self-governed rules prevented others from seeing the true nature of God and His love for people.

I love what Mark Batterson , Pastor of National Community Church, wrote as it relates to this topic -
"We need to be people who transform our culture and not condemn it."  

Legalism serves only as a fantasy step toward holiness. Don't be fooled by imitations.  Unfortunately, there are still people leading churches today who spend a lot of time waxing the outside of their cup while constructing negative statements about the world.  That's not the shine that Jesus was talking about.

If you're feeling crushed by the weight of legalism, turn to the teachings of Jesus.  Certainly, God doesn't love you less when you blow it or miss the mark.  Conversely, God doesn't love or approve of you more when you surpassed the holiness of Mother Theresa.  It doesn't work that way!

For a deeper study on this, go to Matthew 7  (how to avoid hypocrisy).

Truth is transforming and transformation takes courage.

Most people resist change. In fact, the hardest thing to break is a habit. And of course, the more you repeat something, the stronger the habit becomes - only reinforcing the pattern. When you think about it, it is surprising that anyone can really change. And yet, as pastor, I speak every weekend about the importance of change. But here's what I've learned; all the words in the world cannot produce change unless truth is accepted and courage is applied. When these two align with each other, transformation begins to happen.

Someone rightly said, "The truth will set you free, but it will make you miserable first." I strongly agree with this. Most people would love to change without any discomfort. For example, I would love to become more muscular without lifting weights, but - no gain without pain. I would love to become more knowledgeable without reading, but it ain't going to happen. Truth is transforming, and transformation takes courage. To speak on change isn't enough. Instead, we must present truth and pursue courage.

Just today I spoke on the phone with a gentlemen who's entire world is falling apart (marriage, job, parenting, etc.). Instead of speaking to him about how he needs to make changes and adjustments in his life, I instead encouraged him with some timely truths from God's Word and told him that he will need to be strong and courageous as he approaches the hill for battle. After 45 minutes on the phone, I could tell that his entire demeanor had "changed." He was far more positive and he was ready to go out to battle.

Maybe today, like me, you need to focus less on how to change things and more on living in the truth while pursuing courage. God says that the only way that we can worship Him is through spirit and in truth (John 4:24). And friends, that takes courage.

We are losing sunlight each day. The fall season is a constant reminder that darkness always returns.

If you live in the Midwest you've probably noticed that your car lights are turning on just a bit earlier each evening?  Brace yourself.  This pattern will continue for the next several of  months, right into December - and there is NOTHING you can do to stop it.  In Minnesota, we call this a season.  I've been told that we have four of them. In a similar fashion, our own personal lives can go through a rotation of seasons as well.  For example, it's not uncommon for people to experience seasonal depression.  In fact, seasonal depression occurs most, of all times, during the Christmas holiday.  Many psychiatrists suggest that the lack of sunlight produces this funk or feeling of isolation and sadness in us.  It just comes with the season and the absence of light.

However, fall can also usher in extreme beauty (the turning of the trees produce amazing colors). This, too, is confusing.  With darkness comes amazing beauty.  During dark days I often grab hold of this verse that reads,

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.- James 1:17

In a world with so many shifting shadows, it's great to know that God is our One constant.  There is no change or shifting in Him.  There are no seasons that apply to His nature.  In addition, James writes that God is filled with light.  If we've ever needed light, today is the day. Walking in darkness is awful.  Just ask my toes, as they stumble through the house bumping into things until a light is found. 

Notice that even in our dark days, God continues to give us good and perfect gifts.  Unfortunately, it might take a little more work on our part to discover or see our many blessings - but they're there.  

Take a moment this week to thank Jesus for being your CONSTANT.  Thank Him for his continuous presence in your life, even during the dark days of fall.  And keep your eyes WIDE open to the blessings that He pours out to you.  Remember, the best place to shine a light is in the darkness.  God knows this, so keep looking for Him.

Posted via email from Brad Reis

Here it is: The Minnesota Ten Commanments

1. Der's only one God, ya know.
2. Don't make that fish on your mantle an idol.
3. Cussin' ain't Minnesota nice.
4.  Go to church, even when your up nort.
5. Honor your folks.
6. Don't kill.  Catch and release.
7.  There's only one Lena for every Ole.  No cheatin!
8. If it ain't your lutefisk, don't take it.
9. Don't be braggin about how much snow you shoveled.
10. Keep your mind off your neighbor's hotdish.

Posted via email from Brad Reis

You win friends to Christ, not your enemies.

When it comes to evangelism or sharing your personal faith story, the bridge to conversion is through a frienship. I find it intriguing that Jesus was tagged or branded with the name, "friend of sinners."  And indeed, that's what he truly was.  And it was this relational connection that Jesus had with sinners that allowed conversion growth to explode. 

It's rather simple. You don't win enemies to Christ, you win friends. Enemies will not listen, but a friend will.

Romans 2:4 states that it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance. The woman caught in adultery was not condemned by Jesus, but instead she was befriended by him and was coached out of the sinful life.  God's kindness led to her transformation.  And most importantly, it came through the voice of a friend.

God calls us friends as well.  And that makes all the difference for me in my transformation into his likeness.

While we were yet enemies with God He came and made peace (frienship) with us via the cross.  It is this image that allows us to share our faith in a loving way with all people, not condemning our culture, but in a manner worthy of our Savior who continues to be a friend of sinners.

The more complete challenge of evangelism is not so much through the verbal sharing of God's Word, but by befriending the person that you are sharing the gospel with.  Jesus exemplified this by living up to the title, friend of sinners.

Posted via email from Brad Reis

My God must be more than Apple Jacks to me. Do cravings produce hunger, or does hunger produce cravings?

Okay. I'm up at 4 AM and this thought keeps entering my mind, "Right now, I'm really hungry for a bowl of Apple Jacks."  But to get up out of bed would risk waking my entire family for this craving of mine.  Not a good scene. Besides, I just had a large snack before bedtime (chicken pot pie).  How healthy is that?  So I'm thinking, there is no possible way that I could still be hungry.  So where does this craving come from?

Hence, the question:  Do cravings produce hunger, or does hunger produce cravings?

Hunger is the body's physical expression or signal that it must be fed for life to continue.  A craving is an emotional response to something that is lacking.  Cravings come and go, but hunger is a continuous cycle.

My God must be more than Apple Jacks to me.  Don't get me wrong.  Having a craving for God is a good thing.  But if I build my relationship with Him simply on raw emotions, I will be quickly defeated and disappointed.  Why?  Because you and I are one big craving factory.  And it is  impossible to keep our cravings in line or to place them in a certain order of priority. In other words, I could sell out on God for a piece of chocolate if I let my immediate cravings rule.  This is what the Devil tried to do with Jesus in the desert.  He showed Jesus several big bowls of Apple Jacks and said, " If you bow down to me, I can get that for you."  Fortunately, Jesus didn't go for the bait.  Jesus, although physically hungry, even resisted the craving.

Okay, let me land the plane.

To hunger for God might be a better direction to go than to have a craving for Him.  Hunger is a natural signal for the body to absorb the right amount of daily nutrients from God.  Cravings tend to produce outrageous size bites that, if not monitored, can leave you sick to your stomach.  Some people approach church or worship this way. They crave the experience more than the hunger of the relationship.  As one theologian once stated, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but You, my God, are the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  (Psalm 73:26)

May God be your portion today.  May your spirit always hunger for Him.  And lay off the Apple Jacks.

Posted via email from Brad Reis

Sometimes a song stays with you for an entire day, whether you want it to or not. This is one of those songs. It comes from Building 429.

This is a great song, but a better reason for the song. 

 

Posted via email from Brad Reis