The Power of an Encouraging Word

I came to realize just how powerful an encouraging word is when I started running.

I usually hit the pavement about 3-5 times a week and put in training runs. Just me and the road ... with my phone and running app that logs my miles.

Periodically, I've tried to push it and do some sprints. I've also tried to see how quickly I can run a mile or even a 5K (3.1 miles) during my training runs.

Yet, when the discomfort of the run begins to set in, my brain begins to yell at my body to slow down. To keep from slowing down, I have to engage in some mental warfare. I force my mind to tell my mind (confusing, huh?) that I'm not stopping. Running isn't simply a physical sport. There is a huge mental aspect to it.

On the other hand, I've enjoyed running in quite a few races. That is an entirely different story. My best times have occurred in races.

In fact, it's generally understood that you can take a minute or more off of your average training pace when you run in a race. So, if I was training at a 10 minute per mile pace for 3 miles, I would probably run a 5K race (3.1 miles) at a 9 minute pace. Races are almost always faster than training paces.

Do you know how that's possible? There's still the mental warfare that takes place in training runs. But, during races, there's one more huge motivator: the crowds!!!

Something happens when there are men and women, boys and girls along the race route who are watching your progress and cheering you on. Their encouragement enables the runners to push themselves harder than they were able to push themselves when they were training by themselves. The people along the race routes and their encouraging cheers are priceless to runners. We listen to those words and feast on them as we continue on in the race.

Encouraging words are powerful. You and I have the ability to cheer others on as they go about their days. We have the ability to help them perform much better than they would on their own ... simply by generously giving words of encouragement.

Do you encourage others? It would seem that our narcissistic society, where folks spend more time thinking of themselves than others, causes us to rarely ever give words of encouragement. We have the power to cheer others on to better achievements and yet we fail to do so for fear that they would get the limelight as we sit in the shadows.

Realize that you have the ability to spur others on to greater achievements. Realize that you may be the one that God could use to encourage someone who He could use greatly.

In fact, what would it be like if our churches were filled with a community of men, women, boys and girls who lavished words of encouragement upon each other?! I'd love to find out!

Let me suggest an assignment for you: For the next 24 hours, try to find something encouraging to say to everyone (or virtually everyone) you meet. See how it changes them ... and you!

Ephesians 4:29 (New Living Translation)
"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

How I got my first deer

Back in 2005, someone gave me a used bow. It had once been used in competitive archery and had since gained a layer of camouflage tape. It's sites were no longer set on bull's eyes. It was aimed to take down deer.

Well, I spent a lot of time (a LOT!!!) during the late afternoon and evenings shooting at targets. I got to a point where I knew exactly where the 'kisser ring' fit in the corner of my mouth and how to judge the distance to the target. I could send the arrow on its way as it pierced the air and hit a small target 30-40 yards away.

Finally, I got up the nerve and went hunting for deer. A friend had a 'deer blind' with an upside down 5 gallon bucket in the middle. I took up my position on that bucket and waited. 

As the sun began to set, I heard some movement. I looked and saw not just one but two deer slowly heading my way. But, they didn't see me. They only saw each other. Both were bucks and apparently they felt that the territory wasn't big enough for the two of them.

In the next few minutes, I watched a scuffle. It wasn't anything serious. Horns were clicking together but both bucks seemed pretty half-hearted about the whole ordeal. After about 5 minutes or so, one meandered off and the other stay behind. He was only about 20 feet away at that point.

I knew that I couldn't take a shot sitting on the bucket. Bows aren't meant to be used sitting down. But, I knew that if I stood up to take aim, the deer would see me and run. So, I waited ... and waited.

Finally, I saw my chance. The deer was making his way toward a tree. Fortunately, he was positioned to walk on the opposite side. As he slowly walked behind the tree, that barrier blocked his view. For those few seconds, he couldn't see me!

So, I jumped to my feet and took aim. I waited for what seemed like an hour for his head to reemerge on the other side of the tree. I could feel my heart beating in my head as the bow string was tight ready to be released sending the arrow to its target. I was so nervous that I had to consciously think about which eye was supposed to line up with the string. I had shot that bow a couple hundred times before but all of a sudden, my adrenaline level shot up and I was making simple mistakes. (Honestly, I felt that in that moment I could have dropped the bow and simply tackled the deer!)

When the deer's head came from behind the tree, he immediately stood erect and jerked his head in my direction. He saw me! He let out a loud grunt and then took off. Fortunately for me (not him), his body was perpendicular to me for a split second before he started to run. That's when I released the arrow.

As he ran, I began to think: "Did I get him? Did I get a heart/lung shot or is my arrow sticking in his hind leg?" It all happened so fast and I wasn't able to tell where my arrow hit him ... or if I hit him at all.

So, I took off walking. I walked ... and walked ... and walked. About 200-250 yards away, I saw him! As I neared his lifeless body, I saw that my arrow was a perfect shot into his side. His death would have been reasonably quick.

Unfortunately, it began to dawn on me that it was now dark, I had no way of getting the deer out of the woods and had no clue how to strip it. I made a phone call on my cell phone and was able to get some very kind hearted men to pull the deer out with a 4-wheeler and strip it.

My wife struggled to eat the meat. She didn't want to eat "Bambi." 

Me? I loved it! When I ate that venison, I felt like a pioneer. I felt manly. I had gone out into the woods, shot some food and brought it home to the family.

There's a reason why guys love hunting.

Reflections on the Murray HRC Meeting (December 8, 2014)

Last night, concerned Murray residents packed the local City Hall for a town hall meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ordinance that the Human Rights Commission plans to forward to the Murray City Council for its consideration. That ordinance would give special rights and protections to Murray folks who identify themselves as gay or transgender.

As I stood in the back corner of the room, I observed and learned. I went away with a lot of information and spent the evening and this morning processing what I had seen and heard. Below are some take-aways from last night.

(For the record, I did not speak at last night's town hall meeting. I approached last night unsure of the role I should play. Should I speak or simply sit quietly and let others do so? I know that oftentimes, folks look for pastors/leaders to speak on their behalf but I know that God can use the most unlikely of people to speak powerfully and persuasively on His behalf. Those folks may also struggle much less with pride than, say, a pastor would as they speak. So, as I spent time praying beforehand and then attended the meeting while striving to be sensitive to God's leading, I sensed that my role was to simply observe, applaud, and learn from the experience.)

While more than half of the folks who approached the microphone were in favor of the proposal (I assume they read it), I believe last night's meeting was very positive in that many eyes were opened. If we can understand the true nature of a problem and the magnitude of that problem, we are in a better position to fix it.

Here are some of my reflections:

1. Murray residents are able to discuss a potentially explosive issue in a very civil way

One of the many stipulations last night was that each person who approached the microphone had to be a Murray resident. So, as I listened to Murray men and women, who were for and against the proposal, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased at how respectful virtually everyone was.

There were a few folks who gave some jabs and cutting remarks but overall, it was civil. The moderator (who was not a Murray resident) acknowledged at the end of the meeting that he had no idea what he was walking into but was relieved that things went so well.

This is how community discussions should be handled. We should stand up for what is right and even do so with passion. Yet, we live in a country where ideas should be freely expressed and the best idea typically wins. That was evidenced last night. I saw why Murray was called "the friendliest small town in America" by Rand McNally in 2012.

2. Murray is on a slippery moral slope like the rest of America

Anyone who thinks that Murray is extremely conservative simply because it is a small, rural city in western Kentucky (the buckle on the Bible-belt) is dead wrong. 

Most certainly, there are very conservative tendencies in this city. Yet, because of so many influences, (e.g. television, movies, music, the local university, etc.), this community is doing the same thing that so many other communities are doing. While it has segments of society that are more liberal than others, the community as a whole is slowly moving away from traditional values.

While I love the city I now call home, Murray has so many things in common with other communities:

• Marriages fall apart here, too. It would seem that adultery and divorce are as much a part of society as anywhere else.
• Children are growing up and leaving the church just like in larger, more liberal cities.
• Church attendance is down and some churches are only a few funerals away from closing. Thus, the influence of churches on their communities is declining.
• Religion is something that is performed on Sunday but often neglected and forgotten throughout the week. Yep, just like your town.
• The local university has many professors and other faculty that are steeped in liberalism that are highly influential in the lives of the students who take their classes. We've also got some compassionate Christians who are in positions of influence but know that whatever they say may be noted by those who hold their job in their hands. (Liberalism can be proclaimed from the rooftops but compassionate, conservative Christianity can barely be whispered. Go figure.)
• Yet another of the many illustrations of the non-traditional values that we experience here is that there's a gay pride float in one of our annual parades. #LifeInSmallTownAmerica

So, with the decline of convictional, life-gripping, influential Christianity that affects every aspect of a Christian's life as they go about their day, we shouldn't be surprised that our city, like so many others, is on the moral slippery slope to ... no one knows where it ends up.

In fact, last night, the word "steps" was used a few times. Folks who spoke in favor of the proposal said things like: "This is a 'step' in the right direction." Well, doesn't that kind of language imply that there is a next step and then a next step? One gentleman (in opposition to the ordinance) noted that pedophilia may not be out of the question if we look down the road far enough. While there was an immediate negative audience response, he made a reasonable point worth considering. What is bizarre today may become normative tomorrow if we're making up the rules as we go. If Christians aren't taking their walk with Jesus seriously and influencing their culture and if very few people are being positively impacted by the Gospel, (let me say it again), the bizarre today may become the normative tomorrow.

In regard to the lack of biblical knowledge, I was disappointed to hear a few local ministers horribly misinterpret Scripture. If they were doctors, they would have been guilty of gross negligence and malpractice. They were in favor of the ordinance because they claimed that every resident of Murray needed to realize that God is love (and apparently ONLY love, nothing else) and is interested in social justice. Everything else (theology!) was essentially peripheral. As they continued to talk, I wondered why in the world they had crosses in their facilities. What did Jesus have to die for if either sin doesn't exist or it is so trivial that it doesn't matter?

Anyway, my point is that our city is like so many others. We're on a slippery moral slope. If the tide is not turned soon, it will only grow harder and harder to get things back on the right track.

So, what's the application: We had better realize that what happens today affects the trajectory of where we will be tomorrow. If society in our city has morally declined, then we should assume that if nothing changes we will continue in this direction. We must pray, share the Gospel and work for change.

3. Christians in Murray do not agree on some of the most basic issues found in Scripture

It was interesting to listen to how "Christians" on both sides of the issue used the Bible to proof-text their point last night.

Now, to someone who isn't familiar with the Bible, last night could have made it seem that the teachings of Scripture are so unclear and ambiguous, even contradictory, that there's good reason to shelve the Book. Yet, it was so clear to those who have studied and love God's Word that it was being horribly misused last night. (I found myself wanting to approach the microphone simply to correct much of what was being said. After all, what my Heavenly Father said in His Book was being horribly twisted and distorted.)

Yet, the point remains that people on both sides of the issue used God's Word to 'prove' their opposing points. Some of the misuse was by pastors. 

So, what's the application? You'd better realize that knowing God's Word is vitally important. You'd better be able to know it so well that even your reflexes will tell you when something is wrong.

Acts 17:11 (New Living Translation) "And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth."

4. Many Murray residents are crying out for more rights

While I am primarily surrounded by folks who are in opposition to the ordinance, everyone I have spoken with is thoroughly in favor of every single American enjoying the rights afforded them in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Further, Christians believe that since every single individual is a descendent of Adam and Eve and is thus made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27), then every single person has value. Regardless of age, gender, color of skin, intellect, education, or even what sin they are presently engaged in ... everyone has value. We do not feel the burden to affirm sinful lifestyles in order to agree that every single person has value.

So, while many of us are in opposition to the ordinance, we still believe that those in the LGBT lifestyle need to have the same rights as the rest of Murray residents ... as long as those rights don't infringe on the rights of others.

See, this is the dilemma of a me-centered, rights-oriented society. We fight for our rights. We come to believe that we have rights simply because we have a pulse and so we fight for as many rights as we can get. Yet, I wonder how many have actually looked down the road to see where this mentality will take us.

For instance, let's say that the proposal passes in Murray. LGBT folks will become a protected class of citizens. Well, what if one of them goes to a small-business bakery and wants a wedding cake. Or, they go to a small business print shop to get shirts made for a gay pride event. Or, they go to a local church and apply for the custodial or secretarial job that recently appeared in the newspaper.

Most Christians I know would gladly provide services to folks in the LGBT community ... as long as the provision of those services is not seen to be an affirmation of the lifestyle. At that point, conscience comes into play. (Think First Amendment - Freedom of Religion). And by the way, freedom of religion in the First Amendment is not aimed primarily at churches. The individual citizen is in view.

So, if the proposal passes and the LGBT community gains new rights and protections, wouldn't that strip small business owners and eventually churches of some of the rights that are afforded them in the very First Amendment? Wouldn't it limit their ability and right to act according to their conscience informed by their religious views?

It really is true that when everyone has "rights," no one will. We will cancel each other's out.

What's the application? We need to treat every single person we meet with dignity and as a person of value. Yet, we need to realize that the incessant talking of rights is a self-centered discussion that will give something to us and take away something from others. If "the friendliest small town in America" becomes that self-centered, we'll never earn that award again. Ever.

5. The ultimate wellbeing of Murray (or any other city) will never be achieved in the voting booth or City Hall. It will be won one heart at a time

I have felt strongly about this point for years. (Click here for an article I wrote in 2008 on this issue.) Yes, there is a desperate need for good men and women in positions of governmental authority. After all, Joseph, Daniel and Nehemiah were used by God in governmental positions. We also need good laws on our books.

But, our city and nation doesn't primarily have a politician or a policy problem. We have a heart problem. If hearts aren't changed by the Gospel, then discussions like last night at City Hall will only make the very people angry that we are commanded by Jesus to love and serve. 

It seems to me that the White House, at some time in the past, looked to the Church House to provide the moral compass for our country. Yet, it seems as if the tables have completely turned. The Church House is now looking to the government to fix our problems. When will we learn that we have the greatest weapon, the Gospel, that has turned the world upside down in the past (Acts 17:6)!

What is the application? We need to realize that 2 Chronicles 7:14 is written to followers of God, not the world in general. If God is to bless us once again with His presence, it will be when those who call Jesus "Lord" comply with that Old Testament principle:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

6. As we stand against sin, our love for the sinner should be just as loud (or louder).

The LGBT community knows that Christians stand against sin. We've done it so well that they have come to think that it is ALL we do. We have also periodically erred by acting more like the self-righteous Pharisees who judged others than we do Jesus who recognized sin but loved the individual. We have failed to acknowledge that we, too, are sinners that needed forgiveness by Almighty God.

As we take a stand against what we believe is wrong for our community, we must realize that our motives will be misjudged. We will be seen as bigots. We'll be written off as hatemongers.

So, with great intentionality, we need to make our love for others clear. We need to love so loudly that anyone who accuses us of being hateful would immediately be written off as crazy by the communities in which our churches reside.

What's the application? We've got to love folks. We've got to love our neighbor. And, we've got to love them so much that we stand against what would bring them harm ... including a very bad ordinance.

CONCLUSION
So, I think that for at least these 6 reasons and the lessons learned, last night was a very good night. Our community conversation exposed some problems. Now, we can prayerfully consider how God would have us join Him in remedying it.

Must I love everyone?!

Last night in our Wednesday Bible study, I focused on the four women mentioned in Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1. (We know the guys are sinners so we focused on the ladies.) I showed that God's love and grace is so vast and powerful that there is no place that someone can go where God's love and grace cannot find them.

But, I also noted that anytime we learn something about our God, it always requires a response on our part. One obvious application was that since we are so dearly loved by our Heavenly Father, we must also show that love to others.

We love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

We love our Christian brothers and sisters (John 13:35).

In fact, we love every single person we come into contact with, especially those in need (Luke 10:25-37).

In my Bible reading this morning, the Lord reminded me that loving others is extremely powerful. It shows that I'm His child. Specifically, if we don't love everyone who is a Jesus-follower ... then we're not saved. It's as simple as that!

1 John 3:14-15 (New Living Translation)

"If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them."

Are you holding onto any grudges or do you have any animosity toward a Christian brother or sister? You really need to resolve it very soon.

Admitting I've sinned demonstrates that I'm saved

If someone came to you today and humbly confronted you with some sin in your life, how would you respond?

Most people don't respond well. As a pastor, I've had to confront folks before and many of them have usually not responded well. Sometimes, they leave the church. I've also been confronted with my own sin and it's often a bitter pill for me to swallow, too, to acknowledge sin in my life. (It's a little more difficult for me to leave the church, though. lol)

Why do we act that way? Because we want others to think well of us. If we are a child of God, the residual remnants of the 'old person' (2 Corinthians 5:17) we were before we were saved is hanging on for dear life. It despises being corrected by others. It would much rather point out faults in others than acknowledge its own deficiencies. This is just one illustration of how sinful pride has taken root in our lives.

Yet, in my Bible reading this morning, the Lord reminded me that a true child of God will readily acknowledge sin in their life. (The obvious implication is that they will actively work to kill sin in their mind and heart. [Romans 8:13])

1 John 1:8-10 (English Standard Version)

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

So, yes, if we are heaven-bound, we still struggle with sin. And, yes, we'll acknowledge it's presence. But, we will also realize that our God is so wonderful that He won't hold it against us as we confess it to Him and make it right.

Today, if someone points out some area in your life that needs attention, don't get upset. Realize that God may be speaking through that person to point out an area in your life that needs attention. (I should hope that if I have food between my teeth that someone would tell me! This same principle applies to my spiritual life.)

After all, God loves us just the way we are but loves us too much to let us stay that way. He's about the business of conforming us to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29).

Heaven will not be a long church service! (---Sigh of relief!---)

I'll have to admit that the thought of Heaven wasn't too attractive to me as a young child.

Of course, I understood that Hell needed to be avoided for obvious reasons. But, Heaven ... well ... what's so great about a long worship service that never, ever, ever, ever ends? I've been in some worship services that only lasted an hour or so but they felt like eternity. Imagine them actually lasting for eternity! Ugh!

Then, God revealed some truths to me in His Word. I realized that while Heaven is a literal place, it's really about the relationship. I came to realize on a very deep level that God made me for Himself and my ultimate joy could be found in relationship with Him (adapted from St. Augustine). The sheer, incomprehensible joy of Heaven will be found in satisfying our longings by getting caught up in the incredible presence of God and experiencing His goodness to us.

Further, I came to realize that Heaven is in fact a literal place. It's not some 'spiritual' place 'out there' somewhere. It's a literal, physical locality as real (more real!) than our present life experience. It hit me that Heaven was going to be on a brand new earth with new stars, sun(s), moon(s) and whatever else God chooses to put in outer space for us to admire from the new earth. (Revelation 21-22 describes this place.)

This morning, I was reminded that there's coming a day when God will destroy everything with fire. This earth. Our sun. Our moon. The stars. The other galaxies. Whatever is out there, it's going to be toast. But, in its place, God is going to recreate a new earth with all of the stars and whatever else He chooses to put in outer space. That will be our new "Heaven" that we will inhabit forever.

2 Peter 3:11-13 (New Living Translation)
"Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness."

What will it be like to live on an earth inhabited by folks who love each other and love God? What will it be like to have no need for keys (no one will steal from others)? What will it be like to go for hikes with no fear of being attacked by wild animals? What will it be like to enjoy work and leisure with absolutely no anxiety? What will it be like to satisfy our deepest longings as we enjoy our God? What will it be like to never, ever experience the guilt or consequences of sin?

I can't wait to find out!!!

To retaliate or not to retaliate, that is the question

One of the hardest things to do (and yet one of the clearest signs that we're a child of God) is non-retaliation.

I don't know about you but when someone wrongs me in word or deed, while outwardly I may keep my composure, I often don't do so well internally. I mull over the injustice. I say a few 'how dare they"s. I sometimes even find some satisfaction in watching to see if God punishes them while I look on.

Now, I want to become more like Jesus. While God is giving me victory in this area, I still haven't arrived ... not by a long shot. I'm just being transparent. I also suspect that my inner turmoil is pretty common.

Well, in my Bible reading this morning, I came across the principle again. The Lord reminded me again that it's not my job to deal with wrongs. It's His. If the wrong is illegal, it's the government's job to deal with wrongs.

1 Peter 2:13-14 (New Living Translation)

"For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority - whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right."

Yet, a follower of God must never retaliate. It's not our job to pay people back no matter what they've done to us.

In my reading this morning, it was even noted that when we are wronged and don't retaliate, God notices and in some way will reward us on the Day in which Jesus judges the world. (The particular audience was slaves but the general principle remains.)

1 Peter 2:18-23 (New Living Translation)

"You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you - not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly."

When you are wronged today, remember that God is watching. If you respond in retaliation in some way, more than likely your response will not be fair or appropriate and God will not be pleased. But, if you leave the situation up to God who will respond appropriately, you'll see Him smiling at your response and setting aside another reward that you will receive on the Day of Judgment.

E-mail to Murray City Council about SOGI Proposal (November 13, 2014)

November 13, 2014

Dear Council Member,

To say that I am troubled by the recent news that there is a proposal to include SOGI as protected behavior in Murray is an understatement.

Please understand that I am not a homophobe nor a hatemonger. As a follower of Jesus, I am clearly aware that there is such a thing as “sin” and I stand guilty as charged. I also realize that as a follower of Jesus, I am commanded to love those who are like me … and those who are not. Even if my “enemy” is thirsty or hungry, I’m commanded by my Lord to care enough about him to meet his need.

So, I want to be clear that as far as I’m concerned, there are no “enemies” on either side of the issue being brought up at the City Council Meeting tonight. Persons on both sides of the issue are people of value. There is only a very bad proposal.

While I lack complete clarity on the precise language of the proposal, we know all too well that legislation such as this has cropped up in various cities in our country and has caused much havoc. Businesses led by convictional owners are told to either violate their conscience or go out of business. Boys who choose to identify as a girl may be free, by law, to enter a girl’s restroom. On and on I could go but I am only stating what you must be fully aware of.

When I moved to Murray last year, I fell in love with this place. One of the many, many reasons I thanked God that I moved here was the “small town values.” Yet, in this proposal, it seems as if the SOGI agenda that is wreaking so much havoc in our country is trying to claim Murray as well.

While I ask that our community treat all of its citizens the same, I ask that you not create a special class of citizens who receive protections that are not afforded other citizens.

I ask you to cast your vote against the proposal to be read this evening.

Respectfully submitted,

Matt Ellis

Senior Pastor

Westside Baptist Church, Murray, Kentucky

Why God's discipline is great news!

Wouldn’t it be nice if God sent down a “Spiritual Birth Certificate” or something of the sort when we were born again? Wouldn’t it be so reassuring if when we were baptized, we heard God say from Heaven, “This is my beloved son (or daughter), in whom I am well pleased.”?

Well, such things never happen. And yet, eternity is on the line. The Bible tells us that many people will breathe their last breath, stand before Jesus on the Day of Judgment thinking that Heaven awaits them only to have terror grip them as Jesus says, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” (see Matthew 7:21-23). And then, they are ushered into an eternal Hell.

So, how can we KNOW we’re saved? How can be absolutely sure that we aren’t deceiving ourselves?

Well, in my Bible reading this morning, I came across a very simple way that we can be assured that God is our Father, Jesus is our older Brother, the Holy Spirit indwells us and Heaven is our home. It is rooted in the fact that God punishes us when we sin.

Hebrews 12:5-8 (New Living Translation)

“And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

‘My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline,

and don’t give up when he corrects you.

For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.’

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.”

So, yes, you understood correctly. We can take comfort when God disciplines us when we violate His commands. Why? Because it assures us that we are really His children. It assures us that really are saved and on our way to Heaven.

So, does God discipline you when you sin?

"If you are living in immorality, you're either headed to the woodshed or headed to hell." – Adrian Rogers

Sermon (video): "Armed and Dangerous" (Ephesians 6:10-18)

When God saves us from His judgment by wiping away our sin debt, we become His child. But, we should never expect that as we begin our journey toward holiness that it will be easy. In fact, it will often be anything but easy!

Why? Because when we join the Lord's army, we declare Satan to be our enemy. He will fight against us any way that he can to render us useless on the battlefield of life.

Fortunately, our God has not left us helpless. He has made Christ's strength available to us and given us armor to wear so that we cannot simply survive but thrive in our pursuit of holiness.

To view this sermon as it elaborates upon how a Christian can be victorious, click here.

Why do we get angry when confronted with our sin?

Imagine this scenario with me:


I went to church on Sunday and was approached by one of the medical personnel that are a part of my church family. They approached me and said: "Hey, Matt, I've noticed that you have a little bump on your neck. It may be nothing at all but then again it could be serious given the location. You really need to get it checked out first thing tomorrow."


How do you think I would respond?


"Hey, doc, it's none of your business! In fact, they call people like you hypocrites - you're in poor health and yet you're pointing out health problems in other people. Besides, what makes you think I even wanted to hear your opinion!?"


Of course not! My reply would be VERY different:


"Oh, thank you so much for pointing that out. I hadn't noticed it but I'll get it checked out first thing tomorrow. Thank you so much for caring enough about me to point it out.


Easily 99% of us would respond that way. Why? That's an easy answer - because we want to be physically healthy. We don't want to experience pain and suffering so we'll take medical advice anytime we can get it.


Yet, too often, we act very differently when God's Word or some fellow believer points out some area of concern in our spiritual lives. We bristle. We get defensive. We get angry.


Why? The only possible answer is that while we value physical health, far too often we do not value spiritual health.


The Word of God is for our healing. It points out areas of concern that will lead us down the wrong road and prescribes a remedy.


If we value spiritual health, we must pay careful attention as the light of God's Word shines onto the sinful areas of our mind and heart. We must make the necessary changes if we are to experience the benefits and joys of spiritual health.


Hebrews 4:12-13 (New Living Translation)
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable."


Hebrews 3:13 (New Living Translation)
"You must warn each other every day, while it is still 'today,' so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God."

Is being a Jesus-follower safe?

I don't know where it originated ... but it's wrong. Horribly wrong. You've heard it, too, I suspect. The notion that the safest place you can be is in the center of God's will.


Following Jesus is NOT a safe thing. Not even close.


Over and over in Scripture, we are shown through illustration and principle that following Jesus will enable us to enjoy our God but will also put us in opposition with many of our peers and our culture.


Some followers of Jesus get persecuted and killed. It seems as if we are hearing more about Christian persecution these days. (Yeah, just try to tell THEM that following Jesus is the safest thing they could do.)


We know this from our own experience, too. Just ask any child who attends school and wants to follow Jesus. Sure, they can find Christian friends but there is an invisible line that they had better not cross. If they cross that line and express too much passion in their pursuit of holiness, even their 'Christian' friends will ostracize them.


It's the same way in our workplaces. It's even the same way at church. Satisfy yourself in being a nominal Christian - don't get too excited about it - and everything is ok. But, if you begin making it clear that even the small sins bother you, you'll find the number of peers who associate with you getting smaller and smaller. Try bringing God's Word into ordinary conversations on a regular basis and you'll find the same results. Speak of how many popular movies are offensive to a Holy God, and you'll see what I'm talking about.


If our safety and affirmation by others is our highest priority, we won't be able to truly follow Jesus with our whole heart. However, if our love for our God and His truth and our love for others (the two greatest commands - Matthew 22:34-40) is what primarily drives us, then we may not be safe and our peer group may be small but we'll see God smiling at us.


In my Bible reading this morning, I was reading through Jeremiah 20. In it, Jeremiah was beaten and jailed for sharing God's Word and calling people to repent and live according to God's standard. He talked to God and essentially said, "Wow. Wasn't I the fool! I thought following You would be safe. But, the more I speak Your Word, the deeper my trouble gets!"


Yet, it is in this context that he utters a very, very powerful statement:


Jeremiah 20:9 (New Living Translation)
"But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!"


God's Word is the standard for us. It tells us what to believe and it tells us how we are to act. It tells us what sort of behavior God is free to bless and what God must punish. It also tells us that God's heart is one that longs for people to live in His favor and enjoy Him.


Yet, when we fall into sin, God's Word is not pleasant. It convicts us. It nails us. It shows that we are wrong and need to make adjustments. It uses the word 'repent' over and over and over. And not one likes that!


But, we MUST be people of the Word. We must read it, strive to live by it and share it with others.


So, are you looking for a safe life? Are you paralyzed with the desire to be liked and affirmed by as many people as possible? Well, following Jesus isn't really for you then, my friend.


But, if you are serious about following Jesus, while it isn't safe and while you may find that other 'Christians' will reject you, you'll see that God is smiling at you. But, and this is exciting(!), one day you'll see Jesus look you in the eye, raise His hands to applaud your entrance into Heaven and hear Him say, "Well done! Well done!" (Matthew 25:23)


That's the ultimate illustration of delayed gratification!

Sermon (video): God's Design for Children and Parents

One of the greatest privileges that anyone can have is to raise the next generation of Christ-followers. Parents have that opportunity as they develop their children into the ones that God is free to use in the years to come.


This sermon digs into Ephesians 6:1-4 and points out two key commands given to children and parents if this relationship is to work.


To view the sermon, click here.

What motivates us to follow Jesus each day?

If you want to achieve some noble goal, you absolutely must find a powerful motivation.

For instance, you may want to lose weight. Well, that's good but if you don't have a reason for doing so that is powerful enough to keep you on track, to motivate you, you'll fail.

Motivation is powerful. It is essential.

In my Bible reading this morning, I came across a few verses that (once again) showed what motivated the Apostle Paul. After all, who in their right mind would go through all that he went though?!

He was committed to preach the Gospel to folks who hadn't heard it yet and what did he get for it? Here's an abbreviated list:

He was abandoned and betrayed by friends.

He was threatened with injury and death by his countrymen.

He was imprisoned.

He was beaten with rods.

He was whipped with 39 lashes - 5 times!!!

He was stoned with rocks until he was thought to be dead.

On and one we could go...

What kept him going? His motivation must have been extremely powerful! What motivated him?

It was the Day of Judgment! He lived his life in light of the Day he would stand before Jesus and give an account of how he spent the one life God had given him.

In fact, in the last letter that he wrote to his young protégé, Timothy, he acknowledged that there was a man named Onesiphorus who had been so kind to him. It seems that Paul could not repay Onesiphorus for his kindness. Yet, listen to what Paul says about when that helpful servant would be repaid:

2 Timothy 1:16-18

"May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me - may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day! - and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus."

The Day of Judgment was a major theme, a major motivation, in Paul's life. It permeates virtually every letter he wrote. It's what kept him going. It's what kept his chin up.

Consider engaging in an experiment today: Instead of living today as an end in itself, live today in light of the Day of Judgment. Live today with the knowledge that one day you will stand before Jesus and give an account of how you spent this day, how you acted, what you said, who you served, how you loved the unlovable.

I can almost guarantee you that it would radically change the way you and I approach almost everything that happens today.

Give God no rest

It is a foregone conclusion that God is a just God.

Even folks who claim no allegiance to Jesus who experience injustice say, "If there's a God in Heaven, how can He allow such things?!" Sentiments like that only prove that God has placed within our hearts the notion that He is a just God who will not tolerate evil.

We also realize as we read Scripture that the just God who reigns in Heaven is patient. He gives people and nations time to repent (2 Peter 3:9).

Yet, after a designated time that He has set, if repentance doesn't take place, He moves in judgment.

All we need do is read how God moved against a rebellious Israel in the Old Testament to see that He punished them with enemy armies, disease, drought, economic collapse, and any number of other things ... that America is beginning to experience.

So, what are we to do?

Throw up our hands in despair? No!

Bury our heads in the sand and focus only on the menial self-centered tasks of our day? No!

God will move powerfully on our behalf when "His people who are called by His name pray..." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

In fact, we see in a couple of verses that I read this morning that we are to 'pester' God. We are to pray and pray and then pray again. If God were a God who needed rest, we should pray so often that He never got to rest.

When our passion for God to powerfully demonstrate His glory in our midst is that intense, only then can we assume that He is about to show up.

Isaiah 62:6-7 (New Living Translation)

"O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls;

they will pray day and night, continually.

Take no rest, all you who pray to the LORD.

Give the LORD no rest until he completes his work,

until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth."

God's Design for the Family (Ephesians 5:22-6:4)

On Sunday mornings, I've enjoyed

preaching through the book of Ephesians. Most recently, I have spent time in Ephesians 5:22-33 sharing biblical truths about how husbands and wives are to relate to each other in their marriage.

To view the sermon videos, simply click on the titles given below:


God's Design for Wives (Ephesians 5:22-24, 33)

God's Design for Husbands (Ephesians 5:25-27)

God's Design for Husbands - Part 2 (Ephesians 5:28-33)

God's Design for Children (Ephesians 5:1-3) (will preach on October 26)

God's Design for Parents (Ephesians 5:4) (will preach on November 2)

A Church Plant called Calvary Goldsmith

Westside Baptist Church has before it an opportunity to join other Southern Baptist Churches in a project spearheaded by the North America Mission Board. On Sunday morning, October 19th, we will vote as a church family on whether we believe God is calling us to walk through that door of opportunity.

As we seek greater clarity on this matter, I have made two short videos and will again make the full Exploratory Team's presentation available.

If you only choose to watch one video, PLEASE watch this first one. In it, I explain that this is a step of faith but I also explain exactly what that faith-step looks like. You can view it by clicking here or watch it here...



So, as described in this video, the motion that the church will vote "yes" or "no" on is as follows:

"Westside Baptist Church will enter into a family partnership with Calvary Goldsmith. The partnership will consist of enlisting prayer warriors, sending teams to do ministry projects and a love offering. This partnership between our two congregations will be reviewed annually."

In the second video, I explain how engaging in ministry outside our walls actually benefits us. You can view it by clicking here or watch it here...



Yep, you heard me right. I believe that a great way to give Murray and Calloway County residents 'new eyes' to see the needs of our community and the heart and hands to do something about it, we need to do missions somewhere else. When we come back, we'll see our home differently. Just ask the folks who have gone on mission trips.

The third video is the full presentation of the Exploratory Team. You can view it by clicking here. (I could not embed it on this site.)

Finally, if you would like to read how this opportunity was birthed in my heart, you can do so by clicking here.

Why we MUST pray "with thanksgiving" if we are anxious

Have you ever been anxious? Of course you have. We've all been there.

Maybe it occurs when you pay bills at the kitchen table with the knowledge that there simply isn't enough money.

Maybe it happened when you were sitting in a waiting room as a loved one was undergoing surgery down the hall.

Maybe you're a student and it happens as a deadline nears or you are sitting at a desk waiting to take a major test.

The possibilities are endless. Yet, we all agree that anxiety is a normal, sometimes frequent, response to life.

Well, in my time with the Lord this morning, I came across a familiar verse but I had a 'eureka' moment reading it. All of a sudden, I got it! It made perfect sense!

Let me share the verse and then some comments on how God has told us to get rid of anxiety.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

So, in these two verses, we see that in order to combat anxiety, we are told to pray. We need to unload our burdens and talk to God about them. 

But, there are two words that I have often overlooked that are essential to dealing with anxiety. It is the words: "with thanksgiving."

You see, God is speaking to people who are anxious. They are worried. (Why else would he tell them not to be anxious?)

So, he is telling anxious people to pray "with thanksgiving." 

Now, that's powerful! Why? Because when I'm worried, I rarely ever thank God in my prayers. My prayers typically fall into two categories: 1) "God why!?" and 2) "God, get me out of this mess!"

If you think about the attitude of thanksgiving, it doesn't come natural at all. But, it is the way out of anxiety.

For instance, let's say that I have just been diagnosed with a terrible illness. I can get anxious (I probably would!) and remain filled with anxiety (this response is perfectly normal - most people do it).

However, I could intentionally apply the principle of Philippians 4:6-7 and spend time talking to God. In those prayers, I could express my thanksgiving to God. 

I might exercise faith and thank God for what He is doing in the illness by providing me with incentive to depend up Him.

I could thank Him for who I may be able to encourage along the way.

I could thank Him for promising to work the illness out for my ultimate good and His glory.

I could thank Him that even if I don't beat the illness that Heaven awaits me.

The possibilities to express my thanks are endless.

While being thankful for the bad stuff doesn't come natural, it is pleasing to God because it is an expression of faith in Him. But, it also helps us to put our problems into perspective. When we can thank God for anything and everything that comes our way, anxiety will have no place to hide in our minds and hearts. In fact, gratitude to God will chase it away. 

Why not comply with Philippians 4:6-7 the next time the waters get a little rough.

What was nailed to the cross? It's more than you may have realized...

As I read through Colossians 2 this morning, I came across a very amazing word picture. It's in regard to our sins and how God forgave them.

God is infinitely holy and demands moral perfection from us. When we sin, we become ever more indebted to Him. That sin cannot simply be forgotten. His holiness has been violated and someone must 'pay.'

We understand this in our American culture. We often say, "Do the crime? Do the time!"

We understand that when someone violates society's laws, they are indebted to society and must either pay a fine or go to jail.

This is the way it works in our relationship with God. When we sin (and we all sin every single day), we are indebted to a holy God who demands that payment be made.

Well, folks can be shipped off to an eternity in a Christ-less hell to experience the consequences of not paying their debt to a holy God in this life. Yet, we realize that this is not God's heart (2 Peter 3:9).

So, in eternity past, God determined to glorify Himself by paying our debt for us. That word picture is provided in Colossians 2:14 where it says:

"by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

So, God cancelled our debt by "nailing it to the cross."

We know from the narrative of the Gospels that Jesus had something nailed to His cross. In John 19:19, it says: "Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.'"

This appears to have been common procedure at crucifixions. The crime that someone had committed was put in writing and nailed to the cross. So, as folks walked by, they could see the offense and see the person who had committed it.

As far as the Romans were concerned, Jesus was accused of insurrection. He was accused of trying to set up a kingdom in opposition to Caesar. That was His offense.

Yet, in Colossians 2:14, we're told that as far as God is concerned, there was something much different nailed to the cross. It was our sins!

Friend, that's how God paid our sin debt. He couldn't simply forget it. Someone had to pay the debt. So, when Jesus hung on the cross, God placed our sin debt on His cross so that as the Jesus-follower walks by, they can see their sin debt being paid for by their infinitely loving Heavenly Master.

We serve an awesome God!!!