No Faith Photos in GRAY SCALE

When looking through photo albums of both the past and the present, there's a couple of questions that seem to rise, almost immediately, to the surface:

1.) I wonder if they were/are really happy?
2.) Is it really possible to capture one's feelings, faith or favor (blessing of greatness) in a photo?

Ponder on these observations for just a moment.
1.) Why do some people become obsessed with taking pics of themselves?
2.) What is it about those who run when a camera comes out?

Most often, when taking a "self" picture, one is looking for something, or could it be, they are longing to see someone!?! Are they looking for something that gives them value or some sense of significance? Could it be, the reason why some attempt to escape when it's picture taking time, is because they don't like what they see, or they feel the "picture taking" is a waste of time, because there seems to be nothing of value in them, or with them, to capture? Hmmm...

POWER POINT TO PONDER: You can look good in a pic, but consider the following:

1.) Photos are limited & often lie, hiding the real you.
2.) You're welcome to smile, however, "No Posing Allowed."
3.) Beauty or ugliness, is actually not only skin deep. What lies beneath the surface, below the makeUP, does find its way out.
4.) You may not feel very photogenic, however your internal giftings, your destiny and purpose, are not limited to the external view.
5.) I believe all faith film development is Black & White, with no vintage (old; only new) and no gray scale. Allow me to me shed some light upon this "gray" pose'ition that some are taking today.

LET'S WORK ON THAT SMILE. First of all, Christianity is not to be a religion practiced, but a personal relationship realized with Jesus Christ. It’s a worldview that believes there is no area to which God has not spoken. Some areas, He speaks directly (life, marriage, abortion, etc.), which are black and white. Other areas (education, healthcare, homelessness, etc.), are considered "gray" and require biblical application of principles to discern and establish God’s viewpoint.

LET'S BRING THIS INTO FOCUS. As Believers, followers of Jesus Christ, we don’t get to decide what is black and white, and certainly, neither do the unbelievers. The Bible provides this guidance. However, many liberal Believers today, just like the Pharisees in the New Testament, are challenging the very principles we are called to agree, and stand UPon. In other words, all Believers should read the same Bible, agree on "black and white" issues, and then exercise constructive dialogue (some say debate) on the best method when taking a stand, while demonstrating Christ's love. On the contrary, some Believers feel the worldly pressure of being mocked and labeled an extremist, are being forced to regress by modern-day Pharisees to discuss what sin is, and then by what standard we arrive at the decision.

LET'S SEE - DO YOU THINK JESUS was/is SMILING? During His earthly ministry, Jesus was hardest on the Pharisees, the party of “liberal believers” that challenged his principles, while His disciples and other believers were discussing the best methods with Him. Though Jesus demonstrated tough love to/with the Pharisees, He had a zero tolerance for compromise, and confronted them for their leading His flock astray. But that is what liberal Believers have done to the Body of Christ today.

LET'S LEARN & LEAD: Know it is critically important to develop our spiritual health and solidify our bearings on biblical principles, with a greater, HIGHER sense of passion and priority, than the time and attention we allocate towards our physical features and attraction. If we look good physically, yet are confused and twisted concerning our principles, the picture can be taken, yet it will still need to be developed. When we take a stand on an issue, it should never be misconstrued as “hate.” It’s simply, yet painfully at times, love being exercised, like a prescription being dispensed.

LET'S ADD SOME MUSIC TO THE MESSAGE: The group, "Casting Crowns," sings a song called "Slow Fade." Though it’s lyrics and tone are about marital faithfulness, the principle can be applied to every area of our lives: “It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray.” Take a moment to read over the lyrics:

Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

LET'S SUM IT UP: May we possess both the courage and conviction to accept biblical principles, even when it’s not popular. Let it be, that when others see us, they immediately say, "He/She looks like their Father!" #genesis1:26 #romans8:29 #colossians3:2

FLATTER: "What's the matter!?!"

Out of a desperate desire to belong and be loved, at times, one will become intoxicated with a subtle, yet powerful craving that tends to slip them off the radar of rightness. What begins as an innocent pursuit to have fun, grow up, discover a life of independence, and "live my life," they have often veered into the darkness.

The Psalmist pens it very descriptively: "In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good." (Psalm 36:2-3)

Flattery can be brutal, so much so that, too often, there are people we value in life who plainly have, what appears to be, a reckless propensity for less than desirable, destructive thought and behavior. They've flirted with deception for such an extended period of time, that the gravity of their poor decisions and their effects upon others, have notably escaped them.

In over 20 years of ministry, one of the most painful conclusions to which I've witnessed among many is,...those who don't know, really don't know that they don't know. 

By man's standards, the "flatterers" are hopeless and helpless (impossible), but with and through God's provision of truth, they can and will come to know life, life more abundantly. 

Let's make sure we are letting His Light shine, to aid those camping in darkness. 

#truthrevealsandheals  #john8:32

Hypocrites - It Takes One to Know One

In light of so many people today hiding behind a host of excuses for not attending a local church, comes the combative subject of "hypocrites."

The timing could not have been more "On." As the text alert sounded on my phone today, I read where one of our HGC leaders texted me a picture which punctuated the following message:

"Some people say, 'I don't want to go to church with all those hypocrites.' Well, you can go to church w/ them, OR you can go to hell w/ them."

Let's take a moment to define "hypocrite" before we issue claim to being an authority on the subject.

"Hypocrite" is defined as one who portrays having virtues, morals, or religious beliefs that they do not actually possess. A few synonyms for "hypocrite" are cheater, faker, deceiver, actor, fraud, poser, and backslider.

When looking into the Scriptures, one NOT ATTENDING church, (dishonoring the Word - Hebrews 10:25) can also be viewed through the lens of all of these same synonyms. So, what is the real culprit for conveniently missing out on the blessing of getting plugged into a "community of faith" (the local church)!?! Concluding that "not going to church with the hypocrites" is acceptable, clearly violates God's command to "assemble together." Without a doubt, God knew the composition of THE Church,...His Church, would consist of men, women, boys, and girls, who would need to depend upon His Love, and the love of, and the love for, one another, and that this "loving" would be communicated and experienced by honoring God and actively embracing His scriptural mandate to join together with other believers in a consistent gathering of worship.

Jesus delivered it directly and emphatically to those who were struggling with a critical, crippling spirit, in the Gospel of John, "to him/her who is without sin, let them cast the first stone" (John 8:7). You see, regardless of who we are, where we've been, or what we've done, our Lord loves us and desires to have a personal relationship with us. He knew we would have moments of difficulty, infused with temptation, instigated by our enemy, the devil, whose aim is to steal, kill, and destroy. We must be careful to not point a finger at someone else, becoming an expert at keeping their score, while we become oblivious to our own shortcomings. The church is not for perfect people. No, the church was established for imperfect people in need of a loving, merciful, and gracious savior, Jesus Christ. When coming together, we are encouraged by the strength and determination we observe and absorb from one another.

So, rather than labeling someone else, let's take a timeout to start linking together every opportunity we have to experience the beauty of God's intention in sending His Son, Jesus, for the purpose of seeking to save every one of us that is lost without Him.

I am all for keeping it simple, keeping it real, and keeping it together...

"We all need one another; We are Stronger Together!"