It is hard to keep up!

     The life we live can be one of chaos. One can never tell what will be coming in the next moment. It seems as if we are constantly trying to get on a level playing field or keeping your head above the water. Everyone can identify with this philosophy of trying to keep up or stay afloat. Whether, you are trying to get all your bills caught up, making sure the kids are getting to all there functions or remembering all the functions, catching up on school work or work for the office, or trying to stay up with the neighbors and the things they are doing or buying. It can be rather consuming in of itself to meet the demands of this world and the pressures it places on people to live, act, and coexist. The phrase “Keeping up with the Joneses,” has been around since 1913 and is still used today referring to the comparison between you and your neighbor.

     Honestly, life was meant for so much more than trying to keep up with the Joneses. It really comes down to our relationship with God. What I mean is that if you are focused on God’s plan for your life then you are less focused on keeping up. Therefore, the only correct way of focusing on God’s plan is through a real relationship with Jesus. (Side note – I am not your judge of what is considered a real relationship with Jesus. Jesus and Scripture determine the nature of your relationship.) Of course, if you are reading this and are not a Christian then this will make no sense at all. However, for those few who hold a real relationship with Jesus, I hope this resonates within your core. It is sobering alone for me to write this knowing I am a proponent of trying to keep up.

     We are so worried about what tomorrow might bring that we cannot enjoy the beauty of today. We are so busy trying to prepare our kids for their future that we forget to enjoy their youth. We are so consumed with working to make more money, we rarely find time to enjoy the rewards of what we have earned. We are so consumed with the next moment that we never get to enjoy this moment that will never be again. I am the worst.

     Jesus say in Matthew 6:33-34

“33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

    Okay, so this is coming off the tails of us not having two masters. I also know that I may be reading too much into it. However, if we focus on these two verses we may see the answer we need to get rid of the anxiety that overcomes us by trying to keep up. If we were to focus on the Kingdom and not ourselves or those around us and God provides the things we need because He knows our needs. Hey guess what, He even knows what we need emotionally too! Every day will bring trouble and chaos on its own and we do not need to add to it. Tomorrow’s outlook and the things we don’t have but strive for will always take our focus off of God’s plan for us today!

    I think no matter how we look at it, the big picture is us seeking the Kingdom. We seek the Kingdom to build the Kingdom. If that is our focus, when things come our way we will know what to do and not worry about how tomorrow will work out. Our Father is working out the big picture. All we need to do is trust that He is working all things together for our good BECAUSE we love Him. 

     At the end of the day, we must be assured that trying to keep up is not our main goal. Keeping up in this world can bring a world of destruction as well. However, it is not as easy as I make it sound either. If it was then I should have it all together but I don’t. It is a process and seeing where we are falling short. The first step is admitting the weakness. Boasting in the weakness allows God to take over. We have to know that His grace is sufficient and when we are weak He is strong!

Revolutionary Idea or Is It The Most Ridiculous Thing I Have Ever Written?

What if Christianity wasn't as mainstream and popular as it is today in America?  Would there be as many people calling themselves Christians? What if we would suffer persecution for our faith? How many people would still believe? The Church started under persecution and it flourished. However, what happens to the Church when it starts passing laws to quell sin and become the governing authority? Do we think that we can stop people from sinning by passing laws? If Rome was the first "Christian" nation or empire and then England and maybe at some point America, what has happened to them? Is it a Christian's responsibility to vote to impact government or is it to pray and submit? What if Christianity was illegal? Where would you stand? If you were faced with prison or even death?

These questions were ones I was posing in my head as I listened to some real guys talk about Christianity in America. I have felt for some time now that Christianity in America has become a war of politics than truth, grace and love. It seems that the law is now the way people are saved and not the grace of Jesus. Laws do not save people; they condemn them. What if we invited the people who did not know Jesus and teach them in "Truth and Love"? Teach them Jesus' ways not ours. How about understanding that Jesus bought us at a price! (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

The other nagging thought that keeps coming to mind is a statement my wife made to me when she was discussing her devotional reading. (Gracious Uncertainty you should read it) "Do people really believe in Jesus or do they believe in their belief about Jesus?" That question has plagued me for a couple of days. When it comes down to the brass tax do you really believe Jesus. If we can say yes, then the questions that start this blog are not so offensive, scary, or fill in the blank of your emotional reaction to them. See, the idea here is if I believe in Jesus then I love Jesus then I obey Jesus. I think that is how it works, right? (John 14:15 to a point) We should come to the conclusion that following Jesus as Lord, Master, and Owner of our life is something that is required of us at His word. (Which we all have access to.)

I think a lot of "Christians" believe in the belief of Jesus. (This is not to offend but to offer insight to our lives on how we actually know Jesus.) Okay, so you may be asking how so? What do you mean by this statement? Well, if one truly believes in Jesus, the words that Jesus spoke would be more than guidelines and suggestions. Jesus meant what He said and this is how we "Christians" should live. Also, if we believe Jesus then the call that we receive would be of the highest priority to fulfill without hesitation or excuse. If we really believed in Jesus we would eat with the "Sinners, Tax Collectors and Prostitutes" (you can use any label that offends you here) and hold accountable the "Righteous and Pious (church going pew filler maybe works here for you) ." If we really believed in Jesus, we would know His word and what it really means. We would read it with expectation of revelation and purpose in living our lives. If we believed in Jesus, we would be driven to conviction of our sins and seek repentance for those sins. If we really believed in Jesus we would welcome persecution because Jesus said it would happen. We would welcome hatred because He was hated. Or would we?

The Bible is so clear on things. However, we muddy the waters by stirring up issues that are not even in the Scriptures. Are we so comfortable in America that we have forgotten that it's not the government's job to make disciple but ours. If not, then why is voting a law to stop sin a bigger priority than praying and teaching. I agree there are some laws in place that are needed to protect our safety, family and stuff. However, Jesus said that following Him can cost us everything (Luke 9:57-62; 10:3; 14:25-33 just to name a few.) Therefore, maybe at the end of things we need to be more aware of the Scriptures in understanding what Jesus meant. I agree that there are some figurative words that points us to understanding that we can do nothing without Jesus (Matthew 5:28-30) as to where He is literal as we see in the verses about the cost.

As I say all these things, I ponder them myself. I ask myself the questions to see if I am a true follower of Christ. It seems that some days I am the one who should be reconciling and repenting. I have gotten it wrong and from the looks of things that is okay. I look to the Bible and see how the disciples at times got it wrong. However, with love, compassion and discipline Jesus corrected them. This post is to open our eyes to ask the questions that sometimes we don't want to ask. It is not to condemn. If that was the case then I didn't listen to one single thing that I have written.

I hope and pray that we all can become the person that Jesus calls us to be! I hope we can be real people, who do not live out a fake faith!

Wave the White Flag

This week we started a series in youth called "Surrender". It started as most, a little slow with the leader (me) fumbling around trying to get the timing right. However, the time came after the video portion to discuss what surrender is. Some answers I got were interesting. I heard most of the usual answers like "give up" and "let go." However, the one that caught my attention was "weak" or "to be weak." That really perked my ears. I never really thought of it in that light. Is the act of surrender showing weakness? Some people may disagree, however, I intend to hopefully shine a light in order to break our pride.

            It really showed me something that was right in front of my face the whole time. Surrender is showing that you are weaker than your adversary. You surrender in order to save your life. You give up your way of fighting and come under the leader that you surrender to in hopes of being cared for by that kingdom. Now, I understand that not all kingdoms in the past have been accommodating to the people that have surrendered and come under that rule. However, I want you to focus on the concept and not past events of what has happened to those who have surrendered!

            This is a total act of humility. Surrendering is losing your pride and admitting defeat. You can no longer sustain this battle on your own efforts and if you continue it will ultimately bring your own demise. I hope by now after just beginning you are starting to get a picture of what I am pointing out. I know that some people will be admitting it takes a great deal of strength to surrender. Our surrender to Jesus shows how strong we really are. I guess in the light of being humble, it does require an amount of intestinal fortitude to admit that we are weak. However, don't confuse the point. In surrendering you are admitting that you are weak.  

            So, now I hope you can see the direction I am heading. The whole concept of new life in Christ is surrendering the old self over to the saving grace of God and allowing him to change us from the inside out. However, we must surrender. What does that mean now? It means that we recognize our weakness. You may ask, "What weakness?" 

            We are regrettably weak beings because of the fall. What weakness? Sin. It is because of sin we cannot be righteous, good, holy, saved, or enter Heaven on our own. However, the pride of people is that we can do it. We can earn it. We can do the right things to get to Heaven. Well that is what every religion in the world tells us. Except for Christianity! It says that we are weak and fallen beings that need a Savior and only through that Savior can we be saved. We have to become humble and own up to our weakness.

            Paul states in 2 Corinthians 12 that only when we are weak are we strong. Jesus is quoted there as he tells Paul that, “My grace is sufficient for you, power is perfected in weakness.” (1 Cor. 12:9 HCSB) It is amazing that Christ and Paul are telling us to boast in our weakness for that is when we will be strong.

            So in retrospect, in order to surrender to Christ we must boast in our weaknesses. It is we turning over what we cannot do on our own. CHANGE! We cannot become a Christians, get to Heaven, be saved, be good, be holy, or be righteous without Jesus.

           

            So in order to save your life you must surrender to the only one who can save it, Jesus! He is a good and just King. He is the one who rules with justice and mercy. We are on the battlefield. Whose banner will you be fighting under? Will you fight under the banner of the world, where you will become weary and eventually destroyed? Or will you fight under the banner of Jesus, who already won the victory, where the burden in light and the yoke is easy?

All you have to do is surrender! 
Wave the White Flag!

Consume Me!

As I sit here in the mountains, thinking of my life right now with God, I come to the stark conclusion that I need to totally consumed by the almighty God. I know I love Jesus and I know I know Jesus. However, there are days when I need more than just my knowledge. I need to God consume my life. I also know for that to happen I have to surrender and open myself up for that. So today I want to give you a song that speaks to this very message. Enjoy Worth Dying For singing Consume Me.

What to do with truth?

If you were told something that is a proposed truth, what would you do with it? Would you choose to believe it on blind faith? Would you refuse it on blind faith? Would you choose your opinion based on others opinions? Would you base your opinion based on research? What would you do if you found the "truth" told to you wasn't the truth at all? What would you do if you found out it was the truth?

This is what every single person faces when they are confronted with the gospel. They have to formulate in their mind what course of action they must take to solve this dilemma. The fact is that most don't even take the time to understand what they have been told. What I mean here is to actually process the information given. This is the first thing that needs to happen. We should not dismiss or accept any information on a whim. We should process this information mentally and intellectually. What strikes me strange is that a group in Berea had something along these lines happen to them and they just didn't accept new ideas and  concepts as truth. Look at this scripture in Acts 17:10-15

As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea. On arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that God’s message had been proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and disturbing the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to go to the sea, but Silas and Timothy stayed on there. Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed. (Acts 17:10-15 HCSB)

What you have to first noticed is the fact that they were open-minded. A person can never accept a truth unless they first break down there world views and preconceived notions that closes minds. Most people consider themselves open minded. However, when truth encroaches on a persons idols their mind becomes narrow because they must defend their idols. (A side note. An idol that's needs defending is not worthy of your worship. That's another blog all together.) A person will violently defend their idols. Nothing narrows a mind like idols. However, most people will not admit to idol worship, whether a person is a believer or not. Ok idol rant over.

Now even though the Bereans were open minded they were not naive.  They tested the what they heard to the word of God. This should be the action of every believer and non-believer. A man can be wrong, even your pastor and even me, especially me.  Man is an errant creature. However, God is inerrant. Though, some take this concept a step to far. The completely throw out what someone new brings because they only trust what they know right now. Sometimes, what they know is what another pastor has taught them and that may be wrong because they never examined the scriptures when they were taught at first. People live off a blind faith that is dangerous. That kind of faith is when the object is a person or thing and not God. They so blindly follow a person because they stand behind a "pulpit" and "preach" a message they pull out of scripture, which may or may not be contextually correct. We need to examine God's word to see if the message they are hearing is the truth. 

So, now you have examined the scriptures and found this new message to be true. What now? Next thing to notice is that the Bereans that out of their examination of the messages led to their conversion. The Bereans not only came to the conclusion that the message of Paul was true but the truth compelled them to be saved. It is understandable that there is an initial response of denial or acceptance but what happens to the person who can no longer deny that it is truth, will they accept the message then? Josh McDowell tells his story of his road to Christ, which I will greatly paraphrase here. He speaks of his quest on how he was trying to disprove that Jesus was real and show the fallacy he believed the Bible to be. I believe he said he was in a London library when he realized that Jesus was real. However, that did not change his heart. Sometime later, as we all know, he came to give his life to Christ. However, what I derive from this is, even though your brain might accept it as truth your heart has to do the same thing. You have to reconcile the truth you accept to your life. You have to admit that you are not in relationship with God. You have to admit that the truth applies to you and you are not exempt from the fact that we are not God. We have to accept that Jesus did die and was risen for you and me. The Bereans not only recognized Paul's message as truth but also accepted that truth through their hearts. The were saved not just on their head knowledge but on their belief and confession of Jesus' resurrection and Him being Lord and Savior. 

The last thing I want you notice is that whenever a message is found to be true  it will be in direct opposition to anther message. Therefore, there will be people who will be direct opposition to the message bearer and those who choose to accept it as truth. We see the same thing here in Acts. The Jews were trying to keep the message of Jesus from being proclaimed. So don't feel like because you now know the truth everyone is just going to follow suit. However, don't back away from the truth because others are in opposition to you. Stand strong in what you know and believe. 

So what will you do with new messages that you hear? Will you be like the Bereans or the Jews. 

Good in Retrospect?

I was just thinking today about good. Well, not good in the concept of good vs. evil. However, more in object comparison. Those who have been in church awhile especially the more traditionally minded churches have heard the phrase, "God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good." My motto is, God is good when I am not." Therefore, in the light of those sayings, I must never be good. I know that to a point we can be moralistically good by comparison to other humans. However, in the eyes of God we cannot be good.  Even the Bible proves this concept. Look at the following scriptures:

Ecclesiastes 7:20

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Psalm 14:3

They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

Mark 10:18

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Luke 18:19

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Romans 3:12

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.

I am sure if you try hard enough, you could dig up more. However, we can see that it is consistent that we are not good.

Now, where some people may see this as a very negative though process, I see this as very positive and hopeful. Again, you may be questioning my logic by calling this hopeful. You may even say that this is a hopeless path of thought. However, I would like us to think if there was a time when we thought, "Man, I can't get anything right." or "Why did I do that when I know it was wrong?" Maybe you have never had those thoughts but I can guarantee that there has been a time when you have done something you know wasn't right and felt some remorse or regret for it. (If you have never felt that way then I would love to talk to you!) 

I see the hope in this because God gives us grace. The only one good is God and He loves us to forgive and save us. (I also understand that a non-believer will give this no credibility, which in return is why I write this even more for them to see the love God has for all.) God's ultimate love and mercy is given in His divine providence through His grace. Yes, he made a way through Christ's death and resurrection. This is the hope! Even though we are not good He has chosen us to live in Christ as the Holy Spirit dwells in us. However, we first must believe and confess. Romans 10:9, "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Maybe a little clarification before I end this post. If you come to the conclusion of understanding and believing the Word of God, then you will understand this idea of good and bad. You already know that we unable to save ourselves because of our nature being contrary to good. You will also understand that the nature of good can only exist in the Father. (Father being God.) So therefore, our hope is found in the love of God to reconcile us who are bad into Him who is good. I hope that straightens the rabbit trails a bit!

Therefore, in saying all that I hope today you that can have the hope of knowing the one that is good. He gives us a chance to be good, not by our own trying and work but through the death and resurrection of Jesus. That is the good news! No more futile working that produces nothing of our own effort. Just simply living in Christ and the Holy Spirit working through us as we love Jesus and are obedient as a result of the love. I pray that you will accept the gift and know one day what good really means!

Don't Call It a Comeback!

Wow, It has been a while since I have posted anything in this blog. Well no time like the present to get back at it!

This may seem like, what some people have called my teaching style of late, rabbit trails. I have not written a post since I stepped down from my last youth ministry position. I may have been a little more preoccupied with things that have not been very important in the grand scheme of things, eternally speaking. However, we can get caught up in our own storms, desert journeys, or whatever you would like to call them. 

I have seen my absence from ministry as a sabbatical to family and myself. It has been a deep learning process that has taken me down several different roads. All to which culminate here tonight with one simple understanding. 

Why do we pursue the wind as if we will ever catch it? 

I am not saying that my entire time has been in vain; however, I could have used it a little more wisely. God has definitely opened my eyes and heart to the lack of assertiveness I have produced. The lack of production may have stemmed from the overly masculine pride to provide for my family in the means of a job and money. I know in my heart that God takes care of us. It is just a knee jerk reaction to produce that attitude to go out and work without thought of Gods plans. I spent so much time being a part of a company that was not in line with God's purpose that I miss several opportunities to fulfill His calling. Well, let’s just say that He (meaning God) has taken care of that and I am very pleased even thought the outcome is not what I would have hoped. 

I do believe that now is the time that God is about to reveal the bigger plan. I have been persistent to pursue all opportunities placed before me, but yet, to no avail. 

I will be more proactive in my journaling and writing again. I will be updating more often about the trials and teaching that have been afforded to me by the Holy Spirit. He has been the consistence in my life where I have been utterly absent. I praise God that He is faithful and that He never lets me forget the victory that Jesus won.

I pray that as I continue on this journey that I will not lose sight of the goal. I will remain eternally focused and keep my mind on heavenly things. There are many things here that God blesses us with but that is all futile when compared to the blessing of Heaven and spending eternity with Jesus.

So know you are blessed by the Most High God and praise Him.

To Serve out of reward or love!

I remember a scene from the movie "Facing the Giants" where the coaches wife gets a report that she is not pregnant, again. She is devastated and walks out of the clinic crying and she stops at her truck and starts praying to God. She basically says that God it doesn't matter if she every has a child that she will always  love the Lord. Then miraculously the nurse comes out and says that the results were mixed up and she is pregnant.

It sounds so Hollywood. Almost as if the Christian film industry needed to show God as this happily ever after being. However, this is exactly a picture of God. We see it in His word. Shadrach Meshach and Abednego are an example as they face the furnace of Nebuchadnezzar. They say our God is able to save us from this furnace and if He doesn't we still will not bow to any other God. Then as they are thrown in the furnace a fourth person appears that look like a son of the Gods (Jesus) and they are rescued. The echoing statement here is that it doesn't matter if they get what they want from God they will serve Him no matter what.

The very notion of serving God, loving Him and doing what we are called to do is not dependent on what He does for us everyday because He done all He needed to do on the cross. That alone is why we serve Him, love Him!

So why the rant on this subject. Well yesterday I just settled up with God that I might choose to do certain things but I will follow the direction that He takes me. I have been searching for the next job and place without any direction. I was looking what would fit for me. Then I said God it doesn't matter what it is as long as You want it. I don't need the money, status or position; I just need You. Then all the doors started to open. It was like the doors to the Ark opened and I saw the land in a new way.

A couple a very awesome opportunities are opening up and both are feasible. However, they will be the biggest test of my faith to date. No matter how they turn out I will still serve and love my God! I will seek you earnestly and praise Your holy name. This life is not about what I can get out of it but how I can serve a Holy and Righteous God; One full of power and glory.

Here is that part of the movie that I was speaking of!

Understandable

The thing that boggles the mind is the direct and purposeful intention of filling in gaps of communication that are missing with false information. I know it is hard for us as humans to not have the complete story. We cannot stand to be left in the dark. That is why so many kids try and sneak peaks at Christmas presents before they get a chance to open them. So many people will try and fill the gaps of void information with whatever makes sense to them, whether or not it is true. I feel that mis-communication is a problem. The only way that is solved is to seek the source where the missing information can be filled in and known. Most people avoid this fix and I feel maybe because the truth will hurt or that it is not what they want to hear. I really don't know and the funny thing is that I have been at fault for doing the same thing. I know of many times I have filled in the blanks of information with my own thoughts and usually I am wrong.

So in order for those who actually read this, I would like to clarify what is happening in my life. As most know I have resigned my position at FBCS and will be moving forward in whatever ministry area that God leads me. The decision was tough as all faith stepping decisions are; however nothing easy grows faith. I moved as the Holy Spirit has called me. I will see that God has the glory for this and not me or any man. It is important to see that it is God moving. I know for some especially secularly to see how this makes sense to step out of a job and not know what will be next. I mean did Peter really know what would happen when he took that first step out of the boat. I am sure his faith was set that he would walk as I am sure that God will provide everything I need not to sink. I know there might be many questions and to clear up each one I am going to post my resignation letter so everyone can see what was said on October 16th as I resigned my position as Minister of Students and Singles.

To the congregation of First Baptist Church of Shallotte:

The past three plus years I have served you as the Minister of Student and Singles. I have grown in many ways as God has developed me as a disciple of Jesus. I have had a wonderful experience in the Lord learning how to grow youth and young adults. There have been good days and tough days as this transition into church staff ministry took place. I am grateful that God has been so good to place me in a church that has led to my growth in my spirit with Jesus. I am blessed to have met people that will forever be a part of my life because we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

Now, for the past several months God has been working in my life to open my eyes to be more obedient to Him and His call. I know now with complete revelation from God through the Holy Spirit that He is calling me and my family to step down from ministry at FBCS. He is leading us somewhere and at this time, we have no idea of what that is. We have no next step at this moment. We are just stepping out on faith knowing that God has something for us.

Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I must give my resignation of Minister of Students and Singles to be effective on November 27, 2011. God gave me this date with the understanding that we could transition all ministry areas in youth and the church to continue without hindrances or pauses. There are a great number of things that must be done before I leave in order to ensure a positive transition. I want to ensure that ministry and those involved in ministry will continue to move forward to continue to create leaders for First Baptist.  I will continue to be involved and purposeful as I can to make sure that all transitions are made so that the youth and young adult ministry can continue to be positive and impactful.

I will ask that you continue in your prayers for me and my family as this transition occurs. It will be a testing time in our life to trust on the Lord for all our needs. I will be in constant prayer that the Lord will continue to move mightily in the midst here of First Baptist to continue the growth and vision to reach all those who need Jesus, growing people in love, faith and hope. I am blessed and loved, thank you all. It has definitely been great to grow and serve in the Lord with you. I pray that God will bless you as a congregation to grow as people who Love God, Love One Another, and Love the World.

With Love in our Lord Jesus Christ

Keith Wilson

Minister of Students and Singles

At

At His feet is what I should live for
But His throat is what I reach for
Living a life contrary to His Word
Speaking deceit, being about my word
Flesh so weak, desires so twisted
Sin is what we are, because we miss it
The mark of His glory, righteousness
Holy Spirit moves, the heart's indecisiveness

Wanting to be free from the malice
Heart needing sanctifying justice
Seeking grace that is so implicit
The way of the Father is so exquisite
Exponential love that fills the cup
Overflowing joy, magnified lifted up
Spirit moving as rushing wind
At His feet is where I am called friend