Growing Spiritually

Someone once said, "There is no treading water in the Christian life, you're either swimming or sinking." I believe that. Christians must ask themselves before they make choices, "Will this benefit me spiritually?" This is our next question in our topic of biblical decision-making. This is a good question. In fact, in two places in First Corinthians, the apostle Paul uses the similar language: "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any(First Corinthians 6:12)." In other words, though something may be permissible to the world or society, that doesn't mean it is good for my life as a Christian. The other verse is found in 10:23- "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify." As part of your decision-making process, ask yourself, "Will doing this help me grow spiritually? Will it encourage and built up those around me? Will it produce fruit for the Kingdom?" If the answer is "no," it's probably not a good choice. More to come. Blessings.

Making the Right Choices

Biblical decision-making has a number of touch points in order to keep us making the right choices. I'll be highlighting them during the next few weeks. For example, in making a decision large or small, the first question you should ask yourself is, "Does this action or choice glorify God?" "Would He be pleased with this decision or action"?

Speaking of which, what does it mean to glorify God? Well, we'll start with this because it is, after all, our chief good. Ecclesiastes 12:13 states,"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." OK-- so how does this play out in our lives? How do we glorify God? Here's an easy acronym to remember: "A.C.T.S."

A- adoration. When we set out to give God all His due worship-- when we proclaim Him above all else, God is pleased. It is like a sweet fragrance to the Lord when we please Him (Psalm 141:2; Ephesians 5:2).
C- confession. As we confess our daily transgressions (and we all make them), the Scriptures tell us that He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Confession means we realize that we've done wrong are asking for forgiveness; and in doing so we receive it, as 1 John 1:9 states. But also, as we confess, it removes any hindrances between us and God, especially as we pray and seek answers from Him. Unconfessed sin can stand in the way of that.
T- thanksgiving. A grateful heart brings honor to God because we acknowledge Him as the provider of all our blessings. "Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). Also, when we give thanks, we are being obedient, for the Lord tells us to give thanks in everything, for this is His will (1 Thess 5:18).
S- subjection. When we put God in His rightful place: on the throne of our lives, we glorify Him. To see Him high and lifted up, as Isaiah wrote, is also to rightly see ourselves in our needy state like the prophet, who cried out "Woe is me for I am undone! For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." (Is 6:1-5). He is our King and we are His subjects. As such, we are dedicated to Him, standing ready for His service. What an honor! So remember A.C.T.S., Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Subjection, as a help to keep us in check in giving God His due glory in all that we say and do! Back to the question, before you make that decision, take that step or utter that next word, ask: "Does it bring glory to God?" God's Word says "humility and the fear the Lord, are riches and honor and life." (Proverbs 22:4). Next time, we'll look at another question in helping guide our decisions.

It's Been Too Long...

Sorry for the long delay. I've spent most of the last year and a half helping to open an eastern campus of our church, called Island Christian Church in Holtsville, Long Island. Located in Brookhaven, this is one of the fastest growing towns in the region, with over 500,000 residents. The church opened on September 12, 2010, and has been humming right along, drawing new people, along with the dynamic launch team that has been with us since we started planning this in 2009. Interestingly, the church meets in a hotel, The Crowne Plaza at exit 63 off the LI Expressway. This was a way of getting started without having to worry about finding a building of our own-- at least not right away. So if anyone wants to come check it out, services are Sundays at 10:00 am. You'll be blessed!

Meantime, I'll be starting to post regular workplace entries next week. My topic for the immediate future will be on Biblical decision-making. Please tune in. Again, sorry for the long delay.