You Talk Too Much

       Be honest. Is there a person with whom every time you have a conversation, it's really more of a monologue? If you're lucky enough to get a complete sentence in, they take what you've said and give an in-depth example about an experience from their own life that exemplifies your point. You listen... and then open your mouth, only for the oxygen to be vacuumed from your oral cavity by their rapid inhalation and quick-fire chattering which completely redirects the conversation. How can they lock, load, and fire that fast anyway?! After 30 minutes, you find that a wide variety of topics have been covered, but you are still loaded with unspoken thoughts which you were unable to voice.

       Or maybe it's the guy in Sunday School or Board Meetings who always has an opinion on everything. Before the presentation is made in its completion and the floor is open for discussion, you know how he feels about it all. During the discussion time, if someone else offers an opinion or a thought, he is usually the first to rebuttal or clarify. Many times, his words have put himself in an un-defendable position, but he is unwilling to bend. Or perhaps you "misunderstood what he said" at first. Sometimes I'm amazed at how quickly someone can form an opinion and fire it off. Like a quick-draw, rapid-fire fully automatic Bla-Gun.

The biblical book of Proverbs has some advice for us here:

"The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning, when he seals his lips." (Proverbs 17:27-28)

- Did you get that? Even a fool is sometimes considered wise if he'll keep his mouth shut long enough.

- I can think of quite a few people for whom I have the utmost respect in this area. They are incredibly wise, and biblically knowledgeable. But they don't talk a whole lot. In fact, it's almost like these people get great pleasure from hearing others work out the truth themselves, instead of offering quick answers and advise. I can't remember many, if any, times when these individuals have flipped their lid or gotten extremely angry over anything. They listen. They evaluate. And when they are sure of their convictions, they speak them with brevity, precision, and clarity.

"A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life. A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being." (Proverbs 18:6-8)

- An old line I've heard in many different sitcoms and movies throughout the years goes like this: "That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble some day!" Okay, okay... maybe my parents have said it to me a time or two as well... It is amazing how words can absolutely destroy someone. Take Nancy Pelosi's infamous line from recent political barrage: "We have to pass the bill so you can find out what's in it." She'll never live that one down. So many examples, so little space here.

- And gossip... can we touch on this?... at the time of delivery, it seems so satisfying. But it will consume you. It will infect even your "inner-most being." If you've ever gotten sucked into gossip with someone, you will probably admit that it has a profound affect on your relationship with him or her, as well as on your own psychological and physical well-being. Pretty soon, every time you are around your fellow gossiper, all you can talk about is the news surrounding the object of your gossip. Soon enough, every time you see the person about whom you are gossiping, or ever hear her name spoken, you are filled with animosity and negativity. Surely there is something more relationally - and even physically - healthy to discuss.

"The one who gives an answer before he listens - this is foolishness and disgrace for him." (Proverbs 18:13)

- Giving instructions before a 2nd grade assignment, there are usually two or three hands that pop up during the teacher's explanation. And what does she say?... "Please hold your questions until I am finished explaining the assignment." Many times in a conversation, the "listener" (and I use the term lightly) will ask questions, make statements, and interject thoughts while the "talker" is delivering. Not only rude, says Proverbs 18:13... but foolish. Listen for understanding.

- I love reading words like "disgraceful" in passages like these. If you look up synonyms for "disgraceful," you'll probably find words like "shameful," and "blameworthy." Let me give you a clue, friend... when you speak before listening, it drastically reduces your level of perceived intelligence. You often look foolish. And many times, you are put to shame because of your arrogant ignorance.

"From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:20-21)

- Usually, we think of words as something that come FROM our body, and not INTO it. That is true. But what we say has its fruit, and this fruit is that with which we fill our stomachs. If the words of your mouth are slanderous, impure, malicious, or deceitful, you are being satisfied with the consumption of those traits. Your heart and psyche are being fed by these appalling victuals. However, if your words are loving, kind, empathetic, and considerate, you are feasting on the delectable cuisine of righteousness.

- Life and death. The most basic certainties of this world. They are in your tongue. Do you speak life, or do you speak death? The one you allow to permeate your speech will be the one which characterizes your existence on this planet. It's your choice.


Grace and Peace,
Tony

Church Fellowship & Normality: 5 Reasons to Get Plugged In

       Summer is fun, but sometimes it's hard on churches. Members are deservedly here-and-there... vacationing, working, and spending every moment possible with their families before the "grind" resumes in full-force. Early June to late August in churches is usually characterized by spotty attendance, low giving, and less organized activity across the board. It is a great couple of months for family time. But a difficult couple of months for church-family time. That being said, at the end of May each year, most church members are ready to embrace a less structured and less demanding church environment while they invest every free moment they can find in their personal families. But for this church minister, late August always breeds a similar level of anticipation for regularity in church functions. Summer break is good. But toward the end of it, I really start missing my church family.

       This past Monday, school started again. This year, I put my youngest son in Kindergarten. I don't care how old you actually are... that makes you feel a good 5-10 years older. With school starting back, church activities reverted to their normal schedule again last night. Women's Bible study, Men's Bible study, Children and Youth activities, and Music Ministry rehearsals... they all resumed their normal school-year schedule yesterday, and as far as I'm concerned, it could not have come soon enough. Last night was like a Red Bull to our church's adrenaline levels. I'm so glad to be back into regular fellowship with my church family, and to have some level of normality in our schedule again.

That being said, I would like to offer you:

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 FIVE reasons you should get plugged in to a local Bible-believing church.

1. Ephesians 3:10-11. The local church is God's instituted design both to display His wisdom in the heavenly realm, and to accomplish His purposes on Earth. When we function as a part of a church family, we are (1) showing God wise and (2) following His plan for world gospel-saturation. The world needs to know that Jesus saves. And the local church is God's agent for that mission.

2. Galatians 6:1-10. Mutual accountability and encouragement. (1) You need someone to hold you spiritually accountable. I do too. Together, we function as symbiotic organisms, coming together as one for mutual benefit. Lone-Ranger Christians, flying solo in their faith, are at an incredible disadvantage here. Yes, the Holy Spirit testifies within us when we sin against God. But if we are quenching the Holy Spirit, then His proddings will not always be felt. Sometimes, a verbal word of accountability is necessary. I alone am responsible for my sin, but it is your job to help restore me (through admonishment and encouragement) when I fall. (2) You need someone to lift you up. Life is hard. We should do it together, as a team. The burdens you have - death of a loved one, familial difficulties, financial strain, health problems - are too much for you to carry alone. Let your brothers and sisters help you bear that load.

3. Hebrews 10:23-25. Spiritual depression brought on by the recognition of spiritual oppression can be softened through spiritual fellowship. Look around. The world is decaying. Degrading. Dying. It is getting more and more difficult to live out the Christian faith. More and more, believers around the globe are being spiritually oppressed. If you're trying to stand alone, you'll be more apt to spiritual depression. It manifests itself in thoughts like, "What's the use in evangelizing? - Jesus is coming back soon anyway." Or, "There's just no hope for these godless individuals." Or even more seriously, "Why should I worry so much about living a holy lifestyle if I'm covered by the blood of Jesus anyway?" Spiritual depression. But if you're part of an active body of believers, encouragement finds you. Just as the Holy Spirit speaks to you about you, He also speaks to your brothers and sisters about you. I often find the encouragement I need from a church member who knows absolutely nothing of the situation I'm facing or the thoughts I'm entertaining. God's SSRI prescribed for spiritual depression is encouragement from other believers in the church body.

4. Psalm 68:24-26, 35. There is just something about corporate worship. When believers gather together to praise and worship God, His power and strength is imparted to them. God is "awe-inspiring" in His sanctuaries. In the fellowship of His children and in the corporate worship of His majesty, God "gives power and strength" to His people. A pep rally, of sorts. It reminds us of our position in Christ. It reminds us that because of our adopted sonship or daughtership, we have the exclusive privilege of capitalizing on the victory that belongs to us as children of the King. Sunday mornings are good. For a top-off, come on Sunday nights! And for a mid-week fill-up, come on Wednesday evenings.

5. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. Being active in the local church is vital to its success; not only do you need the church, the church needs you. Upon receiving Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit imparted to you spiritual gift(s). When all the members of the church body are using their spiritual giftedness for the edification of the church and the advancement of the gospel message, the local church is a well-maintained, fitly healthy organism. Each part of its body is vitally important to its mission. If one part of the body becomes dead weight, the rest of the body feels it. If one part of the body thinks of itself more highly than it aught, the rest of the body feels that too. Don't just go to church. Be the church.


       I pray you'll capitalize on the newness of this season by taking advantage of the opportunity to join in regular fellowship with a local church body, and by allowing its schedule to become a normal part of your family's routine. Don't fly solo. Don't be a Lone-Ranger. Plug in.


Grace and Peace,
Tony

Personal Faith

       Name-droppers. You know who I'm talking about. In normal conversation, they seem to be able to work in the name of some famous (or quasi-famous) individual they think you might know. The conversation could be about the internet, and somehow you learn in its course that he knows someone who knows Al Gore. Or maybe the conversation is about worship music, and she drops the name of her personal friend, "Lincoln Brewster," in there a few times. Sometimes it's a sprinkling on the top of the conversation. And other times, the conversation takes a 90 degree turn, becoming more about the name-dropper's relationship with their friend (the dropped name) than about the original topic at hand.
       The funny thing is that the dropped name is usually "a good friend" of the dropper's. "Yeah, we used to hang out." Or "I know his family real well." When in actuality, if you pry into their relationship, you find out the name-dropper delivered desk-mail to the droppee at some point. Or shook their hand after a conference. Or maybe they're friends on Facebook (which, we all know, means that their friendship is firmly established, of course).

       Why do they do it? Because they honestly believe that dropping the name of a famous person makes them seem more intelligent, informed, or significant. For some reason, just being who they are doesn't speak loud enough. They think that by connecting themselves with someone more established, they'll be able to fabricate more respect in their relationship with you.

       I've met people who use the name of Jesus in that way. They're Name-droppers. When things seem to be beyond their realm of control, they'll drop the name of Jesus (or more frequently, "God"), and expect that everything will magically get better. Their parents or grandparents were strong believers. And according to the Name-dropper, that gives him or her the privilege of dropping the name of God into any conversation - thereby automatically increasing their level of significance and faith. It's like a lucky charm. "I know someone who knows Him. That gives me the privilege of claiming personal relationship."

       In Acts 19, we read a story of some Jewish exorcists (magicians, more than likely) who tried to drop two names at once in order to capitalize on Gods power over demons. Ephesus was home to a 400 foot tall by 200 foot wide statue of Artemis, the Greek multi-breasted goddess of fertility. Thousands of pilgrims came to her regularly to receive the blessings they thought she could give. These Jewish exorcists had allowed Greek mythology to infect their historic belief systems, and began to assimilate her into their religion.
       Along comes Paul (Acts 19:11-17). God was doing some crazy amazing stuff through Paul. Just touching a garment Paul had worn was bringing healing from disease and freedom from demonic stronghold. The Jewish exorcists saw this, and they wanted a piece of the action. So they became Name-droppers. To a demon, they said, "I command you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches!" Somehow, they thought, the demons would be impressed by their imagined relationship with Paul and Jesus. Somehow, they thought, saying what Paul said and sprinkling on top the name of Jesus would give them authority over evil. Somehow, they thought, if they could just throw the name of Jesus and a great Apostle in there, the demons would bow at their feet and pay homage to their power and ability. They thought they would be more significant. More authoritative. More effective... if they just dropped the names of Jesus and Paul in there.
       Well, reading on, we see that the demons overpowered the seven Jewish exorcists and made fools out of them. They said, "Jesus we know, and Paul we recognize. But who are you?!" Of course the demons knew Jesus. He created them as angels, before they rebelled against Him. And of course they knew Paul. God was using him like they had never seen before. But the seven sons of Sceva, these Jewish exorcists... to the demons, these guys were just Name-droppers. They had no personal relationship with Jesus. Not really.

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       Simply speaking the name of Jesus, or appealing to an authoritative church figure will never help you overcome evil. If it is evil you are facing... if it is sin you are battling against... if it is direction and wisdom you need... victory comes from a PERSONAL relationship with Christ. You can drop the name of Jesus wherever you'd like. You can name and claim everything you can possibly imagine. But don't expect evil to gravel at your feet in submission unless you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
     
       That means Christians too. Some of us have been sucked into the erroneous belief that if we'll just speak the name of Jesus over our problems, they will magically vanish, and we'll capitalize on the power He has over circumstances and sin alike. But God's desire is for us to know Him. (See John 17:3.) Not to walk for months without studying or considering His word, then suddenly drop His name when we feel it will give us more significance, security, authority, or power.

       Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, those who drop His name have one thing awaiting them. Shame. That's what happened to the seven sons of Sceva. They were overpowered by evil, and they ran away naked and ashamed.

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1. Your relationship with some spiritual giant is not enough to overcome evil. Heaven won't be filled with spiritual Name-droppers. It will be occupied by those who KNOW Jesus. 


2. Overcoming evil can only be accomplished through the power of God by way of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 


3. Attempting to overcome evil without the power of God by way of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will result in failure and shame. Count on it.

     
Grace and Peace,
Tony
     

The Response

       As multitudes of nay-saying skeptical Christians as well as slews of anti-Christian activists come out with their slaughter of the Response event in Houston yesterday, I wanted to offer some positive feedback. I wasn't able to attend in person, but my wife and I were blessed to have been able to watch nearly the whole event on their live web feed. Vanessa and I watched. We smiled. We cried. We prayed. We worshipped. We listened. All from our own sofas in our home. The next-best-thing to being there in person, I suppose.

       There has been much skepticism and disillusionment surrounding the event. And I would like to offer a quick thought regarding this... I think every Christian in their right mind would agree that we NEED public, elected officials to call our Nation to prayer and repentance. We should (and I'm going to assume that we all DO) long for the day when we see a Nehemiah 8-10 revival... public confession, repentance, scripture reading, and prayer - in our own cultural/national setting. But what would happen if this ever occurred? Two things:

1. Non-Christian secular activists would try everything in their power to stop it. They would sue, protest, and bad-mouth those who organize, publicize, participate in, or support the gathering. They would label the event as unconstitutional, offensive, and a step away from reality. Newspaper editors and broadcasters would shrug their shoulders at the idiocracy implied in the idea that an All-Powerful diety can really be the answer to our economic problems.
     
2. Many Christian leaders would disregard the event as nothing more than a politically motivated candidacy rally. They would tell all of their Christian friends that this rally is bound for spiritual failure because its motivation isn't pure. They would make fun of the speaker selection. They would dissect every word spoken and every idea presented (or NOT presented) and use it as fuel for their nay-saying fire. They would take offense that their specific denomination wasn't represented more visibly.

       I don't think you need me to tell you this... but this is EXACTLY the fog that has surrounded the Response event in Houston. I wonder if we are going to miss out on a real God-lead revival because we (the Christians) are skeptical of a leader's motivation or party affiliation.

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       I think on the Nehemiah revival at the Watergate of Jerusalem and I remember that the people of God's promise first separated themselves from those not covered under the promise. One cannot be revived unless he or she has first been vived, so to speak. So I am not very concerned with the non-Christian public's response to the historic event in Houston this past weekend. No, what really concerns me is the activity, blogosphere, leadership murmurings, and publicity (or lack of it) from the Christian community.

       In Philippians Chapter 1, Paul teaches us what really matters is that Christ is proclaimed. And whether that is out of false motives or pure, as long as Christ is truthfully represented and His kingdom is expanded, God will receive glory. I can't tell you how many times I heard the name of Jesus Christ preached, read from scripture, sung, shouted, proclaimed, or prayed in yesterday's event. I heard three U.S. Governors proclaim the name of Jesus boldly and unapologetically. I heard two of them read scripture and pray in Jesus' name. I heard one of them PREACH to the Christians in America!!! Paul would stand before us today and say, just like he said to the church in Philippi almost 2000 years ago, "Their motivation doesn't matter!" What matters is that Christ is highly honored, His truth is proclaimed, and His gospel is presented.

       On a side note, how are we to know the intentions of anyone involved? Was Rick Perry using this to promote his candidacy for the office of President in the 2012 election? I don't know. Maybe. But only time can tell us the answer to that question. And that, only if Perry reveals it in his speech or actions. It is my assumption that the nay-saying Christians will pick apart any word he speaks in upcoming months/years to prove their point that he was not sincere in his calling the nation to repentance and prayer. Is it possible to discern from his future speeches and actions if this was true? I believe so. But let us be very careful about projecting our observations of someone else's inward motivation onto them, regardless of party or denominational affiliation. Far-be-it from me to have the ability to discern the inward thoughts of a man's heart. That task is left rightfully to God alone.

       Was this revival? Again, only time will tell. A big prayer-and-repentance provoking event without continual obedience to God's directives and fervent supplication/intercession for those in leadership is like a great golf-swing with no follow-through. Nice form. Nice contact. And the ball goes in the right direction. It just doesn't get very far. Yesterday was a great swing - now it's time to follow through.

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WHAT CAN WE DO?

       Instead of me making thoughtful suggestions, let's pull our ongoing obligations for revival straight from the Nehemiah revival. After weeping, repenting, and singing, the leaders got together to study the Word of God. They found very specific areas in which they were not being obedient to God's commands (yesterday, the themes of abortion, racism, and homosexuality continuously surfaced). So if we were going to follow the Nehemiah revival for direction from here - if we're serious about revival, that is - then our next step is for our leaders... political, ecclesiological, and familial... to study the Word of God intensely with relation to our current predicaments. What are our obligations? Are there areas of direction from God's Word in which we have been disobedient? How should we address these issues?
       Next, all of the people made a covenant. The areas of sin that God had revealed to them... the specific things they were to address... the nation made a written agreement to relent and turn from. They were very specific in their naming of each sin. Without a firm commitment to obedience, yesterday's rally will amount to little more than a peppy one-day conference. We must assemble and agree affirmatively and stately that we (Christians) will practice righteousness from now on. At one point in yesterday's activities, Dr. Tony Evans called the church to "stop playing hide-and-go-seek" in the middle of our culture. It's time the church of God boldly and lovingly BE the church of God. That means you. And me. Firmly taking a stand for Christ. Among our friends. Our coworkers. Our representatives. Our family. Speaking truth in love. Not hiding from controversy in shame.

       Was yesterday the beginning of a third Great Awakening? I believe that is left up to us. I honestly think it can be. But it requires more than one assembly. More than reverence for God's Truth. More than singing. More than repentance. It requires follow-through.
       Do you want to experience revival? I sure do. Instead of dividing ourselves over motives or party lines, let's unite over a common purpose... that Christ is highly honored wether in our life or death. That the Church BE the church God has called us to be. That Christians begin to stand for Truth in a culture that is in desperate need of what we have found.


Grace and Peace,
Tony