Lit Torch Publishing: One Simple Word

Time for a 2nd Tea Party

On December 16, 1773 many crates of tea were dumped into the Boston Harbor as a direct protest against the British government. This became known as the Boston Tea Party and was a major catalyst for the American Revolution.

What a strange event.

This really wasn’t a party at all but a direct protest against the British parliament who implemented a tax on the very popular export of tea to British settlers in America. Tea was very popular among the Europeans who set up British colonies and parliament sought to tax the colonies directly from tea imported from Great Britain and the East India Company. This had two effects on those living in America. One, if they paid the tea tax the British parliament would enforce more taxes on other things. And two, the people were upset because the government started to tax the colonies without their permission.

This catalyst helped transform America to become the land of the free and home of the brave and bring about the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which declared independence from Great Britain and corrected the glaring problems that were mounting in regard to the government doing whatever it wants.

Friends, we have revisited the past. The government is becoming more ubiquitous in our lives without the consent of the people. I would purport we are ready for a 2nd Tea Party.

The Bible says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:20-21).

The Scripture declares that the blessing for obedience to God was, “You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none” (Deut. 28:12) and that the “Wicked borrow and do not repay” (Psalm 37:21). Our government is making egregiously catastrophic moves by becoming more involved in the banking, home building, automotive and in so many other areas that have become overextended through debt, leverage and creative financing.

In Genesis 41 Joseph interpreted a dream God gave to Pharaoh that foresaw “seven years of famine will follow. Then all abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe” (Gen 41:29-31).

When the Lord set the nation of Israel free from Egyptian bondage, He gave them some instruction before they headed out into the desert for forty years. “Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians” (Ex 3:22).

Imagine millions of people leaving Egypt carrying all the gold and silver they could handle thinking that they were richer than they ever imagined. What they did not know is that they were headed into the desert for forty years. When do you think they admitted that the silver and gold they were lugging around was more of a burden than a blessing?

True wisdom, true knowledge, true riches are found in the Word of God, nowhere else. King Solomon said to choose God’s instruction over silver, knowledge over gold, for wisdom from God is more valuable than rubies and nothing you desire can compare with her (Pr 8:11-12).

Our government is acting in the interest of the government, not the people. Beware. Marilyn Vos Savant has the worlds highest IQ. Her book Brain Building was written to help people think and to discern objective reality, specifically in regard to the specious behavior of our government. May we use our minds and think about what our government is doing.

Our elected officials are not thinking Biblically. They are thinking politically. This is bad. This is actual a horrible commentary on where our nation is headed.

The problem really is not the banks, credit, housing, etc; these are all symptoms of a greater problem. The greater is we have forgotten the Lord and have elected men that neither fear Him nor obey His commands.

The politicians believe they have power to act outside of the best interest of the people. This is wrong. They really have no power other than that which has been given to them. Pontius Pilate stood over Jesus and said, “Don’t you realize that I have power?” Jesus responded by saying, “You would have no power over me if it were not give to you from above” (John 19:11).

Deuteronomy 8:17 says, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’”

No nation is powerful outside of recognizing the One Sovereign King who reigns over all and He is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy 8:18-20 continues, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today. If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God.”

The government is putting us more and more in debt. They are selling our nation into slavery. Proverbs 22:7 says the borrower becomes a slave to the lender. Take heed.

The things that are happening are mirroring many of the decision made by the Hoover administration with today’s TARP (troubled asset relief program) equivalent to the Reconstruction Finance Corp. This was a horrible move with the result being the Great Depression. By the way, in the bear market from 1929 to the bottom, stocks declined 89% as government debt grew higher and higher. Unemployment rocketed to 25%+. We are down about 40% and headed much, much lower.

Martin Luther King said, “Measure a man not where he stands during times of comfort and convenience but where he stands during trial and controversy. This is where his true character will be revealed.”

All things become exposed through tests, trials and tribulations. Get ready to see the true character of many people you thought you knew.

The question to answer is, “What must we do?”

My prognostication for the economy in the days ahead is bleak, very bleak. The type of leverage (debt) being used in the commercial sector ranges from 3:1 to 100:1. With cash flows and credit markets tightening, this will constrict money flow and spending will decrease with savings increasing. Cash is like oxygen to many corporations, without it, they cannot breathe and will die. I am not even going to touch on the trillions of dollars of debt our government is accruing. This is axiomatic. The path of pain is awaiting our nation as a consequence to their impetuous and humanistic decisions apart from the counsel of God’s written word.

My prognostication for the body of Christian believers is filled with inexpressible joy. Persecution is coming for those continuing to build their life with a focus on obeying Jesus above all things. Christians will experience a peace that surpasses all understanding as we let the word of Christ become a lamp unto our feet. False converts will drift away and it will be evident that their allegiance was really never to Christ but to their own avaricious agenda.

True Christians will become more and more distinguishable by the love they have for one another (John 13:34-35). Those who exalt God’s Word will be exalted (Isaiah 66:1-2) while the world is abased. As the Psalmist writes, the righteous will not be forsaken nor their children begging for bread (Ps 37:25).

Church attendance will soar with new challenges of wolves coming in amidst the sheep.

Glorious times are in store. I am ebulliently excited to watch God work. I believe we are headed for some severe famines in our land and all the previous abundance will be forgotten because the famine will be so severe. People will see that wealth is worthless in the day of God’s wrath and this type of brokenness will hopefully lead to a 2nd Tea Party.

However, I see this Tea party being led by Christians who protest against the evils our government is embracing and purporting. May we join together and throw out the foolishness of stimulus packages and vote out politicians that neither fear God nor obey His commands.

May we implore one another toward the study of God’s word and prayer. May we publicly read the Scriptures and let no one look down on us for our youth. May our words and life align with the precious promises God has given us not to fear man but to worship the Lord acceptably with reverence and awe (Heb 28-29).

By the way, I do like my tea English breakfast style with a little bit of cream and some honey. Anyone who would like to join me for a private little tea party, it’s on me. Just bring your Bible and a thankful heart ready to give praise give thanks in all things for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess 5:16-18).

Prayerfully yours,

Todd Sinelli

PS Dow 8280, S&P 500 868

Don’t let the title fool you.  This article is not meant to be morbid or sardonic but is actually intended to provide perspective amidst difficult times.

Consider this passage from 1 Peter 5:5-6 which says, “All of you, cloth yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Being humble toward one another.  Being humble toward God.  Continually humbling ourselves under submission to the Scriptures is a constant task.  Jesus said, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt 23:12).

Can you think of a time when you were absolutely humbled or even humiliated?  Perhaps it was when someone wore the same dress you had taken four months to shop for at your friends wedding.  Perhaps it was from a divorce, filing for bankruptcy, or finding out your unmarried daughter became pregnant.  Certain events, situations, and trials can be humiliating; however, God allows exaltation to follow shortly thereafter if we handle these hardships in a Biblical manner.

Humiliation can present what appears to be a path of pain by doing what is right in the eyes of God.

“A path of pain?” you may be asking.  “I’m not sure I understand.”  Allow me to explain.

The world views things from an anti-Biblical perspective.  For example, if someone were to go to a psychologist for help with depression, the psychologist would more than likely prescribe anti-depressants.  However, the problem remains and the drugs only give the person the illusion of feeling better but there has been no remedy because the core problem has not been dealt with.

Biblically, the core problem is usually sin and the solution is repentance and instructing them how to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Lord (Phil 1:27).  The path of pain would be to work through the problem Biblically and allow the Scriptures to be a soothing ointment along the journey.  However, most people will choose medical pain killers and allow the problem to remain.

Professionally, I have spent the last thirteen years as a trader in the financial markets.  I study trends, economic data, company financials, and market cycles.  In all my years of trading, I fervently believe we are on the verge of a financial collapse that will be deep and extended.  The number one reason for this prognostication is that our world does not seem to see value in obedience to God from the Scriptures.  This is glaringly evident in the lack of wisdom from our government and corporate leaders.  The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Prov 1:7).  Our political and professional leaders seem to neither fear God nor acknowledge His preeminence.

Colossians 1:16-18 says, “For by Him all things were created:  things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him . . .so that in everything He might have supremacy.”  Galatians 6:7 states, “Do not be deceived:  God cannot be mocked.”

In my humble opinion, most businesses, governments, and individuals are about to travel along an intense “path of pain.” Many Americans are operating from a debtors mentality through extended credit terms, excessive borrowing, and a lack of integrity. As government officials lose their jobs from lack of tax revenue, as individuals lose their homes through mortgage defaults, and as corporations fall from pricing pressures, this will create a downward spiral on the economy and one’s financial portfolio.  The Bible says, “The borrower becomes the slave of the lender” (Prov 22:7) and part of an Old Testament blessing was “for the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.  You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you” (Deut 15:6).   Most Americans have done the opposite.  Even our government has now accumulated over $9 trillion dollars in debt.

A path of pain awaits many.  Yet, how can I help those who are traveling along this path?  How can we embrace this problem and work through it?

The solution rests in the Scriptures.  2 Peter 1:3-4 says God’s “divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

It is the Word of God that provides wisdom, peace, and joy amidst the storms of life, various economic turbulence, and social struggles.

Consider the passage we opened with, “All of you, cloth yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Step #1:  Humble yourself under God.  We can do this by submitting our lives to conform to the instruction given to us from the Scriptures.  2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”  The first question we should be asking is, “What does the Bible say we should be doing?”  Once we search the Scriptures, our next task is obedience.  James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”  We need to be doers and not merely hearers of God’s Word.

Humbling ourselves under God usually involves repentance of sin caused by following our own selfish desires (Rom 6:20), conforming to the patterns of this world (Rom 12:1-2), or flat our disobedience (1 John 1:10).

Pride usually keeps us from being humble.  Confess this sin to God and to one another.  C.S. Lewis said, “Pride is the one sin from which all other sins flow.”  James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

As a nouthetic counselor (www.nanc.org), the most difficult interaction when counseling someone is the confrontation of sin.  When sin is exposed, the Biblical response is repentance.  However, to repent of sin involves confession, admission of an offense against God, and it takes a tremendous amount of humility.  Most people will not repent.  Their pride keeps them seeing their sin as rebellion against God where they also miss the grace, mercy, and opportunities for growth through glorious submission to God’s Word.  The truth is that mercy, grace, forgiveness, peace and love beyond understanding awaits them through this path of humility.

Step #2:  Humble yourself toward one another.

Would you like to learn steps #2 - 5?  If so, please email me (littorch (at) mac.com).  I look forward to sharing the following steps for those interested . . .

You are driving along and you make a wrong turn.  The sign in front of you says, “Dead end.”  Uggh. A bit of hopelessness ensues.  You back up, turn around and head down another street.  Once again, “Dead end.”  More hopelessness.  Discouragement and frustration begins to set in.  A bit of pressure and panic bubbles through your veins as the diminishing thought of reaching your destination absorbs your mind.

Have you ever encountered this spiritually?  You begin a Bible study.  No one shows.  You organize an event at church.  Abysmal response.  You fervently pray for a change in your current situation.  Nothing seems to happen.  Next, discouragement comes and reaching a point where we think, “what’s the use?”  Have you ever been there personally, professionally, or spiritually?  I sure have and it is not a fun place to be.

Let me present a counter cultural thought in regard to thinking about road blocks and seemingly apparent dead ends.

I think God is in the business of glorifying Himself through roadblocks and dead ends.  Think about Moses for a moment.  Through a myriad of circumstances the Lord took Moses to a dead end.  He had led the Israelites out of Egypt and was being pursued by Pharoah’s army.  Next, he comes to the Red Sea.  It was as if God wanted to take Moses to a dead end to show him that He is greater than any circumstances.  I believe God purposely led them to that place so that He could reveal His potency, strength, unlimited power in the midst of this hopeless scenario.

How about the Psalmist writing that the people “were at their wits’ end” (Ps 107:27)?  Have you ever been there?  Nothing is going right.  You feel as if your prayers are not being heard.  There is no hidden sin in your life.  You are doing your best at work, in school, and at home; however, everything is just tough and not making much sense.  You continually pray for guidance and direction from the Lord but seem to get nothing.  Perhaps, God in His silence is actually speaking the loudest?

Allow me to explain.

In my opinion, two of the toughest things about the Christian faith are prayer and patience.  During times of great tribulation, it is difficult to even muster up a prayer.  Our strength is gone.  As the Psalmist mentions, we are at our wit’s end and in need of hope.  This is where the Scripture must become an “anchor of the soul” (Heb 5:19) because it is here that the spiritual becomes emboldened over the physical.

L.B. Cowman writes, “Waiting on God and abiding in His will is to know Him in ‘the fellowship of sharing in his suffering’ (Phil 3:10) and ‘to be conformed to the likeness of his Son’ (Rom 8:29).  Therefore if God’s desire is to enlarge your capacity for spiritual understanding, do not be frightened by the greater ream of suffering that awaits you.”

The Apostle Paul writes that he was “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Cor 6:10).  Jesus is described as a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Is 53:3).  You are not alone when you are feeling sorrows or sorrowful.  God understands.  Furthermore, God is using your sorrow and suffering.  He is never in a hurry.  Like a master goldsmith he is using the intense heat to see His glowing metal reflect His image, His heart, and His essence through the refining fire of suffering.  “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of the silver” (Mal 3:3).

During times of trial we begin to realize our helplessness in our flesh.  Tell a person diagnosed with cancer to make themselves well.  Mention to a person going through a financial ordeal to just make more money.  How about telling a person that is having a desert spiritual experience and feels abandoned by God to just have more faith.  This is crazy talk; yet, this is how may people in the church are counseling others who are in the midst of some great trials and suffering.

The Bible says to “weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15) and to help beyond just words.  “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18).  Yes, we are to comfort one another with the Scriptures and Romans 15:4 says, “for whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  However, there are a lot of people who are simply using words as a lazy man’s attempt toward ministry.  Proverbs 29:5 says, “If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.”  Do not just go over to someone’s home that is in deep sorrow and say, “Don’t worry, it will get better.  Everything is OK.  Look how much God is blessing me.”  Friend, you “do not know whether it will be love or hatred that awaits you” (Eccl (9:1).

“In the days of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him” (Eccl 7:14).  There is a time and season for every activity under heaven and you may be in a season of financial blessing, physical health, and prosperity on many levels; however, rest assured, this can change quickly and please look for ways to share when you are abounding “for by your standard of measure it will be measure to you in return” (Luke 6:38).  We are to actively seek to establish God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10).  But how you may ask?

One way I know of is through mercy.  The Lord desires mercy and compassion.  Matthew 5:7 says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”  Micah 6:8 says that we are to “love mercy”.  When Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, He says, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion’” (Matt 9:13).  Do we know what it means to be merciful?  Do we know how to apply mercy?

James 2:13 says, “For judgment will be merciless to the one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”  Luke 6:36 says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Let me share with you three ways to extend mercy to someone going through a tough time:

1. Do something.  1 John 3:8 tells us to put action and deeds together.  You can do something by simply remaining silent and sitting with the person.  James 1:19 tells us to be slow to speak and quick to listen.  Ask them how you can help and then do whatever they ask (James 1:22).
2. Give something.  Acts 20:35 says it is “more blessed to give than it is to receive.”  Think about what would comfort you the most during a tough time:  some ice cream, Scripture cards, a comic book, . . .The gift does not have to be ultra spiritual.  One of the kindest gifts I received recently was a plane ticket to spend time with some friends I love and cherish.
3. Touch someone.  Jesus touched people.  He touched them with words and with his presence.  Many times “all who touched him were healed” (Mark 3:10) and people in the Bible brought others to Jesus and “begged Jesus to touch” them (Mark 8:22).  Others were bringing children to Jesus “to have him touch them” (Mark 10:13).  Even when the resurrected Lord appears to His disciples and a few others, He says, “Touch me” (Luke 24:39).  There can be something very powerful by giving someone a warm hug or caressing their head while they cry tears upon tears in the arms of a merciful person.

Dead ends.  We serve a God who is masterful at orchestrating marvelous stories through times of despair, hopelessness, and weakness in our lives.  It is here that the depth of our spiritual strength is stored in our inner being brought about by the very pain, many times, we cannot understand.

There is a reason behind our every pain and sorrow.  Today we may be unable to see the final outcome of the beautiful plan that God has hidden “in the shadow of His hand” (Is 49:2); however, it is here that we learn to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).

Pray for mercy.  Pray to become a merciful person.  Pray that we learn what it means to express compassion over judgment.  Pray that our lives display the glory of God in the many dead ends and seemingly wrong turns we make in life.

Do you know what is the “oldest trick in the book?”  No?  Yes?  Please write what you think.  The oldest trick in the book is __________________________.

When I was younger, I used to make prank phone calls and say, “Excuse me, but do you know if your refrigerator is running?”  If they answered, “Yes,” then I would show off a morsel of my brilliance and blurt, “It is?  Then you better go catch it!”  My speech was usually hardly audible as I would begin laughing before I could even complete the sentence.  Soon, friends and family would tell me that this is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

As I got older, my grandpa used to put his finger on my shirt and say, “Look, there is some food on your shirt.”  When I would look down, he would flick my nose.  I am embarrassed to admit how many times I fell for that gag, but I did.

Moving into puberty, the tricks I noticed and used became more and more clever.  In high school, a person would stand behind me on my right side and reach over and tap my left shoulder.  I would spin around to my left and discover no one was there.  My friend and all bystanders would get a laugh.  This trick worked more times than I care to confess.  As a brilliant comeback, I would look them in the eye and say, “That’s the oldest trick in the book” and then shake my head in disgust with their lack of creativity.  For some reason they would laugh even more as my attempt to put them in their place only made me look more and more foolish.  I realize it wasn’t their lack of creativity but rather the consistency of using tricks that work.

While these are somewhat silly gags, the gag I am about to expose is not.  This trick is rather insidious, subtle, and has far deeper consequences than merely thinking there is something on your shirt or that your refrigerator is literally running.  As a matter of fact, I would coin this as “the oldest trick in the book.”  It is the first and continual strategy used today to lead people astray and it is used far more frequently than I ever imagined.

This trick is performed by the greatest trickster.  Actually to call him a trickster is far too kind, he is a deceiver and the father of lies.  “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him.  Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for his is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44-45).  His agenda has three objectives which are to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).  The Bible instructs us not to be unaware of Satan’s schemes (2 Cor 2:11) and that he is our adversary prowling “around like a lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 peter 6:8).

Let’s study one of his schemes.  In my opinion, this is the oldest and greatest trick in the book.

Turn with me in your Bible to Genesis 3:1.  It is here that we meet Satan.  Before we begin, take note to where this is happening.  This takes place in the Garden of Eden.  Man was still in a perfect sinless state.  Sin had not entered the world until Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command.  In Genesis 2:16, “The Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.’”  This was a command given to Adam directly from God.

Later, God puts Adam to sleep and “fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man” (Gen 2:22).  Eve was created.  Adam received a command from God not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and he would have shared this with Eve.

In comes Satan.  Genesis 3:1 states, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.”  More crafty?  Other Bible translations use the word “subtle” or “clever”.  Think about what it would look like if you met Satan.  When I was growing up, cartoons used to portray him in a red suit and holding on to a pitchfork  You always knew it was him because he had a long tail and looked as if he was on fire.  However, the Bible describes him differently.  And as you get to know this enemy you learn that he is subtle, clever, and very crafty.

I want to be very clear in exposing this trick.  I want you to fully grasp what is happening from the first exposure to Satan.  Let’s examine his scheme.  I believe he uses this technique more than anything in our lives, in the church, and in the world.  We need to recognize this technique and learn how to combat it.

OK, here it is, Satan’s greatest trick, the oldest trick in the book.  It is so subtle, so sinister, and so crafty that I want you to fully grasp what is happening here.  Satan goes to the woman and says, “Did God really say . . . “ (Gen 3:1).   His tool, his trick, his main tactic is getting a person to “doubt” God.  If you can be tricked to doubt God, then you are open to listen to counsel outside of God’s Word.

The Bible says that “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).  We need to be trained to put our trust, faith, and hope in the knowledge that “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16).  Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

When Jesus meets Satan in the desert after fasting for forty days and forty nights in Matthew chapter 4, Satan makes three challenging statements that all begin with Jesus’ knowledge and understanding of Scripture.  How crazy of a challenge since Jesus is God and the Word incarnate.  He created it.  He is it.  Satan, once again, tries to introduce doubt and says to Jesus, “If you are . . . “  then do this for me.  He wants to be in control and asks Jesus to “command” stones to turn to bread.  He wants Jesus to do what he is telling the Lord God Almighty to do.  He then asks Jesus to jump off the “pinnacle of the temple” (Matt 4:5)  The sinister motivation is for Jesus to answer to Satan and to prove to him that He is who He says.  Jesus does not have to prove anything to anyone.  He chooses to reveal Himself to those He is drawing near (John 6:44).  Satan’s final request is even more despicable when he attempts to negotiate with Jesus and to give Him something if the Lord submits to him and his orders.  Satan said to Jesus, “’All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.’  Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan!  For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’” (Matt 4:9-10).  Satan offered to give Jesus something from his hand if Jesus did what he said.

Satan will offer us empty promises if we follow him, listen to his voice, and do what he says.  It all starts with doubting God’s Word or perhaps not even knowing what God has written.  Jesus gives us the example of using Scripture to let the Bible be our guide for instruction, reproof, correction, and training.  We are instructed to “let the Word of God dwell in us richly” (Col 3:16) so that we can have a “lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).  The Bible is our guide for living.  A friend of mine uses the acrostic:  B – basic I – instructions B – before L – leaving E – earth.

Psalm 19:7-11 states, “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.  The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.  They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much find gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.  Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

The Apostle Paul writes, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3).

Friends, quite simply, the greatest trick in the book is used by Satan getting people to doubt the Word of God.  Don’t be fool.  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).

In December 1989, Christian evangelist Ray Comfort wrote a book titled “Hell’s Best Kept Secret.”  In 1997, I read this book.  It powerfully impacted my life.  Here is the book description:

Evangelical success is at an all-time low. Why are so many unbelievers turning away from the message of the gospel? Doesn’t the Bible tell us how to bring sinners to true repentance? Using lively anecdotes from his own experiences, evangelist Ray Comfort presents the key that unlocks the door of men’s souls. If you’re experiencing evangelical frustration over lost souls, unrepentant sinners, and backslidden “believers,” then look no further. This radical approach could be the missing dimension needed to win our generation to Christ. Discover the secret to leading others to genuine repentance, and make each moment of your life count for the kingdom of God!

The reason this book so powerfully impacted my life was that I learned that I was not sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This was humbling.  Actually, I didn’t even know what the “gospel” was.  How could I understand how to share it?  Furthermore, I learned why my efforts toward evangelism had been so impotent.  This book exposed a secret that had been kept from me for many years.

Before I share this secret, I want to tell you about another book.  While doing evangelism at University of California at Santa Cruz with two good friends, Joe and Paul, I learned about a book called “The Satanic Bible” by Anton Lavey.  My friend Paul was giving a message on how to share the gospel and how not to share the gospel to a group of Christian college students.  Paul began his message on evangelism by holding up a copy of “The Satanic Bible” and asking the class, “Does anyone know the main thesis or main premise of this book?”  The class was stunned and so was I.

Paul then mentioned that Anton Lavey, who is the founder and current leader of Satanists, lives right down the street in a community called Ben Lomond, California.  This made us even more uncomfortable.  Everyone was perplexed and really did not know how to answer the question. Yet, he asked us again, “Does anyone know the main thesis that Satan wants you to embrace?”  I then thought about how to answer his question.  Perhaps, the main point is to hate God.  Nope, that would be to overt.  Perhaps, it is to lie, steal, and to lust after power, money, and sex.  No, too obvious.  I learned that the lie is even more clever than I suspected.

The main premise, the main point, the main principle from “The Satanic Bible” is this:  do whatever you please.

Do whatever you please.  How devious.  Within that command is the creation of a god crafted in a person’s own image.  Within that command is the embodiment of selfishness.  And within that command is the view of self-sufficiency, pride, and reliance upon self as source of truth, discernment, and understanding.

I believe the predominance of Christian missionaries today are “doing whatever they please” in regard to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Number one, it is not working.  Number two, the solution for this is to turn to the Scriptures for guidance and to become trained in what the Bible calls the “elementary teachings about Christ” (Heb 6:1).

Let me be clear in saying that I am uncomfortable with anyone saying they have figured out “the formula” for evangelism.  I have done many Christian magic shows to entertain kids, draw a crowd, and to teach some Biblical lessons. I am confident that people do not get saved through my clever magic effects or corny jokes; however, God can use these events to get people to consider Biblical truths.  The Bible clearly teaches that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17).  It is the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures that brings life, wisdom, and understanding (2 Tim 3:16), not my “pull a rabbit out of a hat” routine that saves people.

The Bible does say in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, “Now, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all person.  But to each one is given the manifestations of the Spirit for the common good.”  Over the years, I have been part of basketball ministries, mountain bike ministries, motorcycle ministries and the Lord has blessed the diversity of pursuits with the foundational motivation of bringing God the glory.  All of this to say that the Lord works in mysterious ways and I am not against various types of ministries.  What I am saying is that I am definitely for sharing a Biblical gospel using the Scriptures in order “to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 3:15).

To do this, we need to start with the basics.

Step one, turning toward Scripture for guidance:

Psalm 19:7  “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”

Hebrews 4:12  “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Psalm 119:105  “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Romans 3:9-12  “What then?  Are we better than they?  Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, ‘There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.”

Romans 3:23  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Hebrews 9:27  “And isasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.”

A quick summary of the aforementioned verses is this:  all of mankind has sinned and will be judged by God for their sin.  The Bible clearly says, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23).

Bad news and good news.  I tell people that the bad news in the Bible is very, very bad.  Sinners will be thrown into hell unless they repent and ask for God to have mercy on them.  While the good news is very, very good.  If God grants sinners repentance (2 Tim 2:25) and they repent and ask for mercy and salvation found in Christ Jesus alone, they will be saved from eternal damnation (Rom 10:9-13) and have eternal life in Christ Jesus (1 John 5:12).  “It does not, therefore, depend on the man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (Rom 9:16).  The Lord grants repentance, mercy, and knowledge of sin so that those whom He is drawing near (John 6:44) will repent ask to born again (John 3:3, Acts 2:37-38).

When Jesus began his public ministry the very first words He said were, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17).  In the Gospel of Mark, we read, “Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’”(Mark 1:14-15).  Jesus came preaching a gospel of repentance and grace.

While Jesus was teaching the parable of the lost sheep He said, “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

Within Ray Comfort’s book is the answer to hell’s best kept secret.  The secret hell does not want you to share is to tell sinners they need to repent.  If people do not understand their sinful condition, they will not see their need for repentance from God’s judgment nor will they comprehend the finished work of Christ dying on the cross.  The Bible says, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our sins, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, ; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:4-9).

Step one in sharing the gospel is showing people their sinful condition before a holy God.  Hebrews 6:1 instructs us “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.”  The foundation of repentance from dead works is considered an elementary doctrine; this is where we must begin.

The Bible says, “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:30-31).  Repentance.  This is a very important first step in sharing the gospel.

Hell’s best kept secret is being exposed.  All of mankind needs to understand their sinful condition before God and their desperate need for a Savior.

The apostle Paul “did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21).

Step two is to teach people about “faith toward God” (Heb 6:1).  More on this later . . .

Stanley Kirk Burrell, also known as MC Hammer, hit the top of the charts with a cd titled “U Can’t Touch This” in 1990.  MC Hammer earned an estimated $30 million dollars in 1990 from songs that quickly ascended to the top of the pop music charts. On this cd Hammer included a song titled “Pray.”  An interesting fact about MC Hammer was that he always recorded at least one song on his album that was dedicated to the Lord.

Hammer writes, “Pray.  We got to pray.  We got to pray just to make it to pray.”  The song continues with Hammer reflecting on the importance of prayer.  Rather profound for a pop song that did so well on the charts.

Not surprising that we also receive these instructions from the Apostle Paul.  The Apostle Paul writes, “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to be “faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12) and whatever circumstances you are in “pray” (Philippians 4:6).  I am not saying that MC Hammer and the Apostle Paul are in the same league as theologians.  I am saying that prayer is important and I would like to be known as a prayerful Christian.

As a matter of fact, there are two things of utmost importance for leaders in the church according to the Scriptures.  Do you know what they are?

Grab your Bible and turn to Acts 6:4.  Two of the most important things to be doing:  prayer and ministry of God’s Word.  Stop for a moment and just reflect on this.  Prayer and ministry of God’s Word.  How much time are you devoting toward these two endeavors?  I know that these activities have not been top priorities in my life until now.

Recently, I restructured my daily schedule.  As an entrepreneur, I have tremendous flexibility in my day.  As I grow in the Lord, I am learning that I exist to serve Him for it is in Him that I live and breathe and have my being.  Also, the Bible tells us “to make the most of your time” (Ephesians 5:16).  When I look at what God desires and how best to serve Him, it is me and my schedule that needs changing to further conform to His will and His desires.  Hopefully, this article will encourage you to do the same.

Prayer and the ministry of God’s Word.  Both of these activities have profound implications.  Let’s explore a few examples we find in the Bible when we study the Apostle Paul’s prayer life.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Paul prays for the church at Thessalonica, “We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.  We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

In Colossians 4:2 Paul writes, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”  Ephesians 6:18 states, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

OK, there is a lot in these passages.  Let me pull out a few highlights.

First, let’s start with some macro questions.  How about, why are we here?  You can answer this question from a variety of vantages.  Why am I here in this world?  Why am I here at work, at home, at school?  Why do I exist?  Well, the Bible actually answers this question.  Once we grasp the significance of the answer, it allows us to understand the importance of prayer.

Consider how the Bible explains the reason for our existence.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”  1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and power for ever and ever.”  2 Peter 3:18 says, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord  and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever.”

I really believe Romans 8:29 captures the reason for our existence.  This passage states, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers.”  The reason we are here is to be conformed to the image of Christ.  That’s it.  That’s the reason we are here, to become Christlike.  Bring glory to God the Father by becoming like His Son Jesus.  Simple in articulation; incredibly difficult in application.

Let’s get back to prayer.  Why pray?  Hammer, Paul, and all throughout the Scripture we have this command, pray.  Buy why?

The Biblical explanation is that God commands it.  I cannot really explain why God does things.  My mind is finite and His infinite.  In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nether are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” As I live and get a bit older, I am learning that I have a way of doing things and God has a way of doing things.  The bottom line is God’s way is always much better than my way.

Most of my prayers are selfish.  They flow from my sinful desires to please my flesh more than my desire to please God.  The Bible even exposes these sinful thoughts in the book of James which says, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3).

Let me show you two very clear examples of the Apostle Paul praying.  Note what he prays for.  Note the one central theme repeated in both prayers.  Contrast this with what you pray for and your own central theme when you pray.

“And this is my prayer:  that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11).

In Colossians 1:9-10 Paul writes, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:  bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

How similar are your own prayers?  Are you asking God for knowledge, depth of insight, and the ability to discern what is best?  Do your prayers focus on others to grow in love and their faith?  Or are most of your prayers filled with requests for stuff?  I am not saying it is wrong to pray for stuff.  As a matter of fact, the Bible teaches that we should present all our prayers and petitions to God.  I have a friend who prays for parking spaces.  Another friend lost his mother-in-law’s dog the other day and asked our Bible study group to pray that he would find the dog before Monday when his mother-in-law comes back.  Guess what?  He found the dog Monday morning in a dog pound over 30 miles away.  How a small ten pound dog traveled over 30 miles over a few days is astounding.  Even more astonishing is how God answered the prayer and allowed him to find the dog.

Prayer.  It’s important.  It’s commanded.  It’s what God desires us to be doing to further exemplified how intimately involved He is in every area of our life.  By growing in the knowledge of God’s Word our prayers will begin to align more and more with how Jesus and the disciples prayed:  knowledge, our love to abound more and more, depth of insight, peace that surpasses all understanding, and to know Christ.  Paul later writes in Philippians 3:10 that he really wants three things.  The first and most important thing Paul desired was to “know Christ”.  This is a great prayer to be praying for ourselves and for others.

God’s ways are not our ways.  My prayer lately has been that I learn to pray.  Prayer and the ministry of God’s Word.  Two of the most important things we could be doing.

Hammer got it right.  Pray, we need to pray.  We need to pray just to make it to pray.  The Apostle Paul got it right.  We need to pray.  We need to pray for knowledge, depth of insight, and the ability to discern what is best.  We heed this command by not being merely a hearer of the Word but a doer (James 1:22).  Two of the most important activities we could be doing:  prayer and the ministry of God’s Word.  May the Lord help us grow in these areas as we take our lead from Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and even MC Hammer.

Chi non fa, non falla.  This is an Italian saying which means “he who does nothing, does not fail.”

Have you ever noticed that there are some people who are constantly trying new things, discussing new ideas, and taking new adventures while there are other people that never leave the comfort and security of their day to day routine?  One group relishes dreams, thoughts, and ideas while looking for opportunities to live life and live it to the fullest.  The other group simply clings to that which is familiar praying that things will never change.

Chi non fa, non falla.  Those who do nothing make no mistakes.  Bill Cosby was once asked what the secret to success was.  He said he didn’t know.  But he said he knew the secret to failure.  “The secret to failure was trying to please all the people all of the time.”  I agree with Dr. Cosby.  You cannot please all the people all of the time.

Nike developed a whole empire with an advertising campaign encouraging people to “Just do it.”  I have the privilege and opportunity to meet people from all walks of life:  rich, poor, young, old, black, white, . . . and I have found that many people replacing talking with doing.  In other words, they let their words replace their actions. However, it is such a joy and delight to meet people that have done something.  What I mean by that is when I encounter people that have just spent a month traveling Europe, or auditioned for their first play, or left their job to pursue something more fulfilling, I really get excited.

“Security is mostly a superstition.  Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”
-  Helen Keller.

I believe that a person should seek to live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasion, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common.  This is to be my symphony.

Chi non fa, non falla.  He who does nothing, does not fail.

I think Helen Keller was on to something when she said, “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”  The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

There are people who are merely existing and then there are those that are living.  In life, we become alive when we are taking risks.  Risk simply involves entering into the unknown.  There are many different ways a person can take a risk.  They can risk rejection by asking a friend to lunch or dinner.  They can risk humiliation by sharing their faith.  They can risk failure by starting a business.  Risk does open the door to the unknown.

Chi non fa, non falla.  Make some mistakes.  Get in the game.  Live your life as a daring adventure.  Set goals, have dreams, commit to living a life that is pleasing to God first.  Progress always involves risk; you can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.

Be a fearless kid again:  explore, ask questions, make mistakes!
It is better to try and fail than to never try anything at all.
Take intellectual risks:  learn something new.
Take personal risks:  ask that girl or boy out, take a dance class, train for a marathon.
Take professional risks:  ask for that dream job, internship or higher position.
Take spiritual risks:  pray, seek God, share what you believe with others.

Here are a few questions to get you going:

I would like to take more risks intellectually by ____________________.
I would like to take more risks personally by ______________________.
I would like to take more risks professionally by __________________.
I would like to take more risks spiritually by ______________________.

The truth is that the things in this world were never meant to satisfy us completely.  Complete joy and the ability to possess a peace that surpasses all understanding can only come by living a life committed to following Jesus.

The lives of the Apostles in the Bible truly lived adventurous lives.  They were threatened, beaten, mocked and yet they persevered proclaiming Jesus as Lord.  Greater was the Spirit within them than the spirit in the world.  The Bible says that God is “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Ephesians 3:20).  The Apostles set out to tell the world about Jesus.  They did something.  They shared, they taught, they made themselves servants for the joyful privilege of serving their God and King.  It’s almost as if we learn more from their failures than from their success.

In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail.  Chi non fa, non falla.  Those who do nothing make no mistakes and don’t learn valuable lessons.  “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”  William Hazlitt remarked, “Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater one.  Possession pampers the mind; deprivation trains and strengthens it.”

Take some risks, be reflective, and seek to live a fulfilling life by abiding in Jesus. Sift all your thoughts through a Biblical lens and make it your ambition to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9-10).  With your compass set on the right point, your life can be an adventure that will be beyond what you could ask or even imagine!

There is an African proverb that says, “Smooth sails do not make skillful sailors.”  I’ve been reflecting on this quite a bit lately because 2005 has been a very difficult year for me.  Professionally, it has been one of the worst.  Spiritually, one the most difficult.  Socially, even more trying.

Now that this year is quickly coming to a close, I’m taking a deep sigh and saying, “Thank You Lord!”  Allow me to give some context and to explain the reason for my sincere gratitude as I reflect and consider.

Without sharing details about the specific trials, the words from the Bible have gotten me through this season of seemingly endless difficulties, tests, and tribulations.  Let me share a few passages to show what I mean.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 states, “In the day of prosperity, be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him.”  These are the words from King Solomon and he is sharing with us that God ordains both kinds of days and withholds knowledge of the future.  This theme is again repeated by Jesus in Matthew chapter 6 where Jesus says, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself.   Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).  As we continue reading through the New Testament, we begin to pick up on a certain theme that life is difficult; however, the life of a Christian is constantly to be renewed in the glorious hope that the future is better than the past.  God wants us to “Set our mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).  “The world and its desires fade away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).

There is a certain heaviness and discontentment that seems to occur when we focus too much in the past.  The games of comparison begin to occur.  Once again, the Bible steps in to point out how it is not wise too dwell too much in the past.  “Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this” (Ecclesiastes 7:10).  I would have saved myself many upset stomach aches from worrying too much of the past if I would have heeded this biblical counsel.

Many people believe that “God wants them to be happy.” I used to think this way; however, as I study my Bible I am realizing this isn’t quite a true Biblical position.  When I hear someone say this phrase, my theological antennae perk up.  I’m usually intrigued by what is going on in the person’s life.  Are they wanting something and not getting it?  Are they mad at God because they are not happy and thereby blaming Him for their state of discontentment?  Or, is life just not working out as they deem it should? This statement is more of a philosophical pontification than anything else.

The Words from Jesus state, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  The Apostle Peter said, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as thought some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Peter 3:12-13).  James wrote, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).  What paradoxical teachings!  Take courage?  Don’t be surprised?  And consider it joy when I’m going through some tough times?!  Am I actually reading these passages correctly?!  C’mon, this can’t be right.  Or could it?

The Bible says, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  There seems to be a theme to trials, tests, and difficulties.  They usually don’t stop until we learn the lesson that God is using them to refine, mold, and shape us into the image and likeness of His Son, Jesus.

Many times when a person says “God wants me to be happy” they are looking through a very selfish lens.  It’s as if God exists for them and not them for God (1 Corinthians 8:6).  When I adapt this same line of thinking and really reflect on why I am not happy, it usually is because I am not getting what I want.  There lies the problem because I am putting myself first before God and others. The Bible says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it in on your pleasures” (James 4:3).

Bingo, boingo, focusing on my pleasures is usually the problem. I am focused more on me than the Lord or another person.  The joy of being a Christian is released through serving others above ourselves.  As a matter of fact, Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourself, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others.”

Smooth sails do not make skillful sailors.  Choppy waters, turbulent winds, and varying temperatures produce skillful sailors.  The Bible says there is a time for every season and every appointed event under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  I know that seasons change.  I know that I usually don’t like turbulent winds in my life; however, I’m renewing my mind and changing my thinking by letting the Word of God guide my thoughts.  Now, I love tests, trials, and challenging people and situations.  Each person and event is allowing me to die to self and live to Christ (Philippians 1:21).  I can thank anyone who is being a challenge in my life and say with confidence, “Thank you for adding to my sanctification process.  How can I help you?”  There is a magical release when these words flow from my lips.

Now, I sit back and look upon 2005 and say “Thank You Lord”.  “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.  The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Psalm 119:71-72) and I’m learning that I can “rejoice in tribulation, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

Smooth sails do not make skillful sailors.  Let us consider this the next time we hear someone say, “God wants me to be happy.”  There is a lot of happiness and even joy knowing that the God I love and serve is in control of the wind, storms, and trials of my life.  I am also discovering that happiness is usually based on circumstances.  Yet, joy is based on correct knowledge of the Lord.  The Bible gives me full assurance that “no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).  The Bible also tells me God is faithful, He will not let give me more than I can handle and will always provide a way for me to stand up under the test, trial or temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Ahhh, the joy of nowing the Lord and giving thanks in all circumstances renews my mind, refreshes my spirit, and rekindles my desire to further study my Bible to let the light of Christ shine out of darkness and to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).  What a joy it is to sail through rough waters knowing that my faith will grow as my dependence on God deepens by learning to trust in Him through any and all circumstances!