The Paradox

"Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit." PR 25:28

Unbridled words and violent mood swings expose a person to attack from his enemies and reveal a fool to his friends. The spirit of a man cannot be controlled without the power of The Spirit.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church of Galatia, "But the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians 5:22-23

Paul pointed out to the early church that the key to control was crucifixion. The crucified life is a paradox. Death precedes life. For a man to truly live, he must have a passionate conviction that his flesh must die. From repeated failure to control himself, a man must not just admit his failure. He must die.

The Spirit takes over when dead men recognize they no longer live. They lose control. They yield. They submit. They are buried, and put away. The flesh craves the power and recognition. The Spirit provides the power of the resurrection.

The Spirit-filled man is under the control, jurisdiction, influence, and authority of God. This new power over the life of the dead man is exercised by The Person of The Holy Spirit. The control of The Spirit is not found in a one time filling, or a second blessing. It comes from crucifixion. Paul described it as, "I die daily."

The crucified life begins with a pronouncement, but it continues as a process. The "Dead Man Walking" must come to his own acceptance of God's pronouncement of death placed on his flesh. The process continues as a "Dead Man Talking." When the "Dead Man" tries to talk himself through a crisis, he attempts to resurrect his own flesh and take control of his life.

The Spirit reminds the "Dead Man" of his true condition and shows him his death certificate. The crucified life brings a man to the end of himself, and to the power of God. Praying in the Spirit is the process of yielding control, and it is the only breath a dead man has. Prayer turns death into life.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Waiting

"Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked." PR 24:19

Newspapers invented "yellow journalism." TV NEWS developed the "Special Report." Hollywood created the film version of the "cliff hanger serial." All of them were designed to offer a mirage of an oasis, while creating a thirst they could never quench. They offered salt water questions, and profited from people who could not get enough answers to quench their thirst. Bad news became entertainment. Entertainment became the world's substitute for joy. Like the old Sonny and Cher song says, "The beat goes on."

Fretting whets a ravenous appetite, and creates a ferocious thirst, but it provides no relief or satisfaction. Insanity has been defined as, "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." To expect thirst to be quenched by drinkng salt water is a from of insanity. Jesus characterized the citizens of His Kingdom as those who, "Hunger and thirst after righteousness." Matthew 5:6

To fret over evil only whets an appetite for relief or revenge, but it does not describe what Jesus had in mind for the future, of the citizens of The Kingdom. The Beatitudes serve as a preamble of His Constitution. The way one of His citizens comes on, is the way a citizen must go on. Jesus offers satisfying relief for thirsty people. The world says, "Stay thirsty my friends." Jesus said, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink." John 7:37

Fretting and envying produce a scorched earth in the soul of a person. Fret is a word used in the Bible to refer to anger. It is not an immediate outburst, but a result of providing endless kindling to a smoldering rage against an offense, received or perceived. Fretting and envying are like two sticks rubbed together, until they create an internal heat that becomes a combustible fire. The vexation on the inside eventually becomes a visible flame, for all to see.

God never intended for His children to live in a self-induced, arid climate, that sheds more heat than light on current events, and irritating characters. The world places a great value on the zealot who can zing his offender with a zany one-liner that zaps him into submission. God hates that kind of childish display of unbridled temper. He wants something greater expressed to those who are hostile to Him. Grace.

When God's children take up His offense, they must fear becoming more offensive to Him, than the original act of the offender. God expects more of His children, than envy, and jealousy. He doesn't desire for them to become what He hates, but to conform themselves to His character.

Fretting is not praying. Envying is not interceding. Praying does not always change the crisis, but it always improves the character of someone in the middle of it. Interceding for someone who is hostile to God, does not always change them, but it keeps a child of God from hating them, while God is in the process of changing them, into one of the family. While logging time, in the waiting room,

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Rant

DEBATE PREP 101: "Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words." PR 23:9

One of the great challenges in life is to avoid over-reacting to an offense. The Wise maintain perspective and find a way to hit the right mark, between a proper response and an over-reaction.

Just because a person doesn't take offense at what is said or done to them, does not mean that a word or an action was not offensive. It reveals a resolve and strength of character to refuse to stoop to the level of the offensive word or the offending person.

An older and wiser pastor once told me, "You will never get to town, if you stop and throw rocks at every barking dog." Wise words. His point was that some things just aren't worth getting worn out over, and some people will just wear you out, if you let them. You have a choice. You can only die on one cross, so choose it wisely.

What is said and the way it is said, are two different things. What is done and the way it is done, are not the same. A statement can be made, and when put into print, it does not reveal the smirk or the contempt with which it was delivered. The offender is always quick to point out, "I only said." What they are not as quick to point out is, "I really meant." The Wise know the difference.

The Fool parses and poses, using words to antagonize, minimize or marginalize another human being. It gives them a sense of moral superiority to see their words or actions cause a person to burst into flames, while they appear to keep their cool. It is an ancient strategy, and one that has been used often, to make great people shrivel, in the eyes of others, under the heat of slander, innuendo and rumor.

Letting fools rant and rave, may at first glance appear to allow an offender to get the upper hand, to have the last word, to win the argument, or to get the parking space. In God's Debate Manual, only twits return tit for tat. Taking an eye for an eye leaves both people blind. The Wise will use an intended offense, as a way to reveal the offender for who they really are...a loser, posing as a winner. Eventually, the truth comes out, and a person's true character is revealed. Prayer shrivels pride, and improves character. To reveal less of the former and more of the latter, pray it, before you say it.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Fear

"The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil." Proverbs 19:23

Proverbs provides a profound paradox. The fearless are lifeless, and sleepless. The fearful find rest and protection.

Children learn to fear what they hear. That usually means the first word they learn to say is, "NO!" There is a reason for that. Little ones are prone to wander into great danger. For their own good, they must learn to listen and and to obey the voice of a protective parent. Without some kind of consequence for their actions, they just keep repeating the same mistakes. Anyone who does not believe in "original sin" has never dealt with a two year old.

Wayward adults are merely king-sized versions of children who never developed a fear of the word "No." Rebellion does not age well. The longer it is allowed to develop, the more bitter it becomes.

The fear of the LORD refers to a respect and a reverence for God's direction, correction and protection. It is exhibited by an inclination for and an implementation of immediate obedience to the first thing God says to do. It requires no explanation from God, before being obedient to Him. God said it. Just do it. Nuff said.

America is a nation in crisis. It is exhibited by the scourge of abortion, and an epidemic of sleeplessness. There is no fear of God, and it has resulted in a national shame. Since Roe vs. Wade, the number of babies killed in this country matches the total population of 26 states. This callous disregard of God's gift of children indicates a total disrespect for the Giver of Life.

Sleep Aid ads abound, but still there is no rest for the weary. God will not be ignored. It may sound like another paradox, but sleeplessness requires a Great Awakening. There will be no rest until God is obeyed. Til then, expect nights to be short, days to be long, nerves to be on edge, and satisfaction to be a distant mirage.

Prayer invites God's direction, correction and protection. There is little hope of protection, when a nation of rebellious people ignore His direction and correction. In a world filled with fanatics who hate the very mention of the name of Jesus, and the very existence of the nation of Israel, it should come as no surprise that evil reigns.

Evil can only march into territory that has been yielded. When a person lowers the flag of God's authority in their own life, they are invaded by forces of evil who have no fear of a fellow rebel. They fear only God, not man. Where man reigns, evil rules. Where God reigns, evil runs.

You may want to plant a flag over your heart today, UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP. While you are raising the flag, remember, being untouched by evil begins with being in touch with God.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Prep

"Answering before listening is both stupid & rude." PR 18: 13 (The Message)

"He who gives an answer, before he hears, it is folly & shame to him." PR 18:13 (NASB)

DEBATE PREP 101: Listen before you speak.

Regardless of what version of the Bible you use, this message rings true. The recent debates between the candidates for POTUS & VPOTUS revealed a startling lack of understanding, of this maxim, on their part.

Proverbs provides great wisdom to any person making their case, in the court of public opinion, or taking part in daily conversation. It could be said to all of the candidates for these two high offices, or to any of us, "If you are listening, you may not be losing."

So, take stock of yourself. God made you with two ears and one tongue. Do the math. In His grand design, He placed a priority on listening. My first grade teacher, Miss Hamm, repeated to us every day, "If you are talking, you aren't learning." Wise words that a person never outgrows the need to apply on a daily basis. Thanks Miss Hamm. See, I was listening.

When candidates or anyone else, for that matter, become obsessed with the sound of their own voice, they are probably losing their audience and their argument. The ears of the citizens of this nation have grown weary of the unreliable promises of politicians. There is a great deal of truth in the popular assessment of politicians.
Q: "How can you tell when politicians are lying?"
A: "Their lips are moving."

God intends for His children to listen before they speak. Giving people a piece of your mind doesn't give the person receiving it much peace and it doesn't leave you with much mind.

Avoid attending any independent lecture series that begins with the statement, "I have half a mind to say something about that." People with half a mind are usually full of themselves. They are seldom right, but never in doubt.

In the last debate, a candidate was held accountable for a statement made about a national crisis. His response was, "Get the manuscript." The moderator did, and spoke her mind. When the dust settled, the moderator was wrong, the candidate's argument was weakened, and his opponent started preparation to use it against him in the next debate. There is a lesson here.

The Word of God is a manuscript that is meant to be read, understood, and applied, on a daily basis. Having it in your hand, by your bed, or on your shelf is not enough. It must not be ignored. It must be read, obeyed and applied. When we speak before we listen to what God has already said, in His Word, it reveals more about us than we want others to know. A person with half a mind is never full of the wisdom of God.

In this combative, confrontational culture there is always a huge temptation to speak before you listen. The worst thing a person can do is to speak for God, before they have listened to Him. Spend time in His Word, and ask Him to give you a firm grip on what it means. Listen before you speak.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Decision

"Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent." Proverbs 17: 28

The American people are one step closer to Election Day. Thank God! After the debates are over, I vote for a day of silence.

As if the debates themselves are not draining enough, the spin doctors from each camp have to race to the first available microphone or camera and start the suffocating replay of each verbal assault, word for word, blow by blow. Instead of stopping the bleeding, they suffocate the patient. Give me a break!

The typical response of those who did not agree with what was said, by either their champion or their opponent, sounds something like this, "Why I oughta..." or "Well, I woulda"...or "Well, he coulda..."or "Well, he shoulda..." Second guessing is the favorite pastime of both the slow witted, and the back seat driver. In both cases, it is either an exercise in futility or a flight of fantasy.

It is always easier to be eloquent in a war of words, after the other person has left the room. I can't tell you how many times, I have replayed in my mind's eye, the scene of a confrontation, and then hit with a sudden burst of insight. A have often burst out with genuine dismay, "I should have said...!" It was a PERFECT comeback. Just late!

A good argument and a good joke have at least two things in common. Each loses something in the translation. If it has to be explained, it wasn't a good joke or a good fight. Another common trait is shared by fighters and comedians. They both know, missing your punch line or you opponent makes you look weak. As they say, timing....................... is.....................everything. But is it?

Proverbs states that even a fool that keeps silent is considered prudent. Giving another person more air time to reveal their own ignorance is often a wise way to prove a person wrong, with their own words. Cowboys of the old west would say, "Give that man enough rope and he will hang himself." Wise words.

After a recent debate, Twitter world was aflame, at the injustice of one candidate being allowed four minutes longer to make his case than his challenger. The angst and outrage of those who took up the offense of the short-changed participant was eloquently pronounced and at times, equally profane. They were right, of course, ...but were they?

A great deal can happen in four minutes. A man can fall a long way in a short period time. When a man jumps from a balloon from 23 miles in the air, we know it takes him about four minutes to come down to earth. It does not have to end in death and disaster. He just comes back to earth, lands on his feet, and goes back to his family.

On Election Day, the American people will decide if the POTUS used his four minutes wisely. They will determine if he deserves four more years, in the highest office of the land, or if it is time for him to come back to earth, return to his family, and live out the dreams of his father, in his house, not theirs.

This may be small comfort. Great confidence in the free people of this nation would not be well placed, in light of their recent track record of foolish decisions. Still, desperate times are never a time to panic. They are always a time to pray. "Discernment is given for intercession, never faultfinding." Oswald Chambers. Before you give into panic or Tweet your brains out..

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Focus

"Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; assuredly, he will not be unpunished." Proverbs 16: 5

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right name. Pride. You can't spell it, without "I" right in the middle of it. God hates it. His Word calls it an "abomination." Who knew? More on that later.

God expresses His name with the two words, "I AM." He did not say, "I WAS." Nor did He say, "I WILL." His Presence is as fresh as breath in the lungs. Leaving God out of the "NOW" always results in intimidation, by immediate circumstances. Pride tries to seize control, when fear rushes in. Prayer steps out of the way, and lets fear run right smack into the hands of God. He turns it around, and hands it back to us, and says, "Have faith."

The Wise Man begins and ends his day with a focus on "The Great I AM." The Fool places confidence in the wrong source. His life revolves around his own "I." With an admiring glance in the mirror, and a quick "Yes, I can!", he heads out to change the world. Before long, it fits his image. There is that "I" thing again. You can't spell image without...OK. You get the picture.

Wisdom comes from a life time of focusing on the God of Creation and following His lead. The Wise have learned that their "I" trouble is never improved by collecting lint from their own navel. The Fool takes pride in his lint collection, and shows it off to everyone he meets. He can never figure out why people aren't as impressed with it, as he is. Pride looks inward. Prayer looks upward. The Fool is prayerless and prideful. The Wise are prayerful and faithful.

Vision correction begins by taking a look at God's "I" Chart. Looking at God helps us see things His way. If He equates "Abomination" & "Pride," so should we. The Fool has too much pride to believe he may be a source of the problem. He reserves "abomination" for his pet condemnation. He only condemns what he sees in others, not in himself. What others do is sin. His lint is pure.

To be clear, God reveals His wisdom in Proverbs. He equates "abomination" with a list of dirty laundry often considered quite acceptable to be worn in public, by The Fool. They include, devious behavior, differing weights, false balance, lying lips, evil plans, scoffing, wickedness, perverse heart, and sacrifice of the wicked. If the lines of right and wrong get blurred, check your "I" with His. "Seven things which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness that utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers." Proverbs 6:16-19

Just in case this sounds a little too Old Testament. Check out God's New Testament "I" Chart. "Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you..." I Corinthians 6:9-11.

Surprised? God equates your tendency to want what someone else has, with "the love that dare not speaks it name." That resentment you feel right now is called PrIde. God equates it with "abomination." The healing of a nation begins with admitting to God what He already knows about you. Ask Him for forgiveness, and for His Holy Spirit to remove the abomination in your own "I." You'll be glad He did, and this nation will be one step closer to the next Great Awakening.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Cure

"The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." PR 15:33

So few words, so simple, and yet so profound. They are so easily read. Even a child can understand them, yet they are so difficult to apply. They are like the directions on a bottle of iodine kept in the medicine cabinet. They remain available in the event of a crisis, but without application, the healing power will never be experienced.

During the summer of 1976, I was playing alot of softball. It was a requirement for membership at Sagamore Hill Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Not really true, but almost. I had developed an injury on my right leg, from sliding into bases, trying to stretch a hit into more than what it was. The result was an abrasion that became infected, from being reopened, time and again, week after week. It was on fire.

One Monday night, after playing three games, I was in so much pain, I could not stand it any longer, and was ready for some relief. I was dating Dana at the time, and when I took her home, she ordered me into her house, and told me she would take care of what ailed me. Sounded promising. I was wrong.

Dana told me to put my right foot into the bathtub, and to hold onto the sink. It was a small bathroom. She took two bottles out of the medicine cabinet. One was clear peroxide and the other was red iodine. She gave me a choice. I chose the clear one. I had some previous experience with iodine, and I knew what to expect. I thought, "How bad could peroxide be?" I soon found out. She poured it into the open wound, and when the shock of pain hit my brain, I almost ripped the sink out of the wall. It was a come to Jesus moment, and I'm not ashamed to say, I squealed like a little girl. Before I could catch my breath, she poured in the iodine. When I came to, she assured me that now it would heal. She was right, but I haven't put my foot in a bathtub in 36 years. Can't be too careful.

Pride is the poison. You can't get rid of it, by swallowing it. You have to treat it. Humility is the cure. Conventional Wisdom says blame someone else for what ails you. God's Word says, follow His directions, if you want to heal your soul. Fearing God means applying His word. Wisdom results, from doing so, on a regular basis. Fear warns you that the cure might kill you. Faith knows better. Stop scaring yourself, by talking to yourself. False Expectations Aren't Real. F.E.A.R. (Get the picture?) Put your faith in God's Word. Follow the directions.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Instructions

"Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it." PR. 8:33

The Wise learn to heed, before they lead. Rushing in where angels fear to tread is not an act of courage. It reveals an empty head and a foolish heart. Learning requires a humble, teachable spirit, but a rebel requires no instruction. Neglecting The Master's guidance only equips a person to become the Master of Disaster.

When in doubt, read the instructions. Wise words for anyone assembling parts, or putting together a plan of action. Don't miss out on God's best for your life, by ignoring His counsel and then asking Him to bless the mess you have made. Take heed to what He says, in His Word, before you let your pride tell you what you want to hear. Coming to the end of yourself leads to the beginning of God. Heed before you lead.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!