The Problem With Success

Megalomania:
-Obsession with the exercise of power, especially in regards to the domination of others.
- Delusion about one's own power or importance.

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Proverbs 16:18

How would you describe success?

Webster's says this: 
The accomplishment of an aim or purpose, the attainment of popularity or profit.
Synonyms: prosperity, affluence, wealth, riches, opulence.The website, I AM SECOND, actually lists “Success” as a stumbling block, along with addictions, emotional dysfunctions, etc..
Who doesn't want to be"successful"?
The defination in Webster's definition sounds great;
there is nothing wrong with any facet of success, in and of itself.

The problem with success lies with what is going on in the heart of the sucessful.

David and Solomon started out great, their hearts were fixed on abiding with God and obeying Him, but as they grew more and more successful
pride grew in their hearts and they got their priorities all mixed up. 
They came to think that they were actually the ones pulling the strings;
they thought they actually were in charge,
instead of the King of the Universe.
They began to scorn God's word.

The resulting consequences were ugly.

There is nothing new under the sun.
Success has a way of puffing up those who have been blessed.
The challenge of those blessed with success is to pursue humility, recognizing that God is higher than they are, and is the One from whom all blessings flow.

"Do nothing out of vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."
Phil. 2:3
Scorn not God, or success itself, but rather scorn the worship of success-
be vigilant and don't let it become an idol.

The pride of success brings a downfall,

but as we walk in humility before the LORD- keeping Him alone preeminent, beloved, He  promises to lift us up.

Looking Up

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deut:31:8

There is a very good reason why the Lord  tells us repeatedly not to be discouraged. Discouragement and depression of the spirit actually causes our attitude, our gaze, to be pulled downwards. Discouragement, a primary weapon of our enemy, seeks to cause us to lose our "vision". We might feel like we are facing seemingly insurmountable difficulties.
If we give in to discouragement we find ourselves staring downwards,
instead of where we should be training our focus:
"Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in."
Psalm 24:7
Our eyes are the windows, the gateway to our souls.

"...when I am lifted up[ from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
John 12:32
Jesus Himself is the Lifter our Heads, the Encourager-the One through whom we can have courage, joy, peace beyond comprehension, especially in the midst of trials.
Hebrews 12 tells us this:

"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Beloved, look up, be encouraged!
He is strong when you are weak, keep your heart-gaze locked on Him.
You will never lose heart,
together with Him you'll finish the race without being overcome by weariness.

Unopened?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

Imagine gift-wrapped packages heaped up,
each package unmarked for any particular person. 

They could be suitable for whoever takes it.
One by one the parcels are selected, chosen because they are the largest,
or the heaviest, perhaps having the prettiest wrapping and bows.
Finally, all that is left is a solitary box in the corner.
It is poorly wrapped, as if a child had done it,
it is neither large or has any serious heft to it,
and no one is at all enthusiastic about receiving and unwrapping it.

He was despised and rejected by men;
    a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces

    he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isaiah 53:3

Yet inside awaits the most amazing gift one could ever hope to have bestowed on them, a priceless gift that the Giver went through incredible lengths to offer.

You get this analogy...Jesus-whose real name is Yeshua, (meaning "salvation"), was and is the greatest gift ever to be offered to the sons of mankind. 

I say "offered" because the gift of salvation that cost the King of the Universe the life of His only begotten Son has to be received and unwrapped by each of us. Otherwise it remains unopened, awaiting as those who it was intended for-everyone of us- spends their lives unwrapping a heap of worthless stuff, left with rubbish and fancy, empty boxes scattered about.

Beloved, if you have not received, have not opened the Gift of salvation and eternal life yet, now is the time.
And if you have already have the Gift, make sure that you tell everyone in your sphere of influence,  the "pre-believers" in your family, your friends, colleagues, those you encounter anywhere and everywhere...

It's time to open the Gift.

Impact of Faith

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.
1Samuel 17:45,46

David was a ruddy-complected young man who was considered by his brother’s and contemporaries as nothing more than a shepherd. When he came with provisions from his father for the fighting men, the Scriptures record his own brother’s irritation at him. Even Samuel had trouble seeing past his fleshly vision of who the future successor as King would be; he saw all of David’s brothers before he met with David.
But that day on the battle front his faith, the confidence he had-faith in God’s power, not in his own strength propelled him to victory over a frighteningly gigantic adversary.
However, later in David’s life as King, his faith began to change, to turn. He sins against the LORD, ordering a census to assay HIS OWN strength, the strength of his armies, horses , and chariots, instead of relying on the power of God.
How could this happen, after all that David had experienced first hand? How could David have degenerated so far as think his armies were more able to protect, save, and deliver than “Eloheynu Melech ha Olam”-Our God the King of the Universe?
David’s not the only one.
Consider Israel today, America, or many other powerful nations. Huge armies and sophisticated weaponry are trusted foolishly over the Creator God without whom they would cease to exist.
Let’s get really personal here: Are we any different from David?
Where is your real faith today?
Does it rest where it should, with a Holy God who loves us and cares for us, sacrificing his only begotten Son for us all, or does your faith rest precariously on a bank account, wealth portfolio, a career/profession, a government,  or anything other than God?
We must constantly examine and carefully examine of hearts because faith in anything else besides God has another name-idolatry-and the LORD will not take second fiddle to anything else.
Today beloved, realign your faith and confidence to the only real One who is worthy and trustworthy.
The Lord, He alone is God!

The Gift

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders;And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, 
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness, from then on and forevermore. 
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6-7

Why are gifts given at Christmas time?
We had the supreme displeasure of being in an extremely busy mall yesterday as people scurried about buying stuff.
In my heart as I looked about, I knew that very few were thinking at all about the reason why we have come to practice gift-giving in the first place.
The Ultimate Gift: Jesus.
There are some folks who consider me “abnormal”.
They are bothered by the fact that I cannot have a conversation without bringing the LORD into it, praising and thanking Him, all the time.
To those folks I can only say-“GET OVER IT”!
I can’t stop thinking or talking about Him, and there is a very good reason.
He rescued me from a life of emptiness and depravity, and delivered me from an eternal destination in hell.
He valued me so highly that He laid down His very life so that I could have Life-both here on earth and in the eternal life to come.
He feels the same way about each of you, and offers you the very same Gift.
Some of you have already unpacked and received this Gift….some of you have not, but even as you read this,
I know that deep down in your heart you know the truth.
Everyone needs the Savior-the ultimate Gift.

Now

"If you stood before the Lord, King of the Universe today, and He asked you:
"Why should I let you into Heaven?"
What would you say?
My nephew, Ryan Nemets, died unexpectedly & tragically last week.
It could've been more tragic.
The biggest question I had was not how he died, but where he would be spending eternity.
Contrary to what some may think or theorize, heaven & hell are real places-and not everyone goes to heaven. The Bible - God's Owner's Manual for us- tells us so, We must consciously and intentionally choose life. This begins by choosing JESUS ( the LIFE and LIGHT of all men) as Lord God & Savior, repenting, (turning away) from doing stuff that Jesus wouldn't do...No one knows the day or hour of our their death, but if you are not saved yet-TODAY, right NOW is the time of your salvation.
Not to choose salvation through Jesus( Yeshua the Mashiach- Messiah)...
means that you have have already made a decision- for eternity in hell.
Ryan made this decision, and so we are rejoicing- this is his homecoming!
So... I'd like to ask everyone of you, have you chosen Jesus, are you born again? This is the greatest gift ever given to us- receive it NOW- while there is still time.Congratulations Ryan, See you soon! You are loved!

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
"that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John 3:14-18

Dangers of An Island Mentality

“For none of us lives for ourselves alone,  and none of us dies for ourselves alone.”
Romans 14:7

” A winter’s day,
In a deep and dark December,
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below,
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I’ve built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of  friendship; friendship causes pain.
It’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
Don’t talk of love,
But I’ve heard the words before;
It’s sleeping in my memory.
I won’t disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am on island.
I have my books,
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.
– “I Am A Rock”, Simon & Garfunkel

I’d like to address this message to those who are feeling isolated, discouraged, disenfranchised, and hopeless.
I am aware of so many wonderful people who are without community alone and lonely.
No man is an island.
You didn’t start out that way.
But over time you have been hurt by others, may have suffered losses of health, finances, loved ones.
Church splits and the fall of church leaders you greatly admired may have severely damaged your faith.
You may have slipped away from being part of a vibrant (and necessary) community because of so many hours at your job, maybe other responsibilities, and for many of you maybe you’re just feeling tired and plain worn out emotionally, spiritually, physically. There are often other contributors to the state of isolation you find yourself. Saturday or Sunday may be the only day you have off, so you may have stayed home from going to your congregation…once, twice, and then suddenly you  realize you haven’t been to worship in weeks, months, years. You may have been saddened and offended that no one even noticed you have been missing, causing you to withdraw into your shell, your island, even more.

No man or woman was created to be alone, no one is supposed to bear that “island” mentality.
The Lord, your Creator, didn’t-DOESN’T-intend for you to live that way. This line of thought smells like smoke-it is from the pit!
Recognize that the risk of becoming cloistered and isolated is dangerous; and fan the flames of dormant friendships.
Reconcile offenses, take the first step forward, forgive others as the Lord has so graciously forgiven you.
Are you feeling the crushing weight of adversity? “Consider : ” A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” Proverbs 17:17
Overwhelmed by anxiety?
Consider: “Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs him down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25

I would like to ask you plainly, perhaps bluntly:
Where have you fixed your vision, on Jesus, the Author and Perfector on our FAITH, or on yourself and the trials you’re going through?
Are you finding yourself struggling with unbelief and faithlessness?  Get back into a daily quiet time and reading of the God’s Word.
“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the Word of God.”

Romans 10:17
Fearful? ” God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, courage, and a sound mind.”
Beloved, there is strength in numbers, in community.
My prayer for each of you, for us all, is that we will all be in community, not islands.
“How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together, in unity….”

Phototaxis/Turning To The Light

In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:4,5

In nature there is a common phenomenon whereby certain plants and animals turn towards the direction of the light for nourishment.
This phenomenon is known as positive phototaxis, and in it I see another example in nature manifesting an important spiritual principal.
Jesus is life and the light of all mankind. What the devil brings though is darkness, and those who are currently in sin, are decidedly
negatively phototaxic- the exposure that the Light brings is initially painful as sin is revealed, but eventually overcome .
We were created to walk in the Light of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Him is everything we need to fulfill, to grow into our godly potential, all that our Creator God planned for us, but still bestowing on us the ability to make our own decisions and choices.
He has set before us “the way of life and a way of death”, admonishing us to choose life and light over darkness and death.
Beloved,  turn towards the Son today.

10 Tips For Gaining the Crown/Finishing Well

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

-2Timothy 4 :6-8

I do not take the credit for what follows; they are the notes from a sermon, (paraphrased) given by the amazing RT Kendall, of whom I had the great privilege of hearing recently.
"Prize, inheritance, reward...crown. 
Gaining the crown, not just entering into the gates of heaven, is the result of persevering to the end, finishing well as Paul did. 

Here are 10 tips for gaining the crown of righteousness:
#1: Put yourself totally under Holy Scripture...don't ever think you are above Scripture, lest you become yesterday's man like King Saul.
#2: Be accountable to reliable people. The "I'm accountable to God"line? That is a dangerous excuse. Establish transparent accountability to reliable godly people.
#3: Be squeaky clean when it comes to money. Do nothing dishonest in any of your finances, whether it be personal, business, or mnistry.
#4: Maintain sexual purity. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association  states sexual impropriety accounts for the fall of 3/4 of Christians.
#5: Come to terms with jealousy when you feel threatened by another's calling and gifts. Saul became murderously jealous of David, after hearing maidens singing songs of victory-Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten-thousands after David killed Goliath.
#6: Be willing not to get the credit for what you do. John 5:44
#7: Always- ALWAYS keep your word. INTEGRITY.
#8: Live in total forgiveness.
#9: Be a thankful person at all times.
#10: Maintain a strong personal prayer life.  
Use a Bible reading plan and read Scriptures daily.

Beloved, Follow these rules faithfully, moment by moment. Feasting on God’s Word and being filled with Holy Spirit, hungering and thirsting for righteousness as we remain in him will not only get us to the finish line, but also gain for us the crown of righteousness as well-the very thing we hungered and thirsted for.

Lessons From Nehemiah

“But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.”
Nehemiah 4:7-9

Recently we had opportunities to visit with some of our old friends. Our time together was so good, and in the courses of our conversations we asked, “What about so-and-so, have you heard from them?”
We were saddened to hear that some were no longer walking in the faith, while others had excelled.
When Nehemiah and his people began to work on the wall diligently, the progress became evident. Soon their enemies began to come around, trying sow discord, making threats, and spreading lies. They tried everything they knew to stop the building up of the wall around Jerusalem, God’s dwelling place., trying to bring fear, discouragement, offense, and anxiety among God’s people.
But Nehemiah and the people prayed and persisted in the building, not just finishing the wall with excellence, but in only 52 days!
In our own lives, this is also how the accuser of the brethren works. The building of the wall is a metaphor for the pursuit of a godly life, as we wield the sword of the spirit-God’s Word- and the shield of faith.
Like Nehemiah we must reject the lies of the enemy, and pursue relationship with our Abba.
Courage, joy, love, and the fruits of the spirit come from the Lord as we trust Him, feed on His word and seek Him with all our hearts.
Beloved, keep your eyes fixed on Him.
Listen to the “Kol Dodi”, the voice of the Beloved, the Bridegroom.