Habits Are At The Heart

Habits are either bobbers or sinkers, corks or lead. They hold you up or pull you down. With eternity in view, it behooves you and me to consider our current habits in every facet of life. It helps to contemplate how habits are formed. The following is what I believe to be an accurate description of the process:

Thoughts become words.
Words become actions.
Actions become habits.
Habits become character.
Character is everything.

Notice the similarities between this progression and the following progression found in the book of Proverbs:

Keep your heart [thoughts] with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech [words], and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet [actions]; then all your ways will be sure [habits]. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:23-27, ESV

It's no secret, friend; your habits and mind originate within the heart. My habits determine my character, and my character determines who I serve -- self and Satan, or Christ the righteous. So work on your heart today, friend. It is the vehicle that is moving you toward your eternal dwelling place -- wherever that may be.

r2

A Thousand "Thrones" Fit For A Thousand Kings

The Chinese are serious about their bathrooms. The city of Beijing recently opened a public restroom featuring 1,000 stalls spread out over 32,290 square feet and four floors.

"We are spreading toilet culture," said Lu Xiaoqing. "After they use the bathroom, they will be very, very happy."

Some of the urinals are uniquely shaped -- such as several crocodile heads, and several units that features a bust of the likeness of the virgin Mary. I'm not sure how or anyone else has any idea what Mary looked like, but I think it's safe to say that she never would have envisioned the day her supposed likeness was mounted on top of a toilet.

Officials have submitted paperwork to The Guinness Book Of World Records in an effort to be recognized as the largest public restroom in the world.

The first passage of Scripture to "pop" into my head as I read all about this "porcelain palace" was the first chapter of Ecclesiastes. In a book devoted almost entirely to declaring the vanity of "life under the sun," verses two through eleven (read them here) are especially applicable when we see useless, yet remarkably funny stories such as this.

All the work that went into constructing this facility and all the fanfare it receives will fade soon. As always, something bigger, better, more fancy, and more remarkable will come along soon enough.

The message is simple: In all our hustle and bustle and seemingly worthwhile pursuits in this life, remember what/Who is most important -- living for Christ and preparing oneself for judgment.

r2

The Flock Of One

An objective study of the Bible leads one to understand the deadly nature of sin. Transgression of God's law is that which drives the proverbial wedge between a man and his Creator. There is no doubt that God gives ample space in the Scriptures to warning mankind of sin's devastating consequences.

If the people of God have any interest whatsoever in faithfully proclaiming the good news of salvation contained in the gospel, they will not water down the truth about sin and its eternal penalty. Those who preach the increasingly popular "Social Gospel" stay away from addressing anything that might be construed as even hinting at an allusion to something that might resemble the most vague reference to the concept of sin. For in doing so, they know the thousands who have "itching ears" will continue to pour into converted basketball arenas and gleefully place their offerings in the coffers.

That being said, if we are not on our guard, we can easily fall into the extreme at the other end of the spectrum. What if -- in our zealousness to convince the world of the poisonous effects of sin -- we treat sinners as the Pharisees and scribes did in the time of Jesus' earthly life? In Luke 15:1-7, we see representatives from both of these groups grumbling about the fact that Jesus was eating with sinners. Jesus taught them a parable about a single lost sheep. In hearing these words, they (Pharisees and scribes) and we ought to learn some important points:

1. God is concerned about the lost, and seeks them.
2. The Lord loves us individually.
3. People wander away from God through neglect.
4. The lost sheep may have known it was lost, but did not know its way home.
5. The path back to God is traveled through repentance.
6. Self-righteousness will deaden our concern for the lost.

Being a disciple of Jesus means having the same care and concern for a lost soul as Jesus, our Savior. Are you not glad He so regarded you?

r2

iPhone Madness!

Today is the day millions of "cell phone junkies" have been waiting for. Apple released the much anticipated iPhone for use on the AT&T wireless network.

Prices for this cutting-edge gadget begin in the $500-$600 range with a two year service agreement, and monthly service plans for the iPhone are significantly higher than with other devices. For many avid "gadget geeks," price is not an object. Click the link below to watch an interview with a gentleman from New York City who waited in line by himself for four days in order to score the first iPhone.

See interview here

The Bible says...

Buy the truth and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Proverbs 23:23, ESV

The truth is more precious than any accumulation of gadgets. It is of more value than any amount of money, fame, power, or popularity. Being what Jesus called, "the pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:45-46), it is infinitely and eternally more valuable than anything and everything the world has to offer aggregately.

To what lengths will you go to acquire and firmly take hold on the truth that sets man free (John 8:32)?

r2

What Christ Means To Us

To billions of men and women around the world, he was just another man. Some say an extraordinarily wise moral teacher, but still just a man after all. The Bible says...

He [God] is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:30, ESV

If, then, you will allow him to be, Jesus will be:

• Wisdom for your mind
• Righteousness for your heart
• Sanctification for your service
• Redemption for your victory

r2

What Good Will It Do?

Over a five day span in June of 2006, visitors to a popular faith-based website were asked to participate in a survey. 10,567 individuals answered questions dealing with the subject of hell. One of the survey questions was, "Do you believe in hell?". 76 percent of the more than 10,000 individuals responded with a "no." Keep in mind the fact that this website is visited primarily by those who profess to be Christians.

Is this an accurate sampling? Do three-quarters of those who profess Christianity really believe there is no such place as a literal hell? Speaking from personal experience, I would say the number is at least that high.

Understandably, it is human nature to avoid sad and frightening subjects. However, there is great wisdom in addressing such subjects -- especially when doing so will prevent an individual or many individuals from experiencing pain and suffering.

For example, one of the last statements anyone wants to hear is, "You have cancer," but would a patient really be wise in plugging his ears and denying the very existence of the disease? Much the same way, will denying the reality of hell benefit me in some way? To the contrary.

If the calculations I have seen are correct, the inspired record shows that Jesus preached on the subject of hell three times more often than he did on the subject of heaven. Granted, just because one subject is addressed more than another in Scripture does not mean it is more important. More than one of my denominationally minded friends have brought that up in discussion as proof that belief is somehow more importance than obedience. That being said, it is interesting that Jesus spent significantly more time on the subject of hell. Why might that be the case?

Jesus says his earthly purpose was to "seek and save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). With so much of his time dedicated to declaring the devastatingly real nature of hell, it is clear that a significant aspect of "seeking and saving" involved educating the finite human mind about an infinite, eternal separation from God in torment and destruction.

76 percent notwithstanding, Jesus taught there is indeed a hell by:

1. Direct Statements (Matthew 10:28; 23:33)


2. Powerful Allusions (Mark 9:43)


3. Historical Reference (Luke 16:19-31)

Friend, what good will it do to stare an angry charging bull in the face, declaring all the while that angry charging bulls do not exist?

r2

Unfeigned Faith

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that is in thee also.
2 Timothy 1:5, KJV

Most English-speaking Americans do not utilize the term "unfeigned" on a regular basis. We might be more inclined to say, "sincere," as the English Standard Version so translates. Obviously, this sincere faith is a very commendable attribute; it is something to be desired by the people of God today. Here is just a handful of items entailed in this idea of sincere faith:

1. A firm stand for righteousness (Ephesians 6:13-18)
2. A life that triumphs over sin (1 John 5:4)
3. A heart indwelled by Christ (Ephesians 3:17)
4. A life growing in spiritual attainments (2 Peter 3:18)
5. A consistent walk of good report (Hebrews 11:1-2)
6. A life lived to please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

I am thankful for you who live "sincere faith."

R2