Honor The Sabbath

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” 

The next commandment God gave the Israelites was to remember the Sabbath and to keep it holy. Just as the Israelites were commanded to be holy, set apart (Deuteronomy 7:6), they were to set apart, consecrate, the seventh day as a holy day. The Sabbath is holy in that it was set apart, different from the rest of the week. The rest of the week they were to work but on the Sabbath, they were to rest.

The word, Sabbath, comes from the ‘shabath’ (shaw-bath’), which means repose, rest, or intermission. The Sabbath was a day of rest or intermission in the week. The Israelites were not to do any work on the Sabbath. This did not mean that they were not to labor but that they were not to work for profit. After Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath, the Pharisees accused Him of breaking the Law. As Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that if their donkey had fallen into a ditch on the Sabbath they would have gotten it out; yet they accuse Him of sinning because He healed someone. He didn’t seem to suggest that saving the animal was a sin but was pointing out the fact that they valued their property more than they valued people.

Jesus told the Pharisees that the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath. God made the Sabbath as a day of rest for mankind. The Pharisees saw the Sabbath as a day to do no work. They legalistically said what could and what could not be done on the Sabbath thus Jesus’ previously-mentioned encounter with them.

They were not only commanded to honor the Sabbath but they were commanded to remember the Sabbath. Remembering the Sabbath means that they were to keep it before them. They were to calendar it. They were not to forget it. He knew that people’s drive for money, power, and success would cause them to work constantly without rest and the body was not designed to work for long periods at that level. The body needs to rest and be free from stress. Even steel will break under constant stress.

What does this mean for us today? Many businesses are open seven days a week. Some people work two jobs. Should we go back to the days when everything was closed on Sunday? Christians are still called to honor the spirit of the Law if not the letter. The spirit is that we are to take a day off from work to rest. It is also that we are to set aside time for the worship of God and communion with Him. Since we are the church, we no longer have to go to a building to worship Him; we can worship Him anytime, anywhere. In that vein, everyday is a Sabbath Day. But we are not to ignore God’s command to rest. He even used Himself as the example. Six days He created the heavens and the earth and everything in it in six days. On the seventh day, the Lord rested (Genesis 2:2).

Love Thy God

On Mount Sinai God gave Moses Ten Commandments. These were the first among many laws that God gave the Israelites. These first Ten Commandments were to instruct the Israelites how they were to treat God and treat each other. These Commandments were initially inscribed on stone tablets by the hand of God, Himself (Exodus 31:18). In this lesson, we will look at the first three of the Ten Commandments---the ones that pertain to our treatment of God. 

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods besides me (Exodus 20:2-3).”

          When God delivered the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, He delivered them from a land of people who were pantheistic—they worshipped many gods. There was a god of the harvest, the moon god, the sun god, etc. God wanted them to know that there was just one God and He was Him. Who was this God? He was the One who used a mighty hand to deliver the children of Israel out of the land of slavery. He was their Deliverer. It was not the sun god, nor the moon god, nor the god of cattle nor the god of rain. It was He and the Israelites were not to give tribute or worship to any other so-called god.

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments (Exodus 20:4-6).

          Not only were the Egyptians polytheistic, they were also idol worshippers. The sun was the symbol for Ra, the Sun god. Anubis was half man and half jackal. Hathor, the goddess of motherhood, was imaged as a cow (sometimes female) with a sundisk on her head. This was the culture the Israelites were delivered from. This was the culture they spend four hundred years being indoctrinated into. So, when God gave the command that they should make no graven (or carved) images to Him, this was a whole new way of living, a whole new way of worship. It was a whole new lifestyle. Some people in Egypt made their living making and selling idols. Now God was saying that that was no longer acceptable.

     Why was idolatry so bad?  First, God was separating His people from the rest of the world. Nearly every other nation had an idol for a God. Even the Philistines had Dagon, a half man, half fish idol. He didn’t want the Israelites to be like the other nations. He was setting them apart.

            Another reason is that God wanted His people to have a personal relationship with Him. He did not want them giving His praise to a piece of stone or wood. He wanted them to worship Him directly. As Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4, “God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.” Worship is a matter of the heart. It is our heart touching the heart of God with praise and adoration. God did not want praise going to anything (or anyone) else.

            God says that He is a jealous God. This does not mean that God is envious of the idols that got worshipped. God is saying that He is protective of the worship that He is due and He gets angry when people assign worship due Him to anything or anyone else. Besides that, oftentimes, demons would associate themselves with these idols, thus robbing God of His praise and causing people worship them unaware.  Worshipping idols is an empty act. 

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name (Exodus 20:7).”

          God is holy and His name is holy. When it is spoken, it is be for a purpose and with reverence. Nowadays, people name their children all sorts of “cute” names, but in the Bible days, names meant something. Abraham’s name meant Father of Nations, which he was. He was the father of Israel through Jacob and Arab people through Esau. Jacob’s name meant Deceiver and that is what he was. Samuel’s name meant Heard by God or God Hears, which was exemplified in 1 Samuel 2 when God called and ordained Samuel a prophet to Israel . Jonah’s name means Dove. The dove is a symbol of peace (Genesis 8:11). Jonah brought a message of peace to the Ninevites. God’s name, Jehovah, means I AM.

This is the name by which He called Himself. He doesn’t live because He is life. He doesn’t just exist because all that exist emanate from Him. He is. Not only Is He, but He is whatever you need Him to be in any situation. For Abraham, He was Jehovah-Jireh, the God that Provides. For David, He was Jehovah-Shalom-the God of Peace. As He was for them, He will be the same for us.

There is power in God’s name. This is evident in our society. I am amazed how people take the name of God in vain. I often hear GD this and GD that. Then there’s JESUS CHRIST. Let’s not forget, “Holy Cow, Batman!” Yet, you never hear people misuse the name of Allah, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammad, or Joseph Smith. Why? There’s no power in their names. There’s no spiritual sense of ‘rebellion’ in misusing their names. So people don’t do it.

As we can see from these first three commandments, they are not burdensome nor are they for naught. There is a reason for each of His commands. Next time we will see the purpose and benefits of the Fourth Commandment.

Why I Love Autumn

            I know it is a couple of months away but fall, or autumn, has been on my mind. I believe it is because the heat of summer is causing me to look forward to cooler weather. When I discuss with people which season is my favorite, I always say, “It’s either spring or fall.” But I believe Autumn is my favorite season for many reasons.

            The first reason is, of course, the cooler weather. After enduring months of 100+ degree weather for weeks on end, the cooler temperatures of 85 and below are a welcomed treat. With these temperatures, one could actually get outside and do something—bicycle, have picnics, play volleyball, take walks, even lay out and read—without threatening heat stroke and dehydration. Another thing I love is the fact that these temperatures often last into December. Spring has cooler temperatures than summer but it seems that summer’s temperatures invade springtime pretty early. However, being in the south I have not seen winter’s temperatures invade autumn too early. In fact, last year’s autumn seemed to have invaded wintertime.

A Fall Festival attendee

            Another thing I like about autumn are the Fall Festivals. Fall Festivals are Christians’ answer to Halloween. Halloween is a pagan holiday that has taken on connotation of witchcraft and demonism. Not only that, it is not safe for children to go from house-to-house trick-or-treating. Too many people are taking this opportunity to kidnap and even poison children. I remember when my sister and I went trick-or-treating once as children and our grandmother checking our candy to see if anything was done to it. Even back in those days there were stories of people sticking razor blades into apples and lacing Tootsie Rolls with PCP. I imagine they are doing worse that now. After the Colorado Batman Massacre, I would not put anything past someone who is evil enough act on such evil ideas, especially around Halloween. It used to be that you would be safe going to the homes of the people you know, but that is no longer the case either. One reason is because many of us do not even know our neighbors. Another reason is that our neighbors’ intentions are not always honorable. It was for these reasons that Fall Festivals were born.

            Many churches now offer these events on or around Halloween as an alternative to the other, more dangerous activity. Plus, the kids do not have to participate in a pagan ritual to get the candy. Instead, the kids (and adults) can go to a church (in costume if they like) and play games to win candy and prizes. There is also food there. Since many churches use Fall Festivals as outreach events, the attendees do not have to be members of the church to attend.  And they are free.

            Let’s not forget the leaves. What a beautiful panorama of color that covers the trees in the fall. It is sad to know that soon those leaves will fall to the ground leaving the trees bare foreshadowing the arrival of winter. Yet, the beauty of autumn is a gift from God (and in my opinion, more evidence of the existence of God).

            Finally, there’s Thanksgiving. Who does not love the aroma of turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato (or pumpkin) pie?  Thanksgiving, what a day? It is a day for family, food, football, and sleep. Yes, it is also a day to give thanks. Then again, is not everyday Thanksgiving?  Should we not give thanks to God every day and should we not be thankful everyday for the blessings we have?

            So, now you know why I love autumn. What is your favorite season and why?

Sorry, No C.O.D.s

I remember when I was a child I would see a commercial advertising a product. At the end of the commercial, the announcer would say, ‘Cash, check, money order and CODs accepted.” When I would see something I wanted to buy on television, I could buy it and have them to send it C.O.D.—cash on delivery. When it arrived, I would give the money to the postman or the UPS man and I would take possession of it. Now, I see more and more television commercials and infomercials that say, “Sorry, No CODs.” Why is this?

Some would say C.O.D.s are obsolete because of the advent of credit and debit cards. Also, many companies allow you to pay online or on the phone via your checking account. This is true. However, I think it goes much deeper.

I believe the reason most companies no longer accept C.O.D.s is because they have been scammed by too many people. This is the same reason why so many companies no longer accept checks. People deliberately write checks on accounts they know they do not have sufficient funds in. With identity theft on the rise, companies may soon stop taking credit and debit cards.  

What has happened to integrity in this country? A man’s word is no longer his bond and some people can’t be trusted as far as you can through them. With so many people wanting something for nothing that is not likely to change anytime soon.

So for the foreseeable future, no checks accepted and no CODs.

The Call to Disciple

Why should a church or a Christian disciple other Christians? The church needs teachers. Teaching, in fact, is one of the core missions of the church. Ephesians 4 tells us the God gave some [people] to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12, emphasis added). As a friend once pointed out, there is no comma between pastor and teach because a pastor must be a teacher. His job is to equip the saints—giving them the spiritual tools they need to do the work God has given them—witnessing to the lost.

 

 

Discipleship is not new. It did not come into being at the dawn of the church age. Discipleship has been around as long as Israel has been around. God commanded the Israelites in the Book of Deuteronomy to disciple their children. “You shall teach them [God’s commands] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up (Deuteronomy 6:7).” Later in the Proverbs, Solomon reiterates this command: “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).” Parents are called to be the main disciplers of their children not the church.

 

 

Jesus commanded that we be disciplers of men. In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28:18-20, emphasis added).”This Commission is repeated in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 16:15). It was never the Christian’s job to convert anyone. It was, and still is, the Christian’s responsibility to make disciples. We are called to be two things: witnesses and teachers. When we evangelize, we are simply telling the Gospel story and leaving the results up to God. We can attempt to persuade but the end decision is theirs and the end result is God’s.

 

 

Discipleship was the model Christ gave us. When He came to earth and began His ministry, He chose twelve men. These men would accompany Him and watch Him do His work. He would then send them out to do it. Talk about on-the-job training. The model was later used in the Church. Barnabas took Paul under his wings and taught him. Later, Paul took Timothy, Titus, and few others under his tutelage. In his final letter to Timothy, Paul charged Timothy to do the same thing: “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).”

 

 

There is a desperate need for discipleship in the church. First, it is essential to disciple new believers. Those new to the faith do not fully understand even the fundamental doctrines of the faith. They are babes and they need to be taught the core beliefs. As Peter told his church, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.” I believe that this is one of the reasons churches have what has become known as the revolving back door. New members join but they don’t stick around because they are not being spiritually fed. And like any starving soul, they look for nourishment elsewhere.

 

 

Second, there is so much false doctrine being taught in our seminaries, on television, and even in our churches. Christians need to be taught the truth so that they will be able to distinguish it from error. Paul wrote “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (Ephesians 4:14).” If you don’t know what you believe and why you believe it, you will fall for anything (any lie of the devil or trick of slick talkers). [In another lesson, I will discuss False Doctrine and False Teachers.]

 

 

And finally, we should disciple other Christians because it was the model Jesus gave us. As mentioned earlier, it was the method Jesus used to train the twelve. It was the model Barnabas used to train Paul and Paul later used to train Timothy. It should be the same model we use to train others. It is not solely the responsibility of the pastor to teach the Word but it is the responsibility of every mature believer. Just as a parent teaches a child how to walk and to talk, mature Christians should teach newer Christians what the Bible says about how to live godly.

 

 

Not only are we to teach or train others, but we are to teach them what the Bible says and not what we want the Bible to say. God gives us enough information to form truthful doctrine. We don’t have to add to it or take away from it. For instance, I have heard some say that the reason Cain’s sacrifice in Genesis 4 was not acceptable to God was because it was not a blood sacrifice. However, that is not what the Bible says nor what God said. The Bible said Abel brought of the firstfruits but Cain just brought an offering. Second, the command to offer blood sacrifices for sin had not even been given yet. Third, God told Cain if he did well, he would be accepted. The Hebrew term means to be cheerful or to do good. This suggests that God was referring to Cain’s heart or motive in offering and not his offering itself.  As I’ve heard many times and found to be true, the Bible interprets itself. In other words, rarely does the Bible says anything just once but either the command or lesson is repeated in another place.

 

 

I hope you see now why discipleship is so important in the church. Without it, people will fall into all sorts of error and begin to believe things that are ungodly. It is because people fail to disciple the next generation that the churches Paul and Peter and Timothy led were rebuked in the opening chapters of Revelation. They had fallen away from the faith and into false doctrine. It is because the generation before ours and our generation have failed to disciple that our society is in the quandary that it is in—godliness on the decline and homosexuality, pornography, greed, and malice on the uptake.

 

 

If we want God to bless America, then we need to bless God by studying and teaching His Word…before it’s too late.

Revelation 11

The angel, who escorts John around Heaven, gives him a measuring rod and tells him to rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. (We are not given the results of John’s measurements). He is told not to measure the outer court. It represents the Holy City which has been given to the Gentiles to trodden underfoot for 42 months. This is likely in reference to the 42 months or last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation (12 months x 3.5 years= 42 months) when the antichrist breaks his treaty with Israel and invades the city. He then defiles the temple and sets himself up as god. This is the Abomination of Desolation that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 24:15 , see also Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11).

Revelation 11 goes on to introduce the two witnesses. The exact identity of these two is unknown. It is speculated that they may be Elijah and Enoch because neither of them died in the Old Testament (Genesis 5:23, 2 Kings 2:11). They have also been identified as Moses and Elijah because they appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3).They are called olive trees and lampstands. This may describe their roles are bringers of peace and light. They are attempting to bring peace (olive trees, Genesis 8:11) with God and light or enlightenment of salvation through the Gospel they preach. They also have the power to shut up heaven and to turn water to blood.

The antichrist and his army will try to stop these two witnesses but they will be protected by God until the time of the ministering is complete. “And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner (Rev. 11:5).” Eventually, the time of the ministry will end and their enemies will prevail over them and kill them. The antichrist will not allow their bodies to be buried. However, three and one half days later, they will rise up and stand on their feet, all on live television.

            Years ago people wondered how this was going to be possible. How could the whole world see the bodies of two people in Israel? Now we know. With the advent of CNN, and now, Headline News, MSNBC, FoxNews, and a host of other news satellites, this is possible. Not only does the plethora of news stations make this possible but also does various means of watching streaming news. People can now watch news on their computers, smartphones, iPhones, iPads, tablets, and other forms of mobile communication. This is what we have now; who knows what the future holds?

            The text tells us that not only will the world watch the murder and death of the bodies in Israel, but they will also celebrate their death. They will be having parties and giving gifts to one another in celebration of their deaths. This goes to the convicting power of the Gospel, especially in that day. People will be so convicted by it that they will party at the silencing of it.

            After three and a half days, breath from God will enter into them and they will stand up on their feet. This will cause great fear to fall upon those watching. This could either be because they are afraid that they will start preaching again and not even death can stop them or it could be because they don’t know what is going to happen next. Maybe they recognize the power of God (who alone can give life).

            A loud voice from heaven calls out to them, “Come up here” and they ascend up into heaven before the eyes of those watching. Then a great earthquake falls upon the city and ten percent of it falls. Seven thousand people die as a result of this earthquake. Those who remained were afraid and praised the God of Heaven.

            The second woe had passed. The third woe is coming quickly. Time is winding down and things are speeding towards a climax. The seventh angel sounds his trumpet and there were loud voices in heaven praising God. These are the words Charles Jennens used for Handel’s Oratorio, “Messiah”: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

            Then the twenty-four elders fell down prostrate and worshipped God. Who are these twenty-four elders? No one really knows. They first appear in Revelation 4:4 John’s first entry into heaven and at the opening of the seven seals. One school of thought is that they are not actually people but symbols that represent the gathering of both the OT and the NT. Twelve of the elders represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel—the Old Testament and twelve represent the Twelve Apostles (or Disciples)--the Church—the New Testament. Twelve of the Elders is one of the things prophesy teachers point to when they say the church won’t be here during the Tribulation because we are already in Heaven and this is represented by Twelve of the Twenty-four elders.

            Whoever these elders are, they fell down and worshipped God. They praised him. Then the temple in heaven was opened and the Ark of His Covenant was seen there. Then there were great signs in the heavens: “lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” Right now no one knows the location of the Ark but this suggests that God has ‘raptured’ it to Heaven. He is now being praised because He has brought fulfillment to His Word. All the seals, vials, and trumpets have been released. History is coming to a close. God is now ready to wrap things up. Jesus is on His way back to vanquish the enemies and start His eternal reign. God has overcome.

            The remainder of the book of Revelation really describes the things that happen during the opening of the seals, vials, and the sounding of the trumpets.

Why Do People Advertise for Somebody Else (for free)

That is the question. Why do people pay to advertise for someone else? I asked myself this question while I was walking in the mall and passed one of those retailers whose name I see emblazoned on shirts and hoodies. This merchant, and others like them, put their names on merchandise then sells it to customers who proudly wear them. I am talking about retailers like The GAP, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Aeropostale. The thing that gets me is that not only do people wear these logoed apparel, but they pay extra to get them. Hoodies, shirts, caps, sweaters, and jackets that are bear the name of the store cost more than those that do not.

            This thought might not have ever came to me had I not heard someone else bring it up first. I believe he was offered a shirt bearing somebody’s logo (I forget) and he said he didn’t advertise for anyone without getting paid for it.  The irony is that not only are people who wear these logoed apparel not getting paid for it, they are actually paying for the privilege to advertise for the retailer.

            Perhaps this is the next generation of name brand loyalty. Back in my day, people paid more for the privilege of wearing Guess or Levi jeans or Nike shoes. Perhaps store are merely capitalizing on the public’s ability to identify with a name, either a brand name or a store name. Before it was IZOD and Polo now it’s Eddie Bauer and The North Face.

            I can understand people wearing apparel that bore the logo of a nonprofit organization. I could see people wearing apparel that identified then with a sports team (after all, sports loyalty is a strong thing). I can even see people wearing stuff that had the name, logo, or mascot of a university of which there are an alumnus. I just can understand why people would pay to wear stuff that connects them to a store brand, especially if it isn’t free. Free is a different story.

            Why do I say that wearing a jacket or sweater that bears a store’s logo advertising? Because it is advertising. What is the purpose of advertising? It is to get your name or the name of your products before as many people as possible to entice them to do something, either support your or buy your product. When people wear clothes with a store’s name on it, they become a walking billboard for that store (and companies/stores usually have to pay for billboards). Unless the wearing got the clothing for free, they are paying for the privilege of being an unpaid ad for the store.

            So, again I ask the question: why do people pay, sometimes excessively, to advertise for someone else?

Good Stewards - Our Possessions

There are biblical reasons why we are to be good stewards of our resources. The first being, they are not ours but God’s. Psalms 24:1 says, “The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it (emphasis added).” Job said it like this, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there (Job 1:21a).” He was saying we own nothing. It all belongs to God. We are to take care of it because He has entrusted His property into our care. If we fail to be good stewards, then God will either remove His entrusted property from us or us from it. Whether those resources, be they money, cars, clothes, homes, or talent. We are to use them for His glory not just for our own selfish purposes.

            The Bible tells us that we are to honor God with our money. We are to give Him the firstfruit of our labor. There are two reasons why I believe people don’t tithe. The first reason is that they cannot afford it. They are so deep in debt that they are already behind after they get their paycheck. They do not have enough to cover what they owe plus what they need to live on. The next reason is that people have too much money. They have enough money to pay their bills, pay for medical care, and pay for most contingencies. They have enough money that they see no need for God. They don’t have to trust Him for food. They don’t have to trust Him for bills. They don’t have to trust Him for medical care. They don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen if another bill comes or a paycheck is cut. They’re rainy days are covered.  God is not their insurance—their bank account is.

            Yet, we are all required to honor God with the resources He has blessed us with, both the rich and the poor. If we do this and we trust Him, He will bless us with more. If we do not honor Him with them, what we have will be taken away from us (Matthew 25:14-30). The widow gave two mites (less than a cent) and Jesus said she gave more than the Pharisees who gave a lot (Mark 4:12, Luke 21:3). On the other hand, there was the rich young ruler who refused to honor God with his resources and it cost him everything (Matthew 19:16-26). I encourage you to also read the account of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21. The moral of the tale is this: possess your possessions or they will possess you.

            The solution to the condition of the rich as well as the poor is to give it all to God. Not just your financial situation but your finances and possessions; give them back to Him. I give you some financial tips in my book, For Such a Time as This: The Darkness Cometh. But here are a few more: 1) Make a budget. 2) Set apart God’s portion first. 3) Pay important bills next. 4) Make arrangements with other creditors. Whatever you do, live within your means. That may mean downsizing your abode, cutting off cable, eating in, or buying non-name brand items. The secret to financial success is to live within your means. In other words, don’t spend more than you have. Our government does and now our country is in hoc to the Chinese, among other nations. Let us not forget to give God His due off the top first. If you honor Him, He’ll remember you. Besides, it is His anyway and He can just take it back whenever He wants.

            What if, you say, you don’t subscribe to the whole ‘God owns everything’ philosophy? The principle still applies to you. It is important that you take care of your things otherwise they won’t last long. How long will a car last if the oil is never changed? How long will a house last if it is not kept up? How long will a yard if it is neglected? Clothes that are not washed will soon be unwearable. They will be stained and eventually get an odor that no detergent can remove. Ask anyone who buys white sneakers about how it is important to clean those shoes every day. If you let a day go by, then a stain can set in and ruin their appeal and appearance.

In these three posts, I’ve tried to encourage us to be good stewards of what we have: our time, our bodies, our resources/possessions. Not only does it honor God, but it benefits us as well. By being good stewards, we can make the best use of our time, keep our bodies in good shape, and make our possessions last longer.

Good Stewards - Our Bodies

The one thing we cannot neglect but we all do is our bodies. The Bible says that we are not our own and that we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)). That means that we are the property of Someone else. Just as some 200 years ago African slaves didn’t own themselves in this country, as Christians, we do not own ourselves now. Even if you do not subscribe to Christianity, it is important for you to take care of your body because it is the only one you have and contrary to science fiction, you will not get another one.

            Taking care of our bodies means several things. First, we must eat right. Eating right does not mean eating bland food but eating food in moderation. We must drink plenty of water (this is where I fail). We need to cut back on the sugar and caffeine. I don’t know what the cause is, but I still suspect that it is something in our diets that is the leading cause of the rise in Alzheimer’s disease. It may even be the cause for many cancers. We know that it is the cause for some cases of Diabetes.

I like biking.

Not only must we eat right, we must exercise. We need to work our muscles—this includes the heart. It is always recommended that you speak with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Your doctor can not only give you permission but can suggest the best exercises for your health needs. Walking is beneficial. I like to walk. I haven’t moved up to running yet. Working in the garden can be healthy. I love to bike. There is also skating, rollerblading, sports games like volleyball, soccer, flag football, basketball, or even mountain climbing. (I have great memories climbing Pinnacle Mountain in Arkansas). Then there’s the tried and true gym (calendar regular gym times and keep the appointments). Some gyms have pools and swimming is a great form of exercise. If your gym doesn’t have a pool, you can look around for one that does and see if they offer guest memberships. Some have suggested taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work (something I often did). Walk to lunch instead of ride (if it is close by). Home gyms are sold in many retail outlets and come in varying sizes. You can get everything from the big all-in-one unit to individual weights and pull-up bars. The point is this: there is no excuse why we cannot exercise other than laziness and laziness can lead to other problems like heart disease, heart attacks, and weight problems.

Here are a few other suggestions for take care of our bodies: take regular baths and use deodorants, stop smoking, limit our intake of alcohol, and get plenty of rest. Brush your teeth daily—the recommendation is twice a day—and include the tongue. The biggest cause of teeth loss is gun disease which can be thwarted, for the most part by regular brushing. And last, but certainly not least, get regular physical exams—at least once a year—to ensure your health status. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard of people waiting to go to the doctor when they are not feeling well only to find out they have cancer and only a limited time to live. Many cancers are detectable in the earlier stages but are not detected because we do not want to go to the doctor. Take care of your body—it is the only one you’ll get. The condition of your body determines the condition of your life.

Good Stewards - Time

I thought I offer up some principles I intend to implement this new year. I call them principles not resolutions. They are not resolutions because resolutions are things people resolve to do at the beginning of the year that do not last to the end of the year. This is mainly because their resolutions are goals; goals with no plan of how they will be achieved. This is why I offer principles. Principles are lifestyle standards not goals. Standards will lead to change where goals will not, at least not without a plan of achieving them.

            There are three principles I wish to offer up. These principles will not cover every part of our lives nor are they intended to. As I implement new principles, I will share them. The wonderful thing about principles is that they do not need to be implemented only around the start of a new year. These principles I wish to share will revolve around stewardship. We are to be good steward (managers, caretakers) of our time, bodies, and our resources.

Time

Time is precious. Time is money. Time is non-replenishable. It is a commodity that once spent cannot be re-earned. Therefore, it is important that we make the most of the time we have. Each of us is given the same 24 hours in a day. Some use that time wisely while others waste it away. Just remember: our future destiny is determined by what we do today—how wisely we use that time.

            Therefore, I intend to use my time wisely. I plan to invest it in the Kingdom of God through regular prayer and study of the Word. I will work at a job that is fulfilling and rewarding. I will spend meaningful time with my family. As I once heard someone say, “You’ll never hear anyone say at the end of their life, ‘I wish I’d spent more time at the office’.”  One way we can ensure our time is well-spent is to keep a calendar of our activities. In doing so, we will see how our time is used and abused. We can also use a calendar (electronic or paper) to plan out our days. Calendar our prayer time and Bible-study times. As my wife and I do, schedule weekly date nights or family game nights. Do not neglect those things which are important.

            One word of wisdom: being busy and being productive is not the same thing. The devil can keep us busy so we are not productive in the important things, particularly, in the things of God. We can be busy commuting from one place to another. That doesn’t make us productive especially if it takes away from time that could be spent with the Lord or with family. If we cannot get around the commute, that may mean we have to rise earlier or go to bed later but we cannot neglect our time with the Lord. If we are faithful to Him, He will be faithful to us. Maybe He will make it possible for a shorter commute. We can be busy watching television but is that productive? Is the program educational? Is it spirit-building? We can be busy on the computer playing video games or surfing the web but that doesn’t make it productive. There is nothing wrong with spending time in this manner so long as the important things do not go neglected.

            It is just like parents tell their children: homework before television. Before I turn on the so-called, ‘idiot box’, I am going to make sure that I have spent some time with my wife and some time with the Lord and in His Word. Then, there will be time for other activities. If we put them first, we’ll find that there’s rarely any time left for God. Like our tithes, we are to give God the firstfruit not the leftovers.

The Great Falling Away: The Apostasy of the Church

          One of the lessons we can learn from the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation is that the church has cycles (or a cycle). Much like any organization, there is growth, a plateau, then a decline. After the decline there can be a rebound, another incline, or death. The church will not die. History has taught us that and Jesus has promised it. Yet, the church does have a cycle that it seems to follow.

            In the beginning, when the people first come to Christ, they are on fire for Him. They worship in spirit and truth. They serve. They give generously. Then the fire starts to cool. Worldly cares seep in. People don’t read their Bibles like they once did. People don’t pray like they once did. People don’t attend church like they once did. Preachers don’t preach like they used to. Preachers and teachers don’t prepare like they used to. As Jesus said, they will have left their first love. Eventually, in the life of the believer, as in the life of the church itself, worship goes from relationship to ritual.

            It is no longer about Christ. It becomes more about the process than the Person. People just go through the motions. The come; they read; they pray; they give; they leave but no real change has taken place. They had no real encounter with the Savior. They received no fuel to carry them throughout the week. Like a charcoal removed from the fire, they all soon grow cold. Now, they no longer have a faith, they have a religion.

            I believe every church started out on fire for God. I believe this is true of the Catholics, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, the Baptist. But over time, their love for the Lord has started to grow cold. Their devotion, our devotion, is moving from relationship to ritual. Once we move in this direction, it won’t be long before the church is compromising with the world—embracing ecumenism in the name of peace.

            In several of Paul’s letters, he speaks of the falling away or the apostasy of the church. In 1 Timothy he wrote that people would ‘depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons’. In 2 Timothy he wrote that the time is coming when people would no longer tolerate sound doctrine but will acquire for themselves teachers that teach things that appease the flesh. In 2 Thessalonians he wrote that the falling away would precede the Rapture of the Church.

            What is the ‘falling away’ that Paul refers to? As one preacher once said, I don’t believe that it is some mass exodus from the church and that Jesus has to come back or there would be no Church for Him to come back for. Instead, I believe the falling away is encompassed in the words of Paul.

            First, there would be a drop in church attendance. It is no secret that church attendance is on the decline. Many churches have more empty pews now than they had in the past. This is likely due to several factors. Parents stopped teaching their children the fear of the Lord. When these children grew up, church was not on their radar. Another reason is that people are too busy with the cares of the world. Many people work on Sunday because businesses are open 7 days a week. People also use Sunday as a day of rest and Saturday (the Biblical day of rest) as pleasure day. Society frowns on church and religion. It is mocked in the media. It is satire on television. It is outlawed in schools and public buildings. Of course, the biggest reason is sin. Sin draws people from God not to Him. And since sin is so prevalent and even welcomed in today’s society, church attendance suffers.

            Second, people will depart from the faith. It is not that they stopped attending church. It’s just that they attend churches that don’t preach sin and repentance, hellfire and brimstone. Instead, these churches preach a social gospel—an I’m-OK-you’re-OK gospel. In this gospel, people don’t sin, they err. Yet, even without Christ, they can still live their best life yet. Regardless as to whether they are a Christian or not, everyday can still be a Friday. Others preach a prosperity gospel—a name-it-and-claim-it, call-it-and-haul-it gospel. Preachers in this gospel say all you have to do is lay your hands on it and claim it in the name of Jesus. God told Joshua that anyplace your feet trod I will give to you. Therefore, if you want a piece of land, walk its distance and claim God’s promise in the name of Jesus. If you want God’s best for your life, all you have to do is plant this faith seed and God will send you a harvest. As I said in my first book, God cannot be bribed!

            Finally, mainstream religions will depart from the fundamentals of the faith. Pastors (and deacons) are committing all sorts of immoral acts and the churches (congregations) are not holding them accountable. Instead, they are standing by their pastor or priest. There are Christian denominations that actually question the infallibility (without error) of God’s Word. There are Christian faiths that actually question the deity of Christ—who actually do not believe that Christ was God. Now there are Christian denominations that are ordaining homosexual ministers—people who are living in open defiance to God’s command. First of all, God called homosexuality a sin, not me. (Lev. 20:13, Romans 1:26-27) Second, God, through Paul, told Christians to avoid people who ‘have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5). Third, Paul said that all homosexuals will have their part in the Lake of Fire (1 Cor. 6:9). Not only are they ordaining homosexuals, some are even performing civil unions for them!

            In these last days, the apostasy is only going to grow. This is why it will be easier for the antichrist to come into power. What “Christians” are left behind will be so ignorant of the Word that they won’t recognize him until it is too late. On the other hand, the Bible encourages us to stay read up and prayed up. We are to work out our own soul salvation. We are to make our call and election sure. In other words, we are to stay on the straight and narrow and not to stray from God Word. We are to read it, learn it, and hide it in our hearts. We are to cling to it and stick with it no matter what the world or the church does. God’s Word is the only thing that will last. Jesus is not coming back for a congregation. He is coming back for a Bride who has made herself ready and who has remained faithful to Him.

Death Does not Have to be Permanent

Death does not have to be permanent? I’m sure you thought that all deaths were permanent; however, the Bible teaches us that not all deaths are permanent. What do I mean by this? To understand this truth, let’s first look at what death really is.

            When we think of death, we think of funerals and burials (or cremations). We remember the loss of life, the empty void, the heartbreak. We see death as the end of life, but God sees death differently. Biblically speaking, death simply means, “separation.” We are spirits with a soul. As spirits, we are eternal. We will live forever. How do I know this? Genesis 1:26 reads, “Let us make man in Our image and after Our likeness.” In John 4, Jesus said God is spirit. So we are made in God’s image (spiritual) and after His likeness (Trinitarian). The Godhead is made up of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are soul, body, and spirit. When we die, our body simply ceases functioning. Since our body is what anchors our soul to this planet, when our bodies cease, our spirits are free to leave the physical realm. We are then separated from those who are still here.

            When God told Adam that when he ate of the tree he would die, He meant that Adam’s disobedience would separate him from God. This is illustrated by God asking, “Adam, where are you?” It wasn’t that God didn’t know where Adam was but to show a change in their relationship. This is again illustrated when Jesus was on the cross. When God placed upon Him the sins of us all, Jesus was separated from God for the first time in eternity. In this separation, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Since Adam sinned, each soul (being) born after him, was born spiritually dead. We were separated from the presence and the knowledge of God. This is why many people don’t know God, and even some deny His existence.

            So, what happens when a person dies? When a person dies in Christ (having trusted Christ as their Lord and Savior), their spirit/soul goes to Paradise to be with the Lord. (Absent from the body, present with the Lord—2 Cor. 5:8). When a person dies apart from Christ, their soul goes to Hell, a place prepared for those who rebel against Him and His will. Why do unsaved people go to Hell when they die? Hell is a place God created for the devil and his angels, the first rebel. It is a place that is separated from His presence and His holiness. This truth is the same for the Lake of Fire, the final destination of the unsaved (those who reject God’s gift of salvation). The Lake of Fire is called the second death, the second separation.

            We are eternal beings. This is evidenced in the Bible. Elijah raised the widow’s son. Saul used a medium to call up Samuel’s spirit. Jesus spoke of Lazarus and the rich man. Jesus raised the centurion’s daughter. Jesus raised Lazarus. Jesus, Himself, was raised from the dead. There is also evidence from non-biblical sources. There are many news accounts and reports of people who have died and come back from the dead.

            Here are a few sites:

            http://www.near-death.com/

            http://www.mindspring.com/~scottr/nde/_accounts.html

            http://bibleprobe.com/nde.htm

            What’s the conclusion of the matter? If we come to Christ, ask Him to forgive our sins, and put our trust in Him as the One who paid the penalty for our sins, we will be saved. We will have life because He will come to live in us. We also have the hope of glory. We will be see our Savior. We will see God. We will be reunited with other loved ones who died in Christ. We may be separated for a time. It may seem like we have lost them as we see them lying in the coffin, but Jesus assures us that all His people will be together again (Matthew 25: 34, John 11:25, Hebrews 11:39-40)

Therefore, death does not have to be permanent.

Here are some books on Near-Death Experiences:

The Encounter--A Movie Review

Cast: Bruce Marchiano, Jaci Valesquez, Steve “Sting” Borden, Danah Davis, Madison Gibney, and Jamie Nieto.

Directed by: David A. R. White (who makes a cameo at the end of the movie)

Plot: Five people meet at a mysterious diner in the middle of nowhere. While there, they meet someone who could change their lives forever.

Review: The Encounter is reminiscent of the Christian film, Late One Night. In that movie, three friends meet at a diner where they meet a Christian of whom they make fun. In this move, five people, some who have no previous relationship, are traveling down a dark road on a stormy night when they encounter a sinister State Trooper who informs them that the road is closed. Having passed a diner, they turn around and go back to the diner to wait out the storm. From here, the drama begins to play out.

            They encounter a person who claims to be Jesus, who somehow knows everything there is about each person. This is lucky for them because each one has a problem that only Jesus could help them with—if only they let him. Each person has some hard decisions to make and some make the wrong one.

            The plot is probably not original. After all, before it was the movie, “The Perfect Stranger,” which was based on the book, Dinner with a Perfect Stranger. Yet, I thought Bruce Marchiano was a convincing ‘Jesus’ and Kass Connors was eerie as the devil (Officer Deville). Steve Borden represents those people who don’t think they need Jesus.

            I recommend this movie to anyone who is Christian or curious about what Christianity is all about. It is available for instant streaming on Netflix and for free viewing on YouTube. Four out of five stars.

How to Handle Irate Customers

If you have ever worked in a position that has any degree of customer interaction, then you likely have had to deal with irate customers. There are a number of reasons customer are irate. They range from misunderstandings about their agreement with your company to displeasure with your product or service to anger over personal issues. This hub will provide some strategies to handling irate customer and even salvage the relationship. Though this hub deals primarily with handling customer complaints, it can also be used to resolve conflicts in many areas of life.

Remain calm and don’t take it personally.

The first tendency of a person who is dealing with an irate person is to take it personally and start matching the tones and words of the irate person. We see their verbal assault as an attack upon our person when, in reality, they are attacking the company for which we work. Therefore, the first strategy in dealing with irate people is to not take it personally and to remain calm in the situation. If you keep your voice low and steady, then eventually the irate person will lower theirs, too. On the other hand, if you attempt to raise your voice to match theirs, it will only add fuel to the fire and they will either raise their voice louder or become more irate, as they will see it as an attack on them. Remember, they are already upset with your company. Yelling at them or calling them names will only escalate the situation.

Summarize their complaint.

Once you’ve gain an understanding of their complaint, summarize it to them to ensure you are correct in your assessment. If you do not understand their complaint, ask probing questions to clarify any unclear issues. By repeating their complaint back to them, you show that you heard them and understood them. This can go a long way toward calming the customer because one issue customers have with companies is that they do not feel that they are being heard by the company. It can also help save you time trying to resolve the wrong issue because you misunderstood the customer’s concern.

Empathize with the customer.

In his book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” Dale Carnegie advises his readers to put themselves in the shoes (place or mindset) of the other person with whom they are in conflict. See it from their perspective. Not only can this help calm the irate customer, but it can also go a long way towards resolving the issue. Say to them, “Mr./Ms. Customer, I understand why you feel like you do and, in your situation, I would feel the same way.” Perhaps, it is our view or reasoning that is flawed. We cannot assume that we are always correct. In some cases, the other person may actually be right.

Own the encounter.

One thing call center managers teach their employees is to own the call. When a customer calls with an issue or a complaint, it is the responsibility of the one who answers the call to resolve it, as much as it is within their ability. Whether the confrontation is on the phone or in person, if you are the person taking the complaint, you should be the one to resolve it. If you need to get further authorization or coordinate with another department, you should do so and not just transfer the customer. One thing an irate customer hates is for someone to pass the buck. Who likes being transferred from one department to another with each department saying, “We don’t do that here. I don’t know why they transferred you to us. Let me send you to…” Instead, own the encounter. Get the issue resolved.

            There are times when you have to escalate the call to management or to another department because company rules demand it or the customer demands it. If that happens, do so. Explain to the customer what you are doing. If possible, do a warm transfer. That means, when you call up the department or supervisor, explain to them the customer’s issue and, if possible, introduce the customer to the person who will be taking over the call. Say to the customer, “Mr./Ms. Customer, (person’s name) is on the line and they will continue to assist you from here.”

End the call/encounter on a positive note.

If you cannot resolve it while they are on the phone (on during the visit), let them know, tell them what the next steps are, and set up a time to get back with them.  There may be something that the customer needs to do. If so, summarize it and make sure they understand their role in resolving their issue. If you are unable to resolve the issue by the time you are supposed to get back with them, still call them and let them know of what progress you’ve made and what you are still waiting on for the issue to be resolved. Try to set up a new deadline to get back with them.  If you do this, this will help the customer to see that the company is interested in them and their concern. It also can restore a favorable impression of the company with the customer.

As an agent of the company, you are part of that company. Therefore, when you are conversing with an irate customer, don’t take sides with the customer against the company. Don’t blame other departments for errors. Don’t say things like: “They’re always messing up and doing things like that” or “They’re just so slow over there.” Instead, say something like, “I’m sorry about the error. We will look into that and get it corrected as soon as possible. We appreciate your business and your patience in this matter.” Remember, you are all in it together.

People who interact with customers, either on the phone or in person, are the face of the company. Therefore, they are going to be the ones who are the targets of people’s ire. Don’t take it personally. Don’t argue with customers. Don’t insult customers. Instead, listen to their complaints. Repeat them back to the customer. Empathize with them and offer to help. Resolve the issue even if this means getting others involved. Being the face of the company not only means that you are the target of attacks but it also means that you are the one who can influence a person’s impression of the company—whether that impression is positive or negative. Your actions or inactions can sway whether the customer comes back or not.

How Anyone Can Sell Just about Anything

In my extensive career history, selling was one of the hardest positions I’ve had. Perhaps, it was because of my mindset. I’ve always seen selling as trying to convince people to give up their money when in reality it is trying to show people how your products and services can help make their lives better. I also believe selling was hard for me because by nature I am an introvert and the best sellers are usually extroverts. Yet, in my experience, there are many skills I’ve learned that can make nearly anyone a successful salesperson.

            There are hundreds of books on the market that tell you how to sell or how to become a top seller. Yet, I believe that all those books which detail the secrets of successful selling can be summed up with these four tips. If you follow them, you too should be able to sell just about anything to just about anyone.

Tip #1—Know your product or service.

If you are going to sell anything, the first thing you need to know is the product or service. Learn everything you can about the product or service. Read the tech specs, read the marketing brochures, even talk to the designers or the product or the performers of the service, if possible. You do this for two reasons. First, you appear knowledgeable to the prospective customer and they feel more comfortable buying from you. The next reason we will discuss later.

            When I worked at Dell Computers, I needed to know all about the computers, both desktops and laptops. I needed to know how many Gigabytes the hard drives held. I need to know what memory was. I needed to know about the different sales packages. When I worked at Conn’s Appliances and Electronics, I needed to know what the difference between HD and LCD was. I needed to know how LCD TV differed from other flat panel TVs.

Tip #2—Know your customer.

Why do we need to know our customers? It is because we need to know them so that we can best present to them our product or service. Based on the product or service you’re selling, you will need to know your customer’s name, address, living conditions, neighborhood, age of house, and his or her perceived needs. This is just some of the things you need to learn. These demographics are what help marketers decide whom to target their product or service. After all, if the person doesn’t need what you’re selling, then you’re wasting your time approaching them.

            Salespeople are taught to know their customers. By knowing your customer, you can ascertain their needs. There are many ways to do this but there are only two main ways I know. I got to know my customers by:

·         Establishing rapport. What does it mean to establish rapport? Webster’s Dictionary defines rapport as “relation marked by harmony, conformity, accord, or affinity.” Establishing rapport means relating to your customer. It is getting to know your customer and establishing a relationship with him or her. Emphasize things you have in common—family, work history, hobbies, etc. People are more likely to buy from someone they like and feel connected to than from a stranger. Rapport brings trust.

·         Ask probing questions. If you work in a store, ask your customer, “What brings you in today?” When I worked at Dell, we would answer the phone by saying, “Thanks for calling Dell. What can I build for you today?” these questions are designed to find out what the customer’s perceived needs are so you can narrow your focus of inquiry. You may get everything from “were just looking” to an actual answer. If you get the ‘were just looking’ answer, you could ask, “Is there anything in particular you would like to see?” From that you can assess what it is they are likely shopping for.

Tip #3—Match your product or service to the needs of your customer.

The second reason why you need to know all aspects of your product or service is so you can better promote it to your customer. Through your knowledge, you can highlight the aspects of your product or service that match the real or perceived needs of your customer. Enthusiastically and knowledgeably explain to your customer how your product can benefit them. One thing I did at Conn’s when I was selling HDTVs was emphasize the clarity of the picture. I would explain to them how looking at an HD TV essentially “puts you in the show. It’s as clear as if you were there!” What perceived need does this meet? People want a television with a picture that is clear and allows them to see every minute detail. This is especially true of those who love sports, cooking, even decorating.

Matching the benefits of your product or service to the needs of your customer is true regardless of what you’re selling. Even when selling yourself to a prospective employer, it is important that you know your strengths and weaknesses, as well as know the company you’re applying to and its needs. The question a potential customer or employer is secretly asking is this, “How will your product or service meet my needs?” (In the case of employment, you are the product.) You can gain the sale or the job if you can answer this question knowledgeably and convincingly.

Tip #4—Ask for the sale.

This is the main mistake most salespeople make. They follow all the above tips but fail to ask the customer for the sale. They let the customer walk away. If you are going to be bold enough to build rapport, talk up the product, you should reward your hard work by asking for the sale. “So, can I set up delivery for today?” “Will you be looking to pay cash or charge? We have in-store financing.” 

If I were to give a tip #5, it would be to be persistent. Sales managers says you will get a dozen ‘no’s’ before you get one ‘yes’. The problem I believe some salespeople have is that they quit too soon. They either let the customer get away without following the above steps or they quit after getting a few no’s. Any job requires persistence and patience, especially if you are working in the area of customer service.

Another piece of advice I would give is continue your education. This does not necessarily mean going back to school, but don’t stop learning. Read books on selling, learn more about your industry and the products you’re selling, know your competition, and discover future trends. If you follow these tips and don’t give us too quickly, you, too, should become one of the top sellers in your company, maybe even your field.