Wasted Failures

There are going to be times in life when you fail. It is a given. No one is perfect and does everything just right all of the time. Most sensible people will agree to the above statements.

Failure is not fun. I am one that does not like to come up short or lose. I do not like the fact that there are times that I will fail. But they are going to happen.

One thing that I’ve learned from this frequent appearance of failure is that with each failure comes another option: Will you allow the failure to be used as it is intended, or will the failure be wasted?

In the Old Testament, there is an interesting account of failure. It comes in the book of Joshua chapter 9. Joshua was to lead the Israelites in the taking of the Promised Land. Up to this point, Israel had experienced a great deal of success. This all changes in Joshua 9.

In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites devised a plan to deceive the Israelites. The point of failure came when the Israelites decided not to do the single thing that had brought them victory up to this point: inquire what the truth is from the LORD. Because they did not choose to seek the LORD on this action, they were tricked and would experience a thorn in their side for some time to come.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 CSB

It is not fun when you experience failure. There is a temptation to just throw in the towel and give up completely. For some people, they have allowed one failure to define them. They feel that they can never be anything more than a failure, but that could not be further from the truth.

If you look further in the book of Joshua to the end of chapter 11, you will see that Joshua was not going to be one of those persons. Though Joshua experienced a great failure at one point, he did not allow that failure to become his identity. He allowed this failure to point him back to the place that he should be — seeking the LORD and not depending on his own flawed senses.

Just because you may encounter failures in life and drop the ball at times, you do not have to quit. Those failures are to serve as reminders that we don’t have all the answers in ourselves. They are allowed to come into our lives to point us to the One that does — Jesus Christ. Will you waste your failures?

Read More

Honest Scales

Last night, my oldest son got his first real taste of “homer umpires” in his baseball game in a nearby town.  I’m sure that if you have been in the baseball scene for a fair amount of time, you have gotten a taste as well.  It is never a good thing when you see the umpires favoring one side over the other.  The children that are learning and enjoying the game are the main ones who get hurt.

As I was thinking this over and it took me down another rail of the thought train.  It is one thing to experience dishonest scales on the ballfields, but it is a whole other thing to experience it in other parts of life.  One area that should never have dishonest scales is the church.

The church is to be a place where honesty and truth are at the forefront.  Proverbs 11:1 tells us that “dishonest scales are detestable to the LORD, but an accurate weight is his delight” (CSB).

In the church, there are many different things that are dealt with.  One of the greatest ministries of the church is dealing with people and their issues.  Because of this, it is important that the church have honest scales when dealing with issues of people of all kinds.  It is easy and tempting to use one set of scales for those who are “outside” the walls and another set for those that are “inside.”  Sometimes there are different scales that are used even between different groups inside the church.  This should not be.

The church of Jesus Christ has been a champion of absolute truth.  There is a truth that is relevant and applicable to all people in all places at all times.  This truth is what is given to us in the Bible.  While one cannot expect unbelievers to act like believers in this life, yet there are still some truths that apply to each across the board.

It may be easier to just let certain things go with some people because “that’s just the way they are” or because “they have been a part of this for so long” or “they hold this position/weight in the church/community.”  This is no reason to use dishonest scales.  When we do give in to that temptation, the cause of Christ is harmed, and the people suffer greatly.

May we be careful to have honest scales in our dealings.  If Christ uses honest scales with each of us no matter what we come to Him with, then we – as followers of Christ – should also use honest scales.  It may not be easier… it may not be what people necessarily want, but it is most definitely what we need.

Read More

Detestable Prayers

I came across a Bible verse the other day that really hit me hard in the gut.  Have you ever had that happen?  Ever had a Bible verse that you know that you have read over many times before, but all of the sudden… BAM! Right in the gut.  That was me.

God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. (Proverbs 28:9 NLT)

When I read that, I was like, “Did I read that correctly?  Maybe it is a translation issue…”  So I checked out other trusted translations…

He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination. (NASB)

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. (ESV)

Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law – even his prayer is detestable. (HCSB)

It did not take long to realize that there was no issue with translation.  The Word said what it meant. There is such a thing as detestable prayers.

It is hard to imagine that God’s stomach might turn at that some prayers that are offered, but that is exactly what that verse is saying. It is in those times – the ones where what you read cannot be right in your mind – that you begin to put it to the context test. How does this verse measure up with the rest of Scripture? When you do that and remove your thoughts from the equation, it is easy to see why this verse is here.

Proverbs 28:9 says that these detestable prayers are offered by those who have ignored God’s laws. These are those who have already heard from God but chosen to ignore what He has said. How many times do we hear/read God’s truth from His word and choose to ignore it? When we do that and then come to God expecting Him to answer our prayers as we wish, we play God for a fool.

I do not like it when people ask me for advice and refuse to do anything I advise. When that person comes again needing some advice, what do you think is going through my head? Could it be that God goes through the same thing when people come to Him to bail them out or help them but have refused to do ANYTHING that God has previously commanded?

I believe that God hears our prayers. It is not a question of ability. But do our prayers bring detest or delight?  The answer to that question is determined by what we have done with what God has already given us. It could be that before God answers our prayers, He needs to get us into position for the answer. That position comes from obedience to what God has commanded prior to the request.

There have been many false teachers that have come on the scene using verses like “But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7 NLT) to float the thought that one can make God do what they want. This makes no logical sense whatsoever to me. Who do we think that we are talking to when we pray? If we are praying to the God of the Bible, then maybe we should revisit Revelation 1:12-18to get a glimpse of exactly who we are praying to. He is the living God of the universe and answers to NO ONE!

If you look carefully at John 15:7, you will notice that there is a similarity with Proverbs 28:9. Both passages talk about the importance of obeying what God has already said in reference to what we would like those Him do in the future. If we want to see God do even greater things in our lives, we need to make sure that we are already doing what He has shared with us.

Are the prayers that you are praying today detestable or delightful to God? 

Read More

A Godly Wife

A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 18:22 HCSB)

When a man is able to find a godly woman who will walk beside him and encourage him, his has most definitely found a "good thing." As Fred Luter (current president of the Southern Baptist Convention) would say, "she's the prime rib!"
I do have to boast a little. I caught me a good one back in 2004. No, she's not perfect. There are days that we don't see eye-to-eye. There are days when we have "intense fellowship," but there are some key things about her that I am truly grateful for.

Her relationship with Christ. Most every morning even with a day full of need-to-do's, you will find her in the Word. When she don't get this time with Jesus first thing in the morning, you better believe she's going to be asking for it soon.

Her love for our children. This was one of the reasons I chose Naomi. She has a mother quality about her that just shines. You don't mess with this momma's babies. She looks out for their interest like no one else.

Her integrity. She truly is the same all the time no matter who's around. What you see out there is what you see behind the closed doors of our house. She will tell you what she thinks in a heartbeat.

There are times that I am reminded of the "prime rib" that God sent my way in Naomi. Today was one of those days.

Read More

9 Years

It was somewhat rainy day nine years ago in north Alabama. The weather was the kind that would make you just want to stay inside. But there was nothing that would keep me from getting out of the house that day and taking care of business.

This day nine years ago was a special day. It was a day that I will always remember. It was the day that I married the love of my life, Naomi.

The past nine years have been an amazing and never-dull journey. I am very thankful for the bride that God has given to me to share the journey with. As the Bible says, "A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD." (Proverbs 18:22 HCSB)

Here's to you, "Good Thang!" May God bless us with many more years together on this journey.

Read More

I'm Thankful: Part 6

I decided to change the title of this series since I've had to skip a few days. Sometimes other things are just more important than a blog.

This segment of thanksgiving is set aside to recognize good friends. I don't know about you, but true good friends have not been so frequent through my adult years. There have been many that I have shared good times with. Those that I can say are those lifelong, "best" friends have been more scarce.



I can say that though they have been few, the "best friends" that I have been blessed with are near and dear to me. They are ones that have a passion and understanding of the Christian faith, and they push me on closer to Christ. For those who God has blessed me with true friendships, I am truly thankful.

A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a difficult time. (Proverbs 17:17 HCSB)

Read More

More Than Meets The Eye

Read Genesis 13

In this passage of Scripture, Abram sets out on the journey that God had called him to. He was to go to a place that the Lord would show him. No more details given.

A problem arises between Abram's and Lot's helpers. The land isn't able to support both of them together in one spot. They're going to have to split ways.

Abram leaves the choice up to Lot. Lot chooses the land that looks good. As verse 13 breaks the mold on Sodom and Gomorrah, we are told that these were cities filled with sin.

Just because the cover of the book looks good doesn't mean that the contents are worth the price needed to pay. Often the price that you end up paying far exceeds the price on the sticker.

May we share the wisdom of Abram as he was willing to wait upon the Lord for direction. He was very aware of the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:6...

think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.

What is there in your life that may be more than meets the eye?

Read More

Heart Faith, Not Head Knowledge

In my time of being in ministry and sharing the Word of God with people, I have often shared with others about the need to have a heart faith and not just a head knowledge of Jesus Christ.  I have used this in different passages, but the other day one hit me between the eyes with this truth in a clear and obvious way.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths.
~ Proverbs 3:5-6  (HCSB)

How much clearer does God have to be with us?  It is easy to have a faith that resides only in our heads.  This is the kind of faith that says, "I like Jesus and am appreciative for rescuing me from hell, but He really isn't that concerned about having a leading role in my everyday life."  Head knowledge can answer all the questions with the right words, but the words have no true place in the heart of the person.

If a person has a heart faith it will affect each and every aspect of that person's life.  As an old saying goes, "If Jesus isn't Lord of all, He ain't Lord at all."  The person with a heart faith in Jesus will not have to explain that they are a follower of Jesus Christ because their lifestyle will show it.  This doesn't exempt them from sharing their faith with others, but it definitely makes it more easier in sharing because there is already an interest from others in what's the difference with this person and your "average Joe".

Read More

A Needed Friend

This week has been one crazy week.  It seems like so many things have happened this week that it feels more like a month has elapsed.  One key moment of my week took place on Wednesday.  I had lunch with a man who is a part of our local fellowship of believers.  He is one who has committed to come alongside me and truly serve as a deacon.  He proved to be much more than that on Wednesday.  As we were eating lunch and talking, he pushed me because he "saw something was bothering me."  I told him that the only thing that might be bothering me was the situation with our unsold house in south Alabama.  The conversation went on and on... and I began to realize that I had been stuffing many emotions and other things under the carpet of my life.  This time with this good friend helped to drag all that garbage out and deal with some things that I hadn't previously noticed.  To my friend, I am truly grateful. 

Since this meeting, it has been on my mind just how much we truly need other godly people in our lives.  We have been created to live in community with 1) God through His Son, Jesus Christ, and 2) other people.  As one in full-time ministry, I have to fight the urge to wear the appearance that "everything's cool."  As God has reminded me this week, it is vitally important that we have someone in our lives that's also walking with the Lord who can help us see what we can't.

Wounds from a sincere friend
are better than many kisses from an enemy.
~ Proverbs 27:6 NLT

Read More