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When I was in elementary school my teacher told me that Elvis Presley had his own plane and that, sometimes, he would use it to go to another state just to get jelly donuts. I had no idea what this was or what it took to have this type of life, but I knew from that point on that I wanted that kind of freedom.
I remember growing up as a kid, going to visit all of these million-dollar homes and customizing my own mansion in my heart. I could see it — A mansion on the beach with a new sportscar parked in the circular driveway. I knew that it would take serious hard work and dedication to acquire these things and I was willing to put the work in.
As I got older, I started to hear that not only was it possible for me to have everything I wanted, but that God wanted me to enjoy these things, too. On top of my own personal desires, I started to believe that God had those same desires for my life, as well.
Sadly, the Gospel message that is being preached today has little to do with Jesus and a lot to do with ourselves. Isn’t it interesting that us, Christians, are so quick to label everyone as a Christian, without knowing the church someone attends or anything about their prayer life? Isn’t it interesting that Christians are quick to stand with anyone without even knowing if they were ever baptized?
"31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples." - John 8:31 AMPC
The sad reality is that Donald Trump represents the desires of the heart of the American church — A whole lot of money, a whole lot of success, and a little bit of God.
"3 For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, 4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions." - 2 Timothy 4:3-4 AMPC
Isn’t it interesting that we compare Jesus to some of the world leaders of today? When in reality, Jesus is nothing like them. He humbled Himself to the point of owning nothing, but sharing everything. The message that Jesus preached to those who had a lot was to give up everything to the poor and that searching for comfort in this life could possibly lead us to being uncomfortable for eternity.
"24 But woe to (alas for) you who are rich (abounding in material resources), for you already are receiving your consolation (the solace and sense of strengthening and cheer that come from prosperity) and have taken and enjoyed your comfort in full [having nothing left to be awarded you]." - Luke 6:24 AMPC
Jesus was rejected by the Pharisees because He didn’t fit the version of God that they had made up in their minds. Maybe the reason someone is accepted by religious leaders today is because the opposite is true.
Most Christians have no complaints about the lack of evidence of Christ in a person’s life because Jesus can’t be detected in theirs, either. Now we have to ask ourselves, would God, the Creator of the Universe, tell hundreds of thousands of people to vote for someone who is nothing like His Son?
"Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah)." - 1 Corinthians 11:1 AMPC
In the Bible, we see a moment where Peter allowed his flesh to take over, and he asked Jesus not to get on the Cross. The response of Jesus was, "Get behind me Satan". Anyone who is not led by the spirit of God is led by their flesh (satan). We must take a closer look at our leaders to see who is actually leading them.
"23 But Jesus turned away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offence and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men." - Matthew 16:23 AMPC
The sad reality is that the Body of Christ has become so ineffective that we are relying on people who identify with all religions to re-establish the foundation of the Church.
"34 Salt is good [an excellent thing], but if salt has lost its strength and has become saltless (insipid, flat), how shall its saltness be restored? 35 It is fit neither for the land nor for the manure heap; men throw it away. He who has ears to hear, let him listen and consider and comprehend by hearing!" - Luke 14:34-35 AMPC
At what point will we rely on the boldness of our faith to influence the culture around us? Or have we become so identical to the world that no one is capable of spotting the difference?
"2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]." - Romans 12:2 AMPC
Question of the Day: Is it possible to love Jesus and also publicly support someone who is nothing like Him?