On the Love of God (3-part podcast series)

For Part 1: Death, Life, Angels, Rulers, click here. (1:11)

For Part 2: Things Present, Things to Come, Powers, Height, click here. (1:22)

For Depth, Anything Else in All Creation, click here. (0:59)

PART 1

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39; ESV)

For I am sure that...

Neither death: That moment when our body ceases to function we go to Jesus ~ to absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Nor life: Sometimes it's harder to live than it is to die.

Nor angels: There has been an increased outpouring of the demonic in our day.

Nor rulers: There is a darkness that has come upon the world, but we overcome him (the devil) because of the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, and we love not our life even unto death! (Rev 12:11)

PART 2

Nor things present: What are you facing today? Don't you forget -> Jesus is with you!

Nor things to come: We can be so bound to the "What if's?" Isn't it true? What if this happens? Or what if that happens? And we're consumed by the future ~ which God has promised to work all things together for our good. (Romans 8:28) Leave the future to Him. He's gotten you this far. He's not gonna abandon you now.

Nor powers: We are a weak people. We must needs become weaker still! For when we are weak, that's when we're strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Nor height: Did you watch the Felix Baumgartner jump from space at ~ what was it? ~ 90,000 plus feet. And when he stepped off that platform and he began spinning out of control he didn't know what to do. But you know what? He couldn't do anything, but Jesus was there with him. It was Jesus that helped him to a safe landing.

PART 3

Nor depth: I'm glad this one is saved towards the end. We can get so low sometimes. And what do we discover in that lowest place? Jesus is there, too.

Nor anything else in all creation: That covers everything.

...will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39; ESV)

8 Tips to Help Your Blogging Blast Off [infographic]

(click image to enlarge, then in new browser tab or window click again)

8 Tips to Help Your Blogging Blast Off: 

1. Design impacting blog posts that someone can read in 60 seconds or less.

2. Use paragraph headlines on longer posts so a person can skip / scan to relevant info.

3. Tell stories from your personal life. Make a point.

4. Choose the perfect picture that goes along with your writing.

5. Don't let perfectionism paralyze you from publishing. Nobody's perfect.

6. Even the best bloggers run out of ideas. The difference? They don't quit.

7. Turn your blog post into a podcast, video, slideshow, infographic, etc. "Recycle" via other technologies.

8. Don't neglect social media platforms. Get your blog post in front of as many eyes as possible.

(Infographic courtesy of Sugar Pine Realty. To view the original, click here.)

Mixing Politics and Religion

"Give me liberty, or give me death."  ~Patrick Henry

(This is raw and from the heart.)

We're so stupid. (I'm just gonna be blunt.) We've been taught that politics and religion don't mix. (Even in the church.)

The fact is politics and religion cannot be separated. You can't have one without the other. The "check your politics or religion in at the door" is simply impossible to do. Where people are involved, it's always about politics and religion. (Do you remember the story of Daniel or Esther or Nehemiah?)

Human beings have always been a politicking people. Human beings have always been a religious people, too. (Even the atheists who worship at the altar of: "No god.")

The founding of our nation (America) was all about politics and religion. (It was!) Anybody that will tell you otherwise is speaking from his (or her) politics and religion.

America was built on the Judeo-Christian mindset. She was constructed on the foundation of a biblical worldview.

And you know what? There was just simply no possible way that an ill equipped and outgunned army of rag tag patriots could defeat a British war machine number one in its time without God (religion!) in their politics. (Study your history.)

It was because of God that this great nation, the United States of America, was born. Without Him, and without His principles guiding, there can be no chance for freedom. Not from Great Britain. And especially not from sin.

Freedom does not exist apart from Jesus Christ. (John 8:36)

So why is it that Christians check out of the political process? After all, we are the preserving agent in a fallen world. (It was Noah's and Lot's presence in their day that stayed God's wrath.)

The truth is a Christian is meant to be involved in politics. Especially in America.

And our "religion" is to inform our decisions. We speak out. And we vote on election day. We choose candidates that hold to a biblical worldview. A biblical worldview (for starters) is pro-life, pro-family, adheres to the Constitution, promotes liberty and justice for all, holds dear freedom of speech, freedom of religion, gun rights, etc.

And so no more being stupid. Politics and religion do mix!

And since they do, let's be the salt we were meant to be in this nation and world. (Matthew 5:13)

You might also be interested in:

• My Country, 'Tis of Thee (Birth of a Nation)
• Why My Pastor is Voting for Mitt Romney (and not Barack Obama)

The Single Key That Will Help You Interpret / Understand the Bible

When you get right down to it, the Bible really isn't that hard of a book to interpret. It really isn't.

Oh sure, there are certain passages that are difficult to grasp just as there in any other form of literature. But for the most part the main message of the Scriptures is quite clear. It's so clear that even a child can understand it. Jesus said so Himself. (Mark 10:15)

I mean, how hard is it really to comprehend?...

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

And then what about this one?...

[The person] who has the Son has the life; [the person] who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. (1 John 5:12)

Each of these two verses seem pretty clear to me. Don't they to you? If one believes in God's Son, he'll have eternal life. And if he doesn't believe in Him, then he won't have it. It's that simple. (I believe in Jesus so I'm going to heaven. I hope you would believe, too.)

Now it's safe to say that most people who'll wrangle with you over Bible interpretation ~ especially when it comes to things that are easily understood ~ most people will do it because deep down inside they really don't want to be held accountable to its message. And the only way they can justify themselves in taking that position is by somehow proving the Bible is flawed in one way or another. This type of person really isn't interested in knowing the Lord. If he was he would be more inclined to take the Scriptures at face value as they should be taken.

The Bible really isn't that hard of a book to interpret. Its essential message is easily interpreted / understood especially by those who are genuinely interested in God. (Jeremiah 29:13)

That's the key. :)

(To read: How Can a Particular Christian Denomination Be So Sure That Their Interpretation of the Bible is Accurate When So Many Other Denominations Have Contrary Interpretations?, click here.)

You might also be interested in:

• Was Jesus in the Grave Three Days and Three Nights or Not?
• What About Those Who've Never Heard the Gospel? Will God Condemn Them to Hell, Too?

How Can a Particular Christian Denomination Be So Sure That Their Interpretation of the Bible is Accurate When So Many Other Denominations Have Contrary Interpretations?

Before I answer this question I'd like to talk about the whole concept of preconceived notions. You know what those are, don't you?

Preconceived notions are opinions formed apart from the facts.

Like when a person decides before he meets another person that because he's of a different color he probably can't be trusted. That's a preconceived notion. That's an opinion formed apart from the facts.

Now you would agree with me (I think) that you can't really know whether a person can't be trusted before you meet him (or her) especially without evidence. And yet many people ~ including believers in Jesus Christ! ~ still will form opinions about others beforehand in this way.

Now I believe the question before us is one based in an opinion formed apart from the facts. And that opinion (preconceived notion) is this: Because there are so many denominations (different church groups, churches under the banner of Christianity) there must be just as many contrary interpretations of the Bible.

But that's simply not true.

And here's why.

When you get right down to where the rubber meets the road, the high percentage of Christian denominations really do agree on the same things. They really do hold to the same interpretation of the Scriptures.

I'm talking about "essentials" here. Not secondary issues. But the central ones. (To read Trap 3 That Christians Fall Into: Majoring on the Minors, click here.)

(These are the "essentials" of the Christian faith.) Like God becoming a man in Jesus Christ. Like Him being born of the Virgin Mary. And like Jesus living a sinless life.

"Scripture tells us ... that [Christ] 'knew no sin' (2 Corinthians 5:21); [Christ] 'did no sin' (1 Peter 2:22); [and] 'in [Christ] is no sin' (1 John 3:5)." (Matthew by Ironside, pg 33)

Most Christian denominations believe this. (And if they don't, they are not Christian.)

Most Christian denominations also believe that Jesus came into this world to give His life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45) That He suffered and died on a cross and that He rose again on the third day to secure man's salvation.

And finally, most denominations also believe that Christ will return again a second time to recompense the righteous as well as the wicked according to their deeds.

The high percentage of Christian denominations do agree on these essentials of the Christian faith.

So this preconceived notion that they don't and that they each have contrary Bible interpretations is just that ~ a preconceived notion.

(To read the follow up post: The Key to Interpreting / Understanding the Bible, click here.)

You might also be interested in:

• Was Jesus in the Grave Three Days and Three Nights or Not?
• What About Those Who've Never Heard the Gospel? Will God Condemn Them to Hell, Too?

The Day I Prayed for Somebody and She Got Healed

I was teaching a website class to real estate agents of our company. We were to meet in the Title Company's conference room. I arrived around noon to set up.

That's when it happened.

As I walked in, there was a panic in the building. (Huh?) One of the ladies was having massive chest pains. (I used to work with her.) She was saying it was her heart. (It was.) They had called 911. (The paramedics were on their way.)

That's when the building cleared. I mean, literally. The other gals that were there, for some reason, left. (Weird.) And I was alone with the woman.

That's when the Holy Spirit spoke to me, "Pray."

I thought, "But this is in public." (You think that way in such a moment. If you're human you do ~ and you admit you do.)

I thought again, "I don't care what anybody thinks. I'm doing it."

I spoke to the lady, "Do you mind if I pray for you?" She said she didn't mind.

And so I put my left hand on her shoulder. I prayed. I can't remember exactly what I said. But after I was done, I looked at her and said, "How are you doing?"

That's when it happened.

She looked at me (no lie) and said, "I'm starting to feel a little better."

I was just as surprised as she was. (You feel that way in such a moment. If you're human you do ~ and you admit you do.)

The paramedics finally arrived, but that didn't matter. She was all better. :)

You might also be interested in:

• Drug Bust
• How I Hear From God

Tipping Points, America, the Middle East and What the World is Really on the Brink Of

There is danger in the air. You can feel it. The world is at a tipping point: "the crisis stage in a process, when a significant change takes place."

So what could the significant change be?

Is it that America will be no more? Indeed, it seems the USA is in a downward spiral only made worse by corrupt politicians and their followers. Is that the significant change the world is on the brink of?

Or is it that the Middle East will completely explode into chaos? It's already there. The so-called "Arab spring" has really become an "Israeli winter" as more and more of the nations in that part of the world descend towards anarchy / evil religious rule and call for an end to the Jewish state. Is that the significant change the world is on the brink of?

My answer to each of these questions is: No and no. Neither of these are the "significant change" the world is on the brink of. It's much, MUCH bigger than that.

And it's not that America won't become a shell of what she once was or that the Iranians (and others) won't attack Israel.

But there's really something else that the world is on the brink of that I expect isn't at the top of many people's minds. (Matthew 25:1-13)

And I don't know exactly how we get here, but we do. (We really do!) What I'm talking about is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures ~ listen!! ~ He will stand again with His own two feet on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. (He really will!) (Zechariah 14:4)

This is the significant change the world is on the brink of.

Wow.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear." (Psalm 46:1-2a)

You might also be interested in:

• 2012, the Mayans, the Media and Collapse of the Planet
• Ignorance, Asteroids, a Great Earthquake and War in the Middle East

The Real Reason Why Some Christians Won't Vote for a Mormon (when they should)

(The "should" part in the title is if God is telling you to ~ not me.)

Here's the deal. There are Christians who will not vote, under any circumstances, for Mitt Romney for President. Their thinking? If they vote for a Mormon, then they are condoning, supporting Mormonism or worse ~ promoting, trumpeting it.

This simply doesn't make sense. (For a great article on it: Debunking the 'Can't Vote for Mormon' Belief, click here.)

These same Christians shop at stores and malls that have Mormons as clerks and managers. Is that condoning, supporting, promoting, trumpeting Mormonism? They go to sporting events with Mormons who play on their favorite teams. Their kids go to schools that, well maybe the particular teacher of little Johnny or sweet Suzy isn't a Mormon, but the receptionist is ~ and maybe even the Principal and the School Board is, too? I could go further and talk about your mail person (ours is female), your mechanic, the plumber, the interior decorator of your home, etc. And I guess I could put in just about any person and any person's religion as an example.

So if they're not a Christian, we should never vote for them? (Again, see the article link above.)

The fact is there are no perfect candidates. But there are some better than others (aside from their religion). Way better.

I am convinced that if America is lost, it will be in part because the Christians let her be lost. Don't let it be said!

You might also be interested in:

• 10 Mistakes People Make with Politics (plus 1 bonus)
• Why My Pastor is Voting for Mitt Romney (and not Barack Obama)

On the Devil, Photoshopping, False Prophets, Teachers and Shepherds

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

The devil is the "Photoshop" master. Do you know what I mean by Photoshop? It's that picture program that allows you to do things to pictures, add and subtract, etc, to make them look real when they are not.

At first look at the picture of the alligator and tourist boat, wow! Can you imagine having that happen? One minute you're minding your own business enjoying a lovely day on the river and the next minute you've got Jaws in a crocodile suit about to eat you!

And yet if you look closer (click picture to enlarge), it's not too difficult to tell that the alligator (or boat) was added ~ and it may even be that the alligator was enhanced (made bigger) at least a couple of times?

Getting back to the devil as the "Photoshop" master ~ that's really what I want to talk about here. We are living in the last days of planet earth. The Bible says that during this time, among all the other crazy things that are taking place, there will be a spirit of deception like never before. (Matthew 24:24) Satan will be "Photoshopping" all over the place!

DECEPTION OF UNBELIEVERS

And let me just talk about the deception of unbelievers for a moment, first. If you think all religions lead to God, you are being deceived. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father, but through me." (John 14:6) If you think a person can be good enough to make it into heaven, you are being deceived. "'There is none righteous, not even one.'" (Romans 3:10) If you think your sins are so awful that God couldn't forgive you, you are being deceived. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7c)

DECEPTION OF "BELIEVERS"

The deception of "believers" is different. (I put "believers" in quotes because ~ are they really?) This deception doesn't come so much from "without" the church, but from within. It comes through prophets, teachers and shepherds whom Satan has "Photoshopped."

And yet if you look closer, it's not too difficult to tell the bad from the good. They have certain characteristics that give them away...

How to Tell a False Prophet:

1. A false prophet can have the ability to do signs and wonders. (Mark 13:22)
2. A false prophet declares out of his own imaginations and not Christ. (Ezekiel 13:2-3)
3. A false prophet can be bought. He speaks pleasantly to those who feed him. (Micah 3:5)
4. A false prophet disguises himself as a believer while all the time he's under the control of the devil. (Matthew 7:15-23)

How to Tell a False Teacher:　

1. A false teacher portrays himself as having knowledge when he does not. (1 Timothy 1:7)
2. A false teacher offers contrary doctrine to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 6:3-5)
3. A false teacher speaks what people want to hear instead of what people need to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
4. A false teacher is bound to wickedness, unconverted and destined for destruction. (2 Peter 2:1-3)

How to Tell a False Shepherd:　

1. A false shepherd is only concerned for himself and not the flock. (Ezekiel 34:2-3)
2. A false shepherd leads the flock astray in word and deed. (Jeremiah 50:6)
3. A false shepherd abandons the flock when they need him the most. (John 10:12)
4. A false shepherd does not exalt the Good Shepherd. (John 10:14-15)

Source: epicsnaps.com via Pastor Mike on Pinterest

You might also be interested in:

• 10 People Who Won't Be in Heaven After They Die
• A World without God (plus podcast)

How I Hear From God

I don't share this like I'm anything great because I'm not. (I'm a sinner saved by grace like anyone else who has Jesus in their heart.) I share this for instruction purposes.

I'd been reading through the Old Testament book of Esther in my regular Bible reading. And I've always been struck by the fact that, on the very day Israel's enemy, Haman, had planned to destroy the Jews, God had a plan to deliver the Jews. On the very day. (Esther 9:1)

The Jews didn't know that. But God had it marked on His calendar. (God's plans take precedence over all other plans.)

I thought nothing more of it (this point the Holy Spirit impressed upon me) and went about my day and the rest of my week.

Sunday came. And what you gotta know is my Pastor has a group of people that he calls upon each Sunday to open both the first and second services with a word of encouragement / exhortation for the congregation. I just happen to have the privilege to be in this group. My family and I attend the first service.

The other thing you gotta know is he (my Pastor) never tells me ahead of time when it's my turn. He just decides on the spot. And so my wife and I joke most every Sunday, "I wonder if he'll call on you today." And I have to be ready, as the Scripture says, "In season and out," just in case. (Isn't that crazy?)

It many times comes to me when I'm jogging. Some might call it: "The word of the Lord." A timely word. An uplifting word. This Sunday God said (not audibly, you just sense it in your mind and heart), "Mike, do you remember that point you got while reading Esther? Don't forget that point you got reading Esther."

So I'm walking up to church later and I walk past my Pastor. He doesn't say anything. I think, "Yay. I don't have to speak." (The sign you're called of God is you're reluctant about it. Remember Moses?) But then, all of a sudden, my Pastor reaches out towards me and says, "Mike, can you open the service this morning?" It's always like five whole minutes before the start that this happens. (Who needs more time to be ready than that?)

"So what should I say?" is always what goes through my mind when I'm called upon. And then I go back and forth inside, "Will this work? What about that? No, that can't be what God wants. Or maybe it is?" Then I thought (on this Sunday), "Wait a minute. The point from my reading in Esther?!"

I shared the word. I sat down. We went through worship time (about 20 minutes). Then Pastor got up. He said, "I feel like the Holy Spirit wants to do something different before I preach."

Then he looked toward me and said, "Mike, I want to thank you for being sensitive to the Holy Spirit this morning. You know, even I needed to hear what you had to say."

He would go on to minister to a nearly entire congregation that raised their hands to show they were needing help with a spirit of discouragement they'd been battling that week.

You still get up in front of everybody and you wonder if what you're bringing is timely. :)

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 25:11; KJV)

You might also be interested in:

• 10 Lies of the Devil (redux) plus podcast
• Why I'm Using Four Letter Letter Words in Church

The Day I Found Myself on a Nude Beach

You read the title right.

Yes, I was a Christian at the time.

And the beach was marked: "Public." (I'd gone jogging on it many times.)

Which brings me to the story.

It was 1985. I was with my friend sitting on our towels. (Yes, we both had our swimming suits on.) We were listening to Christian music like we usually did.

Then it happened.

My friend turned to me and said, "Mike (I wasn't a Pastor yet), do you see that couple walking way over there?" I put my hands up to my eyes like a lookout. He went on, "I don't think they have any clothes on." Naaaah, I thought. But it was true.

They kept coming.

My friend spoke again, "I think they're walking towards us." Oh great, I thought. (I usually think like that when something crazy is about to happen.)

Sure enough, the couple was not only walking towards us (why couldn't they go talk to someone else?), but when they arrived they stood right there in front of us, birthday suits and all.

I have one question.

So where do you "look" in such a situation? Hmm? I mean, do you look up in the sky? "Lovely day we're having." Do you look to the left? Do you look to the right? (Now that would be rude.) Do you play like you've lost something in the sand: "Excuse me, I seem to have lost a quarter. I know it's somewhere around here. I had it a second ago"?

My friend and I probably did all those things.

And I don't remember the conversation. Not one word. I was rather "distracted."

(And then when they left, where do you look then?)

I know that those who don't know or love Jesus approach the subject of nudity and sex differently. (My friend and I were committed to what the Bible says about the subject that day on the beach. I am still to this day. He's already gone on to be with the Lord in heaven.) The one approach (Christ's, ours) to nudity and sex brings life (waiting until marriage); the other (the world's, lust) brings only death (sin is pleasurable for a season).

I remember in a Bible study setting years ago that the speaker said you should be able to witness to / share your faith with Raquel Welch (I'm dating myself).

Self control is a fruit of the Spirit after all. (This post is meant for men and women.)

"How can a young man (woman) keep his (her) way pure? By keeping it according to Your word." (Psalm 119:9)

"'I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman (man).'" (Job 31:1; NIV)

You might also be interested in:

• So Where Are Your Eyes? (plus podcast)
• Why Not Sex Outside of Marriage?

Why My Pastor is Voting for Mitt Romney (and not Barack Obama)

You may be surprised that a Christian minister would actually come out and say it. (Why not? He's an American, too.)

And to vote for a Mormon? Isn't Mormonism a cult after all? Yes, it is.  And he (my Pastor) makes that very clear.

But here are the facts. You can choose to believe them or not believe them. As an American that is your right. (At least, it still is for now.)

This country hangs in the balance. This country hangs by a thread. Our current President, Barack Obama, is an out of control spender. He believes in abortion and at its cruelest level (the killing of a baby who survives abortion). He is pro-gay marriage. He disregards the Constitution.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

We are talking biblical values here. And the fact is Mitt Romney actually stands for life (I know he didn't previously, but has changed his stance). He also stands for marriage between a man and a woman. He has a business background and promises he will work to get America's fiscal house back in order (versus a President that has been saying it and doing the exact opposite). He will also defend the Constitution.

And so that's why my Pastor is voting for Mitt Romney. He said so from the pulpit last Sunday. (God ~ or State? ~ forbid.)

And I am voting for Mitt Romney, too.

God bless, America. Land that I love.

You might also be interested in:

• America on the Brink, Killing Lincoln and Memorial Day
• My Country, 'Tis of Thee

On Blogging (3-part podcast series)

Pastor Mike on Blogging - Part 1: Purity of Voice 

Pastor Mike on Blogging - Part 2: The Devil's Goal

Pastor Mike on Blogging - Part 3: Most Important Aspect

Drug Bust

God spoke to me. He said: "Go over to David's house." (The name's been changed to protect the innocent.)

So I went.

I knocked on the door. No one answered. I knocked again. Still no answer. I knocked a third time. I thought about leaving. But God had told me to go? (You begin to wonder.) I began to call out, "David. It's Pastor Mike."

Finally the door opened.

It was a nice house. It had nice stuff. A nice couch. Nice appliances. A big screen TV. You name it. But there was something wrong. Drug dealing was going on. Major drug dealing. (You could sense the wicked spirits.)

It wasn't safe.

I told David he needed to get right with God. (He'd been to my church before.) I told David he needed to serve Lord completely ~ that he shouldn't put it off.

I left.

Can you guess where a big drug bust went down the next day?

"David" was sent to prison.

I would meet with him there, too.

You might also be interested in:

• 10 People Who Won't Be in Heaven After They Die
• Dangerous

Pure Heart

When you look at this photo, what do you see? Share a caption, Bible verse or your thoughts about this image and post a comment below.

Source: bing.com via Pastor Mike on Pinterest

Humbled

I was humbled. Not once. Not twice. But three times. How much "humiliation" can a person take? (Philippians 2:5-11)

It's a good thing to be "humbled." It breaks the back of pride.

The first way I was humbled is I had to confess my sin to another person in public.

I had a bad attitude with an accounts manager at our bank. After that meeting I told God I would say I was sorry (admit my sin) if I ever ran into that person again. This is months later now. This person never works at the teller window. I mean, never. Except today she was. And guess who went to her window?

The second way I was humbled is I had to pay $100 at the gas station. It wasn't for gas. It was for something else.

You see, I'd driven away with the handle to the gas pump still in my tank and ripped it clean away. My 13-year old daughter was with me. She got to see up close and personal how a dad who loves Jesus deals with an accident. He doesn't get angry. He doesn't throw a fit. He submits to the powers that be ~ to whatever they decide is reconciliation / repayment / restitution.

The third way I was humbled was when I got home and told my wife what happened.

I wasn't able to get through on the cell phone so this is the first time she heard it. And she looked at me sternly. (She needed to.) And she said, "Mike, you can't continue to keep the schedule you're keeping." She was right. I've been burning the candle on both ends with social media, etc. (And here I am writing this blog post!) It's been affecting my judgment and my alertness.

I need to be more balanced. (Pray for me.) If the devil can't stop you from doing something, he'll get you to overdo that something.

Is there an area in your life that you need to be "humbled"?

You might also be interested in:

• Dangerous
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10 Mistakes Christians Make with Social Media (plus 1 bonus)

This is a lightning fast blog post after somebody I know...  

10 Mistakes Christians Make with Social Media (plus 1 bonus):

1. Spread themselves too thin across multiple platforms (I've seen old-timers do this).

2. (Goes with 1) Don't establish a main home base (a blog is best).

3. (Goes with 2) Don't post regularly to their home base (makes it look like nobody's home).

4. Condemn the use of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest versus traditional means of communication.

5. Overlook its ability to get a message out (the Gospel) to a mass audience in a short time (i.e. video going viral).

6. Measure themselves against others rather than being themselves (who God made them to be).

7. Come on board late versus being an early adopter.

8. Forget to study the gurus and how they use it.

9. Don't capitalize on the power of teamwork by partnering with another.

10. Just broadcast (Web 1.0) versus interact, collaborate with the community (Web 2.0).

BONUS Actually undermine a fellow believer for whatever reason (jealousy?).

You might also be interested in:

• F-a-c-e-b-o-o-k (an approach to sharing the love of God)
• What Would Jesus Pin? (7 Ways to Use Pinterest for Ministry)

A Social Media Morning in the Life of Pastor Mike

I thought it would be fun just to write down for you a typical social media morning in my life and what I find myself doing as I start my day. This is just off the cuff, fresh and raw (and not necessarily in chronological order).

And so I grabbed my iPad first today and checked my HootSuite app / dashboard to see mentions and check in on my daughter. (I always do.) She responded to my DM from last night.

After that, I remembered a Twitter friend that I needed to respond to. (So I did that.)

Then I opened my Facebook app (on the iPad still) to see if there were any sign ups for the Heart Chat Spiritual Warfare Bible Study to accept and respond to. (Starts Sept 30.) None yet (it was only 3:30 am, Pacific USA after all), but Saturdays are big days for sign ups. (Did you know that the day of the week that has the most people on social media is Saturday?)

I did have a Facebook friend request from one of the Bible study members. I confirmed that. And he (this new friend) wanted me to respond to an atheist who had written on his wall. So I switched to my wife's laptop and did. Lifted up Jesus and gave a short testimony. It's the best witness.

I also checked my C. S. Lewis iPad app and made that the status update to my Facebook ministry page. ("If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.") I posted this same quote to my Google+ page. I do try to alter updates across platforms so that if I have duplicate followers, friends on different sites they don't just get the same quote. (I'm funny like that.)

I put a Bible verse on my Facebook friend page which was a duplicate from my main twitter page. ("For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt 18:20)

I also updated to the Heart Chat Spiritual Warfare Bible Study group the first of two video blogs on the full armor of God as a teaser (is what I like to call them). 

And then now I'm over here putting the finishing touch on this blog post. I will do some following on Twitter after I'm done here.

I will also tweet to the #Tworship and #HeartChat hashtags (and have been already). I'm listening to Kari Jobe on grooveshark this morning and love to send the chorus lines as they are ministering to me.

And so there you have it. A quick look at my social media morning. Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg as only you fellow social media fanatics know. :)

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Trap 4 Christians Fall Into: Playing "Holy Spirit Junior"

(This is the fourth in a series entitled: "8 Traps Christians Fall Into.")

TRAP 4 CHRISTIANS FALL INTO: PLAYING "HOLY SPIRIT JUNIOR"

"'And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin.'" (John 16:8a)

Part of the Holy Spirit's work on this planet ~ in people's lives ~ is to convict them of sin. It's in His job description to do this. And how many of you know the Spirit of God is the best at what He does!

And to the point of playing what I refer to as "Holy Spirit junior" ~ what I'm talking about when I say that is simply this. The believer (Christian) who takes over the convicting aspect of the Holy Spirit's work is doing just that ~ He's playing "Holy Spirit junior."

When you see something wrong in somebody else's life and you take it upon yourself to call them on the carpet for it ~ to "get in their face concerning it" ~ without God's direction ~ when you do this you're playing "Holy Spirit junior." You're doing His job.

CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO LOVE EACH OTHER

Christians aren't called to do the Spirit's job. Christians are called to love each other. They're called to forgive (Matthew 18:21-22) and pray for each other. (James 5:16) And certainly Christians are also called to confront each other at times. (Matthew 18:15-18). But I'd daresay that if that's all a particular believer does ~ if all he (or she) does is confront people on their sin, then he's (she's) likely doing most of it on his (her) own and not at God's urging.

The fact of the matter is the Holy Spirit simply doesn't need our help when it comes to this area ~ when it comes to making people the feel the godly sorrow that leads to repentance. (2 Corinthians 7:10) He really doesn't.

Let me give you a Biblical case in point.

THE EXAMPLE OF SIMON PETER

It was early in our Lord's ministry that He was out preaching and the people were crowding Him, as was typical. And because He was being crowded in upon, the Scripture says (in Luke 5:3) that Christ got into a boat.

Now this boat just happened to be Simon Peter's. And Jesus asked him to put out a little way from land so He could continue preaching. The Bible tells us what happened next...

[W]hen [Jesus] had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." (Luke 5:4)

Now the problem here was that Peter had been doing just that. He's been fishing the whole night before without any luck. But how many of you know that it's good to do what God says anyway ~ Amen? And this is exactly what Peter did. And in doing so ~ in obeying Jesus ~ you'll notice that v. 6 states...

[They therefore] enclosed a great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break. (Luke 5:6b)

So Peter and the fishermen with him enjoyed a great haul to the point that their boat began to sink, Luke 5:7 goes on to say, along with another boat they'd called over to help because there were so many fish.

HOW DOES PETER REALIZE HE WAS A SINFUL MAN?

But this isn't the part of the story I want to focus on with you. It's further down in the passage. It's Peter's response that I want you to notice. Luke 5:8 says...

But when Simon Peter saw that (when he saw the mighty catch and the boats sinking) ~ when ... Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." (Luke 5:8)

Now how did Peter come to this conclusion? All he had seen was a miracle. And it wasn't like Jesus had pointed it out to him ~ his (Peter's) sins (at least directly ~ remember Peter had been in our Lord's presence when He was preaching). So how did Peter come to the conclusion that he was a sinner? Well, I'll tell you how I believe he did. It was because the Spirit of God convicted him. This is what made Peter realize he was a sinful man. It was the Holy Spirit at work on him that did it.

Again, God's Spirit is well able to deal with others when it comes to their sinfulness. Let us be careful to avoid the trap of thinking He needs us to help Him with it.

You might also be interested in:

• Trap 3 Christians Fall Into: Majoring on the Minors
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Messiah Complex (redux) plus podcast

(To listen to the podcast of this post, click here.)

The Reverend James Warren "Jim" Jones.

I was in high school (1978) when the news came of the Congressman (Leo Ryan) being shot and killed in Jonestown, Guyana where Jim Jones based his cult.

Only later it would be discovered that 900+ people died after ingesting a cyanide-laced "koolaid" ~ many forcibly (including 200 children).

This "Jonestown Massacre" (as it is known) is the ultimate outcome of a person who has a "Messiah complex." Prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it "was the greatest loss of American civilian life in a non-natural disaster."

In another blog post on this subject I wrote of how a person with a "Messiah complex" never presents him or herself in a bad light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) (Of course, it was Jim Jones' approach.) Who would follow them if they did? Who would drink their "koolaid"?

And yet, if you look close enough ~ actually, you don't have to look so close. You just have to open your own two eyes.

And let me just expand upon that thought for a moment ~ of opening one's eyes. Many people just won't do it. They have eyes, but they won't use them. I submit (suggest) it's because they don't want to. You see, for some of these, they get so emotionally invested in a man or woman (includes politicians) that they will simply overlook almost anything (even the worst of corruption) to remain under their spell. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Which brings me to another list to go along with my first one. Could it be that you need to open your eyes?...

7 more characteristics of a Messiah complex (plus 1 bonus):

1. Promotes godlessness.
2. Says one thing while (quite obviously) doing another thing.
3. Plays on / manipulates the emotions of followers.
4. Slanders opponents through the use of "straw man" arguments.
5. Bribes (buys off) select individuals to further his (her) ends.
6. Serves up poison (half-truths) in the form of "koolaid."
7. (Likely) Has some kind of connection in the past to the occult.

BONUS Poses as a believer in Jesus Christ.

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