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I don’t know if you are aware of this, but the new money making fad that has hundreds of people scrambling to the banks for loans is the business of flipping houses. If you are not familiar with the term, it is quite simple. You buy a house, fix it up and then hopefully sell it for a profit. Cha Ching!
The awareness and popularity has grown tremendously due to people like me and my wife who watch the house flipping television shows. Now, we have never flipped a house nor are we taking notes and trying to learn how. That would be a 3 Stooges episode without one of the stooges. That ain’t happenin’! But we do like to watch other people take the risk with their money.
So, last night we were watching this NEW house flipping show on the BRAVO channel. It is called “Flipping Out” with Jeff Lewis. For starters let me give you some insight into the life of this Jeff Lewis guy. He has 3 dogs and 3 cats, no big deal right? But he has hired help who watch his animals 24-7. I am talking two ordinary wannabe actors who do whatever Jeff asks them to do in regards to his animals. On top of these two guys, Jeff has 4 other employees who help him with the business. Did I mention that Jeff has been medically diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? You can only imagine what these people who work with Jeff have to go through.
But here is where it really gets interesting in regards to what it appeared that the BRAVO channel and this new show were trying to do.
Between flipping houses and this Jeff guy flipping out on anything and everyone, last night we got to meet Tori. Tori, just happens to be one of Jeff’s 5 personal psychics. Yes, that is what is said!
So, in the middle of this show about flipping houses, the creators of this show decide to create awareness and even education on spiritists and mediums. They actually showed them go through a ceremony which was somehow giving Tori the ability to see what was going to happen with Jeff’s life.
Now just for humor sake, Missy and I did not change the channel because I was taking notes and learning about these so called medium people. She started off by telling Jeff to close his eyes and breath. HAHAHAHAHHA. Man, I can do that for FREE! But then she says, “I am going to bring the energy into the room as well as your spiritual leaders.” Remember, his eyes are closed.” Then she actually says, “I see them, here they come!” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I personally busted out laughing because she is speaking in this whispery voice and she is looking at spiritual leaders. HAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHA
Talk about living in LA LA land. This chic was on another planet.
What is sad in all of this is you have someone who has mental problems who is lost, seeking help from another person with mental problems who too is lost.
Jeff in the show goes on to then meet his spiritual healer David and several other interesting people who play around with one’s inner self and live in other dimensions I guess???
But Jeff buys the lies they tell them. What then happens if something works out for the better the next day, Jeff builds faith in these people and they gain more credibility with Jeff.
Isaiah 8:19 /When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God?
Have you ever or would you ever seek Truth from anyone else other than God?
Are you searching today for answers about life?
The top 3 questions that get asked more than any other by lost people like Jeff are:
- Who am I?
- How did I get here?
- Where am I going?
Are you asking these questions today?
You see the people that are trying to help Jeff are really worse off than Jeff is. They believe in the lies they teach. Jeff is just trying to reach out to anyone and figure these 3 questions out.
Again, maybe you have not been diagnosed with a mental problem like Jeff but can you still relate to where he is in life?
Do you need answers?
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Before I get into a much awaited new blog, there are a couple of things I need to clear up. Yes, I will be introducing today’s writing with a quote from Hugh Hefner. However, let me tell you that, NO I do not have a playboy magazine, nor do I have a subscription. Nor did I get this quote out of that magazine. Nor did any pictures accompany this quote.
Ok, now that I have gotten all of that out of the way, “Here we go!”
Hugh Hefner was asked by a journalist, “Mr. Hefner instead of talking about all your girlfriends and your massive empire, allow me to ask you a more challenging question.” Mr. Hefner looked at the journalist and said, “well what else is there to talk about besides that, then he laughed!” The journalist then fired back at him, “Mr. Hefner, what is going to happen to you when you die? When you leave living the life that so many men around the world could only dream of living, what’s out there?” Mr. Hefner, then said,”I haven’t a clue, but I do know that we have no such answers!”
Now this is a very common answer to the question. I myself have been asking that very question to people I stand in a line with, to every taxi cab driver, audiences, friends of friends, those that have debated with me and many many more.
There are tons of different answers that exist out there!
Now as Christians we believe that Death is really not the end at all, but actually a new beginning. That there is a heavenly place where we will get to spend eternity with our creator. Why do we get to do this? Because God sent his only son to walk the earth as you and I do, to let everyone know why he came, who he was and what he was going to do for us. What he would do for us is what many just can’t understand!
HE DIED!!!
That’s right, he died for you and me. BUT! Then three days later he came back. He was raised from the dead. And because of this claim, Jesus then becomes the only one in human history who was dead and three days later came back to life.
And this my friends is the debate of the ages.
Did Jesus rise from the dead??????????????????????????????????
So for Christians, this is not Fact but Truth. Yes, there is a difference between the two, but that is a whole new blog for a different day.
You see Christianity is not just built on moral principles, good teaching or philosophical inquiries. It is that Truth that Jesus Christ has RISEN from the grave.
So, what does the Bible say about this Truth? I think the Apostle Paul was absolutely correct when he said in
1 Corinthians 15:14/if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
So, then if Christianity is a Jenga game and you can pull the bottom piece out (which is the truth that Jesus has Risen) then Christianity itself comes crashing down and falls apart.
And for those that think they can prove this I have 2 major points I want to make today.
1. Read the Bible. During Jesus ministry – he said time and time again, “I will die, I will be buried, and three days later I will rise from the grave conquering death like no one else ever has or ever will. His ministry was not only teaching but also it was preparing.
Mark 8:31/ He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
So yes, he did die! I say this again because there are some out there that will say he didn’t. Get this! Muslim scholars will tell you that Jesus didn’t even die on the cross but he passed out, it looked like he died.
“Ummmmm Geniuses!” “He looked like he died because he died!!!!”
Christian Scientists will tell also based on the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy that Jesus didn’t die on the cross. By the way, after studying these guys I truly believe that they are false advertising. They are not Christian for one and they do not have science. It’s like this, ever tried the cereal Grape Nuts? Well, when you pour the cereal into the bowl you will see that there are no grapes and there aren’t any nuts either.
So, I have come to the conclusion that CS is like Grape Nuts. But anyway, I’ll move on!
Again, He died!!! And He was Risen!!!
The Bible says he was run through false trials at night. Then he was beat up by a mob. He was flogged until almost all the flesh had been torn away from his body. Then he had to carry somewhere around 100 pounds on his back, we know this as the cross. With his disfigured, bloody, beat up body he carried this cross up to Golgotha. Then, they took 5 to 7 inch spikes that they hammered into his hands and feet and being the professional mode of execution back in the day, they crucified him. To make sure he was dead, they took a spear ran it under his rib cage and punctured his heart sack so that water and blood flowed out.
So, he has stopped bleeding, and they punctured his heart so it would explode. “HE IS DEAD!”
It is ludicrous to claim that Jesus never really died! If your heart goes, there is no back-up. You are done, GAME OVER!
Now check this out.
2. Not only were there hundreds of witnesses to Jesus resurrection to life, but everyone knew where he was buried. The grave site was empty!
Isaiah 53:9/ He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
700 years before Jesus was born Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be buried (Again, he is dead!) in a rich man’s tomb.
One of his disciples Joseph of Arimathea gave Jesus his tomb. Why? There was no place for Jesus to have his body buried. So, as a gift Joseph of Arimathea gave Jesus his burial plot. Joseph was well known, smart, wealthy and powerful. His position was that of a supreme court justice in our day and age.
Leaders knew that this is where Jesus was buried. Some argue that people went to the wrong tomb when they went to visit the resting place of Jesus and that is why he wasn’t there.
But again, everyone knew where Joseph’s burial plot was. It was not in some hidden, undisclosed location. They would be able to easily confirm the tomb being empty. Not only that, there were guards there, there was a government seal on the tomb, Joseph of Arimathea owned the tomb. And better yet, Angels appeared and asked why the women were looking for the living among the dead.
My translation: “He ain’t here”
All of this cannot be argued. I can go on but I am sure you are tired of reading by now.
So, the debate of the ages, “Did Jesus rise from the tomb and conquer death?”
YES!!!!
Why?
So you and I can spend eternity in heaven with him. And why can we get to do this?
Because of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
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Isaiah 6:8/ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah's call came in the year of King Uzziah's death. Isaiah had grown up during the “Blingin” secure years of Uzziah's fifty-two year reign. Here is where you will think it gets interesting. Check it! When King Uzziah died, Isaiah had a vision of the Lord seated upon His throne. Judah's throne was empty but the God of the universe who reigns forever and ever occupied heaven’s throne. Then Isaiah saw heavenly angelic beings, attending to and declaring the glory of God. This marvelous vision of God's holiness made Isaiah aware of his sin.
Isaiah was cleansed and forgiven of his sin by an angel touching his mouth with a burning coal. “OH SNAP” bet that was hot. After his sin had been dealt with, Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord inquiring who would deliver His message to the people of Judah. Isaiah quickly volunteered to be that messenger. You see before Isaiah ran off to judge others he first hit the ground and admitted all his faults.
Question: Have you admitted your faults to God today?
We see that Isaiah says to God, "Here am I. Send me." Did you catch that? He didn’t say “Here I am”. I remember being in school when I was a kid and all the teacher wanted us to do was say “Here” when she went through the roll call each morning for class. My friends and I always thought it was funny if we would say more than just “Here” to show our location in the room and whether or not we were present.
So, we would laugh and say “Here I am” or we would say “I’m over here” when our name was called.
You see Isaiah was not being like me and my friends in the classroom. In the text we are not finding Isaiah giving God his location. He was giving God all of him. He was saying I am your guy, send me. “Here am I” – is Isaiah saying “I am all yours God!”
When God asked for a volunteer to bear His message, Isaiah responded without hesitation, even before he knew the nature of the mission. You see, our attitude regarding God’s calling on our lives should be, "The answer is 'yes' Lord … now, what's the question?"
Based on today’s message:
?What are you doing in your life to show God you are ready for his calling?
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“First of all what are you talking about today, the Red Triangle, what is that Blake?” “Here is the 411!” Each year, in the late summer, a region known as the Red Triangle bustles with marine mammal activity. Lying between San Francisco and Monterey, the Red Triangle includes beaches where elephant seals go to molt, and offshore sites where great whites feed on unwary prey.
You see the camp I just got back from speaking at was in Monterey. What an amazing time and as always the Holy Spirit showed up and did some amazing things.
But let’s talk about Jaws and his buddies out in the water just off the camp site. It was Thursday morning about 4 hours before I headed for the airport to fly home. I woke up early so I could walk on the beach, grab some cool shells, and just have some quiet time with God. What was amazing about this morning was the reality that I was not alone. Oh, yeah, there were couple of people walking along the beach but I am referring to what was hanging out about 40 yards off the beach in the water.
Dude and Dudettes, you could see fins of the great white shark swimming around. Man, I was only 40 some yards from having a really bad day…. The thing was, the Whities were out looking for some grindage but there were also a couple of pretty good swells breaking out in the water too.
The good news is, the water was cold, I did not have a surfboard and if I did it would have just hung out with me on the sand in safety. But get this. Just as I was thinking about surfing, these two young guys show up with rental boards and a full length wetsuits. They plopped down right next to me. They were totally stoked about getting to surf; I believe that they really had no idea what they were doing, because they were asking each other questions that made it quite obvious.
So, here I was, knowing what was lurking just 40 to 60 yards out. Do I tell them?Hmmmmmmmm!!! Just kidding! I wasn’t going to let them go in the water….So; I struck up a conversation with them. We talked for a little bit as I watched one of them put his wetsuit on backwards. I kindly told the kid that the zipper was supposed to be behind and not in front. His buddy and I laughed in good fun. But then I gave them the bad news! I told them what I had witnessed just 10 minutes earlier. I explained to them that this time of year in those waters was not the place to surf. Not just because it is cold if they are not used to the temperature but that Jaws and his buddies were hungry and they were looking for food. I pointed out to where I saw the fins and just as I pointed just a little South and further out we all saw a couple of more fins. The whities had not bailed out from the area. Now, the one kid Josh was terrified when he saw the fins. He just plopped back down in the sand and said, and I quote, “I don’t feel like being breakfast this morning Joel.” You would think that Joel was going to have the same reaction. Right?
NOT!!!!
Joel begins to try and convince his best friend that the sharks won’t bother them, that they are too far out there, anything he can say to get Josh in the water with him. I just listened to a determined kid do everything in his power to put his friend in a position to be tragically injured or even breakfast for a great white.
Why? Probably because Joel wanted to brag to his friends back home that he went surfing! It is funny how so often when we get together with friends, one of us is the voice of reason and the other has a little rebel spirit in them. Right? But if you ever want to just be flat out foolish. Then hang around a fool or a bunch of them. There are millions of Joel’s out there and not enough Josh’s. Which one are you to your friends?
Let this verse sink into your psyche….. Proverbs 13:20/ He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Don’t let this verse leave you today!
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Doing some research I found over 2,000 recorded fears that we as humans learn. I say we learn them because we are actually only born with 2 - the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. So you and I we have the capacity to learn the other 1,998.
So, if we can learn them, that means we can then unlearn them! Or even better they can be broken by the POWER of an Almighty God.
But you cannot Fear learning about it from Pastors. What do I mean? Maybe you have:
Homilophobia- Fear of sermons
AHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Look at 2 Timothy 1:7/for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Did you know there are characters in the Bible that are very easy to miss and even learn about? This is why when I speak I share with young people not to read the Bible like it's a newspaper. In other words, don't just scan through it. Don't read it like you do the National Inquirer while waiting in line at the grocery store. "Don't tell me you have never picked the tabloid trash up and looked at it! We have all seen Bat Boy and the latest sketch of what Martians look like!"
But back to my point about missing characters in the Bible. There is a guy who could quite easily be the Ultimate Fighting Champion of the ages. This was one "Bad Dude!" I don't care if you are a boxer or into martial arts, this guy would kick your beeehind all over whatever state you live in.
2 Samuel 23:20-21 /And BENAIAH the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 21And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.
WOW!!! The first thing I thought about when studying this dude is the reality that good ol' Ben had NO FEAR. I don't think anything could rattle his cage and make him uncomfortable.
First of all he killed Moab's two best elite fighters. He also followed a lion into a cave, now we don't know why he killed it, whether for food or clothes or maybe he just hated cats. But he killed the beast on a snowy day. Not good conditions to pick a fight with a lion. Then get this, he had a club in his hand and Egyptian had a spear, understand they are trained to fight and use their spear. Ben grabbed the sword from the Egyptian and then to bring insult to injury he killed the man with the man's own weapon. "BOOYAH!!!"
-Ben was one of the Top 5 soldiers in all of Israel.
-He was called one of King David's mighty men. -He was also a General in the Israeli army. -He was the Captain of King David's body guards.
So again, one bad Mama Jama right?
Where did his lack of Fear come from? Fighting men and killing men was a normal thing for him. This was another day on the job kind of thing. What event or what kind of event could catapult him from having no fear?
Benaiah left his comfort zone and stepped over the line. He relied on Faith when he walked into that cave and told that lion "It's on like donkey kong!" and walked away victorious.
So don't you think when that Egyptian stood in front of him with a sword Benaiah probably did everything to keep from laughing at the guy?
But what in your life friends do you have that is going on, where the only thing that can get you through is to defeat your Fear with Faith?
Again, look at what 2 Timothy 1:7says / for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
You have the power to get out of your norm, step over the line and have the POWER OF FAITH and overcome. Chase your lion, don't let you lion chase you.
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