God's Word Is More Trustworthy Than Your GPS

Today I cancelled my appointments when I woke with a sore throat and swollen glands. In between resting and napping, I watched a youtube sermon ("The Holy Spirit's Power and Our Effort, Part 1") by Francis Chan, and another short portion of a sermon ("The New Middle Road") by him.  Two points from these messages stood out to me:

1. When God says in His Word for us to do something, what do we do? It's really very simple.  When we ask our child to go and clean their room, what if they come back a couple of hours later, and tell us they have memorized what we said to them? They can say it back to us in Greek.  They tell us they are having a few friends over and they are going to do a study on how to clean their room? Hmmm.
2. He compared God's Word and voice to your GPS.  We have made some wrong turns.  We hear God's voice saying, "Recalculating."  We need to look to His Word for directions and listen. He says, "I can still get you there.  It's going to take longer, but I can get you there.  But you have to listen to Me now."

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." Psalm 25:10 (emphasis mine)

My daughter drove all over the western suburbs of the city and out into the countryside today, using our GPS to direct her way.  We got a phone call about the time she was supposed to be arriving at her Bible Study tonight.  The GPS had led her astray, quite a ways from her true destination.  She was going to be about 15-20 minutes late.  We were able to help her find out where she was and how to get back to where she needed to be, but her "faith" in the GPS was a little shaken!


That is one problem we will never have when we rely on God's Word to guide us.  God will never lead us in the wrong direction or astray.  We can put our complete trust and confidence in what He tells us to do.  We can run in the direction He tells us to go!  He is utterly faithful.  His Word is sure.

"For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth...By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth...Let all the earth fear the LORD:  let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  For he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast.  The counsel of the LORD standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." Psalm 33:4,6,8-9, 11

Psalm 27:11 says, "Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies."  This is really saying, "Lead me in a plain path, because of those which observe me."  There are people following me, Lord.  Don't let me get lost, or go off in the wrong direction, because they will get off track, too!  And those who are observing me, will judge You, and Your ways, by watching the path I take.  Please lead me in a plain path for their sakes, and for the sake of Your Good Name, Lord.

"For this God is our God forever and ever:  he will be our guide even unto death."  Psalm 48:14

Top Christian Books For Him

Here are my Top Five Recommendations (Especially for Young Men), in no particular order, and links to where you can find them:

• "Just Do Something: How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.," by Kevin De Young
• "A Wonderful Deception," by Warren Smith
• "Wrestling Prayer," by Eric Ludy
• "God's Gift to Women, Discovering the Lost Greatness of Masculinity," by Eric Ludy
• "Crazy Love," by Francis Chan

Resources to Ignite the Fire of Your Faith

Do you want to be more passionate about Christ?  Do you feel you've lapsed into complacency?  Do you wonder if you're making a difference in the world for Christ?  There's a new book coming out, by the Harris twins, Brett and Alex, called "Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are", scheduled for release March 16, 2010. If you haven't heard of "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations", their earlier book, I recommend it to you.  That book and these two young men started a revolution against complacency, irresponsibility and rebellion in youth, and of passion for Christ, and they (coincidentally) call it, The Rebelution. (click on the link to go to their blog: disclaimer--I don't subscribe to everything they say and do. I believe that they will challenge you, especially young people, to a closer walk with God. But, Dear friends: As I give recommendations, I try to know that what I'm recommending is good for you, but each of us is ultimately responsible to be discerning and check everything against the Word of God to make sure that it lines up.  I hope that you will do that with everything that you see here.)

Today, I'd like to share some Resources with you that my 20-year-old daughter, Kelsey, loves, and we recommend, that will challenge you to be more passionate about your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Have you ever heard Mark Cahill speak, or have you seen him on YouTube?  Now, *there* is a man with a passionate message that will change your life!  Kelsey had a neat idea: she wanted to do something special for her birthday, (her 19th)--so she invited about 10 girls over to watch Mark Cahill's "Lukewarm No More" message.  Of course, there was the usual laughter, food, fun picture-taking and girl-talk mixed into the evening.  They also played a game using random pictures (found online), such as a man playing a trumpet in the middle of a park, or a woman mountain-climbing.  Each girl had to pick one, and, with 5 minutes to prepare, share a Bible verse, an analogy or a testimony relating to the picture they chose.  They spent some time in prayer, as well. She challenged them to get more serious, as a group, and as individuals, about their faith.  "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven" has really inspired her to take her faith in Christ much more seriously, and to be passionate about sharing the gospel. His example of witnessing is phenomenal.


You *will* be challenged.











For the last few years, Kelsey's been raving about Paul Washer!  She has listened to countless of his messages on the internet.  Now, we're starting to hear others rave about him, too.  His messages are direct, boldly Biblical, and passionate. And not what you are used to hearing. (Called "Shocking"!  The first message Kelsey ever heard by Paul Washer was the highly discussed YouTube/Tangle video "Shocking Youth Message," which has now been watched by hundreds of thousands of people.  Are you sure you're saved?  Don't be fooled.)  I really recommend watching him.  He's so on fire!  You'll find a link to some of his messages further down on my blog on the right. He'll really make you examine your heart and ask hard questions. How obedient am I and how much do I really love Christ--where's the proof in my life?

 ...and Francis Chan.
We don't know a lot about him, but we've listened to some of his messages, and we're finding out about him. What I've heard him say has been very Biblical.  Kelsey's favorite thing about Francis Chan is that he is so in awe of God and he sees God's Fingerprints in even the trivial things in life--his passion and zeal are contagious. 
I have to say I was impressed, when I read that he gives 90% of his income away as well as all his royalties from the sale of his books.   (bookshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Chan)
One thing is for sure, he challenges your way of thinking about your life. From 2 minutes of listening this week, this was my challenge from the Lord: Where is your home? Is it here? or is it in Heaven? Are you so aware that Jesus is coming back and so looking forward to His return, that you think, "Would I want to be here doing this if He came back right now?"

We've gotten complacent. Let's start here,  rekindle the fire in our hearts for the Lord, and not be afraid, no matter how old we are, to do hard things for Him.
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Musings from me and Video from Francis Chan on "Being Too Popular"

I see myself as a "prophet" speaking forth the Truth at times. This week I had to speak some hard Truth.  But, I constantly struggle with my need to be loved, affirmed in what I'm doing, and reassured from those around me that I'm doing fine. I'm inclined to be too bold. To speak the Truth, alright, but not as lovingly as I perhaps should.  Sometimes I don't hear how what I said came out!  I have a faithful family who keep me in line when they're with me.  They let me know when I've said something I shouldn't have! When they aren't there, and even when they are, I need to be saturated in the Word of God, and sensitive to the Holy Spirit to guide my words.  As a blogger, I seek to edify, encourage, and build others up in Christ. I find that I must continually look to my Heavenly Father for whether I'm doing ok.  Even more than that, I ask Him continually, "What do You want me to say?"  This short video by Francis Chan really spoke to my heart this week.



Luke 6: 22, 23, 26-28--"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."
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