Black Dot Perspective

Look at the image above. What do you see? Typically, random people on the street I’ve asked almost unanimously responded by telling me they saw a black spot or dot or a period (also known as a full stop). However, interestingly enough, no one commented on the white background. But then I asked my Bible study group and to my pleasant surprise, many of them responded with unique answers. Jacob saw throwing dice. David saw a black hole. But my favorite answer came from Kelli in that she saw “light overpowering darkness.” 

Typically, when the humans look at that image, they place their focus on the black spot/dot because it’s an imperfection when compared to the white backdrop. It stands out like a sore thumb. In fact, when we get a sore thumb, our focus becomes immediately drawn to the negative/bad of that thumb, right? But what happens? We somehow lose focus of all our other body parts that function properly and are in good health. Instead, our focus is on the thumb and our complaints ensue: “My thumb! I can’t take my eyes off my thumb!” It’s the same if we get a headache or stub our toe. Our focus shifts to the negative/bad (the black spot/dot) and then we end up magnifying the bad. But what happens if we place our focus on the bad and magnify it? That black spot becomes a black hole that sucks in all our joy, our hope, and our vision for the future.

But what if I told you that I showed you that image so that you could examine the abundance of space within the white background? What if I told you that all of that white background is your potential and the good in life? What if the image to be seen is actually not a black dot on a white background, but like Kelli said in our Bible study, the entire background used to be black but now the light is overcoming the darkness? [#perspective]

Like a blank canvas for an artist, all of that white background is space that can be used to illustrate anything that is possible with the Lord. Essentially, it would be like praying, “Lord, I know that hideous black spot exists on my canvas, but open my eyes to the potential and possibilities of all that other space not being used. Show me what You want me to see. How should I use that available space?”

In recent news, we had the second largest collapse of our banking system, we have record inflation, we have an ongoing invasion at our border, the World Economic Forum is trying to turn us into slaves who will “own nothing and be happy about it,” the news claims that our former president Donald Trump might be arrested, we are extremely close to exploding into World War III, etc. You might have even received a bad report from your doctor. You might have heard many things from many different people. But what does GOD’s Word say? What is the Holy Spirit speaking to us? Where is our focus? Where is our vision? Where is our hope? Where are the solutions to the problems? Where is our focus? On the black hole or the canvas of creation and possibility? The darkness or the light?

1Peter 5:7 tells us to cast our anxiety on the Lord because He cares for us. That word “anxiety” is the English translation of the Greek word μέριμνα [G3308] merimna (mer’-im-nah), which means anxiety, but it is something that is derived from division, through the idea of distraction. That black dot is a distraction. And when we place our focus on it, our mind becomes divided. In other words, the merimna you cast on Jesus is all worries and anxieties that are separating you from Him and His Word (which is the division through distractions). The worries/anxieties make us double-minded, which James 1:5-8 informs us that this double-mindedness is due to doubts and fear, lacking in faith, which makes us unstable in all our ways. So, we’re not to be double-minded and distracted from our devotion to the Lord by the doubts and fears from this world. James confidently told us that we can ask the Lord for wisdom and He will grant to us this wisdom on how to navigate through life if we ask without doubting that He will give to us this wisdom. In fact, it is for this reason the Holy Spirit was given to us as the Guide.

So, what does this ultimately mean? How can we actively apply this to our lives so that we won’t be double-minded? Let’s examine four different scriptures of solutions. 

Hebrews 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Philippians 4:6-13 says, “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Paul conversed with the philosophers of his day. Even the dominant philosophic school at that time, Stoics, recognized that anxiety was counterproductive; Fate, they thought, could not be resisted. Rather than an unguided “fate,” Paul instead emphasizes an active dependence on the benevolent GOD who hears our cares and takes care of us, if not always the way we expect, always in love and with ultimate restoration and glorification (Romans 8:28). Paul’s advice is essentially to take all worries that pop up, take them captive (2Corinthians 10:5), transform them into prayers, and then send them up. Release them to the Lord. Let go and let GOD. That’s the same advice Peter gave to us when he said to cast our anxieties on the Lord. Well, philosophers could speak of peace as tranquility in contrast with anxiety as if peace exists when anxiety does not, but the peace that surpasses all human understanding is the kind of peace that exists even during the most chaotic situations. Think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego before being thrown into the furnace of fire, or Daniel while he was in the lion’s den. GOD’s peace is different from the world’s way of thinking. True peace is not found in positive thinking, good feelings, or even in absence of conflict. It comes from knowing that GOD is in control and this life is not all there is. Greco-Roman thinkers emphasized the value of being content and thus needing nothing more than oneself. Paul’s dependence, however, is on Christ rather than himself. Why? Because his trust was not in himself. And this brings us to ancient wisdom that Paul would have been quite familiar with:

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

Matthew 6:25-34 says, “25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Listen, it’s good to be mindful of the future, but not at the expense of the moment. So many people are so worried about what the future holds that they aren’t even able to enjoy the beautiful moment they’re currently in. 

What is worry? Truly, think about it. What is worry? Well in that passage in Matthew 6:25-34, it is the same Greek word (used six times) that Peter used in 1Peter 5:7 when he told us to cast all of our anxieties on the Lord. Our English dictionaries define “worry” as the act of allowing your mind to dwell on potential or actual difficulties, troubles, or problems. So, we would be making our campsite in the negative. Is that really where you want to camp? Is that where you want to dwell? In 2019, Psychology Today published an article describing how a study revealed that 91% of all worries people allowed to dwell in their minds never even came to pass and were declared as false alarms. So, what is a worry? Well, 91% of the time, a worry is a false alarm. But isn’t it also to merely lack trust in the Lord? Should we allow 91% of false alarms to create a division in our devotion to the Lord?

So, in conclusion, what are you allowing your mind to dwell on and what are you practicing? What are you putting into practice? We must remain steadfast, being single-minded in the pursuit of our calling. To do this, we must trust in the Lord while consistently practicing righteousness.

1Corinthians 9:24-27 says, “24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

2Timothy 4:7-8 says, “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Galatians 6:9-10 says, “9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

[ I sent my message (above) to my brother, Jason White (TheArtistJ), and asked him to not only send me his thoughts in writing, but I also challenged him to create something from the black dot… ]

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TheArtistJ:

Let us consider the wondrous truth that through Christ, we can have a different perspective and outlook on life. In Romans 8:28, we find one of the most comforting verses in all of Scripture: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” This means that even the trials and difficulties we face can ultimately be used for our good and for God’s glory. We can trust that He is in control and that He is working all things together for our ultimate good, and that really is only a perspective that those who hope in Christ can have.

This is the reason why Paul tells us “not to be anxious about anything” in Philippians 4:6, because if we are truly in Christ then He will work the situations for our good and His ultimate glory. That’s why in Psalm 55:22, we read “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” What an awesome promise! Once we cast our burdens on God, we no longer carry them alone. Just like in Exodus 17:12, when Moses’s hands grew heavy, Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under Moses, and he sat on it, while they both held up his hands until the sun went down and their circumstance had ended, which in that case was a battle. Likewise, God sustains us. We sit upon the ROCK, the firm foundation, who sustains us while we are heavy in spirit, lifting us up as our mediator, and our savior until the circumstances have passed. How awesome is Jesus!

God is a master at using even the most difficult circumstances to produce greater good in us and for us. As it says in Romans 5:3-4, “we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Through our trials and hardships, God is molding and shaping us into the people He has called us to be, meaning sanctification, as well as using the situation for His own glory.

Consider the life of Joseph as an example. He was betrayed by his own brothers, sold into slavery, and falsely accused of a crime he did not commit. Yet through it all, God was at work in Joseph’s life, preparing him to become a leader through these tough circumstances to become a source of salvation for his people. As Joseph himself said in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Furthermore, the story of Joseph serves as a powerful illustration of our ultimate example of working bad situations for good: Christ. Just as Joseph was betrayed and suffered unjustly, so too was Jesus Christ betrayed and falsely accused. And just as Joseph ultimately became a source of salvation for his people, so too did Jesus Christ become the ultimate source of salvation for all mankind through His sacrificial death on the cross.

In the midst of our own trials and hardships, let us remember that we serve a God who knows our struggles intimately and who has overcome the world. As we look to Jesus Christ, our ultimate example, we can have hope and confidence that even in the midst of suffering, God is at work to bring about His ultimate purposes. That’s the perspective we are to have, the fact that our God is completely sovereign over all things. As Hebrews 2:8-9 reminds us, “For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him, But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of His suffering death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”

This means that even the events that may seem chaotic or beyond our control are ultimately under the sovereign hand of our God. Therefore, we have no real need to worry or be anxious about the future. Our God knows the end from the beginning, and He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Even in the midst of trials and difficulties, we can rest in the knowledge that God is in control and that He is using every circumstance to accomplish His perfect will.

So let us trust in the sovereignty of our God and lay aside all worry and anxiety, and do as Paul instructs in Philippians 4:8, to focus our minds on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. By dwelling on such things, we cultivate a positive perspective on life and are better able to navigate the challenges that come our way, because we know that God is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer, and nothing can separate us from His love, and we can rest and find peace in God’s sovereign care for us.

I’ll end with a poem I wrote years ago called “Perspective”:

You ever notice how beautiful a valley is when you’re seeing it from a higher perspective,
but it seems atrocious when it’s in your way and you have to travel through it to get to your objectives.
Look how awesome a storm is to behold when you’re not in the midst of it?
How wondrous a fire is when you’re not in the thick of it.
God’s sight is so much greater than our own, what we think is obscured He sees high above on His throne.
God cares for His own but sometimes His greatest work doesn’t come while sitting on a pew,
but it comes by molding us when our life seems skewed.
When seeking God’s face is all you can do. It’s in these valleys that He’s shaping us into something stronger and new.
When you’re closed in on all sides, looking up is your best view.
We want all of our prayers answered on our own cues,
but what if learning to trust and wait on God is the breakthrough.

BEFORE                                                                          AFTER

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Trenton:

Now, I don’t know why Jason decided to use that black dot for Jesus’s eye, but it seems perfect to me. It is just as Jason mentioned from Hebrews 2:9 in that “by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” That’s exactly what Jason’s illustration depicts. Jesus has His eye set on that black dot, that black hole of death because He came to conquer death and set us free from sin. And do you know what Jesus has His eye set on right now? You. Me. Remember that in Matthew 28:20, Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” And in Matthew 18:20, Jesus promised, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” And so our Lord is here with us right now.

In conclusion, James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

So, I want to challenge us today (myself included). What distractions are we holding onto that are causing us to be double-minded? What are we dwelling on? Where have we made camp? Have we made our camp in all that is negative while focusing on the black dot problem? Or are we camping in the solution of our Savior, placing our entire trust in Him? What black hole have we allowed to divide us from our devotion to the Lord? Both Peter and Paul told us to cast all of that on Christ! James told us to confess to each other so that we can receive healing and restoration. So, I challenge you to go confess to your local body with whom you fellowship and receive prayer for restoration of your mind and will. May the peace that surpasses all human understanding abide in you. Amen.

What Is Love?

The following article is Lesson 3 from my book, Superhero University: The Ultimate Superhero Training Manual:

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Superheroes, having the correct understanding of what is good and right, are full of love, and they are compelled to act out from love. This is the only reason we can distinguish the hero from the villain. Spider-Man doesn’t save a falling person from splatting on the ground because he hates the person he saves, right? The superhero saves someone from danger/death because he/she has love for the person he/she is saving. In stark contrast, the villain performs acts of evil, not love. Again, evil is merely a privation of what is good; hatred is a privation or lack of love. It is written in James 2:8 that we are doing right by living a life of love toward others. But what is love? 

Love is not something we can have or hold like materialists would like us to believe. Not everything in life can be boiled down to materialism. Think about it: Can you describe the physical features of love or even the thought about love? How much does love weigh? Of what is the love molecule comprised? There is no infinity stone of love we can possess that can be contained in a gauntlet. In fact, of all the infinity stones Thanos (from the Avengers) had been able to collect that provided him with seemingly unlimited power and ability, it is evident that he lacked love, and that is why he had no qualms about murdering half of the created creatures in the universe—including his own daughter! In fact, Thanos had to sacrifice love in order to be able to obtain one of the infinity stones. Ultimately, Thanos traded love for power because he could not possess both. 

But what is love? And why do humans possess the capability to love? If love is not a material that can be weighed, or measured, how are humans able to possess love? How do we even know that love exists? Does love exist? We know that love exists—not because humans have defined the term—but because the Creator provided the definition of love and humans live by that defined divine design. 

Think about this: Oxygen—the air we breathe—exists whether humanity believes in it or not. In fact, oxygen exists even if humans call it something else. Humanity never created or invented oxygen; we merely discovered it. Likewise, love exists whether humanity believes love exists or not. Love exists even if humans call it something else. In fact, the definition of love is so confused by many humans because they believe it to be something it is not. Many people misuse the word love when they are actually referring to something else that love is not. And this is why it is important that the word love be clearly defined. 

(1 John 4:7–8, NLT)
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

(1 John 4:19, ESV)
“We love because he first loved us.”

Scripture makes sense. If GOD is love, then we would love because GOD first loved us because GOD created us. We are able to love because GOD is love and we are from GOD. If love is GOD, then we must know who GOD is so we can better understand what love is. So who is GOD? We will examine that in detail in Lesson 32, but for now suffice it to say that GOD is love and the absolute moral standard and therefore provides the definition of love (which we will soon examine and define). But we can also better understand love by examining what love is not. 

Love Is Not An Emotion 

Many people in the world claim that love is an emotion, but that simply isn’t true. Love affects our emotions and even causes us to produce emotions within us, but love is not an emotion in and of itself. You may claim that you can feel as if someone loves you, but love is not a feeling. 

Love Is Not Sexual Intercourse 

It is unwise to confuse sex for love and love for sex. Sex needs love to be relevant and meaningful; however, love does not need sex to be relevant and meaningful. A person can have sex with another person simply for the pleasure all while possessing no love for that individual. Examples of this, of course, is prostitution or rape. Such acts of sexual intercourse are meaningless because there is no love in the act of sex. That kind of sex serves a selfish purpose, but has no ultimate meaning. And of course, sex isn’t necessary for love to exist, to be relevant and be meaningful (I will expound upon this later when I define love). Now sex may be found in one of the definitions of love (Eros—I’ll get to this soon), but Eros is within the definition of love; love is ultimately selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. A distorted desire is often misconstrued, mistaken as love. It is unwise to confuse lust for love. 

Even if love is not an emotion, a feeling, or even the act of sexual intercourse, does it matter if love can be clearly defined? If so, why does it matter? Consider what is written: 

(1 Corin. 13:1–3, NLT)
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

The definition of love matters because GOD is love and GOD created us in His image (Gen. 1:27). For without GOD, love would not matter because life would ultimately be meaningless and purposeless. And if we are to be loving beings, it is important that we understand the definition of love. 

What Is Love? 

(1 Corin. 13:4–8, NLT)
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!”

Love Is an Action 

Though it is not specifically and solely the act of sexual intercourse, love is definitely an action; it is something we do. Read verses 4–7 again and take notice of the fourteen different active descriptions the Holy Spirit (via Paul) uses to define love (patience, kindness, etc.). It’s important to note that this is not Paul’s definition of love, but the definition of love written by Paul while he was inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

Love Is a Choice 

The fourteen active descriptions are actions that we choose to do or not to do. There’s a nonsensical saying that states, “You can’t help who you love.” But yes—you can! We get to decide if we love and who we will love if we decide to love. And this is because we have free will (discussed in Lesson 41). 

Also, there’s a saying that states, “I fell in love.” It sounds so romantic, but this is also nonsense. Love is not a hole or trapdoor we can fall in. You don’t fall in love any more than you fall out of love. Love is a choice. You choose to love. You choose not to love. People do not fall in love; people decide to love. People do, however, fall into the trapdoor of lust. When people talk about love at first sight, what they really mean is lust at first sight. Now is it possible to possess love for someone at first sight? General love? Yes. Complete love? No. Love in the sense that you want the best for someone? Yes. Love in the sense that you desire the best for someone despite all his/her flaws and mistakes? No. It’s not possible to love someone so deeply at first sight because you wouldn’t know the flaws and mistakes associated with the person. And how is it possible to truly love someone unless you love despite the flaws and mistakes? 

Love, in a nutshell, is the good you will show toward someone and/or others. It’s treating someone else with the qualities described in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7. Take the Supreme Superhero (Jesus) as an example (after all, the Savior is the definition of love and the ultimate example of love): 

(John 15:12–13, NLT)
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

However, the Supreme Superhero goes even further by commanding us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:43–48). And then the Savior did exactly that—Jesus went out and laid down His life for us by dying on the cross as our atoning sacrifice while being mocked, spat on, beaten, lacerated, and murdered by those who hated Him for no good reason. Love is caring more for others than for self because love is selfless. Love is sacrificial. Love is unconditional. 

Love Defined 

Unlike the English language, which uses the one word of love ambiguously, the ancient Greek language used different words to define the one word of love so that people wouldn’t be confused as to which definition of love should be inferred. Examine the four following words and their associated definitions: 

• Storge/stergo—This is a familial love such as the love of a parent toward offspring and vice versa. Devotion can be a key word associated with this type of love.

• Phileo—This love is companionable and relational. It means brotherly/sisterly love or friendship. It carries the idea of two or more people who feel compatible with each other.

• Eros—This is the word for sexual or romantic love. In fact, this is where we get the word erotic. This word implies a sexual demand. And because it is unwise to confuse lust for love, it is imperative that we not confuse lust for Eros. The passion and intimacy of Eros is to be confined within the covenant bond between husband and wife, as was designed by the Designer. Lust is only about the pelvic thrust, to seek pleasure and fulfill a selfish desire. Lust is committed only to fulfilling a distorted desire whereas love (eros) is committed to fulfilling the needs of the partner within the covenant union. Therefore, be wise: pursue love and reject thoughts produced from the lustful lair of the Liar—they are lies created in the cave of the contemptible con artist and Counterfeiter, the Salesman that is Satan. Don’t buy the lies. Even a lustful look is adultery in the heart (Matt. 5:28). Money can’t buy you love. And no—that’s actually not from the Beatles—it’s from the Song of Solomon 8:7.

• Agape—This is the highest and deepest level of love. This is the ultimate love and is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. This is the love of GOD. This is the type of love all superheroes should possess. 

(1 Pet. 4:8, NLT)
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

Love covers a multitude of sins? Is that true? Yes! In fact, that is exactly what Jesus did for us:

(Rom. 5:6–8, NLT)
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

For love, compassion is the key and empathy is everything: 

(Luke 23:34, NLT)
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

Jesus is able to see us as His precious people, not a pervasive problem such as a plague. The Savior sees us as eternal beings, not mortal enemies. The Supreme Superhero sees us as family who belong in His heavenly home, not failures to be flung in the fiery furnace. Hell is where evil belongs and will ultimately be quarantined, but GOD doesn’t desire for us to go to that awful place. In fact, the Lord desires for everyone to be saved and doesn’t take any delight in the destruction of the wicked (Ezek. 18:21–23; 33:11; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). 

Jesus is our awesome, ardent advocate who absorbed for us the penalty of sin. Apostle Paul assists us by providing an important reminder that helps us put people into proper perspective: 

(Eph. 6:12, NLT)
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

It is of the utmost importance that all superheroes remember this: we are to hate evil/sin, but we are to love people. 

Conclusion 

1. Love never fails. 

(Song of Sol. 8:7, NLT)
“Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.”

2. Love perfects us. 

(1 John 4:12–18, NLT)
“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

3. Love is supreme. 

(1 Corin. 13:13, NLT)
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

Reflection 

If you want to be a superhero, you must possess love and choose to love others. A superhero can only be a superhero if the hero first and foremost possesses love for others. Do you possess love for others? If not, you resemble a villain. But wait—is that a fair statement? Consider the words of the Supreme Superhero:

(Matt. 12:30, ESV)
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

The late and great Martin Luther King Jr. once posed a powerful question to the clergymen of Alabama in his renowned letter, “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” He asked, “So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love?” 

And that’s not a fallacy of false dilemma—if we’re not loving others, then…we’re not loving people. Therefore, I implore everyone to examine the motives and intentions of each and every choice/decision you make. Are you able to recognize good from bad? Right from wrong? Are you living a life of love or hate? For if you’re not living a life of love, what are you doing and what is your life? I choose to live an extreme life of love (not lust), and I urge you to do the same. Don’t scatter. Be a gatherer. Ironically, the best way to be a gatherer of people is to scatter seeds of love. How many seeds of love can you sow today? 

So ask yourself, do you love others? From where did you get this desire to love? Do you feel compelled to act out from love? If so, why do you think that is? All superheroes possess love for people. If you love people, then you possess one of the qualities of a superhero and you just might be one someday! 

Identity Crisis

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If you would rather read this message, I have provided the words below:

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INTRODUCTION: 

What do you do when you first meet someone? Let’s examine some examples from both teenage and adult perspectives:

(1)  Teen Friendship only:  

• Get his/her name?
• Ask what he/she likes to do?
• Find out where he/she typically hangs out?
• Do you know any of the same people?
• Find out what you have in common.
• Discern who the person is and if you want that person to be in your life. 

(2)  Teen Romantic interest:  

• Robot mode: Judge by appearance. Scan the subject.
• Facial recognition: Approved. Does not need a bag over the head.
• Body: mid-section: Approved.
• Body: lower-section: there’s some junk in the trunk but that’s okay because I like big butts and I cannot lie—
• We don’t even think about who they are! They could be the most attractive serial killer you’ve ever met.

(3)  Adult friendship only:  (we are worse than teens)

• What’s your name? (I don’t really care and I probably won’t remember it)
• What do you do for a living? (Do I have a better career than you? Do I make more money than you? Am I better than you?)

(4)  Adult romantic interest: 

• Adults basically do the same thing as teens.

(5)  Is it any wonder why so many friendships last a long time — even a lifetime? Is it any wonder why so many romantic relationships end in heartache, pain, and divorce? 

• When seeking friendships, we typically seek to find who the person is – we seek to discover that person’s identity.
• When seeking romantic relationships, we typically seek to find what is physically attractive to look at and then try to force that person to become the best friend we’re hoping to find.

SCRIPTURE READING:

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ ‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.’ Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.’ ”
(Matthew 16:13-17) -NLT

GAMESHOW:  GUESS WHO

How To Play:

Get out a piece of paper and a writing utensil. Write numbers 1-7, going down. I am going to describe to you seven different people, one at a time. As I am describing each person to you, I want you to try to imagine what each person looks like. First, imagine whether the person is male or female. Write it down — male or female. After you assume the gender of the person, I want you to imagine the age, height, and even the weight of the person. I want you to also imagine if the person has a lot of facial hair or if the person is clean shaven. Imagine the person’s skin tone, hair color and even the eye color. Does the person have freckles? Wrinkles? Does the person have scars? What clothing would the person be wearing? Be as specific as possible in your guess as to who this person is. If you know who the person is, simply write the name of the person. 

IDENTITY #1

Description:  

This person had a sister and a brother who both died at an early age. Not too much longer after the death of both siblings, this person’s mother also died. This person eventually became a part-owner of a store, but the business failed. This person studied law. This person eventually fell in love; however, this person’s love interest also eventually died. With only two saddlebags to hold all of this person’s possessions, this person moved to a new city to live in at the age of 28. This person eventually got into politics. This person ran for president year after year and got rejected year after year; however, this person finally got elected as the president of the United States at the age of 52.

Identity Revealed:

It was only after years of rejection and ‘failure’ that this man succeeded. That man was Abraham Lincoln.

IDENTITY #2

Description:

This person was born in 1929. This person lived in a confined space with many other people and felt as if the atmosphere was suffocating at times. At the age of only 15, this person got arrested. At the young age of 16, this person died from typhoid fever; in addition, all family members with the exception of the father ended up dying. But the father found this person’s diary and this diary became famous.

Identity Revealed:  

The young girl named Anne Frank eventually went on to inspire millions of people despite the fact that she wasn’t even alive here on Earth. Her father — the only remaining family member — found Anne’s diary, was amazed by her maturity and character and then he got it published into a book. Anne provided wonderful insight into a dark moment of history inundated with Nazis and also showed the world that maturity can be found in youth and a hero can look like a female. 

{She was 16! You are not too young to make a difference!}

IDENTITY #3

Description:  

This person was born in Australia. As a child, this person struggled mentally, emotionally, and even physically. At one point, this person considered suicide. At the age of 21, this person graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and with a double major in accountancy and financial planning. This person is now a Christian evangelist and motivational speaker.

Identity Revealed:  

This person is Nick Vujicic; he was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs. Nick has encouraged, motivated and inspired millions of people simply because he overcame and never quit. Though he lives a life without limbs, his heart propels him in the direction he needs to go.

IDENTITY #4

Description:  

This person was one of eight siblings and was also the runt of the litter. Being the smallest, this person was sent to watch over sheep rather than being in war or hunting. On one occasion, a special visitor came to the father and desired to choose one of the siblings for a special task and rare position. But on this occasion, this person was excluded from the other siblings and wasn’t even presented as a choice to the special visitor. Neither the father nor the siblings thought very much of this person.

Identity Revealed:  

This person is the great David of the Bible. Even Samuel — a prophet — admitted he wanted to choose David’s brother over David. But GOD’s response in 1Samuel 16:6-7 tells us that GOD does not look at appearance, but looks at the heart.

IDENTITY #5

Description:  

This person dressed with clothing that proclaims importance and that is because this person possesses an important title or position. This person was one of the few who comprised the ruling class in the area. This person was a successful person by human standards. However, this person eventually caused an innocent and much loved man to receive a death sentence and was later despised because of it. 

Identity Revealed:  

This person is one of the many Pharisees whom Jesus opposed and often rebuked. These are the people who seemed like they had it all together and were doing everything right! Though the Pharisees had the appearance of importance and right character, they lacked heart. Examine the words of Jesus regarding the Pharisees:

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others…. Woe to you, blind guides…. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness…. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?”
(Matthew 23:1-5, 16, 27-28, 33) -ESV 

IDENTITY #6

Description:  

This person grew up agnostic and eventually became a performer in Hollywood for the entertainment industry and had been in dozens of television shows. This person became a nihilistic atheist whose only concern was experiencing fun. Sadly, this person’s nihilism brought this person to write out a suicide letter, considering everything in life to be worthless and meaningless — even life itself. After failing to commit suicide, this person eventually left the entertainment industry and ended up receiving unemployment checks until working such jobs as a janitor for an elementary school and as a groundskeeper for an apartment community. By the world’s standards, this person became a failure and an insignificant and invisible nobody.

Identity Revealed:  

This person is me (Trenton Gill). Jesus saved me from myself. To see my entire testimony, please see my other article, “My Testimony: from Agnosticism, to Atheism, to Christianity“.

IDENTITY #7

Description:  

As a baby, this person was born in a dirty place where animals typically go to eat. There never seemed to be anything remarkable about this person; in fact, this person worked an ordinary job as a typical carpenter. When this person was around 30 years of age, this person went above and beyond to love people. And yet despite of this person’s great love, this person was condemned to a death sentence on false accusations and died a horrible death. People mocked this person as this person died.

Identity Revealed:  

This person is Christ Jesus. Jesus — fully GOD — became fully human in order to save us from ourselves. By His great sacrificial love, our bloodstained sinful selves have been whitewashed and cleansed and we will be able to live in His presence for all eternity.

SUMMARY

When I described each person, did the physical appearance ever make a difference as to who they ended up becoming? Did physical appearance have anything to do with the person’s identity? 

(1)  Think:  

• Did age or gender make a difference?
• Did all of their ‘current’ jobs, tasks, labels or titles ever define who they would end up becoming?
• Did their history determine their future?

(2)  The heart is the start and most important part:  

• From examples in this game and everyone we read about in the Bible, what matters most is the heart. 

CONCLUSION: GAME’S OVER; NOW WHAT? REAL LIFE STARTS.

(1)  Examine yourself:  

• If I were to write a description about you and share it with someone else, would that person picture you?
• Is the current description of you the person you want to be in the future?
• What do you care about most in life?
• What are your short-term and long-term goals?
• What are your dreams?
• Who do you want to become?
• You need to know your identity. Otherwise, people will tell you who you are and you just might believe them. 

(2)  Examine others:  

• Are you judging someone by their appearance instead of looking at their heart?
• Do you even know enough about someone to write a description about that person’s heart?
• If you don’t know a person well enough to write a description about that person’s heart, then you don’t truly know who they are.

REAL LIFE APPLICATION

Pastor Steve Fender from Livingway Church of San Antonio, Texas once shared with me one of the most amazing testimonies I’ve ever heard. After an alter call at one of Steve’s services, a man by the name of Ernest had asked Steve to talk to him and pray with him. Eventually, Ernest confessed to being a Mexican mafia hitman and that he had killed a lot of people. Ernest asked if GOD would still accept him because of all the murders he had committed and pastor Steve told Ernest that no one is too far gone to be saved. Pastor Steve asked Ernest to lift up his hands in surrender to GOD; Ernest told Steve that he would, but only if Steve would hold his shirt down so that no one would see his gun while his arms were up. Ernest — a hitman with a loaded gun in church service — gave his life to Christ that day and eventually led many other people to Christ. One day, Ernest was shot while walking the streets. When pastor Steve arrived at the scene, Ernest was face down on the ground, already dead. In Ernest’s hand appeared to be a gun; however, it was a copy of the New Testament. The world labeled Ernest as a murderer; Ernest proclaimed himself to be a murderer at one point; however, Ernest was made new in Christ and was called to be a preacher. Ernest’s title of ‘hitman’ wasn’t his true identity. And once Ernest realized his real identity, he received his true calling and his true title. Repentance and faith bring salvation. Despite his past, Ernest was a preacher and that is how we should remember him.

CALL TO ACTION:

(1)  Perhaps you genuinely desire to have a relationship with GOD, but you are guilty of judging people by their appearances. If that’s you, repent and ask GOD to help you see people in the loving way He sees them. “GOD, remove the veil of lies from my eyes! Open my eyes to see Truth! Help me to see people as you see them!”

(2)  Perhaps you don’t judge people by their appearances and assume the worst of them, but you do distance yourself from people who seem questionable. If that’s you, ask GOD to cast out fear and to fill you with the love and courage necessary to go introduce yourself to those people. You just might introduce yourself to someone who needs love the most.

(3) Perhaps you view yourself as the person who has only been judged by his/her appearance. Is it possible that you’ve closed yourself off and have prevented people from establishing relationships with you because you’re afraid of getting hurt? If that’s you, open yourself up again and allow people to get to know who you truly are. If possible, link up with someone else and then together go introduce yourselves to someone else.

(4)  Perhaps you just found yourself here but you’re not a committed follower of Christ. If that’s you, perhaps it’s time to get to know the One who died for you. Perhaps it’s time to get to know the GOD who desires to have a relationship with the person He created. GOD created you for a purpose. If you want to discover that purpose and know more, let it be known to GOD. Seek and you will find.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, please inundate our hearts and convict us of the truth. Please open our eyes and help us to see beyond the superficial surface and to dive deep into the depth of Truth. Open our minds and enable us to see true identity beyond the facade of the face or the build of the body. Help us to love people the way you love them. I proclaim in the name of Jesus, the person reading this will discover his/her true identity in You. 

Whatever Floats Your Boat

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If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

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Countless times I have heard someone tell me, “Do whatever floats your boat.” Essentially, this saying means that people should do whatever makes them happy. But is that truly good advice? Should you do whatever floats your boat? Is the pursuit of happiness equal to the pursuit of purpose? The book of Ecclesiastes alone showcases how the pursuit of pleasure is “vanity,” meaningless, or merely smoke; however, multiple celebrities have revealed that pursuing pleasure will never be enough to live out purpose.

A harbor can be a noun or a verb. A harbor is a part of a body of water along the shore deep enough for anchoring a ship. But to harbor is also to keep or hold in the mind. Relate “harbor” with bad thoughts and negativity. You are the boat. If you harbor (keep in your mind) the bad thoughts, then the boat (you) will harbor (will remain anchored and without movement). But should a boat remain anchored? Boats are made for sailing, not sitting. You are not meant to keep negativity or evil in your mind and remain idle. All the bad you keep in your mind will anchor you and tie you down to your past and prevent you from sailing into your future. A floater’s future isn’t much different than the floater’s present. Is that much of a future? Let go of the bad. How can you grasp onto anything new and good while your hands are still full of the bad of which you refuse to let go? Let go and sail! It is better to sink after sailing than to forever float after being anchored in the harbor.

Like the horse in the picture (above), Moses believed he was confined to one area in life. In fact, the Israelites under Egyptian control also believed they had been confined to only one area in life. Many people are like the horse tied to a lightweight plastic chair. Many people don’t even realize that they are free to go because they believe they are tied to something that’s preventing them from moving forward. Understand this: the Adversary wants you to be idle; the enemy wants you to merely float. Why? Because a boat in the harbor is not a boat out in the sea; a horse tied to a chair is not a horse that goes into all nations, delivering good news.

“But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’ ”
(Exodus 3:11) -NLT

“But Moses protested again, ‘What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, “The Lord never appeared to you!”?’ Then the Lord asked him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A shepherd’s staff,’ Moses replied. ‘Throw it down on the ground,’ the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back.”
(Exodus 4:1-3) -NLT

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you have or what you don’t have. GOD asked Moses what he had and Moses told him he only had a stick. But GOD used that stick to create a miracle! And that staff became his measuring stick of faith; in fact, that’s probably one of the reasons why he always carried it with him. Every time Moses looked at that staff, he remembered GOD’s power. How close was Moses to a miracle? So close he could touch it! So close, in fact, that the miracle had been with him the whole time – he had been holding on to his miracle! Has your miracle been with you the whole time? All we need to do is move toward GOD (James 4:8) and GOD will prove that all things are possible through Him (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; 18:27). All Moses had to do was allow GOD inside in order for the miracle to be activated. Eventually, no matter how afraid or hesitant Moses felt, deep down inside he knew that GOD creates possibilities and all he had to do was to continue progressing forward in faith. All he had to do was make a decision to allow GOD to cut him loose from the Adversary’s anchor, the deadweight of doubt and feeling of fear.

Never tell yourself, “I can’t.” Instead, tell yourself, “I will try.” If you fail, never tell yourself, “I quit.” Instead, tell yourself, “I will try again.“ Never ask yourself, “Who am I? What difference can I make?” Instead, tell yourself, “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world” (1John 4:4).

Some people need to set themselves free from themselves. If you have been struggling with doubt, fear, or addictions, know that you possess the power to walk away in the name of Jesus. You can walk away at any time. In the name of Jesus, by the power of GOD, you will no longer be bound to your addiction(s) and you will no longer be steered by your affliction(s). Proclaim your freedom, believe it, and simply walk away from it. We are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37). Give the addiction(s) and affliction(s) to GOD and allow Christ inside of you in order to activate your miracle.

In his book “Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story,” the late 1990’s and early 2000’s rock star, Brian ‘Head’ Welch walked away completely clean and sober after he had asked Jesus to take it all away from him so that he could live the right way. With GOD, all things are possible.

Consider again the horse and the plastic chair. If the horse in the picture were to walk away, the blue chair would follow behind it. But either one of four things would most likely happen:

1. The horse would realize that the chair is tied to it and then begrudgingly accept that the chair is just the way of life and there’s nothing it can do except drag the chair everywhere it goes;
2. the horse would get spooked by the chair and run; it would run long enough only to exhaust itself, never breaking free from the torment of the chair;
3. the horse would get spooked and run; it would run long enough that it would eventually break loose from the chair yet still end up exhausted and probably end up in a location it never desired to go, or;
4. the owner of the horse would care enough to calm the horse and help the horse see the chair for what it really is: it’s mere deadweight that needs to be cut loose; furthermore, the chair possesses no real power.

Some people believe their anchors are just the way of life and there’s nothing that can be done about it. Some people exhaust themselves by their own efforts. Some people allow that which drags behind them to steer them toward an undesired destination due to fear. Understand this: you can walk away from your addiction(s)! The addiction(s) may follow you, but until you allow the Owner (GOD) to cut that deadweight loose, you will only exhaust yourself by your own efforts. Freedom does require action. You have to move. Like Lot, you must decide to walk away and not look back (Genesis 19:26). But when we walk away, we do not just aimlessly wander like the Israelites did for 40 years (Joshua 5:6). We need to walk toward the Owner so He can cut the deadweight loose. Walk with Jesus – nothing evil can stay with you if you are with Jesus because Jesus casts evil out. You simply cannot dwell in the darkness if you walk with Jesus because Jesus is the the Light (John 8:12). Ask GOD to take it from you. GOD will provide a way of escape if you seek Him (1Corinthians 10:13). Proclaim it: you are free from your addiction(s) and you can overcome your affliction(s)! May it be so. Amen.

The person that holds you back is often yourself. More often than not, the chains that bind you are mental and not physical. And if you don’t want to take my word for it, listen to Nick Vujicic. Nick was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, which is a rare disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs. Nick has no arms and no legs! Yet despite his physical condition, GOD helped Nick break the mental chains that tried to bind him and now he’s a motivational speaker who inspires people all throughout the world.
(After you finish this message, watch Nick’s message, “Learn To Live The Life God Has Called You To” and then set sail! But first finish this message.)

Before Moses ever led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the parting of the Red Sea, he lived with doubt and fear as his anchors that held him in the harbor. Moses didn’t believe he could accomplish anything of significance. At that time, he believed he was just a man with a speech impediment and a regrettable past. Consequently, Moses stayed where he was at in life. He had been a floater.

Don’t allow your mental hangups to tie you down and prevent you from sailing for the Savior. Are you anchored in the harbor? Are you only floating while merely existing? Don’t you realize that boats are meant to sail? I’ll say it again: it is better to sink after sailing than to forever float after being anchored in the harbor. It is better to sail for the Savior than to be anchored by the Adversary. Don’t be a floater. Sail, boat! Sail!

Some people have been anchored in agony due to addictions and afflictions; however, some people have been docked in the Dead Sea due to selfish decisions. Some people don’t want to sail because they’re only concerned about themselves. Some people are only concerned about keeping their own boats afloat; they only care about whatever floats their boats.

Those who float are in the Dead Sea. Though I am speaking of the Dead Sea figuratively, the actual physical location of the Dead Sea can help to understand the metaphorical sea of the dead. The Dead Sea’s unusually high salt concentration (about 33%) means that people can easily float due to natural buoyancy. But just as its name indicates, this sea is dead because the high concentration of salt prevents life such as fish, birds, and plants from living in it. The Dead Sea’s high concentration of salt is due to it having no outlets. Whatever water finds its way in will never find its way out; the water evaporates and the white of the salt remains.

Are you figuratively floating in the Dead Sea? Those who refuse to set sail for the Savior merely float in the Dead Sea. Those who continue to take and never give have no outlet. Without an outlet, you will come to nothing, leaving only the white of your bones behind. Don’t you realize we are more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)?

We are not called to be Couch Potato Christians, Blue Cord Bums, or faithless floaters. Many people know that Jesus told Peter and Andrew that if they followed Him, He would make them fishers of men (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17; Luke 5:10). People also know that Peter and Andrew left everything and followed Jesus (Matthew 4:20; Mark 1:18; Luke 5:11). Their decision to leave everything they knew and follow Jesus was the moment they decided to stop being floaters and to set sail for the Savior. By becoming disciples of Jesus, Peter and Andrew left their comfort zones in order to set sail into the sea of the lost to become fishers of men. However, many people fail to recognize an important part of this story which happened right before Peter and Andrew left everything to follow Jesus. Examine Luke 5:1-11 (NLT):

“One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. ² He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. ⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.’ ^{5 ‘}Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’ ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. ⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, ‘Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.’ ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!’ ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.“

Jesus used Peter’s boat! Peter allowed Jesus into his boat! Peter was a fisherman and he needed his boat in order to catch fish. By Peter allowing Jesus into his boat, he allowed Jesus access to his livelihood. Verse 4 is the important part: Peter was instructed to go out where it was deeper in order to catch fish. When placed in proper perspective with verse 10, we can see that disciples must be willing to go out where it’s deeper in order to catch those who are lost. But we simply cannot do that if we are anchored or tied up at the dock, merely floating in the Dead Sea. We must set sail! And take note that verse 7 shows us that relationships matter and teamwork works. Without the other boat and teammates, Peter’s boat would have gone under.

Jesus had called Peter and Andrew (and even Paul later on) to leave the faithless life of being a floater in order to risk sinking after sailing (Luke 5:7; 2Corinthians 11:25). Jesus called them to leave what they considered to be their way of life (comfort) for a better way of life (calling). Jesus called them to leave their productive trade in order to be productive spiritually. We all need to fish for lost souls, but we can’t do that unless we risk sailing for the Savior. Jesus’ call challenged the men to leave everything — immediately. They didn’t make excuses about timing, ability, or comfort. They left everything and followed Jesus. And Jesus calls each of us to follow Him. Jesus called the disciples to fish for the lost as if they were fishing for food necessary for their own survival – that’s what Jesus meant when He commanded us to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39)! The Gospel is like the net, lifting people from the depths of dark waters into the light of day and transforming their lives. Remember: in order to make a catch, you must go out where it’s deeper. We must set sail. We must not be a faithless floater in the Dead Sea.

I challenge you: Seek GOD and He will provide a way of escape. Jesus can cut you loose from the Adversary’s anchor(s). Do not float in your comfort zone. Dead men float. Satan wants you to be a floater because he does not want you to be active in the sea of those who need to be saved. We are the Righteous League and the fishers of the lost! We are children of GOD, not children who are damned to the Dead Sea of selfishness. Don’t step foot in the Dead Sea ship; rather, choose relationship, discipleship, and worship! Sail, boat! Sail! We either sail for the Savior or remain stagnant, get stuck in the bitter salty sea of sin and eventually sink with Satan in his final sentencing. It is better to capsize for Christ than to dock in the Dead Sea and satisfy Satan by remaining stationary. Don’t listen to those who will invite you into the Dead Sea – there’s no outlet – they all float and you’ll float too!

REMEMBER: Watch Nick’s message, “Learn To Live The Life God Has Called You To” and then set sail for the Savior!

Superhero: Motive Matters

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If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

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This is Part 10 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up!

In this message (Part 10), we will see that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love!

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Why do superheroes do what they do? If we look into their origins, we will discover that they had life-changing events that altered their perspectives on life and reality. Essentially, the origin of the superhero is the testimony that led to a new life. To put it plainly, superheroes do what they do because they know why they do what they do. Do you know your ‘why?’ The power of the ‘why’ compels superheroes to continue when they might otherwise want to quit. But the power of the ‘why’ can only provide the drive, not the direction. Think about it: even evil villains possess a powerful ‘why’ and are driven to succeed. What determines direction is the motive. Motive matters. Your character is your compass. And if your character is not Christlike and is not in alignment with the absolute moral standard, your misaligned motive will point you in the wrong direction. Truly, the heart is the start.

Many criminals creep around in the darkness of night with a ‘why’ that drives them to accomplish their selfish goals. In the 1980’s, serial killer Richard Ramirez received the nickname “Night Stalker” because most of his assaults took place at night in the victims’ own homes. Batman also operates in stealth and uses the darkness to his advantage, but he does so in order to accomplish good rather than evil. The difference is found in their motives. Criminals are driven by only one of three common motives: power, money, or sex. However, Batman – like many other superheroes – is motivated by the biblical principle of loving others and hating what is evil (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13; Amos 5:15).

There is struggle from the moment of birth: seek pleasure and promote self-worth or seek GOD and pursue purpose while on Earth. To those who try to let the light shine through while the darkness tries to cover you, don’t give up! Don’t give in! Don’t stop believing! Happiness can be found, but it starts from within. The silent screams from your soul are heard (Romans 8:26-28) – every sigh and tear exudes unspoken words. The right intention can still travel in the wrong direction. All that is now concealed will soon be revealed (Matthew 10:26-27). Take a stand! Stand to be who you’re meant to be! It’s not sex or drugs that makes the rock roll – it’s not cigarettes or alcohol! It’s not about being famous or having money, being on a magazine or TV, the fancy clothes you wear, the style of your hair, the huge estate you bought, or the expensive car you’ve got. It’s not about the audience applause. It’s simply about doing it for the cause! We do what we do because it’s right. Our reward is in knowing we’ve done what’s right. And now you know:

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
(James 4:17).

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
(Matthew 6:1-4) -ESV

Be a secret agent! Superheroes typically have secret identities. Though superheroes usually have secret identities in order to protect themselves and/or their loved ones, we (Christians) can have secret identities for the sole purpose of loving others without expecting anything in return.

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
(Acts 20:35) -ESV

Give, pray, and fast in secret. Why? It’s not about what we do, but why we do what we do. The motive matters! Take the time right now to read the following Scriptures and meditate on their meanings:

• 1Samuel 16:7
• Proverbs 16:2-3; 21:27
• Romans 8:5-8
• 2Corinthians 9:6-7
• Philippians 1:15
• 1Thessalonians 2:4
• Hebrews 4:12-13
• James 4:3

Consider this your job interview for the position of a superhero. Would you still be a superhero if you:

1. never received recognition?
2. never received any reward?
3. never received anything in return?
4. suffered criticism, pain of persecution, or even death?

If you’re unwilling to sacrifice, go above and beyond the call of duty, never quit, never receive praise or rewards, and face the possibility of persecution and/or death, then you’re not cut out to be a superhero. You can still be a hero at some point, but not a superhero.

“So [Jesus] got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus replied, ‘You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.’ ^‘No,’ Peter protested, ‘you will never ever wash my feet!’ Jesus replied, ‘Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.’ ”
(John 13:4-8) -NLT

Being a superhero is not a glamorous lifestyle because it involves sacrificial love and serving others. Jesus told us that if we want to be the greatest, then will be the greatest servant (Matthew 23:11; Luke 22:26). In 1Peter 4:10, Peter shares the same message with others because he finally understood what Jesus did when He washed Peter’s feet. I challenge you to ask yourself if you’re truly willing to do whatever it takes to be a superhero. What motivates you? What is your ‘why’? Why do you want to be a superhero? Think about it. And remember: motive matters. Without the right motive, a person will inevitably burn out and back out if he/she doesn’t first collapse and crash. One example of this scenario can be seen in a pastor from Missouri who renounced the Christian faith after years of service (see my other article, “Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?“)

Are you in it to win it? Will you burn out and back out? Will you collapse and crash? Or will you refuse to lose and rise above by living a life of love? Motive matters.