The Example

I recently went to Milam County Cowboy Church in Rockdale to witness my sister, brother-in-law and nephews be baptized all at once. It took all I had not to burst in tears of joy! There was one comment that the preacher said as he asked who is first; my brother-in-law volunteered and then the preacher said to him “that’s the way it should be because men are the spiritual leaders of their families.”

Spiritual leader, what exactly is that?

The meaning of a leader is an individual who goes first and leads by example; therefore, others are motivated to follow that individual. This individual must have a deep-rooted commitment to a goal even if nobody follows. I am passionate about seeing men develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. Why... because once a man gets a relationship with the living God, Jesus; they are powerful weapons against all that is evil. They become powerful leaders in their families, workplaces, churches, community and in all walks of life.

Men struggle for purpose, direction and respect; when these are not meet or there is an unhealthy approach to obtaining these then this is when men fall. Men will seek something to give them some sort of artificial substitute in the form of addictions such as drugs, alcohol, pornography, sex, money, work; any thing that opposes or takes God’s word out of context (1John 3:4). Men who struggle with purpose, meaning and respect turn to some sort of substitute because they usually didn’t have adequate leadership in their own lives. Men that never had their fathers’ speak into their lives, raise them, teach them, love them, respect them or call them out as men in an encouraging manner are usually the ones searching and accepting artificial substitutes or a lie. Jesus speaks truth; and the disciples that walked were no different then any other man living today.

I am not taking importance away from women because they play an important role in reflecting the bride or church; men must be a groom or the reflection of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus there is no church, without a groom there is not bride. Statistics show women raising children alone without a father or male role model have a higher chance of struggling in many areas. Men play an important role because they are to be leaders but how can we as men be affective leaders if we are struggling with our own lives trying to find purpose, direction and respect while falling prey to the sin of the world. Teenage boys, young men and older men are walking around searching for these things in the wrong places… men would rather chase their selfish desire by hanging out in clubs, womanizing, drugging or drinking, spending money on meaningless things; anything to mask the fact that their lives have no purpose, no direction and that they get no respect.

I can speak into these things because I struggled with these things. I do have a father and he taught me valuable lessons that have carried me throughout live; however, one thing that was not revealed to me clearly was the importance of a relationship with Jesus. Yes we prayed and I said I believed in God but really never understood what I was saying. My father is a hard working man and always has been, he has always made sure that food was on the table, that we had clothes on our backs and a roof over our head. We lived comfortable but as I grew older I struggled because I didn’t have a purpose, direction or the respect that I’d envisioned; therefore, I struggled with all of the artificial substitutes that I mentioned before. Many people blame their struggles on others, and most of the time that may be true, but there is a time to quit blaming others and look to ourselves. Most men grow temperamental, easily offended and have prejudices of their environment when purpose, direction and respect are missing; this is true for myself and Jesus’ disciples. Even though I may not have had the perfect spiritual upbringing that some churches would look for; I was teachable. Jesus is looking for men willing to learn. Problem is that most of us get so caught up in our lack of purpose, direction and respect that we fill our lives with materialism, addictions and pride which destroys the opportunity to meet with Jesus and overcome our issues to experience what we are truly called to.

When Jesus sends out his disciples one of the things He tells them is to not take any money, clothes or shoes; to literately go with the clothes on their back; then he tells them to not hesitate when offered hospitality as long as they are working (Matthew 10:9-10). Why would he tell them this? Well, He wanted them to always be in a position of needing God and not getting blinded or distracted with the selfish needs. If God was always the provider then they would always look to Him, not their selves. When Jesus sends out the disciples He wants them to be totally reliant on God’s direction. If you want a purpose, a direction and respect then you must look to Jesus. Men are the method that Jesus uses to win the world and He is waiting on us to create space for Him to reveal His truth. That truth is Jesus is looking for men who are fed up with the religion that is vested in a small minority of people and the hypocrisy that fills our lives. Jesus picked men who where common laboring men, having no professional training beyond their basic knowledge of their vocation, they weren’t considered wealthy or rich. These men represented an average group of men in their society in their day; they most certainly were not the men the Pharisees would have chosen. Jesus chose these men because they were teachable; however, they were still mistaken in their judgment, slow to comprehend spiritual things but also they were honest men willing to confess their need. Jesus is waiting to use you in a big way… He wants to give you a purpose, direction and respect.

Follow His lead… “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you” – John 13:15

When Peter falls on his knees and tells Jesus to leave him because he is too much of a sinner; Jesus simple says “Don’t be afraid” and calls him out of his selfish lifestyle and reveals a life of purpose, direction and respect (Luke 5:8-11).

Make room for Jesus, lose the pride and look to Him. Your family, children, wife and so many others need to be lead by a Spiritual Leader who has learned to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

Obey

I was recently at a conference for my job in the Dallas area; it was held at a well known upscale hotel. On the morning of the second day of this conference I was headed down to the lobby to have breakfast in the hotel restaurant and I couldn’t help but notice the large amount of military personnel that were sitting in the lounge area of the hotel lobby. Some of them were enjoying breakfast, drinking their juice or coffee or using cell phones. As I continued to make my way to the restaurant I noticed a young man sitting in the corner slouched back with a look of anxiety and despair as he stared out the window with his juice and breakfast in front of him. When I walked past him I was struck with the feeling that I was to pray for him. I went into the bathroom and battled back and forth with myself and God about praying for someone out in the open lobby in front of my peers that were all entering the restaurant for breakfast. How I would look? Insane? Like a radical? Then God reminded me of the apostles and how it was not their duty to reason why Jesus spoke the way He did; but only to carry out His orders. Just as this solider was awaiting to fulfill his orders that where handed down to him, whether he totally understood the reason of why he was fulfilling them or not, he had a duty and honor to carry them out. When this thought ran through my head I instantly turned around and reentered the lobby, I stopped and leaned on a pillar in the lobby and started praying for guidance. As I was praying, several people stopped to say hi and ask “what’s wrong” or “who you waiting on” needless to say I was waiting on myself to follow what God had called me to. I finally made my way over to this young man as he ordered an extra cup of ice and ate his breakfast. I approached the soldier and apologized for interrupting his breakfast and proceeded to tell him I wanted to pray for him. As I started small talk about family, friends and his mission I asked again if he needed prayer; he responded “I can use all the prayer I can get.” After praying with him I left with a sense of accomplishment, I had actually stepped out and obeyed God’s commands. I then started to really realize how much of a slacker I was in my walk with God.

Just as men and women are going to battle overseas, we too are engaged in a spiritual battlefield. We are all faced with issues which are life and death and each day that we are indifferent to our responsibility to God is a day lost to the cause of Christ. In our self-indulgent lifestyle we to often concentrate on our selfish desires that we forget we are called to be servants of our Lord and to obey His Word. I struggled with being a Christian because I was always taken back by the amount of people who professed to be Christian yet their witnessing was stunted in growth and useless. Why are there so many Christian’s complacent with mediocrity? Following the teachings of Christ regarding self-denial and dedication have been reduced to involving Jesus only when it is convenient and productive for our selfish desires. Where is the obedience of the cross? (2010, Dr. R.E. Coleman)

We all find ourselves in those moments when we choose to allow Jesus Christ into our lives for help, decision making and guidance. There are also those times when we put Him to the side because it is going to be embarrassing, inconvenient or we are fearful. Wow; this reminds me of Judas. Judas was the disciple who sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (the price for a slave) because he expected that his association with Jesus would be the stepping stones to a future glory and honor in the present day kingdom. When Judas gradually realized the truth of what Jesus was referring too; that an actual cross awaited Him and not a crown Judas abandoned the ship before it sank. Judas made plans to ditch Jesus, get money and get in with the right people before it was too late. Judas wanted to be important, have money, and to prove Jesus wrong. If we are honest this motivation sounds familiar or similar to some of our desires….

Judas was a man who used Jesus when He needed Him, when it was convenient. I was a man who lived for selfish acts that included drugs, alcohol, pornography and a ton of emotional things tied to these actions. When it came to praying or going to church it was usually when I needed something or when I was dealing with some type of guilt issue or fear but it was always from a selfish place. We are prideful people and we don’t see ourselves as selfish but a simple assessment of our lifestyle will reveal who we serve, “No house hold slave can be the slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t be slaves to both God and money.” – Luke 16:13

Struggle for Purpose

I haven’t written in a while and this is in most part because I have been struggling with life and the purpose of my own personal journey. Even as I sit here I think of the name of my blog, “A Man’s Greatest Battle” and also the verse I have based my person struggles on 1 Corinthians 6:12; “…everything is permissible for me, but I will not be brought under control of anything” I think of why there is so much struggle for purpose and identity in a man’s life.

This huge struggle to find identity and purpose is hampered by sexual sin that has been captivated by the world in forms of internet porn, prostitution, DVDs, TV sitcoms, reality shows, MTV, BET, main stream movies and even video games. The men of the biblical day had to encounter some of these things but obviously with new found technology of the modern world; which is meant for good has also enhanced the addicts of sexual sin by main streaming it into every venue possible to create multi-billion dollar industries while leaving a wake of destruction in the form of a selfish ambitions and agenda’s.

What is a man’s purpose? Is it a race to see which one can obtain more power, money and the latest new trended items before we die? Or is it to buy a car or truck and have 22’ wheels and a screaming stereo system to ensure that everyone knows the song that we are listening to? Maybe, it is to wear the clothes with the best label and try to be like these celebrities that people idolize all so that people can label us according to our dress and actions? Odds are we all fall under one of these categories because we are humans and we are not perfect. We all look for purpose; however, sadly we look for our purpose skin deep and this is where the problems set in.

I have been on this journey of purpose in my life for all my life, every man is. The problem is that I used to jump to what ever was popular or trendy depending on the circle of people I was around at the time. I never really developed who I was because I was so intrigued with being noticed or important. This drive to be noticed or to be important is what drives men to dive head first into a materialistic world full of empty promises and a bad bill of goods. The world promises a lot and when we take an honest assessment of our life’s filled with expensive clothes, credit cards, loans, TVs, DVDs, computers and technology galore, what it has really done is draw our attention away from God. I’m not against having these things but you must ask yourself a very important question, if it was all stripped away what would you do? Right now many people work very hard at maintaining a lifestyle that requires all the earthly comforts, desires and expectations. What happens when these things are threatened or tampered with – where do you run for comfort? I can tell you right now in our society the answer is to run to something that makes you feel better temporarily. Sexual immorality.

Without getting into all the “ins and outs” of why people turn to certain things, I want to focus of why men run to porn or a better question is why men get put in a position to sin sexually? The industries that specialize in the realm of sexually related services have become a mutli-billion dollar business; this is just the industries that publicly trade; there is a whole other sex industry that is thriving underground called the sex-trade or human trafficking. Sexual immorality is real and the addictions that come from it are as real as it gets.

What do we do with this? First, men have to admit that they are looking at porn, lusting with the eyes, or talking scantily about a female all of that is sexual immorality and every time this sin occurs something dies. Wives become entangled with un-realistic expectations while being disrespected and unloved. Boyfriend/girlfriend relationships become a guilt trip or an expectation for sex; which takes the gift of sex from God for marriage and turns it into something shameful. The word prostitute is used numerous times throughout the Bible; many times prostitute is used to show an act of selling yourself out. In Jeremiah 3 God speaks through the prophet about the unfaithfulness of the people in Israel and Judah. After comparing the people’s sin of that of the actions of a prostitute and explaining that the people of Judah didn’t truly return to God but only simply implied they wanted God. This is where we have to be as men of God, are we going to return to God whether at home or away and make it our aim to be pleasing to Him (2 Corinthians 5:9). Or do we simply grow ashamed of God and His words in this adulterous and sinful generation; which, will only result in Jesus being ashamed of us (Mark 8:38).

Jesus went to the cross, so we must go to the cross, we must remind ourselves that we are carrying around the death of Jesus because we need a new life with His motivations, His purposes, His favor so that He might dominate in everything we do (2 Corinthians 4:10). If we as men want our marriages, children, careers, relationships to have deep rooted love and purpose then we must have a God-centered life. The beauty of Jeremiah 3 is that God asked for the return of unfaithful Israel, not looking in anger but full of love. The only thing that starts the reconciliation with God is that we must acknowledge our guilt in the ways we have sinned (Jeremiah 3:11-13). It’s that simple; if we want to find our purpose in life we must reconcile with God and then work to reconcile our relationships in our lives. Take a stand against what the world says is good and look to God for what is right and good in the Bible. It’s hard to start but reach out and pray for people to rise up in your lives and for help to understand the scriptures.

The Road Less Traveled

In society, public opinion knows what’s best; what gives the majority the authority to determine what is right? Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 that the gate is wide and the road is board that leads to destruction but the gate is narrow and the road difficult that leads to life. So if everybody’s doing it then they must be on the road that is broad. What exactly is everybody doing? Conforming to a pattern of the world; pick your poison we all have one. I write toward the issues that I struggled with, drugs, alcohol, and pornography; and then the really deep issues like depression, angry, stress and anxiety. Bottom line – everyone has something because we live in a fallen world and no one is perfect. Paul says this in the first part of Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world…” – I think I speak for many of us when I say “Easier said then done!”

I was always big into music and while I have replaced most of the rap, rock and metal music for praise songs I am often reminded of songs from my earlier days. One in particular was written by Erik Schrody in 1998 called “What it’s like”; Erik was the lead singer for Everlast at the time. This song was unusual because it displayed some pretty intense images and lyrics that in all honesty speak a lot of truth to how the world treats others who are stuck in a bad situation. He speaks of three individuals: a homeless man outside a liquor store, pregnant teen going to clinic and a kid caught up with some bad people. The whole point of the song is that people judge others for their situation, people who have, yes made some bad decisions, but that want better – the chorus to this song is:

God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
‘Cause then you really might know what its like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what its like

The music video and with commentary by Erik’s explanation of the songs ending is this; the crowd of people have lived a life that is not perfect but they are doing this best they know how and are watching this nice, neat, beautiful family eat dinner. They crowd of people symbolizes the broad road… but they all want what the family has – love, respect, compassion, direction and purpose.

Life is messy. The truth is that the road to destruction is broad and society is dictating what is good for you and me; and as men this means that sex sells. How? First by visual means; Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 that anyone who looks at a women to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in our heart. Jesus is giving us an example of how serious this is… think about it. When a man looks at porn he just doesn’t wake up and make that the agenda item for the day; something, contributes to this and it comes from our eyes. Years ago before I started to live my life for Jesus I would listen to this song by Erik, it became a favorite because when I was in my early twenties I felt like no one new what it was like walking around in my shoes. I was a mess from head to toe and participated in everything and anything I could build enough nerve up to do but after a while it became a normal life. Lifestyles do that… they become normal.

To truly overcome the road of destruction I had to first realize that it wasn’t my fault that I didn’t know about the saving grace of Jesus Christ, because honestly up to that point into my life I didn’t have a lot of people pointing me to the cross. Most people pass judgment before they even have a chance to get to know a person based purely on the outside appearance or the actions that are displayed. What people don’t realize is that Christians and non-believers are on the same broad road that leads to destruction and there are only a few that will find that the rough road that leads to life (Matthew 7:14). Why? Because we are not being careful of the false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing that are really ravaging wolves (Matthew 7:15); these wolves is the sexual temptation that we allow in our homes by way of movies, TV sitcoms and even commercials. It’s the people spewing “Jesus hates you” at a young girl going into a abortion clinic when they have no idea what has happened to lead her to that decision; it’s the people who treat a person as sub-human when they are homeless but can’t see the road that lead him to that point; and its that preacher who takes the gospel of Jesus out of context to push his own personal agenda. “Ravaging Wolves” can come in all shapes and forms; on the streets or in churches; they are everywhere.

How do we overcome the addictions of this world? Next part of Romans 12:2 says “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”; we must turn to God it’s the only way we will see true victory. Get a bible, pray to God, openly talk to God honestly about what is in your heart, and find people to confide in that have experience with similar struggles. Jesus never said that we it would be easy that’s why he calls it the narrow difficult road; but He does say in John 16:33 to be courageous because He has already conquered the world.


Image Source: http://browse.deviantart.com/photography/civilization/?qh=§ion=&q=Man+Walking+on+Road#/du1t5k

Helping Others Overcome

The first weekend of April 2011 brought bloodshed to the people of the Ivory Coast, an estimated 1,000 people were found dead either shot or kill by machete – 800 in one city alone! All of this over a quest for power and political gain. Most of us looked at the article, heard it on TV or talk about it at work, moving on with our day thinking to ourselves that these people who conducted these crimes where somehow so different from us. Are they? Are we to believe that we are not capable of those things? It’s hard to imagine ourselves feeling that much rage or disrespect for life that we would just take a person’s life. In our society we have all of the essentials; food, water, shelter, clothing, freedom – the things that these people our fighting and killing for. Now not all people in the Ivory Coast are raping murders who steal, kill and destroy. Honestly most people are good willed people, caring for their family. Let’s bring it a little bit closer to home… how about when you hear of a person doing drugs or being sent to prison for burglary or murder in our communities. How do we see these people? Do we make excuses for them, judge them, and humiliate them – what about when we sin, say when we gossip, judge, hoard resources, lust after what we can’t have or commit adultery by a simple glance with our eyes or view a porn site?

What makes us different from a murder, rapist, addict, gossiper, or the people who performed those heinous crimes in the Ivory Coast? Everyone was made in the image of God; Genesis 1:27 “God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God…” What makes us any better than a man sitting on death row, or a teenager getting pregnant, what makes us think that we are all any better than one another? Bottom line is that we all have a sin nature. The Apostle Paul said it best in Romans 7 “…so I discover this principle: when I want to do good, evil is with me. For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God’s law. But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.” It is interesting that Paul writes this because this was a man who had orchestrate mass murders like the one that happen at the Ivory Coast; but had a radical encounter with God. The Apostle Paul has firsthand knowledge of evil and the struggle to do what is good, to do what God’s has called us all too. Paul later in Romans 7 writes this “…who will rescue me from this body of death.” This is another firsthand account that Paul demonstrates here, also how many time have we struggled with something and wanted someone to rescue us from the pain of addiction, lustful desires, relationships, or just plain bad decisions. Paul sums up chapter 7 of Romans with this “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! …with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.” Paul was displaying the need for Jesus Christ in our lives to renew our minds. No matter how hard we try to run from the action of sin there will always be temptations because we live in a fallen world but what Paul is saying is that our mind must be under control to prevent our body from getting into a sinful situation.

The “law of sin” with our bodies is the battle that we all struggle with; we are temporary in this body walking on this earth being tempted by Satan. Even though I have accepted Christ into my heart, mind and body I’m still being tempted and I’d be lying if I said that I never have moments of failure. This is the “thorn in the flesh” that Paul speaks of in 2Corinthians 12:7; he goes on to explain these struggles as a messenger of Satan to torment us. As we plead with the Lord about our past failures, struggles, temptations and everything else that prevents us from that abundant life of love, compassion and purpose; we must remember what God tells Paul “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” There is no doubt that Satan is lashing out on the earth, we all have a personal battles with things of darkness but we must not categorize our sin from worst to least or deem someone worse then another simply because of their struggles. It’s hard for us to look at those who murder and say, they have an issue with rage or anger that lead to murder therefore they are in need of the grace of Jesus Christ. People who commit the “big” sin, you know the ones that make the news, usually have no choice but to be transparent at that point but what if all of our lives where open to the public? A pregnant teen has no choice but to open her life up to the public, to come under stress and judgment for a decision that she made. My point is that all people are God’s people and everyone has the opportunity to come to know Christ. Paul closes up 2 Corinthians 12 by saying he will gladly boast about his weakness so that Christ may reside in him. Jesus is who fills the gap between us and God, we must accept Him in our lives – once that happens then testimonies of restoration can begin to be written. The flip side is to look at others who struggle in life no matter what it is and not pass judgment but extend a loving, compassionate hand that can be gifted in an encouraging word, kind gesture or the most sacrificing way in prayer on their behalf to God.

Instead of making sly, judgmental, ignorant remarks regarding the people of the Ivory Coast in Africa, lets us take time to pray for restoration; lets apply the same principle to the person we see each day at work, home, school or in our life anywhere. Let’s help others overcome their thorn in their flesh so we can experience Christ’s power in our own life.

Briers and Thorns

Recently, we walked into a restaurant for lunch; as we made our way to the waiting area to be seated the hostess was noticeably irritated. My wife kindly asks her for a booth and that caused the hostess to roll her eyes in frustration. As she led us to our table we set down and like most people started to comment on this young ladies actions; let’s call it what it was, we were judging her. We didn’t know this girl nor did we know exactly what may have been causing these actions; all we knew is that we were not being treated the way we thought we should have been. Several minutes into our visit at this restaurant the elderly couple sitting behind us called the young lady over; the young lady walking over in a way to demonstrate that she was displeased. With me ease dropping and thinking the couple was going to really tear into this girl because of her attitude; the lady extended her hand and said “here you go.” She had handed the girl some money from what I gather, the girl was in shock and continued to ask why and what for? The couple simply replied because you need it today. The young lady said thank you and started to bus tables and wait on people with a smile and a little more energetic. As I sat there in shock and in embarrassment to God; I was reminded of something that I had been reading in the book of Ezekiel over the previous several days, “But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words, though briers and thorns are beside you and you live among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words or be discouraged by the look on their faces for they are a rebellious house. But speak My words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious (Ezekiel 2:6-7).” We live among a world that is stricken with sinful desires and all of us are guilty whether one wants to admit it or not; however, if you claim to be a Christian and know God and have a relationship with Jesus Christ then we are not to participate in the rebellion that is occurring. When God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel He is encouraging a man to step out and not live in judgment of those who are rebelling against the name of God with the “briers and thorns.” Briers are a tangle mass of prickly plants and thorns are something that causes irritation and annoyance; how many people around us if not ourselves can relate to briers and thorns in life?

Recently a young man committed suicide, he was 19 years old. Obviously when someone goes to this extent to end their life, some briers and thorns existed. I myself knew this young man, not on a deeply personal level but I played basketball with him occasionally and talked to him at the local place he worked. Ezekiel said not to be discouraged by people’s words and the looks on their faces. The reason I bring up this young man who took his own life is because when I heard of his untimely death my first reaction was that I should have tried harder to connect with him to learn more about the “briers and thorns” that existed in his life but hard exteriors and course words can often draw a person away. In chapter 3 of Ezekiel in verses 17 – 21 God is speaking to Ezekiel about being a watchman over the rebellious house of Israel. This is where it gets serious, this is where if you are a believer in Christ and have a faith in God that we are called out. Ezekiel 3:18 “…you don’t speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life – that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood.” Judgment and fear are two deadly attributes that will and do prevent us from ever experiencing everything God has in store for us and most importantly prevent others from knowing the love of Christ.

Recently in our bible study we discussed to very important events; the virgins birth and the resurrection. These are the corner stones of the Christian faith. The same judgment and fear Ezekiel speaks off was vigorously present during both of these crucial events. We tend to look at others in judgment because of their lifestyle choices but how much do we really know from our outside viewpoint? If we don’t overcome fear we can never experience love. 1John 4:20 “If anyone says “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And we have the command from Him: the one who loves God must also love his brother.” Fear of stepping out of our comfort zone usually leads to judgment because it is the easy way out. If we justify our reasoning for not reaching out then we can stay in our comfort zone; however, if we claim to love God then we are called to love our brother. So I ask the question that John asked: how can we love a God we cannot see if we can’t even love the people right in front of us each day?

Fear

An emotional response to a perceived threat… Fear.

I have a confession to make; I still wake up some nights with an incredible fear of death. Just recently as me and one of the guys in The Group were talking about fear he made a very profound point that I had never really thought of; we fear usually when deep down we know what we are doing is not right. I can remember when I first realized that we will all die, that I and the people I love will have that moment of death that will take them from this world. I was about 12 or so when this revelation came over me; I’m 31 now and still sometimes feel like that 12 year old kid scared of death. Working with teenage guys and young adults has revealed some things about death… Ask this question, what do we actually fear?

When I was in my early 20’s I had a really intense fear of death, but oddly I didn’t care whether I died or lived and my lifestyle reflected that. I wasn’t sure about who God was or what exactly heaven or hell was but I was having very intense dreams and fears of going to hell. I had these fears because I was living the lifestyle that Jesus and the apostles spoke of as immoral. In 2 Peter 2:9 says “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trails and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment;” so the Lord will keep the unrighteous under punishment? I interpreted this verse as God is not punishing us through our immorality because God is not tempted by evil and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone (James 1:13); however, He will keep the unrighteous under punishment. When I was “under punishment” I was in an active lifestyle that was a product of the world and I was fulfilling all my selfish desires; I had placed myself in my situation with my choices but God was going to keep me there. Why? Why would he keep me in a place of fear and loneness? I needed to learn love…

God is love and this love is perfect with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment (1 John 4:17). As I look back at the fear that I experienced throughout my childhood I realized that I had no understanding of God’ love; even throughout my earlier 20’s. In 1 John he goes on to tell us that “there is no fear in love and the perfect love drives out fear” (verse 18); the fear that I was experiencing was kind of a barometer that measure my relationship with God. John goes on in verse 18 to say that “the one who fears has not reached perfection in love;” basically our fear demonstrates our relationship with God.

When Peter writes that God will keep the unrighteous under punishment he is just explaining that we have to make a choice to follow God. I take verse 10 in 2 Peter chapter 2 personally because Peter says “especially those who follow the polluting desires of the flesh and despise authority” and this labels my life before my acceptance of Jesus Christ. I truly believe that God will allow us to make our choices because honestly God unfortunately is not acknowledged until that desperate moment in our lives; when there’s no other place, person or sin to turn to.

Fear in my life usually occurs when I am challenged, when change occurs or when sin has crept back in my life; these are the times I really become aware of the level intimacy and dependence I have in God. It can scare the “hell” out of me… The positive aspect of fear is that fear is an emotion and when we feel fear we are acknowledging that our relationship with God is not where it should be. Fear motivates me to learn more of His word and promises; to allow God’s love to flush out the fear in my life.

No matter where you are at in your life, God can restore. Every person on this earth has a purpose and divine appointments that God is just waiting to reveal to you. Isaiah 54:7-8 – ““I deserted you for a brief moment, but I will take you back with great compassion. In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment but I will have compassion on you with everlasting love,” says the LORD your Redeemer.”

I encourage everyone to check out the Jesus Culture video on YouTube “Your Love Never Fails… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoezWBPGRAc