ClydeStyle

Tag: God

  • Hope in the Storm

    Eye of the StormIf you are fortunate to live in an area where the seasons change, you have undoubtedly heard the phrase April showers bring May flowers. But metaphorically speaking, whenever there is a difficult time in our lives, we count it as a storm. Some storms are far worse than others, but nevertheless we go through storms. During these metaphorical storms we always want to do work. We think there is some deeper meaning to the storm or that there is some unfinished business we need to do. In a literal storm, we know not to go outside and we take cover as to be shielded and protected from the storm.

    No matter which storm we are referring to, the latter is always true: We need to wait. The bible tells us in the book of James chapter one: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” This is the true purpose of the storm. We don’t like storms because they are so unpredictable. We don’t know what to do about it, there is no cry for help and we can’t control it. The only thing we can do is wait — and that’s the dilemma!

    Wait literally means to stay in place with expectation or to remain stationary in readiness. We have such a problem with waiting and with expectations and that’s because we don’t want to be let down. The feeling of not wanting to be let down is cutting us off from our blessing. God spoke through his Prophet Jeremiah to his people of old and said, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” What the prophet forgot to tell us was that we were going to get the triumph from going through the trial. There is no way around this.

    God has not forgotten us and he is not asleep. He’s where he has always been and he has done marvelous things! Do we not have the faith to wait? Do we not have the courage to stand despite the odds we face. God’s people are not fearful people. We never need to fear a storm for we know that our God is waiting for us in the midst of the storm. It is in the eye of the storm where you will find peace and joy and God’s love. He’s there. Trust him. Go through that storm and count it all joy because He has something to show you!

  • Jesus — The Light of the World

    Jesus made what was then a very controversial statement in ear shot of the Pharisees when he said, “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

    This was viewed as arrogant by the establishment for how can this Nazarene be the light of the world? They understood Jesus as saying he was perfect and that all should follow after him. The disgust of Jesus’ “I AM” declaration was not about spirituality for those who opposed it. It was about how much would this effect the livelihood of the establishment.

    You see, if people took heed to what he said and believed he was in fact “the light of the world” well then that would lead to discipleship. Jesus would then be able to accumulate more followers and more followers would mean more power and more power would mean more control.

    Jesus’ statement should have been glad tidings to the people who understood that he was not only stating a fact in John 8:12, but he was giving them an invitation. That invitation, if they chose to accept it, would change their lives forever.

    The only people who kick against change are those who feel they stand to lose something if the current condition are altered. This is played out on many levels from religious sects to politics to the workplace — everyone is leveraging to control.

    What I hear Jesus saying is this: What you seek is within me and if you stay in me you’ll never be wanting. Outside of me are the things stacked against you. Inside of me is love, understanding, prosperity and hope. The choice is yours.

    Surrender to him. It’s cool inside!

  • Part 1: Is my heart right with God?

    We have many examples biblically and in our daily lives of the challenges and triumphs of serving God. Sometimes we have to sit back and be honest about the answer to this question: Do we really want to serve God? This is one of those questions that we should be honest with because God already knows the answer. Without embarrassing myself or any of the folks I counsel, let’s review how hard it can be through the eyes of the first family.

    God gave Adam and Eve dominion over everything that He created on earth and entrusted them as keepers of the Garden of Eden. Adam was clearly given instructions on how to serve God and what God’s expectation was within their covenant. There is sufficient evidence that Adam instructed Eve regarding service to God, as her conversation with the serpent reveals instructions regarding the forbidden fruit – her mate would have been the only person to tell her. (Gen. 3:1-5).

    The Bible does not reveal to us exactly how long Adam and God shared this covenant relationship before Eve was created, but arguably Adam definitely knew the benefits of this union and enjoyed the splendor of serving God and being obedient to His word.

    Unfortunately, Eve was deceived and Adam turned from leader to follower and the two were alienated from God and sin separated them. The covenant had been broken and the relationship drastically changed. In this state, it would have been better for Adam to have never known the covenant relationship with God rather than experience it and lose everything. Said Peter in 2 Pet. 2:21: “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”

    We have the same opportunity Adam and Eve had to glorify God. We receive arguably better things than they did, considering the fact that the world is a bit more advanced than in their day.

    Nevertheless, as they struggled to maintain a relationship that is pleasing to God, we do, too. And we don’t do it for the same reason they didn’t – we lust from our eyes, we lust in our flesh and we’re full of pride. Satan knows these things so he attacks us through one or all of these three.

    If you read the conversation between the serpent and Eve you will see these three things in play:

    • Eve saw that the fruit was good (lust of the eye)
    • Eve saw that the fruit held the key to wisdom that could make her like God (pride of life)
    • Eve’s answer to the question of why they were at that tree in the first place (lust of the flesh)

    Adam and Eve could eat from any tree save this one. It was in the midst of the garden. Wouldn’t you think that it would be easy to avoid? Why couldn’t they stay on the outer banks and never go into the midst of the garden to be tempted regarding the tree?

    The challenges we face in the flesh lead us to second guess what we know to be right or wrong. It is literally how we are drawn away.

    Can this process be avoided?

    Next week we’ll examine Cain and Abel and draw some meaningful conclusions about them and the lesson that comes from their story.

  • God – Pro Choice?

    Remember when life was a little easier?

    I mean long before we were frightened by the turn of the century – you remember the time I like to call the duck tape/water scandal. It’s as if someone hit the fear switch and that became the new method of control.

    Suddenly, we now had to be careful about what we said, what we saw and what we did.

    Even our words have changed.

    I’m old enough to remember the theme song to The Flintstones. When the lyrics said, “you’ll have a gay ole time,” no one had homosexual thoughts about it. The word gay had a different meaning then. It just meant happy. Now I guess it means happier.

    I remember when I could say that the word “ain’t” wasn’t in the dictionary! Well, it is now.

    Word usage is very important today.

    I say all this to point out that as we continue to change – and change is good – we need to be careful of what we choose to fight against. Many Christians end up on the wrong side of politics – meaning that sometimes we have to choose whether we’re going to be political or spiritual.

    I was having a conversation with a woman who felt that God hated abortion and that the people who participate in it will surely go to hell. I asked her if she was sure about that and she said definitely! She then proceeded to tell me that I shouldn’t be questioning her since I stand in a pulpit on Sunday mornings.

    I asked her if she wanted to have this conversation as members of a political party or as members of the body of Christ.

    She said, “Both.”

    I said “That’s impossible.”

    The reason is because of the definition of words.

    Words like “pro choice” and “socialism” (I will discuss socialism in another post) take on different meanings depending on the context of the conversation.

    This intrigued her.

    She said, “Since we’re both Christians, let’s talk about it as members of the body of Christ.”

    Great idea!

    Biblically, God wants us to use our intellect. We were created differently from the other animals for this purpose. All Christians agree that we were created in the image of God – everyone doesn’t understand how – but we agree that we are definitely created in His image (Gen. 1:26, 27).

    Being created in the very image of God gives us the right to choose – to make our own choices and to suffer the consequences for our mistakes – whether they’re good consequences or bad ones.

    Some people think it would have been easier for God to just omit the trees that He told Adam and Eve not to eat from. Being in the image of God necessitates the need to use the intellect we’ve been created with. God gave Adam and Eve an opportunity to use their intellect.

    That’s what choice is all about.

    What do you think happens when someone (people, the government, the schools – or anybody) takes that right away?

    How many people in the Bible were given choices by God?

    A better question might be: how many people from the Bible must I name who God gave choices to for you to believe that God is pro-choice?

    In fact, of the 66 books in the Bible, it would be quicker to name the people He didn’t give choices to.

    Can you name anyone in either of these groups?

  • Understanding God?

    Clyde D. Mayberry

    The Bible tells us in John 4:23, 24 that “… God is Spirit and they that worship him must do it in spirit and in truth …” Many interpretations have devoured his passage and all it has done is caused confusion.

    As far as religion goes we have allowed someone else to define it for us, instruct us in it thus determining the nature of our relationship with the Almighty.

    In other arenas this is not so.

    In the medical field a doctor’s first prognosis is challenged with a second and sometimes third opinion. In the areas of finance, advisors are challenged daily with our current economy and many have lost their practices because they didn’t perform in the best interest of their clients. When you go before a judge you have the right to appeal his decision. If you don’t like your haircut, you’re free to choose another barber. Even at a fancy restaurant, if you don’t like your meal, you can send it back.

    Why do we not take the same liberty with religion?

    Religion seems to operate on a first disclosure basis – meaning the first person who teaches you gets your loyalty. So if your parents were Baptists, in most cases you will be Baptist. If your parents were Catholic you will be too. No fuss. No fight. We just accept.

    Then it gets worse. Once we get caught up in the WAY the faith tradition is done, we lose sight of building a relationship with God. So instead of knowing Him spiritually, we try to know Him physically (i.e. going to what is considered His house to worship Him); mentally (i.e., practicing forms of worship, festivals and holidays); or emotionally (i.e., trying to feel God or draw closer to Him through music, listening to preaching or chanting) Now, I must say, I am not against these things. In their proper place, they won’t do any harm. When they become a replacement for knowing God spiritually, this is where I take issue.

    The problem I have is this: When trials and tribulations come in your life, you will need God the spirit not a form of godliness. The music won’t be loud enough to stop your pain, forms of worship won’t satisfy tribulation and in most cases the lion’s share of the people that go to the same building you do on Sunday won’t or can’t help you with your trial. You will need to KNOW God for yourself – and that means spiritually. How do you do that you might ask? This is a huge subject that can not be explained or digested in one post, but for now I offer these three things:

    1) Pray to God and tell Him that you want to know Him spiritually and to put you on the path.
    2) Read a multiple translation of the Bible daily – this is a Bible that will have at least four different translations like the King James Version, New American Standard Version, New International Version and the Amplified Version.
    3) Start judging people by what they do and not what they say. A person that is spiritually sound lives the life. Surround yourself with these folks and they will guide you. Spoiler: These people will really know and have an understanding of the Bible and you will be able to tell by the way they act.