I Doubt It

(Part Seven in the Disciples Series. Click the Disciples link on the sidebar to begin at the introduction called Different Strokes.)

He kicked at the dead tree again and welcomed the stinging pain that shot through his foot. Pain. He deserved more than that.

Images flashed through his brain, out-of-control images that refused to be silenced. Images of the Beloved Master stripped and bloody, hanging on that cross in a grotesque parody of the many times he had opened his arms to welcome a sinner. He had once welcomed Thomas that way.

Acid hit his stomach at the memory and he kicked the tree again. His stomach growled, reminding him that he had not eaten since that night. How could he? His life was over. He had once been willing to die for the Teacher. Then when the opportunity came, he ran. They all did.

The difference was, the others had come back. He knew because he had watched them from a distance. They were all together now, in that upper room. He could see the candle flickering in the window. They were as scared as he was, but they found comfort in each other. In their persistent belief.

Heat flushed his body and he broke into a sweat. Why did they insist on believing in the Rabbi? He was dead. Dead! Thomas had seen it with his own eyes. He had held on until the last moment, desperately hoping Jesus would do another miracle, leap off that cross and slay his murderers. Why hadn't he done something?

He kicked the tree again, remembering how hard it had been to accept that the Rabbi really was who he said he was. But once he did, he'd been all in. He'd bought it all. Everything. The Son of God stuff, the kingdom, the miracles....He'd been a fool. They all were. What were they supposed to do now? Their leader was dead. It was over.

This last stunt made it worst. "He's alive, Thomas!" Mary's eyes had been shining when the words bubbled from her lips. Thomas squeezed his eyes shut at the memory. "I've seen him! We all have. Where were you?"

Where was he? He couldn't tell her where he'd been. Actually, he wasn't sure. He hadn't been sober very many hours during the past 4 days. He had to get it together, but he'd never felt so lost. He had looked at her with pity. She was deluded. They all were. At least Thomas was trying to face reality. Face the truth that they had all been had by the Weaver of a beautiful dream.

He glanced back at the window. The thin flame faltered in the evening breeze. Maybe he'd go back one more time. Tell them goodbye. Try to help them see what he had come to see during his drunken musings. The kindest thing he could do would be to help them accept the harsh truth. There was no Messiah. Jesus had just been a...well, an...

He shrugged and started toward the house.

He could take their criticism, their accusations. He'd do this for them, for Jesus. Maybe the Teacher hadn't been the real Son of God, but he was a great guy. The past three years had taught them all so much. Maybe it hadn't all been wasted.

He squinted up at the window and tears blurred the candle flame. It had been a beautiful dream, snuffed out like that flame would soon be. He had thought to vanish without a backward glance, but he owed them a goodbye. He could do that for them. For old times' sake. He'd go see them one more time.

Have you gone through something like Thomas experienced?
Something that rocked your world
and made you doubt everything you thought you believed?

Thomas was forever grateful that he went back "one more time." It was that time that Jesus appeared to his friends again, seeking Thomas in particular. It was that visit that cemented the faith of Doubting Thomas. He touched the holes in the hands, the spear wound in the side, and cried out, "My Lord and my God!"

He never doubted again.

Jesus understands our doubts and the fact that we don't even get to see the nail prints, as Thomas did. He said at that time, "Blessed are those who don't see and still believe."

What if Thomas had refused to go back one last time? What if he had chosen to let the doubts win? His life and all of history would have suffered.

What if you let doubts win?

Go back.
One more time.
You'll be glad you did.

The Cynic

(Part Six in the Disciples Series. Scroll down to begin at the introduction called Different Strokes.)

He leaned against the gnarled fig tree and frowned at the two strutting past.
Tax collectors. Scum. Called themselves Jews? Probably didn't know the law of Moses from the ark of Noah.

His smirk turned upside down again as Philip hurried toward him. Philip was all right, but that girl he was betrothed to...Couldn't he have found someone from a better family? And that running all the time. Athletics. Hmph.Wasn't it time to settle down to a real trade?

"Nathanael!" Philip gasped. He stood before his friend, his face coated in dust and red from exertion. "Wait till you see! We've found the Messiah!"

Nathanael, called Bartholomew by those who didn't know him well, snorted and looked toward the distant hills. "Yeah, right. Another one? You know how many "messiahs" have come along just in my lifetime?"

"This is different. You've got to meet him! He's Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph the carpenter."

Nathanael let out a whoop. "Oh, this is good! Nazareth, huh? Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

Philip was insistent. He grabbed Nathanael by the tunic and yanked him up. "Come and see for yourself."

Nathanael gave what he hoped was a nonchalant shrug as he found himself propelled along the dusty street after his excited friend.

In the distance, a crowd had gathered and as they approached, a man dressed in white stepped out and stood watching them. Philip halted before the stranger and dropped his grip on Nathaniel's tunic.

Nathanael felt an unwelcome flutter in his chest as his eyes locked with the stranger's.

The stranger smiled in welcome. "Nathanael, I'm glad you came. Now here is a true Israelite, totally honest in every way."

Nathanael took a step backward and his heart did a flip. "What...how do you...how do you know me?"

The stranger smiled, a flash of white against a deeply tanned face. "I saw you when you were still sitting under the fig tree. Before Philip found you."

The world receded. Nathanael's pulse pounded in his ears and he swallowed against an unfamiliar lump in his throat. For the first time in years, skepticism dropped away and he knew. He knew who this was.

"Y-you're...you are the Son of God!" He hated the quiver in his voice, but he plunged on. "You're the one, the one we've been waiting for. The King of Israel." He looked frantically for Philip, but his friend had melted into the crowd.

It was as if the entire world had disappeared and he and the Rabbi were the only ones left.

The smile widened. "You say that simply because I said I knew you? Follow me, and you will see greater things than that."

The hand on his shoulder was light and friendly but Nathanael felt as though he was on fire. Something shifted deep inside. A humility that was unfamiliar, yet strangely welcome. He felt dirty, ashamed of himself, despite the Rabbi's kind words.

Who was this? How could it be? From Nazareth? Heat flushed his face at the thought of his derisive comment.

The Rabbi turned and began to walk back to the crowd that had gathered to hear him.

As though propelled by an unseen force, Nathanael followed. He could no longer remember what he planned for this afternoon. It had ceased to matter. This mattered. Whatever it meant, wherever this was about to take him, he was in.

The Cynic--
One possessed by a judgmental spirit
and who considers criticism a spiritual gift.

Does that sound uncomfortably familiar? Have you been or are you now a Nathanael? Is there often a running monologue inside your head as you pass judgement on those around you? You excuse it because most of the time, it's accurate. You're just being honest, you tell yourself.

It's interesting that just after Nathanael had expressed his negative opinion about Jesus' home territory, Jesus complimented him on his honesty. Imagine the shame this new disciple must have felt when he realized Jesus had known what he said and did not judge him for it.

Jesus let him know that he understood exactly what was wrong with his newest disciple and intended to transform it into a positive character quality.

It's impossible to spend much time with Jesus and retain a critical spirit.

Are you a cynic? Maybe you have reason to be. Maybe it has become so much a part of your personality that you hardly notice it anymore.

Jesus wants to draw you into his presence and let you learn from him. In his company, pretense and harshness tend to fall away. It's hard to remain prideful in the presence of God.

If you find yourself far more critical than you'd like to be, the solution is found at the foot of the cross. The more time you spend in the presence of Jesus, the uglier your attitudes become to you. Excuses drop away. Pride shrivels in the light of perfection. You see things in a whole new way when kneeling at the cross.

What do your attitudes reveal about how much time you are spending
in His presence?

The Runner

(Part Five in the Disciples Series. Scroll down to begin at the introduction called Different Strokes.)

He was just a kid. Hardly looked like a disciple. Peach fuzz where a full beard should be and his eyes held that impatient gleam that belongs to the young and energetic.

Philip, athletic star of Bethsaida. Fastest runner for three towns around. No one expected him to get caught up in the hubbub surrounding that Jewish rabbi from Galilee. Just didn't seem his style. He was destined for the games one day.

He had raced into town that day, the day it all changed. Face flushed with excitement, he had shouted to anyone who would listen: "The Messiah's come! The one the scriptures told about! It's Joseph's son, that Carpenter from Nazareth! Can you believe it?"

No, they couldn't believe it. The matrons wagged their heads, the scholars lifted disapproving brows, and they dismissed him. His running buddies laughed at him and then begged him to train with them for the next race.

But he couldn't. Something had happened to him when the Rabbi broke away from the crowds and zeroed in on him. "Come follow Me," He had said.

That was all. Such a simple request, it should have been easy to reject. But something tugged at Philip's heart. Until that moment, he'd scarcely given a thought to the Messiah. But what if the murmurs were right? What if this was the real deal? Maybe he should give it a shot.

So he did. Followed and watched and listened, still scarcely believing he'd been picked to be a part of this. Who was he? Just a kid from Bethsaida. Still puzzled, he took every chance to try to poke a hole in this fantasy.

"Show us the Father," he'd gotten the guts to demand of Jesus.

It was the worst thing he'd ever said and he regretted it the moment Jesus looked at him with a trace of disappointment. "Philip, you've been with me all this time. Don't you know who I am?"

Philip would forever remember the sweat that broke out on his brow and the knot that formed in his stomach. The thing was, he did know. Not in his mind. His mind was full of skepticism and doubt. But somewhere deep inside in heart, he knew.

It was scary. Sometimes he didn't want to know. Sometimes he wanted to leave it all and go back to running. Forget these miracles that couldn't be happening, the teachings that left him more confused than ever. He didn't have what the others seemed to have. Maybe he didn't belong with this group.

But he stayed. He'd cast his lot with this bunch and he would see it through, even if it all turned out to be a farce. If that was the case, he'd already decided he would pack up and move far away, rather than face the scorn back home. He'd chosen this and with a sheer act of his will, he stayed with it. Following the Teacher was not all fun and games and he stuck his foot in his mouth more times than he liked to remember. But he was in. For better or worse, he was in.

Does this sound like you at times?

You've given your heart to Jesus, but the fear and doubt remain: Are you sure about this? What if it's not real?

The world pulls at you. Friends mock. Family lifts a skeptical brow and you quake. What have I done?

Jesus called the Philips of the world just as he called John and Simon Peter. He understood Philip's hesitation and he understands yours.

It might help to remember that the same curious boy who tagged along with the Rabbi's crowd went on to evangelize all of Samaria. God utilized his skill at running when the Lord sent him to chase down a chariot belonging to the queen of Ethiopia. The man on board received the Gospel and took the message back to his country, thus furthering the spread of God's message to another continent.

All because of Philip.

Don't despair if you find it a daily struggle to maintain your faith. God honors white-knuckle faithfulness just as He honors the loyalty of those to whom it comes easier.

Just don't give up. Don't let go of what your heart knows is real, simply because your mind cannot grasp it. When the Holy Spirit finally gets a hold of you, you will do mighty things as well. Set your heart toward God with no looking back.

You, like Philip, will be forever thankful that you did.

I, John

(Part Four in the Disciples Series. Scroll down to see the introduction called Different Strokes.)

Click here to read a letter from John.
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I Wanna Get Ahead

(Part Three in the Disciples Series. Scroll down to see the introduction called Different Strokes.)


It had been eating away at him all day. He had thought this out every possible way and it was right. It was good. This was as it should be. Surly the Rabbi would agree.


James cleared his throat and straightened as the object of his musings rounded a bend and started toward him.

His heart did a flip as it always did whenever this amazing Teacher drew near. Some said he was the Messiah. Time would tell, but there was no doubt he was coming into some kind of kingdom any day now. He'd made that clear.

On his fingers, James ticked off the five major reasons for this request. He squirmed at number one: Mother. Everyone said he got his ambitious streak from her side of the family. He couldn't argue with that. John had taken after Father: laid back, introspective, deep. Always thinking. Always writing.

But James was restless. He was destined for greater things than that fishing business. Fishing was just a time killer until his real life's work started. He still wasn't sure what the Teacher had meant by that "fishers of men" comment, but was too embarrassed to ask. Frankly, it didn't sound like what he had in mind for his future anyway. Why waste time with the little people when an exalted Rabbi like this could take over the world if he wanted to?

James would forever remember that moment his future changed. That moment when the Rabbi came strolling along the beach and called his name. No one had to tell James twice what an opportunity this was. He hadn't made the cut into Rabbinical school, but this was almost as good. He and John had talked this over for months now. This famous Rabbi was going places and they wanted to be right there with him. On the winning team.

He straightened his spine and tried to look confident. Why was it so hard to maintain your composure in the presence of this Nazarene?

The Master stopped before James and gave him a curious look. Before he could speak, he heard a familiar shriek.

"Rabbi!"

Mother?

A burly housewife shoved past her son without a look and eyed the tall Galilean. "Hail to you, and all that. What I came here to find out was if my boys can be your top aides when you come into your...your, uh, whatever it is you're bringing. They say you're inheriting some kind of kingdom. Now that's wonderful. Your mother must be so proud. Now, my boys would be perfect for slots two and three, right after you."

James shrank back, wincing at her audacity. As crass as it sounded from her lips, that was the question James was poised to ask. Didn't matter who it came from. Whatever he had to do, he would be first to make it to the kingdom.

Ambition.
It is lauded by the world,
but it doesn't work so well in the spiritual realm.

Do you identify with James? Are you driven to succeed? Do you find it frustrating to read Jesus' words: "The first shall be last and the last, first." Does something inside you want to argue that you can't get ahead that way?

Jesus didn't give up on James and his personal ambition. He simply granted it in the way that only God can. James was the first to enter the kingdom of Heaven---he was the first apostle martyred. (Acts 12:2)

God often uses our weaknesses and failings by transforming them through the power of the Holy Spirit. He takes out the selfish part and turns our weakness into strength to accomplish his purposes. What began as selfish ambition propelled the Apostle James into untiring ministry and eventual murder at the hands of King Herod. James' selfish ambition was transformed into a passion to glorify God.

What might you accomplish if you laid your ambition at the foot of the cross and allowed the Holy Spirit to transform it?

God can often do more with our weaknesses than our strengths
when we commit them all to him.
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Oh, And There's Andrew

(Part Two in the Disciples Series. Scroll down to see the introduction called Different Strokes.)

Andrew held back as the crowd surged forward. The disciples were arguing again, each pretending he knew exactly what the Teacher meant by that last parable.

Andrew grinned to himself. None of them did, but they'd die before they would admit it.

He studied their backs and thought again about his role in all this. Sometimes he didn't seem to fit. They were all so intense, so passionate about everything, even when wrong. He wasn't. He was just Andrew, Simon's little brother.

His timidity used to bother him, but not any more. He was used to holding back. How could you do anything else when your big brother was Simon? Simon, the limelight stealer.

He laughed to himself when he thought of his brother. The funny thing was, he didn't mind. Simon was so forceful, so convinced that everything he did was right, he sorta swept you along. How many crazy schemes had he gone along with simply because Simon had convinced him it would work? He had almost drowned in that harebrained automated boating idea and still carried the scars from Simon's attempts to make him fly like a bird. Sometimes the ideas worked, but it was always Simon's triumph. Andrew was just there.

Jesus looked up, caught his eye over the heads of the other disciples, and winked. They shared a special knowledge and it was enough. That knowledge had elevated his position for the first time in his life and it was enough to sustain him forever. He had been the first of the twelve to recognize that this carpenter from Nazareth was the promised Messiah.

For the first time it was Andrew who had discovered a secret, a knowledge so thrilling, so incredible, that he had gone to get his brother. And he had been right. This time Andrew was first.

Jesus knew it too and always reminded him of it with a special look, a thoughtful consideration of anything he ventured to say. Sometimes Jesus even acted like Andrew was the teacher and it both humbled and exalted him.

He thought again of that time on the hill when Jesus had told them all to find food for thousands of people. The other eleven had nearly panicked, but it was Andrew who quietly walked over to the kid with the basket and asked if Jesus could have it.

He felt a little foolish. What was one little lunch? But he'd watched this Teacher long enough to expect anything. His hands were shaking when he brought the basket to Jesus. He had listened for the rebukes sure to come from the others, but none came as he held out the basket and gave Jesus something to work with.

Jesus had given him that special smile again and the slightest nod that had sent chills down his spine. The Teacher could say so much with one look. He'd never known anyone like this. His heart quickened again as he thought about the hints the Master had been dropping lately. Something about dying. For once he wished he didn't understand.

The eleven had finished their debate and Jesus quieted them. He was gonna explain it. Andrew would never say this aloud, but he already understood the parable. He knew what the Master was about to say.

The others sat down around the Teacher, but Andrew stayed where he was, in the back, leaning against a tree.

Jesus gave him a quick grin, as if he knew Andrew already had it. Then he began to explain what Andrew had known he would say.

Understanding seemed to come to him faster than to the others. Maybe that's what happens when you are content to hold back, stay out of the limelight, simply listen and observe. Maybe understanding comes to those who are truly ready to receive it.

Are you an Andrew?

Are you usually overlooked? Taken for granted? Is there someone in your life who is always better, smarter, more attractive and who takes any attention that might be yours? Do you crave the feeling of being first at something?

Learn from Andrew. Jesus knows where you are. You are first with him. And that is enough to last a lifetime.

Simon, Simon, Simon...

(Part One in the Disciples Series.)

"Simon, your Torah rabbi came to see me. Again!"

Simon's mother stood in the doorway, frowning at her son. What a boy! Torn tunic. One sandal flopping. He gave her a jaunty wave as he tumbled past, tripping over the door post.

"Why can't you think before you act? One more trouble and they will throw you out. Oy! You'll send me to my grave before my time."

She rolled her eyes heavenward and twisted her hands in her apron. Would he ever amount to anything? Impetuous. Hyperactive. Lord, help us. Flunked Torah school. Ach! Such embarrassment! He'd never be a rabbi like Martha's son. Why couldn't she have birthed a nice quite boy like those gentile's down the road? Tabitha's son, Luke? Now that was a nice boy. Gonna become a doctor, that one. Make his mother proud.

"But my Simon..." She blew out a heavy sigh and tuned one ear to his new plan for building a boat that could hold three days' catch without sinking. Boats and fishing. That's all he talked about. One more year in Torah school and then he'd be off her hands. Out there on the sea with his boats and his fish. He'd probably stay there until he died. Nothing could tear that boy away from the water. Nothing.

The underachiever.

The hyperactive kid no one expects much from. Can't seem to sit still. Always dreaming, planning, overly eager to please and never quite getting it right.

Was that you?
Someone you know?

Jesus knew exactly what Simon was like. He took the flighty, impulsive Simon and transformed him into Peter the Rock. In the hands of Jesus, that bold impulsiveness became the foundation of his Church.

Don't underestimate your weaknesses. Jesus loves them.

In His hands, they become strengths.

Different Strokes

Boy, are we all different!

The world is colored by a vast array of personalities, opinions, and interests.

Aren't we glad, though? What if we were all the same? Dull gray robots, chanting in unison. Ugh!

However, when we take a closer look at how different we are, we start to get a little prickly. Differences are fine as long as you don't bother ME!

In the Church of Jesus Christ, the differences can cause problems just as they do anywhere else.



We can learn a lot about how to get along by looking at the band of disciples Jesus chose. Each of them represented a real man with a real life, real strengths and real weaknesses, doubts and struggles just as we have.

It has been asserted that, other than Peter, they were most likely very young at the time of their calling, probably under 20 years of age. We imagine them to be aged veterans, grey-bearded and somber. But the picture we glean from scripture is very different if we set aside our assumptions first--and that mental image of the painting of "The Last Supper".


I think one reason Jesus called them was because they were so different from each other. Have you ever wondered if each of them represents a particular type of Jesus-follower? What if in studying each of them--and adding a little imagination--we could learn about ourselves?

Over the next 12 posts, I will take each disciple and paint a word picture of the kind of man I see in scripture. It may not be totally accurate, but maybe by taking a closer look at these very real and very flawed men, you can find yourself in one of them. And in so doing, you might discover another reason why Jesus chose you.

Matthew 10:2-3 says, "These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."

We'll take them in the order listed in Matthew's gospel and see what we can learn about the varied, and sometimes half-crazy people Jesus loves.

People like you and me. And her!

Remember First Love?

He brought her flowers on her birthday, bought her jewelry for Christmas, and washed her car when she asked him to. After thirty years of this---she left him.

Friends were shocked when she told them and even more shocked when she told them why. "He stopped loving me. No matter what I did, I never had his heart. I'd rather he skip the gifts and just love me."

Would you ever be guilty of such a thing? You might be surprised.

Take a look at your spiritual life. Look pretty good?

You stand against evil, humbly serve where service is needed, give appropriate amounts to worthy causes, and follow every command of Scripture as closely as you know how. You'd never claim perfection, but you're pretty sure God is impressed. Everyone else is.

The church at Ephesus was like that. God commended them for their faithful service and good works. They tossed out false teachers and picketed evil venues when necessary. They were the best church in town.

But shock of all shocks when Jesus said in Revelation, Chapter 2, "I have something against you."

The book of Revelation is often skimmed or outright shunned for its disturbing imagery and confusing symbolism. But the first half of the book is painfully clear and should be studied by every believer.

In it, Jesus sends a message to his churches. It's not futuristic. It pertains to every one of us right now. Every follower of Christ should take a hard look at these seven churches, because you're in there somewhere. Use it as a gauge to see how well your life is measuring up to God's expectation. Does he have something against you? How about your church?

The Christians at Ephesus were doing everything right. They were hard workers, diligent against sin, educated in Scripture, and careful about allowing heresies in. Yet, God was disappointed in them. He didn't spend much time fawning over their outward show of holiness. He went right to the heart, because it is only in the heart He takes pleasure.

Their crime? They had "left their first love."

What a beautiful picture. We can't miss its meaning. They had stopped loving God and substituted service for God.

Notice that he doesn't discredit their hard work, but he doesn't let them hide behind it either. How many churches in America fit this description? We've got the energized programs, the slick letterhead, the color-coordinated marketing ploys. "Bring 'em in! Spend the bucks! Fill the building!"

Sound familiar? Is it God-inspired or has God become just another marketing tool for our spiritual-feeling projects?

What about your heart? Do you have a list of 20 godly convictions taped to the insides of your eyelids? Do you judge your own commitment by your level of apparent holiness? Do your outward displays of righteousness often trump what's really going on deep inside?

None of that is wrong, but God shakes his head and says, "I have this against you. You've stopped loving me."

Jesus said the greatest commandment was to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." NOT serve the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

You may be hitting the mark in every way: hard worker, devoted teacher, Bible study leader, even the pastor. It doesn't matter. If your heart has lost the thrill of relationship, the Holy Spirit's voice is only a dim memory, and your actions have taken on a mechanical glint, then God isn't happy with you.

When we've stopped worshiping the person of God and started worshiping our service to God, we have slipped into idolatry and God hates idolatry.

If we don't stop it, He removes his blessing from our work. All that toil, all that effort is for nothing.

If God doesn't seem to be on your side anymore, you're burned out, worn out, frazzled, and disillusioned...you might ask yourself:

"Have I left my first love?"

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Picking Weeds

When my children were little (and I was much more industrious!) we would plant a huge garden every spring. It was usually far bigger than we needed, but we had all this land...

They were thrilled to help me plant the seeds, cover them with dirt, and drown them with water. They were not so thrilled with learning to pick weeds.

But as I explained year after year, if we don't get all the weeds out, the baby plants won't get what they need from the soil and they'll die or not produce any vegetables.

The biggest challenge was teaching five-year-olds to know the difference between a weed and a vegetable sprout. I could have focused on all the weeds they were sure to encounter, shown them what the leaves looked like, and taught them their names.

But I learned quickly that it was far more efficient to simply teach them what the good plants looked like. Once those baby fingers had stroked a feathery carrot top, a rough tomato leaf, or the smooth outer shell of a lettuce plant they remembered. If a sprout didn't look just like the real thing, it was a weed.

We are inundated today with great-sounding philosophies, enlightened ideas, and worldviews that appear very similar to ours--yet, something isn't quite right. It's easy to get confused. But just as my toddlers learned how to spot a good plant by learning all about it, we too need to keep our focus on what is absolute, unchanging truth.

We cannot possibly predict the next seductive trend or so-called "scientific" finding that supposedly disproves God's word. If we focus on the latest heresy and try to dissect it, understand it, or give it credence we lose sight of what's real. And soon we're tossing good plants out rather than weeds.

Keep your eyes on God's unchanging truth. Reality is whatever He says it is. Learn His ways, His commands, His values. When you're grounded in the Word of God, it doesn't matter what pretty little idea pops up beside you. You can spot it for what it is.

No matter what intelligent-sounding dogma filters your way, become a five-year-old in the garden. If it's not the Truth you've learned from God, it's a weed. Toss it!

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What's the Price of Your Soul?

A year or so ago, I wrote a post called "Would You Sell Your Soul?" It was based on a book called I Sold My Soul on Ebay. The author was an atheist who made an offer on Ebay to attend whatever religious organization the highest bidder chose. It was an intriguing story, and one I recommended every Christian read.

I have been amazed at how many hits that blog title has taken, according to Google. That caused me to start thinking about the people who are coming. What questions must run through the mind of someone who would type into the Google search box: "Would I Sell My Soul?"

The idea of having the power to sell out to something for a price can be intoxicating. We like to think of ourselves as masters of our own fate. "Nobody tells me what to do" sounds powerful and egotistical. Especially in America, freedom of choice is a familiar chant. The movie Indecent Proposal starring Demi Moore created a buzz back in the 90's with the idea of selling sex for a million dollars. Many women asked themselves, "Would I do it?"

Would you do it?

Would you sell your soul? Your body? Your children? For the right price?

The idea of such power is intoxicating--and one you are already making, whether you realize it or not.

The truth is, if you have not made room in your life for God, you have already sold your soul. Whether you intended to or not, the moment you take your last breath, your soul is stamped SOLD. No changing your mind. No excuses. No self-righteous explanations.

SOLD. DONE. FINISHED.

Many people like to think of themselves as free agents.

• "I follow my own path."
• "No one owns me."

They are fooled. They are fools.

If you have not freely given yourself to God, you are already owned by Satan.
There are only two choices.

Those who reject God's free gift of salvation through Christ are selling themselves every day. They sell their souls for the sake of immoral sexual relationships, a little more money, FUN, fame, popularity, and a host of other fleeting attractions that end up owning them. And they tell themselves that is freedom.

Your soul is the prize in an invisible war. You may never know about it until it's too late. But your choice today determines who wins your soul for eternity. You may think you would never sell your soul, but without Jesus, you already have.

So, what is the going price for a human soul?

What's the price for yours?

If you'd like more information, visit this link: Where Am I Going When I Die?