The Wheel Part 1 “Christ the Hub” cont.

After more in depth study, I have somewhat to add to my own thoughts on Christ being our hub.  That is, Jesus being the center of the Christian’s life.  Let me emphasize, he should be the center of ALL Christians life. 

Jesus should be the motivation for any and all choices of life that we as God’s children can possibly make; yet that alone could not possibly be enough.  If motivation was all it took we would all fail miserably.  I’m afraid I myself have learned this the hard way.  Most Christians would LOVE to do well by Christ.  They WANT to share their faith, they WANT to serve the Lord, Christ IS their motivation and they set out to do what they are motivated to do because of Jesus Christ, yet they come up short, they get discouraged and they quit. 

Even now I’m watching a movie on television starring Anthony Hopkins who played the apostle Paul, in “Peter and Paul.”  John Mark just admitted to Paul he “wants to go home,” so he does, heartbroken that he just didn’t have what it takes.  How many of us feel the same way?!  We have a strong burning desire to do a God size task and we go about it only with Christ as our motivation, but that’s all. 

Jesus cannot JUST BE the center of our actions, he also must be the center of our strength!  And there is plenty for both, motivation or source but also our strength.  Without the strength of Jesus, the endurance and patience he has, it is impossible to do anything concerning Christ without Him (and be successful).  Jesus Christ said it Himself, “Without me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5)  How do we make Him our strength?  Stop depending on yourself, admit the tasks that God has given you are too big for you and just do them knowing God will take care of whatever need you might have in the midst of His work. 

When I was in India last year, speaking to a room full of pastors who were taking notes and paying far more attention than what I thought the teaching I was giving would be worth; I was struck (nearly every time) with a fear I can’t begin to describe.  I wanted to quit, I wanted to go right up to pastor and tell him “I can’t.”  Yet I realized something, I was at this time completely helpless, I got on my knees and prayed to God and told Him I wanted to quit, I couldn’t take any more and I was ready to go home.  You know what answer I got….nada.  So I taught anyway, afraid and depending on God the whole time.  Knowing that “His Word would never return void.”  I realized then that God was my source of strength.  Yet one more way in which I was making Him the “Hub of my wheel,” the center of my life. 

Who is your motivation?  Who is your strength?  Who helps you get through?  Wife?  Husband?  Kids?  Friends?  Is it Christ?  I pray it is…God Bless.

The Wheel Part 1 “Christ the Hub”

We’ve heard it before….

“It is absolutely essential that Christ is the center of our lives.”  Yes, we know that, we acknowledge it, we may even say it is the absolute essential truth in our lives…but do we believe it?  I read a quote from TallyHo, the Fox! by Herb Hodges not long ago, it simply stated “you behave what you believe.”  Think about it.  You believe a semi truck is going to kill you when you stand on the freeway - what do you do?  You move off the freeway!  Life is the same way, even in all it’s subtleties.  The question is, what’s your motivation?  What keeps your wheel rolling?  What or rather, ”who” is the hub of your wheel?  Is your hub Jesus Christ?

My first car was a 1981 Buick Regal.  I drove that car for years, I wrecked it 2 or 3 times, nearly turned it on its side; it refused to die!  It was far from perfect condition before I was though with it.  In fact, one of the imperfections, was a faulty wheel.  There were several times I was told by family and friends that the wheel appeared to “wobble” as I drove down the road, and it wasn’t just when I was speeding down the highway, it “wobbled” as I pulled out of the drive!  What was the problem?  The wheel wasn’t centered on the hub.  A couple of lugnuts were missing and caused the tire to be WAY off where it should’ve been.  I was lucky I didn’t kill myself driving around like that.  Such is the Christian life if it is not “centered” or ”mounted and balanced” on Jesus Christ himself.

Paul said, “For me to live IS Christ….” (Philippians 1:21)  What did he mean?  Every single day of his life, every moment of his life was built around and for Jesus!  What he ate depended on the grace of Christ (Paul was a devout Jew who enjoyed a ham sandwich with Gentile convert buddies).  When he chastised His disciples, it was for Christ.  When he was persecuted, beaten, shipwrecked, bitten, stoned and thrown over a cliff it was because of Christ; and Paul couldn’t be happier.  Paul was so devoted to Jesus and the mission that the risen Savior had given him every decision he made was a reflection upon Jesus.  Are we this way?  Is Christ the motivation for our decisions?  Do we live for His glory?  How can we?  Here’s a few examples in my own life lately….

What time do I go to bed?  Ouch, well, lately it hasn’t been so great, but I’m working on it.  I’m kind of convicted about it.  Why you ask?  Because when I go to bed at midnight thirty, I am NOT going to wake up at 6:30am to have my quiet time with the Lord.  That’s soooo important in my life as a Christian who loves Christ.

What do I eat?  Whether we like it or not, food effects mood.  Eat junk food, you don’t feel as well, you are tired, and more often than not, easily pushed over the edge.  All I need is to offend someone who knows I’m a Christian and there goes my testimony…and possibly other Christians as well…and what in the world does that say about Jesus.

What do I talk about?  My neighbor?  My things?  Whoa, I HAVE TO KEEP A BRIDLE ON MY TONGUE!  That’s not always an easy thing to do, (especially when you are tired and unaware of what you are saying…do you get the picture I’m not a morning person?) 

All of these, as well as several others, are decisions that can be made because to live IS Christ!  I think throughout the week I will share some daily examples of how I made decisions because I endeavor for Jesus to be my “hub”.  I encourage all who read to leave some comments on how they have made decisions because Christ is their hub.  Little decisions, or big ones, doesn’t matter.  I look forward to hearing all who will contribute.

 God bless.

Here’s a girly question: “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?”

I heard this today on TBN, and my jaw dropped. 

Of course Trinity Broadcasting Network was promoting Fathers Day; speaking to those experts who see the crisis of the Church today being men are largely uninvolved in the Lord’s work.  In their opinion it is essential that we “revisit our programs” in order to make Church more “man-oriented.”  An example he used was just how we approach a relationship with Jesus Christ.  “Think about it,” he said, “if I went to another man in our church and said ‘I want to have a personal relationship with you.’  I would expect to get punched in the nose.”  I, myself know several manly men in my church, that certainly would do that if I approached them in such a manner as this.  Yet we ask this question in almost every single church service in what I would say nearly every church in America:  “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?” 

Most men I know (especially those outside of the church) have enough relationships.  Men typically AVOID relationships.  I know I have, I still do.  I’m an introverted person myself so it takes a lot for me to get started into new friendships and relationships.  So why would we ask questions like this to men?  Meanwhile, the church is filling up with women by droves.  Women are looking for that special, dynamic relationship that’s missing in their lives.

Here’s a thoughtful question:  Why aren’t we talking to men like men expect to be talked too?  Why aren’t we doing as Christ did?  Instead of asking questions about relationships with Christ, why aren’t we commanding men to follow Christ?  Jesus Christ minced no words with his disciples when he invited them to follow him.  He said two words, “follow me.”  We’ve grown so accustomed to passing out invitations to “personal relationships” instead of challenging men and giving them SOMETHING TO DO!

Whether the guy on TBN realized it or not, he gave me the PERFECT opening for this Discipleship Blog.  Men, I have one statement for you:  “Follow me.”  I challenge you, “follow me.”  Yes, if you know me, you will see my flaws.  It’s alright, I make mistakes….follow me.  There is absolutely no reason I should go on this trek of my life alone.  I am completely sold out to Jesus, I want to follow him with every fiber of myself and Jesus Christ was one of the manliest men I know.  I don’t care what paintings you’ve seen, Jesus Christ HAD to be manly to do all he did.  I refuse to be acknowledged by the rest of the world as Homer Simpson, Tim Allen, or the dad off ‘Family Guy’!  I AM A MAN!  And I will follow a man, the only man who deserves my utmost attention.  Men, follow me!  Tally HO!  ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH!  Jesus Christ is waiting for men, an army of men who are completely and obliviously sold out to Him, so we can spread the gospel to the four corner’s of the world.  I cannot and will not do it alone if someone rises to this challenge with me.  I’m praying for you men.

The Christian, The Wheel, and The Life

“Giving Life Abundantly;” only Christ Jesus can do that…

The question is, “Will you accept this life?”  Christ has given us His life, not only through His death, but also through his ressurection and now, calls those who believe in Him to an ultimate form of life that only He can provide through His Spirit.  “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  Jesus said (John 10:10).  There is no question as to why he came…the question is, “will you accept this life?”  In the same verse Jesus Christ contrasts what is not the life, “The thief does not come but to steal, and to kill and to destroy…”  Some would say there’s has to be some kind of middle ground there, where the thief is not stealing, and the Life is not being given.  My question is, “Why would you want it?”  Why want a little when you can have ABUNDANT life.  Abundant is a relative term….right?  It’s Jesus’ term, and who else’s “relative” view of “abundant” do you need?  I’m calling any interested first to Christ, He IS the life.  If you have no relationship with him…it’s time.  If you do have a relationship with our Lord…

Examine with me the Life through the eyes and concepts of a man named Dawson Trottman, a man who understood God is a BIG God, and that He keeps his promises, so Dawson Trottman believed he could make a difference claiming the promise of Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call unto me, and I will answer you, and I will show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”  (Good verse to memorize, go ahead try it!)  Dawson came up with a new illustration, which described the Christain disciples life (or those aspiring to get the Christian disciples’ life!)  And nearly 50 years after his death people are still using his material and ideas in order to train men and women in Christ who love the Lord and want nothing short of what He wants.  The Wheel is something I am studying with Pastor Steve in order to begin and continue our lives of discipleship under Christ.  Not long, and I will start with my own “Timothy” or perhaps a few.  That’s what this blog is all about.  Helping others in their walk with Christ.  Following the path that he personally took with his disciples and going through “the Wheel.” 

Just think of a wheel for a few moments…what’s its purpose?  It certainly is used on just about every vehicle known to man.  It has a use, it is not a device which was invented for itself.  The wheel has purpose, it was designed for a purpose, and that purpose is to arrive at it’s destination.  The wheel’s sole purpose is to be moving in the direction the driver intends so the driver may end at a particular destination.  This destination is ”God’s final marching orders” for those who seen, touched, listened, loved, lived side by side, and confirmed even the resurrection our Master.  The Great Commission was for them, and for us, products of their eyewitness.  We’re to “go”and make disciples.  By the way, the word “go” means “as you are going!”  Jesus Christ assumed that if you know Him you will be going…wherever you go…making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).  The final destination of Jesus Christ (the driver), is total world impact, and wheels (our lives) are to go towards that destination. 

Our lives as wheels are going to start taking very specific and definitive shapes, and a well rounded wheel (with all it’s particular mechanical parts) are going to be rolling with a purpose.  Who is the driver?  The true driver?  Who is the hub of the wheel?  Is it Christ?  Is Christ the center driving point of all you are?  Of all you would be?  Does he dominate your hopes and dreams?  I pray to the Father He will. 

I pray you’ll continue to read, one day at a time…