The Culprit - selfishness!!

On January 22, 2014 the abortion activists celebrated 55 million aborted children. It was the 41^st anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision. At least a third of a generation is now missing and never to be heard from again. Medical breakthroughs, engineering feats, technological advances, and many other blessings to society will not be realized. What we need to understand is, that when a child is killed, the achievements and contributions die with them. Another way of putting it is – we are murdering our children and our future. 

It leaves me wondering what has happened to the soul of America. The feelings, compassion, and value for human life, seemingly are forgotten virtues of this nation that once emanated an example worthy of being looked up to. Now whether a child lives or dies is a decision based on convenience. Selfishness is so celebrated today that if anything produces an inconvenience, then it is justifiable to remove it at all costs. At one time in our history, when a mistake was made, we dealt with the consequences of our actions and took responsibility for them. 

Who is to blame for this implosion of morals? The government, teachers, church, or some other influential entity? No, it all started with the decline of parenting. I’m afraid that parents believe they exist to make their children happy. Nothing wrong with happiness but parents are sacrificing discipline and principles to achieve this supposed happiness of “Susie” and “Johnnie.” Today, children have an iPad stuck in their face wherever you go. I recently saw a young boy having to be guided through a restaurant by his mother’s hand on his head because he couldn’t look up from his video long enough to see where he was going. Whatever happened to the parent teaching the child to endure a long ride in the car without entertainment, or to engage in conversation at the dinner table? Entertainment is not wrong but it is like fire – it has its place. You keep fire in the fireplace and it provides warmth for the house and is a nice convenience to be enjoyed. You put the fire in other places in the house and after a while it burns the house down. At one time children had to do chores like take out the trash, feed the pets, clean the room, and so on, and then they could watch TV or play games. In other words, parents were teaching them priorities and responsibility.  

Like Paul Harvey would say “now you know the rest of the story.” This is what has led to this decline in our moral fabric and the cheapening of human life. We have taught our children that life is entertainment, thus hard work and discipline is no longer forged into our children. These children do not remain as children – they grow up and become the adults of tomorrow filling the position of teachers, congress, president, judges, and etc., influencing and reshaping policy of this great nation. We not only reap what we sow, we reproduce what we are. This nation will not change overnight, however, if there is a revival of morals and discipline in the home – you may be pleasantly surprised what this nation would like in 20 years. It sure is something to think about. The cheapening of human life did not start in 1973, it started years earlier in the home.   

Being Consistent

Outline on being Consistent

                                                           Consistent 

I.            We spend thousands (even tens of thousands) of dollars, hundreds (even thousands) of hours, buy or rent special clothes, and consult with many different people in preparation for our wedding day. But what about our “marriage days”? What investment do we make in and for those days? Human beings tend to focus on special events, and then ignore the importance of all of the days between the special events. We like “mountain tops.” But very little food grows on mountain tops. Food grows in the valleys – in the everyday experiences of one’s life. What a difference would ensue if we focused as much energy on the everyday as we do on the special day.

II.          In my experience, consistency is a must as you build and grow your relationship with Jesus Christ.

A.   It is the unnamed quality and characteristic in the phrase “endure till the end”

B.   However, it becomes the ingredient that insures the development and success of all the graces God gives.

C.   I have said before “you don’t have to be deep – just consistent!”

D.  Don’t confuse consistency with dry ritualistic routine or absence of life.

1.    Just being consistent is not the answer because many are consistent in doing the wrong thing.

E.   Consistency is that it forces us to be authentic and genuine about our path - it's tough to be consistent and persistent doing something you really don't enjoy. 

III.        It produces:

A.   Consistency allows for measurement

1.   Until you have tried something new for a period of time and in a consistent manner, you can't decide if it works or not.  How do you measure effectiveness if what you are measuring isn't performed consistently?

B.   Consistency establishes your reputation

1.    Spiritual growth requires a track record of success. You can't establish a track record if you are constantly shifting gears and/or taking detours.

2.    Many people fail before they get to the finish line, but not because the tactic was flawed or goals weren't clear. The problem is often that the person simply didn't stay the course to achieve the objective of spiritual maturity and become a contributing asset to others and church.

C.   Consistency maintains your message.

1.    The message of the grace of God and power of God through me is maintained by my consistency.

2.    Simply being inconsistent sends multiple messages. 

IV.        How do I become consistent?

A.   My concept of Christ reflects in my response.

1.    To be truly amazed by Him and His work will produce a desire to be motivated to remain on course.

2.    That nothing is in vain.

a.    My personal temptations in ministry.

b.    Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)
¹⁰ For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

B.   Revise your concept of time

1.    We must value time.

2.    Consistency regards time as a currency that I have been entrusted with by God and will be judged by him some day to give an account.

C.   Remember that feelings and thoughts are temporary and subjective.

1.    You can feel great one day and the next you don’t and nothing necessarily changed externally.

2.    Some days our thoughts can be troubled and it is not a supposed good day but the next it appears automatically everything changed.

D.  Build momentum one step at a time.

1.    It’s never easy to change old habits or start new routines. Studies show that it takes anywhere from 21 to 40 days to really turn a new behavior into a persistent habit. And during that time, you’re going to have to work at it pretty diligently—even when you don’t feel like it.[1]

2.    The key to long term consistency is building momentum. The hardest part is always getting things started. But once you’re moving, staying in motion and picking up speed becomes a lot easier.  

3.    When a person backslides or is growing cold will tell you it seems harder to regain and recapture what they once had.

4.    This is why Jesus said to Ephesus (Rev 2:5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

5.    People will start out exercising 3 hours and burn out and give up in two weeks.

6.    Start with something that’s pretty easy to manage and build up from there. Set a goal of one 10-minute exercise session per week.

7.    Same principle applies to our spiritual regimens. 

V.           I can make a prediction about any one of us: IF we do not follow Christ daily, it is doubtful we will follow him at all for long.

A.   In Acts 17:10-12[2] they “Searched the Scriptures daily…” They examined, scrutinized the Word of God daily.

1.    In John 5:39[3], Jesus told them to “Search the Scriptures.” That means to investigate.

2.    In Hebrews 3:7-13[4], we are to “Exhort one another daily.” How can we do this if we are not living for Christ daily? Now, I would like to encourage us all to day by day living the Christian life.

3.    All believers, truly Born Again Christians should have a daily time in the Word of God. In Job 23:12[5], Job esteemed the Word of God more than his necessary food. Food is a daily necessity, however, God’s word is more necessary than our physical food.

4.    All believers, truly Born Again Christians should have daily prayer. The model prayer of Matt. 6:1-15 should be read and notice verse 11[6]. Jesus instructing the disciples about prayer said, “Give us this day our daily bread.” The words “This day” and “Daily” indicate that exactly that. We should pray every day.

5.    1 Cor. 15:31[7] “I die daily.”

6.    Look at Eph. 4:26[8] where we see in the Word of God that we are not to “Let the sun go down upon our wrath.” You know that when the sun goes down, that day ends and we wait for the next new day. Get things right day by day and you will live for the Lord Jesus day by day.

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[1] http://www.inc.com/eric-v-holtzclaw/consistency-power-success-rules.html

[2] Acts 17:11 (KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

[3] John 5:39 (KJV)
³⁹ Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

[4] Hebrews 3:13 (KJV) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

[5] Job 23:12 (KJV) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

[6] Matthew 6:11 (KJV) Give us this day our daily bread.

[7] 1 Corinthians 15:31 (KJV)
³¹ I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

[8] Ephesians 4:26 (KJV) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: