Be Genuine

Good Son-Day!!!

City of Lake Lights

Be Genuine

As we do every year, everyone has returned from the holiday vacations and are back to work.  Last Tuesday, at 8:30 AM I attended a virtual meeting with about 15 people.  It has been a while since we connected.  The first 3-5 minutes of the meeting everyone is doing the obligatory round of “what did you do during the holiday season?”

Most of the answers were of your typical variety . . . “we traveled to see a relative”, “I cooked this for the family dinner”,  “I received a brand new…”,  “I attended this holiday party” and then this . . .

“I apologize in advance for those of you who do not celebrate Christmas before I tell you what I did”.  This person proceeds with her holiday story.  The next person says, I love Christmas like everyone else.  I like the merriment, joy, goodwill, the gift exchange, and the warmth, but you leave the Jesus piece behind.  Yes—-there was an awkward pause.  He put a period on the holiday swoon.  No responses came his way.  Religious debates at work is a quick way to get you minimally an oral reprimand from HR.

Two things struck about our early morning mixer.  First, multiple people had to apologize for celebrating Christmas.  Second, a bold atheist who loves all the benefits of Christmas, but the reason for the season.

On the first note, there was some sense of shame for expressing your belief.  Those who acknowledge and celebrate Christmas were apologetic.  I am seeing more of this in the last few years. Being politically correct on the work site.  Second note, the boldness of the guy expressing his atheism confidently and comfortable with his impunity.

For everyone in the room, there was a positive impact coming from the Christmas holiday.  Thus the mission of Christmas was accomplished.  I am not naive in thinking that the atheist was alone in his thinking.  There are millions like him.  Knowing this does not take away the “ouch” when they declare it for all to hear.  There was a part of me that wanted to conduct a debate.  A calmer disposition prevailed. You must use wisdom. Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you (Matthew 7:6)

Many attend church for multiple good reasons (i.e., good church production, music, obligation, morality, companionship, but lack faith or belief in God.  I would not necessarily say this person is an atheist (someone who does not believe God exists), or agnostic (someone who doesn't believe it's possible to know for sure that a god exists).  There also is a growing number of people who are Ietsists (someone who believes in God, but not church or religion in its purest sense).

I provide all these terms because the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” because God wants you in Spirit and in Truth, John 4:23-24.

Paraphrased, God is a Spirit.  He wants your spirit aligned with His.  The Truth is His Word.  Meaning, there is no confusion about Him.  You are all in for Him.  You are passionate about His name, His existence, His power, His knowledge, His presence, His deity.  

Some of what I heard last week from the atheist in particular, reminded me of the Pharaoh who physically witnessed God’s power with the plagues, but his heart was hardened (i.e.,  ignores, spurns, or rejects the gracious offer of God to be a part of his life.

Matthew 13:15 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.

Today,  my encouragement is to be genuine in your faith and walk with God.  He sees you for who you are and He is committed to the real you.  Reciprocate and love the real Him.  I will now provide the Truth to bolster your belief in our existing God from Revelation 11:7

“We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty,

    the one who is and who always was,

for now you have assumed your great power

    and have begun to reign.

Song of the Week.  Hallelujah! Sing a New Song to GOD. Sing HIS praise in the assembly of godly people. Psalm 149:1

“Your Love is Amazing”, 2023, Folabi Nuel

A little Nigerian Gospel.

Folabi Nuel – Your Love Is Amazing Lyrics

Every single moment of my life I see

All your goodness on a daily, daily

I no fit explain the way you love me this way

You’re the best thing in my life

Every single moment of my life I see

All your goodness on a daily, daily

I no fit explain the way you love me this way

You’re the best thing in my life

Chorus

Oh oh oh

Oh oh oh

Oh oh oh

Your love is amazing (repeat)

Refrain

It’s sweeter than honey

Oh oh

Your love on a daily

Daily, daily

It’s sweeter than sugar

Oh oh

Your love on a daily

Daily, daily