Religion | Jeff Calloway

The Bible Is Full Of Lies

On March 4, 2010, In Religion, Spiritual Growth, by Jeff Calloway

Maybe the title of this post grabbed your attention and you wanted to see the lies that are in the Bible. I guarantee that there are lies in the Bible, but they are not spoken by God, Christ, the apostles or the prophets, but the Bible is full of lies. The first lies can be [...]

Maybe the title of this post grabbed your attention and you wanted to see the lies that are in the Bible. I guarantee that there are lies in the Bible, but they are not spoken by God, Christ, the apostles or the prophets, but the Bible is full of lies. The first lies can be found in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Lying started right from the beginning and continues today.

For example:

• It’s a good thing you came in today. We have only two more of those items in stock.
• I promise to pay you back out of my next paycheck.
• Five pounds is nothing on a person with your height.
• But Officer, I only had two beers.
• You made it yourself? I never would have guessed.
• Go ahead and tell me, I promise I won’t get mad.
• So glad you dropped by. I wasn’t doing a thing.
• You don’t look a day over forty.
• The baby is just beautiful.
• Put the map away. I know exactly how to get there.
• And of course, the three biggest lies: I did it. I didn’t do it. I can’t remember.

The majority of lies that we find in the Bible are perpetrated by Satan. Satan spoke lie after lie to Eve and to us today:

➢ It’s all right to doubt God and what He says Genesis 3:1
94% Of America reads their Bible but 38% believes the Bible is not 100% truth
➢ Convinces us that sin doesn’t have consequences Genesis 3:4
➢ His lies make us delusional (can’t see the truth for the lie) Genesis 3:5
You Can Be like God!!!!

WHAT MUST I DO TO TRUST GOD? This is the most important issue in your life. There are other important issues, but this is the most important one. But if you miss the most important question , “Who am I going to live for?” that has eternal implications. Heaven and hell are in the balance. This is the question of purpose. You’re going to live for someone. You’re going to live for the approval of the world or the approval of your boss or the approval of a spouse or someone else or for yourself. Or you’re going to live for God who made you and made you for a reason.

You’ve got to start by committing your life to Christ. What does it mean to commit my life to Christ? Jesus made it so simple, nobody could say it was too hard to understand. He said, “Here’s what you do if you want to be saved and commit your life to Me. You first believe God raised Christ from the dead (that’s what Easter is all about) and then confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.” Circle “Lord”. The word “Lord” is an Old English word for “the guy in charge, the CEO, the boss, the manager, the director.” God wants to be the director of your life. He wants to be the manager of your life. He has a plan for it.

Every commitment that you make in your life has a cost, a price tag. It has a benefit and a cost. And you have to look at that commitment and say, “Is the benefit worth the cost?” Every time you make a keep a commitment, you’re growing mature. You’re growing character, building maturity in your life.

What’s the cost of following Christ? You give up control of your life and put Jesus Christ in charge. You say, “No longer am I going to go out for my plans but I’m going to say `God, I want to fulfill the plan You put me on earth for. I want to be the person You want me to be. I want to do the things You want me to do.” That’s the cost and it’s very clear and it’s very up front.

What’s the benefit? In the first place, you get all your sins forgiven. Second, you get power for living. Third, you get a purpose in life. Fourth, you get heaven when you die. A pretty good deal. You’ve got to settle this first issue. If you haven’t done this yet, do it today. Open your life. Say “Jesus Christ, I open my heart to You. I want to commit myself to You the rest of my life.” Do that. But that’s just the foundation. Once you’ve committed your life to Christ there is so much more that God has in store for you.

Satan’s main attack on Eve was getting her to doubt the Bible, the Word of God.
2 Samuel 22:31 ”As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless.” If you believe that the Bible is basically a good book, but it has errors and some of it can’t be trusted as accurate, then you’re going to have a hard time following what I’m about to say. If you doubt what the Bible says, then you doubt God. And if you doubt God then you doubt that Jesus is is Son, and if you doubt that Jesus is His Son, the you doubt that Jesus is the only way to heaven, and if you doubt that Jesus is the only way to heaven, then you doubt if you’re going to heaven, and if you doubt that you are going to heaven, guess what,you probably won’t go to heaven. Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

By Reading It Daily

By Living It Each Moment
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, ”It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

By Sharing It With Others
1 Timothy 4:13 Until I get there, read and explain the Scriptures to the church; preach God’s Word.

Science of Happiness

On February 24, 2010, In Jeff's random thoughts, People, Religion, Spiritual Growth, by Jeff Calloway

From Time magazine dated Janauary 17, 2005, the cover story was titled, “The Science of Happiness.” The article deals much with the “psychology” of happiness. Some interesting statistics in the article report that based on their own assessment, Americans are overwhelmingly happy and optimistic people regardless of their income. The top four answers that people [...]

From Time magazine dated Janauary 17, 2005, the cover story was titled, “The Science of Happiness.” The article deals much with the “psychology” of happiness. Some interesting statistics in the article report that based on their own assessment, Americans are overwhelmingly happy and optimistic people regardless of their income. The top four answers that people gave to what makes them happy were: Children/grandchildren – 35%, Family – 17%, God/faith/religion – 11%, and Spouse – 9%. One thing that struck me while reading this article is that people are trying to find happiness in every nook and corner of their lives. It seems that the majority of us are searching for happiness, the American dream. Is happiness attainable and if so how?

In John Piper’s book, When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight For Joy, he states, “One of the most important discoveries I have ever made is this truth: God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him.” I remember as a boy there was a spring in the woods on the property adjacent to our property. I don’t know who, but someone had build a small concrete dam to pool the water so that it could be easily accessed. In order to get a drink of the refreshing water, you had to get on your knees and drink the water from your cupped hand. It was perhaps some of the best water I have ever drank. It brought refreshment to my body and quenched my thirst. In our underlying search for happiness, that is the premise, to have a thirst quenched.I don’t know about you, but I want to be happy. I want my wife to be happy. I want my daughters to be happy.

Does God want us to be happy? Is it sinful for Christians to be happy? Sometimes it appears that the answer to that question is yes and sometimes it seems to be no. I am in the process of reading When I Don’t Desire God: How To Fight For Joy, a book written by John Piper. I highly reccomend this book as it addresses the question of Does God want us to be happy and experience joy. Two weeks ago at a men’s retreat, I took the opportunity to share on the subject Loving God For Who He Is, in which I addressed the topics of happiness in the Lord, joy in the Lord, delight in the Lord and desire in the Lord. I shared that happiness happens when we are pursuing God. In our formative years as a believer in Christ we were taught to pursue godliness and you would find joy. We were taught to be obedient to God and His Word and someday we would experience happiness. The Bible teaches us we can be happy, joyful and delight in the Lord now, (Psalm 37:4, Psalm 100:2, Philippians 4:4, Psalm 42:1-2, Matthew 6:21, Psalm 16:11). Nowhere in the Bible does God condemn people for longing to be happy. People are condemned for forsaking God and seeking their happiness elsewhere (Jeremiah 2:13).

In my pursuit of God, I will become more like Christ – willing to serve, longing to love, able to forgive. Those attributes that we have tried to achieve by our own effort will happen naturally, or should I say supernaturally.

In the past I have heard well intentioned people make a statement that happiness was temporary and joy was eternal. Perhaps you have heard a variation of that statement to some degree. The premise is that you can’t really enjoy happiness while you are here on earth, but that it is something that will be realized after this life. When we examine scriptures, there is a very strong arguement that happiness can be achieved in this life and should be pursued. I will admit that for the greater part of my life, my belief in this area has been; serve and be obedient to God and His Word, then I will have joy. Happiness is not a science, it is not an emotion, it is not a state of mind. Happiness is found in knowing God, desiring God, delighting in God, and pursuing God.

I will be sharing more on this subject later.

When God Is Not Enough

On April 1, 2009, In Church Life, Religion, by Jeff Calloway

Without shocking the weasel out of you, I believe that for many “Christians” and churches, God is not enough. While we openly admit and verbalize that God is enough, we live like He really isn’t. God has a special place in his heart for the Israelite nation and it very evident in scriptures, in both [...]

Without shocking the weasel out of you, I believe that for many “Christians” and churches, God is not enough. While we openly admit and verbalize that God is enough, we live like He really isn’t. God has a special place in his heart for the Israelite nation and it very evident in scriptures, in both Old and New Testaments. God’s desire has always to be be king of his people (both Jew and Gentile) and be all that they need and want. Nothing illustrates this topic more that the story found in 1 Samuel 8.

God had kept up his side of the bargain to the Israelites by delivering them from bondage and giving to them their promised land. Once they had established themselves in the promised land, they observed something about other nations that was different. God had given them a system of leadership through judges who served God and the people. The judges, according to Judges 2, were “raised up to save the people out of the hand of those who plundered them.” In that same chapter of scripture, it says that God raised up the judges and the judge would save the people from their enemies, but when the judge died, the people would rebel and follow after other gods. This process happened over and over throughout the book of Judges until we get to the book of Samuel.

Samuel was a prophet that presided over Israel. He wasn’t perfect, but he obeyed God. As a matter of fact, scripture tells us that the LORD was with Samuel and none of his words fell to the ground. As Samuel aged to an old man, his sons became judges, corrupt ones. About this time the people began to desire for a king like the other nations that surrounded them. The sad part of this story is that God tells Samuel to appoint a king over the people because they had rejected Him as their king. In other words, they wanted to be like everyone else. God tells them, “I am your King. I am all that you need.” Sadly, they refused to obey the voice of Samuel and said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we may be like all the nations, and our king may judge us, and go out and fight our battles.” Again, it is sad that they had all that they had requested in God, but wanted more.

You see, God was not enough for them. They wanted more when there was no more. As followers of Christ, we too want more. We want what we can see. We want what we don’t need. Whether we want to admit it or not, sometimes for American “Christians” God is not enough for us. We want security. We want programs. We want pastors. We want buildings. We want more. When is God going to be enough for the church in America?

God is all we need now and forever.

New Study: Christianity Losing Ground In America

On March 9, 2009, In Religion, Uncategorized, by Jeff Calloway

In a study that gives credence to what many evangelical pastors have been saying for years, that America is no longer a Christian nation was made public today. The study from The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. discovered that the number of people in America who claim to be “born [...]

In a study that gives credence to what many evangelical pastors have been saying for years, that America is no longer a Christian nation was made public today. The study from The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. discovered that the number of people in America who claim to be “born again” evangelicals is declining. I have shared here on this blog before that America is becoming a nation filled with various religions. What caught my attention in this study is that the number of Americans who claim no religion has risen to fifteen percent. You might be thinking that this study was biased due to the geographic sampling. That thought really can’t hold up as over 54,000 respondents were surveyed, which is a large sampling.

What does this mean for the evangelical church in America? It means it needs to wake up from thinking that America is a good, ol’ Christian nation and everybody loves Jesus. That is part of the reason that has gotten the state of Christianity to where it is today. Second, the church needs to be looking at any and all methods and strategy to reach those without Christ. Third, followers of Jesus in America needs to become missional in their lives. They need to come to grips that if they are a follower of Jesus, then they are a missionary and must start living the mandate in the scriptures to live as Jesus lived. Unless there is a turn in this regression of Christianity in America, followers of Christ will become a larger minority.

Just a quick note; I don’t like using the term Christian to describe a “born again” follower of Jesus. The term Christian has lost it’s meaning in America, as it can be used loosely as a definition as people see fit. Think about it, a follower of Jesus or Christian, which one sounds like they are active in the faith?

Here is a link at USA Today that covers the study and has interactive graphs.

Jesus

On February 27, 2009, In Jeff's random thoughts, Religion, by Jeff Calloway

History over the past two thousand years has painted many pictures of what Jesus looked liked and who he was. Many theologians and skeptics throughout the centuries have each had their idea of Jesus and the truth of the matter is, not a single one of them has done Jesus justice. As I look back over my life, I [...]

History over the past two thousand years has painted many pictures of what Jesus looked liked and who he was. Many theologians and skeptics throughout the centuries have each had their idea of Jesus and the truth of the matter is, not a single one of them has done Jesus justice. As I look back over my life, I have seen Jesus visualized as a stoic, serious figure and at other times as a swinging zealot who liked to party. He has been written about more than anyone else in history, but history has not been a friendly judge to Jesus.

As a kid going to Sunday School in a Southern Baptist church, I remember Jesus as the man who had the lamb on his shoulders, or the guy in the “Jesus Loves Me” song or the Jesus in the picture that hung over the mantle whose eyes would move when you moved. I was taught that he was the Son of God who could save me from sins and I would go to heaven to be with him for eternity. To a kid, that sounded like an awful long time to be standing around with other people. That has lead me to examine the Jesus I know.

I did not say the Jesus I knew, because I know Jesus. As an adult I carried over the Jesus I knew
from my childhood into my family and to my children. That Jesus saved me from my sins, but it wasn’t the Jesus that would lead me to a life that is filled with struggle in following him as I should. The Jesus of my adult life has said to pick up my cross and follow him and he said it wouldn’t be easy. I never took time to examine Jesus the radical outcast who was shunned by his family,
scorned by religious leaders, and shamed by his friends. I mean, I saw Jesus as the beneficent lover of mankind. In seeing him this way, I have realized that I missed out getting to know the Jesus that was counted among the poor because he was poor. The Jesus who would go to the bowels of hell for those he loved if it was required of him because he had been there and back. And the Jesus who was as human as I because he truly loves me.

The Jesus I have come to know and love is a different Jesus that what I remember growing up. He
is the loving shepheard, but he is also the wild Lion of Judah. He is the lover of my soul, but he is also the condemner of sin. He is not the weak human portrayed by Hollywood and novelists, but the Creator of all.

Christian No More

On December 11, 2008, In Church Life, Religion, by Jeff Calloway

Christian. A very descriptive word within itself. It can stand alone on it’s on merits and paints a picture in the mind that varies from person to person. But, what does it mean? Who does it describe? Is it an accurate word to describe those who use it? The American Heritage Dictionary defines a Christian [...]

Christian. A very descriptive word within itself. It can stand alone on it’s on merits and paints a picture in the mind that varies from person to person. But, what does it mean? Who does it describe? Is it an accurate word to describe those who use it?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines a Christian as “one who professes belief in Jesus as Christ and follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus; one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.” Sounds pretty reasonable and correct. That is if you want a dictionary version. Don’t get me wrong, this is a definition that many Christians would work around to eventually and mutter robotically if they had to verbalize their faith.

I am no longer calling myself a Christian. I am abandoning the label that was used only once in scriptures. I know, I am a heretic! The label that couple of billion of us use has been misused and honestly it has lost it’s meaning. Anyone it seems calls themselves a Christian if they attend church once or twice a year, watch a religious program, do a good deed or otherwise are related to someone who really is a khristianos – the anointed.

I am going to begin referring to myself as follower of Jesus or a disciple of Jesus. Rings kind of different than calling yourself a Christian, huh? Many good church people will think I am a freak, weird right wing conspiratist who wants to ruin the foundations of Christianity. Not so fast. I only want to correct and re-direct those who have been misguided by the term that many people flagrantly toss around. Think about it, Jesus didn’t say, “If you want to be a Christian, come to Easter and Christmas services.” Neither did he say, “Just do your best and I will take care of the rest. I will guarantee you a spot in heaven for being a good person.” and I am sure he definitely did not say, “You are a part of a certain religion or denomination, don’t worry, that makes you a Christian!”

What Jesus did say was, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” These words don’t quite line up with the go to church twice a year or “do gooder” philosophy of being a Christian. Or how about this one, “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot
be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Maybe it would help to know that the definition for the Greek word for hate “miseo” is different than our meaning of hate. We see hate as despising or opposing. For us, hate is a strong emotion, one we like to teach our children not to use or express. But this expression for the Greek Jews meant to turn away from, to detach oneself. How many people really want to use the above scriptural references to refer to themselves as Christians.

I am a follower of Jesus. One of his disciples. Am I perfect? No, but I seek to be a student learning from the master. I want to walk with the one who died for me and I am willing to die for him.

I want to challenge you to turn the establishment upside down and start referring to yourself as a follower of Jesus, his disciple, a believer. People will look at you as if you are crazy. You will be different! That’s how it was in Antioch when followers were first called Christians. They were different, outcasts, not normal. That’s how I want to be looked at. How about you?

Over 50 People Make A Decision To Follow Christ

On January 23, 2008, In Religion, by Jeff Calloway

We saw over 50 adults, students, and children make a public decision to follow Christ through our weekend services and membership classes at Bridge Church during 2007. Why is that so important? One reason is that Bridge Church began in January of 2007 with 21 people meeting in our home. By the end of the [...]

We saw over 50 adults, students, and children make a public decision to follow Christ through our weekend services and membership classes at Bridge Church during 2007. Why is that so important? One reason is that Bridge Church began in January of 2007 with 21 people meeting in our home. By the end of the year that number had grown to more than 170 meeting at a school in Perry, OH.

I love being able to to measure whether our strategy is accomplishing our mission. I know it is for over 50 people who are making a difference here on earth because they met Jesus this past year.

Favoritism Inhales Air

On January 22, 2008, In Religion, by Jeff Calloway

Two guys are strangers. They arrive at the church at the same time. We know they are strangers because they didn’t know where to sit. The first guy walks in and he is dripping with wealth. Everybody knows he doesn’t fit because in the New Testament times all of the Christians were poor. Most of [...]

Two guys are strangers. They arrive at the church at the same time. We know they are strangers because they didn’t know where to sit. The first guy walks in and he is dripping with wealth. Everybody knows he doesn’t fit because in the New Testament times all of the Christians were poor. Most of them were slaves. It says he has gold rings — literally, in the Greek, “he is gold fingered”.

Then comes the guy who is povertystricken. This is Bum Poorboy. He is destitute and shabby. He has holes in his robes and doesn’t have his shoes on. He doesn’t have any deodorant so he has B.O. and his hair is unkempt. He looks bad. The usher has to make a decision. Where will he seat him?

The usher takes the rich guy to the front row and seats him. This scene takes place in subtle ways in churches across America every Sunday. It happens in our personal lives in the way we treat people in our schools, jobs, homes and yes, in our churches.

The usher says, “Take this nice place. We want everybody to know you’re here. We want to take care of every one of your needs.” Then he says to the bum, “You can stand over there in a corner or you can sit on the floor.” Literally, in the Greek it’s “under my footstool.” It’s the ultimate putdown. He treats him carelessly.

James says there are three problems with favoritism.

1. Favoritism is unchristian. If you want to be like Jesus you can’t play favorites. “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.” Faith and favoritism are incompatible — we’re a family. This word “favoritism” is used only four times in the Bible. Every other time it’s referring to God and it says, God does not play favorites. Romans 2:11 “God does not show favoritism” Jesus treated everybody with dignity. If there is one place in the world where there shouldn’t be any kind of discrimination it ought to be the church.

2. Favoritism doesn’t make sense. In v. 5-7 he says it’s illogical, it doesn’t make sense. In the first place, he says, God has chosen the poor. “Has not God chosen the poor to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom?” He’s not saying that it’s good to be poor and bad to be rich. He’s not saying that only the poor will be saved. Everybody in this room is rich compared to the majority of the world.

Then he gives his primary reason in v. 8. Favoritism is unloving. That’s why you shouldn’t do it. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ you’re doing right.” If I play favorites I’m being unloving.

Few of us know how to love unconditionally. All we know is how to show favoritism.

v. 9 “If you show favoritism you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” How many laws do you have to break to be a lawbreaker? One. How many crimes do you have to commit to become a criminal? One.

James is saying that people think favoritism is such a small sin. But, he says, if you break God’s rule, you break God’s rule. Be careful it’s serious business.

Merry Christmas!

On December 22, 2007, In Religion, by Jeff Calloway

Today’s post is very short and and to the point. Christmas is about Jesus – Live With It!

Today’s post is very short and and to the point.

Christmas is about Jesus – Live With It!

State of the Pulpit – Driscoll on Osteen

On November 30, 2007, In Religion, by Jeff Calloway

Found this video on YouTube of Mark Driscoll talking about Joel Osteen. Driscoll hits the nail on the head on this one.

Found this video on YouTube of Mark Driscoll talking about Joel Osteen.

Driscoll hits the nail on the head on this one.

Jeff Calloway

The Bible Is Full Of Lies

Science of Happiness

When God Is Not Enough

New Study: Christianity Losing Ground In America

Jesus

Christian No More

Over 50 People Make A Decision To Follow Christ

Favoritism Inhales Air

Merry Christmas!

State of the Pulpit – Driscoll on Osteen

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