PERSON and PRINCIPLE OF JESUS

Jesus taught his disciples to follow his Principles, not just his Person. I grew up in church. I heard a lot about traditions, religion and emotions, but very little about the Principles of Jesus. As you may agree with me, it was a surprise to me when I first read the verse: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31).

 

While it is true, salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, however, there is another side to this relationship that cannot be ignored. The other side of the Person of Jesus is the Principles of Jesus. The true value of any coin includes both sides of the coin. And if you receive a minted coin with only one side stamped, then it’s either fake or wrongfully minted.

The same could be said of a relationship with Jesus Christ. If we confess we believe in Jesus Christ but DO not follow his Principles, then what actually is it that we believe? Jesus explained this in a very strong way:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'  23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matt 7:21-23).

It is possible for we to want to accept and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ but reject his call for how we are to live. I have confronted this my whole Christian life. Literally in every church, every state, and over thirty countries I’ve ministered in, it is the same. It is easy to accept the Person of Jesus and reject the Principles of Jesus. Loving Jesus’ Person is easy, loving his Principles – well, now that is tough.

To fully follow Jesus Christ and enjoy the benefits of such a divine personal relationship is impossible without following his divine Principles as well. To know and have a personal relationship with Jesus is wonderful, but likewise to know and have a relationship with his Principles; how he thinks, talks, behaves, gives, serves and love is the real relationship.

© 2013 Dr Tim McClure

EVERY EXPERT STARTED AS A BEGINNER

I woke up this morning and was doing some research for a counseling session and the Lord spoke to me and said; “Every expert started as a beginner.”  This wasn’t my topic of counseling, but I wrote it down anyway.  As I went on through the day, this word continued to speak to me.

Listen, perhaps you like me many years ago have found yourself today, not in the place where you thought you would not be nor where you want to be.  Perhaps you are mauling over the many mistakes, failures or even failed attempts at what you “would have liked to have accomplished” and just don’t have the Oomph to move forward. I have a word from God for you: “Every Expert started as a Beginner.”

 

That’s right, Abraham had to take his first step and move away from his failed past in order to “search for a city whose builder and maker is God.”  Even Moses had to leave Egypt before he could think of moving into the Promiseland.  Yes, even David had to pick up a simple stone before he ever slew a giant. 

 

Dare I attempt to walk through history and bring up the thousands of philosophers, inventors, generals, Kings and Queens, Prime Ministers or Presidents who before their fame was ever known, they took one step forward. Einstein had to learn addition before he ever invented the “Theory of Relativity.”

 

You, and I do mean you can become an expert at whatever your heart’s passion and life long quest has unfolded before you – if you dare mustard up enough courage to take your first step.  Experts are not born, they begin.  Go ahead and begin today.

© 2013 Dr Tim McClure

WHEN GOOD IS SILENT

   “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” (Edmund Burke).  So much of the history of the struggle between good and evil can be explained by Edmund Burke's observation. Time and again those who profess to be good seem to clearly outnumber those who are evil, yet those who are evil seem to prevail far too often. Seldom is it the numbers that determine the outcome, but whether those who claim to be good men are willing to stand up and fight for what they know to be right. There are numerous examples of this sad and awful scenario being played out over and over again in the scriptures.

   When good men fail to do good, there is a vacuum that is left open for evil to fill. The Lord commands his people to do good (Luke 6:35; Eph. 2:10). Christ "gave himself for us that he might redeem us to be zealous in good works" (Titus 2:14).  In the parable of the talents, Jesus described a man who did nothing. The Bible says that the evil man “hid the Lord's money" (Matt. 25:18). When his Lord returned, the evil man gave to the Lord just what he had been given (Matt. 25:25). Notice, the man was called evil by Jesus simply because he refused to do any good with the money. The man was evil because he did nothing with what was given him. Jesus said he was a "wicked and slothful servant" (Matt. 25:26). 

   Jesus rebuked the church at Laodicea for doing nothing. "I know your works, that you are neither cold or hot: I would that you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:15-16).  Too many “good people” are doing way too little. They are standing idly by being mere spectators. They sit on the sidelines instead of actively working for good.

   When Jesus found a fig tree with "nothing thereon but leaves only;" He cursed it (Matt. 21:19). What will happen to those who claim to be good and yet do nothing? God knows that the church today desperately need Men and Women who will roll up their sleeves and go to work for the good. Jesus even prayed; "Lord send laborers in the field to help us work" (Luke 10:2).

   If we who are believers in good sit back and do nothing, than evil will continue to press forward until our girls become court prostitutes and our boys become slaves to substance abuse. If we who promote the good of moral absolutes say nothing while filth run ram shod over our schools, then our children will fall back into moral, economic and spiritual slavery. As the Prophet so challenged us centuries ago; “Blow the trumpet, sound the alarm, lift up your voice” Joel 2:1. This is no time for good to be silent.

© 2013 Dr Tim McClure

OLD IS NEW

   I heard a radio advertisement this week from a local car dealership railing against “my Old Junker” (car).  Yes, my car has near 140,000 miles, but everything works perfectly on it – A/C, Radio, CD, Electric seats – windows, etc…
 

   The tone of the advertisement was laced with the attempt to shame me into buying a New car. I found my mind racing to rebut his comments and then I smiled and said out loud; “Old is luxury – Old is wealthy.”

 

   Listen, don’t allow the “Debt Driven Devil” to ridicule you into thinking you should trade in your perfectly running automobile that is PAID OFF to go into debt for another “house payment” just so you can alleviate the “shame” those advertisers try to put on you.  Pick you head up high and say out loud; “I’m free; I’m Debt FREE.”

 

   The rest of the day I felt fantastic singing my new song; “Thank God I am free, free, free, from this debt driven devil” (smile).  Humor aside, I drove all over town that day doing business thanking God for the blessing of being debt free. I heard the words whispered into my soul that said; “Old is New – Old is Luxury – Old is Wealthy.”

 

   “In everything, give thanks” (1 Thes 5:18).

 © 2013 by Dr Tim McClure

 

LETTING GO OF THE PAST

Phil 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

 

Here we are at the last day of the year 2012. At the end of each year, I have gone through a routine over the past 30 years to evaluate my past year. I compare what I have accomplished with respect to the goals I had set before the New Year to see what I could have done differently or better.

 

Inevitably I find several things that I thought were of value were not and things I didn’t consider were valuable. I almost always find things that were obstacles that hindered my ultimate goal and purpose in life. I also find many things that came to me from experiences, people and life that attached themselves to me.  Call them spirits, ideas, feelings, memories or failures.

 

I have found after 40 years that many of these “attachments” often pile up and cause a combination effect that drags me down with preoccupation of stuff that does more harm than good. These “attachments” the Bible calls us to “forget.” Simply, we must “let go” of those things that are in our past that hinders us. I know it is easier said than done. So allow me to suggest a few things or ways to “Letting go of the past.”

 

#1 Forget means to place in a hidden place or to consider it ignorant or of less value. True we do not possess the power to wipe out of our mind the memory of bad things in our past, but we can place a value mark of it in our mind. Take everything that God’s word has labeled destructive or bad for your divine purpose and label it ridiculous, ignorant or stupid. By doing this, you put a “Value” mark of worthlessness upon that experience, issue, hurt or thing from your past.

 

#2 Forget means to put it behind you. Please get this: Putting those things in your past means to put it out of your fore thought – your focus – your directive. Take everything that was bad for you and remove it from your forward sight that it no longer becomes your primary vision. Do not allow those things that have made you less than what God has designed for you to lead you, define you or control you. Forget it! Put it behind you and make your failures, pains and troubles push you instead of control you.

 

© 2012 Dr Tim McClure

MERRY CHRISTMAS

    “Why are you crying GP” the little voice asked as Aurora rubbed my arm with her caring concern? Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve bring on many emotional moments. The many nostalgic Christmas movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown’s Christmas and Home Alone spark such emotional memories while sitting with friends and family during the Holidays.  Crying (again) during the emotional moments and laughing with kids and grand kids make the last six weeks of each year so special. Nothing in the whole world is more important than our Faith, Family and Future.

    Like always, I take these six weeks at year’s end to recap my life, reevaluate what I have or have not done with regard to my purpose and goals.  Like Clarence (the angel in It’s a Wonderful Life) reminded George Bailey (Character Jimmy Stewart played) what life was all about, so has these past few weeks given me an “Angelic” moment.

    Please allow me to share my heart and say to you that there is nothing more important than our Church family to share spiritual moments or worship, prayer and divine experiences with.  We need Jesus, prayer and faith.  I love my family more than life itself.  My family is the most important part of life.  My children and grand children make life worth living and worth becoming better. 

    Take this moment to make a phone call, write a letter, send a card or email to your family and friends and tell them how you feel.  Envelope this time to get alone with God and say a prayer for your family, your church and your future.  Let me wish you a very Merry Christmas.

 

© 2012 Dr Tim McClure

ABANDONMENT

John 6:66-67 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

2 Tim 4:9-11 Timothy, be diligent to come see me soon 10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and Only Luke has stayed and supported me.

   A close observation may shock you. In the end of the greatest Apostle and pastor in the New Testament was forsaken by everyone except Timothy and Luke.  Demas has forsaken me. We have always interpreted Demas forsaking God when we read this verse. However, Demas actually forsook Paul.

   Shocking is that the church members of Crete left the church of Crete pastored by Titus and moved over to Galatia church. Look at a scary verse: Titus left to Dalmatia: his home. Titus, the great pastor and spiritual son of Paul quit pastoring and went home because the saints of Create left and went to Galatia. We read this and interpret it as the first church Abandonment.

   During Jesus ministry, the real 666 “Mark of the Beast” was Abandonment: “many of his disciples went back and walked no more with Jesus” (John 6:66). To make matters worse, Jesus knew in his heart that the twelve disciples were even thinking of leaving also.

   The Post World War II generation of fathers and husbands spent 8 years overseas away from their wives and children. They lived 8 years with the “guys.” They came home to spend every evening with the guys at the bars. This produced a generation of father and husband Abandonment.

   Abandonment escalated in the 60’s. Children were abandoning their parents, their schools and their laws. The law no longer was important. No longer were loyalties important. The 60’s youth were no longer loyal to their school, traditions, church or their faith.

   The 60’s produced the Baby Boom generation who became parents that abandoned their children, their marriages, their jobs and their morality. Fatherless children are now out numbering the two parent children. Over 50% of children born today are born to single parent homes without a father. US Correctional institute numbers reveal that 87% of all American prisoners grew up without a father.  We are living in a Generation that is Lost because of Abandonment.

   What if Abraham Lincoln left America because of the division among our own people?  Would there be an America today?  Was it right that young men abandoned America during the Viet Nam War just because they didn’t believe in the politics?  Was it morally right for a soldier to abandon his fellow soldiers in their bunker just because they didn’t want to fight anymore?  Any soldier who leaves his country, his platoon, his fellow soldiers in war or peace time is considered AWOL – Absent With Out Leave. 

   Abandonment is not the answer to a nation just because you disagree with some politicians.  Abandonment is not the answer for a man who just had a child simply because he doesn’t want to take responsibility.  Abandonment is not the answer to a husband who doesn’t feel romantically attracted to his wife anymore.  Jesus is asking believers all across America, “Will ye also go away?” 

Ó 2012 Dr Tim McClure