The Rules Make The Game

An enjoyable life in freedom

Galatians 5:1 says: Freedom is what we have, Christ has set us free. Many people think the Bible is just a bunch of rules that will limit our freedom. Do this, don't do that. Who wants rules for living, we can live any way we want, can't we? Living without rules is not freedom, it is anarchy and it will lead to chaos and destruction. Living without rules is a false kind of freedom, because it will lead into slavery.

Let me tell you something about football, or soccer as we call it. Rules or guidelines are there to keep the game going. Without any rules the players wouldn't know what to do, or what not to do. The game would turn into chaos; no fun to play and certainly no fun to watch! I lived most of my life in Holland, which means growing up with football. That is what we call the game where two teams kick a round ball with their feet and try to score. I know most of the rules and when watching the world cup series for example I get really excited. Coming to America my husband and I tried to watch a couple of games of American football, just to get accustomed with that part of American culture. Believe me, not knowing any of the rules, the whole game just does not make sense. All we can see is heaps of people falling over each other just in time to be stopped by the whistle whenever they get hold of the ball. It seems they never get to where they want to be. In the mean time we can hear and see the crowds screaming and hollering, so we know something good is going on. We just do not know how to interpret the movements. Looking at the excitement of the crowd we know a game of American football is definitely different when you know the rules. Knowing the rules, whether playing or watching, keeps the game going. The rules make the game!

I am using this analogy to make a simple point: rules are needed to play a fair and exciting game. God's rules are needed to be able to live a fair and exciting life together with the 6 billion other people on this earth! The rules won't determine the outcome of the game, but they'll make it a lot more enjoyable. Obeying God's rules won't bring us the victory, which is eternal life, (only faith and grace can do that) but it will assure us better life on earth! The freedom the Bible talks about is freedom from sin, from guilt, from sickness, from fear and worries!

Set Apart To Serve

A tree is recognized by its fruit

Nowadays we can call ourselves religious, spiritual, enlightened, believer, Christian or whatever other name we can come up with. Even within Christian circles we have names for our groups and denominations, we're either catholic, protestant or charismatic. The name game goes further then that, because within these groups are yet other groups to be found, like baptists or presbyterians. However, it is not the name we give ourselves that sets us apart from the rest of the world, it is our actions! Well, besides our relationship with Jesus of course! James 2:14 says it this way,

What good is it for someone to say that he has faith if his actions do not prove it?

Jesus said it simply like this: a tree is recognized by its fruit.

Let us make sure we are being recognized as Christians in a world that asks for help and comfort. Is there something you can do for someone else this week?

Land of Entertainment

God wants to teach us!

We live in a country and age where people do not like to be taught, they want to be entertained. Christians should be, but are no exception to the rule. I hear many people ask God to show them direction and purpose in their lives. The fact of the matter is that these things can be found in the Bible, we don't have to ask, we must seek! I believe the Bible holds the answers to ALL of life's questions. Now, you might ask, why does God need so many words to tell us how to live? Well, if He would have simply said 'be good', how would we know what being good meant? It would be the same as telling a teenager to be careful. Be careful with what or whom or where? We are supposed to explain what the dangers are. Likewise, God shows us through different stories, prophecies, parables and teachings in the Bible what dangers we may encouter when we do not live according to His guidelines. Isaiah 48:17 says:

I am the Lord your God, the One who wants to teach you for your own good and direct you in the way you should go.

I really feel the need to press this upon your hearts today. We need to turn back to the Bible if we really have a desire to know how to live a good life and skip the nonsense that the world proclaims and that fills our newspapers, magazines and televison programs every day.

All We Say and Do

What motivates us on a daily basis?

Sometimes (or should I say: often) the Bible holds some pretty radical statements. The other day I was reading in Colossians 3:17,

Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Everything I do or say? Well, that sums up all I can possibly think of. Personally I love these kind of words, because they trigger my thoughts. In the name of what do I do my daily chores? Do I sometimes say things in the name of impatience, frustration or anger? Do I sometimes work in the name of power, greed or simply money?

It is good to examine our motives, to find out what really drives us on a daily basis. It could be anything, it should be Jesus!

Great Faith

Size doesn't matter

Ever looked up at someone because of their unshakeable faith? Ever asked God for greater faith? I like what Jesus said about it in Matthew 17:20 (TEV),

I assure you that if you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this hill "Go from here to there!" and it will go. You could do anything!

Notice that this translation says faith as BIG as a mustard seed. Jesus' perception of size is different than ours! He basically tells the disciples, and us today, what mustard seed faith is: something very small you can use in order to do something very big! Go ahead, use what He has given you!