Alex on #Lies

Let's say that you and I are sitting in Math class. We're working on a group project together, in which we have to figure some calculations and create a graph or chart based on our findings. We decide that you should be in charge of subtracting and I'll be in charge of adding. So, we're trying to decipher this complicated Math work.
Your page says 1004-3=. You carefully subtract each digit until you get your answer. "974!" You exclaim. I nod, then I say, "My problem is 99+2. I think the answer is 992." We both think both answers are correct.
Then we begin to draw our graph. As we are coloring the graph, one of our friends walks over to our desks. He looks at our graph for a minute, then shakes his head. "You guys are all wrong. 1004-3 is 1001. And 99+2 is 101. I used my calculator."
In disbelief, we look at him and shake our heads. "No, I don't think so," I say.
"Yeah," You tell our friend. "We worked very hard to figure out what the right answers are. We determined these answers for ourselves; we think they're right."
"Anyway," I say, crossing my arms, "You can't tell us what's right. Who are you to judge our answers?"
...
The sketch above doesn't make any sense, does it? I mean, we all know that if you subtract 3 from 1004, you'll get 1001. It's a proven fact.
But there are many people who would say that many proven facts just aren't facts.
Look again at the sketch, where the friend enters. The friend is speaking truth into the two characters' lives. He has used his calculator to determine the correct answers. Then he's sharing this truth with his friends. But look at what the friends say. One says, "We determined these answers for ourselves; we think they're right." The other says, "You can't tell us what's right. Who are you to judge our answers?"
These two statements seem to be a common consensus now days. It supposedly demonstrates your independence and strength if you can "determine truth for yourself."
Have you considered that the friend knew more about the answers than the other characters? He used a calculator! In life, we often ignore or fight with people who try to speak truth, especially our parents and pastors. But why? I mean, people who have lived our circumstances before as well as people who have studied Truth definitely know more about the answers than we do.

The next time you hear competing truth claims (although they'll probably be less obvious than the answers to our Math problems), realize that they cannot all be right. Consider what those who have studied God's word say. And determine truth based on what's Godly, not what feels good or seems good.

Alex W / Message Writer

Alex on #Sincerity (Pt. 1)

"It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you're sincere."

"We all end up in the same place after death."

"All religions are valid and equal."

"There are many ways to God."


Have you heard those statements before? It seems like everyone is pushing for the belief that sincerity is key. Meaning, if you are sincere (or, earnest and passionate) about your beliefs, you're cool. You're set. Your beliefs are true and good. But... is this right?

Let's take beliefs about religion, for example. I mean, I've got beliefs, you've got beliefs, he's got beliefs, she's got beliefs. That well-spoken smart guy in your science class says that he's an atheist, that science proves that God doesn't exist. That girl who sits at your lunch table is a Buddhist. Your neighbors are Muslims. Are all of these people believing truth?

Take this fact: Christianity is the only religion is which a loving, creator God sent his one and only son to earth to die for our sins through no merit of our own. We have done nothing and will do nothing to earn or deserve God's son dying for us. He simply came and died because of his love for us. In most other religions, the ultimate goal (heaven, happiness, nirvana, etc.) comes through our hard work - not from a loving, all-giving, compassionate God who wants a personal relationship with us. See, Christianity is all about a personal relationship with this amazing God. No other religion can claim such a fantastic opportunity.



(see Part Two)

Alex on #Sincerity (Pt. 2)

(see Part One)

Christianity makes a specific claim to being the only true religion. In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Many people have had to wrestle and debate over this verse. If Jesus is really saying that there is no way to heaven unless we accept God, he is making a bold claim! I think can agree with C.S. Lewis, who once said that Jesus is one of three things: a liar, a lunatic, or our Lord.

• You could say that Jesus was a liar - he was simply lying when he said "No one comes to the Father except through me." But then you'd have to assume that many more things he said were lies. How could you determine truth? If Jesus isn't reliable, we shouldn't be reading anything else he had to say. Also, since Satan is the father of lies, if Jesus lied, that would make him part of Satan's group, not God's.
• You could say that Jesus was a lunatic - he was crazy. But isn't that a little far-fetched? I mean, Jesus had appropriate relationships with all kinds of people, things he said made sense, and he encouraged people to do the right thing, whether it was easy or not.
• Finally, you could say that Jesus is Lord. Our Lord. You can accept Jesus's claims to be God (John 10:30-33). You can deny that Jesus was a liar and a lunatic and you can recognize his perfect, divine nature. You can invite him to be your Lord.

If your breakout group didn't make it to the last question on the list, I've included here.
Who do you know and love who is without Christ?
There are many people we care about who do not know Jesus, who have not invited Him to be their Lord and Savior. I have three personal friends who have claimed that God isn't real and it hurts me to think that they don't know our Savior. I urge you to pray for the people in your life who don't know Jesus. Ask God for a chance to share with them how much He means to you.

Alex W / Message Writer

Alex on #Happiness

Does God want us to be happy? I mean, God wants the best for us. Doesn't that mean he wants happiness for us?

There are lots of things in life that will make us happy that are not necessarily good for us, good for others, or that are right. For example:

• Looking at pics and talking to my friends on Facebook makes me much happier than doing Math homework ... but Facebook does not help me pass Statistics
• Getting a boyfriend or girlfriend will probably make us happy ... but, especially when we're not ready, it also adds a huge level of stress and additional pressures
• 'Taking' that candy/game/car will definitely make you happy ... but when you get caught you'll realize that jail is not fun

Maybe, just maybe, God doesn't want us to be happy. He wants us to be blessed. See, happiness depends on happenings, or circumstances. But God doesn't work that way. God has designed a purpose for each one of us, and our lives are all about finding that purpose in Jesus, whether it makes us temporarily "happy" or not. It will certainly bring lasting joy in the long run.

Someone very wise once told me that my life and service should be 80% what I like and 20% what I don't like. By serving God with that 'unliked' 20%, I'm becoming the person I never thought I could be.

So go for it! Follow after Jesus with everything you are, even it means giving up today's happiness for tomorrow's joy.

Alex W / Message Writer

Alex on #Truth

Has Satan ever told you a lie? In 2007, I wrote the following mini-devotional for my friends.

Don't. Look. Back. He's behind you... You know, him. He's back there... watching and waiting. ...Oh, come on, I know you don't exactly see him, but he's there. He's the one that whispers those little lies in your ears. Yes, they're lies. Can you hear him? Just one little peek won't hurt... Or: But it's love. It doesn't matter whether it's a guy or a girl. Or maybe: God wants you to have fun. It's just one drink, anyway. Can you hear him? I can.

So what are you going to do about it? I mean, really. You can't just sit and let this happen. Because if it hasn't happened already, it's going to. And the enemy has very creative lies. They get much worse if you keep listening to them. So what should you do? What are you doing? What will you do?

When Satan (as a snake), appeared to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he told them lies to get them to disobey God. But his lies were't outright blatant. They were half-true. A little right. Satan asked Eve, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

Well, no, God didn't say that. God said that Adam and Eve could eat at any tree in the garden except for the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. So, of course, Eve chose to defend God, but she went too far, claiming that God said that she and Adam couldn't even touch the tree.

Satan said, "You will not surely die, For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Satan will find ways to ask you little questions, to test your trust in God, to deceive you. But do not let him win! Find out what truth is - and believe it. Find out what truth is - and live it with grace. And how do you find out what truth is? Find Jesus.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

- John 14:6

Alex W / Message Writer