Take a ride in the word

How often when we ride do we take a moment to really look at what`s around us? Do you sightsee? Do you take the time to “smell the roses” on your rides? Or, do you haul butt down the road “lookin all cool” and thinking everyone is watching you—when in reality they are thinking about themselves, not you. How do I know this? I know these things, because I have done them myself. Now, let`s parallel that thought with how we study Gods word.

My pastor gave a great message yesterday. We hosted a biker Sunday at our church and had over 60 bikes show up. The sanctuary was standing room only. It was an exciting morning, and a great service. The Pastor hit on something that I wanted to expound on in a short post. He was speaking about how we often read quickly over certain passages of scripture without thinking about the realities—the depth—of the actual experience being explained to us in God`s word. For example, in Genesis 3:21 the Bible says, “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them” (NASB). This seems like a simple statement, something we would normally glance over and keep moving; however, if we spend a few moments imagining what it may have been like, it can be the difference between a modest understanding of the word, and true wisdom and understanding.

To put this verse in context, this is shortly after the “fall” when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. They were naked and ashamed; they had become aware of their nakedness. God loved them so much—even in their sin—that he made them tunics of animal skin. How did God get these skins? Did God kill the animal or animals right there in front of Adam and Eve? Remember, Adam and Eve had never seen death in the Garden of Eden—they had never seen the shedding of blood! If we begin to imagine the depth of this simple passage—WOW—what a difference this word can make to us. Imagine the deep fear, regret, and pain Adam and Eve experienced as at that moment, their lives were forever changed

This brings me to my main point: As I read about the temptations of Jesus as he embarked on his ministry (shortly after his baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit), he was in the desert for 40 days of fasting. The Bible tells us a short and almost plain—non-descriptive—tale of his temptations by Satan in Mathew chapter 4. First, I notice that it says in verse two that Jesus, after 40 days, became hungry. Now, just take that simple phrase and imagine it for just a moment, expound on it as it may have happened in reality. When did Satan begin his temptation of Jesus? It says nothing of Jesus being tempted during his fast, but after…when he became hungry…when his FLESH became hungry.

Satan sees what he believed to be his opportunity to—in a nano-second—change the destiny of all mankind through a very simple thing—hunger and ego.  He says to Jesus in Mathew 4:3, “If you are the son of God, command that these stones become bread.” I ask you my friends, what is it that you would have done? I can see myself sitting there thinking, “Well, I am hungry…I have, after all, fasted for 40 days. My Father in Heaven knows I`m hungry. He gave me these powers, surely he wouldn`t mind if I make some bread real quick” I can totally see Satan sitting there salivating at the thought of a simple egotistical move destroying Gods plan of salvation, however, Jesus was prepared because he knew Gods word. Jesus knew the Father so well, he knew Gods word so well, that he knew he could not allow Satan to put one single though in his mind. Jesus answered Satan from Deuteronomy 8:3, in part. Jesus said to Satan, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’” (NASB).

Can you put yourself there? Can you sit and imagine the entire scenario? How long did this conversation last? Maybe Jesus was so hungry that all day long Satan followed him continually saying, “Eat…make some bread…you know you`re hungry.” As a former addict, I remember how my addictions would follow me—they would haunt me all day long, every second, until I relented and gave in. Jesus, as we must learn to do, used Gods word—and why?—because he knew Gods word, it was in his heart and mind. Jesus knew the Father could help him break every chain. Jesus can help you and I break every chain. WP 

Forgiveness

I grew up in AA. Alcoholics Anonymous was the bedrock that finally led me to Christ. In all AA meetings (at least those I have attended over a 24 year period) they say the Lord`s prayer at the end of the meeting. One verse in particular changed my life over the last year:

“…And forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…”

I had said these words in 1000 meetings or more over a span of two decades, and yet, I did not live by them. I still attend some meetings now and then. I love some of the friends I have made over the years. If it weren’t for AA I would never have found Christ. When I went through the experience, over a year ago now, of leaving the club I rode with, I had given my life to Christ, but I was still filled with anger and hate. I had years of trash built up inside me, and I had been branded in a way that I knew was false. I wanted so badly to set the record straight, but then, I realized that Jesus gave me the best example of them all.

Jesus went before Pilate and never spoke a word in his own defense. He was accused of many things that were blatant lies. He was beaten and spit on for things he never did. And yet, he never offered a word in defense of his innocence. I`m no saint, but I learned from that example that Jesus is my only defense—he is all sufficient.

I was moved to make amends to some of the people from my past. In the case of my old brotherhood, it was like walking into a den of thieves and asking to be forgiven for stealing, but I had to clean my side of the street. My amends was rejected by most, but that`s okay because it` none of my business. I did the right thing, that`s all that counts.

That was a very personal and difficult action to take. But on a larger scale, how can we ask to be forgiven if we are not able to forgive? This question haunted me. The Lord`s prayer haunted me. I began to see my fellow human beings in a whole new light. The old hate, resentments, and biases began to melt away. I was able to see that people are not the ones who hurt us, it`s the spirit that drives them that does.

I can` be angry or judge those who do to me the same things I have done to others in my past. These are all God`s children—he loves them so very much—and I respect and love my Father in Heaven, so I will respect and love his children. I will forgive their trespasses, their faults, and their actions in the same way I would like to be forgiven myself. 

Forgiveness sets us free. I am so blessed today because I am surrounded by a church body that loves my wife and I no matter what. I wear a patch today that plainly shows I serve Christ. The Bible tells us that if we walk with fools we will become fools. If we walk with men of anger and violence, we will become men of anger and violence. I spent years proving to the world how tough I was—today I want to love people, and smile, and share the joy of my Lord with the world. WP

Attraction rather than promotion in the 'Great Commission'

                                             Photo credit: theologica.ning.com

I was doing some web surfing today looking for news or commentary about Christian Bikers and I ran across a great link I want to share. I think I will add it to my blog roll as well. It gives a list of great Christian bikers sites, news, MC`s, and ministries all over the globe.

I was recently involved in an interview that was very interesting. The interview was about Christian Bikers. The woman conducting the interview was from New York and although she was quit interested in our lifestyle, she had no knowledge of the biker subculture.

At one point she asked about Christian bikers in particular—compared to “Outlaw” bikers or other clubs in general. One of my brothers answered in an interesting way, with a great perspective. He said, “Bikers make great Christians because we already understand brotherhood.” I thought, “Man, what a great answer,” and it`s very true.

One of the great blessing God has shown me about life is that our greatest tragedies, our greatest mistakes, our greatest sins can all become our greatest asset to reach a lost and dying world. I have always felt the best way to create interest by others in our faith is by attraction rather than promotion. This probably flies in the face of the traditional belief of the great commission by Jesus (Mathew 28:16-20), but I think maybe it doesn`t in reality. See, I believe the tough crowds, the gangsters, the Bikers, the street people, need more than just words—they need to see action to believe. They don`t, by nature, trust other peoples words—but they can see fruit on a tree.

I know I have been approached many times in the last 10 months about the profound change people have seen in my life. They no longer see the old man—they see new fruit on a new tree. Anyway, I just wanted to share some random thoughts today brothers.

Here is the link I wanted to share: http://bikersmag.com/html/christian_bikers.html