Dr. Phil's Blog

Are you a non-conformist?

2011-02-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

Let me show you the greatest nonconformist of all time from the cover of Time magazine in June 1971...

WANTED

JESUS CHRIST

ALIAS: THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD, KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS, PRINCE OF PEACE, ETC.

Notorious leader of an underground liberation movement

Wanted for the following charges:

—Practicing medicine, winemaking and food distribution without a license.

—Interfering with businessmen in the temple.

—Associating with known criminals, radicals, subversives, prostitutes and street people.

—Claiming to have the authority to make people into God's children.

APPEARANCE: Typical hippie type—long hair, beard, robe, sandals.

Hangs around slum areas, few rich friends, often sneaks out into the desert.

BEWARE: This man is extremely dangerous. His insidiously inflammatory message is particularly dangerous to young people who haven't been taught to ignore him yet. He changes men and claims to set them free.

WARNING: HE IS STILL AT LARGE!

Are you notorious for your fanatical beliefs and lifestyle? I hope so.

Do the people around you consider you dangerous because if they get too close to you it will change them to become more like Jesus? I hope so.

So, are you a conformist or a non-conformist?

The Bible has a clear answer for that.

Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

This is a verse of non-conformity.

Are you a radical disciple?

2011-01-27T13:07:00.000-08:00

“A Radical Disciple Puts Jesus First”

Mt 19:30 - But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

Luke 14:25-27 - Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

Colossians 1:18b - He is first in everything

A radical disciple must put Jesus first.

Do you put Jesus first...
At work?
At home?
At school?
On vacation?
With your time?
In your dating relationship/
In the car on Central Expressway?
When you’re arguing with your husband/wife, parents or children?
When you’re alone and can watch anything you want on TV?
When you’re on your computer and can surf anywhere you want to go?

If you are a radical disciple then Jesus if first in his life.

And the evidence that He is first is found in the…
Spiritual-Relational-Personal-Material-Vocational

Are you a radical disciple?

What evidence do you have to prove it?

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and you will have all the evidence you need to show that you are a radical disciple (NewHumphriesTranslation)

Don't Get Distracted

2009-08-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

In the midst of one of the most uncertain times in the life of our great country it is very easy to get "sucked in" to a critical and judgmental mindset. It's good to be passionate about those things that are godly, good and right. And, yes, we must be involved citizens to protect the freedoms we hold dear. But I think we sometimes miss what we as followers of Christ should be doing first and foremost - PRAY. Are we praying for our President, Congressmen and Senators? Are we praying that they would "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness"? Are we praying for their salvation? Are we praying that God would protect our country from laws and policies that are contrary to His Word? I believe prayer should be our FIRST response to all the discouraging news. This does not preclude our involvement in the democratic process or mean that we should be apathetic in voicing our opinions. However, it does mean that as believers we should take the spiritual road first and then follow where He leads.

Real Life - Real Death

2009-07-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

As believers we are very familiar with the words penned by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21 - "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." But have we really stopped to think about what God is saying to us through Paul. In my current study of Ecclesiastes, I believer Solomon gives us an answer in Ecclesiastes 7:1 where he tells us that the day of death is better than the day of birth. I personally think Solomon's statement is a precursor to Paul's. As believers in Christ we should see death as a day of gain. Soren Kierkegaard once said, “Life must be understood backwards; but... it must be lived forward.” We are going to die and go to be with God one day. That's the glorious end to our own story. In light of that how should we live? I think you know the answer to that. Live the "real life" that God wants us to live so that when we face "real death" our Lord will greet us and say, "You really lived life for My glory. Well done!"

C3's new blog spot!

2009-07-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

I hope you will check in periodically as I share with you some of my thoughts from C3 The Church in Richardson, TX. Take care and have a great day in the Lord!

Dr. Phil