What Matters Most
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
February 24, 2010

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
(Galatians 1:8-9)

Allow me to paint a picture in your mind.  It is a bright, sunny day.  A gentle breeze is blowing.  It's not too hot or cold-just an overall pleasant day.  So you decide to embark on a joy ride through the countryside and take in the scenery.  As you are driving down a country road you come upon a roadside sign that reads, Caution! This sign has sharp edges on it.  Do not touch the edges of this sign.  Speeding past the sign, you think to yourself, "How odd!  Why would someone put a sign like that up on the road?  That is really weird.  It must be some kind of joke."

Moments later, still querying in your mind about the odd sign, you find the front end of your car barreling over a bridge that has been washed out by a recent rain storm.  Your car begins to sink in a muddy creek and you barely escape with your life.  Walking back down the road to seek help, you once again come upon that strange sign.  But this time you notice some small print at the very bottom of the sign that you had not noticed as you zoomed past at 50 MPH.  You walk up to the sign and discover that the fine print reads: By the way, the bridge is out up ahead!

Can you imagine the indignation you would feel?!  Someone took the time to manufacture a wonderful, smooth, shiny, reflective sign with good and accurate information about the sign's sharp edges.  But they failed to emphasize what mattered most! 

And so it is with Christianity these days.  We have forgotten what matters most: The Gospel!  Or at least we seem to have forgotten.  Just take a quick look at the best-selling Christian books.  Or listen to the radio programs of leading evangelical personalities.  Or spend a few minutes watching TBN on cable.  You will notice plenty of wonderful, smooth, shiny, reflective information that is in many cases good and accurate, but often what matters most is dead wrong. 

The Gospel is foundational to Christianity.  There is no more important subject in all of Scripture.  And yet in this postmodern age where we are inclined to draw circles of inclusion rather than lines of distinction, many Christians seem unwilling or unable to critically evaluate the accuracy of the gospel being preached.  It is easy to become enamored with evangelical leaders whose teaching on certain subjects is deemed encouraging and beneficial, while winking and nodding at the same teacher's erroneous view of the Gospel. 

"He is such a passionate speaker!"  But is he correct when it comes to what matters most?  "He is an expert on financial issues." But is he correct when it comes to what matters most?  "She is a gifted communicator on family matters."  But is she correct when it comes to what matters most?  "This book on marriage is the best I've ever read!"  But is the author correct when it comes to what matters most?

What matters most is the Gospel.  It does not matter how committed someone may be to other good issues, if he is wrong on the Gospel his wisdom and insight is built on a faulty foundation.

The Bible says that those who are preaching a false gospel are anathema (Gal. 1:8-9).  Literally, that word means "worthy of severe judgment "or "deserving of destruction."  The word does not, in and of itself, imply that the one preaching a false gospel is hell-bound himself-though he could be if he has never believed the pure Gospel.  The fact is even believers can come under strict judgment (i.e. be anathematized; see 1 Cor. 16:22).  And the Bible makes it clear that God is severely displeased by those who propagate a false Gospel.  What form the severe judgment will take is entirely up to God.

Why, then, would we ever want to promote or follow those whom God describes as being anathematized?  It is really bizarre when you stop and think about it.  "Can you recommend a good book on finances?"  "Sure!  Try this book by so-and-so.  God says the author is worthy of severe judgment and deserving of destruction, but hey, he has a lot of great insight on how to manage your money!"

What matters most is the Gospel.  If we forget that simple fact, we are in danger of leading others right off the bridge into muddy creek waters.  But not to worry...as they are drowning in sin, at least they will have a great marriage, or their finances will be in order, or they will be living their best life now....

What is the clear Gospel?  Click here for a presentation of God's Good News.

Reign, Reign, Go Away!
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
April 8, 2010

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world...(Rev 12:9)

And I looked, and behold, a white horse.  He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Rev 6:2)

Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons...evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 3:13)

As a kid I loved playing outdoors.  It didn't matter what activity-bicycle riding, wiffle ball, football, tag, capture the flag, basketball-if it was outside, I loved it.  When I was about 10 years old, my family lived in Danbury, Connecticut and our house at the time was on a hill.  The next street over from ours was down the hill a bit, and the kids on our block had a running feud with the kids on the next block. 

All in good fun, we would have imaginary battles with the "enemies" from down the hill and try to keep them from sneaking up onto our "territory."  It was like the group version of the childhood game King of the Hill.  (No...it has nothing to do with the popular Fox sitcom.)  If you've ever played the traditional version of King of the Hill, you know that the object is for one person, the king, to maintain his position on top of a hill by dominating everyone beneath him.  Using whatever means necessary (usually a lot of shoving and pushing), the king rules his territory and squashes any and all dissenters.

Did you know there is a global game of King of the Hill taking place right underneath our noses?  It's a battle that has been raging since the Garden of Eden, and it has kicked into high gear over the last 2,000 years.  At its core, it is a spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil.  But make no mistake; the manifestations of this battle are very tangible. 

Satan and his demonic forces have influenced elite world leaders for centuries in an attempt to achieve global domination.  His battle plan is deception-he wants to deceive everyone on earth (Rev 12:9).  And his goal is to conquer the world (Rev 6:2).  The Bible reminds us that in the present age, evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Tim 3:13).  It has been nearly 2,000 years since that prophecy was written.  That's 2,000 years of evil and deception increasing in intensity.  For Satan, world domination is far more than a good-natured backyard game.  He wants to overthrow the Creator and take His place as the sovereign ruler of the universe.

For a while, it will seem like he is winning the battle.  In fact, just prior to the Second Coming of Christ, Satan personally will control a man whom the Bible calls the "Beast" or the "Antichrist," and through him, will set himself up as the global ruler in a one-world government.  At first he will be welcomed by most of the world.  People will line up behind the antichrist, wholeheartedly embracing the one-world system.  Eventually Satan's reign of terror will be exposed.  But sadly, by the time his insidious plan is uncovered it will be too late for many.

Fortunately his reign will be short-lived.  A mere seven years after taking control of the world, the Antichrist will be overthrown when Christ returns to take His rightful place as the Messianic King.  No one knows for certain when the curtain will rise on the final stages of Satan's plan for global dominance.  But this much is certain: All around us every day the stage is being set for one world government. 

We are being pushed and shoved and oppressed by the global elite who sit perched atop the hill.  Our individual rights are being stripped away all in the name of global progress.  Blinded to reality by Satan's intensifying deception, the average person is oblivious to the battle that is raging.  Ignorance brings with it a certain feeling of security.  But it is a false security.  By contrast, the reality that comes with a biblical worldview, as unsettling as it may be at times, brings true peace and confidence because we know that one day the temporary king of the hill will be toppled.  Reign, reign, go away...come again another day-in true Peace and Righteousness and Justice (Rev 19:11-15). 

Spiritual Somnambulism
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
April 1, 2010

You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:5-6)

Several years ago newspapers recounted the story of a young girl who fell to her death while sleepwalking.  One dark night, she slipped out of a window in her little room which was situated at the very top of her house, and while still asleep walked back and forth on the roof for several minutes.

Evidently dreaming of an upcoming party, periodically she would slip back in and then out again of the window, as she was dressing for the occasion.  All the while she was singing happy little songs.  She was careful to preserve her balance upon the roof-because her sleep was her security.  At one point she walked right over to the edge of the roof and seated herself precariously there.  Then, after a moment or two, she retreated and continued preparing for the imaginary party. 

Several times she moved away from her dangerous position, but returned to it, always smiling and always sleeping. Suddenly, something caught her eye and awakened her from her stupor.  Police theorize it was a light turning on in a window across the street.  The eyes of the sleeping girl evidently caught it, and suddenly awakened, she fell to her death with one piercing cry.

The little girl suffered from somnambulism, a condition commonly known as sleepwalking.  Although sleepwalking is relatively common, it is rare indeed for it to result in death.  Far more dangerous, however, than the common case of sleepwalking is a condition that we might call spiritual somnambulism.

Spiritual somnambulism is a raging epidemic that plagues the world today and very few people are aware of it.  In fact, that is precisely the reason it is thriving-its victims are completely unaware that they are suffering from its effects.  What is the primary symptom of this deadly spiritual disease?  It is marked by a profound blindness to reality.  Those whose minds the god of this age have blinded (2 Cor 4:4), walk about always smiling but always asleep to the reality of their spiritual condition.  Having never believed the Gospel they are in danger of facing eternity unprepared.  They are living "in the dark" and need to be awakened by the light of the Gospel. 

The cure is simple: Faith alone in Jesus Christ who died and rose again for your sins.  The moment you place your faith in Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and give you the free gift of eternal life, you awaken from your sleep and find yourself safe and secure in the arms of Christ.  Have you trusted in Jesus Christ alone for eternal salvation?

Yet even after awakening to new life in Christ, believers are not immune to the temporal dangers of spiritual sleepwalking.  Satan's deceptive world system makes it very easy to be lulled back to sleep and become blinded to the reality of what is going on around us.  That is why Paul reminds us that we are no longer of the night nor of the darkness.  Therefore we should not sleep as others do (1 Thess 5:5-6).  Having been awakened from our perpetual somnambulistic state, why would we want to return to the very condition from which we have been freed by faith in Christ?

To be sure, even if we "fall asleep" again, we can never lose our eternal salvation.  But there are, nevertheless, consequences for the sleepwalking believer as well.  When we fall prey to Satan's deceptive world system-when we are taken captive through the empty deceit of the basic principles of this world (Col 2:8)-we miss out on a host of blessings that God has for His children.  More than that, we become pawns in Satan's battle plan.  We neutralize our effectiveness in God's spiritual army, and we marginalize ourselves in His Kingdom program on earth.

What are the symptoms of spiritual somnambulism in the life of a believer?  You can spot sleepwalking Christians everywhere.  They flit about smiling naively as they passionately prepare for an imaginary party, never realizing just how precariously close they are to disaster.  Their focus, well-intentioned though it may be, is upon things that really don't matter in the big picture.  Unwittingly mesmerized by a powerful propaganda machine, most Christians have been lulled to sleep.  Like zombies, we live in a world where Health Care Reform, Nancy Pelosi, Tea Parties, Glenn Beck, CNN, Fox News, and a false left/right paradigm have captured our imagination.  Our sleep is our security.

Few Christians have awakened to the reality of the Satanic one world system that is unfolding before our very eyes.  It is a system that is clearly foretold in Scripture as part of Satan's final battle plan, yet it is never mentioned by O'Reilly, Hannity or Beck.  This, of course, explains why Christians aren't talking about it.  Night after night we don our party clothes and walk back and forth on top of our imaginary worlds, applauding the right and lamenting the left but ignoring reality.

The remedy?  Proverbs 1:22-23 is instructive.  "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you."  Knowledge nullifies ignorance.  Truth exposes a lie.  Light nullifies the darkness.  Knowledge, truth and light are found in the Word of God.  If we want to wake up, we must spend regular time in the Word of God.  Since Bible study is a discipline that is woefully neglected in evangelicalism today, it is not surprising that so many Christians are asleep.  But we are not of the darkness.  So let us not sleep as others do.

You Might Be a Fool If...
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
March 18, 2010

He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. (Proverbs 17:27-28)

Jeff Foxworthy has developed quite a following with his patented You might be a redneck if... jokes.  It doesn't matter how many times I've heard them, he always makes me chuckle.  Now be honest....you laugh at them too.  For instance, you might be a redneck if:

• You have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say Cool Whip on the side.
• You met your wife at a family reunion.
• You've ever used your ironing board as a buffet table.
• You think a quarter horse is that ride in front of Wal-Mart.
• You've ever used a toilet brush as a back scratcher.
• You missed 5th grade graduation because you had jury duty.

Okay...I'll stop.  And by now you've no doubt noticed that Jeff's creativity has spawned numerous similar jokes.  You might be a liberal....  You might be a Republican.... You might be a Baptist.... You might be a legalist.... (Sorry.  Didn't mean to be redundant!) And on and on it goes.

Did you know that the Book of Proverbs takes a similar approach when it talks about the foolish and the wise?  The difference is, the principles in Proverbs are dead serious.  Throughout the book, we read over and over again that you might be a fool if: ___________.  For example, "You might be a fool if you hate knowledge (1:22)."   Or, "You might be a fool if you always think you're right (12:15)."  Or, "You might be a fool if you mock sin (14:9)."  But there is one that caught my eye today from Proverbs 17.

Do you remember the old adage: "Better to remain quiet and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!"?  Proverbs 17:27-28 expresses a similar thought in Hebrew.  "Even a fool is thought to be wise when he keeps his mouth shut!"  It's true.  Fools almost always expose their folly through their words.  You never really know for sure that you're dealing with a fool until they open their mouths.  Sure, you may have suspicions.  Perhaps it's a bewildered look.  Or perhaps they didn't laugh at a joke that everyone else seemed to get just fine.  Or maybe they keep running into walls as they walk.  But in such cases there always could be plausible explanations that do not involve the summary declaration that you are dealing with a fool.

But let a fool start talking, and yep!  There's no doubt.  That's because what comes out of the mouth reveals the true nature of what's in the heart.  Jesus said, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34)."  A fool can coast along just fine for years as long as he doesn't have to engage in any meaningful, substantive conversation.  But to the discerning ear, it doesn't take long to identify a fool if you simply listen to what he says.

A "fool" in the book of Proverbs refers to someone whose worldview is self-centered and omits God and His Word.  It usually represents an unbeliever-at the macro level.   But it also can apply to believers who are walking out of fellowship with God.  In either case, you might be a fool if the words you say betray a worldview that fails to take God into account in every aspect of your life. 

There are two lessons we can learn from this.  First, if God is not a central part of your life, please do everyone else a favor and stop talking.  At least then we might mistakenly assume that you are something other than a fool.  Second, learn to evaluate the wisdom of others by listening carefully to what they say and running it through the grid of Scripture.   Be careful not to dismiss others too hastily based upon what they look like or how they act.  It's what they say that really matters.  And always be leery of fools in mime's clothing.

Turn Down the Volume So I Can Hear!
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
March 11, 2010

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. ...Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:1, 10)

We took the children to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo last night.  It is always an enjoyable outing.  By nearly unanimous vote, the favorite event was bull riding.  Only two cowboys managed to hang on for the entire eight seconds.  What fun it was to see the look in the kids' eyes and the expressions on their faces as they watched the events unfold in the arena.  For me, it was even more fun listening to their comments. 

My 10 year old son Morgan is known for his decidedly uninhibited outlook on life and the correspondingly transparent comments such an outlook engenders.  If you know anything about being in a large sports arena with 50,000 screaming fans, you know how hard it can be to carry on a conversation-even with a person sitting right next to you.  At one point during the rodeo last night, Morgan leaned over to me and shouted above the deafening din of the crowd, "Dad!  All this noise is great.  I can burp really loud and nobody can hear me!"

It's true.  Sometimes the volume can be too loud to hear.  It is counterintuitive, really.  We normally think of turning the volume up when we can't hear it.  But if it is too loud, it distorts the message and may very well drown out other important information.  Not that a burp is particularly important, but you get the idea.

And so it is with our spiritual lives as well.  Often our focus can be so distracted by the hustle and bustle of life, by the deafening din of everyday activities, that we miss the voice of the Spirit.  That was the case with Israel many centuries before Christ.  The leaders of Israel were engaged in loud and intense conversations among themselves and with other nations in an effort to defend themselves against enemy attacks.  But the Lord reminded them through the Psalmist that if they would only stop striving, God would be their refuge and strength. 

"Be still!" God said, "And know that I am God.  I will take care of you.  I will be your refuge.  I will defend you and exalt My Name above all the earth."  The verb "be still" is a Hebrew word that literally means "stop fighting so hard."  Do you realize that our well intentioned efforts to serve the Lord may actually drown out His voice if we are not careful? 

Sometimes we need to treat life like a giant railroad crossing: Stop!  Look! And Listen!  Stop striving.  Look into His Word.  And listen to what He has to say.  Has it been a while since you heard the calming voice of the Spirit in your life?  Maybe it's time to turn down the volume and tune your heart to His voice-the voice of the Bible.  God's Word is rich with comfort, guidance and answers to all of life's problems. 

A Measure of Assurance?
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
May 18, 2010

 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:28)

My favorite kind of cookie is chocolate chip.  There is scarcely anything better than a hot, just-out-of-the-oven, homemade chocolate chip cookie with a cold glass of milk.  When I was a teenager, I used to make them myself, using Mom's family recipe.  The first time I did, though, turned out to be quite a fiasco.  You see, the recipe card was so old and tattered from years of use that some of the instructions were hard to read.  In particular, the measurement amounts were difficult to discern.  When it came time to add the brown sugar, I thought it said "12 cups," when in reality it said, "1/2 cup."  Big difference!  A quick consultation with Mom clarified the matter, and needless to say that first batch of cookies was scrapped and the second batch came out much better.

There is a valuable lesson in this humorous experience:  If you do not know the precise measurement a recipe calls for, the result can be disastrous.  The same can be said of the believer's assurance.  A growing number of Bible teachers and theologians today are suggesting that one's assurance of eternal salvation is based upon "some measure" of good works, without specifying precisely how much good works are necessary to assure one that he indeed is saved. 

One such theologian is the enormously popular John Piper.  He writes, "There is no doubt that Jesus saw some measure of real, lived-out obedience to the will of God as necessary for final salvation" (Piper, What Jesus Demands from the World p. 160).  Notice his reference to "some measure."  If the determinative factor in our final salvation is "some measure of real, lived-out, obedience to the will of God," one understandably might want to know how much obedience? Do I need 12 cups of obedience?  Or is it only ½ a cup of obedience?  What exactly does Piper mean by "some measure?"  It sounds conspicuously vague.  How can I ever know if I have produced a "measure" of good works acceptable enough to get me into heaven? 

And Piper is not alone.  Another well-known theologian shares Piper's view of salvation.  R. C. Sproul suggests that for a person to get to heaven he must not only believe the Gospel, but his faith must produce good works.  According to Sproul, "True faith is always accompanied by non-saving, but absolutely necessary works....If there are no good works, there is no true faith" (Sproul, Before the Face of God Book Four, p. 432).  It is not unreasonable to ask how good works can be both "non-saving" but "absolutely necessary" at the same time.  If good works are absolutely necessary for final salvation, as Piper and Sproul suggest, then does that not make them determinative in our final salvation? 

Like Piper, Sproul never provides a quantifiable way to measure how many good works a person must perform in order to be assured that he is saved.  He states that "good works are absolutely necessary" as "proof" that one is a Christian (Sproul, Before the Face of God Book Three, p. 86).  But he never gives the precise measurement for the proof!

Contrary to the assertions of these men (and many others), and notwithstanding their wide acclaim within contemporary American evangelicalism, one's assurance of salvation is not based upon his good works.  It is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy that He saved us" (Titus 3:5).  My assurance of eternal salvation is based solely upon the promise of Jesus Christ, My Savior, who said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28).  If Jesus meant what He said (and He did!), then my salvation is both sure and secure and I need look only to His promise for assurance.  If I look at my works as the basis for assurance-trying to discover some ambiguous measure-I will doubt my salvation every day. 

But if I go back to the source of my salvation to clarify the matter-Jesus Christ Himself-there can be no doubt.  He said, "I give you eternal life and you will never perish."  Even if I stumble; even if I fall sometimes; whether I have ½ a cup of good works or 12 cups of good works, I can be sure that my faith alone in Christ alone-the Son of God who died and rose again for my sins-has secured for me my eternal salvation.  "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.  Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Hallelujah!

In the final analysis, if a "measure of good works" is necessary for eternal salvation, than the best we can ever hope for is a "measure of assurance."  For me, that is not enough.  I want to have absolute, 100% assurance of my salvation.  What about you?  Have you trusted in Jesus Christ and Him alone for eternal salvation?  If so, then you can be sure you will spend eternity in heaven.

Bright Lights and Other Distractions
J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
February 17, 2010

A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. (Proverbs 17:24)

Teaching a fifteen year old how to drive poses a number of challenges.  In the first place, many of the skills we use for driving are instinctive or intuitive, and come with practice.  For example, you cannot teach a first-time driver how to react when an empty bag of feed corn flies out of the back of a pick-up truck in front of you, and blows right into your path-obscuring your view for one, short terrifying moment.  In the second place, since fifteen year olds already know everything, very little that is said by their driving instructor will be welcomed and embraced.  Teaching our children to drive is just another in a long list of the joys of parenting!

Recently, I was giving my oldest daughter some practice time behind the wheel when we approached a turn onto a major highway.  As she (and I!) looked back to our left to look for oncoming traffic, the bright eastern sun blinded us and made it difficult to see if any cars were coming.  It didn't help matters that our windows were coated in dust from our gravel driveway, causing the sun to reflect and create a shadow effect-further shielding our view.  Eventually, we were able to gain a degree of confidence that it was safe to enter the highway and the experience turned into a teachable moment about bright lights and other driving distractions.

Life, like driving, comes down to focus.  There are many distractions that easily rob our focus and shift our attention away from the things that matter most.  Jesus calls such distractions the "cares of this world" that "choke the Word" in our lives and hinder our spiritual growth (Matt 13:22).  It is axiomatic that our focus determines our direction: You always hit what you are aiming at.  If your eyes shift to the scenery on your left, your hands on the steering wheel will follow and your car inevitably drifts across the yellow stripe and into the oncoming traffic.  Any carpenter worth his salt knows that when hammering nails, you focus on the nail not your thumb.  Because you always hit what you are aiming at.

Proverbs reminds us that the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth, but a discerning man keeps wisdom in view.  Fools lack focus.  Those who are wise keep their eyes on the road.  Where is your focus?  Are you looking intently into God's Word daily, to maintain the proper perspective and worldview?  Or are there bright lights and other distractions that have choked the influence of God's Word in your life, and gotten you off course? 

The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps 119:105).  Get in the Word and stay there, lest you find yourself blindsided by all of the trash blowing in the wind.

Life Is Not a Game of Go Fish
J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
February 11, 2010

He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. (Proverbs 27:7)

Recently I was playing a game of Go Fish with my eight year old son, Landry.  It is quite entertaining to watch a child's mind at work.  This particular game of Go Fish was especially fun because the cards were not the usual numbered playing cards.  Instead, they contained a variety of photos-a bicycle, a rain coat, flowers, a lobster, etc.  I could see Landry's wheels turning as he drew cards and narrowed down the possibilities. 

"Do you have any c-l-o-w-n-s?" Landry asked, emphasizing the key word by saying it slowly.  "Go fish," I replied.  Then I asked, "Do you have any skateboards?"  "Ugh! How did you know?" he moaned.  And back and forth we went until one of us (usually him) emptied his hand of all his cards.  Such fun-especially the look on a child's face when he wins!

It occurs to me that many people go through life as if it were a game of Go Fish.  They evaluate their lives, try to figure out what is missing, and then fill that void with what appears to correspond to their need at the moment.  Lonely?  Go fish.  (Hand me another drink.)  Need self-esteem?  Go fish. (Tear others down to hide my own insecurity.)  Need a new TV or nicer car?  Go fish. (Spend money I don't have.)  Looking for meaning or purpose in life?  Go fish. (Read another book by Dr. Phil.)

Life is not a game of Go Fish.  No matter how long you play; no matter how many times you draw, you will never find true contentment drawing from the world's stack of cards.  The stack is never ending.  There always will be more cards to draw.  That is because, as the Bible reminds us, to the hungry soul every bitter thing seems sweet.  But to those who have found true peace with God, even the sweetest honey will have no appeal. 

Is it your turn to draw?  Let me encourage you to set the cards aside and turn to the Word of God as the only real solution to life's problems.  No matter what you are facing, the Bible has the answers. Within its pages we find everything we need for life and godliness.  Most importantly, the Bible introduces us to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins and rose again.  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  In Him is life, and that life is the Light of men.  In Him, we can have abundant life. 

Have you trusted in Jesus Christ to forgive your sin and give you the free gift of eternal life?  If not, the time to do so is now...before the game ends and you lose.  If you already have a relationship with Christ by faith, let me encourage you to resist the temptation to join that old Go Fish game.  Instead of reaching for that futile deck of cards, pick up the Bible instead.  It will satisfy your every need.

No Comparison
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
February 3, 2010

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8, NIV) 

Logos Bible Software recently came out with a major new release, Logos 4.0.  Actually, it is a complete rewrite of Logos 3.0.  I have used Logos for over ten years as an indispensable tool in my ministry, as well as my personal Bible study, so I upgraded the very day 4.0 came out.  I was eager to see what changes had been made.  The pre-release hype had filled me with high expectations.

Logos did not disappoint me.  After installing 4.0, I opened my old 3.0 version on one screen and the new 4.0 version on another so that I could take note of the improvements.  I was amazed!  I found myself whistling the tune to the old Sesame Street song, One of These Things Is Not Like the Other.  Truly, the new technology and functionality of 4.0 made 3.0 look like child's play.  In fact, by comparison, there really is no comparison.

What a blessing to live in this age of advanced digital technology.  It seems like just yesterday I was singing along to my Dad's old reel-to-reel tapes in the living room of our saltbox house in Connecticut.  I was quite the karaoke star long before karaoke became the rage.  I'm too embarrassed to reveal whose music was on that old reel-to-reel tape, but I'll give you a hint: His last name is Manilow and his first name starts with a "B" and ends with an "arry."  Have you listened to a reel-to-reel tape lately?  Or even a cassette tape?  What a difference!  By comparison with today's digital MP3s, there really is no comparison.

Speaking of comparisons...I do a hefty amount of flying in my ministry and occasionally get upgraded to First Class because of my Continental Elite status.  Such was the case recently.  For the first time in quite a while I found myself enjoying some of the finer luxuries in life, like elbow room and a meal that you don't have to eat with your fingers.  It was wonderful.  As my mind wandered to the less fortunate souls in coach, I thought: Ahhh!  By comparison, there really is no comparison.

But there is one comparison that transcends all others.  It is the comparison between life with Christ and life without Christ.  Without Christ, even the most enjoyable moments are devoid of meaning.  Without Christ, all the riches in the world can't buy everlasting hope.  Without Christ, pain and suffering have no resolution.  Without Christ, relationships are superficial and fleeting.  Without Christ, every victory is hollow and short-lived.  Without Christ, the future is uncertain.  Without Christ, all is vanity.

Everything pales in comparison to the greatness of knowing Jesus Christ, God's Son and our Savior.  With Christ, we can rejoice no matter what the circumstance.  With Christ, we can see the unseen.  With Christ, we can walk through the valley.  With Christ, even the worst of times fade beneath the glory of knowing Him.  With Christ, all things are possible. With Christ, priorities become clear.  With Christ, all of our accomplishments, self-attainments, and reasons to boast become far less important as we realize what really matters most.  Life with Christ versus life without Him...by comparison there really is no comparison.  Do you know Christ?  For more information contact info@notbyworks.org. 

Leggo my Ego!
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
January 21, 2010

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)

I had the pleasure of attending a Pastor's Conference in Orlando this week with several hundred pastors from around the country, and even a few from around the world.  I say "pleasure" because indeed it was edifying and challenging to hear some of the keynote messages that were delivered throughout the conference.  God truly has blessed the body of Christ with some gifted men of God who proclaim His Word boldly and clearly.

Yet not everything I experienced this week was encouraging.  I had a small speaking role in the conference and as such I had access to the green room where the principal participants in the conference (speakers, singers, emcees, etc.) gathered throughout the day just prior to their appointed time on stage.  I arrived at the green room a few minutes before my allotted time, and after being mic'ed by the audio technician, waited just off the stage for my cue.

At the last minute, the conference director decided to bump my presentation to about an hour later.  This did not bother me in the least, as my new time slot was at a more strategic location in the conference program.  With time to kill, I decided to hang out in the green room and listen to several esteemed evangelical leaders engage in an interesting conversation.  As I listened (but did not participate in the discussion because my mom always told me: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!"), it occurred to me that there were more egos in the room than a waffle convention.  (I know, I know...the waffle brand is spelled with two "g's."  Just go with it.)

If I mentioned the name of some of the men in the discussion, chances are you would recognize them.  I won't, because my point is not to disparage anyone.  I watched these men repeatedly try to out due each other.  One talked about how his staff tweets his messages for him (because such menial tasks are beneath him); another mentioned his fancy phone; another talked about his automated Facebook page; and oh, the name-dropping!  My goodness!  Those men dropped more names than Tony Romo did footballs in the Cowboys' recent playoff game.

I must confess, my own ego reared its head a few times and I was tempted to chime in with some horn-tooting myself.  But then I thought of how many great men of God have fallen and stumbled throughout the years because of their pride.  And I thought to myself, "Leggo my ego!"  I prayed, "Lord give me the security and confidence in Christ that allows me to speak humbly and graciously with others and avoid the temptation to build myself up."  Proverbs 27:2 is a helpful reminder, "Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips."

Is Haiti a Harbinger?
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
January 14, 2010

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. (Matthew 24:6-7)

The calamitous events in Haiti this week have left the rest of the world feeling helpless as we watch the victims being pulled one by one from the rubble.  What a terrible tragedy this is-the worst earthquake in the region in 200 years!  Our hearts and prayers are with the Haitians and the rescue workers.  In a global age where the world is ever decreasing in size, many of us know someone personally who lives in Haiti, has traveled there, supports a mission work there, etc., and this only sharpens our sense of empathy and compassion all the more.

When natural disasters like this occur, it does not take long for theological prognosticators to weigh in announcing that this latest cataclysmic event is yet another sign of the imminent return of the Lord.  "The sky is falling," they proclaim.  "Be ready!"  But is Haiti really a harbinger of the end of the world?  Can we really point to any particular natural disaster and say with certainty that it signals the soon-coming end of the age, when the eschatological wrath of God will be poured out upon the whole earth?  Hardly.

It is important in times like these to avoid the tendency to engage in drive by exegesis.  We must resist the urge to formulate our theology through the lens of experience.  All of life-especially unsettling events such as a devastating earthquake-must be interpreted and explained through the lens of Scripture, not driven by our feelings or circumstances.  There have been devastating earthquakes before; there will be devastating earthquakes again.  Throughout human history, there have been hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and any number of natural disasters.  Jesus told us plainly that such things do not necessarily signal the end of the age. 

Haiti is no more a harbinger of the end of the age than major earthquakes of the second or third centuries were.  Granted, it is true that in this present evil age where Satan is prince things are going to get worse and worse (Gal 1:4; Eph 2:2; 2 Tim 3:13) until God finally intervenes supernaturally and ushers in the long-awaited Kingdom (Matt 24:29-31).  But no one knows His timetable (Matt 24:36), least of all the opportunistic televangelists and popular Christian personalities of our day who are making great hay out of all of this. 

The lesson to learn from Haiti is simple.  God is sovereign.  He is sovereign over good things and bad things-good times and bad times.  We do not know the mind of God (Isa 40:13).  His judgments are unsearchable and His ways are not always known to us (Rom 11:33).  It is presumptuous and offensive to declare hastily that the earthquake in Haiti is God's retributive judgment or a signal that the end is near.  Both could be true; but neither can be proven to be true.  We will know the end is here only when it arrives.  Until then, be not troubled, rest in His sovereignty, respond with Christlike compassion to those who are hurting, and repent if needed.

Lord, Please Send More Bears!
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
January 6, 2010

Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. (Proverbs 17:12)

Have you ever been cornered by a wild animal?  Few things are more terrifying than the sight of a ferocious animal determined to attack.  Just ask Allena Hansen, a 56 year old woman from Caliente, CA.  She had an unfortunate encounter with a bear and had to endure ten hours of surgery to her face and head to repair the damage done by the  mauling.  Doctors say she is lucky to be alive. 

As bad as a bear mauling may sound, there is something worse.  According to the Bible, a "fool in his folly" is an even more ferocious foe.  Proverbs 17:12 cautions, "Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly."  The only thing worse than an unfortunate encounter with a bear is an unfortunate encounter with a bear robbed of her cubs.  And the only thing worse than an unfortunate encounter with a bear robbed of her cubs is an unfortunate encounter with a fool in  his folly.

How can this possibly be the case?  In the Book of Proverbs, a "fool" represents the antithesis of God's ways, God's viewpoint, God's perspective, God's ideal.  A fool is someone who does not behave according to the normal standards of right and wrong or fairness or justice.  A fool has his own rulebook.  Motivated by pride (the seedbed of all sin), a fool will stop at nothing to achieve his purpose.  A fool is obsessed with his agenda and determined to achieve his selfish ends.  Like a bear whose single-minded purpose it to protect her cubs, a fool at the height of his folly is focused on protecting only one thing: himself.

There are, of course, degrees of foolishness.  Not all bears are killers; and not all fools are self-deceived marauders seeking to destroy anyone who gets in their way.  But left unchecked foolishness degenerates into the kind of sinful and hateful behavior that will make a bear robbed of her cubs seem like a furry harmless hamster.  That is why Proverbs warns: Watch out for a fool in his folly!

Just as you cannot talk an attacking bear out of eating you for supper, likewise there is no reasoning with a fool in his folly.  No amount of logic or rationality will convince him to correct course.  He is a fool.  He has abandoned biblical principles (if he ever had them to begin with) and is dead set on advancing his self-serving agenda, whatever it may be.

So what's the remedy for such an encounter?  How can you survive when a fool in his folly is stalking you?  When you encounter a fool in his folly, I suggest a prayer that goes something like this: "Lord, please send more bears!"  At least you have a fighting chance against the bear.

Never Look Back?
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
www.notbyworks.org
December 31, 2009

"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug." (Isaiah 51:1)

The maxim "never look back" is a frequent refrain of visioneering experts and leadership gurus.  "Don't dwell on the past," they insist.  "Look to the future," they proclaim, "so that you won't be paralyzed by the past."  In some respects this is not bad advice.  After all, the Apostle Paul himself pledged to "forget what is behind" and "press toward what lies ahead" (Phil. 3:12-14).  But is it true that there is never a time to reflect on the past?  Are we forbidden from ever looking back to seek the counsel of history and experience?  A comparison of Scripture with Scripture suggests that there is in fact a proper time to examine the events of days gone by and learn the lessons that life has for us to learn.

The prophet Isaiah, for example, encouraged the people of Judah to "look to the rock from which they were hewn" (Isa. 51:1).  He was writing about 700 years before Christ, at a time when a heavy, deep darkness had settled over the nation.  The Assyrians had invaded and the Babylonians were threatening.  They needed a light to come.  The promise of a global kingdom of peace and justice and righteousness that had been given by God several centuries earlier seemed like a distant dream.  All hope appeared lost.  Then Isaiah the prophet arrived with a message from Yahweh.  It was a message that not only looked forward to a better day, but also looked back with a reminder of God's promise of a Messiah who would come and bring light to a dark and dreary world. 

Sometimes we have to look back to gain perspective and to bolster our faith.  Our faith, like that of the nation of Judah, is built upon the promises of a trustworthy God; and a survey of history validates His trustworthiness.  As we stand on the precipice of a new year, there is no better time to look back and learn the lessons of a year that soon will be tucked away in the folds of history, never to be relived.  Yet, while time offers no "do-overs," the memories of this past year live on and serve a valuable purpose in our lives.  There are at least three important reasons to look back.

First, the call to look back is a call to remember God's faithfulness.  The "rock" from which Judah was hewn refers to God's unconditional promise through Abraham (Isa. 51:2) that one day the entire world would be blessed through Israel.  Although the present situation for Judah seemed bleak, a survey of history would remind them that God has been faithful in the past and He will be faithful throughout the future.  Likewise as we recount God's faithfulness to us over the past year, we are emboldened to face the coming year undaunted by fear of what may lie ahead.

Second, looking back also provides an opportunity to hear the rebukes of life (Prov 15:31).  Life can be a great teacher.  The nation of Judah had a rich history of national experiences to drawn on.  By recalling past experiences, we too can gain wisdom for handling future circumstances and crises.  The phrase "learn from your mistakes" is not some empty axiom; it is a biblical principle!

Finally, as we look back, we also gain an opportunity to pass on our heritage to those who come after us.  By reflecting on and recording historical experiences, the leaders in Judah were able to teach younger Jews about God's dealings with His chosen nation over the centuries.  Similarly, as we rehearse the events of the past year, and reflect on them with our children, it provides a teachable moment to pass on the great narrative of faith.  "Look what God has done for us."  And, "See how good our God is!" become underlying themes that will help navigate us through the ebb and flow of the coming year.

As another year winds down, let me encourage you to take a moment to look back.  Don't linger there.  Don't dwell on the past and allow it to paralyze you.  But do take a moment to reflect on the rock from which you were hewn, and rest in God's faithfulness.  Happy New Year!