S.O.R. Syndrome

June 28

(Ephesians 4:13 NIV) "… become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

(Ephesians 4:15 NIV) "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."

(Philippians 3:15 NIV) "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you."

(Hebrews 5:14 NIV) "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

(James 1:4 NIV) "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Many Christians and churches today suffer from a severe power shortage. They are not growing and reproducing because they are not eating correctly or exercising enough. A diet of baby food and fast food has replaced the power food recommended by God. The result is flabbiness, obesity, weakness, and the immature behavior we see so often in church culture. Recent surveys indicate that only about a third of "church goers" have a mature faith that integrates their basic beliefs with their daily living. The rest may believe the right doctrines, but their beliefs are not being translated into a strong, active, and vital discipleship outside the church walls. Too many suffer from the spiritual anemia that accompanies S.O.R. Syndrome, commonly known as “Sunday Only Religion”. Maturity is the only antidote for this syndrome. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

D.U.I. - Disciple Under the Influence

June 27

(Ephesians 5:18-20 NIV) "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. {19} Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, {20} always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. {21} Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

(Mark 10:42-44 NIV)  "Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. {43} Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, {44} and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."

Getting drunk on wine can lead to a D.U.I. (Driving Under the Influence). Drinking in the Spirit can also lead to D.U.I. (Disciple Under the Influence). The indicators of Christian D.U.I. are corporate worship, personal praise, continuous thanksgiving, and mutual submission. Mutual  submission always takes two or more people. It is unnatural for us. It takes a new attitude -- an attitude that is different from the one we learn in the world. Mutual submission is like putting a "YIELD" sign at both ends of a single lane bridge -- to avoid collisions people must be willing to submit to one another. Many of the silly conflicts and embarrassing disputes for which the church is notorious could be avoided if we would just “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” But this kind of submission will require a “Disciple Under the Influence”, so drink heavily and deeply of God’s Holy Spirit! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Drinking in the Spirit

June 26

(Ephesians 5:18-20 NIV) "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. {19} Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, {20} always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

(Ephesians 4:19 NIV) "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more."

(Luke 15:13 NIV) "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living."

(1 Thessalonians 5:7-9 NIV) "For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. {8} But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. {9} For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."

(1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)  "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

(Psalms 81:10 NIV)  "I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it."

God calls us out of intoxication and into sanctification. If we are going to be immoderate in our drinking, it should be with the new wine of His Holy Spirit. Drunkenness usually leads to debauchery. Debauchery is the extreme indulgence of our appetites, or what some would call unbridled living. It is a self-indulgent mindset. It opens the floodgates of excess in our life. Debauchery caused the “Prodigal Son” to "squander his wealth in wild living." Debauchery is like a black hole that drains our life. It numbs the conscience, destroys good judgment, breeds a “continual lust for more”, and makes us really stupid. This world needs a strong, vital Christian witness. We have no business being "lit up", or "living it up" unless we are lighting up our world and living up to Jesus. If we are going to be intoxicated, it should be with the Spirit of God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

God’s Will: What About Me?

June 25

(Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV) "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, {16} making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

(Proverbs 11:14 NIV) "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure."

(Proverbs 12:15 NIV) "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice."

(Proverbs 13:10 NIV) "Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice."

(Proverbs 15:22 NIV) "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

It can sometimes be difficult to discern God’s individual will for our lives. Scripture and prayer, used in combination, can help us discern God’s will, but it’s hard to find specific verses that tell us what job to take, what person to marry, or what city to live in. Circumstances, such as our family situation, education, health, spiritual gifts, and prior commitments, should also be taken into consideration when seeking God’s individual will. Circumstances can include what are often called “open doors” and “closed doors”. Just be aware that the Enemy also knows how to open and close doors. Every “open door” does not necessarily come from the Lord, nor does all difficulty constitute a “closed door” from God. Whenever we are moving in God's direction there will likely be resistance. The wise Christian will exercise patience and seek godly counsel. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day