Articles
Christianity Is Not a Diet – It Is a Lifestyle
Christianity Is Not a Diet – It Is a Lifestyle
By Kent Heaton
The American culture is driven by the diet dogma. Diet free drinks, low carb snacks, all natural health oriented weight saving produce that attempts to slim down, reduce, shrink and manage the ever growing waist line. Obesity is a national concern with billions of dollars spent on how to, why to, where to and what to with every guru known to man hawking their wares of enrichment and quick fixes. There are concerns over the roller coaster philosophy of diet today, lose control tomorrow and back on a diet the next day. New Year resolutions to lose weight change as often as the moon phase and often on the same calendar. The reason many do not lose weight is they are dieting instead of making life changes.
There is a similarity in how many people approach their life with Jesus Christ. It is more of a fad than anything to be serious about on a daily basis. Some diet because they become concerned temporarily about their health and weight. After a time they lose interest and concern and return to the way they were before. Then they go on a diet again and up and down it goes. Sounds like the way some treat the word of God. It is good for emergencies and special needs when we feel guilt but when we lose interest or concern it is laid aside and forgotten – until we need it again. The power of the gospel is not a short fix to solve a few problems but rather a long term remedy of the sin that so easily ensnares us (Heb. 12:1).
Psalm 1 shows how a relationship with the Lord is not a temporary fashion style we can enjoy one moment and lay aside for another. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalms 1:1-6). Day and night suggests the need for a constant impact of the word of God. This is a way of living and living a way that is rooted in the word of God.
After Moses died, the Lord encouraged Joshua to take the Book of the Law and not let it depart from his mouth. “But you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8). Losing weight is accomplished when a lifestyle is changed. Finding success with the word of God is a lifestyle measured by a daily mediation on the mind of God. Lacking the courage to instill the grace of God in our lives will only bring heartache and sorrow.
The apostle Paul was thankful that Timothy had made the word of God a daily habit. He reminds him of his childhood that taught him to love the word of God daily. “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim. 3:14-15). His word is inspired and will make us complete!
April Showers Bring May Flowers
By Kent Heaton
Spring is in the air. The beauty of this time of year is testimony of the majesty of its creator and the providential plan He has established for the refreshing of His creation. Following the destruction of the flood God promised Noah "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease" (Gen. 8:22). The fears of a global warming are denied by this promise that the seasons will all continue as God has prescribed. David declares in Psalm 8, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him” (Psalms 8:3-4)? Spring reminds us of the presence of our Creator.
There is order in creation. Moses recorded the account of the creation of earth with the division of light and darkness, the firmament from the waters, dry land from the seas and then the process of plant growth over the face of the land. On the fourth day the lights in the firmament of the heavens were established “for signs and seasons, and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14). Then the animals began to appear in the waters and the skies filled with the “every winged bird according to its kind” (Gen 1:21). Finally on the sixth day the land animals were created and the highest of creation the man and woman.
Paul reminds us of the testimony of the Lord in creation. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead” (Rom. 1:20). The cycle of nature is a testimony to the power of God and is infinite wisdom. Rains are governed by His omniscience and come when according to His design they nurture the ground in bringing forth the beauty of Spring. Summer, Fall and Winter serve their own purposes in the design of God.
It is impossible to look at the striking beauty of this earth and not stand in awe of the powerful message from God. His thumbprint is all over the landscape and the heavens above. Abraham Lincoln said, “I never behold them (the heavens filled with stars) that I do not feel I am looking in the face of God. I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist – but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say, ‘There is no God.’” Jesus used creation to affirm His Father’s care for His children. “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them … consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Matt. 6:26-29).
The power of God. How awesome. If God can cloth the earth with garments of beauty and order what would limit His omnipotence to care for His creation beyond the grave. The beauty of God’s love is not found in a field of lilies or the majesty of the heavens above. The greatest gift of love is found at a place called “the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17). All the beauty of the earth will be taken away but the gift of God’s love is eternal (John 3:16). Thank you God.
A Moments Wisdom
--The sinning child can never know the burden he places on the heart of that loving mother and father by his actions.
--The highest reward God gives to us for good work is the ability to do better.
--Be certain your passion for equality is not an attempt to portray your envy as a virtue.
Upcoming Sermons
5/21/23 AM & PM - Gospel Meeting with Kent Heaton - May 21-26
5/28/23 AM - How to Recognize a Faithful Christian; PM - Isolating the Saints
6/4/23 AM - Weighing Our Options; PM - Themed Singing Service: The Beautiful Christian Life
6/11/23 AM - Flirting with Temptation; PM - Men Who Never Died
6/18/23 AM - “That Great Sin of Omission”; PM - Guarding My Neighbor’s Good Name
6/25/23 AM - Shaking Hands with a Leper; PM - “I Quit!”
