The World

06.29.09

Last week we looked at how the Devil wants to trick you into wasting your life. As part of his plan to do that he has created a way of thinking and viewing the world around us, a perspective on life. The Bible refers to this system as “the World”.

1 John 2:15-16 NASB
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world, if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

In attacking surfers, the Devil capitalizes on three of our weaknesses by using this “World system”. The first is the “lust of the flesh”. Hedonism, the natural cravings of man, in other words – if it feels good do it. As a surfer this sounds strangely familiar. The Devil wants you to spend your life chasing waves and believing that ultimately surfing will fulfill you. I have one question that challenges that idea – have you ever had a wave so good that you were so deeply satisfied that you didn’t need to ever surf again?

Doing what we enjoy, whether surfing, sex, drugs or helping old ladies across the street will not ultimately fulfill. We were not first and foremost made for that. We were created to know God, to live in friendship with Him and only through Jesus is that possible. What are you investing your life into? Having fun or loving God?

Who do you surf for?

Life's Currency Trade

06.22.09

2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

The Devil is a liar, a deceiver. He comes at surfers trying to trick them.

Life is like a man with a pocket full of money. He goes about spending it however he desires. Sadly, it isn’t until his pocket is almost empty that he begins to consider whether his purchases were wise.

Every day surfers trade the currency of their lives. How many times have we traded it for waves over family, work or responsibilities. Sadly, many an old surfer has come to the realization that they’ve been tricked and invested their life in something that wasn’t that important. One famous old icon was overheard saying, as he watched a husband play with his children, “I have wasted my life.”

Over the next few weeks we’ll look at three ways that Satan desires to deceive surfers. Be on guard and spend your life in a way that you won’t regret.

MAKE Disciples

06.15.09

In Matthew 28, Jesus is wrapping up one stage of HIS ministry and transitioning to another. HE looks at HIS disciples and basically says, I’ve got unfathomable power and I’m going to be with you and work through you so wherever you go from here on out – MAKE DISCIPLES. When HE ascended to Heaven they stood staring and I get the impression that they were thinking, “make disciples, what? HE makes disciples. We are disciples. This is about us – me and Jesus – HE guides me and teaches me and helps me and heals me. I’m confused.”

As surfers we understand selfishness. It’s about me getting my wave. But sadly, as Christians I’m not sure that our perspective is all that different. I mean church is about messages that connect with me, music I like, services that minister to and encourage me. Right? Christian Surfers is no different. It’s a “cool” movement that I can plug into and really fit.

What if Christianity isn’t primarily about me and God serving me and ministering to me? What if it is primarily about God and the mystery of HIM living HIS life and ministry through me in order to bring the Father glory?

In the United States alone there are over 3 million surfers, a majority of which are separated from God by their sin. How will they ever hear the Good News if someone doesn’t tell them? Who will tell them? It would take an army…YOU ARE THAT ARMY.

Today I am calling each of us to take action. CS doesn’t primarily exist to minister to you but to help you get active so Jesus can minister through you. One rallying event is the CSUS National Conference in Oct. Register today and begin focusing on others by making a list of whom you will invite to go to the conference with you. At the conference you will be equipped to carry out the mission.

Enjoy Jesus and your personal walk with HIM but remember, the ride really gets good when we yield ourselves and let HIM work in others through us.

We must mobilize to action! God’s glory and surfer’s souls are on the line.

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Getting out of the water...and into Church!

06.08.09

“I’m not into church or even other Christians. God and I have something worked out and we’re OK.”

Is that acceptable?

Is God simply saving individuals or building a family? Christianity, as they say, is a team sport. If I’ve truly embraced Jesus than I will choose to love my fellow Christians and may even find joy in their friendships.

1John 4:20 “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” - NIV

Are local churches perfect? Nope. Do local churches have problems? Yep. Have I ever been burned in the local church? Yep. Is the church about me and my needs? Nope. Is church about placing value on God? Yep. And one of the ways we do that is by loving all the dysfunctional people in churches who, because of Jesus, happen to be our eternal brothers and sisters. And, in return, they put up with and love us (not an easy task).

This weekend why not show how much you value God by getting out of the water and going to church and listening to the teaching of HIS Word.

Who do you surf for?

Persecuted Church

06.01.09

We have learned that suffering is not the worst thing in the world --- disobedience to God is the worst.

A Vietnamese Christian imprisoned for his faith

Find out more about the suffering Christians around the world at The Voice of the Martyrs.

www.persecution.com

Who do you surf for – today?

Soul Thirst

05.25.09

The saddest thing is not that our hearts grow restless or that we find our souls thirsting. No, the great tragedy is that we embrace a settlement and become content with this sub-par existence.

I recently observed a man in a public place picking thru ashtrays to gather butts that had not been fully smoked. It struck me as a picture of how I allow my soul to be satisfied with the refuse of this broken world.

We delight in material wealth as if it matters and will last. We lie and convince ourselves that the silly act of riding waves is transcendent. All the while, we ignore the wooing of a transcendent Christ who is truly able to satisfy our deepest hungers. Make Jesus your treasure and shun the “fools gold” of this world. A billion years from now you will not regret the decision.

John 4:14

Email us at info@christiansurfers.com and tell us how you are letting Jesus satisfy your soul thirst (click here)

The Plan

05.18.09

"God's will is what you would want if you knew what God knew." - Anonymous

We spend way too much time trying to scheme and manipulate situations that God has already given us clear direction on. We often do this because we desire what is best for us and are unsure whether God is as committed to that same outcome as we are. The basic problem is that, as broken creatures, we don’t know what’s best for us. But God does and He desires what will bring Him glory and will be the best for you. History bares this out. Just look at the cross. It may not make sense to the “world” but it does make sense in God’s economy. So trust and don’t second guess Him. Just obey.

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”