To those of us living in Las Vegas there are times when we have an opportunity to see things that no place on earth have witnessed. We arrived in 1974 and the population was 240,000. Many of the casinos were motels. We were surrounded by desert. Go any direction and in 15 minutes you would see nothing but sagebrush and sand. That would be from the edge of town to the other side. There was practically nothing south of Eastern and Sunset. Going west there was not much on the other side of Decatur. It was back when football was a major draw and we had season tickets and basketball was on its way to becoming the “Running Rebels”.

We were able to watch as the Las Vegas Strip began to expand. Each new casino was trying to outdo the latest to be built. We went to the Golden Nugget because they had one of the best buffets in town. Half of my meal was their bread pudding.

By 1998 the Bellagio Casino had its dancing water fountains and the Mirage with its volcano eruption. Las Vegas continued to grow and building kept surpassing most everyone’s expectations. Five years ago they started the City Centers 8.5 billion dollar project. Rarely do we go to the “Strip” but from time to time we would drive by and see these huge buildings coming out of the ground.

December 15th the night prior to the grand opening of the Aria Casino we walked through a packed house of MGM Mirage employees who had been invited to test before the grand opening. We ate at one of their restaurants and spent hours wandering through the mammoth casino. We can attest to everything good that has been said about City Center. Later we slept in one of their rooms and when I was a child it was something that would have been in “Buck Rogers”, the future in 100 years. Everything but the shower was computerized.

We have a tremendous advantage as Christians. No matter how elaborate we build on earth, what Christ went to prepare for us is far greater than anything we can imagine. John 14:3 – “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Have you ever thought about what Christ has prepared for us? Would it not be more fantastic than anything we could even dream? We may not be able to live like kings on this earth but what Christ provides will be far greater than anything on this planet. Why wouldn’t everyone want to accept Christ as their Savior so that they could live with Him through eternity? There are no limitations on what He can build or do. Isn’t living for Him now, better than living as the world lives and ending up in the wrong place later? The rich man and the poor man, Lazarus both went to Shoal, Lazarus went to Abraham’s bosom and paradise and the rich man suffered giving us an indication of what the rich man and those of the world have in store on death. However, the world is filled with gamblers and living in Las Vegas we realize how many lose!

It is like our recent economy had a heart attack and required bypass surgery. The only good thing was as the patient lie on its death bed it didn’t die. But it is left with miserable situations for a while to come. If you are one going through rehab now, trying to survive, you may be asking the question: God, “Why me”?

Many have lost jobs or have gone through bankruptcy, had their homes foreclosed or possibly some other difficult circumstance happened. You may ask, “God what have I done to deserve this”? Is God punishing me for something I did? That may have been under the Old Testament. Under the New Covenant God only allows situations to occur mainly for our benefit. We read of God’s chosen people and the crisis they went through. Read about Joseph who spent years in prison for something he did not do. There is Job, Jeremiah, or Paul. The Apostles were all martyred for their witness that Christ was the Messiah. What happened to them was not punishment but illustrations that others may understand God and how He blesses.

This past week we had family members in the process of moving. They found a place that was being rehabbed and chose to lease for a year. Wednesday November 25th they went to pick up the keys prior to moving in Friday. The walk-through was unbelievable. The decorum really didn’t match and it was a mess. It was totally unacceptable and not what had been promised. They were in a dilemma. They have our cash and will they break the lease and give our money back? They had to move by November 30 and now no place to go. You would think believers, for many years, would not semi-panic and lose sleep Wednesday and Thanksgiving night until they could contact the owners. Those normal things go through their minds: God what caused this? Do we realize the stress and the abuse we place on our bodies when we go through trying circumstances not trusting God? Where is the peace and joy Paul wrote about as he was going through his difficulties?

Friday morning they went to a representative of the owner asking to break the lease and please return their money. They were told refunding money and breaking a least was unprecedented. It had never been done. They requested the Rep. to present their case to the owner. The Rep. returned and said I can’t believe it but they agreed to break the lease and refund your payment.

Of course, our entire family was aware of what was happening and were praying that God would work it out. When everyone was told what had happen, a member of our family immediately located another opportunity that was in a better area, a much improved situation and at a cheaper price. It was available and they could move in that day. As planned, Friday the move was made.

Those involved, now realizing all that had just happened, held hands and thanked God for His intervention. They are more aware that God allows things to happen so we can see His hand involved. It certainly improves our faith and especially our trust in Him. Scripture after Scripture tells no matter how difficult life became for those individuals, God knew every single detail that was going on. They ended up blessed beyond their wildest expectations. God is always in control. He knows each one of us. His Spirit is with us as believers every second. When tough times come we must ask, “God what am I to learn from this experience?” Then, expect Him to be with you through every decision that is made. When it is all over chances are your life will become better as a result of what you may have had to endure. Next time you may not ask: “God, why me?”

Years ago before children had the toys that are available today there were soap box derbies. Dads and sons would build racing carts and enter them in the soap box races. They may be made out of orange crates on short two by fours with axles and wheels. They had a steering mechanism and brakes. That was the total racer.

Most of the contestants were eager youngsters who leaned forward or hunkered down in their carts hoping to decrease wind resistance thereby increasing speed. One youngster was visibly frightened at the prospect of going too fast down a long hill and compensated by riding the brake to keep his speed under control. He finished last

In my younger days some of our relatives would go to the Pacific Ocean for a weekend and would dig clams and have clam chowder. To this day it is my favorite soup. I remember wading out into waist deep water, standing mesmerized as a huge wave approached, broke and knocked me flat in a swirl of sand, saltwater and tangled arms and legs. My next try resulted in a repeat of my first humiliation.

I use these two illustrations to describe the Christian’s frame of mind when the first few steps of faith are taken. A fully committed Christian is like a youngster who takes his foot off the brake and goes full tilt down the steepest of hills. The committed Christian is also like a person who wades into the surf, dives headlong into the first wave and swims into the vast Pacific Ocean.

The problem that exists is once the initial wave of enthusiasm passes, and it will, there is an inclination to settle into a kind of treadmill mentality. Once the excitement has passed, life returns to dealing with the day to day pressures that surround us. So before any more steps are taken we need to learn how to maintain momentum and stay charged.

If you have been reading my blogs, almost every one will tell you that you must develop a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit and be tuned into His presence. I use the word “tuned in” because it is not always a conscious awareness. But when something noteworthy happens, whether it is considered a good thing or a not-so-good thing, the presence of the Holy Spirit comes to mind and is cause for celebration. He is your inner partner when someone aims a six-shooter between your eyes; He is present when the roof caves in or the stock market crashes as we have just seen or He is with you when oil is discovered in your back yard.

It is His partnership that is energizing. It’s the difference between sitting in a foxhole alone and scared or sitting in a foxhole with the Joint Chief of Staff right there with you. It has been my experience that many Christians when it comes to stepping out in faith ride the brakes or only put their toe in the water. If they only knew what God has in store for them and what they may be missing, they will only know when they get to heaven. But what an exciting life we could have if we just put our faith into action.

We as Christians have a tremendous advantage. We have been assured that we can always enjoy beneficial circumstances and it enables us to transform the most hopeless looking position into a favorable position. However, it is all based on the condition of our spiritual heart which determines the kinds of decisions we make.

Every one of us has a worldly nature and a spiritual nature. The two natures are in conflict with each other because the worldly nature is self-serving and the spiritual nature is God-serving. Therefore, the condition of our spiritual heart determines the kinds of decisions we make. Business decisions, job decisions, family decisions and personal decisions are all affected by our true nature or heart.

Countless Scriptures make the point that spiritual health is a direct outgrowth of our spiritual natures winning the conflict taking place within us. Galatians 5:17 – “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”

Which nature are we allowing to win? Is our worldly nature saying “Keep your foot on the brake; you may risk losing everything”? Or are we willing as committed Christians to hunker down, with our foot off the brake saying I am willing to let it all hang out that I might fulfill God’s will in my life. And that might require taking a risk! It may even require swimming with the sharks.

I mentioned under author’s bio, I was chairman of our Relocation Committee for a reason. My faith began growing when we added 42,000 sq. ft. to our old church. It was in 1988 and we were discussing a $1.7 million expansion; to us that was huge. Our average attendance at the time was 770. We were financially meeting our obligations but not much more.

As our attendance starting growing we needed more room. We had a choice to either build in stages or all at once. I believed we could only afford to do it in stages. There was no way to pay for it if we did it all at once. It would require weekly giving to double to maintain the building and pay the interest. As chairman of the board I was totally against doing the whole project at once. However, against my advice the board agreed to do everything at once.

The project was completed in 1989. The impossible became possible. By the time the expansion was completed our weekly giving had doubled. I learned from this experience it is not what we think we can do, but it’s what God wants us to do. This is when I really started believing in Christ’s promise found in Matthew 17:20. If we have faith as small as a mustard seed we could move mountains and nothing would be impossible for us.

By 1991 our attendance had grown to 1740 weekly. We were land locked and could no longer handle the parking situation and it was not possible to purchase additional property around us. We believed God gave us the vision to try and secure at least 80 acres of property south of our present site in Henderson. When we told the congregation of our plans it was like they had a “Red Sea Experience”. We sent out 12 spies to get people’s reaction and ten came back with negative responses.

We tried three different times to purchase property and three times we were turned down. Finally we were able to obtain property that had been a gravel pit. We offered $37,500 per acre. Across the freeway land was selling for $110,000 per acre.

Once we purchased the property the City of Henderson stated they had to have 24 acres of our land to build a major league sports complex for spring training. This was where we had intended to place our sports area and have additional parking.

While we were negotiating with the city we were hauling dirt onto our property. Because of the huge amounts of earth that had been taken from the property we had to bring in enough dirt to raise the property 13 feet. This required approximately 700,000 cu. yds. It had to be hauled in, graded and packed. The costs were extensive.

The City had to have our 24 acres and it seemed we had no choice. By that time, the value of an acre was $66,800 per acre. We agreed to sell the property if they would build a sports complex park to the north of us. We needed a five lane street north through the park with a four lane street going north east of the park. They agreed to help us build two bridges across the Duck Creek Wash between us. They also would allow a 40 foot street south of us on the edge of their property. The cost of bringing in the dirt and getting it ready for our building was almost exactly what the City paid us. By the way! It has been twelve years and the City still has done nothing with our previous property. They really didn’t need it. No sports complex was built. We call it a “God Thing!” Ever since, my family and I look for “God Things” to happen in our lives and then we share with each other. God does not let us down with signs to build our faith.

A number of years ago I heard a story about a flea that was put into a jar with a lid on top. The flea kept jumping trying to get out, but it would hit the lid with each jump. After a number of tries the flea quit trying, and you could remove the lid and the flea would remain in the jar.

We cannot explain how Satan’s forces influence our thinking, but I can imagine it’s a lot like the flea in the above illustration. Let me illustrate my point:

Before we accept Christ, we are inside of a box with a lid over us. Having committed sins of pride, greed, envy, anger, lust, gluttony and laziness (just to name some), our conscience tells us this is wrong and we feel guilty, unworthy and go through life weighed down. We have been hurt by our mistakes and possibly by what others have done to us. We take this heavy baggage with us everywhere which keeps many of us from thinking positive thoughts and willing to take risks. Just like the lid on the jar, Satan’s forces use this guilt to keep us from stepping outside the box and living as God has intended for us to live. The enemy’s goal is to keep control over us through fear, but Christ came to take the lid off the box!

When we first receive salvation, we rejoice and begin a new life with the lid off the box. As we mature spiritually, Christ keeps reaching His hand out to us trying to help us step outside the box to freedom. However, we are often like Peter who asked Christ to allow him to walk on water. Christ did, and Peter took a few steps and sank. Often our situation is very similar. We may take a step outside the box only to feel more secure getting back in. It isn’t easy living outside the box because more is expected of us. Satan’s forces often tell us living outside the box will require risk taking. Like Peter, we do not have the faith nor the trust to realize that outside the box is where God designed us to live. On the other hand, some willingly step outside the box, but under Satan’s control. He targets those that he can trust to serve his evil purpose. Some become wealthy, powerful and idolized. They may be politicians, actors, musicians, business people or religious fanatics. There are no limits as to who satanic forces may use to influence the world.

The Christian must realize that we too can live outside the box but, live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and compete with those serving the forces of evil. The prince of darkness took control of the world when Adam and Eve relinquished the control God had given them prior to their sinning. It is easier for some people to have allegiance to the world than to God. The world is visible and can be seen and those who live by the rules of the world, many times receive greater material rewards and recognition than those who separate themselves from the world and live for God, who is not visible, and live according to His ways. What does it take as a Christian to grasp the hand of Christ and live outside the box? Scripture tells us we must be willing to give of our best, have faith and believe the promises of Christ. We are to also be obedient, persistent, develop a relationship with God and others and be willing to do good deeds with unconditional love. Negative fear comes from the devil and Christian love comes from God. We must allow Christ to change our lives to such an extent that we no longer allow negative fears to keep us from living as God meant that we live.

I John 2:15 – 16 – “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.”

Scripture defines the world as anyone who is opposed to God or has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. It is when one lives a self-serving, (me-first) lifestyle and rejects Biblical guidelines for living.  We can be a true believer, believe in God and accept Jesus Christ and yet live as the world lives.  Our problem could be ignorance as to what the Word of God teaches.  The Apostle Paul calls worldly Christians babes in Christ lacking maturity. 

Most of us know how the world lives but how does Scripture advise us to live?  We are not to purchase a home we cannot afford, drive cars that are not paid for and liberally use credit cards. As we have recently learned during severe recessions there are too many things that can happen.  Many Christians have lost their jobs and have had their homes foreclosed.  The Bible advises that we should owe no one.  Yet, many Christians ignored better judgment and find they cannot live without having the very best of the world’s offerings.   Our level of spiritual maturity can adversely affect where we are financially.  

The Apostle John was warning the church that it was so easy to love the world and worldly things.  We are born into the world and live as the world lives until we accept Christ.  It is not easy for most to change habits and surrender to God’s leading.  Our carnal self-centered nature wants what others have regardless of what they have done to get them.  If we live as the world lives and put worldly things first in our lives what does it mean: “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him?”

For many years I have been a financial advisor.  I have more than 250 Christian clients and more than 250 clients who are not Christians.  I find very little difference in how the majority of believers and non-believers live when it comes to finances.  Ask a client how much they are in debt and there is little difference between the Christian and non-Christian.  If you have ever wondered why normally only 25% of Christians tithe it may be because they are so far in debt that it is all they can do to pay their monthly bills. 

The average household within fifteen minutes of our church makes $63,000 annually according to local statistics.  If each family tithed $6,300 and there were 8000 givers you would receive $50,400,000 annually in tithes.  Since our church receives approximately $12,000,000 yearly from over more than 20,000 members that means not every family tithes.  How important is it to tithe?  God tells us we must!

How does living from pay check to pay check affect our spiritual health?  One of a family’s greatest problems at home is financially overextending and it’s causing many Christians to divorce.  We may be in a job we cannot tolerate but because of indebtedness we are unable to risk taking a job that would better fit our abilities.  We can end up stuck, unhappy and frustrated.  So how do we measure our spiritual maturity or spiritual health? 

Luke 10:27 – says we are to love God with all of our heart, strength, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.  This is a great way to measure our spiritual maturity.  Do we love God enough to want to please Him and live by His commands?  Are we self-serving or God-serving?  Where is our commitment or how accountable are we to the Holy Spirit?  Do we have hate in our hearts?  Do we truly love others unconditionally?  The degree of our love for God and others measures our spiritual maturity.   John is talking about where our hearts are, is where our treasures will be.  What is our attitude toward material things?  Sinful man craves satisfying his or her physical and material desires and boasting about what he or she has done.  Spiritual man values self-control, he has a spirit of generosity and is committed to humble service. He or she is maturing spiritually!