On D.E.C.K. with Roderick...

I know, I know, I know. The title of this post seems kind of harsh. Trust me, you will get it as you read on. In life, there are times when we have heard others use this expression or we have (or wanted to) use this expression in response to someone’s curiosity. Though oftentimes, it is used as a defensive and derogatory statement, it does hold value for the Christian. Consider these verses… Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John 21:20-22 (KJV) Jesus is giving instructions to Peter concerning his future work and ministry. Yet, Peter becomes preoccupied with thinking about what someone else (John) will do. But Jesus’ response of “what is that to thee” is in a sense, asking Peter “what business is...

Having a good reputation is important to many. Some live their lives trying to impress others that their perception of them may be favorable. Even if we do not admit it openly, many of our activities and conversations are motivated by the desire to be accepted and well thought of. Much time is spent wondering, “What do people think of me?” Though we should strive to have a good reputation as Christians, it cannot dominate our motivation for how we live. The opinion of others will change according to circumstance, situation, and other invariables. Thus, their perception of you cannot always be trusted. This shows us that the Christian has to judge his lifestyle by this question, “What does God think of Me?” God’s view of us should challenge the Christian’s character development. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job 1:8 (KJV) We find in the ...

What is your reason for living? Is it your spouse, family, job, ministry, friends, or even yourself? For the Christian, the reason for our existence should be Christ. When Christ is not at the center of our being, we will struggle internally to continue to serve Him. We must remember that He gave His life that we would have eternal life. On the shores of the beach, Jesus came to the disciples and ate with them. He asked Peter: “Lovest thou Me more than these? Or, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15). We must consider this question and our answer presently. Whatever you love will become your reason for living. It will become the “these” in your life. There have been many speculations of what is the subject of “these” in Jesus’ question to Peter. There are two popular viewpoints. First, they represented the fish. Peter and some of the others had returned to their former profession of fishing. Second, they represented the other disciples. Since Peter denied the Lord on the night ...

Everyone is on a road to an eternal destination. In life, different roads can be taken on a journey to reach a particular destination. Though we can compare our walk with Christ as a journey, there is only one way to reach our destination of heaven. You cannot enter into the kingdom of God any which way you choose. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Matt 7:13 (KJV) Some promote the ideology that you do not need to go to church; that is, fellowship with other Christians or even receive Christ to enter into heaven. But, as Christians, we must stand on the truth that reception of Christ, fellowship with other Christians, and striving to live a life pleasing to Him is a perquisite for entrance into heaven. With the advent of personal GPS devices, people no longer have to depend on standard maps to reach their destinations. Now, they can pick and choose the route that they would li...