Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

Summer is a great time to read books. Let me first say that I’m not a healthy, habitual book reader. I am the reader that faithfully reads the first five chapters -gets impatient with the conflict- so cheats by reading the climax; and then, to console my suspense, skips the meat of the book to finish the last chapters. I know I’m terrible.

Things were different when I picked up this book. I got my hands on it last Tuesday and finished reading it that Thursday.

“Do Hard Things” by Alex and Brett Harris aroused my spirit by its message for teens to combat culture normality and strive for God-purposed potential implanted in all of us.

Like the sting of cold water in the face, it awoke me to the culture-bred “adolescent myth” that so rampantly infects this generation to believe that they can achieve little wise or no good during the adolescent years of their life. Teen years is a long vacation for trouble making and free fun before the weighed responsibility of adulthood. Join me in shouting, “Lie!”

By personal testimonies of the Harris brothers and other high teen Christian achievers, the book proves that age doesn’t matter in performing good deeds for God’s glory. It advocates as Christ’s workmanship, we were created to do great works.

The book is centered on a word that echoes a challenge to break the mold: the word rebelution. Combing the words, “Rebellion” and Revolution”, rebelution is defined: “a teenage rebellion against low expectations”. It’s not a call for open rebellion against authority, but rather it’s a rally for teenagers to combat comprise to settle for less than what they are capable to achieve.

Although I lost my merits to be called a “teenager” five years ago, I was really consoled by this book, because I know that this generation can do far more than take out the trash and turn in their homework on time. I don’t believe we only have to refer to David and Esther to see great things young people can do for God; and this book sends that message.

The book hinges on 1 Timothy 4:12 which says, “Let no one despise you because your youth, but be an example to the believers in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Even God says not to succumb to relative ridicule, but influence others to righteous living and Godly character.

Don’t take the short stick. Do hard things. Start by taking God at His Word and then get a copy of this book. It’s a must read for anyone -even us non-teenagers- who wants to see this world turn upside down for Christ and be a part of it.

Freedom from Regular Sins

“…Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation.” -Psalms 62:6

I read Psalms 62 today and I was embalmed with the delight that our God saves us from sin, from temptation, from harm and from attacks of the devil. What particularly impressed me is that God also saves me from habitual sins or “regular sins”.

I’m referring to those sins that so easily besets me (like a saying a crude joke). I call them “regular sins” because I commit them over and over again.

But I can say I do have victory over these sins, because by the power of Christ, I am saved also from regular sins.

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.” (1 Peter 2:24).

His death on the cross eliminated every dominance of sin over our lives.

“And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:18).

I don’t have to feel enslaved by them. God has rescued me from their control and by His blood I have been purchased to serve Him.

No sin does have to take you down. Ask God to save from those habits and let your soul wait for God, knowing He will deliver you.

When Things Go Bad

Life does go bad. The worse can come on even the best of days.

Take Paul for instance.

He and Silas enter Philippi, found a place of worship and began sharing the Gospel. They had begun to see fruit from their work, when things went bad.

They came across a demon-possessed girl, whom was a fortune-teller. She stalked Paul and Silas, crying as she went, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”

She did this for days til Paul had enough. He turned and commanded the demon to leave her.

“But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, ‘These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.'” (Acts 16:19NKJV)

The city was in uproar of rage: they had them arrested, stripped, beaten and thrown into prison.

Life can so easily and suddenly spiral downward. Paul and Silas did everything right, yet they suffered for their cause. Face it! Bad things happen even when you do the right thing!

However, from this passage, I have learned that our responses have a significant effect on our circumstances.

Verse 25 of Acts 16 says, “…at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them”.

In their misery, Paul and Silas praised God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “in everything give thanks.” That conveys that in every circumstance -however pleasant- we have to praise God.

We don’t necessary praise God for the problem, but we praise God that He is God and that He does all things good, for he works all things for good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

The outcome of Paul and Silas was that they were freed by an earthquake, which also resulted the jailer and his family came to know Jesus.

God always looks out for those who belong to His family (Dueteronomy 7:9). He may not always make a way of escape from our problems like he did for Paul and Silas, but whatever is the outcome, we must always respond with a mouth of praise, acknowledging God’s presence and His sovereignty.

Remedy Against Life’s Giants

Witnessing to Muslims for the first time was a life hallmark during my time I served as a short-term missionary in Europe. I was in Sweden, and I recall this one Muslim I talked to. I had given him an invitation to come to a crusade. When he saw the name Jesus on the pamphlet, he tossed it to the ground, then threw his face right in front of mine’s and cursed me in his home language.

Giants is a label we often give to those impending confrontations that shadow our likelihood to succeed – like my dear, upset Muslim friend.

I could not see any chance that the love of Christ would conqueror this man, but also I didn’t see at that moment that the name of the Lord is stronger than the might of giants.

Goliath was a hero among Israel’s enemy, the Philistines. He was a Weapon of Mass Destruction: nine foot feet tall, armor weighed over 120 pounds and his spear alone was 15 pounds.

Defying the army of the Lord, David rose to the challenge to fight Goliath. David, only a ruddy teen shepherd with no kind of fighting training whatsoever, slayed the Philistine with a mere sling shot.

When Goliath mocked David at his wimpy appearance compared to his “awesomeness”, David had this to say to the super soldier:

“You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45).

David’s victory over Goliath is a favorite lesson that our battles are never fought by God and not on our own means. Israel’s king persuaded David to wear his armor to get a better feat at defeating Goliath, but David relied on the Lord for his source for strength.

I didn’t think I would see my Muslim friend again, but our team was in the town square, and we were serving free coffee and tea. I saw the man in the square and he was coming to our table. I immediately started praying for he was also coming to me! (scream!)

When we were face to face, I made a cup of coffee – as I did for everyone else -but I bowed my head and gave it to him.
He sheepishly took the cup and left. Later in the day, he returned to find me. He came to me and said,”I’m sorry for yelling at you. I don’t believe in your Jesus, but there is something different about you.”

That man didn’t get saved there, but I believe that was the little push God gave to get my friend going in the right direction.

I valued what happened that day because it reminded me that whatever giant comes against me in my life, I should give it to the Lord. Once He has control of the problem, He will perform wonders.

Your problems may come with a height of woe, but if you believe in Christ, you are under the name of Jesus, who is mightier than anything we can imagine. When giants enter, remember the battle is the Lord’s.