Heaven without Jesus?

Here is an excerpt from a book I am reading:

“The critical question for our generation – and for every generation – is this: If you could have Heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with Heaven, if Christ was not there?

- John Piper’s God Is The Gospel

GUTT CHECK!!!! What are you really in LOVE with Christ or Pleasure? Here is the thing, some of us may have hesitated a little to answer this question. Here is my reason why: we see the way sickness hurts people, we see and love our friends and family, we see and feel the pleasures of this life, but we don’t see, with our eyes, Jesus.  We love Jesus with all of our heart but we sometimes suffer from the “out of sight, out of mind” syndrome. If we are not careful, the pleasure of this world will taint our love for Christ.

See, Heaven would be a great place with no sickness, all our favorite foods, and friends and family, but it would not be a perfect/complete place.  The only component that can accomplish that is Jesus.  He is the one who completes us.  Not money, fame or a great job.  Christ is the piece that completes our puzzle.

Ask yourself this question: Have I become so wrapped up and busy with life that I seek financial security, fame, and _________ (you fill in the blank) more than I seek Christ?  Seeking these things are great but remember this passage:

Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

If you hesitated to answer the question above, here is your challenge.  Memorize Matthew 6:33, write it down , put it some place you’ll see it everyday, and make it a part of who your are.  Then after one week of making this scripture part of you come back and read this blog and answer the question again and  this time, I guarantee you will not hesitate!

BWT

The Scenic Route

Since moving to Panama City Beach I have made a discovery, the Scenic Route.  The Scenic Route is a road that takes you alongside the huge hotels and condos, and also runs parallel to the emerald colored beaches.  I love taking this route.  My wife on the other hand, rolls her eyes every time she sees my blinker turning on to the route.  She says, “Do you know how much gas you could save if you just took the highway?” My reply, “Yeah, but this way is one of the perks of living on the beach!”  This conversation happens at least five times a week.  Now to the point of the story.

As I was reading during my quiet time yesterday I came across a portion of scripture that jumped out at me.

Exodus 13:17-18, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.”

Here the Bible records the very first steps of the nation of Israel out of Egypt.  Moses was leading the nation of about 600,000 men, not including the women, children, and live stock. Theologians believe the population of Israel at the time of the Exodus was 3 million people. So Pharaoh let the people go and God was providing the direction.  Notice God did not take them directly to the Promised Land.  God took them on the Scenic Route to the Red Sea.  If God would have taken Israel straight to the Promised Land, He would have led them north through the coastal plains.  These plains were heavily fortified by the Egyptians.  God knew if they were to travel this way, there would be war and He knew Israel wasn’t ready.

It is at this point God spoke to me.  I know God has great plans for me and in the beginning i felt they would happen sooner than later, but they didn’t.  God knew if He would have given me everything that He promised right away, I would have fallen.  But instead He took me on the scenic route.  I love to travel and here is one lesson I have learned through all my travels, “Half the fun of getting to your destination is the trip there!”  Same thing in life.  God takes you down the scenic roads of life, not to frustrate you, but to teach you.  The Israelites would have never been able to handle the Promised Land if it wasn’t for the Wilderness (Scenic Route).  So enjoy your life’s stroll on the scenic route, yes it may take a little longer but you will learn God-given lesson only the Scenic Route to teach.

In closing, sometimes the Scenic Route can take you out through the BoonDocks and  have some steep inclines, speedy declines, and sharp curves. In those times remember to slow down and use prayer, which is your  GPS (God’s Positioning System).

Be Blessed and Happy New Year,

BWT

“HEY, that’s Mine!” – God

Question: Have you ever worked on a project (drawing, birdhouse, garden, etc.) with all your heart? I mean you put everything you had into this project, you could say you became a part of it. After if was done, you were overwhelmed with pride because you knew it was the best.

Another Question: What if, one day someone destroyed this project?  They vandalized it. Broke it. Defaced it. How would you feel? Some feelings that come to my mind are : Disrespected, Furious, and Unimportant.

Hold this thought!!!!!

PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!  John 8 tells a story of a woman who is caught in the act of adultery.  Jesus was there teaching and the Pharisee’s barged in with this woman.  They brought her to Him so that they could try to trick Jesus with the Law. The Law of Moses says if such a person was caught in the act of adultery they were to be stoned! They challenged Him and he replied, “He who is without sin, let him throw the first stone.” After hearing Jesus, the people left for they were convicted.  All that was there was this woman and Jesus. He asks her, “Where are your accusers and the ones who condemned you?” “There is no one.”, she replied.  Jesus answered, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”

Let’s go over some things!

1. You are God’s project. He, the Creator of the Heavens and Earth, created you, and you are His BEST work!

2. We are all God’s creation.

See the adulterous woman was created by God.  The Pharisees were about to destroy, deface, and vandalize God’s project.  Everyday, when we bad mouth someone, cast judgement, or physically/verbally beat someone, we are vandalizing God’s creation.  I am guilty of vandalizing and I bet we all are. I want everyone who reads this blog to be aware, that if you do anything hurtful or harmful to each other, you are disrespecting God because your have no respect for His creation. Just as I mentioned before, How would you feel if someone vandalized the one thing you did with all your heart, the one thing you became apart of? Your feelings might just skim the surface of what God might be feeling.

I feel the Pharisees and the people in the crowd didn’t throw any stones at the adulterous woman, not just because they had their own sin but because the Creator was standing next to the Creation.

Question: How would we act or talk to people if God was standing, in person, next to you?

For all who are reading: This blog is in no way, shape, or form directed at anyone.  If anything it was for me.  Read this with an open mind and open heart for God to change the way you talk and act toward people (His Creation).

His Servant

BWT

Ahhhhh!!!! I singed my cornea !!!!

Once in your lifetime I bet you have heard your mother or father say, “Never look directly at the Sun!” Well if you were like me you had to try it anyway! So one day I get the courage to look directly at the Sun, and you all probably know how it ended.  Yes, you guessed it, me crying like a baby.

After that I have learned my lesson and as I reflect back on the glory days, I can remember two side-effects of me staring at the Sun:

1. Loss of Sight.

2. Everywhere I looked I saw a bright light.

This got me thinking (yes, Cari, that is dangerous.). What if, in life, we were to look DIRECTLY at the SON? I believe the same side effects would happen. If we were to fixate ourself on Jesus we would lose OUR sight and gain HIS vision.  Just like looking at the Sun, afterwards we see the remnant of the Sun, the bright light.  If you looked at the Sun and then tried to admire a beautiful painting, all you would see is the bright light. I bet if we stare directly into the Son and we look at our life, all we would see is Jesus.  After staring at Jesus, we would look at our finances and see Him.  We could look at our family and see Him.  We could look at each other and see Him.  Because when you stare at the Son you lose your sight and gain His vision.

No matter what your situation is today, look DIRECTLY at the SON and you will see Jesus in every circumstance. Lose your sight and Gain His Vision.

Question: How does one look at the Son? Easy. Read the Bible.  The Bible is Him (John 1:1). Let the Word of God change you and encourage you.

Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you or forsake!” Jesus is with YOU where ever you go!

PS: 500,000 points for the 1st person to comment with the correct movie the title of this blog is from.  If you know me you know where to start.

Be Blessed!

BWT

Wal-Mart Community Church

I once heard this story of two guys, Bob and Larry. Bob was a pastor of a nice size church and Larry was called to be a pastor, but had no church. Larry knew, that he knew he was called to be a pastor. But, after months of praying and job interviews, Larry still did not have a church.  So one day Bob gets a phone call and it is Larry.  Larry is excited and announces to Bob that he has found a church. Bob responds, “What church?” Larry replies, “Wal-Mart!” Then Bob says, “Wal-Mart?” Larry answers, “Yeah they don’t know it yet but they just hired a new Senior Pastor!”

I know this may be a corny story to some but to me it spoke volumes.  See, people today are sometimes caught up in chasing titles. Some Christians may fall into this trap. They may feel they can not do anything important because they are not “titled”.  I am not the Senior Pastor, so I can’t do this or I am not the Youth Pastor so I can not do that. I have seen it a ton in my short term of ministry.  People feel they can’t impact a persons life or lead them to Christ just because they are not titled, “Pastor” or  ”Minister”. Now I know these position are important and they are needed but just because you don’t hold a title does not make you any less important.

We need to adopt Larry’s point of view. Larry knew he was called to be a pastor, regardless if he had a church or not.  He knew God gave him a job at Wal-Mart because God placed him there strategically to impact the lives of those around him. Personally, I am going to pastor whether or not I hold that title.  I have learned in this season of transition, that my church is whoever God has placed around me. For example, I work at a High School of  about 1400 students, what a place to pastor!

You have to realize if you are saved, a Christ-Follower, then you are a minister! In the New Testament, the word “minister” comes from a Greek word that means “servant”.  So whether you are a teacher, construction worker, or farmer.  God has placed people around you so you can serve them and show them the love of Christ. As a Christian our job is to imitate Christ, do as Christ did.  Be a Jesus impersonator! Be like Him. Love, Serve, Encourage, and Be a blessing!

In closing, ask yourself, “Who has God placed around me, so that I might be used to impact their life?” Don’t let the lie of the “Title” hold you back from being used in a mighty way by God!

BWT

A Blessing to Repentance

In the world today, many Christians and non-Christians, make the comparison of the Blessings of God with care free times.  I personally have to deal with the thought that if God blesses me then everything is a bright, cloud free day. Now, we all know we go through seasons. Winter is a season where there is death and little life, maybe even a hibernation period.  Then you have Spring, where the things that were once dead have come back to life.  Spring can often be associated with God’s Blessings. Right now it is hard for me to determine what season I am in.

Last night I laid on the floor and was talking with my wife.  In my body and in my spirit I just didn’t feel right.  She asked me what was wrong and this was my reply.  During the transition time of moving, God used awesome and faithful people to bless us and keep us.  Sometimes it is hard for me to receive a blessing even when I know it was from God.  Here is the thing, God will bless you so much, that it will bring you to a place of repentance. This was where I am at.  I felt so unworthy and unfaithful.  How could God do so much for me and in turn, me do so little for Him.  It is a humble place of learning and growth.  I know God is taking me to a place where my spiritual maturity and faith need to be at an all time high. I know these times are necessary.  So, I embrace the times of feeling unworthy, because I am.  But it is these times where we realize without God we are nothing. So, in my season of repentance, I search the areas of my life where I need to “step up my game”, so I can be the Man of God, to the fullest, God has called me to be.

God’s Servant,

Billy W Tisko

The Autobahn vs. Old Hancock Road

In this blog I want to compare two type of roads, The Autobahn and Old Hancock Rd, and how they help us understand following God’s voice.  First, one of Germany’s famous landmarks is the Autobahn.  The Autobahn is a freeway/motorway that boasts a speed limit of 80 mph, but locals will tell you there is no speed limit.  It is a wide open, pedal to the medal, ride with no road blocks. Then we have Old Hancock Road.  Old Hancock Road is an old,  dilapidated road that I used to travel down as I was a kid.  My siblings and I would travel this road all summer long on our bikes.  This road was uneven, full of pot holes, and over-grown with weeds, but we had to travel this road to explore places we have never gone.

Now, why in the world am I stating these two totally different ways of travel? Well, the reason is to combat the traditional belief that when you are doing the Will of God, the road will always be smooth and everything will go the way you hoped.  This is a belief I had to fight and struggle with during my transition period.  The transition has been tough and hard, it is not the Autobahn.  It is not smooth sailing or happening at blinding speeds.  It would be more compared to Old Hancock Road. Full of pot holes and uneven, but

Lets take a look at the life of Paul and his journey following God’s will.  Paul was a man of God. He understood and heard God’s voice.  In Acts 27, Paul knew it was God’s will for him to travel to Rome.  So let me breakdown what happened:

1. Set sail for Rome, but had to get a bigger ship because the winds were so strong.

2. The captain ignored Paul’s warning and set sail again and was caught in a Typhoon.

3. The crew lost hope, they were hungry, all the cargo was thrown over board, and they wanted to kill the prisoners.

4. The ship ran a ground a sand bar, began to break apart and had to brave the storm and swim to shore.

5. Once a shore, Paul was gathering fire wood and was bitten by a snake.

Paul was obeying God’s will and look what he went through.  Some people say, “It is not supposed to be like this.” or “It is supposed to be easy.” But the all of the people God used to do extra-ordinary things had to go through some stuff. But because Paul went through all this and the island of Malta heard to Life-Changing news of Jesus Christ. In my words, Paul had to travel down Old Hancock Road.

There is always one factor in following God, hearing his voice.  Paul would have never boarded the ship if he, by himself, wanted to go to Rome.  He knew God called him, and he knew God was going to take care of him no matter the situation. My advice, never go some where that God has not called you to go. Listen to Him and obey.

Do the hard things and watch God work!

Pastor Billy W Tisko

Who’s Your Daddy?

When we first moved to Gainesville, about 3 years ago, we rented an apartment and lived there for about a year.  It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment and it fit a family of 4 tight, but on the upside it had a pool.  One day, as a family, we went for a swim.  It was a normal, hot, muggy, summer afternoon in Florida. Caden and Bayleigh would always play on the steps of the pool because they didn’t know how to swim.  I would always played right next to them.  All of sudden, Bayleigh, who was about 1 1/2 years old at the time, took a step off the steps.  She was fearless. Of course being elected Dad of the Year, I got the t-shirt, I was always there to keep her head above the water.  But that day was a little different.  As I kept her from going under the water, God spoke to my spirit. He said, “You need to learn from her.” At the time i didn’t know what it meant but now I know exactly.

See she was doing something she couldn’t do by herself.  Something she had never done before. I believe the reason she took that step in to deeper water because she knew her daddy was right next to her, ready to step in when needed. What if we trusted our Heavenly Father so much to do something we have never done before? As my family and I embark into deeper waters, we find ourselves doing something we have never done before.  It is scary? Yes. Do we have all the answers? No. But I know my Heavenly Daddy is right next to me ready to step in.  I challenge you to do whatever God is urging you to do.  It may be crazy. It may be something out of your comfort zone.  It may be something that is over your head.  But remember who your Daddy is and that He is always beside you!

Blessings,

Pastor BWT

It might be shaky, but it is a STEP!

Picture this:  Jesus, a storm, and Peter.  Peter is in the boat and Jesus is out on the water.  Nothing but air and opportunity between the two.  An opportunity to do something great, something that no one has ever done before, and it all begins with a step.  The moment Peter lifted his leg over the bow of the boat and he shifted his weight on to faith was a step into greatness.

Tonight, for the Tisko Nation, it was the first step.  At 7:00 pm EST, it was announced to Family Life COG that our last Sunday would be November 1st.  As it saddens my heart to leave such a great church, we are leaving an even better family.  The relationships and life lessons we have learned while here only prepared us for the road ahead.What is the road ahead?  The road ahead is Baypointe Church, Panama City, FL.  We are apart of a church plant team that is going to bring something to Panama City they have never seen or heard before.  Pastor Ben, Pastor Jeremy and my self, along with our families, will set out on a journey to win souls, and to be family.  Will we mess up? Sure.  Will we learn? Everyday.  Will we succeed? All for His Glory.  I can not wait to be amazed by God’s power.

So now the steps begin.  The road is filled with fear, but shall be overcome by faith.  We do this by remembering who has called us.  Just as Peter was taking those shaky steps on the turbulent water, what kept him going was the person he was walking too.  It is going to be rough road but when it is all said and done we will have taken a city, a state, a country, and the world by storm. All because of one STEP!

His Servant,

Billy W Tisko

A Duck, is a Duck!

Let us begin with a story,  I have these two certain friends of mine who have consulted me regard the issue of relationships.  Now I love these two people, but their situation got me thinking about our Christian walk.  See, if you were to go up to one of these individuals and ask if they are dating they would look at you like you were crazy and give you a solid “No!”  Now get this, these two talk everyday, text every hour, they always sit together, they hang out, and one even takes time out of the day to bring the other lunch.  Some of you may not agree with me on this one but in my opinion this is a relationship, that goes beyond a normal friend to friend relationship.  What I tried to relay to these two is you can say one thing but your actions say other.  It is like this, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, guess what it is a duck!

In life it is not your words that define who you are, but it is your actions.  Too many times, as Christians, we give God glorified “lip service”.  Lip service is nothing more than a front for good expectations.  The problem lies in that if you tell yourself  a lie enough times you will become the lie.  We promote Jesus with our lips but deny Him with our actions.  We say all the right things, which creates a good feeling of  ”Spirituality” but do nothing to back it up.  I am going to go out on a limb and say it is not totally the persons fault, it is their Christian friends.  You say, “what do they have to do with their situation?” What ever happen to Accountability? We have become soft as Christians and feel it is rude to keep someone accountable.  ”I don’t want to hurt their feelings?” Your true friends are the ones that are not afraid to keep you accountable, even if it hurts your feelings.

First, I challenge you today to take a look at yourself.  Have you lied to yourself about who you really are?  Look, you will never grow in your walk with Christ believing in a lie you created!  Find out who you really are. Next, if you have a true friend who has turned themselves into a lie.  Ask God to instruct you in a loving way to keep them accountable.  It is our duty as Christians.

A Student of Christ,

BWT