In An Instant, Changed Eternally

There is very common misconception among people, especially believers, that there will be time between hearing the trumpet announcing the Lord’s coming and His actual appearance to repent, get saved or make amends for all the horrible things done in this life.  Everything about this idea is wrong and will lead to much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the future.

To begin with, the only trumpet that pertains to Christians is the trumpet that is recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15.  In both instances the same event is being described.  This event is commonly known as the rapture or gathering together.  Many thought until recently that this event was for all believers, but the Holy Spirit has made in perfectly clear that this is for the remnant; the faithful in Christ Jesus.

Only those who remain faithful to Him until the end will even hear this trumpet.  No unbeliever will hear anything.  Those who claim to be in Christ but have proven themselves to be unfaithful will hear nothing.  Those who insist on straddling the fence, playing both ends against the middle and otherwise live life in the state of being lukewarm will hear nothing.  For all those who refuse to fully commit themselves in this current life to Christ Jesus; the silence of God will be the only thing ringing in their ears. 

History is full of accounts of people on their deathbed finally supposedly getting saved.  Whether they really repented and confessed with their mouth that Jesus was their Lord and that God raised Him from the dead or not; only God knows.  But, the vast majority of those who claim to have “seen the light” and given their life to Jesus moments before death do so only to get an insurance policy just in case all the crazy Christians really were right.  It is highly doubtful any of those people really were saved.

Before the trumpet sounds and we which are alive at His coming meet Him in the air; Gabriel the arch-angel shouts.  What he shouts is not known, but it will probably be something like “WAKE UP”, for the Bible says the dead in Christ rise first and THEN we which are alive and remain hear the trumpet.  All those who have lived before us and died as faithful saints will hear the shout of Gabriel to get up.  No one else hears the shout besides those it is intended for.

Once the dead in Christ have put on immortality then we which are alive have the greatest experience anyone could ever have.  In the amount of time it takes to split an atom; in the amount of time it takes for the eye to twinkle; in a literal INSTANT, the following happens:

1.       Our physical body is vaporized

2.       We receive a body fashioned unto that which Jesus received after the resurrection       

3.       We are translated to a place in the air

4.       We are in the presence of Jesus seeing Him face to face

In other words we are sitting in a chair looking out the window.  We hear a trumpet and in an instant we are totally changed.  Our entire physical make-up is changed.  We are literally vaporized and the body of sin and sickness and death is disintegrated instantly and at that same instant we receive our eternal perfect spiritual body that will never feel pain, never get sick and never die. 

In that same instant we receive the perfectly renewed mind that is incapable of thinking evil or ungodly thoughts.  We are, in an instant, totally and 100% changed.  That is the promise of 1 Corinthians 15 and we have every legal right to stand on that promise and believe it with all our heart and mind.  We are changed into what Jesus already is and has been since God raised Him from the dead.  In the amount of time it takes to blink; we go from having a body that is full of imperfections, pain, disease and death to a resurrected and glorious body as perfect as Jesus Christ’s.

In that same instant we depart this earth and instantaneously are transported into the very presence of Jesus Christ.  One minute we are looking out the window and the next instant we are looking directly into the eyes of Jesus Christ.  Nothing electrifies me faster than the realization that at any moment, the next thing I know is that I am in my Lord’s presence, face to face.  Now we see through a glass darkly, but then “face to face” 1 Corinthians 13 promises us. 

This event should really be called the appearing of Jesus Christ because that is exactly what happens.  The trumpet sounds and the next instant we see the Lord’s face in the air.  Let me ask you the most important question you have ever been asked in your life.  Think about this, don’t get distracted.

If you somehow knew that in 3 seconds you were going to see the Lord Jesus Christ face to face; how would you feel in your heart?  If there was anything other than absolute anticipation and humility you need to repent.  1 John 3 gives us the promise of our heart not condemning us at His appearing.  We need to do whatever it takes in our fellowship to get to the point we have NOTHING to be ashamed of.  We cannot be as Adam and Eve and dread hearing the footsteps of our God. 

Anything causing you shame, fear, anxiety or dread needs to be dealt with NOW.  DO NOT WAIT for the next revival.  Do not wait for the next church altar call.  Do not wait for your next vacation or day off.  NOW is the time to deal with conclusively any and all sin and darkness in your life.  You know what causes you shame.  You don’t need anyone else to tell you.  You know what sends chills down your neck when you think of seeing the Lord Jesus face to face.  Whatever it is that is causing you shame and fear DEAL WITH IT NOW.

If your heart condemns you, then you have no confidence before Him at His coming.  You won’t be there.  You won’t hear the trumpet.  You will still be waiting to deal with situations long after it will do any good.  If you are born again, you have laid before you the offer to be changed when He appears.  Do you want it?  He wants you to be there with Him.   He wants you to see His glorious and face and gaze into His loving eyes.  He wants you to hear Him say; “Well Done, good and faithful servant”.

What could this life hold that is any greater than the prospect of being changed and embarking on an eternity of glory?  What charm and appeal could this life offer that could be any greater than that of being for ever more with our Lord?  Cast off the sin that does so easily draw you off course and run with patience the race that is set before you.  You have need of patience that after you have stood faithfully in this life for Him, you might receive His reward.  He wants you to have it.

What the Bible says about WARNINGS

We all, from a very early age, are told over and over again to “BE CAREFUL” by our loving parents.  They told this not to make our life miserable (although we all thought so at the time), but rather because they loved us and didn’t want any harm or hurt to come to us.  Many times the exhortation to “BE CAREFUL” was in conjunction with a command of some type such as “Look both ways before crossing the street” or “Don’t talk to strangers”.  The command simply designated a potential source of danger.

The commands given before embarking on a walk in the park vs. a walk through a jungle would be quite different.  Before going through the park, exhortations would be given to “Be Careful” about not getting into the poison ivy or to “watch out” for creepy looking adults or joggers with their heads down.  These would all constitute potential dangers for the person going on a casual walk through the park.

The person who has to walk through the jungle has entirely different things to worry about than poison ivy or distracted joggers.  In the jungle attention must be paid to various kinds of wild animals that would gladly devour the person for breakfast.  Attention must be given to vines and other vegetation that could trip or strangle the person walking.  Of course heat and humidity have to watched out for along with insects.  Obviously there are far more things to be careful about in the jungle than in the park.

Warning signs are put up for a reason.  They do not simply appear to aggravate people.  Although many are a nuisance, they are there because there is a very real and present danger.  Various road signs are put up to give the driver plenty of advance notice as to a situation that COULD cause potential problems.  The sign doesn’t say there IS a problem, just the potential of one. 

There are many places where a sign states that there could be rock slides ahead.  It simply is alerting the driver to the potential of rocks on the highway.  Of course the most common sign deals with those mysterious places where somehow deer know to cross.  Other signs warn of the potential of slow moving traffic, of high water on the road and other scenarios that COULD be present if the conditions were just right.  “Slippery when wet” certainly doesn’t pertain to a bright sunny day.

God’s Word is full of various “WARNINGS”.  Whenever you see the word “warn” or “warning” in the Bible, there should be an immediate flashing light go off in your mind.  If you were driving down a country road and saw a blinking yellow traffic signal, what does it mean?  For most drivers it means absolutely nothing and they barrel through the intersection as if there were no light at all.  But, for those who are trying to obey the laws, the blinking yellow light means to slow down for there is a dangerous intersection ahead.  The signal designates the spot to be where caution must be used.

When Paul stopped by Miletus to meet with the elders of the church at Ephesus in Acts 20; he had these very important words to say to them in Acts 20:27-31:

“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with His own blood.

For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock,

Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

For THREE years Paul did not cease to WARN everyone NIGHT and DAY with tears.  Does this not tell us very clearly that it is vitally important to be WARNED of various things as believers?  Of course Paul taught the believers and prayed for them and tenderly bound up their wounds.  But, of all the things Paul did for 3 years, the greatest was that he ceased not to WARN them every time he saw them of things that could distract, seduce or destroy them.

Paul writes to the Roman believers the following in Romans 15:14:

“Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to ADMONISH one another.”

The word ADMONISH is the same as WARN in Acts 20.  We are to WARN one another.  We are not to sit back and wait for some spiritual leader to do all the warning.  No, we are to grow up in our knowledge and be filled with goodness so we are able to WARN each other.  This is a huge part of what it means to love one another.  Love does all it can to warn and help another from hurting himself or others.

In Colossians Paul says in chapter 1 in verse 28:

“Him (Christ) we preach, WARNING every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Three times “every man” is used in this verse.  First we PREACH Christ, then we WARN every man, then we TEACH every man with the goal of PRESENTING every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  There you have the very reason for our reaching out with the gospel and love of Christ.

A very important verse to understanding this subject is Colossians 3:16:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

We strive to so allow the Word of Christ to live in us richly that with great wisdom we teach and WARN each other through yelling at each other?  NO.  Through “getting in each other’s face”?  No.  Through, of all things;

1.       Psalms

2.       Hymns

3.       Spiritual songs

4.       Singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord

I don’t know if this means we are to sing to each other, but if you can sing—go for it.  This verse always reminds me of the great musicals where instead of talking to each other, they sing to each other.  Whether Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Oliver or Grease; they spent much of the show singing to each other and singing about their thoughts and plans.  We need a good and accurate Jesus Christ musical instead of JC Superstar.

Paul, in his closing remarks to the Thessalonians says in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14:

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and ADMONISH you,

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.  Be at peace among yourselves.

Now we exhort you, brethren, WARN those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”

Part of being an overseer is to WARN the flock of impending danger.  But, every believer has the responsibility of WARNING those who are unruly and who disrupt the peaceful fellowship of the saints.  In fact, the entire section of instructions found in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 are directed towards EACH individual believer and not just the elders. 

Finally in 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul tells the believers in verses 13 through 15:

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Yet do not count him as an enemy, but ADMONISH him as a brother.”

Those who chose to not obey the Word’s commands should be “noted” and more or less “avoided”.  They are not to be considered an enemy, for that is not loving.  But, they should be WARNED as a brother would warn another brother.   Love involves far more than gently patting a wounded person on the back while telling them all will be well.  Yes, the comfort side of love does this.  But, the exhortation side of love many times must WARN a person where their attitude or behavior is leading them.

Love demands we get involved and at least TRY to stop someone from destroying their life.  We may not succeed, for each person has the free will to do as they please; but at least we tried to WARN them first.  The watchman on the wall in Ezekiel was to sound the WARNING when he saw the enemy approach.  A huge part of the love we have for each other is to do be the watchman on the wall and sound the alarm when someone we love is about to fall off the cliff or get run over by the devil’s tank.  Warning is being loving when it is needed.

 

 

Victory Through Faith; 1 John 5

We can quote scriptures all day long to each other about being “more than a conqueror” but unless one knows HOW to be such a thing, what good is it.  What is one to more than conquer?  Who is one to conquer?  In what arena is this referring?  Paul wrote this verse in Romans 8.  It was the same Paul who described just some of his ordeals in 2 Corinthians11; why did he not “more than conquer” all those things that made him suffer?

Strong Christians write their personal battles on this site all the time.  They have been taught the Bible and can quote it with the rest of us.  Yet, they are still facing life and death situations which in their minds many times have no clear cut solutions.  Are we to blame them as being a bad Christian because they are not “more than conquering” their personal enemies?  Much of conservative Christianity does just that.

We all fight battles everyday of our lives.  These battles may be in our minds with doubts, fears, anger or bitterness; or they may be physical battles with sickness and disease.  The battles may be with a sour relationship with one’s spouse or parents or children or boss or pastor or neighbor.  The battles may be with the pressure of lack of money to pay bills or the temptation to go after the big bucks through gambling or unethical jobs.  The battles we all face rip us up and tear us apart many times for we are human.

Jesus Christ is our Savior.  He paid the price for all our sin so that we can be reconciled to God and receive the gift of eternal life.  He gave His life to win for us freedom from the penalty of sin which is death.  He now lives in us as the “hope of glory” and has given us the promise that “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.”  Yes, these are wonderful promises to know, but applying them in everyday life is certainly far more difficult than simply memorizing the verse.

John wrote these amazing verses in his first epistle.  In 1 John 5:4,5 it says:

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.

Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

The Greek word for victory is “nike” which means conquest or victory.  The word for overcome is “nikeo” which is the verb form of “nike”.  This word is used 6 times in 1 John and another 12 times in Revelation.  Obviously this is a concept related to the end times. 

Notice what this victory is in reference to.  It is not speaking here in 1 John 5 in reference to the devil, antichrists (as in 1 John 4:4) or other spiritual enemies.  It says the victory is over the world.  And what allows us to receive this victory?  Our faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Please look at the following two verses closely in 1 John 2:13 and 14:

“I write to you fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.  I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one.  I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.

I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.  I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you.  And you have overcome the wicked one.”

It is truly very significant that in both verses that which is said about “fathers” is that they have known Him who is from the beginning; “In the beginning, God…”  Isn’t it interesting that in reference to “young men” the statement concerning overcoming the wicked one is put in the past tense?  How have they been able to overcome the wicked one?  Because they are strong and the word of God abides in them. 

It is the strong young men who are to serve in the Lord’s army on the front lines complete with the assurance they have the victory over the wicked one.  The older “fathers” are to simply rest in their experiential knowledge of all God and Jesus are, can do and have done.  The little children know only that the Father God loves them. 

Time and space do not allow me to go into the spiritual significance of these verses other than to say they provide the basic structure for these current hours as far as responsibilities.  Fathers (older believers, both age and maturity) are the commanding officers and elders; the young men who are strong and able to handle the stress and strain of hand to hand combat are the ones who are to be out there daily reaching out to the lost and fighting the enemy at every turn.  The little children are to bask in the Father’s love and concern themselves with love and prayer and compassion.

The verses we saw in chapter 5 were for all believers.  Unlike chapter two, the victory is not over the wicked one but over the world.  There is a huge difference.  What is the world?  1 John 2:16, 17 says:

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Through our faith in Jesus Christ being the Son of God, we have victory over the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.  As far as everything else, we need the young men to rise up and be the great warriors who take on the wicked one, for they have been given the promise of victory.

We can win the battles in our minds, bodies, finances and relationships if we manifest our faith in Jesus Christ.  But, if we veer off course and allow the pollution of this world to corrupt our minds, bodies, finances and relationships; we are in for difficult times for sure.  It is of vital importance in these last times that we put on the truth of God’s Word and allow His pure light to bathe our hearts and minds and give us the rock solid faith upon which we can STAND and see the victory God has promised us. 

Listen to Wisdom–Proverbs Chapter Eight

Proverbs 8 is a wonderful example of a poetic device employed to add emphasis to what is being written.  In this chapter, as elsewhere in Proverbs, wisdom is personified.  Instead of being spoken about, it is the one doing the speaking.  A current batch of commercials employs this device where tires and other parts of a car are demanding to be taken to a car dealer to be serviced.  We all know tires can’t talk, but it makes for a better commercial.

Wisdom is not human and thus cannot speak on its own.  Wisdom is personified allows it to speak directly for itself and to the heart of the one listening.  When reading the various sections of Proverbs were wisdom speaks, special attention should be paid for the figure of speech being used designates the section as being “especially noteworthy”.

The wisdom books of the Old Testament were given in the same light as having a person “sage” or wise man.  Wise men were called on to give advice to kings and to instruct the young.  They dealt with practical matters and specifically the book of Proverbs was written to give advice to young people on how to behave in order to live prosperous and happy lives.  Of all the books in the Bible, Proverbs is the one specifically addressed to youth.  Of all the books in the Bible for young people to diligently study and learn, Proverbs would be the best.

The first chapter of Proverbs lays out the reason for the book and benefits of learning what it says.  In Proverbs chapter one it says in verses 1 through 7:

“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding,

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity;

To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion—

A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

To understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

One must always remember that Solomon was told by God he could have anything he wanted and Solomon asked for wisdom.  The wisdom being shared in Proverbs is the very wisdom of God that Solomon requested.  It is not Solomon’s earthly wisdom; it is straight from the very heart of God.  In verse 8 the basic manner of instruction in Proverbs is set forth. 

“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.”

The idea of a father instructing his son on how to prepare for life in the world represents the tone of the whole book.  Proverbs is likened unto sitting down at the feet of the wisest parents who ever lived and hearing them share all the things they have learned about life in their many years of living.  For the most part, the tone of Proverbs is set in this manner with the exceptions of those places where wisdom is personified.  Thus, those sections take on significant extra meaning.

The entire eighth chapter of Proverbs is extremely uplifting as it shows all the wonderful elements of wisdom.  I did want to highlight a few verses that are especially meaningful and relevant.  In verses 10 and 11 we see:

“Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold;

For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.”

These are very strong words coming from a man who was the wealthiest man on earth.   Knowledge, instruction and wisdom are more to be sought after than silver, gold and rubies.  In fact, wisdom and understanding should be more desired than anything in life.  Solomon could say this for that is exactly what he did when asked by God what he wanted most.

The same basic truth was taught by Jesus when he said to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all else would be added.  David said the same basic thing in Psalms37:4 when he said to “delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”  It is quite clear that when we seek God, the wisdom of God and the things of God; good things will come to pass.  Verse 19 reinforces this truth:

“My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver.”

Sometime read verses 20 through 31 for an amazing testimony to the power of and value of wisdom.  Knowledge is invaluable, but wisdom is essential to ever live righteously and walk in a manner which glorifies God.  Verses 32 through 36 act as bridge to close the discussion of wisdom’s merits in chapter 8 and leads to warnings of chapter 9.  I leave you this time with these final five verses of chapter 8:

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children.  For blessed are those who keep my ways.

Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it.

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord.

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.”

Wisdom is certainly something to desire, strive for and pray for God to grant us.  Blessed is the person smart enough to listen to the voice of wisdom.  Blessed is the person who is meek enough to listen to the voice of wisdom.  Blessed in the person who listens to wisdom.

   

Proverb For The Day–Proverbs 28

Many years ago, and for many years I used to read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponded with the day of the month.  That of course is very easy to do since Proverbs conveniently has 31 chapters.  Since Proverbs was written to provide wisdom, especially in practical matters dealt with daily, it is an excellent book to read and study on a regular basis.

Today, being the 28^th of the month, means that Proverbs 28 is the chapter to look at.  Right off the bat in verse 1 is a great truth.  Reading from the NIV:

“The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

This verse comes from a section in Leviticus26 that people don’t like reading because it is negative.  If we don’t read all the sections of God’s Word that talk about consequences of unbelief, what we have left is a positive thinking program that is NOT God’s Word.  We HAVE to accept the consequences of unbelief along with the blessings of obedience.  That is the way God set it up to work.  Leviticus 26:14-17 is the section upon which Proverbs 28 is based:

“But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands,

And if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws, and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant,

Then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life.  You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.

I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.”

Pure panic manifests itself though running, scared to death, from an imaginary enemy.  The earmark of someone enslaved to fear is when they are petrified by something that is not really there.  God made it perfectly clear that among the problems to be encountered after deliberate disobedience is the terror of THINKING one is being pursued, but in reality there is nothing or no one there.

Back in Proverbs 28, it says in verse 2:

“When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.”

Because of Israel’s continual disobedience, there was a revolving door of leadership many times.  Kings rarely stayed in power for very long because they were killed by disloyal subjects or children.  In contrast to this, a wise ruler is able to successfully rule and maintain order through the insight and understanding God gives them.  A very important verse in this chapter is verse 3:

“A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.”

Gentle rain is very good for crops but heavy, driving rain many times ruins the entire crop.  God does not want those who rule over the people, either governmentally or spiritually to oppress the poor.  He forbids the exploitation of downtrodden people for self-gains.  Leaders are to help, bless and advocate for the oppressed.  Leaders are NEVER to USE the poor and disadvantaged for anything.  A very important principle is found in verse 5:

“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.”

Evil and corrupt people just don’t get what justice is all about.  They do everything they can to circumvent justice, manipulate judges and through extortion and fraud make a mockery of the entire judicial system.  Justice is a foreign concept to those who are inherently corrupt.  Verse 8 provides great insight into what millions of “money launderers” have to look forward to:

“He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.”

Many times throughout the Old Testament God forbids the practice of charging excess interest on loans.  The policy of charging outlandish interest is nothing but extortion Biblically.  Those found guilty of this type of oppression will see all they have amassed end up being taken from them and given to the very people it was stolen from to begin with.  Contrary to evil men, God DOES understand justice.  Verse 9 confronts hypocrisy:

“If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.”

People who think they can reject the Word of God and get by on their long prayers and apparent “righteousness” are in for a rude awakening one day.  If a person refuses to listen to and obey the Word of God; all that persons prayers are detestable in God’s sight.  Verse 10 confronts those who say “Do as I say but not as I do”:

“He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.”

Verse 11 is very important in understanding the different perspectives God gives to the rich and poor:

“A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.”

It is truly amazing how many “common” folk can “see right through” the facades the arrogant put up.  The rich person thinks he is fooling everyone with his façade, but in reality the poorest people are usually the ones who can spot the counterfeit a mile away.  Verse 12 is extremely important in light of the upcoming elections:

“When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.”

There are candidates running for President in this country that if elected will force many good people to go into hiding.  Many times in the Old Testament men and women of God were forced to hide from evil and corrupt rulers whose only agenda was the elimination of all who lived righteously.  Elijah had to hide from Ahab and Jezebel for years and Joash was hidden for six years during the reign of the wicked king Athaliah.  Verse 13 is extremely important in light of sin and mercy:

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Notice it is not just a matter of confessing sin but also renouncing it.  True repentance is far more than just saying “I’m sorry”.  That is good starting point to repenting, but it never happens until there is a change of heart, mind or behavior.  Renouncing the sin that hinders, distracts and defeats us is vital to enjoying the prosperity and wholeness God desires us to receive.  Verse 14 builds upon the preceeding verse:

“Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.”

How many times have we seen people “harden their heart” due to bitterness, resentment or being hurt.  It never pays to harden your heart.  As this verse says, it will lead to “trouble”.  Hard hearts are breeding grounds for all sorts of horrible attitudes and actions.  Medically, it has been proven that many diseases have their root in hard and bitter hearts.  One of my favorite verses in Proverbs is found in verse 19:

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”

If you have land, you are to work it and grow food on it.  Land is not something to just “look at”.  It appalls me to see how few people still plant a vegetable garden.  Not only is it therapeutic to work in a garden, it provides fresh produce for months of the year.  The problem is many people spend all their time “chasing fantasies” instead of living in the “real world”.  Those who live in a realm that does not exist except in their own minds will surely suffer poverty.  Verse 20 says:

“A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”

The world is full of “get rich quick” schemes that are doomed to failure.  The old “pyramid” marketing schemes were so devious they were declared illegal.  Many kids go to college for the sole purpose of making a quick million upon graduating so they can “retire” at age 35 and live the rest of their life in the lap of luxury.  Maybe a few succeed, but the vast majority fall flat on their face and end up slaving away until they are 65 before retiring on “peanuts”.  Verse 22 says:

“A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.”

Only those who learn to give away what God has blessed them with every truly get “rich”.  Those who hoard every penny and live as a pauper even though they have millions are living epistles of this verse.  In verse 24 is a truth that I wish families would print on the walls of their homes:

“He who robs his father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong”—he is partner to him who destroys.”

Many children seem to think it is perfectly fine to rob their parents blind and never think it is wrong.  Stealing from your parents makes one a partner with the devil himself.  Verse 26 says:

“He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.”

The overwhelming majority of people today trust in themselves for everything.  The overwhelming majority of people today are fools.  Verse 27 says:

“He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.”

Herein lies my purpose in writing this post.  There is an emerging crisis taking place in this country.  As the economy constricts, people have quit giving to the poor.  This is dangerous territory to explore.  This country has always taken care of those without.  If it ceases to help those who are sick, disabled, elderly and unable to take care of themselves; then God will cease blessing this country and the alternative to Him blessing is to receive many curses.  One of those curses is verse 28, which repeats the very thing said in verse 12.  When something is said twice in the Word of God it is CONFIRMED:

“When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.”

Part of the curse of not caring for the poor is that wicked people rise to power who in turn exploit the poor for their own gain.  The righteous end up having to go into hiding to stay alive.  In due time the righteous become bold as a lion again and the wicked people run and hide from imaginary enemies.

Let us pray for God’s blessing on this country and that whoever emerges as the candidates in the upcoming election, that they look to God, and are committed to helping those who are poor and oppressed.  God does not honor political parties.  He looks on the heart and so should we.

Have the Faith of God

Faith is one of those words which has many different definitions.  Biblically, one must determine by the context whether faith is referring to “the faith of Jesus Christ”, the “family of faith” or “firm belief”.  There is no greater verse in the Bible dealing with faith as an act of utter and complete belief than Hebrews 11:1 where it says:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

The word translated “substance” is the Greek word “hupostasis”.  The word basically means “essence, substance, reality; that which is the basis of something; hence, guarantee or confidence.”  In other words, the word means “documentable proof, thus providing a guarantee”.    I believe it was James Moulton who first started using the term “title deed” as the appropriate translation of this word. 

A title deed provides proof of ownership.  If you can produce the title deed to a property, then you can prove you own that property.  When making the dreaded trip to the DMV to get tags for a new vehicle; you must have the title for the vehicle or it will never become yours.  A title is the legal proof you own something, even if it is a thousand miles away.  If you have the title, the property is yours. 

When a person buys a car and finances it through a bank or other facility; the title goes to the bank and stays there until the car is paid off.  Although you have the car, drive the car, pay taxes on the car, etc; you do not own the car until there is no longer a lien against it.  As long as money is owed on the car, it never really is yours.  The same thing happens with mortgages on homes.  Until the home is paid off, the mortgage holder is the real owner of the house.

Hebrews 11:1 states that faith is the title deed of things “hoped for”.  This hope is really nothing more than what we are praying for.  When we pray, we have faith that what we are praying about comes to pass.  That faith is our title deed to what we are praying for.  It is also the “evidence” of things not seen.  The word translated “evidence” is an obscure Greek word only used one other place in the New Testament.  The word literally means “to convict, or conviction”.   It is a legal word that is used as a figure of speech here in Hebrews.  It would be better translated “certain persuasion” although many versions translate it “conviction”.

Faith, that mysterious word with a truckload of different meanings, is the title deed and certain persuasion of things prayed for and not yet seen.  Every great person of faith who ever lived knew by experience what this verse was talking about.  In fact, the entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews is devoted to those who from God’s perspective were men and women of faith.  Everyone mentioned or mentioned by name in Hebrews 11 practiced verse 1 and that is what enabled them to make into the “Faith Hall of Fame”.

Think of dearly beloved Peter.  Out in their boat at night, the disciples think they see a ghost standing on the water.  Peter thinks it might be Jesus, but isn’t quite sure.  He calls out to this ghost and demands that if he is really Jesus, then tell him to walk on the water to him.  Ah, Peter knew that only Jesus would really tell him to do it.  I am quite sure Peter was not expecting any reply.  Much to his surprise, the Master told him ONE WORD; “COME”.  The word of God doesn’t always have to be 2000 words.  Sometimes it is only ONE word.

Once Peter had the Word Of God, he either needed to believe it or reject it.  Without so much as even thinking about the consequences, Peter climbed out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus.  Even as he was climbing out, the voices of the other disciples were ringing through his mind.  “Don’t do it Pete”, “You are going to sink”, “Think of your Mom, Peter”; everywhere and from all directions he was being bombarded with all the good reasons NOT to walk out on faith to Jesus.

Once you receive the Word of God in your life, start walking.  Don’t wait around for detailed instructions as to how to get out of the boat and how to handle walking on waves.  Just DO IT!!  Peter got out of the boat and immediately started walking on the water.  When he took that first step of faith, he literally believed what Jesus had said to him was true.  In his case, Peter did not need a title deed, but rather a plank, and he got one.  Peter’s faith in the word of God given to him by Jesus was the guarantee he would not sink when he tried to walk on the water.

Peter did begin to sink only when he “lost the faith” by getting distracted and looking at the waves instead of the Lord Jesus.  When we glue our eyes upon the Lord and fasten ourselves to the word He gives us; we can walk on water.  We can do whatever it is that God sets before us to do if we have complete faith it came from God and is directed to us. 

Nowhere is faith more completely taught, than by Jesus after he has cursed the fig tree and it died overnight.  In Mark 11:22 it says:

“And Jesus answering said unto them, Have faith in God.”

Some manuscripts omit this verse, some have it as it is recorded in the KJV and still others would have it read; “Have the faith of God”.  Wow, what a concept that is!   To have the faith of God is certainly beyond our mortal mind’s ability to comprehend.  How much faith does God have?  Hebrews 11:3 says:

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed (prepared) by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

God had to literally create everything as He prepared the ages and fashioned the universe.  God spoke, and things that were not there came into being.  That is faith!  As Genesis 1 repeatedly says; “and God said…” and it came to pass.  God spoke His Word and it came to pass because of His faith.  Oh how glorious life would be for us all if we could “have the faith of God”!  If we could, then back in Mark 11 it goes on to say in verses 23 and 24:

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive and you shall have them.”

Faith is powerful.  Prayer without faith is like a boat without an oar.  When we pray, we need to manifest the “faith of God” in order to see the mountains moved and the things prayed for come to pass.  I think we all know that faith is vital to seeing results when we pray.  But, did you ever notice what the next two verses in Mark say, immediately after these verses on prayer?  Look at verses 25 and 26 squarely in the context of having the faith of God:

“And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Holy something or other; it takes the “faith of God” to forgive others for those things they have done against you and to believe the Father has forgiven you.  Do we need to forgive others?  We do if we want our Father to forgive us.  Honestly, it takes just as much faith to conquer bitterness and resentment and forgive as it does to move a mountain or expect results in prayer. 

All these things are humanly impossible, but with God, they are possible.  It takes faith to forgive for it goes against our very nature.  It takes faith to believe, for the senses say it is impossible.  It takes faith to conquer the doubts that keep us from seeing God’s Word come to pass in our lives for they gnaw away at us like gnats in the summer.  Have the faith of God!

God So Loved…

There is a good reason why God chose to call the experience of getting saved the “new birth” or getting “born again”.  These phrases carry with them the connotation of a fresh start or a new beginning.  When we get born again, it is as if we were allowed to start life over again.  Not physically, for that is impossible, but spiritually we are “born again”. 

In the third chapter of the Gospel of John, a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus in the night to privately ask him some questions without the other Pharisees around to judge or condemn him.  The first thing he does is acknowledge that Jesus is a teacher from God and that God was with him.  Jesus answered and said to Nicodemus in verse 3:

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This was obviously not what Nicodemus expected to hear, for it was concept totally foreign to his thinking.  He responded as anyone would upon hearing about being “born again”. 

“Nicodemus said unto him, how can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

You can tell he was truly puzzled by the idea of getting “born again”.  Looking at it from the senses point of view, it is not possible for an old man to climb back into his mother’s womb and proceed to get “born again”.  I am sure Nicodemus was wondering why he was even there.  What kind of silly theology was Jesus promoting?  Who ever heard of getting “born again?”

Jesus proceeded elaborate on this subject in verses 5-8:

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:  so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

Verse 8 is very cumbersome in the King James Version.  Reading from the Beck Translation it says:

“The wind blows where it pleases and you hear the sound of it, but you don’t know where it’s coming from or where it’s going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

All Nicodemus could say in response to this was; “How can these things be?”  Please keep in mind that Nicodemus according to verse one was a “ruler of the Jews”.  He was a teacher in Israel and sat on the Jewish court.  He should have been able to figure out what Jesus was speaking about.

After reproving Nicodemus in verses 10-13, Jesus lays out the simple truth of who he is, why he is there and how to get saved.  Please allow me to read verses 14-21 from the Williams Translation which is an older translation in the language of the people:

“And just as Moses in the desert lifted the serpent on the pole, the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life.

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His Only Son, so that anyone who trusts in him may never perish but have eternal life.

For God sent His Son into the world, not to pass sentence on it, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Whoever trusts in Him is never to come up for judgment; but whoever does not trust in Him has already received his sentence, because he has not trusted in the name of God’s only Son.

And the ground for the sentence is this, that the light has come into the world, and yet, because their actions were evil, men have loved darkness more than the light.

For anyone who is in the habit of doing wrong hates the light, and to keep his actions from being reproved, he does not come out into the daylight.

But whoever is in the habit of living the truth will come out in the daylight that his actions may be shown to be performed with God’s help.”

The record abruptly ends at this time.  There is no hint as to the response of Nicodemus to hearing this incredible dissertation.  If he was as smart as it appears, I am sure he took what Jesus said to heart and in due time got “born again”.

Whoever trusts in Jesus to be their Savior sent by God can receive that which Jesus came to make available; eternal life.  If a person loves habitually doing wrong, he will hate the light.  He will hide in the darkness and never see the light of glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ for fear of having his habits reproved.

Whoever loves habitually living the truth will gladly come out in the daylight so everyone can see that what he is doing is done with God’s help and through His power.  Evil people doing evil things hide what they are doing under the cloak of darkness.  Righteous people doing righteous things gladly do what they do in the light of day so God can be glorified.

God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son.  He allowed His beloved Son to be nailed on the cross to give up his life for our sins.  God loved the world so much that He rejected the natural Fatherly instinct to “save His son from death”.  God loved the world so much that He, with great sorrow, did not grant His Son the request of “If there be any other way to do this”.  God loved the world so much that He watched with agony as His only Son was beaten, abused, tortured, mocked, scorned, spit upon, degraded, debased and subjected to every sadistic urge known to man.  God loved the world so much that He stood by in heaven and allowed His only Son to die. 

Jesus loved us so much that he willingly went through all he had to suffer in order to redeem us.  Jesus loved us so much that he subjected himself to unfathomable abuse, torture and degradation so that God could legally justify us and declare us righteous when we get born again.  Jesus loved us so much that he allowed himself to be treated worse than any criminal who ever lived in order to set us free.  Jesus loved us so much that he laid down his life so that we might live.

Please, my friends, let us never lose sight of the incredible love shown to us by God when He gave us His Son.  Let us never forget for an instant the love of our Savior Jesus Christ as shown by his willingness to “lay it all on the line” for us.  Love so amazing and so Devine demands our life, our heart and our all.  Love so amazing and so Devine was demonstrated so we could get “born again” and receive eternal life.  Praise God and thank you Jesus for loving us enough to allow us into your Kingdom.  Amen.

    

The High Price of Commitment

I deplore religion.  I deplore those who use religion to promote 100% secular causes.  I deplore religious people who don’t have one ounce of Christian blood inside them.  I am a Christian and I am proud of it.  My citizenship is not of this world and I do not pledge my allegiance to any nation or government of man.  My king is Jesus Christ and to Him and Him alone I am committed.  No institution of man, no religious ruling authority, no principality or power has any right to my heart or dominion over my soul. 

Those who wish to cower in the shadows and hide from the stomping boots of agents bent on the destruction of “Christians” should be the first ones shot.  They are a disgrace to those who gave their lives as martyrs for Christ.  Cowards run for cover when the enemy approaches.  Cowards should be the first ones fed to the hungry lions.

I am very tired of “playing religious games” with people who never have or ever will know and love Jesus Christ as a true Christian does.  “Religious” people are not Christians simply because they practice some religion.  Christianity is not a religion; it is a way of life.  Christianity is a FAITH, not a system of rules or traditions of men.

I pray the next time some crazed madman aims his automatic weapon at people that he would first dare any Christians to be first in line to be shot.  I would pray that there would be some who value their King more than their physical lives.  I would pray there would be some willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for God.  Oh how I pray there will always be a few true Christians around to show the enemy he cannot intimidate everyone.

I thank God for those who have served in the military.  I understand the concept of fighting for freedom.  I also understand that in spiritual warfare, there is only one thing the enemy understands and that is boldness.  Peter speaks of our foe as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  A lion’s roar freezes its prey in their tracks.  Out of fear they stop and the lion has an easy lunch.  When the lion roars, roar back at him.  Don’t just stand there shaking in your boots.  Take out the sword of the spirit and cut off his tail as a souvenir of your encounter!

Fear freezes people and renders them easy prey for the enemy.  Animal experts say that if a wild animal senses fear in its victim, it will immediately attack them.   So what if the enemy snarls and growls madly.  Snarl and growl right back at him.  No fear has to be a true Christian’s ironclad rule of combat.  If the enemy senses fear, he will immediately go for the jugular.

I am not the least bit afraid of dying.  I especially look forward to the day when I am hauled before the authorities and given the choice of renouncing my faith or being killed.  I would count it my greatest honor in life to give my life on behalf of my king.  There is nothing in this life worth compromising my faith for.  My life is not my own, for I have been bought with a price.  If the greatest thing I can do with this life is give it as a sacrifice to my King; so be it.

In the past 8 months there has been a rash of shooting sprees.  First there was Virginia Tech, and then there was Finland, then Minnesota and now Colorado.  Out of nowhere a wild person suddenly opens fire on innocent bystanders.  Is this a bad thing?  Of course it is, and the latest incident bears out where this is heading.  The gunman in Colorado stated on his pre-killing internet post that he was going out to kill as many Christians as he could.  He hated Christians and his hate bred murder.  This started with Cain and continues unto the present.

 Cain hated his brother Abel and his intense hatred motivated Cain to kill Abel.  The devil hated Christ and the devil hates true Christians for they represent Christ now.  Anyone who is daring to walk as He walked and talk as He talked is at the top of the devil’s hit list.  John 10:10 states that the devil’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.  He lives and breathes to disrupt and destroy true Christian’s lives.  He plots and plans circumstances to hinder, distract and burden those on his “list”.  He maneuvers people and situations around to present roadblocks, diversions and other things all for the purpose of thwarting God’s plans.  The devil is the ultimate orchestrator and manager.

Those who do not like battle, quickly make deals with the devil to leave them alone.  They agree to do nothing that would threaten him in exchange for “immunity”.  They willingly shut up or water down the truth so as to not rile up the enemy.  They find other “worthy” things to do with this life so as to not do anything worthy of getting the enemy mad.  They are the ultimate pacifists and World War II proved conclusively what happens when you try and pacify the enemy.  He steamrolls right over you.

Those who do not have the “heart” to fight the enemy want comfortable “desk jobs” far removed from the front lines of battle.  These lukewarm Christians don’t want anything to do with the actual “fight”.  They want to be spectators who get to sit in the stands and watch their Christian heroes do battle with the enemy like watching football on a Sunday afternoon.

Fighting the devil is difficult and entails putting on the whole armor of God found in Ephesians chapter 6.  This section of Scripture specifically states that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, and powers and wicked spirits from on high.  The battle is spiritual and it is not pretty.  The devil and his gang are ruthless thugs when it comes to their hatred of Christians.  They will stop at nothing to destroy anyone attempting to expose them and their father the devil.  Thank God He gave us weapons to fight with.  Thank God He has promised us He will never leave nor forsake us.  Thank God for the victory, if not in this life, then eternally!

Christians need to stand up and be counted, not retreat into their fancy churches and hide.  If Christianity is nothing more than a means to financial prosperity; it is nothing but a man-made religion.  If Christianity is a means to become famous; then it is nothing but a man-made fraud.  If Christianity is a fuzzy blanket to snuggle up in and hide from all the woes of the world; it is a counterfeit religion.  True Christianity entails sacrifice and suffering.  True Christianity demands separation from everything this world holds dear.  True Christianity adamantly refuses to compromise with the enemy no matter how attractive his offers sound.

Christians need to have some “guts” or they will become fodder for the devil and his hungry legions of lions.  Weak Christians breed a weak religion void of power and any real conviction.  Christians need to understand that Christianity is not a religion but the rock solid faith of those totally committed to their Master.  Christianity is simply that which describes and defines Christians.  Christians are those who deliberately seek to become just like the Christ who lives within them. 

I direct this post at no one in particular except the enemy.  Jesus Christ needs warriors to rise up.  He needs people not afraid of dying.  He needs people more committed to Him than the world.  He needs people unfazed by the screams of those demanding Christians shut up.  He needs an army of men and women who count not this life dear to them.  He needs people who would rather fight than compromise the truth.  He needs people who are willing to burn rather than bow.  He needs people unafraid of being cast into the lion’s den or the fiery furnace heated 7 times more than normal.

Throughout this world, movements are arising that have one thing in common; their hatred for Christians.  The day will come very soon when those who refuse to compromise the faith will suffer the consequences.   Lord, I want to be in that number.  I want to be one of those you can count on to fight and not run.  I want to put on the whole armor of God so having done all; I can stand for God and withstand all the fiery darts thrown by the wicked one.  I don’t want the enemy to win and thus I feel compelled to fight for that which is true, honest, just and right; no matter the consequence and no matter the cost.  Lord, please grant me the desire of my heart; to stand for you, no matter what.

  

Receiving Your Answer of Peace

Some people make all their decisions in life based on the impact they will have on their “image”.  Others make all decisions based on the impact they will have on their status or sphere of influence.  Still others use financial concerns as the basis for all decisions.  Rare indeed it is to find someone who bases all the decisions in their life on the standard of the Word of God. 

In order to ever make a decision, you must have a standard by which to judge the pros and cons by.  Arbitrary decisions are nothing more than “whims”.  Although minor meaningless choices may be fine to make on a “whim”, anything which will impact your life must be carefully weighed and considered in light of some standard. 

Moving is a huge decision which never can be taken lightly.  Physically moving from one place to another involves so much time and expense, any decision to do so HAS to be right.  Making the wrong decision can have catastrophic consequences for years to come.  Changing jobs is another MAJOR decision which must be carefully considered and weighed against the standard of short vs. long term gain.  Making a big purchase is a huge decision which cannot be done on impulse without tragic results.  A car salesman’s dream customer is one who wanders into the showroom, sees a fancy vehicle and buys on impulse. 

Deciding to have children is the biggest decision a couple ever makes.  Deciding what to do with an elderly parent is a “gut wrenching” decision most children have to make later in life.  Decisions regarding where to attend church and even which faith or denomination to become involved with cannot be made on the spur of the moment based on emotional impulses.

One of the most dangerous things in life is impulse decision making.  Emotions cannot be trusted when it comes to decisions.  The world’s history is littered with examples of ruined people who made horrible decisions based on emotional “whims” or impulses.  To avoid being yet another piece of trash due to making wrong choices, we must learn how to make Godly decisions based on the trustworthy standard of His faithful Word.

We make hundreds if not thousands of decisions every day which ARE made on impulse or split second choice.  These minor choices are an entirely different subject for another day.  The kinds of decisions I am talking about here are the major “life altering” ones where we cannot afford to be wrong.  Believe it or not, we make many more of these kinds of decisions than we realize, and thus it is very important that we learn how to “choose wisely”.

To make sound decisions that are in alignment with God’s Word, we must of course first know a little bit of God’s Word.  But then we need wisdom to know how to apply His Word to the situations that come up in life.  There are no short cuts for experience, even when it comes to understanding God’s Word.  Youth by nature are impetuous and extremely impatient.  It is very difficult for someone under age 30 to grasp why an “elder” should be consulted for advice and why parents should be listened to instead of “blown off”.

A teenage THINKS he knows it all.  A twenty-something person KNOWS he knows it all.  But a person in their thirties begins to realize they don’t know everything and by the time they reach “middle age” they freely admit they don’t know much of anything.  Age tempers and age mellows.  Age and experience allow for maturity and maturity provides for wisdom and understanding.

We were taken out to a very nice restaurant last evening by a dear friend to belatedly celebrate my wife’s birthday.  She was treated to a “center cut filet mignon” steak.  The meat literally melted in her mouth.  Part of the reason was that it was “aged” meat.  Many things do indeed get better with age.  It is interesting to note that people in their 50s and 60s and 70s make far fewer bad decisions than those in the 20s.  Maturity does have its benefits.  That is why in the Bible, elders are to be looked up to and treated with the utmost of respect.  Pretty much just the opposite of what our silly world teaches.

Among the enemies to making sound decisions, the two biggest ones are stubborn pride and fear.  Arrogant people make snap decisions and believe they are always right.  Their basis for making a choice is their own superiority and greatness.  Self confident people are excellent leaders but often make horrible decisions because of their inability to seek advice or heed counsel.  Yes, decisiveness is a quality of leadership, but it is a two-edged sword.  The ability to make a decision and act provides impetus to action but many times the action is flawed due to the original decision being wrong.

The Bible speaks of there being safety in a multitude of counselors.  Major decisions in a business, church or family should be made in a group setting with all members of the “board” present.  All sides of the matter should be presented and pros and cons discussed among the people present.  If the “board” is not a democracy (majority rules), then at least the chairman had all sides of the argument presented before making a decision.  One person operations run by the decisions of one person only are doomed to fail almost every time.

The worst enemy in making a decision is fear.  Fear prohibits making a decision to begin with.  Of course THE fear is the one of being wrong.  No one WANTS to make a bad decision, but we all occasionally do.  We cannot let a bad choice trap us forever in indecision.  A person who cannot “make up his mind” is not only aggravating but highly dangerous.  In matters of great consequence, the last thing you want is someone who is afraid to make a decision.

If you had surgery tomorrow, would you want a doctor who couldn’t make up his mind which instrument to use to make the incision?  If your car broke down would you want a mechanic to hem and haw and tell you he can’t decide whether to fix the flat tire or put in new motor?  I dearly love the old movie “Fiddler on the Roof”; but Tevye and his constant “on one hand, but on the other hand” indecisiveness is enough to drive a person crazy. 

Fear of failure prohibits a person from making a decision.  Every time the person thinks they have made up their mind, the doubts creep in and the semi truckload of “what ifs” are dumped on the mind.  Oh my, the greatest killers to making a decision are the old “what ifs”.  What if the truck next to me on the road tips over?  What if the jet flying 30,000 feet above me falls to the earth on my house?  What if the person next to me on the elevator has bird flu?  What if my kid blows up the school today? What if the pain in my little toe means a heart attack?  What if the sun doesn’t come up tomorrow?

“What ifs” choke the decision making process and make it impossible to ever make up our mind.  “What if” the chicken is not good, so I better not order it.  “What if” the beef is not aged, so I better not get it.  “What if, the fish has mercury in it, I better not choose it.  “What if” the pork has a bad disease, I better not get it.  If this is the sequence of events at a restaurant or grocery store, the end result is starvation.  Sooner or later the “What ifs” have to be silenced or the fear they drag into the equation will make it impossible to correctly make a decision.

To make a Godly decision, one must first and foremost pray.  Any major decision must be discussed fully with Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  We must have the humility and meekness to bring the situation before them or we are wrong to begin with.  The bigger the decision, the more prayer is involved.  Major life-altering decisions need a season in the wilderness, far removed from distraction, where hours, if not days are spent consulting the Lord on the matter.

Reading, studying, meditating upon and thinking about what the Bible has to say on the matter is critical.  The Bible does give cut and dry instruction on some issues.  But, in the majority of things, there are only guidelines in the Bible; specifics must be sought out through prayer and consulting elders.  Never underestimate the importance of seeking advice from elders when making a big decision.  In some matters, of course the pastor is to be consulted, but in many other matters a wise and experienced elder can provide wisdom even the pastor cannot offer.

Simple things such as listing the “pros and cons” or “good and bad” on a sheet of paper are nice for some matters, but never to be used in major decisions.  Just because one column is longer than another does not automatically mean it is right.

The ultimate way to finally make a decision is to await the answer of peace promised by God.  When Elijah was in the cave and needed an answer from the Lord, there were earthquakes and lightnings and thunders but the Lord was in none of them.  Too many times we wait for the “writing on the wall” or for some horseman to arrive and blow the trumpet announcing the proper choice to make.  It doesn’t work that way in real life usually.  People who wait for the dramatic answer usually wait a lifetime to find it.

Wait for the answer of peace.  Wait for Almighty God to deposit an answer that is undeniable and 100%  as peaceful as He is.  “Be anxious for nothing…And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall guard your heart…” Philippians 4 tells us.  God is Faithful and His Word is Faithful.  God will never let us down if we trust in Him with all our hearts, and lean not to our own understanding.  If we will acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths.

Following the answer of peace is the Godly version of “listening to your gut” or “follow your heart”.  If your “gut” instincts are based on God’s answer of peace, then follow them.  If they are based on experience or emotions they are no more to be trusted than Oprah or Dr. Phil.  God will deposit His answer of peace in our hearts, so if we have peace in our hearts, then we DO “follow our heart”.  But, if the heart is being emotional, then its advice is not trustworthy.

Take the matter to the Lord.  Lay it out before Him.  Work out all your worries, fears and misgivings with Him.  Allow Him to lead you to His Word or to an elder where you can receive your answer of Peace.  The answer of PEACE confirms that the answer came from God of PEACE.  Once you receive your answer, never look back.   Refuse to allow the “what ifs” to slip in to your mind.  Squash doubts and refute fears.  Resolve to do what your answer of peace told you was right.  Then you can walk with the assurance of knowing you are doing the best you can do, and that is all God ever asks of us.

Religion Vs. Christianity

A common misconception among believers is that once born again, there are no more trials and tribulations in life.  Over the years, I have talked to countless people who turned away from the faith because they were led to believe salvation was a magic carpet ride to eternal bliss.  Of course these people found out very quickly there are no magic carpets when it comes to the true Christian faith.

Where and how the troubling concept that one becomes a Christian to enjoy prosperity, live a life of worldly bliss, never have to deal with problems, have ten thousand friends and enjoy a “Leave it to Beaver” family is beyond me.  Christianity is not a self-help psychological program.  Christianity is not the stairway to financial success.  Christianity is not a dating service or a social club.  Christianity is not an automatic “get out of jail free” card that allows its holders to live in the lap of luxury and sit around swimming pools all day drinking martinis.

The outrageous claims made by many who profess to be Christians cause me great consternation.  I am a Christian.  I know what it means to be a Christian.  I know what many people mistakenly call Christianity is nothing but a convenient religion that promotes selfishness and error.  This “pseudo-Christianity” is not limited to any particular denomination.  It is a malicious cancer that afflicts people throughout the Christian faith.

The term Christian originally was used by unbelievers in reference to those who spoke of having “Christ in them”.  Christians are supposed to be those people who manifest Christ within.  Christians are supposed to be representative of how and what Christ would be if he were on this earth today.  To be a Christian has nothing to do with going to church, singing in the choir, paying tithes, wearing nice clothes on Sunday, serving on various boards, volunteering to paint the church or fixing the church van.

Religion runs rampant in this world.  Religion has nothing to do with Christianity.  To call Christianity a religion is an insult to true Christians.  Religion and tradition are twin brothers.  Traditions form the very backbone of most religions.  Religion never saved anyone, and just because a person is religious, does not mean they are going to heaven.  People brush their teeth religiously.  Does that mean every “religious” tooth brusher is heaven bound?

People do many things in life religiously.  In this sense of the word, all it means is to do something over and over again.  That is also what tradition means.  When something is religiously done in the same way over and over again; it becomes a tradition and in time a religion.  This is why Jesus railed on those religious leaders steeped in their traditions.  The religion they invented had nothing to do with the truth.  True religion NEVER has anything to do with the truth. 

Almighty God looks on the heart of man and not on his outward appearance.  All God asks of a person is to stay honest in their heart toward Him.  He is not interested in elaborate traditions which supposedly, in and of themselves, absolve a person of sin and bring reconciliation to God.  Offering a sacrifice did not automatically resolve a situation in the Old Testament.  More than once, God says in the Old Testament that He is not interested in the offerings and sacrifices; He is interested in true repentance from the heart.

Jesus Christ did not come to this earth to start a new “religion”.  If anything, he came to tear down the religious traditions that were keeping people from salvation.  Jesus Christ is not a “religious leader”.  He is the Son of God and Head of the Body of Christ.  Buddha was a religious leader.  Mohammad was a religious leader.  Pope John Paul II was a religious leader.  Martin Luther was a religious leader.  There have been innumerable religious leaders who have lived on this earth; Jesus Christ was and is not one of them. 

True Christianity is not a religion it is a Faith.  The book of James speaks of true religion being the service to orphans and widows.  Those who insist on calling Christianity a religion throw open the door to the very things that drove Judaism to the horrific state it was in when Jesus Christ confronted it in Matthew 23.  What started as faith, through the traditions of man, became a religion.  Religion is not able to save anyone.  True Christianity is the only way to eternal life.

There used to be a time when Christians were not ashamed of their faith.  There was a time when Christians were willing to face persecution, harassment and even death as a reward instead of a plague to be avoided at all costs.  There was a time when Christians would rather face a hungry lion than an angry God disappointed in their compromise.   There was a time when Christians were universally hated and hunted as animals because they were considered religious heretics and enemies of the state.  There was a time when Christians were not afraid to be Christians; no matter what it cost them.

There once was a time in this country where those who did evil in the sight of the Lord were relegated to “closets” where they hid their wicked ways.  Now they have all come out of their closets and it is the Christians who practice “closet Christianity”.  Oh my, people say, I cannot afford to let people know I am a Christian, for they might not like me or take their business elsewhere. 

I am not a political activist and I would never “endorse” any candidate; but I am thrilled there is at least one politician running for President who is not afraid to tell the nation he is a Christian and believes Jesus Christ is the answer to this nation’s woes.  Of course he will never get elected, but at least it is refreshing to have a politician talking about good old fashioned conservative Christian themes instead of the progressive junk promulgated by most.

I am appalled at the venom so many “progressives” have for the “religious right” in this country.  Millions upon millions of people absolutely hate Christians.  To them, everyone who says they are a Christian is automatically labeled an “evangelical”.  The degree of that hate was just manifest a few days ago when an “ex” evangelical violently shot and killed numerous Christians.  In his pre-killing internet posts, these murderers vented his extreme hatred toward Christians and desire to kill as many as he could.

What are we, as Christians (not evangelicals or any other designation) to do in response to this hatred?  Are we to ignore it, confront it or hide from it?  What did Jesus do when Judas betrayed him?  Jesus simply said, “That which you do, do quickly”.  If people hate us and want to kill us, so be it.  If someone stands up in a classroom and demands that all Christians step forward to be shot, I would hope and pray the real Christians would boldly step up just as Stephen did in Acts 7.

 Jesus never promised His road would be an easy one to tread.  In fact, time and again He let it be known that any true follower of Him faced untold persecution, tribulation and martyrdom.  Those that followed Him 2000 years ago did, for the most part, pay the ultimate price for their faith and yet they never complained.  They counted it all joy to be able to suffer with him.