Desperately Seeking God

In the 1985 dramatic comedy, "Desperately Seeking Susan," a bored housewife become captivated by the desire to find a bohemian character named Susan, whom she only knew of by what was posted in a newspaper personal column.  Her overwhelming desire allows her to overcome overwhelming odds to find her and some rare Egyptian earrings in a city (NY) of millions.

I've slept a few times in the 31 year since that movie debuted, and I can't guarantee my memory of the ins and outs of the plot, but I am pretty sure of the underlying notion of having a deep desire to find someone causing one to set out on a quest that would settle for nothing less than success.

The movie was just a movie and while it was rated as one of the top 10 in 1985, I'm not even sure I would recommend it today.  But I do recommend the intensity of the search but not for Susan, rather for the Savior - our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.  For if you seek him with that kind of intensity, no matter how far you've wandered from truth or fallen from grace, you will find him.

Moses, knowing he would not enter the Promise Land with Israel, warned them of being influenced by the indigenous pagans to wander from God and embrace their corrupt lifestyle and false worship of idols along with the scattering of the people which would result assured them: "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deut 4:29).

However distant you may be from our Lord at this moment, however far you've fallen from his glory, however lost and hopeless you may have or will have become, you are not too far because he wills to be found by you, he will not "leave you as an orphan" (Jn 14:18) but will keep his ear attentive to your call and will be at the end of your heart's journey of desire to find him.  Jus' Say'n.

Sacrifice

In the Old Testament, under the Mosaical Dispensation,  the Israelites practiced the Levitical system of sacrifices wherein they would offer up bulls and goats and sheep.  They began to believe that God desired and even needed on some level those animal sacrifices on a personal level.

However those who thought that way completely missed the point of the sacrifices - they were not for God at all, the need for them lay within the individual.  As for God, he was clear in saying, "If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?" (Ps 50:12-13).

The sacrificial system represented man's need for redemption, a price paid to free mankind from the grip of sin and death, a price that would ultimately be paid by his Son, Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb, as the Father "gave up his one and only Son that whoever believes on him would not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn 3:16).

God had no interest in their animal sacrifices - what he desires is so completely other than that: You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise" (Ps 51:16-17).  What God desired was man's heart.  And, that desire has not changed.

Today, man tends to think that God's affection can be purchased by church attendance, dropping money in the collection plate, saying prayers, giving up something you desire, et. al.  We even try to make bargains with God saying, "God, if you'll do so and so, I'll give up such and such" or "I'll start dong this or that."

The simple truth is that God has never been interested in what you might give or give up.  God ha always and only been interested in you.  When your child drew that stick figure crayon masterpiece you put on your fridge, was the drawing really that valuable?  No, it was the offering of the child's heart in the drawing that drew you to it.  The drawing, in and of itself, was pitiful.  But the heart behind the drawing was priceless.

So, here it is.  This is what God want you to know about the value of what we do: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Gal 5:6).  Jus' Say'n.

Eye Opening

When I was in high school, I dreaded algebra class.  I didn't see any point in it and was certain I would never have any use for it.  I was wrong.  When I was working on my BA in Religious Studies, I had to take algebra as part of my core curriculum, so the fact that I had taken it in high school made a difference in completing my undergraduate degree.

Although, I still didn't see why I needed to take it or how it would be useful in my real life.  I was wrong still.  Part of the requirement for my MS in Biblical Studies was formal logic, which is very useful in the process of biblical interpretation and relies heavily on the principles of algebra.

Today, while I do not work through algebraic problems per se, I do use algebraic constructs to discover the hidden value often lying behind a passage of Scripture, point of history, biblical example or command of the Lord.

My devaluation of algebra was due to the fact that my eyes had yet to be open to its true value and possibilities of application.  I needed someone to open my eyes to the truth about algebra.  Knowing the value of X and Y can lead one to C (see).

There are many such eye opening needs in life such as the need for physical exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, reduction of stress, the value of compound interest, etc.  But, hands down, the most important eye opening need: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law" (Ps 11918).

God's principles and rules are not oppressive, they are life giving.  He does not seek to chain us down but to deliver us from bondage.  His words are not to hold us back but to give us wings.  When we follow the teachings of Jesus, which "...are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Rom 13:9), life becomes rich with value, hope and promise.

We need to not only read the Bible but to be praying that God will open our eyes to his Truth so that we can experience the wonder and the blessings of living in he shadow of his Word.  Jus' Say'n.

Time To Shine

I''ve read that "He who burns the candle at both ends is not as bright as he thinks he is."  Ouch!  I resemble that statement as an elder with a full-time plus job of hospice chaplain/veteran service coordinator.  My time on the road, in the office and shepherding after work and on weekends takes a tremendous amount of time.

When do I have time to be quiet enough to listen to the Lord, to come before Him without the clutter of the daily activities of life?  When do I have the time to hear His voice?  When do I have time to be enlightened enough to let my "light shine before others, that they may...glorify [my] Father in heaven" (Matt 5:16-17)?  When?  4:00am!

That's right, I'm certifiable.  Who on earth gets up at 4:00am but farmers or crazy people?  And, how is one supposed to get up before the chickens and not be in a "foul" mood (that is what 4:00am humor sounds like).  The "how" is by passing on Jimmy Fallow, Conan O'Brien or whomever or whatever might be on late night TV.

As my evenings tend to be filled with activity and I find it more difficult to read, pray and/or be quiet without falling asleep in the night - early mornings is the best if not the only time for me to be quiet enough before the Lord to truly listen.

I need to take time in the morning in order to be able to shine in the way Jesus calls me to the rest of the day.  My time to shine begins with redeeming the time I would be wasting watching late night TV and redistributing my awake time to early morning devotion.

Is that what everyone should do?  No, not particularly.  Early morning may not work for you at all.  Maybe, you could just turn off the TV before the late night dribble comes on and have late night devotion instead.  I'm not sure how you should go about it.  But, I can tell you that late night TV will not enrich you or add one watt to your light.  You could miss every late night TV program from now until Christ comes again without missing anything of true value.

On the other hand, if you miss out on devotional time with the Lord, you will be missing out on opportunities to be spiritually enriched and adding wattage to your light from God before others.  We all need to take time shine.  Just exactly how and when, is a personal decision.  However, I would hazard to say that any way you choose, it will likely not include late night television programming.

You may prove me wrong personally.  You may be the exception that can stay up late and get up early.  Or, maybe as a retired person, you can schedule quiet time for devotion in the middle of the day.  Great!  I would loved to be proved wrong, just as long as you find time to shine.  Jus' Say'n.

Peace

I have seen any lately but there used to be a bumper sticker that read, "Too Blessed To Be Stressed," which is a great slogan but so often the driver of the car seemed to be "too frayed to have prayed."  Perhaps you heard the story of the woman who was cussing out the person in front of her because the light had turned green and they didn't move right away.  The police officer pulled her over, saying he heard her rant from his car.  She said, "I didn't know it was a crime to cuss out the driver ahead of you."  He replied, "It isn't.  But with all the Christian bumper stickers on your car, I assumed you must have stolen it."

Obviously something is wrong when a Christian, professing to embrace the peace of Christ, lives in a pressure cooker and explodes in rants.  The Bible tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:6-7).

Why do Christians build up, blow up and boil over?  Why are some so stressed that their life becomes a testimony against their being blessed?  Why doesn't the peace of God guard their hearts and minds in Christ as promised in the passage above?  I would submit it is because they do not follow the passage above.   Notice that the promise is preceded by the practice of replacing anxiety with "prayer and petition, with thanksgiving."

Just imagine if, instead of stressing about our jobs, we started thanking God for having a job and asking for his power to sustain you in your work with the full expectation of his daily presence.  What would that be like?  What if you trusted God to make up for your shortfalls and intercede on your behalf?  What if you knew that nothing was going to happen to you outside of his permissive will and that he always "worked everything for the good of those who love him" (Rom 8:28)?

Peace is not necessarily the absence of strife.  Peace is also the inward calm that carries you through the strife.  While peace can be an outward reality of circumstance, it is ore importantly held as an inward resting of conviction.  When we are certain of God's power and promise, we really do not waste much time being stressed or anxious.  Instead, we live in peace, a peace guarded by Christ's very presence in our daily life.  Jus' Say'n.

Truth

Years ago, in California, I knew a preacher who left his wife of 25 years to hook up with a 25 year-old.  His defense for his decision was, "God jut wants me to be happy."  Really?  Is that indeed what God wanted was for him to leave his wife and children behind as he chased after a dream?  My response was that I was pretty sure God wanted us to "rejoice in the wife of your youth" (Prov 5:18) not rejoice in your youthful wife.

I also challenge the very notion that "God just wants me to be happy."  I can find no where in the Bible where God suggests that he calls us to happiness.  In contrast, my Bible says, "Be holy, because I am holy" (1 Pet 1:16).  True happiness that comes from a right relationship with God will be the result but it is not the prime pursuit of God's faithful children.

As a point of fact, no good father truly just wants his child to be happy.  I know we sometimes say that, but we don't really mean it.  Do we really want our child to do nothing but hang around the house playing video games 24/7 just because he enjoys it?  Do we really want him to go out and get drunk every night just because he's having fun?  Do you want your child to drop out of school and move into your basement just because he is happier when you pay all the bills?

The answer to all the a over is NO!  We want something better for our children.  We don't want them to just follow their whims, we want them to be prepared for life, to have something that they can be proud of, to do something worthwhile.  We know that happiness will come as a result of accepting and overcoming challenges.  The college graduate has so much more foundation than the high school dropout.  As a parent, wouldn't you agree and want your child to rise above?

God does want us to be a people that "rejoice" (Phil 4:4), but he wants to to rejoice "whatever the circumstances" (v. 11, 12).  God, who is love, wants us to love.  And love is never just about self.  "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son..." (Jn 3:16).  True happiness comes from more from sacrifice and self-denial than fulfilling personal desires as "‘It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

When we say, "God just wants...," we need to check the Source, God's Word.  God will not tell us to do what His Word tells us not to do, He will not encourage us to turn our backs on what the Bible discourages us doing: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (Js 1:22).  Jus' Say'n.

Hidden Things

I've heard people say that they are glad they made the mistakes before the Internet Era, which perhaps begs for a new age designation B.I.E (before Internet Era).  And, it is certainly true that mistakes being made today and posted on Facebook or Twitter or however they get onto social media, are there to be replayed until the Lord returns.

However, our original statement is in error on at least two fronts: 1) None of us has gotten past making mistakes and 2) nothing from our past, B.I.E. or not, remains hidden.  If you don't believe that, just try running for an elected office.  And, more than that, there is a divine recollection from which nothing is ever lost: "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open" (Lk 8:17).

You may be thinking you dodged a bullet on some "hidden" indiscretion or misdeed of the past - that nobody knows and no one ever will.  News Flash: Someone already knows!  You know, and it effects your self-image and causes you to mask, hiding a part of yourself perhaps from even those you'd like to fully self-revealed.  And, God knows, "So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God" (Rom 14:12).

So then, for everything we have said and done, there will be an accounting.  The books on our lives are complete, there is nothing hidden.  We will be be called to account as the Law of Accountability misses nothing, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Gal 6:7).

Sounds kind of bleak, doesn't it?  It is!  Unless, you have those past misdeeds, mistakes and misstatements scrubbed from memory.  And, as a certain unnamed politician is finding out, nothing is truly and finally scrubbed from memory in our world.

However, there is some Good News!  In the kingdom of God, the past can be completely and fully scrubbed: "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more" (Heb 8:12).  According to God's grace, the blood of Christ does that very thing: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Eph 1:7).

Whatever you may be holding on to from your past, keeping close to your chest, you can lay at the feet of Jesus.  He has already paid the price for them and wants nothing more than to free you from them, forgiving you completely and totally.  Jus' Say'n.

Thorns

It's very popular in this generation to go about with earplugs in, listening to one's favorite music.  Weather mowing the lawn, jogging or just walking to wherever they may be going.  It adds to one's personal experience but at the same time, it subtracts.  It subtracts the ability to hear other things that should get your attention, like a friend calling our name or a car careening your way.

While not everyone inserts noise directly into their ear, most have a nearly constant influx of sound with the TV on (sometimes just as background noise), the car stereo, the Muzak in the stores and the favorite radio station in the workplace.  Dead air is a little unsettling for our society, but it is also a medium in which we can hear life as it happens.

Have you lately stepped outside in the early morning and listened to the birds?  Have you taken the time just to listen to the wind?  Have you paused to listen to the sound of the city waking up?  There are so many sounds sounds of real life around us that our constant manufactured noise cancels out.

Much more ubiquitous than ear plugs, is the iPhone.  We sit across the table from each other with our faces glued to a tiny screen, unaware of what might be going on in the heart and soul of the person next to us because our heart and soul is distracted by a cyber world instead of the world around us.

In a spiritual sense, the Bible refers to these kinds of distractions as thorns: "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants" (Lk 8:7), those things that cause us to lose focus on what we otherwise might see or hear.  In particular, God.

Of course, there are other thorns, which are much more pervasive and pernicious such as WORRY.  We are so concerned about what we are going to do or how we're going to make it that we cannot hear the voice of God gently calling, "seek after me, I will take care of the other" (Mt 6:33).

WEALTH.  We can be so consumed with making and accumulating money that we are completely distracted from the Lord's call me  to not fret over worldly riches and instead focus on heavenly treasures of infinitely more value: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Mt 6:19-20).

WANT.  Our personal desires of how life ought to go, what we should become, where we ought to live, what we should have, how long we should live - all these and more can keep us from even turning in God's direction.  So distracted by our wishes, we aren't listening to hear what God desires of us even while he implores us: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Rev 3:20).

Shhhh, listen.  Do you hear that?  Can you hear him calling?  Jus' Ask'n.

Roots

In ancient times, farmers would broadcast their seed by hand, which allowed some of it to fall on rocky, uncultivated ground as well as the finely cultivate, good soil.  The result was crop that grew up quickly but because of its shallow root, just as quickly withered in the hot sun.

Jesus used this agri-metaphor to describe people, who come to faith but do not sink down deep roots of faith: "Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away" (Lk 8:13).

The key to preparation of land to allow the seed to develop root is cultivation, the tilling or turning over of the ground again and again util it is ready to receive the seed.  It isn't enough just to drop the seed on the ground or scratch the surface and then drop it there, cultivation takes purposes time and effort.

In regard to preparing our hearts and minds for a faith in God that will survive and thrive in the heat of adversity or the dry winds of personal loss, we too must cultivate soil of the inner man by spending daily time with God in prayer and study of His Word.  Perhaps some Christian music would be of help or a daily devotional reading.  Whatever it is that brings your spirit before God in quiet openness, that is the cultivation you need daily.

In addition to a daily time alone with God, I believe the proper cultivation of our heart and soul requires a weekly gathering with other Christians to encourage the growth that is taking place on the inside: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..." (Heb 10:24-5).

Growing crops is an important undertaking tha requires a fair amount of cultivation.  Even more important is the cultivation of our heart and soul.  Why would we not want to take the time, energy and effort needed to fully prepare our inner man to live in faith?  Jus' Ask'n.

No Condemnation

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1).  I like that passage - it is one of my favorites. The freedom from guilt and sin I find there is hits me like a spray from the ocean or a deep breath of clean, crisp mountain air. It speaks of the freedom and release found in Christ.

However, it does not speak of a freedom in sin but rather a freedom from sin.  There is a distinct difference.  Some take this verse to suggest that the Christian is eternally saved from the moment he accepts Christ and no amount of sinning can change that fact.  That notion completely misses the point being made.

The disconnect from truth in that interpretation may be found in that the verse has been disconnected from its context.  To begin with, the verse above is not a complete sentence, it is only half of one.  The other half reads, "because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death" (v. 2).

The Christ Follower is is not free to sin but rather set free from it through the of the Spirit.  The rest of the passage that goes on through verse 17, sets out a clear contrast in living by the Spirit and living according to the flesh.  And Paul clearly warns, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation---but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it" (v. 12).

We are "saved by grace through faith and not by works" (Eph 2:8) but not saved for sin but rather from sin.  And if one is saved from sin, would he indeed continue in a life of sin?  "By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (Rom 6:2).  Think of it this way: If I was freed from a life of prison, would I return to my cell?  No, I would leave prison life behind and embrace a life of freedom.

The punch line is found in Romans 6:13, "Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness."  We have been saved from the sin of the world, let us therefore live like it.  Jus' Say'n.

Enduring Failings

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had" (Rom 15:5).  Interesting thought: We are to ask God to give us the needed endurance and encouragement to regard each other in the same way Jesus regards us.  Is it really that difficult to feel good about each other?  Yeah, it can be.

Now, when everyone does what they are supposed to do, takes care of their own business and makes a positive contribution to the community; feeling good about them is not a problem.  But that isn't always the case and that is not the case Paul has in mind here: "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself..." (Vv. 1-3).

Some people do not have a positive impact on a family or community.  Instead of helping to support, they produce a drain on resources, energy and attitude.  Some people, and perhaps all people at some point, due to their personal failings, make it difficult for others to maintain a positive attitude in their presence.  

As even our Lord said, "Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt 6:34) and so we don't need to be borrowing trouble from the future, the past or from other people.  We've all got our own problems that we are to deal with, "for each one should carry their own load" (Gal 6:5).  And we should carry our own load, except that some our overloaded and some are under developed, so Paul also says, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (v. 2).

The law of Christ, the attitude, the mind...  We are to develop an outlook on others that allows for their failings and weaknesses, which seeks to help take up the slack not judge them as slackers.  We are not all at the same physical, mental, financial or spiritual level of development.  Some can carry their own load and part of another's.  Others can only carry part of their own load.  Together, working as one body, we can carry the burdens of the entire community.

The Bible is not saying some should ride on the backs of others, but it is saying that some have stronger backs than others and need to have the Christlike attitude that is willing to encourage those who are failing by giving them a helping hand instead of pointing a judging finger.  We need to care enough about those who are failing to encourage them rather than focus so much on personal advancement that we discourage them "for even Christ did not please himself" (Rom 15:3).  Jus' Say'n.

"Do Gooder"

When I decided to give my life to Christ, my late wife had not made that choice at first and did not see my change in a positive way in the beginning.  She called me a "Do Gooder" and suggested that I was just trying to make her look bad.

Actually, I was just trying to muddle through, doing the best I knew how as I was learning and growing in Christ.  Our friends had a similar reaction as I stopped getting drunk with them, staying up all night partying and the like.  They began to feel uncomfortable around me and many turned away when they began to see they couldn't pull me back in to a life I had given up.

While I was careful not to judge my friends or my wife, my personal choices drew a dividing line between our lives that spoke volumes.  It was a very uncomfortable time for me and for them.  It hurt to lose so may relationships.  But I was not willing to turn back, regardless of the cost.

I also made it a point to treat everyone the way I'd like to be treated, despite how they treated me.  I worked hard and offered to help others on the job and in my circle of associations.  In time, old friends were less distant and some began to have an appreciation for the new me.  Some even began to seek out my help in their life challenges and hurts.

My wife was the first to see that the change in me was real and something worth finding more about. While I never tried to get her to attend worship with me, she knew she was welcome and one day did.  She began a journey that took her down a similar path as mine.  We both began to grow in the Lord together.

Later on, as my life and practice began to be seen as a personal choice not an indictment on others, an associate said to me, "You know what I like about you?  You are clearly a Christian but you do not force yourself our your ideas on others.  You let friends be who they are, but your life impacts them."

Of course, not everyone saw me or sees me that way today as I do take very clear stands on things and do not shirk from offering my opinion when I feel it is warranted - especially on social media.  But I have found that a consistent life of faith, despite the resistance to it and outright disparagement, has a very positive effect on most.  By the way, the fact that I'm not always right tends to impact my positive effect at times.  Sorry, I haven't got that perfect thing down yet.  You knew, right?!

I have found, yet again, that God's Word is true: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Gal 6:9-10).  Despite the resistance and even backlash against trying to do and be good, God is faithful and will bless us and our efforts as lives we intersect begin to change and good prevails.  Jus' Say'n.

The Call To Be

In May of 1974, I enlisted in the United States Air Force.  I was sent to Lackland Air Base, where they began to teach me and expect of me a multitude of things from hand salutes to parade formation to rifle precision.  They had a way of dong everything, which was very specific and they insisted we learn to do things as a team precisely synchronized.

However, doing things was never really the point.  Becoming something was always the goal.  The TIs (training instructors) had one goal, to transform us from a bunch of disorganized, detached civilians into a unified fighting force by instilling military bearing.  The United States Air Force was not interested in getting us to do, it was calling us to be.

The intent of basic training was to drill us over and over with facts, activities, goals and deadlines in order to bring about a metamorphosis from what they called "Rainbows" (multicultural and decisively different) into a military unit.  They were calling us to be separate from the civilian world and separated to the world of the USAF.

The apostle Paul talks about this very process into the Army of the Lord in Romans 12:1, where we are challenged: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  And the apostle Peter drills down on this principle in saying, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" (1 Pet 1:15).

The life of one who accepts God's grace, becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, is filled with doing.  The Christ Follower will serve, give, sacrifice, worship, love and so much more because he/she is becoming so much more.  God's call is never about dong, it is a call to be, which will result in doing.

We don't "do" our way into salvation, the doing is part of the transformation into being a disciple: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph 2:8-10).  Jus' Say'n.

The Year of The Lord's Favor

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed: "...the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor....to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor...to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion---to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair..." (Isa 61:1-3).

Centuries later, Jesus unrolled a scroll and read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Lk 4:18-19).  After reading the scroll, he rolled it up and said: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Lk 4:21).

Later still, the apostle Paul would join in the refrain, saying: "As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:1-2).

So, having heard the focus of the prophet, the Christ and the apostle; what do you think the focus of the church ought to be today?  Building projects?  Politics?  Climate change?  Social reform?  Political correctness?  Moral engineering?  Financial gain?  As children of God and followers of Christ, where precisely ought our efforts be directed?

How about proclaiming, promoting and participating in "The Year of The Lord's Favor"?  How about we focus on living a life of thanksgiving for the favor He has shown us, share the good news of the blessings He has in store for others and finally, sharing those blessings with those who grieve, those who are oppressed, those who are held captive by their addictions, those who are less fortunate...?

How about we simply focus on the prophetic, apostolic and messianic work of God so clearly established in the Holy Scriptures?  Jus' Say'n.

Buying Time

Commonly, the phrase "buying time" means to postpone and event in the hopes that things will improve.  It is generally seen as negative in that one putting off (or trying to) the inevitable instead of dealing with it head on.

But in the KJV of the Bible in Colossians 4:5, we read, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."  The word "redeem" means to obtain or regain by purchase.  The idea is that time is a very valuable commodity and that we should not let it slip through our fingers but rather make the most of it, especially in regard to reaching out or ministering to others.

So often we think about doing something to help or encourage someone else but hesitate thinking we will get around to that on another day.  We keep putting off doing something, thinking we will have time later.  But will we?  Have you not ever put off something only to find that you no longer had an opportunity?

Years ago, I almost put off visiting a very old church member thinking, "I'm kind of tired right now, I can stop by later in the week."  However, he weighed on my heart and I went to see him instead of going home.  Alonzo Montgomery turned out to be one of the most interesting people I've ever engaged in conversation.  He had been on Amelia Arehart's ground crew.  He was a living-breathing piece of history.

Well, he was living and breathing.  The day after my visit with Alonzo, he passed on to glory.  Had I waited to spend time with him, I would have had to wait until we were both on the other side of time in eternity.  I am so glad that I redeemed that time, bought it by being available as the last person on earth to spend time listening to the life and times of Alonzo Montgomery.

I was enriched by the experience.  I can still see the toothless smile of a man grateful that someone wanted to spend the evening just talking with him.  Perhaps the very last words he said on this side of eternity was "thank you for coming by" to me as I finally headed home.

What time could you be buying right now, what opportunity that may never come again?  Who can you help, listen to, encourage or just spend time with today while there is still time?  Is there any time you can redeem today?  Jus' Ask'n.

Collateral Freedom

It is an interesting fact that the United States, which is still struggling with the national disgrace of slavery, was the first county in the world to pass a governmental decree, The Emancipation Act, to eliminate it.  The basis for its banishment is the Christian belief that "all men are created equal."  The belief that the God of the Bible made us all to be of equal worth, was the sword that cut the head off the beast.

An even more interesting fact is that the Bible nowhere directly condemns slavery, even though Bible-believers led the charge against this scourge in our past and the Christian world is appalled at the slavish treatment of women in Islamic countries and is outraged at the world-wide Black Market slavery going on today.

How is it that the Christian Faith has been the fulcrum of outlawing slavery, when the very Bible we hold so sacredly does not condemn it?  We do so because the biblical mandate of common regard.  Listen to Paul's word on slaves and masters: "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,...And masters, treat your slaves in the same way....since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism" (Eph 6:7-9).

The Bible calls both masters and slaves to regard each other as co-servants of the Lord, of equal worth in His eyes.  The natural outcropping of this kind of regard is equality and compassion with our co-equals under God.  While slavery was common throughout the world at the time and had been for millennia - even Africans took other tribes as slaves just as Native Americans did on this continent - it was this country, built on judeo-christian principles, where the stake was driven through its heart.

The freeing of the salves by national proclamation was, in truth, a collateral freedom that occurred when Christian principles of compassion and common regard under God are taken to their natural conclusion: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" (2nd paragraph of our Declaration of Independence).  Jus' Say'n.

The Breath of God

When Jesus was sending out his disciples, he did something that may sound curious to you: "he breathed on them..." (Jn 20:22a).  Much like one would blow on embers to fan them into flame, Jesus breathes on them and said, "receive the Holy Spirit" (22b),   If fact, receiving the Holy Spirit is likened to receiving a fire in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, where Paul warns, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire."

Can you imagine that - having the Spirit breathed on you and being sent out, in the words of the Blues Brothers, "on a mission from God"?  Hollywood references aside, can you see yourself on a God-breathed mission, thoroughly equipped to serve the Lord and engage the Enemy as you free his captive and heal the wounded?  Wouldn't that be great if we had that same God-breathed experience of the early disciples?

Good News!  We can.  Really?  Absolutely!  Check it out: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16-17).

Did you catch the fact that the Scriptures you and I have in our possession are God-breathed and are designed to thoroughly equip us?  The early disciples had a more direct but not a more divine breath of God to ready them for their mission.  We have the very same Spirit-breathed power at our fingertips.  The only question is, will we breathe it in through open-hearted, on-going studying of His Word?

Our Bible is not just a collection of ancient stories and historical facts, it is a God-inspired manual for life and the call to engage in battle "...against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph 6:12).

Like the early disciples, we are called on a mission for which we are no match apart from the power of God.  And equally like them, we are provided just such a divine power - The Holy Bible!  Are you breathing it in daily?  Are you receiving the breath of God as you face the spiritual forces of evil?  Why not start today with divine oxygen filling your lungs, equipping you for the battle?  Jus' Ask'n.

The Living Dead

One of the major themes these days from Hollywood to Cyberspace is the Zombie Apocalypse.  America is going through a bit of an obsession with the walking dead.  It has led to a resurgence of the old Hollywood "B" movies, where the plot is thin and tthe acting is even thinner but the blood and gore is as thick as it gets.

On the Internet there is a market place for all things Zombie.  To name just a few: Zombie Apocalypse Gear, Zombie Survival Kit, Essential Tools for Surviving a Zombie Outbreak, How to Survive The Zombie Apocalypse Checklist, Tatical Zombie Gear, Zombie Apocalypse Go Bag, A DIY (?) Survival Guide for the Zombie Apocalypse...

Some people actually believe in all the Hollywood hype and Cyberspace marketing ploys.  Some people are actually preparing for this Apocalypse, when the Living Dead are among us.  I'm not preparing for it because I'm one of the living dead - oh, not one of the silly apocalyptic caricatures of the movies but an apostolic creation of the Messiah: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me..." (Gal 2:20).

I do not exist for the blood and gore of sensationalism but rather I exist by the blood and glory of the Savior.  And, I do not go around trying to devour everyone but instead seek to deliver all I can.  I am not a devilish mutation but rather of divine making.  I am a child of God, who has "been buried with Christ in baptism into death and raised to life by the glory of the Father" (Rom 6:4).  I am a born-again Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ - no Zombie Survival Kit necessary.  Jus' Say'n.

Peacemaker

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt 5:9).  And the apostle Paul insists this is part of the Christian DNA in saying, "We are called to live in peace" (1 Cor 7:15).  Even in a culture as divided as ours, the Bible mandate to be peacemakers stands.  But how?  How are we expected to be peacemakers in a hostile environment?

The answer is to be proactive rather than reactive: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord" (Rom 12:17-19).

Notice that we are called to live in peace "as far as it is possible with you."  Your proactive peaceful living and refusal to react in hostility is the Petri dish of peace.  It doesn't guarantee peace but it gives peace its best chance.

If we don't repay evil for evil, and instead do what is right in the sight of everyone, which would be the Golden Rule of "Do unto others what you would have them do unto you" (Matt 7:12), we will be giving peace a chance.  While it may be difficult, it is the call of God and the path of Christ.  And, if peace is possible in that particular circumstance, you will have given it legs.

Ironically, we promote peace by engaging the Enemy in war, taking our stand against him, putting on the full armor of God, trusting in God to give the victory, leaving "room for God's wrath."  Our war stance, however, is against the Evil One not against the antagonist, who is being used by Satan in an attempt to take away our peace.  Jus' Say'n.

A New Command

In John 13:35, we read, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  From this verse, one can rightly conclude that the evidence of Christian discipleship or of being a follower of Jesus is not found in biblical orthodoxy or church ritual or moral restraint.  The evidence is seen in our love for one another.

This truth is indisputably true but the general understanding of it is undoubtedly false.  Huh?  Say again.  It is true that our discipleship is seen in our love for one another, but the display of our love is such that often our discipleship is anything but evident.  Am I wrong?  Are people indeed saying, "Look at how those Christians love each other!  They must be true followers of Jesus Christ?"

Or, are not people often assessing churches saying, "I'm just as good as anyone down at that church"?  Haven't many left the church for the very reason they didn't feel loved?  I am an elder in a church that was begun by disaffected Christians tired of loveless churches.  Are you beginning to nod your head and thinking along with me?  If the church is evidenced by this love, why are fewer and fewer coming to church?  Answer: It is, by and large, not!

Why is that?  Knowing that it is by our love we will be known, why don't we love?  Oh, we do love but that really isn't the answer.  What?  I know, it sounds like I just drove the bus off the cliff.  But hang on for a moment.

Jesus did say it was by our love in verse 35, but this love of ours was qualified in verse 34, "A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  Jesus loves us with an unqualified, indestructible, sacrificial love.  He would and did give up everything for us, even to the point of death on the cross.

Now, what about the kind of love often seen in churches?  Does it look like that?  Is our love unconditional or do we not require others deserve our love?  Do we truly treat those who mistreat us with sacrificial love?  I've seen church members walking away because they didn't get their way.  I've listened to church members crucify other members in word instead of sacrificing themselves for one another.

If love and because love too often stands in the place of anyhow love.  I'll love you if you do this or because you have done this instead of I love you anyhow, even though you hurt me or disappointed me.  Jesus didn't give us a command to love, he gave us a "new command" to love - he commanded us to love each other just as he loves us.  Therein lies the problem of many many churches.

So, here it is: We are called to love one another in such a way and to such a degree that the world will say, "Wow!  Look at how they love each other.  God must really be among them."  If the missionaries to India had loved like that, Gandhi would not have said, "I like this Jesus very much but I don't like these Christians so much."  As some have suggested, if they had loved like Jesus, all of India would be Christian today.

We, those who claim to be the church or body of Christ, are called to love like Jesus did not as we feel like loving or simply respond to the way others love us.  We are called to a divine love that gives all but expects nothing.  We are called to lay our hearts, our resources, our very selves on the line for others whether they deserve it or not.  Does your church love like that?  Do you love like that?  Jus' Ask'n.