Pehaps you've seen the caption above on the Internet, Not My Circus, Not My Monkey. It refers to the refusal to get involved in someone else's drama. I think it is wise counsel. I would like, however, to apply this principle to King of drama: Satan.
As Christians, we are not called to battle Satan or disarm him or even defeat him. He is already defeated. At Calvary, Jesus "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (Col 2:5). Our charge, instead, is to refuse to allow him to tangle us up into a web of deception, which as the "father of lies" (John 8:44), he is very, very good at. Rather than face him toe to toe, we are instructed to "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
Did you happen to notice the reason for the armour of God? You may have assumed it was to allow you to engage Satan in battle, defeating him by the power of God. Not! Again, Satan was defeated at Calvary. The Word says, "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take you stand aganist the devil's schemes" (Eph 6:11).
Satan is defeated, bound, unable to wage a full frontal attack. But he is crafty and deceitful, fully able to intice people into a drama that is not theirs, causing them to lose sight of their high-calling in Christ, focus on the attraction to their lower self and get caught up in a drama that has nothing to do with a Kingdom dweller - a child of King Jehovah himself.
As a Christian, I have a mission while living on planet Earth. That mission is not to engage in petty squabbles, reprisals or pay-backs. I am not here to set the record straight or straighten out the crooked. My mission is to walk the "straight and narrow way" (Matt 7:13-14), encouraging others to join me on that path to Glory Land. I can't afford to let Satan get me side tracked.
Just remember, the next time Satan tries to get you all wound up in one of his webs of deceit, entering into a drama that severs relationships and causes division, it really is not your circus, and not your monkey. Jus' Sayn.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Knowing Your Enemy
Back in my day, when dinosaurs roamed the land, young boys on a school bus would reach across the seat in front of them and flip the ear of whoever might be sitting there. That person, thinking it came from whoever was sitting in the seat behind them would turn around and smack them. While that would probably result in suspension, perhaps a visit by the police or maybe even a lawsuit for the emotional and physical injury, back then, it was considered great fun.
The idea was misdirection, getting the person two seats ahead to believe the person behind them was the antagonist. You could play the same game in a crowded hallway. You can also use this tactic to win elections such as the Democrats labeling the Republicans as racists when Democrats started the KKK and more republicans voted for the Civil Rights Acts (Do you happen to recall which party blocked the integration of schools here in Little Rock? Democrat is correct). And, after 50 years of the Great Society, poverty is the same percentage of the population and the Black community is still suffering a disportionate amount of poverty. This is not to say that the Republicans are saints, they are, after all, politicians - jus' sayn that the Democrats have been better at misdirection.
There is a world-wide war going on. People are being blown up, heads are being cut off, cities and even regions being taken over by force. The politically correct are saying these groups have nothing to do wih Islam, that they have highjacked the religion as a front. Well, they think they are Islamic, they have called for Islamic Jihad, they seek to establish Sharia Law wherever they go. While their barbaric ways certainly do not resonate with all Muslims, they believe themselves to be Muslim. Also, in less dramatic ways, Muslims are taking over communities and neighborhoods in various countires, even here, insisting on Sharia Law. The Qu'ran itself calls for the violent subjegation of all non-Muslims or infidels. In countries where Islam is the majority, there are no minority rights.
All of that is on a large country-wide and even world-wide scale. Bringing it down to an individual or personal scale, we face an enemy that is a master at misdirection: Satan. We are given to think that the person who offends us is our enemy when he actually is a prisoner of Satan, who is being used to work against you. The individual needs your prayers for reconciliation rather than you power of retaliation. Our "battle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil..." (Eph 6:12). The individual needs help not harm. We are told specifically to "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt 5:44).
It is important geo-politically to know our enemies and not be fooled by misdirection. It is even more crucial that spiritually and personally we recognize the true enemy. Jus' Sayn.
The idea was misdirection, getting the person two seats ahead to believe the person behind them was the antagonist. You could play the same game in a crowded hallway. You can also use this tactic to win elections such as the Democrats labeling the Republicans as racists when Democrats started the KKK and more republicans voted for the Civil Rights Acts (Do you happen to recall which party blocked the integration of schools here in Little Rock? Democrat is correct). And, after 50 years of the Great Society, poverty is the same percentage of the population and the Black community is still suffering a disportionate amount of poverty. This is not to say that the Republicans are saints, they are, after all, politicians - jus' sayn that the Democrats have been better at misdirection.
There is a world-wide war going on. People are being blown up, heads are being cut off, cities and even regions being taken over by force. The politically correct are saying these groups have nothing to do wih Islam, that they have highjacked the religion as a front. Well, they think they are Islamic, they have called for Islamic Jihad, they seek to establish Sharia Law wherever they go. While their barbaric ways certainly do not resonate with all Muslims, they believe themselves to be Muslim. Also, in less dramatic ways, Muslims are taking over communities and neighborhoods in various countires, even here, insisting on Sharia Law. The Qu'ran itself calls for the violent subjegation of all non-Muslims or infidels. In countries where Islam is the majority, there are no minority rights.
All of that is on a large country-wide and even world-wide scale. Bringing it down to an individual or personal scale, we face an enemy that is a master at misdirection: Satan. We are given to think that the person who offends us is our enemy when he actually is a prisoner of Satan, who is being used to work against you. The individual needs your prayers for reconciliation rather than you power of retaliation. Our "battle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil..." (Eph 6:12). The individual needs help not harm. We are told specifically to "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt 5:44).
It is important geo-politically to know our enemies and not be fooled by misdirection. It is even more crucial that spiritually and personally we recognize the true enemy. Jus' Sayn.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Hedging Our Faith
While you may not be a gambler, you've probably heard the phrase, "hedging your bets." It means to not put all your money on one outcome or one horse. Hedge funds are a similar concept from the world of investments. Many, including myself, invest in mutual funds, which allows for overall growth even when some of the stocks fall. "Don't all your eggs in one basket" is the cliche I grew up with - perhaps you did too.
Malachi dealt with the ancient Israelites during a time when they employed this strategy with God, who required they bring a thithe of their flocks and fields to provide food for the temple class or Levites. It was also used to provide for widows and orphans. The people were encouraged further to bring in offerings above the tithe.
And the people gave, they brought in their thithes, but not all of it. They held back in their giving in order to insure they had enough for themselves. They didn't always bring in the very bestt as it could also produce the best. They gave less to God and kept more for themselves, just in case. It was logical, it made perfect sense, it was totally wrong and cost them more than they knew.
God spoke through Malachi saying, "Bring in the whole thithe that there might be food in my house. Test me in this and see if I will not open the flood gates of heaven pouring out such a blessing that it cannot be held" (Mal 3:10). What they did not know was that giving to God according to faith is not a capital loss but a capital investment. There was no need and, in fact, no way to truly hedge against God. God's promises are a certainty, man's efforts are always in doubt.
What about you? Do you hold back on giving what you feel led to give, just in case you get in a pinch or to insure you have enough reserve? Even setting money aside, do you find that when you "let go and let God" that you tie a string on your problem, drawing it back from time to time to attempt to manage it? Do you hedge on your faith? Jus' Askn.
Malachi dealt with the ancient Israelites during a time when they employed this strategy with God, who required they bring a thithe of their flocks and fields to provide food for the temple class or Levites. It was also used to provide for widows and orphans. The people were encouraged further to bring in offerings above the tithe.
And the people gave, they brought in their thithes, but not all of it. They held back in their giving in order to insure they had enough for themselves. They didn't always bring in the very bestt as it could also produce the best. They gave less to God and kept more for themselves, just in case. It was logical, it made perfect sense, it was totally wrong and cost them more than they knew.
God spoke through Malachi saying, "Bring in the whole thithe that there might be food in my house. Test me in this and see if I will not open the flood gates of heaven pouring out such a blessing that it cannot be held" (Mal 3:10). What they did not know was that giving to God according to faith is not a capital loss but a capital investment. There was no need and, in fact, no way to truly hedge against God. God's promises are a certainty, man's efforts are always in doubt.
What about you? Do you hold back on giving what you feel led to give, just in case you get in a pinch or to insure you have enough reserve? Even setting money aside, do you find that when you "let go and let God" that you tie a string on your problem, drawing it back from time to time to attempt to manage it? Do you hedge on your faith? Jus' Askn.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Unfair!
One of the rallying cries of this administration has been a call to fairness. Their notion is that America has been unfair to the poor and disadvantaged and the way to achieve fairness is to take more money from the rich (the 1%) and spread it around to the poor (the 99%). However, most of it winds up in the pockets of other rich folks in the form of Pork Barrell Spending by Congress.
It is also though that America is unfair to its minority groups and holds them down by race, gender, sexual preference, etc. I've often thought it odd to refer to women as a minority when there are more women than men. Nonetheless, women and other seg groups are thought to be held down by the Good Ole Boys, otherwise known as white males.
This has been historically true but I wonder, in an age where the President is African-American, women serve in all levels of society and other minority groups are given priority much of the time, how true it is that anyone but one's self is doing the holding down? Celebrities, multi-million dollar ball players, civic leaders and politicians are from all stripes. Apparently some don't buy in to the notion that their race, color or gender determines success.
However, be that as it may, there is inequity in America, indeed, in the world. Life is truly not fair. To have been born in America, as much as it is trashed by some, is considered to be winning the lottery of life compared to nearly every other place on earth. Why do you think, despite the tune beat by the media drum, that everyone is still coming to America? It is not perfect here but, compared with the rest of the world, it is.
Some are born into poverty, some into riches; some men, some women; some this color, some that; some live in freedom, others in slavery; some are tall, some short; some beautiful, some homely; and on it goes. Life is unfair, the world in which we live is fallen. In God's Kingdom, there is "neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). But in the world, there is no equity. You get what you got and you have to play the hand you are dealt.
The Good News, however, is that "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Rom 8:18) - a glory that does not come to us fairly. Our salvation is not based on equity or fairness. If it did, you and I would have to pay the cost. As it is, however, "we are saved by grace through faith - a free gift of God" (Eph 2:8-9).
No life isn't fair - Thank God! Jus' Sayn.
It is also though that America is unfair to its minority groups and holds them down by race, gender, sexual preference, etc. I've often thought it odd to refer to women as a minority when there are more women than men. Nonetheless, women and other seg groups are thought to be held down by the Good Ole Boys, otherwise known as white males.
This has been historically true but I wonder, in an age where the President is African-American, women serve in all levels of society and other minority groups are given priority much of the time, how true it is that anyone but one's self is doing the holding down? Celebrities, multi-million dollar ball players, civic leaders and politicians are from all stripes. Apparently some don't buy in to the notion that their race, color or gender determines success.
However, be that as it may, there is inequity in America, indeed, in the world. Life is truly not fair. To have been born in America, as much as it is trashed by some, is considered to be winning the lottery of life compared to nearly every other place on earth. Why do you think, despite the tune beat by the media drum, that everyone is still coming to America? It is not perfect here but, compared with the rest of the world, it is.
Some are born into poverty, some into riches; some men, some women; some this color, some that; some live in freedom, others in slavery; some are tall, some short; some beautiful, some homely; and on it goes. Life is unfair, the world in which we live is fallen. In God's Kingdom, there is "neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). But in the world, there is no equity. You get what you got and you have to play the hand you are dealt.
The Good News, however, is that "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Rom 8:18) - a glory that does not come to us fairly. Our salvation is not based on equity or fairness. If it did, you and I would have to pay the cost. As it is, however, "we are saved by grace through faith - a free gift of God" (Eph 2:8-9).
No life isn't fair - Thank God! Jus' Sayn.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Faithful Martyrdom
In Luke 15:11ff, we read the story, which is often referred to as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It narrates the journey of a son who leaves his father's house, wastes all his money and comes back asking to hire himself out to his father, who restores him instead to his position as son.
The story isn't, however, just about the wandering, faithless son. It is equally about the steadfastt, faithful son, who stayed with his father, worked the land and obediently did as he was asked. This son had the appearance of one who loved his father and served him loyally, setting aside his own aspiratons, unlike the younger, unfaithful brother.
Truthfully, the older brother was no more selfless than the younge one, no more faithful. While the younger brother left with his inheritance, the older brother stayed for his inheritance, not his father. The evidence is seen when the broken-hearted father rejoices over the return of the lost son. The older brother does not celebrate his father's gain of a lost son, instead he laments the return of a loser brother.
The older brother stews over the fact that, while he labored, putting off personal desires, it was his brother, who gave in to all his passions, that was given a party, killing the fattened calf, which was costly tribute for a wasteful returnee. He, on the other hand, who had borne the work in the heat of the day, stayed behind to build up this property had never even had a goatt served up for him.
The older brother really didn't care about the father or what the faither cared about. He cared about getting what he deserved and was not predisposed to share anything with his brother, despite the joy he could see it brought to his fathers heart.
Aren't you glad that we never act like him, tha we never serve out of a sense of duty instead of serving in love. Aren't you glad that we always welcome in the waywardd, regardless of how they left or what they've done in the past? Isn't it too bad that too often we have the heart of the older brother as calloused and bruised as it was? Aren't you glad we're not the older brother? Or, are we? Are you a faithful follower or a faithful martyr? Jus' Askn.
The story isn't, however, just about the wandering, faithless son. It is equally about the steadfastt, faithful son, who stayed with his father, worked the land and obediently did as he was asked. This son had the appearance of one who loved his father and served him loyally, setting aside his own aspiratons, unlike the younger, unfaithful brother.
Truthfully, the older brother was no more selfless than the younge one, no more faithful. While the younger brother left with his inheritance, the older brother stayed for his inheritance, not his father. The evidence is seen when the broken-hearted father rejoices over the return of the lost son. The older brother does not celebrate his father's gain of a lost son, instead he laments the return of a loser brother.
The older brother stews over the fact that, while he labored, putting off personal desires, it was his brother, who gave in to all his passions, that was given a party, killing the fattened calf, which was costly tribute for a wasteful returnee. He, on the other hand, who had borne the work in the heat of the day, stayed behind to build up this property had never even had a goatt served up for him.
The older brother really didn't care about the father or what the faither cared about. He cared about getting what he deserved and was not predisposed to share anything with his brother, despite the joy he could see it brought to his fathers heart.
Aren't you glad that we never act like him, tha we never serve out of a sense of duty instead of serving in love. Aren't you glad that we always welcome in the waywardd, regardless of how they left or what they've done in the past? Isn't it too bad that too often we have the heart of the older brother as calloused and bruised as it was? Aren't you glad we're not the older brother? Or, are we? Are you a faithful follower or a faithful martyr? Jus' Askn.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
The Yoke's On You
Jesus calls out "Come unto me all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...and you will find rest fo your souls" (Matt 11:28-29). How is that? How is it that taking on a yoke brings rest? A yoke being an instrument to connect an ox to a plow, how can it bring rest?
The answer is found in the ancient practice of using a double yoke to train a young ox, which would struggle with the plow if put in a yoke by itself. However, if put in a yoke with an older, experienced ox, the young ox would have help pulling the plow and, follwing the lead of the other would learn from it and find rest relative to the frustration of trying in vain to pull alone that for which it was not equipped.
The fact that Jesus calls those who are "heavy burdened" suggests he is calling those already in a yoke, trying in vain to pull a load for which they are not equipped. They are yoked to relationships, which are hung up on so many snares that they cannot pull it any further. They are yoked to financial stress that is so heavy that they strain in vain to make forward progress. They are yoked to fears, worries, health issues, ignorance, loss, pain, etc.
Whatever it is that you are trying to pull by yourself, the yoke's on you, and you are not equipped to pull it alone. You need to cast off your single yoke and take on the double yoke of Jesus in which you will be pulling with the Master by your side, help you with the load and teaching you how to make forward progress.
For this to happen, however, you have to be willing to give up control of your walk. You will have to lay down your yoke in which you are in the driver's seatt and step into the yoke of Jesus with him in control. You will have to "walk in the light as he (Jesus) is in the light" (1 John 1:7). The choice, of course, is yours. But the consequence of your choice is beyond your control and without Jesus you will not find rest. Jus' Sayn.
The answer is found in the ancient practice of using a double yoke to train a young ox, which would struggle with the plow if put in a yoke by itself. However, if put in a yoke with an older, experienced ox, the young ox would have help pulling the plow and, follwing the lead of the other would learn from it and find rest relative to the frustration of trying in vain to pull alone that for which it was not equipped.
The fact that Jesus calls those who are "heavy burdened" suggests he is calling those already in a yoke, trying in vain to pull a load for which they are not equipped. They are yoked to relationships, which are hung up on so many snares that they cannot pull it any further. They are yoked to financial stress that is so heavy that they strain in vain to make forward progress. They are yoked to fears, worries, health issues, ignorance, loss, pain, etc.
Whatever it is that you are trying to pull by yourself, the yoke's on you, and you are not equipped to pull it alone. You need to cast off your single yoke and take on the double yoke of Jesus in which you will be pulling with the Master by your side, help you with the load and teaching you how to make forward progress.
For this to happen, however, you have to be willing to give up control of your walk. You will have to lay down your yoke in which you are in the driver's seatt and step into the yoke of Jesus with him in control. You will have to "walk in the light as he (Jesus) is in the light" (1 John 1:7). The choice, of course, is yours. But the consequence of your choice is beyond your control and without Jesus you will not find rest. Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Eyes to Hear?
The prophet Habakkuk cried out to the Lord, "How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? (1:2). God's response was not to give him an audible answer but to direct him to "Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed" (v. 5). The Lord was telling Habakkuk to listen with his eyes.
We would like to hear a word from the Lord. We would like God to tell us directly and specifically what he is doing and what we are to do. But God doesn't necessarily choose to speak in a still small voice. Certainly we can hear God in our quiet times as we study his Word and draw near in prayer. But the answer we seek may be revealed in His activity around us.
As humans, we tend to take note of the mess we are in and cry out, like the prophet, "How long or why me or what gives?" Possibly God will speak directly to your heart or in a dream or even in a voice as clear someone next to you. But so often, God speaks in his activity. Instead of gazing so intently at the mess, perhaps we should look longinly for the Master. Rather than ask "How long or why me?" perhaps we can look for God's hand in things and try to discern what he is doing and how we should be responding.
For instance, instead of lamenting "Why did my job get cut?" why not look for the opportunity God is now affording you? Very possibly God is freeing you from one place to allow you to go to another that will open up new vistas for you. I have been fired once in my lifetime. I didn't know what I was going to do but God did. He opened doors for me that brought me to the place I am now and provided for me in a way that wasn't possible before. Looking back, I can see clearly how God was walking with me and supporting me, even carrying me at times.
I would still love to hear God speak audibly. I must say that I am a bit jealous of those who say, "God spoke to me and..." It is not that I have never heard God speak but for me it has always been an impression more than a voice. More often, it has been in what I see around me. God has, for the most part, chosen to give me "eyes to hear" rather than ears to hear his word for me. Perhaps that will be how he choses to reveal his will to you as well. Jus' Sayn.
We would like to hear a word from the Lord. We would like God to tell us directly and specifically what he is doing and what we are to do. But God doesn't necessarily choose to speak in a still small voice. Certainly we can hear God in our quiet times as we study his Word and draw near in prayer. But the answer we seek may be revealed in His activity around us.
As humans, we tend to take note of the mess we are in and cry out, like the prophet, "How long or why me or what gives?" Possibly God will speak directly to your heart or in a dream or even in a voice as clear someone next to you. But so often, God speaks in his activity. Instead of gazing so intently at the mess, perhaps we should look longinly for the Master. Rather than ask "How long or why me?" perhaps we can look for God's hand in things and try to discern what he is doing and how we should be responding.
For instance, instead of lamenting "Why did my job get cut?" why not look for the opportunity God is now affording you? Very possibly God is freeing you from one place to allow you to go to another that will open up new vistas for you. I have been fired once in my lifetime. I didn't know what I was going to do but God did. He opened doors for me that brought me to the place I am now and provided for me in a way that wasn't possible before. Looking back, I can see clearly how God was walking with me and supporting me, even carrying me at times.
I would still love to hear God speak audibly. I must say that I am a bit jealous of those who say, "God spoke to me and..." It is not that I have never heard God speak but for me it has always been an impression more than a voice. More often, it has been in what I see around me. God has, for the most part, chosen to give me "eyes to hear" rather than ears to hear his word for me. Perhaps that will be how he choses to reveal his will to you as well. Jus' Sayn.
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