Anger Issues

“On April 28, 1993, Serbian basketball player Boban Janković experienced one of the most tragic moments in sports history during a Greek League playoff game between Panionios and Panathinaikos. With frustration boiling over after a controversial foul call that disqualified him from the game, Janković impulsively slammed his head against the unpadded concrete support of the basketball hoop. The impact was catastrophic: he fractured vertebrae in his neck and suffered severe spinal cord damage, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. The arena fell silent as teammates, officials, and fans realised the severity of the injury, a shocking end to the career of a player renowned for his intensity and skill.

“Janković underwent surgery and spent the remainder of his life confined to a wheelchair, relying on the support of his family and the basketball community. Despite his paralysis, he remained a beloved figure in Greek basketball, with Panionios retiring his jersey number in tribute to his contributions on and off the court. His story served as a stark warning of how a moment of anger can irreversibly alter a life and a career, leaving a lasting impression on those who witnessed it” (Ancient Earth, Facebook).

This is obviously an extreme example of the consequences of uncontrolled anger. But perhaps we can think of a time in our own lives when an outburst of anger caused unintended damage (physical or emotional) to ourselves or others. There is a good reason why the Bible contains clear warnings against unbridled anger. Outbursts of anger are included  in Paul’s list of the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:20). Wrath and anger are vestiges of the “old self” and are to be put away from the one claiming to be a new person in Christ (Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8). The Psalmist reveals: “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness” (Psalm 145:8). It is no surprise, then, that His children are also called to be “...slow to anger” (James 1:19).

Remember: “A fool always loses his temper but a wise man holds it back” (Proverbs 29.11).

God loves you!

Mike

It's Time For The Rapture...Again

The “rapture” predictors are at it again. The latest round of false prophets have chosen today, September 23 (give or take a day), as the date for the return of Christ. But we’ve heard it all before haven’t we? For centuries, many have set dates and, for centuries, they have all failed. Why is that? Are they missing something? Yes.

The so-called “rapture” doctrine comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. It’s the idea of being “...caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…” (v. 17). Note that whatever is being referred to here is tied, in context, to “...the coming of the Lord” (v. 15). Note that Paul expected some of his contemporaries would be “...alive and remain until the coming of the Lord” (v. 15). Note that Paul claims that what he is teaching here is “...by the word of the Lord” (v. 15). So what did Jesus teach about the timing of His coming?

As Jesus sent the apostles out on their mission work, he told them they would “...not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 10:23). Jesus taught that some of the disciples who were standing and listening to Him would “...not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:28). In an entire chapter devoted to His coming, Jesus said that the generation to whom He was speaking would “...not pass away until all these things take place” (Matthew 24:34). Jesus couldn’t be more clear. He expected to return in that first century generation.

So whatever the “catching away” or “rapture” involved, it had to have taken place in the first century, at least if we are going to take Jesus at His word. The “rapture” is an event in our past -- not our future, despite what any modern-day prophet may try to tell us. Jesus will always be right. They will always be wrong.

God loves you!

Mike

"God, You're Wrong!"

In biblical times, a watchman stood “... at the place in the city where he has the most strategic view of the surroundings and watches for any approaching enemy army. He either reports by word of mouth or by trumpet. His task is simply to sound the alarm of the approaching enemy” (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible). God is calling the prophet Ezekiel to be a watchman to God’s people in a spiritual sense (Ezekiel 33:7). The Lord was bringing judgment due to the sins of the people and Ezekiel’s job was to warn them so they would repent and turn back to God.

But some in Israel had apparently decided they were beyond hope. “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?” (Ezekiel 33:10). God dispels that myth by having the prophet tell them: “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11). The wicked are not fated to die in their wickedness. If the wicked turn from sin and practice justice and righteousness, they will live (Ezekiel 33:14-16).

But even that promise was not good enough for some. “Yet your fellow citizens say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right,’ when it is their own way that is not right” (Ezekiel 33:17). Imagine having the audacity to claim that God is wrong! Who do these Israelites think they are anyway? If you have ever wondered how far sin can take you when you let it, this is a prime example. “God, you’re wrong and I’m right.” Wow!

God entertains no challengers in this debate. He plainly tells them they are the wrong ones, not Him. There is no hand-holding, no sympathizing, no “...well I can see where you are coming from…” God is always right, no matter what we may think or feel.

God loves you!

Mike

Home

“This world is not my home, I’m just a’ passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door. And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” The old hymn that includes this beginning verse was first published anonymously in 1919. While we may not know the original author, we do know that he or she had a biblical worldview.

The Scriptures affirm that the world in which we currently live is not our ultimate home. Yes, we make our abode here temporarily. But our true home is with God. The writer of Hebrews makes this clear.  In chapter 11, reference is made to people of faith like Abraham, Sarah, Issac, and Jacob who, the text tells us, “...died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

In other words, like the song says, they were passing through a world that was not their home. Notice how the text continues: “For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:14-16).

If you are a person of faith, you also are living in a world that is not your true home. Yes, we may own or rent a house in this world but we realize that our true home is with God. Remember, we too are strangers and exiles here. We keep our spiritual passports updated because we seek a better city and country. We can enjoy our homes in this world but, like Paul, we prefer “...to be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

God loves you!

Mike