The Descent Of Jesus

            Referencing the coming of Jesus into the world, Eugene Peterson paraphrases John 1:14 in a vivid way: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood” (The Message).  And our “neighborhood” wasn’t a move up for the Son of God (2 Corinthians 8:9).  We could compare it to trading a Park Avenue penthouse for a cardboard shack in the slums and it would still fall short of what Jesus sacrificed for us.  Henri Nouwen writes of the descending of Christ in a letter to his nephew:

“I wanted to write to you about the love of God become visible in Jesus. How is that love made visible through Jesus? It is made visible in the descending way. That is the great mystery of the Incarnation. God has descended to us human beings to become a human being with us; and once among us, he descended to the total dereliction of one condemned to death. It isn’t easy really to feel and understand from the inside this descending way of Jesus. Every fiber of our being rebels against it. We don’t mind paying attention to poor people from time to time, but descending to a state of poverty and becoming poor with the poor—that we don’t want to do. And yet that is the way Jesus chose as the way to know God.”*

            We are called to mimic the descent of Jesus.  “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8).

            The way up is gained by descent.  Fullness comes through emptying ourselves. Exaltation is achieved through humility.  It makes no earthly sense.  But it is the way of Christ.

God loves you!

Mike

*Letters To Marc About Jesus, Henri Nouwen, 2009

The Comparison Game

            Mark Powell, a professor of theology at Harding School of Theology, shared an article recently about the danger of comparing ourselves to others.  He begins this way:

“It is a mistake to compare ourselves to others. Yet we still do it, even in our walk with Jesus.  Of course, there are people with exceptional gifts, or highly visible roles, or a clear calling for a specific ministry. It is easy to be envious—and even fool ourselves into thinking that it’s a holy envy—when God appears to be working so clearly in the lives of others, but not so clearly in our own lives.  Maybe we are enduring a season of suffering, or long-term suffering, that others don’t have to face. We ask, “Why me, God?”  Or maybe there is someone who has made a big spiritual impact on us, and we want to be like them and bless others in similar ways. The only problem is, we are not our spiritual heroes and that is okay. God may be calling us to something else.  There are many ways we compare ourselves to others. The comparison game, though, keeps us from seeing who we are and how Jesus is calling us to follow him.”*

Powell goes on to point to the post-resurrection encounter between Jesus and Peter at the end of the gospel of John as an example of playing the comparison game (John 21:15-22).  The temptation, especially when the difficulties of following Jesus come, is to compare my situation with that of others.  It’s easy to divert attention to others when I am confronted with the weight of my own call to discipleship.

I must remember that I am called to follow Jesus.  The call the Lord issues to others won’t look exactly like what He requires of me.  Lord, when the struggles come, please help me not to point at others and ask, “But what about this person?”  Help me to focus on my own discipleship and avoid the comparison game.

God loves you!

Mike

*http://wineskins.org/2019/12/05/you-follow-me/

Broken

“One of the greatest ambitions of any violinist is to play a Stradivarius. Meticulously handcrafted by Antonio Stradivari these very rare violins produce an unrivalled sound. So you can imagine the excitement of acclaimed British violinist Peter Cropper when, in 1981, London's Royal Academy of Music offered him a 258 year old Stradivarius for a series of concerts. But then the unimaginable. As Peter entered the stage he tripped, landed on top of the violin and snapped the neck off. I can’t even begin to imagine how Peter Cropper felt at that moment. A priceless masterpiece destroyed!

“Cropper was inconsolable.  He took the violin to a master craftsman in the vain hope that he might be able to repair it. And repair it he did. So perfect was the repair that the break was undetectable, and, more importantly, the sound was exquisite. The Academy was most gracious and allowed him to continue using the Stradivarius. And so, night after night, as Peter drew his bow across those string, Peter was reminded of the fact that what he once thought irreparably damaged had been fully restored by the hand of a master craftsman.”*

“I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel” (Psalm 31:12).  The words of this Psalmist resonate with those who have come to understand the devastating effects of sin in their lives.  In spite of our best efforts, we remain spiritually shattered.  Our only hope lies in the restorative work of a Master Craftsman, One Who can make us as good as new again.  If we are in Christ, we are made new -- our brokenness is repaired (2 Corinthians 5.17).

The first stanza of T.O Chisholm’s 1935 song “Bring Christ Your Broken Life”  says it well: “Bring Christ your broken life, so marred by sin.  He will create anew, make whole again.  Your empty wasted years He will restore, and your iniquities, remember no more.”  Thank you, Lord, for putting the pieces of our broken lives back together!

God loves you!

Mike

*storiesforpreaching.com

The Art Of Gratitude

“In 2008 a young Australian woman, Hailey Bartholomew, found that she wasn’t enjoying life. She described herself as feeling lost and stuck on a treadmill. It was almost inexplicable. She was married to a man she loved and had beautiful children who held her heart. So why was she feeling so down about her life? Hailey sought the counsel of a nun, who advised her to spend time each day reflecting on something for which she was grateful. Hailey began a project called “365grateful”. Every day she took a photograph of something for which she was grateful.

“It changed her life, for it allowed her to see things she had never noticed. Hailey had always thought of her husband as unromantic. One day she took a picture of him serving up dinner, the thing which she was grateful for that day. She noticed for the first time that the largest portion of pie was placed on her plate. She realised that the largest portion was always placed on her plate and that this was one small but profound way her husband showed his care for her. Hailey had found mothering a “boring job”, but as she took photos of her children holding out their hands to her, playing and exploring, she discovered how much joy and wonder there was in her world. Through the art of gratitude Hailey found herself lifted out of her rut and celebrating life.”*

If cameras had been available in the first century, I can imagine the apostle Paul having an album full of reminders of his gratefulness.  There would be pictures of the churches he had helped to establish.  Scattered throughout would be candid shots of fellow missionaries who had worked alongside of him in sharing the gospel.  Perhaps there would be photos of some of the places his travels had taken him.

Paul was a grateful man and he encouraged gratefulness in others (Colossians 3:17).  There is much for which to be thankful in our world.  Sometimes we just have to train our eyes to see it.

God loves you!

Mike

*storiesforpreaching.com

Accustomed To Our Blessings

“I have felt for a long time that one of the particular temptations of the maturing Christian is the danger of getting accustomed to his blessings. Like the world traveler who has been everywhere and seen everything, the maturing Christian is in danger of taking his blessings for granted and getting so accustomed to them that they fail to excite him as they once did. Emerson said that if the stars came out only once a year, everybody would stay up all night to behold them. We have seen the stars so often that we don't bother to look at them anymore. We have grown accustomed to our blessings.

“The Israelites in the wilderness got accustomed to their blessings, and God had to chasten the people (see Num. 11). God had fed the nation with heavenly manna each morning, and yet the people were getting tired of it. "But now our whole being is dried up," they said, "there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!" (v. 6). Nothing but manna! They were experiencing a miracle of God's provision every morning; yet they were no longer excited about it. Nothing but manna!

“One of the evidences that we have grown accustomed to our blessings is this spirit of criticism and complaining. Instead of thanking God for what we have, we complain about it and tell him we wish we had something else. You can be sure that if God did give us what we asked for, we would eventually complain about that. The person who has gotten accustomed to his blessing can never be satisfied.”*

As believers, we have so much for which to be thankful!  But, like the Israelites, it is so easy to become accustomed to our blessings -- to take them for granted.  Perhaps that is why Paul is so insistent that we be “...always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father…” (Ephesians 5:20).  Thank You, Father, for everything!

God loves you!

Mike

*Warren Wiersbe, “God Isn't In a Hurry,” pp. 77-78

Can Fear Be Useful?

Mike Glenn shares some great thoughts about fear in a recent article titled: “Alligators Under My Bed.”  Think carefully about the following:

“As I have gotten older, I find out I’m still afraid, but I’ve changed my mind about the things I’m afraid of. I don’t fear alligators under my bed anymore. I fear missing a moment with my wife. I’m afraid I’ll miss a moment with my sons and grandchildren. I worry about the time I have with my friends. I worry about missing an adventure that would have allowed me to see the secret of the universe and missing it all because I thought I should show up for one more meeting about nothing. I’m afraid of living for nothing. I’m afraid when everything is said and done, nothing I’ve said and nothing I’ve done will have mattered.

“But this time, my fear doesn’t paralyze me, it energizes me. I’m 62 years old. I have lived most of my life. Whenever I read the paper and notice the obituaries, I’m stunned by how many people my age and younger have died! Tomorrow is never guaranteed. So, I know this. I know I’m going to die, and instead of being frozen in fear, I’m motivated to do those things – and only those things—that matter. I may be a little later going into the office because I’m enjoying coffee with my wife. I may get up and step outside of a meeting if one of my sons calls. I may linger in my Bible study and not be in such a rush during my prayers.

“I’m old enough to know what matters. I’m old enough to know I don’t have forever. Funny, but the fear in me keeps me focused. After all, you learn to get up fast in the morning if you think there are alligators under the bed.”*

            Rather than being paralyzed by fear, we can use it to motivate us to focus on what is truly important.  In that sense, fear can be useful.

God loves you!

Mike

*https://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2019/11/01/alligators-under-my-bed/

Meteorological Mayhem

        “Recently, I was talking with a group of church staff sharing how in our pursuit of God we can become so focused upon going upward toward God, our hearts directed in a heavenly, spiritual direction, that we fail to come down from the clouds to approach each other, here on earth, in loving and gracious ways. As the old gospel song says, we become so heavenly minded we are no earthly good. Even worse, we can become self-righteous and judgmental. In our spiritual pride we can hurt people.
        “Anyway, in trying to share this idea, this image came to mind and I shared it off the cuff: "We become so focused upon heaven we get pulled higher and higher, so high in the clouds we freeze, so we fall to earth not as refreshing rain but as damaging hail."
I think that's a great way to think of the contrast between Jesus and the Pharisees in the gospels. Jesus fell upon the earth as a gentle rain, where the Pharisees, in their pursuit of spiritual/heavenly purity, fell upon people as damaging hail”” (Richard Beck*)
  Beck’s comparison between Jesus and the Pharisees is right on target.  For all of their well-intentioned efforts to draw near to God, many of these Jewish leaders shamelessly abused those around them.  In Matthew 23, Jesus calls them out for using their pretentious “godliness” as a cloak to take advantage of others.  The Lord pronounces woe after woe upon them for hurting others while claiming to be men of God.
  Our pursuit of God should never lead us to be damaging to others. “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also” (1 John 4:20–21).  Let’s endeavor to rain that refreshes rather than hail that shreds.

God loves you!
Mike
*https://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2019/11/are-you-rain-or-hail.html

Name-Calling

“But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs”” (Matthew 15:25–26).

The reactions to the words of Jesus in this encounter with a Gentile woman are varied.  There are skeptics who use them to claim that Jesus was just another racist bigot who shared in the sinful prejudices of His fellow Jews.  But even some who have faith in Christ struggle to understand why Jesus would refer to anyone as a “dog.”  It seems so out of character for the Savior revealed in other parts of the Bible.  What is going on here?  While a definitive answer may be elusive, let me offer some thoughts that may help.

First, technically speaking, Jesus didn’t directly call her a “dog.”  The “dog” was part of His illustration about the priority of His mission to the Jewish nation (cf. v.24).  Yes, there was likely a veiled reference to the ongoing Jew\Gentile tension of the day (and the words used by some to describe that tension), but there is nothing in the text to indicate that Jesus even remotely supported such attitudes.  Jesus DIDN’T say: “You Gentile dog, get away from me and don’t bother me with your insignificant problems!”

Second, the woman seems to receive the illustration in the spirit in which it was offered.  Rather than a racially-motivated slur, it appears to be an effort on the part of Jesus to reveal the heart of the woman -- a test of faith if you will.  There is no indication that the woman perceived the words of Jesus as being unkind or cruel.  In fact, her faith leads her to humble herself to the point of being willing to accept the crumbs of Jesus’ ministry if that is all she can have.  And her response prompts Jesus to grant her request and praise her for the greatness of her faith.

As always, read carefully and consider the context when seeking to understand the attitudes and actions of Jesus.

God loves you!

Mike

Post-Christendom

In a recent interview about his new book Resilient Faith: How The Early Christian “Third Way” Changed The World,” Gerald Sittser referred to the impact that the early Christians had on the world around them.  Here is what he said:

“It is easy for us to forget how new and unique this movement was, and still is. Rome had never seen the likes of it before. It introduced a new kind of belief, worship, identity, authority, community, and way of life. The movement was new because Jesus was new. Rome had never seen the likes of Jesus before either. Consequently, the movement grew out of the uniqueness of Jesus. As Luke proclaims in the Acts of the Apostles, this movement “turned the world upside down,” and did so long before Constantine assumed the throne and laid the groundwork for the Christian empire and the emergence of Christendom.

“In our increasingly post-Christendom setting, we have much to learn from a movement that flourished in a pre-Christendom setting. Mere survival would have been impressive enough. But they did far more than survive. They flourished without state establishment and cultural privilege. They had no big church buildings and budgets, no favored political candidates they could vote into office, no conservative (or liberal) supreme court judges, no large-scale non-profits, no big publishing companies, no celebrity preachers, no internet, podcasts, blogs, Instagram, and Twitter. Yet they surpassed all expectations and succeeded against all odds. Perhaps we have something to learn from these early Christians!”*

As the influence of Christianity wanes in our increasingly secular world, perhaps we would do well to consider this history lesson.  “Post-Christendom” will likely require us to re-think some methods of engagement that have been near and dear to us.  Christ and the gospel will never change but the world around us is rapidly changing.  Will we re-focus and refine our approach where necessary or will we become increasingly irrelevant?  Food for thought...

God loves you!

Mike

*https://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2019/10/19/resilient-faith/

Success Vs. Faithfulness

            “In the book Second Calling, Dale Bourke writes that years ago, she attended a conference. When it was over, her friend Bruce offered her a ride to the airport. As they were about to leave, another man asked if he could join them. As they drove away from the hotel, she and Bruce asked the man where he worked, and he mentioned a Christian organization. Bruce said, “I have fond memories of that group, because I attended a retreat of theirs one time, and that’s where I became a Christian. It was in 1972 in New Hampshire.” Bruce went on to explain that eventually his whole family became Christians and went into Christian work. His sister was a Wycliffe missionary and Bruce himself became publisher of a major Christian publishing house, which brought many significant Christian books to the public. Bruce finished the story with a flourish saying that the retreat had had a worldwide impact when you think about it.

“The man was silent. Dale and Bruce thought that maybe they were boring him. Then the stranger quietly said, “I led that retreat. It was my first time as a conference leader, and I felt like a total failure. Until this moment, I have always believed it was one of the biggest failures of my life.” Dale Bourke wrote, “What had seemed like the simple act of offering a ride to a stranger had turned into a powerful reminder that God uses our efforts whether we realize it or not. I may spend the rest of my life doing things that don’t seem at all successful. Yet only God knows the purpose. I am called simply to be faithful””*

            We live in a success-driven culture where we tend to rate ourselves in comparison to the accomplishments of others.  The rise of social media has just made things worse.  How would things change if you truly believed that God didn’t judge you like others judged you (or like you judge yourself)?  Remember: God calls us to faithfulness, not success.

God loves you!

Mike

*https://therocketcompany.com/10-new-preaching-stories/

Got Power?

“In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car to start it. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.

“Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.”

As people of God, are we accessing the power God makes available to us or are we relying on our own strength and ingenuity?  While we may get by with our own resources, imagine what could be done by allowing God to work through us.  Saul of Tarsus was very familiar with the use of human power and initiative.  But as the apostle Paul, he learned to depend on a greater power source.  “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20–21).

Could it be time to quit pushing the car and check the connection to the Power Source?

God loves you!

Mike

*http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/p/power.htm

Unrepentant

            “The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire.  Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.  Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds” (Revelation 16:8–11).

            Painful times in life often become periods of reassessment for many who experience them.  How often have you witnessed a renewed interest in spiritual matters in people following a tragedy, either individually or collectively?  A loved one dies or a relationship is destroyed and, often, a person is driven to their knees in prayer to a God they have ignored for a long time.  Or a national tragedy occurs and, suddenly, attendance at church services swells.  Sadly, once the crisis passes and the pain subsides, things return to “normal.”  Once again, there is little time for spiritual things and God’s name is only invoked as part of a curse.  I’m not here to sit in judgment over the sincerity of the repentance of anyone in these kinds of situations.  My point is that pain and suffering drives many people toward God instead of away from Him.

            That is what makes the text above from Revelation 16 stand out in such stark contrast.  God’s righteous judgment was being poured out on those who were living in rebellion to Him.  The persecutors were getting a taste of their own medicine.  One would expect such pain and suffering to drive the rebels to their knees before the God of heaven.  But they were so hardened in their sin that they stubbornly refused to repent.  Rather than give God their glory He deserves, they blasphemed Him (cf. Jeremiah 5:1-3; 6.27-30).

            How incredibly sad!

God loves you!

Mike

"Where Is God?"

“A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were mischievous. They were always getting into trouble, and their parents knew that if any mischief occurred in their town, their sons were probably involved.  The boys' mother heard that a Pastor in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The pastor agreed, but asked to see them individually. So the mother sent her 8-year-old in to see him the following morning, intending to send the older boy in the afternoon.

“The Pastor was a large man with a booming voice, he sat the younger boy down and sternly asked, "Where is God?" The boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response. The Pastor repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is God!!?" Again the boy made no attempt to answer. The Pastor got to his feet. Shaking his finger in the boy's face, he bellowed, "WHERE IS GOD!?"

“The boy screamed and bolted from the room. He ran directly home and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him a few minutes later, he asked, "What happened?" The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, "We're in BIG trouble! God is missing—and they think we did it!"” (sermoncentral.com).

Throughout history, unbelievers have claimed that God is dead or that He is just a figment of our imagination.  In times of pain or struggle, the atheist taunts: “Where is this God you say is so interested in us?”  The answer?  He is where He has always been -- running the universe and intimately involved in the lives of His children (Psalm 139).  He knows us inside and out (vv. 1-6).  We can’t outrun His reach (vv. 7-12).  He was there at the very beginning (vv. 13-16).

It is the world that has gone AWOL, not God.  It is sin that separates the human race from the God Who loves them.  If God appears to be missing or absent, it is because we have distanced ourselves from Him.

God loves you!

Mike

Finisher

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished” (Revelation 15:1-3).

Chapters 12-14 of Revelation have set the stage for the final and decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on those who have set themselves up in opposition to Him.  The sides in the battle are clear.  We come to the final grouping of seven that is associated with God’s judgment.  First, there were the seven seals of the scroll (chs. 5-7).  The opening of the seventh seal brought forth seven angels with seven trumpets (chs. 8-11).  In each of the previous “sevens”, the judgment was limited (i.e. “a fourth” or “a third”).  Here in chapter 15, the seven angels with seven plagues bring the final, unrestrained wrath of God.  When the seven golden bowls are emptied, “...the wrath of God is finished.”

Perhaps you have experienced the frustration of a work situation where a fellow employee chronically left jobs unfinished or deadlines unmet.  Not only did it reflect badly upon them but it may have had ramifications for you, even when you had completed your own part of the project.  Or maybe someone close to you was great about making promises but not-so-great in following through on the commitments that were made.  It seems there are always more “starters” than “finishers.”

I’m so grateful to serve a God Who finishes what He starts.  His faithfulness to His promises is rooted in the fact that He is different than us.  “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).  The best example of God as a finisher is His commitment through Jesus Christ to redeem the world from the devastation of sin and death.  God kept His promise and, as Jesus said from the cross: “It is finished.” (John 19:30).  My God is a finisher!

God loves you!

Mike

A Different Tune

“Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth” (Revelation 14:1–3).

Revelation 13 records the efforts of the dragon\serpent (Satan, 12:9) to gather allies for his all-out war against the people of God.  A beast arises out of the sea as well as from the earth.  These blasphemous and murderous monsters had one purpose: the destruction of the faithful.  Their very presence on a battlefield would be enough to chill the heart of the most courageous warrior.

But all was not lost.  Revelation 14 tell us that the army of God had its own champion -- not a dragon or a beast but a Lamb, who is the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.  And while a Lamb might not seem like a fearsome leader, do not underestimate this One.  He has been in the heat of battle before and emerged bloodied but victorious (cf. 5:5-6,12).  Here, the Lamb takes His stand with fellow overcomers on Mount Zion in opposition to the satanic forces.  The stage is set for the epic conflict to begin.

I find it instructive that, just prior to engaging the enemy, the hosts of heaven have a new song to teach the faithful soldiers of the Lamb.  These believers had suffered so much for the cause, just like their Leader.  But the day had come for a new song of victory.  They knew well the songs of mourning.  But now they would be singing a different tune.

God loves you!

Mike

Cosmic Accidents

“If the solar system was brought about by an accidental collision, then the appearance of organic life on this planet was also an accident, and the whole evolution of Man was an accident too. If so, then all our present thoughts are mere accidents — the accidental by-product of the movement of atoms. And this holds for the thoughts of the materialists and astronomers as well as for anyone else’s. But if their thoughts — i.e. of materialism and astronomy — are merely accidental by-products, why should we believe them to be true? I see no reason for believing that one accident should be able to give me a correct account of all the other accidents. It’s like expecting that the accidental shape taken by the splash when you upset a milk jug should give you a correct account of how the jug was made and why it was upset” (C.S. Lewis, The Business of Heaven, p. 97).

This quote of Lewis highlights one of the strangest facets of the creation vs. evolution debate for me.  Read through it again and think carefully about what he says.  Naturalistic science, which promotes the idea that everything we see and experience in our world today came about due to a series of accidents (beneficial or otherwise), is heralded as the authority in matters regarding origins.  Many who hold to this view look at anyone who questions their conclusions as unlearned or deceived.  But why should I accept the conclusions of the byproduct of a cosmic accident as an authority?  By the way, when I refer to these people who differ with me as “the byproducts of a cosmic accident,” I am only using the necessary conclusions of their own theories.  As a believer in God, I believe they are much more.

Anyway, the point still stands.  Does it take more faith to believe in a universe spontaneously arising out of a series of accidents or in a God with the power and knowledge to create it?  Hint: be careful when getting your answers from accidents.

God loves you!

Mike

More Than Meets The Eye

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon.  He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence.  And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.  He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.  And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life” (Revelation 13:11–14).

The beast spoken of here is one of two allies recruited by Satan in his war against the people of God.  This beast seems to be more subtle than its counterpart (vv. 1-10).  The first beast bellowed out its arrogant and blasphemous words against God and all that is associated with Him.  There was no mistaking what it was trying to do.  This second beast is different.  It relies more on deception.  Not all is as it seems.  This craftiness is seen in appearing like a lamb but speaking like a dragon.  Seemingly innocent yet very dangerous.

Treachery is a key part of how the devil and his minions work.  Speaking of those who were seeking to undermine his apostleship, Paul references their deceptive efforts: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light”(2 Corinthians 11:13–14).  Our enemies will use any clever disguise to achieve their ends -- be it a demon masquerading as an angel or a beast who looks like a lamb.

There is only One True Lamb in the book of Revelation -- the risen Lord Jesus Christ.  Don’t be led astray by a counterfeit. 

God loves you!

Mike

Am I A Spectator Or A Participant?

“The greatest evidence of your salvation is not that you repented once but that you continue to repent today. It’s not that you believed once but that you continue to believe today. It’s not that you walked with Christ once but that continue to walk with Him today” (Billy Wendeln).

I ran across this quote in a Facebook group and it resonated with me.  It strikes at the heart of a problem that churches of every stripe experience -- a lack of commitment \ involvement.  Somehow we’ve come to believe that once we are in the “club,” then we can continue to reap the benefits without any (or very little) ongoing participation or growth.  I suppose that even the leadership in some churches has been complicit in the development of the issue.  The increasing competition to put (and keep) people in the pews has caused some to be hesitant of requiring much in the way of visible commitment to the cause.  The fear is that such an approach will prompt the resistant to just move on to another group down the road that doesn’t require as much.

The Bible knows nothing about non-participatory Christianity.  Sure, large numbers took the initial steps of faith in the New Testament and became part of the body of Christ.  That’s great news.  But it didn’t stop there.  Believers were expected to become an active part of a local fellowship of Christians (Hebrews 10:23-25).  They were expected to grow in their faith (Ephesians 4:15; 2 Pet. 3:18).  They were all expected to use their gifting to serve the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-18).  Being an “eye” or an “ear” didn’t excuse anyone from participation.

Some questions are in order.  Am I claiming to be part of something but not participating in it?  Have I been saved but refuse to cooperate with God’s ongoing efforts to save me?  Has my Christianity devolved into punching a time card and keeping a checklist or am I actively seeking to contribute to the health of my congregation?

God loves you!

Mike

A Battle Plan

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.“  And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death” (Revelation 12:10–11).

The full manifestation of the kingdom of God, ushered in by the coming of the Messiah and all that He made possible, was the difference-maker in the cosmic battle between God and satan, the malevolent accuser of God’s people.  The devil and his demonic forces had launched an attack on heaven itself but soon discovered they didn’t have the strength to defeat Michael and his angelic host.  As a consequence of their defeat, satan and his army were thrown down to earth.  Never one to sit idle long, the devil turned his attention to the earthly members of God’s kingdom, seeking to destroy them.  Would the earthly servants of God have the same success against the accuser as the heavenly defenders?

Thankfully, the answer is “yes.”  The text above attributes their success to three things.  One, the blood of the Lamb.  There would be no victory over Satan if all we had were our own efforts.  First and foremost, we need the blessings that accompany the sacrifice of Jesus and the victory over sin and death it secured before we have any hope of success.  Two, the word of their testimony.  The words and life of these overcomers testified to their loyalty and commitment to their Lord.  In a climate where the pressure was great to compromise to avoid persecution and suffering, these Christians stood firm.  Three, they weren’t afraid to die for their faith.  Nothing, not even martyrdom, could sway these followers of God.

Sounds like a great battle plan to me.  Difficult but effective.  What do you think?

God loves you!

Mike

Ant vs. Elephant

“Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,   “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever”” (Revelation 11:15).

The background of this verse involves God’s efforts to provide a prophetic testimony during a time of great struggle, symbolized in this chapter by the sending forth of two witnesses.  They have great power and authority but eventually the forces of evil, pictured as the beast of the abyss, overcome and kill them.  Those opposed to God dishonor the dead bodies of the witnesses.  The rebels rejoice that their tormentors have been eliminated.

But the victory party is a bit premature.  After a short time, God raises the two witnesses from the dead.  The rejoicing of God’s opponents gives way to great fear as they see the resurrected witnesses are called to heaven, followed by an outpouring of God’s wrath and judgment.  And when the dust settles, the kingdom of God is triumphant over the kingdoms of the world.  Worldly kingdoms do their worst but God always ultimately wins!

This reminds me of the words of the Psalmist: “Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!”  He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain””(Psalm 2:1–6).

Ungodly kingdoms come and go.  Worldly rulers defy the Ruler of the universe and revel in their rebellion, uttering blasphemous words of challenge and defiance.  It’s like an ant challenging an elephant.  And like God, we laugh at such futility.  Do they really think they can take on God and win?

God loves you!

Mike

Are YOU The ONE?

“Many centuries ago, a woman thought things were too far gone. She didn’t think there was anything she could do. It was only a matter of time before all the Jews would be exterminated. You remember Esther. She was the Jewish wife of a Persian king, the man who was about to be tricked into making an irrevocable, disastrous decision. All of Esther’s people would soon be exterminated. But just one person could turn the tide. One! Esther’s adoptive father got her attention with these words, “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). That did it. She broke longstanding protocol and put her own life at risk. She marched into the king’s throne room, spoke her mind . . . and ultimately rescued the Jews from holocaust. One woman—only one voice—saved an entire nation. As is true of every person who stands in the gap, Esther was willing to get personally involved to the point of great sacrifice. Or, as she said, “If I perish, I perish” (4:16). She didn’t think, “Someone else should be doing this, not me,” nor did she ignore the need because of the risk” (Charles Swindoll).*

Sometimes all it takes is one person. It’s not always (perhaps even rarely) the one with the most courage, knowledge, or resources. The Bible has other examples of this kind of thing.  Joseph was a lowly slave and inmate in Egypt yet, by being faithful with what he had, he ultimately was the one God used to rescue His people.  Moses, after struggling with his own identity issues and excuses, became the one God used to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery.

When you see a need in the kingdom of God, train yourself not to immediately think that someone else will handle it.  It’s always easier to say, “Something needs to be done” that it is to say, “I should do something about that.”  Maybe YOU are the ONE God has prepared for “...such a time as this.”

God loves you!

Mike

*https://pastors.iflblog.com/2019/05/the-value-of-one-person/

Bitterly Sweet

“So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book.  And he said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”  I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.  And they said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings”” (Revelation 10:9–11).

Perhaps you can remember eating something that tasted so good at the time but, before long, the goodness gave way to gastrointestinal distress (just a fancy way of saying “bellyache”).  I’ve been there.  Years and years ago, our family was invited to the home of some friends for dinner.  Enchiladas were on the menu and, as I recall, they were very tasty.  Later in the evening, I wasn’t feeling well and by bedtime I was violently ill.  No one else got sick so it's likely that the food wasn’t the source of my sickness but, to this day, I’ve had a difficult relationship with enchiladas.  Something that was good became bitter to me.

John had been chosen by God to be His messenger.  As a disciple of Jesus, he would have valued the word of God and the opportunity he had been given to share it.  So in that sense, the message of the “little book” was sweet to him (cf. Psalm 19:7-10; 119:97-104).  It was something that he would ingest eagerly.  But the practical consequences of what John was to share would not all be positive or “sweet.”  Many, especially the unrepentant among John’s fellow Jews, would not be eager to hear God’s word of judgment against them and they might react negatively toward him.  Even without the negative reaction, I’m guessing that John would not relish bearing bad news for his own people.  For all of these reasons, what was sweet to John would also become bitter for him.

God loves you!

Mike

Unrepentant

“The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts” (Revelation 9:20–21).

Chapter nine of Revelation describes the sounding of the fifth and sixth trumpets of the judgment of God.  The fifth trumpet heralds the opening of the bottomless pit or abyss and the unleashing of a demonic horde to wreak havoc on those who do not have the seal of heavenly protection.  These devilish beings are likened to locusts but they are much more terrifying.  Their leader bears a name that describes the goal of his army -- destruction.  The sixth trumpet continues the theme.  Another massive army, who had previously been held back (cf. Revelation 7:1), is also now released to bring further judgment to those who defy God.  Their description would also strike fear into the heart of even a seasoned warrior.

The two verses at the end of the chapter, listed above, are some of the saddest words in all of Revelation.  Surely anyone who experienced such judgments from God would repent and turn back to Him, right?  And yet, many remained stubbornly defiant and hardened to any heavenly attempts to get their attention.  The prophet Jeremiah dealt with the same kind of people in his day.  He writes of those whom God disciplined but still “refused to repent” (Jeremiah 5:1-3; cf. also 8:4-6).

Let’s all repent while we have the opportunity to do so.  Why?  Because the day may come when we become so hardened in our sin that we move beyond the reach of God’s restorative efforts.  At that point, no amount of God’s discipline or judgment makes any difference.  We end up dooming ourselves to destruction with no one to blame but ourselves.

God loves you!

Mike

Silence

“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Revelation 8:1).

As chapter eight of Revelation begins, the interlude between the sixth and seventh seal is over.  As we stand on the brink of the judgment God has planned for Judah and Jerusalem, He has affirmed His protection and provision for those who are faithful to Him.  As the time for the execution of God’s wrath drew nigh, it called for a period of solemn reflection.  In chapter seven, the throne room was filled with loud voices of an innumerable throng, crying out in praise and worship to God.  Now, the voices fade away and an eerie silence prevails.  A hush falls over the crowd as the prospects of what was about to unfold weighs upon them.  As much as this judgment was deserved, we hear no rejoicing at what must take place.

There are times when full expression of our praise to God is appropriate.  As an example, I think of the time when Jesus was approaching Jerusalem for the final time prior to His crucifixion.  Luke reports that “... the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen” (Luke 19:37).  Some Pharisees in the crowd called on Jesus to rebuke them, but He refused, saying, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” (Luke 19:40).

But there are also times when silence is the only suitable response.  Often, such times are associated with God’s judgment (cf. Habakkuk 2:20; Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13).  When we begin to comprehend, even in a small way, the great power and holiness of God, we are left speechless.  I’m reminded of Job’s response when God finally had his attention.  Job had much to say throughout his trials, but in the midst of being confronted by God, he said, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to you?  I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job 40:4).  There is a time for silence.

God loves you!

Mike

Sealed By God

            Chapter six of Revelation ends with a question asked by those who were attempting to hide themselves from the presence of God and the wrath of the Lamb.: “...and who is able to stand?”  Six seals were opened by the resurrected Lord in chapter six, each progressively building toward the unleashing of God’s wrath on Judah and Jerusalem.  The opening of the seventh seal would be the visualization of that judgment.  Would anyone be able to escape the wrath to come?  Could anyone stand in the face of such judgment?  According to chapter seven, the answer is “yes.”

            Angels are pictured as holding back the vengeance of God until something important could be done -- the sealing or marking of those who were faithfully serving God.  This is reminiscent of another marking done centuries earlier during the time of Ezekiel.  The prophet had been chosen to deliver another message of doom for Jerusalem because of the sins of the people and their desecration of God’s temple.  But before the judgment fell, someone was sent throughout the city to mark those who “...sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst” (Ezekiel 9:1-4).  These faithful ones, like the ones sealed in Revelation, were marked for the special protection of God.

            The message of Revelation seven is that the faithful, regardless of what happens as God pours out His wrath, will one day stand as victorious overcomers before the throne of God.  He will bring them through the great tribulation (cf. Matthew 24:21).  It may be through escape or through martyrdom, but either way they will have access to the blessings associated with the presence of God.

            Paul told Timothy that “...the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His…” (2 Timothy 2:19).  What a comforting thought!  Even though He has a huge family, I am specifically known and loved.  I’m not just another face in the crowd of humanity.  I am marked as someone special to Him.

God loves you!

Mike

Act Like It!

            “Saul said to his servants who stood around him, “Hear now, O Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse also give to all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds?  For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day”” (1 Samuel 22:7–8).

            What an embarrassment Saul had become to himself and to the people he was chosen to lead!  At this point in the narrative, the king has stooped to bribery and whining in a weak attempt to shore up his crumbling regime.  Ever since God removed His Spirit from him due to his rebellion (1 Samuel 16:14), things had been getting steadily worse for Saul.  Jealousy, homicidal ravings, and sinister plotting have now given way to cronyism, pathetic sniveling, and paranoia.  So much for kingly deportment!  There are words and actions that are worthy of the title and Saul lost sight of both.  The king was speaking and acting more like a criminal.

            There are also words and actions worthy of us as sons and daughters of the King of Kings.  The New Testament repeatedly calls each of us to live in a manner that is consistent with our calling as disciples of Christ (cf. Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).  Being part of God’s royal family brings with it an expectation that we carry ourselves in such a way that doesn’t bring shame or embarrassment to the name we bear (2 Timothy 2:19).  Brothers and sisters, we are royalty, not beggars.  We are saints, not slaves.  We live in a kingdom, not a gutter.  Let’s act like it!

God loves you!

Mike

A Hole To Hide In

“Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”” (Revelation 6:15–17).

As Jesus progressively opens the seals on the scroll in Revelation 6, we have a visual representation of rise of the Roman empire, which would be God’s tool of judgment on the Jewish nation.  They had earned God’s wrath for their on-going rejection and murder of God’s prophetic messengers of repentance, culminating in the crucifixion of the Son of God Himself (cf. Matthew 23:29-39).  That was the act that sealed their fate.  While Pilate tried to avoid responsibility for putting an innocent man to death, it was the Jewish mob that boldly demanded Jesus’ death: “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25).  Now they would get their wish.

The opening of the sixth seal pictures the beginning stages of the outpouring of God’s judgment on Judea and Jerusalem.  Suddenly, the tune of the rebels changes from “We will gladly take the blame!” to “Give us a hole to crawl into to escape God’s wrath!”  The description in Revelation 6:12-17 is almost identical to the words of Jesus as He speaks of the coming judgment on Jerusalem in the first century (cf. Matthew 24:29-34; Luke 23:26-31).

I pause to think of modern-day critics of God and the Bible.  May God grant them the time to repent of their mockery and rebellion before the time comes when they too will be looking for a way to hide themselves from the holy judgment of God Almighty.  By then it will be too late.

God loves you!

Mike

The Worthy One

            “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?”  The question asked by the strong angel (Revelation 5:2) reverberated throughout the throne room of God.  But the scroll held in the right hand of God remained unclaimed and unopened.  It appeared that no one was worthy of the task at hand.  The prospect of such failure causes John no little distress.  He weeps openly because no one could be found who was worthy enough to open the scroll and reveal its contents.

            But all is not lost!  There is an Overcomer Who steps forward to claim the scroll from the hand of God.  This Lion from Judah, this Root of David, this bloodied Lamb has provided abundant proof of His worthiness.  Through His sacrificial death, He overcame the power of sin and death and paid the price for the sins of all who turn to Him in faith.  Then He takes these saved ones and forms a kingdom of priests who will one day share His reign.  There is only One in all of human history Who fits this description -- Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

            I am so grateful for a Worthy One!  Why is that?  Because I know of my own unworthiness.  Like others before me (Matthew 8:8; Luke 5:8; 15.19; John 1.27), I am keenly aware of my own failings.  Even my “good days” pale in comparison to the One Who is truly worthy.  But, thankfully, that’s not the end of the story!  If my faith is in the One Who is worthy, I can be made worthy in the sight of God.  Not on the basis of who I am or what I have done, but on the basis of Who He is and what He has done.

            I join the innumerable heavenly host as the well as the rest of creation in praising the Worthy One!  “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).

God loves you!

Mike

Casting Our Crowns

            In chapter 4 of Revelation, John is given a visionary glimpse into the very throne room of God.  He has the difficult task of describing heavenly realities in human language.  The first sight that demands his attention is God Himself, seated on His throne.  What he sees is best characterized in terms of brilliant colors and symbolic images.  Surrounding God’s throne are twenty-four more thrones -- occupied by twenty-four white-clad and golden-crowned elders.  Lightning and thunder, symbolic of the great power and glory of God, radiate outward from the Divine Presence.  In close proximity to the throne are seven lamps of fire, signifying the Holy Spirit.  Also around the throne are four bizarre heavenly attendants, called living creatures in the NASB.  Their full-time job appears to be offering praise and worship to God.  Near the end of the chapter, these creatures launch into a praise chorus, prompting the twenty-four elders prostrate themselves before the throne of God.  What an amazing scene!

            The imagery in this chapter is indeed intense.  But as I worked my way through the chapter, I was especially impressed by one particular image.  As the supporting cast in the vision offer their praise to God, the twenty-four elders are pictured as casting their own crowns before the throne of God.  The fact that they had their own crowns imply some level of personal power and authority in the overall scheme of things.  But each one willingly surrenders his own crown in humble deference to the One who wields ultimate power and authority.  Amazing!

            While I don’t have a literal crown to cast before the Ultimate King, I pause to reflect upon my own submission before God.  Do I trust and honor Him enough to willingly cast before Him what is valuable in my own “realm” of influence -- things like my marriage, my family, my friends, my livelihood, or my future?  As important as each of these are, do I grasp them so tightly that I can’t surrender each of them to the One who values them more than I do? 

God loves you!

Mike

God Isn't Done Yet

“Many people find beetles and bugs somewhat creepy, but there’s one beetle in the world that could turn you into a beetle lover – the jewel scarab. Jewel scarabs live in the jungles of Honduras and have the shape of your regular Christmas beetle. But their colours are so dazzling and beautiful that they can sell for up to $500 a beetle. Beautiful flaming reds, bright golds, silvers that resemble bright, shiny chrome. Even the beetle hater finds jewel scarabs dazzling and beautiful!
            “But the jewel scarab’s beauty doesn’t come automatically. Every scarab has modest, even ugly beginnings. The scarab starts life as a soft, mushy, grey-white grub growing inside a rotting tree stump. They spend their life like this for around a year, until finally, when the rainy season arrives, the adult scarabs emerge soft bodied and pale. The within hours, their bodies harden and their splendid colours show. They only live for another three months, but what a glorious existence it is.”*
            Is there something about yourself that you don’t consider very beautiful or attractive?  Most of us can probably think of something about our physical appearance that we would like to change.  But I want you to think about more than just external matters.  It could be an ugly attitude that embarrasses us.  Or maybe words or actions that have brought shame to our lives.  Perhaps our relationships are a mess.

Take heart!  As the saying goes -- God isn’t done with us yet!  “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13).  God specializes in taking the damaged, embarrassing, shameful, and ugly parts of our lives and reworking them for His purposes.  If we surrender our lives to His reworking, the results can be dazzling and beautiful!

God loves you!

Mike

*Scientific information from National Geographic, Feb 2001; storiesforpreaching.com