Here We Go Again!

“Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out.” ~ Numbers 9:22
  
    It is a hot and steamy time of year for many of us in the midwest. Temperatures in the 90s, high humidity, thick haze, and pop-up thunderstorms occur daily, sometimes for several weeks. Mariners in tall ships used to call these times “the doldrums.” I remember another spell of the doldrums many years ago that finally broke in early September. Most of the nation awakened to deep blue skies and crisp autumnal temperatures. It was so refreshing that I considered riding my bicycle to the church for a change. But then, everything screeched to a stop. It was like the dissonant scratch of the needle on an LP record. It was the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. 
    The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the return of Taliban rule is a bitter reminder to those who vividly remember “9-11” twenty years later. As a result, there is a temptation to sigh and surrender to hopelessness, saying, “Here we go again!” And then, there’s the pandemic. But, unfortunately, it too feels like version two-point-oh (as in oh-no!) all over again. Even though we all knew the pandemic wasn’t over, we lived like it was for several months and, “Here we go again!” Likewise, the latest presidential election saw a transition from one man that half of America despised to another man that half of America despises. “Here we go again!” 
So, on this hot, hazy August morning, I am once again asking the LORD to give me His Word for you when encouragement is needed, again. The story of the Israelites in the wilderness came to mind. They left behind a situation they did not like but soon discovered that it was predictable and comfortable in its own bitter way. Over time, the vast majority of the freed slaves would die off because they could not adapt and overcome their old nature. When the shrinking remnant retired at night, they would look to the pillar of cloud and fire, hoping it would not move again since there was so much work, wining, and adaptation associated with following the LORD. When they awakened in the morning, they did not look to the rising sun before they looked to the pillar. As the people of God went about their daily chores, they routinely looked to the LORD’s glory. Sooner or later, “Here we go again!” would be the collective groan. 
   My favorite catchphrase, or hashtag, from Jesus in the excellent television series “The Chosen” is when Jesus said, “Get used to different.” I feel like God said something like that to Moses and the other leaders of the Israelites in the wilderness. So, humbly now, I’ll add one of my hashtagables here and say, “Comfort kills.” We grumble against change when we crave comfort. Therefore, it is literally and figuratively deadly to remain sedentary when it’s time for a shift. When comfort is more important than discipline, we quickly fail to see the LORD’s movement and forget to follow. The LORD’s natural mercy and grace do not preclude His loving discipline. After all, each “Here we go again” moment is an opportunity to express faith and devotion to the LORD, even if it’s out of desperation. 
  When we say, “Here we go again.” let the primary person in the “we” be the LORD. Perhaps you can even say, “LORD, here we go again,” and it will be the beginning of a prayer. I’ll close with an example. LORD, here we go again. We’ve risked getting comfortable, and now You’re on the move again. We are tempted to join the people of the flesh who incessantly complain and blame. They burrow deeply into the dark hole of negativity, and we feel like we are slipping into it with them. Please, strengthen our spirits and help us to “Get used to different.” Amen. 
   
Frank Viola’s latest book, “What to Do When Your Dreams Are Shattered, and Life Is Falling Apart,” is an outstanding resource for these times. If your anxiety is multiplied exponentially by extraordinary difficulties that threaten to break you, this book will help. There is hope and practical guidance for Christians and non-Christians in Frank’s easy-to-read or listen-to book. His casual delivery feels like a friendly conversation over coffee. The truths are undeniable and delivered with love and grace. This book can change lives, even if only half of its content is absorbed. Check it out. https://rb.gy/aekd8u

The Other Pandemic

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” ~ James 1:2

There is a worldwide pandemic afflicting countless millions of persons. Its reach is unlimited, and it constantly mutates so that only a tiny percentage of its victims are inoculated or cured. Its impact is felt in all areas of society, and every culture is susceptible to its consequences. Economies rise and fall because of it. Human interaction is limited due to it, often leading to lockdowns and isolation. It is credited with deprivations that lead to distrust and disunity, and misinformation abounds because of it. Hostility arises in its wake as blame is assigned to authorities charged with fixing it, and factions occur in support of or against them. Sadly, untold numbers will die from it. 

The rampant disease referenced here is not COVID-19 or its variants. Instead, it is negativity and hopelessness. They are highly contagious airborne pathogens that constantly mutate as they spew from televisions, radios, internet devices, and untamed mouths. Upon contamination, negativity, and hopelessness’ victims slowly descend into melancholy and angst. 

Idle hands and minds are most susceptible to the disease of negativity and hopelessness. Ironically, isolation and limited contact with others often accelerate decline and enhances symptoms. Victims of negativity and hopelessness frequently turn to folk remedies and placebos for relief and often become addicted. Excessive media, food, alcohol, and drug consumption is habit-forming and usually become a far more significant problem than the condition they are meant to relieve. 

Social interaction with positive people who rely upon the grace of God and whose hope is rooted in Scripture helps to prevent contamination. Daily doses of Bible reading and prayer are recommended for prevention. Humor, hobbies, sunshine, fresh air, and physical activity are all known to have exponential benefits in fighting negativity and hopelessness. These, too, can be habit-forming. 

Seek help immediately if you are sickened with negativity and hopelessness. Be prepared for rigorous therapy and substantial exertion. Unfortunately, there are no easy cures for severe cases. Christian victims are urged to remember the statement above since your positive attitude and faith in Christ for vastly greater joy in the present and future will annoy many. Don’t be surprised if they even persecute you when you approach human limitations with a divine perspective. They will mock you when you look beyond human capacity to cure and correct every ill. They will disbelieve you when you express faith in life beyond the grave, even beyond time and space. They will count you as sick mentally when you rejoice in suffering, especially for the sake of your beloved Savior.  Remember that they are victims of a dark pandemic of spiritual sickness fueled by the Enemy of the loving Father in Heaven. 

** IMPORTANT: Clinical depression is a genuine illness. It requires professional diagnosis and can be effectively treated with medication and counseling. If you’ve regularly tried the recommendations above and others without success, please seek help. Life on earth is rich and joyful most of the time. Sorrow is temporary. Please remember that the Creator of all things has opened His treasure chest of knowledge to humanity so that medical cures are most often expressions of His plan for healing and wholeness. The Spirit works through medical professionals every day for the sake of God’s people. God uses even unbelieving practitioners because of His deep abiding love. 

The Love of the Father

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

My son recently experienced the birth of his first child. He said he felt things he’d never felt before when he held his baby girl in his arms for the first time. After clearing my throat and brushing away my tears, I replied, “So, daddy, you’re feeling things you’ve never felt before. I still feel that way when I look at you today. It is why being a father changed my life forever and brought me all the way home to my Heavenly Father. Now, looking at my granddaughter brings new feelings I’ve never felt before.

What a perfect way to end my brief Sabbath rest! Much of the time was spent in reading, listening, thought, and prayer. I contemplated my life stage and my future. I considered my personal and professional vision and mission. While many things were left unresolved, a few became crystal clear. Chiefly, the nature of our LORD and His Kingdom. 

“I just can’t stop looking at her. She’s so perfect” said my son. That is how God the Father sees us in the light of His Son, as difficult as it may be to believe. We are like a baby in the arms of a devoted father. We can not give anything to deserve His love. The mere fact that we rest safely and helplessly in the Father’s love gives Him joy. 

I realized again that my career, denominational matters, church administration, governance, doctrine, and leadership do not matter more than resting in the Father’s love. Nothing I own, control, or do is as important as joining the LORD in whatever He is doing. The work of the Church is really very simple, albeit very difficult for most persons. “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.” 

One cannot truly love someone whom he does not know. My son is memorizing every aspect of his infant daughter’s nature. He knows her scent, the rhythm of her breathing, and delights in her tiny cooing voice. It is the same sort of relationship that the LORD desires with us. We can know the LORD that way too! He invites us to experience His heart, mind, and strength through His Holy Spirit. 

     Therefore, ask the LORD to break your pride and selfishness and release the Spirit in you. The Father loves you so much! Stop living like a human-doing and start living like a human-being, knowing that it is in Him that we live and move and have our being. My son holds his infant daughter and feels a connection that he’s never known. “This is a unique creature with a soul and mind like mine, but separate. Yet, she is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone” he might say. 

     In the Father’s eyes we are created and known in a similar way. We are redeemed and recreated so that we can be an eternal companion, even bride, to the Son, who is one in being with the Father. We live for this and nothing else matters so much. 

      If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13

Sabbath

 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” ~ Matthew 12:8

Sabbath is a form of rest from one’s labor. It is vital to Jews and Christians as a religious rest. Once again, Jesus confronted religious devotion to human rules in the statement above, once again. It seems that liberty is among the hardest things for people to embrace. At its heart, a spiritual recreation is an act of surrender to the LORD of the Sabbath. Unfortunately, many people relentlessly pursue oppressive observations of the rules for fear of human condemnation. At the same time, they ignore the inherent displeasure of God when they fail to rest from judgment and condemnation. 

There are countless individuals and families who resist Christianity because so many Christians appear uptight and judgemental. As a result, they experience the same treatment from church people as Jesus’ followers saw in the Pharisees. The LORD of the Sabbath calls oppressors to rest from judging others. He calls the oppressed to rest from fear of judgment. Instead, he calls for a time of focused attention to the love of God and the passion of Christ. When tempted to judge others, give it a rest and then focus on Christ. 

Blog posts will cease until 08-12-21

In Christ's Shadow

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God; let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” ~ Hebrews 4:14-16
    This passage is good news for the unrepentant sinner who feels sure he is not good enough to be forgiven. It is equally good news for those who, through Christ, have been forgiven but feel that life as a Christian is impossible. The writer of Hebrews crafted a message for the sake of Jews and Christian Jewish converts. It reminds them of the distortion of the old covenant into a human expression of personal holiness and morality. The author implies that no priest of the old covenant can measure up to the new high priest. 
     Religious authorities are often isolated from the real lives of the people they should serve. What’s more, some religious systems cultivate an “us against them” collegial culture. In those cases, the interpreters of the law mindlessly oppress their constituents or at least perpetuate useless rites and rituals. 
     Jesus said that we are no longer of the world, but we must be his witnesses while we remain in it. (John 15:19 and John 17:14-16) The testimony will not happen if one either isolates themselves or bears witness with a few words and deeds but otherwise lives like anyone of the world. No wonder so many give in to the temptation of feeling inadequate and then fail even to try. As the “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin,” Jesus is all too aware of our physical limitations. 
     Our righteousness before God is not secured by our own means. Instead, we stand in the shadow of our great High Priest before God. Christ’s holiness covers our sin. Therefore, we should witness before the world, not as if we are holier than the rest, but by standing in Christ’s shadow. The Christian is a far better witness to the world when he expresses holiness of heart and mind than by striving to uphold a counterfeit law of righteousness. 
     The old saying, “There but for the grace of God go I,” is trustworthy and true. The Christian Believer is no better than anyone to whom he preaches the gospel. The struggle with sin against God and neighbors does not cease, but through Christ, God’s just punishment is commuted. When one consciously chooses to see himself with humility in the company of the oppressed, he loves like the LORD in his heart. 
     Acceptance and validation from religious systems and like-minded persons within them do not equate to personal holiness. Communal oppression of those deemed “unclean” under any human standard equates to the offense of the Pharisees in Jesus’ earthly ministry.
​​​​​​​     Humble surrender to the LORD’s grace and new birth in the Spirit will cleanse the soul. Meek dependence upon Christ while standing in His shadow causes a daily witness of love and self-control. One’s tentative approach to God’s throne is only possible because of the great high priest, Christ Jesus. Therefore, join the songwriter who said, “Let them see You, in me” as often as possible throughout the day. 

Unashamed

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” ~ Romans 1:16

The dictionary definition of “ashamed” states, “embarrassed or guilty because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations.” “The Gospel” refers to the revelation of Jesus as the Christ and how He saves humanity from sin and death. The Apostle Paul proclaimed the Gospel as “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Belief opens one to receive new birth and eternal life. Therefore, everyone who claims to be saved and ready for heaven upon their death and yet acts ashamed of the Gospel that makes it possible is incomplete. 

Consider for a moment those parts of your life for which you bear no shame. Perhaps it’s your favorite sports team or beloved alma mater. You wear clothing with emblems; you put stickers and plates on your car, you fly a flag in your yard. Maybe you are unashamed of your political orientation, so you make similar displays of your allegiance. What else do you sincerely believe and to which are shamelessly devoted? 

Suppose it was a simple matter of loyalty to one thing or another. In that case, one could be justified in a shared enthusiasm, usually the case concerning sports teams and universities. However, some people are radically devoted to ideologies that lead them into actions and words that oppress and injure others. Their unashamed commitment is incomplete without the acquiescence of those whom they suppose reject them and their belief. Many unite within churches and denominations. 

It is not surprising that most Christians remain silent about their dedication to Christ. Those who are so thoroughly devoted to certain human ideologies tend to be obsessed with the defeat or surrender of those they oppose. It is no wonder that peace-loving and honorable persons fear speaking up for balance and measured discipline. Even so, there are times when embarrassment replaces justifiable fear. When peer pressure and the desires of the flesh lead one’s self will to resist the Holy Spirit within him, it is a gospel joyfully received and then hidden under a basket. 

Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” and “Whoever hates me hates my Father also.” Therefore, if one is unashamed of the Gospel, he is sure to be hated because of his association with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Be on guard then so that oppression and hatred directed against you are not due to your tastes and disdain for the ideologies you oppose. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Recall the previous weekly encouragement: Rejection and persecution await the insurgent disciple of Christ. Sadly, much of it will come from within one’s closest relationships. The ironic resistance of self-proclaimed “Christians,” pious devotees to a religion or spiritual ideal, and fellow church members will cause faithless institutions to exile their members. There will even be character assassinations and physical harm. It may be hard to hear, but more than 2000 years of Christian history affirms these facts. Insurgents are not identified by a fierce devotion to ideologies. Instead, they are known for their unashamed commitment to the Gospel of Christ. Who said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

The Insurgency

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” ~ Mark 1:15

Reading the entire bible from beginning to end opens one’s eyes to the unprecedented paradigm shift that occurred when Christ made the declaration of “the Kingdom.” Beginning with Eden and then with the Promised Land, God’s chosen people are residents of a sacred realm within the world of Satan’s chaos. Now, Jesus declares the Kingdom reign of God on Earth. His empire emerged from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and now spreads throughout the World. Kingdom colonies typically start with insurgents dedicated to undermining the rule of the Enemy. Kingdom cells form as the insurgency spreads and, in time, the King’s servants dominate whole communities.  

This militant language should not deceive persons into thinking the King’s servants speak or act violently. Far from it! King Jesus Christ declared, 

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Christ’s servants will risk venturing into the borderlands of the Kingdom so that the lost seekers may be found and gathered. Insurgents will go to the places and people they once associated with, but they will not return to their old ways. Instead, they will present themselves in non-violent, accessible servant-leadership to earn trust and share a new vision. 

One must be radically devoted to Christ the King to be such an insurgent. His devotion will cause discord within families, social networks, and communities. Inevitable conflicts of interest will arise, and one’s reputation will suffer. It will be necessary to question one’s allegiances and embrace the cost of discipleship as a King’s servant. Inevitably, one will realize that there is little room for compromise as one adopts the disciplines of the insurgency. 

  Rejection and persecution await the insurgent disciple of Christ. Sadly, much of it will come from within one’s closest relationships. The ironic resistance of self-proclaimed “Christians,” pious devotees to a religion or spiritual ideal, and fellow church members will cause faithless institutions to exile their members. There will even be character assassinations and physical harm. It may be hard to hear, but over 2000 years of Christian history affirms these facts. 

One must honestly consider the cost of Christian discipleship while reading the New Testament. It must be apparent that it is incompatible with worldly sensibilities and devotion to the flesh. Likewise, it must be evident that a lack of discomfort for the King’s sake indicates lukewarm devotion to Him. Nevertheless, the Kingdom grows exponentially every day, and fellow insurgent servants are close at hand to comfort and encourage. Even some pastors and their congregations choose to serve the King above all else.