The street lights were down at a busy intersection near our house. Standing in the middle of the street was a lone officer, directing multiple lanes of traffic, including turn lanes with ease. All of the drivers of the cars were quietly waiting their turn to be signaled to move. Though, he had no weapon drawn, there was a unified respect for the authority he wielded
by virtue of his uniform and position. I marvel at the fearlessness of
these officers, standing in the middle of potentially dangerous vehicles
driven by people in various states of attention. I've never seen an
incident, only compliance with the given rules under the jurisdiction
of the one in authority. Authority is the power or right to give
orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. It is also the power to
influence others, especially because of one's commanding manner, or
one's recognized knowledge about something. Giving orders or wielding influence...
Authority is everywhere. I believe it would be wise for us to remind ourselves and our children of this. In God's family, there is mutual submission - one comes under the authority, influence, vision or plan of another to serve.
(Eph. 5:21) In families, husbands are the heads of wives as Christ is
the head of the church and the Savior of the Body. (Eph. 5:23) Parents
have authority over children. (Col. 3:20) Bosses have authority over
employees, boards have authority over executives. The President's ideas
can be shut down by the legislature. We even yield to our subordinates
in certain situations. Everywhere we go, we might be wise to look for authority...to whom do I submit in this situation?
Even Jesus was under His Father, God as His head (1 Cor. 11:13) and
did only those things that pleased the Father. (John 5:30)
It seems nowadays that we are so busy questioning, resisting and
rebelling against authority that we have lost the capacity to be under
it. However, Paul makes it clear in Romans 13:1-7, that authorities have been established by God, and there is no authority except what God has established.
The one in authority is like a two headed coin: God's servant to do you
good, and submission brings freedom from fear; or God's agent to bring
punishment to the wrongdoer. We are told to submit to authorities for
conscience sake. If one is due respect and honor, give it to them. What if they're not respectable?David respected king Saul, even when he was not respectable, even abusive and would flee from him rather than harm him. (1 Sam 24:6) God protected and rewarded David. I
wonder whether our growing disrespect for authorities is reflective of,
or reveals our struggle with ascribing to JESUS the LORDSHIP over our
lives?
The blood shed in Charleston last week is still speaking...but what is it saying?
These precious lives, thrown together in a moment of impact still
reverberating throughout the nation and world, have testified so
strongly about so many things: racism, the confederate flag, gun
violence, and most of all the love of Jesus Christ, that knows no bounds. When it's all said and done, the
influence that these martyred Christians and the response of their
Christ-like families will have done more for the Kingdom of God and it's powerful precepts and rule of love, than they may have ever done in a bible study or services...to the Glory of God!
When Cain killed Abel, he was motivated by jealousy. God had favored his brother's sacrifice over his. Similarly, 21-year old Dylann Roof basically said, "You
all (African-Americans) have come and taken what is mine! I hate you
for it, and the only way I know how to change that is to get rid of
you." The Lord asked Cain, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground." (Genesis 4:10) Abel's blood cried out for vengeance, and Cain received a curse. The blood of the 9 from Charleston is also crying out, but for what? The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, for ALL our sin has once and for all reunited those who believe to God the Father - and to one another.
No longer do each of us regularly have to slaughter spotless animals to
cover our sins. Jesus' shed blood has appeased God's wrath and opened
the way for ministry of reconciliation for those who do not yet believe.
His blood says,"God is not counting your sins against you. If you repent and turn to the Father, you will be forgiven and gain access to life with Him now and in Heaven." Yes, this is the message of the Gospel, even to Dylann Roof. That's a hard pill to swallow for African-Americans right now, (even I vacillate from anguish to anger...), but somehow
it wasn't too hard for the victim's families who encouraged the young
man to do just that - repent and turn to Jesus Christ for the salvation
of his soul.
The firm foundation of their faith, an inspiration to us all, believed Paul's truth in Hebrews about what the blood IS speaking:
You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. (Heb. 12:24)
If you find my assertion that God could forgive and even call Dylann Roof hard to believe, you might only look at Saul of Tarsus who, 'in the name of God' persecuted, tortured and and killed Jesus' followers. Saul
was a murderer of Christians, just like Dylann Roof. He did it because
he thought he was right and indeed godly, just like most white
supremacists. His life was spared by the very One he was
assaulting. Jesus engaged Saul to follow Him, to live for Him and to
lead others to do the same - even those Saul previously thought were his enemies. Christ changed his name (Paul) and purpose. God used the notorious influence of this murderer to tell the story of redemption from even what we would deem the worst sin!
The writings of this criminal powerfully lead and instruct us to this
day. The ways of God are higher than ours, and so are His thoughts.
(Isa. 55:11) Nothing is impossible...
Finally, I would encourage you to listen to this powerful song "Charleston"
by Steven Curtis Chapman. The song references Romans 12:9-21 that
tells us the many things we, as Christ followers are to do in situations
such as these:
Love sincerely. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good. (vs. 9)
Honor one another and be devoted to one another (vs. 10)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (vs. 12)
Share with those in need and practice hospitality (vs. 13)
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. (vs. 14)
Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. (vs. 15)
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be conceited. (vs. 16)
Do not repay evil for evil. (vs. 17)
If it is possible with you, live at peace with everyone. (vs. 18)
Do not take revenge. Vengeance is the Lord's, He will repay (vs. 19)
If your enemy is hungry, give him food; thirsty give him drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head. Because
of Christ's atoning sacrifice for us (we ALL have sinned - Romans 3:23)
The hope is that their conscience will be motivated to change. (vs. 20)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (vs. 21)
I believe, THIS is what their blood is speaking...
Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset, annoyed or anxious. The Latin word, patient, means suffering. In the photo, a performance artist demonstrates patience under a difficult, yet staged, situation. The Bible has a lot to say about patience.
It is a fruit, manifestation or by-product of the Holy Spirit: God's
character, dwelling in our lives. (Gal. 5:22) Paul said that one of
love's qualities is that it"suffers long and is patient and kind." (1 Cor. 13:4) The Greek makrothumeo means forbearance, to be long-tempered, not to retaliate with anger because of human reasoning. It is to be understanding with people.
Jesus told His disciples that persecution was coming to them for associating with Him. Even their close relatives would hate them. He closed with this statement, "in your patience, you possess your souls." (Luke 21:19) The word hupomone
means, remaining behind, a patient enduring or waiting, steadfastness.
How inconvenient and exasperating in this time of get what we want NOW,
is the idea that in Christ, we sometimes have to choose to remain behind
and watch others go ahead of us. God enables the believer to endure
under the challenges He allots in life. It is to persevere in spite of
difficult circumstances. Our thoughts, emotions and decisions are kept under control by our capacity to exercise patience...
In Hebrews 6, Paul tells the Jewish believers that mature believers in Christ
hold steadfast to the end. Now that they've been enlightened
that Jesus is the Messiah, he warns them not to turn back and thereby
crucify Christ again (vs. 6). He comforts them that God sees what they
are enduring, and He will not forget their labor of love. Paul urges the
Jews not to become lax or lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what God has promised. (vs. 12) Later, he admonishes them again not to throw away their confidence in Christ, for it has a great reward. They need patience so that after they have done the will of God, they might receive what God has promised... (Heb. 10:35-36) And so do WE! Always remember, God keeps His promises!!
Initiative is the ability to assess and initiate things independently. It is the power to act or to take charge before others do; an act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation. Initiative is a fresh approach to something. To initiate is to cause a process or action to begin. As we look at our own situations and circumstances, the caption on this photo rings true, "If you don't take a chance, you don't stand a chance!" Taking initiative means someone has to begin, someone has to DO something. Why not you?
Isaiah had a revelation of the Lord at His throne that changed him completely.
(Isa. 6) He saw both the Holiness of God and His own sinfulness and
impure speech. The Lord took a live coal and touched his mouth to atone
for his unclean lips, because God had a greater call in mind for
Isaiah. The Lord was not so concerned with what was wrong with him;
He could handle that! He was intent on commissioning Isaiah - despite
his faults, for prophetic service. In the presence of the Lord, Isaiah
heard God ask, "Whom shall I send? and who will go for us?" Immediately Isaiah emphatically took the initiative to volunteer for the task. "Here am I. Send me!" (vs. 8) Isaiah didn't know exactly what he was signing up for...he was overwhelmed by the presence of God and just had a holy 'YES'.Has that ever happened to you?
David on the other hand, knew exactly the challenge before him, the cost that was on the line, and the potential reward in defeating the giant Goliath.
(1 Samuel 17) Despite 40 days of stalling by the terrified army of
Israel, including his brothers, and their mocking that he was: too
insignificant, too proud and presumptuous, and needed to stay with his
few sheep in the wilderness - David was undaunted. He
was unaffected by Saul's dismissal of him because of his youth. He was
not intimidated by the stature, fighting experience, or threats of
Goliath because He knew the Lord was on his side. So while everyone else waited and procrastinated to see who (other than them) would fight the fight...David took the initiative to act! Ultimately, by the power of God in synergy with the skills he had
developed as a shepherd boy, he defeated the 'giant' problem with great
dexterity, even though all the odds were stacked against him. He independently took charge when others fainted.
God is calling us to stop spectating and take initiative! To get away from the stands and into the game. Jesus has handled our sins
at the cross! and He will give grace and power to compensate for our
limitations and inexperience! So get off your duff and act!!
Lonely means that one is sad because one has no friends or company; solitary. The word solitary connotes existing alone, secluded or isolated; single. Solitariness is not equivalent to loneliness. You can be alone but not lonely. However over many decades of ministry in various settings both large and small, I have been astounded by the number of Christians who express that they are lonely. Despite being around large numbers of people in church services, outreaches, small groups, clubs and activities; so many are not just solitary. They are lonely, experiencing sadness:
feelings of sorrow, unhappiness, regret and heaviness at being alone.
This phenomenon is something many pastors, ministry leaders and
congregants are over-looking. Noticing is a big part of a Christ-like character that displays empathy. Did you know that 51% of US citizens are single by virtue of never being married, divorce, separation, or widowhood? Over half of the American population is navigating life in a solitary state.
Jesus noticed a solitary woman at a well in John 4. He went beyond just noticing her solitary state, or seeing that he had a use for her (to draw Him some water), to peer into the quality or lack thereof in her relationships.
Sometimes leaders who are married with families approach ministry
solely from that perspective, and just see their single cohorts as free
and able to serve without distraction, as Paul described in 1 Cor 7. 8.
So we fill their calendars with duties grateful that we have single
folks to take care of things! Jesus went deeper into the life of the
woman at the well by noticing that she had been attempting to satiate her loneliness and love hunger through male relationships with 5 husbands and one who was not her husband (this goes on all around us). He revealed to her that she had been attempting to satisfy the hole in her soul by drinking from wells that would only run dry and offered her the Living Water of His Spirit that would once and for all fill her to overflowing. When's the last time you've done that for a single lamenting over the fact that they've not yet found that 'special one?' They already have - His name is Jesus!!
There is something else we can do to curb the issue of loneliness in those around us. Psalm 68:6 says that God "sets the lonely in families" or He "settles the solitary in a home." This is not just true for the fatherless, orphans and widows. It is true for any person who is a part of the family of God who finds themselves needing strong connection. Yes, Jesus is present and He is more than enough, but WE are His hands, His feet, His arms.
We are His Body and we give the hugs, the warm embraces, the
opportunities for fellowship, the words of encouragement, the times of
celebration, etc. The One who has made us 'accepted in the beloved,' (Eph. 1:6) wants to ensure that none of His children are lonely. So offer invitations to events. Open your doors and your hearts to the solitary. Become friends who are like family.Will you take time to notice and know those who are lonely and show them God's love?
signaled to move. Though, he had no weapon drawn, there was a unified respect for the authority he wielded
by virtue of his uniform and position. I marvel at the fearlessness of
these officers, standing in the middle of potentially dangerous vehicles
driven by people in various states of attention. I've never seen an
incident, only compliance with the given rules under the jurisdiction
of the one in authority. Authority is the power or right to give
orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. It is also the power to
influence others, especially because of one's commanding manner, or
one's recognized knowledge about something. Giving orders or wielding influence...
Authority is everywhere. I believe it would be wise for us to remind ourselves and our children of this. In God's family, there is mutual submission - one comes under the authority, influence, vision or plan of another to serve.
(Eph. 5:21) In families, husbands are the heads of wives as Christ is
the head of the church and the Savior of the Body. (Eph. 5:23) Parents
have authority over children. (Col. 3:20) Bosses have authority over
employees, boards have authority over executives. The President's ideas
can be shut down by the legislature. We even yield to our subordinates
in certain situations. Everywhere we go, we might be wise to look for authority...to whom do I submit in this situation?
Even Jesus was under His Father, God as His head (1 Cor. 11:13) and
did only those things that pleased the Father. (John 5:30) 
It seems nowadays that we are so busy questioning, resisting and
rebelling against authority that we have lost the capacity to be under
it. However, Paul makes it clear in Romans 13:1-7, that authorities have been established by God, and there is no authority except what God has established.
The one in authority is like a two headed coin: God's servant to do you
good, and submission brings freedom from fear; or God's agent to bring
punishment to the wrongdoer. We are told to submit to authorities for
conscience sake. If one is due respect and honor, give it to them. What if they're not respectable? David respected king Saul, even when he was not respectable, even abusive and would flee from him rather than harm him. (1 Sam 24:6) God protected and rewarded David. I
wonder whether our growing disrespect for authorities is reflective of,
or reveals our struggle with ascribing to JESUS the LORDSHIP over our
lives?
