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?
Wednesday's Word has obviously arrived on Thursday ; ) Since May
8th I have been sick: first with allergies, then a bad cold. Finally
this week the flu: chills, fever, coughing, but most of all debilitating
headaches that have made moving difficult. In reflection, this called
to mind a friend who has been dealing with debilitating headaches for
years, and other friends who have managed to live with and thrive
through various diseases, conditions and difficult situations with a
level of 'grace and aplomb' that is miraculous. We are believing for the Lord's healing for them all. In this season our family is being bombarded with situations from every side that require much prayer and God's grace.
Grace
is simple elegance or refinement of movement; courteous good will; and
an attractively polite manner. In Christianity, grace is the unmerited
favor of God bestowed when Jesus Christ came to save us from our sinful
condition; and the Divine enablement to do His will and purpose, even
when difficult, in the earth. Aplomb is self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation;
it is perpendicularity, or steadiness. No matter what storm we face,
we can have peace in the midst of it. Knowing this world is not our
home, and we are always engaged in spiritual warfare, but Christ has
already won the victory!
Paul said it this way in 2 Corinthians 4: 7-10 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our body... He described the handling of these harrowing situations as a 'treasure' that displays the power and glory of God,
not our own greatness. The death process in us produces life in those
who engage us. They see HIS resurrection power in us DAILY as we go
through situations - not just at the end of our lives.
He concludes..."For which cause we faint not; but though
our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for
the things which are seen are temporal (lasting only for a limited
time); but the things which are not seen are eternal (lasting or existing forever)." (vs 16-18)
There is purpose to the pain!
I pray today that no matter what we're facing that we would see it as
Paul did, and handle it with grace and aplomb to the glory of God!!
A DECLARATION is a formal or explicit statement or announcement of
intention or terms of agreement. To declare is to say something in a
solemn and emphatic manner; to pronounce or assert (a person or thing)
to be something specified. From the Latin declarare - 'to thoroughly make clear.'
In the US we are most familiar with our "Declaration of Independence."
The colonies made the emphatic statement that we were no longer going to
live under British rule, but would be self-governing. There are times when inner assertions need to move from the head and heart to the place of declaration. In the past weeks, we discussed that God is after our Disposition, our Decisions, our Dependence and our Discipline. Did you know that God is also after your declarations?
Jesus said that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45) If it is filled with evil things, that's what we speak. If it is filled with good things, that is what we declare. Is what's been coming out of your mouth what you really want to declare about your life, relationships or situations? Proverbs 4:23 states that we are to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from them. Keeping our motives, thoughts, emotions and decisions pure is a much needed check for our declarations.
God is the KING of prophetic declarations. Isaiah
46:10 says that He declares the end from the beginning. Everything He
plans comes to pass. He does whatever He wishes. His counsel and
purposes stand. Paul states in Romans 4:17 that God brings life to the
dead and calls into existence things that do not exist. In Hebrews 11:3
he reiterates that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that
what we see was not made of visible things but from His ideas expressed
through the words, "Let there be..." The Lord has given us that same
faith-filled creative ability. So watch your words! Declarations have a tendency to come to pass...
DISCIPLINE is the practice of mental or physical training to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. This results in controlled behavior.
When we exercise self-discipline, we train ourselves to do something in
a controlled and habitual way. Some of us, remembering our childhood,
only think of discipline as punishing or rebuking someone formally for
an offense.
Discipline is indeed instruction and knowledge gained by the practice of exposing yourself to pain. The Middle English connotation is 'mortification through scourging.' Something
has to die for us to be disciplined. Proper discipline received from
parents, coaches and teachers is meant to bring us into adulthood with
the ability to conduct ourselves in a manner that would bring good
success. Whether in work, study, prayer, personal habits like exercise or diet, or relationally; God is after our discipline!
Paul says in Hebrews 12:4-12, that the Lord disciplines us as a Father
corrects or chastises the children he loves. If we were not under God's
discipline, we would not belong to Him. He disciplines us so we can
share in His holiness and produce His righteousness. Don't make light of God's discipline. Endure it gratefully.
Discipline is choosing between what we want NOW and what we want MOST. We
discussed last Wednesday, that God is after our DECISIONS. Happily, we
don't have to make these decisions without the Lord's power! for the
fruit or manifestation of God's Holy Spirit living within us is
self-control (Galatians 5:22). We are not hopelessly under the dominance
of our impulses, emotions, or even the devil's schemes. To habitually practice God's ways requires being led by and walking in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-18) Paul said "I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." (1 Cor. 9:27) A disciple of Jesus Christ needs DISCIPLINE, God's after that in us!
A DECISION is a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration. It is the action or process resolving a question. Resolution. Resolving. Those are really comforting words. Peace only comes, once we consider a thing, decide between variables, and act. Sometimes decisions are clear.
The evidence is weighty on one side and we do not struggle with which
direction to take. At other times, this is not the case. In a boxing
match like Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, in the absence of a knockout, a decision awards the winning of a fight to the boxer with the most rounds won or points. A debate ensues as to who really won, but the decision has been made. In life we wish for decision-making knockouts! the road that's easy to see or take.
Unfortunately we don't always get that surefire answer, so we have to
have to add up the points and come to a conclusion (that may be wrong), or a believer may have to make what seems like a crazy decision that doesn't add up to exercise more faith. That's why we hesitate on some decisions.
Moses and Joshua challenged Israel to decide to love God and follow his commands. Moses amplified the difference in a decision to follow the Lord vs. worship of other gods. "See I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction." (Deut. 30:15). Joshua put forth an ultimatum with several decisions included: "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Put away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose yourselves this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15) Did you know God is after our decisions?
Jesus had to make decisions. He used a litmus test to know whether He was on track. With the greatest humility, He decided things with His Father: "I can do nothing on my own. I judge (decide) as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the One who sent me, not my own will." (John 5:30) Why are you deciding on this particular course of action? Is the will, Word and Spirit of God your motive? Or is doubt, fear, fame, status, etc.? Have you considered the potential consequences of the decision you're about to make? Every day we make 10's to hundreds of decisions that affect destiny.
Dependence is the state of relying or being controlled by
someone else with full trust or confidence; it is also reliance on
someone for financial support. Dependence
is the disposition of a child to a parent. The more helpless a child
is, the more dependent they are for care, protection, support and
guidance. Children are claimed on US taxes as 'dependents' because
their parents are responsible for their well being while they are in the
home. As children grow, they experience more and more independence or
self-governance. America declared it's independence from England
through a revolt, war and legislation. Christ followers must keep in
mind that in the Kingdom of God, we as the Father's children, make a declaration of DEPENDENCE on Him! He is the One on whom we rely, whose guidance controls our actions and in whom we trust for our financial support. God is after your dependence on Him!
Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches, Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John
15:5 ESV We give mental assent to this fact, and express it glibly to
others, but we don't experience the reality of our dependence until the
vulnerability and powerlessness of times like these befalls us with:
riots, earthquakes, tornadoes, financial and political crises, health
issues and other circumstances beyond our control.
It is hard to admit that we would really prefer to handle things ourselves: to know all the answers, to be invincible, immortal and never vulnerable. We'd
like to think that our much speaking, posting, protesting, or the
security measures we take, and the money we have in the bank will
preserve us from any trouble. Deep down, we know we are ultimately dependent on God's mercy, grace, sovereignty and timing, and that can be either really scary or really comforting. In his time of crisis, Paul clung to his unreliability and his need for God. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead. (1 Corinthians 1:8-9) God is after our dependence on Him.
Disposition is the usual attitude or mood of a person, a prevailing tendency to act or think in a particular way - an inclination. It
has the idea of being set in place, to regulate, administrate or
control. Some people are pre-disposed to worry, depression, fear and
anxiety. Other's mood is generally happy, positive and at peace. One
person reacts to situations they cannot control with anger. Still other
people struggle with the prevailing tendency to hold un-forgiveness and
develop bitterness in their hearts when involved in a conflict. Did you know that God is after your disposition to be holy in all situations?
Believers know that the fruit of the Spirit of God living in us is love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, temperance, faith and self-control; (Gal. 5:22), but
if we held an evidentiary hearing on the attitude with which
we approach various stressful situations, we might find evidence of
operating in the flesh more than in the Spirit. Somehow in those times,
we lose the serenity and mood which has been given to us by Jesus Christ
in the dispensing of His Holy Spirit, and move to a fleshly inclination which causes us to operate in quality of life beneath our privilege. What is your mood in trial?
Paul had many admonitions about our disposition in Scripture. He challenged us to "count" or "consider" it all joy when you fall into diverse trials and tests. The NLT translation says, "Consider it an opportunity for joy." (James 1:2) He also advises us to always rejoice, to leave off all anxiety, to pray specifically for what we desire, to receive and be secured by the peace of God which passes all understanding
and to adapt a positive outlook in our thoughts. (Phil 4:4-9) In
Philippians 2, Paul urges us to "let" or "allow" the mind of Christ: the
disposition to prefer another, to love sacrificially, to humble
ourselves, and to serve God's will and each other - to be our prevailing
attitude. How are you generally pre-disposed to respond? What is your attitude around what you're facing? Don't worry if it's not good...God will give you more chances to get it right!
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?
