Beginning To Cope ...

"The difficulties of life are intended to make us better not bitter." - Unknown

Don’t you just love words of encouragement from, “author unknown”? Such pithy statements so easily flow from the tongue when things are going well. But when the difficulties of life are experienced I’d like to find, “author unknown” to wring his or her neck!

Sickness, loss, fear and anxiety do not automatically make us better. However, the harm that evolves from a heart unable or unwilling to squarely face the challenges of life will ultimately become more devastating than the external battle originally faced. We unwittingly forfeit God’s ability to give our life new meaning when we allow our inner opposing forces to take control.

Consider a few opposing forces:

Pride
Shame
Depression
Fear

others will not believe us;
others might avoid us;
our challenge might jeopardize our future;
we might be treated like we’ve treated others;
we are alone - no one can understand;
we want to be alone - not a burden to others.

For some the list is longer. Left unchecked, each of these internal burdens contributes to the multiplied despair of the suffering individual. Focus upon the primary battle is lost and little remains of the resources to fight the primary fight. Christians, we are often quick to proclaim we are placing the battle in God’s hands but we fail to release to His authority and care the internal burdens. We then fail to experience the reality of His presence and His care because we've failed to cast the totality of our fears, shame, depression and pride at His feet. How can we experience the peace that passes all understanding if we are unable or unwilling to release to God's authority the internal burdens rising within us? God wants it all!

Have you given it all to God?

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved." - Psalm 55:22

When preaching on this verse the great evangelist, Charles Haddon Spurgeon said:

"He [the suffering child of God] may move like the boughs of a tree in the tempest, but he shall never be moved like a tree torn up by the roots. He stands firm who stands in God. Many would destroy the saints, but God has not suffered it, and never will. Like pillars, the godly stand immoveable, to the glory of the Great Architect."

“Casting ALL your care upon Him because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

All means all and that’s all all means! When we release ourselves of the “us” issue and those inner opposing forces, we can see and experience God’s miraculous love at work. While we may be faced with external battles what a blessing it is to begin to feel His love healing the internal!

Although you may have little power over the battles you are facing, God has power. God has the power to heal the very soul of the individual in need.

Today, how about a little self examination? What is the battle? What are the resources? Are you yielding to internal opposing forces or giving those forces over to God and yielding to Him?

Therefore, cast all your care upon Him, because he truly cares for YOU! It's a first step in coping with life's struggles.

God bless

Anxiety; AM I RESPONSIBLE?

The layers of fear, isolation, uncertainty, detachment and shame accompanying the anxious heart compound the dark depths an anxious soul experiences. Add to that the well meaning directives to, “just relax; let go and let God”, or the loving encouragement, “it will pass and things will soon be better”, place an unintended sense of responsibility upon the already burdened soul. As a result, not only do they unsuccessfully fight their personal unknowns, they feel responsible for the peace of those around them. All five senses are heightened. The next moment is cavernous! Or so it seems....

Perhaps you have never experienced anxiety. You are most fortunate. And yet, you might have witnessed a loved ones personal hell. You observe, but you are powerless. Yours is the daunting task of providing profound love, while you quietly experience your own fears, frustrations, hurts, anger and guilt. You wish it would, “just go away” and you are tempted to recoil from what appears to be a helpless and hopeless situation.

Oh, how I wish there was an easily defined and universal cause for this disorder that would be easily diagnosed and readily alleviated. One that required no emotional sense of failure, no chemical side affects and no social labels. But that’s just not the world we live in. And so, we must face the issue as best we can with all of the remedies afforded us through medical science, therapy, social acceptance and spiritual underpinning.

I am no expert in this area. I did not, with specific and sacrificial intent, devote years of study to earn the degree and [therefore] the right to speak knowledgeably about anxiety. However, may I all the more aggressively state that I did not devote years of intent to suffer this malady! Having experienced it I find that I am not any more prepared to speak with authority. Perhaps openly exposing those moments of horror will give hope to the hearts of someone personally afflicted and those around them powerlessly affected.

Labels are so convenient. Labels often disregard the minutia of life’s events and the complexities of the human creation to comfortably package what is unknowable as if [it were] convenient “fact”. They often serve to replace awareness and acknowledgement, care and comfort, spiritual dependence and deliverance. So what kind of person might suffer from anxiety? One living and breathing! No one is exempt. Humbly facing the plague of anxiety, totally eliminating labels and replacing them with sacrificial love prepares a pathway of freedom for the afflicted upon which the affected must pave and take the first steps. The pathway must be patient and kind. It must be faithful and unwavering. It might be a long pathway; the distance will remain unknown until that moment when the afflicted recognizes they have been reached and willingly accept that they are not alone.

Having attempted to paint what is obviously a far to simplistic word-picture of anxiety it is important to note that the afflicted have many wonderful means of help. Each method requires an honest recognition of the need and a willingness to take the next step. It is so much easier to take when a friend or family member has first reached out with non-judgmental and sacrificial love and understanding. Perhaps adjusting may require medical assistance, ongoing neurological or physical therapy. Regardless, these means of help are available and should not be overlooked.

There is, however, a spiritual underpinning that must not be disregarded. It is often the last “help” sought - if ever sought at all. It is often turned to only when the afflicted and the affected have been exhausted beyond measure. And yet, while it is not the “mend-all heal-all mystic medical elixir”, it alone can reach into the depths of the soul with words of encouragement that must be refused to be avoided. No, these words may not change the circumstances of life. It is highly unusual for them to immediately eliminate anxiety. As quietly as they work within the hidden areas of the soul, they quietly underpin the afflicted so that while an episode may exist, there comes a sense of spiritual awareness that love is not far off. This “medicine for the soul” is very unique. It can be taken at any time. The individual need not feel responsible for missing a dose nor should they feel it imperative that they be capable of taking a dose during an episode of anxiety. The affects are not often seen but they are real and they are residual. The soul stores these Words and with each dosage a thin but ever capable foundation of hope is laid. My spiritual prescription is growing daily.

“Your hands have made me, cunningly fashioned and established me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. Those who reverently and worshipfully fear You will see me and be glad, because I have hoped in Your word and tarried for it. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right and righteous and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Let, I pray You, Your merciful kindness and steadfast love be for my comfort, according to Your promise to Your servant. Let your tender mercies and loving-kindness come to me, that I may live; for Your law is my delight! Let the proud be put to shame, for they dealt perversely with me without a cause; but I will meditate on Your precepts. Let those who reverently and worshipfully fear You turn to me, and those who have known Your testimonies. Let my heart be sound - sincere and wholehearted and blameless - in Your statutes, that I be not put to shame.” - Psalms 119:73-80

“O Lord, You have searched me (thoroughly) and have known me. You know my downsitting and my uprisings; You understand my thought afar off. You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue [still uttered], but, lo, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have beset me and shut me in behind and before, and have laid Your hand upon me. Your (infinite) knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it. Where could I go from Your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence? I ascend up into Heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol [the place of the dead], behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the night shall be the only light about me”, even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You did form my inward parts, You did knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will confess and praise You, for You are fearfully wonderful, and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret and intricately and curiously wrought (as embroidered with various colors) in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days of my life were written, before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. How precious and weighty also your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I awoke [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.” - Psalms 139:1-18

Anxiety; am I responsible? If you are harboring unfinished business, perhaps uncomfortable or potentially confrontational matters, take care of the matters and deal with the situation. If, however, this neurological and physiological horror sweeps in and over you without warning, without cause, and you suddenly find yourself sinking, observing the world around you but somehow fearfully detached, then no; no, you are not responsible. As wonderfully as you have been created, you are human and you suffer the maladies of our humanness. King David, although great among men, cried out to Jehovah God as a weak and fearful child would cry out to his earthly father. Although comfort was not always immediate, King David knew within his heart that his Heavenly Father was mighty to love, might to care, mighty to save.

If you have suffered anxiety you will recognize that in the midst of your fear it is reassuring to know someone is close by to help. If your episode requires medical attention and you find yourself waiting in a doctors office just the knock upon the door and the appearance of someone who is there to help you brings an ever-so-delicate “peace”. It does not immediately eliminate your condition - but it gives you the sense that there is hope. I would encourage you to open your heart’s door to the Great Physician. Call upon Him even now. He knew you before time. He was there while you were formed. He knows your comings and your goings; there is nothing unknown to Him. He alone fully understands your condition and your need. Somehow, when you feel His knock upon your hearts door, when you let Him in, the appearance of Someone Who knows you, Who loves you, and Who will help you brings an ever-so-powerful, “peace”.

God bless you as we travel through this world together!

Breaking down the congratulations and prayer ...

Congratulations, President Obama.

You were awarded, by Popular Vote and the Electoral College, a second term as President of the United States of America. Please implore your Senate to consider your words that we are a “UNITED” States of America. Please consider those of us who wish to be represented at best, simply considered at worst, even though our methods to heal the country are quite different. Work with us, hear us and perfect your plan through the amalgamated wisdom of our combined Representatives.

Prayers for God's guidance and your willingness to be led while leading.

I cannot begin to imagine the enormity of your job. I cannot begin to categorize the multitude of considerations you must, on a daily basis attend. I shudder to think of the responsibility for the well-being of the citizens of this land and the impact that responsibility has upon a watching world. I would not compound that responsibility by depending solely upon you. I believe that it is only by God’s grace, God’s guidance, God’s providence, God’s mercy, God’s design and God’s sovereignty that any man can withstand the wiles of evil to lead the nation in a course of righteousness. It is only a man willing to be led by God who can follow Him and thus provide the leadership we need.

Prayers for your family, their safety, the wellbeing of your wife and children.

Are we not truly blessed? Do we not have a great responsibility for the well-being of our families now and into their future? I pray for your children to continue to be enriched by the love of a mother and a father. I pray for those who would be parents but who, by no fault of their own, will never hear the giggles of their child, nurse their child’s scrapes or bruises, proudly watch these gifts from God grow and mature, and experience a parent’s joyful legacy as grandchildren and great-grandchildren are brought into their lives. And sir, I sorrowfully pray for those children who, through no fault of their own, never.

Prayers for our country. May we be united with a singleness of purpose. By being Americans we have already been given, "a break". May we look to God to grasp the opportunities that come with our birthright of freedom. There is no gift but that we were born in a land where we can freely overcome obstacles to "become".

The feebleness of mankind is strengthened only by humbly yielding to the will of God. Our founders, separated by so very many beliefs, were united in an awesome duty by God’s strength. This nation appears to be turning from Devine leadership. While tolerance is profoundly needed for a people to be united, it cannot replace Godly virtue and an awareness of our own spiritual need. We are Americans. We are free. But what does this freedom entail? Is it lawlessness? Is it freedom from the consideration of others? Is freedom a lonely island of self gratification or is it a willingness to deny selfish endeavor for the good of all? Does sacrificial love simply empty itself or is it continually filled to overflowing with the joy of participating in this wonderful gift of freedom? And what about opportunity? No, simply being in America does not guarantee any measure of success. It does, however, guarantee the potential path, however difficult, however filled with obstacles, however painful and long that few other countries offer to their citizens. This is a country wherein a citizenship guided by God's will selflessly uphold those who cannot lift themselves.

May we understand that it is not the value of our land and it's beauty that attracts God's blessing but that in times past we recognized God as the source of our blessing. May we willingly recognize God's appointment of leadership.

From sea to shining sea, beautiful! But it is the beauty of a people willing to recognize from whence this source of freedom, happiness, and opportunity comes, God. There can be no compromise in this conviction. There can be so edict that moves a nation to comply. Herein is a soul-change that only God can effect. And so, those of us who are believers call upon God to guide our lives in such a way that He is evidenced, daily, to our fellow citizens.

... without compromising our conviction and may our conviction be so well heard that leadership is moved by God's will. It is so wonderful to be an American!

May we believers be the living proof of His Devine providence. If no God is seen in us, then in our scope of influence no God exists. May the contrary become true and may He be proved right by our spirit of love, hard work, sacrifice and optimism. May the heart of our Representatives be turned to Him and may your heart be filled with confidence in leading because of the evidence you witness in those willing to put Him in His rightful place as God of all, Creator of all and Savior of all who would humbly call upon His name.

Shhhh ... listen! (3 of 3)

“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had slain all the prophets [of Baal] with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!’ Then he was afraid, and arose and went for his life, and came to Beersheba of Judah [over eighty miles], and out of Jezebel’s realm] and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat under a lone broom or juniper tree, and asked that he might die. He said, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord; take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.’ As he lay asleep under the broom or juniper tree, behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’ He looked, and behold, there was a cake of bread on the coals, and a bottle of water at his head. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.” - 1 Kings 19:1-6

Elijah the Tishbite, might have accomplished very little during his time by the brook of Cherith (17:3) but he made up for it in Zarephath and Mount Carmel. Now, the tired prophet, very much aware of the Queen’s decree, escapes and flees into the wilderness.

Why is it that our first inclination is to focus upon the prophet’s fear rather than his faithfulness? We tend to immediately assume a sudden weakness has overcome the prophet. It would appear that he has lost faith and has fled the very power of God that had sustained and protected him. We must be careful or we may miss the message, the personal nature of God, and our private time with the Creator of the universe.

It was more than the fear of Queen Jezebel that caused Elijah to flee. Consider the circumstances. Elijah had just been in the very presence of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. He had been totally exposed and vulnerable to their desire to do him harm. Why now, after having been the instrument of the One and Only True God, and after killing every false prophet, why now would Elijah flee? Because he was afraid?

Have you noticed that from 1 Kings 17, through 1 Kings chapter 19, Elijah was simply going about life - until he heard the voice of God!

Think about that for a moment.

You wouldn’t have picked him out in the crowd. He was just another one of hundreds, going about their daily lives. There was nothing significant about Elijah - until he heard the voice of God!

Time and time again we read how Elijah was busy about life and and suddenly, his plan was interrupted by the voice of God, the direction of God, the instruction of God and the provision of God! Elijah had grown totally dependent upon the awesome power of God! God told him when to move, where to go and what to do. God had always provided miraculous sustenance to strengthen Elijah.

Until now.

Now, after a mighty display of power - there was no voice.
Now, after the judgement and slaying of the false prophets - there was no direction.
Now, after hearing the chilling decree from a Godless Queen - there was no instruction.
Now, in the face of imminent peril - there were no provisions.

No voice, no direction, no instruction, no provision ... none!

How would we respond to this sudden silence?

Perhaps Elijah assumed his mission accomplished. Thinking he was without Devine guidance, perhaps Elijah reasoned it better to vanish and die alone in the wilderness than be made a spectacle, defeated by the hands of Queen Jezebel. Perhaps, not hearing the mighty voice of God, not feeling the mighty presence of God, not experiencing the mighty power of God, Elijah fled to protect the work God had just accomplished.

And so we read in verse 4 of chapter 19:

“...He said, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord; take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers’”.

Elijah fell asleep but his slumber was interrupted by the sudden shout of a mighty angel of God! No. The angel grabbed Elijah by his cloak and shook Elijah into reality! No.

“As he lay asleep, under the broom or juniper tree, behold, an angle touched him, and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’” - 1 Kings 19:5

Oh my goodness! Can you imagine the thrill that must have come over Elijah?

“He looked, and, BEHOLD, there was a cake of bread on the coals, and a bottle of water at his head. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.” - 1 Kings 19:6

JUST LIKE HOME!

Oh, to feel alone in the wilderness of life and have a messenger of God gently touch us! Oh to lift our eyes to recognize that not only is God’s provision always available to us, it is already on the coals, prepared perfectly according to God’s specific plan! Oh to then relax in the knowledge that we have not been forgotten!

“The Angel of the Lord came a second time, and touched him, and said, ‘Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.’ So he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and nights to Horeb, the mount of God.” - 1 Kings 19:7-8

This does not sound like a man fleeing from God. Rather, it sounds like a man fleeing in search of Him. There is no tone of judgement from the angel. There comes no rebuke. There is no charge to turn back - but Divine provision to carry on! And where does Elijah go? Elijah reviews and retraces God’s plan thus far and goes to a very familiar place.

“There he came to a cave, and lodged in it; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him and said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” - 1 Kings 19:9

Elijah does not recoil in fear. This is a familiar voice.
This is the voice of One Whom Elijah could depend.
This is the voice Elijah was seeking.

This is the voice of Almighty God! THIS is the One and Only One Elijah could pour his heart out to, share his most personal feelings with and lay bare his soul. And so he does. It is a conversation. It is a confession. Most important, it is communion. And do you hear what God is asking? Read it again.

“I know why I brought you here Elijah; but why do you think you are here?”

God knew why. God is more up to date than tomorrow’s headlines. God wanted Elijah to empty himself - so that he could be Divinely filled!

God then gives Elijah a directive:

“... Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice. When Elijah HEARD THE VOICE, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went and stood in the entrance of the cave.” - 1 Kings 19:11-13

God was not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire. Unlike the non-existent false gods whom so many had attributed these powers, the One True God has power over all!

HOWEVER...

It is vitally important that we take notice of what is missing! We have no record of Elijah’s awe at the splendor of God’s power. We read of no reaction whatsoever! God systematically and miraculously provides Elijah with unimaginable power. Put yourself in Elijah’s place! Wind powerful enough to actually tear the mountains apart and break into pieces the remaining rocks! Not only was there unimaginable wind, there was an earthquake shaking the very ground upon which Elijah stood. And after these two spectacular events, FIRE; incomprehensible fire such as only God can create! And Elijah stands witness to these events without response; that is, until, perhaps for the first time, Elijah experiences the power of God’s gentle stillness, and hears a still, small voice. In that moment Elijah is overcome with such a reverent awe and wonder that he is compelled to hide his face in his mantle!

WOW!

There It is; FINALLY! The still, small voice. And yet, as I review these three chapters of 1 Kings, I now see evidences of the voice at work. Who spoke to the widow’s heart that she would give the last portion of her sustenance to Elijah? Who directed the parting steps of Ahab and Obadiah and the proceeding steps of Elijah so that Elijah and Obadiah would meet on the road? Who directed Obadiah to care for the remaining prophets of the Lord exactly in the manner God Himself had been providing Elijah? Who lovingly and quietly merged Elijah’s flight into the wilderness with the perfect will of God, bringing him to this revelation?

“... Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts!” - Zechariah 4:6

Elijah, having experienced the power of God’s Holy Spirit, was prepared to be the instrument of God’s continuing love and care for Israel. And so, without rebuke, without condemnation, without bringing to mind Elijah’s weaknesses, God says to his prophet,

“Go!” - 1 Kings 19:15

Are you ready to take the next step? Where have you placed your confidence? Do you find yourself standing in the door of the cave? If so, in which direction are you facing? Are you facing into a cave of darkness and unknown danger, or, are you facing out of the cave but depending upon the wind, earthquake and fire to fulfill your quest for evidence that God Almighty still has a plan for your life?

Stop.

Stand in His sweet silence; shhhh; listen for the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, and then go in His power!

Shhhh ...

God bless!

Shhh ... I'm still listening! (2 of 3)

“As Obadiah was on the way, lo, Elijah met him. He recognized him and fell on his face, and said, ‘ Are you my lord Elijah?’ He answered him, ‘It is I; go tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here.’ And he said, ‘What sin have I committed that you would deliver your servant into the hands of Ahab to be slain? As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom, wherein my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they said, He is not here, he took an oath of the kingdom and nation that they had not found you! AND NOW YOU SAY, GO , TELL YOUR LORD, BEHOLD ELIJAH IS HERE! As soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where; so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he will kill me! But I your servant have feared and revered the Lord from my youth. Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of the Lord’s prophets by fifties in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? AND NOW YOU SAY, GO TELL YOUR LORD, BEHOLD ELIJAH IS HERE; AND HE WILL KILL ME!!!’” - 1 Kings 18:7-14

I find this humorous. Oh, I admit; it would not be humorous if I were in Obadiah’s position. But since I am not, it stirs a little giggle. Allow me the opportunity to translate this passage in a manner whereby we might better relate:

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? THEY’VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR YOU! OH, WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE ME THAT FOUND YOU? WHY DO YOU WANT ME TO TELL AHAB THAT I HAVE FOUND YOU? OH SURE, I KNOW; DON’T TRY AND FOOL ME! IT WILL BE JUST MY LUCK; I’LL TELL AHAB. HE WILL COME. YOU’LL DISAPPEAR AGAIN, HE WILL KILL ME! THANKS A BUNDLE ELIJAH! THANKS A DAW-GONE BUNDLE! Uh; er ... What I meant to say was ... (pause) ... Ah, come on, Elijah! I’ve been hiding my true identity from “King A” and “Jezzy” all this time that you’ve been gone! I even protected one-hundred servants of God from them. I came up with the idea to hide them in a cave and bringing them bread and water to sustain them! Come on Elijah; didn’t you hear about that? Haven’t I already done enough?”

Haven’t I already done enough?

Have you ever thought that? Have you ever felt that you’d paid your dues. According to your tabulation, the ledger appeared balanced. Enough is enough! And then God says, “Okay; Let’s get started!” Excuse me? Haven’t I already ...?

Although he was feeling a bit defeated, Obadiah did as Elijah commanded. Obadiah returned to Ahab and announced that he had found Elijah. We read that Ahab then went to meet Elijah. It’s a pitiful meeting. The King; all powerful amongst the people, with armies and chariots ready to rise at his beckoned call, fearing only his wife, Queen Jezebel, sheepishly asks:

“... are you who troubles Israel?” - 1 Kings 18:17

Elijah replied:

“I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father’s house, by forsaking the commandments of the Lord and by following the Baals.” - 1 Kings 18:18

For a refresher on the Baal’s family, please refer back to PART ONE ...

Elijah then proposes a bar-b-cue. All 450 prophets of the non-existent god, Baal, and all 400 prophets of Baal’s non-existent mother, Asherah, were to provide the entertainment by way of a little contest. It would be the, “god’s VS God” contest.

What a spectacular marketing event! I can just imagine Jezebel dictating the look of the fliers. She was, after all after all, the “Bel of the Baal”. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist).

The rules of the contest were quite simple. Two fine bulls would be selected. The prophets of Baal and Asherah would be allowed to select which of the two they wanted. (This, obviously put Elijah at an advantage seeing that decision by committee never works!) The prophets would dress their bull and lay it on a wooden altar but they would put no fire under it. Elijah would do the same. The prophets would call upon their non- existent god, Baal, to provide fire from the heavens; Elijah would call upon the One True God to do the same.

Imagine the crowd of people in attendance! All of Israel was present. No doubt Queen Jezebel and King Ahab were in seats of honor so as to see all of their mighty prophets of the false-gods! No doubt these prophets were adorned in robes of splendor! There must have been music and dancing! Vendors provided appetizers to the throngs of spectators! IT WAS AN EVENT!

So, there you have it! Perhaps as many as eight hundred prophets stood on one side of the playing field with their personally chosen, fully dressed and prepared sacrifice, while on the other side of the playing field stood Elijah; one man standing alone - that is, except for the sacrifice that had been rejected.

Well, the prophets called upon their non-existent god from early morning until noon. The anticipation mounted! They leaped around their altar until they could only limp around their altar! They cried out with loud voices, but there was no voice in return; no one answered. (18:26)

On the other side of the playing field sat Elijah; I picture him filing his fingernails. The crowd was becoming restless. The fury of unbridled anticipation was now diminishing as were the vendor’s appetizers. And an emboldened Elijah just sat there, mocking them all ...

“At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, ‘Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is musing, or he has gone aside, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.’” - 1 Kings 18:27

Morning passed to noon. Street vendors went back to their shops. The crowds dissipated. Embarrassment now replaced anticipation. No doubt Queen Jezebel slipped away from this disgraceful failure. Belief hung in the balance as the once honored prophets of the non-existent god lay exhausted on the ground having bloodied themselves with knives and lances. But still, there was no voice; no one answered.

It is at this point that Elijah said to the people:

“‘... Come near to me’. And all the people came near him. And he repaired the (old) altar of the Lord that had been broken down [by Jezebel]. Then Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob to whom the words of the Lord came saying ‘Israel shall be your name’. And with the stones Elijah built an altar in the name [and self-revelation] of the Lord. He made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. He put the wood in order, and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood, and said, ‘Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering and the wood’. And he said, ‘Do it a second time’. And they did it a second time. And he said, ‘Do it a third time’. And they did it a third time. And the water ran about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.” - 1 Kings 18:30-35

The focus should not be upon Elijah and his preparation for the sacrifice. The focus should be upon God’s preparation of the peoples hearts! Think about it. Their only hope had been in a false-god and it now it was evident that their hope had been in vain. Their only sustenance was the precious water that they had been storing during the drought - and Elijah commanded them to pour it out upon the old altar of God; the altar they had long ago walked away from. Perhaps they felt like the poor widow who, having lost everything, prepared that last small loaf of bread for Elijah, and then prepared to die.

So, Elijah called the people together. He made no grandiose spectacle of himself. He simply 1. re-erected the altar to God and then 2. called upon His name. Elijah’s humble action was a testimony to those watching. It spoke to the heart of Israel. Those present needed to personally re-erect their spiritual altar, their communication, their praise to God, and once again call upon His name!

“‘Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You, the Lord, are God, and have turned their hearts back [to You].’” - 1 Kings 18:37

“Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench! When the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, The Lord, He is God! And Elijah said, ‘Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one escape. They seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and [as God’s law required] slew them there.” - 1 Kings 18:38-40

This passage is rich in the completeness of God’s forever plan! Upon which message do we focus? There are so many truths being taught. Obadiah was clearly being used of God but he suffered from fear and exhaustion thinking he was doing so in his own strength. Obadiah did not falter because of God’s power, but because of his own pride. Perhaps it is the message that says, “Now that you are humbled by your own weakness, Let’s get started by My might and power!” Notice the comparison. Obadiah was stressed, tired, a beaten man who thought his luck had run out! He had been in hiding, living a double life, perhaps just waiting to be found out; daily living in fear! Elijah, on the other hand, stood in the very presence of those who sought to kill him. He stood, totally alone and vulnerable! The crowd pressed in, the King and Queen of evil watched expectantly, all the powers of darkness were called upon, and Elijah calmly stood, alone.

Ah, but wait, he was not totally alone. There with him was the rejected sacrifice. So is THIS the message we should focus upon? Is this a prophetic picture of Jesus, the sacrifice rejected by all and yet THE ONE TRUE SACRIFICE FOR ALL? Is this the message?

How about the fact that Elijah re-erected the old altar? Does this show a return to the One True God? Or are the components of the sacrifice, the detail by which Elijah placed the wood, the pouring out of the people’s precious, life-sustaining water in addition to the rejected sacrifice the message?

Is it the fact that although the false prophets put on a show, although they cried out to their false-gods (false-gods well known to the people, false-gods whom the people had become dependent upon) and after doing everything humanly possible to catch the attention of their false-gods to the point of bloodying themselves with knives and lances, STILL, no voice was heard; no answer was given. Is this the message?

What is the message to you? Is there one? Is there something in this passage that just seems to jump out at you? Perhaps there is something you never really took notice of before. Perhaps it is something that speaks directly to the circumstances of your life, today, right now.

And what about that still, small voice?

We’ll need to look further in the next writing!

God bless!

Shhh ... I'm listening for the still, small voice ... (1 of 3)

“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” - 1Kings 19:11-13 (KJV)

This has been a very difficult passage for me to understand. I've read commentary after commentary and still feel there is something within this passage I've yet to fully enjoy!

More often than not, commentaries interpret this passage as one of rebuke. They focus upon the frail humanity of Elijah rather than the forbearing provision and love of God. They hear the thunder of condemnation rather than a voice of calming
confirmation.

You see, Elijah had been in this situation numerous times. This story actually begins in chapter 17 of 1 Kings. It is interesting to me the way the chapter begins:

“Elijah the Tishbite, of the temporary residents of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord, God of Israel lives, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years, but according to my word.’ And the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘Go from here and turn east, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is east of the Jordan.’” - 1 Kings 17:1-3

Let’s be honest. If the passage had left out the fact that it was the word of the Lord that told Elijah to go and hide, how many of us would have condemned Elijah for hiding? Elijah, a committed instrument of God, humbled himself to God’s will, and God provided.

“You shall drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” - 1 Kings 17:4

We would have misjudged Elijah completely. We would have missed his faithfulness to God. Although he was about to travel, unprepared, to a place he did not know, he believed God would sustain him.

But the story is only beginning. As we read on we see that the brook dries up! Oops! Didn’t God know the brook would dry up? Well, of course He did; and so did Elijah. Why? Because he had just prophesied that there would not be dew or rain for years to come.

And then the word of the Lord came to Elijah again telling him to go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, because God had commanded a widow there to take care of him.

“Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” - 1 Kings 17:9

Now, wait a minute? What tremendous ministry did Elijah have back at the brook Cherith? How many souls were saved? What armies were defeated? What miracles did Elijah perform? How many churches did he start? We have no record of anything being accomplished at the brook Cherith; nothing! From our vantage point, it was a miserable waste of valuable time. Here a man, chosen by God Himself, relaxes by a brook and eats whatever flesh is being brought to him by a flock of birds.

What was that all about? Why didn’t God tell Elijah to go directly to Zarephath?

BUT, the story doesn’t end there. Elijah doesn’t meet and marry the widow, raise her son, and live off of the widow’s fortune like a hollywood movie. As a matter of fact, this widow had nothing to offer:

“So he arose and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her, ‘Bring me a little water in a vessel that I may drink’. And she said, ‘As the Lord your God lives, I have not a loaf baked but only a handful of meal in the jar and a little oil in the bottle. See, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.’” - 1 Kings 17:10-12

Thanks God; thanks a bundle... I thought God COMMANDED the widow to take care of Elijah....

But Elijah never falters. Elijah takes it all in stride. Why? Because Elijah has put his faith in God and not in the circumstances surrounding him. Elijah told the widow to bake him bread. Elijah told her that doing so would result in her household being filled until the rain returns. Perhaps this poor widow mustered the faith to follow his request. Perhaps she reasoned that it made little difference; she was already preparing to die.

Nevertheless, we read the widow baked. She continued to bake. She could open a bakery of her own with the amount of bread she was able to bake! The jar of meal never emptied and the bottle of oil never ran dry!

Things were going along just perfectly until the widow’s son became sick and died.

Time for introspection. What would we have thought? Oops! Must have been something the kid ate! We knew it was too good to be true. It had to catch up with old Elijah sooner or later. If it had been us, would we have been fraught with pain, or faithful to God’s promise? Would circumstance outweigh our faith in the quiet work and will of God?

To make a long story short, Elijah calls upon God, God hears his call and revives the boy to full health. (I know you are wondering how this preview has anything to do with 1 Kings 19:11-13. I’m getting there....)

And so we arrive at chapter 18.

God begins this chapter with a direct and simple command; but He does not give Elijah the whole picture of coming events. God simply says:

“Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” - 1 Kings 18:1

Isn’t this the same Ahab, son of Omri, that we read about in chapter 16?

“So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Sameria. Ahab his son reigned in his stead. In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri began his reign over Israel in Samaria. And Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all before him.” - 1 Kings 16:28-30

It is important here to see what Ahab did during his first years of office. We see that he took a wife, Jezebel, who served and worshiped the non-existent god, Baal. He even erected an altar for the non-existent god, Baal, in in a temple he erected for the non-existent god, Baal.

Here’s the non-existent god, Baal’s, background ...

Baal also bore the name, Hadad, which means “thunderer”. Baal was the weather-god and was given credit for controlling thunder, lightening, wind and rain. We mustn’t take him lightly. He was thought to come from a powerful line of non-existent gods. His non-existent father, El, meaning “strong one” was married to Baal’s non-existent mother, Asherah, the non-existent fertility goddess. Baal’s siblings were his non-existent sister Anath, meaning “surface of the earth” who was also his wife who bore veggies because of her non-existent brother/husband’s power over the weather. He had a non-existent brother, Yamm, who was god of the seas. As is the case with any family, real or non-existent, these two brothers did not get along. Yamm would get stirred up and cast waves up toward Baal who would return the brotherly quarrel with thunder, lightening and rain after which their little spat would dissipate and all would be calm.

The non-existent family of gods went about a rather normal life of spats, winds, seas and veggies until, having matured and having left home, Baal decided to throw a banquet for his non-existent father El.

Baal did not invite his non-existent brother, Yamm.

Well, Yamm did not take this lightly so killed his brother Baal. I just hate it when god’s act like that ...

Sister Anath was none too happy because she would not be able to bear veggies without rain; so she killed her brother Yamm and went to the non-existent god of death, Mot, to have Baal resurrected to rule the air once again.

Although you might be hearing this mythical story for the first time, the people living in Elijah’s time knew the story very well. It was a part of their daily life and they were reminded of it with every change in the weather. Therefore, the people worshiped these non-existent gods to win daily favor.

Anyway, Elijah went to show himself to Ahab.

While this was going on, we are given a glimpse what was happening with Ahab. Ahab called Obadiah who was Ahab’s governor of personal affairs. Unbeknownst to Ahab, Obadiah was also secretly a follower of God. We know this because when Jezebel went about killing all of the prophets who refused to bow to Baal, Obadiah hid fifty of them in a cave and fed them bread and water. Interesting, isn’t it? Hid them in a cave; fed them bread and water? Interesting ...

Ahab was desperate! The lack of rain caused a terrible famine throughout the land. Ahab’s only option was to look elsewhere for moisture and fresh grass so that the horses and mules could be saved. Ahab divided up the land ordering Obadiah to search in one direction while he searched in the other direction. And it “just happened” that along the way, Elijah met Obadiah!

END PART ONE OF TWO PARTS
POINTS TO PONDER:

1. Why did God command Elijah to hide by the brook of Cherith?
2. How could God have COMMANDED a widow to care for Elijah yet the widow was ill- prepared for Elijah’s arrival?
3.God has spoken to Elijah numerous times. Why do we not find reference to Elijah being in awe by His voice?

God’s will for us is not always readily apparent. Others might mock the direction we take. Others might mock that we appear to take no direction at all. Sometimes, however, God tucks us away in His care to more affectively prepare us to trust Him even more! God’s personal instruction does not teach us to adapt to life’s circumstances but to adhere to His promise.

Where are you along the way? What has God already prepared for YOU this day? Are you ready to claim His promise, against all odds, and steadfastly depend upon His sustenance?

PART TWO of this wonderful passage will bring us full circle. The complexities of life and the completeness of God’s will plan provide a wonderful comfort to all who read!

God bless!

Don't Be Misled

(Repost, by request)

Bold outbursts and passionate oratory do not establish truth. Chaotic frenzy is not inspiration. Treading upon the sacred altar of another’s beliefs is not evangelism. Words of condemnation are not proof of power. Inciting an uprising is not evidence of leadership.

Who authorized these displays be honored as evidences of a worthy cause? What validates willful abuse of another’s honor, character, belief or property?

Who would follow the tyrant’s noise?

Watch closely, you who would wade into this mighty stream, lest you be misled to think you govern it’s goings. - Laurie De Seguirant

A resolution worth repeating ...

A friend of mine had resisted efforts to get him to run with our jogging group until his doctor told him he had to exercise. Soon thereafter, he reluctantly joined us for our 5:30 a.m. jogs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

After a month of running, we decided that my friend might be hooked, especially when he said he had discovered what "runner's euphoria" was. "Runner's euphoria," he explained, "is what I feel at 5:30 on TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, and SATURDAYS!" -- Neil P. Budge

The “in between times” determine the sole/soul commitment to a given resolution. Begrudgingly or superstitiously approaching a modification in one’s behavior often results in failure. A mental callous develops resulting in a dulled sensitivity to the original quest. Not that the importance of the endeavor has diminished, but the overcoming victory of the pursuit and benefits awaiting the committed participant are at best delayed and too often lost.

That being said, I am tempted to slip into 2012 with the utmost anonymity. If I make no resolution, I fail no endeavor. If I share no goal, I face no accountability. I’ll just stay, “under the radar” unknown, un-relied upon, with little or no responsibility.

Then a verse begins to ring in my heart:

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11

The plans HE HAS MADE FOR ME? For my GOOD, and not disaster? To give me a future and a hope?

Wait a minute! I’ve been trying to accomplish that year after year. Hmmmm ... Perhaps, just perhaps, MY plans have not been in MY best interest. Perhaps He has protected me from my will and the results that would have caused me harm so that He can bring me to this year, 2012, with the awareness of His will, something custom designed and tailor fitted to give me a future and a hope.

“…to give you a future…” it’s as if I really never had one while I was dependent upon my will, my strength and my dedication. It's an interesting point; one begging a deeper understanding. The non-believer has no confidence in a divinely designed future. However, the UNCOMMITTED BELIEVER (that "believer" who wears Christianity as an exterior garment when the moment best serves their interest but secretly lives to enjoy "their own way" during the in between times) has no reason to feel confident in a future void of God's plan.

“…and a hope.” What is “hope” to the child of God? One thing is for certain, the words used in the Hebrew language for the word “hope” ALL focus upon the certainty of future events. This particular word emphasizes His guarantee.

My New Years resolution? Simply put, to commit to His plan while enjoying the fact that every moment of 2012 has already passed His inspection. His plans are for my good, not disaster, that I might actually have a future, precisely the future He has prepared just for me. I am hopeful; I am confident; it’s a done-deal!

Happy New Year!

An Addendum ...

I was reviewing a blog I wrote last year pertaining to the Christmas Story as revealed in John Chapter 10. I’ve had time to ponder my own writings and I’ve come across what I believe to be another truth hidden in clear view.

You may recall the “Porter” opening the door to the Shepherd in John 10:3 as a reference to the work of the Holy Spirit proclaimed by the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:34-35.

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a girl never having been married and a virgin, engaged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you! Blessed-favored of God are you before all other women!’ But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled and disturbed and confused at what he said, and kept revolving in her mind what such a greeting might mean. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace - free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving kindness - with God! And listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will five to Him the throne of His forefather David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages, and of His reign there will be no end. And Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have no [intimacy with any man as a] husband?’ Then the angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (as a shining cloud); and so the holy (pure sinless) Thing which shall be born of you, will be called the Son of God...’” - Luke 1:26-35

It occurs to me that just as Mary was totally incapable of conceiving without the miraculous power of God, we too stand before God totally incapable of attaining, or if you will, conceiving, a spiritual and personal relationship with the Almighty except for the ministry of the Porter, the Holy Spirit, Who comes upon us in our need, opens our heart’s door, making way for the miraculous new birth of salvation!

Salvation, true and complete conversion, freedom from the slavery of sin, is simply not in our DNA without the infusion of a miraculous new birth. Of this the Bible is clear.

“But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law, to purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us - be recognized as [God’s] sons. And because you [really] are (His) sons, God has sent the (Holy) Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father! Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son, and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God through Christ.” - Galatians 4:4-7

And so as we celebrate the birth of our Savior let us not forget the incomprehensible work of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit as it brings to life the Christmas story of new birth personally to us!

May you hear the call, the message of God. May the Holy Spirit open your hearts door. May you clearly and unmistakably see Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection as God’s personal gift to YOU and may you experience His miraculous new birth in your life forever!

Merry Christmas!

Der Christmas Mirror (A true story...)

The holidays were approaching and so also my seasonal recitation of anguish. This holiday season – all the more! Chris had completely emptied herself in commitment and effort. An extraordinary wife, mother, and fellow bread-winner, she deserved something special – something extra-ordinary. What would it be and how could I surprise her with it?

As with each holiday celebration our home would be filled with family and friends. I dreamed of one day owning a professional ping-pong table. I could see in my minds eye the family enjoying holiday tournaments. Chris, on the other hand, dreamed of a
beautiful living-room fire-place with its towering pillars and grand sunken mirror. This year, on Christmas morning, I would see to it that she got her wish!

I began construction in October. My anguish grew as December 25 seemed to approach more rapidly than in previous years.

It was two weeks until Christmas day and I needed only to have Bob deliver and install the mirror. He’d measured, weeks before, the four foot by six foot pocket into which the mirror was to be installed. My anxiety increased as each day passed. Would Chris once again be forced to lovingly thank me for my “good intentions?” NOT THIS YEAR! I HAD to finish the project!

Finally, December 23, the white panel truck backed into our driveway. Bob’s crew carefully untied the package from its resting place in the truck.

“Veer do you vant us to poot her?” the tall blond Swede asked.

I proudly pointed to the empty pocket above the fireplace. It was obvious to me the young man was confused by my response.

“You vant us to poot her up deer? Vee don’t do any-ting like dat sir.” The Swede was emphatic.

“Look,” I began to fume, “I’ve waited over three weeks for this! Bob promised he would have it here for Christmas! He promised it would be delivered and installed and that’s just what you are going to do!” Secretly, my outburst caused me to swell with pride. I was fighting for my honor, for my wife, for my MIRROR!

We argued back and forth for over thirty-minutes. I was not going to lose this battle. I positioned myself in front of the exit. They new they were trapped. With nail gun in hand in preparation for the installation and framing I demanded, “You are going to install that mirror and you are going to do it NOW!”

Their puzzled expression and then uproarious laughter caught me by surprise.

“Mirror? Yimminy mee-ster; veer delivering der ping-pong table yer vife ordered!” Chris had once again beaten me to the punch!

The mirror arrived later that afternoon. Bob was kind enough to install it. Its reflection above our fireplace was everything Chris had dreamed it would be. Each holiday season now brings with it the warmth of our fire, a reflective chuckle, and fond memories of two people’s love expressed in “Der Ping-pong Table and Der Christmas Mirror.”

Hidden In Plain View

In this fast-paced world of breaking-news and ever changing technology new and exciting discoveries abound! Energy, medicine, travel, communications, every element of our daily life is influenced by change. Change is happening so fast that there is no time to establish a tradition! Even our breakfast cereals claim to be, “NEW AND IMPROVED!”

Change is a good thing, a desirable thing, a necessary thing. New technology allows us to delve deep into what was thought yesterday to be unknowable.

There is, however, an uneasiness associated with the speed by which change is occurring. Today’s assertions become tomorrow’s cause for corrections. This pattern seems to repeat itself time and time again until we are left wondering if it is possible to really KNOW anything.

Consider, for instance, how new DNA technology has impacted people’s lives. Information once hidden in clear view is now revealed through DNA. And as wonderful as it may be to now have this technology, it cannot erase the fact that critical life decisions were incorrectly determined because the ability to clearly see the true evidence had not yet been established.

Such reality gives us, “cause to pause”.

What other truths might be right in front of us that we are missing? How might they otherwise impact our lives if we only had the ability to clearly see them?

The Bible speaks of very important truths; truths concerning not only life as we know it, but life more abundant. Now, right away some might be saying to themselves,

“I know where he’s going with this one, the Bible thing...”.

Some might be thinking,

“What if his premise is off? What if the Bible is just a book of collected stories carefully crafted and manipulated by individual groups to support their own need to know the unknowable or, at best, to usurp authority over weaker more gullible members of society?”

In this tech-KNOW-logical world, where wonders are revealed on a daily basis and minds are stretched beyond the capacity to fully understand the revelations being witnessed, it is hard to imagine that much of humanity remains so closed minded to the possibility that the Bible just might be more relevant than previously thought. It’s been sitting there on the coffee table or on the bookshelf for a long time. What if Truth has been hidden in clear view?

Okay, okay I must acknowledge that some have chosen to stop reading this little blog. They have heard it all before. However, you are still with me so I will continue...

The Bible gives us some very straight-forward language.

“For I KNOW the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. THEN you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. THEN you will seek Me, inquire for and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me; when you search for Me with all your heart, I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU, says the Lord, and I will release you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and all the places to which I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you again to the place from which I caused you to be carried away captive.” - Jeremiah 29:11-14

So, just how did the Lord God Jehovah plan for our welfare? Is there a truth we may have overlooked?

“In the beginning [before all time] was the Word [Christ ] and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and withoutHim was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it - put it out, or has not absorbed it, has not appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it.” - John 1:1-5

“There It was! The true Light [was then] coming into the world - the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light - that illuminated every person. He came into the world, and thought the world was made through Him, the world DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM - did not KNOW Him. He came to that which belonged to Him - to His own [domaine, creation, things, world] - and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.” - John 1:9-11

“BUT, to as many as DID RECEIVE AND WELCOME HIM, He gave the authority [power, privilege, right] to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in - adhere to, trust in and rely on - His name.” - John 1:12

Verse fourteen sums up the previous verses by simply saying,

“And the Word (spoken of in verse one) [Christ] became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled - fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile - among us; and we [actually] say His glory - His honor, His majesty; such glory as an only begotten son receives from his Father, full of grace (favor, loving kindness) and TRUTH.” - John 1:14

There is “cause to pause"....

Do you KNOW this Truth, this Word of God? This Jesus? By “know” I do not mean to ask if you have acknowledged Him as having actually walked this earth. I do not mean to ask if you know the Bible story of His birth, His death and His resurrection. I do not mean to ask if you recognize Him as God, for the Bible tells us,

“You believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe, and shudder!” - James 2:19

I mean, do you personally know Him?

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8

“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

“Behold I stand at the door [the heart’s door] and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door [THEIR heart’s door], I will come in to him or her and eat with him or her, and he or she with Me.” - Revelation 3:20

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” - Romans 10:13

Oh, there are many, many opinions about spiritual things. Indeed, mankind has sought to ease their fear of the unknown by ritual and creed. But the Bible tells us,

“There is a way that seems right to man and appears straight before him, but at the end are the ways of death.” - Proverbs 14:12

On the other hand, following Jesus resurrection a confused and doubting Thomas asked,

“...Lord, we do not KNOW where you are going, so how can we KNOW the way? Jesus said to him, I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. If you had KNOWN Me - had learned to RECOGNIZE ME - you would also have KNOWN My Father. From now on you KNOW Him and have seen Him. Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father - cause us to see the Father, that is all we ask; then we shall be satisfied. Jesus replied, Have I been with all of you so long a time (hidden in plain view) and you do not recognize and KNOW Me yet, Philip? Any one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, show us the Father.” - John 14:5-9

“He who believes in the Son of God - who adheres to and trusts in and relies on Him, possesses this divine attestation - has the testimony within himself. He who does not believe God (in this way) has made Him out to be and represented Him as a liar, because he has not believed - put his faith in and adhered to and relied on the testimony - the evidence that God has borne regarding His Son. And this sis that testimony - that evidence: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in and rely on) the name of the Son of God - that is, in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men - so that you may KNOW (WITH SETTLED AND ABSOLUTE KNOWLEDGE) that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life." - 1 John 5:10-13

Have you opened your heart’s door to Him? Why not humbly pray and ask Him to come into your heart to dwell with you forever? He stands at the door and knocks; hidden in plain view even today!

God bless!

Being Picked Last

Have you experienced the ignoble distinction of being picked last?

Oh, it is a horrible feeling.

You were the albatross, the default, the booby-prize. Not quite talented enough, fast enough, tall enough, smart enough, good-looking enough or popular enough to be desired by the rest of the team. You simply did not fit in; you were too different.

“The Ugly Duckling” was never your favorite book and you’ve surmised, “The Little Train That Could (?)” was probably kicked in the caboose all the way up the hill and chased all the way into the ensuing valley. Your Cracker Jacks prize was always broken and when someone told a joke - you were usually the punchline.

Rejection can begin early in life. It is often a result of cultural, physical or lifestyle differences [determined by the masses to be] too peculiar to be normal. However inconsequential the rejection of an individual may appear to a casual observer, it is an indignity that can emotionally scar it’s recipient for life.

Does God’s Word, the Bible, give us any encouragement? Unfortunately, at first glance the Bible appears only to confirm our worst fear:

“... ALL have sinned AND ARE FALLING SHORT of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives ...” - Romans 3:23

FALLING SHORT. Well, that’s just great! Isn’t that what we’ve been feeling? And so we desperately scramble for another verse. Perhaps the Old Testament can give us hope:

“For we have all become as one who is unclean [ceremonially, as a leper], and all our righteousness - OUR BEST DEEDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS and justice - are as filthy rags or a polluted garment. We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away [far from God’s favor, hurrying us to destruction].” - Isaiah 64:6

WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I’ll just assume my position at the back of the line. Why not? I’m used to it; LAST PLACE! Home sweet home.

Ah, but there is One who understands rejection...

Who among us can begin to imagine the rejection experienced by Jesus? We will never comprehend the numerous levels of rejection He willingly accepted. Certainly His rejection was social, physical, emotional and spiritual but it was so much more! Our feeble minds will never begin to grasp the rejection He experienced that encompassed the whole of heaven and earth, of time and space, of all creation past and all creation yet to become; His was total and complete rejection.

Sadly, His rejection has not yet ended. His rejection occurs even today. Faced with the Biblical account of Jesus’ death burial and resurrection, there are those even today who would offer a polite, “no thank you” to His gift of love. And yet, according to the Bible, it’s through His gift of love that we personally experience the redemption and acceptance we so desperately desire.

Read again that verse of condemnation. Notice that it was never intended to leave us in a condition of "having fallen short” of God’s glory:

“... ALL have sinned AND ARE FALLING SHORT of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. ALL are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus. Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood - the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation- [to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus.” - Romans 3:23-26

As the late Paul Harvey might say, “and now you know the rest of the story...”

Chosen last? I’ve got great news:

“Even as [in His love] He chose us - ACTUALLY PICKED US OUT for Himself as His own - in Christ before the foundation of the world; that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.” - Ephesians 1:4

Amazing! According to the Bible, when you experience that saving grace, you can be confident that you were chosen, not last, but before the foundation of the world! And why?

“So that we who first hoped in Christ - who first put our confidence in Him - [have been destined and appointed] to live for the praise of His glory.” - Ephesians 1:12

So take heart friend. You have been chosen by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Today is yet another day to give thanks by living for the praise of His glory!

By the way, since you have been chosen, it’s time to get into the game!

God bless!

Do The Signs Show He Is Coming Soon?

Mathematics, calculations,astrological signs, comets, NASA, feasts, dates, earthquakes, wars, famine, disease, signs, wonders, political unrest, ungodly rulers, prophesy, Mayan Calendar, 2012, interpretations, trumpets, judgement, fire, alignments, Israel, Daniel, Ezekiel, Revelation, certainty, uncertainty, miscalculations, best intentions; oops...

Yet another date will come and, most likely pass, without the return of Jesus. I say “most likely” because, make no mistake, I believe He is coming - He is coming according to the Father’s plan, His schedule, and without obligation to my expectations.

The topic of Christ’s return seems to separate Christendom into two camps, the, “Look Up” camp and the, “Occupy” camp.

The, “Look Up” camp would have us to believe that the precise date of Christ’s return is unmistakably obvious to those who have an ear to hear and an eye to see the signs of the times. While I cannot dispute their calculations (until the day following a prediction), I must dispute the notion that their insight separates believers from those who have yet to commit their lives to Christ. The Bible never speaks to the notion that salvation will be based upon those who know the date. It does refer to those who are, “ready”.

Then we have the, “Occupy” camp. This group of believers would admit that they do not know when Christ will return. They are, however, committed to the fact that His return is certain and that there are responsibilities to be fulfilled while awaiting His return.

The “Look Up” camp would site Noah’s heartfelt warnings to a lost humanity. “Judgement is coming!” Whether or not Noah was able to give them the precise date and time for the rains to begin I do not know. It did, after all, take some one-hundred years to complete construction of the ark. Noah’s unmistakable plea for people to heed the warning is indisputable. Every stoke of Noah’s hammer, every thrust of his saw against gopher wood, every drop of sweat, every blister and sliver was evidence to a surrounding population that judgement was coming, that judgement was sure and that safety would only be secured by God’s provision.

Noah was, “occupying”. Noah was busy doing what God had unmistakably told him to do. He was engaged in and faithful to the will of God. The chiding of the crowds would not deter Noah. He was, “occupying” until God’s time would be fulfilled. He was hard at work. Noah was focused upon the task at hand and he was committed to every element, every measure and every responsibility entrusted by God to his care.

We are closer today to Christ’s return than we were yesterday. Obvious, no? So, if we have truly accepted Him as personal Lord and Savior, if we truly believe He is coming according to the Bible, how much sweat have we invested during these days prior to His return? How much love have we shown to those who have yet to know Him personally? How much service have we rendered to those in need? How many times have we introduced Him to those who know us best? What are the tools He has given us so that we can be engaged in and be faithful to His will? Have those tools been stored away, or are they worn from continued faithful use?

It is yet another day!

“This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! - Psalm 118:24

There is yet time to grow spiritually, to be thankful, to praise, to serve, to love, to give, to share, to nurture, to testify, to know Christ personally, to serve Christ more faithfully.

“THIS IS the day the Lord hath made, thank God we have another chance!” - author’s interpretation

God bless!

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God ...”

So, what does this verse really mean?

I’d never really given it much thought. I always thought it was obvious; there are times in life when we are to be still and “wait upon the Lord”. We are to turn over to God whatever concerns we are currently facing and stop doubting Him. We are not to be anxious but on the contrary we are to be “quiet” like the dawn of the early morning - before anyone is even aware. Perhaps an even more direct interpretation is appropriate, SHUT UP and know that I am God ... PERIOD!

Allow me to digress for a moment. Do you have a favorite song? I mean a song that touches the core of your being and speaks to your heart every time you hear it? What song is it? Think about that specific song for just a moment. What in your life, makes that song transcend others? What memories come to mind? How is it that when you are driving in your car, sitting in a coffee shop or restaurant, shopping or engaged in any other endeavor, and ever-so-faintly in the background the introduction to that song begins, and your heart immediately, in spite of all the distractions, leaps for joy? How have you so personally identified with that song? What is the application you have made with it’s message, to your life? Why is it so personal? Think about it for just a moment. When you have, read on....

Psalm 46:10 was, most likely, featured on Israel’s “Top 100 Greatest Hits!” It is, in fact, a song. It has three distinct verses and a refrain so beautifully interwoven with the song’s message that it no doubt stirred the hearts of all who heard. The song goes something like this:

1st Verse

GOD is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation] a very PRESENT and WELL PROVED help in trouble.

Not a bad way to start a song, is it?

As a result of this proven fact, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas; though it’s waters roar and foam and though the remaining mountains tremble at it’s swelling and tumult...

Selah, (pause, and think calmly of that!)

2nd Verse

There is a [mighty river] and the individual streams that spring from it refresh and make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High!

GOD is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved! GOD will [already be] helping her right early [at the dawn of the morning; before anyone is even aware]. Although the nations rage [as nations do and forever will] and kingdoms tottered and were moved [as they always will]; GOD uttered His voice and by the power of His voice, the earth melted [all the calamity quieted and became still].

THIS SAME GOD, THE LORD OF ALL THE HOSTS OF THE HEAVENS, IS WITH US! The God of Jacob is [even now] our refuge [our fortress and our high tower].

Selah, (pause, and think calmly of that!)

3rd Verse

COME! COME behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolation and wonders in the earth [by making] wars to cease to the end of the earth; [it is God] Who breaks the bows into pieces and snaps the spear in two; [it is God] Who burns the chariots in the fire!

... Now comes that verse we’ve been looking at, and here is the translation:

LET BE, AND BE STILL, in order to KNOW - recognize and understand - that I AM GOD! [Regardless of the present outlook] I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS! I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH!

And so we reach the close...

THIS SAME GOD, THE LORD OF ALL THE HOSTS OF THE HEAVENS, IS WITH US! The God of Jacob is [even now] our refuge [our fortress and our high tower].

Selah, (pause, and think calmly of that!)

What a mighty song! What a powerful hope!

So, today, right now, think about THIS specific song for just a moment. What in your life today, makes this song transcend others? What memories of days gone by come to mind? Is it a song who’s message will speak to you when you are driving in your car, sitting in a coffee shop or restaurant, shopping or engaged in any other endeavor? Can your heart immediately, in spite of all the distractions that surround us, the wars, the financial upheavals, uncertainties of life, leap for joy? Have you, have WE, personally identified with the God of THIS song?

There is a powerful call to action within this song, "COME!" That call is still in affect today as we see expressed in the New Testament:

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6

All that the Father gives me will COME to me, and whoever COMES to me I will never cast out. - John 6:37

How can we accept this promise?

I and the Father are one. - John 10:30

Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One; Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people - to be particularly His Own - [people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with beneficial deeds]. - Titus 2:13

Being still, amid the torrents of life, in order to know and recognize that God is still in control and forever will be, brings a peace that passes all understanding;

Selah, (pause, and think calmly of that!)

God bless!

An Accident?

Have you ever wondered whether or not you popped onto the scene by accident? Perhaps God blinked - BINGO; there you were! Perhaps through no fault of your own you arrived unexpectedly. Oops! Now what?

Did your arrival force God to do some fancy footwork? Has He had time to fit you into His original plan; does He care to? Is He even aware that you exist? Are you destined to remain a wandering generality or is it possible for you to become a meaningful specific?

Thousands of such questions go through the minds of countless individuals. They secretly haunt and they often taunt. Left unanswered they rob individuals of purpose and personal fulfillment. Taking matters into their own hands, individuals often recoil into a self-imposed and lonely vacuum - thereby correcting “the accident” by seemingly not existing at all....

Perhaps you were “given up” for adoption, maybe you were unplanned, possibly born out of wedlock. Perhaps your biological parents were separated before you were born or maybe you don’t even know who they are. On the other side of the coin, perhaps you were born into a family that, for all intent and purpose, appears to be the solid bedrock of your community. You have no logical reason for feeling detached. Nevertheless, you do. Your loneliness and unanswered questions are very real to you.

I’ve got some good news! No, I didn’t say I have the answer. I said I have some good news - and it might be just enough to give you new hope.

You may not fully comprehend it yet but you were created in the heart and mind of God long before you were ever fashioned through the biological instrument of man. I want to say this once again because I know you are having difficulty believing it. You were created in the heart and mind of God LONG BEFORE you were ever fashioned through the biological instrument of man.

I know, I know; you’ve heard it before. Well meaning people have tried to encourage you. You’re not sure if they really believe it themselves or if they are simply attempting to modify your life so that they can be more comfortable in theirs. But, you’ve concluded that it is better to keep your feelings hidden rather than to cause those you love to be frustrated by your emotions. Right? You’ve reasoned that expressing your needs just serves to create more of a problem than it’s worth....

The specific circumstance surrounding your birth may not appear Divine but consider for a moment the circumstances surrounding God’s original creation of mankind. Consider, from Adam’s point of view, the circumstances surrounding his creation.

Did God begin His creation of Adam by stretching forth His hand and gathering just a bit of the sparkle from one of His newly created stars? Did He gently blend in the purity of a drop of dew, the warmth of the sun and calm of a cool breeze to bring Adam into existence? God certainly could have. Each was in existence - and we are told in the Bible that God had already proclaimed that each was good.

Listen carefully. There is an important message here. It is written specifically to those who might question their existence. It is for you! Imagine that. The very first story of the Bible is a story for YOU! Sounds like it might be important enough to take a second look at, wouldn’t you say?

God did not use the sparkle of a star, the purity of a drop of dew, the warmth of the sun the calm of a cool breeze or the beauty of all creation to bring Adam into existence. Almighty God chose to gather a hand full of plain old dirt to fashion Adam into His own image. Now, how do you think Adam felt about that? Not much to brag about was it?

So, maybe Adam deserves a little empathy here. Doesn’t he have cause to question his importance? I mean, after all, consider the Divine order of creation. He was made of dirt, and created LAST! Why didn’t God create Adam first, and allow him to observe creation from a vantage point in heaven? Did Adam have reason to feel that he too was perhaps just an afterthought?

Consider also that although Adam’s place of residence was a garden paradise, created by the very hand of God, his first recorded emotion was loneliness.

Can you identify a little bit with Adam?

Isn’t it amazing? Adam had no mother or father to turn to. He was totally dependent upon God and God’s Divine purpose. And although Adam walked in the very presence of Almighty God, he still felt a sense of loneliness. God didn’t label Adam as ungrateful. God lovingly filled the void in Adam’s life by creating Eve. You see, He’d planned for Adam’s need all along. God has a funny way of doing those kind of things; planning ahead and filling voids....

You know, it’s not unusual for God to express His love through circumstances we might consider to be inferior. Wasn’t it a humble manger that became the birthplace for the King of Kings? Wasn’t it a vile cross from which the cries of final victory were shouted? Wasn’t it a tomb (on temporary loan of course), from which death was defeated and life eternal was made possible for all who would believe?

Let me get to the point. God does not hold us accountable for how we got here. Our arrival was known to Him from eternity past. He lovingly made provision to fill the spiritual, emotional, physical and social needs of our lives and to give us purpose. Most important, He still desires fellowship with us - on a continual, forever basis. And since the physical circumstances of our birth may haunt and taunt us, His provision for us includes a new birth - through His son, Jesus.

You are not the end result of a moment of weakness, a painful memory or hurtful circumstance. You are quite the opposite. You are the physical expression of His love. You are an individual; a person of great potential for fellowship with Him to enjoy His plan for your life and to share His love with others. Through His birth, you are a meaningful specific. You are living proof that when yielded to His love and creative power, life has new meaning and purpose.

So, when those times of insecurity creep into your heart (and because we are human they certainly will), remember that there are no accidents with God. He is never caught off guard or by surprise, and He values you so much that He gave Himself so that He might enjoy fellowship with you forever!

God bless!

Earthen Vessels

I love to go, “antiquing!” Yep, no doubt about it! When I do, my imagination sores with thoughts of “yesterdays”.

Oh, if only those items could speak; imagine the stories they would tell! They would probably tell the story of their origin and the care by which they were prepared for display. Perhaps they would recall the pride they felt at first sight of their reflection in the store front window. Maybe each would confess dismay upon realizing it was simply an insignificant duplicate.

Oh, but there was hope! Although it may have been one of many, it’s value would ultimately be confirmed by the one who would purchase it. And now it is preserved as a testament of someone’s love.

Oh, if it could only speak.

It might tell us of the care taken to preserve it to this day. After all, it has become unique; one of a few remaining of it’s kind. A weathered, old inexpensive trinket has attained value. The patina of age and the blemishes of time serve to confirm it’s authenticity and increase it’s value.

Perhaps, just perhaps - it is speaking.

“However, we possess this precious treasure, [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be of God and not from ourselves.” - 2 Corinthians 4:7

“Do you not know that your body is the temple - the very sanctuary - of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price - purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19,20

“For [the proclaiming of] this [Gospel], I was appointed a herald (preacher) and an apostle (special messenger) and a teacher of the Gentiles. And this is why I am suffering as I do. Still I am not ashamed, for I know - I perceive, have knowledge of and am acquainted with - Him Whom I have believed (adhere to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him] until that day.” - 2 Timothy 1:11,12

All of that to say this: much has been written and preached about believers being lowly earthen vessels. Although we may be blemished and weak, the tarnished patina of time may be overtaking us, we have been purchased at a great price! Oh that we might more faithfully tell our story. How that we were lost amongst the congregation of millions like us. How that there was no distinguishing beauty or attribute setting us apart or distinguishing us as having a greater value than another. But how value was established by the One Who purchased us at such a great price! And now, as God protects and preserves us, He does so that we may faithfully carry His love to others.

So, rather than setting on a shelf, it’s time to speak.

Other’s just might be shopping!

How Will You Respond May 22, 2011?

Hundreds of dooms-day bill board signs will begin coming down. Frightened, confused, hurt and disillusioned thousands will clog cell phone lines in desperate attempts to contact family members. Had they been left behind too?

For the fortunate, reality will be immediate. For others, not so. Their hearts will writhe in unimaginable pain. A few may even take their fate into their own hands.

It will be the headline of every newspaper, the opening segment for every major media network, and the topic of every social network. Fodder for late night comedians, sermon topics for the pastorate, the truth will now be evident.

The Messiah did not come; the rapture did not take place.

Family Radio Stations, Inc., may choose to play 24 hours of music; perhaps 48 - at least until the dust begins to settle. A dedicated team will deliberately put into motion their well rehearsed plan B. The plan? It has no doubt been secretly orchestrated for months now.

Most of the daily programing is produced on a master roll two weeks in advance of air date and time. On this roll producers pot in high frequency tones activating cues for live news and comment from each individual station. By this, all programing appears to be “in the moment”. Perhaps a special tape has been produced; a master only a select few are aware of. There will be no cue for a live, “open forum”. That line will be out of service. Dedicated employees will, as directed, stay home until they receive further notice. They will have been admonished to not talk with the press or engage in conversations with others about the non-event - which will have become the event.

My guess is that station attorneys have rehearsed this day for years. For now, they will be the station’s only messengers. Cleverly, no member of the station ever encouraged listeners to take specific action; only to pray. Any costs incurred by “listener faithfuls” were made voluntarily at the listener’s own discretion and personal choice. Since the station has distributed tracks and books freely it will be held harmless for any voluntary action, costs or losses incurred by the listening public.

So, how will you respond?

If you are a Christian will you be saddened or perhaps repulsed at the scores of individuals influenced by this false prophet? Will you be angry; defensive? How should a Christian respond?

“Therefore, rejecting all falsity and done now with it, let every one express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members of one another. When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath - your exasperation, your fury or indignation last until the sun goes down. Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil give no opportunity to him. Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth; but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s unmerited favor) to those who hear it. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (do not offend, or vex or sadden Him) by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption - of final deliverance, through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin. Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will or baseness of any kind). AND BECOME USEFUL AND HELPFUL AND KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:25-32

This is no inconsequential event. The soon to be experienced results of reckless interpretation and proclamation are by no means to be taken lightly. In some cases this has or will forever scar family relationships. Even more sadly, it will give any reasonable thinking individual cause to [all the more] ignore any future conversation with reference to the Gospel. I am saddened and angered. However, I am also overwhelmed with a renewed sense of responsibility and love.

It is important that we consider the influence one very passionate man, with a false message, has had upon so many. By comparison, what can the simple loving message of a risen Savior have upon the world when we humbly and sacrificially share it?

The fact that Jesus will someday return is not so much the message as is the fact that those who open their hearts to Him can enjoy this life all the more as a result of His salvation and daily presence. The story has not changed.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [shall eat] with Me.” - Revelation 3:20