If It Is Possible

We all have people in our lives who are difficult and hard to get along with. In our efforts to keep the peace we often bend over backwards to fix things that we can’t fix and that are beyond our control. Paul said, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord” (Ro 12:17-19 NIV). Some things simply do not depend on us.

Contagious

I’ve been housebound for the last few days with a raging sore throat, sinus drainage and congestion. I cancelled my scheduled chiropractor appointment because I didn’t want to take a chance on spreading germs and the receptionist said, “Oh, thank you for thinking about us! I hope you get better soon.” I’m taking over-the-counter medications and eating chicken noodle soup, but if I don’t snap out of this soon, I’m calling the elders! James said, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:14-16 NIV).

What is Important

I’m feeling a little under the weather with a cold, cough and flu-like symptoms. I think the Spirit is trying to tell me that my self-imposed daily blog post is not as important as going to bed and getting rest.

We Can All Prophesy in Turn

In today’s church people accept the role of apostle, teacher and preacher, but seldom do we hear of anyone acknowledging themselves as a prophet. I’m not referring to an appointed Prophet with a capital “P”, as with Moses and Elijah, but rather a prophet with a lower-case “p”, as one gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight. In addressing orderly worship Paul said, “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Cor 14:24 NIV).

What We Put Up With

Believers applaud one another for walking out on a movie that contains an overabundance of expletives, markets a gay agenda, or has romantic situations that border on pornography. However, I find it curious that we will walk out on a secular situation, but when it comes to the religious landscape, we stay seated through a sermon, Sunday school class, or Bible study that spins the Word of God with false teaching. Paul warns us, “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough” (2 Cor 11:3-4 NIV).

The Spin

As a reporter I attend a lot of community and government meetings. I’m always amazed when press releases or newspaper articles from other media outlets do not even come close to what I experienced, or what I reported on. Rather than reporting facts, many reporters and PR people want to put their own spin on the situation. As believers we so underestimate the magnitude of the Gospels being in agreement and the Epistles backing up the Gospels.

Staying With the Ship

Even in the midst of a terrible storm those sailing with Paul across the Adriatic Sea felt a measure of security because there were lifeboats attached to the ship. Believers too feel secure because we know that in the storms of life the Lord provides a lifeboat. However, how many of us, in order to be saved, are prepared to cut the lifeboat loose when called upon to do so? Luke wrote, “In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away” (Acts 27:30-32 NIV).

Focus on Why You are Sent

Many of us have been taught that evangelism is not merely introducing someone to Jesus, but it is then getting the candidate to the point of accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior and helping them into the waters of baptism. It’s as though we feel an obligation to facilitate and implement some sort of Christian conversion program. In reality, each of us may play a small part in another’s acceptance of Jesus, but their conversion is not our job. I appreciate Paul’s ability to focus on why he was sent. Paul said, “I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (1 Cor 1:17 NIV).

The House of a Servant

More than a few people have questioned our reasoning for building a new house in an old neighborhood and on a busy street. For starters, we’ve lived in the same neighborhood for 36 years so it is familiar. However, the real reason has to do with ageing and the future. Someday I will no longer be able to drive, but from the location of my house I can walk to grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, the post office, movie theater, the hospital, the doctor’s office, the fire department, library, courthouse, police department and Main Street. And my busy street…it’s a main arterial. When it snows it is one of the first streets in town to be plowed. I’m blessed to live in a house with all the amenities I need close at hand. I can relate to King David’s prayer, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O LORD God” (1 Chron 17:16-17 NIV).

Experience Appearance

In the senior population some of us have fared better than others. Often a hard life — drugs, alcohol, bad relationships, smoking, accidents, hard work and poor decisions take a toll on our bodies and physical appearance. After everything Paul experienced, I’m now trying to imagine his physical appearance, “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches” (2 Cor 11:22b-28 NIV).

Resist

I have a hard time understanding why people stay in an abusive relationship, whether it is physically or psychological. Although I’ve heard only one side of the situation, my friend’s boyfriend of a year seems to be mentally abusing her. She breaks up with him one day and the next day calls him up, or goes to see him. It’s as though he is her Kryptonite as well as her Catnip and she can’t stay away from the relationship. It occurs to me many of us have a similar relationship with sin. Like Superman’s Kryptonite, the sin in our life is killing us, but when sin is covered with Catnip, we just can’t resist the euphoria. James said, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double–minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:7-10 NIV).

Accusations

Paul makes it clear that church elders deserve respect and those who teach and preach are worth double honor (financial support). However, if you have been a believer for any length of time, you have encountered an elder here and there who proved themselves not to be worthy of respect. Along with how to handle such situations, Paul also has a word of caution, “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning” (1 Tim 5:19-20 NIV). No doubt the warning of a public rebuke has stopped many from going to the leadership body, but also the idea of rounding up two or three witnesses to present an accusation smacks of collusion. However, it occurs to me that the witnesses are not required to come as a group to bring an accusation, but it is the accusation itself that has a cumulative value. If three or more people approach church leadership individually the accusation should be entertained.

The Law of Love

Our associate pastor of two-years, who by all appearances is a biblical scholar, is scheduled to preach only one Sunday a month. I requested that he be allowed to preach more often and the Chairman of the Elders responded, “After consideration, we do not feel that a change in the preaching schedule is needed.” I’m really not surprised. It’s not unusual for a senior pastor to want to keep the pulpit all to himself. However, the personal needs of the preacher do not supersede the needs of the body. Paul said, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” (Ro 12:3-8 NIV).

Shepherding the Flock

Our pastor insists he wants to preach, but it is becoming more and more obvious that he is not called to preach. The elders are aware of his deficiencies, but they continue to hold out hope he will improve. Unfortunately, hearing the milk of the Word week after week, coupled the with the Scriptural errors in his sermons and offering his own personal opinion, is affecting the spiritual maturity of the church. I understand the elders wanting to support the pastor, but it should not be at the expense of the congregation. Speaking to elders Paul said,  “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:2-4 NIV).

Drawing Near

An extended family member, a young man in his mid-40’s, was recently diagnosed with metastasized kidney cancer and he has been given a life expectancy of two-years. Jason laid bare his health situation on Facebook, “Please pray, send positive thoughts or good vibes for my beautiful wife and children, they’re hurting, scared…” There has been a huge response from both the religious and the secular community in Jason’s life. On man commented, “I am praying for you even though this will probably scare the heck out of God. You are a great guy, a hugely successful person and a tough, strong man. Keep on keeping on.” It is amazing how desperate situations draw us closer to God. Paul said, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” (Ro 10:14-15 NIV)!

A Slap in the Face

In Iranian media the government of Iran describes their missile attack on military bases in Iraq as, “A slap in the face delivered to America”. At this point in time, because no Americans were killed, President Trump has not retaliated to the attack. It’s not lost on me that, figuratively speaking, America may just be turning the other cheek. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matt 5:38-39 NIV).

Healing the Soul

Last week a family member asked me to pray for the friend of her co-worker who was hospitalized with seizures. Of course, I said yes, but I also asked if the patient was a believer. I know the recipient of my prayers doesn’t have to be a believer, but that information helps me pray appropriately. For instance, someone’s spiritual health and relationship to the Lord takes priority over physical health. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28 NIV).

Put Off Your Old Self

Some believers compartmentalize faith by having one set of standards for the church and another for the world. This is especially evident in today’s world of politics. Paul spoke to Republicans and Democrats alike when he said, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph 4:29-32 NIV).

Hacker Fear

On a couple of occasions, I’ve received a message from a friend telling me my Facebook account may have been hacked and that I should send a warning message to all my friends. The message gives me pause…if I have been hacked, it could be the hacker sending me the message. It also occurs to me that if I’ve been hacked, it’s already too late to send out a warning. Many of us fear someone with the ability to sabotage our life, but even in this electronic age David’s words remain true, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident” (Psalm 27:1-3 NIV).

Every Step I Take

The gym I go to has a north facing front which gets no sunshine in the winter. The last few snow storms, coupled with freezing temperatures, has left a 24-foot ice rink to cross in order to get to the entrance of the gym. I find myself walking like a penguin and praying with every step that I can remain sure-footed and not slip. I’m now trying to picture believers walking through the valley of the shadow of death and I wonder if they too pray with every step they take. The psalmist wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV).

The Spirit of the World

Pastors try to make their sermons relevant by drawing their thoughts and topics from today’s culture. While I understand what they are trying to accomplish, they often focus our attention on the world, rather than on God. Paul said, “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” (1 Cor 2:12-13 NIV).

Hugs

A person of faith posted on Facebook, “I’m going to see who really cares…I need a hug or two! To give me a hug, like and share this post. I know who will hug me and who will not.” For starters I hate emotional blackmail. That aside, I really don’t understand believers who, rather than turning to the Lord, feel they can be comforted through a like or a share on Facebook. The Psalmist said, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5-6a NIV).      

2020

We’ve heard 2020 vision is synonymous with perfect vision, but not so. An internet search revealed, “Despite it being a measure of your eyesight, it does not at all mean “perfect vision”. ... You may be able to focus your vision at 20 feet, but may lack the ability to see five feet in front of you.” My prayer for 2020 is not for perfect vision, but that the Lord will open the eyes of the blind.