Are Modern Day Prophets Real

Who are we listening to when it comes to ingesting spiritual truth?  It's an important question, and an issue that has a lot to do with discernment.  I want to begin by quoting Scripture from the book of Hebrews.  Chapter 1:1-2 says, "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."   

We know from the books of the Old Testament that God did reveal Himself and His instructions to the minor and major prophets of the time.  Take for example the books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jonah.  All of these historical accounts contain depictions of the Lord informing His followers what to do in order to stay connected to Himself.  Most of the time, the stories follow an arc that goes something like this: God warns Israel to repent or face judgement, Israel may or may not listen, and then God follows through.  It's a lot like how a loving parent disciplines their child.  Sometimes the kids listen, but often they don't.  When the Israelites did listen, God relented from the chastisement.  When they didn't ... punishment eventually followed.  

In the later days, Jesus became the vehicle for God's atonement and grace.  We know the story well.  Christ endured horrific punishment, died for our sins on the cross, and then rose again to bridge the gap between a sinful people and a Holy being.  This offer of love and forgiveness still stands today.  

Notice what Hebrews says in particular - Christ serves as God's mouthpiece for us today.  Where God spoke through prophets in the past, He later sent His son to grant us revelation through the recorded parables of the Bible.  This is what we read today, and what we discuss in churches two-thousand years later.  It's quite an amazing feat, I must confess my amazement every time I think about it.  A narrative written so seamlessly over the span of thousands of years; and it all flows together so well.  

Now please understand that I am not a cessationist.  In other words, I do not believe that all supernatural miracles and events ended with Jesus and the apostles, never to occur again.  I think that through prayer and fasting, God heals people and grants miracles even today.  Scripture says that believers will go on to do "even greater things" in the eras following the Resurrection.  

But I do want to offer a warning for Christians in the present time.  Our current technology has made it increasingly convenient to spread ideas and discuss important concepts.  Religious discussions are no different.  Most of the time, I'm fully on board with this reality.  The Internet is a great way to bridge the generational gap, as well as transcend the physical boundaries of geography.  But it also allows for a new fad that I refer to as the Modern Day Prophet.  Essentially, this is a group of people on YouTube or some other facet of the Internet, who set themselves up as God's mouthpieces.  They provide hours and hours of instruction and guidance to a multitude of vulnerable listeners.  But it remains to be seen whether or not it is good guidance.  Often it isn't.  

You will hear them say things like, "The Lord spoke to me in a dream last night, and this is what He wants us to do."  Or perhaps something such as, "God showed me what is going to happen next month."  The wording can differ, but you get the idea.  

The consequences are real for following false prophets and false teachers.  Many have lost their retirement savings as a result of listening to these people.  And some have even lost their lives.  

I believe that this is where we need to be really careful, and listen with ears to hear.  Jesus is God come in the flesh, for whom it has been appointed heir of all things (the Alpha and the Omega).  His red letter words in the Bible are the ones we need to be listening to on a regular basis.  This isn't to say that people today cannot be in spiritual communion with the Lord, or that they never have legitimate visions - but when they claim to be speaking on behalf of God, things can become problematic quickly.  

Remember also that Scripture says if a self-proclaimed prophet gets even one prediction incorrect, then they aren't a prophet of God.  This is common when it comes to the so-called modern prophets of our day.  They tend to excuse or explain away situations where whatever it is they predicted didn't come to pass.  It happens with such frequency that it is almost laughable.  This means that they are playing a different kind of game, one in which good people can be led astray.  Instead, turn your time and attention toward the Bible and Godly pastors who are willing to preach the truth.  This type of spiritual leader is becoming more and more rare, so if you find one, hang on to them for dear life.  Our salvation can depend on it.    

Elsewhere in Hebrews it says, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."  Many Bible scholars refer to this passage - and many like it - as a  foreshadowing of the Messiah.  In the same way that this specific order of priesthood was eternal, so Jesus is the eternal savior.  If he can save someone back then - he can save you and I today.  It's a promise that never expires.  

It is always better to seek counsel through Scripture than through one of the  talking heads on television or YouTube.  Things tend to go better that way for everyone involved.  

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"Hell is tolerant, they take everyone. Heaven isn't, you need Jesus to get in."

- Mark Driscoll

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God's Suffering Servant

We are no stranger to the notion of suffering.  As I write this, our generation has come out the other side of a worldwide pandemic, we are standing precariously close to the possibility of a third world war, and natural disasters continue to strike our country regularly.  I think it would be safe to say in general, that we are beginning to lose any false sense of security.  You know what I mean; that little voice in your head that says things like, "that stuff only happens to other people in other countries."  They do happen to us, and in our own country as well.  So the time has come to grapple with the reality of suffering, at least from a Biblical sense.  I say a Biblical sense, because this subject so often lends itself to asking the tough question, "why do bad things happen to good people?"  Let's tackle the issue right here and now.

I won't spend too much time on the nuts and bolts theological explanation of suffering.  I believe that the Bible has  clearly laid out the story of how sin entered into an otherwise perfect Garden of Eden.  Once man decided to disobey God all those thousands of years ago, subsequent populations have had to struggle with famines, illness, and death.  Life wasn't originally meant to be this way, but we sinned through Adam and Eve, and now we exist in the aftermath of that rift.  

In addition to this spiritual argument, we also have at our disposal the book of Job in the Bible.  I find this to be far more compelling in it's treatment of the human condition.  Namely, because God actually answers Job at the very end of the book.  What an incredible sneak peek we have from our Lord regarding how and why human beings go through trials and difficulty!  Not so much from an immediate gratification perspective, but more so from the standpoint that a good and holy God would even take the time to answer us at all.  

As some of you know, Job was stricken with all manner of calamity during his life.  Scripture says that he was covered with sores, and that he lost livestock and even his family.  At one point, Job's wife implores him to "just give up, curse God, and die" (Job 2:9).  I would imagine that was quite the dinner table conversation.  Throughout the book, Job pleads with God for answers.  He essentially makes the argument that since he is a righteous man, he therefore doesn't deserve to be punished or to suffer.  Job's friends give him some really rotten advice, except for Elihu, who actually seems to defend God rather than blame Job.  

Job makes a handful of proclamations regarding his terrible situation.  Often, he simply laments because he doesn't have anyone on his side.  There seems to be no one who can advise him clearly, or who can suffer with him.  And here lies the real thrust of my point.  Jesus is in fact our representative before God.  He was God's suffering servant, and the only person ever to have walked the Earth who was holy enough to offer himself as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).  This is exactly what Job was hoping for.  The future Messiah was exactly the type of consoling friend that Job had longed for from God.  He didn't know it at the time, but mankind's atonement for sin was slated to enter onto the global stage a couple thousand years later.  Who would have suspected that a carpenter from Nazareth could change the course of human history?  

As we read the different ways in which the book of Job foreshadowed the coming of Christ, keep in mind that this account was written two-thousand years before  Jesus was born.  In fact, some say it is the oldest book in the Bible.  

Job 9:32-34 says, "He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court.  If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more."  Tell me this doesn't sound like a plea for the atonement and the covering of Jesus.  The perfect penitent, ready to sacrifice himself for our sins.  

Job 17:3 says further, "Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.  Who else will put up security for me?"  In the New Testament, we are in fact introduced to the idea that no one is holy or righteous enough to meet God's pledge head on.  We do in fact need an intermediary to fill in for us instead.  Christ alone puts up "security" for us in God's eyes.  This is the only reason that Christians today can approach the throne of God boldly in prayer and supplication.  

While this foreshadowing is fascinating in it's own rite, what I think is more applicable for us today is the fact that only through God's suffering servant, can we have any kind of peace.  God eventually answers Job and his friends at the end of the story, but what He says isn't necessarily comforting.  The Lord reminds them that they are not God, and only the real God is sovereign and righteous.  Essentially telling them, "Who are you to judge me and tell me that you shouldn't ever suffer?"  Point taken; we are not God.  

But we also need to remember that He knows our pain and our struggles on a personal level.  Jesus is one part of the Holy Trinity - he is God's son.  So in effect, we have a savior that knows what it's like to struggle, feel physical pain, and be humiliated.  Re-read the account of his crucifixion if you need to.  My point is simply that our God is no stranger to illness and death.  He is not aloof or uncaring, as some have described Him to be in the past.  When we cry, so does God. And when we feel joy, so does He.  

And some day, if we are saved and have taken Jesus up on his offer to accept the grace of salvation - we may finally get specific answers to our questions about suffering.  But at that point, I suspect it will no longer matter.  Because we will be in the presence of His true love and perfect grace.  As Scripture says, "No eye has seen what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor 2:9).  And He does love us.  

So be at peace, even if it's impossible to do so in the human sense.  We have a God that has suffered on our behalf, so that someday we won't have to.  Until that time, get on with living, so that you can help other people know and understand God's love.  Doing so may just help you heal as well.  Sacrificial love has a way of doing that.    

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Listening for God's Truth

It is so very, very easy to become distracted in our culture today.  We often spend much of our time going back and forth to activities for our children (or grandchildren).  We spend time trying to keep up with the Joneses, keeping our house clean, trying to be a good employee, etc.  It is no wonder that many of us don't have much time leftover to delve into spiritual things or Biblical truth.  In fact, I think it is much easier to come home after a long day and drop into bed exhausted, relieved just to be home.  We can wait until Sunday morning to hear about God; or so we think. 

I will always remember one evening in particular; a memory that sticks out in my mind so much that I enjoy recounting the story to this day.  I was at a function organized for some of the children in the community out at the local country club.  It was set up in order recognize achievement - and they always had a free meal.  Parents would bring with them loads of food and plenty of desserts.  This particular evening was no different, there were tables of treats as far as the eye could see.

It was also not uncommon at these events for the parents and caretakers of the children to be distracted for short periods of time, often helping with the food and the event itself.  Out of the corner of my eye I noticed one young child walking back to his assigned table with a full plate and a beverage.  This is normal at a banquet of course, but as I took a closer look, I noticed that his plate was stacked high with donuts, brownies, and cookies.  I had to sit down because I started laughing so hard.  It was evident that mom and dad were not paying close attention.  The young man saw his chance at culinary freedom, and loaded his plate accordingly with whatever he wanted.  I can't imagine the sugar rush that must have transpired shortly thereafter.

As we all know, donuts and brownies taste good, but they aren't good for us.  Quite the opposite in fact.  The trade-off for our momentary joy is usually a feeling of fatigue that soon kicks in, and another four-hundred or so calories that stick to our bodies.  The rush is short lived - not to mention the feeling of guilt that rears its ugly head later.

And I believe it can happen just the same way when we turn the discussion toward spiritual things.  When we are tired or distracted, it is easy for the bad things to sneak onto our plates.  It is easy to put God and the Bible fairly low in our daily hierarchy, isn't it?  After all, many of us are on the go from the moment we get out of bed to the time we cash it in for the night.  It is only natural that our plates are full of junk food.  We've no time for anything else.  But is this really true?

We load up with a quick bit of political correctness here, maybe a dab of lukewarm spirituality there.  But nothing that will give our souls the protein we need in order to stay healthy and fit.  Instead, we often ingest things that give us a quick rush of satisfaction, followed by fatigue and unnecessary calories.

I think it is important to ask the question, “Are we taking time to listen for God’s truth?”  And it is a good idea to ask it of ourselves at every step throughout our lives.  Are we really listening?  We have only a short time here on this planet.  Are we filling that time with spiritual truths from God, or with worldly wisdom that sounds good at the time, but doesn't really keep us full?

Author and philosopher C.S. Lewis once wrote that human beings are built to run only on God, and nothing else.  He goes on to say further, that all of human history is the long, terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.  There is a lot of truth to this statement, especially when we see so many people settling for pseudo-spirituality and half-truths.  Is a culture where we deny our own gender, redefine marriage, and put our freedoms ahead of unborn children really what God would endorse?  It’s something to think about. 

So what is the answer to this dilemma?  I believe the solution is literally at our fingertips - recorded in the actions and words of Jesus himself.  God has generously related them to us in the pages of the Bible.  We must keep digging into what Christ said and did.  We must bring our full intellect - with all of our doubt and certainty, joys and struggles - to an understanding of Scripture.  Watching the news media won't get us there.  Reading and studying only secular writing and philosophy isn't enough either.  We must begin to fill our “dinner plate” with the right food, and the sooner the better.  With the correct spiritual diet, I am betting the distractions will slow down.  Maybe they will even transition from a loud roar for our attention, to a small trickle as we begin to allow God into our busy lives.

I wonder about that little boy and his heaping plate of treats from time to time.  It brings a smile to my face whenever I think about it.  I am sure that at some point, mom and dad probably noticed what had happened.  They most likely took it upon themselves to admonish and correct the young man.  If we are lucky, God will do the same for us.  It is no good sitting down to a meal with the wrong type of food.  Fortunately for you and me however, there is usually a grocery store with a fresh produce section just around the corner.  If we listen to our bodies closely enough, we will know when it's time to change our diet.  That time is probably as soon as possible. 

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A Faithful Christian Remnant

The standard definition of the word remnant means a portion left over.  This begs the question of course, as to what composes this portion in the first place.  Another way to think of it is to ask what is the remnant being set aside from?  If we start with a Biblical perspective, I believe it becomes a lot easier to narrow down the topic at hand.  People who have devoted time to studying the Old Testament will tell you that it is an account of God attempting to set apart and preserve a remnant of His Holy people, in spite of all of the various trials and conflicts that have plagued the Israelites throughout history.  God edifies them no matter how many times they rebel or disappoint Him.  And believe me, there were plenty of times when they fell short.    

Let's begin with a nod toward Isaiah 10:21-21, which talks about how God helps Israel stand up to the Assyrian army.  It says, "In that day the remnant of Israel, the survivors of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.  A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God."

We see here that those who have been set aside from the rest of the pack, can now be free to rely on God's guidance.  The Assyrians were no better at avoiding idol worship than anyone else, indeed, Scripture says they were worse in many ways.  The remnant of God's chosen people are called to be different; they are set apart even today.

If we visit the disturbing story of Sodom and Gomorrah, we see how God also works to set aside a small portion of the population once sin begins to run rampant.  To be accurate, only three survived this historical and tragic event.  Genesis 19 mentions how Abraham bargains with God to spare any righteous people who may happen to live in these two cities, prior to their destruction.  God agreed to spare the town if He could find at least fifty people who weren't corrupted.  No such luck.  The number of righteous eventually tapered down to only Lot and his daughters.  Even Lot's wife ignored God at the very end, and becomes a pillar of salt for her disobedience.

I think we can see that the remnant in the Bible really equates to a group of true believers.  Untarnished and set aside, they are kept holy and separate from whatever sin or apostasy happens to take hold of a town or city at the time.  Believers of Christ are the remnant today as well.  We are small when compared to the entire world, but rest assured - no less important.

What are we being set apart from?  Take your pick.  Some have postulated that there is a recent falling away (or apostasy) in the modern church itself, which spans across all denominations and geographic locations in the West.  Churches willing to sacrifice the tenants of their faith in order to bow to current cultural values and norms.

There is sin prevalent in other areas as well.  Look at the greed on display in some of the banking practices here in the West.  Think about the sins against family and marriage also, such as pornography and sexual promiscuity outside of Biblical boundaries.  Or sins against children directly, such as abortion and human trafficking.  There is no shortage of things to which without God's direct intervention, there would be no remnant left to preserve.

But Jesus grants us hope, doesn't he?  Our Lord has promised to return one day, and until then, his Holy Spirit remains behind to help guide and convict people here on Earth.  We need this accountability, and we need His forgiveness also.

When Jesus does in fact return, what kind of remnant will he find?  We get this curious question from Jesus in Luke 18:8 which asks, "I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.  However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

This is a rhetorical question I think, but it does illustrate a certain concept when it comes to the remnant of Christ.  Namely, the idea of whether or not we (the believers) are ready.  Do we accept being set apart and made for something better?  Have we stayed faithful and true to God the Father until the return of the King?

Fortunately for you and I, we have help with this daunting task.  Dare I say that without God's help, it would be impossible to remain set apart nowadays.  Faith is a gift after all, and that not of our own doing.  It is a grace extended to us on the part of a Holy Savior to His struggling people.  Just like the Israelites in the desert, our world is lost right now.  Mired so often in sin, and unable to find the path which leads to the narrow gate and the offer of eternal salvation.

Rest assured, God is our teacher and comforter, able to guide us through.  Be bold and courageous with the knowledge that you have been bought at a ransom and set aside to do great things.  Lean into the legacy you have been given.  Be the Christian remnant, faithful and true.  

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Resurrection Sunday Still Matters

The literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the linchpin of the Christian faith.  It doesn't matter which denomination or slant you derive your Biblical understanding from, Easter Sunday is a big deal.  It is perhaps, the biggest deal.  In my humble opinion, it is even more important than Christmas and Good Friday.  It is the key to understanding how we fit in to God's overarching view of salvation, eschatology, and theology.  The resurrection of Christ is like God's approval stamp on the life and ministry of His son.  It's akin to the angels in Heaven announcing through a megaphone: "God has come into the world, and you need to listen to Him!"  

I won't spend much time debunking the liberal claim that Easter represents a "spiritual resurrection" only, since there is so much information and historical data out there which points to the fact that it actually (physically) happened two-thousand years ago.  If people adhere to the idea that Easter represents a spiritual awakening only, then they are missing the main thrust of God's plan.  Namely, that those who believe in Him will never parish, and will also have eternal life (John 3:16).  

If we think back and imagine other historical events that shaped history, it's easy to see how timelines can overlap and build upon each other.  Take for example, the invention of the printing press in the middle ages.  This incredible machine was responsible for reproducing the Bible for others to read and pass down through the generations.  Today, this amazing book has been translated into roughly 736 languages across the globe.  Imagine the impact this has had on faith conversions and evangelism.  Regular everyday people can now read the Bible for themselves, without depending on a bishop or cardinal to interpret the Scriptures for them.  It revolutionized our faith.

In the same way, Easter Sunday is our annual reminder that Jesus came to Earth, spread the Gospel message, and then died and was resurrected to save us from our sins.  There is much less fanfare in our country over Easter than for the Christmas shopping holiday, but the resurrection is no less important.  If it hadn't  happened, churches would have nothing to talk about.  They would be like social meetups or country clubs.  

1 Peter 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."  And dead in our sins we would be, if it wasn't for our Lord and Savior.  

John Wesley (founder of the Methodist faith) once said that he feared someday the church would end up mimicking the appearance of spiritual fortitude, but without any real power behind it.  Some have argued that this is where many lukewarm churches are today.  Great music, entertaining liturgy, but not much of a Gospel message.  Churches that don't preach Christ crucified are in this boat I think.  And it's a comfortable boat: a lot like a cruise ship - sailing through an  ocean of lukewarm water.  But it never actually reaches a spiritual destination.

The captain makes sure never to pilot the vessel into dangerous choppy water, so the passengers don't know what fighting for their faith looks like.  Just an endless voyage in a comfortable floating bubble, guided by human beings instead of the Holy Spirit.  For boats and ships like this, Easter Sunday means just dinner with the family and maybe watching some sports on television afterwards.  Maybe some good praise band music at church if they are lucky (if they attend service at all).  

But for Christ centered churches, the resurrection drives and motivates them.  It's like Superbowl Sunday for the faith.  The sermon is important, and the music exists to help drive home the Gospel message and assist us in worshipping the Creator.  These churches are repeating the megaphone message from the angels: "Wake up world, and acknowledge the King of Kings!"  

So if you attend church on Easter Sunday, remember the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf, so that we could have eternal life.  Ruminate on the notion that Christ removed the sin barrier stopping us from reconciling with a Holy and just Lord.  And then, by all means, go home and enjoy dinner with the family and some television afterwards.  There may even be an egg hunt; but not before you praised and worshipped God for the empty tomb.  

Then don't get back onto the lukewarm cruise ship.  Let it stay docked idle in the harbor.  Pray for those who are funneling back up the ramp and onto that ship though.  Ask God to show them a better, spirit-driven life based on the resurrection.  And remember that Christ's offer to you and I for salvation is always open.  We need only answer back, and allow Him into our boat.  God is a much better captain.  

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Pray for Trust, not Clarity

How many times have you worn out your knees praying to God for a concise piece of instruction or clear direction?  In our current immediate gratification culture, we are accustomed to receiving information quickly.  Trips to the library are often replaced by web searches, and Google has become our wise older grandparent who gives advice.  We have all heard the phrase "we are surrounded by information, but not wisdom."  And surely this has borne itself out as true over time.  

The truth is that most of our current human interactions have been documented in the Bible already, so often we can simply look back through those pages and figure out God's will for ourselves.  Think of Scripture in this way as a human how-to manual.  If you are being persecuted for example, then look to the Psalms of David.  If you are struggling with indecision, then look to Paul's letters and epistles.  You get the idea.  

But we all face certain trials occasionally, where it feels as though the Lord has permitted us to go through more than we can bear.  It then becomes normal to seek out advice from sources other than the written Word alone.  We need to talk it through; we need to pray for trust.

How exactly can we trust God?  Let's look at four ways that help us engage with His amazing and omnicient mind.  Each rung on this spiritual trust ladder builds upon the previous one.  And we begin with getting to know God as a sentient being.  Not just some disembodied, supernatural force "up there somewhere," but as an actual agent of change in our lives.  Really knowing Him means getting to know His heart, which in turn means spending time in Scripture.  It is impossible to know the God of the Old and New testaments from prayer and emotions alone.  We must understand what He said and when, so that we can gauge other people's advice against the Bible.

Second, in order to trust God, we need to know His intentions for us.  We need to understand that He loves us not only as the church, but as individuals.  He feels our pain when we suffer (remember that Jesus was both human and divine, subject to very real human suffering).  One of my favorite pieces of Scripture regarding this is Jeremiah 29:11.  It says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  He loves us, guides us, and endows us with a supernatural hope.

Third, we can build trust in the Lord by surrendering control of our lives over to Him.  Now for all those proud, strong-willed, independent people out there - I wish I had better news for you.  But the fact of the matter is, that His ways are well above our ways.  The only way this faith walk will work is to understand and admit that He knows what is best for us.  And that means letting Jesus come into our lives and clean house a bit.  To help us repent of sin, ask for forgiveness, and come into a saving relationship with Him.  We don't get there on our own steam.  Trust me, it just doesn't work.  Full scale surrender is what works.  

Finally, once these first three rungs are established, we must exercise patience while waiting on God.  Doesn't sound like much fun, does it?  It would be a lot easier if God were a giant ATM machine or a Google browser.  Type in what we want, and then He kicks out an answer in thirty seconds or less.  If only.  But the truth is that our character is built up and edified when we wait on Him.  

If the answer we are seeking is clear from Scripture, all the better.  This is similar to instant gratification.  But if not, then we get to work on building our four-rung ladder of trust.  We get to know Him, understand His intentions, surrender control, and then wait on Him.  

Years ago when I attended the University of Iowa as an undergrad, I found myself without enough money to pay for my semester's tuition.  As I began to apply to banks for small loans; panic started to set in.  I was financially short eight-hundred and ninety dollars, and the bill was coming due soon.  As a struggling college student, this amount might as well have been a million dollars.  

One day I received a mysterious check in the mail at the dormitory.  Upon opening the envelope, I noticed a check for nine-hundred dollars from my grandparents' estate.  It was an early payout from the will (my grandfather had passed away months earlier).  The timing was too much to ignore, and it was the exact amount I needed at the time, plus tip!

It then occurred to me immediately that I had neglected to trust that God had my best outcome at heart.  He still showed up at the right time, right place, and with the right portion.  I think back every once in a while and ruminate on that experience.  Did this kick off my faith journey thirty years ago?  It probably added some fuel to the spiritual fire.  But it wasn't until I was almost thirty-years-old that I began to actually trust God and seek Him.  I started building the ladder.  

He waited all those long years for me to thank Him for that check at college.  He waits for you also, but it won't last forever.  Someday we will take our last breath here on this planet.  So seek after God and get to know Him now, while we still have the grace to do so.  He is worth the journey, and fortunately He feels the same about you.  How strong is that ladder?

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The Light of Christ

Let me begin by saying that I do not believe Christianity is a silent faith.  God wants us to talk about Him with other people and show the world that Jesus has changed us.  Changed us in ways that 'rub off' on others.  Changed us in ways that we could not accomplish on our own steam.  Indeed, the Bible isn't just another self-help book, like some fad diet where we need to just try really hard to focus our will power, and then we lose some weight.  No, it is much more than that.  It is a religion that does something, that moves inside of us in a way that translates out from the overflow in our hearts to those around us.  

With this idea firmly in view, I want to discuss two Scriptures today.  The first comes to us as part of the famous Sermon on the Mount section of the Gospel of Matthew.  Chapter 5, verses 14-16 says, "You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put  it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Similarly, in Luke 11:33, we get the curious statement: "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light."

I believe that it can be plainly said, that the light of this world we inhabit comes from Jesus Christ.  But what about the darkness?  What about all of the sin that transpires on our planet every day?  This is a more difficult question to think about.

In order for sin to exist and thrive, it must be kept in the dark.  You may have noticed in your own life, that keeping secrets is a great way to build up animosity.  Nothing deflates trust between two people more than finding out that you have been lied to, or that someone withheld information from you longer than they should have.  It makes it that much harder to trust again.

Keeping sin a secret can erode a marriage, harm a friendship, and destroy your personal integrity.  But knowing all this, why is it still so hard to come clean sometimes?  I believe that when it comes to these difficult situations, there is an almost irresistible temptation to keep sin hidden.  It is embarrassing for others to know about our weaknesses.  We want them to just go away ... to fade into time, and then vanish on their own.  Less fuss that way, or so we think.

The catch, however, comes from the fact that in order to purge ourselves of sin and begin our journey down the path of righteousness - we must bring that thing we regret into the light.  Evil cannot stand or survive in the light, much less the light of Christ.  In this glow, there is only room for confession, repentance, and healing.  Secret keeping goes out the window.  You will note that in this way, the light of Jesus will edge out sin (both yours and mine).   It's painful at first - I'm not saying it isn't - but ultimately it is the only way to permanently kick a bad habit.  There is something about illumination and confession that resets the spirit I think.

Resist the urge to shelve away your personal belief system into the darkness.  Do not buy into the way of the nominal Christian, which says you can praise God one day a week at church, and then act like nothing is different Monday through Saturday.  Instead, let others see your faith in plain sight.  Let the light of Jesus shine through you, and because of that, into others as well.  This same light that quenches sin and offers salvation will hold you up when the need arises.   

The Bible tells us to be salt and light.  Allow your faith to shine; it will be okay.  Don't treat your religion as a forty-hour-per-week job, where you act one way at the office and another way at home.  Christianity asks more than that from us (and we should be grateful for that I think).  Otherwise it would be just another social club or mundane organization.  

Are we living for God now?  Do others around us sense and see our faith?  Does the Spirit preserve us and enhance us like salt?  Do we reflect the light of Christ with our actions, our language, and our hearts?

Christianity is not a silent faith; it is too important for that.  If you are loved by God, and you love God back, then good luck containing the light that abides inside of you!  It will spill out.  If others don't see this light, then it's time to take stock and examine your walk with God.  Don't keep the things that God has done in your life quiet.  And if you boast about it, then boast for His glory, not your own.  For it is Jesus that saves each of us, and who lights the flame which can never be extinguished.

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Support Each Other in Christ

I want to begin today with the story of two figures from the Old Testament.  2 Kings tells the tale of two men with very similar names.  The first individual is named Elijah, and is an important prophet of God.  Some of you might remember that he was one of the few people to be taken directly to heaven without experiencing physical death; but more on that later.  The second figure is named Elisha (with an "sh"), and was a follower and disciple of the first man.  They went together everywhere, and Elijah was probably very accustomed to turning around and seeing his counterpart right there in the midst.  

A key element of this story is that it focuses on the notion that people on a Christian walk are often faced with difficult choices.  Our faith can require that we make uncomfortable sacrifices for what we believe.  Take a look at the last three years for example, and try to remember all of the decisions that you made regarding the contentious presidential election and the worldwide pandemic.  How many choices were made out of fear and anxiety versus a place of trust in God?

2 Kings 2 opens with this statement: "Elijah said to Elisha, 'Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel."  But Elisha said, 'As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you."  So they went down to Bethel."   We see here that Elijah's disciple refused to leave him, even when asked to do so by his master.  This trope is mentioned no less than three times in 2 Kings.  There is even a point when the two men arrive in a town where an entire company of other prophets tells Elisha that soon God will take his master from him up to heaven.  His response is as follows: "Yes I know, but do not speak of it!"

Time and time again, we see this repeating example of Elisha refusing to listen or accept what is going to happen.  Now doubtless some have preached a sermon about these two people and presented this behavior as endearing.  'Look, he is refusing to leave his master's side' they might say.  But I want to take a different approach.  It seems to me, that Elisha would have been better served to obey his teacher, and to listen to the other prophets.  In this manner, I think he would have better supported God's call by staying behind and strengthening his home church.  But instead, Elisha allowed his fear and anxiety to come first and ignored Elijah's command to stay home.    

In fact, I believe that this refusal to listen displayed a marked lack of trust in God's overall plan.  And this very place is where we find ourselves so often today.  Can we get our own ego and preferences out of the way long enough to let God work?  Are we upholding preference or purpose, when it comes to our local church?  Are we listening to our own opinion only, or do we let "other prophets" speak wisdom into our lives?  

Stubborness will get you only so far.  At some point, we need to actually trust God and follow His will for ourselves and our families.  Mind you no one likes to be corrected, and even less so when God has to step in and provide drastic (or public) correction.  

So the question becomes 'how do we support each other as Christians, so as to follow God's wisdom and not just our own opinion?'  How do we become a respectful Jesus follower who listens to our leader and master, instead of propagating a stubborn indifference.  

Every pastor and church leader has at least one story of a difficult congregant who simply wouldn't budge.  Maybe they complained about the direction of the church, or the way the administrative board spends money.  Perhaps they didn't listen to the pastor's leadership or wouldn't come under submission to his vision and mission.  Whatever the problem is, I think it's an example of Elijah and Elisha.  Well meaning as we often are, sometimes we just need to listen and follow.

What are some practical ways that we can support each other in Christ by listening to God?  Let's look as some Scriptures.  Galatians 6:2 says, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  Furthermore, Galatians 5:13 says, "You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love."  

When was the last time you served one another in love, without an ulterior motive?  It's a matter of choosing God's purpose over and above our own preference.  This takes a lifetime of sanctification and repentance.  The never ending job of beating down our own ego, while lifting up God's plan for a community or a church is serious business - and precious few have mastered it.  

When we lack trust in God's providence, we tend to stop listening.  We stop listening to His still, small voice, and we can stop listening to other Christians around us who are just trying to help keep us between the rails.  Elijah the prophet learned to listen to God, and his reward was to be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind - never having to taste the sting of mortality.  It's better to listen I think.  

If you aren't a good spiritual listener, don't take it personally.  We all struggle with pride and strong opinions.  Sometimes in fact, we even couch our own opinions by backing them with Scripture out of context.  A great many false prophets and bad teachers have used the Bible as a weapon instead of a shield.  But the main point here I believe, is that by listening to God and His people, we can become more supportive of the Christian walk in general.  We can learn to support each other when making difficult decisions based on faith and trust.  We learn to obey our master's authority.  

Take a moment now and think about the Christians in your life who have made a difference.  Some may be pastors, deacons, or church leaders.  Maybe some are simply prayer warriors - destined to lift others up in spiritual grace.  But whoever they are, I'm betting they listen to God and follow what He says on a regular basis.  It all goes smoother when we listen.  

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Reflecting on Christmas 2023

It's hard to believe that the holidays are once again upon us.  As I write this, we are only two weeks away from Christmas 2023.  It doesn't rain or snow much anymore in S.E. Iowa, so it may in fact be fifty degrees and sunny on December 25th.  Such an odd pairing of Spring-like weather and the Advent season.  So I have taken to reflecting on what changes and events have transpired over the course of this last year, and how Christmas this time looks a little different than past holidays.  This article is merely a reflection of my own personal opinions, and it isn't meant to be necessarily anything else.  Just some things that I have noticed as a Christian man and pastor, which stand out in my mind.

The first is that our culture and society is in desperate need of a savior, perhaps now more than ever.  People are sad, angry, anxious, and often scared.  Everything they used to know and trust is changing.  The Bible forecasted this  of course; the apostle Paul talks about it in his letters to the various churches two-thousand years ago.  He says there will be false teachers and false teaching in the last days, and that our religion and faith would be tested.  For example, as of this moment in time, the Satanic Temple of Des Moines has fashioned an idol of their dark lord and placed it in the capitol building next to the Christmas tree.  As the old saying goes: "The times, they are-a-changing."  Turn on any television show or streaming service and you will see a constant diet of sex, violence, and bold challenges to Christianity.  They don't even try to hide it anymore.

I believe this pervasive fear and blasphemy has led to a bevvy of mental health disorders as well.  According to the National Institutes of Health and Sciences, almost one in four people in the United States now suffer from some type of anxiety disorder.  Things such as GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), depression, and other maladies run wild in our culture; and are often under reported or undiagnosed.  If you think I'm overexaggerating, step into any public school  classroom in America, and spend a couple hours with the students and the teacher.  My heart goes out to all of them.  

Another thing I have noticed is a direct assault on the Christian God Himself.  In many government institutions for example, all public expressions are allowed except items directly related to the cross or Jesus Christ.  In fact, our Lord and Savior's name has become one of America's favorite slang curse words.  Hostility is often shown to churches and the people in them, resulting in backlash behavior and political/religious strife.  People are choosing sides more frequently, and the safe position of "neutral" isn't acceptable anymore.  It seems as though you must profess some type of stance on something (hopefully we are standing for God).  But often people don't.  

I recall one instance in particular when I was participating in an organizational audit, and the facilitator came into the room to look things over.  She noticed some posters on the walls - everything from safety diagrams to photos of staff.  On one of the walls there were several posters displaying Christian themes - a crucifix and portions of the Christian creeds.  The facilitator quickly tore down these posters and threw them in the garbage can.  She left everything else up on the wall.  A symptom of a larger problem ... the new practice of tolerance without actually being tolerant.  

But I am grateful in many ways that God has seen fit to preserve America for another year.  We ebb and flow, move and breathe under His mantle of forgiveness and love.  Forgiveness, because some of His children are building false idols in capitol buildings and tearing down religious posters.  And love, by continuing to put up with it, and allowing us to live in relative peace as opposed to war here on our own soil.  I pray about these things quite often.  How long, I wonder, will a benevolent God put up with people worshipping created things but not the Creator Himself?  For one more year I guess.  

There are still small acts of joy in the world that hold promise for me.  A mother's love for her children, strong Christian pastors and leaders upholding the Word of God in the Bible, and families getting together over robust dinner tables on December 25th to pray and eat together.  

At our own church, we are hosting a community meal open to all who wish to find food and fellowship on Christmas Day at the rec center.  This is the brainchild of one of our wise Elders and leaders.  Things like this stand out today.  Spreading love like currency, but without expecting anything in return.  Simply to serve God and His people.  

The holidays are stressful each year; let us at least admit to that.  Spending money we don't always have to please people we care about is often no laughing matter.  Not to mention preparing the food, traveling, and making small talk during family events.  But at its heart, we are also blessed to be able to buy gifts, prepare food, and make small talk.  It mirrors the Last Supper in many ways I think.  Jesus looked around the upper room at his followers, knowing that his crucifixion was soon to come.  One last moment of peace and tranquility.  

This is the sacrificial love that Christmas was based on.  The baby in the manger two-thousand years ago born to a virgin.  And it has nothing to do with shopping at Walmart or spending money online.  But rather, to worship and remember that the reason we celebrate these things at all is because God first celebrated His relationship with us.  Even when we were still sinners separated from Him, and then even now, when people sometimes forget why they come together in the first place.  We get caught up in all the hustle and bustle of the holiday machine itself.  In light of God's sacrifice on our behalf, we can rejoice, for God is here with us (Emmanuel).    

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Everything in Its Place: a Gospel Perspective

Years ago my family and I were in a Goodwill store shopping for costumes that my wife could wear for an upcoming play production.  Although the performing arts building has a decent enough wardrobe from which the cast may choose, she felt that a visit to the store for a quick and inexpensive costume update was warranted.  The theatre has been a great joy to my family, especially my children.  It is a chance to dress up and become someone completely different for a few hours.  And what better way to celebrate that fact than a trip to buy new clothes?  

It didn't take long as we were looking through the racks of clothes before my wife came across something familiar.  It appears that some of her grandmother's dresses were hanging up for sale.  Shannon's grandmother had passed away a few years back, and some of her Sunday church clothes had made it to this particular second hand store.  What a strange and wonderful feeling to see these dresses again.  Her grandmother had adored going to church and dressing up.  How neat to know that others would now have the chance to wear what she once cherished, maybe even wear them to church again.

Truth be told, it also made us a little sad.  It was such a clear reminder that everything we have, everything we own, will someday stay behind as we slip away into eternity.  But why should this make us sad?  Shouldn't this be a testament to remind us that we are to stay focused on the eternal and not just the temporal?  

1 Timothy 6:6-7 says this, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."  The apostle Paul's words ring true even 2,000 years later.  No matter how much you have or how large your bank account - it is not destined to make its way with you after death.  No, I'm afraid the most you can hope for is to have that much more of a lavish funeral perhaps, or to extend your life a bit longer by way of being able to afford better medical care.  Save that, we are all in the same boat.  Wealth only takes you so far, and then you must face God the same as anyone else.  We are all ultimately made equal on judgement day.

So why do we run after wealth with so much vigor?  Doesn't Jesus tell us in the Gospel of Matthew that we ought not worry so much about what we will eat, drink, or wear?  Is not life itself much more important than these things? (Matt 6:25-34).  If we are being honest, I think much of the time - at least for Americans - we seek after riches because we are surrounded by excess.  Black Friday after Thanksgiving yields irresistible bargains, and anything we've ever wanted is only a few clicks away on the Internet.  The world contains mountains, so climbers must climb them.  Stores contain goods, so shoppers must shop.  It is our favorite distraction.  It is keeping up with the Jones'.  

And so life goes on. We find ourselves sometimes shopping at the local Goodwill store, coming face to face with the concept of mortality.  What is the solution to this problem of leaving what we own behind?  Is it really a problem at all?  As it turns out, Paul has some additional advice on the matter.  2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."  What is unseen?  I believe this to be God, and those eternal things which act to reflect His glory.  It has to do with where we place our hope.  It is helping a small child who is lost, or cheering on a runner who is in last place when everyone else has gone home.

What then do we do with all our wealth in the meantime?  I suppose we should give it away to those who need it more than we do.  Slowly perhaps, but also carefully.  A neighbor in need or someone in the church who has been praying in earnest for financial help.  I must be careful, however, not to give the impression that I am any better at this than others.  I love having a new smart phone or piece of clothing just as much as the next guy.  No, I would rather just talk about what it's like to realize that we cannot take it with us, and that money just happens to be the vehicle by which we see this most clearly.

One last story, if patience permits.  My mother also passed away about fifteen years ago.  She was a gracious and caring person, and I enjoyed her ability to see the world for what it is.  I was with her toward the end, sitting in the Hospice room and watching the nurses go in and out.  At one point as she lay down quietly in her little bed next to the window, she opened her wallet and handed my sister and I all the cash she had left.  She told us that she had no use for it anymore.

You could hear a pin drop in the room at that moment.  What else was there to say?  After all, you can't take it with you.  Everything in its place, and that place equates to where you focus your hope.  It can (and should) be a place of eternal joy and peace with the Father I think.  And it doesn't matter if you have to give away money or dresses that grandmother used to wear, in order to realize it.  

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