evil

Are Your Defined and Confined by Fear?

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break_free-e1350561498868Do you easily connect with the principles of the New Testament, but neglect the precepts of the Old Testament?  If you do, you are like many other people who read the Bible.

When you are a stranger to the Old Testament, there’s the danger of missing key concepts.  If you don’t read the writings of Moses, I’m afraid you’ll miss the “fear not” statements of God:

  • Genesis 15:1: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield and the one who will reward you in great abundance.”
  • Genesis 26:24: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you.”
  • Exodus 14:13: “Do not fear! Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord that he will provide for you today.”
  • Deuteronomy 3:22” “Do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God will personally fight for you.”
  • Deuteronomy 31:8: “The Lord is indeed going before you—he will be with you; he will not fail you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged!”

Are you defined and confined by the fear of what “might” happen?  If so, you’ve forgotten that you’re designed to be inclined to God’s promises.  Peter challenged a congregation of persecuted people,  “Cast the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, [once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully (I Peter 5:7 ~Amplified Bible).”

The next time you find yourself in a pickle because your faith has turned fickle, reflect on this potent proverb from Solomon:

“Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive. You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip. You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, because God will be right there with you; He’ll keep you safe and sound.  (Proverbs 3:21-26 ~The Message).”

Good Deeds in a World of Evil

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While standing in a line waiting to place an order, I overheard a couple of men talking about the word “good.”  One of them said:  “If you shot a person at a distance of 100 yards, you might be a good shot, but would you be a good person?”

Although I did not wait to hear the reply to the question, it did remind me of Proverbs 3:27:  “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.”

Matthew Henry offered this comment on doing good:  “Wherever the Providence of God casts us, we should desire and endeavor to be useful; and, when we cannot do the good we would, we must be ready to do the good we can.”

The Bible is full of statements that associate “good” deeds with the Christian life:

  • Ephesians 2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
  • Galatians 6:9-10: So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.

When Paul wrote to the Christians living in Rome, he encouraged them to do the good they could, and he provided them a list (12:9-21):

  • Be sincere in your love.
  • Detest evil and cling to what is good.
  • Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
  • Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.
  • Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
  • Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble.
  • Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Paul summarized and ended his list with these words:  “Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.”

Think about the way you live your life:  Is it defined by evil or good?   Do you impede with your greed and mislead or is your life characterized by good deeds?

I’ll close with these words from Saint Basil:  “A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”

Urgent Email

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MailChimp is a company that is focused on email, and their website says:  “MailChimp helps you email the right people at the right time.”  In 2013 the company studied 24 billion successfully delivered emails, and they discovered the power inherent in one word.   When the word “urgent” was in the subject lines, the emails were much more likely to be opened.

Words like “urgent” will jolt most dolts out of their daydreaming existence and back to reality.  This type of charged language, unless overused, can effectively capture the attention of the intended audience.

To apprehend the attention of those who could only pretend righteousness, Jesus spoke a word of urgency:  “Repent or you will perish (Luke 13:3, 5).”

When you read the gospel of Mark, the first words of Jesus are an evangelistic call to repent:  “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15).”

“Repentance comes from the Greek word “metanoia,” and it means a” change of mind.”  When a person repents, he turns from sin to God.  The story of the Prodigal Son is a good example of repentance:  When he came to himself, he said . . . “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”

“Praise” and “worship” are two of the feel-good-words associated with the church today.  These are important features of a person’s relationship with Christ, but they are meaningless unless you attend to the urgent need to repent of your sin.

People don’t mind focusing on the failures, faults and sins of people they know, but they start to back-peddle and say, “Don’t meddle” when it comes to their personal need to repent.

 

Formidable Phobias

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To some people, just the mention of “fear” can be a scary subject.  I know some people who fear every formidable phobia known to man.

In the times I’ve paused to give some thoughts to the subject of fear, a couple of questions come to my mind:  If you are not fear-full is it because you fear-less, and if you fear-less is it because you are faith-full?

Both David and Isaiah believed that a right relationship with God is a sure remedy for fear:

  • “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise. In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid (Psalm 56:3-4).”
  • Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; and, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

When you focus on the things that are right, your fears are left.  When you put your fears behind you, you can focus on what’s before you—the process and the goal that will move you forward.

You learned a lesson a long time ago that you may forgotten:  No one learns to walk without falling.  What did you do when fell?  You got up; you stumbled around; and, eventually your coordination improved, and you walked.  You did not let your fear of falling doom you to a life of crawling.

Whatever failure you have experienced and whatever fear you may be facing, get up and go again.  Trust in God: He will give you the strength and help you need.

The Puzzling Predicaments of Life

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There are some circumstances in life that are difficult to endure and hard to comprehend. When you feel like you’ve been singled out and beaten down, keep in mind that people everywhere, regardless of race, religion, or riches, deal with problems of tragedy, injustice, and suffering.

These are the times Paul had in mind when he wrote: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8: 28).”

You may be familiar with this verse, but have you considered the context from which it is taken?  Romans 8 is a chapter that speaks of the consequences of sin and the coronation that awaits the believer in heaven.  Think about verse 28, when you read the following verses:

  • 8:18: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
  • 8:26-27: Because we do not know what to pray for the Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God.
  • 8:31-32: If God is for us, who can be against us? He that did not hesitate to spare his own Son but gave him up for us all—can we not trust such a God to give us, with Him, everything else that we can need?
  • 8:35: Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, pain or persecution?
  • 8:38-39: I have become absolutely convinced that neither death nor life, neither messenger of Heaven nor monarch of earth, neither what happens today nor what may happen tomorrow, neither a power from on high nor a power from below, nor anything else in God’s whole world has any power to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord!

What I’ve said is more than theory.  Paul said it is something that we can know.  Paul’s faith had been tried and proven, and he said:  “And we know ” The heartache, trials, and tragedies that Paul endured did not weaken his resolve; they matured and strengthened his faith.

Six words out of verse 28 remind me of a statement made by Charles Swindoll.  Paul said:  “all things work together for good.” Swindoll said:  “If you allow it, suffering can be the means by which God brings you His greatest blessings.”

Do You Have a Healthy Appetite?

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There are times when I read my Bible that I find contrasts so intense they leave no pretense for similarity in the subject or persons being discussed.  Such is the case with an Old Testament pair named Jannes and Jamres and a man from the New Testament named Epaphroditus.

Read the verses below to see the contrast in their character:

  • 2 Timothy 3:8-9: Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no farther; for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was.
  • Ephesians 2:25-30: Epaphroditus has been my brother, fellow-worker and comrade-in-arms, as well as being the messenger you sent to see to my wants . . . men like him should be held in highest honour, for his loyalty to Christ brought him very near death—he risked his life to do for me in person what distance prevented you all from doing.

Jannes and Jambres were magicians; sons of Balaam; and, they played a part in the golden calf incident.  These men were acrimonious malcontents with narcissistic appetites that were edacious and voracious.

Epaphroditus, however, was sanguine in his service and meticulous in his ministry, and he was a paragon of faithfulness.

Jannes and Jambres were judged as recalcitrant reprobates, but the epitaph of Epaphroditus was a declaration of one who had lived a laudable life. The difference in the lives of these men is the distinction between the appetite of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. This is Paul’s focus in Galatians 5:

It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.

This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.  But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

The important question is not:  “When you review your life which path have you walked?” The question of most concern is:  “When you look to the future, which path will you take?”

Has He Suffered Enough?

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Although it happened in November 2012, I still feel a sense of disappointment when I think of the failure of General David Howell Petraeus.  After being caught with his pants down, Petraeus resigned his post as CIA Director, and said:  “After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair,” Petraeus said in his statement when he resigned. “Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours.”

The General has been in the news again this week as the F.B.I. and prosecutors at the Justice Department have recommended that Attorney General Eric Holder file felony charges against Petraeus.  I believe Petraeus is guilty as charged, but it would be guilt enlarged to send the pre-eminent military officer of this generation to prison.

How much more does he need to suffer?  Even Senator Feinstein, vice chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has said: “This man has suffered enough in my view… it’s done, it’s over. He’s retired. He’s lost his job. How much does the government want?”

We are a people who celebrate stories of rags-to-riches, and we encourage the 98 pound weakling when he muscles up and whips the bully.  It seems incongruous that we are also a people who have a tawdry and unforgiving fascination with the mighty when they have fallen.

Petraeus lost a legacy of treasure in a momentary quest for pleasure.  Even though he has gone from hero to zero, his limp and shameful condition is no reason for him to be perpetually castigated.

As one of most well-known men of history, David’s adultery led to the murder of one his trusted soldiers.  Pleased with his accomplishments, he let his guard down, and a brash attitude made room for a rash decision.  He compromised his ethics, his morals, and he failed miserably when he lusted after Bathsheba and brought her to the palace; and like the General, this King got caught with his pants down.

King David confessed sin and God blessed him with His mercy.  General David has admitted his failure, and it is time that we show him mercy as well.

David Petraeus has paid the price for his failure.  He should not be damned to a public purgatory and constant scorn as the man who “kissed and told.”  There should be a recognition and remembrance of his sacrifice and service to this nation.

When you think of General Petraeus and others who have stumbled and fallen, I encourage you to reflect on these words of Paul:

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived (Galatians 6:1-3 ~The Message)

Out-Rage-Us: Purveyors of Religious Intolerance

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When some people see it, thy see more than one—they see two.  What do you see when you see the word “outrage?”  Do you see “out” and “rage?”

Some people try to understand the etymology of outrage by defining it in the context of “out” and “rage.”  To do so is to misunderstand the origins of the word.  Early usage of the word is traced from the Middle English sense of a “lack of moderation” back to its Latin roots of “ultra” or “beyond,” and it has little to do with “out” and “rage.”

Even though I understand the meaning and the roots of outrage, to simply say that the religiously intolerant exhibit a “lack of moderation” seems grossly inadequate.  It seems there is a radical element that has little more than an elementary understanding of their religion.  To espouse the idea of peace and love and then kill in the name of religion is outrageous.

Two recent incidents serve as an example:

  • The terrorist activity in France and the cold-blooded attack on Charlie Hebdo and the team of cartoonists who focused on satire.
  • The massacre of innocents by Boko Haram which, according to Amnesty International, has resulted in the death of some 2,000 people in Nigeria.

As I said late last week:

It seems unreasonable that someone can be offended by cartoons, but at the same time promote rape, beheadings, hostage taking, forced marriages, genital mutilation, and suicide bombings

What happened to a simple life based on the Golden Rule? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

The Abu Dawud offers the Golden rule in these words:  “Do unto all men as you would wish to have done unto you; and reject for others what you would reject for yourselves.”

The world will be a better place when we stop out-raging people and begin out-loving them.

The Memory Book of Life

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If you use Facebook, you have probably seen the offer to tell your life story through photos you’ve posted during 2014.  The social media giant has bruised shins due to people kicking-back because the program has caused them to relive unwanted memories.

Facebook’s memory-making-methods pale in comparison to the life-in-review process that God has designed for each of us.  Let me shatter any feel-good, party-time thoughts with three words: the judgment seat.

The thoughts of the most stalwart among the faithful turn sober when they think of standing before the Righteous Judge, and He reviews each moment of our lives.  Think I’m kidding?  Here’s the proof:

  • Hebrews 9:27: It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:10: We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
  • Romans 14:10: We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

The good news is that God is not just a God of judgment, but He also a God of mercy and grace:  “. . .all of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest…But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved!

Since you know what the future holds, why not get a grip on the present.  Live 2015 with the resolve of the Apostle Paul:  “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.”

Communication: Do You WiFi or Wee-Fee?

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3-golden-rules-for-team-communicationDo you pay a Wee-Fee for your WiFi, or do you hee-hee when some people say Wee-Fee?  Most people reading this blog know that WiFi  is the wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed connection to the internet.

What you may not know is that about 7% of the people living in Arkansas pronounce WiFi as Wee-Fee; however, they are not alone.  In fact, there are several countries that have a significant number of people who opt for the Wee-Fee pronunciation of the word:

  • Spain 49.3%
  • France 46.1%
  • Hungary 41%
  • Belgium 34.4%
  • Netherlands 33.7%

The meaning of WiFi does not change if it is pronounced Wee-Fee, but in some situations a mispronounced word can lead to heated circumstances.

I clearly remember an unclearly spoken word that created a state of confusion.  I was 18, and was asleep on the top floor of an old Air Force barracks when a backwoods sergeant ran down the hall shouting, “Far! Far!”  I thought:  “Far?  How far am I supposed to go and in which direction?”

“Far” took on new meaning and significance when the smell of burning wood began to find its way into my room.  I realized the sergeant with the hick-accent had not been shouting “far,” but was yelling “FIRE!”

One of the basic rules of communication is found in the acronym KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).  The Apostle Paul could be profoundly simple in the way he stated truth, and he kept it simple and clear in Romans 6:23:  “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The wages of your sin cost God more than just a wee-fee, it cost Him the death of His son on the cross of Calvary.

Your WiFi might be what directs you to the internet, but it’s Jesus who connects you to Heaven.  Jesus said:  “I am the way the truth and the life no one comes to the Father except through me.”