This morning I sat at our kitchen table, frustrated with myself that for over an hour I had fallen into a cyber hole and had a terrible time digging my way out. Part of it was searching for the current news on Israel that was the truth. It’s more difficult than one would imagine in this left leaning world. Another portion of time was spent on absolute stupidity. Which I’m not against when I want to wind down from a long day, but I was trying to wind up for the start of this glorious Sunday morning. I just want to focus on God’s word, get a grasp on the reality of todays headlines and keep keep myself sane in this insane world.
One of the lead stories this morning was that the building that housed the Associated Press’ Gaza City bureau was destroyed by Israeli military forces on Saturday, prompting questions about why the media organization allegedly rented office space in the same building where Israeli officials said Hamas terrorists operated. Terrorists organizations are said to use press agencies as a shield assuming they will not be attacked . But conservative radio host Erick Erickson commented, “Will someone ask the @AP if they were paying rent to a designated terrorist organization or were they accepting a gift from a designated terrorist organization?”
Steve Guest, an adviser to Senator Ted Cruz, (R – Texas) asked the question “Are we just going to ignore the fact AP and Al Jazeera worked in the same building as Hamas terrorists?” Those are good questions; because in a world where the truth is getting to be less important than liberal feelings, and scripture is often used out of context and manipulated to fit agendas, our information sources that can be trusted are few and far between.
Paul wrote to warn Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-11 KJV
[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
What better way to “creep into houses” than through the guise of the news, social media or popular movies, shows and sports. You cannot watch any of those things without succumbing to the liberal rhetoric of people who believe they have the “right” to mislead people into their mindset for their own good. And while I love listening to conservative news I’m not so naive, or one of those “silly women” led away with different lusts… although I could be. It’s why scripture often refers to us as sheep. If we can’t hear the Shepherd, we’ll just follow anyone. Especially those
[8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. [9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
These were not Jews, who rose up and opposed Moses, as Dathan and Abiram did, as some have thought; but Egyptian magicians, the chief of those that Pharaoh sent for, when Moses and Aaron came before him, and wrought miracles; and who did in like manner by their enchantments, (Exodus 7:11).
That word “enchantment” keeps coming into things I read and it dings a bell in my head every time. It means witchcraft, sorcery and feelings of great pleasure and delight. Sounds like our current new climate. How else could people watch a building being torched in the background of a new report and believe it when the reporter says its a “peaceful protest.” And I am to believe that the Associated Press wasn’t influenced by Hamas and others in their building when I hear news reports about the “poor Palestinians.” In the words of our senile President, “come on man.”
So what are we to do today as children of God who simply want the truth? Pray and seek wise reporting and counsel. For me that comes comes from Blaze Media and Online News such s FGGAM.org, but there are no doubt other outlets as well. But first and foremost, above all, read the word of God. Today’s current news is there too as well as how to live in this crazy world. Paul continues telling Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:
[10] But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, [11] Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Paul has preached the gospel of Christ. He ministered to churches who faced what we’re facing and possibly worse. (Although our current state of affairs is pretty pathetic.) But Paul told them that come what may, cling to the word of God. That’s why it’s important to stay in it. And it’s why I have to fight hard to dig my way out of a cyber pit. Lord deliver us… please.
I knew a man of moderate wealth, not a millionaire but one of good means. I fully believe; and the proof was in his life that this man was given wisdom and opportunities because he returned the favor to God. He was born to nothing. His mother literally gave him away to his grandfather at the age of 5 to pay for a doctor bill that he had covered the cost of during his infancy when he had pneumonia. This is a true story. He and his Cherokee grandmother were the man’s slaves until he was grown and she was too old to be useful, at which time the grandfather had her placed in a mental institution. He grew up on beans and bread most every day, so he appreciated food and fellowship as an adult. He went to church, and as a teen was saved, and called into the ministry. He married and graduated from a bible college, and after working in the secular world he became the Pastor of one of the largest churches in Ohio. During that time, he invested any extra money he had into two places: future income for his family and God’s work. Both of which he prospered in. He gave 100’s of dollars away most every day. I was the beneficiary of his $100 ministry often. Most every time I seen him, he gave me money to make life easier, he knew I struggled. He knew because he took the time to get to know people, and when he did he acted on what he learned about them. Because of his kindness he is often a testimony in my life.
Think about the people in your life. Is there someone who has shown you that level of kindness, or someone who you have seen having issues with life? Was it something that you could have done something about? I have to wonder how many opportunities I pass by because I’m so doggone busy.
There was one such woman of generosity in scripture.
Positioned for Piety
It says in 2 Kings 4:8-37
[8] And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman;
From a commentary it says she was possibly a woman of great wealth and riches, of great benevolence and hospitality, and of great grace and piety; that feared sin, as the Targum paraphrases it; a woman of great credit and reputation on all accounts. The Jews say she was the sister of Abishag the Shunammite, and the mother of Iddo the prophet
Because she was of grate stature, and of such a wonderful mindset, scripture goes on to tell us that:
and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. [9] And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. [10] Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
So she not only offered him a place to stay, but food to eat and created him a little hotel room in her home, just for him. She went to great length to make sure he was comfortable. She did so because she knew he was one of God’s men. That should be the mindset that we have over servants of God. We should want to go above and beyond the call of duty for them.
Positioned for Possibility
[11] And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. [12] And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. [13] And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
So I imagine that Elisha is just laying across the bed with his arms folded up thinking about how good this woman has been to him, and he wants to do something for her. He tells Gehazi his servant to call for her and ask her if he can speak to the King on her behalf. Perhaps giving her husband a position of authority. Or some other favor. But she was very satisfied where she was and didn’t want that favor, she politely declined.
[14] And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. [15] And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. [16] And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. [17] And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
Obviously Gehazi had learned from Elisha. He had noticed that there was no children in the house, and perhaps seen evidence that this woman had truly desired to be a mother, but for what ever reason had never became pregnant. We see her desire when she tells Elisha not to even joke about it! But it’s not a joke. In their older years, it happens. What she had long given up on as even a possibility, God makes it happen and she is blessed with a son.
Positioned for Promise
Have you ever felt as though you’d been chosen by God for a certain purpose, but its either not happened, or not as you expected? Well, the Shunamite woman was experiencing just that in the time that followed. Great, great joy was felt over the son. But then tragedy struck, but she held on to the promise she had forgotten about.
[18] And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. [19] And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. [20] And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. [21] And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. [22] And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. [23] And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. [24] Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. [25] So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: [26] Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. [27] And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. [28] Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? [29] Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. [30] And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. [31] And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. [32] And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. [33] He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. [34] And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. [35] Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.[36] And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. [37] Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
She never stopped believing that God’s promise that she had long forgotten would be restored. She took the boy and laid him on the Prophets bed where she had gotten the promise, and where later Elisha restored the life back to her son.
But the struggle and the triumph doesn’t stop there! Can I tell you that life doesn’t always go as planned!
The Right Place at the Right Time
4 chapters later the story of the Shunamite woman continues.
Famine has come to the land and Elisha tells her that she’s going to have to leave the wonderful home she has created, and so she does. But when she does, the king takes possession of it! So now she has to go and ask for it back. But the day she does it just happens that Gehazi is there and the King wants to know what Elisha has been up to. Well it just happens that he can not only tell him, he can show him through the Shunamite woman’s testimony. This didn’t just happen. It put her in the right place at the right time for God to provide for her again.
Positioned for Provision
2 Kings 8:1-6 KJVS
[1] Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the Lord hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. [2] And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. [3] And it came to pass at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. [4] And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. [5] And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. [6] And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
She was not only given her home back, but a freezer full of meet and veggies! Okay… no frozen foods but plenty of goodness for which I have no doubt she once again began sharing. I know this was a lengthy blog. I’m usually at about 1000 words. Today at this point I’m at 2,174. But her testimony reminds me of the goodness of God throughout my life and God’s great provision. His word is so encouraging to my soul. I’ve been struggling for weeks to do His work, and today I feel like the Shunamite woman made me a bed and a loaf of bread and said, “rest here for a while. God’s got us covered.” Maybe you needed the rest too. Love ya! Mean it. Please share and encourage someone with God’s word!
I’m not so sure what the world believes anymore. There would have been a time that I would have said “most people are God fearing people.” They had enough reverence for Him to at least respect the authority of out sovereign God. But now… I sit in disbelief as I watch people live their lives, clueless to their eternal destination and that it could possibly be entered into today. Perhaps even before this sentence is completed some will find out if they believed as they should.
I have such confidence in God and His eternal plans that I know I am with Him in Spirit now. That excites me! While I cannot see Him physically, I feel His presence and I know that to be absent from the body is to be with Him, therefore my saved friends and and family who have died, are literally with Him. So God is my go between, between my Dad and many others. They cannot answer me, but I can ask God to tell my Dad and Doyle Ballengee, hello. It is in those conversations that I either sound completely mad to the lost, or give great hope and peace to my own soul and others who know Jesus.
The Apostle Paul understood my weirdness. He too was very weird to the world. Especially the religious world he came out of. Even though, they were the ones who originally had conversations with God all the time. They were the “oracles of God.” Privy to His wisdom like no others. But when the Messiah came on the scene they refuted every thing He did, including the miracles, choosing rather to call Him a heretic than the God of the Universe.
Uncompromising Truth
Romans 3:1-12 KJVS
[1] What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? [2] Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. [3] For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? [4] God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Paul was one of the greatest of the Jews, no doubt headed for power and a Jew of great understanding and wisdom. The same wisdom He applied to Christianity when He met Christ. He wanted to see his people saved, and the rest of the world as well. He taught and preached without compromise on the truth, because God doesn’t compromise.
Paul understood, and everyone else should that judgement is coming. Whether or not people believe that God is the Creator of all and the Righteous Judge of the earth doesn’t change the fact that He is. Nor does it change the fact that we will one day stand before Him and answer for what we’ve done in these bodies for Him. How have you shined the light to this dark world? That’s our job. Regardless of what our career path is, our job is to tell the world about Jesus and what He willingly did for them. Will you be justified when you stand before Him and He asks, “How did your life glorify Me?” It’s an uncompromising truth and its. And
Unavoidable Truth
[5] But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) [6] God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? [7] For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? [8] And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. [9] What then? are we better than they ? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; [10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
While the arrogance of the world goes on with their day, as if there is not even a possibility that God will return today, the unavoidable truth is “you are a sinner.” I am a sinner. Everyone born of the flesh is a sinner in need of a Savior. While Paul’s writing sometimes reads as a riddle to me, the truth of it reads all too clear. I needed saving. Praise God I was! Just as today, people in Paul’s day were slanderously reporting… Hummmm, they must have been the ancestors of CNN and the rest of todays modern media tribes! I’m going out on a limb here to say that they are one of the greatest causes of people turning from Christ, second only to the depravity within the soul of every man. But they speak to that depravity. It’s a me first society and that’s the message they want the world to hear. That mindset causes people to ignore the truth of the gospel and believe a lie because the lie makes them feel better about themselves rather than facing the fact that they’re a sinner needing a Savior.
Unprofitable Truth
[11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
While the world strives for their next dollar, their next title, the next material thing that allows them to one up the Jones, they do not understand how very unprofitable they are. While we are expected to “live” while we are here, that life is not to be the focus. This is the journey and the audition for our next life. This morning was the first time I thought of it in that context. I’m auditioning for the role of an eternal lifetime through my actions down here. If I am living only for this world, it will be entirely unprofitable. But if I “lay up my treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt,” glory to God I will have a position in the Kingdom to be proud of because it came from glorifying God here.
Paul was no doubt slated for a high earthly title. But he walked away from it, forsook the law for grace, signed his own death sentence because he knew that was the path God had chosen for him. It was a hard, profitable truth. This world is unprofitable. It’s heading to the burn barrels. You may or may not be familiar with that term. Long ago and far way, before Waste Management trucks drove through the neighborhoods of West Virginia picking up the garbage, there were burn barrels. My parents had one behind their house and that was how we disposed of the garbage. You burned what would burn and you buried what wouldn’t. Well… this world will be destroyed one day. It is for certain an unprofitable ball of dirt. And the souls on it who do not profess Christ as Lord will be among the rubbish, but the fire will never go out. It’s the truth, whether or not you confess it. And so is Heaven, which should be your obvious choice.
A profitable truth is this. You have the choice of Heaven or Hell. Which is it? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you.
George Barna, the sociologist of religion, notes that most people form their religious identities by the time they are thirteen years old. For many people true worship is what they experienced as children. For me that was in the 1970’s. I remember the revivals and the packed churches and the weirdness of a lively church because the Sunday church was dead. I praise God that He gave me a second chance to see revival through Victory Baptist Church. God help our churches in America and may we never be one like that.
I got the idea for todays lesson from a preacher who went to a Lutheran Church in the 1960’s where the attendance was 3,000 or better. He said they had to arrive at church at least 20 minutes early to get a seat, they sat up folding chairs in the aisles. Many of the people look back on those times as the glory days. But a visiting Pastor said that he was there in the 60’s and said that those folks looked back on the glory days of the 1950’s. We’re always looking back.
And that’s where our text is at today.
Don’t Look Back
Isaiah 43:18-25 KJVS
[18] Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Nostalgia, for which I and any other person my age is usually guilty of isn’t helpful and it’s not true to the Bible. It oftentimes makes us unhappy. As Christians we need to remember God’s work in the past, but never lose sight of what He’s doing now. Because it’s every bit as wonderful.
Right now we seem to be in a terribly dry dessert. What will be your memories of church during this period of your life?
What’s something amazing that you’ve seen Him do during the past year?
For me it’s the longing in my soul for spiritual things. That sounds bad, but it’s what drives me and for that I’m grateful. We’re most often not thirsty until we’re dry. And then we really want a drink and when we get it it’s amazing. Perry Noble’s church, which just expanded their building, had 14 saved last Sunday. In the midst of this dry time they’re growing because thirsty people are showing up. And that can happen anywhere, but we’ve got to offer the drink, because some people are clueless that church is where it’s at.
Don’t Be Silent
[20] The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. [21] This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. [22] But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.
Somebody or something will praise God. But when the people of God are silent, it makes us weary. I don’t want to be guilty of that. God has provided water to drink in these dry times. But where do we find it, and how do we share it?
Have you ever felt dry and thirsty spiritually. Be honest. Why or why not. Why do you think the thirst isn’t in many churches today for wanting to feel the Spirit move in their congregations.
Don’t be Inactive or Ungrateful
[23] Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. [24] Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
Usually when people talk about the “good ol’ days it’s about the sacrifices people made to have the churches that we have today. They gave of their time, and their money and they would have never considered laying out of church. They had too much invested in it to turn their back on God. But now that the church building is built, we’ve stopped building the body of Christ. That is a sign of ingratitude. We’re failing to remember that were it not for someone else’s work, we’d not have what we do. So what are we going to leave the next generation.
Don’t be Afraid of the Future
[25] I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
Jesus reminds us to live each day knowing that God loves us and forgives us for all our failures. The Bible’s not filled with perfect people (save One) and that was Jesus. It’s filled with people who failed God, but stayed faithful.
Are you prepared to stay faithful to the church.
God’s prophet Isaiah spoke to a people demoralized and in exile in Babylon. They had suffered much—the towns and farms of Judah were destroyed, Jerusalem was in ruins and the Temple, God’s House destroyed. The land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, was now in the hands of others who did not know the Lord God. God had brought the people out of slavery in Egypt into the land of milk and honey but now they were exiled from that Promised Land. It seemed as if God had abandoned them. But the words of the prophet went out: DO NOT REMEMBER THE FORMER THINGS, OR CONSIDER THE THINGS OF OLD. I AM ABOUT TO DO A NEW THING, NOW IT SPRINGS FORTH, DO YOU NOT PERCEIVE IT? God’s mercy and salvation were not only past actions, but present and future—and what is coming, the Lord says to the people of Israel —and us—is greater even than God’s work in the past.
Just like it still is. God’s word still brings us hope! It’s okay to remember the past, but don’t discount the future. We need to focus on how God sustains us even when the times are dry just like He did Israel when they fled Egypt and for forty years, God provided for them. Suffering almost always results in a closer relationship with God. And by the same token, good times seem to cause us to stray.
When the temple was destroyed the people had to gather together in small groups, in congregations, to study and learn God’s Word. All that was left to them was the Scripture. The people gathered around Torah, God’s instruction and learned in a more personal way of God’s loving intention for them. The suffering of the people resulted in a closer relationship with God and a renewal in their trust and dependence upon God.
We remember what God has done for us as well. Our Christian faith is based upon God’s faithfulness in the past which we remember and also make personal. We look back to the Old Testament—and Isaiah’s prophecy came to pass—the people marched back through the desert home to Jerusalem. And after almost two thousand years in exile from AD 70 to 1948, the Jewish people have found a home again in the land of Israel. What God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 1900 years before Jesus is still God’s promise 2000 years after. For us as Christians we look to Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the whole world. In Jesus, God Himself paid the penalty for our sins. In Jesus, God came into the world to be one of us; nothing human is foreign to this God. In Jesus, God is with us now and will be forever. God will never leaves us or forsake us.
So what are we going to focus on now?
What do you want to see accomplished in our church. I personally want to see the Sunday School classes grow because if this grows, so will the worship hour.
What would you like to see happen in the church?
Isaiah 43:1-2 KJVS says
[1] But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. [2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
That’s a promise to Israel, but to us as well.
God going to bring us through. But as He does, we don’t want to make Him weary.
Last night was communion at Victory Baptist Church and it’s been a long time since we gathered together for that purpose because of the Corona. My heart was tender to the Lord, a fact I’m grateful for. It had not been the case this week. I had allowed the world to come between me and God to the point I was feeling worthless and ashamed. Not a good spiritual condition to be in the week of Easter or any day. But such was the case and I needed my heart stirred. The Pastor’s text for the evening was 1 Corinthians 10:21-23 KJV
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Those verses immediately resonated with my spirit. I felt like I had been dining at the Devil’s table all week. I hadn’t read the Bible like I should, I hadn’t prayed like I should and going into the time of year that we celebrate the very reason we are who we are, I was lower than a snail’s belly. Praise God by the time the wafer and communion cups were passed out I had asked God’s forgiveness and felt as though fresh oil had been poured upon me. God is so good.
The scripture still drew my thoughts back to the week I had endured and the world we live in. It’s so warped. To most people Easter is just a holiday, not a holy-day. So long as it’s the celebration of Easter bunnies and baby chicks all cute and cuddly nobody has a problem with it, but mention the truth that Christians pause this time of year to celebrate our risen Savior and the world has a problem with us. Delve into the depravity of man that created the need for Jesus to be crucified, and the world gets its little feelings hurt because they’re offended. And not only the world, the church (collectively) has chimed right in with that reasoning. They’ve removed the blood songs from the hymnals and excluded any sermon topics that aren’t politically correct for fear offending the power of the left, and the powers of the right are as week as day old dishwater. How did we get here? How did I get where I was the beginning of this week and stay there throughout! It’s ridiculous.
“Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?” as Paul asked. I have no doubt. It’s why I began scribbling the communion glasses on my iPad as the preacher preached last night. One represents the world, the other the purity of the Lord. The worlds glass is dark and tainted with the opinions of man not the doctrine of Christ. I listen to this young man on Instagram for entertainment that I perhaps shouldn’t. But he intrigues me. His name is Christian Walker, and he is the son of retired professional football player Hershel Walker. He is epitome of the world, and has made a name for himself as an out spoken Republican conservative and is praised for his boldness, and the shedding of the typical stuff shirt that the right is usually viewed as. I’ll give him that. He’s definitely not your typical conservative. He’s flaming gay and broadcasts it loud and clear without apology as he professes his Christian faith.
Ummm, doesn’t that go against what the word of God says in Romans 1:25-27 ~ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
It sure does! And yet I watch him and enjoy his rants and ravings against the leftest agenda as he ignores his own sin because it’s his lusts, and somehow his sin is okay. That’s warped. But that’s the world we live in and it’s created an unholiness in the church that’s going to make God puke.
Revelation 3:15-16 KJVS
[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
So what does all that have to do with Easter and Communion? How much value do we place on what Christ did for us? How many times do we compromise in our own beliefs to cater to the world around us, or to our own lusts, pretending they’re the “small sins.”
By the end of the service last night my mind had drifted to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who stood at the foot of the cross that her Son hung on having been beaten beyond recognition, spit on, stripped naked and mocked. I could feel her heart breaking, I could feel the tears sting my own eyes as I tried to imagine that as my child, but couldn’t. It would be too much to bare. I imagined her screaming, “This is my Son! He did nothing but love us!” And with that the shame of my own lack of reverence for the Lord and the things of the Lord stung me. Thank God for grace.
The world may take this day lightly, the day before our Lord arose from the grave. But imagine being there, having witnessed the horrendous events of the days before, and then seeing the tomb empty, feeling your heart burn within you as the men on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:32) Meeting the risen Lord face to face, being with Him, speaking with Him, seeing Him ascend back to Heaven where He awaits our arrival. Glory to God how can we be so lacks when it comes to the Holiness of God?
Following His crucifixion Peter went back to fishing, the other Apostles hid for fear of being the next to be killed, until He arose. And then the gospel was back with a vengeance against Satan’s plot to destroy the Lord.
Well, the vengeance is on us now. Satan has turned the world against us, but we still have the same reasons to rejoice and loudly proclaim Christ arose! But first we must stop cheapening the price He paid by allowing the world to convince us this day is about bunnies. Nothing against bunnies, but our children need to know that it’s about Jesus!
I was one proud Noni this week when my grandson Logan wanted his hat for the Easter Bonnet Parade at his public school to be about the “real meaning” of Easter. I’m proud of His boldness! God…. let me be so bold in my world
It’s Saturday morning, and I’m off to a slow start. I was sick much of the day yesterday, (just a belly bug) nothing major, but I slept most, if not all of yesterday evening, right into this morning and then stayed in bed until 6 a.m. Oh my stars! Half the day is gone. That is really how I feel when I sleep until 6 a.m. Morning is my best “thinking†time. But here we are at 6:55 and I have a few thoughts on my mind about getting to know Jesus better. He knows me inside and out. Every hair on my head and what hair products I use. He knows that I’ve struggled with ADD-oss) Attention Deficit Disorder Oooooo Something shiny! That’s a real thing, but the only prescription for it is more online shopping. It doesn’t cure it, it just pre-occupies you to the point of not noticing what someone else has that you might need. Jesus also knows that I have a real problem staying tuned into Him when I’m so focused on me.
So this morning I decided that I would think, and ponder what it is that made Jesus the first ever “cancel culture†target. Cancel culture wasn’t a phrase back then, but it was certainly a social norm in the Pharisee and Sadducee circle. They wouldn’t even consider the possibility that He was who He said He was. Why? Why have such a closed mind in what was written in Bible prophecy?
Micah 5:2 KJVS
[2] But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
They knew it. They had God’s word as proof, and yet they still wanted to cancel Him.
They Wanted to Cancel Dinner
Bethlehem signifies “the house of bread”, and a proper place for Christ to be born in, who is the bread of life;
John 6:35 KJVS
[35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Ponder that for a second as a child of God. This morning I had lemon cake for breakfast. Not the breakfast of champions but it was tasty. And while that filled the hunger in my belly from no supper last night, it’s not the hunger that Christ refers to. That “ooooo something shiny†nature in me that I continually fight, was truthful filled the day that Christ came into my heart. I’m just a slow learner and weak vessel when it comes to pretty stuff. But when it comes to “needing†things in life. Christ fulfilled my every desire spiritually. I love being a child fo God. And I love having His Spirit within me that causes me to love like He loved. Even people that the flesh would like to slap in the mouth. But Jesus causes me to see them as God does. Which helps me better understand the Pharisees and Sadducees that the world had gotten a hold of. They weren’t Spirit lead leaders, they were self lead and worldly minded leaders. Just like we have today. They wanted no part of a Jesus who could provide for the people, both physically and spiritually. They likely knew that would cut into their treasuries. So they in effect tried to cancel supper for everyone!
They wanted to Cancel Livelihood
Bethlehem was a place of pasture which we know from the shepherds watching their flocks by night in Luke 2:8
I don’t think it was happenstance that the angels came to the shepherds, the lowest of the low in the economic side of life in that day. In the times of scripture being written they were so little trusted that a shepherd’s testimony would not be accepted in a courtroom. Most shepherds were considered on a par with Gypsies, vagrants, and con men. Add to that the fact that shepherds were on the lowest rung of the economic ladder and had little or no formal education. Why would the Bible scholars of the day have even considered them as worthy testimonies of the birth of Christ? Their testimony was canceled before it every made it’s way to the church. So now there’s two strikes against this man called Jesus. He’s born in the lowliest of towns, and testified of by the lowliest of people.
For me that helps me to identify with the Lord and love Him all the more! Coming from small town West Virginia, being a gal of common work and being used in the Kingdom of God makes me weep with gratitude. God is sooooooooo good to me. Bring on the cancel culture! They didn’t cancel Jesus and they didn’t cancel the lowliest of shepherds, they only made their story that much greater. Please Jesus, let it be so in my ministry as well. Allow the words that You put in my soul to encourage many across they land. This lowly shepherd girl who loves caring for God’s sheep in Calhoun County, West Virginia.
The world today would love to cancel our ability to take care of ourselves and cause us to rely on the government for our very livelihood. Be not deceived, the corona virus shut down had more to do with the disease of power than the flu.
They Wanted to Cancel God’s Word
Bethlehem Ephratah”, which was a small city, in the midst of the cities of Judah; and “although thou art little in the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto me” a man, a ruler in Israel, “whose goings forth are from the days of old”; the meaning is, the goings forth of the family of that ruler are from the days of old; that is, from the seed of David, and a rod from the stem of Jesse, who was of Bethlehem Judah.
While on the surface they appeared to “worship God,†that was furthest from the truth. They had all the tools of the trade and the very of God written down in their hands, they didn’t believe or live it, and I have to wonder if they didn’t more so fear what they did read and know. After all, they were told that God would return one day and reign over His people. I think they’d have rather been their own boss, and that’s how they lived. Satan had convinced them that God’s word needed to be canceled and it would be done by canceling His Son. But what Satan didn’t know was that the attempted cancellation only gave way to the un-canceling!
Woohoo and glory to God in the highest! Does that put a shout in my soul!!! They couldn’t cancel the Creator. And as much as society tries today they cannot cancel the Spirit of God that is alive and well in His people. It is no small wonder that Jesus was the first and greatest cancel culture target and still continues to be. The power from His Spirit and His Word that is working through His people certainly has to be frustration to the cancel culture’s ego. They may have won small battles in the realm of Christianity but they have by no means won the war and we are proof! All of the “little people,†in the “little towns†who have the Risen Savior empowering them to continue sharing the word of God keeps us moving toward Heaven. And when we can no longer move in that direction it will be because we have arrived. Just wrote myself happy again!!!!
I have a constant gnawing at my heart that the church should be far busier than we are. This finger points at me first, because it is myself that I am accountable for. The same is true for us all. We’ll stand before God one day in answer for our lives… you know… the living part. How did we live for Him? As I read these verses in Revelation this morning my heart was pricked again, but so was my mind. I know I have a need to be careful about how I handle this word for which we’ve been given. Rightly dividing it; and to do that I must understand it, and the book of Revelation is not one that you just read and comprehend every jot and tittle of its composition. No… it’s a book of future prophecy, but the problem with that is, that future is getting closer, and there will be a day in the not too distant future that it will not be prophetic but reality.
Revelation 12:10-12 KJV
[10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. [11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
The Power of His Christ
Woah. The God who spoke the world into existence, is about to speak it out. These verses are halfway through the book of Revelation so there’s still plenty of death and destruction to go before the end, but it’s heating up and even Satan knows his days are now numbers which even an elementary school child can count without issue. He has accused the brethren… that’s us! But no more. He’s about to lose his membership to the high brass of Heaven. He’ll no longer have access to the spiritual realm where God dwells and his full wrath will be taken out on earth.
The thought came to my mind, “there are no board meetings in Heaven.” God doesn’t need anyone’s opinion; although man continually strives to make theirs known. And all the while we have been down here struggling, Satan has been in the presence of God pointing out our many failures… but no more by Revelation 12. God has kicked him out of His presence and those for which he had been accusing are now standing with God. They have overcame Satan by the power of the blood that had been applied to them through the death of Jesus Christ. Woo Glory that’ll preach! Can you imagine the power of “no guilt?” Satan accuses me daily of every failure that I have, and there are many. And that alone causes me such defeat. But there will come a day when I will stand in the presence of the Almighty without guilt, for God will have wiped that memory away and kicked out the reminder. Yes, I did just write myself happy.
The Power of His Praise
[12a] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
I would imagine that the decibel of praise would put the mortal man crazy or deaf as they rejoice in Heaven for what God has done to the Devil. That’s why mortal man can’t be there… well one of the many reasons
But there is a portion of us in Heaven now!
Ephesians 2:6-7 KJV says:
[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
One of these days we’ll see God face to face, but right now we feel Him heart to heart. For myself that means that I could, if I would, experience a greater presence of God in my life if I got closer to Him and would delve deeper into His word, rather than just skimming the surface as I so often do in trying to get a blog up, rather than build my relationships with God. Owch… that hurt. But it’s true. I have lately felt the Spirit of God welling up in my soul and bursting forth with an Amen, glory or Hallelujah. I love it… I had missed it. I feel His power in me right now to be greater than it’s been for a while. Not because I’m any better at life, but I want it more than I have for a while. I had gotten lacks in my service, partly because of the coronavirus and partly because I had allowed life to become discouraging by listening to the siren sounds of this world rather than the praises of God’s heavenly hosts. I forgot that a piece of me is there with them.
The Power of His Wrath
[12b] Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
The wrath of God (I believe) is considered by most people to be an Old Testament issue. The world today has not witnessed the wrath of God as the children of Israel did. We have not seen God open the ground and swallow up evil as He did Korah, his men and all their goods in Numbers 16. But there will be a day when the children of God are removed from this earth, that the whole earth will experience the wrath of God, and somehow in the midst of that the children of Israel will once again be under the spiritual protection of Almighty God and be unharmed. But all others will face not only the wrath of God, but the wrath of Satan. He knows his days are now numbered and he’s angry! And that anger will be vengeance on any one of God’s creations, especially mankind. It’s this thought that drives me now. While I look forward to the fact that I am protected by Almighty God from this day, any unsaved loved one is not. This will be a terror like nothing ever imagined in the nightmares of this world.
Revelation 6:12-17 KJV describes it as thus:
[12] And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; [13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. [14] And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. [15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; [16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: [17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Who shall stand? Nobody.
If you’re reading this and you don’t know Christ as your personal Savior, if your family has not been saved, this is your future and worse. I don’t say that to be sadistic or fear mongering. I say that because I love you and I want no one, even those who hate me, to go to that place or be exposed to the wrath that is coming upon this earth.
When is it coming? Maybe tomorrow… maybe 100 years or more. It’s not for me to say. Nor would I want to wager mine or my families life on it, because we know not the day, but there will be a day. Please, I urge you today to make that decision. Here’s the link 🩸on how to be saved. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. My information is on this website, or you can contact me through Facebook. If you’re already saved, do me a favor, and share this post so that someone you love might read it and come to know Jesus. Amen.
As a Christian artist I’ve drawn my fair share of “images of Christ.” Clueless as to whether they bore any resemblance at all, and really not so much thinking there was even the possibility because I have not seen the Lord in person. While I have no regrets about the images I’ve drawn and painted, a sermon from my Pastor has had my mind a little pre-occupied with the notion that I really need to sort out how I will depict Him in the future.
What really pricked my heart on the issue of His image was when the Pastor, who is such a wonderful Bible scholar, said during his sermon that many of the images of Christ resemble the images of Zeus, the Greek God. And so in true Shari form I had to google that theory. It only took one image for me to see it, and my stomach absolutely rolled over. I was nauseous at the thought that any of my art would ever depict the same. Well… knowledge is power right? So I went to a scripture reference made by the Pastor during that same sermon in the book of the Song of Solomon, chapter 5. A vivid description of Christ
Song of Songs 5:10-16 KJVS
[10] My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. [11] His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. [12] His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. [13] His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. [14] His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. [15] His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. [16] His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
White and ruddy? Biblical terminology differs greatly from that of today. Most often it’s far more eloquent, but this… well for me it didn’t sound the least bit flattering. But in the day of it being composed, it was of great favor. White, as that of a lily and red as that of a rose speaks to both his divine and human nature according to commentary. The purity of white would make perfect sense, but does not speak to the color of His skin, but rather the divinity of God. The red perhaps reflects that He is a partaker of the same flesh and blood as His people.
While many, many, modern images of Christ have his hair as a light brown with highlights to be coveted that never struck me as correct, which verse 11 confirms with the description of his hair as “locks are bush, and black as a raven,” giving the impression of a corse jet black hair perhaps sparkling like gold in the sunlight as aforementioned, but certainly not blond! I googled images of Christ and not one image was that of a black haired Christ, but of the American preferred brown with streaks fo gold. Why is that I wonder?
Next in the physical description were the eyes. I love the thought of looking into the eyes of Christ, and even more so at this description of them saying “His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.” While the color of doves eyes vary, those that I viewed were the richest brown, and the kindest…not fierce and furious but rather loving, concerned about His people. Washed with milk I would imagine would have the clarity of the whites of His eyes. Not blood shot from lack of sleep or weariness, but rather crystal clear and sparkling as cool water. Oh how that though comforts my weary soul that too often bears bloodshot tired eyes.
His eyes were also “fitly set.” I would say the anatomy of Christ is as perfect in proportion, without flaw, without ever the need for any of our earthly mechanics of appearance fixing.
The narrative continues: His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: the commentary of John Gill aptly says perhaps in His humility His cheeks are blushed with color, He who was equal with God, yet took upon Himself the form of a servant. For me that is the greatest missing component of the body of Christ. Servitude.
There is no doubt in my mind of the significance of the next illustration of “his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.” Myrrh being one of the spices at his birth and at His death. The significance is so much deeper than my pea brain can imagine I’m sure. But I can imagine, because I have experienced the power of the words that come from the lips of Christ. His words are sweet, filled with grace and pardon, and they defend my soul against the demons of Hell who would desire that I live in the defeat of sin. Oh how true, and praise Him for His goodness throughout my life.
The body of Christ bears in it the scar that my sin have inflicted. It’s a thought I don’t like to ponder, knowing that every sin I’ve committed is cause for His pain and suffering on the cross, and my 24 hour a day, seven days a week need for grace and mercy. But this image is not one of the beaten Christ on the cross, but of the Victorious Christ who is coming again in glory!
[14] His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. [15] His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. [16] His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
He is my friend… oh word. He is altogether lovely and there will be a day when those of us who know Him as Lord see Him face to face, and we’ll probably say something like… wow…. that is not what I thought You’d look like. But the world would have us attach an image that could be used now and in the future to mislead people into thinking someone is God who is not and that is the ultimate danger of images of Christ. So for now, I’ll share with you that image of the statue of Zeus. And then the image above that I doodle in ponderation of the day I will see my Lord… He who will be so much lovelier than my doodles.
So yesterday (against my will, kinda kidding) I received the Covid Vaccine. When I say against my will, I meant that I really didn’t want to take it. But the hubs and the daughter thought I should, and so I did. There is a rebellious side to this Jesus Chick that doesn’t like being told what to do. Sometimes even by God if I’m being honest. But especially by the government. When they gave me my little “passport” card it made me slightly nauseous. And so it begins… my permission slip to travel, to go to a concert, to live. Does it sound like I’m bitter? Well maybe a little. I came home and took my frustrations out on my guitar, which in hindsight with a sore arm this morning may not have been such a good idea. Rebellion comes with a price.
But it all got me to thinking about prevention. You know… an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I believe that; I’m just terrible at practicing it. Except spiritually. I’m a “little” better at that. Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. A worthy study this morning is from the book of Ephesians, a well known and quoted verse in the Christian circles, but it certainly takes on a weightier meaning in present day.
Ephesians 6:11-18 KJVS
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Wiles: devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants:
There isn’t any earthly armor that will stop that bullet. But there is something that will stop it. The Word of God. If I don’t begin my day in Bible Study, I begin it in a weakened condition. I’ve already allowed penetration points in my armor. I’m not sure what was in that vaccine yesterday, but supposedly some form of concoction that will sure up my body against an attack of the Rona. Spiritual battles are far more complicated to predict, and individualized, but one similarity for certain is that they both attack the weak. The virus attacks the weakened immune, the devil and his tribe attacks the weakened in spirit.
That’s what’s wrong with most churches and most Christians. Folks show up on Sunday, take a dose of medicine from the preacher and then head back out into the world. But come Monday morning, some of his words were forgotten, the spiritual high you had when you left church is beginning to fade, and Satans minions are on you like white on rice. You could refortify the armor but, you’ve got a busy day, or Facebook is calling, Instagram is rolling and you need your peeps! No, we need God.
Speaking from experience, the second I enter the passcode to my phone Satan has me on a downhill slope to Socialville. It’s a great place… til it’s not. Much like Covid it’s a communicable disease. It attacks without warning, crippling the spirit through cunning strategies of Satan. Manipulating our minds and persuading us to do what the world wants us to do. Comply. Accept their norm as our norm.
In a month or so, I have to go back for Maderna part 2. A booster to the shot I received yesterday. That’s what daily bible study is. It’s a booster to the word you received on Sunday! I know life happens, but in some form or another, your have got to get the word into you. For me it’s either bible study, preaching or podcasts. I listen to Christian based news on Blaze, I avoid liberal media and people as best I can, unless it’s for the purpose of soul winning. And that mind set is another avenue to strengthening my armor. If I have in my mind to win souls for Christ, I’m not thinking of them as foul mouthed liberals with an anti conservative attitude. I’m thinking of them as an unsaved child that needs God.
Another tool for buckling up the Armor of God (at least for me) is creativity. The happiness I glean from being creative helps my mind shield the negative thoughts that Satan would like to pummel me with. Whether it’s music, art, or crafting around the house I fully believe God put desires like that (or others) that keeps our mind active and protected from wicked influences. Maybe creativity is not your thing, but I guarantee there’s a spot in your brain with a desire to do something that makes you happy. Take time for it today!
I did a pod cast on Saturday called “Thank God for Grace.” It’s less than a ten minute listen, but it encourages you to get creative with a project of the week. The link is at the top of this page under “The Jesus Chick Podcast” tab. I hope to do those every Saturday, and maybe even expand into some other bible studies. I do that as much for me as anyone else. Because every creative thing I do for the Lord helps to keep one of Satan’s wicked darts from penetrating my mind, or heart. Spiritual battles scare me. Because one that burns out of control can take a child of God from the mountain to valley very quickly.
So here’s my advice for us all. Get creative for Jesus. Or organizational or cleaning or what ever it is that floats your boat and makes your soul happy in Christ.
I wasn’t sure where my thoughts were going this morning when I began to read the scripture. I’m still not, but I know where my mind has been lately; and if I’m right, God’s word will align. If I’m wrong He’ll line me out. That’s how God’s word works. I’ve been lined out on more than one occasion.
I have this question for myself, as well as my readers this morning. What’s your influence, both that of the influence you make and the influence that is made upon you? Luke, who had been under the influence of Christ Himself wrote about it in the book of Acts 19. There were two very strong influences in the community, one of evil and one of good. And both had made an impact in the area and both had a following of friends. But it was about to come to a head as it often still does in the world we live in when right has the audacity to step into wrong’s territory.
Acts 19:24-30 KJVS
[24] For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; [25] Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
There’s Big Money in Evil
Demetrius was a man of skill, and he used that talent to craft items of worship to the gods of the day making great wealth from it. You know… like Apple products, boats, cars, etc. Things that keep folks out of church. And he was none too happy when Paul and his disciples came into town and started getting peoples mind off of the world and onto the matters of the Spirit of God. So he called a town wide meeting of the merchants and reminded them of where their bread and butter came from and who was making toast. And that my friend is what continues to happen today. Evil is big business. From the drug industry (both prescription and illegal), social media, social standing, and our selfie society that is all about taking care of my four and no more with everything materialistic and no focus whatsoever on their standing with God. The god’s and marketing strategies may have changed but not the dollar made.
There’s a High Price for Morality
But it doesn’t have a thing to do with money.
Demetrius continues his conversation:
[26] Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: [27] So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. [28] And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.P
Long, long before social media, Paul’s influence was vast. And it still is. And all for the sake of Christ. The world has tried multitudes of manners to destroy Christianity, to no avail. They’ve tried persecution, that made it grow. They left it alone, which worked for some who became “religious†to the point of no affect, (but then a new generation stirred the fires again). But their latest “divide and conquer and by all means stir fear†tactic has been surprisingly successful.
I love online ministry and the part it plays in filling the void where people can’t get to church; but I’m telling you right now, that’s not God’s intention for the church. As one preacher used to say, “when someone in your family dies, see if your internet preacher will come and do the funeral.†God never intended the local church to be global. But Satan did. Because he knows if people aren’t talking, they’re just listening and usually to multiple things… they’re not physically feeling loved and a part of a body of believers, they’ll have time to listen to him too. “Stay home… don’t fellowship… nobody cares…
So what does that have to do with morality? There’s no accountability to an online church. If your people are all over the world, they know nothing about your behavior, but if you live in a community where people you go to church with see you on a regular basis, you’re held to a higher accountability. Not to the man, but to God. It’s true! I love my church people, I want to encourage them and live my life in a manner that makes them say, “Yes! Shari is apart of our church.†But if my church is 3000 miles away, I can live my life how ever I want and the Pastor will be none the wiser. I’m not saying that internet church doesn’t do a great work. It’s taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. That’s awesome. But when people use it as an excuse not to fellowship with their local church, Houston we have a big problem.
Morality matters. And Satan knows it. The high price for morality isn’t the dollar. It’s the life you live.
There’s Massive Confusion in the Whole Matter
[29] And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. [30] And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
Gaius and Aristarchus are attacked by the powers that be in the community that were “filled with confusion.†This describes that state of the world. Satan has them continually stirred and confused. The world today is on information overload. Likely the people of Paul’s day were coerced by the evil powers that be in the spiritual realm, the same as they are today. Brother Paul was going in to take care of the situation but some of his homies persuaded him not to. Why did they stop him? Likely because they feared for his safety and they knew his value in the ministry. Not that God values anyone above the other, but if leadership is gone, you run the risk of the body of believers falling apart. I’ve seen it in the best of churches. Praise God, when we were Pastor-less for a year while searching for a new Pastor, God sent strong leadership in to keep us going, and we as a body knit closer together for fear of falling apart. We knew what we had and we didn’t want to lose it. Not every church knows what they have. And some, unfortunately never had it. I don’t say that viciously or facetiously, I say it in all seriousness and concern. I’ve seen churches treated like nothing more than a social hall for good deeds and a few encouraging words. That ain’t it! Paul and his friends were willing, and many did, to die for the cause of Christ.
God’s not asking us in America to die for the cause, He’s asking us to live for the cause. Which still might be dangerous. So, I go back to the original question: what’s the impact we’re making in our community. What is our sphere of influence. Are we willing to rush into the “Theatre†to rescue those in danger? How about into a house or local business where you know there’s someone in need of Christ? How about in your own family? Are you satisfied with a cyber church? I love my cyber peeps, but that’s not where God called me to be… I need my locals!
