Is There A Difference

Anti-Christ, they are are all around us. They are the liars who come into the church pretending to be one of us, but have an agenda to subvert our beliefs. They are the deniers, who, despite all the evidence to the contrary, declare that Jesus is not the Son of God. They are the deceivers, who use well spun tales that sound reasonable but lead the susceptible away from the promise of life. Yes, antichrists are all around us. But, is there a difference between Antichrists and non-believers? Obviously, Antichrists are non-believers, but are all none believers antichrist, and does it make a difference?

Yes, there is a difference. Antichrists are specifically liars, deniers, and deceivers. They join churches and Christian movements for the purpose of subverting the faith. Other non-believers have little interest in what is going on behind the walls of our church, as long as it doesn’t bother them. They may come at our invitation, but hold their disbelief quietly, even if firmly. 

Don’t get me wrong, their destination is still the same. They both need the transforming power of the gospel. I believe one of the biggest difference is that a non-believer has never claimed to be anything else, where antichrists have tried to come across as one of us. The writer of Hebrews gives an almost impossible scenario when he writes,

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.” Hebrews 6:4-6.

• Been enlightened — Antichrists have heard the truth and even, at some points, agreed with the truth, until it comes to the nature of Jesus.

• Tasted the heavenly gift — I take the heavenly gift to be the abundant life in Christ we have today. They have experienced the joy, grace, forgiveness, and love that believers offer one another.

• Shared in the Holy Spirit — The sharing is different than filling. Their experience shares in the outward manifestation of the Spirit of believers. They are recipients of the Spirit’s fruits as they are lived out by others.

• Tasted of the goodness of the word of God — Tasting is different than devouring. Antichrists experience the word of God being taught and lived out, but never consume its life giving words.

• Power of the age to come — I take this to be the power of the resurrection life, the eternal hope that rests in those who believe.

Antichrists experience all of this and then they leave. And John says, “19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” 1 John 2:19.

Like the wheat and the tares, eventually, Antichrists will been known, but in the meantime we must be vigilant, testing everything against the Word of God. As for the unbelievers in your life, share the Good News that God is with us, that Jesus gave his life so our sins can be forgiven, and that he rose again from the dead in order for us to have eternal life. HE IS THE SON OF GOD. I’m just saying…

A Bitter Pill

I was taking a few pills the other day and one  didn’t go down right away and started to dissolve, and the taste was nasty and bitter. Even taking a drink didn’t wash the bitterness away. There is nothing worse than a bitter taste. For the life of me I can’t figure out why God would create taste buds that register bitterness. Oh, wait, it’s probably so that you won’t continue to eat it, except for rhubarb. I love rhubarb pie, but to get it to taste good you have to add a lot of sugar. What did Mary Poppins say, “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” So, bitterness is useful to ward us from something potentially harmful.

 Bitterness in itself is not good, especially when it comes to relationships, whether physical or spiritual.  Bitterness is the result of disappointment that is unresolved. For example.

I can feel myself becoming bitter and angry due to loneliness. I go to church but no one talks to me. I go to an ABF and see people talking and laughing, but they really don’t include me. They smile, ask me a couple of questions, but no one ever invites me over. I just feel that breaking into the inner circle will never happen. It hurts me to think the body of Christ isn’t working the way it should. Now I’m at home alone, and the only thing on my mind is how I feel hurt. I can’t get it out of my head and resentment and bitterness is taking root.

  Bitterness takes when we are slighted or an expectation isn’t met. They may be ligetimate expectations or not, but the hurt is real. The offended party can’t forgive and begins to hold a grudge and then bitterness takes root. Bitterness rarely affects its object, it eats at its victim and like rust erodes from the inside until it is completely destroyed. 

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble,” Hebrews 12:15.

Bitterness shows that grace is neither offered or received. When relationships are not reconciled bitterness becomes overwhelming and when it takes root trouble crops up. So how do we overcome bitterness?

Forgive - unfirgiveness is at the heart of bitterness. By forgiving the person who has hurt you, they are robbed of any power over you.

Stop dwelling and retelling — dwell on whatever is pure, good, and holy. When you dwell on a hurt you rehearse it to the point that you begin to justify your unforgivess, and the pain festers like a puss filled soar.

Seek Grace — Grace is acting on behalf of someone else’s benefit. When bitterness reads it’s ugly head act in God’s promise of Grace, both to you and others.

Seek Spiritual Guidence — if you still have difficulty forgiving and letting go of bitterness, find a trustworthy Eli ever who can help you through your difficult time

We may want to wallow in bitterness and self pity, but there is no better feeling than to be washed clean forgiven and forgiving. Go ahead, get out of the mire. I’m just saying,

What I should have said

Quiz time. What where the three broad categories I presented on Sunday? You had to think about it didn’t you. That’s why ABFs are teaching the same book as I am preaching from. It is easy to sit in the pew and then walk away and not remember what the preacher said. To tell the truth, it took me a moment to remember what I preached myself. James says this, 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  James 1:22-25.

The evil one wants nothing more than for us to be hearers and not doers. What’s wrong with loving the things of the world? What harm is there with a little indulgence, a look, a taste, or a forbidden touch? Nothing at first. Sin always presents itself as good, desirable, and innocent. Surely, no one will get hurt? But sin is like rust, it corrodes, just a little at first. A little brush will remove it, but if not taken care of, the rust will eat all the way through until there is nothing left. Sin will eat your heart out in the end. 

I know what you’re thinking. A lot of unbelievers live in a perpetual love of the world and seem to flourish. If living meaningless and empty lives is fulfilling, then yes, but what is sown in the flesh dies with this world. What is done for God abides forever. It’s the little things for God that are important, a drink of water, an unpaid bill, encouragement, and yes, the preaching of the gospel. “Whatever we do for these little ones,” Jesus said, “we do for him.”

Look around today. Ask yourself, “what little kindness can I show someone in the name of Jesus?” Write a note, make a call, send a text or email. Maybe it’s forgiving someone a transgression, mending a relationship, confessing a sin, or loving an unlovable. Loving the world and the things in it, is to be blind to all the opportunities to love. They’re right in front of you. Go ahead, you can do it. I’m just saying.

Quiz time. What where the three broad categories I presented on Sunday? You had to think about it didn’t you. That’s why ABFs are teaching the same book as I am preaching from. It is easy to sit in the pew and then walk away and not remember what the preacher said. To tell the truth, it took me a moment to remember what I preached myself. James says this, 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  James 1:22-25.

The evil one wants nothing more than for us to be hearers and not doers. What’s wrong with loving the things of the world? What harm is there with a little indulgence, a look, a taste, or a forbidden touch? Nothing at first. Sin always presents itself as good, desirable, and innocent. Surely, no one will get hurt? But sin is like rust, it corrodes, just a little at first. A little brush will remove it, but if not taken care of, the rust will eat all the way through until there is nothing left. Sin will eat your heart out in the end. 

I know what you’re thinking. A lot of unbelievers live in a perpetual love of the world and seem to flourish. If living meaningless and empty lives is fulfilling, then yes, but what is sown in the flesh dies with this world. What is done for God abides forever. It’s the little things for God that are important, a drink of water, an unpaid bill, encouragement, and yes, the preaching of the gospel. “Whatever we do for these little ones,” Jesus said, “we do for him.”

Look around today. Ask yourself, “what little kindness can I show someone in the name of Jesus?” Write a note, make a call, send a text or email. Maybe it’s forgiving someone a transgression, mending a relationship, confessing a sin, or loving an unlovable. Loving the world and the things in it, is to be blind to all the opportunities to love. They’re right in front of you. Go ahead, you can do it. I’m just saying.

Shoe Shopping

Shoe shopping. I don’t like shopping in general, but shoe shopping is even worse. All I need is something that will cover my feet, fit like a glove, and be comfortable all day, as well as look good for Sunday. Surely I can find something like that at Payless. Rebecca keeps me from buying the cheapest shoe, because I loathe shopping I would settle for the cheapest shoe that won’t fit any of my requirements, and in the end I wouldn’t be happy. Amazon has failed me because I can’t try online shoes on. We need a replicator. I would rather be in the basement putting up closet doors.

So today is slated to spend the majority of the day driving to some far away panacea to find, not just one, but the perfect set of shoes to meet my daily needs.  There is no such thing as one shoe to rule them all. Dress shoes for Sunday. Everyday shoes for work. Athletic shoes to make me feel good since I am not athletic (there is hope that I might exercise). In the end (thank you Rebecca) I will come home with the almost perfect (nothing is perfect) set of shoes.

Did you know the word shoe is mentioned four times in the Bible (ESV). Ezekiel and Luke talk about shoes in the context of joy and celebration. It’s putting on your Sunday best and looking your good for people to see. The fourth account is in Ephesians, “and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace,” (Ephesians 6:15). Shoes in this context are about being ready to travel, being on the road, being steady and secure so that you can be an instrument of the gospel of peace. Shoes are a part of the armor of God, and they have both a defensive and offensive function.

They are defensive because you plant them in the ground so that the enemy can’t push you back. No matter how hard he tries he can’t unsettle you because of the gospel of peace. The cross has defeated him, the resurrection rendered him powerless. The shoes of the gospel stand against his lies with truth, against bitterness with love, against discord, with unity, against violence with patient endurance, against hatred with forgiveness, and against darkness with light.

They are offensive because you take a step and plant your foot. Take a step and plant. Take a step and plant. The kingdom of God is advancing, one step at a time. The gospel of peace transforms lives, gives hope, and instills purpose. The enemy strikes and we advance. With the gospel we grant forgiveness, offer love, extend mercy, and lavish grace. The enemy is disarmed because hatred has no teeth against the back drop of God’s divine love. The gospel of peace triumphs with every step. Now that’s the kind of shoes I’m looking for. I’m just saying.

I have a particulate set of skills

“If you are looking for ransom I can tell you I don't have money, but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.” One of the greatest lines in cinematic history. Or st least one of my favorites. I think of it often because I don’t have all that many skills.

I spent half of my afternoon trying to put up closet doors in my basement. First, the instructions didn’t match the parts, secondly the doors were too long, and thirdly, I don’t have any particular skill when it comes to construction (and yes I put closet installation in the category of construction). Out with the instructions and onto YouTube (that may be my skill). I had to cut the doors (they were hollow, another youtube showed me how to fix that), figure out the hardware and glue everything together. I finished one side. I don’t want to start the other side until I see if I did an adequate job with the first side. I like working with my hands, and as long as the finished product doesn’t  come with guarantees, then I’m good. I  think the closet is going to work. Now on to the door to the furnace room, the new door is too long.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them,” Ephesians 2:10.

It is a comfort to know that God is the master craftsmen. Looking at creation we can see the detail and creativity the runs throughout all of nature. His consistsncey and perfection is magnificent, and man, as much as he has tried, cannot duplicate it’s intricacies. However, His craftsmanship in us is not the physical body, but the character and purpose for which we have been created. Each of us is given good works in which we are to walk.

For sure, we have been given the task to share the gospel and see people come to know Christ, but that is just the beginning. We have a good work to accomplish, and the thing about good works is that they are for other people. Each day we are tasked with a good work that is uniquely ours. Visiting someone in a nursing home, watching someone’s children so they can have a break, opening the door for so someone, saying kind words to your spouse, or forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply. The exciting part is that we don’t know ahead of time what that good work is. Each day is an adventure, and we are to look for opportunities to do a good work, and be surprised at which one it is (it’s seldom the same).  

Our good works will often go unnoticed and unappreciated, but that’s ok. We don’t do them for the recognition, but for the glory of God. That’s the way it should be since he is the one who created us for those tasks. I’m just saying.

Seasons Of Faith — What I Should Have Said

We all go though seasons of faith. I remember the spring when everything was new. I finally found a place to belong, friends who cared for me, and a purpose for my life. As difficult as it was to step out of my shell I wanted to be a witness for Jesus, so I used what l loved for Christ. As a theatre student I learned skills that helped me train junior high students in making and performing puppetry. We traveled to churches and camps sharing the gospel. Even when I went to bible college I wanted to be active in ministry. Jesus was coming back soon, and I wanted to be found faithful. We prayed for God to reveal himself in miraculous ways, because we didn’t want to miss out on anything God had for us. It was a time of great expectation.

But Spring turned to summer and I was in my first full time ministry. I soon learned what it meant to be misunderstood, disagreed with, and disillusioned when people’s problems got in the way of the gospel. It was a time of learning that the gospel was for the people who had problems. God had called me to the ministry and though I was a little more cautious, I believed God had something big for me to do. I delved into the Word, wrote devotional material, spoke at camps, discipled students, and led missions trips. They were the golden years of ministry when everything grew and I had a clear vision of what God wanted for me, until I didn’t.

There is a moment during the Summer of Faith when you hit a wall. You wonder if it is worth the effort. Temptation knocks at your door. The mess of people’s lives seem deeper than the gospel’s ability to transform. Your enthusiasm shifts from high octane to an empty tank, and you are faced with a choice. Were you wrong? Is he coming back? Is there any power? It is a defining moment when you feel caught between two worlds and all you want is a word from heaven, one confirmation that you are on the right path….and there is silence. 

It is in the fall of our faith that the reality of our relationship with God deepens. What we thought was silence was a whisper, speaking gently of his grace and mercy; his compassion and forgiveness. If we seek Him he is found, not in the spectacular, but in the simple, humble service to others. The Spirit speaks to my spirit reminding me that I am his child. In this season of faith I have learned that the long obedience isn’t a concession but a discipline as I wait on the Lord. 

I have not already attained it, but this one thing I do. Forgetting what is behind me, I press on to take hold of that which is in Christ Jesus. To know him through the power of his resurrection, the fellowship of his suffering, and in the likeness of his death. To know Him and to make Him known. That has always been my calling. 

What season are you in? Which ever it is God has something wonderful for you. So don’t grow weary, but be filled with the Spirit, for He will guide you to all truth in Jesus. I’m just saying…

Forged In Fire

A certain young man (RD) got me watching Forged in Fire. A tv show about blacksmiths who compete in making knives and swords. It is really fascinating. So much so, I decided to build my own forge. Plus Mark Newton has one and it inspired me as well. It’s not as much about making knives and swords, as much as it is about making the forge, heating it up, and  making something unique and creative. 

The forge heats metal to a point before it melts but is still malleable. Then you pound it into shape and keep heating it and beating it until your finished. At the same time you immerse it into water which somehow hardens it. There is a lot of science behind it. In the end, if done right, especially in the hands of a master, you get a strong weapon. The key is master craftsman. I am sure my first attempts will be interesting, but that is the challenge, not to have it perfect the first time, but to try and then try again, and be better next time.

Life is a lot like making a knife. You know the saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” The idea comes from the forge. The more you heat it and cool it the stronger the metal becomes. But not always. A lot depends on the metal, the heat, and the technique in shaping the metal. In the wrong hands what doesn’t kill you will maim you. Fortunately we are in the hands of THE Mastercraftsman. Our Heavenly Father allows trials in our lives because they produce something, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” James 1:1,2. 

As much as we would like to shortcut the process, the kind of character we desire doesn’t happen in a green house. I was watching a video where plants were grown in a green house. While the plants were young the gardener takes a broom and lightly sweeps over the young shoots, simulating wind. Wihout the constant resistance they wouldn’t grow strong and survive in the real world. To build character we need constant resistance. I personally don’t like the idea, but understand it’s necessity. Though it is hard, I would rather go through adversity and grow strong than to live in a greenhouse and live an anemic life.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 1:6,7. I’m just saying.