The Attitude of the Armed

At 1:52 AM, a Pacific Beach, California resident heard someone breaking into his home. Fearing for his wife and young child’s safety, the homeowner retrieved a gun and fired at the intruder, who suffered a wound to his ankle and fled the scene. Police apprehended the suspect, took him for medical treatment and then to jail. (The San Diego Union-Tribune). This is not a political speech prepared by the NRA.  I am establishing a specific, documented attitude that people possess when they are threatened.  

Defenseless people under attack feel engulfed by a sense of helplessness.  They pull back into a defensive mode, they lose confidence and their attitude changes from defiance to compliance.  This kind of fear and panic gives rise to surrender.  But, what happens to a fully arsmed person under attack?  A Justice Department report points out that, “Americans use guns in self-defense as many as 4,110 times every day.  Guns are used 50 times more to save life than to take life.” Studies indicate that firearms are used over 2,000.000 times a year for protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate, imminent threat to life, limb, or, in some cases, property. 

In the book of Numbers, Israel and the barbarian tribes of Canaan were in a conflict.  The tribes of Reuben and Gad, however, declined to fight.  At one time, they were gung ho, ready to fight at the drop of a hat.  Now, they lost their courage.  Rarefied bravery turned into a wide yellow stripe down their backs.  Moses did not like the request. “Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here? Numbers 32:6. Why did these tribes back out? Fear? Afraid to lose? Could they visualize their families being slaughtered and their lives in ruin and chaos?  Whatever the reason, they finally decided to arm themselves and join the fight.  

The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is in a war.  Anyone who is slugging it out in the trenches of spiritual warfare knows that Satan has not called a truce.  The stakes are heaven and hell.  Families hang in the balance.  Our way of life is threatened.  Cutting and running is not an option.  It is fight or die. The worst thing you can do is avoid the conflict, take the easy way out and expect the enemy to leave you alone.  Even though the Lord fights our battles, we must not go unarmed.  Anyone going into diplomatic services is not issued a weapon. Anyone going into military service gets a weapon and is trained in how to use and care for it. God has not called the church to engage in diplomacy with Satan. He has called us to be soldiers.  God has supplied the church with an arsenal of sophisticated and powerful weapons.  

What are you thinking?  (Bad things are going to happen; I am going to lose the battle; I am a failure; the devil is out to get me; he always trips me up on my weaknesses?) These are the fears and trepidations of the unarmed.  Armed people have a different attitude.  Arm yourself with spiritual weapons.  Take up the weapon of prayer.  Take up the weapon of fasting.  Take up the weapon of the Word of God.  These are spiritual weapons. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to pull down strong holds; so cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4.  You may think you are defenseless, vulnerable and abandoned.  But you’ve got God’s HIGH TECH weapons system!  God has well-armed and outfitted his church against all enemies! Only the unarmed have reason to fear! Go forward! You are armed and dangerous! 

Mary's Alabaster Box

“There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment and poured it on his head.”  Matthew 26:6-11 

Mary was not a wealthy woman.  This box containing such expensive perfume very possibly represented her life’s savings.  Alabaster is a beautiful semi-transparent gemstone. It was used to make containers which would hold only the most expensive and precious contents. When the contents were so costly, the makers would work the stone in such a way that the only way to empty it would be to break the container.  This perfume was a precious import, possibly a family heirloom passed down through generations. Perfume stored in an alabaster jar could only be used once. Once the seal was broken, it had to be applied immediately, or it would lose its fragrance. Mary knew that this would be a onetime offering. She was willing to give all or nothing. The point is that Mary’s resources were limited.  She did not have the means to do what she did.  She had probably secreted this away for a long time, saving it for a rainy day. 

It’s not so much what you give to God that counts in his eyes.  It is how much what you give means to you that matters.  We tend to measure our gifts horizontally.  We first figure out how much is expected or reasonable, and then we give accordingly. 

Mary’s act was rash.  Sacrifice never seems reasonable.  This is not just financial, but any time you contemplate making a step for God, it will seem to you and to others around you as rash, unreasonable, even stupid.  What?  Give up your career?  Status?  Good looks? Freedom and independence?  Give up your friends?  Serving God never works out on paper, especially when the devil is telling you what numbers to write down.  But God has a calculus to use that the devil can’t touch.  Things that don’t make sense to you always make sense to God. 

Mary acted for a reason.  Jesus had been teaching his disciples that he was going to die, and Mary had listened to His word.  She knew that soon Jesus would die and be buried. She may have also known that His body would not need the traditional care given to the dead because His body would not see corruption (Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:22–28). Too many people wait until they see their way clear before they act.  Not so with Mary.  Instead of anointing His body after His death, she did so before His death. It was an act of faith and love. 

Mary’s act did something else.  It revealed the carnality and true motive of Judas.  Take note of this. Every sermon, every service, every act of sacrifice triggers both a positive and negative response.  Some people are moved; others are resistant.  Some surrender themselves; others steel themselves.  It brings out the best in some; it brings out the worst in others.  Judas criticized Mary’s gift.  The disciples, however, did not know the true character of Judas. The real reason Judas wanted the ointment sold had nothing to do with the poor.  He wanted the money to go into the treasury, so he would be able to use it (John 12:6). 

What are your resources? What rash act will you do for God? What ultimate purpose will be served by your sacrifice? What response will be triggered deep within your soul? Whether we win or lose, we sacrifice.  If we win here, wonderful.  If we lose here, the reward will be on the other side.  “He who comes to God must believe that he is; and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6

The Agony of Victory

“And Abraham said, ‘My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:’ so they went both of them together.”  Genesis 22:8 

The wedding bells rang. Not one year, but seventy-five years later, the happy couple sent out baby shower notices! Huh-uh.  Makes no sense.  But God’s miracles always defy logic.  God gave Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac, when both were laughably (and Sarah did laugh) past their reproductive years.  “Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.” Genesis 21:5. Sometime, somewhere in your life, a miracle will happen that you can’t get away from.  You will have an experience that forever obligates you to God! 

The miracle was stupendous, but it also complicated things a bit.  Abraham already had a son by his bondwoman, Hagar.  Ishmael was born out of fear, not faith.  Ishmael was born because Abraham and Sarah didn’t have the patience to wait on God for the promised son.  Ishmael was not God’s choice, but his father’s emotions were smitten with love for the boy. Sarah, however, was not so inclined. “And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. Therefore, she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.’” Genesis 21:8-10. The half-brothers had to be separated.

God imposed a hard choice upon Abraham.  “And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son.  But God said to Abraham, ‘Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.’” Genesis 21:11-12.  God planned for Isaac, the son of promise, not Ishmael, to carry the seed of Abraham.

In God’s eyes, the son of the bondwoman represented a human plan. The divine plan always takes precedent over fleshly maneuverings. Be very careful when you circumvent, substitute, or ignore God’s plan.  This was the root cause of the Israeli-Arab conflict that continues to rage today! 

Pay close attention here.  Your substitute plan will never take the place of God’s perfect will in your life! You will only complicate the mission which God has prepared for you. Now, for a second time, God seemed to destroy the happiness of Abraham.  “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’” Genesis 22:1-2. 

Why?  Why does God always kill the miracle that He has just performed?  The great mistake—it’s not about Isaac, it is about Abraham.  God was testing Abraham’s post-Ishmael attitude. God didn’t want Isaac dead—He wanted Abraham dead!  Only after Abraham slaughtered his emotions did he see the sacrificial ram!  God will kill your plan, then He will kill you—that is your flesh.  He will then raise you up and give you a far more beautiful plan than you envisioned.  It is His plan that carries the seed of promise. 

God does want to give you victory!  But, true victory is borne on the back of agony.  “Who, contrary to hope, in hope [Abraham] believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Romans 4:18-21 God will resurrect His greatest plans in you when you surrender to His ULTIMATE test—-Your death to self!

Tips on Talking with Your Pastor*

Use your pastor’s time wisely.  He can be more effective if you edit out less important details about the subject at hand. If he needs details, he will ask. On the other hand, don’t hold back pertinent facts.  Also, remember that most churches have seasoned saints of God and pillars in the church who can answer questions about spiritual problems or even scriptural matters. Church leaders have especially been chosen because of their spiritual maturity. Talk to them about a problem before going to the pastor. Of course, things of a sensitive or private nature should be reserved for discussion with the pastor only, but a wise saint of God can easily handle many general subjects pertaining to spiritual living. 

If you are confronted by a problem that you feel is essential to take directly to the pastor, many pastors prefer that you set up an appointment to see him during business hours. In the office setting, there are fewer interruptions to deal with and you and the pastor can concentrate on the business at hand. Also, catching the pastor before or after service may not give him the time he needs to reflect on his answer. Keep in mind that the pastor also serves as an administrator for the church. This role requires him to take care of certain things and talk to certain people before and/or after a church service. If he appears to be looking around for somebody while he’s talking to you, don’t interpret this as a rebuff or an indication that he doesn’t care about your problem. He is literally trying to do two or three things at once. 

If you have a problem, don’t withdraw yourself from communication and participation in the church, and then wait to see if anybody will call you or contact you. When you take the responsibility for your own soul’s salvation, you must make the proper calls to let the pastor and the church know what’s going on. Don’t assume that the pastor knows what’s up. He may think that somebody else has called you or he may think that you are merely working, or even on vacation. Also, remember that he may be thinking about you one minute, and then be drawn into another problem the next. That’s because there is a constant flow of activity in the church and everybody is asking for attention. 

Before you talk to the pastor, determine that you are going to follow his advice. If you know you are not going to do what he asks you to do, why go to him in the first place? Prepare your heart and soul before visiting him. He may ask you to do something that you find very difficult. Obedience, however, is always rewarded by God. Also, be realistic. Your pastor is not a psychiatrist, a lawyer, a doctor or some other professional. He may have some good advice to give you about the same issues that you would take to other professionals, but you should not demand answers from him that he is not prepared to give. His main obligation to you is to give you spiritual and scriptural help. 

Never voice any dissent you may have with your pastor to anyone else but him. Anything you feel you can’t discuss with him needs to be kept totally to yourself. People who criticize their pastor to others imperil the sanctity of church unity. If someone is so unwise as to speak against the pastor to you, decline to listen.   

While the pastor may be friendly, and you may feel he is your friend, do not think of him as your buddy. Maintain a “safe” distance between him and yourself to avoid over-familiarity. His words must always be received with solemn consideration because he bears the burden of accountability for your soul.  

*(I have used the masculine gender for brevity. My apologies to women pastors.)  

Take Charge of the Change!

“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes.” Job 14:14 

Job faced imminent death. Covered with boils, family and wealth gone, he sat in ashes, scraping his sores with a pottery shard. Life was miserable, painful and depressing. All he could look forward to was death. You know life is bad when the only thing that sounds good is death! 

“What if you were given that choice? What if it weren’t just the hyperbolic rhetoric that conflates corporate performance with life and death? Not the overblown exhortations of a rabid boss, or a slick motivational speaker, or a self-dramatizing CEO. Your own life or death. If you didn’t change, your time would end soon — a lot sooner than it had to. Could you change when change really mattered? When it mattered most? Yes, you say? Try again. Yes? You’re probably deluding yourself. You wouldn’t change. Don’t believe it? You want odds? Here are the odds, the scientifically studied odds: nine to one. That’s nine to one against you. How do you like those odds?” -Change or Die! FastCompany 

Dr. Edward Miller, CEO of Johns Hopkins University turned the discussion to patients whose heart disease is so severe that they undergo bypass surgery.  Many patients could avoid the return of pain and the need to repeat the surgery—not to mention arrest the course of their disease before it kills them—by switching to healthier lifestyles. Yet very few do. “If you look at people after coronary-artery bypass grafting two years later, 90% of them have not changed their lifestyle” Miller said. Unbelievable. 

Five Myths About Changing Behavior.  Dr. Miller elaborated with this analysis.  “1. Crisis is a powerful impetus for change. 90% of patients who’ve had coronary bypasses don’t sustain changes.  2. Change is motivated by fear. It’s too easy for people to go into denial of the bad things that might happen to them. 3. The facts will set us free. We are guided by lifelong habits, not facts.  We reject facts that don’t fit our habits. 4. Small, gradual changes are easier to make. Radical, sweeping changes are easier because they bring fast results.  5.  We can’t change because our brains are “hardwired” early in life. Our brains can change.  When we put forth the effort, we can learn new things.” 

You may not be able to change yourself.  But God can change you!  “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17 So, let’s study these five myths about changing behavior:  1. Crisis. The crisis won’t do it, but the crisis leads you to God—He can do it!  2. Fear.  Let’s not talk about denial.  Instead, talk about the good things that will happen when you change!  3. Facts. My God is the Lord over the facts!  He can change you in the face of the facts.  4. Small, gradual changes.  Radical, sweeping changes are easier because they bring fast results.  Nothing is more radical than being born again.  5. Our brains are “hardwired.” Our brains can change.  When we put forth the effort, we can learn new things.  The God who created your DNA can change your spiritual DNA.  You become a new creation. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to me.” Acts 1:8. 

“No one ever excused his way to success.” -Dave Dotto.  It’s time to take charge of your change!  With God, all things are possible!

The Success of a Failure

“‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you.’” Luke 15:18 

The Prodigal Son represents the quintessential story of a young man gone wrong.  The operative question, however, is when did his failed life turn around?  At his assertiveness?  “Give me my portion.” At his awakening?  “When he came to himself.” At his his decision? “I will arise and go.” At his action?  “And he arose.” No, none of these.  The success of the prodigal happened when he uttered the three words most difficult for anyone to speak: “I have sinned.”

The three sweetest words are, “I love you.” Three hard words are, “I was wrong.” The three hardest words, “I have sinned.”  The Apostle John said, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:10. 

Admit that you have sins to confess. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. “For there is not a just man on earth, that does good, and does not sin.” Ecclesiastes 7:20. “And He has quickened you who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:8-9.  A person’s conscience testifies against him or her.  The story is told of a teen girl who had a baby but suffered so much mental anguish that she killed it.  Afterwards, she rejected any help because she said she could still hear the baby screaming. 

The Bible tells the story of sinners.  Pharaoh was hardened in his sins because his confessions were not sincere.  Balaam wavered in his sins in that he was convicted in emotional moment, but went back on his word.  Achan sinned late, succumbing to temptation after Israel’s mighty victory.  His act wiped out years of service and his entire family reaped the penalty. The Prodigal Son sinned early.  Some insist that they have the right to sow their wild oats.  Too many are hopeless addicts or alcoholics today because they gave in to youthful urges or passions.  

Why is it so hard to say, “I have sinned?” Some people are ignorant of sin.  When you hear truth, you must respond. Pride of life is deeply ingrained in the fallen human nature.  This causes some to refuse to place themselves in a bad light or suffer embarrassment.  Some are simply stubborn.  They have no reason to confess other than they just don’t want to.  Some harbor a fear of discovery.  “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19.   

The three words “I have sinned,” call heaven to attention.  Not, “Look how good I’ve been,” or, “Look how much money I’ve given,” or, “Look at the great sacrifice I have made for you,” or, “Look at my great successes in life,” or “Look at the wonderful works I’ve done.” But, as unlikely as it may seem, the words “I have sinned” transform failure into success.  “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”  Luke 15:20-24. 

It is not your pride, but your humility; not your self-exaltation, but your self-deprecation; not your assertiveness, but your subservience that turns your life around. 

Stretch Yourself!

“Say to Aaron, Take your rod, and stretch out your hand upon the waters of Egypt.” Exodus 7:19 

God is a God of power.  We are very comfortable in having God take the initiative in bring great things to pass. We expect God who has the power to do all things to just do it! But, it is a gigantic leap of faith for us to conceive of God wielding his power through us! I can believe in God stretching out His arm; it is infinitely more difficult to believe in us stretching out our arm with the same results. 

Stretching physically makes you extend or lengthen yourself, sometimes with force.  If you have been leading a sedentary lifestyle, it’s going to hurt!  Mentally, stretching means that you push yourself to the limit of your ability or intellect, as with challenging or demanding work. Cerebration is painful!  Spiritual stretching requires the strenuous exercise of faith.  The Apostle Paul stretched himself “to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.” 2 Corinthians 10:16.  For Paul to go farther than he had ever gone, he had to demand more of himself than he had ever given. Nothing in life is more terrifying than full bore faith! 

Huge obstacles confronted Paul every step of the way. His bold move unleashed opposing spiritual forces that he likened to warfare.  “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4. When you stretch yourself spiritually, Satan will attempt to destroy you, diminish you, delay you, detour you, defer you, detain you or deceive you.  False brethren opposed him.  (There are people who say they are your friends but who actually work against you.) 

But his biggest obstacle was self-doubt.  Almost apologetically, he says, “For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:14.  This passage makes me want to scream:  Just do it!  And, eventually, he does.  You may find yourself in this same situation.  You want to do something, but you don’t know what. You don’t know if you have the authority to act. You don’t know if you are biting off more than you can chew. You don’t know if you are dreaming of something bigger than is possible.  Only God will determine how high you will go, but you will not go anywhere unless you take the leap! 

What is your vision statement?  Do you have a vision for the average, the good, the great, the stupendous, or the colossal?  Do you have a vision for souls, for growth, for strength?  Do you have a vision for service, for helping people, for lifting people up? Do you have a vision for outreach, for revival, for miracles? Do you have a vision for a closer walk, for a better prayer life, for more witnessing?  Do you have a vision for greater holiness, for more love, for more usefulness? Do you have a vision for greater unity, for more powerful worship, for mighty moves of God? Do you have a vision for ministries not yet established?  

God did not create you for mediocrity.  You have the desire, you have the vision for what needs to be done.  Don’t squander a cathedral vision on a phone booth life.  You know God can do it.  Now, it is time for you to show God, and the world, that you and God can do it together!

Be Like Jesus

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”  Galatians 3:27 

If you want to put your head around essential Christianity, this is it.  It’s the big TEN on the one-to-ten scale.  The rest of the stuff—-no matter how awesome—-plays only a supporting role.  The main event has always been, and must continue to be, Christ-likeness.  So, how do we do it? To be like Jesus means he is your ideal.  Jesus is the highest good, the source of wisdom, the standard of perfection, the unrivaled champion of the scriptures.  

To be like Jesus means He is the pattern of your life.  “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.”  Ephesians 5:2.  You need not be at a loss as to what to do in any given situation. You have his example, his testimony, his words, his record.  What should you do if you are attacked?  Criticized?  Lied upon?   Betrayed?  Forgotten?  Rejected?  Victimized?  Just do what Jesus did. 

To be like Jesus means to obey His commandments.  “Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5.  Jesus is not just your facilitator, your aide or consultant.  He speaks with absolute authority.  Omnipotent and omniscient, he has the perspective of eternity.  He is Alpha and Omega, beginning and ending, first and last.  He was here before he arrived and left while he was still here.  One man said, “He is the miracle between the virgin’s womb and the empty tomb.  He came through a door marked ‘No Entrance’ and left through a door marked ‘No Exit.’”  Yet, we do not keep his commandments for these reasons alone; we keep his commandments because we love him! 

To be like Jesus means to submit to Him.  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  James 4:7.  Submission means surrendering your rights; accepting a higher authority over you; forfeiture of position, privilege and place.  At Gethsemane, Jesus submitted his flesh to the Father.  At our new birth, we submit our body, soul and spirit to Christ.  “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  Romans 12:1.  

To be like Jesus means to be adopted into Him.  “Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”  Romans 8:15.  In the sense that we are sinful flesh, we are not made in the total likeness of Christ.  Adoption covers this gap in identity.  Adoption confers legal and moral force of a naturally born child to his or her parents.  Adopted children are often called by cruel names by their tormentors to deny their identity and legitimacy.  For us, such epithets fall meaninglessly to the ground. 

To be like Jesus means to be defined by Him.  “Jesus answered, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’”  John 3:5-8. The DNA encoding transferred by the parents instructs the body how to grow, what shape and size it will be, and every feature down to the most miniscule molecule.  Our new birth defines our values, ideals, goals, ambitions, dreams, visions, gifts, talents and everything about this life and the next.  Yes, it limits our reach, but deity defines the limits!  So…drop everything to pursue Christ; direct everything to conform to him; define everything to function like him.  We have no greater—-no other—-purpose.