Power of the Cross

October 20th 2016
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (NIV)

Power of the Cross

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.'"

Paul here is writing to the Church of Corinth, and he wants to remind them of something that is hard to understand by means of "worldly wisdom". He talks of how Jews would often look for "signs" from God, and the Greeks would see through the lens of wisdom. But the idea of Jesus crucified must have frustrated both Jew and Greek, for the "sign" of establishing an earthly Kingdom of God was seemingly misplaced, and there was seemingly no wisdom in following a cause that led to such a brutal death.

Yet, the message of the cross is the power of God to those who are being saved!

I have recently read the article online of the 12 Christians who were martyred for their faith by the Islamic State of ISIS outside of Syria in late August this year. It has really burdened me to hear of the horrifying details of the unspeakable acts done to these twelve brave souls. It got me thinking about if I were in the same situation, I would be consumed with nothing but hate for the people of ISIS who have no regard for human life and who feel their actions are justified by their religious law.

But that is not what the eye-witnesses observed about the 12 Christians who were martyred that day. It was said that some of the Christians were praying the Lord's Prayer, while some were commending their spirits to Jesus (similar to the Stoning of Stephen in the Book of Acts). They would not recant their belief in Jesus to their dying breath, and not a hand of violent retaliation was raised. To the world this seems foolish. If you were going to die, wouldn't you want to go out fighting? Wouldn't you want to take revenge on those who brought such suffering to you and your loved ones? 

Yet, the message of the cross is the power of God to those who are being saved!

The blood of the martyrs has not squelched the movement of Christianity in the Middle East as ISIS would hope, but rather has been seed to multiply followers of the same commitment and faith in Jesus. This is not a new story. Think of the Underground Church movement in China, or the Missionary movement among the tribes in Africa, or even way back to the early church when Rome tried to crush Christianity for good. Yet Christ remains to this very day. None can stop Him, and those who try only fan the flame even bigger than it was before. 

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

"Lord Jesus, I thank You for those who went before us bravely taking on the ultimate sacrifice for Your name. I know they did not suffer in vain, for their story lives on, and they are richly rewarded in Heaven. Help me to have the same faith that is willing to give my everything, for You gave Yours for me on the cross. Amen."

In the Quiver of The Archer

September 22, 2016
Scripture: Isaiah 49:2b (ESV)

In the Quiver of The Archer

"... He made me a polished arrow; in His quiver He hid me away."

Isaiah the prophet talks about the fact that God designed him for a purpose from his mother's womb, and has made it clear to him. He was made with a tongue like a sword to reach the rebellious people of Jacob and Israel and bring them back to the LORD, their first love. He portrays himself as a polished arrow in the quiver of an archer ready to be sent out at a moments notice.

I've recently started watching a TV series called "Arrow" based on Green Arrow, a super hero from DC Comics who uses his archery and combat training to make his city safe and take on the "bad guys". Unlike the primitive version of archery that might be stuck in your head with rocks tied to the ends of sticks, this archer has a hi-tech arsenal of different kinds of arrows: explosive arrows, arrows that record conversations, computer hacking arrows, freezing arrows, grappling-hook arrows, you name it. He keeps all his arrows on his back in a holding container called a quiver, all within an arm's reach, ready for action.

God has made us like a polished arrow, each uniquely designed for a specific purpose. He may not choose to put us into play in every situation, but we must be ready in case he chooses to send us out to hit the bullseye. There are two things that we can do while we wait in the quiver of The Archer.

First, Stay Sharp: just like a knife, or a saw, arrows need to be sharpened if they hope to be effective when sent out. We need to stay sharp, knowing the world's needs, having an answer to the tough questions with biblical knowledge and wisdom. In 1 Peter 3:15 it says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Arrows must be sharp.

Second, Stay Near: What good would an arrow be if The Archer reaches back and finds that the arrow He was looking for was not in the quiver? We must stay near to God so we can hear His Spirit's voice calling for us to spring into action. I don't know about you, but if God is reaching to send me out, I want to be found hidden within His quiver, right where He expects me to be. 

"Lord Jesus, I thank You that You designed me for a specific purpose. Help me to stay sharp and stay close so that I will be ready when you pull back the bowstring. Give me wisdom, and give me ears to hear Your voice calling me out of the quiver. Amen."

Why Revenge Doesn't Work

May 11 2016
Scripture: 2 Samuel 19:23 (ESV)

Why Revenge Doesn't Work

"And the king said to Shimei, 'You shall not die.' And the king gave him his oath."

After King David's mourning for the death of his son in the rebellion, he marched back to the "King's City" of Jerusalem. On the road he sees the familiar face of Shimei, who cursed him as a man of blood, throwing rocks at him and his men when they fled from the rebellion. This time, Shimei comes to the empowered king begging for mercy. David's men wanted to have this man killed for the disgrace he had shown the king. But David took the opportunity to prove Shimei wrong and spared his life. 

There always seems to be that one person that makes your blood curdle. That person that seems to hate you for no good reason. They may attack your character, or weaknesses, or leadership, and even kick you when you're down. Everything within you wants to show that person up, and let them feel the wrath of your vengeance. But "getting back at" or "getting even" with someone is nothing more than responding hatred with more hatred. The problem with revenge is that you become what that person was accusing you of being. If David killed Shimei would he have gotten what was coming to him? Yes, but then David would have become the man of blood, and proven Shimei to be right about him. 

But if you respond to hatred with love, you can change the way they think about you, and maybe they might even begin to like you. If you are a Christian, the world is going to hate you, Jesus promises that (Matt 10:22). But when you respond, not as the world does, with love, then the reason for hate disappears, and opinions change. So when you feel like taking revenge on someone, remember NOT to give them a reason to hate you, and they may change upon seeing what the real you looks like.

"Lord Jesus, thank You for the truth of Your word. Please help me to not respond with anger or vengeance, but with love and mercy. Let the way I live my life change the way people respond to me, and bring them closer to You. Amen."

Take5

April 29 2016
Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:6 (ESV)

Take5

"And David was greatly distressed for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."

I can only imagine what the pain and confusion these men must have felt. For while they were away their home was raided and burnt, and their wives and children were taken captive by the Amalekites. Amidst the smoking ruins that was their home, David and his men wept bitterly until they could cry no more tears. In heated anger the men rashly talked of stoning David to death, because they needed someone to punish. But David under pressure chose to "take 5" and strengthen himself in the Lord. He inquired for wisdom from God, and he was encouraged to go on a rescue mission, for God promised that he would succeed. 

In my life, I must let God make my decisions clear, not reacting in clouded emotions like David's men. Unchecked emotions can cause us to make reactions instead of making decisions. The best way to combat this is to take time to inquire of God about how to respond next. Take time to pray, He may show you something you never would have thought of doing on your own. 

"Lord Jesus, thank You for the wisdom You grant to those who seek You. Please help me in my decision making to first pray and ask You what to do. Clear any irrational thinking that I might react in, and show me Your ways. Amen."

Radioactive Influence

April 25 2016
Scripture: Psalm 16:7-8 (ESV)

Radioactive Influence

"I bless the Lord who gives me counsel in the night, also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."

Growing up can be very intimidating, not knowing where to go next, or what to do in new situations. It's like moving around in the dark, bumping into things until your bearings make sense. But David in his early days found his counsel in the Lord, for he grants wisdom generously to those who ask (James 1:5). He gives us the Holy Spirit as a guide that prompts our heart in the dark, guiding us into all truth (John 16:13). But God doesn't just give wisdom like a cashier gives back your change at the grocery market. No, the wisdom God grants is from constant exposure in relationship with Him. David set the Lord ever before him, at his right hand, and that is why he was not shaken. 

I read in an article lately that we ultimately become like the top five people we spend the most time with. Influence radiates off a person and can change who I am. But like David, I want to keep the Lord ever before me, letting His influence be the number one influence that radiates in my life. The way to do this is through constant exposure in the Bible, and in prayer, keeping me close to God. Then I will have the wisdom of the ages. 

"Lord Jesus, thank You for the wisdom You have given, and are going to give as I spend more and more time with You. Help me to keep You ever before me, and not let poor influences take me away from You. Teach me and change me to become the man You want me to be. Amen."