GOD HAS A PURPOSE or (A FOLLOW-UP TO MY PLEA)

(If you have not read “A PLEA TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST”, that would be recommended before reading this response and continuation.)

Wow! I was amazed at the response to my last blog. I really appreciate all of you who took the time to let me know what you thought and some even re-posting it. So many of you shared how much it helped and ministered to you. Of course I have heard from some of you who are wrestling with my conclusions or are in total disagreement. I fully expected this and truly understand where you are coming from.  I really enjoy having to grapple with complicated issues like this one. It keeps me on my toes mentally and spiritually and I really need that kind of exercise at my age. Thank you.

A FEW POINTS OF CLARIFICATION

First of all, I think Christians should run for public office if they believe the Lord is calling them to that. There is no question in my mind that God wants His people influencing the culture and being light in the darkness wherever they can. Secondly, I did not intend to imply that Christians should never vote or that I would never vote again. It may have come across that way, and I apologize for that. I did say that I had decided not to vote in this particular presidential election for the reasons I set forth in the blog. (I have been influenced otherwise by some of you and I will say more about that at the end.)

MY MOTIVATION

I had titled the first blog, “MY PLEA TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS…” because of the attitudes and perspectives on this election that have taken over our Country. Like I said, I’ve never seen us more polarized. I saw it influencing my own heart, as well as the hearts of a great majority of believers and non-believers alike. There is this fear and even panic that if we don’t get the right person in the White House it’s all over; our country is toast; it’s Armageddon now.  Believe me when I say I truly understand why so many of us feel that way, I have in the past and even now wrestle with that fear often. But I must be honest with you, I don’t think it’s from God, and I felt I had to express my concern over this kind of fear and panic in relation to a Christian worldview. That was my central motivation for writing the blog.

GOD HAS A PURPOSE

I’ve started writing a book under the title: God has a Purpose. In His sovereign providence He has a purpose for every person, place and thing on the planet. He has a purpose for the United States (and every other nation). If we believe our God is sovereign over all things and has a purpose for all things we should regularly ask the question, “What is God up to in this situation or that event; this trial or that blessing?” I love to ask that question of the Lord and prayerfully wait for what He might teach me or show me.

But we must always remember that all of the Lord’s reasons for what He brings to pass fall under His one ultimate, overarching purpose: That mankind would know Him, be in relationship with Him and worship Him for who He really is. In John 17:3 Jesus prays to His Father, “And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus whom you have sent.”  I believe all of God’s other purposes serve this great purpose.

WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE IN THIS ELECTION?

What might God be up to in this election mess? Does He have a purpose in all the cynicism that has infected Americans concerning politics? I know many of you are like me. I have put optimistic hope in our political system for a very long time. I have voted all of my life for conservative, pro-life candidates. What is the result? After all these years nothing seems to change. The slow and steady spiritual/moral decline that “suppresses the truth in unrighteousness” marches on. Right or wrong, this is why it’s so hard for me to hope in this process to take us in the direction that I believe to be Godly and Biblical. I’m sure a lot of you can really identify with my frustration.

But what if our disappointment is the Lord’s intention? Perhaps it’s the Lord’s purpose to use a dysfunctional political system to make us turn our hope more towards Him. Perhaps he is trying to demonstrate to His children, in a deeper way, the futility and irrationality of hoping in the ways of man. Maybe He’s using these times to call us to take hold of Proverbs 3:5 where we are told, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding (like, the future depends on who lives in the White House). Perhaps His purpose is to prepare us for what He knows lies ahead. Maybe He is lovingly shaking our confidence in man and his ways so we might get a better grip on Him as the only object of our hope because He knows we will soon need Him in ways we never have before.

WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE FOR AMERICA?

I’m convinced that God’s ultimate purpose for our nation is much bigger and quite different from our list of hopeful outcomes as a result of this election.

Think about just a few of the issues with me:

*As much as we want to make and keep our economy strong and growing, does that fit God’s ultimate purpose for the people of this country? Some of the most amazing Christians I’ve ever met live in extremely humble circumstances depending daily on their Lord for every provision. I don’t think we realize how detrimental our great prosperity is to our spiritual health and growth.

*We highly value security and safety in this country to the point of idolatry. God’s great purpose might require a greater and greater shattering of our security and safety.  What if the Lord wants to deliver us from this idol, and all the fear that accompanies it, and teach us to say, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7) or “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” the Lord of power is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress (protection). (Psalm 46:10-11)

*And most importantly, all of us who Love the Lord, long for God’s ultimate purpose to become a reality. We want to see a revival in our land; a turning of our nation toward the living God. But, what if this ultimate purpose of God can’t be accomplished through prayer or great sermons or voting for the right person?

Let me share a well-known revival passage with you: “…if my people, who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.” This comes from 2 Chronicles 7:14. Many of us have prayed to our God for decades using the promise of this verse. Why is God not hearing our prayer?  Notice something very important, we have conveniently begun reading from the middle of the sentence. Listen to what precedes the promise, as God spoke it to King Solomon in the middle of the night, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people…” Did you hear that? God said that He would judge His people by sending drought and starvation and disease. That is a heck of a challenge to the theology of most of us. But notice, it is only when God sends forth His corrective judgments and in the midst of those judgments that He says, “…if my people…pray…seek my face…turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear…forgive their sin and heal their land.”

So, what if God can’t bring His ultimate purpose to America and especially to His people through praying, preaching, and voting? What if we are beyond that? Maybe, as those who claim to be followers of Jesus, we aren’t quite what we think we are in relation to where the Lord wants to take us. Maybe God has not answered our prayers for the healing of our land because we have not held up our end of the bargain. Maybe we’ve cried out to Him in prayer, but have we really sought His face?  Do we have a real desire to turn from our wicked ways, or have we become a people who no longer tremble at His Word and therefore sear our consciences by justifying our sins.

If we are in the “birth-pangs” of God’s judgment on this nation there is purpose in what is transpiring around us. And when God is working it is always to a very good purpose. But, make no mistake, when God sets out to judge a nation it is never pretty. It means difficulty of such a degree that it causes one of two things in a person’s life: one either clings even more doggedly to their idolatry or, one runs into the shelter of The Most High God, and is changed in glorious, God honoring ways. My brothers and sisters, this is not a bad thing. The Lord’s disciplinary judgments will separate the true from the false, the wheat from the tares and make His anemic, distracted church faithful and strong again.

Maybe you have heard that there are many believers in persecuted countries that pray for us, their brothers and sisters in the Western church, that we would experience some persecution. They have an understanding of the biblical teaching that trials and suffering have a direct correlation to intimacy with Christ and deep spiritual growth.

CONCLUSION

I have no doubt that God is going to bring revival to this nation, I'm just not sure it's going to come about the way we usually envision it. Therefore, my plea to the church is that we think a bit deeper about what God’s purpose might be for this nation and His church in these very interesting times.

I will leave you with this passage from (1 Peter 4:12-19):

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed…if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

Whether you are able to see through my biblical lens or not I hope this helps you as you seek the Lord for yourself concerning these interesting days in which we find ourselves.

P.S. I mentioned at the beginning that I have heard the admonition of some of you exhorting me to vote and I have reconsidered. I will vote, because I cannot deny the exercise of that valuable right. I cannot find the Lord’s peace, however, in voting for any of the major candidates. I will be writing in a very special candidate indeed.

I so appreciate you taking the time to read my words. I would love to hear your feedback. Blessings!

A PLEA TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST!

I am making this plea to all of you who claim Jesus to be your Lord and Savior and are serious about obeying His Word.  I’m speaking to all races, genders, nationalities, and age groups. Most of us are having a great struggle over the challenges set before us in relation to this presidential election. Our nation is as polarized as I have ever seen it, to the point that it’s even putting a strain on long standing friendships and even family relations. My Brothers and Sisters, these things ought not to be in the body of Christ. We are His Body; we are called to walk together as one. We cannot let politics distract us from our real purpose. And what is this great purpose, to proclaim the glory of Jesus and His Gospel through our words, our actions, our love for each other and for the rest of the world. Those around us desperately need to see the power of a God who is real, working through the lives of a people who are living what they profess to believe.

I’ve been praying and thinking much about what a faithful, Biblical stance should look like in the midst of this highly charged political environment. I want to humbly submit to you a few of my thoughts and conclusions. I pray these observations may help you find some peace and make some spiritual sense out of the craziness that surrounds us.

Remember Your True Nationality

First, we need to live in the understanding of who we really are in Christ. I was born in Orlando, Florida in 1953. That makes me an American. I had absolutely no say in my nationality, race, gender or date of birth. God alone determines these things and does so for his purposes…purposes known only to Him. Every believer was born in a particular nation according to God’s wise design. But more importantly, when the Lord calls His people from every tribe, tongue and nation, He places all of us into His new nation. This is astounding! Think about it. As a believer you are a citizen of a Kingdom that transcends all borders; a nation that encompasses the entire globe. We have a President/King, His name is Jesus. We have a constitution; the Word of God. This is our greater reality. It is a mind blowing reality. We are of a kingdom that is not of this world; a kingdom that will never collapse or crumble, ruled by a King that speaks only truth, and lives forever.

Hear this amazing truth from 1 Peter 2:9-11, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

This sums up who we are and what we are here for. We are a new race of people, inhabiting a new nation and our President is not only a flawless leader but actually possesses us in love, having purchased us out of this world of darkness and placed us in His kingdom of light.  And out of our overflowing joy and gratitude as citizens of this holy nation our passion in life has become a desire proclaim Him. Now that’s a campaign I can get on board with.

Folks, we are not here to tout the excellencies of politicians or of some system that ends in “ism”. We are here to make known a kingdom that is not of this world. Yes, God’s kingdom is in this world but transcends and permeates all the other nations. To say that it is not of this world also means it does not function, think or do business in the same way as earthly kingdoms. Halleluiah! What a glorious truth.

Be Careful Where You Place Your Hope

Secondly, I ask you, where do you place your hope? Being sixty three years old I have heard quite a few campaign speeches in my time. In reality they are all pretty much the same. They tell you what they think you want to hear, making tons of promises they have little ability and often no intentions of keeping. Offering hope for something better or different from the present status quo is usually a key aspect of any campaign. Obama’s “Hope and Change” slogan is a perfect example.

But those of us who say we hope in God need to actually hope in Him and not in man. We must stop placing our hope in political parties and their leaders. If we place our hope for the future in the next Supreme Court justice, or senator, or president, or party platform; we have misplaced our hope.  

Recognize the Real Enemy

We must all step back and take a deep breath and remember that the Scriptures plainly tell us our battle is not against flesh and blood. Reality encompasses more than what we can see with our physical eyes. The battle is not against liberals or conservatives; progressives or fundamentalist; Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. Our war is with spiritual powers that include Satan himself. And just as we have one great purpose, these demonic powers have one great purpose as well…to undermine us in our calling to be a faithful testimony of His glory. These powers want to divide us and pit us against each other. They are masters at using distraction, confusion, lies and fear to pull us out of the race that the Lord has marked out for us as His servants.

This is My Struggle

I was raised with the deeply imbedded idea that I have no choice but to vote? Thousands have died to protect this privilege for me as an American. I have believed that not to vote is irresponsible and flat out un-American. I have been a faithful voter since I was eighteen years old. And believe me; I do understand that it is an incredibly great privilege. But I also believe we have moved into new territory. We have entered historically unique times. I have come to the conclusion that for me personally, I cannot vote in this presidential election. Please read on and consider my reasoning.

“Do not be Unequally Yoked”

Whoever you vote for you will be disappointed. Political parties and their leaders can never deliver what we all long for in the depths of our hearts. To watch the conventions you would think they see themselves as the saviors of the world. People need to understand that that position has already been taken.

If I vote Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Green Peace, I yoke myself to an entity that is extremely flawed, even corrupt. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?” Wow!  Could this be any plainer or more applicable to what we face in this election? And I think it’s fair to say that none of these candidates have a fear of God as set forth in the Scriptures. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). The last thing I want to do is identify myself, and therefore my Lord, with is a leader who has no understanding of walking humbly before the God. Which means they have no basis for obtaining true wisdom and understanding…no grasp of the fact that it is God Himself who will actually place them in their leadership position. It is God who raises kings up and takes them out.

A Nation Under Judgment

I believe we are a nation that is clearly under the judgment of God. I give you exhibit A – the choices we have for president. . A key element of this judgment is the Godless leadership discussed above. One of our founding fathers famously said, “A nation gets the leadership it deserves.” And then there is exhibit B – as Albert Martin puts it in his book, Forgotten Fear, “The fear of God has essentially vanished from the fabric of our national life and experience.” That is an undeniably factual statement. And if you know your Bible at all and believe what it says, you know that God is no respecter of persons or nations. You know that He is a righteous judge who promises to deal with any nation, be it Israel or otherwise, that ceases to acknowledge Him and His authority as Creator. It is an undeniable fact that Jesus and the Bible are no longer allowed as legitimate sources for input into the national “conversation”. If they are mentioned in public it is usually with smug ridicule or as the objects of a comedians mocking joke. We need to wake up and smell the coffee. We are experiencing what it looks and feels like to be in a Country (and a world) that is in the “birth-pangs” of the Judgment of God against our rebellion. Romans 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” This is present tense; this judgment is taking place now, because we, as a nation are suppressing the truth…His truth.  My friends, we don’t need to be worrying about the consequences of a Clinton presidency or a Trump presidency; this nation should be trembling over the ever growing consequences of being judged by the living God. Do not doubt that God judges nations. The Bible is full of examples and we are no better than they were.

A Word of Counsel and Caution

A number of years ago, based on the observations above and with some good insight from some younger believers, I came to the conviction that it was not wise to connect my Christian faith to a particular political party. Many were offended that “Christian” was synonymous with Republican. The argument was that the glory of our incredible Jesus transcends flawed politics and parties. And I agreed. There is a principle that runs deep in our human nature and it is described well in Romans 2:1, “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you the judge, practice the very same things.” It is interesting how easy it is to begin to do the very thing you hated and not even realize it. So, I caution you, if you didn’t like the faith being identified with Republicans don’t be guilty of practicing the same things. It is such an easy trap for us to fall into and often hard to see without the Spirit’s help. One of the greatest prayers in the Bible is found in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”

My Challenge to You

I believe it’s time for followers of Jesus to rise above the fray. We must leave the fear, the name-calling, the lies, the angst and the vitriol that typifies this current election process to others. Let’s keep ourselves out of all the godless chatter, especially on social media. These times are calling us in a fresh way to stop waging war as the world does. This is our chance to come together in the unity Jesus prayed to His Father to accomplish in His children, “Father may they be one as we are one.” We are family. We eat the same bread and drink the same cup. We are the only light in this darkness. What a tremendous opportunity this election season offers us to speak with one voice about the higher kingdom, to proclaim His excellencies and call people to become citizen of a new race and a holy nation through the good news of Jesus Christ.

We should all be very grateful the Lord allowed us to be American citizens. But I am a million times more grateful to be a citizen of the ultimate kingdom that has righteous leadership and brings the sure promise of real “Hope and Change.” That kind of hope and change doesn’t come through laws and “conversations”, it happens one changed heart at a time. This is the “campaign” we are called to live for and die for. May the Lord give us the courage to separate ourselves, to rise above the clamor and say, “I’m with Him!”

“This I Know, God is for me.” 

Life can throw us hard balls that hit us right between the eyes. I don't know how many times unexpected and trying circumstances have caused me to quote the old adage: "You never know what a day's gonna bring." The tough stuff of life can surely test our faith in God's good promises. While the Apostle Peter tells us not to be surprised when such things interject themselves into our lives (1Peter 4:12), we have an enemy who tries to influence us to think otherwise. This enemy lives to lie to us about God’s character and purposes. Since the garden, Satan’s non-stop mantra has been, “Did God really say?” The most seasoned among us can sometimes find ourselves asking, “Has God forgotten His promises? Has He forgotten me? Does He really keep His word to His children?” 

What can we do when we find ourselves in this place? Why does our loving God allow “the world, the flesh and the devil” to oppress us like this? I sure don’t have all the answers. But one reason I’m sure of is this: He wants us to run to Him and find shelter “under his wings.”

David had a lot of experience with such struggles and puts them into words for us in the Psalms. He shows us how to run to God for shelter. For example, while struggling through an imprisonment by the Philistines in the city of Gath, he took every thought captive with this declaration:

(Psalm 56:8-11) “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! (“God is for me” - ESV)  I praise God for what he has promised; Yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (NLT)

Read that again and notice: David acknowledges that God is keeping close track of his sorrows…God has not forgotten him. He knows that prayer is the pathway to victory. He emphatically knows that God is for him, based on His promises that David will continue to trust. Therefore, David will not be afraid of what will happen… “God is on my side, so what can mortal men do to defeat me?”  

My wife makes almost daily entries into what she calls her, “God Amazes Me Journal.” She records all that she can perceive of God’s providential blessings and “serendipities” that are showered into our lives. This exercise is helpful in creating a healthy perspective on reality – “This I know, God is for me!” So when those “fiery trials” come upon us to test us we will not be surprised as though something strange were happening to us. But we will have the grace to rejoice that we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ (1Peter 4:12-13). A servant is not above his master, if Jesus suffered, we too will suffer (for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross).  

So, my brothers and sisters, concerning those situations that test your faith in the promises of God, remember, you only see a little piece of the picture. Your God sees it all. And when the great liar tries to convince you that The God of Truth is the one who can’t be trusted, declare with all the power of the Spirit within you, “This I know, God is for me!”

"Bless Me, Or I Will Not Let You Go."

In Genesis 32:22-32, we read about a mysterious wrestling match in the middle of the night between Jacob and a “Man” who was apparently God himself (perhaps the pre-incarnate Christ; Jesus before the manger). I cannot unpack the details of the story here, but Jacob’s attitude is very instructive for us in the matter of prayer.

 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26)

At first pass we might be tempted to think Jacob’s attitude is a bit arrogant or presumptuous toward this “God-man.” But isn’t the Lord pleased when we cling to Him for the purpose of obtaining what only He can provide? Jacob wanted the blessing of God. In the context of this passage the blessing Jacob seeks is very likely protection from the wrath of his brother Esau, whom he feared wanted to kill him.

What kind of blessings do you seek from God and with what kind of passion do you seek them? Jacob was passionately crying out to God, wrestling with Him in prayer, because he believed his very life depended on receiving this blessing. I like that. I want to come to the place where I pray like my life depends on it, because in reality does.

If Jacob really was crying out for God’s blessing of protection, I’m good with that. I need protection. Most of the time we consider ourselves “blessed” when God protects us, meets our material needs, our financial needs, our occupational needs, our relational needs, and certainly our health needs. You know... please heal Aunt Martha’s heart condition, give me a better job, save my brother’s marriage and please help my son get through High School. This type of subject matter for prayer has its place, it’s certainly necessary, and God’s answers are a great blessing to our lives. But should prayer of this nature make up the bulk of our time before the throne of God?

What is really on my heart is to challenge us all, as children of an Awesome God, to spend the greater part of our time in prayer wrestling with Him for greater blessings. Let’s write out prayer lists of a different nature.

The following is a sample of the kinds of things I want to cry out to the Lord to bless me with:

 

Prayer List:

 

*Lord, help me truly understand that You are all I need, and in laying down my life for Your glory I will find life as it is meant to be.

*Lord, bless me with the grace to “lift up my eyes” and see this world the way you see it. Break my heart with the things that break yours and thrill my heart with the things you love.
       
 *Lord, deliver me from fearing men and their opinions more than I fear you and your truth. “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

*Lord, bless me with the ability to love, understand, retain and apply what your Spirit teaches me from your Word, which is truth. (“Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in your word.”)

*Lord, create in me a tender heart, full of compassion for others, especially those who do not know you, the only true God.

*Bless me with sons and daughters (natural and spiritual) who know you, walk with you, and fulfill your calling for their lives.

*Bless me with fruitful ministry that I may hear you say on that Great Day, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

*Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:23-24)

So, let us be challenged by the life and death passion with which Jacob wrestled with God for his blessing. And, let us examine the nature of our prayer life. May we take hold of God for the greater blessings of conformity into His image and the grace to produce fruit for His glory.

JESUS...He's Been There and Done That!

Through some missionary friends serving in Peru, I became aware of the plight of a fellow believer by the name of Antonio and his wife Carmen, who have several young children. Antonio was  accused of a crime and has been imprisoned for the last three years while his case has crept through a corrupt judicial system of bribed attorneys and sleeping judges. Strong evidence demonstrates he is innocent of the accusations against him. Nevertheless, this past week he was sentenced to 35 more years in prison. Antonio and Carmen are traumatized. Many who have faithfully prayed are in shocked unbelief. Why has God hidden Himself? Have all our prayers been in vain? Is God really a God who loves and defends His own? In times like these even the strongest might be tempted to ask if God even exists.

For those of you who are presently experiencing a life of sweetness and bliss you can tuck away the following observations for future use, but for the "Antonio's" out their who may be struggling with difficult providences from God...I hope this helps.

Consider Joseph:

In the book on Genesis we have the fascinating account of Joseph. (You know, the favored son with the colorful coat and a bunch of brothers who considered him to be incredibly arrogant and obnoxious.) Joseph's life was profoundly affected by the unjust actions of others: his brothers sold him into slavery, he was falsely accused of rape, resulting in a long undeserved prison sentence. Can you imagine how Joseph's faith was tested as he rotted in that prison; the questions he must have wrestled with after he had been so faithful to God? Had God forgotten him...or, does God always have a plan? You know how the story turns out. This is Joseph's conclusion on the matter when he says to his brothers, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." (Selah) (Read Genesis 45:4-8 and Genesis 50:15-21)

Let Us Fix our Eyes on Jesus:

The greatest example of false accusations, unjust trials and the condemnation of an innocent man is the experience of Jesus Christ Himself. It is indeed hard not to question God's love and faithfulness when we find ourselves on the receiving end of injustice or when circumstances hide God's face from view. But we must ask the question, how much did God love His own son? We clearly know the answer. But the Father not only allowed the unjust suffering and death of His son...He ordained it. The early believers demonstrated their understanding of this aspect of the cross when they acknowledged, "Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will." (Acts 4:27-28 NLT)

Here is the principle we must never forget: Jesus never asks us to walk through anything that He has not already walked through Himself. This is a profound reality! We do not have a High Priest that is unable to sympathize and identify with the things we suffer...He has been there and done that.

Consider (Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT) "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

Please, never doubt your God. Never doubt His unfailing love. Fix you eyes on those like Joseph as a human example but especially on Jesus, He has been through it, He has experienced it, He is our victory.

Please pray for Antonio, Carmen and their children...
 

Lift Up our Eyes!

It has been said that, "When all is said and done, a lot more gets said than done." Well, that has been my story in relation to writing a blog. I've been talking about doing this for a very long time but the time for talk is over. It's a new year, a new season in my life and it's time to crank this thing up. So, here we go...

My intention in writing this blog will be to make observations in relation to the Scriptures, life and worldview. As I do so I hope to encourage you, motivate you, challenge you, exhort you, and maybe even entertain you. I know your time is precious and I will do my best not to waste it, but to help you redeem it.

Why have I named this blog "Lift Up Your Eyes?"

Jesus commands us to lift up our eyes...John 4:35 "Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’?Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white (ripe) for harvest. (NASB). In another translation it says, "open your eyes" (NIV,) and in yet another, "wake up and look around" (NLT). 

So, I've named this blog "Lift Up Your Eyes" in hopes that you and I will do just that. Blog after blog I want to encourage you to "fix your eyes on Jesus"...where else can we look...from where else does our hope come from? This command has captured my heart and my meditations over the last several months. What is being called for here? What is Jesus trying to convey about the focus of our gaze? Would you agree that we are "navel gazers" by nature? More often than not it is our own little kingdom that we are constantly surveying, building and securing. What has been the subject of your thoughts over the last 24 hours? What direction have your eyes been looking? Are your eyes looking down at your own little world or have you found the grace to lift up your eyes and behold the desperate world into which God has sent you as His ambassador?

The great commission requires this of us. God, the true God, is a missionary God. He left the glories of His heavenly homeland and clothing Himself in human flesh He lived and died to seek and save that which was lost. And He says to all who claim to be His followers, "As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you" (John 20:21).

How should this commission affect our daily lives? How would it change our priorities if we actually cared about what Jesus cares about and fearlessly and selflessly followed in His steps? Or, have we been so anesthetized by our materialism, technologies and entertainments that massive numbers of us who claim to know Jesus Christ just don't care anymore?

These are sobering questions to contemplate, but we need to ask them of our own hearts...often. What matters of course is how we answer...how we respond...do you care anymore?