Look Up. Your Redemption Is Drawing Near.

Posted by admin in Life & Death on March 20, 2010

“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  – Luke 21:28

Back in the mid-seventies Hal Lindsay’s book, The Late Great Planet Earth sold millions of copies. Hal is a big proponent of a “pre-tribulation-rapture” whereby Christians will suddenly vanish to meet Jesus in the air and avoid the great tribulation described in Revelation and the Gospels.

However, on that night long ago when I was on a flight to Los Angeles and reading the book of Revelation, I didn’t find much about “rapture.” Instead, I was surprised by the repeated references to Christian suffering, persecution, endurance, and death.

The book of Revelation describes “what soon must take place” and tells us we’ll be blessed if we “hear it and take to heart what is written in it.”

Written by St. John, our “brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus,” he repeatedly warns us to stand fast in the perilous days ahead. He quotes Jesus, who tells the Church to “be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Since that business trip decades ago, I have seen many, many reports of Christian persecution around the world. Recently, these reports have come primarily from Muslim nations and Communist countries where Christians are constantly harassed, tortured, and killed. Sadly, these tragic stories are ignored by mainstream media. Thankfully, Compass Direct still provides daily news reports about them.

Again this week, Compass Direct reported another horrible incident: over 500 Christians were killed March 7th in a massive attack in Nigeria. Then, in a second wave of violence, Muslim Fulani herdsmen unleashed more violence on two villages in Plateau state, killing 13 more Christians, including a pregnant woman and children. In a level of violence characteristic of jihadist method and motive, men in military camouflage and others in customary clothing also burned 20 houses. Christian leaders suspect Islamic extremists are encouraging the attacks.

Photo - Pam Ayuba

Photo - Pam Ayuba

The sobbing women above are grieving over the loss of their loved ones at the Byei massacre in Nigeria – murdered for their faith in Jesus Christ. Obviously, they were not “raptured” without suffering persecution.

What does scripture say about Rapture and the Great Tribulation? Jesus warned the apostles to “watch out that no one deceives you…”

“You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…” (Matt. 24:6-7)

There have been many wars since Jesus spoke those words, especially during the past century. Like the fiery red horse in Revelation 6, Communism was “given power to take peace from the earth.” Estimates include 20-30 million killed in battles, famines and diseases in Russia as a direct result of the Communist movement. In addition, more than 40 million were killed during the 1900s under Communism in China. Millions more were killed in World War I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cuba, Peru, Indonesia, Africa, etc.

And yet Jesus said…
“But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” (Matt. 24:8-9)

“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” (Matt. 24:21-22)

Be Sure You Understand
There is an interesting comment in scripture following Jesus’ warning about the “Abomination of Desolation” in Matthew 24. It says “let the reader understand.” Then He warns us to “flee to the mountains….” And again in Mark 13 following His “Abomination of Desolation” warning, Jesus tells us to “pray that your flight may not be in winter because those days will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now — and never to be equaled again.”

He concludes his warning about the end times with: “So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.” (Mark 13:23) He warns us to watch for certain events and to be ready for them — he doesn’t imply that we will avoid them.

Jesus also encouraged His listeners about Christian persecution:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matt. 5:10,12)

He tells us to avoid persecution if possible:
“When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” (Matt. 10:23)

And He tells us to expect persecution:
“Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:20)

St. Paul and St. Peter warned and encouraged their readers on the subject of suffering for the cause of Christ, and I believe their words will be especially important in the coming days:

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” (II Tim. 3:12)

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:17-18)

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (I Pet. 4:12-13)

Be encouraged again with Jesus’ words:
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  – Luke 21:28

I’ll discuss “these things” Jesus is talking about — the “signs of the times” — in my next blog.

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You Act Differently When You Have Hope

Posted by admin in Forgiveness, Growth, Life & Death on March 8, 2010

This morning my sweetheart said, “You act so different when you have hope.” With just those few words she said so much. And as usual, she was so right.

When I’m excited about what’s happening — or going to happen — I am upbeat and happy. Like when we’re leaving for vacation and I’m full of anticipation and joy. But when our vacation is coming to an end, I don’t always hide my disappointment. (Don’t believe her if she tells you I pouted like a spoiled brat years ago on the final day of our Caribbean cruise. I was just having a particularly bad day – dispite the fact that everything had been just like the weather for seven days straight – perfect!)

I should be happy all the time. I am an amazingly blessed man in this life here on earth.  And knowing that I will someday spend eternity with Him, I should be filled with hope and joy every minute of every day. But how quickly I forget … and whine. (My wife actually has a sign in our kitchen that says ‘Thou Shalt Not Whine.’)

How sad. And scary.
If we are happy, joyful and excited only when things are going well, how are we any different than those who don’t believe in Jesus? We aren’t. And that’s the point Paul was making with the “elementary truths” in Hebrews 6. We can’t move on to maturity until the basics are automatically part of our everyday lives.

What we do with the first five “elementary truths” that I’ve written about for the past few days will determine what happens with the sixth “elementary truth” — eternal judgment.

On the one hand this should be terrific news. We get to determine how and where we spend eternity — blessed beyond our wildest dreams, based on how we love and obey Him (What no eye has seen … God has prepared for those who love Him. – I Cor. 2:9), or cursed (God ‘Will render to each person according to his deeds:’ to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. – Rom. 2:6-8).

On the other hand, knowing we will all face eternal judgment can be terrifying news if we know that we didn’t make the right decision regarding the basics of our Christian faith. We don’t want to face God at judgment if we did not: 1) Repent (turn from our sins to Him) and love Him with all our hearts and minds; 2) walk with Him daily in faith; 3) get baptized in water to demonstrate our faith and get immersed in His Spirit; 4) receive and use the power that is available to us through the laying on of hands; or 5) understand and share the fact that Jesus was resurrected from the dead — and we will be, too.

Are You Ready?
If you haven’t chosen to join the ranks of Christianity and gone through boot camp — the basics of the Christian faith — do it now. It’s not too late. Tell Him you want to know Him better. Turn from your selfishness — 180 degrees — and obey Him. Ask Him to empower you to be different, and believe that He will do it. Find a group of strong believers who can help you grow in your faith. If you do, you’ll face Him with confidence on the day of eternal judgment. And here on earth you’ll have hope. And you’ll act differently.

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world.  – I John 4:11-17

Here are some more scripture verses on eternal judgment…

Jesus is Judge
“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.  – John 5:21-29

We Are Not
Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “Will render to each person according to his deeds:” to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.  – Romans 2:1-16

But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this — not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.  – Romans 14:10-13

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.  – I Corinthians 4:5

Each Of Us Will Face Him
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  – II Corinthians 5:10

The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.  – I Timothy 5:24-25

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.  – Hebrews 9:27-28

Not Everyone Will Reach Heaven
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and “The fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”   – Hebrews 10:26-27

Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter….  – II Peter 2:2-6

For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.  – Jude 4:-7

Final Judgment
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  – II Peter 3:3-7

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth — men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. – I Timothy 2:1-9

Paul’s Charge to Timothy — And Us
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings — what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  – I Timothy 3:10-17

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Hope to Get Through Terrible Times Ahead

Posted by admin in Growth, Life & Death on March 4, 2010

When He appears, we will be like Him … this perishable must put on the imperishable.
                           - I John 3:2, I Corinthians 15:54

This life is not all there is. Everyone will all be raised to life after we die. Christians will spend eternity in paradise with God, while those who reject Jesus Christ will spend eternity in hell, separated from Him. This is the fifth “elementary truth” that Paul mentions in Hebrews 6 — the resurrection.

The first and most important resurrection followed Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. His death and resurrection made it possible for us to spend eternity with Him after we die and are resurrected.

Our Great Hope
Resurrection gives Christians a unique perspective on life here on earth. When trials, tribulations and persecutions arise, our belief — our greatest hope — in the resurrection gives us the faith and strength to persevere and “endure to the end.”

If you believe in Jesus Christ and have chosen to follow Him as His disciple, you will see Him when you die. Your body will be permanently changed. Your attitudes and spirit will be permanently changed. You will be like Him. On the other hand, if you have rejected Him and don’t want to spend your life with Him, you will get what you want — separation from Him, eternally.

You could say you don’t believe in heaven or hell. But that won’t affect their existence anymore than not believing in gravity will keep you from hitting the ground if you jump out of an airplane. The resurrection is a fact that Jesus demonstrated and proved. Many of the most intelligent people who have lived — even those who at first didn’t believe — have been convinced of this fact after examining the evidence. Only our rebellion keeps us from accepting it.

It is crucial that we have a thorough understanding, belief and hope in the resurrection so we will endure in the coming days. God’s word promises the greatest trials are yet to come — trials so great that if He had not shortened the days, even the elect might fall (Matt. 24:22). We need to be convinced of our belief in eternity — and that we will spend it in paradise with Jesus Christ. We must know and believe that we have the same power that brought Jesus Christ back to life – His resurrection power — living within us (Phil. 3:10), in order to get through the days ahead.

Here are a few scriptures about the resurrection and eternal life to help you know what lies ahead…

What Jesus said about it.
“…for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” – Luke 20:36

“…and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” – John 5:29

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

What the apostles — most of whom died for their faith — said about it.
“But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.” – Acts 24:14-15

For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. – Romans 6:5-10

Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. – I Corinthians 6:14

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. – I Corinthians 15:12-14

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep [died]. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. – I Corinthians 15:20-22

But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. – I Corinthians 15:35-44

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – I Corinthians 15:51-57

But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I Believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. – II Corinthians 4:13-14

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:7-15

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep [die], or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. – I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. – 1 Peter 4:12-13

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. – I John 3:2

Believe it!

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When the Going Gets Tough, Don’t Give Up

Posted by admin in Guidance, Life & Death on February 11, 2010

Two prominent Christian men from Wilmington, North Carolina, committed suicide this week. They served their churches, the local community, and went on foreign missions trips to bless many others.

Why?
What made them commit suicide? I certainly don’t know why they did it. But I think I understand what they felt — at least a little bit. About 23 years ago I was close to doing it myself when my wife found me walking alone down a country road. I was so overwhelmed by what seemed like an insurmountable financial dilemma that I left my office in the middle of the day and walked for miles to consider what I should do.

I was totally perplexed and depressed. The Lord had clearly directed me to start the work and ministry I was managing. I had tithed for years. I was convinced that I was right where I was supposed to be when the bottom fell out on “Black Monday” in October, 1987. At that point nothing made sense. I was losing everything I had worked my whole life to attain, and there appeared to be no hope. I was biblical proof of Proverbs 13:12…

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

I thought the easy “solution” was suicide. Of course, I know now that those thoughts were just what the enemy wanted me to believe. He didn’t want me to follow God or be useful to Him…

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.     – I Peter 5:8

Satan often plays on our thoughts and depression to get us right where he wants us…

Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.     – James 3:15

As our Bible study leader pointed out last night, many of us don’t know the important difference between our financial worth and our eternal worth. He reminded us that our society pushes us to evaluate ourselves based on how much we own. Keeping-up-with-the-Jones is taught from cradle to grave, and we are bombarded with materialism on television. We even acquire an education just so we can earn the maximum amount of money, purchase everything we (and our family) desire, and hopefully leave an inheritance when we die.

The more we acquire, the more we have to lose. So those of us who acquire a lot, spend far too much time worrying about losing it. And when we do — and most of us will lose some portion of our material wealth — our disappointment is all the greater.

Our society has it totally backwards, as our Bible study leader pointed out last night with many scripture references. He reminded us to…

Be content.
Contentment isn’t based on what you own. It’s a state of mind and heart…

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.     – Philippians 4:12

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.     – I Timothy 6:8

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”     – Hebrews 13:5

Don’t Worry.
That’s not a suggestion. It’s a command by Jesus himself. So call on Him. He’s totally dependable, and He will provide a way.

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.     – Matthew 6:34

And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.     – Luke 12:9

…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.     – I Peter 5:7

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.     – James 5:13

Find help.
When things fall apart, get help. If you don’t have a close friend you can trust and pray with, find a minister or professional counselor.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.     – Proverbs 17:17

Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you – better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.     – Proverbs 27:10

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.     – James 5:16

It seems like a long time ago when I went through that period of my life. Thankfully my wife, along with a Christian counselor, got me back on track. One of the best things the counselor suggested was the book A Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life by Hanna Whitall Smith. And as I look back now, I realize those struggles – and that book – prepared me to handle even greater trials later on.

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Why Are So Many People In Haiti Suffering, Again?!

Posted by admin in Acts Of God, Life & Death on January 14, 2010

I know there are biblical answers to the question, ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’

I’ve heard respected, highly-educated theologians teach on the subject, and I’ve read some good articles about it. The answers made so much sense at the time.

But when I see the news reports of what’s happening in Haiti — the loss of so many loved ones and the horrible pain and suffering that so many people are enduring — the best answers in the world don’t seem to make sense. And they don’t make the grief go away.

The Bible clearly states that God punishes individuals for their sins. It also says He judges and punishes nations. But when Jesus’ disciples asked whose sin caused a man’s blindness — his or his parents – Jesus said it was neither.

When Satan went before God and asked permission to torment Job, God gave it to him, even though the Bible — God’s word — clearly states that Job was a righteous man. How can that be? How could a loving God allow such bad things to happen?

I posed some questions over lunch today with my friend, Lee Grady, the editor of Charisma magazine.

(Charisma is published by Strang Communications in Lake Mary, Florida. Lee was a reporter and writer many years ago for my newsletter, National & International Religion Report.)

Before I asked Lee why bad things happen to good people, I asked him if he thought we were getting close to Judgment Day. He said he doesn’t concern himself too much with the timing of the Day. He feels we have too many more-important things to do before the Day gets here, and he wants to invest himself in things that matter most.

When I asked about God letting these things happen in Haiti, Lee reminded me of some horrifying natural disasters where Christians responded in major ways, sending both supplies and people to help those who were devastated: thousands of missionaries and Christian aid workers responded quickly to the 2002 earthquake in Afghanistan in 2002; the devastating tsunami that killed over 230,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand; and hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Another interesting thing  Lee mentioned: following the 8.1-magnitude earthquake in 1985 that devastated Mexico City there was a massive outpouring of help from Christians. Since then, there has been a dramatic surge in Protestant Christianity. Could this be a direct result of the hard work by these missionaries and Christian aid workers?

Regardless, I don’t have the answers for all this pain. But I know Who does… And someday I hope to ask Him.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.     – I Peter 1:3-9

I left Lake Mary, Florida, and headed to Clearwater…

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Death Still Hurts, No Matter What You Believe

Posted by admin in Life & Death, More On Us on October 24, 2009

My sister was sobbing when I answered her call last night. Caller ID told me who it was before I picked up the phone. When I heard her uncontrollable crying I was shaken.

Her best friend from high school — for over 45 years — had died unexpectedly in her sleep. My sister was crushed. “I won’t see her anymore!” she said between sobs.

Memories of her friend flashed through my mind: the three of us riding to high school together; smoking cigarettes; swimming at night; skipping school; parties. After high school the two of them went to California and Hawaii together. And during that hippy era, they sent me my first (and only) foofy hippy shirt for my birthday.

They were always a team. Friends for life, even though they weren’t living in the same town.

I wept silently with my sister on the phone, while I tried to console her and cheer her up. She sounded much better by the time we hung up, but I knew what she would do after we talked. She would cry. And then cry some more.

Many years ago I would feel sorry for people who lost family members or friends. But I didn’t understand what it meant to grieve or mourn. I had never felt that pain for myself.

My relationship with my dad had been strained over the years. When he was about five years old his father died, so he didn’t have a great example to follow. His marriage to my mom ended long before their actual divorce. The first time he left our home I was about 13. Then he came back and my mom left. They fought over custody of us, and had us testify in court against each other. It was a crazy life.

Members of the Greatest Generation

Members of the 'Greatest Generation'

After I came back from California, and for the first few years of my marriage, my relationship with my dad improved. By the time I was 25 he and I really got along. One day we went to lunch together and I shared the good news about Jesus with him, while we ate apple pie a la mode. He actually prayed with me in the restaurant.

I felt my dad had earned the reputation to be part of Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation.” He had been a sitting duck in B-17 airplanes when he flew missions over France and Germany during World War II. But he wouldn’t talk about it. He never bragged. Despite our family problems, he was my hero. Only my wife could give me greater joy than my dad. When we laughed together or he gave me his smile of approval, I really experienced love.

Back then a lot of dads didn’t hug their sons. It wasn’t manly. My dad was a ‘real man’ so he didn’t hug. But he laughed and joked and had a way of letting you know how he felt… and his handshake was just as meanful as any hug I’ve ever gotten.

In early 1974, soon after my second son was born, and just before I had to leave on a week-long business trip to Los Angeles, my dad came over to visit. We listened to a tape by David Wilkerson. When I got back from LA I called my dad to say hello. I spoke to my stepmother instead, who said my dad wasn’t feeling well.

I went to bed that night 35 years ago, and at 3:30 a.m. the phone rang. It was my stepmother. She was sobbing just like my sister was last night. I could barely understand what she was saying… “He’s dead. Your father died!”

How could that be?! He was fine when I saw him a week ago. He’d been exercising for weeks, walking everyday. He’d lost 20 pounds on a diet. And he was down to just one or two cigarettes a day. I thought he was healthy!

That was the first time I ever really knew what grief and mourning was like… I could actually feel the pain physically in my stomach and chest. Sometimes it was difficult to breathe. This kind of thing only happened to other people, right? Not anymore.

Of course, I knew my dad was in heaven. I knew what God had done for him many years ago on the cross, as well as what He had done in him recently. But the pain was still terrible. Almost overwhelming. Now I understood Jesus’ words. Mourn with those who mourn. It wasn’t just the polite thing to do anymore. I truly understoon the pain of losing someone you love.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.  - I Thes. 4:13-18

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