The War Against God, by Pastor Ed Evans

Scripture:  Psalm 14

14:1  Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.
14:2  The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.
14:3  They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.
14:4  Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?
14:5  There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous.

14:6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.
14:7  O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.      

          There used to be a TV series called "Evening Shade" starring Burt Reynolds, with Charles Durning as the philosophizing old Southern doctor who would often shake his head and declare, "The world's gone noouuts."  I heard his voice in my head this past week, observing the hue and cry and calls for boycotts over words the CEO of Chick-Fil-A never said.  Supporters of the same-sex marriage idea went ballistic after CNN reported that CEO Dave Cathy came out publicly in an interview against same-sex marriage.  But transcripts bear out that isn't what he said.  In answer to an interviewer's question, Cathy stated he believed in traditional family values.  The story went on to allege that meant Cathy refused to support same-sex values.  Since the company has always closed on Sunday their Christian values were no secret, but now homosexual supporters called for a nationwide boycott.

          Roseanne Barr announced those who eat at Chick-Fil-A "deserve to get cancer."

This past Friday the Chick-Fil-A corporate VP for PR died of a heart-attack, and already Chick-Fil-A's opponents are mocking his death.

           On the Internet, discussions about Chick-Fil-A have turned into a blatant attack on God, on Jesus Christ, and Christianity in general.  But it has not stopped with trashing Chick-Fil-A, it was if a dam of hatred and evil invective had burst.

          Foul-mouthed TV host Kathy Griffin viciously attacked 17-year-old Willow Palin, clling her a "dirty whore and future porn star."

          The founder of Amazon.com gave $2.5 million to fight for same-sex marriage.

          Actress Ellen Barkin denounced conservatives, sending out hate-filled rants about the death of Internet guru Andrew Breitbart, a devoted husband and father of four.

          When the CEO of Chick-Fil-A was recently asked on a radio interview if he was against same-sex marriage, he said he was for one-man, one-woman marriage.  Now organizations supporting homosexuality have announced a nationwide boycott of Chick-Fil-A, and the mayors of Boston and Chicago announced they don't want Chick-Fil-A in their cities.  Even the ACLU came out against those statements.

          Again I could hear the old doctor on Evening Shade, intoning, "The world's gone noooouuts."

          Sometimes you have to wonder how some of these people found their way out of the birth canal.  But as I was reminded, some didn't, they were pulled out.

          But where does all this hate come from?

          And if you are thinking it all comes from liberals and leftist idealogues, you would be wrong.  There are those claiming to speak for God who spew hatred, as well.  But whether it comes from the right or left, it originally comes from the Father of Lies.  For Satan gives away the game when those he influences to hate their brother also misrepresent God while arguing for or against homosexuality.

          As I have often said, there is no good way to do a wrong thing.  You cannot hate your homosexual brother, or sister, and love God.  Even holy scripture says you can't do that.  It's in 1st John 3:15 that we find, "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
          But this hate-filled war against Biblical ethics and morals is not just a war against Christians or their beliefs, it is a war against God, against Jesus Christ, against the influence of the Holy Spirit.  To rebel against God is to war against Him.  This becomes even more obvious when those who support same-sex activity claim the Bible is an out-of-touch book written by 40 different authors with lots of contradictions, or it was written by the "Illumanati", or it just has no bearing on our life today because we don't sacrifice animals to God, or we meet on the wrong day, or all religion is just a crutch.  All are shallow misstatements that say more about the claimant than the Bible.

          Almighty God is as clear in His words to us about the issue of same-sex as he is about pre-marital sex, about thievery, about murder, and more; "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."  (1st Cor. 6:9-10)  We will not see the unrepentant in heaven.

          We who follow Jesus Christ need to be very concerned about those who practice such as this.  Not because they might convince us of their argument, but because they will not convince themselves of the reality of the Living God.  They have put themselves on His throne in their lives, convincing themselves, as verse 1 of Psalm 14 says, "There is no God," and all the perversions and ill-behavior mentioned in Psalm 14 become theirs.

          They remind me of a TV commercial seen recently, where one guy is telling another that he is 99.99% certain of whatever it was he was telling the other one. The first guy says, "So you don't know."  And so it is with most honest people.  We just don't know in a scientific demonstrable way, what is certain and what is not.  It is all probability.  In a court room, a person is found guilty or innocent on a preponderance of evidence.  Within Christianity we believe in our Redeemer based on a preponderance of evidence. My faith in God cannot be proven scientifically.  If I tell you I had lunch alone on a certain hillside yesterday, at 12 noon, there is no way to scientifically prove it, yet I was there.  And so is My Lord and Savior.  He was there.  And He still is, and is still with me, as well.  Given all the evidence in favor of the infallibility of the Bible we believe in it beyond all ancient manuscripts.  For it has the most evidence for reliability and being what it claims to be. Yet I can't prove it above that 99.99% of certainty.  Rather, the amount of evidence produced allows us to rely upon it's trustworthiness, as a matter of faith.  God, in His love for us, has given us the highest probability possible that we may believe.  If we had proof positive of the Bible's reliance, of the presence of God, it would not be a matter of faith and belief.

          This conflict over same-sex issues is not just a matter of different ideas, but a matter of different ideals and goals.  Those who rebel against God want to satisfy their own desires, despite what God has said.  They have a problem with His authority.  And as do many who are centered on self, who want what they want, regardless, men and women tend to resort to bullyism to demand they get their way.

          In this most recent outbreak of it, those who support same-sex marriage are attempting to bully those who have a right to their opinion, even if dissenting.  They have that right to an opinion, on both sides of the issue, because this is still America.  And if those against same-sex marriage decide to bully those who are for it, with tactics such as are being seen against Chick-Fil-A and others, we should stand against that, as well.  Bullying for anything changes no one's mind, in fact it just more resolutely hardens opinions so there is no room for open discussion.

          My Christian friends, homosexuality is a selfish concentration on what pleases us, becoming our idol, what we pay most attention to, replacing God on the throne of our life.  Only Christ and His influence, working through those who rebel, can make them see they are nothing, He is all. They need good friends who can tolerate -- not accept or support -- but tolerate their idolatry of self. I am personally familiar with what goes on socially among these folks, and often there is violence involved, as making "natural" what is known in the heart to be unnatural takes a toll on both partners. I know, there will be those here who castigate me for speaking plainly to you, but I urge you not to push them away, but to remain friends, to pray for them, for only Christ and His influence working through them can convince them that they are nothing, as we are nothing, and He is all.  Those who choose to continue in error, in the face of hard evidence that such behavior is a choice, and in the face of a continuing lack of even scientific evidence to the contrary -- with no lack of repeated attempts to prove otherwise, that there is a "homosexual gene" -- merely confuses the issue for others.

          In fact, from a purely scientific point of view, Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion affirms that "To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction; something observable in everyday life, and applicable in this context.  Newton's laws of motion are three physical laws that form the basis for classical mechanics.

          So when we as a people see actions taking place such as the evil of the attack on the people of New York City on September 11, 2001; when we see the massacre of Christian men, women and children, and their homes and churches burned in Africa, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and elsewhere; when we see the senseless attack of a gunman on theater attendees in Aurora, Colorado, we know that evil exists.  And if the common sense law of Isaac Newton holds any sway at all, then where there is evil, there is good.  And what is observable all over this earth is the ongoing war between good and evil, between Satan and God.  Time to choose sides.

          The book that pre-dates all other books of historical, religious and law-giving precedence, the Bible, tells us this war has been an observable activity since the very beginning of time.  And for the very same reason that a thief kills a drug store clerk and robs the store -- someone wants something someone else has -- that war between good and evil continues in a range from a stolen toy to a the threat of nuclear holocaust.

          On that basis, no one should be surprised that when good raises its hand and says to the community, national or otherwise, that what we are entering into is not good, it is evil, then evil is going to climb on its hind legs and use every weapon in its arsenal to silence that voice.  And that is what is happening now as commercial companies and larger enterprises, for a profit motive, climb on the homosexual bandwagon. 

          These decisions are apparently based on the belief that by coalescing with the homosexual agenda -- which they must believe is gaining adherents -- their customer base will be enlarged and their profits increased.

          I believe they are mistaken.  But I also believe they are more than mistaken, I believe they have forsaken the good of their fellow man and entered into a war against God.

          Practically no companies have come out in support of scriptural prerogatives as has the Chick-Fil-A restaurant chain.  When asked about his beliefs, CEO Dan Cathy said, "I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.'" He continued, "I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."

          In a statement made following the CEO's remarks, Chick-fil-A reaffirmed its foundation on "Biblically-based principles," but also said that "The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect –regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender." Company officials said that they plan to "leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena" in the future.  However, the fact that the company both hires and serves homosexuals without discrimination has not saved them from becoming a boycott target among those in support of the homosexual agenda.

          In this case, the company's opinion is of little consequence, actually, for God has had His say about the subject of sexual perversion, as well as those who rebel against Him.  When you take a stand against what He has said, it is good to recognize that you as a human being who is here for a short time and then gone like a breath of wind, is taking a stand against the Creator of human life, the controller of wind and seas, and all human life.

          Those who have made a decision to turn their life over to the Son of God, Jesus who is the Christ, and allow the will of Almighty God to work through them, need to live out loud the life God has provided, and step away from those who are at war with God, even as we pray for them.

          Throughout our life we will meet those who believe with all their heart that their narrow view of life and what constitutes happiness is all there is.  But through Jesus Christ we have the freedom to a much more expansive view of life, here and beyond, and the freedom to love even those who hate us.  For no one who hates his brother can love God.  Please, friends, love God.  Make that decision for life, everlasting.  Amen.

Week of Worship

July 29, 2012

Invocation:  O God, creator of all humankind, I  ring to You the cares and concerns of all Your creatures.  Look now to those who cry for help from every corner of the earth, for You alone are able to satisfy our deepest desires.  Amen.

Read: Psalm 63

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday                Genesis 22:1-14

Tuesday               1st Timothy 6:11-19

Wednesday          Psalms 68-10
Thursday              John 10:1-18

Friday                   Matthew 7:1-12

Saturday               1st Peter 5:1-11

Sunday                 2nd Samuel 12:1-14; Ephesians 3:14-21; Psalm 32;

                             John 6:1-15 

Reflection: (silent and written)

Prayers for the church, for others, for yourself.

Hymn: "By Gracious Powers"

Benediction:  And now, my God, as I go to my place in the world, go with me.  May the peace of sin forgiven and the power of your Holy Spirit work in me and through me to Your glory.  Amen.

USMC Memorial Day Message from a Retired Marine

As this Memorial Day, honoring our veterans of every uniform, approaches, I want to share some thoughts and concerns about my Marine Corps today.  Yes, "my" Marine Corps, for like many I invested my life in it, and friends of mine died in that uniform so I, and others, would have a right to our say.

The point of my concern this day is Marine Corps leadership.

A news story dated May 24, 2012, and headlined "General restricts war zone photography," carried this information: "Rank-and-file personnel assigned to Regional Command Southwest, headquartered here in Helmand province, have been ordered to take photographs only for official purposes while outside the wire, said Maj. Gen. Charles Gurganus, head of I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). Recreational souvenir photographs — “happy snaps,” as Gurganus called them — should only be taken on bases in-between missions, he said.

My point of concern, about this issue, is that I believe Marine Corps leadership has missed a step.  The time to nip in the bud those unauthorized and embarrassing photographs and videotapes is before Marines get on the field of battle.  United commanding officers, Sergeants Major, and First Sergeants, right on down to the lowly Corporal commanding a Fire Team, are all quite capable of saying, "If you take photos or videos that embarrass the command or the Marine Corps or yourself, I'll have your ass!", and making it stick.  Leadership in the Marine Corps has never been about rules and regulations.  It's about getting Marines to do what you want them to do, from the point of leadership.

Along those lines, this is all leading up sharing the words of a retired Marine Corps Colonel, whose permission to share I have not asked, so he will remain nameless. Writing about our current leadership miscues in the Marine Corps, the Colonel addresses, specifically, an ALMAR (message from CMC, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, to all Marines) relative to the issue of homosexuality in the military and the absence of the previous "Don't Ask Don't Tell" dictum.  He writes:

" I read the CMC's comments with stunned disbelief. As a platoon commander the problems he outlines (the SS emblem with the Snipers and the urinating on the dead Taliban) would have made for an easy day. Marine Snipers have used the SS emblem for over 40 years. The SS had it for less than 10 and had no copyright on it. We won, we took it, and we made it our own. End of message. As for the dumbshits who photgraphed themselves pissing on the
 Taliban. CMC comment should have been: "I am aware, and we don't condone this behavior. Their chain of command will deal with their lack of judgment. This incident not withstanding, I want to reinforce that Marine behavior on a very tough battlefield has been uniformly remarkable fortheir honor and compassion. It is not something I can say for the foul deeds our
 enemies perpetrate every single day. Frankly there is no comparison byany rational measure. Next question."

The phrase once familiar to all Marines was "Shape up or ship out," a command level way of saying what was commanded in the ranks: "Do your duty or I'll have your ass!"

I echo the Colonel's words.  Wish I had said them.

I don't understand why, but leadership, the hallmark of Marine Corps discipline, seems to have taken a backseat to CYA in some quarters.  I say I don't understand it because it was alive and well when I retired in 1986. Marines took care of one another, but a Corporal on duty still had no friends. The Corps will bounce back.  America still breeds fighting men.  But those who would harm our nation know full well they must cut the ground out from under fighting Marines, and that effort seem to be coming from some strange quarters.  The Corps' ace in the hole are the Marines like those who have already served, and are now threaded throughout nation.  Neither America nor the Corps' older Marines will see the Corps destroyed, because so long as there is a Marine Corps, there will be an America. 

May God richly bless, on this Memorial Day weekend, all those who have served in the uniform of their nation, and all those within their military families. 
For they also serve who stand and wait.  So yes, God bless our United States Military Forces, and God bless America.

-- Ed Evans, MGySgt. of Marines, USMC (Ret.) 

Blogger Mark America: 'Conservative Revolt Under Way?'

Mark America

Winning Hearts, Changing Minds, One American at a Time

Top Posts & Pages

• Hooah: Allen West Responds to Marine Urination Incident: War is Hell
• Rick Santorum Says Romney Disqualified

Conservative Revolt Under Way?

http://markamerica.com/2012/01/17/conservative-revolt-under-way/

Filed under: Campaigns, Election 2012,GOP Candidates, GOP Establishment,Mitt Romney, News, Politics

17 January, 2012

Conservatives Ready to Stomp RINOs?

After Monday nights Fox News GOP Debate in South Carolina, it seems that a fair number among the conservative base of the GOP is on the cusp of open revolt against the party establishment that keeps shoving Mitt Romney down our throats.  His insistence on delaying disclosure of his tax returns until April signifies the fact that he has some weakness there he doesn’t want exposed until after he expects to have the nomination locked up, but he didn’t even firmly commit to that time-frame.  This is something we must demand of all the GOP candidates.  None should escape our examination.  The last thing we need is a candidate with warts that will be exposed later, once nominated, that will cost us the election and shaft us with another four years of Barack Obama.

It’s bad enough that the party establishment has pushed up the schedule in the early states in order to close off debate sooner, but I don’t think they planned on this reaction by the base.  People are now starting to ask: “Hey, what’s in those tax returns” or “why are we being told this guy is inevitable?”  As this goes on, it’s becoming clear that there is a portion of the media, even non-traditional media, that is pushing certain polls at us relentlessly showing Romney way ahead, while the truth on the ground in South Carolina and elsewhere may be something else entirely.

Suddenly the “inevitable” emperor has no clothes, and people are beginning to seriously questions Romney’s electability.  The entire question of his tax returns is an indictment, and while some pro-Romney hacks are trying to dismiss that as some sort of attack on capitalism, it has become clear that this is now their canned defense for any criticism. You can’t talk about Romney’s stammering answer on disclosing his tax returns in the name of transparency and openness without somebody trying this lame defense of Romney.  This has nothing to do with capitalism, and everything to do with Romney’s willingness to submit to inspection by the people from whom he wants financial and voting support.

Is the conservative revolt now getting under way?  Is it too little, too late?  Will Romney succeed in stealing this nomination process with the assistance of a willing media establishment?  Time will tell, but I have begun to notice that many people are no longer taking this sitting down. Rise, conservatives! Rise Tea Party! Say “No” to candidates who will not disclose their tax documents!  The New York Times, in crediting Sarah Palin for pointing out this problem, went on to state the following:

“Mr. Romney also can look to his own father, George. He released a dozen years of tax returns when he ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in 1968, leading Richard Nixon to follow suit.”

I will not vote for any candidate who refuses to disclose his tax returns.  Nobody should.  This election is too important to the future of the country to wind up stranded in September or October with a damaged candidate who cannot win.  We need to see this information now, before we choose.  It’s our country, and it’s our choice!

War is Hell

Hooah: Allen West Responds to Marine Urination Incident: War is Hell

13 January, 2012

Allen West (R-FL)

The Weekly Standard is reporting on a statement via email from Congressman Allen West(R-FL) on the incident involving Marines who urinated on three Taliban Corpses.  West is known particularly for his own service, having retired from the Army  as a Lt. Colonel.  His statement reflects the view of a military realist, who understands the real nature of war, and the things that sometimes happen on the battlefield.  I think the hand-wringers would do well to listen to West on this one, as his statement comports well with my own statement on the matter.   I wish all of our veterans in government were willing to be this blunt:

“I have sat back and assessed the incident with the video of our Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. I do not recall any self-righteous indignation when our Delta snipers Shugart and Gordon had their bodies dragged through Mogadishu. Neither do I recall media outrage and condemnation of our Blackwater security contractors being killed, their bodies burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah.

“All these over-emotional pundits and armchair quarterbacks need to chill. Does anyone remember the two Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?

“The Marines were wrong. Give them a maximum punishment under field grade level Article 15 (non-judicial punishment), place a General Officer level letter of reprimand in their personnel file, and have them in full dress uniform stand before their Battalion, each personally apologize to God, Country, and Corps videotaped and conclude by singing the full US Marine Corps Hymn without a teleprompter.

“As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell.”

Here There is Victory

by Pastor Ed Evans

Scripture:  Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75

³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:  “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown You.” And all the other disciples said the same.

⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

⁷¹ Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

⁷² He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

⁷³ After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

⁷⁴ Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”  Immediately a rooster crowed. 

⁷⁵ Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.”  And he went outside and wept bitterly.

          On Sunday, June 13, 2004, Matt Starr was at Ameriquest Field in Arlington, Texas, watching the home team Rangers take on the St. Louis Cardinals. When a foul ball was hit toward where he was sitting, the 28-year-old landscaper leapt over the seat in front of him. Even though the ball had landed at the feet of 4-year-old Nicholas O’Brien, Starr knocked the boy against the seats and pounced on the ball. The boy’s mother, insulted by the aggressive behavior, swatted him with her program, while fans chanted, "Give the boy the ball." But, clutching the ball to himself, Starr returned to his seat unwilling to part with his new souvenir.
          Even the ballplayers witnessed Starr’s actions. Between innings, Cardinals’ outfielder, Reggie Sanders, went into the stands to give the boy a bat.  Nicholas also received souvenirs from the Texas Rangers, including one signed by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.  Video of Starr’s self-serving behavior was shown on television stations across the country.
          When interviewed on Good Morning America, Edie O’Brien, Nicholas’ mother, admitted calling Starr a jerk, among other names.  "I said, ’You trampled a 4-year-old boy to get this ball,’ and he said, ’Oh, well.’"
          Four days later, Starr, a former youth minister at a nearby church, expressed sorrow for his behavior.  He agreed to send a letter of apology to the O’Brien family.  Starr also indicated he would give the boy the ball.  In addition, he would buy tickets for the entire family to a future Rangers’ game.

          I'm not sure which is worse, succeeding when we set out to do a wrong thing -- because we who belong to Christ are usually very capable people -- or the crushing guilt and remorse when our Lord looks at us as He looked at Peter when that rooster crowed.  For in that moment -- that moment -- it all comes rushing back at us that yes, we could do that, and we could win, but our priorities are all wrong, and we have stepped away from where Christ wants us to be.  Where are we going?

          It's never the sudden realization that we have transgressed a set of ethics, a list of moral objectives we've set for our self.  No, it's the sudden knowing that Jesus is standing there looking at us, the rooster has just crowed, and time waits on us to see what we are going to do, now that we know we know.

          You see, this year, the year 2012, is about Him.  As we reflect on the old year behind us and look into the new, we need to remember to keep our focus fixed on Christ.  No matter what happens in this new, unblemished year, whether it brings great blessings or hard times, let’s make sure to hold on to, to lean on the Christ, to trust in Him.

          Looking hard into the misty future of the year before us, ask yourself, if I were to be led astray -- like going after a foul ball and knocking a four-year-old aside to get it -- how might that happen?  After all, forewarned is forearmed, right?  Getting into Satan's mind and knowing that "He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world" is our key to victory (1st John 4:4).  So let's look at five ways we might be deceived.

          Perhaps you remember from your Bible that you aren't going to recognize Satan by his clothing or actions; no fiery red pitchfork, pointed ears or forked tail.  He'll be kind, polite, winsome, and attractive.  But underneath he's ugly and deceptive.

          First of all, he may try to convince you that you're not just someone, you are "something" of importance; you are special.  We know from 1st Corinthians 12:21 that God never uses one special person to touch everyone, but together we get the job done.  It's a combination of spiritual gifts God uses to build up the body, for as that verse in Corinthians teaches us, "And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.'"

          You and I are part of the "someones." Uniquely gifted, God uses each one of us and our giftedness to both reach the lost and build up those who are His.  As people are helped and blessed, they let you know.  And they should!  All of us need to be encouraged.

          One encouraging comment can become several repeated comments, sometimes many comments. They come verbally, they come through text messages and emails. Sometimes comments you make get repeated on a website or two, and then you might find people have referred to you on Twitter or Facebook.

          That's when Satan causes you to think you're not only someone, you are SOMETHING.  Pride creeps in -- not overnight, just one Sunday at a time.  In six months, you start to be a different person.  You begin to think, "Where would this church, this business, these people be without me?  Why don't others develop the skills that I have? I never knew God was going to so abundantly use me."

          The answer to the problem here is two-fold. First, have an accountability partner who is honest enough to tell you every time they see something prideful about you.  But don't get defensive, since they are probably right and are trying to help, not hurt.  Trying to help as you asked them to.  Secondly, every day consider this: Should you be wiped off the scene today, the work of Christ would go on pretty much unhindered.  It is His plan, not yours.  This fact is sobering to say the least and will keep you right where you need to be -- feeling dependent, undeserving, and grateful.  Luckily for us men, we usually have a wife, or a girl friend, or a daughter who feels it is their mission in life to keep us humble.  Thank God for them.

          Secondly, as disciples of Christ, Satan will often suggest to us that instead of sharing something relevant, we need to bring something new to the game, something only we see and can teach.

          For we who are called to preach, the job is well defined. 2nd Timothy 4:2 says, "Preach the word! " That means our message is confined to what He says.  We are not teaching something new but truth as old as the Bible itself.  We don't have to make it relevant; it is relevant.  All we have to do is communicate effectively to the people.  This is why the pressure we need to feel is not how to come up with a truth our people have never heard but truth God gave years ago and put it in words that are meaningful and applicable. Sometimes we teach the same truth 50 times. It's been accurately stated that effective communication is saying the same thing in different words.

          The story is told of the old preacher who preached the same sermon twice in a row.  His Elders asked him if he was aware that was the same sermon he preached the previous Sunday.  He said, "Yes, I am, and when I see that you have understood it I'll go to something new."

          For those not called to preach, Jesus gave us explicit directions in His Sermon on the Mount, through the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12, and then the New Testament writers spend the rest of the Bible using those Beatitudes to give us more explicit directions for a life dedicated to Jesus Christ.

          However, as long as we are Christians, Satan will be trying to convince you and me that people are tired of hearing the same old thing.  Therefore, instead of feeling the need to use sentences, illustrations, and analogies that drive truth home in a fresh way, you think that you need to come up with something new, period -- something never thought of, never taught, and never heard.  Something new about the mind, marriage, relationships, spiritual growth, love, hate, or a long list of things. Soon you have stepped outside the Scriptures, teaching your thoughts instead of His. Discerning people will appropriately begin to say, "I'm not sure that's what the Scriptures say." The difference is profound. God has never promised to bless your word; He's only promised to bless His.

          The answer for you and for me is to get down on our knees, open the Bible in front of us, and utter a simple prayer, such as: "Don't let me stray outside this Bible, but help me live and teach what is in this book clearly and effectively.  Amen."

          Then, we can approach someone in our church who is very knowledgeable in the Word and say to them, "If you hear me say something strange, don't just accept it.  Ask me about it, and don't assume that because I'm a Christian or the preacher that I am right.  Hold me to account." That person should regard you highly for caring enough to make sure you are living the thoughts of Jesus, not your owrn.  My favorite prayer right here is "More of You, Lord, and less of me."

          Third, Satan is going to try and tell you what your mission as a Christian is, and what it is not.  But Satan has no say in that, whatsoever.

          For example, whatever gift God has shared with you, Satan may try to convince you that you must evangelize, you MUST convert every set of eyeballs in front of you.  But if those senior Christians around you, and your pastor have spent any time in the Word, they know 2nd Timothy 4:5: "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."  You see, when Paul wrote that, he was not addressing Timothy as a gifted evangelist, but Timothy as a gifted pastor-teacher.  And let me point out right here that some of are called to evangelize through the spoken word, and some of us are called to draw people to Christ by the life we live, by the gifts He has given us; we teach without words, by song, by music, by extending the hand of Christ to those in need.

          And yet, be cautious, for Satan will try to define that verse for you. He will urge you that you have to stand before people and evangelize, evangelize, and evangelize.  That way, you feel that you have done your part.  But remember it isn't what you do that counts, but what Christ does through you.

          But Satan isn't going tell you that people who want the peace of Christ which they see in you are most apt to do what you do, not what you say. If you talk about the lost, they will talk about the lost. If you reach out with the hand of Christ, they will reach out with the hand of Christ.  Examples, not exhortation, change the hearts of people.

          Paul in Ephesians 6:19–20, said to ask people to pray for you that when you open your mouth, the words of our Lord will come out of it and boldly.  Once again, find an accountability partner.  Once a month, have that person ask you, "What have you done to reach out this week to a lost person?"  I assure you, that can change lives, and -- guess what -- change churches.

          Fourth, Satan will do his best to convince you that you can attain spirituality through busy-work and preparation.  But if it doesn't change you, if you have not been so deeply touched by a passage that you become a passionate channel to transfer the blessing to others, it won't touch anyone else, either.  If what we do and say touches others for Christ, it shows in the way we come across.  Our whole demeanor is not, "This is what you need." Instead, it is, "This is what God showed me I need, and I know you're going to be blessed by it, too."  Sometimes you may not be sure whether it's a sermon or a testimonial.

          But Satan uses the struggles each of us faces.  For example, time. You can begin to think you don't have time to get alone with God, so your life kicks into high gear with only a few moments of prayer.  And we starve, spiritually.

          Since our God is a God of grace, He obviously understands our time constraints and He loves us, but He also desires our fellowship, as 1st John 1:3 assures us, "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.  And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ."  Those moments when we close our ears to everyone else's voice, to the noise of the world, and just listen to His as it comes through devotional study of the Word -- those uninterrupted moments with your best friend -- are what keep you fresh. Some of those times cause tears to run down your cheeks as He shows you areas in which you're flawed and need improvement, but you still come away feeling energized. Interestingly enough.  Those who have fallen away from the Lord from lofty perches have often commented that where they made their mistake was neglecting their quiet time with Him.

          Consider creating a hallowed spot.  For me, it's my chair out in my Florida room with all the plants, where God and I meet each morning.  Reading daily devotionals, comparing the content and intent of His Word, I may cover one verse or I may cover a chapter, and sometimes it depends on how long I spend in prayer.  I don't care.  What I do care about is that I go from there into my day's activity with one truth to meditate on for that day, a verse, a truth.  I also keep the prayer requests others give Him in a notebook, so I'm careful not to forget.  I come away fed, energized, helped, and encouraged -- as only the One who saved me more than 54 years ago can do.  Don't ask me why He would ever want to be with someone so depraved as me.  But He can't wait to respond to me, and I can't wait to live out each day for Him.

          Finally, and listen carefully, finally, Satan will convince you that "You're not getting the attention you deserve."  That, in essence was his message in the Garden of Eden.  But it's frustrating, isn't it?  You may be more faithful in your study and worship of Him than anyone you know, but somehow they get the recognition and you don't. What follows is money.  Increased recognition brings increased funds with it.  So while you and your family struggle to make it, others seem to be doing quite well.

          Satan can convince you that you have a right to be frustrated. You are not getting half the attention you deserve. Soon your frustration turns to others whom you deem responsible -- your mate, your children, your co-workers, your boss, your preacher, the board members, the church, and no one understands.  Tension builds, and Satan stands on the sideline smiling.  Correction: he's laughing.

          What can we do?  Go back to the starting block. If you don't memorize, at least  master 1st Corinthians 4:2, "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." Note the word is "faithful," not "famous."  Place it in front of you on the desk.  Hang it in your office.  But don't just memorize it; swallow it.  Absorb it into your spiritual being so that it becomes a governing principle of your life.

          Why should you do that?  Because God is the keeper of the books.  No good deed goes unrewarded.  No amount of discipleship goes unnoticed.  No mistakes are made in His bookkeeping.  Everything due to you will come in terms of recognition, if not now, then later.  He promises, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work" (Revelation 22:12).  Think about that -- who would you rather be rewarded by?  Someone down here who only sees a lot of what you do, not who you are in God's eyes, or someone "up there" who sees all of what you do and who you are?

          So there you have it, Satan's tactics and how to prevent them.  But don't just know them, ACT on them.  Let Satan know in no uncertain terms that his tactics won't work with you.  James 4:7 promises, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you."  Your prayers and action will give him a not-so-subtle message: "I'm not interested in a truce; I'm only interested in victory.  And victory will be mine through Jesus Christ."  Amen.

                                                                                               

Week of Worship

January 8-14, 2012

Invocation:  O God, sovereign Lord over all creation, without whom all purposes are futile, grant me today the assistance of Your Spirit.  In  all the surprises and changes of life, may I fix my heart upon You, so that Your eternal purposes may be fixed in me.  In the name of Jesus, who came to make Your eternal purpose clear.  Amen.

Read: Psalm 45

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday                Isaiah 46:5-11

Tuesday               Hebrews 6:9-20

Wednesday          Matthew 19:16-30
Thursday              Matthew 6:25-34

Friday                   2nd Timothy 1:1-14

Saturday              1st Corinthians 3:10-17

Sunday                 Genesis 1:1-5; Acts 19:1-7; Psalm 29; Mark 1:4-11

Reflection: (silent and written)

Prayers for the church, for others, for yourself.

Hymn: "Lord, You Give the Great Commission"

Benediction:  And now, Lord, as I return to the duties of life, let me go in the confidence of Your protection that I may come to the end of this day in peace and happiness. Amen.