A CREATIVE WAY TO MAKE GOD ANGRY

It's an odd thought, huh?  

I noticed something this morning while reading Hosea 8.  Here's what I read:   [All references are from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted.]

"Because Ephraim [Israel] paid tribute money to other nations [Assyria] instead of depending on Me, I'm going to gather them up and send them into exile..."  [v.10]   

Three verses later we see just how angry and disappointed God is:

"I am not pleased with them.  I'll remember their guilt and punish their sins:  they'll return to slavery in Egypt."  [v.13]

Hmmmmm...God wants us to depend on Him!  

When we turn to other sources for deliverance and/or protection, He is not pleased with us!   He is so not pleased with us that He punishes us?  

So much for the age of independence! 

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So, do you depend on God?

Do you turn to Him first when things are falling apart?

Have you turned your financial distress over to God?  Seriously!

How about the problems you're having with your teens?  

Or, your dissatisfaction with life?

Or, your chronic depression?

Maybe you should turn to God with your addiction issues?

Perhaps your marriage is disappointing - or failing.  Have you considered depending on God?

Maybe your child is dealing with gender confusion.  Do you suppose the God who made him/her might be able to help?

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Ever kind and ever-loving God,

Forgive us for being so independent - it seems to be the American way.  By my persistence in turning in every direction but Yours for help, I've revealed my lack of faith in You!  

Can You forgive me?  Will You forgive me?  I'm truly so sorry!  

Because of my stubbornness, my situation has become worse!  I am more desperate now than I was before!  But You've got my attention!  I realize that You've been watching all along - how embarrassing for me!  You've been standing ready to release Your resources, wisdom, peace, grace, direction, and help all along and I've been obstinately ignoring You!  I weep with regret!  

I open myself to You and Your endless creativity and resources, Lord!  That's right - I want You to be the Lord of my life!  I trust You!  I yield to Your ways!  I lean on You - right now!  

By Your unfathomable grace - please come to my aid!  And help me to NEVER be stubborn again!

For the Kingdom's sake, Amen

IS HOSEA 7 A PROPHETIC WORD TO AMERICA?

Sometimes I read parts of the Bible with a kind of stunned effect.  It happened yesterday when I opened to Hosea 7.  I felt like I was reading something regarding the current scene in the United States of America!  When/if you read the following, see if it has the same impact on you.

[Remember that The Voice Bible prints words that are NOT in the original text in italics.]

KEY TO UNDERSTANDING:

• Israel = the northern kingdom (Samaria) and the southern kingdom (Judea/Ephraim)
• God sees all the tribes as one!
• I have replaced references to Israel, Ephraim and Samaria with ‘America’ to help you see the similarities.

Eternal One: I will heal [America] of her exposed sins:
[America’s] wickedness will be laid open;
Also [America’s] evil will be revealed:
dishonesty is tolerated, thieves break in and bandits rob in the open.
2 They don’t realize I’m aware of all of the evil they’re doing.
Even now their sins are all around them—I can see them clearly.
3 The king celebrates their evil deeds,
and princes enjoy their deceptions.
4 All of them are adulterers with unquenchable lust.
They are like an oven overheated by a baker,
An oven so hot it doesn’t need to be stoked for several hours
from the time the dough is kneaded until it finishes rising.

5 Eternal One: When the king was celebrating and the princes were sick with drunkenness,
his conscience was dulled and he joined forces with rebels.
6 Their hearts are like a heated oven as they plot their schemes.
All night their anger smolders, but at dawn it blazes into a flaming fire.
7 All of them are as hot as an oven,
and they consume their own judges.
All of their kings have fallen; none of them calls on Me.
8 [America] is mixed up with all the other nations.
[America] is like a cake that hasn’t been turned over.
9 Foreigners are devouring his strength, taking territory and tribute,
but he doesn’t realize how weak he’s grown.
Gray hair is sprouting on his head,
but he doesn’t see what others observe.
10 [America’s] stubborn pride will testify against him.
The people haven’t come back to Me, their True God;
they haven’t asked Me for help despite all their troubles.

[I omitted verses 11-12]

13 May they [America] experience sorrow for wandering away from Me!
May they be destroyed for the way they’ve rebelled against Me!
I would like to buy them back from death,
but they would just keep lying to Me and against Me.
14 They’re not sincere when they cry out to Me for help.
They howl on their couches;
Hoping a god will send grain to gather and wine to enjoy.
They turn away from Me.
15 I trained them, I made their arms strong, I could have protected them,
but they devised evil schemes against Me.
16 They turn for help, but not to the Most High;
they’ve become as weak and ineffective as a loosely-strung bow.
Because of their defiant words, their leaders will be killed in battle,
and they’ll be the laughingstock of everyone in Egypt [the world].

GOD, HELP US!

FROM NOW ON YOUR NAME WILL BE ISRAEL

Jacob was known as a deceiver!  He set a trap for his twin brother, Esau, and got him to barter away his first-born rights.  Then, later, as their father was about to die, Jacob deceived their father, Isaac, and stole his brother’s blessing.

In fear of Esau’s wrath, Jacob fled the land and returned to his mother’s family in hopes of finding a wife and getting a new start.  It was on this journey that God intervened and made Himself known to Jacob.

Jacob ends up in his mother’s homeland and begins to work for his uncle Laban.  Laban, however, is as much a trickster as Jacob was!  He gets Jacob to work for him for seven years to earn the right to marry his daughter Rachel.  But, after the seven years, Laban deceives Jacob into marrying his older daughter, Leah.  Angry, but still wanting to marry Rachel, Jacob agrees to work for Laban for seven MORE years!  

During all the years of Jacob’s stay with Laban, he ends up having twelve sons to his two wives and their personal servants. 

Finally, God intervenes and tells Jacob to return to his own homeland and family.  Therefore, he gathers up all his property and flocks and leaves Laban.  Laban pursues him with the intention to force him to return, but God warns Laban not to stop Jacob! 

As Jacob draws near to his homeland, apparently word of his return has reached his twin-brother, Esau.  Esau and four-hundred men are on their way toward Jacob and his entourage of wives, children, servants, flocks and herds.

Jacob is terrified that Esau intends to destroy him in anger!  He separates his camp so that if Esau attacks, at least some might be able to escape his wrath.  Then, Jacob sends waves of servants ahead of his family bearing very generous gifts for Esau: goats, sheep, camels, cows and bulls, and donkeys! 

With these preparations made, Jacob crosses a river with his two wives and their children where he wrestles all night long with an unknown man – seemingly a representative of God.  As dawn began to arise, Jacob refused to let the man go!  He consequently dislocated Jacob’s hip and informed him that he would no longer be called Jacob but Israel!

For the sake of finishing the narrative, Esau receives Jacob’s gifts reluctantly and embraces Jacob/Israel with affection.  Everybody loves a happy ending, right? 

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God began by calling Abram to start a new nation that would be as numberless as the stars of the sky or the sands of the sea!

Abraham lived with that promise until finally – at the age of 100 – his only son, Isaac was born!

Isaac also received the same promise from God that he would be followed by many generations.  But he only had two sons, and they became bitter rivals.

Jacob – the younger son – deceived his way into God’s favor, but lived a desperate life – mostly in a foreign land.  However, Jacob [now Israel] was the father of twelve sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel!

God was clearly not in a hurry!  God is rarely in a hurry!  God values the individuals in the narrative and patiently works with them to accomplish His purposes! 

Today, Israel still exists as a nation. 

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This same God is just as concerned about you as He was about Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and his wives! 

He will patiently work with you and in you [if you’ll allow Him].  He has work for you to do.  He will guide you, protect you, provide for you, and use you to accomplish His purposes! 

Reach out to God today!  Allow Him to infuse your life with meaning and purpose! 

OUR MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUAL WEAPON

There is a greatly underused tool in our arsenal that has far more impact than most people realize.  Many Christians have NEVER used the tool.  Others have used it – but incorrectly.  Our American culture almost completely fails to consider this tool unless it has to do with weight loss. 

I have recently gone from being retired to being back in the ministry again.  It’s been quite a change!  The last I led a church was in 2016 – at which point I retired.  Actually, the last I led a church as a full time pastor was 2012, when Debbie and I left for China.  I was sixty at that time – I’m seventy-two now. 

Returning to the responsibilities and strains of leading a church has caused me to experience increased stress and a return to that feeling I once knew so well – that one’s work is NEVER done! 

My work week once again revolves around:

• Preparing a message for Sunday
• Leading a weekly staff meeting
• Preparing for and leading a Board of Administration meeting
• Mentoring leaders and candidates for the ministry
• Visitation – minimal since the church has a nearly ordained Pastor of Visitation
• Prayer for the various people and needs represented in the church!
• Meeting requests for personal interventions
• Addressing areas of brokenness within the church in hopes of creating health and effectiveness
• Add to this that the church is nearly an hour-and-a-half from my home!

The last two weeks has brought a rise in my stress level – the kind that’s hard to escape from.  It has the potential to take the joy out of your life.  It’s pervasive.  It preoccupies your mind.  For many pastors, this is a perpetual state of being.  Leading a church - especially a growing church - may look easy from the pew, but it’s a VERY DIFFICULT THING TO DO! 

So, in the last two weeks, I’ve pulled out that old tool!  While I was actively leading churches, I used it a lot!  However, in retirement, I must confess that I haven’t used this tool in quite a few years.  I’m not proud to admit that!  I guess it shows how much I’ve allowed myself to be removed from the fray! 

This tool is – from my experience and perspective – the most powerful tool in our box!  Used properly, it can make a massive difference!  Yet, so many people misuse this tool!  But the problem is that this tool is difficult to teach about and explain.  Doing so can cause people to think that you’re super-spiritual – even when that is not the case!  In reality, this tool requires and creates a great sense of humility.

My study carrel is loaded with various reminders that intentionally catch my eye as I work there.  Back in the corner behind my lamp is one that serves as a reminder from a time when I used this tool. 

The tool – if you haven’t already guessed – is fasting.  Fasting is, of course, going for a period of time without food and focusing your life on prayer instead.  It is a willing deprivation in hopes that you will be able to create a more focused relationship with God!  It is a tool that is to be practiced in private – to the best of one’s ability.  In some sense, it is a ‘trigger tool’ that allows you – every time you feel hungry – to deliberately turn your heart to God! 

I’m dealing with a delicate matter in the church right now.  I don’t have the necessary wisdom to know how best to lead through this situation.  All my past experience still leaves me in significant need of divine guidance and the nearness of my Lord!  So, several times in the past two weeks I’ve returned to using this tool.  I desperately need the guidance of the Lord of the Church!  

Make no mistake about it:  it is a spiritual warfare tool!  My study-carrel poster reminds me [in my own words] of two very important facts:

I believe that fasting is

THE MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUAL WARFARE WEAPON

THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US!

and

I also believe that fasting is the most

UNDERUSED SPIRITUAL WARFARE WEAPON

that God has given us!

THE MOVEMENT THAT WAS DOOMED TO FAIL

 [from Max Lucado's ON THE ANVIL, pp.115-117]

From the start the movement was doomed to fail.  For one thing it began with just 120 men.  Remarkably few, when you consider that their homeland had a population of four million.  Besides that, most of the men were illiterate and poor.  Blue-collar workers they were, far too ignorant to stage an uprising that could make any difference.

Few, if any, had travelled beyond their own country.  They were inexperienced and uncultured.  Their nation was oppressed.  Their people were weary.  Their government was corrupt.  Their religion was shallow.

The strategy of the movement was disastrous.  No headquarters was ever established.  No professional research was ever done.  Plans were made by the seat of the pants.  The leaders couldn't even agree on the exact definition of their mission.

On top of all this, the movement was impractical.  It was far too extreme and absurd.  It demanded too much too soon.  It lacked any tact.  It was too impatient with traditions.  It called for a reversal of social classes.  It gave too much leverage to women and minority groups.

The movement was doomed to failure.

But it didn't fail.  It succeeded.  Not only did it succeed but it far surpassed any movement in our world's history.  Within thirty years the message of Jesus Christ had entered every port, city, and courtyard of the world.  It was infectious.  It was a moving organism.  People actually died to see it continue.  

It should have failed but it succeeded,  And it still succeeds.  God's movement will never stop.  Some say that the U.S. is a post-Christian nation.  That doesn't matter.  Others scoff at the absurdity of believing in anything absolute.  That won't stop it.  Materialism blankets the country.  Still the movement will continue.  It might be slowed, but it will never be stopped.

The church might bicker and fight.  The people might grow crusty with traditions.  The leaders may grow nearsighted. But the movement will march on.  Nothing will ever stop it.  The Judean Commander can't be stilled.

We should fall to our knees in humble gratitude that God has allowed us to participate in such a cause.  For this is not the movement of a man.  It is the movement of God.  That is precisely why what should have failed will never fail.  It is the movement of God.

THE BLINDING LIGHT OF FORGIVENESS!

With no apology, I share another story from Richard and Renee Stearn’s book, HE WALKS AMONG US [pp.193-195]

BLINDING LIGHT

The darker our darkness, the more brilliant is the Good News of our forgiveness in Christ!

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.”

From that time on Jesus began to preach,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Matthew 4:16-17

When Renee and I were in the Netherlands, we had the opportunity to visit a labyrinth of caves near the city of Maastricht.  During World War II people had sought refuge there.  At one point in the tour, our guide turned off all the lights so we could experience total darkness.  It was somewhat terrifying and disorienting to be in a place completely devoid of light.  Later, when we emerged, the sunshine seemed blinding by comparison.

Several years ago Northern Uganda might have qualified as the darkest place on earth from a spiritual perspective.  The LRA was terrorizing local civilians and kidnapping children to turn them into rebel fighters.  Many boys and girls, at the point of a gun, were forced to brutally kill family members and friends.

In the midst of this dark place, the World Vision rehabilitation center shone a bright light by taking in the broken child soldiers and child brides who had managed to escape Kony’s army.  We offered a safe place of healing, restoration and reclamation to the light for those who had experienced years of living in darkness.

One day Renee and I had the privilege of witnessing the arrival of two teenage boys who had been rescued from the LRA.  The big gates swung open, and the vehicle drove into the compound.  Michael and Joseph weren’t prepared for what was about to happen to them.  Both had spent years with Kony and the LRA, and they had undoubtedly been forced to kill and maim hundreds of their own countrymen.  Michael’s left arm was withered from a gunshot wound sustained before he was fully grown.  And both boys had been poisoned with lies about what would be done to them at the rehabilitation center.  Fear was in their lifeless eyes as they entered the camp.  They weren’t at all prepared for the brilliant light of forgiveness.

Instead of the torture and punishment they had expected, fifty other boys and girls surrounded their car, dancing, clapping, and singing hymns of praise and songs of welcome to these two broken boys.  As the two stumbled from the vehicle, smiles, handshakes, and high fives were offered from other damaged children who also knew something about the darkness from which Michael and Joseph had emerged.  A spark of life returned to the boys’ eyes.  The corners of their eyes began to turn up.  They were home.  The singing crowd spilled directly into the chapel for a spontaneous worship service to welcome them back.  And that’s when I saw it.  I could see the good news – the glorious life-changing gospel and the unthinkable possibility of forgiveness – washing over Michael and Joseph like a new dawn.  They had realized that they could be made clean again just as Jesus had promised:

“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”   [Jesus reading from the prophets in Luke 4:18-19]

This blinding truth had pierced their darkness just as it had once pierced mine.   - Rich

AND HOW WILL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?

This title is a quote from Romans 10:14 [NASB].

Granted - this is not a hot topic in our world today.  However, for those who think a little more deeply, it is an important question.

During the twentieth century, there was a great concern expressed by the Church for those who had not yet been reached by the gospel.  Although there are still regions that are unreached, the electronic means have significantly increased!  

However, this is not the purpose of this blog.  

Rather, I am excited by Paul's arguments in Romans which are so sound and reasonable and cannot be ignored.  

He begins by noting that the Creation itself declares the identity of God.  

Psalm 19 concurs:

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.  Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."  [vs.1-2 plus it continues for four more verses. NASB]

Referring to people who have not heard the gospel, Paul writes:

"These people are not ignorant about what can be known of God, because He has shown it to them with great clarity. From the beginning, Creation in its magnificence enlightens us to His nature.  Creation itself makes His undying power and divine identity clear, even though they are invisible; and it voids the excuses and ignorant claims of these people..."  [The Voice Bible]

[Keep in mind that The Voice Bible places words in italics words that are not included in the original texts.]

But Paul believes that nature isn't God's only [or primary] means of communicating with unbelievers!  He continues his teaching in chapter 2:14-16,

For instance, some outsiders who are not required to follow the law often live quite naturally by its teachings. Even though the law wasn’t given to them, in themselves they have the law. Here’s the thing: their lives demonstrate that God has inscribed the law’s teachings on their hearts. On judgment day, their consciences will testify for them, and their thoughts will both accuse and defend them. This good news given to me declares that this affirmation and accusation will take place on that day when God, through Jesus, the Anointed One, judges every person’s life secrets.

Paul is convinced that God and His truth are embedded in the mind of every person who has ever lived!  

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This teaching raises many question - all of which can't be addresses here.  [Plus, I am not capable of providing all of the answers  😉]

For instance, if God's truth is embedded in the mind of every person, why are not more around the globe confessing Him as God?

Good Question!  I would suggest two possible answers:

1. Evil also exists in our world and opposes the truth of God!
2. Free will also is the possession of every person.  They get to evaluate the evidence and make individual choices! 

Here's another: Could a person who has never heard the gospel come to a realization of God and thereby gain assurance by God's approval of their lives that would insure their entrance to Heaven?

Great Question!  I believe that the Apostle Paul would argue that they could indeed gain this assurance!  What God has provided through nature, His embedded truth, and the direction available through His Holy Spirit can and has been enough for many to come to faith in Him!

One more: Does the fact that God has been so proactive in providing a way for people to come to a knowledge of Him mean that we can slack off in our evangelistic efforts?

Reasonable Question.  Absolutely not!  Because the enemy is at work in the world trying to suppress these provisions that God has made, we must be all-the-more aggressive in countering the influences of evil!   

The title of this blog quotes a verse that is also from the Apostle Paul!  But this global effort to see masses come to faith in Christ will take more than preachers and more than missionaries!  We all stand with the Apostles as they receive the Great Commission! We are to "Go", "make disciples" and "baptize"  [Matthew 28:19-20].

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."  [II Corinthians 5:20 NASB] 

GOD HAS DONE - AND IS DOING - HIS PART!

NOW, WE MUST DO OUR PART!