Unyoked

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2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? NIV



Sometimes Paul reminds me of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Old Testament. They were the messengers of God who ‘purified’ the Jewish people by casting out foreigners from their community. Men, women and children were all thrown out of Jerusalem if they did not have “pure” blood in them. Paul does the equivalent here by insisting that unbelievers and Christians should never be partnered or yoked together. Paul wants to keep the faith pure; he doesn’t want any ‘outsiders’ influencing the church.

Over the centuries, this scripture has been used to shun outsiders and isolate the church from the popular community. It’s been emphasized by spiritual elitists who have used it to promote racism, abuse, and intolerance all over the world. Whatever Paul originally intended, his words have been used to justify lynching blacks, destroying families, killing Jews, and even promoting White supremacy. I wonder if Paul realized what his words would one day represent, would he have retracted them from this letter?

It seems to me that Jesus had a different mission from Paul. Jesus was constantly surrounded by unbelievers, sinners, and outcasts. His ministry tended to reach out to those who were unholy and He sanctified them (made them holy) with His love, mercy, and grace. There was nothing elite about Jesus; there was nothing that suggested supremacy. In fact, we are constantly reminded by Paul of all people that Christ humbled Himself to come among us. The Sinless One came to save sinners. The Perfect One came to die for the imperfect. The Holy Son of God came to make unholy people sons, daughters, and heirs of God’s Kingdom.

Today, we are all going to meet other people. When we do, let’s try to reach out with grace and love, tolerance and mercy. It’s not going to be easy, especially when we come across folk who are radically different from us, but with practice we will learn the art of tolerance, love, unity and peace. And aren’t those goals worthy of our Savior? Aren’t those qualities why the Church exists?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to get out of our spiritual comfort zones and reach out to those who are on the ‘outside’ of Your church. Grant us the courage to get along beside them to offer them help in times of trouble, cheer in times of gladness, and love in times of fear and uncertainty. Remind us that we were all unbelievers at one point in our lives and that without someone reaching out to us, we would never have known of Your acceptance, forgiveness, grace, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Testimony

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John 4: 42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." (NIV)

This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It comes at the end of the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well. He has confronted her in a non-judgmental way, exposing her sin, and freeing her from a deceitful life. The woman is so moved by Him that she tells all of her neighbors she has met the Messiah. Her testimony is so sincere that they believe her and go looking for Jesus themselves.

When they find Him, they ask Jesus to stay for a couple of days during which He teaches them many things. Many more of them became believers and, at the end of the story, the Samaritan people tell the woman that they no longer believe just because of her testimony; they have heard Jesus for themselves and they, too, personally know Him to be the Christ, the Savior of the world. It’s a beautiful moment in the scriptures and one that must have deeply gladdened Jesus.

That’s what our faith is for; that’s what the church is all about. We are called to lovingly and sincerely share the Good News of Jesus Christ with other people – our families, our friends, our neighbors – in the hope that one day they will personally experience Jesus for themselves. As a pastor, I’ve been privileged to see that happening with all sorts of different people. Each time it occurs, I feel happy and humble – happy because it positively changes their lives; humble because Christ has personally touched their hearts.

So, wherever we go today and whoever we meet, let’s make and take opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, for who knows how many lives will be changed forever by the power of Jesus and His Gospel.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are loved ones in our lives who do not personally know You. Grant us perfect opportunities to express our faith to them in non-judgmental ways. Give us the courage to sincerely share our beliefs, so that seeds of faith may be planted in their hearts and minds that one day will grow. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

Hostages

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Psalm 143:9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. (NIV)

There are early reports coming in this morning that fifteen British sailors have been captured by the Iranian Navy in Iraqi waters. Perhaps by the end of the day, these sailors will be released. I hope so, for the event has the potential to escalate the war in the Gulf. I pray that the sailors will be treated well and quickly returned, otherwise the British Navy may retaliate.

It reminds me of the Iranian hostage crisis which took place during Jimmy Carter’s presidency. He lost the Whitehouse to Ronald Reagan because of it. Britain goes to the polls in about eight weeks time to elect a new Prime Minister. Perhaps I’m being cynical in my old age, but I wonder if the Iranian President has initiated this incident to influence British voters? Ahmadinejad was one of the revolutionary ring-leaders of the hostage situation in the American Embassy in Tehran. It could be that he’s trying to unnerve the Western alliance in the present Iraqi war. Personally, I wouldn’t put it past him.

However, as Christians, we need to keep praying for peace in the region and for the dogs of war to be silenced. No matter how justified each side feels about what is going on, this fact remains: innocent men, women, and children are dying in the streets of Baghdad and across the region. We have to find a lasting solution. We need to honestly look at ourselves and find the ways, words, and works that lead to peace. Otherwise, our children won’t just be facing global warming; they’ll be continually dealing with global warring.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace whereas we are the weavers of war. Help us to end the hostilities between different nations, races, and religions throughout the world. If we are truly Christian, then crucify our self-righteous sins and grandiose schemes of sovereignty. Teach us not to throw away our freedom by surrendering our security. Help us not to lose our faith by empowering our religion. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Star Trekking

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Isaiah 40:26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. (NIV)

I must confess – I am a Trekkie fan. I love Star Trek and the many shows and movies that it has spawned. I record re-runs on my television and usually watch them during dinner or when I can’t sleep at night. I love the idea that one day humanity will travel the universe and visit other stars. I don’t if there is life in other parts of the universe, and whether or not species like Klingons exist, but just the thought of journeying through the cosmos excites me.

That’s also one of my visions of the after-life. Heaven for me will be an endless sight-seeing trip of the whole universe. Since God created such a spectacular cosmos filled with billions of galaxies and stars, then why shouldn’t heaven include a spiritual cruise of everything that God has made? Surely, it would make us praise Him even more to see all of His creation? At the moment, we see the universe through a dark glass and massive stars are just mere specks of light. When we finish our journey here and enter into Christ’s glory, it may just be the launching pad for an everlasting experience of the wonders, majesty, and beauty of God.

I really hope so and if, according to scripture, God knows the stars and calls them each by name, don’t you agree that He will be delighted to show them one by one to His eternal children?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, the stars at night reveal the power and glory of Your creation. They please us with flickers of light in the midst of darkness, and with the assortment of shapes that they make in the night sky. Thank You for such wonders in our lives and for the way in which their existence touches our spirits with awe, reverence, and love. In Christ’s Holy name, we pray. Amen.

Holy Heritage

Matthew 21:38 "But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.'” (NIV)

It’s amazing what greed does to some people. Several times, in my twenty plus years of ministry, I have watched greed destroy families and friends, especially when it comes to dividing up property and possessions after the death of a loved one. It sickens my heart each time I see it occur and no matter how brazen or immoral the takers are, their greed supersedes their need to be fair and to share.

It happens on a faith level, too. Some churches are ditching their foundational beliefs in order to become more influential and powerful. They’re changing their names, denominations, and traditions for trendier types. They’re turning their venues into stadiums and cinemas, instead of houses of prayer. Each week, they lose something else in order to gain something new.

They’re driven by a power to be powerful and a need to be needed. They’re feeding the monster that they have created and some of them are beginning to splinter, divide, and breakdown. Perhaps the age of the mega-church, driven by personality and celebrity, is beginning to grind to a halt. Their towers of Babel have been built too high and people are returning to the smaller places, the safer sanctuaries, the more traditional churches.

When we kill Christ in an effort to be bigger and better, we kill our churches. The battle has always been between Christ and our culture. No matter what generation we are in, our lives are meant to be His. Anything else is unimportant. Anything else will just crumble and decay. Mega churches are nothing new – Christians built them in Europe 800 years ago and called them cathedrals. Most of them are in ruins or have very small active congregations in them now – the price of power and prestige, at the cost of people and faith.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for growing our church in recent years. We pray that each growth of a person has meant a closer journey with You. Help us to build the strengths of fellowship with one another through Your truth, way, and life. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Tornado

Psalm 112: 7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. (NIV)

Yesterday’s tornado tragedy across the South causes us all to ask the question: where was God when all of this was happening? It’s a natural response to such a disaster because we expect God to control the weather and to keep our people protected. The families of the eight students who lost their lives at Enterprise High School will be shocked and angry, grief-stricken and over-wrought. Their hearts will be broken and their faith will be shattered: how could a loving God allow such a terrible thing to occur?

Faith is severely tested during these times that try our souls. A lot of what we feel can never be satisfied with glib words and sanctimonious verses. If the person who wrote Psalm 112 had been living in Enterprise yesterday, would those words “he will have no fear of bad news” have been uttered?

It’s easy for us on the outside to have faith when someone else is going through a sudden loss or unexpected tragedy. But when death strikes at our doorstep, will we have deposited enough faith in God to help us get through the worst of times?

Today, we feel for the families across the South who have lost their children; but tomorrow we’ll probably be focused on the vulgarity and vanity of a funeral for a former porn queen. Our feckless ways are what makes us faithless. Our need for schmuck is what dirties our souls. The only way our hearts can remain steadfast is to focus on the real tragedies of this day, and reject the self-centered circus that’s happening in the Bahamas.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we want to trust You because we need You in our lives. We are weak and human, fragile and frail. When disaster hits us, we cry out for help. When tragedy overwhelms us, we keep asking “Why?” In the midst of all of this pain and loss, we pray that You will surround the families affected with a strong, loving, and supportive community. In Your Holy Name, we trust and pray. Amen.

Wilberforce

Hebrews 3:10 That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.'

There’s a new movie coming out today called “Amazing Grace.” It tells the story of William Wilberforce, an Englishman, who fought with the authorities for all of his adult life, trying to halt the slave trade in Britain. He was a remarkable man and, if the movie keeps to the truth, his story is one that will both inspire and challenge those who go to see it.

Wilberforce faced many years of derision from his own peers and he was treated as a religious fanatic who was meddling with the political system. He experienced a lot of hostility and humiliation, but he endured it because he knew that slavery was wrong and that his generation would be held accountable to God for this monstrous act of degradation against African people.

Just before he died, after decades of campaigning, Wilberforce won his battle. The slave trade was ended in Britain and throughout the British Empire, which at that time covered most of the globe. His success spurred on the hopes of another group of people across the Atlantic called Abolitionists, who would fight their own battles which ultimately led to Civil War in the United States.

Every generation has their own battles to fight against those things that lead us away from God. In Wilberforce’s time, it was the slave trade. A generation later, it was about the exploitation of children. A hundred years later, it was the Civil Rights movement.

In our generation, the biggest battle for the community of faith is how to remain effective and relevant, challenging and prophetic without being sucked in by our post-modern culture. We spend more time watching our favorite shows than worshipping God. We spend more money on pampering ourselves than we do supporting God’s work. And we waste more of our lives, energy, and strength on things that will eventually decay and die than we do on the eternal blessings of God.

We are slaves to our own success and we don’t want to be liberated. Perhaps God’s judgment upon our generation is that we will get what we want now and pay for it later – the trouble is that ‘later’ will be too late to rescue our souls.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, save us from ourselves. Open our eyes to our spiritual blindness and make us see how fruitless our faith has become. Confront our choices and challenge our ways, so that our souls may still be won for Your kingdom. Keep us from chaining ourselves to the slavery of sophistication and success, ambition and greed. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Competence

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

There’s a great website at www.despair.com where all sorts of photographs are given humorous tag lines to act as de-motivational messages. It’s well worth a visit and it may cheer up your day, especially if everything you are trying to accomplish is going wrong today. One of the photographs that I like is of a skier who is falling through the snow, whose arms and legs and skis are flying all over the place. Beneath the photo, a caption reads:

INEPTITUDE: If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly.

In other words, it’s not a matter of competence – just make sure that your confidence is high.

When the apostle Paul writes about ‘competence’ in his letter, he’s talking about what we accomplish and achieve for God. We don’t do it for ourselves and we are not meant to seek any glory as Christians. Everything that we undertake, do, and fulfill in the Lord’s Name comes from God. His is the victory, we are just vessels. His is the glory, we are just servants. Our attitude should be one of humble gratitude – we are grateful to God that He has used us for His works, His ways, His ministries and missions. As Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church continually points out – it’s not about us – it’s about God.

Wherever you are and whatever you do today, do it for the Lord. And where you experience success, praise God for the gifts He has given you to accomplish your feats. Without those blessings, we would all be incompetent. So let’s learn to do things well for the Lord, and let’s learn to enjoy them humbly.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have called upon each of us to live our lives according to Your ways. You have blessed us with guidance, direction, and purpose. Anything that we accomplish is because of You. In everything that we experience success, You are the prime reason, mover, and motivator. Thank You for sharing Your gifts of goodness, faith, and love with us. May we all accomplish much for You and God’s Kingdom this day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.