Sick of Politics

I can't wait till this election business is over.  I'm so sick of the ads, the attacks, the generic vague answers to questions at the debates (from both sides by the way).  I'm not just talking about presidential candidates, but people running for congress and senators too.  Its pretty awful that I feel my option is to vote for a lesser of two evils, so to speak, cause I don't really think either candidate for president or vice-president is very good..  

One other thing that makes me sick though, is how many Christians have overlooked the disgusting views and comments a particular candidate has made where abortion is concerned.  Its not about whether the candidate can overturn Roe vs. Wade, its about their view on life, and he supports an organization based on evil, Planned Parenthood, and has clearly said that abortion should be a choice particularly so that people can make a selfish choice to live their lives how they want instead having to be "punished" by a baby that they are responsible for (but don't want to take responsibility for).  As a soon to be father, I am repulsed by a way of thinking like that, but then again we live in a fallen world.  What does it say about Christians that are willing to overlook the darkness though, and think that somehow the other ideas this guy has make his evil perspective and actions regarding babies excusable?  If you get a chance, check out these videos at the end of Voddie Baucham's blog, because I think they shed some great light on this issue.  Click Here.  Like I said I'm so sick of all this stuff, and can't wait for it to be over so that we can realize its doesn't make a difference who's elected anyways, Jesus won the victory, start being a part of what He's doing in the world,  cause that's what will actually make a difference.

Anyways, because this blog is about spiritual matters, let me share with you a little deal I made with my friend Dave yesterday after church.  We were talking about how distracted we've become by these elections and how we need to quit caring so much about who gets elected, and remember that God is still going to be God and is in control, and the greatest need our country (and the world) has more than anything the politicians will discuss, is for redemption.  I felt that the Lord gave me an idea in that moment, that anytime the elections come up in conversation from now till election day, we should turn that conversation right around and share our faith with that person however the Spirit leads.  I think God will honor a an action like that.  So Dave and I shook on that and committed to trying to do this for the next week or so, and I encourage you to try and do the same because we're called to be people that share the Gospel, not people that spend all our conversations endorsing a candidate and arguing about political views with other people.

Worship and the Forces of Evil - Part 1

Let go of the world view that you get from science, doctors, tv, internet, newspaper, people around you, yourself, etc.  Based on God's word and His story as it has been passed down to us through the centuries, what do you know about the spiritual reality we live in?  Do angels and demons exist?  Do they interact with the world around us?  Can demonic powers be at work in governments, money, disease, depression, fear, false teachings, sin?  I know for some of you, you don't think this stuff matters, or you don't believe that there is any kind of battle to be fighting and that's exactly where the enemy wants you. 

As the demon uncle in C.S. Lewis's book The Screwtape Letters says, "Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves...When the humans disbelieve in our existence we lose all the pleasing results of direct terrorism and we make no magicians.  On the other hand, when they believe in us, we cannot make them materialists and sceptics."  

I'm reading a book right now called "Bondage Breaker" by Neil T. Anderson.  I'm not saying that the book is 100% right, or even recommending it yet, just letting you know that its stirring my thoughts where this matter of the spiritual realm is concerned.  In the first chapter, You Don't Have to Live in the Shadows, Neil gives a list of misconceptions that he believes kept him from successfully ministering in the lives of people under demonic influence.  

1.Demons were active when Christ was on earth, but their activity has subsided today.

2.  What the early church called demonic activity we now understand to be mental illness.

3.Some problems are psychological and some are spiritual.

4. Christians aren't subject to demon activity.

5. Demonic influence is only evident in extreme or violent behavior and gross sin. 

6. Freedom from spiritual bondage is the result of a power encounter with demonic forces. 

Do you find yourself believing some of the misconceptions on this list?  What do you think?

I believe that the enemy can wage war on the church even as they gather to worship, and as children of God, we ought to be sending demons running by the authority of Christ (not our own power).  I think that the effectiveness of the church as God's workers of redemption and hope has a lot to do with how we're doing in this battle against the forces of darkness, which Christ already won by the way, in case you didn't know. That's what the enemy doesn't want you to understand, the victory is already won.  More on that later.

I leave you with this to meditate on.  If demonic forces are not at work in this world, and are not trying to attack Christians, and if we don't have to worry about being equipped and actually doing intentional battle against the forces of darkness,  why did the apostle Paul write this?

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:10-12)

I hope to continue this train of thought by pondering what role worship can play in our struggle against spiritual forces of evil in the "heavenly realms".  Until next time, don't even take my suggestion at the importance of this topic, but ask God to lead you in your thinking and action where this issue is concerned.  Let's be more than conquerors in Christ against the darkness in this world, that the Light of the world might shine thru us and cause men to see the glory of God and be saved.    

Persecution Continues

My heart continues to break for our brothers and sisters in Orissa, India.  As you may recall, Hindu extremists have been heavily persecuting any and all Christians since August, when their leader was assassinated (by Maoists communists, not Christians).  By persecuting I mean murdering, raping, burning down houses, attacking orphanages, destroying vehicles, forcing thousands to escape into the forest and try to find hide, though these enemies of Christ sometimes even track down those who have fled and attack them even after they have left the villages.

Click to read more or to donate to help those suffering

Church, we need to be in serious prayer about this.  Please share this with other believers and "remember those who are in in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:3).  These attacks have been going on for more than a month!  Thankfully we know that Jesus and our church fathers promised that those who are in Christ will face suffering for His name, so this does not mean that God is not with us when we are attacked or even killed for being followers of Christ.  But that doesn't mean we shouldn't pray for deliverance.  God is the God who saves.  He delivered Israel from Egypt, He delivered Daniel from the lion's den, He delivered the jews from Haman's annihilation in the book of Esther, He offers deliverance from death and deliverance from separation from Himself thru His Son Jesus.  

Lord your will be done, Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.  Please send Your presence and deliverance to your children in India, as well as Iraq and the many other places in the world where those who are called Your children of light are being attacked because they name You as Saviour and God.  Would you comfort them with the words you spoke through Peter? "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." Lord make us all willing to carry our crosses and follow you, wherever you lead. Amen.

Answered Prayer

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,

I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey...

I asked for health, that I might do greater things,

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things...

I asked for riches, that I might be happy

I was given poverty, that I might be wise...

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God...

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things...

I got nothing that I asked for- but everything I had hoped for:

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men most richly blessed.

-Unknown Confederate Soldier

Today is the Day

Many of you are probably familiar with the verse from Psalm 118:24 that says, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."  I know there's a song from back in the day that uses this passage, but I'm not too keen on playing it to be honest.  However, Lincoln Brewster just released an album called "Today is the Day," and the title track also uses this scripture, and I like this one.  I'll even share a video of it with you if you read the rest of this post.

So I've been studying the Wesminster Shorter Chatechism recently and I just read a chapter on the question, "What are the decrees of God?"  And the answer given is, "The decrees of God are His eternal purpose according to the counsel of His will, whereby for His own glory, He hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass."  In summary, everything that happens is part of God's plan that existed before "the beginning," because He isn't constrained to time.  There is no "chance," there are no "accidents," there is nothing that happens that surprises God or causes Him to have to adapt His plan.  Yes this subject gets into predestination, but I don't think that should be a stumbling block for anyone.  As the author of this book says, "we cannot say that human persons are treated as pawns on a chessboard."  So there is always choice, it just that God already knew the choices we would make and thus its part of the plan.

It has been neat for me to couple this answer in the chatechism with the passage in Psalm 118 and know that we can get up each day and rejoice in the fact that God has made this day. Rejoice that everything is going according to His infinitely wise plan, even when it seems like the the world is falling apart.  Rejoice that it is all foreordained for His glory, which is what we should be all about.  Rejoice because He is good, and if you're in Christ, His plan means that you get to enjoy His glory forever.  So take Him at His word, and thank Him for today and ask Him to help you live for His glory and to enjoy Him.  Maybe this song can help you get into that mindset.          

Into the reality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

During the past month or so I feel like God has been keeping the mystery and significance of the Trinity in the front of my thinking and that has spilled over into worship service thinking and planning.  A couple Sundays ago God affirmed this quite clearly through the last verses in the book of Matthew.  The translation I read often is an uncommon one called "The Complete Jewish Bible," I'm not Jewish but I've got a few good friends who are Messianic Jews, and they suggested this version to me in order to get more in touch with the Jewish roots of our Christian faith.  I really like the way this translation reads, it says 

"Therefore go and make people from all nations into talmidim (disciples), immersing them into the reality of the Father, Son and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.   And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age." (Matt. 28:19-20)

I could go on and on about how several years ago I was confused about the Trinity and what it all meant, I even have a page in my journal of spiritual thoughts that shows how confused I was. I believed in all the "persons" of God, but I wasn't comfortable with the term persons (as a result I wouldn't sing that line in "Holy, Holy, Holy").  I also wasn't sure whether they were all equal or not, and I was not settled in how it was possible that Jesus could be God and the Father could be God while Jesus came to earth, and still be One.

I can't say that I've got it all figured out, but I am now much more comfortable with the theology of the Trinity that is spelled out in the Apostles Creed, in reformed doctrines and the like.  Part of what has gotten me to this point is a little more study and prayer, as well as just walking with God longer, which always grows us.  Another thing that has strengthened my belief in Trinitarian understanding has been me getting caught up in the mystery of it and recognizing that the early church and ancient Israel had worship that spoke of and rejoiced in the mysteries of God.   We must embrace mystery, and worship is a great time and place to do that.  Unfortunately the Western church historically began to lose the mystery element that is so characteristic of the eastern church.  I can't explain in technical terms how God is One, and yet is three distinct manifestations, but He has told us that He is and has revealed Himself to be.  If we could understand and explain everything about God than He would fail to be God.  I know skeptics would call that a copout, but its true, and God himself has challenged people in the past to explain everything about Him and the things He has done, and those people were massively humbled afterwards.

So, I've been including songs that mention Father, Son and Holy Spirit more intentionally and been hoping that it will help us to remember that "reality" of who God is and how He has worked in creation thru all three persons.  May we all be immersed into the reality of the Trinity, and live and worship according to that reality, recognizing that the Spirit leads us in worship that is in Spirit and in truth, and the Father works in our worship thru the Spirit to mold us more into the life of Jesus.  We can come to the throne of the Father only because the Son made a way thru His incarnation, death and resurrection.  The Father's will worked out thru His hands and feet, the Spirit and Son, leads His creation back to a redeemed relationship with Him and a right worship of Him, and Him alone, like it was in the beginning.  I don't know about you, but I sure am excited to see what its like for heaven and earth to be a 100% theater of praise to our Lord.  And maybe a little bit more of the mystery of the Trinity will be understood then :)