Avoiding Samaria

It is significant that Jesus travelled through Samaria (John 4).  The Jews—that would have included His disciples— hated Samaritans. The Samaritans were a mixed racial group—part Jewish and part ‘everything else.’ Seven hundred years earlier, the region called Samaria had been Israel’s Northern kingdom. And when it was taken over by the Babylonians, it was infiltrated with immigrants from other countries—resulting in an ethnic-mix despised by the pure-bred Jews. When the His disciples saw Jesus speaking to a Samaritan woman of questionable character—even drinking from the same cup— they were horrified.

I couldn’t help seeing the pun: “Samaria” is pronounced “some area.” Are we not like Jesus’ Disciples? Are there not “some areas” in our world of issues and relationships that we avoid, ignore, walk around—anything to keep from speaking to the problem? As a counselor, I have learned that people usually avoid dealing with things because they just don’t know what to do about them. Obviously, the disciples didn’t know how to forgive, or to love unconditionally, or value all people as Jesus did.

But we do. Or at least, we’re learning to. I think our own “Samaria-avoidance” just means we haven’t fully understood the heart of Jesus yet. Ask the Lord today if you’ve been avoiding “Samaria.”

You were Destined “for such a time as this’

Jesus grew up knowing he was born for a purpose. “Running the race set before Him” (Heb. 12:2), Jesus never wavered. He lived his entire life secure in the knowledge of His heavenly Father’s plan.

Like Jesus, John the Baptist also knew he had been born for a purpose. He also was faithful in running his race. But at the lowest point of his life on earth, sitting in prison waiting to be executed, he was struck with doubt. Perhaps needing assurance that his life’s work had not been in vain, he sent a message to Jesus asking ‘are you the Christ?’ No doubt, Jesus’ answer was all that John needed.

Maybe we don’t think of ourselves as people of destiny—certainly not like John or Jesus. But, in fact, we were chosen in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world for specific “good works”—the very purpose of our being (Eph. 1:4, 2:10). The next time you have feelings of futility, and wonder why you are here on earth at this time, remember this: you are no accident—God has destined you to be here. A quick survey of the geopolitics is all you need to know you are living in one of the most exciting times in the history of civilization. You are living in 2011 intentionally—“for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

THE COMING OF JESUS by David Wilkerson

I believe Jesus is coming very soon. We see the Lord gathering the nations together against Israel. Events are moving rapidly toward Armageddon. “So you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:33). “"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (v. 36). 

All signs point to a Mideast war against Israel. Out of the turmoil in Arab nations will come a united call to destroy Israel. We are beholding the fulfillment of prophecies we have preached about for many years.

Those who know the Scriptures have a Holy Ghost inner sense of the Lord’s return. We hear the call of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, crying, “Even so, Lord Jesus, come.” Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord will come” (v. 42). “Be ready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh” (v. 44). “Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he comes, shall find so doing” (v. 46).
 
Beloved, do you feel—do you sense—that these are the last of the last days? Do you share the longing for his appearance? Look up; our redemption is drawing near!

Are Your Ears Pierced?

Nearly forty years ago when it was still pretty much “on the edge” of acceptable, I had one of my ears pierced. But because it was so unacceptable to wear an earring in so many circumstances,’ I eventually stopped wearing it: the hole disappeared! Nowadays, piercings are ‘in’—for women, and men.

David said, "My ears you have pierced" (see Psalm 40:6), which could be interpreted, “You have accepted me as your slave," an allusion to the custom of masters boring the ear of a slave who refused his offered freedom (see Exodus 21:6). In other words, "There is a hole in my ear that marks me for the Lord, for life and eternity."

What marks a bond slave in our age? It is what-Paul-calls a “circumcision made without hands” (Col. 2:11)—a picture of the cross that has removed us from the penalty and power of sin. It means submitting to the work of the cross—to separate me from my self—my ambitions and plans—to be completely His. Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to pierce your ears? Do you have the mark of a bond slave?

The Best Disaster Preparedness

The other day my wife was at the Orchard Supply Hardware store and happened to ask one of the associates if people had been purchasing earthquake emergency kits. He said 'yes,' and that they now had no disaster preparedness supplies in stock. While this may be evidence of the effect of Japan’s disaster, prudent Californians should have been preparing long before this, having been warned for the last 20 years of the probability of a huge earthquake along California’s famous San Andreas fault.

Similarly, wise Christians will not be shook off their spiritual foundations when crises happen. They will always be prepared. When a natural disaster strikes, it’s too late to get prepared; supplies will be limited and bought up by all the other unprepared people. In the parable of the ten virgins (Mat. 25), the ones who were prepared were called prudent; the unprepared, foolish. And while the foolish ones went to get prepared, the Bridegroom came and took the prudent ones into the Wedding, locking the door behind him. Likewise, when a spiritual crisis strikes, you don’t have time to build yourself up in prayer and faith. But those who have been with Jesus are always ready. Their hearts and minds are guarded by a peace that defies human comprehension (Phil. 4:7).

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” (Psalm 46:1-3).

A Little Reminder Never Hurts

Every month, I get emails from my bank telling me they are about to make my electronic payments. Even though I know about them, a little reminder never hurts. When I taught the “Dying to Live Abundant Life” seminar last Saturday, I got a reminder of how much I love teaching these liberating truths, and though I've taught them 100's of times, every time I teach them they go deeper into my spirit.

In the Old Testament culture—before there were books— story-telling, songs, and poems were the way people learned and remembered things! Repetition is the age-old way of learning. That’s how Jesus would have learned.

Not surprisingly then, in the illiterate culture of His day, Jesus told stories. And he repeated those stories as he went from place to place. That is why the Disciples were able to recall and re-tell them in the Gospels almost word for word. Paul repeats certain themes in all his letters (many things he wrote the Ephesians were repeated in his letters to the Colossians and Philippians). The early church learned by repetition.

Over the years, I have memorized lots of Scriptures—simply by using them over and over as I taught and counseled. The more I spoke, the more they stuck. In your sphere of influence today, I am sure you will meet someone who needs to be reminded of some truth. We should all, like Peter, say, “I plan to keep on reminding you of these things as long as I live” (2 Peter 1:12-13). A little reminder never hurts.

Buckle Up!

Until I was in my mid-thirties, there was no law requiring drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts. In fact, until the late 60’s, most car did not even have them. So when the “mandatory seatbelt law” came into effect in 1984, I had to start buckling up. I resisted at first. Wearing a seatbelt made me feel constricted. But of course now, after 27 years of buckling up, I feel ‘vulnerable’ without one.

The e-dictionary defines the word “belt” as “that which restrains or confines. It is usually worn around the waist to support clothing, but certain belts are employed to secure tools or weapons.” Sounds like a good defintion for "truth."

The Scripture says the Messiah will wear a belt of “righteousness and faithfulness around His waist” (Is. 11:5). In other words, He will be constrained by truth. Paul also uses the ‘belt’ theme: “Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness” (Eph. 6:14, NLT).

We are living in an age of relativity where there is an aversion to ‘tightly’ defined truth. Finding, knowing and believing God’s “truth” is our work mandate (John 6:29) because our lives are defined by truth. During Isaiah’s day, when the people had departed from truth, the Prophet says: “truth has stumbled in the streets” (Is. 59:14). I’ll bet it wasn’t wearing a seat belt.

God’s Ways are Smaller than Ours

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isa 55:8-9 NLT).

As I was reflecting on these verses, it occurred to me that God’s ways are not just different and higher, but smaller. There’s something about fallen humanity that worships “BIG” proportions!—and quality is often sacrificed at the altar of quantity—big is better. But in Deuteronomy, God says “The LORD did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations!” (7:7)

This “smaller is better” theme is played out many times in Israel’s history whenever they came up against large enemy armies—but nowhere is it more striking than in the story of Gideon. When it was time to go to war, he gathered 32,000 soldiers. But to make sure they wouldn’t credit the victory to their manpower, God reduced Gideon’s army to a meager 300. And you know the rest of the story.

Here is the principle: God must reduce your strength before He can give you His. “God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” (1 Cor. 1:27).

When God Shows Up

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase “show up” as in, “Let’s go to church and see if God shows up”? I’ve never liked the expression “show up” in reference to God because it sounds too casual—like the kind of thing you do when you don’t have anything better to do.

There is nothing so capricious about our God—He is deliberate in everything He does. He never “shows up” like that. But on the other hand, if by “show up” you mean that you can sense God’s presence in a worship service or a Bible study, then I could agree to the phrase. But what we are really saying is that God is “manifested.” The word “manifest” in simplicity means “to make known” or “to reveal.” When truth that was not understood or known before becomes real to us, we can say God, Who is Truth, was manifested.

That’s what happened in East Oakland at the Urban Church on Saturday. I know that many received a revelation of their identity as “sons of God.” When God showed up in East Oakland, there was a revelation “not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit.” Thank you for your prayers. Next week I will return to teach the power of the Cross in overcoming sin. I am quite confident that God will indeed be showing up!

You don’t have to live with the Disease

I would appreciate your prayer for me tomorrow as I will be teaching the “Dying to Live Abundant Life” seminar at the Urban Church in East Oakland. Specifically, pray for Spirit-influenced illumination to those who will be hearing the truths of our freedom in Christ—some, perhaps, for the first time. I’ll never forget the first time I understood that I was no longer a “son of Adam” but a “son of God!”

The “sons of Adam” have all been infected with a disease called “moral fatalism.” But all too often, even those who have become the “sons of God,” though they are no longer infected, remain affected. Moral fatalism says as long as we are in the flesh, we must expect to sin. If we live with the supposition “I can't help but sin; it’s who I am,” then we are like those who are still living with the disease. And as John says "we lie and do not practice the truth" (1 John 1:6). The clear message of our freedom in Christ is that "sin will not rule over you" (Romans 6:14).

By believing we are still affected by the disease of moral fatalism, we are actually doing what Paul tells us not to do—we are making provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14). In other words, Paul is saying do not provide for failure; provide for victory. Since Jesus “gave us power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases” (Luke 9:1), why is it so many of the 'sons of God' still suffer from the disease called moral fatalism?

"UNPRECEDENTED"

If you could invest in a ‘word’ that would increase in value and demand the way you buy ‘commodities,’ I would have become wealthy had I bought a copyright on the word “unprecedented.” In the last three years, the word has rapidly increased in frequency. From extreme weather to global financial disasters to geopolitical crises, the escalation of “unprecedented” events is almost exponential.

The 2008 financial meltdown was a global catastrophe of unprecedented proportion. The radical Islamic movement terrorizing the world’s nations has no precedent in history. The citizen protest movement in the Arab world has resulted in unprecedented ousting of wealthy monarchs and corrupt dictators—all fueled by unprecedented world-wide wireless access to new ideas. Even as I write this, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami is creating an unprecedented nuclear disaster which has North Americans stock-piling iodine pills.

Unprecedented happenings make predicting the future on past experience untenable. The world is frightened by the unprecedented. But we are not. Because we know that our God precedes everything. The Alpha and Omega, He knows the end of a matter before its beginning. God has a cosmic plan to redeem the world—and it is both timeless and timely. “The LORD Almighty says: I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. Who else can tell you what is going to happen in the days ahead? ... Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Have I not proclaimed from ages past what my purposes are for you? … is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!” (Is. 44:7)… “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.” (Is. 41:10).

"I wish I were dead!"

Of course, “I wish I were dead” is a horrible thing we say to ourselves during times of hopeless despair! But the Bible says before we can live as overcomers, we need a revelation of our death with Christ—that we are dead to sin and Satan’s power. In other words, we don’t have to wish it; we are dead!

When we were born the first time, Paul says we were born “dead IN our sins” (Eph. 2:1). Paradoxically, when we were born “again,” we were born “dead TO sin” (Ro. 6:4, 11). It is ‘out of’ our death that we begin a new life. If we don’t know that, Satan will have an advantage.

A Spirit-infused revelation of this truth is essential! We cannot fight our "giants," or pull down strongholds unless we have a revelation of life “in Christ.” No matter what your emotions say, or how guilty or condemned you feel, you must know, without doubt, that Satan and sin have no power over you.

When we were born again, God didn’t change “us”—He put “us” to death. And He didn’t just give us a new identity. He gave us a new address. It’s like the FBI’s “witness protection program”—they give you a new identity and move you to a new city where your enemy cannot find you. For all practical purposes, the person you used to be is dead. Ray Stedman said: “It is a new self-image that delivers us. When we begin to think of ourselves as God thinks of us, we will find we have the power to say “No” to sin.

Faith or Fear

While I sit safely this morning in the comfort of my warm house in Sunnyvale, I am keenly aware of people around the world in terribly painful situations—natural disasters, yes, but also social and political. In today’s paper, 10,000 are presumed dead in Japan and 2 million displaced. Buried on page 7 of the SJ Mercury, a short headline simply states that 31,000 Brazilians were forced to leave their flooded homes yesterday.

One has to wonder if the “hour of temptation” Jesus spoke about is coming upon us. “Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the entire world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3:10). Do you see Jesus' promise for us who continue in the faith? But many believers will fall away from the faith, consumed by worry and fear.

And so we must all be anchored in Jesus’ words: “Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Mat. 6:34). That doesn’t mean to live as if there's no tomorrow. It means to trust that God is in control of tomorrow, just as he is in control of today. For us who are presently safe from these trials, let us use the time wisely—examining ourselves to make sure we are in the faith. (2 Cor. 13:5)

Is a "New World Order" Closer Than We Think?

As historically eventful as the Japanese tsunami was, there is something of even greater historical importance. It was the first natural disaster in history to be broadcast in ‘real time’ (live) across the planet! After the quake, the 45 minute lapse before it reached the coast of Japan was enough time for camera crews to get in place. And the international alarm was sounded by cells, texts, and tweets.

The world is now connected in a way that was only imagined by science fiction authors: people to people; people to machines, machines to machines. We are a global community. We need to realize that we are now entangled with everything that happens—everywhere. Wireless technology, once a tool for communication [called ‘information sharing’] has become change agent for societies, e.g., Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya—can Yemen and Bahrain be far behind? Why do you suppose the first thing the Egyptian and Iranian governments did to combat their protest movements was to shut down the Internet? Intercontinental communication through hand-held devices is the greatest change catalyst this world has ever known.

We now have the communications technology, transportation, and the pro-globalization media necessary to usher in a one world government. (The United Nations and the World Trade Organization have already begun taking preliminary steps for its formation.) Will global recession, political destabilization in the Middle East, increased terrorism, and the desire for security induce people to give up their national sovereignty for global governance? Our 21st century crises transcend national boundaries and beg for international solutions. In the 1940’s, H.G. Wells predicted that wireless communications would result in a "new world order"—a “scientifically-coordinated world state and planned economy.” Does it not seem that the future described by H.G. Well is here?

Why is this important to us believers?—because the emergence of a one-world government will set the stage for apocalyptic events—“the day of the Lord.” The world is in a chaotic state of affairs—not by accident, but by God’s design. The prophet Haggai warned of a time of divine judgment and justice that will precede the “day of the Lord”: “In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth. I will shake the oceans and the dry land, too. I will shake all the nations…” (Hag 2:6-7). More than five centuries later, the author of Hebrews quoted Haggai, but with this promise: “This means that the things on earth will be shaken, so that only eternal things will be left” (12:27). Let us all make sure we are invested in things that cannot be shaken, and let us pray that God will help us to discern the times in which we live (Mat. 16:3).

“Who do You Trust?”

Who can you trust nowadays? That question took on new meaning for me when I had surgery last month. I was anesthetized and cut open by complete strangers. What made me think I could trust them?

And what about the media? If you watch cable news, you know of the feuding between CNN, MSNBC and Fox—each reporting the 'news' with its own bias. And can you really trust any radio or TV commentator who gets ridiculously rich by telling people what they want to hear?

In 1957, Johnny Carson had a TV game show called “Who do You Trust?”—it was similar to The Newlywed Game. Carson would tell the male contestant the category of the upcoming question; the man would then have to decide whether to answer the question himself or "trust" his wife to do so. I wonder how many arguments ensued after the closing credits. “I love you honey, but I don’t trust you” makes funny TV, but it doesn’t play well in the boudoir.

Trust is no joking matter. History is replete with examples of misplaced trust. So in this world of distrust—from preachers to politicians, from big banks to big government—we know we can confidently trust our Father in Heaven. “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

Skeletons in the Closet and Harlots in the House

With respect for the Spirit-inspired authors of the New Testament, it has always bothered me that Rahab, the woman who sheltered the Jewish spies (Joshua 2), is twice-mentioned as “Rahab, the harlot” (Heb. 11:3; James 2:25). It seems irreverently out of step with her place in the genealogy of Jesus—His great, great, great-grandmother (Mat. 1:5). If anything, it seems to me she should be called “Rahab, the redeemed harlot.” Why the name? Because Rahab the harlot’s name tells us God is a redeemer.

Rahab let the spies down from her window on Jericho’s wall with a scarlet cord. And for her help, they promised that when they returned to destroy the city, she and her household would be saved (Joshua 2:18)—but only if the scarlet cord was hanging from her window. What is the meaning of the scarlet chord? The scarlet chord represents the blood of Jesus. When the tabernacle was built, its walls and curtains were interwoven with scarlet thread. The red thread was a reminder of the blood covenant and the forgiveness of sins. By hanging the scarlet rope from her window, Rahab was looking to God to save her. Thus the name Rahab the harlot serves to remind us that God is a redeemer.

Rahab was an outcast in her culture and an outsider to the Jews. By recalling to us that she was a harlot, the New Testament writers are reminding us that even the worst skeleton in your closet is buried under the blood of Jesus. Because Matthew had come to understand that Jesus, the Lamb of God, had come to redeem mankind, he was not afraid to tell us there was a harlot in the house.

Leaning on Canes, Staffs, and Walkers

When I was a child, we used to have a Sunday night ‘song service’ in our tiny Baptist church. To this day, I know every word of every hymn we sang. “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”—one of my favorites—is the subject of my thought today.

I can’t help but wonder if the writer of Hebrews was making such a point when he wrote: “when he was old, Jacob… bowed in worship as he LEANED ON HIS STAFF” (11:21). Unless we just dismiss the phrase as superfluous, we must consider its significance. A literal interpretation is easy: Jacob was old and weak. But I think there is more to the picture. Even as ‘mature’ people know they must depend on external supports [canes and walkers], so too ‘mature’ saints have learned not to depend on their own strength. Through years of walking with God, they have learned they cannot do it alone—they know they must “lean” on God. From the time Jacob wrestled with the angel of God and was left with a broken hip, Jacob was disabled—he could not walk without leaning on his staff. Is this not a picture of the way God intends for us to become increasingly dependent on Him?

But how sad that many don’t learn this at an earlier age! Young people depend on their own resources until they are broken. Only then do they discover their limitations. Remember the timeless proverb: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not LEAN on your own understanding” (3:5).

Is that a Lie in Your Right Hand?

Jesus said “if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away” (Mat. 5:30). Jesus speaks metaphorically, not literally, to illustrate an essential truth—arguably one of the most important of His teachings.

These words form part of the “Sermon on the Mount” where Jesus calls His followers to a higher order of obedience. While the Mosaic Law certainly required compliance, Jesus required obedience from heart. He was warning us of the cost of such obedience—always accompanied by sacrifice. “Cutting off your right hand” means giving up who we think we are, how we define ourselves, in exchange for what Christ teaches us we can be in relationship to him. We must be willing to throw away our old ways that keep us from doing so—and there is no compromise. Speaking as a counselor, I know that this kind of obedience is as psychologically painful as losing an arm or a leg, or “your right hand.”

Some years ago, William Backus wrote a book “Misbelief Therapy: Telling Yourself the Truth.” I didn’t care much for the book, but I loved the title! In Isaiah 44, the prophet describes how idols are made from a block of wood you can hold in your hand, and he asks the rhetorical question: “is there not a lie in your right hand?” We must ask ourselves ‘what are we holding on to?’

“Billy Broke My Heart at Walgreens and I Cried All the Way to Sears”

There’s something about country western music that is so heartrending! Like Billy Ray Cyrus’ signature song “Achy Breaky Heart," or the less familiar “You Done Tore out My Heart and Stomped That Sucker Flat.” But it is not only the country western genre that evokes the ‘you broke my heart’ topic—losing control of one’s heart is a universal theme. (Who can forget Tony Bennet’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” or Elton’s John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.”)

When the Bible refers to the heart, however, you can be sure it is not referring to sappy emotions. Used interchangeably with the word “soul,” the heart means your thoughts and feelings, desires and affections, decisions and choices. So when God asks for your heart, he's asking for everything. When he controls your heart, He controls you: your hopes, dreams, thoughts, plans and priorities: all of it. And unlike the sad singers who lost their hearts to fickle lovers, you can be sure your heart is always safe with Him.

Are We Guilty of Trying to Get Something for Nothing?

Even my frugal father, who grew up during the Depression, and was an avid bargain hunter, used to say: “You can't get something for nothing.” But there is ‘something’ in all of us that wants to. It’s the ‘something’ that motivates people to buy lottery or raffle tickets, or cut out coupons. It explains the success of Costco and Wal-Mart. And if you’ve crossed the border to Mexico or vacationed in any developing country, you know that bargaining is the norm—“you never pay full price.”

So is it possible this bargaining mentality affects us in our interactions with God? I fear that many people approach God (however unconsciously) with the idea they can lay claim to His promises while measuring their commitment. We don’t like to think there is a ‘quid pro quo’ (this for that) with God, yet most of His promises come with conditions. The book of Deuteronomy—Moses’ last words—is full of these “if you do this, God will do that” statements. Before you dismiss these as Old Testament caveats, consider Paul’s many conditional statements. For example, “I preached the gospel… in which you stand, by which you are saved, IF you hold it fast…”; “He has now reconciled [you] in order to present you holy and blameless…PROVIDED THAT you continue in the faith…” (1 Cor. 15:1-2; Colossians 1:21-23).

In other words, the price of God’s blessings is, and has been since the Garden, obedience. You’ve heard the expression “grace is free, but not cheap.” The price that Jesus paid for our salvation was His life—obedience unto death (Phil 2:8). How can we be so naïve to think we can limit our “spending” for God? Now, here's another idiom: “You get what you pay for.”

Do Things Really Go Better with Milk?

Throughout 2,000 years of church history, there have always been those who distorted the Scriptures. Paul provides a "who's-who" list of false teachers to avoid in 2 Timothy. With increased television and Internet exposure for anyone who wants to promote his 'take' on Christian teaching, has there ever been a greater need for Christians to exercise discernment?

We need people with discernment who can detect false teaching (Heb. 5:14), and spot impostors who try to mislead them and others (2 Tim. 3:13-14). You may be saying, “but I don’t have the gift of discernment.” But Paul is not talking about the “gift of discerning spirits” found in 1 Corinthians 14. He is talking about discernment as a quality each of us is expected to grow in (Phil. 1:9).

And you can sense Paul’s frustration as he writes: “You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. And a person who is living on milk isn't very far along in the Christian life and doesn't know much about doing what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong [discern] and then do what is right” (Hebrews 5:12-14 NLT).

If You don’t Tie Up Loose Ends, You’ll Tie Yourself in Knots

To “tie up loose ends” is a familiar idiom, meaning “to deal with the minor consequences of a previous action; to tidy up, finish, or complete.”

"Tying up looses ends" will keep your past from hindering you presently. Loose ends can be distracting, and sometimes, paralyzing. Loose ends steal your mental concentration as they occupy your mind. You are unable to focus as you want to on more important things.

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Peter 1:13).

When Paul wrote these words, men didn’t wear pants; they wore tunics—skirts. To “gird your loins” meant to draw-up and tie your skirt into your belt so you could walk or run. This prevented the “loose ends” of the tunic from becoming snagged on something or entangled with your feet which would cause you to stumble or fall. No solider would consider going into battle without first ‘girding his loins.”

Spiritually, it means: don't let your loose thinking and undisciplined thoughts cause you to stumble into a wrong attitude. If you don’t tie up loose ends and tighten up your thinking, you will not be ready to respond to the need of the moment. Rather, you'll find yourself tied up in knots.

Can You Outrun the Chariots?

“Then the LORD gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab's chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.” (1 Kings 18:46). In this Old Testament story, Elijah outruns King Ahab’s chariot. Chariots represent the strength of man.

Chariots signify speed, accomplishment, and domination. Yet, Elijah outran the chariots. You may think that Elijah must have really been ‘in the zone’ at that great moment. But the fact is, Elijah was so discouraged and despairing, he was ready to give up. Even though he had just been used by God to defeat and destroy 450 prophets of Baal, he made a 180 degree turn, and ran for his life when Jezebel threatened to kill him. Running to the desert, he sat down and prayed “Lord, I’ve had enough; just let me die.” (I Kings 19:4).

How is it that no matter how much God shows His power in our lives, we, like Elijah, so easily turn away when our feats are followed by defeats, and we say I’ve had enough? These are the times when God simply wants us to relinquish control and believe in His power, having confidence in God's promise “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9). If only we could abide in that truth, we would be able to outrun the chariots.