“Return to Me”

Today's post is not about a movie starring Minnie Driver or  a love song by Dean Martin...
“Return to Me” is a recurring theme in the Old Testament (Jer. 4:1; Joel 2:12; Zech 1:3). When a person's world is turned upside down, he either turns to God or turns away—more commonly the latter. Do you remember when, right after God turned the tables on the Egyptians by parting the Red Sea, the people turned on Moses angrily for turning them into victims of a waterless desert.  Then when God turned the desert rocks into springs of water, their hearts were turned around. You'd think it would have been a turning point for them, but that’s not exactly how it turned out.

Whenever trouble turned up, they were all too quick to turn and run. Centuries later, threatened by war with Assyria, they turned to Egypt. Did they really think God would turn a blind eye to their offense?  He graciously warned them that before things took a turn for the worse, they'd better turn back: “In returning to Me, you will be saved” (Is. 30:15).

Where do you turn when God turns up the heat?  Do you turn down God's opportunities for growth?  Well, as it turns out, you have a God who is too full of love to turn the page on you.  He is waiting for you to "return to Me with all your heart” (Is. 30:18; Joel 2:12). And when you do, He will turn your enemies on their head, and turn your trials inside out (Ro. 8:28; 37).

Stop Pointing the Finger

By now you’ve all heard about the infamous “finger wagging” encounter between President Obama and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Regardless of why it happened, or “who started it,” it was arguably improper for Brewer to point her finger in the President’s face. 

“Pointing the finger” is an action of blaming, reprimanding, or warning, and worse, a gesture of contempt.  Who can forget how President Clinton used it to scold his accusers.  And recently,  during a Republican debate, Rick Perry pointed condescendingly at Ron Paul. 

Finger pointing is as old as Adam who pointed the finger at Eve who pointed the finger at the serpent.  It is natural to want to "wag your finger" to point out someone else's error, to justify yourself.  Or, to shift the blame when you feel threatened.  

"Finger pointing" is soundly condemned by God (Is. 58:9) because of what it is. But He promises if we stop pointing at others, and instead, ask Him to point out our faults, He will bring our relationships to the point of restoration. (Is 58:9-12).  Then, instead of pointing at people, we can point people to God, which is really the point of our salvation, isn't it!

When Faced with Death

We live in a world where it is more normal to be persecuted for your faith than not. We who live in the “free” world must never forget those who live in the face of death every day. Strangely, our nation is allied with countries where Christians are faced with death for following Christ—Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are each on the list of the top ten where Christians have almost no freedom to worship.
                                                                     
Perhaps you read about the brutal murders of Christians in Nigeria this month? One attack was at the Deeper Life Bible Church in the capital: 9 worshipers killed, 19 wounded. One witness said, “There was blood all over the church; it was a horrible sight.” 

Can you imagine living every day facing death?  But in fact, we do. Dying to 'self.'  Every time God shows us the things in our heart we love more than Him (Jn. 14:24).  Long before our friends in Nigeria were martyred for Christ, they had already made that decision to love Jesus more than their own lives, even when faced with death (Rev. 12:11).  Imagine this: Jesus looks into your eyes and says: "Do you love me more than ____?" (Jn 21:16).

The Empire Strikes Back

During the time of the early church, the Roman Empire ruled the world.  Most conservative scholars believe there will be a re-emergence of the ancient Roman Empire in Europe in the last days. (Daniel 9:26; Rev 17:9-10) This is why it is so important that we pay close attention to what is happening in Europe.  Bible scholars have studied the formation of the European Union from the 1990's until the present with great interest. 

As of this writing (things seem to change daily) Europe is said to be on the cliff of economic disaster.  This week, it is reported that Greece is unable to come to an agreement on the terms of a European bank loan.  And both Greece and Italy's citizens are protesting the austerity measures being forced on them.  It is not at all unlikely that Europe’s problems will be the catalyst for a major re-configuration of the European Union in 2012. The weaker economies—Greece, Italy, Ireland—may be cut off to avoid bringing down the stronger ones. How the E.U. handles this severe economic test will be a determinant in 21st century geopolitics. Keep your eyes on Europe for the possible return of the Empire.

The “First Time”

After Gingrich won the election in South Carolina, the media reported this is the “first time” since the modern primary system began that there have been 3 different winners in each of the first 3 contests.  Following a year of unprecedented events (weather and politics), "first times" are becoming normal.

“First times” have different connotations, i.e., the “first kiss,” the “first job,” the “first day of school.”  Each evokes its own “first” feelings. Most “first times” produce anxiety, a fear of the unfamiliar, i.e.,the “first time” you gave a public speech, or your "first time" driving on the freeway, or the “first time” you sky-dived. Generally we don’t like those feelings, and are quite glad to have them behind us.  The second time is so much easier!

It occurs to me that life is full of “first times” when you are young, and when you are older they are fewer, either by circumstance or choice. What I mean is as people get older they reduce the number of unfamiliar things—they cling to the familiar. But if we are “new” in Christ and things are continually being made “new” and we are walking in the “newness” of life, then it seems to me the “first times” never end—with one exception. The “first time” you die will be your “last.” And then there will be an eternity of “first times” (but without any fear!). "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21:5).

There is no such thing as a “Sin Meter”

This last Sunday many churches commemorated “Sanctity of Life Month” by speaking out against abortion. Shockingly, since 1973, over 30% of U.S. women of child bearing age have had an abortion. Even more disturbing, the rate of abortions for self-identified Christians is nearly the same. So while this is a political and moral issue, it is also a very painful person issue for many women (and men).

I wonder how many women stayed home from church on Sanctity of Life Sunday, yet unable to shed feelings of shame & guilt.  Sadly, some sins carry a stigma—abortion being one. And though we all know there is no such thing as a “sin meter,” certain sins seem to be singled out as worse. Another example of this is homosexuality.  During the AIDS epidemic, some preachers publicly declared that AIDS was God’s judgment against homosexuals. While there is no doubt that certain sins have more severe consequences, the result of drawing attention to a particular sin is that we appear to be "sin discriminators."

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, rebuking "fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, covetous people, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers"  (1 Cor. 6:10.), later adding "quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior" (2 Cor. 12:20), he equalized all sinners.  And in a tone of hope and love, declared, “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 6:11).

Chicken of the Sea

The phrase “Chicken of the Sea” took on new meaning when the media seized on the phrase to describe the cowardly captain of a cruise ship that crashed off the coast of Italy last  week.  Apparently ignoring the law of the sea that he must “go down with the ship," saving "women and children first," the supposedly spineless sailor slipped into a lifeboat and abandoned his vessel; thus earning his new moniker: "chicken of the sea!" 

Unfortunately, the sad scenario of a scared skipper brings to mind the question people are asking during this election year: “Where is the captain we can trust to lead us out of recession and into prosperity?  Where is the commander in chief who has the wisdom to protect us from rogue nations and terrorists?"  

Did you know the title "captain" is used twice to describe our LORD: “captain of our salvation” (Heb. 2:10) and “captain of our faith” (Heb. 12:2).  The word "captain" connotes strength and confidence, evoking feelings of comfort and security.  For example, an honorable Navy captain will engender trust from his sailors who are assured he cares enough to die with them, even for them.  We have such a Captain, One who anchors our souls (Heb. 6:19).  In the midst of a storm, He calms the seas and quiets the winds.  And we have a Captain we can believe when He promises “I will never leave or abandon you” (Heb. 13:5).

What is "MY" Cross?

I wonder how many followers of Jesus have never truly picked up their cross because they didn’t know what it was.  They have not understood that picking up your cross is DYING TO SELF.

DYING TO SELF is when you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely provoked, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight. But instead your heart is content, knowing your Father in Heaven understands you, just like Jesus  did. 

DYING TO SELF is when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself. But instead you take it all loving silence just like Jesus did.

DYING TO SELF is when you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any annoyance, any disruption, when you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any people, when you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can submit inwardly as well as outwardly, washing the feet of those who reject you,  just like Jesus did.  DYING TO SELF is your cross.

This is my cross to bear and I'm not happy about it!

“This is my cross to bear” is a statement you won't find in the Bible. It refers to a nagging, unrelenting, undesirable circumstance in your life.  Since the expression is often heard by even non-believers, I feel compelled to clarify the difference between this is my cross to bear and taking up my cross.

Having a “cross to bear” implies a burden we didn’t choose.  And the point that it is unbearable makes it unbiblical. Why? Jesus said the opposite: “Come unto me all you are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest; my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matt. 11:28).”  Therefore, if Jesus' yoke feels burdensome, you are probably trying to carry it in your own strength, or you are carrying something God doesn't want you to carry.

How do you know if it is one, or both, of the above? You know something's wrong when you carry it in bitterness, anger, or resentment; when you complain to God and everyone around you so they know how much you’re suffering; when you expect, self-righteously, to be rewarded one day for your pain.

Taking up our cross means we do so of our own free will, without complaining, or expecting a reward. Rather, we take up our cross because Jesus did, and we "rejoice in our sufferings that we may know Him and be conformed to His death” (Col. 1:24; Phil. 3:10).  We must distinguish ourselves from those who consider hardships to be "unbearable" because we have learned to come to Jesus with our burdens (Mark 8:34; Heb. 12:3). [Tomorrow: "What is my cross?"]

What TIME is it?

What TIME is it? Seems like a simple enough question, but its answer depends on what “time zone” you live in.  Or on how you define TIME: the hour of the day, or the season of life, or the age we live in?

The Bible exhorts you to “make the most of your time” (Eph. 5:16), not to be confused with having the “time of your life.” It means to be mindful that "time is short" and there will be a "time of reckoning."

Did you know there is such a thing as an official “Doomsday Clock?”  It was created by a group of scientists in 1947 to warn of the perils of a nuclear arms race. The potential for a nuclear war determines the time on the Doomsday Clock.  As of January 2012, the Doomsday clock is set at 11:55 p.m.

It occurs to me the scientists have hit on a spiritual law. All men are living on “borrowed time.” “Time waits for no man.” “Time marches on.” When we’re young, we think we have “time on our side,” but when we get older we realize that “time flies,” and we can no longer “take our sweet time,” knowing it will soon be “time to call it a day.” "At one time," Jesus rebuked those who were not able to “discern the times.” (Matt. 16:3).  Would you agee that "it's high time" we all learned how to "tell time."

God is Not Mad at You

God says "let us make man in our image."  Man says, "let's make God into our image!"  How does he do that?  With his “fallen” imagination, he projects his ideas and feelings onto God, in effect, “humanizing” Him.  Through Isaiah, God says, “You thought I was just like you.” (50:21)

For example, we think God's anger is like ours. But while ours is a mixture of impatience, retaliation, and self-defense, God’s is righteous: it is anger against sin. God hates sin; hates the pain it causes; hates how it separates us from Him.  But He loves mankind (Jn 3:16). For that reason, "God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Ro. 5:8).

The story of the prodigal son illustrates this beautifully. While the son sat in a pig pen of sinful choices, imagining his father's anger, he projected punishment where there was only love and forgiveness. He could not imagine his father was waiting and longing for his return.  After times of disobedience, the Jews would distance themselves from God.  The prophets tried to tell them God was not mad at them: “God longs to be gracious to you; and He is waiting on high to show you mercy; the Lord of Hosts says, ‘Return to Me; I love you with an everlasting love.’" (Is. 30:18; Zech. 1:3; Jer. 31::3)

Iran’s Plan for Peace on Earth

Did you know that a driving belief by the Shiite Muslims is the coming of an Islamic messiah, called al Mahdi?  They believe the Mahdi's reappearance will be preceded by a 7-year confrontation with evil, ending with an era of universal peace (Sound familiar?).  Iranian President Ahmadinejad believes that Iran has been chosen to “pave the path for the glorious reappearance.”  In other words, Iran has no reluctance to starting a nuclear holocaust in the region.

Not surprisingly, then, after claiming for years that their nuclear program was only to produce energy, they recently announced their intention to test a nuclear warhead.  And since then, they are threatening to close the Straits of Hormuz, warning the US to keep its carriers out of the Persian Gulf. The US responded by ordering additional carriers to the Gulf and adding 15,000 troops in Kuwait. It’s widely feared that a military showdown between the US and Iran is imminent.

Mahmud Ahmadinejad is the most religiously zealous leader on the world scene today: “We don’t shy away from declaring that Islam is ready to rule the world.”  Zeal plus power is a terrible force. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way … so when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (2 Thess. 2:7; Luke 21:28).

Living on Purpose

The other day I was talking to one of my former students, a bright young man full of ambition. But he confesses to wasting a lot of time—video games, TV, Facebook—none of which contribute anything to his life goals. I assured him his situation is not uncommon.  Our culture offers us so many empty things with which to occupy ourselves!  I call it "loitering."

Did you know that several years after Joshua and Israel had moved into Canaan, there were still seven Tribes who had not yet taken possession of their portions of the Land ? (Josh. 18)  So Joshua asked them, "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord has given you?" They were still living like wanderers. Here they stood, on the edge of God’s gift to them, loitering instead of occupying.

Jesus said “Occupy ‘til I come” (Lk. 19:13).  But like the seven Tribes many Christians have never taken full possession of God's plan and purpose. They may tell you they are waiting on God, but they are really just 'waiting around.'  Genuine waiting on God means occupying yourself with God's purposes (Col 3:2). That's hard to do when you are predisposed and preoccupied.  That's what the the seven loitering Tribes picture for us.  So, what did I tell my former student? I said, "Put up a sign in your heart  that says 'No Loitering,' and start Living on Purpose."

Underground Bunkers for End-of-World Survivors

By now you've all heard of the Mayan prediction that the world will end in December 2012.  However, not all 'Mayan' scholars agree with that interpretation; they say the Mayans believed in cycles of creation, and were simply predicting the beginning of a new cycle. "At the very least," one cynical sociologist commented, "the doomsday prediction is a chance for entrepreneurs to cash in."

Sure enough, the American firm 'Vivos' is selling peace of mind for the end-of-world worriers, building 20 underground “assurance of life” communities, each one capable of sustaining 4,000 people for a year.  Only after paying $50,000 and passing a pre-qualification that determines one's worthiness will he or she be able to live in one of these ground-breaking hotels.

Given the above, consider the words of the Psalmist, "Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, all the defenses in the world won't help."  Paul assures us that "when the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we will have an eternal house in heaven." (Ps. 127:1, 2 Cor. 5:1) And the good news: we have been "pre-qualified" as worthy for one of those 'move-in-ready' homes.

The Church Must Be Warned

I know my warnings of Joel Osteen's teaching must trouble some of my dear friends. But his doctrinal omissions can confuse, even deceive, the sheep. We live in a time when the integrity of the Bible faces great challenges—from liberal theologians, from the new emerging church teachers, and from psychologically oriented purveyors of happiness and self-fulfillment.  But where are the warners?
 

Who will warn them?

Too few of today’s shepherds are warning the sheep. Given the aforementioned attack on sound doctrine, I do not understand why. It makes me wonder if “political correctness” (concern about offending people) has so penetrated the church, we have become fearful of appearing confrontational.  I wasn't shocked when Joel Osteen wouldn't say that Mormons are not Christians, but when Franklin Graham, appearing on CNN, avoided answering the question, I was a little surprised. 
 

While I understood that Graham wisely chose not to feed the Media's appetite for sensational soundbites, the question remains: who will speak the truth? It appears “truth has stumbled in the streets and is nowhere to be found” (Is. 59:14). Paul said, "For 3 years I never stopped warning you that men will distort the truth" (Acts 20:30).  John said, “Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit, but test them to see if they are from God; there are many false prophets” (1 Jn 4:1). When did you last hear a sermon warning you of false doctrine or teachers?

Are We Fourth Quarter Christians?

On today’s front page of USA Today, evangelical Christian Tim Tebow is proclaimed a “one-man cultural blitz.” His miraculous overtime win against the Steelers has put him front and center of the whole world. Throwing 316 yards added to the mystique (John 3:16 in the top 3 Google ‘searches’ of the day). But the uniquely amazing thing about Tim Tebow’s ‘game’ is when he wins: in the 4th quarter and in overtime.

The spiritual analogies are exploding in my brain like popcorn. But this “fourth-quarter/overtime” winning phenomenon is shouting for attention. A survey of God’s men of faith reveals they were “4th quarter” winners. Moses’ faith was rewarded in the 4th quarter parting of the Red Sea ; Abraham received God’s overtime promise when there was no possibility of natural conception; Daniel astonished the king with an overtime deliverance from hungry lions.

On the other end of faith, however, was King Saul, an impatient man who lost in the 4th quarter. Unwilling to wait until Samuel arrived, he gave in to the fear of man, losing not only Samuel’s blessing but the kingdom itself. My friends, does it feel you like you are in the 4th quarter? Moreover, are we not all living in the 4th quarter of Time? Do we have 4th quarter faith? Could this need for 4th quarter faith be what Jesus spoke of when he asked, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

Cut it out!

I read an article about Governor Brown's proposed tax cuts in California in which the writer described it using the idiom, “death by a thousand cuts.” It means “lots of small bad things are happening, none of which are fatal in themselves, but which add up to a slow and painful demise.”

"What a graphic metaphor," I thought, "for Paul’s I die daily" (1 Cor. 15:31).  We crucify the self-life a thousand times a day when we respond in love and grace to unexpected interruptions, unfair criticisms, demands from 'un-deserving'  people: things that bring out the worst in us! But as we say ‘yes’ to God's interests, the cross cuts to the bone of our self-life: pride, ambition, and a host of what Tozer called the hyphenated self sins: self-importance, self-defense, self-indulgence, self-pity, even self-sensitivity.

The cross proves that God loved the world too much to leave it in its fallen condition. Likewise, God loves you too much to save you and then leave you without a way to cut out your cancerous self-life. The “daily cross” is a very personal focal point in your private life with God.  Unfortunately, not many are willing to take up this cross (Matt. 16:24).  They may acknowledge their co-crucifixion with Christ; they may even say they want to "die daily."  But at the first sign of pain, they pull back, refusing to let God cut it out.

Should We Fear Living in a Nuclear World?

If Iran develops a nuclear warhead, it will only be a matter of time before other countries in the region follow suit, fueling a nuclear arms race in the fiery Middle East. And since unstable Pakistan is part of the nuclear community, no one wants to think what might happen if its unpopular U.S. backed government is toppled and replaced by one sympathetic to Al Qaeda; while across the world, a new young leader of North Korea has his untested hand on a nuclear trigger, and its neighbor to the north, China, already in possession of 400 nuclear warheads, is ready to rumble.

Some biblical scholars believe that a a nuclear holocaust could be the meaning of Jesus’ prophetic words “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened” (Matt. 24:22). The fact that the world's nations now have the arms capability to destroy the earth is too apocalyptic to be ignored.

The possibility strikes fear in the heart of mortal men.  But however you interpret Jesus’ words, one thing is clear: the protection of the elect.  Imagine a nuclear holocaust as you read these words: "Do not dread the destruction that lays waste at noon; a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you… He is your refuge and fortress in Whom you can trust” (Ps. 6-7, 2 ed).

Beware of Hidden Faults

Residents of California have reason to fear "the big one" [earthquake] because the state is home to a variety of 'known' fault lines. Even more fearful, there are more faults hidden beneath the earth that we don't know about. 

Geologically speaking, a fault is a breach in the rock. Humanly speaking, a fault is a sin causing a breach with God. Faults known to us may be hidden to others. Conversely, faults hidden to us may be obvious to others. King David said, “How can I know the sins lurking in my heart, [and be] cleansed from these hidden faults” (Ps. 92:12). 

Ray Steadman answers, “God's way of dealing with hidden faults is either to send somebody to point them out to you or to bring them out through some circumstance in which you are suddenly confronted with what you have done or said and you find it is ugly and you do not like it. That is how God cleanses us from hidden faults. He opens up the secret places.”  
            
Reflecting on Ray's words, it occurred to me that God's word comes in and fills up those secret, hidden places to make us faultless: "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee" (Ps. 119:11). 

You Can’t Make Me Like You!

The upsurge in violence since the U.S. military left Iraq reminds me that our coerced peace was like a mother who says to her fighting children: “Tell each other you’re sorry and make up.” Of course forcing the Shiite and Sunni Muslims to reconcile after centuries of hatred was not realistic.  And as soon as the “adults” were gone, the Shiite Prime Minister accused his Sunni Vice President of treason and ordered him arrested.  The sectarian violence that followed resulted in 60 deaths throughout Baghdad.

If forcing someone to love you is a contradiction, how can God command us to “love one another?” Isn’t that coercion? Well it would be, if it were beyond our ability to do so. But when Christ takes up residence in our hearts, we become lovers by way of our new nature, "the Holy Spirit filling our hearts with His love" (Ro. 5:5). This is what sets us apart from the world. For born again believers, the command to love one another is not the "have to" of external compulsion but the "want to" of internal desire.

It occurs to me that perhaps we are not so different from our fellow citizens across the globe.  In light of worsening division between the secular culture and conservative Christians, we could be facing our own version of Sunni-Shiite hostility before long, in which case we need not only to love one another, we need to love our enemies.

Is the Death Penalty Wrong? Let’s take a vote!

In a democracy, society decides what is right or wrong by taking a vote!

Wouldn’t it be great if voters passed a law allowing you to shoot your noisy neighbor, or your mean boss? Why not? Is that any worse than passing a law that allows a woman to kill her baby? And what about a school board that votes to give sex education and condoms to school children?  Does their vote make it right?  In the last decade, Board members of many private companies have voted to give the same health benefits to their unmarried (gay or straight) employees' partners as to those who are legally married. Does their vote legitimize what we once called "living in sin?"

And every day, TV viewers vote for gratuitous violence, lying, cheating, steeling, pornography, fornication, adultery, gay marriage, and a host of topics and behaviors that were formerly banned by the FCC. How do they vote? With their eyes—as proven by the high ratings! Unfortunately, even Christians watch these shows, thereby, albeit unknowingly, voting their approval!

The question is: How do we Bible-believing citizens cast our vote? Answer: with our 'feet' and our 'mouth' - walking away from evil and speaking against it: "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them...speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 5:11-12; 4:15).

Have a “New” Year!

With each passing year, I am more grateful for the “newness of life” in Christ (Rom. 6:4). Though natural men may call me a senior citizen, as a spiritual man, I am actually getting newer, “being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16).  The world says I am the sum total of everything I have ever done, including my failures (ugh!) But the Bible says "all things are new" (2 Cor. 5:17).  And it is the new that defines me, not the old.  My life is now being “summed up in Christ” (Eph. 1:10).

When God created the world He separated each day with the curtain of night. Yesterday is behind the curtain.  Regardless of yesterday's failure, today is a new start.  “His mercies are new every morning” (Lam. 3:23). That doesn’t mean I can’t learn from the past; it just means I am not going to live in the past and let it hold me back.  

Paul said, “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Phil. 3:13-14).  How can you make this a “new” year? Leave yesterday behind; after all, you can’t change it. All of God's today’s are brand new.  Don't waste another day in bondage to the past. When Christ was buried, so was your past!  Enjoy your freedom.  Walk in the newness of life!