Red Lines, Deadlines, and Red Letter Days

Yesterday in his UN speech, Netanyahu made a case for establishing red lines and deadlines to stop Iran's nuclear weapons development. If those red lines are crossed, military action would result. But, the course of preference for the UN and U.S. is continued diplomacy and sanctions.

Generally speaking, ‘red lines’ and ‘deadlines’ are necessary in life. Without them, people get all willy-nilly—people need boundaries. Interestingly, some Bibles highlight all of Jesus' words in red, called "Red Letter Bibles." When we stay within Jesus' red lines of obedience, we have peace, joy, and feel God's love (John 15:10). You might even call those red letter days. But when we cross the lines, we lose all of that. We experience futility (Eph 4:17).

And does God give us ‘deadlines?’ Well, the obvious one is death. But I think we have a more immediate deadline, called “Today.” “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as when they provoked me in the day of trial in the wilderness… [That is why] you must warn each other every day, while it is still “today” so that none of you will be deceived” (Heb. 3:7, 13). What happens when you miss today's deadline?  Don’t worry. Tomorrow is another “today.”

Iranian President Announces the Coming of Messiah

Iranian President Ahmadinejad gave a long, rambling anti-zionist speech before the U.N. yesterday.  The following is my edited version of the last part where he describes Islam's messiah.

          God Almighty has promised us a man of kindness, a man who loves people and loves absolute justice, a man who is a perfect human being and is named Imam Al-Mahdi, a man who will come in the company of Jesus Christ and the righteous. By using the inherent potential of all the worthy men and women of all nations he will lead humanity into achieving its glorious and eternal ideals. The arrival of the Ultimate Savior will mark a new beginning, a rebirth and a resurrection. It will be the beginning of peace, lasting security and genuine life. His arrival will be the end of oppression, immorality, poverty, discrimination and the beginning of justice, love and empathy.
          He will come so that hands will be joined, hearts will be filled with love and thoughts will be purified to be at service of security, welfare and happiness for all. He will come to return all children of Adam irrespective of their skin colors to their innate origin after a long history of separation and division linking them to eternal happiness. Let us join hands and clear the way for his eventual arrival with empathy and cooperation, in harmony and unity.

The Antichrist is so-called because he will be against Christ, but the world will see him as a “pseudo-Christ”— Satan’s counterfeit Messiah. He will not be frightening, but charming. The world will love him: a great leader and a man of peace.

America's Decay: Take It Personally

There was an article in Sunday's paper about America's advanced state of decay—roads crumbling, bridges collapsing, power grids failing, sewage plants leaking, dams cracking, airports clogging. And while these are only infrastructure, an argument can be made that America is decaying in other ways—economically, politically, educationally, culturally, nutritionally, morally and spiritually. Is America out of control?

Centuries ago, Solomon said, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”  Is it also possible that Solomon's use of the metaphor was meant to imply a connection between the lack of personal self-control and civil decay?

Paul said society would deteriorate in the last days. And right in the middle of a laundry list of self-destructive characteristics, he says people will be “without self control” (2 Tim. 3:1-7). I don’t pretend to be an expert on prophetic events, but some scholars believe that America is not mentioned in Bible Prophecy because she will have lost her influence as result of moral and spiritual decay. But this I do know: we are all exhorted to discern the times in which we live (Matt. 16:3; Daniel 11:33). And the change in American culture and society in the past 50 years is something we dare not ignore.

If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas

Earlier this month the U.S. military suspended its joint operations with Afghan troops due to insider attacks that are killing our soldiers. Afghan security forces (trained by us) have turned their U.S.-made weapons on American or NATO soldiers 36 times this year.

When will the U.S. learn to stop fighting in other countries’ civil wars? Not only that, the Afghan conflict is a ‘holy’ war between radical and moderate Islamists. And joining one side to fight the other is nearly impossible because we can't tell them apart. This greatly facilitates the strategy of infiltration. 

I can’t help but see a spiritual parallel. For over 100 years, there has been ‘civil’ war within the Church of Christ between liberal and conservative theologians. The liberals reject a literal interpretation of the Bible and the exclusivity of Christ’s claims. Paul does not mince words when he calls such people enemies of the cross (Phil. 3:18). Now here’s the parallel to the U.S. military dilemma—they are what-Jesus-called “weeds among the wheat” (Matt. 13:25).  And because they are hard to identify, they easily infiltrate the church. How can you and I detect them? They are ones teaching people whatever their itching ears want to hear (2 Tim. 4:3).

Why is Deepak Chopra Agreeing with Joel Osteen?

Joel Osteen was on Soledad O’Brien’s CNN show last week, promoting his book, “I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak over Your Life.” The interview was particularly remarkable because Osteen appeared with Deepak Chopra, New Age author of “The Third Jesus” and the “Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga.”

Osteen explained to Soledad, “The theme of this book is simple: You’ve got to send your words out in the direction you want your life to go.” When O’Brien asked if he really believed that speaking declarations out loud can make them come true, Osteen assured her it does. But the really startling thing was that Deepak Chopra (who radiates the spirit of anti-Christ) agreed with Osteen, who beamed with pleasure at the former's affirmation. They were a virtual “mutual admiration society” of two.

Dr. Albert Mohler says, “The appearance of Osteen and Chopra together was a priceless demonstration that the New Thought/Positive Thinking philosophy that drives them both can be grafted onto either Christianity or Eastern religion. In the end, it all sounds the same.” Unfortunately, millions of Biblically-illiterate Christians will be taken in by Joel’s book, thinking that their POSITIVE “words” will effect changes that only the POWERFUL “Word” of God can (Heb. 4:12). I think Joel’s new book should come with a warning: “Let no one deceive you with empty words” (Eph. 5:6).

Are you better off than you were four years ago?

The campaign question “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” is loaded. Everyone will answer based on his or her own circumstances. Personally, I’m much better off than I was 4 years ago. My relationship with Jesus (and thus with my wife and children) just keeps getting better!

All mankind has an inborn desire for something ‘better.’ It is this ‘law of better’ that drove the early American settlers out West and astronauts into space, and drives researchers to discover the cure for cancer. But none of these pursuits will satisfy man’s desire for “better” because as Pascal said, it is “a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man” which can only be filled by God. The author of Hebrews used the word “better” 12 times, i.e., better hope, better promises, better possessions, a better country (Heb. 7:19; 8:6; 10:34; 11:16) as if speaking to this primal drive. But after we are born again, this desire doesn't stop. The Holy Spirit “keeps pressing us on to better things” (6:1, 9).

We’re all familiar with the colloquialism, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” in regard to each person’s pursuit of better things. Ironically, it seems James speaks right to it, “No sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass [on the other side of the fence]” (James 1:11).  How do you measure whether you are better off than you were four years ago?

Return to Me

Have you been on an unfamiliar freeway, missed your turn-off, and had to go 3 miles before exiting and returning? It might have made your trip easier if it were like Disneyland’s Autopia where cars travel on a guide track that doesn’t allow any wrong turns!  After writing yesterday’s post on the divine prohibition against making “right or left turns,” I wanted to make sure you know about God's 'return policy.'

God is not about prohibitions and heartless commandments. His path is meant for our good, immediately and ultimately. It gives Him pleasure when we choose His straight path. But the highway to holiness doesn’t have guide rails. We have choices. In the Bible, ‘turning to the right or to the left’ always implies man’s unfaithfulness (Deut. 2:27; 5:32; Josh. 1:7; 1 Kings 22:2). But don’t worry; God waits for us to ‘straighten up’ before He graciously steps in to ‘straighten us out!’

“The Lord waits for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries. So whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the [straight] way, walk in it. Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved’” (Is. 30:18, 21, 15, edited). Like the prodigal’s loving father, He patiently waits for us to come back.  He has a very generous return policy!

Driving Without Blinkers

Do you know what kind of car the first century Christians drove? The Bible says they were all in “one Accord” (Acts 1:14). While that may be an especially corny joke, I will take it one corny step further and say it probably didn’t have any blinkers (turn signals).

There are many Scriptures where God commands “Do not turn to the left or to the right” (Deut. 5:32; 17:20; Josh 1:7; Prov. 4). Jesus' followers are warned to stay on the straight and narrow path (Matt. 7:14).

You don’t have to drive for long with the Lord to know it is not easy going straight in this crooked world (Phil 2:15); there are so many temptations to make a wrong turn.  And our enemy is only too ready to confuse us with false signs that will lead us in the wrong direction.  But not to worry! God promises to ‘drive’ them away just as He ‘drove’ out the enemies of Israel (Joshua 3:10). And I am convinced whatever He is ‘driving’ has no blinkers.  "Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:6).

Off with their Heads!

"Off with their heads!" was the expression used by the Queen of Hearts from ‘The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland.’ But beheading is hardly a laughing matter, especially in light of last month’s brutal beheadings of 17 men, women and children by the Taliban. Having lived in Afghanistan, I was not surprised by such primitive violence. “But why beheading?” I thought.

Beheading is not unique to our times. You probably remember from your high school ancient history class about the beheadings of English and French royals in the Middle Ages. Back then, beheading was considered an honorable way to die. But 21st century terrorists are beheading their victims after they die: an expression of contempt. To cut off a head shows vile hatred for a person's beliefs (remember John the Baptist). And, it strikes terror in the heart of one’s enemies.

The spiritual analogy here is rich. The head represents one's mind—thoughts, beliefs, plans and dreams. No wonder Satan goes for the head. If he can capture the mind, he can control a person's emotions and behaviors. This is why Paul tells us to cover our heads with the helmet of salvation and hope (Eph. 6:17: 1 Thess. 5:8). Our enemy hates those who have the mind of Christ, and will stop at nothing to destroy them. I’m sure the battle cry of Satan’s minions must be “Off with their heads!”

California's Governor says, “Count the Cost”

Governor Jerry Brown told Californians they are going to have to make a hard choice about how much government they are willing to pay for, and then explained: “There is a lot of magical thinking in Washington and Sacramento, and maybe, I might even say, in Western civilization. We’ve had it easy until now and the moment of truth is upon us. We’ve got to pay for what we want.”

I couldn’t help seeing a spiritual parallel. What disciple of Christ does not want the abundant life Jesus promised: the blessings of peace, joy, and to know one’s purpose? Is it blasphemous to suggest it will cost you something? Jesus says, “You cannot be my disciple without giving up everything you own, but don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation and run out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you” (Luke 14:33, 28-30).

Let me clarify that it is not as if God won’t give us His abundance unless we pay for it (Jesus already did that). No, the problem is we can’t receive His fullness until we stop being full of ourselves.  Jesus paid the price to give us all the fullness of God. Are we willing to give up everything in order to receive it?  I think Jerry Brown was kind of saying: “It's time to count the cost.”

Google Analytics and Russian Readers

A program called ‘Google analytics’ generates a daily report on the number of people reading my blog postings—by country. Through this report I found I have many Russian readers; and last week, more than in the U.S.  Greetings and blessings to my Russian blogging brothers and sisters.

Isn’t it amazing that somewhere in the invisible realm called cyberspace is a robot that knows every site you visit! More extraordinary than that is the unseen heavenly realm—God’s watchful Presence. “The LORD looks from heaven. He sees all the sons of men, and no thought can be withheld from Him, for he knows the secrets of the heart.” (Ps. 33:13; 44:21) If you and I were conscious of God’s all-seeing, all-knowing presence, would we be different? Or are we like the Israelites at Mt. Sinai who wanted to keep a safe distance from God!?

King David wrote: “I can never escape from you. I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I go down to the grave, you are there. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you” (Psalm 139:8-12). But David wasn’t afraid of a ‘watching’ God. God’s presence was a satisfying comfort to David: “God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble” (Ps. 46:1).

An Ambassador Must be Willing to Lose his Life

Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and 3 other Americans were killed on this year's anniversay of 9/11. President Obama and Secretary Clinton both condemned the killings, while stressing that the U.S. bond with Libya would not suffer as a result. These words caught my attention. Though our representative may be dead, the relationship continues: the message is greater than the messenger.

An ambassador is the highest-ranking representative of one government to another.  He or she is authorized to speak for the President. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 Paul calls us Christ’s ambassadors, those who have been sent to speak for Him. And we represent the country, the heavenly realm, from which we have been sent. Certainly Ambassador Stevens knew that he was risking his life to represent and speak for America in a hostile region of the world.

Are we as willing to speak for Christ in our own hostile environments? It occurs to me that since Ambassador Stevens was relatively unknown before his murder, his death becomes the pinnacle of his life.  On the other hand, our death to our own interests must precede our ambassadorship. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-26)

Was 9/11 America's Wake-up Call?

On September 11, 2001, America was shaken.  Now eleven years later, it seems it was just the beginning.  Since then, 9 of the 10 costliest hurricanes in American history have occurred, along with the worst tornadoes in a half-century, and the worst drought since 1930. Even the economy has been severely shaken.

And it isn’t just in America. God says, “I will shake all the nations” (Haggai 2:7). Japan suffered its worst disaster since World War II by earthquake and tsunami that led to a nuclear meltdown. New Zealand had the worst earthquake in its history.  And Haiti's earthquake was the second deadliest in all of human history.  Russia and China had their worst droughts in two centuries.  The Arab world has been shaken through unrest and revolution, leaving Israel shook up.  And the European Union has been shaken by the threat of bankruptcy by at least 3 of its members.

Is God shaking the nations? Are they listening? “Be careful you do not refuse to listen to Him who is speaking...you will certainly not escape if you reject the One who speaks from heaven, saying, Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also” (Heb. 12:25-26). I don't know about the entire world, but if 9/11 and subsequent events were America's wake-up call, I'm afraid she rolled over and went back to sleep.

The New Normal

In our culture of constant change, it can be difficult to figure out what “normal” is!  The dictionary definition is “that which conforms to an accepted standard.” Given that standards shift like the wind, “normal” is subject to change—so there will always be a “new normal.”

Last week at the Democratic Convention, a young man spoke about 'new' family values—he was raised by two mothers, lesbians. He was there to thank the Democratic Party for ‘normalizing’ gay families. Then the next day, coincidentally, I read about a new Fall TV sitcom, called “The New Normal,” that will feature two gay men raising a child they have by a surrogate.

In my lifetime I have seen a lot of “new normal’s.” I remember when black and white TVs and bow ties were normal. I remember when it was normal for grocery stores to be closed on Sundays. And more soberly, I remember when out-of-wedlock pregnancy was not normal and abortion was illegal.

Obviously, what used to be “normal” changed.  But if “normal” is so subjective, why are so many believers trying to be “normal”?  Rather than being defined by the world's shifting standards, shouldn't we be conforming to God's?  Who knows? Our lives just might appear refreshingly and delightfully abnormal to all the normal people around us.  Our standards could even become the "new normal!"

Looking for a Knight in Shining Armor?

Americans are looking at the upcoming election with doubt, if not cynicism. They want someone to believe in. Obama’s supporters are trying to recover lost hope. Republican hope for their candidate seems oddly tepid. But all agree they want things to get better, at least better than they were 4 years ago. 

Arguably, it is too late—our economy is headed for collapse no matter who gets elected. In 40 years, the national debt has risen from less than $2 trillion to nearly $16 trillion, without including IOUs to other government programs, like Social Security. That's the equivalent of a household making $50,000 a year (gross) owing $50,000 on their credit card!  The interest payment alone could exceed $1,000 a month!  But we are not alone in this mess.  Worldwide, economies are on the brink of collapse. And no leader with any solutions has emerged! 

The world is ripe for a political savior who who will ride in on a white horse!  It seems unlikely to be either of our present candidates (since he will need to be a very charismatic person of outstanding ability and extraordinary power). Is he out there somewhere! I think the antichrist must be waiting in the wings, all suited up in his shiny armor! (2 Thess. 2:3)

Falling Asleep in Church May Be a Symptom

Last week in church, the elderly woman sitting next to me was fast asleep—her head resting on her chest. When I worked for the government, we had lots of meetings. My boss always fell asleep—he blamed it on narcolepsy!  But seriously, falling asleep in meetings (or church) is easy to do.

On the most important night of Jesus’ life, he asked the Disciples to stay awake and pray with him (Matt. 26:41). But they all fell asleep. Earlier, when Jesus spoke of the final hours before His return, he used similar language, “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen” (Luke 21:36). Through John, he warned, “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake.” (Rev. 16:15). Paul issued a similar warning: “Time is running out; wake up…let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.” (Romans 13:11; 1 Thess. 5:6).

What does this mean for us? When people are asleep they are in the dark; they are insensitive to danger and what is going on around them; they are, basically, unconscious. Even so, the Christian who is asleep has no sense of danger, cannot discern the times, and cannot hear God—as though he is spiritually dead. Thus Paul says, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (Eph 5:14). At this time in history, we must be alert.  It would be far too easy to fall asleep.

It’s Time to Buy Gold

Have you noticed the increasing number of commercials on TV and Radio, urging people to buy gold? On Tuesday this week, the Federal Government announced that the Federal debt hit $16 trillion, and is still rising at a meteoric pace. Why does it matter? Ultimately, excessive debt results in bankruptcy—for either a family or a nation. And when it even looks like this might happen, a country’s money loses its value, making things cost more, i.e., a price of a loaf of bread increases from $2 to $5. High inflation brought on by excessive debt was one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire.

When inflation causes stocks, real estate, bank savings to be worth less, people buy gold—because gold will always have value. Gold has been the standard for currency since the beginning of time. The Bible affirms the gold standard—the heavenly Jerusalem is made of ‘pure gold’ (Rev. 21:18).

But the Bible often uses gold as a metaphor for that which has no lasting value. James says in the last days, gold and silver will be worthless (James 5:3). Peter says our faith is far more precious than mere gold (1 Pet 1:7). Jesus tells the wealthy Laodiceans to buy gold from Him.  His gold is a metaphor for faith which needs to be purified by fire, just like gold (Rev. 3:18). Inflation or not, it is always time to buy this type of gold and grow rich in faith!

Obomney or Robama?—Does it Matter?

I was musing about the sad state of affairs in the U.S. until I realized that whoever wins will fit, albeit unknowingly, God’s divine plan, even though Obama is a liberal Christian, at best, and Romney is a Mormon who believes he will some day be a god (Gen 3:5).  But whoever our next president is, he could preside over an America that will no longer enjoy superpower status. 

In 1998, when America was enjoying unprecedented prosperity, the stock market was at an all-time high, and unemployment was at a twenty-eight year low, David Wilkerson warned, “America stands at the brink of an economic and social collapse. The American dream is going to turn into the American nightmare. It will occur suddenly—without warning—and no one will be able to explain how or why it happened. God is about to crush this abominable American mindset.”

Was David Wilkerson right?  Through the prophet Jeremiah, God says I pluck up and pull down nations to destroy them if they do not repent (18:7-8).  Fourteen years ago, David Wilkerson said it would soon be “America’s Last Call” [the title of his book]. Does it matter who our next president is?  Since the next 4 years could redefine the nation as we know it, I think it matters a lot!

Which Convention would Jesus attend?

Last week’s Republican Convention produced little surge for Romney. The Democratic one in Charlotte, NC this week will likely fare no better. People are not feeling very hopeful. Regardless of what party takes office in November, can there, realistically, be any significant change? U. S. foreign policy will be largely unaffected, healthcare costs will grow, Social Security and Medicare will move closer to default, the national debt will swell, and political gridlock will continue.

I am not  being pessismistic, but biblical, when I say there will be increasing lawlessness, confusion, and chaos before Christ returns (2 Thess. 2). The contentious conventions are just part of that!  Aren't you glad Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)?

I am not suggesting we disengage from the political process, but we should abstain from political conflict.  After all, Christ called us to build the kingdom of God, defined as righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). I didn't see much of that in Tampa, and don't expect to see it in Charlotte this week either. Wouldn't it be fantastic to go to a convention where everyone is “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33)?

Do You Have Reservations?

Have you ever saved a place for your friend(s) in a crowded church service and felt uncomfortable because you knew there was a chance they might not show up, and the seats would be empty?  But what if it was a concert your friend(s) had paid for?  You would have no reservations about holding their places.

While on earth, Jesus never had a place, once telling an aspiring follower, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20). Jesus knew His Father was holding His place in Heaven.

And to His disciples, He promised: “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places, and I'm going to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Ever since, all believers have treasured the truth that He has reserved our place in Heaven.  It is prepaid and has our name on it (Eph. 1:20; 2:6; Col. 3:1). And without reservation, I can tell you there will be no empty seats in heaven.