RESIST

“But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.” Matthew 5:39, NASB

“Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7, NASB

So, which is it? Resist or not?”

In this day and age, we are faced with this question daily. How are we to respond in the face of an aggressive and spreading evil?

The Bible speaks on these matters but to get wisdom and understanding it takes prayer, study and discipline.

Let’s review these verses and study them:

Matthew 5:39, says, “But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.”  (New American Standard Version)

(1). “DO NOT SHOW OPPOSITION AGAINST”, versus, (2). “RESIST”.

(#1). DO NOT SHOW OPPOSITION AGAINST (Matthew 5:39): is the Greek word, ‘anthistémi’, which means to set against, i.e. withstand

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: to set against, withstand
Usage: I set against; I withstand, resist, oppose.

Strong’s Concordance #436, anthístēmi, means to take a complete stand against, i.e. a “180 degree, contrary position”; figuratively, to establish one’s position publicly by conspicuously “holding one’s ground,” i.e. refusing to be moved (“pushed back”).

“oppose fully“, to forcefully declare one’s personal conviction; where they unswervingly stand; to keep one’s possession; to ardently withstand, without giving up  or letting go.

Anthístēmi, was a military term in classical Greek meaning “to strongly resist an opponent”  or to “take a firm stand against“.

(#2). RESIST (James 4:7): ‘anthistémi’, which means the same thing as “Do not show opposition against”.

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: to set against, withstand
Usage: I set against; I withstand, resist, oppose.

Strong’s Concordance #436, anthístēmi, means to take a complete stand against, i.e. a “180 degree, contrary position”; figuratively, to establish one’s position publicly by conspicuously “holding one’s ground,” i.e. refusing to be moved (“pushed back”).

NOTE: Both, in Matthew 5:39, the phrase “do not show opposition against” and James 4:7, the word “resist” come from the same Greek word and have the same definition!

So, what are we to do? Resist the devil or give in to and evil person? Stand firm or flee?

We need to look at the context of the surrounding words in these verses:

An EVIL Person vs the DEVIL

(#1). EVIL: is the Greek word, ‘ponéros’ which means, toilsome, bad.

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: toilsome, bad
Usage: evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

Strong’s Concordance #190 ‘ponērós’ is an adjective which is also used to mean pain-ridden, emphasizing the inevitable agonies and misery that always go with evil. Evil, grievous.

From a derivative of ponos; hurtful, i.e. Evil in effect or influence, and thus differing from the essential character or degeneracy from original virtue.

Figuratively, morally culpable, derelict, vicious, bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, wicked.

(#2). The Devil: ‘diabolos’ means slanderous, accusing falsely

Definition: slanderous, accusing falsely
Usage: slanderous; with the article: the Slanderer, the Devil.

Strong’s Concordance #1228, ‘diábolos’  means to slander, accuse, defame”; unjustly criticizing to hurt or to malign, and condemn to sever a relationship.

From diaballo; a traducer –

1. Something that converts energy from one form into another. 
2. Figuratively,a ‘computing theory or a formalism’ for describing computation, consisting of a set of states and a transition function describing when to move from one state to another, that generates output based on a given input. Specially, Satan.

see GREEK diaballo

see HEBREW satan

DO NOT RESIST an Evil (person): pain-ridden, emphasizing the inevitable agonies and misery that always go with evil. Diseased; but especially morally culpable, i.e. Derelict, vicious, bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, wickedness.

VERSUS

RESIST the Devil: slanderous, accusing falsely, slanderous; with the article: the Slanderer (par excellence), the Devil. Criticizing to hurt (malign) and condemn to sever a relationship. Diábolos is the root of the English word, “Devil”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Again, a teaching of Jesus seems counter-intuitive and can test the soul of even the most dedicated man or woman.  It is difficult to understand – unless you are willing.

At first glance, this teaching sounds as if a disciple of Jesus is to stand idly by while an evil person slaps you about and perpetrates all kinds of evil to you and in your presence.

Some have even dubbed this teaching as “the law of non-resistance”.  It from this teaching that some call themselves “conscientious objectors”.

There are other examples and times when it seems Jesus teaches the contrary, such as, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6  

Or, Jesus’ own example, at times, contradicts the “law of non-resistance”, such as when He turned over tables and whipped the money changers in the Temple.

But, again, context is everything.

FIRST, Jesus is telling us not to entangle ourselves in the affairs of evil men, even when they cast their evil upon us.  Instead, stay focused on Jesus’ Mission while actively responding to evil, by overcoming evil with good.

SECONDLY, God’s Word and methods are an intricate balance of mercy and justice, something we rarely see anymore.  Once you have “paid the debt” of forgiveness and kindness, do not linger.  If an evil person continues in his or her evil ways, “Shake the dust off your sandals”, so to speak, and move on.

James teaches this principal and its practice when he says, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”  

A simple example of the law of “spiritual physics” is helpful.  Do this exercise with a friend:

1. Stand face-to-face, within an arm’s length from one another.
2. Each person should extend their arm until your hands meet halfway between one another.  (AN IMAGINARY LINE IS NOW DRAWN BETWEEN THE TWO PEOPLE.  THE PLACE WHERE YOUR HANDS MEET IS THE “LINE OF AGREEMENT”)
3. Each person needs to slowly, at first, apply a forward pressure pushing on the other’s hand palm, as if you are trying to push your opponent away.  We will call this meeting of the palm of your hands the “LINE OF AGREEMENT” and you are metaphorically imposing your will on your opponent.
4. Increase the pushing pressure as your opponent pushes back, trying to PUSH THEIR WAY into your space, imposing their will on you.
5. One person, suddenly jerk your hand back toward yourself.  This will cause your “opponent” to fall forward and suddenly find themselves ON YOUR SIDE of the “ARGUMENT”

Thus, the principal of “Spiritual Physics:  RESIST NOT EVIL.  

THIRDLY and finally, Jesus and the verse from James is telling us to recognize the root or the source of evil. This is subtle but critical in its outcome.

The Devil is the source of evil, and it is the devil who “casts through” or acts as the “transducer” converting his evil (energy) from himself into the willing or unsuspecting person.

If you are to overcome evil, to resist evil, it is the devil and his machination you must resist. And it is in this resistance that will cause the devil to flee from you as God draws near.

Whereas encountering and resisting or standing in opposition to a person who has been filled with this evil will only cause you harm and grief and would turn that person further from seeing the Truth. This is one reason Jesus says, “but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”  Do not entangle yourself with this person or the evil emanating from them, instead, reach out to the person caught in this evil.

Now, it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT? _________________________________________

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT? _____________________________________

This takes effort on the Believer’s part, both of spiritual disciplines and the effort of practical application.  But in the end, you have become a peacemaker and demonstrated that you are a Child of God, a disciple of the King.

 Your Brother and Friend,

 Mike Young

More Reading (video): KNOW YOUR ENEMY by the Fuel Project.

Also:  THE RESISTANCE to the growing GLOBAL THREAT OF COMMUNIST-MARXISM and a One World Government

What exactly is a paradox? Is it even possible to have a “God Paradox”? Understanding this question may be one of the Great Secrets of truly being a disciple of Jesus and “Doing the Works He has done, and even Greater Works’ since He has gone to the Father.

In these “Last Days”, the God Paradox may be the one thing we are commanded to know and to do. In fact, this may be vital to our survival, as Jesus put it in Matthew 24:13, “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

One example of this possible “God Paradox” can be found in Philippians 2:12-14:

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

• You work out your own salvation?
• For it is God Who works in you?
• To do and to works for His Good Pleasure?

Which is it? Is it you, working your salvation and doing His Works, or is it God doing His Works through you?

So, what exactly is a PARADOX? A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true.

This is one of the great ‘mysteries’ of the Bible and of our intersection with God. The Bible tells us it is possible to both UNDERSTAND this mystery and to have it ACT upon you and within you.

“To make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:26-27

I want to relate an example of this mystery by way of my Sunday School teacher.

This man is an accomplished man but a humble man. He is able to relate well to others and is a master storyteller. He is well studied and versed in the Word of God. I consider him a true disciple of Jesus and a great Bible teacher.

Recently, in a review of the Book of Philippians, he was pointing out the many reasons for our Joy, found in this great epistle.

He concluded and asked if there were any final thoughts or remarks or prayer requests. Some in the class had several prayer requests and one praise report.

Once it was quiet, I raised my hand and remarked that I had a prayer request. “First”, I said, “I want to thank you for bringing us these Prophetic Words today. I know that I will never be the same again. My prayer request is that we – all of us – recognize the Prophetic value of these verses and let these Words of God act upon us as we act upon them.”

Our teacher stammered the words, “Who me? Prophetic?”

I replied, “Yes, you. That is, God’s Word, by way of His Spirit, through you. And, thank you!”

He seemed speechless and almost incredulous.

Therein lies the manifest paradox:

• We say it (the Word of God).
• We say we believe it.
• Indeed, we do believe it.
• But, then, don’t we usually try to do it ourselves? Or we don’t try at all.

Once you have “Done the Works of Jesus”, then you are never, ever, the same again!

I want to cite just a few verses regarding “The Works of Jesus”, so we can be certain of the Standard:

Matthew 11:2, says, “Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples, verse 3, and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?”

Verse 4. “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:

• the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and
• the lame walk,
• the lepers are cleansed and
• the deaf hear,
• the dead are raised up, and
• the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.

John 10:10, says, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.

Verse 11. “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.

Verse 12.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”

Verse 13. “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

• The Father abiding in Me does His works
• The works that I do, (you) will do also;
• And greater works than these (you) will do; because I go to the Father.

We are commanded by The Prophetic Word of God, to Go into all the world, preaching the Gospel, making disciples, teaching them to do all the Jesus has commanded. We are to lay hands on the sick, and they will recover, tell the blind to receive their sight, tell the lame to walk, raise the dead, feed the hungry, take care of the widowed and orphaned, REMEMBERING that it is God within you doing these Works.

It is our willingness and our obedience, when God intersects with our life, which releases the Power of God through our lives.

PROPHECY IS WHEN WE PLANT THE SEED OF THE WORD OF GOD IN US, SO HIS WORD AND SPIRIT SPEAKS THE TRUTH TO US, AND HE CAN DO HIS MIGHTY AND RIGHTEOUS WORKS THROUGH US.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Revelation 15:3 “And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”

 It is always good to read or hear the Word of God preached.  Sometimes sermons will tell you stories ‘about’ God, so you will come to know stories about the Bible and about God.  But, sometimes you may have to actually experience God, and it is then, you may come to actually know Him.

I like to say that “Knowledge which is not applied, is just idle information; and, wisdom which is not used, is just useless knowledge.”

This is the challenge we face: Not just knowing about God, but, actually coming to know Him and to apply that knowledge as He speaks to us and works through us in our circumstances, our prayers and activities.

Our relationship with God requires more than just knowing about Him. We must know Him, believe Him and we must follow Him, which requires our FAITH in ACTION.

Pastor and author Henry Blackaby points out, in his study “The 7 Realities For Experiencing God”, what we should know about God’s ways, His plans and His purposes. It illustrates how we can follow Him:

1. God is always at work around you.
2. God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
3. God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.
4. God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.
5. God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.
6. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
7. You come to know God by experience as you obey Him, and He accomplishes His work through you.

JESUS’ MINISTRY IS OUR MINISTRY

Our relationship with Jesus is more than ‘Just Knowing About Him’;  it requires Knowing, Believing and Doing.   Jesus has given us…

(a) The plan we are to follow,

(b) The purpose which is our purpose, and

(c) The ministry for us as His disciples.

The letter of Hebrews is an example of how God speaks to us, warns us, protects us and instructs us in His methods and ways. He has a plan for us, but, we are not just recipients of His plan, we are to be active participants. We are on mission with Him.

The primary theme of the letter to the Hebrews is “The Superiority of Jesus”. This book is not just stories from or about the Bible or about God, it is a letter, written, originally to the Hebrew Christians, and by extension, to all believers for all times. It addresses three separate groups: (1), believers in Christ, (2), unbelievers who had knowledge of and an intellectual acceptance of the facts of Christ, and (3), unbelievers who were attracted to Christ, but who rejected Him ultimately. It’s important to understand which group is being addressed in which passage. To fail to do so can cause us to draw conclusions inconsistent with the rest of Scripture.

You see, having become a believer in Jesus and having accepted His magnificent gift of salvation (sozo), you and I have entered into a Salvation Covenant with Him. We have agreed to certain terms, and, to go back on our word to Him can be an eternal and fatal mistake.

Read with me, and let’s gain knowledge for wisdom and wisdom for action. Let’s experience God and desire to do His Will:

Now,

Hebrews 1:1, says, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, verse 2. in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. Verse 3.  And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

WHAT WE KNOW FROM HEBREWS 1:1-3

1.  GOD SPEAKS TO HIS PEOPLE. God spoke to the fathers and through the prophets in many ways.

Why is this important to know?  (If you ask, He will answer you. If you are quiet, willing, listening and submitted to Him, you will hear Him.)

2.  WE ARE IN THE “LAST“  “DAYS“.  

Why is it relevant to the Christian to know that we are in the Last Days? (There are a succession and a convergence of events occurring, which require Christians to prepare for participation.  Being unprepared or unwilling can lead to eternally catastrophic consequences.)

(Details about THE LAST DAYS are at this link.  Also, click on these blue words linked to “Last” and “Days”, separately, for the Greek translation.  Then, click on  green linked THE LAST DAYS for important details about THE LAST DAYS.)

3.  God has spoken to us, IN THESE LAST   DAYS, in Jesus.

What is the significance of the reference of “IN THESE LAST DAYS” being linked to Jesus’ Name? 

(First, Jesus said we are in the Last Days, and everything that follows in that context should be carefully observed.)

(Secondly, scriptures tell us that God has spoken to us in His Son, Jesus, and Jesus is giving instructions for how we can overcome the evil one and endure to the end and be saved in these days.)

4.  Jesus is heir of all things.

What do we know about Jesus from these words? How does this impact us, as Christians, and, what is our responsibility?

(I am leaving this for you to search the scriptures and find the answers.)

5.  God made the world through Jesus.

What do we learn about God and Jesus from these words? What does this say about our relationship with God, and what are the implications?

(Click on the green links for the answers.)

6.  Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory.

What does this reveal about Jesus?  

(Jesus is the “radiance” of God: The “apaúgasma” – someone who literally “shines”, is only used in Hebrews 1:3, where it refers to Christ’s eternal radiance – supremely reflecting the effulgent glory of the Godhead. His eternal light breaks through all the darkness that keeps someone in spiritual ignorance (bondage), i.e. every resistance exerted by sin. This tells us that Jesus is the exact representation of God’s Nature. He is our example.)

8.  Jesus upholds all things by the word – of – His – power.

Look at the Greek translation of the “word” and “power”. How does this explain Jesus’ power? What are the implications for you?

9. Jesus has ‘made purification for our sins’. (cleansed us of all sin).

(This fact is too wonderful and too amazing to fully grasp. But, we must remember what Jesus says about the Church is made holy by the washing with water through the word; and what He has said about confessing our sins, so we will be cleansed from all unrighteousnes.)

10. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God.

(And, according to Ephesians 2:6, “He has raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”, at the right Hand of the Father.  For it is in Him that we live and move and have our being.)

Let’s recap:

Hebrews 1:1, says,

  #1.   God spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, (God Speaks to us).

  #2.  In these last days, God has spoken to us in His Son, (Jesus speaks to us)

  #3.  Whom God appointed heir of all things, (Jesus is God’s heir, and we are joint heirs with Jesus)

  #4. Through Whom, (that is, Jesus), God also made the world.

  #5.  Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory, and

  #6.   The exact representation of God’s nature, and,

  #7.  Jesus upholds all things by the word of His power.

  #8.  Jesus has made purification of our sins,

#9.  He is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

It is particularly important that, in these Last Days, we know our calling, our ministry and our mission. As Scriptures tell us, we are to be ‘doers of the Word and not hearers only‘.

…see you on the mission field!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

We often hear the term, “The Less Fortunate” and are encouraged to help them in various ways, most often by doing for them what they cannot or will not do for themselves, which rarely has any lasting effect. Charities have all-too-often become an enterprise in and of themselves, perpetuating the needs of “The Less Fortunate”.

What is being “Less Fortunate” or poor? Poor, to one person, can be all together another thing to yet another person. Being poor is relative, it is nothing more than a set state of mind.

For example, if you cannot pay your bills, buy food or shelter and cannot afford medical care, you are poor, indeed. And, if you are of that lowly state, anyone who could afford just the basics of the aforementioned needs of life, would appear to have a life of sufficiency. And, for those who have any excess of these necessities would likely be considered well off. We can go on up the social and financial strata until we cannot even relate to the great wealth some possess. But, even with the mega-wealthy, a mental poverty can exist – always wanting or needing more. It is all relative.

THERE IS A TEACHING BY JESUS WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL AND THE POWER TO PERMANENTLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE, lift you from the most dire, humble and meek of circumstances and to place you under the protection and within the plentiful and abundant provisions God has prepared for you.

This teaching is neither hidden nor is it new. It is as old as Moses, when he told the Israelites, “You may achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.

Jesus is teaching about ‘spiritual and soul poverty’ which afflicts the soul, mind and body. This poverty is not only the lack of financial means, but it is to be destitute of the wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford; and people of this class most readily gave themselves up to Christ’s teaching and proved themselves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure.

It is not hidden from sight  –  it is hidden in plain sight. Read what Jesus says to the ‘Rich Your Ruler’ in Matthew 19:21:22, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.”

After overhearing this statement by Jesus, Peter selfishly lamented, saying, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?”

 “And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms on account of My name, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.’

This young man sadly misunderstood what Jesus is saying, as have so many since that time. Jesus is teaching about changing your perspective, your attitude and taking your focus off the temporal to the eternal. As Jesus taught again, in Matthew 6:19-20, you are to take your mind off of “what the moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, and store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal”.

Put another way, “we look not at the things which are seen, but our focus should be on the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:18.

Also in Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible.”

Now, in regard to ‘The Poor’, Jesus begins this teaching with,

“For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.” Matthew 26:11.

The broader context of this event is about how our attitudes and beliefs are expressed by our actions. We are defined as “poor”, whether it is a good sense or a bad sense, by how we express the deepest held core beliefs of our heart.

You find the entire context of this teaching in Matthew 26:1-13, “When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, verse 2, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”

Verse 3. At that time the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest named Caiaphas; verse 4, and they plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. Verse 5. But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

Verse 6-13. “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, verse a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste ? For this perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? For she has done a good deed for Me. For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Poor: from the Greek word, ptóchos means to be beggarly-poor; to be thoroughly frightened, to cower down or hide oneself for fear; hence, one who slinks and crouches, often involving the idea of roving about in wretchedness; as respects their spirit, it is to be destitute of the wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford; men of this class most readily gave themselves up to Christ’s teaching and proved themselves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure.

Usage of this word, poor (ptóchos), is to be destitute, spiritually poor, either in a bad sense or a good sense.

See Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor, (ptóchos), in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

See Matthew 4:2, “And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.”  This word, ‘hungry’, comes from the primary Greek word, “peno”, (to toil for daily subsistence); starving. Indigent, poor. Compared to ptochos, feeling the intense pinch of extreme lack.

Here, Jesus is setting the example for us, of how we are to overcome this life through extreme testing and trials as we are led by the Holy Spirit.

Peter teaches and encourages us, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:6-7

I want to unequivocally state that no one needs to continue to be “Less Fortunate”. Although others may attempt to cast you into that light or to inadvertently lure you to stay in the trap of the “Less Fortunate” by hampering your progress through unnecessary charity, you do not need to remain there. Those who are sufficient, often inadvertently lure you to stay in the trap of the “Less Fortunate” by providing what God has already set aside for your health, wealth and wholeness, so that you will be made whole, healthy and safe.

And, you do not need to worry or strive for riches in your journey. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you.”

Jesus, Himself, said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”Matthew 6:24-33.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; Seek, and you will find; Knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-11

 Please let me repeat, no one needs to continue to be “Less Fortunate”.  The Bible teaches and show a multitude of examples where Jesus heals the sick, restores the infirm and enables the weak. God has already set aside for your health, wealth and wholeness, so that you will be made whole, healthy and safe.

(I know this is a difficult teaching for those who are caught in the snare of poverty, sickness and need. But if you will begin today  –  right now  –  to follow Jesus, and over time and with much difficulty, you will find relief and your rest.)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

And Buckboard Preachers

There is a show in town. Some fella’ has parked his bandwagon on a nearby acre of ground and is inviting others to join him. He is saying, “Come on! Jump on the wagon. We’re going places.”

I wondered, ‘what sort of places might this fellow be going?’ So, I went to this man’s acre to take a look-see.

I guess I was a bit wide-eyed when I got there. I hadn’t seen something like this in a while. Right there on this acre lot was a big, freshly painted bandwagon.

But I also noticed that there was nothing attached to the wagon that would pull it. No horses, no engine; nothing. I thought, ‘maybe that’s coming later’.

I was browsing around this bandwagon when a man came up behind me and, with a cheery voice, announced, “Hi! I’m Buck. Who might you be?”

Slightly startled, I turned to greet a friendly looking man with a broad smile. “I’m Mike”, I replied. That’s quite the bandwagon. What’s your plans for it?”

“Well, I’m looking to have people jump on it. We’re going places with that wagon.”

“Great”, I replied, getting a little excited by this man’s excited style. “Where are you going with it?”, I asked again.

“Places! Lots and lots of places”, he answered, “besides, this is no ordinary bandwagon, that’s a Religious Bandwagon, and we have a calling.”

“Okay. Where are you going? And how are you going to get there? I don’t see any horses or an engine for your bandwagon”, I prompted.

“Aw, we’ll get to that later. Right now, we just need people to jump on! So, how about you? Why don’t you join us and jump on our bandwagon?”, Buck answered back.

“I just might”, I said. “But, hey, how did you get the name Buck?”, I queried.

“See the wagon’s front seat and the board in front of it?”, Buck asked.

“Yeah. What of it?”, I replied.

“It’s called a buckboard. And since I am the driver of this bandwagon, and I am the only one who can sit there, and that’s where I got my name. Buck, from ‘buckboard’”, he proudly announced.

I joined and jumped on Buck’s bandwagon. In fact, Buck was so persuasive, a lot of people jumped on board. It was exciting and fun. We had music, food, lectures, sermons, field trips, outings and movies.

Some time has passed, and we are still sitting on the same one acre lot, in the same bandwagon, doing the same things as when we started. So I asked Buck, “Isn’t it time we got moving? I mean, the Bible teaches us to GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES. But we’re still just sitting here asking people to jump on the bandwagon. Shouldn’t the rest of us be getting our own bandwagon and going places, too?”

“Naw. And, don’t be one of those ‘lone ranger Christians’ who wants to strike out on their own. Be part of this Bandwagon for Christ”, Buck answered.

“Okay. Sorry”, I said, “I didn’t mean to stir up any trouble. I was just asking”. And things went on as normal.

More time has passed and we finally got moving. We moved away from our old bandwagon and our one acre lot to a new, larger, brightly colored and ornate bandwagon and a larger two acre lot.

We were told we needed something new with more room in a better location. We were told the idea was to draw new Bandwagoneers. I protested, lightly, saying we had plenty of folks on his Bandwagon who were just there for a seat in the Bandwagon for the music, food, lectures, sermons, field trips, outings and movies. They weren’t actually making disciples. We need Bandwagoneers who would get on the road and make disciples for Jesus.

Buck countered with, “Naw. That’s just not right. Our folks give regularly, and we support lots of good causes, including some other missionary Bandwagoneers.”

I started to say, “But, I thought we were supposed to GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES…” but Buck cut me off.

“Yeah. You always say that, Mike. But look at all the good we’re doin’ here. Besides, ‘if you can’t GO, then just GIVE’ is what I always like to say. You need to get back on board and pull your weight, or maybe I’ll have to ask you to move along”, Buck concluded.

There was a long silence between us as we alternately looked at each other, then at the ground.

Finally, I broke the silence, smiled and said, “Buck, I think you’re right. It’s probably time I moved along. I need to go and get my own wagon, or at least find someone who will share that buckboard seat”, I said.

“Where you gonna’ go, Mike? You’ve been here a long time, and leavin’ now is a bad idea. Besides, these bandwagons are expensive and hard to manage, and you’re no wagon driver, and I am. “, Buck pleaded.

“I don’t know where I’ll end up, Buck. But, I know you don’t need me here and perhaps God is calling me to follow Him another way. We’ll have to see. But, thanks for the place in your Bandwagon for all these years. Let’s stay in touch”, I concluded and left.

Well, I left. And I got a wagon. But, not a Bandwagon. I threw in with a team of Covered Wagoneers. Covered Wagons like the early pioneers used. I knew it was a risk. I knew this type of wagon was for travel and not for a permanent settlement. But, they were less expensive, good for travel, mobile and practical. I joined a Covered Wagon Train with Jesus. Yep, a Christian Wagon Train.

All of these folks wanted to GO, AND MAKE DISCIPLES, TEACHING THEM WHAT JESUS HAD TAUGHT US; BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT; AND SENDING THEM TO DO THE SAME!

We knew we would have to stay on the move. But, the thought of thousands of us in an organic, spontaneous Christian Wagon Train was just too much to resist. We all began to feel related – like brothers and sisters from different mothers and fathers! So much so, that I changed by name to Brother Mike. (You see, it’s not about the Wagon you are pulling or riding in, it’s about the RELATIONSHIP.)

And guess what else. Everyone who came on this adventure, had their own wagon, so each of them got to sit in the driver’s seat and now can GO AND DO THE CALLING rather than GIVE and just watch.

And, oh yes. I pray for Buck.

I pray for all the Bucks out there. I pray for them to have great success on their Bandwagons. I hope this Buck prays the same for us. (The photo of Buck is an imaginary person, something like a  simile of some of the Bandwagon Drivers I have met over the years.)

Let me ask you, where are you today? Are you sitting in the back of the Bandwagon, serving the needs of the local Bandwagon, or are you ‘On mission, going daily, making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow Jesus and to do all that He commanded?”  One is a task, the other is an adventure!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(This has been a metaphor of sorts. It is meant to encourage all the ‘Religious Bandwagon drivers’ and all the ‘Religious Bandwagon members’ to rethink your paradigm and follow Jesus on the greatest of adventures. You are now A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 2 Peter 2:9 )