“HEY PASTOR”

“WE ARE DROWNING OUT HERE!”

Subtitle:

“Let’s Make The Main Things The Plain Things”

The church seems to have a semi-captive audience, which is quite the opportunity for teaching useful, helpful and productive things into people’s lives. Right? So, I am wondering what useful things are being taught in our churches, and can we do better? I can tell you that, in many churches, they are teaching mostly good things.

BIBLE STORIES?

But even with all the good things, I still have to wonder, why we hear so much about “Bible Stories’? Are we really needing to hear stories about the Bible, or told there are stories in the Bible? (Or am I just nitpicking?)

Still, aren’t the scripture’s “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness?” (see 2^nd Timothy 3, verse 16). That’s not just a ‘story’ is it?

It seems strange to hear when pastors, preachers, evangelists, theologians and Bible teachers start their message, Bible lesson or sermon with the words, “This story is found in the book of (fill in the blank).“

Honestly, that just makes me cringe.

I think I know what they probably mean when they call a Bible passage, ‘a story’, but that word conjures up mental images of fables, novels, and fictional books. The online Dictionary defines the word ‘story’ as, “an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment.”

But a review of the Bible shows that the word ‘story’ is used sparsely, just seven times (in the New American Standard version of the Bible). And, it is only used twice in the King James version – and is used there to report legends, rumors or reports about a King; and it is used only eight times in the English Standard – reporting the same things as the New American Standard version – but it  adds the word ‘story’ to the book of Acts chapter 20, verse 9, to describe a multistory building.

You will find that on four instances in the New American Standard version, the Bible uses the word ‘story’ to describe a multilevel house or building. (see Ezekiel 41, verse 6 and 7. Again in 1^st  Kings 6, verses 6 and 8. And finally in Ezekiel 47 verse 7.)

Twice the word ‘story’ is used to report on the reputation, rumors or legends about King Solomon, his greatness and what he had built. (2^nd  Chronicles 9 verse 5, and in 1^st  Kings 10 verse 6.)

The seventh time the word ‘story’ used, it is used to describe A LIE. (See Matthew 27  verse 62,  through 66).

So, the word ‘story’ as it is used in the Bible, is NEVER about a ‘story’, an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment, a tale, a yarn or a spiel.

The Bible just is not about ‘stories’.  Still, You could say (and probably already have said) that I AM just nitpicking words. But I don’t think so.

I believe we, Christians, have been taught and have allowed ourselves to view the Bible in ways other than what it is intended.

Some of these ways in which we view the Bible can be useful and helpful for our understanding; other ways, when we use the Bible as a book of stories, are simply useful to muse about, entertain ourselves, stir our imagination and to revise what we read in the Bible, turning it into something we consider as a ‘better translation’, that which is more palatable to our tastes, that better fits our preconceived earthly and human notions.

The Bible, is the holiest of books, and describes Itself as the very Breath of God. The Bible contains 82,815 words, composing 31,103 verses, 1,189 chapters and 66 books written by 40 authors over a span of 1,500 years, and despite that complexity, it is a book that has been verified as authentic, proven itself by the hundreds of millions of changed live and has literally changed the course of world history in its fight against the evils of this world.

The Bible is God’s Prophetic Narrative of instruction and inspiration, useful to prepare His people with every good work, perfecting and conforming those who believe, into the image of Christ.

The Bible discusses issues and topics such as geography, sociology, anthropology, science, philosophy, ethics, the church, God and man, community, family, the state, law, arts and media, labor, politics, history, and race relations, instructing on these matters, but the Main Theme of the Bible is NOT about these things. Nor is the Bible a disconnected chronicle of stories, one after another, for us to read and muse about.

The Bible is about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It is about God’s plan and purpose for His creation.

The Bible is causative, creative, prophetic and instructional, telling us to be holy as He is holy; to have the same mind in us as the mind of Christ; to complete the good works He has prepared for us ahead of time; to be made into the very image of Christ in preparation for an eternity with Him, in His Perfect Presence and with one another.

The Word of God is CREATIVE, CAUSATIVE, PROPHETIC and INSTRUCTIONAL. The entire Bible is PROPHETIC, INFORMATIONAL, INSTRUCTIONAL and INSPIRATIONAL, “profitable for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”

I say, let’s consider and treat the Bible for what it really is: The Words of God.

(And while I am at it, what’s with all the religious philosophical chatter, and the ‘academia’ from the pulpits? It is one thing to define a word from the original language of Greek or Hebrew, for a better understanding. But is it necessary to add intellectual arguments, speculations, or to add a lofty flair to the Word?

This is not meant to be critical of churches nor of preachers – at least not too critical. This, instead, is meant to point out the obvious and, hopefully, to shed some light on some short-comings and oversights in some pastor’s, preacher’s Bible teacher’s and theologian’s sermons, lectures and teachings of the Bible.

The Bible was written and is intended to be read and understood by every man and woman. It is God’s love letter of instruction, encouragement and Hope to all who will believe. But because it was written long ago, in a language most of us are unfamiliar with and about customs, traditions and rituals we don’t understand, we need the trained among us to make it understandable, useful, and beneficial to us for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness so that we, the men or women of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. (see 2^nd Timothy 3 verses 16 and 17).

Most of us are a simple people, so please, let’s speak in plain and simple terms. Then when and if it is necessary, explain the complicated things as simply as possible.

The Bible says we are to “increase in knowledge” but the Bible intends that we are to be “increasing in the knowledge of God”.

Now to my subject: “HEY PREACHER. HELP! WE ARE DROWNING OUT HERE!”, or, in other words, “please teach us the Bible like Jesus teaches the Bible”. All of us need to know the main things of the Bible which will aid, assist and lead us to thinking and behavior that will please God – and benefit us.

Here is a good example of what I am driving at: The book of Galatians, chapter 5, tells us what we should do with what we are learning:

Galatians 5:16 But I say to you, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Verse 17. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. Verse 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Verse 19. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, verse 20, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, verse 21, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Did you get that? We are to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Paul goes on to say that there is something you need to know ABOUT GOD by KNOWING GOD, and that is “that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Honestly! That is something worth knowing, wouldn’t you say?

Galatians chapter 5 is a stark and dire warning of the dangers and the disastrous outcomes of sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry of any kind, sorcery, even in its benevolent-seeming forms like horoscopes, etc., hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these.

Now, let’s further narrow our focus to just one issue so we can simplify. Let’s talk briefly about this ‘desire of the flesh’, and gain some Knowledge that we can – and must – use.

 

(Now for the ‘academic’ stuff). Desire, as used in Galatians 5, verse 16, comes from the Greek words, ‘epithumia’, meaning passionate longing, lust, an eagerness for, and an inordinate desire ( for things such as sex, alcohol, drugs, pornography, anger, revenge, etc.)

And, the word flesh, as used here ‘sarx’, which means “carnal”, of human origin or empowerment. referring to making decisions (followed by actions) according to self – in other words, something done apart from and independent from God.

Now, let’s narrow our focus to just one issue found in Galatians chapter 5: drunkenness, and see what God has to say.

This might be where some of you might say, “But I don’t have a problem with (drinking) alcohol. So, you can skip this one.” That would be true if you don’t drink. Or perhaps you might say, “I just drink for the taste or for the social exchange. I never get drunk.”

Okay. But then I have to ask, how does one GET drunk? Someone gets drunk by drinking. Right? And, anyone who does have a problem with overdrinking or with alcoholism, got there by thinking “I don’t have a problem”, and by taking their first drink. No one plans or planned on becoming an alcoholic. But it happens.

Let me flatly state:  If you drink alcohol, you either don’t have a problem YET, and hope you never do; or, you don’t see the problem; or, you could be contributing to the problem of someone else. Since that is not the issue here – we will move on. Although I will come back to this, later.

Now, Back On Topic What Is Your Church and What is Your Preacher, Preaching?

Let me ask you, when was the last time you heard your pastor preach on the dangers of drunkenness? (Or for that matter, on the dangers of sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, carousing, and things like these? (And now is when I say, “I thought so”?)

As a caveat, let me say that maybe he (your pastor) has an occasional drink – although I sincerely hope not. But if he does, he may not consider drinking a problem, therefore, he never preaches on it!

For example, I live in an ‘over 55 neighborhood’.  Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicate that approximately 20 percent of adults aged 60 to 64 and around 10 percent over age 65, (the percentages drop because people are passing away at this age), report current binge drinking. Older adults can experience a variety of problems from drinking alcohol, especially those who take certain medications, have health problems or those who drink heavily. There are special considerations facing older adults who drink, including and increased Sensitivity to Alcohol. This means that 86% of people aged 65 and older who die from excessive alcohol use die from chronic conditions as opposed to acute causes.

And from what I can see at our neighborhood functions and what I see in the street on trash pickup day, there is a lot of drinking going on. And it is a problem for so many families.

From a personal standpoint, I have lost my mother, my father and a brother to an alcohol related death. My wife lost her father and a brother to alcohol related deaths. My wife and I stopped drinking in our twenties.

Please read these statistics about alcohol abuse and alcoholism:

Alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) kill over 3 million people each year, accounting for up to 6% of global deaths.

140,557 Americans die, on average, from the effects of alcohol in an average year.

Ten percent, that is 1-in-10 Americans over the age of 12 have Alcohol Use Disorder! (see The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.)

According to the 2022 NSDUH, over 61 million people ages 12 and older (21.7% in this age group) reported binge drinking in the past month (see glossary for definition of binge drinking).

This includes: According to the 2022 N.S.D.U.H, 16 million adults ages 18 and older (6.3% in this age group) reported heavy alcohol use in the past month (see glossary for definition of heavy alcohol use). This includes:

Roughly 29.5 million people in the United States have alcohol use disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Heavy drinking costs the country more than $249 million annually American Journal of Preventive Medicine) and causes 232 million missed workdays each year (Parsley, Network Open).

Alcohol also takes a human toll. Between 2015 and 2019, excessive alcohol consumption contributed to about 140,000 deaths among adults ages 20 to 64 each year. Those deaths included acute causes like car crashes and alcohol poisoning, as well as chronic conditions such as liver disease or cancer. Put another way, alcohol was a factor in 1 in 8 deaths among 20- to 64-year-olds. And in people ages 20 to 49, 1 in every 5 deaths was related to excessive drinking. (see Esser, M. B., Network Open).

The study was based on data from the CDC’s Alcohol-Related Disease Impact application, which assesses 58 conditions linked to alcohol consumption that the public health agency has examined for two decades, said Marissa Esser, the study’s lead author.

This is an epidemic taking its toll on people, their families, friends, leaving nothing but carnage in its wake, and we need help. We are drowning out here!

Alcohol consumption is a scourge. Perhaps perceived as a ‘pleasant occasion’ to a lot of folks, and has become socially acceptable, but a scourge on so many families, none-the-less.

Which brings us to the beauty of the scriptures of the Bible. They are black and white. No gray areas. No “shadows or turning”. For example:

What if you say that you want to drink? The Apostle Paul says, if you just want to drink, then go ahead and drink. For “All things are lawful [that is, those things that are morally legitimate and permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. No one should seek [only] his own good, but [also] that of the other person.” (see 1^st Corinthians 10, verses 23 and 24).

In other words, Paul is asking, why chance losing your advantages over life and over sin? Why risk falling into things that are not constructive for your life? And, above all else, don’t be the reason another person might stumble, (if he or she cannot drink in moderation, for example).

Furthermore, the book of Luke admonishes us to, “But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap; (see Luke 21 verse 34).

The Apostle Paul also warns us not to“get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (see Ephesians 5 verse 18).

So, let me, once again ask, “just how is it one gets drunk?” (Answer: They take a drink. Then another, and another.)

Why would any Christian be so foolish, in the 21^st century, to make excuses for drinking, such as ‘they drank wine in the Bible’ or ‘they drank to relax’, when other means are available in our century and when the risks are so high?

Couldn’t we, as Christians, be good examples for our families and for others?

Drinking doesn’t add anything profitable or constructive to your life. You don’t need it. So, please, think it through, and don’t drink.

Now to all you dear pastors and preachers out there. So many of you have a captive audience, and they look to you for guidance. Most of your flock trusts you. So, I am pleading with you. Don’t look for the easy way out on this. Don’t look for the exceptions in people’s conduct to excuse risky or dangerous behavior. Simply teach the way the Bible teaches: Black and White. Teach the Truth. (And, to assist, here is a link to 25 Bible verses on drinking, for you to review. Bible verses regarding drinking).

I am appealing to pastor and congregant alike. Let’s get back to the basics – the main things and the plain things of the Bible. Let’s get to the things that glorify God and that benefit us – and do them.

Given enough time, just watch what happens in, to and through your life. You will be amazed. And, watch what happens to those people’s lives who are nearest to you. You will be grateful. And, watch what can happen in the watching world. They will never be the same again!

Glory be to God!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

 

ARE YOU BIBLICALLY ILLITERATE

And just don’t realize it?

(Please don’t be offended – just read on)

Article after article by various credible Christian sources, decry the crisis of Biblical illiteracy – within Christianity.

News magazine “Christianity Today”, calls it “An epidemic of Bible illiteracy”; A Biola University magazine calls it a crisis and says we are starving ourselves to death; a Gospel Coalition article call it spiritual malnourishment.

Why is this considered a crisis? Take the remarks of world-renowned Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, for the best example. Dr. Peterson has said that the Bible is “way more than just true,” it’s the bedrock of Western civilization.

Peterson lamented that “the culture is dissolving” as he detailed his experience touring the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., and his reflections on society. 

Peterson has spoken more about Western civilization, characterizing “fundamental texts” as “the texts upon which most other texts depend.” He cited the work of William Shakespeare as one of several “texts that influenced more other texts” before identifying the Bible as the ultimate source of all “linguistic production.” 

“It isn’t that the Bible is true. It’s that the Bible is the precondition for the manifestation of truth, which makes it way more true than just true. It’s a whole different kind of truth. And I think this is not only literally the case. Factually, I think it can’t be any other way. It’s the only way we can solve the problem of perception.”

Throughout his appearance on the podcast, Peterson spoke about what he saw as the decline of Western civilization. (excerpt taken from a Christian Post article).

THE ODD PART

Approximately 52 million “attend church” in one of the 300,000 plus churches in America, at least once a week each month, and most of these people go to church, among other reasons,

To become closer to God. (81%)

So their children will have a moral foundation. (69%)

To become a better person. (68%)

For comfort in times of trouble or sorrow. (66%)

To be part of a faith community. (57%)

In other words, most people who go to church, do so for a reason. (Pew Research). So then, why are fewer people relying of the Bible and church for answers?

IT BEGINS WITH WHAT YOU HEAR, SEE, LEARN, AND RETAIN.

If you are normal, you have the potential of remembering 10% of what you hear, and that is only the potential. So, how can anyone learn and retain if they cannot remember what they have seen and heard at church?

Furthermore, when people are asked the lead story in the news or the topic of the “sermon” they heard, after 24 hours, only about 10 percent could tell you. When asked to cite the most urgent news item or the important lesson they received, most just shrugged.  Pastor and Bible teacher, Rick Warren, says we forget 95% of what we hear after 72 hours.

Studies show that most people don’t remember sermons, lectures, addresses or speeches—they don’t even remember paragraphs. What people remember are simple statements, slogans, and phrases. I don’t remember any speech John F. Kennedy gave, but most of us of a certain age remember his statements,

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” and, “I am a Berliner!”

I don’t remember any sermon preached by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but I do remember his famous phrase,

“I have a dream!”

People tend to remember:

• • • 10% of what they read.
    • 20% of what they only hear.
    • 30% of what they only see.
    • 50% of what they see and hear.
    • 70% of what they say and write down.
    • 90% of what they DO.

It seems, however, the News Media Moguls and experts have discovered how to make “their news” stay on the minds of those who watch through repetition.  They repeat the same new story, several times each day and for days on end,  They use the same graphics, audio and videos, over and over and over – until it sticks!  And, it is working.  Most people who get their information from the News Media, when asked about a certain social or political topic, tend to answer in ‘media sound bites’.  They repeat the short sound bites almost verbatim.  The old, ‘monkey see, monkey do’ syndrome.

A conservative estimate, for just the top seven news media outlets to produce a days worth of news is approximately $9,780,000 per week.

Actually, it is next-to-impossible to get an accurate estimate because the numbers are just too overwhelming.

Churches, on the other hand, have not adapted so well.  The tendency in most Evangelical Churches is to preach a different topical sermon once a week. Some Churches will preach through a book of the Bible, one a week, chapter by chapter, rarely repeating themselves.  Some use visual graphics, audio effects and outline sheets for the listeners to take notes, but, rarely repeat the message in any given year.

It’s a shame Churches aren’t catching on, because, unlike the News Media, Churches have a semi-captive audience, but, are not having the same impact as the News Media.

(#1), An estimated 1.2 million hours each week are spent in sermon preparations throughout American churches; it takes about another 300,000 hours in delivery of these sermons, (#2), at a staggering potential cost of over $750,000,000 (that is millions of dollars) nationally, each week. (#3), Yet, only 5% of those hearing these sermons, remember anything about them after 72 hours.

So, what are we getting for our $750,000,000 in offerings? And, if you are a preacher or a pastor, what are you giving in return for these astronomical costs? Are you preaching, sermonizing, teaching, discipling, lecturing, giving a religious address or discourse which people can remember, thereby improving peoples’ lives?

Review these methods used by churches, and determine which of these you are getting on Sunday mornings – and decide if it is worth the time and money:

• Religious Lectures,
• Religious Addresses,
• Religious Discourses,
• Gospel Preaching,
• Bible Sermons,
• Religious Teaching,
• Christian Discipleship training.

People will more frequently remember simple repeated statements, slogans, and phrases.  So, when we are told to “Go and preach or tell the Good News (the Gospel) of Jesus”, most of us just can’t remember what to say, short of “God loves you and so do I”.

Jesus’ ministry is a good model:

• Jesus personally and actively set the example for making, teaching and sending disciples. (I can find no example that Jesus wrote anything.)
• Jesus personally spoke and taught and showed His disciples by His own example (50% retention rate).
• Jesus taught His disciples to repeat His Words as He went with them to do His Works (90% retention rate).

So, Christian brother or sister, how about you? How effective is your ministry?

• Are you primarily using reading materials (i.e., tracts) to disciple? (10% retention)
• Are you primarily using words to disciple? (20% retention)
• Are you referencing videos, audios and written materials for reminders?
• When was the last time your pastor went out with you and told others these things that Jesus did? Such as:

1. Proclaiming that ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.”  (As it says in Matthew 10:8-15),
2. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons”, or at least try?
3. Freely you received, freely give.(Or do you just freely receive?)
4. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff;
5. (These methods produce an amazing and most desirable 90% retention rate.)

And, Preacher / Pastor / Teacher / Christian, how about you? How effective is your ministry?

• Do you have a blog? (If so, it only produces just a 10% retention rate.)
• Do you give a weekly sermon or lecture? (If so, it produces just a 20% retention rate.)
• Do you use overheads projectors, videos or bulletin outlines? (This can  produce as much as a 50% retention rate.)
• Do you personally take others and go and make disciples? (This can yeild up to 90% retention rate)
• “And as YOU go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 
• Do you even attempt to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons.
• Do you freely give (or just freely recieve)? 
• Do you not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts,  or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff?
•  (These methods produce an amazing and most desirable 90% retention rate.)

The current way of “doing church” seems to be changing monthly.  This has been going on for the last 40 years and it is causing the church to falter in influence and to lose its “savor”, as the Bible puts it. The church, it seems, is becoming little more than a religious institution delivering “drive-in” or “drive-up fast food style” preaching, sermons, religious lectures, addresses, discourses and entertainment in competition with NFL Sunday, YouTube TV, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Now I have said it and you have read it. Will it make any difference to the 164,000,000, (that’s millions), Evangelical and Protestant Christians in over 350,000 churches in America?  Will you just shrug your shoulders and trundle back to “doing your church thing” this Sunday?  Or will you, do like Peter, Andrew, James, Zebedee and John, who dropped everything about the current ways they were living, and followed Jesus, step by step?

 

Is there a secret in plain sight here? Is there a lesson for us in the 21^st century here? Stop making it about you and your church. Stop making it so complicated or scattered and blurred. FOCUS ON JESUS ONLY.

THE ANSWER

So, what if we would simply follow the pattern and method established by Jesus? Nothing more, nothing less.  In fact, why not try starting with something simple but profound:  Stop making the telling of ‘Stories’ about the Bible our mainstay, and simply TEACH and EXPLAIN what Jesus TEACHES, THE WAY HE TEACHES.

For an example, start in Matthew chapter 4 through Matthew chapter 10 and show, demonstrate, explain and teach the “How To”:

Jesus Begins His Ministry (Matthew 4:12).

Calling and Making Disciples (Matthew 4:18).

Developing Ministry (Matthew 4:23).

The Sermon on the Mount Principles (Salvation, Sanctification – (Matthew 5:1 ff) .

Disciples and the World (Matthew 5:13).

Personal Relationships (Matthew 5:21).

Charitable Giving and Prayer (Matthew 6:1).

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9).

Fasting; The True Treasure; Wealth (Matthew 6:16).

The Cure for Anxiety (Matthew 6:25).

Judging Others (Matthew 7:1).

Prayer and the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:7).

The Narrow and Wide Gates (Matthew 7:13).

A Tree and Its Fruit (Matthew 7:15).

The Two Foundations.(Matthew 7:24)

Jesus Cleanses a Man with Leprosy (Matthew8:1).

The Centurion’s Faith (Matthew 8:5).

Peter’s Mother-in-law and Many Others Healed (Matthew 8:14).

Discipleship Tested (Matthew 8:18).

Jesus Calms the Storm (Matthew 8:23).

Jesus Sends Demons into Pigs (Matthew 8:28).

A Paralyzed Man Healed (Matthew9:1).

Fasting (Matthew 9:14).

Miracles of Healing (Matthew 9:18).

The Disciple’s Instructions for Service (Matthew 10:1).

A Hard Road Ahead (Matthew 10:16).

The Meaning of Discipleship (Matthew 10:24).

The Reward for Service (Matthew 10:16).

And please remember, you are not building ‘Your Church”, you are building HIS CHURCH. And, these are not ‘stories’ to be told or to muse about. They are Jesus’ instructions for His disciples. These are instructions for entering the Kingdom of God and working the Works of Jesus, and even greater works than these, because He is with us and with the Father, interceding for us daily – until the end!

Say it often.  Say it with both, passion and compassion. Let’s build His Church.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

More on “What Jesus Taught” from GotQuestions.Org.

More on Dr. Jordan Peterson.

Jordan Peterson’s “We Who Wrestle With God Tour”.

 

The Bible is instructional, creative, causative and prophetic.  Every word and every detail in the Bible has significance. It is a treasure trove to be discovered and mined.  Please read Luke 24, a narration of what occurred three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, as an example.

Once you have read Luke 24, focus on Luke 24, verses 30 and 31.

“And it came about, when He (Jesus) had reclined at the table with them, that He took the bread and blessed it, and He broke it and began giving it to them. And then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.”

The crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was fantastic enough, then to make things even more unbelievable, after serving this meal, Jesus vanishes before their eyes!

Our pastor posited, “Why would the writer of these verses make this event more difficult to believe than it was already?” He answered his own question, saying, “Because that is what happened”.

True enough. But take a look at the significance and the great symbolism of what occurred:

Jesus took the bread and blessed it, and He broke it = His crucifixion. His body was broken for us.

And then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him = Salvation had come.

He vanished from their sight = For we walk by faith and not by sight.

Dear brothers and sisters in the faith, I hope that from these few verses we can see and know that the Bible is Precision. For our own sake and welfare, we should not trifle with God’s Word.

It is the very Breath of God, speaking truth and wisdom. It is His love-letter to all who will believe.

Know that God is kind and merciful; but if you deliberately deviate from the written instructions contained in the Word of God you risk negating His Word in your life, and if you teach others as such, Jesus has warned, “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished! Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Prove yourselves doers of the Word and not just hearers who deceive themselves. Be an active doer, and be blessed in all you do. (see James 1:22-25).

 

I was simply sitting on our screened patio area, drinking a cup of coffee, taking in the scenery across our pond and thoughts (or visions?) began to flash across my mind.  They were so vivid that they almost seemed visible (notice, I said ALMOST).

These images were reminiscent of scenes from “The Lord of the Rings” movies.  The images were not of the ugly distorted creatures or monstrous figures like in the movies, but they were people with hatred and anger distorting their expressions.  They were charging across a landscape, destroying everything in their path.

But, this was not a movie.  I thought, perhaps these are just images from the news media of the recent riots which my mind is recalling.  Maybe it was as simple as that.

But, I couldn’t shake the realism.  And, it was easy to relate what I was “seeing” to what is happening in our world.  I kept thinking, “How could the people of our nation go from law-abiding citizens to domestic terrorists in such a short time?

How could almost half the population, in the year 2020, endorse a political party espousing godless Socialism and Communist style rule?  How could so many people endorse desecrating our religious institutions, our history and legacies, going about indiscriminately killing our police and first responders?  They are destroying business, killing the owners, looting, stealing and rioting saying it is for justice?  How could the Democrat Senators, Governors, mayors and public officials allow and even encourage this anarchy?  Have they lost their minds? As I pondered on the thought “Have they lost their minds?”, I wondered, “Or, is something more sinister occurring?”

I asked myself, “What would cause so many people to begin to call what been considered as ‘good’, for centuries, now call it ‘evil’ and call evil as being good?

They murder babies for body parts, kill our police out of anger, disparage and attack those who don’t agree with their points of view.  These people loot, steal, threaten, murder for no real reason or for any reason.  Dishonesty is rampant is all areas of society.  Immorality, perversion and pornography is so prevalent and pervasive that one cannot escape it.

I’ll spare the continuing long-winded review of this upside-down world-wide phenomenon, but the one thought that struck me:  “Something is going on that is just not right.  It is not of this world.”

That’s when the lights came on in my head.  “It is not of this world”. Then these words and this realization came to my mind: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. it is time to gird up for war and prepare to confront the spirit of Antichrist!

Read 1 John 4:3:

“And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world.”

Read Ephesians 6:11-12:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

OUR STRUGGLE IS AGAINST THE RULERS AND POWERS AND WORLD FORCES OF DARKNESS, AGAINST SPIRITUAL FORCES OF WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES.

What we read in Ephesians 6 is nothing new, but the troubles of this world seem to be intensifying, just like Jesus said it would.  It has become just like in the days of Noah, before the flood.

Jesus spoke on these matters more succinctly than anyone, past or present. Hear what Jesus tells us is the ways to confront evil in our day:

WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?

1. TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH, and to teach us to do the same.
   

John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose, I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”  

2. TO BRING A SWORD, and to teach us to do the same.

Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35, For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; verse 36, and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.”

3. TO FULFILL THE LAW, and to teach us to do the same.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”  

4. TO CALL SINNERS, and to teach us to do the same.

Mark 2:17 “And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

 

 

5. TO SAVE THE WORLD, and to teach us to do the same.

John 12:47 “If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”

6. TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH, and to teach us to do the same.

Luke 12:49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50,  But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Verse 51, Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division; “

 “WHAT HE REALLY MEANT?”

Jesus has told us, in John 14:12, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. Verse 13. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”

I have heard so many preachers, bible teachers and detractors alike, try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited.  These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12.  They will begin their commentary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…”.

Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said.  He is our model for our counter cultural resistance to the growing global threat of the Satanic evils of Communist-Marxist-Globalism, And we need to get on with it.

Jesus’ time on earth was spent fulfilling the purpose, and will of His Father (Matthew 5:19, Matthew 5:39). Jesus was on a singular mission (John 6 :38) and nothing would stand in the way of accomplishing that mission: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus had a divine appointment with a cruel Roman cross. Read what He said when Peter proposed to get in the way of His mission:

Matthew 16:21- 23, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You. ”But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

We do not literally have an appointment with a crucifixion, but, the Bible is  clear in Galatians 5:24, that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” and again in Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul reminds us that, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” which must be true for all who follow Jesus because we are on mission with Jesus. Our ‘old self’ must die so our new selves can follow and serve Him.

Jesus always, taught the Will of His Father, then, demonstrated what He taught. He expects us to do the same. Ephesians, chapter six, gives us a clear teaching and picture of the type of preparation and the kind of resolve we are to assume.

Ephesians 6:10-17, tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Stand, i.e., continue safe and sound, stand unharmed: Acts 26:22.

Stand ready or prepared: Ephesians 6:14. One who does not hesitate, does not waver, of one who vanquishes his adversaries and holds the ground, also of one who in the midst of the fight holds his position against the foe, to persist, continue, persevere: (so as not to fall from thy faith).

Jesus’ example of steadfast, unmovable courage; this is our example and our command to do the same:

Jesus has taught us how to CONFRONT THE STORM.

Mark 4:35-41, “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Jesus has taught us how to CONFRONT DEMONS.

Luke 8:26-33 “Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.

“Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.”

Jesus has taught us how to CONFRONT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

John 19:8-12  ”Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So, Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason, he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”

Jesus has taught us how to CONFRONT THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT.

Matthew 24:57-67, “Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on, two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?”  But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”  Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless, I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy;  what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him.”  

Jesus did not draw back and He tells us that we must not draw back. He proceeded boldly to the Cross and secured our salvation! Jesus has all authority in heaven  and on the earth and is with us until the end!

Remember, Jesus came to earth for these stated reasons – and these same reasons are our method and our calling:

TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. We are to testify to the truth!

TO BRING A SWORD. We are to bring the sword of the Word of God!

 TO FULFILL THE LAW. We are to fulfill the same law!

TO CALL SINNERS. We are to call sinners!

TO SAVE THE WORLD through Jesus. In a very real sense, this, too, is our calling, by lifting the Name of Jesus, telling others and leading them to Him

TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH. This, too, is our calling! The Word of God is a stumbling block to those who do not believe, dividing A  MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; (Matthew 10:35-36)

Dear Brothers and Sisters, this is not hyperbole, a philosophy or metaphor. Now is the time to gird ourselves up with the full armor of God and follow our Lord, the King of Kings into battle.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places and must be fought with Spiritual Armament!

The things I have written to this point are of greatest importance and are our primary responsibility.

Finally, in a secondary role, in his most recent and provocative book, Letter to the American Church, Eric Metaxas asks, “Can it really be God’s will that His children be silent at a time like this?”

Decrying the cowardice that masquerades as godly meekness, Eric Metaxas summons the Church to battle.

“The author of a bestselling biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Metaxas reveals the haunting similarities between today’s American Church and the German Church of the 1930s. Echoing the German martyr’s prophetic call, he exhorts his fellow Christians to repent of their silence in the face of evil.

“An attenuated and unbiblical “faith” based on what Bonhoeffer called “cheap grace” has sapped the spiritual vitality of millions of Americans.

Paying lip service to an insipid “evangelism,” they shrink from combating the evils of our time. Metaxas refutes the pernicious lie that fighting evil politicizes Christianity. As Bonhoeffer and other heroes of the faith insisted, the Church has an irreplaceable role in the culture of a nation. It is our duty to fight the powers of darkness, especially on behalf of the weak and vulnerable.

“Silence is not an option. God calls us to defend the unborn, to confront the lies of cultural Marxism, and to battle the globalist tyranny that crushes human freedom. Confident that this is His fight, the Church must overcome fear and enter the fray, armed with the spiritual weapons of prayer, self-sacrifice, and love.” (see Eric Metaxas.com – Letter to the American Church)

Here is an interview by pastor Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia, as pastor Hamrick and Eric Metaxas discuss how the Church (Christians) can respond to the spreading evil of the spirit of the antichrist which is in the world now without becoming political.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Please contact me if you have any questions by using the link below. (Please know that your personal information is strictly confidential and will not be released to anyone for any reason.)

 

https://youtu.be/d9kFPs2RrLE Actual Events, hidden in plain sight. Please ask yourself, Has the Tribulation begun? Are the SEALS of Revelation being broken? Has the church finished fulfilling the great commission of Jesus Christ? Will you make it to heaven in the Rapture? HAVE WE ENTERED THE SCROLL SEALS OF THE TRIBULATION? Why does it matter?

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “I will – be clean”, Part 34

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” And Jesus said to him,  “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

The Words of Jesus, Matthew 8:1-4.

When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. Dozens, hundreds, thousands of people. Such an audience, full of questions, anticipation and perhaps, excitement.

And a leper came up to Him in this throng of perhaps thousands of people, and bowed down before Him. Most likely, no one noticed at first. No one except Jesus. And, if anyone had noticed, they would have been, no doubt, terrified and repelled by this man’s disease.

The leper spoke, “Lord, if You are willing, You are able to make me clean (well).” Again, how could he have been heard above the crowd noise? Nonetheless, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. He touched him despite the disease, despite the potential reaction from the crowd, and said, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

Immediately, his leprosy was cleansed.

There are many more millions who claim to be Christ followers, Christians, and deny that these things happen any longer. I have personally heard those who attend church regularly and open declare they are Christians, say these miracles have ceased, with no Biblical justification. They say that Jesus did these things to draw crowds, and since He has been crucified and His Church established, these things (miracles) are no longer necessary, or so they say. And, by the words of their mouth, it has come to pass – at least in their presence.

Jesus said the reason miracles had ceased or slowed, or that even He could do few things in some places, was because of their unbelief. (see Matthew 17:20 and Mark 6:1-6).

Imagine, anyone – especially someone calling themselves Christians – standing in judgement on Jesus’ ability or standing in judgement on the veracity of the Holy Scriptures. A troubling and terrifying thought.

Nonetheless, Jesus said to the now-cleansed-leper, “See that you tell no one [about this]; but go, show yourself to the priest [for inspection] and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony (evidence) to them [of your healing].”

This man is restored physically, undoubtedly renewed spiritually and ready to be reintegrated into society. Made whole, made safe, healed; the very definition of ‘to be saved’ (sozo).

Finally, what about the crowd? Where have they gone? They aren’t mentioned again. They must still have been there, watching. Our attention is drawn away from the crowed and what they think. It doesn’t matter. The business at hand is Jesus healing a person in need. That is what matters. That is all that has ever mattered. You and Jesus, renewing your spirit, saving your soul, healing your mind, body and spirit.

If He calls you, come to Him. If you come to Him, ignore the crowds – they are just a curious distraction. Follow Jesus, only.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: (coming soon). A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – I Will Come And Heal Him – Part 35

PREVIOUS:  A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – Build your house on the Rock – Part 33

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

A seminary professor recently remarked that in his 40-something years in ministry as a pastor, teacher and professor, training young men and women for ministry, he has never seen such a dearth of young men desiring to become pastors. He attributes this decline to the complexities of requirements, the mounting pressures of becoming more than a pastor to be a pastor and fear; the fear of having to say things that society is becoming increasingly hostile toward. The fear of speaking Biblical truth that results in rejection, animosity and isolation from society at large and even in the church, in part.

TO ASPIRING PASTORS:  Don’t come if you are not called. If you are fearful of what you will have to say, don’t come.

If you do come, fear not! And, don’t let the crowds rule you – they are just a curious distraction. Follow Jesus, only.

 

Does God Get Angry?

The Bible says that God gets angry. That is odd, wouldn’t you say? An omnipotent, gracious, loving God would lose His temper? Actually, that idea should be downright frightening to everyone who believes in God.

Does this mean God can “get up on the wrong side of His bed”, so to speak? If God is in a fickle and grumpy mood, would He cause unimaginable damage to the cosmos, the earth and to all people just because He is angry?

The Bible does say that God gets angry. Here is a link with 25 examples of where the Bible says God gets angry.

God help us if this is the case.

The Bible also tells us that God is all-knowing (omniscient), and all-powerful (omnipotent), He knows all things, and that raises some questions about God ‘getting angry’.

1. If God created all things by His design, why would He make people so they would defy Him to the point it would make Him angry?
   1. Wouldn’t God have known ahead of time that His creation would anger Him? (YES, of course, He would have known. He is all-knowing).
   2. So, couldn’t God have avoided ‘anger issues’ from the start by creating a more compliant people? (YES, He could have). So, WHY didn’t He?
2. Since God is all-knowing (omniscient), and all-powerful (omnipotent), He knows all things. And He can do all things. So, doesn’t this ‘spontaneous anger thing’ seems out of place – almost to the point of being nonsensical?

Still, God apparently has emotions. For example, there was a point in history when God was ‘sorry’ He had made humankind. (Another emotion). Then the Bible says He was ‘grieved in His heart’ that He had to destroy all living things with a flood. Yet another emotion!

Jesus also showed emotions. He seemed to get angry at times – and He is God (the Son).

So, if we mess up and upset Him, maybe it’s His fault? After all, He made us this way. Right? (THAT WOULD BE A NO).

So, what are we to make of this? How are we to respond to God if He is emotionally inclined? Are we safe? Should we quietly tip toe around God so as not to disturb or disrupt Him? Should we hide from Him? Appease Him? We should do none of the things aforementioned – except for one.

We must appease Him. And I should add, we need to understand Him. After all, He is Who created us and made us the way we are, so some understanding might go a long way.

First, appeasement comes through Jesus Christ. We need to come to Christ and from that we form a relationship with Him and gain a personal understanding of God.

God wants us to know Him – and to know about Him. That is why God came to earth as a man. A man with all the characteristics and traits of any other man, but without sin. Truthfully, He was fully man and fully God, and He invited us to come to Him, to spend time with Him and He with us.

Jesus invited us to see His humanity so we could relate to Him and have a relationship with Him. He showed us His humanity when He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness by to be tested by Satan. And, through that time of temping, He did not sin. In fact, it was during His testing that He showed us how to resist temptation and to overcome sin as a man or a woman.

Secondly, it is important to know that there is a human element in the way we perceive God. We perceive God and how He behaves and interacts with us, in human terms. We see Him as angry, happy, grieved or pleased, etc. That is how our limited mind, from our perspective, sees an infinite, undefinable God.

But, God is holy and God is perfect. That is hard for the human mind to fathom. God cannot sin and cannot and will not tolerate sin. He judges the unrighteous person, (those who are not saved – those not ‘covered by the cleansing and appeasing Blood of Jesus) for their sins.

There is a distinction we must make, for God is patient and merciful toward the sinner. But a time will come when God will judge the sin and the unrepentant sinner.

However, if a Christian commits sins, He will correct the sinner, but God will still judge the sin. His correction may come in ways that seem harsh, but in fact are purely redemptive in their nature.

But, what we see as anger (from God), in reality is His response toward sin, remembering that God loves the sinner:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in mercy.
He will not always contend with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our guilty deeds.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our wrongdoings from us.

Psalms 103:8-12

However, if you are in rebellion against God, and your life is controlled by sin, and you are living your life according to what your passions choose, it because you are filled with ‘the desires of the flesh’, as the Bible puts it.

The Apostle Paul explains it another way, saying that ‘the sin is which present within you is making you a prisoner of your flesh. Paul laments, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from this body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!”

God will not tolerate ongoing sin because sin is antithetical to God’s nature, and sin angers God. So, if you are willfully harboring sin, you are both, in mortal danger now, and in danger of eternal damnation.

God will judge sin – and you will personally suffer the consequences of His judgment if sin is dwelling within you without the protective covering of Jesus Christ. The unrepentant person will personally suffer the anger and wrath of God.

But, there is Good News. God’s anger and wrath have been quenched and satisfied for those who call on the name of Jesus. It is through God’s sacrificial offering of His Son was payment for sin’s penalty in the life of a believer.

You do not need to suffer the consequences of sin and suffer the anger of God. You can find reconciliation, relief, peace, safety and salvation in the Name of Jesus and through a personal relationship with Him. Jesus has paid the price for your salvation out of His love great for you.

Embrace God and His love – and live!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

Need A God-Sized Miracle? There Is A Way

The Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.  Romans 1:16.

So, what does receiving a miracle have to do with being saved? First and foremost, you must believe in order to receive. Otherwise, there is a chance you will write a miracle off as merely a fortunate coincidence, and miss the full benefits. Secondly, I consider being saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ to be the greatest of miracles. So, I propose that one must be saved to receive a miracle from God. (There is a vast difference between seeing a miracle and actually receiving a miracle). It is as simple as that.

(Please. Before you think, “I have already done that –  I have been saved, so, let’s get to the ‘good stuff”. Let’s talk about what it actually means to be saved.)

SAVED: From Strong’s concordance, means to save, make and to be made whole, to be given purpose for your life, to heal and to be made healthy.

To keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; from injury or peril in your mortal body, in your mind, in your will and emotions (your soul).

To save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; from injury or peril in your relationship with your spouse, your children and your family.

To save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; from injury or peril in your relationships with your friends, acquaintances and the world at large.

To save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; from injury or peril in your job, your career, your finances and all that God has entrusted to you.

Being saved literally means to save a suffering one (from perishing); to save one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health; to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue; to save in the technical biblical sense, to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment. (The complete Bible translation from Strong’s concordance #4982).

There are obvious benefits to being saved. And if you are around church for any length of time, you may hear the encouragement to become “a fully devoted follower of Jesus”, which is great advice. But what is usually left out is becoming “a fully developed follower of Jesus”.

The Apostle Peter encouraged believers by telling them, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you still need milk and not solid food.” (see Hebrews 5:12).

Being saved is all encompassing, but Jesus specifically teaches that there are levels of maturity you should strive to reach when He says “you should become perfect, even as I am perfect”. (see Matthew 5:48).

Just between you and me, when I read the Biblical definition of ‘saved’, it makes me a bit uncomfortable. I mean, it almost sounds too good to be true. But, it says what it says. So, I am going to believe. Now, how do I get there from here?

How does this come about? Here is the odd or surprising part – This is not esoteric or something that is unattainable as if it were on some far away mountain top, or some kind of magic available only to a few special people..

In fact, the Bible clearly tells us, “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL GO UP INTO HEAVEN?’, (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”, that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

It says, The Word is near you – it is in our mouth and in your heart. That is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:8-10

Jesus has told us, in Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, and in Matthew 10:7, that the Kingdom of Heaven, where all things originate, is now at hand, another way of saying it is as close as the words in your mouth!

Next, confessing or speaking what you are thinking, or why is speaking what you profess to believe required for salvation?  For that matter, why is saying aloud (confessing) what you believe, necessary at all?

Notice how the Apostle Paul connects Words + Believing + Confessing

• “The Word in your mouth” with also being “in your heart”.
• And again, he connects “confessing with your mouth” with “believing in your heart”
• And finally, again, connecting “with the heart a person believes” with “with the mouth he confesses”
• THE RESULT is SALVATION (soteria)

There is something powerful about saying aloud what is in your mind or heart – for good or for evil.

1. THE POWER OF THOUGHTS 

Proverbs23:7  “For as a man thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, Eat and drink!
But his heart is not with you.”

2. THE POWER OF MEDITATION

Joshua 1:8  “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 have success.

3. THE POWER OF SPEECH

Matthew21:21  And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen.”

Verse 22. “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

John15:7  “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Matthew 16:19  “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

Matthew18:19, “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.”

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Verse 9. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

The Bible uses words like The Mind (set on), To Think, To Think on, Meditate, Dwell on, Speak, Say, in both the Greek (NT) and Hebrew (OT) languages to show us how we are made and how we are to manage what God has granted to us.

So, why are these things germane to receiving a miracle? Because you must first have faith. You must first believe!

Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is the seedbed of miracles: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, for by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

A caution:  The secular view by most psychologists and psychiatrists is anthropocentric (man-centered, woman-centered). The Biblical view is Theo-centric or God-centered. So, while you practice these powerful Truths, it is vitally important to remember that the Bible teaches us the difference between man-centered (death) and God-centered (life) and the application of these truths.

Finally, it is vitally important to know that faith and miracles are not random. The believer must diligently seek God by faith, first, then know that miracles are the purposeful work of God. You must set your mind on the things above,  seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, then all these other things will be provided. (see Matthew 6:33).

SET YOUR MIND

Romans 8:5,“Those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”

Verse 6.  “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8: 5-6).

The Greek language for the words and phrase “the mind set on” from Romans 8:5-8, tells us that ‘setting one’s mind’ is a metaphor describing a door a or gate leading into or out of a room by which you will either escape to freedom or you will enter a prison with no way of escape – and it is of your choice and of your own making!

If you need a miracle, turn to God and be saved. Then, set your mind on things of the Spirit and live!

Please remember that you are dealing with powerful forces here.  One leading to death and the Other leading to LIFE.  Use wisdom.  Use caution. Choose Life.

This is about SERVING GOD, BECOMING HIS DISCIPLE and BEING MADE INTO HIS IMAGE.  What you learn and apply here are His gifts and methods to serve Him better and to live this life abundantly by His Standards.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

“Father, I pray over this article and this message and that you will watch over those who read this, who diligently apply this, Your Word, to their lives, that You will cause it to bear much fruit that You will be glorified.”   Amen & Amen!

(Related study: “Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind”.

 

THE FOURTH STAGE

Please do not think that by reaching this 4^th and final stage that your training in righteousness or your being made perfect in the image of Christ is complete. Being sanctified is a life-long process of being made holy, consecrated, dedicated, made separate from the ordinary an set apart for God’s special use.

Examples of this are found in Matthew 4 and Matthew 11.

Matthew 4:18-25 gives us our first example of Jesus’ demonstration of what He is calling His disciples to become and to do.

JESUS MADE DISCIPLES – WE ARE TO MAKE DISCIPLES

“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

JESUS DEMONSTRATES HIS WORKS

“Jesus was going about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.”

“And the news about Him spread throughout Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and severe pain, demon-possessed, people with epilepsy, and people who were paralyzed; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.”

WE ARE TO GO AND DO HIS WORKS

“Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.” (Matthew 10:1).

“As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8).

WE ARE TO KEEP ON KEEPING ON, UNTIL THE END

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

AND AS YOU GO

Be filled with the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Be filled with humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

And finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Amen and amen!

Your Brother and Friend – (Always In Training)

Mike Young

PREVIOUS:  STAGE 3 OF LAUNCH – Becoming A Fully Developed Christian.

(please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

 

STAGE 3

Preparations for pre-launch are complete. Now comes the final testing. Once this testing is satisfactorily completed, we will be ready for launch. But first, Stage 3.

Examples of this, Stage 3, can be found in Matthew 4.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.  And the tempter came.”  Matthew 4:1-3

Jesus showed us how we would be tested if we choose to follow Him, that is, after becoming a Christian. He has shown us the way to resist the devil and to overcome his testing and temptations. There is nothing easy here.

The word “Temptation” as used here describes a ‘trial, and a testing; a proving trial’.

It is the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy; the enticement to sin, arising from personal desires or from the outward circumstances;

In this case, it is the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand; It is also the way the devil will attempt to divert you, and it IS NOT EASY!

It also shows the condition of a person, a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness;

It comes from adversity, affliction, trouble, sent by God and serving to test or prove one’s character, faith, holiness.

Jesus set the example and showed us why God sends trials and temptations our way.  He tested His own son to show us what to expect and how we are to react.  Notice:

1. Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit – God initiates the trials.
2. Into the wilderness – No food, no water, no resources, no earthly help for 40 days.
3. To be tempted by the devil – In a weakened state, alone.

This part of the Judean desert or wilderness could be arid, fiercely hot and waterless.  There were predatory animals prowling and roving bands of thieves.  Imagine how the dangers of geography, climate and the barren landscape could affect and test your body, mind and spirit.

This actually happened. It also serves as a type of metaphor for you, today: There will be ‘predatory animals’ prowling and roving bands of thieves lying in wait for you.  Imagine how the dangers of geography, climate and the barren landscape will affect and test your body, mind and spirit. IT IS NOT EASY, Brothers and Sisters!

Then, “after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came”  Matthew 4:1-3

This is the condition, and these are the type of circumstances which will truly prove a disciple.  Jesus deliberately and willingly followed The Spirit into a hostile wasteland to be tested. This is also a choice you will have to make to follow Jesus.

In a desperate physical condition, Jesus was tempted by Satan, first with His physical need of food.

Next, His soul was tempted with pride of life.

Finally, His Spirit was tempted with glory and honor.

Jesus was tried, tempted and tested, and He overcame the temptations of the Body, the Soul and the Spirit.  He has shown us the way! (Matthew 4:1-11).

We would do well to study this and commit it to memory so that anytime you are tested and tempted you will say,

1. ‘I SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”
2. ‘I SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD MY GOD TO THE TEST.’”
3. ‘I SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD MY GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’

And then, and only then, the devil will leave you; and even the angels will come and minister to you.  (Matthew 4:11).

If someone told you about an “easy salvation” or some kind of “cheap grace”, don’t believe it. This is tough. But, have you ever found anything in life that is cheap or easy that had any lasting value?

Are you getting the idea that being saved is not easy, and it is not supposed to be easy?  Following Jesus is not easy, but there is no adventure like it. Rather than a temporary pleasure on earth, then an eternity in darkness and fire, you will find both purpose in life now and then eternal peace with God; things the eye has not seen, and the ear has not heard — the things God has prepared for those who love him!

Stage 3 is complete. Now, we are ready for launch – on to Stage 4.

PREVIOUS: STAGE 2 OF LAUNCH – Becoming a Fully Developed Christian.

NEXT:  STAGE 4 and LAUNCH TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

(please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

 

STAGE 2 of becoming a Christian is no easier than step 1, but you may be better prepared having completed the first step.

Matthew 5:1, says, “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven'”.

This “Sermon on the Mount” starts by telling us that we are Blessed, when we are poor in spirit.  We all have heard that this means we are “spiritually bankrupt”, and I suppose this can be one very basic and rudimentary meaning. Being “Poor in Spirit” however, means so much more:

“Poor in spirit” (from the Greek:  ptochos), literally means to be reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms; destitute of wealth, influence, position, honor; lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches; helpless, powerless to accomplish an end; poor, needy, lacking in anything as respects their spirit; destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and proved themselves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure). This comes from a root and alternate meaning “to be terrified”, “as a decaying corpse”.

It should cause us to wonder, how could we possibly be considered “Blessed” if we are truly “poor in spirit”.

“Poor in spirit” is, more literally, to be crushed in your spirit; to be pinched by toil, hopelessness and extreme poverty; A beggar with no hope of rescue on the verge of death and perishing.

It is when life deals you crushing blows, which seem to be your end with no way of escape, that this marvelous work of salvation, redemption and sanctification can begin; and not before.

We hear it said “you must come to the end of yourself to enter the Kingdom of God” which is true enough, but none of us have the will power to bring ourselves to such a desperate state.  It is God, alone, who will allow or bring crushing circumstances to bear on our lives which will cause us to turn to God for help.  And only God can save us from such desperate circumstances, redeem us to a state of wholeness, health and safety which is His Sanctification (holiness) of our lives.

Please read the following verses and take note of the process.  Here, the Bible explain to us, ahead of time, what we must endure (yes, endure) in order to become a Christian and to “inherit the Kingdom of God”.

Verse 4. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

“Mourning”.  An understandable response upon finding yourself severely pinched by poverty, reduced to begging; destitute with no influence, no position; lowly, afflicted and helpless; powerless to change your circumstances for the better; lacking in anything and terrified.

Think with me.  Have you ever endured an especially difficult time?  Perhaps, as a child, you were punished for bad behavior?  Besides receiving a scolding, you may have been spanked or had privileges taken from you?  Or perhaps you endured a time of suffering and loss?  “Mourning” was the natural response.  What did you experience next?

Verse 5. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Do you remember after enduring a time of suffering or loss and “mourning” your loss, having a good cry; how your emotions or spirit was quieted for a time?  You may have now had time to reflect on what has happened, and you lapse into a time of quiet, gentle appearing reflection.

Verse 6. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Do you remember coming through a difficult time, having a good cry, either mentally or actually shedding tears, and then the ‘calm the followed the storm’ in your soul?  Do you also remember that, for some reason, with the storm of your life behind you, you were actually hungry?

It is the same in our spirit.  It is usually at this point that we begin to make life-decisions.  We are either getting angry and defiant or we decide to do better and to “be better”.

For those being redeemed by the mercies of God, the process is to ‘hunger and thirst for right thinking and right living’:  which is the very definition of Righteousness.

It is through this process that we gain new insights and understanding.  How apt are scriptures to remind us in the next verse that

Verse 7. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

The word ‘mercy’ in this verse literally means “kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them; of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one’s self merciful

We are indeed being “Sanctified”:  Being made holy and set apart for God’s use.

Verse 8. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Our attitudes are changing.  Showing mercy is a sign that our hearts are changing and become pure in the sight of God.  We are being transformed in what we see and in how we see.  We are beginning to see matters as God sees them.

Verse 9. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

A peace will begin to settle over the heart and mind of the redeemed and sanctified Believer.  We, not only begin to experience ‘a peace that passes understanding’ from our deepening relationship with God, but we begin to demonstrate and practice that peace of God which earns us the title “sons (and daughters) of God”.  We are being made into His image.

Verse 10. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The bible tells us, it is at this time, we inherit and possess the Kingdom of Heaven with all the rights, responsibilities and authority of a son of God, a joint heir with Jesus.

This statement is staggering, even for the fully devoted and fully surrendered follower of Jesus.  And, it is too rich and too profound for the “casual Christian” or “casual Believer” to begin to understand.

The phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” means this:

Kingdom:  (basileia from the Greek). The notion of a foundation of power; royal power, kingship, dominion, rule, not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; Of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah; of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom

(Note:  This comes from a root word baino,  “to walk”.  The sole of the foot; a stepping, walking.)

This reminds us of the tremendous proclamation in Joshua 1:3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.”

We are becoming and, in a real sense, we have already  become, heirs of the Kingdom of God, the place of the foundation of all power.

(Ephesians 1:4, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”)

A place of royal power, kingship, dominion and rule, not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom, God’s Kingdom.  It is of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah.  It is the Place of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.  (From Strong’s concordance, definitions and translations of the Greek and Hebrew languages)

Verse 11. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”

Verse 12. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Verse 13. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”

Verse 14. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Verse 15. “Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

Verse 16. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

These verses are a description of entire sanctification, and they should leave the child of God breathless. In John 8:12 Jesus calls Himself, the Light of the World. Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  

Again in John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Jesus is now calling you by that name!  Truly, in His Image.

If you can make this far, you can almost carry the name of Jesus as a Christian! There are only two more stages, and by this time you should be ready to resume.

STAGE 3.

Preparations for pre-launch are complete. Now comes the testing and countdown. Once testing is satisfactorily completed, we will be ready for countdown to launch. But first, Stage 3.

Previous: YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST GOOGLED – Stage 1 (of becoming a fully developed Christian).

NEXT:  STAGE 3 OF LAUNCH – Becoming A Fully Developed Christian

(please bookmark this page or subscribe for upcoming episodes).

 

YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST GOOGLED – AND, OH MY!

About 106,000,000 results (0.54 seconds)

There seems to be a growing intolerance toward Christianity and toward Christians in America – bordering on downright hate! I am finding this in about every city, town and neighborhood I visit. I have given this considerable thought, but that cannot be right, can it?

Some of my Christian friends agree that Christianity is a turn-off to a lot of people, but most of them would argue that non-believers are just hostile toward the things and people of God.

So, I ‘Googled’ the phrase, “Why don’t people like Christians and Christianity?” Here is what I found:

About 106,000,000 results (0.54 seconds)

LinkedIn:

1. Good Reason: Your moral integrity annoys people.
2. Bad Reason: You’re judgmental.
3. Good Reason: Your contentment and confidence make people uneasy.
4. Bad Reason: You’re relatable. (Or just plain weird.)
5. Good Reason: You stand up for the weak and vulnerable.
6. Bad Reason: You act hatefully.

(Click here for the entire article) 

THE GOOD MEN PROJECT:

Number 1: Child ‘Abuse’.

Number 2: Hypocrisy.

Number 3: Religious wars

Number 4: Judgmentalism.

Number 5: Issues around money

Number 6: Attitudes toward LGBTQ+ community.

Number 7: Hell and condemnation.

Number 8: The problem of suffering.

Number 9: Outdated gender roles.

Number 10: The Bible.

(Click here for the entire article)

CHRISTIANITY.com:

1. Religious Hypocrisy

2. Gospel Inoculation

(Click here for the entire article)

HUFF POST:

Number 1. Religion Causes You to Condemn Yourself

Number 2. Religion Causes You to Judge Others and Live a Life of Comparison

Number 3. Religion Makes You Feel Like God Owes You

Number 4. Religion Causes You to Live a Double Life

Number 5. Religion Focuses on the How Instead of the Who

(Click here for the entire article)

PEW RESEARCH CENTER – Why America’s ‘nones’ left religion behind:

(click here for entire article)

Are you getting the idea? Whether these reasons right or wrong in your opinion – and I disagree with many of them as egocentric – it does not change how others are thinking and feeling.

But, I do I think I understand a little about why an increasing number of people don’t like Christians and Christianity, the foregoing reasons not withheld.  I think the #1 reason is that we Christians aren’t “Christian” at all.

• We like the idea of being saved from hell and to heaven.
• We like the ‘promises’ made in the Bible.
• We like the moniker of “Christian”.
• But, most of us have tried to skip from ‘stage 1’ of becoming a Christian to the ‘gimme stage’.

There are several stages of acceptance, commitment, growth, maturation, and engagement that must take place if we are to call ourselves, ‘fully devoted followers of Christ’, let alone calling ourselves simply as Christian.

I will make note just FOUR probable steps or stages of becoming Christian, by comparing it to preparation to a rocket launch to the heavens.

Stage one – being saved and becoming a Christian, according to the Bible, is actually the hardest to accomplish, despite what the evangelist or preacher would tell you. They often say, it’s easy. “Just repeat this little prayer”, and bingo! You are saved and can now be a Christian. Come to church, give your money and act right! Woo Hoo! I call this “DRIVE-THROUGH SALVATION” & “SPIRITUAL FAST FOOD”?

But that is not what Jesus says, and it is not what the Bible says. Jesus and the Bible says that you must:

1. Acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, recognizing His sacrifice on your behalf, His power, authority, and majesty as God, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (For, it is with the heart a person believes in Christ as Savior which results in your justification, that is, you being made righteous — being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God; and with the mouth acknowledge and confess openly that this is now your belief by faith, which results in and confirming your salvation.) (see Romans 10:9-13)
2. Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to follow Me as My disciple, he must deny himself, that is, set aside selfish interests, and take up his cross daily by expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come, and follow Me, believe Me, and conform to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me. (see Luke 9:23).
3. Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And the disciples were even more astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to Jesus, “Behold, we have left everything and have followed You.”  Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.” (see Mark 10:25-31).

Stage 2 of becoming a Christian is no easier than step 1, but you may be better prepared having completed the first step.

Now, buckle up. We are going to Stage 2…

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: STAGE 2 OF LAUNCH – Becoming a Fully Developed Christian.

(Additional and related series, “Tested By The Spirit in The Wilderness”)

(please bookmark this page or subscribe for upcoming episodes).

 

 

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE ‘BEFORE THEIR TIME’?

Seat belts can prevent or reduce injury in case of an automobile mishap or a car accident.

Wearing your seatbelt as a front-seat passenger can limit your chances of moderate to fatal injury by 50% and of dying by 45%. (NHTSA).

• Wearing your seatbelt in a light truck limits your risk of critical injury by 60%. (AAA).
• Nationally, most (90.1%) of Americans use seat belts. (CDC).
• On average, 47% of people who die in car accidents weren’t wearing their seatbelts. (IIHS).
• 15,000 lives are saved every year by wearing a seat belt. (NHTSA).

The evidence is in, and still about 10% of drivers do not always wear a seat belt. WHY, you may wonder? Poor judgment, ignorance of the law, ignorance of the statistics, stubborn, lazy, defiant, or a combination. Therefore, about 5% of all drivers are killed in motor vehicle accidents just because they were not wearing a seat beat.

Do you find that (#1) sad, or (#2) stupid, (#3) unnecessary, or (#4) that they had it coming?

(Still, this writer believes they are entitled to their choices and beliefs until and unless it endangers others.)

The sign says, “DANDER – RISK OF DEATH FROM FALLING – Do not climb or cross this fence – do not go past this point.”

Still, in 2019 three people fell within weeks of each other. Two involved losing their footing while taking photos and one from wandering to close to the edge and slipping to her death.

Park personnel, signage, literature, brochures warn of the dangers. Still, since the 1800s, about 250 people have died in the Grand Canyon from falling off ledges.

WHY, you may wonder? Poor judgment, ignorance or stupidity, stubbornness, defiant, adrenaline junkies taking unnecessary risks.

Do you find that (#1) sad, or (#2) stupid, (#3) unnecessary, or (#4) that they had it coming?

(As sad as it seems, this writer still believes people are entitled to their choices and beliefs, until and unless it endangers others.)

The same things might be said, to one degree or another, about alcoholism, drug addiction, poor dietary habits, poor health maintenance and more. WHY, you may wonder, do we kill ourselves before old age, in so many ways?  Is it always poor judgment, ignorance or stupidity, stubbornness, taking unnecessary risks, thrill seeking, habits we form, addictions that trap us? I think the reasons are as various as the people who fall prey to an accidental or an unfortunate death.

I really wish that we, people, would make better decisions by being wise and careful, but that is not how humanity works. It is, well, crazy for the most part. We live then we die. How, when and why are the only remaining questions.

Two last things though.

My wife is wise and pragmatic, and she believes that no one dies before their time is up. But when they do die, it was their time, no matter how, when or why they died.

Secondly, and notwithstanding the wisdom of my wife’s belief on this matter, there is a way to perhaps mitigate or reduce the chance of an early and unnecessary demise – or at least an unnecessarily serious and lasting physical or emotional injury.

The Bible tells about the great benefits of knowing God, having faith in Jesus Christ, and the benefits of becoming a Christian and conforming your life to the standards and practices taught therein. It is like a shield against unnecessary trouble and a mighty spiritual strength to withstand those troubles that might beset you. It has been correctly said that the Bible and Christianity is not a set of rules which limit a person, but it is truth, a guidance which will set you free. It is not a barrier to keep you in, but a fence to give you protection.

For this and many other reasons, the Bible has been and continues to be the bestselling book of all times. It is impossible to know exactly how many copies have been printed in the roughly 1500 years since its contents were standardized, but research conducted by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 2021 suggests that the total number probably lies between 5 and 7 billion copies.

I could further my claim by referencing any of the thousands of theologians, pastors or Bible teachers who expertly teach that the Bible has done more to divert people from foolish and reckless behavior that leads to tragic deaths and widespread misery.

Instead, allow me to take an unconventional turn and introduce you to Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, author, psychologist, online educator, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto.

He has written three books, Maps of Meaning, an academic work, presenting a new scientifically-grounded theory of religious and political belief, and the bestselling 12 Rules for Life, and Beyond Order, which have sold more than seven million copies.

Dr. Jordan has long extolled the benefits of the Bible and Christianity on western civilization, although he had not become a professing Christian until around 2017.

Still, despite the centuries and mountains of empirical evidence of lives changed for the better and the stability and strength imbued to entire nations which have, at some level, professed and practiced the teaching of the Bible, in 2021 only about 140 million adults,  (42%), in the United States claimed to be practicing protestant Christians. Even with this many professing Christians, many do not practice the teachings and doctrines of this faith, exposing themselves to the dangers of errant thinking and dangerously risky behaviors.

If the Bible and Christianity truly leads to a more balanced, a safer, richer and a more protected way of life, WHY then, you may wonder, don’t more people seek the safety of becoming a Christian and practicing Christianity?

Is it poor judgment, misconception, ignorance, stubbornness, defiance, lack of belief or doubt, a need to fulfill the desires of passion and taking risks?

Do you find that (#1) sad, or (#2) confusing, (#3) unnecessary, or (#4) that they had it coming?

(As sad as it seems, this writer still believes people are entitled to their choices and beliefs, until and unless it endangers others.)

The Bible tells us that ‘there is nothing new under the sun’. People and things have always been as there are now. There may be new and better technologies that allow us to destroy ourselves and others more efficiently, but we are all simply prone to poor judgment – or as the Bible puts it, “we all sin and fall short of the glory of God”. (Romans 3:23).

Please don’t misunderstand, Christianity doesn’t make you impervious to dangers, harm and death. Even with the most ardent safeguards, Christians will encounter difficult and treacherous times in their lives, including death. Still, the Bible promises, “that even though there will be many tribulations for the righteous, God will rescue them”. (see Psalms 34:17-18). It is the mind and soul that is set on God (see Romans 8:6), trusting His promises, will find the strength and peace while enduring trials.

What is to follow, for those who believe, is an eternal home with God, in “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth will have passed away, and there will no longer be any sea. This is God’s dwelling place among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”.

God will say “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty, I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur, which is the second death.” (see Revelation 21:1-8).

Please dear friend. Don’t take the poorest of risks.  If you want adventure. If you need adrenaline, if you want risk that leads to life, choose God through faith in Jesus. Do it now!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

THE DAY GOD GAVE UP ON THE WORLD – 2 THINGS WE CAN LEARN

The title of this piece, at first glance, should catch even the coldest unbeliever’s attention. But for a believer, this title should create not just curiosity but some ire. And for the newest believer, I hope it would create some alarm.

What would you say was God’s thought toward the world if I mention the Great Flood of Noah’s day? Did God give up on the world, then?

Here is the first thing we can learn, and here is what the Bible says:

Genesis 6:5-7, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So, the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the Lord said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.”

God decided to destroy every living thing. So, I ask again, had God given up on the world? Was God giving up on you and me?

The answer is no. God had not given up on the world. This was to be God’s Great Reset.

Genesis 6:8 says, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

The floodwaters would destroy every living thing on the earth. But God would spare all those on the ark, including two of each kind of animal.

For 40 days the ‘fountains of the deep and the floodgates of the sky’, flooded the entire earth. Then, after 277 more days, the waters receded and the earth was dried.

Then God told Noah and his family to “bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every crawling thing that crawls on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”

God never gives up on us, and God had not given up on the world. God had purged, cleansed and refined the world for a new beginning.

Interestingly, the Book of Daniel tells us another time is coming when God will destroy the heavens and the earth and all living things. Curiously, He uses language reminiscent of Noah’s day. But He will accomplish His Purposes by another method.

Daniel 12:10-13, says, “Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

2 Peter 3:10-13, confirms that, “The day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered.”

“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat.”

God will, once again, destroy all living things, because the wickedness of mankind will have become great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And once again, those who have hidden themselves in Christ Jesus will have God’s favor and will be spared.

God never gives up on us, and God will create a new heaven and a new earth, where we, who have found favor, will dwell with Him for eternity. God will purge, cleanse and refine the world for a new beginning.

The second important thing we learn is that God never gives up on us, and we should never give up on one another.

Jesus has told us to do all the things He has commanded us. Again, He tells us to do the works He has done and great works than those.

But the one thing Jesus has commanded us, which is paramount, is “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” (see John 13:34-35).

We, like Jesus, are to never give up on one another. From whatever position or from whatever location, you are never to give up on one another.

We are taught that we are to go even to this extreme: “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.” (see John 15:13).

In closing, let me ask you what if in your time of need, you pray to God, and He would say, “I would like to help you or rescue you, but I am really, really busy. I have my own life to live, and I have other responsibilities. Besides, you have become hard to deal with. I will think about you, but you need to get yourself straight before I can get involved. I don’t want to be an enabler! You know? And besides, I didn’t sign up for this.”

Just reading such a thing should strike terror and extreme sadness into the heart of any believer. Of course, God would never say that. God will never leave you nor forsake you. He will never give up on you. (I am sure He will not needlessly coddle you or pander to us, but He will never give up on us, even if it requires that God will purge, cleanse and refine us for our new beginning.)

So, why would we sometimes think we can receive merciful and great things from God, but that we could withhold them from others? We should not and cannot! We must never give up, on one another, either.

If we call ourselves by His Name and depend on His promises, we must do what He says and do as He does.

Please, please dear friends, bothers and sisters in the Lord, let’s pray for one another and live our lives in service and humble obedience to Him.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young