Tag Archives: Jesus
Water! What is it good for?
Supreme Court vs God
U. S. Open – Success – Failure and Jesus
Jesus Love and a Safe Place
It Is All About Power!
It Is All About Power!
We have been flooded with materials on the local city elections. I wonder how many of us really read what comes in the mail or is left on our doorsteps? Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for public servants. I pray for good people to serve on all levels of government. What is disheartening, is when our elected officials work harder to keep their positions of power and influence than serving their constituents. Power in any arena can blind people from truly serving the needs of others. Jesus dealt with this in his little band of disciples. Too often the history of the church has been riddled with people abusing power. Jesus modeled how to truly influence and transform lives by living as a servant. He had all the power available to him by being the divine Son of God, yet he humbled himself and became a servant. He went all the way in giving his life as a ransom for our spiritual freedom. These four weeks before Easter, we are looking at Isaiah’s portrait of God’s Servant. God gave the prophet four songs,(Isaiah 40:1-7, 49:1-7, 50:4-11 & 52:13-53:12), and each one provides critical revelation of how this Servant will fulfill God’s plan of redemption. In preparing for these messages, I have been reflecting on our current historical context. The powerful are really powerless in bringing any social, spiritual or political restoration to our world! We must face the reality that this age will never reach perfection. There will always be evil and injustice. In fact, the Bible says it will get worse! Jesus Christ must return in order for evil to be finally eradicated from this age. The powerful will be overthrown and the meek will inherit the earth. In the meantime, it is up to the multitude of Christian communities to serve the Kingdom and faithfully witness through their words and actions. We can make a difference! What God is doing in this age is rarely seen by the world. God doesn’t need headlines, He needs faithful servants to witness for Jesus. I am excited to be a part of this kingdom work here in Eagle Rock. Let’s not get discouraged by the ineptness of the powerful, but be energized to see God work through our faithful service!
Is There Any Hope?
Is There Any Hope?
I have been asking myself the question; Does the secular world have any hope for the future? After the Danish terrorist attacks, forty thousand Danes gathered to show solidarity for free speech and community consolation. One of the focal points of their gathering was a song performed by one of their popular music stars. You guessed it! The song was “Imagine”, written by John Lennon. Does this song crystallize the secular hopes and dreams of humanity? If you haven’t heard the words or cannot remember what the song is saying, do me a favor and download the song. All I can say is that it is fantasy and wishful thinking at its best! It lacks substance and denies the harsh realities of life. But it feels good! That is all the secular world has to hold onto; feelings. At the other end of the spectrum is a growing number of radicalized Islamists who want to impose a theocratic rule over the world. Their hope is that through violence and fear, their vision of the future will be realized. Would it be too far a stretch to say that most people would love a new order for humanity? Isaiah 42:1 proclaims that “justice for the nations” cannot be achieved through human efforts.
It will take a uniquely divine figure to bring order to this world. Jesus proclaimed this new order over two thousand years ago. He claimed that in and through His own person and work, God was bringing His order to the nations. The New Testament proclaims that in the resurrection of Jesus, God validates His purpose for a new world order. What He began in Jesus will be consummated at His return. Hope for humanity is fully realized beyond history and not through any human fantasy or effort. In history we must confront evil and seek the good for humanity. The message of the church is that in Jesus, we can enter the hope of resurrection by receiving new life in Christ. This new life celebrates the diversity of human culture and yet brings a real sense of unity and peace. My prayer in this season of Lent, is that all of Christ’s followers will give witness to the only hope for humanity; the glorious return of our Lord! Come Lord Jesus!
Random Acts of Violence, Really?
Random Acts of Violence, Really?
Twenty of our Christian brothers were beheaded by Muslim extremists in Libya yesterday. How many other brothers and sisters in Christ have been killed over the last several months? I am both angry and broken. I am angry over the evil done to people and I am angry over the lack of moral courage on the part of some of our leaders in not naming the enemy. These are not “random” acts of violence, these are intentional acts of murder in the name of Islam. These evil people have a world view that clarifies their intentions. We live in a culture that is increasingly becoming. The secular man has no moral category to define these people as evil. The secular culture has rejected religious values. The idea that there is a spiritual enemy behind the barbarism and murder sounds foolish to the secular culture. It is much easier to rationalize acts as “random”, because to label them as intentional acts of evil, demands a moral and spiritual world.
The vision of Revelation 12 is reflective of a Christian theistic world view. The dragon appears to try to destroy the woman and the child. The woman who represents God’s people and the child Messiah are divinely protected. The dragon turns on the followers of Jesus by raising up a beast. The beast is historically Rome and it’s imperial power. The beast also stands for any totalitarian power that seeks to rule and persecute God’s people. The dragon is working today in the radical Islamic movements around the world. Where in the midst of this evil can followers of Jesus find strength and hope? John’s vision in chapter five of Revelation is our vision of perseverance and hope. The slaughtered Lamb is seen at the center of God’s throne! The Lion of Judah is the Lamb that was slain! Suffering in the name of Christ is not the end! Jesus is risen and has struck a fatal blow to the dragon. (Colossians 2:15). Our posture must be, as followers of Jesus, that of a military battle. The battle is a battle for the minds and hearts of lost people. Our weapons are spiritual. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we are called to be salt and light in this age. Even if it cost everything! I have not felt as emboldened to be a follower of Jesus since the early days of my salvation. May God bring comfort to the families of those who were slain. May we take up the cross with all those who are truly in arms way of death! On ward to victory!
Ash Wednesday
Called to Convert?