Smoke and Mirrors

 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

– Luke 9:35 

Slot machines and music concerts may draw big crowds in Las Vegas, but magic acts like Penn & Teller, Mat Franco, and Shin Lim are sometimes the hottest tickets in town. Their clever illusions and sleight of hand are designed to trick the eye — and all while deceiving the audience that it’s possible to make an elephant disappear into thin air. The crowd knows there must be a trick, yet they still want to believe the incredible. Meanwhile, the magician never reveals the truth: the secrets behind their hocus-pocus.

Revelation reaches a much higher level when one's eyes are opened to a spiritual truth that changes everything. For Christ-followers it happens when God shows us we’ve taken the wrong path in some area of life. Then there's the ultimate eye-opener: when non-believers awaken to the fact that Jesus is more than a teacher or prophet — He’s God’s Messiah. 

"I am the way, the truth and the life,” Christ declares in John 14:6. “No one comes to the Father except through me."

It’s then that God’s light shines through. They realize they’ve broken God’s perfect Law … and they need Jesus as their Savior. Unfortunately, most of the world still chooses to remain deceived amidst the utter darkness of its existence. Consider Pontius Pilate’s rhetorical question to Christ in John 18:38: 

“What is truth?”

The Truth that Pilate questioned is a Person rather than a concept. Moreover, He’s quite near to those who seek Him. As Christ-followers, we can access Him through the Bible, prayer … and even wise counsel from fellow Believers. And that’s also why we should have less trouble than others with discerning what’s right and wrong — even though millions have already redefined good and bad to create their own morality and truth. So, amidst this increasingly murky backdrop of deception, let’s look at our own reflection and ask ourselves:

Do our words, thoughts, and deeds have substance … or are they just smoke and mirrors?

Membership Has Its Privileges

So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” 

-- Luke 7:22

In 1987, American Express launched the Membership Has Its Privileges advertising campaign, which revolutionized the credit card industry by shifting its marketing focus from a transactional payment tool to an exclusive lifestyle club. The campaign’s commercials depicted wealthy cardmembers enjoying exotic vacations, upscale dining, and VIP event access. Their underlying message was that American Express cardmembers — unlike the general public — qualify for exclusive perks and an elite lifestyle. 

American Express recognized the attraction of exclusivity, which starts early and extends long into adulthood. For example, were you one of the popular elementary school kids who was always picked first for the kickball team … or were you the odd-man-out nearly every time? And if you grew up in the 70s, 80s, or 90s, were you always wearing the latest pair of designer jeans or Air Jordans?

Here's some good news, particularly for those of us who were never crowned king or queen of the high school prom or lettered on the varsity football team. And it covers something much more important and lasting:

God — the most powerful and loving Presence in the universe — has invited you and me to join his royal family. Once we put our faith in Jesus as our savior, we become an adopted son or daughter of our Creator, who also happens to be the ultimate loving Father (“Abba”). And as God’s children, we’ll enjoy an amazing inheritance for eternity.

It’s an offer that seems too simple and good to be true, but it’s not. In fact, Jesus welcomes, heals, and restores — regardless of our social status or background. And we don’t have to wait until we die to enjoy some of these perks and benefits. One is the privilege of knowing God within a personal relationship. Through prayer, we can come to him directly with our joys, needs, and sorrows. It’s this close bond that helps us overcome the obstacles and challenges we’re guaranteed to face in life.

This amazing offer is open to all. But it’s also exclusive because only those who put their faith in Christ alone will be welcomed into the Kingdom. It’s a crucial reminder that membership indeed has its privileges, and Jesus long ago paid our entrance fee. Now it’s up to you and me to respond: “Yes, Abba!”

Why We Serve

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

– Luke 6:35

In 1942, the U.S. Government premiered the first film from a series called Why We Fight. Produced by legendary Hollywood director Frank Capra, these powerful motion pictures were designed to educate America’s armed forces and the public about the causes of World War II and the principles on which our nation stood. 

Fast-forward to 2026, and Christ-followers are still fighting powerful adversaries. For example, the media is actively promoting cultural narratives that oppose the faith — and all while attacking those who refuse to accept unbiblical perspectives, lifestyles, and initiatives. Likewise, many government leaders and bureaucrats are either looking the other way, or they’re helping to spread the corrosive messaging. What was once evil is now considered good, and what’s good is now considered evil. 

While darkness and confusion seem to reign these days, let’s not be discouraged. After all, life in God’s kingdom operates differently than the kingdoms of this world. Let’s consider Jesus’ declaration in Matthew 5:16 to some of his earliest followers:

“Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”

What does he mean by light? It’s really that inner Power that God grants each Believer for exhibiting his goodness through word and deed. That light might appear in the form of helping an elderly neighbor by running a much-needed errand … or volunteering to manage a co-worker’s project when they’re struggling to finish an earlier assignment. Or it might involve cleaning up a community park or visiting residents at a local assisted living center. The possibilities are endless.

Believers are called to be Jesus’ hands and feet on earth while we wait for his return or that day when he calls us back home. Until then, let’s remember that serving others makes us more like our Savior, which is another good reason to follow in his footsteps:

“In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served,” Jesus explains. “He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people."

With apologies to Frank Capra, the question for Christ-followers isn’t why we fight. Instead, it’s why we serve.