Speak Up!

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

– Acts 4:18-20

The saying goes that loose lips sink ships. And in wartime, careless overheard words do lead to lost battles, planes, and ships ... as well as to fatalities and other casualties. So, it should be no surprise that as we go about our daily activities, our own loose lips can cause immense damage — and even spiritual death — when the wrong words reach the wrong person.

A related adage is that you don’t let your mouth write a check that you can’t cash. In other words, don’t say something unless you mean it and are willing to back it up with action. Our tongues can get us into lots of hot water. And when we’re too quick to speak and even quicker to anger, catastrophe and regret often follow.

However, there are times when the Holy Spirit can convict us to speak up without the need for much thought, such as when we witness obvious injustice, cruelty, or other violations of God’s law. And that message comes in many forms — but never in a way that contradicts Scripture. For example, it might be through that small, still voice that tells us the right thing to do in an unexpected situation. A spiritual directive could also come through Bible study, a situation at home or at work, daily circumstances, and even that chance meeting with a friend you haven’t spoken with in years. Was that unexpected late-night phone call or text just a coincidence? Not necessarily!

When it comes to entertainment, politics, or sports, we’re likely quick to speak up for our favorite celebrity or president — or even defend our opinion about who’s the NFL’s greatest quarterback. But what about issues of much greater importance? Let’s take the advice of King Solomon, who offers us these timeless words of wisdom recorded in Proverbs 31:8-9:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; defend the rights of all those who have nothing,” he tells his 21st century readers like you and me. “Speak up and judge fairly, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Home of the Brave

I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the LORD your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.

– Joshua 1:9

Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage was once required reading in high school English classes from coast to coast. Set on the bloody battlefields of the Civil War, this 1895 masterpiece was so realistic that the author often received letters from veterans, who wrote to inquire about his regiment. In fact, Crane was born six years after the war — the fourteenth child of a Presbyterian minister!

The Red Badge of Courage is the story of Henry Fleming, a naïve youth who, against his mother’s wishes, joins the Union Army to find his measure of excitement and glory. But Henry soon discovers the horrific realities of war when his regiment attacks the enemy from behind. Henry and several other soldiers run from the carnage. Wounded and bleeding from a stiff blow from a rifle butt (delivered by another “lost” Yankee), Henry eventually makes it back to camp with the help of a fellow soldier. Remarkably, no one suspects him of desertion.

Henry’s baptism of fire quickly changes the innocent young man into a battle-wise vet. He’s involved the next day in several frontline skirmishes with the rebel army. And later, his colonel compliments the former coward for his bravery in combat. Henry’s transformation was both remarkable and complete. It was just hours before that he had abandoned his comrades and run for his life. Now, Henry held the line and even encouraged his fellow boys in blue to fight even harder.

The Red Badge of Courage is not an overtly Christian novel. But as a “PK” (Pastor’s Kid) and former seminary student, it’s likely that the author knew a thing or two about redemption and the Power that enables regular people to do the seemingly impossible. It’s also likely that most of us can identify with Crane’s main character, Henry. We may not be facing a fierce enemy army on a distant battlefield. But we all struggle against intimidating foes of one form or another. Unemployment, debt, addiction, and disease are a few obvious examples. Is it any wonder that Satan uses fear as his primary weapon against Christ-followers?

The good news is that we’re not alone in the trenches. Our God is always with us, and he calls every Believer to be strong and brave. Moreover, we can be encouraged by the average people (like you and me) that our Creator enables to do extraordinary things. It was David — an obscure shepherd boy — who killed the fierce giant Goliath with a single stone from a slingshot. And this same shepherd boy eventually became the King of Israel and the one God called “… a man after My own heart.” 

Likewise, it was the apostle Peter, who quite literally dove into the deep end when he accepted Jesus’ call to walk on water. When Peter began to doubt (and sink), Christ saved him once the dubious follower called out in faith. Later, this same follower — who would soon deny even knowing Jesus — became a bold preacher of a growing faith-movement called The Way. Two books of the New Testament also bear Peter’s name. 

As Christ-followers, God doesn’t expect us to solve the world’s problems. Instead, it’s by having the courage to step out in faith and let Him work through us that we can make a world of difference.

Help Wanted

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

– Luke 10:2

The news is filled with stories about job layoffs, empty storefronts, and companies fleeing big cities. Nevertheless, Help Wanted signs are commonplace, and some businesses can’t fill their open positions. If you’d like to be considered for one, be aware that employers prefer experienced, can-do candidates who meet their exacting criteria. And those who fail to impress and separate themselves from the competition won’t be invited to a second interview.

Your first hurdle is to demonstrate that you’re available and can do the work. What’s more, employers must decide if they like you. Even if you’re well-qualified, you probably won’t get the job if they think you lack the right chemistry. And they also want to know if you’re a risk. In other words, do you have a reputation for being difficult to manage? And finally, you must be affordable. Employers will eliminate you from the running if they think your salary demands are unreasonable.

Fortune 500 companies aren’t the only ones with high standards for their team members. For example, Christ-followers are tasked with preparing God’s Kingdom and being a bright light in a dark, troubled world. And since it’s such an important job that can yield eternal, life-changing rewards, only certain candidates are considered. If you’re up for the challenge, be aware that you must be available on an as-needed basis. (Expect to work weekends and holidays!) You also need to be obedient and follow the Boss’s (Jesus) instructions — even if they don’t make much sense at the time. Humility is likewise important, so you should share the credit whenever it’s due. Expect overtime and sacrifice. And to top it off, you have to take the initiative and be on the lookout for opportunities to help your customers (neighbors), both local and foreign.

Is it any wonder that most people won’t respond to Christ’s Help Wanted sign? To quote the U.S. Navy’s old recruiting slogan, “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.” 

Here’s Jesus’ admonition to his would-be employees as recorded in Luke’s gospel:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Landing a job can be hard — even in a vibrant economy. But here’s some good news: Jesus is hiring right now for his organization’s growing team. And many of his highest producers started with no experience in the field. Yes, the working conditions aren’t always ideal. But there are plenty of rewards along the way ... and the retirement plan is out of this world!

All Things New

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

– Psalm 51:1

Ever had a computer or smartphone that’s infected by a virus or malware? If so, you know that helpless feeling when it crashes, freezes, or slows to a maddening crawl. And soon enough, that once top-of-the-line machine becomes nothing more than an expensive plastic paperweight.

But don’t lose hope. There are reputable companies that can not only clean out such infections, they can also help prevent future problems by fixing unrelated performance issues. So, what was once a dead or balky computer can be restored to a better-than-new condition.

Every Christ-follower for the last 2,000 years can relate to this modern-day illustration. Like a crippled machine made whole again, Christ-followers become born again once they accept Jesus Christ through faith as their Lord and Savior. We start over at that point with a clean slate — and ready to do good works to advance God’s kingdom. Think about it: Everything we’ve done wrong since birth — none of it will be held against us after we leave this life on earth! All the ways we’ve mistreated others, the lies we’ve told, and the potential we’ve wasted over the years … It’s all forgiven because Jesus paid the price by dying for us on the cross. 

Now declared justified in God’s eyes, we can look forward to an eternity of joy with our Creator. But until that day when we meet our Savior face to face, we should ask him to empower us to live restored, fruit-bearing, Spirit-filled lives, which the apostle Paul explains through the New Testament’s Book of Galatians:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Of course, we’re not saved from the punishment we deserve because of any good deeds we might do. If that were the case, it would be possible to earn our way to God’s acceptance. The fact is that our feeble efforts and good intentions are never enough. So, there’s nothing left for us to do except to follow God’s simple plan of salvation — and accept his free gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. 

It's through our Savior that we find restoration. And it’s then that all things are new again.

Can I Get a Mulligan?

Happy is the person whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned.

– Psalm 32:1

There are few do-overs in the game of life. But sometimes there are in the game of golf. For example, if a golfer slices their shot into the woods or a deep sand trap, they might ask their opponent for a mulligan — a chance to try again.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get a mulligan every time we fail in life? Like for the times we speak rudely to a family member or cut off another motorist in traffic. Or when we gossip about someone at church or “forget” to report some income on our tax forms. Better still, how about a do-over for that night (25 years ago) when we shoplifted on a dare from a friend? Big or small, our failures can weigh heavy on our hearts. We can’t stop thinking about them and about what could have been. 

How different our lives would be if we could simply erase those ugly moments in time and start over with a clean slate. The truth is that we can all use a few mulligans.

The apostle Peter understood this sentiment. Although he was one of Jesus’ earliest followers, witnessed his Master’s miracles, and even walked on water (until his faith ran out), this bold individual known as The Rock failed the test more than once. For example, we can read in Matthew 26 about Peter’s declaration to stand by Jesus — and even die, if necessary — no matter what. But only hours after the Savior’s betrayal and arrest, Peter denied even knowing him. And not just once, but three times!

That’s sobering stuff. But the good news is that God understands our human limitations. What’s more, we can find his solution to this universal problem throughout the Bible:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” we read in 1 John. And this passage from Proverbs delivers additional reassurance: “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

That message on a popular bumper sticker sums it up: Christians aren’t perfect, they’re just forgiven. It’s when we desperately need a mulligan to erase our failures — whether we’re on or off the golf course — that we can always count on God’s undeserved kindness. We just need to confess our shortfalls to Jesus in faith. The result is a clean scorecard. A complete and total do-over. A mulligan.

“How far has the Lord taken our sins from us?” the psalmist asks. “Farther than the distance from east to west!”

 

Family Matters

As many as received Him, to them He gave the right, the authority, to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name.

– John 1:12

Baseball legend Babe Ruth. Apple mastermind Steve Jobs. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Country music superstars Faith Hill and Shania Twain. 

Other than being famous for excelling at their professions, what do they have in common? They were all adopted. 

According to the Adoption Network, about 115,000 children are adopted each year in the United States, and about 5 million Americans overall are adopted. And as anyone who has been through the process will tell you, adoption can be stressful, tedious, and very expensive. What’s more, arrangements with birth parents can fall through at the last minute, and agency fees, court costs, and other legal expenses can easily exceed tens of thousands of dollars. But for the right adoptive parents whose hearts are set on a special child, no price is too high.

Scripture reveals that God is quite familiar with the adoption process, its struggles, and legalities. That’s because in a very real sense, he’s the adoptive parent of every Christ-follower. When we first put our faith in his Son — Jesus Christ — as our Savior, God acted legally on our behalf and paid all the related costs. The result? Our adoption into God’s royal family.

But just as adopted children don’t pick their new parents, the apostle John’s gospel reminds us that the same is true for our heavenly adoption: 

“You did not choose me; I chose you,” Jesus told his disciples. “And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.”

Before God became our Heavenly Father, we were spiritually dead. And since we broke God’s laws, our sinfulness had made us his enemies ... and him the Judge. What’s so remarkable is that this same Judge has declared us “not guilty” because of his willingness to pay the high price of our adoption through Jesus’ death on the cross. And for us — through our adoption — came a change of family, name, and home. As God’s adopted children, it also meant an array of new privileges and life-changing responsibilities.

The implications are remarkable. God — as our loving Father — is now approachable through prayer. He’s no longer some cold, impersonal Being who’s only accessible through a priest. In fact, Jesus outraged the strict religious authorities of the day by referring to God as “Abba,” which means daddy in the Aramaic language. And he happens to be a Daddy who watches out for his kids!

Indeed, the Creator of our vast universe cares for us so much and knows us so intimately that he’s literally counted the hairs on our head! He’s also willing to pay any price to adopt us into his family. And for every Christ-follower, that’s exactly what he did to forever convey his name, protection, inheritance, and love. Because to Him, family matters. 

We Will Serve the Lord

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens

– Psalm 8:1

We’re all worshipers in one way or another.

Christ-followers worship the true God revealed and proven through the Bible. Meanwhile, various world religions promote manmade gods, ancestor worship, and even the reverence of living things or nature (worshiping the creation rather than the Creator). And then there are popular false teachings such as New Age, Scientology, and Kabbalah. It’s a very long list.

Even strict atheists are fervent worshipers. True, they’re not Sunday morning churchgoers who proclaim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. But they — along with likely billions of other people — still bow down to their favorite idols. Some worship money, luxury, and pleasure while others bend the knee to intellect and higher learning. And others kneel at the altar of more negative gods such as alcohol, drugs, and illicit relationships. Meanwhile, the saying goes that there are no atheists on the battlefield. But there’s a different kind of conflict that rages within everyone: The God of the Bible versus the world’s gods and idols. It’s our hearts, minds, and souls that are the prizes of this heated, internal war.

Perhaps we don’t literally kneel before and worship graven images. But the fact is that that we secretly (or maybe not-so-secretly) cherish our own personal gods. Consider the things that we worry about or sacrifice our time and money for. Which issues make us angry? What brings us the most joy? And here’s a revealing question: Whose attention and applause do we most crave?

If the answers to these questions don't involve the Lord, we’re likely worshiping an idol. And idols can be difficult to recognize through the smoke and confusion of spiritual warfare. Even seemingly good things can evolve into inferior god things if they're misused. That's why it’s particularly important for Christ-followers to remember that our Creator — the God of the Bible revealed through Jesus — refuses to share his glory with false idols, manmade religions, and philosophies. We therefore must consider the God (or gods) in our lives, and then choose the One to serve and live for.

This dilemma is nothing new. Let’s consider this scene from book of Joshua, named for the courageous Old Testament leader who brought the Israelites into the Promised Land:

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord,” said Joshua. “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.”

Joshua next made the familiar declaration of faith that true worshipers repeat and affirm to this day: 

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

May it also be so for you and me.