Dealing With Temptation: No Monkey Business

God desires for us to develop hearts that are right with Him - full of purity - and to make sure our consciences are clear. Consider these words from 1st Timothy chapter 1:
5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,
7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

One of the components of the Christian life is evaluating our hearts, allowing the Holy Spirit to search and penetrate our minds and our deeply held attitudes in our spirits in order to identify what is not pleasing to God and to enable us to eradicate those harmful patterns from our lives.  What we accommodate can ultimately do us harm and spill out and touch other people in a negative way.  We have to be aware of these vulnerable areas in order that we might take steps to be strengthened in Him.

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God is calling us to renounce sin, not to accommodate it, and in 1st Thessalonians 4, we read a series
of warnings about not participating in sinful behavior:
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.
7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

Well, it's good for some residents of Sanford, Florida to know that Zeek is back behind bars - after 15 minutes of fame frolicking in a city neighborhood on Monday.

Zeek, you see, is not your average criminal - he's a monkey, and escaped from the home in which he is kept, according to a story on the Orlando Sentinel website, which reports that in a 911 call released Tuesday, a man is heard saying, "There's a big monkey in the street." On the recording, people in the background are heard saying the animal looks "cute" and that it's jumping on cars.

The man making the call says, "It looks like pretty clean and nice...but it is on top of my car."

Yes, Zeek hopped around on some vehicles and even tore the molding off a police vehicle before he was distracted by a bottle of water.

The owner is permitted and licensed to keep the animal, according to authorities.  This is not the first go-round for Zeek's owner, who was fined back in 2012 after an escape.

This incident of monkey business has caused me to think about some spiritual lessons for us, so please indulge me here as I share:

First of all, we can be reminded that what we accommodate may sometimes spill out and affect others - negatively or positively.  If we privately harbor behaviors or attitudes, those things we keep inside may eventually emerge, perhaps at a time when we do not want them to.  If we hold attitudes of resentment or ill will toward another person, try as we might, we may not can hold those expressions back, which can cause damage.   Anger and frustration bottled up and not dealt with using spiritual means may have a devastating effect, not only on our own well-being, but on our relationships with others.  Conversely, if we are cultivating the fruit of the spirit, the attitudes and actions of the new nature, we will see those attributes lived out.

So, another by-product I thought of from this weird, Wednesday story: the 911 caller said the monkey was "clean and nice."  Observers said he was "cute."  Yes, there are things that we might regard as cute or innocuous, but could actually present danger to us and others.   Someone might think it "cute" to make an inappropriate comment or crude joke in the workplace.   You may consider certain forms of entertainment "cute," but what we expose ourselves to might actually not be consistent with what the Scriptures say to put in our minds.  You may be dabbling with material or playing with temptation that you really need to stay away from.  Satan wants us to regard sin as cute and harmless, when he is attempting to lure us into his trap.

Church Conflict and the Call to Unity

In Romans 14, the apostle Paul lays out a prescription for peace with others:
15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

The Bible teaches us that we are not to intentionally act in a manner which offends.  We have to make sure that our motives are pure and unselfish, and that we are walking in love, pursuing, as verse 17 says, righteousness, peace, and joy.  And, I believe that we have to get our hearts right so that we are not too easily offended by the activities of others.  Our call as members of the body of Christ is to serve the head and reflect His character in the way we behave toward one another.

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The Bible speaks about the importance of God's people being unified.  As we are living, growing, and serving together - in one accord - we make a powerful impact on our world and on one another.
Romans 12 says:
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Union Grove Baptist Church is located in Elberton, Georgia, and recently, the church has become deeply divided - there are two factions: one is centered around a 103-year-old long-time member of the church; the other supports the pastor of the church, who tried to ban the woman from church services.

FOX Carolina has the story of 103-year-old Genora Hamm Biggs, who said that the pastor, Rev. Tim Mattox. tried to ban her from her home church of 92 years because she told him he didn't follow the Baptist church covenant. The pastor and other members recently signed a letter that revoked her church membership.

Some church members recently voted out Mattox as the pastor and tried to vote in a new pastor. That's when things got heated. The police came out to the church on September 20 to try to diffuse the situation.

In a letter to FOX Carolina, it was stated that Biggs became disruptive at church and violated the church's by-laws and that's why they sent the letter.

Court papers show Glen Jackson, a church deacon, filed four restraining orders on behalf of the church against Biggs' supporters. The orders cite threats, disruption and harassment.  There will be hearing on October 5.

According to ChristianHeadlines.com, Biggs has been attending the church since she was 11, Fox News reports. She says she is very committed to the church. She even served as the church’s secretary for about 40 years.

Biggs takes issue with Mattox's preaching style, however, and she is not afraid to confront him about it.

"At one point, he had a crew in here and they were hollering and falling out in the middle of the floor," Biggs stated. "We don't do that in the Baptist Church.”

Elberton Police Chief Mark Welsh is quoted in the FOX Carolina story, "It's just a shame they can't come to a solution on this."

Yes, it is a sad story, but can be a cautionary tale for all of us.  And, as we embark on Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month throughout October, we can be reminded to spend some time affirming those who serve in spiritual leadership over us.  Yes, there may be times when you find yourself in a place of disagreement with a church leader - and I believe that the Bible teaches some principles through which we can resolve conflict.  The situation at Union Grove is not a prototype for us.

The Bible teaches us to try to be at peace with others, as much as it depends on us, according to Romans 12.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commends those who are committed to peacemaking.  He later says that if we remember that a person has something against us, we are to go to be reconciled.  I believe that reconciliation is the endgame, that makes for stronger relationships and a healthier church body.  I believe that we should be communicative about our differences, and be open to a solution.

And, what a testimony it is to a fractured world when believers can peaceably settle their issues with one another!  But, when our factions become fights and are lived out for the world to see, it does not bring glory to the cause of Christ.   Hebrews warns us against allowing a root of bitterness to grow. Just as we are reconciled to Christ, so we can be reconciled to one another in Him.

Secure in the Lord

God has called us to be confident in Him, and when we are beset by fear, He offers us powerful
resources. Consider these words from 2nd Timothy chapter 1:
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began...

Fear will distort and paralyze us, giving us a skewed vision on the circumstances around us.  Fear invades the mind and deceives - but, the power of God can be released in our thinking as we meditate on the Scriptures and think upon truth.  Sound-mindedness is a virtue that we can acquire as we devote ourselves to seeking God and being determined to walk in His ways.  We can overcome fear, we do not have to be held in bondage to it.

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In Psalm 56, verse 3 is very simple, but provides a great reminder of whom we can trust when we
encounter fear:
3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Later the Psalm, we read:
9 When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.
10 In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word),
11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Earlier this month, the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Lake Palestine, Texas had a rather unusual visitor.  The Breaking Christian News website summarized a report from the Tyler Morning Telegraph, which says that an armed and heavily tattooed man, who was wearing camouflage fatigue pants, camo boots, a black T-shirt and a tactical vest, was sweating profusely when he launched into a rant about being a "man of Islam."

The man, Rasheed Abdul Aziz, then reportedly started yelling about "how his god had authorized him to take lives" and that it was okay for him to kill "infidels." Pastor John D. Johnson III said, "Every hair on my neck just stood up."

While Aziz displayed aggressive behavior, Johnson, a former parole officer, did not.  The pastor got between Aziz and the door, asked him to calm down and offered him a prayer and cool drink.  He is quoted as saying, "I never gave him the power of feeling he was in control [or] that I was frightened," adding, "I was very cautious not to raise my voice or make any quick moves."

The Telegraph reports that Johnson had determined that Aziz had a gun. The pastor told him he was going to take care of him but needed to get his kids situated first. That was his excuse to step out in the hall and whisper to his wife and another member there, “We got a problem. Get everybody out of the church.” Johnson said, "It was as if we had trained, but we hadn’t."   The church was evacuated, and the pastor left, too - Aziz then left, albeit temporarily.

Law enforcement was already en route because a church member had called 911. Johnson praised their response time, collaboration and character.

“It was just downright amazing the compassion they showed, the attitude, the aggressiveness,” he said.

He also thanked God for giving him the clarity of mind to immediately have a plan and put that plan in place.

Law enforcement officials said they believed Aziz came back to the church later in the day, Johnson said. On Monday, a church deacon found a note Aziz apparently left to thank the church for its kindness.

“That note was in stark contradiction to what he did in deed and statement,” Johnson said.

Aziz was apprehended Sunday night.  The Telegraph reports that he has been charged on federal counts in addition to two state charges.

Smith County judicial records show 40-year-old Aziz was jailed on a federal detainer of felon in possession of a firearm, a Smith County felony on the same charge and a felony charge from Cherokee County for terroristic threat.

The first paragraph of the Breaking Christian News story quotes the pastor: "Please put security measures in place. Do not get caught thinking that this only happens in other places—in big places. It's by the grace and mercy of God that we are not on the other side of history; the other side of tragedy."

So, there's our first lesson from this series of events, a concept echoed by Carl Gallups of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton, Florida on a recent Meeting House program.  In these troubled times, church security is important.  And, we recognize where ultimately our security comes from, a concept embraced by Pastor Johnson.  As the church visitor became more agitated, the pastor was calm - he met aggression with meekness.

And, I think that's a great posture for us, in a variety of situations.  It's easy to become angry and panic-stricken when we are on the receiving end of aggression.  But, when we encounter opposition, we can rely on the peace of Almighty God, who will give us, as the pastor said, clarity of mind.  If you've seen the movie, War Room, you no doubt remember that the two female leads met a potential attacker who pulled a knife on them and asked for money.  Miss Clara replied, "No," and told the man to leave them alone, in the name of Jesus.  What fortitude!  Perhaps you, like me, have heard a similar story of a person under duress who turns back danger by calling on the Lord. We can be challenged to abide in the peace of God, which passes all understanding.

I don't know what the mental state of Mr. Aziz was at the time - perhaps in a bizarre way, he was seeking help.  But, you cannot deny that there are people on this earth who desire to do harm to Christians because we are Christians.  This is a cause for prayer and preparation.  We have to recognize the potential threats and realize that we serve a great God, the One True God, who will equip us as we depend on Him.  When we are in danger, when fear besets us, we can place our trust in Christ.

To Exercise Free Speech, But Not To Speak Freely

There's a passage in Ephesians 4 that deals with not only the words we speak, but the attitudes of our hearts that drive them:
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

James warns us about the power of the tongue and the potential for destruction contained within it. This same theme is found in these verses in Ephesians.  We should be characterized by the life-giving words we speak - telling the truth in order to build another person up.  Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and if we are harboring unkind, bitter, and destructive thoughts and thought patterns, that will be reflected in our words.  We have to allow the Holy Spirit to heal our hearts, renew our minds, and give us the capacity to speak and act with conviction and compassion.

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In Proverbs 13, we can read words that paint a picture of our demeanor, as we seek to reflect Christ in a culture in which we find people who are hostile toward Him or ignorant of Him.  We're reminded that even though we may have a right to free speech, that doesn't mean we have to always speak freely:
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

There's been a bit of chatter recently about the topic of free speech on college campuses.  None other than the President, in a speech in Iowa recently, who, according to the website for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE:

...criticized recent trends on campus, such as the rise in disinvitations of controversial speakers and the demand for “trigger warnings” on course materials. The trends have dominated headlines since last year as students increasingly come to expect protection from words and ideas they don’t like.

“I’ve heard of some college campuses where they don’t want to have a guest speaker who is too conservative or they don’t want to read a book if it has language that is offensive to African Americans or somehow sends a demeaning signal toward women,” said President Obama. “I’ve got to tell you, I don’t agree with that, either. I don’t agree that you, when you become students at colleges, have to be coddled and protected from different points of view.”

Surprised by his assessment?  I certainly am, especially in light of the Administration's instances of attempting to force people to accept ideas that violate their deeply held religious beliefs, such as gay marriage or the attempt to force charities to provide so-called health services they find objectionable.
But, he has raised a valid topic.
In a piece on The Atlantic website, FIRE President and CEO Greg Lukianoff and author Jonathan Haidt highlight two terms which they say, "...have risen quickly from obscurity into common campus parlance. Microaggressions are small actions or word choices that seem on their face to have no malicious intent but that are thought of as a kind of violence nonetheless...Trigger warnings are alerts that professors are expected to issue if something in a course might cause a strong emotional response."

University of Tennessee law professor Glenn Harlan Reynolds makes this observation in a USA Today piece:

Many college students seem to believe that they have the right not to hear things they disagree with, and in some schools — the University of California, for example — the administration seems to agree with them, treating opinions that students find disagreeable as some sort of assault.

Ah, yes, the University of California - the state university system's Board of Regents was considering a proposed speech code after protests from free speech groups who called it a form of censorship, according to Fox News, which reported that about two dozen people gave input to the board of regents at a recent meeting at UC Irvine about the proposed "Statement of Principles Against Intolerance," which called for the university's 10 campuses to be "free from acts and expressions of intolerance."  The effort to implement the speech code was turned back.

David French, formerly of the Alliance Defending Freedom, writes in National Review:

Fully aware of the law, universities try subtle means of enforcing speech codes while insulating themselves from judicial review. Such codes will often impose explicit, unconstitutional speech restrictions at the same time that they claim these restrictions are not intended to violate the First Amendment. The University of California’s proposed policy is no exception. It claims (hilariously) that it is not intended to be used as a basis for discipline or to suppress “educational, political, artistic, or literary expression of students in classrooms and public forums that is protected by academic freedom or free speech principles.” Yet the entire policy suppresses expression protected by free-speech principles.

We have become a culture where tolerance is king and there is a smaller margin for disagreement on various views.  Polarization has replaced respectful, public discourse.  And, I believe it's incumbent on believers in Christ to show a better way.

First of all, we realize that if we are advocating freedom of speech and religion for ourselves, that in accordance with the Constitution, that we should also be supportive of allowing people with whom we disagree to express their views in the public square.   And, when those views are expressed, we have to make sure that we remain firm in our convictions, but not defensive in our communication.

I think overall that many in our society have developed a rather thin skin - we are prone to argument rather than deliberation.  If we are trying to win an argument, we may be short-circuiting our ability to win someone to Christ.   The Bible instructs us to speak the truth, but to do that in love.

And, we have to put aside the potential for hurt feelings and be grounded in our identity in Christ.  No one's words or actions can take that away.  He is the One who will strengthen us.  If we are easily offended, then we lose our ability to engage someone in a productive discussion - and we have to develop the skill of relating God's principles and telling His story in our lives, not in a bombastic way, but with humility and thankfulness for who He is and what He has done.

The Pope and the Pursuit of Truth

There are so many voices speaking in this world, and as believers in Christ, we are called to be discerning - to be able to evaluate different statements and philosophies against the teachings of God's Word.  1st John 4 tells us to test the spirits and to be aware of "spirits" that do not line up with
Scripture.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

News stories, blog posts, YouTube videos, politicians, even religious leaders - the question we can ask is "do they line up with Scripture?"  And, to be able to make that determination, we have to know God's Word so that we are not deceived.  There are a host of Bible teachers who can help us in our spiritual walk, and some who will not - but who do we believe?  If our spirits, our hearts, are trained in the knowledge of God to hear the voice of the Spirit bearing witness to the Word of God, we will be able to filter what we hear.  We follow our spiritual leaders based on the degree of their adherence to God's truth.

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The Bible gives us great instruction regarding how to evaluate teaching to which we are exposed. As we grow, we can discern how what people say lines up with the Scriptures. Colossians 2 says:
6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

This week, thousands, perhaps millions will be celebrating the first visit of Pope Francis to America. Yesterday, he visited the White House, where he spoke to a large gathering and met one-on-one with President Obama.  He also spoke with Bishops and presided over a Mass.  Today, it was on to address Congress.  Tomorrow, it's a gathering in Philadelphia that is centered around families.

What do people make of this religious leader, whose statements and actions make headlines; a man of distinct influence, even in the political realm?

A Barna group poll looked into the Pope's favorability.  The summary says:

Pope Francis enjoys widespread popularity in this country that has only increased over the past year from 54% of all adults reporting favorable views of the Pope in 2014 to 60% in 2015. Growth is most notable among younger generations with the Pope’s favorability among Millennials and Gen-Xers increasing by 14 (41% to 55%) and 20 (51% to 71%) percentage points in one year, respectively. Among the older generations, favorability drops slightly from 64% to 54% for Boomers, and 66% to 58% for Elders, however both remain high relatively speaking.

Favorability is up among Protestants, but there are harsher critics within his own tradition; favorability dipped slightly among Catholics since 2014. Protestants overall report a 10-point increase (from 48% to 58%), but Catholics’ favorable impressions dropped 6 percentage points. Still, Catholics overall report highly favorable views—at 79 percent, the highest among all segments.

The Barna summary also says this:

Since his election in 2013, media and commentators have noted a significant shift in papal rhetoric to a more open and hopeful tone. But though many have wondered if he is a liberal reformer, Pope Francis has neither officially changed nor challenged any traditional, orthodox Catholic beliefs. Barna asked Americans if they believed Pope Francis’ views on a variety of today’s big issues are too liberal, too conservative or just right. For the most part, Americans—regardless of age and religion—say that Pope Francis is taking the right stance.

For example: 40% believe the Pope is taking the right stance on marriage and divorce, with 18% saying he is too liberal and 11% saying he's too conservative.  But, a significant number say they don't know.  On same-sex marriage, 34% say he has the right stance.  On other issues, here is the percentage believing he has the right stance: 33% on abortion, 41% on the environment, and 47% on poverty.

Pope Francis is a man of huge influence in our world.  And, for some he is an enigma.  Dr. Michael Guillen, in a piece for Fox News, writes:

...Francis himself leans left in his severe upbraiding of wanton capitalism and his belief in manmade climate change. And he leans right in his unshakeable opposition to abortion and his defense of the Biblical definition of marriage, which is the consecrated union of a man and a woman. Yet he holds the two opposing views so sincerely and thoughtfully, and is so likeable in the process, that he makes it hard for the rest of us to go on demonizing our political opponents.

 Guillen writes that the Pope "...reminds everyone that we Americans aren’t the center of the universe – gasp! – but that we are a nation mightily blessed by a God who values a humble spirit and a hospitable heart. Heavenly qualities that I expect and pray will be greatly in evidence during the next six exciting days."

The Pope has reached out to a variety of streams of evangelical leaders.  As a Christianity Today piece reports:

...after visiting the Vatican, Rick Warren was impressed with the humble quality of Francis’ ministry, and subsequently described him as “our new pope.” Luis Palau, whose friendship with Francis reaches back to earlier years in Argentina, also points to the pope’s “personal lifestyle” as a reason why evangelicals hold him in such high regard.

The piece also relates that in March of last year, "the Green family, who own the Oklahoma-based company Hobby Lobby, enjoyed a warm visit with Francis after collaborating on a Bible exhibit." Charismatic leaders have also enjoyed papal audiences.

In highlighting the relationship between the Pope, Catholics, and evangelicals, Dr. Timothy George of Birmingham's Beeson Divinity School wrote:

Francis succeeds two men of genius in his papal role. John Paul II was the liberator who stared down communism by the force of his courage and prayers. Benedict XVI was the eminent teacher of the Catholic Church in recent history. Francis appears now as the pastor, a shepherd who knows and loves his sheep and wants to lead them in love and humility. The new Franciscan moment is the season of the shepherd. Catholics and evangelicals are the two largest faith communities in the body of Christ. Without forgetting the deep differences that divide us, now as never before we are called to stand and work together for the cause of Christ in a broken world.

One of those areas of difference was highlighted by Franklin Graham in a recent Facebook post:

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Pope Francis on his first visit to our great nation. Recently this Pope announced that priests could forgive abortions for one year—the Year of Jubilee. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As a sinner, I’m glad we can go directly to God for forgiveness 24/7, on any day, in any year. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the price for sin with His shed blood on the Cross of Calvary.

CBN reports on an instance of inclusion that may be an expression of the Pope's overarching desire for peace:

Muslim prayers and Koran readings were held at the Vatican for the first time in history on Sunday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres joined Pope Francis in the Vatican gardens for a prayer meeting.

It says that "Jewish, Christian, and Muslim prayers were all offered in an 'Invocation for Peace.' The Pope reportedly said he hopes his prayer summit with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders will help bring peace in the Middle East.

So, when I think of the Pope, there are several words I want to relate:

First of all, opportunity.  When you have someone who is a religious leader, a spiritual leader, who is placed in a position of influence, where his words are not lightly regarded, you have to pay attention.  And, I would hope that the Pope's words would be consistent with the teachings of Jesus and the truth of the Bible.  The discussion of this visit may give us an opportunity to consider and communicate with others about the papal visit and some of the issues he raises.

Another is conviction.  Like it or not, the Pope says things that turn heads and you may not agree with what he says, but I think you have to respect the conviction with which he says them.   He has made some bold statements, some of them troubling to me, but I think he takes his position very seriously.  

But, conviction yields criticism.  The Pope has been taken to task, even by some Catholics, for some of his statements, such as the famous, "who am I to judge?" incident on homosexuality.  Yet, he is a seemingly strong proponent of traditional marriage and the family.  And, in a TIME website piece, he is quoted as saying: "Some people might say some things sounded slightly more left-ish, but that would be a mistake of interpretation,” adding, “If you want me to pray the creed, I’m willing to do it.” He said: “It is I who follows the church … my doctrine on all this … on economic imperialism, is that of the social doctrine of the church.” He added: "I’m sure that I have not said anything more than what is in the social doctrine of the church."

Finally, the Bible tells us to test the spirits.  We are not called to blindly follow the teachings of anyone.  We are called to develop a working knowledge of God's Word and measure the words and actions of others against the words of the Scriptures.   Discernment is key as we guard against being unduly influenced by even those professing to know Christ.   We may come to different conclusions, but the challenge is to seek truth and allow God's Spirit to lead us, to be convicted in what we believe, and do what we can to make sure that our personal beliefs line up with God's truth.

Stayed on Jesus

In Colossians 3, we are challenged to make sure our minds are thinking about the right things, the things of God:
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Our minds are the gateway to our hearts - what we place into our minds and what we regard as important to us, can ultimately determine the course of our lives and the degree to which we grow spiritually.  Our minds are a battleground, where the enemy attempts to gain a foothold to bring about destruction in our lives and render us unproductive for the Kingdom of God.  So, we have to keep our priorities in sight and make sure that we are in the process of mind renewal, allowing the Word of God to keep us thinking straight.

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In Isaiah 26, we can see the description of a component of a productive Christian life:
2 Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.

There has been a rather odd occurrence on the campaign trail involving one of the Democratic Presidential candidates - frontrunner Hillary Clinton.  According to a Christian Today story, a women's chorus called Voices From the Heart replaced the name "Jesus" with "Hillary" in singing the African-American spiritual song "Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind On Jesus)" for her campaign stop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire a few weeks ago.

The song lyrics went: "Woke up this mornin's with my mind stayin' on Hillary."

The article says that Fox News commentator Todd Starnes called the rewriting of an old gospel song as "just plain creepy" and "downright sacrilegious."

He recalled a time when school children were ordered to sing praise songs to the president, "Barack Hussein Obama—mmm mmm mmm."

In fact, Starnes said, one of Obama's "disciples" at MSNBC "actually called him God!"

He recalled a time when Newsweek put on a cover story depicting President Obama as the "Second Coming" and an artwork depicting him as the crucified Christ.

I think this unfortunate incident can be sobering for all of us.  For one thing, I think it shows how there is a tendency to "deify" certain political leaders or celebrities to a certain extent.  Even though Starnes is pointing out this phenomenon regarding Democratic candidates, those who support Republicans could very easily do the same thing.

In following the life or activities of a high-profile person, we can place someone on such a pedestal that a person can do no wrong and we lose our sense of objectivity.  Or, we develop a certain fascination with personality - no wonder the grocery store checkout lines are full of magazines that deal in the latest celebrity gospel.  Even in our political consumption, I see a certain "American Idol"-ish flair that emphasizes style rather than substance, sound bites and zingers rather than reasoned discussions of policies.   We have to be careful that we do not regard celebrities or politicians as gods, and that we seek God about the politicians we elect.

And, I thought about the temptation in our own Christian lives to replace "Jesus" with another name. We, of course, can remember that the name of Jesus is the name that is above all others.  But, while Colossians tells us to fix our minds on Christ, there is a human tendency to drift.  The Bible teaches us to put Jesus in the first place in our lives, as the Lord of all, but if we are spending time thinking about other priorities that would be exalted over the priority of pursuing holiness in a relationship of love and obedience to Christ, then we have to make adjustments.   Our devotion to Christ can be appraised as we evaluate the amount of time and energy that we expound in spiritual activity each day.  We have to make sure that we are not replacing Him with the pursuits of this world. 

Searching the Scriptures

In Psalm 145, we find the Psalmist considering the greatness of God, and he underscores the
importance of meditating on His works:
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.
5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.

One powerful way through which we can do that is to read God's Word and see how He has operated in the past and also to learn the principles that illustrate for us how He desires to move in our lives today.  Bible stories can teach us much about the character of God, and as we read for the purpose of learning more about Him and His nature, we can discover reliable principles that we can integrate into how we live our lives each day.

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In the book of Joshua, we read the instructions that God gave to him as he prepared to lead the nation
of Israel. In Joshua 1, we see these words:
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Yes, it has been one of those time-honored rites of summer for churches and for children who not only attend church, but also to those who do not.  It's Vacation Bible School, which, according to a Christianity Today story about an innovative partnership between schools and VBS leaders in Louisville, Kentucky, was started by Mrs. Walker Aylette Hawes in the 1890s for the benefit of immigrant children living in poor neighborhoods in New York City.

John Marshall, chief equity officer for the Jefferson County Public School system in Louisville, is part of the "15K Degrees Initiative," a partnership of Louisville schools, churches, and other local groups aimed at helping more African-Americans in that city earn college degrees. Only 14 percent currently have degrees, according to organizers, compared to about 20 percent of African Americans nationwide.

One of Marshall’s main challenges is combatting the “summer slide.” Students from minority and low-income backgrounds have a greater risk of learning loss during the summer than their wealthier classmates. Researchers say it’s one of the biggest factors driving the achievement gap between the two groups.

Growing up, Marshall was inspired by one of his Sunday School teachers, who was also an English teacher and read Bible stories to the class, then led students to uncover their literary themes using plot and Venn diagrams.  Marshall states, “She was an English teacher, and she’d ask us, ‘What is the metaphorical meaning behind Jonah and the whale?’ ‘When were you in the belly of a whale?’ ‘Who are the Delilahs today?’” 

So with that Biblical background and desire to see more students succeed academically, Marshall has been involved in trying to integrate educational standards into VBS curriculum. This year, 25 VBS and Sunday school leaders from about 20 churches—mostly African American—were trained by JCPS officials at the city’s Urban League at the beginning of June.   

During the training, facilitators read a passage about Jesus’ disciples and then asked participants to write a description of them in their own words. Among other suggestions: doing addition or multiplication exercises to calculate the number of animals entering Noah’s ark.

One VBS teacher quoted in the article tried the approach with her 8- to 10-year-olds on Sunday mornings. She recently taught a lesson about Jesus’ baptism and subsequent temptation in the desert. She divided the students into small groups, where they discussed the passage, summarized the story, and then presented it back to the class.

Yes, because the standards are the oft-criticized Common Core, you could criticize the approach.  I will say this: CT reports that academic improvement has been seen in the state since it adopted the standards.

Al Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, expresses a further concern - he said, "The real issue here is not a controversy over Common Core, but an urgent concern for the teaching of the Bible,” adding, “If the church allows Vacation Bible School to be redefined as a refresher course for some other curriculum, the church will have lost its way.”

But, Kevin Jones, an education professor at Boyce College, SBTS’s undergraduate school, and former public school teacher, praised the program for engaging churches—and at the same time serving students, parents, and teachers. Taking part in the training sessions could give church leaders a chance to share their faith with school officials, he said.

So, there just might be an upside here.  And, we can be reminded about the importance of not only learning stories from the Bible, but also making application in our own lives, just as Marshall was saying that his Sunday School teacher challenged him to do.   It has been said that in the early days of our country, that the Bible was a primary device through which people learned to read - period.  You hear about missions efforts in which children are being taught to read, based on God's Word.  To me, this Louisville pilot program could be considered as a throwback to times past.  And, as the Christianity Today article points out, in a way, Marshall is attempting to take VBS back to its roots.

We have learned the stories, perhaps you've memorized verses, and maybe even read the New Testament or the entire Bible in a year.  A challenge for each of us is to carefully consider the Scriptures - to meditate upon them and intentionally think about and even strategize how we can apply the Scriptures; in other words, think, "how can I take this principle and integrate it into my life?"  In so doing, we renew our minds and can be strengthened in our Christian life.

"Happy Hormones" and a Joyful Journey

In 2nd Corinthians 7, Paul lays out some keys to a joy-filled life. I want to concentrate on verses 1 and 4:
1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Later in the chapter, in verse 4, he states this:
4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

Paul is writing to the church at Corinth about living a pure and holy life, which is brought about by devotion to the Scriptures and submission to the Spirit.  These "promises," as he relates can contribute to our cleansing.  And, in this overall journey, even when we are facing tribulation, the apostle Paul declares that he is joyful - not happy, or mildly joyful, but exceedingly joyful.  We can possess that joy as we recognize we are right with God, that we are walking in His will, and we growing in Him.  With that attitude, we can withstand the trials we encounter.

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The Scriptures give us direction about what we should be pursuing as servants of Almighty God. Consider the words of 2nd Peter chapter 1:
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gatwick Airport in London is giving a whole new meaning to the phrase "happy meal." Flying can sometimes be a harrowing experience, with the lines to go through security, the potential of delayed flights, or finding one's way through an unfamiliar airport.  So, there were airport restaurants during August that tried an experiment that might make the skies a bit friendlier.

According to a story on the CNN website, restaurants updated their menus to include dishes designed to put travelers in a better mood. Frankie and Benny's, for example, added a salmon citrus salad that promises to improve brain function, while Lebanese chain Comptoir's falafel and fattoush salad was meant to keep blood sugar levels steady.

The airport has teamed up with nutritionist Jo Travers, who says that, "There are certain foods that will help the 'happy' chemicals in your brain to keep flowing. Two key players are the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, along with amino acids tryptophan and theanine, which can contribute to the creation of serotonin, known to most as 'happy hormones'." She adds, "Low levels of these chemicals can cause fatigue in addition to lowering existing levels of serotonin. Similarly, a deficiency of Omega 3, can lead to fatigue and mood swings."

Raymond Kollau, founder of travel website Airline Trends, is quoted in the article as saying, "Passengers traveling by air often have a long and tiring day that is filled with snacks, and making it easier for them to choose the right kind of food, promoting a light meal instead of one that is high in carbs, will make them feel better."  Kallau points to innovations such as the FlyFit 'fatigue fighting' juice range, which claims to improve blood flow, and is now sold at 50 airports.

Also, in Amsterdam's Schiphol and Brussels Airport, passengers can get a serotonin boost by recharging their phones with power generated from riding indoor bikes.

A story about the experiment on the Telegraph website says that ten of the top ingredients used in the dishes that Gatwick says will help you eat yourself happy include salmon, chickpeas and oats.  The special meals are designated by a smiley face emoji beside them on the menu.  Tuna, bananas, citrus fruit, and green tea also make the top ten list.

Well, you can assume that these food enhancements can help keep travelers in the right frame of mind.  And, as believers in Christ, it's important that we possess the right mental approach to life, as well as to be good stewards of the bodies that God has entrusted to us.  I think of what Dr. Pete Sulack said on the radio show the other day about making sure that we are not sidelined in our fulfillment of God's plan for our lives.  I think about how health issues, including stress, which we can bring upon ourselves, can reduce our level of effectiveness for the Kingdom.  In order to fulfill God's purpose for our lives, we need to be at the top of our game, sort of speak.

We all know that correct food consumption and exercise can contribute to better health.  We also know that what we consume mentally can either enhance our lives or be a destructive force.  So, we have to be careful what we allow to go into our minds, which can affect our bodies.  In our pursuit of happiness, we recognize that God's intent for us is to experience more of His character and to walk in His joy.  We have to evaluate, or filter, what we allow into our spirits so that we are not weighed down by thoughts and emotions that have the potential to get us off track in our pursuit of Godliness.

The "happy hormones" are a valid attempt to contribute to good health and make the airport experience a bit more pleasurable - and our adaptation or consumption of some of these foods might be beneficial for good physical health for us.  More importantly, we have to take stock of our spiritual health, putting good spiritual food into our minds and hearts and rejecting those factors that can cause us to be weakened in our walk with Christ.

Spiritual Connections in the Digital Age

God wants to direct us by His Spirit according to His Word - the Bible contains the truth we need each day to living the Christian life. These questions are posed in Jeremiah 23:
23 "Am I a God near at hand," says the Lord, "And not a God afar off?
24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?" says the Lord; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the Lord.

And, then in verse 29, we read:
29 "Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

God's Word is strong - it is likened to a fire, that can burn within our hearts and ignite a passion to follow in the ways of God and to draw nearer to Him.  The fire of God's Spirit can cleanse us from intents and actions that are not pleasing to God and we can be purified as we allow His truth to renew our minds.  We can totally rely on the Word of God and engage with it in any number of ways which the Lord has provided for us.

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In James 1, we are challenged to go beyond mere exposure to God's Word, but to allow His truth to control our lives:
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

When you go to the movie theater, before the main feature begins, you are treated to a variety of types of content, including a litany of previews (which I generally like), perhaps a commercial for a concession product, and the request to what - silence your cell phones.

A recent Pew survey says that 5% of those surveyed do not believe a cell phone should be used in a theater.  Or a meeting.  And, an overwhelming 96% say a cell phone should not be used - in church!

But, what is the definition of "use"?  A religion reporter quoted on the Christianity Today website took the researchers to task for being vague on that matter. The article referred to another survey, this time by AT&T, which asked whether people had “ever used a mobile device/internet to connect with faith or inspiration during worship services.” A full quarter of Americans who attend worship services regularly (defined by AT&T as more than once a month) said yes, including nearly one-third of African Americans.

In that survey, 11 percent of all worshippers affirm that mobile devices and Internet technology "absolutely" have a place in worship services.   Half of Americans who use their mobile device during worship services find their phones are an easy way to look up scriptures and songs.

Still, 49% of respondents do not see a place for such technology in the church setting.  The CT article suggests that mobile devices can be distracting, both to nearby worshipers and the users themselves.

About 15 percent of those who attend worship services regularly have texted a friend during the service. About half that number have posted to social media (8%) or watched a video (7%) during a service, and 4 percent have played a game.

Outside of worship services, about 4 in 10 Americans (41%) use mobile devices to support their faith. The number is highest for blacks, with 57%, followed by Hispanics, at 46%, Asians at 38%, and whites at 37.

42% of this group using mobile devices to support their faith will listen to inspirational music, 38% will watch worship services or inspirational speakers, and just over 3-in-10 will do faith-based or inspirational research and study online.

29% of those who use technology to connect to faith-based or inspirational sites do so to access electronic holy books or song books. Some of them may use YouVersion, which recently reported that the number of users that prefer to listen to the Bible instead of read it is up 200 percent from last year, and now composes almost half (48%) of its users.

By the way, I went to the YouVersion website, which shows a running total of the number of installs of its Bible software - so far, over 192 million!

So, when you consider that almost half of respondents still don't see a place for mobile devices in the worship setting, you realize that the jury is still out on how effective that this technology can be in enhancing the on-site worship experience.   There is still something very appealing about doing Bible reading in a Bible rather than on a computer or smartphone screen.  But no matter where or how it is read, the fact remains, that the Bible is God's Word, applicable for our lives today - we have to find the way to use it and engage with it that produces the best results in our lives.

We can also think about the availability of the Word of God to our culture - not only can the Bible be accessed and studied on a screen, but you can listen to God's Word and inspiring music based on Scripture.  Faith Radio is an excellent platform through which you can hear solid, quality teaching of God's Word, combined with music that is designed in order to enhance your worship experience.

But, no matter how you experience it, we have to approach the Word of God with the right attitude. We come to God seeking to know Him better, for Him to do His sovereign work in our lives as we yield to the direction of the Holy Spirit.   Scripture memory is important, but the Lord wants to take us further - beyond mere reading or even studying of the Word, so that we become more than hearers, but people who "do" the Word, allowing His truth to shape our actions.

The Rainbow, Mercy and Judgment

Throughout the pages of the Old Testament, we see that God made agreements with human beings to further His Kingdom plan on the earth.  One such individual was Noah, whom He rescued from the worldwide flood, with whom He established a covenant to never destroy the earth, signified by a rainbow.  God made covenants with others, as well.  And, when Jesus came, He brought a new covenant, which involved the work of God within a human heart, God living inside a person, creating a new life within. Hebrews 7 says:
(22) Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

The new covenant was sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, who fulfills God's promise of mercy and redemption for all humanity.  We serve a God of hope, a God who keeps His promises, a God whom we can know because His Son gave Himself up for us, a perfect sacrifice, who offered up Himself and is now acting on our behalf before God, making intercession and being our Advocate, the Mediator of a new covenant.

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In Genesis 9, we read about a powerful agreement that God made with Noah - a covenant that contained the promise of God's protection:
11 Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."
12 And God said: "This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.
14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud;
15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

Yesterday, I talked about the powerful symbolism of the cross.  Today, I want to concentrate on a meaningful symbol that signifies the incredible covenant relationship that we have with Almighty God, a symbol that has been hijacked by those who pursue a different agenda.

ChristianNews.net reports that a Christian evangelist and apologist, Sye Ten Bruggencate, has launched the concept of a gloabal "Mercy Day," to be observed September 13 of each year, as a time for Christians to celebrate the mercy of God and to share the gospel by telling others about the meaning of the rainbow.

He said the idea come after Russia hosted the winter Olympics last year, which resulted in some cities flying the rainbow flag in protest of Russia’s position on homosexuality, including Ten Bruggencate’s hometown of Ontario, Canada.  He said, "I thought, ‘That is enough. That is God’s symbol—His mercy toward mankind. It’s time to take this rainbow back.'"

He said, "I thought we could focus on a certain day where we celebrate the mercy of God, and I thought we could call that ‘Mercy Day’ and that the symbol of Mercy Day would be the rainbow," Ten Bruggencate said.

He chose the date of September 13 to correspond with Genesis 9:13, which reads, “I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth.”

The first official Mercy Day will be September 13, 2016, and more information can be found through the event website, MercyDay.com.  He is quoted as saying, "I hope that the majority of Christians use this event to talk about the mercy of God, how every human being on this earth needs that—not only the homosexual community," adding, "I don’t want this to be a finger-pointing thing."

He is quoted as saying that the observance is not meant to target homosexuals.  He said: "One thing that people have made the mistake of doing over the years is trying to get homosexuals to behave like Christians. … So, they try and protest the behavior rather than seeking that these people become converted."  He said, "This goal is to tell what the rainbow means so that people can share the gospel."

When I think about the concept of taking the Biblical symbol of the rainbow back, I was reminded of the despicable lighting of the White House in rainbow colors to celebrate the Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage. Not only does the rainbow represent mercy, which was extended to Noah, but Franklin Graham pointed out that, "God is the one who gave the rainbow, and it was associated with His judgment. God sent a flood to wipe out the entire world because mankind had become so wicked and violent." This was posted on his Facebook page, according to World Net Daily.

Franklin Graham continued: “One man, Noah, was found righteous and escaped God’s judgment with his family. The rainbow was a sign to Noah that God would not use the flood again to judge the world. But one day God is going to judge sin – all sin. Only those who are found righteous will be able to escape His judgement. The righteousness comes through faith, believing on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ who took our sins and shed His blood on the cross for each and every one."

"So, when we see the gay pride rainbow splashed on business advertisements and many people’s Facebook pages, may it remind all of us of God’s judgment to come. Are you ready? Are your sins forgiven?"

So, the rainbow represents God's mercy - and Noah was a man who was found righteous.  And, the principle is true for us - God's mercy is extended to all.  It is available to everyone.  If you choose mercy, if you accept Jesus Christ and His blood shed on the cross for your forgiveness, then you receive the abundant mercy that He offers.

But, there is another side - and that is that sin brings judgment.  So, while the rainbow can represent mercy, it can remind us that the rejection of God and His ways will place us in a position of being judged for our sins.  But, it is the choice of a human to reject God.  Jesus has come to offer us a way out of this eternal punishment.  The Bible says that mercy triumphs over judgment, and our receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior will cause us to experience His wonderful mercy.

The rainbow is a powerful religious symbol that has been hijacked by those that would equate "tolerance" with an acceptance of behavior that is clearly called sinful in the Bible.  And, homosexuality is just one of a myriad of sinful actions.  But, God offers us victory over sin and can give us power to resist temptation and to live in alignment with His ways by His Spirit.

Servants of the Cross

Jesus took our place on the cross - He became our substitute and gave His life for our sins.  And,
because He has been raised from the dead, we are raised to new life with Him. We are called to follow Him, bearing in mind the sacrifice He made for us and the sacrifice He requires from us. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:
20 I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me.
21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

We are recipients of the grace of God - Jesus, in His love for us, suffered a cruel, painful, and humiliating death for the sins of all humanity.  The sight of a cross can remind us of what He has done for each of us.  The thought of the cross can challenge us to surrender to Him daily, to make the conscious decision to walk in the new life that He has released in our hearts by virtue of our acceptance of Him as our Savior.

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In Matthew 16, we see that Jesus taught His disciples about the value of surrender and sacrifice, and He used the image of the method by which He would give His own life:
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

On an earlier edition of my week-in-review feature, I had reported to you about a Chinese attorney who was one of more than 250 people detained or arrested in China in connection with the 400 to 1,200 cross removals in the eastern province of Zhejiang, a Christian stronghold.  I referred to a Christianity Today story that identifies a Chinese attorney who was imprisoned, Zhang Kai, as the leader of “Lawyers for Protection of the Cross," a group that defends churches whose crosses have been forcibly removed amid a government campaign to strip skylines of Christian symbols.

I also referred to a report on the Voice of America website, which said that the U.S. has called for the release of Zhang Kai and a group of religious figures, including Christian pastors, accused of threatening public order and national security.  The U.S. ambassador-at-large for religious freedom, David Saperstein, said the August 25 detentions of religious figures, including Zhang, were a “particularly alarming development.” It came as he prepared to meet them the next day in China.

In Wenzhou, the cross removals have prompted a counter action to try to restore crosses to some churches, according to China Aid.   Wenzhou police detained 2 deacons of churches during the Labor Day weekend.  Police have provided no information about one of them, while another was sentenced to five days in administrative detention.

On Sunday, September 6, the Shangzhou Church in Wenzhou re-erected their church’s cross, and authorities subsequently cut off the church’s power. Church members then brought their own generator-powered lighting. The church members were later approached by the local Communist Party branch secretary and told to take the cross back down.

After the church re-erected the cross, deacon Huang Xiaoyuan was taken into custody around 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening because police suspected him of “gathering a crowd to disturb public order.” As of last week his circumstances were unknown, but his family expressed concern for his health as he has a chronic gastrointestinal disease.

On Monday morning, authorities arrested Zhang Zhi in his home after Xianqiao Church re-erected their cross. His wife said that five or six plainclothes officers forced their way inside their home and carried Zhang away. She believes her husband was taken after a disagreement with police a few days earlier, in which authorities pressured church members to remove the cross again.

Yesterday, China Aid reported that there have now been a total of 5 re-erected crosses that have been destroyed.  Meanwhile, the afore-mentioned Zhang Kai has been prohibited from meeting with his lawyer.

In China, believers are so intent on displaying crosses that they are risking harassment and even arrest.  The government's actions are an affront to people who take their Christian faith seriously. The display of a cross is important to them, because it is a reminder of the cross on which our Savior died.

So, the question for each of us is: has the cross made a difference for us?  How has the death of Jesus on a cross transformed my life?  And, what significance does the cross have for my life today?

In the movie, Do You Believe?, which is now out on DVD, the characters, to one degree or the other are confronted with the cross and how it might change their lives.  I think we do well to consider how our lives can change when we recognize what living the crucified life really means.

Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow Him - Jesus knew what sort of death He would experience, and taught His disciples using His method of execution.  We are called to sacrifice all for Him - to lay down our lives, to surrender - to die with Him so that we might live with Him.

Paul stated that he had been crucified with Christ, but nevertheless He was alive - alive through presence of Christ.  That's our story, too - Jesus was our substitute on the cross, and by identifying with Him in His death and resurrection, we can experience His new life!  So, the cross represents what Jesus has done for us - that is why it is so emotional when government officials - in China, as well as the U.S., attempt to remove this symbol from public life.  For it is the cross that reminds us of the presence of a Savior, who brings hope to the world.

The Gospel According to BuzzFeed

In Colossians 3, Paul lays out some standards of Biblical morality, and gives us the key to behaving
in a manner consistent with the character of Christ.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

We have been made new, recreated in the image of Christ.  Jesus lives in our hearts because we have chosen to make Him the Lord and Savior of our lives.  We have to make sure that we are not claiming Christ but then living according to the ways of the world.  If we surrender to Him and allow Him to transform us, then we will know Him better and see the fruit of the Spirit produced through our behavior.   We cannot be good on our own; we cannot live the Christian life in our human strength.

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The Bible says that we have been redeemed by God and that we are new creations in Christ Jesus -
consider the words of 2nd Corinthians chapter 5:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

I don't know if you've had very much exposure to the website, BuzzFeed.com, but it posted a video recently that attempts to provide a unique, albeit unbiblical view of what Christianity is and what Christians believe.   I'll share some tidbits from a recent commentary about it coming up, but first a little background.

According to a Business Insider piece, BuzzFeed posted to their website in 2010 that, "We have a big audacious goal of helping creative people launch and spread their ideas across the web. We have been thinking for years about how media spreads on the web, and our technology provides a unique way to launch, track, and accelerate viral content."

By their own admission, they inject editorial into the process, saying, "Our team of editors monitors all triggering content, post its own content, and experiments with idea."

What sort of "idea"?  Mollie Hemingway over at The Federalist website points out that after the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage:

BuzzFeed celebrated the ruling with wild abandon, and its editor Ben Smith told one media watchdog there weren’t “two sides” on the issue. Radio host Hugh Hewitt interviewed Smith about that, during which they discussed that Smith doesn’t believe in God. Hewitt wondered if BuzzFeed could do a good job of covering believers and whether there were any evangelicals on staff. Smith responded:

BS: We do have, yes, but I also think, second, that newsroom diversity is like you know, it’s really important in having people of faith and particularly religious Christians in newsroom is important, yes, and we do. And I think that’s an important perspective… I mean, you know, I think good reporters are very good at least trying to understand the people they cover, and I think we have people who have all sorts of different beliefs here, so…but that’s important.

Hemingway contends that this video called, "I'm a Christian, But I'm Not..." treats Christianity with disdain.  She has included the text of the video - the opening lines include these words:

• I'm Christian but I’m not homophobic;
• I’m Christian and I’m definitely not perfect;
• I’m Christian but I’m not close-minded;
• but I’m not unaccepting;
• but I’m not uneducated;
• but I am not judgmental;
• but I’m not conservative;
• I’m not ignorant;

You get the picture - same old attempt to introduce some new, "enlightened," form of Christianity that tolerates everyone and everything, that implies that those who want to live according to the Bible, to the teachings of the Christ of Christianity are somehow "close-minded" or "judgmental."

And who are these people?  Hemingway relates that:

BuzzFeed featured six people who identify as Christians. At least 33 percent of those interviewed are LGBT (roughly 10 times the national average) and at least 50 percent are feminist (only 18 percent of of Americans actually identify as feminist). You have to wonder where they were looking for them. BuzzFeed didn’t include Christians who don’t share these half-dozen millennials’ hangups on the sexual doctrines that differentiate Christianity from the dogma of BuzzFeed and most other American newsrooms. Or Christians who don’t think the most recent trends denying distinctions between the sexes are all that helpful to relationships.

Oh, and by the way - there is no mention of Jesus in this video!  Surprise, surprise, right?

The commentator likens the video to the prayer of the Pharisee in Luke 18.  In this series of verses, we find a Pharisee, who was devoted to the religious law, thanking God that he wasn't like all those sinners around him. But, there was a tax collector who, by contrast, cried out to God for mercy, for He was a sinner.  Jesus concluded the parable by saying that those who exalt themselves would be humbled, and the humble would be exalted.

So how would you fill in the blank?  "I'm a Christian, but I'm not..."  Perhaps in the spirit of the parable, I might use the word, "worthy," or "undeserving."  You probably should not say, "prideful," lest you be thought of in that way.  The use of the word "but" might imply that there is a higher form of Christianity that is on a higher level than the run-of-the-mill Christianity that those (we) intolerant, judgmental church folks practice.

We have to agree that there are numerous attempts to define or redefine Christianity in the context of our culture.  And, certainly we are to be compassionate toward others and don't come across with "holier than thou" attitude.  But, we are to strive to be holy, and that is a premise that seems to be lost in our relativistic culture.

And, I think it can be instructive and affirming to let the world know who we are as Christians, rather than who we are not.  For instance, instead of "I'm a Christian, BUT," you could say, "I'm a Christian, AND," or "I'm a Christian (period)," then make a bold, faith statement - for instance:

I'm a Christian and I'm FREE
I'm a Christian and I'm FORGIVEN
I'm a Christian.  I am LOVED BY GOD.
I'm a Christian.  I am a CHILD OF GOD.
I'm a Christian and I'm VICTORIOUS.

You get the picture...

The definition of a Christian is not determined by the culture, but by what Christ has done in our hearts and the declarations about His work that we find in the Scripture.  When we recognize that we are new creations in Christ and are intent in living in that way, we make a powerful statement to the culture about who Jesus is.

A Changed Continent and Changed Lives

God's words are powerful - Hebrews 4 says that His Word is living and active.  God's Word provides a light to our path, He illuminates our footsteps.  His words are totally reliable and unchanging.  Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 4:
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

God is calling is not to be arrogant or boastful, talking about our own accomplishments, but pointing to the accomplishment of Christ through us.  The proclamation of the Word of God is powerful, and when His truth is injected into a situation, or into a human heart, there is the possibility of change. His words bring hope, His words can radically transform the life of an individual and alter the direction of a culture.  We can never underestimate the power of the Word of God!

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Paul had a keen understanding about the power of the gospel, and he writes in Philippians 1:
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

He then shifts to discuss the motives for people preaching Christ and concludes...
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

The gospel is true...and powerful.

On this 14th anniversary of the horrific attacks on America on September 11, 2001, it is totally appropriate to remember the thousands who lost their lives that day in New York City, Washington, DC, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.   The acts of that day reminded us that there is a very real threat to our national security, and as we have seen in the years following, a real threat to our world in the form of radical Islam.

Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda were the principal threats then.  Now, the world is observing as the madmen of ISIS are wreaking havoc in various parts of the Middle East and are intent on spreading their brutal philosophy and acts around the world.

Entire countries are being torn apart by those associated with this movement, and we now see another crisis, a huge humanitarian crisis, which has resulted from its spread and the rise of radical Islamic leadership in various areas.

Thousands are fleeing the persecution in parts of the Middle East and are landing in various European countries.  And, there is a church in Germany is seeing that this is an opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission. according to the Express website.

The story states:

The migrants - who are predominantly Iranian and Afghani - have swapped their faiths at the Trinity Church in Berlin.

It boosts their chances of being granted asylum in Germany as they can claim they would be persecuted if they were sent back to their countries - where conversion to Christianity by a Muslim could be punished by death.

Even though there is criticism that people are coming into the church just for the purpose of seeking asylum, Pastor Gottfried Martens says he is "unfazed."  He said that only around 10 per cent of converts do not return to church after their "Christening," as the article puts it. The pastor is quoted as saying, "I know there are - again and again - people coming here because they have some kind of hope regarding their asylum," adding, "I am inviting them to join us because I know that whoever comes here will not be left unchanged."  The Christian Post reports the membership of the church has increased from 150 to 600.

This story can really help us to think about the power of the gospel.  Yes, there may be those who have "availed" themselves of an association with Christianity for the purpose of asylum.  But, while you can't see into their hearts, you can admit that there is a chance that God is working in them.   His Word is being preached and a response is being elicited.  And, as people expose themselves to the presence of God, you can trust that He will do a mighty work in their hearts.

I think of two passages of Scripture - in Luke 9, when the disciples came to Jesus up in arms about people casting out demons in His name, He basically told them to back off, saying, "he who is not against us is on our side."   In Philippians 1, Paul discussed those who preached Christ for improper motives - He said that the motive was not as important as the message - Christ was being preached.   The preaching and presence of Jesus can change lives!

I also think back on my conversation with Dr. Joe Savage of the University of Mobile the other day about this migration crisis.  The face of Europe is changing, and people who practice the Muslim faith are coming to these countries.   Joe pointed out that this gives a tremendous ministry opportunity, and the discussion can also cause us to think about people God brings across our paths.   The exposure to the gospel brings the potential for change.  As the character Hank, played by Sean Astin in the movie, Woodlawn, proclaims, in addressing the spiritual shift on a football team in the midst of racial tumultuous Birmingham in the 1970's, "this is what happens when God shows up." We can be challenged to check out if God is showing up in our lives, if we are yielded to Him so that He can be seen through us.

By the way, speaking of Woodlawn, I want you to go to the website, ThisIsOurTime.com.  It features filmmaker Jon Erwin laying out a strategy for using entertainment media to reach the world with the gospel.  It's a powerful, compelling presentation, and it can give hope for reaching the world.  He speaks of reaching "critical mass," and says that 3 million Christians doing the same thing at the same time can change the world.

With respect to movies, that's what seems to be happening with War Room, tons of Christians went to see it over the last two weeks, and now the group who has not seen it may be drawn in for fear of missing out.  I would think that would be a sizable number of non-believers, who are going to see it simply because they see a lot of people are going.   Their motives might not be what you would call "pure," but they are being exposed to God's truth, and where His truth is being proclaimed, there is the chance for life change.  That's the vision for Woodlawn, as well.  It's exciting to see God's work through the cinema.

So, What's a Sin?

Throughout the book of Romans, Paul draws the distinction between the power of sin and the power of God. We can be encouraged to live a holy life, as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5 teaches:
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sin leads to death - but we've been extended grace, which produces righteousness, which results in eternal life with Jesus, and through Him.   God has declared us righteous and holy before Him, triumphant over the power of sin and death because of what Jesus did through His death and resurrection.  Our challenge is to live that out - to allow Him to produce fruit through our lives consistent with the new nature that He has given to us.  We cannot be good in and of ourselves, we need the power of our Savior to express His new life through us.

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Jesus taught about the reliability of God's standards, and encouraged our utter dependence on God. In John 16, as He taught about the role of the Holy Spirit, He said:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;
11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Another survey has been released indicating what respondents think constitutes sinful behavior. Coming on the heels of a LifeWay Research survey on divorce and which causes would be considered to be sinful, a new Pew Research survey deals with a number of different types of behavior and whether or not those surveyed consider them to be sin.

The summary is oriented toward Catholics, in advance of the Pope's visit later this month, but there is information on Protestants, as well.  About 9-in-10 Catholics and a similar percentage of Protestants believe in the concept of sin.  In the general public, only 78% do.

With regard to divorce, only 21% of Catholics believe that it is a sin to get a divorce.  Now,
Christianity Today has an article on the findings of the study, which concentrates on evangelicals and other Protestants. Only 37 percent of white evangelicals who worship weekly told Pew that divorce was a sin. So did a quarter (26%) of all black Protestants, two-thirds of whom identify as evangelicals.

Now, get this: Refusing to write a check to charity while living in luxury is a sin, according to almost half (48%) of white evangelicals who attend church weekly.

That opinion is also shared by almost half (47%) of all Americans who attend worship services weekly. And 36 percent of all black Protestants feel the same way.  41% of Catholics believe it is a sin to buy luxuries without giving to the poor, according to Pew's summary.

Among other actions examined by Pew, getting an abortion was deemed sinful by about 70 percent of white evangelicals and Americans who attend religious services weekly, along with about 60 percent of black Protestants. 57% of Catholics believe that having an abortion is sinful.

Engaging in homosexual behavior was also judged a sin by about 70 percent of weekly worshipers and black Protestants, and 76 percent of white evangelicals, according to CT.  The Pew survey shows that 44% of Catholics believe that homosexuality is a sin.

With respect to cohabitation, Pew found that 64 percent of white evangelicals, 61 percent of weekly worshipers, and 57 percent of black Protestants said cohabiting was a sin.  Only a third of Catholics surveyed said that cohabiting was sinful.  

So, what do you take away?  While an overwhelming majority of religious people believe in the concept of sin, there are differing views about what is sinful.   For us, the practice of Christianity is not a democratic process.   In these times of moral relativism, it is good to know that God's standards are reliable and unchanging.   God lays out certain principles in His Word, and we are expected to line up our lives with those standards.

God's ultimate standard is holiness, and we recognize that we can't get there on our own.  In fact, while the Bible declares that no one is righteous, we are directed by Scripture to be holy.  We have been declared holy and righteous before God because of what Jesus has done for us, and He empowers us to behave in a manner consistent with the declaration of our new identity in Him. Allow that to simmer in your soul for a moment.  If we believe that we are hopelessly unable to please God, then we become trapped in a position of guilt and shame.  But, if we believe that God enables to live according to His standards - in His strength, not ours - that can radically transform the way we behave.

Finally, we can admit that there is only one survey that really matters regarding sin and holiness, with only one respondent.  God's Word is unchanging - Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He is reliable and He is powerful - He is the One who defines sin and declares us to be righteous.  His truth can shape our view and direct us to adopt a perspective that is consistent with His - and we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds.