Elder’s Corner: You're not from around here – Are You?

A few weeks ago I read a story about a town in Western OK.  As people would come in the local diner, a few residents would look them over and then comment “you're not from around here – are you?”  They would do this with uncanny accuracy.  Finally one of the locals shared their secret.  They would merely peek at a person's shoes to determine if they were from there.  The soil in western OK contains iron oxide “rust.”  It clings to the sole of your shoes like glue and gives them a reddish tint.  If you didn't have the stain they knew you were a stranger.

This reminded me of Philippians 3:20-21 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power He has to subject all things to Himself.”  So we're “not really from around here.”  Our real home is in heaven.

God has just given us a few years on the earth to serve Him by serving others.  I really like the part in that verse that says He can transform our bodies to be like His.  The more we serve others—the more we're like Him.

 I also think of it in terms of my wife Judy's diseased body and know that someday she will have a healed body as He transforms her.  We have been so blessed by all of you who have shared food, making bibs, haircuts, cards, candy and most of all the prayers you have shared on our behalf.  I can feel that you are in this struggle together with us and I like the strength that comes in numbers.  I think you have shared in these trials because you love us.  Now—Jesus love says you would share with someone whom you didn't even know or worse yet someone who didn't “love you back” (see Luke 14:12-14).  God loved those who crucified His own Son.  When you love people like that they will say “You're not from around here – And they'd be right!”     

—Alan

The Spiritual Reality #3: The Holy War

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). 

 Across much of the news today is the talk of ISIS (Islamic State Iraq and Syria). ISIS has a track record of carrying out great acts of terrorism. They have made the news by beheading American journalists and foreign aid workers. And they have also forcefully overtaken cities and regions in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. Furthermore, the possibility of seeing terrorist type acts carried out by them in Europe and even here in the USA are high!

ISIS’s main desire is to see the Middle East (and eventually the entire world) following the Islamic Sharia law. Looking back historically, this type of warfare is not uncommon from Muslim groups. Who can forget about Al-Qaeda’s role in September 11, 2001? If one was to go back further through history the examples abound! In fact, their conquests were one of the primary reasons for the spread of Islam all the way back in the 7th Century A.D.

Now, the point of this article is not to have a history lesson on Islam or to debate the appropriate actions concerning how we as individuals should respond to ISIS (the Bible deals with that in Luke 6:27-36). Nor is this article about how our government should respond to ISIS (the Bible deals with that in Rom. 13:1-6).  Likewise, the point is not to get into a debate between Islam and Christianity. Furthermore, we should hold nothing personally against any Muslim. Rather, the point of this article is to consider the physical evidence of the Holy War revealed in our world. 

To understand this all one must do is consider the motivation behind ISIS and other extreme Islamic groups.

While the lure of money and a sense of belonging motivate some Muslims, the primary reason according to ISIS is found in their holy book, the Quran. The Quran commands Muslims to kill individuals who refuse to convert to Islam (Surahs 9:5). "...Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the last day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and his messenger (Muhammad) have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth (Islam)" (Surahs 9:29). 

Ever since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, there has been a war going on between God and Satan (Gen. 3:15). When Adam and Eve gave into Satan’s temptation, they gave Satan control (Matt. 4:8-9; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2; 1 John 5:19). On the cross, Jesus defeated Satan (Col. 2:14-15; Heb. 2:14). However, Satan’s punishment will not be fully carried out until Jesus returns (Rev. 20:10). Until that day, Satan, though restricted, will continue to attack those who follow true Christianity (Rev. 12:17).

Two of the most common ways that Satan wages war against Christians are found in groups like ISIS.  First, ISIS is an example of the “beast coming out of the sea” (Rev. 13:1-10). The beast coming out of the sea is a picture of governments which oppose Christianity (Isa. 51:9-11; Dan. 2:41-43; 7:7, 24). ISIS has been known to behead children who are a part of Christian families in Iraq.

Anti-Christian governments are common in our world today and not just among Muslim majority nations. Nearly one-third of all the countries in the world have restrictions on Christian freedoms. Furthermore, over one quarter of the nations in the world are hostile towards Christians.

Second, ISIS is an example of the “beast coming out of the earth” (Rev. 13:11-18). This beast is a picture of false religions (see also Rev. 16:13-14; 19:20-21). In many Islamic countries, a person who is not a Muslim is restricted on what they can buy and sell (Rev. 13:16-17), what type of education they can receive, and types of jobs they are allowed to work, and what means of public transportation they are allowed to utilize (for example in certain parts of Tanzania some buses are restricted for Muslims only).

Similar arguments could be made of certain Hindu, Buddhist and indigenous groups throughout the world. The bottom line is this: these groups are clear evidence to the spiritual reality; likewise, they point to the holy war between God and His faithful followers versus Satan and those under his control.

Because of God’s love,

     Matt

The Blessed Life #9: Financial Freedom

 

One writer said, “Money still talks. Usually it says good-bye.” Can you relate with that? I know that I sure can. On the other hand, what would it be like to never have to be concerned about meeting your physical needs again? How would you feel if you knew for a fact that all of your financial issues for the rest of your earthly life were taken care of?

The Bible actually speaks of such a financial freedom.

•   “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1).
•  “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4).
•  “My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). 

 Please do not misunderstand me. The Bible does NOT teach that once you become a Christian that you will become a millionaire! If it does, then how does one explain millions of Christians living in poverty? And how does one explain why Jesus Himself was homeless (Matt. 8:20)? 

Likewise, the Bible is NOT opposed to individuals who have been able to acquire great physical wealth. There are several people of the true faith who were rich in the Bible: Abraham, David, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea.

On the other hand, what the Bible does teach is that no matter your financial situation, you can have a peace of mind that is greater than what any dollar amount could possibly offer you. I speak of this from personal experience.

Prior to attending Bible College, I worked in construction making about double what I do now as a minster. Yet the difference was even greater then as both my wife and I left everything behind to follow the Lord.

When we first started classes, we had no jobs lined up; we simply trusted that God would take care of us as His Word says. We were sure that His plan would include our working part-time. Yet no matter how hard we tried to find employment, nothing was working out.

Furthermore, our class load at the time was way more than what we had ever experienced when we received our Associates’ degrees. And if we would have reduced our class load then we would have lost our scholarships for tuition further compounding the problem. So after much prayer we felt the Lord telling us simply to trust Him through it all and He would provide for us.

And provide for us He did. We were able to graduate debt free. I’m not saying that trusting God’s provisions is always the easiest thing in the world, yet it is the most secure!  “If God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you...” (Matt. 6:30 NLT)

Therefore, let me ask you once more: do you want to experience true financial freedom? If you do the pathway to such freedom is simple: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need” (Matt. 6:33 NLT).

In His service,

            Matt