Elder’s Corner: Is This It?

 

I've heard that question asked several times in the last six months. It is usually followed by more questions.  Do you think this (the COVID pandemic) is God's punishment for an unrepentant society? Do you think this is the end? Is God using this disease to get people's attention?  The answer is…I don’t know. Let me share some scriptures for you to ponder: Deuteronomy 28:1 – 6 “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God: “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”

God gave this promise of blessings to the Israelites if they would obey Him.

In verse 15 and following of the same chapter we can find this promise “But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.”

This and many other instances in the Bible indicate that our choices sometimes lead to calamity. I know that one entity is extremely happy that the pandemic has disrupted church functions (attendance is down, offerings are suffering, picnics have been canceled, brothers and sisters are fighting about wearing masks, where, or if services should be held). That person that is laughing and happy to cause such division is the devil.

So what should our response be? “Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too. After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you His eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever” (1 Peter 5:8-10 TLB).

—Alan

 

Attitude—The Difference Maker #7: Your Greatest Asset

 

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:8-9 NLT).

Chuck Swindoll said, “Attitude is more important than education, money, circumstances, failures, success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, or home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.”

So how do you change your attitude to thereby transform your life for the better? There are five keys to do just that. First, you must take full responsibility for your attitude. While no doubt, one’s circumstances do have a bearing on life, the way we respond to it has even greater bearing on life. So as the old saying goes, if life hands you lemons, make lemonade out of it. Thus, choose to make the most out of life: win, lose, or draw.  As holocaust survivor Victor Frankl said in his book Man’s Search For Meaning: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

Second, if you want to transform your life for the better then you need to take time to evaluate your present attitude. Socrates wisely said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” If that is true for life in general you can be sure that it is true regarding one’s attitude.

John Maxwell explained this process well when he said, “The key is to try to look at yourself objectively, to separate yourself from your attitude. Your goal isn’t to condemn yourself. It’s to see yourself clearly so that you can make positive changes to the way you think.

When do you feel most negative about yourself? This question can be asked in general, and on a daily basis. Right in line with this is examining your feelings towards others. Many times our feelings come into play long before we become consciously aware of them intellectually.

After taking the time to consider your feelings, examine your thoughts.  The human mind has a tremendous amount of power in our lives. That which holds our attention determines our actions. Because of that, where we are today is the result of the dominating thoughts in our minds.

The Bible says that as a person thinks in their hearts so are they (Pro. 23:7). Thus, a person is the sum of their thoughts. This is why the Bible teaches that we need to focus our thoughts on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). Therefore, a key to changing your attitude is to change the things that you focus your time thinking about.

John Maxwell said, “Most of the great work in this world was done by men and women who didn’t believe that what they were doing was impossible. Talent is certainly beneficial, but only the right attitude can release it to reach its potential.”

Third, if you want to transform your life for the better then you need to desire to change. The desire to change is critical in every area of life. If the druggy or the alcoholic does not sincerely desire to change, they won’t. And that idea is true for every single one of us in the areas that we need to change. Fred Smith observed, “You are the way you are because that’s the way you want to be. If you really wanted to be any different, you would be in the process of changing right now.”  

Fourth, if you want to transform your life for the better then you need to take time to develop good habits. Much of what we do every day comes from the habits that we form. Over time these habits shape our lives, yet they began with a simple action that was repeated until it became second nature to us. Psychiatrist William Glasser said, “If you want to change attitudes, start with a change of behavior. In other words, begin to act the part, as well as you can, of the person you would rather be, the person you most want to become. Gradually, the old, fearful person will fade away.”

Lastly, if you want to transform your life for the better then you need to learn to manage your attitude daily. While it is vitally important to make good decisions throughout life, let’s face it, sometimes we don’t. Good, bad, or indifferent, that’s life. Yet the way that we respond to it can make a significant difference. Thus, we need to learn to be able to manage the poor choices and/or failures that we make. So we can make the decision to have a great attitude, however, if we don’t make plans to manage the decisions that we make on a daily basis, then we are likely to end up not where we are desiring.

Proverbs 24:16 says, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” Thus, learning to manage one’s attitude and the decisions we make is a process of getting up whenever we fall. This will require God’s help, and often times His help comes through others that He places in our lives.  Therefore, as a part of learning to manage your attitude on a daily basis, is the necessity for outside help - someone to help pick you up when you fail. And that is true of every area of life, including one’s attitude.

“If you take responsibility for your attitude—recognizing that it can change how you live, managing it every day, and cultivating and developing positive thoughts and habits—then you can make attitude your greatest asset. It can become the difference maker in your life, opening doors and helping you overcome great obstacles.” 

 In His service,

Matt

(Portions from John Maxwell, The Difference Maker)

Attitude—The Difference Maker #6: The Winner’s Edge

“But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden” (Gen. 39:21 NLT).

While attitude has its limitations, attitude is often the difference maker. It is often the difference between winning and losing in the various areas of our lives. Denis Waitley said, “The winner’s edge is not a gifted birth, a high IQ, or in talent. The winner’s edge is all in the attitude, not aptitude. Attitude is the criterion for success” (The Winner’s Edge).

There are three differences attitude does make that I would like to draw you attention to. First, your attitude makes a difference in your approach to life. The happiest people in life don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just try to make the best of everything.

If athletes have a poor attitude going into a game, odds are they are not going to do very well. Similarly, if a student has a poor attitude going into a test, their test scores are apt to show it. And if a person gets a serious medical condition

Second, your attitude makes a difference in your relationships. The simple fact of the matter is that a person’s negative attitude can have a way of dragging others down with them. Let’s face it, if a person constantly has a negative attitude, do you really enjoy being around that person for extended periods of time? Thus, a constant negative attitude has a way of pushing others away while a positive attitude can attract them.

And third, your attitude makes a difference in how you face challenges. Joseph was a man who experienced numerous hardships in life that were not his fault. As a prisoner and slave, Joseph could have seen his situation as hopeless. Instead, he did his best with each small task given him. His diligence and positive attitude were soon noticed by the jail warden, who promoted him to prison administrator.

Are you facing a seemingly hopeless predicament? At work, at home, or at school, follow Joseph’s example by taking each small task and doing your best. Remember how God turned Joseph’s situation around. He will see your efforts and can reverse even overwhelming odds (portions from the Handbook of Bible Application).  For attitude is the winner’s edge!

In His service,

Matt

Theology 201 #14: Dressed for Success Part 3: I Wouldn’t Be Caught Dead in that Dress! LOL!

“A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deut. 22:5).

Why do you choose to wear the clothing that you do? Is it because of comfort? Or is it because it is a popular style to wear? Or is it because you are trying to draw attention or lack thereof from others? And more importantly, do the things that you wear bring glory to God?

The topic of clothing from a Biblical perspective is somewhat complicated (thus, the reason for discussing it in this teaching section). A lot of the confusion has to do with understanding the times. Or put a different way, we need to understand the cultural implications of clothing in the Bible, look at the heart of why people in the Bible wore the things that they did, and then bring that understanding into our modern times to grasp how we can be dressed for success.  The core of this teaching is not hard to understand. For example, back then, pretty much everyone, guys included, wore what might look like a long dress or bathrobe! Even still they were able to differentiate between what was appropriate for men and women; and there are differences between the two. Yet why does Deuteronomy 22:5 teach that it is necessary for men and women to dress differently?

One writer notes the following. “Scholars on Deuteronomy 22:5 note that cross-dressing would have likely been associated with homosexuality or would have been considered associated with the practices of other religious groups.

Some conservative Christians have taken Deuteronomy 22:5 to mean a woman cannot wear pants or slacks. This would be a misapplication of this and other passages in the New Testament regarding modesty. The clear focus is God's emphasis that men and women do not seek to appear as the opposite gender and that to do so is considered shameful. In Western culture, pants are regularly worn by both genders. Further, the specific law in Deuteronomy 22:5 is part of the Mosaic Law fulfilled in Christ and therefore does not require the same direct application in this matter, though the principles behind it still apply. Christians are called to dress in appropriate ways” (https://www.compellingtruth.org/cross-dressing-transvestism.html).

Therefore, what principles should guide a Christian with the clothing that they wear? There are three Biblical principles that can help us in doing just that. The first principle is to have a surrendered heart to Jesus. This is really the key to understanding the handful of passages that require women wearing head coverings (1 Cor. 11:6-10).

William Barclay said, “The place of women in Greek religion was low. The Temple of Aphrodite in Corinth had a thousand priestesses who were sacred prostitutes and every evening plied their trade on the city streets. The Temple of Diana in Ephesus had its hundreds of priestesses called the Melissae, which means the bees, whose function was the same…”

Historians likewise tell us that these temple prostitutes would never wear a head covering. This was their means of advertising. So if you wanted to know who a prostitute was, just look for the women who didn’t wear any head covering. Furthermore, it was common for them to shave their heads.

1 Corinthians 11:5, explains the effects of a woman who came into church with her head shaved. It is sending the same signal and the same message. This woman was a prostitute. A head covering conveyed the idea that she was in subjection to her husband, and more importantly, that she was in subjection to Christ. For a woman in that culture to not have a head covering would have been a total declaration of rebellion. In affect she would be saying to the church and to the world, “I am not under the headship of my husband. And more importantly, I am not under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

For me personally, I have never thought to myself whenever I see a woman who is wearing a head covering, that there is a woman who is surrendered to Jesus Christ. Frankly, in our culture, head coverings do not convey that idea. On the other hand, I have seen some clothing that clearly points to the opposite! Whenever a person wears something that is promoting a business, or certain type of lifestyle that goes against what the Bible teaches, then in effect, that person is communicating to all that they have not surrendered to Christ! Thus, does my clothing illustrate my surrender to the Lord and my commitment to holiness (Rom. 12:1; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Tim. 2:10)?

The second principle that should guide a Christian with the clothing that they wear is to have a transformed thinking. 1 Peter 3:3-4 “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” It is not that there is anything necessarily wrong with elaborate hairstyles, gold jewelry or fine clothing. The issue is one’s thinking.  For many all they focus upon is the outward appearance. Yet the Lord wants us to focus on our inner person, the hidden person of the heart. So are you as focused upon your outward appearance as you are your inward? How would you know?

1 Peter 3 tells us that you would seek to display your beauty with a gentle and quiet spirit. Gentleness and a quiet or tranquil spirit do not come nature. They are a result of someone who has surrendered their life to Christ and are allowing the Lord to transform them through the renewing of their minds by the Word of God (Rom. 12:2). So we must distinguish between the world’s evaluation of charm and beauty and the true loveliness of inward character. Cultivating godliness should be our priority.

And the third principle that should guide a Christian with the clothing is modesty. Modesty relates to both men and women. Modesty is not anti-fashion; it’s pro-adornment in godly ways (1 Tim. 2:8). Believers should adorn themselves in a discrete and above reproach ways (Pro. 7:10). 

Cultural discretion is a key component. Just as Paul acknowledged what was communicated by the culture of his day and warned early Christians not to follow these fashion patterns of his time, we must be aware of the messages and values clothing might communicate in our own culture. For example, in many countries, for a woman to expose her chest is not considered to be sexual advertisement but rather food for her baby. On the other hand, in some of those very cultures, for a woman to expose her knees would be considered as sexual advertising!  Thus, it is a matter of understanding one’s culture.

“When it comes to clothing these verses leave a lot of questions up for debate. How do you know what it means to dress modestly in a specific sense? What is too revealing? What is flashy and what is disrespectfully underdressed? One way to determine whether your clothes are modest or not is by looking at your intentions in wearing them. Are you wearing that outfit to attract the attention of someone of the opposite sex? [Or, even if it is not your intention to draw the attention of people of the opposite sex, what will they think? Thus, just ask people of the opposite sex what they think of your clothing.

Here are some other questions to consider.] Will your outfit cause others to be uncomfortable? Do you want to stand out as more stylish, as richer, or as more holy than everyone else? If your outfit is primarily intended to gain attention or esteem from others, then it might be time to evaluate your heart and your wardrobe. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and follow the call of Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (https://www.compellingtruth.org/dress-modestly.html).

In His service,

Matt