The Blessed Life #16: Life Lines

The New Testament (NT) Church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). 

One of my favorite game shows is Who Wants to be a Millionaire. The trivia is fun (even though I don’t know 90% of the answers). It is interesting to consider the possibilities of what could be. And I love the life lines given to help with the difficult questions.

Life lines are not only available in game shows. God has blessed His faithful followers of Jesus Christ with life lines in real life. Therefore, this past month, we began something that the NT Church took advantage of to utilize the life lines mentioned in Acts 2:42ff, namely Life Groups. Life groups are basically small groups of people focused on doing the one thing that matters, life. 

Do you ever question what you are experiencing and how you are going to get through it? The reality is we all do. We might question how to deal with difficult people or struggles at work. We might question why certain things happen, and what our purpose is in life. The “apostles’ teaching” (aka Scripture) is the life line that gives us the answers to these questions and many others. Yet sometimes it can be challenging to comprehend exactly what God is telling us, which is why the NT Church studied Scripture together in small groups. Diana Bax, a life group member said, “I feel as if the study has given me a new under-standing of a purpose driven life: Why are we here? What plans does God have for my life? How can I serve others through my experiences (be it good or bad)? I feel more connected to the Bible study. Questions are being answered through group involvement. And it has been very eye opening to say the least.”  

The second life line that the NT Church took advantage of was fellowship. Samantha Miller was skeptical at first about life groups, “It’s not what I thought it would be...The camaraderie is fantastic.” Life Groups can be a lot of fun! Beyond that we all need encouragement from time to time. And this is where real, life-enriching relationships can form and develop. I have personally witnessed life group members being with others as they mourned the loss of a child, yet their biological family members were nowhere to be found. Life group member Alan McNeely said, “I am always encouraged when meeting with other brothers and sisters in Christ.” Again it is about helping you to do the one thing that matters, life.

A third life line that the NT Church took advantage of was helping others to jump the problems that came their way. This can take place by praying for one another that God would remove the struggle. And it can happen by personally being the answer to someone’s prayer. Life group member Cynthia Bible mentioned her group taking care of some of the hurting in our area just like the NT Church did.

Thus, I encourage you to take advantage of the life lines that are available to you here at ECC. Diana said, “I would encourage everyone to try it for a month and see what they can take from it.” God bless!

In His service,

            Matt

The Spiritual Reality #9: The Devil Made Me Do It

 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). 

Misconceptions abound about the Devil. Cartoons typically depict the Devil as a funny, small, red, horned being with a pointed tail and a pitchfork. Some think that he is only a myth. Others believe that he is not active in our present world, while still others blame him for everything bad that happens. So what are the facts about the Devil?

First, who is the Devil and where did he come from? Originally, he was known as Lucifer, an angel of light (Isa. 14:12 NKJV). According to Scripture, Lucifer was a glorious being, superior to the other angels and perfect in all his ways (Ezek. 28:14-15). Yet early on, Lucifer decided that being superior to the other angels wasn’t good enough, so he decided to rebel against God (Isa. 14:12-13). Even though Lucifer did not prevail, God allowed him to remain in His presence for a period of time. However, Jesus stated after the 70 missionaries whom He had sent out returned “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18).

Second, what does the Devil do? His actions are best explained by considering the various names he is given in the Bible. He is called “a great red dragon” (Rev. 12:3). This title comes from passages which picture the Devil as a great monster seeking to devour anyone in his path. The color red symbolizes the warfare that he seeks to wage against Jesus and His faithful followers (Zech. 6:2; Rev. 6:4). This title also points to how he will use non-believing nations to seek to oppress God’s people (Isa. 27:1; 51:9-10).

The imagery of the Dragon in Revelation 12:3-4 suggests that he is all powerful and that there is nothing that we as faithful believers can do about it. However, this is far from the case! Jesus promises that at our enemy at his strongest cannot prevail against us (Matt. 16:18).

A second title that he is given is “The Serpent,” which, as you’ll recall, first appears in the Garden of Eden seeking to deceive Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. From this point on his deceptive nature is very evident as Jesus pointed out, he is called “the father of lies” (John 8:44). It is very important to note that the Serpent’s deception is often times very similar to the truth; he seeks to either twist it ever so slightly; like what he did when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:10). Or he will seek to bring doubt to our minds about God’s Word, like he did with Adam and Eve in the Garden (Gen. 3:1).

Thankfully, by knowing the Serpent’s intent, we should be motivated to know the truth, for the truth will set us free (John 8:32). This is how Jesus overcame the Serpent’s testing of Him in the wilderness; He used Scripture in context and the Devil was no contest (Matt. 4:10-11).

The third and fourth titles that appear in Revelation 12:9 are the Devil and Satan. Both of these titles look at how he seeks to bring charges against us and accuse us before God. This was his tactic with a man named Job of the Old Testament (Job 1:9-11). Thankfully though, God’s Word promises us, as faithful followers, that no one can bring a sustainable charge against us because it is God who justifies us on account of Jesus (Rom. 8:33-34).

From these titles we can learn that Satan is not some funny cartoon character. He is a monster who is looking to devour us as believers, yet masquerades himself as an angel of light. Thankfully though, his days are numbered. In fact, when Jesus came to earth some 2,000 years ago He did so “to destroy the Devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). By His death on the cross He destroyed the Devil’s power (Heb. 2:14).

If a person considers the amount of God’s followers prior to the cross with after, it is easy to see that the Devil’s power is limited; there are believers in virtually every country in the world now. The Devil’s defeat has already taken place. And when Jesus returns he will be banished to hell for eternity (Rev. 20:10). “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20). So until that day, we can overcome the Devil’s lies by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.

In His service,

     Matt 

Elder’s Corner: How Long Will You Last?

Twenty some years ago I built some shelves around the top of my machine shed.  I used 2 x 4's and bolted them to the metal trusses.  I needed extra storage for the kid's sports stuff (and I didn't want to take up floor space for it).  I started piling their bats, basketballs, batting cage net, etc. on the shelf.  Over the years I kept adding more stuff (metal rods, radial arm saw, trailer brakes, weed-eater, bed frame, scrap rags, hydraulic motors, etc.) A few years ago I noticed the shelf had started to sag. I added a brace post at the back.  Last month, I was working in the building when I heard a terrible crash.  You guessed it.  The shelf and all its contents came crashing down. 

That shelf reminded me that life can sometimes be like that. Maybe you have felt the weight increasing as added pressures like the loss of a job, a family member with a terminal illness, a problem at work, income shortfalls, divorce, getting older, family issues, health issues, loss of a close friend, or any other problems the world may heap on you. 

My observation is that the shelf held its load (problems) for many years until it finally gave way.  There is no doubt in my mind that if I had increased the number of support posts under it that it would have continued to be useful in carrying the load.  We need to look around and see who is suffering under the weight that life is placing on them and help support them.  When asked about the most important thing a person can do, (what is the great commandment?) Jesus summed it up this way: “LOVE GOD & LOVE OTHERS” Mt 22:36-39                  

Thanks for your support!                        

—Alan

The Blessed Life #15: Armor for the Battle

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

At times it can be numbing to consider innocent individuals being beheaded on a regular basis by terrorists who continue to run free. For many of us, it’s appalling to think of how a person could even carry out the acts that we see on TV. Our enemy will seek to do anything that they can to demoralize us as a nation. And unfortunately, our enemy is not someone whom we can simply seek to avoid. If we don’t fight the battle on their territory they will bring the battle to us on ours just like they did on September 11, 2001.

The point of this article is not to consider the politics of the war we are involved in. The point is to recognize that all of us are in a battle that demands our attention. Scripture teaches that Satan is at war with us as believers (Rev. 12:17).

For non-Christians, the enemy has blinded their minds so that they are unable to recognize that they are even in a battle (2 Cor. 4:4). Meanwhile, he steals our joy, peace, love, hope, purpose, and ultimately our eternity. And unfortunately, a few of these things, our enemy has even been known to steal from us as believers.

Therefore, this article is a call to arms, for God has blessed us with all the resources needed to overcome and thus live the full life that Jesus promises in John 10:10. Thus, I encourage you to put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20).

When one carefully considers the armor of God, they realize that it is all about putting on Christ. Jesus is our belt of truth (John 14:6). Let His truth support you.

Jesus is our breastplate of righteousness (Rom. 13:14). No one is righteous by themselves. We all sin and fall short of God’s perfect standard. Yet as believers, we receive Jesus’ perfect righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). Therefore, let His righteousness protect you.

Jesus guides our feet in peace (Luke 1:79). His peace keeps us calm and guides us through the middle of our storms. Let His peace equip you for the journey of life He has you on.

Jesus is our shield of faith (Heb. 12:2). The enemy may throw all sorts of arrows to take us out of the battle. Yet Jesus remains faithful to us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. So let His faithfulness protect you when the enemy attacks.

Jesus is the helmet of our salvation (Heb. 2:10). He began the work of our salvation and He will complete it (Heb. 12:2). Let His salvation reform you.

And Jesus is our sword of the Spirit as the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Our enemy will seek to attack us, but we can overcome him with the Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). So let His Word defend you. When we put on the full armor of God, we are able to enjoy the blessed life of joy, peace, love, hope, purpose, and ultimately eternal life.

In His service,

            Matt 

Elder's Corner: The Way God Intended

I found the following devotional that I would like to share with you. From the NIV New Men's Devotional Bible by Zondervan.

 

--Enrique

 

“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned” (Song 8:6-7)

 

Marriage as a concept lies deep within us. Preschoolers role-play the family unit as part of their playground fun. Preteen girls dream of the day when they’ll walk down the aisle in a flowing white gown. Matchmaking businesses and websites thrive as people look for that perfect person to spend the rest of their lives. The majority of adults here in the USA either are, have been or someday intend to be married. Such hopefulness in the face of a consistent 50% divorce rate! And yet, despite the well-publicized antics of the Hollywood, marriage remains one of the key building blocks of family life and society as a whole. And that’s just what God intended.

One scholar said, “marital love is the strongest, most unyielding and invincible force in human experience.” Despite the failure of individuals, the bar of God’s expectations for marriage is set sky-high. True, lasting marital love involves deep integrity on the part of both parties. To paraphrase: “Money can’t buy me love.”

The power of marriage lies in the power of a promise, sealed with God’s stamp of approval, that one man makes to one woman. The promise to love another person “until death do you part” is as deep a commitment as one can make in this life. As one pastor put it, “The power to make and keep a promise is one of the strongest in the world, for it brings the promise maker within a millimeter of what it means to be like God, who makes and keeps his promises to his people.”

True, enduring, lifelong commitment is God’s expectation for marriage, and it has been since the Garden of Eden. That’s not to say that God expects us to be perfect as we relate to one another; we are, after all, still living under the effects of sin. But despite our failures, the goal for the respect we are to show toward the institution remains the same, “for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave” (Song 8:6).

To Take Away

• Are you married? If you answered yes, how does your marriage stack up to God’s expectations for the institution?
• If you’ve never been married, what is your perspective on what this passage could mean for your future?
• If you’re not married now but have been in the past, how can this passage influence your opinions and actions?

The Spiritual Reality #8: Matters of the Dark Side

“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). 

“Haunted houses, ghosts, demons—our Western culture can’t seem to get enough of the spirit world. The latest Gallup poll indicates that 42% of Americans believe in demon possession, 37% believe in haunted houses, and 32% believe in ghosts (“Demons on a Leash” by Fred Dickason; available from  https://answersingenesis.org).

Though interest in the paranormal is widespread, many question the existence of demons, especially here in our modernized society. So how can we know for a fact that demons actually exist?

There are two primary ways to know for a fact that demons exist. First, all one needs to do in order to verify their existence is to simply travel throughout various second and third world countries like Haiti, much of the continents of Africa and Asia to undoubtedly confirm this reality. Second, the historical validity of the Bible likewise confirms their existence. 

Before we go any further into the matters of the dark side, let’s begin with a basic definition. What are demons? “Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and who now continually work evil in the world” (Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 412). They were created as morally good beings at the same time as the rest of the angels (Job 38:4-7). However, prior to the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, these angels along with Satan chose by their own freewill to rebel against God (John 8:44).

What activities do demons engage in? Demons are a strong, yet restricted force in the spiritual battle between God and Satan (2 Peter 2:4). Thus, they seek to hinder the work of spreading the message of forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 2:18).

However, their primary strategy for hindering the Gospel involves the spreading of false teaching (1 Tim. 4:1). Satan and his demons do not want people to accept what the Bible teaches, even empowering individuals to work false miracles in order to lead people astray (Matt. 7:21-23; Rev. 16:14). For that reason, (and others), the Bible often associates them with idolatry (Deut. 32:17; Psa. 106:37; 1 Cor. 10:19-21). Therefore, it is vital for us to know what the Bible teaches. Yet overall, the work of Christ will be victorious (Matt. 16:18; Rev. 20:10). And in the end, demons will be thrown into the Lake of Fire along with all who are not faithful follows of Jesus (Matt. 25:41).

This brings up the question: do you know for sure that you are a follower Jesus as Scripture teaches, or are you being led astray? Therefore, I encourage you to examine what you believe, are being taught, and practice in light of God’s Word (1 John 4:1).

Demons likewise are a contributing factor to the wickedness in our world today. Based upon John 13:2, Jack Cottrell states that demons “may influence our thoughts by bringing certain ideas and images into our consciousness. They stroke the fires of our sinful desires and exploit our spiritual weaknesses. They also work indirectly upon our wills through other people” (The Faith Once for All, p. 175). Sometimes they do this by oppressing or attacking individuals’ bodies, causing diseases, sicknesses, and by influencing people to follow the demon’s leadings (Mark 5:1-20).

However, Scripture promises that greater is He that is in us as believers (the Holy Spirit) is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). Thus, God can give us the strength to overcome the Devil and his demons as we rely upon Him (Rev. 12:11). Therefore, there is no need to fear the matters of the dark side.  

In His service,

     Matt

The Blessed Life #14: Healing to the Hurting

^“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt. 5:4 NLT).

Sometimes the pain that we go through in this life seems to be beyond anything that we can bear. It could come to us in the middle of the night as we receive a call that one of our loved ones is not doing well and probably not going to make it. Or it could come to us as a couple of men show up at our door in military attire to tell us that our son or daughter has been killed in combat. Or it could come to us through the death of a child or a miscarriage. Or it could come to us as we hear those dreaded words from the doctor, “You’ve got cancer.” Or our hurting might be the result of a job loss or a divorce in the family.

The reality of the matter is that all people go through times of suffering and hurting in this life. Scripture never questions this nor downplays it. And our realization of our pain actually gives proof to God’s existence (see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-dont-have-enough-faith-to-be-atheist_5525.html). Yet knowing that doesn’t necessarily make our pain any easier. However, God can bring healing to our hurts.

God knows and understands our suffering. Not a sparrow falls without Him knowing it (Matt. 10:29). Jesus Himself was “a Man of sorrows and familiar with suffering” (Isa. 53:3). Likewise, just because God knows what happens to us does not mean that He caused it to happen. God is not the author of evil (James 1:13). Even still God promises that He will make it work out for our good as Christians in the end (Rom. 8:28).

God cares about our suffering. Jesus sympathizes with our pain (Heb. 4:15). He too experienced painful emotions at the death of His friend Lazarus. John 11:35 has to be one of the most profound verses in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” Here our all-knowing God knew that soon He would raise Lazarus from the dead, yet He still experienced the same emotions that we do when we mourn. This should teach us to not deny our pain, and that He cares about what we are going through. 

Beyond these things, God wants us as faithful followers of Jesus Christ to know that He is with us in our pain, and that one day He will right every wrong that has ever happened. One writer said it like this: “Our comfort is derived from knowing not only He is on our side, but that He is by our side, though He can only be seen or felt with eyes of faith” (Victor Yap, The God of All Comfort).

Furthermore, Billy Graham said, “One of the most comforting truths in all the Bible to me as I travel from one part of the world to another is to know that God has stationed His heavenly guards to protect, guide, and lead me through life’s dangerous way. I cannot see these beings with my physical eyes, but I sense they are present every day” (Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, & Quotes, p. 27).

Life is challenging; we all will face suffering at one point in time or another. However, if you are not a follower of Jesus Christ, I am left with one simply question for you: what hope or healing do you have in the midst of your pain? This is one of the many reasons that being a Christian truly is a blessed life.

Because of His love,

            Matt