In an interview on ABC News, when asked about achieving victory in Afghanistan, President Obama said:
"I'm always worried about using the word 'victory,' because, you know, it invokes this notion of Emperor Hirohito coming down and signing a surrender to MacArthur.”
I don’t know about you, but I cannot imagine how it is possible to win over an enemy who wants to cut off your head in the name of Allah and not use the word, “victory.” I cannot imagine being involved in spiritual warfare over the world, the flesh and the devil and not use the word victory to define success.
How about those who are actually engaged in battle over in Afghanistan and they get word that “victory” is not something their country is aiming for. Well, if victory is not something we are trying to accomplish, then what? I know the president said that his aim is to keep America safe and from experiencing anymore attacks. But how is that possible when the enemy we are facing knows full well the term “victory” as it is applied to them winning over us.
When I read our president’s words, I thought of what John wrote in his book: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work” (1 John 3:8). Jesus knew that the best way to achieve success over His enemy was to “destroy” his works. Sounds like Jesus would settle for nothing less than victory.
Whenever the bible uses the word “overcome” with reference to Christians, it means nothing less than achieving victory over the enemy. For example, with reference to the devil, it is written about the saints in the end times: They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death (Rev. 12:11 NIV).
With reference to the flesh, the old nature we carry around with us, we read these words from Paul, 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 7:24-25)!
And with reference to the world, John adds this: For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4-5 NIV). Notice the use of the word “victory” by John. He said, “This is the victory that has overcome the world.”
Now listen carefully. This may not sound popular but it’s the fact: Life is about winning and losing. There are those who win and those who lose. There are those who succeed and those who fail. There are those who live and those who die. There are those who gain and those who have lost. There are those who make it and those who do not. My point is this: Victory and defeat are things that are CHOSEN! People choose to either win or lose. Now winning should not be defined by the world, but by God. In God’s eyes, a winner is someone who loses his life in order to save it (Matt. 16:25). But if one does not have victory has his or her goal, then winning and overcoming is not possible. If you chose to win, you cannot help to choose to be victorious.
Note: By the way, it was not Emperor Hirohito who signed the surrender to MacArthur. On September 2, 1945, General Yoshijiro Umezu and Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu represented Japan in signing the Instrument of Surrender aboard the Battleship Missouri.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Prepare For Depression
13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick – Matt. 14:13-14 NIV
Star Bulletin – Sept. 17, 2009. Hawaii businesses will have to pay nearly $1,000 more per employee in monthly taxes come April to help keep the government’s unemployment fund afloat.
The rising number of unemployed is sapping the state’s unemployment money at a rate of $32 million a month, triggering the drastic tax increase called for by law.
Businesses currently pay an average of $90 per employee each month into the unemployment fund, but that figure is expected to rise to an average of $1,040 by next spring.
Hawaii pays some of the most generous unemployment benefits in that nation, giving the unemployed a maximum of $545 per week.
Individual unemployment benefits last just over a year before they expire.
The state of Hawaii and all over the country are facing terrible consequences from the condition of the economy. As was stated in one of our local newspapers, a massive tax increase on businesses in Hawaii will force employers to pay an extra $1000.00 a month per employee in unemployment benefits starting in April 2010. As of now the average business pays around $90.00 a month per employee. This massive jump in tax increase in April will cause many of the Hawaii businesses to stop hiring and to lay off more of its employees thus adding to the pool of those who are already unemployed and collecting benefits. Folks, things are going to get bleaker.
What can we do as Christians? Jesus, of course, provides the answer. One of Jesus’ best friends and a relative of His was John the Baptist. Remember, John’s mother, Elizabeth, was Mary’s relative (Luke 1:36), perhaps her cousin, but we’re not told exactly the degree of blood relationship.
When Jesus had heard that his friend and relative was killed, He withdrew Himself to a secluded place (Matt. 14:13). Jesus was obviously sad and wanted to be alone. This is common and natural. When we grieve, we simply want to be alone to do our grieving. Nothing is wrong with this. But grieving can often turn into a mild state of depression. And if not dealt with in a right way, a mild depression can turn into a severe form of depression.
So what is the right way to deal with depression, especially as one grieves over the lost of a friend, loved one or anything that was taken away such as employment?
Here it is. Read carefully: When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick (Matt. 14:13-14).
Did you see it? Jesus saw people and rather than moving away from them, He moved toward them to help and minister to their needs. You see, people are God’s gift to us in times of depression. Now of course, you may not see it as that, but it’s true. We often in our depressive state want to avoid people. We get a phone call and the last thing we do is answer it. We don’t want to talk to anyone. We don’t feel like leaving the house for fear of running into someone we know who might stop to talk to us. Or we sneak out and go to a 7-Eleven and see something parked out in front and keep driving. We do not want to talk to anyone let alone serve or help anyone. But that is precisely what needs to be done!
While Jesus was grieving over the lost of his relative, God brought to Him a multitude of people. Notice the three things Jesus had done:
1. He SAW
2. He FELT
3. He HEALED
This is the threefold remedy out of depression. People who are depressed need more than ever to “see” others. In other words, they need to get their eyes off of themselves and onto someone else. Depression exists because we tend to focus inward. A better way is to focus outward. For this to happen, we need people in our lives to enable this to occur. We cannot remain isolated. While in depression, if God brings a person knocking on your door, or your phone rings and on the other end is a friend, pick it up and talk. You need to see that there are others out there who need you.
Once Jesus “saw” the crowd, He “felt compassion” on them. Now His feelings go from inward to outward. Jesus as God knows that there is a bigger world than His own world of grieving. If He focused too much on His world, depression would only remain. He instead, looked beyond Himself, saw the people and felt compassion on them. Now He was no longer feeling His own pain, but the pain of those whom God had brought into His life.
When compassion sets in, then the third step follows – He “healed” or in other words, Jesus served others in order to meet their needs. By doing this, Jesus was not ignoring His pain and hurt or the tragedy that occurred with His relative, rather He was not allowing such a severe tragedy to paralyze Him from fulfilling His mission.
You see, for those who are depressed, people are God’s gift to them. When God brings people into our lives, He does so to help and enable us to redirect our focus away from ourselves and onto others. Too much self-focus tends to paralyze us and keeps us in seclusion. The remedy is to focus on others and meet their needs.
Remember this when you are depressed over the lost of someone significant in your life or anything for that matter, such as the lost of a job or a career opportunity. The Lord will send our way a phone call or a visit from a friend or others, so that we can “see,” “feel” and “serve.” These things ingredients are your steps toward healing and usefulness. It seems severe times are coming. Now is the time to prepare.
Star Bulletin – Sept. 17, 2009. Hawaii businesses will have to pay nearly $1,000 more per employee in monthly taxes come April to help keep the government’s unemployment fund afloat.
The rising number of unemployed is sapping the state’s unemployment money at a rate of $32 million a month, triggering the drastic tax increase called for by law.
Businesses currently pay an average of $90 per employee each month into the unemployment fund, but that figure is expected to rise to an average of $1,040 by next spring.
Hawaii pays some of the most generous unemployment benefits in that nation, giving the unemployed a maximum of $545 per week.
Individual unemployment benefits last just over a year before they expire.
The state of Hawaii and all over the country are facing terrible consequences from the condition of the economy. As was stated in one of our local newspapers, a massive tax increase on businesses in Hawaii will force employers to pay an extra $1000.00 a month per employee in unemployment benefits starting in April 2010. As of now the average business pays around $90.00 a month per employee. This massive jump in tax increase in April will cause many of the Hawaii businesses to stop hiring and to lay off more of its employees thus adding to the pool of those who are already unemployed and collecting benefits. Folks, things are going to get bleaker.
What can we do as Christians? Jesus, of course, provides the answer. One of Jesus’ best friends and a relative of His was John the Baptist. Remember, John’s mother, Elizabeth, was Mary’s relative (Luke 1:36), perhaps her cousin, but we’re not told exactly the degree of blood relationship.
When Jesus had heard that his friend and relative was killed, He withdrew Himself to a secluded place (Matt. 14:13). Jesus was obviously sad and wanted to be alone. This is common and natural. When we grieve, we simply want to be alone to do our grieving. Nothing is wrong with this. But grieving can often turn into a mild state of depression. And if not dealt with in a right way, a mild depression can turn into a severe form of depression.
So what is the right way to deal with depression, especially as one grieves over the lost of a friend, loved one or anything that was taken away such as employment?
Here it is. Read carefully: When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick (Matt. 14:13-14).
Did you see it? Jesus saw people and rather than moving away from them, He moved toward them to help and minister to their needs. You see, people are God’s gift to us in times of depression. Now of course, you may not see it as that, but it’s true. We often in our depressive state want to avoid people. We get a phone call and the last thing we do is answer it. We don’t want to talk to anyone. We don’t feel like leaving the house for fear of running into someone we know who might stop to talk to us. Or we sneak out and go to a 7-Eleven and see something parked out in front and keep driving. We do not want to talk to anyone let alone serve or help anyone. But that is precisely what needs to be done!
While Jesus was grieving over the lost of his relative, God brought to Him a multitude of people. Notice the three things Jesus had done:
1. He SAW
2. He FELT
3. He HEALED
This is the threefold remedy out of depression. People who are depressed need more than ever to “see” others. In other words, they need to get their eyes off of themselves and onto someone else. Depression exists because we tend to focus inward. A better way is to focus outward. For this to happen, we need people in our lives to enable this to occur. We cannot remain isolated. While in depression, if God brings a person knocking on your door, or your phone rings and on the other end is a friend, pick it up and talk. You need to see that there are others out there who need you.
Once Jesus “saw” the crowd, He “felt compassion” on them. Now His feelings go from inward to outward. Jesus as God knows that there is a bigger world than His own world of grieving. If He focused too much on His world, depression would only remain. He instead, looked beyond Himself, saw the people and felt compassion on them. Now He was no longer feeling His own pain, but the pain of those whom God had brought into His life.
When compassion sets in, then the third step follows – He “healed” or in other words, Jesus served others in order to meet their needs. By doing this, Jesus was not ignoring His pain and hurt or the tragedy that occurred with His relative, rather He was not allowing such a severe tragedy to paralyze Him from fulfilling His mission.
You see, for those who are depressed, people are God’s gift to them. When God brings people into our lives, He does so to help and enable us to redirect our focus away from ourselves and onto others. Too much self-focus tends to paralyze us and keeps us in seclusion. The remedy is to focus on others and meet their needs.
Remember this when you are depressed over the lost of someone significant in your life or anything for that matter, such as the lost of a job or a career opportunity. The Lord will send our way a phone call or a visit from a friend or others, so that we can “see,” “feel” and “serve.” These things ingredients are your steps toward healing and usefulness. It seems severe times are coming. Now is the time to prepare.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
How To Fill The Void in Your Heart
In one of his meetings, D.L. Moody was explaining to his audience the truth that we cannot bring about spiritual changes in our lives by our own strength. He demonstrated the principal like this: "Tell me," he said to his audience, "how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?" One man said, "Suck it out with a pump." But Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter it." Finally after many suggestions, he picked up a pitcher and quietly filled the glass with water. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate sinful habits, but rather by allowing Christ to take full possession.
In Matthew 13, there is a very disturbing passage. It is found in the last verse – v. 58: “And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”
At first glance one would be tempted to ask, “Hey, wait a minute. If the people are having a problem with unbelief, then performing miracles would be a cure. People need help to overcome their unbelief and witnessing a miracle or two may be just the answer.” But let me show you the verses that precede verse 58.
53When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
Jesus goes back to His home town of Nazareth. He goes into a local church there and begins to preach the Word in dynamic form. Everyone there is accosted with the truth. There is no denying it. Rather then believing Him and rejoicing in the privilege of hearing God Himself speak (it is one thing to hear someone speak for God, it is something totally different to hear God Himself speak), “THEY took offense at Him.”
It is important to understand who the “they” are. You may be tempted to think of the “they” as being those who were in the Synagogue. You know, those who had asked the series of questions in verses 55-56. But that’s not really so. The “they” were members of Jesus’ own family – “His brothers and sisters.” They were present. They were there. “Are they not all with us,” the people stated. It was “they,” Jesus’ brothers and sisters who took offense at Him. Jesus therefore left His own hometown because of their unbelief.
Nothing could be worse than to experience the rejection of family. Obviously, while in the Synagogue, surrounded by a lot of important and powerful religious people, not to mention, friends and acquaintances, Jesus’ family became embarrassed by Him. Rather than standing up, speaking up and supporting their own brother, they led in His rejection.
So when Jesus left, He did so because of their unbelief. This tells me that there are two kinds of unbelief in the world. First, there is the king of unbelief that exists because a person simply does not have enough evidence to make a rational decision. This person needs more light, more miracles, and more time. Second, there is a kind of unbelief that occurs simply out of an unwillingness to acknowledge the truth. This kind of unbelief does not need more light, more miracles, and more time. There is nothing stopping or keeping this person from believing except their own unwillingness to yield to the truth. Truth is starring them in the face but they are too embarrassed, too proud, too self-centered to believe and accept it. So they choose to go the way of the crowd.
This is the kind of unbelief that keeps God from working miracles among people. Those who simply need more light and who are seeking for answers, God is more than willing to show Himself great and provide miracle after miracle in order to help people to believe the truth and understand it. But those who have pretty much made up their own minds, would rather take offense at Jesus and protect themselves from being embarrassed and following the belief of the populace, it is those Jesus moves away from. For it would be a waste of time to do miracles among those who already have their minds made up.
It isn’t enough to blow the air of unbelief out of our hearts, for that would only create a void or vacuum. Rather, let God fill our hearts with His truth, so that as our hearts are filled, the air of unbelief dissipates and at the same time, the emptiness is quickly replace with divine truth. This comes when we are willing to yield ourselves over to God and not be embarrassed about it, and more importantly, ABOUT HIM!
In Matthew 13, there is a very disturbing passage. It is found in the last verse – v. 58: “And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”
At first glance one would be tempted to ask, “Hey, wait a minute. If the people are having a problem with unbelief, then performing miracles would be a cure. People need help to overcome their unbelief and witnessing a miracle or two may be just the answer.” But let me show you the verses that precede verse 58.
53When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
Jesus goes back to His home town of Nazareth. He goes into a local church there and begins to preach the Word in dynamic form. Everyone there is accosted with the truth. There is no denying it. Rather then believing Him and rejoicing in the privilege of hearing God Himself speak (it is one thing to hear someone speak for God, it is something totally different to hear God Himself speak), “THEY took offense at Him.”
It is important to understand who the “they” are. You may be tempted to think of the “they” as being those who were in the Synagogue. You know, those who had asked the series of questions in verses 55-56. But that’s not really so. The “they” were members of Jesus’ own family – “His brothers and sisters.” They were present. They were there. “Are they not all with us,” the people stated. It was “they,” Jesus’ brothers and sisters who took offense at Him. Jesus therefore left His own hometown because of their unbelief.
Nothing could be worse than to experience the rejection of family. Obviously, while in the Synagogue, surrounded by a lot of important and powerful religious people, not to mention, friends and acquaintances, Jesus’ family became embarrassed by Him. Rather than standing up, speaking up and supporting their own brother, they led in His rejection.
So when Jesus left, He did so because of their unbelief. This tells me that there are two kinds of unbelief in the world. First, there is the king of unbelief that exists because a person simply does not have enough evidence to make a rational decision. This person needs more light, more miracles, and more time. Second, there is a kind of unbelief that occurs simply out of an unwillingness to acknowledge the truth. This kind of unbelief does not need more light, more miracles, and more time. There is nothing stopping or keeping this person from believing except their own unwillingness to yield to the truth. Truth is starring them in the face but they are too embarrassed, too proud, too self-centered to believe and accept it. So they choose to go the way of the crowd.
This is the kind of unbelief that keeps God from working miracles among people. Those who simply need more light and who are seeking for answers, God is more than willing to show Himself great and provide miracle after miracle in order to help people to believe the truth and understand it. But those who have pretty much made up their own minds, would rather take offense at Jesus and protect themselves from being embarrassed and following the belief of the populace, it is those Jesus moves away from. For it would be a waste of time to do miracles among those who already have their minds made up.
It isn’t enough to blow the air of unbelief out of our hearts, for that would only create a void or vacuum. Rather, let God fill our hearts with His truth, so that as our hearts are filled, the air of unbelief dissipates and at the same time, the emptiness is quickly replace with divine truth. This comes when we are willing to yield ourselves over to God and not be embarrassed about it, and more importantly, ABOUT HIM!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Consider the Source
What if someone like Charles Darwin came to your church and delivered a sermon? How would you react to that? What would you do? Would you stay and listen to him preach? Would you be upset with your pastor for inviting him? Would you walk out of the church service and miss his message?
We often wrongly conclude that the sermons we need to listen to are those delivered by the saved. But what about those who are not saved?
Here is what Jesus had to say about that: 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matt. 23:2-3 NIV).
Jesus clearly teaches His disciples that even if the Word of God is taught by those who do not know God, listen anyway to what they say. If a pagan preaches the truth, we are still obligated to listen and obey. It doesn’t matter whether the truth comes from a favorite beloved pastor or bible teacher, or from someone like Nancy Pelosi. If the Word is taught, we are obligated to listen and obey – no matter who is the source.
The only restriction Jesus gave was this: “Don’t do what they do.” Why? “Because they are hypocrites.” Even when you come across someone who does not practice what he or she preaches, you and I are still under obligation to listen and obey.
How often do we hear others say, “Why should I listen to him? He does not practice what he preaches.” Or, “I am not going to church. They are a bunch of hypocrites there.” That maybe so. But Jesus did not say, “If you run across a hypocrite, then don’t listen to him or her. Instead He said, “Do listen and obey what you hear when it is the Word of God being proclaimed” and “don’t do what they do.” Listen for the Word being taught and obey it, but don’t practice the hypocrite lifestyle.
There are two fundamental principles that I want to point out at this time: First, the Word of God is not rendered void and useless just because it may flow from an unworthy vessel. If the vessel happens to be someone like Darwin, the Word of God does not change or becomes powerless. It still is just as powerful and effective as if it was preached by the one and only Billy Graham.
Second, if we are told to listen to the Word of God even if it comes from unworthy vessels, then Jesus is assuming that we would have some understanding of what the bible does teach in order to recognize truth when we hear it. You see, if a pagan preaches, he or she may be proclaiming 30 percent of biblical truth. Seventy percent would be false. Would you be able to recognize the difference? The seventy percent you let it fall from your ears, while the thirty percent you listen and obey.
Sometimes I come across people who tell me, “Those TV and Radio Personalities like, Glenn Beck, Shawn Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, they are no good. They may not even be saved. It is a waste of time to listen to them.”
Such reasoning flies in the opposite direction of what Jesus had taught His disciples. Sure, these men may not be pastors or even attend a sound evangelical church (I don't know this for certain), but when they do say things that are truthful and biblically sound, we are to listen and obey, otherwise, we give the impression that the Word of God becomes powerless and rendered useless because of the source it came from.
I happen to think that the Word of God is powerful and effective because its source is God. Man and the media are only conduits. A conduit only provides the flow of power, it is not the source. Therefore, as I listen to the news, read secular books, and even listen to my favorite bible teacher, I am responsible to obey the Word as I recognize it. And then practice what the Word says.
We often wrongly conclude that the sermons we need to listen to are those delivered by the saved. But what about those who are not saved?
Here is what Jesus had to say about that: 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matt. 23:2-3 NIV).
Jesus clearly teaches His disciples that even if the Word of God is taught by those who do not know God, listen anyway to what they say. If a pagan preaches the truth, we are still obligated to listen and obey. It doesn’t matter whether the truth comes from a favorite beloved pastor or bible teacher, or from someone like Nancy Pelosi. If the Word is taught, we are obligated to listen and obey – no matter who is the source.
The only restriction Jesus gave was this: “Don’t do what they do.” Why? “Because they are hypocrites.” Even when you come across someone who does not practice what he or she preaches, you and I are still under obligation to listen and obey.
How often do we hear others say, “Why should I listen to him? He does not practice what he preaches.” Or, “I am not going to church. They are a bunch of hypocrites there.” That maybe so. But Jesus did not say, “If you run across a hypocrite, then don’t listen to him or her. Instead He said, “Do listen and obey what you hear when it is the Word of God being proclaimed” and “don’t do what they do.” Listen for the Word being taught and obey it, but don’t practice the hypocrite lifestyle.
There are two fundamental principles that I want to point out at this time: First, the Word of God is not rendered void and useless just because it may flow from an unworthy vessel. If the vessel happens to be someone like Darwin, the Word of God does not change or becomes powerless. It still is just as powerful and effective as if it was preached by the one and only Billy Graham.
Second, if we are told to listen to the Word of God even if it comes from unworthy vessels, then Jesus is assuming that we would have some understanding of what the bible does teach in order to recognize truth when we hear it. You see, if a pagan preaches, he or she may be proclaiming 30 percent of biblical truth. Seventy percent would be false. Would you be able to recognize the difference? The seventy percent you let it fall from your ears, while the thirty percent you listen and obey.
Sometimes I come across people who tell me, “Those TV and Radio Personalities like, Glenn Beck, Shawn Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, they are no good. They may not even be saved. It is a waste of time to listen to them.”
Such reasoning flies in the opposite direction of what Jesus had taught His disciples. Sure, these men may not be pastors or even attend a sound evangelical church (I don't know this for certain), but when they do say things that are truthful and biblically sound, we are to listen and obey, otherwise, we give the impression that the Word of God becomes powerless and rendered useless because of the source it came from.
I happen to think that the Word of God is powerful and effective because its source is God. Man and the media are only conduits. A conduit only provides the flow of power, it is not the source. Therefore, as I listen to the news, read secular books, and even listen to my favorite bible teacher, I am responsible to obey the Word as I recognize it. And then practice what the Word says.
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