Be Careful Now!

This past week has been terrible for our country. The shootings brought us to our knees in sorrow for the families who lost loved ones in Texas. But also, our hearts are torn apart by the revelation of abuse and misconduct in churches. These abuses came by the hands of those who should have been trusted. How could this have happened? 

I remember singing a song as a child that went like this:

 

1.   O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see

2.   O be careful little ears what you hear…

3.   O be careful little tongue what you say…

4.   O be careful little hands what you do…

5.   O be careful little feet where you go…

6.   O be careful little heart whom you trust…

7.   O be careful little mind what you think…

 

There is great wisdom in the lyrics of this song. However, this is not only for children, but a song for all of us as how we are to live life. 

When did we stop being careful? Somehow, we seem to believe as adults we become immune to evil influences. That is not the case. Never can we become careless about what we see, hear, say, do, go, trust or think. If you believe you are immune, survey the books are you reading, the movies you watch, and what you view online? If you think these things cannot affect you because you are an adult, you are woefully wrong. 

 

We as believers are called to a higher standard and must become even more careful so as not to fall for the enemy’s ways. I Peter 5:8-9 states: “ Be sober-minded, be alert. [Careful!] Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.” 

 

 

When sin first entered the world, it came in four steps: Looking, lingering, longing, and acting. Eve looked at the fruit, then gazed upon it, longed for what it could give her, and then she ate.  This is the pattern of sin and not exclusive to unbelievers. We as children of the Most High, should have an ever increasing sense that we need to be careful about what we are allowing in our hearts and homes.  

 

The last verse of this song is critical to our living victoriously over the enemy: Be careful little mind what you think.  

 

If we realized every sin we commit starts in our mind we would be more cautious.  The only power the enemy has over us is to put a thought in our mind with the intention to confuse or sway us from truth.  (“Did God really say?” Gen. 3:1b) That is why Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians said this: We take every thought captive to obey Christ. (10:5b)

 

Our thoughts guide us. What we think most about is what we become. 

 

Because society has not been careful, thoughts have run amok and taken over lives. These thoughts, if lingered upon, become things we long for and act on. They result in an 18-year-old acting on a thought about a killing spree. We have adults acting out thoughts of what it would be like to abuse a child. Married couples act out a thought about an affair. We have teens acting out what it would be like to hurt another in unimaginable ways. I do not need to go on. Lives are destroyed and it all started by a thought.

 

Believers…we need to be careful about what we allow into our minds, our hearts, and our homes. Church, we must be bearers of the Light but we cannot do that if our mind is filled with things that are unholy. 

 

These things are not new. Evil has been around since the garden. But God is also the same. He set boundaries-- for our protection. When we breech those boundaries, evil takes over. No one is immune. Just like those we have read about, any of us could fall at any point. We must be careful. 

 

Are we doomed? No, but the only cure is to surrender to God’s Will and His Way. It is time to be purified. It is time to confess, turn away, and surrender. We all are guilty but God will empower us to live holy lives if we let Him. Paul, speaking to the Ephesians said these words: 

^“ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 

Ephesians 5:15-17

As we grieve the evil we see, may we resolve to become a pure bride waiting for her groom. May this purity spur revival in our land. So be careful Christian eyes what you see! 

 

 

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Nehemiah 9 records a prayer of the Levites after the wall around Jerusalem had been repaired. The prayer recalls the long history of the Hebrew people. Here is the Reader’s Digest version: God provided for them, they followed, they rebelled, they had problems, they called out to God, God intervened, God provided, they followed, they rebelled, they had problems, they called out to God, God intervened, God provided, lather rinse repeat. 

 

It reminds me so much of our country. God allowed a people to come to this continent and establish it as a land where faith could be practiced without governmental control. We started well; God provided all we needed. As we prospered, we forgot and we rebelled. When things started going wrong, we called out to God and after He answered and things were good again, we went back to the same ole rebellion. Today this rebellion has become sheer blasphemy. 

 

Judah became so bad, that God sent destruction upon it. However, in His love, God protected the Hebrew remnant (those who followed faithfully) from the destruction by “allowing” them to be taken into captivity for 70 years. When they were allowed to return home, however, they were no longer the owners of the land but under the rule of someone else. The last two verses of chapter 9 are so sad to me. 

 

Nehemiah 9:36-37  

 

“Here we are today,
slaves in the land you gave our ancestors
so that they could enjoy its fruit and its goodness.
Here we are—slaves in it!

Its abundant harvest goes to the kings
you have set over us,
because of our sins.
They rule over our bodies
and our livestock as they please.
We are in great distress.”

 

The next chapters record there was a time of confession and repentance after the 

Levite’s sermon, but it was not long-lived. In their prosperity, their rebellion began

 again. After all God had done, this was the final straw. He left them to their sin and

 remained silent for 400 years. 

 

I know we are in the New Covenant and our salvation is not dependent upon 

whether or not our nation stands. 

 

So, what is our hope? Become a part of the new remnant…the Bride of Christ…a 

Believer. Accept Jesus as your Savior.  Just as God protected the Hebrew 

remnant, He will protect His Bride…maybe not in the way we want but in His perfect will. Those

 Christians dying for their faith in Afghanistan understand something important: Our kingdom is

 not the United States or Afghanistan or any other nation. Our Kingdom is not of this world but

 is where Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father. Let this scripture in Colossians 3:1-4 be

 your comfort in these uncertain times. 

“So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

 

Maranatha…Lord Jesus come. 

One Country, Indivisible…

Some how the enemy has succeeded in dividing us. What method did he use to cause this division? Selfish desires and sadly the church is not immune to his wiles. The, “Everyone must go along with what I want or else,” attitude has divided the body until the world looks at us with disgust. 

How far we have come from the Acts 4:13 believers…”When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.” I am NOT at all devaluing theological education (I am a product of some great teaching) but sometimes believers rely more on what they learned from a commentary or a class, on Twitter, or a political rally instead of being with Jesus. But when we spend time with Jesus, we will hear His words, be invited to follow His commands, and are joined with Him in the battle with boldness. Some of Jesus’ last recorded prayers were for us to be one…with Him…with the Father…and with each other. (John 17:20-21) When we are united in this way…the world will KNOW that Jesus was sent from God.

Perhaps the division in our country can be directly related to the division in the church- which was to be the light in the darkness. We dropped the ball the minute we looked to ourselves or church leaders for the answers. We dropped the ball the minute our personal preferences became more important than God’s will. We dropped the ball when we blindly looked to our pastors’ opinions rather than God’s Word. BUT it is not too late. We can repent of our selfishness, open our eyes anew, and join God in the work that He is doing to set people free. 

On this Independence Day weekend, seek the freedom that only God can provide and become one with Him. Then perhaps the world will know you, too, have been with Jesus.

Freedom

I woke this morning from having a recurring dream. In it I am speaking to a group of people. I begin by asking them if they believe that God loves them? I ask what love is. I tell them He is a loving Father and in that kind of love there is discipline. I then speak about what sin is and how important it is that we be cleansed of it if we want to live forever. In great detail, I show from scripture (Genesis 3) how sin entered a perfect world; how God had created us to be free so He set boundaries around the Tree of Good and Evil.  We were innocent of evil when created. He never intended this boundary to be breached yet the enemy of God used confusing language to draw God’s loved creation into the darkness. Then I wake up. 

 

Friends, God’s boundaries were not placed to impede our freedom…they are the very instruments to protect our freedom. When Jesus came, He came to set us free again. Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom, [our original created state] Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Emphasis mine.)

 

We love to say that God is love…but that love is not without boundaries much like a mother’s love sets boundaries to keep her toddler from the hot flames on the stove. God knows what will destroy us and sets a boundary around it…for our protection.  

 

This dream was so real and my desire is to speak it to that crowd is overwhelming. The enemy is deceiving great multitudes—even within the body. Many think God’s laws are legalistic and He winks at our desire to explore our lusts. Many say God created us with those lusts-- but that is a lie and the result always ends up being harmful for us. 

 

I sense that there is a new and stronger wave of deception falling upon the church. Only those with eyes to see and ears to hear will understand.  In this church age, we have become like the Church at Laodicea. Read these frightening words and pray for eyes to see and ears that hear. 

 

Revelation 3:14-22

 

“Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus, says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent.  See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on mythrone, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen towhat the Spirit says to the churches.”

 

But I Don't Like Cats

Let me start this by saying, I am not a cat person. I like dogs. (I did like the musical Cats, but that is another thing all together.) I don’t want to offend my cat-loving friends but I have always thought cats are not real pets. They do what they want and ignore you most of the time…dogs do not. Dogs sit in your lap and get excited when you come home after a 3-minute exit of the premises.  Cats glance at you, allowing you into their presence. That is what I thought until this morning.

A couple of days after Easter, my daughter came over (yes, we broke quarantine…sue me!) and we heard a sound from a deep hollow in a tree in our yard. Last summer we discovered this hollow to be a snake’s nest so we approached it slowly. From the deep bowels emerged a tiny gray kitten begging for food. We took it out and found that there was another, smaller, stripped kitten in the hollow and a less fortunate littermate who had not survived. The mother obviously had abandoned them to the snakes, but these two had survived. What were we to do? I couldn’t just let these kittens fend for themselves at just a little over a week old (their eyes had just opened) We hoped that my elder granddaughter’s cat, who had just had kittens, would adopt them. My daughter took the kittens to her house and Kayce’s cat adopted them and the two kittens thrived.  All was well. I had done my duty and saved these little creatures…I patted myself on the back. In reality, I had done nothing but agree that my daughter should take the kittens home. I promised I would visit them.  

Sunday, that all changed as my daughter called and said it was time for the kittens to come “home!” To her this meant MY house. If you know my daughter, she can be very convincing so on Sunday afternoon, after braving Wal-Mart for litter box and food, I begrudgingly became a “cat mama.” I put them in our back sun-room along with all my younger grandchildren’s toys and a seldom used treadmill. I sat down and waited to make sure they knew how to use the litter box. That was my only intent.  I was going to leave them alone to fend for themselves with an American Girl doll as company. But something happened…they began to play with my toes. They slept on my toes. They nibbled on my toes. Then they looked at me as only cats can. I told myself I was not going to fall for it. I was going to keep them until I found someone else who would take them…but then one reared-up on my leg and begged me to pick her up. As I did, I heard this noise from somewhere deep…a purr. I picked the other up and it curled in my hand contented. I was trapped.

We did the next horrible thing—we gave them names. The larger gray one—the one who climbed out of the hollow to ask for help—we named “Steel Magnolia” because of her will to survive. The much smaller little brother we named “Drew Brees”—who was small and never thought to amount to anything. So, there. They were named and began a life of luxury in our home. 

Last night, during some thunder and lightning and while watching reruns of Chicago Fire, I heard a desperate cry…Magnolia was scared and wanted her “mommy.” I climbed over the barrier to get to her and held her for a moment, sat with her and then laid her in her bed. She was content and went to sleep. She needed me to console her and let her know it was going to be alright…that snake was not coming back and you are safe now, little gray kitty. 

This morning, I sat drinking my coffee, feeling little claws on my toes, thinking about how my heart had softened once I got to know these kittens…not all cats…but these kittens. I began to think perhaps that is the way many of us are in our society…grouping all people together and deciding things about them on information that may or may not be true. It wasn’t an accident we found those kittens. They were desperate and we were nearby. They cried out the only way they knew how. What if we began to listen to the desperate cries of those around us and put ourselves in a place where we can help. What if we got to know individuals instead of a group. We will find is that no one fits into the boxes we created. No one. Not whites, not blacks not Asians, not Native Americans, nor Latinos. Each individual has hopes and fears. Each one has trusts issues that need to be dealt with. Each one truly wants to be loved and accepted. We are more alike than different. All the things I want in myself, I find are things others want as well. I learned this lesson many years ago on a trip to China. God spoke clearly to me that people are people. We discover that once people have names. Names clarify who people are. Names give us someone to intercede for, to care for, to laugh with, to live life with, to calm fears. 

I truly believe God sent Magnolia and Brees to remind me to look individually at those around me. In reality, not everyone will be happy to know we now have cats and I get that. To be honest, I am still more comfortable with dogs, but I am willing to step out and see that not all cats are aloof and uncaring…and neither should I be, for perhaps my OWN aloofness and apathy was what I didn’t want to see when I looked into the eyes of my kittens. Thank you, God for the reminder. 

Why Do You Go to Church?

This week my pastor asked us why we went to church. With not being able to meet except online, the question was for us to clarify our purpose for attending when we are able to return. Immediately I had the answer and knew it was the correct one. I would get the gold star for the day! Of course, the answer was “to worship and have fellowship with other believers.”  Then the voice of God prodded me and I began to ponder…should my worship of Him only happen when we gather in a building? Don’t I worship Him daily as I walk and see how majestic He is in all the earth?  Why do I need to go to a building to do that?

BUT as our pastor’s sermon continued and he began to talk about “inward thinking” and “missional thinking” reasons, I continued to make my list of whys. These are some I came up with: 

·      So I can hear the Word (as long as I like what the preacher is saying)

·      So I can sing praises to God (as long as we are singing songs I like in the style I like.)

·      So I can fellowship with others (as long as they like me and pay attention to me)

·      So I can share my prayer needs (as long as people care about me)

·      So I can have a place where my children can be taught about God. (not the church’s responsibility according to Deuteronomy 6)

Our reasons need to go deeper and the early church knew that.  They were being persecuted because of their faith and needed to join together for encouragement and to pray for God’s direction as they continued sharing the Good News of Christ. Their faith was firmly planted in knowing the belief of the risen Christ was something worth dying for. They were passionate about sharing.

So, what were some of the differences between the early church and today’s church? The scriptures cited were from Acts 11 and 13. 

·      They were filled with the Holy Spirit who gave them the words to say and showed them their purpose. (Acts 11: 18) They were compelled to share what God had done and the Holy Spirit gave them power and purpose.

·      They wanted everyone to hear. Barnabus was compelled to leave his group to encourage others. It wasn’t about his comfort. As he left, it is said of him, “He was a good man, full of the Spirit and of faith, and large numbers were being added to the Lord. Acts 11: 23-24 Please note, they were not added to a congregation but to the Lord. 

·      They encouraged others in the faith.  Barnabus went to Saul…a former enemy of The Way. He saw Saul’s potential and discipled him without a thought that Saul might steal some of this thunder or followers…So many times in our inward thinking, we become jealous of someone and often try to discredit them. We need to see other’s gifting’s and encourage them to use them for the kingdom. (Acts 11:25) 

·      The early believers helped other believers who had needs (Acts 11:28-30) Too often, congregations compete with each other. The early church shared what they had to other churches so that all could be equipped for the mission. 

·      They were a praying people (Acts 13: 1-3)  Yes, they sang and listened to the teachings from those who taught, but then they spent much time in prayer and fasting, seeking God’s will for them. How much time do we as a congregation spend in earnest prayer seeking God’s will?  Have we merely appointed committees to do that? Even mores, how much time after the service do you spend in prayer asking God what He wants you to do with what you have just heard? (ouch)

·      They sent people from their own to spread the Word as the Holy Spirit lead. They laid hands on them to give assurance of their continued support. They were willing to let go of those they loved, so that the Gospel could spread. This church loved Barnabus—he was their encourager—but they let him go and did not get mad that he was leaving. The mission was more important than their own congregation. 

So, how are we doing? I am not painting with a large brush all congregations, for there are many who are doing incredible things for the Kingdom. But if we are honest, for most of us, our inwardly focused thinking has resulted in a program-led church not a Holy Spirit-led church. I love the church... the body of Christ…the Bride. As a matter of fact I am the church. So, this leads me to the original question: Why do you go to church (meeting)? Why do I go to church (meeting)? Where are we in this list? Do we:

·      Seek to be filled by the Holy Spirit so He can lead, or are we afraid of Him and what He will require? 

·      Do we desire everyone to know the good news? Even that next door neighbor with the barking dog? Or are we afraid of the persecution and keep silent? 

·      Do we encourage others to develop their gifts or are we jealous? Have we done a good job of mentoring the next generation? 

·      Do we help others in their need even if they are in another church?

·      Are we teaching our own household how to follow God or expecting the church to?  

·      Are we willing to send those we love or do we want to hold onto them for our sake? 

The bottom line—this is God’s church not ours. He established it so that the good news would spread. He did not intend it to be a huddled group inside walls doing programs. Perhaps that is why we have been taken out of our walls. His true church will blaze new, uncharted trails, unafraid, knowing He will guide them. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”  John 14:15 His final commandment is in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go and make disciples of ALL men…teaching them to obey all I have commanded. Remember, I am with you to the end.” 

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So, let me ask again, “Why do you go to church?” 

Don't Listen to the Lies

Yesterday one of my high school classmates posted on Facebook that he was being chased by the police who pulled him over. They asked if he had been in a fight at a gas station moments before. Of course, my classmate said, “no,” but then heard the other officer calling the dispatch saying, “No, this is an elderly man.” It was a slap of cold water in his face—and mine since we graduated the same year. Earlier in the week I read of a pastor who asked the older people in his congregation to worship somewhere else so they could draw more young people into the crowd. That also slapped me in the face. 

I love younger people and mentor them to take over after I am gone, but we live in a youth-oriented culture where age is a liability. To be truthful, some seniors have added to the fire by becoming bitter and angry—demanding that nothing change from the way they have always done things. But we can’t sweep with a wide brush nor generalize! 

I was in senior in high school and in college during the Jesus Movement of the 70’s. This was the Christian’s answer to the Hippy, Flower Child movement happening in our world.  We loved everything about Jesus and proclaimed He was the One Way. Groups like Andre Crouch and the Disciples, Dove, Keith Green and many more used music to display their beliefs and we sang loudly. Yes, our songs were different than our parents but still proclaimed the truth of the gospel. The problem was that we sang accompanied by guitars and wore jeans (shock.) It was more than many of the congregations could handle and they alienated the youth of that day. Many left the local church and began non-denominational congregations. I didn’t leave but I did make a commitment to myself and God that I would never be an “old person like that!” What I meant was, that I would be open to new music and new ways of doing things as long as the message and the doctrine of the Bible was not altered in the process. I have kept my word. 

Just today, sitting at my piano, I played and sang (for His enjoyment only,) Leeland’s, Way Maker, and my heart was stirred to know that God is always working. Then from somewhere this thought came: “You are too old to sing this song or to speak into the hearts of younger people the truth of the Bible.” The enemy used the things I had read this week to cause doubt in my calling. I was devastated to say the least. I began to wonder if I was only fit to take trips to Branson and be satisfied with monthly luncheons. 

There is nothing wrong with Branson or lunches but any of you who know me, know I do not fit in that category or any category. God gave me skill sets that are different and has used these skill sets my whole life. God reminded me today as I sat in private worship, my fingers still ran across the ivory keys as well as they always did…my voice was still strong, albeit those really high notes don’t come like they used to. (so, I avoid them!) God reminded me He continues to give me messages to share and teachings from His word to encourage and urge others to stay in the fight. Tears fell. I knew all of this in my heart but my mind went to the lies of the enemy and I asked God if it was time to hang up my podium and piano.  Not three seconds later, my phone rang. I answered only to discover I was speaking with a ladies team looking for a speaker for their Hope Rally in September. The name of the rally was not lost on me. God was not finished. He answered immediately that I was still useful for the kingdom. 

Perhaps you have felt useless, as well, because your church only looks to the youthful for leading. Hold on. God has given those of us who have been around the sun many times, wisdom and patience, and persistence. These are things we only achieve with age. Don’t fall for the lies and don’t “settle” in your church if they think it is time to send you to pasture. Stand up and say you are not ready to retire from God’s army. 

As for me, encouraged once again by God,  I will not retire until someone leans over my coffin and says, “Don’t she look natural!”