"Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!’" (Neh. 4:14 NLT).

Surrounded and greatly discouraged

In the above passage the Jews were trying to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and were surrounded on every side by enemies dead set on seeing them give up, fail, or worse. As a result, they were drowning in discouragement—stuck staring at everything going wrong around them. So Nehemiah told them not be afraid, to refocus their minds on God who is great and glorious and on their important purpose. 

This is great advice, even today, no matter what happens!

When things look bad, or even impossible, do what Nehemiah said to do...

First, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7 ESV); “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

Second. “Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious,” –  “And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Eph. 1:19-21 ESV)

Third, “fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” – “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” (Eph. 3:20 ESV)

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” (Prov. 14:34 NIV) 

As I write this, our Country is going through some very turbulent times. The political and moral climate in America is in turmoil. Our Christian way of life is under attack and it’s hard to not be a little anxious about the condition of our nation. 

We shouldn’t be surprised!

This isn’t new! Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matt. 7:13 NIV).

In 1947, Carle Zimmerman, a distinguished Harvard sociologist, warned us in his book, Family and Civilization, which is his study of the rise and fall of civilizations, proved exactly what Proverbs14:34 says: that moral degradation in society has been a largely ignored major factor in the fall of past civilizations.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams

The future is bright!

As a Christian, you have dual citizenship! Not only do you live in this world, you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God!

“…  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” (Col. 1:12-13 ESV)

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” (Hebrews 12:28 ESV)

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Prov. 13:20)

When I was a child I remember being told to be careful who I played with because there were some children who often got into mischief and I would too, if I hung around them. As I grew into adulthood I realized what they said was true. You are affected by those you chose to spend time with! I noticed that people tended to hang around with the same kinds of people as themselves both good and bad. After I became a follower of Jesus, I discovered a lot was said on that subject in the Bible. For instance, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Cor. 15:33 ESV) and “Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.” (Prov. 24:1-2 (ESV).

Therefore:

One way to become wise is to hang around wise people! The verse at top says it very well, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Prov. 13:20 ESV)

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10 ESV)

Recently my suitcase got lost on a flight from Seattle to Denver. I had to have it because it contained what I needed for my conference presentation. So I told the airport personnel I would wait at the airport for them to find it. I knew it had to be somewhere at the airport because it was a nonstop flight with no connecting flights. Even so, it took them three hours to find it. It was a good thing I had given myself lots of extra travel time just in case something should happen!

The new normal

If you travel a lot as I do, you soon find out that the unexpected will become your new normal. There will be traffic issues, parking issues, airport issues, luggage issues, delay issues, seat issues, shuttle issues, and numerous hotel issues to deal with. Stuff just happens sometimes and you learn to roll with them as they occur. Truth is, unexpected issues will come your way. Thats the new normal. They key is to always be prepared for unexpected things to happen.

What to do when the unexpected happens

• Expect the unexpected – The first rule of dealing with the unexpected is to not be caught by surprise by it. It is normal for unexpected things to happen.

• Prepare in advance – Give yourself plenty of time to deal with the things that may happen. When I arrived in Denver and found my luggage had been lost, I had the time to stay and find it because I’d myself plenty of extra time to deal with delays. I have to drive through Seattle on my way to the airport so I plan for long traffic delays which are a part of Seattle’s “normal”.

• Attitude is everything – Always keep control and maintain your composure in every situation. It never helps to get angry or speak harshly to others near you when negative things happen. “Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],” (Phil. 2:5 AMP)

• Seek God first – as a follower of Christ you have some promises to lean on in emergencies. One of my favorites is Matt. 6:33,  “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When something unexpected happens, immediately think about God’s ever-presence with you and ask Him for wisdom, guidance and help. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6 ESV)

• Expect God to help you – When things go wrong, and after you have said a prayer to God about it, expect Him to work things out for you. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV) When the airport finally found my luggage after three hours of waiting they gave me a $150 voucher for my trouble.   “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 ESV).

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2 ESV)

When my older brother died a few years ago, I was the only one left, or so I thought. My mom was gone and now so was my older brother, David. Then I received an unexpected phone call from an aunt who wanted to tell me something important. She said she knew where my birth father and his family lived and she thought I should know where. I was shocked to hear this news because I had understood from what my mother had told me that he had died decades before. But now I learned it wasn’t so, he was alive and living in Anderson, Indiana! After speaking with my aunt I phoned people in the Anderson phone book with my father’s last name and soon spoke to a woman with that name. I told her who my birth father was and he was her father also—she was my half sister! She told me that our father had recently died and that he had ten children living in and near Anderson. A couple of weeks later I flew to meet them. As soon as I arrived I was picked up by Greg, a half brother. The shocking thing was that he looked very much like my older brother, David, who had recently passed—the family likeness was breathtaking to me. Soon we arrived at the house where my newfound siblings were waiting to meet me. We spoke for hours and I learned so much about them and they about me. There was an amazing and immediate family connection, a kindred spirit among us that we all recognized. It was an amazing family reunion!

It’s the same with brothers and sisters in Christ!

When we receive Christ, we become born into God’s family and become fellow heirs with Jesus. We then have lots of new siblings to have fellowship with.

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,” (Rom. 8:16-17 ESV)

 Therefore:

“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:21-23 ESV)

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58 NKJV)

Someone once asked that great motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, where he got his tremendous information that they had found so helpful in business, and he said, “Everything I teach comes directly from pages of the Bible, but I don’t tell people where I got it.”

For many years I worked in the business world and most of my clients had no idea I was also a pastor. I did my work in a Christian manner as carefully as I could, but I did not say too much about my faith (regretfully). During those years I had the opportunity to attend many business conferences and I heard many speakers talk about their success principles. Often I would hear a speaker explain a success principle and I knew it had come from the Bible even though the one giving the principle usually didn’t know it. For instance, I heard a businessman explaining the SWOT Business Principle which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, which are the four things you’re supposed to consider in building a healthy, successful, growing business.

These four things are found throughout the Bible

They are not only good business principles but they are also helpful in all other areas of your life, physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. To be healthy and achieve growth in all these areas examine your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, in each one and then make adjustments to what you find as necessary. Here are some verses to consider as you do.

In everything you do search for and discover its…

·      Strengths: “Be strong and imovable.” (1 Cor. 15:58); “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” (2 Chron. 15:7)

·      Weaknesses: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa. 40:29); “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Rom. 8:26)

·      Opportunities: “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16); “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,” (Gal. 6:10).

·      Threats: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

Therefore:

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17 ESV)

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12 KJV)

Red and black ants

I heard someone say that if you put 100 black ants and 100 red ants in a jar, they will generally ignore each other. However, if you shake the jar, the red and black ants will suddenly turn on each other and fight until the death. They don’t realize it’s the one shaking the jar who is the enemy not the different ant. I don’t know if this is true about ants but it is an example of what we do see in our world today regarding people. Many are lashing out against each other not realizing who is really “shaking the jar” so to speak - It’s country against country, race against race, neighbor against neighbor, gender against gender, political party against political party, and other endless examples. But it all boils down to the same thing, our fights at their deepest levels are really from sin and from the evil one who is behind it all.

The evil one controls the world

“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19 NIV)

Why can’t we just get along?

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:1-2 ESV)

“On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’” (Acts 7:26 

The sinful nature practices are clearly evident

“Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21 AMP)

 Therefore

“Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” (Psalm 141:4)

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” (Rom. 6:12)

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14 ESV)

Happy New Year!

 Last night, people all over the world held parties to celebrate the passing year and to herald in the new one. Many resolutions were made and hope and optimism was expressed everywhere for the future.

 Today is January 1st. The old year is now history and a brand new one has begun. And yes, it’s a good time to put away some old things and reflect on the new. As followers of Christ we have some wonderful promises to rejoice about.

New beginnings

A new thing

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isa. 43:18 ESV) 

A future and a hope

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isa. 43:19 ESV)

New every morning

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lam. 3:22-24 ESV)

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matt. 6:14 NIV)

There are many examples of forgiveness in both the old and new testaments, here are a few.

Old Testament: Esau forgave his brother Jacob, who had taken his birthright. Joseph forgave his ten brothers who had sold him into slavery. (Gen. 50:19)

New Testament: Steven, the first martyr, forgave those who were stoning him (Acts 7:60). The father of the prodigal son forgave him. (Luke 15:11-32)

Our Example

The most extraordinary example of forgiveness is from Jesus, Himself, who from the cross cried out, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do!” (Luke 23:34 KJV 2000)

Not easy but correct

It can be very difficult sometimes to forgive those who have wronged you, but it is always the right thing to do. Our example is God himself. We are to be merciful to others as He is to us!

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36 ESV)