“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12a)

Individuals and groups are stirred up and angry

As I write this post today, there is a lot of political unrest, not only in our country but around the world. It’s hard to listen to the news on any channel. People are upset everywhere, and many individuals and groups are stirred up and angry to the point of violence. And it’s difficult to keep one’s composure when so many are angrily and violently speaking out. In the midst of all that’s happening, it’s hard not to dislike certain activists with extreme views very different from your own. But it’s very important to understand something important: that all of them are made up of flesh and blood. Why is that important to remember? Because the Bible says, “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 ESV).

Who’s shaking things up?

A few months ago, I told about a man who put 100 black ants and 100 red ants into a jar. They just ignored each other until he shook the jar. Then they turned on each other and fought to the death, not realizing their fight wasn’t against each other but rather against the one who was shaking the jar. It’s an apt illustration describing what’s going on in the world, with evil everywhere. Our fight isn’t against people, rather it’s against the one shaking the jar (the devil).

And remember

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” (Luke 29:19 ESV)”

Therefore

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Isa. 64:10 ESV)

“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13)

Glad to see Jesus

I heard an amusing story about the donkey who carried Jesus on his back into Jerusalem. When he saw the crowds waving and proclaiming praise, his ears raised up, and he thought happily to himself, “Look at those crowds; they are so glad to see me!” We can all smile at this joke, but many people don’t know what Palm Sunday is all about or why we celebrate it. 

Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday

In the Christian tradition, the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The following is what the Bible says about it.

 The triumphal entry

“Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,  “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matt. 21:4-11 ESV)

Out of the mouths of babies

 “But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” (Matt. 21:15-16 ESV)

Therefore

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” (Heb. 13:15 ESV)

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev. 4:11ESV)

“Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:12 ESV)

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (Prov. 18:2 ESV)

Foolishness: a foolish act or idea, absurdity, asininity, balminess, brainlessness, craziness, daftness, dippiness, dottiness, fatuity, fatuousness, folly, imbecility, inanity, insanity, lunacy, madness, nonsensicalness, nuttiness, preposterousness, senselessness, silliness.

Foolish reporting

The above definition describes what modern news reporting is like. It’s no longer based on truth. I can remember a time when you could listen to the news and pretty much believe what you were hearing was based on facts and not personal opinion. Reporters were careful not to mix the two. In fact, you couldn’t tell what the reporter’s personal politics were because they never let it be known or let it interfere with the truth of the subject matter. Such was the reporting style of the great reporter of the late 1950s and early 1960s,Walter Cronkite, a broadcast journalist and anchorman who covered key moments in American history and was also known as "The Most Trusted Man in America." He never let his personal opinions show as he covered the news. Not any more with modern reporters. You can tell instantly what they believe and what they want you to believe. Most of what they say is not based on facts but on their opinion and political point of view. And entire news organizations (stations, channels, and social media outlets) are about promoting their points of view, cherry-picking information, and altering it to promote their agendas. If you listen to them, you hear only lies and foolish arguments.

How to recognize them

“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Prov. 29:11 ESV 

“Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.” (Prov. 10:23 ESV)

Remember this

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7)

Therefore

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (Prov. 28:26 ESV)

“A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.” (Prov. 18:7 ESV)

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” ( Eph. 5:15-17 ESV)

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Hab. 2:3 ESV)

It’s predictable

This morning, the barista serving up my coffee asked me if I had started my flower and garden seeds yet. I told her I thought it was still a bit early and would wait a bit longer before I did. Later, I thought about our conversation and realized the seeds I had already purchased a few months ago are waiting for me to determine their timing. As long as they are in their packages, nothing will happen. But they will start growing as soon as I place them in their prepared pots and water them. I can determine how long it will take each seed variety to grow by reading the information on each seed package. Each variety takes a different amount of time, and it’s very predictable. I just need to plan, prepare, plant, water, and wait.

God has timed everything

Seeds are predictable because God has placed His perfect timing in every one of them. You can know 100 percent exactly how long each seed will take to germinate and produce its fruit. The same can be said for everything else God has made. Nothing takes God by surprise; all is planned and done right on time.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:” (Eccles. 3:1 ESV)

 Learn to trust and wait on God’s perfect timing

“For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.” (Eccles. 8:6 ESV)

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14 ESV)

 Don’t give up

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31 ESV)

Therefore

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lam. 3:25-26 ESV)

“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 NLT)

A fresh start every morning!

 When you get up to face the day each morning, it’s brand new and full of possibilities! What you do there is up to you and your attitude. You can say, “Good lord, it’s morning!” which is totally negative! Or you can turn it around and say the same words correctly and enthusiastically: “Good morning, Lord!” What a difference! But it’s the right thing to do and will determine how your day will go. The passage at top is a command stating a fact and what you should do: “This is the day the LORD has made.” That is a fact; God did make this day, as He did all the other days. You have a brand new twenty-four-hour period, 1440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds, to fill up with whatever you want. After that, it’s gone forever, and you can never get it back. So, it’s very important to start it out right from the get-go. And the good news is, God tells you exactly how to do it: “Rejoice and be glad in it!”

Do not be anxious about tomorrow

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matt. 6:34 ESV)

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15 ESV)

Remember

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 ESV)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb.13:8 ESV)

Therefore

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8 ESV)

“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb. 3:13 ESV)

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19 KJV)

“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matt. 24:42 ESV)

It gave us a lot to think about

Susan and I recently went to see the third movie in the Left Behind series, written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, with actor Kevin Sorbo in the main role. It was well written and well acted, and we enjoyed it. As was the case with all the others, the story was about what happens to those who are left behind after the rapture. Of course, the movie had a story line based on a lot of speculation concerning how people will act when left behind. It gave us a lot to think about. We do not want to see our loved ones miss out on God’s promise of eternal life that He paid for (John 3:16). The movie did remind us that the times we live in were clearly predicted; we don’t know when the exact moment will happen, and we must be ready.

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32 ESV)

 How it will happen

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17 ESV)

 Be alert!

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” (1 Pet. 4.7 NIV)

Therefore

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Phil. 3:29-21 ESV)

“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13 ESV)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)

Do you believe in the devil?

I heard a story about two children playing together. One of them said, “Do you believe in the devil?” And the other one said, “Nah, it’s just like Santa Claus, it’s your dad.” Even though this is meant to be funny, really, it’s not. One of the tricks of the devil is to hide in plain sight. According to a survey, many people in the US don’t believe the devil exists. Therefore, he can work in and all around them without detection.

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor. 11:14 ESV)

 Who is the devil

 “So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” (2 Cor. 2:11 ESV)

The Bible says he’s a liar and a thief who comes to destroy and to steal.

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19 ESV)

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8 ESV)

 What to do

I have heard a lot of Christian’s say to resist the devil. But that’s only half true. If you read the verse at top, it tells you to begin differently, with “Submit yourself therefore to God.” Because when you do this step, you are putting yourself into God’s presence and protection. This then puts you into the place of being empowered to do the next step “Resist the devil.” Because you will have God’s authority and power behind you, which is more than the devil can handle. Which then brings results “and he will flee from you.”

Therefore

“And give no opportunity to the devil.” (Eph. 4.27 ESV)

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:11-12 ESV)

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

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (Rom. 16:20 ESV)

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Rom. 11:29 ESV)

I read recently that many pastors give up and quit because they have made mistakes, failed somehow in their ministries, gotten discouraged by a lack of success, given into some sin, and/or simply felt that God had removed His gifting and calling from them. But, I heard someone correctly say recently, “If God can’t use imperfect people, He’d have nobody to work with!” And that’s certainly true. But it’s also important to understand the passage at the top that promises that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Therefore, if you failed somehow, repent (turn around) and get back to work! Just like a GPS device, when you make a wrong turn, God recalculates for you to get you back onto the right course.

No one does good, not a single one

“As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them.They don’t know where to find peace.” “They have no fear of God at all.” (Rom. 3:10-18 NLT)

God can use anyone 

The Bible is filled with examples of people who were imperfect, made mistakes, yet God used them.

·      Noah was a drunk.

·      Cyrus didn’t know who God was.

·      Sarah was too old.

·      Abraham told people he was of that his wife was his sister.

·      Isaac was a daydreamer.

·      Jacob was a liar.

·      Leah was ugly.

·      Joseph was abused.

·      Moses had a stuttering problem.

·      Gideon was afraid.

·      Samson had long hair and was a womanizer.

·      Rahab was a prostitute.

·      Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.

·      David was an adulterer and a murderer.

·      Elijah was suicidal.

·      Isaiah preached naked.

·      Jonah ran from God.

·      Naomi was a widow.

·      Job went bankrupt.

·      John the Baptist dressed weird and ate bugs.

·      Peter denied Christ.

·      The disciples fell asleep while praying.

·      Martha worried about everything.

·      The Samaritan woman was divorced (more than once).  Zacchaeus was too small.

·      Paul was too religious.

·      Timothy had an ulcer.

·      Lazarus was dead!

 Therefore

 “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9 NLT)

 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Pet. 4:10 NIV)

God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called

It’s not about our ability, It’s about our availability!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 NKJV) 

“In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets – some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.” (2 Tim. 2:20-21 MSG)

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 KJV)

Yes, God can use YOU!

If you make a mistake, do what you can to fix it. If you’ve sinned, repent quickly. But don’t quit! God can use all things for good, you just need to be available.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20 ESV)

This verse has at top has two parts

·      The first part of the passage at top  proclaims that we “are ambassadors for Christ.”

·      The second part of the verse tells us what our message is to those we come in contact with, which is “to implore them to be reconciled to God.”

What is an ambassador?

According to Webster’s dictionary, the meaning of AMBASSADOR is an official envoy; especially: a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.  

As Christ’s ambassador in this world you are His…

Envoy, representative, delegate, minister, diplomat, agent, consul, emissary, legate, deputy, attaché, spokesperson, missionary, proxy, foreign minister, messenger, procurator, evangelist, chargé d'affaires, deputation, mouthpiece, courier, detachment.

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6 ESV)

 Your ambassadorial assignment

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:17-21 ESV)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV))

Therefore

“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.”

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” (Col. 3:12 ESV

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Tim. 4.2 ESV)

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

 Don’t forget

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Phil. 3:20 ESV)