The Real Deal

"Trust in the LORD
with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones."
(Proverbs 3:5-8)

I wavered before publishing today's post. I prayed. And prayed some more. For my purpose at "Fan into Flame" is to focus on the Lord and to reflect Him through the living waters of His Word.

My worldview is eternal: Bible-based, Jesus-focused, and Holy Spirit-driven. I believe that the common denominator behind all of our societal ills is a failure to live, work, serve, and govern for Him and through Him. (Reference Ephesians 6:7-8). "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD ..." (Psalm 33:12) and/but "... the nation or kingdom that will not serve (Him) will perish; it will be utterly ruined." (Isaiah 60:12).

Therefore, although I am aware of all (well, most!) of the issues with the potential to affect and effect our country and our world, I tend not to latch on to individual causes or trends. As I watch the unfolding of the ever-increasing evil in our world, however, I find myself increasingly alarmed at the true state of our nation. I discern our presidential administration to be dangerous, reckless, and, frankly, indifferent to (and ignorant of) the true long-term best interests of Americans.

While I am not an alarmist, I consider the currently proposed health care bill, for example, to be dangerous, in more ways than one, and I believe this address from former president Ronald Reagan, posted by the American Family Association (AFA), to be unfortunately prophetic.

On another level, I am watching the rapid weakening of Christ's Body, the Church. Dismay follows dismay as I witness individual Christians making seemingly benign but truly dangerous choices, such investing in the current secular book and movie sensation, Twilight. Some say it's "just" a love story ... except, of course, for the vampires. Others attempt to justify it by saying that it contains redeemable material and life lessons. Whatever.

I say it is evil and birthed by the father of lies (reference John 8:44), the same liar who craftily preyed upon Eve in the Garden of Eden--not blatantly denying the Lord's instructions to the first of His creation but subtly defying them. "Did God really say 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden.' ?" (reference Genesis 3:1; my highlighted emphasis) satan murmured, thereby omitting facts, creating doubt, and inciting rebellion against the Holy God and Creator.

"Did God really say (fill in the blank)?"

"Did He really?"

"Really?"

The enemy asks: "Did God really say ... that a government shouldn't decide what is best for the people?"

I respond: "God says, " 'I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you what is best for you, Who directs you in the way you should go.' " " (Isaiah 48:17; reference also Isaiah 58:11; Psalm 32:8).

The enemy asks: "Did God really say ... that you couldn't enjoy a little fictional love story?"

I respond: "God says, "... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." " (Philippians 4:8).

There's not enough time and space here to refute all the lies the enemy plants. But, the ammunition is all contained in God's Word, the Holy Bible. When tempted by the enemy during His 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus' winning weapon was the Word of God (reference Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). Our must be the same.

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17). "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-13).

God doesn't compromise His righteousness. God doesn't weaken His justice. God doesn't play favorites.

To truly honor, glorify, and please Him, we must choose to speak out and stand up. He demands that all things (and all people) devoted to destruction within His Body be identified and removed (reference, among others, Joshua 7:12-13; 1 Corinthians 5).

The enemy's plays may change, but his game remains the same: to undermine the one and only Most High God. Our individual, national, and international defense (and offense!) is also unchanging: to stand firm and straight upon the Word of the Lord.

"... Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.' " (John 8:31)

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the One Who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-7)

"For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 3:8)

"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. ..." (1 John 2:18-19)

"... the reality, however, is found in Christ." (Colossians 2:17)

He's the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth (reference John 1:17, 5:19, 14:6, 18:37; Ephesians 4:21; 1 Timothy 4:6; Titus 1:1; 1 John 5:6; 2 John 1:3). He's the real deal. Really.

Precious Father, You are holy, righteous, and blameless. Forgive us for failing to honor You in our every thought, word, and deed. Purify our hearts and our minds, O Lord, and align them with Yours. "Create in [us] a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within [us]." (Psalm 51:10). Let us meditate on Your Word as our unfailing plumbline and our unending delight (reference Psalm 119). Let us view one another in love, seeing all people as You created them to be, but never let us compromise Your standards in the process. I pray, Precious Father, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, "the Author and Perfecter of our faith" (reference Hebrews 12:2). Amen.

"... let the one who has My Word
speak it faithfully."
(Jeremiah 23:28)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "Calculating Correct Change"
• "Wishing Well: Be Careful What You Wish For"
• "Unmasking & Illuminating Halloween: Trick or Treat?"
• "Rising Waters"
• "Believer or Deceiver?"
• "Fools for Christ"
• "A Battle Rages; Stand Firm!"
• 
  

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Calculating Correct Change

"I the LORD do not change ... "
(Malachi 3:6)
The word "change" became a viral buzz word during the recent United States Presidential election. Much change was promised, and, less than a week after the inauguration of the nation's 44th President, much change has already been set into motion.

Change for the sake of change, however, can be reckless--useless at best and dangerous at worst, and any change that leads away from God's Truth is headed for disaster.

Used as a noun ("We need change!" or "Change is on the way!"), the word "change" is defined as "a transformation or modification; a variation or deviation; a substitution; absolute caprice". The one consistent attribute of change is its inconsistency, and while the world may be in a constant state of flux, there is one certainty that remains changeless:

"Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and forever."

(Hebrews 13:8)

Throughout God's Word, His character is immutable, invariable, and unalterable. He is faultless and faithful, sure and steadfast, trustworthy and true. "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19).

Beloved, the only change needed is a turning of our hearts--away from the deceit and distortion of the enemy and towards the Truth of God. Throughout history and throughout His Word, He graciously gives warnings and opportunities for change:

" 'Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols. Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror,' declares the LORD."

(Jeremiah 2:11-12)

" 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions ... If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.' "
(Jeremiah 7:5-8)

" 'Who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem? Who will mourn for you? Who will stop to ask how you are? You have rejected Me,' declares the LORD. 'You keep on backsliding. So I will lay hands on you and destroy you; I can no longer show compassion. I will winnow them with a winnowing fork at the city gates of the land. I will bring bereavement and destruction on My people, for they have not changed their ways.' "

(Jeremiah 15:5-7)

"And He said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and come like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.' "

(Matthew 18:3)

Throughout history and throughout God's Word, godly leaders also warned and encouraged the people about correct change ... and interceded on their behalf:

"And if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with You in the land of their conquerors and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to You with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to You toward the land You gave their fathers, toward the city You have chosen and the temple I have built for Your Name; then from heaven, Your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive Your people, who have sinned against You; forgive all the offenses they have committed against You, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy."

(King Solomon, 1 Kings 8:47-50;
see also 2 Chronicles 7:37-39)

"God, Who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them--men who never change their ways and have no fear of God."

(King David, Psalms 55:19)

God's Word also reminds and warns us about the ungodly leaders among us:

"For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace f our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. ... These men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals--these are the very things that destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion. These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm--shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted--twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved forever. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: 'See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of His holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.' These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh."

(Jude 4-23)

Precious ones, making incorrect change is a life-altering error. Calculating the necessary and correct change is a life-saving choice, when it's made on the foundation of an unchangeable God. Count the cost today, and you won't find yourself shortchanged in the end.

Precious Father, I thank and praise You that in this constantly and crazily changing world, You remain the same and do not "change like the shifting shadows" (James 1:17)! Please give Your children eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds to discern Your unchangeable Truth. Lord, let us search our hearts for the only kind of change that You desire--repentance and a return to righteousness. Let us stand on Your solid foundation, secure in the knowledge that "The Lord knows those who are His" (reference 2 Timothy 2:19). I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Who is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8)! Amen.

"Listen, I tell you a mystery:
We will not all sleep,
but we will all be changed
in a flash,
in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound,
the dead will be raised imperishable
and we will be changed."
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "Wishing Well: Be Careful What You Wish For!"
• "Resolute ... in Absolute Truth"
• "In God We Trust"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2009. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Wishing Well: Be Careful What You Wish For!

" ' ... the Most High is sovereign
over the kingdoms of men
and gives them
to anyone He wishes ... ' "
(Daniel 4:17; see also 4:25, 32; 5:21)
There's a well-known saying: "Be careful what you wish for", which subtly underscores the fact that what seems so wonderful on the surface may not be the blessing for which we hope. To put it more bluntly, if we wish for anything contrary to the heart and Word of of God, we can be sure that whatever we desire will be our downfall.

The 2008 US Presidential elections are over. There is not enough time or space here to articulate the significance of choices that were made, but, before we further flesh out this morning's reflection, let us remember that, as Christians, our battle is not against other human beings, all of whom our God created in His image. Our battle is against the Lord's enemy, the great deceiver. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12).

The battle, in fact, belongs to the Lord, and if you've read the back of the Book, you know the Lord wins the war! But Divine sovereignty does not negate human responsibility, and, as long as we are on this earth, we are to stand firm on this earthly battleground, clothed in the full armor of God (reference Ephesians 6:10-20), uncompromising in His Word, and unyielding in His purpose.

The day after the elections, I turned to the eighth chapter of 1 Samuel and sadly reread the account of Israel demanding an earthly king. They were not satisfied under the rule of the King of kings; they wanted an earthly king "such as all the other nations" (v. 5) had, and they pestered Samuel to appoint one.

As Samuel prayed with a troubled heart, the Lord told him: " ' ... it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their King. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.' " (v. 7-9). Verses 10-17 recount the actual burdens that would accompany the kingship for which the people wished, but, not seeing the proverbial forest for the trees, the people pressed on, unrelenting in their desire for an earthly ruler.

Samuel warned, " 'When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.' But the people refused to listen to Samuel. 'No!' they said. 'We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.' When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. The LORD answered, 'Listen to them and give them a king.' " (v. 18-21).

The Lord chose to turn the people over to their wishes, and they lived in the consequences of their desire. Hindsight is 20-20 vision, as another saying goes, and, in retrospect, I am certain that after the Lord granted their wish for an earthly king, many of of the Israelites recognized that the grass is not always greener on the other side (where are all these sayings coming from today?!) and wished that they had been more discerning in their demands.

There are good earthly rulers, and there are bad earthly rulers, but all are under the sovereignty of God, Who "sets up kings and deposes them" (Daniel 2:21). Scripture records the accounts of all kinds of rulers, all of whom were used for the Lord's purposes. Jeremiah 22 is one portion of Scripture that details God's judgement against evil kings, and this particular passage strikes my heart: " ' People from many nations will pass by this city and will ask one another, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this great city?' And the answer will be: 'Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.' " (v. 8-9).

Beloved, regardless of who is temporarily granted earthly authority and power, our love and loyalty must never stray from the Lord Jesus Christ, "the ruler of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5). No human being can ever fulfill our desires for abundant freedom, love, protection, and welfare. Those pangs of longing will be softened here on earth only by the peace that comes from personally knowing and publicly acknowledging the Lord Jesus Christ, and one day, for those who persevere in faith, in trust, and in love, those longings will be forever and fully satisfied as we joyfully enter our heavenly home where "the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17).

In the meantime, precious ones, let us move forward as Paul did: "... straining toward what is ahead ... press[ing] on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14). Let us choose carefully and let us wish well, remembering that "the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17).

Precious Father, what a holy, just, righteous, and incomparable King you are! My mind can not begin to comprehend the depths of Your love, mercy, and grace. But neither, precious Father, can I comprehend the shallowness of our own hearts. Please forgive us for swaying whichever way the wind blows (reference Isaiah 24:20; Matthew 11:7, 22:16; Mark 12:14; Luke 7:24; 2 Timothy 3:6), and please help us stay firmly rooted in You. I pray that Your people will choose carefully, discern divinely, and wish well. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ--King of kings and Lord of lords! Amen.

"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!'
And let him who hears say, 'Come!'
Whoever is thirsty, let him come;
and whoever wishes,
let him take the free gift
of the water of life."

(Revelation 22:17)

If this topic sparked your interest, see also ...

• "Resolute in Absolute Truth"
• "In God We Trust"
• "Applying Amos"
• "A Holy Harvest"
• "A Battle Rages: Stand Firm!"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.