A Plea for Wisdom: Chapter Two

Real Life Treasure
When I was in first grade, my family lived in Ingalls, Kansas. It was a sweet little town, complete with public school, two churches, post office, cafe and railroad tracks. Most families were reminded of the train tracks nightly - when the house would shake vehemently, always to my mom's joy.

There wasn't much to do in town, so my two brother's and I often had to create our own fun. We would play sports, ride our bikes (Jonathan and mine were named Lightning and Thunder, and we solved many mysteries riding our noble steeds). But there was one thing my brothers and I did which will always be implanted in my memory.

We searched for treasure.

Correction. I searched for treasure. My brother's were the masterminds - Ben Gates and Riley Poole. But without me - well - without me no treasure would ever have been found. "What was this treasure?" you ask.

Pop bottle caps. That's right. Back in the day, you could actually win things from a single bottle cap - none of this "enter a code" nonsense. And so, we three treasure-hunters sought for them. How we went about this was simple, yet so rare that one might say we were the only ones who could have come up with such a technique. Here's what happened.

My brother's would throw me into dumpsters, and I would dig around piles of garbage, looking for bottle caps. It can't quite be labeled "abuse," because it was consensual. You see, I was the third-born son with a younger sister. So, to be "needed" by my brothers was a treat. I don't remembering ever winning anything, and if we did, I am quite sure I did not share in the winnings. Yet, I spent many hours of my 1st-grade year wading through beer cans and banana peels - treasure hunting. 

Turning over Couch Cushions

Proverbs 2:4-5 says that those who search for wisdom "as for hidden treasure" will find it. That seems like a fair trade, right? After all, we search for many things "as for hidden treasure." 

I spend quality time browsing netflix for great movies to add to my wife and my queue. Lord knows how many hours I've spent researching cell phones and plans. Even today, my wife had to physically remove me from the pet aisle, because I was spending so much time investigating pet food ingredients, to see which offered the most nutrition for the cheapest price. 

We search high and low for all sorts of things. Pets, restaurants, hotels, plane tickets, spouses, etc. Why is it that we give up so easily searcing for wisdom? Growing up, if we wanted to watch a movie and could not find the remote, we would spend an hour flipping over couch cushions. 

How many cushions do we flip over in our pursuit of wisdom? Why do we give up the moment we realize its not a quick find? 

My Lucky Silver Coin

I have a lucky silver half-dollar that I have carried on my person since middle school. Every interview, acting performance, college exam and marriage proposal (I've only had one of those) has been with that coin in my right pocket. 

When I moved from Georgia to Minnesota I could not find that coin. I turned over my entire room, emptied my packed suitcases and cleaned my girlfriends car. It wasn't to be found. I don't think I cried, but I was close. An emptiness filled me every time I thought of it. When I unpacked, I continued searching for it, but again - nothing. It was not until months later that my wife found it hidden under the passenger seat of her car. 

I was so excited - so happy. All for a coin. 

The Value of Wisdom

This isn't the part where I talk about priorities. After all, I will continue looking for remotes my whole life (until they put computer chips in our fingers that can be used as remotes). I don't need to even encourage you to consider becoming more of a treasure-hunter. Every person was born to be a treasure-hunter - it's innate. 

Rather, this is the part where I suggest that there is a grand treasure hidden - valued beyond a city of gold (or remotes) that we have missed. This is wisdom. In the rest of chapter two, listen to how Solomon describes the individual who finds wisdom. 

- "Discretion will preserve you" (You will have the ability to make great decisions)

- "Understanding will keep you" (You will see situations more clearly and evaluate conversations better)

Wisdom will deliver you from...

- "the way of evil" (You will know when a situation is leading toward sin)

- "the man who speaks perverse things"

- "those who leave the paths of uprightness"

- those "who walk in the ways of darkness"

- those "who rejoice in evil doing" 

- those who "delight in the perversity of the wicked"

- those whose ways are crooked, and who are devious in their paths"

- "the immoral woman - the seductress who flatters with her words...her path leads to death"

Wisdom will help you...

- "walk in the way of goodness"

- "keep to the paths of righteousness"

- "dwell in the land" (In both this life and the next, you will be a member of the kingdom of God and the many promises associate with that.)

Why Wisdom is Worth Searching for

Wisdom is the remote to your entire life. Without it, your life will be significantly worse than it could be. That's a little blunt, but it's just the case. Wisdom keeps you silent when you want to chew someone out. Wisdom keeps you humble when you want to brag. Wisdom gives you words of comfort when you aren't sure what to say. Wisdom helps in making big decisions. Wisdom gives you a correct view of God. 

And the pursuit of wisdom - the constant plea for wisdom - keeps you on your knees and in the Word. As much as God hates pride, He equally loves wisdom. It is a treasure worth pursuing. 

A Plea for Wisdom: Chapter 1 (Part Two)

Wisdom is Available to Everyone
In verses 20-21, Solomon says that Wisdom (personified) calls out to individuals everywhere - street corners, open squares, city limits, etc.

Note: Wisdom is not selective. It is not reserved for the wealthy or well-educated.
Whoever truly seeks wisdom will find it.

Wisdom is not Attained 
Wisdom is not a trait to be learned in school. It is not purchased. It is not handed down from a father to his son or a mother to her daughter. It is a free gift from God to the individuals who ask for it, and it is kept alive by God alone. Solomon says that wisdom is calling out for anyone to take ahold of it. Sadly, no one is answering. Why?

Note: People do not disregard wisdom because they do not seek to be wise. They disregard it, because wisdom only comes when one hoists their white flag and surrenders to the fact that they are not wise on their own. There are very few white flags that have been raised.

Anguish will be Mocked
Those who refuse the wisdom of God will fall into calamity. It's inevitable. It's for sure. The wisdom of God doesn't handcuff us. Wisdom is the key unlocking the handcuffs already on our wrists.

Note: Those who refuse this key will fall again and again into destruction their entire lives. They will find themselves in prison because of greed. They will find themselves drunk behind the wheel because of addiction. They will find themselves disowning family members because of pride.
Again and again they will find themselves in these situations, because they are not willing to surrender to wisdom. They may even know they are in this rut, but they will refuse to accept any counsel but their own.
Wisdom will view such people as a mockery - foolish.

Cries will not be Answered
Do not think you can avoid wisdom until the last possible minute. This will not work for two reasons.
1. You do not know the hour of your death. Many live life by their own knowledge, believing they will seek the wisdom of God "later" - after college, when they have their first kid, when they retire. This rarely happens.
2. Even if you are still alive when you choose to seek wisdom, you will still suffer the consequences of your years of rejection. It might continue to affect your crime record, driving record, health or family relations.
Note: Just as sin has lasting consequences, the one who avoids wisdom will experience consequences years after turning to wisdom.

A Beautiful Alternative
The conclusion of chapter one turns for the better - hope. You see, there is a beautiful promise to the individual who accepts wisdom. They will "dwell safely." They "will be secure, without fear of evil."
Note: This isn't the prosperity gospel. Wisdom doesn't make you rich or better educated. It will give you a more spiritually rich life. You will make more common sense decisions. You will be slower to speak, which will often keep your relationships better. You will more quickly listen to what God is telling you, and that will drastically change your life for the better.

A Plea for Wisdom: Chapter 1

A Recipe for Wisdom

Imagine you are looking to purchase a cooking book. You don't want just any ol' cooking book though. You want your cooking to be completely transformed by this book. Strangers at bake sales will ask you how you came to attain such baking skills. Deacons at church fellowship meals will beg their wives to learn under you. This is the baker/chef you desire to be, and you are searching for a book to guide you along the way. 

Imagine again that such a book existed, written by the best cook the world had ever known. No chef had been better before him or her, and none would arise more skillful after. In this treasured book, they spilled all the beans - all their secrets were hidden inside those beautiful pages. Not only would you purchase that book, but certainly you would devour its content. 

Such a book by such an author does exist (1 Kings 3), though containing something much more precious than cooking skills - wisdom. I'm not talking about tips to living a better life - some sort of self-help guide to making better decisions. No. This is the real thing - true wisdom shared freely by the wisest man who will ever walk this planet. 

Where it Begins and Ends

1:1-7

If such wisdom comes so freely, let us not saturate ourselves in it. But first, we must discover if these words are for us. They are, after all, not for everyone - not even every man and woman who desires to attain wisdom. There is a key stipulation from which the book thereafter flows forth.

In order for any of this book to affect me - in order for me to receive any kind of knowledge, prudence, justice, equity, etc.; I must "fear The Lord." This, according to the wisest man, is fundamental. 

"The fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

A house cannot be built without a foundation. It is imperative to the structure. Likewise, wisdom can only begin to be found when a fear of The Lord is present. That is why this book is not for every reader. A reader who has no interest in fearing The Lord has no interest in wisdom. Because just as wisdom begins with fear, the lack of fear is where it ends. There can be no wisdom without it. A reader so intentionally devoid of it may as well live for the moment until his or her moments run dry. They are all fools who despise wisdom and instruction (1:7). 

Before the Wilderness

1:8-9

When you live at home, there is a safety each of us will probably never feel again. Like chicks under the wing of the hen are we until that moment we pack our bags and step out the front door. Do not use those years carelessly. They are vital to your survival in this sin-scarred planet. 

Where does Solomon begin his discourse on wisdom? The home. It starts at home. He implores sons and daughters to listen to the instructions of their fathers and the rules of their mothers. Note something extremely important here. It is assumed that parents will teach godly wisdom. Children here are not instructed to blindly follow prideful, sinful direction from their parents. Therefore, parents, need your child be cautious of your instruction? Make sure that is not the case. 

However, when the child is still in the home, and assuming the instruction and law is sound; wisdom is to be found first in the home. It is a training ground - a haven for learning. For if a child learns under sound wisdom at home, they will leave for college or career looking like princes and princesses compared to the rest of the world. Crowns of wisdom will be atop the young man's head and priceless jewlery will adorn the young woman's neck. They will be prepared for the wilderness they are about to face. 

Pregnant Temptation

1:10: "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent."

Young adults, Solomon was not naive about sin. He knew it was enticing. He doesn't warning you against being enticed - enticement is assumed. His wisdom was to not consent. I fear that in recent years, though perhaps it has been much longer than that, it has been expected of the young man and woman to refrain from desire all together.

While desire certainly can lead to sin, temptation is not the same as sin. Afterall, Hebrews 4:15 states that Jesus "was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Therefore, temptation cannot be the same as sin. If our young people understood this today, I think there would be far less failure. Once a human is down, it is only natural to stay down. Therefore, when a young adult thinks they have sinned (when, in fact, they have not) they often give fully into the sin, since they are down already. 

This is not an excuse to dwell on desire. It is not an excuse for a young man to stare at a bikini-clad woman. But it is so important to realize that if such a female walks past, and the young man happens to notice that God created her extremely well, he have not sinned. After all, is it a sin to notice the Rocky Mountains and say, "WOW!" Of course not. Yet, there are civilizations who have worshipped such things, just as we worship the body. 

James 1:14-15 says, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."

Nelson's NKJV Study Bible says this about the word conceived: "Conceived suggests the image of a person's will beinding toward and finally seizing evil." A glance is not sin. A glance becomes sin when the object of the glance take's hold of you, so that you become its slave. This is Solomon's warning. "Do not consent." 

Choose the Path Less Traveled

1:11-18

Much of Solomon's wisdom is common head-knowledge but rarely practiced. In verses 11-14, Solomon poetically shares the temptations that will entice young adults. His advice is not to fight back. It's not something witty to say in response. Solomon's wisdom is simply to not be friends with those people. "Their feet run to evil," so run in the opposite direction. 

Wisdom is first learned in the home, but when you leave the home (and even when you are in it still), the wisest thing you can do is to choose wise friends. This is no difficult task. Where do your friends spend their money, time and resources? If they spent toward godly things (Remember, wisdom begins with God.) then they are worth following. If not, do not walk through life with them. Note, this does not mean to avoid them or cease praying for them. But do not put your confidence in them. They will lead you (often unintentionally) to death. 

The Death of the Greedy

1:19

Greed is at the heart of many of the temptations you will be faced with. The desire for money, power, sex and praise are a few. Beware of these. Identify them when you are tempted, so that you may remember something utterly important. "(Greed) takes away the life of its owner." In other words, greed will swallow you and spit you out naked. 

Nothing and no one but The Lord can satisfy your cravings. Money cannot buy you enough. A bikini-clad female can not make you feel good enough. Power and praise will never satisfy. And your pursuit of them will suck the life out of you until there is nothing left but a dry skeleton. 

Identify the desires in your life which are not of God. Seize them. Do not give them control over you. Run from those who would tell you otherwise. And above all, fear The Lord. Be completely bent to His will, and you will find wisdom. 

If You Can't Finish Your Coffee - Something is Wrong

Revelation 3:14-22

My Worst Day

It was a sunny afternoon. My wife and I were spending the weekend in Omaha, and were blessed to catch the Farmer's Market along the brick roads of Old Towne Market. My wife purchased some honey and some foreign-looking  taco. I, however, had my eyes for only purchase - a delicious cup of local-brewed coffee. The gentlemen in the booth was nice, so I engaged in small chat - all the while salivating at the smell of such a heavenly aroma. He told me that even though I was from far away, I could receive a monthly delivery. I nodded absentmindedly. My hands were shaking now, pulse rising, feet shifting ever closer to the coffee maker I was pretty sure I could hear whispering my name. "James. Drink me. Drink me now."

"I want a cup of coffee!" I declared at last, interrupting his much-too-long speech. He smiled and asked his wife to pour me a glass. I handed the woman several George Washingtons and gripped the cup with my right hand - the hand which had so many times held a hot cup of joe. The hand which had so many times raised to my lips in splendor. The hand which... something was terribly wrong! 

That warm sensation I so longed for evaded me. Doubts flooded my mind. Was this a dream? Was everyting a dream? Who was I?

I brought the cup to my lips and let the liquid pour onto my tongue - just to make sure - one last desperate attempt to wake from the nightmare. It wasn't a dream. This was real life. I was James Knoop. And my coffee was lukewarm. 

I fell to my knees in agony. "Darn you local brewery!" I cried. 

The History of Lukewarm

Lukewarm liquid has a long history. The South began the Civil War shortly after General Lee was given a lukewarm cup of sweet tea by a Yankee. Christopher Columbus decided to look for a new world the day he received a lukewarm cup of lemonade. But it all began with the church in Laodicea. 

A Bad Report

As we've seen over the past couple of weeks, The Lord is watching the churches of this world. In the words of Warren Wiersbe, "Judgement is going to come to this world, but it first begins at God's house." Do not think that because you are saved, you are free to think and do as you wish. You are not - not without great consequence. 

In Revelation 3:14-22, we find that Jesus has a serious offense against the Laodiceans. They are lukewarm. He says, "I could wish that you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."

If the King of the universe says He wants to vomit you out of His mouth - you'd better listen up. 

Now, there was a spring of water on either side of Laodicea - one was hot and one cold. Some people take Jesus' words to mean that He wishes that they were either on fire for Him or else completely rejecting Him. The other crowd takes Jesus' words to mean that both hot and cold are good things, and He simply wishes that they were following Him. Here's why I believe the second option. 

These particular springs were both good to the towns they came to. The cold was great drinking water and the hot was perfect for healing sores or general relaxation. However, when these two rivers came together in Laodicea, they were lukewarm. And it was the lukewarmness that Jesus hated. 

But either way, the message stays the same. Jesus hates a lukewarm church. 

Why They were Lukewarm

Now don't get the idea that this church was lukewarm in its efforts. No, no. This church was on top of things. They were wealthy. They had the banners and choir and great tithing and stain-glass windows and plenty of money in the pocket to spare. That's what they saw. Jesus saw something quite different. 

"You say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."

If it doesn't break your heart to hear the One you call "Savior" refer to you as a poor, wretched, naked blind miserable person - I don't know what will. 

The message couldn't be more clear. The prosperity gospel is hogwash. Jesus doesn't care if your church has great music, big buildings, multiple programs for every age, fancy lighting systems or video podcasts if they aren't pointing to Him. If those things draw you to yourself - He hates them. He doesn't hate fancy buildings and great programs. He hates the fact that people enter a church building on Sunday and go home talking about the "show" instaed of Him. 

The Call

Now, don't miss one of the most massive verses in the Bible - verse 19. 

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent."

Jesus is so merciful that He doesn't leave poor and miserable people like myself out to dry. He doesn't punish and then walk away. He disciplines, yes. But only because He loves us. And then, He extends a hand and says, "Listen to my voice. There is a way so much better than your way. No amount of programs or money can get you anywhere, and I certainly don't need them. I don't even need you. But I'm standing outside your door knocking, and if you open it - I promise I'll come in. And you can't even fathom the glory I can show you in the life to come."

Conclusion

I hate lukewarm coffee. It ruins my day. How much worse does a lukewarm believer and church appear in the eyes of our Savior Jesus Christ. I didn't create coffee, and I sure didn't die for it. Jesus did. He died for you and me. And yet here we sit in the United States of America, glorying in how awesome of a church we've made - all the while completely oblivious to our nakedness that He died for. 

Open your eyes. Repent. Throw out the lukewarm parts of your life. Yeah, it'll be hard, I know. 

Be an overcomer. 

Limping Through Open Doors

"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." - Revelation 3:8

Do you ever feel weak in your faith? Do you ever feel unless someone intervenes that you may just collapse with fatigue? Do you ever feel like you are just not strong enough to persevere alone?

That is how the church in Philadelphia felt. Most likely a small church, they had gone through many trials and temptations. It would make sense that they were tired. They just didn't thave the physical numbers of nearby churches. But they didn't give up. 

With whatever tiny amount of strength they still possessed, the Philadelphians continued to keep the word of God, and not deny His name.

That is why God promises so great a reward. He isn't looking for the strong or mighty. He's looking for the exhausted soul who declares, "As long as I have any strength to speak of, I will praise Him!"

Are you feeling weak today? Don't give up. God has great things in store for you. 

When the Church Resembles the Wizard of Oz

The Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz

If you've ever seen "The Wizard of Oz," you probably remember the first time you heard about the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz. Why, he could do quite anything. If you had a request, you brought it to him. If you were in trouble, you beckoned him to help. If the house you were sleeping in got caught in a tornado, fell on a witch, and you were surrounded by munchkins, they would point you to him. 

I assume you also remember the great despair upon discovering that "great" and "powerful" were not words that described the wizard. He was just a short, bumbling old man with a machine! How on earth was their any hope now? 

The Great and Powerful Church of Sardis

The church in Sardis was the Wizard of Oz of their time. The church had a name for doing massive things for the kingdom of God. When someone within two-hundred miles said the name "Sardis," people would nod and mumble, "What a great church." 

Jesus saw something entirely different. When he looked at the church in Sardis, He saw decay. 

He saw a church not facing persecution and not spreading the gospel - not doing anything for the Kingdom. Like the Wizard of Oz, they represented something great, but when you walked inside, you could smell death.

Warren Wiersbe says this of the church in Sardis, "There was no persecution because there was no invasion of the enemy's territory. No friction usually means no motion. The unsaved in Sardis saw the chuch as a respectable group of people who were neither dangerous nor desirable. They were decent people with a dying witness and a decaying ministry."

The Warning of Jesus Christ

"Be watchful," says The Lord, "and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die." When the Savior of the universe looks down at a church that is supposed to be full of the Holy Spirit, but instead He finds decay, He is not pleased. The church was about to die. 

Whether this means the members would be persecuted, killed, or simply lose heart for good and close the doors, this group didn't have long left. Immediate action was necessary. "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent." The action necessary isn't a burden too heavy to bear. Most of it can happen in a single church service. 

1. Remember the way things used to be - the life and enenrgy that had been poured into sharing the Gospel and worshipping God. 

2. Hold Fast to Christ's commandments of love and call to missions - to the life the Spirit gives. 

3. Repent individually and corporately. Turn from idleness, from selfishness, from laziness and pride. 

Reward

Compared the reward, the action is a walk in the park. Christ promises white garments - pure, spotless, royal. And we shall walk with Him forever. Our name is written in the Book of Life, and He will not remove it. What on this small blue planet could possibly keep us from sprinting toward that reward with all the life and energy we have flowing through our veins? 

Remember. Hold fast. Repent. 

The Wizard of Oz has no place in the church.

Worshipers of Christ - Followers of Jezebel

Revelation 2:18-29

Terrifying Words

"I know what you did." 

Those words can cause a beating heart to halt and pink flesh to turn deathly pale. Most of us have heard these words at some point, and they terrified us. Maybe we were caught having eaten two cookies when we promised to only take one. Perhaps it was cheating on a test that triggered those words.Or maybe our spouse whimpered those words the night after we finally decided she would never discover our affair. Put together, those five words have the potential to completely crush friendships, marriages and even lives.

But sometimes, rare as it may be, those words are a welcome comfort. "Hey James, I know you weren't telling anyone, but I know what you did and...I'm proud of you." Recognition of this sort can save friendships, marriages and lives. 

A Startling Realization

Do you want to know something terribly frightening, yet equally wonderful? 

God knows what you did.And whether your first reaction was numbing terror or not may be an indication as to how you are living your life. 

In Revelation 2:19, Christ says to the chuch in Thyatira, "I know your works."At first, the people's fears are put to rest. You see, Jesus is commending their works of service, love, faith and patience. But before they can pat each other on the backs, God steers the conversation in a 180. 

"Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commiit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols."

Subtle Corruption

In other words, the people loved and worshipped God, but in order to remain part of Roman culture, they lived like the Romans. This included rampant worship of sex, primarily through practice of it. Can you imagine a church of believers, claiming to love and follow Christ, yet being completely tolerant of sexual immorality for the sake of fitting in?

I can. I live in such a nation of churches. 

And while Christ gives an encouraging word to those who do not tolerate such evil, I fear that His words are not applicable to many in this nation. But his warning is quite applicable. 

Death Threat

"I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works."

Don't skim over this. Jesus Christ, our precious redeemer, literally threatens to kill christians who worship sex. This command isn't simply to those who enter temples built for sexual worship. Jesus made that clear in Matthew 5:28 when He said that "whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." 

This is certainly a call to individuals, though I would add that it is just as loud a warning to the church as a whole. Sexual immorality must not be found in the body of Christ. Not in individuals, not in gatherings. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, "Abstain from every form of evil." Don't just stay away from performing immoral sex or viewing it. Stay away from questionable sites, movies, and TV shows. We must preach this.

Conclusion

But it's so hard. I know. I know it is. And that is why our wonderful savior encourages us so richly. 

"Hold fast," says The Lord. "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations...and I will give him the morning star."

There is a great reward awaiting the conqueror. After all, we will be united with the King of the Universe, heirs to His kingdom. We will live and rule in a perfect world. Words cannot describe. 

Wake up, oh church! The Lord is searching your heart. What is He finding? A great battle wages for your souls - for your testimony. And should you not keep your guard, this world will take from you, everything. 

Hold fast.

On the Right, a Martyr - On the Left, a Compromiser

From Revelation 2:12-17

In my journal, I recently noted that the "Loveless Church" found in Revelation 2 is the closest example to the twenty-first century church one can find in scripture. While I probably still hold to that claim, I am beginning to feel that all seven churches are extremely applicable to today's church - at least in the United States (I have much too little knowledge of the global church). 

The church in Pergamos sits where Satan resides. While the citizens probably do not worship Satan directly, the devil rules over them subtly through their pagan acts. It is no stretch to say that any city, state or nation not devoted to Almighty God is, in effect, Satan's throne. Therefore, it is no stretch to also state that the United States is such a throne. We impeached Jesus Christ a long time ago. 

And yet, the church remains, trying to breathe underneath a current of paganism. 

We have our giants, of course. Men like Antipas who are willing to take seemingly unbearable abuse and ridicule for the name of Christ Jesus. Men and women who are berated by the media, disowned by their families, fired from their jobs and left clothed with nothing but their faith. Such individuals sit in our churches. They may even sit next to you, singing "Amazing Grace" on your right. You smile and praise God that such believers exist. You glance to your left to see another individual singing the same song. 

But this person is quite different. This woman recently had an abortion and is known for her promiscuity. This man is a workaholic, alcoholic, entertainment junky who spends little time with his family and even less in the church. Here you have the Compromising Church - boldly continuing to claim Christ as king of their lives, but allowing sin to cover their church like foul spray paintings.

Will God look down and see only the man on your right, thereby sparing the church as a whole? No. He will not. Revelation 2:16 states that unless the guilty party repents, "(Jesus) will fight against them with the sword of (His) mouth." 

Think about that for a moment. Romans 8:31 says that if God is for us, we are unbeatable. So, in theory, if God is literally fighting against you, you're doomed. The Sword of King Jesus is not reserved for the pagan alone. The believer is not spared. He will wield it against any who causes His church to stumble. The strike of the blade will not mortally wound the soul, but it may end the reign of the physical body. 

Do not mistake King Jesus for a wimp. He came to earth once, clothed in humility. No more. He has taken His throne and will judge harshly those who oppose Him, His truth and the soul's of his people.

So endure. Hold fast to truth - to Christ. Great reward awaits us.

'Henry Martyn was right when he said, “If [God] has work for me to do, I cannot die.” In other words, I am immortal until my work is done. Therefore, ministry is more important than life.'


Today I thought I'd simply share a quote from John Piper
Check out John Piper's full post from today, as well as other daily posts here.
http://dsr.gd/11tuVTL

Jesus Delivers Us from Hell and Earth

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. (Galatians 1:3-4)

Jesus did not come to earth just to save us from Hell. Certainly that was included, but if we only feel freed from Hell, little change occurs in this present life. Galatians 1:4 states that we are delivered from "this present evil age." In other words, the death and resurrection of Jesus not only robbed Hell of many guests, but robbed Earth of many citizens. 

When Christ enters our lives, we are adopted by the God of the Universe, taking away our earthly citizenship and giving us one in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). Therefore, the evils of this planet - the concerns, frustrations, sins, etc. - no longer have a hold of us. 

We don't have to live constantly worried about our present lives. As Paul said, it is nothing more than a tent (2 Corinthians 5:1). Or as the old hymn puts it, "This world is not my home. I'm just a passin' through" (Jim Reeves). 

Christ has created in us a clean heart that seeks after Him. He has freed us from the power of sin. That doesn't mean we will never sin again. It simply means we have been freed from the power that sin once had over us. We are now free to live a joy-filled life, knowing that "nothing can separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:38-39) and that "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28). 

Jesus didn't go to the cross so you could begin a new life when you died. He went to the cross so you could begin a new life today.

Jesus: Humble Beginnings and Missed Opportunitiess

To Begin

I think I now know why most every major character you love had a humble beginning. Why Frodo grew up in the Shire and not in Rivendell - why Rocky was from the streets and not a famous sport's family - why Coach Boone came from a small football league to lead the Titans to a state championship. It's not just because it makes for a good story. It's because it mirrors the greatest story ever written. 

You see, these characters are nothing without their humble beginnings. No one cares. Ever person or team each of them faced worked just as hard as they had to achieve the same goal - victory. But these characters, the household names, they are the ones who had humble beginnings - who were outcasts. 

Humble Beginnings

Jesus had humble beginnings. Son of God? - sure. There when the stars were created? - you bet. Heir to rule the universe - absolutely. But he was born to a couple of nobodies from nowhere who most people thought were having a child out of wedlock. But that's not all. 

When Jesus was 12, he impressed some of the teachers of his day. Things could have turned around. But they didn't. Fact of the matter is, we don't hear from Jesus again until he is 30. Why? Because he's nobody. Just a carpenter. Poor and ordinary like his daddy. 

Missed Opportunities

But one day, his cousin starts going off crazy about somebody coming, baptizing with fire. He's a big shot. Gonna change everything. John isn't even worthy to  be his servant. One day Jesus surprises his cousin during another message. But John drops everything to proclaim that - here he is. The one he's been talking about. The floor is his. Jesus only need take it. The fame. The glory. The riches. His. Three words. I. Am. He. 

He doesn't say them. He simply asks John to baptize him, as he has baptized so many filthy sinners before him. John refuses at first, but how do you say no to Jesus? 

John baptizes him, and the people are shaking their heads in confusion, and you begin to think Jesus just screwed everything up. But just then….redemption. 

God Himself makes a proclamation from Heaven. "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

If Jesus missed his chance before, there's no mistaking the moment now. Jesus, the floor is yours. 

The next verse in the NKJV is "immediately."

The Twist

If I'd been Jesus, the verse would have read, "Immediately Jesus bowed, smiled, waved, and accepted the praise of everyone."

Not so for the actual Jesus. 

The next verse reads.

"Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts."

Can you ask for a worse scenario?  

What was Jesus thinking? What was John supposed to do now? He just introduced the greatest character in the history of the world, and he immediately walked away, alone, into the wilderness.

What kind of statement is He supposed to be making? Follow me and you'll leave everyone? You'll leave the fame? You'll leave your family? You'll leave the riches?

Yes. 

That's right. 

Jesus was completely surrendered to the will of the Spirit. And when the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, Jesus flew to the wilderness. 

As you look through Jesus' life, you'll see a common theme. He didn't care what anyone thought but God. It seems every time the people are ready to call him king, he runs back to the wilderness to pray - to seek guidance. He woke up early in the morning to pray. He ate with sinners. He healed lepers. He walked humbly, because he never forgot where he came from - the stable. The tiny town that had to room for him. 

How about you?

What's your past? No, not your earthly past. Your spiritual past.

It's the same as mine, I'm guessing. The same as his and identical to hers. 

Sin. 

You see, we all come from the humblest place of all. 

We were dead in our trespasses and sins. 

Dead. 

But God - in His love and mercy chose to send Jesus - to live in filth with us - that we might become alive.

We are all part of the story. We all have humble beginnings. 

Dear America: Chapter 3 (vs. 21b-23)

You can have whatever you want.

Does that sound familiar? Your country thrives on this statement, right? 

Would it surprise you if I agreed with them? You can have whatever you want. 

You argue over who is greater: myself, Piper, Driscoll, Stanley or Keller. Again, you can have whatever you want. So, pick one of us. Take your pick. You want to live or die. You pick. You can have whatever you want. You want to live it up now or plan for the future. You can have whatever you want.  

Everything is yours. But...

You belong to Jesus Christ. You are bound to Him. You are completely bound to God. 

So, everything you have - everything your wisdom and the wisdom of others can get you - all of it belongs, not to you, but to God. 

There is not pride in the life of a believer. You cannot brag about your wisdom. You cannot brag that you follow me or Piper, because we belong to God too. 

Before I move on, let me beg you once more. 

Do not let the wisdom of your country's men or women cause you to fight against each other.

You all belong to God. You are one in Him. 

Dear America: Chapter 3 (vs. 19-21a)

I would hope you are catching the theme here. All of America's wisdom is stupidity compared to God's wisdom. The book of Job says, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness." In other words, people plan and scheme all their lives, and to God it's no more effective than an ant scheming. In the end, The Lord could simply put His foot in front of us, and we would have to change our plans.

As one Pslamist said, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." The plans of the wise are meaningless - useless.

I know many of you do not think of yourselves as wise, and many of you are too lazy to even try and find wisdom. So, you have completely put your faith in the wisdom of others. Some of you have put your faith in politicians or teachers or psycologists. As I have already said, this is foolish, since compared with God they know nothing.

However, some of you rationalize that putting your faith in your pastors is better. They are still human! On their own they are no wiser than a man who hates God. Do not put your faith in either.

You trust your pastors' wisdom so much that you do not search the Scriptures for yourselves. You do not even bring your Bibles to worship when the church meets together on Saturday or Sunday or whatever day you meet.

You fall into a rut of listening to no one but them. You view them as the head of the church body. You would never admit to it, but you even worship them above God himself. Think about it. How much do you read, listen to and talk about your pastor compared to reading Scripture, praying and talking about Christ your Savior?

You give up your soul to the local pastor and let him take it wherever he wants, to the point that if you pastor were taken down by Satan, the whole church body would go down with him.

And lastly, your infatuation with your pastors has even set church against church, as though the gospel were some kind of competition.

Pastors should despise such behavior in their followers. I am quite sure that Piper and Keller and I have no desire to be set against each other, but to simply be used for your own spiritual development.

God, not your pastor, is the One you should seek first.

Dear America: Chapter 3 (v. 18)

"Do not be led away from the truth and simplicity of the gospel by pretenders to science and eloquence, by a show of deep learning" (Matthew Henry).

Whether it is pastors, guest speakers, psychologists, etc.; do no be fooled by their credentials. Do not be fooled by doctrine that sounds appealing to your lives, but cannot be backed up by all of Scripture. Throw away the wisdom of the world so that you look like a fool to them. You "must distrust (your) own understanding and not lean on it" (Matthew Henry).

True wisdom is found when we throw away whatever we think we know and hold on tightly to Jesus Christ alone. 

Dear America: Chapter 3 (vs. 9-17)

Your leaders in America and I are God's helpers. You are His field. No, let me give you a different occupational example.

You are God's building, and I am the master builder. God has shown me enough grace to trust me with building your foundation. But I will be long in soon, and someone else will build on my foundation.

But I warn whomever I hand the tools to; build on no other foundation than the one I have laid, because I have built a foundation of Jesus Christ. The cement under the "building" of the believers is made of Jesus Christ alone so that it cannot fall.

One day, you will be judged for how you built the church of God (I am not referring to a building but to the works done for the furtherance of the Gospel). Some will have built on my foundation rightly. On top of the foundation of Christ, they will continue to add layer upon layer of gospel truths, and it will be like gold put in fire. It will pass the test.

But some will have built on my foundation poorly. While they will build on the foundation of Christ, they will add "their own fancies and inventions" (Matthew Henry). They will preach Christ, but they will add things not found in Scripture. Many of your own pastors have done this in an attempt to make your lives easier, or to justify the decisions you make. This will be like hay put in fire. It will fail the test. If you have built on the foundation poorly, you will most definitely be judged severely. However, the figurative fire which will destroy the works you did on earth will not destroy you. You will be still be saved, though in shame. You will not hear "Well done." What a disappointment to trade pleasure in such a short time on Earth for a disappointing entrance into eternity.

Do you not know that the temple of God is your local body of believers? God used to reside in the Most Holy Place - a temple built by hands. But now - when you meet together as believers - that is where He dwells. Therefore, if anyone starts up outrageous arguments (like I have previously mentioned, arguing over whether or not you follow Stanley or me) it is just like someone years ago polluting the Most Holy Place. And for those more serious arguments that split bodies of believers, it is like someone destroying the Most Holy Place.

Can you imagine what would have happened to an Israelite had they thrown garbage into the temple, let alone destroyed it? All of Israel would have banded together and killed that man. So why do you take it so lightly when someone pollutes your body of believers? Why are you not offended when someone talks trash about God's new Most Holy Place? Why are your spirits not crushed when local bodies of believers (or "churches") are divided?

Dear Americans, you are collectively the holy temple of God. How dare you take that so lightly!

Dear America: Chapter 3 (vs. 1-8)

Sadly, very few of you truly understand this wisdom. Not because you are unbelievers, but because you are infants spiritually. The last time I was with you, you were brand new believers, and this was to be expected. Like a newborn baby receives only milk, I fed you the same spiritually. I taught simple messages, knowing you would just choke, or be confused, by anything else. What saddens me is that I'm still forced to feed you only milk. Brothers and sisters, most of you have been believers for four years. Does a baby diet only on milk after so long? Of course not!

I do not doubt you would argue with me on this issue. After all, I did spend the opening sentence of my letter praising you for your many gifts. So how could you be infants spiritually? You don't need to look far to answer that question.

Look at how jealous you all are of each other's gifts. Look at the bitterness between your churches. Look at all your division. You have divided yourselves so many times from each other, it's a wonder anyone could ever guess you were all under the same God.

Is it not obvious that you are spiritually immature, behaving no differently than anyone else in your country?

I can't help but keep thinking of the letter I received about each of you being followers of your preachers before Christ Jesus Himself! Followers of Stanley? Followers of Piper? You are obviously spiritually immature. There is no question.

Who is Keller or Driscoll that you should be followers of them. There are simply the ones who pointed you to Christ.

It's like a garden. I planted the seeds and Piper watered them. Should either of us get the credit for growing the plant? I'm not a scientist. I don't have the faintest idea how God makes the plants grow. Don't praise your preachers. Don't praise me for simply showing you something God has done for you. We are not responsible for your spiritual awareness or growth. We simply do the task God has called us to, and every single result is because of Him.

Dear America: Chapter Two (vs. 6-16)

(Continued from Chapter Two)

That being said, to those of you who are spiritually mature, you know first hand the wisdom I am talking about. We have not been fooled by even presidents or kings, who are assumed to be wise, but are ultimately as damned as the next person. 

When we speak of Christ on the cross, we refer to a mystery. That's what it is, mysterious. For thousands of years this wisdom was hidden from the world. The Gentiles had no idea it even existed, and while the Jews waited for it to be revealed, they completely missed it when it was. This is obvious since they put our Savior on the cross.

Remember the words Isaiah the prophet wrote?

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

When he wrote that, Isaiah longed to know those things which God had prepared. It was a mystery. It was hidden. But dear Americans, it no longer is! 

We hold the very key which opens these secrets...inside of us. To those of us whom God has called, we hold His very Spirit, which reveals this wisdom. Most of your citizens, no matter how wise they may sound, have only the spirit of the world in them, and this is ultimately useless.

Therefore, do not stumble over the simplicity of my message, because I am not concerned about winning any speaking competitions. I speak only as the Spirit of God leads me that I might preach, not pleasing the ears, but your spirits. 

The average person will leave church disregarding the words of this letter, since human knowledge tries to convince that person it is all stupidity. This is not shocking to me. For if that person does not accept this message, they are spiritually dead, and it is literally impossible for them to understand spiritual things. My words will sound like a foreign language, and they lack the Spirit of God to act as an interpreter. 

Those who have the Spirit of God are able to discern all things rightly. They are able to see beauty where others cannot. They are able to see sin where others see none. They are able to see the foolishness of this world's wisdom and the holiness of God. But just as God's wisdom looks foolish to the average human, so will you look foolish to them. 

But you know otherwise. 

Isaiah also once said, "For who has known the mind of The Lord that he may instruct Him?"

We now do! We know, at least in part, the mind of Christ! And while it would be great sin still to "instruct" him, we live with unmatched power because we have the mind of Christ inside of us. 

Dear America: Chapter Two (vs. 1-5)

The First Letter from the Apostle Paul to the chuch of God in America.

(Adapted from the NKJV 1 Corinthians)

CHAPTER TWO (vs. 1-5)

For example, think about when I travelled to America and preached in your church buildings. I did not succumb to the many temptations I received from your elders to "enhance your worship experience." Is this a common phrase among you?

What enhancing does the Spirit of Almighty God need?

Again, when I came to America, I did not preach nearly as eloquently as your beloved pastors do. My message was so incredibly simple that the comments left online suggested that I actually lacked wisdom. 

Yes, my physical appearance was not what you are used to. I am short and thin and rarely dressed as well as you would like, and you could probably see my knees shaking and hands trembling. The weight of my messages were so burdensome to me. 

Does my appearance and sermon delivery really impact you so much? Are you offended that I declined your worship teams offer to play "emotional music" during my final prayer? Are you offended that I didn't tell funny stories or jokes? Are you offended that I didn't use deep theological terms and well designed charts or power points? 

Are you so offended that all I talked about was Jesus Christ on the cross for your sins?

"It's too elementary," was one comment I received.

"If Paul didn't know the story of Jesus on the cross he would have absolutely nothing to preach on for his over-the-time-limit sermons. I guess we all know if he comes back, it's a good week to skip."

Brothers and sisters, I grew up a man of religion. If I desired to preach on something else, I have quite the repirtoire. Unlike many of yourselves, I have spent my life, not gaining knowledge, but ridding myself of it. The only thing I want to know is Jesus on the cross. 

Because only that is wisdom. Only that is power. 

Dear Americans, your country begs you to put your faith in money and sex. They beg you to believe that success is wise to pursue. This faith and wisdom is damned. 

Put your faith in the cross. That alone, with no substitute, is wisdom. 

Dear America: Chapter One

The First Letter from the Apostle Paul to the chuch of God in America.

(Adapted from the NKJV 1 Corinthians)

CHAPTER ONE

My Dear church of God in America,

My dear saints! Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ our Lord. 

As I sit writing this, or should I say, as I dictate to our wonderful brother in the faith, Sam, I cannot help but to pause for a quick prayer of thanksgiving. It seems like every time I think of you all, I cannot help but thank God for the grace you have found in Christ Jesus. He truly has blessed you, not only with salvation and a good testimony, but with so much knowledge as well. Not only that, but the spiritual gifts God has given you is nothing short of a miracle. I have no doubt that when Christ Jesus is at last revealed, He will find you blameless. Isn't God faithful? Not only to hold you in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ, but in fellowship with each other as well. Do not underestimate that fellowship.

I truly wish I were writing under different circumstances. I would not be so inclined to remind you of my position of leadership as an apostle of Jesus Christ, which was given to me by God Himself. For it is with that authority I write to you know, begging you to listen to correction. 

My joy for you turned so quickly to sadness when I heard of the countless division among you. When the people in your communities see only constant disagreement, what are they to think of your faith? By definition, followers of Christ are supposed to be likeminded. I have even received letters informing me that there are often heated arguments among yourselves as to whether you are followers of me, John Piper, Andy Stanley, Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll or Christ! I was completely speachless.

Is Christ a savior of division?

Was Andy Stanley the one who hung naked on a cross for you? How about Piper, Keller or Driscoll?

Do you baptize in my name?

I thank God that I only baptized a few of you, so that you do not get confused and think that being baptized by me somehow makes you "a follower of Paul."

My ministry is simply to preach the gospel. I'm not even eloquent when I preach. At times like these I am grateful, or perhaps even more of you would be distracted from Christ since you seem so prone to follow eloquent speakers. The world is obsessed with wisdom, and the cross if foolish to such people. But not to me. Not to us, America. The world looks at the cross and laughs, but we know it represents the power of God. It's just like Isaiah, the prophet wrote so many years ago. 

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

Where are your psychologists? Where are those who handle the tiniest details of religion? Where are the traveling debaters? They think they are so very wise, but in God's eyes they are stupid. When God looked at our planet, He saw how much we relied on our humanly wisdom, so in His own wisdom, He decided to save the lost through what appeared to us as foolishness. 

You see, scientists require scientific evidence, and psychologists require wisdom from books, but we preach about a filthy wooden cross and blood and nails and a tomb. The scientists stumble over such simplicity and the psychologists mock it. But to those whom God has chosen, it is a powerful wisdom. Because the foolishness of God, if there were any, would still be wiser than the greatest thinkers' wisdom. The weakness of God, if there were any, would be stronger than the strongest of men. 

Look at yourselves, brothers and sisters. You are called by God, yet there is little about you physically that the world would deem "strong" or "powerful." You see, God rarely calls such types. Look around at the "hottest" models or strongest athletes. Rarely are they the ones God has chosen. Our dear brother, Russell from Seattle is a wonderful example. (For those of you who do  not follow sports, I apologize for the sports analogies I often bring up.) 

Russell is not many people's first choice in an athlete, especially of his position, yet The Lord found it fitting to use him, despite his worldly weaknesses. 

Why?

Because God has chosen to use things and people that the world views as useless, to show how little the world actually knows. God has chosen the weakest people to show earth's strongest how weak they really are. God has chosen the lowest class citizen and the unwelcome immigrant and the unpopular kid who passes through high school in shadows. 

Again, I ask, why?

He has done this so that each of us may not have any pride in ourselves. That we should not focus on ourselves. But that we should find glory in God, both now and when we are finally in His presence. 

Brothers and sisters, look at the wonderful example we have in Jesus Himself. He was just like us. Born into a nobody family in a unknown town in a dirty barn. His father worked carpentry, and his mother wasn't anyone famous either. He was murdered in the most humiliating and painful way. Naked and bloody for all the world to see. 

This is the wisdom of God. 

And the world mocks it. 

But not us. Here, in this humility. In this weakness we find righteousness. We find growth toward holiness. We find redemption and hope. 

I'm reminded of the words of the prophet Jeremiah, who said, "He who glories, let him glory in The Lord."

For Auld Lang Syne

As the clock struck midnight, confetti shot into the air, shouts filled my ears, lovers kissed and the words to Auld Lang Syne echoed accross the walls. The confetti came from mini poppers purchased at our local Alco. The shouts and kisses arose only from Meredith and I, as did the words to the old Scottish tune. "For Auld Lang Syne."

For old time's sake. 

My 2013 was...eventful. I graduated college two weeks before the new year and moved home. In January, I moved to my brother's apartment in Grand Forks, North Dakota and worked at Olive Garden. A few months later, I moved to my girlfriend's parents' house in Atlanta, Georgia and worked as a salesman. Two months later, I moved back to Minnesota - unemployed. Two months later, I became engaged. One month later, I began working construction. Two months later, I was married. One month later, my wife, dog and I moved to Scotia, Nebraska to begin a 6-month internship at my brother's church. 

For old time's sake. 

And here I sit, typing. January 1, 2014. I just finished my morning devotions, and in front of me, I can see my chocolate lab puppy sleeping on the couch, with my wife next to her, reading her Bible next to the window. What does 2014 hold for the three of us? I'm tempted to pray it doesn't hold the sorrows of 2013, and yet I plead for the same joys of the past year. 

We'll take a cup of kindness yet. 

Amidst resolutions and new calendars and diet blogs, how do we truly start the new year? How do we begin again? How can we truly form new habits and hope for better times ahead when all the morning seemed to bring us was one day closer to more deadlines and responsibilities and chocolate cravings, and none of our 2013 troubles seem to be forgotten? Raise a glass

For old time's sake. 

The Lord gives, and The Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of The Lord. He has brought 2013 and taken it away. And we praise Him for it. What does 2014 hold? I have no idea. I'll let my tomorrow's worry about themselves. Last year, I sought to honor The Lord. Today I seek to honor Him. Tomorrow I shall seek the same. When it comes to a new year, there really isn't anything as important as that. Let's face it. My wife and I will probably gain weight. My dog will no longer be a cute puppy. I'll spill coffee on the carpet, and I won't go nearly as many places as I'd like. But I have a wife who loves me and loves God. I have a roof over my head. And I have a Savior who ever intercedes for me. I can toast to that. 

For now, I think it's time to join my dog and wife on the couch.