How to Overcome a Bad Beginning

Johnny Cash's song "A Boy Named Sue" is about a dead-beat dad who named his son "Sue." In a humorous way the ballad tells of the young man's struggle, growing up with a girlish name and an absent father. 

In a not so humorous way, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 gives the two-verse biography of Jabez. His mother named him Jabez because she complained, "I brought him forth in pain." The name "Jabez" sounds like the Hebrew word for "pain." I thought all chilldbirth was painful. Regardless, can you imagine being called "pain?" What a tough name to get stuck with!

Throughout human history, countless children have faced worse situations including alcoholic parents, broken homes, abuse, poverty, handicaps, war, etc. Some of these young victims were crushed and permanentlly scared by life's injustices, while other young people overcame their difficulties and became productive citizens.

Here are three important life skills we learn from this overcomer Jabez.

DREAM BIG - Jabez wanted his borders enlarged. He dreamed of better things and was not content to stay the same. Maybe he wanted greater influence in the form of more farmland or a bigger business. In spite of his bad begining, Jabez knew his past did not dicatate his future. What God-sized dreams smolder in your heart?

PRAY HARD - Jabez asked God, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed." Do you hear the passion in that statement? The dreams of Jabez were humanly impossible and required divine intervention. So Jabez eanestly cried to the Lord "that [God's] hand would be with [him]." How fervent are your prayers?

HATE EVIL - Jabez knew that sin always brings pain. There is no such thing as sinning with impunity. Thus, Jabez asked God to guard him from evil. He did not want to live up to his name and bring pain on himself or others. Centuries later Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Maybe we need to emulate the Puritans who came to Plymouth Rock and separate ourselves from worldliness. How serious are you about clean living? 

The name Jabez is unusual and found in only two Bible passages. The other mention of Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 2:55 where it refers to a city of scribes named "Jabez." Perhaps the young Jabez who once caused pain became so honorable that a city was later named after him. 

You too can overcome the hurts of your past. Dream big dreams, pray with passion, and always avoid evil. Only God knows what remarkable things He wants to do in you, through you, and for you.

How exciting to realize your story is not yet over. There are still wonderful chapters waiting to be written. And by your actions you get to guide the Author.

Understanding Our Times

Current news reports contain numerous examples of man's foolishness. I will not try to list the many preposterous activities now commonplace, because this blog is not about culture but about God. Yet our relationship (or lack of relationship) with God always has ripple effects that spill over into everyday life. Suffice to say, as a nation we are acting stupid and this is affecting our economy, morals, government, military, fashion, and entertainment.  

So why has America gone bonkers? Have we suddenly lost our mind?

The current illogical behaviour in America is nothing less than the judgment of God upon our nation.

In Deuteronomy 28 when discussing the curses of sin, Moses said that when God judges a people for their sin He will turn them over to foolishness. 

• "The Lord will send on you cursing [and] confusion" verse 20.
• "The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart" verse 28.
• "So shall you be driven mad" verse 34.

This makes sense because when one turns away from the Light, they turn to darkness. And when one turns away from the Truth, they turn to error. 

America's problem is not a political or economic problem, it is a spiritual one. Only Jesus can pull us out of this self-destructive craziness. Spiritual awakening is our only hope. We must turn away from sin and turn back to God. Anything less will ensure more foolishness.

For additional study: Learn about confusion in the end times at 2 Thess. 2:9-12.

Praying for Loved Ones

I confess that too many of my intercessory prayers are shallow and brief. Do you have this problem? "God bless them and watch over them." Surely we can do better.

The Apostle Paul enjoyed a warm loving relationship with the church at Philippi. They often helped him on his missionary journeys. Paul's prayers for his friends in Philippi teach us how to pray for our loved ones. Here's what I'm learning about prayer from Philippians 1:9-11.

When prayinig for loved ones we should pray for the following:

1. PRAY FOR THEIR LOVE - (verse 9) agape sacrifical love like that described in John 3:16, growing and insightful

2. PRAY FOR THEIR PRIORITIES - (verse 10a) like an assayer evaluate the quality of things in life and pursue the excellent

3. PRAY FOR THEIR CHARACTER - (verse 10b) a life that is pure (sun judged) and blameless

4. PRAY FOR THEIR FRUITFULNESS - (verse 11) produced by Christ for God's glory

Isn't this a whole lot stronger than our normal interecessory prayers?

How to Reach a Region

In my opinion the greatest church mentioned in the New Testament is the church at Ephesus. This one congregation started over a dozen new churches.

1. Smyrna
2. Pergamos
3. Thyatira
4. Sardis
5. Philadelphia
6. Miletus
7. Laodicea
8. Colossae
9. Hierapolis
10. Troas
11. Church in the house of Nymphas
12. Church in the house of Philemon
13. Church in the house of Aquilla and Priscilla

Through multiplication "all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:10).

Consider these facts:

• Multiplication is always stronger than addition. 
• Healthy organisms reproduce.
• God is glorified when we bear fruit (John 15:8).

How long has it been since your church planted or helped to plant another church?

Only Two Passwords

Trying to keep track of passwords is overwhelming. But without the passwords you are locked out of your computer, cell phone, email, banking, social media, medical records, travel reservations, etc.

Thank the Lord in the Christian life we only need two passwords! 

REPENT AND BELIEVE

These two concepts unlock everydoor in the Christian life. Jesus came preaching, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).

• Repent - there is always a sin or bad attitude we need to turn away from
• Believe - there is always some area of life where we need to trust and obey God more fully.

Whatever predicamnet you find yourself in, try one or both of these passwords. You'll be amazed how spiritual doors open when you have the correct password! 

The Tragedy of a Man-Made King

The people of Israel made a huge mistake when they wanted to be like the other nations and have their own king. Notice the striking differences between Saul, their man-made king and Jesus Christ, our God-given King.

1. Saul was tall and handsome (1 Samuel 9:2). Jesus lacked external beauty (Isaiah 53:2).
2. Saul unsuccessfully tried to defeat the Philistines. Jesus successfully defeated Satan, sin, death, and hell. 
3. Saul was self-absorbed, Jesus was a servant of all.
4. Saul was disobedient (1 Samuel 13:13-14), Jesus was fully obedient, even to the point of death on the cross.
5. Saul practiced necromancy (consulting with the dead), Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. 
6. Saul took his own life (1 Samuel 31:4) , Jesus gave His life.
7. Saul's kingdom only lasted for a few years. Christ's kingdom is everlasting.

Are you looking for someone to follow? Don't make the same mistake the Israelites made, instead humbly yield to King Jesus. He is gentle, loving, and undefeated. You will never be disappointed by following Jesus (Romans 10:11).

Hold Your Peace

The Practice of Joseph

The sons of Jacob put Joseph in a pit before selling him into slavery. Then they tore his coat and soaked it in blood. They tricked their father into thinking Joseph was dead.

Many years later, after Joseph become second-in-command in Egypt, he revealed himself to his brothers. Joseph graciously offered to feed the extended family during the famine and sent his brothers to bring their father down to Egypt. When the family arrived is Egypt there is no biblical reference of Joseph telling his aged father how his brothers mistreated him years earlier. Perhaps Joseph had learned from his previous mistake, that it is never wise to bring "a bad report" (Genesis 37:2).

The Practice of Jesus

As second-in-command in Egypt, Joseph is a type of Jesus, the second person of the Trinity. The Lord also forgives our former sins and never mentions them again. Consider these verses:

• "I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" Jeremiah 31:34
• "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" Psalm 103:12
• "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" Isaiah 1:18
• '[God] will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" Micah 7:19

The Practice of Christians

When we are wronged there is a temptation to tell others. "You won't believe what that other person did to me!" Study the following verses to learn how to respond the next time you are offended.

• "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sin" Proverbs 10:12
• "He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction" Proverbs 13.3
• "An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire" Proverbs 16.27
• "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression” 
• "Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret" Proverbs 25:9.

The Gift of Persecution

Every Christian knows there is great reward in following the Lord. Jesus told His disciples they could expect to "receive a hundredfold now in this lifetime, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life" (Mark 10:30).

What an interesting list of divine blessings: eternal life and hundredfold blessings in this life, including houses, land, family, and persecution. Persecution? Yes!

Instead of seeing persecution as something to be avoided, we need to see persecution as a gift from God (Acts 5:41). Tribulation and persecution are opportunities for us to experience God's deliverance. God always delivers His people in one of three ways.

1. When persecution arises, sometimes God takes Christians out. Early in Paul's ministry he got in trouble with the Jews in Damascus. His friends helped him get out of town by lowering him in a basket over the city wall. Probably more times than we realize God has removed us from trouble, and we thank Him for it.
2. When persecution arises, sometimes God takes Christians through. When Paul and Silas were unfairly beaten and imprisoned in Philippi they prayed and sang hymns to God. At midnight in the dungeon God gave them grace to courageously face their trial. Our testimonies are similar, as we have walked through dark valleys God has given us strength to endure. 
3. When persecution arises, sometimes God takes Christians up. According to church tradition, Paul was beheaded outside of Rome along the Ostian Way. In that moment, angels came and carried Paul heavenward where he met the Lord face to face and entered the city not made with hands. This is the ultimate deliverance, leaving this troubled world and moving into heavenly mansions. 

I am convinced Paul was grateful for each of these experiences, because in each instance of persecution Paul received deliverance from God. And since we know God does not show partiality (Acts 10:34), we know that we too can expect the Lord to deliver us when we are persecuted. He may take us out, he may take us through, or He may take us up; but, one way or another, the Lord will deliver. Indeed, persecution is a gift from God whereby we get to experience God's deliverance. 

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home."

The Mistake Paul Made: Perceiving not Believing

It was late in the fall when Paul sailed to Rome. As the Apostle studied the wind and waves he made this prediction: "Men I pereive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives" (Acts 27:10). 

Paul made a mistake here, what was it? Was he being too pessimestic? Was he a poor weather forecaster? The mistake Paul made was perceiving, not believing.

Several years earlier, God promised Paul: "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testisfied for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome" (Acts 23:11). God told Paul he would make it to Rome, but evidently Paul forgot or stopped believing the Lord's promise and instead started relying on his senses. 

When God gives us a promise, like he did to Paul about going to Rome, we are to proceed with confidence. Unfortunately, like Paul in this instance, sometimes we are misled by our perceptions. Too often we are governed, not by the word of God, but by what we see, hear, and feel. And thus, we make the same mistake Paul did: we become perceivers not believers. 

The scripture says we are to walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

What promise or command has God given you? Will you trust your senses or will you believe God?

220 Power

The most important verse for the pre-christian is John 3:16, but the most important verse for the existing Christian is Galatians 2:20.

Galatians 2:20 explains the power for Christian living. An easy way to remember this verse is to recall the difference between 110 and 220 electricity. 110 is for small appliances like toasters, but major appliances like dryers require 220 volts. And so it is, Galatians 2:20 contains major spiritual power to help us in life's big challenges.

How does one acquire this supernatural power?

1. You must die to self. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live." Likewise, I must affirm that because of my union with Christ (Romans 6:3-6) I am crucified and everyday make the decision to die to self. 
2. Allow Jesus to live through you. Paul said, "Christ lives in me." Like a hand in a puppet, invite Jesus to takeover your mind, mouth, actions, emotions, etc. Give him complete control of all of you. Seek the filling of the Spirit. 
3. Live by faith. Paul explained, "and the life which I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." The Christian life is lived by faith. Stop trying and start trusting. Believe that Jesus wants to live through you and trust Him to do so. Feelings have nothing to do with victorious Christian living, but faith is vital.