Outlive Our Earthly Lives

A brief post today, but one that I found especially important and inspiring. In the book of Acts, Peter was being asked by a crippled beggar for some silver or gold coins.

Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:4-8)

Max Lucado writes in his new book, Out Live Your Life:

What if Peter had said, "Since I don't have any silver or gold, I'll keep my mouth shut? But he didn't. He placed his mustard-seed-sized deed (a look and a touch) in the soil of God's love And look what happened.

It is interesting to note that the beggar didn't thank Peter for the healing - he at least knew enough to thank God for it!

Other beggars wanted healing. They watched the cripple dance and exclaimed, "I want my healing! Touch me!"

Lucado:

So Peter complied. He escorted them to the clinic of the Great Physician and invited them to take a seat. "His name,...faith in His name, has made this man strong...Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins my be blotted out, so that time of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (vv. 16,19)

Blotted out is a translation of a Greek term that means "to obliterate" or "erase completely." Faith in Christ, Peter explained, leads to a clean slate with God. What Jesus did for the legs of this cripple, he does for our souls. Brand-new!

The Bible verse that tells us that we all "fade as a leaf" in this world indicates that our time here is quite brief - especially compared to all of eternity.

Isa 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness's are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

It is because of our iniquities that we needed a Savior, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place in order that we could repent and be reconciled back unto God.

The story from the book of Acts in the Bible demonstrates the absolute fact that salvation is something we take with us, while money, possessions, fame, education, clothing, food, and everything else that we could do, accomplish, earn and utilize on this earth are all temporary; just items that we leave behind at our death.

However, the love of God and our love for others we take with us into God's kingdom! That is why our own personal salvation and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of salvation for others is our daily duty as Christians.

The final commandment that Jesus gave his followers before he ascended back to God the Father was the Great Commission. (see Matthew 28 below).

Lucado:

An honest look led to a helping hand that led to a conversation about eternity. Works done in God's name long outlive our earthly lives. (bold mine)

Mat 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.


Mat 28:2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.


Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.


Mat 28:4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.


Mat 28:5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.


Mat 28:6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.


Mat 28:7 "And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."


Mat 28:8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.


Mat 28:9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.


Mat 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."


Mat 28:11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.


Mat 28:12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,


Mat 28:13 saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.'


Mat 28:14 "And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure."


Mat 28:15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.


Mat 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.


Mat 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.


Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.


Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,


Mat 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

NKJV Footnotes:
(28:2) NU-Text omits from the door.
(28:9) NU-Text omits the first clause of this verse.
(28:19) M-Text omits therefore.
(28:20) NU-Text omits Amen.

Hat Tips:

Max Lucado.com: Outlive Your Life book

Blue Letter Bible

Sarah Palin: Going Rogue - An American Life

Sarah Palin's yet-to-be-released new book entitled, Going Rogue - An American Life is already a best seller in the current pre-sale category! According to Politico:

The phrase has its roots in an Oct. 25 story by Slate's John Dickerson, with the lead: "Has Sarah Palin "gone rogue"?"

I can't wait to get my copy and read more about this remarkable woman! I have enjoyed reading her Facebook essays and was very impressed with her speech in Hong Kong. Despite the fact that the Slate article (written back in Oct. 2008) writer had obvious contempt for Sarah and nothing but praise for ObamaMASK, I wonder if the author would have written that article differently today?

IMO, Sarah Palin has more integrity in her pinky finger than Obama has ever had in his entire adult life. She has the values and ethics that seem missing from Obama. She tells the truth; whereas Obama is an obvious continual liar. She presents herself as a REAL, GENUINE PERSON rather than the teleprompter puppet-with-a-mask Obama who continues to pay over 1.5 million dollars to a team of lawyers to prevent the release of documents that could prove, once and for all, whether or not he was eligible for the position of POTUS in the first place.

Sarah would NEVER have spent taxpayer money so frivolously as Obama and the Dem majority in Congress have done. Sarah gave up her jet as governor of Alaska; Obama spends 2.5 million dollars on his jet and the jet that brought Oprah and his wife to Copenhagen to bid for the 2016 Olympics in Chicago. Glenn Beck's show (and talk radio show pundits) have all revealed the REAL reason why Obama did this - to pay back his corrupt cronies in Chicago who helped get him elected.

I ask you. If George W. Bush did the exact same thing while he was president in order to get the Olympics to come to his home state of Texas, what do you think that the Fringe Media of Mass Deception would have done?

It will be quite interesting to see how Palin handles all of her critics in her book. Maybe there is time left for her to include something about how much of a lying, cheating, sexual pig David Letterman is? Can you believe that snake had the gall to mock and degrade Sarah Palin and her daughters when he was guilty of adultery with several women in his employ? Disgusting!

I am so grateful to God that we have a Christian Conservative woman - who is happily married with children - and knows how to turn this nation back towards the right direction. Whatever her plans are for the future, I will support her all the way! With God's help and the Holy Spirit leading the way in Sarah's life, we can be joyful again in this nation!

In whatever capacity and direction Sarah chooses to go, she will help lift our nation out of the cesspool of corruption that Obama and his cronies have sunk us into. His legacy will end up in the trash heap of history as the attempt to make our Constitutional Republic into an oppressive, Marxist state of tyranny. Notice I said "attempt." Patriots across America are standing up and letting their voices be heard! And to borrow a phrase from former President George W. Bush, "they [in this context - meaning Congress] will hear from all of us soon" at the ballot box in 2010!


In a post back in August, I wrote about the fact that - America Needs a Mother Very, Very Badly. Sarah Palin definitely fits the bill. She is good, smart, intelligent, forthright, and truthful in character. She is a wonderful person on the national scene who hasn't been corrupted.
She is a living demonstration of a person who possesses the 9 principles and 12 values of the 9.12 Project. She also knows how to govern and run a state successfully - not run our nation into the ground as Obama has been doing. She would have been far better in the role of POTUS than Obama, simply because she has far more experience in how to govern. Obama continues in his stupid juvenile teleprompter crutched campaign mode, and Americans are now seeing that he couldn't run any business successfully - no less our nation!

If it is Sarah's goal to run for president in 2012, she has my vote and I will work and pray for her election to be successful!

At the end of last Friday's [9/25/09] "A Mother's Challenge" show, Frank Luntz reiterated my "America needs a mom" sentiment when he stated: "Start everything you say with, 'As a mom'...and you win!"

Hat Tip:

Politico.com

*******
Update:

Immediately after publishing this post, I read from News.BBC.co.uk:

1632: Not a huge surprise to see Tokyo drop out there - they entered today as big underdogs to win the bid - but could we be looking at a surprise to come, and Madrid pipping Rio de Janeiro?

1629: It comes down, then, to Rio de Janeiro and Madrid for the hosts of the 2016 Olympic Games.

TOKYO ELIMINATED FROM THE 2016 HOST CITY VOTE

1625: Well, isn't that a turn up for the books? Chicago are eliminated in the first round - cue audible gasps around the auditorium - and a second round of voting opens immediately.

CHICAGO DROPS OUT OF THE 2016 HOST CITY VOTING PROCESS

1623: The vote closes and the scrutineers are now checking the results. If there is no majority for one city, remember, the city with the least votes will drop out and another vote will take place.

1622: The first round of voting for the 2016 Olympic Games host city is declared open.

Chicago DROPPED OUT???? Or, is that the verbiage being shared in order for the Obamas and Oprah to save face on their multi-million dollar taxpayer funded joyride to Copenhagen?

What a waste!!

More:

BBC News' Adam Brookes in Chicago: "The shock of Chicago's elimination was greater for the fact that it came in the first round. And greater for the fact that President Obama had taken valuable hours from his packed and tense political schedule to travel to Copenhagen. His legendary powers of persuasion will be said to have failed him, though in reality it will be Chicago's bid that failed him. Nonetheless, this is a moment which allows the president's detractors to allege waning prestige on the part of his presidency. And it will raise questions about the political advice that he is receiving."

Strongholds = Difficult Challenges. Nevertheless...

Yesterday, my blogging friend Jim Leasure of Journaling For Growth sent me (as well as several other Christians) an email with a request to read an accompanying blog post. He then made a request for us (if each individual reader was willing) to send back a response to both.

At the time I read his email and the article, I was excited about this task and just couldn't wait to respond! I sent off a quick reply to Jim and asked:

Would it be best to make it short and to the point? Is it OK to provide additional links to back up what I am saying in my response (plus, give readers the option to read much more)?

The idea was to respond and use the "reply all" button so that everyone could read each person's response. I was ready to write a book! On second thought, people might not read it if it is too long. So, I was thinking that I would make it a short response and just include links to expand upon the points.

I was really excited about responding. This was a topic right up Talk Wisdom's alley!

Because of prior obligations yesterday, I knew that I couldn't type my response right away. But my mind was already filled with several points I wanted to make.

After I read Jim's email and the article link, it was time to close my browser and head out the door to meet a friend for breakfast. After that, I had several errands to do. After that, I had chores at home. After that, I needed to cook dinner. After that, I had to clean up the kitchen. By the time I was done, I was just too exhausted to type up my response last night. I sent Jim an email explaining that I will respond tomorrow. He was gracious and understanding.

This morning, while drinking my coffee I looked at my bookshelf to see what book I wanted to start reading this week. Passed over several of them. Then, I spotted "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado.

Have you ever had an argument...well....maybe more like a conversation with yourself in your own mind? I thought, "I have already read that book."

Something (Someone?) told me, "Read it again."

But, I want to start a new book.

"Read it again."

O.K. I will read it again.

When I opened the book, I had a bookmark at chapter 12 entitled, "Strongholds." I thought to myself - yes - this is a chapter that I need to read again! Many people (if the truth be told - ALL people) struggle with strongholds in their lives.

As I read through the chapter, all that I wanted to share in my reply to Jim's email and article link began to fade away. I had found the response that maybe God wanted me to share!

First things first. Here is a copy of Jim's email which includes the link to the article he requested me to read:

If you choose to reply to this, please select "Reply All" as I am sending this communication to all Pastors, Leaders and Teachers of the Church as I have listed in my address book.

In the past year, I have had concerns for the direction the Church is heading and the ever increasing ineffectiveness of our (not all of you) leaders.

Please take a moment to read the article at this link: America - A Christian Nation?

This is just one of many opinions I have read concerning the direction and influence of the Church.

In the past year, I have sent emails to Pastors, teachers and leaders whom I know, personally. In some cases, I received requests to have their names removed from my address book. I was told that what I was submitting to your attention was offensive. In every case I had sent this type of communication, it was to convey information that the media is putting aside, and then, when the Supreme Court decides not to hear a case with highly credible evidence, the media announces that the SCOTUS will not hear the case, as if many really knew of it in the first place!

Some of these Pastors have stated their opinions and request that I not send information in such a way that I have felt shame for even sending information which expressed my concerns. One, threatened to place my email address in his "Junk Mail Folder".

Jim adds:
To clarify what my concern is; I wrote to say Christians are allowing issues of economy, and environment (which are important) to trump those values that are the signature of God's will. And thus, have given their vote to an immoral man who has claimed to be a Christian and is setting a poor example as to what a Christian is by his desire to promote abortion and the homosexual agenda. And our pastors, teachers and leaders are being silent, not wanting to offend anyone by proclaiming what God has said.

Please take a moment to comment and select "reply all".
Sincerely,
James Leasure

I have to agree with Jim on his concerns. Ignoring the abortion issue and Obama's support for the homosexual agenda was, IMHO, an extreme mistake (for all - but especially for Christians). Because of this, our nation will inevitably suffer dire consequences when Obama gets into office and has the power to exert his political will over our country.

Due to the fact that we will have a president who holds a worldview that is as anti-Bible as any atheist, agnostic, or even Marxist/Communist out there, our nation will face being under an anti-Christian stronghold for four years. The havoc that will be unleashed is currently unknown to us now, but when he gets into office and starts placing his far left policies into place, I truly believe that many people will regret voting for this man.

First, here is a definition of the term "stronghold":

A "stronghold" is defined as:
1. A fortified place or a fortress.
2. a. A place of survival or refuge: one of the last strongholds of an age-old tradition.
b. An area dominated or occupied by a special group or distinguished by a special quality: a feminist stronghold; a stronghold of democracy.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Let's look at an ancient example of one man who had the courage to stand against the strongholds of his day.

In 2 Samuel 5, we read how many times David had to defeat the Philistines, who, when they heard that David had captured the city came back again and again to take it away.

In "Facing Your Giants," Max Lucado mentions that strongholds are often a tool of Satan.

What is that one weakness, bad habit, rotten attitude? Where does Satan have a stronghold within you? Ahh, there is the fitting word - stronghold: a fortress, citadel, thick walls, tall gates. It's as if the devil staked a claim on one weakness and constructed a rampart around it. "You ain't touching this flaw, " he defies heaven, placing himself squarely between God's help and your

* explosive temper
* fragile self-image
* freezer-size appetite,
* distrust for authority.


He (Satan) won't go away. He lives up to both sides of his compound name: strong enough to grip like a vise and stubborn enough to hold on. He clamps like a bear trap - the harder you shake, the more it hurts.

Strongholds: old, difficult, discouraging challenges.

That's what David faced when he looked at Jerusalem. When you and I think of the city we envision temples and prophets. We picture Jesus teaching, a New Testament church growing. We imagine a thriving, hub-of-history capital.

When David sees Jerusalem in 1000 BC, he sees something else. He sees a millennium-old, cheerless fortress, squatting defiantly on the spine of a ridge of hills. A rugged outcropping elevates her. Tall walls protect her. Jebusites indwell her. No one bothers them. Philistines fight the Amalekites. Amalekites fight the Hebrews. But the Jebusites? They are a coiled rattlesnake in the desert. Everyone leaves them alone.

We could use the description of a "coiled rattlesnake" to emphasize what is happening in America today. How many could you list?

1. The coiled rattlesnake of Atheists Posting Hateful Sign Against Christian Faith

2. The coiled rattlesnake of Homosexual activists destroying traditional marriage. and why it matters that theologically liberal Christians often side with them.

3. The coiled rattlesnake of The abortion myth: It's just a clump of cells crowd.

4. The coiled rattlesnake of the genuine, anti-choice crowd and all of the issues and views that they want to silence and eliminate.

I could list many, many more examples of strongholds in our society that have, unfortunately, captured the minds, hearts, souls and spirits of people...even some self-professing Christians. The "Media of Mass Deception" is highly responsible for this and has caused many people to swallow that blue pill of an alternate reality which is anathema to God and His Word.

Let's continue with David's story in Lucado's book:

Everyone leaves them (the Jebusites) alone. Everyone, that is, except David. The just-crowned king of Israel has his eye on Jerusalem. He's inherited a divided kingdom. The people need, not just a strong leader, but strong headquarters.

Lucado cites 2 Samuel 5:6-9 (NKJV):

2Sa 5:6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, "You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you," thinking, "David cannot come in here."

2Sa 5:7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).

2Sa 5:8 Now David said on that day, "Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul), he shall be chief and captain."* Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house."

2Sa 5:9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo* and inward.

Lucado continues:

This regrettably brief story tantalizes us with the twofold appearance of the term stronghold. In verse 7, "David took the stronghold," and in verse 9, "David dwelt in the stronghold."

[J]erusalem meets the qualifications of one: an old, difficult, and discouraging fortress. From atop the turrets, Jebusite soldiers have ample time to direct arrows at any would-be wall climbers. And discouraging? Just listen to the way the city-dwellers taunt David. "You'll never get in here...Even the blind and lame could keep you out!" (5:6 NLT).

The Jebusites pour scorn on David like Satan dumps buckets of discouragement on you:

* "You'll never overcome your bad habits."
* "Born white trash; gonna die white trash."
* "Think you can overcome your addictions? Think again."

In Lucado's book, he discusses the individual strongholds that can ruin our lives if we let the enemy of our souls build a stronghold there. I have only listed just a few of the strongholds (above) that can overtake our lives and lead us away from facing that giant of unrepentant sin in our lives; which, in turn, may hinder us from salvation through Jesus Christ.

I ask you. Is "just getting along" and "not sharing the need for repentance" and "staying silent on social and moral issues" which are in direct defiance of God's Holy Word what Jesus would have us do?

No. Of course not!

Lucado:

If you've heard the mocking David heard, your story needs the word David's has. Did you see it? Most hurry past it. Let's not. Pull out a pen and underline this twelve-letter masterpiece.

Nevertheless.

"Nevertheless David took the stronghold..."

Granted, the city was old. The walls were difficult. The voices were discouraging...Nevertheless David took the stronghold.

The voices were discouraging (both of our enemies and our liberal left media)... Nevertheless, LIBERTY took the stronghold.

David turns a deaf ear to old voices. Those mockers strutting on the wall tops? David ignores them. He dismisses their words and goes about his work.

That's a true sign of a great leader...

Wouldn't you love God to write a nevertheless in your biography?

We all need a nevertheless. And God has plenty to go around. Strongholds mean nothing to him. Remember Paul's words? "We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4 NLT)

Lucado:

Remember Nehemiah? Five hundred years later, he headed up a building program to restore the fortifications after Jerusalem was in ruins and many people were in captivity. Critics tell him to stop. They plan to interfere with his work. They list all the reasons the stones can't and shouldn't be re stacked. But Nehemiah won't listen to them. Nehemiah knew how to press the "mute button" on his dissenters. (see Neh. 6:3)

What about the individual, personal strongholds in your own life?

Lucado:

Two types of thoughts continually vie for your attention. One proclaims God's strengths; the other lists your failures.

Why listen to the mockers...when you can, with the same ear, listen to the voice of God?

I know many victorious Christians who overcame some deep and difficult strongholds within their own lives! Alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, pornography...you name it.

Just like David, they found fresh hope in God through His strength!

The Person of Jesus Christ indwelling within the soul of the believer has the power to overcome any stronghold in your life...if you allow Him to work within you through the power of the Holy Spirit!

What a promise we have in Jesus Christ!!

Eph 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14 who* is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Eph 1:15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

Eph 1:16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

Eph 1:18 the eyes of your understanding* being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Eph 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Eph 1:20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Eph 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Eph 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Footnotes:
1:10 NU-Text and M-Text omit both.
1:14 NU-Text reads which.
1:18 NU-Text and M-Text read hearts.

Lucado:

Who knows, you may be a prayer away from a nevertheless. God loves to give them.

Source: Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado; W Publishing Group, A Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006, pp.

*******

HT's:

Jim Leasure: Journaling For Growth

GOP USA

America - A Christian Nation?

Matrix Philosphy - Blue or Red Pill?

4 Simpsons: Eternity Matters

Fear and Trust?

If you watch the news on any given day, there appears to be a lot to be fearful about. I just heard that the jobless claims are at a 26 year high. When people lose their jobs, they understandably become fearful.

The question becomes, how can a person deal with anxiety? If we are honest, we all have experienced it at one time or another.

Max Lucado shares an idea in "Traveling Light":

You might try what one fellow did. He worried so much that he decided to hire someone to do his worrying for him. He found a man who agreed to be his hired worrier for a salary of $200,000 per year. After the man accepted the job, his first question to his boss was, "Where are you going to get $200,000 per year?" to which the man responded, "That's your worry."

Ha ha...wouldn't THAT be a dream come true! Pay someone to worry for you. Of course, "worry" is not something we can pay someone to do for us; however, you can overcome it. The shepherd's psalm informs us how:

"He leads me beside the still waters," David declares. And, in case we missed the point, he repeats the phrase in the next verse: "He leads me in the paths of righteousness."

Pssst! That's the secret...people.

Today, I woke up feeling far less anxious than I have been ever since the election. I was thinking that perhaps Obama won't end up being sworn in as POTUS because he might be involved in the Illinois governor scandal. However, after reading a post via Digg regarding how many of the articles are being scrubbed from the Internet that state that Obama met with Blago when Obama claimed he never did... I started thinking that NOTHING will prevent this guy from being our next president! No scandal is big enough to catch this "Teflon man." Well, read on to discover what allowed me to not worry so much about it anymore, and just "trust and do" as the Spurgeon devotional shares (below).

One more political detail.

Congress has passed a billions-of-dollars "bailout" bill, but the treasury secretary has not been under scrutiny to see that it is spent wisely. People that money IS OUR MONEY! TAXPAYERS MONEY! IS THIS RIGHT? IS THIS THE AMERICAN WAY? It certainly isn't the Democratic-REPUBLIC way!

The best idea that I have heard so far is from Republican Rep. Gohmert, who has suggested a two month "tax holiday" for every tax payer. Think about what people could do with some extra money! They can catch up on their mortgage payments. They can spend it for a new car. They can use it for medical coverage, college tuition, clothes, food etc. We could all give more to charities! I think Gohmert's idea would be a true boon for our struggling economy.

Granted, I am no economist but during Rep. Gohmert's interview with Bill Hemmer on Fox News this morning, he shared that giving the tax holiday to individual taxpayers would only cost one sixth of what the government usually takes in from the taxpayer payrolls. I think that the Federal Government needs to go on a budget for two months! They keep screaming for us taxpayers to do that!

Well, this post wasn't really going to be about all of that. I just wanted to share it before I get to the genuine point of this essay.

What I really wanted to share is another one of Spurgeon's gems entitled, "Trust and Do; Do and Trust." I think that this is what our Lord would want us to be doing any time crisis comes. Of course, it is easier said than done. However, when we trust in the Lord - during good times and bad times - the end result is often good.

In Max Lucado's "Traveling Light" book, chapter six discusses The Burden of Worry.

If you have missed any of my previous posts that include chapters of Lucado's book, you can click on them here:

I Will Fear No Evil

Hebrews urges us to do. "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:1-2 NKJV).

The writer of Hebrews was not a golfer, but he could have been a jogger, for he speaks of a runner and a forerunner. The forerunner is Jesus, the "author and finisher of our faith." He is the author - that is to say he wrote the book on salvation. And he is the finisher - he not only charted the map, he blazed the trail. He is the forerunner, and we are the runners. And we runners are urged to keep our eyes on Jesus.

[Note: Lucado describes his running experiences.]

[T]hings hurt. And as things hurt, I've learned that I have three options. Go home. Meditate on my hurts until I start imagining I'm having chest pains. Or I can keep running and watch the sun come up. My trail has just enough easterly bend to give me a front-row seat for God's morning miracle. If I watch God's world go from dark to golden, guess what? The same happens to my attitude. The pain passes and the joints loosen, and before I know it, the run is half over and life ain't half bad. Everything improves as I fix my eyes on the sun.

[Note from Christine: I have found that everything improves as I fix my eyes on the Son!]

Wasn't that the counsel of the Hebrew epistle - "looking unto Jesus"? What was the focus of David? "You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

Cumbersome Sack of Discontent

All that stuff - it's not yours. And you know what else about all that stuff? It's not you. Who you are has nothing to do with the clothes you wear or the car you drive. Jesus said, "Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot" (Luke 12:15 MSG). Heaven does not know you as the fellow with the nice suit or the woman with the big house or the kid with the new bike. Heaven knows your heart. "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7 NIV).

When God thinks of you, he may see your compassion, your devotion, your tenderness or quick mind, but he doesn't think of your things.

And when you think of you, you shouldn't either. Define yourself by your stuff, and you'll feel good when you have a lot and bad when you don't. Contentment comes when we can honestly say with Paul: "I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have....I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty" (Phil. 4:11-12).

He Restores Our Hope

It's a jungle out there.

And for some, even for many, hope is in short supply. Hopelessness is an odd bag. Unlike the others, it isn't full. It is empty, and its emptiness creates the burden. Unzip the top and examine all the pockets. Turn it upside down and shake it hard. The bag of hopelessness is painfully empty.

Not a very pretty picture, is it? Let's see if we can brighten it up. We've imagined the emotions of being lost; you think we can do the same with being rescued? What would it take to restore your hope? What would you need to re energize your journey?

Though the answers are abundant, three come quickly to mind.

The first would be a person. Not just any person. You don't need someone equally confused. You need someone who knows the way out.

And from him you need some vision. You need someone to lift your spirits. You need someone to look you in the face and say, "This isn't the end. Don't give up. There is a better place than this. And I'll lead you there."

And, perhaps most important, you need direction. If you have only a person but no renewed vision, all you have is company. If he has a vision but no direction, you have a dreamer for company. But if you have a person with direction --who can take you from this place to the right place--ah, then you have one who can restore your hope.

Or, to use David's words, "He restores my soul."

Our Shepherd majors in restoring hope to the soul. Whether you are a lamb lost on a craggy ledge or a city slicker alone in a deep jungle, everything changes when your rescuer appears.

So, what would God have us do in such circumstances as this? I think that C.H. Spurgeon provides a good answer:

Faith's Checkbook by C.H. Spurgeon
Thursday December 11, 2008
http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml


Trust and Do; Do and Trust

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (Psalm 37:3)

Trust and do are words which go well together, in the order in which the Holy Spirit has placed them. We should have faith, and that faith should work. Trust in God sets us upon holy doing: we trust God for good, and then we do good. We do not sit still because we trust, but we arouse ourselves and expect the Lord to work through us and by us. It is not ours to worry and do evil but to trust and do good. We neither trust without doing nor do without trusting.

Adversaries would root us out if they could; but by trusting and doing we dwell in the land. We will not go into Egypt, but we will remain in Immanuel's land - the providence of God, the Canaan of covenant love. We are not so easily to be got rid of as the Lord's enemies suppose. They cannot thrust us out nor stamp us out: where God has given us a name and a place, there we abide.

But what about the supply of our necessities? The Lord has put a "verily" into this promise. As sure as God is true, His people shall be fed. It is theirs to trust and to do, and it is the Lord's to do according to their trust. If not fed by ravens, or fed by an Obadiah, or fed by a widow, yet they shall be fed somehow. Away, ye fears!


Lucado:

The triumph of Christ is not temporary. "Triumphant in Christ" is not an event or an occasion. It's not fleeting. To be triumphant in Christ is a lifestyle...a state of being! To triumph in Christ is not something we do, it's something we are.

Christ is the true Hope that we have in this brief life here on earth. Nothing else truly matters as much as salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord!

At the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished." Jesus did the work that God the Father sent him to do on this earth. He became the bridge of redemption between sinful man and holy God. All who confess of their sin, repent (means willingly turn away) of their sin, believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sin, and ask him into their hearts to live and reign within them through the power of the Holy Spirit, are His forever! There is nothing in this world that could ever be more triumphant than that! Nothing!

Lucado:

Here is the big difference between victory in Christ and victory in the world: A victor in the world rejoices over something he did --swimming the English Channel, climbing Everest, making a million. But the believer rejoices over who he is -- a child of God, a forgiven sinner, an heir of eternity. As the hymn goes, "Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood."

Nothing can separate us from our triumph in Christ. Nothing! Our triumph is based not upon our feelings but upon God's gift. Our triumph is based no upon our perfection but upon God's forgiveness. How precious is this triumph! For even though we are pressed on every side, the victory is still ours. Nothing can alter the loyalty of God.

Such triumph in Jesus Christ cannot be overcome by decisions and/or evil done in the world. Jesus told us:

Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Jesus warned us that we would have tribulation in this world. But despite such tribulation, we can be of good cheer because He has overcome the world!

I love God's Word! It is such an honest book! When one is born again in Christ, we receive the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Notice that within all of the good fruit, there is still one called "longsuffering."

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,


Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.


Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.


Outline of Biblical Usage for the term "longsuffering":

1) patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance

2) patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

Greek: makrothumia

One day, at the proper time, Jesus will come back to avenge the wrongs in this world. He will judge the living and the dead.

I titled this post, "Fear and Trust." The kind of "fear" that born-again Christians have is reverence - reverence for God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Fearfulness is replaced with reverence for God because our faith and trust in Him is graciously, mercifully, and lovingly supplanted by the fact that He is always with us. He indwells our hearts and guides us towards choosing to follow the Holy Spirit's lead and do His will in our lives. And, no matter what happens here on this earth - when we die (at whatever age, place, event, or time that is) - we have the promise of being forever with the Lord.

Jhn 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Jhn 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

Jesus keeps his promises!



Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:


Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:


Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

A Prayer Away From A "Nevertheless"

I thought that President Bush's State of the Union address was really good. He hit upon many of the important points of our day. He showed strong, unflinching, leadership ability in regards to the war in Iraq; despite the naysayers in Congress, the press, and all the critics of the war. Webb's Democratic response lacked any new ideas and was simply a tool for him to unleash his hatred and contempt towards George Bush.

I have been reading a book called Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado. He is one of my favorite Christian writers! While reading chapter 12, which is on the subject of "strongholds," I couldn't help but see some similarities between what David faced when he looked at Jerusalem (which, at the time was occupied by the Jebusites...see 2 Samuel 5) and what our nation, troops and president face with regards to the current terrorism stronghold within Iraq today.

A "stronghold" is defined as:
1. A fortified place or a fortress.
2. a. A place of survival or refuge: one of the last strongholds of an age-old tradition.
b. An area dominated or occupied by a special group or distinguished by a special quality: a feminist stronghold; a stronghold of democracy.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

In 2 Samuel 5, we read how many times David had to defeat the Philistines, who, when they heard that David had captured the city came back again and again to take it away.

This is similar to what is happening today in Iraq. There are Jebusites (Al Qaida, Saddam loyalists etc.) and Philistines (Iran, Syria) who want to defeat the liberation efforts going on to accomplish victory for a free and democratic state of Iraq. In his speech, President Bush captured how important our efforts are, and how necessary our victory will be over there:

My fellow citizens, our military commanders and I have carefully weighed the options. We discussed every possible approach. In the end, I chose this course of action because it provides the best chance of success. Many in this chamber understand that America must not fail in Iraq – because you understand that the consequences of failure would be grievous and far reaching.

If American forces step back before Baghdad is secure, the Iraqi government would be overrun by extremists on all sides. We could expect an epic battle between Shia extremists backed by Iran, and Sunni extremists aided by al Qaeda and supporters of the old regime. A contagion of violence could spill out across the country – and in time the entire region could be drawn into the conflict.

For America, this is a nightmare scenario. For the enemy, this is the objective. Chaos is their greatest ally in this struggle. And out of chaos in Iraq, would emerge an emboldened enemy with new safe havens... new recruits ... new resources ... and an even greater determination to harm America. To allow this to happen would be to ignore the lessons of September 11th and invite tragedy. And ladies and gentlemen, nothing is more important at this moment in our history than for America to succeed in the Middle East ... to succeed in Iraq ... and to spare the American people from this danger.

This is where matters stand tonight, in the here and now. I have spoken with many of you in person. I respect you and the arguments you have made. We went into this largely united – in our assumptions, and in our convictions. And whatever you voted for, you did not vote for failure. Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq – and I ask you to give it a chance to work. And I ask you to support our troops in the field – and those on their way.

The war on terror we fight today is a generational struggle that will continue long after you and I have turned our duties over to others. That is why it is important to work together so our Nation can see this great effort through.

In the Democrats (and some RINOS) typical style, the "Jim Webbs" of our country don't want to give additional troops the chance to take back this stronghold within Baghdad.

Sure...this is a democratic republic and people are entitled to their opinions about the war. But I haven't seen nor heard one single naysayer come up with a better alternative!

Cut and run isn't a viable alternative. It would be disasterous, for all of the reasons that our president outlined in his speech.

What is sad to me is the fact that so many on the "other side of the aisle" (you know...the ones who claimed that they want to work in a "bipartisan" way) in Congress are like "the Jebusites" towards President Bush. I will explain while utilizing some excerpts from Lucado's book.

First, I want to make it clear that I am not using these illustrations to say that there is an exact comparison between David of the Bible and President Bush.

However, I am comparing the actions needed to defeat the stronghold each one faces. Second, in the biblical account, David occupies the city, whereas, in Iraq, the point is to allow liberty to occupy the capital city of Baghdad.

Lucado mentions that strongholds are often a tool of Satan. And, we have seen such a thing occurring through the Islamo-fascist ideology that possess the terrorists in Iraq. Lucado states:

He (Satan) lives up to both sides of his compound name: strong enough to grip like a vise and stubborn enough to hold on. He clamps like a bear trap - the harder you shake, the more it hurts.

Strongholds: old, difficult, discouraging challenges.

That's what David faced when he looked at Jerusalem. When you and I think of the city we envision temples and prophets. We picture Jesus teaching, a New Testament church growing. We imagine a thriving, hub-of-history capital.

When David sees Jerusalem in 1000 BC, he sees something else. He sees a millennium-old, cheerless fortress, squatting defiantly on the spine of a ridge of hills. A rugged outcropping elevates her. Tall walls protect her. Jebusites indwell her. No one bothers them. Philistines fight the Amalekites. Amalekites fight the Hebrews. But the Jebusites? They are a coiled rattlesnake in the desert. Everyone leaves them alone.

Doesn't that sound eerily similar to the former Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq?

Didn't the United Nations let that "rattlesnake in the desert" continue on, defying 17 U.N. resolutions?

Didn't Saddam kick out the weapons inspectors?

Didn't we eventually find out the real reason WHY the U.N. didn't want to go to war in Iraq in the first place?

Once the U.S. Britain, and the rest of the coalition countries were there, we discovered indisputable evidence of the ongoing Oil for Food Scandal...starring...several of the U.N. "ambassadors" and Hussein's corrupt sons!

History tells us that the region of Iraq suffered under more than 30 years of dictatorship from a brutal thug like Hussein. He paid Palestinian "suicide-homicide bomber" families hefty sums in order to get young men to straps bombs on themselves, creep into Israel, and blow themselves up...with the goal of taking as many Jews with them, in death, as they could.

I could go on and on with a whole list of atrocities. Mass unmarked graves, torture chambers and rape rooms...

Why was the U.N. content to sit by and just let that horrendous regime cause such immense suffering and murder of its people?

Answer:

Greed.

Money.

A corrupt and brutal dictator in Iraq.

Corruption at the U.N.

Pretty much sums up the Oil for Food Scandal.

Back to Lucado sharing David's story:

Everyone leaves them (the Jebusites) alone. Everyone, that is, except David. The just-crowned king of Israel has his eye on Jerusalem. He's inherited a divided kingdom. The people need, not just a strong leader, but strong headquarters.

We didn't know that 9/11 was going to happen. But God knew. He chose a leader for America during the divisive 2000 election, and again in 2004 who would stick to his decisions and not waver in the midst of controversy, disagreement and mockery.

Lucado cites 2 Samuel 5:6-9 (NKJV):

2Sa 5:6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, "You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you," thinking, "David cannot come in here."

2Sa 5:7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).

2Sa 5:8 Now David said on that day, "Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul), he shall be chief and captain."* Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house."

2Sa 5:9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo* and inward.

Lucado continues:

This regrettably brief story tantalizes us with the twofold appearance of the term stronghold. In verse 7, "David took the stronghold," and in verse 9, "David dwelt in the stronghold."

Substitute David's name with the term "Liberty" and we see what our war efforts in Iraq are to accomplish.

Lucado:

Jerusalem meets the qualifications of one: an old, difficult, and discouraging fortress. From atop the turrets, Jebusite soldiers have ample time to direct arrows at any would-be wall climbers. And discouraging? Just listen to the way the city-dwellers taunt David. "You'll never get in here...Even the blind and lame could keep you out!" (5:6 NLT).

The Jebusites pour scorn on David like Satan dumps buckets of discouragement on you:

* "You'll never overcome your bad habits."
* "Born white trash; gonna die white trash."
* "Think you can overcome your addictions? Think again."

[Note: In Lucado's book, he discusses the individual strongholds that can ruin our lives if we let the enemy of our souls build a stronghold there. But for the sake of this essay, I will simply say that we have all heard the mocking voices of the terrorists, as well as those in our own country who hate President Bush.]

Lucado:

If you've heard the mocking David heard, your story need the word David's has. Did you see it? Most hurry past it. Let's not. Pull out a pen and undeline this twelve-letter masterpiece.

Nevertheless.

"Nevertheless David took the stronghold..."

Granted, the city was old. The walls were difficult. The voices were discouraging...Nevertheless David took the stronghold.

Now, apply those same words to Iraq and Baghdad.

Nevertheless LIBERTY took the stronghold...

Granted, the city (of Baghdad) was old. The walls (enemies gathered there) are difficult. The voices were discouraging (both of our enemies and our liberal left media)... Nevertheless, LIBERTY took the stronghold.

THAT is our goal in Iraq!

David turns a deaf ear to old voices. Those mockers strutting on the wall tops? David ignores them. He dismisses their words and goes about his work.

That's a true sign of a great leader...

We need to continue to pray for success in Iraq, Afghanistan, and anywhere else we are needed to fight this war against Islamo-fascism! Are you praying...my fellow Christians??

*******

Switching gears a bit, let's look at Lucado's question to us all:

Wouldn't you love God to write a nevertheless in your biography?

We all need a nevertheless. And God has plenty to go around. Strongholds mean nothing to him. Remember Paul's words? "We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4 NLT)

Lucado:

Remember Nehemiah? Five hundred years later, he headed up a building program to restore the fortifications after Jerusalem was in ruins and many people were in captivity. Critics tell him to stop. They plan to interfere with his work. They list all the reasons the stones can't and shouldn't be restacked. But Nehemiah won't listen to them. Nehemiah knew how to press the "mute button" on his dissenters. (see Neh. 6:3)


What about the individual, personal strongholds in your own life?

Lucado:

Two types of thoughts continually vie for your attention. One proclaims God's strengths; the other lists your failures.

Why listen to the mockers...when you can, with the same ear, listen to the voice of God?

I know many victorious Christians who overcame some deep and difficult strongholds within their own lives! Alcohol, drugs, illicite sex, pornography...you name it.

Just like David, they found fresh hope in God through His strength!

The Person of Jesus Christ indwelling within the soul of the believer has the power to overcome any stronghold in your life...if you allow Him to work within you through the power of the Holy Spirit!

What a promise we have in Jesus Christ!!

Eph 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14 who* is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Eph 1:15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

Eph 1:16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

Eph 1:18 the eyes of your understanding* being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Eph 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Eph 1:20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Eph 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Eph 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Footnotes:
1:10 NU-Text and M-Text omit both.
1:14 NU-Text reads which.
1:18 NU-Text and M-Text read hearts.

Lucado:

Who knows, you may be a prayer away from a nevertheless. God loves to give them.