Do Not Ignore This Atrocity

The following is a guest post from my friend Angelyn McMurray, Founder and President of We Are Free. Please take a moment to read about this important ministry focused on helping victims of human trafficking and consider how you can help. To profess freedom in Christ while ignoring those being denied human freedom is a disgrace to the gospel.

Human Trafficking in a Nutshell . . .

To explain human trafficking “in a nutshell” is admittedly a fair request, but for someone who considers them self to be a modern day abolitionist, it is like asking Einstein to explain the theory of relativity or expecting a historian to briefly explain the circumstances which led to the rise of the Nazi party and subsequent politics of World War II. In short, it is nearly impossible. However, in consideration of the reality and ramifications of human trafficking, it is critically important to maintain the ability to briefly, raise awareness and provide practical action steps to counter this evil. To do so, let’s first look at the facts . . .

– There are roughly 27 million slaves in the world. There are more slaves now than at any other time in human history.

– More than 17,500 persons will be trafficked into the United States each year.

– Every year, approximately 100,000 U.S. Citizen children will be trafficked within the United States.

– In the United States, forced prostitution (trafficking) begins at an average age of 13 for girls and 12 for boys.

– And in the United States alone, human trafficking is a 9.8 Billion dollar industry. More specifically, in major urban areas, a pimp will earn as much as 1.7 Million dollars every year.

Still, these are just numbers, how is it that we can come to not only conceptualize but also empathize with these numbers? We must look at the humanity which these numbers represent and the practical circumstances of their every day existence. Consider this . . .

At this very moment, as you read information pertaining to human trafficking, somewhere within the vicinity of where you sit there is a man or woman working long hours in deplorable, most likely, abusive conditions with no hope of receiving compensation for such work. Worse yet, a woman or child is being violated (raped) by a stranger who has paid an ‘owner’ for the right to abuse, degrade and shame them for the sake of the buyer’s pleasure. That woman, that child has no hope of freedom or restoration. Their reality is that their body will be bought and violated again and again and again. The fact is, they have lost their humanity and are now a commodity.

These men, women, boys and girls who, like you and I were created in the image of God, have suffered unimaginable abuse and exploitation. They are broken in every possible way. Their bodies are broke, they suffer psychological anguish and live in a state of spiritual despair. They move among us and walk the same streets but they have no voice and there is no one to speak on their behalf.

Pause for just a second to close your eyes; can you see them? Can you begin to feel their desperation and hopelessness?

In the midst of this desperation and hopelessness, there is an ever-growing light bringing good news. The same good news that is found in the Gospel of John where it says, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”   We Are FREE, exists to be that light to the victims of human trafficking and we do this by speaking on behalf of these modern day slaves who have no voice.

We speak on their behalf by educating groups about the reality of their circumstances and the means by which you could identify a victim and who it is that should be contacted once you believe you have identified a victim. Even more importantly, we will be speaking on their behalf by providing services to survivors at a faith-based aftercare facility.

We Are FREE’s aftercare facility, Hebron Hills, which is being built on 25 rural acres in southern Arkansas is slated to be a comprehensive care facility that will provide long-term temporary housing while addressing all physical, psychological and spiritual needs. We will also provide all necessary educational requirements and vocational training so that each resident has the power to transition to an independent sustainable life. Our overarching goal is to identify the specific needs of each resident and meet those needs while at the same time cultivating all that is unique about his or her Godly design so that he or she is able to achieve their own goals.

And here is the best news; You too can take your light and join it with other abolitionists so that the ray of hope which provides freedom can shine brighter and farther. To take these practical steps in combatting human trafficking, contact We Are FREE via email at [email protected] so that you can be connected with a local abolition group. You will also be able to receive additional information regarding advocacy and awareness campaign events and financial partnership as well as getting signed up to receive monthly newsletters and updates.

Slavery in various forms has existed from the time of the earliest civilizations and sadly, I believe it will exist until the end of time. That being said, there have been those to fight against slavery in the past and others will continue to fight in the future. This however, is our time! This is our leg of the race where we have the privilege as abolitionist to carry the baton of freedom, don’t let this privilege pass you by . . . Get in the fight . . . Become an Abolitionist . . . You can provide Freedom to others!

A Holy Partnership

Jesus calls all believers to make disciples.

Jesus chose His last words on earth carefully. He had spent three years pouring into His apostles.  Before ascending into Heaven, He gathered them for final instructions which we call the Great Commission.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18-20)

In His final instruction, Christ was describing the divine plan to multiply worshippers through their spiritual legacies –including yours.

The Call

The Great Commission contains only one command: make disciples. All of the other words and phrases define that command.

  • “Go” is where we make disciples.
  • “All nations” is who we disciple.
  • “Baptizing” and “Teaching” is how we disciple.
  • “All authority” and “I am with you” is the power to disciple.

In order to fulfill the Great Commission, we must align ourselves with the command to make disciples.

Go

When Jesus said, “Go,” it wasn’t because the disciples were idle. They were already going. Instead, He was telling them what to do as they were going.

Jesus knew the disciples would come into contact with people everywhere they went. Like us, they were going to work, going to the market, and going to visit friends. Every person we encounter in life is a potential disciple.

We must not fall into a “wait until they come to us” mentality. Instead, disciple-makers must “seek out” opportunities to invest in others. That’s the idea of go.

Make Disciples

A disciple is a learner who becomes like his/her teacher. When Jesus commissioned the apostles, they knew exactly what He meant by the word “disciple” because Jesus had discipled them.

Christ’s method of discipleship went beyond sharing information. Jesus transformed the apostles by sharing His life with them. That is what He calls us to: Life-on-life training, pouring ourselves into others. If we want to see real change in our disciple’s lives, we must open our houses, simplify our calendars, share our possessions, and offer our attention.  Consistent interaction is required for iron to sharpen iron. (Proverbs 27:17)

Discipleship goes beyond telling someone how they should act; its spending enough time together that they can watch how you react. It’s more than telling someone how to think, but letting them watch you process a situation. It’s weightier than describing the character of Christ, its displaying the character of Christ. of life is a learning opportunity and as a general rule, more is caught than taught.

As you pour your life into others your efforts are multiplied and each disciple becomes a part of your spiritual legacy.  And as your spiritual legacy grows and multiplies, it combines with other legacies until disciples are made in all nations.

All Nations

Our hearts must be set on continuing the work of discipleship until disciples are made of all nations. Short of this, our work is not complete.

Christ’s goal is both ambitious and attainable through the work of the Holy Spirit.  In Acts 1:8, Jesus prophesied, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

When Christ returns, He will completely rule every tribe, tongue and nation! (not just some tribes, many tongues, or most nations)

Baptism

The ceremony of baptism began long before Christ came to earth. It symbolized a person’s complete immersion into a way of life. It pictures the old man being buried and the new man being raised to life as a new creation in Christ.

For believers, baptism is a public proclamation of a person’s commitment to follow Christ on a life-long journey of transformation.

Teaching

Notice Jesus doesn’t say teach “to know,” but teach “to observe.” The goal of teaching to know is data recall. If a disciple is given the impression that following Christ is merely about learning information, he will become a “hearer of the word” and not a “doer of the word.” (James 1:23)  In contrast,  teaching to observe aims at transformation. The word “observed” is used here to mean “obey.” We use the word in this sense when we talk about observing traffic laws and ordinances. It is more than knowing, its doing.

Discipleship is God’s method for transforming believers into Christ-like followers. Discipleship is not one segment of the Christian life, it is the whole of the Christian life. Instead of thinking of discipleship as one piece of the pie, think of it as the topping -it covers everything –how to worship, pray, serve, love… (its all inclusive) A call to new life in Christ is a call to be His disciple. And  a call to be Christ’s disciple is a call to make disciples.

All Authority, I am With You

Of course, this task is too difficult for any human to accomplish. No matter how strong our influence, we don’t have the power to change a person’s heart: only God can. So Jesus prefaces the Great Commission by reminding His men that He has authority over all things. And He concludes by reminding them that He will be with them as they make disciples through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Discipleship, therefore, is a partnership between God and man.  God is the worker and man is His tool.  Think of yourself as a crescent wrench that the Spirit attaches to another person. God uses your life to grip their heart through the time you spend together. And as He draws your lives closer together, the Spirit begins to turn the wrench, resulting in life change. There is no question about it: God will make disciples through faithful, Spirit-led men.  The only question is if you will be one of them.

Of course a wrench only works when it is moving. In order to be effective, not only will the disciple be moved by the Holy Spirit, but you will too.  In fact, making disciples is actually a step toward maturity in your own discipleship with Christ.  Just like the best way to learn is to teach, disciplemakers grow from making disciples.

If we are not seeing disciples made in our lives, the problem is with us –not God. The Holy Spirit has been in the disciple-making business for over 2,000 years.  If disciples are not being made through our lives, we must ask if we are really led by spirit. Only by His power can we make biblical disciples.

 

The Fascinating Future of the Church

Science is fascinating -and sometimes scary.

Did you know that prenatal screening now allows prospective parents to know all sorts of details about their child’s traits by removing a single cell from an embryo? While highly controversial, the concept highlights the incredible amounts of information God has stored in human DNA.

As I contemplated the idea of one cell being able to reveal the future of an entire body, my mind drifted to the church -Christ’s body. What if we used the same methodology as prenatal screening to evaluate the future health of a church? In other words, if we removed just one member from your congregation, what would we learn about your church?

I know the analogy isn’t perfect. After all, every member of any given church is at varying levels of maturity, understanding, experience, and faithfulness -yet they all share a common DNA from your church. So how about picking out the average church member -not the weakest link and not the strongest link. Go ahead, picture a person in your local church who best represents the whole congregation.

Now, ask yourself a few questions. If this person represents the future of our church:

  • How much spiritual growth should I expect my congregation to experience over the next five years?
  • What kind of ministries will our church most likely begin (and end) in the next 10 years?
  • Will our outreach efforts in the local community be expanding or shrinking?
  • Should I expect to see more people come to Christ through our church?
  • Will our church raise up new leaders for the future?

I don’t know about you, but this little exercise causes me to think more and more about the vital need for strong discipleship in local churches. We must look beyond the church as Sunday morning attendance and concentrate more on individual lives of our members from Monday through Friday. The future depends upon it .

 

Waiting for Deliverance

How long did the children of Israel have to wait at the edge of the Red Sea before crossing?

Sound like a meaningless Bible trivia question?

Until recently, I had never given thought to this part of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. As it turns out, what may seem like an insignificant detail actually holds enormous meaning.

Exodus 15:21 describes the scene like this: Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

Did you notice the Bible’s description of how long they waited at the shore? All night.

What took so long? The Bible points out that an “east wind” divided the waters and “made the sea dry land.” Keep in mind; the children of Israel were coming out of Egypt –west of the sea. That means they were on the west bank waiting on the east wind to move toward them, across the sea, as they waited. They could not go until the wind made it across and finished moving the waters aside –and the last inch to be affected was the water directly in front of them. That’s why it took all night.

Why is that significant? Because the Egyptian army was directly behind them in hot pursuit. By all accounts, there was no time to stand around and wait.

So, how did the children of Israel avoid capture while waiting on the wind all night?

Check out verse 19: Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel.

Amazing! The angel of God, who led them out of Egypt as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, moved from before them to behind them. Both the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire were now visible at the same time. The Bible explains that the pillar of cloud faced the Egyptian army while, back to back, the pillar of fire faced the children of Israel. What did that accomplish? It kept the Egyptians lost in the dark of night unable to see Israel on the other side of the cloud. At the same time, the pillar of fire gave the children of Israel light throughout the night so they could watch God mightily parting the Red Sea. The Bible explains it this way at the close of verse 19: And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.

Just think of the implications:

  1. God personally protected His people. Instead of using a rupturing fault line or some other natural means to place a barrier between the Israel and their enemy, God’s presence intervened as the “angel of God.” What a foreshadowing of Christ taking on human flesh in order to intervene between us and the enemy –Satan.
  2. God was in perfect control of everything. The forces of nature were not the only elements under God’s control in this episode. Even time itself was shown subordinate to God’s power as He caused Israel to wait all night long. They could have stood there for days or weeks and still been protected since God was their strength and shield. Similarly, God’s impeccable sovereignty over time was manifest in sending Christ at “just the right time” (Romans 5:6) and in “not [being] slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (II Peter 3:9).
  3. God is glorified in every detail of history. While the length of time Israel waited on the Red Sea to part might otherwise seem like an insignificant detail, the Bible treats it as a moment for God to be glorified. In verse 13, just before all of this happened, Moses told the people, “Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” It would have been difficult to fully appreciate the miracle God would perform in delivering his people if they had been in a hurry. So God, through Moses, instructed the people to “stand firm” and watch. Then, He put on a supernatural display of power –all night long!

Maybe today, you have been waiting on God to deliver you from a specific burden. Or perhaps you have been praying for God to save a dear friend or bring a prodigal home. It might be that, like Paul, you have prayed for a thorn in your flesh to be removed.

If God has not granted your request, take a moment to remember the children of Israel’s long night in the desert. God personally protects His people. He is in perfect control of everything –including the amount of time you have waited in prayer.

One thing is for sure, God will give His children victory over their enemies just as he did for Israel. After all God’s people moved safely across the sea on dry land, He removed the barrier from the Egyptian army, allowing them to pursue. Then, at the right time, “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived” (vs. 27-28).

In Christ, the victory is already ours. Whether God grants your personal requests in this life or in the life to come is up to Him. Either way, it just may be that His delay is to give you a wonderful view of His power and plenty of time to praise Him for it. To God be the glory!

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint. –Isaiah 40:31

Why Multiplication Exists

Revelation 7:9-10 reveals a future scene in heaven.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Did you catch that?  Heaven will be inhabited by people from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.

Question: How will people from every nation, tribe, people & language get there?

Its not by accident.  God has been planning world-wide worship from the beginning.  In the very first book of the Bible, God instructed Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply… (Genesis 1:28) Why? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)

After the flood, God repeated the command to Noah: Be fruitful and multiply. (Genesis 9:7)  Later, God told Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him.  (Genesis 12:2).  God repeated that promise to Abraham’s son, Isaac, and grandson, Jacob. (Genesis 26:4, 28:14)

Multiplication holds incredible potential for growth. Think about how a person’s descendants multiply as each generation passes. For example, Tim and Pam have two children who have 2 children each who have 2 children each. After three generations, Tim and Pam’s descendants have increased from two to fourteen! They have been fruitful and multiplied their physical legacy.

Spiritually speaking, the concept is the same.  God has chosen to make worshippers of all nations by multiplying worshippers through their spiritual legacies.

It is called discipleship. Examples fill the pages of scripture: Moses discipled Joshua. Elijah discipled Elisha, Eli discipled Samuel. John the Baptist discipled many, and Paul discipled Timothy.

Jesus compared the power of multiplication to the growth of a mustard seed (the smallest of all seeds) into a strong tree full of branches and leaves (Luke 13:18-19). Maybe you feel as spiritually significant as a mustard seed right now. But that is the beauty of God’s design.  He chooses the small, seemingly insignificant people in this world and does mighty things through them.

Consider the power of multiplication in the book of Acts. Chapter six tells us, “the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly” (6:7). The momentum of multiplication powered a mighty mission movement in the Church. And the mission movement empowered multiplication. Even in the midst of great persecution, “the word of God grew and multiplied” (12:24). After just three decades, the early church had experienced 400% growth! Do you feel the power of multiplication?

The task of discipleship is not busy-work; it is the work. Jesus issued only one plan to achieve worldwide worship: making disciples. He banked his entire ministry on it. And He will not return until people from all nations respond to the gospel. (Matthew 24:14)

Is Your “Inner Compass” Trustworthy?

Confession: using a compass is a challenge for me. I wish I could be cool like soldiers in the movies by whipping out the compass, giving it a quick check, and then stuffing in back in my pocket. But, truth be known, I have to stare at the compass for a few minutes, then I have to turn around in a circle until I can get it lined up, and finally I look up to see which way I need to go.

Recently, President Obama presented the commencement address for the Naval Academy graduation in Anapolis, MD urging graduates to follow their “inner compass.” That “inner compass” idea has become popular over the past few decades. People say it different ways –“follow your heart,” “listen to your gut,” “let your inner person guide you” –but it all means the same thing: Trust yourself.

I don’t mean any disrespect to our President, but “following your inner compass” is a dangerous idea.

Would you tell Charles Manson to “follow your heart?”

Would you suggest that Jeffery Dhamer “listen to your gut?”

I know what you’re thinking: but those guys are evil! It’s always strange how we can miss our own depravity by comparing ourselves to others.

But consider the picture Romans 3:10-18 paints of all of us (you, me, everyone).

“None is righteous, no, not one;

no one understands;

no one seeks for God.

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

no one does good,

not even one.”

“Their throat is an open grave;

they use their tongues to deceive.”

“The venom of asps is under their lips.”

“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

in their paths are ruin and misery,

and the way of peace they have not known.”

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Still want to trust your inner compass? I’m afraid it doesn’t point north!

That’s why Jeremiah 17:9 warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Still feel confident in your “inner compass?”

The fact that man cannot trust his inmost creates a deep-seated need within us for an external compass that we can trust whole-heartedly. That is why God has provided us with the unfailing compass of His Word: “Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

We never have to worry about God’s compass changing direction: “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

In contrast to the President’s encouragement to follow an “inner compass,” the founders of the US Constitution did not trust men’s hearts. That’s why they established an external rule to direct all citizens consistently. That’s what God’s Word provide for us.

However, Scripture possesses something the US Constitution does not have: The power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate author of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21). Moreover, the Spirit resides within the heart of believers helping them understand and obey Scripture. That’s why the Bible describes itself as the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:7). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word “is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). In other Words, you don’t just read the Bible –it reads you!

Here’s the issue: As believers, the Holy Spirit indwells our beings. But we can’t say, “since the Spirit dwells in my heart, I’ll just listen to my heart from now on.” The problem with that line of thinking is that, as long as we are on this earth, we still battle the desires of a wicked heart. The Spirit and the flesh are at odds and do battle daily.

So how do you distinguish between the Spirit’s leading and your flesh-influenced desires? By using the compass of God’s Word. Test every thought, desire, and decision by the Word.

And trust me –this is a compass you can have success in reading –the Holy Spirit will make sure of that!

Holy Wrestlemania!

What are you wrestling with right now? Finances? Relationships? Grief? Loss? Opportunities? Disappointments?

In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestled with God. It’s one of the most mysterious passages in Scripture.

In the background, Jacob had another wrestling match taking place. A reunion with his long estranged half-brother Esau was on the horizon.

Jacob and Esau had been wrestling since birth -actually, before birth! (Genesis 25:22-23)

The two brothers were constantly at odds. At one point, Jacob even conned Esau into selling his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34). The struggle climaxed when Jacob stole Esau’s blessing from their father Isaac (Genesis 27). Isaac became so angry that Esau comforted himself by planning to kill Jacob (Genesis 27:42). That’s typically a relationship red flag! So at the urging of his mother, Jacob fled the scene (Genesis 27:43).

Fast forward twenty-something years. Jacob has become a successful businessman. He owns massive flocks and has a large entourage. But life hasn’t been perfect. He has a rocky relationship with his father-in-law Laban (another story for another time) and decides to flee with his wives (did I mention both of his wives were Laban’s daughters?)

His journey will take him near the land where Esau dwells. Basically, Jacob feels like a moving target for a man who, the last time they talked, wanted to kill him.

So Jacob sent servants ahead of him to make peace with Esau. They took major gifts to try to smooth things over. But when the servants returned, they told Jacob that Esau would not accept the gifts (Genesis 32:1-21).

Can you imagine the turmoil inside of Jacob at this point? There are so many questions that would have been going through his mind. Is Esau after me? Is his still angry? Does he want to kill me?

That night, after sending off his wives to safety, Jacob was alone. I’m sure his mind wouldn’t stop mulling over the situation with Esau.

And that’s when God came to wrestle with Jacob. The Bible says they wrestled until dawn. And then, to cap it all off, God touched Jacob’s hip and put it out of joint. God told Jacob, “Let me go, for the day has broken” (Genesis 32:26).

What? Did God ask for mercy from Jacob? Was Jacob really winning the wrestling match? I don’t think so.

God is all-powerful. A little twerp like Jacob wouldn’t stand a chance if God had wanted to destroy him. That leads me to believe that God wanted Jacob to wrestle with him. In fact, I think God wants us to wrestle with Him.

Of course, that means we have to define what we mean by “wrestling with God.” I don’t think this is a matter of two people, angry at one another trying to “duke it out” over a disagreement. Instead, it is the process of working out a situation with brutal honesty –laying everything out on the table. It is raw, open, problem solving.

I think this scene helps us see a greater reality. Remember, the context of this wrestling match is another wrestling match –with Esau. I think God is trying to show Jacob (and us) that, ultimately, we don’t wrestle with issues –we wrestle with God.

Here’s what that means: The way Jacob decides to react Esau will be a direct result of Jacob’s relationship with God. Similarly, the way you view God’s ownership of your life will impact how you steward your resources. The way you view God’s mercy upon you will impact whether you forgive your brother. The way you understand God’s providence will impact your career choice.

So when you are wrestling with any issue in life, you are really wrestling with God.

The best part of the story comes next. Jacob tells God, ““I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26).

Apparently, this was exactly what God wanted because he blessed Jacob (Genesis 32:29).

The goal of wrestling with God is to cling to Him in the midst of your trial. And it is in that act of clinging to Him that He blesses you. He already knows the solution to your circumstances -He just wants to put you in a position to where you trust that He’s in control. He wants you to be completely dependent upon Him.

There’s one more thing that happened in this story. God gave Jacob a new name: Israel, which means, “struggles with God” (Genesis 32:28) –That’s not demeaning; it’s a compliment. It marks Jacob as a man who takes his issues straight to the throne and clings to the Father for resolution.

The Bible says that believers have been given a new name (Isaiah 62:2). And Romans 9:7-8 explains that all believers are a part of spiritual Israel. In other words, through Christ, you have been given the privilege of wrestling with God!

So, in conclusion, let me suggest the best wrestling move of all: The next time you are tempted to wrestle with situations and circumstances of life, cling to Christ!

Warming the Bench for the Kingdom

In sixth grade, my little league team made it to the state championship game. I played my role on the team very well -I was a bench warmer!

Over the course of the season, I had come to embrace my position on the team. I would make sure the cups around the Gatorade were ready when the players came off the field. I would get loud and cheer from my dugout location.

The only problem was, I rarely got on the field. That is, until the state championship game.

It was the bottom of the ninth. We were down by one run. For some reason known only to God, my coach felt sorry for me. He inserted me into the lineup. By the time I made it to the plate, the bases were loaded with two outs.

Somehow I forced the pitcher into a full count. Then, my coach pulled me aside. He said something like, “if it’s in there, swing for the stars.”

As I walked back to the plate, I made up my mind that I was swinging no matter what. After all, this was the perfect made-for-tv-movie-moment. This was my moment!

The pitcher wound up and released the ball. I took the biggest swing of my life. Time stood still…

And then…. “Strike Three –You’re out! That’s the ball game.”

When I opened my eyes (you shouldn’t close your eyes when you swing), I looked back at the catcher. The ball was so high that he had to reach to catch it.

I had just struck out on ball four. (I could have walked in the tying run).

I guess my coach was trying to help me make a memory. Well coach, it worked!

As painful as it was, that experience helped me learn a valuable lesson. We can’t all be the best at everything. Somebody’s got to ride the bench to support the starters. (In musical terms, every first chair violin needs a strong second fiddle).

But playing second fiddle isn’t always easy.

Remember Joseph called Barsabbas? Probably not. Barsabbas is one of Scripture’s bench players.

In Acts 1:23-26, the eleven apostles had gathered together to replace Judas Iscariot. Two men were put forward for a vote: Matthias and Barsabbas.

Matthias was selected and went on to serve alongside the twelve. But I wonder what happened to Barsabbas?

At this point, I can only speculate. But I’m fairly sure that if Barsabbas was the quality of man whom the eleven would consider to join them, he probably handled “benching” in a Christ-like way.

I sincerely doubt he called for a recount or accused anyone of voter disenfranchisement.

Instead, I can only imagine that he embraced his second fiddle role in the same way Jonathan embraced his support role toward David.

In I Samuel 18 & 19, Jonathan, the natural heir to Saul’s throne, knew that David was God’s anointed choice to be King. Instead of competing with David for the position, Jonathan took joy in supporting David and protecting him from his father, King Saul. At one point, Jonathan was even willing to risk his life for his friend.

It’s a beautiful picture of Christ. If anyone had the right to be the all-star, it was Jesus, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:6).

If you have ever felt belittled for filling the bench-role, consider this. Jesus chose the support role when He came to earth, “becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).

But lest we think second fiddle means less important, consider the next verse: “therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…” (Phil. 2:9).

The real issue is not whether you are a starter or a bench warmer in the kingdom. What’s important is embracing the role God has created you for and called you to. In God’s economy, that is called faithfulness.

While we can’t be sure what happened to Barsabbas, I’ve got to believe that he probably spent the rest of his life supporting the twelve –including Matthias.

So how can you embrace your calling when you find yourself in the bench role?

1)   Remember that titles and positions are not what are important. Faithfulness to you role is what matters. It’s an issue of character.

2)   Take advantage of your support role to identify with Christ. Take joy in finding ways to go “over the top” by serving those around you.

3)   Show those around you a godly example of how to ride the bench –chances are, they will have their turn sometime soon.

A Christ-Like Tip

We’ve all been there: It’s been 30 minutes and the food hasn’t arrived and the server hasn’t bothered to refill drinks. You’re stomach is growling when, finally, the food arrives –cold. Even worse, the order is all wrong.

By the end of your dining experience, the server has ignored you, neglected you, offended you, and perturbed you.

Its time to leave. You pay for the meal and receive your change. Now what do you do?

Do you walk away without leaving a tip? Do you leave a noticeably small tip in order to make a point?

You’ve got to send a message –but what will it be?

 

Hold that thought and fast-forward to Sunday. The sermon is focused in on John 13:34, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

Just as you are about to “amen” the main point, a visitor sits down beside you. Its your server from the restaurant.

You keep glancing at her through the sermon. The thought keeps coming to mind: she is a real person with real needs.

Now your mind is racing: does she know Christ? Is she in the middle of a crisis? Does she have children? What is her family situation? Has she had a bad week?

Suddenly you see her differently –not as a bad waitress, but as a person just like you.

The service is concluding and she walks toward a church counselor. As she walks, she glances back to you. She remembers.

 

Now, rewind. You’re back at the restaurant. What kind of tip do you hope you left -one based upon performance or grace? Which one reflects the gospel? What kind of tip would Christ have left?

Law Sets Prisoners Free

“Law of Liberty.” What an interesting phrase.

Notice how it juxtaposes two seemingly opposite ideas: Law and Liberty.

Laws limit; Liberty releases.

Laws restrict; Liberty unleashes.

Laws say “no;” Liberty says “yes.”

What an interesting oxymoron. So where does this phrase come from? James 1:25.

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

Why do we have such a hard time reconciling the ideas of “law” and “liberty?” Probably because we live in a fallen world in which our laws are imperfect and lacking.

But James is describing something different from our incomplete man-made laws. He is describing the law of God –the “perfect law.”

In this sense, I think James is talking about “God’s Law” in a general sense –not necessarily the moral law, ceremonial law, or civil law found in the Old Testament. Instead, “God’s law” implies our complete obedience and submission to Him.

God’s law has something man’s laws lack: complete transforming power. Man’s laws merely manage people –God’s laws change people.

That’s why the idea of a law leading to liberty seems foreign to us.

To help gain perspective, picture yourself as a prisoner in an old penitentiary. Your body is worn and your eyes have failed. You sit every day obeying the laws of the prison: Get up, shower, eat, work, sleep, etc.

One day, you hear the cell door open and a voice calls out to you, “stand up and follow me.” This isn’t the voice you’ve been accustomed to hearing over the years. Instead, there is a sense of hope in this voice.

You stand and take steps forward. The voice calls out to you, “three steps to the left,” “turn right,” “stay straight.”

After what seems like hours of obeying every command, you feel the warmth of the morning sun falling on your skin. You are free.

After years of obeying one kind of law –the law that managed you in your prison- you had the privilege of following a better law –a law that leads to freedom!

God’s “law of liberty” is like that. The more we obey, the more freedom we enjoy from this fallen world.

God’s perfect law is in His Word. That’s why, in the context of this verse, James exhorts us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (James 1:22).

So take a moment to rejoice –God’s law is not like man’s law. God’s law brings freedom! No wonder the psalmist exclaimed, “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).