Words for the Church for the Coming Times

 There has been a lot of talk about people prophesying about the last election. I do not consider myself having the gift of the Prophet. I wish it was because I was afraid of bringing reproach to the Lord by being wrong. But I'm afraid it is because I don't want to be made to look like a fool. In saying this, here are my thoughts

“This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:
‘Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce.
Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.’
For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.
For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name; I have not sent them, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 29:4-9

We know that this is written for the Israelites taken captive to Babylon, but it brings with us today a word of encouragement. Although things have not worked out as we had prayed and the way some self-proclaimed prophets declared, The Lord is with us and we are to continue serving Him. In short, “Get about the Kingdom Business”.
Yes, we are concerned about the loss of freedoms. But losing guns, property, and material things may come to pass, One thing we can not lose and that is the Spirit of God.
There is much talk about civil war and fighting back. Nowhere in the New Testament does it speaks of early Christians fighting back against their persecutors. Some say that Jesus told His disciples to buy swords. Here is the references:

"Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.
“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise, a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.
 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.”
So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered.
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him."
(Luke 22:35-39)

Jesus said that two swords were enough was not instructions to prepare for war. What would two swords do against a mob? What will my little handgun do against law enforcement with body armor? Not a thing but get me killed.

Our strategy is to bring Glory to the Lord. The fight is spiritual.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Can we bring glory to God by fighting and killing? All through the N.T., we are told to obey the government. Paul said these things under the persecution of Nero. The difference is that we do not give up our right to speech. We must proclaim truth (with facts). Proclaim the Good News at the same time you are uncovering the lies of others.

And dwell in the land with peace to others. 

“In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed to have nothing bad to say about us. “ Titus 2:7-8
There it is, our guide.

People do not realize that everything we do reflects on the Lord Jesus. And that is our calling. That is our Kingdom Business. We are to walk out the coming years with good works, integrity, and dignity. Not as the world does but as Christ commands.
Go do your work and please God. As in the case of the exiles, Babylon was given 70 years to keep the captives. We do not know how long our life here will last but keep it faithfully.

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Heroes and Duty?

Watching TV the other day and one of the commercials was a courteous one. The music spoke of being a hero and the product slogan was, “join us and be a hero”. It was an ad for a gym! My first thought was, “ what has going to a gym have to do with being a hero? Here was another corporation cashing in on the times.

I remember back when the airplane pilot landed the plane in the Hudson River and people called him a hero. I wrote a blog post saying the guy was brave and did a terrific job, but he was trained to act and paid. He did not fit the description of “Hero”.

Maybe in using this title we should use capitalize one and lower case the other? I believe being called a hero when doing our duty or we are getting paid to do the job is like getting a trophy in sports for participating. I was glad that when the pilot and others were called heroes, they denied the title and did not glory in their accomplishment.
This reminded me of what Jesus said about duty: Luke 17:7-10

In these verses, Jesus explains the attitude we should have when doing our job or volunteer work. In using the picture of a servant, which is our spiritual status in Christ. We are bought with a price. (Although at the same time we are friends, co-heirs, and co-workers in Him, but that is a whole other teaching)

To be a “Hero” we must do something brave that we do not have to do that demands self-sacrifice. You-know, that thing Christ did for us. Christ is our prime example of a Hero and much more. I feel like the title Hero would be beneath Him. Let’s keep Him Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. For when He came to us He humbled Himself and that is our example, wish not to be called a Hero but a good and faithful Servant. Servant with a capital letter!