Twenty Below

It was a little chilly here in central Wisconsin Friday morning. It's actually twenty below zero as I write this. Brrr! Still, my wife and I are nice and warm inside of our house. Our wonderful little bubble of love. Yay!

But of course, we still will venture outside. Gotta check the mail you know. I also like to visit friends. We still have to go outside our bubble, our comfort zone.

Speaking of bubbles, I recently wrote a story called The Bubble. It was about keeping certain things OUTSIDE of our lives. But what happens when we ourselves venture beyond the perimeter of our bubble and into "The World"? That's the topic for today's story. Let's start off with some scripture to get ourselves going in the right direction.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

Oh, that's a good one! Memorize it AND live by it!

Remember Covid? We were fine while we were staying at home, but when we went outside, that's when we caught the bug. Another lesson worth remembering. The same advice is worthy to note for the Christian. Outside is darkness and death.

Do you remember what Jesus said when He related the Parable of the Wedding Feast?

“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

¹⁴“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:13-14

The guy they threw outside was an uninvited guest. He came inside the Bridegroom's bubble and was quickly thrown out. Still, we DO have to go to the grocery store. We still have to go to work or to school.

What happens when we step outside of our bubble and into the "outer darkness?" Only if we are rooted in God's word can we return home unscathed. Yet, at home we allow "the outside" to enter through our television, computers and our "smart" phones. We must be cautious.

I just looked up from my writing and saw a commercial on TV that featured a woman standing in front of the camera in her bra and panties, jiggling her belly fat. Then, suddenly, there she was next with her beautiful NEW body. I looked away. So did my wife. Too late. But that was the topic of my previous story. Letting things in.

The point of THIS story is, what do we do when we venture OUTSIDE our bubble? What can we do to protect ourselves?

Guard your hearts. 

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7

Protect yourselves.

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." - Ephesians 6:11

Endure.

"You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." - Matthew 10:22

Do all of these things, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My final point is this. Water freezes at 32°. Shouldn't it be REALLY frozen solid at -20°. One would think so. Yet, I can drive a few miles from my house and see open water on a river. Why? Rapids. The water is very active. It doesn't stand still long enough to freeze. And that is our lesson for today.

Be active in God's Word and in the lives of those that God has placed in your life. You are there for a reason. Don't let your love grow cold.

Frozen To The Sword

I have a challenge for you today. It involves the love we have for our family and friends. Kind of strength test - a measuring stick if you will. First, read this:

"Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day." - 2 Samuel 23:9-10

How much do we love our family? What if someone was attacking someone we love. Would we step in and fight them? To the death?

We are in the midst of a spiritual battle in this world. Watch the news. Parents are having to fight just to raise their own children! Many school systems are indoctrinating our kids without the parent's knowledge. This is just wrong.

Some parents show up at school board meetings, some have actually gotten arrested, and some have gotten so frustrated that they have pulled their children out of the public school and are now home schooling them. Good for them.

Go back to that verse about Eleazar. He fought so incredibly hard for Israel. Even though others fled, he stayed and fought, and "The Lord brought about a great victory that day."

We must stand firm in these last days. We, the silent majority, have been silent for far too long.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." - Ephesians 6:13

Paul goes on to tell the church in Ephesus that "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17) is essential for fighting the schemes of the Devil.

Do we have a tight grasp on God's Word? So tight that it has become frozen in our hands?

Nonconformity

I read something today that made me stop and think about the way I am living my life right now. I'd like you to read it too and see what you think.

"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:13-16

What that basically says to me is, "All that stuff you were doing before you were saved? Yeah, don't do that anymore."

We humans are prone to temptation. We are also creatures of habit. When something we used to do in our past dangles itself in front of us in our present, what is our future going to look like? That depends on what we do right here and now.

How can we prepare for temptation? Take proactive steps. Does taking a drink tempt you? Get rid of the bottles in your house, don't go to bars, don't go to parties where alcohol is likely to be served. Don't go down the beer aisle at the grocery store.

Here's another helpful tip. Don't watch television, especially the commercials. Television ads are like IED's -  roadside bombs. You think you're safe then, BOOM! There it is.

Am I being too drastic? Too picky? Too idealistic? Legalistic?

I used the example of alcohol here but it really could be anything. Sexual temptation, gluttony, greed, the list is endless.

What does it mean to be holy? Set apart? From what? We are to be set apart from the world, sin and everything "the world" represents. We were made holy by the precious blood of Jesus and our faith in God. Should we be acting like it?

Every time we are tempted we should pray and get out of the situation we are in. We also should take steps to avoid temptation. We belong to Jesus, not the world.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

Ball of Confusion - The Temptations

The Stand

How is the battle going today my friend? Are you doing well? Are you standing strong? Or are you weak and weary, worn down by all of the drama and pain in your life? Don't give up. Stand!

We've all had days where it seems like nothing is going right. What do you do when that happens. When it seems like there is no hope and all seems lost? What do you do?

I have seen a lot of people post their struggles on Facebook. What happens then? Usually, friends come to the rescue, posting encouraging things. Stay strong, don't give up, you're amazing. That quickly subsides however and the person is left there. No better. Just with another scar.

Do you have that one friend? The one who always comes to your rescue? I hope so. That's always nice. But they can't stay with you forever. At some point they go back home and then there you are again. Alone.

Have you considered Jesus? The one who promised you that He would NEVER leave you? Have you considered the advise in His Word, The Bible? What does He tell us to do when we are faced with the attacks of The Devil? Does He tell us to run away from our problems? No! He tells us to RESIST the devil and he will flee us. He also tells us to STAND. and to "be strong in The Lord". And just how do we do that? The answer is in The Bible - Ephesians 6 to be precise.

"10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:10-17

Do you remember the battle of Helmsdeep from The Lord of The Rings - The Two Towers? What did they do? They rode out to meet their enemy. Not alone. They could not defeat their foe without the help of a savior - Gandalf. He rode on a white horse. He was dressed in white and he came with the breaking light of day.

Yeah. Jesus is like that. He will do the same for you!

The Battle of Helmsdeep
The Words I Would Say - Sidewalk Prophets

The Frustrated Christian

I have been thinking about changing the name of my blog to something like the title of this post - The Frustrated Christian. Life in the world we live in can be VERY frustrating! I don't think there is a day that goes by lately where I don't feel frustrated in some way. And I don't think I am alone either.

Maybe I should just quit watching the news. But to "stick my head in the sand" doesn't eliminate the crazy things that are happening. The president of our once-great nation is now ordering all of our schools to allow boys and girls to use whatever bathroom or locker room they wish. This has got to be very frustrating to ALL Christians.

The reason for the frustration is, Christians are, by definition, followers of Christ. We desire to do what our Sovereign Lord says. We read the Bible and get our direction from God through His Word and His Holy Spirit. When that direction differs from what "the world" thinks. Yep, frustrating.

I am currently reading through the Book of Ezekiel. I think God gets very frustrated as well. Most of the chapters end with the phrase, "THEN you will know that I am The Lord!" God's frustration comes from the disobedience of the Israelites.

I once heard someone say, "God is patient but He is NOT tolerant." Honestly, I find myself waiting for some kind of heavenly "spanking" because we as a people have not been following His commands.

Christianity is also very frustrating when we have unbelieving friends and family members. We see these loved ones, living like the world tells them to. They think they are successful by the world's standards. But by God's standards they are considered lost, worshiping idols, and blasphemers. Knowing what awaits these loved ones of ours, without repentance and belief in God, is VERY frustrating!

Being frustrated is a GOOD thing I guess. At least we know we are on the right track in our faith. But it doesn't remove the frustration.

So what do we do as Christians?

Instruction for the Christian is written all throughout the Bible. We who believe are to persevere in times of trial. We are to be obedient to God. We are to humble ourselves and seek God's face. We must be patient, and we are to pray!!

A reminder from Jesus . . .

"33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

This world can be a very frustrating place in which to live but God put us here for a reason. Is it to be frustrated? No. God placed us here to be a "city on a hill!"

In the Sermon on The Mount, Jesus gave us this instruction:

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16

When we get frustrated with the news and frustrated with the unbelief of others, let us place our faith and hope in Christ all the more. Let us shine that much brighter. We are called to be "a light in a dark world." Let's turn up the power!

God has called us to join Him in the battle against the principalities and powers of this world. Let's suit up with the Ephesians 6 armor that God gave us!

"12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:121

God did not give us a spirit of frustration or fear. He gave us power to overcome these frustrations in His Word and with His Holy Spirit. Let us, therefore, shine like a beacon for all to see. Let people know who we belong to. Instead of frustration, let us shine all the brighter. That's our duty and our command from God. Let it shine!!!

Shine Your Light - Nichole Nordeman

Do You Compromise?

Do you think compromise is a good thing or a bad thing? It sounds like it would be good. The negotiator in an argument, for example, might think compromise is a GOOD thing. He might desire compromise above all else. It's his ultimate goal. A negotiator's highest priority is to arrive at a peaceful solution. Everybody compromises. Everybody wins, right? Yay!

What about a parachute manufacturer? Should he compromise when selecting the materials with which he makes his parachutes? What's the thinnest para chord he could get away with? Do we really need the highest quality nylon? Couldn't we compromise and make do with something a little more . . . inferior? Hmm. Maybe compromise is not good in ALL of life's situations.

What about our faith? Have we compromise in our beliefs? Do we compromise in how often we pray or read the Bible? Do we compromise in our church attendance or in our offerings? There are many places to compromise.

Here's a tougher question. Do you compromise in your relationships? Here's a relationship scenario for you. One friend texts you and wants to hang out but you don't give them an answer right away, hoping one of your "better" friends will want to hang out as well. Haven't you just compromised one relationship in hopes of enhancing another?

Do you compromise with God? Read this verse from the Gospel of Mark.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." - Mark 12:30-31

Do you find much wiggle room in the word "all?" Jesus just told us that we are to love God with everything we have. Do you think Jesus wants us to compromise? I think not.

So what do we do? We all tend to procrastinate and compromise in our commitments to others, even God, depending on our own selfish needs.

Here's another scenario. You've just gone to bed after a long tiring day at work. Suddenly the phone rings. It's a friend who needs help. What do you do? Do you compromise? Do you try to pass your friend off to someone else? "Have you tried calling Steve? He lives closer."

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

The word "all" leaves little room for doubt in what God wants us to do in the situation I just mentioned. The appropriate answer in God's eyes is, "I'll be right there."

We are servants . . . slaves . . . to the most-high God. We don't get to compromise or procrastinate or say 'no." We are the ones who say, "Here I am Lord. Send me." 

"8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” 9 And he said, “Go," - Isaiah 6:8-9

Let us be the kind of Christians who move. Let us be the ones who take action, who take the risks for our King. There is no compromise in us!

Here I Am Lord - John Michael Talbot