Speaking Words Of Life

We live in an amazing country. And the freedoms and benefits of living here are enormous. We live in a country that has a healthy food supply. We are not actively at war in this nation. We have medical care for many of our citizens and a free public education system for both genders. We have 50 states but there is freedom of travel among those states without passports. We attempt to support freedom of religion or no religion and if you post something negative about the government on social media you live with the expectation that your post will still be there in the morning. These are just a few of the privileges of living in a free society.

You and I are living in one of the freest societies that have ever existed. But if you look at some of the indexes for civil and political freedoms for 2015 you can see quickly that freedoms have been dropping for 9 consecutive years for many countries in the world.

https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2015#.VY26qPlViko

In the U.S. our “great experiment in democracy” has not been without ups and downs to be sure. And the expectation of freedom remains strong for most of us in this country. But is it possible to misunderstand our amazing liberties and the effect they have had on us? Do we have this sense that they “belong” to us forever? Have we read enough history to know better? Do we sometimes find ourselves getting angry when something we hold dear in this society gets encroached upon by others in society who look at life differently than we do?

I think it’s almost impossible not to get a sense of entitlement about American freedoms. It is one thing to feel incredibly blessed by living in a free society but it is another thing to believe you are forever entitled to those benefits.

I have noticed something troubling in the last few years in our culture as social media has allowed us to speak quickly and sometimes vehemently about our political and cultural views. What I’ve noticed is we are getting grumpy and sometimes we are getting just plain mean.

Jesus gave us some specific commands in the Bible about how to live. He said “I’m giving you a new commandment. Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” Christ said a lot to his followers when He was here but He continually repeated His command to love each other the way He did . . . personally and unconditionally. The Bible has many positive commands of what we are to do. Love. Give. Be with people who are suffering. Make sacrifices in your giving. Keep loving and don’t stop.

But do you know there are things we are also told we are NOT to do? One verse says “Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be blameless and innocent.” That is an incredibly high standard. And it seems to be so especially in our social media generation. We can speak almost instantaneously into any situation. We don’t have to slow down anymore to be thoughtful in our responses to our friends, our families and our communities. We can be practically instantaneous in what we communicate. The verse that says we are not to complain or argue goes on to say if we will follow that high standard we will shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of Life. The word of Life is the powerful truth of what Christ can do for us as he sets us free from sin and helps us turn back to God.

But notice this verse all starts with whether we decide whether we will indulge in complaining and arguing. If we do this we will not be blameless and can’t really hold the word of Life out to anyone. Our choices of what we post on social media really have consequences.

It took me awhile to understand that a country like this one was going to live on compromise. There really is no way to have a free society without having us all a little dissatisfied all of the time. What helps me is to realize that when I am excited about something going on in our society that someone else probably is not. Someone who, like me, cares about his family, pays his taxes, and does the best he can every day. I need to try to see him as a real person. So what do my friends and acquaintances notice about me when my party is not in office? Do they see me being respectful of the president or do they see something else? Do my Facebook posts make Christ happy? Do the people on the other side of whatever the issue of the day is feel honored by my comments?

I have lived long enough to see a number of U.S. Supreme Court decisions come down. All the way from back in the civil rights movements in the 1960s. When a decision comes down that I might have wished had gone differently do I complain? Or do I get really grateful to live in a country that has branches of government that check each other every day I have been alive. Branches of government staffed by people who have tried to do the best job they know how to do on most days.

So let’s look at our lives. Let’s look at Facebook pages. Let’s listen to our conversations. And let’s listen to the things our children hear us saying every day. And the next time something happens we don’t like (an election, a Supreme Court decision, or the guy who cuts us off in traffic) let’s listen hard to what we think and what we say. And then if we ever get the privilege as believers to live in Malawi or Syria or some of the very toughest places in the world, we might, just might have practiced enough self-control to even think about being ready to live in those places. And be shiners of the light we are privileged to shine to all.

We have become arguers and fighters, not for the gospel, but for our rights as Americans. We are not fighting for the salvation of the lost but are fighting for our freedom of religion in America. We are not called to fight for our freedoms. We are called to set people free with the good news of the gospel.

Followers of Christ all over this globe are suffering horrendous persecution and anguish simply because they confess the name of Jesus and cling to Him as their Savior and Lord. Many of these individuals have no idea what it would be like to have the protections and privileges Christians have in America. But not having those freedoms does not slow them down in living amazing lives of integrity, love and humility in their cultures. And many would have a very difficult time understanding our consternation over the present circumstances we have in America just because we think some of our rights under our constitution seem to be slipping away. To them they would be unable to relate to rights and protection under the laws of their country.

I don’t imagine anyone in America who has enjoyed our present rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms (or as my wife says, ‘freedom to bare arms’) wants to give up any of these rights and I understand the fear, discomfort and upset we can feel personally regarding changes that are taking place in America.

So what are we to do as American Christians? Curse and spew hate at the individuals we perceive as responsible for these changes? Fight and bite and scratch and claw at these individuals? Speak evil of them? Write our Congressmen but not show the simplest of kindnesses to other people? What would a Christian in Syria advise us to do? What would a Christian in Malawi advise? What would Christ advise? Or command? “Go into all the world and preach the gospel making disciples of all men.” Something like that!

Is our focus to be on the political structure of our country and our freedoms or are we to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness? Are we to be cursing and condemning other religions or are we to be loving the individuals within those religions and telling them about our Savior?

Some of you may be feeling like it’s a real challenge to care about people who oppose your views. Perhaps those people even feel like enemies to you. Jesus said something very powerful in the Sermon on the Mount. He said “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.45 In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven.” Notice Jesus was and is a realist. He knows we will struggle with relationships and that some people on earth will seem like our enemies. But also notice his command. That we LOVE those people and pray for them.

Jesus told us if we were his friends we would obey His commands. And that includes following Him in choosing to love and pray for our enemies. Just like He did! But, I have seen Jesus give us blessings that went far beyond our having the ability to pray for our enemies. And that is that He would break down the walls between us and our enemies by letting us reach out to them. What might that look like the next time there is someone in the political realm we disagree with? What if we picked up the phone and asked that person what it felt like when his side won? Could we walk in his shoes just for a minute and hear his side of the story? Could we listen to why that issue matters to her so much?

But what if we realize we don’t have any friends right now on the “other” side? If that is the case have we only been hanging out with people who think like we do? Well we can change that. We can ask God to give us someone right in our neighborhood or at work or at the gym to get to know a little better. Even if it’s just to have polite conversation about life. God is faithful to answer those kinds of prayers. Because He cares very much about how we get along with others on this planet. Let Him give you someone you least expect. And just watch what happens to your heart. You may have been commissioned by God to be His ambassador, but He cares as much about your heart as he does anyone else’s. And ours can become hardened. Without us noticing!

In America we have more freedom and privilege than most of the world. Many Christians on this earth know nothing of an environment or government that has affirmed their beliefs. Rather they have had to stand strong in utter darkness at risk of their own lives. We may soon share their experiences in America. We need to prepare for that day to be sure. Perhaps God is preparing you right now. In a world where communication is moment by moment He might be asking you to respond to the Scripture about not complaining and arguing anymore and challenging you to love people. The way Jesus asks us all to love. One person at a time. Who knows? That person might be on the social media you are going to be on today. Do you have an encouraging comment for an “enemy?” Watch out! One day that person might become a friend.

Mark Phelps

The Hope of Heaven

Part of the well-known Lord’s Prayer says: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”.

Jesus is asking us to request that the way God does things in heaven will be done right here on this earth. We know God’s kingdom is based on the characteristics of God. He is a good, merciful, and life giving God and those are things He wants to see on earth, and asks us to pray to that end. To me heaven is a far superior reality being invited into our current reality. And I find it interesting that it is Jesus himself who is teaching us that this is a prayer of paramount importance to the believer. In fact Jesus said “when you pray, pray this way…”

We are to ask God to send His kingdom and kingdom ways to this earth. And ask that God’s perfect will be done on earth. Clearly this is a bold prayer because when you look around you realize God’s will is NOT being done on earth. Journalists are still being beheaded and pre-teen girls are being kidnapped in Nigeria and nearly 9 million children under the age of 5 die every year. Jesus wanted God’s will done on earth and He knew it would take some mighty praying. This prayer is Jesus desire to see the perfection and goodness of God colliding with humanity.

So we are praying for “heaven on earth” in the sense that God’s will would start happening right here on earth. Right now! That crime and poverty and rape and kidnap and injustice would stop. Wonderful thought!

But do you know that the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer we are all commissioned to pray is just an interim prayer. It is the one we pray for right now when the world is still a very messed up place. And there is so much injustice to fight. And we need “Your will be done ON earth” very badly.

But one day we will not be on this sin sick planet anymore. Not as it now exists. We will be on the New Earth. And God has promised to live here with us. Wait. What did you say? God is going to live here on this earth? Well, yes!

Here’s what it says exactly:

Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’

So when I think about eternal hope, a hope that has no end…and a hope that does not disappoint that is exactly what Revelation 21 describes . . . A place with no more “death or mourning or crying or pain.”

I think often about the Love and Light of God the Father. Do you know what Revelation 21 says about when we are here together on the New Earth? The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. His love and light that are not confined by anything, that are not held back by our fear or the surrounding darkness. A place where Love is infinite, forgiveness abounds, and people see themselves through the sacrifice and justice of Jesus Christ, fully healed.

On the New Earth everything I have just been saying will be felt by all who are on the New Earth. You know there are days when you still cry and mourn and feel pain. There will no longer be a disconnection between our hope and our reality. Our hopes will have become reality. Our faith will be our eyes! The Hope of Heaven will literally be heaven ON earth. The Holy City of Jerusalem comes down out of heaven and takes up residence right here. Isn’t that an amazing thought?

When I reflect upon the hopeful reality of Heaven/the New Earth, my heart feels more connected to the mercy of God, to His Spirit moving in and around me. I think about Jesus’ magnificent and humble sacrifice. I anticipate a redemptive end to the story of my life. It gives me power to live in the moment, fueled by a certainty of a merciful future. It propels me towards kindness.

But back to today. 2015. When Jesus has me praying “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth”. God wants to bring as much good and safety and kindness and justice as He can while we are still living with sin and sorrow. He truly wants His kingdom to invade this world NOW. So, if I care about injustice and sorrow I should get busy praying the Lord’s Prayer. Even though I know one day all sorrow will be gone. But I can want as much sorrow to be gone now as possible.

What I believe and hope for when we invite Heaven to come into our world is a transformational encounter with the Love of God. The kind of encounter that shapes us, shifts our understanding of the everlasting, beautiful, loving nature of God, and turns every day into an explosive, powerful adventure.

As part of my understanding of the powerful adventure available to me right now, I know that God expects me to fight injustice. His Plan A for injustice is the followers of Christ and other goodhearted people everywhere. And there is no Plan B. So if I am committed to seeing God’s ways invade this unsafe and treacherous world, I have to find my place in the battle. Believers in God have been called into spiritual war for the whole time this planet exists. We are not in peace time and we should not act like it. Each of us can find our place in the spiritual war effort whether it’s on the front lines, helping with the supply chain, in communications, funding the war or in the reserves. We all have a place!

We know the Lord is going to return someday. Did you know that according to one estimate, there are over 2,000 references to the second coming of Jesus in the Bible? For every prophecy concerning the first coming of Christ, there are eight that look forward to His second. I recognize that you may be rolling your eyes right now, thinking that you’re going to hear about some wild-eyed predictions related to the end times. Don’t worry -- I’m not going to do any date-setting, for as Jesus said, no one knows about that day or hour.

Even though Bible teachers differ over the details of His return, there is widespread agreement that Jesus is coming back. Jesus said in John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” The Bible clearly pictures the coming of Christ at a time when the world does not expect it but it will be a wonderful surprise for those awaiting his return.

The coolest thing is that Revelation 21 lets us know that the “Place” Jesus is preparing will end up being right here. If you are one of those Christians who has worried you will be having to listen to boring harp playing for eternity, that is not true! The Bible says when Jesus comes back we are going to reign with Him! Reigning does not sound boring! (Apologies to all my harp playing friends. David who fought Goliath also played the harp and I personally love music and play the piano.)

I think one of the reasons the bright hope we have in the future matters to me is because I am a victim of abuse. That abuse lasted for about 20 years and then there was an almost 20 year healing process. I lost some ground in my life because of someone else’s wrong doing. And that is true for many of you who are reading this blog. It applies to those of you who are survivors of abuse but also to victims of things like human trafficking, poverty, war and famine. There are a lot of very difficult circumstances some of us deal with who live on this planet. Some of us have had so much taken from us that even though much will be restored in this life there is much that never will be. There are physical and emotional scars many of us are left with. We may be stronger people, but we have some scars.

What I love about what God plans to do when we get to be with Him on the New Earth is restore things to the way they should have been. The Bible talks about our bodies and minds being completely restored and that we will reign with Jesus. I know that is almost more than we can take in. But those of us who have had our bodies ravaged, by cancer or by a perpetrator of abuse, one day our bodies will be new and whole. And we will get a “second chance” at life. We will still be us, but we will have new bodies and there will be no “death or mourning or crying or pain.” Imagine! I almost struggle to understand how I would live without pain and sorrow. But God says it is so. And I am looking forward to that time!

So, am I one of those Christ followers who sit around doing nothing and eating bonbons because “one day it will all be better?” No! I am an active participant in life and think it is my responsibility to tell as many people as I can about this amazing God who loves them but also to alleviate suffering in this life. There is a lot of work to do here. But I do look forward to a whole, beautiful creation filled with people who are not broken any more by sin and the damage it does to us…

In my previous writing I have written a lot about the storms I have experienced in my life as I was growing up and as a young man. And I have had plenty of storms since, storms all throughout my life . . . storms of financial difficulties and health difficulties and more. I try to keep the perspective that when I find myself in the middle of the storms of life: "Even if I do not know when, I know someone is going to come." That someone is Jesus Christ, of course - and his coming is called "the blessed hope and glorious appearing." We persevere through the challenges of this life because our hope is built on the certainty of Christ’s return. When the waves get high, keep your eyes on the heavens for the one who has promised to come again. I’m thankful that Jesus meets us in the storms of life. Always remember that when the storms show up, so does the Savior.

That leads me to a question: Is there a storm in your heart right now? If so, I hope you run to the Redeemer for refuge. The best way to weather the major storms of life is to make sure you are anchored to the Rock of Ages.

If you have never turned your life over to Christ and received His salvation, please do it before it’s too late. 2 Peter 3:9-10 says “God isn’t late with His promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining Himself on account of you, holding back the end because He doesn’t want anyone lost.” He’s giving everyone space and time to change. You can experience the beginning of heaven on earth and continue by living in heaven forever. I hope you join me in this great joy of salvation and great hope of heaven and then watch with me for the return of Christ from heaven and join me in heaven forever!

Mark Phelps