The Tipping Point

History reveals every great nation has a tipping point. It was not their end, but a point from which there was no return, and the end was inevitable. For some it was imminent, for others it was more distant.

Once the tipping point is reached the end is inescapable. Let us pray America has not reached her tipping point.

Once reached the end cannot be prevented, but we can so live as to delay it.

When the prophet Isaiah wrote these words was he speaking of his day or ours?

“Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter, So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.” Isaiah 59:14-15

Historically such a time has been reached three times in America. Three times the people prayed earnestly, and revival spared the nation. Let us so pray that this might be the fourth time.

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

Aids in Discerning God’s Will

Trying to discern the will of God often is a challenge. I sometimes start with praying Dear God, I am pre-committed to doing your will even before I know it. Please reveal it to me. Be sure you are doing God’s will as you know it before asking Him to reveal His unknown will. If you are not doing His will why should He reveal more of His will for you not to do? As in Algebra, start with the known in order to find the unknown. A submitted will is the first step in finding God’s will.

“Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

I use the same principles as Peter which are recorded in Acts 5:1-16. This post will be better understood with your Bible at hand.

Peter was guilty of violating several taboos, things no self-respecting  religious Jew should never do. Two were, he had been in the home of a Gentile, and even eaten with them.

The Jews “contended” with him, which is a nice way of saying they tore into him with accusations and threats. Then in his defense Peter shared principles used in finding God’s will. They were:

* He prayed about it.  (vs. 5)

* He thought the issue through.  He gave study to the issue, he pondered it.  Don’t expect a vision, but don’t ignore circumstances. (vs. 6)

* He considered God’s Word. The equivalent today is there were Scriptural principles to be considered. Even if there is no direct text, just reading God’s Word helps to clear your mind and center your thoughts. (vs. 7)

* He had Spirit guidance. The expression ”the Spirit told me,” today means he had an overwhelming compulsion as to what to do, and it did not contradict  Scripture. Every feeling must be evaluated in light of Scripture. Even though the Jews contended with him, there was no Scripture forbidding what he did. (vs. 12)

* He compared what was happening with other related issues. Employ objective counsel to share with you. (vs. 12)

* He remembered principles found in God’s Word. Search the Scripture for answers. That is why it is expedient to memorize Scripture so you can apply it. 

All of these factors combined to lead him to the conclusion it was OK to go into the house of a Gentile and even eat with them.

As it turned out what he did proved to be correct. It helped open the church to Gentiles, and thus to the world.

After earnestly searching for God’s will and reaching what you understand it to be pray as I: “Dear God as best as I understand it this is your will. That is the only reason I am doing it. If I am wrong, it is out of ignorance not obstinance, please forgive me and redirect my path.”  We can pray: “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Don’t Be Afraid and Don’t Quit

At a fearful time in the life of Joshua, God gave him a charge that is relevant to believers today. In it is this inspiring statement: 

“Be not afraid neither be dismayed.” (Joshua 1:9)

The encouragement found in this statement has never been more needed than in today’s intimidating environment. Compounding personal problems and perplexities is the fact our nation is in a state of flux. Former foundations proven to be substantial are being eroded. Uncertainty leads to unsettlement.

The Greek word for fear is “phobos.” When spelled with an “a” as a prefix it means without fear or fearless. The source of all blessings has instructed us not to fear. The God who said “Let there be light” also has said, “Fear not.” If He was capable of making light, the sun, the moon, and the stars, He is capable of your care, and the meeting of your needs.  How big is your God? Consider the galaxy Andromeda. It is larger than our Milky Way. It is but one of one hundred million galaxies. Echoing through the vastness of that space are His words that are applicable to you at this critical time, “Fear not.”

Jesus is lovingly offering you a set of circumstances which, if responded to properly, will build in you character that is pleasing to Him and profitable for you.

You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it.  In doing so, you reveal your character. The Greek word for man, anthropos, means “the up-looking one.” The God of the one hundred galaxies is deserving of being looked up to.

Trust Him and give Him time to be God. Often He has us in a holding stage in order for us to exercise the antidote to fear, faith.

Then He said, “neither be dismayed.” The word means don’t give up. At the time they were already inclined to give up. If you for any reason are there, nor or at any time near there, don’t be dismayed, don’t quit. Just when they were about to abandon their mission and quit, God said, “Don’t give up.”

Everybody inevitably has losses and defeats. God uses them to redirect the believer in a productive way, so don’t be dismayed, don’t give up. He will help you find another way. All the trials you go through in life are making you stronger. You will see God working in your life if you’re a Christian and don’t quit following Him.

When Joshua and his people suffered a humiliating defeat at the small town of Ai, it would have been an easy time to give up. Heading the charge and promises of God they went on to possess the land.

God admires faith and courage so very much that He makes Himself the constant companion of those who exercise them. 

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

May you be as emboldened as Joshua and they who abandoned themselves to God’s plan with their eyes on Him. They resolved, “All that you command us we will do…”

They had reason not to give us as is noted in the rest of Joshua 1:9: “for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

The Royal Order of Edifiers, Part 2

One of the primary reasons Jesus established the church was: “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body.”

The church is spoken of as “the body of Christ.” Be a bodybuilder.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth”

Perhaps by translating the Greek word for “corrupt” “toxic” we might better understand it. 

You need not only be careful what you say but where you say it. Solomon wisely said, “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from trouble,” (Proverbs 21:23).

An ageless axiom states: “Four things come not back: the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life, and the neglected opportunity.”

We are very adept at exonerating and exempting ourselves. May the words of this Post slip by the defenses of your mind and explode with reason therein.

The Scripture warns against slander. The Greek word translated slander literally means ”devils,” or “diabolical.” There is no characteristic so unbecoming of a Christian as to deserve the title “devilish” as that of a slanderer. 

The word means a gossip, defamer, one who smears, back-bites, or slurs another.

As an adolescent my Mom gave me a little hand written note which I kept in my wallet until I wore it out. It contained this great truth that has influenced my life: “A soft answer turns away wrath.”

Let all corrupt speech die under the holy breath of God.

We are to speak “what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Vs. 29)

Be careful in talking to or about youth. Build them up. Infants have confidence in their parents, grandparents, and others close to them. What they hear influences them dramatically. They tend to want to live up to what those they love say about them. If they hear negatives they come to believe them.”You are stupid” results in stupid conduct. “You are a bad boy” consequents in bad behavior. 

One of the four things noted earlier that do not come back is “the neglected opportunity.” Don’t miss an opportunity to build up someone —– anyone.

You build people up by encouraging them to be their best and do their best at everything.

God does not require us to be the best at anything. He desires us to do our best at everything. Build people up to become and be their best for Christ. Christ did it.

It is enough for a disciple that he be as his Master. The church is called “the body of Christ.” Let’s be body builders. Go be Jesus to those you encounter. Two will be blessed: the person edified and the one edifying, you.

The Royal Order of Edifiers, Part 1

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

If Jesus is your Master, model Him. Scripture says, “It is enough that a servant should be as his master.”

Acts 10:38 gives a succinct summary of the life of Christ: 
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good…”

There is your prototype, your template for life. Pattern your life after Him. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (I John 2:6).

Jesus seized opportunities to build people up. He was an edifier. In the word edification the root word for edifice can be heard. An edifice is a building. The process of edifying is the mission of building up.

Even on the eve of His execution He comprehended the mood of His disciples and said to them, “Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1) He built them up. 

If Jesus is your exemplar, then do as He did.

Are you a people builder? Or, are you a member of Satan’s demolition crew?

“I watched them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town.
With a hove-heave-ho they swung a beam
and a side wall fell.

I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled?
The kind you would hire if you wanted to build?”
He replied, “No indeed,
common labor is all I need,

For I can wreck in a day or two
What it takes a builder a year to do.
I thought to myself as I walked away,
Which of these roles am I trying to play.

Am I worker who builds with care
Carefully measuring life by the rule and square.
Or, am I content to walk the town 
Content with the job of tearing down.”

Are you a wrecker or a builder? When people see you coming do they feel, “Wow! Here comes an edifier!” Or, do they look for a back door?  You know the kind of person, they brighten up a room just by walking out of it. 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if when people walk away from a contact with you feel edified, built up? Jesus Christ said, “You shall be My witnesses….”

Your speech makes you a good or a poor witness. As His ambassador what you say and do reflects on Him. Ideally, it should be a commendation of Him to all who encounter you.  Are you a member of Satan’s demolition crew or Christ’s developmental school? Join Him in edifying individuals daily.