In case you did not notice, Michael Jackson died.  His was a sad and tragic story of a hugely famous, immensely talented, and extraordinarily wealthy cultural icon, whose life was very broken and confused.  I am sorry for his family and friends who are legitimately grieving his passing.

However, this e-devotion is not about Michael Jackson.  We have all had our fill of the debates about his music, his morality, and the nuances of his personal life.  I have no compulsion to weigh in on this.  This devotion is about our need to fully grasp this present snapshot of our culture that was captured by the events celebrating Jackson’s entertainment legacy.

Desperate for Entertaining Stimulation

The insightful and prophetic writer and pastor A.W. Tozer wrote about our society’s captivation with entertainment in a chapter titled, “The Great God Entertainment.”  His words say it better than mine do:

 “. . . the more a man has in his own heart the less he will require from the outside; excessive need for support from without is proof of the bankruptcy of the inner man. . . The present inordinate attachment to every form of entertainment is evidence that the inner life of modern man is in serious decline. The average man has no central core of moral assurance, no spring within his own breast, no inner strength to place him above the need for repeated psychological shots to give him the courage to go on living.  He has become a parasite on the world drawing his life from his environment, unable to live a day apart from the stimulation which society affords him."

He goes on to observe, “There are millions who cannot live without amusement; life without some form of entertainment for them is simply intolerable; they look forward to the blessed relief afforded by professional entertainers and other forms of psychological narcotics as a dope addict looks to his daily shot of heroin. Without them they could not summon courage to face existence."

Tozer’s words hardly seem like something written in the mid-50’s.  Think of what he might observe today in our media -dominated, celebrity-crazed, and technology-titillated society.  His article would surely become a book of many chapters.  Once again, we find ourselves worshiping at the altar of “The Great God Entertainment,” cheered on by money-hungry media as we bow in adulation before the latest celebrity icons.

Of course, Tozer quickly adds, as I would, that life is full of legitimate simple pleasures.  There is nothing wrong with harmless forms of entertainment that help us relax, stimulate our minds, and enable us to connect with others.  We need to find time for good reading, wholesome movies, stimulating hobbies, healthy recreation, and fun with friends and family.  If we are burning the candle at both ends we are not as bright as we think we are.

Again, Tozer clarifies, “The all-out devotion to entertainment as a major activity for which and by which men live is definitely something else again.  The abuse of a harmless thing is the essence of sin."

So what is the real concern over our abusive interest with entertainment as was so vividly pictured in the media’s madness over Jackson’s entertainment value in this society?

Many Americans Worship Those who Entertain Them

“Entertain me and I will worship you” almost seems to be the common cry of the empty-souled American.  “Worship” may seem a strong word but it is hard to deny the blatant adulation and willing sacrifice of money, time, and attention given to entertainment icons in our culture.

The Apostle Paul warned of these societal trends in 2 Timothy 3, where he wrote, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves. . .lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

Tozer again speaks with insight and courage about this very issue when he writes, “It (entertainment) has been built into a multimillion dollar racket with greater power over human minds and human character than any other educational influence on earth.  And the ominous thing is that its power is almost exclusively evil, rotting the inner life, crowding out the long eternal thoughts which would fill the souls of men if they were worthy to entertain them.  And the whole thing has grown into a veritable religion which holds its devotees with strange fascination, and a religion, incidentally, against which it is now dangerous to speak."

Again, recent news stories show us the incredible influence entertainment holds over swooning fans that faint at the sight of a celebrity and spend exorbitant amounts of money for the latest sound, sight, or sensation dished out by famous and talented entertainers.

True Christ-followers must carefully discern this and resist the lure of excessive and unprofitable entertainment, remembering the first two commandments to worship the Lord God alone and refusing the lure of any kind of idolatry (Exodus 20:3-6).  The aged Apostle John appealed to us, “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (I John 5: 21).

We should also remember to pray for those we know who are bowing before the god of Entertainment, as we demonstrate the life of Christ and pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth that can fill their souls with life-changing substance and set them free.   We also need to pray for those in the entertainment industry to experience an awakening of grace and truth.  I am grateful for people like Jim and Karen Covell who have decided to light a candle rather than curse the darkness as they lead the Hollywood Prayer Network, interceding for those in the entertainment industry to turn to Christ (check it out at www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org).

One of my best sermons as a young college student came from Philippians 3:7-8, where Paul wrote:

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ."

I spoke passionately about how we needed to count our plans, people, and possessions as “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ.  I even had the audience write down the specific descriptions of things they valued, and then challenged them to bring that piece of paper forward to deposit the list in a trashcan in front of the auditorium.  I felt so inspired, and the sermon seemed to be truly effective.

Actually, my experience with the biblical text was very shallow.  For any of us to say we have “suffered the loss of all things” is disingenuous in our prosperous American society where everything is about upward mobility and accumulation of more stuff.  I was young at the time, with the promise of the world in front of me – so I knew very little about “loss.”  How could I really understand the depth of this passage?  I was sincere, but shallow in my efforts to embrace and teach this passage.

Our good and loving God has a way of making truth real in our lives in order to make us more mature and authentic in our faith.  He has kindly helped me in this way, allowing me to understand a little more about “losses” and “gains” in my spiritual pilgrimage.

Possessions, People, and Plans

Recently our family has experienced some fresh losses as a direct result of our obedience to the call of God on our lives.   Because of our commitment to pursue full-time ministry with Strategic Renewal, we left the security of the Sr. Pastor role and followed the Lord’s direction to move to Virginia.  In the process, I had to give up my plans for the security and “success” of a mega-church pastor.

Recently, we sold our home in Minnesota (after two long years of double mortgage payments).  This was an answer to prayer.  Along the way, we lost a lot of savings and all of our home equity.  The reality of losing possessions for the sake of Christ is much more real today than it was in college.

In the last six months, we have lost the physical presence of all three of our children in our home as each one has followed the call of God to marriage, work, or school.  This is a “gain” for each of them, and a blessing to Christ’s kingdom, but the void parents feel is very real in seasons like this.  We are learning to count even our children as “loss” for the sake of Christ and His purposes.

In a variety of other ways, our obedience to the call of God has involved loss of status, security, certainty, friendships, and even sleep.  Of course, these losses are miniscule when contrasted with eternity’s reward for obedient service.  Compared to the painful “losses” others we know are experiencing right now, our sacrifice may seem trivial.  I have friends who have lost a spouse, a career, all financial security, and even their health in recent days.  Still, they love and serve Christ.

Trading Loss for Gain

Having said all of this, I am not whining – but I am seeking a deeper level of worship.  Sure, times of self-pity and carnal regret can surface.  At those moments I am reminded that “a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:14) and that we must be willing to leave all, take up our cross, and follow Christ if we are to be classified as a true disciple (Luke 14:26-27).

Clearly, the trade-in is worth it – even though it is not easy.  It is good to remember that with every loss, we can gain:

·        A deeper knowledge of Christ, who was unencumbered by the trappings of this world.  This knowledge is truly priceless (Philippians 3:7-8, 10).

·        A mature and biblical perspective about the things that really matter in this life (Philippians 3:8).

·        A powerful sense of Christ-reliance rather than self-reliance, where we discover the sufficiency of His work on the cross and His righteous life in us (Philippians 3:9).

·        A new experience of the power of His resurrection, which brings new life out of death – and ultimate gain from our losses (Philippians 3:10).

·        A fresh infusion of grace, that works most powerfully when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Our losses in life are God’s way of prying our fingers off our comfortable idols in order to free our hands to more fully embrace Christ as our all in all.

The Positive "Pathway of Price"

The challenge we face in today’s world is that we can actually prefer the commonplace pathway of our easy idols.  It is the “broad way” of our culture and a difficult thing to relinquish.

That is why we have to turn our eyes on Jesus – so that the things of earth might grow strangely dim.  He is our model in all things.  Even though He knew all the glories of Heaven and had authority over the riches of this world, He described His lifestyle as one where He did not even have a place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20).  No single life has transformed this world more than His, but His impact was completely unrelated to His net worth.  It was directly connected to His selfless sacrifice.

In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul shows us how he was walking in the pathway of Christ.  Paul counted all reliance on formal learning, social status, and notable accomplishments as “rubbish” or “dung”.  The idea of “counting as loss” represents an accounting term and reflects a deliberate business transaction that rejects certain assets to gain something more valuable.

Although a brilliant, accomplished, and gifted leader in every respect, Paul always pursued the pathway of price.  We read about the detailed losses he faced in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.  This list included a variety of dangers, life-threatening situations, and incredible traumas.  This was all a testament of his resolve to be a “servant of Christ” – but in all of these situations, he received abundant grace and was laying up a sure reward in eternity.

Today, you may be facing loss.  Consider the example of Paul.  Turn your eyes on Jesus.  Open your heart to the incalculable “gains” of knowing Christ.  No matter what, keep living for the ultimate prize of a life that really matters.

Can a pastor be spiritually healthy but lead a spiritually unhealthy congregation?  Yes – but not for long.  Conversely, can a church be spiritually healthy but have an unhealthy pastor at the helm? Yes – but not for long.  Over time, a healthy ministry requires both healthy leadership and healthy followers.  It is a two-sided coin.

Healthy Leader + Unhealthy Church

Often a spiritually healthy pastor is called to a spiritually unhealthy church.  Typically it is a congregation with a history of problems.  In some cases a previous pastor wounded the church deeply and they are floundering in distrust or discord.  Sometimes the church has been stuck in a rut of control games, petty infighting, or battles over “sacred cows.”  Usually they have a history of churning through short-term pastors.

However, if they are willing to trust the leadership, respond in repentance and faith to the systematic teaching of God’s Word, get on their knees, and embrace a new outward-focused vision – health can prevail.  If not, their petty dissensions will eventually suck the life out of every subsequent pastor.  Each one leaves – looking for a better environment to serve and raise his family.  Good for him.   Sad for the church.  Two steps forward, three steps back.

Healthy Church  + Unhealthy Leader

Sometimes a pastor falls into unhealthy patterns while leading a strong congregation.  Perhaps he is overworked, physically ill, or encountering unresolved challenges at home.  Usually the overlap of physical problems, emotional fatigue, and family conflicts begin to decimate him spiritually.

A healthy congregation will spot these symptoms and insist that action be taken to renew the pastor (or his marriage & family) back to health, no matter the cost.  This is a wise and worthy course. 

On the other hand, if the leadership team ignores the “elephant in the room” – simply hoping the pastor will get better – the situation is likely to implode.  Eventually the pastor’s dysfunction will manifest in staff relationships, the quality of preaching, and the overall focus of the ministry.  Well-founded suspicions and fears begin to distract everyone from the primary task.  Either the condition of the pastor will eventually infect the culture of the church, or the pastor will leave under difficult circumstances.  Everyone loses again.

The Pain of Dual Dysfunction

Pilots who lose visibility in the cockpit, or fly into severe storms, will experience “spatial disorientation” (vertigo) if they do not trust their objective instrument readings.  Many a pilot has lost his life because he trusted his own senses in the midst of inclement and confusing conditions.

Pastors and churches can get into the same dilemma.  If a pastor does not trust the things that are objective and true (God’s Word, wise counsel, the assurance of the call, etc.) it is easy to lose perspective and throw in the towel, often too soon.  This is fresh on my mind as I am currently finishing the final edits for a new book with Moody Press titled Defying Gravity - How to Survive the Storms of Pastoral Ministry.  The book examines nine objective gauges that leaders must trust when they are navigating difficult personal circumstances or ministry troubles.

A church that is unhealthy also needs objective input.  Sick patients should trust the wisdom and objective tests of a doctor.  Ill churches need wise, bold, and godly input from experienced leaders who do not have a “dog in the fight” and can clearly point out the problems and recommend solutions.  These counselors could be a denominational representative or a group of wise pastoral consultants from other churches. 

The Joy of Mutual Health

When a godly pastor leads a church for many years and is faithfully maintaining his spiritual, emotional, physical, and family health – it is a strong indicator that the church he shepherds will become strong.  Over time, a healthy pastor, leading a responsive church, is privileged to see a ministry that honors Christ and enjoys transformational impact on the community for the Gospel.

A healthy and godly congregation becomes wind beneath his wings.  Their love for Christ and one another dominates the congregational culture.  They are a people who cherish the Word, pray diligently, and serve with gladness.  It doesn’t get any better than this for people who are committed to making an eternal impact during their short earthly journey.

Toward Balanced, Biblical Health

So, what should a pastor and congregation do about these ideals?  First, a pastor should define what “health” looks like for him and his family. He should set priorities that help him maintain those values.  He must have the courage to say “no” to the things that distract and damage, not out of egotistical self-preservation, but for the sake of his family, his church, and his Lord’s honor.  He must find rhythms that will balance his passion with seasons of rest and renewal.

He should lead his staff and church in such a way that they will cherish the power of God’s Word and love the pursuit of spiritual intimacy with Christ through prayer.  He should teach them to have a high view of every “saint” in the church to accomplish official and Spirit-empowered ministry.  He must work hard to keep the main thing the main thing as they savor the nobility of the Great Commission.

The congregation should pray for their pastor and church leaders with great consistency and passion.  Prayer will not only be a channel of spiritual power and encouragement for the pastors – it will keep the church members’ hearts warm to the will of the Lord and the needs of the leadership. 

Of course, they should accept biblical teaching, not simply as the ideas of men but as the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13).  They should strive to serve, and NOT to be served (Matthew 20:28).  They should pray for eyes to see the harvest and express the compassion of Christ at every opportunity as they live among the community and the nations.

With this in mind, I feel deep passion about the mission of Strategic Renewal.  We have the joy of strengthening pastors, leading them into “times of refreshing” that come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:20).  We equip them to be renewal leaders in their churches.  What a joy! 

Of course, every month we also have the joy of mobilizing churches to seek renewal and equipping them to pray more effectively.  We elevate biblical teaching in all that we do.

In the long run, we want to be a vital part of the two sides of church health.  With your partnership, we can.  The great need of our nation is for healthy, spiritually-powerful, Gospel-preaching churches.  When the light shines brightly through churches across the nation, it will confront and defeat darkness.  Christ will be exalted and lives will be changed.  That is a vision worth our total commitment.

In the midst of his incredible trials, Job offered a matter-of-fact reality in these words: “For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).  Solomon was considerably more cynical when he framed it this way: “For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:23).

No doubt life can seem pretty tough and futile at times.  Whether we observe the apparent hopelessness of the world politics and looming terror or simply look around at our circle of friends and family, it is apparent that we have enough pain and disappointment to go around.

As a pastor for 26 years, I have often felt the heaviness of sitting with a dying parishioner, counseling a heart-broken and desperate parent, or praying with a deeply discouraged brother in Christ.  In recent days, I find that I am listening to many friends describing unprecedented financial problems that are negatively affecting their family, relationships, and emotions very deeply.  I find myself talking to myself about the same themes.

The economic forecasts and cultural trends are enough to leave any of us reeling in bewilderment.  Before you know it, you can find yourself in a funk.  Have I thoroughly depressed you yet?

The Bible says of the Lord, “You open Your hand, they are filled with good” (Psalm 104:28).  No matter how tough life gets, we can still experience abundant goodness.  The key to this rests in our answer to two questions.  First, where are you looking?  Second, what are you thinking?

Where Are You Looking? 

Too often we look to the wrong sources for blessing.  If we are not careful, we can start expecting good from sources that can never meet our expectations.  People, circumstances, weather, health, finances, careers, and events cannot provide ultimate happiness.  We can sometimes be like the guy who stood in front of a common vending machine after depositing his three quarters, expecting a new car to suddenly pop out.

The Psalmist declared, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills — From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD Who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).  Psalm 145:15-16 reiterates, “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

It is important to look past the people, problems, perils, and pains of life to see the good hand of God.  We must look to Him as our ultimate and only source of real goodness.  He wants to pour his blessing, presence, and provision into our hearts everyday, no matter how tough life gets.  The question is, will we recognize it and receive it by keeping the proper focus?

What Are You Thinking?  

I find it so helpful to fix my thoughts not on what I see, experience, or feel – but on what I know to be true.  Isaiah 26:3& 4 reminds us, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal” (NIV).  Goodness comes to the one who fixes his mind on things that are true.

I remember one occasion at a recent Prayer Summit when we as participants were all reflecting on the many blessings of those days of worship, prayer, and fellowship.  I commented on how the Lord had satisfied the deep needs and longings of our hearts, as only He can do.  I repeated the verse again, “You open you hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Then I suggested, “Let’s take some time to thank the Lord for the satisfaction He has accomplished in us by opening His hand of provision.  Who would finish the sentence, ‘Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for…?’” 

As we often do, I encouraged a group response, taking my cue from Psalm 104:28, “You open Your hand, and they are filled with good.” I asked the group to echo a response by saying, “And we are filled with good!” It took off immediately.

People cried out:

“Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for forgiveness.”

“Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for acceptance.”

“Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for renewed joy.”

“Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for peace.”

The responses went on for many minutes and were as personal and unique as the depths of each heart.  We were amazed at the power of God’s hand to minister satisfaction in such practical ways.  With deep enthusiasm we were able to echo, “And we are filled with good!”

Regardless of your current trials and burdens, consider this exercise for your own soul.  He has opened His hand.  He is opening His hand.  He will open His hand, and satisfy your desires.  And you will be filled with good.

Imagine the current global population of almost seven billion people arranged in one massive single-file line.  Picture yourself in the line.  Regardless of how you rank in the American economic scale, you will be near the front of the line simply because you live in the United States.

Up the line are the people who have more than you.  At the front you find people like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and other mega-billionaires.  At the back of the line might be a 2-year-old-orphan girl from Sudan with a distended belly, taking her last breath due to extreme starvation.  There are millions like her at the back of the line.

Here is the question: What is your outlook from your position in the line?  Are you spending most of your energy looking up the line at those who have more than you?  Are you investing energy looking down that line at those less fortunate?  Is your approach working for you?  How does it affect the way you live every day? 

All of us have some very important options in our outlook from where we stand in the line.

LOOKING UP THE LINE?

It is customary for high-achieving Americans to spend most of our energy looking up the line.  We are ambitious people.  We are also bombarded by advertising and television shows that seek to convince us that the key to real happiness and significance is somewhere up the line.

If we spend most of our time looking up the line, comparing our situation with those who are more “rich and famous”, we typically reap the internal fruit of ingratitude, discontent, greed, and even idolatry.

LOOKING DOWN THE LINE?

Most of the world is down the line…VERY far down the line.  Unless you have traveled to some of the poverty-stricken nations, observed the masses of broken lives, and been touched by the sights and smells of human devastation, it can be hard to even imagine life for those billions who live “down the line” from you.  It is not so hard to imagine friends and family who are not so far down the line, but who need help and encouragement from us.

If we do our best to focus down the line, cultivating a greater awareness of the deep spiritual, social, and materials needs of others, we usually become more grateful, humble, compassionate, and sacrificial in how we think and live.

LOOKING BELOW THE LINE?

It is also important to look below the line in both directions.  Deeper than the surface appearances of wealth or poverty we often discover the real “happiness” factor of daily life.  This “below the line” happiness has much to do with an authentic walk with Christ, quality relationships, gratitude for the simple gifts of life, and a willingness to choose joy in all circumstances.  Both experience and the Bible tell us that moving up the line does not guarantee greater satisfaction.  In fact, we usually find just the opposite can be true.

Jesus stated that a man’s life does not consist of the things he possesses (Luke 12:15). Paul warns that a love for money is a root of all kinds of evil that can pierce our soul (1 Timothy 6:9-10). The Bible consistently honors the poor, not as an endorsement of poverty or laziness, but as recognition of the humble and gracious heart that is often exhibited by the less fortunate, even in tough circumstances.

Obviously, God blesses some people to move up the line so that they can use those blessings as stewards to advance His kingdom.  Others are “driven” up the line by an ambition that eventually backfires and robs them of true well-being.

LOOKING ABOVE THE LINE?

Probably the most important look is the upward look.  Above the line of humanity is a good, sovereign, and just God.  He knows where we are on the line.  His providence allows us to be there.  He knows the beginning from the end and our times are in His hands (Psalm 31:15).  He will guide us as we move up or down the line. 

Keeping our eyes focused on Him in humble trust and active faith is one of the keys to a healthy outlook.  In obedience to His Word we should work hard, be aware of open doors, be generous stewards, diligently serve others, and let Him guide our steps as we live on the line.

IS YOUR OUTLOOK WORKING?

As you live on the line of humanity, recognize the choices you have in your outlook. Choose the approach that works and cultivates a good and godly growth in your life.   As I often say, “The hardest thing about the Christian life is that it is so daily.”  Every day we must ask God for the grace to choose the best perspective, and then trust Him as we seek to live faithfully and fruitfully on the line – and for the sake of eternity.

Each one of us on the human journey has struggled with some degree of unpleasant and tormenting emotion.  Maybe you are in the middle of a storm that has you reeling to find true north in your feelings and thoughts.  Many of the great people in the Bible can relate.  So can I.

Recently I was struck by the emotional battle but positive breakthrough described in Psalm 22.  We know it as a “Messianic Psalm” because it echoes the very words and experiences of Jesus during the darkest moment in human history.  He hung on the cross in agony and utter rejection, bearing the full weight of His Father’s wrath against our sin.  He cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Yet, the Psalm was also written as an expression of the real-life distresses of David.  We read of his genuine battle to keep faith and embrace hope while grappling with deep anguish and pain.  The focus of the Psalm bounces back and forth from descriptions of David’s misery to declarations of God’s character and ways.  This is clear when you see him interrupting his emotional struggle with the repeated declaration of faith, “Yet You, God, are…” (vv. 3, 9 & 19).  His emotions swing repeatedly from his real feelings of pain to his faith in his God. 

OUR STRUGGLE THROUGH FEELINGS TO EMBRACE FAITH

In so many ways, this is a picture of our own struggle to survive and endure the trials of our lives.  The battle is not just daily – it is moment by moment.  Observe this basic outline of the Psalm that I composed as I have meditated on it in recent days:

·        FEELINGS: The agony of feeling utterly forsaken – vv. 1-2

·        FAITH: The truth of God as the holy, reigning God in whom his fathers trusted – vv. 3-5

·        FEELINGS: The pain of repeated rejection and ridicule – vv. 6-8

·        FAITH: The truth of God’s care and presence in his life since birth – vv. 9-11

·        FEELINGS: The torment of being threatened and attacked by evil – vv. 12-18

·        FAITH: The truth of God’s present help and deliverance – vv. 19-21

A BREAKTHROUGH IN PERSPECTIVE

It seems that a breakthrough occurs between vv. 21 & 22.  The remainder of the Psalm reflects a restoration of perspective and hope.  Here is how it unfolds:

·        LOOKING OUTWARD: Enlisting others to praise the Lord for His saving help – vv. 22-24

·        LOOKING UPWARD: Receiving grace for continued praise, obedience, and satisfaction from God – vv. 25-26

·        LOOKING FORWARD: Declaring God’s ultimate victory and the eternal worship of His glorious name – vv. 27-31

Of course, if we go back to the Messianic relevance of the Psalm, we know it is only through the suffering and finished work of Christ in death and resurrection that we can have such a powerful perspective of victory and hope as seen in vv. 22-31.  Praise God for the indescribable gift of Christ and His salvation.

OUR CHOICES TODAY

All of this brings us to the fact of human suffering and the basic set of choices we face every day.  Pain, disappointment, fear, and trouble are inevitable in this life.  A breakthrough of perspective is optional.

I have learned – and have to re-learn every day – that in the midst of trials I must make a choice: 

1.      Will I believe what I feel, trusting my emotions in the midst of the storm?

2.      Will I believe what I see, settling for the temporal problems that surround me?

3.      Will I believe what I know to be true about God, keeping my eyes on the eternal reality of who He is and what He will  accomplish?

Today, your life may be painful – but God is still holy and faithful.  Things may seem out of control – but God is sovereign and wise.  The situation you face may feel very unfair – but God is just and righteous in all His ways.  Things may appear to be very bad – but God is good and compassionate.  You may feel all alone – but God is ever-present and able to comfort your heart.  The horizon may seem dark and hopeless – but God is glorious and victorious.

Our emotions are very real, and sometimes troubling. Yet, as David demonstrated in this Psalm, we must keep subjecting what we feel to what we know to be true in order to experience a positive breakthrough in perspective.  Jesus also understands our pain and agony.  He went from the cruelty of a cross to the darkness of a grave to the glories of Heaven.  He lives today, making intercession for us and sympathizing with our weaknesses.  He can give us grace to manage our emotions and live in dynamic faith today.  Yes, it is a battle – but it is a battle that has been won, and can be won, through Christ.

Our shared vision for revival in our nation must also involve a keen awareness of the spiritual battle we wage as we pray and work for a spiritual awakening.  This spiritual battle is unseen and very consequential.  The Bible reminds us that “we are not unaware” of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).  So as we partner to see a mighty work of renewal in our hearts, homes, churches, and nation we must also remind ourselves of the devices the enemy will use to derail our lives and undermine our spiritual efforts.

I am convinced that a primary strategy of the enemy is to destroy Christian relationships and specifically encourage a spirit of unforgiveness.  Twice the New Testament speaks of this as the primary area where our spiritual enemy gains advantage over Christians.  In speaking of the dangers of unresolved anger and coddled bitterness, Paul warns us not to give a foothold to the devil in our lives (Ephesians 4:16-31).  In speaking of the need for forgiveness, Paul also warns that we cannot let the devil take advantage of us (2 Corinthians 2:11).

The Importance of Forgiveness

We know how important forgiveness is because we realize how many people truly need to experience forgiveness in this life.  Ernest Hemingway writes about a Spanish father who decided to reconcile with his son who had run away to Madrid.  In an attempt to locate his son, the father took out an ad in the El Liberal newspaper: "PACO, MEET ME AT HOTEL MONTANA NOON TUESDAY. ALL IS FORGIVEN, PAPA."  Paco is a common name in Spain, and when the father went to the square he found 800 young men named Paco waiting for their fathers.

We know that forgiveness is commanded, even “seventy times seven” times (Matthew 18:21-11).  Forgiveness is essential to our commitment to be like Christ (Luke 23:24; 1 Peter 2:21-23).  We are required to extend forgiveness if we are to enjoy the full experience of forgiveness with our Heavenly Father (Mark 11:26).

The Sensibility of Forgiveness

Of course, because God is wise and His ways are always good, forgiveness also makes sense.  It leads to a sensible freedom, a sensible fellowship, and a sensible future.

A Sensible Freedom – When we forgive, we enjoy a practical freedom.  It’s been said that, “Forgiveness doesn’t make the other person right, it makes you free.”  Unforgiveness is a "control mechanism" whereby we try to exercise some kind of emotional jurisdiction and power over the situation and the other person.  When we forgive we become free of all the exhausting attempts to manage the situation in our flesh.  We are free to trust God for the outcome.

As author Phil Ryken has written, “Forgiveness brings great joy, not only to the forgiven, but especially to the forgiver. The Greek term for ‘forgiveness’ (aphiemi) comes from a word that means ‘to let go.’” Forgiveness is a release, a letting go of self-destructive feelings such as anger, bitterness, and revenge.

All of us experience pain in life.  We can be deeply hurt by abandonment, criticism, lies, slander, abusive words, and disappointed expectations.  Pain is inevitable.  Bitter misery is optional.  When we know that God gives us the grace to forgive and be forgiven, but refuse to make that choice, we live in unnecessary, self-inflicted pain.    That makes no sense.

A Sensible Fellowship – God created us with a deep need for intimacy with Himself and others.  Forgiveness opens up the supply line of indescribable blessing both in our relationships with God and with other people.

Often, the very person toward whom we are angry or bitter is one from whom we need to receive love, affirmation, and grace.  Unforgiveness keeps us from enjoying the benefits of this relationship.  It is like a person who intentionally starves himself to death while a table full of delicious and nutritious food is within reach.

A failure to forgive soon turns into bitterness, which in time also defiles and wounds many other people (Hebrews 12:15).  No rational, loving person would detonate a hand grenade at a gathering of friends and family.  Yet an unforgiving spirit has that very effect spiritually, emotionally, and relationally on anyone close to an embittered person.

I’ve heard it said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.  Not only does anger and bitterness eventually kill us emotionally, it negatively impacts our very ability to relate to others in a healthy way.  In a world where we all need the support, grace, counsel, and love of other believers, forgiveness makes a lot of sense.

A Sensible Future – God’s forgiveness has unleashed a real and abiding hope in our lives.  Forgiveness always brings hope to troubled relationships.  Conversely, unforgiveness kills hope.  An embittered heart sees only the worst in others, in themselves, in situations, and in the future.  This pessimism is in opposition to the truth about God and His plan for our lives.

A life that chooses forgiveness, extends blessing, and pursues peace is a life that will be richly rewarded by Christ.  The person living this kind of life has been a careful and thoughtful steward of God’s grace.  It just makes sense to live this way.

Forgiven Much to Forgive Much

In Luke 7:47, Jesus explained that when we are forgiven much, we love much.  The great English preacher Martin Lloyd-Jones said, “Whenever I see myself before God and realize something of what my blessed Lord has done for me at Calvary, I am ready to forgive anybody anything.  I cannot withhold it.  I do not even want to withhold it.”

Ken Sande, in his book The Peacemaker, writes, “We take God’s forgiveness for granted when we stubbornly withhold our forgiveness from others.  In effect, we behave as though others’ sins against us are more serious than our sins against God.”

When the power of the Gospel has made sense to us – forgiveness makes sense.  It is the good and right thing to do. 

Henry Ward Beecher stated that, “Every man should keep a fair-sized cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends.“ It is God’s will that our cemetery of forgetfulness grows as our commitment to truly and completely forgive increases.  The devil hates it when we truly understand these things.  But, it just makes sense.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved. 

Many times over the years I’ve read and heard church experts describe the American Church as a “frog in a kettle.”  The illustration tells us that if you drop a frog in a kettle of boiling water it will jump out immediately in reaction to the pain.  On the other hand, if you put the frog in water that is room temperature, slowly heating it, the frog will remain in the kettle and eventually cook to death.  Frankly, I do not know if this is actually true, but this is a good time to revisit the idea in light of the recent headlines about the decline of Christianity in our nation.

What the News Tells us About the Frog

This week, Newsweek Magazine’s cover story highlights current research about the decline of Christianity in America.  In the article titled, “The End of Christian America”, Jon Meacham commented extensively on the implications of the recent results of the American Religious Identification Survey. Two core facts that have arrested everyone’s attention are the findings that the percentage of self-identified Christians has fallen 10 percentage points since 1990 and the number of people willing to describe themselves as atheist or agnostic has increased about fourfold from 1990 to 2009.

Also in the news we found a riveting article in the Christian Science Monitor by Michael Spencer titled “The Coming Evangelical Collapse.”  This thoughtful article predicts that within 10 years there will be an accelerated collapse of Evangelical influence coupled with an open hostility toward Christians by our securely and religiously antagonistic culture.  (You can read the article at http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html.)

In a recent speech in Turkey, our president boldly described the United States as a secular nation and not a Christian nation.  Clearly this signals a firm definition of our nation as a people no longer identified by strong Christian roots or values.

While people of faith are certainly not disappearing from the landscape of America, the trends certainly tell us that the water is getting hotter around the frog.

An Understanding of the Water

It is important that we understand that the water in which the frog is cooking is not the culture.  The danger to the frog is not secularism, liberalism, or atheism.  To believe this is to conclude that these worldviews are more powerful than the message of the cross. 

I believe the water in which we are boiling is our own spiritual apathy, missional indifference, and prayerless irrelevance.  In essence, the frog stands in danger of boiling in its own water.  Just as Jesus warned some of the churches in Revelation chapters 2 & 3 about their precarious spiritual condition, we too must recognize our own need to take responsibility for the situation.

What the Frog Must Do

As I read, pray, and consider our present situation in this nation, I am moved by the relevance of the mission of Strategic Renewal.  The incredible risk God led me to take in leaving the security of the Sr. Pastor role to follow this passion makes sense in light of all we are now seeing in our nation.  Personally, I am convinced that I must do all I can to encourage the church in vital renewal in these days. 

Further, I believe the American Church must seriously “hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).  Just as Christ’s words to the seven churches of Revelation brought a stern wake-up call and, in some cases, words of comfort – so we need to try to understand His heart for our present condition in our nation.

Recognition – As we reflect on the objective findings of these recent studies we should carefully consider our response.  What is more, we should see the data as merely symptomatic of even deeper concerns about our spiritual substance in the American church.  Many of us have observed over many years the growing conformity to the world’s practices and a business-oriented approach to ministry.  We’ve had concerns that we are depending more on methods, technology, and human skill than on the power of the Spirit and the Word of God.  We’ve observed our prayer-deprived congregations, knowing that at some point it would catch up to us.  The water of our apathy has slowly come to a boil and it is imperative that we recognize it and act in obedience to the Spirit. 

Repentance – I often say that the problem in our nation is not the pervasiveness of the darkness but the failure of the light.  If darkness is advancing it is because the light is failing.  Speaking to the churches in Revelation, Jesus repeatedly gave the command, “Repent or else” (Revelation 2:5, 16, 21, 21; 3:3, 19).  My prayer is that the current state of affairs will motivate us all to turn from our self-reliance and self-satisfaction.  My prayer is that God will allow us to turn from everything that might encourage our faith to rest on the wisdom of man rather than the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5).   

Resurgence – Jesus called the church at Ephesus that had left their first love to return to their first works (Revelation 2:5).  He urged the church at Sardis to wake up from their dead state and to strengthen what remained (Revelation 3:3).  He appealed to the lukewarm church at Laodicea to open the door of their lives to the presence of Christ and exchange their self-sufficiency for His best gifts (Revelation 3:17-20).  At all costs, we too must sense His call to spiritual resurgence and genuine renewal during these crucial days.  Of course, this is the mission and vision of Strategic Renewal.

Revival – Jesus challenged the churches in the book of Revelation to overcome, and offered them abundant promises if they did.  I am mindful of John the Apostle’s words in 1 John 5:4-5: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” Of course, at this Easter season we are especially mindful of the fact that Jesus the Son of God reigns in resurrection power and is desirous to manifest that power through a dependent people.

The Hope of Overcoming, Prayerful Faith

I am hopeful that these present times will motivate the truly regenerate Christ followers to overcome in faith.  I am also persuaded that many who have attached themselves to the church in America in a spirit of convenience or entertainment will fall by the wayside. 

 Finally, I am reminded of Christ’s story of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 who serves as an example of His command that we should always pray, and not lose heart (v. 1).  At the end of that passage He asks a penetrating and truly relevant question: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"  In context, this faith is marked by a persevering prayerfulness.

These are the times that challenge us to consider the seriousness of that question and, by grace, to respond with a resounding “yes.”  May the Lord find us always praying, persevering, and trusting that the overcoming power of faith in His Gospel and His presence within us will make the difference in these defining moments for our lives, families, and nation.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.

As of last week, I now have a blog (short for “web log”).  My son and one of our interns set it up for me at www.danielhenderson.org. There is already a post on my blog with a cool video link.  They took something I recently wrote and posted it for me.  I’ve yet to personally post anything – but will likely give it a try soon enough.

Of course, I am already pretty overwhelmed with e-mail, a LinkedIn account, two Facebook accounts, and two Twitter accounts.  I am not sure where I will find the time to write blog posts – or even why I should do it.  But, I will probably get drawn in at some point.

Some non-technical readers may not even know what I am talking about.  “Blogs”, “LinkedIn”, “Twitter”, “Facebook”, “MySpace,” and “SocialVibe” all sound like a foreign language to many.  Other readers, probably younger, are busy using all of the above social networks – plus some.

So the other day, I asked my son some obvious questions.  I queried, “Do you think all these Christian leaders (who post blog entries several times a day, send and receive Twitter messages numerous times hourly, and check Facebook daily) spend more or less time with God as a result of all the social networking?” I also postulated, “Do you think they spend more or less time in substantive ministry to the real needs of people?”  Of course, the ultimate answers must be resolved one life and one day at a time.

Unless all these other believers are taking major portions of time away from eating, sleeping, or showering – I suspect their “devotional” habits and face-to-face ministry encounters have slipped.  Assuming this, how are we to think of it all?   

The Potential Value of Social Networking

Connecting – Some would argue that time spent using all these technical tools is actual ministry.  I suppose, in some sense, the “connecting” aspect encompasses real ministry.  People who have become disconnected over the years can easily reconnect using these tools.  This can be encouraging and even result in new ministry partnerships.  When people are in touch with people in any form, good things can happen.

Communicating – Certainly communicating ideas, scriptural truth, and even ministry opportunities is a positive thing.  Many ministries (such as Strategic Renewal) use these ministry networks to share devotional thoughts, ministry updates, and words of spiritual encouragement.

Prayer – Certainly these tools allow people to share prayer requests, answers to prayer, and assurances that one is praying for others.  As long as we still take time to actually pray, it is good to communicate around the themes of prayer.

The Danger of Social Networking

Multiplied Distraction – I’ve said many times over the years that the Devil does not have to destroy us, just distract us.  His tools are becoming more diverse and sophisticated.  Usually, his tactic is to use a good thing that becomes an obsession and keeps us from the best things.

Pseudo-community – I suppose we are redefining community these days.  It used to involve sitting in the same room with another person, looking into the eyes of a troubled soul, offering biblical encouragement, or praying together.  Today the definition envelops instant messaging, a perfunctory “tweet,” or a Facebook friendship.  Clearly, dilutions of biblical definitions of community are being unleashed on us all in unprecedented fashion.

Neglected Stewardship – We are stewards of our time, energy, money, and opportunities.  I am just not sure all of these high-tech toys are really the best use of our time.  Leaders spend hours writing redundant blogs that hardly anyone reads.  Why?  Maybe this self-expression is therapeutic.  Maybe it would be better spent in a Bible study or prayer time with real people in the same room.

Considering all of this, I guess we all need to be careful in the deepest sense of the word – a day at a time.  All things in moderation. 

These new gadgets and expressions are simply tools – they can be helpful or dangerous, depending on the motivation and volume of their use.  I often say, “There is nothing wrong with the tools – but there is a difference between simply using the tools, and actually depending on the tools.”  The acid test of which choice we are making is the prayer level of our lives – since prayer is the expression of our dependence on God, not the tools. 

In these critical days when we need to be desperate, seeking God and moving toward a much-needed revival – any distraction will do.  Regardless of the low or high-tech nature of the tools, we all need to guard our affections and attention – now more than ever.

By now you’ve likely heard the headlines about the extensive research by the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) describing the significant decline of religion and the rise in secularism in America.

A summary of the study by USA Today (Cathy Grossman) states, “The percentage of people who call themselves in some way Christian has dropped more than 11% in a generation. The faithful have scattered out of their traditional bases: The Bible Belt is less Baptist. The Rust Belt is less Catholic. And everywhere, more people are exploring spiritual frontiers – or falling off the faith map completely.”

Experts agree that the cultural influence of Christianity is sliding as more people are describing themselves as non-religious (now at 15%).  The Washington Post commented, “The only group that grew in every U.S. state since the 2001 survey was people saying they had ‘no’ religion.” 

Mark Silk, researcher and expert on public values, helped supervise the survey.  In the Washington Post he noted, “The survey substantiated several general trends already identified by sociologists: the slipping importance of denominations in America, the growing number of people who say they have ‘no’ religion and the increase in religious minorities including Muslims, Mormons and such movements as Wicca and paganism."

Another Washington Post writer (Michele Boorstein) noted, “The percentage of Americans who call themselves Christians has dropped dramatically over the past two decades, and those who do are increasingly identifying themselves without traditional denomination labels."

Of course, you can read the articles and watch the news stories on your own.

The Concurrent Disappearance of Truth

At this same time The Barna Research Group released another study of the “Biblical Worldview” of Americans, finding that only 9% of all American adults have a biblical worldview (to see Barna’s definition of this and the details of his study, go to www.Barna.org – “Survey Examines Changes in Worldview Among Christians over the Past 13 Years”).  Among “born again Christians”, fewer than one out of every five (19%) had such an outlook on life.  Among the “Mosaic Generation” (ages 18 to 23) "less than one-half of one percent has a biblical worldview, compared to about one out of every nine older adults."

An obvious question is: “What do we do about this?” Let me weigh in with a few thoughts.

A Few Misguided Responses

There may be a few instinctive reactions that we all feel.  I would not recommend the following:

Panic – While this negative news may be cause for concern, we are assured that God is still on the throne, truth ultimately triumphs over error, and light still dispels darkness.  We know from history that these trends could be dramatically reversed by another spiritual awakening in our nation.

Anger – Pointing a hostile finger at atheistic writers, the government, other religions, or the anti-religious sentiment in the media as the cause of this decline is irresponsible.  (Whenever we point a finger we have three pointing back at us – and our thumb pointing heavenward, reminding us of our personal accountability to God!)  If anything, we must be angry at our own failure to demonstrate the glory of the gospel in ways that positively transform the culture.

Resolve – Another dose of fleshly cleverness, additional new and novel methods and mere human resolve is not in order.  We have more education, money, technology, methodology, and refined technique today than at any other time in the history of the church, yet the impact of our best efforts are yielding disappointing results.  We are reminded of God’s clear word that it is “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” (Zech. 4:6).

Some Recommended Responses

Become Deeply Broken – I believe this is a time for us to return to brokenness over the spiritual condition of our nation, our inadequate impact on the culture, and our need to return to holiness, truth, and spiritual renewal.  God still resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). 

Become Increasingly Desperate – A well-known Ugandan pastor, who survived the tragedy of Idi Amin’s rule and then watched the spiritual resurgence of his nation, often issues this call to American Christians: “Desperation or devastation.”  Truly this is a good time to recommit to desperate praying for the spiritual revival of the church in America.  We must get to a place where churches are renowned as houses of prayer more than centers for programming and Christian entertainment.  This is a prime time for pastors to re-establish biblical priorities according to Acts 6:4 (“prayer and the ministry of the word’) and to lead their people into consistent, powerful experiences of balanced, biblical prayer.

Become Biblically Educated – While we know that “knowledge puffs up” (2 Corinthians 8:1) and that powerless theological education can be counterproductive – we still must be resolute as approved workers who are “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).  We must demonstrate the power and value of a biblical worldview. Then, as we “sanctify the Lord God” in our hearts we will “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks” for the reason for the hope that we demonstrate in this life.  We must offer these answers with “meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

Become Meaningfully Engaged – Prayer is not a substitute for meaningful ministry; rather, it is the source of spiritually-empowered ministry.  This is not a time to hide out, but a time to pray up and go out.  We need to engage with lost friends, the non-religious, and those who are ignorant of the real meaning of the cross.  They are not the enemy but are victims of The Enemy.  As Acts 4:13 demonstrates, we may not impress them with our own acumen or status, but we must impress them “that we have been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:20 gives us this example: “We cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard.”  This boldness, experienced and empowered by our time in His truth and presence, is a positive force for transforming a culture in spiritual decline.

Become Spiritually Empowered – As we all “with unveiled faces” experience “as in a mirror the glory of the Lord” – we will be “transformed from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).  As a result, we will understand a new definition of ministry.  This ministry is described in 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 with powerful verbiage that tells us that we do not lose heart, we expose the darkness with light, we are servants with a bold gospel message, and we are shining with the glory of Jesus Christ.  That kind of living has the power to turn things around in our nation.

Bad News – Good News

Yes, the headlines are touting some bad news for people of faith.  But our hearts can interpret this as an opportunity for a fresh dose of good news.  We must become the recipients of this good work, then serve as catalysts of this good message, accomplishing great things in a culture that is still spiritually hungry and looking for real answers.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.