Evil on the Rise

You can feel it. You can see it with your own two eyes.

Evil is on the rise.

Even in the highest offices in the land, has there ever been a time with such lawlessness ~ blatant, unchecked and with no one willing to stand against it?

Evil is on the rise for two reasons.

First, Satan is preparing his final assault. (Psalm 2:2) You see, he knows the Scripture. He knows that there is a day coming where Jesus Christ Himself will step into history once again ~ and this time the devil will be ready for Him. This time he will be the victor. This time Satan will be the last one standing(?).

The second reason why evil is on the rise is really a part of the first. You see, "Heaven" indeed is approaching earth. The analogy of the Christian life is a help to explain it.

When a person is "born again," when a person receives Jesus Christ into his (or her) heart, he (she) becomes a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) At that point where "Heaven" takes up residence inside the soul, sin (that way of living that is contrary and diametrically opposed to God's standard) ~ it begins to be squeezed / flushed out. It's like there's no more room for evil / wickedness in a person's life (Jeremiah 17:9) since holiness and righteousness and goodness has come to replace it. (Romans 6:12) The tell tale sign that you're drawing close to Jesus and He's drawing close to you is you're seeing sins come to the surface ~ to be disposed of. (Romans 6:13)

And so this is the second reason why evil is on the rise. Jesus Christ is about to reign on our planet. (Psalm 2:6) And as "Heaven" is approaching earth, evil is being exposed (and coming to the forefront in governing structures, also) to ultimately be done away with by God forever. (Revelation 19:11)

The whole of creation is in expectation of our Lord's return. (Romans 8:19) The devil is, too, even though he thinks like somehow he can stand against it. He's in for a rude awakening. (Revelation 20:2)

You might also be interested in:

• On the Devil, Photoshopping, False Prophets, Teachers and Shepherds
• Signs of the Evil Times

God knows just the right time to... (tweet)

(click picture to enlarge)

"Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances." (Proverbs 25:11)

Trap 4 Christians Fall Into: Playing "Holy Spirit Junior"

(This is the fourth in a series entitled: "8 Traps Christians Fall Into.")

TRAP 4 CHRISTIANS FALL INTO: PLAYING "HOLY SPIRIT JUNIOR"

"'And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin.'" (John 16:8a)

Part of the Holy Spirit's work on this planet ~ in people's lives ~ is to convict them of sin. It's in His job description to do this. And how many of you know the Spirit of God is the best at what He does!

And to the point of playing what I refer to as "Holy Spirit junior" ~ what I'm talking about when I say that is simply this. The believer (Christian) who takes over the convicting aspect of the Holy Spirit's work is doing just that ~ He's playing "Holy Spirit junior."

When you see something wrong in somebody else's life and you take it upon yourself to call them on the carpet for it ~ to "get in their face concerning it" ~ without God's direction ~ when you do this you're playing "Holy Spirit junior." You're doing His job.

CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO LOVE EACH OTHER

Christians aren't called to do the Spirit's job. Christians are called to love each other. They're called to forgive (Matthew 18:21-22) and pray for each other. (James 5:16) And certainly Christians are also called to confront each other at times. (Matthew 18:15-18). But I'd daresay that if that's all a particular believer does ~ if all he (or she) does is confront people on their sin, then he's (she's) likely doing most of it on his (her) own and not at God's urging.

The fact of the matter is the Holy Spirit simply doesn't need our help when it comes to this area ~ when it comes to making people the feel the godly sorrow that leads to repentance. (2 Corinthians 7:10) He really doesn't.

Let me give you a Biblical case in point.

THE EXAMPLE OF SIMON PETER

It was early in our Lord's ministry that He was out preaching and the people were crowding Him, as was typical. And because He was being crowded in upon, the Scripture says (in Luke 5:3) that Christ got into a boat.

Now this boat just happened to be Simon Peter's. And Jesus asked him to put out a little way from land so He could continue preaching. The Bible tells us what happened next...

[W]hen [Jesus] had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." (Luke 5:4)

Now the problem here was that Peter had been doing just that. He's been fishing the whole night before without any luck. But how many of you know that it's good to do what God says anyway ~ Amen? And this is exactly what Peter did. And in doing so ~ in obeying Jesus ~ you'll notice that v. 6 states...

[They therefore] enclosed a great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break. (Luke 5:6b)

So Peter and the fishermen with him enjoyed a great haul to the point that their boat began to sink, Luke 5:7 goes on to say, along with another boat they'd called over to help because there were so many fish.

HOW DOES PETER REALIZE HE WAS A SINFUL MAN?

But this isn't the part of the story I want to focus on with you. It's further down in the passage. It's Peter's response that I want you to notice. Luke 5:8 says...

But when Simon Peter saw that (when he saw the mighty catch and the boats sinking) ~ when ... Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." (Luke 5:8)

Now how did Peter come to this conclusion? All he had seen was a miracle. And it wasn't like Jesus had pointed it out to him ~ his (Peter's) sins (at least directly ~ remember Peter had been in our Lord's presence when He was preaching). So how did Peter come to the conclusion that he was a sinner? Well, I'll tell you how I believe he did. It was because the Spirit of God convicted him. This is what made Peter realize he was a sinful man. It was the Holy Spirit at work on him that did it.

Again, God's Spirit is well able to deal with others when it comes to their sinfulness. Let us be careful to avoid the trap of thinking He needs us to help Him with it.

You might also be interested in:

• Trap 3 Christians Fall Into: Majoring on the Minors
• Trap 2 Christians Fall Into: Having a False View of Oneself

Messiah Complex (redux) plus podcast

(To listen to the podcast of this post, click here.)

The Reverend James Warren "Jim" Jones.

I was in high school (1978) when the news came of the Congressman (Leo Ryan) being shot and killed in Jonestown, Guyana where Jim Jones based his cult.

Only later it would be discovered that 900+ people died after ingesting a cyanide-laced "koolaid" ~ many forcibly (including 200 children).

This "Jonestown Massacre" (as it is known) is the ultimate outcome of a person who has a "Messiah complex." Prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it "was the greatest loss of American civilian life in a non-natural disaster."

In another blog post on this subject I wrote of how a person with a "Messiah complex" never presents him or herself in a bad light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) (Of course, it was Jim Jones' approach.) Who would follow them if they did? Who would drink their "koolaid"?

And yet, if you look close enough ~ actually, you don't have to look so close. You just have to open your own two eyes.

And let me just expand upon that thought for a moment ~ of opening one's eyes. Many people just won't do it. They have eyes, but they won't use them. I submit (suggest) it's because they don't want to. You see, for some of these, they get so emotionally invested in a man or woman (includes politicians) that they will simply overlook almost anything (even the worst of corruption) to remain under their spell. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Which brings me to another list to go along with my first one. Could it be that you need to open your eyes?...

7 more characteristics of a Messiah complex (plus 1 bonus):

1. Promotes godlessness.
2. Says one thing while (quite obviously) doing another thing.
3. Plays on / manipulates the emotions of followers.
4. Slanders opponents through the use of "straw man" arguments.
5. Bribes (buys off) select individuals to further his (her) ends.
6. Serves up poison (half-truths) in the form of "koolaid."
7. (Likely) Has some kind of connection in the past to the occult.

BONUS Poses as a believer in Jesus Christ.

You might also be interested in:

• A World Without God
• Signs of the Evil Times

Trap 3 Christians Fall Into: Majoring on the Minors

(This is the third in a series entitled: "8 Traps Christians Fall Into.")

TRAP 3 CHRISTIANS FALL INTO: MAJORING ON THE MINORS

Do you know anyone that "majors on the minors"?

Many believers in Jesus Christ do it. They take what was meant to be a proverbial "mole hill" (a "mole hill" represents small) and they turn it into a "mountain" (something big).

Have you ever been in a church where that happened? (It even happens between the ministry staff.)

Maybe it was over the color of the carpet in the sanctuary (/ meeting place) ~ maybe that was the mole hill turned into a mountain. Or maybe it was over the song selection for the worship service (/ gathering) ~ maybe some people preferred the contemplative songs while others wanted more upbeat choruses used ~ and this mole hill was turned into a mountain. Or maybe it was over the use of money. ("They're always asking for money." Have you ever thought that before yourself? Be honest.)

There are just a ton of things in the church where this can happen ~ where minor issues can be made major.

MAJOR ISSUES THAT NEED TO REMAIN MAJOR

Now don't get me wrong. There are certainly major issues that need to remain major in the church. I'm talking about issues like the authority of Scripture (the Bible is the final rule of faith and practice), the doctrine of the Virgin Birth and Christ's deity (how many of you understand that Jesus was and is God? ~ this is a major issue in the church ~ it is vital).

And then there's the death and resurrection of our Lord, His second coming, the necessity of the new birth experience (being "born again") ~ issues like these are major issues that need to be stood up for. They need to be defended. There can be no compromise in these areas. Ever.

But then there are the minor issues ~ most often they're "man-made" without any explicit Bible verse behind them. These "man-made" issues need to be left in the minor category. They need to not be divided over. They need to not be fought over.

WHAT IT REALLY BOILS DOWN TO IS THE HEART

And I guess what it really boils down to is the heart. That's what God is really concerned about. He's not concerned about the color of the church carpet. He's not concerned about the songs that we sing in the worship service. He's not concerned about the minor issues that we can so easily get caught up with. What God's concerned with is what's going on on the inside.

You can have the right color carpet. You can sing the right songs. You can do and have everything "right" on the outside. But on the inside you can be a mess ~ harboring bitterness and anger and a propensity to gossip, backbite, criticize, undermine ~ and on and on and on.

The truth is I wonder if those who major on the minors ~ if it isn't the sign of something wrong in their own hearts?

You might also be interested in:

• Trap 2 Christians Fall Into: Having a False View of Oneself
• Trap 1 Christians Fall Into: Thinking God is Angry With Them

Trap 2 Christians Fall Into: Having a False View of Oneself

(This is the second in a series entitled: "8 Traps Christians Fall Into.")

TRAP 2 CHRISTIANS FALL INTO: HAVING A FALSE VIEW OF ONESELF

"For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)

Are you stuck on yourself? To be stuck on yourself means that you see yourself as different than others. Either you see yourself as better or you see yourself as worse. So let me ask it again: Are you stuck on yourself? (Be honest.)

The truth be told there are a lot of believers in Jesus Christ caught in this kind of thinking (stuck!) that the Apostle Paul speaks to / warns us about in the verse above.

FALSE HUMILITY IS A FORM OF PRIDE, TOO

Each of these ways of seeing oneself ~ whether it's being better or being worse than others ~ each of them are ultimately forms of pride. (Ouch.) Each of them are forms of thinking more highly than you ought.

Yes, even when you see yourself as being worse than others. It's also thinking more highly than you ought. For when one sees himself like that, what he's basically doing is he's separating himself from everyone else. (Isn't it true?)

And in doing so, a person is making himself the center of attention ~ "Me bad, everyone else okay" ~ do you see how that works? "Me bad, everyone else okay" ~ it draws the attention to self. It's self-centered thinking. It's what's sometimes referred to as "false humility." False humility is one of the worst forms of pride.

ON EQUAL FOOTING BEFORE GOD

We need to think of ourselves in a proper way. We need to think of ourselves as God would have us think ~ with sound judgment as Romans 12:3 admonishes.

A former pastor of mine liked to coin the phrase (you may have heard it): "The ground at the foot of the cross is level ground." What it basically means is that there are no superstars in Christ, neither are there any worms. And it's the cross of Jesus has seen to that. It has put all believers on equal footing before God.

There is not a one of us any better than another, neither is there a one of us any worse. Did you need to be reminded?

You might also be interested in:

• 7 Points on Spiritual Warfare (plus 3 bonus points)
• Trap 1 Christians Fall Into: Thinking God is Angry With Them

Trap 1 Christians Fall Into: Thinking God is Angry with Them

(This is the first in a series entitled: "8 Traps Christians Fall Into.")

TRAP 1 CHRISTIANS FALL INTO: THINKING GOD IS ANGRY

As a believer in Jesus Christ, have you ever thought God was angry with you? It's not so hard to see why many of us fall into this trap. I mean, in many places in the Body of Christ (if we were really honest), this is the emphasis concerning our Lord. I'm talking about the emphasis that God is mad at His people ~ that they mostly rub Him the wrong way ~ that He's hard to please (if He's even able to be pleased at all). This really is the emphasis in a lot of church settings. And it's truly unfortunate.

Because the fact is God isn't angry with us. "He's not angry with you, ________ (fill in the blank with your own name and say it)." He's not!

In a moment I'll be offering you a single verse to prove it. But before that, I want to give you two reasons why I believe some Christians think God is angry with them.

1ST REASON WHY CHRISTIANS THINK GOD IS ANGRY

The first reason is this: Some believers equate wrong attitudes of "father figures" with God's attitude ~ whether it be an earthly father, a pastor, a boss, etc (even a friend). This is the first reason why some Christians think God is mad ~ because their dad always was or their pastor comes off that way or because their boss is edgy or because any other "father figure" they might know or have known is like that. It's because those who were stationed by God in their lives to be examples of His holy attitude and character have failed to portray Him in a right way. How important it is that "father figures" fulfill their role as God intended.

2ND REASON WHY CHRISTIANS THINK GOD IS ANGRY

The second reason that I believe some Christians think God is angry with them is this: It's because they don't truly understand grace. Grace is unmerited favor (to not merit something means you can't earn it by doing something or not doing something). God's unmerited favor (grace) is bestowed upon sinful men and women by a God who loves without condition. This is what grace is. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11 is a story about grace. The religious leaders are requiring that the woman be stoned for her sin. (John 8:5) They call on Jesus to get angry / upset, to blow His top and throw a tantrum ~ to do away with the immoral, wretched gal. But what does Jesus do? (You know the story.) He says, "'He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.'" (John 8:7)

Does that sound like a God who's angry?

Jesus turns to the woman as all her condemners are leaving and says, "'Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?'" (John 8:10b) She responds, "'No one, Lord.'" (John 8:11a) Jesus closes, "'Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more.'" (John 8:11b)

This is grace talking here. Did you need to hear it?

GOD HAS EXPENDED ALL OF HIS WRATH

I'd now like to offer you a verse to prove our Lord truly isn't angry (as if the last story in John 8 wasn't enough!) Isaiah 53:5 states in the King James Version...

But He (Jesus Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

What this verse in Isaiah tells us ~ what this verse declares! ~ is that God has expended all His wrath ~ God has expended all His anger towards sin ~ He's exhausted it all ~ every last ounce! ~ against and upon His Son. He did it at the cross! Can you say, "Praise the Lord"?

And so there's none left. It's all gone. God's fury has subsided. He's no longer angry.

He's no longer angry with you. (Romans 5:1)

You might also be interested in:

• God Rejoices Over Us
• Has God Forgotten Us (Me)?

10 Lies of the Devil (redux) plus podcast

(To listen to the podcast of this post, click here for Part 1, click here for Part 2 and click here for Part 3.)

I have written on this topic before. (To read 10 Lies of the Devil, click here. To read 10 More Lies of the Devil, click here.) I feel strangely moved to write on it again. (A "redux" is a revisiting of something from the past.)

The world is ending. (Selah~pause to reflect) More and more people are having a problem with the teaching of the Bible. The way my Pastor likes to put it is they are rejecting (will reject) a "Biblical worldview."

A "Biblical worldview" is one that looks to the Word of God, the Scriptures as its lens to live life, respond to life and evaluate life. The Bible is to be the final rule of faith and conduct. After all, it was for Jesus. (Wasn't it?)

This rejection of a "Biblical worldview" has given rise to a false gospel. (2 Timothy 2:3-4) There are preachers who have turned away from the truth themselves. And it only makes sense (to them)? Their services are full. (Sometimes the size of stadiums.) So is their bank account. They are even being accepting by major media and popular politicians.

And yet they are "anathema" to God. (Dictionary.com defines anathema as "a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication.")

Ezekiel was given a vision of the elders of Israel. (Ezekiel 8:7-8) Behind the scenes where no one could see (but God could see) they were worshiping idols / burning incense to false images. (Ezekiel 8:9-12)

I suggest that preachers who are preaching a false gospel have some hidden sin in their lives, too, that no one knows about (but God knows).

Which brings me finally to...

10 Lies of the Devil (redux):
(What might you add?)

• You can be a Christian and support same sex marriage
• It is never right to judge another person's life (1 Corinthians 5:1-5)
• Man evolved from apes
• "Social justice" (/socialism) is based in Christianity
• The problem is global warming, not sin
• You can be a Christian and support abortion rights
• Man can rule himself (and therefore others) apart from God
• You don't have to work to eat
• There is such a thing as morality without God
• The world will finally be at peace when we all can come together as one

You might also be interested in:

• 7 Points on Spiritual Warfare (plus 3 bonus points)
• Life of a Pastor (and Death)

Men Jesus Called (video teaching series)

(For the entire Men Jesus Called teaching series by Richard @mcProdigal and Mike @aheartforgod, click here.)

Why Not Sex Outside of Marriage?

"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body." (1 Corinthians 6:18; NIV)

I've always been fascinated by the tigers at the zoo. I can remember one zoo in particular (Como Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota) where you could look down upon the tigers through an upper glass area.

(And they're just big kitty cats after all? They couldn't hurt a fly?)

Sometimes the tigers would sleep up high right against the glass. You could literally reach out and touch them (without the protection).

Listen: Having sex outside of marriage is like getting down with the tigers in their cage. (Who is this for?) You get ripped apart (shredded) in your soul when you "sleep around."

Oh, you may "feel good" for a tiny bit all the while pieces of yourself are literally left here and there and there and here with this person and that ~ all strewn about.

And you become a shadow.

And your ability to trust is lost.

And your potential for true (godly) intimacy with a husband or wife in a marriage later is forever frayed.

But God can redeem...

Step 1: Completely give yourself to Jesus Christ (see "How to Be Born Again" below).

Step 2: Stop sinning. (Btw, Jesus helps you to stop.)

You might also be interested in:

• How to Be Born Again (in 30 seconds)
• Why I’m Using Four Letter Words in Church

Don't worry about what others think... (tweet)

(click picture to enlarge)

"'I have loved you with an everlasting love.'" (Jeremiah 31:3b)

A "Dynamic" Rant

(I haven't written a rant in a while. Here goes...)

It is a dynamic of faith that is ours. What I mean by that is ~ it's the opposite of ritual, it's the opposite of "dead religion." There's a change. There's a power. It's real. It's substantial. (Selah ~ pause to reflect)

I shake my head sometimes (smh) when I think about a few Christian leaders / teachers (even well known ones who I enjoy) that say the miracles, etc., were only meant for the early Church and Apostles in the First Century.

Huh? That makes no sense. Why would God hamstring us (His people)?

I know, I know. The Word of God is dynamic all by itself. (Hebrews 4:12) I'm not intending to minimize that. (Please, hear me.) But since the canon of Scripture is complete / closed and the "perfect has come" (1 Corinthians 13:10) we have no need of what the early believers needed?

Jesus talked about the dynamic of faith. It starts when we confess our sins to Him and repent. He said it Himself, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" (John 7:37-38) That's "dynamic."

Christ goes on, "Truly I say to you, whoever ("whoever" means anybody, not just the Apostles) says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him." (Mark 11:23) That's "dynamic."

And furthermore, our Lord is very clear, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father." (John 14:12)  That's "dynamic."

And just one more. The Son of God speaks through Paul, "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26) That's "dynamic."

I want it. I long for that "dynamic."

You might also be interested in:

• Chewed Up and Spit Out
• Pastor Preoccupation

If My People (chorus)

7 Reasons Why God Allows Wicked People to Rule

"Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him. It came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel." (1 Kings 16:30-31a)

Why does God allow wicked people to rule? It's a question many people ask. (Have you ever asked it?)

We ask it especially when we find ourselves oppressed, our lives made miserable, our security shaken ~ and it's due to other people's rulership over us ~ whether it's a boss, parent, politician, etc. ~ or it could even be a church leader for that matter. Why does God allow such (quote) "evil men and women" (see verses above) to assume positions of power / exercise, take control?

Well, part of it includes that these have free will just like everyone else. It's a sad fact that there are people (in a fallen world) who choose to beat down (via laws, a heavy hand, ungodly passions and thinking, wickedness) their constituents, employees, sons, daughters, wives, congregation ~ and it's their own choice to do so.

And it's one thing to say you're a Christian while all the while you do unChristian things and promote an ungodly lifestyle. (All "kings" who have an ear, let them hear.)

And there's more to it...

7 Reasons Why God Allows Wicked People to Rule:

Reason #1: So that we might distinguish between unrighteousness and righteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12)

Reason #2: So that we might choose between unrighteousness and righteousness in our own lives. (Revelation 13:1-4)

Reason #3: So that a righteous leader might arise to stand against the unrighteous him or her. (Exodus 3:10)

Reason #4: Because we ourselves have sinned and turned from God and He needs to get our attention and draw us back. (Judges 3:7-11)

Reason #5: So that we will set our hearts upon our eternal home and not get so comfortable in this one. (Matthew 6:21)

Reason #6: So as to allow for the person in charge an opportunity for repentance. (Jonah 3:6-10; Romans 2:4b)

Reason #7: So that we might turn our gaze upon (especially if we've been distracted from) the only Person worthy of ruling over people's lives. (Isaiah 9:6)

You might also be interested in:

• 7 Dynamics At The End Of The World
• How a Super Power Disappears

The 11th Hour

"'And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, "Why have you been standing here idle all day long?"'" (Matthew 20:6)

You've heard the phrase "the eleventh hour" before? Sure you have. What you might not have known is its biblical roots. In His parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus uses the "eleventh hour" to refer to that time late in the day where something takes place.

And God has a way of coming through in our lives at the last second (in the "eleventh hour"). Have you discovered that? (You may be waiting on Him right now and it's getting late and you're wondering if He'll show up?)

It was the eleventh hour. I was a new (baby) Christian. My roommate was moving out so I needed a new one as I didn't have enough by myself to pay for rent and food, too (for my 2 cats and myself).

It had been a few weeks and still no new roommate. I didn't know what I was going to do. So I went out to my usual Friday night ministry. We were passing out tracts and sharing our faith at different locations in town each week (street witnessing).

It was around 11:45 p.m. (the "eleventh hour") when I was in a truck getting a ride home with a couple of guys. I mentioned again my concern for needing a roommate and not having one yet and how the very next day (Saturday) was the day I needed one and I didn't know what I was going to do. That's when the guy sitting in the middle of the seat (between the driver and I) who I'd never met before that night said, "I need a place to stay."

I said, "You're kidding me?" :)

(The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard picture above of in the public domain: click here.)

You might also be interested in:

• Get Back Up
• The Cross is a Great Thing

Spring Blossoms

(click pictures to enlarge)

I Was the Lion...

"I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you." (The Horse and His Boy)

God is so good to make His presence known just when we need it. His timing is perfect. Just yesterday the C. S. Lewis quote above was on an app on my iPod touch that I try to read daily (and tweet, too). The significance of the quote (to me especially) can not be understated. As it has to do with the entire Narnia book series, it is, above all, the most special to me. Of course, the book "The Horse and His Boy" is my favorite to begin with. Its overarching theme is the sovereignty of God in a person's life.

And so God reminded me of that yesterday morning (my favorite quote from C. S. Lewis). Only He could know (and ahead of time) I would need it later that day when something I had applied for, and had my heart set on, did not come to pass. In short, I wasn't picked.

I could easily be down. (I was a bit. Well, maybe more than a bit.) I could easily be thinking my time had passed. (I had those feelings, too.) And yet God (in His sovereignty!) gave me the very quote that only He knew, once my emotions settled, He could remind me of (Holy Spirit: "Hey Mike, remember that quote from this morning?") and I would know it was Him.

And I would know He knew what had happened to me. (Selah~pause to reflect)

And that He alone had planned it for me not to be picked. (Selah~pause to reflect again)

And that it was the best thing even though it hurt. (Selah~pause to reflect one last time)

I am tearing up again (as I tend to do). :)

You might also be interested in:

• A Boy Feeling Sorry for Himself and a Great Lion
• Swept Away By the Dawn Treader

God Was Looking / Satan is Also Looking - Part 2

(To read Part 1, click here.)

Just like God was looking, Satan is also looking. Satan is also looking for a man. He is looking for a man through whom (and by whom) he can dominate the world and destroy people's lives. (John 10:10a) He is looking man to man to man at the greatest men who ever lived. He looked at Pharoah. He looked at Judas. He looked at Stalin. He looked at Hitler. He looked at Ahmadinejad. He can't do it until the men appear. (Satan is not like God who can look across all of history past, present and future. Satan must wait until men are born and demonstrate a complete disregard for Jesus Christ.)

The fact is Satan is looking for the most wicked man of all. This man will portray himself has someone he is not. He will be a liar and deceiver. (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11) He will be a sociopath who disobeys the law (2 Thessalonians 2:3c) while enforcing it upon others. (Revelation 13:16-17) The masses of people will go after this man. (Revelation 13:3-4)

Could it be Satan has finally found him?

• How to Recognize Antichrist - Part 3 (in 30 seconds)
• Pre-Tribulation or Pre-Wrath Rapture?

God Was Looking / Satan is Also Looking - Part 1

God was looking. He was looking for a man. He was looking for a man through whom (and by whom) He would save the world (people). (John 3:16) He looked man to man to man at the greatest men who ever lived. He looked at Pharoah. He looked at Julius Caesar. He looked at Mohammed. He looked at Gandhi. He looked at Ronald Reagan. He looked across all of history past, present and future. (God can do that. He's God.)

The fact is God couldn't find a man. He couldn't find anyone. (Romans 3:10-12) So He accomplished salvation Himself. (Isaiah 59:16) He became the Man He was looking for. (Matthew 1:23) He died on the cross and rose again on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) We have been freed from our sins (who believe) because of it. (Romans 10:9-10, 13)

Satan is also looking ~ for a man...

(To read Part 2, click here.)

• One Man
• Signs of the Evil Times

Engraving on My iPad (picture)

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