RONIN

Last week I mentioned that the Christian believer should behave like a Samurai. This was done in the context of being fearless in the service of your Master, Jesus Christ. As Samurai served his Master with his life. The Samurai did not fear death. The only thing a true Samurai feared was to dishonor his Master. The Samurai would rather perform ritual suicide rather than dishonor his Master and thereby himself.

Like the Samurai we believers have a Master. The believer’s freedom is not a freedom to do what you like. It is not a freedom that is to be abused, or one that carries no consequences. Jesus didn’t just pay for our freedom and let us lose to run wild. He actually made a transfer of ownership. From slaves to sin, to slaves of Christ. Humans, no matter how free they think they are, all have a Master. The question is not whether you serve somebody, but who do you serve?

As Bob Dylan sang:
“…you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody”

We are all born slaves to sin. Slaves to a cruel master.

Eph 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience (satan),3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Jesus bought us out of slavery to sin at a heavy price. If you accept his payment you now belong to him, hence you should be his servant and be obedient to him as your new Master.

2Co 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

1Co 7:22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.19I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

Since believers are not free to do what they like, but actually belong to Christ. They should be like the Samurai, fearlessly loyal to their Master. Ok, now I don’t want to rain on the parade, but put down the Katana for a minute. While we may dream and imagine ourselves as faithful Samurai fighting a spiritual battle for our Lord and Savior, the truth is that we are more like a RONIN.

A Ronin is a master-less samurai. A Samurai that due to the death of his master or after a loss of his Master’s favor or privileged is left on his own, to do as he likes. The word Ronin literally means “wave man”. A term used for a servant who flees or deserts his master’s land. Due to a lack of a Master, Ronin sought employment as mercenaries or served several lords demonstrating no loyalty. Some became robbers and thieves and others joined in uprisings against other feudal lords(Masters).

I think Christians tend to behave more like the Ronin. They may have been a loyal Samurai to his Master (Jesus), but due to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, they desert their Master in order to fulfill their personal desires. Thereby, Christians, can be like the Ronin, double minded, unstable in all his ways, like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind, a “wave man.”

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

It’s hard to be a Samurai, while its easy to be a Ronin. The world is tempting, we are naturally attracted to sin, and sin can even be pleasurable for a season. The world system with its nonstop propaganda machine, TV, Movies, Magazines, Music, Video Games, etc..., glamorizes the Ronin. It portrays him as a hero, a rebel without a cause, some sort of an anti-establishment freedom fighter. But it’s all lies, a Ronin is not a hero, he has no Honor, he is lawless, and he is definitely not free. The Ronin serves the worse Masters a man can have… himself, the world, and satan. He is a son of disobedience, much like we are without Christ. Without Christ we are rebels serving ourselves and our desires for pleasure. With Christ we are justified and made righteous, we are made Honorable. Not because of anything we may have done, but because of what our Master has done. His Honor is imputed on us. And like the Samurai we must defend our Master’s Honor with our lives.

So why after being justified and raised in Honor by our Master (Jesus Christ) do we rebel and become double minded, a “wave man” like the Ronin. I think it is because we lose focus. We stop looking at Jesus and start looking at ourselves, our desires, and the circumstances around us and before you know it we are drowning in storm filled seas.

Mt 14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

A tale of a Samurai and a Ronin.

Judas: The Ronin

Judas Iscariot was one of the original twelve apostles. He followed Jesus through his Ministry and appeared to be a loyal servant of the Lord. The other apostles had no suspicion and no apparent reason to doubt Judas dedication and loyalty to the Lord. But at some point Judas became a Ronin, he deserted his real Master (Jesus) and sought his own agenda.

John 12:3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

In the pursuit of his own agenda Judas became a mercenary and started to serve a counterfeit Master (satan) for monetary gain.

Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money.

Judas betrayed his true Master and in realization of what he had done he could not live with himself and ended up committing suicide. Since then the name of Judas has always represented a traitor. A man willing to sacrifice his Master in order to fulfill his own desires. A man without Honor, a Ronin.

Acts 1:18 With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.

Paul: The Samurai

When Paul the Apostle accepted Jesus as his Lord and King he became his faithful servant. Everything Paul did or said was in order to Honor his Master. Yet, like us, Paul had to deal with temptation and our sinful nature/desires.

Rom 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Rom 7:19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Rom 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. Rom 7:21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. Rom 7:22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; Rom 7:23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. Rom 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Unlike Judas, Paul did not give in to his wordly and fleshly desires. Paul did not dishonor or betray his Master. Instead, like a faithful Samurai, Paul looked up to his Master and in selfless service was determined to uphold his Honor.

Rom 7:25 Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

We need to stop behaving like a Ronin and emulate the example Paul set for us. Paul set aside all he had and left behind all he was in his pursuit of faithfully serving the Lord. Paul avoided serving a counterfeit master by dying to self and keeping his eyes on his true Master. Like Paul, we should behave like a true Samurai, faithfully, selflessly, and honorably serving our Master until our last day here on Earth.

Php 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

FEARLESS

At Church they have been playing a song by Chris Tomlin titled “Our God”. The lyrics go like this.

Water you turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like you
None like You

Into the darkness you shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There is no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is Healer
Awesome in power
Our God, Our God

and if our God is for us
then who could ever stop us
and if our God is with us
then what could stand against

As we sang this worship song I could only contemplate how God wants us to be fearless, to trust him in everything or as King David would say “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2.

Being fearless is a hard thing to do because we are selfish; we have an instinct for self- preservation. So many times in order to protect ourselves be it from physical or emotional pain, we let fear rule our lives. Yet, the Word tells us that believers did not receive a spirit of bondage to fear, but received the Spirit of adoption through which we cry out to God, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

Our western society fears everything, from natural disasters, to weapons of mass destruction, to diseases, pain, terrorist attacks, crime, economic collapse, etc.. Not to mention the biggest fear of them all. The fear that underlines all of our fears, the big D, DEATH.

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb 2:14-15.

If we are Christians, truly believing that there is one God, putting our faith and trust in the redeeming Blood of his Son, Jesus Christ, and expectant of eternal life in his presence, why do we live afraid? What should we be afraid of? I believe that by being afraid and living lives full of fear, we dishonor God. As believers our fear and lack of trust make God seem weak, as if the promises in his Word can’t be trusted. Believers could stand to learn a lot from two of the greatest warriors that ever lived. King David and the Samurai!

KING DAVID

Everyone knows that King David wrote:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23

Many believers and even unbelievers can recite Psalm 23, but do they believe it? King David did. He meant it! He faced Lions, Bears, Giants, armies, enemies within and outside his Kingdom, yet he never feared because he trusted God. David is at times portrayed as reckless. But he was not reckless, he was fearless because of three things: 1) He knew he served a mighty Master, a powerful King, the Creator of Everything, who is in control of everything. Including his destiny!; 2) David knew that as long as he served God, whatever happened, good or bad, was in his hands. That is why David could charge into battle head first, because he knew the Lord would give him the victory; 3) and if for some reason the Lord where to allow him to die in battle, David knew exactly where he would dwell for in eternity! Thereby, he did not fear death.

This lack of fear, specially the fear of death itself, allowed David to do many mighty things. He was not reckless, he was faithful and truly trusted on God’s promises. King David also wrote:

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, In this I will be confident.4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:1-4

THE SAMURAI

Believers could also learn a lot from the Samurai. Of course I am not talking about the spiritual nonsense they believed. But the Samurai can teach us a lot of how to serve our King and Master, Jesus Christ.

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 1Co 6:20

Samurai means “To Serve”. A Samurai promised complete loyalty to his lord (usually a wealthy landowner). A Samurai would rather die, even commit suicide, before dishonoring his Master. What made a Samurai a deadly opponent was the fact that they would contemplate death regularly, to the extent that they no longer feared death. Defeat and death itself was irrelevant compared to their desire to fight with Honor on behalf of their Master. The Samurai’s concern when facing an enemy in battle was that if slain his corpse would be facing the enemy!

Like King David, the Samurai were brave because they were fearless and they were fearless because they did not fear death. Unlike King David, the Samurai’s lack of fear was based on an empty concept of dying honorably in battle. But, King David’s lack of fear was based on a substance called Faith; a substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, among others, were all great warriors who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. See Hebrews 11. These heroes of faith, who lived out their faith in truly fearful times would say “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6. Shouldn’t we do the same in our, comparably, insignificant trials.

Paul exhorted us to be live a fearless life, fearing nothing, including death.

…"Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corintians 15:54-58.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me (Paul) His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,… 2 Timothy 1:7-10.

When it comes to living out our Christianity, our faith in our Lord and Savior, the mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all men, we should be fearless. Give, serve, share, live fearlessly. Don’t fear the economy, don’t fear the weather, don’t fear the times, don’t fear war or rumors of war, don’t fear persecution, don’t fear ridicule, don’t fear disease, don’t fear being obedient to the Word of God in a secular world, don’t fear anything when you are in his will. After all he has defeated the biggest fear of all, death.

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." 1 Peter 3:13-14.

The Samurai feared one thing, not to serve his master with honor. Like the Samurai, let us fear just one thing, not serving our Master, Jesus Christ, with Honor.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire. Heb 12:28-29.

REPRESENT

Last weekend we attended a local MMA fight. I wanted to go because several members of the Gym I train at were fighting that night. In addition, one of our trainers was fighting for a regional 155 pound title belt. While at the Fights I kept seeing T-shirts with our Gym Logo and the name of a fighter I had never heard of or even seen train in our Gym. It turns out that a local fighter had decided to make t-shirts for his “crew”, “posse”, “entourage”, whatever you want to call people who leach onto others in order to live off their fame. Not that this fighter is famous, he just decided to make himself known by printing many self promoting t-shirts. There is nothing wrong in a little self-promotion for an unknown fighter, but the problem was that even though he prominently posted the logo of our Gym on the t-shirts, he does not train at our gym. He has visited the gym infrequently, but he is not a team member by any means. And, no, he did not ask permission to use the Gym’s logo on his t-shirts.

So what is wrong with some un-requested free advertisement you may ask. In this case, a lot. First the local fighter in question lost the fight one minute into the first round via a choke. Second, after losing, in a very unsportsmanlike manner, he threw a fit and stomped off the ring, showing a lack of respect for his opponent, the ref, and the judges. Third, he had to be escorted by the police out of the venue hosting the event due to his post fight behavior. And finally, I heard that he was arrested later that night for getting rough with his wife. Not good exposure for the Gym. What made this situation particularly sad is that our Gym owner is very particular of who can fight under the Gym’s name. He only wants dedicated fighters, who train hard, are disciplined, respect the sport, are positive ambassadors for the sport/Gym, and are respectful & honorable in defeat or victory. Even though our trainer represented our Gym well by winning the 155 title belt, and being respectful and honorable in his victory, the actions of an “impostor” could have marred the reputation of our Gym.

The same is true with the Church and Christianity. The Church is full of people who appear to be Christians or claim to be Christians but their actions (fruits) are hurtful and negative to the message of Christ and Christianity. They wear the t-shirt, but are not members of the gym. There are many professing Christians who are doing more damage than good. They walk around with their “Christian” logo on their chest, while acting just like every non-believer out there in the world. For example, I just heard of a well known Christian Pop singer, Jennifer Knapp, who “came out of the closet” announcing that she is a homosexual in a lesbian relationship. She promoted Jesus, now she promotes her homosexuality. Christ changes lives. Once you accept Jesus as Lord and savior you are a New Creation, born again. Your life should reflect that change. If Jesus does not make a difference in your life, what difference does Jesus make?

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

“Christians” such as these stumble true believers and push non-believers away. Why should a non-believer trust in Jesus when the “believers” themselves don’t trust him. They might profess him as Lord and Savior, but they do not obey his word or his commandments. Professing Christ does not demonstrate faith or trust in him, anyone can profess Christ. Heck, even demons profess and believe that Jesus is the Christ.

Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Lu 4:33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, 34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

Many may state that Jesus is their Lord, but very few truly trust in him. Why do you think the Church has all of the same social problems of the world system? If we were truly living as called to do by Christ, It wouldn’t. But we love the world, we covet, we desire stuff to make us feel “happy” or “good”, we disobey God’s commandments because they are too harsh, we don’t agree, or because I “deserve” it(whatever “it” is in your life), we seek the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, while saying “thank you Jesus”. Why should an unbeliever go to the Church if he is just going to find what is readily available in the World. Saying you are a Christian and wearing a Christian t-shirt does not make you a Christian. Going to Church, frequently or infrequently, does not make you a Christian. Obedience in Christ and his Word, which is shown/reflected by your actions (fruits), demonstrate that you are a Christian.

Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Ro 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Mt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Christ’s logo goes on the inside, it cannot be seen other than in its reflection through your life, your actions, your behavior, your fruits. Don’t tell me you are a Christian, show me!

Jesus wants more than a logo on your chest, he wants you. He wants to change you completely, so that you behave more like him and represent him well to the unbelieving world. Would the US Government keep an ambassador who constantly behaves like a fool and misrepresents the position of the USA? Don’t think so.

2Co 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

Believers are called to represent Christ here in this World. We are ambassadors, in a sense we wear the T-Shirt with Jesus’ Logo. But, when you profess to be a Christian and behave like a worldly pagan, you are just like the fighter or ambassador I mentioned above. You are wearing the Gym’s logo without the consent of the owner (God), and every action you make reflects negatively on the Gym (Church) and those that attend the Gym (Believers). On the day of the fights, our Gym owner should have confronted the fighter and told him to take the shirts off. But in order to be “nice”, not cause an “issue” or maybe just compromise because the fighter did visit the gym every once in a while, he let it slide and it came back to bite him. Don’t we do the same in Church. We see alleged “believers” openly living in sin, encouraging politically correct ideologies that go against the Word of God, or just being a bad witness, yet we don’t say anything in order not to be judgmental, or because we don’t want to upset them, or offend them, or because we are afraid that they may leave and not come back.

God shows displeasure with those who misrepresent him and takes disciplinary action. From Moses hitting the rock in the wilderness, to the nation of Israel in it’s adultery with the world. Jesus also demonstrated his displeasure with the false prophets and false teachers who misrepresented God’s message to the people. Paul even ordered the men corrupting the Church to be thrown out.

See 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 Expel the Immoral Brother!

Tit 3:10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

2Ti 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power (going to Church but no believing, disobedient ). And from such people turn away!

2Th 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

2Th 3:13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Ro 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.

Mt 18:15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.16 "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'17 "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

True believers should stand up to those who claim to follow Christ with their tongue, but deny him by their actions. They should be confronted and corrected with the truth, before they go on a rampage, stumble new believers, and push away those seeking the truth.

In other words, they should not wear the t-shirt unless they are going to do it justice!

WORLD'S FASHION

With Mother’s day right around the corner I started to think about my spouse and how blessed I am that God chose her and placed her in my arms. I do not want to boast, but my wife reminds me of the wife in Proverb 31. Trustworthy, hardworking, wise, strong (physically, mentally, and spiritually), giving, sacrificial, honorable, kind, loving, faithful and fruitful. My wife willingly left a job with a three-figure salary in order to start a family, stay home, and raise our children. She chose to fulfill the role of a homemaker and teach our children at home. She finds time to volunteer to help out in church, minister to younger mothers & women, do the soccer mom thing, and deal with an immature, hyperactive, and grumpy husband.

Proverb 31:10-31 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth [is] far above rubies.11The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.18 She perceives that her merchandise [is] good, And her lamp does not go out by night.19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household [is] clothed with scarlet.22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing [is] fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.24 She makes linen garments and sells [them], And supplies sashes for the merchants.25 Strength and honor [are] her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue [is] the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praises her: 29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."30 Charm [is] deceitful and beauty [is] passing, But a woman [who] fears the LORD, she shall be praised.31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Is my wife perfect, no. None of us are, we are all sinners saved by grace. She has her faults, same as me. (Though, I have many, many more). Before she met Christ, my wife was a completely different person, more like the women in Isaiah 3:16-26. She lived for herself pushing others away or using them in order to fulfill her agenda. But, once she accepted Christ, as Lord and Savior, she slowly changed, up to the point that she is a very different and better person now.

Am I writing to boast about my wife? No, I am writing because I worry that the Church instead of encouraging women to be like the wife in Proverb 31, they are accepting the modern “politically correct” world view of women, and even encouraging the worldly behaviors condemned in Isaiah 3.

Isaiah 3:16 Moreover the LORD says: "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, And walk with outstretched necks And wanton eyes, Walking and mincing [as] they go, Making a jingling with their feet,17 Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab The crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, And the LORD will uncover their secret parts."18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery: The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents;19 The pendants, the bracelets, and the veils;20 The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands; The perfume boxes, the charms,21 and the rings; The nose jewels,22 the festal apparel, and the mantles; The outer garments, the purses, 23 and the mirrors; The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes of a sweet smell there will be a stench; Instead of a sash, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, baldness; Instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty. 25 Your men shall fall by the sword, And your mighty in the war. 26 Her gates shall lament and mourn, And she [being] desolate shall sit on the ground.

Modern women, like the women described above in Isaiah, pride themselves in being independent, aggressive, empowered, open and proud of their sexuality. You clearly see this in the music industry and Hollywood. Where women seem to be the more famous and powerful, the less clothing they wear, the more sexually aggressive they are, and the more times they have been divorced. Don’t believe me? Look at Madonna (I know she’s getting old, but she was a pioneer at this), Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Angelina Jolie, Pink, etc.... Many of these high profile women start out relatively modest, but realize that it is easier to get what they want by being shocking, sexually aggressive, putting all behind in order to succeed as a independent woman. At times they even fulfill the role of a temptress in order to gain attention and therein success.

For example, I just heard that Miley Cyrus, a.k.a. Hannah Montana (the idol of many pre-teen girls) has taken this route. Her new video will be sexually charged. (I guess they need to address the teenage boy market).These high profile powerful women all have something in common. They imitate the women in Isaiah 3. They are haughty, wanton, charming (not in a good way), drawing attention to themselves, proud of themselves and using their sensuality as a way to get what they want (power, money, fame, acceptance, happiness, love). I find it amusing that every time one of these liberated “independent women” want to empower themselves they use their sexuality/sensuality. They don’t use their intellect, they don’t point to their hard work, they just lower their cleavage and wear tighter clothes. Please explain to me how does that make men respect them, threat them as equals, and not just look at them as an object. It is just plainly amusing to hear one of these Hollywood divas talk about women rights, when all the do is become rich by propagating the view that women are just sexual objects for men. Sadly, these are the women that society (the World) looks up to. They are the spoke persons for politicians, “just causes”, political correctness, social change movements, etc. They are the women our boys want to date and our girls want to be like. It has gotten to the point that when a conservative woman hits the spotlight, she is attacked and demonized for not being more like Madonna. The world is upside down.

Pr 2:16 To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words. 17 Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God. 18 For her house leads down to death, And her paths to the dead;19 None who go to her return, Nor do they regain the paths of life-

The Church, instead of separating itself from the world, is accepting this modern view point of women, even condoning it. How you ask? Here are three examples.

First, modern churches are obsessed with outward appearances (specially the looks of women). Instead of bible studies they have sumba classes. Instead of devotions they have dieting tips. Instead of teachers they have personal trainers. (I am not against being healthy, but the reason behind these “church” programs is not health, but looks, i.e, sensuality. A slimmer waist and better butt).

1 Tim. 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Second, many Churches offer day care for working moms. Disclaimer: I know that there are single moms out there and some families in which they have no choice, but for the spouse to work. I understand that things are rough and sometimes a family needs both spouse to work in order to simply survive. My problem is not with those families or mothers, as a matter of fact I feel for them. My problem is with families in which both spouses work so that they can buy the BMW or the fancy house. They drop off their kids in the Church day care all day, pick him up at the end of the day, tired, feed him, put him to bed, and do it all again the next day so that they can live “luxuriously”. Who is raising that kid? The day care worker or mom? The Day care worker spends more time with the kid so that mom can pick him up in the Lexus. That is sad, why have kids so that someone else can raise them.

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.Proverbs 14:1

Churches with daycare condone this by offering the service so that the mom (who does not need to) can go to work. What’s wrong with living more humbly, with one salary, and spending time with your children and actually raising them? The wife in Proverbs 31 works, but she also watches over the ways of her household. The Church should lead women to be like the wife in Proverbs 31, not like the “independent successful women” of the world system.

Tit 2:3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Finally, “Fashion” (or should I call it “Pride”) can also become an issue. I am not a prude who believes women should wear long skirts and button-up shirts to church, but there has to be a limit. When the worldly dress code of “believers” is causing others to be stumbled, that is a problem.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

I remember having a close friend admit that he was stumbled by the way some of the girls dressed in church. I could have judged him as being weak, or accused him of not walking in the spirit, but he was right. It was hard not to have wondering eyes when everywhere you looked you saw low cleavage, extra tight low waist jeans, short skirts, and butt cracks.

1 Cor 8:12-13 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food (clothing) makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat (wear that), lest I make my brother stumble.

I do not want to sound like a Pharisee or extra holy, but I do remember at times keeping my head low, staring at the floor as I walked and avoiding talking to certain girls because of the way they were dressed. I do not think all of the girls who wear these revealing clothes where trying to be vixens or to purposely tempt the weak men in the church.(That would be all of us). I like to think that they were just ignorant, adopting the ways of the world and wearing the fashions dictated by the world system. You know, the stuff the liberal Hollywood crowd or the elite NYC jet set wear and tell women to wear in order to look “good”, as seen on TV, movies & magazines. If the women wearing these clothes are believers, they should mature and stop behaving like babies. Let’s not lie to ourselves, the purpose behind wearing such tight revealing clothes is to draw attention to the body, specifically a woman’s sensual parts. Apparently this has become acceptable in Church, like it had become acceptable in Israel. Israel was meant to be a separate nation that would evangelize the world through their faithfulness and obedience to God. The Church was also meant to be a separate entity, in the world, but not of the world, full of believers imitating Christ, not imitating the world. Israel did not fulfill God’s will. It started to be influenced by the practices of the pagan nations around them. It was a slippery slope that led to God’s intervention and captivity in Babylon.

As described in Isaiah 3, the women in Israel became materialistic, proud, and heavily influenced by the pagan cultures around them. They wore bells on their feet so as they mingled by men (and other women) they would look at them. They wore all these bracelets, rings, headdresses, leg ornaments, headbands, charms, nose, purses, etc, to draw attention to themselves. They were proud in the way they looked and wanted others to notice. This type of attention is always negative as it is based on outward looks and appearances, not godly actions and behavior. As you can read in Isaiah 3 , God condemned this type of worldly behavior. The wife in Proverb 31 is not concerned in making others look at her waistline, she is focused in living out her faith and letting her actions demonstrate her faith. The world is concerned about appearances, what car I drive, what house I own, what clothes I wear, how good do I look, etc.. Christ is concerned about our hearts.

1 Samuel 16:7 “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearances, but the lord looks at the heart.”

Don’t get me wrong being healthy is good, feeling good and even looking good can be good thing. I like it when my wife looks good and I want to look good to her. But I don’t want her to be stumbling other men or women by the way she dresses. (Ok, I also do not want other men staring at her). But ultimately she demonstrates her love for me, and her trust in Christ, by being faithful, honorable, and humble. Like the woman in Proverbs 31, not the women in Isaiah 3.

Prov. 31:30 Charm [is] deceitful and beauty [is] passing, But a woman [who] fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

As Christians we should set the example, lead the way, change the world and not just adopt the World’s definitions of what is attractive or empowering. We should have non-believers saying “these Christians are turning the world upside down” or is it right side up!

Acts 17:6 “… , These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”

ADVENTURE

Life is an adventure. Or so they say. But, it sure does not feel like an adventure from my desk. Trapped in front of a computer for eight hours a day, five days a week, writing reports, memoranda, and preparing charts. I have a good job, don’t get me wrong. But I clearly remember proclaiming in high school that I would never, ever have a desk job. Too boring. I always thought that I would live life to the max. I used to dream of traveling to foreign lands seeking adventure. Racing the Paris-Dakar. Riding a bicycle across Europe. Racing the Baja 1000. Or at least join the Marines. This is what I perceived to be freedom. To pursue adventure with no burdens, no strings attached, no serious commitments. How far did I get into my pursuit of adventure? Not very far.

What happened? How did I end up here? It did not happen overnight. It was a gradual process. Slowly, but surely, as I grew up and matured the burdens of life started to choke my dreams of adventure. It all started when I made a commitment. I fell in love with a girl in High School. She became my dream and I compromised on my pursuit of adventure. I rationalized that I should have some one to share the adventure with. We talked about going to Europe, backpacking together, moving to a desolate tropical island and race rally cars together, I would drive and she would provide the pace notes.

As for the adventure part, it did not go well. I followed her to college. We submerged ourselves into school so we could graduate early and hopefully start our adventure. Upon graduation we both started to work, got married, and subsequently bought a house. We could not afford the rally car or the trip to Europe anymore. And even if we could afford it, we did not have the time anymore. We were too busy with work. Regardless, I tried my hardest to seek adventure. Throughout our early marriage I raced motorcycles, BMX, and cars. We would load the pick up truck, drive to the race track and spend the weekend racing and sleeping in a tent. It was fun, but reality set in when we could not afford it anymore. Truthfully, I was average and made no money racing. It was a just a black hole, sucking money and time. It got too hard to do every weekend, and slowly the pursuit of what was an already dying dream ended. Five years into our marriage, we had settled for trips to Florida, instead of backpacking Europe or riding my bike on weekends, instead
of pursuing a racing career.

Life became predictable, the beginning of the end for someone seeking adventure. Bigger job opportunities came up and with them came more money. Of course that meant more responsibility, a bigger house, new cars, and ultimately kids. I now have a huge mortgage and a 30 year school loan. I live in the suburbs, have three kids, two dogs, a savings account, a 401K, health insurance, life insurance, and drive a station wagon. I do not own a motorcycle anymore, my wife drives the soccer mom SUV and we have not traveled to Europe. So here I am surrounded with all the trappings of a suburban life. Am I upset? Do I have any regrets? Actually, no. While it may not be as glamorous as traveling through Europe, or riding a motorcycle wide-open across the desert. My suburban life is actually a bigger adventure. How is that, you may ask? How can living a mundane, predictable suburban life be an adventure?

You see, along the way my definition of what is an “adventure” changed. What I called “adventure” was nothing more than the pursuit of an adrenaline fix, an attempt at getting away from reality. What I was seeking was not adventure but an escape. A lot like the reason why people immerse themselves in entertainment, or use alcohol and drugs, to escape reality because they are unhappy or unsatisfied with their life.

Many of us yearn for an adventure that is grand, heroic, and apparently beyond our reach. But, your apparently mundane suburban family life is actually an adventure, fraught with potentially disastrous or gloriously heroic outcomes. I did not realize this until my eyes were opened to the fact that that this world is temporary and we live with a yearning for our real home, heaven. We all have a yearning for something bigger than us, some fulfill it with consumerism, others with adventure, others do drugs or have affairs, some pursue fame or wealth, but it is all fruitless. Nothing on this earth can fulfill our yearning to be in the presence of God. The day I realized that I was a sinner with no hope of recovery and that the only solution to my condition was what Jesus did for me on the Cross, was the day that the adventure I always sought really started. Yes, looking from the outside I still live a mundane suburban life, but thanks to how Christ has changed me, every day is now an adventure. Not an escape from reality, but reality itself.

First, I live every day looking forward to being in the presence of my Savior, therefore I try to live an Honorable and Heroic daily life. A lot like an ideological medieval Knight or a Samurai. Trying to live life with an Honor code straight out of the bible. I try to take the high road, not the easy way out. I try to be humble, help others, put myself last. I try to stand up for the righteous, and stand up to the wicked. Is not that what the heroes in the movies do? (I say “I try” because in this sinful body it is not an easy thing to do)

Second. I now view myself as a Provider, a Shepherd, and a Warrior. A King who provides and protects his kingdom. As a father, God has given me a flock to guard, protect, & provide for. My wife and children trust and rely on me to protect them from evil and to provide them with shelter, clothing and their daily necessities. They rely on me go to work early in the morning and to come home every night after a hard day’s work. When they hear a sound in the night, it is up to me to grab my sword (it’s usually more like a baseball bat) and go check it out. Like a good Shepherd it is up to me to protect them from Wolves, Bears and Lions. Not just physically, but also spiritually. Let me ask you fathers, how many times have your children drawn you with a crown on your head and a sword on your side, like a King or a Knight? If you are doing your fatherly duties as onto the Lord, I am sure they have done it many times.

Third. As a spouse you are to Love your wife. Love is not the mess they call love on TV, the Movies, or Hollywood. Love is a choice, it is a decision. That may not sound romantic, but believe me that is what your spouse wants. She want’s to be assured that you have chosen her. That you have chosen her over others. That you have chosen to provide for her. That you have chosen to protect her, and that you have chosen to be by her side. Remember that oath you took? In the good and the bad, in sickness and in health, in wealth or poor. Sounds a lot like the oath a Knight takes before his King! Emotions change, you fall in and out of feelings. Like the movie stars who marry, divorce and marry, as their feelings change. A Knight makes a decision and sticks to it because he is a Man of Honor. Believe me, there is no honor in leaving your wife or children for another woman. That is a sign of weakness. Like a Shepherd who runs away from the wolf leaving his sheep behind to be killed and eaten.

Finally, as a subject of the Kingdom of Heaven I am also a Priest to my family. I am to teach them and guide them in the ways of the Lord. I am to model Christ (as far as I am able in my sinful body). I am to teach my sheep about their maker. I am to lead them in the right path and show them how to eat from his pastures and drink his living water. I am not to lead them astray.

Isn’t life an adventure? As a Christian every day you are in a battle, shield and sword in hand. The daily battle is harder than any adventure you may have imagined. In a sense it is harder to wake up on a Monday, obey God, and to go to work to provide for your family, than to wake up and go on a bicycle ride, kayak trip, hunting, etc...

Choose to live a real adventure, follow Christ and fulfill your role as a King, Shepherd, Warrior, and Provider.

MUSTANG

This weekend, after Church, I took my family to my local Ford Dealer to try to convince them that I need to buy the left over 2009, Dark Blue, 5-speed, Mustang GT on the lot. I have been eyeing the Mustang for a while now. Driving by, getting out, looking at the sticker price, checking out the interior, and running back to my car before the sales guy intercepts me. The Mustang is now on sale, you know making room for the 2010 model. The price is really good and I can actually afford it. I tried hard to convince my family, but they did not buy my logical reasons for needing a two door, 300 + horse power, gas guzzler.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Ever since I have been able to drive I wanted a Ford Mustang. I remember lusting after the 1990's Mustang 5.0 GT as a 16 year old. All throughout my life I have actually gone on several occasions, money in hand, to purchase a Mustang (used). I recall every Mustang I have test driven. All 5-speed. All V8. One of my most vivid memories is test driving a modified red 5.0 notch back. It would smoke the tires and get sideways in third gear. But, due to practical reasons, insurance rates, advise from wise elders (my dad), not to mention self-preservation, I would always walk away with some sort of a practical front wheel drive hatchback.

I am now reaching my forties and I still have not owned a Mustang. I really have no excuse not to buy one. I have a good job, I am a more mature driver, and I could actually afford the insurance rates. And with a little bit of sacrifice I could even afford to buy a new one. Yes, I admit there are several reasons not to do it. It’s only a two door and my girls will be uncomfortable in the back seat. It’s a gas guzzler. I would have a monthly car payment. It sucks in winter (snow). My wife would be upset at the expenditure. But there is one particularly good reason why I really should not buy it. I do not think it would please the Lord... not at this time anyway.

Let me explain. First of all, I do not believe there is anything wrong with buying a Mustang or other sports/muscle/luxury car as long as you can afford it (not go into debt), still cheerfully give to the Church, at least, 10% of your income, and be willing to just give it way, lose it, trade it without any attachment whatsoever. But as I sat at my local Ford Dealership lusting over the dark blue, 5-speed, GT, I had allowed it to become my idol. It had slowly started to replace God in my mind, and my life. You see, the Mustang was all I could think of. At home I would be on the internet for hours checking out Mustang sites, at work I would convince myself that I work hard and deserve the Mustang, at Church I would catch myself day dreaming of driving the Mustang on a curvy country road or a racetrack. Unbeknownst to me, the Mustang started to completely consume my thought life. I would be trying to read the bible and drift off into what wheels would look good on the Mustang. I would literally have to bring every thought of the Mustang into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

2 Cor. 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

But, instead of focusing on Christ, I would just replace my lust for the Mustang with other stuff! OK, if I cannot have the Mustang, I’ll get a Harley, or a new bicycle, or I’ll modify my front wheel drive hatchback. At the end of the day, my problem was not the Mustang itself, but the fact that I was trying to fill some gap in my life/soul with a thing/toy. You see, back where we used to live, I was heavily involved in ministry. I had good fellowship with fellow Christian men. I didn’t have time to lust after things, because I had to prepare weekly bible studies for the High School Ministry, home bible studies, or always be ready to serve in some capacity at Church. In addition, I met with my brothers in Christ at least once or twice a week. We spent weekends together, we served in church events, we hung out together, we did retreats, we basically kept each other and our lives focused on our Lord. Not to mention that where we lived was an adventure every day. A fertile mission field. My mind was focused on the Lord and in serving him. But, the Lord called us to an affluent part of the United States, where I would be making more money, where material things (such as vehicles) are cheaper, and just about everybody professes to be a Christian. God is so faithful that he even warned me of the new temptations I would face in this new land. The day our family got on the airplane to come to our new home the Lord said to me (through his word):

Deut. 6:10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou built not, 11 And houses full of all good [things], which thou filled not, and wells digged, which thou digged not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou planted not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12 [Then] beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

I know that this passage was originally for Israel and is in the context of their entry into the promised land. But on the day of our departure it was my random devotional reading and the Lord spoke it to me. The day I read the passage it sounded more like this.

And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought (me and my family) into the land which he swore to you (God had previously confirmed that we were going to be moving to this new place), to give thee great and goodly cities (we moved to a mid-size city with a large State University in the middle of the bible belt), which thou built not (my family has no ties to this city, we have no friends, no connections, no church, nor any ministerial connections here), And houses full of all good [things], which thou filled not (we moved to a new house, full of new stuff, we did not build), and wells digged, which thou digged not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou planted not(I moved to a position someone else had established); when thou shalt have eaten and be full (we ended up living a more affluent lifestyle due to the lower cost of living and higher income); [Then] beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of (my old home), from the house of bondage (my previous home is a land full of blessings, but compared to our new location it is full of violence, murders, fear, hedonism, immorality, alcohol abuse, espousal abuse, and rampant drug use).

I remember thinking, that’s not going to happen, how could I forget thee, LORD. But you see the enemy is wise. I was prepared and waiting for a huge falling away, a full frontal assault to my faith. You know: a Bathsheba, a temptation in the desert, a rooster’s crow after a denial. No, the enemy is smarter than that, he just slowly attacked my mind with thoughts such as “you have no friends here”, “you won’t find a good Church here”, “there is no ministry for you here”, “God did not send you here”, “your job here is not as satisfying”, “you can’t serve in ministry here, Churches here demand a seminary degree”, “just settle down, be comfortable, let others do the work”, “enjoy life, it’s good and easy right now”, “get fat and lazy”.

Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, [and] be merry."

In just under six short months, the enemy had slowly isolated me and tried to distance me from God’s plan & will for bring us here in the first place. That liar, he is pretty darn good at what he does. While I thought I was serving the Lord, by unenthusiastically attending church, reading the word half asleep, raising half-hearted praise & prayers, he was really slowly tempting me with the luxuries of the world, the lust of the eyes. My fervor for the Lord was slowly being replaced by my youthful passions for Mustangs, or Motorcycles, or bicycles, etc... Thereby instead of focusing on the Lord, and seeking his will, I started to become lukewarm and double minded. Like many of the “Christians” around this area. My zeal for the Lord and his ministry was slowly being replaced by a zeal for my earthly passions/lusts. I started to spend more time looking at car magazines than reading the Word. I started to spend more time researching the internet for Mustang stuff rather than studying my growing pile of Christian books/literature. Instead of praying in quiet moments, I would just daydream of the dark blue Mustang. I would talk less to others about the Lord and more about Mustangs. I even had dreams involving the Mustang.

1 Cor. 10:25 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

Worldly thinking would reason that I should just get the Mustang and I will stop obsessing over it. But we all know this is just futility. As soon as I get the Mustang, it will be worse. Like a junkie on heroin. Once you try the heroin, you want more, not less. Buying the Mustang would lead to endless expenditures in useless modifications, whole weekends ignoring my family as I thinker and detail the Mustang in the garage. Skipping ministry opportunities to go worship my dark blue idol behind the wheel. Had I given in to temptation and bought the Mustang my mind would have been even more focused and consumed by it. I could even see myself losing my temper and yelling at my loved ones for touching my recently waxed idol or dirtying its seats.

1 Cor. 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God [is] faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear [it]. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

The last day I drove by the Ford Dealer with my family was a game changer. A wake up call. I asked the kids, expecting a big yes, would you like daddy to buy that Mustang? I received a resounding “NO”. What? You don’t want a Mustang? They responded by reminding me that I have a reliable, paid-off, car and don’t need a Mustang. My wife just said, why? Her inquiry was like a double edge sword penetrating deep into my heart & soul. I went home thinking, why? Why am I lusting for this car? Why the sudden “need” to have it? The why question became a what question. What need am I trying to fulfill by buying this car? I went to bed and tossed and turned, I had dreams involving the Mustang, and my mind raced all night. I was restless and woke in the middle of the night, realizing that I was trying to fill a God shaped hole with a car. I had slowly started to backpedal from God’s will for us in our new home, to try to fulfill my will, my wants, my lusts. The temptation was so slight that I did not see the path I was taking until I was at
the edge of the cliff. The Lord he gave me a warning and a way of escape. Thanks to him my eyes were opened before I took a bite of the apple, possibly changing or even damaging God’s will for my life & family.

Me and the Mustang may still someday have our day, but only after I mature and learn that the Mustang, nor anything in this world, can fulfill my life. Only following God and his will, can fulfill the innermost desire all of humankind has: to be in fellowship with God. Stop seeking after the things of this world, seek the Lord’s will for you life, and God will fulfill the desires of your heart. No Mustang can do that!

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

STAND

As I sat on the dinning room table I saw the whole thing unfold. Three little girls, 5, 6 and 8, trying to catch a 12 year old (human years) Jack Russell Terrier. He evaded them as best he could for a while, but suddenly he found himself cornered. Behind him a wall, in front of him the three little girls, determined to catch him. No escape route, the fight is over. Right? What I saw next inspired me. The terrier, true to his nature, put his head down and rushed straight toward the girls. He bounced off a leg or two, pulled himself through their grips, and came out on the other side ready to fight another day.

I know, it was not as dramatic as I make it sound. But the determination of the Terrier to take a final stand and fight his way out of a sure onslaught of hugs and kisses made me think about our determination as Christians. When we are between a rock and a hard place, what do we do? Do we give up or do we put our head down and take a stand. I hope we have the character and determination like that of the Terrier.

The Bible encourages us to stand and fight. Nor give any ground to the enemy. And if placed in a bad situation, put our heads down (or up) and fight our way out. Of course we are talking in a spiritual sense.

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

In a battle, you do not give up the ground gained. Giving up hard earned ground would make all the effort, blood, sweat and tears for naught. Moreover, it would be a tactical mistake. Thereby, the ground gained is defended. Soldiers dig in and hold position. The only proper movement is forward. To retreat is the same as conceding defeat. This holds true in our spiritual walk.

Php 3:8 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 Christ9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

The best defense is a good offense. Look at boxers, when they are moving forward, jabbing, attacking, and have his opponent on the defensive, moving backwards, against the ropes, the offense is limited, if not completely eliminated. I think Paul (who runs not with uncertainty and fights not as one who beats the air) is calling Christians, the Church, to take stand, stand fast, dig in, move forward and grow, in their faith, knowledge, insight, discernment, and love.

Php 4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

If we do not move take a stand, put our heads down and push forward in our faith & knowledge of the Lord, we will never grow or mature. Thereby we will remain babies, useless in spiritual warfare. Not only are spiritual babies useless in warfare, but they are a liability to mature spiritual soldiers. They unnecessarily slow down the advance of mature Christians, wanting to retreat, rather than to go through the growing pains of maturing.

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;3 for you are still carnal.

As believers, we are under attack daily. Temptation, our secular culture, the media, lusts, greed, jealousy, anger, selfishness, Satan. The attack is so bad that our worse enemy is ourselves; our sinful nature & our flesh. It’s too hard, so the easy thing to do is to give in, give up, retreat, stay a baby and be bottle fed. You know… to compromise a little, be friendly with the world, water down the word, not offend anyone. Right? NO! If you are in Christ you are now a new creation, so put away the old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires, and put on the new self.

Ro 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Don’t look back, don’t retreat. Christ fought hard for your salvation. He did not give up, he did not retreat. He took a stand on Calvary. Thereby, you stand fast in your faith, don’t give the enemy any ground. Not an inch. You have been given freedom, why voluntarily enslave yourself again. The foundation you stand on (Christ, the Rock) was fought for and won at a hefty prize. The sacrificial blood of The King! Why would you retreat, give up, and give that holy ground back to the enemy, for what?

Col 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight--23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

We have no excuse. Christ has provided us with the tools (Holy Spirit) and the means (the Word of God) to live the Christian life, to stand fast & keep moving forward. We just need to train, prepare, mature, trust, and hold the ground gained, not give it back to the enemy.

1Co 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

If you do not think you can hold on because you are too weak. You are right! We are weak, we are worthless. But we have Christ in Us. Thereby, we have NO EXCUSE, not to stand our ground.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Therefore, like the above mentioned Terrier. When your back is against the wall, don’t give in, and don’t give up, put your head down and charge forward. Stand your ground in that foundational stone that is Christ, our LORD!

1Co 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.