Author and pastor Brandon Cox shares his personal insights on the fight to spiritual victory for those who lead men and women to Christ. Here are his valuable observations: “The struggle is real.” When you drop the phrase spiritual warfare into a casual conversations, you often get mixed reactions. On the one hand, a lot of people are skeptics when it comes to anything invisible or supernatural. In fact, many people will believe in heaven and angels but choose not to believe in hell or demons. On the other hand, a lot of people can get downright superstitious about the subject. Everything bad that happens is perceived as a demonic attack. In the middle are most of the pastors I know, who believe rather strongly in the existence and power of heavenly beings – both angels and demons – that exist all around us in a heavenly, spiritual realm hidden to our eyes and human senses. And this spiritual realm is not, right now, at peace. It’s a war zone. Don’t misunderstand. It isn’t a battle of God versus Satan or good versus evil. All power and authority, in heaven and in earth, belongs to God alone and has been granted to his kingly Son who rose victoriously from the dead, defeating once and for all the power of sin and death. But for a season, allowed by the permissive will of God for his own purposes, “The devil… prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT) So the war rages on, for now, until the appointed day when King Jesus will speak a decisive and final end to the conflict. Pastors and church leaders are on the front lines of the battle, where the smell of smoke, sweat, and blood always hangs in the air. In the week leading up to Easter, my friend and fellow pastor, Cary Schmidt, wrote this post on his Facebook timeline and it struck home… I happen to believe that Satan’s servants are keen observers of our patterns, behaviors, and weaknesses. The book of Acts contains a seemingly bizarre story of some men who attempted to use God’s power without God’s blessing… God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. Rough day for these false priests! But what catches my attention is what the Bible says about how these demons related to Paul and to Jesus. Jesus I know… and Paul I know… but who are you? This little verse tells me two things about the forces of darkness. First, they don’t know everything. Satan isn’t God. He isn’t a god or a demi-god of some kind. He’s a created being with finite intelligence. He doesn’t know everything about every person, but I think he enjoys it when we superstitiously assume he’s in God’s class in this area. Second, they do study people. To translate it literally, the demon speaking said, “Jesus, I know by personal experience… Paul, I know by studying and observing… ” Here’s the somewhat creepy truth we need to realize… When you pursue God’s purposes and determine to influence the world for the gospel’s sake, you become a subject of study among the demons. You’re a threat when you’re praying, walking in the Spirit, and sharing your faith. You’re worth observing when you are making a real difference. When you lead and influence people within the kingdom, the struggle becomes especially real. It isn’t that you’re special or more important. We’re all on equal footing and there is no value differential in the kingdom between what we’ve come to think of as “clergy” and “laity.” All of the members of the body of Christ are equal in value and worth. But when you lead, teach, and influence, you’re threatening the boundaries of hell’s territory. And there, the spiritual warfare will be fierce! So what do you do? You do exactly what you would advise every other believer to do with answers informed by God’s Word. You suit up in the armor of God every day. You stay in a state of repentance and humble dependance upon God. You pray continually. You sharpen your sword by studying the Word. And you claim the victory that is yours in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Don’t be skeptical. Don’t be superstitious. Just be ready. www.brandoncox.com . Used by permission.

CNN’s Belief Blog presented four signs that a person’s religious beliefs might be radicalized. This stood in contrast to a TED presentation showed that 75 percent of the world’s population live in countries that impose legal restrictions on religion. It was CNN’s Belief Blog that described four signs of radicalization are so broad that virtually any religious founder, or significant leader, or even people attending evangelical churches might be considered radicalized. Here are the four signs that, according to CNN, your religion might be evil: 1.) I know the truth and you don’t. 2.) Beware the charismatic leader. 3.) The end is near. 4.) The end justifies the means. How broad are these “signs?” Consider that under these wide-ranging statements, Jesus would be a religious radical meeting three of the four criteria. The Apostle Paul would also fit the bill. In fact, many, if not most evangelical pastors would fit the bill, for three out of four signs. Yet, ironically, the Pew Research Center’s data on worldwide religious restrictions notes that 3/4th of the world’s population live under restrictions on religious expression. Ironically, most of those countries that have such religious restrictions are those imposed by truly radical religious influence or regimes. These include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran, Tunisia, China, Syria, Burma, Yemen, and others. In fact, “During the latest year covered in the study, there also was an increase in harassment or intimidation of particular religious groups. Indeed, five of the seven major religious groups monitored by the study—Jews, Christians, Buddhists, adherents of folk or traditional religions, and members of other world religions—experienced four-year highs in the number of countries in which they were harassed by national, provincial or local governments.” (1) Let’s go back to CNN’s idea of radicalization. How do your religious views measure up to CNN’s Belief Blog article? Here’s my self-evaluation: 1.) I know the truth and you don’t. Chalk up one for CNN. I’m one of those Christians that believes that I know the truth and some people don’t. Where did I get this idea? I got if from Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He also said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand’” (Luke 8:10). And who can forget this, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me” (John 8:44-45). This is Jesus way of saying, “I know the truth and you don’t.” Exclusivity in religion is nothing new. The early Jews believed in it. Jesus believed in it. Even Islam’s Mohammed believed in it. Subscribing to exclusivity in truth claims does not make one radical except to the person who believes that all truth claims are false (which would itself be a truth claim), or that all truth claims are “personal” and hold no weight for a larger community for the sake of the modern day notion of tolerance. 2.) Beware the charismatic leader. Jesus was a charismatic leader. “No one ever spoke like [Jesus]” (John 7:46). In fact, he was the leading charismatic figure of his day. “He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:29). “A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick” (John 6:2). There are many charismatic religious leaders and personalities today. Being charismatic or a clever orator doesn’t make one radical—even if that person is noted for bad theology like many of today’s Prosperity Gospel teachers. I find it interesting that many of the Bible’s most interesting characters demonstrated charismatic leadership. Not to boast, but when I led Eagle TV in Mongolia I was known among many of our staff as a charismatic leader of sorts. Of course, I’m a type A personality. In terms of my work that means I feel an overwhelming desire to conquer and win at what I do. That means taking risks, sometimes big risks, and leading others to take them with me. And follow they did. So, when it comes to two of CNN’s four criteria I’m batting a thousand. 3.) The end is near. Who said the end is near? The Apostle Paul. Speaking of the second coming of Christ, Paul said, “Salvation is nearer to us than when we believed” (Romans 13:11). The Apostle Peter was no different. “But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch to prayer” (I Peter 4:7). Even Jesus noted his soon return. “I come quickly” (Revelation 22:7). Where do I stand? Jesus is coming soon. By soon I don’t mean in another 2,000 years. I mean soon, as in our modern generation. I’ve no clue when that will be. But the signs of fulfilled prophesy in the last 70 years seem to point to sometime before the end of this century. So where am I on CNN’s Belief Blog? Three for three. 4.) The ends justified the means. Here’s where I, and the vast majority of true Christians, part with CNN. The ends does NOT justifies the means. The Bible teaches nothing of the sort. However, the Bible does teach us that God is sovereign and can do whatever he pleases with what and who he has created. “You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will? On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, ‘Why did you make me like this,’ will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?” (Romans 9:19-22). Have you read the book of Job? After a lengthy complaint about his trials God’s answer to Job may be summarized in this simple sentence, “Who do you think you are?” Yes, the Bible has some hard passages for Christians to consider. God ordered the wholesale slaughter of entire people groups in Deuteronomy 20:15-17, “You shall not leave alive anything that breathes. But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the Lord your God has commanded you.” Speaking of a prophesy concerning Jerusalem in Ezekiel 9:6, the Lord said, “Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women…” (read the whole chapter for a proper context). What would happen to the Jewish nation that oppressed foreigners? God told Israel, “My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless” (Exodus 22:24). These are hard passages to accept. This is not a case of the ends justifies the means. Rather, these are cases of God doing in history what he has the right and intention to do according to his knowledge, will, plan, and righteousness. As Paul said, “Who are you who answers back to God?” In contrast, nowhere in the scripture are Christians given a command that applies for all time to kill or destroy for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Romans 5 instructs us that Jesus died for us while we were yet still God’s enemies. Does the ends justify the means? No. But where sin, judgment, and God is concerned we can say that the means justifies the end. Conclusion So where do we stand on CNN’s radicalization criteria? Three out of four. Does that make us radicals for those who believe the Bible and worship Jesus? If so, count me in. _____ (1) RIsing Tide of Restrictions on Religion, Pew Research Forum

Wherever you are in your “mothering,” may you find rest, strength, comfort, wisdom… or even a swift kick in the seat of the pants as you spend time in God’s Word. May you, dear sister, lean into God and His Word as you carry out your kingdom building work of shepherding the young image bearers you call “children.” Exhausted Mom Matthew 11:28–29 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Isaiah 40:30–31 – Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Psalm 4:8 – In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Overwhelmed Mom James 1:2–4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Psalm 28:7 – The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Deuteronomy 31:8 – It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Weary Mom 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Philippians 4:4–7 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Hebrews 6:10 – For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. Psalm 63:1 – O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 Timothy 1:7 – [F]or God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Doubtful Mom Psalm 68:19 – Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Isaiah 26:3-4 – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Romans 8:28-29 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Matthew 6:34 – Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:26-27 – Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Anxious Mom Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 37:7a – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 62:5–6 – For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Distraught Mom Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 119:77 – Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. Isaiah 40:11 – He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 66:13 – As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Exasperated Mom Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Ephesians 4:1-2 – I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, Distracted Mom Psalm 127:3-4 – Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Romans 8:28-29 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. James 1:20 – [F]or the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Luke 10:41-42 – But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Proverbs 31:28 – Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Philippians 2:14-16 – Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Psalm 139:1-2 – O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Ephesians 4:15–16 – Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Colossians 3:12-14 – Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. www.deborahhaddix.com . Used by permission.

I’ve grown up my whole life hearing that racism was wrong, that “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior” (to use one of the first definitions that popped up on my phone) is sinful. I’ve heard it from my parents, from my public school, from my church, from my college, and from my seminary. The vast majority of Americans know that racism is wrong. It’s one of the few things almost everyone agrees on. And yet, I wonder if we (I?) have spent much time considering why it’s wrong. We can easily make our “I hate racism” opinions known (and loudly), but perhaps we are just looking for moral high ground, or for pats on the back, or to win friends and influence people, or to prove we’re not like thosepeople, or maybe we are just saying what we’ve always heard everyone say. As Christians we must think and feel deeply not just the what of the Bible but the why. If racism is so bad, why is it so bad? Here are ten biblical reasons why racism is a sin and offensive to God. 1. We are all made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). Most Christians know this and believe it, but the implications are more staggering than we might realize. The sign pictured above is not just mean, it is dehumanizing. It tried to rob Irish and Blacks of their exalted status as divine image bearers. It tried to make them no different than animals. But of course, as a white man I am no more like God in my being, no more capable of worship, no more made with a divine purpose, no more possessing of worth and deserving of dignity than any other human of any other gender, color, or ethnicity. We are more alike than we are different. 2. We are all sinners corrupted by the fall (Rom. 3:10-20; 5:12-21). Everyone made in the image of God has also had that image tainted and marred by original sin. Our anthropology is as identical as our ontology. Same image, same problem. We are more alike than we are different. 3. We are all, if believers in Jesus, one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). We see from the rest of the New Testament that justification by faith does not eradicate our gender, our vocation, or our ethnicity, but it does relativize all these things. Our first and most important identity is not male or female, American or Russian, black or white, Spanish speaker or French speaker, rich or poor, influential or obscure, but Christian. We are more alike than we are different. 4. Separating peoples was a curse from Babel (Gen. 11:7-9); bringing peoples together was a gift from Pentecost (Acts 2:5-11). The reality of Pentecost may not be possible in every community–after all, Jerusalem had all those people there because of the holy day–but if our inclination is to move in the direction of the punishment of Genesis 11 instead of the blessing of Acts 2 something is wrong. 5. Partiality is a sin (James 2:1). When we treat people unfairly, when we assume the worst about persons and peoples, when we favor one group over another, we do not reflect the God of justice nor do we honor the Christ who came to save all men. 6. Real love loves as we hope to be loved (Matt. 22:39-40). No one can honestly say that racism treats our neighbor as we would like to be treated. 7. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer (1 John 3:15). Sadly, we can hate without realizing we hate. Hatred does not always manifest itself as implacable rage, and it does not always–or, because of God’s restraining mercy, often–translate into physical murder. But hatred is murder of the heart, because hatred looks at someone else or some other group and thinks, “I wish you weren’t around. You are what’s wrong with this world, and the world would be better without people like you.” That’s hate, which sounds an awful lot like murder. 8. Love rejoices in what is true and looks for what is best (1 Cor. 13:4-7). You can’t believe all things and hope all things when you assume the worst about people and live your life fueled by prejudice, misguided convictions, and plain old animosity. 9. Christ came to tear down walls between peoples not build them up (Eph. 2:14). This is not a saccharine promise about everyone setting doctrine aside and getting along for Jesus’s sake. Ephesians 2 and 3 are about something much deeper, much more glorious, and much more cruciform. If we who have been made in the same image, born into the world with the same problem, find the same redemption through the same faith in the same Lord, how can we not draw near to each other as members of the same family? 10. Heaven has no room for racism (Rev. 5:9-10; 7:9-12; 22:1-5). Woe to us if our vision of the good life here on earth will be completely undone by the reality of new heavens and new earth yet to come. Antagonism toward people of another color, language, or ethnic background is antagonism toward God himself and his design for eternity. Christians ought to reject racism, and do what they can to expose it and bring the gospel to bear upon it, not because we love pats on the back for our moral outrage or are desperate for restored moral authority, but because we love God and submit ourselves to the authority of his word. www.thegospelcoalition.org . Used by permission.

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 (HCSB) It’s hard not to let the hurt of today blind us to the hope of tomorrow. But what if God wants to use our disappointment to usher in a new appointment? I remember many years ago when my middle daughter Ashley was flitting around the house singing everything Annie. Our home was filled with songs, dances, scripts and the proud announcement she was trying out for her middle school’s musical. The day the cast list was posted, the singing and dancing and rehearsing of the lines stopped. She hadn’t gotten a part in the play. There was a smile and a quick, “Who cares?” that hid a thousand tears daring to come if she said much more. But a few days later, the director requested that Ashley and one of her parents attend the all-cast meeting, where Ashley was told she’d been given the job of student director. That sounded exciting until the director explained the job basically meant Ashley would be a behind-the-scenes errand runner for her and the cast. There would be no shining moment. There would be no songs or lines or fun dances to learn. Just hours and hours of behind-the-scenes work. As a parent, I could see the character-building potential. I have done my fair share of behind-the-scenes stuff in life, and it helped shape me for the better. But to a middle schooler’s heart who loved to sing and dance, it was hard. We went home that night and Ashley struggled with wanting to drop out. But the next morning, Ashley surprised me by deciding she would embrace this role of serving. And embrace it she did! My mama heart soared as Ashley chose to live out the wisdom of Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” In doing so, she discovered she had quite the knack for choreography and set design, and a keen sense of how to make scenes flow more smoothly. The director quickly found Ashley to be quite capable and turned over many responsibilities to her. What once seemed like a huge disappointment became a divine appointment instead. Ashley was born to be a leader. Put her in the right environment to lead, and she’ll thrive. I asked Ashley in the midst of rehearsals what she thought of the whole experience. She beamed and said, “I wouldn’t want to be doing anything other than the role I’ve been given, Mom. I love being the student director. I love it so much.” When the curtain fell to the thunderous applause of proud parents cheering for their child’s performance, I couldn’t see my little brown-eyed beauty. But I knew she was probably bossing somebody backstage, and I was clapping like crazy for her out front. I even had a reply ready, just in case the mama sitting next to me leaned over and asked which one was mine. “The one who is right where she should be.” What disappointment are you processing today, sweet friend? How might this actually be a gift in the making? We all have times in our lives when we aren’t where we want to be or where we think we should be. But in those times, we can ask God which assignment He wants us to fully embrace today — right where we are. Father God, thank You for using all things for my good, even disappointment. Help me to look at my disappointments with fresh eyes today, discovering gifts where I am tempted to only see heartache. And show me how I can love and serve others with passion and purpose today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. TRUTH FOR TODAY Isaiah 55:8-9, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (NIV) Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV) Have you ever been deeply disappointed over something that didn’t turn out like you hoped, only to discover God had something better in mind? www.proverb31ministries.org . Used by permission.

You never stop being a mom. From the day you learn you have a bun in the oven to the day you breathe your last, your child is always on your mind and in your heart. Mary, Jesus’ mother, encourages me. Her struggles are my struggles. 1. Being a mom is scary. Mary taught us to entrust our kids to God. Pregnancy is terrifying for every expectant mother. “Will I get fat? Will labor and delivery hurt? Will my baby be healthy? Will my husband still love me? Can I handle being a parent?” Pregnancy for Mary was more than scary, it was life threatening. Luke tells the story of the angel’s announcement to Mary in Luke 1:26-38: “The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.’ ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’” The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'” Mary knew the cost of being an unwed mother. She risked losing the man she loved, the reputation she guarded and even excruciating execution by stoning. (Leviticus 22:23-24.) I became pregnant with our first child right after we moved 1,000 miles away from family and friends to the sweltering Arizona desert. Roger, my husband, was a young pastor. This was our first full-time church. We had 500 Bible commentaries and no money. But God called us to go there. I was petrified. How could we afford to have a baby? Mary accepted the risks of God’s call. She believed that God would be a Father to His Son. I was inspired by her to trust Him and be obedient to His timing and perfect plan. 2. Mary didn’t face motherhood alone. Neither will you. People don’t often realize that when the angel came to Mary, he told her about Elizabeth’s pregnancy at the very same time. Luke 1:36: “…Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age.” Mary immediately went to visit her cousin Elizabeth when Gabriel disappeared. What reassurance and encouragement Elizabeth gave in Luke 1:41-45! “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!’” Mary was not alone when she carried her child. She didn’t know Joseph would marry her until she returned from her visit with Elizabeth, three months into her pregnancy. Elizabeth’s encouragement sustained Mary and kept her focused on God’s promise. Roger and I learned our first baby was in danger ten weeks into my pregnancy. I carried our daughter to term, but she was born with a genetic defect that would eventually take her life. We fed her milk with a tiny syringe for nine months. But we weren’t alone. Ten of our church ladies appeared at our door and rotated overnight stays with our baby girl so we could sleep. Even with parents so far away, we never felt alone. 3. Mary wanted to protect her son. We must let our kids go and grow. We witness a telling episode between Mary and her son as she loses Jesus while traveling. “ When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.’ ‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:45-52). Note that Mary and Joseph frantically searched for Jesus. They felt mistreated. Jesus’ answer didn’t reassure them (v. 50). Yet Mary pondered (ruminated upon) Jesus’ words. She trusted God to bring about His plan for Jesus’ life. Brianna, my oldest daughter, sailed through puberty. Yes, there were wardrobe battles, but she was a people-pleaser. My younger daughter, Bronwyn, was a rebel determined to break the “pastor’s kid” mold. She died her hair orange and pierced her belly button with a safety pin before she turned 13. How could I let her grow up safely without locking her in a closet? My girls are grown now. They are brilliant, beautiful women. However, I still struggle with being overprotective. I need to watch God work even when I don’t understand what He is doing. 4. Mary wanted Jesus to fulfill his destiny her way. Our job is to help our kids open God’s ‘Sealed Orders’ for their lives. Mary tried to jump-start Jesus’ ministry at the wedding feast in Cana: “When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Woman,why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” (John 2:3-5) Mary was also eager for Jesus to perform a miracle because people may have accused her of bearing an illegitimate son. In an especially rancorous exchange the Jews retort to Jesus “We are not illegitimate children…The only Father we have is God himself.” (John 8:41) “We’re not illegitimate!” The syntax of the assertion puts the emphasis on the “we” and thus implies, “We’re not illegitimate–you are!” I’m sure Mary thought she was helping Jesus. She wanted to prove Jesus’ power and clear her name. But Mary’s overprotective nature could have hurt Christ’s work! Mark 3:20-21 describes a moment when Jesus’ mother and brothers wanted to take Jesus away from his ministry. They thought He had gone off the deep end. “Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that He and His disciples were not even able to eat. When His family heard about this, they went to take charge of Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind!’” Mary was worried. But how many sick and injured people would have missed Jesus’ healing touch if He had followed Mary home? God’s plan was different. Jesus did and said the unexpected. He was an unconventional Messiah. Roger’s mother wanted a preacher in the family. Fortunately, God called my husband to preach when he was seven. His Mom tirelessly trained him, forcing him to practice his sermons behind the counter in the kitchen to his “congregation” in the den. She dreamed her Golden Boy would one day become a famous Texas pastor. But God called Roger to a small church in Arizona. When we first arrived in Tucson, there were only a handful of Christians. It was the wild, Wild West! And his Mom was a world away. Roger’s mom saw God’s Hand at work over time, but it wasn’t Plan A for her. We can’t force our children into our mold. God uniquely calls our kids, and His plan may surprise us. 5. Mary had to watch her Son suffer. We must allow our children to suffer for their good. The road Jesus walked would lead to a bloody cross. John 19:25-27 reads: “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’” Mary knew about Jesus’ calling. She probably taught Him the Psalm of the Cross (Psalm 22) while He sat on her lap. She remembered Gabriel’s words, the star, the wise man’s gift of myrrh, the prophecies of Simeon and Anna. Mary watched in horror as Jesus hung, suspended between heaven and earth. She knew His destiny, but I’m sure Jesus’ mother hoped for another way to save His people. His suffering was hers as well. My oldest daughter suffers with chronic pain and nausea every day. Today she just finished a regular 12-hour IV infusion to fortify her immune system. It is a hard-won fight. Every time I take in a breath, I think of her. I eagerly await little victories instead of devastating setbacks. No mother wants to see her child suffer. Not one. But Jesus’ suffering brought sinful mankind eternal life. And suffering builds character in our sons and daughters. Mary continues to inspire me to be a mother of faith, a mother of patience and a mother of prayer. I hope to love my girls like she loved her Son, and that this will inspire you to do the same.

Do you ever get that sinking feeling of not quite measuring up at the mention of the Proverbs 31 woman? Me too. I remember when I first read this chapter many years ago as a young wife and mom. I thought the Proverbs 31 woman was overwhelmingly perfect. And as I’ve walked through a season of extreme hardship in my marriage over the last few years, I’ve found myself not just intimidated by Proverbs 31 but defeated by this wife whose marriage seems full of praises. Even good marriages don’t always have such shiny realities. That’s why my heart feels especially tender toward those who would rather skip over Proverbs chapter 31. I know what it’s like to have these words sit heavy on your heart with a resounding declaration of “not enough.” But what if I told you that the heart behind Proverbs 31:10-31 is one of celebration, not condemnation? The first thing I want us to take note of is that this isn’t just a chapter about a wife of noble character, despite how your Bible titles verses 10-31. It’s a chapter about a woman of valor. A courageous woman. A woman of strength and dignity. In Jewish culture, these verses are read out loud on the Sabbath as a celebration over the women. This is in no way condemning what they aren’t but celebrating how they are, in their own unique expressions, living out the virtues detailed in this chapter. These aren’t words meant to tell a woman she is supposed to be more. They are a celebration of who she is. Isn’t that the way it should be? Courageous women celebrating each other … and those they love celebrating them? All under the banner of honoring God, serving out of love, and smiling at the future. Yes, this is why I love Proverbs 31 and rejoice that our ministry is named after such uplifting Scriptures. I also love how Proverbs 31:30 reminds us of what’s truly worth celebrating: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Notice it’s not a woman with a spotless house who is to be praised. It’s not the mom with perfectly behaved children wearing matching, designer outfits. Honestly, it’s not even the woman who’s married and has children. A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. This isn’t an “I’m afraid of God” kind of fear. This type of fear refers to having a heart completely in awe of God. It describes a woman who honors God by seeking Him in everything she does and trusting Him wholeheartedly with her life. She has a heart of reverence that overflows into a life of spiritual maturity and wisdom. And let’s not forget to look at today’s verses within the context of why God gave us this book of the Bible. The very first chapter of Proverbs tells us it exists so we can gain wisdom, instruction, understanding, insight, knowledge, discretion and guidance (as seen in Proverbs 1:1-7). Proverbs 2:1-5 goes on to remind us that as we receive and apply God’s commands, we’ll be able to understand how to find the knowledge of the Lord. Wisdom is both a gift from God and a process of learning. And Proverbs 2:10 tells us the benefit of this kind of wisdom: It will be pleasant to your soul as it enters your heart. I know this is a passage of Scripture that can easily trip us up. But what if we take God at His Word and choose to believe these words hold good and pleasant things for us? What if we challenge ourselves to look at Proverbs 31 closely — to see which part of it is a gift to us and which verses we need to learn from? What if we speak these words over ourselves and the other women in our lives as a form of celebration instead of condemnation? God tucked these words into His Word for all eternity, sweet friends. And that tells me they are needed and meant for our good. Let’s ask Him to help us learn from them today. Father God, thank You for this beautiful picture You painted in the pages of Scripture. Help me receive these words from You as a gift. Help me hear them spoken over my own life with Your voice of love. And show me how to live them out, according to the unique way You purposefully designed me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. TRUTH FOR TODAY Proverbs 31:25, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” (NIV) RELATED RESOURCES Is there any part of your life that isn’t turning out the way you thought it would? Find the scriptural encouragement and help you need with Lysa TerKeurst’s newest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. With Mother’s Day and graduation just around the corner, take time to remind those closest to you of their identity in Christ with products from our Spring Celebrations collection. Find gifts with meaning and purpose during this season of celebrating. Head to p31bookstore.com, to find the perfect gift. www.proverbs31.org . Used by permission.

Revelation 3:14 “To the messenger of the congregation in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says….” As we can see in the last message of Jesus to the key congregations in Asia Minor, Jesus is being described in terms of something believable (Amen), but also loyal (faithful) and reliable (true witness). The very last reference to Jesus Christ being the beginning of the creation of God should be taken to refer to the Jewish concept of Logos that is present in a dominant way in John 1. Let us briefly summarize the main points that are important for our discussion here. It has long been mistakenly thought that the ideas expressed in John’s prologue are unique to Christianity. It was erroneously believed that this statement (John 1:1) constituted nothing less than a ground-breaking departure from Judaism. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it is not until verse 14 “and the Word became flesh,” that an innovative idea, though not contradictory to Judaism, was first introduced. The idea of the Word/Logos/Memra of God being the instrument of God in creating of the world was not at all new to Second Temple Judaism. For example, Philo, an Alexandrian Jew who was roughly contemporary with Jesus, but probably never met him, wrote: “…the most universal of all things is God; and in the second place the Word of God.” (Allegorical Interpretation, II, 86); “…the shadow of God is His Word, which He used like an instrument when He was making the world…” (Allegorical Interpretation, III, 96); “This same Word is continually a suppliant to the immortal God on behalf of the mortal race, which is exposed to affliction and misery; and is also the ambassador, sent by the Ruler of all, to the subject race… neither being uncreated as God, nor yet created as you, but being in the midst between these two extremities…” (“Who is the Heir of Divine Things,” 205-6). These are only a few example of this idea. Jesus, as he addresses his followers in Laodicea, is identifying himself with the instrument of God at the creation of the world. There are also some important things we should know about the city of Laodicea. It is highly likely that Jesus and the human author of the Book of Revelation were well aware of these. There was more than one city with the name Laodicea in the Ancient world, but this Laodicea of Lycus, located in Asia Minor, was established in around 250 B.C.E by Antiochus of Syria, who named it after his wife Laodice. Because of its physical location, Laodicea was a very rich and important city in Asia Minor. The road from Ephesus to the east of Syria was the key road in Asia and Laodicea. In its path, there is an important detour through which a large portion of trade traffic passed. This fact effectively turned the city into an exclusive provider of goods and services. Laodicea originally was built as a fortress, even though it had one significant deficiency. All of its water supply had to come by underground aqueduct from springs located at least 3 kms away. This was not a good thing for a city besieged by its enemies. But in Roman times, the city prospered due to the long lasting peace established and preserved by the Roman Empire. Several characteristics of the city of Laodicea can be seen through Jesus’ address to the congregation located there. First, it was a banking and financial center for Asia Minor. The wealth of the city can be seen in quotations from the Roman historian Tacitus: “One of the most famous cities of Asia, Laodicea, was in that same year overthrown by an earthquake and without any relief from us recovered itself by its own resources.” (Tacitus: Annals 14: 27) No wonder Laodicea could boast that it was rich and had amassed wealth and had need of nothing. Second, it was a center of the clothing industry. It mass produced inexpensive outer wool garments. Third, Laodicea was a medical center of the Ancient world. A famous medical school was located in Laodicea. The names of two of its most famous doctors appear on Laodicean coins. In particular this medical establishment was famous for producing special medication for ears and eyes. Last, but and not least, Laodicea boast a disproportionally large Jewish population. In 62 B.C. Flaccus, the governor of the province, became alarmed at the amount of currency the Jews were exporting in payment of the Temple tax that every male Jew paid. He imposed an embargo on the export of currency. There were at least 7,000 male Jews residing in the relatively small city. There can have been few areas where the Jews were wealthier and more influential. 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. The city of Laodicea was located between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. Both of these cities were known for the pure waters that flowed through them. Hierapolis had a hot spring that was considered to be medicinal. Colossae was known for its cold, refreshing mountain springs. Laodicea, on the other hand, had a bad reputation when it came to water. It was renowned for its dirty, lukewarm water, which visitors almost immediately spat out after tasting. In light of this, we can see that both “hot” and “cold” were considered to be good, while the dirty lukewarm of Laodicea was of no benefit. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. A careful reading of Jesus’ admonition reveals that this particular assembly had become focused on riches and wealth, with pride and spiritual complacency being the result. Jesus called this assembly of his followers to repentance and faith. They had sold out to this world and were so sure of themselves because they did not realize the true state of things. They were not rich; they were poor. They were not well-dressed, but naked. They were not self-sufficient, but they were truly needy. They thought they had access to one of the best health centers in the Roman Empire, but in reality, they were completely blind. They had invested their valuables in the wrong bank. What is important to realize is that this letter is really no different from the six letters to the other assemblies. The challenge for us is to see that the kind of wealth and comfort mentioned here could have only been achieved if their full participation in pagan Roman society is presumed. Jesus’ reproof is not to be taken as heartless, harsh treatment. It is precisely because these people had Christ’s redemptive love and commitment that they were challenged to repent and change their ways. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Israel’s King is willing to have real table fellowship with his followers. However, because he is holy, no compromise or contamination with defilement is allowed. This is clearly stated in the Israelite Scriptures. We read in Leviticus 18:24 “Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.” The Nicolaitans of Pergamum and Ephesus – those who claimed “we-will-eat” (see the previous discussion on Nicolaitans as Hebraism in Revelation 2:6) – were willing to engage in unqualified and totally unrestricted fellowship with Roman paganism which was forbidden by the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. Many Laodicean followers of the Jewish Christ also apparently fell prey to Nicolaitan teachings although they are not explicitly identified with them as were the others. Jesus, by calling them to repentance, offered them the greatest possible incentive – the personal right to table fellowship with Jesus Christ himself. Fellowship with Israel’s God must remain pure. Nothing has changed. The Holy is still holy. 21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” There is no doubt that the commitment to refrain from the defilement of the lifestyle prevalent in the Roman Empire was extremely difficult, especially, when non-Jews’ full joining the people of Israel following Jesus was severally discouraged, if not forbidden in the Roman Empire. We read in 1 Cor. 7:17: “Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches.” Gentile followers of the Jewish Christ were encouraged to join the Jewish coalition as sojourners with Israel; that is not as Jews, but as the Nations. In so doing, according to Paul, they would take part in establishing the Torah. Paul supported the declaration, made at the Jerusalem council, for both Jews and the Nations to worship the LORD God on equal footing. We read what Apostle Paul, the only Pharisee whose writings to the non-Jewish followers of Jesus survive, says about this in Romans 3:28-31: “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Torah. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. Do we then nullify the Torah through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Torah.” This means that for gentile followers of Jesus there were not many options. They could either join Jewish people through proselyte conversion (which was forbidden) or they could conform to the rules and practices of pagan Rome which, although condemned, was nonetheless chosen by many. A third and the most difficult option was to learn how to live holy and righteous lives as the nations in the Roman world, while worshiping the same God as Jews but through Jesus – his anointed King. It was not easy. In fact, it was extraordinarily difficult. This is why the rewards offered are so incredibly great. www.eteacherbiblical.com . Used by permission.

It’s a challenge you face as a church leader: what do you do with people who only occasionally attend church? Like at Easter or Christmas or special occasions? But infrequent attendance isn’t just for holidays anymore. It’s for every day. How do you respond as people generally attend less often? You know…the couple who comes once every two months but who absolutely calls your church home? So, the question…How do you interact with infrequent church attendees who don’t seem to be embracing the mission of your church the way you hoped they would? It’s simple. You embrace them anyway. That’s what God would do (have you read the Gospels?). I also think that’s what emotionally intelligent people do. That also means, if you’re like me, that you have to fight your inner urge to dismiss infrequent attendees, write them off or just roll your eyes at people who only show up once in a while. I know…that’s the real issue, isn’t it? I chose the word ’embrace’ on purpose. Because I know there’s something deep-seated in many of us that wants to reject people if we sense they’re rejecting us. And people who don’t come out to church much on Sunday can feel like rejection if you’re an insecure church leader. (Which, by the way, is many of us on this side of heaven. Here are 5 signs that will tell you whether you’re an insecure leader. ) When I started in ministry a couple of decades ago, if someone didn’t attend church for a while it was almost always was because they left. Today, I don’t actually sense that the people who haven’t been at our church for a few weeks or a few months are rejecting us. In fact, when I run into them, they tell me they love our church. And that they can’t wait to get back at some point. Most people who haven’t been at your church for a few weeks or a few months aren’t rejecting you. Here’s the challenge. Infrequent attendees haven’t left your church. They just haven’t been lately. So what do you do? There are at least 5 ways you can respond. 1. DEVELOP SOME EMPATHY Many of today’s church leaders grew up in church. We remember a time when church attendance was simply the thing you did every Sunday. And as church leaders or volunteers, it’s what we still do every Sunday. So at times it can be a little hard to empathize with people who don’t see things the way we see them. Personally, I think participating in the mission of a great church weekly (including Sundays) is one of the best things a Christian can do. Unless I’m fooling myself, I think this is a personal conviction, not just a vocational conviction. If I stopped doing vocational ministry tomorrow, I would still want to participate weekly in the mission of a local church, including the Sunday ministry. But just because I see it that way doesn’t mean everyone sees it that way. And…here’s the danger…if you start judging people for not seeing it your way, you almost certainly turn them off. People—especially teens and young adults—can smell judgment a mile away. Judgment creates barriers. So what do you do instead? Empathize. It’s not that hard to do if you realize you probably have an attitude about other organizations similar to their attitude toward your church. Take going to the gym for example. I have a gym membership. Truthfully, I haven’t been there in two months. But I spin on my bike trainer at home, do push-ups and hike. I watch what I eat and I do other exercises. To me, my goal is fitness and health. It’s not going to the gym. The gym is a means to an end, and it’s not the only means for me. Am I going to make the cover of next month’s Muscle Magazine? Nope. But that’s not my goal. Many people think the same way about church. Especially if you’re reaching unchurched people. If a formerly unchurched person shows up 12 times a year, that’s far more than they’ve ever been in church! They might think they’re doing great, and maybe they are compared to how they used to feel spiritually. So rather than judging them for it, tell them they’re doing great. And invite them into a deeper conversation about faith and life. I realize the gym analogy breaks down because I don’t think the Christian faith is an individual pursuit like fitness can be (more on that in part 4 of this blog series). And clearly, I would be in better shape if I went to the gym three times a week and had a personal trainer. But if you stand there with a scowl on your face every Sunday angry about empty seats, why would anyone want to sit in one? 2. SEPARATE THE MISSION FROM THE METHOD Somewhere along the way a lot of us end up confusing the mission and the method. Your mission is to lead people into a relationship with Jesus, not to get people to show up for an hour in a box every Sunday. Please hear me…I value our time together on Sundays as a church. And I think it’s presently one of our very best vehicles through which to advance the mission of the church (more on that in Part 4 of the series). But our mission is not to fill seats on a Sunday. It’s to lead people to Jesus. You should be obsessed with your mission, not with filling seats. Truthfully, some of us are more in love with the method than the mission. If that’s you, repent. I have. I am. That shift will create a whole new mindset in your team. It will help you run offense, not just defense. You’ll start to think of fresh ways to help people on their journey toward Jesus. And—don’t miss this—if you really help people move into an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, they might show up more regularly in your church on Sunday. Ironic, isn’t it? 3. USE TECHNOLOGY TO HELP PEOPLE EVERY DAY Church leaders today have an advantage that we simply didn’t have a decade ago. Social media and even email are great ways to help people deepen their journey with Christ, not just sell your latest program. What if you started viewing your social media channels and email list as an opportunity to come alongside people and help them grow in their faith? You have to be careful how you approach this because if you’re just trying to drive attendance, people will notice. But if you encourage them, inspire them, challenge them and help them, they’ll welcome your presence. So how do you do that? Simple. Be helpful. If you run your social media and email content through a helpful filter, people will be thrilled to hear from you. And it will deepen the bond you have with infrequent attendees. They’ll come to see you as a friend, not just one more person trying to sell them something. Be the favorite person in their inbox, and their favorite thing to see on their newsfeed. Never underestimate what being helpful does for everyone involved. 4. START MEASURING OUTPUTS Church leaders are programmed to measure inputs, not outputs. We measure how many people showed up, what they gave, who they brought and even online traffic. But rarely do we measure outputs. What if the church became as much a sending organization as a receiving organization? What if you developed ways to measure spiritual growth? Like how much time people spend with God personally each day reading scripture and praying? The stats are surprisingly low. According to a recent study, 57% of Americans read their bible four times a year or less. Only 26% read it more than 4 times a week. What if you helped the people around your church change that? And what if you got innovate and started thinking through whether people were better off five years after joining your church than were before? Or whether they feel closer to Christ? Or whether they’re making a difference in their workplaces and neighborhoods? What if you helped them be the church, not just go to church? Leaders get passionate about what they measure. So measure thoughtfully. 5. CELEBRATE WINS It’s strange that when a child takes their first steps, we applaud wildly, but when a Christian takes their first steps, we call them immature. Sure, so a new Christian doesn’t read their Bible every day or attend every week or give the way you want. I get that. Many long-time Christians don’t either. Rather than judging them, why not love them? Why not celebrate when they take a step? Send a handwritten thank you note to each first-time attendee. Welcome them when they come back. Throw a party when they show up again 3 months later. Celebrate like crazy when someone gives their first $5 gift. Jump for joy when someone decides to serve or high five them when they decide to get in a group. Okay, I’m exaggerating a big. The point isn’t to get weird. The point is to celebrate. As Andy Stanley says, what you celebrate gets repeated. www.careynieuwhof.com . Used by permission.

“Count it all joy when you encounter various trials…” James 1:2 The day had arrived. It was beyond sad. It was solemn, and it was heavy. Without hesitation we were there to support, to console, and to be present. In what seemed like a dream, we were getting ready to speak at the funeral of our dear friend who had just lost her battle to cancer. She had just rounded the corner past 25 years old, and was in every other way a healthy beautiful young lady. But, her life on this earth was over. She was surrounded by her husband who served her until she drew her last breath, she was nurtured and cared for by parents whose baby girl passed before their very eyes, and she was loved and admired by so many friends and family for not only the life she lived, but the strength exhibited in the way she died. This dear friend was a Christian. She loved Jesus, and she served others. She wasn’t ostentatious, and she wasn’t callous or judgmental. She displayed dignity and compassion. Always quick to listen and slow to speak, she was endearing and she carried herself with class. You wanted to be around her, because she was characterized by joy . Her life exuded joy, and she displayed it until her Lord called her home. And it was into this untimely and tragic situation that her mom, whose name is Joy, has wisdom for us today. When Joy–months after her daughter’s passing–had others praying for her to have a “better year”, she responds by saying, “A better year? You cannot give me a better year. This was the best year of my life.” How can a mom–who stared down and continues to stare down the reality that her baby girl is gone–say that? This is almost too much to bear, but it is nevertheless the resolve of this mother when considering the loss of her daughter’s life on this earth. 1. “Joy” is a noun that is here preceded by the adjective “all”. Thus, implying an un-mixed or unsoiled-ness to experiencing joy. But, the word is also preceded by another word, consider. Which means to think. In other words, while this joy is certainly an unmixed experience of gratefulness, it is also something that you set your mind to. It’s a conscientious choice that–after the evaluation of your circumstances–you choose to live in this unmixed joy. Hence, Joy’s resolve for joy as she considers her daughter’s life and death. 2. “ Trials” are not if, but when . The reality of our world–riddled with sin–is that we face trials of varying proportions and causes everyday. To prove this, James places the preceding word, various, before trials, which essential means manifold. In other words, the trials that are faced are not going to be the same. It’s as if we live in a world that has built-in and diverse challenges to face. 3. Thus, we are needy. We are vulnerable. And we are unable to do this alone. And so, it was into this manifold trial-filled world that God sent His Son. It was into this world that we have One who overcame sin and death, and therefore promises those who love Him that their death won’t be the final say about their life. No, no, Joy–the mother to the dear lady who passed–knows that her daughter may not be here in person, but she lives on in her (and many other minds), and that her daughter simply passed from life to life. Joy knows that she will be reunited with her daughter because of Christ; and so, she chooses–considers it all–joy. Glory, because of Christ there can be joy. We can have true joy beyond, outside of, and above our circumstances. Glory. What is the personal benefit to choosing joy amidst trials? Ultimately, trials are an inevitability of what it means to live in a broken world made up of broken people. But God, in His wisdom allows trials to be the filter through which He cultivates joy in the life of His followers. Not merely for the sake of the struggle, but instead what the struggle produces. Consider for a moment your own life. Consider the trials and struggles you have endured. Certainly, there are elements of the struggle(s) that you would eliminate, but can you nevertheless agree that it was through struggles that something good was produced in you or in those around you? Maybe you’ve said, “I’m glad I went through that, because it produced _____, but I sure wouldn’t want to endure it again.”? There are many things in my life I wouldn’t want to endure again, but I can say that those things certainly changed me–for the better. And so, after James instructs followers of Christ to consider their struggles with joy, he then goes on to help us understand why they should do just that… “…Knowing that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” In so many words, James reveals that the trials are a testing ground of faith. It is where the rubber meets the road. Life–for the Christian–is not about the milk toast, but instead about the struggles that test one’s faith for the production of something. That something that is produced–James says–is endurance. The word endurance means literally to bear under. In other words, “the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty” (BDAG, 1039). What James is instructing the follower of Christ is that the reason you should consider your various trials with joy is because the trials produce the ability to bear up in difficulties. In other words, it is through the trial that the strength is given to remain faithful. How Does This Apply To Us Today? 1. It is through the trial(s) that God grows the faith of His followers–the stick-to-it-ness of His people. 2. Jesus endured to give us grace to endure. This grace is His free gift extended to a broken humanity to be received by us in faith. In other words, a follower of Christ is one who looks to Christ in the midst of his trials as the answer to their questions of “why me, why us, why now, etc.“. Christ’s endurance is not only an example to follow, but the means of grace through which to lay hold of and believe it is available to His followers even today. “The grace of God has appeared…” Titus 2:11. www.staffandstones.com . Used by permission.

Share 0 I heard a pastor say, “There will be no more learning in Heaven.” One writer says that in Heaven, “Activities such as investigation, comprehending and probing will never be necessary. Our understanding will be complete.” [1] In a Gallup poll of people’s perspectives about Heaven, only 18 percent thought people would grow intellectually in Heaven. [2] Does Scripture indicate that we will learn in Heaven? Yes. Consider Ephesians 2:6-7: “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace.” The word show means “to reveal.” The phrase in the coming ages clearly indicates this will be a progressive, ongoing revelation, in which we learn more and more about God’s grace. I frequently learn new things about my wife, daughters, and closest friends, even though I’ve known them for many years. If I can always be learning something new about finite, limited human beings, surely I’ll learn far more about Jesus. None of us will ever begin to exhaust His depths. Jesus said to His disciples, “Learn from me” (Matthew 11:29). On the New Earth, we’ll have the privilege of sitting at Jesus’ feet as Mary did, walking with Him over the countryside as His disciples did, always learning from Him. In Heaven we’ll continually learn new things about God, going ever deeper in our understanding. Consider the Greek words ginosko and epiginosko, translated “know” in 1 Corinthians 13:12, used of our present knowledge on Earth and our future knowledge in Heaven: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Ginosko often means “to come to know,” and therefore “to learn” (Matthew 10:26; John 12:9; Acts 17:19; Philippians 2:19). Epiginosko also means “to learn” (Luke 7:37; 23:7; Acts 9:30; 22:29). [3] That we will one day “know fully” could well be understood as “we will always keep on learning.” It was God—not Satan—who made us learners. God doesn’t want us to stop learning. What He wants to stop is what prevents us from learning. Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards, who intensely studied Heaven, believed “the saints will be progressive in knowledge to all eternity.” [4] He added, “The number of ideas of the saints shall increase to eternity.” [5] Will our knowledge and skills vary? Will some people in Heaven have greater knowledge and specialized abilities than others? Why not? Scripture never teaches sameness in Heaven. We will be individuals, each with our own memories and God-given gifts. Some of our knowledge will overlap, but not all. I’m not a mechanic or gardener, as you may be. I may or may not learn those skills on the New Earth. But even if I do, that doesn’t mean I’ll ever be as skilled a gardener or mechanic as you will be. After all, you had a head start on learning. The doctrine of continuity means that what we learn here carries over after death. Don’t you love to discover something new? On the New Earth, some of our greatest discoveries may relate to the lives we’re living right now. Columnist and commentator Paul Harvey made a career of telling “the rest of the story.” That’s exactly what we’ll discover in Heaven again and again—the rest of the story. We’ll be stunned to learn how God orchestrated the events of our lives to influence people we may have forgotten about. Occasionally we hear stories that provide us a small taste of what we’ll learn in eternity. One morning after I spoke at a church, a young woman came up to me and asked, “Do you remember a young man sitting next to you on a plane headed to college? You gave him your novel Deadline.” I give away a lot of my books on planes, but after some prompting, I remembered him. He was an unbeliever. We talked about Jesus, and I gave him the book and prayed for him as we got off the plane. I was amazed when the young woman said to me, “He told me he never contacted you, so you wouldn’t know what happened. He got to college, checked into the dorm, sat down, and read your book. When he was done, he confessed his sins and gave his life to Jesus. And I can honestly tell you, he’s the most dynamic Christian I’ve ever met.” All I did was talk a little, give him a book, and pray for him. But if the young woman hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have had a clue what had happened. That story reminded me how many great stories await us in Heaven and how many we may not hear until we’ve been there a long time. We won’t ever know everything, and even what we will know, we won’t know all at once. We’ll be learners, forever. Few things excite me more than that. Browse more resources on the topic of Heaven, and see Randy’s related books, including Heaven. [1] Dave Hunt, Whatever Happened to Heaven? (Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 1988), 238. [2] Colleen McDannell and Bernhard Lang, Heaven: A History (New York: Vintage Books, 1988), 307. [3] Kittel et al., Theological Dictionary, 1:703. [4] Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, ed. Perry Miller, vol. 13, The Miscellanies, ed. Thomas A. Schafer (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1994), 483. [5] Ibid., 275; I’m indebted to Andrew McClellan for several citations from his seminary paper “Jonathan Edwards’s View of Heaven,”August 15, 2003. www.epm.org . Used by permission.

It’s kind of terrible how Ascension Day is almost completely ignored by lower-church Christians. We could say it’s because we don’t observe the liturgical calendar, but we do when it comes to such major feast days as Christmas, recognizing the Incarnation, and Easter, the Resurrection. It’s a shame because the Ascension is a doctrine all of us need to remember, constantly, in order to make it in life. The Ascension, after all, tells us who we are and what’s going on all around us. The Ascension of Jesus isn’t just the story of how our Lord “went away” between the Resurrection and the Second Coming. The Ascension means that you, Christian, are connected always to God. Our exile from God, an exile that started with the fiery sword outside of Eden, is over. We are connected to Jesus, by faith, as a head is with a body. Our head, then, is seated now at the right hand of God, always in God’s presence and always in communion with him. This is true of you always. That’s important to remember in those moments when we feel as though God is distant from us. Sometimes when I am suffering, or when I am plagued with doubt or fear, it’s easy for me to feel as though God is far away. When that happens, I almost immediately find myself drifting away into prayerlessness, and, ultimately, a sense of despair. The problem is that I assume that God’s nearness is defined by the strength of my faith at the moment or by my ability to “read” what God is doing providentially in my life. That assumes that I was ever coming to God without a Mediator. My nearness to God is in Christ, and Jesus hasn’t moved. Beyond that, the Ascension of Jesus means that our security and our future are not visible to us. They are hidden in Christ and are located “where Christ is, at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). This ought to free us from worry. If you’re like me, you tend to think through “worst-case scenarios” of whatever it is that is plaguing you at the moment. If you’re in Christ, though, you are never in danger in your real life. Your real life is with Christ—and he’s doing just fine. That’s not visible to us at the moment, just as Jesus himself is not visible to us at the moment. That’s what it means to walk by faith, and not by sight. Moreover, the Ascension tells us what’s really going on around us. At the Ascension Jesus moved from visible realm to the invisible realm. He did not become inactive. Right now, God is moving history along, so that all things are ultimately placed under the feet of Jesus, as creation’s rightful ruler (1 Cor. 15:24-25). The Book of Revelation is comforting for Christians because it takes us behind the veil of what we can see, to what is happening now in the heavenly places. Jesus is there enthroned. This too frees us from our tendencies toward frantic fear, even as we watch the news and see what often seems to be chaos and danger all around us. We are not at the whim of these dark social and political forces around us. God has raised Jesus, and “seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above every rule and authority and power and dominion” (Eph. 1:20-21). When the terrorist attacks happened on September 11, 2001, the country was comforted when the President of the United States returned to the White House. The very image of the nation’s leader at his desk in the Oval Office was a signal that the country’s leadership wasn’t panicking. The President was where he was supposed to be, not hiding out in an “undisclosed location.” Jesus is not in an undisclosed location, waiting until a safe time to reappear. Jesus is enthroned with his Father, moving history toward his goal. His invisibility right now is no sign of apathy or impotence but of patience. He is preparing a kingdom for his people, and he is patiently waiting for others to come home to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). The Ascension ought then to give us confidence. The Ascension should give us confidence before God. As long as Jesus is there before him, there is no condemnation for us. And the Ascension ought to give us confidence in our lives right now. The tomb is empty; the throne is not. www.russellmoore.com .