27,000,000

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Dana

This week I’ve had the privilege to hang out with 40,000 college kids and another 5,000 older Christians at the Passion Conference at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  As the praises and shouts for God rang out over the arena more accustomed to football cheers, I couldn’t help thinking how God must rejoice as we fully engage our affection toward him.

Each year the leaders ask young people to give money in order to make a difference in the world. Human slavery was this year’s target of attention as we learned that more people are in slavery today than in any time of human history. It is estimated that 27,000,000 people are in bondage to some type of slavery. Many of these are children, and many are caught in the horrible sex trafficking that is a worldwide epidemic. During the first two days, over a million dollars were given toward six agencies that direct all their attention to setting people free and helping restore them to a good place in society. Over the next two days, people continued to give and many joined online until by the end of the conference over three million dollars had been given.

The second day of this conference I received an e-mail request from one of my students from the past asking me and others to pray for a college friend. Brother Thomas is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan and he had just learned that his ten month old nephew has been abducted in Africa. We are crying out for God to rescue this baby. The world problem instantly became more personal, because some of the members of our group are also friends of Brother Thomas.

When a statistic becomes personal, everything changes. Could you imagine if your child were kidnapped? Each of the 27 million is a precious soul to God… who hates all slavery and injustice. May our hearts expand to become closer to his and may we determine to make a difference.

“Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; and then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:6-8

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faith

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Dana

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” I Thessalonians 1:3

Child of God: I noticed that not only did the love the Thessalonian Christians had for each other increase, but Paul also said their faith was growing. That’s what I’d like this New Year — more faith.

Father God: That is a worthy desire… are you sure this is what you want?

Child: Honestly, I’m not sure. The great heroes of faith were asked to do some difficult things: “Leave your home and go to a land I will show you”; “Believe you will be a father of nations when you and your wife are too old to have a baby”; “Sacrifice your only son… the son of promise.” If this is the way a person’s faith increases, I’m hesitant.

Father: So you don’t really trust me? Faith is about knowing me… which is why it is so important. Do you realize that Jesus walked by faith? He trusted me completely and did only what his Father showed him to do. The disciples witnessed his bold living and said, “Lord, increase our faith.”

Child: Yes, and then he told them that if they had only mustard seed sized faith, they could move mountains. Jesus always challenged people to have more faith… and I know we have the same need.

Father: So are you willing to trust me? To enter my Kingdom, a person humbles himself as a child and puts faith in my Son. My children believe the impossible… just as Abraham did. The Son of God came in the flesh; He took all sin upon himself and died on the cross; He was buried; and He was raised from the dead on the third day. If you believe I’ve accomplished everything in Jesus, you are standing in my grace… now simply obey your King.

Child: This is the Good News. Thank you for saving us!

Father: I’ve saved you and I’ve given the Holy Spirit so my children will grow up into the likeness of my Son. Every child has been given a race to run. The better you know me, the better you’ll run your race. Faith is about trusting who I am and what I can do. Abraham put his son on the altar because he knew I made a promise that I would not break. Even if Isaac was killed, Abraham believed I could raise him from the dead. I am love; I can do all things; I can be trusted.

Child: So I guess the apostle Paul came to a point where he truly did believe he could do all things through Christ.

Father: Yes, but he came to that place of faith by simply walking with the One who saved him… the One who gave him strength. Do not make faith complicated, my child. Walk with the One who saved you. Jesus is the author and perfecter of your faith. Keep your eyes on him this year and do everything he tells you to do. ‘Christ in you’ is your hope of glory… and your secret for growing in faith.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry bush, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” Luke 17:5-6

Happy New Year!

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love

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Dana

Child of God: In this season in which we celebrate the Gift you gave us, we have decided we want to give you a present. So, what do you want for Christmas?

Father God: How kind of you. Do you think there is something I need?

Child: Well… I guess not. You have everything and all power is yours. We admit that all we have is from you, but surely there is something that would make your heart glad… glad like a child on Christmas morning.

Father: Hmmm… It is true that everything good comes from above… so what would I like to receive back from my children? Is this what you’re asking?

Child: Yes, Lord. What can we give you for Christmas?

Father: OK. Here’s my answer: ‘Love.’

Child: Love? We love you, Lord. We worship you, Lord. We praise you for saving us and for giving your Son to die for us. We know that you first loved us, so ‘yes, we will love you… with all of our heart and soul and mind and strength!’ But how can this be more than us simply telling you? We want to give you a gift that makes you smile.

Father: I always smile when I see my children pass my love to others. ‘Look how my children love one another’… this makes me smile. ‘Look how that husband loves his wife; look how that wife loves her husband; look how those parents love their children; look how those children love their parents’… these are the things that make me smile.

Child: Well, we surely can do that. I admit though, I sometimes have a hard time loving.

Father: Get rid of self, my child, and let me fill your heart. You, my children, are the ones I’m trusting to show who I am. And you know that ‘I am love.’ What can you do for the orphan and the widow? How do you love the homeless and the poor? How do you help the lost soul struggling with addiction and shame? How do you love your brothers and sisters facing persecution in other lands? When my children kneel down to lift up one whom I created in my image, I rejoice. This is the gift that keeps on giving. And when you pass my love to others, they will share it too.

Child: I don’t think we’ll be able to do this without your help. You’re talking about the way we live.

Father: You’re right! Christ in you… your hope of glory… and your secret for loving.

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else…” I Thess 3:11

“Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And, in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.” I Thess 4:9-10

Merry Christmas!

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hope

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Dana

In class last week, my students read articles and gave reports on persecution occuring in many countries around the world. At the end of each presentation, the student was asked to share what we can learn from our brothers and sisters who are living for Jesus in difficult places. These young Americans were astounded at the stories of courage and perseverance despite physical beatings, imprisonment, and murder of friends and family members. Many contrasted Christians full of faith, hope, and love with what is witnessed in their own culture: shallow faith, lack of passion, and little mention of hope. The most common ‘lesson’ mentioned, however, seemed to conflict with these sentiments of admiration. “We should be thankful we live in a place where we can practice our religion without fear of persecution.” Of course I agree we are to give thanks for all blessings, but the more I heard teenagers honestly reflect on present day persecution, the more I questioned which Christians are truly blessed.

I have a good friend who is one of the most successful basketball coaches in the state of Georgia. Every season he seeks out the toughest schedule for his team to play. This year his team has been on the losing end of several close games and presently has a mediocre record. But the coach knows what he is doing. By playing the toughest competition he is preparing his team to win a state championship. (His teams have won the last two years.) If a coach with an easier schedule boasted about being undefeated while demolishing every opponent, my friend would just smile and think, “Yeah, but your team is not prepared to win a championship because when you face the tough team at the end of the season you won’t be able to withstand the pressure.”

Hope should be an important word for every Christian. Hope is more than a wish; it rests in our faith which involves confident anticipation. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Heb 11:1) Paul explains that hope can actually flow from suffering: “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Rom 5:2-4) The wise coach is willing for his team to suffer loss now in order to learn to persevere and get stronger. It is interesting that often the locations where more people are entering the Kingdom are in places of persecution. With their own lives on the line, many are boldly sharing the gospel with those that are lost. “Christ gave himself for you; now give yourself to Christ! Yes, it will cost you all you have, but He is worth it!”

The comment that probably bothered me most last week went something like this: “We don’t really have to depend on God in our country, but these Christians have to depend on God every day.” So who has the advantage? What should we do? Should we all board a plane for North Korea and endure a little persecution? These are the questions high school students ask. I pray their teacher gives some good answers: “Our hope is in the One who has saved us… and He is far wiser than any basketball coach. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith and we are to totally trust him and obey what He tells us to do. God has assigned the time and the place we were born. He has a purpose for each of us and that purpose is realized the more we seek first his Kingdom. The Christians in hostile areas do not struggle against flesh and blood, but against powers and spiritual forces of this dark world. The devil hates the sold-out Christian in our country just as much as anyone. Ask God to help you grow in faith. Ask him to show you how to depend on him more and more. Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you daily with God’s love. Beware of the constant distractions that pull us away from him. Draw close to God and get to know him. Opposition will eventually rise up as you seek him first. Perhaps not the exact type you’ve read about in foreign lands, but, believe me, you will face trials. And when you do, don’t shrink back, but praise God. Ask him to help you persevere through every difficulty. You will find that God is faithful and He will allow you to help others along the way.”

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.” II Thess 1:3-5

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peace

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Dana

The angel said to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” Then suddenly a great company of angels appeared praising God saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Lk 2:10-14)

Not too long after this declaration of joy to the world, an evil king sent his soldiers into the little town of Bethlehem and murdered all the male babies two years old and younger. What kind of peace is this? Just as the ‘joy of the Lord’ goes far deeper than the happiness our world promotes, the peace of God surpasses any human definition. The prophets warned that the world will say, “Peace, peace” when there actually is no peace. But God knows that even when chaos and injustice seem to cover the earth, He still gives peace.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) Jesus gives peace in the midst of trouble. The peace is in him. Paul goes as far to say that Jesus “himself is our peace” (Eph 2:14). “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn 14:27) This peace passes all understanding; it is supernatural. And with the gift comes a call to courage.

This is the type of peace David must have had as he walked into the valley to fight the giant, Goliath. Surely his heart was pounding, but the peace of God and the courage that accompanies faith allowed him to defeat the enemy and give glory to God. This is the type of peace that allowed Joseph to awaken from a dream to take his wife and child to Egypt to escape the sword of Herod. This is the type of peace that allowed Paul to sit in a Philippian jail and write that those who believe in Jesus can always rejoice. This is the type of peace that allows a family to face unemployment or disease or disappointment or even death with confidence in a God who knows all things. This world is full of trouble, but God is near. And He says to his children, “Reach out and help carry the burden of a brother or sister or neighbor or stranger. Be an instrument of peace and let my love be known.” Shalom!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7       

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