My devotions this morning included a portion of Scripture that caused me to ponder the character of God and His presence in this fallen world. The last few months have given me a variety of reminders about the fallen aspects that have led me through deep shadows. Today I come before His throne with gratefulness and praises for sustaining me through His Word.
Isaiah 55:8-11 is a message directly from God. He begins by reminding us that His thoughts and ways are as high above ours as the heavens are above the earth. Our Heavenly Father goes on by comparing His divine faithfulness to the certainty of the water cycle - raining, watering, evaporating. He emphasizes the nourishing part of the watering phase by outlining the budding, flourishing, and harvesting it produces. In verse 11 God points out that, "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
As surely as rain flows over the earth causing it to flourish, God's word flows over the earth causing His desires to be accomplished. As surely as rainwater returns to the skies having nourished the soil and thereby fed mankind, God's word returns to Him having achieved the purposes for which He sent it. As surely as rain brings moisture to dry ground and causes it to blossom, God's word brings life to troubled hearts and causes them to blossom.
How does God's word go out?
Genesis 1:3a And God said, 'Let there be light.'
In the beginning, God spoke.
Hebrews 1:1,2 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets . . . , but in the last days he has spoken to us by His Son.
John 1:1,2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through the prophets in Old Testament times and by His Son in the New Testament, God spoke.
2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16a All Scripture is God-breathed.
Through the men who spoke and recorded His words, God continues to speak.
What do God's words do?
Genesis 1:2a Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness over the surface of the deep.
Genesis 1:3-30 God said . . . And it was so.
God's words replace emptiness and darkness with order and beauty, life and work, love and blessings.
John 1:3,4 Through him [God's Son, the Word] all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
John 10:10b I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Ephesians 4:12 For it was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
God's Word replaces emptiness and darkness with order and beauty, life and work, love and blessings in both the physical and spiritual realms.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God's words continue to replace emptiness and darkness with order and beauty, life and work, love and blessings. Hallelujah!!
How do God's words return?
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:31-2:1 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
In creation, God's words accomplished what He desired and achieved the purpose for which He sent them.
Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
Matthew 9:13b For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
Luke 19:10 The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
Ephesians 4:8, Psalm 68:18 When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.
Romans 8:34 Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 5:11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
God's Word accomplished what He desired and achieved the purpose for which His Father sent Him. The Son reigns in heaven, actively sustaining, protecting, and preparing His people to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Isaiah 55:11 It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Romans 5:1- Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. 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. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
The Scriptures are filled with verses and passages that proclaim God's promises. They are too numerous to list here. I encourage you to seek the ones that will meet your own set of needs.
In His Holy Word, God is accomplishing that which He desires and achieves the purpose for which He sent them.
This glimpse into the character and presence of God has ignited my heart with flames of fresh life and light, peace and confidence, joy and hope. In my gratefulness I lift up all the glory, honor, praise and adoration I can imagine as a sanctified offering before His righteous throne. No matter what the circumstances I choose to wait humbly and expectantly for the blossoming that is sure to come under His hand. Amen
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Walking Past Roaring Lions
January was a blur for me. Was it for you? As a matter of fact, I’m using all of the discipline our Father has built into me to put this piece together. I’m looking to Him now to direct my thoughts and fingers.
The last few months have been especially trying. We’ve all had seasons such as this so I’ll trust you understand and avoid going into the details. Suffice it to say that God is making His presence known as surely as a candle seems to burn more brightly in the darkest of rooms. On Saturday He blessed me with His glorious truth in an intriguing way.
Curt and I travel north 2.5 hours once a month to encourage a group of brothers and sisters who are seeking the Lord to plant and develop a body of true worshippers. One of the ways we pass the long car ride is for me to read aloud to Curt. We are currently working our way through The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, a 1981 paperback version by Signet Classics, the Canadian publishing house of Penguin, Inc. The story is an allegory of our walk through justification and into the sanctification process. It’s quite insightful and includes numerous biblical references.
The passage I was reading this weekend takes place while “Christian” is making his way along the “narrow path.” Bunyan explains Christian’s visit to the cross; “his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do, till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre where it fell in and I saw it no more.” (p. 41) In other words, Christian came to faith in Jesus and was freed from his burden of sin. While this was a moving section, it was the closing paragraphs of the day’s reading that caused me to ponder.
Christian was making his way up a mountainous portion of the path when two other travelers came running down heading in the opposite direction. Their names were Timorous and Mistrust. Timorous explained that they too had been heading to the City of Zion, but that the further they went the more danger they met which finally caused them to turn back. Mistrust reported that the final barrier had been “a couple of lions in the way” which caused them to worry day and night about being ripped to shreds. They continued their retreat down the hill, but Christian pondered.
Christian understood that to go back home to the City of Destruction was to face certain death while to press on was to fear death all along the way with the safety of the Celestial City at its end. He decided to continue his journey and it wasn’t long before he was approaching a palace, a wonderful place for a much needed rest. However, Christian noticed there were two lions in the way. Though the lions were chained, Christian was unable to see their restraints and saw only death on the path ahead. He stopped in fear and began to think that he might do better following behind Timorous and Mistrust.
The Porter of the palace whose name was Watchful noticed Christian’s pause. He called out to him, “Is thy strength so small? Fear not the lions, for they are chained, and are placed there for trial of faith where it is, and for discovery of those that have none. Keep in the midst of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.” (p. 48) Christian heeded the directions and proceeded in spite of his trembling fear. The lions did indeed roar, but they caused him no harm. His safe passage caused him to clap his hands as he arrived at the gate where he asked what the palace was and for permission to stay the night. Porter Watchful answered, “This house was built by the Lord of the hill, and he built it for the relief and security of pilgrims.” (p. 48,49)
The path laid out for the believer is narrow, arduous, and long. The dangers are real and frightening. Praise, glory, and honor be to God that our lot is secure. Genesis 3:15, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 1:4, Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:31
Lord, thank you for this allegorical glimpse at the spiritual life in this world. Please empower me to put off the arguments of Timorous and Mistrust. Cause me, like Bunyan’s Pilgrim, to push on toward the Celestial City. May I be used as Bunyan’s Porter Watchful to encourage others in their journey on the narrow path that your Name would be glorified and our joy be made complete both now and forever. Amen
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A Crucible
I trust you read the title of this post correctly. I do not want to appear to be in competition with a play written by Arthur Miller. Miller's play depicts the events of 1692 that led to the Salem witch trials. He wrote his piece in the 1950s in response to McCarthyism, the US government's blacklisting of accused communists. In 1996 a film version starring Winona Ryder was awarded four stars. So I guess "The Crucible" is a pretty famous literary work. (Find an article on McCarthyism, "Blacklisted by History" at www.lifeworkforum.org/writingresources/articles.)
Today I'm writing about a crucible. The Lord brought the word into my mind while I was on a recent visit with friends. I thought I knew it's meaning, but went to a dictionary for verification. Our friends have a collection of dictionaries and I found the following comparison intriguing.
The American Dictionary of the American Language from 1828 defines a crucible as:
Webster's New World College dictionary, 4th edition, 2000 defines a crucible as:
A crucible is still the word used to describe the resting area for the refined materials at the bottom of the furnace, but is has another usage as well. Crucible can mean a severe test or trial, a struggle of immense proportion. I find myself relating to this seldom used word. There have been numerous points in my life where I have felt as if I've been living in a furnace. I've jokingly thought a few times that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the book of Daniel had nothing on me. :-) But what is a furnace supposed to do anyway?
The main purpose of a furnace is to produce heat. I'm thankful for the one that warms our home by the lake when the wood stove is cold. Furnaces are used for many things beyond heating houses. One purpose in the industrial world is annealing. My own Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, 1989 tells me that to anneal means to:
I certainly am basic ore, formed of raw materials and in need of refining. If I forget the impurities in my every day life, I am certainly reminded when the going gets tough. Facing a demanding task or a short deadline, adrenalin begins to flow and I can easily turn to sin. Anger, criticism, nasty attitudes, etc. spill out when I lose sight of Jesus and rest in myself. Being judged or misunderstood by others can open the door to all kinds of temptation. The furnace is on high, I can hardly breathe, and I all I want is to escape.
Praise God that He does not leave me in that place alone. The furnace is part of His plan to purify me from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 As I move through the heating and cooling process His Spirit uses it to temper my soul. Every time I go through the ups and downs of life, the Holy Spirit toughens my spirit. The heat phases teach me that I can stand in the face of adversity. The cooling off phases give me deeper understanding of the power of restoration and reconciliation. As a matter of fact, just recently I noticed that I am able to rest in the Lord more fully when faced with familiar struggles. May His Name be forever praised. Amen
How thankful I am that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15 Jesus understands every challenge and temptation I face. He was able to meet every situation with the exact response that was needed.
When things get sticky, there are lots of ways to respond. I have tried a lot of them. I can curl up in a helpless ball. I can dissolve into hopeless tears. I can throw a temper tantrum. I can turn my frustration and anger on others. I can apply the threatening-to-undo-me energy to a physical project. I can stop and pray. I turn on a worshipful CD. I can open my Bible and dwell in my Daddy's Truth. I can call a mature friend and seek godly counsel. It's hard to believe, but Jesus faced this same span of choices when He walked this earth. (Okay, maybe not the CD player or the telephone.) Yet He never made any of the wrong choices.
Of course, the key is that Jesus was fully divine at the same time He was fully human. His knowledge and understanding were perfect. He knew who was talking to Him in the desert when He responded with Scripture. Luke 4:1-13 He knew the heart of the woman at the well when He spoke of her sin and the living water available to her. John 4:1-26 He saw behind the white wash facade of the Pharisees when He confronted them about their hypocrisy. Matthew 23:13-29 He understood the blasphemy of the money changers when He drove them out of the temple. Mark 11:15-17 He was prepared for Peter's betrayal and repentance when He spoke to him with tenderness. Matthew 26:31-34 His human side must have been incredibly disrupted, but Jesus responded perfectly in every one of these situations.
Hallelujah, this same Jesus, the Son of God, has placed His Holy Spirit into the heart of every believer and this Spirit is ready, willing and able to guide us in the way we should go. John 14:16,26 As I shared with a dear friend recently, "It's not the jumbled up reactions we have that are the problem. It's the human experience in this fallen world. We need not be surprised that we feel stretched by what happens around us. It's what happens next that's the issue" 1 Peter 4:12
The impurities that appear when the furnace heats up in my life are ugly. I am made of special materials, was chosen by God before the world came to be, and my life is already laid out for me. Psalm 139, Ephesians 1:4, Jeremiah 29:11 God's Word tells me that every high and low temperature is arranged for my benefit. Romans 8:28 They are all part of the annealing process of this crucible walk. The way I/we choose to respond to them is the key.
Do we turn our hearts toward our heavenly Father? Do we look to our older Brother? Do we rely on the Holy Spirit? Do we express our love for God by choosing obedience? John 14:15 Every time we do these things, we show forth God's glory. We are conquerors in His Name and we are refined for His purposes.
Another awesome glimpse of God in my life is revealed. I walk the crucible's path through the furnace of fiery tests and trials. The heat produced by God's loving power and applied through His sovereign providence causes my sin to rise to the surface. Christ speaks to His Father on my behalf and His Holy Spirit steps in at the perfect moment to cool the temperatures to keep me from breaking. He draws me unto Himself in repentance, faith and love. I rest in the purifying nature of the sanctification process of this life. It is the peace and joy of my salvation. I will arrive on heaven's shores without any scorching, singe-free, not even smelling of smoke. Daniel 3:27 Hallelujah!
O, thank You, my God, for creating me and preparing me to be victorious in this life as I glorify Your Name and enjoy You forever. Amen
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Today I'm writing about a crucible. The Lord brought the word into my mind while I was on a recent visit with friends. I thought I knew it's meaning, but went to a dictionary for verification. Our friends have a collection of dictionaries and I found the following comparison intriguing.
The American Dictionary of the American Language from 1828 defines a crucible as:
- a chimical [sic]vessel or melting pot, made of earth, and so tempered and baked, as to endure extreme heat without melting. It is used for melting ores, metals. etc.
- a hollow place at the bottom of a chimmical [sic] furnace.
Webster's New World College dictionary, 4th edition, 2000 defines a crucible as:
- a container made of a substance that can resist great heat, for melting, fusing or calcining ores, metals, etc.
- the hollow at the bottom of an ore furnace, where the molten metal collects
- a severe test or trial
A crucible is still the word used to describe the resting area for the refined materials at the bottom of the furnace, but is has another usage as well. Crucible can mean a severe test or trial, a struggle of immense proportion. I find myself relating to this seldom used word. There have been numerous points in my life where I have felt as if I've been living in a furnace. I've jokingly thought a few times that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the book of Daniel had nothing on me. :-) But what is a furnace supposed to do anyway?
The main purpose of a furnace is to produce heat. I'm thankful for the one that warms our home by the lake when the wood stove is cold. Furnaces are used for many things beyond heating houses. One purpose in the industrial world is annealing. My own Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, 1989 tells me that to anneal means to:
- heat (glass, earthenware, metals, etc.) to remove or prevent internal stress.
- to free from internal stress by heating and gradually cooling
- to toughen or temper: to anneal the mind.
I certainly am basic ore, formed of raw materials and in need of refining. If I forget the impurities in my every day life, I am certainly reminded when the going gets tough. Facing a demanding task or a short deadline, adrenalin begins to flow and I can easily turn to sin. Anger, criticism, nasty attitudes, etc. spill out when I lose sight of Jesus and rest in myself. Being judged or misunderstood by others can open the door to all kinds of temptation. The furnace is on high, I can hardly breathe, and I all I want is to escape.
Praise God that He does not leave me in that place alone. The furnace is part of His plan to purify me from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 As I move through the heating and cooling process His Spirit uses it to temper my soul. Every time I go through the ups and downs of life, the Holy Spirit toughens my spirit. The heat phases teach me that I can stand in the face of adversity. The cooling off phases give me deeper understanding of the power of restoration and reconciliation. As a matter of fact, just recently I noticed that I am able to rest in the Lord more fully when faced with familiar struggles. May His Name be forever praised. Amen
How thankful I am that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15 Jesus understands every challenge and temptation I face. He was able to meet every situation with the exact response that was needed.
When things get sticky, there are lots of ways to respond. I have tried a lot of them. I can curl up in a helpless ball. I can dissolve into hopeless tears. I can throw a temper tantrum. I can turn my frustration and anger on others. I can apply the threatening-to-undo-me energy to a physical project. I can stop and pray. I turn on a worshipful CD. I can open my Bible and dwell in my Daddy's Truth. I can call a mature friend and seek godly counsel. It's hard to believe, but Jesus faced this same span of choices when He walked this earth. (Okay, maybe not the CD player or the telephone.) Yet He never made any of the wrong choices.
Of course, the key is that Jesus was fully divine at the same time He was fully human. His knowledge and understanding were perfect. He knew who was talking to Him in the desert when He responded with Scripture. Luke 4:1-13 He knew the heart of the woman at the well when He spoke of her sin and the living water available to her. John 4:1-26 He saw behind the white wash facade of the Pharisees when He confronted them about their hypocrisy. Matthew 23:13-29 He understood the blasphemy of the money changers when He drove them out of the temple. Mark 11:15-17 He was prepared for Peter's betrayal and repentance when He spoke to him with tenderness. Matthew 26:31-34 His human side must have been incredibly disrupted, but Jesus responded perfectly in every one of these situations.
Hallelujah, this same Jesus, the Son of God, has placed His Holy Spirit into the heart of every believer and this Spirit is ready, willing and able to guide us in the way we should go. John 14:16,26 As I shared with a dear friend recently, "It's not the jumbled up reactions we have that are the problem. It's the human experience in this fallen world. We need not be surprised that we feel stretched by what happens around us. It's what happens next that's the issue" 1 Peter 4:12
The impurities that appear when the furnace heats up in my life are ugly. I am made of special materials, was chosen by God before the world came to be, and my life is already laid out for me. Psalm 139, Ephesians 1:4, Jeremiah 29:11 God's Word tells me that every high and low temperature is arranged for my benefit. Romans 8:28 They are all part of the annealing process of this crucible walk. The way I/we choose to respond to them is the key.
Do we turn our hearts toward our heavenly Father? Do we look to our older Brother? Do we rely on the Holy Spirit? Do we express our love for God by choosing obedience? John 14:15 Every time we do these things, we show forth God's glory. We are conquerors in His Name and we are refined for His purposes.
Another awesome glimpse of God in my life is revealed. I walk the crucible's path through the furnace of fiery tests and trials. The heat produced by God's loving power and applied through His sovereign providence causes my sin to rise to the surface. Christ speaks to His Father on my behalf and His Holy Spirit steps in at the perfect moment to cool the temperatures to keep me from breaking. He draws me unto Himself in repentance, faith and love. I rest in the purifying nature of the sanctification process of this life. It is the peace and joy of my salvation. I will arrive on heaven's shores without any scorching, singe-free, not even smelling of smoke. Daniel 3:27 Hallelujah!
O, thank You, my God, for creating me and preparing me to be victorious in this life as I glorify Your Name and enjoy You forever. Amen
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thursday, November 6, 2008
New World Order
I suppose that most blog updates will deal with the US presidential election for some time to come, whether they originate inside our outside our borders. If that's what you're looking for here, you might want to go elsewhere.
The glimpse the Lord has shown me recently is on a much larger scale. There's an insidious illness creeping across the globe. The commonality of symptoms and coordination of efforts combine to expose the unity of purpose. The threat shouldn't surprise those of us who know Scripture. The book of Revelation talks about the nations of the world being drawn together under one world government.
I trust that all Americans are well aware of the attacks being perpetrated on the family. State after state is moving, some rushing, to recognize homosexual relationships as some sort of sanctioned union. (Congratulations Arizona for holding the line.) Parental authority is questioned by social mores as well as in our institutions and courts. I could go on, but in the interest of space and time will stop there.
These same destructive inroads are present and developing in other countries. The family has been under severe attack in Germany by homosexual activists for some time. The police have begun placing children in mental institutions when parents refuse to subject them to the sexually explicit, lock step public school system. It would be naive to think that these activities are independent "infection" sites or just a general, natural downward spiral. Rather, they are evidence of the infiltrating nature of the life-threatening illness.
"German Federal Minister of Justice Brigitte Zypries campaigned recently in California to urge voters to follow the lead of Germany and the rest of Europe in promoting 'same sex marriage' by defeating Proposition 8." This initiative was a response to the California Supreme Court's decision to strike down a 2000 vote by a majority of Californians to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. (Congratulations California on its passage.) You can read the full article concerning this connection at http://www.c-fam.org/publications/id.862/pub_detail.asp.
I would suggest that the original bacteria is sin - rebellion against God, the Maker, Sustainer, and Sovereign of heaven and earth. Sin caused Lucifer to be cast out of heaven and entered the human race in Eden. Sin is represented and championed by Satan, God's enemy. John 10:10 tells us that his goal is to "steal and kill and destroy". There's a monolithic feel to the world-wide conflagration because it has one source and one purpose.
The attack on marriage and family is obvious. Let's remember a related target. Leviticus 18 and 20 may provide the most graphic depiction. These two chapters are where the worship of false gods is horrifically pictured by parents sacrificing their children to the fires of Molech. Satan's goal is to have all mankind defy God in our hearts and minds and actions. The destruction of marriage and family puts the next generation at serious risk.
Paul describes the process this way in 1 Peter 5:8b, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." He also explains our response to the perpetual attack in surrounding verses. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (6,7) "Be self-controlled and alert." (8a) "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." (9)
We need not be overwhelmed or depressed. Christ has already gained the victory. Our rescue has been accomplished. We need not panic or run helter-skelter. The task at hand is the same today as it is every day, "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13,14
Whether we feel overcome by the sin in our own hearts or homes, in our church or community, in our country or the nations of the world, God's promises are sure. We must each come to Him with a repentant heart, seeking the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit, and trusting in the saving work of Christ's blood. When we do, 1 John 1:9 assures us that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.
It's time for God's people to pursue the consecration of our lives in the moment by moment experience of it. The process is not a heavy burden but a reviving discipline and joyous adventure. We discover the expected comfort promised to those blessed ones in Matthew 5:4 who mourn their sin. We look forward to the peace and rejoicing of eternity in heaven. God is good!
I pray that this glimpse will cause you, as it has me, to commit yourself more fully to personal holiness while we rest in the sovereign providence of our heavenly Father.
The glimpse the Lord has shown me recently is on a much larger scale. There's an insidious illness creeping across the globe. The commonality of symptoms and coordination of efforts combine to expose the unity of purpose. The threat shouldn't surprise those of us who know Scripture. The book of Revelation talks about the nations of the world being drawn together under one world government.
I trust that all Americans are well aware of the attacks being perpetrated on the family. State after state is moving, some rushing, to recognize homosexual relationships as some sort of sanctioned union. (Congratulations Arizona for holding the line.) Parental authority is questioned by social mores as well as in our institutions and courts. I could go on, but in the interest of space and time will stop there.
These same destructive inroads are present and developing in other countries. The family has been under severe attack in Germany by homosexual activists for some time. The police have begun placing children in mental institutions when parents refuse to subject them to the sexually explicit, lock step public school system. It would be naive to think that these activities are independent "infection" sites or just a general, natural downward spiral. Rather, they are evidence of the infiltrating nature of the life-threatening illness.
"German Federal Minister of Justice Brigitte Zypries campaigned recently in California to urge voters to follow the lead of Germany and the rest of Europe in promoting 'same sex marriage' by defeating Proposition 8." This initiative was a response to the California Supreme Court's decision to strike down a 2000 vote by a majority of Californians to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. (Congratulations California on its passage.) You can read the full article concerning this connection at http://www.c-fam.org/publications/id.862/pub_detail.asp.
I would suggest that the original bacteria is sin - rebellion against God, the Maker, Sustainer, and Sovereign of heaven and earth. Sin caused Lucifer to be cast out of heaven and entered the human race in Eden. Sin is represented and championed by Satan, God's enemy. John 10:10 tells us that his goal is to "steal and kill and destroy". There's a monolithic feel to the world-wide conflagration because it has one source and one purpose.
The attack on marriage and family is obvious. Let's remember a related target. Leviticus 18 and 20 may provide the most graphic depiction. These two chapters are where the worship of false gods is horrifically pictured by parents sacrificing their children to the fires of Molech. Satan's goal is to have all mankind defy God in our hearts and minds and actions. The destruction of marriage and family puts the next generation at serious risk.
Paul describes the process this way in 1 Peter 5:8b, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." He also explains our response to the perpetual attack in surrounding verses. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (6,7) "Be self-controlled and alert." (8a) "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." (9)
We need not be overwhelmed or depressed. Christ has already gained the victory. Our rescue has been accomplished. We need not panic or run helter-skelter. The task at hand is the same today as it is every day, "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13,14
Whether we feel overcome by the sin in our own hearts or homes, in our church or community, in our country or the nations of the world, God's promises are sure. We must each come to Him with a repentant heart, seeking the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit, and trusting in the saving work of Christ's blood. When we do, 1 John 1:9 assures us that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.
It's time for God's people to pursue the consecration of our lives in the moment by moment experience of it. The process is not a heavy burden but a reviving discipline and joyous adventure. We discover the expected comfort promised to those blessed ones in Matthew 5:4 who mourn their sin. We look forward to the peace and rejoicing of eternity in heaven. God is good!
I pray that this glimpse will cause you, as it has me, to commit yourself more fully to personal holiness while we rest in the sovereign providence of our heavenly Father.
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