Conversations on Islam

This evening I noticed my neighbor coming home after being gone a few days. She was returning from the hospital after having a baby. She invited me to come inside with her. We had conversed a few times in the past, but never actually sat down and talked. I accepted her invitation and joined her inside. Her mom was with her and they offered me tea and we talked about the baby. My neighbor is originally from Jordan and a devout Muslim. The mother mentioned to me that Friday is the beginning of their holiday. She explained it is similar in ways to Christmas for those of us who believe in Jesus. Her English is not fluent so she was having a hard time explaining it to me. 

My neighbor's father also came over while I was there. Within two minutes of him sitting down with us he began a conversation with me regarding Christianity and Islam. He explained to me his beliefs on Jesus and the Bible we follow and how the Quran holds many scientific facts. He detailed several things listed there that have been proven in science over the last 50 years. I can't say I debated with him, but I listened to him intently and did ask several questions in response based on what I felt the Holy Spirit was prompting me to say. And believe me, I was definitely praying for Him to lead me in everything I said! 

There are several statements the father made during our conversation that I found interesting. He explained to me how Muhammad came after Jesus and Muslims believe in Jesus also. He said the best part of it is because they believe in both, even if Islam is wrong, then they are still okay because they believe in both Muhammad and Jesus. However, if Christians are wrong, then we are not going to heaven because we reject Muhammad. When he explained this he was almost laughing as if to imply they are wise in their choice of embracing both "prophets." 

Another "point" he made was the Bible we read is not the real Bible. He claims there is a true hidden Bible in which Jesus states there will be another prophet after Him. However, the "leaders" of the time wanted this book hidden so as to not divert the strength of Christianity. He believes Jesus did not die on the cross, but was simply taken up to heaven. 

I find it interesting that I wrote yesterday regarding arguing the wisdom of the world against the "foolishness" of Christ. I truly believe these verses were given to me to prepare me for this encounter tonight. There were many scriptures I could have chosen to argue the statements he was making, however at the time I simply felt God leading me to listen. There were several questions I asked him that he was unable to answer. I asked him if Jesus did not really die and was not truly who He claimed to be, then why were all his followers and disciples willing to continue preaching His story even at the risk and often result of death. He stuttered as he answered it was because they believed in Jesus. He did not really answer the question. 

He also referred to the Muslim leaders we see on television and in the news currently. He said they are not true Muslims, but only claim to be Muslim because that is how they were raised based on the culture of where they live. In the same way our Christian leaders are not true Christians. In his opinion, the real war is not between Muslims and Christians, but between the leaders and the true believers of both religions. He stated the true Christian leaders are the ones you don't see. The ones who are Christian in name only and not their actions are given an elevated status and accepted more readily because they pose no threat. In his own words, a Muslim stated..."A true Christian is a threat to our religion, but most Christians do not really live what they believe so they don't threaten anyone." His statement was not meant in regards to a physical threat, but regarding a threat to changing someone's belief in Muhammad and accepting of Jesus Christ as the son of God. 

Friends, it is moments like these when we MUST know what our Bible says! If there is anything I learned through this exchange it is the importance of knowing why we believe what we believe and how to defend our faith. In our defending, we must be in tune with the Holy Spirit regarding not only what we should say, but also what we should not say. The biggest take away for me was how this man was very bold, with NO hesitation in explaining his faith. How many Christians are hesitant to discuss their faith? This man stated Islam is the fastest growing religion in America. He said it is not because they evangelize in the way of Christians, but because people are searching, reading the Quran, and realizing it "makes sense." This is a direct result of what I wrote yesterday regarding our attempts at understanding God through our human logic. If people are searching, are we giving them the real Jesus? Are we living out what we claim to believe? Are we showing love while being bold in our witness? Or are we so concerned with not being "offensive" that we are willing to let those around us perish in hell for eternity? Are we more in tune with being "relevant" to our culture than we are being obedient in following the true word of God?

"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."  John 14:6

Call Me Foolish

I want to pick up today with where I left off yesterday in 1 Corinthians.

"For to those who are perishing the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is God's power. For it is written:

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts. 

Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn't God made the world's wisdom foolish? For since, in God's wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God's power and God's wisdom, because God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength." vs. 18-25

What immediately comes to mind upon reading these verses is how often we attempt to reason the gospel to those who do not believe. In fact, I've known many atheists and agnostics who feel the way they do because they are attempting to understand Christianity through wisdom and they have never experienced the power of the cross. The reality is many Christians operate in their own wisdom as well. This is the reason why too many Christians live in the same way as the world. If we only have a head revelation of Jesus without ever having a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit, then we miss the one thing that will lead to true change in ourselves and in our lives. 

Our belief in the risen Savior is foolishness to the world. When we live by biblical values, we are called judgmental and old-fashioned. Living for a higher calling beyond whatever makes us happy is foolishness to the world. It is through foolishness to the world that we are saved. The disciples lived lives that seemed foolish to those living around them. To hear Jesus say, "Follow me" and immediately drop your fishing nets and never look back is complete foolishness! 

The verses here explain those in the world will stumble over our beliefs, yet when they are called and experience God's power they too can become as foolish as us! These verses give me so much encouragement in the face of persecution for my faith in Christ. Paul eloquently reminds us true wisdom is from God and His strength always defeats human strength. When I am weak in my flesh, His spirit makes me strong. When my human mind reaches its limits, His knowledge shows me new direction. 

Do you struggle with "understanding" God? My prayer for you today is to move outside of your earthly, human wisdom in regards to God and His word. I pray you experience a new and completely foolish level of wisdom in your life! I assure you when this starts to happen, you will begin to live life in a new way. You will have people, even other believers, begin to question your sanity. When that happens, hold fast to the word of God and let me be the first to welcome you to the "family!" 

Biblical Lessons on Division

Today I want to share with you some thoughts I had while reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

"Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.  For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there is rivalry among you.  What I am saying is this: Each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,”or “I’m with Christ.”  Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say you were baptized in my name. I did, in fact, baptize the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t know if I baptized anyone else. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to evangelize—not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect." 

Based on the current divisions within the church body, I would say Paul's words were not heeded as time passed. Perhaps the church in Corinth heeded them, but how quickly we disregarded them. There are so many things we allow to divide us within the body of Christ. Looking at the modern day church, it is apparent the spirit of division seen in Corinth is alive and well. 

Think about how often you have met someone who is a Christian and one of the first questions asked is where you attend church. Perhaps you ask this question yourself. Perhaps you have had people talk about a certain church or domination in a negative way. According to Paul we must all remember we are united "with the same understand and the same conviction." Do you associate yourself more with your church name or image than you associate yourself with the body of Christ as a whole? Can you fellowship with believers who attend a different church than you? Do you feel prideful regarding your home church when comparing to other churches? Is there boasting regarding how big the video screens are or is there boasting in how Christ is moving within the body there and the lives that are being changed? 

Let us not overlook the last line of the above verse. Paul wrote he was not sent "to baptize, but to evangelize--not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect." Paul is saying a gifting of clever words is emptying the power of the cross. This is evident by the number of churches headed by pastors with the gift of clever stories and anecdotes and a lack of churches with leaders who may not be as eloquent, but preach the power of the cross of Christ. Where has the power gone in our churches? Where are the miracles happening? I believe they are happening where the unfiltered word of God is preached. 

My prayer for each of you is to evaluate your own opinions towards other churches and believers who attend a different church or denomination. If there are prejudices that exist, I pray they are revealed in your heart and healing can begin. I also pray you would evaluate the reasons why these prejudices exist. Do you attend a church that frequently jokes about other church denominations? Does the leadership within your church discourage you from participating in fellowship with believers outside of your church? Pray about how to proceed if any of these apply to where you attend church. 

We will continue in 1 Corinthians tomorrow. 

Unity

"I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. There is one body and one Spirit, just are you were called to one hope at your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:1-6

One of the most beautiful aspects of the bible to me is that most of it is written to believers. As I read these verses tonight I thought of how appropriate these words are today to those of us who claim a relationship with Jesus Christ. Each of us have a calling from God. When we begin walking in that calling it can be easy to become self-righteous and impatient with others. When we reach new levels of revelation with God it can be easy to look at others who have not reached the same levels and judge them for where they are in their walk. We are told in these verses to walk in our calling with humility and gentleness. 

It has been my experience that some of my harshest, most hurtful critics have come from within the body of believers. Those who should have extended love and been the most accepting were the very ones who formed "cliques" and excluded those who did not fit their standards of cool. Whenever we accept or reject other believers we are working against unity within the body. We are commanded here, as well as in other scriptures, to do all we can to live in peace with other believers. Unity is not hard to achieve when we are living in humility, gentleness, and patience. These do not come about by accident. The verse above shares how we are to be diligent in keeping the unity of the Spirit. It is only through the grace of the Holy Spirit that we can live in true unity with others. 

When we keep in mind that we are all serving the same God it is easy to lay aside our own personal agendas. So often I have seen disunity come about as the result of believers focusing on their goal or vision, while neglecting the true vision of God. If our goal is each to witness to others with the love of Christ, then no personal agenda should ever take precedence to that. No fancy leadership titles or positions of spiritual authority should separate us from the calling of someone who has just recently been saved. Again, we are all serving the same God. 

My prayer for each of you today is that you would experience in infilling in your spirit of humility, gentleness, and patience. If there are areas of disunity in your life, I pray for the strength to diligently renew those relationships. Remember, we are all serving the same Lord according to each of our callings. 

Not Our Battle

I was reading last night In 2 Chronicles 20 about King Jehoshaphat's actions when faced with an upcoming battle. There are several things that happened that stood out to me. The King was afraid. His first action when faced with an upcoming challenge was to seek the Lord and to fast. The fast was not only for himself, but for all of Judah and even the surrounding cities. Jehoshaphat realized the battle was not his alone to fight. So often when facing a challenge, we enter in without seeking God or sharing with those who are willing to go into battle with us. 

Jehoshaphat stood before those gathered and prayed: 

“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’
“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:6-12

Notice when he begins his prayer he does not immediately launch into sharing the needs of his people. He begins by acknowledging God and who God is and all He does. I feel he was not reminding God of His previous accomplishments, but reminding himself and those listening to his prayer. We need to do the same thing when experiencing a time of anxiety. Think back over the times in your life you have seen God move and list them as a reminder to all He has done already. Just like Jehoshaphat, humble yourself enough to admit you "do not know what to do," but your eyes are on Him.

The next scriptures give us the details of those gathered. All of Judah, including their wives and children, were within hearing. The Spirit of God spoke through Jahaziel saying, “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (vs 15-17)

This is a great reminder to all of us to remember that the battles are not ours, but the Lords. We can often become so focused on the trial that we rely on our own strength and willpower in order to win the fight. In response to this word from God, the people did not boast. They did not celebrate in knowing God was on their side. Verse 18 tells us, "Jehoshaphat bowed with is face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him. The Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting in a loud voice." Even as they were going into battle there were people appointed specifically for singing for God and some to praise His holiness! They sang "Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever." 

What might happen if we faced our battles in a similar fashion? What if instead of whining and complaining about our circumstances we bowed to God and sang songs of praise? What if our trust was fully in God rather than in our own abilities? In this story of scripture those coming to battle against Jehoshaphat turned against each other and the plunder was more than the people could even carry! God not only made them victorious, but sent them home "richer" than they were before the battle! 

How will you fight your next battle?

Plant Wisely

The last few days I have been thinking often about the power of our words. Not only how our own words affect us, but also how the words of others can impact our lives. I posted on Facebook a few days ago a status of "don't plant seeds you aren't ready to harvest." It should not have been a surprise when yesterday my pastor preached on the power of the tongue and also stated how a seed is anything that has potential. We often hear the word "seed" used in church and equate it with being financial seed. However, our words are also seeds. 

Every time we speak, we are releasing seeds into the atmosphere. Our hearts and minds are the soil in which these seeds can plant. We can also receive the words of others into our lives as well. This is why it is so imperative we guard our conversations. Many things said in a joking or playful manner can take root and being to sprout into real thoughts. This is why if you are married you should never even mention the word divorce. The thought can begin to take root and spread. Another example is in being careful where we place our hearts and trust as single women. Conversations can lead in various directions. We are to guard our tongue against lustful speech as this can lead us to falling into temptation if the opportunity presents itself. We must also guard ourselves against conversations with men regarding marriage and a future if both parties involved are not actually at a place where they are willing to pursue those futures. This is what I mean by planting seeds we are not ready to harvest. 

We can say things without realizing the full impact our words can have on others. For those of you with children, thing of times you have told your children you would do something, but then had to change your plans. Have you seen the disappointment on their faces? The same thing can happen to us as adults, but we usually hide our reactions better than children. 

We can change the whole direction of our lives by learning to guard the words we speak. This is not a new revelation, but something God has been showing us for thousands of years! 

"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.  Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.  Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.  But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." James 3:1-12

We cannot expect great things in our life if all we speak is negative. If we enter into relationships speaking of the other person hurting us or leaving us just like all the rest, then we are speaking death into a situation before it even begins. In our jobs we can speak death or life over a promotion or raise. Remember, fresh and bitter water cannot come from the same opening. Are your words those of sweetness or words of bitterness? What are you releasing into your life and the lives of those around you through your words? 

Choose wisely your words today because they become the reality of your tomorrow.

Thinking Right

I'm willing to guess if I had the opportunity to sit down with each of you I would hear life stories that vary in ways, and yet share similarities. Many of us have things that have happened in our past that are less than pleasant stories. Some of us may be living in the middle of our pain and tragedy at this moment. No matter what has happened to us or how life has beaten us up, we have the choice on which things we will choose to focus our attention. 

If you have been the victim of abuse at some point in your life you have the option to remain in that moment or forgive your offender and trust God to heal your pain. Perhaps you have lost loved ones at an early age. You can concentrate on the pain of that loss or thank God for the time you had together. Circumstances in your life may not be what you would want them to be at this time. Each of us have the option to focus on what is wrong or to maintain our eyes on all that is right. 

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

This is why it is so important to be aware of the influences around us. Do the television programs you watch help you to maintain a pure thought life. How about the music you play? Are your friendships ones that help you maintain your marriage or do they speak negatively regarding your spouse? Do you rehearse every hurt and argument or do you reminisce on everything they have done right and with love? 

I have found when I can get my thought life in order, my attitude follows. If I surround myself with negativity, then I will become negative. However, if I am maintaining my walk with God through worship, reading His word, and spending quiet time with Him, then my attitude becomes evident of peace, joy, and love. If you struggle in these areas, try posting scriptures around your house in places you know you will read them throughout the day. Have cd's of sermons in your car and instead of listening to the radio, listen to the cd's. Turn off the television at night and read your bible instead. You will be amazed at how quickly things begin to change in your life! The outside circumstances may not change, but your heart and mind will shift!

Beautiful Endings

Endings in our lives can be some of the most painful times to walk through. When it is the ending of a relationship we mourn the years spent with the person and also the loss of the dreams we had with them for the future. Through death we grieve the loss of the person and what they meant to us. Losing a job can leave us anxious for our provision. Leaving a church often reveals to us the people who are truly our friends and those who are friends of "convenience." There are many different endings we have to experience throughout our lives. 

As I am thinking on this subject this morning, the last words of Jesus on the cross come to mind. "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." John 19:30. This must be one of the greatest and most painful endings imaginable for all those who knew Him. His followers believed Him to be the King who was going to free them and save them from the lives they knew. Jesus made references during His life of His return, yet to those there on that day, how must they have felt upon hearing Him say "it is finished?"  This ending was absolutely necessary in order for Jesus to fulfill the scriptures. This ending had to happen in order for God to show His true glory. The same is true in our lives. 

The relationship that ended could be God saving you from future heartache. Perhaps it is because the person you were with was not the one God has chosen for you (Please note I'm referencing a dating relationship here, not marriage.) If we are tied to the wrong person, God cannot bring us the right one. The death of a loved one is painful to us, however if they are a believer in Christ it is the beginning of their time in Jesus' presence. The loss of that job could be because God wants to move you into a new career field. Losing those you previously considered your church family could be because God wants to reveal their true motives and bring you into true community with other believers. 

Without the death of one season, a new one cannot begin. Jesus could not be resurrected from death had He not died first. Notice the death of Jesus was a very public one. This was so everyone could witness the finality of His humanly existence. Sometimes the ending in our lives must be public also. This is so those watching can witness the resurrections we experience and see God working through ALL things! Never be ashamed of your endings. Use them to show God's power! If you are in your "tomb" time, hang in there! Even Jesus had to go into hell before ascending into heaven. 

Don't Miss the Point

Last night I attended an event for teens at the main campus of my church in South Carolina. I drove my daughter and three other teens down for this event. The main message of the pastor's message to the teens was to not miss the point of being a Christian. He shared an experience he had while speaking to a Christian club at a local high school. The meeting was at 7:30 in the morning on a Thursday and when he entered there were about 70 teens gathered. One "cool" guy was playing the guitar as everyone was worshiping. The pastor sat and observed the students interacting. He noticed one "nerdy" guy in the corner and watched as several times he attempted to insert himself into the crowd. Each time he was brushed off and pushed aside. He spent the rest of the time alone on the side. The point was how these students were so proud of themselves for getting up and early and gathering to show their love of Jesus. However, they failed to show the love of Jesus to another student. 

How often do we do this exact same thing? Do we take the time to notice those around us? Do we make eye contact with our cashiers? I have a major pet peeve with people who talk on their cell phones while checking out at a store. If you do this, then no I'm not sorry if I offend you. If I'm on the phone in a store I will ask the person I'm speaking with to hold while I purchase my items. A transaction usually only takes a few seconds. What if the person checking us out has not had anyone smile at them all day? What if your friendliness could be the bright point of their day? How about when you are at home and your children are asking for a few minutes of your attention? We can become so focused on our agendas, schedules, and plans that we miss out on the needs immediately in front of us. 

Jesus was always willing to be interrupted. There are several examples in scripture to show His countenance upon interruptions. In Mark 5 we find the story of Jesus traveling to Jairus's house to heal his sick daughter. As He is walking, the woman with the issue of blood touches Jesus, interrupting His travels. 

"Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:25-34

Notice Jesus was not mad at her interruption. In fact, Jesus could have continued walking without acknowledging what happened. Nobody else knew she had touched Him and been healed. She could have gone on her way and told others how she was healed. Yet, Jesus stopped to talk to her. Think about this....she had been sick with her issue for 12 years. Surely those following Jesus knew her and knew of her sickness. It is likely many of them had ostracized her from their circle of friends. What must their have reactions been upon seeing Jesus speaking to her? 

Jesus didn't care what others thought of him interacting with those who have been outcast from society! Do we care? Do we choose who we show love and concern to out of fear of what others will think of us for associating with the "least of these?" Or do we miss the point? If we only show love to those who are easy to love, then we are not living out the love of Jesus. If we only accept the "cool" kids into our circle and reject those who are not like us, then we are missing the point. I find I am guilty of this myself. I don't want to have any interaction with someone and they not leave me better for the experience. It could be something as simple as smiling at a stranger to taking a meal to a friend in need. 

I want to be interruptable!