Tag: Spiritual Warfare

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Message About the U.S. Election from Pastor Jason Cook

Many of us took up our American freedom and cast our ballots this week. That vote is in and our new president is Donald Trump. Mercifully, we do not have to wait days, weeks, or months to know this with certainty. The question of who will be our next President has been answered.

However three questions loom large for us as a church: Who are we? What is our Kingdom calling? How should we live?

The Church is the bride of Christ and functions as an outpost of heaven — a counter-cultural Kingdom colony. We are more than a collection of individuals; we are a family and holy ground that anticipates heaven. Fellowship is that and more.

We are an inter-cultural, inter-generational, and inter-ideological holy remnant who does not bow the knee to a world leader or power. We venerate and worship the Christ who has saved us and is our King. We are those who belong to God and have a Kingdom calling to worship God and care deeply for our neighbors.

Our identity as children of God is cast in stone — won by the body, blood, and resurrection of Jesus. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. We have been called to make disciples of all ethnicities, languages, countries, ideologies, and political affiliations. We do so gladly and joyfully! Now that the election is behind us one question remains: How should we live? [Let’s focus on today, because tomorrow has troubles of its own.] Today, feel your feelings. Whether exultant or discouraged we are humans who should make space and time to feel what we feel.

But let’s agree to not stay there. We have too much work to do. We must not remain in despair or live in discouragement for the future because of the outcome of the election. Nor should we gloat or strut because our team won. If you’re sad, be sad. If you’re excited, be excited! Feel your feelings. Feel them deeply. But don’t make how you feel today your emotional home.

How then shall we live as a people? We live with Trust and Hope.

Considering the range of emotion within our church it would be wise for each of us to choose to trust and hope.

Trust in the God who commands all things under his power and is near to us at every moment. Trust that God truly is working all things out for the good of those who love him—including who is elected to office. And we must hope. Hope that God will continue to restrain sin and its effects across the world. Hope that the Kingdom of God still marches on to its inevitable end. Hope that we will one day be with Jesus.

And hope that Jesus will arrive in the sky and bring us home. A church that trusts God’s deep involvement in our lives and is willing to courageously hope is a church that lives well. We must continue to preach and live out the gospel. We must continue to hope in the resurrection. We continue to love our neighbors and invest in the world around us. Fellowship, this is our moment. Now is Our time.

We should remember the instruction of Romans 12:14-18:

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

If you are rejoicing today, rejoice! If you are sad today, be sad. Feel your feelings. AND fix your mind and heart on Jesus.

Fellowship, Now is our time. Today and each day ahead we can do something that rarely happens at churches across our nation: We can create space for each of us to feel deeply AND choose to live at peace with one another. We were built for this. We were made for this moment. God has constructed our inter-generational and inter-cultural fellowship to not only endure such a time but thrive through it.

There is, perhaps, no other church more battle tested and ready for the days ahead. Now is our time. This is our moment to be the people God has called us to be. This is the appointed time for us to live into our Kingdom calling. We were made for this moment!

How then shall we live? We live unto God so that Everyone Everywhere Experiences Jesus! Friends, we have work to do. As the church we press on toward the upward call in Christ Jesus. We press on in prayer. We press on in hope. We press on in trust. We press on until what is happening in the throne room of God (at this moment!) is also happening at Fellowship, in our communities, in our homes, and in us: As it is on earth as it is in heaven.

Let’s continue our work together until Everyone, Everywhere Experiences Jesus. Our purpose matters. You matter. We matter. Regardless of how you voted, how you feel today, or your hopes about the future of our nation one thing remains true: You Belong Here!

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Pick a Fight

Fight the Good FIghtPick a fight, really? I was reading Regi Campell’s book Radical Wisdom, and he talked about picking a fight. In it, he said, “It is one thing to defend ourselves when we are attacked. Most people will do that out of necessity. It is another to go pick a fight on behalf of someone or something.” He says, “It is a clue as to why Christians are so passive- they haven’t picked a fight. They’re just sitting in Church learning more stuff. They’re useless… as Jesus said, ‘like salt that’s lost its savor.'”

Isaiah 42:13, “The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.”

Behind my desk, and always within my sight, is a wooden statue of Don Quixote. It has been with me since I first read Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s novel in High School. When the Broadway musical Man of La Mancha came out, I loved it. This line in the song “The Impossible Dream” defines me, “And the world will be better for this, that one man, scorned and covered with scars, still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star.”

Two critical images came to mind when reading this passage by Regi; the first is that Regi still speaks to me beyond the grave, and second, this is the hole in my heart that God has been trying to fill since my creation.

Deciding to Fight

1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of the faith.”

As humans, it is easy to become defensive. Some of us are extroverts and can’t hold back, while others are introverts, allowing it to fester within. Neither of those choices is particularly the correct answer. We become defensive when we perceive our territory is under attack. Fight or flight kicks in when another is maligning something personal to us, and we mobilize.

Regi and Don Quixote make the point that there are issues out there that require our defense. God did not create us to let the fight come to us. He created us to take the fight to the enemy. It is about taking territory for Christ. Very seldom is that standing nose-to-nose and fighting until the last one standing. Mostly, it is about being obedient to God’s call.

Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

National Guard

I think of it as God’s National Guard. It is a voluntary organization comprised of like-minded people who freely give their time to prepare for war or disaster. When the time comes for action, they follow orders and enter the fray. They use all their previous training to overcome a wrong or defend others. In this case, we are to defend the underserved from the evil that has existed in the world since the fall.

“If we don’t stand for something, we’ll fall for anything.” – various sources.

Psalm 18:39, “For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.”

Each of us should define our field of battle. It can be homelessness, fatherlessness, loneliness, human trafficking, hunger, medical assistance, education, employment, or anything else. The person God created you to be has the skills and resources to enter the fight against something. We will never know what we are made of or made for until we pick a fight.

A fight musters resources, pumps adrenaline, creates urgency, and clarifies calling. Big fights force you to create alliances. It requires us to attack and defend, always keeping an eye on our adversary. Guess what? God is a master at this. He will ensure you have the resources you need to advance His kingdom. You’ll never fight alone as long as you do God’s will.

Luke 10:19, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”

The fight is not ours to win; it is ours to participate in. God, and only God, has the resources to overcome.

Echoes of War

Earlier, I mentioned that I realized that Regi was still talking to me from the grave. His voice echoes long after his passing. The fight he chose goes on even when he is not here. We each have that potential. Most of us either don’t believe it or choose to ignore it. Pick a fight. Make your moment count. Somewhere, sometime, someone will hear the echo of your existence.

Deuteronomy 20:4, “For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

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The Scene of the Crime is in Your Mind

Mind in BondageThe scene of the crime is in your mind. What misdeed we discuss doesn’t matter; human behavior starts with a thought. Given the fertilizer of attention, that thought grows into a preoccupation, which in turn bears fruit.

Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

“By the Grace of God, we are highly favored. His Grace is bigger than what our minds can ever comprehend.” – Gift Gugu Mona, Daily Quotes about God: 365 Days of Heavenly Inspiration

Behavior

Behavior is an intricate reflection of the mind’s inner workings; every action we take, whether consciously or unconsciously, originates in the vast landscape of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs that reside within us. In this sense, the “scene of the crime”—whether noble or destructive—occurs in the mind long before it manifests outwardly.

Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Our thoughts act as the architects of behavior. A single thought, however fleeting, can lead to a cascade of actions that ripple through our lives. When negativity takes root, it can distort our perceptions, fostering actions we may later regret.

Romans 12:16, “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”

But the mind is also the birthplace of acts of kindness, empathy, and courage, beginning with recognizing that God first loved us. When we choose to foster thoughts of compassion, we align our actions with values first demonstrated by Christ.

The mind is the battlefield where good and evil forces wage war. To change our behavior, we must first build a fortress of sound theology. Upon this foundation, we can build on the hope and joy God has promised us.

The Mind Battle

The human mind is a complex and mysterious place where the forces of good and evil clash daily. This internal struggle is universal, transcending culture, time, and place. It is the essence of what it means to be human, and it often defines the choices we make and the paths we walk in life.

Philippians 2:2, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

Good and evil are forces that are not external agents acting upon us but internal impulses that we navigate within ourselves. They are the by-product of a fallen world. Every thought, emotion, and decision is part of this ongoing battle. On one side, spiritual qualities such as kindness, empathy, compassion, and honesty are the fruits of goodness. It is that which we do to glorify Christ.

Conversely, evil manifests as selfishness, anger, greed, and deceit. It is an action opposed to Christ. It tempts us to act in ways that harm others or serve only our immediate desires.

This battle is not always clear-cut. The mind is a place of nuance, and good and evil often intermingle in complex ways. Satan is the master of the half-truth. Positive behavior centered around selfishness is more harmful than painful actions done with compassion.

Mind Over Matter

At the heart of this battle is the concept of choice. We are powerless in and of ourselves to conquer evil. It is only Christ that can give us this power. Our thoughts and actions shape our daily choices—whether to react with patience or anger, help someone in need, or turn away. This constant decision-making must be grounded in scripture.

Romans 15:6, “So that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ultimately, the struggle between good and evil is not about achieving perfection but striving to be more like Jesus. It reminds us that we are responsible for our actions; despite the challenges, we have the power, through Christ, to choose the light over the darkness.

Thus, the saying holds: crime and redemption begin in the mind.

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

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2021 – Bringing Peace to Conflict

Ephesians 4: 29-32, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

THE PROBLEM

This last year has been a year in which people seem to have lost the ability to have a civil conversation with those with whom they disagree. We have become a culture in which saying what is on our mind is more important than understanding why others think differently. Our culture is starting to take this divisiveness to a new level; it has become visceral for some. It is no longer a philosophical difference; it has taken on a emotional repulsion that others would dare think the way they do. We have lost our guiding light.

Judges 21:28, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

In Ephesians, Paul points out that we sometimes forget that in everything we do, do it as if we were talking directly to God. When our emotions start to take over our common sense and our brain disconnects from our mouth, would we dare speak to God how we are talking to each other?

Ephesians 6:6-7, “And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men” 

There is a lot of craziness going around. Some of the ideas are unbelievable. Christians, which should be looking to Christ first, are now following their favorite Social Media Influencer. Years ago, we used to laugh at the comment “If it is on the internet it must be true.” It was a joke. There are now people who believe if their favorite internet personality said something, that person exhaustively researched it, and facts back it up. Most of the time, these influencers are doing nothing more than feeding their followers. Growing followers is how they make money. The more controversy they stimulate, the more advertising dollars they earn. Loyal followers are their cash cows. They engage their audience emotionally first, intellectually second. If I can hook you emotionally, you are less likely to question my intellectual logic; you want my argument to be valid.

APPROACHING OTHERS

Galatians 5:22-23, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

As a Christian, who should always speak the truth, how do I approach these discussions? First of all, what you say or do reflects who you are, not who they are. They can be as crazy as they like, but you must stay true to your beliefs. It is having that level of integrity that will ultimately win the day. We are responsible for our actions, not the actions of others. So, I would suggest you approach this delicately. Try to avoid flashpoints that will ramp up emotions. Try not to challenge their beliefs, but ground your comments on spiritual truth. Never make the conversation a personal attack.

Proverbs 11:3, ” The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

We should have a grace like rain falling from an empty sky on a hot summer day; unexpected and refreshing.

Ephesians 4: 2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

I have to be honest with you; I find most of these conversations to have no earthly or spiritual value. Someone is either proposing a future action that they have little, if any, control over or speculating on a past story that cannot be proven; It is an opinion, nothing more. God will lead the outcome regardless of our opinion. At the end of the day, what you or I think of the future has little actual meaning. God knows the future; we do not.

Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We should approach these conversations with compassion. Take a deep breath and ask yourself, what is God’s play in all of this? Will this conversation bring both parties closer to or farther away from God? Other than the sinful by-products like anger, bitterness, or rage, how does this discussion impact their salvation? Most do not. The real risk is in the sinful by-products. Those are the sins that will make it harder to have a genuine relationship with God. Those are the sins we should help avoid.

APPROACHING OURSELVES

Although I firmly believe that we have an obligation to others to help ramp down the level of angry discourse, I also think that we need to look inward. How many times are we emotionally hijacked by what someone else believes? How many times do we walk away from a conversation angry or upset? How long does that conversation echo through your brain until it starts to affect other conversations you have that day?

Ephesians 4:14, “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.”

The foundation of all thought must be a faith that God uses all things for His good. That we can have peace in all situations because God is in control. God’s plan may not be our plan, His plan is better than our plan. I may believe that something is evil and should never be allowed to exist. Its very existence upsets me. God knows this and has a plan to deal with it; His timing may not be our timing. His actions may not be our actions. But God will prevail.

Don’t let other people write your narrative. Remember who you signed up to serve.

2 Timothy 2:4 “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”

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When…If…Then

“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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:13-14

2020 has been a very tough year. I hear competing ideas and philosophies about why this has happened. It covers everything from we live in a fallen world to God’s judgment for evil people.  I know I am not smart enough to answer that question. But I am smart enough to question what it means to me and what God wants me to do about it. 2 Chronicles guides me. It does not explain why, but it does explain what. Executing “the what” opens my eyes to the love God has put all around me.

WHEN

“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.”

We have had to deal with a worldwide pandemic, social unrest, economic upheaval, and an extremely vitriol election. If this isn’t modern-day locust, drought, and plague, it is as close as I have seen during my time on this earth. I don’t know the why of this, but scripture tells me what. We are in the situation we are in for reasons only God may fully understand, and God will use it. If….

IF

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways.”

The first and most important clue is “my people, who are called by my name.” Our worldly problems are not about a political ideology, political parties, government legalism, social movement, or any other earthly pursuit; it is not a third-party issue. It falls in the lap of believers. God says the solution is not in the hands of others; it in the hands of people who call themselves Christians. The first step after the when is to recognize that the solution starts and ends with believers acting like believers. But there are conditions.

1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

HUMBLE THEMSELVES

Step back for worldly issues. Set aside temporal bias and wants. Get on your knees and let God know that you are pushing those issues behind you and only seeking His will. Acknowledge that you have let the world creep in between you and Him. Let Him know you were wrong, the only real guide is the Messiah. You allowed the worries of the world to distract you from your mission.

Titus 2:12, “Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”

PRAY

Now speak to Him. Acknowledge your weaknesses and your desire to be back in harmony with Him. Ask that He will do His will in your life and this country and this world. The Bible says we have not because we do not ask. It also states that He will answer all prayers that are in accordance with His will. Prayer is the beginning of all healing.

Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

SEEK MY FACE

We need to prioritize the information that enters our brain. God made an incredibly complex computer between our ears. But like all computers, it is garbage in garbage out. If you continue to fill your brain with worthless or even harmful information, you will find it increasingly difficult to communion with God.

In all things, seek first the Kingdom of Heaven. Perform every interaction as if it was being performed in front of God. Consume every conversation, every video, every book or article as if you were on God’s knee. Do not think you can hide your distractions in the closet to be brought out when God is not looking.

Deuteronomy 4:29, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS

Change is the indication of repentance. It is easy to say you are sorry; it is easy to be remorseful of your actions or fearful of the repercussions. It is challenging to modify your behavior to minimize the chance of falling back into old ways. You have to break the habits that created the problem. God knows we will never be perfect this side of Heaven, but He expects us to try. He will continue to forgive our earnest failures.

Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

THEN

“then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Here is the excellent part. Our God is a God of love and redemption. He is a God who wants us to bask in the radiant splendor and warmth of His compassion. God does not want us to fall or fail. If we accept that it is us, the body of His Church, that have failed this nation and this world, then He will heal the land.

1 Corinthians 2:9, “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”

The non-believers are lost in a world they do not understand. They are part of the problem, but only because they do not understand. How can they learn, but that we would teach them? If we commit to doing our part, He will do these three things:

HEAR FROM HEAVEN

He will hear our prayers. Without repentance and change, we build a wall between God and us that hampers our prayers. The roar of our pain becomes a whisper. Once we repent and turn, all the white noise goes away, and our voice becomes loud and clear.

John 9:31, “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.”

FORGIVE THEIR SIN

Forgiveness of sin is so much better than relief from worldly troubles. Sin separates us from God for eternity. Earthly pain lasts just a short time. We live in this world, and we have to deal with what it throws at us. Many of those moments can be extremely painful. But that pain is nothing compared to an eternity separated from God.

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

HEAL THEIR LAND

Now God heals the world around us. We are right with Him, which is His priority. We will never see the end of world hunger, social injustice, or disease on this side of Heaven, but we can find peace. God will raise Godly leaders; He will dampen our sorrows and lighten our loads.

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

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Root Cause

The root cause of every sin and conflict in our lives is spiritual warfare. Whenever I feel envy or jealousy, it is because I have forgotten that God made me in His image. Whenever I feel lost or abandoned, I have forgotten that all things work for God’s good. Whenever I feel fear or anxiety, I have forgotten that God has a plan for me to prosper, not destroy.

Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

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.”

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

In the middle of the battle, it is easy to lose sight of the enemy. The struggle becomes about preservation and protection; we lose sight of the victory. We fight to survive; we fight for the right to exist and continue; we lose sight for whom and what we are fighting.

When we have lost our job, we focus on paying bills and feeding our family and ourselves. When we lose a loved one or suffer through debilitating pain, we focus on relief and comfort. When someone betrays us for another, or we get passed over for a promotion, we want confirmation of our self-worth. We become focused on the short term, not eternity; this is human nature. It is the way of the world. It is who we became after the fall.

Getting a quick new job or a new love may bring immediate comfort , but it also might not be the the right solution. In the long run is can mask the underlying problem that will soon come back. It is a placebo that mimics relief, only to let you down later.

I would suggest that if we could take a deep breath, step back from the immediate for a second, we might see a bigger plan. We might see the spiritual battle raging around us. We might see the immediate solution does not bring lasting peace; it brings temporary relief. We might see that God can and will use this very moment to enrich our lives beyond our dreams.

John 1:45-46, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Can any good thing come of our despair? Come and see. I don’t want to seem Polly Anna about this; we have worldly needs that we must address. But thinking that addressing only those needs will somehow solve the bigger problem is foolish. The bigger problem, the problem that brings the most distress, is a  lack of faith. The immediate problem needs a resolution, but knowing that God had written your story before you came into existence and He has foreseen this very moment, should bring reassurance, hope for the future and a degree of patience.

Psalm 139:16, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

The outcome may not be what you envisioned. It may not be as timely as you would like. It may not be easy, but it will be best in the long term. The struggle remains a struggle, but it is no longer a fight you fight alone. The closer you are to Christ, the darker the forces against you, the more you need an army to fight beside you.

Joel 2:11, “The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it?”

The next time darkness overcomes you, close your eyes and see His mighty army surrounding you. When jealousy, hate, envy, fear, or anxiety consume your soul, take a minute to close your eyes, and see God’s glory all around you. Take command of all of God’s army with a powerful voice. God knows what we need; he will provide. We must remember that the battle is not a worldly battle over fear or material gain; it is a spiritual battle over our eternal soul.

We are a prize that the Lord will not surrender.

Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

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