Still

. . . and leads me beside still waters. 

 - From The Twenty-Third Psalm

As a child growing up in the Penfield Advent Christian Church, in the 1960s, I became very familiar with Psalm 23. During the regular church service, they would recite it once every week, at the same spot in the service. I think it may have been something that they said, chorally, at the end of the sermon, immediately prior to the closing hymn.

It was like The Lord's Prayer. We said it every week, as a congregation. That way, they had a pinnacle-type passage that became memorized, and stated in unison, from both the Old and New Testaments. 

This was a calming, re-assuring practice. Psalm 23 rejoices. It builds. It inspires. The Lord's Prayer surrenders. It does something with our troubles, by handing them off to the Lord. 

What a nice tradition!

I recommend the same practice today, in churches, in homes, and in hearts. Recite the 23rd Psalm. Commit it to memory. Remind yourself of it every day. It covers all the bases. It has an eternal impact.

The world needs more stillness today. It needs love, yes. And it needs peace. But perhaps, before we can have any of that, we need to be still. Our Shepherd, the Lord, leads us beside still waters . . . water that does not threaten us with rushing. Water that doesn't carry us away into dangerous zones. Water that doesn't freeze. Water that does not storm. But rather, water that hydrates us. Water that cools us. 

Still water. 

We need to be still. Right now. Be still and listen. Be still.

Sell

. . . they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need . . . . 

 - From the Second Chapter of Acts

Just yesterday, I reflected on this notion of great wonders and miracles being performed by people that simply believed in Christ. 

Now, it may be stated that the Church needed to have such power backing it, in the early days. It was necessary that it grow, and that it grow, rapidly. The Romans, as well as the local religious leaders in Jerusalem, had what it takes to wipe out the movement before it could get a foothold. The early Church was few in number. It also had this problematic pacifist impulse. It was, literally, a lamb rife for slaughter; and was expected to put up as much of a fight as the typical sheep. 

But here in Acts 2, we have perhaps a key ingredient (several, actually) that must be present if you want to see signs and wonders performed - things like healing the sick, drinking poison, handling snakes . . . bringing the dead to life. 

It may be argued that a growing community of people praying and supporting each other is miracle enough. We should not discount this. Considering the propensity of humanity to operate according to political intrigues, to be self-oriented, to be prone to exhibitionism and voyeurism, to mis-define the concept of "love", etc. . . . it indeed is marvelous for a movement devoted to serving others, to grow. 

The secret to rapid Church growth and the practice of great miracles is listed in Acts 2. And one of the points is that the believers literally went out and sold all of their possessions, and then shared the proceeds with the entire community. Everybody was taken care of. And everybody took care of everybody else. 

In 2023, that means more than just making sure others are fed. You must also house them. You care for them when ill - - - meaning, you do not hide from, nor cover your face while in the presence of, a person that may have an infectious illness. You get them health insurance. You be present for them. You commune with them. You be their friend. 

If we all would do that. Or . . . even if only 10% of us did that . . . I am persuaded that you would see miracles on the order of the first generation Church. 

But who is willing to do that?

Will

And these signs will accompany those who believe . . . 

 - From Mark 16

 Here's a passage of Scripture that is commonly just passed over quietly without discussion. The Lord says, plainly, that them that believe, and preach in His Name, will also perform great signs and wonders. They will handle snakes, drink poison, heal the sick with a touch of the hand. 

There is no gray area here. Jesus says that these things will happen. 

And, well, they do . . . . in remote spots. Like for instance, The House of the Lord Jesus in Squires, West Virginia. The last time I checked, they were still in operation. In their services, the preacher would routinely handle a live copperhead during services. And members would drink strychnine. I don't know about their record in terms of healings. They have a Facebook page, so I think they may still be in business.

But virtually every believer you or I know, would never come close to attempting any of those practices. 

And yet, Jesus said that believers would do these miracles and wonders all the time. All it takes is the belief, and then just doing it. 

Or does it?

When the Adversary tempted Christ, He was rebuked by the Lord: "Thou shalt not tempt God!" In 2023, there would be a certain element of "daring" involved in deliberately forcing these signs and wonders. And where there's a dare, there is the wrong motivation. There is a lack of faith. And then there's the case of the Apostle Thomas - who required a sign or miracle before he would believe that Jesus was alive. It was a lesson on belief, and faith. 

Just believe. Without the signs. 

My go-to explanation for any passage of scripture, asserting that something will happen, that doesn't, is that of course anything God prophesied will indeed happen. It just doesn't happen on our timeline. And if we're looking for it, obsessing over it . . . it most likely will not happen in our timeline. Think about the first generation of Hebrews escaping slavery and leaving Egypt. Except for a couple of exceptions, they did not live to see the Promised Land . . . because of their unfaith, their griping, and their complaining. 

The point is: just go ahead and preach the gospel. Build the Kingdom. God will protect you. You might suffer harm, injury, or even death. God still watches over you. He's got you. And remember that the word "will" is future tense. Have faith! It will happen. All of it!

When we are in the eternal realm, of course we will handle snakes. We might even have them as pets. In eternity, our opened eyes will see a whole of wonders and miracles, things that we thought were impossible. 

It will all happen. 

Eyes Opened

Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him . . . 

 - From Luke 24

Some scriptural passages are just impossible for us to totally get. We may read them over and over in our lives; study them; attend classes about them; hear sermons preached on them; pray for understanding, have life experiences specifically addressing them. 

But while we live on this side of eternity, we can never really, truly understand some things. That's where faith comes in. That's why faith is essential. 

Like the simple statement from Luke. The resurrected Jesus had been walking and talking with two of His disciples all day, one named Cleopas, and the other unnamed. 

Why didn't they recognize Jesus all day? How different does a resurrected person look, from His appearance in mortal life? Was His voice different? Did He have a glow? Did His presence put them at ease? Was He instantly a person they knew they could trust?

First, He was a great listener. He asked them to tell Him what they had been talking about. At the time, their eyes were closed. They could not see Who He was. And so He listened. He did what we all should do when we encounter others. Let them talk first. Let them say their entire piece. Let them finish. Withhold your judgments and comments. Perhaps as they talk, they will talk themselves into whatever viewpoint you can't wait to correct them with. But Jesus listened. 

And then He began to share with them, His perspective. And they listened, because they were done talking. 

Their eyes remained closed. 

Who closes our eyes so? It must be God. For whatever reason, God puts a veil over our eyes at times when we are not ready for the truth. Sometimes He veils the eyes of others, often very smart others, so that they cannot see what we see clearly, for He has uncovered our eyes. It drives us crazy when this happens. How can they be so stupid? But of course, at that point, our faith, and our love has failed us, and arrogance has taken over. 

When we see a thing clearly, we must not assume that others can, likewise. God covers eyes. He does it for His reasons. And it is not for us to question. 

Even today, this morning . . . I must revisit my relationship with an online friend, a fellow believer, a person with Scriptural and chronological authority over me. A person I must respect. We are at a loggerhead and seem totally incapable of seeing a certain issue with anything approaching common ground. Without common ground, common sense becomes elusive. 

I am going to have to just let it go with this guy. Move on. Drop it. As I have said many times in over ten years of blogging: What if they can't? 

For me to force it, when it is impossible for him to see what I do (because God has covered one or both of our sets of eyes), is the opposite of treating him with love. 

Sometimes they just can't.

Genuine Love: Introducing The Lovesters

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love . . . . 

 - From 1 Peter 1

Love is a real Word of the Century so far. People pepper it everywhere - in their expression of devotion to one another, in their definition of marriage, in their policy statements. It's as if, by touting "love" as my goal and motivation, I absolve myself of all the harmful deeds I may commit to others, in pursuit of these aims. 

Love is so vague a concept today, meaning so many different things in so many different contexts to so many different people, that it has come to mean nothing at all. It is a hollow concept, used without any real teeth, in debate and the creation of society's corporate vision. But if I toss "love" into my intercourse with others, I am aiming to make myself immune from logical or ethical attacks. 

I'm a lover, not a fighter. 

But, what if we elevated love to a high pinnacle of human endeavor? What if we let it soar above the clouds, where it belongs? What if it held a position of unattainability to the average human? What if it became an ideal to strive for, and not just a base description of whatever routine activities we're conducting in this moment - to make the mundane holy so that by all means we may all be known as "holy" without even a smidgeon of effort?

Consider the Apostle Peter's characterization of genuine love. Note the three qualities that must be present: 

• Purity
• Obedience
• Truth

In 2023, the people that scream the loudest about "love" and whatever it means to them, are often not the same people advocating for purity of any form. They advocate for attitudes that are anything but obedient (neither to other humans nor to God Almighty). They have even removed the word "obey" from the marital vows, having made it into a bad concept. You also never hear the modern "lovesters" reference the idea of "truth." Truth, to them, is transitory. It's a social construct. It changes all the time. It means different things to different people (but they can become violent if you ever challenge their personal definition of truth).

A society practicing real LOVE can't help but thrive. The pursuit of happiness is easy to them that truly LOVE. Life and Liberty also are automatic, where real love is present. 

Is it love or not? Look at the fruits. And compare the behavior to Peter's description of genuine love. 

Heard

I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication . . . . 

 - From Psalm 116

Godly love is an impossible practice for us. It requires us to put all others ahead of ourselves. It requires that you be all in, for the good of others, when they are present. It requires you to sacrifice everything, in order to serve others. 

You must be a perfect listener, in order to love as God does. 

Godly love is total proactivity. God doesn't love us because of how lovable we are. He loves us because He loved us first. Without even knowing us (although He knows everything) God loves us still. 

But our response to Him may be to love Him. When He loves us - first - it presents itself as a model to us. We had no clue what love even was; but then when God loved us, we understood it right away. Oh, that's love. I see now. 

I tell students all the time: the most difficult skill you may ever learn, is the skill of listening. It's so hard to listen to others. Our heads are full of so much noise. We lack filters that enable us to drop everything else and focus on the person before us. Real listen requires us to actually watch the person talking to us. An eight-year old may say (and they do. All the time) "I can read and listen at the same time." Or, "I can pay attention and listen to my music at the same time." But they can't. These kids, that were born innocent and without any wickedness in them, will stand there and lie to your face. 

Because they'd rather not listen. Because listening is hard. And at the end of the day we don't want to admit it. At the end of the day we want to reframe everything so that we're still not a good listener, but we're good people anyway. 

But without good listening skills, you will never be any good in the practice of love. Real love. 

The 2023 generation injects the word "love" (but not the actual concept of love) into every social issue. "I'm a lover not a fighter." "Summer of love II." "Marry who you love." 

But in arguing their values and political objectives, they fall far short of actually listening to anybody.

And if you want love in the world, you'd better start by improving your listening skills.  

The Gift

. . . you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

 - From The Second Chapter of Acts

When people receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, they often seem to know it.

Some people that have once had this experience, will later on drift away from the faith. But since we're such a feeling-driven species, why would someone do this? Why would you attain such a level of elation once in your life - the kind most people long for but hardly ever experience - and then decide later on it's not for you?

Wouldn't someone that has had a few mind-blowing adventures with LSD continue doing it throughout life, as long as it were legal and not harmful to you physically? Isn't that why virtual reality has such a promising future? Don't we live for great experience that feel good?

Why not stay active in Church, and even accelerate-increase your involvement, in hopes of continually renewing that initial surge of joy and contentment, that accompanies the filling of  the Holy Spirit? Why not just keep doing whatever you have to do, to stay so plugged in to God, the Creator?

The Holy Spirit works miracles, predictably and frequently. Why don't we want more of that?

We go to concerts and sporting events, costing us hundreds of dollars a pop; so that we can ascend to such emotional heights. Why not just get the same, for free, from God's Holy Spirit?

We like receiving gifts. The Holy Spirit is a gift. Is that not quite a handsome present perpetually offered us by the Father?

What's our problem?

In late July of 1980, I was at Camp Texas in Southlake, near Fort Worth. Midway through the week, the Evangelist, Cameron Ainsworth, had an altar call. I moved to the front, with a sense of a physical force pushing, or pulling me forward. I had no idea what I was going to say. But I did say something, and by all accounts it was powerful and effective. The feeling was unlike any other. It was not brought on by booze. It was not a feeling of total nervousness like being in love. It was not a fist-pumper like when your team wins a big rivalry game. 

The Holy Spirit-filling is its own category. There is nothing like it. 

We live for moments like that. Why don't we act like it?