WAKE UP TO THE WAR

"The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of".

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis

 

In my 20’s, I served under a senior pastor who had his share of war stories. Not so much those about church wars, but what it was like to be a boy while WW2 was raging. He would tell of scrap metal drives and victory gardens, of women riveters and uncles coming home permanently dismembered or never coming home at all. What I heard running underneath his accounts was the American mindset of the time: “We were in the war together. We saw ourselves united in the struggle.”

Peacetime came and America entered a season of greater prosperity. Boys came home, houses were built, and babies were born. We’ve had wars since then, but none would come close to spawning the level of national unity America experienced during those years.

As Christians, we often fall prey to the peacetime vs wartime mentality. When things are going well, we may think, “Oh, this is my breakthrough. The battle is over for now.” When unrest comes or a family faces opposition within or without, we think, “I guess we’re in another battle.”

This is a faulty mindset. Truth? We are always in a war. In fact, the battle may be more severe when it seems things are going great. Money in the bank, numbers up, strong friendships, even momentary euphoria--all of these can make you relax and think, “So these are the good days of blessing.”

Someone remarked recently, “Man, it seems like you guys, the leadership, all get along so well. There's a lot of unity and pride doesn’t seem to be a problem.” I told them it was no accident.

It isn’t just that we have a great team of leaders, which I think we do. Nor is it that we don’t have any big egos (which we probably do!). It’s that we get up and fight for what's good. We remind ourselves often that we are in a protracted war. An insidious force is fighting against us every day; unseen spirits, angels led by a dark lord, and a world with its agenda, also in league with my human flesh, are all conspiring against the work of Jesus. These dark powers are cooperating together to destroy unity, to spout constant discouragement, to fight for independence against our great God, and to spread lies about His goodness, faithfulness, and character.

“Sometimes just getting out of bed is a victory.”

When I forget this, I am vulnerable. Every step toward faithfulness is warfare. Sometimes just getting out of bed is a victory. The prayers of the saints in the pre-service intercession on a Sunday morning. The office team prayer at a weekly huddle. The growing of ourselves in leadership and the acknowledgment of our blind spots. The prayer circles in the Wednesday prayer meeting when there are voices that say, “This makes no difference” or, “You’re not very good at prayer. Don’t embarrass yourself by praying with others.” The prayer before a Celebrate Recovery meeting. The news I received this morning that a women’s Bible study feels prompted to begin praying for our children’s camp. News that a man was freed from demonic oppression in a recovery meeting. When we listen well. When we lay down our iPhones to read scripture. When we ask a friend for forgiveness, when we confess our faults. In all these things, we are fighting the good fight. All of this is a reminder: this is the nature of war.

I’m not being negative. It’s our reality as Christians. And yet in all this, I am encouraged. I remain hopeful. God is with us. Jesus is interceding for us. The Spirit is helping and empowering us. The ultimate victory of Jesus and His kingdom is certain. But get out of bed. Put on your armor. Pick up the sword of the Spirit and keep your eyes open. If you're a Jesus-follower, we’re in this battle together. 

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, BE ALERT and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." (Ephesians 6:18 NIV, empahsis added)

THINGS I'D LIKE TO NEVER HEAR AGAIN:

I have a few songs that if I never heard again, I would be fine:

"I've Got Friends in Low Places" by Garth - How many hotels have I been in while trying to sleep with this song playing in the bar downstairs?!!

"Pachelbel's Canon in D" - Every wedding and every music station in the doctor's office has used this song. Pachelbel's estate must be worth a zillion dollars with all the royalties.  

"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine - I never saw the movie TITANIC and will never see it. So don't start. This song gives me major cringe. 

Delete them. To think that those writers are getting royalties for those awful songs. It's a waste of hard-earned money. Okay. I'll stop ranting. 

Things Christians say that they need to stop: 

"Sending out prayers and wishes to you..."

Or....

"You're in my thoughts and hopes."

Vague. Bland. Unhelpful. 

Don't send any prayers to me. I appreciate your wishes. It shows you care and that you think kind thoughts about me. I'm glad you have hopes for me now and then in the middle of your thoughts about what you're having for dinner or how disgusted you are with the weather. 

But if you really love me? If you really care? 

Tell me you'll get on your knees even for 60 seconds and plead that God will have mercy on me. Pray that He will shower me with grace and enable me to be the man God wants me to be. 

Or pray the blessing that Aaron prayed, "Shawn, may the Lord bless and keep you; make His face to shine upon you and give you peace."  But don't give me platitudes. Don't flatter me with affection that has no diligence behind it. 

I'm not inferring you need to be a pro at prayer. 

The apostle Paul is helpful with this very thing when he wrote, 

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:18a  NIV)

There is room for all kinds of prayers and requests: childlike wonder, simple questions, pleading, cries, intercession, or an emergency "Help!" I also believe this includes praying with spiritual languages we don't comprehend. 

What is clarifying is the next directive: 

"With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." (Eph 6:18b)

When he says, "keep on praying for all the Lord's people", he is calling for perseverance and passion. Why does he remind us of this? Because of our tendency to give up, to lay it aside, to defer prayer in favor of "thoughts and wishes." Or because it takes faith and effort. Circumstances and the battle in the mind have a way of numbing us to the power of prayer. Voices that say, "It doesn't matter. God is going to do what He's going to do." Or even worse: "Everything happens for a reason." 

Yes, God is sovereign. His ultimate purposes will not be derailed. But as followers of Jesus, we are partners in intercession. When we stay alert to this and persevere, we are joining in the work of the Holy Spirit who "prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words." (Romans 8:26 NLT).     

ARE YOU TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT HELP?

But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (Mat 9:12 ESV)

I used to teach music, especially piano. There were students I always looked forward to and those that, well, I didn’t. The difference? A motivated student versus a motivated parent. Some students came because they wanted to be there. Others were there because they had to be there…or else. The self-motivated student came prepared and eager to learn. The student with a motivated parent was usually not prepared, hadn’t practiced and for me it seemed a waste of time and parent’s money.

It’s hard to help someone who doesn’t want your help.
 

As Matthew, the former tax collector, writes about his own calling and early days with Jesus, he remembers the details of a dinner. Maybe as the word spread about Matthew’s new vocation, friends and family gathered to see who this Jesus was. There was a combination of peers and curious seekers there with Matthew but the religious folks were on spy alert. Why was Jesus hanging out with that gang? If He’s really who He claims to be, you’d think He would rather be hanging with us.

Jesus’ response? Only sick people need a doctor. In other words, “It’s harder to help someone who doesn’t want your help.”

I’m sometimes surprised at the people who say “Yes” to Jesus. I shouldn’t be, but I am. When you see a nice average family who appears to have a good marriage and beautiful kids, it’s tempting to think, “Now that’s a family who would make good Christians.” But it’s often harder to help such a family see their need of Christ. The well don’t need a physician. Instead, often the most fruitfulness comes from the “most unlikely to be a Christian” type. 

Why am I telling you this? Don’t write off someone because they seem far from God. It’s often those who are sick of life, hurt, dysfunctional or downright mean, who are closest to the kingdom! They are the ones who find Jesus interesting and who want to hang out with Him. 

Like me, you probably have a list of people you are praying for to receive Christ, to come to Jesus and find life “because they would make great Christians.” Don’t stop praying. But maybe add a few to that list whom you think are surely far from the kingdom. There just may be another Matthew waiting in the wings who is willing to forsake his old life to embrace a new adventure with Jesus. 

Prayer: Father, You don’t look at people the way I do. You look at the heart. You know those who are the most teachable. Reveal the hearts around me that are truly sick and are looking for a Savior. [Now, wait for a moment and see what names or faces the Holy Spirit brings before you. Pray for them to receive the gospel and turn to Jesus.]