Stand Up and Speak Up! Say Something!

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“Jesus had to stand up and speak up and did so with wisdom and divine power. He was not compelled by national zeal. He was driven by a higher cause; the truth of His Father’s Word.”

What should we do when see people engaging in things that are clearly morally wrong? When evil and lawlessness is unfolding before us, how should we respond? To often, our natural human response is to let things go. We will think about it and talk about it, but in the end, we are hesitant, timid and extremely cautious to get involved. Did you know that God sees things otherwise? He wants you to stand up and speak up against things that violate His most holy Word. That is His gospel, the good news! How so? Because it can save people from the unknown and dangerous consequences of their foolish immoral choices.

As Jesus was nearing the end of His ministry, He approached Jerusalem, where He would be crucified. He came into the city with the adoration of the people, but something changed within Him when He stepped into the temple. As He looked around and observed what was happening, a burning zeal swelled up inside Him. He saw people buying and selling. They had turned His Father’s temple into a business. He responded to this evil with decisive boldness. He swiftly approached a man’s table doing business. He grabbed it and flipped it upside down, causing the money to fly everywhere. Then He proceeded to another table, and another. The merchants could see a burning in His eyes and none challenged Him. Then He spoke out to all who could hear, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’, but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13) Afterwards He continued to teach and minister to people, but the religious leaders became incensed at such actions.

Why did Jesus do this? The account shows no one forcing Him to do it. And if He would have done nothing, no one would have thought otherwise. He did it for the zeal of His Father and His Word. His passion for what was right burned inside Him. It grew to a holy and just anger over what He saw. He had to stand up and speak up and did so with wisdom and divine power. He was not compelled by national zeal. He was driven by a higher cause; the truth of His Father’s Word.

Jesus was the wisest man who ever lived. He knew He would anger the religious leaders, who had the authority to arrest Him. He knew it would create a chaotic and divisive scene. He knew He could possibly loose some followers. There was much risk in what He did, but He did it anyway. Why? Because He had to. Zeal for His Father so moved Him, there was no other option.

Where is such holy zeal today? We have many with a fiery national zeal, that rise up for things that violate our freedom of speech and religious liberty. But where are those with a heavenly zeal, that will stand up and speak up when God’s Word is violated?

Too many are willing to ignore or just talk about the evil things happening around us. Where are the pastors and local church leaders who are willing to address the sins of their community or nation at the risk of loosing members and finances?

Why did Jesus do this and why should we? To love our neighbor. When we respond to evil with a Jesus-like zeal and boldness, we are showing sacrificial love. Meaning, we are willing to sacrifice or risk it all to help people stop their sinful behavior and to turn toward Christ. There they will find forgiveness and newness of life. It will spare them from the eternal consequences of their darkened hearts. It is the most loving thing we could ever do for people. Are you willing to live like Jesus, no matter the cost?

A prayer for you. “Lord God, raise up a generation of divine zeal-filled men and women. Fill them with such a passion for you, your Word and others, that they are compelled to stand up and speak up for the glory of your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Is Healing from Mental Illness Possible?

                                         Image by Grae Dickason from Pixabay 

"The hope of the cross is that in Christ, there is a Savior that can help us in our struggle with mental illness."

There is something about mental illness in the headlines every day. For millions of families though, it is not a headline. Their child, spouse or grandchild lives with it. And life is not easy. They have regular counseling. Daily medications. Occasional visits to the hospital. And that is not even covering the financial costs and symptoms, which can bring incredible high levels of stress to families and care-givers.

Have you ever felt as if your disorder controls your life? Have you ever wondered if freedom from its control, or even healing is possible?

Jesus once came upon a man whose severe illness brought fear and great concern on the entire community. This is how he was described, “. . . no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him.” (Mark 5:3-4) His family, friends and people of his community tried all they could do to help him from being a danger to himself and others. They were at a loss for other options while the man lived a miserable day to day life.

But something happened to him when he encountered the Lord, “And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat . . . there met him . . . a man . . .” (Mk. 5:2) When the man came into the presence of Christ, without him realizing it, that was the first step toward the help he desperately needed. What did Jesus do? With all authority and power, He looked at the man eye to eye, and boldly stated, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” (Mk. 5:8) What was the result? A little time later, the man was in front of Jesus, “. . . sitting there, clothed and in his right mind . . .” (Mk. 5:15)

The story is not communicating that all mental illnesses are the result of an evil spirit, yet some are. Nor is it saying that every disorder Jesus will instantly heal, yet some He does. The larger message is how there is an important spiritual side to mental illness. The family and friends of the man helped him on the physical side, the best they knew how. But when Jesus arrived, He showed them there was a spiritual side to the man’s disorder, and His power to help him.

God sent Jesus to die on a cross and rise again to do a spiritual work by overcoming the curse of sin. Mental illness is part of this. The story is an illustration about how through the cross of Christ, the journey toward freedom from the dominating power and control of mental disorders is real.

What does that mean? Sometimes people may feel controlled by hopelessness, anger, anxiety, depression, addictions and in some extreme cases – thoughts of suicide. God’s Word uses the term of slavery to describe how we can feel enslaved by these things at times. The hope of the cross is that in Christ, there is a Savior that can help us in our struggle with mental illness. In Him, we can find His help and peace in the midst of the daily battle.

The Psalmist wrote, “. . . they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still and the waves of the sea were hushed.” (Psalm 107:28-29) Cry out to the Lord in your struggle and experience His peace and joy in the storm.

A prayer for you. “Father in heaven, millions have been touched by mental illness. You have hope for each of them. You died and rose again so they can have your peace. For nothing is impossible with you. Begin your healing today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Voting is an Honorable Act

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"Your vote is your voice to speak up for what honors God."

There are many ways one can do good to others. Feeding the poor, being a foster parent, caring for the elderly, being a voice for the oppressed. What about going to the polls on election day and voting? Is that a genuine way of serving others and doing good?

A famous and elderly man once came to a small town and met with the town’s elders. They knew who he was and were greatly concerned by his presence. He was there on a mission from God. His name was Samuel.

He came in search of Israel’s next king. He was led by God to meet with the family of Jesse. All his sons passed before Samuel, except one; David the youngest. Samuel called for him and as soon as Samuel saw David, he “took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers.” (1 Samuel 16:13) David, a teenager at the time, did not resist nor question what God was doing through Samuel. Though it was several years before wearing the crown, David accepted this calling from God, and viewed it as an act of service to the Lord and the people of Israel. He once wrote, “When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light.” (2 Sam. 23:3-4)

Throughout the Bible, the reader constantly sees this, where people are serving others through the call to serve God. The highest example of this is Jesus, the Son of God. He stated about Himself, “. . . the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Jesus’ life set the standard for all His followers. One of the early church leaders whom Jesus’ appointed, wrote that Christians should “. . . be careful to devote themselves to good works.” (Titus 3:8)

How is voting a good work and service to others? First, our government has established a system by which its leaders are voted in or removed from office, by the people. There is no law requiring the people to vote. It is a system that provides citizens the right, privilege and opportunity to do so. The Bible says to, “Honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17) This means to honor the government, at all levels, from local to federal. To vote, is to do a good work that shows honor being given to the government over us. Second, some of our fellow citizens have given themselves to serve in elected office. They have sacrificed in time, money and other ways. To vote, is to do a good work showing respect for the candidates on the ballot. Third, some candidates and issues on the ballot may be honoring or dishonoring to God. Your vote is your voice to speak up for what honors God and a good work that is pleasing to the Lord.

As we serve others with our good works, we recognize the evil and corruption that surrounds us. It should cause us to march forward in the name and power of Jesus with a determined spirit. However, in our humanness, it can discourage or disillusion us, causing us to pull back. I pray you will not be among this group. Instead, go to the polls and cast an honoring vote before the Lord to bring a vote of light into the darkness.

Ask God for wisdom in your service of voting. Be diligent and discerning to protect your vote. Pray for the candidates, the issues and for our nation. The Scripture says, “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

A prayer for you. “Lord God, as we go to the polls, we realize government is not our Savior. We declare that Jesus is our only King. Yet, you have placed this government over us. Help us to be honoring to it through our vote. Raise up righteous, God-honoring candidates that will bring you glory in their service. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”