Peace and Equality: Can they really be found?

150 years ago, almost to the day, our nation’s bloodiest war came to an end. On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse. Within a few days, President Lincoln was assassinated; by May 9, his presidential replacement, Andrew Johnson, declared an end to all hostilities.

In the midst of this 150 year anniversary, our nation once again struggles to remember that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” In one of the largest riots in decades, violence broke out on the streets of one of America’s oldest cities – Baltimore, Maryland. According to reports, by the end of the night police had arrested 235 people while 20 officers required medical care from assaults by rioters. Reports also indicated one person was in critical condition due to a building fire. Rioters burned more than a dozen buildings and over 100 cars. Looters destroyed even more businesses as they busted through doors and windows, clearing shelves of food, alcohol, and anything else they wanted.

During it all, I sat securely in my home watching news coverage throughout the evening. I prayed for my cousin and her husband who live within blocks of the riots. I asked myself, “Has our nation come to this? Civilians throwing rocks and bottles at those assigned to serve and protect? City officials blatantly lying on television so those behind them may break in to another man’s business and take whatever they want? When did our society become this?”

Like the Civil War, the tensions were attributed to unequal treatment of black individuals. I’m not sure how rioters rationalize that burning a neighbor’s vehicle or place of business will bring peace and equality to race relations. Seems to me, those rioters are more interested in an opportunity than a civil rights issue.

Peace and Equality

However, not everyone is taking illegal and violent advantage of an opportunity. Many want their voices heard as they non-violently engage in dialogue and peaceful activity. They desire to bring peace and equality to their local community.

Where do we find peace and equality?
I attended my daughter’s spring choir concert last night at her high school. The school’s different choirs performed throughout the evening; at one point, I did a little mental math as I watched. I determined that over 40% of the choir was of a non-white ethnicity. Together, they represented multiple countries across Asia and Africa.

I listened to the voices sing last night and thought, “Our school has made this work.” Throughout the school, all is peaceful and all are equal. I have to believe that’s mainly due to their goal to inspire kids to realize their God-given potential through Christian training. Their goals don’t specify racial equality; however, inherent in the belief in God-given potential and a call to Christian training is the philosophy that all are equal. Racial equality is a natural outcome for those who honestly seek to live according to the Christian teachings of God’s Word.

I know. All kinds of racial groups have used God’s Word to justify all kinds of racial hatred through the centuries. I acknowledge that sad reality.

But what does the Bible really say?

Our Humanity
We’re all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). He made us all equal in His own creative image.

We’re all descended from Noah (Genesis 10:32).

The evil within us leads us to distinguish and discriminate between people groups (James 2:3-4).

All people need to be told the message of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus' Death
God loves all of us – the entire world (John 3:16). His death makes salvation equally possible for every single person on the planet.

Jesus’ death united all ethnicities and brings them back to peace (Ephesians 2:13-15).

All are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

Relationships
God asks all of us to love others just as much as He loves them (John 13:34).

Those who harbor hatred toward anyone aren’t living as followers of Jesus (1 John 2:9-11).

God also calls us to be kind and compassionate with all people (Ephesians 4:32).

What I know and what I don’t

I don’t know how a black man living in downtown Baltimore is treated. I don’t know if racial discrimination is rampant throughout their city government. I don’t know how many people there are trying to find solutions to a serious issue and how many are taking advantage of a bad situation to spread violence and promote hatred.

I do know a few things, however. I know that we’re all messed up pieces of the human race. Our common ancestor, Adam, passed down to each of us a genetic bent to sin. And I know that regardless of how much we let that sin control our relationships with each other, Jesus still died to restore our relationships with each other and even more importantly, with Him.

I know that unity through Him is the only thing that will ever bring true peace and equality to the human race.

Deal Breaker: Crossing the line into false teaching

False teaching. It’s a touchy subject but one that thrust itself into my life this week. It wasn’t loud or obnoxious; it didn’t come from an arrogant televangelist or celebrity Christian. It was small – only a few lines quietly buried in the middle of an otherwise great message.

I’m sure I’ve taught the Word of God incorrectly at times through the years, as much as it pains me to say so. I know God’s Word is absolutely true – every word, every concept, every story. I also know my mind isn’t perfect, my heart is sinful, and sometimes I just mess up.

So this week, I heard something that goes against God’s Word – an errant teaching I’ve encountered before on the internet but not from the mouth of a friend. I’m not going to share what it was as that would be an article in itself. But today I’m wondering a few things…

• What distinguishes a false teacher from a teacher who messed up on a particular point?
• What distinguishes a false teaching from a teaching with which I happen to disagree?
• Where is the line between areas where we “agree to disagree” and areas that are “deal-breakers” under valid Christian teaching?

Many believers think the end times are approaching quickly. If this is so, Scripture warns that false teaching and deception will be prevalent in our world. “False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). And again later, “Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared” (1 Timothy 4:1).

So, if false teachings and deceptions will increase, I think it’d be wise of us to answer some of these questions.

A false teacher from a teacher who messed up

No Bible translation is perfect, no denomination is perfect, no pastor or teacher is perfect, no commentator is perfect, and no Christian blogger is perfect. Sometimes I think God allows this on purpose as only He is perfect. No one and nothing will ever match His sinless perfection. Every person who’s ever tried to teach something from the Bible has messed up at some point. So how do we distinguish between a teacher who messed up and a false teacher?

I think a key factor is intent behind the teaching. I can only speak for myself, but I know my intentions in studying the Bible and writing about it is to know Him and make Him known. My books and blog are a natural outcome of my desire to love and serve God. A false teacher’s intention is destruction. “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies…” (2 Peter 2:1). It goes on to describe their work as unrestrained, blasphemous, exploitative, and greedy.

Another key factor is the outcome of their teaching. Good teaching brings others into a relationship with Jesus and then helps them continue to grow in their relationship with Him. This isn't the case with false teachers. “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. … Every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit” (Matthew 7:15-18).

A false teaching from a teaching with which I disagree

Or, to say it another way, it might be ok for us to disagree on some teachings. In other areas, lines have to be drawn, truth spoken, and even relationships severed at times. Where is the line between these two areas? After all, I know of no other person with whom I agree on every single detail of Christianity. When is it ok and when is it a deal-breaker?

Sometimes we may disagree but we don’t have to argue about it. I think of a friend who believes the rapture will happen at the end of the tribulation whereas I think it will happen at the beginning. We can’t know for sure and simply agree to disagree.

At the other end of the spectrum, I heard a church deny Jesus rose from the dead after His crucifixion. I don’t have to question or wonder; I know this is a deal breaker. If we deny the resurrection of Jesus, then God’s Word is a lie. The whole plan falls apart.

The problem comes in a wide range of areas in between these two extremes. That is why Paul wrote, “Test all things. Hold on to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We have to put this into practice rather than blindly accept every teaching we hear – even if that teaching comes from someone we know and respect.

John gives us a little more help when trying to discern the validity of a teaching. He wrote, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit who does not confess Jesus is not from God” (1 John 4:1-3).

Denying Jesus isn’t only denying what the Bible says about Him. To deny Jesus is to deny the whole of the Word of God as John also wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14). The Word isn’t merely about Jesus; Jesus is the Word made flesh.

I guess it comes down to one thing when we’re trying to determine if we can agree to disagree or if the issue is a deal-breaker. Does this teaching deny Jesus – His truth, His Word, or His work? If the answer is yes, then it’s more in the deal breaker range. If the answer is no, then maybe we can agree to disagree. We’ll only know into which category it falls if we know the Bible for Jesus Himself – the Word made flesh – said, “You are deceived, because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).

Thankful for You: Finding ways to appreciate each other

The Apostle Paul began almost every one of his New Testament letters with a word of thanksgiving for his fellow believers.

His thankfulness wasn’t a onetime feeling. He thanked God for them a lot.

This must have been a big deal to Paul; otherwise, he wouldn’t have dedicated so much time to it.

This must be a big deal to God; otherwise, He wouldn’t have led Paul to include it in his letters nine times.

The verses themselves give us some clues as to why it was important to Paul, is important to God, and should be important to us.

Because we serve God

“God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times” (Romans 1:9). Paul thanked God for and prayed for his fellow believers because it’s part of serving God. God wants us to be thankful for each other.

We may not always feel thankful for the people in our lives. Yet, because we serve God and because He desires it to be so, we can choose to be thankful despite our feelings.

Because they have faith

“I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world” (Romans 1:8). I think it’s significant that the world knew the faith of the Romans. They were the leaders of the world at that time; they lived in plenty and could have become self-sufficient and complacent. Nevertheless, their faith was strong enough that the world knew about it.

We may have our lives so put together that we don’t really recognize the contribution of the people we know. But when all else is stripped away and all we’re left with is our faith in Mighty God, the people in our lives become an incredible blessing for which we can thank God.

Because they have received God’s grace

“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4). The Corinthian believers weren’t perfect; they had their problems. Church divisions, immorality, lawsuits among believers, misunderstanding of the freedom we have in Christ, and inappropriate worship were all part of their church environment. But they, like us, were recipients of God’s grace. And that was changing everything.

Our loved ones may not be perfect either. In fact, I’m guessing they aren’t perfect. But we can still be thankful for them because God’s grace is available for all of us.

Because they have partnered in the Gospel

“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:4-5). Paul was thankful for the help provided by his fellow believers. God didn’t call even the greatest missionary who ever lived to save the world on his own. He knew everyone has a part to play in the Kingdom of God.

Our fellow believers may do things differently than us. We may disagree on some insignificant issues. We can still be thankful for them and the work they do in reaching the world for Christ. God never meant for us to reach the world all on our own.

Because of their faith and love

Paul repeated this reason in Ephesians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. I think Paul was thankful for the faith and love of his fellow believers because they were evidence of the power of God’s Word. They were the result of a transformed life.

Like us, our fellow believers also have faith in Christ and love for the world. I know they do because it comes from the same place ours did – the hope within us and the word of truth (Colossians 1).

• Their faith and love leads them to labor, work, and endure for the hope of Christ just like it does us (1 Thessalonians 1).
• Their faith and love is growing and increasing. Maybe they’re not all they could be, but then again, neither are we (2 Thessalonians 1).
• Their faith and love leads them to share Christ, and thereby bring joy and encouragement to the world (Philemon 1).

So, this Thanksgiving season, I'm thankful for all the usual stuff - family, home, friends - but I'm thankful for one more significant thing. I'm thankful for you - each and every one of you who are serving the King of Kings. I'm thankful because we serve God together, united by our faith, love, need for grace, and a desire to share the Gospel message.

Be sure to share this with those in your life for whom you are thankful. Together you serve the King of Kings!

Choose to Glorify God

Here it is…the whole point. The main thing. The ultimate goal.

To God be the glory.

I’m going to start with a confession… I didn’t plan out this whole series before I started writing it. In school, I never was too good about outlining my paper before I wrote it. This series grew from a jumble of thoughts I’ve had over the last several months.

And here’s why I want you to know that… I didn’t plan or know about the link between the problems of our glorification of busyness and our lack of opportunity to glorify God when I started this series. Now I see it clearly. Our glorification of busyness is what keeps us from serving and glorifying God. (Tweet this.)

A recap of how we got here

The Glorification of Busy—We are a busy society - no one’s going to deny that. But we’ve moved past being busy. We now glorify it. To busyness be the glory.

Make Choices, Not Excuses—The excuses we make now keep us from living in the moment God has designed for us…Make an excuse or make a change. It's your choice.

Choose Not to Stress—The whole God-thing isn’t about plans, control, and to-do lists. Those things lead to stress. The whole God-thing is about relationship; a relationship built on faith, trust, freedom, and love.

Choose to Enjoy Life—Life is hard. Bad stuff happens. We can’t control every situation. We can’t manipulate away every negative outcome. But, we can choose not to gripe…We can choose to trust God. We can choose to recognize He is in control. We can choose to find joy.

Choose to Serve God—Serving God is a lifestyle – an attitude that permeates everything we do. We can’t separate it from our homes, jobs, or community involvement. It can’t be another item on a checklist that we check off when completed.

Choose to Glorify God

Author friend Jake Pendleton posted a thought on his Facebook page a few months ago that became part of my scattered notes on this subject. “I don't know about y'all, but I've kinda been feeling lately like my life has been just bumbling around, day to day, not really focused on a goal--or an objective, if you will--that looked beyond each day itself. So starting this month, I’m going to do my best to wake up each morning and ask God to help me glorify Him as my objective for the day. How about you? I think glorifying God is the biggest responsibility we have as followers of Christ. It’s one of those situations where if we accomplish it, it covers all the other things we strive to do in order to walk holy. If we make a conscious effort to bring glory to God each day, how can we go wrong?”

Wise words, huh?

“Glorify God” can become a Christianese cliché if we don’t have practical ways to apply it. I love Jake’s first suggestion – pray each day that an opportunity will present itself in which to glorify God. Then watch and act when the opportunity comes. It’s kind of like the prayer I suggested a couple of weeks ago, “God, what do You want me to do today?” Here’s some other suggestions…

Glorify God by Serving Others

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Ties in with serving God, doesn’t it? The effect of our choice to serve God is that God is glorified.

Glorify God by Decreasing Self

“He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). John the Baptist had it figured out. As long as our busy actions bring us glory, then glory isn’t going to God. Even Jesus didn’t glorify Himself. Instead He said, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me” (John 8:54).

Glorify God through Persecution

“Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’” (John 21:19). Peter did follow; his life ended as a crucified martyr. Not a pleasant ending and yet we still learn from it that our persecution brings glory to God.

Glorify God through Unity

“So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:6). Watching a fight between two people who are supposed to love each other can be a little awkward, can’t it? Yet, Christians do it all the time even though the world should recognize us for our love. Global Christianity has a lot of differences – worship styles, doctrinal differences, cultural applications, and the list goes on. We cling to some things – like Jesus’ death and resurrection – until our last breath is gone. We need to grant a little grace in other things – like the kind of clothes we should wear or how end times events will play out. Then, our unity brings glory to God.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Busy Life series. Let’s all make choices to take the glory out of being busy and put it where it belongs…on God.

The Word of God

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

So, “in the beginning,” when “God created the heavens and the earth,” the Word was with God and was God. The fullness of the Word of God already existed at the creation of the universe. Mind-blowing.

If you’re Jewish, when you hear the phrase “the Word of God” you probably think of the Torah or the Tanakh. If you’re Christian, you probably think of the Holy Bible. The Old Testament - or the Tanakh in Judaism – is the oldest part of the Bible; but it wasn’t yet written at the time of creation. Indeed, Job, the oldest book of the Old Testament, wasn’t written until around 1500 BC – long after the time of creation.

All of this brings me to something that has built in my mind for years – something I have started calling the unity of the Word. Here it is – don’t limit the Word of God to a book you take to church or that sits on your bookshelf. The Word of God is that book but it is so much more.

Jesus

John 1:1 says the Word was with God and was God in the beginning. John also wrote a few verses later that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

Only One person in all of humanity’s history fits that account – Jesus Christ.

Power

Power is part of the unity of the Word of God. Jesus’ words were directly from the Father (John 14:10). As He spoke the Word of God to the people, “they were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority” (Luke 4:32) or had “power” in the King James Version.

The Word of God is power to create. The Creation story is in Genesis 1 and 2. The words “God said” appear ten times in those chapters; each word of God created another aspect of our world and the universe. Galaxies, planets, soil, oceans, animals, plants, and even people all exist because God spoke them into existence. The Word of God created.

The Word of God is also power to destroy. The book of Revelation frequently refers to the words of Christ as a sword reserved for those who reject and rebel against Him. “Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty” (Revelation 19:15).

Truth

Many times the Word of God is referred to as the truth but perhaps the simplest example is, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). Jesus also is the truth. He left no doubt on this issue when He declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Our secular mindset has moved so far away from the possibility of one Truth that we have lost the importance of this reality. Here’s the thing about truth, though. What we may or may not believe about truth doesn’t change the fact that it is the truth. Truth is truth regardless of whether we choose to accept it.

What does this mean for me?

First, it’s a package deal. We can’t separate Jesus and the Bible from power and truth. We can’t accept the truth of the New Testament and Jesus’ life while we deny the truth of the Old Testament. We can’t say the Bible is truth and yet deny the power inherent in it. We can’t say Jesus was only a man and not God as that would deny the truth, God’s power, and the Bible. If you claim to believe any one of these things, then you have to believe all of them.

Second, it’s all about Jesus – in ways I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around. It’s not all about me. Or you. But you know what? Even though it’s all about Him, He loves YOU, He wants YOU for His own. He who is “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:21-23).

Lasting Friendships: A benefit of Bible study groups

I recently taught Everything We Need: God's Path to Know Him Better to a group of women at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. We crammed the whole study into nine sessions! Needless to say, this pace was much too fast. Despite the hurried pace, though, the group of us grew into a close group. Conversation, prayer, and the study of God’s Word brought us into community. After the last session ended, one of the women sent me an instant message, “I really enjoyed the study and getting to know everyone in the group. How come some good things are only for a short time?"

I agreed with her rhetorical question.

In my thoughts, I started comparing that short class with two other classes I have taught for several years and one my husband has taught. In all three groups, members came and went. Overall, though, lasting relationships and enduring friendships typified each class. We have studied together, prayed together, and grown together. We have extended grace, celebrated, mourned, forgiven, admonished, and loved.

A couple of weeks ago, a member of one of those groups sent a text message asking for help with a project on the coming Sunday afternoon. I know she sent the text to many people although I don’t know how many. I do know who showed up to help though – the members of our group. Every single one of them came to help. For whatever reason, no one else did.

Twelve years ago, when my mom died, I was part of a similar type of Bible study group. We had met every other Thursday for a few years by that time. After hearing that the emergency room doctors hadn’t been able to save my mom, I came out of the hospital room to find those friends sitting there in the hallway. They had already heard and had already come. After a hug, they were ready with these words, “What do you need us to do?” They ended up going to my mom’s house; they hand-washed all of the china that was still sitting on her kitchen cabinets from Christmas dinner the night before.

Long term Bible study classes build community like nothing else can. I hope all of you can experience that type of group, whether it’s in your church, your home, or here online.

Either Way: Thoughts on the Election

WARNING: I'm about to get political.

I know many of you are sick of the election - you just want it to all be over. I respect that. I encourage you to go ahead and finish reading this post anyway. I think you'll find it different.

I tend to avoid political posts and comments to focus on my ministry instead. I realized over the weekend that I couldn't be fair to what I feel called to do by publicly ignoring such a large event in our country, however. I also want to get my thoughts out today before the voting starts tomorrow so you'll know my thoughts have nothing to do with who wins the election. By this time on Wednesday morning, we may have a new president-elect and we may not. Either way, what I'm about to write stands true.

"He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning" (Daniel 2:21).

"The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men" (Daniel 4:17).

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1).

"No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings down one, He exalts another" (Psalm 75:6-7).

These passages are written by four different authors in four different centuries. Yet, they all have one message in common.

God is in control.

God puts leaders in place and removes them when the time is right. He has made the decision as to who should govern our country; no amount of voter fraud can overrule His decision. He establishes our authorities.

So, the question is, why should I vote? I can think of two reasons off the top of my head...

First, a few hundred years ago, God established a different set of leaders over this land. He led them to create a government that gave the people the right, freedom, and privilege to take part in electing the government's leaders. God chose to work in this nation through the power of the people.

Second, I may be the instrument through whom God chooses to work. God is all-powerful; He could strike down one candidate and leave only His choice, be it Obama or Romney, as the only remaining candidate for President. He doesn't do that though. Again, He chooses to work through the people and I'm honored to be a part of that process. God could do this however He wants and yet He chooses to work through me - and you - and the power of our vote.

So, if Obama wins, it is because God has placed him in authority over our nation for this time. It is because our country has a path it must walk to bring about the fulfillment of God's eternal, established plan.

If Romney wins, it is because God has placed him in authority over our nation for this time. It is because our country has a path it must walk to bring about the fulfillment of God's eternal, established plan.

Either way, I will continue to serve the One who set that man in authority.

Part of the Team: Being recognized as a follower of Christ

My daughter finished her spring soccer season this past weekend. Soccer is a popular activity for many of the young families in this community of 90,000 people. If you visit a local store or restaurant on any given Saturday throughout the season, you are bound to see a child in a soccer t-shirt. You recognize them by their jersey number in a distinctive font on the back of their shirt. Quite often, one of their parents is wearing a matching shirt distinguished by the word “COACH” above their number.

This last weekend was the tournament. Many families were out and about as they waited between the games of the different rounds. My husband – always friendly and talkative – struck up conversations with some of them. At lunch on Saturday, he asked some people how they did in the first round; he encouraged them as they started round two. On the second day, many families were waiting out a thunderstorm at a local pizza restaurant. My husband asked around to see if anyone had heard yet if the league was going to cancel or postpone the games. He then passed the information along to other families.

As Christians, we don’t have distinctive numbers on our back to let others know we are part of the team. Instead, Jesus left us with some qualities and behaviors that should be evident in our lives. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Our love is the mark of His presence within us; it is the distinctive emblem showing we are part of the team. How we treat others displays how we love them. Our actions toward others are evidence of our faith and membership in the kingdom. (Read James 2:14-26; Matthew 25:34-46; and John 14:8-14.)

Returning to the soccer story, my husband is one of those parents with the word “COACH” on his back. As part of that role, he stands on the side lines of the field and instructs the girls. He tells them when and where they need to be on the field, how to play the game, and cheers them on when they make a goal. This weekend, though, he took the coaching role off the field and out into the world. He encouraged kids whom he recognized as players, even though they weren’t on his team. He passed along information to other families because he knew it would help them.

In our Christian lives, being a “coach” is also evidence of our relationship with Christ. As we grow in our understanding of Him, our responsibility is to teach and encourage others who are spiritually younger. We help them grow in their knowledge of God and know how to live a lifestyle honoring to God. We cheer them on in the process. Like my husband displayed this weekend, this doesn’t just apply for those on our personal team. All believers, the world-wide body of Christ, are all playing the same game. We all need to learn, grow, and be encouraged together as we wait for the return of Christ, “and all the more as we see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

The Rapture: For one brief moment, we all agreed...

An odd phenomenon happened in the days building up to May 21, 2011. For what may be the first time, atheists, agnostics, Christians, and people of other faiths came together in agreement on a religious issue. They all agreed the predictions of Harold Camping and the Family Radio ministry were laughable and not going to happen. People shared jokes, sarcasm, and staged photos in the media, on social networking sites, and in face-to- face conversations. However, in the midst of our new found, and perhaps short-lived, spiritual unity, did we stop to consider a chasm of difference still exists between our two perspectives?

Atheists, agnostics, and people of other faiths directed much of their ridicule and disbelief toward the Christian belief in the Rapture and subsequent Judgment Day. Whether malicious or humorous, comments from these groups revealed either a lack of acceptance or a lack of understanding for these end-times events.

Many Christians, on the other hand, didn’t focus their ridicule and disbelief toward the idea of an event known as the Rapture. Instead, Christians ridiculed the timing prediction and the faulty Scripture interpretations on which Camping based his predictions.

As is always the case with the truth, whether or not you choose to believe it doesn’t change its reality. Simplified, truth is truth whether you choose to accept it or not. God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).

In His Word, God reveals to us that at some point a significant seven year space of time will begin. During this time – which Christians call the Tribulation – plagues, natural disasters, disease, famine, wars, and persecution will multiply to a scale we can’t even imagine right now. At the end of that seven year period, Christ will return, in all His glory, and establish a kingdom on earth. Either at the beginning, middle or end of that seven year tribulation, Christ will take all who believe in Him to be with Him in Heaven. Christians refer to this snatching away as the rapture.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

I feel sorry for the many people who sold their possessions, quit their jobs, and gave away their life savings only to find out they were following a false belief system. Although a person is wise to get ready for Jesus’ return, these followers chose to do so in an unwise manner. To truly be ready for the imminent return of Christ, we need to be ready spiritually. This passage from 1 Thessalonians tells us to encourage each other with the message of the rapture. The only way we can find encouragement in such an event is to know we will be one whom He takes when He comes for His own. We find that confidence by accepting Jesus’ death as payment for our sins, of which we all have many. Click here to read more about Jesus’ message of salvation.

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus didn’t only die; He also resurrected three days later. This event, among other things, guaranteed the coming judgment:

“For He [God] has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed [Jesus]. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

I hope we're all ready when the day really does come because when it does there won't be media build-up, billboards, or blogosphere announcements.