“Rise Up and Walk!”
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(Cue up whiney violin music:) My life is so hard because… everything is so offensive! The US National Anthem, the US Flag, the Confederate Flag, American history, those statues, the Ten Commandments, past slavery of blacks, systemic racism, white privilege, police brutality, capitalism, rich people hoarding their wealth, not wearing face-masks to fight COVID, praying in public, praying in schools, bibles, Churches, traditional marriage, sports team mascots, Uncle Ben’s rice and Aunt Jemima’s syrup, twenty years ago you said something, etc.!” (Sigh)
Whether you realize this, or not, everyone of these positions smack of flesh. The ideologies behind those statements are severely ignorant, dishonest, manipulative, and just flat-out lazy. These beliefs inevitably foster a self-destructive, victim mentality. Also, these beliefs are extremely self-centered and self-serving as they have a way of convincing people that since “life is hard” and “they’re a victim,” this frees them of personal responsibility for overcoming negative situations in their life. I mean, after all, “It’s not my fault. It’s the system. It’s systemic racism. It’s the rich. It’s white privilege. It’s men. It’s women,” and so on. These beliefs are godless. Newsflash: Life is hard! Life is full of challenges, disappointments and pains. Even Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) Understand clearly that embracing blame instead of taking personal responsibility is godless because 1) It is a form of coveting (Ex 20:17) and 2) It is a form of idolatry (Ex 20:3)
Complaining and blaming is the way of flesh… and it’s idolatry because it depends on self to create a victim, rather than depending on God, Who creates a victor. Blaming, regardless of how bad you’ve had it, never releases you from personal responsibility to overcome through faith in Jesus Christ. Contrast complaining with what the Apostle Paul wrote. “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (vs.12) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. (vs.13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Php 4:11-13) Some time ago, during my morning devotion, my friend Johnny was showing me a situation where people who were sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed were waiting beside a pool (Jn 5:1-9). Periodically, an angel of the Lord would come and stir the water, and the first person in the pool would be healed. Johnny went on to say that there was one guy who had been waiting thirty-eight years for his turn. Then Jesus shows up. Jesus looked at him straightly and asked, “Do you wish to get well?” This lame man proceeded to give Jesus his sob story. He complained, “No one is here to put me into the pool.” He whined, “Someone always gets there before me.” (Loose translation: “You don’t know what it’s like to live in my skin.”) I love Jesus’ immediate, simple response. “Rise up and walk.” Jesus totally disregarded this man’s situation and complaints. Jesus bypassed all his baloney and went back to the heart of the matter — individual responsibility! Did Jesus not know that this lame, handicapped man’s situation was “unfair?” Was Jesus being insensitive? Of course not. This lame man could have “chose” to lay there and continue to finger-point, complain, and yell, “Inequality! Profiling! I’m a victim! It’s the system! The man is holding me down! Reparations! Justice!” Instead, the man chose to ignore all his negative circumstances and chose to focus on the word of the Lord, “Exercise faith and rise up!” Although this man was physically lame, he stepped out on faith and his circumstances immediately changed. He rose up in faith, was suddenly healed, and began to walk. Amazing! So what’s your excuse for staying in your situation? Victim? Fear? Unfairness? Laziness? Procrastination? You’re alone? Your critics? The system? The man? Money? Too many people have come to rely on their bad circumstances as an excuse for staying where they are. They naively conclude, “As long as I have someone or something to blame, my bad situation is justified, because, after all, I’m a victim.” Again, this is the way of flesh. It’s also the way of modern-day idolatry and coveting. It bears repeating, any person, pleasure, pain, problem, or philosophy that is greater in your life than God, is an idol. This includes your flesh! Seriously though, is there anything in your life greater than God? “It’s his fault… It’s not my fault… They’re privileged,,, I’m under-privileged… You’re the reason I am the way I am… Blah-blah-blah!” Really?!! You can blame your circumstances all day long, but you won’t get anywhere. You can point fingers at “the man” until you’re blue in the face. You can babble on about “profiling” and “reparations” and time will pass and your situation will remain the same. (Really?!! As if blaming someone releases you from personal responsibility and work, and having to try!) This flesh-based mentality is directly opposed to a faith-based mentality, and it does not alleviate you from personal responsibility. Tell me honestly, how’s that working for you? Stop your whining! And, start your faith! Especially you Christians! Your God has commanded you to “Rise up and walk!” He’s even given you authority (Lu 10:19) and power (Ac 1:8)! He didn’t ask for your sob story. God is fully aware of your situation and challenges, and He still calls you to rise up in faith, take your place, and trust Him! You cannot control other peoples’ words and actions, but you can control your words and actions. Honor God with your faith! Rise up and walk!
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Pre-COVID: New arrivals to Island (Camp Schwab). I asked, “Show of hands, who’s willing to raise their hands and publicly acknowledge they’re Christians? Gotcha! I should see every one of you at church this weekend!” (LOL!) Seriously though, it’s just one of the ways I challenge these Marines and Sailors.
Agree with Us in Prayer: I miss these “Fix Bayonets” drills! COVID has put a pause on this face-to-face training and role-playing. However, much of this training and info is now on Facebook videos. (Check It Out) a. For the Brig/Prison: the Friday classes are paused again due to COVID. Please continue to pray for the Brig Wednesday night bible study of twenty years as it was permanently canceled due to politics and personality conflicts. Also, continue to ask God for all the souls in the Brig — the inmates, the guards, and their families. Bind up spirits of bitterness, unforgiveness, shame, condemnation, and pride. And loose a spirit of salvation, discipleship, forgiveness, exposure, healing, deliverance, peace, and restoration! b. For continued increase at ZCDC (Churchplant) as we are in massive regathering because of the COVID lockdown. There are so many new souls on Camp Schwab, and I feel the sheep are scattered and the goats need to be converted. Schwab has an extreme operational tempo and high turnover rate, so “re-building” is the order of the day. It’s a very unique area, not for every missionary, but it’s what we do. Also, Government opposition and resistance is high. It’s shameful and ungodly. So, pray for mature, Qualified Families and Permanent Personnel to co-labor with us in this northern-most, remote area of Okinawa. c. For Zebulun Worship Team. We need Leaders, Singers, and Musicians. d. For our Believers, that they walk in increased discernment, wisdom, maturity, power, and works, that they are properly discipled, and that they bear much Kingdom fruit! e. Pray against retaliatory, unclean spirits from On-Base and Off-Base. Bind up demonic spirits of control, division, envy, strife, competition, lust, and fear. And loose a spirit of unity, peace, love, maturity, discipleship, and faith among Believers. f. For our current schedule (finances, resources, wisdom, strategies, and strength): |
In closing… Lord, this woman You gave me is… beautiful. She’s perfect. She’s the biggest giver I know. She loves me so well that I want to love her back. I will love her for all eternity. (Read “Sandy makes me love her.”) Saints, thank you for your prayer coverage and support. Your petitions to the Lord are precious and vital to us. We believe in God’s word, so we continue to speak! (2Cor 4:13) We’re still in the business of making disciples… every day! Everything I do has been tested, thought out, and re-tested. Over these last twenty-two years, I’ve streamlined our disciple-making process. It’s provoking. It’s maturing. It’s demanding. It makes disiples. We can use your help. Being full-time missionaries in Japan is quite challenging and expensive. Please consider partnering with us through your monetary gifts and contributions. When you do, “much fruit abounds to your heavenly account.” (Php 4:17) Donations can be made online at Christians In Action. Or, you can mail contributions to the address listed below. I declare that you believe, so you speak! (2Cor 4:13) Contributions can be sent to: ▪ Please ensure Acct #426 is annotated on your contribution so the funds can be allocated correctly. |
— Our Mission & Vision —“Gather Sheep & Convert Goats!”“Catch, Clean, & Release!” |