Month: November 2023

Handmade Gods

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

It was a group of tradesmen who incited the riot. They made and sold silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis and felt their industry was being threatened. The apostle Paul had been preaching in their city for some time, and people were moving their allegiance from Artemis to worshipping God. Paul was teaching that the way to eternal life was through a life devoted to serving Jesus Christ.

As people in Ephesus were converting to this new God, they were rejecting Artemis. The tradesmen were seeing a slowdown in business. If the people didn’t worship the goddess Artemis, then they wouldn’t continue buying these silver figurines. The men would be out of business. Their livelihood would be destroyed.

These makers of silver gods knew that if enough people were convinced that these handmade statues weren’t really gods, they would be forced to close their doors. And they knew that Paul had not only persuaded many in their city to serve the One and Only God, but he had also preached the same message throughout the entire region. They weren’t necessarily upset about the message Paul was preaching. They were concerned about their economy, and they wrapped their concern in religious and patriotic messaging. He must be stopped. At all costs.

I can understand why the men were all upset. The temple to this goddess, also known as Diana, was considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world. It must have been a sight to behold. This temple was famous throughout the world. So, if someone was suddenly causing these men to lose business, of course, they would have to challenge the newcomers. A confrontation was in order. Their business was important, and no outsider could come in and ruin it for them. Absolutely not. So they took matters into their own hands.

As the men became angry at the injustice they saw happening against them and their life’s work, they began to stir up trouble. They started a riot, and crowds rushed to the amphitheater. Soon, the entire city was full of confusion. They thought they were heroes for the sake of their beliefs, but it was all a matter of saving their pride and making money.

Some people went along with the crowd just so they could be part of the crowd. They had no idea what the fuss was all about or who was even in charge of all the chaos. They just followed the crowd and did and said what they were told. They had no clue what they were fighting for or against.

About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy. He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows: “Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! Of course, I’m not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis—this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world—will be robbed of her great prestige!” At this their anger boiled, and they began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. Paul wanted to go in, too, but the believers wouldn’t let him. Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater. Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn’t even know why they were there. Acts of the Apostles 19:23-32

Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Imagine being so good at your work that your actions could threaten to put an end to an evil industry. Imagine your words and convictions being so convincing that you could cause others to turn from serving idols to serving the living God. Imagine if that would happen today. Because we are in the same predicament today as Paul was centuries ago. The thing is. Paul didn’t set out to close down this lovely temple. His entire focus was to preach the gospel of salvation to the lost souls of Ephesus. And in doing so, the newly saved souls saw the error of their ways. And they turned from their worship of this idol that was no god at all to worshiping the One True God. They had been worshiping a manmade image that had no power at all. It couldn’t even hear their prayers.

Today we find ourselves locked in a battle not of our choosing. We see industries flooding the market with products and services that go directly against God and his creation. The creators of these products push their wares on people who either don’t know or don’t care about preserving biblical values. And those who publicly disagree are made out to be the worst of the worst. Anyone who opposes these retailers and industries may find themselves out of a job. Or worse. They may find that they’ve been blackballed and are not allowed to do business. Some have even had their bank accounts closed.

I’ve been on the fence as to whether Christians should boycott certain retailers and industries that sell products that oppose biblical teachings. It’s a decision everyone who calls themselves a follower of Christ must make. To be honest, I’ve failed in my boycott attempts. I’ve heard some Christians say they don’t even try to boycott any retailers. I’ve also read of those who are working to build a parallel economy that supports only companies that hold to biblical standards.

Just imagine with me, though. If a majority of Christ followers stopped supporting retailers and industries that were blatantly shoving anti-Christian products in our faces, an impact would be seen and felt. We’ve already seen it earlier this year when a couple of companies were expecting the applause of many when they supported specific lifestyles and life choices. The backlash has been huge and the voice of the opposition was heard loud and clear. Will it last? Only time will tell. But for a short window in time, the message on the side of the opposition was powerful.

When the public square speaks a language that Christ would oppose, shouldn’t Christians today oppose it, as well? Especially when there are other options? Truth is being challenged in every segment of society, today, so we must be on high alert at all times. We must never let our guard down to the schemes of the enemy. It’s time to consider where we will spend our hard-earned dollars.

But, at the same time, believers cannot up and remove themselves from society. Believers will remain in jobs in secular businesses. Christians will remain in public schools and liberal universities. Employees will be expected to attend trainings and workshops that are counter to their beliefs. Christians can’t just hide in a hole and ask the rest of the world to accept them. There are times and places when Christians must remove themselves from situations. Due to cultural expectations in some careers, they may have to choose an alternate career to keep their faith intact. But now is also the time to dig in our heels and spend time in prayer for those who oppose Jesus Christ. If all believers were removed from society, who would be the light in the world? Jesus hasn’t called his people home yet, so we are here to be a light in the darkness.

We should not ask, “What is wrong with the world?” for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, “What has happened to the salt and light?”

John Stott

On Being Thankful

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The signs are everywhere. And they’ve been out for awhile now. Turkeys are available. Cranberries are in stores. Stuffing packets are on display. Pumpkin pies are on the menu. It’s Thanksgiving season. Families are making plans for the big day. So we must start being thankful for the year we’ve survived. Isn’t that what we’re being told? Eat these specific foods on the last Thursday of November and be thankful for it.

Be thankful for your family. Be thankful for your job. Be thankful for your health. Be thankful for your warm home. Be thankful for the food on your table. Be thankful for your freedom. Just be thankful.

Do we have to be reminded that we should be thankful? How do we prepare for thankfulness? What if we’ve had a rotten year? Should we still be thankful? People have lost their jobs. Many others have lost loved ones. Still others have received a devastating diagnosis or other bad news. Should they be thankful? Some people are working in stressful jobs. Others are working in jobs they hate. Some are just bored with their jobs. And many just want a job. Should they be thankful for that?

What if we just don’t feel like being thankful?

There are wars going on in different parts of the world. And our country seems determined to be involved. Inflation has been soaring for the last few years. Unemployment is making an impact on people’s lives. People complain about having to work in the office instead of remaining remote. We’re being told we’ll own nothing and be happy. Should we be thankful for that?

But now that we’ve covered the negativity, let’s reverse the conversation and look at what we do have to be thankful for.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Anyone reading this woke up this morning. You’re still alive. God knows the number of your days, and your number hasn’t been called yet. You still have work to accomplish on this earth. And even if you’ve received an unnerving diagnosis or had a recent health scare, the blood is still pumping in your veins. Even if your job is in a precarious spot, you still have a job.

We celebrated the changing of the seasons. The year started with winter and moved to spring. There we saw the trees bud and flowers bloom. We planted gardens and watched the vegetables grow. We mowed the lawn. We heard the thunderstorms, felt the raindrops and saw rainbows. As summer neared its end, the leaves began to turn to beautiful golds and reds. The leaves are still dropping as cooler temperatures make their way into our days. The days of sunlight are shorter, but they’re setting the stage for the cold and snowy winter that’s right around the corner.

We have to remember that the sun rose and set every single day. And it will continue to do so. The seasons will once again change. We’ll adjust to the temperatures and conditions this winter brings. We’ll slow down and drive carefully. We’ll stay indoors if weather patterns are ferocious. And we’ll survive it. Most of us, anyway.

We’ll begin our Christmas shopping and buy way more than is necessary. We’ll squeeze in as many of the holiday dinners and celebrations that our calendar allows. We’ll complain about all the sweets that we’ll eat and still eat them, anyway. We’ll hold family members close as we remember those no longer with us. We’ll plan for future holidays together. And life will go on.

Thankfulness is an attitude of the heart. We have a choice. To be thankful or not to be thankful. Jesus told us that we would have hard times in this world. If the apostle Paul learned to be content in any and every situation, can’t we? Are we content with what we have, or do we only focus on what we don’t have? Thankfulness is a choice. Contentment is a choice.

Too often, the only things we’re thankful for are tangibles. Things we can touch and taste and feel. We focus only on our feelings and experiences. Maybe it’s time to not only consider the creation, but the Creator. The One who set the moon and stars in place also set eternity in the hearts of all mankind. We are aware that there is something more than this earthly life. Something much more. And we have our Heavenly Father to thank for that. Just as the writer of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything, God has appointed each season of our lives. Even if that season is difficult and demanding, we can be thankful for the peace that God gives.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12

We have much to be thankful for today. Let’s celebrate the goodness of God.

The Quiet Ones

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The quiet ones will go unnoticed until they have to speak up or stand up or defend themselves. Then they are suddenly put on public display. And that isn’t usually a good thing. Because when the quiet ones are suddenly in the spotlight, it means their lives or livelihoods or routines have been disrupted. It means that they have had to publicly take a stand for an issue they held close but didn’t necessarily plan to share with the general public. And now they’re exposed.

Being exposed isn’t always a bad thing. But exposure for the quiet ones is unwelcome. Unwanted. Unasked for. And the exposure may show how deep or how shallow their faith really is. So come prepared to stand tall and strong when you’re unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight. Be prepared to give an answer for the cause you’re supporting.

The quiet ones prefer to be in the background. To be unseen. Unheard. Unnoticed. Especially in a crowd. But one on one, they feel more comfortable. They may even shine. When one on one, they can let down their guard and talk about what needs talked about. But don’t ask them to speak in public. And they, most likely, will never raise their hand in a room full of people. Even if they know the answer to the question. Even if they have a question. They just won’t ask it. Because then they will be seen. And heard. And someone just might notice how awesome they are and expect them to speak up more often.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. Ecclesiastes 3:1&7b

The man who offered to bury Jesus was Joseph from the city of Arimathea. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the judicial ruling body of the day. This group had unanimously voted to crucify Jesus. Since the vote was unanimous, either Joseph voted in favor of the crucifixion or he wasn’t present when the vote was taken. Perhaps he abstained from the vote. Either way, he most likely felt he had failed the Messiah. What the Sanhedrin didn’t know was that Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus. He kept his faith quiet, because he lived in fear of the Jewish leaders he consorted with. And he alone asked to take the body of Jesus for burial. No one else asked. Not the disciples. Not the women at the crucifixion. No one else asked to bury Jesus’ body. Only this one secret disciple.

Another man named Nicodemus helped Joseph bury the body of Jesus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, and he was also a member of the Sanhedrin. He had once met Jesus face to face under the cover of darkness. He had questions about who Jesus was. Perhaps he was asking the questions out of personal interest, or perhaps he had been sent by the Sanhedrin to learn more about this man they so hated. But on the evening, as others were preparing for the Sabbath, these two men brought spices and linen and prepared the body of their beloved Savior for burial. These two men who never publicly spoke of their faith selflessly performed one final public act for their Lord.

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. John 19:38-40

These two men, Joseph and Nicodemus, held powerful positions. They were both members of the ruling group. They were wealthy and influential men of their day. They were not strangers to each other. But they each lived in private fear of public humiliation. They kept their faith quiet. But in a moment of faithfulness, they buried the body of their Savior. Anyone who hated Jesus and despised what he stood for would have cared less what happened to the dead body of a man who called himself the Son of God. These two men acted in reverent love for the One who would rise from the dead on the first day of the new week. They risked everything. Their lives. Their families. Their careers. All for the act of removing the body of Jesus Christ from the cross and burying him in a tomb. There is no record in the Bible of what happened to these two men afterwards, but historical documents show that they paid a huge price for this act of love.

Many people today openly share their thoughts for or against hot button issues of the day. And, somehow, it’s assumed that the loudest voices are the most popular. Not necessarily. Each of us may be known as one who is quiet about our faith or our convictions on current events. We don’t always have to speak up about our differences, unless God leads us to share. If we know that our differences will only cause friction, we have to ask ourselves if it’s the right time to speak up. Other times, as directed by God, we will perform acts of servanthood to others.

Our time of service or our words of faith can be far more reaching than we may ever know. Our faithfulness is the key. We must always be ready to give an answer for our faith when asked. We must perform acts of love and selflessness when called on. Oh. These words of faith and these acts of love may be misinterpreted, and we may be treated unfairly for them. But regardless of the outcome or the outcry against us, we must stand strong in our faith. And we must be prepared to risk everything by speaking or acting for an unpopular faith or belief.

Interceding

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Years ago, my dad was in the hospital for emergency surgery. The poisonous infection that spilled from his gall bladder was endangering his life. He lay in that hospital bed for a few days, weakened by the infection and recovering from the surgery. He told us later that there were moments where he was too sick to pray for himself. He needed the prayers of others to get him through those difficult days. Not only did my dad need the prayers of righteous people, but he needed the intervention of the medical team. The prayers worked. And the surgery worked. My dad made a full recovery. He couldn’t have survived on his own. He needed an physical intervention to save his life.

Job lived a good life. He was considered to be the wealthiest man of his day. Satan knew this about him, and he accused God of putting a hedge of protection around Job. And he asked the unmentionable. Satan asked God if he could test Job to see if his faith in God would waver. And God said ok. But God set boundaries. Satan could not kill Job. You may not call this an intervention or intercession, but God advocated for Job even though he allowed a time of great testing to come over the man.

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. He had seven sons and three daughters. Job 1:1-3

Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25

When Jesus sat down to eat the Passover meal with his disciples, he knew the suffering that was just ahead for him. Later that night, he would be brought to trial. He spent his last moments with his disciples preparing them for what they didn’t yet understand. He shared from his heart and let them know that they, too, would be the subject of much suffering. But before that happened, they would all desert him. And Peter claimed that he was ready to die for his Master. Yet, Jesus knew the lies Peter would tell that very night. He would deny even knowing Jesus. Not once. Not twice. But three times.

Jesus told Peter how Satan had asked to sift him like wheat. And Jesus, in love and compassion, fought for this man who had thrown down the fishing net to follow him. He pleaded with his Father to keep Peter within the fold and save him from the enemy. Peter and the others didn’t know that Jesus would willingly lay down his life for them the very next day. And without Jesus’ teachings and intercession for his disciples, they all would have failed the mission he set before them.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

And He’s ever interceding
to the Father for His children;
Yes, He’s ever interceding
to the Father for His own;
Through Him you can reach the Father,
So, bring Him all your heavy burdens;
Yes, for you He’s interceding,
So, come boldly to the throne.

The Speers

But why? Why, we ask, would Jesus pray for us? Why would he defend us and intercede? Why would he step in the way of Satan running over our lives? Because, we who are children of God, are destined to spend eternity with our Father. He doesn’t want any of us to stray, so he fights for us. We are worth it to him. Jesus didn’t just die on that cross for us and then forget about us. He pleads to his Father to save us from the evil one. Because the evil one is out for our souls. And he must ask permission to test us.

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10

God hates sin. It never becomes a trivial matter to him. He sent his only Son to die for the sins of all mankind, so why would he ever turn aside from pleas to keep us in his favor? His Son was the sacrifice for our sins, so of course, he’ll continue pleading for our eternal safety. He wants to spend eternity with us as much as we should want it. He fights for us.

We have much to be thankful for when we consider the gift of salvation that is made available to us. We also have a constant Defender who is fighting for us in all circumstances. He will not let up on keeping us under his protecting wings. Jesus Christ fights in our defense. He prays for us. He is always working for us. We aren’t in the fight alone.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

Stuart Townend & Keith Getty