There Are Still Hostages to Be Freed 

As I write this, many of us are celebrating the release of Israeli hostages after a two-year ordeal. Over the course of that period of time, it may have been easy for some of us to go about our lives as usual with limited thought given to the situation of those people. We might have seen occasional reminders on news programs, but for the most part their predicament was not at the forefront of our minds. We were aware of what was going on in that part of the world, felt compassion for those involved, mentioned it in our prayers at times, but it probably wasn’t one of the greatest daily concerns on our hearts.

That wasn’t the case with others, especially the family and friends of those hostages. The status of the captives was something they were continually concerned about. It was a constant burden they carried with them. And many of them were actively interceding before government leaders, participating in rallies, publicly holding up signs or initiating interviews to remind the world of what was going on, and otherwise working to secure the release of their loved ones. It wasn’t just an unfortunate news story to them – it was personal. Even people who weren’t family took up the mantle and shared that deep concern. And now their tremendous sorrow has turned to great joy as they see these hostages released.

It reminds me of the fact that there are many others in our world being held in captivity today. I am not thinking about those who are physically imprisoned in some way, although we should not forget about them either. I am referring to many all around us who are suffering in captivity to sin, who have been taken hostage by Satan, and who may be so blinded that they aren’t even aware of their situation. We have all been there. Some of us have experienced being set free from our imprisonment through faith in Jesus. However, let’s not forget about those who are still being held hostage.

It can be easy to get so wrapped up in the busyness of our lives, even in doing good things and church activities, that we lose sight of the people around us who are still in bondage. We may know in our heads that they are there but do we carry their predicament in our hearts? Are we regularly intervening on their behalf before God? Are we doing whatever we can to seek their freedom?

Setting such captives free was a big part of Jesus’ mission. When He was beginning His public ministry, He applied a scripture from the book of Isaiah to Himself, saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). Jesus came to set the captives free, and that is also part of our mission as His followers.

Do we have the same mindset as the Apostle Paul had for his fellows Jews who were being held in spiritual captivity? He expressed his deep concern for them in these words: “I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart…My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved” (Romans 9:2; 10:1). Can we say something similar about our family, friends, and others who aren’t experiencing freedom in Christ? It shouldn’t just be an occasional thought that pops into our head, but rather a burden and prayer we continually are carrying with us.

Let’s not forget the spiritual hostages. Make it personal. Let’s be doing all we can to seek their release. 

 

Let God Do a Deeper Cleaning in You 

Last weekend one of my daughters had some workers coming over to her house to do what she described as a “deep cleaning”. They would be going beyond the regular housekeeping chores to perform a more extensive job of ridding the premises of any impurities, even in the hard-to-reach crevices or the oft-neglected recesses of the home. She was having it done at this particular time so as to get ready for the upcoming active holiday season with decorations being displayed and family gatherings taking place. As I spoke to her the day prior to their arrival, interestingly enough she was busy doing some of the more typical chores of tidying up in order to make preparation for the more thorough job this crew would be doing.

I like that idea of a “deep cleaning”, not just in reference to the extra cleansing our houses need at times, but also in connection with our spiritual wellbeing and our relationship with the Lord. Too many of us tend to be content with simply keeping the surface of our lives cleaned up. We focus only on our outward behavior or the blemishes that can be easily seen in our lives – losing our temper again, saying hurtful words, indulging in some activity we know is not pleasing to the Lord. We seek God’s forgiveness. We may even pray for His cleansing, but looking solely for Him to wipe away the stain and helping us not to make that same mess quite so often in the future. Unfortunately, that is as far as many of us go and that is where we choose to stop. 

We need to look beyond the superficial and trust the Lord to do a deeper cleaning in our lives. Yes, our behaviors need to change. However, the root of the problem goes beyond our actions and has to do with our hearts and minds. What we say and do rises up from what is found in our inner being – our thoughts, our attitude, our motives, our desires, our affections. We need to seek the deeper cleaning of a purified heart, a renewed mind, and a greater love for our God and for doing His will.

When King David repented over his sin of adultery, he went beyond merely asking forgiveness for his actions, as important as that was. In the psalm written on that occasion, he prayed for God to wash him thoroughly. Part of his prayer was, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). He knew that he needed a deeper cleansing than simply wiping away the stain of his adulterous act and its murderous cover-up. He needed a work to be done in his heart and spirit.

The Apostle Paul urged the Roman believers, “Do not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). In other words, “Don’t let the world shape you into its mold or appearance.” Nevertheless, Paul didn’t stop there. He continued, “But be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” They needed to do more than just not act like the unbelievers around them They needed to experience an inner change – that is where the most significant transformation occurs.

Maybe we have been dealing only with those superficial, daily stains that crop up in our lives. Let’s seek a deeper cleaning. Let’s yield ourselves to the Lord, let Him show us what is in our innermost being, and let Him do a work of transformation there.

“Lord, don’t just forgive me – cleanse me! Don’t just alter my behavior – change my heart! Renew my mind! Work on my attitude! Give me a greater love for You and a greater desire to do Your will! Lord, do a deep cleaning in me today!”

 

Let’s Be Honest with God   

In our small congregation, we often offer the opportunity at one point in the worship service for individuals to share a word of testimony, an answer to prayer, or a prayer request. On a recent Sunday one of our regular attendees had her grandsons with her, as she was taking care of them while their parents were out of town. After others had shared their praises and prayer requests, I was told that one of those young boys had a question. When I called on him, he inquired, “Could you try to keep it short today?” This unusual request resulted in all of us enjoying a good laugh. I responded that I couldn’t promise him that I would do what he asked, but that I would keep it in mind. Someone noted that at least this boy was being honest and sharing what was on his mind. There have probably been many people over the years who were sitting in church services with similar hopes to what this youngster voiced, but they just didn’t want to say it. It may have been an uncommon question to say out loud but not an uncommon thought in people’s minds.

Are we genuine with God about what is really on our hearts and minds? Do we share honestly with Him, or do we carefully edit our true thoughts and feelings into what we think would be more appropriate before voicing those concerns to Him? On the one hand, it is foolish of us to think that God doesn’t know everything already. Nothing is hidden from Him, including our deepest feelings and our innermost thoughts. But additionally, God wants us to experience such a close relationship with Him that we feel free to express our true feelings, desires, questions, and concerns with Him. Not only is it not possible for us to hide anything from Him, but we shouldn’t want to do so. Honesty and trust are foundational in any relationship, including ours with the Lord.

Think about how genuine those who penned the Psalms were as they communicated with God. Those writings express fear, anger, discouragement, hope, reverence, trust, and the whole gamut of human emotions. Those writers weren’t afraid to let God see them just as they were. They rightfully offered up their praise to God. However, they also brought their questions and doubts to Him. They were ready to shout “Bless the Lord, O my soul”, but also willing to cry out to God in anguish asking “Why?” They were genuine enough to confess their sin and their need for forgiveness, as well as to acknowledge the good work God had done in their lives.

Some of us need to quit trying to hide behind false fronts we have constructed and simply be real with God. We need to take off the righteous-looking masks and let God help us come to terms with our true selves. Let’s quit editing our thoughts and feelings, and instead bring them to God just as they are. If they are not appropriate, He will let us know. If they reveal our sin or faults, He can change us. If they show a wrong attitude, He can help us deal with it. If they come from a misunderstanding of scripture, He can teach us. If they reveal a lack of surrender to His lordship over our lives, He can help us take that step of total submission to Him. We just need to be honest with Him and with ourselves about what is going on in our hearts and minds.

What is in your heart today? What are your concerns? Maybe they don’t seem “spiritual” enough to bring to God, but talk to Him about them anyway. Don’t be afraid to be honest with God. He can handle it.   

 

Don’t Forsake Others with Differing Views   

After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there were some people who expressed their pleasure over its occurrence, some even celebrating this tragic event. I noticed some of my Facebook friends who demanded that anyone who had reacted in that manner to immediately unfriend them. I also heard about a Christian singer who lost a significant number of supporters due to the sympathy he had expressed for the victim and his family. He responded by suggesting that he didn’t want those who felt differently to come to his concerts anyway – he only wanted likeminded Christians to attend.

As followers of Jesus, we need to be careful about how we react to these kinds of situations and to those whose responses differ from ours. We need to keep an eye on our own attitude and spirit. We may rightfully grieve for those hurting and feel anger toward those who not only perpetrate such violence but those who support it. However, does that mean that we should isolate ourselves from those people, cut them out of our lives, and remove them from the sphere of our influence?

That wasn’t how Jesus dealt with sinful people, not even those who so steadfastly opposed Him. He was criticized for His willingness to socialize with individuals who were considered to be immoral. His well-known response was: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32). Jesus made it a point to be around the spiritually needy, so that He could help them and point them in the right direction.

Similarly, Jesus didn’t refuse to converse with the self-righteous religious leaders who were intent on destroying Him. He engaged in conversations with them. He rightfully condemned them at times. And He was willing to receive any of them who sincerely wanted to know the truth. If Jesus had cut Himself off from all the Pharisees, where would that have left someone like Nicodemus? No, Jesus was willing to meet with him and plant seeds of truth that apparently led to his eventually putting his faith in Jesus.

If those who think differently from us choose to cut ties with us, there isn’t much we can do about it. However, we should be careful about being the ones to initiate such action. We are called not just to bask in the light of other likeminded believers while here on this earth, but to be lights in the darkness. We may not agree with those people, but maybe we can still have a positive impact on them through our connection with them. You may not want to pay any attention to their posts on social media, but maybe they will pay attention to yours. Instead of giving up on them, let’s continue to look for ways to plant seeds of love and truth in their lives.

Yes, there are times when we need to “shake the dust off our feet” and leave people to deal with their wrong choices. However, the instances in which Jesus instructed His disciples to respond in that manner were when those followers were rejected. His followers didn’t initiate the act of separation. They were simply refusing to remain where it was clear they were no longer wanted.

There are situations in which it is appropriate to distance ourselves and to “come out from among them and be separate” (II Corinthians 6:17), especially from those who might negatively influence us. But let’s not make the mistake of isolating ourselves from those whom we can influence for good. We are called to be Jesus’ witnesses. You may not need those other people in your life, but they may need you in theirs.  

 

There Is Light in the Darkness 

Recently we have experienced some vivid reminders of the evil present in the world – not just that it is a reality, but also how dark it can really be. We have seen it surface in acts of violence that became headlines on our news feeds and the hot topic in social media. It showed up in the random murder of a young lady on a subway train, as well as in the targeted assassin of a political influencer who was also known for boldly sharing his faith in Jesus. These events took place even as we remembered the 9/11 attacks that occurred in our country twenty-four years earlier. In all of these, we have been disturbed by the brutality of the acts and the callousness that disregards the value of human lives. We have grieved for families left behind whose lives will never be the same.

However, we are also aware that such evil is not uncommon. Other violent acts take place on a daily basis where there are no videos taken or no prominent figure involved. Yet murders happen. Families grieve. And particularly in certain parts of the world, Christians are persecuted and killed specifically for their faith – people whom we can without hesitation refer to as Christian martyrs. The darkness is always there. Sometimes we simply get a more graphic or personal reminder of its presence and activity among us.

The presence of the darkness of evil should not surprise us. Neither should we be astonished by its reaction to light and truth. Jesus, the one true Light of the world, warned us about it. “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:19-20). This attitude toward the light played out in the world’s treatment of Jesus. He was rejected. He was mischaracterized as being part of the darkness rather than the light. Those in darkness were not satisfied until they had done all they could to try to snuff out that light. And they thought they had accomplished their goal when He died on the cross. Thankfully, that wasn’t the end. The dark day of crucifixion gave way to the glorious light of a resurrection. And that light of truth has been carried into all the world by Jesus’ followers.

That is the good news. Although evil is present and active in the world, the light of Christ, the light of truth, is also here and is greater than the darkness. In John 1:5, we are told in reference to Christ that the light shines in the darkness, but the darkness did not overcome it. What was true of Jesus as the Light also holds true for us today. Evil will continue to be part of our world. It will manifest itself at times as it resists the truth and as it strikes out at the light. However, it will not win. There may be days and even seasons when it seems to be winning the war. Nevertheless, any victories it gains are only short-lived. There is coming a day when the followers of Jesus will experience a place where there is no more darkness, but we will be living completely in the light of Christ and His glory.

In the meantime, let’s be the lights of the world Jesus has called us to be. Let’s overcome evil by sharing the truth and by living godly lives. Let’s overcome hatred by showing God’s love, even to our enemies. Let’s live out the admonition, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

 

Should You Follow Your Heart? 

It seems to be our culture’s go-to advice when it comes to seeking guidance about some matter, especially when it comes to relationships. When someone is struggling over choosing between possible suitors or between their dream job and their “dreamboat” or between other priorities in their life, they are often counseled, “Just follow your heart.” However, is that the best advice?

A verse in the book of Proverbs indicates otherwise. It says, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26). Why is that the case? It is because our hearts are not reliable. As Jeremiah 17:9 points out, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Our hearts can deceive us. They can be so tainted by sin, selfishness, and wrong motives that they can steer us in the wrong direction. Additionally, we may not have all the information needed to make a wise decision. So, although meaning well, our hearts could still lead us astray.

So what is the better option when we are needing guidance? Proverbs 3:5 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” There it is! Trust in the Lord, not in your own heart. Why is He more trustworthy than our hearts? It is because, unlike our hearts, He is not deceitful. What He says is right and true. And He is not tainted by sin – He is good and always wants what is good for us. On top of that, in contrast to our limited understanding, He knows everything. He sees the bigger picture. Therefore we can trust Him. We can be confident that the guidance He is giving us comes from the all-knowing God who is good, who loves us, and who will lead us in the best possible direction.

One of the resources God uses to give us guidance is His Word, the Bible. If what we feel our heart is telling us to do goes against a biblical command or a principle clearly taught in the Bible, then we should not listen to our heart. We need to listen to what God says in His Word and respond accordingly. In spite of what many people claim today, the Bible is trustworthy. It will guide us in the right direction. God has also given us His Holy Spirit as another source of guidance. If we are born-again followers of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit living in us. Jesus said that He would be faithful to guide us into all truth. Neither will the Holy Spirit lead us to do anything that goes against the Word of God. We cannot rightfully claim to be led by His Spirit when what we are doing clearly goes against what the Bible says. The guidance of God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit will not contradict each other. If it seems like they are, then we are misunderstanding one or the other.

When Jesus called His disciples, He didn’t tell them, “Come and follow your heart.” No, He said, “Come and follow Me.” That is what we are called to do as those who are putting our faith in Christ – not to follow our hearts but to follow Jesus. We need to trust Him rather than our own understanding. He has given us His Word and His Spirit to help us know which way to go.

So if you are looking for guidance in some matter, don’t foolishly just follow your heart. It might or might not lead you in the right direction. Instead, follow the Lord. Trust Him. Do what His Word says. Prayerfully follow where His Spirit leads. Then you won’t go wrong.

 

Your Spiritual Walk Affects Others 

Recently I drove through part of a neighborhood I had not been in for a while. I was struck by how its appearance had deteriorated since the last time I had been there. There were severely overgrown yards. Some of the houses showed the need for major repairs as windows were missing or shutters were precariously hanging down. A couple of homes appeared to be abandoned. It was concerning to see a once-vibrant neighborhood sink into such a state of neglect.

The cause for such a negative transformation may vary. It may have begun with one homeowner’s carelessness or with someone experiencing a financial loss that resulted in the abandonment of their home. When one property goes downhill, others around it often tend to follow suit. It can serve as a good reminder to us that what we do, or fail to do, can have an impact on those around us. When I was invited to give the invocation at a recent county Board of Commissioners’ meeting, one request I felt led to pray was that the Lord would help us all to work together to make our community a better place to live, work, and raise our families. It takes all of us working together to make that happen. If any of us falter, it can adversely affect those around us.

The same holds true not just in taking care of our property but in how we live as followers of Jesus. If we start neglecting our relationship with the Lord, it is going to show up in various ways in our lives. If we get careless in maintaining some of the spiritual disciplines that help us maintain a close walk with the Lord, we will find deterioration setting in. If we let other activities crowd out the priorities of Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, Christian fellowship, and meaningful service, the results will become evident in our lives. Weeds of sin will become more prominent in our landscape, choking out the Christlike virtues. Our shelter from the dangers and evils in the world will spring leaks and fall apart, not providing the warmth and protection it once did. Additionally, as our own spiritual home deteriorates, we can have a negative influence on those around us. Jesus spoke about the positive impact we should have on our world as being light and salt. But He added that if the salt has lost its flavor, it is worthless. If we lose our spiritual saltiness or our light in Christ, we are worse than worthless. It is not simply that we fail to be a good influence or that we are irrelevant. We can have a bad effect on those around us. We can drag them down with us.

Your family can reap the rewards of your vital, growing relationship with Christ, or they can suffer the repercussions of your waning walk with Him. Your church can be infected with your fervor for Jesus, or your spiritual apathy can keep your church mired in meaningless rituals and tired worship. Your neighbors and community could be blessed as you seek to fervently serve the Lord and be a help to others, or they could suffer as you fail to answer God’s call to lovingly minister to a lost and hurting world.

Let’s not allow our relationship with Jesus to fall into disrepair. Such vigilance isn’t just for our sake. It is also for the good of our family, friends, neighbors, fellow believers, and community. The people around you need you to be faithful in following the Lord. You and your walk with Jesus are going to influence them one way or the other.