A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


Showing posts with label Jesus Our Model. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus Our Model. Show all posts

June 7, 2022

John Connor and Jesus

 

We're all aware of the increased warnings regarding cyber attacks. And how many of us are receiving an unprecedented number of spam emails? Combine this with the accelerated use of automated [translation: robotic] fake accounts on social media sites which fuel social division with their inflammatory fake comments and you will find me recalling the Terminator movie franchise. Remember Skynet and the "rise of the machines"? The objective of Skynet and its self-aware computer network was to stealthily assume control of civilian computer systems under the guise of a computer virus. Patiently working towards its ultimate goal of world domination, the Skynet virus is able to infect U.S. military computer networks, leading the country and the world perilously close to nuclear annihilation. 

The reason I am injecting this movie plot into the conversation today is because I believe the parents and grandparents in the real world must adopt the attitude of the movie heroine Sarah Connor, who prepares her son, John, to become a leader of the human resistance against the machines; she prepares her son for a future in which the very existence of humanity is at risk. That may sound like the exaggerated vision of a conspiracy theorist, but in this hour of peril in our nation, there is not one person who is not being effected by the rapid decline of the economy, soaring gas prices, and food shortages, not to mention the attacks on our moral and family structures. So maybe some of you are struggling with your primary responsibility of preparing your children to thrive into adulthood. How does one do that when we have no idea what the future will look like?

Whether you are the mother of an infant who is frantically trying to buy infant formula, or the mother of teenagers trying to figure out the mindset of teens who commit mass murder, you may be trying to discern just how and what you should be training your children for. If you have teenagers, is college a good idea when the job market is so unpromising? Do you need to prepare them for a less prosperous lifestyle than they've enjoyed up til now? With the course this nation is on, will America, let alone the American dream, even exist in another generation?

The truth is, we need a generation of John Connors to realize the dire straits that the human race is in and be willing to become leaders in restoring this nation to a moral standing. But, I'm going to tell you the truth ... that can't be done without Jesus. We don't just need the movie model of John Connor; the fearless, dedicated warrior trained in weaponry, computer technology, and reconnaissance. We need the Jesus model of John Connor. We need men who are fearless; men who, like Jesus, are willing to stand fearlessly in front of their enemies and declare that they act in accordance to God's will. Anything outside that reality has no jurisdiction over them. 

We need to raise men who, like Jesus, are dedicated to a godly purpose for the betterment of all mankind, without seeking personal gain. We need men who, like Jesus, seek the counsel and wisdom of God in all they do. We need men who are not afraid to credit God with all they are in this world. And, yes, we need men who are warriors like Jesus. Our Lord came to conquer Satan's kingdom of darkness and reclaim the world for the Kingdom of God. We are in desperate need of a generation of John Connors who will fight in both a physical and a spiritual war against sin and evil. We don't need men who think they are Jesus, but men who are like Jesus... strong, compassionate, moral leaders who are incorruptible. 

 So, I just want to encourage all the parents out there, especially the mothers. You cannot only become a fictional Sarah Connor, but walk in the influence and power of the Biblical judge and leader, Deborah. In fact, I can imagine the character of Sarah Connor being modeled on Deborah. Sarah, like Deborah, realized that in order to survive, people had to stand up and fight against the depravity that was stalking her family. But we can take it a step further and become a Deborah --women of strong faith, vision, and resolve. Deborah saw how her people had become weak from years of oppression by idolaters, and when she received the promptings from God to be a deliverer, she did not question Him, but took action to free the weak from the iron grip of the oppressors.

Would you do less for your children? Deborah referred to herself, as the "Mother of Israel", although Bible historians are not even sure she was an actual mother. But she had that maternal instinct that all women have, and she longed to see her nation restored and re-established as it was intended. We can all identify with that! So if you are out there reading this post and feeling beat down or under a heavy cloud of despair, please know that there are thousands (and I hope millions) across this nation that feel we are in the middle of a spiritual battle. Do not despair! Instead look at your beautiful children and determine that you will instill in them the desire and will to develop independent spirits and become freethinking citizens; that you will teach them about God, His saving grace, and His moral ways; and that you will inspire them to seek wisdom and justice throughout their lives. You are not alone!  And you are worthy of this task! A mother's love is fierce and stubborn .... it can lead a nation to the victory in Christ that is our inheritance! 

Psalm 34:4,11     I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears ..... Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 

 

 

January 14, 2022

What Does Your Faith Look Like?

 

I have never walked [nor appeared] conventional in the eyes of the world. I know that from a very early age, I saw life through a different lens. It was like I could see things, events, and people in their "real light", rather than the false image that were projected. In fact, when I was eight-years-old, my Third Grade teacher asked us to write about how we saw our personality. I made it very clear that I did not like "fake" people. Now, that doesn't sound very friendly, kind, or pleasant, does it? It wasn't that I called anyone out; it just meant that I chose to be very discriminating as to whom I wanted to associate with. And I use that word "discriminating", not in the sense of today's cancel culture, but meaning that I could perceive the difference between genuineness and superficiality.

As I grew into my teens and early adulthood, I continued to look at things differently than my peers. At the time, I could not have explained my inner thoughts, but I now see that I had a gift of discernment that allowed me to interact with people of all natures, regardless of what social labels they were attached to. I usually felt like I was outside looking in, but also found myself accepting [and being accepted] by those who society elevated to the "popular" crowd, while also identifying and connecting with those who out on the margins. But I always felt "separate". Not in a bad way. I wasn't interested in judging people; I simply knew I was different. Our society likes to put us in a category, and I think my peers found it difficult to figure out exactly where I fit. I had no idea how that would play into my walk with Jesus.

From the beginning of my faith journey, it didn't look like the mainstream or customary "salvation experience". Unlike many, I did not grow up in a "church-going" family, nor did I make a decision to give my life to Christ as a child. I was in college, [when through my own free will, and some would say, bad choices,] I found myself voluntarily leaving college, on my own, with no job and no source of income. My father was extremely disappointed in my choices, and being unwilling to admit I had failed by making those choices, I declared that I intended to go back to school and finish my degree [which I did, a year later]. But that situation found me crying out to Jesus. I knew about Him from my believing mother and grandmother, but I did not know Him. Yet, through His grace and mercy, and His unceasing pursuit of me, He rescued me from that lonely and scary time. So, I was now acquainted with Jesus, but not yet inclined to surrender my life to Him.

That would take another 13 years of living in the world, seeking to feel comfortable in my unconventional skin, while knowing there was more to this life than I was experiencing -- still feeling I was on the outside looking in; like I was waiting for that "something" that would ultimately define me. It would come in the form of a serious auto accident, with me once again crying out for God as my car flipped 5 times. I emerged from the car, needing only 6 stitches in my head, and a moment of clarity that it was time to ask Jesus into my heart. There was no physical reaction; no instantaneous altering of my mind or spirit -- or at least none that I was aware of. All I know is that my faith journey began that day in 1986 and has continued to change me as I have allowed Jesus to grow me into who He designed me to be, and into a closer image of Him. And in doing so, I have often not resembled other Christians.

But, as I contemplate my faith journey through the experiences of my life, I see that I have always looked through different eyes, and have always been a risk-taker. That does not fit the mold of a conventional Christian. Often times, in modern Christianity, we are convinced that there is "a model" to follow in our faith, and that stepping outside those lines can lead to a radical faith that does not serve the Body of Christ. So, is there room within that structure for those of us who were made to walk the unconventional path?

I love the series called The Chosen, which follows the journey of the disciples of Christ as He called them from their diverse lives into an unprecedented manifestation of faith. Some seemed like ordinary fishermen; others were from all strata of society -- tax collector to "woman of the night". They all had different personalities and traits, but all were chosen for those specific attributes which would be needed to withstand the world's ridicule and objections. All were capable of walking out a radical faith. Are you? Because that is what it is going to take to traverse what is coming upon the earth.

Those Disciples were willing to walk with Jesus into an uncertain future. Are we not faced with the same challenge? But they trusted Him. We must do the same. He is the Creator of the Universe, who personally created each of us to do His will on earth. He never promised the journey would be smooth or safe. Yet those Disciples were men and women who were willing to take a risk in following Him and believing Him; right up to that moment of His last breath on the Cross. But they showed us that their faith did not dissolve in their confusion or fears at finding themselves without His physical presence. Like us, they soon had His Holy Spirit to guide them and counsel them as they continued to risk everything to carry His message of Salvation and the Kingdom to the rest of the dying world.

We have that same opportunity to take those same risks; to be radical in our exhaustive and extensive efforts to reach those who do not know the Lord we serve. It is time to be bold in our testimonies and to let go of our fear of man. It does not matter what people think of us; only what Jesus thinks! I do not want to stand before Him and have Him show me that my unwillingness to embarrass myself before strangers, or to step out in an unfamiliar crowd -- or Heaven forbid, speak His truth that the traditional Church scoffs at -- meant that one of His stray sheep lost the opportunity to receive encouragement to turn towards His steadfast voice and outstretched arms.

It is not easy to step out in faith. I get it! No one wants to be singled out as "different" or "radical". But Jesus is our model. Those Disciples are our model. Jesus showed us that a human being can have faith in God to lead us through our darkest times. There will be nights of sleeplessness; struggles with forces in this world and the spiritual realms; ostracism from the world and religious authorities; separation from family; and even times of uncertainty and questioning -- all experienced by Jesus and His followers. But our God never changes! What He did for Jesus and that dissimilar band of followers, He can and will do for us! 

I want to leave you with this final thought ... I do not dismiss that God can stir a spirit of revival in the hearts of men, and that we could see a reversal of Satan's plans for the world. God would love nothing better than to see a renewal and regeneration of the earth and its systems. We would all love to see that victory! But should we continue on the current path, I will still count it victory, because our faith will grow stronger and more effective! We will walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before us in declaring the power of God and Yeshua! Just let me finish my race as Jesus and each of those radical believers did ... worshiping my Father in Heaven; declaring His glorious Kingdom; and praising Him for His power in my life to help me accomplish His will. That's how I want my faith to look ... right up to my final breath.  

Matthew 21:21     Jesus replied, “Listen to the truth. If you do not doubt God’s power and speak out of faith’s fullness, you can also speak to a tree and it will wither away. Even more than that, you could say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and be thrown into the sea’ and it will be done.