God’s hint
During a study prep week, I was rewriting a message on Romans 12:21. As the composition unfolded, my thoughts changed from the original idea I had outlined a few days earlier. In fact, I felt strongly led by God the Spirit to shift the focus completely. Therefore, I scrapped the entire outline, jettisoning the original intent in favor of a sermon on “when life breaks down.”

Late in the afternoon, a new outline had been crafted. The objective and theme were in place, followed by three full pages of notes. I had just exhaled a satisfied sigh when my rather aged computer suddenly froze. After much effort, it limped back into service, but all the work of that day was lost. The online backup system had malfunctioned, and the file on the hard drive was corrupted.

I got the Lord’s evident hint. I need to overcome evil with good when life falls apart! So, I grabbed a pot of tea, jumped back in, and rewrote it all. The experience was horrible and wonderful – an excellent opportunity to practice what Jesus commands.

When life breaks down
Whatever destructive challenges you face this week – from broken computers to malfunctioning relationships to lunacy in the streets – overcome evil with good. It truly makes all the difference.

God bless,
Wayne

The 9th Commandment
I recently spoke on what scripture says about getting along with difficult people. Given the current season – oppression in Hong Kong and Belarus, elections in America, and Covid-19 everywhere – it seemed useful to cover a portion of that ground here with our All The Difference friends.

The ninth commandment in the Mosaic Law is one of the most important tools God provides for managing relationships with irregular people. Our forebears were way ahead of us on understanding the importance of this. In The Westminster Longer Catechism, they particularly highlighted this 9^th commandment and its application to New Testament life:

Q. 144. What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?
A. The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own: appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, and in all other things whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbors; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces, defending their innocency; a ready receiving of good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report, concerning them; discouraging tale-bearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth; keeping of lawful promises; study and practising of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report. [To see all the many referenced scriptures, look up Q 144 in The Westminster Longer Catechism.]

Wow! That’s a far cry from assuming one’s neighbors are hateful. And to really understand the power of that statement, one must grasp their context. The people who wrote that catechism truly understood what it was like to be tyrannized. They had been jailed for their faith by their own king. They had endured a horrible and bloody civil war.

And yet they knew that scripture commands us to think the best of every neighbor – even the creepy ones who attack us in a civil war! They wanted everyone to be taught to be slow to judge and quick to forgive. To emphasize the point, these wise pastors and politicians added Q. 145.

Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence; suborning false witnesses; wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause; out-facing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence; calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery; concealing the truth; undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, tale-bearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vain-glorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumours, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defence; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavouring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt; fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report; and practicing or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name. [To see all the many referenced scriptures, look up Q 145 in The Westminster Longer Catechism.]

You want to change the world? You want to deal with difficult people – including self? Live that out! Live the 9^th commandment.

God bless,
Wayne

What provision!
This morning, our family enjoyed a wonderful breakfast. We devoured eggs, bacon, and grits washed down with orange juice and a pot of tea. Then we lingered over and delighted in all the summer fruits covering the table – delicious strawberries, grapes, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, and cherries.

Last night we entertained friends who brought over champagne grapes, prosciutto, and four kinds of wonderful cheese. We washed all that down with yummy Italian crème sodas. And as I type this in midafternoon, I am savoring some great chocolate with another cup of excellent tea.

David was thinking of much more than food or drink when God commissioned Psalm 34. Nonetheless, it is instructive that food plays such a large part in our understanding of God’s provision. Except for breathable air, food and drink are the most constant needs for human life. Thus, from Moses to Revelation scripture uses food as an image that encapsulates all of the Lord’s amazing endowment for His people.

We are commanded to taste and see YHWH’s goodness, to take refuge in Him. That goes far beyond food and is even richer than my favorite Wedding Breakfast tea. But there is a reason for the connection in our minds. When I eat – whether much or little, stale saltines or fresh bread – I have a perfect opportunity to stop and praise God. To think about His incredible provision for me in the Father’s power, the Son’s sacrifice, and the Spirit’s presence. That understanding makes every moment take like fresh summer fruit.

God bless,
Wayne

Causus penuria
I regularly get to enjoy discussions with some wise Christian leaders who live in our area (North Texas). Recently, our moderator led us through a scripture-based investigation of the causes of poverty. The group agreed that the Bible exposes three things that lead people into poverty: laziness/lack of wisdom; oppression; war/pestilence. Laziness & lack of wisdom are serious problems, leading Proverbs to exalt a strong work ethic. Oppression is real and not limited to any era or area, as prophets like Amos revealed. War & pestilence are part of life on a fallen planet and account for much of human penury.

Analysis of responses
Our modern societies respond to poverty and its causes in ways that are often counterproductive. These were our observations about American reactions to poverty:

• Democrats often ignore laziness/lack of wisdom, pretending these aren’t ever real factors. This is unbiblical and foolish. It likely dooms their policies to be ruined by unintended consequences.
• Republicans often ignore oppression, pretending it doesn’t ever occur. This is unscriptural and infuriating. It likely inflames the oppressed and leads to a reactive expansion of what constitutes oppression.
• Fans of big government tend to see poverty as always preventable. This is unscriptural and untenable. It mires society in a hopeless human v. human blame game
• Lovers of small government tend to see the judgment of God in all poverty. This is unbiblical and depressing. It also devolves into blame and removes God from His throne.

Solutions
From Plato to Tim Keller, great thinkers have addressed this problem. I think we can summarize the best practices this way:

1. Encourage a strong work ethic. Exalt hard work of all kinds in your own soul, your home, church, business, youth sports teams, city committees, etc.
2. Fight oppression. Call out corruption wherever you see it, without fearing the inevitable kickback. Don’t just go with a cultural flow. Speak truth in love.
3. Trust God and don’t add to His words. He calls for each of us to care for those in need, without facilitating laziness. Let’s do so on both personal and corporate levels.
4. Recognize where your tendencies can lead you astray. Are you Republican? Fine, but don’t turn a blind eye to true oppression. Are you a big government liberal or communist? Fine, but don’t assume that “the man” – or woman, or government, or system, etc. – is always to blame.

I know this is off topic for what we are currently learning in the podcast and radio, but I wanted to get these ideas to you while they were fresh in my mind. I look forward to hearing how you might amend the analysis and action steps.

God bless,
Wayne

No panic zone
While on sabbatical, I traveled in a few states and carried on conversations with friends in a few different countries. I was very impressed with what I observed among Christians. A restful confidence emanated from nearly each person. I praised God for the moving testimony to His peace that passes understanding, knowing that these aren’t people traveling easy roads. These were pastors commanded to not meet or sing as a church, people in communities where virus death rates surged over 4%, school administrators condemned by both those wanting classes open and those demanding they be closed, civil and religious leaders attacked – sometimes physically – for supporting or not supporting the latest social demand. Nonetheless, they were all at ease in the hand of God.

Bob Wilkin probably spoke best for all when he wrote about COVID-19 back in June:

God is in control. The virus has not taken Him by surprise. It is part of His sovereign will. We can be calm during the storm because the One who stills the storm is in the boat with us. We have a chance to shine as lights in the darkness. If people see in us a healthy respect for the dangers of the virus and yet also boldness that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, then they will be encouraged in their faith, or drawn toward Christ if they are unbelievers. We may not anticipate the next big thing that comes our way. But, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can be sure that 1) God is in control, and 2) we can handle whatever happens by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

God bless,
Wayne

Sabbatical
For the next five weeks, I will be out of pocket. The podcasts and radio broadcast will continue uninterrupted, but I will be on a sabbatical and a teaching trip. Therefore, we thought it best to leave something a bit more extensive to study over the next few weeks.

Attached is a Bible study our home church developed regarding times of civil unrest. Each of our staff have walked through these passages and reflected on the applications. We encourage you to do the same, as only the Holy Spirit and scripture can foster real peace and change.

Click HERE to download the Bible study.

God bless,
Wayne