by Wade Crews | Oct 22, 2014
Matt 6:34 is a beautiful verse in the old King James language. “Do not worry for the ‘morrow. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof…” Wow! This verse speaks volumes to me as Jesus tells us to focus on today. Live for today. Know that today is fleeting. Yesterday is over. All we can do is learn from it. Tomorrow is just a goal. All we can do is plan for it. Today is the day the Lord has made. I will be glad and rejoice in it.
My wife is a first grade teacher and almost always comes home tired but ecstatic and on cloud nine at how well her students, “her kids”, are doing. But all too often she comes home frustrated and stressed about ever changing expectations, and how the system keeps moving the target. After many years of discussions over the education system, I see a trend developing which no one wants to talk about.
One of my degrees is in management. I have worked in nonprofits, the federal government, as a football coach, and with businesses who have a bottom line. After processing my wife’s concerns over the years, it seems we have a disconnect between a system that doesn’t have a bottom line, trying to produce future workers for a system that can only survive if they are in the black.
In a production sense, (and I agree this may be overly simplified), our schools don’t seem to know what their widget is anymore. When the school system realizes their widget is a productive citizen with a diploma, who respects the law and their neighbor and is a contributor to society and not a drain, then we can focus on improving the widget. The widget is not a set of test scores that outpace Germany on some global scale.
Let me be clear. This is not the teacher’s fault. We now live in such a way that a 54 percent dropout rate in Oklahoma City does not sound alarm bells. Less than half of the kids graduating should be unacceptable. No company could stay in business if they produced a final product from less than half of their raw materials. Industry has a word for what is left over from the production process. They call it waste.
We have taken God and godliness out of the school under the guise of freedom and now we are surprised our schools are ungodly. After confronting a secular world view many Christian families choose to protect their children by opting for the homeschool or private school model. One answer may be to consider the public schools a mission field and send our “missionaries” to universities so they can become teachers and then have a major impact on the lives of young people for the next 30 years. I am a product of the public school system and some of the biggest influences in my life were Christian teachers, Campus Life and those cool FCA meetings.
In the same sense, our churches must understand we are called to engage the community. There was a time in this country when the school house was also the church house. Jesus told us what our “widget” is. We are to make disciples. We are not to manufacture an experience or produce some new vision or worldview. Fortunately, God is consistent. He loves us and deserves our worship and obedience. Our target doesn’t change. Our widget is clearly defined. God never changes. Ethical precepts never change. Personal accountability does not change. Ultimate hope does not change. Oh we may modernize buildings, worship styles or music, but as we are told at the end of Hebrews, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever….. sufficient for the day……
by Wade Crews | Oct 15, 2014
When I was a kid in the 60’s and 70’s, most of my friends’ families would get up on Sunday morning, drive to the corner church of their choosing and attend a worship service. I was fortunate to have access to a bus ministry that would come pick up the kids of unchurched families like me. We would sing songs like “If you’re happy and you know it – clap your hands…” I was fortunate the church I attended preached the Good News/Truth about Jesus.
Growing up, I learned as I read the Bible that God wants a relationship with us, and we were created to glorify Him. Today there are many false doctrines that would have us believe what we get out of life and how we feel is the main purpose of church. In other words, today it would seem God is supposed to glorify us.
The self-serving faith, so prevalent in America today, is a ruse used to gain a legion of followers. The line usually goes “God wants you to be happy. If you are sick or poor or have some trouble in your life (kids, spouse, career etc.), it is because some sin is getting between you and God.” It may even sound like “There is a power in you which can overcome anything that comes against you”. Sadly – the emphasis is always on you.
In the Beatitudes, (Matt. Ch 5), the mindset Jesus requires of us is just the opposite. They are an outline of behaviors and attitudes which have nothing to do with “self-promotion” or achievement. Jesus tells us the key to happiness is selflessness. Poor in Spirit, meek and gentle, mourners, merciful, hungering and thirsting for righteousness unto persecution and insults please the Lord. Jesus later declared the poor widow as the most noble tither because she didn’t give out of her surplus. Unfortunately, most people give from their leftovers. Aren’t leftovers what you give to the dog?
I once had a coworker call me, who went to one of the new entertainment churches that provide that emotional high. He said “I need to ask you a question. I’m not ‘feeling it’ anymore. What do you think is going on?” He meant in a church sense, so I told him “That’s actually a good thing.” Surprised, he said, “Do you understand what I’m saying? I’m not happy anymore. I’m not feeling it!” He was concerned for his spiritual well-being.
I told him “Yes it is a good thing…. It is not about feelings. God definitely blesses us and fills us with joy and a peace that passes understanding, calms our fears and comforts us, but the relationship we have when we admit we are sinners and accept Christ as Lord and Savior and are born again is not simply based on how we feel.” “I don’t understand” he said. “Well, let me put it this way.” I said. God loves us and wants us to be in His will, but His will is that we glorify Him, not the other way around. It’s not about you or measured by your feelings.” He asked, “How do you know?” I said “Because one of these days, God is going to ask you to do something and you’re not going to ‘feel’ like it. What do you tell God then?”
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 20, verses 25 – 28 records:
“…. but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
“Blessed are those who mourn – for they shall be comforted.” If we never fall to our knees in agony for this world, how can we demand to be comforted? If we don’t mourn for those around us who have not experienced the saving grace of Christ, how much do we really rejoice when someone does ?
This has been going on for thousands of years. Paul knew what it was to mourn over people, caring more about their lives than our own. In Philippians, we are admonished to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus”.
Happy – I mourn today, for I know I will be comforted.
by Wade Crews | Sep 16, 2014
Most of us know the children’s Bible story about Shadrach Meshach and Abednego and the furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar. In part one of Righteous Intolerance, we looked at modern day social issues. In part two, I would like us to consider what Righteous Intolerance looks like.
Most of us know the account of what happened in the third chapter of Daniel. Right after the government officials sought to control the school lunch menus in chapter one, we see the forced social agenda of the government. They begin by telling our good guys an idol is to be revered over their own faith.
Please understand this “golden idol” stood 90 feet tall on the plain of Dura. Think Washington Monument in Death Valley. You can’t miss it. Our three boys were assembled with the rest of the people on the plain. When the band started playing, everyone bowed to the King’s whim. Everyone except the three brave non-conformists.
In today’s world of political correctness, we need to weigh the popular movement against the Word of God and see how it compares. Romans 12:2 tells us “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you will prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
That is a huge responsibility. We, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, are called to prove God’s will by NOT going along with the crowd. Do we understand when everyone else bowed to the King’s orders, these three men stood tall? They were obviously different. They were easily picked out of the crowd due their Righteous Intolerance.
When Nebuchadnezzar confronted them and asked if they understood “…If you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you from my hands?”, they did not wilt. Their response is what is missing today in this country. They said “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Fast forward to they were thrown in a furnace which was seven times hotter than normal, and so hot it consumed their special forces guards who threw them in. Then Nebuchadnezzar saw four men in the furnace instead of three. The forth looked like a son of the gods (more precisely the Son of God.)
When life turns up the heat and we are called to take a stand for righteousness, do people see Christ when they look at us? When we practice Righteous Intolerance, we must place our emphasis on the Righteous component. Because when Nebuchadnezzar saw Christ with them, he ran up to the furnace and said “…come out you servants of the most high God and come here !”
When was the last time we were called out because we honored God? We want to be called “Servants of the most high God”, because our lives should reflect serving Jehovah God, not some politically correct form of social service or worship.
They took a stand on that plain when everyone else bowed to the King’s idea of what was to be revered. They were obviously different. Then, even when faced with death and persecution, they did not waiver. They were not just believers when it was easy and comfortable. They did not conform to the world’s definition of the flavor of the month for worship or submission to a government that did not respect religious liberty.
Martin Luther King Jr, who is our greatest contemporary example of Righteous Intolerance, declared this: “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”
Today we don’t look different. We bow to the same idols everyone else does of career, leisure, spiritual apathy, contempt for our fellow man so we feel better about ourselves etc.. Do I need to go on? Unfortunately, when we do get our priorities right, all too often we are the silent good people of whom Dr. King spoke.
Are you ready to take a stand? I am calling out all servants of the most high God!
by Wade Crews | Sep 2, 2014
We have heard forever “You cannot legislate morality.” Sure you can. Unfortunately, this is heard most often when certain segments of society want to change the definition of various moralities. When a desire for something or some behavior is so intense, those who desire it feel it should be a right or an entitlement. There is a groundswell to move the line of demarcation for what we deem to be “right.” Or as some would put it, we agree to “lower the bar.”
Most intelligent people realize all laws are (or should be) moral laws. Murder, rape, assault, theft, arson, child abuse and so forth are all immoral. Society has developed a set of laws to assist us to live together in harmony in a civil way. However, many laws are often passed, repealed or changed in the name of progress, because we have become enlightened, or we now pretend to understand it is a “victimless crime”.
Society is often at odds with itself and its morality. Every week we see the mug shot of yet another teacher who had an inappropriate relationship with a student (edited for family content), or a child pornography sex offender being hauled off in an orange jump suit. Yet, the entertainment industry will glorify teen sex(uality) in movies and other media, (as in “American Pie” and others). If looking at or participating in the real thing is “wrong,” shouldn’t the simulated portrayal of those acts be prohibited?
In much the same way, the “N” word is not tolerated by society as a pejorative, nor should it be. However, it does get used in a cultural context for entertainment, (see movies and hip hop) or in the familiar vernacular of kinship.
Recreational marijuana is now legal in some states, and others have “medicinal” stores where you can fill your script, (wink wink). Look, the only people who want smoking pot to be legal are pot smokers, and those who would become wealthy selling to pot smokers. I don’t know very many people who would buy a bag for their teenager.
For decades, law enforcement has turned a blind nose at concerts, and no one has their home raided for their private box in the closet. We don’t have time to go into all the reasons it is wrong, but smoking pot is wrong. Just like adultery is wrong and just like abortion as a form of birth control is wrong, just like strip clubs are wrong, just like drunk driving is wrong. Legal does not have to equate to an embracing or even tolerant attitude.
Just because something is legal does not mean we have to participate in it. I once heard a nice quote attributed to those things which would lead us astray or cause us to suffer pain and loss through negative consequences. “Self discipline is giving up what you want right now, so you can have what you want most”.
My 18 year old son shed some light on this the other day during a conversation on morality and how far our Christian compassion should go towards the behavior of others. As Christians, we are actually called to be intolerant. We are also called to be Christlike. Jesus did not tolerate sin. “Go forth and sin no more” He tells us. God tells us to “Be Holy, for I am Holy”. No where does the Bible tell us to seek the lusts of our hearts and the desires of our flesh.
My son reminded me we will be called out. When someone is critical about the observations we make concerning their lifestyles, and declares “You are not my judge,” we need to agree with them and help them understand how very right they are. But they also need to understand, God IS their judge and of that, they should be very afraid. All too often, they are not even concerned.
Our “Righteous Intolerance” is not about feeling spiritually superior in any way. It is actually a recognition of the sin in our own lives. Recently, our nation has been compared to the fallen Roman empire. Rom. 3:21-26 says, “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say,of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
The Apostle Peter also challenges us as Christians to be prepared for these times. 1 Pet 3:8-17 says, “to sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. for,“the one who desires life, to love and see good days,must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.“he must turn away from evil and do good;he must seek peace and pursue it.“for the eyes of the lord are toward the righteous, and his ears attend to their prayer,but the face of the lord is against those who do evil.”who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? but even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. and do not fear their intimidation,and do not be troubled,but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. for it is better, if god should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”
When Christians have had a gut full of unrighteousness in this country, and we start cleaning our own houses, I hope we will demonstrate a righteous intolerance with love and grace. Are you ready to make a defense for the hope that is within you?
by Wade Crews | Jul 29, 2014
With the recent Hobby Lobby decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), it is clear the conscience of the nation and the liberty of the individual are at odds. I believe the Green family, when they insisted they would have closed the doors and shutdown the Hobby Lobby, Mardel’s and Hemispheres stores, had the SCOTUS decided against them. This is not a defense of the Hobby Lobby corporation’s position; it is a deep and personal question concerning where the reader stands when Church and State collide.
I recently watched the movie “Persecuted” with my two teenage sons. Even they felt as if the movie hit too close to home. I encourage you to see the movie and decide for yourself how far fetched the proposition of extreme government interference is. If and when you feel your religious liberty is being infringed upon, what is your response? Who is responsible for protecting your religious liberty – your “rights”? The very government who would infringe upon you? We can debate the first amendment and the so called “separation of church and state”, but the truth is the founders of this nation were believers, worshipers and servants of the God in the Old and New Testament – The Bible.
We as a nation are not unlike the Valley of Dry Bones vision in the 37th Chapter of Ezekiel. If we are believers, our responsibility is to obey God and speak the Truth, even to a dead and dried up nation. It is God’s job to place the meat back on the bones, provide the living water and the breath of life. God even explains this separation of powers (pun intended), to Ezekiel during the vision. “Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD” (Ezk. 37:12-14).
Our hope is in Christ, not the state. The Church is the body of Christ, and He is the head. As a Christian it should be comforting and reassuring to know that when Church and State collide, Church wins every time. “If God is for us – who can be against us?” Do you know why you and God are an unbeatable combination? Because God can’t be defeated. God told Ezekiel He would breathe the breath of life into that dead and dried up nation so that they would know He is Lord. Oh that this nation of ours could be revived in a similar manner. As the praise chorus states – “People need the Lord”.
We need to keep in mind, Hobby Lobby was one SCOTUS vote away from closing their doors. Man has always tried to outmaneuver God, even thought they had killed Him once….. The truth is that as Christians, we need to worry less about reaching the good life and more about preaching the Good News. Our comfort is not God’s first concern. Our love for Him and His creation is (see the greatest commandment).
“They” can pass as many laws as they want. They can legalize sin and outlaw righteousness, but it won’t change my love for and faith in the saving grace of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Obviously when I blog about Church and State, I mean the church of our Jehovah God of Genesis and on through the New Testament of the Bible. The State does not hold that to be true, nor do they need to. Guess what? When Church and State collide, God wins every time. Wanna know how I know?? I skipped to the back of the book – God wins !!