Tag: Jesus

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I needed closure. (spoiler alert)

Posted on by Wick

(This is fictional, as if written by the lead character from a recent movie, “God’s Not Dead“.)

Dear Journal,

Where do I even begin?  I know it’s been a while since I last wrote, but I just couldn’t find the time to sit down or the words to say.  But I feel like God is challenging me to think about all that’s happened.  Putting these thoughts into words will help me grow in my faith, and give wisdom for my future.  So here we go…godsnotdead

Last time I wrote, I was about to start my courses for the November-December semester.  I was a little intimidated by one in particular and sure enough, it proved to be worth concern.  The first day of class, Professor Radisson asked us to write “God is Dead”, in order to skip all of the theological conversations in the study of Philosophy.  I couldn’t do it, and he required me to defend my position in front of the class over the next 3 sessions.  Looking back, I’m not sure what I would have changed…but I think I would’ve done something different.

I became consumed with proving I was right.  I wanted to win, no matter what the cost.  My highschool sweetheart dumped me (admittedly, she was a bit crazy anyway), and I spent so much time stressing over compiling the best one-liners and offensive arguments I could come up with.  I could think of nothing else but showing this class the God could triumph over any atheistic-influenced logic Professor Radisson had up his sleeve.  I might have begun the process motivated by a love for my classmates, but at some point I must have lost focus.

That’s when it began to happen.  As Professor Radisson and I shared a couple of “impromptu” moments outside of class hours, I realized he was searching for something more than my agreeing to his position in class.  But instead of responding to his scars with the love of God, I was like a shark smelling blood.  I saw the weak areas, the places he’d been disappointed by God, losing his own mother to a battle with cancer, and I went in for the kill.  In what I thought was my proudest moment –  proving that he was mad at a creator he’d formerly declared didn’t exist – as the class applauded, I felt sick to my stomach.  The tears in his eyes hinted that perhaps I should’ve taken a different route.  But with the enthusiasm of my peers (and tickets to Newsboys in my pocket), I was off to celebrate.  With Kara out of the picture, I ended up taking my new friend Martin.  That’s a confusing and humbling addition to all of this:  Even in the midst of me losing focus, God was using everything to reach out and touch the lives of others.  Martin gave his life to Jesus.  I’m so glad God can bring redemption to anything we offer Him.

Even as Michael Tait gave me props from on stage, when I should have been feeling on top of the world, I was uncomfortable.  I couldn’t shake the image of pain on Professor Radisson’s face as I “won” in the middle of class.  Somewhere in the midst of worship that night, I heard God’s voice almost plain as day.  He was asking me if I would show love to Jeffrey.  I had no idea who Jeffrey was, but I responded to God that night….whatever it meant, I would show His love to Jeffrey.  I left the concert that night, excited to see who God might bring into my life.  I had no idea what was coming my way.

Before bed, I checked my e-mail, only to find an urgent campus-wide announcement.  Classes would be cancelled the next schoolday, because of “Professor Jeffrey Radisson” dying that night after being struck by a car.  Jeffrey.  God was asking me if I’d be willing to show love to someone I’d only considered my enemy this whole time.  Even as I headed out late that night to talk with Pastor Dave, a friend patted me on the back saying, “Looks like God added an exclamation mark to your argument, eh?”  I cried all the way to the church.

Pastor Dave shared how Jeffrey had apparently had a change of heart after our class that day.  Once again I was humbled that God could move even in the midst of my approach.  Pastor was making arrangements for the services to be held later that week, and I asked if I could speak.  He agreed, and I put even more time into preparing my words for that service than I did for the 3 sessions defending God’s existence.  I learned so much about this man, and the pain he’d been through.  I regretted not knowing him, and I knew that God was calling me to confess in front of all my peers who stood with me that day in class.

The truth is, as I was caught up in proving God’s existence as a viable logical option, I forgot to reveal one of the most powerful ways He’s alive today is through the loving presence of His body…which includes me.  As I shared these words at his memorial service, a student I’d met at the concert felt God stirring something.   Ayisha came to me afterward, and together with Pastor Dave we decided to start a ministry to the hungry & homeless right there near campus.  What began as a Christmas dinner, has turned into something more consistent and thriving.  It’s been incredible seeing the faces of children receiving food or clothing, the smiles that testify louder than any factual statement – God is alive.  Several of the students in my philosophy class have joined, and in memory of the events with Professor Radisson, we’re naming it “De Vita Dei” (latin for “The Life of God”).

All in all, I’m continually thankful that no matter what I offer God, he can take it and bring redemption for Kingdom purposes.  I look forward to how I can help Ayisha show love to her brother and father, even though it may be a long road.  Our hope is that someday they will know the love of God, and look back to see how it has been poured out to them for years through her actions and words.

Whew.  That’s it for now.  Although I suppose I should add: Martin recently began dating Kara, which works great as she’s replaced his dad as decision maker.  Professor Radisson’s friend Mina began dating Pastor Dave, which is kinda weird but we’re getting used to it.  A woman named Amy Ryan has become a huge help in getting the word out about “De Vita Dei”, and giving herself to serve others, even as she struggles through treatments for cancer.  Pastor Dave has a friend from Africa who decided to work at Disney for a year…so we get free tickets if we ever want to head that way.  Oh…and I also heard that the Newsboys are working the sounds of Willie Robertson and his duck-calls into their next album…it’s sure to be a hit!!!

Until next time…

Josh Wheaton

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Temptations of Jesus, Pt. 4

Posted on by Wick

Temptations_of_Christ_(San_Marco)If we’re willing to reject the temptations of Satan, along with Jesus and by the power His Spirit brings through us, big things can happen. All over the world, March 9th was acknowledged as “FREEDOM SUNDAY”. God’s people are being broken for the sake of the poor and lonely, the imprisoned, the trafficked, and the powerless. You see, when humanity gives into the temptations Satan has offered Jesus here…this is what happens. Other people become consumed. Walked on. Imprisoned as objects. Treated like animals.

When we believe that inanimate objects are more important than living faithfully – people (our brothers and sisters) become sacrificed on the altar of low prices. Most of the products you and I use on a daily basis were made from materials and minerals taken from countries where laborers are paid next to nothing – if they’re even paid at all. Now I’m not gonna call us to boycott a specific store, give up clothes, and stop using cell phones. But I am going to ask you – when’s the last time you prayed for those communities? When’s the last time you treated someone the world called “insignificant” with the significance Jesus gives them by dying on their behalf?

Just one of the many reasons our family is in the midst of an adoption process, is to give a voice to the voiceless. To tell a story about a place and a people who are being taken advantage of by the world, and call God’s people to pray. Because as we see in the Lords’ Prayer – how we pray, leads us to how we live.

And that’s only the first temptation. How about the second? When we let go of all that God’s done, and all that God will do in the future – living only according to what it seems like God is doing right now in this moment – it can lead us to wrong thinking. It can make us lose hope, and forget all that God has done. It can seem incredibly hopeless for the 30 Million slaves living in our world today, and those of us who are enslaved by behaviors or sins that we need God to provide freedom from. Instead, we remember that God has provided freedom, and will provide complete freedom and healing someday for every single of the 30 million. Until then…we lift them in prayer, and support organizations and movements that embrace bringing freedom and release from bondage, wherever and however it exists. Even something as simple as sponsoring a child through ICCM can save a child from becoming a slave tomorrow. How is your life connected to Christ bringing freedom in our world?

And finally, the third temptation. The temptation to see statistics like “30 Million”, or Bible verses like “For all have sinned and fall short”, and throw our hands up saying, “We give up.” This is giving value, and bowing to something that does NOT deserve our worship. We believe in a God who is Lord over ALL creation. A God who has provided release from sin and bondage both NOW and FOREVER. We will not worship the forces of evil that pretend to be in control, but we will boldly declare by our life and resources today, GO AWAY SATAN. You have no right to declare ANYTHING over my life. God has already declared powerful words of Love, Grace, Release from Sin, and New Creation, and those are the words that will reign.

And in response, the devil will leave…and we will find ourselves in the midst of those serving God together. The whole world will be transformed as we go out into creation as those who have been set free in Christ. Will you allow yourself to be “of freedom”?  Will you respond as Jesus has, decide even now how you will live before temptation even comes to you?

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Temptations of Jesus, Pt. 3

Posted on by Wick

Looking back at the story of Jesus being tempted, we see Satan grasping for straws with one final attempt at throwing Jesus off track. He takes Jesus to “very high mountain”, and shows him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Then he offers to give Jesus all these things if he will “fall down and worship me”. This is crazy. You know how crazy this is, right? It’s incredibly hard to understand, and yet at the same time reveals something important about this ‘being’ known as “the deceiver”. He’s apparently so good at painting his deceptions, he has deceived even himself here. God, who has created all things and to whom all things are subject – especially any earthly powers or splendor. God himself comes in human form, as the Son. He’s already been declared such at His baptism, just in case any of us wonders if he really knew. And yet here is Satan, promising to give something to Christ that was not quite His to give in the first place. His desire to deceive Jesus runs so deep, he has deceived even himself to think that in this moment, Jesus might look at him and say, “Well actually that sounds quite nice. I’d love to have all of that, and worshiping you is a fairly small price to pay.”

So how does Satan justify even making such an offer? I don’t know.

Perhaps it has something to do with knowing how powerful a draw that offer might be. He knows the hearts of humans. He knows we love to be in power, we love to receive praise. We love to be in control. His offer to Jesus sounds a lot like a promise of power, praise, and control over these Kingdoms. These are all healthy things to appreciate, in the context of serving God. But the tempter was trying to see if, even for a moment, He could catch Jesus in a moment of weakness. If he would turn toward Satan as the source of power and control, turning away third-temptation-of-christfrom God for these things. Doing so, would have given far more than just a foothold.

Such temptation works its’ way into our lives as well. We’re tempted on a daily basis to think there are other sources of power, and other sources of control. The world screams at us to be anxious about this or that happening in other parts of the world, or even events happening in our own country, state, or community. Tempting us to think that we need to serve the powers that be over listening to the voice of God that desires to free us to live in peace. Jesus has become Lord of all, not by bowing to Satan, but by sacrificing Himself out of love, allowing these “powers” to do their worst…yet being revealed as powerless against God.

Jesus responds to Satan one more time, but 3 times is enough. He commands Satan to go away from him. It’s easy to wonder why He didn’t use this response the first time, but maybe it was so that we would have these specific interactions to wrestle with, and connect with our lives. It must be because each of these 3 interactions has something different to offer us, and reveal about God. Again, just another reason I found myself unable to escape a sort of “3 point message” on this one.

So Jesus responds again with words from Deuteronomy, words that every follower of God would be familiar with, and a phrase that appears multiple times throughout the Old Testament, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” Above any powers of this world, above any glory this world has to offer, we are called to worship and serve God.

The words come as a challenge to us as well, as we begin our season of preparing for Easter. What are we serving? What are we “working toward”? What do we hope to gain each day as we leave the house, and what do we dream about as we head to sleep each night? Are they the things of God, or are they offerings of the world?

The honest answer is this: None of us can stand above the rest and claim to not have desired the things of this world. Scripture tells us that none of us is without sin. That the only person who met with these temptations and remained faithful is Christ. And even He didn’t do so for His own sake, but for ours. That through his obedience and standing before God…we might have access to the throne. That through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we are actually enabled to celebrate Easter! Not as the arrival of our judge, but as the arrival of New Life even NOW!

Will you receive the reminder, to repent and turn toward God? Can we confess together, we’ve not responded as Jesus did in these moments. That we’ve given in, accepted the lies and offerings of power, control, and fulfillment. If not with significant things, then in small ways. Tiny footholds where we’ve bought into the ways of this world, instead of living as citizens of the Kingdom. This morning, Jesus stands as the one we’re to follow, and proclaims to Satan, “GO AWAY!” Can we join together in proclaiming that today? Declaring God as the only Lord we have, and the only One we will serve….no matter what?

If so, look out….transformation is going to happen…come back for the final “Temptations of Jesus, Pt. 4″…