The Insurrection of the Church

Insurrection: Organized opposition intended to change or overthrow existing authority

Yesterday, I finally found the movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, in a Redbox machine.  I have been checking and checking, but all the machines said it was "out of stock."  I loved this movie.  If you haven't seen this yet, I highly recommend it.  (Caution: spoiler alert)

Fighting Burnout

Iron Man 3 will be released on Friday.  I'm getting excited to see the movie after seeing the trailer.  If you haven't see the trailer, click the link.

What's interesting is the angle this movie seems to take.  This is a very powerful, rich man who could have anything he wants.  He has the girl, he has the money, and yet, there is this level of anxiety and worry that seems to overwhelm him.  He is consumed with the idea that he needs to build more and more super suits, and the obsession takes his attention away from his girl.

Have you ever felt that level of anxiety that consumes you?  Do you have obsessions that take over your life, because you worry about what may happen if you don't focus on them?  Jobs can take over our lives, if we don't be mindful of what is important.

Solomon writes about life and how much the pursuit of wealth is meaningless.  Listen to this passage he writes:

"So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety?  Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest.  It is all so meaningless.  So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work.  Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.  For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him?" ~Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 (NLT)

Eat, drink and find satisfaction in the work, but then he points out nothing has meaning without Him.  He goes on to say that we need companions to get through our short time on earth before we go to heaven.  The secret to fighting burnout is to find relationships that have meaning.  We need each other to be able to fight the battles that we face in our daily walk.  We need our loving friends.

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

~Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)

Don't be afraid to share your real self with others.  This helps you be in the kind of relationship that will help you get through this life until we go to heaven.  This helps with the burnout we face in our daily walk.  We need our friends.  We need love.

Gift of Power

Bruce Banner or Incredible Hulk

Have you ever felt powerless and weak when you were facing an adversity?  Have you wished that you could be filled with power when the need arose?  Growing up as a girl in the 1970's, I admit I was fascinated with the TV show "The Incredible Hulk."  Bruce Banner was accidentally exposed to gamma radiation and given to turn into a large and powerful creature when he became too angry, or if his life was in danger.  This is a power Bruce felt was not his, and rather was more of an alter-ego, because he wasn't always in control of the Hulk.

I've been studying the gifts of the Holy Spirit as described in the New Testament of the Bible.  When the Spirit came upon the believers of the early church in Acts 2, there were many signs and wonders.  Winds whipped through the house, and tongues of fires appeared upon the people.  Believers spoke in other languages, and performed all kinds of miracles.  They appeared for all to be supermen.  Men with innate power and abilities.

However, the source of the power was not theirs.  God would choose to fill them with His Spirit and then consume them.  The power manifested by the men was actually God's Spirit overflowing through them.  It gave them strength to speak before many people and withstand tremendous persecution and abuse.  God knew we believers would need Him, and His power is still bestowed on those of us who remain close to His Truth and choose His path.  I've written about our responsibility when we have this great power in a different post (Great Power, Great Responsibility).

When God fills us with His Holy Spirit, we may feel like Bruce Banner did when the Hulk came out - a bit out of control.  But, God means for us to submit to Him and allow His power to work in our lives and in the lives of others.  We must yield to Him.  If we worry about criticism, this means we are still focused on ourselves.  Don't worry about making a mistake.  Remember, God is big enough to handle your mistake.

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint." ~Isaiah 40:29-31

Puny Gods

"There's only one God, ma'am, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't dress like that." ~Captain America

Moses brought the ten commandments to the Jewish people.  The first commandment is very clear.  "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3 KJV)  The second commandment follows the first one very closely. "You must not make for yourself an idol..." (Exodus 20:4a NLT)  God was intentional in his instructions with his chosen people, telling them the first and foremost important thing is to remember God first and to honor Him.  This still applies to the new testament church.  We are to first of all, love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

What gets in the way of loving God first?  I know most of us don't worship other deities.  We struggle with idols that interfere.  What is an idol?  Put simply, an idol is anything (object or person) that we focus on more than God.  This idol becomes what we think about or do all the time.  Some people idolize their work and are consumed with thoughts of increasing power and/or money.  Others dwell on thoughts of a loved one.  Whatever our idol is, we need to take command of it, and put it in its rightful place.  God is first.  Period.

Take a minute and view this scene from the Avengers.  This illustrates how the Hulk defeats what he terms, "Puny God."

Every time I find my thoughts dwelling on an idol, I just imagine the Hulk beating it up.  It's funny, but it works.

"They (Gentiles) demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right." (Romans 2:15 NLT)

Unity of Purpose

How did they become a team?

I hear this phrase being tossed around the corporate world: Unity of Purpose.  There are many images I get from that phrase, and most of it seem kind of, well, like a patterned buzz word with no meaning behind it.  I did have a moment of clarity when I saw the dynamic of the various superheroes of Avengers.  Each of the powerful heroes were used to working alone to manage the supervillains.  What's interesting is that until they had a single united purpose, they had no reason to work together, and largely fought among one another.

That didn't work.

It took the collective effort of each of the individuals to accomplish their purpose: the removal of Loki, the brother of Thor, and the saving of the world as we know it from his destruction.

What would be the singular purpose that unites the Church?  What crisis are we waiting for?  From what I see, we are caught up in our individual lives and not spending enough time in fellowship with others who could strengthen us.  Do we lack the ability to trust another with our deep thoughts and feelings?  Do we think we will hurt less if we walk alone?

Jesus didn't want us to walk alone.  Consider his prayer the night he was betrayed.  "I am in them and you are in me.  May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." (John 17:23 NLT)

Jesus knew we could not do the work he gave us without having a unity of purpose.  He asked his Father in heaven for that gift of unity in the body of Christ for us.  This is perhaps best illustrated in Ephesians 4:1-16.  We cannot achieve maturity without the others who make up the complete body of the Church.  We need each other.

"He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.  As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (Ephesians 4:16 NLT)

Beware of False Prophets

I just recently watched the movie Avengers this week, as it was released on Blu-Ray.  I admit, I didn't get to watch it on the big screen this summer, so I was a bit behind the general public.  This movie was well worth the wait!  As I watched it, I saw so many good lessons to learn.  Today, I want to discuss the power and lure of false prophets.  Loki, brother of Thor (Norse god of thunder), came to earth with the intention of ruling the world we know.  He used a scepter of power that could turn men's hearts and mind to his will.  Men like Dr. Selvig and Barton were lured by Loki's scepter (and Loki).  

Evil prophets are not limited to fictional movies and books.  Our history can remember very powerful men who claimed deity and ultimate power.  Our Bible warned us even in Jesus's day; indeed, even in the days of Adam and Eve, that there were evil men.  Today, they walk among us.  Consider the words of Peter in his letter, "But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there are false teachers among you." (2Peter 2:1a NLT)  

How can we know who is real and who is a false prophet?  Jude tell us how to recognize them, "These people - who claim authority from their dreams - live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.  These people scoff at things they do not understand.  Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so bring about their own destruction." (Jude 8,10)

How will we know how to defeat them when they are among us?  Jude also tells us what to do, "But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life.  In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love." (Jude 20-21)

Do you remember the scene in the movie when Natasha (aka Black Widow) encountered a deceived Barton (aka Hawkeye)? If you don't remember, picture how she knocked some sense into him (literally!)  Did you know that is exactly what we are to do for each other when we are deceived?  Consider more advice from Jude, "And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.  Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement.  Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives." (Jude 22-23)

We know false prophets exist, and that they walk among us.  Stay alert, mindful of the truth that comes from the Word, and rescue others who are or begin to be deceived.  Be like the Avengers and save the world from the evil ones.

What is the Stuff You're Made Of?

The First Avenger

The Captain America story is one of my favorites.  Here is a synopsis in case you haven't seen it.  A scientist develops a formula that enhances all the qualities a person already has inside.  The formula will turn a good man into a great man, but it also turns a bad man into an evil man.  This scientist was forced to give the formula to a man already known as evil and somewhat mad.  The result was a villain known as the Red Skull.




The Red Skull terrorized the people of Europe in the dark days.  The scientist needed to find just the right man to defeat him.  The man who has intensive loyalty, goodness and bravery.

He found that man in 90 pound Steve Rogers.  Steve possessed a tremendous desire to protect others from bullies.  He could not stand the idea of others like him getting kicked around.  He would die to save others without hesitation.  The scientist administered the formula.  Steve transformed into a great superhero known as Captain America.

Captain America continues Steve's great traits of loyalty, bravery and goodness.  He uses his enhanced traits to save many men from the evil ones.  I find myself wondering if I was given the formula, what would be enhanced?  Would the formula enhance my good traits or my hidden bad traits?  Would I be good for the world or would I harm the world?

I have to admit to myself, my enhanced traits would not be pretty if I did not have the Spirit of God dwelling in me.  My sin nature is proud, selfish, willful and rebellious.  I am unable to love others in this sinful state.  God has transformed me into a person that can love (with his help).  I can be a person who gives humbly, but only with his help.  Bottom line, I can only be good in Christ.  No formula will do it, since my natural state is not good.

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35 NLT)
"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:12-13 NLT)

Thor's Hammer

Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of THOR! ~Odin

Superhero stories always fascinate me.  Thor is an arrogant hero with powers that were stripped away when he was banished from his realm to earth.  He believed he was entitled to the power he possessed in the hammer, but was shocked to find out he was no longer worthy to possess it.  It wasn't until he was willing to die for his friends that the hammer was returned to him, restoring him to full power.

Let's think about the story of Samson in the Old Testament.  He is portrayed as strong and blessed by God, with the strength of many men.  His Godly blessing was in his uncut hair.  He made many demands, and when he did not get his way, he caused war and killings.  His power was stripped away when his lover tricked him in revealing the source of his power, and arranged to shave his head.  Humbled, humiliated, and beat down, Samson finally prays to God, "Sovereign Lord, remember me again.  O God, please strengthen me just one more time.  With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.  Let me die with the Philistines."  With that, the temple crashed down on the Philistines rulers and all the people.  He killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime (Judges 16:28-30 NLT).

When God blesses you, take care not to allow your arrogance to overwhelm you.  God will find a way to humble you, for those who are humbled will find themselves in a place of honor.

But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

 ~Matthew 23:12 NLT