Are You Being Unmasked?

"Behind the Leaf" Photo by Allef Vinicius

Dennis Montgomery, a former United States intelligence contractor is suing former FBI Director James Comey on the premise that a large number of American Citizens have been “unmasked,” (meaning under surveillance). Montgomery claims Comey and his agency covered up this illegal activity. He said that over twenty million Americans have been unmasked by the FBI according to Sara Carter who appeared on the Sean Hannity Show.[1] 

I don’t know if all of this is true, but if it is, it’s even possible it could include you or me.

“Unmasked;” that’s a term I had never heard until about a year ago. It almost makes it sound like the person being spied on is presumed to be guilty. If there is no mask (nothing to hide), one cannot be unmasked. Of course, most everyone has some private information such as personal finances, that they may not want the public to know about. That doesn’t mean, of course, that one is guilty of anything; just that they might not want everyone to know about something.

In the world of the Spiritual; however, everyone is guilty. Most of us have some things presently or in the past that we don’t want everyone to know about. Even as you read these words, something you’ve done may come to your mind.

Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, were suddenly ashamed after sinning. They tried their best to cover themselves (using leaves, which would eventually dry up and blow away). But they were unmasked. God knew what they had done and examined them concerning it. They would have to face the consequences of their sin, but then God made a sufficient covering for them by giving them coats of skin.

Jesus said, “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”[2]

Paul wrote, “… God shall judge the secrets of men...”[3]

One of these days the whole world, each one of us, will be “unmasked.” Like Adam and Eve, we all have sinned against God. We may be able to hide things from each other, but we can hide nothing from God – nothing.

There is one way we can keep from being unmasked. How? We can do so by removing our own masks now in the presence of God. We can come before him at this very moment and confess our sins – ugly as they are. We must place our faith in his Son, Jesus Christ as Savior and ask him to forgive us for all we’ve done wrong. He already knows, so just be open with him. By doing so you will enter into a relationship with the most powerful and holy one but also with the most loving person there is.

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[1] circa.com
   freerepublic.com

[2] Luke 12.2-3

[3] Romans 2.16

What is Stronger, Love or Hate?

What is stronger, love or hate, good or evil, right or wrong?

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm:

For love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave:

The coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it:

If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. 

Love is strong as death, said the bride to her groom in Song of Solomon 8.1

One day my wife and I were leaving the Dallas area. We figured that it wouldn’t take long to get away on the freeway if we left early on a weekend when the traffic would be light. Once we got close to the downtown area, we noticed that the traffic started slowing and getting packed. Not much further it slowed to a trickle, then to a stop. Then we could only move slowly in intermittent episodes.

Soon, we were all being directed into one lane on the right, then into an off ramp. We wondered what was happening. Why were we being redirected? There were people standing on the edge of the highway with cameras aimed to our left.

As we trudged down the access road on the right of the freeway, suddenly, across the freeway, to our left, we saw a building being engulfed in the smoke of dust! A demolition crew had imploded the many storied building with explosives. When the dust soon cleared, there was suddenly no building there. It had disappeared into a pile of rubble. In only a matter of seconds, the old high-rise was destroyed.

 

I used to do quite a bit of construction work. One thing I noticed was that when building constructively, it takes a lot of planning, measuring, and time to lay a foundation and erect a quality structure.

Not so much when tearing down. That goes pretty quickly. With sledge hammer and crowbar, a few good men can take some walls or even a building down in just a short time.

Thus; I ask the question, what is stronger, love or hate, good or evil? It seems, sometimes, that the work of the destroyer is so easy, that he is hard to overcome.

A mom and a dad spend countless hours sitting up with their growing child, expending immense energy. They sink tremendous amounts of time and money into their little investment. They dote upon, discipline and dress their beloved one. They transport and travel many miles for the young man or woman. With pride and joy, they watch him grow up, contributing every step of the way. They devote great effort to provide for their child’s best possible education.

One bullet, fired from a distant chamber, one malicious act, one evil deed can tear down a life in one day after years of nourishment.

One thoughtless word can destroy a person’s reputation that took a lifetime to build up.

One illicit affair can bring down, in a moment, a marriage that was previously built upon years of love and trust.

One Trojan horse can bring a covert enemy into a city where it took its people a great deal of time to construct a wall of protection.

So, it may appear that the power of destruction is greater than the power of production. It may appear that the power of death finally wins over that of life, that evil will win over good and that hate will ultimately conquer love.

The law of the Old Testament had said: “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” The concept was to destroy the destroyer. Makes sense. That way the evil action is punished and the evil one is stopped. And this is what government has to do to deter wickedness.

But evil often has a way of being incorrigible and its influence is almost without boundaries. If one wicked one is stopped, there seems to be five more who step up in his place.

Enter – Jesus Christ. “For God so loved…”

Jesus said; "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5.43-44.

Did Jesus live up to what he taught? Think about this. When Jesus was being betrayed by his own disciple, Judas, in the garden of Gethsemane, he had the opportunity to retaliate. Peter had started the process for him by lopping off a man’s ear with a sword.

But Jesus said: "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26.52)

Why? Love is why. Jesus could have come down from the cross if he had so willed. He could have easily called 80,000 angels to overcome not only the Sanhedrin and their soldiers but all of the Roman troops that were occupying Israel at the time.

Yes, Jesus did live up to what he taught. In fact, he is the only one who has ever fully lived up to it. Even with our noblest effort, we all come short.

How are you and I to deal with haters? We are to love them. The bible says; “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12.21) “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” (Proverbs 10.12)

Hatred hardens, but love softens. Whereas love will make one better and make one’s life better; hatred destroys not just the hated one but the hater. Hatred will eat a person away like cancer of the soul.

In the end, we know love will win, because God is love. Though Satan has inflicted his evil acts of hate upon those who know God, he will not ultimately conquer. Though it might appear that he has overcome in this world – no, he will be overcome. (Revelation 20.10)

God, the most powerful person in the universe is in essence, love, the most powerful force in the universe. Through his love, hate will be defeated.

Our God is a Liberal God

What do I mean that God is liberal? Not a theological liberal nor a political liberal, but he is a philanthropical liberal. The bible says: “God … gives to all liberally.[1]” Not a humanist, but he is a humanitarian.

          Our God is kind and shows his grace
          To every one of the human race.       

He has given so much to you whether you are a Christian or you do not believe in him[2]. He gives you the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat. He provides you family and/or friends to love and be loved by. He has given you a place to rest your head and a shelter from storms. He has given you laughter and a measure of happiness. He has given you talents and abilities that are unique to you. He has given you freedom to make choices. He has given you his creation to enjoy.

God has given you your body with all of its functions, including; a brain that can reason and send the right signals throughout your body. He has given you a beating heart that distributes oxygen, nutrients and bacteria fighting cells throughout your bloodstream. These are just a few of the things God has given to all of humanity – including you.

God gave his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost human race. Jesus gave his blood and his life upon the cross so we could have the gift of eternal life.

Thank God that he is a liberal God – a generous God. Let’s seek to be like him. Jesus said; “…He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.[3]”

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[1] James 1.5

[2] Matthew 5.45

[3] Luke 6.35-36

Old Westerns, Scattered Christians and Healing Lepers

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.[i]

Jesus’ Apostle, Peter, gives us three ways we are to love each other.

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart[ii]

1.     God Wants Us to Love One Another Genuinely.

Do you remember the old western movies and television shows? We would see a whole town full of buildings. Usually there would be a Jail, Telegraph Office, Blacksmith Shop, Saloon, Hotel, Stable, Barber Shop, General Store, and maybe some other buildings. Most of the time, however, these were not real buildings. They were often just framed walls made to look like buildings from the front.

We must not wrongly put on just a show of love. Upon inspection, the façade will be easily recognized by others though we may not recognize it ourselves.

Our love for one another needs to be unpretentious. It must be real – sincere. The word “sincere” in the above scripture can literally be translated as unhypocritically.

Love can be faked, but not for very long. Pretty soon, something will penetrate the façade we’ve erected. Love, or a lack of love, will always be tested. We can feign adoration of others until a real trial comes along. Then our true mettle will be revealed. We must first possess love before we can practice love.

We do not well to continually declare the words “I love you,” unless we have done the deeds which say, “I love you.” “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” [iii]

2.     God Wants Us to Love One Another Pure-Heartedly.

Love must go deep down. These Christians of the dispersion[iv] had already been purified. Their souls were in right standing with God. Now it would be needed by them and us to be in a right frame of heart in order to love others well.

If we want to truly love our brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to have our hearts right with God or we will “burn out” quickly. We should not love others because they are so loveable but because Christ loved us when we were not so loveable.

3.     God Wants Us to Love One Another Fervently.

The word fervent is translated from a root that means “to stretch out”.  The root word is often said of Jesus who would stretch forth his hand to heal the afflicted. In one place, Jesus stretched forth his hand to heal a man with leprosy (Matthew 8.3). Leprosy was a terrible, dreaded and infectious disease. What would motivate Jesus to stretch out his hand to a contagious leper? Might not the leper contaminate him – not to mention cause him to become ceremonial unclean?

Jesus did not love others from the other side of the universe but deliberately came to this earth to love us with sacrificial love. When he got here, he didn’t love people from the other side of the street, but went to where they were and stretched forth himself. He didn’t just give them a “like” on facebook, but actually came to where they were. He didn’t just say “I love you,” but he stretched forth his hands on a horrible cross so you and I might be saved from our sins.

That is fervent love.

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[i]    1 John 4.7

[ii]   1 Peter 1.22

[iii]  1 John 3.18

[iv]   See Acts 8.1 and 11.19

God Sees You

Often, near where I live, I see a man standing on the corner of a busy intersection with a sign that reads, “God is Watching You.” I’m not sure of the motivation behind this but my suspicion is that he hopes passersby will be frightened by the thought. After all, when we’re tempted to sin and are thinking of giving in, are we ever comforted by the fact that God sees us?

No, I think almost 100% of us, knowing that God sees, would want to think it over before committing the sinful act.

This is not unlike being in the presence of a policeman. We might alter our behavior if we know that an officer is watching.

One example is when many of us are driving on a highway. We may feel content and unthreatened until we realize there is a highway patrolman just ahead. Most of us might let off of the gas pedal immediately whether we’re speeding or not.

But let’s change the scenario just a bit. If we or someone else has been in an accident, we’d probably welcome the patrolman. If we heard gunfire, we might even call the policeman – even the same one we tried to avoid while doing wrong.

Now, we return to our main thought:  that “God is Watching You.” Is it possible that this could be a comfort to some of us? Just as it would bring comfort and security to a child to know that his or her parents are watching; it can be that and more for us as children of God to know that God is looking.

We read in the Bible of a precious Egyptian woman by the name of Hagar.[1] Hagar had been the handmaiden of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.[2] Sarah was unable to have children and had gotten very old but God had promised Abraham that he would have a son – and many descendants.

Sarah’s plan, obviously without consulting God, was to let Abraham go in to Hagar so she might give birth. A common practice among the peoples of that day, this would help God fulfill his plan, she thought. I suppose she figured God had run out of ways to get this done and she had to come up with something for him. Abraham “hearkened to the voice” of Sarah. Sarah’s plan was to be a surrogate mother to the child – at least in name.

Quickly Hagar conceived. Very soon, she became prideful and instead of having respect, looked down upon her mistress.

Immediately, Sarah had second thoughts. “My bad! Rewind. Could I get off here?” She realized her error. When Abraham told Sarah to do as she thought fit, Sarah dealt harshly with Hagar.

Hagar felt compelled to flee away. It’s not clear where she was trying to go. Maybe she was trying to get back to Egypt. I think she just went wandering, a young pregnant woman, alone in the desert. I’m sure she experienced numerous negative emotions.

The bible tells us that “the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.” He also said; “Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands…  I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. The angel of the LORD even said that the child was a boy (and that before ultrasound) and gave her his name – Ishmael, which means “God shall hear.” He tells her that Ishmael would be a wild and hostile man.

“And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi (meaning: the well of him who lives and sees me).”

What impressed Hagar about God, Yahweh? It was the fact that this is the God who sees her. GOD IS WATCHING – those words would not be words of fear and intimidation for Hagar. They would become her comfort and encouragement to go back to her mistress and to the father of her son.

How good to know that God is watching! He is not just watching but is watching over us.

GOD IS WATCHING YOU:

If you’re running, that’s scary.

If you’re saved, that’s reassuring. 

Not only does he see – he hears.

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[1] Genesis 16.1-14

[2] At this time they were known as Sarai and Abram.

Have You Sinned?

Just because you faltered, doesn't mean you're finished.

Have you sinned? I don’t know what you’ve done, but God does, and he still loves you. Did you drink alcohol after staying free of it for weeks – maybe even years? Did you fall back into drugs, smoking, gambling, or pornography? Have you gotten out of church and quit praying? Has it been a while since you read the Bible, God’s word? Have you failed your spouse? Is your language reverting back to profanity? You must be truly ashamed.

I can't blame you for being upset, but let me share what the apostle Paul said; "I know that in me, (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells" (Romans 7.18). Never be surprised how wicked our human nature can be. But it is still disappointing.

One misstep should not define who we are. Whenever a quarterback gets sacked or throws an interception, it is often the next play that really makes the difference. He can stay down and pout, or get up and dust himself off, more determined than ever to get the job done.

Even if a boxer goes down for a nine count, he might be able to come back in the next round to land a punch to win the match. It is not a single failing that determines who you are, it is your trust in God and his Son, which allows you to come back.

It is your direction that makes the difference. That direction was set heavenward when you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

Even in the kid's game Mother may I, one may move two steps forward and then one step back. Sometimes it may be “One giant step back,” but the game’s not over. "A righteous man may fall seven times and rise up again" (Proverbs 24.16). God won’t give up on you, either. He has already invested too much into your life, that is, the blood of His Son and the earnest of His Spirit.

David is not just remembered for when he committed adultery and put the woman’s husband on the front lines of battle to die. As terrible as David's sin was, we remember him as a man after God's own heart. 

Noah drank wine unto drunkenness but we remember him as a man of faith who obeyed God and accomplished great things. 

Moses let his temper get the best of him. It kept him from entering God’s promised land, but it didn’t keep him from successfully serving God the rest of his life.

Three times Peter denied that he knew Jesus, even swearing an oath; however, Jesus didn’t chalk him off. Soon after, Peter preached when 3,000 people accepted Christ as Savior.

Although Abraham was guilty of telling half-truths at times in order to save his hide, we know him as the "Father of Faith."

All of these faltered, but they weren't finished.

We use none of these things as an excuse to sin, but as a celebration of God's glorious grace. The more you celebrate his grace, the greater change he brings about in your life. Don't let the devil defeat you. Stay the course! Jesus loves you and is on your side and “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8.31). Sure, you bobbled the ball! Sure, you’ve failed! Sure, you’ve sinned, but “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans 8.31).

It would be nice to have gone all year without sinning but you didn’t. Hey, you can start again right now! You can be a victorious Christian with God's help, today, then for a full year, and then another, and another! Sadly, you are going to sin from time to time (1 John 1.8). God says you can confess your sins and be washed (1 John 1.9). Admit it and accept his forgiveness. You have Jesus Christ, the righteous one to defend you if you’ve sinned (1 John 2.1). If you believe in Jesus, he has justified you (Romans 3.24). In simplified terminology, that means "just-as-if-I'd never sinned." Since he sees you this way, go ahead and look at yourself this way as well – “just as if I'd never sinned”. If you’re saved, God doesn’t see you as a failure, he sees you as forgiven. When you look in the mirror, see yourself as God sees you. Then “go, and sin no more” John 8.11.

I’m sorry you have failed but at one time maybe you wouldn't even have cared. Now, just the fact that you do care is an indication that God is not through with you. 

"Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5.16). May God bless you as you seek his strength to live in purity for His glory!

How Much Faith Does it Take?

This article was written as a continuation on the subject of faith that we wrote about here. That article was based upon the words of Hebrews chapter eleven – the Old Testament hall of faith. Their faith seemed to be magnificent. A Christian brother wrote with several questions about that article. I hope this will help to answer some of those questions or any that you might have as well.

I don’t understand all God has said in his word. But what I don't understand, I still hope to be able to say that I believe it.

When we read about the results of faith in the lives in the saints of antiquity it might make us wonder how much faith we really have. Do I have the kind of faith those believers possessed?

The things written in Hebrews chapter eleven are really a compilation of many people's examples of faith. I'm not sure each of them had all of these qualities. It was never said that David built an ark as did Noah nor did it say that Rahab trusted God to have the strength to conceive and give birth to a son at the age of ninety as Sarah did. But one thing all these had in common was faith and that faith compelled them to do what God required of them in their unique circumstances.

God gives us grace for where we are right now, not necessarily for where we’ll be next week. He gives us grace as needed for ourselves – not for someone else’s needs.

I have often wondered if I would be able to have the boldness to serve Jesus if my job, my home, my family, or my life were being threatened. I don’t know, but I do know that God has grace for me right now and right here. I believe he would give me grace for any situation. And God has grace for you, for where you are right now.

How do people endure the devastation of a divorce? Grace. How does one deal with the pressure of having heard that they or a loved one has a terminal illness? Grace. How can someone navigate through days of continual loneliness? God’s grace.

How can I remain true to the Lord when dealing with extreme bombardments of temptation? Grace. How may I find cleansing if I have given in to temptation? By grace also. 

How do I handle having lost everything in this life I possessed? Grace.

What can keep me from becoming arrogant if I grow wealthy? How can I keep the Lord the first priority in my life during times of success and notoriety? The answer is the same – grace. So this means God can be trusted in every condition we may experience in life – good or bad.

How much faith does God require? It sounds like a whole lot. But no, Jesus said it only takes faith as a grain of mustard seed to move a mountain.[1]

So if that mountain moves, who or what did it? Was it I? Was it my faith? Was it the volume of my faith? The answer to all these is no.

If that mountain moves, it was God who did it. All we do is simply trust the God who can move mountains.

It is God that gives us that gift to believe, and yes, it is through faith that God supplies his grace for salvation.

The thief on the cross only had a short-lived faith and I'm sure he also lacked clear understanding about everything Jesus was. He knew Jesus was innocent. He called him Lord and he recognized him as King, saying; "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." He probably didn't know much about where Jesus was now headed, but he was justified as Jesus assured him; "Today you will be with me in paradise."[2]

One man said to Jesus; "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"[3] That doesn’t sound like a whole lot of faith!

Peter said contradictory things about Jesus in the same setting[4] but he was one of God's chosen.[5]

The man who had been born blind simply said; "Whether (Jesus) be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."[6] He was not very learned about Jesus yet profound at the same time. Later he was puzzled that the Pharisees did not recognize Jesus was from heaven. The man recognized Jesus was from God. After the Pharisees excommunicated him, Jesus came to him and revealed himself as the Son of God. There he worshiped him.[7] This worship seems to be a sign of the man's faith, though, oh, so limited. I believe he had now become a child of God.

Jesus also said we would have to become as a little child to enter the kingdom. So it is not necessarily doing more that exemplifies our faith, sometimes it is in doing nothing. A child is in so many ways completely helpless. He may not know his directions but he trusts in someone who does. He would not be able to make a living for himself but he confides in his parents to do that for him. He does not know the answer to great mysteries but he can trust in someone who does.

Jesus was saying I should recognize that I am like a little child. There is so much I don’t know but I know the one who knows. There is so much I cannot do but I know the one who can. I cannot save myself from my sins but I believe in Jesus Christ who redeemed me through his death on the cross and who rose again.

Philippians 3 says:

…that I may… be found in (Christ,) not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

It is not our faith that matters most here, because our faith will waver and vary greatly. It is the object of our faith that matters. It doesn’t matter how great our faith is. What matters is: How great is the one in whom we trust. It is not about a big faith, but it is about a big God.

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[1] Matthew 17.20

[2] Luke 23.43

[3] Mark 9.24

[4] as I may sometimes do

[5] Matthew 16.16-21

[6] John 9.25

[7] John 9.38