God’s Play Book
God is not the author of confusion, for where there is strife and contention there is confusion and every evil work. Despite the divisions and factions of this world, Christian believers have been called to the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Small Christian fellowship groups are proliferating during this time of social distancing. Jesus himself rarely ministered to large assemblies. He chose twelve apostles. Our Lord also had an inner circle of three. We become like the ones with whom we choose to associate. The question is, “who are your twelve and who are your three?” Influencers 4M (four men) groups are modeled after Jesus’ example of four men — disciples following in the footsteps of their Lord.
Phil’s Hanlen’s organization Ambassadors and Embassies is dedicated to organizing trips to Israel to bless Israeli soldiers and support Israeli citizens, our faithful allies. He has taken to heart God’s promise to Abraham that those who bless Israel, God will bless. Phil is also a firefighter and a husband and father. He has been a faithful follower of Christ through Influencers ministry to men fellowships for the last ten years.
There are five tenets of influencers: Jesus is Lord of our lives. The Bible is our sole authority of faith and practice. We are men of prayer. We link together with likeminded believers. We give it away.
God is always faithful, always present, and always good. Our priority during times of crisis is to remain close to our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:12- 15, Even though I have not yet attained the out-resurrection from among the dead… “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (attained): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
Phil listened to a message in October of last year that changed his life. He realized that God must be calling him in a new direction. He continued to serve at Mariners church as an elder. Then when the governor of California issued a social distancing order due to the Corona virus, Phil realized that God had warned him of the coming pandemic.
Phil’s compassion for humanity was challenged when the riots hit his city last month. A few weeks later, his house was burglarized by a meth addict. Phil had to direct the police to the burglar. He is now caught up in the legal system as a material witness and victim of this crime.
A few weeks ago, Phil contracted the corona virus. He was in quarantine for two weeks and is thankful for his complete recovery. Throughout these recent ordeals, Phil has experienced God’s hand of healing and deliverance.
The devil’s weapon of choice is temptation. He’s ramping up his efforts to make us angry at the situations around us. Proverbs 29 says a fool gives full vent to his rage, but Romans 12 says, vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord.
Proverbs 28 says, whoever has a hardened heart will fall into calamity. But thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice for sin on our behalf, we can choose not to be slaves to sin. According to 2 Corinthians 3:18., “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory (of the flesh) to glory (of the spirit,) even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
As individuals and as nations, God either allows us to voluntarily fall on our knees in prayer, or he will allow trials and tribulations to bring us to our knees. When we seek his face, when we obey the first and great command, to love God above all, we will through his power conquer the darkness of this world.
Ephesians 6:10-13 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
We are called to peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
According to Matthew 5, Jesus said, “bessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God”
The apostle Paul encouraged believers to endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
The world and the followers of the world’s doctrines are described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
1. THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Despite the brokenness of this world, 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
When the crisis comes, and courage is required, God expects his men to have such confidence in him that they will be the reliable ones. Our confidence is not in our own power but in the power of his mighty hand.
According to Psalm 91:
1. HE that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;”
In times of crisis, our prayer is, “Lord, where do you want me to be? Here am I Lord, send me.” When the storms of life arise, the question is not, “Are you in the boat?” Rather, the question is, “Whose boat are you in?” Jesus said to his disciples, “Get in the boat. We’re going over to the other side.” In the midst of the storm our prayer isn’t “deliver me from the storm.” In stead our prayer is, “Lord, deliver me through the storm.”
In John 16:33 Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.”
Christ’s followers need the zeal of a rescuerer, the heart of a teacher, and the attitude of a servant. As Christians, God has given us his Holy Spirit: Christ in you the hope of glory. When we walk by faith, we obey his command — put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s his heart behind our heart and his zeal behind our zeal to will and to do of his good pleasure.
The good news of the gospel message is that even though we inherited our sin nature from Adam, and the wages of sin is death, God sending his son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.
For no one can lay any foundation other than that which has been laid in Jesus Christ. The gospel message of salvation is in Romans 10:9-10: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
God’s play book is a book of promises. Acceptance of His promises is by obedience according to His word. The choice is either truth or consequences. Jesus said, “treasure treasures in heaven instead of treasures upon earth.” The apostle Paul said to set our affections on things above.
As we look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, our prayer is, “Lord how can I serve you? Direct me into your will as I position myself in close proximity with you my Lord. I count myself not to have taken hold of all of your promises, but this one thing I do — I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in. Christ Jesus. That I may live for your honor and glory…. to the praise of the glory of thy grace!”
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
