Substance and Symbols

Never confuse substantive repentance with symbolic repentance. When Jesus confronted the woman caught in adultery, he didn't
shame her with her past sins. He told her to leave her life of sin. There is a difference.

Recently, my denomination resolved not to wave the Confederate battle flag in the faces of those who are grieved by what it stood for in the past.

It is always a good thing to remove a stumbling block from the path of the good news of Jesus Christ. Still, lowering a flag and loving your neighbor are not one and the same thing.

It remains to be seen if this unbinding resolution will result in the ties that bind, in the local church. I pray it does.

History teaches me, substance is more difficult to produce than symbolism. Does anyone remember the SBC boycott of Disney?

The fact remains. Much of the church growth in my denomination over the last 50 years has been a result of white flight to the suburbs.

Abandoning transitional neighborhoods, in search of greener pastures and fields white unto harvest has been a persistent church growth strategy for years.

Lowering a battle flag from the past, to avoid the appearance of racism in the present, will not symbolize an act of repentance unless churches stop racing to the suburbs. This "race" issue is not changed by lowering a flag, but by turning around.

Lower the old flag of the past, if you must, but plant a new one in the inner city.

Symbolic gestures over past shameful behavior is not repentance. Repentance is marked by a turnaround expressed by a change of mind, a change of heart, and a change of direction.

Pray for a real turnaround in our denomination and our nation. Jesus doesn't shame us with our past. He forgives it, and gives us a new life.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

"From now on, sin no more."
Jesus (John 8:11)

The Shame Game

It backfired!

Stuart Varney, an American citizen by choice, born in the UK, observed one important reason for the shocked faces in Britain over the vote to leave the EU. He said their shock is related to their under polling.

Apparently people being polled as they left the voting booth were hesitant to admit how they voted.

The "Remain" campaign had used an aggressive and relentless shame game against those who voiced their desire to see their nation leave the EU. They bullied people who wanted to leave the EU, accusing them of bigotry, and racism. Their attempt to publicly shame voters into silence and submission did not work. It only forced them into the privacy of the voting booth.

Many "Leave" voters left the voting booth in silence, but not in submission. The media elites, the establishment leaders, and financial markets were stunned by the silent stand of people who wanted their nation set free from the EU.

This may be the greatest lesson Americans can learn from this experience. Never let yourself be shamed into silence. Your vote is your voice.

The voting booth is the last secure place to make your voice heard. Pray for wisdom and courage, but register to VOTE and get others out to VOTE! When you vote, you speak up, and you STAND UP. Make your voice heard.

"Silence isn't always golden. Sometimes it is just plain yellow."
Senator Barry Goldwater

The Sit In

A Congressional sit in is happening in Washington DC.

The participants are sitting on a slippery slope. They express concern for the lives of innocent victims, killed by (OMIT) using guns, while showing nothing but calloused, entrenched, relentless unconcern for the lives of the unborn.

This is not a substantive sit in. It is hypocritical grandstanding. They strut sitting down, as long as the cameras are rolling.

An estimated 20 million black babies have been aborted since the legalization of abortion in this nation. If these little ones had been allowed to live, and eventually registered to vote, there would be no need for a sit in. The balance of power in this nation would be decidedly different. Do the math.

These politicians, posing as patriots, won't admit they have devoured their own constituency.

Never take seriously anyone who is willing to destroy their young, while removing your right to protect your own.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Post

A recent article by Gary was published in The Washington Post.

What was America's response after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor? The President did not cloud the issue by reminding the nation that all Japanese were not to be blamed for the attack. He defended his nation.

This nation was not led to hold candlelight vigils or to "Pray for Pearl Harbor." The nation was mobilized to defend themselves against an evil group of thugs who were intent on world domination.

Before my father died, I asked him what happened in December 1941 after Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. He said overnight the nation was transformed into an army, galvanized with one purpose. Defeat the enemy.

This nation has been under attack by a ruthless enemy for most of my adult life. Call this what it is. IT IS WAR.

Those who lead us to believe we are safe from future attacks from Islamic terrorists by calling Islam a religion of peace, and supporting their efforts to establish mosques that serve as thinly disguised terrorist training cells and fund-raising centers are guilty of treason.

Religious liberty was never meant to provide cover for a religion hijacked by those who wish to annihilate the very nation that welcomed them. Pray for the courage to stand up against the rampant political correctness that has shoved common sense from the public square.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Edmund Burke

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

Two Words

God's Word is filled with bold, brief, two word blasts that give me direction, correction and protection. Some of my favorites are: "Fear God!", "Praise God!", "Trust God!", "Hear God!", "Father, forgive!", "Fear not!", "Take courage!", "Be still!", "Stand firm!", "Follow Me!", "Rejoice always!", "Give thanks!", "Be filled!", "Humble yourselves!", "Be strong!", "Draw near!", "Hold fast!", "Make disciples!", "Be saved!", "Lay aside!", "Husbands, love!", "Forgive us!", "Judge not!" and "Pray, then!"

Perhaps the two words that shape my life the most were used by Jesus, in the form of a question, to a discouraged couple of disciples on the Road to Emmaus. He said to them, "What things?"

His invitation still stands. Talking about a crisis chews up victory with the jaws of defeat. Praying through a crisis, snatches victory from the jaws of defeat.

Jesus can still turn a long walk in the dark into a victory lap.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

40 DAYS WITH THE RISEN CHRIST: Day 27

" 'Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.' Now this He said, signifying what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me!' "
John 21:18-19

The Risen Christ described the life that was in store for Peter. His life would end not according to his will, his way or his wishes, but by the hands of others. John explained the words of Jesus referred not only to Peter's death, but to the way he died. He glorified God.

Jesus told Peter he would be led to the finish line of his life against his will. John affirms Peter glorified God every step of the way down the line. Peter was not a perfect man, but his life had a perfect ending. He glorified God throughout his life, and with his last breath.

My father's life came to an end one year ago today. Carved on his grave marker are Don Miller, the dates 1922-2015, and four little words, TALK LESS! PRAY MORE! To the eyes of the casual observer, these chiseled words provide a brief summary of Dad's long life. In Dad's case, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

If the little dash between Dad's dates could talk, it would tell of many tears, trials and triumphs Dad experienced throughout his life. My oldest brother was privileged to hear Dad's last words spoken on earth. As Dad was stirring restlessly in his bed, trying to get up, my brother asked him, "Dad, where are you going?" Dad responded quietly, "Almost to glory." From a hospice bed, Dad finished his race. He dashed to the finish line. My goal in life is to follow Dad's lead, and to finish the race. Who is with me?

Life has a beginning and an end connected by a dash between the dates. Peter's reunion with Jesus reignited a fire in his heart for a First Love relationship with Jesus. Similarly, the dash on Dad's stone cold marker is a symbol of the red hot flame in his heart that was fueled by his passion for Jesus. Prayer was the air he breathed to fan the flame in his heart.

The Risen Christ called to Peter, "Follow Me!" With these two simple words, Jesus pointed the way to the finish line for Peter, and to every believer. In the Kingdom, the way you come into the Kingdom is the way you continue on in the Kingdom. Fellowship with the King is expressed by following Jesus.

"Prayer is the intimate communication between the Heavenly Father and His child." Don Miller, 1922-2015

NOTE TO SELF: Prayer fuels your following and your fellowship with the King. Make sure the dash between your dates is fueled by your passion for The Savior, not by an obsession with the system. In the end two things matter in your life. Follow Jesus and glorify God. Pray your way through every tear, trial and triumph. Prayer fuels the fire in your heart for a First Love relationship with Jesus. Keep the fire alive. Follow Jesus.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

40 Days with the Risen Christ: Day 24

"He said to him again a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Shepherd My sheep.' "
John 21:16

The Risen Christ confronted Peter with the fundamental relationship every citizen of the Kingdom must settle before they assume the mantle of ministry. Before Peter engaged in ministry in the Kingdom, he must embrace The King.

Leaders in the Kingdom love the King. They check their egos and logos at the door, and embrace Jesus with a total surrender of their personal priorities, prejudices and preferences. The King places His sheep in the care of those who will feed His sheep, not fleece them or devour them.
Christian history is filled with documented evidence of church leaders carrying out the work of the Lord without being in love with the Lord of the work. What the leaders do in moderation, the people do in excess. Eventually, the church bears little resemblance to the Body of Christ.

The story of revival reveals God's willingness and faithfulness to resurrect His church, when people admit their hearts have grown cold to Jesus. They may have a tight grip on the system, but they have lost their First Love for The Savior. Revival reverses the church's white-knuckled grip on the system, and releases a renewed passion for The Savior.

“The Church right now has more fashion than passion."
Leonard Ravenhill

Investing sweat equity into the system glorifies the flesh, and overshadows The Savior. Make no mistake about it, man-made effort releases a pungent body odor, but it is no substitute for the sweet aroma of The Spirit. The Head of The Church can smell the difference. His sheep can too. In the past, Peter's leadership didn't pass the smell test.

The Risen Christ stepped into Peter's life to reignite his passion for The Savior, not to redouble his effort for the system. Jesus called Peter to embrace an intimate relationship with Him, not to engage in more intensified effort for Him.

Spending more time in the work of the Lord, without spending time with the Lord of the work, turns the church into a machine shop, producing toxic smells of sweating flesh and clanging metal. The Spirit of Christ produces the fruit and aroma of a farmer's market. They both require effort, but only one produces an aroma that reminds people of Jesus.

NOTE TO SELF: To pass the smell test of the Kingdom, don't just sling sweat. Bear fruit. Peter would have to die to his prejudices and preferences. So will you. Before the Spirit released the power of the resurrection in Peter's life, he had to identify himself with the power of the cross. Prayer restores intimacy with Jesus,and releases the power of the resurrection. Your death to self precedes resurrection power and releases the Fruit of The Spirit. This only happens...EVERY TIME. Prayer reignites your passion for Jesus. Accept no substitutes.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

40 Days with the Risen Christ: Day 21

"He said to him, 'Tend My lambs.' "
John 21:15

Following Peter's expression of love for Jesus, he was commissioned. Jesus transformed a lead fisherman into an under-shepherd with three words.

"Tend My lambs."

In the Kingdom, the mission belongs to Jesus, but the commission belongs to His disciples. Under-shepherds are not owners of the lambs. They are stewards of The Shepherd.

The Shepherd intends for His under-shepherds to tend the lambs that belong to His flock. Those who are most vulnerable are the most valuable. They must be fed, and given over-sight and nourishment. Jesus called a fisherman to step out of his comfort zone and become a herdsman who would bring comfort to His sheep. Peter would never forget his calling.

"Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that He revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
1 Peter 5:1-4

Claiming ownership and tending lambs are two different things. Under-shepherds serve as stewards not owners. Faithful shepherds never confuse the two.

Faithful shepherds avoid feeding any hunger for ownership they may have for the flock of God. Anyone who refers to Christ's flock as "My church" is in danger of claiming ownership, and failing to exhibit stewardship. Jesus delegated stewardship of His lambs to Peter, but He never abdicated the ownership of His flock to any man. They all belong to Him.

Jesus questioned Peter's love for Him because his love for Jesus would influence Peter's treatment of His flock. Peter's admission of his love for Jesus would be tested by a commission from Jesus. The measure of Peter's love for Jesus would be proved by the way Peter tended the lambs who belonged to Jesus. There is a huge difference between tending lambs and pretending to be a shepherd. Jesus knows the difference. Make sure you do too.

NOTE TO SELF: Do you love Jesus? Tend His lambs. If you are not tending His lambs, then you are pretending to be His shepherd. Jesus called you to tend, not to pretend. Prayer brings you into The Presence of the Chief Shepherd. When your heart grows cold to the lambs placed under your care, only the Holy Spirit can warm your heart. Don't pretend to care. Tend the lambs who are precious to Jesus. Prayer thaws your heart to tend His lambs.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

40 Days with the Risen Christ: Day 20

"So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?' "
John 21:15

Jesus ministered to His weary disciples, preparing and serving them breakfast on the beach after a long night on the boat. Scripture does not record the breakfast conversation, between Jesus and His disciples. Jesus singles out Peter for the most important question of all. "Do you love Me more than these?"

It is not clear if Jesus is referring to the catch He had given Peter, or if He was asking Peter to compare his love for Him with that of the other disciples. Peter wisely responded. "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."

Peter began his conversation with Jesus with the two simple words, "Yes, Lord." They reveal a repentant heart, not a rebellious one. The heart of a rebel always fights for his rights. Peter yielded his.

"This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead."
John 21:14

Peter had experienced the manifest Presence of The Risen Christ on two previous occasions, but he still held onto his own rights and his personal sense of direction for his life. The third time Peter was confronted by The Risen Christ, he was a different man. When he said, "Yes," to the Lord's way of life, he died to his own way of life. Wise disciples still do.

"Yes, Lord!" is the preamble to every fresh act of obedience, and it serves as the pledge of allegiance in the Kingdom. In the Kingdom, it is impossible to say, "No, Lord." Citizens of the Kingdom treat Jesus as the Lord of their lives with every breath they take, and throughout every day they live. In the Kingdom, anything less than complete surrender to Lordship of Jesus Christ is considered utter rebellion. There are no unrepentant rebels in the Kingdom.
Jesus framed the debate about citizenship in The Kingdom, within the context of love. The citizens of the Kingdom love Jesus, and they are not ashamed to declare their love for Him.

When asked of his love for Jesus, Peter did not boast of how much he had. He simple made a simple statement of humility. He no longer put his trust in his own assessment of his love for Jesus. He knew his love for Jesus was real, but also knew his grip on it was weak. He put his trust in Jesus to validate and to value the worth of his love.

Peter's statement remains a comfort to every citizen of the Kingdom who has declared more love for the Lord, than they have delivered to Him. Peter rested in the fact that Jesus knows. He always knows.

When Peter heard, "more than these," he did not rush to compare his love with anyone or anything else. He simply declared his love. Peter had a track record of comparing himself with his peers, and always coming out on top in the assessment of his value in the Kingdom. This time he left the assessment to Jesus. Humble citizens of the Kingdom don't compare their love for Jesus.

They declare it.

My Dad, Don Miller, died April 22, 2015. He was consumed with a personal love for Jesus that seemed to grow with every passing day. I was privileged to sit with him as he waited for Jesus to call him home. One day he recalled his favorite song.

" 'He walks with me, and tells me I am His own.' Just to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, God Almighty."

His voice trailed off at the end of this statement, and he fell asleep. On the last day I saw my father alive, I heard him speak these final words to me.

"Keep preaching pal. Keep preaching. Keep loving. Never run out of love. I love you." I have his words timed at 4:10 PM.

In his hospice room, Dad came to the same place Peter reached on the beach of the Sea of Galilee. Peter loved Jesus, and he longed to be with Jesus. Nothing else mattered. The devil is in the details. Love Jesus.

NOTE TO SELF: Don't compare your love for Jesus. Declare it. It is a comfort to know you love Jesus. The greater comfort is found in discovering Jesus loves you. Begin your day with "Yes, Lord." Throughout the day, declare your love for Jesus. Don't be ashamed to say His name, and to show your love. Prayer provides you with the courage to do both.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

40 Days with the Risen Christ: Day 19

"Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn."
John 21:11

John describes an amazing scene. When Peter arrived on the beach after his 100 yard swim on the Sea of Galilee, he found Jesus had prepared breakfast for them.

After a long night of futile fishing, the disciples heard Jesus call out to them in the gray light of the early dawn. He urged them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. These experienced fishermen obeyed, and immediately their nets were filled with a catch of 153 fish. Peter jumped into the water and swam to the shore. He found Jesus standing over a fire.

"So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, 'Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.' "
John 21:9-10

True fishermen, His disciples counted the catch, but John, a man of experience, added the all important detail, "the net was not torn."

"Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three and although there were so many, the net was not torn."
John 21:11

The backs of the disciples were weary, but their net was no worse for wear. Fishing on the Sea of

Galilee was a tough job carried out by rougher men. Catching fish was hard. Repairing damaged nets made it harder. John's point is well taken.

Yielding control of the process to the voice of Jesus provided His disciples with a catch, without damage control. Too often the contemporary church does whatever it takes to draw their net, but their catch results in collateral damage. In short, the catch they count can't be counted on, and does more damage than good. Wise fishers of men allow Jesus to be their guide to His catch. He is still calling His disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat, and to draw their net in the right way. It is foolish to take His catch out of His hands. Taking control of His catch may lead to more fish, but manhandling His catch leads to more damage control. But I digress. Back to breakfast.

"Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' "
John 21:12

The Risen Christ initiated a family reunion with the men who had wandered from His Presence, but were never separated from His love. Jesus invited Peter to bring His catch and add it to what Jesus already had. Peter counted his catch, because he valued it. Any fisherman would have done the same thing. The point? Jesus placed more value on Peter's love for Him, than He valued the catch Peter brought to Him.

NOTE TO SELF: Don't miss the real reason Jesus called you. He called you to have intimate communication with Him. More than He called you to do something for Him, Jesus called you to spend time with Him. Jesus didn't serve breakfast to His disciples to celebrate their catch, but to offer His Presence. Jesus let Peter count his catch, and bring it to Him, but He placed more value on the quality of the love Peter held for Him. Fishers of men count people because people count, but they never fall in love with counting people. Do what counts. Fall in love with Jesus.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE

"Revival is when the church falls in love with Jesus all over again." Vance Havner