Look Up And Lift Your Head

Tonight I posted an article from Fox News concerning the bombing of Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria.

The inevitable question arises after a tragedy like this: “Why?” Some have even asked, “Why did God allow this to happen?” But God did not do this at all. This was done by the wicked heart of man, because deep inside, humanity is twisted and sick spiritually. As Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (NKJV).

When God created humans, He gave us something called a free will. This means that we all have the ability to choose right or wrong. You might say that free will is our greatest blessing, and in other ways, it is our greatest curse. We were uniquely created in the image of God Himself and have been given this ability to choose. But we usually make the wrong choices.

If you don’t believe the human heart is wicked, then visit the Yad Vashem in Israel, a museum dedicated to the memory of the six million Jews who were senselessly slaughtered by Hitler and the Nazis.

If you don’t believe the human heart is wicked, then recall the reactions when the news of the attacks on Sept 11,2001 reached Osama bin Laden, who thanked “almighty Allah,” and some Palestinians, who rejoiced and danced in the streets.

If you don’t believe the human heart is wicked, then take a long look at what you saw at the Boston Marathon.

Some well-meaning but misguided people might say these events must have been God’s will. I disagree. It wasn’t God who did this. It was Satan, working in concert with wicked man, who did this. The Bible tells us that the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19). Satan did this through wicked people who were bent on destruction.

What should we do as we see horrible things happening? Jesus gives us some important answers in Luke 21. He says: “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (v. 28 NKJV). It’s a reminder that He is coming soon.

Rev Ran 🙂

I Am The Way

During World War II, an American pilot who was shot down over the jungles of Burma was able to safely eject from his plane. As he landed in the deep, dense jungle, he was met by a friendly Burmese man. The man gestured for him to follow. So the American soldier followed the man through the jungle. There was no path that he could see, and ahead of him was the Burmese man, slicing away with his machete. It didn’t seem like they were going in any particular direction. The American became frantic. So he yelled out to the man, “Where is the way?”

In broken English, the man told him, “I am the way. Follow me.”

That is what Jesus says to us in the maze of life: “I am the way. Follow Me. I will get you to where you are supposed to go.” The entire meaning of the Christian faith can be condensed into four words recorded in John 14:6 : “I am the way.” No matter what you are dealing with today; FOLLOW JESUS !

Rev Ran 🙂

An Uncommon Approach

In the Old Testament we find an interesting story of how King Jehoshaphat took an uncommon approach when his enemies waged war against him. Instead of sending in his army first, he sent in the choir and musicians.

Imagine the scene: “All right, guys, here’s the plan today. A blood thirsty army is out there, armed to the teeth. So, we are sending in the choir and the musicians.” If I had been a choir member or musician, I might have wondered whether the king liked our music. But God had directed Jehoshaphat in this unusual battle tactic. We read that Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing to the Lord, and go out in front of the army saying, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). The Bible tells us that when they began to sing and lift there praise, God sent an ambush against the enemy, and they were destroyed. God’s people were able to go into this situation giving thanks, because He was in control. The same is still true today! What ever situation you find your self in today – PRAISE
THE LORD and HE will make the way. He is ALWAYS in control!

Rev Ran 🙂

God Uses Ordinary People

In 25 years of ministry, I have seen some really amazing things. One of these is the fact that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Many times when we’re looking for some great superstar to come on the scene, God is developing someone in obscurity whom we haven’t ever heard of. We will say, “What if so-and-so became a Christian? Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” And while we’re wondering if so-and-so will ever come around, God is grooming someone unknown to us.

Maybe that someone is YOU!

God is looking for someone to say, “I would like to make a difference where I am. Lord, I am available.” That’s when things can get real exciting!

Rev Ran 🙂

You Are The Salt Of The Earth

I think that we Christians are sometimes tempted to isolate ourselves. We want to submerge ourselves in a Christian subculture of our own making and not get too involved in the world.

But Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth.” In those days, salt was considered to be very valuable. In fact, the Romans considered salt more important than the sun itself. Roman soldiers would even be paid with salt. So when Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth,” He was saying in a sense, “You’re valuable. You’re important. You’re significant. You can make a difference.”

A little salt on a bland piece of meat can make all the difference. Have you ever had someone put salt in your water when you weren’t looking? You immediately noticed the change. A little pinch of salt can alter the flavor of something, just as one Christian in a situation can effect change.

Don’t you think it’s time for the church to get out of the salt shaker? Lets make a difference!

Rev Ran 🙂

Be Thankful

Corrie ten Boom relates an amazing story in her book ” The Hiding Place,” about the importance of being thankful. Corrie and her sister Betsy were held in a Nazi concentration camp known as Ravensbruk, where they lived in barracks that were plagued with lice. Lice were everywhere – in their hair and on their bodies. One day, Betsy said to her, “Corrie, we need to give thanks to God for the lice.”

Corrie said, “Betsy, you have gone too far this time. I am not going to thank God for lice.”

Betsy said, “Oh, but Corrie, the Bible tells us, ‘In everything give thanks.’ ”

Still, Corrie did not want to thank God for the lice. As it turns out, Corrie and Betsy were trying to reach the other women in their barracks with the message of Jesus and they had been holding Bible studies. Corrie found out later that because of the lice, the guards would not go into those barracks, and therefore, they were able to have their Bible studies. As a result, they led many of the women to the Lord. So it turns out that God can even use lice.

If the Bible said, “In some things give thanks,” I would say, “No problem there!” But it says, “In everything give thanks.” That is not an easy thing to do.

This verse doesn’t say we should give thanks for everything as much as it says in everything. There are some things that happen, and I’m not glad they happened. But I am glad that, in spite of the tragedies, God is still on the throne, and He is still in control of all circumstances that surround my life.

Rev Ran 🙂

Generational Curse?

This evening as I was ironing my shirt preparing to speak in Paradise Ca – I was watching a popular christian broadcasting network based in Southern Ca. They were really whipping up the crowd with a popular doctrine that has been floating around in the church for several years. Some have actually made theology out of what I believe is a false assumption and false teaching.

There are people today who will tell you the reason you are having certain problems or struggling with certain vices and sins is because of a generational curse that is on you and your family. And they completely omit the biblical fact that man has a free will.

They teach, It may be that your father or grandfather or great-grandfather were involved in the occult, and therefore, a generational curse has been passed on from them to you, which is why you are the way you are. Thus, you need to come against this generational curse by first identifying and then rebuking it and finding out the specific demons that are a part of this curse.

It is all very interesting. But it is not biblical. The Bible doesn’t tell me to do these things. There is no generational curse on me, because that curse was broken on the day I gave my life to Jesus Christ. I am not under any curse.

Satan, however, is under the curse. So, I am to stand in God’s power and recognize, as 1 John 5:18 says, that God’s Son holds me securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on me. That phrase, “get his hands on,” means that he cannot attach himself to me. No generational curses here. No possession of a Christian here. I am under the protection of God Almighty. “So if the Son sets you free, you will “BE FREE” indeed.” (John 8:36).

Read the Word friends!

Rev Ran 🙂

The Real God Is Holy

I think there was a time in history when God was misrepresented as a divine being who threw lightning bolts down from heaven on people who displeased Him. We’ve heard derogatory references to fire-and-brimstone preaching.

But I don’t think this is the problem today. We don’t hear that much about preachers delivering fire-and-brimstone messages anymore. What we do hear are messages about how we can be successful. We hear messages about how God will prosper us. We even hear about Global Warming. But it is more rare to hear about a holy God who wants us to repent of our sins and walk with Him. In a way, I think many people have come to develop a new God, an all-loving, benign being who is hovering up there in the universe. If that is your God, then I’m sorry to tell you this is not the God of the Bible.

That is a god of your own making. Without question, the real God is a God of love who loves you deeply. But the real God is holy. Not only should we love God, but we should also fear Him.

What I mean by “fearing God” is not necessarily to be afraid of Him. It is to have a respect for God, a reverence for Him. One of the best translations of the term I have heard is, “A wholesome dread of displeasing Him.” I think this is lacking in the lives of many people today, and sadly, even in the lives of people in the church. While it is true we will stand before a God of love one day, it is also true that we will stand before a holy God. So, we need the fear of God.

Rev Ran 🙂

He Waits To Be Asked

Sitting in the airport reading about the miracle at the wedding in Cana. It struck me that it happened because Jesus was “invited.” They invited Him into their home, they invited Him to their wedding, they invited Him to share in their joy, and guess what? He came. He showed up at the party. And because he was there, He changed an embarrassing situation into a miracle that only He could provide. He stepped into an impossible situation and transformed nature in a way no one could have possibly guessed or predicted.

He is still in the business of doing that very thing. But he will never just barge into your life -into your worries and fears and sorrows – uninvited. He waits to be asked. Once you do, once you invite Him to join the party, you have absolutely no idea of the difference He can make in your today. And your tomorrow and your eternity !

Today why don’t you “invite” Him into every situation in your life.

Rev Ran 🙂

Who Are You?

Near the end of his life, the apostle Paul wrote to the young pastor, Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). A few sentences later, he referred to a man named Demas who had deserted him, “having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica . . .” (2 Timothy 4:10). When it got too hard for Demas, he quit. He didn’t want to be a follower of Jesus if it required anything of him, if it cost him anything, and certainly if it meant he would suffer persecution.

Jesus spoke of the same dilemma in the Parable of the Sower, in which He compared the Word of God entering the hearts of men and women to a farmer who scatters seed. Jesus explained, “He who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles” (Matthew 13:20-21).

There are some who will abandon their Christian faith when trouble comes or persecution arises. They give up. They deny the Lord. One way people do this is by simply saying, “I don’t know Him.” But another way is to not confess your faith in Jesus Christ or to not speak up for Him when the opportunity arises. Do people know you’re a Christian? Do your coworkers know you’re a Christian? Do your family members know that you are a follower of Jesus Christ? Are you speaking up for Him? I hope so.

Rev Ran 🙂

Then You Won't Have To Ask

This morning at the gym a college kid was wearing a WWJD bracelet (What Would Jesus Do). It got me thinking.

If you want to know how Jesus thinks, then study the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon, found in Matthew 5-7, lays out the worldview of Jesus himself. Do you want to know how His heart really beats? Then study this sermon. It is the official manifesto of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

It begins with the words, “Then He opened His mouth and taught them. . . .”

As you read the Olivet Discourse, remember it was not given to the multitudes. By that I mean it wasn’t given to the world at large. The Sermon on the Mount is not a philosophy by which we govern society, because people don’t believe in God for the most part. So, they never would live by the Sermon on the Mount. This Sermon is, effectively, for believers only.

So sit down and read the whole thing in one session and learn about God’s worldview. Then you won’t have to ask WWJD ?

Rev Ran 🙂

He Waits To Be Asked

Sitting in the airport reading about the miracle at the wedding in Cana. It struck me that it happened because Jesus was “invited.” They invited Him into their home, they invited Him to their wedding, they invited Him to share in their joy, and guess what? He came. He showed up at the party. And because he was there, He changed an embarrassing situation into a miracle that only He could provide. He stepped into an impossible situation and transformed nature in a way no one could have possibly guessed or predicted.

He is still in the business of doing that very thing. But he will never just barge into your life -into your worries and fears and sorrows – uninvited. He waits to be asked. Once you do, once you invite Him to join the party, you have absolutely no idea of the difference He can make in your today. And your tomorrow and your eternity!

Today why don’t you “invite” Him into every situation in your life.

Rev Ran 🙂

Who Are You?

Near the end of his life, the apostle Paul wrote to the young pastor, Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). A few sentences later, he referred to a man named Demas who had deserted him, “having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica . . .” (2 Timothy 4:10). When it got too hard for Demas, he quit. He didn’t want to be a follower of Jesus if it required anything of him, if it cost him anything, and certainly if it meant he would suffer persecution.

Jesus spoke of the same dilemma in the Parable of the Sower, in which He compared the Word of God entering the hearts of men and women to a farmer who scatters seed. Jesus explained, “He who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles” (Matthew 13:20-21).

There are some who will abandon their Christian faith when trouble comes or persecution arises. They give up. They deny the Lord. One way people do this is by simply saying, “I don’t know Him.” But another way is to not confess your faith in Jesus Christ or to not speak up for Him when the opportunity arises. Do people know you’re a Christian? Do your coworkers know you’re a Christian? Do your family members know that you are a follower of Jesus Christ? Are you speaking up for Him? I hope so.

Rev Ran 🙂

Then You Won't Have To Ask

This morning at the gym a college kid was wearing a WWJD bracelet (What Would Jesus Do). It got me thinking.

If you want to know how Jesus thinks, then study the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon, found in Matthew 5-7, lays out the worldview of Jesus himself. Do you want to know how His heart really beats? Then study this sermon. It is the official manifesto of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

It begins with the words, “Then He opened His mouth and taught them. . . .”

As you read the Olivet Discourse, remember it was not given to the multitudes. By that I mean it wasn’t given to the world at large. The Sermon on the Mount is not a philosophy by which we govern society, because people don’t believe in God for the most part. So, they never would live by the Sermon on the Mount. This Sermon is, effectively, for believers only.

So sit down and read the whole thing in one session and learn about God’s worldview. Then you won’t have to ask WWJD ?

Rev Ran 🙂

Make Sense Without Compromising

It’s a real challenge to reach our culture today. In my 25 years of ministry, I have never seen greater Bible illiteracy.

There was a time when you could assume most people had a general idea of the Bible.

Not anymore. People are largely oblivious to the Bible, not only as God’s Word but even as great literature.

We can no longer assume that they understand what We mean when We say something along the lines of, “You need to repent of your sin and put your faith in Jesus and become His disciple!” They might wonder what it means to repent, or even what sin is.

Our challenge as believers in reaching this post-modern generation is to make sense without compromising our message.

By the way, I think way too much is made of the whole modern/post-modern generational issue. There are some valid things to know about each group, but let’s not forget that the essential gospel message does not change.

The gospel that the apostles delivered in the first century still resonates with the twenty-first century. The message that Jesus died on the cross and rose again to save people from there sin is still and always will be the message that sets people Free!

Rev Ran 🙂

When We Are At A Distance

Have you ever noticed the last miracle Jesus performed before He went to the cross was to cover up the blunder of one of His own disciples? As a the guards arrived to arrest Jesus, Peter took out his sword and started swinging, taking off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Malchus.

Jesus could have told Malchus, “See? That is what you get!” But instead, he healed the man.
Wow, what an awesome picture of love and grace!

Then, as Jesus was arrested and taken away, Matthew’s Gospel tells us that “Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end” (Matthew 26:58).

Peter had forgotten all that Jesus had said about rising again from the dead and the purpose of His death. A lot of the other disciples were in hiding at this point. At least Peter was following—but at a distance.

Show me a believer who is following at a distance, and I will show you a person who is well on his or her way toward backsliding. It is not a good thing when a Christian asks questions like, “Can you still do this and technically be a Christian?” Or, “Can you do that and still go to heaven?”

When we are at a distance from God’s people, when we are at a distance from the church, when we are at a distance from God, trouble will ensue. It did for Simon Peter, and it will for us as well.

Rev Ran 🙂

God Is Interested

Psalm 91 is a real gem among the psalms. But it is worth noting that the blessings promised in Psalm 91 are not for just anyone. They are specifically given to believers—and not just to believers in general, but to believers who specifically meet the requirements found in it.

Psalm 91 is full of conditional promises. That is, God promises to do certain things for us, hinging on us doing certain things that are required.

Verse 1 begins, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High. . . ” The word “dwells” could be translated as “remaining with consistency.”

Here’s what God is saying: If you want to experience the promises of Psalm 91 — My protection, My provision, and My blessing—you must dwell in the secret place of the Most High. You must remain in constant fellowship with Me.”

We have relationship with God because we have put our faith in Jesus Christ and have turned from our sin. But are we living in constant fellowship with God? Many believers are not.

God is interested in a relationship with you, not just on Sundays, but throughout the week. He wants you to dwell in the secret place of the Most High.

Rev Ran 🙂

Your Hiding Place

When you were a child, did you have a hiding place you would run to when you were afraid or wanted to be alone?

God wants to be your hiding place. And the good news is that you can retreat to this hiding place wherever you are. When you have a conflict at work and don’t know what to say or how to deal with it, you can launch out in prayer and retreat into the secret place with Jesus.

Have you ever tried to walk in someone’s shadow? It can be done, but you really have to stay close. That is the picture given in Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” God says, “I want to be your hiding place. I want you to be so close to me that you are actually in My very shadow.”

That’s my desire – to be so close to Jesus that Satan can’t find me hiding in Gods shadow !

Rev Ran 🙂

Living Water

I doubt whether there is any person who would not understand the importance of water for survival. In fact, next to air, water is the most important substance for life.

In John 4:4-8, we read how Jesus became tired and stopped to rest beside the well of Jacob. While His disciples were buying food in a nearby town, a Samaritan woman arrived at the well to draw water. Jesus, being thirsty, asked her for a drink from the well. Immediately, she reminded him that she was a Samaritan, and He was a Jew.

You see, Jews believed the Samaritans were unclean. Another fact to consider is that this woman was at the well alone at high noon. More than likely, because of the life she was leading, she also was considered unclean and came to the well at a time when no one else would see her.

We know her story. She had been married many times and was in need of a Savior, and Jesus met her need. He told her:

Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:13-14).

Christ confronted the deepest need of this woman and offered her a chance to begin a new life. He was essentially telling her, The more you drink from the world’s water, the worse your thirst will become.

Are you restless and discontent? Just as He offered living water to the woman at the well, He offers it to you. When you surrender your life to Jesus, asking Him into your life, receiving him by faith, your are then saved by grace, never too be thirsty again.

Rev Ran 🙂

Lost In The Translation

I read about a middle school student – Her class assignment was to interview an “old person” about his life, so she asked her grandpa, What was the biggest historical event that happened during your childhood?”
“I’d have to say when Neal Armstrong did the moonwalk,” He replied.

She looked disappointed. “That dance was so important to you?”

I guess the story got lost in the translation. The same thing can happen when we share the gospel with today’s generation. We can no longer assume people know Bible stories or understand our Christian frame of reference.

So keep it simple – Tell them:
Jesus loves you –
He died on the cross for you –

If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord! And believe in your heart
That God raised him from the dead – repenting of your sin – he will be faithful to cleanse you of all your sin and by grace give you the gift of eternal life!

Rev Ran 🙂