Moments of Silence

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Many Americans recalled what they were doing when four hijacked planes caused the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. Some commemorate that and other events with moments of silence. Is this beneficial?

There’s an old saying, “Silence is golden.” Some people talk too much and would be better off practicing moments of silence. One should be cautious of opening their mouths, especially when they are angry. That way, they won’t utter anything hastily. Ecclesiastes 3:7 says there is ”a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”

Usually, I spend a few minutes per day “soaking” while soft music is playing in the background. At the very least, it quiets my mind. Often God speaks to me through a vision. However, moments of silence (just like thoughts) don’t take the place of spoken prayers. James 4:2 (KJV) says, “…ye have not, because ye ask not.”

After John Lennon died in 1980, his widow Yoko Ono requested ten minutes of silence on his behalf. That didn’t change John’s eternal destiny. Honoring the dead will not cause them to go from hell to heaven. Their fate has been determined. Psalm 115:17 says, “The dead do not praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence.”

Religious folk will tell you to be quiet in their institutions and in public like what happened with the two blind men who called out to Jesus for healing (Matthew 20:29-34). People won’t get saved and delivered unless they hear the truth. God gave us mouths to speak. Let’s use them to share the Good News, edify the brethren, and cry out against tyranny and deception.

“Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence…” - Isaiah 65:6

Believe and Receive

Let’s suppose you were a parent with five children. One of your sons came up and asked if you would take the family to the mall. You reply, “Sure. We’ll go there this afternoon.”

A minute later, your other son who overheard his brother asks if you would take the family to the mall. You reply, “I already told your brother I’d do that.”

Seconds later, one of your daughters who was within earshot of her brothers approached you and asked about going to the mall. What would your answer be? By this time you might be a little annoyed but if you were a good parent, you would still say “yes.”

Within the next couple of minutes, your two other daughters ask the very same thing. You reply in frustration, “Didn’t you kids believe me when I said ‘yes’ the first time?”

This scenario sounds ridiculous, but this is how many people approach God in prayer. There was one prayer group I briefly attended where this sort of thing happened all the time. After discussing our prayer requests, we each took turns uttering petitions before the Lord. The first person prayed for several of the requests. Then the next person did the same thing, repeating many of the requests the first person already prayed. Then the third person did likewise and then the fourth and so on. 

Many people seem unconvinced God heard their prayers the first time. Some Christians cite the persistent widow in Luke 18 to justify their pestering God with the same need. Keep in mind the widow was dealing with an unjust judge.

On the other hand, the Lord wants to give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Whenever we need something from God, the best thing to do is pray and then keep thanking Him until the answer manifests. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Delays in answered prayer are not because God wasn’t listening. Sometimes they are due to demonic opposition. In Daniel chapter 10, the prophet had been fasting and praying for three weeks. Notice what the angel told Daniel beginning with verse 12… 

12 “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.”

There are situations we must be persistent in intercession when it involves other people’s wills. Examples would include the government and a loved one’s salvation. For the latter, it’s better to pray for laborers to cross that family member’s path (Matthew 9:38) instead of habitually praying, “Lord, save So-and-So.” God wants your family members in the kingdom more than you do but needs His people to get the gospel to them.

In some prayer meetings I’ve been to, one person would verbally pray for all our needs. The rest of us would be in agreement. In other groups, each person would pray for another person’s request. That way, everybody took part in praying. All petitions got covered without being mentioned over and over.

Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:7-8 against making “vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them.” So the next time you need something from God, avoid the temptation to keep asking for it again and again. Believe and then receive!

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” - James 1:6

God With Us

One of the alternative names for the Son of God is Immanuel (also spelled Emmanuel), which literally means “God With Us.” That name is mentioned three times in the Bible: twice in Isaiah and once in Matthew. Occasionally while street evangelizing, I have ministered salvation to men named Emmanuel. Most of them already knew what their name meant.

Many times I hear Christians pray for God to “be with us.” While this may sound holy and religious, it is unscriptural especially in a church service or prayer meeting. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Certainly we should ask God for guidance and to order our steps. But the Lord Himself will never depart from our lives unless we renounce our faith in Him.

There are numerous verses stating God will always be with us and never leave us...

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

- Deuteronomy 31:6

“And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” - Deuteronomy 31:8

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” - Joshua 1:5

“And David said to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.’” -1 Chronicles 28:20

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Hebrews 13:5

There is one example in Scripture when King Solomon prayed for God to “be with him” (1 Kings 8:57). But keep in mind that was under the Old Covenant. 2 Corinthians 6:16 says, “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” So if you’re a born-again Christian, there’s no need to pray for God to “be with you.” His Spirit already resides on the inside of you!

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” - 1 Corinthians 3:16

Lessons Learned from Lynyrd Skynyrd

This past Friday marked the 40th anniversary of a tragedy. On October 20th, 1977, an airplane carrying the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd plus their crew ran out of fuel and crashed in a swampy area near McComb, Mississippi. Most of the passengers were seriously injured. Six people died including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and his sister Cassie Gaines who was a backup vocalist. Three days before, the band released their album “Street Survivors.” The cover eerily depicted the musicians engulfed in flames.

There’s some things we can learn from this incident. First, our words affect our destiny. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” Ronnie Van Zant prophesied his own death. Former bandmate Artimus Pyle recalled a moment when Lynyrd Skynyrd toured Japan and Ronnie told him that he would never live to see thirty. Van Zant's father, Lacy, heard his son say many times, “Daddy, I'll never be 30 years old…that's my limit.”

Ronnie Van Zant was 29 years old at the time of his death.

Secondly, we should listen to the Lord who can steer us away from calamities. Backup singer Jojo Billingsley had left Lynyrd Skynyrd two months before that ill-fated flight. She had a dream about the crash two nights before it happened. Jojo attempted to warn her former bandmates not to get on that plane. Cassie Gaines requested to ride in the band’s equipment truck but was talked out of it. After the crash, Jojo embraced Christianity as well as keyboardist Billy Powell who briefly played in a Christian rock band before joining a reunion of Lynard Skynyrd (with Ronnie Van Zant's brother Johnny taking over as lead vocalist). 

Thirdly, we shouldn’t buy the lie that some people die young because “it’s their time to go.” Lacy Van Zant erroneously stated, “God was a jealous god. Taking him [Ronnie] for reasons I don't know.” Satan is the one who steals, kills, and destroys (John 10:10). God desires us to have long lives. Again, He will give us warnings when we’re going the wrong direction.

I was never really a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd but still played their recordings when requested while working as a nightclub disc jockey three decades ago. One of those songs was a live version of their classic hit “Free Bird”, which ran over 14 minutes. That allowed me time away from the DJ booth to go to the bathroom and do other things. 

Nowadays, I listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd parodies done by the Christian band ApologetiX. Songs such as “Cheap Birds” (“Free Bird”), “Gimme Pre-Trib” (“Gimme Three Steps”), and “What’s in Nahum” (“What’s Your Name”) allow me to appreciate the music but instead feed my spirit with lyrics that glorify the Lord.

Since that terrible day forty years ago, some of the crash survivors have passed away including Billy Powell, guitarist Allen Collins and bassist Leon Wilkeson. I hope all of them gave their lives to Jesus before stepping into eternity. 

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9

Just

One of the things the Lord used to prepare me for ministry was Toastmasters, an organization people join to improve their public speaking skills. In every Toastmasters meeting, the person assigned as the grammarian introduces a “word of the day” to encourage speakers to expand their vocabulary. My particular Toastmasters club also used a clicker whenever the person speaking uttered filler words like “um”, “ah”, “er”, and “you know.”

I’ve noticed many Christians habitually insert the word “just” whenever they are praying or praising the Lord. Listen closely the next time you’re at a church service or prayer meeting. You will likely hear people say, “I just pray that…” or “I just praise You for…” or “We just thank You…” Perhaps you picked up that habit because you heard other believers doing the same thing.

The Bible does say, “The just shall live by faith” and the blood of Jesus justifies us. But I don't see how the overuse of the word “just” adds extra power to prayers and praise. Maybe I’m nitpicking but I feel Christians use the word “just” just too much.

I like the advice given by comedian Tim Hawkins, "Just finish the prayer!"

“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.  For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” - Matthew 6:7

God's Secrets

Last year when the CEO of Starbucks publicly voiced his support for same-sex marriage, I made a decision not to buy any of their products again. Since then I've been at their coffee shops only when with someone who insisted on stopping by there. A few days ago I went into Starbucks with a friend who after getting his coffee handed me two cards redeemable for free downloads. One of them was for a song called “Secrets” by Mary Lambert. Recalling the singer was featured in the gay marriage anthem "Same Love", I figured her new song was something I wouldn't want to hear. Sure enough, an online search revealed the lyrics promote lesbianism. In the chorus, Mary sings...

I know I'm not the only one

Who spent so long attempting to be someone else

Well I'm over it

I don't care if the world knows what my secrets are

While other homosexuals proclaim they are “proud to be gay”, there are individuals who try to keep their sins a secret. But even if nobody else finds out what they're doing behind closed doors, heaven still has a record of it. Jesus said in Mark 4:22, “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.” Man cannot keep any secrets from God.

On the other hand, God keeps secrets from man but will disclose certain things to those He is in a relationship with...

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” - Deuteronomy 29:29

“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” - Psalm 25:14

“Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” - Amos 3:7

“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” - Matthew 13:11

God will occasionally unveil mysteries to the ungodly in order to get their attention such as the dream King Nebuchadnezzar had in Daniel chapter 2. However, some divine revelations are meant to be prayed about (especially concerning other people) and not to be shared right away. After the transfiguration, Jesus commanded Peter, James, and John, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” (Matthew 17:9). Occasionally the Lord told those He healed to keep quiet about it so it wouldn't hinder His current activities on earth.

God's secrets are available to anyone who will spend time in the “secret place” (Psalm 91:1). The question is: Can God trust you with His secrets? More importantly, are there secret sins you need to first confess to Him?

“For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” - Ecclesiastes 12:14

If You Can’t Say Something Nice...

Three pastors met privately one day to share their major weaknesses and to pray for one another. The first pastor confessed he had a serious lust problem and many times found himself in compromising situations. 

The second pastor, encouraged by this display of candor, admitted that he had stolen money from the church and needed help in managing his finances. 

The third pastor then said, “My weakness is gossip…and I can hardly wait to get out of here!”

While the above story is meant to be humorous, it’s unfortunate some ministers don’t tame their tongues. Once I sought counsel from a pastor regarding a personal matter and assumed he would keep the details of our conversation confidential. A couple of weeks later, a woman who attended this pastor’s church called me asking questions about my situation. The pastor had told his whole church about it! 

From that point on, I avoided contact with this pastor. Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” A few weeks later as I was walking home, this pastor happened to see me while driving down the street. He immediately pulled over and offered to take me out for coffee. I went along hoping to receive an apology. Unfortunately, most of our conversation consisted of him talking about other people's problems.

Another time I briefly stayed in a house owned by an elderly woman who went on missions trips and previously hosted other ministers. Realizing she was a chronic complainer, I kept my contact with this woman to a minimum. One day in her living room, she insisted on describing to me bad things another missionary had done while staying at her house. After repeated attempts to change the subject, I finally said, “I don’t want to hear any more gossip. It’s ungodly.” In response, this woman mockingly asked the Lord to forgive her for being ungodly. Sadly, she was starting to falsely accuse me of saying certain things to her. 

Whenever someone does us wrong, we should first pray for that person (Matthew 5:44). Then if possible, we should make an effort to reconcile with that person instead of blabbering about the problem to individuals who are not part of the solution. In Romans 1:29-30, gossips and slanderers are compared with God-haters and inventors of evil. Christians who repeatedly talk bad about others are treading on dangerous ground. Jesus said in Mark 11:26, “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

While I was growing up, my mother often told me, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I later learned that phrase originated from Thumper in the old Disney cartoon “Bambi.” Whenever we encounter someone used by the devil who gets on our nerves, sometimes not saying anything is the best answer. Silence can never be misquoted.

Christian trash talkers need to repent. God wants our words to edify people, not tear them down. 

“Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy.” - Psalm 101:5

Answering Blasphemers

Throughout my lifetime (and especially when I was a kid), I've heard numerous wisecracks involving my last name. People have called me “Post Office”, “Post Toasties”, “Post Raisin Bran”, and “Post Nasal Drip.” A few years ago while ending a phone conversation with my mother, I told her I would keep her “posted.” She sarcastically replied, “Don’t take our name in vain.” 

On a more serious note, punishment awaits sinners who break the third commandment. Both Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11 says, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Even though I frequently used profanity before becoming a Christian, I still had a fear of God to where I avoided blaspheming. 

People wouldn't think of using their mother’s name as a swear word. I've yet to hear anyone holler “Buddha” or the name of some other religious figure if they hit their thumb with a hammer, stubbed their toe or got upset about something. Yet many Hollywood actors habitually say the name of Jesus irreverently. Can you imagine the resulting uproar from Muslims if Mohammed’s name was blasphemed on TV or the silver screen? 

A popular acronym used nowadays for online chatting and texting is “omg”, which often stands for “Oh My God” (although some people claim it also stands for “Oh my goodness” or “Oh my gosh”). Do you use this phrase without sincerely calling upon the Lord? Regardless of what you call Him, irreverence to God’s name has serious consequences unless one repents. 

One friend told me when she hears someone utter “g-ddamn”; she fires back, “God’s last name is not damn!” Whenever I hear someone blaspheme, I prefer to respond in a way that gives the offender an opportunity to get right with God. One time when I boarded a train for a trip to North Dakota, a woman sitting next to me blurted out, “Jesus Christ!” I turned to her and said, “Oh...you know the Lord, too?” She gave me a strange look and didn't say much after that. I’m sure it gave her something to think about. Another friend of mine heard a great reply she sometimes uses when hearing Jesus’ name taken in vain: "Yep! That's the one who saved me!" 

Regardless of Satan’s efforts to discredit the Lord’s name, he still has to bow down whenever a Christian speaks the name of Jesus with boldness. One popular worship song features these lyrics… 

One day every tongue will confess you are God 
One day every knee will bow 
Still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose you now 

How do you respond when you hear the Lord’s name? 

 "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:10-11

The Mr. Ed Doctrine

Before committng my life to the Lord in 1991, I worked primarily as a nightclub disc jockey.  Bar owners were usually difficult people to work for.  The first five clubs that hired me let me go after a short period of time, mostly for not talking enough.  I felt that club DJs should simply shut up and play the music.

The Bible has much to say about the power of the spoken word.  But that doesn’t mean increasing the amount of our words will make more of a difference.  Ecclesiastes 5:2 commands to “…let your words be few.”  When God spoke creation into existance, He didn’t utter a bunch of words but simply said, “Let there be…”  In Mark 4:39 when Jesus rebuked the wind, all He said to the sea was “Peace, be still!”

Consider these other Scriptures…

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” - Proverbs 10:19

“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” - Proverbs 17:27

“And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.” - Hebrews 13:22

Nowadays whenever someone tells me I don’t talk enough, I respond by saying I follow “the Mr. Ed Doctrine.”  If you’re familiar with the old TV show’s theme song, you'll remember the talking horse never spoke unless he had something to say.  That’s good advice.

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” - Matthew 12:36

Swearing to God

Last week I glanced through a photo album one of my Facebook friends posted and was surprised to see this drawing with the caption “Big F***ing Diamond” (I purposely blotted out three of the letters).  Immediately, I thought of Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Since my friend is an “on fire for God” believer, I sent her an email asking why she posted this pic. In her response, she apologized if it affected me negatively but then went on to explain this drawing (which she found at an art gallery) represented how she felt “…as an awesome princess and bride of Christ and that I am married to the King of Bling!” I don’t doubt the sincerity of my friend’s love for the Lord. What I question is how some Christians think using profanity glorifies Jesus.

It’s one thing if an unbeliever uses foul language. That’s part of the nature of fallen man. Yet there have been times when I ministered to unsaved people who apologized if a curse word slipped out of their mouths. They were obviously feeling conviction by the Holy Spirit.

Vulgar language should have no part in a believer’s vocabulary. Ephesians 5:4 in the Amplified Bible says, “Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].”

Sadly, some Christians get really defensive when asked to watch their mouths. I was once married to a woman who regularly uttered the s-word for feces. When I politely asked her not to use that word around me, she always snapped back, “It’s in the Bible.” 2 Kings 6:25 does mention “dove droppings.” Ezekiel 4:15 makes reference to “cow dung” and “human waste.” Other translations of this verse use the words “manure” or “excrement.” But I’m not aware of any English translation that has the word “s**t.”

I’ve even heard Christians justify casual usage of the word “hell” because it’s in the Bible. In the New King James Version, “hell” is used 32 times but never as an interjection. Over the years, Satan has influenced individuals to use it as a swear word to minimize the reality of that awful place non-believers will spend eternity unless they become born again.

Here are a few more Scriptures to consider...

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” - Matthew 12:36

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” - Colossians 3:8

“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you." - Titus 2:7-8

God holds His people to a higher standard when it comes to the use of our words.

“Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” - Matthew 15:11

"You Never Know"

A phrase that some people use that I'm starting to find annoying is “you never know.” Occasionally I hear believers say something like, “You never know what God will do.” It must grieve the Holy Spirit to hear His people say clichés like that. The truth is we can know what God is doing if we are sensitive to His leading. Jesus said in John 16:13 that the Spirit of God “will guide you into all truth” and “will tell you things to come.”

Another often-used phrase similar to this is “God moves in mysterious ways.” Some believers quote this like it came out of the Bible. This saying actually originated from an 18th-century hymn written by William Cowper. The promises of God are not mysterious but His methods of bringing them to pass can be. As Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”

It’s true that some spiritual matters remain a mystery. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” For example, you may not know why a certain individual died at a young age but God may choose to reveal the reason to those that need to know.

Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” God uses His people to warn the world of coming judgments. Examples include…

• Noah and the coming flood (Genesis 6:13)

• Abraham and Lot of the future destruction of Sodom (Genesis 18:17; 19:14)

• Joseph and the seven-year famine (Genesis 41:30)

• Moses and the ten plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7:1)

• Jonah and the destruction of Nineveh (Jonah 1:2; 3:4)

Sadly, some people remain ignorant of what God is doing in the earth because of listening to the wrong voices. 2 Timothy 3:6-7 mentions that in the last days there will be “gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Every time I read this passage, I think of housewives and single mothers who constantly watch tabloid talk shows on TV, filling their minds with useless information that won’t make a positive difference in their lives.

Occasionally when I’m out evangelizing, religious folks try to tell me that nobody can know for sure if they will have eternal life. But 1 Timothy 2:4 says that God “…desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” That will happen as more of God’s people share the gospel with sinners and they respond to it by receiving salvation. Jesus said in John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” But truth alone doesn’t make anyone free. It’s knowing it and then applying it in their lives.

We can know the will of God by reading our Bibles, claiming His promises, and staying in communion with Him. But we can bring negative things into our lives simply by speaking the wrong words. As Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Let’s get “you never know” out of our vocabulary. Let’s believe God will bring revelation to help us fulfill His plans and purposes on the earth.

“The Holy One has anointed you, so all of you have knowledge.” - 1 John 2:20 (GOD’S WORD Translation)