An Everlasting Invitation

You're a Hero of the Faith

    Have you ever thought of yourself as a potential Peter or possibly a Paul? How about a Martin Luther or a Martin Luther King or any of the other heroes of faith who have emerged over the years? If not, then why not? 

    Does the idea of being like one of these folks seem too far reaching... too lofty? Then what about Stephen? He wasn't an apostle or a priest. He was just a waiter who somehow managed to turn his city upside down. People like him represent people like you and me when we find our true identity in Christ.

    None of these people were anomalies or special exceptions, but were simply those who humbly answered the call before them. While we will each have our unique expression of his light, we've all been called to humble ourselves and accept the same invitation and commission.

Bold Humility

    While, like us, these people often found themselves in dark, seemingly futile times, they rose up boldly in humility shining their light in the darkness. While these two actions might appear to contradict each other, we must come to see that humility holds lowliness and boldness in tension together. 

    While humility begins with a sober view of our natural position, humility is also the springboard for God to work through us—our call to be his light in darkness (Mt 5:16). Humility is not merely about deference to His position, it also recognizes the power and promise of his redemptive work through the Gospel.

    When we act in bold humility, it becomes apparent that what we accomplish could only have been sourced from his all-surpassing power, and not from ourselves (2 Co 4:17). 

    This is the grace he gives to the humble (Pr 3:34, Ja 4:6, 1 Pe 5:5) which was exemplified through the prayer and actions of the disciples in Acts 4:24-31. Check it out!

False Humility

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (Ja 4:10 ESV).

    People often misperceive humility as merely the action of not calling attention to themselves. This partially correct, but incomplete presentation of humility leads us to believe that it is safer, and somehow even more holy, that we allow darkness to remain the status quo.

    But, humility must take us somewhere. If we humble ourselves without the intention and purpose of letting the Lord work through us, we're not actually operating in true or full humility. Remember, the disciples humbled themselves before the Lord, expecting that He would lift them up and that he would stretch forth his hand to heal through them... and, He did (Acts 4:24-31).

    False humility, on the other hand, subtly convinces us that putting ourselves in a position for the Lord to lift us up is the act of being prideful and even arrogant. It does not understand the true meaning of grace.

Grace (charis)

5485 (xáris) ... preeminently used of the Lord's favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is "always leaning toward them”). Copyright © 1987, 2011 by Helps Ministries, Inc.

    Grace is not merely mercy. It is the extension of himself towards us. And, it is more than simply a heavenly "thumbs up," where God lets us know that he likes us. Grace means that God extends who he is for our benefit and through us for the benefit of others. It is the substance of the ongoing incarnation, Immanuel... God with us. It's what made Peter, Paul, Luther, and all those heroes of the faith spring into action.

    As we humble ourselves, it's God's intention that the power of grace will lift us up and draw us into action. That is why scholars sometimes translate the word grace (charis) as "gifts," as in “gifts of healing” (1 Co 12:28, 31). Paul, our New Testament authority on grace, encouraged us to desire these gifts, or graces—all within the context of his love, so that they would build up the Body of Christ so that we can all be at our best (1 Co 13:1-13; 14:1-40). 

    Humility, therefore, is the lowering of ourselves so that we can be obedient to the call before us, just as Mary was when she responded to the angel saying, “… I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38 ESV). 

Invitation: Be All You Can Be — Shine!

    The U.S. recruiting effort found the right words when it urged young volunteers to “Be All You Can Be!” That is the call for us today, just as it was in Paul’s time. If you’ve had enough of the darkness around you, remind yourself of this promise in Isaiah:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Is 60:1-3 NIV)

    At its core, faith revolves around believing in God's character and nature and that he is true to his word. Faith expressed, is believing that his plan works for all believers—including you and me—not just a select few. Each one of us has the potential and is invited to be all we can be because OUR light has come!

We Hold the Hope

    Christ in us is the hope of glory (Col 1:27) and so we are invited to ditch futility and to leave false humility behind so that we might shine in the midst of the darkness around us. 

    Do you feel like you’re in darkness? Then exercise humility, putting your faith in his promise that those who seek will find (Mt 7:7). We must each abandon unbelief and believe that the fullness of the Gospel is not just for some special others, but is for all of us. We've all been invited to walk in the light, just as he is in the light (1 Jn 1:7). 

Holy, Holy, Holy! Join in the Heavenly Chorus!

Holy³

As a hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy has had long-lasting appeal. From the time that the words were first penned by Anglican Bishop Reginald Heber in the early 1800s and then melded with music composed by John Bacchus Dykes in 1861, the song has found its way into the hymnbooks of about every Christian denomination around the globe.

Archaic

Hymnbooks, however, are quickly becoming a thing of the past, just as songs with words like Wert and Shalt. Yet, this hymn continues to march on triumphantly in spite of, or perhaps even because of, its use of archaic language. These old-style words remind us of our history and at the same time, the timelessness of this song's message.

All Thy Works

Holy, Holy, Holy is a skillful blend of theology, poetry, sing-ability, and of course, reverence. On one hand, its tune is so simple that anyone can sing along, and even beginners can knock out the notes on a keyboard. Yet in striking contrast, its deep and intricate lyrics are so rich and full of meaning that they can stop you in your tracks.

“All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea.” 

Our Song Shall Rise

It’s no wonder that this hymn has had such universal appeal for anyone who sings it can find themselves somewhere in the landscape. We're either on the outside in some level of darkness, attempting to look in at the heavenly vision, or we've already entered in, at least to some extent, straining to get an even closer look. 

Sinful and Saints

Words like Sinful are not popular words today, even in the Church. Holy, Holy, Holy, however employs it well, presenting the disparity between our natural position without God and the state of holiness he provides as we rest in Him. 

While no-one in creation is by nature holy, redemption is all about him making us holy, sanctified, and saints, for all these words in the Greek are from the same word, hagios and all mean Holy (Ro 1:7, 1 Eph 2:19, Rev 14:12, etc.).

Evermore Shall Be

Holy, Holy, Holy strives to raise our consciousness of God’s omnipresence and his timeless nature. Consider, for instance, how Heber stitched together biblical references of the angelic chorus found in two verses written nearly 800 years apart from each other that he might present one eternal heavenly anthem (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8). 

Glorious

Above all, Holy, Holy, Holy successfully tackles and presents the concept of the multifaceted glory of God. His glory is, on one hand, that which reveals his nature and emanates from his presence. He is... glorious! But, his glory is also that which is ascribed to him—our recognition of his works and his nature (Psalm 29:2). His glory is found in the fact that he is holy, or... set apart.

X³

Holy, Holy, Holy is a hymn that purposefully repeats various words and themes. Scripture tells us that every fact should be established by two or three affirmations or witnesses (Mt 18:20, Acts 10:16, 2 Co 13:1, 1 Jo 5:8, etc.). This triple repetition is used to attest to the fact that he is truly holy but at the same time, also serves as a cue to focus upon his triune nature as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

The Angels’ Song

In heaven, the angels never stop singing Holy, Holy, Holy! When Isaiah arrived on the scene to witness their song, he found that in comparison, the daily chatter between himself and his fellow believers did not quite measure up (Isaiah 6). This realization created a dilemma for Isaiah until the angels brought forth a solution.

Joining in the Song

Once Isaiah had been struck by a realization of his unworthiness, an angel brought him a remedy in the form of a coal taken from the fire of God's glory. Once the fiery coal touched his lips, he was transformed into a joyful and willing volunteer. Likewise, Holy, Holy, Holy draws its hearer's in that they too might join in the song of heaven.

The Heavenly Anthem

Holy, Holy, Holy has grown over the years to hold universal appeal. Still, how much more could be accomplished if we purposed to sing it each time we felt the darkness attempting to hide his works and to hide his desire to light up the darkness? What might God do if, like Paul and Silas, we sang this hymn whenever the darkness seemed to overcome us?

We might even see ourselves as more than just individuals or even members of a local congregation, but instead as powerful participants in a great heavenly choir.

Singing Along!

Many renditions of the hymn are available on Youtube, unlike this traditional version, most do not include all four verses. So, follow the link and sing along.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea, Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who wert and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

The Absent-minded Vineyard Owner and the Upside Down Logic of the Eleventh Hour

Matthew 20:1-16

If you read the parable of the vineyard owner in Matthew 20, you might get the impression that he is a little strange! It’s like he doesn’t understand how a clock works and he doesn’t even know how to plan out the workday. Who ever let this guy be boss? Why, for instance, would he show up at 5:00 p.m. (the eleventh hour) on a workday that ends at 6:00 p.m. and go on some last-minute hiring spree? This guy's actions defy reason. And since we’re reasonable people, we just don’t get it. We have a thinking problem.

Back in the late 80s and early 90s, the church I attended used to have a visiting minister who would preach about once a year. He would often begin his sermon by directing us to put our hands on our foreheads as he would say, “Now, everyone touch your problem!” It was always good for a chuckle, but think about it. While is seems natural to reason our way through life, sometimes we find that what we are really doing is reasoning our way out of it. Despite this, we keep digging in our heals, fighting to hold on to our own way of thinking. Sometimes, we just need to think different.

Those old enough to remember the late 1990s, Apple launched its famous Think Different ad campaign, using photos of famous, creative people who in their time had gone against the grain and pioneered new ground. We take it for granted that people like Martin Luther King, Lucille Ball, Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela and others pictured on these posters stepped out of the status quo because they were real movers and shakers, not like us. That's because thinking different is a concept much easier to perceive than it is to execute and we know it. It’s even more difficult align our thoughts with the vineyard owner in this famous parable.

Remember when he asked the end-of-day crowd, “What are you doing here standing around doing nothing?” If he was the boss, wouldn't he know? Wasn't he the one who came throughout the day hiring folks and therefore also the one who didn't hire them? So from our perspective, he not only has issues working with a watch, he also seems a little bit absent-minded, doesn’t he? But remember, this is a parable.

Parables are tricky to reason out. They seem to mean one, or even a number of things, but can have an altogether different purpose than what we might have considered. Maybe it will be easier if we just take it for granted that the vineyard owner is just a bit out there and so we agree to let him hire us. After all, it beats standing around, doesn’t it? And we're a humble bunch at the end of the day. Nobody's hired us so we just figure that he sees us as a set of warm bodies that can fill out the last moments of his production line. Let's reason this out! 

Those hired earlier would surely expect to receive full pay, while we who managed to avoid the hot sun and long hours would likely be satisfied with less. But this parable isn't exactly about us and our economic sensibilities. While working in the vineyard should all make perfect sense, it doesn't; and that’s the hardest part about working in the vineyard. Come on everybody, put your hands on your head and, “Touch your problem!”

This parable seems to really be about what some translations call the vineyard owner's generosity, 

"I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?" (Matthew 20:13-15 NIV).

This word generous is from the Greek word agathos which simply means good. This parable is all about the unreasonable ways in which God expresses his goodness. Let's review! The vineyard owner hires those he wants, at the time that he wants them. And as long as they maintain their position in good standing, he pays them according to his goodness and not towards what their actions deserve or the extent to what their service might seem to deserve. That's crazy! Some might say that it is crazy good!

His ways are not our ways and so when his ways invade our thinking, they seem foreign to our minds at first. By our own reasoning, we are uncomfortable with his ways. So while the main message of this parable is about the vineyard owner's goodness, the emotion it produces is likely that of uncomfortability. When he shows up and hires us, we simply don’t have a grid for his business plan. In the parable, the vineyard owner’s actions defied both the early workers' and the late workers' sensibilities and expectations. 

Those hired earlier were uncomfortable with how the owner's goodness to others affected how they thought about things. And likely, those hired at the end of the day felt uncomfortable with a full-day's pay for an hour's worth of work. After all, simply acknowledging that “nobody hired us” was the only qualification they needed to obtain a position. Yet they would likely have preferred this sense of uncomfortability than standing around waiting to be hired.

Another thought for our consideration is this eleventh hour timeframe. Many modern eschatologies and end time theologies elicit great fear, but that is not the setting for this parable. Instead, it is one of hope where everyone gets to participate in the vineyard and everyone, whether slave, free, Jew, Greek, male, female, old young, etc. is given fullness for their participation. And, that just doesn't make sense.

So are we willing to work for this guy? He’s different after all. His logic seems upside down from ours, and to our way of thinking, he might even seem a little absent-minded. But maybe though, since it's the eleventh hour, it's time to start thinking different and begin to put ourselves out there. If we don't let the vineyard owner hire us, he'll go outside of those standing in line and will find those whose theologies of fear don't keep them from service.

 Inside The Actor’s Studio

“Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.”~ George Burns

 

In a funny way, that kind of describes faith, venturing confidently into the unknown without really knowing what we're doing. But, when we act in faith, we're not faking it, we're trusting in the one who knows what's going on. Getting from here to there, however, can be humorous. Take a look at my acting process and see if any of it looks familiar to you.

How I Write Myself Into The Story

I find it amusing how I write myself into the Scriptures. When I read the Gospels for example, I never seem to take on the role of a Pharisee, rejecting Jesus as the Messiah; nor do I ever find myself walking away from his hard sayings. I always seem to play the role of a true believer, the one smart enough to figure out what’s going on, eager to believe and be commended by Jesus himself. 

In this play, one where I already know the outcomes of each scene, I am able to cast myself as a character who performs well. But, what I come out looking pretty good. Unfortunately, in real life, it's not that easy.

That’s Acting!

Let's face it! We all want to look good playing our parts, but while we have a script to follow, it lacks some of the finer details of stage direction when on the stage of life. When we're lost, we often find ways to compensate.

One method includes over-acting in some form of false humility where we play our roles in silent faith, appearing as those who would not vainly grasp for glory. Likewise, we might find it necessary to hide our discomfort when playing alongside others who are, or who might project themselves as being “more spiritual” than ourselves.

Perhaps we are just stuck in some roles that were never written for us because we haven’t known how to properly get into the character created for us.

It’s on the Page, But Is It on the Stage?

Let’s face it, no matter where we are in the process, our expression of faith can look better on paper and in our own eyes than it does in reality. I have both deceptively acted as if I had it all together, and in false humility, pretended as if my role is less important than that of others. I must, as they say, learn to commit to the role put before me. It’s in the script, but I need to live it out dynamically on stage for all the world is a stage. We all must believe that this is not only possible, but understand that this is the commission we’ve been given. 

Roles of A Lifetime

Look at the drama going on around us! The world is ready for a modern revival of the Book of Acts. After all, its an action-adventure vehicle which has proven itself the perfect counter-cultural play. If we were to enact a revival of this transformative drama, the poster would again read, "They turned the world upside down!" Yes, we’ll be playing against type, no longer stuck in our self-imposed silent movie, or in our own horribly produced and performed, B movie. 

This is our big shot! We have the opportunity to perform the perfect production for the perfect audience. Can we honestly act any other way?

Stealing the Scene

We must ignore the critics who believe that by taking the stage, we'll do nothing but overshadow Jesus, the star of the show. I doubt if actors performing with Robert De Niro, or Meryl Streep think to themselves, "Gee, I hope I don't show them up." Likewise, we must have faith that Jesus is secure enough in his position that he has the grace to help groom us to be his proteges. After all, we have been both cast and commissioned to follow his lead in acting out the Gospel. Even on our best day, we can never steal the scene from Jesus, so there is no need for false humility on this set.

Yet, as we embrace this honest motivation to take on the role before us, our boldness can come across as threatening to those who have not yet, or never will, take that risk. This is how the critic was born. Regretfully, I sometimes find myself playing that role.

A Supporting Role

If I do my best work as a supporting cast member and give my strongest performance, I can only bring more credibility to the protagonist—the star of the show.

A good supporting cast member recognizes that they too are being supported. We must always trust in the director’s skill and ability. We can relax for if we flub a line or miss a cue, he's more than able to compensate. 

Taking an Honest Risk

As I began this actor’s studio, I recounted that how, on paper, I have cast myself in all the right roles, saving myself from any dangerous plot twists and surprise endings. While I read the scriptures, I somehow end up as the hero in every scene. While Peter denied Jesus three times, I didn't do it once. Neither did I call down fire from heaven, nor did I ask to sit at Jesus' right hand. When I read the script, I cast myself as positioned in a safe place. I'm never wrong and I'm never found in a place of uncertainty. And if the suspense gets too high, I skim over those sections of scripture which would require from me a higher sense of accountability.

The best actors in the business will tell you that they still get nervous before a performance and that's all right. That's because they know that the unknown before them can reap great benefits. They call it risk, but Jesus calls it faith. So that begs the question, when he returns to the stage, will he find us taking those risks?

End Scene

A curtain call never takes place on an empty stage. When the Son of Man returns, will he find faith on the earth? Only if there are cast members filling their roles, willing to act in faith.

The fact is, while this saga is closer than ever to coming to an end, we don't have any real idea when the final scene will be played. We must act as if the show must go on. That's our motivation and that's how we get into character. 

The Experience

Sometimes, we get too caught up in staging, trying to authentically replicate concrete pillars and leather sandals, forgetting that we've been cast primarily as performers and not stage hands. Too often we get caught up in the props more than the proper motivation needed to faithfully tell his story. What we need to experience is a revival of the Book of Acts. The show is not about robes and chariots, but about swords! 

When Peter preached his sermon at Pentecost, it says that the people were cut to the heart. That's the performance we should attempt to capture. Each of us have been cast in the role of a lifetime and its not something that we can fake, as George Burns jokingly suggested. 

This is, however, a role that should stretch as if we're participating in a master acting class, and...we kind of are!

How to Be An Antichrist

A Humorous Title to an Interesting Subject

After misreading the image of a book cover I saw in a friend’s post, this humorous title, How to Be An Antichrist, popped into my mind and it spurred me to address this very interesting subject of the antichrist spirit as found in John’s letters. This is in some ways, a reiteration of my last post https://sparktogether.blogspot.com/2020/04/antichrist-or-identity-crisis.html, but more of a compliment to it. 

Let's leave the fear and dread of the antichrist behind as we learn John's true purpose in his admonition, that we know how to hear the Spirit of God.

If you actually want to become an antichrist, don’t forget to take notes! :)

Who is this Antichrist?

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” (1 John 4:1-3 NIV).

Who is this antichrist? The answer to this question has been the pursuit of many an end-times aficionado—professional and amateur alike. John, however, seems less interested in identifying a single personality but in presenting the extent of this spirit’s influence upon many people.

“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come” (1 John 2:18 NIV). 

Many antichrists, or as John also refers to them, false prophets, have come into the world (1 John 2:18). There have been, are, and there will always be, many antichrists in the world as long as it is called “the last days.” And so, John’s purpose was not that we would spend the ages, from that time til this, attempting to identify a personal antichrist. Clearly, John’s purpose was that we would simply “test the spirits” of those we hear to see if they’re words come from God (1 John 4:1). But who are these false, anti-christical spirit’s John warns us against and where did they come from?

Many Antichrists 

Those operating under the spirit of the antichrist find their origin in two places. First of all, they come from the world’s perspective and so, the world listens to them (1 John 4:5). Interestingly, their origin, in some respects, is related to the Church for John tells us that they “went out from us,” seeking the world’s voice, for “…they did not really belong to us” (1 John 2:19 NIV).

These antichrists, those influenced and captivated by the spirit of the antichrist are those throughout history who have embraced some form of godliness, the positive effects of Christian influence, possibly even appreciating and acknowledging the deity of God, without actually knowing him in truth. While it might be an over-simplification, we might define those attracted to the voice of the spirit of the antichrist as those who have reaped the benefits of living in a Christian-influenced society, without reaping the benefits of a deep relationship with Christ himself.

These are those, whether in extreme or casual adherence, gravitate towards the voice of the world and feel like they are hearing from, and therefore, speaking the truth of God. Their love is not for the voice of God, but the very voice John tells us not to love—the voice of the world (1 John 2:15). 

Identifying the Spirit of the Antichrist 

We need to stop looking for false prophets as those who simply get it wrong, or those with which we don't agree. While wrong or immature teaching could be a sign of a false prophet, John's truth detector is not based on doctrine alone. Instead, he prescribes testing the spirits of those speaking by the inward barometer of the anointing of Christ, anchored in the depth of our relationship with Christ.

“They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth….As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:19-20, 24-27 NIV). 

John outlines two anointings available to a human heart and only one is able to detect truth. There is the real anointing from the Holy One—Jesus Christ, and a counterfeit anointing from the spirit of the antichrist. If we have the true anointing it is possible for us to test the spirits to see if they are from God or not. As John says, “…the anointing you have received remains in you…[and] teaches you” (1 John 2:27 NIV).

Accessing and growing in this anointing is at the heart of John’s warning for it is the spirit of the antichrist who challenges Christ’s position within us.

Setting the Scene

John battled philosophies in his day which challenged the identity and role of Jesus as Immanuel—God with us. Two of these philosophies, given the high-sounding names of Docetism and Gnosticism, each sought to separate the flesh from the spirit, and therefore, separate the understanding and practice and administration of God’s presence within the heart of believers.

Simply put, Doecetism held that while his deity was intact, Jesus’s physical, earthly body was only an illusion. To further this thought, early Gnosticism which began to appear even in John’s day, saw the spiritual as good, but the natural and fleshly as evil. It’s easy to see how these drastic modes of thought could be supported theologically, to some extent, by reason of Paul’s teaching and even by the words of Jesus presented by John himself.

“…We who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh…” (Philippians 3:3 NIV).

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing” (John 6:63 NIV).

In their proper context, these passages and many like them hold true. We cannot generate one good thing out of our own selves (Romans 7:18 ESV). And yet, that’s not the whole story, is it?

Christ in the Flesh

“Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” (1 John 4:3-4 NIV).

Doecetism denies that Jesus actually came in the flesh, only that he appeared to have come in the flesh. But why is this important? Because if Jesus did not come into his own earthly body, then he did not come into ours either. That is the background for John’s statement.

While we may easily dismiss the false notion that Jesus did not live in a real, earthly body, we are still subject, from time-to-time, to doubt that he lives in ours. This is despite the fact that God promised long ago through Ezekiel that he would redeem our flesh for the singular purpose that he himself might dwell there.

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19).

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

Why would God give us a heart of flesh if that flesh is inherently evil? It’s because God came to redeem that flesh—his own creation. What the fall tainted and therefore condemned as evil was purchased back again through the sacrificial act of the Son. This heart of flesh that he gives us is none-other than the heart of Jesus, the one who came in the flesh.

“For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” Romans 8:3-4 ESV). 

“Do you not know that you yourselves are God's temple, and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV) 

He condemned the sin IN the flesh, so that we are no longer bound by its nature so that we might be able to live in it by the Spirit. 

The Fulfillment 

Our redeemed flesh is the storehouse for his spirit and anointing, just as he promised through Ezekiel.

“…God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 NIV).

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV).

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1 NIV).

Paul put it all into perspective when he said: 

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 ESV). 

While we fight to walk in the Spirit over and above the desires of the flesh, it is in the flesh that we live. This truth is a part of walking out our redemption and is the same truth that the spirit of the antichrist wishes to dispel.

Turn on the Barometer!

“…The spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.” (1 John 4:1-5 NIV)

The reason John warned us to test the voices we hear by means of the anointing within, as opposed to what we think is right, is because we are innately wrong. That is, unless we allow the anointing within us to teach us, we will go about our lives agreeing with our own thoughts, fueled by the voices of the world around us. If this were not true, why would the scriptures say that we have not been given a spirit of fear, yet fear in believers is at an all-time high during the current crisis? It’s because we’re listening to voices we have not tested.

If terms like “the anointing within us,” sound strange, then we are in all the more need to listen to what John and the rest of Scripture has to say about our standing in Christ. Jesus cautioned us to “be careful how we listen,” telling us that if we do, we’ll gain more of what that anointing within can teach us. If we don’t, we’ll lose even what we thing we have based upon other voices (Luke 8:18).

John’s Conclusions 

How do we draw upon the anointing within us? John finishes his letters with the following conclusions from which we can glean promises for our forward motion and away from deception.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:13-15 NIV) 

“…Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work” (2 John 1:7-11). 

“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God” (3 John 1:11 NIV).

So here's John's prescription:

• Ask according to his will, for he hears us and therefore, we will receive
•  Continue in the teaching found in Scripture and affirmed by the teacher within us. Those who run ahead (proagó) of that teaching—which means to go forward, or go before as in a court of judgment, without that teaching—is making judgments outside of what God is doing
• Know that God seeks to reward us, not leave us in fear of unknown evils
• Imitate what God is doing. Do not imitate the voices swirling around us, showing that our eyes have been on the world more than they’ve been on God

Keep in mind that first and foremost, John wants us to recognize the voice and workings of the Spirit of God as he moves among us, while discerning false voices along the way. It was never John's intention that we perform fearful, antichrist witch-hunts.  

"This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God (1 John 4:2-3 NIV).

It is Christ working and speaking through believers which the spirit of the antichrist means to thwart. We must continue moving forward, trusting and relying on the anointing within us while recognizing and tuning out voices that don't agree—not with the way we think—but with the Spirit of God within our hearts.

Antichrist or Identity Crisis?

Missing the Point

If any of us read through 1 John and come to the conclusion that John’s letter promotes a defensive or fearful posture concerning the antichrist, then it is likely that the eschatology of the last Century has in some ways skewed our understanding away from John’s point. In reality, John was employing the old adage that the best defense is a good offense. And our best offense is in fully understanding who we are together as the Body of Christ as we host his presence. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Instead, let’s first check our watches.

The End-time Clock

While some fearfully wait for time to run out on history, we’ve forgotten that the countdown didn’t begin yesterday or even the day before yesterday. According to the Apostles, it has been running for over 2,000 years (Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 2:18). If that is true, then we are currently living in the latter part of the “last hour.” Therefore, at the time of John’s letter and the centuries since that time, the spirit of the antichrist has continued his presence in the world and has manifested himself through many antichrists and in varying ways for the purpose of creating fear and bringing identity confusion (1 John 2:18, 4:3). 

Even in this point, John was less interested in identifying how the spirit of the antichrist moves through human flesh, but focused upon the power of the Holy Spirit of God residing in our own hearts of flesh.

Hearts of Flesh — His Dwelling Place

Let’s be clear! Nothing which dwells in our flesh holds any intrinsic value. As Paul says, the flesh counts for nothing. Yet, Jesus came to dwell in the flesh of man and he continues there today by residing in our hearts. God has repurposed our flesh so that it might be a suitable home for the Spirit of the living God (Romans 7:18, 8:9).

So while we don’t live according to the flesh, we live in the flesh by faith in the Son of God (Romans 8:10, Galatians 2:20). Our hearts of flesh were once evil beyond cure, but Christ has redeemed our hearts, thereby superseding the fall (Jeremiah 17:9, 1 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 2:22, Galatians 5:16).

“For God…made his light shine in our hearts… But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NIV).

It was always God’s plan that by faith, his Spirit would dwell within our hearts of flesh (Romans 5:5, Galatians 4:6, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 1 John 4:13).

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh…. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26 NIV).

As these passages attest, our hearts of flesh are a gift from God himself that he might dwell there by his Spirit. The spirit of the antichrist, on the other hand, means to deny and separate our heart’s true identity and purpose. He denies Jesus Christ in the flesh!

A Spirit of Denial

“…Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist (2 John 1:7 NIV). 

While the spirit of the antichrist does deny the physical incarnation of Jesus, we must come to understand that this deception and denial goes even further. It seeks to undermine the ongoing incarnation within believers themselves. He seeks to undermine the work of the Holy Spirit within our hearts of flesh.

John clearly says that any, not just one singular individual, which denies Jesus as coming in the flesh has been affected by that spirit’s deception. If this is true, realizing the fullness of Jesus within our hearts of flesh becomes our priority. After all, he who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). 

A Redeemed House

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil…” (Hebrews 2:14 NIV).

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 ESV).

Since we live our lives in the flesh, Jesus Christ was determined to be made in our likeness that he might break the power of the enemy and redeem mankind. He came in human flesh and dwelled among us, yet was without sin. We, on the other hand are made of flesh, but were born into sin. But because of his death and resurrection, we obtained his righteousness (Philippians 2:7, Romans 3:21-22, 8:3, 10:4, Galatians 2:16). Walking in progressive fullness of this righteousness, we make ourselves ready that we would become his mature bride.

Getting Married

Jesus and his bride have a lot in common, or at least, that’s the intention and the path that we’ve been taking for 2,000 years. Jesus is a traditionalist in the sense that he doesn’t intend to marry outside of his species. When the marriage supper of the Lamb is served, folks will see that by the Spirit, the bridegroom and the bride are a perfect match. 

As the passages above so clearly demonstrate, Jesus came in the flesh so that he could be like his bride. Then, he made the ultimate sacrifice so she could become like him—both adorned in righteousness. It was a match made in heaven.

“… He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:20 NIV).

Does Anyone Object to This Union?

Yes…the spirit of the antichrist objects to the union of the bridegroom and the bride. He seeks to undermine her heart and thereby, undermines her actions. Her heart and her actions are to be like those of the bridegroom!

“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…” (John 14:12 NIV).

“I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one…” (John 17:22 NIV).

“Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked” (1 John 2:6 NIV).

If these are the intentions of Jesus Christ, then it is clear that the intentions of the antichrist will be the exact opposite. Therefore, any spirit which attempts to influence the Body of Christ away from walking as Jesus did, doing his works, manifesting his glory and being like him, is attempting to deny that Jesus has come in the flesh, specifically, our flesh. He vehemently objects to our union with Christ!

While he obviously will not succeed in the end, what damage will he accomplish along the way? Only what we allow him!

Our Identity

We cannot continue to hold theologies which agree with the spirit of the antichrist. Neither can we be so hung up on identifying times, dates, and personalities, that we lose the attention of our first love. Our identity is to be a suitable match for the one who redeemed us. If we don’t look like his bride, grown to the “whole measure of the fullness of Christ,” it is proof of the pervasiveness of the spirit of the antichrist.

As Brennan Manning said, “Be who you is, ‘cause if you ain’t who you is, you is who you ain’t.”

It’s time to see ourselves as the Bride of Christ, whose heart of flesh gladly holds and reflects the Spirit of the One who bought us.

We Have Nothing to Fear

"This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:17-18 NIV)

Fear is the defining characteristic of the spirit of the antichrist. John was not warning us to fear the antichrist, but instead, live outside of that fear. Think about it! Have your end time beliefs caused you to fear whether you will be swayed by the power of the incarnation of the antichrist in the world? If so, then fear is doing its work! Any eschatology, however solid it may seem, if it denies or redirects us away from the sound mind we’ve been given and causes us to doubt the power of his righteousness within us, it has been in some way influenced by the spirit of the antichrist. After all, we have been given all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Inside Our Hearts of Flesh

We have all we need because of the deposit of the Holy Spirit given to us (Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Galatians 4:6; etc.).

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.... I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.” (1 John 2:20, 26-29 NIV)

Identity Confusion

Anyone who denies that Jesus has come to live within our hearts of flesh is the one who worships the antichrist more than Jesus Christ. Until we reconcile our identity in him, and his identity within us as his very own body, the very thing we have feared has already disrupted our momentum as the Body of Christ. However, and whenever Jesus returns, he will return to those who realize that he came the first time to live in their flesh. Kneeling before him in this knowledge, we will have no time to cower before any incarnation of the spirit of the antichrist. This was John’s message and as time is ticking, it is becoming even more needful that we realize that this is our true identity in Christ!

If there is identity confusion in the world, it is because the Church has been fearfully drawn away from realizing its identity together in Jesus Christ, and he in us. If there is confusion concerning love, then again, the fault belongs to us and our testimony concerning Jesus has been compromised, giving the very spirit we’ve feared, unfettered access to the hearts and minds of the world around us.

“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. (1 John 4:12-21 NIV).

The Jerusalem Council: A Signs and Wonders Defense

After nearly 15 years on the road ministering to those outside of the Jewish community of believers, Paul found himself having to defend the grace of God shown to the burgeoning Gentile church. At the Council in Jerusalem, the Pharisees proposed that the Gentiles must convert to Judaism in order to become legitimate believers. Paul’s position, aided greatly by Peter, should prompt us all to re-examine how we perceive God’s will and his ways.

The Controversy

“When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.’ The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.’ The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them” (Acts 15:4-12 NIV).

Dealing with a New Kind of Believer

For centuries, the Gentiles had lived outside of God’s grace and plan (Ephesians 2:11-12). So, the Pharisees appeared, at least in their own reasoning, to have a legitimate point in seeing themselves and their traditions as the gateway for the Gentiles. Paul and Peter, on the other hand, took a position that God had already approved and accepted this new brand of believers as well as the methods by which they had been won to the Gospel—faith and the grace of Jesus amidst the presence and working of the Holy Spirit.

That was good theology then and it stands up today as well. Yet despite our agreement with Paul, there is still a part in many of us which shares the apprehension felt by Pharisee believers in their day. Consider how we would determine if a people group had truly been accepted by God. What measurements might we use and what recommendations would we make?

New Kids in Town

Recent history, relatively speaking, reveals that we ourselves have a tendency to misinterpret God’s working and movement outside of our own spiritual culture and comfort zone. While not a perfect example, the Jesus People movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s reflected a divide between a church set in its ways, and a group of hungry converts looking for a place to belong.

Despite even radical conversions, many of these young people were initially rejected and shunned by traditional congregations because they didn’t fit into the status quo. Ironically, that very group, now long melded-in, have become the new baseline for the status quo, being challenged in ways similar to their predecessors.

Validation

With all that in mind, what standards would we use today to measure and validate a ministry to a people group outside of our own culture? Likely, we would provide numbers—how many had been converted and gather on a regular basis. Also, we might give testimony as to the kind of lifestyles these new believers had left behind, proving that they had truly been transformed. We would give these and other compelling details, however, Paul gives none of these. He gives us no stats and tells us nothing of the Gentile’s lives as former idol worshipers, polygamists, sorcerers, and the like.

What then did he use to prove the legitimacy of his ministry to the Gentiles as well as their subsequent acceptance of his ministry? It was none other than the work of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s Testimony

That’s right! Paul and his companions began and ended their position by providing the same vein of testimony throughout—what God had done through them by the Holy Spirit.

“… They reported everything God had done through them” (Acts 15:4 NIV).

“The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them” (Acts 15:12 NIV).

Peter’s testimony was not terribly different as he reminded his fellow believers that God had heard and believed in God’s grace through his own lips, which cued the Holy Spirit to fall on the Gentiles just as he had fallen on the Jews beginning at Pentecost (Acts 10:44, 11:15, 15:7-8).

Stealing God’s Glory

Many in the church today would be very uncomfortable putting this much emphasis upon themselves and their role in what God had done, feeling like it puts the attention and glory upon them and away from God. But, that was not Paul or Peter’s intention at all. It was not out of pride or a sense of spiritual superiority, but acknowledgment that God was present, confirming and affirming that their ministry to the Gentiles was valid. An example of this is found in Luke’s report of Paul and Barnabas’ ministry to the Gentiles in Iconium.

“So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders” (Acts 14:3)

Confirming the Word

Does the Gospel need such confirmation? Isn’t the spoken word adequate to convey God’s message? Paul didn’t think so.

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:5 NIV).

The more tumultuous the times become, the more we will likely come to understand the importance of Paul’s statement. The works of God testify to who he is and what he approves. His works actually praise him (Psalm 145:10). That is why Paul relied on them as the sole proof of his ministry to the Gentiles, in the same way that Jesus had done years earlier.

Testimony of Works

“Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father” (John 10:37-38 NIV).

“…the works that the Father has given me to finish--the very works that I am doing--testify that the Father has sent me” (John 5:36 NIV).

“The works I do in my Father's name testify about me…” (John 10:25 NIV).

This is also why Peter was so quick to defend Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. He had been with Jesus and therefore understood that signs and wonders were the foremost proof of the gospel and those who proclaim it. And so, on the day of Pentecost, he echoed Jesus’ position on the subject. This testimony is further reinforced by the author of the letter to the Hebrews.

“Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs…” (Acts 2:22 NIV).

“This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will”
(Hebrews 2:3-4 NIV).

Let’s keep in mind that Paul was a master theologian and could hold his own in a debate. Still, Paul realized that the legitimacy of his ministry to the Gentiles would be best represented if based primarily upon God’s approval as shown through the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. He believed that if he could show that God were in it, then he had no reason to seek proof elsewhere.

Power for Repentance

Paul’s stance was not merely theological, it was practical, reproducible and effective. He knew experientially that signs and wonders held the power to bring people to repentance and he reckoned that the council understood this as well, having experienced 1st Century ministry firsthand themselves, and by remembering the words of Jesus.

"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:21 NIV).

Despite the fact that our theology has nearly succeeded in separating the gospel and the power of God for salvation, they are in fact inseparable. According to Paul, the gospel IS the power, therefore, the signs, wonders, and miracles are a part of the gospel, not an addition.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16 NIV).

Conclusion

Paul’s testimony in conjunction with that of Peter and James led to an open hand of fellowship between the Jewish and Gentile believers. The council weighed Paul’s testimony of signs and wonders along with the council of Peter and James. They determined that the Gentiles need not convert to Judaism and follow Mosaic law in order to be accepted. They were, however, given guidelines concerning food and sent them joyfully along to their Gentile brothers in the worthy hands of Paul and Barnabas.

Paul said that he didn’t want the faith of the Gentiles to rest on man’s wisdom, but on the power of God. At the council at Jerusalem, he also demonstrated that he wanted the faith FOR the Gentiles to rest on the power of God, and so it did.

The First Woman in Space

Have you ever had a dream or got an impression that for whatever reason, grabbed your interest and inspired you to investigate further? This has happened to me a couple of times and the other morning was one of those times. As I was waking up, the words, “Martha Volker— 1st woman in space,” popped into my mind. Well that’s crazy because A), I’ve never heard of a Martha Volker, and B) I have never heard of or ever stopped to consider who held the title of first woman in space. So…off to Google I went.

As it turns out, the first woman in space was Valentina Tereshkova, not Martha Volker. Yet, Tereshkova’s story is so intriguing, I couldn’t help but look further. Valentina was a factory worker and an amateur skydiver. The latter fact qualified her for application for the Soviet space program which was recruiting women based mainly upon one criteria, that they could land in a parachute. Valentina, having completed her first successful jump at age 22, joined a pool of over 400 candidates which was whittled down to four, of which she was the one chosen to be the first Soviet woman to fly in space. And why, you may ask, were the Soviets launching women into space in 1963?

The director of the Soviet space program had heard that the Americans were training women to be astronauts and not to be outdone by their rivals, the Soviets pushed to be the first to put women into a spacecraft. Consider for a moment that the male cosmonauts selected to train were, like their American counterparts, air-force pilots. The women on the other hand were given different qualifications. It was thought that, since the Vostok series of ships were nearly fully automated that all that was required by the recruiting team was to select women who could land a parachute and were under the age of 30. 

As Tereshkova excelled above all other candidates, she was chosen to fly in Vostok 6. Launched into space on June 16, 1963, Tereshkova became not only the first woman in space, she is also recognized as the youngest at age 26, and still holds the record as the only woman in history to fly solo in space. She orbited the earth for 2 days, 22 hours, and 50 minutes. A few days later, on June 22, 1963, she appeared and spoke at Lenin’s Tomb. The Soviets wanted to play up the fact that her father had been killed during the German invasion of 1941 which began that same day, 22 years earlier, and so she announced that fact in her speech. At this point, as each interesting fact was building upon each other, I began to feel a familiar ring, brought on by the numbers involved in Tereshkova’s life story. 

Some may be aware of the odd appearance of the number 2, along with other interesting numeric oddities during the Super Bowl. If not, consider these odd occurrences:

Super Bowl 54:

• Kansas City Chiefs: 2nd Super Bowl victory with 50 years between wins
• Coach Andy Reid’s 2nd Super Bowl appearance as coach for 2 NFL teams
• Coach Andy Reid’s 222nd career win
• Played on 02/02/2020 (1st perfect palindrome date in 909 years)
• Played on the 33rd day of the year with 333 days left (leap year 366 days)

These odd facts, in conjunction with the prediction that God would move mightily in the earth when the Chief’s won the Super Bowl, a prediction shared with friends and acquaintances over a period of years by prophet Bob Jones, immediately began to heighten my interest as I saw similar patterns while researching Tereshkova’s story:

• 2 days, 22 hours, and 50 minutes orbiting the earth
• First successful parachute jump at age 22
• Gave a speech and was awarded the Order of Lenin on June 22, 1963 on the 22nd anniversary of the German invasion of 1941
• While there is a 19 year gap between the 1st and 2nd Russian woman in space, the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, followed 20 years (and 2 days) after Tereshkova’s 

What does all this mean, if anything? I can only share my impression that when I heard “Martha Volker, 1st woman in space,” it held absolutely no significance whatsoever and was so random and obscure, that it caught my attention. Tereshkova's life, on the other hand, seems almost mythic considering that her accomplishments did not end when her space craft splashed down. Instead, she went on to marry a fellow cosmonaut, making their daughter the first human to have both parents having travelled in space. If these milestones were not enough, Valentina Tereshkova continued to excel.

While she entered the space program at the lowest rank, as an air-force private, she advanced in education and rank, earning her masters in aeronautical engineering and eventually rose to the rank of major general in the Soviet air-force. Even beyond these accomplishments, she entered into politics and continues to serve in political office to this day.

And what of Martha Volker? I cannot find any references to anyone of any significance with that name associated with the space program, nor were there any other events or accomplishments associated with anyone by that name. However, the meaning of her name does seem to be in keeping with Tereshkova’ status:

Martha: mistress/leader

Volker: tribe/family/army.

Could this be a time of awakening in the Church, signaled by things as crazy as the stars in the sky and predictions about the Super Bowl given years earlier? Stranger things have happened… Tereshkova’s unlikely life being one of them. In addition, I can’t ignore the contribution that women wish to make in the promotion of the work of God in both the heavens, and right here on the earth. Can a dream and random phrase heard in the time between sleep and consciousness begin to speak to and promote such a thing?

Paul McCartney dreamed the song Yesterday and since then, it has been recorded by more the 2,200 people. Einstein’s famous theory of relativity came to him in a dream during his teens. Peter, quoting Joel, said that God would inspire dreams by the Holy Spirit and so, I choose to believe that we should allow our dreams to make us more inquisitive and open to consider things we might not consider while we’re awake. One thing is for sure, there are many women who have dreamed of serving God in his Kingdom in a way that might mirror the accomplishments of the 1st woman in space. I have no problem being a part of heralding such a rise.

And just to add one more oddity; when I purposed to present this information, I was not yet conscious of the fact that today is 02/22/20. But, when I did realize it, it seemed even more appropriate that I should move forward and publish it.

Successful Healing Evangelist Falls

There is a well-known healing evangelist who after becoming as successful as any of his contemporaries, was found to be flawed to an extent that it ended his ministry. You might have read about him. Unfortunately, despite all of the success he achieved praying for those sick of all kinds of maladies, he will none-the-less be remembered, not for those things, but for falling from his high position. What do we conclude about such a person? Were all those healings just false signs, and does his fall make this person a false teacher? Can anything they ministered be trusted and accepted? Doesn't this type of situation confirm our skepticism concerning  the ministry of signs and wonders?

Keep in mind that when Jesus sent out his twelve disciples to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demonic influences, he knew that these men were imperfect, yet he sent them out anyway. And, all twelve returned with glowing reports of what they had accomplished (Mk 6:13, 30)—all twelve including a man named Judas Iscariot. Yes! This is the successful healing evangelist who fell. I'm reporting the news a little late (by 2,000 years) so that I might make a point. When the disciples returned to Jesus, there is no indication that anyone of them fell short of Jesus' expectations. They were all successful healing evangelists, including Judas. 

Furthermore, after his resurrection, Jesus gave us what we refer to as the Great Commission. He did not feel the need to take into account Judas' actions and downgrade or eliminate the supernatural aspect of the commission, simply because Judas failed to live up to his potential. Instead, he announced that certain signs would follow those who believe. And after Pentecost, Peter and John did not decline to pray for the lame man at the temple, reasoning that by his actions, Judas disqualified supernatural ministry. They not only successfully prayed for this man's healing, after being reprimanded for doing so, the apostles cried out to God for even more powerful signs and God obliged them (Acts 4:30-33).

So let's not let a good reason, the failings of others, become a bad excuse for not adopting what Paul calls the proclamation of the full Gospel with the power of signs and wonders (Ro 15:18-19).