More on missions and the local church (part three)

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. So they stayed there a long time with the disciples. Acts 14:21-28

The goal of New Testament missionary enterprises is planting churches, not merely calling individuals to salvation.  Only those who have a solid understanding of New Testament ecclesiology are in a position to establish churches and appoint church leadership.  Freelance missionary enterprises that are disconnected from the church will not, and cannot, establish that of which they are not a part.  While on the field, unless in a region of the world in which there is no opportunity for Christian fellowship, missionaries should seek to be in fellowship in a church.  If there is no church, missionaries should participate in a house church, even if it is no bigger than their own family.

1. The missionaries returned to their home-sending church to report on the work they had done.  This reporting on the fruitfulness of the ministry is important for two reasons:

   First, it is a means of determining the effectiveness of a missionary.  This is important in deciding whether or not the missionary should be sent on another term.

   Second, hearing from missionaries encourages the senders that, though they are not all “goers,” they have an important stake in the work as “senders.”

2. The missionaries stayed in their home church for a “long time.”  This points out the following:

• The missionaries recognized the sending church as their base of operations.

• The missionaries needed to be ministered to by the members of their home church after serving selflessly for a period of time on the field.

• The missionaries needed to minister in their home church so that the senders would know them well and be ready and willing to support them when they were ready to be sent out again.

I pray that sharing these observations from Acts about missions will make you more keenly aware that as members of a local church that supports missionaries, we all have a stake in the missions enterprise.

More on missions and the local church (part two)

Acts 13:5-14:21 provides three more important principles about missions. Why do we share these with those who are not missionaries? So that we can understand missions from a biblical perspective, and can pray for and support our missionaries biblically .

1. The primary responsibility of the missionary is to “preach the gospel” as a part of planting churches. (As important as humanitarian work may be, that is not the primary objective of Christian missions.)

2. The fact that not all members of the team were the preachers affirms the fact that there is a need for support personnel.  Not all are preachers and the non-preaching members of the team are as important to the mission as the preachers.

3. The fact that the team was a great distance from the home church and was, therefore, unable to be in constant communication, instructs us that missionaries on the field, while responsible and accountable to their sending church, must be “field led.”  It is impossible for the sending church to direct every aspect of the missionary enterprise.  The Holy Spirit will guide and direct the missionary while on the field as to the daily details of the work.  This is another reason why missionaries must be mature Christians whose relationship with the Lord and ability to hear and follow His leading must be without question.

More on missions and the local church (part one)

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 13:1-4

Here are seven important principles from Acts 13:1-4 concerning sending New Testament missionaries. Why do we share these with those who are not missionaries? So that we can understand missions from a biblical perspective, and we can pray for and support our missionaries biblically.

1. The first missionaries sent in the New Testament were seasoned veterans: prophets and teachers.  This underscores the importance of spiritual maturity in the lives of missionary candidates. (v.1-2)

2. The call to send came to the leaders of the church.  The call to missionary service must be confirmed by the leadership of one’s home church (v.2).

3. The call to send (and the call to go) comes while “ministering to the Lord” in the local church.  This underscores the importance of worship and prayer as a part of the process of receiving the call.  It also points out that missionary candidates should be fully involved in serving in a local church before being sent (v.2).

4. There is no indication regarding the time frame covered in verse 3, but the fact that they fasted and prayed, even after having received word from the Lord, indicates time elapsed while seeking the Lord before acting. God is seldom in as much of a hurry as we tend to be, even when it comes to ministry (v.3).

5. The words “set apart” (or separate) indicate a time of preparation for service.  The call to missionary service is at least as important as the call to eldership (v.2).

6. The missionaries were “sent,” they didn’t just “go.”  Being “sent” indicates that the one(s) being sent has been commissioned by the local church, and remains responsible and accountable to the senders (the local church) (v.3-4).

7. Being sent by the church was equated with being sent by the Holy Spirit (v.4).

Missions and the local church

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 13:1-3

This is the first mention in the New Testament of officially sending out missionaries. Please note the following that should remain consistent regarding sending missionaries, even to this day:

• Missions and missionaries are to be sent by local churches. Why? Because missionary endeavors ought not merely be about evangelism, but also about church planting. Who better to plant churches than those sent out from local churches?

• Missionaries are to be sent from local churches. Missions is an extension of the church, not an individual adventure. Too often in our day, individuals want to serve in missions because they see it as an adventure. They may or may not even be serving in a local church. They connect with a “para-church” ministry and set out without any accountability to a local church. This is not the pattern set forth in Scripture. Nor should we support these “independent missionaries.”

• Missionaries sent from local churches must be spiritually qualified. The church at Antioch did not send out just anyone. They sent out a couple of their premier teacher/leaders. Remembering that missions should primarily be about church planting, those sent should be spiritually qualified and experienced as officers of a local church. If they are not, how can they plant churches?

Missionary ministry is vitally important business. Let us insist that it be engaged in biblically.

Antioch of Syria: A strategic place

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. Acts 12:25

After Herod’s death, Barnabas and Saul (later the Apostle Paul) left Jerusalem, taking with them John Mark. Where did they go?

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. Acts 13:1

They “returned” from Jerusalem to Antioch.

There are two Antiochs in the New Testament. One, Antioch in Pisidia, was a city in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) that Paul and Barnabas evangelized on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:14). This is not the Antioch mentioned in Acts 13:1)

The Antioch in Acts 13:1 was in Syria (not Israel), about 300 miles north of Jerusalem and 16 miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea. This Antioch became the capital of the Roman province in Asia. It ranked third, after Rome and Alexandria, in point of importance, of the cities of the Roman Empire. Remember that the name “Christian” was first applied here to followers of Christ (Acts 11:26). As we will see in the following chapters, it was Antioch, not Jerusalem, that became the epicenter for the earliest missionary enterprises. The expansion of the faith across Europe in the first century issued forth from a missions-minded church. May all churches have a heart for missions!

A modern footnote: Few remains of the ancient city are now visible, since most of them lie buried by time. A mostly buried ancient gateway still bears the name of Paul.

"We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.
Acts 12:24

There are many who think that through slick marketing, the utilization of corporate strategies, and trying to make Christianity appear more appealing to the masses, we can grow the Church. Never mind the fact that Jesus said the Church is His, that He will grow His Church, and that the gates of Hell cannot thwart His building of His Church! (Matthew 16:18).

The Church grew quite dramatically in the days of the book of Acts. It grew supernaturally—not referring to signs and wonders, but to the fact that the Lord supernaturally grew His Church in the midst of no small amount of tribulation and persecution.

It was as the Church was being mocked in Acts 2 that Pentecost came and 3,000 were added to the Church. It was in the wake of Peter and John being imprisoned (Acts 4) that the believers prayed and were filled with the Spirit to speak the word of God boldly (v.31). It was in the wake of God taking Ananias and Sapphira’s lives that “believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Acts 5:14). It was as the persecution increased (Acts 5:17-ff) that the church in Jerusalem grew so much, it became difficult to care for the large numbers who were in need (Acts 6). It was after Stephen was martyred (Acts 7) more persecution arose—which resulted in the believers being scattered to take the gospel to more people in more places (Acts 8:1). It was as Saul of Tarsus went as far as Damascus to arrest believers that God saved Saul (Acts 9), who became the Apostle Paul who went to many places to preach the gospel and establish many churches. As a result (Acts 9:31), “walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they [the Church] were multiplied.” And after Herod killed James (Acts 12), “the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.”

I am reminded of Jesus’ words: John 12:24  Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

And of Paul’s words in Acts 14:22: "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

"My glory to another, I will not give!"

So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:21-23

Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, the LORD said:

"I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another…”

In Herod’s case, God’s judgment was swift and severe! Because of His merciful kindness, God seldom acts as dramatically as He did in Herod’s case. He would be justified if He did.

Satan’s sin was wanting to be God (Isaiah 14:13-14). Human beings have followed Satan’s example ever since. We may not do so as blatantly, usually acting much more subtly—but when humans and humanity exalt ourselves and do not exalt God, are we not guilty of the same?

It is tempting to be eager to see God’s judgment on the arrogant when we see our society rejecting God and exalting ourselves. But let us pity those engaged in such blasphemy. Let us instead pray that God would grant the gift of repentance, as He has so graciously done for His elect.

God or government? (Part two)

Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king's personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king's country. So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:20-23

We considered last time that when government threatens to replace God, that is a most sinister form of idolatry. Now consider this:

Government can never actually replace God. It can only threaten to replace God. It does this by imposing more and more control over its citizens instead of serving God and its citizens by punishing evil doers and rewarding those who do good (Romans 13). All government, no matter how evil, is still under God’s ultimate control.

The American experiment in limiting the reach of government is based on, and only works when the citizenry is moral, and when it is willing to hold the government accountable. Instead, the citizenry of the United States is increasingly becoming deluded into thinking that we need more and more government, while at the same time less and less of God and the Bible. Collectively we increasingly want the government to do more and more for us—not by protecting our freedoms, but by taking care of us and by giving us “more stuff for free.” By the way, we seem to have forgotten that the government has nothing to give us except what it takes from us.

When will we in America stop shouting: “We want government more than we want God!”?

God or government? (Part one)

Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king's personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king's country. So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:20-23

God ordained government and those who run government (Romans 13). Since God is a God of order, we need some government so that society has a measure of order. Some debate that if there were no sin, we wouldn’t need government to maintain order because if there were no sin we would all get along peaceably. We really have no way of knowing this because sin has been around since Adam and Eve were alone in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, this is is a hypothetical idea.

Ironically, though God has ordained government to restrain evil, like everything else involving sinful human beings, government is often a virtual laboratory of sin. Government corruption may be one of the worst kinds of corruption because government is supposed to be the watchdog over crime, and government controls the courts. It is usually, therefore, unchecked.

Even more ironically, sinful citizens routinely love to deify government and government officials. Acts 12:22 showcases an archetypical example of this as “the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’“ When what God ordains for our good threatens to replace God, that is a most sinister form of idolatry.

The same news can be perceived in entirely different ways

Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there. Acts 12:18-19

The same news can be perceived in entirely different ways. The news of Peter’s divine release from prison caused the people of God to rejoice and to tell the news of God’s kind providence to others (v.16-17).

The news of Peter’s “escape” from prison (which is how Herod and the Roman prison guards saw it), caused “no small stir among the soldiers.” No kidding! A prisoner was missing and it could cost them dearly. Herod’s reaction was to investigate what had happened, and then to execute the guards!

How do we interpret and respond to what happens to us and in our world? Let us not respond angrily, and especially not violently as Herod did. Rather, understanding that God is sovereign, let us respond in faith that God is in control. When we like what God is doing, let us respond joyfully at God’s kind providences. And when we do not understand, or even like what God is doing, remembering that God only always does everything rightly, let us respond by encouraging ourselves and others to remain faithful as He is faithful.

Understanding God's answers to our prayers

But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel." Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren." And he departed and went to another place. Acts 12:15-17

When the folks at the prayer meeting, at which petitions for Peter were being prayed, heard that Peter was at the door, they surmised that it was not Peter, but “his angel.”

Verse 15 does not teach that we have guardian angels, much less that we become angels when we die. (1) We must not formulate doctrine from narratives. (2) We certainly must not formulate doctrine from narrative in which the people were proven wrong in the narrative!

What verse 15 does teach is that: (a) people are “spiritual” (often another way of saying “superstitious”), and (b) when we fail to see God in a matter, we often point to some other spiritual phenomena (whether biblical or not).

When the people finally opened the door and saw Peter standing there, they were “astonished.” Of course they were, they were witnesses of a miracle, and miracles cause “wonder.”

In this case, they were blessed to receive information directly from Peter about how God miraculously delivered from him from prison. And praise God, here we are 2,000 years later reading all about it.

Praise God that He can and often does deliver us from our troubles. But even when He does not, praise God, He remains with us, never abandoning us.

A funny way of teaching me a lesson

So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel." Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Acts 12:12-16

This story contains a humorous element. While the church was praying, God miraculously delivered Peter from prison back to the fellowship of the saints. Apparently, they had no real expectation that he would be delivered in the manner in which he was. As a result, Rhoda left Peter standing outside, and the rest of the assembled praying believers thought she was out of her mind for thinking Peter was at the door.

Though pointed out humorously, it reminds us of the fact that we sometimes pray with no expectation that God will answer—or that we cannot imagine how He could. Yet God often answers our prayers! In the case of Peter’s release from prison, they saw him and were amazed. But what about all the answers to prayer that come our way without the kind of irrefutable proof they saw at the doorway?

I wonder: (1) How many answers do I not see because I have not prayed? And how many answers do I not see because God answered in ways I did not expect or even imagine?

Can you identify the miraculous? (and why it is important)

Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." Acts 12:7-11

Peter’s deliverance from prison was indeed miraculous. He could have been released as the result of a decision, and though that would not have been likely, it would not have been a miracle. That it was a miracle is obvious because of angelic intervention. Chains falling off (without the use of keys) is clearly miraculous.

Do mortal believers have any part in the miraculous? Only this: in verse 5, the church was praying. Prayer does not cause miracles. Miracles are God’s work, but let us remember James’ words, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). God has sovereignly chosen to act as we pray. That does not mean that we can pray insisting that God acts according to our prayers. But as we pray according to God’s will, God sovereignly acts—sometimes performing miracles.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 calls us to “pray without ceasing.” These prayers and their answers may or may not involve miracles, but who knows what miracles we may not see because we do not pray?!

Some suggest that if we do not see all answers to prayer as miraculous, we rob God of His glory. I respectfully disagree. Though we do not want to rob God of His glory, nor do we want to dismiss the truly miraculous as not miraculous, neither do we want to minimize the truly miraculous by calling things miraculous that are not!

A word about miracles

Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." Acts 12:7-11

This passage records a wonderful miracle of deliverance. Let us be reminded that miracles are miraculous. That should be obvious, but what does that mean? Here are a few definitions of the word miraculous.

Things that are miraculous are “highly improbable, extraordinary, or supernatural.” In other words, things that are miraculous are not commonplace. This is instructive since we are sometimes tempted to call things miraculous that commonly happen. Every birth of a child, though most pleasing, and for which we give thanks, is natural rather than supernatural. Every recovery from illness is not supernatural since we naturally recover more often than we do not.

The adjective miraculous comes from the Latin word miraculum, meaning "object of wonder." The truly miraculous causes us to be surprised and somewhat in awe.

I particularly like this definition: “occurring through divine or supernatural intervention, or manifesting such power.” I like it because it reminds us that miracles are God’s work, not “good luck.” The truly miraculous should point us to God!

Another definition adds that miracles “bring very welcome consequences.” That may often be true, but not always. That Peter was miraculously delivered from prison (a most welcome consequence) but guards (v.19) were executed (a most unwelcome consequence). Or think of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. That was a miracle with a welcome consequence. But remember also that the Egyptians were drowned as a result.

My point in all of this? Miracles happen and they should point us to God. But they do not happen all the time, or else they are not miracles.

Christians and anxiety (part five)

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
Acts 12:5-6

Peter was in jail for his faith in Christ. There was no imaginable escape from a trial and probably a speedy execution. Yet Peter was asleep. We previously mentioned that while anxiety is real and frequently overtakes believers, and while God uses our anxiety to draw us to Himself, He draws us that we might experience His peace.

In previous posts, we unpacked three important passages regarding anxiety and peace. This time let’s consider “the peace of God” and how to sustain it..

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Note first that the results of doing what verse 6 says to do—and I would say it is a promise—is the peace of God. Do not miss the fact that as Jesus said in John 14, the peace He gives is different from any other peace. It is not the peace the world gives (John14:27), and it is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). God’s peace, especially in times of anxiety-producing duress, causes others to wonder how we can be so calm. It often even surprises we who are often anxious, how much peace we are experiencing.

Note secondly that there is no promise to deliver us from circumstances or feelings. Rather it is of a peace that “guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”—even in the worst of circumstances and when our feelings continue to harass us.

Lastly, how do we sustain this peace? I leave you with Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Christians and anxiety (part four)

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
Acts 12:5-6

Peter was in jail for his faith in Christ. There was no imaginable escape from a trial and probably a speedy execution. Yet Peter was asleep. We previously mentioned that while anxiety is real and frequently overtakes believers, and while God uses our anxiety to draw us to Himself, He draws us that we might experience His peace.

We gave three passages to prayerfully meditate on when experiencing anxiety. Let me unpack the third of those three passages a bit.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

First, note the Apostle’s direct words: “Be anxious for nothing.” In other words, God doesn’t want us to be anxious—about anything!” His desire is that we be “kept in perfect peace” (Isaiah 26:3).

Second, the Rx for anxiety involves two essential ingredients:

1. Prayer (in general) and supplication (specific requests, regarding what is causing our anxiety).

2. Thanksgiving. For what? How about that as believers, our sins are forgiven? That we can bring Him our anxieties in prayer—and that He hears our prayers and cares enough to answer! That our anxieties drive us to Him! That this life with all its anxieties will one day be through when He takes us to glory! And I’ll bet you can think of other things for which to be thankful.
   (And by the way, just as a recipe for chocolate chip cookies without the chips will not yield chocolate chip cookies, both prayer and thanksgiving are essential ingredients if we would experience His peace!)

Tomorrow: “The peace of God” and how to sustain it.

Christians and anxiety (part three)

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
Acts 12:5-6

Peter was in jail for his faith in Christ. There was no imaginable escape from a trial and probably a speedy execution. Yet Peter was asleep. We mentioned last time that while anxiety is real and frequently overtakes believers, and while God uses our anxiety to draw us to Himself, He draws us that we might experience His peace.

We gave three passages to prayerfully meditate on when experiencing anxiety. Let me unpack the second of those three passages a bit.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Note first that the goal is to be “kept in perfect peace.” As has been said, the fact that believers do experience anxiety, and that God uses (ordains) our anxiety to draw us to Himself, does not mean that anxiety is in itself either good or God’s best for His children. Our Prince of peace would have us live in peace, if it were not for the ravages of sin.

Note secondly, that there are two related means by which we may experience His peace:

1. Our minds are to be “stayed” on the Lord. A stayed mind is one that not only thinks about the Lord when at church or during ones “quiet time,” but all the time. Of course God hasn’t called us to sit quietly meditating on Him to the neglect of our other God-ordained responsibilities. Rather we must aim to, and train yourselves to incorporate thoughts of God in all things at all times. This requires intentionality and practice. Here is where to start: Whenever you are aware that God is not in your thoughts, ask for His forgiveness and continue doing what you are doing, with an awareness of His presence. In time, this will become increasingly more second nature.

2. We are called to “trust in Him.” And again, not just while reading the Bible and praying, or when circumstances and feelings are bright and cheery. Trust is most necessary when circumstances and feelings are contrary. When assailed by anxiety, regardless of how you feel, “counsel yourself” with the truth that as a child of God, He loves you (Romans 8:35-39, Ephesians 3:17-20), and will never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Set your mind on these things regardless of your circumstances or feelings.

The third passage next time…

Christians and Anxiety (part two)

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
Acts 12:5-6

Peter was in jail for his faith in Christ. There was no imaginable escape from a trial and probably a speedy execution. Yet Peter was asleep. We mentioned last time that while anxiety is real and frequently overtakes believers, and while God uses our anxiety to draw us to Himself, He draws us that we might experience His peace.

We gave three passages to prayerfully meditate on when experiencing anxiety. Let me unpack the first of those three passages a bit.

John 14:1 & 27 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me... 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

From Jesus’ words while in the upper room with the disciples just a few hours before He was to be betrayed, Jesus told the disciples He was leaving. Even though they didn’t understand what He had previously told them about the coming crucifixion, the disciples had need to be anxious. They left everything to follow Jesus and now He was leaving? This was bad, indeed—from their perspective.

But Jesus not only tells them not to be troubled [anxious], but He speaks to them about His peace. Learn first, that anxiety (though we often sense it) is not God’s ideal for His people. (v.1 & 27)

Learn second, that the prescription is believing, or trusting in God and in the Lord Jesus. (v.1)

Third, there is no mention of deliverance from circumstances that cause anxiety, only peace, presumably in those circumstances. He promises peace—not deliverance or exemption from fear,

Fourth, Jesus identified “His peace” as not like the peace we might find in the world. Think of the kinds of peace and the ways to escape anxiety the world has to offer. They are all external and temporary. His peace is real, internal, and lasting.

Let us remember Jesus’ words when we are feeling anxious.

Christians and Anxiety (part one)

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
Acts 12:5-6

Peter was in jail for his faith in Christ. Even while in a jail cell, Peter was chained to two guards. How’s that for security!? There was no human possibility of escape. And time was running out because the next day Herod was going to “bring him out,” not for release, but for trial and probable execution. I guess the troubles I fret over are nothing compared to Peter’s situation.

Yet Peter was asleep. Though Peter had legitimate reason for anxiety, he had peace enough to sleep. (Not unlike His Savior when Jesus was asleep on the boat in the midst of a life-threatening storm! Mark 4:37-38) It is not God’s will that His children be anxious—no matter how understandable it may be. True, God uses our anxiety to draw us near to Him. His will is that as we draw near to Him, we might experience His perfect peace.

When anxious, prayerfully meditate on these three passages:

John 14:1 & 27 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me... 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

More on this subject next time…

How to remember and pray for the persecuted church

Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12:1-5

We shared last me that Persecution is neither new , nor unheard of. Persecution of God’s people is (a) as old as Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:4-8), and (b) should be expected by all who seek to be godly (2 Timothy 3:12)

We shared also that we must remember and pray for our persecuted brethren around the world—especially since we suffer so little if at all! Here are a two tips that help me to remember them and to pray for them.

First, set a daily alarm to remind you to think of and pray for them. Set it for a time when you are not likely to be too busy to stop and pray. The best time for me is when I am having my quiet time. Maybe put a reminder note on the front of your coffee pot. Then pray either as you wait for the coffee, or immediately when you sit down to drink it. Set up a daily email to yourself to pray before you check other emails. Some might pray just before bed —as long as you are not too tired!

Second, if you have a smart phone get the “Voice of the Martyrs” app (available wherever you get your apps). It is gives a brief daily update on persecution in a different country every day so you can pray specifically.

What if you don’t do this every day? Though every day is optimum, even if you do this as infrequently as weekly. Weekly prayer is better than no prayer at all!