OPEN LETTER TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD

PLANT, WATER, OR HARVEST? WHAT'S YOUR ROLE TODAY?

                Chinese bamboo is fascinating.  To grow Chinese bamboo, you first plant a seed.  Then you water and fertilize it.  At the end of the first year, nothing happens.  During the second year, those nurturing the bamboo seeds continue to water and fertilize the soil, but still nothing happens.  The third year, they water and fertilize the soil, with the same results.  This pattern continues through the fourth year.  It’s not until the fifth year that, sometime during the ongoing watering and fertilizing process, a shoot of bamboo will pierce the soil.  In just six weeks, a Chinese bamboo tree will grow to nearly ninety feet tall. 

 

                My grandmother died at 105 years of age.  In all those years she lived she was adamantly against becoming a Christian.  If someone brought up the subject, she’d quickly change it.  But one day while visiting my family in Oregon, the Lord told me, ‘Today is the day of salvation for your grandmother.’  Obediently, I went to the elderly home to see my grandmother and I had the pleasure of leading her to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ that day. She shared with me that day that when she was a child she used to listen to Billy Graham on the radio.  In the days and weeks that followed she talked openly of Jesus, and when she died we all knew she was with her King.

 

                After my Grandma had prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior, I asked her why she’d always resisted Him.  She put her head down in shame and answered, “I never thought I was good enough to deserve Him.”  I happily explained to her that none of us deserve salvation, but it was Jesus’ perfect sacrifice that makes it possible for us to become children of God.

 

                My Grandmother was like that Chinese bamboo.  Billy Graham’s radio program planted seeds (among others I’m sure), and other’s watered or fertilized it, the Lord shone the Son on that seed, and I had the pleasure of harvest – after 105 years of care! 

 

                We never know what seeds have been planted before us, but one thing is sure, we are all called to participate in the process in the lives of other people through prayer, witness, sharing, and yes, harvesting.  Sometimes we just focus on the harvest, but the care of the seed is just as important, if not more important. 

 

 

***On a side note, whenever I tell people that my Grandmother died at 105 years of age, I inevitably get asked, “What did she die from?” Since sarcasm runs through my veins like blood, I can’t help but say something like, “Well, she was down at Mardi Gra collecting beads to hang around the mirror of her Corvette when….She died of old age for Pete’s sake!”  What would you say to that question?

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

                Over the past several years it has been popular to wear a little rubber bracelet that has the letters W.W.J.D. on them, followed by a question mark. The continual use of the jewelry is to remind the believer wearing it to question their every word and action and ask themselves, “What would Jesus do” in any given situation.   The answer to this seemingly obscure question is simple:  He’d do exactly what the Father told Him to do.  Matter-of-fact, do you know that Jesus did absolutely nothing on His own accord?  Read through these verses in John about what Jesus said regarding His purpose on earth.

 

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”  John 5:19

 

“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30

 

“For I  have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”  John 6:38

 

“My teaching is not my own.  It comes from him who sent me.”  John 7:16

 

“I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.  The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:28, 29

 

                Jesus, as part of the Trinity, knows the heart of God and therefore carries out that which pleases His Father.  Equally so, that should be our desire, to do the will of the Father in all things.  I love my children even when they don’t do what I know is right, but I am pleased with them when they walk in righteousness.  God’s love for us never wavers, however, when we are disobedient and sin, He is disappointed in our behavior.

 

                My four year old daughter is learning independence and has become fond of the word, “No!”  As much as I hate giving her consequences for her disobedience, I know that as a parent my role is to set my children up for success – ultimately spiritual success, so I correct her behavior in love, knowing that it’s vital that she learn to be obedient to me. If she doesn’t learn to do what I say is right, she will struggle in her relationships with both the Lord and others as she grows up.  I know a lot of adults who have never learned that lesson and have difficulty holding jobs, getting along with others, maturing in Christ and coping with life.  They feel entitled, like the rules don’t apply to them, and that the world should accommodate them, but that’s just not how life works.

 

                In closing, allow me to encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him what the Father would have you do in any given situation that you may be dealing with in life.   Often, we think we know the answer to be the most logical one, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes God has plans for us that are different from ours and they require utter dependence upon Him.  As our example, Jesus said and did nothing apart from what He saw and heard His Father saying and doing.  Let us pause in life and learn to see and hear so that we can do the same. 

TWARTING OFF TEMPTATION

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  All this I will give you,” he said, “IF you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan!  For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God,

and serve him only.”   Matthew 4:8

 

                1 John 2:16 tells us that there are three major areas in our life where we are susceptible to sin; the lust of the flesh; the pride of life; and, the lust of the eyes.  In just a short time Jesus had been tempted by Satan with all three, the last one likely being the most difficult to withstand:  The  Deceiver offers Jesus the power and glory of all the kingdoms of the world.  He said he possessed these things and could give them to whoever he desired.  But Satan is a liar and frequently gives only half-truths, laced with deception (John 8:44).  

 

                2 Corinthians 4:4 states that Satan is the god of this world, and while he certainly holds influence through sin, his control is temporary because ultimately all things are under God’s control.  The only thing the Devil could have offered Jesus was temporary power and control.  In exchange, Jesus would have had to bow down and worship Satan, and in short, be willing to give up His eternal identity, power, control, and His mission to die for the sins of the world.  Satan was offering Jesus power and control over a dying world, but He would have had to abandon His role as our Savior.  The very idea of the Deceiver’s plan offended Jesus.

 

                Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

 

                Lost in the Greek translation is the passion and anger in Jesus’ words; ‘Away’ actually means, ‘Get out of here!’ ‘Go away!’ or ‘Be Gone!’  Jesus was livid!  We too must become as excitable when we are tempted by the enemy of our souls.

 

                Jesus was able to overcome all three temptations because He knew a secret of the Bible found in Ephesians 6 that we so often forget:  we fight not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  He recognized who He was fighting against and used the only thing powerful enough to deflect the fiery darts of hell: the Word of God.  Jesus also realized that the battle at hand was temporary and that its consequences would be eternal.  And finally, he took the trials at hand seriously, never flirting with the offers on the table, instead, rejecting them immediately.  He did this because there was more of God’s Word in His heart than His own pride and will.  The only way that’s possible is for God’s Word to become the light unto your feet and the light unto your path. 

 

                Brothers and sisters, I am a prayer warrior and I minister daily to people who are suicidal and struggling with tremendous strongholds. I frequently lead the lost, the lonely and the hurting to the saving knowledge of Christ. That being said, the enemy has been on a full-frontal attack of me, my family and my ministry for years.  However, I do several things to combat the enemy; I flank myself with the armor of the Lord daily (Ephesians 6); the Bible, the Word of God is spoken in my house by recording twenty-four hours a day; praise and worship play for hours in my home every day; and aside from my quiet time in the early morning of the day, I pray continually, asking, among other things, that the Lord put a hedge of protection and encamp warring angels around me, my family and home.  Additionally, I work hard at taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and to practice the presence of Christ at all times.  It takes work, effort and time to do these things, but I have learned that when I cling to God and His promises, praise and worship His name throughout my day, and offer up prayers continually, it is easier to keep my eyes on the Prize and my feet on the Rock.  It makes me a conquer in Christ Jesus. That is not to say I don’t sometimes waver or sin, because I do, but when that happens, I run to the throne room of God to repent for I want nothing to stand between me and my First Love.

 

                Today, consider where you have been defeated when confronted by the enemy of your soul in your day-to-day life and ask the Lord in prayer to remind you of Scripture when you are face-to-face with temptation.  To be reminded of something, you have to know it, so take time out of your day to read the Word of God and memorize key verses to help you stand against the evil one, who, according to 1 Peter 5:8 “…prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  Continually keep in mind that Satan’s goal is to “steal, kill and destroy,” and think of ways to stand against the fiery darts of the enemy. I’ve listed some of the ways I do so above. Pray that a hedge of protection will be around you and your family that the Holy Spirit will be quick to convict you when you sin, and for the strength to overcome, remembering that He who is in you is stronger than he who is in the world.  Don’t even flirt with sin and its hollow promises of pleasure and freedom that actually leads to slavery and imprisonment, and most of all, cling to the Lord, allowing Him to shelter and protect you under the shadow of His wings as His child.  Let Him be your Strength, your Fortress, your Shelter, your Ever-present Help in time of need. He is faithful, and as Jeremiah 29:12-14 says, “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” 

               

*Leslie Montgomery has written two books on spiritual warfare to help those who want to learn ways to stand against and combat the enemy of their souls; Engaging the Enemy: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare and A Parent’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare. If you would like a copy of either, please contact Leslie’s ministry at lesliemontgomery@itctel.com or her website at lesliemontgomery.com. 

THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus said that he had to depart in order for the Holy Spirit to come (John 16:7).  And when the Spirit of God did come, he was given to the church as a promised gift or down payment to confirm to us that Jesus Christ will return (Luke 24:49; John 14:16; Acts 1:5).  Believers don’t all agree on how or when we receive the Holy Spirit, but the fact remains that he indwells and is accessible to all who have faith.

 

                When we pray and ask the Lord to show us what to do in any specific situation, we are also asking the Holy Spirit to be with us, guide us, and teach us.  Scripture tells us that the Spirit of the Lord is evident in a believer’s life when:

 

•             The power of sin is no longer in control (Romans 8:2-6),

•             Self-control is displayed (Galatians 5:22-23),

•             Prompting or leading is given to the believer (Acts 8:29; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16,25),

•             Talents/gifts are manifested in a person’s life (1 Cor 12:4-11),

•             The strength and power to witness is evident (Acts 1:8; 4:31),

•             The conviction of sin occurs (John 16:8),

•             Comfort through difficult times/trials is experienced (John 14:16,27),

•             We have a teachable heart (1 John 2:27),

•             God’s character traits are manifested in the believer’s life (Galatians 5:22-23), and

•             Inner strength is given (Ephesians 3:16).

 

 

                Interestingly enough, it was the Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the desert where the Spirit knew he would be tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1).  Does it seem logical that God’s Holy Spirit would do the same in our lives?  If Christ is our example, then the answer is yes, and for the same reason – so that we may glorify God.  Additionally, difficulty in life increases our faith and helps us grow in spiritual maturity, both of which are evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Through the Holy Spirit the believer is controlled by God’s desires and is equipped to do all he has called him to do, including the endurance of suffering (Ephesians 5:18-21; Romans 12).

 

                We read in Acts that after Jesus was taken up into heaven, the early Christians were suffering tremendous grief over their loss.  But Jesus had promised them a Comforter, and sure enough, at Pentecost the received that comfort through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The predominant role of the Holy Spirit is the same now as it was for the early believers – to soothe our grief, fill and control us, and remind us all of Christ’s teachings.

 

                There may be times when we must wait patiently for the fulfillment of a promise.  We must cling to what God has told us despite external evidence that may seem to indicate that God has forsaken us.  There may be a moment in time when we begin to believe the lie that God doesn’t care, has deserted us, or is not invested in our agony, when in fact he has promised the Comforter who will come.  There is sometimes a moment of time (that feels like eternity) between our loss or grief and the fulfillment of a promise.  Even Jesus experienced this when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

                The apostle Paul tells us in Acts 20 that the Holy Spirit warned him that he would face prison and other hardships.  His response?  “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus” (v. 24).  The “ministry” he spoke of was that of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace, which is always sufficient when needed.

 

                Suffering is a part of every believer’s life at one point or another and as such is inevitable.  How we handle it depend on whether or not we have faith in God. I pray daily for those who are suffering and often  wonder where God is in the midst of the heartache of others. Many of you have shared such feelings.  I’ve felt that way before too.  But faith tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us, nor will He allow us to endure anything He does not believe will strengthen our faith.  Some of my deepest struggles in life have been accompanied with tremendous spiritual growth.

 

                In closing, I encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you keep your eyes on the prize before you so that you can run the race with confidence and surety that He is with you and guiding your every step.  He is faithful even when we are faithless.  He is ever-loving even when we doubt His love, and He is always ready to apply the balm of Gilead on our wounds when we will ask and allow Him to do so.   You are in my thoughts and prayers. 

SPIRITUAL WARFARE 201

I’ve received several positive e-mails and requests to write more on spiritual warfare, so at your prompting I’ll cover more on the basics.  Scripture clearly tells us that we are born into a spiritual battleground (Rev 12;  Eph 6:10-20).   We are called to be soldiers for our Commander, God, to fight for the Kingdom of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20;  Eph 6:19-20).  This is why it’s vital for the believer to be aware of the battle that surrounds us.   It is in the Commander’s presence that we learn to fight and protect ourselves, our families, and our friends.   As long as man is on earth, a spiritual battle will ensue.      

 

                There are numerous enemies in this battle we call life.  One is the world:  the world is at enmity with God (James 4:-1-4).   The world is composed of a body of individuals just as the body of Christ is.     Another enemy is the flesh: the flesh for the lusts of men (1 Peter 4:1-4).   The flesh pursues its own will, as opposed to God’s.  There’s also the Devil: the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8), as well as Fallen Angels.  We wrestle against.....principalities, against powers....rulers of darkness...spiritual hosts of wickedness (Eph. 6:12).

 

                The purpose of a demon is to dwell in  a man, woman, or child (Matthew 9:32, 17:17-18;  Luke 8:2, Mark 7:25-30) and to inflict physical and mental harm on them (Matthew. 8:28;  9:32-33;  12:22, Luke 9:42).  They are able to acquire entrance into a person  through a variety of sources  including,  but not limited to, immoral sexual unions, music, books, movies, occult practices, drugs and alcohol, as well as what one sees and hears.    The law of  sowing and reaping is evident in these kinds of practices. 

  

                Demons know who Jesus is (Mark 1:24), they know God’s plan for salvation, (James 2:19), and they are aware of their future when Christ returns (Matthew 8:9).   They are superior to humans in intellect (Mark 1:24) and strength (Luke 8:29), but through Jesus Christ, we are given the power to cast them out and renounce our involvement with them.  We do this verbally through repentance. 

 

                Jesus said, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own place, his goods are in place.  But when a stronger one than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.”   (Matt. 12:29).

 

                Satan is stronger than we are.  All of us are helpless victims of satanic control apart from Jesus.  He is the ruler of the world  (John 12:31;  14:30), the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), and the ruler of the Kingdom of the Air (Eph 2:2).    But even though  Satan’s purpose is to destroy God’s work (John 8:44), Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).   

 

                Satan is a fallen angel (Is. 14:12-15).  He was created by God, but not equal to Him.  Though Satan is superior to man in intellect and strength, he is but inferior to God in every way.  Some people say Satan is the opposite of God, but  God has no opposite.   Nothing is remotely comparable to Him.   We often assign Satan so much more power in our minds and hearts than he actually has,  and we allow that falsehood to intimidate us.

  

                Scripture refers to believers as soldiers in Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).  In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul compares spiritual conflict to war, using terms like armor, struggle, battle, fighting, and soldier.   Paul is not referring to a battle that occurs occasionally, but a daily battle for our mind, emotions, body, and spirit. 

 

                The Bible tells us to put on armor so we can be strong against the devil’s schemes.  In the Greek, “scheme”  (methadeia)  means method. Satan has a PhD in methodology.    On a larger scale, Satan’s plan of attack is to disrupt the body of Christ on an individual basis.   Although it often seems as if his battle is personal, we are in essence just one small segment of an entire unit under attack.  Satan hates everyone who resembles Christ.

 

                Satan’s war tactics are generally subtle, but methodical.  Like many of the historical commanders in armies of the past, the number one objective is to destroy communication amongst the troops.    In war, if one side can demolish interaction between the commander and his soldiers, all hope is virtually gone.

 

                Believers have a direct line of unlimited contact with our Commander twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, but  sin is the culprit that breaks down our communication with God.  When this occurs, it is critical that we seek the wisdom, forgiveness, and strength of Almighty God.   Prayer is more than just a dialogue between a believer and God ~ it is an avenue that brings intimacy into the relationship.  It is a place of give and take, learning to be honest and transparent to an all-knowing God.  

 

                Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing.  Man made prayer a ritual by getting on our knees, folding our palms together, bowing our head, and closing our eyes. Though these practices do promote reverence, consistency, and honor to God, it is not the only way to pray.  We can pray to God standing, with eyes open, hands raised, whispering, or crying out loud.  We can still honor Him by praying while we sit, doing dishes, working on our car, driving to work, or shopping.  There are no limits when it comes to communicating with God.   He is with us at all times.  We should talk to Him, praise Him, sing to Him, thank Him, confess our sins to Him.  Whatever we do, we shouldn’t stop communicating with our Heavenly Father. 

 

                Hymn writer James Montgomery said, “Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed, the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.”    Montgomery is describing a passion for something that burns deep inside a person to express their uttermost desires, pain, and need. There is One, and only One that we can do this with completely and without even a hint of judgment and condemnation and that is Christ Jesus!

SUFFERING AND SALVATION

Scripture teaches us in Matthew 8:17 that Jesus himself took our infirmities and bore our illnesses on the cross.  Matthew was quoting Isaiah 53:4, which also assures us that Christ carried our sorrows.  And Luke 4:18 tells us he came to “heal the brokenhearted.”  We know that all God’s words are true.  So why do we continue to face trials in our lives?  How do we share in the cup of suffering and sorrow and walk in the knowledge that Jesus bore our infirmities, sickness, and grief?  Why do we still experience pain if Christ Jesus took it upon himself thousands of years ago?  If sin was conquered on the cross, why do we battle against it continually?  Shouldn’t we be totally relieved from sin and suffering once we receive Christ as our Savior?

                There is an unavoidable sense of frustration and tension that we have to learn to live with while we walk in this life centered around one crucial truth:  Not everybody that is prayed for is healed, we will suffer, we will grapple with sin on a daily basis and we will die.  It seems contradictive to what we know to be true:  Jesus died for our sin, suffering and conquering death.

                There are times when we pray and our prayers are answered promptly, miraculously, and without hesitance on God’s part, while other times it may seem like our prayers were never heard at all, or at best, the answer is being delayed.

                The truth is that Jesus did defeat all of the powers of evil, once and for all on the cross and in his resurrection.  By his stripes we are healed.  Because he was pierced for our transgressions, we are free.  Because he dealt with the chastisement of our sin, we have peace.  He conquered death so we could have life.

                Jesus came and preached that “the kingdom of God” had arrived in his coming to earth, and he was equally adamant that the kingdom was coming more fully in the future (John 1:12; Luke 4:18-21; Matthew 19:28).  Hence we live in the tension of a “now and not yet” world.

                Jesus defeated the power of evil completely, but we still grapple with the onslaught of evil daily.  In that, there is an acute awareness that the ultimate victory of God will not see its final completion until Christ comes again.  Thus life is lived in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation where sin, suffering, and pain are the norm.  We are called to live not as citizens of this evil world, but as citizens of heaven.  We are called to accept by faith that we are adopted as God’s children by the blood shed by Jesus, but we are also told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  These seemingly contradictive statements are all true.

                In essence, we are caught between two governments.  In America when a new president is elected, a team of people is put in place for the purpose of initiating the transfer of power from the old administration to the new.  Although the victor is not president until the inauguration, the effect of the election is already at work in the transition.  The outgoing president is basically a lame duck no matter what he tries to accomplish because the newly appointed president has the ultimate veto power to override his decisions.  Thus the center of focus is on the incoming president and policies, although the old administration appears to be in charge.

                This gives us insight to the current situation we find ourselves in today.  The church is in effect a transition team.  Transition between an administration where there is no room for God, which describes the true sense of the world we inhabit, and one where God is the center of everything, which describes the reality of the coming kingdom.  We live in a world where suffering and pain are prominent.  However, there are times when the new administration exercises the ultimate veto power over what the old world seeks to bring against us, and intervenes in what we would refer to as a miracle.  As we are told in Scripture, we are citizens of the new world while we physically operate in the old.

                I grapple with a personal illness that I’ve prayed God to heal for over ten years to no avail.  My body’s physical state due to other spiritual practices like fasting adds to the discomfort of my illness, but I know that the Lord is the Lord whether I ever get healing on this earth during my lifetime or not.  One of the great things about suffering is it makes you long for the day when we are in heaven and we have new bodies; without sickness, pain and suffering.  Yet, as my physical body grows older and will one day turn back to dust, my soul and spirit are given more life and will someday live eternally in heaven with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  I will be given a new body and it will be without flaws, pain, agony or age.   

                My prayer for you is that whatever you are grappling with you will understand and know that Jesus has been clearly established as the victor through his work on the cross and in the resurrection. We need to continue to seek Him in prayer and ask for healing believing in faith it will come; if not on earth, than in heaven. He is Jehovah-Rapha, our Healer and the lover of our souls.  Seek Him now, and cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.