Who is Your SPOKESMAN?

I’m sure that you’ve all noticed, that when a municipality holds a public news conference after a big news worthy event… sadly… many times after some tragic incident… the leader of the gathering will step up to the microphone and have a line of individuals who are SPOKESMEN for other departments or organizations or individuals that have a stake in the situation, standing solemnly behind them.

The Oxford Online Dictionaries defines a SPOKESMAN as “a person who makes statements on behalf of a group or individual.”  Dictionary.com describes them as “a public speaker.”

In my Bible study times this week, I discovered the Apostle Paul talking about a very important SPOKESMAN that each of us should employ in the course of our daily lives.  As I was reading and studying various Scriptures, I began to take note of how many times Paul and the other writers of the New Testament talk about JOY in reference to the believer’s walk of faith. 

I’ve always taken it for granted that JOY was an important benefit of the Christian life… but the deeper I looked in to it… the more I began to see that it is not just a benefit… but also both an offensive and defensive weapon for us to strategically use as we face the pressures that arise in our daily existence.

With the thought of JOY as a weapon, the immediate scripture that came to mind is from the book of James where the pastor of the Jerusalem Church speaks of the use of JOY as something that to be honest… doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense nor is easy to follow!  I would imagine that the members of his church and the readers of his letter across the known world at the time, responded with a raised eyebrow as he taught…

“My brethren, count it all JOY when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2 – KJV)

This familiar scripture is one that many of us tend to bypass as we read our Bibles… especially when we are in the thick of a difficult situation in our lives.  I mean, how can one be JOYFUL when everything looks to be falling down around you?  And even if you attempt to be JOYFUL in the hard times… people are going to think that you aren’t taking things seriously or are just plan naïve! (or in my case a few times… called stupid!)

JOY in the difficult places in life just isn’t a normal response,,, right?  Well… I’m pretty sure that Pastor James would emphatically say “WRONG!” in response to that question.  The Passion Translation of James 1:2 opens up James’ thoughts a little more distinctly by saying,

“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest JOY that you can!” 

A key word to understand in this verse is “COUNT” in the King James and translated “SEE” in the Passion Translation.  In the original Greek, these words connotate the idea of “to lead or command with official authority.  To lead with respects to influence; to control in counsel and/or to be a SPOKESMAN.”

So, if I’m getting this right, James is instructing us to understand and employ Godly, word-based, faith-filled JOY as a powerful force to be reckoned with in our daily lives!  He and the Apostle Paul, who taught by precept and personal example, explained that the official role and responsibility of JOY in a Christian’s life is to lead, command, preside over and be the SPOKESMAN in not only the good times of life, after the battles has been won… but also… and maybe most importantly…within the very midst of the most difficult and rough situations that we face throughout our lives.

And yes… Being full of JOY in the midst of difficult times is not the way of the world.  The world expects one to feel fearful, anxious, confused, helpless and even angry when things go wrong.  But remember that our Christian handbook, the Bible, tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that,

“The weapons with which we fight are not human weapons, but are mighty for God in overthrowing strong fortresses.” (Weymouth) 

And what we need in troubled times is a weapon that is mighty for God to use for us when overthrowing our strong problems!  And that is exactly what happens when, despite what is negatively happening around us, we can have an attitude of JOY – BECAUSE – we have more faith in the power of God and in what His Word is specifically telling us about the outcome of the situation we are dealing with.

James encourages us in James 1:2 to let our attitude of faith-filled JOY be the SPOKESMAN in the midst of the hard times.  To let JOY be the SPOKESMAN that directs the conversation concerning yours and my situations in life.  To let JOY be the SPOKESMAN who is leading you with the information he has concerning God’s kingdom abilities working for you!

You know… a good SPOKESMAN stays up-to-date and current with the information about those he represents… and likewise, a good SPOKESMAN of JOY stays in touch and receives regular updates (through you) from the Word of God.  This way… when any questions arise concerning the needs and/or success of God’s way in your life… the SPOKESMAN of JOY always has the right answer!

When I study the Word of God, I can see pretty clearly that,

JOY is God’s ANTIDOTE for trouble!

And according to the dictionary, the definition of an ANTIDOTE is something (ie; a medicine) that prevents or counteracts particular poisons or injurious or unwanted effects… poisons like fear, doubt, unbelief, depression, anger, sickness, financial need, a lack of wisdom and any other unwanted, injurious problem that you and I might face in life!

So… when you step up to the podium to make a report on the news of your life… which SPOKESMAN are you going to call upon to share the right, victorious and peace-giving report for your situation?  The choice is up to you… but if it were me… I would choose to,

“see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest JOY that you can!”

Have a terrific weekend and as you do… Choose the SPOKESMAN of JOY to be the authoritative voice in your life… whenever you face trying times... (and for every other time as well!)

Participant...

participant

/pɑrˈtɪsɪpənt/

/pɑˈtɪsɪpɪnt/

Definitions of: participant

-A participant is a person who participates, or takes part in something.

-A person who participates in or is skilled at some game

-A participant plays a role in the unfolding of events.

______________________________________________

When my wife Piper and I were young we enjoyed playing volleyball.  I guess you could say that we like to participate in the activity whenever we could!  We played with our high school friends at the beach on different occasions and when we attended our local junior college we took the Volleyball P.E. class numerous times during our two-year attendance at the school. 

During that time, Piper’s whole family got involved and her dad had matching t-shirts made up so that the family (me included!) could play volleyball together after holiday dinners at her paternal grandmother’s ranch, located in one of the rural/country areas of our town.

After we got married, we played a lot of volleyball on the lawn of our church on Sunday evenings as well as following the mid-week service.  We talked about joining a city league team, but never quite found the time to do so!

With the classes we had taken at the JC, we had become somewhat skilled at many parts of the game and always encouraged those we played recreationally with, to follow the official rules of the game… and not play “Jungle Ball” as we called it where rules were haphazardly followed and one could return the ball in any way possible.  Playing according to the rules of the game with our ever-increasing skill level made our participation in the activity that much more exciting and enjoyable.

In thinking about it now, I believe that I could make similar comments when it comes to my active participation in my Christian faith.  The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:11-12 to,

“Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord by keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him.  Let this expectation burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in times of pressure but stay consistent and diligent in talking with God.”*

I don’t know about you… but when I read these verses, I can’t help but to feel something being stirred up inside me!  It immediately draws me back in remembrance to the very early years of our marriage when Piper and I began to learn in our Bibles, about the authority that we as Believers have, in our union and legal position in Christ.

I can’t help but to get excited and sense the ever-increasing desire to participate in the Gospel message in and through every avenue of my life.  The very vivid and descriptive words and phrases that Paul uses to paint a picture of his faith like “be enthusiastic, passion, boiling hot, radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit, excitement, expectation and continual joy” simply thrills me and encourages me to be an active participant in the faith of Jesus Christ within the full spectrum of my daily life.

Now granted, I am quoting these verses from some modern English translations, but when you look up the original Greek definitions in the words used in the King James Version, you will find all of these very descriptive terms making up the Greek meanings… so the early Christians reading these letters in the original language of the time, clearly understood stood the full intent of the excitement and passion of what Paul was wanting to convey.

I believe that is why we see all of the excitement, miracles and life changing events that surrounded the early church as was written down in the chronology of the Book of Acts.  Wouldn’t it be exciting to have those same events happening today?  Well, you know… It doesn’t get a lot of publicity in mainstream media… but it is happening all over the world… Right Now! 

It is happening on College Campuses, in Churches and in evangelistic meetings occurring all over the world… and it can be happening with you and me as well!  All we have to do is let Paul’s excitement become a part of us as we seek out and allow ourselves to actively participate in the Gospel message, seek the fellowship of like-minded (or heartfelt) Christians and then share our experience with others.

It’s like learning and increasing any athletic skill… it just takes enthusiasm, a hungry heart, practice and consistent and diligent talking and personal interaction with our heavenly Head Coach!

Well… now that I’ve got us all stirred up… Let’s get going and start actively participating (or increasing our level of participation) within the daily events of our life!  I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day weekend and that it will continue for the week ahead!  We have a beautiful and warm forecast for the week and I pray that you do as well!

 

*A combining of The Passion and Remedy translations

The Foundations of Faith

I went to bed last night with and air of excitement and expectation for the warm sunny day that had been forecast, not only for Saturday but for the entire weekend and through Monday as well!  You see… It is spring here in Oklahoma and while that means warmer weather and the dormant lawns and countryside turning green, the changes in the temperatures also signal the season of severe thunderstorms and tornados!

And much to my personal displeasure… we’ve had a lot of those in the past few weeks.  In fact, this month of April produced the record for the highest amount of rainfall ever recorded!  So… you can easily see why I was so enthusiastic about this weekend’s change of pace forecast!

But low and behold, when I woke up before seven this morning, I found myself fighting a bombardment of concerns for the multitude of things that need to be completed before I can put the house on the market and follow through with the plan to move to Tennessee… and alas… all that enthusiasm for a fantastic weekend seemed to blow away in a puff of smoke! 

So… I dragged myself out of bed and out of nowhere… began to speak aloud and interestingly enough… say to myself,

“Jim, Be anxious for nothing and don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. But be saturated in prayer and the Word throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, and then God’s wonderful peace that transcends all human understanding, will guard your thoughts and emotions and make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.”*

Well, that should have been enough to flip my lid and get me going in the right direction… but it didn’t!  It took me the time to brew up and pour into my insolated cup some Folger’s Hazelnut flavored coffee… how does that jingle go…

♫ “The best part of waking up is Folger’s in your cup”♪,

sit at my desk in the study, turn in my Bible to where I had left off yesterday and read,

“Thank God that He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, then, brothers and sisters, don't let anyone (or anything) move you off the foundation of your faith. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. (for) You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless.” (I Corinthians 15:57-58 – TPT)

The truth of not letting anyone nor anything move us off our foundation of faith, brought back immediate memories of the various individuals who seemed to thrive in their attempts to shake our faith with their negative opinions of Piper’s and my needs when she got sick… BUT… It wasn’t their words that I was reminded of this morning… it was God’s and His faithfulness to His Word toward us… all along the pathways of that journey.

And THAT’S what gave me the victory and return me back to the place of excitement and expectation that I went to sleep with last night!

But you know?  It didn’t end there… As I mulled over all those thoughts in my heart and mind, I suddenly remembered something that Piper and I used to discuss a lot, as well as share with others, throughout the 48 years of our relationship, from high school on… that we always felt and held to the conviction that

“The Christian life… (and we’d make it very personal by adding) ‘Our Christian Life’ is supposed to be an EXCITING and ADVENTEROUS personal relationship and walk of faith with Jesus Christ… But it is NOT for the WEAK or WORRY hearted!”

Well, the recollection of our long-standing belief and personal approach to our faith made me smile this morning and feel any overwhelming sense of despair float right out my study window!  Then when I looked back at my open Bible, my eyes carried up a couple of verses from Philippians 4:6-7 to verse 4… and I literally burst out with a hearty laugh… so much so that the dog jumped off the couch behind me with a look, as if to say “Hey I was sleeping here!”

Philippians 4:4 seemed to confirm everything I had just learned and caused me to lift my arms in praise to the Lord as I read aloud…

“Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One!” (TPT) 

So, yea… I felt like the Lord was reminding me and re-connecting me to Piper’s and my personal conviction of the way we lived our faith.  As I walked out of my study this morning, I definitely felt the old swag and pull of the excitement and adventure of my faith.  The cheerfulness and joy that keeps me strong, confident and balanced on the foundation of my faith had re-centered me and is there to keep me strong and on point for all the good things that the good Lord has in store for me!

What about you today?  Are you feeling strong, confident and balanced on the firm foundation of your personal faith?  What are you going to do when you feel the burdens and cares of your life shaking your faith?  If you haven’t yet… you might want to memorize Paul’s encouraging and life strengthening words found in Philippians 4:4-9** from your favorite Bible translation… It’s a quick and proven way to re-center your life on the foundation of your faith!

Have a great weekend.  I hope that your weather forecast is as nice as our is today… and as you’re out enjoying God’s creation… Keep EXPECTING to EXPECT God’s BEST for your life!

 

*Personalized version of Philippians 4:6-7 from the God’s Word © and The Passion translations. 

**Remember that Paul wrote these words while awaiting an uncertain future in prison…