Taking Care of What is Mine, Whatever it Costs:

Something To Think About Lawsuits:

I get a variety of newsletters via email.  One I opened this morning featured two well-known names in Evangelicalism and the lawsuits, that currently have their names on them.  One way or another both of them are disputes over the control of intellectual property.  Having spent my life in ministry, I have sympathy for pastors and others who preach and write.  None of us wants to see our stuff used in ways of which we do not approve, and certainly we do not want our  work taken from us. Yet, if a church or other ministry pays my salary, buys me a computer, provides me an office in which to work and in other ways makes it possible for me to write and preach, can I really say that what I produce in those situations is "mine"? It is a complicated concept, but my intention is not to sort it out. I see an element here of that which Paul spoke of to the Corinthians, "I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?"  (1 Co 6:4–7) The Apostle makes clear that there are bigger concerns, than can be sorted out in a court of law, at stake: The welfare of the church--The Body of Christ--and   The impact our actions will have on a watching world that needs Jesus Christ. When Christians, especially Christians in leadership, sort out their differences in the public domain, the church is weakened and the watching world makes fun of us, rather than listening to us.    I pray that these individuals and churches get their stuff sorted out.   I am more concerned, however, that all of us learn to put the personal behind that which matters far more. When protecting my interest is greater than my interest in the advance of the Gospel, when my concern for my rights is greater than my desire to elevate a sister or brother in the body, when my fight to win so that I can keep what is mine, interferes with the great battle begun by my Lord Who willingly gave all to secure that war, when any of these are true then I am on the wrong side. That applies to those of us who minister in small places as well as it does to those serve in mega-places.  Let's get it together friends. It's Something to Think About.

Succeeding at Being an Invalid

Something To Think About Being a good invalid:

You'd think that being an invalid would be easy.  It's not. First let's sort out some terms and concepts, then we'll come back to being a successful invlaid.   One dictionary defines invalid as "a person made weak or disabled by illness or injury."  That's not quite right, because that definition implies the accidental. "He is an invalid because of a car wreck," or, "Her invalid condition is because of a heart attack."  I know I'm an invalid because I just bought invalid stuff--a walker, etc.--and my condition is the result of something I did on purpose.  So I would add something like, "a person made temporarily weak or disabled by purposeful self-inflicted action." That brings up another important distinction in regard to invalidity (It's a good word in Britain).  For some their invalid condition is temporary.  They will almost surely get better.  Others are invalids for years and years and for still others, being an invalid is a stopping place on the way to impending death. My condition shows every promise of being short-term.  My health care people speak in terms of days and weeks. Whether temporary or long-term, being an invalid is a condition of life.  It is who I am, right now.  Like all of life, I am to use this condition to bring glory to the God of the universe.  Here are some ideas: Like all Physicians since Hypocrites have promised, "First, do no harm."  I've found that a lot of being a successful invalid has to do with eliminating possible dangers.  Since my invalidity was planned, I actually began preparing for it a couple of weeks before it came.  My wife rearranged the furniture, and I constantly ask myself questions like, "If I sit down on that, can I get back up?"  Don't get yourself into anything you can't get out of.   Not all of me is disabled all the time.  There is a lot that I can't do--in some of my previous forays into invalidity, even more so--just ask my wife--but I ought to do what I can.  The rest of you can help we invalids out here.  If we can do it, even if we look awkward, let us. There is a lot I can't do.  Me being an invalid forces others to be a whole lot busier.  I need to acknowledge that with thanks and remember that when my invalidity passes. Being a bad invalid makes everybody's life harder.  I need to do this well. The Bible says that all of us are invalids. Isaiah describes the people of Israel in his day this way, "The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint.  From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it,  Only bruises, welts and raw wounds, Not pressed out or bandaged, Nor softened with oil.(Is 1:5–6) Jeremiah says,    ““The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9) Being a good invalid means trust.  I take medicines I didn't prepare, and believe my therapist when she says you can bend that just a little more.  I know there are some things I can't do for myself.  I have to trust someone else.  The Bible makes clear that I can't do anything about the invalidity of which Isaiah and Jeremiah speak.  Jesus, though, says, "Trust me." Find out more below. It's Something to Think About. Click on the graphic to the right to find out about how God saves invalids. At CBC, we are starting a series on prayer, this Sunday.

Short-term loss, long-term gain:

It's really odd.
I have known my friend all of my adult life.  We have raised our children, played, worked, and grown old together.  We didn't plan it, but both of us checked in yesterday for total knee repacement surgery.  We are in two didfferent hospitals, two different surgeons, each with their own ideas on how things should be done.
Bottom line, though, they cut out the old and put in the new.  My buddy is a veteran of a number of orthopedic surgeries.  He says this one, from the viewpoint of pain, etc., is the worst.
I won't argue.
So, why do two guys--reasonably sane--who were able to walk into the hospita,l volunteer to have a procedure done that requires us to be hospitalized, makes us hurt, and exposes us to complications that could be life threatening?  Not everyone will agree with this reasoning--and that's ok--but, it comes down to short-term discomfort that will result in long-term benefits.    My friiend and/or I could be wrong about our calculations; we don't think so, but even if we are, the basic principle is the same.
To an infinitely greater degree the Apostle Paul puts it this way:
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present timeare not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us."  (Romans 8:18)  Don't sell-out short.hh

Prayer

Something To Think About Prayer, 9/22

I had the privilege of leading a Bible study at the local jail, today.  I'm thankful to the jail administration for making it possible for the inmates to have input from God's word. As we were starting I told the guys that we would pray together.  I asked them if anybody had any important hearings coming up, or any other matters they would like for me to pray about.  Nobody had any upcoming court appearances.  Several mentioned family on the outside.  Then one guy said, "How about praying that we'll get out?" I think the little gathering was kind of shocked when I said I wasn't going to pray that.  Instead, I said, "I'll pray that what is right would be done."  I went on to explain that I want to live in a world where people who do wrong things are held accountable.  Looking at one guy who had asked that I pray for his grandkids, I mentioned that only in a world where people are accountable for their actions could little children be safe.  Before I was finished most nodded in appreciation, if not agreement with my reply. We are beginning a series on prayer at Covington Bible Church.  Prayer is a spiritual discipline that we don't understand very well, and that many of us don't practice nearly enough. In the prayer that Jesus offered as a model for praying He said, Thy (God the Father) will be done."  My friend at the jail wasn't thinking about God's will, and often I'm not either.  I want what I want, and right now would be just fine. As I tried to explain to my little congregation this morning.  A world where any old preacher or prisoner could order God around would be a messed up world.  I'd rather live in a world where people seek God's will. It's Something to Think About.

Humility?

Something To Think About Humility,. 9/19

Often--maybe always--vice lives right next door to virtue.  This is true beyond any doubt with the virtue of humility, and several rather sneaky vices. The Bible counsels that we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought (Romans 12:3), and that we should give preference to one another in honor (Romans 12:10).  However, one who fails to admit to certain abilities that he has--capabilities that exceed those of others--deprives others of the benefit of those strengths.  Prestige or respect is sometimes a necessary ingredient of leadership.  For one to "humbly"refuse anything that smacks of honor can prevent one from being a blessing to others.  Too much humble-pie can cause one's waist to swell with a perverse sort of pride, while allowing the muscles of service to atrophy. Hard work is a virtue the book of Proverbs frequently upholds, yet the notion that "I can do whatever needs to be done by myself." is a mark of pride. We need the guidance of God's word and the Holy Spirit to navigate the difficult route.  Sunday morning at CBC we will look at Peter's counsel to live humbly. It's Something to Think About.

Shaky Conclusions:

Something To Think About America's Day Began Pretty Shaky, This Morning. 9/17

Where America's Day Begins--that's one of the descriptions of Guam.  A pretty small--though it is the largest in Micronesia--island in the Pacific.  As I write in the morning, here in Virginia, it is already the middle of the night, tonight, there on the other side of the world. If America's day begins in Guam, then this day started badly. About 3:00 this morning EDT, a 7.1 earthquake, centered just twenty-five miles off Guam shook the island with enough force to get everyone's attention.  Surely such a phenomena, especially where our day begins, has to be a warning--maybe even a punishment.  Perhaps God is rattling our new-day to shake us from our complacency.  Maybe God is sending a signal to Washington.  "You think you are secure from attack?  You think you can ignore the cries of the refuges fleeing for their lives?  I can shake you from your position of faux-security as easily as I can shake your island on the far horizon." No doubt an imam somewhere is drawing entirely different applications from the shake-up in the place where America's dawn first creeps over the horizon. If you didn't read yesterday's STTA, I hope you will.  This one is a follow-up. As the old song goes, "He's got the whole world in His hands."  Yet, as my tongue-in-cheek interpretation of natural phenomena indicates, unless God gives us a clear indication of what something means, we are clueless.  And--I know I'll raise some antagonism here--folk who claim to heard from God about the why behind the what, haven't.  Hurricane Katrina wasn't a judgment on the Gay community, Sandy didn't strike New York in judgment against Mayor Bloomberg, and the fact that one person's house is bigger than another is no particular indication of God's blessing. When you ask me "Why?" concerning the What.  My answer is, "I don't know." Is there nothing we can learn from natural disasters and wondrous natural beauty? No, there is a great deal we can learn.  Psalm 19 tell us that the sky is the display of God's handiwork.  Job saw his smallness as he viewed the greatness of God's creation.  Basic characteristics inherent in creation can lead a thinking person to conclusions about the creator. But when we claim to know specific meaning behind specific happenings in the natural world we are, to quote Job, "declar[ing] that which I [don't]  understand, things too wonderful for me, which I [don't] know.”  (Job 42:3)   It's Something to Think About.

Does the sky prove God loves America?

Something To Think About God's Love in the Sky: 9/16

Does God love America? Yes. But there is some nuance that a one word answer doesn't give.  I'll get back to it in a moment. I was watching the news this morning.  One of the talking heads was quite enamored with this picture (I think I have the right one.)  He, quoting the claims of the photographer, pointed out that the sky looks like the American flag.  He went on to say something about this beautiful scene demonstrating God's love for America. OK.  It is a pretty picture, and in the same way that kids watching clouds see horses and men with beards, I can see that it does have some resemblance to the Star-Spangled-Banner. It's been a tough time for Americans.  ISIS has beheaded two American journalists, and bragged about it by posting video and threats online.  A nation "liberated" at great cost--most significantly of lives--now is in peril of descending into . . . I can't think of a word horrible enough to describe the thought. Our most cherished pass-time, at the beginning of a new season, is marked by controversy and scandal. So in Rorschach manner it is no wonder that one looking at the sky at the picture above would see the symbol of our nation, and then grow on to conclude, "It means God loves us." Let's all be anchor-people at this point, and anchor our thinking and imagining to some reality.   Scripture does indicates that God is in control.  The Old-Testament books of Daniel and Esther abound with evidence of God's sovereignty.   Roman's 8:28 is a straight forward statement of that fact in regard to "those who love Him."  There are no exception sub-clauses in the verses that follow.  I conclude that God is in control of the sunrise and set.   But, But, BUT, our ability to read or decipher what events around us mean is very limited--maybe to the point of nonexistence.  If the appearance of the flag of one nation in the sky indicates God's favor, does the storm that bears down on another--and one doesn't have tax the memory to recall when that was my nation--indicate a lack of Divine favor?  Might Jihadis viewing the sky have concluded that this was a sign of God's confirmation of their plans to eliminate the nation that flies that flag? "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? (Romans 11:33-35) Does God Love America? Yes. He loves Mexico, Russia, England, Iraq, and Iran. He demonstrated His love for the world by the gift of His Son. ls God pleased with what America is doing.  Clearly, not always.  Thankfully my nation has done many things right.  Sadly, there is much that is wrong.  It's not painted in the sky; it's written in the Book.    “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)   Whatever nation one belongs to, whether that country is being blessed or headed for divine judgment, the Lord is willing to deal with individuals. More important than the question of whether God loves a nation is the assurance that God loves me. Have I responded to His love? It's Something to Think About. Click here to view a message about the bad news in the Bible that leads to good.

An Army of Volunteers at Work:

I have the privilege of serving the Lord in a really great church.  One example of CBC's heart for ministry is this morning twenty-five CBC-ers are waking up in Schroon Lake New York.  Though the Adirondacks are a beautiful place to take a vacation, these folk aren't there to relax.  They are investing a week of their lives in the ministry of Word of Life.  WoL operates Bible Camps, a College level Bible Institute, and assists churches around the world in reaching and discipling young people.  I'm looking forward to hearing reports on what this crew accomplishes. The fact is, though, these people aren't the only ones from my church who are on mission.  I've got a day full of appointments, including one to encourage an old friend with serious health needs.  A number have already started their work day.  As I type kids are on the bus headed for school.  There are neighbors we need to reach out to, kids who need a mentor, folk everywhere crying out for someone to love them, opportunities to show the love of Christ in practical ways. Matthew 28:19 says the followers of Christ are to go and make disciples.  We tend to emphasize the "Go."  Really the going is kind of assumed.  Wherever you go be in the disciple making business.  Live deliberately in such a way that you point others to Christ. Wherever "here" is for you, for me, there is work to be done for the Lord.  I'm looking forward to hearing about how the Lord uses my church family wherever we are. It's Something to Think About.

Choice:

Something To Think About Not because you must . . . 9/12

I don't want to say anything here that appears to diminish God's sovereignty, His absolute right to rule in our lives, and the fact that in when all is said and done, it will be what God has said that is done.  Contained within God's infinite, all-encompassing plan is the the concept that is emphasized in the passage of Scripture that we are dealing with this Sunday, at CBC.  In 1 Peter 5:2, the fisherman-Apostle says to the Elders of this church in exile.  "I want you watch over God's flock, not because you must, but because you are willing."  (NIV)  Other translations use the word "voluntarily."  The Greek word behind these translations is only found twice in the New Testament.  The other occasion is Hebrews 10:26, and speaks of sinning willingly. We can willingly do what God doesn't want or we can willingly bow to His will.  We can choose. What we can't choose is to avoid the consequences of our choice. Find out more Sunday, but in the mean time . . . It's Something to Think About.

9/11

Something To Think About 9/11

Those who were born on 9/11--The 9/11-- are thirteen years old today.  When the planes hit the Pentagon, the Twin Towers, and another airliner, because of the heroism of the passengers, crashed in a field in Pennsylvania,  my grandson was just starting his school career.   Now, he is a young man who is on his own.  President Bush had just begun his first term as president.  On this anniversary, Barack Obama is in the middle of second term.  It's been a while, yet the news is still current. Thirteen years after the attack America has again been insulted, if not assaulted. The Islamic extremists  who have recently beheaded two of our countrymen go by a different name, but their ideology is the same. Not just in a patriotic way, or in the sense of military preparedness, it is important that we remember.  Lessons learned from 9/11 need to be a permanent part of our thinking.   Not all religions are the same.  Christianity rests on the foundation of Jesus Christ, Who gave His life so that others might truly live.  Millions of Christians have followed in their Lord's path, willingly giving their lives so that others could hear the life-giving message.  The brand of Islam represented by ISIS considers themselves bound to take life--even of children--in the pursuit of earning their salvation.  It is clear.  Somebody is wrong. This world is not a safe place.  While God is sovereign, He has made this world in such a way that the decisions of people, even horrible decisions like those that led to 9/11, have real consequences, sometimes deadly consequences. If we put our hope in this world, even in the parts of this world that seem indestructible, our hope is terribly misplaced.  Everything in this world will be reduced to fine ash.  Unless we have a hope and purpose that goes beyond this mortal life and the crumbling world where we live our lives, we really have no hope and purpose. All of us desperately need a soul-satisfying, time-defying, totally real hope.  We need something in our heart that will keep us from doing horrible things in a vain attempt to find peace, and that will secure us against the attacks of those who carry depravity to its logical conclusion.  People need the Lord. It's Something to Think About.

Somebody ought to do something.

It's one of those videos we would rather not see.  I know I certainly don't want to see it again.  A star football player is seen punching his fiance', now wife, and then dragging her out of an elevator. In classic dysfunctional form, the woman expressed remorse over her part in the incident.  Which means:  1) She had a part in the incident.  She was involved in some behavior that provoked the unjustifiable response, and/or 2) She has assumed the role of victim, including taking blame that should be placed on someone else.  It's broken, either way. "Somebody needs to do something!" Well, yeah. I'll leave the debate about what disqualifies someone from being a football player to others.  Should criminal charges be filed?  Perhaps.  Again, I'll leave that to someone else. The fact is, though, somebody is doing something, has been doing it for a long time, and will continue to do so, as long as opportunities present themselves.  When I talk about doing something, I'm not talking about staged outrage, scripted for the next news-cycle, or feel-good, knee-jerk reaction, tailored to pander to one constituency or another.  In fact what this someone is doing more proactive than reactive.  It certainly is more substantive than symbolic. The church of of the Lord Jesus Christ has done more to promote peace and stability in the family, and to protect the vulnerable than any other group in the world.  Take a map and color in the places where the church has had the greatest impact, and then color the places where women have been treated with the greatest dignity, then take one more pass and fill in places where kids grow up with the greatest opportunities and chance at a decent life.  You'll find that you are largely covering the same territory.  Every Sunday I look out on families that have been and are being reclaimed.  Eyes that once were blackened, glared with anger, or were made red with bitter tears, now shine with joy, because of the difference Christ has made, not only in individual lives, but in families. So, here is a recommendation.  Instead of searching the internet for another video of another derailed relationship, why not look for a church that proclaims the life-changing, family-redeeming message of the Good News found in Jesus Christ. It's Something to Think About.   Here is an interesting picture of what is wrong with the world (including families) and how God's message makes it right.

Surprise--It might be God's will for your life to be hard.

Something To Think About Doing hard things, 9/8

Peter's is one of the voices in scripture that remind us Christianity is not just about enjoying one's self.  Primarily, living the Christian life is about doing what is right.      “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” (1 Peter 4:19, NASB95) To get the full thrust of the verse above, you need to read the context in which it is found.  (If you have time, click back on the arrows at the bottom to chapter 1, and read the whole book.) Just from the verse above, though, we can observe some truths that powerfully contradict some of the popular ideas of what it means to follow the Lord.   Apparently, at least some times, it is "the will of God that His people suffer.  (Click here, here, and here to see some other passages that make the same point.) In spite of the difficulties in which we may find ourselves, we can count on God's faithfulness.  As God says on another occasion, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Therefore we can join the author of Hebrews in saying, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”  (Hebrews 12:5-6) We can trust the Lord. In the end our goal should be to do what is right--and that's not always the same as what makes me happy today.   Do what is right, even when it is hard.   It's Something to Think About.

Surprised that you are surprised.

Surprised that you are surprised, 9/5

One of the signs of maturity is taking things in stride.  Little children are surprised by everything.  Getting some life under our belt ought to enable an unflappability that helps everyone in the vicinity to face difficulties--even crises--with calm and deliberateness.  When hard times come we all want that anchor person on our team. Those of us on the gray end of life need to be careful.  While our experience can foster that kind of cool, calm deliberateness, it can also go to seed in the form of cynicism and curmudgeonliness. Peter wanted his his readers to exhibit the former quality.  "Don't be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you . . . as though some strange thing were happening to you"   (1 Peter 4:12). Make no mistake.  What was going on these folk's lives was horrendous.  They had been forced to leave their homes.  They lived under the threat of, and the ongoing reality of persecution, yet Peter, who experienced his share bad treatment, said "Don't be surprised." Contrary to what we hear from many of the preachers of prosperity the Bible is clear that Christians are going to have a hard time in this world that "lies in the power of the wicked-one (1 John 5:19)."  Jesus said we should not expect to be treated better than Him (John 15:20).  Remember the cross.  The fact that most of us get along so well as Christians in the West is an anomaly. So, when I am misunderstood, or misrepresented, passed over or dumped on, I need to listen to the fisherman Apostle.  "Grow up!  Don't be Surprised.   It's Something to Think About.

Don't Just Survive, Thrive!

Something To Think About "Don't just survive!", 9/3

As we've been working through 1 Peter at CBC, I've been struck several times with the similarity of the situation of  the people Peter wrote to, "who reside as aliens, scattered . . ." and the pictures I see in the news of Christians who have been forced to flee from their homes in the Middle East.  It is obvious that Peter cared deeply for his scattered congregation.  He wanted to help them, but not merely to survive; he wanted them to thrive in the midst of their hostile situation.  One example of this is found in 1 Peter 3:15. Peter is talking to folk who are suffering, in some cases not merely in spite of their good deeds, but, apparently, because of their virtuous actions.  Look for instance at 3:14.   In the midst of such fear-inducing unfairness the Apostle says,    “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15)   While the word in the translation above is defense it is clear that Peter is not encouraging a hunkering down strategy.  Other translations use the word answer.  The Greek word in question is the word from which we get our word apology.  I'm not talking about "I'm sorry," but, "This is why what I believe makes sense," which clearly implies, "You should consider this as well." It kind of reminds me of the old Rambo movie.  The well-muscled Vietnam vet, who doesn't play well with others, shows up in a small town, where, to say the least. folk don't make him feel welcome.  Soon there are cops, guns, and dogs after the lone Rambo.  It doesn't look good.  Then Colonel Trautman, Rambo's former commanding officer shows up, not to save the former soldier from the cops, but to save them from the super-fighter. As I look back through history I see good evidence that these persecuted believers got it.  The enemies of the Faith did not stamp out the Faith.  On the contrary, this band of beleaguered believers so impacted that their world that we still feel the impact two millennia later.  We ought not to be offensive--make sure you read the "gentleness and reverence" part of the verse above--but we are to be on the offense.  Peter's good buddy, Paul, declared to another group of Christians who knew the meaning of persecution, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God"  (Romans 1:16). We are on the offense!. It's Something to Think About.   Here is an interesting picture of what is wrong with the world and how God's message makes it right.

Something To Think About "He listened!", 9/2

In order for this to make sense, you have to think on one side of a couple of Theological truths.  Jesus is God incarnate, the God-man.  Think on the human side of that.  The Bible is a book given by God in such a way that both as to words and to the overall content it can be accurately called the "Word of God."  Yet, God chose to use people in the writing of those books that make up the canon of Scripture.  The people, with their unique backgrounds and personalities are so involved in the process that it is accurate to say, "David says," or, "Peter wrote." If that gives you a headache, go get an aspirin and rejoin me in a minute. OK, I'm not asking you to deny Jesus Deity, or think of the Scripture as less than God-inspired, I just want you to allow the human side of things to inform this conversation. For three years, that we know of, Jesus was a rabbi, a teacher and preacher.  While He spoke on occasions to large crowds, Jesus' prime audience were the twelve men who were His apostles--eleven of whom remained faithful and changed the world.  I'm on really shaky ground, here, because I'm going to compare myself to Jesus.  I, too, am a preacher/teacher.  Nothing brings me greater joy, as a communicator, than to receive feedback that what I have attempted to teach has actually been learned.  When I hear from a person, or, even more, when I see in a person's life, that they got it--WONDERFUL! We've been working through the book of 1 Peter.  Peter was one of those twelve whom the Lord had chosen to be with Him so He could pour his life and teaching into their hearts.  I have to think it caused the Lord great joy to hear Peter say, "   “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,” (1 Peter 3:13–14).   You see, Jesus had preached a message about that concept to the Twelve, just before He sent them out on a ministry tour.  You can find it inMatthew 10.  Though Jesus tells Peter and his comrades that they will be like sheep in the midst of wolves, and that they will face all kinds of opposition and persecution, He tells them to not be afraid.      “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28, NASB95)   When Peter challenged the persecuted believers with the echo of his teacher's question, I imagine a smile must have come across the Lord's face.  "He got it!  That loud-mouthed fisherman was actually listening." Let's make the Lord smile today. Let's encourage those who faithfully teach God's word (here). Listen, do, teach others.   It's Something to Think About.   Here is an interesting picture of what is wrong with the world and how God's message makes it right.