The Lord of the Desert

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil" (Matthew 4:1). There is a feeling (almost a doctrine) among conservative evangelicals that goes like this, "If you do right and act right, you will be blessed with a nearly trouble free life." Such teaching is flat out heresy. Should you, for some reason believe this, I would advise you to check in with the Apostle Peter. Reading several chapters from one of his two books will set anyone straight on the matter of troubles, trails and suffering. We know Jesus was led by the Spirit of God into the desert, but why? To be "Tempted by the devil" is the answer. Why would God lead his Son, or you or me into the desert? Answer, there is a whole lot of learning that takes place in the desert. "Though He were Son, He learned obedience by the things He suffered." "Desert Theological Seminary" is where we learn about ourselves. Hey, I can handle life when everything is going my way. Desert living is the place where we choose to commit to living by every Word of God, and not by bread alone. Its where we learn to respond to every temptation by citing what the Word of God says about the temptation. Its where we learn to separate the wheat from the chaff of life. The desert is a place of forging convictions and shaping character. As Christians we have a great need, the Scriptures must be written on our hearts, that we might know how to respond to any given situation. Its typically our reactions, not our actions that kill us. The Word says, "The truth shall set you free." Knowing and doing the will of God allows us to live free even when we are tempted by that which is evil. have you noticed that deserts are very quiet. There is little to no activity in the desert. However it is often the place where the devil speaks the loudest, because the desert is our place of weakness. When I am in the desert I don't have the comforts of the "Normal" to cling to. In the desert I'm not in control, if I was in control I wouldn't choose to be in the desert. I have also noticed when I am in the desert the heavens often seem to be made out of brass. God is frequently silent in the desert, however it can also be a place where God (when He chooses) speaks the loudest. The word desert comes from the Hebrew word "Dahbaar" which means "To speak." He usually speaks to me when I finally shut up and am ready to listen. I have spend a lot of time in the desert, desert living isn't so bad, (in time it kind of grows on you), its a great place to meditate on the Word. Its God's classroom to teach us how to withstand the unique temptations that come to us in the desert place. Desert is where we learn the importance of spiritual warfare. Its a great place to draw on the grace of God, which is operative even when He is silent. And its the place to take our stand with God. He and He alone is Lord of the desert. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Your Mission

Paul wrote to the Colossians because there was heresy being brought into the church. In order to destroy false teaching he taught them the truth. "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." (Colossians 1:28,29). Before his conversion to Christ Paul had been a member of the Sanhedrin. He had been a strict Jew of the sect of the Pharisees. Paul really knew what bad new was, it was living as a legalistic Pharisee, apart from God. Once Paul received the revelation of the grace of God it became the theme of every conversation. He couldn't stop talking about Jesus and what the Lord was doing in him. Being led by the Holy Spirit, he would warn (counsel) and teach (instruct) everyone in the wisdom of God, with the purpose of presenting them to the Lord as mature (perfect) believers. Paul didn't just preach the gospel, he preached the whole counsel of God. Paul proclaimed a person (we proclaim Him), not just a philosophy. Paul had to expend physical, mental and spiritual energy toiling to this end. The entire statement shows that through faith in Christ we can link our life with a source of strength that enables us to rise above our natural limitations. This was a total change from his Pharisaical days when religious duties were performed in the flesh. We live in a day when good is called evil and evil is called good. Anyone who stands for the truth taught in the Scriptures is likely to be castigated by being labeled intolerant. Paul knew it takes Biblical truth to change a life and he wasn't afraid to stand up and declare it. How about you, are you willing to proclaim Christ, that others might come to know Him? Are you helping others grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Where Is God In Times Like These?

We certainly live in times of uncertainty, political and economic Crisis are standard fare. The darkness deepens, as the world turns a blind eye and a deaf ear toward evil. The Scriptures are quite explicit concerning the end time. "Men will wax worse and worse." Rather than park on the negative, let's consult the Lord and get His view of difficult times. He says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:10. Look at this scene. The Prophet Jeremiah was in a pit, his fellow country men hated him, they are the ones who threw him in. The city of Jerusalem was about to be captured and her people would go into exile. The Lord spoke to Jeremiah and told him to purchase a portion of land as the Lord would have a purpose for it in the future. Jeremiah couldn't believe his ears. Everything he was experiencing screamed hopeless. Then the Lord said "Is there anything too hard for Me?" That is the question was must ask, is there anything to hard for the Lord? Are His promises relevant for me. Is His Word true for me. Can I trust Him today in the midst of all my trials? What if He let's me down? The hymn writer of old asked this question "Where can I go but to the Lord?" We have many voices calling to us today. False prophets seem to be everywhere. Political Messiahs are on the rise. The scientific community is trying to forecast a better tomorrow. But what about the condition of a man's soul? Are we as a nation, running to the Lord? Where do we go in times of crisis? Some one wisely asked the question "Why do men run to the Devil as though he were God and run away from God as though He were the Devil? Hard times, they are a coming, for many they are here. But what about God. He is here to, and He is a whole lot bigger than our hard times. What do we do in times like these. We run to the God who is our Strength.