Where is Home

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured. Refusing to accept release, so that the might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, and they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-of whom the world was not worthy-wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:32-40). As we look at the end of this grand chapter, we feel a crescendo of compassion for these great men and women of God. Although the writer admits that time does not allow him to name all their exploits of courage, these nine verses do much to convince us that each one deserves our highest respect. Imagine yourself in their place? The subject here is endurance in both triumph and tragedy. Note several things about the triumphs and tragedies of the faithful. First, there are erroneous ideas about the Christian life. There are at least four wrong conclusions regarding Christians that have been drawn over time and must be dismissed from our minds. Regarding passivity: “Christians are followers of Jesus, so they are meek, mild, and passive people.” Let's examine the subject of persistence: “Because Christians are people of faith; therefore, they never doubt or become discouraged.” Regarding perfection: “Christians, because they are Christians, are perfect-free from the marks of imperfection.” Regarding protection: “Christians know God, so they are shielded from hardship, calamity, and tragedy.” 1. Jesus was not passive, He stood firm against His critics. 2. Christians, being human do teeter on the fence of uncertainty at times. Defectors have been found within the ranks of Christianity throughout all generations. 4. Christians can and do experience such things as financial disaster, mistreatment, trips through the deepest valleys imaginable. Second, note some actual examples of endurance. The writer attempts to stir up endurance in his readers. Here he gives a sampling of those who have already endured. Several historic names and roles are noteworthy (v.32). Not one of these people was perfect, passive, persistent or protected. They were people who experienced the full spectrum of life’s offerings: both its triumphs and its tragedies. Let’s examine two extremes (vv. 33-38). Triumphs: (vv. 33-35a). 2. Tragedies: (vv 35b-38). Tragedy does not happen only to the wayward, the unkind, the hypocritical, the ungodly; it happens to mature, sensitive, obedient, and concerned believers as well. In this generation, an illusion is spreading: that people of true faith experience only wealth, health, and happiness. Scripture does not support such a superficial teaching. Effect then and now (vv. 39-40). All these magnificent folk of the past who experienced and endured both triumphs and tragedies brought honor to God because of their faith. Through their faith they gained approval. The person of Messiah, the promise of God, under laid each heroic act of faith. Third, note the practical impact of this teaching today. Several unavoidable conclusions must make their way into our thoughts if we are going to see life as God sees it. Undeserving and sinful Christians often rejoice in unexpected triumphs. Godly and great Christians often suffer through unexpected tragedies. Both extremes link us with an uninterrupted history: a history we call “God’s plan” (v.40). How do you respond when you see sinful Christians experiencing triumphs? What type of response does the Scripture teach us? How do you respond when godly Christians suffer tragedy? What type of response does the Bible teach us? Have you personally experienced either of these conditions? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Secret of Contentment

It's hard to find anyone in Christian history who became a great leader without earning an advanced degree at the University of Adversity. John Bunyan (1628-1688), the author of The Pilgrim's Progress, grew up in poverty and taught himself to read. As a young man, he struggled with feelings of not being forgiven by God and was tortured by visions of eternal punishment. His devout wife helped him to overcome his fear, but then, while she was still in her twenties, she died of a sudden illness. In his grief, Bunyan devoted himself to preaching. The English government, however, repeatedly imprisoned him for preaching without a license. On one occasion, Bunyan was sentenced to three months in prison, but when he told the officials he intended to go on preaching, his sentence was extended to 12 years. John Bunyan experienced God's presence in a special way while he was in prison. In fact, it was in his cell that he penned his enduring classic, The Pilgrim's Progress. It's a book that could only have been written by a soul that was refined by the fires of adversity. A. W. Tozer once wrote, "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply." God has a mission for your life and mine. But before we can carry out that mission, we will often go through the boot camp of adversity. If this is where you find yourself today, ask God to give you His grace to walk through this time with you. He promised He would never leave or forsake us. "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound, in any and every circumstance. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. yet it was kind of you to share my troubles. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:10-19). Paul the Apostle also suffered hardship. However like John Bunyan, Paul was not a victim of circumstances but the victor over circumstances. He said "I can accept all things" (v.11), "I can do all things" (v.13), and "I have all things" (v.18). Paul did not have to be pampered to be content; he found his contentment in the spiritual resources abundantly provided by Christ. Contentment is not escape from the battle, but rather an abiding peace and confidence in the midst of the battle (v.11). The verb "learned" means learned by experience. Spiritual contentment does not come immediately after one is saved. Content means contained. The resources are within. The Christian has sufficient resources in Christ. In the above chapter, Paul names three spiritual resources that make us adequate and give us contentment. First, the overruling providence of God (4:10). In this day of scientific achievement, we hear less and less about the providence of God. The word providence comes from two Latin words: Pro, meaning before and video, meaning to see. God's providence means that God sees to it beforehand. It is the working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for His purposes. Joseph and his brothers illustrate providence. His brothers envied him, and they sold him as a slave at age 17. In Egypt God revealed 7 years of famine were coming. When the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams were revealed. Twenty years later Joseph's brothers were reconciled to him, and then understood what the Lord had done. In Genesis 45:5 Joseph stated "God did send me before you to preserve life." God in His providence has caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul's needs, and it came when Paul needed their love the most. Life is not a series of accidents; it is a series of appointments. The Lord has promised "I will guide you with My eye" (Psalm 32:8). Abraham called God Jehovah-Jireh "The Lord will see to it." When God puts forth His own sheep He goes before them (John 10:4). God's providence is a wonderful source of contentment. Second, the unfailing power of God (4:11-13). Paul explains that he is not complaining. His happiness does not depend on circumstances or things. Most believers have learned how to be abased, very few have learned how to abound. The word instructed (v.12), means to be initiated into the secret. The word was used in pagan religion. It meant the inner secrets. Through trials and testings Paul was initiated into the wonderful secret of contentment. It was the power of Christ that gave Paul spiritual contentment (v.13). Paul's motto "I can through Christ." Third, the unchanging promise of God (4:14-20). Paul thanks the church at Philippi for their generous gift. He compares their giving to three very familiar things. 1. A budding tree (v.10). The word "flourished" refers to a tree budding. We go through winter seasons spiritually. But spring always brings new life and blessing. The tree has not moved, circumstances are not changed. The difference is the new life within. 2. An investment (vv.14-17). Their missionary gift would pay them rich spiritual dividends. They gave materially, and received spiritually. The church is poor that fails to support missions. 3. A sacrifice (v.18). Spiritual sacrifices are the Praise of our lips (Hebrews 13:15), good works (Hebrews 13:16), and winning the lost (Romans 15:16). The philippian believers offered a sacrifice to the Lord in giving to Paul. Paul sees this gift as coming from heaven. They gave out of poverty, but God will supply out of His riches in glory (v.19). Hudson Taylor said "When God's work is done in God's way for God's glory, it will not lack for God's supply." Contentment comes from adequate resources. Our resources are the providence of God, the power of God, and the promises of God. These resources made Paul sufficient for every demand of life, and they can make us sufficient, too. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Truth will Drive out Deception

What if the accusations being made against you are true? What if what Satan is saying is right? For sometimes he does say what's true. "You hurt so and so." Or, You sinned in such-and-such a manner." What do we do then? It always comes back to the same principle: "The truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Admit the truth, confess the sin, and go on. If restitution is necessary, provide it. Otherwise, leave it the hands of God. It's really as simple as that. How can we walk in the freedom Christ won for us at Calvary? Here are three truths about our relationship with God we can count on. 1. The power not to sin. First, as the redeemed, we do not have to sin. As God's new creation, we can walk by the Spirit, and He gives us control over the flesh. All of your sin (past, present, and future) is forgiven (Colossians 2:13). Now God can have an intimate love relationship with us as His redeemed ones. There is no more separation between God and redeemed man (even though God is still God and man is still man). In fact, God lives in union with the believer. God had declared us to be holy, irreproachable, blameless, complete in Christ, and fit for heaven. 2. Protection. As redeemed children, God the Father promises us protection from the enemy. We read, "We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him" (1 John 5:18). The Lord Jesus guards the believer who walks with Him so that the enemy will not take hold of the believer and drag him off into sin. Though we will at times fall into sin, we will not abide in it. In fact, the verb form for sin in 1 John 5:18means to continue or remain in sin. If we have been born again of God, we know Satan cannot directly or continually drag us into sin. God's protection assures us. And while the spiritual battle is underway, we know God's superior might will protect us from Satan's overpowering us, "because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). 3. Comfort. God provides comfort when we are suffering. Have you noticed how in a time of crisis the enemy will send "Job's friends" to pitch their tents in your backyard? In some cases their unsolicited "comfort" can be worse than the trial you' re going through. (to see three theologically incorrect "comforters" in action, read, for example, Job 5,8, and 11. To see their error and God's response, read Job 42:7-9.) The true God of comfort sends true comforters who "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Suffering and Spiritual Growth

What about suffering? Is there any benefit to it? Absolutely. Suffering is often God's way of perfecting us. Hebrews 5:8 tells us that Jesus learned obedience through the things that He suffered. James wrote that suffering leads to endurance, which results in maturity in Christ; therefore we should rejoice in it (James 1:2-4). Thus, much suffering has redemptive value. But what about the mental and emotional suffering we've been discussing? Is that suffering also redemptive? Once again, Jesus our friend sets the pattern" He experienced suffering of all kinds so He could identify with us and we would know He understands our plight (see Hebrews 4:15-16). He learned obedience through suffering (see Hebrews 5:8). God brought Him to human maturity not through memorizing a few truths, but through a day-by-day process of learning to obey even when it didn't seem to make sense. He promises to be "with us" in the midst of our suffering (see Isaiah 41:10-13). We never need fear being alone. One of my client I'll call Robert demonstrated the redemptive aspects of suffering after he came to me in deep anguish. As a child, he suffered harsh discipline and even abuse. This led him into the homosexual lifestyle. He told me that because of his long-term childhood abuse, "I rejected God's ordained gender for me. I believed I was a woman trapped in a man's body. I considered myself to be an abomination to God rather than a son." He often called himself a "sideshow freak" and didn't think God could possibly look on him, let alone love him. Over time, he grew into an adult who sinned habitually in the homosexual lifestyle, breaking the commandment of God. He told me, "The sin in my life led to emotional withdrawal and attempted suicide. This put me in the hospital many times where I suffered hopeless thoughts and feelings, convinced I was incurable." The idea that he was truly a woman in a man's body was actually reinforced by counselors, psychiatrists, and hospital staff. One Christian psychiatrist told him he was hopeless and should simply reconcile himself to his condition. He kept trying, but real purpose, love, peace, joy, hope, and faith eluded him. He was deeply depressed and suicidal when I began to work with him Robert's freedom came through a process. He and I met one hour per week for a year. Each time we met I would ask him to give me a report about what the Lord was teaching him through the Scriptures that week. One session Robert exclaimed, "Jesus really likes me. This past week He said that to me through His Word." He reported two passages were especially helpful, Psalm 73:23-24 and Isaiah 58:11. Believing that God can help. For the first time, at age forty-five, Robert began to believe God could help him, and even do the impossible of enabling him to overcome his obsession with feeling like a woman inside. He began to see that nothing was impossible with God. He told me later, "I believed the lies that my problems were far too great for the Lord and that I was so wicked that the Lord would never want to have a relationship with me." Satan had bound him in a terrible prison of lies that could only be broken by the truth of God's love and Jesus' fellowship in his sufferings. He entered a steep battleground, but at the end emerged whole and renewed. The strangest part of the story is that Robert's father was a pastor and denominational leader. For years, Robert saw his father's religion as superficial. Inside the home, the father was angry and abusive. The effect on Robert was that he believed salvation was something external, never reaching the inner man. I spent much time convincing him that Christ cared about everything in his life and that He wanted to be a part of every aspect of his life, to transform him into the image of Himself. One day, Robert gave me a letter in which he described the transformation that was underway. It said, in part, "The Lord is repairing the gate of my heart, rebuilding the walls, removing the obstructions to the fountain, cultivation the garden, cleansing the sanctuary, taking His seat in the throne room, fortifying the armory, and filling the treasury. For the first time in my life I have hope. While I cannot say right now that I am fully restored, I am growing in faith and have peace and joy for the first time in my life." Robert is being renewed in his mind as he lets the Holy Spirit control his life. Robert now knows he is a man and feels he is a man. Some questions. Using Robert as the example, let's ask some questions: Did God send suffering to Robert because he was a vile sinner? No, he was a child when these things began happening. Did God inflict him because God ceased to love him? No, rather He used Robert's suffering to lead him to Himself and to that love. Did God tell Robert he didn't have enough faith? No, instead God led him to real faith. God used Robert's suffering in a redemptive way. Robert was responsible for his sin before God, yet God did not condemn him, but rather used that sin to bring conviction and lead Robert to real faith and a real relationship with Him. Through Jesus his friend and counselor, Robert saw that his suffering has a purpose in the eyes of God. It was profitable and good for him, not something to be ignored or brushed over as worthless pain he should strive to escape as soon as possible. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Blessings from the Furance

Please read I Peter 4:12-19. Every Christian who lives a godly life experiences a certain amount of persecution. It may happen on the job, in school, in the neighborhood, perhaps in the family. Peter dealt with this kind of "Normal persecution" earlier in his letter. In the above passage he explains a special kind of persecution, a "Fiery trail" that was about to overtake the entire church. Peter gave the believers four instructions to follow in the light of the coming "Fiery trail." First, we can expect suffering. A believers life produces a different lifestyle. Much of what goes on in the world depends on lies, pride, pleasure, and the desire to get more. God declared war on Satan after the fall of man, and Satan has been attacking God through His people ever since. Jesus explained to his disciples that they should expect opposition and persecution from the world. A fiery trial comes because we are faithful to God and stand up for that which is right. The word "Happened" is important, it means "To go together." The trials are part of God's plan, and He is in control. Second, we are to rejoice in suffering. He said were are to "Be constantly rejoicing." Peter named several privileges that we share that encourage us to rejoice in the midst of the fiery trail. Our suffering means fellowship with Christ. Jesus is with us in the furnace of persecution. Our suffering means glory in the future. "Suffering" and "Glory" are twin truths that are woven into the fabric of Peter's letter. God is not going to replace suffering with glory, rather He will transform suffering into glory (see John 16:20-22). Our suffering brings to us the ministry of the Holy Spirit. "For the presence of the glory, even the Spirit, rests on you." The reference is to the Shekinah glory of God that dwelt in the tabernacle and in the temple. Our suffering enables us to glorify His name. Third, we are to examine our lives. In the furnace of persecution and suffering, we often have more light by which we can examine our lives and ministries. During this time we must ask several questions. Why am I suffering. Let's be sure we are suffering because we are Christians and not because we are criminals. We must ask, am I ashamed, or am I glorifying God. Not being ashamed is negative, and glorifying God is positive. It takes both for a balanced witness. During this time am I seeking to win the lost? Our present "Fiery trial" is nothing compared with the "Flaming fire" that shall punish the lost when Jesus returns in judgment. Forth, we must commit ourselves to God. We can commit ourselves into the care of God. The word is a banking term, it means "To deposit for safe keeping." This picture reminds us that we are valuable to God. This commitment is not a single action but a constant attitude. "Be constantly committing." Peter referred to God as "A faithful Creator" because God the Creator meets the needs of His people. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Who is Watching You

Please read I Peter 2:11-25 The central section of Peter's letter emphasizes submission in the life of a believer. This is certainly not a popular topic in this day of lawlessness and the quest for "personal fulfillment," but it is an important one. God wants each of us to exercise authority: but before we can exercise authority we must be under authority. Satan's offer to our first parents was freedom without authority, but they ended up losing both freedom and authority. Peter shares three excellent motives for submitting to authority and thus living dedicated, obedient Christian lives. First we must be obedient for the sake of the lost. As Christians, we must constantly remind ourselves who we are. We are God's dearly beloved children. We are resident aliens who have our citizenship in another country. We are soldiers involved in a spiritual battle. Our real battle is not with people around us, but with passions within us. War means a military campaign. We are witnesses to the lost around us. Second we must be obedient for the Lord's sake. It is our responsibility to advertise God's virtues. This is especially true when it comes to our relationship to government and people in authority. As Christian citizens, we should submit to the authority vested in human government. The word ordinance simply means creation or institution. We must respect the office even when we cannot respect the man or woman in the office. Peter named the offices we are to respect. The king, means the emperor or president. God's church has been able to live and grow in all kinds of political systems. Two phrases are important. The will of God and the servants of God. God has willed that we silence the critics by doing good, not by opposing the authority. Silence is literally muzzle, as though the pagan critics were like a pack of yelping, snapping dogs. Third we must be obedient for our own sake. What Peter wrote has application to employees. Sometimes a Christian employee may be wronged by an unbelieving co-worker or supervisor. For conscience sake he must take it, even though he is not in the wrong. A Christian's relationship to God is far more important than his relationship to men (see Matthew 5:10-12). Peter encouraged these suffering slaves by presenting three pictures of Jesus Christ. He is our example in His life. He is our substitute in His death. He is our watchful Shepherd in heaven. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

God's Perspective on Suffering

Please read Hebrews 2:9-18. The secret of suffering is perspective. The secret of getting through suffering and enduring suffering, is perspective. Suffering is the very reason some Hebrews in the first century said, "We have no more time for the Savor. Give us the comforts of yesteryear." Here the subject changes from the glory to the grind of life. Sin has taken such as toll that it leaves a complication which we all experience, suffering. Christ brings us perspective, and only in Him can we view suffering correctly. First, Jesus is the pioneer of perfecting. Our salvation came through the womb of pain, as does our maturing in Christ. Bringing sons into glory requires a painful process. Pain is not an enemy, but a friend. In life suffering makes and matures us. Jesus gave Himself in death. The writer puts his finger on the secret of perseverance when he says "We see Him." Apart from Christ, we have no accurate view of our present circumstances, whatever they may be. The term author means "Pioneer" suggesting one who blazes a trail so that others can follow. Here the scene is not one of a wilderness or jungle, but of salvation. Jesus Christ stands at the other end of His path, bidding us to come where He is. It should be of interest to us that the author of salvation has been perfected through suffering. Jesus purposes to bring sons to glory. "To perfect through sufferings." God's plan for us includes suffering. The term to perfect contains the thought of "Bringing to completion." Second, Christians are the subject of suffering. The above passage lists four familiar areas of suffering that force us to look to Jesus for relief and strength. Each type of suffering is terribly difficult to endure. 1. The pain of identification. It is suffering that identifies Jesus with humanity. Without it, He could never have said "I fully understood". 2. The pain of enslavement. When each of us was without Christ, our only choice was to do wrong. At times the consequences of past involvements, along with moments of feeling guilt, spill over into our new lives. 3. The pain of failure. When we fail, we suffer. Failure is painful, it hurts us deeply. The writer of Hebrews again points our focus to Jesus in order to help us preserve our perspective. When we sin we find a Priest who is to us a refuge. 4. The pain of temptation. None of us needs that explained. The Greek says "He is able to run to the cry." When we are tempted, all we need to do is call to Him and He is there. Why? Because He knows what it is to be tempted. Third, the perspective of glory and groaning. Romans 8:23 refers to our painful experience as "Groaning." It is something that goes on continuously as we wait "Eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." We may wrap us this teaching with three statement of perspective. 1. Our groaning gives us the glory of a compassionate heart. 2. Our groaning crushes us into the glory of a submissive spirit. 3. Our groaning marks us with the glory of a Christlike life. How has suffering given you greater compassion toward others? How has suffering produced in you greater submission toward God? How has suffering marked you with a Christlike life which you can display to the world? Do you need a new perspective on suffering? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Where The Spirit Leads

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil" (Matt 4:1-2). Would our heavenly Father ever allow one of His children to be tempted by the Evil One? After Jesus experienced John's baptism he was lead by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, for the purpose of being tempted by the Devil. Jesus was being tempted as a man, not as God. Jesus came to earth as a man to live His life with the same limitations that you and I have. Satan tempted Jesus to use His divine power as God to satisfy His human hunger. This seems to be Jesus' first real test as a human being. Some people think God would never lead His people into the desert to be tested. Some would even say this is the devil's doing. The fact is, both statements are true. God actually uses Satan to test His servants to help develop patience and obedience in their lives. One purpose of the testing was for Jesus to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit, just like we must do in order to have victory over temptation. This would be true for the rest of His life. Every miracle He performed was done by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus said we would do even greater (in number) works than He did because we are indwelt with the same Holy Spirit and we have the same access through prayer to the Father as He did. God led the people of Israel into the desert to learn something about themselves. They learned about their level of obedience when life became difficult. "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands" (Deut 8:2). When God leads you into the desert, He is allowing you to learn something about yourself. We all need to learn how we will respond to temptations in our lives. As we draw closer to God during these times the roots of our faith are forced deeper and deeper into the soil of His grace. Jesus went into the Desert, in the fullness of the Spirit, He came out of the Desert in the Power of the Spirit. Do not fear being led into the desert. The desert can be a real faith builder. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Truth Verses Lies

Every sin is the exchange of the truth of God for a lie. Consequently, the more truthful one becomes with himself the more he is delivered from the deceitfulness of sin. Every season of significant spiritual growth in your walk with God will be precipitated by a time of deep repentance. In the Christian walk we must accept the whole inheritance, suffering as well as glory (John 15:19-20). It was necessary for Christ to suffer to enter into His glory. To wear the crown we must share the cross. We do not grow into sanctificaton, we grow in sanctification. We are becoming what God has declared we already are. Jesus did not come to give us a system by which we could live, He came to be our life. Servants obey because they are subject to rules, sons of God obey because they are led by the Spirit unto a clear realization that the Father's will is the best possible way. Like Jesus they delight to do God's will. Thats why life in Christ is filled with mystery, misery and magnificence, often all at the same time. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Journaling

Here are some thoughts from my personal journal. When you come to the Scriptures ask what does this have to do with me? Don't waste the hard times. King David wrote Psalms 57, and 142 from a cave. The Bible in 50 words God made, Adam bit, Noah arked, Abraham split, Joseph ruled, Jacob fooled, Bush talked, Moses balked, Pharaoh plagued, People walked, Sea divided, tablets guided, Promise landed, Saul freaked, David peeked, Prophet warned, Jesus born, God walked, Love talked, Anger crucified, Hope died, Love rose, Spirit flamed, Word spread, God remained. Knowledge ties the past to the present and wisdom ties the present to the future. Have you ever been confussed between being grieved in spirit and irritated in the flesh. Joyfulness similes away all the wrinkles on a child's attitude. Gentleness is looking past the hardness of a face and seeing a delicate spirit on the inside. Often the outward gruffness of a person is as self-made shield to protect a wounded and hurting spirit. It is also a cry for understanding. "If you are suffering from a bad man's injustice, forgive him lest there be two bad men." St Augustine. Here is a bedrock principle of deception-it never comes as it is, is always uses a pleasant disguise. This deception can originate from a king (II Kings 18:29), a false god (Isaiah 37:10), or one's own heart (Jeremiah 49:16). Sin always causes fear. Ask Adam, Moses, or Peter. You become like what you hate. Prayer is never a substitute for repentance. There are a number of promises in the Bible about God not hearing prayers. Prayer is not a filabuster. You can suffer without sinning, but you can't sin without suffering. The goodness of God ought to lead us to repentance not independence. Outside of the subject of love, materialism is spoken of most in the Scriptures. Some people are tempted to surrender just a token sin or some minor fault, while allowing the main problems to remain entrenched and well hidden. Evil thoughts are the source of evil actions. When the Scriptures talk about an evil eye they are referring to stinginess, having a grudging attitude that another should have more than I do. Jesus promise "I will make you fishers of men." The condition "Follow Me." People need a sense of God's abiding presence upon them. A person filled with the Holy Spirit will have a deep sense of eternal values. The goal of God is not just that man in his sorrows is made happy but that man in his rebellion is made obedient. Without love for the truth, no area of our lives can be corrected. The enemy's lie enters our minds in whispers, not shouts; it walks in darkness, not light. When we harbor sin the light becomes darkness. Satan has a legal access given to him by God, to dwell in the domain of darkness, (II Corinthians 10:3-5). Before receiving the Holy Spirit the disciples were powerless. What we are is more important than what we say. In the race of doing God's will, are you in the front of the pack, one of the stragglers, or an onlooker? Why? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God" (Romans 13:1-2). I believe Paul derived the teaching of submission to human authorities from the example of Jesus who submitted to the corrupt officials and authorities. If anyone had a right to defy authority Jesus did. He had done nothing wrong. There was nothing in His conduct that could be blamed. He always did that which was right, there was no sin found in Him. As believers we are called upon to suffer evil rather than to do evil. Christ being our supreme example of wrongful suffering, we are called to follow in His steps. God does not call upon us to be masochists, its by faith, we take steps to prevent any form of retaliation. As believers we are to recognize that two wrongs don't make a right. Because another abuses authority we don't have the right to fail to submit to authority. Difficult as it may seem, we must learn to submit to authority under duress, when abused, when pressured and when our desire to get a pound of flesh is strongest. The Sermon on the Mount is all about doing that which is contrary to our natural flesh. "All the ways of man are right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 14:12). The Living Bible paraphrases Proverbs 21:1 as, "Just as water is turned into irrigation ditches, so the Lord directs the king's thoughts. He turns them wherever He wants to." This greatly helps us understand God's sovereignty. Are not all governors of men under the control of God. This fact determines the history of the world. Its His Story. We learn that the "Authorities that exist are appointed by God." And "Those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." This is exactly why Moses declared the actions of Korah and company as "Rebellion against God Himself" (Numbers 16:11). Our Lord was not concerned if the government of his homeland was legal or illegal, or if it governs appropriately or inappropriately. What mattered was that the believer recognizes God's sovereignty. That means we are confident that God never sleeps or slumbers, He never looks the other way. God is totally aware of everything that happens. I believe a good understanding of God's sovereignty is necessary to truly live by faith. God is in the business of ruling His creation. That is why we can say "In God we trust." Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Building Endurance

"And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22). Have you noticed Christianity is not going to be the dominant culture in America. Jesus gave us the instruction in the verse above because true discipleship can be hard and very demanding. We live in a culture where most folks, believers included want things as to be as simple and easy as possible. Christian values are not going to be dominate our culture. The Lord Jesus is telling us to be ready to face unfair criticism and rejection. It has always been an uphill battle to change the hearts and minds of men and women in any society. We as God's children are the very tools God uses to be a blessing to others. We have been entrusted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the "Power of God unto salvation for those who believe." We are like beggars telling other beggars where we found bread. Nothing satisfies the starving soul like the "Bread of Life", our Lord Jesus. The ones who "Endure until the end" are believers. Nothing shows what we are made of like persecution. In centuries past it was the blood of the martyrs that became the seed of the church. The Christian life is not a play ground but a battle ground. The hope of America and our world is the Lord Jesus Christ. When I was in Bible College one of my professors had a check up at the Mayo Clinic. The professor was witnessing to the Doctor and the Doctor asked "Do you believe in the literal return of Jesus Christ?" My professor assured the Physician he did. To which the Doctor responded "People like you ought to be locked away." I believe this was a taste of things to come in the way our culture will view believers. I am pleased to proclaim our God will sustain us. Remember the three men in the fiery Furnace. The Son of God walked in with them. The only thing they lost were the bonds that held them. They walked out free men. Let's determine in our hearts that as we walk in union with Christ, we will endure to the end. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Quotes to Ponder

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from the evil one" (II Thessalonians 3:3). Have you ever had someone promise you something, you believed them with all your heart and they didn't keep their promise? If you have lived very long at all, that has happened to you. However there is One who will not let you down, He is "Faithful", He keeps his Word, He is still to be believed in, as One Who is faithful to His promises (I Thess. 5:24). God will establish us and keep us from the evil one. We will comes under attack but in Christ we will come through the attack victorious. Have you noticed Paul seemed to live under attack. At the time Paul penned the above verse he was under attack, but he turns his attention to his readers in order to express his assurance of their being established in the faith, and their preservation from the evil one. When we are under attack we need to pray for others that would do tremendous damage to Satan's kingdom. I would encourage you to have some prayer targets ready, and when the enemy attacks you go to prayer. The enemies of the cross are real, the church has come under their scourge in every generation. Many unbelievers are content to simply ignore the gospel, and tolerate those who love the Lord. However there are unreasonable and violent individuals who are driven to persecute those who claim the name of Jesus. Paul himself was just one of those individuals who persecuted the church. Yet God in His mercy saved him and used him to write over half of the New Testament. As humans we tend to place our affections on the wrong things. We are driven by what we love, and we are prone to love idols. John Calvin said "The heart is a factory that makes idols." God desires to keep us from the evil one. He will reveal the hidden things in our hearts if we ask Him to bring everything that is hidden to light. The enemy is quick to work through open doors we give him through unrepentant sin in our lives. We read "Be angry and sin not, don't let the sun go down on your wrath, neither give place to the devil." The Greek word place is "Topos." We get the word topography or ground from this word. Unresolved anger and bitterness gives "Ground" to the devil. As we progress in our relationship with Jesus He will make clear to us those things that hinder our walk with Him. God will be faithful to bring up a cherished sin, a point of pride, a wrong attitude or something in our lives that is stunting our spiritual growth. This is our time for repentance and tearing down idols. This is part of God's plan to establish us in the faith. You can be rest assured He is doing His part, are you doing your part? Below are some quotes that are worth pondering. Enjoy. "Our little time of suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to Heaven." - Samuel Rutherford "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." - Abraham Lincoln "We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking only to learn that it is God shaking them." - Charles West "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." - John Shedd "The next time you are called to suffer, pay attention. It may be the closest you'll ever get to God." - Max Lucado "If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?" - Stephen Levine. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

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.

God's Perspective of the Wicked

"In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises" (Psalm 10:2). We are aware that as believers, we are by action and resource to demonstrate to the weak and powerless that there is a God of love. James wrote about Religion that is "Pure and undefiled consisting of visiting the fatherless and widows and to keeping oneself unspotted from the world." This involves showing mercy and compassion to the weak and helpless. God hates violence, intimidation, or any means used by the powerful to control, manipulate, or hound those who are weak. He absolutely loathes wickedness that is based upon the strong and the mighty preying on the weak and powerless. We find in the Scriptures that the Lord will take action against such people. In God's good time He will judge all evil acts. However, God also loves sinners, no matter how they act. Jesus died for the sins of the world and His desire is that "All men should come to repentance." Here-in lies a paradox for the believer. Loving the sinner and hating the sin, takes the grace, power and wisdom of God. I remember listening to the testimony of a pastor whose ministry was rescuing teen age run away girls from the clutches of their pimps. One pimp walked up to him on the street and sneered in his face with the words "I sell flesh." He said at that point he was greatly conflicted with the love for the sinner and hate-ward for the sin concept. He said were he God, there would have been less than a gracious response to this despicable human being standing in front of him. He said that night "Hell would have gained one more resident." The above example reminds us that God is God and we are not. This evil flesh peddler should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Reality tells us that often times criminals roam free, at least for a while. God tells us there is a judgment coming for all whose reject Christ (Rev. 20:11-15). However for believers to use passionate words of judgment against evil people, will often do more harm than good. Should we speak of their evil deeds let it be when we cry out, on their behalf, to the Lord in prayer. He is the One who can change their heart and save their soul. The wicked do not seek after God, nor do they call upon His name. They live without God. The cause of this is spiritual blindness and human pride. However, we are called by God to "Love and pray for our enemies." When we pray for our enemies we are doing for them, what they cannot do for themselves, for they have no basis on which to pray. There are many stories related of abused prisoners praying for their captors. I have heard some wonderful testimonies of those abusive, vile prison guards coming to Christ. God saved a Christian killing Saul of Tarsus, He is able to save anyone who comes to Him in repentance. Is there someone in your life tormenting you? How is your prayer life being developed because of this person? Is your tormentor experiencing the love of Christ through you? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

A Study in Humility

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). Notice Jesus didn't say "Blessed are those," but "Blessed are you." Jesus takes His teaching on non retaliation to its logical outcome. Not only should we not strike back, but we are to rejoice when we are persecuted. Wow you might say, how do we do that? Well, our trust in God's promise of reward comes into play. The prophets suffered likewise (II Chron. 36:15-16). For you see our role as a disciple of Jesus Christ is greater than that of an Old Testament prophet. I can almost hear you saying lets have some proof of that. All right, take out your Bibles and look up Matthew 10:41-42; 23:34 and 11:9, 11, 13:17 and see for yourself. Thus we can identify with prophetic leaders like Jeremiah, Isaiah and Ezekiel. Here is why we are given a greater honor than being prophets; God summons us to bear the name of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:27; 20:28). Please note the characteristics of our Savior, He is lowly in heart, mourns over the unrepentant, shows mercy and He is a peacemaker. How much more so must be His disciples who are to imitate His ways. A Christian is a little Christ. Contrast the attitude of a real disciple to those in the world who receive honor among men. I recently heard a pastor say "The church is like an old prize fighter who has lost his punch." We lose our punch when we stop being like Jesus. Our Lord told us "The greatest among you is servant of all." In the Christian life the way up is down. We are told to learn from Jesus who is "Meek and humble of heart." We are never so much like the devil as when we are proud. We learn from James to "Humble ourselves under the mightily hand of God and He will lift us up." We are taught by Peter that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." This could be a good time to learn a lesson in humility, its a requirement for discipleship. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Forgiveness

“For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:30-31). We should not be surprised that the enemies of God would also become enemies of those who are made in the image and likeness of God. We are commanded "As much as in you lies within you live at peace with all men." This means we must learn to be peacemakers. The balance comes in making peace with others without wounding our conscience or offending God. There are Biblical examples where peace making would not have worked. David and Goliath could not have lived in peace with each other. However David did everything possible to make peace with King Saul. The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend. Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers." The command to "Avenge not yourselves would be difficult to understand, were it not coupled with "Give place to God wrath." Should I seek revenge I am the one who is conquered, should I choose to forgive I am the conqueror. This is why the Lord tells us "Be not overcome by evil, but triumph over evil by doing good" (Romans 12:21). We are to "Give place" to God's wrath. Revenge is God's parking place, if we park in His place, we will experience some of His wrath. A tremendous example of forgiveness comes from the life of Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983) she was born in Amsterdam and raised in the Dutch Reformed Church. When the Nazis came to power in the late 1930s, Corrie and her family hid Jews in the basement of their home. In 1944, Corrie's family was arrested and sent to Ravensbrück, one of the worst concentration camps in Nazi Germany. There, Corrie's entire family died. Corrie herself was scheduled for execution - but she was released shortly before the end of World War II because of a clerical error. Corrie concluded that God had saved her for a purpose. She committed her life to preaching the good news of Jesus Christ, speaking in churches, tent meetings, and open-air rallies. At one meeting in Germany in 1947, she taught on God's forgiveness. Afterward, a man came up to her and introduced himself as a former Ravensbrück guard - but Corrie needed no introduction. She remembered him well. He was notorious for his cruelty. "I've become a Christian since the war," he said. "I know God has forgiven me for the horrible things I did, but I would like to hear it from you. Could you tell me that you've forgiven me, too?" He put out his hand. Corrie stood there for what seemed an eternity, unable to think of anything but the horrors this man had committed. Then she remembered the words of Jesus that required her to forgive ANY sin. She silently prayed, "Jesus, help me!" ...then she took the man's hand and cried out, "I forgive you, brother!" She later recalled, "I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then." That was the defining moment in Corrie's ministry. Over the years that followed, she took the Christian gospel to more than sixty countries around the world and hundreds of thousands of lives were changed through her speaking, writing, and the motion picture The Hiding Place, based on her autobiography. If we want to be used in a great way by God, we must be willing to forgive those who may be a great source a pain in our lives. Is there someone who needs your forgiveness today? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

When God Takes the initiative

"Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil" (Job I:8). Please notice it is God who brings up Jobs' name to Satan. The Lord takes the initiative knowing well the events that would transpire. The Lord calls Job His servant, Job was a godly man and a good servant. The Lord is honoring Job, pointing out the the evil one that there is no one like Job on the earth. Without a doubt He is contrasting the misery of the evil angel who so dishonorably fell with the joyful life of His servant Job. Our Lord was saying "You are the very opposite of Job." The joy of the Lord in the lives of His saints bring shame and torment to the evil hosts of hell. He asked Satan where he had been. The evil one answers "Walking back and forth on the earth." He failed to add "Seeking whom he could devour." Satan can boast but he can never triumph, for after Calvary he is a defeated foe. The evil one still walks the earth today,seeking to destroy that which is holy and good. He and a hoard of demons seek to undo that which God is doing in His Kingdom. The only thing that the adversary could come against Job with was a trumpeted up charge of hypocrisy. He says Job is a mercenary, that he only served the Lord for the blessings he received from Him. Satan asked "Does Job fear God for nothing"? The truth is no man can serve both God and mammon. Should Job have served God for the mammon he received, in time his heart would have turned to the mammon. The Psalmist wrote "When riches increase set not your heart upon them." Living an upright life does not mean you will escape the attack of the devil. Holy living can make you his target. He had been checking out Job, but God had placed a hedge around him and Satan couldn't touch him. God in His great wisdom may allow the enemy to attack us to fulfill His purposes. Paul had a thorn in the flesh, Peter was told "Satan will sift you." Job came under horrible attack from the evil one. The early church came under demonic attacks in the form of persecution. The truth is Satan is under God's control. He can do nothing without the Lord's permission. Satan, in essence obeys God. Many believers when under attack, gripe, complain, lay down and give up. James says this we are to "Draw close to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us." He will run like a scared rabbit when we are snuggled up to Jesus. How do we live through times of enemy activity in our lives. By staying close to the Lord, using the Scriptures, trusting the Lord and doing right. Oh by the way, when you are going through a difficult period of life you can count on three of Job's friends to pitch their tents in your back yard. Just as in the case of Job they have come to "Help" you. Their pithy one liners will add to your torment, hang in there this also works into the plan of God. Their time of growth is coming, they will experience their own three friends. Suffering, its part of the Christian life. Victory, its just around the corner because in Christ we are more than conquerors. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Do You Glory or Growl

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). The Christian life is not made up of pie in the sky platitudes which have little or no meaning in the real world. When we are told to "Rejoice in our sufferings." we can indeed rejoice in our sufferings. The rejoicing is not considered in the sufferings themselves but in their effects. One effect of suffering is patience. Patience is the habit of endurance, and Christian patience implies submission to the will of God (James 1:3). As we grow spiritually we come to realize that sufferings themselves are an honor and blessing. This idea is often expressed in the Scriptures. Our Lord says, "Blessed are those who mourn" (Matt. 5:4). "Blessed are those who are persecuted" (Matt. 5:10). The apostles left the Jewish council "rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41). Peter calls on believers to rejoice when they participate in Christ's sufferings and pronounces them happy when they are insulted for his sake (I Peter 4:13,14). And Paul says, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses" (that is, my sufferings). "For Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses," he says, "In insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties' (II Cor. 12: 9-10). This is not irrational or fanatical. We do not glory in suffering as such, or for its own sake, but because of what the Bible teaches. We are to consider it an honor to suffer for our Lord. We rejoice in being given the opportunity of showing His power in our support and deliverance. Suffering is one means of our sanctification and preparation for usefulness here and for heaven hereafter. A Biblical attitude toward suffering really sets the Christian apart from the world. The power to rejoice comes from omnipotent grace that we receive by trusting in God's promises. "Now brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality." The "Grace of God" was given to them. That grace produced an indomitable joy in a great test of affliction. And that joy in affliction overflowed in love. Grace doesn't work like magic, it works through truth. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free from complaining and from a critical spirit. Paul never asked us to be stoical about suffering. However the pressures of life have a way of developing endurance in us, and this endurance can be exercised only when we are placed under pressure. The very trails we so dread are used by God to strengthen us. Paul is not saying we should merely pretend to be happy. Christianity is never phony. When it come to suffering do you glory or growl? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Suffering Well

"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have" (Philippians 1:29). Earlier in this chapter Paul made clear that everything is from God. Their salvation is from God and the fact that they have life is from Him. This is a necessary word in light of the Paul's explanation of suffering. People who reflect an attitude that suggests "Oh boy, I get to suffer for Jesus" should cause us to squirm. Our first though should be "That guy must have hit his head really hard when he fell off the turnip truck." Somehow he really missed the truth and he certainly can't appeal to Paul to justify such an attitude. Paul's attitude toward Christian suffering is based on Christ's teaching on discipleship, namely that servants are to be like their master. Paul is saying the same God who granted you (Lit. graced you) to believe on Him, is the same God who has also graced you to suffer for Him. Who needs such "Gracing" you might ask. The answer lies in the Christ centered nature of the Christian life. A crucified Lord produces disciples who themselves take up a cross as they follow Him. We are called on to live in the same way Christ himself lived, and died, on behalf of this fallen, broken world. And for believers, as for our Lord, the path to glorification leads through the suffering of the cross. The Apostle doesn't finish here but goes on to remind them that he and they are in this together. They are going through the same struggle they have seen him go through. They are suffering at the hands of those who oppose the gospel. He tells them that their suffering is identical to that which they saw in him. Among those who would receive this letter would be the jailer and his household and (perhaps) the young slave girl whose having been set free from Satan's tyranny, resulted in the first of Paul's sufferings on behalf of Christ that they had seen. What are we to do with suffering? If we really walk with Christ we will suffer persecution. The Philippians suffering was in kind with Paul's current Roman imprisonment. They were partners in the gospel, going through the same suffering together. All they were experiencing was on Christ's behalf. The way we respond to suffering reflects on our knowledge of Christ. Are we looking at our suffering through His eyes? Are we crying out to Him to teach us about "The fellowship of His suffering?" Are we using this season of suffering for spiritual growth, or are we just hanging on until its over? When we make the statement "I want to be like Jesus" suffering will be part of what makes that happen. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church ministry.