Part 3 - Mind the Gap - Conclusion

If you read my last two blogs, you know that I covered “Minding the Gap” from two perspectives. First, I spoke about standing in the gap for this world – that is advocating for the world with God, our loving Father. For the second “Mind the Gap” blog, I talked about watching for the potential of gaps in our own lives between who we say we are and how we live our lives.

To wrap up our focus on “Minding the Gap”, I want to talk about a Christians work toward creating a gap in this word so that the light of God can shine through.

The very first command of God in the Genesis message of creation is this: Genesis 1:3-4 [NKJV] 3 “Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that [it was] good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”  Verses 14-19 tell us that God organized the light, giving greater light to the day and lesser light to the night. Even the night would not be without lights in the heavens. The lights of the night – the moon and stars – have guided travelers throughout time – whether sailors on the oceans or the magi seeking the baby Jesus. [Matthew 2:2]

Ephesians 5:8 [KJV] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Just like He knew the physical earth needed light, God, the Father, knows this world is in spiritual darkness and needs spiritual light. That’s where we come in.

2 Corinthians 4:6 [NKJV] “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Note that God first shines light into us through Jesus. Then He asks us to shine light into the world. But we don’t have light of our own.

When He walked this earth, Jesus was God’s lamp of light. [John 5:35] Now that He is back up in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, that spiritual light that God commands is the light of the gospel of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:4 [NKJV] “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” [Emphasis mine]

And we are the vessels of that light – the lamps – to hold and use and expose the world to that light. Matthew 5:14-16 [NKJV] 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I enjoy watching sunrise, especially over the ocean or gulf, because then you see the brilliant light of day pushing back the dark of night and it is intensified by the reflection of that light on the water.

Again, when it comes to the light of God, we are not the light, but, like the water, we reflect the light out into the world. This is our work: reflecting light into darkness, until the Light returns to dwell with men.

Revelation 22:5 [NIV] “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”

Until then, we are His tools for spiritual light. Where do gaps come in? Well, this world is covered in clouds and darkness because the god of this world is all about skulking around in the dark. His works are done in darkness and his children are the lovers of darkness.

We don’t condemn the children of darkness, because we were there too before the light of the gospel was shed on us.

Ephesians 5:8 [KJV] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1 Thessalonians 5:5 [KJV] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Instead, we to work to bring light to them. We are to create a gap in the darkness through our works of light, such as preaching the gospel, loving others [1 John 2:9], and helping the needy. [See Matthew 25:31-46] I think that helping the needy is the best way to shine light into this dark world. We can listen to and comfort the hurting. We can provide food to the hungry. We can pray for healing for the sick. We can tell any and everyone who will listen about the love of God. Read the Gospel accounts of the works of Jesus to see how often He healed, fed and comforted as part of His ministry.

God sent Jesus to be the light. He created a huge gap in that dark world. But now He is back in heaven and it is our job to do the works that create a gap in the darkness for the light of God to shine through.

Sweet sisters, let us always remember to stand in the gap for this world – not calling down God’s wrath upon it, but seeking His mercy on behalf of this suffering world. Let us be sure there is never a gap between who we say we are or what we say be believe or who say God is, and how we speak and act. And, finally, let us do the work of opening up a gap in the world’s gloom, pain, misery and darkness by living as the reflected light of our Father – the light that brings joy and happiness for our fellow earth dwellers.

Let’s always mind the gap.

I welcome your comments and questions. I’d like to hear if you can think of any other analogies for minding the gap. You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org.

Mind the Gap, Part 1

If you have ever ridden a subway train in any country, you’ve seen the signs and heard the announcements to “mind the gap” when entering and exiting the train. These warnings refer to the gap between the platform and the train, which is a trip hazard and has the potential catch a heal or stroller wheel and get you stuck for a bit.

Christians have some gap-minding to do as well.

Ezekiel 22:29-30 [KJV] 29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

I believe that just as God sought someone to stand in the gap for the people of Israel during Ezekiel’s time, Christians are called to be the people who stand in the gap for the world today.

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up a hedge, and stand in the gap before Me…”

No gap-minder showed up for Israel, so God unleashed His indignation on them (verse 31).

What about we Christians today? Are we, as the people of God, standing the gap for a world filled with oppression and robbery – world that continually vexes (annoys, frustrates) the poorest and neediest among us? Or are we failing this world that needs us so desperately to advocate for mercy, even though it is worthy of the unleashing of God’s indignation upon it?

What does it look like to stand in the gap for this world?

It looks like pouring out love for them in prayers for mercy, peace and safety, rather than seeking the time of wrath and tribulation to punish them.

Far too many Christians today would be happy to see the fulfillment of Ezekiel 22:31 [NKJV] "Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD.”

Far too many, rather than having compassion on a world largely lost to sin, would seek to forbid sinners (at least certain types of sinners) from attending church or even refuse to bake them cakes or serve them in other ways.

Sisters, we are not called to judge this world. Luke 6:37 [NKJV] "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

We are called to show mercy. Matthew 5:7 [NKJV] “Blessed [are] the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”

The world needs a champion to stand in the gap that sin has created. This world needs an advocate, until the day it is willing to accept the Champion and Advocate of us all – Jesus – as Savior and King.

Ezekiel indicates that had someone been found to stand in the gap, Israel would have been spared.

Sweet sisters, will you be a gap-minder for this world? Will you be a prayer warrior for mercy? Will you plead for mercy, love, peace and patience to be poured out from the Father? Or will you leave this world to “fire of God’s wrath” and destruction?

I’ll continue the theme of standing in the gap in my next blog. Until then, I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org.

Becoming more childlike

When we think of becoming childlike, we often think of Matthew 18:1-4 [ESV] Where Jesus calls a child to Him and says, (verse 4) Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

We think of being childlike, we think of being as humble as a child and that is certainly important. There is so much that we can learn from children. Childlike humility is not the only thing.

In Luke 18:16-17 [NIV] we find another childlike trait we can emulate. In verse 17, Jesus says, Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

We are to receive the kingdom like a little child. How do little children receive things? Well, until they learn that some things are more valuable than others and that they should want the more valuable things, children receive all gifts with equal appreciation. Whether it is a $500 remote control jeep they can ride around the neighborhood in or a $2.00 bottle of bubble solution and a cheap wand.

By contrast, adults tend to want the best gifts, even when it comes to the spiritual ones. God does not rank gifts. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 12 He says they are all essential to the health of the spiritual body. But humans rank the gifts. The gift of prophesy is certainly given more weight in many church cultures than simple, steadfast faith.

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

However, after chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians wraps up with 31, which says, “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.”, chapter 13 specifically says that knowing prophesy doesn’t matter if love is not the motivator of it. Love is the more excellent way than any gift we might covet.

One more way to be like a child is to be joyful. Unless they are in dire circumstances, children are typically able to find joy in all activities. They eat with relish and joy. They find joy in coloring, swinging, running around, playing on the playground, jumping in puddles and in music – just to name a few. They don’t need fancy things to find joy.

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit [Galatians 5]. We were meant to have childlike joy. The word “joy” appears 165 times in the Bible.

So, we must be humble like a child, and we must receive all gifts with equal appreciation, just like children do and we should be joyful like children.

Recently, for our Friday night online program, Start Our Sabbath, I gave a presentation about being childlike and asked the viewers to offer additional qualities of children that we should immolate – additional ways we should be childlike.

Here are some things they came up with:

·       Children are curious. They ask questions and really want to know the answers.

·       Children are forgiving. They don’t hold grudges.

·       Innocence is a childlike trait.

The Bible counsels us to be every-learning (curious) [2 Timothy 2:5; 2 Peter 3:18], to forgive others readily and repeatedly [Luke 6:37; 17:4] and to be without guile (innocence) [1 Peter 2:1; Revelation 14:5].

Sweet sisters, we would do well to learn from and imitate these characteristics of children. Let’s strive to be more childlike.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can comment here or write me at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org