Real Faith: How It Works

Last December, a man that I'd been counseling introduced me to a former colleague of his.  He said he "knew that the two of us would like each other."  So I met this gentleman for lunch and we did indeed find much in common.  It was quite a pleasure to meet him, and I left the lunch thinking that this is someone I'd like to stay networked with from now on.

A few days after my blind date, a package arrived in the mail from my new friend.  It was a brand new book, with a note that said he felt led to send it to me.  I have to admit that I found that rather odd.  I mean, why would someone I just met go out and buy a book, much less go to the trouble of mailing it to me?  It didn't make sense.  At any rate, I put the book on the nightstand by my bed, in the pile of other things I want to read when I have time.

A few months later, I finally got to read this particular book.  It was mostly a story of George Muller's ministry and his faith.  Overall the book was a good read.  But one aspect of it was truly riveting for me.  It was the fact that throughout his entire life, George Muller never did any fund raising for his ministries or the multiple orphanages he'd set up and ran.  Mind you, Muller was a man with a big vision for ministry, a big heart, and expensive ministries to run.  So the fact that prayer was his only method for fund raising seemed quite remarkable indeed.

I can honestly say that I hadn't known George Muller's story ... at least not that particular aspect of it it.  And as I completed reading, it turned out to be the most helpful book I've ever read in terms of casting vision for my personal faith.  Let me explain about that.

This year (2012) has been our worst financial year ever.  My wife and I have large commitments to ministry, and whatever could go wrong financially did.  It seems like we've taken one (financial) blow after another --- with money just gushing from our home.  So it was rather timely that I'd read a book which shifted my paradigm with regard to funding ministry commitments.

God showed me, through the book on George Muller, that I've mostly leaned on myself for our needs.  It would be fair to say that I've treated prayer more like insurance in case my own efforts might fail. That would be - in case you're not clear - sin.  Seriously.  It smacks of pride, and lack of faith in God's provision and timing.  At the very least.

Through reading this one little book, I've got a new perspective.  It's one that I very much needed to acquire.  I'm busy now repenting of my sin, and trying to quiet the noise of my financially demanding life ... so that I can focus on God and His provision ... which has always been perfect. 

As I look back now, I see that perhaps the blind date lunch with the stranger in December was not so ironic after all.  Instead, it was pretty providential --- with the apparent anointing from God.  The Lord knew that we were fixing to walk through the stormiest financial period of our lives.  And He knew that if I tried to go through that on my own power, I'd fail and become very overwhelmed.  So in his perfect provision, God used this stranger to bring me the story that would help me find amazing peace in the midst of the (financial) storms.

The Lord's Prayer says, "Give us this day our daily bread ..."  I've come to understand that this is precisely what I can expect from God.

End of Capitalism?

What do you do when a crazed lunatic says something that you actually find merit in? Do you take him off your list of crazed lunatics? Can we pick and choose amongst what rogue leaders of the universe do and say --- condemning most but salvaging some pearls of wisdom?

I'm talking about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the saber-rattling president of Iran. You know, he took the place of Saddam Hussein - whom the U.S. govt. toppled and had executed by his own people - as the Middle East's thorn in the side of the west.

In the last couple of years at least, he has emerged as the latest Middle East threat to free world leaders who worry about Iran's nuclear capabilities. Of course, Ahmadinejad insists his country is merely using nuclear capacity for peaceful (energy) purposes. But many world leaders wonder if they can trust him. But I digress. Let me get back to the point.

Mr. Ahmadenejad was in New York this week for meetings at the United Nations. In one of his speeches, he declared that "the discriminatory order of capitalism and the hegemonic approaches are facing defeat and are getting close to their end." Huh?

The global media reacted to his speech in such a way that one might conclude they've missed at least this aspect of his point. One international news source simply slipped this quote into a story that seemed to be more about the political and economic troubles of his country, Iran. (http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/65146/20100923/iran-sanctions-economy-gdp-inflation.htm) Perhaps in their zeal to continue painting him as a lunatic, they overlooked the fact that some of what he said may actually have merit.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a capitalist, Republican through and through. I realize that in the past couple hundred years, capitalism has accomplished so very much. But like all things meant for good, I see that capitalism's virtue can be perverted and have very negative consequences. There's no doubt in my mind that we are clearly on the path of that trajectory now.

While we can certainly extol the accomplishments of capitalism over the past few generations, anyone would be hard pressed to extol its virtues. The issue at hand is what capitalism costs us. Yes, you read that right. I think capitalism extracts a very high cost from society. I can point to at least three areas where capitalism is proving to be a very expensive proposition for society in general.

Overall Compensation

For starters, capitalism has a very polarizing impact on the financial demographics of society. Simply put, it's a transfer of wealth from the middle class to the rich. As a result, the rich get richer, and more get to be poor. Consider CEO compensation. In 1965, CEO pay was 26 times that of the average worker (in the same company). In 1980, it has climbed to 40 times. By 1989, CEO pay was 72 times that of the average worker. By 1999 it had mushroomed to 310 times. By 2004, CEO pay had absolutely exploded to more than 500 times what the average worker in the same company made! (Source: Towers Perrin)

Really? Is it possible that CEO's in a capitalistic society are worth more than 500 times what anyone else is worth? Did anyone else get raises like that? Put in real money terms, the median pay for an American CEO was almost $2.5 million in 1989. But 2000, the median pay for an American CEO was over $10.7 million. So in 11 years, corporate boards raised the annual salary of their CEO by more than 342%. How many of us have received, on average, an annual raise of over 31% year after year?

Now I don't begrudge anyone their wealth. What I have to take issue with though is wealth at the expense of others. Similar statistics on the average worker bee during the same periods of time are more than disappointing. They're downright frightening. More people are living on less. Standards of living are dropping. More and more people are unemployed or underemployed. And capitalism marches on. How long can we continue to pay the rich more and the middle or lower class less?

Debt

Both public and private debt are spiraling higher and higher and have been for years. It has been more than 40 years, for instance, since the U.S. federal government had any reduction in its debt. The national debt continues to climb at an increasing pace. Already today, the U.S. government debt is more than any other debt in the history of the world. Not only are we not making even the smallest dent in retiring that debt, but we're having an increasingly difficult time paying the interest on it. And we're having to borrow more and more.

It is estimated that at least one third of Americans have filed for bankruptcy at least once in their lifetime. And some of capitalism's biggest companies have filed for bankruptcy as well. Some more than once! And what happens, for example, when a corporation files bankruptcy? Today's newspaper features a business story on the fact that Blockbuster Videos is filing for bankruptcy, "slashing nearly $1 billion in debt." How exactly does it get slashed? Well, honest working people like you and me take it in the shorts! Seriously, our pension funds, mutual funds, and other investments lose big time. Blockbuster stores are closed and staff laid off. The CEO of Blockbuster? He gets a raise and bonus!

There's another insidious issue with corporate bankruptcies. In addition to sticking the middle class with the bad debts of these companies, the U.S. federal government often gets screwed in the process. I'm talking about unfunded pension liabilities. In corporate bankruptcies, the company walks on its obligations to its pension plan. The U.S. federal government, which insures those plans, is stuck paying the tab. (And the CEO of the company gets, on average, a raise of at least 32% that year.) Are you liking this yet?

Lay Offs

Now I'll be the first to admit that capitalism creates jobs. At least in its early stages of a new era. When the U.S. moved from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy, millions of jobs were created. When the U.S. moved from an industrial economy to an information economy, again jobs were created. While we mourned the loss of manufacturing jobs, those workers were re-skilled (trained) and probably ended up with better jobs than they had before.

However, when the U.S. started moving from an information (IT) economy to a services economy, it was like fingernails on a chalk board. Good paying IT jobs were lost. Replacing them? Low paying, often part-time jobs in big box stores. For the first time in several generations, the evolution of capitalism resulted in a massive loss of earning power.

Add to this dilemma the fact that capitalism's CEOs have become enamored with offshoring. They send their jobs overseas to third world countries where workers can be skilled enough to do the job, but will do it for a fraction of what the American worker was getting paid. And when the CEO moves these jobs offshore, two things happen.

First, his company's profitability improves (at least in the short term) - so the CEO gets a raise and/or bonus. Secondly, the laid off workers become a burden to society. They start collecting unemployment and welfare. They can't pay their bills. Capable, educated and skilled people are now no longer able to even support themselves. All in the name of capitalism.

So here's the thing. I'll be the first to recognize that Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad comes off looking like some sort of a buffoon most of the time. His ranting and raving are obviously tilted to his own warped agenda and myopic perspective. But when he says that capitalism has already seen its finest hour, I'm not so quick to dismiss him.

I am not an enemy of capitalism. I don't want to see capitalism defeated either. But I would be less than sincere if I didn't admit that I see capitalism, coupled with democracy, racing toward what seems like it will be a tragic end. Said differently, I don't know how this duo of capitalism and democracy can survive in their present state. They tend to live outside of reality, and the people who have to live inside of reality become their victims.

So maybe in the spirit of diversity we should at least consider reforming this bad boy that we call Capitalism. And while we're at it, could we teach his sister, Democracy, some manners?

Fear of Evil?

He shouted at the top of his voice, "what do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" for Jesus had said to him, "come out of this man, you evil spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." - Mark 5:7-9

What frightens you? What frightens me? We live in a fear-based culture. We're afraid to do this or afraid not to do that. Fear is a powerful motivator. But have you ever considered what the devil is afraid of? What frightens Satan and his demons? Jesus. This short story in Mark clearly shows us that hells demons actually panic in the presence of Jesus.

The first words Jesus spoke was a command, "Come out." The demons knew that they have to obey His authority. Their fear was that torture awaits them when they obey.

Many of us write off demonic activity as a crazy notion. Maybe it's too charismatic. To some it's thought of as a ridiculous explanation for what is probably mental illness of some sort. The Great Physician knew the difference though.

You see, the problem with the man in our story here was not in his mind. But rather evil spirits from the outside had gotten inside of him. A physician must make an accurate diagnosis if there is to be a remedy. Jesus knew exactly the problem.

This man had knowledge of Jesus' identity. Thus far, in Jesus ministry, no one except demons knew who He really was. A mentally disturbed person certainly couldn't have discerned that either. But think about the fact that the demons knew Jesus - before you and I did!

Jesus does not negotiate with evil or tell the spirits to settle down and let the man live a normal life. It's the same way in the later instruction from James: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). We don't negotiate with the devil - or listen to his lie that we cannot take authority over him.

Jesus doesn't get into a discussion with the evil spirits. He doesn't ask for details about where they come from, how they got into the man or what other special knowledge they may have. Jesus' focus is on the practical and not the mystical. There is only one thing that needs to be known, and that is that Jesus has power over evil. Period.

The demons in our story had totally destroyed the quality of life for this man. That's the devil's business. He comes like a thief to steal, kill and destroy. Just Jesus has come that we might have life. Jesus has come that our lives might be full and rich and satisfying. (John 10:10)

Another thing to notice about our story is the reluctance of the demons to go outside their comfort zone. It's in direct contrast to Mark's Gospel when Jesus tells His disciples to "go into all the world." Part of that worldwide mission - for you and for me - involves driving out demons. (Mark 16:15-18)

The contrast is striking. Demons stay in localized areas while Christ's disciples travel the world with the gospel. True followers of Jesus are willing to go outside their comfort zones to share with the others the good news about Jesus. Why is that? Because they know who they are. They know that Jesus lives inside of them. And they are not afraid.

Psalm 23 says, "Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - I will fear no evil." (I'm paraphrasing here.) This is where it ends, folks. Even before the birth of Jesus Christ, there was God's plan for how we are to interact with the devil and his demons. They are certainly not to be ignored. But equally they are not to be feared in any sense.

Let's be practical. The power of Jesus Christ means you and I have authority over the devil. And we are not afraid.

23rd Psalm

Have you ever read the 23rd Psalm? You know, it's the one they always print on the flyer handed out at funerals. Let's take a look.

Psalm 23 says, "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

You know, in these turbulent times, it would be wise for us to consider this Psalm of King David. For you see, it was not written for the dead, but for the living. Let's dissect this Scripture and see what it has in store for us right now.

The Lord is my shepherd ...
He is watching out for me. He cares for me. I follow Him. He keeps me safe.

I shall not be in want ...
He has promised to provide for all of my true needs, and I know that He will.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.
God has good plans for me. They include rest and peace. In fact, His perfect will for me is that my life not be ruled by the tyranny of the urgent. Rather He asks me to rest in pleasant places. His path for me is one through peace and not tribulation. And when I am buffeted by life's storms, He restores my soul and renews me. He is my strength.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
God calls me away from the evil ways of the world. He calls me to do godly things and to righteous living. And as I become more righteous ... He is glorified.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ...
The valley of the shadow of death. Yes, that is where I live. It is where I work. It is where I shop. It is where my kids go to school. Bad things happen there. People get hurt. It's where IBM lays off 5,000 people and moves their jobs to India - while making a stellar profit. It's where GM goes bankrupt and the stock market tanks our retirement funds. It's where kids tease my child mercilessly at school, and drunk drivers threaten our innocent lives with their carelessness. It's where drug lords traffic substances that enslave and ruin lives. Yes, this valley of the shadow of death - it is one busy place. But nothing good ever happens there.

I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Despite my days in this shadowy valley, stalked by evil on every side and at every turn - I have nothing to fear. The evil cannot harm me, even though it is menacing and intimidating. I can take comfort in the fact that God is with me, and in the knowledge that Christ has already defeated the evil in this valley. God's ways of guiding and correcting me lead me through the valley of the shadow of death successfully. I will be comfortable on the other side. I will look back and see that it was silly to have been worried or frightened. I will be comforted. So I will fear no evil. I will fear no layoffs. I will fear no foreclosures. I will fear no housing slumps. I will fear no tax increases. I will fear no wars. I will fear no loss of retirement savings. I will fear no stock losses. I will not fear old age, poor health or the lack of decent health insurance. For Thou art with me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Jesus has gone on ahead, leaving the Holy Spirit to guide, correct and comfort me. Why did Jesus go on ahead of me? To prepare a place in the heavens for me. It is a table of feast, and not famine. It is a table of victory and not defeat. My enemies will walk with me right up to the table - but they will never be seated at that table with me. It is my Father's table. There is no place there for my enemies - even if they think there is. No, the place at that table is reserved just for me.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
God has chosen me specifically to be His own. I am ordained, anointed, sacred and holy. He makes it so. The oil is His special blessing, reserved for His people. It calls me out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. My cup is full of blessings. My life is more blessed than I ever imagined. Certainly I am more blessed than I can comprehend, and more blessed than I really ever could deserve. I am rich.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
God has told us that God knew me even before I was formed in the womb. Even then, He already had a plan for my life. It was a plan for good, and not bad. It was a plan for joy and not sorrow. No, God has chosen me to be His, to be His special blessing. His goodness and His mercy stalk me more relentlessly than the merciless evil that stalks me. They are what overtakes me each day. And my plans are to live with God forever. They are His plans as well.

So you see, it seems rather odd that we find Psalm 23 at funerals. It seems a more appropriate verse for births and baptisms, as it is the psalm for the living. As you walk through your own "valley of the shadow of death" (and we all have them), be mindful of Psalm 23. These intimidating circumstances have a bark that is far worse than their bite. No matter what happens you will be fine if you belong to the Lord. It is His promise. And His promises are true no matter what the state of the economy is or what the politicians and news are wringing their hands over.