Here in California we are coming off of four years of severe drought. This year, however, we have had incredible rainfall. All locations, except for a few desert areas, are already  more than 100% of their annual averages. Most are 150% or better, and there are some that are over 200% and even 300%. To the layman or the uninformed, it would appear that the drought was over. How can we still be suffering from a drought when we are under water–- literally?

However, as every Californian knows, drought conditions have very little to do with rainfall totals and everything to do with the snowpack, for even though the rain provides immediate relief and some of that water can be stored for future use, for the long haul the state needs plenty of snow in the mountains to see it through the year.

But a snowpack is not just snow; it is accumulated and compacted snow at high altitudes and is accompanied by cold weather so that it melts slowly, thereby providing water over the course of the year.

God wants his followers to have a snowpack as well. Yes, it is very good that we attend church and listen to speakers and read books and articles and let those words wash over us and encourage, comfort, and inspire us. But those instances are temporal. Lasting value comes from personally knowing God’s Word so that during life’s deserts and dry spells, His words can refresh and restore us.

There are many, many verses in the Bible that speak to the value of knowing God’s Word. Below are just a few.

Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Deuteronomy 11:18: “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”

King David said in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

And then again in Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

I hope we in America will never have to live without our Bibles, but just having a Bible isn’t the same as knowing what’s in it. In order for the Holy Spirit to minister to us or encourage us by reminding us of God’s  promises during times of decision or difficulty, we must have something within us for the Spirit to work with. Water cannot be drawn from an empty stream, and a stream can only be filled by melting snow.

So just as a healthy mountain snowpack takes an entire winter to create, so does a healthy spiritual one. We should read the Bible often. Just repetition will bring verses to mind, but we should also work to memorize scripture as often as we can. For God promises in Isaiah: 55:11: that His Word “will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

“. . . But perfect love casts out fear . . .” I John 4:18

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, a day when people were either celebrating love, yearning for love, or hurting from love.

Like most of us, I have experienced all three of these emotions, which is why when I read the above portion of I John 4:18 in the past, I always interpreted it from the perspective of a human relationship. In other words, I figured that once I had found that “perfect love,” I would be safe, secure, and happy. I would no longer have to experience or be fearful of rejection, insecurity, dysfunction, hurtfulness, or . . . (you add your own specific adjective). But as most of us will attest, even in the most loving of human relationships, we can experience disappointment and pain.

It wasn’t until I went through a very difficult time that I realized that the perfect love being referenced wasn’t human at all, but it was God’s love for us. For God’s perfect love provided a way to avoid His judgment (John 3:16-17). Perfect love made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have the ultimate gift: eternal life (I Cor. 15:54-55). And once we understand the depth and extent of God’s love, we will realize we do not need to live in fear. We do not need to fear what others might do or say about us (Psalm 118:6) nor do we need to fear our circumstances (Phil. 4:12-13)

We should remember what the apostle Paul said in Romans about the infinite depth and breadth of God's love: 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). 

Now that should make for a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

This past weekend saw the battle of yet another Super Bowl,  number 51 to be exact. With all the hype, one would think that all of America would have been watching, but that, of course, is never the case because people fall into four distinct Super Bowl categories.

Category #1: The Ardent Fans: These are the individuals who will pay the exorbitant prices to go to the game and watch it in person, or will host Super Bowl parties and sponsor Super Bowl pools. Some are fans of a certain team while others are just fans of football and the Super Bowl in general. These are your “all in” people.

Category #2: The Fair Weather Fans: These individuals will watch the game if there is nothing better to do, and perhaps might pick a side to support, which is usually the team they dislike the least.

Category #3: The Peripheral Fans: This group doesn’t care about the actual game but finds enjoyment out of watching the the commercials or the half time show.

Category #4: The “I Couldn't Care Less” Group: These people don’t engage on any level. None of the events matter.

Whether we realize it or not, every one of us is part of a Super Bowl–one of grand proportions– a spiritual battle between the forces of God and the legions of Satan. And we fight this battle in three very distinct venues:

In the heavens:  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

On earth:  “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” Matthew 24:9

And within us:  “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15

Just like the football Super Bowl, people fall into the same categories in this spiritual battle:

Those who are actively engaged on one side or the other and have a vested interest.
Those who take an interest when there is nothing better to do or because they dislike one side less than other.
Those who just like to pop in and enjoy the entertainment provided by those fighting it out.
 And finally, those who couldn’t care less.

However, in this battle there is much more at stake than a ring, trophy, and bragging rights. There are eternal ramifications for this cosmic competition and there are two very important differences from its football counterpart.

First of all, whether engaged or not, whether by choice or default, everyone is on a side. Not caring or paying attention does not give a person a free pass. To be on God’s side takes a choice. All other options land you on the opponent’s, Satan’s, side.

John 14:6  "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Romans 10:13 "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Second, this is the only contest (well, without fraud) where the winner has already been determined.

John 12:31  "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”

Matthew 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;”

Romans 16:20 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

And even in our day to day life we are winners because Satan’s power is restricted, for I John 4:4 says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

No, there can be no benchwarmers, spectators, or disinterested in this Spiritual Super Bowl, so choose the side which has already won and live victoriously.

I have been amazed at the protests in the aftermath of this presidential election. Not because there have been protests. There have always been protests after an election by the faction that felt they will not be served. No, what has surprised me has been the anger, the hatred, and the vulgarity that has accompanied these protests.

However, the more I think about it, the more I am beginning to understand it, because if a person believes that his or her hope for the future rests in the hands of one individual, and that person does not win, then I can understand the fear and desperation that would follow.

I have to confess that, unlike many out there who seem to know, I can’t predict how this presidency will play out. But as a Christian, I have to remind myself of a few things.

Reminder #1: No ruler gets into power without God’s okay.

    Psalm 22:28: For the kingdom is the Lord’s, And He rules over the nations.

    Daniel 2:21: He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.

Reminder #2: As a human with a finite mind, I will probably not be able to understand why God allows certain rulers to be in power.

    Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

Reminder #3: God has used evil and benevolent, pagan and righteous rulers to further His will.

    Proverbs 16:4: “The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

    Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called   according to His purpose.

This is not to say wicked leaders are good or to be condoned, but that God can bring good out of even the most evil of situations. God used Nebuchadnezzar to judge a disobedient people but used the kindness of Cyrus to bless them. Pharaoh’s hardened heart eventually led to the Israelites being able to leave Egypt and make it to the promised land. I wish I had the omniscience to see the good that might have resulted from all the various leaders, but I don’t. I do, however, know that the ultimate good that came out of evil was Christ’s death and resurrection at the hands of Jewish and Roman leaders.

Reminder #4: We are to honor and respect those in office. (It does not say agree.)

    Romans 13:1-2:  "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”

    Titus 3: 1-3:  “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”

    I Peter 2: 17-18: “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”

Reminder #5: We are commanded to stand up if the government violates Scripture. (The Bible doesn’t say to work off of our own ethical code or version of right or wrong but God’s. As we can readily see, humans do not agree and can sometimes be self-serving.)

     Acts 5:29: "We must obey God rather than men."

     2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Reminder #6 and the one that is most valuable: We are commanded to pray for our leaders.

     I Timothy 2:1-2: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

I would urge each of us, regardless of our political affiliation, to pray for President Trump, his cabinet, the Congress and the Supreme Court. I am betting that prayer will have more power than placards.

The late Corrie Ten Boom encourages us to “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Finally, we are all heading toward the ultimate judgment day. In the end it won’t matter whether President Trump lines up with our personal values. What will matter is whether he aligns with God’s. For he and every other leader, as well as every one of us, will eventually have to answer to God.

James 4:12: “God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy.”