Jesus said “…Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). 

Pastoral care can be tricky. Without it, people “die off,” unable to survive the struggles of life. But too much of it, and you create an unhealthy dependence that can be detrimental to their spiritual health. 

People may end up with a sense of entitlement where they begin to expect the constant attention they’ve been given by you. Once you arrive there, there’s no departure. You’ve got to continue giving that attention due to the high level of expectation.

Another side of this might be a feeling of being “smothered.” With too much care, people move into a state of being controlled by others. This creates a sense of resentment. 

During the initial, “infant” stages of a person’s spiritual life, a higher level of care is critical. But they must be weaned from that at an appropriate time. Then the aim is to turn them to the Lord and teach them to depend on him as their source for all their needs. That is healthy and sustainable since God is always dependable. 

But we as humans will always vacillate. Our perspectives will continue to change. Our self interests will get in the way of our relationships. Such factors will create conflict and confusion. 

Jesus said we are not to call people “father” for we all have one Father in heaven. He is the Father of all. When we try to find a replacement for our Father in heaven, there will always be misalignment. 

Of course we should love people and care for them. But our focus should be to constantly turn their focus to the heavenly Father. He is the one who sustains them. Through the Holy Spirit, the presence of the heavenly Father will always be with them. He will be their constant, ever present, all powerful helper in times of need. 

No, I’m not your father nor mother. But you do have a Father in heaven. 

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Or is it?

I received more than one phone call asking about the end times, and several posts on social media as well. Difficult times bring up that important question about the end.
There are numerous signs of the end mentioned in the Scriptures. In the books of Zachariah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation, lots of imagery is used to depict events in history and the coming ages such as the trumpets, bowls, horsemen, seals, and more.
The disciples went to Jesus and asked him for the “inside scoop” regarding the end times, hoping to get it from the Man himself. The first words out of Jesus’ mouth was “See that no one leads you astray” (Matthew 24:4). He explained terrible things that were to come. He said that these are all signs of his return and of the end. Then he made an important statement “see that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6).
Signs of the end are numerous and repetitive. Through past centuries, we have witnessed many of them. Each one was terrible, gruesome, and terrifying. They all point to an ultimate reality that the life we live in this world is not our ultimate aim. The signs remind us that this world will not last forever and will come to an end one day.
Finally, Jesus comes to the answer that the disciples were eagerly waiting to hear: “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). So he advised them “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).
Here are some common questions about the end and my suggested answer.

1. What about all the calamities that we have seen throughout the past centuries? They are all signs of the return of Jesus.
2. What about our present crisis? This is also a sign of the return of Jesus.
3. So is this the final sign, and will Jesus return now? We don’t know.
   
4. But someone told me this is the end. Is it? Jesus said “see that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6).
5. Will there be more signs in the future? Such signs will continue till the end.
6. How can we know for sure if this is the end or not? We can’t. Only God knows.
7. So what should we do? Always be ready (Matthew 24:44).
8. How can I get ready? “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31).

The Bible is clear that putting your faith in Jesus is the only way to be ready, to be saved, to have eternal life.

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But this gift often comes in the form of pain and suffering. At that point, it feels more like a terrible nightmare – except you don’t wake up to a normal day afterwards. The pain and agony seems to continue with no end in sight. 

Then God shows up. Oh, you’d expect him to clean up all the mess and wipe out all the pain. But he doesn’t. In the midst of the pain, he shows up and walks with you. 

Jesus told Peter that he would face severe trials aimed at him by Satan, he was to strengthen the brothers after he had turned again (Luke 22:31). The trials were to be a turning point for him. He would use his experiences to strengthen others. 

Paul passes on this concept to the Corinthian church when he said: Blessed be the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

While we are experiencing the difficulty, it may not seem like a time of “mercy.” Rather, it’s full of pain, agony, affliction and a host of other struggles. But God gives us strength. His mercies are new every morning like the dew.

That mercy is what we get to pass onto others. When we see people in pain, show mercy and pray for their healing. When we see people struggling with addictions, show mercy by being patient with them. When we see people in sin, show mercy by being forgiving, and invite them into the kingdom of our Lord.  

God gave you the gift of mercy so you can share it with others. 

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At least on the surface it will seem baseless. When everything around you crumbles, when opposition is more severe than you’ve ever imagined, when death is at your door…what confidence?

“Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident” (Psalm 27:3).

This entire Psalm is structured with this conflict and confidence theme. Each instance of conflict is pivoted with confidence in the Lord. The severity of the conflict is not minimized, nor is the power of the Lord limited to bring you through that conflict. 

As in any battle situation, there will be losses and certainly some injury. Acknowledge it as a part of the battle. But keep your focus on our victorious Lord who brings us through each battle. The war has already been won. You’re fighting the small battles to clear off some of the residue. Continue to push through every battle and difficulty with the strength of the Lord.

That’s confidence, knowing that the war has already been won.

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I’ve had sincere, well meaning people tell me: “Pastor, we need to respond and discipline people when they fall out of line. Jesus did. He used a whip. We should not be too relaxed.”

Well of course! We should do as Jesus did. But Jesus used a literal whip and a proverbial whip for the self-righteous and for those who used the temple as a means to make money. He was quite forceful with them. 

But with sinners and those who were needy, he was merciful and kind. He never condemned sinners but was quick to forgive, love, and accept. 

Yet at the same time, he was quite focused on who can be his disciples. He said that if they wanted to be his disciples, they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him. His “call” was also inclusive of proclaiming the kingdom. He said to one man as he called him to follow: “Leave the dead to buy their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 

Now about us using the whip. I’m not so sure if we are qualified to do so. You see, our interpretation of who is self-righteous and who is using the temple to make money can be skewed. Our own self interests and misconceptions coupled with our lack of understanding can get in the way of seeing others clearly. I think it’s best to leave the whip to God and continue to show mercy wherever we can. 

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It’s so true that you become like those you spend the most time with. Imagine spending an increasing amount of time with the Lord! Consider what that will do for you in every aspect of your life. 

But I’ve heard it said that some people are so heavenly minded that they become useless here on earth. Whatever that means, I want to be more and more like our Lord. That’s what he wants of us too. 

“O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory wells (Psalm 26:8).

When we spend more time in God’s presence, he transforms our hearts and minds. We get his vision for the world and for ourselves. First we see ourselves as we truly are. We’re made aware of our sin and  our brokenness. As we’re truly open with God and confess our sins, he takes us to the next phase. Second, we see the world as God sees it. Along with seeing the sinfulness and brokenness, we will see the world with his eyes of mercy, not judgement. 

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Sounds to me like a rash insensitive statement. “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49) These words were spoken in response to Mary’s words of frustration. “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress” (Luke 2:48). Yet we know that he went back with them to Nazareth and was submissive to them. 

But it was clear that his heavenly Father must have priority. Not that his parents here on earth didn’t count. But there was this one thing that drove him on further than anything else in life. That One Thing meant everything to him and that one thing drove him on. 

What’s your One Thing? What will you prioritize above everything else? That one thing needs to be your driving force. For Jesus it was the will of his Father. Now, you have an important choice to make. 

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But isn’t integrity something deep within that can’t be compromised in the first place? Yet if the circumstances are right (or wrong), we make excuses for compromising our integrity. Some see it as a “payback” for what others have done to them.

When dealing with an organization, we are anonymous and it becomes a bit easier to compromise our integrity. We somehow find it safe behind that anonymity. There may be a host of other reasons we have for compromising integrity.

The psalmist David said: “My integrity and uprightness preserves me, for I wait for you” (Psalm 25:21).

David found his answer in waiting. He waited for God. He waited for God’s response. Although he did not know what the future held, he knew that God could be trusted. He waited for God’s deliverance.

And time and time again, God proved himself faithful. David could stay uncompromised with his integrity. He knew that God would come through.
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What will it take to give up food? What will cause you to give up your home? Your family? Even your life? It would have to be something really significant.

Jesus considered the kingdom of God as most significant for our lives. And we’re not required to give up food or proper clothing. All those things are part of our lives. 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

I think the bigger question is, ‘What will it take to stay focused on the one thing that’s most important?” We can easily get distracted with the common things of life like food and clothing. Jesus promises that since our Father knows what we need, we can stay focused on that one thing that’s most important to us. 

Don’t get distracted by anything at all. Stay focused on the one thing that’s most significant. Jesus defines that one thing as the Kingdom of God. 

What’s your one thing?

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“What’s the big deal? I have the freedom to do what I want. The words I speak and the things I do are of my own choice. As long as I don’t do any serious damage or crimes, I’m safe. I have nothing to worry about.”

There is no doubt that it is your choice to do what you do and to speak what you speak But the problem is that your soul is involved in every action and thought. 

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear decietfully” (Psalm 24:3-4).

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for “soul” indicated a person’s entire being. So what you do in your body or mind affects your entire being, your soul. Whatever good you do, or sins you commit affects your soul, your entire being.  

Of course you have the freedom to do whatever you wish (sort of). But now your freedom implies a choice. It is not just a choice between good or bad. Rather, it is a choice of what you will allow to impact your soul, your entire being. Like David, the question is, What do you want to “lift up your soul” to?

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