An Update on our Friend Mack

On By Jeff CrippenIn Blog News5 Comments
This update was written by Mack’s wife, Rite. Mack and Rite have been faithful members of our church for over 27 years and have stood firmly together with us through many trials. As most of you know, Mack was in the hospital for four months and there were times he was not expected to live. But all of you and many others were praying:
Tomorrow it will be 2 weeks since Mack had his J- tube (feeding tube) replaced by Dr Worth.
The appointment went well! Dr Worth was amazed at how good Mack looked! Dr Worth said the last CT scan his cyst was the size of a softball. This time it is the size of a golf ball! 😊 As the debris drains into his stomach and is removed from his body, it can cause nausea and vomiting. So that is the reason he has suffered from it. We are so thankful it is shrinking!
–  Mack had 2 stitches to hold the J- tube down. It was very painful around the area and slowed physical therapy. Now that the stitches have been removed he is feeling much better!
– Mack has been able to eat a tablespoon of yogurt or jello on some days! And drink a little juice 😊 without throwing up! So grateful😊❣️
-Physical therapy should resume at a faster pace now. No more pain!! He is getting stronger every day!
We praise God for all His answered prayers, and all His blessings through this time❤️
And, we are thankful for everyone who has helped us through these times – physically, emotionally, and through your coveted prayers❣️We are so grateful to each one-off you ❤️
Love, in Christ
Mack and Rite

Lessons from Laodicea

On By Jeff CrippenIn Churches/Church Response4 Comments

Compare these two churches –

1. Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-17, “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. (15) “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! (16) So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. (17) For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

2.  Smyrna:

Revelation 2:8-10, “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. (9) “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (10) Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Things are rarely as they seem to be.  By all outward appearances, the Laodicean church had God’s blessing upon it.   Just look at all of its finery.  They probably were well thought of in their community.  They didn’t upset anyone.  They stuck to a definite middle-of-the-road Christianity.  And Smyrna?  Well, those people had a problem.  They weren’t growing in size or finances.  They were hated not only by their community, but especially by the other “faith communities” in their town. They were radical and stirred up trouble.  They brought all of their troubles upon themselves.  Outward appearances, you see.

Continue reading “Lessons from Laodicea” →

What “Do Not Think Too Highly of Yourself” does NOT Mean

On By Jeff CrippenIn Biblical Teaching9 Comments

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:3-8)

Satan and his reps are very adept at twisting God’s Word. This Scripture has been a favorite target for such abuse. Victims of evil have been taught, told, commanded, instructed… that God wants them to continue being abused. This twisted evil insanity goes something like this:

  • You are selfish and you are conceited
  • You need to humble yourself
  • You need to focus on others, including your abuser, and consider them more important than yourself
  • You need to be like Jesus and even die if necessary

Reporting abuse, desiring to be free of abuse, and exposing the wicked is not selfish! It is not arrogance! Confronting evil is NOT self-serving. If it were, then Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets would be guilty of selfish arrogance. They all confronted evil. The Christian, Paul is saying here, is to love his brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to consider their needs more than selfishly and pridefully demanding first place for ourselves. In other words, when it comes to abuse cases, this Scripture is calling upon Christ’s people to stop being cowards, to quit focusing on the consequences for themselves if they stand with the victim against the abuser, and to consider the protection and deliverance of the victim as first priority. All of this, of course, assumes that it is a godly and right goal to bring justice to bear upon the wicked and deliverance for the oppressed.

Abuse victims are not guilty of selfish arrogance when they call out for deliverance. If they are, then the fact is that the following Scripture is an example of that selfish arrogance:

Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love. Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin! May his days be few; may another take his office! (Psalm 109:1-8)

So look out for this trap. Don’t let anyone twist Philippians 2 and convince you that seeking deliverance from and justice against your oppressor is to be guilty of selfish arrogance. It is quite the opposite.