Conspiracy Theories, what does the bible have to say about it?

Who killed JFK? What is the Illuminati? Was there equipment on the space shuttle that caused earthquakes? If God reveals the answer to any of these speculations, we should be thankful He has brought light to our mysteries. If not, we should leave well enough alone—especially if dwelling on those mysteries brings fear.

On one level, conspiracy theories are entertaining. Trying to connect the dots through disparate historical events brings a sense of order to chaos. Speculating about mysteries incites a titillating anxiety of the future that relieves boredom and distracts from more pressing dilemmas.

Speaking up and uncovering the truth is certainly biblical. The prophet Nathan uncovered David’s conspiracy to cover up his sin of murder (2 Samuel 12). Paul’s nephew uncovered a plot to assassinate Paul, and his knowledge foiled the attempt (Acts 23). Wickedness likes to hide.John 3:20says, “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” We should always seek the truth. “Love truth and peace” (Zechariah 8:19).

Two warnings concerning conspiracy theories: first, we should never get ahead of what God wishes to reveal to us.Godreveals the truth in mystery (Daniel 2:30;Genesis 40:8). He will tell us what we need to know in His time, and there are things we do not need to know (Mark 13:32;Revelation 10:4). We should not indulge in useless speculation that takes time and effort away from our work for Christ (1 Timothy 1:4).

Second, we should not fear. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Many conspiracy theories feed fear and prey on ignorance and gullibility. God has called us to something better.

One problem with conspiracy theories is that they place too much emphasis on worldly matters. It’s good for political intrigue to come to light, but that is not a necessary condition for the Christian life (2 Timothy 3:12). It is right for corruption to be brought to justice (Isaiah 1:17), but it is still possible to live a godly life, even if justice never happens. In our search for truth,Romans 8:31should always be in mind: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”

Exposing the truth is good. Obsessing over rumor and hearsay and half-proven theories is harmful.Ephesians 5:11-14is an excellent guideline. Verse 11 says to expose “the fruitless deeds of darkness.” But verse 12 says not to mention them. How do we expose them? Not by conjecture or worry or fear or never-ending deliberation, but by waiting on the words of verses 13 and 14: “Everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible.” Speak the truth and wait for God’s timing.

Endless speculation about conspiracy theories is, at best, a waste of time. At worst, the obsession induces paralyzing fear as our attention is drawn away from Christ. Avoid the mysteries God hasn’t chosen to reveal yet. Let Him work according to His timing. Rest in His plan, which can never be thwarted (Job 42:2).

Above all, do not fear. “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed.” But “He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them” (Psalm 2:2,4).

Where is your home?

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (John 17:16 )

We live here, we walk here, we eat and drink here, but may we never call it home. The ground beneath our feet and sky above our heads are the scenery we enjoy momentarily, but they will pass away (Matthew 24:35). Our family is more than people with the same last name (Mark 3:35), as believers we are united by blood, literally the shed blood of Jesus the risen Savior. We, the family, walk as sojourners (1 Peter 2:11), as travelers, loving and serving the people around us, all the while remembering we will one day be home. A home that has been prepared for us (John 14:3), where we will live in ever increasing joy.

Our lips will never again say, “It was fun while it lasted”, as the smile fades from our face. In our home there is no sorrow, there is no disease, there is no end to joy (Revelation 21:4). In our home our treasure does not fail, there is no thief to steal, no moneybag to grow old (Luke 12:33). In your heart, and in your head, where is your treasure and your home? For “there will your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34).

Where is your home?

Should Christians celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. — 1 John 5:4, 5

No doubt you associate March 17^th each year as St. Patrick’s Day, as I do. For as long as I can remember, the date set aside to celebrate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, has been a day dedicated to the wearing of green, to decorating with leprechauns and shamrocks, and to holding parades in locations where many Irish have settled.

But little did I know that March 17^th is also a holiday because of a military victory. We’ll get back to St. Patrick—because that’s a very important story—but so is Evacuation Day. If I’ve done my homework right, Evacuation Day was the day in the Boston area when British General Sir William Howe led his troops onto their ships and left the city for Nova Scotia. The Continental Army, under the new command of General George Washington, strategically occupied Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston Harbor. Fortifications were built with artillery equipment captured at Fort Ticonderoga, and the British realized that their position within Boston was indefensible. Fearing a defeat similar to Bunker Hill, General Howe decided to evacuate, ending an 11 month siege of the city. Boston was never attacked again by the British, and this can be considered Washington’s first victory of the Revolutionary War. The password for the day in General Washington’s Continental Army encampment was “Saint Patrick,” and March 17^th was declared an official holiday for Suffolk County, Massachusetts in the early 1900s.

With the story of St. Patrick we find another victory, but of a different sort. His is the story of victory over bitterness, victory over the lies of a pagan culture, and, asThomas Cahill in How the Irish Saved Civilization would even say, the victory over illiteracy and ignorance which would preserve writings so important to us today, including the Bible.

Patrick was a young man of sixteen years when kidnapped from his home in England around 400 A.D. and taken to Ireland. There he was sold to a chieftain who forced Patrick to tend his sheep. It was during this captivity that Patrick remembered his Christian upbringing, which he had formerly rejected. As he wrote in his Confessions, “I would pray constantly during the daylight hours” and “the love of God . . . surrounded me more and more.” His understanding and love for God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit grew during these lonely years of survival in the cold, rain, and snow. His writings do not show bitterness, however, because he used his time to grow in new love and faith. After six years as a slave-shepherd Patrick escaped and returned to his home in England, a changed man.

Feeling called to return to Ireland and proclaim the Gospel to the pagan and barbaric culture which he had left, Patrick began to study and prepare. Eventually he was ordained as a priest, and then a bishop. When he did return, he brought new hope to the land where he had been held captive, all because of his bold and faithful proclamation of Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. He even used the shamrock to explain the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  He served in Ireland for 29 years, baptizing thousands and planting hundreds of churches. Besides individual lives redeemed, their new Christian faith gave the Irish people a revived love of learning—which then fostered literacy. The Irish monks were instrumental in copying books, including the Bible, which were in danger of being looted and destroyed during the final days of the Roman Empire as it crumbled.

This is a quick summary, no doubt, and there is much to appreciate in the legacy of St. Patrick. Although accounts of his biography differ in details, there seems to be little disagreement as to his passion to evangelize the people of Ireland because of his love for them and his love for our Lord. I am particularly inspired by his deep prayer life, and am touched by this writing called “The Breastplate,” attributed to St. Patrick:

“Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”

March 17^th is a day to celebrate victory, whether Evacuation Day or St. Patrick’s Day. The ultimate victory is through Jesus Christ, and as Christians we celebrate His life in us every day of the year. Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:56-58)

Kind words for your rulers

Yesterday I became very angry regarding our leaders and I let my opinion be known. This morning the Lord sent me this article that led me to a great deal of conviction. Funny how that works, isn’t it?…:) So here it is, the article that led me to repentance.

And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” Acts 23:5

The high priest just had Paul slapped in the face for sharing the Gospel. Paul then insults the high priest, which most of us probably would do if we weren’t too afraid. After this he is told he insulted the high priest and we have Acts 23:5. This can be a hard verse to swallow; we aren’t supposed to speak evil of a ruler. But what if we don’t agree? Too bad, do not speak evil of a ruler. A ruler can refer to your boss, supervisor, elected official, the president, maybe some other leader in your life. But why shouldn’t we speak evil of a ruler? Some might say because it hurts our witness, which it does. But, it is deeper. Lets look at the verse Paul references:

You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. Exodus 22:28

When we speak evil of a ruler, we are questioning God’s authority to appoint those who are in charge (Romans 13:1-3). Does this mean we have to be happy with how everything is going? No.  Does this mean we can’t respectfully disagree? Yes. We need to remember to trust God and not speak to others about how horrible the ruler is and how we could do better.  If we truly believe God is in charge, then we can trust that he will put the right people over us at the right time and in the right circumstances. As Christians we need to make an effort to curb negative speech about our rulers and repent when necessary, because we are really cutting down God.

Think of a something kind to say today about the rulers around you.

Promise Keepers Lead Rally to ‘Revive Detroit’

CBN News story….Detroit is picture perfect from a distance. But up close it’s a picture of urban decay. High poverty rates, high crime rates, and high unemployment are driving people away.

Detroit Police Sgt. John Bennett has patrolled the city’s streets for more than 16 years.

“I don’t know how much longer I’m going to stay honestly. I don’t know how much longer I can hang on,” he told CBN News.

“We’ve lost in the police department a thousand officers that haven’t been replaced in the last five to six years,” he said.

Motor City‘s problems are simply bigger than police and government. That’s why 50 area pastors are coming together to pray and to plan.

And they’re being led by Promise Keepers, a Christian organization with a mission to unite men to become warriors to change their world.

“Number one, is it is a revival, renewal, and a rediscovery of the word of God,” Promise Keepers president Dr. Raleigh Washington told CBN News. “There are a lot of solid churches in the Detroit area doing a great job, but it needs to be on a combined basis. That is why the pastors are coming together.”

With Detroit’s problems being so deep and so large, how can pastors make a difference? PK President Dr. Raleigh Washington and PK founder Bill McCartney addressed that question and more on CBN News Channel Morning News, Aug. 23.

The Promise Keepers’ “Reviving Detroit Summit” included a message from former Muslim Brotherhood terrorist Kamal Saleem. Saleem told pastors radical Islam made a conscious effort to divide the city as early as the 1960s.

Nevertheless, Washington said, “I am not preaching against Islam.”

“I am preaching for Christianity because I believe Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth and the only life,” he explained. “When I hear Islam or anyone preaching different, that goes against what the Bible says.”

Dr. Washington said it’s time for Detroit Christians of all backgrounds to stand together to pull their city from the brink of disaster.

“Racial reconciliation is critical because it undergirds oneness,” he said.

And he believes standing one with God is enough to bring revival to the Motor City.

The George Zimmerman trial and race. What does the Bible say?

Last year when the shooting and death of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman in an Orlando suburb occurred, I was sickened how it was immediately turned into an issue of race. Over the last few months in an Orlando courtroom, the events of that ugly night have been presented to a jury who decided Zimmerman’s guilt or innocence. Sadly, since last night’s verdict, there will be a good possibility ofoutrage and possible violence by those who disagree with that verdict.

Every time any incident with racial overtones occurs, the same people rise up to try and cash in. People like the fake Reverends Sharpton and Jackson, to stoke the fires of racism and act like they are relevant. I am still waiting for these two race-baiting opportunists to apologize for inciting racial animosity during the Duke lacrosse fiasco where everything they alleged proved to be a lie. Sharpton of course still has yet to take responsibility for his role in the Tawana Brawley scam several decades ago, while Jackson is in the news for his shakedown of corporations and fathering babies with women other than his wife

*Note: I still can’t understand why a legitimate news organization like NBC, would have anything to do with Sharpton, let alone put this illiterate man who constantly butchers the English language, on the air.

What we do know about the Zimmerman case after all of the hype and false scenerios that were presented is that Martin, is not the choir boy he was made out to be. He had numerous run ins with the law and school authorities, and we have no idea if he provoked Zimmerman or not, only they will know the truth, and of course, God Himself.

Zimmerman on the other hand, seems to be a wanna be policeman who took his role as a community watchman a way too seriously. Although the jury has declared that it was self-defense, he could have avoided the situation all together by letting the police become more involved. By doing this, he was no angel himself, and this entire trial could have been avoided, and one less life would have been lost.

My point is that race had nothing to do with the decisions they made, but people in both camps used it as a defense instead of looking at the person as a human being,  which only divides this nation and causes more hatred between races.

Let me say this up front, racism is another dividing tactic straight from the pits of hell itself and is found from the early days of human existence and is still present around the world today! There is no white race, black race, brown race, yellow race, red race, or polka dot race. We are all of one race…the HUMAN RACE!

What does God say about racism? The Bible says that ALL MEN are created in the image of God. God created all men equal. I tell you frequently that satan is the great perverter. It is satan, not God, who seeks to divide men by their skin color, ethnicity, financial means, and any other way you can dream up to divide people. God created men equal to live in harmony with one another. It is satan who introduced division into the human experience.

In God’s plan of redemption, there is no division. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world, ALL men. It says that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES. That is a universal call to ALL MEN regardless the color of their skin or where they live. In 1 John 2:2, it talks about how Jesus laid down his life for EVERYONE. Everyone means ALL MEN, the entire human race. This satanically inspired way we have of dividing ourselves through racism, prejudice, and discrimination all make a mockery of what Christ did on the cross. He faithfully and obediently went to that cross to die for the sins of ALL MANKIND.

You also have the Biblical example of Jesus during His earthly ministry. Again, racism is not a new phenomena to the United States in our brief 237 year history. Forms of racism have been part of the human expedience since the very beginning. Jesus commanded us in John 13:34 to love each other as He loves us. He used people of other ethnic backgrounds often in His parables. One of the most powerful is the story of the Good Samaritan.

If you remember, the Jewish religious leaders passed by the man who had been robbed and beaten and laying on the side of the road, leaving him to die. It was the Samaritan, the non-Jew, who honored God by stopping and ministering to the needs of the injured man. Don’t forget, it was Jesus who told his followers to make disciples of EVERY NATION, reaffirming the value of all men.

I love you and care about you so much. Dividing men by skin color, ethnicity, are the works of the devil. Those who truly seek to serve and follow the Lord are not looking to divide men but unite them. A true follower of Christ understands that God created all men equal, that we are all part of the human race. Racism, prejudice, and discrimination are NOT of God, since we are hurting someone God created and loves and Jesus died for!

Sadly, 11 am on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week in this nation. That is truly a shame since the one sanctuary from racism should be the church. Yet sadly, most churches don’t lead the culture, they allow the culture to lead them. So rather than modeling what God says about this issue, in far too many churches, they perpetuate this ungodly attitude men have for other men who look different than them.

They better wake up since when we die, and stand at the gates of Heaven, there won’t be a line for whites, or a line for blacks, or a line for Asians, or a line for Hispanics, or a line for those from the Middle East, just like there won’t be a line for Catholics, or Baptists, or Methodists, or Pentecostals. No my friend, when you take your last breath there will only be two lines. One for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and one for those who have rejected Christ.

The Bible proclaims those who reject Christ will be cast into the flames of hell for all eternity, and those who know Jesus will be welcomed into their eternal home with God their Creator in Heaven. At that moment, Galatians 3:38 will be realized, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus!”

America…237 years old and the Civil War is raging. A reason why we aren’t prospering like we used to.

237 years ago, America signed the Declaration of Independence and formed this great Nation known as the United States of America. As the young country grew, and added laws to the Constitution, they were more often guided by the Bible rather than by the will of a few Athiests. Yes that’s right, you can look back at the greatest times of growth and prosperity of this Nation and attribute it to us being a Godly nation and obeying the laws of the Bible. My how times have changed.

Today we see a greater amount of strife and discontentment than in any other time in history. You can also notice that there has never been a time in our history when it’s become so popular to bash God and the Bible. We have used the taxpayers money to take God and prayer out of schools, making sure that our future generations don’t know Jesus. We have used taxpayers money to kill babies in the womb, and saying a woman has a right to commit murder with no reprecutions. We have had elected officials say that homosexuality is more important than the Biblical principles. There are far to many other “Biblical infractions” that are being implemented at the cost of taxpayer to mention.So why are we surprised that the country is falling to it’s knees?

There are a lot of people that read this blog throughout the world, so how does this apply to you? I have often said that America has been one of the greatest examples of a Democracy that the worl has ever seen. However, in many cases, I encourage other countries to not follow our example. Keep God in your Schools.Use the Bible as a source of guidance in the laws of the land. The U.S. has been attacked from the inside, and the enemy is winning. We are becoming more like Sodomand Gomorah than the once proud States. Until we as Christians become more vigilant in reclaiming our Godly roots, it’s only going to become worse.

I love this nation, and have served it to the point of sacrificing my body for it. However, I love God more. I long for the day that Christians will become less apathetic and pick up our swords and reclaim this land, and the prosperity we deserve, in the name of Jesus. We will only prosper when we serve the Lord over our own selfish desires and pleasures.  I don’t care what country you’re in, our freedoms and privilges come from God that loves us enough to reward us when we follow Him and loves us enough to punish us when we turn our backs on Him. It’s our choice, but what we get is a result of the path we choose.

This is a great nation, and I am proud of it. I hope and pray that we will be able to become an example of a Godly nation for others to see again. I pray that we will prosper not because we have domne something oursleves, but because God is proud of us. We can do it, it’s up to us to get the ball rolling.

 

GOD, please bless America again.

 

Psalm 33:12-22 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. …

 

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Should Christians become involved in political debates?

I was asked recently to discuss why more Christians aren’t up-in-arms about the current political administration here in the U.S.. Now this is a very difficult subject for me because I am someone who likes to discuss politics, and it’s no secret that I find some of the current administrations actions ugly (Such as the abortion issue). So with an open mind, I decided to take a look at what God‘s Word says about how we react to a political situation that we aren’t in favor of.

 

Let’s start off looking at a passage from the Bible that some may find hard to swallow, and there will be a few who try to manipulate it’s meaning to allow them to resiste what God has put into place, but the verses are very cut and dry and tell us exactly how we should be reacting to the people who were voted into office.

 

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:13-17; underline mine).

 

So why would we submit ourselves to a government that we consider to be evil, or wrong? Number one, is that there isn’t anything in existance that isn’t ordained by God. Some politicians may be mean and evil, but eventually, like everyone else, anyone who is in power will one day have to give an account of their actions to God. He will be their judge, not us. Our Biblicalresponsibility is to submit to those who God has put into power and not to question or resist it. I know there are some people reading this right now already trying to find scripture to counter this verse and Theology, but we need to put our own pride aside and accept the fact that ultimately, God ordains who leads us, and we have no place in questioning Him. So having said that, if we want to take the right direction, we should be praying for the person who leads us, not complaining. Let’s think about it this way….What would happen if an unGodly leader had millions of Christians praying for him, then in the middle of His term suddenly accepted Jesus as Lord, what sort of witness would that be? If people who hated Christians saw us on our knees praying and supporting him instead of running around angry, how do you think their opinion of us would change? Our job is not to change God’s will, it’s to change God’s people, and being angry and mean will not accomplish that.Once again, I know there will be people who strongly disagree with me on this. The truth is, before I wrote this today, I would have been one of those people who were “Up-in-arms.” But having looked at what the Bible says about this subject, I need to swallow my pride, pray for those who lead us, learn to accept the direction that God has chosen for us without whining. So in closing…Sometimes the countries problems are a result of their turning their back on God. We have done that in most of the countries in the world. If you want change, then beging by evangelizing to those who don’t know Jesus. Show God that we care enough to turn our nations around and back to Him, then we will see more results than complaining will ever produce.

 

Romans 13:1-7 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …

 

1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

 

Matthew 22:17-21 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

 

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

 

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

 

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

 

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

 

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

 

 

 

Boy Scouts may be going Gay. Another Christian Organization folding to the pressure.

History of the Boy Scouts of America (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tomorrow the Boy Scouts of America make the historic decision on whether or not they will allow gays into their ranks. I run a huge risk of being called a Homophob among other names, but I think they’re making a huge mistake, like so many other Christian organizations, they are folding under the pressure of secular values.

I do not hate homosexuals, but like any other sin, it needs to be confessed and turned away from, not to try to make it acceptable (1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.)

Once again, I want to state that I do not hate homosexuals, I just wish that Christian Organizations would stop allowing what the world believes to be right change their values.

Yip, this is the shortest blog I’ve ever done, but I ask for prayer for the BSA to stand the moral ground.

Angel tongues

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love …—1 Corinthians 13:1

Imagine a person able to speak every language on earth. Imagine what an effective engineer or salesperson or Doctor that person could be. The moment they landed at an airport, they could speak to anyone. They would be a huge asset at a United Nations meeting or an international trade conference.

The apostle Paul imagines such a person, and then ups the ante: this person could also speak the languages of angels. We might suppose that a person who could communicate with angels might also be a brilliant speaker, able to leave a crowd hanging on their every word. Paul imagines such a person but says that if they lacked love, they would be “only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

Suppose on Christmas a relative you loved deeply gave your eight-year-old twins a gong and a pair of cymbals. You might survive Christmas day. Christmas cheer covers a multitude of bad gifts. But if your twins paraded into your bedroom the next morning banging the gong and crashing the cymbals, those gifts would strain your nervous system to the breaking point. All they would mean to you was a loud noise to be rid of.

That’s what the Bible says about remarkable gifts of language and eloquence and teaching—if separated from love, they are only noise.

Just a thought for today as you go out unto the world.