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conversion

Ask Roger

Will God Offer Salvation in the Great Tribulation?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

 

      Dear Roger,

 

      What will happen to the people who miss the Rapture? Will they still be able to become Christians? Will the pain and suffering during the Great Tribulation cause people turn to Christ or to continue rejecting Him? Does God have an evangelistic plan for reaching the lost people in the Great Tribulation? Please help me to sort all this out.

 

      Sincerely,

      Curious

 

Dear Curious,

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a love letter to the world. God’s love and plan for salvation from sin is best described in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him, might not perish, but have everlasting life.”

 

Jesus challenged us to share the gospel with those who do not know Jesús as their personal Lord and Savior. And those who have not responded personally to the gospel will spend eternity in hell, separated from God.

 

But after the Rapture, during the Great Tribulation, and right up to the end, God is still merciful. It’s not too late to turn to Jesus!

 

He never, ever stops pleading with men and women to surrender their lives to Jesus.  God never leaves Himself without a witness. The book of Revelation details four of these witnesses who will share the gospel until the end of time:

 

  • 144,000 Jews who believe in Jesus (Revelation 7:3, 8)

  • Two incredibly powerful evangelists or “witnesses” (Revelation 11:3)

  • An angel shouting out the gospel while flying through the sky (Revelation 14:6-7)

  • The tribulation saints (Revelation 12:11)

 

THE 144,000 JEWS WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS

 

      Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun with the seal of the living God . . . Then I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel” (Revelation 7:3, 8)

 

Who are the 144,000?

 

So many have tried to apply this group to themselves that it is almost ludicrous.

The Jehovah Witnesses said that this number referred to them. Unfortunately, their numbers grew far beyond 144,000. They no longer teach that doctrine.

 

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we see that God planned for Israel to bring the revelation of Christ to the world. The day is coming when the “scales” will fall from their eyes and the Jews will recognize Jesus as their Messiah. This occurs when they see the “nail prints in his hands” as described in Zechariah 12.

 

Then, in Revelation, the apostle John makes very clear that the 144,000 are Jewish evangelists who will spread the gospel all over the world during the time of Great Tribulation.

 

Notice that they are “sealed” by God. The seal refers to ownership and protection; “Then I looked and on Mount Zion stood the Lamb and with 144,000 who had his name and his father’s name written on their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1).

 

      A seal is not unique. God often marks His people! For example, consider Abraham’s circumcision, blood at the Passover, Rahab’s scarlet thread, and Christians sealed by Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 3:1).

 

In this case, the seal protects these evangelists from the judgments that will come to the earth. Protected, they will be able to do their work for the Lord.

 

John is shown the results of their work. The evangelism success of the 144,000 is absolutely incredible!

 

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number … standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes … Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come? “I said to him, sir, you know. And he said to me, “these are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9-14).

 

Those who were converted by the preaching of the 144,000 will come “out of the Great Tribulation.” They missed the rapture at the first coming of Christ, but they will still receive salvation.

 

Notice that all are eventually martyred. The cost of becoming a Christian in those Tribulation days will be our very lives.  The time to come to Jesus is now!

 

THE TWO POWERFUL WITNESSES

 

In Revelation 11, God brings two of the most unique evangelists who have ever lived.

 

 And I will grant my two witnesses power to prophesy . . . And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouths and consumes their foes. (Revelation 11:3)

 

The witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain may fall. Who did this? Elijah. They have power to turn water into blood. Who did this? Moses.

 

Maybe God was saving them back for just a time as this. Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. He is still alive and ready to take up that work. Michael the angel and Satan fought over Moses’ body. Michael won and God buried him in a secret place –perhaps reserving his body to be one of the two witnesses.

 

Perhaps they are simply two unknown preachers who minister in the Spirit and power of Moses and Elijah!

 

Note that the English word translated here as “witness” is the Greek word, “martyr.” To the early Christians, to “witness” meant to die. Persecution against Christians continues unabated to this day.

 

When their evangelistic ministry is concluded, the Beast comes out of the pit and kills them both. They lie in the street of Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified for three and a half days.

 

People from every tribe and tongue will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in the tomb. Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, because these two prophets were a torment for those who dwell on the earth.

 

After three and half days (or the last half of the Great Tribulation), a breath of life from God will enter them and they will stand up, alive. Great fear will fall upon those who see them. Then, they will hear a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And the witnesses will arise to heaven in a cloud.

 

Their resurrection after three days is a testimonial reference to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus after three days in the tomb. The whole world which rejected a resurrected Christ will see not one but two resurrections before their very eyes!

 

Some will receive Christ (Revelation 11:13), but most won’t.

 

AN ANGEL SHOUTING OUT THE GOSPEL WHILE FLYING THROUGH THE SKY

 

In his Olivet discourse, Jesus taught that one of the signs which will precede the end is that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in all the world.

 

   “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

 

I’ve always wondered how the people throughout the whole world would hear the gospel in the end times. The task just seems too great.

 

Here is the fulfillment of that prophecy. An angel does it!

 

Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said, with a loud voice,’ fear God and give him glory for the hour of his judgment has come.”’ (Revelation 14:6-7)

 

Of course, now we have worldwide media to cover everything.

 

During the Tribulation, a phenomenon will occur which never before has been seen in the history of the world. Angels will be preaching the gospel to people! God will proclaim one last, all-out offer of grace before He buries the world under an avalanche of final judgment.

 

It is astounding that an angel is commissioned to go forth preaching the everlasting Gospel, for the preaching of the Gospel has not been committed to angels but to men.

 

This astounding state of affairs could only be an indication of the severity of the circumstances. The devastation during the Great Tribulation is so horrendous that angels must be drafted to help spread the everlasting Gospel.

 

The people of the earth are given a final opportunity to accept or to reject Jesus Christ.

 

THE TRIBULATION SAINTS

 

Finally, after the 144,000, the two witnesses, and the angels, a multitude of Christians who found Christ during the Tribulation time will be used by God to share the gospel.

 

Revelation 12:11 describes how our Tribulation brothers will defeat Satan—and how we daily can do the same:

 

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11)

 

“The blood of the Lamb” refers to Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross. This means we share the gospel of salvation with others.

 

“By the word of their testimony” reminds us that the testimony of a convicted Christian is powerful in leading someone to Christ as their Lord and Savior.

 

“Loved not their lives even unto death” means that they were willing to sacrifice their lives for Christ at any price.

 

Our God is full of grace and mercy, isn’t He? Up until the very last moment, He is giving all people the opportunity to turn to Him and accept the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. To God be the glory!

 

Well Curious, I hope this helps answer your questions.

 

I’m sharing below one of my favorite stories which sums up everything that I’ve written to you.

 

John Payton was a young student in England when he felt the call to the mission field.  Recently married, God began to lead him to the New Hebrides Islands which were inhabited by man-eating cannibals.

 

I’ve tried to make his experience personal. If I’d been in seminary and God said, “Roger, I want you to go to an island of man-eating cannibals,” I might well have said “Now, God, I’m preparing for ministry just like you asked me to. Why should I be somebody’s lunch? Listen, God, I know a seminary drop-out. Call him. Why, they’ll eat him, and who’ll know? Why me?”

 

That’s what I might say, but not John Payton. He gathered up his new bride and went to the New Hebrides Islands. He didn’t know the language. He and his wife tried to make contact and show that they were friends.

 

Several months went by. His wife gave birth to a baby. Two weeks later, the baby contracted a tropical disease and died. Two days after that, his wife died.

 

He buried them side-by-side in front of a lean-to he’d built. He said in his biography, “I slept on their graves for three nights to keep the natives from digging up the bodies and eating them.”

 

“I said to God, just how far does obedience go? What do you want from me?”

 

Through the providence of God, he came across a native was an outcast from the tribe.  They became friends. John Payton learned the language, and eventually he led his friend to Christ. That native brought another outcast. The biography reads like a jungle adventure as they hid from some of the natives who tried to kill them.

 

As God would have it, John Payton stayed on that island for 35 years. At the end of his time there, he said, “I do not know of one single native who has not made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.”

 

      My prayer is that you will sense an overriding burden to lead your friends and family to Christ—and that you will do something about it.

 

It’s relatively easy for your loved ones to come to Christ now. It certainly will not be easy during the Tribulation. During those days, following Christ will cost them their lives.

 

Love,

 

Roger

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3 Ways to Speak Graciously About Politics, Sexuality and Even Religion!

by Michael Sherrard
written by Michael Sherrard

“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians 4:6 NLT

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:16-18 NLT

How do we approach sensitive topics wisely and graciously? Apologist Michael Sherrard shares his thoughts:

“We are quickly approaching an Orwellian society absent of free speech. Though we don’t have an official thought police, yet, people act like they wear the badge. It seems the highest guiding ethic of our time is “Agree with me or else!” All parties are to blame here: Republican and Democrat, Pro-choice and Pro-life, Believer and Atheist, etc. and so on. We are all guilty. Social media seems to bring out the worst in all of us.

I get that there are certain beliefs that are so personal that we feel attacked when someone challenges our viewpoint. But we need free speech, and we need a nation of listeners. We don’t need to be protected from ideas that threaten our own. Progress is always thwarted when opposing viewpoints are ignored or worse silenced. So in the hope (perhaps it is a naive hope) that we don’t want a society absent of free speech because we desire progress and freedom, here are just three ways to graciously and effectively talk about potentially contentious positions.

 

1. DON’T ASSUME THE OTHER PERSON IS A LAZY, IGNORANT IDIOT.

Seems like common sense, right? You shouldn’t expect a good conversation when you begin by calling the other person dumb. Now of course there are plenty of lazy, ignorant idiotic people in the world, but why do you assume the person you are talking with is that person? Why do so many conversations begin with something like, “If you would just read the Bible…”? Do we really believe that the only reason anyone could think differently than us is because they are obviously too lazy and willfully ignorant to have not read on the subject?

If you want people to respect your words, avoid condescension. It’s quite belittling to assume that someone doesn’t think like you because they’ve not taken the time to study the issue. This is just an intellectually lazy way to engage an issue. Don’t do it. Rather, afford people the courtesy of assuming they’ve studied the issue and have a reason for their belief. Then, ask some questions to find out their level of understanding. This is good for the conversation because it gives you an appropriate starting point. But it’s also good for you. If you keep accusing people of ignorance, there will come a time when someone calls your bluff and lists off a host of sources on the topic that you’ve not read. What are you going to do then besides look like a blabbering hack?

 

2. DON’T ASSUME THE OTHER PERSON IS AN UN-CHRISTIAN, RACIST NAZI.

I love it when someone calls me evil because I don’t endorse their particular view of morality or their political agenda. Actually, I admit it. That is why I think like I think and not like you. I am Satan and I hate people. Seriously though, how many conversations have you been a part of where that’s the accusation? I’m sure you’ve heard something like, “If you really loved people you would support X.” Or, “If you were really a Christian you would vote for Y.” Do we really believe that people only think differently than us because they are rotten, foul monsters?

If you want to have an effective and persuasive conversation, avoid slandering people by attacking their character. Most people are good. They are decent people that love their kids, their neighbors, and their country. Respect people by assuming they are motivated by good intentions, and ask questions to uncover their motives rather than accuse. But let’s be careful here. A person’s position is not wrong just because their motivation is wrong. It’s best just to avoid character assassinations as they are merely rhetorical stunts that may sway an audience but do not prove you are right. Ad hominem attacks are very useful when you need to change the topic, and they are used by the people that know they will be beaten in a debate if the issue takes center stage.

 

3. DON’T ASSUME YOU HAVE MASTERED THE TOPIC.

I know you just finished freshman psychology and the table of contents on that book and all. But you don’t know everything. You have been wrong before. You were wrong about something yesterday. Embrace this reality and embody more humility in your conversations. You are not fooling anyone by pretending to be the expert. No some of you are, fair enough. But even experts aren’t experts in all things, and eventually we all find ourselves in conversations that are out of our field. Humility is required by us all.

If you want people to listen to you, avoid patronizing them by lecturing like an expert. People can spot a phony a mile away and won’t be persuaded just because you seem like a know-it-all. Moreover, you should leave room in your mind for growth. Take seriously the objections to your position and study more. Reflect on the challenges you have been presented. In so doing, you will either grow more confident and competent in your position, or you will change your position in light of compelling reasons. And with this disposition, you also increase the chance that you won’t come across as a pompous you-know-what.

 

Let us all seek the betterment of our society through gracious and free speech. Love your neighbor by respecting them in conversation. And please notice your hypocrisy. You cannot condemn someone for being unloving as you slander them. You cannot call for tolerance as you seek to silence the opposing voice. And you cannot call for progress while you never entertain an opposing view.

I am optimistic. Our humanity is a great gift. Let us use our wit and intelligence and passion to seek the good of others. And may that commitment extend to our conversations with people that do not share our views. May we all profit from the fruitful conversations that will follow.”

michaelcsherrard.com. Used by permission.

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Ask Roger

Can I Be Punished in Heaven for a Terrible Sin?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

 

Greetings. 

Does the Bible really mean that we will be judged and punished in heaven for our sins? 

As a Christian, I did “big” wrong things that I regretted and have not done them again. Does 2 Corinthians 5:10 really mean that when I go to heaven I will be judged and punished for those sins? 

Rosalina

 

Dear Rosalina,

Be at peace. All of our sins were forever forgiven when we gave our lives to Jesus as our Lord and Savior. When we get to Heaven our sins will never be seen or mentioned again. We will be given pure white robes and ushered into the glories of Heaven where we will have a wonderful time.

 

With that being said, let me describes what the Bible says about this subject.

Two judgments are laid out before us. The Judgment of Believer’s works is described in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. This will occur in Heaven and only Christians will be there.

The other judgment is described in Revelation 20:10-15 which is called the “Great White Throne Judgment” when at the end of cosmic time Jesus will judge Satan, his demons and everyone who failed to surrender to Christ and become Christians. Only non-Christians will attend this judgment and they will be judged. out of the Books of Works which record everything they ever did. Not one single person at the Great White Throne is good enough for heaven. Jesus has the Books containing all or their works on earth and no one lives up to the perfection of Christ. They, along with Satan and his demons are all thrown into the Lake of Fire.

 

Paul explained precisely what will be evaluated at the Judgment of Seat of Christ. Let me explain.

 

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” 2 Corinthians 5:10.

 

The translation of “Judgment of Christ” is better translated by the term, “Reward Stand” from the Greek word, “bema” which can also be translated as “throne.” The “bema” was the award stand at the Greek Olympics. All winners stood before the “bema” to receive the laurel wreath that encircled the winner’s head. All Christians “win” as they appear at the “Bema” of Christ.

The terms “good” and “bad’ in Greek have more of the idea of “profitable” and “unprofitable”. Our sins are not brought up. The issue is how well we furthered the Kingdom of God on earth. In other words, the rewards we will receive (or don’t receive) in Heaven are based on the profitable or unprofitable things we did for the kingdom.

 

The kind of lives we build determines the rewards we receive at the Judgment Seat Of Christ. If we build lives of gold, silver and costly stones we will receive many rewards. Those who waste their lives building with wood, hay and straw will receive few, if any rewards.

The profitability or unprofitability of our lives is determined by fire. Wood, hay and straw are consumed and destroyed by fire. Gold, silver and costly stones withstand the onslaught. By grace, even if all we build is burned in the fire, we still get forgiveness and Heaven because Jesus is the foundation of our lives and He remains unscorched no matter how hot the fire.

 

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, … But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than …  Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

 

The Bible identifies some of the rewards as crowns. For example:

The Soul Winners crown for leading people to Jesus

The Victors Crown for those who persevere and refuse to give up during persecution

The Crown of Glory for those who pastor well Christ’s “flock”

The Crown of Life for martyrs

The Crown of Righteousness for looking with anticipation for the Second Coming

 

By the way, we don’t keep all of the rewards. We will lay them down at Jesus’ feet because He alone is worthy to receive glory and honor and praise.

Those Christians who have their earthly works consumed by the fire will still receive great things because of the love, grace and mercy of Christ. In the letters to the churches of Revelation Jesus tells about the gifts He has in store for all Overcomers (Revelation 2-3).

 

Overcomers will:

Eat Fruit from the Tree of Life

Escape the second death (the Lake of Fire)

Be given Heavenly manna

Receive a white stone with Jesus “pet nickname” for them written on it

Lead nations

Receive the Morning Star (Jesus)

Be dressed n pure white robes

Have their name written securely in The Book Of Life for Eternity

Be a pillar in God’s Temple

Receive a tattoo with the name on Jesus on his/her body

Have the right to sit with Jesus on the throne of Jesus

 

Rosalina, I really appreciate this question. I hope that it is a great encouragement both to you as well as to the ones who read my answer to your question. Ask me a question whenever you like.

God bless you,

Love, Roger

 

 

 

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Ask Roger

Are We Baptizing Our Children Too Early?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

I volunteer in Sunday school and recently overheard some of the kids say they wanted to be baptized. I was baptized as a Christian when I was still very much a child. Though I remember the event fondly, I now wish I had waited until I was older to take that step of commitment towards Christ. I didn’t really understand what it meant to dedicate your life to Jesus, and I think I would have appreciated the action more if I’d waited a couple years. Do you think I should mention this to the children, or is it not my place? – Brian

 

Dear Brian,

“I’m a lost sheep, aren’t I?” I said to mom and dad as their ears perked up. We had just returned from church on Sunday night. The pastor preached on the one lost sheep and the ninety-nine safe ones. The Shepherd searches until he finds the lost little lamb and brings him safely home.

 

I knew enough to know that I was a lost sheep. But, I had no idea what I was lost from. Mom and dad explained the gospel in simple terms. Three days and much discussion, prayer and tears I gave my life to Jesus.

 

I was seven years old. I was baptized by immersion on Mothers’ day, 1957.

 

Two weeks later I sensed that God was telling me that He wanted me to be a pastor. Six years later I preached my first sermon. My life’s work was laid out before me. I never wavered.

 

My story is highly unusual. I made a deep commitment to Christ and stuck to it. Few determine the course of their lives at the age of seven–and stick to it. Of course, some do.

 

In an Evangelical Church culture where the age of children baptized reaches down to five or four it is no wonder that so many of our church children are getting baptized too early and grow up with little whole-hearted dedication to Christ.

 

Maybe it is time to stop baptizing children and wait until they are twenty or so and in the process of putting in place their life-long values and commitments. It seems to me that we have an intriguing model of twenty-year-old conversions put in place by God when the spies returned and God punished Israel for their lack of faith. He declared that no one over the age of twenty could cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

 

You may have heard the term, “The age of accountability” which uses the same idea as the story above. The idea is a child has until twenty to make up their mind whether or not they want to follow Christ. The age of accountability varies from person to person–some older/younger than others. If they die before reaching the age of accountability they are not responsible for their sins and thus go to Heaven. However, after reaching the age of accountability they are responsible for their sins and need a personal savior–one who is both Lord and Savior.

 

Most children aren’t able to declare, “Jesus is Lord,” at the age of nine and have a significant understanding of what they have done. Let’s give them some time to make their own decisions and not hurry them along too quickly to be baptized.

 

Jesus is searching for those who make life-long decisions of discipleship–not a stroll down the aisle with the words, “I believe in Jesus” followed by baptism that ten years later is proved meaningless.

 

Study the most demanding sermon that Jesus ever made as recorded in John Six. When He made the cost of discipleship quite clear, four-thousand, nine-hundred and eighty-eight turned on their heels and walked away. Only twelve were left.

 

“You’re going to go away, too, aren’t you?” said Jesus. expecting them to say, “Yes, we are leaving, too.” Instead, Peter said, “Where shall we go? You have the words of life.” We are in the process of coming to know Christ as our Lord and Savior when we know that there is no place else to go except to Jesus.

 

By the way, after Jesus preached this sermon everything changed. He ministry went down hill straight to the cross.

What are some of the markers that help us know if it is time for a child to declare faith in Christ and be baptized? I will share several. However, this list is certainly not exhaustive.

 

1. A heart that is broken-hearted over personal sin. I remember the tears as I struggled with the fact that Jesus died for my sins and that I needed a savior (John 16:8-11). No one can come to Christ without dealing with their sin. It is important for anyone to realize if no one had ever sinned but me, Jesus would still die on the Christ for me to forgive my sins.

 

2. A human spirit that has matured enough to hear and answer a call from God. Our inner-spiritual receptors do not come ready to work. They must be cultivated and matured. The timing of this maturing process varies from person to person. Even Jesus needed time for His human spirit to develop properly (Luke 2:52).

Here is where mom, dad, family and church leaders are needed–those who will take the time and effort to help children and teenagers develop their spiritual lives so that they can respond positively with enough understanding and experience when the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin and need for Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

3. The ability to know, understand and enunciate the principles of the gospel. It is hard to commitment to something that we don’t understand.

 

4. A conscious desire to receive Christ as a personal commitment for life.

 

5. Care is needed when considering whether or not it is time for a child or teenager to make a declaration of faith in Christ and be baptized. There is the danger of what I call spiritual abortion. The seed is planted early but the rocky soil dries out the gospel and/or the thorny soil crowds out the gospel As a result, he childhood proclamation fades into oblivion in later years.

 

6. BIG CAVEAT: No one has to have all of this straightened out in order to come to Christ. There is no set age when a person can become a Christian (John 1:12). For example, I had no idea of the implications of the Virgin Birth when I was seven. I didn’t even know what a virgin was–but I came to Jesus.

 

7. Anyone can become a Christian at any time and any age (John 3:16).

 

May I close with an observation. There is much to be said for the saints of the last generations who didn’t say, “I believe in Jesus” when they were children and then got baptized. They struggled with God until they could make certain that their sins were forgiven and they could make a life-long decision to follow. For example, Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley and John Bunyan were in their twenties when they made decisions to follow Christ–and they never wavered. If we were more like they, we would have more real, dedicated Christians and fewer misguided hypocrites.

 

Sincerely, Roger

 

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How to Be the Worst Daddy in the World

by Julie Barrier
written by Julie Barrier

“Happy Father’s Day!” Daughters, do those words invoke images of love and acceptance, or neglect and abuse? Here’s a Bible character who could be nominated for Worst Dad Ever.

“Here’s your breakfast, Beautiful. Slap on the feed bag, Fatso.”

Those are the words Daddy Laban spoke to his daughters every morning. Laban, the Old Testament patriarch, dubbed his youngest daughter “Dainty” (That’s what Rachel means in Hebrew). Big Sis Leah was called “Cow” when she emerged from her mother’s womb. In Hebrew culture, names were signifiers, prophetic words spoken over the child by the parent. So Leah lived with the stigma of a derogatory moniker her whole life. Can you imagine being dealt such a debilitating blow to your own self- esteem? Laban was a bad dad.

Fathers (if they are still around) leave an indelible mark upon their daughters.

I grew up with one sister. Her name was “Barbie.” (Her actual name was Kathy, but she was blonde, blue-eyed and gorgeous). I felt like Midge, Barbie’s plain girlfriend, all my life. I suffered through the acne, glasses, braces and the baby fat of early adolescence. I was never homecoming queen, but was blessed that my father saw Kathy and me as equally beautiful and gifted in his eyes.

Chinese girl babies are still offed because the family is permitted to have only one child, and that child needed to be a son. Sons and their wives lived with his parents, therefore the son’s parents were provided for in their old age. A daughter’s parents had no one to provide security for the future because the bride left to live with the groom’s family.

Some daughters from Islamic families receive incomprehensible pain and abuse from their fathers. My dearest friend in Jordan provides a safe house for girls who have been raped by their fathers and uncles, discarded like trash, condemned as unclean and sent to live on the streets. These precious young women are often destined for a life of imprisonment, poverty or prostitution.

Many Indian females suffered brutal discrimination and ridicule through the years. However, in a recent ceremony in Mumbai, India, 285 Indian girls with the name “Nakusa” or “unwanted,” were allowed to choose new names. Associated Press, 2011.

The book of Genesis recounts Leah’s painful story of abandonment and rejection. Genesis 29 reads like a soap opera-replete with favoritism, intrigue, jealousy and sibling rivalry. Poor Leah’s physical description was not flattering.

Genesis 29:16-18: “Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful.

As the story goes, Laban tricked Jacob into sleeping with homely Leah instead of sexy Rachel, the wife he requested. 

So the cycle of pain continued. Jacob rejected Leah just as her father, Laban had done.

LEAH WAS WOUNDED BY HER FATHER’S AND HUSBAND’S REJECTION.

CAN YOU IMAGINE THE IMPACT OF LEAH’S LOW SELF-ESTEEM UPON HER CHILDREN?

Leah’s rejection was shown in the names she bestowed upon her sons. After sleeping with Jacob, she immediately conceived and had a son. Leah named her first baby boy Reuben (not the sandwich). Reuben means “God knows I am miserable-surely now Jacob will love me.” Can you imagine? Leah calls from her tent, “Come to dinner, maybe now my husband will love me.”

The second son Simeon means “God sees me, but Jacob doesn’t love me.” Can you imagine? Jacob hears Leah call to her son, “Put on your sandals, Jacob doesn’t love me.”

Then, Levi was born, and Leah called him “Now my husband will finally become attached to me.” So sitting around the dinner table were “Surely Jacob will love me,” “maybe now Jacob will love me,” and finally “Jacob will like me a little.”

Spoiled Rachel was grouchy by now because she had yet to bear a son, so when Joseph was born, she named him, “I hope I get another one.” Can you imagine calling your first child “I hope I get another one?”

But as time went by, Leah’s attitude  began to change. Her next three sons were Judah, “this time I will praise the Lord,” Isaachar, “God has rewarded me for giving my maid servant to my husband,” Zebulun, “This time my husband will treat me with honor because I have given him six sons.” Leah began to realize the love she had longed for was given to her by her Heavenly Father.

Have the women in your life ever received the “Leah” treatment? 

Leah needed to be known and to know she was loved.

First, what might Jacob have done to really know Leah?

He could have spent time with her, learning the unique beauty of her character. If you look closer the Hebrew word for Leah’s eyes, rakkoth means weak or tender,  delicate and soft. Leah’s eyes were sensitive, gentle and kind.

Perhaps Rachael’s eyes sparkled while Leah’s were dreamy and tender.

Though she may have been unwanted and despised by Jacob, God saw in her an inner beauty that equipped her for carrying out his plan. There is a kind of beauty that God gives at birth that will eventually wither like a flower. And, there is a beauty God grants to those who are born again by grace. This beauty blooms for eternity.

Laban could have given her security! Security is like a “cuddly blanket.”

Your daughter needs to know:

Daddy won’t leave me: he will be there when I need him.

Dad will give me stability—financially, mentally, emotionally and physically.

My maternal grandfather was a sex addict. He married and divorced my grandmother three times. He had multiple affairs, coming home at all hours of the night with no explanation or apology. My Mom once saw him at the movies with another woman. When she tearfully told her mother, my grandmom shook her head and said nothing. When he had his last affair before their final divorce, Grandpa’s mistress walked straight up to my Grandmother, introduced herself and said two words: “He’s mine.”

On the other hand, my father  could not have loved my Mother more deeply and differently. He constantly romanced her, befriended her and praised her. He knew how deeply impacted she was by her father’s infidelity, so he led a pure, committed Christian life and assured her of his faithfulness. Sixty-five years later, they are still madly in love!

And as a father, he modeled love, faithfulness and integrity to his two daughters.

Fathers, love like God loves your little girls.

“The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying, Yes, I have LOVED YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.”  Jeremiah 31:3 AMP

 

 

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Ask Roger

How Do I Help an Alcoholic Friend?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Hi Roger,

 

I have a small group I am teaching, actually three of my best friends, one a Catholic, one a Lutheran, and one an alcoholic. They really need the Lord; however, the alcoholic says she doesn’t believe in God, what do I say? She drinks even at our study and I am torn about how to proceed or if I should.

Name Withheld”

 

Dear Name Withheld,

I am sorry about your friend; alcoholism usually ends in tragedy not only for the alcoholic but for everyone around them. The devastation spreads like the ripples of a stone tossed into a pond. I understand both your pain and your concern for her wellbeing. You would do most anything to help her get help, wouldn’t you? Of course you would.

 

The obvious answer is Christ is greater than any addiction. Your friend’s salvation is the key to deliverance. But few find victory instantaneously.

What can you do—really? The person has to be ready.

The denial mechanism is so strong that most alcoholics have considerable difficulty both seeing the oncoming destruction and doing anything to avert the tragedy. But, the situation is not hopeless.

 

Consider talking to her family and close friends about arranging an “intervention” for her. An intervention occurs when family and close friends all get together for a surprise confrontation with their alcoholic friend. Sometimes the shock of experiencing so many close friends and family sharing their concern for her will cause the alcoholic to surrender to treatment. Unfortunately, this process is usually not successful; however, fortunately, sometimes, it does work. It is important to have planned in advance which treatment center he/she will go to that very night. The move to treatment must occur immediately following the intervention, otherwise he/she will soon change their minds and the intervention will be for naught.

 

It is wise for you to work out with the family and other friends a treatment plan for when the alcoholic finally reaches “bottom” and is so broken that they will surrender for help.

 

Regarding the non belief and/or need for the Lord among your friends, my suggestion is to continue focusing on your daily walk with Christ. Nothing pushy, just authentic. No rational arguments, just the indwelling life of Christ that you enjoy. The picture of Christ is beautiful to behold and desirably attractive for people whose lives are a mess.

 

I believe that the advice Peter gave to wives about winning their non-Christian husbands is applicable in every situation where we are longing to lead a friend or loved one to Christ:

 

Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:1-5).

 

Of course, prayer can change things. So we add a dose of prayer to our endeavors. While your friend has free will to make any choice she wants, you may pray for Jesus to place her in circumstances which might pave the way for her surrender to the Person and Lordship of Christ.

 

By the way, remember that coming to Christ always involves a spiritual battle. Pray against the spiritual blindness Satan imparts to souls in hindering their coming to Christ. Paul gave us insight into this behind-the-scenes battle over the souls of men and women:

 

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

 

I hope that my answer helps to give some positive direction for a difficult situation.

 

Love, Roger

 

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Sermons

Paul: A Terrorist Is Tamed

by Max Lucado
written by Max Lucado

Paul describes his own religious credentials in Acts 22, and Philippians 3. However, when we read the story of his conversion, we know him only as a leader in a Jewish movement to persecute, terrorize, and destroy the rapidly expanding church. If Saul could be struck down by the Light of the world and turned to follow Jesus Christ, then there is hope for anyone.

Preached at Oak Hills Church. Property of www.maxlucado.com. Used by permission.

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Ask Roger

How Do I Lead a Muslim to Christ?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

How should one witness to a friend that was raised Roman Catholic and is starting to go towards Islam? I don’t know how to really witness to him, without him saying that I am preaching to him.

Sincerely,

Question from Casas’ “What’s Next Class”

Dear Questioner,

It blesses my heart to know that you are interested in leading your friend to Christ. May God bless you and your endeavors. Now, to begin with, notice my use of the word “leading” in the previous sentence. I believe that sheep need to be led, not driven. Be careful of the temptation to force Christ or your beliefs upon anyone. They will soon tire of pushing and many times religion becomes an “off limits” subject in your relationship. So, use some creative thinking and carefully find the right time to approach in as natural a way as possible.

 

Listen carefully to what he has to say about his spiritual journey without getting defensive or threatened. Your goal is to lead him to Christ, not to win an argument and especially not to “turn him off” by not listening to him openly or lovingly.

 

Let me share a few thoughts about Christianity, Islam and Roman Catholicism. The key here is the resurrection of Christ. What separates Christianity from all other religions in the world is the resurrection. All religions (with a few slight exceptions) have leaders who died in their cause but only Christianity has a Leader who was resurrected. As I understand it, there is some controversy in Islam as to the disposition of the Prophet Mohammad. Some traditions say that he died about 600 a.d. and was buried while others postulate that he was bodily assumed into Heaven. Here is where it gets personal: Jesus promised that if we believed in Him we can cheat death and live forever. He proved His promise by His own resurrection.

 

A man once approached the brilliant Frenchman, Talleyrand, seeking advice on how to start a new religion to supplant Christianity. Talleyrand told him that the first thing he needed to do was to go have himself crucified, and then resurrect back to life! The man left and never started his new religion.

 

By the way, Christianity stands apart from all the religions in the world by its grace system. All other religion has a works system of one sort or other by which people fulfill obligations in order to please God and earn eternal life. Christianity teaches that no one is good enough to earn eternal life, so God gives it away for free to all who will receive it by faith in Christ. Who would want to enter a system depending on their own good works for success when they can receive grace to stand before God not on the basis of their works, which may or may not be good enough, but instead by the work of  Christ on the cross which is totally good enough.

 

Now, let me give you one more thought about your friend’s Roman Catholic background that may have some bearing on his leanings toward Islam. Catholicism focuses very little on the resurrection. The focus in this religion is on the sufferings of Christ on the cross. When you examine religious works by Catholic painters which span the centuries you will hardly ever find pictures of the resurrection; however you will find thousands of paintings of the death of Christ on the cross (and of the virgin Mary holding baby Jesus or ruling with God in Heaven). If you remember Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion, you watched two hours of blood and guts as Christ suffered and only 15 seconds of a flash of His resurrection. Mel Gibson has a strong Roman Catholic background. So, you can imagine that as your friend grew up he received little teaching or exposure to the facts surrounding the resurrection and its significance for us today.

 

The best way to lead someone to Christ is to show them something better than they already have or are planning to get. Therefore, focus your talks with your friend on the glories and beauties of Christ. Let him see the living water of Christ flowing through your own life and be attracted to the Christ in your life and your friend may soon want to experience the same strength, peace, and love you exhibit.

 

Certainly, my answer is not all encompassing, but I hope it gives you a few ideas on reaching your friend for Christ. God bless and good luck.

 

Love,

Roger

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