Rupert Hine: "The Sniper"

This British artist recorded songs which weren't the usual lovey-dovey love sort. He also created his own sound with samplers and electronics. Have a listen.

Like any army, we followers of Christ must be on guard against Satan's spiritual snipers. As Paul wrote about our sacred armor in Ephesians 6:16 (Bible in Basic English), "And most of all, using faith as a cover to keep off all the flaming arrows of the Evil One."

As with any military force, infiltrators and saboteurs creep in to destroy us through misinformation. As we read in 2 Corinthians 11:14 and 15 (BBE), we must be careful when encountering new teachers. "And it is no wonder; for even Satan himself is able to take the form of an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants make themselves seem to be servants of righteousness; whose end will be the reward of their works."

A long-distance spiritual sniper attack was described by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 and 2 (BBE). "Now as to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our meeting with him, it is our desire, my brothers, That you may not be moved in mind or troubled by a spirit, or by a word, or by a letter as from us, with the suggestion that the day of the Lord is even now come;"

We also know that Paul's enemies smeared his reputation behind his back. As we read in 2 Corinthians 10:10 (BBE), "For his letters, they say, have weight and are strong; but in body he is feeble, and his way of talking has little force."

But those who were rebuked by one of Paul's letters cleaned up their acts, as we read in 2 Corinthians 7:8 and 9 (BBE). "For though my letter gave you pain, I have no regret for it now, though I had before; for I see that the letter gave you pain, but only for a time. Now I am glad, not that you had sorrow, but that your sorrow was the cause of a change of heart; for yours was a holy sorrow so that you might undergo no loss by us in anything."

If our king hasn't returned to have victory over this world by Monday, I'll feature a song about a true event back in 1969.

Saturday Song: Rupert Hine, "House Arrest"

What an unprecedented situation the world faces. Never has the population of the entire planet been quarantined or restricted socially. Plagues have broken out over vast areas of the planet throughout history, yet the entire globe has never feared a flu.

Since it feels like we're all under House Arrest, here's a song by Rupert Hine regarding that condition. Listen to it here:

Believe it or not, the Apostle Paul was placed under house arrest. Luke tells us in Acts 28:30 and 31 (BBE), "And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him, Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so."

Thanks to that house arrest, many people heard the gospel in Rome. In fact, we read how far up the chain of command the gospel spread in Philippians 4:22 (BBE). "All the saints send their love to you, specially those who are of Caesar's house."

Paul also realized the advantage which his incarceration brought to his preaching ministry. Philippians 1:12 and 13 (BBE) reads, "Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences; So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ;"

Thanks to Paul's many imprisonments, he wrote many of the letters which we now have in our Bibles. Not being able to visit churches or preach to crowds, he had the time to pen epistles to congregations and individuals alike.

The most poignant letter of those is Second  Timothy. We read in chapter four, verses nine through eleven (BBE),  "Do your best to come to me before long: For Demas has gone away from me, for love of this present life, and has gone to Thessalonica: Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and take him with you; for he is of use to me in the work."

So if your plans are squashed by being confined to your home, you can do like Paul and encourage others with a phone call, text, or e-mail. Even an old fashion letter would cheer up folks.

On Monday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I hope to publish a post about war and when it will finally end.

Saturday Song: Rupert Hine, "The Set Up"

Any one who has had a traumatic childhood can identify with this song. Children are powerless and dependent upon adults for their very lives.

The sad reality is that many children are victims of adult childishness. Like the line about the child being Mother's little weapon when Father broke her rules, children are used as pawns. Even if the kids aren't physically assaulted, the emotional battering they receive takes it's toll.

Here "The Set Up" here.

Because of being used by callous adults for personal vendettas, children come to believe that God behaves the same way. In their minds, he's cruel, arbitrary, and petty. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Christ's disciples assumed that he didn't want to be bothered by mothers bringing their infants to him to be blessed. As Mark 10:14 (KJV)records,  "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.'"

I know from personal experience that it's hard to change our perceptions after a lifetime of abuse but it is indeed possible. It happened in my life and, with Christ's help, it can happen in yours too.

If you liked what I wrote and you enjoyed this poignant song, please write your comment in the box below. And if this matter is too painful for you at this time, I wish you a blessed weekend.