I’m Stuck: The Art of Getting Out of Bad Situations: John Wick

I’m Stuck: The Art of Getting Out of Bad Situations: John Wick

Last month I had the opportunity to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes going to the movies. While enjoying a day off, I went to the local theater to see the highly awaited and anticipated John Wick 3 “Parabellum”. And for the many Keanu Reeves fans out there, I can truly say John Wick 3, delivered. Action, from start to finish, excitement and suspense, you name it, John Wick 3 has it. During the film, Reeves repeatedly uses a wide variety of fighting tactics, weapons, and stunts to escape tight situations. And while I was impressed with Reeves throughout the movie, I was also impressed with how writer Derek Kolstad masterfully placed Reeves into unimaginable situations then constructed some of the most unthinkable ways to get him out.

For instance, in classic Houdini style, Wick who appears to be doomed from start, outlast his adversaries until the end. He then performs another last second escape evading death and thus setting the stage for John Wick 4.  While sitting in the theater, I was instantly reminded of biblical writers who recorded some of the great escapes of the Bible. These writers recorded the amazing rescues and deliverance’s God performed on behalf of His people.

While there are many similarities to the narratives of Kolstad and biblical writers, there are also many differences. One main distinction is that Wick writers give an accurate account of powerful world organizations and how they use natural weapons and tactics to achieve earthly ends. Where as biblical writers pull back the curtains revealing the real supernatural enemies behind these organizations whose goals are to set up, trap, and attack God’s people in efforts to derail God’s heavenly agenda. However, because of these supernatural enemies, writers from Moses to Jeremiah to Luke have recorded how God sidesteps the plan of the enemy to give supernatural deliverance’s to believers throughout the ages.

Writing 66 books over a period of 1600 years, biblical writers were consistent in their view that regardless of the situation, God was able to rescue those who trust Him. Like Wick,these writers penned stories of saints in conditions so perilous that only the most unorthodox methods and nontraditional means could be used to rescue them. Rescues so amazing Kolstad and his contemporaries would find it hard to duplicate them on the big screen.

The basis for God’s universal escape plan is of legal significance. It comes through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God used Jesus Christ the -greatest escape artist ever- to rescue the world from sin and death and to give the world eternal life. Now that we are deliverer from sin, God extends a universal “get out of jail free” card to all of humanity. He knows that even though Jesus died for our sins the world is in fallen state and every now and then we will need to be rescued. So, if you are experiencing an emotional, spiritual, or financial difficulty, don’t panic, God has a plan of escape specific to your situation.

The Apostle Paul explains the biblical truth of God’s escape plan for you in this way:

^“ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV

Based on this promise, lets use the daring escapes of John Wick as a back drop for the dramatic rescues performed by God in the Bible.

1. Elijah Surrounded by the Aramean Army: Prayer

In the opening scene of the John Wick 3 movie Parabellum, he is surrounded by a host of assassins all looking to cash in on 14-million-dollar bounty placed on his head by a ruling body of killers. Known as the “High Table” this worldwide network of assassins track Wick for violating a “High Table” rule, the killing of an official at the Continental Hotel in Manhattan. For this Wick encounters assassins at every turn ready to attack instantly. With a panicked look, he suddenly realizes is surrounded.

Like Wick sometimes we can find ourselves surrounded by problems in life which make us think there is nowhere to turn. Many times, our situations cause us to panic when there is no apparent answer or remedy available. In these times we must look higher to gain a better perspective of our current situation.

This is what happened in the Old Testament when a writer named Jeremiah penned a narrative of a similar but more devastating account of being surrounded. In 2 Kings, Jeremiah records the encirclement of the Prophet Elisha and his servant Gehazi by King of Aram and his army. According to the story, Elisha supernaturally leaked Aram’s military secrets to Israel’s commanders giving them an advantage in the war. Because of this Aram sent troops to capture and kill Elisha. 

 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 2 Kings 6 13-14

Yes, King of Aram sent an entire army to capture one man, sound familiar? But according to the story, while attempting to silence Elisha, he frightened his servant instead. When Elisha’s servant Gehazi realized that he was surrounded by a fierce enemy, he did what any reasonable person would do when caught in a tight spot: he cried for help for fear of his life. 

“Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 2 Kings 6: 15 NIV

Shockingly, instead of pleading to the King, for his life and for that of his servant, Elisha did not turn his attention to the army of King Aram army at all.  Obviously not shaken by the number of troops encamped around them, Elisha spoke words of faith to calm his servants’ fears

Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 2 Kings 6: 16 NIV

I guess when the servant heard Elisha’s words, he must have thought that Elisha had lost his mind. How can you say there are more of us than the enemy when we are surrounded by thousands of soldiers, horses, and chariots? But instead of trying to convince his servant, Elisha prayed a simple prayer.

 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. 2 Kings 6: 17 KJV

Elisha knew that what Gehazi needed was a better perspective of the situation. According to the writer Jeremiah, when Elisha prayed something amazing happened: Gehazi’s eyes were opened and he saw thousands of chariots and horses of fire in the hills surrounding the Aramean Army. He suddenly realized that instead of contemplating his defeat, all the time, he should have been celebrating his victory.

Like Elisha when we find ourselves surrounded by the enemy, instead of panicking, we should pray to get God’s perspective of the situation. Prayer opens our eyes to the unseen realities of God’s power, protection and provision.

So, whether you are surrounded by bills, hardships, marital issues, or an addiction, don’t panic, just remember that God has already made a way for you to escape. Just like Elisha and Gehazi, God has surrounded everything that surrounds you.

 “And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha”. 2 Kings 6:17

2. Paul and Silas in Jail “Locked Up“, Praise

We’ve all heard the saying that “Life Happens” well this is true. Sometimes it seems that we are just going about our daily business and suddenly “Bam” out of nowhere we are in a jam with no clear way out.   While trouble rarely knocks on our front door and introduces itself, escaping bad situations is more difficult when you’ve been blindsided with seemingly nowhere to turn.

A similar situation happened in the first century Roman colony of Philippi. While preaching the Gospel for the first time outside the borders of Palestine, Paul and Silas encountered a girl with a spirit of divination. Because of his ability to discern demonic spirits, Paul cast the demonic spirit out of the girl which angered her masters who profited from her ability to tell fortunes. Suddenly, Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten, arrested. They were thrown into prison on trumped up charges of teaching a religion not authorized by the Roman empire.

What a day?. One minute they were walking down the street and the next minute they were stripped, beaten, and cast into prison. As the old adage goes “when it rains it pours”. Well if that were not enough the Bible record that they were put on the inner chamber of the prison with worst criminals even though they were innocent. Things went from bad to worse for Paul and Silas. In the natural it appeared that they were “Stuck.”

The Bible says at “midnight” when things were their darkest, instead of complaining Paul and Silas sang praises unto the Lord.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Acts 16: 25 KJV

Wow, this is amazing, locked in a foreign jail with no attorney, they didn’t ask to make a phone call, instead, they began singing praises unto the Lord. Even though the magistrates treated then harshly, casting them into prison without a formal trial, when they sang praises to God, the Judge of the Universe took their case. Unlike human judges who slam a gavel on the table to exercise their authority over the courtroom. God demonstrates His divine justice by causing an earthquake to shake the foundation of the prison to set His minister free. This supernatural demonstration of authority, suddenly reversed the decision of the magistrates, and rendered a verdict of innocence for Paul and Silas in front of the inmates and all of the prison officials. God’s divine demonstration of deliverance also makes another powerful point. It shows that God can save anyone in any place. He comes into the prison through Paul and Silas to confirm that they are His servants. While there He also breaks chains off the inmates that were locked up there, The breaking and opening of physical chains and doors are symbolic of God’s ability to break spiritual chains and open spiritual doors. The inmates didn’t escape, but because of the prayers ,praises, and preaching of Paul and Silas, they were set free from the spiritual mindsets and behaviors that put them into physical prisons.

“And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” Acts 16: 26 KJV

After reading the last verse, I can see why someone would say “man this is one of the greatest prison breaks ever”. Well, while remarkable, what’s truly remarkable is Paul and Silas didn’t escape, they remained in the prison to preach to the deliverance to those who were bound. They didn’t have to escape because the next morning when the magistrates heard that they had imprisoned 2 Roman citizens without a trial they were afraid and released them ASAP. I am sure that Paul and Silas never thought that being wrongfully beaten and arrested would have a good outcome. But God makes all things work together for our good. Because of Paul and Silas’s arrest we know that God can rescue us from all types of prisons. whether physical, spiritual or emotional.

According to law enforcement statistics about 5% of the American population are locked up in our nations prisons and jails, however, what is not reported is the percentage of Americans that appear to be free, but are mentally and spiritually locked up due to wrong thinking patterns that lead to addictions and behavioral issues. The good news according to this scripture, is that praise can shake and overturn the root causes of these patterns called “Foundations” which represent long held beliefs and traditions that trap people in sinful behavior. For you maybe you have been locked into bad relationships and need to be set free. Well, according to Paul and Silas, your praise will open ‘Doors” and set you free. maybe you are shackled to drugs, alcohol, or pornography and need to be “loosed”from the chains of bondage, well guess what? Your praise will do the job.. Regardless of your situation, when you ‘PRAISE’ God, He will take your case Pro Bono. When you get in trouble suddenly, don’t worry, God will suddenly come to get you out.

^“And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. Acts 16: 26 KJV

3: Moses at the Red Sea/ . Use your gifts

At the outset of John Wick 3, Wick realizes that he will have to think fast if he is to escape the network of killers motivated by money to kill him. After surviving the initial plot to surround and trap him, Wick dupes his enemies by escaping to a library to retrieve some special items to aid in his escape. While in the library, Wick fights a familiar but unsavory character lurking behind the bookshelves. After defeating the giant with a book, Wick takes a medallion “Marker” and a cross with him as bargaining chips to secure his escape.  

Like Wick we have all been in situations where people were not there to help us. However, instinctively, we knew where to go or what we needed to get help. Sometimes it came in the form of some money tucked away for a rainy day or in other cases a token of some sorts served as a reminder that that everything was going to be okay. Or maybe it is a place where you could go to find solace and peace until you could plot your next move. But regardless of what it is we all have something that we can rely on to help us when times get tough. The good thing about the things we need to get us out of bad situations it is often very close to us.

We find this principle true in the book of Exodus. After a miraculous escape from the oppressive hand of the Pharaoh, Moses with over 2 Million runaway slaves make their way across the Sinai Desert in search of the promised land. I believe that after they had journeyed a certain distance from Egypt, God hardened Pharaohs heart causing him to renege on his promise to set them free. The area where the Children of Israel were before Pharaoh sent his horses and chariots after they is important because it is centrally located between Egypt and the Red Sea.

“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.” Exodus 14 :10 KJV

This place between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea is a place is where many of us have found ourselves: between a “Rock” and a ‘Hard Place” having to choose between fighting the enemy behind you or confronting the impregnable obstacle in front blocking your route of escape. In times like these it appears that there is no way out, but nothing could be further from the truth. Often the way of escape in time like these are not traditional. old ways of escape won’t work, and we are left wondering what to do?

This was the case for Moses, he did 3 things that we all do when we feel stuck. First, he paused. When Moses heard the chariots, he was frozen in fear. Next, he panicked, realizing that Pharaoh was in hot pursuit he thought of a natural escape, but there was none. Then he prayed. To “Cry” out means to pray or to call God in desperation.  Unfortunately, when going through difficult trials our theology will be put to the test. While prayer and praise are always good, sometimes, we can pray when God wants us to act. We don’t need prayer when the will of God has already been revealed. During those times, God doesn’t want to hear your prayers He wants to see your faith; so, put your gifts to work to get out of tight situations.

And the Lord said unto Moses, wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: Exodus 14: 15 KJV

According to this scripture God is essentially saying “why are you looking at me”? Does this mean that God turns His back on us when we are in trouble? No, it means that God has given you everything you need to get out.

But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. Exodus 14: 16 KJV

With God looking down from heaven, Pharaoh chasing in hot pursuit, the Red Sea directly in front of him and over 2 million petrified followers crying, God told Moses to lift a stick to divide the Red Sea and to escape to dry land. What a display of faith. Often the way that God orchestrates our escape is in a way that we would not have thought of ourselves. But God is supernatural, and He has ways you never imagined bringing you out of your mess.

While many of us have not been caught between an actual Red Sea with a real marching army, behind us we’ve all faced that felt like it. In this example, Moses helps us to realize we often find ourselves stuck between fear (Pharaoh) which paralyzes us and faith (Red Sea) our way of escape. The good news is God has placed something in your hand to overcome your fears and to move forward in faith.

 “But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left” Exodus 14: 29 KJV

Like Moses, John Wick escaped with what he had in his hand. Using a ‘Marker” to redeem promises from old friends who were sworn to help him. According to the Book of Exodus which means “to exit” Moses uses a “Stick” to part the Red Sea and lead the children of Israel to dry ground. Theologians and Bible scholars say that the stick used by Moses is symbolic of the wooden Cross that Jesus Christ used to set humanity free. So regardless of what you have in your hand use it to escape, Jesus has paid the price.

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[i]4. Jeremiah upside down in a well: Friends

After securing a Marker John Wick was able to use it to get help from old friends and acquaintances. Wick knew the value of the gift and the promises attached to it. With gift in hand Wick would use it to secure his release and to reverse the death sentence placed in him by the high table. First, Wick goes to the ballet hall to meet the “Director” a woman who raised him and who knew the value of the “Crucifix” or the Cross Wick offered as ticket for his escape. She receives the crucifix and grants him safe passage from Manhattan to Casa Blanca Morocco at the cost to her personal safety. She then brands Wick to signify that he has used his last ticket for escape. In Casablanca, Wick is reacquainted with another old friend “Sofia” played by Halle Berry who owes him a favor. By receiving his marker, Sofia agrees take him to a member of the high table who can remove his bounty.

Sometimes we will need the help of trusted friends to defeat our enemies and to escape our desperate situations. In some cases we will rely on old friends who honor prior commitments and news ones who can point us to the way out. This was the case several millennia earlier than the John Wick story, in the life of the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah was sent to deliver good and bad news to his Jewish countrymen. Because of their sin and disobedience to the law of God, God sentenced the Israelites to 70 years of captivity at the hands of the Babylonians. The good news was, if they surrendered, no one would be killed, and the city of Jerusalem would be spared. As you might imagine this message did not go over well with the King. So, he sent for men to put Jeremiah in a hole.

 ^“Then took they Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon, there was no water, but mire: so, Jeremiah sunk in the mire. Jeremiah 38:6 KJV

Just as with Wick and the high table, Jeremiahs relationship with his fellow countrymen became the source of great distress and difficulty.  According to Bible scholars Jeremiah was known as the “weeping prophet”. His calling to rebuke an entire nation was not an easy one. Jeremiah was often persecuted for his words. During his ministry Jeremiah often showed signs of depression. He even wanted to quit on several occasions because of his suffering at the hands of his fellow Jews. Jeremiah says:

 “For since I spoke, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily”. Jeremiah 20: 8 KJV

“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20: 9 KJV

These words alone signal that Jeremiah may have been suffering from depression. According to the scripture being attacked every day became too much for him. Even though he was around his countrymen, he was alone and alienated because of his unique calling. He was poor, treated unfairly and despaired for his life.

People with depression feel as if they are in a hole either because they are alienated from friends and family or around people they do not connect with. While reading this some of you may say what does this have to do with me, I am not in a stuck in a hole? Well like many Americans you may not be stuck in a physical hole, but you may be in an emotional hole with no obvious way out of it.

 we can’t seem to get out. But there is help. According to Mental Health America about 6.7 million Americans suffer from depression which comes to about 16 million people. According to the organization there are different causes for depression to include life events, divorce, loss of a loved one and biological causes. Women experience depression twice as much as men. Even though depression is becoming an American epidemic there is still good news.

While people can be the agents of enormous stress and pain in our lives they also can serve as God’s healing agents. The Bible says that when it was known that Jeremiah had been placed in a hole one of the servants came to rescue him. He gathered all the necessary equipment and people needed to pull Jeremiah up out of the dungeon.

And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so. Jeremiah 38:12 KJV

Having a trusted person to talk to about your depression may be the first step to your escape. However, just as in the scripture, getting the help of a group with the right resources to pull you out may be the next step. Just remember, you may be in a low, dark, tight place right now because of the actions of others but rest assured that God has someone on the way to bring you out and to lead you to a brighter and larger future.

“So, they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison. Jeremiah 38:13 KJV

• 5. Peter in Prison: Angels

In all the examples of miraculous deliverances we have just discussed, the power of God was the deciding factor in rescue of saints throughout history. Whether friends, gifts or praise it was the supernatural power of God that brought victory in dark times. Even though God uses many sources to bring us out, the ministry of angels is one of the most misunderstood, but powerful sources of bringing us out of bad situations. In Acts chapter 12, the Bible records one of the most thrilling rescues in Eastern literature. The Apostle Peter is imprisoned for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ by King Herod. After a week of brutality and carnage where Herod killed several saints, he has Peter in prison awaiting his execution the next day.

“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. ² He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. ³ When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also”. Acts 12:1-2 NIV

What a dangerous time in the life of the early Church everyone associated with Jesus was marked for persecution by the King. However, the next verse highlights an interesting response by the Church, the Bible says that the Church prayed for Peter.

 ^‘So, Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12- 5 NIV

 We have already discussed the power of prayer to escape your difficult situation in the first example. But the truth of the matter is that prayer is an acceptable response in any situation when we need God’s help. However, there is another aspect of God’s deliverance that I want you to see: even though we should always pray, prayer is the key that opens the door to the supernatural realm. Once we are in the spirit, God can use whatever spiritual weapons He chooses for your rescue. For Moses He used a “Rod”, for Gideon He used trumpets, but for Peter, He chose angels

 Throughout the Bible angels have been used to bring deliverance to God’s people in times of distress. While mainstream religion and secular philosophies dismiss the ministry of angels, the Bible clearly tells us that they are God’s agents commissioned to carry out His heavenly purpose on earth.

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14 NIV

According to this scripture God sends His angels to bring salvation, in other words to “Save” us. Not just eternally, but temporarily as well.  The story of Peter’s imprisonment is an interesting one because it shows the power of God to deliver from the destructive situations. King Herod represents the power of earthly forces in their quest to hinder the spread of the Gospel. Herod efforts are demonically inspired and thus too much for human power to overcome. Satan is the hidden force behind wicked politicians, oppressive governments, and rogue militias that lock people into prison, He is also the source of dangerous philosophies that bind people into addictions, perversions and depression. If we can learn anything about Satan from the actions of Herod, we see that either through destructive policies, (locking Peter up for no reason) or perversions (locking people into destructive mindsets), Satan, a fallen angel, wants to imprison you first, then kill you.

As the church prayed for Peter, I am sure their faith was fueled by a previous deliverance God wrought of behalf of Israel. According to 2 Kings, God defeated a perverted nation, a wicked King, and a massive army with a single angel.

 That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies 2 Kings 19:35 NIV

While this story is impressive to say the least the good news for Peter is that whatever God did before He will do it again. The Bible records that night God sent angels to deliver Peter from 16 soldiers who guarded him with their lives. The angels supernaturally broke the chains and brought Peter out conducting one of the most miraculous rescue missions ever recorded. In the morning they found Peter gone and the prison cell was empty.

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Acts 12: 6:7 NIV

After reading this scripture you should be reminded that whatever situation you are in God has a plan already in place for your escape. One of God’s greatest escape artist are His angels. He sends angels when the attack appears to be from a human source but it’s Satan pulling the strings. According to the 2 accounts He sends them at night. I think the reason for this is that God doesn’t want you to let the enemy keep you up at night. God wants you to go to sleep and let Him fight your battles for you. So, no matter what your legal situation looks like right now, don’t worry God is working it out. When ruling powers come against you God will be your advocate. He will send His angels to deliver you out of your prison whether physical or spiritual.

^“In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. “Acts 12:19 NIV

7 Principles to Building a Winning Team: A Construct of Jesus Christ

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7 Principles to Building a Winning Team.

NFL fantasy football is one of the most popular sports trends of the last decade. A virtual concept that allows football fans to select real players to build their personal NFL team. Fantasy football gives the average fan the opportunity to act like real NFL general managers which greatly enhances the NFL experience. This allows them to research player and team statistics in real time. This is designed to help fans to select the right players to build a winning team. However, while conducting research to find the best players for my team, I discovered that many of the strategies and principles I used to build a winning football team could also be used to build powerful teams in business, charitable and religious organizations.

This information caused me to research the origins of such principles which led me directly to the Bible. Little did I know that the principles I used to assemble a winning team were proven, time-tested principles used by the greatest team builder of all time, Jesus Christ.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus strategically recruited a mixed bag of individuals called the ” Disciples” to carry out His plan of Salvation. After uncovering this truth, I realized that if Jesus Christ was the Author of team building principles, then not only should they be used in sports, but also to propel corporations, NGO’s and religious organizations to the next level.

Therefore, despite today’s emphasis on individualism, a theory that maintains that the interest of the individual ought to be sought before the interest of the group, by following Jesus Christ through the pages of the Gospels, we can replicate His team building strategies that will guarantee success for organizations of today.

Here are 7 Principles to Building a Winning Team from Jesus Christ:

1.    Recruit Well

Every week in fantasy football, I comb the fantasy football universe looking for the best free agents to add to my roster. Every week I read scouting and injury reports to see if there is any unsigned player that can help me win next week’s game. You see in fantasy football the key is to win. And, to win you need the right players playing their best football at the right time. Being able to pick the right player is the difference between winning and losing. In some league’s winners receive handsome monetary rewards while in other leagues its more about bragging rights. But, regardless of the incentive, if you are going to win, then building a team with the right players is your first step toward success.

Centuries before virtual football fans decided to choose players for their fantasy rosters, Jesus Christ illustrated a clear principle regarding recruiting. Immediately after His temptation, Jesus started His personal ministry in the region of Galilee. Even though the primary goal of His ministry was to go the Cross, He knew the importance of building a winning team. According to the Bible, Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee to find His first recruits; He saw men fishing and immediately commanded them to follow Him. He called them away from their boats and nets and made them members of His team.  

 “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”Matthew 4:18

In the above scripture, Jesus reinforces the principle of recruiting the right people for your team, regardless of your objective, to be successful, you will have to find people to support your cause. Jesus’s mission was to die on the Cross for the sins of the world. And while this may seem like a one-man job, it required others who understood the significance of His death to serve as eyewitnesses of His life and to spread the good news.

Jesus called Peter and Andrew away from their jobs of catching fish to catch men or humankind for the kingdom of God. An obvious upgrade to their previous occupation, Jesus believed that the “hard work” required to catch boat loads of fish was a “transferable skills” that could be used to make His organization successful. The point here is that: if Jesus needed a team to accomplish His divine mission, then how much more will earthly organizations need to recruit the right people to meet their organizational objectives?

For organizations large and small finding the right people is the first step in building a winning team. Groups can greatly benefit by taking a page out of the playbook of Jesus Christ for building a powerful team. Howbeit effective, this may require using nontraditional recruiting methods.  Like Jesus, companies should run “transferable skills analysis” to recruit talented people already hard at work in other sectors of the job market who may be a perfect fit for your corporation. Based on the high demand for top talent, companies cannot afford to sit and wait for the right people to land on their corporate doorsteps. Like Jesus, companies will have to go to where the talent is. From a more traditional standpoint, attending job fairs and recruitment seminars can do the trick.

2.    Seek Diversity   

One of the advantages of playing fantasy football is that it helps you to appreciate each player on your team. To win you must score points and you want everyone from the running backs to the kicker to score. Therefore, to be effective you must appreciate the diverse set of skills and talents that make up your roster. The same is applies if you are to win in business or in any other aspect of life.  

Jesus Christ the Author of this principle used it long before footballers put teams together using the internet.  He understood that to build a winning team it must consist of different people with different backgrounds displaying various perspectives and opinions. After recruiting hardworking Peter and Andrew, He looked to the other end of the social platform to enlist His next members.

“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So, he arose and followed Him.” Matthew 9:9 NKJV

The first 2 disciples of Jesus Christ were fishermen but here Jesus shifts gears in His recruitment strategy and adds Matthew, a tax collector, to the fold. Peter and Andrew worked for a living and were required to pay taxes levied on all incomes by the Roman government. Matthew was a representative of the Roman government and responsible for collecting taxes from hardworking people like Peter and Andrew. I think you can see where this is going. What was Jesus thinking? Building a team with people representing polar ends of the social strata is a surefire recipe for disaster. Or is it?

I believe that Jesus deliberately chooses to turn most ancient and modern constructs of social behavior on their heads. Centuries before the first organizations were created, Jesus revolutionized the concept of team building by introducing the power of “diversity” into the fabric of organizational success. Having built a team to spread the gospel throughout the entire world, Jesus knew the collective power of joining people with different backgrounds to accomplish a common goal. He set out to build an organization that was different and more inclusive than the world around it. Jesus built a team with different perspectives, positions, and political affiliations to impact a world filled with people with different perspectives, positions, and political alliances. He knew that before the Gospel could change the world, it had to first change the disciples called to transform it.

Corporations and organizations of all sorts can benefit from the example of Jesus when building a team. We live in a world that is more diverse and globalized than at any time in our history. Large conglomerates and multi-national corporations should understand the importance of having a workforce that resembles the world in which they do business. In the global business environment of today diversity is the driving force behind a successful business. Recruiting people from different ethnic, religious and social backgrounds will be sure to build a team ready to take on the environmental, political, and economic challenges of the 21st century.

3.    Teach Consistently

One of the amazing benefits of playing fantasy football is how it increases your knowledge of the game. Even though I played football in high school, the game has changed so much over the years that I really didn’t understand some of the more recent rule changes or offensive and defensive formations. To be effective in fantasy football you must become a real student of the game. Being willing to be a real disciple of the game is essential to winning week after week. Therefore, weekly I spent time on the NFL website and other apps designed to increase my knowledge of football. I found that the more eager I was to learn; the more tools and resources were available to teach me.  

After choosing His team, Jesus understood the importance of teaching His disciples how to be effective for the kingdom of God. He taught them to be team oriented and to rely on each other for success. Often called “Rabbi” which is translated “Teacher” Jesus made teaching a major part of His business plan for the Kingdom. He did this in 2 ways: He taught in open forum like the Sermon on the Mount, and then in less public settings where He explained the meaning to parables to the disciples in private.  Another key element Jesus introduces to formal and informal training regimens is the test. Yes, the test. Jesus implemented the test to track individual performance so that every disciple would know where they stood in areas pertaining to their faith.

In this scripture, we see that Jesus chooses an open and more formal method of teaching. He chooses to teach the disciples in public near the lake.

“Again, Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge”. Mark 4:1-2

However, in subsequent scriptures we see Him move to a more private setting to explain what was taught to the disciples in further detail. He also tested them to see how much they retained.

“When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.  He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside, everything is said in parables so that… Mark 4:10

And then comes the test.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.

In the last few verses, we see Jesus established teaching sessions in a boat near the lake. In the first example, He taught the multitude along with disciples. In the next example, He taught the disciples in a private setting. And, in the third example, He took the classroom (Boat) out into the water to test the disciples on what He taught them. According to the scripture, while Jesus and the disciples were crossing the lake a storm arose. The disciples being tested on faith became afraid and called Jesus who was asleep inside the boat. When Jesus was awakened the test was over. He calmed the fears of the disciples by calming the wind and the waves. Jesus then evaluated the disciple’s faith.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4: 39-40

Teaching consistently is important for organizations whose success will depend on building effective teams. In business, just as in life, success rarely come prepackaged nor do people come with all the attributes necessary to reach their full potential. Though talented, they will need personal development to take your organization to the next level. This can be done by making tuition assistance available for formal educational programs geared toward advanced degrees. Informal training can be made available through on-site professional development programs designed to enhance writing skills, leadership, or conflict resolution. For professional development courses, test scores can be compiled to gauge individual progress during manager evaluations and should be used as a measurement for advancement.

4.    Make Changes

Another advantage of fantasy football is the ability to change current rosters. Even after the initial team has been selected team owners can trade players who are not performing for more productive ones. Remember it’s all about winning. 

During His earthly ministry, Jesus gives us a perfect example of constantly evaluating the current pool of talent to see if all members are pulling their weight or reaching to meet their highest potential. This example came in the form of Jesus’s relationship with Judas Iscariot. Anyone who has read the Bible knows that Judas was the disciple who betrayed Christ.

For entrepreneurs, business owners, or executives this is a concept that should be adopted for maximum success. Unfortunately, every employee will not embody the vision of the leader or the organization and should be replaced before they cause damage to the team or the brand you have worked so hard to build. An article in the Economist reported that corporations that kept unproductive or disgruntled employees on board longer than necessary exposed the company to increased potential of financial loss due to theft. The article revealed that not replacing employees in a timely manner further jeopardized vital security information. Even worse, the article revealed that the risk of vandalism and sabotage to vital infrastructure increases as persons whose productivity has decreased remain as employees.   

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” John 13: 21

5.    Build Trust

One of the more difficult aspects of managing a fantasy football roster is knowing how long to stick with a current player.  Let’s face it, the fantasy football season is long (16 weeks) and throughout the season players will experience ups and downs in performance. Even though you can trade and bench players for more productive ones, learning to stick with your top performer may yield the highest return. The best measure of a player is his consistency over a long period of time. Obviously, there was something about the player that led you to draft them in the first place. Just as in finance, sometimes a good stock may experience the volatility of the overall market, but in the end, return to outperform its long-term projections. Similarly, at some point, you must trust your pick.

Jesus was the ultimate trust builder, He took a group of people from different walks of life and made them a successful team. At first, the disciples didn’t see a lot that revealed that Jesus was the Son of God. But they trusted Him and walked away from their current occupations to be a part of something larger than themselves.  However, the more time they spent with Him, He revealed more about His divinity and His purpose for recruiting them. Jesus knew that the disciples had to have faith that He was able to do the impossible. This would allow them to trust Him when things got tough. Jesus performed many miracles in the presence of the disciples- and to build trust, He often allowed them to participate. One such miracle was performed in Matthew 14:13-21.

Once while teaching, the crowds followed Jesus and the disciples into the desert. After a long day of preaching, it began to get late. The disciples decided to stop Jesus to allow the people time to get back to the villages to eat before it was dark. However, Jesus had another idea, instead of taking a break, Jesus told the disciple to feed the more than 5000 people where they were.

As you can imagine, the disciples were shocked; they didn’t have enough money to buy food for a multitude of followers. After a time of grumbling among themselves, they took a brief inventory and approached Jesus with all they had, 2 fish and 5 barley loaves. What they saw next really shocked them: Jesus took the 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread lifted it up blessed it and gave it back to the disciples to administer to the people. As the disciples gave the bread and fish to the crowd, the food began to multiply right in their hands. When they reached into the basket to get the last piece of fish, they would find 4 more pieces and so on. This continued until the entire multitude had eaten. But there is more, according to the scripture, Jesus then commanded the disciples to pick up the leftovers and there were over 12 baskets left over. What a miracle? 

“They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children” Matthew 14: 13-21

I believe that Jesus performed miracles of this sort, not only to build trust between Himself and the disciples but also to build trust among the disciples. The disciples were eye witnesses to the authenticity of Jesus’s ministry This created a bond among them. Even though Jesus performed the miracles, He allowed the disciples to participate. As a team, the disciples gave out the small fragments of fish and bread; And as a team they picked up the 12 baskets that were left over. The miracles were trust building exercises for the disciples, they reinforced the significance of their singular roles within the larger organization.

As this concept is true with Jesus and His disciples it is also true for those entrusted with leading small, medium, and large-cap organizations. Leaders must create a work environment where building trust is a priority. Just as Jesus Christ created time for team building exercises, so should leaders schedule periodic events for employees to bond. TinyPulse.com offers great team building exercises for your company. Building trust makes your organization stronger from top to bottom and prepares teams members to trust leaders and each other in difficult times. Unfortunately, mergers, acquisitions, and downsizings are a part of the capitalistic landscape of today. But building trust within your organization can help your team navigate the choppy waters regardless of the outcome.

Be a trust builder, not a trust buster.

6.    Embrace Similarities

Another principle that helped me achieve success in my fantasy football league was to select players who had things in common. I picked players on the same NFL team that could potentially double my teams’ point production. For instance, I chose New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees as my starting quarterback. Drew Brees has one of the highest quarterback ratings in the NFL. However, to get the maximum points, I selected his teammate Alvin Kamara a running back who catches a lot of passes from Brees out of the backfield. With this strategy, I can expect a higher point production from players who practice together and who already work within the same offensive framework. In other words, the 2 players rely on each other for team success. Kamara and Brees have an additional financial incentive in working together for team success. I didn’t create this situation of common interest, I just tapped into it.

Well, in the Gospels when selecting a winning team, it appears that Jesus was already utilizing this concept of embracing similarities. This seems like a reversal of point 2, but it seeks to reinforce it. Within teams, there must be diversity. As we discussed earlier, diversity within a team concept makes it stronger and expands its ability to be effective. But this does not have to come at the expense of embracing similarities that can support the core values of your organization. The importance of these relationships is critical to building a winning team. People with similar values tend to work better in group settings.

Jesus’s trip to the Sea of Galilee represented more than a quest to find hard workers. He also wanted people with the right ethical and moral backgrounds. Jesus knew that competence was important, but not at the expense of character. He wanted someone with a strong work ethic who also could embrace the core values of His organization. If the disciples were going to be charged with spreading the Gospel to the world then Jesus knew that core values such as honesty and integrity would have to be the foundational of His administration.

 “When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit”. John 1: 47

In this verse, Jesus meets Nathanael and recruits him to become a disciple. The first thing mentioned in Jesus’s assessment of Nathanael is not his skill or talents but His character. Jesus says that there is no “deceit” or dishonesty in Nathanael. Jesus’s knew that finding people who had strong values such as honesty would support the values of Hos organization.

For-profit and nonprofit organizations alike, leaders can benefit from recruiting people that are honest. After all, “Honesty is still the best policy”. As policy companies should seek to hire people who are forthright and honest, failure to do so can result in monetary loss and damage to the reputation of your brand and organization. Studies show that dishonesty in the workplace erodes trust among team members and can damage the reputation of your business. On the other hand, honesty builds trust among teams and greatly enhances the reputation of your organization. Your company should be known for honesty and integrity in business relationships with others recruiting those who embrace similar core values can greatly enhance the profitability of your business.

7.    Build Small Teams

Another strategy that worked well in using the combination of Drew Brees and Alvin Kanara was the concept of creating smaller teams within larger organizations. We have all embraced the concept of “teamwork”, but very seldom do you hear about “work teams”. As I stated earlier selecting Brees and Kamara offered me several benefits: points, familiarity, and common interest. For instance, depending on the number of teams in your league, you may not have the benefit of selecting more than 2 great players. If your fantasy league has 12 teams then it greatly diminishes the talent pool you must select from. So, to compensate for a lack of superstars, creating smaller teams can increase your productivity and your chances of winning.

According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Christ employed this principle long before we used our cell phones to select players in coffee shops. He knew He could maximize the power of the disciples if He broke them down into teams of 2. After the teachings and the miracles, the disciples were ready to go out as representative of Jesus Christ. Equipped with the same message being in teams of 2 allowed the disciples to cover more ground in a shorter period of time. Jesus understood that remaining in a larger team of 6 or 12 would make getting the word out cumbersome and slow.  By breaking the group down from 12 to 2, Jesus simply substituted inefficiency for efficiency. And in business, that’s the name of the game.

 “Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.” Mark 6:7

This should be great news for organizations of all types, positioning members in smaller teams promises to save your organization time and money. Studies have shown that larger groups within organizations are less efficient than larger groups. According to a Forbes article, larger groups move slower than smaller groups because of the need for more communication within a group. This redundancy is also known as “red tape”.

The article cites the “Ringelmann Effect” named after French engineering Professor Maximilien Ringelmann who conducted a study and found that when experimenting with people pulling a rope, when one person pulled the rope, they gave 100% effort, but when more people were added to the team, individual effort went down. According to Ringelmann, groups fail to reach their full potential because of various interpersonal processes that detract from overall group proficiency. In other words, when working in larger groups talented people tend to slack off. Based on this finding, firms misappropriate valuable time, talent, financial resources when they assign important task to larger groups. After all, time is money.

 “If a team cannot be fed by two pizzas then that team is too large”. Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon.

In Conclusion,

Fantasy football is one of the most popular sports innovations of the 21st century. And, I must admit, it really revolutionized the way I see NFL Football. But what I didn’t realize was that many of the concepts I adopted to build a winning team had been employed over 2000 years ago by Jesus Christ the greatest team builder ever. Born in human form to carry out the mandate of the Cross, He took a group of the least likely participants, fishermen, Roman bureaucrats, and betrayers to form the most powerful team in the world.

As our example, Jesus left no stone unturned in providing ancient principles to help modern organizations win. Building trust, embracing similarities, and creating small teams will allow Fortune 500, nonprofits and NGO’s of today to take the field and tackle the challenges that lie ahead. While, seeking diversity, recruiting well, and making necessary changes will help groups score big in facing the challenges of the 21st century.

The History of Narcissism: A Mental Malady or Spiritual Sickness?

The History of Narcissism: Donald Trump: Mental Malady or Spiritual Sickness

In his book “Rewire” Richard O ‘ Conner gives us a glimpse into one of the most destructive personality disorders known to mankind –Narcissism. Defined as the pursuit of gratification from vanity or the admiration of one’s own attributes (self-love), narcissism  gains its significance from Greek mythological figure “Narcissus” who according to Greek folklore looked into a pool of water and suddenly fell in love with the reflection of his own image. According to Greek Mythology, Narcissus was a Laconian hunter who loved everything beautiful. He was proud and hated those who didn’t worship his beauty. As Greek history would have it, he forced his admirers to commit suicide to prove their loyalty to his striking beauty.

My first encounter with the term “Narcissism” came as Criminal Justice student in the 1990’s. In my “Deviant Behavior” class my professor talked about people with the ability to do harm to others without any feeling of remorse, and, in many cases, after committing the most heinous and violent crimes, believed that they were the victims. Also called “Victim Stance” in sociology and law enforcement circles, I became interested in what made people like this tick.

For years after college, I challenged myself to put to good use the information I learned in class, how to identify people with narcissistic traits to see if they were really people who could commit violent crimes without remorse. But it was hard. Narcissists don’t walk around with signs around their necks that read “Hi Charles, I’m a Narcissist” nor are these traits immediately noticeable upon meeting someone. So, I discovered that if I was going to be able to identify narcissistic traits in others, I had to continue to study this maladaptive personality disorder in more depth, and to allow time and human interactions to continually be my tutors.

Well, the first job I landed after school proved to be the perfect proving ground for identifying narcissistic behavior – the Florida Department of Corrections. And, believe me it wasn’t long before the things I learned in college were put to the test. As you might imagine correctional settings are full of individuals who make it their life’s work taking advantage of others.  I won’t go into details about what I learned through conversations, personal stories shared, or observed behavior within a maximum-security prison, but, you better believe that after working there for 6 years, I received a master”s degree in maladaptive personality disorders and now, after my departure, I could spot a narcissist a mile away.

But soon after this, I realized that I still had a lot of unanswered questions about the disorder. Even though I believed I could recognize a narcissist within a reasonable amount of time, I wanted to know what causes a person to become a narcissist? Are they born with personality a trait that predisposes them to look inward regarding relationships with others, or is this behavior the result of a poor upbringing and simply a coping mechanism. Is it a way of compensating for low self-esteem, or a combination of both? However, to get the answers to these questions I would have to rely less on my formal education and more on my faith.  Instead of consulting experts on the topic of human behavior such as Nietzsche, Freud or Rousseau, I decided to go straight to the source of human behavior, the Bible. I find the Bible to be the most comprehensive book on human behavior ever written. It gives us a detailed account of the creation of mankind, so it would stand to reason that it should be consulted when determining the scope of man’s invisible faculties namely the mind. After much prayer, the first thing I realized was that narcissism was not a creation of Greek Mythology, but cloaked itself in it to conceal is true origin. The characteristics of a narcissists was first found in Satan, a fallen angel bent on undermining the authority of God.. Here”s what the Bible has to say about Satan and the spirit of narcissism :

“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.[ I will ascend above the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.” Isaiah 14: 12-15

It doesn’t take a Bible scholar to understand the meaning of this scripture. A cursory reading will reveal that Lucifer, one of the angelic beings in God’s heavenly court has been cast down to the earth for attempting to usurp the authority of God. If you read it carefully, you will hear Lucifer talk about himself exclusively as if he is the Sovereign God. It is this “self-love” or gratification in one’s own attributes that is the source of the “Spirit of Narcissism”. Again, it was first found in Lucifer. According to the Bible, once Lucifer was cast to the earth his name became Satan.

This is a good starting point for understanding narcissistic behavior because it opens a new door into the personality disorder. If it is a spirit then we don’t have to look at criminals and in correctional intuitions to find narcissist because  they exist in all shapes and sizes and appear across a broad section of the social and, economic landscape. To make matter worse this reveals that many of them hold positions of significance and are responsible for the safety and welfare of millions of people. In my opinion, these individuals pose a greater threat to public safety than those sitting in jail cell. Therefore, identifying them may be of great importance.

Since Lucifer now called Satan is the source narcissism, then it stands to reason if the spirit was detected in Narcissus in Greek Mythology and given a name, Satan surely didn’t stop there. He is sure to have influenced the mind of others throughout the expanse of history. From this we can deduce that people with a narcissistic mindset did not disappear in ancient times but reared their heads in events that have characterized the 19th and 20th centuries. From Hitler’s persecutions of the Jews in the 1940’s to Stalin’s’ Communistic purges of the 1930’s and 40’s, to religious leaders of the 1970 ‘s (Jim Jones) narcissist are largely drawn the historical map of the 21st century and play a major role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of today. The Bible describes Satan’s use of world leaders for his destructive purpose this way:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

Armed with this truth, we can be sure that Satan is not without a narcissistic arrow to fire from his quiver of world leaders for the 21st century. I believe this figure has been characterized in the face of Donald Trump, America’s 45th president.

The narrow election of Donald Trump’s as 45th president of the United States, will be the most costly election in American history. Running on a campaign of hate it shouldn’t be surprising that it is the beginning of a dark era for America. More than any other president, Trump fits the narcissistic profile of the world’s most lethal despots and notorious villains. Since his nomination as the Republican candidate for president, Trump has used explosive rhetoric taken straight out of the playbook of some of the world’s most venomous leaders. He seems to identify with personality traits that have led to the most extreme cases of totalitarianism and mass atrocities in history.

Therefore, to expose and combat this insidious effort of Satan to undermine American Democracy using a modern day narcissist, I will reveal the narcissistic traits in some of the world’s most notorious leaders then I will highlight these same destructive shortcomings in Donald Trump to prove why his presidency could be disastrous for America and the world.

Here are 7 Characteristics of  A Narcissist:

1. Narcissists are Prideful and Arrogant

Ever since Donald Trump accepted the nomination of the Republican party for President of the United States one thing has been apparent: Donald Trump is both arrogant and self-centered. From the beginning of his campaign he has used the word “I” in such a selfish way as to suggest that being President of the United States is all about him and not about solving the problems of the country. During a campaign event it was recorded that Donald Trump used the word “I” 17 times in a 9-minute speech. For those who have not heard this rhetoric before, it is taken right out of the play book of one of the most notorious narcissists in the world, Satan.

In the courtroom of God, Lucifer stands trial for treason. He attempts to elevate himself above the authority and ruler ship of God. We can hear as Isaiah records the charges levied against Lucifer by God Himself. As we look at this verse, it reads as a court transcript. Lucifer’s arrogance and self-contentedness leap off the pages of the Bible as he uses the word “I” 5 times while rehearsing his plan to overthrow the government of God. The Bible makes this transcript available for all to read.

“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High… Isaiah 14: 12-14 (NKJV)

Look at how many times Satan uses the word “I” in this relatively short scripture. Like Satan, the selfishness of many people is rooted in the fact that they think they have created themselves. Selfish and arrogant people  think they have pulled themselves up from their boot straps and deserve all the credit for their success. This apparently was Satan’s motivation for leading a coup against the God who created him.

According to Ezekiel 28, Lucifer was an Angel who was adorned with splendor and beauty. Like Narcissus, he let it go to his head. This was the beginning of the end for Lucifer. God defeated Satan and those who followed him and cast him to the earth like a bolt of lightning. Jesus further testifies to the eviction of Satan from his former abode in the New Testament writing of Saint Luke:

“He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”. Luke 10:18 (NIV)

Again, after his fall and subsequent eviction from heaven to earth, Satan’s begins his plan to deceive the nations. He looks for men he can use to pick up where he left off: to elevate himself above God.

After his arrival on earth, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was one of the earliest pawns to Satan’s schemes. According to Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar ruled over the largest kingdom in the world.

Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. Daniel 4:22 (NIV)

According to the Bible, because of the expanse of his kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar became arrogant and prideful. Like Lucifer before him, he didn’t give God credit for his success, but chose to take all of the credit. To have an elevated sense of significance above one’s gifts and callings is one of the symptoms narcissistic tendencies, to use what God gave them for their personal advantage instead of for His glory is the epitome of narcissistic behavior.

According to the Book of Proverbs, “A haughty or Prideful heart comes before the fall” Prov. 18:12 and this turned out to be the case for Nebuchadnezzar. After years of not giving God the honor and credit that He was due, Daniel was dispatched to tell Nebuchadnezzar the bad news: he would be disposed of his kingdom and cast out into fields to live as a wild man. Daniel interpreted a dream that God gave Nebuchadnezzar notice of his impeding eviction. He assured him that he would be restored to greatness after he had learned his lesson. Just before his eviction, Daniel records that Nebuchadnezzar said these words:

“he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Daniel 4:30 NIV

Did you catch that? He used the word “I” to describe the vastness and greatness of his kingdom on earth. A search of biblical history record that Nebuchadnezzar was subsequently put out of the palace and made to live among the wild animals. His hair and nails grew so long that he began to resemble the wildlife where he resided. Those who passed by could see him eating wild grass with oxen in the pastures. Nebuchadnezzar. once the most powerful man in the world had not only suddenly lost his entire kingdom, but also lost his mind.

“He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored.” Daniel 4: 33-34 NIV

After being restored to his kingdom as God had promised, Nebuchadnezzar didn’t seem quite as arrogant and prideful as before. He still used the world I but not to promote himself, but to highlight the sovereignty of God. He recognized that God alone raises up and brings down kings.

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right, and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Daniel 4:37 (NIV)

At the height of his rule, Nebuchadnezzar was kicked out of his palace and placed in the pasture with wild animals. Like so many other powerful world leaders throughout the expanse of history, Nebuchadnezzar failed to see the truth until it was almost too late. Those given the responsibly to lead others should govern with humility realizing that everything they have comes from God. And, that He is the righteous Judge of the universe. God will not allow his people to be subjugated to tyranny and evil but for so long. Yes, Nebuchadnezzar was a narcissist who mistakenly thought that he was the center of the universe, but after taking a course in humility he realized he was wrong. However, unlike Satan, the forerunner of all narcissistic behavior, Nebuchadnezzar experienced God mercy and was returned to his throne. But, Satan was evicted forever and is looking for the next narcissistic personality to work his nefarious plots. I only hope Donald Trump will learn from the life of Nebuchadnezzar and take a course in humility before it is too late.

2. Narcissist are Compulsive Liars 

According to the Bible, if there is one single trait that signifies the influence of Satan in a person life, it’s their inability to tell the truth. From the beginning of history Satan sought to hinder Gods plan for humanity by deceiving people. He started in the Garden of Eden by deceiving the first representatives of humanity Adam and Eve. And, ever since, Satan has continued to deceive men throughout history, especially leaders. Jesus Christ to the point that Jesus reveals that he is the source of all lies and the chief of all liars.

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it”. John 8: 44 (NKJV)

According to this scripture, Jesus reveals that sometimes Satan carries out his deceptive plan through individuals (Trump) and at other times he carries them out by influencing political bodies. (Senate and the House) or the Pharisee. In this country, both Trump and the House and Senate members of this country have a problem telling the truth, but for this article we will focus on Trump.

In every other instance, I provide a historical a figure who shares the same narcissistic tendencies of Donald Trump then trace this trait directly back to Satan. However, because of the dominance of this trait in Donald Trump I will cut out the middle man and draw a line directly from Trump to Satan.

Since the beginning of his candidacy for president alone Trump has been notorious for telling lies baseless lies. As the President of the United States, I was appalled at the number of blatant lies Donald Trump has told the American people. Donald Trump has told so many lies that there are media sources committed to tracking them and then challenging their accuracy  According to a Washington Post “fact checker” of the first 100 days of Trumps presidency revealed 492 lies or false claims made by the president. As we move into the mid-term elections, please click on the link to see how many fictitious claims Trump has made since his presidency and determine how they may affect you on certain key issues.

If you have clicked on the link, then you have seen that Trumps lies on a  wide spectrum of issues that affect Americans directly . Whether he lied regarding economics, politics, trade or just plain lied, his efforts to deceive have one goal: to mislead and to deceive the American electorate. Donald Trump even had the audacity to claim that there were more people at his presidential inauguration that at the inauguration of former president Barack Obama, despite overwhelming video evidence to the contrary. This not only proves that Trump has a long distant relationship with the truth but may lack the ability to tell the truth.

It apparent that narcissist like Satan and Donald Trump simply find no utility in the truth. The truth only highlights their emptiness and their fallen since of self-worth. Narcissists use lies to exaggerate their achievements and accomplishments even in the face e of conflicting evidence. Narcissist like Donald Trump will do or say anything to feed his  grandiose ego and to make himself seem more intelligent and successful than he is. However, in the end, like Pinocchio, whose nose grew the more  he lied, the more Trump lies the more the country he was elected to unite will become divided.

3. Narcissist Use People for  Personal Gain 

While narcissist’s are found in a wide variety of occupations and professions, the financial sector seems to be one of their more favorite hangouts. Like the heavy drinker who can often be found at the bar across the street, people with an insatiable thirst for more money can often be found hanging out near Wall Street. I think, for the narcissist, having large sums of money supports the illusion that they are smarter than the rest of society and reinforces any stance they take on economic, social or political issues. They often convince others that since they are rich, they must be right. When, in more times than not, they are wrong.

This was the attitude that permeated the landscape of the early American industrialist known as “Robber Barons”. A name taken from the unscrupulous German robber barons of the feudal period who got rich by levying heavy taxes on unwary travelers. Even though these industrialists have long died, the spirit of the Robber Baron seemed to have come back to prominence during the “Great Recession” of 2007. However, amid the various names that surfaced during this dark financial period for America, former stockbroker and investment adviser Bernie Madoff was at the top of the list.

In December 2008, Madoff was arrested when he admitted that his investment securities firm “Madoff Investment Securities” LLC was nothing more than an elaborate Ponzi scheme defrauding billions of dollars from uninformed investors. Madoff admitted to providing false financial statements to clients when the estimated value of their accounts was fictitious. Prosecutors estimate that the size of the fraud at about $50 billion . However, since his arrest, it has been determined that about $35 billion  of Madoff’s estimated $64 billion fund never actually existed. The Madoff scheme sent  tremors through the financial and philanthropic sectors causing several charitable foundations to close their doors. In 2011 Madoff was charged with 11 counts of securities fraud and sentenced to 170 years in prison for operating the largest Ponzi scheme in American history.

Like Madoff, Donald Trump has also been known to take advantage of the ill advised. During his time as a so-called developer, Trump left behind a cemetery of bad business deals and he has the bankruptcies and lawsuits to prove it. From a business standpoint, Trumps has been less than honest in a host of business transactions that cover decades in which he reneged on promises that left others holding the bag. A Forbes magazine article reported that Trump and his son took money raised at a celebrity golf tournament for kids with cancer and used the funds for personal and business use. Trump also used Madoff like scams to cheat hundreds of people out of tuition money paid for a fictitious Trump University degree in Business.

As you can see, the spirit of the Robber Barons has continued to rear its ugly head at various stages throughout history. Its goal is to steal large sums of money by taking advantage of honest hardworking people. Madoff and Trump are just  2 of the latest culprits in centuries of thefts by narcissistic rulers and financiers. Sadly, these thieves not only rip off millions of people with their scams, but are a real threat to undermining the entire world financial system.

“The thief comes but to kill steal and to destroy.” John 10:10

4. Narcissist Have Difficulty Sustaining Meaningful Relationships

Have you ever noticed that Donald Trump doesn’t get along with anyone? Even with people that he calls his friends. On Monday they may be cordial, but on Tuesday he usually argues with them and call them names. This is because narcissist have a difficult time cultivating meaningful relationships. Since becoming president, this fact has become even more apparent among those in his inner circle.

Among Trumps closest allies there has been a flood of resignations and firings within the first year of his term. Not to mention, that there are more vacant cabinet positions in the Trump White House almost a week before mid-term elections than of any former administration. This stems from Trumps inability to foster healthy long-term relationships and the overarching fact that narcissist don’t like people. So, why do narcissist have a hard time fostering meaningful relationships?

One reason is that narcissist are self-centered and easily offended even over minor offenses which they perceive to be an all out attack on their character. Narcissist are jealous and hold grudges over  offenses that most people move on from or learn to forgive. However, for the narcissist these seemingly inconsequential disagreements can cause long term resentment that become fodder for retaliation against former friends, adversaries, or entire races of people.

Hate that causes one to dislike entire races was seen in the face of one of the world’s most notorious narcissists, Adolf Hitler. Hitler, born in Austria-Hungary in 1889, became leader of the German Nazi party from 1939 to 1942 and began World War II with the invasion of Poland in 1939. Angered by the Treaty of Versailles proposal to heap huge war cost on the Germans for World War I, Hitler led a campaign of extreme nationalism (Fascism) which resulted in the deaths of millions of Jews.

Some historians believe Hitler’s hate for the Jews stems from a  childhood crush he had on a Jewish girl who did not reciprocate his feelings.  According to memoirs from a close friend of Hitlers, August Kubizek, a young Hitler became infatuated with a Jewish girl named Stefanie Rabatsh. According to Kubizek, Hitler would become furious when local soldiers commanded more of Rabatsh’s attention than he did. Historians speculate that these early intense feelings of love, hate and anger may have played a significant role in the development of Hitler’s narcissistic personality. If this is true, a slight from a young Jewish girl in his adolescence could have turned Hitler into one of the most notorious killers of all time. Under Hitler’s racially charged ideology, the Nazi regime killed about 5.5 million Jews. Along with Jews Hitler’s regime was responsible for killing another 19 million civilians and prisoners of war during this time.

As with other narcissists throughout history, it appears that Trump has taken not only a page, but the entire book on hate from his alleged hero Adolf Hitler. According to an article in the “Independent”, Ivana Trump sourced that Trump kept a book “My New Order” containing Adolf Hitler speeches next to his bed. Trump also allegedly admitted that he owned a copy of the Nazi manifesto “Mein Kampf”. Trump was obviously captivated by Hitler’s orators’ skills and may have also been a fan of his ideology. Like Hitler, Trump, who is of German descent, hates large swaths of racial and ethic groups. While campaigning for office,  Trump alienated African Americans, Muslims, Latinos, Women, Veterans, and Athletes. It’s ironic that while using hateful rhetoric against innocent groups, he embraced known murderers like Hitler, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un. This alone should be alarming to Americans and the world at large. In an office where people expect their leader to emulate high moral values and humanitarian virtues, Trump has let them down.

The fact that Trump does not play well with others is because he doesn’t like people. He has studied ways to inflame those he dislikes with fiery rhetoric taken out of the book of one of his heroes. However, little does he know that the hatred that Hitler displayed toward the Jews came straight out of the playbook of the biggest “Hater” of all time, Satan. Satan hates mankind because they are God’s creation. Therefore, who ever hates entire races of people is at odds with God and in bed with the devil. According to Jesus Christ, anyone who hates is a murderer. So don’t be fooled, whenever you encounter someone whether a supervisor or dictator with the capacity to categorically hate groups of  people, there is an unseen force at work behind the scenes. Wherever you find hate of this sort, you can be sure to find Satan’s fingerprints somewhere on the scene.  Jesus says:

“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him”. 1 John 3:15 (NIV)

5. Narcissist cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. strong>

Another distinguishable characteristic of narcissist is their inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. For some reason narcissist are given to wild and unsubstantiated conspiracies. Whether it comes from an inability to discern truth or an effort to deceive others for personal gain, narcissist since Satan have wrestled with this malady of the mind. Again, Satan was the first conspiracy theorist in history. He  deceived 1/3 of the angelic beings to believe they were capable of overthrowing the government of God. Since his fall, he has continued to deceive masses through lewd and unrealistic theories that darken the hearts of rulers and dictators.

One such ruler was the Roman Emperor Domitian. Also known as Titus Flavious Caesar Domitianus Augustus, Domitian was Roman emperor from 81 to 96 B.C. During his reign he re instituted a traditional religious order known as the “Imperial Cult” a tradition that ran through the Flavian Dynasty which considered members of his family deity. For what should be considered more superstition than religion, the “Imperial Cult” was the basis for widespread persecution of Christians in the first century.

Believing that his father Vespasian was elevated to divine status after his death, set the Roman emperor on a direct collision course with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Conspiracies theories are dangerous because they  often lead to destructive and reckless behavior on behalf of those who believe them. Domitian was the conspiracy theorist of his time.  He believed that he was afforded divine status at birth.  but unfortunately, there is another narcissists who also wrestled with the facts surrounding someone’s birth that  contributes to one of the most popular conspiracies of the 21st century.

This came to light when Trump exploited the theory that 44th President of the United States of America Barack Obama was not a legal citizen of the United States. Following a movement called the “Birther Movement” Trump harassed then candidate and later president Obama with baseless claims to derail his candidacy and to assassinate his character. Since becoming president, Trump has not abandoned his propensity to volley baseless claims at his adversaries. He alleges that Obama wiretapped his telephones during the 2016 campaign. Wow! The Business Insider has compiled a list of Trumps wild and fictitious theories. You should read them before the 2020 election.

This short historical narrative allows us to see the danger of world leaders who do not have a firm grip on reality or more importantly the truth. Like Domitian, Trump was caught up over a birth conspiracy and was not able to break free. Like so many other nefarious plots to control the masses and to lead people astray, conspiracy theories are just another attempt by Satan to control central figures with delicately woven lies designed to divide and conquer ultimately destroy the masses.

“The thief comes but to kill steal and to destroy.” John 10:10

6. Narcissist Think they Are Above the Law. Trumps/ Elvis

Contrary to popular belief, not all narcissist are hardened killers, cold hearted thieves or perpetrators of genocide. As we stated before the most venomous narcissist could be the person next door. This is because narcissist have an uncanny ability to camouflage themselves into almost any environment and go undetected for years and decades. In my opinion, one of the least expected industries to find a narcissist is the record and entertainer business. However, this is exactly where we find one of the world’s most popular entertainers and probably the most covert narcissist, Elvis Presley.

According to Richard Conner author of the book “Rewire”, an intrusive manual into self-destructive behavior, one of the reasons we find narcissist within the entertainment business is because of their “Star power” Star power for the entertainer is like money to the financier; it raises him or her to a level above personal accountability. Because of their giftedness, they think that they are above the law; that the rules that govern others, don’t apply to them. Narcissists in this field often apply for a “free pass” in life because they are special. Conner highlights Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe as others that fit into this category.

Presley, known as the “King of Rock and Roll” was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo Mississippi. Elvis was portrayed as an All-American boy. And performed free concerts while serving in the U.S. Army. Presley, gained the respect and admiration of fellow soldiers by acting like just one of the boys.  After his release from the military service, Presley rose to super stardom appearing on television shows and Hollywood films. He became a Hollywood success and the most popular singer and entertainer in the world. However, behind scenes Presley was addicted to prescription amphetamines given to him to by Army buddies to increase his energy levels and strength. Ironically, while addicted, Presley was bothered by the influx of “Illegal drugs” flowing onto America streets and wanted to do something about it.

On December 21, 1970 while visiting the White House, Presley was recognized by White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman of the Nixon administration and escorted to the Oval Office to meet an expectant President Richard Nixon. After a brief conference, Presley expressed his desire to help combat the wave of drugs reaching America youth and accepted Nixon’s invitation to be a representative on his new campaign to curb the drug epidemic. Presley was given a Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Badge. Shortly after joining the tasks force, Presley’s marriage, health and career entered a state of decline. Grotesquely overweight and suffering from declining health, Presley died on August 16, 1977 at 42. An autopsy revealed that at the time of death, Presley had over 12 different prescription drugs in his body.

When it comes to this type of behavior Donald Trump ‘s name always comes to mind. Over the last few months, Trump has reinforced his belief that he is above the law. Since his presidency Trump has acted more like a dictator that an elected official in a Democratic form of government, He has appointed judges at every level who support his belief that a president should be above the law. This push to be above the law has intensified since the beginning of an investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Trumps involvement with Russians election tamperers. Trump may be in bed financially those who want to undermine the same Democracy he is sworn to protect. This all emanates  from a narcissistic mindset that always seeks to color outside of well defined lines.

Narcissists like Trump and Presley think that they are the exception to the rule. They are deceived by the notion that they deserve special treatment. They surround themselves with those who are fearful to tell them to the truth. Presley thought he wasn’t a drug addict, only the people that used Illegal drugs were. That deception led him to wear a badge to combat drug use while he was a  drug addict himself. Trump has hinted at arresting Hillary Clinton and to others who oppose him politically while insisting that he should be not be subject to the consequences of his involvement in the worst attack on our Democratic ideals in Americas history. Being blinded by one’s own demons while trying to exercise them from others is a symptom of the narcissistic mindset: narcissists think they are worthy of preferential treatment and are not governed by the rules that apply to others.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NIV

7. Narcissist Eventually Lead their Followers to Destruction. Jim Jones

As we saw in the last example there is no single place that harbors all the world’s narcissist. But they are strategically dispersed based on their function and the lethality of their purpose (Eph. 6:12). As we stated earlier, Satan will use people in any sphere of influence to carry out his plans, however, based on his knowledge of heaven, the realm of “Religion” is where he has carried out his most deceptive and destructive plots.

As I write this article, this week commemorates 40 years since the most horrific crime against humanity in American history. The mass killing of over 700 people in the Jonestown, Guyana by Jim Jones a charismatic preacher who preyed on the weak and disenfranchised to start a cult called the “Peoples Temple”. Jones an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God was raised poor in rural Indiana where early in life he had an affinity for the readings of Marx, Lenin, Stalin. He also known to have a passionate interest in religion and a strange and often perverted view of death. Insomuch, as a child he was remembered as holding funerals for pets he had tortured and killed. As a teenager Jones, a social outcast, became a sympathizer of the marginalized African-American community in Indiana which cause a rift between him and his father a believed member of the Ku Klux Klan. As an adult, Jones a self-professed Communist, was at odds with Capitalist American ideal which he believed was at the root of the disenfranchisement of blacks. In 1951 he started a Church and using a combination of Marxist and anti- racial rhetoric attracted a large black following. Jones even received accolades from the Urban League and the NAACP for his supposed sensitivity to the plight of African- Americans.

This belief that Jones cared about African -Americans was short lived when revelations that Jones used this social platform to further his Communist cause came to light. Communist at heart, Jones used the Church to monetize the advancement his Marxist-Leninist views. This so-called shepherd led blind followers from Indiana to Jones town Guyana, where on November 18, 2018, 900 of his followers were found dead on an isolated compound in Jonestown Guyana. The cause of death was ruled suicide. Over 300 children were among the dead. Jones was later found dead from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. Jones was responsible for the largest single deliberate act of death for civilian Americans in U.S. history other than 9/11.

One would think that a human disaster of this sort would offer historical insight into the power of 1 individual to lead masses to the grave in a cult like fashion. But this is not the case. There is a currently a movement just as sinister and dangerous as the Jonestown massacre a foot today. Just like Jim Jones, Donald Trump has used fear and hate to lead a segment of American evangelicals into an extreme form of nationalism. The cult like following of Donald Trump by millions of blue-collar hardworking Americans who believe that they too have been economically disenfranchised could be the largest form of mass destruction since Jonestown. Like the African Americans of the 1960’s and 70’s, whites today have been blinded by the real motives of Donald Trump: to enrich himself and his billionaire cronies not to help the less fortunate. Using the slogan “Make America Great Again”, Trump has fanned the flames of fear and hate existent in the American DNA to lead naive Americans on the path to destruction. This has been done by preaching that alienating minorities and other ethnic groups is the only way to resolve their economic concerns.

Instead of promoting a united hope for all Americans where all can have access to the American ideal of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Trump has led a segment of the American electorate on an ideological wild goose chase that promises them something he can’t deliver. While these marginalized Americans believe that the loss of American jobs is due the increasing number of minorities and immigrants in America, nothing could be further from the truth, it is these social forces that truly “Make America Great”. The fact of the matter is that over the last 40 years the world has become more connected or “Globalized” due to advancements in technological innovations and less to the capriciousness of any ethnic or political group.

The fact that Trump continues to feed upon the ignorance of millions of white Americans for his personal economic and political gain is deplorable, however, I’m afraid that if the lot of his current followers, don’t come to the truth of his  plot to use them, then like African Americans of the 70’s they will reap the devastating consequences of their ignorance. I fear that the abandonment of the hope for economic salvation for whites will lead them to destructive and disastrous means to achieve the same ends. Choosing the “bullet” over the “ballot” will be suicidal to our Democratic processes and be more destructive for America than the Massacre in Guyana 40 years earlier.

Again, Satan fell from heaven, therefore, he knows the business of religion inside out. Like a former IRS agent who now helps you to resolve your tax problems, Satan is an expert in the realm of religion and uses it to disrupt, and to derail order in the earth. What we need to take away from this is narcissist like Donald Trump and Jim Jones never care about the economic plight of marginalized people regardless of their race. they only care their own interest, sadly, those who follow them are usually destroyed before they realize this truth.

“The thief comes but to kill steal and to destroy.” John 10:10

In Conclusion,

As a young college student 20 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined the devastating impact narcissist’s have had on our current world. From ancient Kings like Nebuchadnezzar whose pride caused him to shake his fist at God or Roman emperors like Domitian who claimed divine status for himself and his family to 20th century despots like Adolf Hitler whose attempt to annihilate an entire race left a destructive mark on the pages of history.

Unfortunately, all the traits displayed by world’s most notorious narcissist are present in the personality of Donald Trump. The inability to tell the truth, the hatred toward large swaths of people, and the notion that he is above the law are just of a few of the maladaptive characteristics which align Donald Trump with some of the worst thugs in history. His desire to deprive millions of their hard-earned money through deceptive business practices (Trump University) puts him squarely in the same category as the most venomous thief in American history Bernie Madoff.

I used the expanse of history to show that narcissism is not just a mental malady but a spiritual sickness. There is no earthy possibility that the same narcissistic traits would continue to surface over the pantheon of human existence without a more deviant and diabolical personality standing behind the historical curtain pulling the strings. And, there is, his name is Satan. Ever since his ejection from heaven, Satan has been the hidden force behind evil in the world and the progenitor of the narcissistic mindset which attempted to conceal itself in Greek Mythology. Designed to control kings, emperors, financiers, and yes, presidents Satan has used narcissim to commit mass atrocities and to  oppose the will of God.

Therefore, I hope that my research will serve as a beacon to expose the current darkness of the Trump administration and the danger it poses to American Democracy. I especially hope that those who think that Donald is committed to what’s best for America will let this be your wake-up call to take a closer look at his behavior with history serving as your tutor. My goal has been to show you from a spiritual and a historical perspective that he is not committed to your concerns nor the ideals that truly “Make America Great”. This article is intended to show that Trump is the most recent in a long line of wicked men who are controlled by a hidden force to destroy any organizations, alliances, or cooperatives that constitute harmony among racial, political or economic institutions. Remember, narcissist’s hate rules, and always color outside the lines even when its more beneficial not to.

However, because of the ability to systematically analyze the past we can connect the historical dots that will help us see the future and prevent us from becoming the next victims. For those who follow Donald Trump, biblical history teaches us that Satan led an unsuccessful revolt against God where he and 1/3 of his angelic followers were evicted from heaven. Additionally, secular history teaches that thousands of German soldiers were killed in WWII following Hitler’s extreme form of hate wrapped in a flag of nationalism. People lost billions of dollars in investments following the deceitful financial advice of  Bernie Madoff. Not to mention the hundreds who  followed cult leader Jim Jones to their deaths in Jonestown Guyana. By these examples, I hope that those who follow Donald Trump to the polls will see the larger picture: Donald Trump does not care about any particular portion of the American electorate more than another portion. Narcissist don’t like people period. They only use them to carry out larger and more sinister plots often hidden to the followers. Unfortunately, as we have seen in every example, after the plan fails, it is not just the main actors that are destroyed, but the followers who couldn’t see the truth, that were either dead, broke, or left alone to live with social stigma that comes with following the wrong person.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)

7 Steps to Overcoming Anxiety: An Old Remedy For A New Problem

7 Principles for Overcoming Anxiety: An Old Remedy to A New Problem:<img

According to the American Psychiatric Association, anxiety disorders are among the leading forms of mental disorders in the U.S. today. A 2017 poll cited health, security and financial concerns as the leading causes of anxiety disorders in America. The report noted a 5% increase in reports of anxiety from 2016 to 2017. Defined as a feeling of excessive nervousness or fear, anxiety affects about 25 million Americas every year. While for some people, these statistics may not signal trouble, for me they sound the alarm that America is facing a mental health crisis of epidemic proportions.

However, an even more alarming statistic was reported in Time magazine article that polled 1000 Americans found that 58% of Americans reported feeling more anxious in 2018 than in 2017. The poll added “politics” to the list of reasons for anxiety. So, why are adult Americans experiencing more anxiety than they were a year ago year? According to the poll, 56% of those who cited politics gave the political direction of the country as the reason for their anxiety. Of this group, only 28% reported seeking mental health care for their condition. Ironically, the social stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues didn’t influence the decision of those who failed to seek mental health assistance. Of the 28% polled, not knowing how to access mental health care was the main reason for not seeking help.

The fact that many Americans do not know how to access mental health care reveals a serious flaw in our nations mental health system. The rise in cases of mental disorders coupled with a lack of education about accessing mental health care is an incendiary threat to our country’s health and overall safety.
So, how do we reverse this recent uptick in anxiety disorders due to financial, security and political concerns? Well, while I believe that today’s psychiatric community has made strides in diagnosing and categorizing mental disorders through science and medical research, relying too heavily on science and not organic solutions can also have its drawbacks. I think that history has a lot to say about these disorders especially when brought on by security concerns whether, political, economic or physical. I believe that a more basic approach may reveal solutions used in ancient times to overcome anxiety in a tense political environment. I think that we can learn from them.

This is not an argument for religion over science I will save that for another article. I really think the 2-work hand in hand. Some of the modern techniques for combating anxiety offer great promise. In his book “Rewire” Richard Conner applauds advances in mindfulness meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and some drugs (SSRI) as a means of controlling the effects of anxiety and other disorders. But what I am advocating is a more comprehensive and authoritative source in alleviating the effects of anxiety the Bible. To Conner’s credit he starts his book out with a scripture from Romans then abandons scripture for a more medical and scientific course of treatment for anxiety and depression. And while he does a good job in his approach, I would like to return to the scripture because it has more to say on the matter.

Just as in his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul addresses mental disorders in his first-century letter to the Philippians. In this letter, the Apostle Paul was first to address the subject of anxiety head-on. The letter to the Philippians is a guidebook for having joy during difficult situations. As a first century church in the Roman empire, it was common to endure the wrath of many Roman officials. Politically, it mimics the stressful political climate today in America. During the time of this writing, the Roman Republic with an extensive network of checks and balances had been abandoned. Even though the Roman Empire influenced the known world, there were those who did not benefit from the rule of Emperors and who were persecuted for their beliefs.
Therefore, the political climate at the time of this letter qualifies the Apostle to advise members of his congregation to hold fast to their faith during this polarizing political atmosphere. He instructs them to adhere to several principles that will keep their hearts and minds during difficult times.
Listed below are 7 Things we can do to Deal with Anxiety:

1. Have Faith

A lack of security is among the top concerns for people who experience anxiety disorders and depression. The fear of a lack of economic or physical security in tough economic times or an increase in neighborhood crime is commonly reported in cases of anxiety. Among other things, this increase can be attributed to the 24-hour news cycle that constantly bombards our minds with negative images. The fear of natural disasters, rising crime rates, and negative economic predictions can make us feel anxious and insecure often in our own homes. Living in a world that seems so chaotic can make us feel powerless over life’s circumstances which rob us of our joy and peace. Yes, in life there are many circumstances that are out of our control, but by faith, we can still have peace knowing that God is in control of everything.

This appeared to be the issue facing the early Philippian church. In the first chapter of his letter, Paul encourages his congregation to have faith. Paul started the Philippian church on his 2nd missionary journey. While in Philippi he was arrested, beaten and thrown in Jail by Roman magistrates for preaching the gospel. Now some 13 years later, the Apostle Paul writes them from a Roman jail while facing the possibility of execution. I am sure that the Philippians were anxious to hear of the fate of their brother, mentor, and friend. I am sure this was also a cause for concern about their own personal safety as first century Christians. At this time, the Romans were at odds with religion not authorized by the Empire. The political forces of the Jews and the Romans were equally responsible for Paul’s imprisonment. However, during this, Paul writes to encourage the Philippians to keep the faith. He ensures them that God can protect them until His plan for their life was completed.

For those experiencing anxiety disorder over security concerns, Paul’s words should be reassuring. Paul writes to the Philippians from Death Row. While disheartening it should also be a source of comfort for us today. I would like to think that none of you reading this article is facing a situation as desperate as Paul’s, but if you are then keep the faith. Only God can give us peace and protection in dark places. Faith in God does not mean that everything will be perfect, but it means that whatever the situation He holds you in His hand. And whatever He has started in your life He is able to complete in Jesus Christ. Have faith!!

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Philippians 1:6

2. Practice Humility

According to the Apostle Paul, pride can be the underlying cause of anxiety disorders and depression. Thinking of ourselves in a manner inconsistent with how God views us can be a cause of stress. This usually comes in the form of how we perceive ourselves in a relationship with God and others. Prideful people place their attention on themselves and often set unrealistic expectations for themselves and others. Being driven by selfish motives to achieve goals that are often superficial can blind us to what is truly important in life. Our highest aim in life should be service to others.

Thinking that we are more important than we are can be an underlying cause of anxiety disorders. While achieving personal goals and reaching milestones are apart of Gods purpose and plan for our lives we shouldn’t become absorbed with them. There is more to life than seeking to fulfill personal goals for the sake of fulfilling them. Our lives have a greater impact and are more fulfilling when we serve others. Service to others should always be our highest calling (3:20)

The Apostle Paul understood this principle all too well. His list of accomplishments prior to his conversion, read like the who’s who of the cover of Forbes magazine. Here’s what Paul had to say about his resume:

“If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.” Phil 3: 4-6 NIV

Simply put, Paul whose name was Saul was the best at his profession. He studied at the best schools had the best professors, and belonged to the strictest sect of Judaism, the Pharisee. Born a Jew and a Roman citizen, Paul enjoyed the status, benefits, and privileges not afforded to most in the Greco-Roman world. However, Paul whose name was Saul was changed while on the Damascus Road when he had an encounter with Jesus Christ. For the first time, Paul realized that he was called to a greater purpose than just accumulating worldly achievements. For the first time, he realized what it meant to have a higher calling. At this point his earthy achievements didn’t seem to have the same weight as the significance of is heavenly calling for his life He writes:

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” Phil. 3:5-7 NIV

The world teaches us to strive to be the best at achieving superficial goals which make a name for ourselves and grants us accolades from others. While there is nothing wrong in being respected for our earthly gifts, we must be careful not to become prideful and use these gifts for selfish purposes. Constantly trying to meet unrealistic expectations for personal recognition can be a source of anxiety. If we will humble ourselves by using our gifts and talents to serve God and help others, then God will lift us to heights we never imagined.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself”. Philippians 2::3 NIV

3. Pray

Of all the effective strategies against the effects of anxiety, prayer is the most potent. Prayer is the first step in combating fear and anxiety because it brings us into fellowship with the One who provides what we need in stressful times. According to the Apostle Paul, prayer is the mechanism God uses to send His “peace” from heaven to earth. God ‘peace is a spiritual resource that comes directly from His abundant resources. The peace that combats anxiety cannot be manufactured on earth. Therefore, to receive it we must petition God in prayer. God peace can comfort us on earth during difficult times because it come from a higher source. God ‘s peace is truly a commodity “made in heaven”.

When thinking about the role God’s peace plays in our current world I am reminded of an economic term called “Market Failure”. Market Failure occurs when the public needs a commodity, but the current market system cannot produce or manufacture it for reasons of economic feasibility. When market failure occurs, it is up to a higher power (in human terms) the government to supply the resource that is not profitable to be produced in the private sector. When we pray, God, our higher power, steps in to give us peace from His heavenly warehouse because the earth does not have the means to produce it. In John 14: 27, Jesus Christ confirms this truth that peace cannot be produced on earth but must be received from heaven.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives”.

Second, to Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul has the most extensive commentary on the power and necessity of prayer in the New Testament. Based on his call to spread the gospel to the known world, Paul’s life is a living testimony to those to whom he is writing. During the penning of the letter to the Philippians, Paul sits in a Roman jail awaiting a trial that will determine his fate. If anyone knew the power of prayer during difficult times the Apostle Paul knew first hand.

The amazing thing about prayer is it connects to a power higher than us. In my life prayer has had a 2 -fold benefits, during difficult times it has either changed my difficult circumstances or given me the power and peace to endure them. So, for any situation, we may encounter, we should pray to receive Gods promise of power and peace for every situation. Often along with His peace, He will open His treasure of wisdom and gives His divine perspective on our current situation. That’s good news.

Let’s face it, there are somethings There are some things that the current world system cannot provide, peace is one of them. Peace comes from heaven. When we come to God in prayer, we receive the assurance that He hears us, and His peace is the confirmation that He will supply all our needs whether physical or spiritual.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

4. Think Positive

One of the main reasons for anxiety disorders is negative thinking. Thinking the wrong thoughts is sure to produce fear and anxiety. In her book, the “Battlefield of the Mind” Joyce Meyer explores the concept of “thinking about what we are thinking about” In other words, many of us are not aware of our thoughts. Our thoughts control our emotions and our emotions in our actions. For many Americans thinking negative thoughts is just the normal way to look at perceived negative events. They never think to question the origin of a thought or long-held thought patterns. When we allow any thought to enter our minds without bringing them into the light of God’s word we allow negative thoughts to take root which creates a reality that is often false.

Here the Apostle instructs believers to take inventory of their thoughts. According to the book of Colossians, we are to “set our minds on things that are above and not below”. Yes, that’s right, we can set our minds. We have the God-given right to choose how we will think about any situation. No, this is not “magical thinking”, but the truth, we can set our minds on God’s promises to challenge what we perceive through our senses. By renewing our minds to God’s promises, we receive the peace that comes with knowing the truth and receive the blessings that Jesus Christ died for us to receive.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

5. Meditate

Since positive thinking is a remedy for overcoming anxiety than the next logical step is to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. We do this through meditation. An important step in overcoming anxiety is to actively and continually resist the temptation to think negative thoughts. Most of us didn’t start thinking negatively overnight. It was brought about by some traumatic event or a thinking pattern that we’ve had for some time. Therefore, to reverse this trend we will have to spend time meditating on God’s word to eventually make positive thoughts our “default” when facing negative events. So why do I think negatively about everything? That’s a good question. Well, thinking improper thoughts are a part of our fallen nature. After the fall of Adam, we were separated from God and dominated by our senses. As humans, we learned over time to make assumptions based on what we could see, hear and feel. However, now that we have been reunited with God through Jesus Christ, we have access to Gods thoughts based on His truth and not on what we perceive through the senses.

Doing this on a consistent basis will give us control over our thoughts and help us to experience joy, peace, and freedom in our thought life. I find it interesting that in most eastern religions some form of meditation is the norm, however, in the West where the incidences of anxiety are more prevalent it is hardly practiced even within the church. This isn’t because the Bible -an eastern document – doesn’t encourage mediation, but rather, that Christians in the West fail to use it.

Paul is the epitome of thinking the right thoughts in a bad situation. Writing from a jail cell, Paul encourages the Philippians to use the same strategy he uses. It one thing to have someone tell us what to do at a difficult time, it’s quite different to have someone demonstrate what to do in tough times. Paul learned to how to have peace during tough times, he taught the Philippians how to do the same.

The fact of the matter is that we all know how to mediate. According to Webster mediation is the “action of contemplating or reflecting of thought: or to rehearse”. We have all rehearsed the perceived negative outcome of a situation repeatedly, it called “worry”. The Apostle Paul is simply instructing us to reverse our strategy and “rehearse” or meditate on the good things that bring about good outcomes. Spending time meditating on goods things is a surefire way to alleviate the effects of anxiety and grant us peace in every situation.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

6. Look Forward

I have found another wrong thinking pattern that robs many American of peace and joy is having no hope for the future. I encounter people every day are stuck in the successes and failures of their past. I noticed that upon every conversation with them they spoke about the past and not the future. First, I thought that this was due to them having accomplished so much early in life that they were just content with their current station. But, I realized that this was not the case, in these instances most of them were thinking that in their 50’s there best days were behind them and had little hope of something greater for the future. The other side of the equation revealed that while some rest in past accomplishments others are stuck in past failures. Because of some past pain or setback experienced they don’t see the need to hope for anything greater for the future. Many in this group feel that life has been unfair and without the setback, they would be much further along in life. Both groups fail to realize that at any age their future can be greater than their past.

The life of the Apostle Paul exemplifies both mindsets about the future. First named Saul, the Apostle was born with rights and privileges not afforded to most in the Greco-Roman world. As a Jew, he was born a Roman citizen in the city of Tarsus that was known for its academic institutions of which Saul was a beneficiary. He studied at the feet of the great teacher Gamaliel and was one of the best litigators of Jewish law. At a young age, Saul reached the heights of his profession by becoming a member of the highest sect in Judaism. Saul was a Pharisee. Based on his past Saul had a lot to be proud of. But then things went wrong. Saul was feared by most of his countrymen because of his zeal for the Jewish law and sought to punish anyone who was guilty of a violation of Jewish customs.

The good news for Saul was that this all changed in one day. While traveling to Damascus to prosecute members of the “Way” -defectors from Judaism to Christianity- Saul saw a beam of light and was suddenly knocked to the ground. His personal encounter with God, caused his named to be changed to Paul and changed his view of religion. Paul recognized his faults and worked hard to change his life. Despite his controversial past, Paul went on to complete 3 missionary journeys, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ he once condemned. He wrote 12 New Testament epistles which comprise almost ½ of the New Testament.

As you can see the greatest Apostle of all times had a checkered past. He was praised by his peers for his legal expertise and feared by his countrymen for his misguided zeal for Judaism. However, despite his past, he had a one -on -one encounter with Jesus Christ that changed the course of his life. It moved him past the good and bad of his past and pushed him into the glorious future Jesus Christ planned for his life.

Just like the Apostle Paul, our lives are filled with the successes and failure of our past. But, the good news is -regardless of our age- Jesus Christ still has a great plan for our future. Every day that you arise is your opportunity to have a one-on-one encounter with God. By embracing God’s plan for your life, you can make today the first day of the rest of a bright and beautiful future.

‘Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

7. Trust God to Meet your Needs

Atop the list of things that cause American to feel anxious is a lack of financial security. Stress related to the state of the economy was high on the list of American polled for anxiety disorders. I think that anxious thoughts about our finances begin with the wrong perspective about what it means to be financially secure. Let’s shed some light on the issue. We often have anxious thoughts about our financial future because of our faith in financial institutions and not God. To rid ourselves of anxiety about the money we must realize that our jobs, banks accounts, and investments are earthly resources, God is our source. We begin to feel anxious and depressed about the economy when we failed to acknowledge this truth. To resolve this, we must convert our place a higher priority on Gods “eternal” system rather than the “temporary” system of the world.

There is only one thing consistent about human financial institutions- change. In market-based economies, there will be upswings and downturns that cause a ripple effect throughout the entire economy. A corporate lay-off can create recessionary responses in the economy due to job loss and a decrease in consumer spending which causes more layoffs and a drop in the corporate stock price which can reduce the value of short-term investments. You get the picture.
Subsequently, because of the relationship between the business sector and the overall economy, the banking and credit markets will also be affected. So, my point is clear, financial institutions will fluctuate and even fail because they are temporary. So, to combat anxiety when markets react as they do, we must have faith in a system that is not affected by market cycles but by how you respond in faith.

In Chapter 4 of the Philippians, the Apostle Paul shares with his readers the importance of having the right perspective on financial security. According to Acts chapter 16, Paul first arrived in Philippi in 51 AD on his 2nd missionary journey. Paul and his team were commissioned by God to sail to Philippi to fulfill the Macedonian Call. Philippi a military outpost, did not have enough male Jews to start a synagogue. After 3 days, Paul came upon a group of ladies praying near the river. Paul preached, and the women were saved. A woman named Lydia was in the group she was a successful business owner who sold purple to the elite and magistrates of the district. She invited Paul into her home and provided food for them as he preached the word of God. Lydia’s house was the first recorded church in Europe. During his further missionary travels, the Philippians were a source of financial support to the Apostles and his ministers. They also supported fellow Christians in Jerusalem with monetary gifts in the time of famine. Because of their generosity, Paul tells the Philippians, that they had tapped into the eternal resources of God. Because they had given generously, Paul assures them that they God will supply there needs according to His eternal financial system.

Again, when facing turbulent financial times, we should follow the instructions that Paul gave to the Philippians. Give. Instead of being anxious about the ups and downs of the worlds temporary system, we can tap into Gods system by being generous to others. Paul experienced the blessings of God through the Philippian Church. God sent Him to Philippi and paid for the trip. Paul knew that whatever God ordains, He pays for. So, when we give, we can have peace
in difficult financial times knowing that God has promised to meet all our needs according to the eternal system.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4: 19

In conclusion, the political climate in America today has many Americans exhibiting symptoms of fear and anxiety. Concerns over the direction of the nation have been the cause of an increase in reported cases of anxiety from 2017 to 2018. And, while there have been new strides made to educate the public about ways to deal with America’s anxiety epidemic, old, time-tested principles may offer a more promising remedy for this mental health disorder.
According to the Apostle Paul, America is not the first society to experience anxiety over political issues, but Philippians of the 1st century were also concerned about the polarizing edicts of the Roman Emperor. The Philippians endured the harsh reality of being caught between the religious excesses of the Jews and imperial Rome’s hard-line stance against Christianity.
Like the Philippians, most Americans feel powerless over the political, security and economic factors that affect them daily. However, through faith, prayer, humility, and looking forward people of all ages can overcome anxiety and live a life of peace and joy. Just as in the first century, Paul reminds us that it doesn’t matter who is in the White House or who the Emperor is if God is on the throne we can trust Him to take care of all our needs.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

A Focus on the Family: The Dysfunctions of the Patriarchs

A Focus on the Family: The Dysfunction of the Patriarchs

I just watched “Acrimony” the new Tyler Perry’s film starring Taraji P. Henson who plays Melinda the scorned wife of an unfaithful husband Robert played by Lyriq Bent. In classic Tyler Perry style, the movie begins as a courtship made in heaven between two college sweethearts that evolves into a marriage from hell when Henson feels betrayed by Roberts’s selfishness and indiscretions. As an avid movie goer, I like to listen to comments of people as they leave the theater. At the end of the last scene as the credits were rolling a woman stated, “That was crazy”, while other woman yelled out in the theater “That’s messed up, he should have died” (the clean version). One guy commented “Wow”.

Even though, I’m sure the movie will receive mixed reviews, I think the larger conversation will be over Perry’s insistence on projecting a “conflict motif” in most of his films. What I mean by conflict motif is that Perry’s critics claim his movies portray people of color in roles of conflict and difficulties in finance, and relationships. Basically,to say, that other ethnic groups are not portrayed as dysfunctional in Hollywood as African-Americans. Over the years, Perry has been the recipient of over whelming criticism largely from the African-American community for exploiting the pain and suffering of blacks in America for profit. Some say that portraying the dysfunctions of blacks in America undermine the progress African-Americans have made in this country and set people of color back decades, if not centuries.

Personally, I enjoyed “Acrimony” for exactly the same reasons that others find fault in Perry’s choice of actors and plots: they convey the truth. In my opinion, Acrimony is another attempt by Perry to deal with dark secrets that plague all races and issues that people and families wrestle with every day. Having experienced personal pain as a part of a dysfunctional family, Perry chooses the medium of the big screen to shed light on issues that use darkness as a cover, but, lose power when confronted by the light of the truth. I think that instead of casting a dark cloud over the life of black people, Perry’s movies bring to light the secret things that hinder the future progress of blacks and people of all races.

Lastly, to the claim that Perry uses people of color predominately to portray characters in his films. Well, I think it’s clear why Perry chooses to use actors of color in his films who is more qualified to tell the story of a race of people than someone personally familiar with their plight. How can you relate to someone’s tragedy or triumph unless you understand the totality of their story? I am sure that there are critics that will never accept Perry’s prescription for pain, but for those willing to believe that there is a method to his madness, I challenge you to recognize that Perry is not the only writer to air the dirty laundry of his people. There is a biblical precedent to exposing the unattractive aspects of our past to navigate a brighter and more productive future.

If there were movie theaters in the Sinai desert around 2500 BC, movie goers would have flocked to the theaters to see “Infidelity”, The Story of Abraham and Sarai”. Written and produced by Moses, a Jew, writing about the indiscretions of the first family of faith. Receiving the script by a divine revelation from God, Moses, the greatest screen writer of his time, paints a picture of dysfunction in the life of his most significant ancestor, Abraham. As the writer of the first 5 books of the Bible, Moses tells his story on the largest “Big Screen” ever created, our minds.

Like Perry, I’m sure Moses faced his fair share of critics. Talking openly about the idolatry, incest, and adultery of the father of the Jewish faith probably did not go over well with Jews who were known for their pride and their piety. I know it didn’t sit well with older Jews who claimed moral high ground over their immoral pagan neighbors. They would not want it to get out that Abraham, the father of the world’s 2 major religions, was not only imperfect but from time to time colored outside of the lines of righteousness. Moses knew that he would not be able to silence all of his critics, however, despite the opposition he realized that the spiritual benefits of temporally exposing Abraham’s dirty laundry would far outweigh the physical and emotional pain he might have to endure. So, Moses, like Tyler Perry, decided to write it anyway.

Scene One:

‘Our Little Secret”

The story of Abraham starts in Genesis 12, with a shocking secret: Abraham is married his sister Sarai. Yeah, you heard it right, he married his sister. Although Abraham leaves the pagan region of Ur of the Chaldeans for a new life in Canaan, he didn’t leave its pagan ways. For many of us this creates a dilemma, how do I move forward in life with things attached to me that represent my past and not my future? I can’t imagine how the guy who shouted “wow” at the end of Acrimony would have reacted to this storyline. Strangely enough, that’s how many people would react if they knew the “dirty little secrets” that we try so hard to hide.

Contrary to popular belief, in ancient eastern cultures the arrangement of marriages between close relatives for economic reasons were more common than you might think. Historical documents show from early Bronze Age period that these arrangements were the foundation of early societies which were depended upon agriculture for survival. These migrating tribes needed workers to raise crops and to domesticate animals. Although this practice was strongly condemned in the Levitical laws hundreds of years later, they were obviously tolerated in nomadic societies before the introduction of organized societies. I don’t know if this explanation will allow you to breathe a little easier, but the truth fact of the matter is that every family has some dark or dirty secret that no one talks about. The bad news is, until resolved these dysfunctions can manifest at unexpected times causing difficulties and leading to more dysfunction. The good news is that God is larger than our past indiscretions and stands ready to help us despite our not so perfect beginnings.

In Genesis chapter 20, while traveling south of Canaan to Gerar Abraham and Sarai found themselves at the mercy of a Pagan king who admired Sarai’s beauty. To save his life, Abraham revealed the secret that had been a part of his dark past, that Sarai was not only his wife but, his sister. By this time God had already made Abraham a very rich man now coupled with having a beautiful wife, the men of Gerar were jealous of him seeking to do him harm. So, under these conditions Abraham lied, or did he?

I guess extreme situations call for extreme measures, so Abraham said that Sarai was his sister. I am sure there are some who think this act of incest should have disqualified Abraham from becoming the father of faith. It surely should have prevented him from finding favor in God’s eyes when encountered by an evil king. But, the opposite actually occurred, it positioned him to be the father of faith. Despite Abrahams dysfunction, God steps in to protect Abraham and Sarai from harm. Abraham’s faith was strengthened because he now knew that God was his protector.

“But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.” Genesis 20:3 NIV

According to the scripture, instead of a rebuking Abrahams for his shortcomings, God appeared to the Abimelech the king of Gerar warning him of instant death if anyone touched Abraham or Sarai. This benevolent act displayed “grace” in the life of Abraham long before it become a major component of New Testament theology. God gives us a foreshadowing of his grace 400 years before the law. God shows Abraham that He has his back in every situation. God s protection is available to us even when we have less than stellar past. As He demonstrates in Abraham’s life, His grace abounds even when we fall short. This was a valuable lesson for Abraham on his journey of faith. Whatever God orders He is able to pay for. And when He sends you out in his name, He has already gone before us to make our path safe, so Abraham had no reason to fear.

If couples of today can learn anything from Abrahams encounter, it’s when faced with crisis to choose faith over fear. Fear leads us to make bad decisions while faith recognizes God sovereign power to protect us. When God moves us from Ur our past to the Canaan our future, He already knows about our dark and dirty secrets. The good news is He is still willing to help us if we put our trust in Him.

“Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife.” Genesis 20: 12 NIV

Scene Two:

Marriage Gone Wild

After settling in Canaan, Abraham and Sarai were not able to conceive. According to the scripture, Sara’s condition existed before she left Ur of the Chaldeans for Canaan, but now that she is in the land of blessing, she is still haunted by her past. Sarai inability to have children was a major source of pain and frustration for the couple. Although, not being able to have children was devastating to Sarai, Abraham took it extremely hard. As a Patriarch, and leader of his estate, having a son meant carrying on the family name and inheritance was a sign of God’s favor. Also, during the Patriarchal period, sons seen as a blessing from God and were economically more valuable than daughters. However, if one could not have children at all, it was not only considered an economic setback, but a curse.

Day and night this was the object of contention between Abraham and Sarai. Sometimes conversations would be civil, while other times they erupted into yelling, finger pointing and name calling. Several times a physical altercation ensued. Things were thrown but no one was seriously hurt. The herdsman’s, servants, and slaves overheard the commotion. This was a huge source of embarrassment for Sarai? Because of Abrahams prestige in Canaan, counseling was out of the question, Sarai was open to the idea, but Abraham said no. While business was looking up on the outside, inside the home was a living hell. At the age of 75, the turmoil in Abrahams home got so bad that God stepped in to resolve it. After years of arguing and fighting, God dispatched an angel to the home of Abraham and Sarai with good news, they would conceive a son and his name would be Isaac.

Thanks be to God not only for His promises but for specifics in His promises, this gave Abraham and Sarai added confirmation that the promise will come to pass. I guess any avid bible readers would say “I never knew Abraham and Sarai went through all of that”. Well, the fact that God dispatched angels to rescue Abraham is evidence of how bad his situation was. God intervenes in our greatest need. His promises are tailor-made to do what we cannot, turn every curse into a blessing.

The Plot Thickens:

One might think that after hearing the news about having a son would bring peace to the first couple of faith. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. After receiving the promise from God, Abraham and Sarai didn’t realize that faith requires patience. This became another problem for the distressed couple. Sometimes to magnify His glory God will wait until a situation goes from bad to worse. Already 75 when receiving the promise God waits until Abraham is 100 and Sarai is 95 until He sends the promise. Also now instead of one miracle they now need 2 because now Abraham is impotent.

After waiting years for the promise to come to pass, Sarai let her impatience get the best of her and came up with the “crazy” idea to have Abraham have sex with Hagar the maid because she was barren and Abraham was nearly impotent by this time, Sarai saw no other way to bring the promise to pass than to take matters into her own hands. As you might imagine this was a mistake of biblical proportions, don’t mind the pun. Coming from the Ur of the Chaldeans, they were not accustomed to the concept of faith. Having attempted to conceive for many years without success they decided to take matter into their own hands devising a plan to give God away out.

Before we judge Abraham and Sarai too harshly, how many of us have tried to bail God out of a difficult situation. Not able to see in the natural how God will bring the promise to pass we come up with a plan to help God maintain His perfect record. Little did Abraham and Sarai know that God is not moved by our attempts to give Him a back door out of the situation, but only by our faith that He can do what He promised.

I have seen a lot of Tyler Perry movies, but what happens next, goes beyond the wildest imagination of any screen writer. Sarai encourages Abraham to commit adultery with Hagar the maid servant. Have you ever heard of such a thing? I guess this twisted thinking comes from Ur of the Chaldeans, it’s another one of those paganist mindsets that causes one to make bad decisions that bring irrevocable consequences. And, Abraham is just as bad, he could have stopped it by saying “No, Sarai I won’t do it, let’s wait on God’s timing, everything will be okay”. But Abraham agreed, and now he must contend with 2 women living under the same roof one pregnant with his child, and the other his barren wife. You can imagine the drama that went on in that house daily, eyes rolling, silent treatment, and the cold shoulder were all a part of the daily routine in a family that is the poster-child for dysfunction. After seeing Hagar showing of her pregnancy, and Abrahams proud look as he anticipates being a father, Sarai becomes jealous and orders Abraham to kick Hagar out of the house. And the unborn baby too.

Now, if this isn’t some drama I don’t know what is? You got an angry wife, a pregnant maid, and a confused husband. This is not God’s idea of holy matrimony, this is “marriage gone wild”. To make matter worse, Hagar leaves with little support from Abraham, even though he is a millionaire 10 times over, she’s living on the street with nowhere to go. All because Sarai who came up with the idea in the first place won’t let Abraham take care of his baby. The scene finally ends with an Angel appearing to Hagar sending her back to Abraham’s house where God has commanded the rich but disrespectful couple to take her and the child back in. God comforts Hagar with words about Ismael’s future, he too will become a father of many nations, and his descendants will cover the earth. As for Abraham, he became a father at the age of 100.

Even when we move in the opposite direction of Gods will He doesn’t abandon His promise. Because He is slow to anger and full of mercy, God will even use our Ismael’s for His glory while we await the promise of Isaac. Some of the dysfunctions that we experience seems to be so bad that not even God forgive them, but they’re not. God will sometimes allow problems to stack up against us like dominoes it is in these times we think “Man, I have really blown It.” But that’s not the case at all. To maximize His glory and to build your faith, God waits until we have exhausted all of our crafty ideas to help Him and all human solutions are off the table, then He shows up and does the miraculous. Even when we blow it in a major way and our situation seems dead. Like Sarai who was unable to give life (barren) and Abraham who was unable to produce it (impotence), God has a promise designed to bring get you back on the right track and to bring your dead situation back to life.

Scene 3:

“It’s Only a Test”:

In this final scene, things really get out of control. Abraham and Sarai finally have the son God promised them, and now that he is about 20 years old, in a test of Abrahams obedience, God tells Abraham to sacrifice him on the alter. I guess Abraham must have said, “hold on let me make sure I am hearing this right. You I want me to kill the son you gave me as a promise.”. God said, yes. Can you imagine waking up early in the morning to sacrifice you’re your beloved son. Well this is what Abraham did. What’s interesting is the reaction of his servants, no doubt, they had been with Abraham many times as he went to make sacrifices unto the Lord. It must have seemed strange to them to see Abraham and Isaac going to the alter without an animal sacrifice. I can imagine as they arrived at the foot of the mountain they were really shocked as Abraham told them to wait with the camels while he and Isaac went up to sacrifice. At this point, the servants must have become really alarmed. Why didn’t they call the police or why didn’t they go and get Sarai, or perhaps she was in on it.? What could they do? Nothing, for fear of Abraham they remained silent hoping their worst fears wouldn’t come to pass.

At the top of the mountain Moses records one of the grizzliest scenes in the entire story, with Isaac bound and tied, Abraham stands over Isaac with a knife. And just before he lowers it to take Isaac’s life, the Angel of the Lord shouts “No” Abraham don’t do it”, Abraham hears the voice of God and instantly brings the knife down to his side. I can see Abraham thanking God as sweat and tears are rolling down his face. Having experienced the most devastating moment of his life, he realizes that God has rescued him again. According to Moses narrative the Angel says to Abraham: “this was only a test”. But it is not only the words of the Angel that comfort Abraham but what happens next. Abraham looks around to see a ram caught in the thicket, compliments of God. The God who no matter tbe zituation has already provided for all our needs.

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.” Genesis 22:13 NIV

Many times, the outward circumstances of our lives may make us appear to be strange or even crazy to outsiders. Faith does not always make sense. According to Theologians, this episode was a test of Abraham’s faith in God’s provision, even though he couldn’t see it. Abraham trusted God to provide a suitable sacrifice for Himself to replace Isaac. Since leaving the Ur of the Chaldeans, Abraham’s faith grew and he knew that God could do the impossible. And God did not disappoint him. The basis of faith is that we must believe what we cannot see. The weight of God’s glory in our lives is often determined by the level of trust we place in the unseen realities of God. According to Theologians, as Abraham was ascending one side of the mountain with Isaac, the ram God prepared was ascending the other side of the mountain. Because of His perfect timing in our lives, God allowed the ram to reach the site of the sacrifice just as Abraham was about to slay Isaac. During this test, God reveals an important aspect of His benevolence not only to Abraham but to us as well, that He would be there in his most stressful times. God created an extreme circumstance in the natural, so He could provide extraordinary supernatural provision.

We must remember that God is always working behind the scenes in our lives regardless of what life looks like right now, God is always working on our problems and preparing us for His master plan even though we can’t see it. Everything we will ever need to fulfill our God -given destiny, has already supplied and it stands ready for us to receive it. One reason why God’s blessings must be received by faith is because they come from the bounty of His resources and are often more than we ever imagined.

“Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.” Genesis 22: 15-17

Conclusion:
Based on these narratives we see that Tyler Perry isn’t the only writer to expose the dysfunctions of his people on the big screen. But, 4000 years earlier, Moses used the big screen of our minds to expose the misdeeds of Abraham the Patriarch of the Jewish faith. Like Perry, Moses obviously had critics, but chose to write the good, the bad, and the ugly of the father of the world’s 2 largest religions anyway. I don’t think that Moses’s reason for writing Genesis was solely to air Abraham’s dirty laundry, but quite the opposite, to expose dysfunctions that hinder all people by sharing the secrets of someone he was familiar with. Moses invades Abraham’s privacy for the benefits of introducing the main character in the script- God. Who makes a cameo appearance in His own production and whose light outshines the darkness of Abraham’s dysfunctions.

If it were not for Moses pulling back the curtain on the first family of faith, we wouldn’t know that despite Abraham’s faults, God still provided His grace. That despite Abraham’s incest, infidelity, and insanity, God gave him protection from his enemies, fulfilled promises, and gave him extraordinary provision. I am sure that if Moses were to write today, that he would be equally as criticized as Perry for recording such instances of incest, and insanity within the pages of the Holy Bible. But, contrary to popular belief, the Bible does not only contain PG rated material, but material that is rated R because some of us lead rated R lives and need a Savior who can meet us at the dark point of our dysfunction. As for Abraham, he went on to become the father of our faith, not because he was perfect, but because his faith was made perfect by his encounters with God’s amazing grace. Abraham received this grace by faith 400 years before the law and was considered righteous in God’s sight So, today, how much more should are we counted as righteous in (right standing with God) because of the grace made available to us through Jesus Christ? In Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, God has given us the grace to overcome every dysfunction and to live the abundant life Christ died for us to live.

GPS

 GPS

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite–based navigational system used to provide time and location information anywhere on earth. Centered high above earth, the (GPS) satellites share communication signals between 4 or more globally positioned satellites to transmit information from satellites to receivers on the ground. The (GPS) system was developed in 1973 by the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance critical military capabilities, but, as recently as 1994, was seen to have various civilian capabilities and commercial uses; to include navigational devices in our automobiles and the latest cell phone technology. Used today in almost every facet of our society, global positioning systems assist us in everything from air travel to finding the directions to the most convenient places to shop.

However, a centralized system to guide people to specific locations –from above the earth– actually predates the Defense Department’s innovations of the 1970’s and the Soviet’s launch of its Sputnik satellite in 1957.  Even before these innovations, God already formulated a means of directing humanity toward the most important destination in the universe: Heaven. Similar to GPS technology, God’s positioning system coordinates communications from above to guide those on earth to this eternal location already prepared for them in Jesus Christ (John 14: 1-4).

According to the Bible, over 2000 years ago, God sent His only Son to the earth to point us in this eternal direction, for Jesus Himself says…”I am the way the truth and the life” (John 14:6) and even today, when we hear His voice (the Bible), He gives us the proper guidance to help us reach this divine destination and to avoid: wrong turns, roadblocks, and dangers that can delay our commute or cause us to miss our destination altogether.  Based on Christ’s need to further emphasize this truth, one can conclude that the directions to some destinations are too important to miscalculate, and, the cost of not arriving at all, too costly to risk. With this in mind, it will be beneficial for us to gain a clearer understanding of God’s positioning system and the individual components that make it useful. Therefore, we will examine key components of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and compare them with the positioning system made available to us through Jesus Christ.

      1. Reference Point

In order for GPS to be used as an effective means of finding an unfamiliar location, it must first select a known location to be used as a reference point to begin its search.  The reference point has long been a basic element of all navigational pursuits; for it is difficult to know where you are going, if you do not have a clear understanding of where you are. Likewise, many global positioning devices use your current location information to chart your course to a specific location.  GPS devices are programmed to establish your current location as a starting point to determine the best route to your location of choice.

The reference point approach to finding an unknown location is not a novel one; but has been used by God to pinpoint locations unknown to mankind long before GPS came on the navigational scene.  The reference point principle as a navigation rule does not only apply to reaching physical destinations, but also, spiritual ones.  To reach your desired spiritual destination, you must first know your current spiritual position.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Romans 3:23 (NIV) 

    2. Redirection

Another feature of GPS devices is the ability not only to recognize your current location, but, in the event you are traveling in the wrong direction or make the wrong turn, to get you back on the right track. Through a process known as “precise monitoring” the GPS not only instructs, but also, manages the course that it has charted for your commute. Acting as a safety mechanism, the precise monitoring feature is designed to detect any deviation from the assigned route, and instantly, alert the traveler of the error while simultaneously offering the safest and most convenient means of redirection.

Similar, to the GPS systems, God’s positioning system is also equipped with the precise monitoring function; God monitors every single aspect of our lives and He is the first to know when we are traveling in the wrong direction. The good news is that God allows u-turns and because He is gracious and merciful, He grants us the opportunity to turn around and to get back on the correct path.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

    3. Reception

Maybe one of the most important aspects of the GPS system is the receiver. The receiver is the actual component that receives the transmitted signal from satellites positioned in space. In order to navigate your course accurately, satellites have to — regardless of the weather–send clear signals to the receivers on earth. But more importantly, receivers have to be operational and open to receive the transmitted signal from above. This ensures that communication between orbit and earth are clear and that coordinates from space have been accurately transmitted to GPS devices on the ground.

To arrive at our spiritual destination, we will have to receive the truth that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our past, present, and future sins. Without this reception, we cannot realize the awesome sacrifice of the Cross nor appreciate the gift that heaven sent to the earth on our behalf.  A receiver that is operational will acknowledge Christ’s death as a spiritual marker pointing us in the direction of our spiritual destination. The completion of our journey hinges on our ability to receive this truth.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6: 23 (NIV) 

    4. Request Location

Many of today’s GPS systems operate on a system of voice commands. Voice commands allow the driver to focus on the handling of the vehicle while requesting specific information about their desired location. This feature has multi-purposes; it confirms the there is communication between the satellites in orbit and the receiver on earth while also confirming that the travelers requests are correct. This is done by a function of the GPS device that allows it confirm the travelers request by repeating the command back to them.

With voice commands the driver can literally speak and the GPS system will lock in on the desired destination and pin point its specific location: confirmed. Well, using voice commands to secure a travelers arrival at a desired destination, is yet another of the GPS functions that is predated by God’s system. Long before this innovation, God established voice commands as the means of activating your faith in Jesus Christ and receiving a confirmation from above that your are locked in to your desired position. And, while GPS can only lock in your coordinates, God adds and additional function, He assures your safe arrival.

Therefore, if you are aware of your current position; realize that God allows u-turns; and receive Christ’s death as payment for your sins, then use your voice command and confess Him today as your Lord and Savior.

‘That if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and with your mouth that you confess and are saved”. Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

You can pray:

God, I realize that I am a sinner and I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ. I repent of my sins and accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I ask you to forgive my sins, cleanse my heart and grant me the free gift of eternal life as you have promised in your word. In Jesus Christ name: Amen.

Welcome to God’s family from Mastersbusiness ministries.