Chuck Locklear
fascinating characters, impactful books and messages
Blessings
Blessings require action.
Some battles are not our’s, but this does not completely let us off the hook. We still may be required to take up our position and stand firm. There is a mythology in Christianity today that the chosen of God will not have to fight battles in this life. My experience is that this is far from true. Of the 133 miracles that I have studied in the Bible, all have required some action on the part of the recipient.
I trace this mythology and misunderstanding to a place in the land of Israel called the “Valley of Blessing.” Yes, it is a real place. On the map, it is actually called the “Valley of Beracah.” It is significant because of a king of Judah named Jehoshaphat.
Take Up Your Positions; Stand Firm
Jehoshaphat received a promise from God that Christians still rely upon today, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” This promise is the source of our misunderstanding. It is true that the prophet said, “You will not have to fight this battle…” But, he did not stop there. He went on to say, “…take up your positions; stand firm.” They could not sit around and wait for a miracle. They were commanded to “Go.” My experience is that God is with me, but I still have to go and face my challenges. This is what the prophet said to Jehoshaphat, “Go out and face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)
He Fights On Our Side
Too often, Christians use this scripture as an excuse to do nothing. “It is not my battle, it’s God’s.” But, God does not take us out of the battle; he fights on our side to give us blessings!
Also, see Joy of Giving.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
God-focused
What was it about David that made him God’s choice for king of Israel? I think it comes down to this; when you spend a lot of time watching sheep, you get time to talk to God a lot. In David’s case, we know that he learned to rely on God to protect him and the sheep from the lion and the bear. David’s experiences taught him that he had to depend on God. Perhaps, you are experiencing trying times in your own life. I’m convinced that God allows difficulties in our lives to teach us to rely on him. When selecting a king, God wanted a God-focused person, someone who would rely on him.
“The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.'” (1 Samuel 16:1)
So, Samuel asked that the youngest son of Jesse be brought in. When he came, Samual saw that he was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then, the Lord told Samuel, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” And, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers. From that day on the Spirit of God came powerfully upon David.
Let’s pray and seek to develop in our life the qualities that made David the right choice for king: God-focused and faithfulness.
Also, see Godfidence.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Flag Worship
Flag worship does not please God!
The worship of objects that have symbolically meaning is forbidden in various cultures, particularly in the monotheistic religions, such as Judaism. Even in some Christian religions, followers are prohibited from wearing religious themed jewelry displaying icons, such as the cross.
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…” (Exodus 20:4-5)
Is posting an image of a flag on social media idolatry? Probably not, but maybe, it really depends on what is in your heart. Am I saying the “ideal” that the flag represents isn’t beautiful? The “ideal” is beautiful. Am I saying this is my culture and I bow to what it represents? If I am saying this, then worshiping the flag is idolatry.
God wants genuine beauty of spirit, not “show-offy” images representing our holiness, such as flags or crosses worn around our necks. God is not pleased with our religious or our nationalistic symbols, such as flag worship. We please him when we share his love with the people around us. People he has placed in our lives on purpose.
Also, see God-focused.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
The American Ideal
I’m proud to be an American. I love our democratic republic. I try to live by the ideals that were in the hearts of our founding fathers. Ideals that they did not live up to, but ideals that they tried to build upon. I use the word “ideal” instead of “idea” on purpose. The American ideal is a standard to live up to. My purpose is to “shake you to attention” and to deepen your understanding of what it is to be American.
A Shining Light
When Thomas Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . .” This was not a truth that he lived out. Thomas Jefferson was a slave owner. We know now that he fathered mixed-race children. It was an “ideal” of a future condition that he saw in his head. A shining light that we as Americans could work toward.
It was a reaction to the conditions in England where this “ideal” was far from true, where religious intolerance was the rule and nationalism and slavery were economic norms. In England, very rich oligarchs made all the decisions and common people had few rights and no voice. Freedom from these conditions was only an “ideal.”
American Exceptionalism
In Jesus’ sermon on the mount, he made an amazing statement:
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:14, NKJV
Jesus’ idea was that, as Christians, we should be exceptional. We should set the example and shine the light of the love of God into the world around us.
John Winthrop, a Puritan leader, first spoke of America as a “city on a hill” in a sermon on board the ship Arabella on April 8, 1630. This concept has since been used by many U.S. presidents to communicate the principle of American exceptionalism. The list Includes President John F. Kennedy, who said:
“I have been guided by the standard John Winthrop set before his shipmates on the flagship Arabella three hundred and thirty-one years ago, as they too, faced the task of building a new government on a perilous frontier. “We must always consider”, he said, ‘that we shall be as a city upon a hill—the eyes of all people are upon us”…History will not judge our endeavors…merely on the basis of color or creed or even party affiliation. Neither will competence and loyalty and stature, while essential to the utmost, suffice in times such as these. For of those to whom much is given, much is required.”
“John F. Kennedy, January 8, 1961
Truly, Americans have been given much. We should consider it our responsibility to let our lives shine as examples of God’s love to those around us. Yes, even at school.
Flag Worship
To many, the U.S. flag has become an object of worship. Flag worship does not please God. The flag is merely a symbol for the American ideal.
The worship of objects that have symbolical meaning is forbidden in various cultures, particularly in the monotheistic religions, such as Judaism. Even in some Christian religions, followers are prohibited from wearing religious themed jewelry displaying icons, such as the cross.
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…”
Exodus 20:4-5
Is posting an image of a flag on social media idolatry? Probably not, but maybe, it really depends on what is in your heart. Am I saying the “ideal” that the flag represents isn’t beautiful? The “ideal” is beautiful. Am I saying this is my culture and I bow to what it represents? If I am saying this, then worshiping the flag is idolatry.
Genuine Beauty
God wants genuine beauty of spirit, not “show-offy” images representing our holiness, such as flags or crosses worn around our necks. God is not pleased with our religious or nationalistic symbols, such as flag worship. We please him when we share his love with the people around us. People he has placed in our lives on purpose.
Waving a flag means nothing if it doesn’t represent the “ideal.” Actually, to many, the flag has become a nationalistic symbol. . . a symbol that reinforces their identity. For them, it is an identity that they defy anyone to change. However, the American ideal requires change, constant change. Perhaps, this is why God does not want us to worship symbols.
Also, see Flag Worship.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Don’t Fast-forward Through Life
Worry can cause us to miss out on the blessings and joy of life. I often say to students at the school, where I am a principal, “Don’t wish your life away.” Students are so anxious to get on with their lives, to get the party started. My question is, “Do you really want to skip right through all of the significant events of your life?” Instead, slow down and enjoy them. It is often true that we don’t appreciate things and people until after they are gone. Don’t fast-forward through life — It only makes you tired.
This idea of being present is throughout the Bible. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Also, some of our greatest thinkers have captured the idea. Emily Dickinson said, “Forever is composed of nows.” Emily Wharton said, “Set wide the window. Let me drink the day.” And, Robin Williams made the Latin phrase “Carpe Diem” or “Seize the Day” famous.
We need to practice being present and work on it daily. We need to remind our children; rushing through dinner won’t get you to dessert any faster. We need to remind each other; wishing away the work week won’t make the weekend come sooner. Fast-forwarding through life only makes us tired and unable to find the joy in everyday things and activities.
Don’t fast-forward through life. We can find joy where you are by focusing on being present.
Also, see Be Present.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
A Rich and Wonderful Life
My in-laws loved each other. Though it was not always obvious when you were are around them. It was easier to guess that they drove each other crazy. “Carol are you smoking again?” “Leonard, why don’t you just stop that.” Now that Leonard is gone, Carol misses him tremendously. Isn’t that just like life? Only afterwards, did she realize that they had a rich and wonderful life.
Cherish One Another
Instead of cherishing one another, we are often critical. It is my guess that we all have longed to see our moms hold our dads’ hand and to hear her say things like, “How did I get so lucky to have found you?” To see her stroke his hair and hear her say, “And, how did we get such incredible children?” To see the two of them sit down for a meal together and hear these words, “Oh, we had such fun, didn’t we? You have given me a rich and wonderful life.”
Maybe your parents never said those things. Perhaps, their life together told a different story. They often lost patience with each other. They prioritized their complaints over their compliments.
Clearly, we all need to be more charitable. Do we offer compliments easily? Or, do we think, “Maybe I will embarrass my children if I speak openly of my love for my wife?” The truth is likely that our words will be a gift.
Public Praise
Public praise is an act of love. The psalms exhort us, again and again, to publicly praise God. Psalm 34:3 says, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
If we want to be the sons and daughters of God, we must express our love of God, but also of each other. “If a man says, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4: 20, KJV). We can best express our love toward God by demonstrating love to those we can see.
We should easily say to all whom will listen “I love him” or “I love her.” Let the word “love” come out of your mouth often. Even if you don’t feel it, speak the words anyway… and they will change your heart.
Also, see Don’t Fast-forward Through Life.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Band-Aids are Magical
Have you ever put a Band-Aid on someone’s finger? I have six grandkids, so I have the opportunity to do this on occasion. Yes, Band-Aids are magical. The hurt seems to go away instantly. The magic starts when I pull the box out and take the bandage out of the wrapper. I take the backing off, hover bandage over the wound, carefully aligning it, and lovingly wrap it around the finger.
We don’t often do that for each other after we get older. Instead, we say, “I can put it on myself.” But, do you remember a mom, dad, or grandparent putting a Band-Aid on as a child? If the answer is yes, I bet these memories are precious, making you feel safe and secure. Think about how much joy this moment brought to your mom, dad, or grandparent, being able to take care of her or his child. Now, imagine how your heavenly father feels when we let him take care of us.
Our father in heaven wants to care for you… even in seemingly minor situations. But he also wants us to take care of others. “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4: 12). If our life demonstrates love, we are showing that we are in God, and he is in us.
My challenge for you, find an adult who needs a Band-Aid . . . and ask if you can put it on for them. Does that sound uncomfortable? I bet it does. Maybe you don’t have to literally put a Band-Aid on someone. Maybe there is something else that is difficult or uncomfortable or even embarrassing that you can do for someone. Start with your spouse or maybe someone in your family. But don’t… stop… there. Find someone not in your family, someone that is different from you and put on that Band-Aid. Like me, you will discover that Band-aids are magical.
Also, see A Rich and Wonderful Life.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Revolutionary
The words of the song Revolutionary, by Josh Wilson, has been playing in my head all week. The chorus is “Why does kindness seem revolutionary?” “When did we let hate get so ordinary?” Yes, I think we have allowed hate to become ordinary. We no longer are offended by it. Sometimes we even feel righteous when we express something hateful. However, we know that God is love, not hate.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8, NIV)
If we are to be called the sons and daughters of God, we must express our love of God, but also of each other. We can best express our love toward God by demonstrating love to those we can see. We should easily say to all whom will listen “I love him” or “I love her.” It is just as important as saying, “I love you.” Let the word “love” come out of your mouth often. Even if you don’t feel it, speak the words anyway… and they will change your heart.
But, it is not just our words. Actions are important too. We serve a God who wants to take care of us. There is an incredible verse in Isaiah 46:4 that says, “I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4, Good News Translation). How beautiful! Let us care of other like he cares for us.
Let’s choose to demonstrate love. I think the song, Revolutionary, speaks an important truth, “What would Jesus do? He would love first. Yeah, He would love first. So, we should love first.”
Also, see Nineveh Lives Matter.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Nineveh Lives and Black Lives Matter
The answer to “What matters to God?” can be found in one of the oldest books in the Bible: Jonah. Most people know that Jonah was swallowed by a whale, but many people don’t know what happened next. Jonah found out that Nineveh lives and black lives matter to God.
When he got out of the whale, he decided to listen to God and went to preach to the dreaded people of Nineveh. You see the reason that he had not gone in the first place was because Nineveh had a reputation. It was a wicked city. Jonah was afraid of them, but the whale had taught him a lesson and he went. He preached, “Forty days from now and Nineveh will be destroyed!”
Amazingly, the people did something wonderful. They repented and decided to listen to God. This made Jonah very angry. He said, “This is exactly what I thought you’d do… For I knew you were a gracious God, merciful, slow to get angry, and full of kindness; I knew how easily you could cancel your plans for destroying these people” (Jonah 4:1-2).
You see, Jonah was not focusing on what mattered most. What mattered to God was the 120,000 people who did not know the love of God. When I say “Black Lives Matter,” I am not saying that white lives or blue lives don’t matter. What I am saying is that all lives don’t matter until we can say black lives matter too.
What matters most to God is people, “red and yellow, black and white.” As Christ followers, we are to seek justice and love mercy for all of God’s people. Yes, even people who are different from us. In fact, Nineveh Lives Matter!
Also, see Revolutionary.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Superman
“What? Chuck is running again. Do I really need to go chasing after him again?” Yes, it is true. I have often found myself running from God. I often forget what happened the last time. Thankfully, my heavenly Father, like Superman, chases me down and brings me back to him—the only place where I am truly happy and truly safe.
This verse provides for me the image of God as a superhero, like Superman. He quickly goes into a phone booth. (Who even knows what those are today?) He puts on his Superman cape and comes to rescue us.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells this beautiful parable. He said, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine… and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4).
Yes, Jesus is like Superman. He puts on his Superman cape and goes after the lost sheep, the heroine in trouble, and against incredible odds, saves her. If you are running from God, you need to know that God is chasing after you. Turn around. Run back to his arms. Like Superman, he will catch you.
I know from experience that running from God produces a lot of guilt. In his arms, doing what pleases him, is the only place where you can be truly happy and truly safe.
Also, see Want Victory.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
