Articles by Larry Zinck at Heartlight

It Won't Ever Happen to Us!

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The tragedy of thousands and thousands of houses burning in California causes us to want to reach out to the families who have lost so much so quickly. (See the recent Heartlight article listing possible ways to help!) I can't imagine gathering my family together to run for our lives. One report said that a million people have had to evacuate. A few of those families have already gone back only to find just a mound of ashes where they once lived. Dry brush and high winds have created a seemingly unimaginable catastrophe. Our hearts go out to those so terribly impacted by these fires.

There is, however, some measure of warning to take from this horrible disaster. Dan Cray wrote an article in Time Magazine on October 23rd entitled: "Why Californians Don't Leave." He writes:

In the wake of such natural disasters we are inclined to ask: Why do people choose to live in hazardous regions in the first place? As University of California Riverside fire ecologist Richard Minnich says, "Why are these people living in vegetation which at times behaves like gasoline? They should know better. Would you live in gasoline?"

Research indicates that if a threat hasn't happened in our own community, we tend to think it won't ever happen to us. Massive earthquakes literally happen every year but since they are often spaced decades apart in any given region, the vast majority of us disregard the threat. "People are terrified of the word nuclear, but the people who live next to a nuclear station are perfectly content with it. People become much less frightened when something hasn't blown up in several years." says Psychologist Daniel Kahneman, who has studied human judgment systems.

[Editor's Note: Please don't take this as blaming people who live in dangerous places for their own problems. There are very few places that don't have some kind of danger associated with living there -- tornadoes, hurricanes, avalanches, floods, volcanoes, tsunamis, etc. The point is that we all become complacent to the dangers around us because we become accustomed to our environments and forget their dangers.]

We all tend to believe that the disaster could never happen to us.

I find the same thing to be true here in Rio de Janeiro where I live. Some people build houses on hillsides where, from time-to-time, rains cause mudslides that lead to tragedy. Other poor communities spring up beside canals and rivers ignoring the fact that when torrential summer rains come they might lose everything. Why do they put themselves at such risk? Lack of options and the hope that the disaster would never happen to them.

And isn't this the same feeling that we so often have in regard to our spiritual lives. Most of us know what could happen, but it is so easy to put off dealing with it because it will probably not happen in the immediate future -- not too mention the fact that we too often think it will never happen to us.

Friends of ours who come from fine Christian homes and who both deeply love the Lord are getting a divorce. How could this happen? Where did they go wrong? I don't know, but there is a very good chance that somewhere along the line they stopped doing what they needed to do to maintain a good marriage. It should be obvious to all of us that having a good marriage requires an investment on our part. We could avoid so much pain and heartache if we would just stop and consider how important it is that we work at having a deeper relationship with our spouse. Neglect fosters an impending disaster. I know brothers and sisters in Christ who have suffered deeply due to problems with their children. They never dreamed that they might have to deal with such situations. Had they foreseen the danger they certainly would have acted sooner to prevent it. Our list could expand, but you get the point. The neglect seems minor and we believe the worst could never happen to us.

The apostle Paul reminded us to think differently! He said, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12 TNIV). You and I would be foolish to say that we could never have a problem with arrogance, drinking, gambling, materialism, lust, bitterness, worry or any other sin. The devil is always looking for a foothold or a chink in our armor. And when these are allowed to take hold, even just a little bit, impending disaster lurks at the edges of our lives waiting to break loose like wildfire.

We would all be wise to do what Paul said:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Winds may be blowing the fires of destruction our way at this very moment. We mustn't think it can't happen to us. Let's take the necessary measures to safeguard ourselves and those we love right away, before we are left looking at the ashes. At the same time, let's also be compassionate to those who have lost so much because of their own disasters and work to reclaim them and help them rebuild their lives!

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy -- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1:20-24)

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.

One Brick at a Time

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500

For almost 40 years, Jim Bishop has been building a castle in the San Isabel Forest in central Colorado. Every year since 1969, Bishop has single-handedly gathered and set over 1000 tons of rock to create this stone and iron monument. Jim handles each and every stone in the castle an average of six times before putting it in its final resting place.

I heard about Bishop's Castle when my parents retired to Colorado several years ago. Bishop's Castle is open daily, year-round and has become a popular tourist attraction. Admission is free, but donations are requested. After more than three decades of work the castle currently has arches, stained glass windows, a bell tower, a steeple, and a metallic dragon that juts from the apex of the castle's great hall. Bishop Castle's tallest tower rises 160 feet above the ground reaching higher than the tops of the pine trees nearby. In Jim's own words the castle has been: "Built by One Man with the Help of God."

One stone at a time ... isn't that how almost everything in life gets accomplished? A normal house is built one brick, one nail at a time. An artist paints a picture one stroke at a time. I'm writing this now one word at a time. And our lives can only be lived one day at a time.

What are your goals in life? You can only reach them by doing what you can today. As the Chinese philosopher wrote: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Sometimes, I talk with couples who are having serious problems in their marriages. In certain situations they have almost given up hope. There has been so much hurt and pain. How can a wife trust a husband who has lied to her countless times in the past? He can only regain that trust by living a life of integrity day by day.

Most of you probably already know the motto used by Alcoholics Anonymous, "Just for Today." The person who is trying to break free from the grip of addiction must learn to take baby steps in the right direction. They repeat phrases like: Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problem at once. Just for today I will be happy. Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires.

The apostle Paul quoted the following verse from the prophet Isaiah:

For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT, 1st Ed.)

We can't change the past. But, you and I can change the future by changing the present. Too many people dwell on the past and get stuck in the past. Change is never easy. However, with the Lord's help, change is always possible. Our God has already transformed so many people and He can do the same thing in our lives, if we will just let him. We just need to realize that change can only happen one day at a time.

How can a person rebuild a reputation that has been dirtied? One brick, one step, one day at a time. How can you rededicate your life to the Lord? By giving your life to him today.

Jesus talked about the importance of living in the present:

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today" (Matthew 6:34).

I have no desire to build a castle with my own hands. However, I think you and I can all learn something from Jim Bishop. Monumental tasks can only be accomplished with hard work and dedication on a day to day basis.

I have no desire to build a castle, but you and I are all in the process of building our own lives. A life worth living can only be built one brick at a time. So let's use today to build something we can be proud of tomorrow.

I learned a prayer many years ago. While I have repeated it many times, I have probably not repeated it often enough. The author is unknown and perhaps you would like to begin your day with this prayer.

This is the beginning of a new day. Lord, you have given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important, because I'm exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place whatever I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; in order that I shall never regret the price I paid for it.

We are building our lives ... one brick ... one day ... one effort ... at a time.

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.

Learning To Be Content

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0600

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5.16-18 NRS)

When I was a college student, I had a summer job with a company out of Nashville selling books from door to door. In our training, in addition to teaching us basic sales principles, they also instilled a philosophy of positive thinking. Among many other phrases that we learned was this one: "It's not doing what you like, but liking what you're doing." Rather than dwelling on the distasteful aspects of door-to-door selling, such as having a door slammed in your face, they said we should view the job as, "Sipping tea with Mrs. Jones."

Little did I realize at the time, what a valuable lesson that was. I think psychologists refer to this as "reframing." We can't change our circumstances, but we do have a choice on where we will focus our attention and on how we will react to the situations in which we find ourselves.

Surely something like this must be what Paul had in mind when he said, "Give thanks in all circumstances." You and I can choose our thoughts and see the glass of water as half empty or half full. And even if the glass is completely empty, we can be thankful that at least we have a glass and go out and find some water to fill the glass.

I recently read excerpts from the book "Hot Lights, Cold Steel," written by Michael J. Collins. Dr. Collins was an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic. He describes some important lessons he learned from various patients. He tells about a beautiful eighteen year old blond, named Sarah, who needed to have one of her legs amputated in order to survive in her fight against cancer. Following the surgery, Sarah kept thanking the doctors for all they were doing. She was bright and happy. The doctor was amazed that she could have such a positive attitude after having lost her leg in the prime of life.

Finally, curiosity got the best of him and the doctor asked the nurse about Sarah. The nurse replied: "Of course she is sad about losing her leg. But she says it's made her realize how many things she hasn't lost. She says it's like a millionaire who loses a thousand dollars -- he's sad, but he's still not that bad off."

How's that for reframing?

What do you have to complain about today? Wouldn't it be better to decide to look at all the things you have not lost rather than to dwell on your problem? As far as I can tell, that is the key to having a thankful spirit -- looking at what the Lord has given us, rather than thinking about what we lost or what we don't have. I think all of us would be much happier if we would just follow the advice of the old hymn: "Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done."

We live in Rio de Janeiro. It is a big city and can be rather daunting to visitors who come for a visit, especially if they don't speak Portuguese. For the past few weeks, we have had four young people from Tennessee staying with us. The first week they were here, they caught the bus from the church to ride back to our house. The problem was that they got on the wrong bus and got lost. Since they don't know the language, it was a rather scary experience. They showed our address, which they had written on a piece of paper, to the bus driver and he put them on another bus and they eventually made it to our house safely. After they arrived and got over some of their anxieties, one of the young men who has his pilot's license told us that in aviation they say: "Any landing you can walk away from is a good one!"

Maybe things are not going quite the way you like. Perhaps you have recently experienced a great tragedy. However, things could probably be much worse. If you are reading this right now, you are alive. You can see -- or can at least hear this read -- and your heart and lungs are working. You know how to use a computer and have access to one. You have faith in God. You believe in the hope of heaven. Most importantly of all, God still wants to use you to bring him glory and touch the lives of others.

God has blessed all of us in many ways. How many people in the world would like to have just a few of the many blessings that you and I have received? Perhaps it's time for you and me to refocus. Can you see the Lord working in your life?

One passage in Scripture that has always captured my attention is Acts 16.22-25. Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten, severely flogged and then they were thrown into prison where their feet were fastened in the stocks. Yet about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God! Isn't that amazing!

Lord, help me see your blessings and your presence, even when times are dark and nothing seems to be going right. Help me see the rainbow behind the clouds. Remind me that nobody and nothing can take away the promises that you have given us through Jesus Christ your Son.

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. (Philippians 4.11-13 NLT)

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.

Misleading Advertising

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Tue, 26 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0500

The Associated Press reported on March 22 that the lower-sugar versions of six major brands of sweetened cereals have no significant nutritional advantages over their full-sugar counterparts.

Nutrition scientists at five universities found that while the new cereals do have less sugar, the calories, carbohydrates, fat, fiber and other nutrients are almost identical to the full-sugar cereals. That's because the cereal makers have replaced sugar with refined carbohydrates to preserve the crunch.

However, as you may have noticed, in order to market the product, the lower-sugar claim is often printed nearly as large as the product's name. Only by carefully comparing the nutrition labels of both versions of a cereal would a shopper know there is little difference between them.

"You're supposed to think it's healthy," said Marion Nestle, a nutrition professor at New York University and author of a book critical of the food industry's influence on public health. "This is about marketing. It is about nothing else. It is not about kids' health."

The new cereals were introduced last year as attention on the nation's obesity epidemic forced food companies to rethink marketing strategies. Sales of reduced-sugar cereals grew by almost 50 percent in 2004.

After one mother of 3 from Concord, New Hampshire, heard the facts she said: "You assume it's healthier by the way it's presented. It's very misleading."

Isn't that the way it works with sin too?

A young woman, age 23, asked to talk with me today. She recently began studying the Bible and has visited our church the past two Sundays. She is single and has two daughters, one age 3 and the other is 4 months old. Each girl has a different father. This young mother told me that she grew up thinking that being sexually involved with a boyfriend was perfectly normal and natural. Now she is happy to have discovered a new way of living. It's not what today's movies and TV shows promote, but following the Lord's teachings is a sure way to avoid much grief and heartache.

I met a missionary recently who was moving back to Texas after spending many years in South America. He suggested that the world's biggest religion is not Islam or Buddhism or Catholicism or Protestantism, but rather materialism. I'm not an expert on how people live all over the world, but I would have to agree that materialism is the biggest "religion" everywhere I have been.

The United States is a Mecca of consumerism. Whatever you might want or could dream of wanting is on the shelf waiting to be purchased. Shrewd advertisers peddle their wares on TV commercials and in slick magazine ads. Usually they tell us that buying their product is the road to happiness and self-fulfillment. It's all very misleading, isn't it?

We need to remember the words of Jesus:

"Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)

We would all do well to follow the example of Moses:

Moses chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. (Hebrews 11:25-26)

I could go on, but I think you have the idea. Sin looks so pretty and promises so much, but in the end it's all a lie -- like the claims in large print on the cereal box. Let's all stay alert so we won't be misled. Failing to read the nutrition labels on a box of cereal can be bad for your health. The consequences of being misled by the allures of sin are much more drastic!

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.

Me, A Doormat?

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0500

Jesus said it this way:
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:43-45)

I read recently that as followers of Jesus, you and I are called to be a doormat for others. Have you ever stopped to think about what it means to be a doormat?

A doormat is about as low as you can get. It's right down there on the floor. Everyone passes by and steps on the doormat. Big shoes, little shoes, muddy shoes, wet shoes, all clean themselves on the doormat.

And the doormat just lies there and takes it all. The doormat never tries to avoid dirty feet and never complains about being trampled.

The idea of being a doormat isn't all that attractive, is it? But Jesus said that we must be servants and become like a slave to all people. Maybe the old doormat can help us learn a thing or two about what Jesus said?

If you or I try to serve others based on our feelings of love for people and their willingness to love us back, we have set ourselves up for failure. We will fail because people are ungrateful. Ingratitude is so prevalent today. But then, ingratitude has been around for a long time. Remember the ten lepers? Nine failed to show their appreciation for the tremendous gift of healing that they had received from the Lord. Only one went back to say, "Thank You!" (Luke 17:11-19)

We are called to serve others based on our love for the Lord. We need to constantly remember everything the Lord has done for us. Our service to others should be based on our gratitude for all the Lord has done for us. (1 John 4:7-12)

When you and I have died to self and have allowed Jesus to live in us, being a servant -- or doormat -- will not be so difficult. Jesus did it when he was on earth in His ministry and when His Spirit is living within us He will continue to serve others through us.

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.

Eyes on the Prize

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0500

Although I enjoy sports and athletic events, I wasn't able to watch much of the Olympics this year. I also missed the final event, the marathon, on Sunday. But since I live in Brazil, I have seen the tape of the race on television several times in the past 24 hours.

Italy's Stefano Baldini won the gold medal with a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes and 55 seconds. American, Meb Keflezighi crossed the finish line 34 seconds later and took the silver medal. Brazilian, Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, got the bronze medal with a time of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 11 seconds.

However, we will never know how the race would have ended had Vanderlei, who was leading the race at the time, not been tackled by Cornelius Horan, a defrocked Irish priest, about three miles from the finish in Sunday's race. Horan, was wearing a red kilt, knee-high green socks and a sign attached to his back stating: "The Grand Prix Priest; Israel Fulfillment of Prophecy Says the Bible" when he attacked Vanderlei Lima, knocking him into the crowd.

Vanderlei stated: "I was scared, because I didn't know whether he was armed with a knife, or something and whether he was going to kill me."

"I don't blame the Olympic Committee. It would be impossible to have police watching everything. And having the public close to the race serves as an incentive to the athletes. I'm not going to cry forever about the incident, although it broke my concentration. If you stop in a marathon, you struggle the next three or four kilometers. It's hard to get your rhythm back. But I managed to finish and the bronze medal in such a difficult marathon is also a great achievement. My joy is greater than my anger."

I don't know of anyone, even here in Brazil, who expected Vanderlei to win a medal in Athens. That is, no one expected it except Vanderlei himself. Vanderlei's previous Olympic best was 41st place in Atlanta. (He won marathons in Tokyo in 1996, in Sâo Paulo in 2002 and in Hamburg in 2004.) But, Vanderlei entered the marathon in Athens determined to bring home a medal.

Vanderlei drew cheers from the crowd in the Olympic stadium and with a big smile on his face spread his arms like wings and weaved from side to side as he crossed the finish line. After the race, Vanderlei said in an interview: "I think the Olympic spirit prevailed and I prevailed. I was able to show that determination wins races."

What would you have done if you had been attacked and knocked down towards the end of marathon? Most of us can't begin to answer that question because we have never even started a marathon, much less finished one. Although I don't know Vanderlei personally, by what he said in the interviews, I believe that he was only able to come back and finish the race because of his resolve to win.

In Hebrews 12:1-3, the Bible says the following:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Jesus, our Lord, set an example for us when He overcame great obstacles and endured tremendous suffering by looking ahead to the joy the Father had promised. By looking to Jesus, you and I can do the same in our challenges.

I'm sure that life has already knocked you down several times and it will probably happen again. However, you can get back up again if you will remember everything the Father has promised you. Don't let life's knockdowns and surprise attacks sidetrack you. Stay focused. Remember your purpose. Don't ever quit. Keep your eyes on the Lord and His glorious promises.

Could Vanderlei have won the gold had he not been knocked down? We'll never know. (Stefano Baldini and Meb Keflezighi were already gaining ground on Vanderlei before the incident.) But in my book, anyone who can get up and shake off adversity and still finish a race with poise and a smile on his face is a gold medal winner.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.

In The Resurrection Business

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Thu, 22 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0500

The University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in downtown Baltimore is considered by some to be the best in the world. The unit treats some 7,000 patients each year, including victims of gunshot wounds and car wrecks; 97 percent of which survive. Top surgical residents come from around the world to train at the center.

Center director, Dr. Thomas Scalea, often works 100 hours a week. He said: "It's as close to being a "resurrector" as you can get. We take people who are arguably dead and make them alive."

I am very grateful for the marvels of medical science and for the tremendous efforts that are made by caring people to help the sick, the injured, and the dying. But, I hope that all of us realize that our bodies are slowly going downhill and that we are all heading for the grave. I sometimes imagine the human race as "standing in line" for our turn to come; the only unknown factor is that none of us knows his exact position in the line.

Every patient that Dr. Scalea has "brought back to life" will die one day. That's why our hope must be put in Jesus Christ who was truly raised from the dead and who offers permanent victory over death. (see 1 Corinthians 15:20-54) Jesus told Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)

And as Christians, you and I are in the resurrection business. We have the privilege and the opportunity of sharing the message of eternal life with people who are destined for eternal death.

When the Lord called Saul, He told him: "I am sending you to the gentiles, to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." (Acts 28:17-18)

When you and I share the saving message of Jesus with our friends we are proclaiming the word of life. (see 1 John 1:1)

Dr. Scalea happily works 100 hours a week because he knows that what he is doing is really significant. What could be more exciting or more satisfying than bringing people back from the dead? What could be more fulfilling than telling someone about Jesus and seeing their life be transformed here and now, and know that they have found eternal life in Him?

Have you forgotten that as disciples of Christ we are in the resurrection business?
Have you become sidetracked, spending your time doing other things of lesser value?
Who can you help today?

We are all surrounded by people who are dying. Let's use our time and our energies to proclaim the good news of life in Jesus our Lord!

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.

Throw Away Your Ring

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Sun, 13 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0500

In March of this year, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King set an Oscar record by winning all 11 awards for which it had been nominated.

If you saw the movie or read the book you know that the plot revolves around an epic struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. And everything hinges on the ability of Frodo to carry the Ring into the heart of the evil fortress of Mordor and destroy the Ring by casting it into the fires of that mountain.

While Frodo, his faithful friend Sam, and Gollum slowly but steadily make their way into the evil fortress, a terrible battle rages outside. The forces of good are greatly outnumbered and it appears that they will certainly be defeated. To end the war, Frodo doesn't have to slay a giant or defeat a dragon. All he has to do is drop the Ring over the edge into the fire.

Frodo reaches the location where he should remove the Ring and throw it down into the fire. In that crucial moment, he is overwhelmed by the demonic pressure of the Ring and cannot find the strength to let go of the Ring. The Ring is finally destroyed when Gollum takes the Ring from Frodo, then falls over the edge, taking the Ring into the hot fire to destruction. As soon as the Ring is destroyed, the good army easily defeats the now bewildered legions of Mordor.

As I watched the movie and witnessed Frodo struggle to remove the Ring and cast it into the fire, it seemed that everyone in the theater wanted to shout out, "Just throw the Ring!" So many brave warriors were dying in the battle outside as Frodo desperately struggled to destroy the Ring. But once the Ring was finally thrown into the fire, the killing ended and the battle was won.

Just one simple act, the destruction of the Ring, was the only thing standing in the way of immediate victory and peace.

The Bible tells us plainly that you and I are involved in a spiritual war with eternal consequences. (Ephesians 6:10-12) As I watched the movie and thought of the simple act of throwing a ring into the fire, the words from James 4:7 quickly popped into my mind: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

It seems to me that we often turn something very simple into something very complicated. Unfortunately, the longer we delay before taking action, the more we and others suffer from the consequences of this spiritual battle. Almost every day I talk with people who are struggling with sin. You and I are constantly being tempted by the evil one. And here in one short sentence is the key to immediate victory. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

God has promised and His promises never fail. When you resist, the devil will flee. The terrible battle will continue to rage for as long as we fail to resist. The very moment you and I say a determined and decisive "NO!" to our enemy, he will turn tail and run. But we first have to throw away the ring. We have to give it up completely.

We have this promise in 1 Corinthians 10.13: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Our God is faithful. His promises are true. He is ready to provide strength and to offer a way of escape. The only unknown factor in this equation is what you and I will do. Will we throw away our ring?

What will we do? I don't know about you, but I have seen the evil one do enough damage in my life. I have decided to resist his attacks.

The very next verse, James 4.8, the Holy Spirit reminds us: "Draw near to God and He will come near to you." Here is another simple and straightforward promise from our loving, heavenly Father. If you will, He will. If you will seek Him, He will come even closer to you. I really need the Lord's presence in my life. I will draw near to Him because I need Him to come closer to me.

Simple, but decisive steps. That is all that stands in your way from seeing a glorious victory that perhaps you have thought to be impossible. You can watch the devil flee, if you will refuse to succumb to his invitations. You can enjoy the very presence of God in your life, if you will really seek God above all things. If you will completely let go of the thing that grips you.

Just do it. Do it now. Once and for all. You'll be glad you did. "Just throw away your ring!"

Heartlight Follow Up:

At first, such straight forward truth seems overly simplistic. Many of us struggle with "besetting sins" that we can't seem to overcome. These sinful addictions, these struggles that master us, seem far too big a foe for us to overcome. We are correct in that assessment: we cannot do it alone. But Larry's use of The Ring imagery is crucial here. We have to be willing to throw away the sin, its lifestyle, its secrecy, and our pride/shame that bind us to the sin. We have to be truly willing to throw away "our ring" for the Lord's power to sweep into our lives. So how do we throw away "our ring"? Here are some actions that others have found helpful in throwing away "their ring" and inviting God to draw close and win the war that rages in their soul.

Commit to God to throw "your ring" away and ask for his help and deliverance.

Cast "your ring," and the demonic power behind it, away from you. Speak to the sin and the demonic power that holds it in your life and renounce it in the name and by the power of the Lord Jesus.

Confess your struggle with a proven spiritual leader who will be willing to hold you accountable to not pick up "your ring" again!

Confer with others who have battled this kind of sin and are seeking to not pick up "their ring" again. Form a band of committed brothers or sisters that helps support one another.

Change your habits and lifestyle so that they don't give you an excuse to wander by the place you have discarded "your ring" and lead you to pick it up again -- this will likely mean you have to give up some of the friendships you have with those who still revel in using the power of "the ring" in their lives.

Come close to God. It is simply not enough to throw away "your ring." You must draw near to God and let his love and nearness become real to you and replace the vacuum left by the removal of "your ring" from your life.

Celebrate God's power over sin through worship, both privately and with others. Acknowledge that you didn't win a victory over "your ring" by your own strength, but by the power and grace of God.

May God's grace and power help us to throw away our ring and find the joy that comes with the return of our King to our lives!

Phil Ware

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.

Would You? Will You?

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0600

I heard it said that the task of the preacher is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. I think it is obvious that the Word of God challenges us to change our lives and often pushes us out of our comfort zone.

I have been a missionary in Brazil for many years now. We enjoy living in Brazil. We like our house and our neighbors. Our kids have gone to good schools and good medical care is available. Without a doubt, the biggest drawback to living in Brazil is being so far away from friends and family whom we love so much.

I just saw my mother whom I hadn't seen in a year. Someone asked her how it has been all these years not seeing her grandchildren grow up. She confessed that it hasn't been easy.

Last Sunday at church, I met a brother whose son is also a missionary in South America. He and his wife were preparing to leave on a trip to visit their son and his family. They are excited about getting to meet a granddaughter that they have never seen.

This brother stated that lack of encouragement from parents and relatives is probably the biggest factor preventing young people from moving to the mission field. I can remember a very good friend of ours who told me that she certainly didn't want her daughter moving away to a distant land.

The brother I met on Sunday said that when his son told him of his desire to move to South America to teach people about Jesus and plant a church, he had to see if he really believed what he said he did. This brother had always believed in missions and in the importance of preaching the gospel to those lost in sin. But was he really ready to give up his son? How would he deal with the idea of seeing his son and his grandchildren move so far away from home?

Of course God did even more than that for you and me. God did more than allow His son to leave heaven and come down to earth. It was His will that His son give up His heavenly body to become a human being. And of course, His son made the ultimate sacrifice when He died on a cross, bearing your sins and mine.

So how much are you willing to sacrifice?
What would you do if your son or daughter told you they planned to go to a foreign country to teach people about Jesus?
Would you be a stumbling block or a stepping-stone?
Would you do everything you could to stop him or her?
Or would you encourage them every step of the way?

Did anything I said make you uncomfortable? I hope so. Perhaps your day is coming. If it does, I hope you will be prepared to give up something very precious to you for the sake of God's kingdom convinced that "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us" when we are "caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever." (Romans 8:18 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.

We Need More Sams!

zinck@click21.com.br (Larry Zinck) — Sat, 07 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0600

One day while our two oldest sons were home for Christmas, we rented the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. If you saw the movie (or any one of the three in the Trilogy), you know that there are many strong, capable, and courageous characters in the story. Yet I was most impressed by an unassuming "hobbit" named Sam rather than by one of the "real heroes" in the story.

About midway through the movie Faramir, Captain of Gondor, begins to question the main character, Frodo, and asks: "Who are you?"

He replies, "We are Hobbits of the Shire. I am Frodo Baggins and this is Samwise Gamgee."

Then Faramir turns to Sam and asks, "Are you his bodyguard?" Sam replies, "No, his gardener."

I don't know about you, but I don't consider myself much of a hero. I was never a star athlete or class president. I'm not rich or famous. But, I'd like to think that I am a good "Sam." Even though Sam is only the gardener and has no qualifications for a dangerous mission, he faithfully stands beside Frodo and steadfastly plunges forward. Even Frodo realizes that he would never have made it without the encouragement and support of his loyal friend, Sam.

After the movie, I commented to my oldest son that we need more "Sams" in the world.

I think there are many "Sams" in Romans 16. The chapter is filled with names of believers whose names don't appear anyplace else in the scriptures. Paul writes, "Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my relative. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord." (Romans 16:9-12)

I don't think I'll ever be a Peter or a Paul but I can be an Urbanus or an Apelles. You may not be like Mary or Martha but maybe you can be a Tryphena or Tryphosa.

Paul the apostle also said, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2)

You and I may not be super Christians, but we can be faithful and God can use us to make a huge difference in our world. Like Sam in the movie, we just need to do our part serving the Lord to the best of our ability. You may not be especially qualified for the job, but just being there and doing your best, day in and day out, is what it takes to eventually get the job done. I like to consider myself a plodder, and I think the church and the world need more plodders ... like Sam.

My favorite line in the movie is near the end when Sam says to Frodo: "There is some good in this world Mr. Frodo, and it is worth fighting for." Without a doubt, the cause of Christ is worth fighting for.

I would like to encourage you today to be a Sam or an Urbanus or a Tryphena. "Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12.21) Fight the good fight and don't give up until you finish the race, and you can rest assured that you will receive the crown of righteousness from the Lord, the righteous Judge. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Larry Zinck is a long time minister in the country of Brazil.