May 27, 2026

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

It is my birthday today (29 again)! My birthday wish is to grow The Equipped community, so if you enjoy and benefit from this ministry, would you forward this issue to a friend (or seven) and recommend they join us? Thank you in advance!

The True

Entangled

Sometimes it is necessary to entangle yourself in the mess.

That was the thought in my mind this past Sunday when I responded to an altar call to come forward and stand in the gap for someone who needs to surrender to Jesus. I did so for someone I deeply love and with this thought of entanglement in my mind.

To be entangled is often a negative thing. For example, Hebrews 12:1 warns us about the “sin that so easily entangles,” and Galatians 5:1 says we should not be “entangled again in a yoke of bondage.” In both cases, the imagery is that of being inextricably caught in a web of sin. There is a tone of despair because the one involved is incapable of extracting himself or herself. The previous entanglement has prevented the opportunity for escape.

But entanglement is even more powerful when it is the God of the universe intentionally entangling His Name, His reputation, and His story with you! This is obviously true in the macro sense—God entangled Himself in your story when He came to Earth in the form of Jesus and took on your shame and punishment for sin. It is the most glorious truth in all the world!

But I want to go one layer deeper this week. Why should God bother to listen to your prayers for help and rescue? Why should He bother with your “small” concerns when He is responsible for the “big” of eternity? Why should He listen when I walk forward to make petitions for someone I love? Why would God entangle Himself in all of that?

My friend, the answer lies in the fact that He already entangled His reputation with yours long ago, and therefore you can run to Him with petitions for help in order that He might defend His own Name!

It is a breathtaking thing to consider, but it is right there in black and white in Psalm 109:21: “But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake.”

It is a crazy truth, but when you choose Jesus—when you choose to become entangled in and with God, your defense becomes His defense.

If your name reflects on His Name, and if your reputation reflects on His reputation, that entanglement means that your rescue contributes to the defense of His Name! Your God is a jealous God (Ex. 34:14), and He will defend His Name!

That was my prayer this week as I knelt at the altar: “God, defend your Name! Call this one I love to Your side for Your Name’s sake!”

How are you entangled this week? If it is by and with the trappings of sin, call on the One who has entangled Himself with you to set you free. If, however, you are entangled by and with the Name above all Names, enter His court with boldness, remind Him that His Name and reputation are entangled with yours, and ask with confidence that He would intervene for His Name’s sake!

World

Potential Deal in Iran

The U.S.-Iran war is both escalating and potentially deescalating. On the one hand, U.S. President Donald Trump says that negotiations toward a permanent peace deal are “proceeding nicely.” On the other hand, the U.S. this week launched a new wave of what it called “self-defense” strikes against Iran.

The potential peace deal is believed to include terms that would end the war and re-open the Strait of Hormuz. The major sticking point, however, is believed to be how Iran would be compelled to handle its stockpile of enriched uranium. The U.S. demands Iran give it up completely in order to safeguard against further enrichment to achieve weapons-grade material while Iran insists a right to maintain the enrichment program. Even in the event Iran relents, there is a major question of what to do with the enriched material. Russia has offered to take it, which raises its own set of complicating factors.

Analysis and eternal perspective: War is ugly. So too are the attempts to bring the fighting to an end. Every party to this war—the U.S., Iran, and the rest of the world—have their own perspective on each of the major negotiating pieces in play. This dynamic has played out multiple times before—most notable in recent history is the 2015 deal former U.S. President Barack Obama struck with Iran—and each time Iran has returned to a similar place of conflict with the world.

As a Jesus follower, you know you are to persistently pray for peace (Ps. 34:14). You should also be clear-eyed (Matt. 10:16 calls it “shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves”) about what a potential “deal” would mean, and whether it would actually produce lasting peace.

The 2015 Iran deal was overwhelmingly supported by the political Left in the U.S. and overwhelmingly opposed by the political Right. A potential 2026 deal would almost certainly secure the support of the Right and engender the opposition of the Left. In both cases, this dynamic is driven primarily by the occupant of the White House. Candidly, the long-term results of any peace deal have very little to do with the U.S. president who secures the deal and a whole lot to do with what the deal sets forth. Each of us would do well to judge a potential forthcoming deal on its merits rather than by our natural disposition to any elected leader.

Through it all, let’s be champions in prayer for those in harm’s way. This is a particularly good reminder this week, as we remember with gratitude those who have paid the highest price for our freedom.

World

Castro Indicted

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Raul Castro, former President of Cuba, on Wednesday. The charges in the indictment date back to 1996 and allege that then-President Castro ordered the shootdown of two small planes flown by Americans and conducting a humanitarian mission. Four were killed and this week’s developments demand that Castro appear in the U.S. to answer to the charges—an expectation most assume he will resist.

Analysis and eternal perspective: As we’ve come to expect, reactions to this story vary significantly. Those in favor call it long-overdue justice, while those opposed say it is a pretext for invading Cuba.

Only time will tell if this story leads to a U.S. invasion of Cuba, but we do know that justice is a concept accomplished in an eternal fashion by our God. That does not mean that all justice waits for heaven—in fact, quite the opposite according to Proverbs 13:21: “Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.”

God’s heart is always inclined toward the oppressed, and yours should be as well (Is. 1:17, Ps. 82:3). There is no doubt that the wounds of these four families remain, even after 30 years. This story should be a reminder to pray for them and, if you happen to be in community with them, continue to provide support and care to them.

As for the indictment, let us pray for the leaders making decisions about enforcing it. God, grant wisdom and discernment in balancing the pursuit of justice with current circumstances. May You show Yourself strong on behalf of the oppressed and afflicted, and may we be Your vessels of care and compassion.

Sports

Racing Legend Dies

Kyle Busch, the all-time leader in NASCAR wins, died at the age of 41 this week. Busch’s passing was caused by severe pneumonia that resulted in sepsis, according to his doctors. Busch is survived by his wife and two young children, and was honored by the racing community in Charlotte over the weekend.

Analysis and eternal perspective: We as The Equipped community consider this truth frequently, but it is always the correct time for a reminder: Life on Earth is short; eternity is forever.

The Busch family should be in your prayers as you consider this story. If you are a parent, you are particularly impacted by the grief being experienced by Busch’s two young children. God, we pray an overwhelming comfort and a peace that passes all understanding (Philip. 4:7) over these two young children, and over their mother, as they navigate this very weighty loss. God, you promise to be a father to the fatherless (Ps. 68:5-6), so we ask that you hold these children in your arms today and all their days!

My friend, what about you? Are you ready? Is your treasure stored up in heaven? None of us know our appointed time to die (Ecc. 9:12, Heb. 9:27), but even if you are granted a long life, time is short. This Earth is fading away and so is your physical body. Use today and this story as catalysts to ensure your confidence is set in eternity where it cannot be shaken!

The Beautiful

Leaning Shelter

When a road is cut through the forest, it creates a gap in the tree cover. Over time, that gap is closed by the surrounding trees that instinctively lean toward the light. The result is a canopy of shade and shelter for those on the road below.

When you lean toward the Light, something similar happens to the benefit of those journeying within the sphere of your influence. As you lean toward the Light, the heft of your strength and the refreshing of your spirit provide protection and relief to those beneath it.

Your time with Jesus today is to glorify Him, yes. It is to deepen your personal relationship with Him, yes. But it is also to close the gap of vulnerability over those within your charge. It is to shelter, shade, and protect those you love. His banner over you is love, and your canopy over those you love is a thing of beauty indeed!

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