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How Should Christians Respond to Conspiracy Theories?

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Conspiracy is a word we hear often these days in the news. I receive many unsolicited videos and articles about potential conspiracies. They often arrive in my Facebook Messenger or sometimes by email. I don’t open any of them, ever, and I would advise you not to either.

I’m writing about conspiracies today solely because the word jumped out at me as I read Jeremiah 11:9-10 in my morning quiet time and I knew the Lord wanted to get my attention:

Again the Lord spoke to me and said, “I have discovered a conspiracy against me among the people of Judah and Jerusalem. They have returned to the sins of their ancestors. They have refused to listen to me and are worshiping other gods. Israel and Judah have both broken the covenant I made with their ancestors. Jer. 11:9-10

I don’t think I’ve ever noticed conspiracy in my Bible reading before even though there are many conspiracies discussed throughout the Bible.

2 Samuel 15:12-13 NLT describes the attempt of David’s son Absalom to overthrow him. How heartbreaking to have your own child conspire against you: “While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum. A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, ‘All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!’”

In the story of Esther, her uncle Mordecai revealed a conspiracy to kill Esther’s husband King Xerxes:
“During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.” Esther 2:21

Saving his life greatly endeared Mordecai to the king, so jealous Haman, the king’s highest noble, conspired to kill all of the Jews including Mordecai and Esther.

In the New Testament, a group of Jews conspired to kill the apostle Paul.

12 The next morning a group of Jews[a] got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy. 14 They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. Acts 23:12-14 NLT

We know well the story of the conspiracy to kill Jesus. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. Matt 26:59

Conspiracies Usually Have an Evil Intent

David wrote in Psalm 64:2 “Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers.”

David well describes the definition of conspiracy:

  • An agreement to perform together an illegal, wrongful, or subversive act.
  • n. A group of conspirators.
  • n. An agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime or accomplish a legal purpose through illegal action.

True, you might conspire together to throw a surprise birthday party, but usually conspiracies have a sinister intent.

Our country went through a four year conspiracy that continues even today, as villainous people conspire to take down President Trump.

As I struggled with God asking why He would want me to write about conspiracies, I received an email from Pastor Shane Idelman with and excerpt from his article God’s Not Done: 3 Ways to Benefit from Trials.
…let God build you up rather than allowing the ‘negative Nellies’ to pull you down. Don’t let them cloud your judgment with doomsday prophecies and worst-case scenarios. How do we know that God is not breaking us down to build us up? Nowhere in the Bible are we encouraged to let conspiracy theories and doom and gloom flood us with fear…The Bible tells us to do business and to fight with prayer, fasting, worship, and the Word until He returns. We are to cast down fear, not embrace it.”

There it was again: conspiracy. Shane’s wise counsel was to not let conspiracy theories dominate our minds or cause fear.

Then scrolling through FB, I saw a friend shared Brian Haynes article Conspiracy Theories Among Christians. I agree with his conclusion:

“Conspiracy theories are a waste of time and energy for the follower of Christ in my opinion. We just need to know the King (Jesus) and the Kingdom agenda and then we do our part to abide in Christ and bear much fruit and so prove to be his disciples NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE (John 15). Even if one of the hundreds of conspiracy theories flying around out there are true and we find that out, what are we going to do? “See, I told you so?” How does that forward the Kingdom of Jesus?”

A friend posted on Facebook: “Lately, God’s been impressing on me to limit the ‘voices’ and ‘noises’ I hear and listen to—I need to be mindful and discerning.” I commented on her post that this was exactly what God was telling me to share in my article.

Discernment is vital.

We’re inundated with reams of information today, but we need to sieve through what’s true and what’s important for us to know, and let the rest go. We pray: “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.” Ps. 119:125

Pray and Intercede

What was the one thing Esther and her people did when confronted with the very real conspiracy to annihilate them? They fasted and prayed.

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16

Most of us aren’t in a position like Esther to physically influence the outcome of actual conspiracies like Russiagate or the impeachment hoaxes, but we can spiritually intercede and pray for truth to prevail.

God wants us living in peace not a perpetual state of anxiety or chasing after every conspiracy theory we hear about.

“Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.” Is. 8:12-13

Christians should turn their attention, energy, and prayers to this truth . . .

***The Eminent Return of Jesus Christ is NOT a Conspiracy Theory.***

The return of Jesus is a documented truth that should consume us, unite, us and mobilize us.

Spiritually arm yourselves and stand firm in the faith.

We shouldn’t be gossiping or spreading hearsay conspiracy theories, we should be sharing the Truth that on Jesus Christ the solid rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Share the Good News of Jesus Christ! Let a light shine from your heart that draws the questioning lost to you. Be ready to answer their questions and help them find the saving grace of knowing Jesus as their Savior.

Don’t cower or hide. Share your testimony. Be a witness and reach out in love to people while there is still time. Don’t be ashamed of telling others about the most important person in your life, you just might save their life.

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. Psalm 33:4-5

Spirit of God, fill my heart and mouth with petitions you want to hear. Overcome the evils of this world, change the headlines I read, through my intercession. May the prayers of your people prepare a highway into the hearts and minds of many. Amen (Salt & Light Devotional)

PS: I received many private messages thanking me for last week’s blog. Here it is if you didn’t get a chance to read it: The Power of the Spirit in Us is Mightier Than the Power of the President’s Pen!

February 8, 2021
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The Power of the Spirit in Us is Mightier than the Power of the President’s Pen!

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The worship team at church knows that my favorite song is Jeremy Camp’s “The Same Power.” When I see the words come up on the screen, I can’t help myself from exclaiming “awesome” or “yeah!” While singing the lyrics expressing how the same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us, the church knows I’ll be clapping my hands even if I’m the only one.

Usually by the end of the song, I’m joined by the worship team and many in the church clapping with joy and remembrance of Acts: 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The President’s Pen Power

In the first week of Biden’s presidency, we’ve watched in horror as he signs Executive Orders that:

  • put thousands of people out of work
  • condemn to death babies around the world with American financial support
  • destroy women’s rights to privacy and protection in bathrooms and locker and changing rooms
  • endanger girl athletes and dash their dreams by having to compete with confused men in sports
  •  ruin our economy
  • eliminate energy independence
  • increase the price of fuel and energy
  • allow illegal aliens to flow indiscriminately across the border
  • halt the protection of building the border wall
  • enforce “equity” not equality

Just to name a few of the over forty EO’s signed in nine days.

All accomplished with the power of his pen and position!

All of the EO’s are liberal left-leaning policies when he promised to be a moderate President and unite the country.

These Executive Orders will not help the people of our country but only empower the people who want to reshape and remake our country into a government-controlled tyranny.

There’s been no opportunity for discussion or dissent about these Executive Orders, only what Biden in his own words calls the actions of a dictator.

We Have a Power No One Can Legislate Away from Us

It’s not surprising that many Conservatives and Christians feel frustrated and powerless.

You may be feeling powerless right now politically, but God wants us to remember we’re not powerless spiritually!

If you’re a Christian, you have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside you. The Counselor, the Comforter. Right now, our world needs to see us displaying the power of the Spirit of Truth in our sphere of influence. Jesus never cowered in defeat and neither should we.

When we watch the evil and lies being celebrated and endorsed in our world and government, it should empower us to speak out boldly to defend the Truth and to pray for those who are so terribly deceived.

Not to compromise, but to convict. Not to condemn, but not to condone.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1 John 4:4-6

There is a world thirsting for power that wanes and fades; but we have a power that increases and brightens.

What the world and so many in government don’t realize is that the power they strive for will never fill the God-shaped hole in their heart. Only Jesus will satisfy.

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14 NLT

Presidents have political power for four or eight years, but we have spiritual power for a lifetime!

The problem arises when we forget the power within us and start looking for the world’s strength! The world needs to see God’s strength!

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Eph. 3:30 NLT

Prayer is Our Hour of Power

Satan will never give up trying to destroy the church and duping Christians into thinking that they’re powerless in the struggle between good and evil. But when we pray, we unleash the power of Christ in us!

In my Quiet Time I pray, “Lord fill me with Your Holy Spirit.” Have you ever said, “I just feel empty today”? I sure have and my refilling comes from a morning time with the Lord. When the Bible talks about the living water that we sing so often about in church, that’s the Holy Spirit.

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) John 7:38-39 NLT

During this time, I also pray daily the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18. Verse 10 begins “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” After payerfully putting on the pieces of spiritual armor, verse 18 concludes: “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Reading God’s Word and praying, I’m also asking, “Lord what do you want me to do today? What is my purpose? How can I best serve you?”

I’m asked often if I ever have writer’s block and my answer is, “Seldom.” Because I’m always listening and expecting a word from the Lord. Even on social media or the news, something will spark in my heart and mind that catches my attention to make a note or revisit when it’s time to write. My spiritual antenna is always up. (See the PS at the end of this blog)

You don’t have to be a writer to know God’s plans and purpose for you; you just need to consciously sense God’s presence through prayer and the Holy Spirit’s nudging and speaking to you.

The Holy Spirit is Our Advocate

When Jesus was getting ready to go to the cross, He told His disciples “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27

“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17

We each have within us the real power that could save the world! As frustrating as things seem right now, we have an Advocate. We just need to ask Him to give us opportunities and embolden us with the courage to use our power for God’s glory!

Remember: The same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in you and me!!

Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. 2 Tim. 1:14 NLT

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 1 Cor. 4:20 NLT

PS. I often say that the Lord confirms my topics. I felt led to write on the power of the Holy Spirit this week and had already scheduled my blog when I was scrolling on Facebook and saw the meme from MarioMurillo.org that I added to this blog! My pastor this Sunday morning spoke on the power of prayer! I hope you’ll seriously pray about how God wants to use this article in your life. It’s from Him, I’m just the vessel!

February 1, 2021
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God Has the Whole World in His Hands!

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Like many others, you may be experiencing a flood of emotions over current events: fear, anger, confusion, worry, regret, hopelessness, concern, doubt . . . . I’ve heard many ask, “What is the Lord doing?” They were so sure God had a different plan than what we’re watching play out today.

I don’t know the answer to that question, but as I pray and ponder about it myself, the Lord reminded me that America is not the only country God cares about. Even though the world sees America as a leader, we can’t become prideful and think we’re the favored nation to God. We’re not more important than any other people group. Any other country.

That reminder was an ‘aha’ moment for me. It’s not just about us!

I often hear endtimes predictions because of what’s happening in America . . . and maybe that’s true . . . but persecuted Christians in Communist countries, or those living under totalitarian regimes, have probably been praying for the rapture for years, decades, centuries.

In our church bulletin on Sunday, there was an insert from “The Church Around the World.” Here were some of the article headlines: “Christian Girls Abducted in Egypt,” “China Bans 1500-Member House Church,” “Hundreds of Ethiopian Christians Killed,” “Evangelist Murdered in Southeast Turkey.”

God cares about everyone and every injustice worldwide, not only in America.

We’re a free Democracy with the Constitution and a Bill of Rights and many want to live here, but that doesn’t mean God won’t allow us to experience hardships and challenges to our freedom just like in other countries.

I saw someone naively write on Facebook that Communism would never come to America, as if we were insulated from evil. But sadly we’re seeing that America is just as vulnerable to corruption, censorship, and control as any other country.

While it’s shocking and alarming, this pervasive reality should humble us, but not hinder us from how we live our lives everyday: completely trusting God not government.

The New Testament Church is Our Model

Read what Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples who God commissioned to start the early church, reminds Christians who are experiencing challenging times:

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”[c]

19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:12-19 NLT

I love these thoughts from Chris Tiegreen, which interestingly he wrote in his 2019 Salt and Light Devotional for January 15. Words that seem like they could have been written for 2021.
“The New Testament Church was quite familiar with laws, politics, and culture that went against their practice and beliefs. They understood adversity and prayed boldly through trials, and persevered through persecution. They willingly suffered abuses and ignored insults without complaining about being pushed to the margins and misrepresented by society. They did not fight against the grain of the culture; instead they became shining lights within it. That’s the sort of New Testament spirit we should aim to have.”

I think many of us, myself included, have been wasting our time and energy focusing on the worries of the world that we cannot control. As Tiegreen added, “spiritual power is never dependent on political conditions or social trends.”

In other words, the power of Christ that lives within you and me as Christians comes from God! The government can never take our faith away from us. No one can remove the Holy Spirit from our heart. No law can be passed, or illness/virus overtake us, that inhibits Christ living within us and shining through us.

We would not have the church today if the early church let adverse, even immoral and politically corrupt, conditions hinder them from spreading the Gospel. The church thrived under adversity. Why? Because God’s people were a light in the darkness, just like we should be right now! People are desperate for calm amongst the chaos. They’re seeking a peace that can only come from knowing the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.

I’ve noticed a blog I wrote on February 3, 2020 is trending on my website and it’s even more relevant today than when I wrote it: 4 Ways to Let Your Light Shine Into the World’s Darkness. I hope you’ll take a moment to read it, share it, and implement it.

God Has A Plan for the World

Understandably, we look at how events will affect us personally, a natural reaction. While God cares about each of us individually, He is also looking at the entire universe. When I was a child that was always such a hard concept for me to comprehend. How could He care about my life amongst the trillions of people in the world, and yet, we know He does because He is our omnipotent Abba, Father, God.

Consider these words from Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NLT)
This is what the Lord says:
Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. 6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. 7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”

Nothing can stop those who put their trust in the Lord from producing and sharing the fruit of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit is pouring down afresh upon God’s people. Hold fast to God’s Word and remember that . . .

“An adverse culture is not a cause for lament. It is not a personal attack. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate the nature of God.”—Chris Tiegreen

January 18, 2021
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Dream A Little Dream With God

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You may be reading this blog a few days before Christmas as you’re hurrying to wrap the last presents, or maybe even buy them. But somewhere in the frantic last week, you’ll read the story of the birth of Jesus in the Books of Matthew and Luke. Or maybe you’ll hear a sermon where the pastor takes a particular event to focus on in his Christmas Eve sermon.

As I read the Christmas story this year, three words resonated with me, “in a dream.” God spoke uniquely and in miraculous ways to key people and the dreamers responded and acted on their dreams. Prophecy was fulfilled because some way, somehow, they each knew it was the Lord speaking to them.

Joseph’s Four Dreams

Dream #1

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matt 1:18-23

Dream #2

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son. Matt. 2:13-15

Dream #3

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. Matt. 2:19-21

Dream #4

 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. Matt 2:22-23

The Wise Men’s Dream

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matt. 2:9-12

Does God Speak to Us In Dreams Today?

I don’t know about you, but reading about God fulfilling prophecy in the story of Jesus’s birth, gives my dreams a completely new perspective.

I do dream a lot, almost every night, and often they’re random or I don’t remember them. But often, I wake up in the morning knowing exactly what God wants me to do about an issue. Maybe it’s what I’m supposed to write about, an action to take, or a warning and I know it’s from the Lord.

God changed history through dreams: Abimelek, Jacob, Laban, Joseph, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Solomon, Job, Pilate’s wife, all had dreams.

God transmitted his plan for the birth and the protection of the Savior of the world in dreams. Joseph paid attention to his dreams and seemed to know it was God speaking to him. Even though it went against what he thought he should do about Mary being pregnant, he obeyed the angel of the Lord in his dream and the prophetic Scriptures were fulfilled of where and when Jesus would be born.

Later, he recognized God’s warning dreams and saved Jesus’ life while also fulfilling prophecy. We don’t know much about Joseph, but we do know he recognized the voice of God.

The Wise Men were wise enough to know they should not return to report to Herod the location of the baby and Jesus’ life was spared again.

What Might God Be Telling You In Your Dreams?

What life changing events might happen in our life if we spent more time paying attention to not only our dreams, but what God is telling us in our prayer time? Remember prayer is supernatural conversation with God and He’s talking to us. But are we listening?

Prayer is no different now than it was in biblical times so why should we think our dreams are different. Why would we not believe that God could use dreams to warn us or fulfill his plans for us, and perhaps for others, just like He did in the past?

God also speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. I knew He wanted me to write about dreams in the Christmas story because He made the word “dream” stand out to me as I read it. I wrestled with Him about whether that was really His intent, and He was very clear and adamant.

So whether you dream at night or even remember your dreams, God will give you visions. He will find a way to speak to you directly of how He wants you to live your life for Him!

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28

 “A word was secretly brought to me, my ears caught a whisper of it. 13 Amid disquieting dreams in the night, when deep sleep falls on people. Job 4:12-13

For God does speak—now one way, now another— though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, 16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, 17 to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride, 18 to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword. Job 33:14-18

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17 from Joel 2:28

If you don’t receive my monthly newsletter, you might enjoy my opening article this month on how Christians can still, and should, rejoice in hard times. We rejoice in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior offering redemption and forgiveness to all who believe in Him.

I’m taking a pause for the next two weeks and will be back January 11.

Merry Blessed Christmas and Happy 2021 New Year!

*Opening picture courtesy of Mount Zion Ministries.

December 21, 2020
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The Battle Belongs to the Lord

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Like many of you, I went to bed Election night fairly confident that President Trump would win the election; although it was concerning that some of the states had stopped counting ballots for the night. That seemed strange as the President noted in his speech that night. Yes, I stayed up to hear him.

Then the world woke up to a complete turnaround. Somehow, in the middle of the night, thousands of ballots only marked for Joe Biden showed up in all the battle ground states and President Trump had lost his lead in those states along with several other key states.

What happened?

That’s what President Trump’s legal team along with everyone who voted for him is asking!

As my husband and I prayed together asking for God’s intervention to reveal any fraud and allow America to have a fair and legal election, I heard in my spirit, “The battle belongs to the Lord.”

I knew that God wasn’t telling me to sit on the sidelines and do nothing because He was in control. No, He was saying that as one of his spiritual followers, workers, and warriors, it was my job to join forces with Him in the battle between good and evil.

For many years in my morning quiet time, I pray Matthew 6:10: “May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Now, God was calling me to take action toward that goal in this election.

Voting was a good start, but not enough. Now we need to make sure there is a legal and fair election. Everyone’s legal ballot counted and all fraudulent ballots cast aside.

Suddenly, I felt an uncanny peace and calm come over me. I was even surprised at my own response. Anxiety and worry was a waste of energy and time. There was the Lord’s work to do. A battle is raging and I’m in the Lord’s army.

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

What Weapons Do We Have for the Lord’s Battle?

Another verse I pray every morning is Zechariah 4:6 NLT: Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

There’s a spiritual battle taking place in the heavenly realms as well as a physical and legal battle for truth to prevail in our country. Each of us will live with the results of whoever wins this election and for any Christians who voted for the Biden/Harris ticket, I wonder if you actually studied what they plan for our country and the church.

We’ll all be held accountable for the political platform we chose to support.

The Armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18 describes what those who care about the lives of the unborn, the freedoms we enjoy in America, the future of religious freedom, and the integrity of our government should be doing right now.

My husband and I have prayed and personalized the Armor of God daily since we were married almost twenty-eight years ago. I’ve often said that I might not still have life if I didn’t suit up in my spiritual armor every morning.

The weapons we use in this spiritual battle are our Bibles, our prayers, our voices, our faith, and our activism against any schemes of the devil and his evil plans.

Christians should stand together strong and united by the Gospel as we go to war for the truth to prevail and lies and deception to fail.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

We place our trust in our Commander-in-Faith and apply God’s Word to every area of our life, no matter the consequences. When Satan sends the arrows of depression, discouragement, dissolution, and denial, we remember our hope is in Jesus not judges!

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

God Has a Battle Plan

Regardless of the results of this election, we prayerfully ask God to show us why He allowed the outcome and what He wants us to do now!

I’m not sure yet what God’s plan is but I do know He doesn’t want His people to cower or succumb to any evil imposed upon them. Just the opposite! He wants our light to shine brightly in the darkness. He’s up to something and we’re on His team, so put on your spiritual armor and engage in the battle. There’s a war to win!

I’ve written before that God is so kind to confirm that I’ve heard correctly in my spirit what He wants me to write to you. I finished this blog on Saturday and Sunday morning our pastor’s sermon topic was “Living as Christians in a Harsh World.”

Pastor reminded us that if the Democrat platform prevails after this election, we may not experience the same religious freedoms we know today and Christians and pastors who adhere to God’s ways and His Word could come under persecution. We’ve already seen that with the closure of churches during COVID and the attack on pastors who open their churches regardless of tyrannical mandates to stay closed.

Our pastor pointed out that this will not be the first time believers have come under attack starting with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We live in a world that isn’t like us and doesn’t always like us. But not to worry, our life is in Jesus!

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” John 15:18-19 NLT

As I said in last week’s blog, Biden has been saying that he will unite the nation, but there is nothing in his platform that Bible-believing, Jesus-following Christians could unite with or validate.

Liberal progressivism is atheism. That is the direction right now of the Democrat party and if they gain power over us, the church is going to suffer. But we stand strong and we do not bend or waiver under adversity.

And this could be what God is up to . . . separating true Bible-believing Christians from “Christians” in name only.

But that will be for another article.

For now, keep fasting and praying for our President and for all election corruption, fraud, and unethical or illegal activity to be revealed and prosecuted.

Pray for the President’s legal team to be wise and persistent and for the integrity of all the ballot counters.

If you participated in President Trump’s rallies or live where the votes are being contested, take your Trump signs and flags and go sing praise songs while interceding outside the ballot counting facilities.

Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Don’t lose heart.

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Tim. 2:1-2 NLT

I wrote a timely Crosswalk article last week: How Can I be Slow to Anger in Today’s World?

Here is an article by Pastor Robert Jeffress who has been a supporter and spiritual advisor to President Trump. I’m not sure I agree with all of it but it’s a good read. If Biden is elected, how should Christians respond?

November 9, 2020
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We Prayed. God Blessed Us. Now What?

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Only God would coordinate the timing on September 26, 2020 of the Franklin Graham Prayer March 2020 and The Return with Jonathan Cahn both in Washington DC on the National Mall on the same day that President Trump announces the nomination of a conservative Christian woman Justice for the Supreme Court!

Only God!

This was no coincidence!

A friend messaged me what I also believe to be true: “I believe the remnant is storming the Highest Court in prayer and praise!”

I do believe that God heard the prayers of His people and the heavenlies smiled down on us.

So now we keep on praying and believing. We must not stop because you know that Satan is only going to ramp up his efforts to create chaos, fear, and turmoil.

I also participated in a “March for Peace and Prayer in America” in my small rural mountain community. It was nondenominational and not political. You could bring “signs of prayer and peace but please no negativity.”

As I discussed the walk with a friend from church, I found myself wondering if carrying an American flag would be considered political. Negative?

I’m happy to say we carried a large American flag and signs with encouraging Scriptures and quotes. Some of those walking were barely able to walk from the very young, one with a cane, and even some slightly lame. But everyone completed the march and gathered together at the end for encouragement and prayer.

The morning started with rain that cleared before we walked and God blessed us with an affirming rainbow!

What a spirit-filled day from coast to coast!

How Have We Strayed So Far?

As we watched the joy and smiles of the thousands walking, and some even in wheel chairs on the National Mall, I noticed many carrying and waving with pride small American flags. I couldn’t help but think what a sad day in America when emblems of patriotism and love for our country are politicized. Even scorned and burned.

I ask myself so often: How did we let this happen? I know many are bravely and boldly speaking up, as am I, but why are so many denouncing their own country? Why are children being taught that America is bad when the rest of the world looks up to us with admiration? At least they used to.

Why are we letting a fringe element of Marxists convince us that there is “systemic racism” in our country?

Why aren’t more people acknowledging that the problem is systemic secularism?

People are rejecting what they once held true and dear to fit in with a system that is rejecting not only our country . . . but our God.

As I pondered these thoughts, my Bible reading was Psalm 37 in the Holman Christian Standard Bible. I’m going to share with you some of the verses that spoke directly to my heart in these troubling times where God calls His people to action but not agitation.

I add my commentary in italics and add emphasis to the scriptures. I hope they bless you too!

Psalm 37 “Instruction in Wisdom”

Isn’t wisdom what we all want right now as our tempers rise with current events? I’ve even had some friends say their blood pressure is literally rising. God says this:

Do not be agitated by evildoers;
do not envy those who do wrong.
2 For they wither quickly like grass
and wilt like tender green plants.

3 Trust in the Lord and do what is good;
dwell in the land and live securely.[b]
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and He will give you your heart’s desires.

God tells us that if we trust Him completely and continue doing what we know is right and good, even in the midst of all the rioting, lying, COVID, and evil we’re watching daily, He will keep our lives secure.

He wants us to keep our focus on the Lord and the joy that He brings to our life and He will give us what we’re praying for either on earth or later in heaven.

Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him;
do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way,
by the man who carries out evil plans.

8 Refrain from anger and give up your rage;
do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.
9 For evildoers will be destroyed,
but those who put their hope in the Lord
will inherit the land.

I don’t know about you, but at our house we’ve found ourselves very agitated at the injustice and evil that seems to be prevalent in our country today. But notice that in eight verses, God tells us three times to not be agitated by those doing evil because it does no good. In fact, it can bring harm to our health and well-being.

Instead, we need to do just what thousands of us did on Saturday, pray with trust that God is on His throne and we will get our land back if we don’t lose hope.

A little while, and the wicked person will be no more;
though you look for him, he will not be there.
11 But the humble will inherit the land
and will enjoy abundant prosperity.

12 The wicked person schemes against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him.
13 The Lord laughs at him
because He sees that his day is coming.

The wicked have drawn the sword and strung the bow
to bring down the afflicted and needy
and to slaughter those whose way is upright.
15 Their swords will enter their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.

. . .

The Lord watches over the blameless all their days,
and their inheritance will last forever.
19 They will not be disgraced in times of adversity;
they will be satisfied in days of hunger.

20 But the wicked will perish;
the Lord’s enemies, like the glory of the pastures,
will fade away—they will fade away like smoke.

As Christians, we know that doing wrong or evil to satisfy the culture, never pleases God. Even though we’re laughed at and disparaged, we let it bounce off us because our future is eternal life. Those who are scoffing at God will learn some day that their future is literally in hell.

A man’s steps are established by the Lord,
and He takes pleasure in his way.
24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,
because the Lord holds his hand.

25 I have been young and now I am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned
or his children begging for bread.
26 He is always generous, always lending,
and his children are a blessing.

Turn away from evil and do what is good,
and dwell there[i] forever.
28 For the Lord loves justice
and will not abandon His faithful ones.
They are kept safe forever,
but the children of the wicked will be destroyed.
29 The righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it permanently.

God reminds us that in the end, His justice will prevail. Until then, we seek righteous wisdom from God and follow guidance from His Word. We will dwell safely and securely with the Lord forever.

This theme runs through the remainder of the psalm. As you continue reading, pray that God will speak to you to calm your heart, mind, and soul as you pray for His righteousness to prevail in our world and that those promoting and supporting the evil will be unveiled and stopped.

It may look like they are winning for the moment, but God is always the winner.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom;
his tongue speaks what is just.
31 The instruction of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not falter.

32 The wicked one lies in wait for the righteous
and seeks to kill him;
33 the Lord will not leave him
in the power of the wicked one or allow him to be condemned when he is judged.

34 Wait for the Lord and keep His way,
and He will exalt you to inherit the land.
You will watch when the wicked are destroyed.

35 I have seen a wicked, violent man
well-rooted like a flourishing native tree.
36 Then I passed by and  noticed he was gone;
I searched for him, but he could not be found.

Watch the blameless and observe the upright,
for the man of peace will have a future.
38 But transgressors will all be eliminated;
the future of the wicked will be destroyed.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord,
their refuge in a time of distress.
40 The Lord helps and delivers them;
He will deliver them from the wicked and will save them
because they take refuge in Him.

Amen!

So What Do We Do Now?

We keep on praying!

Let’s pray for Amy Coney Barrett and her family. We know how malicious the attacks will be but the Lord will be her strength and give her the right words and countenance.

Pray for President Trump as he continues to govern our nation while campaigning.

Pray for an outpouring of the Spirit on our nation.

Pray for a down pouring of rain and cold temperatures on the cities where the riots continue.

Pray for the safety of our police force and the military.

Pray for the coronavirus plague to subside.

Pray for churches to open their doors.

The vision the Lord keeps giving me is a sudden outpouring of the Holy Spirit over all those who are doing evil in our cities and government. A miracle of mass salvation!

There is no one outside of God’s reach, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:13)

Nothing is impossible with God.

Let me know what you’re praying for. What vision is God giving you?

September 28, 2020
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Why Watching Church Online is NOT a Substitute for Attending in Person

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“15 Days to Slow the Spread” seemed doable when the Coronavirus Task Force first asked everyone to shelter-at-home. Churches complied by shutting their doors to protect their parishioners. Those who already had online services expanded access and those like ours who didn’t already video messages started videoing.

Then 15 days morphed into 30 days, which segued into 45 days and churches are still told today that they’re not essential and mandated to stay closed or open with tyrannical restrictions.

A number of pastors across the United States are rightfully questioning this discrimination against the church when liquor stores and casinos are considered essential. So they’ve begun finding creative ways for their churches to meet, even under penalty of fines and threats of imprisonment. Hard to imagine that would happen in America!

Other churches remain closed today. One mega church announced they plan on staying closed until 2021?!

The purpose of this blog is not to discuss why churches need to open NOW because I’ve covered that extensively in previous blogs. I’ll list a couple at the end of this article.

But I do want to talk about why it’s important for believers to not become accustomed to sitting at home in their recliners in pj’s with a cup of coffee watching a sermon online and calling it church.

Why We Go To Church

One winter Sunday morning, hubby was sick! If our steep driveway wasn’t covered in ice, that wouldn’t be a big deal. I’d hop in the car and head off to church by myself. But I hadn’t driven our new car in snow and ice and didn’t want my first off-roading attempt to be without him.

I could stay home and watch church online or on television. I’d done that for more Sundays than I’d care to remember when a concussion, kidney surgery, three eye surgeries, and a broken wrist had kept me home. I was desperate to go to church.

Whew, friends with a jeep rescued me that Sunday.

Why was it so important to go to church? While homebound, I’d watched a number of excellent church services online and on TV . . . but it’s not the same as worshipping together with my church family.

When our Governor in Idaho announced that churches could open in COVID Phase One of reopening Idaho, our church literally opened the doors May 1 with all the recommended precautions.

As I walked through the church doors that first Sunday, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. I immediately realized what had been missing watching services at home.

People were missing. My brothers and sisters in Christ were missing.

Singing, worshipping, and praying together were missing.

Seeing each other’s smiles and yes, sometimes, tears were missing.

Church is not just the sermon. Church is the gathering together of God’s people!

Yes, believers have our personal relationship with Jesus which we experience wherever we are, but we don’t experience the Christian life alone. That’s why God said it’s not good to be alone and there are so many Scriptures reminding us to encourage and support each other.

Online church absolutely is a tremendous benefit for people who can’t attend church because of physical or transportation issues, out of town, working, or need to stay home with a sick child or family member. It’s a wonderful tool in an emergency like Covid was in the beginning or for anyone who is high-risk.

Online church also is an outreach opportunity for those who are hesitant to walk into a church.

But for those with no restrictive issues, here are five reasons I feel God wants us to worship together in His house and follow the example of the first church.

“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place” (Acts 2:1).

5 Reasons to Meet in Church Together

1. Fellowship and Relationships

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals . . . with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42, 46-47)

The early church, a template for today’s church, understood that the meeting together of believers creates community. We need each other to uplift our spirit when we’re sad and rejoice together when we’re glad.

You can find good teaching and truth online, but you need to be in church to experience the fellowship of fellow believers and develop relationships within the church body.

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11)

2. Celebrating Communion, Worshipping, and Praying Together

“All the believers devoted themselves to . . . sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. They worshiped together at the Temple each day . . . all the while praising God . . . . (Acts 2:42, 46-47)

You share communion, the Lord’s Supper, together in church. Our church also has a time of Prayer, Praise, and Share every Sunday where the congregation can ask for prayer and share praises.

Many churches list in the bulletin or announce those in need of prayer so the church can pray for each other and celebrate praises together. “But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him” (Acts 12:15).

God instructed the congregation to sing in church because it is a unifying expression of worship. What a joy to worship and sing praise songs to the Lord in unison.

“Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts” (Col. 3:16).

“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:1-4)

3. We Are the Family of God

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. (Acts 2:44-45)

Watching church is like being an observer instead of a participant.

We need each other. We are one body, the Bride of Christ.

The church needs us to serve. Church isn’t taking in selfishly; it’s giving out selflessly. We don’t attend church solely for our own benefit. We’re also there to serve the body of Christ, our spiritual family. Christ wants us to care more about others than our own convenience or inconvenience.

We are to use the spiritual gifts and talents the Lord has given us to benefit the church. (1 Cor. 12:12-22).

“Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body” (Col. 1:18).

“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it” (1 Cor. 12:27).

4. Accountability and Mentoring

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.” Colossians 3:16

There’s always going to be a time when we can’t make it to church, but it should be the exception, not the rule. The tendency today is to isolate ourselves in front of electronics where we interact with a screen instead of each other. A clicker or mouse replaces friendly face-to-face interaction.

I’ve heard testimonies of people saved by watching a preacher on television or online, which is wonderful. But one of the surest ways to stay true to your faith as a believer is joining a church to spiritually grow and mature with other believers who encourage us and keep us accountable.

Church is more than listening to a sermon; it’s an experience and an exchange with other believers. It’s where you help others grow, partake in ministries, serve, give of your talents and spiritual gifts, mentor, and receive mentoring.

“2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.” (Titus 2:2-5)

5. Setting the Example for Children

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. Psalm 145:4

It takes more effort to get dressed and drive to church than to flip on the computer or television screen. Your children and grandchildren are learning by your actions what takes priority in your life: God’s house or your house?

Teach by example that church is a privilege we should never take for granted and we should never let it be taken away from us. If we can go to Costco, shopping, Walmart, Home Depot, and even “peacefully protest” in the streets, we can go to church!

So yes, you can watch a service online anonymously and probably get something out of it, but what are you putting first in your life that seeks out convenience instead of commitment?

If your church hasn’t opened back up for services after COVID closure, I encourage you to remind your pastor that church is an essential part of every believer’s life and worth fighting for your 1st Amendment right to meet.

It wasn’t easy for the early church either and often the disciples and apostles were thrown into jail for gathering people together to share the Gospel, but we’re reminded of what Peter said when he met opposition from the authorities.

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. Acts 5:24-29 (I would encourage you to read the entire passage Acts 5:12-41)

Sadly, many governing officials act from an ungodly worldview. If the government contradicts God, we answer to God alone.

As a child, I remember in Sunday school intertwining our fingers on the outside of our hands, putting our forefingers together, and opening our hands, saying the jingle: Here’s the church, here’s the steeple, open the door, and where’s all the people? But intertwining fingers inside our hand and opening: Here’s the church, here’s the steeple, open the door and there’s all the people!

 “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

*All Scriptures are from the New Living Translation, with emphasis added.

Note: A true story of what can happen when the church stays silent! From the Facebook of Worship Leader Sean Feucht

Pastor Joseph Bondarenko (the KGB’s most wanted) was jailed for 10 years, tortured & told every day his entire family would die because of their faith. He refused to deny Jesus. Many of his friends were martyred but God spared his life. His story of boldness has now circled the globe.

For the American Church he warns:

“Don’t they realize what is happening now in America is exactly what happened to us in communist Russia?? It started with ‘Don’t gather. Don’t sing. Spread apart. Listen to the government.’ Then it quickly turned into full on persecution and the church did not wake up in time.

I am here to beg you to call the church to WAKE UP, STAND FIRM, CONQUER!”

The Rant, a Rave, and a Primal Scream

How is Home Depot More “Essential” than God’s Home?!

If God is Pulling Back the Veil on Evil, How Should the Church Respond?

August 24, 2020
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America’s Problem is Systemic Secularism NOT Systemic Racism!

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Recently, a “woke” phrase has emerged and is repeated so often that many people accept it as true: systemic racism.

Let’s look at the definition of systemic: something that affects the whole instead of just parts. Embedded within and spread throughout and affecting a whole system, group, body, economy, market, or society.

Those who have now applied systemic to racism infer that the systems in place create and maintain racial inequality in every facet of life for people of color.

Liberals, the radical Left, mainstream media, and anyone trying to stir up strife and unrest tout “systemic racism” is factual. It’s become a mainstream mantra and few question its validity.

But could it possibly be true? If racism is systemic, how do they explain a black president for eight years (whom many white citizens voted for) and the popularity of his wife? Numerous black mayors and police chiefs, including women. Black athletes. Black politicians. Black lawyers. Black business men and women. Black business owners. Black physicians and scientists. Black media personalities and celebrities. The list goes on.

Let me be clear, I am not discounting that racism does still exist in many facets of our society, and maybe those who became successful experienced it at some time, but I am saying that it is not “systemic” today. Many blacks agree with me. Even as I was writing this blog, two prominent well-respected black men spoke on this very topic:

“‘Systemic racism’ is used as a ruse to avoid talking about the real problems. To deflect from real issues in areas run by their own people of black officials and systems.” Bob Woodson, founder of the Woodson Center and the 1776 Project

“You hear this phrase, ‘systemic racism’ [or] ‘systemic oppression’,” host Mark Levin told [Thomas] Sowell. “You hear it on our college campuses. You hear it from very wealthy and fabulously famous sports stars. What does that mean? And whatever it means, is it true?”

Thomas Sowell replied:

“It really has no meaning that can be specified and tested in the way that one tests hypotheses. It reminds me of the propaganda tactics of Joseph Goebbels during the age of the Nazis in which he is supposed to have said ‘People will believe any lie if it’s repeated long enough and loud enough!’ Even people who use it don’t have any clear idea of what they’re saying. Their purpose is served by having other people cave in.” –Black economist and author Thomas Sowell interviewed on Life Liberty & Levin.

America repented of the sins of slavery long ago. In his essay Understand What Is Happening: A Christian Response [which I encourage you to read in full] Larry Alex Taunton reveals the motive behind this attempt to rekindle racial divides:

“Now, the self-righteous types filling the ranks of Democrats, BLM, Antifa, and the radical Left in general, themselves wronged by no one and possessed by a hateful, secular, utopian ideology absent any notion of grace, see themselves as the embodiment of retribution and national reckoning. They are determined to keep America’s sins—both real and imagined—ever before her, reminding her, flogging her, as a means of reducing us all to a pathetic national guilt that will be leveraged for evil purposes.”

One of those evil purposes is to silence anyone who disagrees with them by calling a dissenter a “racist.” This overused term has lost any real meaning but people still quake at the thought of being called one for fear they will lose their job or reputation.

Most Americans are NOT racist, but they are being accused of racism just because of their skin color and because it’s part of a political power-grab agenda.

It astounds me that people are accepting this falsehood touted by white people on television scolding us while apparently not looking in the mirror. Or high-paid, well-coiffed black commentators trying to convince us that we are back in the sixties.

Sadly, the public is allowing the promotion of this racial divide. People in leadership, including many in the church, are afraid of offending the secular culture. They stay silent or go along with it when the real answer to racism is spiritual.

We don’t have a skin problem, we have a sin problem.

Systemic Secularism Will Be America’s Downfall

“I hope we don’t just go back to ‘normal,’ if normal means a nation that continues to defy and rebel against God and His ways, a nation that is openly hostile to Christians, a nation that rejoices and revels in godless behavior.”—Franklin Graham, Decision Magazine June 2020

Systemic secularism, immorality, and evil runs rampant in our world today. Secularism is another word for what the Bible calls “worldly” or “the world.”

Applying secularism to the earlier definition of “systemic,” secularism is truly embedded within and spread throughout and affecting a whole system, group, body, economy, market, or society, including the church.

When is the last time your pastor preached against abortion, homosexuality, living together, pornography . . . sin? I hope it was recently.

On the 4th of July, many of us sang “God bless America” and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. But we also saw systemic evil prevail throughout the streets with flag burning, murders of innocent black children, and hateful words spoken about the greatest nation in the world.

Good versus evil. Jesus versus Satan. Truth versus lies. Patriotism versus socialism. Freedom versus bondage.

How did we move so far away from the ideals of our nation’s founding fathers? How did America go from biblical to secular? How did Christians let Americans forget that God is the original Founder of America and the world?

The authors of the Constitution and Bill of Rights believed in God as the Creator who guides our lives and our country. Even those who weren’t Christians understood that we needed to live by the guiding principles in the Bible. Thomas Jefferson, whose statues are being toppled, said, “The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty.”

Is it any wonder that as we watch the Bible degraded and discounted today that we’re also watching the attack on American ideals and patriotism. We’re losing “inalienable rights” such as free speech. People are too afraid and intimidated to speak out against the mob and “woke” censorship.

The Declaration of Independence declares, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Everyone no matter race, color, or background is important to God and therefore should be important to the governing powers.

Abraham Lincoln, whose statues and legacy are also being torn down, declared of the Bible in 1864: “All the good the Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.”

But aside from putting their hand on the Bible when sworn into office, and some recently the Quran, you seldom hear the Bible mentioned today in the same breath with laws and rights that govern our country.

We can’t go back and change history whether it’s racism or secularism, but we can make a difference as much as it is up to us.

Returning to Systemic Biblical Values in America

1. God Wants Christians to Heal Our Land

I always appreciate when VP Pence ends his speeches with “God heal our land.” I assume he’s referring to 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

But God puts conditions on healing our land and you and I are the ones responsible for fulfilling those conditions.

God doesn’t say if the secular culture will change. He specifically says “If his people,” Christians, will humble ourselves to prayerfully repent from our sins, then He will listen and forgive us and start healing our land.

Wow that means the healing of America is up to you, me, and the church. We can’t change the world but we can change ourselves and cleanse our lives from the sins that God hates.

We need to purge secularism out of our own lives. Don’t wait for a convicting sermon because you might not hear one.

Read God’s Word, the Bible, and prayerfully live by its guidance not the guidance of the world!

Then when we take the plank out of our own eye, watch the world change. Not because of what we’ve done but because of what God says He will do in and through us.

The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 2 Chr. 15:2

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chr. 16:9

2. Make the Bible Systemically Relevant in Every Aspect of Life!

I heard a troubling quote: “Satan is discipling America because the church isn’t!” Ouch!

We need to learn how to speak the Truth in terms the world can understand.

Scripture doesn’t usually have meaning to the unbeliever because they don’t believe in following Jesus so they won’t relate to it or might just argue.

Slip into your everyday conversations the way the Bible would handle specific situations without saying, “the Bible says.”

Don’t alter your conversation when around unbelievers; talk just like you would with a group of believers.

Satan is a false teacher, but many are succumbing to his lies. Satan’s will is done more in America than God’s will! That should break every Christian’s heart.

Don’t let the Bible lose relevance in our culture. It’s up to us to be living examples.

It’s up to us to become systemically biblical in our every action, thought, and word.

And then watch God heal our land. Heal our racial issues. Return patriotism and love of America. Take down secularism and replace it with a love for God, our country, and each other.

#3. Pray and Ask God Where He Wants Us to Get Involved.

In an interview with the mother of a black sixteen year-old boy shot while walking home from the store, her black attorney pointed out that often the senseless brutal black-on-black killings are not coming from gangs. They also stem from anger. They haven’t been taught how to deal with anger, so they pick up a gun and start shooting. He said they need someone to invest in their life.

Ben Carson tells the story of being an angry young man who threw bricks through windows to express his aggression. Like so many black families, he didn’t have a father in the household, but he did have a praying mom. He found a Bible in the bathroom, opened it to the Book of Proverbs, and started reading. He recounts that he realized he wasn’t living like the Scriptures said to live and his anger left him. Proverbs changed his life.

He went on to become a pediatric neurosurgeon, ran for President, and is now the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Carson realized the Bible is relevant to every area of life. It’s systemic!

In my June AHW Ministries Newsletter, I shared another story of an angry black young man in a fatherless home who had flunked out of school when a “white” mentor stepped into his life and helped him find purpose to succeed. That young man is Senator Tim Scott.

Jesus spoke in stories to share the truth. We all have a story. Not everyone will read the Bible but each of us can be a living Bible.

God is looking for those who are willing to make America Systemically Biblical Again!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people he chose for his inheritance. Ps. 33:12

“Freedom is not doing what we want. It’s doing what we should.” Mike Huckabee

You might find it helpful to read Forsaken God? Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, or Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as A Woman of Faith. Both were written for such a time as this.

July 13, 2020
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It Always Was About Jesus! He is the Real Target . . .

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“Look at China, Russia, Venezuela. First they topple statues, then they start killing people, and then they take away your rights.” David Marcus, The Federalist

I’ve never been convinced that the George Floyd murder was about racism. It was the heinous act of a demented depraved policeman. But because he was white and the victim was black, the race card was played and suddenly people were forced to take sides even though everyone agreed it was an egregious act.

It should have unified all Americans that justice needed to prevail.

But that’s not what happened. People with an agenda saw it as an opportunity to unearth racial tension as if we had never made any progress in 400 years. What started out as “peaceful protests,” even in the midst of a pandemic, turned into destructive rioting and violent mobs that didn’t care if they were hurting blacks or whites or even those on their side, they just wanted to create havoc and panic.

And so they did as Democrat governors and mayors ignored protecting their defenseless constituents. In many cases, the police, who could have stopped the chaos, were told to stand down, as the protesters then turned on them.

There seems to be no limits to what the rioters can do or demands they can make because after all it’s all about “racism.”

I’m not minimizing the need for improvement in race relations but the lawlessness we’re watching in the streets of liberal “blue” states is political not relational.

God Is Not One Dimensional!

Caucasians, who God created with white skin, are shamed and manipulated into renouncing their presumed “white privilege” as if admitting that God liked them better than his darker skinned creations. Heresy!

God made us all different colors by His design. Since we’re all made in His image, Jesus appears to each of us in our own skin color.

Just like at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon those gathered there from every nation, they each heard Peter and the believers sharing the gospel in their own language:

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers . . . “And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. Acts 2:5-6, 11-12

In his article America’s Jews and Christians Are Failing the Test of Their Lives, Dennis Prager wrote:

“Isn’t it fundamental to all Bible-based religions that we are all created in God’s image, that God has no race and that Adam and Eve, from whom we all descend, had no race? If you are a Christian, do you see Christians of other races first as fellow Christians or first as members of their race? If you are a Jew, do you see Jews of other races as anything other than fellow Jews? Does God?”

Only Satan Can Pit God’s Creation Against Itself!

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Satan’s Strategy to Devour and Destroy America

  1. Use a pandemic plague to close businesses and churches and force people to stay home.
  2. Use a horrific murder by a police officer to create racial chaos.
  3. Perpetuate a falsehood that all whites are racist.
  4. Introduce sham terms like “systemic racism” and “white privilege.”
  5. Generate hate against the police and remove their capability to protect communities.
  6. Call for defunding and disbanding the police and give the preposterous idea momentum.
  7. Make government officials apathetic toward looting, burning, defacing, mob violence.
  8. Guilt Caucasians into apologizing that God made them white.
  9. Encourage whites to bow down to Black Lives Matter militia.
  10. Create a fake repentance theology of whites washing the feet of blacks or shining their shoes.
  11. Continue to keep churches closed or require prohibitive restrictions while thousands of protestors and rioters have no restrictions and passengers pack into planes.
  12. Keep pastors and “the church” silent or denounced, even arrested, if they claim religious freedom and the right to meet.
  13. Tear down all replicas of American heritage and history, good or bad, while horrified Americans helplessly watch or misguided and deceived Americans applaud.
  14. Create disunity and fear among all Americans politically, racially, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
  15. Reveal Satan’s real motive: Go after Jesus and the church, which often still isn’t meeting and pastors are still staying silent.

Jesus Has Always Been the Target

Destroying Jesus is Satan’s ultimate goal and everything in between was just carnage to distract.

Satan knows that the only answer to division and strife is Jesus and His church!

Government can’t legislate or force racial tolerance. It has to be a heart change and only Jesus can change a heart!

I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. Ezekiel 36:26-27 The Message

A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Rom 2:29 NLT

That’s why Satan’s ultimate target is Jesus!

If we’re too busy fighting each other over racism, defunding and disarming the police, taking down the President, rebuilding everything torn down by rioters . . . maybe we won’t notice that Satan is trying to wipe out Christ’s heritage . . . the church.

Christian and conservative content, videos, and Scriptures are already being censored on social media and YouTube.

Now Satan will Start taking down statues, pictures, replicas, or stained glass windows with “white Jesus” and defacing churches.

Next Satan will go after the cross and anything resembling the cross. He’s tried this before but hasn’t completely succeeded.

Then he’ll get the Bible censored as hate speech. There will be burning of Bibles and a law against preaching the Bible or carrying your Bible outside of your home. Maybe it will be illegal even to have a Bible.

Christians will ultimately receive the final blow because if we’re silenced, no one will hear the truth about eternal life with Jesus versus eternal hell with Satan.

Do you think these things could never happen in America? Well look at what’s already happened in the first six months of 2020 that you never could have imagined.

  • A President impeachment attempt over a diplomatic phone call.
  • Citizens mandated to not leave home. Wear a mask. Not allowed to go to a park, play tennis, or go to the beach. Schools closed. “Social distance.”
  • Small businesses closed and owners harassed, lost business licenses, fined, or jailed if they opened.
  • Hoarding of TP.
  • Not allowed to go to church and fined or jailed if you tried.
  • National monuments defaced and torn down with no one stopping the vandalism.
  • Liberal radicals take over the center of a major Capitol city with the mayor’s and governor’s help.

How will Satan achieve all of this?

By the deception of people who do not know Jesus and maybe some who do but are deceived by lies instead of trusting the truth they once knew and believed.

Satan uses people to do his work on earth.

I’ve said many times what the Bible teaches: there are only two forces at work in this world, Satan and God. If you’re not following God, by default you’re following Satan. There is no in between.

Rise Up Church!

“The most patriotic thing you can do is give your life to Jesus!” Said by Billy Graham years ago and it never changes.

The next most patriotic thing you can do is to help others know the difference between Jesus or Satan guiding a life. Share with them that . . .

  • Jesus saves. Satan destroys.
  • Jesus loves. Satan hates.
  • Jesus unifies. Satan divides.
  • Jesus heals. Satan defiles.
  • Jesus is peace. Satan is discord.
  • Jesus is courage. Satan is cowardice.
  • Jesus is truth. Satan is a liar.
  • Jesus reveals. Satan deceives.
  • Jesus is hope. Satan is despair.
  • Jesus is light. Satan is darkness.

Can you think of more?

When you see what’s happening in the world today or listen to the news, consider it through the grid of Jesus or Satan.

I’ve learned not to let what I see happening today shock me because it’s so clearly Satan’s tactics and schemes. But we have the antidote: Time is short. Death is sure. Sin is the cause. Jesus is the cure!

I love the song, The Same Power by Jeremy Camp because it reminds us that we have the same power in us that rose Jesus from the grave! “We will not be overtaken, we will not be overcome!”

Scripture tells us we have the power to pray against demons so let’s pray against demonic behavior that wants to rob and steal our country of the peace and harmony of Jesus.

We’re on the winning side but we still need to fight the spiritual battles to achieve victory.

Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. Mark 16:16-17

I want to close with a word of encouragement.

I’m blessed to see that finally the threat to the church is bringing out bold and brave pastors and churches. I hope you’ll take the time to read this post, listen to the pastor, and then pray God multiplies this ministry with pastors of all races and all denominations across the United States: Pastors Vow to Defend Houses of Worship, Not Allow Christian Heritage to be Erased.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deut. 31:6 NLT

We cannot be afraid. Pick up your sword of the Spirit and pray like you’ve never prayed before. Your life and the life of the ones you love could very well depend on it.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Eph. 6:17-18 NLT

Note: In my AHW Ministries June Newsletter, I share about the positive difference a mentor made in the life of Senator Tim Scott, the only black Republican Senator at this time.

June 29, 2020
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Our Country Desperately Needs Kingdom Culture Not Cancel Culture

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Yesterday was Father’s Day and that’s always a hard day for me. Especially now as police officers are being devalued and renounced. The incident in Atlanta where the suspect wrestled with the officers and grabbed their Taser has been especially painful. You see my father was murdered by a suspect he had pulled over who wrestled with him. Once subdued, the suspect complained of a painful ankle so my father and his partner took him to the General Hospital.

When they got the suspect into the exam room, he wrestled with them again and managed to get my father’s gun out of its holster and shot my dad pointblank. My father only lived long enough to throw the gun to his partner and with his last breath say, “He got me in the heart . . .”

When a suspect obtains possession of an officer’s weapon, the officers are in danger!

The man who shot my dad one week before his thirty-seventh birthday was a thirty-six year old high school music teacher. I was ten, my little sister was four. My mom was a thirty-two year-old widow.

Cancel Culture Instead of Kingdom Culture is Feudal!

Nothing I can do today will ever change the horror of what happened to our family. My father was protecting his community. He didn’t deserve to die doing it. His family didn’t deserve being deprived of a husband and father. My daughter didn’t deserve never knowing her heroic grandfather.

I don’t know if the murderer had a family or if he has grandchildren or even great grandchildren now. What good would it do for me to find them and demand their shame and reparations for the years their ancestor took from us?

Are they responsible for what this criminal in their heritage did to my family sixty-three years ago? Would I feel better if I rioted on their streets or defaced their homes with graffiti?

Should I hate all high school music teachers? Are music teachers systemically evil because one teacher did something despicable?

I think you would agree that the answer to all those questions is no. He and he alone murdered my father. He is the one responsible for our pain magnified by him getting off on an insanity plea and only two years in jail! But justice is mine says the Lord and the murderer died of a heart attack shortly after his release from prison.

Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Rom. 12:19 The Message

It is true that this man’s actions forever changed our family. But he was the only one who could have tried to make restitution. If he had, which he didn’t, it would have been our choice whether to forgive him.

Hanging on to anger and bitterness causes torment and turmoil but never solves the root problem.

I can’t rewrite the large-letter headlines in the LA Times telling the world of my father’s tragic unjustified death. In 1957, it was big news when a police officer was killed on duty.

I can try to go back to find all the newspaper archives and demand all records of his murder be removed from history. I can rip up the yellowed newspaper articles in my family albums. I can research the murder’s family and demand they give our family restitution and destroy all his pictures in their family albums.

But nothing will bring my father back, change history, or heal any wounds in our family or theirs.

I hope you can see the parallel with what is happening in our cancel culture today.

Trying to blot out our country’s history or take blame for our ancestors’ actions will never solve the problems we’re facing today. It’s not a good use of our time, emotions, or energy.

The Truth About Forgiveness

In last week’s blog Every Life Matters to God, I wrote the following:

We can’t change the past or a past that we weren’t responsible for, but we can show the love of Christ to everyone God puts in our path. You can only apologize and repent for what you’ve done personally. If there’s racism in your heart, ask God to remove it. If you’ve shown racism to someone, go to him or her and ask for forgiveness, but you can’t ask for forgiveness for someone else’s sin. Likewise, someone can’t forgive you for something someone else did.

When it comes to the past sins of our forefathers, Ezekiel 18:20 speaks to it.

“The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.”

Our Christian faith is built on forgiveness. We were forgiven of all our past transgressions and sins when we asked Jesus into our heart. The slate was wiped clean for us.

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

We have to ask God personally to forgive our own sins. No one can ask God for us or on our behalf. Likewise, we can’t accept blame or responsibility for our ancestors or anyone else’s sins and we can’t ask God to forgive them. That’s between each person and God and whoever they wronged.

My grandfather was prejudice. I’m not accountable for his beliefs that I don’t share. I chose to NOT follow his example and raised my daughter to not be racist or prejudice as she is also raising her children. It only takes one generation to make a difference, positively or negatively.

Just like I don’t expect the generations of my father’s murderer to be responsible for his sin, we aren’t responsible for our ancestors past sins and it shouldn’t make us feel righteous trying to do the impossible to make amends for something we didn’t do. We shouldn’t feel we’re doing something virtuous because we aren’t.

What we can do, as I said in last week’s article, is ask God’s forgiveness if you’ve participated in racism, or any sin, either in your heart or actions. If you need to go to someone and ask for their forgiveness for your unrighteous behavior, do it.

Then ask God to guide you to where He wants you to be a source of peace and reconciliation between all people!

If we’re not part of the solution, we’re part of the problem. We certainly see many problems in our world today that we could help solve by intercession, prayer, and personal action.

Every morning I pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10) Ask the Holy Spirit to help you envision what a Kingdom culture looks like from God’s perspective and then pray it infiltrates our world.

We need to realize that Satan’s goal is to divide us both as Americans and as Christians in any way he can. Race. Religion. Relatives. Relationships. Regions. And the Devil is using politics, media, and anarchists to achieve his goals.

Differences don’t need to divide us unless we let them. We have a choice.

How I Found Kingdom Peace Amidst Earthly Injustice

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Rom. 12:17-18 NLT

It’s easy to say we need to forgive but it’s so hard to do when the offense is egregious. The year after my father’s murder, I was invited to a church camp where a camp counselor sat on my cot and said, “I know you’ve lost your earthly father, but would you like a heavenly Father who will never leave or forsake you?” I accepted Jesus into my heart that day when I asked Him to forgive my sins.

I don’t think I ever intentionally “forgave” the man who murdered my father, but I was able to not let that tragedy define my life. I had peace in my pain. I grew up fatherless and my mother never worked. Somehow, someway, checks came in the mail I guess from his life insurance and maybe the Highway Patrol. I know the CHP did set up a fund for my sister and me to go to college.

Life wasn’t easy for us and we lived frugally, but God used those hardships to develop me into a woman He could use someday to be About His Work. It didn’t happen early in my life, but once I completely surrendered my will and my ways to Him, it’s been a joy serving my Lord and Savior. My ministry tagline is “Sharing Life Experiences and God’s Faithfulness!” God has certainly given me many experiences to share of His faithfulness to all generations.

My mother sadly turned away from God after my father’s murder. She said no just God would ever do this to a man who was just trying to protect his community and her heart hardened toward God. I watched her physically, emotionally, and mentally deteriorate over the years. As I look back, she probably had a mental breakdown.

Only Jesus can heal a hurting grieving heart.

It was a tumultuous relationship with my mother, but I did eventually forgive her for the hurtful abusive years even though she never asked for my forgiveness. That’s what kingdom Christians do.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matt. 6:14-15 NLT

Will our country ever come to a place where we settle the past and move forward to the full potential of actually living again as the United States?

Only God knows and only God could bring that miracle to fruition. We can pray and hope!

 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Eph. 4:1-3 NLT

Last week, I asked you to send examples of Christians ministering during the riots and protests. I did receive the same video from several of you. It’s a beautiful example of what Kingdom culture looks like and what God can do when we answer the call He gives us to share the Gospel and help others find eternal life, the only life that really matters.

June 22, 2020
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