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Legislating Morality: A Christian Duty

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I’m going to do something a little different in today’s Monday Morning Blog. I want to share an article about a very important duty for Christians: taking a stand for morality in the public square. That means advocating and voting for moral laws while opposing immoral laws. Morality is NOT subjective to the individual. Morality is absolutely and unquestionably defined by the Bible not the government or a person.

Today, we’re watching rampant immorality in the streets of every city often displayed by acts of violence most notably lately by young children. What kind of moral upbringing did these thugs get in their homes if any?! Yes, we can blame it on the parents, but we can also blame it on the church. When’s the last time your pastor talked about the blatant immorality in our culture today, often being re-enforced by immoral laws?

Maybe you’re one of those people who say you don’t bother yourself with “political issues.” Well I’m going to challenge you. That kind of thinking is immoral. It’s exactly why we see random shootings escalating, violence against innocent people in the streets, and car jackings. Children groomed and indoctrinated in schools to irrationally and immorally think that they can do the impossible and change their gender. Sex trafficking of children in America is at the highest level in any country on our watch!

I’ve mentioned before that I pray every morning with Pastor Jack Hibbs on his daily Lift Scripture prayer time. What an amazing way to start the day. Several days ago, he pointed out something very interesting in Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” The word “citizenship” in the Greek in this passage is actually the word “politics.”

Yes, we are citizens of heaven and one way we should be living that out on earth is through our politics. You and I can each make a difference if we step out of our comfort zone and into our Christian citizenship persona.

Understanding Morals

“Understanding morals is crucial for our daily lives as Christians. Morals guide us on how to live in the way that pleases God. They help us discern right from wrong, ensuring that we uphold the values and standards outlined in the Bible. By understanding the essence of morals, we align our actions and decisions with God’s will for us. The Bible offers wisdom and guidance in moral living and serves as a compass for us, directing our paths as we navigate through life’s choices. When we seek to embody these morals, we reflect God’s character and promote goodness in the world around us.”

I could go on and on. We are becoming Sodom and Gomorrah in a country once known for its Judeo/Christian values and morals. Here is the article I wanted to share, “Why Legislate Morality?” that I received in an email from Kent DelHousaye, Director of Church Engagement for Idaho Family Policy Center. I hope you’ll ponder and pray about how it might apply to you and what you could do to be a changing force in your sphere of influence.

Friends,  
A common objection to the idea of promoting biblically sound public policy is that it’s not mission-critical or even worthwhile for Christians and churches to get involved in “legislating morality.” But is this objection accurate?

In short, NO. This kind of thinking is just wrong. There are actually seven reasons why we SHOULD care about “legislating morality.”

1. All legislation is moral. The only question is whose morality will be codified? There is always a moral agenda behind every piece of legislation, just as there are moral implications for every law that is adopted. The issue for us is simply whether we prefer a law that reflects a godly morality or worldly morality.

2. In a relativistic culture, accepted moral standards are determined by the laws that are passed, so the laws SERVE as the moral code of that society. If we want the ethical code of our society to be God-honoring, then we must seek to pass godly laws.

3. As Christians, moral neutrality is not an option for us. If we believe in the lordship of Christ over all things, then his lordship includes government and law. If government is God’s domain, then government and its laws must serve his purposes.

4. Since the church is a bulwark against evil, abstention from the political domain is not an option for us as it cedes the public square to ungodly leaders who co-opt it and use it for their own unfettered wicked purposes in the world.

5. Our political silence makes us complicit. Failing to speak up about evil and injustice in society undermines our credibility and our witness in the world. It implies that we are either indifferent to — or, even worse, on board with — whatever immoral laws are being passed.

6. Passing godly legislation is not in itself the solution to the wickedness of the human heart. However, moral conviction is often shaped by moral instruction. In other words, adopting laws which teach society to do the right things can often lead society to desire the right things.

7. Godly legislation is a form of evangelism. Passing God-honoring legislation glorifies God by putting his character and commands on public display for all to see who God is and how his kingdom works.

Bottom line, all legislation legislates some sort of morality—so whose morality are we legislating? Last but not least, watch this clip of IFPC President Blaine Conzatti on the Canon+ Man Rampant show responding to the question, “Can you legislate morality?” I highly recommend you give it a watch and a share!

Standing for morality,
Kent DelHousaye Director of Church Engagement

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. – Pr. 21:3

The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. Pr. 15:9

Opening picture from the Idaho Family Policy Center article.

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August 11, 2025
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God is Always Watching: The Importance of Integrity

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When I was a little girl, I can still hear my mother cautioning me to do the right thing even when she wasn’t around because, “God is always watching!”

When I speak and write on mentoring I often say that the people parents mentor the most, even if it’s not intentional, are their children. Are you the woman today you want your daughter to become? Are you the man you want your son to become? Do you have the marriage you want your children to have? Because even when you’re not thinking about it, little eyes are watching how you act, what you say, how generous you are.

As Christians, does your walk match your talk? Are you the same person during the week as you are on Sunday morning at church?

A big responsibility you say. Yes, being a parent is the biggest responsibility you’ll ever have in life, unless you’re also a Christian and then how you represent Christ will top all other responsibilities while influencing everything you do.

This past week, we’ve seen a number of breaches of integrity being revealed, some literally in the dark and some out in the open.

Let’s start first with Chip and Joanna Gaines who built a financial empire with their “Fixer Upper” program. Their Magnolia merchandise is carried predominately at Target, as well as in their own stores. They’ve presented themselves as a wholesome family with Christian values and many adored them, even in my own family. Then recently they branched out into a new Magnolia Network series “Back To The Frontier” and all the Christian beliefs they portrayed in the past went out the window when they decided to attract a broader woke “progressive” audience. Just like every other program that has embraced the alphabet mafia, they included two “married” gay men who had adopted two boys.

When their shocked Christian audience and supporters called them out on deviating from biblical values, they doubled down right out of the liberal LGBTQ+ playbook calling Bible-believing Christians hateful and unloving. But what they were really saying is the Bible is hateful and unloving because the Bible has plenty to say about marriage (Gen. 2:24, Mark 10:6-9) and sexual sin (Lev. 18:22, Lev. 20:13, Rom. 26-27, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, Jude 1:7). So they weren’t just disparaging Christians, they were blaspheming God’s Word.

In Forsaken God? Remembering The Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, I wrote about what can happen when the church succumbs to the world normalizing sin. There is no such thing as a “progressive” Christian or church because that actually describes a progressive fall away from God. “Woke” is simply the current word used for worldly and wicked.

Here’s a short excerpt from my book.
“God’s ways never change no matter the century—his ways are timeless and perfect and designed for our good, not our harm. Regardless of how the populace or government tries to redefine or politicize morality, immorality always is detestable to God, as it should be to every Bible-believing Christian, and that’s what we must share with the next generation. When they ask why is sexual immorality worse than other sins? We answer them: Because it violates God’s holy temple—our body—created in his image, which is why he tells us to, “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Cor. 6:18-20). We need to have these kinds of conversations straight from Scripture with our children and grandchildren.

Satan is hijacking high-profile liberal pastors and several mainline denominations who expound that: the Bible isn’t inerrant or relevant, God is a myth, Jesus is a legend, and the church needs to catch up with the culture. Essentially, they’re atheists trying to mask themselves as “progressive Christians,” as if they’ve discovered the true, open-minded Christianity that doesn’t need the Bible. Wolves in sheep’s clothing—straight out of Titus 1:15-16. Culture never trumps Scripture. Even if you’ve been a member for years of one of these denominations or churches that now succumbs to this unbiblical, satanical teaching—run—leave immediately, and take your family with you.

The ‘liberals’ defiantly ignore Jesus’ warning that Christians are in the world, but not of the world. And Jesus didn’t come to conform to the culture; he came to reform the culture.”

I don’t know what made the Gaines conform to the culture and normalize sin. Was it all the money they made from Target who supported the alphabet merchandise right next to theirs and the Gaines never spoke out against it? Was it the desire to make more money at the expense of losing their biggest base, Christians? Read more here.

You can agree or disagree with this statement, but when we watch high-profile pastors, ministers, worship leaders, influencers who claim to be Christians fall prey to Satan’s worldly cultural agenda, you have to question if they were ever truly saved? Did they ever have a born-again experience? Because if they did, the Holy Spirit would be residing in their heart telling them not to go the way of the world. When the powers of darkness takeover a mind, it will spin it to whatever political or cultural narrative they desire.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Eph. 4:30 NLT

“If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” Gal. 1:10

See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Heb. 12:16

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15

God knows. God is ALWAYS watching!

Next, we see the apparent adulterous couple caught on a Kiss-Cam Jumbotron at a Coldplay concert where they thought they could hide their discretions amongst thousands of people. But there they were exposed on the big screen hugging not just for the concert people to see, but as they tried to hide, one of the performers laughingly said they were either camera shy or having an affair. These were two high profile people at a company and the married man who was a CEO has already resigned and embarrassed his company.

“For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” Luke 12:2-3

“Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark; they say, ‘Who sees us?’ and, ‘Who knows us?’” Is. 29:15

God Knows. God is ALWAYS watching!

Then we see the exposure of a former president and his administration manufacturing a hoax against his successor that they thought would never be revealed. They didn’t hide their trail very well. Everything the Obama administration was treasonously doing, they tried to convince the American public that Trump was doing. They must’ve been so sure they could take him down even after he was elected, that they got sloppy as all the memos and emails of this “treasonous conspiracy” are being revealed now.  

They failed twice. First with Trump being elected in 2016 and he probably also won in 2020, but their trickery worked that year. Hard as they tried to scheme and use lawfare to keep him out of the White House again, he won with a landslide lead in 2024, even after narrow escapes from assassination attempts.

How could they not know the man they had so wrongly persecuted for the past ten years would eventually find them out? He is now much wiser to how low the dark deep state will go to try to maintain/regain power. But the American people are also wiser.

I just saw a meme: “Trump and Russia were the only ones NOT involved in the Russia Russia Russia hoax!” We laugh, but it’s diabolically sad that the media also propagated the lies that so many believed.

“For nothing concealed will not be disclosed, nor hidden that will not be known.” Luke 8:17

“Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known.” Matt. 10:26

God knows. God is ALWAYS watching!

What Can We Learn From All of These Revelations?

I want to share with you what Devin Schubert wrote on Facebook regarding the Kiss Cam event, but it applies to everything we do as Christians as Schubert aptly concludes. I couldn’t say it any better.

“The kiss cam exposed more than a couple.

  • It exposed a truth we forget far too often:
  • Influence doesn’t turn off.
  • Not when you leave the office.
  • Not when the lights go down.
  • Not even when you think no one’s watching.
  • At a Coldplay concert this week, a CEO and his HR director got caught on camera.
  • Not at work.
  • Not on stage.
  • Just… in the crowd.
  • But that one moment of closeness?
  • Broadcasted to a stadium.
  • Then to the internet.
  • Then to the world.
  • Within hours, people had names, LinkedIn titles, marriage records, screenshots, apologies—real and fake.
  • Comments got shut down.
  • Accounts went private.
  • And the truth came crashing in:
  • What you do in secret eventually shows up in public.
  • What you build behind closed doors will always echo… good or bad.
  • Someone is always watching.
  • And someone is always learning from you.
  • So here’s what I want to say to every leader, coach, speaker, parent, entrepreneur, pastor, builder of anything:
  • Make sure your influence is worth following.
  • ✅Not just impressive—but integral.
  • ✅Not just polished—but pure.
  • ✅Not just inspiring—but honest.
  • Because you don’t lose influence overnight.
  • You lose it in quiet compromises.
  • And you gain it the same way.
  • One decision at a time.
  • One “no one’s watching” moment at a time.
  • Let this moment remind us:
  • You can influence with courage, or you can influence with compromise.
  • You can build for applause, or you can build for the Kingdom.
  • But only one lasts.
  • God sees what the cameras miss.
  • He rewards what man forgets.
  • And yes… grace is real, please don’t forget!
  • But so are consequences.
  • So lead well.
  • Live worthy.
  • Influence like it matters… because it always does.
  • We are people of legacy.
  • People of integrity.
  • And people of the Kingdom.
  • Let’s carry that with honor.” Devin Schubert

Integrity and character are who you are when you think no one is watching!

God knows. God is ALWAYS watching!

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. Pr. 15:3

You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. Ps. 90:8

For Self-Reflection

I saw the following posted on a friend’s Facebook page and thought it was so appropriate for all of us. We don’t know who the original author is . . .

“The other day I was hanging out with a friend. This friend is a Christian, but she doesn’t always act, speak or think like one. Some days she is nearly completely in line with God’s Word, and some days her life is a struggle that gets the best of her.

As our eyes met, I really wanted to say something about it but I decided to let the Lord speak to her heart knowing nothing that I say will have the same impact as the Father’s words.

So…. I prayed with her, and after some time had passed I winked at her and walked away from the mirror.

I try every day and I fail every day. I am so not perfect, I am a work in progress and I’m thankful for God’s grace and His promises to His believers.”

God Knows. God is ALWAYS watching!

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Pr. 28:13

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July 21, 2025
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“We Love You God!”—President Donald J Trump

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“God has an answer to everything the enemy tries to do!” Dutch Sheets

I hope during these tumultuous times you believe that while it might seem like Satan is in control of the world right now, as Pastor Dutch Sheets reminds us, God provides a way to combat every strike from the enemy, even though it’s so difficult living in any of the countries experiencing war right now.

Last Saturday night, President Trump gave the order for Midnight Hammer to take out Iran’s nuclear program. Because of Iran’s ambition to annihilate Israel and America, it’s doubtful they would’ve ever honored an agreement to stop building nuclear weapons.

Iran has chanted for decades, “death to Israel,” who they consider “Little Satan,” and “death to America, “Great Satan.” Iran is a sponsor of terror aimed at all Judeo/Christian countries. Their ideological, religious, and political goal is to establish Jihadist Islam across the globe. I can remember over a decade ago when they were saying they would infiltrate America from the inside starting with planting Muslims who practice Islam into the United States Congress. Today we have at least two maybe more in Congress who continually denounce America as “one of the worst countries in the world.”

Deep in the heart of Texas, just outside of Dallas, there’s pushback against an attempt to build a planned community, “Epic City,” a totally Muslim City with Sharia law. In their plans to create a neighborhood of 1,000 homes, a K-12 faith-based school, apartments, shops, a community college and a mosque, the developers of a 400-acre planned Muslim community made one crucial misstep: They advertised their intentions and Governor Abbott is attempting to stop these plans.

We have no idea how many sleeper cells are in our country after the Biden Administration let millions of unvetted illegals cross the border.

Trump doesn’t want to enter into war with any country, yet he also knows he has to protect America and our ally Israel from an enemy that thinks it’s their religious calling to eradicate the Judeo/Christian faith.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a Theocracy run by religious leaders who are part of a sect of Islam know as Twelver Shi’iism with a particular eschatology that involves the destruction of both Israel and America, along with any country with primarily Judeo/Christian beliefs. Sunday two churches in America had a terrorist attack and an Islamic State suicide bomber claimed 22 lives at Saint Elias Church in Damascus, Syria.

The remainder of this blog I actually wrote Saturday afternoon before the world learned of our Commander-in-Chief’s decision to use military force to prevent the military leaders of Iran from having the capability of achieving their pathological obsession of destroying two countries that predominately worship God, to establish a one-world Islamic religion. A belief system blinded by the spirit of hate, antisemitism, and antichrist.

I want to share what I wrote before the bombing to underscore and emphasize how much the prayers of the people were influencing President Trump’s final decision. If you listened to President Trump’s address to the nation after Midnight Hammer was successfully executed, it’s clear he felt the prayers as he emotionally closed with, “I want to thank everyone and in particular I want to say, God, we love You God!”

The Power of Our Prayers!

I think Ambassador Mike Huckabee put it best in his note to President Trump when he said, “Mr. President, God spared you in Butler, PA to be the most consequential President in a century—maybe ever. The decision on your shoulders I would not want to be made by anyone else. You have many voices speaking to you Sir, but there is only ONE voice that matters. HIS voice . . . You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU!”

That last sentence reminds us of the Book of Esther when Mordecai told Queen Esther in 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” The Jews at that time were also being threatened of extension by Persia, modern day Iran.

Franklin Graham wrote on Facebook, “Will you join me in lifting up President Donald J. Trump in prayer? From our earthly view, we see ominous storm clouds gathered around the globe. With Iran and Israel engaged in war, Russia and Ukraine in continued deadly conflict, China imposing an imminent threat to Taiwan, war in Sudan, and more, it seems as though the whole world is on the brink of fracturing. Our President needs wisdom and strength from God. The decisions he is called upon to make will affect each one of us, our country, and the entire world. I pray that God will direct his steps as he leads our nation through the most turbulent times we have experienced in decades. The Bible tells us, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:7).

I would add the rest of Matthew 24:7-8, “There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.” Iran experienced an earthquake last week. There’s no doubt we’re experiencing the birth pains that will come before the rapture and the 7-year tribulation. How long will the birth pains last? Only God knows.

I also encourage you to read other evangelical leaders’ comments praising President Trump’s continued support for Israel amid war with Iran. Here’s the link.

The Bible Speaks to Us Today!

There are numerous examples in the Old Testament of Israel, God’s chosen people, fighting for their very existence. The Bible is full of wars and every time someone came against Israel, they had to pay. Israel always came out OK. God loves Israel.  

While taking my morning walk a few days ago, I was listening to 2 Chronicles chapter 15. You’ve probably heard 2 Chronicles 7:14 recited many times, “14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” We pray that verse over America, especially regarding turning from cultural wicked ways, and we should continue praying because the only thing that will actually save America is a spiritual revival.

Sadly, we’ve let much of our nation be turned over to demons. Just look at the faces and actions of the people raging violently in streets against everything good and holy. It’s a reminder of the man in Mark 5, possessed by the many demonic evil spirits called Legion.

The spirit of evil and lawlessness that we’re experiencing in our culture today, doesn’t rule Christians. Only God can change a heart. We must pray against the evil violence and rebellion we’re watching in the streets and college campuses in our country during America’s spiritual war, and what we might see in the coming weeks. Which leads to God speaking to me through 2 Chronicles chapter 15 and how it applies not only to Israel, but also to America. Verses 1-4 are so relevant today.

Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them. 4 But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him.

The same is true today. When we seek the Lord with all our heart, we will find Him.

5 “During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land. 6 Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem. 7 But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”

Resembles our dark times today.

9 Then Asa called together all the people of Judah and Benjamin, along with the people of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them. For many from Israel had moved to Judah during Asa’s reign when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. 

I hope this is the same reward for Israel and America and that the Lord God is with President Trump and Netanyahu as they seek God’s wisdom and direction. President Trump established a White House faith office that I know is interceding, worshipping, probably singing, and praying for President Trump’s every move.

14 They shouted out their oath of loyalty to the Lord with trumpets blaring and rams’ horns sounding. 15 All in Judah were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into it with all their heart. They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. And the Lord gave them rest from their enemies on every side.

Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” is inspired by Numbers 23:24, “Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion.” The phrase reflects themes of strength, resolve, and readiness to confront threats. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly embraced this symbolism, even placing a prayer note mentioning the verse at the Western Wall just before the operation began…. Read more at: https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/operation-rising-lion/

As much as we pray for peace in Israel, we must be praying for them to know Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Lamb of God, who died for them and is alive today fighting for them in the heavenlies. Pray for the spiritual salvation of every Jew and that their eyes will open to see that their Redeemer lives and loves them. Sadly, Israel is for the most part missing that great truth. Let’s pray for the Jewish people to have a revelation and a spiritual revival.

Amazingly, the underground church in Iran is “the fastest growing church in the world,” at over 19% increase a year. The Iranian people are coming to faith, and this is largely a woman led movement. We need to pray for them too.

“And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.” Rev. 5:5-6

I leave you today with a prayer from Ken Blackwell.
Almighty God, our Rock and Redeemer,

We humbly come before You with grateful hearts to lift up President Donald J. Trump. You alone establish leaders and kingdoms, and we trust in Your sovereign hand over this nation. Lord, we ask that You surround President Trump with divine strength for the battles he faces—seen and unseen. Grant him wisdom rooted in Your truth, courage to stand firm against evil, and discernment to walk in righteousness, even when the path is steep.

Preserve his health, O Lord—renew his mind, body, and spirit daily. Place a hedge of protection around him and his family. Let no weapon formed against him prosper.

May he seek Your counsel above all, and may his leadership reflect Your justice, mercy, and steadfast love. Raise up godly counselors around him who do not waver in the face of adversity.

Father, we pray not only for his strength, but for the restoration of our nation. Heal our land. Turn the hearts of Americans back to You. Let truth reign, and let the foundations of faith, family, and freedom be restored.

Let President Trump be an instrument of Your purpose—bold in conviction, humble in spirit, and steadfast in pursuit of what is good and true. We commit him into Your hands, trusting in Your perfect plan. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

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June 23, 2025
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5 Prayers When You Need Peace and Calm

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We’re living today in what seems like constant chaos. If you’re aware of current events, you know it feels like evil is overtaking good. Every news cycle carries another tragedy or escalated war both abroad and here in our own beloved country. It can seem overwhelming and depressing because it might seem like Satan has the upper hand, but as Christians, we know that Satan is the temporary ruler of earthly chaos and Jesus Christ is the eternal heavenly Prince of Peace.

We do live in a fallen world that thrives on keeping us fearfully treading from one crisis to the next. It seems like every morning we wake up to a new peril: Covid variants, alarming statistics, recession, inflation, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, riots, anarchy, plane crashes, senseless horrific murders, wars, violence, antisemitism, political clashes, protesters . . . even the threat of the enemy attacking us from within with all the unvetted illegals allowed to cross into our country.

In unsettling times, by the time I finish writing this article, there will probably be a new tragedy. But as Christians, we must remember that at all times we can find our peace in the presence of the Lord. He is the only effective cure and antidote to treat and temper the contagious epidemic of fear and evil we see all around us today.

Sensational media headlines keep us stressed, agitated, and fearful because fear-fueled news sells. Press-induced or politically motivated panic will stoke more pandemic fear and consequences than the source of the crisis. Stay current with pertinent news that might affect you personally, but don’t overwhelm yourself reading everything written on the internet or listening to multiple “news” programs. Find trusted truth tellers that will give you facts not opinions.

Then there are our own financial, physical, relational, health, and personal crises that often catch us by surprise and strike terror into our heart. We feel helpless as events seemingly spin out of our control.

Fear is a powerful human emotion that can cause us to respond inappropriately or motivate us to take positive action.

Or fear has the ability to paralyze us from taking any action. Fear can even stop us from turning to God, our Rescuer, who knows every personal and world disruption we will face. His timeless Word, the Bible, has all the answers and antidotes to keep us calm, cool, and collected. God assures us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

We want to trust God but there are times when peace eludes us. We’re worried and anxious. We don’t want to be brave this time. Then God reminds us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Courage is Fear that Prays and Calls on God.

I’m going to do something different this week and offer five prayers I hope will help you faithfully transcend from panic to peace. I prayed these prayers myself as I wrote each one out for you in first person to personalize and provide Scriptures to also pray.

1. Take Your Worries to the Lord

Lord, I know that Satan created the spirit of fear, anxiety, doubt, and worries to torture and entrap my mind and rob me of my joy, peace, and sleep. When what-ifs wake me in the dark of night, please help me to denounce Satan and remember 1 Peter 5:7 where you say internal peace is as simple as casting all my anxiety on you because you care for me. I am comforted that you see into the depths of my heart and the intricacies of my mind where unhealthy fears dwell. You already know what’s troubling me, but you want to hear me share my concerns with you to release the stronghold grip they have on my thoughts and emotions.

Father, I trust that you don’t want me to waste a moment of my life fretting. Please calm my racing heart and fill my troubled mind with hope and my spirit with peace. Assure me that no weapon formed against me will prosper and you have a plan and a purpose for me in this time of turmoil. Show me your ways Lord and grant me the courage to follow where you lead. Amen

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

2. Believe God Hears Your Prayers

Lord, it saddens me that many people don’t understand the power of prayer and even mock me for taking my worries to you in prayer. So I pray first for those who do not believe in you. Where is their hope? I’ll admit that sometimes you seem silent when I so desperately want to hear from you. It’s torture waiting on you, and yet I will wait because I know my prayers are not in vain.

I don’t know if the latest crisis will affect my family or me, but you are omniscient Lord, so I pray that you will spare us. But if fallout touches any of my loved ones, please comfort them with your healing balm. Sometimes our own choices can put us at risk. So Lord, I pray that we would all be judicious in our actions and interactions. I can remain in perfect peace because I put my future in your capable hands. Amen

“You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’” Lamentations 3:57

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT)

3. Pray with Expectancy and Anticipation

Lord, as I pray with confidence and great expectation, I anticipate your gracious answers to my prayers. When I remember your faithfulness to all generations, excitement and eagerness replace concern and discouragement. Please help me to remember that doubt and faith can’t coexist in my heart. If I’m doubting or anxious, my shield of faith has slipped.

God I know that you’re looking at the big picture and I can only see a small glimpse distorted by my confusion and perspective. I realize that having faith doesn’t mean there won’t be setbacks or difficult times, but if I’m going to enlist your mighty powers, then I must prayerfully trust that your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. I pray for a miracle of your design.

Your answer isn’t always what I want to hear, or the option I was hoping for, but whatever it is I will give you the glory because regardless of the outcome, my eternity is with you. Thank you Lord for your Son Jesus Christ enduring the brutal cross for victory over our sins and sicknesses and I claim that victory in my life and for my loved ones. Amen

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10

4. Remain Wise and Discerning

Lord, I want desperately to take your Word to heart, but a tsunami of negativity and fear engulf me. My thoughts wander to worse case scenarios. I need your insight to diligently untangle truthful facts from embellished hysteria. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in filtering out what I should avoid listening to or considering.

Infuse me Lord with discernment and wisdom. Give me clarity of mind and heart. Guard my mouth that I don’t spread gossip or hearsay to alarm others. Help me to exhibit love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Like the apostle Paul, may I learn the secret of being content in all circumstances, knowing that I can do all things through you who gives me strength to fulfill your desires. Praise you Lord, Amen

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” Proverbs 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6

5. Look for Opportunities to Comfort Others

Lord, we won’t live in a perfect world until we join you in heaven. This current situation won’t be the last crisis for the world or for me. I can’t outrun, outpace, outdo, outsmart, outlive . . . trouble. It has a way of popping up even in the good and prosperous seasons in the culture, my life, and the lives of those around me.

Lord, quiet my raging emotions so that I can be a beacon of healing love and peace to those in my sphere of influence who are overwhelmed by panic and fear. Please help me memorize John 14:1 to share with others who ask me where my peace comes from: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” These are the words that your Son Jesus Christ spoke to His disciples to comfort them and they also give me comfort when I don’t know how the story ends. Use me Lord as your disciple to bring healing to a hurting world. I love you Lord, Amen.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

After You’ve Prayed . . .

Taking recommended and reasonable steps to protect yourself and your loved ones will give you a sense of control that helps to manage uncertainties. Prudently, continue your normal activities that typically bring you joy. Healthy coping mechanisms like exercise, rest, eating properly, reading your Bible, staying connected to friends and family, and listening to praise music can help soothe frazzled nerves. If you have medical anxiety, contact your doctor.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Please leave a comment here.

June 16, 2025
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Let’s Celebrate June as “Life Month”

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I’ve always looked forward to June as the official kickoff of my favorite summer season. But like many of you, I’ve found myself dreading being inundated and assaulted with a fringe activist group trying to force their choice of lifestyle on the public. Pride parades and rainbow flags mock and jeer at the very God who withholds his righteous judgment on the earth.

The entire gay/trans agenda is about attempting to normalize perverted sexual desires and actions taken out of bedrooms and flaunted in streets, stores, commercials, entertainment, media, government, sports, schools . . . culture. “Gay” or “trans” has become such a part of culture that many intelligent people have disassociated it from what it actually is all about, SEX!

Terms like gay, trans, and even pride make the perverted sexual movement sound mild and neutral, which is their goal. How many people would be comfortable having heterosexism indecently displayed in public on flags and paraded down the streets? Why then do we tolerate homosexual displays?

Most people have just closed their eyes and ears, taken a big gulp, and bought into the lie that they have to smile and “tolerate” lewd sexual immorality. Any pushback called “hate” or “intolerance.” Well, God does hate this behavior. He doesn’t tolerate sin, and if you’re a Bible-believing Christian, you shouldn’t either. We don’t have to tolerate perversity.

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Pr. 8:13

We show love to our own families, friends, congregants, and culture when we help people choose a lifestyle pleasing to God. When we go along with pride in sexual perversity, we’re going counter to God.

Every family encounters prodigals of some sort, but that doesn’t make their ungodly choices right just because they’re our children, friends, or family members. We acknowledge that their behavior is sinful and wrong and passionately pray for them to find their way to God or back to God. If we truly believe in heaven and hell, we want our children and family in heaven with us. If they’ve chosen sin, whatever it might be, they’ve chosen hell. It breaks our hearts, but it breaks God’s heart even more.

Long before June was designated as sin month, June 2 has been the day for 24 years that thousands of people from around the world join in a day of prayer for those who are walking away from God, their families and making destructive choices. We don’t celebrate prodigals, we pray for their eyes to open and turn from their wicked ways so why would any Christian participate in pride activities except to evangelize in love.

An encouraging headline jumped out at me as I was preparing to write this blog. “Boise Pride Season Kickoff canceled due to low attendance.” I first saw the article on Idaho Liberty Dogs Facebook page. Their introduction to the post read, “Shout out to those of you who stood with us last year to protest Nampa Pride “all ages event” and exposed the public nudity that occurred around the presence of children. This is a win! Thank you and congratulations!!!”

So many things to unpack from this, but the one that stands out the loudest to me is that moral common sense citizens stood up against the lewd perversion and public sexual exposure openly flaunted and even celebrated on the streets of Idaho. We can make a difference when we’re brave enough and bold enough to speak out against sin and satan.

Yes, satan! Only deceived and demonized people would think a public display of perverted sex would be acceptable to God or Jesus. Yet, sadly, there are churches and so-called “Christians” who proudly fly the perverted sex flag in the name of inclusivity, which actually excludes the God they profess to worship.

Why do I say “so-called?” Because no Bible-believing Christian can read Scriptures like the following and think a perverted sinful lifestyle is okay with God. God loves everyone, but he doesn’t love sin. He wants everyone to repent from sin, turn from their wicked ways, ask for forgiveness and repent. That’s what love does. God doesn’t want anyone going to hell, but the road to heaven is narrow and few actually choose it.

 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6:9-10

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matt, 7:13-14

Remember the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? According to Genesis 19, the sin involved homosexuality. The very name of that ancient city is where the term sodomy derives: “copulation between two men, whether consensual or forced.” Clearly, homosexuality was part of why God destroyed the two cities. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah wanted to perform homosexual acts on what they thought were two men.

 “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” Lev. 18:22

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. Roman 1:26-28

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 6:23

Why June Is “Life Month”

When you look at the above Scriptures how many of you would tolerate a month dubbed “Thieves Month”? Or “Adulterer’s Month”? Or “Pornography Month”? Or “Murderers Month”? Or “Drunkards Month”? So why would anyone, especially Christians, even use the term or acknowledge “Pride Month” when God hates pride, especially when it represents a sexual sin He calls an abomination.

I’ve heard suggestions to rename June Veteran’s Month or Family month and those are good ideas too, but here’s why I’m in favor of calling June Life Month.

A commentary by Owen Strachan in The Washington Stand, “June Is Life Month, Not Pride Month,” Owen wrote:

“From many angles, the entire tone of June in America has shifted. It is one of aggressive approval of a heart attitude that the Word of God rebukes in no uncertain terms: pride. To be proud in one’s natural instincts and desires is to go against God at full velocity. It is to put oneself under certain threat of eternal judgment. Sin, after all, is at base nothing other than pride — it is choosing one’s way over God’s way, and one’s instinctual desires over God’s eternal truth. How we Christians should tremble and pray for all who exult in Pride Month. How we should reach out to them, and proclaim Christ in love to fellow sinners just like us.”

As Christians, we should be commemorating and celebrating that in June 2022, the U. S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. God decided to strike Roe down in the very middle of Pride Month! Think about that. As Owen Strachan says, “What a rebuke! What an otherworldly intervention. . . believers should celebrate genuinely God-given victories. We who are saved by grace would be ungrateful children indeed if we did not honor this great outcome in the public square, one akin to the ban on slavery in Wilberforce’s day. Toward that end, here’s my encouragement: all through June, celebrate “Life Month.””

Yes, God is love and God loves life! He created life and we should celebrate that especially as Christians!

When my grandson was only nine years old, he could see that God was against homosexuality because “there would be no people.” He understood at that young age that a man and woman having sex together created life, something two men or two women together cannot do because that wasn’t God’s plan for sex or proliferating the earth.

Many homosexuals and male women imposters have experienced trauma, difficult family dynamics, or mental illness. They’re searching for love and acceptance literally in all the wrong places. Young people are groomed and radicalized on TikTok. This is tragic.

A generation is throwing away their future by trying to be something God never intended for them to be. They believe the lie that they would be happier if they could just become another gender or find their significance and identity by pretending they’re something they’ll never be. They’re broken people with damaged lives, and the Gospel is the only answer to the void in their hearts they’re trying so desperately to fill. They need Jesus. They need to know that they’ll find their identity and self-worth in being the best man or woman God created them to be.

We need to be Christians who share the truth with them in love. Pray for the lost and show them a better way of living. Pray diligently for anyone living a lie to seek spiritual and psychological counseling.

Neil Mamann of Values Advocacy Council says, “In my conversations with former homosexuals, many shared that what kept them from hearing the Gospel was being told they were going to hell simply for being gay. What ultimately led them to Christ, however, was hearing the Gospel from people who, while never condoning their sin, genuinely cared for them and shared that Jesus loved them. After coming to faith, they came under conviction and chose to leave that lifestyle.”

So, I encourage you not to be silent this month. Don’t be intimidated or threatened by a pagan culture. Don’t go along to get along. You’ll never find that acceptable in the Bible. The most loving thing you can do for all people is to share the Gospel loud and clear and pray that many who have been deceived by satan’s message of deception and lies will hear God’s message of love and forgiveness not just in June but every day until Christ’s return.

I hope you’ll celebrate June as Life Month. Look for opportunities to counter evil with good!

“The gospel needs to go to the place where it is the least welcome.” Pastor Gabriel Render

PS I was confirmed about writing this blog when I prayed this morning with Pastor Jack Hibbs on his daily LIFT prayer June 1, 2025. You can listen here and join us every morning on Facebook or YouTube.

If you have a prodigal or know someone who does, you will find Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter: Hope, Help & Encouragement for Hurting Parents applicable to daughters, sons, and grandchildren.

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June 2, 2025
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Have a “Meaningful Memorial Day!”

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I remember as a kid going to the cemetery every Memorial Day to put flowers and flags on my father’s grave, a World War II veteran, and on other soldier’s graves. There was always a ceremony. I don’t know how much that tradition continues today. It should. Our small town has a memorial wall at the park where people can purchase and place a brick in memory and honor of a local Gold Star family’s fallen soldier. There’s also a ceremony in their remembrance.

Memorial Day is often “celebrated” as the beginning of summer, with a day off, BBQ’s and parties. But it’s actually a very solemn day to pay tribute to and mourn members of the military who died in service to their country. It’s a deeply personal day for many Gold Star families who lost loved ones in military service. It’s a day to honor those who sacrificed their lives for the country they loved.

If you’re a Gold Star family, Memorial Day is truly a personal day of remembrance of your loved one and an ache in your heart that never completely goes away but may soften with time . . . or not.

As we honor the life of brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, instead of saying “Happy Memorial Day,” can I suggest it’s more appropriate to say, “I wish you a Meaningful Memorial Day.”

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Month and Memorial!

May is also the month to honor those who lost their lives protecting us from harm domestically. The entire month of May is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Month. May 15th is National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15 falls is National Police Week.

Far too often, we hear Police Chiefs tearfully making statements like, “We’re heartbroken to make this announcement of the shooting of three of our officers. We ask for your support and prayers for our fellow officers and their families as we try to cope with yet another tragic event in our police family.”

I understand the toll this job can take on the officers and their families. I was so proud of my handsome father when he put on his California Highway Patrolman uniform and badge. Until the morning I woke up to wails and sobs coming from our living room filled with people. Even as a ten-year-old, I knew intuitively my father was gone. When he kissed me goodbye as he left for work that evening, it would be the last time I ever saw him alive. A reality our family lived with every day, but one we never thought would happen to us, until it did.

The job of a peace officer is to run toward danger, at the risk of his or her own life, to save and protect strangers. It once was a noble respected profession, but today’s culture has come to expect that many will die senselessly. Their death barely makes the local news.

President Trump is changing that when last week he awarded the new “Medal of Sacrifice” to the families of three fallen Florida police officers. “Congressman Brian Mast has introduced a bill to ensure this new medal will be awarded to any law enforcement officer or first responder who gives his or her life in the line of duty,” President Trump said.

“For the first time in our nation’s history — all of our first responders, all of our law enforcement, all of our firefighters — we’re going to recognize that sacrifice from the office of the presidency,” said Congressman Mast. “And that has never taken place before.”

We can also honor all police officers by using respectful words when talking about and to them. Pray when you see police officers patrolling or a police car on the road. Don’t pray for yourself that they don’t pull you over, but pray because you don’t know what awaits them the next time they make a traffic stop. When you hear a siren, pray. We never know when we, or our loved ones, might be the life they’re rushing to save.

Four Prayers for Police Officers and Their Families

Prayer for Protection

Lord, we don’t know why You implant in the hearts of brave men and women to choose a profession that requires walking into danger and putting their life on the line to stop lawlessness and crime. You’ve given them a willingness to enforce the law to protect the communities where they serve. Are they fearless? Unintimidated? Thrill seekers? Or do they truly love their neighbor more than themselves and want to do their part in justice for all?

Only You know for sure, Lord, what motivates them, but we do know they need a band of angels surrounding them with a hedge of protection. Lord, they face evil and the dark side of life every day. They see the worst of people and people at their worst. Their work tools are weapons. We pray Lord for their safety as they walk up to a car or house or unknown situation never knowing what danger awaits them. If they know You Lord, remind them to say their own prayer of protection and ask You to intervene against any foe. Perhaps something like David prayed, “I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!” (Psalm 1:7 NLT).

When they emerge safe and victorious, Father, as David did when he was rescued from Saul, give them a heart to give You the glory. If they don’t know You as their Savior, become real to these officers. Let them know You took the bullet for them. Amen

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” (2 Samuel 22:31 NLT)

Prayer for Wisdom and Guidance

Lord, police officers’ days are filled with uncertainties and unknowns as they make quick and often life-changing or life-threatening decisions. Help them to be wise and invoke all their training and experience before moving or speaking. When they have the opportunity to investigate a situation before taking action and engaging, give them patience not to rush to judgement or anger. If they discern a quick decision or movement is required, direct them to move swiftly but safely. If they need to wait for back up or ask for help, don’t let them be prideful or rash but consider the best outcome for everyone involved.

For those who have a relationship with You, remind them that You’re always there for them, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5 NLT).

Guide them with their conscience and their code of conduct. Help them remember the protocol and give them the courage to do the next right thing for the best outcome. When they need to take orders from their chain of command, give them humble but steady hearts and guard their words.

Give them compassion when they determine there is no ill intent but also a keen awareness for deception. Remind them that they may not have all the evidence to make a final decision. Help them to see the good in people, and don’t let their hearts become hardened and calloused by the deceit and dark-side of life they encounter daily. Amen

“I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.” (Psalm 119:125)

Prayer for Their Families

Father, You’ve graciously given two families to every police officer: their personal family and their professional family. To their personal families, please give strength to endure the demanding schedule of a police officer. Provide understanding and flexibility for the times when their officer isn’t available for special occasions.

Instill the family with compassion when he or she doesn’t want to talk about their work and give the family intuition to know when their officer needs the space to decompress when returning home. May the family never minimize the significance of a police officer’s work. Let home be a place of solace when he or she returns safely but perhaps scarred by what they’ve seen and experienced.

Lord, it takes a special kind of love and patience to live with police officers. Remind the family members to pray for their officer daily and to let him or her know they’re prayed over, appreciated, and loved. Help family members to be alert and responsive when their officer is showing signs of stress, overwork, and trauma and encourage them to seek help. Likewise, Father surround the family with those who will notice the tenuous relationships that can develop within the family members.

Father, these precious and brave families make sacrifices few understand. Fill their homes with love, peace, joy, grace, and closeness because they support a police officer even at their own sacrifice.

Lord, every officer also has a close work family bond. They’re a team who have each other’s back and depend on one another for support, encouragement, skill, and camaraderie in facing the challenges of the job. Lord, bring unity and synergy to these men and women as they guard each other’s lives while working together to keep the streets of their communities safe and free of crime.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)

Prayer for Mourners of Those Lost in the Line of Duty

Father, there are no more heart wrenching screams than, “Officer down.” Except perhaps the torment of a family opening the door to see two fellow officers of their officer standing with grim faces and tears welling in their eyes as the family falls to its knees with guttural shrieks, “No God, please no!” Or maybe You hear them wailing, “Why God, how could You do this when they were only trying to protect our community?” “Lord, where were You when they were dying?”

Lord, how does anyone comfort this family? Like Jeremiah they wail, “My grief is beyond healing; my heart is broken” (Jeremiah 18:18 NLT). There are no human answers to satisfy or soothe their agonizing wounds of grief, anger, and sorrow. Only You can Lord. Psalm 147:3 assures, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  Psalm 34:18 NLT confirms, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

We beg of You to surround them with love. Bring others to their side who’ve experienced their pain and understand the deep ache in their heart to pray with and for them. Keep away those who patronizingly tell them everything will be all right, because for this family, it will never be all right again.

Father, You know the fellow officers who mourn with the family, especially those who were with the fallen officer. Remove the repeated nightmares of asking themselves what they could’ve done differently or why wasn’t it them in the coffin. Lord, You know that the death of their fellow officer will always haunt them and the memory will never fade. Father guide them to the help they need to recover from what they’ve seen and don’t let it cause division among the unit or place any in danger with fear and hesitancy. Guide them in keeping their focus on work when they’re on duty and help guard their minds from the “what-ifs” when they try to sleep at night. Help them rest and renew their resolve to do their job to the best of their ability.

Father, we know You mourn with these families. Give them whatever they need. Walk beside them Father. If they know You as their Lord and Savior, draw them into Your embrace and fill them with a peace that passes all understanding. For those who don’t know You, open their eyes to seek You, the only source of relief from their anguish. Let them feel Your presence grieving with them. Your tears. Your hugs. Your love. Amen

Note: I want to thank all of you who prayed for my husband and me while Dave went through another major spine surgery six weeks ago. I’ve been busy caretaking for him so you may have noticed there were no Monday Morning Blogs. Hopefully, I can get back to writing, but I will be discontinuing my About His Work Ministries Newsletter that appeared on the last Monday of the month.

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May 26, 2025
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What’s Your Part in the Everyday?

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Today I’ve invited my friend and fellow author Cheri Swalwell to share a guest post with you. I know you’ll enjoy it as she asks, “What’s Your Part in the Everyday?” Here’s Cheri . . .

I love the account of Esther in the Bible. Seven chapters weaving a story of faith, courage, and ultimately God’s display of His justice for the Jewish people. People, even nonbelievers, know how Esther was born for such a time as this, (Esther 4:14b). While that is one-hundred percent true, she wasn’t the only hero of the story. Readers remember her bravery and courage to step in front of the king, knowing she could be put to death if he didn’t extend his gold scepter to her, but I believe that act of bravery was birthed in the years beforehand.

The Bible doesn’t go into detail about her childhood except that Mordecai, her cousin, “had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.” (Esther 2:7). Throughout the seven chapters of Esther, we see Esther listening to and obeying Mordecai’s wisdom, (Esther 2:10 and 2:20) as well as Mordecai staying close “to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.” (Esther 2:11). The Bible paints a picture of a loving adoptive father and an obedient adopted daughter.

We’re also told of a time when Mordecai was sitting outside the king’s gate, keeping a protective ear out for Esther, and he uncovers an assassination attempt on the king’s life. “But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.” (Esther 2:22).

When Mordecai reaches out a second time to Esther, this time to reveal Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews, Esther reminds her uncle that if she approaches the king without being summoned, it could be her death sentence. Mordecai’s answer is one many readers are familiar with: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14).

Esther then tells Mordecai to pray and fast for three days while she and her attendants do the same. The story ends with Esther setting a trap in front of the king to uncover Haman’s wickedness. But before her trap could be completed, God reminded the king of when Mordecai saved his life. He was so grateful he chose to celebrate Mordecai’s good deed. The final scenes include the Jews being allowed to fight back against the attack set in place by Haman’s wickedness, resulting in Haman and his ten sons ultimately being impaled on the pole Haman originally built to impale Mordecai.

We all remember Esther being born “for such a time as this.” However, let’s not forget Mordecai’s wisdom, love, and dedication to Esther, the king’s desire to honor those who rescued him, as well as the king’s humility to revise the edict he issued under false pretenses. I truly believe that without everyone choosing to do their part, Esther’s moment in history would have been much harder to fulfill.

Obedience in the Little Moments Strengthens our Faith

In December 2019, I received a prayer jar from my Sister-in-Christ for Christmas. I was excited to begin using it at the start of the new year, but felt God was calling me to “pray with a twist.” Instead of simply saying, “God, I need help with …” or “God, please fix …,” I started each prayer request with “Thank You, God, You’re going to heal …” or “Thank You, God, You know the answer to this toughie …”

Fast forward three months and we started the now infamous lockdown. When the general atmosphere of the world turned anxious, I turned to God. Not knowing at that time how long the shutdown would actually last, I felt God telling me to put my “Thank You, God” prayers to the side and change the prayer jar to a blessings jar. I knew God was using this avenue to help my family collect the blessings we saw during this season in history instead of focusing on all they were missing out on or the fear spiraling around us.

I also began to notice various ways people were stepping up and out of their comfort zones. Church members were volunteering at food banks, teachers were riding on school buses to hand deliver food to students who wouldn’t otherwise have a meal, while other strangers started fundraisers to help those in need.

I was still working full time from home, surrounded by my kids in various stages of online learning, and we were taking care of my in-laws, which meant trying to keep germ exposure to a minimum. However, it’s not in my DNA to sit idly by while others serve. My prayer became one of “What part do You, Lord, want me to play in this season of our lives?’ And then I waited.

It Started with a Song and a Prayer

January 2020, I had a close group of friends, all teachers from the same school. The month before the shutdown, a mutual friend and I invited a group of those teachers to our church for a women’s breakfast – a time of eating and fellowshipping together. It was the first time we did that, and we weren’t sure if anyone would show up. We were pleasantly surprised that not only the ones we invited came, but they brought others along as well. We filled two full tables at the event.

It was so much fun! We added another friend to our group that morning, a young mom who was new to the area. When we moved to the sanctuary to begin the service, she happened to sit in the row that had been taken over by all my teacher friends. The best part? She fit right in.

When I asked God above what my part was to play during the lockdown, His answer came quickly. He told me to text a worship song and prayer every weekday morning to each of my friends, including the new mom I had met a month earlier. Even though we couldn’t be together in person, we could still start our day “together” focusing on God’s promises, instead of life’s problems. We could be encouraged to see God in our everyday moments instead of saving Him for special occasions or once a week.

Days turned into weeks; weeks turned into months. The lockdown ended, people reentered the work force and life looked a semblance like it used to. Monday through Friday, I continued to text my group of friends as a way for us to keep growing our relationship with God through praise and worship and prayer. The list grew from ten, to twenty, and beyond.

I chose to text them individually versus a group text, so that if they had specific prayer requests that might be more personal, they didn’t have to worry about the whole group reading about their struggles. The group grew from my teacher friends to include old childhood friends and new friends I acquired through normal interactions. After faithfully texting people each weekday, one ordinary day God took my heartfelt prayer, “What’s is my part?” to the next level.

What started as a way to stay connected during the lockdown soon became a monthly membership to help others experience that same growth in their relationship with God. Every week we read and apply God’s Word (the Bible), sing praise and worship to God, spend time in prayer, and learn about relevant topics from a biblical viewpoint. Altogether, it keeps our focus on the ways He blesses us throughout each and every day, filling our lives as described in John 10:10: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)

In June 2021, JESUS in the EVERYDAY was born. The heart of the membership is to help people recognize Jesus hugs (blessings) throughout their day, celebrating the blessings of God instead of zeroing in on what went wrong. It gives people a chance to grow their relationship with God at their own pace, enjoying the journey instead of rushing through as though it’s a race. It’s a way to arm ourselves with God’s promises and truth before stepping out into the world. It helps prepare us with biblical answers to tough questions to help point our friends and family to the truth.

God’s heart is for His children. He desires that we all accept Jesus into our hearts, surrendering our lives to Him, and be forever together with Him in heaven. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

Some people think the salvation prayer is a “one and done prayer,” but that one prayer is only the beginning. The most important mission we have on earth is to follow Jesus’ example found in Luke 4:43: “But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

What’s Your Part?

Thankfully, the lockdowns are behind us; however, there are even more people who are lost, broken, and hurting than ever before. They desperately need to hear the truth of God’s message of hope and salvation. I want to encourage all of us to ask God in our quiet time “What’s my part?” in helping those who are lost and desperately need to know how much You, God, love them.

I get excited when I think of the endless possibilities of how God will use you to share His good news to this hurting world! Like Esther and Mordecai, everyone remembers Esther and the famous words: “For such a time as this,” but Mordecai’s role in the story was equally important. Ask God to show you what you’ve already been doing to help further His kingdom. You might be surprised at His answer. Maybe it’s the little things you do daily that He is pleased with the most.

I continually ask God, “What’s my part?” in pointing people to Him during each changing season of our culture. Is that a question you’re willing to ask, and then step out in obedience, when He answers?

Come join the monthly membership and our community as we each seek to grow closer to our Heavenly Father. We’re excited for you to become part of our family as we celebrate seeing JESUS in our lives, everyday!

Bio:

Cheri Swalwell is a Christ follower, writer of Christian fiction and nonfiction, Cheer UP Podcast co-host, JESUS in the EVERYDAY YouTuber, and JESUS in the EVERYDAY monthly membership hostess. Visit www.cheriswalwell.com to learn more about the ministry and for encouragement to see JESUS in your everyday life.

Please leave a comment here.

April 21, 2025
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The Bible Is Offensive to Those Who Tolerate Sin

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Have you ever been in church and felt like the pastor was talking just to you? You wonder how he knew what you were going through or what sin you were wrestling with in your life. Probably he didn’t know, but God knew. He breathed out the words of the Bible to guide, counsel, encourage, scold, convict, and offer help to those who hear or read it. Hopefully, your pastor was preaching accurately from a passage that spoke to your situation.

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:15-17

The Bible wasn’t written to condone our actions, but to teach us right from wrong and how to lead a holy and righteous life. Since we were all born with a propensity to sin, only the Holy Spirit living in our hearts can help us overcome sin and choose God’s good in our life. Many people are good, but God wants redeemed people, not just good people. I’ll say it again, without God, you can’t be or do good as God defines good. That statement might offend some of you right now so let’s look at what the Bible says.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8

Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. Rom. 5:7-9

So you may be wondering if I’m saying that anyone who hasn’t accepted Jesus and received the Holy Spirit will lead a sin-filled life? Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying and that’s going to be offensive to every nonbeliever. Without God, there’s no plumb line of God’s expectations for His people and their spiritual alignment with His Word. That’s why it’s so important when you read the Bible to know the context and whether it’s directed to the believer or unbeliever.

So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. 7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” Heb. 4:5-7 NLT

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. 16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. Ps. 34:15-16

Pastors’ Challenge

Today, many pastors acquiesce to the secular culture’s demands to be “inclusive.” In an attempt to not be offensive, they avoid preaching on biblical sin. The Bible calls that a false teacher. A pastor’s godly commission is to counter cultures’ lies with biblical truth. The righteous pastor tells the truth in love. If he doesn’t share the truth, he isn’t loving his congregation.

A pastor who avoids boldly covering the hard offensive places in the Bible is looking for the congregation’s affirmation not God’s confirmation. You can’t teach the Bible without offending someone. The Bible is clear on what is sinful and why we should strive to not sin. Believers don’t expect our sinful choices to be excused or legalized but instead confessed and forgiven. Unbelievers who might be in the congregation need to hear that Good News and believers need to live by it.

God is not “inclusive.” He’s actually very exclusive. All are welcome to spend eternal life with Him and His Son Jesus Christ, but there’s a qualifier. Only those who believe Jesus Christ died on the cross, rose again three days later, as we will celebrate on Easter, and confess their sins, ask for forgiveness, and turn from their wicked ways will be saved.  (John 3:16)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 6:23

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Rom. 3:23-25 NLT

The entire concept of salvation is confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The word “sin” is used 1,364 times in the NIV Bible translation, but when’s the last time you heard a pastor preach about sin, even though forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith? Think about it. Paul understood the importance of us recognizing our sins.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Gal. 5:18-21 NLT

 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. . . Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. . . 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Rom. 1: 24-27, 29-30

We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. 1 Tim. 1:9-11 NLT

Jesus talked about sin.

He [Jesus] went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23 NLT

Satan is using the secular left to legalize and champion sinful lifestyles and intimidate and silence the church on the one thing Satan uses to destroy God’s civilization—sin. I grew up going to church and I knew from a very young age what was sinful versus what was pleasing to God. In my backsliding days, while I might’ve been resentful of anyone calling out my sin, I knew I was breaking God’s heart because in my heart I knew I was sinning. How many people are sitting in woke churches today living under the lie that if culture says it’s okay and my pastor doesn’t call it wrong, it can’t be all that bad.

Have you heard a message in your church lately on why abortion, the murder of unborn babies, is sinful and wrong? Pastors often don’t teach on the sin of abortion because it might offend someone, so they skip over the Old Testament sacrificing of children to Baal and Moloch. Today, babies are burned or dismembered before they’re even born. With 1 out of 5 pregnancies ending in abortion, there probably will be a family touched by abortion in the congregation, but what if that pastor had been speaking all along about the sanctity of life and why God wants every baby He creates to receive the gift of life. Pastors could be saving babies’ lives. And for those women suffering with the guilt of killing their own child, the pastor could help them find comfort and forgiveness from Jesus. When pastors are afraid to touch that sinful painful subject, babies keep dying and women keep suffering.

Or has your pastor approached the subject in a sermon of why men should not be competing in women’s sports because no man can ever be a woman? Has he talked about what the Bible says about homosexuality, perverse sexual lifestyles, and exposing young children in school to this sin? No, you say. Well, why not? The Bible has a ton to say about it and because pastors don’t discuss it, the number of children experimenting with the rainbow mafia has skyrocketed. Children believe the devil’s lie that they can change their sex surgically or medically, when girls’ genetic XX chromosomes and boys’ XY chromosomes will NEVER change. These children will become patients for life instead of receiving help from Bible-believing pastors, psychologists, and counselors.

Or what about the mutilation and sterilization of children. Has your pastor talked about the deception of parents allowing young children to make such life altering permanent changes to their body that will NEVER change their God-given sex? Someone is probably dealing with this right now in your church.

God’s church can’t and shouldn’t avoid difficult issues. It’s a sin!

I know it sounds like I’m putting the onus for much of the culture’s woes on the church and actually that’s exactly what I’m doing. No one should leave a church sermon with a warm fuzzy feeling that nothing needs to change in their life. That’s a milk toast church. Pastors should be teaching what the Bible says about evil and sin. While it might be offensive to some, God’s Word is the ONLY way to eternal life with Him.

 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Heb. 5:12-14

Many people wrongfully think that politics and spirituality should stay separate and that’s a lie straight from the enemy. Politics has invaded the church by normalizing or even legalizing what we all know is sin. Gay marriage. Abortion. Sexual perversion. Child mutilation. The war against women.

No one is perfect. We see many pastors falling in their personal lives. They’re tempted by sin like any of us. Maybe if they were studying the Scriptures and preaching accurately about overcoming sin, they too would be convicted to live by all of God’s Word. Pastor Jack Hibbs advises pastors, “You don’t avoid the difficult Scriptures, you look for Jesus in them!” The Apostle Paul gave a commission to every pastor.
 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know. 28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. Acts 20:27-28 NLT

The Lord appears to every believer through His Word, the Holy Bible, and unbelievers can meet Jesus there. Don’t rely on your pastor; rely on your Savior.  You might be offended by what you read, but God loves you enough to tell you the Truth.

This morning in church, we heard a message on 1 Samuel 3 and we sang in church the old hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” I’m closing with 1 Samuel 3:21 and a stanza from the song.

The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. 1 Sam. 3:21

“My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

Please let us know if your pastor helps your church family in overcoming the sins of this world, even when it’s offensive. Leave a reply here.

April 7, 2025
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‘Maybe’ Is Not In God’s Vocabulary!

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I was praying last week with the Jack Hibbs LIFT daily morning prayer, which I’ve mentioned in blogs before, when he said something that caught my attention. He said you won’t find “maybe” used in the Bible. Actually, it’s in there but only three times, and never used by God or Jesus. Twice ‘maybe’ is used as a taunt to deny that God exists in 1 Kings 18:27 and Jonah 1:6, and another time in 1 Kings 18:5 by Ahab saying maybe they can find grass for the horses and mules. That’s it!

So think about that. God is never indecisive, wondering if maybe we should do one thing or another. His Word, the Bible, is always specific, confident, instructive, definitive, and direct. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:15-17

We’re the ones that interject maybes into the Scriptures and question the intent of what God is actually saying. Sometimes we want to give the benefit of the doubt or question His intent, but God says I tell you the Truth and you should absolutely follow it in your life. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

You might question that many people interpret the Bible differently. That’s true. The Bible might speak to each of us differently in our individual situation. But if we rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in exegesis of Scripture in context, and not on what we want the Bible to mean, Christians will usually agree on the interpretation.

A good example of misinterpreting Scripture is people saying that God is the God of love, so you need to love everything everyone does because God loves them. That’s what someone wants the Bible to mean, not what God actually says.

If you counter and ask, “Where does God say, ‘maybe’ it’s okay to sin in this area because I love you?” Of course, they can’t find anywhere it says this because God hates sin. Sin destroys the ones He loves. What God does say is that He loves us all so much, He sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross for those of us who ask for forgiveness for our sins, repent, and become followers of Jesus for eternity. (John 3:16)

When you look at all the red-letter words of Jesus in the Gospels, you won’t find Jesus ever using “maybe.” His words when he preached and taught are full of unqualified, unambiguous, unquestionable, and unwavering wisdom, lessons, and truth to live by.

Jesus didn’t say ‘maybe’ He was the only way to heaven and there could be other beliefs or ways. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 No maybes.

Jesus didn’t say ‘maybe’ if you follow me, you might be saved. He said you will be saved. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John. 10:9)

Jesus didn’t say you should ‘maybe’ repent and turn from your wicked ways. He said you must repent to be His follower. “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:32

Jesus didn’t say ‘maybe’ that one sin will be okay because overall you’re a good person. He said go and sin no more. Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:11

We’re the ones that try to soften the Gospel and Jesus’ own words by interjecting doubt or suggesting that ‘maybe’ Jesus didn’t really mean what He said.

Sadly, many pastors today want to make their congregations feel good about their sinful lives, insinuating that maybe it’s not all that bad if it makes you happy or it’s not hurting anyone. That’s a false gospel by a false teacher.

God is much more concerned with our holiness than our happiness.

Maybe In Our Vocabulary!

‘Maybe’ is noncommittal, non-decisive, and reluctant. Maybe we’ll come to your party. Maybe I’ll read the Bible. Maybe I’ll follow most of what the Bible says. Maybe we’ll go to church this weekend. Maybe we’ll come visit.

The Christian life is committed, decisive, and never reluctant. The antithesis of ‘maybe.’

God is looking for bold Christians who are fully committed and fully decisive in their spiritual and personal life. No maybes about it!

Our family rule at the Thompsons is let your yes be yes, and your no be no. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 

‘Maybe’ and ‘try’ are ways to keep all your options open without making a full commitment. Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. Or other times you don’t want to tell the person no, so you use ‘try’ or ‘maybe’. When I hear those two words, it means the person isn’t reliable. They’re not being forthright. I can’t count on them.

 When you ask someone about anything that has a yes or no answer and they answer with “Maybe,” or “I’ll try,” they most likely mean no. They’re just afraid to give the honest answer, “No.”

If someone says for example, “I’ll try to be on time.” I’ll counter with “That doesn’t sound very committed. Are you going to be on time or should I not expect you?” I want an answer I can depend on, knowing that circumstances can change but they’re going to make an effort. Just tell me yes or tell me no, but don’t say try or maybe.

A favorite stall of some is I need to check my calendar, but since most people today have a calendar on their phone, that’s pretty easy to check. I would prefer to hear, “We won’t be able to make it, but thanks for thinking of us.” Then they can always call later if their plans change and that’s always pleasant news.

There are certain situations where we want to pray before committing. That’s often advisable. In fact, many of us can think of a time we wish we had taken time to pray before saying yes. If that’s the case, then give a timeframe where the other person can expect you to respond. Stick to that time commitment.

Do you think that’s too strict or not flexible enough? Well, God is strict in His commands to us knowing that if we follow them with commitment, perseverance, and diligence, we’re going to be a better witness to others and live a fuller life in Christ.

How many of us who are married would’ve answered, “I’ll try” or “Maybe” when the pastor asked if we would love, honor, and cherish our spouse? If we want the ceremony to continue and the marriage to last, we say, “Yes” loudly, boldly, and committed.

Sometimes we say “maybe” because we’re really not sure what we want. It can mean numerous things, from “I’m not sure I want to do this,” to “I want to do that, but I’m not sure if I can” to “this doesn’t sound like how I want to spend my time” to any number of combinations that make us unsure.

Many times, kids that have lived with divorce and are trying to please both parents find themselves saying maybe or I’ll try because they don’t want to hurt either parent by saying no. Or even worse say “I’ll try” or “maybe” to both parents knowing they can’t be at both places. They live with that worry and angst hanging over them because eventually one of the parents is going to be disappointed when they don’t show up. It would’ve been better to tell one parent no but let’s make other plans to get together. That’s a hard lesson to learn.

If we can learn to say no when it’s not a sure yes, there’s clarity for everyone and actually much less stressful.

Like me, most people are looking for truth they can depend on. If we want to be good witnesses for Christ, we need to be the kind of people others can depend on to live by our words. Sometimes, we’re so uncomfortable saying no, we think we need to give long explanations to justify our reasons. That can lead to lying or making up a story. Not necessary. Not godly. Leviticus 19:11 commands “Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”

When you know your maybe really means no, you’re essentially lying to the other person. That’s why “maybe” and “try” are not in God’s vocabulary, but “yes” and “no” are. God never vacillates in the way He wants us to live. He sets boundaries and guidelines for us. We need to go and do likewise.

Freedom isn’t the ability to say maybe. It’s the ability to say no or yes and own it.

Please leave a comment here.

March 24, 2025
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What Should Christians Do In The ‘Golden Age’?

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At the start of President Trump’s Inaugural address on January 20, 2025, he promised, “The Golden Age of America begins right now!”

The nation would be safe, secure, and prosperous again. Trump also vowed to eliminate DEI and that “Almighty God” would again be honored in America. He has since established a White House Faith Office and created a task force under Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate “targeting of Christians and eradicate anti-Christian bias. At the National Prayer Breakfast in D.C. President Trump said, “Without God, we are isolated and alone, but with God, the Scriptures tell us, all things are possible.”

Trump’s diplomatic goal for our country is restoring an era of American exceptionalism in which the U.S. is an economic powerhouse, common sense the rule, and traditional values centered on God, family, and freedom are celebrated. The Golden Age.

Origins of Golden Age

Golden Age is a term used to describe a period in history where a culture, society, or nation experiences a period of prosperity, peace, and advancements. This era is characterized by significant achievements, significant contributions, and a collective sense of prosperity and unity. Major advances in science, technology, art, and literature often mark golden ages.

Wikipedia describes ‘Golden Age’ as a metaphor for a time considered as a peak in the history of a country or people when the greatest achievements were made. The term originated from early Greek mythology and Roman poets who used it to refer to a time when mankind lived in a better time.

Characteristics of a Golden Age

While there is no strict definition of a Golden Age, it typically exhibits certain characteristics:

• Profound economic prosperity: The era is marked by stable economic growth, trade flourishing, and widespread wealth creation.
• Cultural achievements: Art, literature, music, and science experience significant advancements, contributing to the development of civilization.
• Peaceful relations: There is little conflict or war, with nations and groups coexisting harmoniously.
• Innovative spirit: New ideas, inventions, and discoveries drive progress, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Historical Golden Ages

  • Hellenistic Golden Age (323–31 BCE)
  • European Renaissance (14th-17th century)
  • Age of Exploration (15th-17th century)
  • Golden Age of Islam (8th-13th century)

Recent Golden Ages

  • Digital Age (late 20th century-present)
  • Biotechnology and genomics (late 20th century-present)
  • Space Age (20th century)
  • The American Century, the period since the middle of the 20th century has been largely dominated by the United States in political, economic, and cultural terms and may be taken to represent a golden age of global cultural influence and political hegemony.

To many of us, the last four years under the Biden Administration was a demonic dark age.

  • Our national debt close to bankruptcy.
  • DEI and evil woke policies reigned throughout government and businesses.
  • Murdering babies from conception through birth considered a “right.”
  • Perverted decrepit sexual practices normalized and taught to young children in schools.
  • Lines blurred between biological and biblical definitions of men and women.
  • Children sterilized and castrated with drugs and surgical mutilation.
  • A war on women with men invading women’s and girls’ sports and private spaces.
  • A “new green deal” climate hoax forced on Americans.
  • Government censorship.
  • A lack of diplomacy, military readiness, or supremacy on the global stage.
  • People forced to take an experimental vaccination to keep their jobs or children to attend school.
  • Businesses, churches, schools closed by the government.
  • Terrorists funded, including Iran a country that hates America.
  • Our closest ally Israel snubbed and defunded during their horrific crisis.
  • Our border invaded by illegals, terrorists, and criminals.

I could go on, but you and I both lived through the insanity and tyranny. Certainly NOT a Golden Age. It was a dark, demonic, evil age and anyone who spoke or acted against complying with it was threatened, silenced, censored, or even imprisoned. This and so much more is what the American people voted against on November 5, 2024.

So yes, as we watch all of President Trump’s Executive Orders coming out of the Oval Office reversing the evil of the past administration, it does certainly feel like the dawning of a Golden Age. Many of us wake up every morning celebrating the return to sanity and common sense in America as corruption, fraud, and abuse is discovered and eliminated by DOGE.

Last week, we watched the first Cabinet Meeting begin in a beautiful prayer given by HUD Secretary Scott Turner where he prayed, “Father the Bible says, ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord’” and he ended with, “In Jesus Name, Amen.”

What a blessing. What hope. What grace and mercy the Lord is granting America.

In today’s Golden Age, spiritually correct is politically correct. Hallelujah!

But we must remember that as good as this feels, our current Golden Age isn’t God’s future Golden Age. It’s like saying heaven on earth, knowing that as good as it might get here, this isn’t eternal Heaven. 

God’s Golden Age

When I told my husband I was writing on the Golden Age, he said he had just bought a book by Dr. David Jeremiah titled, you guessed it, The Coming Golden Age: 31 Ways To Be Kingdom Ready. Wow, what timing! Notice the word “coming” in the title. While we might be living in America’s earthly Golden Age, and let’s pray it continues, the Lord’s Golden Age is in the future. Dr. Jeremiah’s book is prophetically timed because it was published in October 2024 before Trump’s Golden Age for America inaugural speech.

You won’t find the term “Golden Age” in your Bible, but you will find it inferred prophetically. Let me share a few quotes from the Introduction to Dr. Jeremiah’s book.

“Recently I’ve been digging them up—hundreds of verses about the coming Golden Age, the impending thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on this planet. Some commentators say it is the single most mentioned subject in all of God’s Word. Ten centuries when the world will be peaceful, prosperous, and under the power and authority of Jesus Christ! This Millennium of time is ahead of us. It’s the epoch between our Lord’s return to this planet and the onset of the new heaven and new earth of the eternal age.”

“If you belong to Jesus Christ, you’re included in the future He’s designed. There is a coming Golden Age, and it gets even better after that!”

Dr. Jeremiah describes the timeline before the Millennium starting with the Rapture of the church in 1 Thess. 4:13-18. This could happen at any minute. Maybe even before I finish writing this blog! “The vanishing of millions or billions of people will traumatize the nations, leading to a global power shift and worldwide war (Rev. 6:1-8). A cunning one-world ruler [Antichrist] will emerge, triggering seven years of Tribulation on our planet (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 6-18).”

Revelations 15:1 and Zech. 14:2 describes what Jesus called “great tribulations, such as not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21 NKJV). This will climax in the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16.) “Just when Israel appears on the verge of annihilations, Jesus Christ will appear in the sky and destroy the hostile forces of the Antichrist (Zech. 14:2; Rev. 19:11-16). Our Lord will literally speak the victory, and He will deliver His people.”

Those already raptured will be with Jesus and see Him descend onto the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:11) as He gloriously enters Jerusalem and assumes the reins of world government for one thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6). The Millennium. God’s coming Golden Age.

As Dr. Jeremiah explains, “It’s the kingdom to come, the fulfillment of all the promises God made to Israel in the Old Testament. It’s also the bridge of time that will take us into the eternal enclaves of the new heaven, the new earth, and the everlasting capital of New Jerusalem.”

The Christian Golden Opportunity

The earthly Golden Age for Christians should mean more to us then an easier life where we feel less threatened and more supported. We should take every opportunity to proclaim the name of Jesus to anyone and everyone who will listen, and even those who won’t!

“The time has come,” he [Jesus] said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15

I recently heard a pastor pray asking God that we wouldn’t just experience the next four years of President Trump’s Golden Age, but we would have a Golden Age for the next four generations. I’m not sure why he limited it to four generations, except maybe it synced with four years. Many of us pray the Rapture comes before that.

I agree with those who believe God has granted a reprieve with President Trump. Christianity will be celebrated and not berated or silenced so that reformation and revival can occur publicly and profusely.

God wants as many people as possible saved before they die or the Rapture, whichever comes first. Today, we clearly see many blatantly endorsing and choosing evil. A denial of God. Yet, God wants them saved too. However, if they continue to rebel against Him, He will leave them to their own demise (Romans 1:18-32).

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done . . . They not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Rom. 1:28, 32

The earthly national Golden Age is our Golden Opportunity as Christians to share the Gospel to as many people as possible. Look at unbelievers in your family, friends, neighbors, fellow workers, or acquaintances with a new conviction to spare them from eternity in Hell when they die or experiencing a time when God’s wrath will pour out on the world during the tribulation for anyone left behind after the Rapture.

The thought of this fate is what kept me on my knees praying daily for six years for my daughter, which I describe in Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter. I love her so much. I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, settle for her going through the terrible tribulation, or if she died before the Rapture, going straight to Hell.

There is no second chance to change your mind after death. No in between. No reprieve. People can become believers during the Tribulation, but they’ll be tortured and probably killed by the Antichrist for not accepting the Mark of the Beast. Even today, we hear of Christians in the Congo beheaded for their Christian faith.

You’re probably thinking how did we go from opening this blog with a joyous Golden Age era and ending up talking about Hell?! Because Hell is as real as Heaven. Don’t be fooled thinking everyone who dies goes to Heaven. Only those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior here on earth will be with Jesus in eternity.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell[a] is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matt. 7:13-14 NLT

Sharing the truth of the Gospel is our job as Christians during this relief from governmental persecution of faith. Now is the time to unashamedly tell your testimony that Jesus saves! So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. 2 Tim. 1:8 NLT

It’s no coincidence you and I are living during this earthly Golden Age. God wants us to take advantage of the freedom to spread Christianity. There’s no guarantee it’s going to last four generations as that pastor prayed or even four years. Jesus doesn’t tell us the hour or the day when God says He has had enough. People have had a chance to make their decision and it’s time to take His people home. I’ve given you a lot to consider and pray about. Jesus doesn’t want anyone lost. Let it be said the same of us.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. John 6:39

If you don’t receive my weekly newsletter, you can read the opening article in the February issue, “God Knows What A Woman Is!” here. Also, signup for the newsletter on my website.

Have you read my latest blogs? Make America and You Healthy Again! Or Making America Godly Again!

Please leave a comment here. 

March 3, 2025
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