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We’re Not Called to Be Christians; We’re Called to Be Disciples!

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When I first heard Christian comedian John Stein say on Flashpoint, “We were never called to be Christians,” my ears perked up and I was thinking, “Say what?” Then, when he followed it with, “We were called to be disciples!” I said aloud, “Yes!” Christian outreach and mentoring. The heart of the Christmas and Easter stories.

At this time of year, we hear the Christmas story in sermons and read in our Bibles of how Jesus sacrificed his home in heaven to be born as an infant in a smelly earthly manger. Aren’t we grateful that Jesus’ teenage mother Mary didn’t have access to abortion clinics or abortion pills, but instead welcomed a child, the Savior of the world, at an extremely inconvenient and embarrassing time. She didn’t count the cost of the sacrifice of reputation and marital plans. She and fiancé Joseph both trusted God.

Then at Easter, we remember the reason Jesus came to earth was to die a painful humiliating death on a cross and rise alive three days later to offer those who believe in Him forgiveness of their sins and eternal life. But salvation comes with a responsibility as a “Christian.” Before ascending back to heaven, Jesus’ parting assignment to His disciples and to all Christians is The Great Commission.

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:16-20.

Jesus didn’t say go and make Christians. He said go and make disciples and then teach them what it means to be a Christian so that they in turn will disciple others. During his three-year earthly ministry, Jesus discipled men and women who then became His faith-filled followers: Christians. The term Christian doesn’t even occur in Scripture until after Barnabas and Saul (later named Paul) had been discipling the church.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:25-26

 Jesus never called his followers “Christians,” he called them disciples. Jesus’ divine plan for each of His followers was to multiply Christianity through discipleship and mentoring. Likewise, He called each of us who know Jesus as our Savior to be disciples. That should be a sobering and challenging thought and a commission for us this Christmas season.

How Can We Be Disciples?

  • Share Your Faith by Witnessing What Jesus Has Done for You

Christmas is an easy time of year to share our faith through conversations, Christmas cards, at parties, social media, wishing store clerks and everyone we have conversations with a Merry Jesus Christmas. But the real test of our faith is whether we take advantage of opportunities to talk about Jesus when it’s not Christmas or Easter.

Every Christian has a story to tell of how Jesus became his or her Savior. Why don’t we tell that miraculous divine story more often? People are intrigued to know more about each other. We ask questions like: How did you meet your husband or wife? How long have you been married? How long have you lived in this city or neighborhood? What kind of work do you do? How long have you attended this church?

Why don’t we ask: “How long have you been a Christian?” “How and when did you ask Jesus to be your Savior?” “What’s your faith story?” “What are you doing for Jesus today?” “How are you discipling others?”

Even if we’re not asked, why don’t we spontaneously tell our faith story of becoming a discipling Christian? Some might say that’s too personal. Jesus warns us against hiding the light of Jesus in our life.
 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:14-16

Asking Jesus to come into our heart should be THE most important highlight of our life. It should define us! It’s our identity! We’re called to be disciples sharing Jesus. Not Christians who keep the greatest news in the world as a private secret.

In my blog last week, The Battle to ‘Fight, Fight, Fight’ Has Just Begun, I mentioned Pete Hegseth who is President-Elect Donald Trump’s cabinet choice for Department of Defense. As Pete encounters a media smear campaign, the Lord has given him tremendous opportunity to share his faith. Pete repeatedly says to reporters and cameras, “I am not the man I was ten years ago because of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Or he’ll say, “Jesus Christ saved my life.”

Hegseth is using an unfair persecution to disciple the public. He’s not just saying, “I’m a Christian,” which he actually does say on his Facebook profile. He’s discipling the world by telling what Jesus Christ did for him personally and offering hope that the listener’s life could also experience the same divine intervention.

Recently Boise State University’s football team won the Mountain West Championship and the first words out of the coach’s mouth when interviewed was, “Thank you Jesus!” Which my husband tells me the coach says after every win. The BSU running back Ashton Jeanty also gave all the glory to “Jesus for saving my life” when he was interviewed. Thousands of viewers heard these discipling moments and only God knows the young people or people going through a hard time who also gave their heart to Jesus after hearing these athletes use their platform to share Jesus.

“I thank God, man. I never thought I’d be in this position,” Colorado’s Travis Hunter said when accepting the Heisman Trophy, wiping away tears on Coach Prime’s shoulder.

These men understand discipling and how to publically and unashamedly give the glory to God for what He’s done, and is still doing, in their life! We marvel at them and yet they’re discipling us to also be just as proudly bold about Jesus. Not just at this time of year or when it’s convenient, but every opportunity, everyday.

  • Be a Mentor; Find a Mentor

Another word for discipling is mentoring. I like to paraphrase Titus 2:3-5 “Teach what you’ve been taught so others can go and teach or disciple what you taught them.” I always sign my book, Mentoring for All Seasons, “Be a mentor, find a mentor.”

Life is full and diverse. We encounter seasons and God helps us through each one so we can help someone else going through something similar. The subtitle to the book is my tagline and the perfect description of mentoring, “Sharing life experiences and God’s faithfulness.” Who do you know who needs you to disciple or mentor them through a life experience right now?

What Will It Cost to Be a Disciple?

While ruminating on the concept of being a Christian disciple and how I would write about it, I came across my Facebook friend Christine Trimpe’s meme, which is the opening picture I’m sharing with her permission. There is a cost of discipleship. Our time. Energy. Effort. Maybe even persecution.

  • While Jesus called us to be disciples, He also warned us of the sacrifice.

 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. Luke 14:25-32. NLT

  • We may suffer for being a discipling Christian.

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:16

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” Matt. 12:30 NLT

Peter was saying what the opening picture of this blog depicts. We need to completely surrender our heart to Jesus and be ready to go wherever He sends us, talk to whomever He puts in our path, and be ready and willing to tell the Greatest Story ever told! “Once I was lost, but Jesus found and saved me and He wants to save you too.”

After dark one evening, he [Nicodemus] came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:2-3

Jesus answered [Thomas], “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Who do you know this Christmas who needs to hear discipling truths?

Please leave a comment here.

Note: I’m taking off the next two Mondays, but the Lord willing, I’ll be back with a Monday Morning Blog on January 6, 2025, and my December end of the year About His Work Ministries Newsletter will be out on December 30.

Merry Jesus Christmas and Happy Discipling 2025!

December 16, 2024
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Don’t Let Politics Cancel Thanksgiving This Year!

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I know all of you don’t receive my monthly free About His Work Ministries Newsletter, so I wanted to share with you the November opening article that posted today in case you missed it. It’s so important that we don’t let politics or an election cause us to boycott or ghost friends and relatives on a day that’s all about thanking and praising God for His goodness to us. Don’t let anyone persuade you differently. If you’ve already read this article in the newsletter, I hope it blessed you. If you haven’t read it yet, here you go. Have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving from Dave and me!

14 Ways to Celebrate a Peaceful Prayerful Post-Election Thanksgiving!

An extended family member was surprised we were celebrating a family Thanksgiving this year. She had heard the ludicrous decree that families and friends with differing political views shouldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving?! She believed this outrageous proclamation as fact and surveys show she’s not alone. A quarter of Americans say they’re canceling Thanksgiving plans over political clashes. Pathetic and tragic.

Much of the mistruths, lies, and gas lighting made from the liberal side of the aisle works to disintegrate and divide friends and families instead of uniting them around the things they do agree on like loving your family regardless of their political or faith beliefs. Family is stronger than politics and God tells us to love those who don’t agree with us, even though we don’t always love their actions or beliefs.

Absolutely, we’re having a joyous family Thanksgiving celebration! We have much to be thankful for this year beyond the election. So yes, I’ll be making my famous sweet potatoes for those who love them. And I’ll be bringing my Thanksgiving tablecloth, which you can read about at the end of this article. We won’t let political or faith differences prevent us from giving praise, glory, and thanks to our Lord and Savior for another year of life together.

In the fragile aftermath of a volatile election, I imagine many of you are having similar concerns and conversations. I remember my mom cautioning that if you want to keep the peace, don’t talk about religion or politics. As a kid, I never understood that warning. Believers are supposed to tell everyone about Jesus. Since being a Christian is our first identity . . . how could we not talk about our Savior? Likewise, if we’re happy about our vote resulting in political policies that align with our faith and beliefs, then we shouldn’t have to stifle our joy.

I’m bold about my first role in life: being a born-again Christian. All other roles come second. As I wrote in Forsaken God? Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, “Bold doesn’t mean obnoxious. It simply means not being afraid to speak the truth, even in the face of adversity: ‘Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold’ (2 Cor. 3:12).”

For example, if someone asks what I write, I answer, “Christian living nonfiction.” Or, “I’m a Christian author and speaker.”  My response often opens the door for further discussion of my books. If someone asks if I’m happy with the results of the election, I respond with a resounding, “Ecstatic!” I recently wore my “Make America Healthy Again” hat on vacation, as I do around town when home, and I’m inundated with smiling people loving my hat. I worked hard and prayed hard for the outcome that represented my biblical worldview, and I’m not ashamed. I do understand others are disappointed, just like I was in 2020, but we still had Thanksgiving that year too!

For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. Philippians 1:20 NLT

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:8 NLT

Is Thanksgiving a Religious Holiday?

That could be an awkward question in some circles. I was with a group of people and mentioned how I hoped people would set their differences aside on Thanksgiving Day, and one person said, “It’s just a time for eating a lot of food, watching football, and shopping online anyway.”

Me: “I’m pretty sure the first pilgrims who celebrated Thanksgiving didn’t have TV or Amazon.

Another responded: “Well at least Thanksgiving isn’t a religious holiday.”

I asked: “Who then are we thanking?”

Complete silence.

Of course, the answer is: God. Abraham Lincoln made it an official national holiday “as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe.” The English colonists we call Pilgrims celebrated days of thanksgiving as part of their religion as days of prayer, not feasting.

Yes, it’s a time of family and friends gathering, but as we sit around the feast together, we can’t thank each other, or aliens, or the “big bang” for giving us life, the sun, moon, trees, food, the earth, water, sky, sweet babies, and all the blessings we enjoy.

We read in Genesis that God spoke everything into being, and yet, many of us will be sharing turkey and dressing with people who don’t believe or discount the existence of God. They don’t know where they’re going when they die or where everything we enjoy on earth came from . . . and maybe they don’t even care.

They’ll walk out of the room when we pray before the meal, and may try to bait us into an argument over who we voted for and why. Maybe after a few drinks, their conversation will turn ugly, even though innocent young eyes are watching how the “adults” interact.

Daily, not just at Thanksgiving, my husband and I pray beseeching God to prepare us to be a light in the darkness . . . not to avoid the darkness because that would be the cowards way out . . . but to help us respond as if Jesus was standing behind us speaking through us. You’ve all been in situations where it seemed like Satan was standing behind or speaking through the other person.  So how can we let Jesus reflect through us? Granted, some might not recognize Jesus . . . but they’ll see there’s something different about us.

14 Ways to Maintain Peace and Joy on Thanksgiving

As I prayed and talked to the Lord, here’s a list I hope will help all of us. I’d love to hear your ideas too.

  1. Don’t worry what to say—“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11 (Jesus was talking to his disciples if they were arrested, but I think it could apply to us too if we felt our faith or political beliefs was being tested or put on trial.)
  2. Speak kind words—“Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Pr. 16:24 NLT
  3. Strive for peace—“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
  4. Don’t instigate or respond to antagonistic discussions—“Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.” Pr. 26:17 NLT
  5. Play with children present—“We will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.” Ps. 78:4 NLT
  6. Don’t drink—“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 NLT
  7. Smile, Smile, Smile—“Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.” Psalm 42:5 The Message
  8. Listen—“Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” Pr. 12:15 NLT
  9. Take a deep breath and think before you speak—“There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.” Pr. 29:20 NLT
  10. Less is more—“The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they?” Ecc. 6:11 NLT— There’s “A time to be quiet and a time to speak.” Ecc. 3:7 NLT
  11. Pray mind prayers.—“Pray continually.” 1 Thess. 5:17
  12. Have a sign or word with others that signals: Change the subject if the conversation gets heated or move into another room.—“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” Ecc. 4:9
  13. If you’re hosting—Thank God for each guest. Pray over your home and each chair at the table. Pray as you normally would at the meal, your guests know they’re coming to a Christian home.—“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9
  14. If you’re a guest—As you approach the home, pray to be a blessing. If your hosts don’t pray before the meal, bow your head and pray over your food as you normally would. — “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gal. 5:22-23

Thanksgiving is a day for harmony and focusing on God and giving Him thanks and praise in whatever way He leads. Fiction writers have a saying: “Show don’t tell.” You don’t always have to speak Jesus with your words. Show Him with your actions. People will want what you have!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 NLT

I give thanks for each of you who follow me on this Monday Morning Blog. I pray you have a joyful, peaceful, and God-filled Thanksgiving Day.

Memory Making Thanksgiving Tablecloth

In Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, I share how to use your tablecloth as a conversation piece and a way to make memories for generations to come. Here is an excerpt from the book. I hope it gives you some ideas. I’ll be taking our Thankful Tablecloth with us this Thanksgiving to my daughter’s house. My grandchildren love to look back at their tiny handprints and drawings when they were toddlers and the comments written over the past twenty-one years.

When my breast cancer journey started, I became keenly aware of making memories with my family. At times like that, you think seriously about your mortality and the legacy you want to leave with your loved ones. You appreciate each new day of life. The sun rising every morning is an act of God to celebrate.

Holidays like Thanksgiving have new meaning. Typically, Thanksgiving is a celebration where family and friends gather for a feast, and everyone says what they’re thankful for in the past year. But after finishing the dishes and putting away the leftovers, how many really remember what everyone said?

Please leave a comment here and I’ll reply!

November 25, 2024
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Vote To Let Freedom Ring and Remain!

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Engaging in discussion regarding the people and platforms involved in the 2024 election can be frustrating and even divisive. This blog will post the day before we find out which side will govern our country for the next four years or maybe longer. It might take days in our current election chaos to know the outcome of the election. That says so much about the deterioration that has occurred at every level of government.

What’s distressed me most this election season is discussions with fellow believers who have opposing worldviews. We read the same Bible and pray to the same God, so how can this be? I think the answer is the powerful influence the mainstream media, which has literally become a propaganda arm of the Democrat/liberal/progressive party, has effectively had on the minds and hearts of people who to me seem brainwashed and blinded by Satan’s lies. Yet, they’ll tell me I’m brainwashed as they defend the evil the Democrat party wants to inflict on us. It amazes me that they can’t see the moral, spiritual, and economical destruction that’s occurred in our country and our culture over the past four years. How could they call this good?

I’ve also seen Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) at its worst exemplifying the power of propaganda and lies to influence intelligent godly people to hate and detest someone so much they would vote against Trump knowing the other side has an evil, demonic, anti-God agenda. They hate Trump more than they love America. Even Trump commented recently when asked why he thought so many people have such strong views against him, even to trying to assassinate him. His response is that only consequential candidates produce that kind of reaction in people. Many in the deep dark Washington swamp don’t want him in power because they know he’ll reveal and remedy the evil that’s taking place there.

Speaker Johnson has warned that Republicans need to win the Senate and the Congress because if the Democrats win either one, they’ll immediately try to impeach President Trump. How crazy is that?!

As we countdown to the election, here are links to the blogs the Lord led me to write about this election. Also, I’ll post the About His Work Ministries opening newsletter article “What Does It Mean to Think Biblically” because not everyone receives my monthly newsletter. (You can sign up at my website.)

What Does It Mean to Vote Biblically? continues to receive more hits than any blog I’ve ever written.

Don’t Be Fooled by the ‘Joy and Vibes’ Political Shield, which now has turned to ugly name calling, yelling, and angry tirades.

What Does It Mean to Think Biblically Versus Culturally or Secularly?

The opposite of thinking biblically is thinking secularly. Christians should vote their faith and values, but when we see the polls of Christians voting for a candidate whose platform is anti-biblical, anti-life, anti-Christian, anti-God, and anti-capable, it’s evident that many Christians aren’t checking with God or their Bible before selecting a candidate’s platforms and policies to govern our land. That goes for down ballot too.

It’s blessed me to see many Christians during this election cycle who aren’t afraid to discuss politicized biblical issues like sanctity of life, marriage, sexuality, protecting children from pornography and gender mutilation, and God’s design for humanity. Social media is full of brave posts and conversations. Now many are speaking and posting biblical values publicly. Praise God!

I even heard one pastor say, “Don’t be afraid to talk about politics and religion at holiday or family gatherings.” For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Tim. 1:7 NLT

We need to speak God’s truth no matter the circumstances. It’s the fear of man rather than the fear of God that has sent many Christians underground and silenced them. This has congruently allowed a nefarious government to successfully enforce laws contrary to God’s laws. But God’s Word in Hebrews 13:6 NLT assures us, “So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’”

However, here’s what “mere people” will try to do when Christians don’t speak up and vote. Ohio voted to codify abortion into the state constitution and a judge recently ruled unconstitutional the state’s previous six-week abortion ban law, which had been the law in Ohio since 2019.  “Ohio voters have spoken,” Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Christian Jenkins wrote in the filing. “The Ohio Constitution now unequivocally protects the right to abortion.” I would add, nullifying rights and protection of the unborn.

Why weren’t there enough Christian Ohio voters to protect the unborn? Ohio, once considered a conservative red state, is now a “swing state.” Up for grabs politically and morally. How did the Christians in that state let this happen? How is it that after the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional Roe v Wade and sent the decision back to the states, that we now have more abortions not fewer? More precious babies killed in the womb before they have the right to life?

Harris’ platform is to federally codify abortion in every state, which would strike down unborn baby protection laws like those we have in Idaho that bans all abortion. Christians need to vote against her and her radical platform.

Pro-life activists and leaders in Missouri are sounding the alarm about Amendment 3, the “Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative,” on the ballot that would not only result in unrestricted abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, but would also “go way beyond abortion” and enshrine transgender surgeries on children. Let’s pray Missouri Christians are sounding the alarm to vote it down.

How are some Christians okay with killing human babies? Surveys tell us they are?  45% of Christians and 6 in 10 Catholics say they’re in favor of abortion and are voting for an unbiblical political platform?!

The only answer has to be that some Christians aren’t praying and reading their Bible to help them think biblically. Their worldview is influenced by secular culture, not God’s Scriptures. They may go to Bible studies, attend church, and check the Christian box. But they’re not allowing the Bible to transform and renew their mind and heart, thus their thinking and actions. How can I say this? Because God would NEVER condone killing human babies that He creates in His own image.

Randall Terry of Operation Rescue, along with several pastors, created TV commercials to depict the horrors of abortion and he’s paying to run them during prime time. Here’s the link to one that ran on The View, but warning, it’s graphic.

Tools For Thinking Biblically

Our Couples Bible Study group is viewing and discussing a My Faith Votes free online video series “Think Biblically” led by faith experts to help Christians stand firm on God’s Holy unchanging Word and think biblically about culture and politics. The video series is designed for churches, small groups, families, friends, couples, or on your own. The focus is to help Christians firmly align their beliefs with God’s Word and gain an understanding of how their views of culture align with a biblical worldview.

A quote from Think Biblically website: “In today’s polarizing world, many struggle to anchor their views on the truth of God’s Word. Now, more than ever, Christians need to evaluate our nation’s issues through a biblical lens and stand with an unshakeable faith.”

Another free resource, even after the election, is from Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of Billy Graham and daughter of Franklin Graham. Fearless Family: Eight-Day Election Prayer Guide to take a biblical look at the issues affecting the heart of our families. Cissie writes, “Today, we are surrounded by a culture, both inside the church and out, that continues to compromise on truth and morality. It feels as if the only sin in America today is to call something sinful! Marriage, gender, sexuality, equality, and justice are simple words that have been twisted and redefined in ways God never intended. People are choosing to be ruled by their feelings rather than truth. My grandfather once said, ‘The secret strength of a nation is found in the faith that abides in the hearts and homes of the country.’ We must have a strong faith if we want to have a strong nation!”

What Does It Mean to Think Biblically?

  • We’re guided by God’s Word and His truths alone, not the latest cultural or political trend or talking points.
  • We will not bend to political or social pressure.
  • We will not break our vows, promises, and adherence to God and His laws.
  • We will stand for our faith and biblical values, even when they’re unpopular, especially when they’re unpopular.
  • We won’t be intimidated or coerced into denying the Gospel. We will be proud of our faith never apologetic for our Christian beliefs.
  • We will fill our minds with Scripture not propaganda.
  • Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
  • Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Col 3:2
  • Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Pr. 4:23
  • For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb. 4:12
  • 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. 3:16-17

“Our battle is not between political parties—it’s a matter of good versus evil. Truth versus lies. And God’s absolute truth never changes—no matter how our culture tries to redefine it.” Cissie Graham Lynch

Please Pray and Vote on November 5th If You Haven’t Already!

If you’re undecided about how to vote, listen to this message by Pastor Jonny Ardavanis at Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, TN “Pastoral Perspective on Politics.”

Also join in a prayer group on Monday Nov. 4th as they take place online, in person, or in your own homes and churches. Pray for God’s will to take place at the voting polls. Election interference subverted. Truth and justice prevail.

My hope for after the election is “Revive in 2025.” I pray God is preparing us for a mighty revival and just as we became brave and bold speaking against the evil that one side is trying to legitimatize, we would continue supporting biblical values and God’s good and gracious plans for the America we’re so blessed to call home. No victory is ever won easily. It takes diligence, persistence, focus, and God’s wisdom and discernment.

This will be my last blog for the month of November. I want to thank you for letting me share what God puts on my heart each week. I pray no matter who wins this election, you’ll continue serving God wherever and however He calls you!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving month. To God be the glory for the things He has done and will continue to do until His Son, Jesus Christ, returns.

Here’s a beautiful song from Danny Gokey, My America. Listen, watch, enjoy.

Please leave your comments here and I will reply.

November 4, 2024
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What Does It Mean to Vote Biblically?

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The 2024 election is quickly approaching on November 5th. Some of you may have already started early voting and good for you! For those who are still considering who to vote for and how to vote on your state bills, I wrote this blog for you.

I’m in leadership as an Idaho Area Coordinator for My Faith Votes. On our website, we offer a Pledge to Vote Your Biblical Values. I encourage you to take that pledge to vote in every election, be an informed and prayerful voter, and pledge, “As a Christian, I commit to voting for candidates and policies that uphold the sanctity of life, the traditional family, religious liberty, and justice for all. I believe that my biblical values should guide my choices at the ballot box, ensuring that our nation’s laws and leaders reflect God’s truth and righteousness.”

When we encourage everyone to vote their “biblical values,” that can mean different things to different people. It shouldn’t because according to Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ and the Word of God is timeless and universal. Unchanging. The Bible clearly states what we should champion and support or reject with our vote. By definition, our biblical values are based solely on Scripture and should reflect our biblical worldview.

 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 NLT

We typically rely on instruction manuals, Google, or YouTube for how to use appliances, automobiles, take medication, operate machinery or technology, find destinations . . . the list is endless. Guidance is essential to assure we’re functioning correctly for our own good and not harm.

For the Christian, our Life Instruction Manuel is the Bible. Like every owner’s manual, the Bible must be read to be useful. It contains everything believers need to know to follow Christ, glorify God, and live fruitful and righteous lives in a culture that tries to tell you that your faith can be set aside when you do something as important as voting.

What does God say about platform and policy issues that candidates champion to govern our lives, the lives of our friends and families, our communities, our churches, and the future?  Are their platforms biblical or unbiblical? It doesn’t matter what our personal opinion is of them, it matters whether or not they will govern biblically.

Dr. Jeff Myers, president of Summit Ministries, wisely advises, “We can figure out which candidate is most likely to lessen evil when it comes to diminishing life, when it comes to diminishing liberty, when it comes to diminishing the value of property. We’re not seeking a perfect world. We’re not utopians. But we are trying to figure out how to lessen evil so that people can be more free.”

We vote as our civic duty as an American, but also as our biblical responsibility as a Christian. However, research from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University shows as many as 104 million people of faith, including 32 million self-identified Christians who regularly attend church, are unlikely to vote in the upcoming 2024 presidential election mainly due to lack of interest. How could this be biblical when Christians could be the deciding factor in matters of life and death, good and evil? How can they stay home?

While the survey revealed some Christians don’t vote from complacency, it also showed many want instruction and guidance from their church on how to think about the issues from a biblical perspective. 

“Pastors often seek opportunities to have a positive influence in people’s lives and upon the culture, and to help the community in which their church is located,” the long-time researcher George Barna explained. “This research underscores the fact that simply encouraging people to vote in order to fulfill their biblical responsibility would not only be seen as doing their job while helping the community, but an estimated five million regular churchgoers would be likely to vote as a result of that simple exhortation. That, in itself, could change the outcome of the election by simply doing their job and getting congregants to fulfill one of their chief duties as an American citizen.”

When 45% of Christians and 6 in 10 Catholics say they’re in favor of abortion or are voting for an unbiblical political platform, it’s evident to me that pastors aren’t teaching biblical values and many Christians have not read their Bible. Culture, not the Bible, is shaping Christian opinion rather than God’s truths.

I’m not a pastor, but I am a seminary graduate and have been in ministry for thirty years. In this blog I’m providing Scriptures and resources for voting biblically in this election and every election. My blog would be far too long if I included all the issues, but you can hit on the highlighted links below to see the differences between the Democrat and Republican platforms according to Scripture to determine which federal, state, and local candidates will govern with more good than evil as measured by the Bible.

Did God Really Say?

Satan has used his most effective tool against living righteously since the Garden of Eden when he asked Eve, “Did God really say?” I’m here to tell you that God really did have something to say about many of the spiritual moral issues in our culture which we the church have let become politicized and are on the ballot on November 5th. I’m not talking candidate’s personalities. I’m talking about policies, which will become the law of the land if elected.

Do your own research. Read your Bible. Don’t let the biased media or even the candidates themselves influence your vote. Look at their policies and plans and your local ballot bills, then look at what the Bible has to say about each issue. That’s what should influence your prayerful vote as a Christian. Let’s look at a few of them.

ABORTION vs RIGHT TO LIFE is on the ballot in many states, and it’s also a Presidential issue because Harris has vowed that on day one, she’ll try to codify Roe v Wade into federal law. She and Democrat politicians tout the distorted lie that abortion is “reproductive rights” and “women’s healthcare.” That’s called twisting language that we see described in 2 Peter 3:16b-17.

Trump was the most pro-life President in history. He appointed three constitutional Supreme Court Judges who helped move the abortion laws from the federal government to the states. Sadly, because of the wide use of the abortion pill and “sanctuary abortion states” denying the sanctity of life and sacrificing babies to Molek, abortions have increased.

Harris has used Satan’s “Did God really say?” tactic to argue repeatedly that “you don’t need to abandon the principles of your faith or deeply held beliefs to support ‘abortion rights.'” She’s suggesting you can “choose” to kill babies guilt-free because it’s a woman’s right?! It’s Ok with God. Wrong!! That’s a nonsensical, unbiblical, demonic, and heretical lie. Harris denies that the government should protect a baby’s right to life even though the first “right” listed in our nation’s Declaration of Independence is the right to life, firmly rooted in the Judeo-Christian standards of morality upon which the United States of America was founded. Murder is a crime.

The truth is a Christian absolutely must suspend their faith in God and biblical principles to support legally or illegally killing babies. Kamala Harris has zero authority, faith, or knowledge of the Bible to speak on this matter and no person of faith should be persuaded by her. Yet she’s deviously planting doubt in many people’s minds, including pastors and Christians. It’s called syncretism!

She clearly told pro-life advocates they were “at the wrong rally.” These two young men bravely told her, “Abortion is a sacrament of Satan. Christ is King! Jesus is Lord!” They went there to represent God and counter her abominations with truth, but any Christians cheering and voting for a candidate stumping for the “freedom” and “right” to kill babies, are the ones at the wrong rally.

What Does the Bible Say About Abortion vs Right to Life?

When God creates each child through conception, there’s a flash of light and life begins. God gives him or her a spirit and soul that can’t be destroyed or denied. That’s a spiritual not political fact. Biologically, no person has ever been born without a spirit and soul.

Unborn babies are human. Humans are sacred! God declares in His Word the sanctity of life that He created in His image.

  • “You must not murder.” Ex 20:13
  • For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16
  • [Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Ps. 127:3-5
  • I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born. Ps. 22:10 NLT
  • “This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
  • I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself.” Is. 44:24
  • Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. Is. 49:1
  • “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jer. 1:5
  • As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Ecc. 11:5
  • “‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord. Lev. 18:21
  • Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, ensure justice for those being crushed. Pr. 31:8
  • There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood. Pr. 6:16-17

You absolutely would have to abandon and deny your faith and God’s Word to be a Christian who supports or votes for abortion or any candidate promoting abortion! It’s a sin. Satan wants to kill, steal, and destroy everything God loves. It’s an abomination to God to shed innocent blood. If you’re still not convinced, please watch Baby Olivia.

If you know someone who has had an abortion, or maybe you have, God sees you and you can repent and ask for His forgiveness. He’s waiting with open arms of grace and mercy. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

For each party platform and presidential candidate’s position on abortion, go to ivoterguide Understanding Right to Life. On that link, you can also enter your address and view where the presidential, state, and local candidates in your area stand on this issue.

An article to read: Being Human: Abortion and the Church – Light Magazine

Please listen to this message by Pastor Keith Harrington of Rockharbor Church in Meridian, Idaho in his Truth Wars series titled Imago Dei (the image of God) and the Sanctity of Life and the testimony of a brave couple sharing their abortion story.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: This category covers LGBTQ+ and trans issues infringing on the religious freedoms of those who don’t agree. Protecting Title IX to keep men out of women’s sports and private areas. Sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. Defending family. Preventing schools from teaching sexual deviancy and promoting gender confusion. Protection of children from sex change indoctrination and castrating surgeries and drugs.  Bringing the Bible, 10 Commandments, and prayer back into schools. Allowing religious speech in the public square.

“Watchdog database Stop the Harm reported that just under $120 million in medical expenses were submitted to insurance companies for treatments designed to hide a minor’s gender characteristics in the United States between 2019 and 2023. The database, launched by the medical advocacy group Do No Harm, reported about 14,000 minors receiving such treatments within the four-year period. About 8,500 minors received hormone blockers and more than 5,500 minors underwent actual surgeries to hide their gender characteristics, the database reported.” 

Read more at World. These children have been permanently mutilated and castrated for life. This atrocity is happening at the nation’s largest children’s hospitals designed to treat and save children’s lives, not maim them for life at an age many are too young to fully appreciate or comprehend the damage being done to their bodies. Who could’ve ever imagined this travesty would happen in America, but the Biden /Harris administration has championed this by protecting the doctors and hospitals rather than putting a stop to the madness and Harris would not stop it either.

The Biden/Harris administration tried to change Title IX to include gender and allow boys to play in girls’ sports and be in girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms. Harris will not support girls. President Trump says he will ban ‘trans’ aka men in girls’ sports.

What Does the Bible Say About Religious Liberty?

Gender isn’t fluid, it’s God-given. To affirm radical gender ideology is to implicitly deny the workmanship and sovereignty of God. It’s to deny God and His Word. Government is ordained of God (Romans 13:1-7), but government cannot become God.

  • “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:21
  • So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Gen. 1:27
  • That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Gen. 2:24
  • God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity:  Romans 1:18-32

Read this article discussing Harris and Trump’s positions on men playing in women’s sports. DAVID MARCUS: Kamala Harris can no longer hide from her dangerous stance on men playing in girls’ sports | Fox News

For each party and candidate’s position, go to ivoterguide Understanding Religious Liberty.

My Faith Votes!

I encourage you to go to My Faith Votes My Voter Hub where you can print out a copy of your ballot, Compare the Party Platforms, and download an important Presidential Election Candidate Comparison Guide Fact Sheet covering a number of current political topics. Also, find A Christian’s Guide to Today’s Issues: Abortion, Immigration, Religious Liberty, Gender, Parental Rights, Gun Rights, Government, Justice, which also includes Scriptures as I have done in this blog.

You can also become an Action Partner and pray weekly from zoom or your phone with other believers across the nation who work and pray together to be God’s hands and feet in returning America back to its godly foundation.  

iVoterGuide

iVoterGuide is Grounded in God. Rooted in Research. They’ve done the biblical ground work for you on important topics this election. In addition to Right to Life and Religious Liberty, which I discussed above, here are the additional issues I didn’t have room to include in this blog but are important in this election. They’re discussed in detail with Scripture. At each link, you can also find out the candidates’ positions both federally and locally. I hope you’ll take advantage of their wonderful research.

Understanding National Defense For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Rom. 13:4

Understanding Healthcare Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Tim. 5:8

Understanding EconomyAlso, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jer. 29:7

Understanding Border Security No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. Is. 60:18

Let the Bible be Your Voter Guide!

Which candidates will protect the unborn through the elderly? Which candidates will support Israel?

We must as Christians do our part to ensure as much as it is up to us that candidates who protect biblical principles are voted into power. But we must always remember that our highest authority is God. The mandate in Romans 13 is simple: obey God, then man. When man’s orders conflict with God’s, we follow God. So pray, read your Bible, and vote how God instructs you in the Bible.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Ps. 119:105

Please leave a comment here. I will reply. Thank you.

If you would like to listen to Pastor Keith Harrington’s previous week’s Truth’s War’s Message on things to consider when voting “Governing the Earth” click here.

October 21, 2024
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Don’t Be Fooled by the ‘Joy and Vibes’ Political Shield!

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An author friend of mine recently put a meme on her Facebook profile page, “What in the world does the politics of joy mean?” Here were some of the responses:

  • “‘Strength through joy’ was a Nazi slogan in 1933 to fool the public into thinking their lives were going well.” [This is true]
  • “To me, it means she has nothing legitimate to contribute.”
  • “It means she’s an empty suit with absolutely nothing to offer except four more years of dismantling the entire Constitution in favor of Socialism with the aim of a complete dictatorship. But shhhhh… we’re not supposed to notice that.”
  • “They’re trying to fool/distract everyone talking about joy with their everything will be ok BS. Meanwhile they’re the reason we’re in this situation. Sad thing is many are falling for it
  • “Purely political spin to cover the cackle.”

This last statement is exactly what I thought when I first heard the Harris “joy” campaign. She can’t speak without a nervous laugh, even when the topic is serious and laughing is inappropriate. So, if she can’t control it, let’s just call it joy. But is that how you really want a President responding in the situation room with a nuclear button in his or her hand or when communicating with other world leaders?

It’s all part of the liberal propaganda media machine that the Democrats are using to rebrand Harris from a losing candidate with no votes to the candidate they now have to build up to win. Media hypocrisy, bias, lies, spin masking uncontrollable laughter and cackling in a presidential candidate they must support no matter how incapable she obviously is.

It shows the power of media propaganda. A couple of months ago, they were telling Biden to drop Harris then the Democrats dropped Biden and turned Harris into the joy and good vibes candidate. It’s tragic how easily people are fooled and manipulated by a biased press who truly are the enemy of the people.

Someone else responded on the Facebook chat using the term “cult of Trump” and proceeded to list off all the liberal and media talking points against Trump as if she had actually seen all these things happen personally. That’s the power of the press and how easily people can be gullibly persuaded by lies and repetition.

To which I would reply,

“It’s sad to hear you tick off all the mainstream propaganda talking points. Have you tried listening to Newsmax, Fox, Flashpoint, or Victory News to hear the other side of truth to lies? Do you want America to become a Communist country because Harris is a Marxist and further to the left then the Squad or Bernie Sanders! She’s not a moderate any more than Biden was, and she lies just like him.

If you wondered where Harris came up with her oft repeated slogan, “unburdened by what has been,” it’s straight from Karl Marx who said, “Move forward into a future unburdened by what has been.”

Another person wrote, “There has been a lot of joy energizing Kamala’s campaign since she took over the nomination.”

Here would be my response: “Seriously, ‘joy in her campaign’?”

  • What joy is there in having a diabolical zeal for killing innocent babies and mislabeling it as a “woman’s right” or “reproductive healthcare”?
  •  What joy is there in federally codifying Roe v. Wade infanticide up until and even after birth by making it “the law of the land”?
  • What joy is there in calling pro-life laws “immoral” and repealing the Hyde Amendment?
  • What joy is there in giving young children harmful hormone drugs, castrating and mutilating them, while deceiving these vulnerable children with the lie that they can change their gender?
  • What joy is there in promoting the sexual perversion of transgenderism?
  • What joy is there in flooding our borders with illegals, criminals, and drugs?
  • What joy is there in losing 385,000 unaccompanied children crossing the border?
  • What joy is there in inflation?
  • What joy is there in skyrocketing grocery, home, and gas prices?
  • What joy is there in rewriting Title IX to give biological males’ access to female private spaces and invading girls’ sports?
  • What joy is there in supporting the Equality Act criminalizing employees, medical professionals, parents, and organizations holding biblical views on sexuality?
  • What joy is there in indoctrinating young children with sexual perversion and encouraging them to question how God made them?
  • What joy is there in censorship?
  • What joy is there in wars?
  • What joy is there in antisemitism and defending terrorists while removing support from Israel?
  • What joy is there in the government giving thousands of dollars, housing, and luxuries to illegals, billions to foreign countries, but lacking funds to help Americans ravaged by a hurricane?
  • What joy is there in giving incarcerated felons and illegals government funded sex change surgeries?
  • What joy is there in tyrannical Marxism/Communism?  

Harris literally laughs off as joyful and good vibes the above Democrat platform that she touts along with other atrocities and threats to our democracy and republic. That’s not joy. That’s EVIL! That’s not how God defines joy.

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. Pr. 10:28

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

“for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Neh. 8:10

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! Pr. 15:23

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Rom. 14:17

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12:2

Pray for Christians to Vote Biblically and NOT Emotionally!

I hope you’ll read my September About His Work Ministries Newsletter. The opening article was “Pray That Christians Move from the Pews to the Polls!” Some have assumed that my posts on social media, newsletters, and blogs pointing out the importance of voting our biblical values might just be speaking to the choir as if every Christian votes that way.

Unbelievably only 1 in 3 Christians vote?! Roughly 30% of Evangelicals aren’t registered to vote, and of those registered to vote, 40% don’t vote. For the life of me, I can’t understand this apathy among so many Christians who don’t see it as their civic and Christian duty to participate in the elections.

Here’s another disturbing fact I’m still processing. After all the things I’ve mentioned in this blog, and there are so many more about the agenda and platform of Kamala Harris and the Democrats that is evil, woke, Marxist, and diabolical going against all godly biblical principles and beliefs, there are Christians voting for her and her unbiblical values and policy plans?!

I’m most saddened by the article Surprising Presidential Election Shift Among Christian Pastors Exposes Tragic Truth About Today’s Politics that pointed out that 61% of Evangelical pastors plan to vote for Trump while 50% of mainline Protestant pastors are voting for Harris’ anti- God, anti-biblical policies because of “personal character.” Say what? What character qualities embrace evil policies like infanticide? Trump isn’t the only one with history. Harris hasn’t been held accountable for being the mistress at age 29 of a married 60-year-old politician! These pastors are writing off her transgressions and focusing on all the bad press about Trump. But the sad thing is pastors voting for all the evil I posted earlier, are influencing their congregants to do the same. How will they answer for this to God?

I guess these pastors would’ve voted for the dethroning of adulterer and murder conspirator and plotter King David. They would’ve never forgiven him. Yes, he had consequences to pay for his sins, but God saw his heart and the good he could do for God’s people, and He used him in spite of his flawed past. Similarly, with the apostle Paul who persecuted Christians. God saw something in him that no one else saw and aren’t we glad since he wrote most of the New Testament. I could go on and on.

I’m particularly grieved by a pastor personal to me. It’s taken me days to reconcile Pastor Ray Ortlund Jr.’s twitter post with the pastor I thought I knew. I was mentored by his mother Anne Ortlund and met his father Pastor Ray Ortlund Sr. many times. They were an amazing Bible-believing and Bible teaching couple. I’ve followed their Renewal Ministries, now headed by Ortlund Jr., for over thirty years so I was shocked to read Ortlund Jr.’s now deleted tweet, “Never Trump. This time Harris. Always Jesus.” Trying to defend himself from the pushback he received he wrote, “Abortion is a horrible evil. But…” He lost all credibility. Using Jesus to justify legalized murder of babies is appalling. There is no ‘but,’ which many pointed out to him before he deleted the tweet. I no longer follow Renewal Ministries, and I’ll write a letter to Ray Ortlund Jr. explaining why. His parents would be so disappointed as was I.

In the 2016 election, I wrote a blog asking Why Aren’t All Christians Extending Grace and Forgiveness to Trump?, and republished and updated it in 2020. It’s about Christians and pastors, who tout the Gospel of Jesus’ forgiveness and grace, yet refuse to extend forgiveness to Trump, who has stated unequivocally that he is a Christian. He did more for religious and Christian rights and liberties during his presidency than any other president. He speaks the name of Jesus Christ often, not in a slanderous way but respectfully and faithfully. He has attributed two failed assassination attempts on his life to God’s miracle protection. Yet, many Christians still refuse to forgive his past and haven’t addressed Harris’ past or the numerous times she’s voted, both as a Senator and Vice President, against the free exercise of religion.

We must remember that we’re not voting for a person’s personality, but we vote for their platform. As Christians, we vote for how they will govern under the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Freedom of Religion, and the Bible to protect and maintain the United States as a republic founded on biblical principles.

Pastor Franklin Graham wrote in the opening article in October 2024 Decision Magazine, “The Bible clearly teaches that governments are ordained by God to restrain evil and enable righteousness to flourish (Romans 13:3-4). That’s why Christians should carefully pray and vote for candidates who best align with and stand for Biblical principles from the presidency and down ballot. Vote to lessen evil.”

Pastor Graham’s daughter Cissie Graham Lynch wrote about the election, “Our battle is not between political parties—it’s a matter of good versus evil. Truth versus lies. And God’s absolute truth never changes no matter how our culture tries to redefine it.” Cissie is offering Fearless Family, a free, eight day voting prayer guide about the most urgent issues affecting the heart of our families–education, the economy, gender ideology, immigration, the family structure, the sanctity of life, and religious freedom. These issues on the ballot aren’t just political, they are Biblical, and God’s Word has a lot to say about them. Get your FREE copy here.

I encourage you to also get a copy of the October Decision magazine with the title “America’s Future In The Balance.” You decide whether you want good or evil for America because that’s the spiritual battle in this election. (We subscribe to Decision Magazine, but you can read all the articles, especially those that compare the Democrat vs Republican platforms on their website October 2024 Archives – Decision Magazine.)

President John Quincy Adams when asked a cynical question about the failure to end slavery after decades of trying, said simply, “Duty is ours; results are Gods.” I hope and pray you’ll do your civic duty November 5 and joyfully vote your biblical values not your emotional vibes.

The opening picture was courtesy of Shari England.

Please leave your comments here and I will reply.

October 7, 2024
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Take Time to Rest From Labor and Work!

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When the elders from church came over last week to pray over my husband Dave, who is also an elder, I was touched that one of them said he was sensing God was telling Dave to rest. Rest is all he’s been able to do for the last six-weeks since severe spinal stenosis, disc bulges, and a cyst on his spine have weakened his legs. The little walking he does with a walker causes pain but sitting and lying relieve the pain somewhat, so he’s definitely been resting. I can’t say the same for myself since I’m the caregiver, but rest is something that’s never come easy for me unless I’m sleeping!

So here we are today celebrating a day that is supposed to be a day of relaxing from work to rest and enjoy. At church a girlfriend mentioned that she wore her white pants because it was almost Labor Day and “You can’t wear white after Labor Day.” I looked at her questioningly since being a native Californian, we wore white pretty much all year, but now that we’re Idahoans, we move from summer pretty quickly into Fall with warmer clothes and packing away our shorts and sandals. I have to admit I hate seeing summer come to an end, but this year the fires and smoke have been so bad in our community, we’re all praying for rain and cooler temperatures.

I’ve always looked at Memorial Day and Labor Day as the bookends of summer. Both are now three-day weekend holidays that also commemorate the end of one school year and the beginning of the next—although today’s schools don’t stick as closely to that schedule anymore.

You have planned Labor Day picnics, family reunions, and barbeques commemorating the official end of summer; but beyond that, few stop to think about why we even have the day off. What is Labor Day anyway?

History of Labor Day

In 1894, Grover Cleveland made Labor Day a federal holiday after a failed attempt to break up a railroad strike. Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. That’s you and me, even those who are retired, have spent a good portion of their life working.

Traditionally, all stores closed on Labor Day so all workers could celebrate the holiday. Today, most stores are having Labor Day sales, and their workforce is hard at work on a day that was supposed to be about resting from work. Many people work on Labor Day without realizing, Hey, I’m a worker that has contributed to my company and I should have a day of rest!

Work and Rest

The article, Labor Day: Your Need for Both Work and Rest by Nick Batzig, recently caught my attention. It opened with this sentence, “As we come to celebrate another Labor Day, it may be beneficial for us to step back for a moment and consider what Scripture has to say about the rhythm of work and rest—i.e. the cyclical configuration by which all the events of our lives occur.”

The article discussed God’s original plan for work and how that all changed when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and why God wants us to have times of rest and refreshment. Batzig listed several changes over the years that have us focusing on work not just as provision for our family, but for prestige, self-esteem, peer pressure, fear, anxiety, and lack of purpose outside of work. The following point really resonated with what I see happening in families today:

“Whereas traditional societies said that you got your meaning in life through your family, and through basically fulfilling a fairly prescribed social role—either as a mother or father, or a brother or sister, or husband or wife, or a son or a daughter…You just needed to find a way to make a living because family was what everything was about. But we’re the first culture in history that says, ‘You define yourself by defining what you want to be and by attaining it—and then you have significance.’ There’s never been more psychological and social and emotional pressure on work to be either fulfilling or at least lucrative. There’s never been a culture like that.”

How Can We Change Culture?

I’ll admit that I’m a recovering workaholic. The only way I’m able to balance work and rest is to prioritize the things that are the most important to me—serving God and my family. My ministry is About His Work Ministries, so I’m fortunate to be able to serve God through my work of writing and speaking, but I also need to take breaks. I schedule times of rest and relaxation with my hubby, and I actually find walking or even going to the gym rejuvenating.

Dave and I also serve in ministry together by leading a couples Bible study in our home which is enjoyable to both of us. When I’m spending time with my family or friends, I set aside “work” and focus on them.

That doesn’t leave much time in my schedule for “extra” activities, and so I’ve had to learn to say no to some good things. Before I say “yes, and find myself with no time to rest and refresh, I’m trying to remember to do two things:

1. Pray and ask God if it’s something He wants me to do.

2. Assess if I have the time and energy to add this activity to my calendar.

If I sense God telling me to go for it, I know I must remove something from my calendar, or I’ll become unbalanced trying to get all the work done and rest and family will suffer.

What do you do to find times of rest and refreshment in a world that values work over rest?

Jesus says, “Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Finding rest on Labor Day
A Bible study I wrote on living a balanced life based on the married couple Priscilla and Aquila. Read more about it here.

Please leave a comment here and I will reply.

September 2, 2024
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God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust. A Must See Movie for EVERY Christian!

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You’ll be surprised that this week’s Monday Morning Blog will be brief, but I pray impactful. At least, that’s my plan as I sit down and write to you my trusted readers during a time of great turmoil and difficulty in my family when I considered not taking the time or energy to write a blog this week. But the Lord, gave me one of those “ah ha” moments I’m always writing about, and I knew I must share it with you. I’ll also close with a personal prayer request, which I don’t often use this platform to do.

My husband and I enjoy watching the weekend Mike Huckabee show. Last Saturday night, Huckabee introduced the movie, “God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust”, the 5th in the God’s Not Dead franchise. I was shocked that this was the first time I heard about it since it releases in theaters September 12! Then Huckabee interviewed the stars of the movie, David A. R. White and Scott Baio. Even Huckabee has a cameo role. When they revealed that the theme was about Christians and politics, I knew exactly why social media had silenced it. My ears perked up.

If you’ve read my recent blogs, which I list at the end of this blog, you know I’m a firm believer that it’s our Christian duty to vote our faith beliefs, support Christians running for office, and maybe even run for office ourselves if the Lord leads.  

The movie mirrors exactly what’s happening in our culture today where as many as 40 million Christians don’t want to be involved in politics or vote. Alarmingly, only 1 in 3 Christians vote! Many Christians consider politics “dirty” and subscribe to the myth that the Gospel and politics should be separate. Yet, if those 40 million Christians would vote their faith, every election would turn out different. Our country would be different. Our schools would be different. Our families would be different. Our schools would be different. Our laws would be different. Our media would be different.  It’s a travesty that more Christians don’t see that.

Christians don’t run from opposing views; we run to them with the Gospel! We confront issues with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb. 4:12

In the movie, White plays his reoccurring “God’s Not Dead” role of Reverand David Hill who grapples with throwing his hat and Bible into the political arena where his arch nemesis is running on stamping out God in the culture and public square. Does that sound like our culture and political world today?

Scott Baio, who typically plays a good guy, plays a bad guy plotting against Pastor Dave’s campaign. The movie depicts what I’ve said so many times: the real battle we’re in right now is not just political it’s spiritual. God doesn’t tell Christians to retreat from a spiritual battle but to suit up in our armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and enter the battle. Not avoid or ignore it. Not be complacent with an “I don’t want to get involved attitude.”

God’s timing in releasing a powerful film like “God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust” at such a time as this before the important November election, is as always, perfect! White said it’s almost like God-breathed it purposefully. The film depicts our current culture with what Christians need to see and understand. Huckabee agrees that American Christians must see the film because it inspires us to know that our vote really does count and makes a difference.

The internal battle Pastor Dave goes through in the movie is whether there’s a godly way to enter the political arena. We see and feel his struggle.

Scott Baio says he believes in the mission of the movie. He bravely and boldly spoke at the 2016 Republican Convention knowing that Hollywood would blackball him, which they did. He said he was OK with it because, “My country is more important than me.” He went on to say, “My daughter is more important than me. I will do whatever I can to keep my country what I remember it as, which was a God-fearing, respectful, law-abiding country.”

I agree with Huckabee who said that people who don’t want to get involved in politics, don’t want any of that “political stuff because it’s just dirty,” need to go see the movie.  Then decide whether you should vote and support those Christians who are willing to step into the lions’ den of politics.

Faith begins where your comfort zone ends!

Huckabee and His Daughter Sarah Understand the Importance of Christians Being in Politics!

Mike Huckabee is a familiar face in political commentaries and circles today, but many people forget or don’t know that he was a pastor who preached for 12 years in Arkansas pulpits before he became a governor and, later, a 2008 and 2016 presidential candidate. While he was governor (1996-2007), he maintained his pastoral instincts.

“I think it’s the greatest preparation that a person can have for public service,” he told Religious News Service in a 2007 interview. “Somebody says they want to talk about the issue of the elderly, I’ve dealt with those folks. I’ve dealt with a 14-year-old girl who’s pregnant and hasn’t told her parents yet. I’ve talked to the young couple who’s head over heels in debt. … I think it gives you a real perspective about people and what they’re going through that’s important.”

While he was pastor of Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Ark., from 1986 to 1992, Huckabee was the youngest president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, a job that helped prompt him to think about switching from pastoring to politics. Pastor David Uth, the leader of First Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., told RNS that in that post, Huckabee worked to calm differences between moderate and conservative Baptists in his home state.

Pastor turned politician Mike Huckabee’s Christian daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders followed her dad’s interest in politics and was President Trump’s press secretary for two years and then went on to become the youngest and first female Governor of Arkansas. Like her dad, she governs from a biblical conservative Christian worldview. Aren’t we glad that Christians like the Huckabees are willing to take their faith into the public square and make a difference in politics and government.

Mike Huckabee said he still misses his congregants, but he views his move to politics as an extension of what he’s done before: “It is in itself a ministry.”

Like the Huckabees, Hal Lindsey emphasizes why it’s so important that Christians get involved in the political government even if just by voting our faith.

“Politicians decide the laws that we must all obey. They set up the bureaucracies that create the millions of pages of regulations that we must also obey. They decide things that have an enormous influence on how we live our lives. They tax us, and they send our children to war.

“As their name implies, politicians set policies. Those policies have a powerful influence on things like inflation. Government policies can destroy jobs and even whole industries. Those policies can be the difference between full grocery store shelves and empty ones. They also have a vast influence on the abundance or scarcity in your own cupboard! We vote on the people who decide the curricula of our children’s schools. Politicians and their policies can be the difference between safety in the streets, or chaos. These things are enormously important. We should vote and be involved.” Hal Lindsey

It’s true that the “deep state” doesn’t have more power than the Lord God who is omnipotent, but God gave us the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells in the heart of every Christian. God expects us to tap into that power and use it in the spiritual cultural war of good versus evil. There is no such thing as a powerless, ineffective, complacent Christian, only those who may choose to suppress their God-given right and responsibility to apply that power in the public square with a simple but powerful vote!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Eph. 3:20-21

My Faith Votes! Does Yours?

Each of us has the power and ability within us to make a difference in this world. As you’ve read before, like Mike Huckabee I see being involved in the political arena as a ministry. God has led me to be an Idaho Area Coordinator for My Faith Votes, a ministry that encourage Christians to vote their values and their faith and help turn this country back to God. I believe it’s our civic, Christian, and patriotic duty and responsibility to vote, not just for ourselves, but for generations to come including those innocent voices that are being silenced in the womb before they even have a chance at life.

Pastor/Governor Huckabee is an Honorary National My Faith Votes Chairman. Dr. Ben Carson is the founding My Faith Votes Chairman and Dr. David Jeremiah, President of Turning Point Ministry, is an influential voice supporting My Faith Votes. Pastor Allen Jackson gave an interview on The Church’s Role in Shaping America. These Christian stalwarts do not see a wall between Christianity and politics, but instead an opportunity to bring biblical worldview back into government.

For the upcoming election, My Faith Votes has an easy yet powerful way you can get involved in this election right from your home. Write Now is a movement encouraging Christians in swing states who are registered but haven’t voted in recent elections, to cast their vote for biblical values in what might be one of the most important elections in our lifetime that could literally decide if we become a Communist country or remain free! Won’t you please check it out. All you’ll need to do is provide stamps and envelopes. You’ll receive a list of names and addresses and a template letter to print out, pray over, and mail. You can specify how many names you want. All of mine happen to be in Arizona!

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Ps. 119:165

Be sure you watch the trailer for God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust and find out more about the film and where to buy tickets.

If you haven’t read my previous blogs this month, I hope you’ll read them now.

Jesus the Great Divider

The Lies Satan Uses to Deceive Christians and Churches

When Did Normal Become Weird?

Personal Prayer Request. Almost 6 weeks ago, when my husband Dave and I returned from a wonderful trip to see a grandson get married in North Carolina, Dave started experiencing pain in the back of his thighs which quickly moved up to his lower back. He’s lost strength in his legs and can’t walk without a walker and extreme pain. We’re waiting results of an MRI. Our prayer request is that they will be definitive and wisdom for the doctors and us to determine a course of treatment. Thank you for your prayers. Sorry this blog wasn’t as short as I promised you.

Please leave a comment here and I’ll reply.

August 26, 2024
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Jesus the Great Divider

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Were you surprised to see the title of this blog? We’re more accustomed to hearing about Jesus as the spiritual Unifier and Prince of Peace. Last week, some people found fault with my discussion of Jesus and politics. I always welcome dissenting points of view, but I do stand by everything I wrote last week in the blog The Lies Satan Uses to Deceive Christians and Churches. I always back my words with Scripture plus my understanding and discerning of both God’s Word and how the Holy Spirit guides me. I don’t come up with these topics on my own. I’m led by the Holy Spirit.

I’m sad and a bit disappointed when I learn that some people are afraid of sharing my blogs for fear of being censored. Fear is an extremely effective tool of the enemy. Unfortunately, many Christians stay silent in the face of adversity and even blasphemy against our Lord. Don’t you think we as Christians should be the ones telling everyone about Luke 12:8-10, which will determine where they spend eternity?

I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Luke 12:8-10

To His followers Jesus assures us . . .

11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12:11-12

Back to the subject of today’s blog. How does Jesus divide? Well, for starters, He explains this clearly in Luke 12:49-53 where the heading for this passage in my Bible reads “Not Peace but Division”
49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

You might wonder if the division in the family examples mentioned in Luke 12:51-53 happened because some family members were Christians, and some were not. That does happen as we all know who have unbelievers or those with different faith beliefs in our families. It can make for awkward family gatherings when the topic turns to politics or religion. But that kind of spiritual division also occurs in families where all dissenting parties claim to be “Christians.” A perfect example happened last week when a group calling themselves “Evangelicals for Harris” (an oxymoron) ran an ad against President Trump with a clip showing Billy Graham at one of his evangelical crusades.

This group claims that hard-left neo-Socialist, anti-Israel, pro-Hamas Kamala Harris, who supports murdering babies up to and after birth with abortion on demand, mutilating and castrating children, indoctrinating children in school with sexual deviancy and gender lies, invasion of America by illegals, authored the California grab and dash theft law, funded Antifa and violent protestors bailouts, “Better Reflects Christian Values.”

Some so-called evangelical “faith leaders” joined this blasphemous group for Harris, including Billy Graham’s granddaughter, Jerushah Duford, who is the daughter of Virginia “Gigi” Graham Tchividjian, Billy Graham’s oldest daughter. Duford participated in a virtual event sponsored by “Evangelicals for Harris” led by Ekemini Uwan who declares “whiteness is wicked,” police need to be destroyed and rebuilt, and churches should pay global reparations to “People of African descent.”

Billy Graham’s son and Duford’s uncle, true Christian Evangelist Franklin Graham blasted the fake “Evangelicals for Harris” organization for using footage of his late father in an attack ad against former President Trump who he argued if his father were alive, would support Trump.

Franklin tweeted, “The liberals are using anything and everything they can to promote candidate Harris. They even developed a political ad trying to use my father @BillyGraham’s image,” he wrote in a social media post. “They are trying to mislead people. Maybe they don’t know that my father appreciated the conservative values and policies of President @realDonaldTrump in 2016, and if he were alive today, my father’s views and opinions would not have changed.”

The Evangelicals for Harris account replied, “Praying for you” along with a heart emoji beneath his post and later said in a retweet that Graham has “forsaken the gospel.” They need to look in the mirror!

The Billy Graham extended family is living out the division described in Luke 12:49-53 as perhaps many of you are too. The two sides cannot unify, agree, or have peace over the definition of what it even means to be an evangelical or a Christian, let alone politics. They’re divided.

Common Sense vs Insanity!

Evil has taken off its mask and openly rebelled against the Word and ways of God, especially in this election cycle. Good can never unite with evil.

As voting and professing Christians, we have a choice to limit evil. When a church, pastor, or Christian objects to the obvious evil on display in our culture today, we’re defending and representing Christ in the spiritual battle between good and evil in our world.

One political side rejects the biological and spiritual reality of male and female with irreversible biological differences, which in the beginning God created! So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Gen. 1:27). How could a commonsense Christ-follower reject this biblical reality?

One political side rejects the biological and spiritual reality that God creates at conception a human being with a spirit, soul, and purpose! Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, (Jer. 1:5). How could a commonsense Christ-follower reject this biblical reality?

One political side rejects the biological and spiritual reality that “Pro-choice” is pro-murder. “You shall not murder” (Ex. 20:13). How could a commonsense Christ-follower reject this biblical reality?

One political side rejects the biological and spiritual reality that God created family! Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them (Ps. 127:3-5). How could a commonsense Christ-follower reject this biblical reality?

At the DNC Convention this week, anti-God, anti-family, genocidal Planned Parenthood is rolling in with a mobile health clinic offering free vasectomies, medication abortion, and “emergency contraception,” aka the morning after pill (EC)! The Democrats support Planned Parenthood, a huge donor.

One political side rejects Israel and champions anti-semantic, pro-Hamas policies. “3 I will bless those who bless you [Israel], and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Gen. 12:3). How could a commonsense Christ-follower reject this biblical reality?

How could a Christ-follower, Bible-believer be okay with the values, policies, and beliefs of the Democrat platform that completely contradict the Bible? Yet, there are those who profess to be “Christian” who would still vote for allowing the tearing apart limb by limb, poisoning by injection, or breaking the neck of God’s babies in the womb, gender and sexual mutilation of children, destroying the family, and abandoning Israel?! What Scriptures are they using to justify this barbaric, anti-God agenda?

Still some leaders in the Christian church tell pastors not to speak about these atrocities or choices. When the political realm comes into our Christian moral lane, is the church really being political if they resist or are they being biblical? As Fr Pavone of Priestsforlife.org says, “For a church to call this out it’s a church defending church.” I would add defending Christ who has already determined the dividing line between good and evil. No compromise.

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1 John 1:6

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Cor. 6:14

The Divine Divide

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. Pr. 4:19

The biggest sin isn’t division, it’s what side you choose to take. No one can ride the fence on these issues because Satan is sitting on the fence. Jesus instructs us to pick a side. Every Bible-believing Christian must make the most important “choice” in life as to whom you will follow. We can’t follow a little bit of Jesus and a little bit of the world. We can’t go along to get along.

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. John 12:35

To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Acts 26:18

God actually created the concept of division from the beginning of time. In the beginning, God divided the light of day from the dark of night.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  Gen. 1:1-4

Then throughout Scripture, He refers to good as light and evil as dark. The godly who are saved, live by faith in the light spiritually and morally divided from the demonic lost in the dark.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Is. 5:20

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 1 John 1:5

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Eph. 5:8

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

Jesus, the Great Divider Between Eternal Life or Eternal Death

Jesus put a line in the sand with the Gospel and finalized it at the Cross. He offers grace and mercy when we ask Him for forgiveness, repent from our sins, and receive Him as our Lord and Savior. But that choice is only offered to the living. There’s a great divide between Heaven and Hell.

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Eph. 5:11

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. John 3:19-20

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. John 12:46

Sadly, some will still choose darkness or not live fully in the light and that breaks Jesus’ and our hearts. We can’t make the choice for them, but we can present the truth, live the truth, pray for their salvation and willingness to step out of the dark into the fullness of the light. As for each of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, there is no fellowship with the world’s ways as we remember this earth is not our eternal home.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matt. 5:14-16

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Rom. 13:12

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.” Pr. 4:18-19

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Rom. 13:12

For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 1 Thess. 5:5

Please leave a comment here and I will reply on the website blog, so check back for my replies.

August 19, 2024
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The Lies Satan Uses to Deceive Christians and Churches

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You’ve heard it said, maybe you’ve said it yourself, “Christians and the church should stay out of politics.” Satan has used that lie effectively to transform America from a country that honored God and godly principles to electing a current administration that bows to evil demonic ideologies. It’s been a steady progression to a tipping point of a 2024 American presidential ticket with two progressive extreme left neo-Marxists! Both of the candidates on that ticket have demonstrated a lack of integrity, honesty, and morals, while embracing Marxist ideologies that attempt to replace God with government.

By trying to become gods without submitting to the God, they rebel against Romans 13:1-2. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (vs. 1).  We’re only to honor government that acknowledges its authority comes from God. Those currently in power, and seeking to keep power, fall under the second verse.  2 “Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority [of God] is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

God has more to say to governing rebels about their insolence.

There are six things the Lord hates—
    no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, 19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. Pr. 6:16-19 NLT

How did these kinds of people get into power? We let them! Christians and the church, which should’ve put on their armor of God to speak loudly and boldly against evil and demonic inroads in our government, instead chose complacency, apathy, and silence. What are some of those evil principles you might be asking. Here’s just a few demonic travesties the progressive liberal left champions . . .

  • Federally codify as a “constitutional right” the savage and barbaric murder-on-demand of human babies in the womb, even after birth, calling it “healthcare” or “women’s reproductive rights.” Some blue states, including Minnesota under Governor Walz, have already codified this in their state constitutions and at least two babies in Minnesota were left to die after birth. The destruction of human babies during abortion would be vehemently condemned on rats, but if you speak or pray too loudly to protect human babies from being viciously murdered, you might be arrested.
  • Allow malpractice doctors to hormonally and surgically mutilate and castrate minor children deceitfully calling it “healthcare.” Walz deemed Minnesota a “sanctuary state” for this atrocity on children. Walz will take your children from you if you don’t agree to letting your child’s body be permanently altered and made infertile.
  • Allow unvetted illegal aliens to invade our borders, obtain citizen benefits, vote in elections, and thereby facilitate child sex trafficking and smuggling of drugs killing thousands of children and adults. Harris, the “border czar” for the past 3 ½ years, encouraged and facilitated this invasion.
  • Voter fraud.
  • Incarcerating political prisoners, conducting legal warfare against political opponents, while letting criminals go free.
  • Children taught perverted sex practices in school starting in kindergarten.
  • Children brainwashed and indoctrinated in schools to believe the lie that they can change their gender and parents coerced into agreeing with it, never told, or threatened with loss of parental rights if they don’t agree.
  • Children exposed to obscene and pornographic books in school and public libraries.
  • Forcing people to take an experimental vaccine or lose their job or military status and closing churches, which Walz did in Minnesota during Covid.
  • Allow men to compete in women’s sports, undress and shower in women’s locker rooms, and use women’s bathrooms in schools where governors like Walz put feminine hygiene products in boys’ bathrooms.
  • Pro-Hamas, anti-Israel protests encouraged not condemned, while pulling back support for Israel.
  • Promoting and financing a “climate change” “green new deal” scam/hoax.

You might think what decadent country would allow such evil? You’re living in that country right now! Everything on that partial list is allowed and legalized, either federally and/or in blue Democrat run states.

Yet, how many of you have heard a sermon on any of this evil? How many of you have spoken out against it? How many of you realize that every moral issue we hold dear as Christians is being politicized because Christians stayed silent and let it happen while falling prey to the lie from hell that Christians shouldn’t be “political” or participate in government. That’s like saying Christians shouldn’t be emotional, logical, moral, or take a stand against evil. Instead, Christians should relinquish religious freedoms of their families, friends and neighbors to the diabolical policies of an anti-God government without objecting. Wrong!

Lies straight from the pit of hell. Satan wants Christians to cower as he exerts his authority and power on the world with no pushback from those who have the Holy Spirit’s power inside but fail to tap into it. Just like when the serpent taunted Eve with the famous question that led to sin creating death for us all, “Did God really say that?”

Yes, God told us to combat evil wherever and whenever we see it manifested in our own lives, in the lives of others, and in the public square. Christians have civic duties and responsibilities. The lie that the church should restrict itself to solely preaching the Gospel, but not teach how to take the Gospel into the world to combat evil is from Satan’s playbook, not God’s Holy Book.

God is in Politics!

God created government and politics just like He created every element of our lives and the world. God and godly men got involved in politics throughout the Bible!

From Genesis to Revelation, we see the history of good and bad governments and the destruction of society when an evil regime is in power. Often, a prophet of God gave wise godly political council to leaders like Moses whose father-in-law Jethro told him to establish a government structure. God gave Moses the 10 Commandments laws to govern the people. Daniel and Joseph found themselves in ungodly governments, but didn’t acquiesce or stay silent. Each spoke God’s truth to those in political power and ended up in high positions in government serving righteously. The prophet Samuel anointed Saul as King, but later spoke God’s truth boldly against Saul’s misdeeds. The prophet Nathan confronted King David about using his power in government immorally and Nathan counseled David’s son, King Solomon.

I could go on with biblical examples throughout history. Here’s the point: we need godly men and women today who are willing to serve in government. We need churches encouraging Christians to get involved in developing and supporting righteous laws and combatting evil however and wherever the Lord leads, but especially using their God-given right to vote. There is nothing prohibiting a pastor from telling his congregation to vote their faith and biblical beliefs. He should be discipling and guiding them in what biblically based faith looks like. He can do that in a nonpartisan biblical way.

God didn’t create us to be puppets at the mercy of whoever is in power when they’re evil. God is the ultimate power, but He gave us responsibility and authority to occupy this land until His return. We’re not one-dimensional human subjects or slaves to whomever is in charge. We the people are the government and with prayer and research, we determine who we want to oversee the government structure that works best for the citizens. We’re actually the boss, not the White House.

Political Engagement is An Important Stewardship for Christians!

We’re to infuse God and His ways into every area of life from the family to the frontlines of government. Nothing in the Bible tells us to stand down and submit to evil. Instead, we’re to take our biblical worldview into every corner of the earth and every activity under heaven, including politics and government.

Many argue that politics is divisive and we only want unity in the church. People will always have different opinions over everything from the music to the color of the carpet or maybe even no carpet. It doesn’t mean we don’t talk about our differences and work them out and the same should be said of political views.

The unifying factor is always the Bible. What does the Bible say about all the issues I’ve mentioned in this article? That’s what pastors and congregants should be talking about. Do we just acquiesce to the culture or do we use the Bible and biblical principles to create a revival in culture?!

We’re in our current cultural evil wokeness because of apathy, crowdedness, fear, lack of knowledge, and unwillingness to get involved. The Bible counters every one of those weapons of Satan. In Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith, I give examples of fifty women in the Bible and twenty-eight modern-day brave women who understood how to put their faith into action and change history for the good of their families, communities, and in many cases, their nation.

Pastor Jack Hibbs Gets It!

I was thrilled to read in The Christian Post that Pastor Jack Hibbs at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Southern California, one of the bluest and most progressive liberal governed states in the union, is implementing exactly what I’m discussing in this article. He’s not afraid and he refuses to back down and let California be consumed by the anti-Christ spirit that’s been ruling my birth state for far too long. Pastor Hibbs’ church is conducting a “Comeback California Tour” that seeks to equip churches legally and effectively to get involved in the political process ahead of the November general election.

“For several months, I would say at least … four, five months, we’ve been putting our plan together, actual details, inviting the churches where we’re actually stopping, talking to the pastors,” Gina Gleason, who leads the church’s Real Impact ministry that’s devoted to equipping churches “to stand for righteousness in the public square,” told The Christian Post. Churches will also be able “to obtain voter and church-compliant election resources” and interact with local candidates.

“California is at a crossroads, urgently needing the Church’s influence to reverse the moral decline and stand in the gap for our children, families and communities,” the website states. The events are an effort to “unite Christians to bring the values of Scripture and the light of Christ to our state, helping us rebuild and restore our communities,” it adds. 

The “Comeback California Tour” is part of a broader effort by the California megachurch to get churches involved in the political sphere.

That’s what I’m talking about! God created culture to be intertwined with the church. God created politics. Satan is using another lie to separate the Gospel and politics, which aren’t exclusive of each other. They’re dependent on each other. Many people still labor under the lie that the Constitution sets them apart but the Constitution and Bill of Rights were based on the Bible. Only man has tried to separate them. God established the law in the very beginning of time!

I believe the coming election in November will determine whether America experiences God’s grace or judgement. Freedom or Marxism. I believe He’s looking to see how many good men and women there are in the church who aren’t afraid to mix the Gospel with government the way it was always meant to be.

A false Christianity says we’re not to take politics into the church and Christ into government. There’s a mantel on believer’s today just as there was on Elisha, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, all the Old Testament Prophets, Deborah, Esther, Daniel, Joseph, David, John the Baptist, the disciples, and of course, Jesus Christ to witness to all people everywhere whether in church or the public square, “Thus sayeth the Lord. . .”

Jesus didn’t solely preach the Gospel. He covered all of life including sex, marriage, family, gender, lying, finances, health, work, business, children, babies, prodigals, adultery, sin, government . . . everything!

As Christians, we must be part of God’s solution to our nation’s problems, not cower as a silent majority letting our country be destroyed as our failed legacy to our children and grandchildren. We have a moral and spiritual obligation to speak out against evil and share the truth. Would we have been silent about slavery as so much of the church is silent about murdering babies or mutilating children?

What gospel are we preaching when we let evil prevail? Silence actually enables evil. We’re complicit with evil when we do nothing. Because we know who God is, we need to care who the President of our country is because he or she will determine if we’re a country under God or under Satan! Morals or evils will rule in our land!

You can be sure the other side is not going to stay silent. They’re going to get involved in the spiritual and political battle. I know what side I’m on and how I’ll be involved promoting good versus evil in this election, which will determine if we remain a free republic. Please pray for God to lead and guide you where He wants you to go and what action He wants you to take. If we don’t do something together, we’ll lose this nation we love and want to pass on to the next generations.

 O my people, listen to my instructions.
    Open your ears to what I am saying,
2     for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
3     stories we have heard and known,    stories our ancestors handed down to us.
4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
    we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
    about his power and his mighty wonders.
5 For he issued his laws to Jacob;
    he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
    to teach them to their children,
6 so the next generation might know them—
    even the children not yet born—
    and they in turn will teach their own children.
7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
    not forgetting his glorious miracles
    and obeying his commands.
8 Then they will not be like their ancestors—
    stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
    refusing to give their hearts to God. Ps. 78:1-8 NLT

I hope you’ll listen to this short interview with Jason Yates of My Faith Votes and Eric Metaxas author of Letter to the American Church and the movie by the same name. Check out My Faith Votes to see how you might get involved in your state and the free video series Think Biblically for your small group, Bible study, or Sunday school class.

After finishing this blog, I read the article by Mark Gerson: “The Solution to Woke Insanity Can Be Found in an Unexpected Source. Moses and Joseph both needed to be publically truthful and that’s what woke insanity also needs.” I didn’t want to make my article any longer by quoting this excellent article, but please take the time to hit on the link and read it. God just confirmed to me that my blog today was exactly the one I was supposed to write to you. Take your time. Read them both and then pray about what you’ve read.

Please leave a comment here and I will reply.

August 12, 2024
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When Did Normal Become Weird?

8

On June 3, 2024, I wrote a Monday Morning Blog, “Revenge of the Normies.” I’ll try not to repeat myself here, but if you haven’t read that blog, or even if you have, check it out. In that blog, I reviewed what used to be a normal view of life in America, regardless of what political or spiritual side of the aisle you championed.

Borders protected from illegal entry. Marriage was the Bible’s definition between a woman and a man. God respected in a country whose motto on money is “In God We Trust.” People hired and promoted based on ability and merit, not skin color, gender, or woke ideology. Gender determined at birth as male or female and only those with mental derangement issues thought differently. Most people accepted a universal definition of moral ethics, values, laws, and justice. Family admired and cherished. Masculine men worked to provide for their families. Doctors took an oath to heal and not intentionally destroy or harm patients. The Creator was worshipped and NOT His creation. Public lewdness and obscenity was illegal and laws protected children from exposure to it. 

Men wearing women’s clothing trying to imitate or even become women, invading women’s private areas, and competing in women’s sports was “weird” and abnormal.  Flaunting perverse sexual practices in public, not to mention teaching in schools, meant incarceration. Thinking you could change your identity or pronouns by just saying you felt like another gender meant a session with a psychologist, instead of being acceptable and tolerable.  All things woke would’ve been super weird in a once “normal” world!

I could go on, but you get it.

I’ve watched the shift from what sane people consider normal now being deemed weird by political and liberal ideologues. Today, it’s the woke left progressive, liberals who are championing as normal what was once universally thought of as weird and in their typical way, calling weird anyone who doesn’t believe in their craziness. They’re literally calling normal weird and weird normal. Good evil and evil good, as they distance themselves from everything historically normal. Name-calling and cancel culture are their go-to weapons.

Hillary called normal conservatives, “deplorables.” Hochul called normal conservatives “clowns.” Evangelicals are labeled as “Christian Nationalist” and an “existential threat.” Conservative parents called domestic terrorists and an existential threat. Those believing in the Bible’s definition of evil and sin are slandered as haters. Or racists.

The mainstream media, the propaganda venue for the left, follows whatever talking points the White House gives them. The White House sends the media cue cards of what to say and all the liberal news stations dutifully say exactly the same cued word of the day. They called JD Vance “weird” 155 times in one day! It’s almost laughable, if it wasn’t so tragic!

The left’s definition of weird is when a Catholic man was able to achieve the American dream by rising out of poverty in spite of a drug-addict mom, join the Marines, graduate from Yale as a lawyer, become an entrepreneur, marry, father three adorable children, become a US Senator, and then join the Republican Presidential ticket as Vice President nominee. Vance succeeded on merit not DEI. But the best the left and media could come up with to disparage him is “weird.”

Glenn Beck says he knows why the left started calling J.D. Vance weird: “JD Vance is from a red state: weirdness number one. JD Vance grew up in white poverty: weirdness number two. He didn’t have white privilege: weirdness number three. And he never gave up or listened to the naysayers: weirdness number four.”

While those on the left often look for handouts over hard work, Vance is the opposite. “Nobody’s holding you back except you and your choices. That’s one of the biggest things that’s weird about JD Vance because either they totally believe it or they know they’re running an evil scam on people all over the world,” Glenn says. “The reason why this is such an important piece of the ‘JD Vance is weird’ momentum, is because a left-wing government wants you to rely on it. It doesn’t want you to believe the future is in your hands.”

Tucker Carlson thinks the left calls Vance weird because he questions the wars and the left loves America to be involved in wars because their donors make money during wartime. Vance calls them out on this. Tucker says, “Everything they say is the opposite of what it means.” I have to agree with that. They also project onto others what they’re actually doing.

I personally think there’s a deeper spiritual reason. They tried calling Speaker Mike Johnson a white Christian Nationalist when he said right from the beginning that he governs from a biblical worldview. The left was outraged calling him an unapologetic Christian! Like Vance, Johnson didn’t let the verbal stones and arrows affect him, never backing down and standing firm for his Christian faith and beliefs.

How and Why Did the Liberals Go Demonic Woke?

I woke up one morning pondering: When did the left become the champions of an evil demonic platform? Was it subtle? Slow? The word they actually use to identify their own demise is “progressive.” Progressively they moved from championing the middle class to defining them as deplorables, clowns, and domestic terrorists as the Dem’s became the party of the elites who look down on the poor peasants in what they call the fly-over states. The once cherished American dream became detestable to them. Normal became weird.

For example, the left believes . . .

  1. Having children is bad for their mythical worship of climate change. Families and marriage are discouraged. A Massachusetts Parentage Act eliminates terms like father and mother.
  2. So that leads to killing babies in the mother’s womb up to the time of birth and even infanticide after. They deceptively call poisoning and tearing babies apart  “women’s reproductive and constitutional rights” or even worse yet “healthcare” brainwashing generations of women to think their wants and desires are more worthy than their child’s life. Planned Parenthood is a huge donor to the Democrat party. 
  3. Planned Parenthood is also the second largest performer of hormonal and surgical gender mutilation of minors.
  4. Power at any cost to the detriment and danger of America as millions of unvetted illegals flood our country taking jobs from Americans, killing, raping, and murdering women and young girls, burdening social and medical services, because the left plans on giving illegals the right to vote.
  5. Removing and stonewalling support to Israel, our ally and God’s chosen people.
  6. Impoverishing millions of Americans with Obama/Biden/Harris inflation and the insane new green deal scam.
  7. They want a woman president but can’t define a woman.
  8. Sympathize and fund Jew-hating pro-Hamas terrorists and activists.
  9. Praise the satanic Olympics opening ceremonies.
  10. In an embarrassingly “white dudes” campaign zoom call, Pete Buttigieg, who with his male partner adopted two children whose birth-mother chose to give them life, said, “Men are more free when women have access to abortion.” More free to do what?

So I began to wonder what kind of mind thinks such an evil agenda is “normal” and good. Through prayer and petitioning God for an answer, He answered. It all became clear to me. They’re people who don’t know God! At the Democrat Convention in 2012 under Obama, they voted to entirely remove God from their platform and precepts. After loud pushback, they quickly added God back in, but seldom over the years do they acknowledge God for fear of offending their Muslim/Atheist /trans/gay constituents and party members. Satan, who prowls around like roaring lion looking for spirits and souls devoid of God to devour and make his own, eagerly filled the God-void.

Now it all made sense to me. I’m not insinuating all liberals are demonic or evil, but I am saying the party platform is demonic and evil and those who develop and support it are blinded and duped by the evil one. Some in the Republican party are without God too, but for the most part their platform champions a conservative agenda based on godly principles, but whoa to them if they also start distancing themselves from God.

Spiritual Blindness

Spiritual blindness is a grievous condition experienced by those who do not believe in God, Jesus Christ, and His Word.

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Rom. 2:8

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. 2 Thess. 2:9-12

Those who reject Christ are lost and spiritually blinded. They are perishing!

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor. 4:3-4

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Rev. 3:17

The root cause of decent into spiritual blindness is clear in the Scriptures: “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” 2 Corinthians 4:4.

Satan revels in scheming against and trapping unbelievers (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:26).

Without God and left to ourselves, we easily succumb to the devil’s schemes. People can become so entrenched in this secular world and its moral darkness that, in the end, God turns them over to spiritual blindness and eternal condemnation. Heartbreaking but true. Romans 1:24-32.

“Just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind.” Rom. 1:28

“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” John 12:40

There’s no doubt we’re in the midst of a spiritual battle not only for the life of our country, but also for the generations to come behind us. It’s a battle of good versus evil and the political parties have picked their sides. I pray that the Republicans do not soften their stand for good and God. Good cannot compromise or unite with evil. Until we have a universal spiritual revival and awakening, we’ll never be united.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

When I’m so angry that I want to throw something at the TV screen or read an article about another evil deed or speech, I know what God wants me to do. He wants me to pray for those who are lost for eternity. Our life here is but a breath, but the choices we make will affect not only this life, but the afterlife. Those who are lost right now will call that “weird” or naive or hate speech, but refusing to accept evil as normal is the foundation of our faith and we must stand strong and never back down from that truth.

We cannot let ourselves get caught up in the mire or worry about the next word they’ll throw at us. You know when all they can come up with is “weird,” they’re desperate. It’s weird to them because they’re blinded to what is good and acceptable to God. They’re lost. That’s not me calling them names, that’s in the words of Jesus Himself and why He came to earth to give everyone a chance to be found and saved.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

While the left sees choice in terms of taking a baby’s life, Jesus says the choice truly is between eternal life or death. Let’s pray the liberal party and those blinded by their policies will awake to choosing life for the unborn and eternal life for themselves. That might seem hopeless when you see their horrible evil antics, but it’s the only hope we have for America to be saved physically and spiritually.

Since you and I don’t care what the world calls us, let’s be super weird and pray for the souls of those only God can save and let’s go one step further and pray they actually share their conversion testimony publically and politically!

“Tolerance is the last virtue of a depraved society. When you have an immoral society that has blatantly, proudly, violated all of the commandments of God, there is one last virtue they insist upon: tolerance for their immorality.” D. James Kennedy

Please listen to this short YouTube message from Pastor Greg Laurie regarding the Paris Olympics blasphemous opening ceremony. Then consider Hal Lindsey’s warning about the significance of “the pale horse” seeming to run on water, up the River Seine in that opening as foreshadowing God’s judgment coming to earth in Revelation 6:8. “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”

Please leave a comment here and I’ll reply.

August 5, 2024
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