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I Only Bend My Knee to Jesus Christ and No Other!

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In the middle of a pandemic and possible recession, we find ourselves also thrust into a racial war. I’m not going to discuss the merits or faults of a peaceful protest, but violent malicious rioting is wrong. Detestable! Evil!

I mentioned in last week’s blog something I’ve been posting all week, “The rioting has nothing to do with the original frustration over an injustice. Doing wrong to justify another wrong still makes your wrong, wrong!”

There are so many things that alarm me, and I’m sure you too, about what is portrayed about the racial division being stoked in our country.

Bad cops made a bad decision and they will pay the price. But why are the rest of us paying the price?

If this is a racial protest, why are black communities and black businesses being destroyed, looted, robbed, and burned? Why are blacks being killed by blacks?

There’s only one answer to these questions and so many more like them: Satan!

God created one race—the human race!

God gave us the color of our skin. We had no control over that and yet today many Caucasians are bowing down before those who are promoting chaos and mayhem and apologizing for the way God made them. Only Satan could create such an atrocity.

Satan wants to destroy God’s creation of all skin colors because we’re all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

When I watch a Black Lives Matter man create a video of him demanding several times that a young white woman bow down before him and repeat after him that she needs to apologize for being “white privilege,” and she does it, I am revolted.*

Or the video of hundreds of people with their hands in the air in a position of worship repeating a renouncement of white privilege mantra led by someone on a stage. Like followers of a false religion. A cult. *

I wonder how many Christians are in that group thinking they are doing something righteous by kneeling to the culture and the world?!

I have another image in mind when I see these videos and it’s not righteous, it’s evil: Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, Mussolini, or even King Nebuchadnezzar from the Bible.

 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide[a] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 So all these officials[b] came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments,[c] bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

7 So at the sound of the musical instruments,[d] all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8 But some of the astrologers[e] went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted God to protect them when they refused to bow down to the gold statue and if you remember, they walked out of the fiery furnace untouched.

Like these three brave men, we should never take a knee or bow to anything or anyone except our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Otherwise, we’re not only renouncing our heritage, the color of our skin, our country—or whatever else they come up with to try and get us on our knees—we are renouncing our God.

Don’t do it; it’s not worth it. Only Jesus Christ deserves our prostration before Him. Everything else is an idol of power, control, manipulation, intimidation, and evil, yes evil.

Because . . .

And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:8-12

Christians of Every Color, Nation, Tribe, People and Language Are United in Christ!

Many of you know that my family has different “skin colors.” When I look at our family pictures, I see a big happy, handsome, smiling, loving family. I see different hair colors. I do not see different skin colors.

When I see my Christian brothers and sisters, I don’t see skin color, I see the family of God!

It is sadly true that racial injustice is a part of our country’s history, which we should as Christians admit and repudiate the sins of the past. Admission demonstrates humility and acknowledgement that wrongs happened, but it does not have to characterize who we are today. Our job is to make a difference in our generation.

No matter what our skin color or heritage, we aren’t defined by what our ancestors did or experienced. We are defined by what we do and who we are now.

Since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, we’re all born into this world as sinners. “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5).

Until we learn a new better way to live, we will keep on sinning. That’s why everyone needs a Savior and to be born again out of our unrighteousness into the righteousness of following Jesus. Not followers of any fringe or woke group that wants you to change for their benefit. Your identity is in Christ alone!

22 This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, [black or white]23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24

As Christians, we live counter-culture! We get ourselves right with God and then we can love on others.

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matt. 22:36-40

Today, politicians, anarchists, and agitators want to keep the old wounds open and look for every opportunity to fester them. It is to their advantage to maintain division and unrest. They have no desire to unite us because then they lose their power and control.

Race isn’t a political issue, it’s a sin issue. It’s not a skin problem, it’s a sin problem.

We’re not dealing with systemic racism, we’re dealing with systemic secularism!

Change won’t happen with a policy change, it happens with a heart change. Hearts transformed by Jesus Christ.

We can’t legislate or demand unity. Only God is the Unifier. It’s our responsibility to continue to love our neighbor as ourself, no matter what their skin color. God’s Golden Rule (Matt. 22:36-40); (Mark 12:30-31).

We defy Satan’s schemes for disunity when we live under God’s plan for unity!

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

I remember the song we sang in Sunday school as a child, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and Yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.

When you don’t embrace your own skin color, you deny who you are in Christ.

When you bow to anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ, you deny God who said I will have no other gods before me.

We must be on our knees in prayer for the civil and spiritual unrest in our world.

Let’s look for ways this week to keep the focus on God and not the works of Satan. That means we need to outshine the divisive voices in the news and many on social media. We need to bring the light of Jesus into the worldly darkness.

Then we will counter evil with good like these pastors who led a praise march singing Waymaker in the streets of Milwaukee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj4IrB3I20s

*You’ll find the woman kneeling and the people reciting the mantra in this news clip.

June 8, 2020
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The Paradox: When I Am Weak Then I Am Strong

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The images we’re watching of rioting, looting, stealing, destruction, and anarchy sweeping across our nation makes me wonder if Satan is actually protesting the reopening of churches and the gathering together of God’s people. Just as states were attempting to open up after a horrific plaque devastated our country, a new wave of terror takes over.

All weekend, I seldom heard any COVID-19 discussion as the country watched with horror the violent attacks on innocent people’s property and businesses that they hoped to open soon. Historic structures burned down or marred. People assaulted. Policemen pelted with rocks and curses.

Rioters acting like vile savages and displaying the worst side of humanity flooded the streets of our nation’s Capitols and large cites in an alarming display of evil.

Only Satan instills in people’s spirit a desire to destroy, vandalize, rob, and spew vileness.

The rioting has nothing to do with the original frustration over an injustice. Doing wrong to justify another wrong still makes your wrong, wrong!

Yet, it’s considered too risky to safely open churches where parishioners strive to encourage each other to be good moral law-abiding citizens and representatives of Jesus Christ.

The Bible reminds us that in this world, we will come face to face with evil but God has provided us a way to endure and pray against Satan.

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

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Eph. 6:10-12, 18

While the rioting and looting was occurring in Minneapolis, the governor there passed out masks but didn’t demand the rioters stay six feet apart or cease rioting, while he warned that opening churches would be a “public health disaster.”

As states begin to slowly open up, there continues to be unreasonable dissension over opening churches. Governor Newsom in California finally relented that churches could open but put out a 12-page list of restrictions. Churches could only allow 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever was less. No singing. No reciting liturgy. Everyone 2 years and older in a mask and on and on it went.

In a liberal won 5-4 ruling, divided on party lines, the Supreme Court refused a request from a California pastor to override Newsom’s harsh restrictions on churches. There’s no question that the Supreme Court has become politicized. I was sure that when this case came in front of them they would have to side unequivocally and unanimously with freedom of religion, but they did not!

Why is there such a disparity and reluctance to let churches safely reopen while other venues are opening and now even riots and protests draw masses of people?

I wonder how many of those opposing churches opening have been to church. When was the last time they stepped inside a church? Do they not have a visual of how churches, especially large churches, have plenty of room to social distance?

Just as Ephesians 6:10-18 expresses, it’s a spiritual battle where Satan is blinding them because he knows the power that comes from people of God uniting. What else could explain the resistance to Church and Christians?

There’s only one force in this world that is against God’s people and that’s Satan. I’m not saying the people opposing churches are Satanists, but he is using them to try to quiet God’s people and just like Moses and Pharaoh, there needs to be a consorted voice persistently and forcefully saying, “Let my people go!”

If you’ve read my past blogs, you know my concern about this issue and I’ve been persistently vocal about it.

How Can We Best Display Our Faith in the Face of Persecution?

As the discussion of opening churches plays out on social media, I’ve watched the antagonistic comments of those who don’t attend church or consider attending church as unnecessary. But one condescending comment caught my attention. This person was against churches and Christians and claimed that only weak people needed church.

I ruminated on what type of person would say something like that not caring if he hurt or offended anyone, but then I appreciated a responding comment that probably baffled the attacker: “You’re right, without Christ I am weak, but it is Christ that makes me strong.”

Instead of defending our position or denying that being a Christian is weak, this person turned the conversation around and left no retort. There was nothing left to say. Maybe the person denouncing Christians felt confirmed that we’re all just weak people looking for “a crutch,” or maybe he was wondering how Christ made us strong.

The Apostle Paul explained how his physical weakness made him spiritually strong because he had to rely on the Lord. And despite protests and government officials ruling against his ministry, even in his “weakness” it’s amazing all the things that Paul was able to accomplish for the Lord! Paul admits that if it weren’t for his physical weakness, he might become overconfident and conceited and take the glory for himself instead of where it belonged with the Lord.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:7-10

I sure feel weak sometimes, don’t you? Especially, during the hardships and inconveniences we’ve all endured the last few months. It’s not always easy to remember that our strength comes from the Lord, especially when we think we can handle everything ourselves or we feel defeated and distressed.

In our weakness, with the Lord’s strength, we can do this!

“That’s the paradox of depending on God: The more you’re weak, the more you depend on him. And the more you depend on God, the stronger you are.” Pastor Rick Warren

Whatever it is God has called you to during this pandemic crisis or the next crisis or just in everyday life, put aside your own agenda and doubts and follow God’s lead and lean into him.

You may look or feel weak, but you can wink and smile because you know that in God’s eyes you’re stronger than you’ve ever been before.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13

June 1, 2020
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Bridging The Great Divide in Politics and Faith

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When I was a young girl, my mom counseled me to never discuss politics or faith, even with family. Especially, not with family!

That was hard for me to understand as a new believer at eleven-years old. Jesus was the most important person in my life and resided in my heart, which meant I wanted to talk about Him ALL the time. How could I, or why would I, monitor what I said about my faith around other people?

My faith was at the center of my life! And anyway, why couldn’t others just ignore what I said if they didn’t want to hear it? But I wanted them to hear it so they could be saved too and ask Jesus into their heart. Why wouldn’t they want to go to heaven and have eternal life? Who could turn that down?

Politics was not that important to me, so that wouldn’t be hard not to talk about; although I watched many uncomfortable political conversations take place around me. It seemed like people had definite opinions and it made them mad if you didn’t agree with them.

Maturity Changes Everything

Then I grew up.

I learned that people often held on tighter to their political beliefs than to their spiritual beliefs. They defend their political party more than they defend Jesus.

The cultural lines, once definitive, began to merge between the two beliefs. Politics started determining what was moral and laws developed that promoted sin, even though the Bible clearly said such actions are immoral. If you defended the Bible’s definition of sin, you were immoral, even hateful.

The civil law no longer cared about God’s laws. It was now acceptable for everyone to do what was right in his or her own eyes and woe to you if you objected. In fact, you were a legalistic religious fanatic and bigot.

Fast forward to today, where politicians try to make laws to forbid and even prosecute those who follow the teachings of the Bible, Christians. The difference between today’s two political parties in many cases is differences over freedom of speech and freedom of religious rights given to us by our political faith-filled founding fathers.

But we need to remember that human rulers often feel threatened by the higher loyalty of those who are committed to God. That’s why they try to silence us, but they can’t silence Jesus in us unless we let them!

Many people profess to be Christians, yet still side with a political party that hates Israel, supports and condones murdering of babies at all stages of birth, legalizes gay marriage, imposes homosexual values on society, tries to deny scientific genders, promotes sexual promiscuity and deviancy, bans God from the public square, tears down crosses and the 10 Commandments, and bases its agenda on liberalism, socialism, and suppressing freedom of religion.

How can a Christian defend this liberal platform?

How did this happen?

I propose because people continued to avoid talking about politics and faith. Christians stayed silent as they watched the world try to silence Jesus, the same Jesus who resides in every believer’s heart. And I ask the same question, I asked as a little girl, “If Jesus is the most important person in your life, how can you stay silent?”

I know it’s not always comfortable, in fact it can be downright unpleasant, to engage someone who has a differing point of view than you do. Somehow, we’ve lost our backbone, our courage, our grit and have taken the easy way out—avoidance and compliance.

We Must Find Our Platform and Use It

Because the lines have blurred between politics and faith, we cannot be silent. We let it happen, now let’s do something about it.

It’s such a blessing to see so many Christian conservatives run for political office to make sure our voice is heard in government decision making and overturning inappropriate laws.

You may be one of those people God has called to take your faith into the political arena. Do not be silenced. Represent us with dignity and honor to God and His glory.

Running for office may not be your calling, but you can support those who do run. Maybe it will be financially or serving on committees or campaigns and voting.

Give believers a voice wherever you have a voice.

You don’t have to run for office or be a minister to make a difference in politics and in faith. Every believer is in full-time service to the Lord. Every believer is a minister. In God’s eyes, there is no great divide between secular and sacred work.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Col. 4:5 NLT

Social media has become a popular platform to take a public and a faith stand. It can be difficult. I don’t recommend getting into arguments or trying to convince people who are belligerent and unkind. But you can post about God-honoring people and policies you believe are good for our country.

I find the best way to deal with people who want to antagonize or harass you is to either ignore them or ask them questions. That’s what Jesus did. Here are just a few of His questions?

  • “Who do people say I am?” Mark 8:27
  • “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Mark 8:29
  • “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Matt 12:10
  • And if you greet your brethren only, what is unusual about that? Do not the unbelievers do the same? Matt 5:47
  • Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan? Matt 6:27
  • Why are you anxious about clothes? Matt 6:28
  • Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye yet fail to perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? Matt 7:2
  • Why did you doubt? Matt 14:31
  • And why do you break the commandments of God for the sake of your tradition? Matt 15:3

Some questions that help me in a faith or political discussion:

  • That’s interesting; tell me why you feel/think that way?
  • What do you believe about _________? (Lets you know where they’re coming from spiritually and/or politically)
  • What do you agree with in your party’s platform? (Instead of trying to convince them that yours is better).
  • Why do you like your candidate? (I find they usually just want to tear down yours, but can’t really tell you why the one they like is better)
  • You’re entitled to your opinions, but I choose to follow the Bible’s teaching. Will you agree to that?

The goal isn’t to try to prove that you’re right, but to get them thinking about why they think the way they do.

Try not to argue and always let Jesus shine through your conversation. You never know when they’ll consider your comment or position. Maybe not now but later.

I’ve become Facebook friends with another author who often has different views than I do and many of her friends are in-your-face liberal. I want to avoid her posts, and yet, I’m drawn to them and to her. She and I have come to a good understanding, and I feel that gradually she’s listening to me and considering what I say.

What has been fun to watch is some of her conservative friends seem to feel like they can comment or agree with me or “like” my comment. Almost, like they have permission to talk and not just be quiet because so many are harshly vocal.

I don’t know if I’m making a difference or not, but every time I overcome the desire to just ignore her posts, I pray about it and feel led to engage.

And that’s the key factor. Pray before you engage in conversation or on social media. It’s so easy for our want-to-be-right ego to take over instead of letting Jesus shine through us.

Who knows, maybe this coronavirus that we’re all experiencing together will help us bridge the great divide in politics and faith that has become a chasm in our society.

In Forsaken God? Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, I wrote:

“Often we see the most growth in our spiritual lives during hard times, when God is growing us spiritually and emotionally. We may think he has forgotten us, but God is good and God is great. He never forgets his promises to his people even though his people often forget their promises to him.”

Chris Tiegreen writes in The One Year Salt & Light Devotional: “Many modern cultures have grown soft with comforts and conveniences so common to us, and most people think something has gone terribly wrong when life gets difficult. But we know better. In the Kingdom of God, at least for now, we can be certain of difficulties. We will need to persevere. The rewards are immensely worthwhile, but the costs are real. Wherever you are facing them in your life today, let your higher calling and the name of Jesus make you ‘heartily’ willing to go on.”

“Every activity offers a platform to love, serve, trust, encourage, comfort, pray, and do the works of God.”

The benefits of serving and speaking up for God are well worth the costs and inconvenience!

This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me. Col. 1:27-28 The Message

April 27, 2020
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Breaking News: Life Isn’t Always Fair!

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Breaking News: Life Isn't Always Fair

“I never thought that this would be easy, but I thought it would be fair,” said [Meghan] Markle. “And that’s the part that’s really hard to reconcile.”

“If things are fair, that completely tracks for me if things are fair,” said Markle. “If I do something wrong I’d be the first one to go, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I would never do that,’ but when people are saying things that are just untrue and they’re being told they’re untrue but they’re allowed to still say them, I don’t know anybody in the world who would feel that that’s OK. And that’s different than just scrutiny. That’s, what would you call that? That’s a different beast. It’s really a different beast.” [Meghan Markle admits she ‘never thought’ royal life ‘would be easy, but I thought it would be fair.’]

This week the news is full of stories about Meghan Markle and her husband Prince Harry leaving the royal life to live as civilians. What struck me the most about their decision was Markle’s comments about fairness.

She also reportedly said in a reply to her British friends telling her before she married Harry that the British tabloids would destroy her life, “And I, very naively — I’m American,” continued Markel. “We don’t have that there . . . .

[Tweet “Tabloids lie and try to destroy people’s lives, so does mainstream media. And they don’t care if it’s fair or true as long as it makes headlines!”]

I would say she definitely was naïve but also forgetful because not only do the American tabloids lie and try to destroy people’s lives, so does mainstream media. And they don’t care if it’s fair or true as long as it makes headlines! She’s right, it is a beast . . . The Beast!

The point of this blog is not to discuss Harry and Meghan’s reasons for their decision, but to point out that expecting life in a fallen world to be fair is terribly naïve of anyone.

[Tweet “As long as Satan, the father of lies, is allowed to be the ruler of the earth there will be unfairness, lies, gossip, and people who want to destroy lives for the fun of it or for political and financial gain.”]

Life should be fair. I wish it was. But as long as Satan, the father of lies, is allowed to be the ruler of the earth there will be unfairness, lies, gossip, and people who want to destroy lives for the fun of it or for political and financial gain.

Oppressors intentionally hurt people from their own lack of self-worth. If they can make you look bad in some distorted way, they think they might look better. It’s a twisted way of thinking and acting, but see it for what it is, evil.

[Tweet “How have we become a society that thrives on tearing down people with words and actions?”]

How have we become a society that thrives on tearing down people with words and actions? There’s little to no civility in the way people talk about others in the media, late night talk shows, politics, or entertainment. Kindness is weakness and meanness is strength in our perverse culture.

What can we do as Christians when life isn’t fair?

  1. Live our lives so that no one has a reason to lie about us, and if they do, their deception will eventually be exposed. They will look the fool.

But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Peter 3:16 NLT

  1. Repay unfairness with kindness.

This will confuse and disarm the aggressor. Don’t match their bad behavior with more bad behavior. Don’t be lured into that trap.

If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Luke 6:29 NLT

  1. Don’t receive negativity or react to it.

It’s hard to do, but ignore falsehoods or mean words said about you. They sting and hurt but don’t let the person saying them receive the satisfaction of knowing they hit their mark.

This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Isa. 56:1 NLT

  1. Don’t take unfairness seriously or dwell on it.

Replaying unjustness over and over in your mind like an old movie gives the incident more power and robs your joy. Cast it off and carry on with the Lord as your strength.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Proverbs 2:6-10 (NIV)

  1. Don’t be unfair or unjust to others or participate in gossip or untruths.

This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Jer. 22:3 NLT

  1. Surround yourself with like-minded people who lift you up and don’t tear you down. 

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

[Tweet “Prepare your children and grandchildren that life isn’t always fair and they will experience injustice, but God is just and trustworthy.”]

Prepare your children and grandchildren that life isn’t always fair and they will experience injustice, but God is just and trustworthy. Make sure they have a relationship with Jesus and not the world.

It’s a mistake today to teach children that everyone wins. Everyone doesn’t win just ask any competing athlete. To try and keep children in safe spaces where they never learn how to confront opposing views or ideas is not good parenting, but teaching them that Jesus is their protector and provider will help them face the inevitable unjust times in their life.

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 118:5-6

[Tweet “”He [God] will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.” Psalm 9:8 NLT”]

“He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.” Psalm 9:8 NLT

January 13, 2020
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Climate Change Won’t Kill You, but Moral Change Will

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Climate change won't kill you but moral change will

Today, many are calling it a “moral obligation” to warn us about climate change before it “kills us.” But these are some of the same people who advocate legalizing immoral change destroying our country. They have no concern for killing babies, every second of every day; in fact, they champion it, but stop eating hamburgers now! That’s their real concern.

[Tweet “When’s the last time you heard a pastor speak on Romans 1:18-32 and speak about the truths of God’s anger toward sin?”]

Our pastor recently spoke on Romans 1:18-32. When’s the last time you heard a pastor speak about the truths of God’s anger toward sin, many of which our culture idolizes and tries to force on us as “tolerant” and acceptable. God is never tolerant or acceptant of sin. Never! I put a link to these verses because I want you to go read them and then think about the moral change happening in our country today.

You can’t study the great Book of Romans without addressing these verses, and yet many churches, pastors, and Christians are not only ignoring them, they’re trying to whitewash them out of the Bible. God’s Words ignored because the world tells us they’re irrelevant and don’t actually apply to a 21st Century culture or even worse that they’re “hate speech!”

[Tweet “God’s Words ignored because the world tells us they’re irrelevant and don’t actually apply to a 21st Century culture or even worse that they’re “hate speech!””]

Many have applauded my last few blogs, and others have said I’m preaching to the choir. Well that’s exactly who I want to reach. I want the “choir” to get out of their safe pews, take off their protective, comfy choir robes, move out of the safety of like-minded people groups, and take a stand for God’s Words and God’s ways before moral change completely envelops our country.

[Tweet “Today the biggest problem facing America is how humans are redefining morality not how humans are changing the climate.”]

Today the biggest problem facing America is how humans are redefining morality, not how humans are changing the climate.

In my blog, 5 Examples of How to Join God in Bringing Good out of Evil, I made the point that everyone knows right from wrong and has a conscience. People who are doing wrong, know that it’s wrong, but they do it anyway for any variety of reasons: greed, power, social pressure, self-gratification.

[Tweet “People who are doing wrong, know that it’s wrong, but they do it anyway for any variety of reasons: greed, power, social pressure, self-gratification.”]

Romans 1:18-23 (NLT) reminds us that every living human being has to acknowledge God. Even those who are so worried about the climate change are looking at the air they breathe, the forests, the water, the animals . . . and so: 19 “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 Forever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.”

So anyone who doesn’t acknowledge God and his ways, leaves himself or herself wide open for Satan to take hold of their mind, will, and actions. They become dark and confused . . . “utter fools” . . . which aptly describes many of the secular population.

[Tweet “Anyone who doesn’t acknowledge God and his ways, leaves himself or herself wide open for Satan to take hold of their mind, will, and actions. They become dark and confused.”]

And don’t we see a flood of dark, confused, “foolish ideas” today. We’re baffled how adults can actually champion with a straight face the absurdity of “the new green deal” with no cows, no planes only trains, every building in America rebuilt and on and on…and if you don’t get on board you’re going to die in 12 years, which was also predicted in 1989, 1999, and will still be “12 years” in 10 years from now! Foolish!

Or foolish talk of Socialism for America. Or defending and lying about an illegal coup to take down a duly elected president. Or an actor who gets away with a sloppy contrived hate hoax. Or rich parents thinking they’ll never get caught cheating their children’s way into college. Foolish! Dark!

[Tweet “How deceived the churches, denominations, pastors, and Christian speakers/authors who are foolishly ignoring Romans 1:24-32 and trying to convince us that these sins aren’t really sin”]

But what about the foolish confused churches, denominations, pastors, and Christian speakers/authors who are foolishly ignoring Romans 1:24-32 and trying to convince us that these sins aren’t really sin. I just read an article “French bishops spokesman calls homosexual relationships ‘something of God’. Here’s what God’s something says about it:

24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God [and the way he created them sexually] he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. . . .Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:24-32 NLT

So what are we to take from these verses that describe the same world today that Paul described in Rome? And almost every family today has one of these issues described in the above verses. God says he doesn’t release people to sin, but if they won’t listen to him, he does withdraw his loving restraint. (Romans 1:24) Like so many claim today, they do have a choice and a right to do what they want, and God will let them make that choice, but He’ll also let them suffer the consequences.

[Tweet “Like so many claim today, everyone has a choice and a right to do what they want, and God will let them make that choice but He’ll also let them suffer the consequences.”]

So does that mean we should give up on them? Absolutely not! But it does mean that we don’t get caught up endorsing what God calls wicked by redefining sin. That’s not helping them. If we say that because we love someone it means their sin is Okay, we’re essentially giving up on them and their eternal salvation.

[Tweet “If we say that because we love someone it means their sin is Okay, we’re essentially giving up on them and their eternal salvation.”]

C.S. Lewis summed it up this way: “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.”

I would add that all who are in Heaven choose it too.

Climate change is nothing compared to eternity in Hell. That’s what kept me on my knees praying for my daughter, and I hope there’s someone you’re staying on your knees for too. Because if you’re truly a Christian, you know that Heaven and Hell are real. Pastor Greg Laurie recently wrote a devotional where he said:

“I want to do everything I can to warn everyone I know so they won’t end up in that horrible place. Tell them about what Christ has done for you. Tell them about the hope of Heaven. Tell them about the forgiveness of sin. And tell them what the repercussions are if they don’t believe. Don’t leave that out. Don’t dilute it. We have the hope of Heaven, but we don’t want anyone to go to Hell.”

But let’s make that clear. “You don’t get to Heaven by living a good life. And you don’t end up in Hell by living a bad life. Heaven is not for good people; Heaven is for forgiven people. Everyone who turns from their sin can go to Heaven. This is why God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us on the cross.”

[Tweet “We’re not helping or showing love to anyone when we condone their sin. And much of what the world endorses, God condemns. “]

This is why we celebrate Easter. This is the message churches should be sharing. We’re not helping or showing love to anyone when we condone their sin. And much of what the world endorses, God condemns. And so should we. When immoral evil is condoned and legalized, as Christians we don’t tolerate it or obey it. We fight it with everything we have in us.

O.S. Hawkins says in his book The Believer’s Code: “Yet the Bible gives clear instructions: we are compelled to disobey civil law when it is in direct opposition to God’s laws.”

[Tweet “Today, you will be called all sorts of horrible names when you don’t go along with immoral laws. But so what?”]

Today, you will be called all sorts of horrible names when you don’t go along with immoral laws. But so what? Jesus said: “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also” (John 15:20).

If we offend with the Gospel, then Glory be to God. Hardships and persecution are all part of a life devoted to Christ.

[Tweet “If we offend with the Gospel, then Glory be to God. Hardships and persecution are all part of a life devoted to Christ.”]

Don’t shy away from calling sin a sin. Even in our own lives. We sin too. Hopefully, not in the ways described in Romans 1:18-32, but in other ways unpleasing to God.

[Tweet “Don’t feel like you have to defend God. He can defend himself. He’s made his presence known to everyone, some just choose to ignore him”]

Don’t feel like you have to defend God. He can defend himself. He’s made his presence known to everyone, some just choose to ignore him. But God is always good in His invitation: His call to everyone is to repent and be saved. Not saved from climate change, but from moral change.

[Tweet “But God is always good in His invitation: His call to everyone is to repent and be saved. Not saved from climate change, but from moral change.”]

John 3:18 says,  “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

It’s not just that someone is a sinner; it’s that he or she rejected God’s solution to moral change in his or her own life.

“God is saying, ‘I love you. I don’t want you to go to Hell. I put My own wrath on my Son, whom I love, so you can be forgiven.’ That rejection of Jesus is what brings judgment. It isn’t going to be a sin question in the final day. It’s going to be a Son question: What did you do with Jesus?” Pastor Greg Laurie

[Tweet “The most loving thing you can do as a church and as Christians is to not give up on someone you know who has rejected Jesus. Climate change is nothing compared to an eternity separated from God.”]

The most loving thing you can do as a church and as a Christian is to not give up on someone you know who has rejected Jesus. Climate change is nothing compared to an eternity separated from God.

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

If you haven’t already read last week’s post, Why You Should See #Unplannedmovie.

If you haven’t seen Unplanned, please go see it and take someone with you. Lives are depending on the truth of the immorality of abortion to be known.

April 8, 2019
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10 Things You Can Do In a World Gone Mad

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__Holy Nectar from a hummingbird and God

Each morning we wake up and thank God for another new day.

10 Things You Can Do in a World Gone Mad

Then we look at the news headlines in disbelief that Satan is getting bolder and more visible. Evil seems to be winning and prevailing in a country founded on Judeo Christian values.

[Tweet “We’ve gone from most people believing in the 10 Commandments as a solid foundation for behavior to a world that’s traded evil for good”]

We’ve gone from most people believing in the 10 Commandments as a basis for behavior to a world that now finds the 10 Commandments offensive and has replaced good with evil. Truth with lies.  Moral with immoral. Like in the days of Judges, everyone does what seems right in their own eyes. There is no recognized central truth. Truth is whatever you want it to be. Your truth is all that matters.

“You can be whatever you want to be,” used to be an encouragement parents gave to their children to follow their dreams. Now it means children are “gender neutral” until “they” determine whatever sex “they” want to be regardless of their scientific biologic sex.

10 Things You Can Do in a World Gone Mad

More Madness

  • Legalized infanticide and late term abortions.
  • Gay marriage.
  • Young children who haven’t even experienced the hormonal changes of puberty are receiving hormones to change their biological sex.
  • Transgender athletes allowed to compete with their new gender identification, even in the Olympics. Yes, that means biological men are competing against biological women.
  • Political leaders stump for Socialism and Communism in America.
  • A freshmen Congresswoman suggests we eliminate air travel, cows, cars, hamburgers, and having children and seasoned legislators support this ludicrous fictional fable.
  • A Congresswoman denounces Israel and Congress doesn’t denounce her.
  • A sixteen-year old high school student is slandered and defamed by the mainstream media and celebrities for standing still and smiling while being harassed because he had participated in a pro-life rally and was wearing a MAGA hat.
  • A celebrity fabricates a hate-crime for greed, fame, and incrimination of supporters of our president, and fools the media with his lies.
  • Celebrity parents pay enormous bribes in a lying fraudulent scam to get their children into prestigious colleges.
  • A Democrat presidential contender encourages smoking marijuana to experience joy and legalizing prostitution.
  • Another inexperienced liberal Democrat throws his hat into the 2020 contenders. The newbie has no platform and his only claim to fame is that he swears a lot, has a DUI, fanaticized about killing children, was part of a hacking group, and can skateboard across a stage.
  • Media outlets no longer present news facts, but instead spew partisan opinions and biased liberal propaganda.
  • Churches of all faiths need armed guards.

I could fill this blog with cultural madness, and as soon as this blog posts, there will be even more shocking headlines.

We live in tumultuous times in the church and in the world. Confusion and fear reigns among newer believers who don’t have a solid foundation in biblical truth to help them discern evil from good, lies from truths, abnormal from normal.

How do you mentor the next generation when it seems we are in the end times?

[Tweet “How do you mentor the next generation when it seems we are in the end times?”]

How do you help young people stand bravely by the Bible when even many churches and pastors are deviating from God’s Word?

[Tweet “How do you help young people stand bravely by the Bible when even many churches and pastors are deviating from God’s Word?”]

Each generation has a predisposition to look at God as the God of the past who doesn’t understand the current culture. That’s why I’m a passionate proponent of mentoring and living out Titus 2:1-6 where spiritually older men and women receive the charge to teach, train, and model the Christian life to the next generation so they won’t be deceived and dissuaded.

Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives. Titus 2:1-6 The Message

To understand the full impact of Titus 2:1-6, we need to read the issues Paul was addressing in the previous verses. It sounds a lot like our world today:

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.—Titus 1:15-16 NIV

[Tweet “There’s a steady increase in crime and decrease in morality in our culture because many believers are failing to take up the Titus 2 mantel”]

Today, we see a steady increase in crime and decrease in morality in our culture because many believers are failing to take up the Titus 2 mantel—one Paul and I call the job description for every Christian man and woman. A consequence of a generation not accepting the charge of Titus 2 is a liberal progressive society aggressively challenging Christianity and long-held truths governing our society for over 2,000 years.

Just as the apostle Paul saw the need for mentors in his day, we desperately need mentors today. Yet, many who should be stepping up to mentor and teach the next generation are falling away from Titus 2 just as quickly as our world is falling away from God.

[Tweet “How do we ordinary Christians make a difference in today’s confused and fallen world?”]

So how do we ordinary Christians make a difference in today’s confused and fallen world? We follow Paul’s teaching to Pastor Titus. As mentors, we speak, teach, and train the truth to the spiritually younger, straight from the Bible.

10 Things You Can Do in a World Gone Made

We read our Bibles and let God’s Word speak, teach, and train the truth to us so we can respond to life’s issues from God’s perspective. Together mentors and mentees learn spiritual wisdom and scriptural principles to help navigate the moral decline of our culture, and in some cases, the foundation of the Christian faith.

Here’s What We Can Do

We can pray for revival.

We can pray for everyone blinded by lack of faith in God!

We can pray for the victims of evil.

We can ask God what He wants His people, to do. What action does He want us to take?

We can share Jesus openly in this urgent time of uncertainty.

We can reassure our children, grandchildren, and mentees that they can make a difference in this world.

We can live as godly role models in a world that has forsaken God.

We can live by the Bible in our personal lives and share the Truth that salvation is free by the grace of God.

We can emphasize that we don’t follow God’s laws because we have to; we follow them because we have Jesus in our heart and they can too.

Here’s What We Can’t Do

We can’t lose hope.

We can’t ignore what’s happening around us.

We can’t live fearfully.

We can’t be silent.

We won’t become relics if we stay relevant.

[Tweet “Jesus didn’t come to conform to the culture; he came to reform the culture.”]

Jesus didn’t come to conform to the culture; he came to reform the culture. Now we’re to go and do likewise. Are you up for it? I pray your answer is “Yes, Lord, Yes. Here am I, use me!”

If you received this blog by email, please leave your comments here.

Here’s a slide show I wrote for Crosswalk.com that also posted today. I encourage you to read it: 10 Powerful Gifts to Pass On to the Next Generation.

March 18, 2019
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What Kind of Person Kills a Newborn Baby?

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My daughter’s birthday was last week, February 26. Since she posted a picture with candles on her cake, I think she’ll be OK with me telling you I gave birth to her forty-six years ago. But like all mothers, when our children have birthdays no matter how old they are, we reminisce about their birth.

Where it took place.

How long or short was our labor?

Hearing our newborn’s first cry.

The nurse laying our precious gift from God on our chest as we kiss his or her cheek.

I remember like it was yesterday. Back then, we didn’t know if we were having a boy or girl, so I still have memories of the doctor holding her up and announcing, “It’s a girl!”

Then the nurse pronounced time of birth at 11:00 AM.

This year, Kim’s birthday fell on the day after Democrats in the US Senate blocked the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would mandate that doctors must try to save the life of a baby born after attempts at abortion.

[Tweet “Democrat endorsed legalized infanticide. Republicans voted in favor of bill to save innocent baby’s lives.”]

All Democrats, except for three, endorsed legalized infanticide: killing an infant. While all Republicans, except for three who didn’t vote, voted in favor of the bill to save innocent baby’s lives.

What Kind of Person Let's Newborn Baby Die?

Without the passage of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, the doctor can legally ask the parents if they want their newborn baby to live or die. If the parent’s give the death sentence to their new baby, the nurse removes the baby and lets this precious creation of God . . . cry or choke to death.

Then the nurse pronounces the time of death.

[Tweet “Doctors can ask parents if they want their newborn baby to live or die.”]

What kind of doctor, who took an oath to save lives, looks at a newborn baby, and asks, “Should we let him or her live or die?

What kind of nurse participates in this barbaric killing?

What kind of mother who gave her baby life, carried her baby in her tummy, went through delivery, and heard her baby’s first cry instructs the doctor to kill her baby?

What kind of Senator knows that this bill has absolutely nothing to do with abortion laws, but everything to do with saving the life of a newborn baby, votes for infanticide?

What kind of “political base” could these Senators be trying to please, who expect them to vote against a  Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,  which would have required that “any health care practitioner present” at the time of a birth “exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.”

What kind of country tolerates infanticide?

What kind of church leader doesn’t denounce infanticide?

My friend Patti Smith asks this same question in her blog Where is the Outrage of Church Leaders and Infanticide?

What kind of Christian does nothing?

Some friends who are speaking out have said they’ve taken a lot of online abuse from Christians who call this a “moral quandary” – and we should not judge others. I suggest they ask their critics, “So do you consider it judgement or a “moral quandary” to try and stop someone from being murdered?”

Then ask: “If abortion wasn’t legal, would you still think it was okay for a woman to have her baby burned, poisoned, or torn apart? Is it a moral quandary for that baby with a beating heart, who feels pain and is trusting his mommy’s tummy is the safest place in this world, to have a chance at life?”

Our job as Christians is to live by God’s ways, not compromise because they’re not popular.

[Tweet “Our job as Christians is to live by God’s ways, not compromise because they’re not popular.”]

Anyone who says they’re a Bible-believing Christian and refuses to take a stand against abortion, late-term abortion, and now infanticide is falling into Satan’s trap: “Did God really say that we shouldn’t kill, inside or outside the womb, His babies made in His image?” Yes, He did.

Christians must fight for the sanctity of life at all ages! With many Democrats threatening Socialism in America, how long will it be before the government decides how long you can live before you become a burden or inconvenience to society?

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act didn’t effect abortion; it was designed to protect the life of a baby that survives abortion. But here’s the fear of the liberal left and why they voted against it. If they agree that a baby is a human when it’s born after a botched abortion, it leads back to the argument that a baby is a human when the abortion was attempted in the womb. The Democrats couldn’t take the chance that the public might start thinking of unborn babies as humans, so they can’t recognize that the born infant is a human!

The Democrat’s rationale: If parents wanted assisted killing of their baby in the womb, they should be allowed to also have assisted murder of the baby if the abortion failed, and horror of all horrors, their baby lived!

We need to keep reminding the public that from the moment of conception in the mother’s womb, each baby has a unique genetic code with its own personal DNA and fingerprint. Scientifically, no one can deny that humanity is not determined on a sliding scale of whether you’re wanted or not wanted. The March for Life theme this year was “Unique from Day One!”

[Tweet “The Democrats couldn’t take the chance that the public might start thinking of unborn babies as humans”]

It’s unimaginable that we’ve arrived at a time in a supposedly civilized society where we’ve reverted to barbaric times when babies were drowned or left on a hillside to die if they weren’t wanted. Or like in the days of the worship of Bael, burned alive.

4 “‘For Israel has forsaken me and turned this valley into a place of wickedness. The people burn incense to foreign gods—idols never before acknowledged by this generation, by their ancestors, or by the kings of Judah. And they have filled this place with the blood of innocent children. 5 They have built pagan shrines to Baal, and there they burn their sons as sacrifices to Baal. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing!” Jeremiah 19:4-5 NLT

When I visited with my daughter on her birthday, she said that before going to bed the night before, she had read the final Senate ruling on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. She, like many of us, couldn’t sleep. She kept thinking of all the birthday wishes she would receive celebrating her life, while thousands of newborn babies would never see their first day of life because they were unwanted, an inconvenience.

No celebration of his or her life. No funeral. Their coffin a trash can. Nameless. The abortionist was supposed to murder the baby before it was born. Now they’re live human beings left to die, and maybe even dismembered and body parts sold.

What Kind of Person Let's a Newborn Baby Die?

Kim realized she has life because I wanted her and loved her. She has three children that she dearly loves, and her first child was adopted from a teenage mom who didn’t abort but chose to give her baby life and give our family a blessing.

[Tweet “How could a mother who gave birth to her child choose death for that child?”]

It was hard for Kim to reconcile, as it is for any of us mothers, that a woman could give birth and then choose death for her child.

With states like New York passing laws that a baby can be aborted up and through delivery, and now infanticide, the one hope we can cling to is that the public will become outraged and no longer able to ignore the atrocities of abortion.

A civil society doesn’t kill its babies in the womb or in the world.

[Tweet “A civil society doesn’t kill its babies in the womb or in the world.”]

And yet, Abortion is the Leading Cause of Death in 2018 with 41 Million Killed.”

“Globally, just under a quarter of all pregnancies (23 percent) were ended by abortion in 2018, and for every 33 live births, ten infants were aborted. There were more deaths from abortion in 2018 than all deaths from cancer, malaria, HIV/AIDS, smoking, alcohol, and traffic accidents combined.”

Listen to this interview of Ainsley Earhardt with a former abortionist as he describes why he stopped “murdering” other people’s baby boys and girls. You need to hear this. Have a Kleenex ready. Then support the upcoming movie Unplanned in which he plays the part of an abortionist. He’s not an actor, but who knows better how to portray the horror than someone who has experienced it firsthand.

I encourage you also to listen to an interview with Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act’s, chief sponsor.

Listen to a mother who almost aborted her baby until told by Planned Parenthood practitioners that if her baby was delivered alive, they would break it’s neck!

I hope the interviews and the movie trailer keep you up at night too. I hope you’re asking God what He wants you to do about this travesty. I hope you’re not thinking who are you to make a difference. You are a believer, that’s who you are, and that makes all the difference!

I hope you’re championing for life, because anyone of us could be related to a baby who was left on a cold metal table to die and ended up in a trashcan, maybe torn apart.

What to Do With Your Anger Over Evil

Don’t Just Cry, Do Something!

I’m just a baby, without a voice
Life interrupted by another’s choice
My heart was beating…but now it has ceased
And my precious life didn’t end in peace
I cried and I cried…but to no avail
Couldn’t you hear me? Why did you fail?
To give me a chance to sing my own song
I could have dreamed dreams, but now they are gone
I was a baby…but now I’m no more
Life interrupted by a vote on the floor
But I hold no grudge for the wrong that you’ve done
For I’m now in the arms of Jesus, God’s son
With millions of others, who had the same plea
I’m just a baby…please look out for me.

Merissa Lee Kelley
Feb 28, 2019

“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 139:16

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March 4, 2019
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What a MAGA Hat Means to Me

8

What a MAGA Hat Means to MeI was encouraged reading some of the responses to last week’s blog Don’t Just Cry, Do Something addressing the horrific atrocities of late term abortion being celebrated in New York and the proposed bill in Virginia to allow birthed babies to be killed. I gave 14 suggestions to stopping the murder of innocent babies at any stage of development. People did do something in Virginia and that bill didn’t pass because Republicans have a small lead in the state legislature, but every Democrat voted for it!

But as might be expected, I had followers also unsubscribe.

That’s OK and I expect the same thing this week. But call me an “About His Work” rebel, I cannot be silent. Again, I prayed about what I should write, and yesterday I heard from the Lord loud and clear. I couldn’t take notes fast enough. There’s so much to say on the topic of why the MAGA hats are controversial, but others have already written and spoken many of my thoughts, so I’m going to give you links to check out.

The first one is from a favorite FOX commentator Laura Ingraham, “The Hat that Dare Not Show It’s Brim,” and on the same link, you’ll see an article by Kristin Hawkins “Why I wear a MAGA hat these days (and I didn’t start out as a Trump fan).”

Why Are MAGA Hats Controversial?

Several weeks ago, Covington High School boys, who had just participated in the March for Life in DC, were wrongly slandered and mischaracterized by the media and others who didn’t bother to obtain the facts. The boys were judged and accused of racism simply because they were Christian, Pro-life, and wearing MAGA hats.

I asked the question on Facebook, “I don’t get it? Why are MAGA hats considered racist?” I honestly didn’t make the connection.

I was shocked to hear that some people equate President Trump’s slogan Make America Great Again with going back to the days of slavery?!! Say what? No one except the liberal media, never-Trumpers, and the far left would equate MAGA with the days of slavery. So I thought . . . until some conservatives said they did too?! Where did that thinking come from?

Ah . . . it had to come from listening and believing liberals and biased media who call MAGA hat wearers Nazi’s, misogynists, haters, racists . . . and often vile names. Simply because they support President Trump.

Let’s step back and ask why.

Why? Because Make America Great Again #MAGA was a successful campaign slogan for President Trump, and they don’t want him to win again.

[Tweet “If the left could intimidate and create fear in Trump supporters, they could silence them.”]

So they had to demonize what worked for him. They hate our President for his success and they’re insanely jealous.

If they can intimidate and create fear in Trump supporters, they can silence them. Take away our First Amendment right to free speech by encouraging their followers to shame and harass anyone bold and brave enough to wear a MAGA hat or even use #MAGA.

Whatever slogan President Trump comes up with for 2020, they’ll try to create the same brainwashing, shaming, anti-Trump drama because sadly, it’s working. There’s been very little pushback.

[Tweet “When a party uses bullying tactics, it’s because they’re trying to cover up their own bad motives that they’re projecting onto the opposition.”]

When a party uses those kinds of bullying tactics, it’s because they’re trying to cover up their own bad motives that they’re projecting onto the opposition. What the liberals are doing now is exactly what Nazis did . . . suppress the opposition, silence Christians and conservatives, then subtlety, and strategically, take over.

[Tweet “What liberals are doing is exactly what Nazis did . . . suppress the opposition, silence Christians/conservatives, then subtlety, and strategically, take over.”]

Notice that the Democratic Party has gone so far left, they’re trying to bring to America Marxist socialism where the government controls the people. Suppress successful capitalism and entrepreneurship, the very reason so many people want to come here. What the liberals aren’t saying is the only way to offer all the “freebies” is to tax the people, rich and poor. In Sweden, everyone making over $32,000 a year pays 68% of their income to taxes!!!

But I digress . . . that’s for another blog.

Last week, a restaurant owner said no one wearing a MAGA hat was welcome in his restaurant: “It hasn’t happened yet, but if you come to my restaurant wearing a MAGA cap, you aren’t getting served, same as if you come in wearing a swastika, white hood, or any other symbol of intolerance and hate”.

In his apology, he said his comment was meant to “reject” the anger, hate, and violence he says he associated with the red “Make America Great Again” Then his staff and partners convinced him he was the one showing hate and intolerance and he apologized.

I imagine if you asked him why he had that perception of the MAGA hat and what examples he could give of someone showing anger, hate, and violence wearing one, he wouldn’t be able to come up with any specifics. In fact, he admitted it had never happened to him.

And yet, we’ve seen footage of numerous examples of left-wing Antifa members dressed in black with masked faces beating up people, destroying property, setting fires, breaking windows, damaging business buildings and store fronts, burning cars . . . yes displaying anger, hate, and violence . . .  why aren’t businesses banning and denouncing Antifa?

Why aren’t the mainstream media and Democrats denouncing Antifa? Ah, could it be because they’re doing their dirty work for them.

Here’s what Make America Great Again and a MEGA hat means to me.

  1. We don’t apologize to the rest of the world for being a successful prosperous nation.
  2. We respect and appreciate men and women who protect our safety, both the military and police force.
  3. We respect the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem (like at this Iowa High School Basketball game), the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
  4. We remember our Judeo-Christian roots based on God and the Bible and aren’t afraid to say, “Merry Christmas” and “Jesus loves you.”
  5. We value the sanctity of life and allow every conceived baby the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Where infanticide is a crime.
  6. We protect our borders against those who want to do us harm, while welcoming those who want to enter our country legally and contribute to the American way of life.
  7. Cities don’t protect and harbor illegals with histories of violence and breaking the law.
  8. One party doesn’t encourage their constituents to harass and harm the opposing party.
  9. Freedom of speech is honored for both liberals and conservatives who can have civil debates.
  10. Colleges are intuitions of learning and not liberal indoctrination.
  11. The media and news report proven unbiased facts, not opinions and fabricated stories.
  12. Churches don’t have to have armed guards.
  13. Bibles and God are allowed in schools.
  14. You are gender by birth: male or female.
  15. You can wear a MAGA hat without backlash or fear.

[Tweet “Pres. Trump spoke about Jesus, shared the Gospel, and supported Christians more than any other president in history.”]

President Trump openly speaks about Jesus, shares the Gospel, and supports Christians more than any other president in history.

It’s our job as Christians, whether or not you like President Trump, to counter with the truth against the liberal and media lies. Denounce those who use “racism” over what flavor ice cream our President chooses or color the White House Christmas trees are, while they’re lighting up the World Trade Center monument in pink to celebrate murdering babies.

What A MAGA Hat Means to Me

One of the first orders of business in the Democrat run Congress was an attempt to eliminate “so help me God” when someone testifies in front of Congress. It didn’t pass, but they tried.

Consider that the American people of all races will be the ones held in bondage in an anti-MAGA, Socialist, Democrat controlled government. Is that really the country you want to live in?

[Tweet “Let’s work together to make America not only great again, but always!”]

Let’s work together to make America not only great again, but always!

Here’s the link again to a great article, Why I Wear a MAGA Hat These Days.

I want to hear what MAGA means to you.

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February 4, 2019
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What is Your Holy Adventure? By DiAnn Mills

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Good afternoon! Did you miss my Monday Morning Blog yesterday? I was away this past long weekend for a wonderful holy adventure speaking at the Southern Colorado Women’s Conference held at Calvary Bible Chapel in Alamosa, Colorado. What a wonderful time of sharing with a group of beautiful women as we talked about Remembering God’s Goodness! You might recognize that they picked the topic from my book Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten. 

Dave and I arrived home from this trip Sunday night, and I was happily poured out for the Lord and in need of rest, so it’s a Tuesday Afternoon Blog this week. I hope you’ll enjoy our guest blogger and dear author friend of mine DiAnn Mills’ post today. DiAnn has a new book Burden of Proof releasing today and she’s graciously offered one of you a free book. I’ve loved all of DiAnn’s books, only problem they keep me up too late because I can’t put them down. Just leave a comment on this post to be entered into the drawing to take place this Friday.

Warning: there may not be a Monday Morning Blog next Monday, October 15, or it will be the next day again because  my new book Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith is due on the 15th! Yikes!!! I could use your prayers this week.

What is Your Holy Adventure? By DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills shares about having a Holy Adventure and her new book Burden of Proof.

Do you have a holy adventure that has touched your heart? Has there been a time in your life when all you had left was a fragile strand of faith in God and what you believed was His purpose for your life?

Did you face opposition and have nowhere to turn?

Were the skills needed to accomplish the fear far beyond your grasp?

Did mistakes become the norm and steps forward came with tremendous sacrifice?

Were tears a part of your daily routine?

Did you wrestle with giving up?

[Tweet “As Christians, if you haven’t had the experience of gut-wrenching fear of the future, and closing your eyes to everything but God—trust me, friends, you will.”]

As Christians, if you haven’t had the experience of gut-wrenching fear of the future, putting your trust in God, and closing your eyes to everything but God—trust me, friends, you will.

When I think I might be alone in whatever I’m going through, my thoughts go back to God. Our stories are never unique, and we can always find a biblical character who survived what seemed like the impossible.

[Tweet “Our stories are never unique, and we can always find a biblical character who survived what seemed like the impossible.”]

Abraham: How could he father a nation without a son from Sarah?

Moses: How could he lead his people out of Egypt with a speech problem and wanted for murder?

Joseph: How could he serve God in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and forsaken by his brothers?

David: How could he lead a nation when all he knew was shepherding?

Ruth: How could she find food for her and Naomi when she was a foreigner in a land that resented her?

Deborah: How could she lead soldiers into battle when she was a woman?

Mary: How could a virgin give birth to the Son of God?

Peter: How could he lead the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection when he’d denied Him three times?

Paul: How could he teach others to Jesus when he’d condoned the deaths and imprisonment of believers?

You and I: How can we follow Christ in a world that scoffs and persecutes Christians?

When facing the challenges of life, how can we move forward?

[Tweet “God is with us and for us. He knows the past, the present, and the future. With him all things are possible.”]

The answer is always the same. God is with us and for us. He knows the past, the present, and the future. With him all things are possible.

Psalm 27:1 ESV

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 41:13 ESV

For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.”

Our challenges in life are holy adventures, precious to God. Treasure them, grow from them, and never forget our God Who is in charge.

[Tweet “Our challenges in life are holy adventures, precious to God.”]

Let’s share our holy adventures? What is yours?

Remember DiAnn is offering one free copy of her new book Burden of Proof. Just make a comment below to enter the drawing.

If you received this blog by email, leave a comment here.

DiAnn Mills gives us a holy Adventure in her new book Burden of Proof.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com

October 9, 2018
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Christians Arise!

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As many of you know, I have a new book releasing on February 9, 2016, Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten. In the book, I talk about how the Lord put this book on my heart nine years ago, and as I watch world events unfold, I understand why God waited for this book to release now. We’re all watching the outcome of a world that has forgotten God. While the culture tries to politicize moral issues, nothing will ever out trump God’s Word; but all of us will suffer the consequences of those who try to do just that.

I worry the most about the future of those who do not believe in Jesus, and the next generation, my grandchildren. Let me share with you a post I put on Facebook the morning after the horrendous attacks in Paris by Islamic terrorists this past Friday:

My grandkids knew nothing about the Paris attacks yesterday, but when I told them today was mommy and daddy’s 17th anniversary, 10 yr old Katelyn said: “They were married 3 yrs before The attack.” She meant 9/11. So many adults have become complacent and forgotten something we all said we would  NEVER forget . . . a horrendous atrocity/tragedy on American soil. Yet Katelyn is marking personal history by it.

Then the kids went on to talk about ISIS and a rap song about Sandy Hook. That’s the world our children and grandchildren are growing up in as “normal.”

What are we doing to make this world safer for them? I am daily reminded of the timeliness of my Feb. release “Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten.” May we never forget but be forever vigilant and never rest until everyone we know, knows Jesus as their personal Savior!

[Tweet “This is our time as Christians to arise and tell the world about the hope that lives within us”]

This is our time as Christians to arise and tell the world about the hope that lives within us . . . just like we did after 9/11 . . . but not like the complacency that followed when everyone went back to “life as normal.” I have a chapter in my book Dear God, They Say It’s Cancer that talks about “‘Normal’ Isn’t Normal Anymore.” There’s no going back to “normal” after cancer or terrorists attacks. Terrorism may never be completely eliminated: that’s the new normal in our world today. And yet, much of the energy and effort of our government and culture focuses more on eliminating God than the evil’s of terrorism. Yet, without God, evil reigns.

[Tweet “Without God, the only thing left is evil.”]

But we Christians know the truth and we need to arise in unity and speak out, step out, and reach out as fast as we can to everyone in our sphere of influence who doesn’t know the Lord. We must not be reacting in anxiety and fear like the rest of the world, but tell others about the origin of our peace, Jesus Christ! Being a Christian isn’t just about our own salvation and maturity in Christ, it’s about the Great Commission that every Christian is called on to go and tell the Good News to a lost world.

[Tweet “Being a Christian isn’t just about our own salvation and maturity in Christ, it’s about the Great Commission that every Christian is called on to go and tell the Good News to a lost world. “]

Remember all the good God has done in your life and share that with someone today. Their eternal life depends on it!

Here’s the proposed back back cover of Forsaken God?. Does it challenge you?

Our morally deteriorating culture has forgotten God’s goodness to its own peril. Will the next generation even know God? The very survival of the Christian faith depends on creating a culture of God-memories that must start now!

Today’s culture is quickly forgetting the goodness and power of God. The Bible describes the potential destruction through all generations to people who forget God. The dangers are paramount. If we don’t remember what God already has done, we won’t believe what he is capable of doing in the future. Memory builds faith.

“Forsaken God?” explores biblical examples of forgetting God as God repeatedly pleads for his people to remember his mighty acts and deeds. As you read this captivating book, you will have an opportunity to recall your own memories of God and learn new ways to remember God’s goodness and the power of sharing those memories with the next generation. The author and other contributors share open and honest stories of forgetting God’s goodness and offer ways that help them to remember.

“’Forsaken God?’ isn’t a book propagating guilt, it is a how-to manual showing us practical as well as spiritual ways to restore the romance in our relationship with the Almighty.”
—Anita Agers Brooks, inspirational business/life coach, international speaker, and award-winning author of Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over and First Hired, Last Fired

“Thank you, Janet, for giving us what we need: not another self-help book, but a well-timed reminder of profound truth: God is good.”
—Jocelyn Green, author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives

I hope you will help me get the word out about this book written to mobilize Christians and the church who might have . . .

You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.–Revelation 2:4-5, 3:3

Forsaken God? is available right now for pre-orders on Amazon! There isn’t a picture yet of the cover on Amazon, but I’m excited to reveal the cover to you as we have just finalized it after much prayer.

ForsakenGodfina (2)

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November 16, 2015
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