God — Page 4 — Woman to Woman Mentoring

How to Celebrate a Peaceful Post-Election COVID Thanksgiving

My heart is heavy as Mayors and Governors in some states make mandates to cancel Thanksgiving. Threatening constituents with fines and even imprisonment if they invite anyone besides the immediate family living in the house and encouraging neighbors to report on each other! Setting an arbitrary number of how many people can enjoy Thanksgiving together . . . and on and on the restrictions go.

As if canceling Thanksgiving, a time when we gather together to give gratitude to God for our many blessings, is going to be a way to eradicate COVID?!

First, it was closing our churches and now closing our homes and cancelling holidays.

This does not sound like the America we ask God to bless.

When I hear of these draconian threatening measures treating adults like children or even criminals, a wave of remorse comes over me. Hundreds of people can gather together with strangers in Walmart, Costco, Grocery stores, and casinos, but don’t you dare have extended family and friends in your home for Thanksgiving fellowship!

I appreciate the common sense message from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to her state in a series of tweets. Here are several quotes from her.

In South Dakota, we won’t stop or discourage you from thanking God and spending time together this Thanksgiving.
I’ll continue to encourage each and every one of you to exercise personal responsibility and make smart choices for yourselves and your loved-ones. As you dig in to enjoy that delicious turkey and stuffing, make sure that everyone in your household is practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands. If someone in your family is in the vulnerable population, take extra precautions to keep them safe.
Smaller gatherings may be smarter this year. Let’s make sure to use common sense when we’re planning our celebrations. If you or someone in your family is sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, it may be best to stay home and join your loved-ones over FaceTime, Skype, or another app. As we learn more about COVID symptoms, it can be hard to keep track of them all, so visit the CDC website to refresh your memory.
Let’s all take the time to remember what Thanksgiving is all about – thanking God for everything that he has blessed us with in our lives. During difficult times, it’s important to be extra thankful for what we have.”

I would add to be mindful of anyone we know who is spending Thanksgiving alone. If possible, take them a meal or have one sent to them. We need each other now more than ever!

Tensions Over Turkey

For those of you, like our family, who are still going to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner together, the election could be as contentious around the table as it is around the country.

During our small group prayer request time, a reoccurring request went something like this: Please help us be a light on Thanksgiving among those with differing political and faith beliefs.

In the fragile aftermath of a volatile contested 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? And isn’t everyone entitled to his or her own political opinion?

Then I grew up!

If you follow me, you know I’m bold about being a born-again Christian. But 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 nonfiction.” Or I’ll say, “I’m a Christian author and speaker.”

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

Is Thanksgiving a Religious Holiday?

That could be an awkward question in some circles.

When I mentioned to a group that I hoped people would set their differences aside on Thanksgiving Day, one response was, “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, God is the answer.

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. But these were days of prayer, not days of feasting.

Yes, Thanksgiving is 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, the moon, the trees, the ability to grow the food, the earth, the waters, the 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 and 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.

Yes, my husband and I have been thinking and praying about all of this and beseeching God to prepare us to be a light in the darkness . . . not ignore 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.

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

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 it could apply to us too if we felt our faith was being tested or put on trial.)

Speak kind words— “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Pr. 16:24 NLT

For your part, maintain peace—“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18

Don’t ask or answer antagonistic questions— “Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.” Pr. 26:17 NLT

Play with any 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

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

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

Listen— “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” Pr. 12:15 NLT

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

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

Say mind prayers continuously.—^“Pray continually.” 1 Thess. 5:17

Have a secret sign or word between you and someone else that signals: Let’s change the subject or move into the other room.—“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” Ecc. 4:9

If you’re hosting—Pray and thank God for each guest. Ask to be a blessing and to share joy. Pray over your home and each chair at the table. Pray before the meal as you normally would; your guests know they’re coming to a Christian home.—“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9

If you’re a guest—As you walk up to the home pray that you’ll be a blessing and that God will stir up the fruit of the Spirit in your heart. If your hosts don’t pray before the meal, ask if you could say a prayer to bless the food. — “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.” Which simply means: you don’t always have to speak Jesus with your words; you can show Jesus with your actions!

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

Past Thanksgiving Blogs

Here are my past Thanksgiving blogs you might enjoy reading. I give thanks for each of you for following these Monday Morning Blogs and I pray you have a joyful, peaceful, healthy, and God-filled Thanksgiving Day.

Acquiring Overshadows Thanksgiving

What Are You Most Thankful For?

Love Your Body During the Holidays

Thanksgiving Tablecloth Idea

In Forsaken God? Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, I share a way to use your tablecloth as a conversation piece and 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 memory-making tablecloth with us this Thanksgiving.

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?

The Thanksgiving following my first breast cancer surgery, I had an idea of a Thankful Tablecloth. I purchased a Thanksgiving themed tablecloth with plenty of white space and a box of wash-resistant colored markers. After Thanksgiving dinner, I brought out the markers and asked everyone—kids included—to find a spot on the tablecloth to write what they were thankful for that year, sign, and date it. We traced handprints for the tiny ones with their name and age.

Today, we have years of thankful messages to read every Thanksgiving and remember the many acts of God’s goodness to us and the people who joined us at the celebration table each year. If we go to someone’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, I ask if I can bring our Thankful Tablecloth and markers.

When I go to be with the Lord, I pray my family will continue bringing out the Thanksgiving Tablecloth as a reminder through the generations of how good God has been to our family and friends.

I’m taking a blog holiday next Monday, but God willing, I’ll be back the first Monday in December.

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

November 23, 2020

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We Prayed. God Blessed Us. Now What?

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

Only God!

This was no coincidence!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What a spirit-filled day from coast to coast!

How Have We Strayed So Far?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 37 “Instruction in Wisdom”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

. . .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amen!

So What Do We Do Now?

We keep on praying!

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

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

Pray for an outpouring of the Spirit on our nation.

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

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

Pray for the coronavirus plague to subside.

Pray for churches to open their doors.

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

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

Nothing is impossible with God.

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

September 28, 2020

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Why Watching Church Online is NOT a Substitute for Attending in Person

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why We Go To Church

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

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

Whew, friends with a jeep rescued me that Sunday.

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

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

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

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

Singing, worshipping, and praying together were missing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 Reasons to Meet in Church Together

1. Fellowship and Relationships

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

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

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

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

2. Celebrating Communion, Worshipping, and Praying Together

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. We Are the Family of God

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Accountability and Mentoring

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

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

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

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

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

5. Setting the Example for Children

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For the American Church he warns:

“Don’t they realize what is happening now in America is exactly what happened to us in communist Russia?? It started with ‘Don’t gather. Don’t sing. Spread apart. Listen to the government.’ Then it quickly turned into full on persecution and the church did not wake up in time.
I am here to beg you to call the church to WAKE UP, STAND FIRM, CONQUER!”

The Rant, a Rave, and a Primal Scream

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

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

August 24, 2020

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Every Life Matters to God!

I am appalled at the latest trend to make it politically and socially offensive to say that all lives matter. I’m even more appalled at how many Christians and pastors have taken up the Black Lives Matter movement mantra, even apologizing for the color of their own skin. That doesn’t help anything. It only exacerbates the division in God’s creation and says that God made a mistake when He chose to make us black, white, brown, yellow or whatever the color of our skin.

I want to preface this article with a point I made in last week’s blog I Only Bend My Knee to Jesus Christ and No Other! My family is diverse in skin color but unified in love. That’s how God wants us all to live in His universal family.

God hates all forms of racism. He cares about every human being because He made everyone in His own image, regardless of race, nationality, political persuasion, or birth status.

It is not racism to accept the way God made you; it is racism to think your skin color makes you more deserving than other skin colors.

All lives matter to God. Any pastor or Christian who renounces that statement is deceived, doesn’t understand the nature of God, or is bending to the liberal progressive social woke agenda that wants to revise and remake Christianity in their own image.

Like these comments by Southern Baptist President J.D. Greear:

“Southern Baptists, we need to say it clearly as a gospel issue: Black lives matter,” Greear said. “Of course black lives matter. Our black brothers and sisters are made in the image of God. Black lives matter because Jesus died for them.”

“And, oh by the way, let’s not respond by saying ‘all lives matter,'” Greear said.

I want to say clearly to Greear: The “gospel issue” is that all lives matter because Jesus died for everyone!

The church must not become so politically correct that they only say what the liberal mob tells them to say but not what God’s Word says.

Many churches and Christians are attempting to be worldly woke and not godly wise.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. 1 Corinthians 3:19 NLT

God Cares About Everyone!

God loves and mourns all the black, brown, and white babies aborted every second. Their lives matter to God and should matter to all who turn a blind eye to their demise. Precious babies are killed before they have a chance to protest their treatment.

Statistics show that more black babies are aborted than are allowed to live! This breaks God’s heart and it should ours too! In 2016, black pastor Mark Burns in an interview bemoaned the fact that “abortion clinics” are “positioned strategically within urban communities” resulting in the abortion of “14 to 15 million black babies.”

Burns additionally explained that “you cannot declare ‘Black lives matter’ when black baby lives don’t matter.”

I would add that you can’t declare black lives matter when blacks are killing each other in Chicago and killing black policemen and there is no outrage! Why not?

Every police officer’s and first responder’s life matters to God!

Every military man and woman’s life matters to God!

Every civilian’s life matters to God!

Every child’s life matters to God!

Every elderly person’s life matters to God!

Even every criminal’s life matters to God because He wants to see all of us in heaven someday with Him.

You can’t name a person God doesn’t care about.

Any follower of Christ who doesn’t believe that God wants the best and cares about everyone, needs to read the Gospels and Epistles in the New Testament.

God confirms to me that I’m on track with the topic of my blog when I see other Christians with a similar message. I encourage you to follow Mario Murillo Ministries. Several days ago, Mario, who is Costa Rican, wrote an article “Christians Repenting for Being White.” Here are a few quotes but follow the link to read the entire article.

Something strange is in the neighborhood: Christians and preachers who have yet to repent before God for a. grieving the Holy Spirit; b. for preaching an artificial Gospel; or c. for their silence on abortion and sexual sin are, instead, repenting for being white.
Shame on these Christians who won’t pray right or repent correctly. What an offense to a heart-broken God Who is trying to save our nation, that you would engage in Pharisaical grandstanding, just to look ‘woke’ in the eyes of those we should never try to impress.
The only force that is able to save America is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The only love that can stop the crushing cycle of oppression and hatred is the love of God. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, now that you realize your need for repenting…for God’s sake, don’t repent for being white, repent for sinning against the Lord.

Repentance and Forgiveness

The only answer to the turbulence in our world is Jesus!

Sin is the root of racism, hatred, and lawlessness and that’s the “mantra” Christians should shout above all the noise. We have the answer. We know the cure!

Fairness and equal rights will never happen without a God-centered worldview. You can’t legislate or demand love of truth, equality, and righteousness.

Only God changes a hardened heart from hatred to hope.

Everyone has sin or omission to repent of, ask forgiveness from, and then choose to do better in the future. That’s what Christianity is all about. Admitting our faults and failures, repenting, and vowing to do better now and in the future.

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

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

What troubles me the most is that the church has been silent during the recent protests and riots. The early days of abolition started in the churches with blacks and whites working together. In the past, we would’ve seen groups of Christians and pastors on the streets not protesting but sharing the gospel, praying with those who are hurting, spreading the love of Jesus to counter the hate and destruction.

Since churches weren’t able to meet during the pandemic lockdowns, is it possible that God wants the churches to get out of their buildings and hit the streets?!

No one is worried about community spread it seems during the protests so churches can be missionaries among the masses. Mentoring, counseling, praying. Maybe they are and we don’t see them, but what a difference it will make if Christians are praying with protesters not chanting woke slogans. Again, it might be happening and if you know about it or participated personally, please let us know.

If you’re looking for affirmation and everyone to like you because of your choice of having a Jesus-eternal vision and not a world-cultural vision, you’re not going to find it. Even Murillo prefaced his article “Let me bid a fond farewell to some of you who will read this. Because after some of you read this, you will not read anything I write, again.”

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19

John 17:6 reminds us “‘I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word,’” Jesus was praying for His disciples.

We are His disciples today. God pulled us out of our worldly ways and gave us a new life in Christ and that’s the message of reconciliation He wants us to share with the world.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:17-19

“For this is how God loved the world: He gavehis one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT

More Thoughts

I want to add some words about Black Lives Matter. It’s a radical movement and organization. I encourage you to go to their website and see if you agree with their purpose and tactics. There are many other ways to affirm our black brothers and sisters without becoming part of a liberal activist, and often violent, “global” movement seeking division and power, not unity and peace. They’re worldly focused not God-centered and that’s always doomed to failure.

We can’t let Satan outwit and take advantage of us by using the manipulation tool of emotions to create a political strategy for power. Run everything by God and Scripture before you get involved.

I also want to share with you a blog from Natasha Crane, 5 Ways Christians are Getting Swept into a Secular Worldview in This Cultural Moment. I’m only going to quote a small part here, but I encourage you to read the entire article.

“Christians, we need to open our eyes to a very important fact: research shows that those committed to a biblical worldview are now a minority. This means that if everyone around you is jumping on a bandwagon of some kind, there’s a really good chance it’s not a bandwagon rooted in values consistent with a biblical worldview.

“Maybe that’s not the case in a given situation, but you won’t know unless you take the time to thoughtfully evaluate what’s going on and determine if this is a bandwagon a Christian should be on. If you don’t, you may unintentionally be espousing the values of a worldview in significant conflict with your own.

“How do we do a better job of being mindful of this?

“Carefully read statements of belief on the sites of organizations you support and promote. For example, before you champion the organization Black Lives Matter, be sure to read the statement of beliefs on their site (these reach far wider than a statement of black equality—their support for abortion, desire to “disrupt” the traditional family structure, and call to erase all gender lines are just a few of many concerns here).

“Before you donate, look at public financial statements to see where funds are being used. An organization’s statement of belief might be broad enough to not raise a red flag, but where the money goes speaks volumes.

“Don’t use hashtags until you understand where they originated, what they represent to the people who created them, and what they (likely) communicate to those around you.”

Continued . . .

June 15, 2020

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

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. ²Then 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. ³So all these officials^[^b^] came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
⁴Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! ⁵When 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. ⁶Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
⁷So 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.
⁸But some of the astrologers^[^e^] went to the king and informed on the Jews. ⁹They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! ¹⁰You 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. ¹¹That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. ¹²But 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,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and 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!

²²This righteousness is given through faith in^[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, [black or white]²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and 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?”

³⁷Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[a] ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] ⁴⁰All 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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Family, Faith, and Science

The Coronavirus has imposed restrictions on most of the world. Our normal life abruptly came to a halt. Some people are “sheltering in place” others are quarantined. A few cities are in “lockdown.” Schools and businesses are closed. Many are working from home.

We’re all practicing social distancing.

The goal is to stop the spread of this unseen enemy. For the most part, citizens are cooperating because no one wants to get sick or spread the virus to someone else.

We’re coming together against a common foe by staying apart!

So how does this new crisis in our culture connect family, faith, and science and how can these three segments of our life unify us? Let’s look at each one.

Family

Before this virus disrupted our everyday life, families often started their day with each person going their separate way. The kids were hurriedly hustled off to school, preschool, or daycare, and mom and dad rushed off to work or the day’s activities. Afternoons were filled with chauffeuring kids to sports, quick dinner with whoever happened to be home to eat it, homework, and individually burrowing into electronic devices. Eventually, everyone fell into bed to get up the next morning and start all over again.

Then one day everything came to a screeching halt! The entire family became sequestered at home together all day, everyday! Forced to spend time together talking, eating, entertaining each other . . . maybe taking family relationships and dynamics to a deeper level. Cocooning!

What a perfect time for a Sabbath of the soul for the whole family when there’s no place to go, no outside distractions, just you and your family.

Here are some activities to do together during this family time. . .

Play games or start jigsaw puzzles
Eat meals
Pray
Watch church online
Do a Bible study
Watch family appropriate movies
Cook
Work on household projects as a family
Skype, Facetime, Zoom with extended family
Give each other space when needed
Make memories
Help in your community

Don’t waste this unexpected season. You may never have the opportunity for this kind of uninterrupted family time again.

As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Faith

“The American people want hope!” President Donald Trump

Another word for faith is hope. Heb. 11:1 reminds us “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” We don’t know what’s going to happen, but we trust that God knows and we put our trust in him. He is our hope.

Without hope, the people perish. They lose their will to go on or they act recklessly out of fear.

I know what it feels like to lack hope. I’m typically a very hopeful person, but when I was recovering from kidney surgery, I couldn’t see an end to my pain. It seemed like every day was as bad as the day before. I couldn’t tap into hope that I would ever feel better, even though the doctors said that I would, but it might take a while. Until then, I would have to endure the pain.

I cried! I needed hope! I wanted hope! Now!

How a Word Can Change Your Life, mine for 2017 was hope.

Then one day a church member, whose ministry was sending get-well cards and gifts, gave me a mug with the word “HOPE” on it. She had no idea how much I needed that reassurance, but God did. Every time I drink my morning coffee from that cup, I’m reminded that God is always my source of hope. Things will get better, but I need to be patient and not lose my hope in God.

That’s where our country is today. Our President wants to give us a cup of hope when he speaks to the nation. Where would we be if everyday he told us that nothing was going to get better and there is no medication on the horizon?

We would be a depressed, desperate people. Many have criticized the President for offering the American people hope, but that’s exactly what we need to hear.

For now, we hunker down and go through a difficult time, but hope is on the way and things will get better. President Trump said when he declared March 15, 2020 a day of prayer for the coronavirus that “No problem is too big for God!”

If you haven’t read the entire declaration, please read it now.

That’s faith! That’s hope! That’s the same faith and hope we must have today and everyday!

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

³We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3

Science

We have scientists in our family and I understand that scientists typically look at results of studies and statistics to project outcomes. When we watch the Coronavirus Task Force press conferences, there can be tension between the members telling us how things could get better and scientists cautioning that we don’t have all the data to prove it.

But I don’t believe we’re seeing faith versus science. It’s faith having confidence in science and scientists appreciating that we have faith in them to find an answer, a solution, to our crisis. We praise God for the knowledge, wisdom, and gifts He’s given them. These scientists are working around the clock to find a cure to help those who have the virus and a vaccine to eradicate it completely.

It is with faith that we pray for the medical personnel and scientists. Faith that God will use these professionals in a mighty way. Without our prayers, their work might take years. But as President Trump said in the 3/21/2020 press conference, regarding the innovative use of medicine available now and being considered by scientists to combat the virus:

“It if works it will be a gift from heaven. A gift from God. Pray to God that it does work!”

So families, while we’re home together bonding, not roaming, let’s unite in prayer for all those in the medical field, researchers, the task force, and those who have Coronavirus or any illness.

Pray to our God who knows all, sees all, and loves all of us.

“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
and he rescued them from their distress. Psalm 107:6 (NLT)

“He [God] sees the entire timeline of history at once and asks us to see it with the same certainty. He wants us to live with a sense of his timing.
When we reflect and represent the God who does not panic about anything, we prepare hearts to open to his ways and see from a different perspective. Being still in the presence of the Lord makes his presence much more known.” Chris Tiegreen

Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:7

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut. 31:6

March 23, 2020

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How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God’s Plans for You?

I’m going to be honest with you right up front! I seriously considered taking a mini-vacation from writing this week’s Monday Morning Blog. After all, it’s that confusing time between Christmas and New Year’s when it’s hard to remember what day it is after taking a day off in the middle of the week and many of us might be suffering from the after-Christmas blahs. I know I am.

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family, which I had looked forward to for weeks . . . and then it’s over. We don’t often have a day to relax and spend time with those close to us that we don’t see every day. Of course, as Christians, we have Jesus in our heart year-round!

But I digress. I felt justified in not writing a blog on the last Monday of the year. I rationalized that you would probably be too busy to read it anyway. Then I received the email that changed everything. God nudged me off the couch and back to my office because there might be just one person who needs encouragement in determining what God wants him or her to do in 2020.

Here’s part of the email that motivated me to write this blog. It’s from the Faith Editor at Crosswalk.com where I’m a contributing writer:

“Hi wonderful writers! I just wanted to thank and congratulate you ‘select 6’ writers for pouring your hearts into content that made our top 10 in page view-volume for content that was created in 2019 for our Spiritual Life channel!”

You might remember that last week’s Monday Morning Blog was “When God Surprises You!” My editor’s congratulatory email was a huge surprise to me! To God be the Glory!

The Crosswalk article that placed #3 in the Top 10 viewed for 2019 was How to Know If Your Leap of Faith Is In God’s Will. This article only posted on Crosswalk on October 11, 2019, and yet, it was the third most read article for the entire year in the Faith and Spiritual Life category!

[Tweet “Christians want to know how to determine if we’re in God’s will when we make decisions, decide to follow a dream, make changes in our life . . . take a leap of faith.”]

Christians want to know how to determine if we’re in God’s will when we make decisions, decide to follow a dream, consider changes in our life . . . .

We ask: What am I doing here? What does God want me to do?

In the Crosswalk article, I share the 10 Steps that I went through 25 years ago to determine if it truly was God’s will for me to take a leap of faith and start a Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry. Little did I know then that not only was it God’s will, but He had plans to take the mentoring ministry beyond what I could’ve ever imagined or dreamed.

As 2019 ends, you’re probably thinking about setting goals or resolutions for the coming year. The 10 Steps in my Crosswalk article could help guide you, like they did me, in determining if your plans align with God’s plans for you. God’s will for you.

[Tweet “The 10 Steps in my Crosswalk article could help guide you, like they did me, in determining if your plans align with God’s plans for you. God’s will for you.”]

Maybe you really want to follow God’s calling for your life, but you’re afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. Or you might be fearful of failing or the cost seems too high to take a leap of faith into the unknown.

Let me assure you, if God is in it, He’ll be right beside you giving you the strength and courage to persevere.

[Tweet “Let me assure you, if God is in it, He’ll be right beside you giving you the strength and courage to persevere.”]

I can’t reproduce How to Know If You’re Leap of Faith Is In God’s Will here for copyright reasons, but here’s the link again. Crosswalk put the article into a beautiful slide show with pictures you’ll identify with for both men and women. The 10 faith steps in this article come from Scripture. God speaks to each of us through His Word.

[Tweet “God speaks to each of us through His Word.”]

I’m looking forward to hearing in the New Year the leaps of faith God confirms He wants you to take. I pray my Monday Morning Blogs will encourage you in your journey. We’re all sojourners together following the Lord’s leading to do His work on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, please give me the strength to take a leap of faith and go where you call me to go and do what you ask me to do. My trust is in You alone. Empower me to align my plans with Your plans for me and to give You the glory for what You will do in and through me.

“True success in your life comes not in knowing the will of God, but in doing it.” –O.S. Hawkins The Believer’s Code

^“For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” John 6:38 NLT

I wish you a blessed joyful New Year, not just on January 1, 2020, but everyday with every breath.

December 30, 2019

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When God Surprises You!

I love it when God reminds me how many good people there are in the world when it seems the negative ones are vying for all the attention and recognition.

On Saturday morning, I spent over an hour on the phone with an Amazon account representative who was kind, helpful, and patient. When he did eventually solve the issue, I exclaimed, “Bless you!”

As we were saying goodbye, I wished him a Merry Christmas. He chuckled, which is often the response I receive when the other person isn’t quite sure what to say back to me. So you can imagine my surprise when he wished me and my family a very Merry Christmas and then the biggest surprise of all . . . he boldly said, “God bless you.”

Quickly overcoming my shock before he hung up, I said, “God bless you too Bill.” By then we were on a first name basis. We chatted a little longer as two fellow believers would do. When we finally said goodbye, I was beaming.

What had been a grueling stressful problem I didn’t want to deal with early on a Saturday morning was God’s way of reassuring me that with all the misrepresentation in the media of Evangelical Christians and many Christians falling away from the Truth in the Bible, God doesn’t want me to lose heart or become discouraged.

He wants me to let my light shine for all to see (or hear) no matter the circumstances. Share God’s love with everyone I meet or talk too. Be a brave, bold believer tempered with love.

I can’t say that’s always me. In another phone call the night before my conversation with Bill, I became frustrated with a customer service manager for another company who repeatedly told me there was nothing he could do about my order after it left the warehouse four weeks ago!!! I lost my temper and hung up on him.

After I cooled down, I felt the Holy Spirit asking me how Christian was I in that call? I wasn’t a good representative at all. I was justifiably upset with his lack of concern and his companies poor handling of my order, but my response wasn’t appropriate either. My packages still aren’t going to get here before Christmas.

God surprised the world when He sent His Son Jesus to earth as a baby 2019 years ago, and we don’t know when He is coming back. It’s a surprise! Maybe while you’re reading this post. I hope you’re ready. But are the people God is putting in your and my path ready? That should be our burden.

This is the season

To share the reason

The Thompson’s are in love

With their Savior above.

There once was a time

We thought we were fine.

No help did we need.

In control, ‘Yes indeed!’

The world had our mind,

And we were blind.

We knew God and His Son

But we were on the run.

Jobs, money, and things

Is what made our hearts sing.

But enough was never enough

And stuff was still just stuff.

Nothing filled the hole

We each felt in our soul.

Times of hopeless tears

For all the lost years.

What was the meaning of it all?

Was life only about survival?

What would happen when we died?

What legacy did we provide?

Why were we here?

Was it just a career?

What was our purpose?

Why had God made us?

Our answer was so near;

The Christmas story made clear.

Blinders falling from our eyes.

Each of us with changed lives.

Jesus came unto the earth

So we might have a rebirth.

A forgiveness gift that’s free.

Just fall on bended knee.

Ask Jesus into your heart,

That is where you start.

Admit you’ve made mistakes,

That’s all it takes.

Those of you who know this joy,

Coming from One Baby Boy,

Remember it is only fair,

That you now also share.

The Good News is what we tell,

And oh we know it very well.

It’s in the Bible on your shelves,

Jesus saves us from ourselves.

A familiar story over 2000 years old;

And you must be so very bold.

Proclaim the timeless reason

For this blessed CHRISTmas season!

Janet Thompson 12/1/2000

Picture by Sean Ferigan@seanferiganphotography

December 23, 2019

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My Thanksgiving Prayer for You!

Many of you read my blog regularly, though we’ve never met, and others I know quite well or we’ve had the opportunity to meet and fellowship together. But I want you to know that when I write this Monday Morning Blog, my monthly newsletter, or any of my books, you are on my mind. I’m wondering what you’re thinking about world events, what’s happening in your life, and how I can encourage you with the Word of God and my words.

Often you tell me that a particular blog or book was just what you needed at the time, and we both know that it was God using me as His messenger. To God be the glory!

As I read Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I noticed that Chapter 1:3-11, 27-28 in the NIV translation has the heading: Thanksgiving and Prayer. I thought how appropriate to personalize this passage as my Thanksgiving prayer for all of you.

Adapted from Paul’s letter to the Philippians Chapter 1

Thanksgiving Prayer (Adapted from Philippians 1:3-11)

I thank my God every time I remember my family, friends, peeps, neighbors, church family, readers, blog/newsletter followers, brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow authors and speakers . . . .

In my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy for those who partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in and through you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

[Tweet “I always pray with joy for those who partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in and through you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”]

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart whether I am chained to the computer writing the next book, blog, or newsletter, on a plane to a speaking event, or defending and confirming the gospel and mentoring . . . all of you share in God’s grace and ministry with me spiritually, and sometimes physically, through prayer, communication, and social networking. God can testify how I think of all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

[Tweet “Share in God’s grace and ministry with me this Thanksgiving and every day through prayer, communication, and social networking.”]

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best for you, our country, and those you love and cherish, and that you will remain pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

That you will lead, guide, encourage, parent, serve, and mentor others and be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

[Tweet “Lead, guide, encourage, parent, serve, and mentor others, be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”]

Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel (Adapted from Philippians 1:27-28)

[Tweet “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”]

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I know you, or never meet you but only hear about your great work, I will know that we stand firm in one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose us. This is a sign to them that they will face destruction if they oppose God’s ways, but that we will be saved by our faith in Jesus Christ—so says our Lord.

From Janet

[Tweet “This Thanksgiving, and every day, bravely represent Christ to a depraved and fallen world”]

This Thanksgiving, and every day, bravely represent Christ to a depraved and fallen world so that because of your living courageously as a woman of faith and sharing the Good News of Jesus, more people will be saved than lost (“destroyed”) when Christ returns.

I thank God in remembrance of each of you.

About His Work with you,

Janet

You can sign up for my monthly online newsletter or weekly blog on my website.

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

*This blog is an update of a 2017 prayer.

*Picture from clip art

Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith available on Amazon and signed by Janet at our website.

November 25, 2019

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Rejection Tests Our Courage

Rejection cuts like a knife, straight to the heart of our self-confidence and self-worth. Many of us can remember feeling insecure in high school, desperately wanting to be popular and accepted. Many girls who feel rejected or unloved by their dads also feel unlovable and don’t value their own dignity or respect their bodies. If Daddy doesn’t love them, then who will? They might turn to self-destruction or settling for less than they deserve because of their hunger for love from a man.

Other women rejected or dismissed by a male decide all men are bad and try to find solace in promiscuity or even same-sex relationships, to no avail.

A sinful life never soothes a hurting heart.

[Tweet “A sinful life never soothes a hurting heart.”]

Rejection comes in many forms—not just from men. Jobs. Parents. Children. Schools. Relationships. Friendships. Sports. Publishers. Auditions. Contests. Infertility. You weren’t selected, accepted, loved, or good enough.

Rejection can seem like failure and a justification to quit. Or we can view rejection as an opportunity to put our brave on and try again.

Life is often unfair. Sometimes others exclude us or treat us unjustly. We find ourselves in circumstances we can’t control or change. Rejection hurts and we’re angry, maybe even with God. We think God has rejected us when he doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want or expect.

[Tweet “God is our only sure source of strength and courage to rally and carry on with confidence and composure.”]

But soon we realize God is our only sure source of strength and courage to rally and carry on with confidence and composure. Even when we don’t feel his presence, our faith assures us of the truth that we are never alone. God has promised never to leave or forsake us, even when others fail us or abandon us.

So we pick ourselves up and bravely move forward, choosing to not let rejection define us or retaliation confine us.

Rejection or Curiosity?

Other times what we perceive as rejection is just curiosity. Maybe we’re a little different from others and they’re just trying to figure us out. Sometimes we can overcome our feelings of inferiority or insecurity by reaching out to others, even when it isn’t comfortable. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s always worth a try.

When my husband and I moved from Orange County, California, to the rural mountains of Idaho, I felt scrutinized and rejected. I was from California. I dressed differently. I’m an author and speaker, not a canner or camper. We came from a mega-church to a small church and I didn’t always know the old hymns, but I learned them. I didn’t “pack.” In short, I wasn’t a mountain woman and probably never will become one.

I felt perceived stares and disapproval, but I was here to stay, so I tried not to read into what might be behind the once-overs and whispers. I reached out, smiled, hugged, participated, talked, made new friends, and loved on them. I still don’t pack or make jelly or can, but I’ve met people who take me as I am.

I love one-time game show host Wink Martindale’s quote: “Rejection is just another point of view.”

God Won’t Reject You!

[Tweet “Remember, when others reject you, God accepts you.”]

Remember, when others reject you, God accepts you. Rejection says more about the other person than it does about you.

Rejection doesn’t define you; it refines you.

[Tweet “Rejection doesn’t define you; it refines you.”]

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:20

What lessons has God taught you through actual or perceived rejection?

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

Everyday Brave is available on Amazon, Christianbook.com, BarnesandNoble.com and signed at my website.

September 30, 2019

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How to Celebrate a Peaceful Post-Election COVID Thanksgiving

Tensions Over Turkey

Past Thanksgiving Blogs

We Prayed. God Blessed Us. Now What?

How Have We Strayed So Far?

So What Do We Do Now?

Why Watching Church Online is NOT a Substitute for Attending in Person

Why We Go To Church

5 Reasons to Meet in Church Together

Every Life Matters to God!

God Cares About Everyone!

Repentance and Forgiveness

More Thoughts

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

God created one race—the human race!

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

How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God’s Plans for You?

When God Surprises You!

My Thanksgiving Prayer for You!

Thanksgiving Prayer (Adapted from Philippians 1:3-11)