Category Archives: Christianity

Do Not Be Silent

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Acts 5

I am going to do something some of you might not appreciate. I am going to take a verse out of context. But I promise you, I am doing this believing that, although the words were said to a specific group of people, the principle is demonstrated throughout Scripture.

Peter and John were put in prison for telling people about Jesus. The powers that be were intent on stopping them, but wanted to tread lightly for fear of the Jews. One man stood up and said:

Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. (5:38b-39)

We just had an election and the Democratic platform, I believe of human origin, failed. The killing of babies as their focus, sexual deviant behavior championed, and their candidate voicing what the platform promotes when she publicly and joyfully said to a Christian, “I think you are at the wrong rally,” and had him escorted out of the venue. The party made it clear that God, the Bible, and Christians, have no place in their government – and their government failed.

I am absolutely NOT saying the Republican Party is pure and stands for God. But I know millions of Christians stormed the gates of Heaven and prayed that God would have mercy on this nation, that He would defeat Satan at the polls, and give us another chance to repent, turn from our wicked ways, and return to one nation under God.

The answer to those prayers is a second Trump presidency and a Republican controlled House and Senate.

But, Christian, don’t think for a minute the battle is won. It’s not over. We have work to do. A lot of work to do. We have seen that the Republican Party is open to listening to our voices.

God gave YOU another chance to make your voice heard. Your voice is heard by how you spend your money – Starbucks? Disney? What is your voice saying when you support companies such as these?

Your voice is heard when you volunteer or support pregnancy centers, when you attend school board meetings and hold them accountable. When you get involved in your community government, or run for state office, or maybe a national office.

Your voice is heard when you write your governors, your senators and congressmen. Please write. And keep writing.

And pray. Pray every day for the direction of your communities and our nation. Stop listening to the voices of evil and recognize the voice of God. Then obey.

Because if we sit back and allow non-Christian Republicans to fashion our government it will be of human origin – and it will fail!

Your voice was heard on Tuesday. This is not the time to go silent.

Why Do You Believe It?

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John 20

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years. They saw the evidence that what Jesus said was true. They asked questions. They listened. They watched. Up to and including the crucification their belief was still in progress. Then He died.

That Sunday they heard the tomb was empty. Rather than simply taking someone’s word for it, Peter and John ran to the tomb to see it for themselves. The tomb was empty! They walked inside and looked around. They knew for certain the body of Jesus was not in that tomb.

But what did it mean?

They went back to their friends and discussed it among themselves. So they were together when Jesus appeared to them alive and well. It was then their belief turned into cement. A personal encounter with the risen Savior changed everything. They were able to hold on to the truth for the rest of their lives, based on what they had seen, and heard, and believed.

People don’t often take the time to question, or listen, or watch for evidence these days before they believe something. They base their beliefs on what is posted on social media and on news outlets with an agenda. They believe what they are told to believe without giving it much thought.

Case in point: the Democratic party. Yes, I am going political here the day before this important election. It concerns me the Democrats are simply voting for the person they are told to vote for.

They willingly gave up their constitutional right to choose a candidate through debates, and campaigns, and a primary vote. They didn’t ask questions, didn’t listen to the meaningless rhetoric of the candidate forced on them, and they refuse to observe the tangible evidence that she is a threat to freedom. Most Democrats can’t tell you what she stands for, what her accomplishments are, or what issues she supports that align with their own informed convictions.

But they will vote for her because they are told to hate her opponent.

Now, before you accuse me of the same, let me just say I know Trump can be a jerk. I know he talks like an adolescent sometimes. I know he’s not a poster child for morality. But I have done my research and can tell you his stand on abortion lines up more closely with mine, his stand on illegal immigration and open borders, his stand on energy independence, taxes, importing/exporting, and peace through strength line up more closely with mine. And his position on religious freedom, the constitution of the US, and free speech line up with my own beliefs much more closely than the Democrat candidate’s.

But it’s not just in the political arena where people don’t ask questions, listen, or watch. The Church is full of lazy, gullible, mindless people who believe what they are told to believe. They let the preacher read the Bible for them. They let the songs dictate their worship. They close their eyes to the evidence of false teaching and simply believe what they are told to believe.

You and I might believe differently on some things. But unless our beliefs are based on our own research, asking questions, listening with the intent to learn, and taking time to look at the evidence, what we believe is meaningless. Maybe even dangerous.

The disciples spent their whole lives sharing what they knew to be true because they had done the research. They spent time with Jesus, listening, questioning, observing. They knew that what they believed as a result of the years of research was the TRUTH.

So what do you believe? What do you believe about this country and democracy? What do you believe about the Church – your church? What do you believe about life, eternity, sin, grace? And why do you believe what you believe?

What do you believe as a result of your personal time spent asking questions, listening, and watching. What do you believe as a result of your personal encounter with the risen Savior?

Why do you believe it?

Losing Faith

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Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

I kind of feel bad for the Greek lady. She got on her knees and asked Jesus to help her, and His first was response was – NO! But she didn’t lose her faith. She stayed right there and boldly expressed her faith in Jesus’ ability to heal her daughter.

Is that how I react when God’s answer to my prayers isn’t immediate, when His first response is, NO or WAIT? Let me learn from this non-Jewish believer to hold onto faith no matter what.

God is faithful. Always. So I’m not losing my faith in Him.

Don’t Judge?

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Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37-42

This whole “do not judge” thing is out of control these days, and entirely contrary to what Jesus actually said. He certainly wasn’t saying we shouldn’t call sin sin, or turn a blind eye to sin in ourselves or others. Scripture is pretty clear about that, if you take time to read it.

Jesus wasn’t implying that everyone is entitled to their own truth. Remember, He’s the same One who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one goes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Jesus is THE Truth. Not just one of many truths.

If you read these chapters Jesus is telling us to confront and restore a fellow believer who is sinning. Just don’t be a hypocrite about it. Recognize and confess your own sin before trying to address someone else’s sin.

Jesus didn’t say, “Because you’ve sinned, you have no right to point out someone else’s sin.” In fact, He’s saying that BECAUSE we are sinners saved by grace, we have a responsibility to address the plank in another’s eye.

Pointing out sins according to Scripture isn’t trying to judge them. Their actions judge them. You aren’t the judge. But you are the Judge’s voice, His arms and legs, when you have the ability to be used by Him to restore a sinning brother.

Satan’s interpretation of these verses has made Christians weak and stupid. We should be less concerned about being accused of “judging” and more concerned about being accountable to the Judge. Because one day, we all will face Him. I pray that when we do, we’ll be able to look Him in the eye and say, “I did what you told me.”

You Matter

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Nehemiah 11-12; 1 Chronicles 9

I have to admit I skimmed over many of the names listed here this morning. Yet I know God inspired that list for a reason. None of these men would be remembered otherwise.

They weren’t all priests. None of them were kings. They weren’t prophets or poets. So why are they listed in Scripture, along with the menial jobs some of them had?

I think God wants us to know He sees each of us. We’re not all preachers or presidents. We’re not all soloists or song writers. Most of us aren’t known outside our churches, and many of us serve in ways not even our church family knows.

But all of us are important in the ministry. God wants us to know He sees our obedience – and it matters!

You matter.

So if you hold babies in the nursery so moms and dads can go to worship without distraction, if you pull weeds or clean toilets, God sees. If you sing in the choir, visit shut-ins, send cards, or get on your knees in the privacy of your own home and pray, God sees. What you do matters to God.

You matter.

What If We Obeyed?

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Zechariah 8; Ezra

The temple in Jerusalem was being rebuilt. There was opposition, of course. But the opposition could not stand against the Truth. God’s house would be restored.

The Jews let God call the shots. (now there’s a novel idea). They didn’t go to war against those who wanted to stop the work. There was no mean Twitter exchange. They kept on working and let the Truth do its thing.

In fact, here are the things God told them to do instead of seeking revenge:

“…Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord. (Zechariah 8:16-17)

I wonder what would happen if Trump and Harris obeyed this during tonight’s debate. I wonder how our nation, our churches, our families would fare if we all obeyed.

No, Thank You.

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Ezra 4

When people came and offered to help build the temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, Zerubbabel told them: no, thank you. Even though they claimed to seek God, and would have lightened the load on the Jews (many hands make light work), the people offering their help were not true believers. In fact, Scripture calls them enemies.

Zerubbabel told them they had no part in the building of the temple, and sent them away.

I wish the Church was as protective of the work of the Lord. today It seems we are quick to welcome anyone who knows the password: “I’m a Christian.” But we aren’t necessarily hearing what their lives are telling us.

We welcome the enemy by singing Bethel songs, listening to the likes of Joyce Meier, Andy Stanley, and Joel Osteen. We welcome the enemy when we focus our worship on the band, or focus on the raising of hands and clapping along with the drums. The enemy comes saying the Gospel needs to be relevant to a changing society, that homosexuals can be pastors, that humans are basically good. The list goes on.

We’ve welcomed the enemy, and think we’re building the Church. Zerubbabel knew that you can’t build anything pleasing to God working shoulder-to-shoulder with the enemy.

When are we going to realize the same?

When the Question is, “Why?”

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Ezekiel 25-29

When God told the prophet about the impending doom for the nations, He not only told them what would happen, who would conquer them, and exactly the sin He was punishing them for, God was very clear about why they were being punished:

“Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.”

Often when people go through hardships one of the first things they ask is, “Why?” “Why me?” “Why now?” “Why this?” The answer is the same as it was in Ezekiel’s day:

Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.

Oh, you may be experiencing discipline over a sin you’ve yet to repent of. Or you might be suffering because of a choice you have made; maybe a choice someone else has made. But in it all, God wants you to see Him.

God longs for you to come to Him. He died so you can be saved. Your suffering doesn’t go unnoticed by an absent God. He is there in the midst of it, revealing Himself, drawing you to His saving grace.

So the next time you are tempted to ask, “Why?” open your Bible. See God. Hear Him say exactly what you need to hear through the words He inspired to be written to you. Then submit to God with all your heart. Your situation might not change. But you will discover that all things will work for your good if you love Him, and are answering His call.

Weird

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Ezekiel 3-4; Jeremiah 27-28

The label “weird” is being thrown out a lot lately in the political arena. No one likes to be thought of as weird. It’s a term that is intended to make you think something is wrong with you. That you don’t fit it. That you should be ashamed.

When I read about the Old Testament prophets, I have to think many were considered “weird” by the people around them. I mean, making a model of the city, putting a frying pan up as a barrier, then lying beside it on your side for a year and a half is weird. Going around with a yoke around your neck is weird. Reading God’s Word aloud in a public setting, then tying a rock to it and throwing it into the water is weird.

Elijah, Elisha, all the way up to the last Old Testament prophet, John the Baptist were all kind of weird. But their weirdness was obedience to God to point people to the truth. God revealed Himself in dramatic fashion through the obedience of these precious weird-os.

So what do people see when they look at you? Do they see someone who looks and acts just like a non-believer? Do they see someone who fits in, plays it safe, doesn’t stand out as a child of God?

Or are you weird because you are obedient to your Lord? It might seem weird to shine your light in a world that is more comfortable in the dark. But isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?

The world’s definition of “weird” IS WEIRD!

I hope you are weird.

God Refuses to Forgive

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2 Kings 24:4

Jehoiakim was an evil King of Judah. He was so bad that when Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon invaded Jerusalem and slaughtered and imprisoned Jews, Jehoiakim defected and joined the enemy camp.

Now, to his credit, he did change his mind and ended up rebelling against King Nebuchadnezzar. But it was too little, too late. He had shed so much innocent blood, nothing he did – not a change of mind or making better choices – could erase his guilt.

I have to say this verse didn’t sit well with me this morning. It says God refused to forgive him. That didn’t sound like the God I know. While I sat here asking God to make this verse make sense a thought came to mind. “Do you see repentance anywhere here?”

Oh, Jehoiakim changed his mind. He changed his actions. But it doesn’t say he changed his heart. Big difference.

I think there are a lot of people who pray a prayer, start making better choices, give to the poor, volunteer at the hospital, and start going to church who think they are saved. However, without repentance, without a humble change of heart, there is no salvation.

Listen to what Scripture says about that:

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. (Acts 3:19)

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promises as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)

Google what the Bible says about repentance. There are a lot more verses than these that show the necessity of true repentance for salvation.

So here is what I believe God would have us consider today: there are people God refuses to forgive.

You can’t go to God and say, “My bad,” then continue in sin and expect to be forgiven. You can’t change your mind and suddenly be a philanthropist or a member of the church choir and expect God to forgive your sins. He’s very clear.

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:13)

People will see the result of your repentance in your changed lifestyle, attitude, actions. But unless you repent, turn from, submit to God from your heart, your changed lifestyle, attitude, and actions aren’t enough to erase your sins.

Repent. Otherwise God will refuse to forgive.

And I promise you, if and when you do repent, they throw a party in heaven rejoicing over your decision. You are forgiven! Your life will never be the same!