Where is the Outrage?

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:7

An Open Letter to President Obama

Dear President Obama,

After the attack on our American consulate in Benghazi, whereby four Americans were killed, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and ten others were injured, you erroneously blamed the attack on a poorly produced, anti-Muslim video. At a reported cost of $70,000.00 to American taxpayers, you authorized and starred in a television advertisement, to be aired overseas, to denounce the film. In this government sanctioned ad, you shared how you reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Hillary Clinton added that America rejects the anti-religious content and message of the video.

We have since learned that the anti-Muslim video was not the cause of this murderous, terrorist attack. But be that as it may, you did get one thing right: there is no place for hate-filled, anti-religious rhetoric in America. So as a result, I have a question for you Mr. President…

Where’s the outrage of this effort to denigrate Christian religious beliefs?

Or this one…

These movies mock God, His Holy Word the Bible, Christians, and the Church of Jesus Christ. Seriously Mr. President, this is all okay with you? Is it not within your power to scrape together another $70,000.00 and make a commercial for Americans outlining how these types of movies are denigrating and hurtful? The fact remains that you could merely share your outrage (if you have any) at your next press conference or public appearance.

Would you at least do that? 

And just so we’re clear Mr. President, I am not suggesting you take away our First Amendment right to free speech (Heaven forbid), but rather you share with this nation what it means to be tolerant of all religions. Honestly Mr. President, the message you are sending is that you only care for the Muslim religion. Is it because American Christians are typically peace-loving and we don’t react to the mocking of our ‘God and faith‘ by burning buildings and killing people? Do you assume because American Christians are not radically destructive, that these videos are acceptable?

Mr. President, it’s time for you to step up to the plate and be a leader. America is a nation of many religions and it is shameful that you only respect the beliefs of a small portion of our citizens. Your lack of leadership, represented by you silence on the issue, is both troublesome and appalling.

Mr. President, we are eagerly waiting for a change.

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

Sincerely,

David Wells — Christ follower, and tolerant American

These articles may or may not be related:

• Brokaw on IRS Scandal: ‘Welcome to the Second Term, Mr. President’ (newsbusters.org)
• Mr. President (jvr3.com)
• I’ll answer your question Mr. President (chuck-thompson.com)
• Chuck Todd Rips Dems’ Lack Of Outrage Over IRS: Scandal Has ‘More Legs Politically’ In 2014 Than Benghazi (mediaite.com)
• Mr. President, Hey Dude (apologies to The Beatles) (gointohellblog.wordpress.com)
• The Sinister Truth About Obama And Islam (personalliberty.com)
• The Black Flag of Islam already Flies on top of the White House (counterjihadreport.com)
• The IRS Scandal, the AP Scandal, and the Benghazi Scandal: Mr. President, Where Does the Buck Stop? (blackchristiannews.com)
• Enemedia strikes again! (atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com)
• The worst Islamophobes (iranaware.com)

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Pray and Obey

“What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:28-29)

It’s been estimated that since Christ’s time on earth, 70 million Christians have been martyred for their faith. Recent statistics reveal that over 100,000 Christians are killed each year. Their crime: faith in Jesus Christ. Some reports say that annual number is closer to 160,000 deaths per year! As for general Christian persecution not necessarily leading to death, it is estimated that currently over 200 million Christians are being persecuted worldwide. That’s 200 million Christians who are routinely subjected to oppression, humiliation, jail, beatings and/or torture.

Again, that’s 200 million!

How should we respond?

I don’t know about you, but I very often feel helpless. My attention has been drawn to the reports of American Christians, arrested in foreign lands. Names like Saeed Abedini, Kenneth Bae, Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh have made our recent headlines, thanks primarily to a select few media sources, such as Fox News.

Why would God allow this to continue?

The answer to that question has too many facets for us to count. In a sad way (and in one small aspect), I see these arrests and the media attention they are receiving, as a good thing, in that the eye’s of American Christians are being opened to the horror. Is this a tiny portion of God’s plan? It very well could be, although I would not be dogmatic about it. The reality is that many of us have heard the outrageous statistics, but at the end of the day they are just numbers on a piece of paper and we do nothing. So in a sense, Saeed Abedini and Kenneth Bae have become the face for Christian persecution — essentially they are the poster boys for the 200 million tyrannized Christ-followers, worldwide.

Now that you know, what will you do?

I submit to you that God has a purpose for each of us in this, and that the directive behind the purpose is unveiled, at least in part, in these two Bible passages:

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

“We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

To simplify…

Pray and  Obey

As a first response to any situation, prayer is our course of action. Frankly, it is the best thing we can do. God, through prayer, does many incredible things, but the fact that God changes us when we pray could perhaps be the most significant factor. Don’t believe God changes us? Then try praying sincerely for your enemies or for the needy or praying thanksgiving over the blessings you already have, and watch how God changes you. The truth of the matter is that in our earnest prayers, God reveals the next step we are to take. It might be a baby step or it might be a grand leap, but whatever it is, He shares the maneuver with us. In contrast, if we do not pray, we probably will not hear.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

We need to know that our prayer, at least as it pertains to how God wants to change us, is often rendered powerless, unless it is our intention to obey whatever we learn from God in those prayers. In actuality, we might want to include that talking-point in our prayer, for as we know it is not an uncommon thing for our Spirit to be willing, but our flesh to be weak. It has been my experience that if the Lord detects any insincerity in this regard, He likely guides us to address our submission issues, while putting the other items we presented on hold. Not always, but remember, our Father is a God of order, not chaos.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Practicality 

What God says to you may not be the same thing He says to me. It could be, but I believe the Father takes our individual needs into account, in order that the changes He makes in us are most appropriate for us. That makes sense, doesn’t it? Let us also keep in mind that these changes in us are for His glory, not ours.

For example, when I began to pray for the persecuted church, God’s initial response to me was that these prayers needed to be an everyday, consistent practice of mine. The Lord then moved me to share the dire situation with others so they would pray. I’ve got to be honest with you — I was waiting for God to say to join some cause, or financially support some persecution ministry, such as Voice of the Martyrs. He still might! I am willing, but that’s not the direction God is nudging me, today.

One substantial thing He has led me to do is to exercise my liberty as a US citizen — to share the Gospel more boldly and passionately. It seems to me, and I could be wrong, that God would not have reached me with this change He desired to make, unless I had been praying for the persecuted church and the likes of Pastor Saeed Abedini and Kenneth Bae. All that is to say, God is faithful.

I don’t know firsthand what the Lord is doing on behalf of Saeed and Kenneth, and the millions of nameless Christians whose plight we bring before the throne each day, but I know God’s way is the best way and that He will get His glory in each situation. My prayer is that you will be encouraged to pray for the persecuted church and  all things, with an attitude of submission to God’s will.

Expect to hear from the Lord and be prepared to obey.

These articles may or may not be related:

• Pray For Pastor Saeed Abedini (vineoflife.net)
• Saeed Abedini- American Prisoner in Iran (lightingthegate.wordpress.com)
• God of Change, God of Same (mypathtowalk.com)
• Stand Up! (trawlingsblog.wordpress.com)
• Praying Heaven Down | Pastor Eric Dykstra, The Crossing Church, Elk River, MN (pastorericdykstra.com)
• The Power of Prayer (kswpgoodfriends.wordpress.com)
• Victory in Jesus (whatthebiblesaysdoctrine.wordpress.com)
• Intentional Discipleship: Building Endurance (3 Steps of Maturity) (calltoprayerministriesblog.org)
• Brian Lee’s Prayer for the Government (matthewtuininga.wordpress.com)
• The Lord is Near (completeinhim.org)

If you enjoyed the post please like it, share it, comment on it, or subscribe to the blog. God bless you.

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It’s About Time

Jim Elliot, (October 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956) was an evangelical Christian who was one of five missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize the Waodani people of Ecuador. He once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” 

So profound.

Jim Elliot wound up being murdered by the very same people he was attempting to share the Gospel with. After his death, and the deaths of fellow missionaries, their wives returned to these jungles and continued the Lord’s mission. As a result, the tribesmen responsible for the murders received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Time

When I read Jim’s quote today, the Holy Spirit moved me to consider time. The first thing that crossed my mind is the obvious — it is something we spend regardless if we desire to or not. Time is not a thing that can be hoarded, for it is constantly being taken away. Despite the world’s claims to the contrary, we cannot keep it or save one bit of it. As we reckon and reason with time, the most effective thing we can do with it is first recognize its true owner.

Is it my time, is it the boss’s, is it the spouse’s or the family’s, or is it all really just God’s time?

I believe it is this recognition that will ultimately determine the eternal worth of the time we inescapably spend. We’re going to give it whether we want to or not, so should we not capitulate wisely? Before it flies, can we not determine its direction and course?  More accurately, should we not submit to the direction and course our Father wants it to go?

We should submit, and for at least two very good reasons: it pleases the Owner and He is taking notes. In light of how Jesus Christ spent His time on the cross, spending our time wisely is our reasonable service.

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

These articles may or may not be related:

• God’s Love and Truth: Breaking Barriers and Penetrating Hearts (imallbooked.com)
• Growing in Knowing the Lord (incontestable.org)
• Meeting a Hero (hollysoutherland.wordpress.com)
• To Hate Is To Love (jacobmsmith.wordpress.com)
• The Hand of God is not Limited to Building Leaders (blessedaaron08.wordpress.com)
• Magog connection to Boston Marathon bombers/Chechnyan region (lynleahz.com)
• The Hidden Giant, Masked in Quiet Strength (jacobmsmith.wordpress.com)
• When You Know Who You Are (afriendofjesus2013.com)
• Today we will be starting our Biblical Studies on the book of Romans, Not Ashamed of the Gospel (whatshotn.wordpress.com)

If you enjoyed the blog, I would be blessed if you liked it, left a comment, shared it with someone else, or subscribed to the blog. God bless you today!

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New Jersey Malls and Your Freedom of Speech

“Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.  A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 24:3-6)

In my last blog I shared how Mark Cahill, a full-time evangelist, and Christian author and teacher, encouraged me to step it up a notch in regard to sharing my faith more conversationally. As a result I found myself heading off to the local mall with Bible, testimony, and tracts in hand. Long story short, (you can read yesterday’s blog here), it was an incredible blessing from the Lord.

Anyway, when I had listened to Mark speak, he had shared how New Jersey was one of only 3 states that allowed free speech in the mall. By that he meant that shopping malls are technically private property and therefore in most cases, they have the right to say what can or cannot be shared on their property, but New Jersey (praise be to God), was the exception to the rule!

Give That to Me in Writing

I suppose it’s the ex-cop in me, but I wanted to see the law. So I dropped Mark an email. He didn’t have the citation on hand, but he directed me to the Christian Law Association (CLA). As per their website, “CLA provides free legal assistance to Bible-believing churches and Christians who are experiencing difficulty in practicing their religious faith because of governmental regulation, intrusion, or prohibition in one form or another.” I wasn’t having any difficulties; I just had a question about the law and glory to God, they answered my question in less than 24 hours!

Here’s the response I received from CLA and I wanted to share it with you.  I hope you find it helpful — especially if you’re a Christian living in Jersey.

Here it is:

“Thank you for contacting the Christian Law Association regarding your right to witness and distribute literature in shopping malls in New Jersey.  Only a few states have declared shopping malls to be a “traditional public forum” permitting free speech rights.  New Jersey is one of those few states.  This means that in New Jersey, your free speech rights are protected in shopping malls as well as in private universities and hallways in residential buildings.  (See State v. Schmid, 423 A.2d 615, 631 – 633 (N.J. 1980); Guttenberg Taxpayers & Rentpayers Ass’n v. Galaxy Towers Condominium Ass’n, 688 A.2d 156 (N.J. Super. Ct. Ch. Div. 1996), aff’d, 688 A.2d 108 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1996).

Please note that in most states no free speech activities are allowed in shopping malls without permission of the owner.  The law in most states categorizes malls as private property and permission must be obtained before conducting any witnessing activities.  This includes getting permission to place leaflets on cars parked in a store’s private parking lot.

Federal courts have held that the right of private property owners to control activities on their property outweighs the right of free speech.  This will likely continue to be the case with respect to privately owned businesses and their parking lot areas in states who have not declared shopping malls to be a “traditional public forum”.

 That’s great news (for New Jersey), isn’t it? I also found this little blurb about our ‘first amendment rights and NJ malls’ from a website called the First Amendment Center.

Question: Do individuals have First Amendment rights on others’ private property?

Answer: Generally no. The Bill of Rights provides protection for individual liberty from actions by government officials. This is called the state-action doctrine. Private property is not government-owned. Restrictions on individuals’ free-speech rights on private property do not involve state action.

However, a few states have interpreted their own state constitutions to provide even greater free-speech protection than the federal Constitution offers. For example, the New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that individuals have free-speech rights at privately owned shopping malls. Most state supreme courts that have examined the issue have disagreed. In April 2002, the Iowa Supreme Court refused to extend its definition of public property to include large, privately owned shopping malls.

Here’s what I found…

I went to the mall yesterday without any of this data, and freely witnessed to a bunch of people and handed out Bible tracts. I passed several security guards (or they passed me) and they seemed quite indifferent to what I was doing. The truth be told, they probably had no idea what I was doing because I wasn’t just handing out Bible tracts willy-nilly, but was engaging folks in one-on-one conversations. The good news (pun intended) is that I could have stood there and handed out Bible tracts willy-nilly, because the NJ Supreme Court has ruled in favor of that issue as long as we don’t block  stores, and/or impede the general flow of traffic (which of course is a reminder to be good stewards of this privilege). I was excited to learn that we can do the same thing on college campuses!

Final Admonition

I hope you found this information to be as enlightening and encouraging as I did, but you might want to take advantage of the situation while the NJ law is still on your side, because I suspect in the not too distant future these laws will be repealed.

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

These articles may or may not relate (this first one does, I don’t think the others do):

• Taking it to the Mall (compassiondave.wordpress.com)
• New Jersey Second Amendment Society Speeches (thelastcivilright.org)
• America’s Best Malls (local.answers.com)
• Commack mall request draws anger from neighbors (newsday.com)
• Christie: Meadowlands mall work to restart soon (newsday.com)

If you enjoyed the blog please share it, like it, subscribe to it, or leave a comment on it.

 

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Embracing Slavery

“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God” Romans 1:1

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Slavery: A Touchy Issue

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Referring to slavery as a touchy issue just might qualify me for the understatement of the year award. Here’s why. When slavery reached its peak in the United States, almost one-third of all southern families owned slaves. The US census of 1860 records that there were almost 4 million slaves in the middle-to-southern states alone. We can assume that the number was actually much higher. The fact is that the majority of African-Americans today are the descendants of captive and enslaved Africans held in the United States from 1619 to 1865. What you might not realize is that slavery still runs rampant in America. Today, there are tens of thousands of people, most often illegal immigrants, working as slaves. They are bought and sold to clean houses, work on farms, or more frequently, to be used in the sex trade. It’s no surprise therefore, when the topic of slavery is raised, most folks are either too appalled to listen, or selectively blind to its existence. Nevertheless, discuss it we must.

Does God Condone Slavery?

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If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing…If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. But if the servant plainly says, ’I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free, ’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever. Exodus 21:2, 4-6

Most pastors I have heard vigorously assert that God does not condone slavery. They muster their position by asserting God has placed parameters regarding certain cultural issues (such as slavery, polygamy, and divorce), not because He found them to be acceptable, but rather that their occurrence was inevitable and therefore He imposed regulations for the practices. I’m okay with that, but I just tend to take a more pragmatic stance, not presuming to know God’s mind on every issue. What we do know for certain is that slavery was already a part of the culture and God was not instituting a new practice, but regulating an old one.

Here’s a reality that very few are willing to talk about: God-governed slavery was a good thing and willing servitude is actually a better thing.

Bond Servants

Welfare, as we know it in the United States, is a temporary solution to terrible problem. At the end of the day, very few folks who enter the welfare program are better off for having done so. However, bond servitude, in accordance with God’s mandates, is a better solution, inasmuch as the master complies with the regulations God has prescribed. If for example, a man finds himself in dire straights, and were able to offer himself to another for work, in exchange for his basic necessities of life, that man could successfully rise above the ranks of poverty, even if he remained under his employer’s roof forever. If you don’t agree, you’re probably struggling with the same thoughts I do — it won’t work because the master will most likely abuse the relationship. History bears witness to this, beginning with the very first slave all the way to present day. Regardless, in a perfect environment, bond slavery works.

Jesus: The Perfect Environment

Look at what Jesus did:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7

Now consider our calling:

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13:15

This is precisely the directive the Apostle Paul was adhering to when he wrote [in Romans 1] that he was in fact a bond servant of Jesus Christ. Paul was proclaiming that he was willingly bound to his master, fully understanding that he was unable to provide for himself that which he essentially needed: redemption, healing, and salvation. The only way these things could be procured (then and now), was by submitting to the authority and power of Jesus Christ. To reject total submission, aka: bond-service, was to reject the Master and the only hope of an everlasting life with Him. For this reason the individual must embrace the biblical doctrine of slavery, lest he die a second death. In Ephesians 6 we see how the relationship works out practically.

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Did you see it? The text admonishes the master to, “Do the same things.” In the real world, sin corrupts this picture, but our Christ is not of this world; He is perfect. Jesus fulfills the obligation, and thus established Himself as the Master Supreme. Jesus made Himself of no reputation and took on the form of a bondservant, perfectly demonstrating obedient submission to the Father, fear of the Lord, sincerity of heart, humility, selflessness, mercy, and grace. Jesus has not asked His disciples (us) to do anything He has not already done Himself.

And the story gets better!

A Picture of Freedom

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:

To some, this is going to sound somewhat bizarre, but bear with me. Consider God’s directive in Exodus 21. In it God says [regarding the slave], “He shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing.” Was that merely a random regulation inserted by God, or was it purposely placed there to paint for us a prophetic picture of things to come? I believe that God never merely said (or says) anything. All His words are purposeful. Therefore, if we’re told to not forget, “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day,” and we know that the earth and universe is 6,000 years old, then that means the 7th day — the day of our freedom, is rapidly approaching. On the 7th day, we will have our Sabbath rest! That my friends is very Good News.

The Bible said it best, but ‘ol Bob Dylan agreed. He wrote and sang, “You’re gonna have to serve somebody, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.” In those lyrics it is clear to see we have a choice and that the choice is black and white. Thank God, because He gave us this freewill. He also blessed all humanity by taking the time to explain the consequences of our choices.

So embrace slavery and choose wisely — Choose Jesus.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

These articles may or may not be related:

• Forgiveness: Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (joequatronejr.wordpress.com)
• Jesus does not go into the Water alone. He takes us with Him. A reflection on the Baptism of the Lord (adw.org)
• True Freedom (tomakechristknown.wordpress.com)
• Slavery Still Exists (eckerd.uloop.com)
• A Shout Out to End Slavery (six11.wordpress.com)
• Rediscovering Slavery (eradica.wordpress.com)
• Slavery Footprint: How many slaves work for me? 32 to be exact (digitalsavior.wordpress.com)
• We Always Serve a Master (briancoatney.com)
• Freed Slaves (studyingtheway.wordpress.com)
• Paul and Slavery (georgedowdell.org)

I am blessed that you took the time to read this blog. I pray that you were somehow blessed as well. If you enjoyed it, please like it, share it, comment on it, or subscribe to it.

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The Solution is Easy — Arm the Children

For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? Psalm 11:2-3

If Our Foundations Are Destroyed

I was searching for a bit of scripture that could best describe America’s moral decay when the 11th Psalm hit me in the face like a hard-thrown, ice-laden snow ball. The passage is prophetic; the enemy has bent the bow, has readied numerous arrows, and is presently engaged in a rapid-fire assault upon those claiming to be innocent, blameless, and pure in heart. We gaze upon the battlefield and wonder, “Why are our children dying?” The answer could not be any clearer — we’re undermining, dissecting, and destroying the foundations, leaving the nominals and the undiscipled unarmed and vulnerable.

Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor (Psalm 12:1-2a)

Godly man, have you ceased?

Probably. Roughly 85 % of the people in this country profess to believe in God, but the casualties make it evident that most are not passing a saving-faith onto their children. The reality is that many of us have fallen in among the scoffers, hiding whatever faith we have behind plastic shields of political correctness and idle chatter. Often times those who have professed Christ are the very ones who have voted to remove Him, and time-honored and truth-based Biblical morality, from the common square, the criminal courts, and the public schoolhouse. Christians, we have no excuse…

You must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

This is Your Wake-up Call

If you’re asleep on the job, the Lord wants to revive you, for your sake, our children’s sake, and for the sake of the unsaved who need some Good News. Come out from your sheltered pantry and stop hoarding that which you have been taught and been assured of. Remove the basket from the light you have freely received. Shore up and stand upon your foundation. Hoist up your child, lest they die a spiritual death. It’s time to act. It’s time to stop giving them everything, but Jesus.  What part of, “Train up a child in the way he should go,” do you not understand? If you do not train and arm your children, the enemy will!

Be Revived!

The plane you’re on is crashing and there is Someone on-board who can level the craft, repair the damage, and make it soar. Stop rejecting His free offer to troubleshoot, tune-up, and overhaul! Stop looking outside the plane, to the world below, for a solution to your airborne problem. Jesus is the answer and He’s right there next to you. Give Him control of the aircraft and receive from Him the owner’s manual. Consider the passengers man! These are your children — if you go down, there’s a good possibility that they’re going down with you. Don’t make the mistake of rejecting revival because you believe you aren’t in need of it. Arise and suit up! The battle rages!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Arm the Kids!

I own a weapon for protection of my home and family, but guns are not the answer — they only address a symptom in a moment in time. While incredibly useful, they are not the solution. We must arm our children with the Truth and lead them in the Way in order to save their lives. Sadly, we cannot undo much of the licentious damage to our country. That updraft we’re all sensing is the result of the Father slowly pulling back His wings of protection from this once great nation. In this light, returning biblical morality to the places it has been stripped away, is a dismal task, but there is a way to ensure our safe passage.  In order to do so, we must resort to furtive measures.

We must equip ourselves and our children in such a manner, that wherever we go, Christ’s light will shine. God cannot be legislated out of a building. As long as there are Christians in our schools, Christ will be in our schools. As long as Jesus is obvious in our children, He will be obvious on the playground. As long as God guides our path, He controls our circumstances. As long as we stand upon strong foundations, we stand eternally safe from the enemies assault. In order to be effective, you must be revived.

Revival is a Choice

We are crossing over to life eternal, so the obedient ones need not fret. We have not been left to flounder aimlessly on the battlefield; our Good Commander has given us our marching orders. Let us take heed to follow them.

“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:1-3, 5-9

~~~

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Related articles

• Revival: The Christians Only Resolution (compassiondave.wordpress.com)
• Rethinking God’s discipline in light of grace (anthonyqmusic.wordpress.com)
• New school, and a new ‘normal’ for Sandy Hook kids – USA TODAY (usatoday.com)
• Teaching, Reproof, Correction, and Training in Righteousness (darkenedglassreflections.wordpress.com)
• Humanity Still Sucks (aurorawatcherak.wordpress.com)
• Teaching is light (dailymedit.wordpress.com)
• How to Walk in the Sound Doctrine of Jesus Christ: Part 5 (theeyesoffaith.wordpress.com)
• The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge (smritidisaac.wordpress.com)
• Do Not Be Afraid! (aviesplace.wordpress.com)
• Ezekiel 18,19; 2 Timothy 3 (66books.wordpress.com)

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Shop at HOBBY LOBBY on January 5th

We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29

As of January 1, Hobby Lobby will be fined $1.3 million per day for not complying with the president’s contraception mandate. Hobby Lobby will defy the federal government, while standing upon their religious beliefs and face huge financial loss as a result.

Hobby Lobby is owned by the Green family, who are Christians. The Greens operate their business in accordance with their faith and their mission statement reads as follows:

Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company…consistent with Biblical principles. 

What Can YOU do?

First we must pray for the Green family. They stand to lose everything, but at the same time they stand to face an eternal reward for their faithfulness. Pray for their boldness, steadfastness, and God’s peace that surpasses understanding. This event is bigger than the Greens, Hobby Lobby, or the federal government. God WILL get His glory here!

Shop!

On this Saturday, January 5th, 2013 go to you local Hobby Lobby and buy something. Let the Greens and the federal government know you stand with those at Hobby Lobby as they stand for Christ Jesus! It’s not about the money, it’s about encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ as they stand for Christ.

Share!

Share this link on Facebook,Twitter, and other social media! In Christian LOVE, we can make a difference. You can do that by clicking those links at the bottom of this page.

Click HERE to find a Hobby Lobby near you!

And Here’s a Coupon! 

Print it out to use on January 5th!

Related articles

• Hobby Lobby Defies Obama Administration with Civil Disobedience for Religious Liberty (breitbart.com)
• Hobby Lobby owners choose civil disobedience (illinoisreview.typepad.com)
• Support Hobby Lobby: Send a Thank You Note to the Green Family (patheos.com)
• Court rules Hobby Lobby must pay for “morning after pill” (kfor.com)
• Hobby Lobby’s Newest Hobby: Affordable Care Act Appeals (blogs.findlaw.com)
• Hobby Lobby raises minimum wage to $10/hr (christianpf.com)
• Some of the People Obamacare Hurts – Hobby Lobby in a Lost America (gregoryccochran.com)
• Hobby Lobby Takes on the Obama Administration and the Federal Government (godfatherpolitics.com)
• Hobby Lobby petitions for Obamacare exception (examiner.com)
• Hobby Lobby Letter (please re-post) (pilgrimpassing.com)

 

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