Commentary

How Much for the Prayer of Salvation? | The American Church Today, Part 2

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Once Upon a Time…*

The sun was just peaking up from the horizon, when Zara lowered the bucket into the well. It was already warm today, so she was glad she had come a little early to gather water. Beads of sweat began to rise on her forehead as she pulled the full bucket up and poured it into her first jar. Some water splashed on her sandal and she found herself remembering a day long ago at the seaside.

It had been a day much like this one, but she and Isaac were newer and thought they had so much to look forward to in life. Zara was so happy to see the Galilee, that she had run right into the waves lapping at the shore. Isaac laughed at her childish heart—and her soaked sandals. But he found a high rock to dry them on and had rubbed a bit of oil on them when they dried, to soften them for her. He is such a kind man, she thought. He still treated her with honor, in spite of the grief she had brought into their marriage.

She lowered the bucket once more, and imagined she could feel the cooling breezes that had made that hot day long ago so bearable. She remembered he had laid down his cloak for her to rest on, while he caught fish to roast for their meal. She laid out a fresh loaf of barley bread, some lentil stew, and half-a-dozen figs from her father’s grove. They enjoyed quite a feast that day.

Remembering their happiness made Zara’s heart feel light. Everything about the day had been so special. How she wished they could restore the hope that once filled their hearts. Instead, their lives had been marked by grief upon grief, and she knew it was her fault. Still, Isaac loved her. A tear landed on her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. “Be strong, Zara,” she chastised herself.

Suddenly a voiced cried out from behind her, a friendly call that interrupted Zara’s daydreaming. She turned around to see her lifelong friend, Eliana, running towards her. “Zara! Zara! I’m so glad to see you here!” Eliana dropped her water jars beside the well and embraced her friend. Eliana’s eyes were bright and a broad smile crossed her face.

“Eliana, how are you? I am so glad to see you.”

“Oh! I am more glad to see you. Zara, I have wonderful news to share!” She held her friend’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. She could see the lingering shadows on her friend’s face, and felt all the more excited to share her good news. “Zara, have you heard that Jesus is coming today?”

“Jesus, the son of Joseph? From Nazareth?”

“Yes! The very one!”

“No, I had not heard.”

“He will be at the seaside this afternoon,” Eliana told her. “He will be there to pray for the sick, Zara.”

“The sick?”

“Yes! The sick are made well, when He prays for them, Zara. Just like that!” Eliana clapped her hands together. “Just like that!”

Zara had heard about Jesus. She had heard of the lame being able to walk, the blind being made to see. Could He…? She was afraid to think He could bring life to her womb. That must surely be too much to ask.

Eliana could see a glimmer of light in her friend’s eye. As if reading her mind, she answered the questions in her heart. “Yes, Zara, He can. I know He can.” Zara almost smile, but the fear of hoping caused her to turn away, She lowered the bucket and asked, “Where will He be?”

“He will be at Galilee.” Eliana took her friends arm and Zara turned back towards her friend, gazing into Eliana’s lively eyes. “Oh, Zara, let’s go. Let’s go see Jesus. It could be your day to receive a touch from the Master. Tell Isaac. I know he and Jacob have spoken about Jesus. I know he believes. We can all go together.” Zara’s heart began to fill with hope.

“I do want to go, Eliana. I really do!”

“Then, let’s hurry home and get ready.” Eliana was drawing her water now. Zara raised her jars to her shoulders. “Let’s meet at the great rock, and travel together. There will be many people, and this way we won’t lose each other in the crowd.”

“But, do you think there will still be tickets, by the time we get there?”

“Eunice told me that’s why He’s coming to the seaside, to allow for many more people to hear Him speak.” She positioned her jars and walked beside Zara. “It is five shekels more to have Him pray for you, but I’m sure Isaac will agree that it is worth the price.”

With every step back to their homes, hope and excitement filled Zara’s heart. Maybe, this really would be her day, the end of her shame and Isaac’s mourning. Oh, how she longed to give him the son he deserved. He was such a good and kind man. How could God continue to deny him a child? She and Eliana parted with a kiss on the cheek, and Zara hurried home to share the good news with Isaac.

“Isaac,” she called. “Isaac!” She saw him at the table and set her jars down. “Isaac, I have some—.” She stopped herself mid-sentence, as she stepped closer to him and could see his purse was poured out across the table. He had been counting his money, over and over. Her tone changed from excitement to concern. “Isaac, what is wrong?”

He looked up at her; weariness covered his face. “We have lost our ox. Phineas gave me the news. The ox died during the night.”

“Oh, Isaac.” She came closer and leaned over him with a gentle embrace.

“We don’t have enough to replace him. I will see what I can sell at the marketplace. Meanwhile, I’m afraid we will have to make due the best we can.”

“Of course. I have plenty of stores to get us through.”

“I thought I would have a happy surprise for you today, but instead I only have this bad news.”

“You are always my happy surprise, Isaac.” She knelt at his feet and rested her head against him.

“This was special, my Zara. Jesus is coming to the Galilee today, and I wanted to take you to see Him.” Zara caught her breath, stopping herself from revealing her disappointment. She forced a smile and looked up at her beloved. “There will be another day to see Jesus, Isaac.”

She turned her face to the floor and closed her eyes, forcing the tears back. Isaac bent down and kissed the top of her head. He had also heard of the miracles Jesus had performed. Hope had been rising in his heart that morning, too, but the news of their ox had once again shattered his dreams. The hope of a child of his own would have to wait. The price was too dear, when they had an ox to buy.

Eliana and Jacob waited for almost an hour at the great rock, but finally went on without their friends. As they were traveling with other neighbors they would learn about Isaac’s ox. Eliana openly cried for Zara and uttered a word of gratitude that she and Jacob were in better circumstances, at least today. At least today, they could afford to see Jesus.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:3 ❤

*This is a work of fiction.

“I Want to Attend a New Testament Church!” | The American Church Today, Part 1

/ SaxophoneWife / 1 Comment

The last time I made this appeal to God, I was utterly frustrated over a situation in my church. It was so hard for me to understand what was happening. Instead of agreement on the objectives and rejoicing in the accomplishments, there was every manner of resentment, stress, opposition, criticism, competitiveness, deceitfulness, narcissism, and misuse of spiritual authority. I was so confused! Didn’t we all want the same thing? It wasn’t good, and I was not doing well. We say hindsight is 20/20, and I will say the Holy Spirit has been giving me eyes to see now what I struggled to see then. I ultimately had to reconcile myself with the fact that there was nothing I could do that would ever win me the grace of these sovereigns. That was a very painful thing for me, still so in bondage to the fear of man. but there came a point where God intervened. It’s just not healthy to want the acceptance or approval of a person who chooses to hurt and curse you.

When God hardened their heart against me1, they did what was most logical for them to do: expel the vermin! I continue to pray for them, but I remain sad for how the church has fallen away from what we think of when we think of the New Testament church.

Yes, we idealize. We forget that the NT Believers met during a time of severe persecution: the threat of death was real. They saw leader after leader tortured. Roman Christians met in catacombs, surrounded by human remains, to avoid being caught. It was illegal for these new Christians to “go to church,” yet, they we’re desperate to be together. 

Church for us today is different. We aren’t so desperate for fellowship that we would risk torture and death. We don’t know desperate. I get letters from guys inside who long for fellowship, Bible teachers, Christian literature, someone to pray with, a Bible, someone to just talk to about God. Most of us can’t relate. We have the luxury of choice. And, I think that has played a big part in the Christian becoming a consumer, the pastor becoming a service provider, and the church becoming a business. What would 1st century Christians have to say about us?

Listen, if you attend a bad church, you should absolutely leave. You don’t need a sign from God. You know as much as I knew, but fear of man or fear of violating your club’s social norms keep you stuck. You think it’s virtuous to tough it out. “No,” you admit, “I’m not being fed there, I’m not growing from the ministry there, but I listen to sermons online and I worship God on my own.” If you need a sign, that’s it. It doesn’t matter if your club has the best music or potlucks, and all your closest friends are members, too. It doesn’t matter if you serve in a high position, or vowed you’d never go. God has nothing to do with any of that! Friend, if you aren’t leaving church well-fed, you’re being slowly starved. Eventually, you’ll lose your appetite for spiritual cuisine all together. You’ll lap up the slop you’re being served and learn to love it. In fact, you’ll soon not be able to tolerate solid food at all. That’s deadly, folks! Run away from any church with a pastor who fails at his only assignment: Jesus said, “Feed My sheep.“ (John 21:17) 

If we want to be in a New Testament church, we need to be New Testament Christians first. We need to be desperate for the presence of God. We need to be desperate for the preaching of God’s Word. Yes, preaching! That means a word from God, a fresh word from Heaven; an anointed presentation of scripture that convicts of sin and leads to spiritual transformation! It’s not recounting illustrations based on TV shows or movies. It’s not retelling another pastor’s sermon. It’s not standing in front of the sheep talking about yourself and all your good works. Don’t stay in those churches! Don’t make excuses for these men or women who carry a title. That is not God’s anointed, Brother or Sister. God’s anointed is as desperate for God as you are and knows they will give account for every word. They preach with fear and trembling, not jokes and personal anecdotes. Any pastor who isn’t spiritually nourishing Christ’s sheep isn’t a shepherd: he is a human trafficker. He doesn’t care about these who are trusting him with their spiritual care. He uses them! He counts his sheep each week, keeping score.

There’s just too much to say.

Christians are in trouble. They need pastors who don’t care about the numbers. They need pastors who care about them, pastors who seek God until they hear from Heaven. They need pastors who don’t answer to the sheep, but to God—they prove that by preaching what the sheep don’t want to hear, and then hold themselves to the same holy standard. I think Christians also need pastors like Moses, willing to weep before God on behalf of the broken, hurting, struggling, and back-sliding.

Is that too much to ask? No.

Folks, it’s time. Jesus is coming for a Bride without spot or wrinkle, and He isn’t kidding. I often think He delays His coming as much for His wrinkled and spotty Bride as He does for the lost. We really do need to repent for being willing to compromise by staying in a church that is compromised. Then, we need to go. Get out fast! If you’re saying, “But, where will I go?” I say, pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to that one He has called to pastor—not the one trying to build an empire or have the coolest club in town. Then, visit churches. Seek God. Get in His Word. Listen to nourishing sermons online2. Reach out to other Christians and fellowship. Pray together. Have Communion together. It’s okay for there to be a time of transition, but you do have to take responsibility for your spiritual life.

Anyway, church is a big topic and I have more to say about it, but I’ll stop here. It’s already a monstrosity, so I’ll be surprised if anyone gets to the end. LOL

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:3

❤

1 To be clear, I wasn’t in this alone, but I do not want to speak for others in my family.
2 www.TSCNYC.org is a good place to find a lot of good, spiritual food.

If President Trump Had Failed

/ SaxophoneWife / 1 Comment

We keep hearing how President Trump failed in his handling of this evil virus, and it’s making me weary.

For starters, the people who judge him the most harshly are the people who most harshly judged his mitigation efforts last Winter. Why aren’t they judging themselves, and their own failure to act? And, why does the media let them get away with it? The media is supposed to hold public voices accountable, yet for the sake of winning this election they remain blind, deaf, and dumb.

What truly galls me, though, is
that people have no imagination.

Frankly, it seems that most humans in politics hardly remember how to be human. They don’t remember that you aren’t supposed to point fingers or make false accusations, and they forget that everyone’s hindsight is 20/20 vision—including the President’s. I’m sure he sees now how wrong he was to every trust the World Health Organization or President Xi. Yet, he made the best decisions he could, and some of his decisions were very good. To suggest he failed in his handling of this global disaster is really to ignore the many things that he got right.

What truly galls me, though, is that people have no imagination. They do not see that if Trump had actually failed, things would look extremely different in our country today. They see the tragedy before us, and imagine what did happen in the United States was the worst case scenario. They imagine that there was a way to stop this evil virus from ever infecting even one person, but that our President “just didn’t care enough.”

Hindsight bias is a real thing, but it’s not a fair thing. We should recognize it and then stop and imagine what really could have happened, if Trump really had failed.

IF TRUMP HAD FAILED

  • If President Trump had “failed,” there would be no cutting edge therapies in hospitals—brand new medications and treatments being approved by the FDA and used in hospitals right now. These therapies wouldn’t exist, and hospitals would still be overrun with virus-sick patients, if President Trump had failed.
  • If President Trump had “failed,” liberal governors would not be criticizing him right now. They would not be publishing books, or plotting their next political campaign. They certainly would not be preparing for an appointment in a possible Biden Administration, either. However, they have the luxury of doing all of the above, because under President Trump’s Administration they were provided with all they needed to empty their hospitals and care for their citizens, so they are not exhausted from nine months of managing a state full of sick people and dead bodies.
  • If President Trump had “failed,” no one would be marching or protesting or rioting or demonstrating or whatever you wanna call it. No one. They would mourning be their dead, or sick in a makeshift hospital.
  • If President Trump had “failed,” at least half of the media that mocks him now would either be a rotting corpse on the outskirts of their city, or a pile of ashes in a mass grave.
  • If President Trump had “failed,” no one would be complaining about wearing (or not wearing) masks outside, because nobody would be going outside. The stench of dead bodies and the daily sanitation spraying would leave the air too noxious for anyone to breathe
  • If President Trump had “failed,” what we saw in Wuhan would have happened in every major city in our country. Citizens would have been locked in their apartment buildings, because there was no hope at all of caring for any of them.
  • If President Trump had “failed,” no one would be talking about the weight they’d gained during the lock-down, because those empty shelves in markets would still be empty. Temporary food rations would have lead to soup kitchens, and we would all be standing in bread lines.
  • If President Trump had “failed,” you would not know you were sick, until it was too late to cure you. Testing wouldn’t be available for the average Joe or Jill—and, certainly not at a drive-thru window. Plus, what would be the advantage of knowing, when hospitals couldn’t even treat you?
  • If President Trump had “failed,” no one would be talking about HCQ, because his deal with Modi for millions of doses would have never happened. HCQ would be the world’s most rare and priceless commodity.
  • If President Trump had “failed,” a deadly killer would still be roaming our streets, threatening our lives with every breath we take. Instead, that beast is being tamed by America’s scientific genius.
  • Finally, if President Trump had “failed,” his wearing or not wearing a mask would be the least of anyone’s concerns. In fact, he probably would be dead.

As I wrote above, in hindsight we all see with 20/20 vision. I’m sure there are things we would have all done differently, if we had known what was ahead of us this year. Personally, 2020 has been a year full of looking backwards, trying to gain some wisdom, and grow from past experiences. Yet, it’s also been a year of looking forward with more clarity than ever.

I hope against hope that Americans will one day look back at 2020 with 20/20 vision.

I wish our politicians and media bosses would do a little of both. I wish they would remember what it was like in February, when we were all starting to wonder what was really happening. President Trump returned from his trip to India the day after the CDC took it upon themselves to—without consulting him first—warn the nation to prepare for lock-downs. A wave of panic had already started to crest. The U.S.S. Panic had set sail into a perfect storm, without the Captain aboard. I remember his concerns being mocked by every Democrat leader in this country, yet he still boarded that ship mid-crest and showed he was in control. The media was hardly paying attention to the “Wuhan Flu” in January or early February, not to mention in October, November, or December of 2019. Yet, they look back and demand he give a reason for why he was not locking down our nation a year ago. It’s utter nonsense.

Of course, that doesn’t stop endless Trump haters from parroting their attacks. It’s shocking how ungrateful and arrogant people can be, but the motivation to use this evil virus to try to wrestle back the White House is just too great.

I don’t expect history books to ever give President Trump his due, but I hope against hope that Americans will one day look back at 2020 with 20/20 vision. I’m not saying the Administration did everything right, but I’m never going to hold them to a standard based on what we all know now. Instead, I will remind myself of what could have been, and be grateful President Trump didn’t fail.

❤

My Prayer for Hunter

/ SaxophoneWife / 2 Comments

Hunter Biden is a troubled man.

I cannot bear looking at his pictures. They are images of a dead man. They make me sad, and my heart hurts for him.

Don’t get me wrong. Criminal behavior must be prosecuted. Justice is always the right thing.

HOWEVER, this man’s need for Jesus is clear.

As I have been reading the news, I found an article that excerpted an email he wrote himself in 2018. He reminisces about going to mass as a child, and then talks about what happened at the mass for his brother.

He writes: “For the first time in my life [I] prayed to [not] just my dead mother and my dead sister but also to my dead brother. And for the first time in my [life, I] prayed for me-and I asked please let me be with you please let me know you love me please let me forget please let me come.”

I don’t know what was behind this email, and it doesn’t matter.

What matters is that this guy is not really any different than most of the men we’ve met through New Brothers Fellowship. He has a much higher profile, and much bigger budget than anyone I’ve ever met in or out of jail, but money and fame don’t make a bit of difference when it comes to Eternity. One day Hunter will stand before God. He will either be washed by the blood of Jesus, or not. The sin he has committed in this life will either be remembered no more, his record expunged, or it will be the evidence that seals his conviction and condemns him to eternal death.

So, I am going to pray for Hunter to be saved. I feel very sad for him. I am very angry at what he and his father have done, but that doesn’t keep me from being so sorry for him and caring for his spiritual need.

Below is my prayer for Hunter. Will you pray with me for him—at least this one time?

Dear Heavenly Father:
I am coming to You today on behalf of Hunter Biden. My heart is troubled for him, Lord, and that has to be because of You. So, I will lift him up and intercede on his behalf, because I know that You love him.

Lord, my first request is that You please protect this man from harm at the hand of others or himself. Please, protect him.

I also pray that somehow You would make a way for him to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lord, I don’t think he is seeking redemption, but an escape. I pray instead he would have a divine encounter with truth. I pray he would be saved and delivered.

Lord, I cannot begin to understand his choices. I don’t want to know the things that have been done to him, or the things he has done to others. I don’t want to know the debauchery that has defined his life. He’s excelled at every sin on the list! He’s a perfect specimen of a life lived for self.

Yet, I know that his sin is not so different than mine, in that all sin separates us from You. We are who grade our sins against some imaginary scale, but all sin is equal at the Cross. All sin can be covered by Your precious blood. So, I pray for Hunter what I have prayed for many other men these past 16 years: please, stop him. Put an end to his running. Sit him a jail cell next to a New Brother, Lord. Let him be humbled, that pride broken, so that he will recognize his need for You. God, please, forgive him for what he has done. Bring him to justice, and bring him to salvation.

Oh, Lord. Please, give him one more chance to know You as his Lord and Savior.

In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

❤

You Play A Part

/ SaxophoneWife / 1 Comment

You may look at some people in your life and wonder what they’re doing there.

[They may not matter much to you.]

Yet, the truth is you have no idea how important they may be to your future.

[Or, how important you might be to theirs.]

God is not random. He has a Big Plan, and it has to do with people.

The people…
…who always seems to show up;
…you can’t seem to lose;
…who rub you the wrong way;
…you see everyday, yet they are strangers to you;
…you wish you could know more.

All those people. 

So, don’t ignore them.
Consider them.
Reconsider your relationship with them.
Give them your respect.
Treat them with gentleness.
Help them, encourage them, and bless them.
Look for the opportunity to love them.
Pray God’s will for their lives, lift them up when they are down.
A little time and compassion matter.

And, always remember that no matter what you might think about their life right now, or the choices they’ve made so far, God has always had a plan and a purpose for their lives.

Maybe,
just maybe,
He’s been waiting for you to play your part.  

14 August 2011

The Believer’s Deadline

/ SaxophoneWife / 1 Comment

For some time now, I have been thinking about the absence of the fear of the Lord amongst Believers.

I think it’s a core issue that has caused many to compromise, embrace false doctrine, and fall away from right standing with God.

I believe we have made God into our own image; someone we can understand. Someone who’s thoughts are like our thoughts, and who’s ways are like our ways. We even think our thoughts are His thoughts, sometimes. Without seeking His Word, we go forward. It seems right to us, so let’s do it.

This kind of “faith” actually requires no faith at all.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Somehow, the church got the idea that God was supposed to be approachable, and that seems to be the crux of the problem. He is not approachable, except through Christ. Only through Christ. We must come to Him clothed in the righteousness of Christ, cleansed by the blood. And, Christ is not something we put on and take off when we get to the church door.

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:14)

“And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.” (Philippians 3:9)

The God of the Old Testament has not changed, and He never will. He required great things of those Saints of old, yet we expect Him to be satisfied with our measly gifts today. We give Him our “extra” time. We yawn and watch the clock. We decide how much we serve according to what we’re already doing, not according to how much there is to be done. We give more time to entertainment, than we do to knowing Him. Sports scores clutter more Facebook statuses than Scripture references. We pollute our minds watching and listening to things that should make us jump up and run out of the room. Why do we want to be a part of glorifying that which nailed our Savior to the Cross?

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

Friends, I have not written this to condemn anyone. I am not judging your choices, or prejudiced against your lifestyle. I am only concerned for the Body of Christ. The days are getting short, Brothers and Sisters. Christ is coming soon. That is not an inevitability that we just wait to arrive. “Why think about it? Why preach about it? It’s going to happen anyway.” No. We are missing the point, if that is what we think. Paul described this Christian life as a race to finish (2 Timothy 4:7). What runner ambles around the course, not caring whether or not he reaches the end? The Rapture is a deadline we are supposed to prepare ourselves for, and daily be working towards.

I love you, and I am praying for you. I pray you will allow these words to challenge you to search your heart. ❤

September 13, 2011

Did Michelle Williams Just Eviscerate the Pro-Choice Movement, or Was That My Imagination?

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Did Michelle Williams just eviscerate the Pro-Choice movement, or was that my imagination?

  • Did she just say that her abortions were elective, not for the safety of the mother or because the child was at risk?
  • Did she just say that she needed abortions, so that she could have unprotected intercourse with anyone at anytime? In other words, that she used her abortions as a form of birth control?
  • Did she just say she aborted her babies so that she could make even more money, and be even more successful, not because a child would force her into poverty?
  • Did she just say she had abortions for all the reasons the Pro-Choice movement tells us aren’t the real reasons we need to keep abortion legal?

Or, was that my imagination?

No. No, I think I heard correctly. I think she was pretty clear. Maybe, that’s why half the women they showed on camera looked so uncomfortable, because she decided to pull a Ricky Gervais and tell some uncomfortable truths.

❤

lifechoices ig

 

My Applesauce Testimony

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If you follow Christ, if you know Him as Lord and Savior, you have a testimony to tell. However, Satan knows that our testimony will give God glory, and he wants all the glory for himself. He doesn’t want to hear the name of Jesus praised. 

Yet, now more than ever the world needs to hear the name of the Lord lifted high, and sharing a testimony of what God has done for us is a great way to do that. Not only is the Lord exalted, but others get to hear what God has done. This is how we encourage and build each other up, and how we tell those who are still seeking that Jesus is the answer!

Below, I have highlighted three ways Satan is stealing God’s glory by silencing our testimony. 

1. Satan Steals Our Salvation Story 
It’s incredible to believe, but Satan is very successful at stealing our salvation testimony. Now, let me be clear. I’m not saying he is stealing our salvation. He doesn’t have the power to do that. He is just stealing the story of our salvation, but it’s that story that we are supposed to tell!

Think about it: when is the last time you told someone how you came to accept Christ as Lord and Savior? We’ve probably told others how we met our spouse more than how we met Jesus. And, we’ve probably told it more to other Believers, than those who are actually seeking a way of escape.

“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (Luke 8:39, ESV)

Let’s challenge ourselves. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to give us an opportunity to tell our salvation story. Let’s ask Him to bring people across our path who need to hear what Jesus did for us. May the Holy Spirit gives us eyes to recognize them, when they come our way.

2. Satan Shames Us Into Silence
No one knows better than we do how many times we have fallen short of that high calling on our lives. Even after many years of walking with the Lord, we might still be struggling to walk in obedience, and this can lead us to feelings of shame. However, even repeated failure doesn’t mean we don’t have a testimony. 

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.” (Philippians 3:12, ESV) 

We may not have a testimony of what we have done for Christ, but we do have a testimony of what Christ has done for us. Don’t let Satan silence your testimony with shame. Your failure and immaturity do not take away from Who Christ is, and what He has done for you.

3. Sometimes, Satan Lets Pride Do the Job
Pride is a very effective tool for stifling our testimony. It creeps up on us, and we are suddenly struck silent. For example, my applesauce testimony. Have I ever shared my applesauce testimony with you? No, I haven’t. Why? Pride!

My grandchildren both have a lot of food allergies. That means they have a limited diet, and sometimes are very leery about trying new foods. This is especially true for Lucy. She is very picky, but she’s come by her pickiness is very legitimate ways—terrible allergic reactions. However, she likes my applesauce. It’s a staple in her diet.

Well, several months ago I realized that the food pantry at the church that hosts our weekly prayer meeting always has boxes of apples to give away. They are mostly spoiled apples, but spoiled apples make the best applesauce. And, apples from the pantry are free. For someone on a tight, missionary’s budget, free is amazing.

So, just about every week  I gather a big bag of bruised apples at the food pantry. I always thank God for those beautiful fruits, but I have never testified about them. Why? Well, they’re from a food pantry, silly. And, somewhere inside me Pride tells me I shouldn’t let anyone know I use a food pantry.

And, just like that, a testimony is suppressed. Instead of sharing how God has blessed me, I let Pride rob God of His glory. Has that ever happened to you? Has God given you victory over temptation, but you didn’t testify, because you didn’t want people to know you had a struggle? Did God restore your marriage, but you don’t tell that story out of fear people will know it was ever in trouble? Sometimes, Pride is disguised as privacy. Don’t be fooled. No, we don’t air our dirty laundry, and we should be discreet—especially in public—but if God has answered prayer or added to our salvation story in some way, we need to share it. God’s goodness is meant to be told.

Folks, I hope you’ll be challenged to testify more. I need to hear your testimonies, you need to share them, and Jesus needs to be lifted higher! 

“I  cannot count the times when you have faithfully rescued me from danger. I will tell everyone how good you are, and of your constant, daily care.  I walk in the strength of the Lord God. I tell everyone that you alone are just and good.  O God, you have helped me from my earliest childhood—and I have constantly testified to others of the wonderful things you do.  And now that I am old and gray, don’t forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles.” (Psalm 17:15-18, TLB)

TBT: Some Thoughts on “Hotel Rwanda”

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I originally wrote this in 2012. This month was the 25th anniversary of this horrific event, and it seemed appropriate to share it again.

I’d been looking forward to seeing it.  I knew it would be a excellent film.  I knew the acting was going to be incredible.  I knew it would be informative.  I knew it would be a completely fulfilling movie experience, as good as I’d heard, and worthy of all the awards and accolades it’s received.

However, I had no idea it was going to speak to me so deeply.

No, I’m not going to start protesting human rights or dive deeper into politics in order to fight for social justice across the world.  Quite the contrary.

After I’d turned off the movie and while I was sitting in my bathroom weeping into a wad of toilet paper, I thought to myself: Who was the U.S. President then? Who can we blame for this? Then something happened. It was as if the Lord was turning my head and redirecting my line of vision.  I was suddenly looking down at the earth from the heavens. I could see the continents, and I was  trying to find Rwanda on the African piece of the planet.

That was when I realized it didn’t actually matter what country it was where this happened. God didn’t care about Rwanda, He cared about the people in Rwanda. And, the people in every other nation on this planet.  He doesn’t see the borders between countries. He sees the people. He sees the million bodies of the slain people in Rwanda that lined the roads for miles and miles, filling ditches and covering fields. These are people He so loves that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for them. To save them—not from this life, but from the eternal death to come.

As I was watching Don Cheadle’s performance, I kept reminding myself of the real man who was willing to put his own life on the line for others. This man, just a regular man, was willing to give everything to save those who were helpless and defenseless against their enemy.

Wait. Wasn’t God asking the same of me? Wasn’t I supposed to be willing to lay down my life for those who are defenseless against the Enemy of their soul? Isn’t that what God has called us all to do?

So many Christians have taken up social causes and concerns, from abortion to human trafficking to crimes against children. It’s not that these things aren’t worthy concerns. They are terribly wrong acts against God.  That they are wrong—in fact, sin—is why I think we need to question making them, or supporting them as, a cause. Some Christians have built their entire faith and Christian walk around a cause that essentially boils down to trying to stop people from sinning. “Stop killing!” “Stop raping women!” “Stop unlawful behavior!”

Yet, we were not given the authority to do that, to stop people from sinning. Only the Holy Spirit can convict us of sin, and only the blood of Jesus can break those bondages. As Christians, we have the answer for the one who is bound. It’s called the Good News, and that is what we are called to preach. Why are we trying to do the Holy Spirit’s job, and not the one He has actually given us to do?  We’ve been commissioned to tell the lost how to be saved in order that they may have this power from on high. We should be prepared to lay down our lives in order to get the truth of the Cross to them, not the message that they should stop sinning. Who cares if anyone is spared from sin, but still left to die and go to Hell? It’s reverse legalism. And, it’s terrifying to me that the church has made this their gospel.

I really have to ask myself why have I spent so many hours of my life caring about politics and political issues, when there are people living and dying without Jesus. Why am I here, except to win the lost? Am I willing to I lay down my political activism at Christ’s feet and pick-up His cross instead?

I know that many will object to this message, and I can hear their arguments all ready. I do respect people for speaking out against injustice, and I don’t think we are supposed to not care that these things happen. However, I believe our approach has mostly been wrong, and I believe the proof of that is in the fruit of these efforts, and in the lack of souls in the church.

After forty years of pro-life activism, where’s the fruit? Why aren’t churches full of single mothers with children? Most churches don’t have a single mother’s small group, or a ministry to teen moms, or even a well-staffed nursery! Not to mention that most churches have a pitiful children’s ministry that is almost a second-thought. And, if so many Christians care so much about children and babies, where are the hordes of Christian foster parents? Why isn’t every Christian’s car full of neighborhood kids coming to Sunday School? How many churches have given up on VBS, because they couldn’t find enough volunteers?

Imagine with me what would happen if instead of giving $10 a month to stop human trafficking, Christians instead stopped patronizing pornography websites. What if, instead of protesting abortion, Christians began volunteering to teach Sunday School? What would happen if Christians stopped sending their money to conservative political lobbyists, and instead gave that money to missions? And, what if, instead of sending money to a charity that will feed the hungry, we gave our time and money towards opening a food pantry and soup kitchen in our own church? A rock star tells us to care about this, or care about that, and we jump to answer his call. We need to stop for a moment and ask ourselves what  the cause of Christ is first. What cause did He die for, and what cause did He call us to die for, too? Did He come to carry a sign in protest?  Is that the example we are supposed to follow? No, He came to carry a Cross.

Please, don’t get me wrong. My heart is stirred with compassion when I hear of the needs around the world. I wish another baby never had to be aborted again. I want to build wells in Africa, too! I care about these causes. I love meeting needs! However, I know it’s a lot easier to give money, than to give myself. And, it’s a lot easier to give myself to a man-made cause, than to give myself to the cause of Christ. I have been lead astray by the temptation to “do good” through a $5 or $500 gift, instead of actually “doing good” and living a life that will make a difference.

If you are still reading this, please ask yourself this question: What am I doing to support the cause of Christ? If you are not giving of your time, talent, and money to the cause of reaching the lost with the good news of John 3:16, I urge you to seek God and reconsider your choices.

Addendum

After writing this,I came across the following quote.
‎”Loving Him is to be our cause. He can take care of a lot of other causes without us, but He can’t make us love Him with all our heart. that’s the work we must do. Anything else is an imitation.” (Keith Green)

The Mystery of the Rapture

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Do you believe in the Rapture?

If you do, it might surprise you to learn that many Christians do not. And, an increasing number of Believers who do believe in the Rapture do not believe in a Pre-Tribulation (or, pre-wrath) Rapture.

There is also a whole category of Christians who just can’t decide what they believe. They feel confused by the various teachings they’ve heard and articles they’ve read. So, they just don’t commit.

Let’s consider this: a Pre-Tribulation Rapture is the Blessed Hope of every born-again Christian, and a promise from God prophesied in His Word, being noncommittal seems inappropriate. God is very committed to our deliverance from His wrath.

But, people don’t longer believe in the wrath of God. I haps, they imagine irascible God blessed me and loving and kind. I think that believer must have forgotten how much God loves them.

Sync with me of the last story in the news that you heard the mother of God are defending their child.Would He give His own divine Son’s life just to see His born-again sons and daughters face His wrath on a world that is as wicked as the world we know today, where unspeakable crimes are committed against the most innocent and. Gand we should be, too. In fact, we should be looking up: our Redemption draweth nigh! (Luke 21:28)This is a message from Amir Tsafarti of Behold Israel. I have written a very rough outline for his message, with time stamps and scripture references. Hopefully, that is helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPxGs_wyGZA&t=917s

 

INTRODUCTION (0:00) 
Isaiah 46:9-10