“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10
Bill Maher is not someone I typically watch or listen to, especially when it comes to matters of Christianity. However, I have to commend him for bringing attention to the systematic genocide of Nigerian Christians. In a recent interview he cited that since 2009 Boko Haram Islamists have killed over 100,000 Christians and burned 18,000 churches. Maher said,"They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country."
"a time for war and a time for peace.." Ecclesiastes 3:8b
This morning I watched with interest the gathering of the Israeli Knesset for President Trump's address. In his speech to the assembly, Speaker Amir Ohana said, "We are a nation that remembers." This is one of the things that has always impressed me about the Jewish people, especially those who are religious. They are a people who remember. They remember their roots. They remember their history from Genesis to the present day.
Prime Minister Netanyahu quoted from Ecclesiastes 3 where Solomon spoke "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. . .a time for war and a time for peace." The living hostages are finally now home, a cease fire is in place, and God willing there will be lasting peace in the region. We must continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
I was glad when President Trump began his address with the words, "Deepest thanks to Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Yes, this is where the thanks truly belongs. We must always begin with praise to God. Only He is worthy of our praise. He is the true Peacemaker.
As Israel moves from war to peace, my prayer for my Israeli friends is Psalm 4:8:
"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Today's music video is Hymn of Heaven. Original song and English lyrics by: @philwickham. English Vocals: Joshua Aaron. Hebrew Vocals: Rebekah Davis. Arabic Vocals: Nizar Francis.
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9
In his exposition on Proverbs 16:9 Charles Bridges writes:
"So truly do we find our happiness and security in yielding up our will to our Heavenly Guide! He knows the whole way--every step of the way--'the end from the beginning.' And never shall we miss either the way or the end, if only we resign ourselves with unreserved confidence to his keeping and direction of our steps."
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
Rodney "Gypsy" Smith was a revival preacher at the turn of the 20th century. Tens of thousands of people were led to the Lord through his ministry. When asked how to start a revival, he gave this advice:
"He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true." John 3:33
Those who have believed the testimony of Jesus Christ have sealed this upon their hearts: that God is truthful. He doesn't lie. When storms roll into our lives, we remember that everything He has told us in His word is trustworthy. Here are a few of His truths:
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
On Wednesday, September 10th, the Christian family lost Charlie Kirk, one of its own. A remarkable young man, who loved God and spoke openly about him. Daily he texted scripture to his friends. Testimonies are being posted by countless people of how Charlie helped them during difficult times in their lives, and encouraged them to remain faithful to Christ. During his debates on college campuses he urged young people to give their lives to Jesus Christ and live for Him. Charlie certainly lived what he preached. His lovely wife spoke of how much he loved her and his children. But mostly she talked about his deep love for God, and how everything he did was motivated by that love. In his work, in his home, in his relationships.
Last week I wrote a devotion about how God brings good out of bad circumstances. At the time I didn't know how prophetic my writing would become. Now we are seeing first hand how true Romans 8:28 is: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Already God is using Charlie's assassination to spread the Gospel. As my friend Connie beautifully commented on last week's post after God called Charlie home:
"Oh, what a mighty and loving God we serve. I believe this for the life of Charlie Kirk as well. The Lord is going to use his life and death to bring many more young men and women to Himself. Righteous will prevail . . . we've read the book and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt how it ends."
God's mighty Spirit is moving across the whole world right now. I've been watching videos of prayer services not just in the United States, but around the world: England, South Korea, Australia, Spain, and so many more countries. I am hearing of packed churches yesterday that once were only half full. I'm seeing testimonies of people giving their lives to Christ, and committing to serving Him. People are emboldened to speak the truth, regardless of the consequences. Charlie's death was not in vain, and God is being glorified through it.
Now we who love God have a unique window of opportunity to share His love and gift of salvation with a dark and dying world. Yes, many people are celebrating Charlie's death. Literally. But far more are not. They are hungry for the truth, and we have it within our power to provide the truth, just as Charlie did. The Word of God is truth, and it has not lost its power to save. "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17).
The question remains for us, just as it did for Isaiah:
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"
Isaiah answered, "Here I am! Send me."
Let's answer the call. Let's do it out of love and obedience to our mighty God. He will call us to the places He wants to reach through us. It may not be a college campus (although it certainly could be), it could be in our own family, it may be on the block where we live, in the place where we work, in the gym where we work out, or through social media. Wherever it is, let's say, "Here we are Lord! Send us."
Today's music video is of a song I heard for the first time on my drive to church yesterday. This beautiful song, Song of the Saints by Phil Wickham, touched me so deeply, and set my heart into a posture of worship. In my opinion, it's an anthem for the Church. So appropriate for this moment in time. Please, please, take time to listen to this song. If you haven't yet heard it, or even if you have, you will be greatly encouraged. I know.
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
At the age of seventeen Joni Eareckson Tada was paralyzed in a diving accident. On the 50th anniversary of her accident she shared this story:
"Back in the ’70s, my Bible study friend Steve Estes shared ten little words that set the course for my life: 'God permits what he hates to accomplish what he loves.' Steve explained it this way: 'Joni, God allows all sorts of things he doesn’t approve of.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
This is the gospel. That Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, should die for you and for me. That He should fulfill the law (the Ten Commandments) by living a perfect, sinless life. The law was given by God to show us our sinfulness and need for a Savior. And the grace of God in giving His Son to die for us shows His incredible love for us and to what lengths He would go to save us from Hell, which is the punishment we have earned because of our sin.
What's more, it shows us the undeniable love Christ has for us; to obey the will of His Father and complete the work required of Him: to give His very life on a cursed cross. To pay a price that we could never pay! And on the third day, when Jesus rose from the dead, Satan and death were defeated. Only when we accept Christ's sacrifice as sufficient and receive by faith that He paid the penalty for our sins can we say with Paul, "Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
If Christ is your Savior, praise God! Your old sinful self has been crucified with Christ and your new righteous self lives because He now lives in you!
Today's music video This Is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham is the gospel in song. What an amazing Savior we serve!
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
I'm in the seventh decade of my existence, and one thing I've come to understand and accept is that in this life there will be events and circumstances that bring heartbreak. No one will escape this. It's inevitable. When bad things happen, often our first response is to retreat into self pity and hopelessness. Certainly no one ever felt the pain I feel. I may as well give up because things will never be the same. I'll never recover from this. But here's the truth. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
"Then Moses said to the LORD, 'Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.' The LORD said to him, 'Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?'" Exodus 4:10-11
Instead of putting his focus on God and His abilities, Moses here is fixing his eyes on himself and his inabilities. He forgot that it is was God who called him to serve Him, and it is God who works in the called to accomplish His purpose.
Paul understood this when he wrote to the Philippians, "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Phil 2:13)
"And He said to them,“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.”Mark 6:31
About a month ago I made a conscious decision to pull away from some of the things I do at home, and to spend more time at rest. It started when I realized I would have to add more hours at work to make up for some hits to my bank account. Oral surgery, a new roof on my storage shed, other home repairs. . .you get the idea. I could feel the pressure (and weariness) mounting, and I do NOT like that feeling.
