Mid-Week Message - Standing for the Truth

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16  (NIV) 

I am about to say something that is becoming more and more unpopular.  I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the one and only God, that He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cruel cross for the atonement of our sins and was resurrected on the third day.  He is alive and interceding for us before the Father in Heaven and one day, hopefully not too far in the future, He will return again and take those who belong to Him back with Him and they will have eternal life.  

I also believe that the Christian Bible is God's Word, His love letter to us.  Because it is His Word, I believe it is true and that He is incapable of lying.  I don't question things like how much time it actually took to create the earth because whether it took six days or six million years, He still created it.  It is enough for me to know that He could have created it in six actual days because He certainly has the power to do so.  

I am alarmed by what I am hearing from many of those in leadership in this nation and the world.  Christians in the United States are beginning to see that persecution is coming.  Already we are belittled by those who claim that we are believing in a fairy tale.  When the COVID crisis came, one of the first things that were shut down were the churches, while liquor stores, tattoo parlors and marijuana stores were allowed to remain open.  Although it improved after awhile in some areas, in many states churches that tried to reopen faced reprisals from their city governments.  The claim was that churches were not "essential businesses."  

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is time for us to boldly proclaim the Truth.  Sooner or later, whether it be next week or the next decade, our freedom of speech will be taken from us.  While we are still able to openly preach the Gospel, we must do so.  All of us must do so.  We can no longer sit back and yield the responsibility to our preachers and teachers only.  Each of us has been called to carry God's Word to others.  

I know it isn't easy.  We will face rejection.  There may be those who get in our faces and ridicule or yell at us.  That's okay.  They did the same to the Savior.  Find an avenue for sharing that works for you.  Utilize social media as long as you are allowed to.  Hand out Bible tracts.  Strike up conversations in the line in the grocery store.  Write a blog, make videos.  Any way that you can share with others is good.  Jesus loved us so much that He allowed Himself to be crucified.  How important is He to us?  

May I also suggest one more thing?  Christian owned businesses are already facing persecution.  We need to support them with our business when we can and encourage them.  Even writing letters to thank them for adhering to their beliefs would be appreciated.  Also, we need to contact those who profess to be Christians who are serving in any leadership capacity and encourage them to stand up for their beliefs and what they know is right even if they are the only ones who do.  

I am so grateful that we do not have to fear the future because we know that the Lord remains in control.  He will guide us as we begin to share His love with those we encounter.  We just need to trust Him and to love Him enough to take the first steps.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - God's Word in Today's World

 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."  Psalm 119:11  (NIV)

According to Pew Research in 2019, although Christianity is still considered the world's largest religion, eighty percent of the governments interfered with their citizens worship in some way or another.  In some countries, like North Korea and Afghanistan, religion is proclaimed as "free" but the practicing of Christianity is highly regulated and dangerous.  

Open Doors USA lists the following ten countries as the most dangerous for Christians in 2022:  Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran and India.  

Voice of the Martyrs indicates the thirteen countries where the Word of God can only be transferred covertly:  Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Mauritania, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Yemen.  I would add China to this list as well.

I had a dream last night that I could not find my Bible.  Now, as many people do, I have several but no matter where I looked, there wasn't one to be found.  Not in my home.  Not in the library and not in a store.  There were books that explained what the Bible said, but no Bible to compare the truth of what was being told.  

The world we live in is becoming more and more "liberal".  No longer is God's Word considered the ultimate truth.  Churches are getting emptier and the streets are becoming more crowded.  Crime and violence are on the upswing and Christians are chided for their beliefs in a "fairy tale".  The name of our Lord is heard more in public as a curse word than something to be revered.  

So, I ask you, do you have God's Word hidden in your heart for the days ahead?  

Jesus said that we would face persecution.  I believe it will become more difficult to publicly proclaim our faith as the years go by.  Could the United States ever see the day when it will be illegal to publish and distribute Bibles?  I don't know and I hope not but it is a possibility.  

This is why we have to be involved in politics.  We have to be vocal with our votes.  As lawmakers are being elected we have to remember that laws touch every area of our lives.  If we "sit out" of the process then we are willingly accepting whatever decisions are made.  Whatever we can do to stand up for Christ, we need to do.  

This world was never intended to last forever.  The days are growing more limited with each rising of the sun.  We were tasked with sharing the Gospel that others might be saved.  How much longer do we have to do so?  

Something to think about.