What's a Christian to Do? - Part #2

     When the cooks back is turned, the water starts to boil.  As I have been preoccupied by many things, I turn around to check how things are progressing in the homosexual landslide and I find that things are quickly heating up.  Due to her religious beliefs, a woman in Kentucky has been sentenced to jail because she would not issue a marriage license for homosexual couples.  Loosing her job would be unfair yet understandable, but to be sentenced to jail!?  Ladies and gentleman, the pressure is on and we need to be prepared to stand for truth and be willing to suffer for it.  The water is boiling.  The question is, how will be respond?
     In my last article, I listed four responses we can have to this growing acceptance and applause of sin:
1) Ignore it
2) Conform to it
3) Become enraged by it
4) Respond Biblically
In review, we highlighted the first three but only lightly touched on what it would look like to respond Biblically.  Through this article, it is my hope to dig into God's Word and examine what His blueprint is as we act in response to these days which are growing darker.

A Proper Prospective

    The pattern of progression strategically planned out by the homosexual party to bring conformity of societies to there desires, starts with tolerance.  After tolerance comes acceptance with praise soon to follow.  Due to the vocal and deceptive nature of homosexuality, many young people are not only giving mental consent to homosexuality but are now participants.  After participation is reached, it is now criminalization for everyone who would seek to oppose this new sexual revolution.  It is a sad and startling reality, but in America we are in the foothills of this moral landslide.
      First we need to understand that God is in control.
      Second, we need to use the window wipers of God's Word to keep the windshield of our minds clean from the lies and logical twisting that could destroy our foundation of Truth.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 

     And last but not least, it is time that we "entrust our souls to a faithful Creator."  

"If he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment..." 

1 Peter 2:5-10

~

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:7

~

"Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a

 faithful Creator while doing good.

1 Peter 5:19

Prepare
     Like an unsuspecting city is easily conquered, if we do not prepare for what lies ahead as we perceive the army of opposition approaching, it will be to our shame and folly.  When an army goes to war, it has a battle plan.  But that battle plan does them no good if they do not understand who the enemy is and how they are advancing.  We need to be prepared to understand.  The enemy is not men and women who are homosexual but rather "the ruler of this world" and the plan that is being executed is filled with tactics that existed long ago.  First we need to go to God's Word.  However, I have listed out some other resources that I have found to be helpful in helping me understand the ins and outs of this debate.  Please take some time to check into them.

Voddie Baucham on "Gay is Not the New Black"
Voddie Baucham on "Applying Biblical Truth to the Homosexual Debate"
No Compromise Radio:
Homosexuality - Part 1
Homosexuality - Part 2
Homosexuality - Part 3
Homosexuality - Part 4
* Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.
Audacity Love can't stay silent 

     Once you have your battle plan, it's time to stand.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole

 armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-11

  
  But if you step out onto the battle field, be prepared to suffer. 

"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should

 not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake..." 

Philippians 1:29  

Proclaim
     Just so you know, there is one way to stay perfectly safe and comfortable in this war zone.  There is a key that would unlock a life of peace and rest.  Just stay silent.  It's not criminal to think that homosexuality is wrong,  it's just criminal to express that opinion.  But can true love stay silent?  Souls are on the line folks!!!  Love is most loving when love speaks the truth.  You can choose to be silent but that is the most hateful thing you could possibly do.
     In closing, I would like to leave you with this thought, speaking the truth will cost us something.  Men can take our rights, our liberty and they may even deprive us of our jobs and equality but they can't touch our hope.

Conclusion

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-7

 ~

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

     What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can befn against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?  Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 

 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:28-38

Wednesdays in The Word: Exodus 34:6-7

"The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, 

and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, 

forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin."

The Christian's Secret

Heads up!!!!  This is my first week back to the grind:)  Be looking for a blog post on Friday. 

It's good to be back.

Is It Reality?

Gladly Would I Leave Behind Me

What's A Christian To Do? Part #1

June 26, 2015.  It's a date you will want to forget but will be unable to.  That date marks the day of God giving us over to our own desires and passions. As a nation, we have had our sights set on destruction and God has allowed us to have our own way.

  "For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.  Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because  they exchanged the TRUTH about God for a LIE and worshiped the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.  For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions.  For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passions for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their ERROR. (Romans 1:21-27)

     How many of us have read this verse before and were so thankful that it was past tense.  Well I have news for you, it's not past tense anymore.  Our nation has rejected God by redefining the most fundamental aspect of our existence.  Perversion is now praised and sin is now esteemed.  What is a Christian supposed to do?
     I believer there are four responses we can have:
1) Ignore it
2) Conform to it
3) Become enraged by it
4) Respond Biblically
     The first is pointless because the outcomes and effects of this decision are inevitable and unavoidable.  With the adoption of same sex marriage, society will be altered greatly.  Let's take a look at just a few of the outcomes:

• Tolerance will be required
• Calling sin sin will be labeled discriminating and that's not tolerable.
• Morality will downward spiral even more with the adoption of polygamy and other perversions
• Darkness is going to get darker

 This is not to mention the change that will occur in "the church":

• With increasing pressure over time, pastors and churches will compromise and conform to the world on this issue. 
• Pastors who refuse to perform same-sex marriages will most likely get their licenses revoked.
• Persecution will come
• Many professing "believers" will fall away.
• At some point you will have to make a decision on where you stand and that decision will have consequences.

This issue will reveal who the troe Church is.   You can't ignore it because when it comes to the homosexuality debate, there is no middle ground.  You either accept it or stand for marriage as God defined it.
     You also can't conform.  That is, if you are truly His you must stand on His truth as He defines it.  The Supreme Judge, who established design, can never be redefined or re-purposed, His truth stands no matter what man may say. Homosexuality is sin.  There is no way around it.
      Some of you have probably felt enraged over this issue.  Anger has taken root in your heart for those who live this life style and for those who have ruled for it's acceptance.  For you who are currently struggling with this response in your heart, I would like to remind you of three things.
1) God is Sovereign

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;

He turns it wherever He will.

Proverbs 21:1 

     This decision did not take God by surprise.  Rather, it is part of His plan.  Anything and everything that will result from this decision is in God's complete control.  He is God, and at times, He uses sinful men to bring about His purpose for judgement. 

2) Our Battle is Not against flesh and blood

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, 

against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, 

against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

and

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.

2 Corinthians 10:3

and

The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone...

 patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps 

grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their 

senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

3) These people need Christ

     The truth is judgement is coming.  We are seeing the temporal judgement that comes as God gives depraved men over to the perverted passions of their flesh but there is an eternal judgement to come.  Our hearts should be broken with compassion for these lost and dying men and women. They are victimized by their sin, the love the darkness and hate God but that does not mean that God is unable or unwilling to save them.  This world needs Christ and we are called to proclaim the truth that homosexuality is sin and all men need to be saved by Christ.  

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 

Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, 

nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards,

 nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or his ear dull, that it cannot hear..."

Isaiah 59:1

Upon hearing the news last Friday, fear, anxiety, confusion, discouragement, hopelessness and many other thoughts and emotions filled by heart.  But then I remembered....Jesus has WON the victory!  Jesus is our hope.  Jesus is our confidence even in the greatest storm. Jesus will never leave or forsake.  Jesus will make all things right.  Jesus, True Love, wins.  

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

John 1:5

~

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

Daring Devotion to Christ

     Beep, beep, beep...... slap.  Time to get up?  It's so early...oh right, quiet time. Try to get up. Flop Maybe I could try just reading my Bible right here.  Pry your eyes open until....they close again.  One hour later you wake up with a jolt, you fell asleep while attempting to be spiritual.
back in bed. 
      Has this ever happened to you before because it's happened to me um...more than once. It's not that I am trying to fall asleep while reading my Bible it just happens.  Now that's not an excuse.  God has often convicted my heart and along the way He has also given we some pointers on how to dive into His Word and prayer instead falling into it as I get an extra hour of sleep. 
      Setting aside time to seek the Lord through prayer and reading His Word is SO IMPORTANT.  His Word is Living Water, the bread of life, truth in a world of lies, the light to our path, a source of our sanctification and encouragement, useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness and so much more.  Jesus Christ in the Word of God in the flesh!  Not only that but prayer is the open door through which we can enter the throne of grace and communicate with the God of the universe.  Isn't that awesome??!!!!  We have the opportunity to bring even the littlest requests to God and He promises to hear and respond.  Time spent at the feet of Jesus is never wasted and will yield an eternal reward.  Don't put it off. 

Set A Time and Keep It

Corrie ten Boom says it so well:

Don't pray when you feel like it.  Have an appointment with

the Lord, and keep it. 

      We devote uninterrupted time to all kinds of things, whether it is school work or talking to friends.  But why don't we have that same kind of commitment in our approach to Christ and seeking Him?  Many of us have had those days when we lay in bed at night and suddenly realize we haven't read one verse or communed with the Father all day!  Instead of addressing this reality with a nonchalant attitude, let us seek to redeem the time.  One of the best ways to do this is to make time with the Lord the top priority of our lives and schedule everything else around that.  

      I would really encourage you to have time that is set apart in your day to devote to prayer and getting in the Word.  If you have a calender, schedule it in just like you would do if you had an important meeting or appointment to get to.   For me, the morning works best.   Recently, I have had to fight the challenge of faithfully keeping my time with God during the day guarded.  It seems like life starts and doesn't really stop until late at night.  Elisabeth Elliot also gives helpful insight:

"It is best to commune with  God before you commune with people.   
Your attitude toward them will arise out of your life in Him.  
Offering to God the first hour of the day is a token of consecration
 of all of our time." 

Guard it

      Whether you decide to get up at 6 am or or stay up an extra hour at night, I want to exhort you to guard that time.  It will be easy to compromise by sleeping in, texting a friend,  putting it off because you are in the middle of a game with family, have this really important school project you need to finish or a bazillion other things.  We live in a world where we are experts at being distracted and making excuses.  Just like you wouldn't miss an appointment with the president or step out in the middle to call your best buddy, don't treat your time with God lightly.  Here are so ways to help limit or remove distractions: 

• Remove all devices from the premise (includes phones, computers, ipods or anything that might beep or ring at you:)
• Have a notepad handly.  If something you need to remember comes to mind, write it down and lay it aside. 
• Have a water bottle handy.  If you like to pray out loud, you might get thirsty. 
• Shut your self in a closet.  I'm serious.  Find a tucked away, small, enclosed space where you can find peace and quite away from the hussle and bussle of everyday business.  
• Anything that is distracting you, remove it. 
• Remember what is most important. (prioritize) 

     While you might need to remove some things that would cause distraction, here are some things you might consider as tools, helping to make your time focused and effective.

• Your Bible.  The one with a front and back cover and lots of pages in between. Although many people have the Bible on their devices, you need to be familiar with your copy of God's Word.
•  A highlighter or pen or underlining or making a verse or jotting down thoughts as you read.
• A prayer journal.
• A list of prayer request or praises.  Note: It can be extremely helpful to write down what you want to pray about.  It helps keep your mind focused and on track.
• Peaceful music. For some people it is helpful to have music playing while praying or reading.  I have found this great podcast called Music to Pray By.  You can also access it on itunes.  

Comfort or Conformity?

     When you get on your knees to pray, you have just entered a battle.  Paul Washer says that the devil trembles when even the weakest Christian starts to pray.  This battle is a spiritual one and it is one that must be fought.  But it is also a battle that will cost you.  One of the greatest temptations you will face when you start to engage combat is compromising for comforts sake.  Don't take the path that is easier.  Are you willing to live for comfort at the cost of conformity to Christ or are you among the few that says, no matter what it costs me whether it be time, resources, sleep, fun or my very sweat and blood, I am willing to give it all to Him.  Your success at fighting the battles in the world through evangelism, counseling, serving or standing strong against temptation will be dependent on how much you sought the Lord.  It's hard to serve a Captain you don't communicate with and you don't seek instruction from.  It's going to be hard.  But stand strong. 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might."

Ephesian 6:10

     Dear sister, the biggest key to having successful time in God's Word is your heart.  Do you know Him and how much He is worthy of your time, thoughts and attention?  Do you desire Him and seek after Him as the pearl or great price?  Or is God's Word stale and times of prayer boring?  I want to encourage you, "draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)  Seeking the Lord is hard work and there are time when we don't feel like doing it or like our prayers are doing anything.  Don't base your life and devotion to Christ on feeling but rather on faith.  And how do you walk by faith in this area of your life?  You pursue Him faithfully.  

 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13