Saint Patrick: From Slavery to Saint

I am a product of an unplanned pregnancy.&nbsp; Because of my story, I have had very personal conversations with people who were born out of rape, born to a birth mom who was fourteen years old, raised in an abusive home, lived in a single-parent welfare home, or never left the foster care system. Though these people were born into less than ideal circumstances, today, they are thankful for their lives. I have also spoken with parents who were told at birth that their child had only a fifty percent chance of survival, and with others who were warned that their child’s quality of life would be minimal at best, both based on misdiagnoses. Today, those children are alive and healthy. There is a significant amount of misinformation, in my view, that is often repeated in pro choice arguments:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">that life begins at birth</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">that the unborn child is merely a blob of tissue rather than a baby</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">that the unborn does not yet have a meaningful life</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">that the unborn child is simply a part of a woman’s body, and therefore she alone has the right to decide the child’s fate</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">that it is unfair to bring a child into the world if that child may enter foster care or face a difficult home environment</li><li value="6" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">that abortion is entirely safe and without lasting physical or emotional effects</li><li value="7" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">that churches are only pro birth and not truly pro life, advocating for birth but doing little to support life afterward</li><li value="8" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">that most abortions are driven by cases of incest, rape, or danger to the mother’s life, when statistically these circumstances are relatively rare</li><li value="9" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">and more recently, the claim, expressed by figures such as Stacey Abrams, that a six week heartbeat does not exist and is merely a manufactured sound</li></ul> This article is not at all intended to condemn anyone who made the choice to have an abortion and has asked for forgiveness, but it’s to remind anyone who may be considering an abortion, or anyone who may be considering voting for a party that not only approves, but celebrates and encourages abortions, to remember that life matters, from the beginning. People who advocate for abortion should not presume to speak for those who were born into difficult home situations, or into foster care, or as the result of an unplanned pregnancy, in order to validate their position. Nor should they suggest that those individuals, including myself, would have been better off not being born. Forty years ago, at just three days old, I was adopted into the most incredible family God could have ever given me. I also have a brother who was adopted, and it is amazing to see how much we look alike, even though, by all accounts, we shouldn’t. I have always known I was adopted. And I’ve always known that my birthmom had an abortion before me and after me, yet somehow chose life for me. My parents were always very open with me about all parts of my adoption, and they always answered any questions I had about my birth parents. They kept in contact with my birth mom throughout the years. On my wedding day, my mom gave me a letter that my birth mom had written to me. I noticed how much our handwriting and the style of our writing were alike. That was the time I began to be very interested in meeting my birth parents one day. I wanted to know more. &nbsp;Eleven years ago, I finally had the opportunity to meet my birth mom. She had entered and won a “Santa’s Wish” contest on the radio, and the very first time I ever spoke with her was live on air. During that call, she told me she had won a trip to come and visit me. The following month, I met her in person for the first time. I was able to observe her mannerisms and was struck by how similar we were in so many ways. She also shares my heart for serving and helping in her community. A few months later, I had the opportunity to meet my birth dad. I remember him arriving a few minutes late, and when I answered the door, he had huge tears in his eyes. He said he had to park around the corner because he couldn’t stop crying. He is such a kind man. I will forever be grateful for the decision that my birth parents made forty years ago. And equally grateful for the decision my parents made in adopting me. They raised me in a loving, caring, Godly home, and I’ll never stop being thankful for that. Both of these decisions had a direct impact on the course of my life. I often think about how different my life might have been if things had turned out another way. What if my mom and dad had not chosen to adopt another child? I would not have been raised in the family that shaped me. I may never have come to know God the way I do today. I would not have met my husband, whom I have known since I was a newborn. I may not be serving in ministry, which I truly believe is what I was created to do. And we would not have our three children.I cannot imagine what life would look like if that moment had never happened. God was in it, as He always has been, from the very beginning, even before the moment of conception, which is when life begins. When we talk about choosing life, it’s not just about someone who is pregnant and deciding which road to take. WE are responsible for choosing life as well. CHOOSE LIFE, beginning with believing that life begins not when someone conveniently wants it to, but at conception.CHOOSE LIFE by not being silent, even when you are bullied, pressured, or cancelled. Spread the word that every life matters, from the very beginning in the womb.CHOOSE LIFE when you vote.CHOOSE LIFE by fostering and adopting.CHOOSE LIFE by supporting ministries that help pregnant moms who are choosing to give birth to their babies. I am thankful to be a part of a church that not only talks about the importance of choosing life, but lives it out as we partner with other local pro-life, adoption, and foster care ministries, and specifically with our very own Life Centre Compassion Ministries.CHOOSE LIFE by praying for a day when America will no longer murder the innocent.If we all, as pastors, ministry leaders, and Christian men and women, advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves, speak the truth, pray, and provide practical ways to help single moms who are choosing life and children in the foster care system, think of the difference we can make in our nation. Do not be silent, choose life out loud. We pray today:Lord, thank You for my life. Thank You for the opportunity to share my story and to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. May the words You placed on my heart encourage and challenge those who hear them. We live in a broken world where morals and right choices seem to decline so quickly, but hope is not lost because we trust in You. Lord, please bring peace, wholeness, healing, and strength to those who need it.For those who seek forgiveness from a past decision, remind them of Your redeeming love and unwavering grace. For those who feel that because of their life circumstances there is no other choice, surround them with people who will encourage and support choosing life, and open their hearts to what is right. For those who are barren, that life will come, either through birth or adoption. For those who are adoptive or foster parents, grant strength and joy in this calling. For many hearts to be turned toward those who need a loving, Christian adoptive home, and parents who will love them as their own. May there never be a child who is not wanted, loved, and cherished, whether by biological or adoptive parents. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.If you are looking for resources or ideas on how to implement pro-life, foster, and adoption care ministries into your church, please email Brooke at bpiece@gracewoodlands.com.

Before I Formed You: Truth in a Culture of Confusion

There is currently a substantial push by members of the Islamic community to counter what they describe as, in their own words, “Islamophobia” among those outside of Islam. This terminology is often used to frame disagreement with, or criticism of, Islamic beliefs as oppressive, thereby creating a perceived, and false, dichotomy: (oppressor/oppressed, victimizer/victim). Notably, this same framework is commonly associated with Marxist strategy. It is, at the core, manipulative and designed to validate their agenda.It is important to recognize that the freedom to disagree, especially with competing worldviews, is a foundational American principle. Disagreement is not oppressive or hateful, nor does it mean that any sort of phobia exists or persists. Furthermore, in this case, refusing to accept the claims of the Islamic belief system is not unjust or discriminatory or oppressive, rather, it is a legitimate exercise of conviction for what is right, grounded in Constitutional protections, Natural Law, and most importantly, in the authority of the Word of God.In light of the recent Islamic pressure upon the Texas State Board of Education to modify Texas and U.S. history to favor Islam in the curriculum, I asked world renowned historian William J. Federer to provide a brief overview of the foundations of Islam. I believe the snapshot Federer provides, clearly shows the doctrines of Islam to be completely incompatible with the Christian Faith, as well as the principles upon which the United States was established, namely, a framework deeply influenced by Judeo Christian thought.						– Dr. Jason J. Nelson ______________ Islam is not just a religious system. It is also a political and military system, as Mohammed was not just a religious leader, he was also a political and military leader. As a political and military system, Islam believes that Sharia Law came top-down from Allah and is to be enforced on the entire world, and after that, there will be world “peace.” World peace means world Islam.&nbsp;Sharia condemns man-made law, voting, and government from the consent of the governed. Sharia teaches that it is the death penalty to leave Islam. No Imam has taught not to follow Sharia as described in The Reliance of the Traveler, published in 1368. • Sharia teaches if you believe Christ is the Messiah you will go to hell.&nbsp;• That a man can have a wife as young as nine, which violates what is right and good and innocent, as well as the age of consent laws in this nation.&nbsp;• Sharia teaches a man can have four wives. We have laws against polygamy. Sharia teaches that all a man has to do divorce his wife is say, “I divorce you” three times. No court proceedings are necessary.&nbsp;• Sharia teaches a woman cannot leave her house without her husband’s permission, cannot be in public without a male relative and must cover herself. Because if she gets raped Sharia teaches that it is her fault for allowing herself to be used as a tool of satan to tempt the man so she must be whipped 100 times.&nbsp;• Sharia teaches that a man can “discipline” his wives. Sharia teaches that it takes two women to testify against one man, as a woman’s mind is deficient. Sharia teaches if a dog, a donkey or a woman passes between a man and Mecca, when he is praying, his prayers are invalidated. Women must be at the back of the mosque, if allowed in at all.&nbsp;• Sharia violates almost every article of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.&nbsp;• Sharia does not allow dogs as pets. Several sharia courts have been identified in Texas. Sharia prohibits infidel unbelievers from insulting Islam. Anything that is not Islam insults Islam.• Sharia teaches Muslims to always claim they are the victims of intolerance, therefore they are justified in retaliating. Sharia demands tolerance but never extends tolerance. Sharia teaches to lie to infidel unbelievers to advance Islam.. etc. In summary, while often presented in purely religious terms, the comprehensive nature of Sharia as a legal, political, and social system raises profound questions when considered alongside the constitutional framework and moral foundations of the United States.&nbsp;These are but a few examples illustrating the broader concern. Highlighting the tenants of Islam is not Islamophobic. It is simply speaking the truth.The other truth we are to speak, as believers, is to proclaim the Truth, Jesus. May the Church rise up in a time such as this and announce His Gospel so that people from all walks of life might come to know Him as Savior and Lord.

The Truth about Islam

<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">There exists today a widening consensus by many in our country that the Bible does not belong in the public square or in public education. Of course, this is nonsense. The Bible is the greatest Book ever written and the best textbook any serious student could ever encounter. This is not only a sentiment held by theologians throughout history but, also, it was the dominant opinion of our Founding Fathers. In the article below, Dr. Sam Thomas speaks to the Bible as the greatest textbook ever written in matters of philosophy and ethics.</blockquote>-Dr. Jason J. Nelson (Editor-in-Chief)<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">THE BIBLE AS THE BEST TEXTBOOK ON PHILOSOPHY</h2>This series of thoughts are focused around the idea that the Bible is the best textbook. In the first part of this series, I would like to point out that the Bible is the best textbook on philosophy from the Christian perspective.Now, why would we say that? We say that because the Bible provides the best answers to the ultimate questions of human life.So, what are some of the ultimate questions of human life?<ol class="list-decimal list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">How did everything come into existence? The question of origin.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Is there an ultimate reality? Is there a God?</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">If ultimate reality or God exists, what is he like or what is it like?</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Where have we as humans come from? Where are we going?</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">What does it mean to be human?</li><li value="6" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">What is the meaning and purpose of human life?</li><li value="7" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Is there anything wrong with human beings? And if there is, what is the solution to that problem?</li><li value="8" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">What happens after death?</li><li value="9" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">How should society exist and function?</li><li value="10" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Who decides what is right, what is wrong and on what basis?</li></ol>Now, every religion tries to answer these questions. Every philosophy tries to answer these questions as well. And our answers to these ultimate questions provide us with a worldview with which we see the world, with which we interpret events, and with which we handle the crisis of our lives.From the Christian perspective, the Bible is the best textbook on philosophy because it provides us with the best answers, the most coherent answers to these ultimate questions of life. The Bible provides us with the most meaningful and the most truthful answers to these questions. The Bible provides us with the right worldview – with which to view Reality, ourselves, others, the events around us, and so on.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The Bible is the best textbook on Philosophy!</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">BIBLE AS THE BEST TEXTBOOK ON ETHICS</h2>Part two of the series Bible as the best textbook. Here we are going to argue that the Bible is the best textbook on ethics.Ethics is concerned with the way we ought to conduct our lives. Now, according to the Bible, God is the author and the source of all ethics and morality. Ethics is not a human invention. It is not a social or cultural construct. It is rooted in God.Throughout the Bible you would find principles, precepts, commands and guidelines instructing us on what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad, what is God-honoring and what is not.I want to draw our attention to two Bible passages.First, the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament. These were intended to be the ethical charter for the people of God, the Israelites. Through these Ten Commandments, the Israelites were instructed on how to love God and how to love their neighbor. In fact, the entire law and the entire prophets can be summarized with these two commandments.Firstly, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And secondly, love your neighbor as yourself. God expected the Israelites to follow these ethical principles. When they forgot to do so, God sent them the prophets to remind them. And when they insisted on disobedience and unethical behavior, God sent them punishments and judgments.Secondly, Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament. Here again, Jesus emphasized loving God and loving one’s neighbor. However, He also raises ethics to a higher level. Jesus turns ethics from mere external actions to internal desires, motives and intentions. One could argue that the ethics of Jesus is the epitome of human ethics. It is unique and it is unsurpassed.The rest of the New Testament explains the ethics of Jesus as the ethics of love. We are told not just to love God and our neighbor, but also to show love to strangers. Interestingly and uniquely, we are called to love our enemies.I Corinthians 13 is the best description of what it means to love. The biblical commands on forgiveness, generosity, etc. are all grounded in love. The ethics of Jesus is the highest expression of human ethics. It is unique and unsurpassable.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">This is why we say that the Bible is the best textbook on ethics ever!</blockquote>

The Bible as the Best Textbook (Parts 1 & 2):  On Philosophy and Ethics

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">Eudaimonia, often translated as happiness or human flourishing</h1>was understood by the ancient Greeks, particularly Aristotle, to be the highest aim and ultimate purpose of life. In many ways, that assumption remains firmly ingrained in Western culture today. From the dominant cultural perspective, “the pursuit of happiness” continues to be treated as life’s primary aim, even seen as the baseline for the American Dream.Yet happiness cannot sustain the weight of ultimate purpose. Being happy does not equate to contentment.At its core, happiness is relative and deeply personalized. What constitutes happiness for one individual may be entirely different for another. One person may experience elatement in circumstances that leave another profoundly dissatisfied. Purpose, then, cannot be grounded in such subjectivity. If purpose is to be truly meaningful, it must transcend the self and be oriented toward something objective, enduring, and greater than individual experience. Purpose, by definition, cannot be self-referential.Further, happiness is fundamentally an emotional state. As such, it is inherently unstable; it is static, present in one moment and absent the next. Emotions fluctuate with changing circumstances, many of which lie beyond human control. To build one’s life upon happiness is to construct upon something transient and fragile, like building a house on sand. Sound familiar? A meaningful life requires a foundation that does not collapse under suffering, disappointment, or loss. It demands a base that is solid rather than shifting, enduring rather than elusive.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Scripture offers precisely such a foundation by locating the purpose of human life not in emotional fulfillment, but in the glory of God. The Apostle Paul articulates this with remarkable simplicity and scope: 'So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God' (1 Corinthians 10:31). He echoes this in Colossians 3:17, telling us that we should do 'everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.' We are to aim to honor God! Purpose, then, is not contingent upon how one feels, nor upon favorable circumstances, but upon a God-centered orientation that encompasses every dimension of life. It is about seeking the Kingdom of God, first (MT 6:33).</blockquote>To live for the glory of God is to live with divinely inspired direction and a heavenly focused purpose regardless of our emotional state. This does not deny the value of happiness, but it rightly orders it. Happiness becomes a byproduct rather than the goal. Even suffering, within this framework, is not rendered meaningless. As Paul writes elsewhere, believers can even “glory in [their] sufferings” (Romans 5:3), not because suffering is desirable, but because it, too, can be taken up into God’s redemptive purposes. In fact, joy can exist even in the midst of suffering, which is something Christ endured while suffering on the cross.What a profound comfort it is to know that purpose does not disappear in pain—that life remains meaningful even when happiness is absent. And that joy is birthed when we strive to glorify God in both the highs and lows of life.Soli Deo Gloria—for the glory of God alone.

The Pursuit of Happiness?

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">Paul’s Exhortation in Ephesians 6:11</h1>Paul’s exhortation in Eph. 6:11 to “stand” (ἵστημι) “against” (πρός) warrants attention. In the Greek, “against” connotates leaning forward or toward something—thus leaning into something, a thing one is determined to resist. Needing resisting, according to Paul, are the “schemes” (μεθοδεία) of the “devil” (διάβολος).<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The word 'devil,' diabolos in Greek, is well known, associated as it is with the term diabolical. Schemes, for its part, is not. It comes from the Greek methodeia, from which we get the word 'method.'</blockquote>Being Christian for Paul, among other things, is described as leaning into, or against, diabolical methods, the root of what he calls “stand[ing] against.”<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Classical Greek Military Term</h2>Paul actually employed a classical Greek military term used by Thucydides and others in 6:11 when pressing his point. That he was, in fact, pressing it is evidenced by how he repeats it in short order. The “standing against,” in v. 11, morphs a bit a few verses down where it becomes “standing firm” (ἀνθίστημι) in 6:13 and 14. Standing firm—ἀνθίστημι in Greek—is transliterated as anthistémi in English.Readers may be interested to discover the Greek term is the origin of our word antihistamine. Modern women and men know antihistamines as medical blocks used to: stave off colds and flus and employed as decongestants, cough suppressants and pain relievers. Interestingly, the description in v. 11 becomes a prescription in vv. 13-14. It is not beyond the pale of reason to perceive an association with believers serving as medicine for a sickened world.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Cultural Absurdities and Christian Response</h2>Christians can feel something is terribly wrong in culture. Well-intended, passionate persons are recognized by the discerning as absolutely delusional. It’s not simply that some folk are missing the mark by a fraction; they seem to be missing reality by a mile.How does one reason with someone who is unable to determine the difference between a male and a female? Why is that hard to fathom? What does one say to someone unable to ascertain how protecting a national border serves as national interest? Is that not common sense? What does it say when someone marches behind the banner of “Queers for Palestine,” given that queers would actually be killed in Palestine? Is this not insane?Christians are beckoned to lean against these absurdities and provide a bulwark against the destruction associated with the surging madness. Note the word Christians.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Need for Collective Action</h2>It is unreasonable to expect a single Christian to form a defensive wall, a rampart, an embankment, to provide protection against the encroaching danger. Why is it unreasonable? It is so because someone cannot do this alone—as an individual. It takes a collective. Its doing so harks back to the language Paul used in Ephesians and through it to the source of the term.Though Thucydides and others spoke of individuals “standing firm” (ἀνθίστημι) they meant so within the context of fighting within a unit. The Greeks developed the phalanx, whereby men stood firm as they fought side-by-side against lesser, disciplined sorts who threw themselves against the front line. They cast aspersions on fighting alone; for, if the unit broke down something had gone terribly wrong.The Romans, likewise, placed a premium on formations. Training for war entailed learning to work within and through them and they enjoyed good success as a result of doing so. Even against seemingly insurmountable odds, the Greeks and Romans prevailed when they fought as units.Individualistic as we are in modernity, the concept of doing anything together for any length of time presents challenges. This brief treatment of Paul’s urging us to do so, however, will hopefully awaken within some the call to do so—and with the call, a faithful response. While it is true we believers individually receive Jesus as our “personal Lord and Savior,” persons are beckoned to disregard aspects of individuality thereinafter.When individuals are bound together in church affiliations, and when churches bind together in associations, together we can successfully lean against the troubles of the day and advance Christ’s Kingdom in the process of so doing.Let’s do it! Let’s stand firm—together.

What Standing Firm in Ephesians 6 Really Means

<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8 KJV</blockquote>What is your default behavior before making a choice or acting? Do you lean on your own understanding? Or do you usually ask for God’s guidance? Better yet, how seriously do you treat the answers you hear from the Lord? Are they optional as far as you are concerned, or are they the difference between life and death for you? Your answer matters!How does it look to live a sober and vigilant life, since that’s what the Lord commands us to do?1. Do all that He says.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Incomplete obedience is still disobedience. Remember Saul, who partially obeyed God twice?&nbsp;King Saul did not destroy all the enemy as God said (1 Samuel 13:8); therefore, the Lord forsook him and gave the kingdom to David, who would do His will (Acts 13:22). Be vigilant; be careful to do all that the Lord commands. Obey His voice; don’t lean to your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).&nbsp;&nbsp;Neither works, nor praise and worship, will substitute for obedience to the Lord.&nbsp;2. Inquire of the Lord; wait for His instructions.&nbsp;They lead to life! Remember, Joshua, fresh from God’s miraculous victory at Jericho. He did not ask the Lord first before attacking Ai. Joshua was defeated due to hidden sin in the camp (Joshua 7:1-5). God’s instructions would have spared them defeat and loss of life.&nbsp;Recall King Jehoshaphat’s miraculous victory over his enemies? He called upon the Lord, who told the king how to overcome (2 Chronicles 20) by sending the worshippers before the army!&nbsp;3. Do not grieve or quench the Holy Spirit.&nbsp;Why? He seals you to be present at Jesus’ return (Ephesians 4:30)!&nbsp; Woe, the Scripture says, to those who are at ease in Zion (Amos 6:1) and not vigilant!&nbsp; Beware lest you fall asleep and do not watch and pray, as Jesus warned (Matthew 26:40-41)!&nbsp; Shrink from all that would bring reproach on Jesus’ name. Do not deny the Lord with your deeds by being stubborn or defiant; this blasphemes His holy name (Numbers 15:30-31).4. Crucify fleshly attitudes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Be not ignorant of your adversary’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). Know and use your weapons of offense—the blood of Jesus, the Word of God, and the name of Jesus—plus your weapons of defense—holy living, which is your armor of light.&nbsp;5. Require the Lord’s presence as your vital necessity.&nbsp;&nbsp;Crave His presence increasingly ever more (Psalm 105:3-4). Speak truly and live truly (Ephesians 4:15 TAC), seeking the Lord’s righteousness in every situation.&nbsp;Prayer for Today:&nbsp;Lord, help me to be sober and vigilant to walk in Your ways and do Your will. Help me to inquire of You first and not lean on my own understanding when making my plans. Help me to be quick to obey You. Thank You for giving me a heart to know You and the desire to do Your will (Philippians 2:13). Thank You for helping me to crucify my fleshly attitudes. Surely, I need You more and more! Thank You for multiplying Your grace and peace to me through knowing You (2 Peter 1:2-4).&nbsp;God’s Special Invitation to You Today:Abide in Me, as I abide in you, for I am watching over you to keep you in all your ways. Likewise, live in Me and do not lean to your own understanding. I never leave you, nor let go of My hold on you.&nbsp;Adapted with permission from God’s Special Invitation, How Will You R.S.V.P.?, Volume II –“Living in the Favor and Fear of the Lord,” by Sunny Wessel.

Be Sober, Be Vigilant

One of the greatest dangers for leaders is not sudden moral failure, but slow, unseen depletion.Scripture consistently warns us that temptation rarely comes when we are strong, clear-minded, and spiritually anchored. More often, it comes when we are exhausted, emotionally depleted, physically tired, and quietly discouraged. In those moments, even seasoned leaders can become vulnerable in ways they never imagined.I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that when strength is low, discernment is weakened. When the soul is weary, the flesh becomes louder.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Vulnerability of Depletion:</h2><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The apostle John identifies three primary avenues through which temptation gains access to our lives: 'the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life' (1 John 2:16). These pressures are not new, but they intensify when leaders are worn down.</blockquote>When we are depleted, we are far more susceptible to:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The lust of the flesh — seeking comfort instead of Christ</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The lust of the eyes — allowing what we see to stir desires we would normally resist</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The pride of life — compensating for inner weakness with outward validation</li></ul>This is not about judging others or projecting personal consecration onto people. It is about recognizing a sobering spiritual principle: Depletion lowers defenses.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Elijah: A Lesson Every Leader Must Learn:</h2>Few stories illustrate this more clearly than Elijah’s. After one of the greatest spiritual victories recorded in Scripture, Elijah collapsed under discouragement and exhaustion. He prayed to die, overwhelmed by fear and despair (1 Kings 19:4).God’s response is deeply instructive. He did not rebuke Elijah. He did not lecture him about faith or endurance. Instead, God fed him, let him sleep, and restored his strength. Only then did God speak again to Elijah’s calling and future (1 Kings 19:5–8). That alone should teach leaders something profound: sometimes the most spiritual thing a leader can do is rest.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Discouragement Is Not Neutral:</h2>Discouragement is never passive. If it is not addressed, it becomes a gateway. Unchecked discouragement erodes gratitude, clouds perspective, and weakens resolve. Over time, it creates just enough internal justification to compromise “just a little.” Most failures do not begin with rebellion; they begin with fatigue, isolation, and unattended wounds.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">This is why Scripture exhorts us to 'guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life' (Proverbs 4:23). Guarding the heart includes tending to our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Staying Encouraged Is Protective:</h2>For leaders, staying encouraged is not optional, it is protective. Scripture calls us to “watch and pray” because vigilance requires intentional stewardship of the inner life. Renewal does not happen accidentally; it must be cultivated. We renew strength and resist temptation by:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Renewing the mind — returning again and again to truth, not feelings (Romans 12:1–2)</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Caring for the body — rest, healthy rhythms, and exercise are spiritual disciplines, not indulgences</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Addressing stress honestly — naming emotional and physical depletion before it names us</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Living examined lives — refusing isolation and remaining accountable</li></ul>Ignoring depletion does not make us more spiritual. It makes us more vulnerable.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Leadership Requires Greater Watchfulness:</h2>With every increase in influence and public ministry comes greater responsibility—not only for how we live before others, but for how we steward our own souls before God. This is not about perfection. It is about humility, awareness, and obedience. The enemy does not need access to our calling if he can work through our exhaustion.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">A Final Exhortation:</h2>Leaders, do not wait until you are empty to seek renewal. Do not spiritualize burnout. Do not confuse endurance with neglect of the soul. Strength sustained over time comes from alignment—spirit, soul, and body, submitted to God. If we want to finish well, we must learn to rest well, live honestly, and stay encouraged.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)</blockquote>

A Warning and a Lesson for Leaders - Guarding the Soul When Strength Is Low

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">Heroic measures mirror the greatest act of love the world has ever known.</h1>Jesus Himself defined true heroism when He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Christ did not merely speak these words—He fulfilled them. He became the ultimate rescuer. The greatest fireman ran straight into the flames of judgment to redeem perishing humanity. The greatest blood donor gave His own blood so that we might live.</blockquote>The Cross stands as the supreme expression of eternal and heroic love. It reveals that real courage is not measured by self-preservation, but by self-sacrifice. It is not driven by convenience, comfort, or cultural approval—but by obedience to God and love for others.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Fixing Our Eyes on the Ultimate Hero:</h2><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Scripture calls us to anchor our lives: 'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame… so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.' (Hebrews 12:2–3)</blockquote>Jesus is not only our Savior—He is our pattern. In a generation desperately searching for meaning, many false and destructive role models have filled the vacuum once occupied by true heroes of faith and character. The Bible repeatedly warns us that imitation is inevitable—and therefore critical:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">“Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Cor. 15:33)</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” (3 John 1:11)</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.” (Ps. 1:1–2)</li></ul>Scripture not only warns us whom not to imitate—it also calls us to recognize and follow lives worth imitating.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Lives Worth Imitating:</h2>Those in the public eye—whether entertainers, athletes, political leaders, or cultural influencers—carry influence whether they desire it or not. A well-known athlete once insisted he should not be considered a role model. While his refusal to claim sainthood was understandable, influence does not disappear simply because responsibility is denied.The same danger exists among those who claim to follow Christ. While none of us are perfect, that reality does not excuse complacency or hypocrisy. If our lives lack the integrity, courage, and compassion worth imitating, we must take an honest inventory of our hearts. Leonard Ravenhill’s sobering question still confronts us: “Are the things you’re living for worth Christ dying for?”<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The apostle Paul was not reluctant to challenge others to follow his example: 'Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.' (1 Cor. 11:1)</blockquote>Paul was not claiming perfection—he was modeling surrender. God is not looking for polished replicas of modern Christianity, but for men and women whose lives reflect Christ with humility, courage, and conviction.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">A Generation in Search of Heroes:</h2>Dr. Edwin Louis Cole often said, “Champions are not those who never fail, but those who never quit.”We need champions again. We need perseverance. We need modern-day heroes of faith and courage. What our generation desperately needs are not celebrities, but champions—men and women who persevere in truth even when the cost is high.The tragic reality is that many young people today are unimpressed—not by the gospel, but by the inconsistent lives of those who claim to represent it. We have often failed to confront darkness with courage and instead have been subtly seduced by it. A soft, apathetic church will never reach a lost and wounded world. A shallow, compromised faith will never inspire wholehearted devotion.Even unbelievers are tired of hype, pretense, performance, and shallow Christianity. They are searching for authenticity—something real, something worth giving their lives to. They are a prophetic generation, poised to step into destiny, but longing for vision, strength, and godly examples.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Scripture tells us what awakens such a generation: 'Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.' (Psalm 110:3)</blockquote>When the church once again reflects God’s character and carries His power, people will willingly give themselves to His cause.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Heroes of Courage and Conviction:</h2>History is filled with men and women who lived and died—by conviction rather than convenience. From the heroes of Scripture to the martyrs of church history, their lives remind us that eternal impact is always costly.History and Scripture are filled with heroic witnesses—men and women who laid down their lives for eternal truth. From the martyrs recorded in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs to modern examples like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who declared before his execution, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”Powerful example and challenge by Joan of Arc:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">As a teenage girl with no military credentials, she inspired an entire army when seasoned kings could not. When warned that no one would follow her into battle, she replied with unshakable resolve: 'I don’t plan on looking back to check.'</blockquote>Because she refused to look back, others followed. Her courage shifted the destiny of a nation.Later, at just nineteen years old, as she faced death for her convictions, she was offered one final chance to recant. Her words still echo across the centuries:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes… One life is all we have, and we live it and then it’s gone. But to surrender what you are to a life without belief is more terrible than dying—even more terrible than dying young.</blockquote>She understood a truth many in our generation have forgotten: convictions rooted in eternal truth carry greater value than survival and existence without purpose.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Beyond Cosmetic Christianity:</h2>The days of casual, cosmetic Christianity are coming to an end. We cannot afford lukewarm devotion in a time of global shaking and moral confusion. Genuine passion for God always produces compassion for others—and leaves no room for compromise, apathy, or mediocrity.How can we sit comfortably while multitudes live without hope or truth? How can we remain silent while eternity hangs in the balance?God is looking for modern-day heroes of faith—men and women willing to stand in the gap, to live with courage, and to love sacrificially. Not spectators in the grandstands, but participants in the rescue.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Window of Opportunity:</h2><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Paul wrote, 'A great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.'(1 Cor. 16:9)</blockquote>Distractions, discouragements, and disappointments are often tools of the enemy to derail us from our calling. Yet God promises that when we call upon Him, He will answer. He can turn crisis into testimony and tragedy into triumph.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Eternal Measures for an Eternal Impact:</h2>We are living in a defining moment. Everything that can be shaken is being shaken—but what is built on eternal truth will remain. God is not asking for perfection. He is asking for availability, humility, and unwavering conviction.The world does not need more hype. It needs hope. It does not need more noise. It needs courage. Now is the time to live lives worth imitating—lives marked by eternal and heroic measures. The question is not whether conviction will cost us. The question is whether a life without conviction costs us far more. We can bring hope to the hopeless. We can be living witnesses of Christ’s love in our generation.This is our moment, our mandate, our mission.

Heroes in Light of Eternity

As Christians, our convictions are shaped by Scripture, not culture. From beginning to end, God’s Word affirms the sacred value of every human life, created in His image and known by Him. To stand for life is not a political statement—it is a biblical one.In a time when life is often minimized or redefined, the Church is called to respond with both courage and compassion, reflecting the heart of Christ for the vulnerable and the voiceless. The following article is written by LifeFirst’s Founder and Executive Director, Teresa Strack, to encourage believers to stand for life faithfully, truthfully, and with grace.— Dr. Jason J. NelsonThe Compassion Issue of our TimeThe disrespect for human life manifested by abortion and euthanasia is the compassion issue of our time. No other issue has as much direct loss of innocent, very real human lives. No other issue inflicts such deep and lasting harm on women, men, families, and communities. At its core, this crisis is not only a human tragedy; it is a profound spiritual issue. It is an unmistakable disrespect toward God Himself as the Author and Giver of Life and the guilt from abortion decisions often creates a mental barrier to salvation for individuals.Unique UrgencyThe disrespect for human life carries a unique urgency. There are many wonderful and needed ways Christians can demonstrate God’s love to hurting people and, in most cases, if we are unable to help today, we will have an opportunity to rescue tomorrow. However, with every decision for abortion or euthanasia, there is no second chance. Once a life is lost, it is lost forever. This irreversible finality compels us to act—not someday, but today.Christians’ Unique Call to ActionChristians are first called and best equipped to be at the forefront of restoring a respect for life both as a matter of our Christian walk and as part of our testimony. As Christians, we draw people to Christ by introducing people to the Lord and loving them into the Kingdom. In the fight to end abortion, we do both. The Bible consistently commands God’s people to protect those who are the most vulnerable.&nbsp;James 1:27 tells us, “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Who is more orphaned than the unborn, who have been rejected by mother, father, and society unto the brutal death of abortion? Although most of the young women facing unplanned pregnancies are not technically widows, often they have been abandoned by their boyfriends, families, or society itself to deal with the pregnancy alone.&nbsp;Proverbs 24:11 commands us plainly: “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”&nbsp;Years ago, I saw this scripture come to life before me. I was praying and ministering to young women outside an abortion facility. A car pulled into the parking space near us and a young man got out and went around to the passenger side of the car. As he came back around, he was directing a young woman toward the door of Planned Parenthood. Her eyes were completely glazed over, and she was staggering to such an extent that the young man had one arm around her waist and another around her shoulder. She was staggering toward emotional/spiritual slaughter and the presumed baby inside her was being led to his or her death. The young man told us, “We love abortion.” The young woman sadly was too out of it to respond to us.Proverbs 6:17 tells us that God hates the shedding of innocent blood.&nbsp; We must hate it also.&nbsp;Our Testimony of Who God IsAbortion is not only an assault on unborn children and their parents—it is also a repudiation of God’s essential identity as Creator, Father, and Giver of Life. When we speak out for the value of each life God has created in His image, we are not merely engaging in a social issue. We are glorifying God and proclaiming who He is. In addition, we often have the opportunity, if we take it, to further point people to Jesus and the offer of eternal life through Him. When our voices are muted, our witness is diminished. The proclamation of the value of life is therefore central to our testimony and our walk with Christ.Uniquely EquippedAbortion and euthanasia are among the most emotionally charged issues of our day. Precisely because of that, Christians are uniquely equipped to be at the forefront of restoring a respect for life. As believers, we have the love of God poured into our hearts without measure if we will yield to it. If emotions rise, we can respond with love, respect and peace. We also have the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide us through tender, difficult conversations. He knows what information or story or words can touch the heart and mind of whomever we are speaking to. Respectful, Holy Spirit guided conversations will win hearts and minds, creating an attitude shift back toward a respect for life.&nbsp;For all the women and men scarred by abortion decisions, we also carry the message of forgiveness, healing, and restoration that only Christ can bring. After decades of legalized abortion, the pain and loss touch nearly every family and friend group in some way. Where there is great suffering, there is also great opportunity—the opportunity to be the hands of God’s love and restoration. When we speak the truth in love, rather than remain silent, our love and message effects change.&nbsp;A Grassroots Vision of HopeLifeFirst’s approach to building a respect for life is relational and transformational. We speak the message of life directly to our community. In addition, a major part of what we do is provide easy tools to equip everyday people to be effective communicators.&nbsp;The only way to restore a respect for Life is through individual heart and mind change which will lead to an attitude shift in our society. This happens one conversation at a time – just like sharing the Good News of salvation. Although we are a social media generation, it is still our family and friends that influence us the most. When we speak the truth in love, rather than remain silent, we effect change.&nbsp;Here are just a few resources that can help you respond to God’s call.&nbsp;Pro-life Answers 101: &nbsp;<a href="https://lifefirst.org/pro-life-answers-101/" dir="ltr">https://lifefirst.org/pro-life-answers-101/</a>&nbsp; Launched in response to the many people who tell us " I don't know what to say.” Bookmark Pro-life Answers 101 on your phone for 24/7 access to brief, respectful, evidence-based responses to a wide range of abortion talking points. This is a unique tool which fills a great need.&nbsp;When Does Life Begin website and social media campaign:&nbsp; <a href="https://lifefirst.org/when-does-life-begin/" dir="ltr">https://lifefirst.org/when-does-life-begin/</a>Sit in the comfort of your own home and change hearts and minds simply by sharing engaging content. A study out of the University of Chicago found that addressing the question of when life begins from a scientific perspective is the best way to move someone from an uncertain or even "pro-choice" position over to a pro-life stance. In addition to the content hosted on a dedicated website at <a href="https://www.youranswermatters.org/" dir="ltr">youranswermatters.org</a> we also post great shareable content on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/youranswermatters" dir="ltr">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whendoeslife_begin/" dir="ltr">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@whendoeslifebegin" dir="ltr">TikTok</a>. Follow, share, and build a respect for life!Sanctity of Life email prayer: <a href="https://lifefirst.org/sanctity-of-life-prayer/" dir="ltr">https://lifefirst.org/sanctity-of-life-prayer/</a>Simply sign up to receive once-a-week prayer points email covering timely pro-life issues. Prayer is the real work of Christians. What an easy yet vital way to change hearts and minds!Student Contests: <a href="https://lifefirst.org/student-contests/" dir="ltr">https://lifefirst.org/student-contests/</a>Based on Ronald Reagan's insight: "All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” The contests are conversation starters between parents/teachers/pastors and students. 5 contests ranging in age from 3rd grade through college. Generous cash prizes of $1000.&nbsp;Article Shorts: <a href="https://lifefirst.org/when-does-life-begin-articles/" dir="ltr">https://lifefirst.org/when-does-life-begin-articles/</a>Brief 2-3 minute reads focused on vital pro-life issues. Easy to digest. Great to educate and share.&nbsp;Why Christians Must Lead&nbsp;For decades, efforts to end abortion have focused primarily on top-down change—laws, courts, and political outcomes. While these matter, history shows that lasting societal change only comes from the grassroots up, as hearts and minds are transformed. Cultural shifts always precede legal ones. Laws followed culture.&nbsp;In the fight to protect life, we have a rare and sacred opportunity: to glorify God, to rescue the vulnerable, and to offer healing where there has been profound destruction. Imagine what could happen if Christians fully embraced this calling. If each of us did even a little, a tidal wave of God’s love and truth would transform our communities. Jesus calls His followers to be salt and light in the world. That means leading—not retreating—on the most difficult issues of our time. We can end legalized abortion and euthanasia. This is our call. This is our moment. And this is the compassion issue of our time.Teresa StrackFounder &amp; Executive Director of LifeFirstLifefirst.org

The Compassion Issue of our Time

Here we are now… halfway through January. Over the past few weeks, many of us have reflected on our lives, examining our shortcomings and taking an honest assessment of the ways we have overcome challenges. 

I’ve heard it said, “Yesterday’s sorrows can be today’s successes if the hand of the Lord is upon us.”

A new year always invites reflection. It creates space for recalibration, a pause where we ask not only what lies ahead, but who we are, and who we are becoming. Seasons change, calendars turn, routines reset but the posture of our hearts before the Lord must continually be examined and realigned.

Growing up, many of us heard the phrase, “If the shoe fits…” It was a simple but pointed way of saying, 

Take a look at yourself. Take ownership. Don’t deflect. Don’t deny.

When the prophet Nathan confronted King David, he did not begin with accusation. Instead, he told a story that stirred David’s righteous anger. David was quick to discern injustice when he thought it applied to someone else. Then Nathan looked him squarely in the eyes and declared, 

That moment reveals something timeless: we often see truth most clearly when we think it applies to others and resist it most when it confronts us personally.

How we see determines how we respond. Scripture is not merely a mirror for culture, a spotlight for society, or a resource for sermons, it is first a mirror for our own soul.

Yet, we can easily fall into what might be called filter trapping, and seeing only what confirms our assumptions, protects our comfort, or supports our arguments, while filtering out what confronts us personally.

Even well meaning leaders and sincere believers can approach God’s Word asking, 

True spiritual formation begins when we stop using Scripture as a spotlight on others and allow it to become a searchlight on our own hearts.

Meditation on God’s Word is not an exercise in extracting content, but it is an invitation to encounter the living God who speaks, convicts, heals, transforms and restores.

Before the message is preached, it must be lived.

Before correction is offered, repentance must be embraced.

Before vision is cast, hearts must be examined.

The Holy Spirit does His deepest work not when we are preparing to speak, but when we are willing to listen.

As we enter a new year, the invitation is clear:

Before we preach it. Before we teach it. Before we post it. Let it read us.

The question for this season is not merely, 

Where does this Word fit in my life right now?

This is not condemnation…it is true grace. God’s loving confrontation is always an invitation to transformation.

This season calls us to humility over defensiveness, reflection over reaction, and obedience over appearance. When the Word of God is allowed to first shape us, it gains authority through us.

So as we open the Scriptures this year, resist the urge to immediately think of someone else who needs to hear it. Pause. Pray. Listen.

And if the shoe fits—don’t excuse or explain it away. Let it change us. That is where renewal begins.

IF THE SHOE FITS: A Call to Reflect, Reset, and Realign 

In moments of national upheaval, personal testimony reminds us that history is not only shaped by headlines, but by faith in the power and promises of God. Many times God forges our faith in seasons of suffering. The following interview is with Solimar Gutiérrez, a Venezuelan Christian whose family lived through political collapse, persecution, and forced migration to the United States. Yet, they never lost their unwavering trust in God. Her story is one of loss, resilience, and enduring hope in the sovereignty of God and His redemptive purposes through Christ.– Jason J. Nelson<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">This testimony is presented in Solimar Gutiérrez’s own words and reflects her personal experience.</blockquote>Can you begin by telling us a little about yourself?It is an honor, and with gratitude, I share my testimony as a Venezuelan. My name is Solimar Gutiérrez. I am a Christian, Venezuelan by birth, and a professional in Managerial Administration and Finance, with over 20 years of work experience. I am married to Oswaldo Fuentes. We serve in the Evangelism and Theater Ministry at Grace Latino, and our daughters, Nicole and Angely, serve in the Grace Youth Ministry.What was Venezuela like when you and your family left?Venezuela is an extraordinarily rich nation in natural resources. It holds the world’s largest reserves of heavy crude oil, significant natural gas reserves, and vast deposits of gold, iron, bauxite, and diamonds. However, this abundance was overshadowed by a deep social, political, and moral crisis that began in the late 1990s.The concentration of power and authoritarian policies led the country into a progressive collapse. Reality became unsustainable: minimum wages ranging between $3 and $10 per month, more than 18,000 political detentions, approximately 900 political prisoners, thousands of arbitrary arrests, and protests violently suppressed. Added to this is an exodus of more than 7.8 million Venezuelans and millions of people living in extreme poverty.Furthermore, the expropriation of more than 5,500 companies in key sectors such as food, energy, banking, and telecommunications destroyed the national productive system. Hospitals were left without supplies. Basic services became irregular or nonexistent, and living in fear became part of everyday life for the Venezuelan people.Can you share your family’s personal experience during this time?During Christmas 2016, our family faced a traumatic experience involving extortion and kidnapping threats. When we reported it, we received no support from the authorities. In the midst of fear, we chose to cling to God and persevere in prayer.We were forced to liquidate the family businesses we managed, suspend all commercial activities, sell all our vehicles, and leave trusted individuals in charge of caring for our homes.We continued serving in the work of the Lord, and over time, God confirmed—through brothers and sisters in the faith and through our pastoral covering—that we would leave the country as a ministerial family, sent to the nations. Thus, we emigrated, sustained by faith and the conviction that God was guiding every step.Everything we achieved in Venezuela we attribute to God’s faithfulness, the support of our family, and the opportunities that, at one time, our country provided.How do you feel about the recent developments in Venezuela?In the early morning of January 3, 2026, reports began circulating on social media about significant events in Caracas and other cities, along with communication disruptions. We contacted our family members to alert them.This week, through an Official Gazette, the interim government has threatened to imprison anyone who supports the events of January 3, arbitrarily reviewing their social media activity.That Saturday, true hope was awakened in many Venezuelans, both inside and outside the country. As a family, we are grateful for the actions taken by the United States on that day, recognizing that God can use nations and their authorities as instruments to open paths of justice and order, even in complex processes. For the first time, we see actions carried out with clear objectives.How do you feel about America?For our family, the United States has been a nation of opportunity, order, and grace, where we have been able to rebuild our lives with dignity.We deeply value the freedom to openly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to congregate, disciple, and serve without fear. God gave us a new spiritual family at Grace Church, where we have received love, support, and spiritual guidance. We live with gratitude, aware that God works sovereignly through nations. The U.S. has become our new home.Where do you see God’s intervention, and what hope do you have for Venezuela?We are convinced that God has never abandoned Venezuela. Scripture affirms that He loves justice and hates violence (Isaiah 61:8). Even in the midst of the diaspora, God has raised up a remnant that prays and intercedes for profound change.We pray for a reconciled Venezuela, with restored institutions, renewed education, healthcare, and economy, and above all, hearts surrendered to Christ. We believe that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing.By faith, we await a free and restored Venezuela, surrendered to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Solimar’s testimony reflects a tremendous amount of faith in the providence of God, attests to God’s continued blessing upon the United States, and reminds us all of the power of prayer. As followers of Christ, we are called to 'pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17).' Let us continue to specifically pray for God to move powerfully across our great nation, within Venezuela, and, for that matter, throughout all the nations of the world.</blockquote>

Faith Forged in Exile: A Venezuelan Testimony of Hope

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">In a world obsessed with platforms, applause, and public personalities</h1>there is an urgent call for leaders who know the value of the hidden place. It is in the unseen and often uncelebrated spaces where God shapes vessels who can carry His presence with integrity.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Long before the spotlight ever reveals a leader, the Spirit has already done His most essential work in the shadows.</blockquote>We live in a culture that measures influence by visibility, but Heaven measures influence by faithfulness.There is a profound truth woven throughout Scripture: God forms His champions in secret before He uses them in public. The hidden place has always been God’s training ground for those He entrusts with spiritual authority, character, and legacy.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Hidden Place: Where Roots Grow Deep</h2>Cheshvan—the only month on the Hebrew calendar with no festivals—reminds us that not every season is filled with celebration. Some seasons are quiet, slow, and seemingly uneventful. Yet these are often the seasons where the deepest work of God takes place.In the hidden place:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Elijah heard the whisper of God that he missed in the whirlwind.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">David learned courage in caves before facing giants in the valley.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Joseph grew in wisdom in a prison before governing in a palace.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus lived nearly thirty years in obscurity before three years of public ministry that changed the world.</li></ul>We want the platform, but God wants to give us deeper roots. We look for progress, but God looks for our posture. We long for influence, but God longs for intimacy. Hiddenness is not a detour. It is an invitation.It is where God refines motives, purifies desires, and develops the kind of leadership that cannot be corrupted by applause or destroyed by adversity.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Secret Work That Shapes Public Legacy</h2>The world rewards what is visible. Heaven rewards what is faithful. We do not leave a lasting legacy because of what people see us do on a stage. We leave a legacy because of the consistency of our walk with God when no one else was watching:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The quiet prayers</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The tear-stained intercessions</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The small acts of obedience</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The battles fought in private</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The private “yes” that precedes every public breakthrough</li></ul>These become the foundation for enduring impact. As Jesus taught, “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Hidden obedience always leads to visible legacy—not necessarily in earthly accolades, but in eternal fruit that remains.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Kislev: Rededication and the Rekindling of Light</h2>In the month of Kislev, the Maccabees rededicated the Temple after it had been defiled. They did not wait for perfect conditions or abundant resources. They offered what little oil they had—and God multiplied it. Every generation needs a remnant that will rededicate the altars of authentic worship, cleanse the compromises, and rekindle the flame.A life that carries the light of God into darkness is not one that is suddenly thrust into greatness; it is one that has been purified, refined, and surrendered in the hidden place.Before our lives can shine with God’s light into the darkness, they must become temples dedicated to the glory of God alone.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Shining With the Light of Eternity</h2>The legacy we leave must be measured not in temporary influence but in eternal significance. Too many leaders burn brightly for a moment but leave nothing that lasts beyond a generation.A true legacy is not what we build for ourselves but…<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">It is what we invest into others.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">It is what points beyond us to Christ.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">It is what continues after we are gone.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">It is what Heaven records long after earth forgets our name.</li></ul>The apostle Paul lived with this resolve and focus: “I do not run aimlessly.” (1 Cor. 9:26) He lived and led by example with eternity etched on his heart.We are not called to chase platforms. We are called to carry His presence.We are not called to build personal kingdoms. We are called to advance His Kingdom.We are not called to temporary impact. We are called to eternal legacy.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Leonard Ravenhill used to say and write to me, 'My dear brother Doug, Let others live on the raw or cutting edge…you and I should live on the edge of eternity.'</blockquote>May we, too, run in such a way that our lives shine with the light of eternity.

The Hidden Place to Leaving a Legacy

This time of the year, as we celebrate our Prince of Peace in a season that should be marked by peace, we often find ourselves surrounded by chaos. We sing, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but if we’re honest, it often feels like the busiest time of the year.We have a lot on our plates… between schedules, expectations, church activities, cooking, parenting, serving, decorating, Christmas parties, shopping, school events, end of year goals at work, wrapping gifts, holiday traditions, traveling, other festivities, and the pressure of holding everything together.Sometimes, the Christmas season feels overwhelming rather than peaceful. Sometimes, we just need a moment to breathe. Because Christmas was never meant to be carried on our shoulders; it was meant to be carried in our heart. This season does not have to be perfect for you to find perfect peace.Finding peace during the busyness of the holidays is one thing, but what about discovering it beyond December? How do we find peace in the midst of difficult situations: a diagnosis, financial hardship, a rocky marriage, betrayal, job loss, broken relationships, a difficult decision to make, or the grief of losing someone we love?We all face challenging seasons in life. This is reality. Some seasons are short; others last much longer. And sometimes seasons linger, leaving behind the remains of a difficult situation. So, how do we find peace when life feels hard, unknown, and heavy?We have all walked through tough times. Some of us may be going through a challenging time right now. Some struggles you’ve shared with others, and some you’ve carried alone, hidden from the world. Yet they remain very real in your life.I know it’s not easy, but thankfully, with God we can experience peace even in difficult times. Peace is not dependent on, nor limited to, any particular season of life. Peace came with the Son of God, wrapped in humanity and laid in a manger.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Luke 2:14 says, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…' Peace arrived with Jesus. But Jesus just didn’t bring peace… Jesus is peace. And the peace Jesus gives isn’t just seasonal, nor is it fragile. His peace is powerful and enduring. His Peace is EVERYTHING we need.</blockquote>Here are a few ways to receive and live in peace.Peace is a process.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">One of my favorite scriptures, and reminders of this truth, is found in Psalm 34:14, 'Seek peace and pursue it.' Peace is not something that simply happens by chance but a process and a continual part of life. It’s something we must intentionally seek and consistently work toward.</blockquote>In my life, I have dealt with fear, low self-esteem, worry, comparison, hurt, and other lies of the enemy that have tried to steal my peace. Through a lot of prayer over the years, I now find myself in a place of peace. And it is a much better place to be in. Even when life tries to creep in, I can work to get myself back to that place and stay there.I have found peace over fear for my kids and husband by fully placing them in God’s hands.I have found peace over worry knowing that God is in control and nothing is shocking to Him.I have found peace in knowing that I am good enough because I am God’s.I have found peace over comparison by being content with what God has blessed us with.When we take a moment to remember the ways we’ve experienced peace, two things become clear. First, we are living out at least one of the prayers we’ve prayed (though in reality, there are so many answered prayers). Second, the things we may take for granted are often the very things for which others are praying. When we stop and reflect on the blessings in our lives, it puts everything into perspective. This isn’t a cliché; it’s a posture of the heart. Peace takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. It’s not a feeling in a moment; it’s a way of life.Peace comes by surrendering control. When we surrender control of everything in our lives (our health, family, marriage, job, finances, the future), we are exchanging our worries for God’s peace.I heard a quote once that said, You can carry it or you can cast it, but you can’t do both. I love this.I am very careful to use the word anxiety when it comes to things I’ve dealt with because I know there are people who truly deal with anxiety on a much bigger scale, but I have had very anxious moments over the years.And I've realized that in those anxious times, I was trying to be God. I was trying to fix things that weren’t mine to fix, worry about things I didn’t need to worry about, change someone who wasn’t going to change. Rather than surrendering it to the Lord, I was trying to control it.We often think, at times, that we are powerful when we can control things, but the truth is there is power in releasing it.One of my other favorite scriptures is Psalms 4:8, which says, “I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, LORD, make me live in safety.”The Lord is One who can carry it, we just have to let Him.Peace grows when you guard your heart, your mind, and your time. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” -Colossians 3:15Peace requires intentional focus. Your heart, mind, and time will not be guarded without that intentional focus.The distractions you allow will never produce a peaceful heart. The key is what you choose to allow. When you intentionally guard your heart from what wounds it, your mind from what feeds negative thoughts, and your time from unnecessary interruptions, you position yourself to live in a much more peaceful place.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Romans 12:2 says, 'Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' Having a renewed mind is an amazing feeling.</blockquote>And Philippians 4:7 reminds us that “The peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”So, guard your thoughts. Protect your heart. Fill your mind with His Word. Give yourself permission to rest. And be still.Peace comes when you release what you were never intended to carry. In life, we carry A LOT. And not just on the outside in all that we balance and do, but all the internal things we carry as well. But the peace of God doesn’t come from what you manage or what you carry. Peace comes from Who you walk with on this journey called life.Philippians 4:6–7 tells us peace comes through prayer—through the surrender of the things weighing on your heart.There is peace in admitting:“I can’t do everything.” “I need help.” “This is too hard for me to handle alone.” “I’m giving this to God.” “I’m not okay.”When your fists are clenched and you are trying to do it all, you are not in a position to receive that peace.Allow yourself to release what you were never meant to carry and welcome that perfect peace into your life that the Lord has ready for you.Peace isn’t just for you - it flows through you.When you have the peace of God in your life, people see it. In a world that is far from peaceful, living in and with peace can be one of the greatest parts of your testimony.In our humanity, we are incapable of finding peace in the hardest times of life. But with God, we can find it. And when you have the Peace of God on you and in you, you carry peace into situations that don’t have any.Jesus doesn’t just give you peace, He makes you an instrument of it. And when you lead someone else into a peaceful place, God settles peace deeper into you.Peace is yours not because life is easy, but because you are loved.Peace isn’t the absence of problems; it’s the presence of the One who holds all things together—including you and me.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Jesus said, 'My peace I give to you; not as the world gives…' -John 14:27</blockquote>That’s exactly why we need Jesus. He offers something to us that nothing else and no one else can.Christmas reminds us that He stepped into a broken world because His love for you and me is relentless.Jesus sees every quiet sacrifice you make. Every tear you wipe. Every heartache you feel. Every worry you think about. Every responsibility you juggle. Every prayer whispered (or shouted) for your children, your spouse, your home, your ministry, your future.Jesus loves you and His love brings peace no circumstance can steal.At Christmas, we celebrate the wondrous truth of Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a Child is born… and His name shall be called… the Prince of Peace.” The birth of Jesus brought light into a weary world and hope into restless hearts. His coming reminds us peace is not something we create on our own, it’s a gift God offers through His Son.In the middle of the shopping lists, to-do lists, school events, family plans, and the hundreds of invisible things you carry that no one else sees, my prayer is that the peace of God guards your heart in a way nothing else can.The world may demand more from you in December and in the seasons of life to come, but Jesus invites you to receive more from Him.Let’s carry the message of Christmas into our daily lives. God is near. Peace is here. And His love remains our greatest joy.So breathe…Slow down for a moment.Be at peace.Remember Who you belong to. Let His Word steady your mind, let His Spirit quiet the overwhelmed parts, and let His love define your peace.This Christmas (and beyond), may the Prince of Peace meet you in the ordinary moments of life and remind you of this:You are seen. You are loved. You are carried by God.And in addition to God being the Source of peace, He is faithful.

Finding Peace

LIGHT BREAKS INTO DARKNESS:During this season, something extraordinary happens. Around the world, people begin lighting candles, singing songs of expectation, and remembering the God who breaks into darkness with His light.Christians enter Advent, the four-week period leading up to Christmas—a season of expectation and preparation.Our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights—a reminder of God’s miraculous provision and His faithfulness through dark and difficult times.And all of us prepare our hearts for Christmas, the birth of Jesus—the true Light of the world.There has been a lot of discussion about what day of the year Jesus was actually born. The truth is, we may not know the exact day when He was born, but we do know that He was born, and He is the Light of the World! He is the Word who dwells among us.People around the world are celebrating, in some capacity, this Christmas season. That is why it’s important for us as the Church to reflect Christ when there’s so much attention on Christmas.While these celebrations may seem distinct, together they proclaim a single, unified message:The Light has come, the Light is coming, and the Light is still shining.And in the midst of a troubled world, the cry of God’s people remains the same:“Come, Lord Jesus.”ADVENT: THE SEASON OF EXPECTATION:The word Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” It is a season marked by the themes of hope, faith, joy, peace, and love. Advent looks back at Christ’s first coming as a baby in Bethlehem, but it also looks forward to His Second Coming as King of kings and Lord of lords.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The dictionary defines Advent as 'the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.' For Christians, Advent is the expectation of Christ Himself. John 1:1–5 teaches us:</blockquote>“In the beginning was the Word… In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”Advent reminds us that the Light of all creation stepped into our world—into flesh, into time, into our darkness—to bring hope. But Advent is not merely sentimental. It is a declaration:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Christ has come.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Christ is with us.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Christ is coming again.</li></ul>Just as ancient Israel waited in longing for the Messiah, we, too, wait for His return with a holy expectation.HANUKKAH: A TESTIMONY OF GOD’S LIGHT AND FAITHFULNESS:Around the same time as Advent, the Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah, an eight-day festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple after foreign oppression. When God’s people found only enough oil for one day, God performed a miracle—causing the light to burn for eight days.Hanukkah reminds us:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">God provides what seems impossible.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">God sustains us when our oil runs low.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">God calls us to rededicate ourselves to Him.</li></ul>The menorah candles proclaim the same message as Advent candles:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">God shines His light in darkness.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">God keeps His promises.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">God is faithful across generations.</li></ul>CHRISTMAS: THE WORD MADE FLESH:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Christmas is the celebration of the greatest miracle of all—the incarnation. John 1:14 declares:</blockquote>“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” God did not stay distant. He did not remain far away. He came near.<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">He stepped into human history.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">He walked among the broken.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">He dwelt among His people.</li></ul>Christmas should remind us of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise: Immanuel—God with us. And He didn’t just come to visit; He came to redeem, restore, heal, and save.JESUS: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">One of the central themes tying Advent, Hanukkah, and Christmas together is light. Jesus said in John 8:12:</blockquote>“I am the light of the world.Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness,but will have the light of life.”This is not metaphorical. It is a spiritual reality.<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">His light brings life.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">His light brings clarity.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">His light exposes deception.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">His light overcomes darkness.</li></ul><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">1 John 1:5 declares: 'God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.' Not only did Jesus bring light to us—He now shines through us.</blockquote>CHRIST IN US: WE CARRY THE LIGHT:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Jesus said in Matthew 5:14–16:</blockquote>“You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good worksand glorify your Father in heaven.”This means:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The light God placed in you is meant to be seen.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Your faith, your peace, your joy, your hope—these are testimonies in a dark world.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Even a small light in a dark room transforms the atmosphere.</li></ul>This season, many people are discouraged or feeling alone. You might be the only light someone sees. Your presence, your encouragement, your generosity, your prayers—these become candles of hope in someone else’s night. As my friend Alan Splawn says, Advent reminds us of “His essential presence with periodic blessings of His manifest presence made conscious to us in unique and wonderful ways.”CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN: OUR BLESSED HOPE:Advent not only points to the past—it points forward to the glorious future. Jesus promised, “I will come again.” The early church lived in constant expectation of Christ’s return. Every generation of believers has echoed that longing. And today, in a world filled with unrest, conflict, and uncertainty, our hearts cry again:“Come, Lord Jesus.”Revelation 22:20 ends the entire Bible with these words: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”This is not wishful thinking. It is our blessed hope.Christ will return.He will judge wickedness.He will restore creation.He will wipe every tear.He will reign forever.And until that day, we shine His light.LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE:How do we carry the light of Christ this season?<ol class="list-decimal list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Shine Spiritually. Stay in the Word. Walk in holiness. Seek His presence.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Shine Relationally. Reach out to someone who is hurting. Forgive. Encourage. Reconcile.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Shine Generously. Bless someone in need. Support missions. Give sacrificially.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Shine Prayerfully. Pray for revival, for families, for healing, for our nation.</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Shine Publicly. Don’t hide your faith. Let your actions point people to Jesus.</li></ol>Even a small flame can change a dark room. Even one obedient believer can change an entire family line. Even one prayer can shift an atmosphere.THE LIGHT HAS COME — COME, LORD JESUS:As we celebrate Advent… as our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate Hanukkah…as we prepare our hearts for Christmas… Let us remember:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Light has come.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Light is with us.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Light will come again.</li></ul>This season, let our hearts echo the cry of the Church through the centuries: “Come, Lord Jesus.”Come into our families.Come into our communities.Come into our nation.Come into our hearts again.And come in Your glory to make all things new.The Light has come, and the darkness cannot overcome it. And to that let’s say, “Amen!”

Advent – Hanukkah – Christmas: The Light Has Come, Come Lord Jesus!

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">Christmas is filled with expectations.</h1>During this time of the year we expect to be surrounded by the smells, sounds, and sights of the season. Of course, there’s variety regarding these Christmas features. There are, however, a few staples most would expect:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The scent of pine needles, hot apple cider, and freshly baked gingerbread cookies…</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Christmas music sung or played in church, at the local mall, or by caroling neighbors…</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Bright lights, glittering tinsel, “stockings hung by the chimney with care,” and presents under the tree…</li></ul>Seeing the expressions on my children’s faces as they unwrap their presents is what I enjoy seeing. But I especially love reading the story of Jesus’ birth to my children and, then, unwrapping it with them.Unwrapping the account of the birth of Christ is a joyful and fascinating thing to do. Matthew tells us in chapter 1 that Mary is pregnant. She’s an unwed virgin who is supernaturally with child. Mary’s carrying a baby boy, a son, within her womb. But He’s not just any baby boy, and not just anybody’s son. This baby boy, this son, is different.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">This baby was there 'In the beginning… (Genesis 1).' This baby created all things and holds all of things together (John 1; Colossians 1). This baby is God in flesh (John 1:14) and 'God with us, Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).' This baby makes stars move, angels sing, and kings kneel.</blockquote>As Christians, we believe what Matthew is telling us is true: that this baby boy was developing and forming and growing within Mary’s womb. In Matthew 1, Mary is expecting to give birth to a boy who is the one and only Son of God.And when we more fully unwrap Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, we can see Mary’s not the only one expecting. God is expecting as well (obviously not in the same sense as Mary). Mary is expecting to deliver. She’s anticipating giving birth. In a different sense, though, God is expecting.God is expecting Mary to raise, nurture, protect, and mother the Son of God. God is expecting Joseph to do the right, honorable thing and protect Mary’s character and reputation. God is expecting the Angel of the Lord to deliver a clear, concise message to Joseph through a dream, while conveying peace and confidence to him in the process. God is expecting Joseph, then, to embrace the truth of this angelic message and the Truth growing within Mary. God is also expecting Joseph to follow His directions and name this baby boy, Jesus. God’s expecting people like Matthew to recognize that the birth of Jesus fulfills the divine prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, which means, God is expecting Matthew to record all Jesus spoke and did to demonstrate the reality that Jesus really is, “Immanuel, God with us!” And God is expecting Jesus to “save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).”So, Mary’s not the only one expecting in this account. God is expecting too. God is expectant. And the more we explore the bible and unwrap the divine accounts and messages within it, the more we will discover that God has always been expectant.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">In the Old Testament, God told:</h2><ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Adam not to eat from the tree of life…</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Noah to build an ark to save his family…</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Abraham to leave his land for the blessings and promises of another…</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jacob to stay in Bethel and worship there…</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Moses to tell Pharaoh, “Let my people go!”...</li><li value="6" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Joshua to March around Jericho for seven days…</li><li value="7" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">David to kill Goliath and defeat the Philistines…</li><li value="8" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Isaiah to deliver messages to kings…</li><li value="9" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Kings to follow His laws…</li><li value="10" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">And Israel to worship Him alone…</li></ul>And when God told Adam to refrain, Noah to build, Abraham to go, Jacob to stay, Moses to tell, Joshua to march, Isaiah to deliver, kings to submit and His people to put God first in everything they did, God expected them all to… obey. God expected obedience.And what gives God the right to expect obedience from anyone, at any time?The answer is simple: God is sovereign.The sovereignty of God stands at the very center of the Old Testament, and nothing changes when we look to the New Testament. God is still sovereign, still giving commands, and still expecting obedience. The difference is this: in the New Testament, the One issuing those commands and calling for our obedience is the Son of God. The Expectant One is Jesus Christ, the newborn King we sing about at Christmas.Jesus is expecting us (those who love him), as he says in John 14:15, to keep His commandments… and there are many. If you want a refresher course on His many expectations, turn to the Gospels. If you’d like Jesus’ top two, flip to Matthew 22:37-39:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’</blockquote>So, how do we do this? How do we love God with all we are and love others as ourselves?Now, that’s a question worth unwrapping. It’s also a question we should expect to ask ourselves throughout the year, not just at Christmas.

Christmas Expectations

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">The First Thanksgiving</h1>As Americans, it is important that we give thanks to God for His abundance of mercy and grace in our lives and upon our land. It is also pertinent to thank Him for the rich history we have, including that which surrounds the first Thanksgiving.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The First Thanksgiving</h2>On November 21, 1620, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact and began their Plymouth Colony. Of the 102 Pilgrims, only 51 survived till Spring. At one point, only a half dozen were healthy enough to care for the rest.In the Spring of 1621, the Indian Squanto came among them, and showed them how to catch fish, plant corn, trap beaver, and was their interpreter with the other Indian tribes. Governor William Bradford described Squanto as: <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">A special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation.</blockquote>Bradford added: <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The settlers ... began to plant their corn, in which service Squanto stood them in good stead, showing them how to plant it and cultivate it. He also told them that unless they got fish to manure this exhausted old soil, it would come to nothing … In the middle of April plenty of fish would come up the brook ... and he taught them how to catch it.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The 1621 Harvest Celebration</h2>Pilgrim Edward Winslow recorded in Mourt's Relation that in the Fall of 1621: <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">God be praised we had a good increase … Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week... At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others... By the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.</blockquote>Bradford described the same event:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Thanksgiving Traditions in Holland</h2>The idea of a Fall day of thanksgiving may have come to the Pilgrims after they moved to Leiden, Holland, in 1609. Dutch citizens there annually gave thanks to God for William of Orange, in 1574, ending the Spanish Furies.Historian Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs, Ph.D., documented that Jan Orlers, a friend of Pilgrim elder William Brewster, wrote of Leiden’s annual Thanksgiving: <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Every year throughout the city a General Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving … held and celebrated on the Third of October, to thank and praise God Almighty that he so mercifully had saved the city from her enemies.</blockquote>Leiden also had a community of persecuted Jews. Pilgrims would have observed the annual Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot, in September–October. Pilgrims identified with the Israelites fleeing Pharaoh, seeing themselves as fleeing the English king in search of their promised land.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Hebrew Influence</h2>The Hebrew Republic (Israel’s self-government for 400 years) deeply influenced Puritan and Pilgrim views of liberty. Protestant scholars who studied the Hebrew Republic were called Christian Hebraists. When Harvard and Yale were founded, Hebrew was taught at both.Bangs explained: <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Our knowledge of the 1621 Thanksgiving comes from Winslow and Bradford. Winslow’s choice of words ... implies that the Pilgrims gave thanks to God for their preservation and for the plenty that gave hope for the future … It is a history with potent symbolism.</blockquote>He added that Winslow’s language alluded to John 4:36 and Psalm 33: <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">And he that reapeth, receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal, that both he that soweth, and he that reapeth, might rejoice together.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Hard Winter and the Second Thanksgiving</h2>On November 9, 1621, thirty-seven new Pilgrims arrived on the Fortune. They brought no food or supplies, causing a second “starving time,” with rations as low as five kernels of corn per day.The Pilgrims attempted to repay their creditors by sending 500 pounds of furs on the Fortune, but the ship was captured by French pirates. In 1622, Chief Massasoit became ill. Edward Winslow visited and doctored him, and he recovered—preserving a peace that lasted more than 50 years.In 1623, a drought struck. Winslow recorded in Chronicles of the Pilgrims: <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Drought and the like considerations moved ... every good man ... to humiliation before Him ... to humble ourselves together before the Lord by Fasting and Prayer.</blockquote>Their pattern was: After their fast, Bradford wrote: <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers ... caused a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing... Instead of famine now God gave them plenty, for which they blessed God.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Later Thanksgiving Proclamations</h2>Charlestown, Massachusetts (June 20, 1676): <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The Council has thought to appoint ... a day of solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God … that being persuaded by the mercies of God we may all ... offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Benjamin Franklin’s Reflection</h2>Ben Franklin wrote in The Completed Autobiography: <blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The first settlers met with many difficulties ... Being piously disposed, they sought relief from heaven by ... fasting and prayer... At length ... a farmer of plain sense ... thought it would be more becoming ... if instead of a fast they should proclaim a thanksgiving.</blockquote>His advice was taken ... and from that day to this ... they have in every year observed circumstances of public felicity sufficient to furnish employment for a Thanksgiving Day.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Thanksgiving Day… Everyday</h2>Thanksgiving and American history go hand-in-hand. As Christians, called to be salt in light in this world and in our nation, we must lead in of gratitude, giving thanks to God for all He has done for us and for our nation. And our example of gratitude must be evident throughout the year. Thanksgiving Day is special, for sure, but for followers of Christ, everyday ought to be a day of thanksgiving.

The Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving

The Church has a biblical mandate to engage in the political and governmental affairs of this world in an obedient and faithful manner.

There are, undoubtedly, many reasons for Christians to get involved in politics. Over the years we’ve become well acquainted with a few such as: the absence, or lack of, 

... an increase in taxes, unnecessary bureaucracy, or government waste… the existence of bad policies and the need for better legislation.

These are certainly legitimate catalysts for Christians to become engaged in politics but they really are peripheral in comparison to the primary reason: 

God’s Word provides us with many directives regarding His desire for us to actively impact and influence governance with the values of the Kingdom. Additionally, His Word provides plenty of examples for how we are to be His hands and feet, salt and light, agents and ambassadors of the Kingdom of God in every realm on earth, particularly the political arena.

Here are just a few biblical examples of how God's people engaged and influenced governance:

The Biblical narrative clearly demonstrates God's expectation for the Church to impact governance, not for the purpose of establishing a theocracy, but to transform the hearts and minds of those whom God has placed, or has allowed to be, in positions of authority…

Getting involved in this way isn’t becoming political. It is being biblical. God demands we call on those who govern to live out the words of Micah 6:8, 

“to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”

“we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Tim 2:2).”

Unfortunately, many Christians do not embrace this biblical mandate because they have accepted the false dichotomy in this country regarding the separation of Church and State.

There should be a separation of sorts, both God’s Word and American history attest to this. However, it’s not the sort of separation that kicks the Church to the periphery, regulating the Church to the sidelines and silencing the Church’s voice. Although there should be institutional separation between Church and State, there must never be influential separation. In fact, the Church’s influence and impact upon the State should be both strategic and significant.

How are you bringing God’s Kingdom to earth as it is in Heaven?

How are you impacting the political with the biblical, with the truth and the values of the Kingdom?

How are you fulfilling the Great Commission and the Biblical Mandate, evident throughout God’s Word?

The leaders and rulers of this World desperately need the light of Christ. He’s sending you to light them up.

The Biblical Mandate

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">God owns everything, and we own nothing.</h1>This is the first principle of stewardship.God’s Word is very clear on this. Here are a few powerful verses that speak to this reality:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">'All the earth is Mine.' — Exodus 19:5'Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.' — Deuteronomy 10:14'Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.' — Job 41:11'Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?' — 1 Corinthians 6:19'You were bought with a price.' — 1 Corinthians 7:23'The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.' — Psalm 24:1</blockquote>We came into this world with nothing, and we will leave it with nothing. Paul tells us this in 1 Timothy 6:7, “We have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” Everything we have is on loan to us from God. We are simply God’s stewards.As stewards of God’s creation, we must recognize that everything belongs to God, including our bodies, which Christ purchased with His blood.Regarding material possessions, God allows us to manage and use these assets rightly. Additionally, God gives us life, free will, time, skills, abilities, talents, spiritual gifts, and opportunities to do the good works He prepared for us before the foundation of the world.In a nutshell, all we have has been given to us as a result of the grace of God and should be employed for good and for the glory of God.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Paul affirms this in Ephesians 2:8–10, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.'</blockquote>When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He made humanity stewards over all His creation on earth. Genesis 1:28 says, “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”As stewards, we are accountable to God for the way we manage His creation and obey His commands. As God’s image-bearers and stewards over His creation, He calls us to represent Him with the same love, grace, mercy, generosity, and goodness that He shows us.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Titus 1:7–8 states, 'For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.'</blockquote>As stewards, we will give an account at the Bema Seat of Christ for what we did with the resources, gifts, skills, abilities, and opportunities He entrusted to us.God desires for us to steward what is in accordance with His will and in alignment with His character. And, He intends to reward faithful servants who steward His resources well. This is evident in the Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:12–19):<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas and said, 'Engage in business until I come.' … When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered those servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' The second came, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made five minas.' And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.'</blockquote>Experience shows us God blesses some people with more resources and gifts than others, but He expects more from those who have been given more. Luke 12:48 says, “… Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”The Bible even warns that those blessed with the ability to teach will be held to a higher standard. James 3:1 states, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”For those who feel they have very little, take heart in the Parable of the Poor Widow:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And He called His disciples to Him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had—all she had to live on.’ Mark 12:42–44</blockquote>This woman shows us that generosity is the goal, humility is the key, and faith that “little is much when God is in it” is important.Furthermore, God warns us not to assume that our power and abilities create wealth. Deuteronomy 8:17–18 cautions, “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…”When we fail to recognize that everything on earth belongs to God, that what we do have is the result of His grace, and that He has made us stewards of His possessions, we fall into a trap that breeds evil, greed, covetousness, and the love of money.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">1 Timothy 6:10 reminds us, 'For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.' Luke 16:13 adds, 'No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.'</blockquote>In conclusion, as people entrusted with Divine resources, we must constantly remind ourselves and teach others these realities:God owns everything; we are simply His stewards.Everything we have (our time, talents, and resources) is entrusted to us for His glory and for the edification of the Kingdom.Money can become either a tool or a tyrant in our lives.When we do see all that God has given us—our money, abilities, and opportunities— as tools to advance His Kingdom and glorify His name, we will also discover this truth:If we are faithful with a little, God will give us greater opportunities. John FederJohn is a husband, father, grandfather and a retired Exxon Mobile petroleum engineer. He is also an active member of Grace Woodlands church and currently sits on the Montgomery County Eagle Forum Board of Directors, serving faithfully as the prayer coordinator.

God Owns Everything 

The influence of women in America can well be the secret in winning the battle against the culture of the day that is attacking our children and destroying the biblical and moral foundation of the family, as established by the Creator.It takes a woman to influence her children and husband with the truth, wisdom, and discernment she carries to keep her home strong against the attacks of the enemy that is trying to break her family apart. When a woman stands strong for her nation and speaks boldly according to the Word of God, she will inspire the men of that nation to fight the battle for truth and freedom.One of those examples is Deborah who was called by God to serve in judging the nation of Israel in a time where the faith of God’s people depended on the presence of a judge who upheld God’s law. When there was no judge, there was no law… and without law and order the nation would fall into depravity, sin, and lawlessness.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, 'Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand’?' And Barak said to her, 'If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!' So she said, 'I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.' Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. – Judges 4:4-9</blockquote>As the story unfolds a great victory came to the nation because of the influence of Deborah to persuade, and call, Barak to obey God’s instruction to defeat Sisera the captain of the army that was oppressing Israel under King Jabin of the Canaanites. The influence of Deborah changed the atmosphere of an entire nation from captivity to complete freedom and restoration. Her influence came as a result of her deep relationship with God. Deborah knew what God had told Barak and she reminded him of the promise of victory over the enemy.Influence is best defined as the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, and behavior of others. Influence can impact an entire household, a community, and a nation.The influence of Deborah was so powerful that a warrior like Barak would not go unless she went with him (see verse 8).However the next statement by Deborah is even more powerful and prophetic as she mentions the defeat of Sisera in the hand of a woman. That other woman was Jael:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a nail of the tent, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. – Judges 4:21-23</blockquote>An entire nation began to prosper after this great victory at the hand of a woman. We find some interesting conclusions about Deborah. This is also a calling for the Deborahs and Jaels in America to do the same for our country.God is calling the Deborahs and Jaels in America to:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Call upon the men in our nation, reminding them to stand up and serve God in total obedience to His Word.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Inspire others as they run to the battlefield, boldly and courageously standing firm in their faith and values.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Hold the hammers of justice and strength with the nails of truth, that they may defeat this culture of bondage and immorality within our nation.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Lead this nation from sorrow and mourning to a new song of praise and victory, as Judges 5 records, through the victory song of praise sung by Deborah and Barak.</li></ul>Women of God in America…It is time for us to rise.It's time for us to stand strong and speak truth with courage and discernment.It’s time for us to leverage our influence and remind this nation that we are one nation under God.It’s time for us to raise up a new generation of godly influencers in America.It’s time for the modern day Deborahs and Jaels of this nation to be heard.

Women of Influence

What does it reveal about a society when it begins to devalue human life—even celebrating the harm or murder of those it disagrees with? We are living in a time when anger and hatred are normalized, even glamorized. Jesus tells us that hatred itself is the seed of murder (Matthew 5:21–22).There is a spirit of death at work in our culture. It’s the same spirit we see throughout history—the spirit that animated Pharaoh, Herod, Jezebel, and Haman in the days of Esther. It is the same demonic force that has always sought to destroy life, silence truth, and extinguish the voices of righteousness.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Spirit of Death: Then and Now:</h2>Haman devised a decree of death against the Jews in Esther’s time, plotting genocide against God’s people. Yet God raised up Esther, a young woman who, at great personal risk, confronted the powers of darkness with courageous faith.Jezebel sought to kill Elijah after his confrontation with the prophets of Baal, attempting to silence the prophetic voice.Pharaoh ordered the slaughter of Hebrew boys to stop Moses, the deliverer.Herod massacred Bethlehem’s infants in an attempt to kill the Messiah.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">These were not just historical incidents; they were coordinated spiritual attacks designed to silence the messengers of God before they could fulfill their call.</blockquote>Today, the same spirit manifests in our society—through cultural hostility, systemic compromise, and spiritual deception. Whether through legislation, propaganda, or the intimidation of “cancel culture,” the enemy still seeks to shut down those who carry the Word of the Lord.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">We need a generation of modern day righteous and courageous voices:</h2>Forerunners in an Age of Compromise:Like Elijah, they will not shrink back in the face of corruption.Like Esther, they will risk their lives to stand for truth and God’s people.Like Daniel, they will walk in integrity in a hostile culture.Like John the Baptist, they will be voices crying in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Throughout history, unrighteousness has always sought to kill the voice of righteousness. But in every generation, God raises up those who will not bow—those who speak truth in love and carry His standard in a world that has lost its way.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Truth in Love: Balanced Boldness:</h2>We are in a battle for truth. A prevailing lie of our age is that truth is unloving. But grace without truth leads to compromise, and truth without grace leads to harshness. Jesus came “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14), and so must we.We must speak the truth in love, yes—but we must speak the truth nonetheless.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Silence in the name of peace is not love; it is compromise. Love speaks truth even when it costs something. And truth spoken in love has the power to set people free (John 8:32).</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Plumb Lines verses Swinging Pendulums:</h2>In Amos 7:7–8, God shows the prophet a plumb line, a divine standard of alignment. In every crooked generation, God raises up plumb line voices—men and women who reflect His character and refuse to bend to cultural trends.God is not looking for popularity; He’s looking for purity. He’s not impressed by charisma; He’s drawn to character.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">This generation doesn’t need more opinions. It needs prophetic clarity—voices that bring heaven’s perspective into a world drowning in confusion.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Consecration That Births Revival:</h2>Revival begins not on platforms but in consecrated hearts. God is calling us to live set apart—walking in holiness, faith, and love. Consecration births commitment, commitment births courageous action, and courageous action brings forth God’s purposes in our generation.We must reflect His character. The body of Christ must walk in faith, love, holiness, and self-control.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">A Call to This Generation:</h2>This is not the hour for passive Christianity. The spirit of death is active, but so is the Spirit of God. He is raising up a multi-generational company of Samuels, Esthers, Daniels, and Deborahs who will stand as forerunners, plumb lines, and prophetic messengers.It’s time for me, and it’s time for you. Get ready to birth a lasting revival that will change our world.The question is—will you be one of them?

Resisting the Spirit of Death: Forerunners in an Age of Compromise

<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21(NKJV)</blockquote>In just a few words, Paul describes his inner struggle… the deep longing to be present with the Lord, yet the awareness that his mission on earth, as an ambassador of Christ, was not yet finished.Paul penned this letter during his first Roman imprisonment. Unlike his second imprisonment, in a cold, dark dungeon, this bondange basically fell under the category of house arrest. Regardless of the form or fashion of Paul’s captivity (or, for that matter, his freedom), death was always a looming possibility since he unabashedly proclaimed the gospel of the One True King, Jesus Christ, in the shadow of the Roman Emperor.What an amazing example and inspiration for pastors today who commit to embrace the same devotion to Christ and the message of His Kingdom. Paul yearned for the day he would stand face-to-face with his Savior, but he was willing to suffer for the glory of God and for the advancement of the Gospel until he was called home.Our culture today is in dire need of pastors like the Apostle Paul… preachers and proclaimers of the Good News of Jesus Christ who burn with passion to do the will of God and usher in heaven to earth… ambassadors of the Kingdom who will bring the light and life of Christ into a dark and dying world… no matter the cost.Our world, and this nation, needs to see:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers, especially in a day like today, who understand the power of Paul’s words, “to live is Christ,” recognizing that God has given us a window in time to experience a revival in the land and change the course of this nation.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers who are completely obedient to our Savior’s words in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers, living for Christ, who are embracing God’s call on their lives to radically impact the day, “for a time such as this.” (Esther 4:14).</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers who are brightly shining their light so that nonbelievers may also see our good works, hear the message of salvation, and surrender their lives to Christ for the “praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1;6, 1:12, 1;14).</li></ul>Additionally, our nation would greatly benefit from witnessing:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers who are living out Paul's phrase, “to die is gain.” Christians who are living in light of the hope of eternal glory in all that they do, not recklessly, but fearlessly proclaiming Jesus as Lord without concern for repercussions or persecution.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers who navigate the storms of life with confidence in Christ, demonstrating strong, preserving faith in this fact from Romans 8:39, “... nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”</li></ul>This world is full of those who hold and herald different ideologies, many that are, in fact, antithetical to the Word of God. Consider the lengths they go to express their agendas. In many cases, the people promoting these ideas demonstrate a greater commitment to their way of living than many believers to do ours… and we have the Truth on our side!It is time for the Church… for pastors and congregations to stand up and be strong. We have a life-changing, life-giving message to share. We have the keys to the Kingdom, the authorization of Christ himself, and the power of the Holy Spirit to turn this world upside down.What’s missing? A firm commitment to Philippians 1:21…<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.</blockquote>May Paul’s attitude toward his service to Christ and his burden to reach the lost fall upon every disciple of Jesus Christ.May the same Power that raised Jesus from the dead fill and fuel every believer so we will walk boldly in our calling.May we be people who are eager and willing to proclaim these additional words from Paul in Romans 1:16,<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.not to be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation.</blockquote>Let today be the day we, as members of the Body of Christ, choose to live as Christ knowing, with absolute confidence, that when the appointed time comes for each of us to see Him face-to-face, it will truly be to our gain… beyond our imagination.

To Live is Christ

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">We love to talk about the promises of God.</h1>We sing about them. We declare them. We quote Jeremiah 29:11 and shout “Amen” when someone says, “God has a plan for your life.” But what do we do in the in-between? What happens when we’ve received a promise, but we’re stuck in the long, confusing space between “God said” and “it came to pass”? If you’ve ever felt like your life is full of prophetic words but void of fulfillment, you’re not alone. You’re not faithless. And you’re not forgotten. You’re in God’s process.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Because the truth is, God is not just a promise giver—He’s a process God.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">God Creates—But He Also Forms</h2>Romans 1:20 tells us that the invisible attributes of God can be clearly seen through what has been created. That means if you want to understand how God works, you have to study His creation. That’s how Paul starts unpacking the mystery: the invisible is revealed through the visible.Take Genesis, for instance. In chapter 1, God creates the heavens and the earth. But in chapter 2, something shifts: God begins to form. He forms man from the dust. He plants a garden. He shapes, establishes, and prepares things for fruitfulness.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">In Isaiah 45:18, God says: 'I did not create the earth in vain—I formed it to be inhabited.'</blockquote>He didn’t create it to be empty. He formed it to carry purpose. And that’s the same with you. God didn’t just create you—He’s forming you. He’s shaping your character, stretching your faith, maturing your gifts, and establishing your steps. The new creation happened in a moment—but formation? That takes time.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Process Is Not Punishment—It’s Preparation</h2>One of the most dangerous lies you can believe is that God is punishing you when He’s really preparing you.God creates you in grace—but He forms you through fire. The potter doesn’t stop at creating the clay; he keeps pressing, spinning, reshaping. That process isn’t evidence of rejection—it’s proof of investment. God takes time with what He values.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Isaiah 43:1 makes this clear: 'Thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel…' Same person. Two names. Two identities. One is raw potential (Jacob), the other is royal destiny (Israel). God created Jacob—but He formed Israel.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Why the Process Hurts</h2>Sometimes we don’t resist God’s promises—we resist His timing. We want the fruit of the Spirit, but not the pruning. We want destiny, but we dread delay.The reason we struggle is because we often judge our lives by events rather than by process. We look at single moments—crisis, loss, failure—and we panic: This must not be God!<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">But Romans 8:28 says: 'All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.'</blockquote>That word “work together” in the Greek literally means to cooperate. It’s as if all the pieces of your life have a staff meeting in heaven and say, “Alright, how are we going to help fulfill God’s purpose in this person’s life?” Even the pain. Even the delays. Even the betrayal.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Don’t Let an Event Define Your Purpose</h2>Abraham is a perfect example. God promised him a son. But years passed—nothing happened. So Abraham did something. He and Sarah took matters into their own hands, and Ishmael was born. But that wasn’t God’s promise—it was man’s shortcut.And for 13 years after that, God went silent.It wasn’t until Abraham was 99 that God showed up and said: “I am El Shaddai—the God who is more than enough.”In other words: You tried to fix what only I can fulfill. You’re not disqualified, but you’ve delayed what I wanted to do.So here’s the principle: when you’re tempted to rush the process, remember that God hasn’t forgotten the promise.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">God Doesn’t Create in Vain</h2>In Isaiah 45, God makes it plain: He didn’t create the world in confusion. He didn’t form it empty. And He didn’t call you without purpose.He established the earth. That Hebrew word means “to assign destiny.” God gives shape, order, identity, and composition to everything He makes. You were born with design. You were saved with intent. You’ve been formed for fruitfulness.Don’t waste your life trying to walk in someone else’s calling. Embrace the composition God gave you. That includes your temperament, your talents, your testimony, and yes—even your trials.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">When God Hides… Keep Walking</h2><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Isaiah 45:15 says, 'Truly You are a God who hides Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior.'</blockquote>There will be seasons where you can’t see God’s hand. But you still have His word.God speaks righteousness. He doesn’t mumble. He doesn’t manipulate. He declares truth—even when it’s hidden behind process. He hasn’t forgotten what He told you. He’s shaping you to carry it.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Watch What You Do in the Waiting</h2>The biggest temptation in process is to do something—anything. We hate the silence. We hate the fog. So we start grabbing for control. We start murmuring. We start compromising.But murmuring is the language of unbelief.Praise is the language of faith.And patience is the proof of faith.Let me say that again: patience is not weakness. It’s faith under pressure. It’s worship in the wilderness. It’s trusting that God hasn’t changed His mind just because the timeline isn’t what you expected.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">From Cyrus to Christ</h2>Isaiah 45 prophesied about a Persian king named Cyrus—120 years before he was even born. And when Cyrus finally rose to power, he fulfilled every single word God had spoken. He broke open the gates of Babylon. He freed the captives. He ordered the rebuilding of the temple. And he did it not knowing that his story was already written in the scroll of the prophets.That’s how precise God is.And that same Cyrus-built temple? That’s the one Jesus walked into centuries later.What started as captivity ended in Kingdom.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Final Thought</h2>If you’re in the middle of your process, don’t despise it.You may not see the fruit yet. You may not understand the timeline. But the Potter never wastes the clay. If He created you, He will form you. If He formed you, He will make you fruitful. If He made you fruitful, He will establish you.God doesn’t create in vain. He creates to be inhabited. By purpose. By fruit. By glory. By Himself.And if you hold on—if you trust the process—what He promised WILL come to pass.

Embracing God's Process: When the Promise Is in Progress

<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NKJV)</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)</blockquote>If we take the time to read 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, we will realize that the apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of love within the body of Christ and highlights the diversity of roles among believers, reminding us that love is essential above all spiritual gifts.In this series of Bible verses, Paul discusses the diverse roles within the Church, emphasizing that all believers are integral parts of the body of Christ. He stresses that while spiritual gifts are important, love is paramount, stating that, without love, even the greatest gifts and sacrifices are meaningless. Paul outlines the nature of love as patient, kind, and enduring, concluding that faith, hope, and love remain, but the greatest of these is love.Each one of us has a particular place in the Church. Even knowing this, many Christians confront the problem of lack of identity. This causes them to live a life of frustration and to be unsatisfied. We should know and understand that each one has been redeemed and has a special place in the body of Christ. It is our duty to discover which is our place and learn how to situate ourselves in it. We should also identify and respect other members. We are all part of the same body, and we all have the same importance.I have discovered through the years that the conflict does not lie as much in those who cannot identify and respect other members of the body. Rather, I have found many conflicted Christians who are in crisis because they do not accept with dignity who they are. I realize many times we are dazed by other ministries, and we think that if we do not feel equal, we are not complete in the body. Through this way, we spend all our time trying to imitate others, and we never come to complete the function in what we are really called to.In these first few verses that were mentioned in the beginning (vs. 12:27-31), the apostle mentions that God has "PLACED" some in the church the way He wanted. It is God who places us. It is important to know how to wait for the time and place the Lord has for each one.Yet this does not mean that we should have a conformist attitude, since I am speaking of location and acceptance, and not satisfaction. Rather, in verse 31, the apostle Paul clearly insists for us to procure spiritual gifts. I believe that today one of the most impetuous currents in Christianity has to do with ministers that promote gifts, emphasizing the importance of a ministry, and they are not wrong. We should earnestly desire the greater gifts (vs. 12:31).Personally, I like people who always seek something more, even the apostle showed the relevancy of seeking a still more excellent way. This is the way of love.Spiritual gifts and ministries with no love are like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (vs. 13:1). Many times I have found when I get to a place, that our ministry is already known, and it seems that what we have been doing makes such noise that the wavelengths travel before we even get to those places. But lately I wonder if those people know us for the noise we do or the love we express. I ask myself if the ministry the Lord has given us (this has to do with the functioning of the gifts inside the ministry) or the strength of the love with which we move is brighter (this has to do with the reflection of the character of God in a person).The Word of the Lord is radical. We can have all the prophecy, knowledge, and faith, but if we do not have love, we are nothing (vs. 13:2). So many times I have admired ministries that move in a tremendous anointing and a "high" level of revelation; today, I sadly see them die, making me realize that which they called "the highest" lacked "the perfect and still more excellent."This saying holds a great truth: Not everything that shines is gold. There is a way that is still more excellent… the way of love.If what motivates us isn't love, then nothing that we do has a purpose, even when we sell all our possessions to buy food for the poor, and we deliver our bodies to be burned (vs. 13:3).We cannot say we love God if this is not reflected in our lives and conduct. The incongruence of what we preach and what we live is what has been a stumbling block for many.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, endures all things. (vs. 13:4-7).</blockquote>Brethren, when we go to heaven, we will not take anything from our ministries; the only thing we will carry with us is the love we have moved in. This is the thing that never fails (vs. 13:8).In such a time as this, when everyone comes for faith, hope, and love, let us never forget that the greatest of these is love.

A Still More Excellent Way

<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?</blockquote>— Galatians 4:16 (NKJV)Truth, when spoken, is so powerful that it will make those who are in deception become your enemies.Paul knew he was confronting the Galatians with truth. He was not going to allow them to fall back into the very same law of captivity they had lived under before Christ. He was telling them that the same truth that had set them free was now being rejected by them, as they were not standing to defend it but instead going back to bondage.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.</blockquote>— Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)Many who were friends of Paul were willing before to give their own eyes for him as they will look at him as an angel, but when he confronted them with truth, then they saw him as an enemy. He was an enemy to their ways of living, an enemy to their lifestyle and ways of thinking. They were offended by the truthful words they heard from the lips of the apostle.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?</blockquote>— Galatians 3:1 (NKJV)Disobedience to truth causes a wise man to act as a foolish man, to fall under the control of others who have no discernment and knowledge of what is right and what is wrong. The fruits of the flesh were evident in the Galatians who had turned back from living in obedience to Christ to total disobedience and rebellion under the law. In the words of the apostle Paul, anyone who rejects truth is an enemy of the cross of Jesus Christ.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.</blockquote>— Philippians 3:18 (NKJV)If you are to preach truth, teach truth, and live in truth then you must understand that the calling must be higher than any cost. Many enemies will rise up against you but remember that it is better to please God than to please men. To be a servant of Christ, you cannot look to what pleases man but instead look to what pleases God.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.</blockquote>— Galatians 1:10 (NKJV)It is imperative for every person of faith to understand that persecution will come to those that hold truth sacred in their hearts. The world has become a place where relationships are built upon the deception of tolerance for anything regardless if it is false or true, real or unreal, original or duplicated. Those who speak or teach against all that is false, unreal, and misleading are considered to be vessels of hate and anger.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Josh McDowell writes, 'True compassionate love that seeks to provide and protect another person’s health, happiness, and spiritual growth could not comply with the cultural call: ‘If you love me, you’ll endorse my behavior.’ Because real love, true love, grieves over the inevitable results of wrong behavior.'</blockquote>Defend what is truthful and you will be attacked with defamation of your character. As Janet Folger warns us, “Character assassination unfolds when they don’t like what you say–you can just expect it.”Follow the truth and you will be confronted with retaliation from those that reject the same truth you are following. John told the truth about Herod’s sin and he was imprisoned, then beheaded.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">But when Herod heard, he said, ‘This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!’ For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’</blockquote>— Mark 6:16-18 (NKJV)Truth uncovers the secrets kept hidden by those caught in the web of their own deception. Herod was living with his brother’s wife and John exposed his unlawful action. Darkness is the blanket that covers all that is not truth, but light from the lamp of truth will remove that blanket of bad works.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.</blockquote>— John 3:21(NKJV)Who, then, will become your enemies:The following will become your enemies not because you hate them or reject them as human beings but because they will hate you and reject you.<ol class="list-decimal list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Live with truth as the foundation of your moral values and your enemies will be those that practice immoral acts of perversion and abomination (See Romans 1:29).</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Build your faith upon truth and your enemies will be those whose faith is nothing more than a belief in the exaltation of man and his human nature of sin (See Galatians 6:3).</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Speak truth as is and your enemies will be those that want to redefine the reality of truth into the imaginations of the human mind (See Jeremiah 16:12).</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Walk in truth and your enemies will be those that walk in blindness with no guidance or direction to where they are going (See Isaiah 59:10</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Support all that is truth and your enemies will be those that support the opposition to all truth.</li></ol>This is why if you support:<ol class="list-decimal list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1 list-none" dir="ltr"><ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The truth of the right to be born, then abortion supporters will be your enemies.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The truth of marriage between a man and a wife, then supporters of the abomination before God of same sex marriage will be your enemies.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The truth of creation by design of God himself, then supporters of evolution will be your enemies.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The truth of Israel and the right to exist and occupy its land, then supporters of dividing or taking the land away from them will be your enemies.</li></ul></li></ol>Jesus repeatedly warned of a time when anyone who followed truth will be persecuted by the enemies of truth.We, as the Church, are in that time once again… and it is time to draw a line in the sand and stand for Truth, no matter the cost. Of course, we will pray for our enemies, as Jesus instructs, but we will not back down or run away from courageously speaking Jesus who not only spoke the truth but is the Truth.

Have I Become Your Enemy?

Every day, we speak thousands of words and likely hear even more, depending on how much time we spend watching television, scrolling through social media, or listening to podcasts.Language is a gift from God, one often taken for granted by many. In fact, language is divine. The ability to communicate through spoken and written words is one of the many attributes God has placed within us as beings created in the Imago Dei. Through the Logos (The Word) God spoke the universe into existence ex nihilo (out of nothing).<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">In the beginning… God said, 'Let there be light' and from that moment on, God has continued to speak words of light and life into our lives.</blockquote>When employed rightly, then, our words both affirm our existence as beings created in God’s image and, at the same time, can birth ideas, build communities, and impact lives in ways that honor God and edify others. Communication matters because what and how we communicate has the potential to glorify God and generate outcomes that would inspire us, or others, to follow the trail and trajectory of our words and say of their results, “it is good.”That’s why some people work diligently to refine their communication skills—mastering rhetoric, building vocabulary, employing logic, and cultivating the discipline of listening—arts that, unfortunately, are increasingly rare in our society (Thinking is especially a lost art today, as it’s been said, “thinking takes hard work that’s why so few people do it.” But we’ll circle back to this subject at another time).Reality affirms, though, that Communicatio est necessarium vitae (Communication is an essential in life). Our effectiveness in society hinges on the words we choose and the grace in which we speak them. Yet too often, freedom of speech has become more mendacious and destructive than veracious and constructive. Public and private communication alike desperately need humility to balance the hubris that surrounds us—in academia, the political arena, the marketplace, social media, our homes, and even the Church.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Plato once said, 'Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools speak because they have to say something.'</blockquote>That line feels almost prophetic in our day. So many people speak, or post, before they think. My elementary school librarian would often tell us ad nauseum, “Children, put your brain in gear before engaging your mouth.”In hindsight, those are good words for our world today. Here’s an even better way of communicating this truth.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19).</blockquote>Our culture is the antithesis… slow to hear, quick to speak and to do so apoplectically.So how do we get better? How do we communicate with grace, and truth? How do we talk, and more importantly listen to each other.We begin with God… the Author of everything, including language.If we want to improve our conversations with others (and even the dialogue within ourselves), we must first invest in our communion with God through prayer—speaking to Him… listening to Him… and learning from His Word.Communication is key, but prayer is life. And our lives depend on it. In the words of E. Stanley Jones:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">I am better or worse as I pray more or less. If my prayer life sags, my whole life sags with it. If my prayer life goes up, my life as a whole goes up. To fail here means I fail all down the line; to succeed here means I succeed everywhere.</blockquote>So today… this week… for the rest of your life:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Choose your words wisely.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Speak your words truthfully.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Listen to the words of others intently.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">And “Have a little talk with Jesus.”</li></ul>Chat with Jesus often and throughout your day. Listen even more. In the words of Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Let your words be few.”Do this, and your communication with others will improve, your relationships will deepen, and your understanding of the world will broaden. Tap into the Vine, Who is also the Word, and you will begin to more fully understand, and experience, Jesus’ promise of abundant life (John 10:10).

Let Your Words Be Few

Why isn’t our spiritual warfare effective? Why don’t the children of God walk in the power and authority provided to them? Why do we see so many ministries stagnating or on the brink of failure? Why doesn’t the Church move today with the same power it had in its beginnings? What causes believers to live in such defeat in the present day?These and many similar questions are being discussed by numerous leaders in the 21st-century Church, yet convincing answers seem to remain out of reach. However, there is a response and the common thread weaving through the answer to this enigma is this:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The absence of prayer in the spiritual lives of the children of the Kingdom.</blockquote>Jesus prayed constantly. He prayed in the morning (Mark 1:35), at night (Luke 6:12), and in the afternoon (Matthew 14:23). He prayed alone and with His disciples (Luke 9:28–29), in deserts and on mountains (Luke 5:16), for an hour and sometimes all night (Luke 6:12). Likewise, the apostles dedicated themselves fully to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4), and the early Church remained steadfast in prayer (Acts 2:42).In the ministry of our Lord Jesus, prayer was not just a non-negotiable spiritual discipline; He also insisted that His disciples remain committed to this practice. He told them in Matthew 26:41:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.</blockquote>Moreover, Jesus took the time to teach his disciples how to pray and what to pray for (Matthew 6:5–15). He even expressed His expectation regarding how long they should pray (Matthew 26:40). If Jesus, the apostles, and the believers of the early Church prayed, what makes us think we can bypass the ministry and practice of prayer in our spiritual walk? Why would we consider it unimportant?Despite such a model, warning, and teaching established throughout the Bible, the truth is that we often dislike praying, and if we do, many would agree that it feels tedious.Recently, I heard statistics revealing that 95% of the Church today lacks a prayer life. Given the current effectiveness of Christians, I find it difficult to doubt these figures. This apathy toward prayer has resulted in a fruitless and powerless Church. It has caused many men and women who were once called by God to falter in their pursuit of their calling. Weariness has overtaken many laborers in the harvest, and the jaws of frustration have swallowed many of them.For nearly my entire life, I have been involved in the work of the Lord, and I am astonished to see new generations rising up with zeal to serve God while trying to find shortcuts to avoid a life of prayer. The Church today is filled with activism, programs, and human strategies.A cursory look at its machinery would suffice to realize that it resembles more of a worldly enterprise driven by the gears of carnal efforts than by the inertia produced by the manifestation of God’s presence within it. If we are to know God in a tangible way and be used in the expansion of His Kingdom, it is necessary for the Spirit of Prayer (Zechariah 12:10) to be poured out upon us, the children of God, stirring in us the desire to pray, making it both a discipline and a delight—an indispensable need as essential as water.No significant move of God has ever occurred without being preceded by prayer. Perhaps the “movements” of men impress us, but their effects will never be eternal nor comparable to those born of God Himself (John 3:6).It’s long past due for the Church to pray. The Church must refrain from being too busy to pray and, once again, take care of Kingdom business, beginning with daily times of individual prayer in the secret places of our homes and holding weekly meetings that call the Body to gather together for times of calling down heaven to earth.

An Unnegotiable Need

A simple glance at today’s headlines shows a world in turmoil.

Economies are shaking, ecosystems are groaning, and tragedies—both natural and manmade—flash across our screens. 

Truly, everything that can be shaken is being shaken. In disaster zones I’ve witnessed the collapse of structures, not only because of the storms but because they were built on faulty foundations.

Yet even in the Church, corners are being cut and compromises made, leaving many shipwrecked in their faith. As David Ravenhill warns in 

Many desire the power of Pentecost without first going by way of the Cross. The result? A form of godliness that denies its true source. Institutions are propped up without the Presence that gives them power, leaving us powerless to see authentic revival. May the Holy Spirit grant us a fresh revelation of Calvary’s cost and the redemption it purchased.

On one visit to Israel, my wife and I stood at the site in Shiloh where the tabernacle once stood (1 Samuel 1–4). There Hannah cried out to God for a son, and there the ark of God’s presence was once kept. As I prayed, I was struck by two parallel stories—one a warning, the other a hope.

In those days, the spiritual light in Israel was fading. The priests Hophni and Phineas lived in open sin, exploiting worshippers and neglecting their duties, including keeping oil in the temple lamp. Their father Eli knew of their wickedness but failed to correct them. Eventually, the glory of God departed, and the ark was captured.

Yet even in that darkness, God was at work. Hannah’s desperate prayer brought forth Samuel, a righteous prophet and judge. When God first called to him, “the lamp of God had not yet gone out” (1 Samuel 3:3). Judgment would come to Eli’s house, but God would also raise up a faithful priest.

Private Disobedience = Public Powerlessness:

The tragedy of Shiloh reminds us that private sin always has public consequences. Hophni and Phineas’s hidden corruption led to national defeat. Likewise, the modern church can cling to traditions, programs, and institutions, yet if the Presence of God has departed, we are powerless. We often blame government or culture, but revival begins with our own repentance.

The key to victory is not the ark—it is obedience. Without it, the lamp goes out and the Presence departs.

Ezekiel 22 describes a nation where princes, politicians, prophets, priests, and people all turned from God, tolerating corruption and injustice. God searched for someone to “stand in the gap” but found none.

Today, our own lamp is flickering. God is looking for a righteous remnant—those who will keep the oil in their lamps, honor His Word, and obey His commands.

Like Noah, who “moved with godly fear” and prepared an ark (Hebrews 11:7), we are called to prepare in three ways:

In Matthew 25, five virgins were wise, keeping their lamps full of oil. The five foolish ones allowed their oil to run out and missed the Bridegroom’s arrival. Today, much of the church resembles the foolish virgins—unprepared and without the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 12:27 tells us that God allows shaking so only what cannot be shaken will remain. In the days of Eli’s corrupt sons, God was already raising up Samuel. In our day, He is preparing a new prophetic generation—voices of courage, righteous judges, leaders of integrity.

We must resist “cosmetic Christianity”—all shine, no substance. Without the Presence, our celebrations are powerless. As Leonard Ravenhill said, “Many want an Upper Room experience, but they’re unwilling to humble themselves at the Cross.”

The path to public power runs through private humility. One of the highest forms of worship is obedience. Prayerlessness in private always becomes powerlessness in public.

God is calling princes, politicians, priests, prophets, and people to love Him and others more than themselves. From pulpits to political offices…and all in between, we need a revival of character.

Before the lamp goes out and the glory departs, may a new Samuel generation rise to lead with holiness, courage, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

We Need a Holy Spirit Outpouring, a Corporate Heart-Awakening

One of the primary goals of education is to teach children how to read. Obviously, reading paves the way for holistic learning and is essential in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, regardless of the discipline. When teaching children how to read, however, we must also be very mindful of the medium for their learning. What children are reading is just as important as teaching them how to read.Content is key. In many cases, it is king. Content has the capacity to rule the minds of readers, especially when they are children. This is why the American church must wake up and pay attention to what children are reading because far too often they have been learning how to read from sources clearly contrary to Biblical values and even, at times, common sense.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">As a kid, I wasn’t much of a reader. I was known as a “talker” and often in trouble for socializing far too much. So, regarding reading… I had to be flat-out bribed. But when I first opened The Chronicles of Narnia in fourth grade for a class assignment, something changed almost instantly. The magic of this story drew me in long before I came close to discovering any meaning. As a nine-year-old girl, I reluctantly stepped into this mythical wardrobe, convinced I was just reading another children’s story. But within minutes, this literary classic transformed me. Reading wasn’t boring homework anymore. It became an exciting adventure through a winter wonderland. Immediately, I went from a reluctant reader, who would much rather chat with almost anyone about the latest jelly shoes and Trapper Keepers, to one completely entranced by a fantasy world filled with anthropomorphic creatures engaged in an epic battle.</blockquote>C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe awakened my imagination. It also offered me an escape into a world far removed from the world around me. Page by page, the adventures of Lucy, Peter, and Mr. Tumnus brought me joy far sweeter than any Turkish Delight. I couldn’t grasp the deeper symbolism embodied within the text, but the seeds of truth were already being planted in my mind one chapter at a time.A couple of decades later, I made my first trip to Oxford (Lewis’s intellectual headquarters for many years) and the location commonly believed to be his source of inspiration. Arriving at Oxford was like stepping into another wardrobe. This wardrobe, though, led to Lewis’s world.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The first few days in Oxford took my breath away. As I strolled past the palatial college buildings, I found myself constantly in awe at the impressive stone towers. Block by block, I became increasingly enthralled by these massive works of craftsmanship built without the luxuries of modern technology. Every majestic tower, chapel, archway and courtyard, regardless of the college they belonged to, were powerfully symbolic indicators of centuries of tremendous intellectual and spiritual growth. One thing was clear in this old English city… There once was a time when Christianity dominated culture.</blockquote>This was especially obvious the day I explored the college where Lewis spent much of his career. I wandered through the cloisters of Magdalen College, taking in the abundance of white hydrangeas in full bloom, picturing Lewis walking and nerding out about philosophy and the meaning of life with Tolkien and Dyson along Addison’s Walk. While enjoying fish and chips at the Lamb and Flag pub, I imagined the Inklings discussing theology and literature at a corner table in a room reserved for their weekly fireside chats. I felt the weight of his legacy when I stared up at the red flowers in the window boxes of Lewis’s old residence within the “New Building.” He was more than a professor. He was a pilgrim on his own journey of faith who used his mastery of language to help millions navigate the uncertainties and complexities of life. Walking where Lewis once walked, I sensed the immense gravity of his calling: to translate eternal truths into tales that encourage wonder, shape virtue, and foster faith.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">C.S. Lewis once wrote to his goddaughter, 'Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.' His insight is more than nostalgia; it’s a reminder that imagination is essential, not childish. In many ways, fairy tales are temporary escape routes from reality. But they are also windows into some of the most profound and meaningful realities of life.</blockquote>Re-reading this classic as an adult, especially after exploring Oxford, made Aslan’s sacrifice resonate with the power of Christ’s own. The battle between good and evil within the text no longer felt like an allegorical lesson; it was a poignant reminder of the spiritual struggle, the cosmic battle that the Bible describes. Lewis’s genius was that he didn’t force these realities on readers through his fictional writing, but instead, invited readers of all ages to discover these truths for themselves.What began for me as a childhood escape has evolved into an adventure of faith. It also became a conviction to share: We need a new generation of storytellers today, people who know how to artistically communicate the truth with boldness and love.We need Christian writers, like Lewis, who can awaken wholesome wonder and imagination because we live in a world where both are becoming increasingly warped by secular culture.We need a renewed commitment to inspire children (and the child in us), with exciting stories that reinforce basic moral principles, instill timeless virtue, and convey absolute truth.We need literature that creatively and courageously highlights the obvious differences between fact and fiction and, at the same time, clearly distinguishes right from wrong.Our nation, and the world for that matter, is hungry for beauty, meaning, and significance. C.S. Lewis created a realm where these coalesced together in a profoundly impactful way while leading others to the only One who can truly satisfy.We need creative and godly thinkers like Lewis who will carry the torch, pick up the pen, and take minds through new wardrobes.And we especially need to provide our children with literature in all of our schools, public, private, and within the home that will teach them (and remind us) of who we are, Who we belong to, and how He expects us to live in this amazingly adventurous and beautiful world.

Through the Wardrobe Again - Balancing Imagination with Truth

Becky and I join with Americans all across the nation in expressing our shock and outrage at the senseless murder of Charlie Kirk.No one more epitomized the American Way than Charlie. His ability and passion to stand in the public square and debate the values he believed in with anyone who disagreed raised up a massive youth movement that was turning the nation around. The cost… his life.How tragic that this is where we are as a nation.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">May the sacrifice of his life become the catalyst that will return us to a people of Godly values.</blockquote>May what he passionately practiced in his faith in Jesus, his love for his family, his engaging wit and knowledge, his courage to stand up and speak up and challenge everyone else to do the same cause all of us to fight for the future of our nation as he did.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">May the Lord hold his wife and family in His everlasting arms and grant His peace and comfort.</blockquote>In talking with Charlie privately and interviewing him publicly, I was so impressed by this young man that God had raised up to be such a profound and courageous young voice to speak to our day.As in His life and now even more so in his death, may all of us courageously stand against the evil that so abounds in our day.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">May our voices resonate those same values Charlie stood for and has now died for.</blockquote>Thank God for Charlie Kirk. He was the voice of his generation.During my public interview with him at one of our weekly prayer meetings, Charlie made it unmistakably clear where he stood:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Evil should not be tolerated in the American church.”“Courage is doing the right thing regardless of the cost.”“If the American church stood boldly and courageously, we retake the lead in the culture war.”“Cowardly pastors have to resign and righteous, bold pastors have to be raised up to preach the Word of God and to defend liberty in a time such as this.”“You as a Christian are not allowed to despair. You are not allowed to engage in cynicism. We are a hopeful people because we know the battle is already won.</blockquote>Charlie’s words are not only a challenge—they’re a blueprint.They echo the very ideals of FORGE itself:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Shaping Pastors Who Will Shape the Nation</blockquote>Forge is about molding leaders who thunder from their pulpits with courage and call their congregations to engage the culture with unwavering biblical conviction.This is why we do FORGE… because the future of the Church, and the future of our nation, depends on pastors who will stand as Charlie stood and stand as he described—boldly, uncompromising, and filled with hope.

Remembering Charlie Kirk

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">Every leader wants to finish well.</h1>Yet, sometimes the challenges and discouragements of life can feel overwhelming. We get tired and distracted. Without realizing it, we settle for less than God’s best.Whether you are just beginning your ministry journey or you’ve been serving for decades and feel weary, ineffective, or ready to quit—it may be time for a Leadership Awakening. Your life can be marked by God’s goodness all the way to the finish line.Through scriptural time-tested principles we can:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Measure leadership success God’s way.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Overcome the opposition godly leaders face.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Display traits that transform your family, workplace, church, and community.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Equip yourself and others to run the race and finish well.</li></ul>Don’t become another casualty on the battlefield of Christian leadership. You can live an impactful life and one day hear the Lord’s beautiful words:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Vacuum of Godly Leaders:</h2>General William Booth (1829 – 1912), founder of The Salvation Army, warned well over a century ago:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.”</blockquote>We are living in that reality today. There is an erosion of moral foundations and a vacuum of courageous leaders. Education alone does not produce them. Diplomas don’t prove them. Character does.Degrees in leadership are only worth the paper they’re printed on if there’s no substance of godly character to accompany them. Jude challenges us to be spiritually fit to contend for the faith, because only those who are grounded and prepared can stand in the battle for truth.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Commitment and Clarity:</h2>We live in a culture where commitments and agreements are often shallow and unreliable. It used to be that a handshake or a verbal promise carried weight. Now, even with a signed contract, you might still wonder if a person will follow through.Sometimes agreements—even with people we trust—need to be put in writing. Not out of suspicion, but for the sake of clarity. As God said through the prophet Habakkuk:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2).</blockquote>Clarity of vision and clarity of agreement go hand in hand. They minimize conflict and maximize unity.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Kindred Hearts:</h2>The apostle Paul had many coworkers, but when he needed to send someone to the Philippians, he chose Timothy:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare” (Philippians 2:20 NASB).</blockquote>True unity is more than shared doctrine or organizational structure. It’s a matter of having the same heart, spirit, and purpose. You can tie the tails of two cats together, but that won’t bring unity. They may be united, but not in unity —it will only bring chaos.God desires for His Church to awaken, especially now as we see the erosion and unraveling of so many of our moral foundations. I’m not talking about some lowest common denominator of unity, but unity in Christ. Authentic UNITY is not UNIFORMITY, but UNITY that comes from our UNIQUE diversity, yet common relationship in Christ and His Word. He desires for His Church to come together and soar above the many distractions that keep us divided.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">A New Generation:</h2>True intercession is not just hiding in the prayer closet. It’s standing in the gap between the living and the dead. Moses and Aaron provide an example of this, as they grabbed the censers of incense (symbolic of intercession) and ran to stand in front of those who were perishing, begging for God to stop the plague of sin. They cried out for mercy, for God to move on behalf of their people.Genuine unity happens when there’s a shared vision and clear leadership, where love, mutual submission, and proper alignment are present. Take time to assess your key relationships—in marriage, family, business, or ministry. Do you have unity of heart and spirit with those closest to you? If not, begin with prayer. Ask God to change your heart first, and then invite Him to restore your relationships.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Defining the Narrative:</h2>In times of crisis, we need leaders who will speak and live the narrative of the Kingdom. Those who tell the story, define the narrative, and create the history. Our lives tell a story. What is the story we are telling by the way we live?<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Battle for the Soul of the Nation:</h2>Isaiah 1 warns of the sins that bring God’s displeasure on a nation—shedding innocent blood, moral looseness, injustice, and spiritual compromise. Paul echoes this in 2 Thessalonians 2, warning that when people no longer love the truth, they are given over to deception and strong delusion.This battle is not just political—it’s a battle for the soul of a generation. Sacred truth, marriage, and life itself are under attack. We cannot retreat into “holy huddles” while the culture drifts further into apostasy.President Lincoln once said:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”</blockquote>We must make sure our ideology is defined by God’s character, Word, and Spirit—not our personal preferences or cultural trends.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">A Revival of Character:</h2>From preachers to politicians, from pulpits to public offices, we need a revival of character. The church needs heroes today—men and women like Joshua and Caleb who can see past the giants and hold fast to the promises of God.The prophet Zephaniah described a time when princes, judges, prophets, and priests had all become corrupt. Yet God promised to restore a “pure language” to His people so they could call on Him with one accord. We need that restoration today.Courageous leadership does not acquiesce or bow to public opinion. It holds fast to truth with compassion and conviction. As Peter E. Waldron once said:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Fortitude is an attribute of character glaringly missing from the pulpit and the pew.”</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Finishing Well:</h2>Leadership success is not just starting the race—it’s finishing well. That requires spiritual, physical, and emotional health, cultivated daily.<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Guard your heart. Most leaders don’t fall suddenly—they drift slowly. Stay vigilant.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Know your real friends. Build relationships on authenticity, not position.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Reject flattery. It manipulates for gain. Speak truth in love instead.</li></ul>The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:5,<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Call:</h2>We are at a crossroads. The Church as an institution will not survive without a fundamental awakening—a return to our spiritual moorings and biblical foundations.As Duncan Campbell said of the Hebrides Revival, “Revival is a community saturated with God.”It’s time for individual heart awakenings that lead to a corporate church awakening—before we face a rude awakening.God is looking for common men and women who will rise above comfort and convenience, who will walk in character, courage, commitment, and honor.Leaders who will love God and people more than themselves.Let us answer the call to courageous and persevering leadership—standing firm in the unshakable kingdom we have received, so that we can say with confidence at the end of our race:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).</blockquote>

The Call for Godly, Courageous and Persevering Leadership 

If there is to be a restoration of the moral laws in America, a comeback to the very foundations of faith, and belief in God as the giver of life and all rights of life, then it will only be possible if the Elijahs of our nation come out of the caves of silence and fear and return to their God-given assignment in leading the nation to justice and righteousness.If every pastor in America, every minister who believes in the authenticity of the Bible as God’s word, rises up and confronts the deception of our times and the dark forces of evil in our nation, then this nation can be saved from the deception and destruction it is being submerged into.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">God told Elijah that he was not alone, for there were still others like him who had not compromised or surrendered their integrity and convictions of truth into the hands of those who were looking to overpower their wills and control their minds.</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him (I Kings 19:18).</blockquote>God was telling Elijah that there was a remnant, an army of men and women who were determined to not be overtaken and forced to worship or serve the gods of the culture of the time they were living.The same is true in America today, as there are many Elijahs in the land who are hiding and remain silent in despair and have lost hope as they believe there is no one else like them.The Elijahs of America are running away from their calling, away from their God-given assignments, and refusing to stand and resist the forces of evil and darkness.Fear as a strong river has overpowered their will to speak and fight for justice.As a result of fear, many Elijahs are hiding in caves today, as Elijah did until God asked him what he was doing there.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?’ (I Kings 19:9)</blockquote>The Elijahs of America are the pastors of every village, every city, every state and throughout the nation who have found a cave where they feel comfortable.They are looking the other way, as if they do not see what is happening in the nation, how the immoral has absorbed the moral, how the unreal has become real, and how sin is the normal in the land.Many have become weak in their preaching and have replaced the teaching of God’s word and its application to everyday issues with words of entertainment and human reasoning based on the ideology of culture and its tolerance for evil and iniquity.They are doing nothing to bring the transforming power of God and his truth to the generations of people who are sitting every week in their church buildings.The only hope for restoration and healing of a divided nation the United States has become is that every pastor in America will stop making the pulpit a cave to hide and speak what the people want to hear, instead of preaching and teaching what God has called them to speak without fear.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).</blockquote>God raised the church in America to be the gatekeeper of its borders and protect the nation’s spiritual condition while keeping the commandments and truth of his word.The church in America was raised as the prophet Elijah to speak to all Americans that love God and nation to no longer halt between two opinions.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, ‘How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people answered him not a word (I Kings 18:2).</blockquote>When the church speaks to the nation and the people do not respond a word as stated in the times of Elijah, it is up to the Elijahs to confront the false prophets of Baal.The time for confronting darkness has come, and the church is standing today at the front line of the battle for America, while giants are destroying our nation and intimidating Christians in America with threats of persecution or destruction of their character, as it commonly happens in the political arena in the pursuit of power.There is, without any doubt, a need for the like Elijahs to come out, even if they think they are alone.The church in America is in the valley of decision, at a point in history where it must decide whether to stay within the walls of its precious buildings or gatherings or come out and engage in the final war against culture that is destroying the nation.It is at the hour of its final destination where, along with the church all over the world, it is preparing for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it as the last trumpet will sound calling the church out before the trumpets of revelation and the great tribulation.However, the church in America is hearing the last trumpet for America these days, and it is the decisive moment in history to either save the United States of America or let it fall in the hands of a godless culture.Darkness will only prevail if the salt has lost its taste and the light remains hidden.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The prophet Joel prophesied in Joel 3:12-14,Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat:For there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe:Come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow;For their wickedness is great.Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision:For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.</blockquote>The valley of decision is where the church must not waiver between two schools of thought but make up its mind whether to obey and serve God or serve the gods of the world and their culture of deception.It is a time to call upon the Elijahs of America and decide who they will serve.

Where Are the Elijahs in America?

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">The Ten Commandments</h1><a href="https://" rel="noreferrer" dir="ltr">The Ten Commandments were given by God to serve as the foundational code of conduct—a standard of morality for any and all civilizations that desire to be a nation under God, and therefore, blessed. The history of America is one built upon this foundation.</a><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson on November 4, 1816:“The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount contain my religion.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">President Harry S. Truman addressed the Attorney General's Conference in February 1950:“The fundamental basis of this nation's laws was given to Moses on the Mount ... I don't think we emphasize that enough these days… If we don't have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except for the State.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“The Ten Commandments are not the laws. They are The Law,” stated Cecil B. DeMille on November 8, 1956, at the New York opening of his epic film The Ten Commandments.</blockquote>Released by Paramount Pictures, the movie starred Charlton Heston as Moses and Yul Brynner as Pharaoh Rameses II. Adjusted for inflation, it went on to become the 8th highest-grossing film of all time. While filming on-location in Egypt, Cecil B. DeMille—then 75 years old—climbed a 107-foot ladder to shoot the famous Exodus scene from atop the massive Per Rameses set. In the intense heat, DeMille suffered a near-fatal heart attack.Though doctors ordered him to rest, DeMille finished directing the movie. He never fully recovered and died of a heart condition on January 21, 1959. He had anticipated doing a film on the Book of Revelation.For almost five decades, Cecil B. DeMille produced monumental films in Hollywood, including:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Joan the Woman (1916)</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Male and Female (1919)</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Adam’s Rib (1923)</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Road to Yesterday (1925)</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The King of Kings (1927)</li><li value="6" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Sign of the Cross (1932)</li><li value="7" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Cleopatra (1934)</li><li value="8" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Crusades (1935)</li><li value="9" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Samson and Delilah (1949)</li><li value="10" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), for which he won an Academy Award.</li></ul>Cecil B. DeMille was educated at Pennsylvania Military Academy and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.His niece, Agnes de Mille, choreographed films and musicals such as:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Oklahoma! (1943)</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Carousel (1945)</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Rodeo (1942)</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Paint Your Wagon (1951)</li></ul><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Continuing his comments at the 1956 New York opening of The Ten Commandments, DeMille stated:“Man has made 32 million laws since the Commandments were handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai more than three thousand years ago, but he has never improved on God’s law. The Ten Commandments are the principles by which man may live with God and man may live with man. They are the expressions of the mind of God for His creatures. They are the charter and guide of human liberty, for there can be no liberty without the law... What I hope for our production of The Ten Commandments is that those who see it shall come from the theater not only entertained and filled with the sight of a big spectacle, but filled with the spirit of truth... That it will bring to its audience a better understanding of the real meaning of this pattern of life that God has set down for us to follow.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">President William McKinley stated in his Inaugural Address, March 4, 1897:“Our faith teaches that there is no safer reliance than upon the God of our fathers ... who will not forsake us so long as we obey His commandments.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Alfred Smith, four-term Democrat Governor of New York and the first Catholic Presidential candidate, stated in May 1927:“The essence of my faith is built upon the commandments of God. The law of the land is built on the commandments of God. There can be no conflict between them.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Franklin D. Roosevelt stated on December 24, 1942:“We as a nation and as individuals will please God best by showing regard for the laws of God. There is no better way of fostering good will toward man than by first fostering good will toward God. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments.”</blockquote>In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower said:“The purpose of a devout and united people was set forth in the pages of the Bible:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">to live in freedom;</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">to work in a prosperous land;</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">to obey the commandments of God.</li></ul>This Biblical story of the Promised Land inspired the founders of America. It continues to inspire us.”<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">On March 8, 1983, at the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida, President Ronald Reagan stated:“There’s a great spiritual awakening in America... One recent survey by a Washington-based research council concluded... 95 percent of those surveyed expressed a belief in God. A huge majority believed the Ten Commandments had real meaning in their lives.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Dr. Billy Graham, in accepting the Congressional Gold Medal on May 2, 1996, said:“We have lost sight of the moral and spiritual principles on which this nation was established—principles drawn largely from the Judeo-Christian tradition as found in the Bible... There is hope! Our lives can be changed... The Scripture says, ‘You must be born again’... Think how different our nation would be if we sought to follow the simple and yet profound injunctions of the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">On February 5, 1997, Governor Fob James threatened to call out the National Guard to prevent the removal of the Ten Commandments display from a courtroom in Gadsden, Alabama:“The only way those Ten Commandments and prayer would be stripped from that courtroom is with the force of arms.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">In 1973, as Governor of California, Ronald Reagan stated:“With freedom goes responsibility. Sir Winston Churchill once said you can have 10,000 regulations and still not have respect for the law. We might start with the Ten Commandments. If we lived by the Golden Rule, there would be no need for other laws.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">As President, Reagan stated at a National Rifle Association banquet in Phoenix on May 6, 1983:“If we could just keep remembering that Moses brought down from the mountain the Ten Commandments—not ten suggestions—and if those of us who live for the Lord could remember that He wants us to love our Lord and our neighbor, then there’s no limit to the problems we could solve.”</blockquote>Our nation has a rich history—particularly when it comes to acknowledging the Ten Commandments’ place in our lives. In recent years, the Ten Commandments have been under attack by people of lawlessness.But there is a remnant Church, working to re-elevate God’s laws to their proper place in the life of this land and to remind this country that we are one nation under God. To learn more about William Federer, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" dir="ltr">https://americanminute.com/</a>

The Ten Commandments in America

When we talk about revival, we often imagine packed altars, powerful worship, and miracles breaking out in a room.

And while those things do happen, Scripture paints a much deeper—and more uncomfortable—picture of what revival really looks like. In Ezra 9, we get a glimpse of revival not through fireworks and celebration, but through heartbreak, repentance, and confrontation with compromise.

Ezra, a Levite priest, was sent by the king of Persia to restore worship in Jerusalem. Think about that: a pagan king recognizes that the God of Israel is a good God and sends His people back to rebuild what had been destroyed. That’s supernatural favor. It’s grace.

And Ezra did it. He brought the vessels back. He reestablished the temple. He had the building, the instruments, the altar, the structure. It was all there—what most would call success.

revival isn’t measured in buildings or budgets. It’s measured in obedience.

Right when everything was “done,” leaders approached Ezra with a heartbreaking report: the people had not separated themselves from the pagan nations around them. Even the priests and Levites—the ones meant to lead in holiness—had intermarried and compromised.

Ezra’s response wasn’t polite disappointment. He tore his clothes. He ripped out his hair and beard. He sat on the ground, shocked. And honestly, we should be too.

Because if the Church doesn’t tremble at its own compromise, it will never carry the weight of revival.

Ezra wasn’t shocked that the world was being worldly. He was broken that the people of God—those who had the law, the temple, the history, the calling—had stopped being set apart. They’d made peace with what God said to destroy. They had welcomed what they were commanded to resist.

This is where we need to pause and take a hard look at our own generation.

The American Church has become comfortable at the altar of cultural relevance. We’ve blurred the lines to avoid offense. We’ve negotiated with darkness in the name of inclusion. And now we’re shocked that the next generation doesn’t know who God is.

Let’s call it what it is: we’ve made covenants with other gods. Not with statues, but with ideologies, movements, philosophies, and lifestyles that oppose the holiness of God. And the result is a nation that’s spiritually confused and morally numb.

Like Israel, we’re guilty of raising a generation that doesn’t know the difference between worship and entertainment, between freedom and compromise.

And just like in Ezra’s day, that spiritual mixture doesn’t just grieve God—it invites judgment.

Ezra’s greatness wasn’t in his preaching or leadership. It was in his response.

He didn’t say, “They sinned.” He said, “We sinned.” He confessed not just the people’s failure but his own complicity.

That’s the posture that invites revival: shared repentance. No pointing fingers. No “us vs. them.” Just a priest on his face at the time of the evening sacrifice, saying, We are guilty. God, forgive us.

And something powerful happens at that moment.

The Turning Point: 3PM and the Grace of God

Ezra breaks down “until the evening sacrifice”—around 3PM. That might seem like a detail, but it’s not. In Scripture, 3PM is a holy hour.

It’s the time Elijah called down fire from heaven.

It’s the hour Jesus cried out, “It is finished.”

It’s when Peter and John healed the man at the Gate Beautiful.

3PM is when God moves. And that’s when Ezra says something that shifts the entire chapter:

Don’t miss this. The people were still in a mess. The culture was still compromised. But because there was a remnant willing to repent, God gave a measure of revival.

Revival is not a moment of hype. It’s a response of heaven to a remnant willing to be honest, broken, and bold.

Ezra talks about being given a “peg in His holy place.” That word “peg” is rich—it’s a stake, a fixture, a silver hook that reflects the glory around it. That’s what the remnant becomes. A reflector of God’s glory in the holy place. Not by might. Not by numbers. But by purity.

Let that sink in: revival begins not with a crowd, but with a remnant. Always has. Always will.

If we want to see true revival in America, we have to start with repentance in the Church. We can’t protect this nation with a Church that’s poked holes in its own umbrella. The rain of confusion, perversion, deception—it’s falling right through the gaps we’ve tolerated.

But here’s the hope: God has built a highway in our bondage. A highway of mercy. Of grace. Of restoration.

Will we confess like Ezra? Will we stand in the gap? Will we be the peg in the holy place?

Because God is ready—not to reward performance—but to respond to repentance.

We’re not too far gone. Not when there’s still a remnant. Not when grace still finds a way. Not when the cross still speaks.

So maybe the question isn’t: Where is revival?

Maybe the real question is: Where is the remnant who’s willing to weep, repent, and reflect the glory of God—no matter the cost?

When Revival Isn’t What We Think: A Measure from Ezra

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">Colossians 1:15-22 is an amazing passage and conveys one of the earliest creeds of the Church–Jesus is Lord. Before we explore this pericope, however, we need to do some background work and reflect upon the biblical context.&nbsp;</h1> The letter to the Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul to the Church in Colossae, a city about 100 miles southeast of Ephesus. Colossae had been well known long before Paul’s time. At one time, it was a thriving commercial and political center. Persian kings like Xerxes and Cyrus favored it as their ancient day vacation get-a-way. But by the first century A.D., the greatness and glory of Colossae had faded. It had become just another ordinary, insignificant, and often harsh ancient city filled with ruins serving as memories of a more vibrant time. For many, the expectations of any return to glory were futile. And yet, the Gospel has a habit of confounding the maps of men. Once this irrelevant, eroded city collided with the Good News, it instantly became eternally significant and welcomed another King—the King of Kings. Many assume Paul started the Church in Colossae. After all, he wrote them this letter. Paul was a church planter, for sure, but he did not plant this one. In fact, Paul never even visited the city. Still, he tremendously impacted this new group of believers. While ministering in Ephesus, another city about 100 miles away, Paul boldly and faithfully preached the message of Christ. God used his ministry to light a fire in the hearts of the Ephesians. Some of those believers carried the Good News to the surrounding cities, like Colassae. Eventually, the message of salvation reached a Colossian man named Epaphras, mentioned in Colossians 1:7. He is the man believed to have started the Church in Colossae. What a simple but profound lesson for Christians today. When we faithfully and passionately share the love and message of Christ, lives will be changed not only in our own community but far beyond. When we disciple and raise up followers of Christ to disciple others, the impact becomes ineffably exponential. The believers in Colossae were initially enthusiastic for Christ and His message of the Kingdom. They grew their Church, but before long, problems surfaced, which isn’t shocking? Every Church has issues. The Church is the Body of Christ and the Body is made up of members, by people who aren’t perfect.&nbsp; The problem in Colossae was the Church’s struggle to overcome cultural resistance to Christianity.&nbsp; Colossae was religiously diverse. Over the centuries, Persians, Greeks, and Romans had brought their gods. The people were accustomed to worshiping many deities. When Jesus was presented to them, the temptation for many Colossians was to fit Him into that system, to treat Him as one more god among the others.This is called syncretism—it’s incredibly dangerous to the health of any Church. At the same time, Gnosticism was beginning to influence the culture and seep into the minds of new believers. This philosophy taught that all matter was eternal and essentially evil. That runs completely counter to Christian doctrine, especially the doctrines of creation and the incarnation. As Christians, we believe matter was created ex nihilo (out of nothing) by God, and that creation was good. We also believe Jesus became flesh, that God Himself in Christ entered creation, and that He is good. The Gnostics rejected this. They claimed Jesus did not have a real body, that He was some kind of spirit being who could not truly die on the cross. Obviously, this is extremely problematic. If Jesus did not die, then He did not save the world from sin and eternal death. These ideas, along with similar heresies like Docetism, were creeping into the Church and diminishing Christ in the minds of many. When Paul heard about this, he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to address the Church in Colossae. He was not going to stand by and let anyone believe Christ to be just another god, that He was not enough, or that He was not real flesh and blood. So, around A.D. 60, Paul wrote what may be his most powerful and Christ-centered passage. He may not have known the Colossians personally, but he knew exactly who he was writing about. In these few verses, Paul drives home one central truth: the supremacy of Christ. Jesus is Lord. Here are a few ways His Lordship is expressed by Paul: <ol class="list-decimal list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord/God (v. 15) Paul starts with a bold statement: “The Son is the image of the invisible God.” In other words, the God we can’t see has made Himself visible in Jesus. This isn’t just a copy or a vague likeness. This is God Himself in human flesh (John 1:14). If you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen God. </li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord of Creation (vv. 16–17) Paul goes on: “For in him all things were created… all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Jesus is both the maker and the sustainer of everything. Every mountain, every ocean, every star you see at night—He made them. The galaxies keep turning and the smallest atom stays in place because Christ is holding it all together. Creation doesn’t just come from Him; it’s tied up in Him and belongs to Him. </li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord of Lords (v. 16) Paul says He rules over “thrones or powers or rulers or authorities.” That means every government, every ruler, every unseen spiritual power, heavenly or earthly, ultimately answers to Him. They might not recognize Him now, but one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10-11). </li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord of the Church (v. 18) Paul tells us: “He is the head of the body, the church.” That’s not just a title; it’s reality. The head gives life and direction to the body, and Jesus does the same for His church. It doesn’t belong to pastors, elders, or members—it belongs to Him. He leads it, He sustains it, and He measures its health by faithfulness, not by size or programs. </li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord over Death (v. 18) Paul calls Him “the firstborn from among the dead.” That doesn’t mean He was created—it means He’s first in rank and first in victory over death. Jesus walked into death and came out the other side, alive and triumphant. He’s leading the resurrection parade, and everyone who belongs to Him will follow. </li><li value="6" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord of Reconciliation and Peace (vv. 19–22) Paul closes with this: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things… by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” The One who made all things is also the One who can fix what’s broken. Sin has fractured the world, but through His real, physical, willing death, Jesus has brought peace between God and His people. Those who were once far from Him are now holy, clean, and secure in His presence. </li></ol>This letter is a Christological masterpiece. You can’t read it (especially this passage) and walk away confused about who Jesus is according to the Christian faith. Yes, He was a man, but not just a man or a great teacher, an extraordinary ethicist, or a premier philanthropist and philosopher. He is also Lord, the Lord God. Lord of Creation, Lord of Lords, Lord of all, Lord of the Church, Lord over death, and Lord of Reconciliation and Peace. He is Lord in countless ways, but the real question is: is He the Lord of our lives? Most of us would probably say, “Of course He is! I have placed my faith in Christ; I believe He died for my sins and gave me eternal life.” If you can say that, then Jesus is your Savior. Praise God. But I’m not asking if Jesus is your Savior. I’m asking if He is your Lord. Making Jesus your Savior requires faith; it involves no effort beyond believing in Him. Allowing Jesus to be the Lord of your life, however, demands something more. It means willfully setting aside your own desires, will, and ambitions, and submitting fully to His. It means turning over the reins of your life to Jesus every day, giving Him complete control over all that you are and all that you have.

Jesus Is Lord: One of the Earliest Creeds of the Church

We live in the greatest nation on earth—actually, the greatest nation in the history of the world. But we’re not great because we’re so smart, or strong, or moral. We’re great because God has been good to us. Throughout our history, God really has shed His grace on us.

This country is also great because, from the very beginning, there’s always been a remnant in America—a people who honored His Word, walked in His ways, and cried out to God on behalf of the nation. Even when the majority turned away, God always had a faithful few who gathered together, frequently, and said, 

Another Founding Fire? Preachers who weren’t afraid to speak the truth. The British called these providers and proclaimers of the Gospel the Black Robe Regiment. They caused quite a stir and made quite the impact. In fact, this group of courageous preachers were credited by the British as one of the primary reasons for American Independence and the sort of government this nation formed.

But after we won independence, something shifted. We gained freedom from the king of England—and started acting like we were free from the King of Kings too.

Our history isn’t perfect, and if you step back and look, you can see patterns that look parallel to Israel’s story in the Old Testament. Righteousness, rebellion, retribution, and restoration. It’s a cycle–not just for Israel, but for humanity. Immediately after the British were defeated, God was no longer needed for many of the victors. Church attendance dropped. Pride crept in. The Enlightenment that traversed the Atlantic pushed God to the periphery within the collective American Mind. Reason was elevated over revelation. And once again, the cycle repeated.

But God wasn’t finished with this nation. God stirred the waters again. The Second Great Awakening sprang up and swept across the land. Circuit riders spread the Gospel to the masses, riding thousands of miles on horseback. Preachers like Richard Allen, Harry Hoosier, and Francis Asbury began, through the power of the Holy Spirit, lighting fires in the hearts of the people again. God moved. People repented. The nation began to find its moral compass again and, finally, abolished the sin of slavery.

The nation was broken. The Church was split. Families were destroyed.

This became the central prayer for the remnant in the land, which paved the way for a late 19th century, early 20th century movement of the Holy Spirit–The Holiness movement. It was a new, fresh Pentecostal outpouring. Revivals such as the one on Azusa Street, fanned the flame within thousands of believers and won over thousands more. The people of this land became hungry for more of God. The Church was revived and new expressions of the Christian Faith erupted, forming holiness centered denominations and associations.

But over time, the church got quiet again, especially after WWII. The people of God in America became complacent. Materialism consumed the majority. God was forgotten by many and the results were devastating.

Prayer was taken out of schools. Abortion was legalized. Most Christians said nothing. In that silence came the sexual revolution, a new wave of Marxism, the beginning of moral relativism, and the rise of postmodernity.

We now live in a culture that believes truth is subjective.

Over the last few years, these destructive ideologies and perspectives have coalesced, resulting in identity politics, spreading hostility and confusion and, ultimately, creating a colossal identity crisis for thousands.

Now here we are today, with a window of opportunity to see a movement of God, another Great Awakening that will make the first two seem like weekend retreats.

I’m telling you—we’ve got a chance. It’s not over. Not if we humble ourselves. Not if we pray. Not if we draw that circle and say, “Start with me.”

Let Us Pray

If there’s one passage in Scripture that captures both the beauty and the power of unity among believers, it’s Psalm 133.

Just three verses long, this psalm—attributed to David—is short but weighty. It reveals not only how God sees unity, but also how He responds to it.

This passage doesn’t just describe unity—it celebrates it. It reveals what unity does in the Spirit. And if we look closely, it shows us three divine movements that happen when believers walk together in harmony.

1. Unity Produces a Sound That Pleases Heaven

The Hebrew word used for “harmony” in verse 1 implies a musical blending—a sweet, pleasing sound. In other words, unity is audible to heaven. It’s not just a concept or a doctrine; it’s something that makes noise. When the people of God gather with one heart and one spirit, it creates a resonance that’s pleasant to the ear of the Lord.

Imagine the sound of a symphony tuning up—disjointed, chaotic, uncertain. That’s often what it feels like when we walk in division. But when unity arrives? The notes align. The dissonance fades. A melody begins to rise.

Unity is a spiritual frequency, and God listens for it.

That’s why disunity is so disruptive. It’s not just relational dysfunction—it’s noise pollution in the spiritual realm. It silences what should be a holy sound. But when we humble ourselves and choose oneness, our gathering becomes a song. A sound that heaven cannot ignore.

The psalm takes us from sound to substance:

This is priestly imagery. The oil mentioned here is not symbolic—it’s literal, sacred oil reserved for anointing the High Priest of Israel. When it was poured out, it didn’t trickle. It ran freely. From the head, down the beard, over the robe. That oil represented consecration, empowerment, and divine appointment.

And in this passage, unity is compared to that kind of anointing.

That means when the Body of Christ walks in harmony, the same sacred oil that once anointed Aaron begins to flow again—this time from our eternal High Priest, Jesus. The anointing of Christ doesn’t remain locked in heaven. It flows through His Body—through us.

But catch this: the oil only flows when the Body is united.

Disunity creates blockages. It cuts off the flow. But when brothers and sisters come together in humility, grace, forgiveness, and mutual honor, the oil begins to run again—freely, generously, supernaturally.

This anointing is not just for goosebumps or good feelings. It’s the enabling power of God to do what we cannot do in the natural realm—To heal, to reconcile, to preach, to deliver, to build, to endure.

No wonder the enemy fights so hard to divide us. If he can kill unity, he can stop the flow.

3. Unity Creates the Climate for Blessing and Life

The final verse gives us the outcome of all this:

There—in the place of unity. There—in the atmosphere of harmony. There—when the Body refuses to tear itself apart, but instead leans in, loves hard, and holds fast.

That’s where God commands the blessing.

Unity doesn’t just attract favor—it activates it. It pulls it down. God doesn’t suggest a blessing. He commands it. He releases something that cannot be undone by the enemy.

That’s why the enemy doesn't have to defeat the Church—he just has to divide it.

But when we protect unity, we step into a realm of divine reward. Not just temporal blessing, but life everlasting. That phrase points to both the now and the not-yet—the abundance of His Spirit today and the inheritance of eternity tomorrow.

When we live in unity, we're rehearsing heaven.

In a world fractured by division, tribalism, and offense, walking in unity is not automatic—it’s intentional. It’s countercultural. It requires maturity. It demands we lay down our preferences for the sake of the mission.

But if we truly want to be a church that carries the presence and power of God, then unity is not optional—it’s foundational.